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Monday, May 26, 2014

Ancient Understanding of the Law; Abraham Prophesied Jesus; Aristeas and Barnabas

Something that fascinates me is to look into what people thought many years ago. How they thought, why they thought what they did, and the comparison of how we think today. Many people have altered the things we think about the Bible by their opinions, and such is the case with the Mosaic laws. In order to come into a fuller understanding of what God wanted communicated, it is helpful to see what ancient people thought about the laws. We don’t have many artifacts, but one such letter helps us understand the law from a 300 BC perspective. While Ptolemy was building the library at Alexandria and scribing the 70 books of the Bible into Greek, we have an explanation as to the picture God was giving humans in giving the law. We have strayed so far from these ideas that the law of Moses as become a weapon in which we beat people over the head. That is not why the law was given.

A man named Aristeas, an ambassador of Ptolemy, spoke with a priest named Eleazer regarding the Jews and their laws, and then wrote to Philocrates, his blood brother who was also in the pursuit of goodness. Apparently both Aristeas and Philocrates loved learning and hungered after truth. Many Jews have vilified Ptolemy, but really he was much like a Cyrus, who God chose to do certain things for him. If we remember our history from the Book of Daniel, the four hundred years before the time of Christ were not silent years but were filled with activity as Daniel reported. Daniel told us exactly what would transpire and it did. The Greeks were world dominators, and thankfully we now have the Septuagint, which is a very accurate text. Much more accurate than later texts which became distorted with religious views.

With this in mind, learning what the priests of the time of 300 BC thought regarding the law helps us to understand how and why Jesus came to fulfill the law. The reasons we have been given as to why we must follow the Law of Moses are man-made religions that truly have nothing to do with God’s reasons. Firstly, we have to understand, without televisions and movies, God had to paint a picture of what he wanted people to know using the things they would observe on a daily basis. If someone would say “don’t eat like a pig”, we would understand that to mean eating in a sloppy manner with a voracious appetite. We would also understand that in our society we would look bad and others would not want to associate with us. From that expression, we give ourselves a set of practices that ensures we are socially acceptable to others, such as using forks and knives, plates and napkins. Then we have an acceptable set of manners that also help ensure we do not eat like pigs when we sit at a table, politely ask for someone to pass a particular food item, eat in reasonable portions, and not make a lot of noises such as slurping and burping when we eat. That one simple phrase has a whole set of uncommunicated rules and ideas in our culture.

Similarly, Eleazer gives us such great insight into the law that we have missed over the course of time. There is a free copy of this letter on line which is quite lengthy. I am pulling out the ideas regarding the law to give us a better perspective of what God wanted us to know.         

This first part is the translator’s notes regarding this letter.
THE LETTER OF ARISTEAS
IN THE Letter of Aristeas, one of the most noteworthy and ancient recoveries in this collection, we have come a long way from Adam and Eve, a long way from the Flood. This writing presents a spectacle of the resiliency of the human race, which has re-peopled the Earth, with powerful nations living in pomp and splendor.
You will read here of the first great bibliophile--Ptolemy Philadelphus. He desires to collect into his library at Alexandria "all the books in the world." Finally in his passion to secure one great work--the Jewish Laws--he trades 100,000 captives for that book. This is probably the highest price ever paid for a single work. It presents an unusual reason for the end of the Great Captivity.
The events of this narrative took place during the lifetime of the famous Queen Arsinoe, who died 270 B. C. The exact date of the writing is uncertain.
The details of court life, the discussion of social problems of the day are of the utmost interest and vividness. It is an odd discovery in this day and age to see the king and his guests playing at questions and answers during their banqueting.

Another synopsis of the letter Aristeas wrote:

At the time of the Jewish Captivity in Egypt, Ptolemy Philadelphus reveals himself as the first great bibliophile. He desires to have all the books in the world in his library; in order to get the Laws of Moses he offers to trade 100,000 captives for that work exclaiming, "It is a small boon indeed!"

Ptolemy was willing to trade 100,000 Jews for the laws of Moses, which shows that Ptolemy was serious about learning and gathering this information, not just a self-absorbed ruler. Starting with chapter one for context we will see a little background to the explanation of the law.

1:1 SINCE I have collected material for a memorable history of my visit to Eleazar the High Priest of the Jews, and because you, Philocrates, as you lose no opportunity of reminding me, have set great store upon receiving an account of the motives and object of my mission, I have attempted to draw up clear exposition of the matter for you, for I perceive that you possess a natural love of learning, a quality which is the highest possession of man--to be constantly attempting 'to add to his stock of knowledge and acquirements' whether through the study of history or by actually participating in the events themselves. 2 It is by this means, by taking up into itself the noblest elements, that the soul is established in purity, and having fixed its aim on piety, the noblest goal of all, it uses this as its infallible guide and so acquires a definite purpose.

Now let’s look at what the people thought regarding the Law of Moses. Eleazar explains the law. It was not meant for prohibitions but the use of examples that would demonstrate the effects of sin. What he says here is basically what Paul writes in Romans 1 regarding God as creator, but Paul takes the argument that people were not glorifying God as Creator.

6: 5 Our lawgiver first of all laid down the principles of piety and righteousness and inculcated them point by point, not merely by prohibitions but by the use of examples as well, demonstrating the injurious effects of sin and the punishments inflicted by God upon the guilty. 6 For he proved first of all that there is only one God and that his power is manifested throughout the universe, since every place is filled with his sovereignty and none of the things which are wrought in secret by men upon the earth escapes His knowledge. 7 For all that a man does and all that is to come to pass in the future are manifest to Him. 8 Working out these truths carefully and having made them plain, he showed that even if a man should think of doing evil--to say nothing of actually effecting it,--he would not escape detection, for he made it clear that the power of God pervaded the whole of the law. 9 Beginning from his starting point, he went on to show that all mankind except ourselves believe in the existence of many gods, though they themselves are much more powerful than the beings whom they vainly worship. 10 For when they have made statues of stone and wood, they say that they are the images of those who have invented something useful for life and they worship them, though they have clear proof that they possess no feeling.

Paul points out in Romans, because of people’s idolatry, they are given over to an unsound mind. Remember we saw a few weeks ago that idolatrous practices entered into the temple at or about the time of Solomon and the Glory of God remained alongside those rituals of burning incense and sexual ceremonies to other gods for over 300 years.  http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/03/passover-male-prostitution-in-temple.html

6:21 Among our people such whole life their main consideration is the sovereignty of God. 22 Therefore lest we should be corrupted by any abomination, or our lives be perverted by evil communications, he hedged us round on all sides by rules of purity, affecting alike what we eat, or drink, or touch, or hear, or see. 23 For though, speaking generally, all things are alike in their natural constitution, since they are all governed by one and the same power, yet there is a deep reason in each individual case why we abstain from the use of certain things and enjoy the common use of others. 24 For the sake of illustration I will run over one or two points and explain them to you. 25 For you must not fall into the degrading idea that it was out of regard to mice and weasels and other such things that Moses drew up his laws with such exceeding care. 26 All these ordinances were made for the sake of righteousness to aid the quest for virtue and the perfecting of character.

I like the phrase “you must not fall into the degrading idea that it was out of regard to mice and weasels”.  The laws were not about the animals, but about the ways animals behaved as an illustration which was similar to our character. At that time, people would have known and observed animals and their personalities. They would have done this since the “beginning of time” so to speak, as they were hunters and had to learn the skills associated with hunting and how animals behaved. The Bold Type is my emphasis.

6: 27 For all the birds that we use are tame and distinguished by their cleanliness, feeding on various kinds of grain and pulse, such as for instance pigeons, turtle-doves, locusts, partridges, geese also, and all other birds of this class. 28 But the birds which are forbidden you will find to be wild and carnivorous, tyrannising over the others by the strength which they possess, and cruelly obtaining food by preying of the tame birds enumerated above. 29 And not only so, but they seize lambs and kids, and injure human beings too, whether dead or alive, and so by naming them unclean, he gave a sign by means of them that those, for whom the legislation was ordained, must practise righteousness in their hearts and not tyrannise over any one in reliance upon their own strength nor rob them of anything, but steer their course of life in accordance with justice, just as the tame birds, already mentioned, consume the different kinds of pulse that grow upon the earth and do not tyrannise to the destruction of their own kindred. 30 Our legislator taught us therefore that it is by such methods as these that indications are given to the wise, that they must be just and effect nothing by violence, and refrain from tyrannising over others in reliance upon their own strength. 31 For since it is considered unseemly even to touch such unclean animals, as have been mentioned, on account of their particular habits, ought we not to take every precaution lest our own characters should be destroyed to the same extent? 32 Wherefore all the rules which he has laid down with regard to what is permitted in the case of these birds and other animals, he has enacted with the object of teaching us a moral lesson.

No tyranny. We see John mention several tyrants in Revelation. The Nicolaitans were people conquerors, they lorded over people like tyrants. It was not just one group of people as Jesus relates to John, it was a doctrine, or a creed, or a lifestyle of these people to be people overcomers. The Beast and false Prophet will also be tyrannical rulers in the future.

6:33 For the division of the hoof and the separation of the claws are intended to teach us that we must discriminate between our individual actions with a view to the practice of virtue. 34 For the strength of our whole body and its activity depend upon our shoulders and limbs. 35 Therefore he compels us to recognise that we must perform all our actions with discrimination according to the standard of righteousness,--more especially because we have been distinctly separated from the rest of mankind. 36 For most other men defile themselves by promiscuous intercourse, thereby working great iniquity, and whole countries and cities pride themselves upon such vices. 37 For they not only have intercourse with men but they defile their own mothers and even their daughters. 38 But we have been kept separate from such sins.

One of the things we learn from the Book of Jasher is that the “party lifestyle” came about with the sons of Cain. Some of the sons of Seth were led away by the party atmosphere, but a few were not, like Enoch. In the days of Jared, as Genesis 4:26 tells us, people “began to call on” or defiled the name of the Lord. Compare that to Jasher 2:3, that is when human kind started a group rebellion against God the Creator. Later, after the flood, the same problem arose. This tells us that the problem lies inherent in mankind to be led astray. Thus the need for examples humans can see and relate to.

6:39 And the people who have been separated in the aforementioned way are also characterised by the Lawgiver as possessing the gift of memory. 40 For all animals "which are cloven-footed and chew the cud" represent to the initiated the symbol of memory. 41 For the act of chewing the cud is nothing else than the reminiscence of life and existence. 42 For life is wont to be sustained by means of food, wherefor he exhorts us in the Scripture also in these words: "Thou shalt surely remember the Lord that wrought in thee those great and wonderful things." 43 For when they are properly conceived, they are manifestly great and glorious; first the construction of the body and the disposition of the food and the separation of each individual limb and, for more, the organisation of the senses, the operation and invisible movement of the mind, the rapidity of its particular actions and its discovery of the arts, display an infinite resourcefulness. 44 Wherefore he exhorts us to remember that the aforesaid parts are kept together by the divine power with consummate skill.45 For he has marked out every time and place that we may continually remember the God who rules and preserves us. 46 For in the matter of meats and drinks he bids us first of all offer part as a sacrifice and then forthwith enjoy our meal.

God laid out markers for remembrances. Cattle, goats, sheep, antelope, all repeat the process of regurgitation because cellulose is difficult to digest. This regurgitation helps animals get better nutrients from their food. The process of food repeating itself into the mouths of the animals is the point regarding memory, meditation, and pondering our source of life, God.

6:47 Moreover, upon our garments he has given us a symbol of remembrance, and in like manner he has ordered us to put the divine oracles upon our gates and doors as a remembrance of God. 48 And upon our hands, too, he expressly orders the symbol to be fastened, clearly showing that we ought to perform every act in righteousness, remembering our own creation, and above all the fear of God.

Today, people display tzitzits and mezuzahs so that they will somehow gain a blessing from this religious practice. Jesus was very clear regarding phylacteries in Matthew 23:5, in his woes to the Pharisees and Scribes. We are not to do these things to be seen by men. While the original intent is for an individual to remember God, people have distorted this by making it a show for others to think more highly of them. Truly, anything that helps you think of God throughout the day is a good thing, but the distortion is to make others think you are “so spiritual”. Today, practicing the presence of God is possible as Brother Lawrence illustrated, because of the Holy Spirit residing in us. This is a change from the law because the lawgiver lives inside of us. Therefore, the need to show off our spirituality is a woe, or a watch out, rather than a pat on the back. People who wear costumes in order to represent themselves as more spiritual, are in for a surprise, this is the same silliness Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5.

6:49 He bids men also, when lying down to sleep and rising up again, to meditate upon the works of God, not only in word, but by observing distinctly the change and impression produced upon them, when they are going to sleep, and also their waking, how divine and incomprehensible the change from one of these states to the other is.

This is a good point for us today, remembering God before sleep and upon waking keeps us centered in His will. This does help us to be intentional about what we do.

6:50 The excellency of the analogy in regard to discrimination and memory has now been pointed out to you, according to our interpretation of "the cloven hoof and the chewing of the cud." 51 For our laws have not been drawn up at random or in accordance with the first casual thought that occurred to the mind, but with a view to truth and the indication of right reason. 52 For by means of the directions which he gives with regard to meats and drinks and particular cases of touching, he bids us neither to do nor listen to anything thoughtlessly nor to resort to injustice by the abuse of the power of reason.

So far, these examples and admonitions help us to think clearly. We are not to resort to injustice, and reason our way around sin. Eleazar explains wild animals such as weasels and mice as destructive.

53 In the case of the wild animals, too, the same principle may be discovered. 54 For the character of the weasel and of mice and such animals as these, which are expressly mentioned, is destructive. 55 Mice defile and damage everything, not only for their own food but even to the extent of rendering absolutely useless to man whatever it falls in their way to damage. 56 The weasel class, too, is peculiar: for besides what has been said, it has a characteristic which is defiling: It conceives through the ears and brings forth through the mouth. 57 And it is for this reason that a like practice is declared unclean in men. 58 For by embodying in speech all that they receive through the ears, they involve others in evils and work no ordinary impurity, being themselves altogether defiled by the pollution of impiety. 59 And your king, as we are informed, does quite right in destroying such men.' 60 Then I said 'I suppose you mean the informers, for he constantly exposes them to tortures and to painful forms of death.' 61 'Yes,' he replied, 'these are the men I mean; for to watch for men's destruction is an unholy thing. 62 And our law forbids us to injure any one either by word or deed. 63 My brief account of these matters ought to have convinced you, that all our regulations have been drawn up with a view to righteousness, and that nothing has been enacted in the Scripture thoughtlessly or without due reason, but its purpose is to enable us throughout our whole life and in all our actions to practise righteousness before all men, being mindful of Almighty God. 64 And so concerning meats and things unclean, creeping things, and wild beasts, the whole system aims at righteousness and righteous relationships between man and man.'

Eleazar tells Aristeas that God’s law forbids them to injure any one by word or deed, with a view toward righteousness, and remembrance of God the Creator. Clearly we can see throughout the history of the books of the Bible that not everyone practiced this. As beloved as David is, he is a prime example of messing up. What was different about David as compared to others is that David repented for his misdeeds. Hezekiah and Josiah weren’t perfect either, but God did not hammer every sin, he instead abided as long as he was welcome. Most of Israel and Judah’s leaders were purposeful and intentional when it came to their own evil behaviors. The summation of the reasons for the law in this letter were given at a time of both kingdoms gone into foreign occupation.

Daniel knew from Jeremiah’s writings that the seventy years of captivity were nearly over. Daniel prayed with that in mind when he received visions of the future. Cyrus allowed the Jews to go back to Judah, but Judah would remain under his governance. Only a small portion went back. Later, Ezra and Nehemiah were allowed to go back to Judah and rebuild the temple, but still, only a small portion of Jews went back to Israel. Alexander the Great conquered the region, bringing some Jews into Egypt which is where we picked up on Ptolemy and his library. The DNA of the line of Seth/Shem/Abraham is in every nation today. Hence the understanding of all Jews being goy or goyim. Diaspora Hebrews were the reason the apostles moved out all over the world. This is how and why Christianity spread. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/gentiles-all-jews-are-goyim-multitudes.html

Christianity spread out over the world, but there is something interesting that the first century church knew that has been hidden from us today. Abraham prophesied regarding Jesus. While we have looked at Jesus’ name in the Old Testament, this goes back further than Zechariah.  http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/jesus-name-in-old-testament-messiah.html

Let’s look at the book of Barnabas. Barnabas was a diasporic descendant of the Levites from Cypress. I muse when I see people attempt to discredit this writing as being written in Alexandria. Yes, all writings prior to the burning of the library were re-written in Alexandria. Thankfully they were re-written, or else we wouldn’t have them at all. What we can learn about this letter is what they knew regarding the writings they had. Remember, they did not have a nice neat pocket sized book of scriptures, they had scrolls in the synagogues, and no one had their own private scrolls.  


Barnabas 8:10 Understand therefore, children, these things more fully, that Abraham, who was the first that brought in circumcision, looking forward in the Spirit to Jesus, circumcised, having received the mystery of three letters. 11 For the Scripture says that Abraham circumcised three hundred and eighteen men of his house.  12But what therefore was the mystery that was made known unto him? 12 Mark, first the eighteen, and next the three hundred. For the numeral letters of ten and eight are I H. And these denote Jesus. 13 And because the cross was that by which we were to find grace; therefore he adds, three hundred; the note of which is T (the figure of his cross). Wherefore by two letters he signified Jesus, and by the third his cross. 14 He who has put the engrafted gift of his doctrine within us, knows that I never taught to any one a more certain truth; but I trust that ye are worthy of it.
(154:12 That many others of the ancient Fathers have concurred with him in this, see Cot. in loc. Add. Eund. p. 31, 85, ibid. Ed., &c., &c.)

As we have studied the Aleph and Tav, we learned that over 11,000 times a sign was given to the writers and readers of the scrolls. They were to look for the “A-Z”, the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end. Aleph in the Paleo Hebrew, the first letter or symbol which Moses wrote in, was an ox head, meaning the strong man or strong one. Tav the last letter or symbol was a cross, meaning marker or sign. People were to look for the strong man on the cross, is one way to observe it. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-choice-aleph-and-tav-part-1-of.html

The “I” and the “H” are Greek letters. The Hebrew letters, were “Y” and “H”. That translates as “YaH” which is “I AM” or “I am myself, the one”. Now add the “T”, the sign or marker of the cross, and you have “I AM” along with the cross, or “I AM on the cross”. This is something that the first century church knew. It was a knowledge that has been hidden and kept secret from the 21st century church.

Considering this knowledge, and the previous understanding of the law, lets’ look at what other things Barnabas says.

Barnabas 3:12 Let us become spiritual, a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of God; and strive to the utmost of our power to keep his commandments; that we may rejoice in his righteous judgments. 13 For God will judge the world without respect of persons: and every one shall receive according to his works. 14 If a man shall be good, his righteousness shall go before him; if wicked, the reward of his wickedness shall follow him. 15 Take heed therefore lest sitting still, now that we are called, we fall asleep in our sins; and the wicked one getting the dominion over us, stir us up,  7 and shut us out of the kingdom of the Lord. 16 Consider this also: although you have seen so great signs and wonders done among the people of the Jews, yet this notwithstanding the Lord hath forsaken them. 17 Beware therefore, lest it happen to us; as it is written.  8 There may be many called, but few chosen.

The Lord has forsaken the Jews because they rejected Jesus, but if they were to believe on Jesus they would not be forsaken. We can see why certain people hid this text. This is what Jesus told us in Matthew 22:14, many are called but few are chosen. The ones coming back with Jesus as his army are called “chosen and faithful”, Revelation 17:14.

Barnabas 4:6 This he spake, because a man will justly perish, if having the knowledge of the way of truth, he shall nevertheless not refrain himself from the way of darkness.
Barnabas 4:10 But he, that he might abolish death, and make known the resurrection from the dead, was content, as it was necessary, to appear in the flesh, that he might make good the promise before given to our fathers, and preparing himself a new people, might demonstrate to them whilst he was upon earth, that after the resurrection he would judge the world.

Barnabas is telling us about Jesus abolishing death, Paul said the last enemy to be destroyed is death. Paul also tells us that by man came death but by man also comes resurrection from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus tells us that those who are counted worthy to attain to the resurrection from the dead neither marry or are given in marriage, but are like the angels, Luke20:35.

Jesus will come to earth with his armies wearing a scarlet robe; Jesus is like the sacrificed goat and the scape goat

Barnabas 6:11 And why was that which was accursed crowned? Because they shall see Christ in that day having a scarlet garment about his body; and shall say: Is not this he whom we crucified; having despised him, pierced him, mocked him? Certainly, this is he, who then said, that he was the Son of God. 12  11 As therefore he shall be then like to what he was on earth, so were the Jews heretofore commanded, to take two goats fair and equal. That when they shall see (our Saviour) hereafter coming (in the clouds of heaven), they may be amazed at the likeness of the goats.

Barnabas 14:3 Let us now go on to the other kind of knowledge and doctrine There are two ways of doctrine and power; the one of light, the other of darkness. 4 But there is a great deal of difference between these two ways: for over one are appointed the angels of God, the leaders of the way of light; over the other, the angels of Satan. And the one is the Lord from everlasting to everlasting; the other is the prince of the time of unrighteousness. 5 Now the way of light is this, if any one desires to attain to the place that is appointed for him, and will hasten thither by his works. And the knowledge that has been given to us for walking in it, to this effect: Thou shalt love him that made thee: thou shalt glorify him that hath redeemed thee from death.

Very clearly Barnabas ascribes “powers of light and darkness” to angels of God and angels of satan. We will love Jesus who redeems us from death if we follow the knowledge of light. With this in mind, who has hidden the knowledge we just saw regarding Abraham’s prophecy? If one chooses darkness, he shall be destroyed.

Barnabas 15:8 But he that chooses the other part, shall be destroyed, together with his works. For this cause there shall be both a resurrection, and a retribution.9 I beseech those that are in high estate among you, (if so be you will take the counsel which with a good intention I offer to you,) you have those with you towards whom you may do good; do not forsake them.
Barnabas 15:10 For the day is at hand in which all things shall be destroyed, together with the wicked one. The Lord is near, and his reward is with him.

Barnabas looked towards the day that the wicked one would be destroyed. The things that Barnabas wrote are ideas that are reiterated throughout the Bible. Also, all these ideas are expressed in the book of Revelation. The knowledge of the first century believers was different than ours. They understood the difference between spiritual light and darkness, and they understood the tenants of heaven and hell. They also knew and understood far more about the Old Testament than we do today. Today, we use the Old Testament laws to hammer people, but they weren’t about constant judgment or the flesh of the animal, they were a descriptive picture of how to develop our character to become righteous. Aristeas and Philocrates pursued knowledge and hungered for an infallible guide. We have an infallible guide to life, and it is the Bible.

Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. [Deut 29:29; Rom 11:33.] AMP


When we put historical understanding into place with scripture we can make better sense of these ancient writings and the application to life over two thousand years later. Do not be destructive or tyrannical, instead be timid or tame. Remember God when eating, waking and before sleeping. Bad ideas and behaviors enter through the ears and exit the mouth, do not intentionally injure others by words or actions. Recognize that Abraham prophesied Jesus was the “I AM”, others looked forward to the “I AM“ coming, and looking backwards they knew it was Jesus, the one on the cross. Jesus will come again in scarlet, representing the scapegoat. Let’s become a perfect temple, God will judge the world, and many are called but few chosen. 

Monday, May 19, 2014

The Mysteries of Heaven, Heavenly Multitudes, Enoch 2 Comparison to Revelation

I like learning about history. I lament the burning of the library at Alexandria because it could have given us so much more knowledge than we otherwise have about Biblical culture and times. There are certain historical books that coincide with things reported in the Bible, but are not widely utilized. Some people discount these historical books, but nonetheless they give us insight into what people were thinking and what they understood. The Book of the Secrets of Enoch is not a popular book in our time. Many people don’t understand it, and because the only copies found existed in the Slavic language it is hard to authenticate. In ancient times in Alexandria, Egypt anyone carrying a written document was ordered to have that document scribed at the library; the originals were kept in Alexandria, and the person was given a copy. Some people would say that The Book of the Secrets of Enoch was edited by a Greek person in Egypt. Obviously someone had to have been carrying that book through Alexandria for it to have been copied. Ptolemy started the Alexandria Library around 300 BC. Ptolemy was also the one who had the Septuagint scribed. We don’t know how The Secrets of the Book of Enoch (also known as Enoch 2 or 2 Enoch) made it to Slavic countries, but we can guess that it was, at one time, scribed in Alexandria, Egypt at the time of the Greek occupation.

While Enoch 2 is not scripture and we cannot verify if this was one of the many books Enoch actually wrote, many of the subjects coincide with the Bible and may add some extra light on the issues of heaven and hell. When we look at Revelation 4 & 5 we notice many spiritual beings and a lot of singing. We find that the redeemed are in heaven singing about being in heaven and being redeemed by Jesus’ blood. What we know about heaven comes from Revelation 4 & 5 as well as a few other places scattered around the Bible. Being a concise work, Enoch 2 gives us a little insight into the levels of heaven. While Enoch reports ten levels of heaven, I would suggest that these are not consecutive levels, like stairs or ladder rungs, but places that are separate from each other. It seems angels have to take Enoch from place to place. We understand our lack of dimensionality hinders what we know about angels and other sons of God, who seem to travel inter-dimensionally. And all our laws, such as gravity, only apply in these three/four dimensions and are not laws in other dimensions, such as Jesus walking on water, or through walls in his resurrected body. Enoch had some interesting “other dimensional” experiences, and other writers did as well, such as Jacob, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Paul, and John. When we combine what Enoch 2 tells us with some of the experiences these men had we see a similar and clearer picture.

Jacob had a dream. In his dream God said he would bless his descendants. This is important as the blessings included Jacob’s descendants to multiply and to inherit the land of Bethel where Jacob was sleeping. Included in that dream, angels were going up and down a ladder or turnpike, from heaven to earth and back. We don’t quite understand this dream or its significance, but what it tells us is that there are spiritual beings moving about between dimensions. Now when we take this into consideration with John’s Apocalypse, we can recognize that there are assignments for the sons of God, and things they do on earth and heaven. Let’s explore and compare. 

Gen 28:12-15 when he had a dream! He saw a raised highway that had been built with its ending point on earth and its beginning point in heaven. God’s angels were ascending and descending on it. 13 And there was the Lord, standing above it and telling Jacob, “I am the Lord God of your grandfather Abraham. I’m Isaac’s God, too. I’m giving you and your descendants the ground on which you’re sleeping. 14 Your descendants are going to become like the dust of the earth and spread out to the west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 Now pay attention! I’m here with you, and I’m going to be watching over you wherever you go. I’m going to bring you back to this land, because I won’t ever leave you until I’ve accomplished what I’ve promised about you.” ISV

Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. KJV

Jacob says the angels go up into heaven and back down to earth. Enoch says that angels took him up to the first heaven. The word ether used here in Enoch means “atmosphere”.

First Heaven
Chapter 3 Of Enoch's assumption; how the angels took him into the first heaven 1It came to pass, when Enoch had told his sons, that the angels took him on to their wings and bore him up on to the first heaven and placed him on the clouds. And there I looked, and again I looked higher, and saw the ether, and they placed me on the first heaven and showed me a very great Sea, greater than the earthly sea.

Chapter 4 Of the angels ruling the stars 1They brought before my face the elders and rulers of the stellar orders, and showed me two hundred angels, who rule the stars and their services to the heavens, and fly with their wings and come round all those who sail.

One of the angelic jobs is to keep the heavens running smoothly. I think of this as keeping a clock or time piece running. Job tells us about the first heaven.

Job 9:6-9 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. KJV

Job 22:12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! KJV

God tells Job a thing or two about the heavens.

Job 38:4-7 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? KJV

The morning stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy. The sons of God who work the heavens were joyful over God’s creation. Lucifer wanted to become judge in the place where God judges the sons of God; wherever this is, Lucifer wanted to take it over.

Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: KJV

Lucifer wanted to go somewhere in the heavens, somewhere above where he already dwelt or had access to. He may have had access to multiple levels of heaven as we will see. Solomon had some knowledge of the first heavens as well.

Wisdom 7:17-19 For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars: KJV

Chapter 5 Of how the angels keep the store-houses of the snow 1And here I looked down and saw the treasure-houses of the snow, and the angels who keep their terrible store-houses, and the clouds whence they come out and into which they go.

Job 38:22-24 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen where the hail is stored,23 which I’ve reserved for the tribulation to come, for the day of battle and war?24 Where is the lightning diffused or the east wind scattered around the earth? ISV

Second Heaven
Chapter 7 Of how Enoch was taken on to the second heaven 1And those men took me and led me up on to the second heaven, and showed me darkness, greater than earthly darkness, and there I saw prisoners hanging, watched, awaiting the great and boundless judgment, and these angels were dark-looking, more than earthly darkness, and incessantly making weeping through all hours.  2And I said to the men who were with me: Wherefore are these incessantly tortured? They answered me: These are God’s apostates, who obeyed not God’s commands, but took counsel with their own will, and turned away with their prince, who also is fastened on the fifth heaven. 3And I felt great pity for them, and they saluted me, and said to me: Man of God, pray for us to the Lord; and I answered to them: Who am I, a mortal man, that I should pray for angels? Who knows whither I go, or what will befall me? Or who will pray for me?

Peter’s description of tartarus seems to fit here. Is this also the place of Apollyon/Abaddon and the locusts who will come out of the pit?

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; KJV

Third Heaven
Chapter 8 Of the assumption of Enoch to the third heaven  1 And those men took me thence, and led me up on to the third heaven, and placed me there; and I looked downwards, and saw the produce of these places, such as has never been known for goodness.  2And I saw all the sweet-flowering trees and beheld their fruits, which were sweet-smelling, and all the foods borne by them bubbling with fragrant exhalation.  3And in the midst of the trees that of life, in that place whereon the Lord rests, when he goes up into paradise; and this tree is of ineffable goodness and fragrance, and adorned more than every existing thing; and on all sides it is in form gold-looking and vermilion and fire-like and covers all, and it has produce from all fruits.  4Its root is in the garden at the earth’s end.  5And paradise is between corruptibility and incorruptibility.  6And two springs come out which send forth honey and milk, and their springs send forth oil and wine, and they separate into four parts, and go round with quiet course, and go down into the PARADISE OF EDEN, between corruptibility and incorruptibility.  7And thence they go forth along the earth, and have a revolution to their circle even as other elements.  8And here there is no unfruitful tree, and every place is blessed.  9And there are three hundred angels very bright, who keep the garden, and with incessant sweet singing and never-silent voices serve the Lord throughout all days and hours.  10And I said: How very sweet is this place, and those men said to me:

“Between corruptible and incorruptible” implies that it is the place where one waits to rise in order to put on incorruption. Paul told us the dead in Christ rise first and put on incorruption, while the living mortals put on immortality.

1 Cor 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." NKJV

Chapter 9 The showing to Enoch of the place of the righteous and compassionate 1This place, O Enoch, is prepared for the righteous, who endure all manner of offence from those that exasperate their souls, who avert their eyes from iniquity, and make righteous judgment, and give bread to the hungering, and cover the naked with clothing, and raise up the fallen, and help injured orphans, and who walk without fault before the face of the Lord, and serve him alone, and for them is prepared this place for eternal inheritance.

The third heaven is what Paul described as “paradise”. Paradise or Eden is where the Tree of Life is located. It is the place where the righteous redeemed dead go, the place Jesus had to win back by his death.

2 Cor 12:2-4 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. KJV

2 Esd 3:6 And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward. KJV

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. KJV

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.KJV


On this same level or area is the place where the unrighteous go as well. It is the place where the rich man went and wanted Abraham and Lazarus to help him out.

Chapter 10 Here they showed Enoch the terrible place and various tortures 1And those two men led me up on to the Northern side, and showed me there a very terrible place, and there were all manner of tortures in that place: cruel darkness and unillumined gloom, and there is no light there, but murky fire constantly flaming aloft, and there is a fiery river coming forth, and that whole place is everywhere fire, and everywhere there is frost and ice, thirst and shivering, while the bonds are very cruel, and the angels fearful and merciless, bearing angry weapons, merciless torture, and I said: 2Woe, woe, how very terrible is this place. 3And those men said to me: This place, O Enoch, is prepared for those who dishonour God, who on earth practice sin against nature, which is child-corruption after the sodomitic fashion, magic-making, enchantments and devilish witchcrafts, and who boast of their wicked deeds, stealing, lies, calumnies, envy, rancour, fornication, murder, and who, accursed, steal the souls of men, who, seeing the poor take away their goods and themselves wax rich, injuring them for other men’s goods; who being able to satisfy the empty, made the hungering to die; being able to clothe, stripped the naked; and who knew not their creator, and bowed to the soulless and lifeless gods, who cannot see nor hear, vain gods, who also built hewn images and bow down to unclean handiwork, for all these is prepared this place among these, for eternal inheritance.

Ps 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. KJV

Eccles 21:10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.KJV

Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.KJV

We know from previous studies that satan made a part of hades separate for the righteous, but that Jesus took the righteous out of Abraham’s bay or creek and brought them to paradise. No one wants to go to hades and it is much more comforting to pretend that death is like sleeping, but this rich man wasn’t sleeping, neither was Abraham or Lazarus. In fact they all knew where they were and they couldn’t travel between the two places.


Lucifer was allowed in Eden the Paradise of God, he was a cherub there, but he also had a place on the holy mountain of God.

Ezek 28:13-14 You used to be in Eden—God’s paradise! You wore precious stones for clothing: ruby, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and carbuncle. Your settings were crafted in gold, along with your engravings. On the day of your creation they had been prepared!14 “You were the anointed cherub; having been set in place on the holy mountain of God, you walked in the midst of fiery stones. ISV

Ezek 28:13-14 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the carnelian, topaz, jasper, chrysolite, beryl, onyx, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald; and your settings and your sockets and engravings were wrought in gold. On the day that you were created they were prepared. [Gen 3:14,15; Isa 14:12-15; Matt 16:23.] 14 You were the anointed cherub that covers with overshadowing [wings], and I set you so. You were upon the holy mountain of God; you walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire [like the paved work of gleaming sapphire stone upon which the God of Israel walked on Mount Sinai]. [Ex 24:10.] AMP

Fourth Heaven
Chapter 11 Here they took Enoch up on to the fourth heaven where is the course of sun and moon  1Those men took me, and led me up on to the fourth heaven, and showed me all the successive goings, and all the rays of the light of sun and moon.  2And I measure their goings, and compared their light, and saw that the sun’s light is greater than the moon’s. 3Its circle and the wheels on which it goes always, like the wind going past with very marvellous speed, and day and night it has no rest.  4 Its passage and return are accompanied by four great stars, and each star has under it a thousand stars, to the right of the sun’s wheel, and by four to the left, each having under it a thousand stars, altogether eight thousand, issuing with the sun continually.  5And by day fifteen myriads of angels attend it, and by night a thousand. 6And six-winged ones issue with the angels before the sun’s wheel into the fiery flames, and a hundred angels kindle the sun and set it alight.

We know from our previous studies that the wheels of Ezekiel are the Ophan, which are also known as “many eyed ones”. This portion of the fourth heaven shows several beings, similar to Revelation chapter 4

Rev 4:8And the four living creatures, individually having six wings, were full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come. [Isa 6:1-3.] AMP

Whatever their jobs are in the heavens, there are many different races and functions for the sons of God. We have to stop thinking that everything in the universal creation revolves around us. We are the most spiritually blind beings in the universe, in comparison to the other sons of God. While angels and other spiritual beings do not know everything God has planned, we can hardly recognize a spiritual realm, and many humans do not even believe in heaven, hell, or God. Even animals sense spiritual situations, but we humans struggle with that. And yet the Bible tells us we will judge angels; interesting.

Ps 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. KJV

There is an order and operation to the sun and moon, but before the Day of the Lord, the day Jesus comes with his armies from heaven, the sun and moon will be dark.

Joel 2:10-11The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? KJV

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. KJV

Nevertheless, today there is a glory of the sun, moon, and stars. We look at sunrise or sunset and the full moon as beautiful masterpieces that never replicate but are different each time. Each day or night brings a new depiction of glory.

1 Cor 15:40-41 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. KJV

Something the sons of God seem to do is sing, a lot. Once the redeemed are raised from paradise or earth at the harpazo, they will sing as well. We have to wonder if all the stories and myths we have been told have their roots in 2 Enoch.

Chapter 17 Of the singings of the angels, which it is impossible to describe 1In the midst of the heavens I saw armed soldiers, serving the Lord, with tympana and organs, with incessant voice, with sweet voice, with sweet and incessant voice and various singing, which it is impossible to describe, and which astonishes every mind, so wonderful and marvellous is the singing of those angels, and I was delighted listening to it.

Now Enoch sees another place like a holding prison. When Enoch says there was no service in the 5th heaven, I think he is saying there is no praise, singing, or heavenly functions. This place is another place of punishment like the second heaven and part of the third heaven.

Fifth Heaven
Chapter 18 Of the taking of Enoch on to the fifth heaven 1The men took me on to the fifth heaven and placed me, and there I saw many and countless soldiers, called Grigori, of human appearance, and their size was greater than that of great giants and their faces withered, and the silence of their mouths perpetual, and there was no service on the fifth heaven, and I said to the men who were with me:  2Wherefore are these very withered and their faces melancholy, and their mouths silent, and wherefore is there no service on this heaven?  3And they said to me: These are the Grigori, who with their prince Satanail rejected the Lord of light, and after them are those who are held in great darkness on the second heaven, and three of them went down on to earth from the Lord’s throne, to the place Ermon, and broke through their vows on the shoulder of the hill Ermon and saw the daughters of men how good they are, and took to themselves wives, and befouled the earth with their deeds, who in all times of their age made lawlessness and mixing, and giants are born and marvellous big men and great enmity.  4And therefore God judged them with great judgment, and they weep for their brethren and they will be punished on the Lord’s great day.  5And I said to the Grigori: I saw your brethren and their works, and their great torments, and I prayed for them, but the Lord has condemned them to be under earth till the existing heaven and earth shall end for ever.  6And I said: Wherefore do you wait, brethren, and do not serve before the Lord’s face, and have not put your services before the Lord’s face, lest you anger your Lord utterly?  7And they listened to my admonition, and spoke to the four ranks in heaven, and lo! As I stood with those two men four trumpets trumpeted together with great voice, and the Grigori broke into song with one voice, and their voice went up before the Lord pitifully and affectingly.

Grigori is a Russian name for angel, specifically a “watcher angel”. There are watchers mentioned in the Bible. Enoch tells more about them in another one of his books.

Gen 6:1-4 Now after the population of human beings had increased throughout the earth, and daughters had been born to them, 2 some divine beings noticed how attractive human women were, so they took wives for themselves from a selection that pleased them. 3 So the Lord said, “My Spirit won’t remain with human beings forever, because they’re truly mortal. Their lifespan will be 120 years.”4 The Nephilim were on the earth at that time (and also immediately afterward), when those divine beings were having sexual relations with those human women, who gave birth to children for them. These children became the heroes and legendary figures of ancient times. ISV

Instead of being a help to humanity, they caused quite a problem. Daniel saw watchers and holy ones.

Dan 4:13-17 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. KJV

Dan 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be w KJV

These watchers sound human, but in the context they are speaking out to God against Judah.

Jer 4:15-17 For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.17 As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord. KJV

Jude also mentions them

Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. KJV

It seems like Daniel, Jeremiah, Moses, Jude, and Enoch are speaking about the same beings and the same situation. Unfortunately, we have we not been taught these things in our churches. I would say that with the advent of computers it is easier for us to study these subjects and do it more efficiently.

Sixth Heaven
Chapter 19 Of the taking of Enoch to the sixth heaven  1And thence those men took me and bore me up on to the sixth heaven, and there I saw seven bands of angels, very bright and very glorious, and their faces shining more than the sun’s shining, glistening, and there is no difference in their faces, or behaviour, or manner of dress; and these make the orders, and learn the goings of the stars, and the alteration of the moon, or revolution of the sun, and the good government of the world. 2And when they see evildoing they make commandments and instruction, and sweet and loud singing, and all songs of praise.  3These are the archangels (1) who are above angels, measure all life in heaven and on earth, and the angels who are appointed over seasons and years, the angels who are over rivers and sea, and who are over the fruits of the earth, and the angels who are over every grass, giving food to all, to every living thing, and the angels who write all the souls of men, and all their deeds, and their lives before the Lord’s face; in their midst are six Phoenixes and six Cherubim and six six-winged ones continually with one voice singing one voice, and it is not possible to describe their singing, and they rejoice before the Lord at his footstool. {(1) Archangels. Or, "ruling angels."}

Could these seven bands of angels be the Seven Spirits of God? They seem to have the same appearance as the Seven Spirits from Revelation 4.

There are seasons that angels are in charge of; spring, summer, fall, and winter. But there are also times that angels are in charge of, and they write and record what all men do.

Dan 2:19-21 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: KJV

Eccl 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: KJV

Angels record what you do and say, but also mark the righteous. The seven spirits of God go out and report back what is going on.

Eccl 5:4-7 When you make a promise to God, don’t fail to keep it, since he isn’t pleased with fools. Keep what you promise— 5 it’s better that you don’t promise than that you do promise and not follow through. 6 Never let your mouth cause you to sin and don’t proclaim in the presence of the angel, “My promise was a mistake,” for why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy what you’ve undertaken? ISV

Ezek 9:3-4 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.KJV

In Job we are taught that the sons of God meet at regularly scheduled times to give account to God. Lucifer comes at that time to accuse people. We know that Lucifer still has access to accuse us before God day and night. However, one day he will be cast out of this level of heaven to the earth.

Rev 12:7-10 Then a war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels fought back. 8 But it was not strong enough, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 The huge dragon was hurled down. That ancient serpent, called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was hurled down to the earth, along with its angels. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, “Now the salvation, the power, the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah have come. For the one who accuses our brothers, who accuses them day and night in the presence of our God, has been thrown out. ISV

Not only are the angels recording what we do, the devil does as well and accuses us day and night. Doesn’t the devil have anything better to do than to pick at us humans who only have a small glimpse of the spiritual realm and can hardly function properly without Jesus’ atoning blood? If the devil was about fairness, he wouldn’t have attempted to hide the word of God and the supporting historical books, but instead would have given humans a fair chance at learning about life on earth, eternal life, and hell. As an anointed cherub Lucifer had a position in the next level of heaven, but lost it by his desire to be a judge over the sons of God as well as his merchandising the beings under him. He distorted what he had authority over in the heavens and it probably looked like what we see on earth. Is the sixth heaven where satan accuses us, and is it where he wanted to put his throne to judge the sons of God?

Isa 14:12-14 “How you have fallen from heaven, Day Star, son of the Dawn!  How you have been thrown down to earth, you who laid low the nation!  13 You said in your heart, ‘I’ll ascend to heaven, above the stars of God. I’ll erect my throne; I’ll sit on the Mount of Assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I’ll ascend above the tops of the clouds; I’ll make myself like the Most High.’ ISV

Isa 14:12-14 How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!] 13 And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. AMP

It seems as if Lucifer was cast out of the upper heavens to the sixth heaven and then will be kicked out of the sixth heaven during the time of the seven thunders of Revelation 10. The seventh heaven is where we see the heavenly troops, the ioanit stations of light, nine regiments of beings, and they sing as well.

Seventh Heaven
Chapter 20 Hence they took Enoch into the seventh heaven  1And those two men lifted me up thence on to the seventh heaven, and I saw there a very great light, and fiery troops of great archangels (2), incorporeal forces, and dominions, orders and governments, cherubim and seraphim, thrones and many-eyed ones, nine regiments, the Ioanit stations of light, and I became afraid, and began to tremble with great terror, and those men took me, and led me after them, and said to me:  {(2) Archangels. Or, "chief angels."} 2Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, and showed me the Lord from afar, sitting on His very high throne. For what is there on the tenth heaven, since the Lord dwells there?  3On the tenth heaven is God, in the Hebrew tongue he is called Aravat (3).  {(3) Aravat. Or, "Father of creation."}  4And all the heavenly troops would come and stand on the ten steps according to their rank, and would bow down to the Lord, and would again go to their places in joy and felicity, singing songs in the boundless light with small and tender voices, gloriously serving him.

Chapter 21 Of how the angels here left Enoch, at the end of the seventh heaven, and went away from him unseen 1 it And the cherubim and seraphim standing about the throne, the six-winged and many-eyed ones do not depart, standing before the Lord’s face doing his will, and cover his whole throne, singing with gentle voice before the Lord’s face: Holy, holy, holy, Lord Ruler of Sabaoth, heavens and earth are full of Your glory.  2When I saw all these things, those men said to me: Enoch, thus far is it commanded us to journey with you, and those men went away from me and thereupon I saw them not.  3And I remained alone at the end of the seventh heaven and became afraid, and fell on my face and said to myself: Woe is me, what has befallen me?  4And the Lord sent one of his glorious ones, the archangel (4) Gabriel, and he said to me: Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, arise before the Lord’s face into eternity, arise, come with me.  {(4) Archangel. Or, "one of the seven highest angels, named Gabriel."}  5And I answered him, and said in myself: My Lord, my soul is departed from me, from terror and trembling, and I called to the men who led me up to this place, on them I relied, and it is with them I go before the Lord’s face.  6And Gabriel caught me up, as a leaf caught up by the wind, and placed me before the Lord’s face.

Isa 6:1-4 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, high and exalted. The train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 The seraphim stood above him. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he was flying. 3 They kept on calling to each other: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of the Heavenly Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”4 The foundations of the thresholds quaked at the sound of those who kept calling out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. ISV

Certainly, the seventh heaven resembles heavenly armies with regiments, and yet they don’t seem to be angry or militant but instead sing. How strange. On earth we have nothing to relate to this. We have armies, and commanders, but no one sings to the leader. One country doesn’t sing louder or better to their leader than another country. This is unimaginable until we remember Lucifer had sanctuaries. He had beings worshipping him. Now let’s take the view from 30 thousand feet. What do we see? We have religions where people sing to their god, gods, or to God the Creator of heaven and earth. In the last days the ones who worship God the creator and his son Jesus, are the ones we see singing in heaven in Revelation 5.

The worship of heaven is an important part of the goings on of the sons of God. Therefore, on earth as it is in heaven, we sing and announce His Kingdom Come, Jesus’ kingdom, and His will be done. We sing, praise, and worship the coming of Jesus who is crowned in Revelation 11. Once Jesus is crowned and the announcement made, the second half of the tribulation starts. In the 8th heaven we find the mazzaroth.

Eighth Heaven
Chapter 21:7 And I saw the eighth heaven, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Muzaloth, changer of the seasons, of drought, and of wet, and of the twelve constellations of the circle of the firmament, which are above the seventh heaven.

Job 38:31-33 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? KJV

Job 38:32 Can you lead forth the signs of the zodiac in their season? Or can you guide [the stars of] the Bear with her young? AMP

Josiah was cleaning up and cleaning out the temple. As he was doing so we see that people were burning incense to Baal, the sun, the moon, the constellations, and the hosts of heaven. One thing is clear from 2 Enoch, all the sons of God worship God. No one in heaven worships anyone else besides God Almighty, and we are not told to worship the sun, moon, constellations, or the angels. If your religion puts something before God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, you might want to rethink that religion. Jesus, the son of God, is coming to judge and punish, as well as to rescue. Be sure of what it is that you are performing ritual service to. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, is there someone or something before them, a woman, a prophet, an element, or another spiritual being?

2 Kings 23:5 He put away the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in Judah's cities and round about Jerusalem — also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations [or twelve signs of the zodiac], and to all the hosts of the heavens. AMP

We know that God’s plan of redemption and his plan for mankind is written in the constellations. The star names describe the constellations. All star names are consistent in all ancient languages. The constellations were not a connect-the-dots picture but a word picture. Abraham brought this knowledge, from growing up in Noah’s household, to Egypt as Josephus tells us. This is why the ancient star names are the same in all ancient languages. It isn’t until the Greek and Roman era that mythology is woven in and detracts from the story in the heavens.

Ninth Heaven
Chapter 21:8 And I saw the ninth heaven, which is called in Hebrew Kuchavim, where are the heavenly homes of the twelve constellations of the circle of the firmament.

Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. KJV

Amos 5:8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name: KJV

Ps 19:1-6 THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. [Rom 1:20,21.] 2 Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God made a tent for the sun, [Rom 10:18.] 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; and it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its going forth is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the ends of it; and nothing [yes, no one] is hidden from the heat of it. AMP

The story that is written in the constellations is the first scripture given to mankind. Belief in the story of a savior who would come, is the way the Old Testament saints were redeemed, but before Moses was born where was this written? In the heavens. The devil did not have access to this part of heaven and could not erase the heavenly message. He could cloud the meanings of the constellations with mythology, but he could not take down the stars. Instead, he convinced people to worship them. Really the devil does not play fair. Here are some blogs we have already studied regarding the constellations.


God so protected his word in the heavens that there are no angels or other spirit beings that Enoch identifies in the eighth and ninth heavens that tend to the constellations. The Mazzaroth or Zodiac stands according to the placement of God. This tells us that stars are not all alike. The ones that God ordered to reveal His plan to us need no help and they cannot be tampered with.

Tenth Heaven
Chapter 22  In the tenth heaven the archangel Michael led Enoch to before the Lord’s face  1On the tenth heaven, which is called Aravoth, I saw the appearance of the Lord’s face, like iron made to glow in fire, and brought out, emitting sparks, and it burns.  2Thus in a moment of eternity I saw the Lord’s face, but the Lord’s face is ineffable, marvellous and very awful, and very, very terrible.  3And who am I to tell of the Lord’s unspeakable being, and of his very wonderful face? And I cannot tell the quantity of his many instructions, and various voices, the Lord's throne is very great and not made with hands, nor the quantity of those standing round him, troops of cherubim and seraphim, nor their incessant singing, nor his immutable beauty, and who shall tell of the ineffable greatness of his glory.  4And I fell prone and bowed down to the Lord, and the Lord with his lips said to me:  5Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, arise and stand before my face into eternity.  6And the archistratege (5) Michael lifted me up, and led me to before the Lord’s face. {(5) Archistratege. Or, "the commander of the armies of the nations, named Michael."} 7And the Lord said to his servants tempting them: Let Enoch stand before my face into eternity, and the glorious ones bowed down to the Lord, and said: Let Enoch go according to Your word.  8And the Lord said to Michael: Go and take Enoch from out of his earthly garments, and anoint him with my sweet ointment, and put him into the garments of My glory.  9And Michael did thus, as the Lord told him. He anointed me, and dressed me, and the appearance of that ointment is more than the great light, and his ointment is like sweet dew, and its smell mild, shining like the sun’s ray, and I looked at myself, and I was like one of his glorious ones (6). {(6) Glorious ones. Or, "one of the seven highest angels." } 10And the Lord summoned one of his archangels by name Pravuil, whose knowledge was quicker in wisdom than the other archangels, who wrote all the deeds of the Lord; and the Lord said to Pravuil: Bring out the books from my store-houses, and a reed of quick-writing, and give it to Enoch, and deliver to him the choice and comforting books out of your hand.

Because verse 10 says Pravuil’s knowledge was quicker in wisdom, some say this is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom; while others believe Pravuil is another angelic being, one of the higher ranking sons of God. We do not know who or what Pravuil is but someday we will.

Since spiritual beings are in the 10th heaven, is this the place God allowed Lucifer? It is probably the place of the fiery stones. Is the 10th heaven the mountain of God?

Ezek 28:14 “You were the anointed cherub; having been set in place on the holy mountain of God, you walked in the midst of fiery stones. ISV

Ezek 28:16 Since your vast business dealings filled you with violent intent from top to bottom, you sinned, so I cast you away as defiled from the mountain of God. I destroyed you, you guardian cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. ISV

Chapter 23 Of Enoch’s writing, how he wrote his wonderful jouneyings and the heavenly hosts and himself wrote three hundred and sixty-six books  1 And he was telling me all the works of heaven, earth and sea, and all the elements, their passages and goings, and the thunderings of the thunders, the sun and moon, the goings and changes of the stars, the seasons, years, days, and hours, the risings of the wind, the numbers of the angels, and the formation of their songs, and all human things, the tongue of every human song and life, the commandments, instructions, and sweet-voiced singings, and all things that it is fitting to learn. 2And Pravuil told me: All the things that I have told you, we have written. Sit and write all the souls of mankind, however many of them are born, and the places prepared for them to eternity; for all souls are prepared to eternity, before the formation of the world. 3And all double thirty days and thirty nights, and I wrote out all things exactly, and wrote three hundred and sixty-six books.

Enoch wrote 366 books with the help of Pravuil. We are only looking at the chapters relating to the heavens, heaven, and the heavenly host. This is where most of our knowledge of heaven comes from. We have religions that tell us many different things, but if we align what 2 Enoch says with the Bible, we see that the content is in the Bible but it is scattered all over the place. Whether The Book of the Secrets of Enoch was actually written by Enoch is impossible to know here on earth. There were 366 books written, and this one is orderly and concise as far as the places written about in the Bible. The subjects regarding the sons of God, the constellations, the place Lucifer wanted to take over, the Nephilim, the fallen angels, and hell are all contained here in 2 Enoch.


If the first century apostles already had this knowledge, they then wrote as if it was common knowledge to everyone, and it probably was at that time. This is why they did not have to explain hades, sheol, or tartarus as well as the heavenly abode of God. However, two thousand years later, we have lost the common knowledge of the first century church and we are sometimes confused and misled regarding our spiritual destiny. Comparing Enoch 2 with the Bible brings some understanding into the mysteries of Heaven, and helps us compare other scripture that seems to have been scattered all over the Bible so that we can get a clearer understanding of Revelation 4 & 5.