As we studied last week, all of the redeemed, great and small, will receive rewards. Whatever survives the fire apocalypse will be the reward that each redeemed believer receives. We know that the timing of this event is around the mid-point in the tribulation, when the seventh trumpet is blown and the announcement is made that the kingdoms of the world are now the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he shall reign forever. These rewards are only for the redeemed. Some may receive several rewards. Others may not receive any rewards and Paul explains that at least they still have the blessing of salvation. This rewards ceremony takes place on a stage. There are a couple of other judgments that take place on this stage as well. We will explore who will be judged and when. We also recognize that Paul told us we will judge angels. We will also look at what this means and why we are judging them. The Book of Enoch gives us some insight as to this, so we will consider what he wrote.
Paul starts the instruction regarding the judgment seat in his letter to the Romans. In the context of the verse, we see that Paul is being slightly sarcastic because it seems believers cannot judge matters properly. It is a shame to take a brother to court because we/they are having a hard time judging right from wrong. Paul suggests that we should go to other believers first, not to non-believers in the courts.
Romans 14:10 G1473 But you, G1161 G5100 why G2919 do you judge G3588 G80 your brother? G1473 G2228 or G2532 also G1473 why do you G5100 G1848 treat with contempt G3588 G80 your brother? G1473 G3956 for all G1063 G3936 of us shall stand before G3588 the G968 rostrum G3588 of the G5547 Christ
3936 LSJ Gloss:παρίστημι to make to stand
Dodson:παρίστημι I bring, present, come up to and stand by I bring, present, prove, come up to and stand by, am present.
Thayer:
1) to place beside or near
1a) to set at hand
1a1) to present
1a2) to proffer
1a3) to provide
1a4) to place a person or thing at one's disposal
1a5) to present a person for another to see and question
1a6) to present or show
1a7) to bring to, bring near
1a8) metaph. i.e to bring into one's fellowship or intimacy
1b) to present (show) by argument, to prove
2) to stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present
2a) to stand by
2a1) to stand beside one, a bystander
2b) to appear
2c) to be at hand, stand ready
2d) to stand by to help, to succour
2e) to be present
2e1) to have come
2e2) of time
παρίστημι, παριστάνω
paristēmi paristanō par-is'-tay-mee, par-is-tan'-o From G3488 and G2476; to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid KJV Usage: assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield.
968 LSJ Gloss:βῆμα a step, pace, stride
Dodson:βῆμα the space covered by a step of the foot, a tribunal
an elevated place ascended by steps, a throne, tribunal.
TBESG: βῆμα judgement seat
G:N-N
βῆμα, -τος, τό (< βαίνω), [in LXX: Deu.2:5 (מִדְרָךְ), Neh.8:4 (מִגְדָּל), I
Refs
Est.9:42, Sir.19:30 45:9, 2Ma.13:26* ;]
__1. a step, stride, pace: Act.7:5.
__2. a raised place, a platform reached by steps, originally that in the Pnyx at Athens from which orations were made; freq. of the tribune or tribunal of a Roman magistrate or ruler:
Refs
Mat.27:19, Jhn.19:13, Act.12:21, 18:12, 16, 17 25:6, 10, 17; β. τοῦ θεοῦ, Rom.14:10; τ. Χριστοῦ, 2Co.5:10.
† (AS)
Thayer:
1) a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath
2) a raised place mounted by steps
2a) a platform, tribune
2a1) of the official seat of a judge
2a2) of the judgment seat of Christ
2a3) Herod built a structure resembling a throne at Caesarea, from which he viewed the games and made speeches to the people
βῆμα
bēma bay'-ma From the base of G939; a step, that is, foot breath; by implication a rostrum, that is, tribunal KJV Usage: judgment-seat, set [foot] on, throne.
There are two times that the redeemed are presented. The first time the redeemed are presented is in the throne room, after Jesus has called up the dead and seized the living. This is our first presentation before the Father.
The second presentation is after Jesus is coronated and he gives rewards to his servants, prophets, the holy ones and the reverent ones. There is a stage and each redeemed persons’ works are shown. Then the works are tried by fire. Those works that come through the fire are our rewards. This stage has a judgment seat upon it. A raised level on a stage, a rostrum. This bēma is where we are presented with our rewards. It is also where we are presented before the other redeemed.
Paul is asking why they are judging their brother? Remember, judgment is weighed and balanced, meaning that the way we judge others is the way that we will be judged. If we use a harsh standard on others, we will have that same harsh standard used on us. Mercy and forgiveness are the same as judgment. To the degree that we have and show mercy is the degree that we receive mercy. To the degree we forgive others is the degree we will be forgiven.
Paul tells us that we will be made visible. We will be seen.
2 Corinthians 5:10 G3588 [3the ones G1063 1For G3956 2all] G1473 of us G5319 [2be manifested G1163 1must] G1715 before G3588 the G968 rostrum G3588 of the G5547 Christ, G2443 that G2865 [2should receive G1538 1each] G3588 the things G1223 of G3588 the G4983 body, G4314 as to G3739 what G4238 he practiced, G1535 whether G18 good G1535 or whether G2556 bad
5319 LSJ Gloss:φανερόω to make manifest
Dodson:φανερόω I make clear, visible, or manifest I make clear (visible, manifest), make known.
Thayer:
1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
1a) make actual and visible, realised
1b) to make known by teaching
1c) to become manifest, be made known
1d) of a person
1d1) expose to view, make manifest, to show one's self, appear
1e) to become known, to be plainly recognised, thoroughly understood
1e1) who and what one is
For Synonyms see entry G5812
φανερόω
phaneroō fan-er-o'-o From G5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
All of the redeemed will not only appear, but will also be seen before the bēma. Then each will receive for the things they practiced or accomplished whether good things or bad things. This is why, as Paul says, in the previous verse, we are to strive earnestly to be well-pleasing. In other words, if we really understood that we will stand on a stage before the Lord and before our redeemed brothers and sisters, we would do all that we can to be our best, so that we would not be embarrassed on that day. Ezra tells us that the Most High will appear upon the judgment seat.
2 Esdras 7:32-35 (KJVApocrypha)
32 And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them.
33 And the most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering shall have an end:
34 But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and faith shall wax strong:
35 And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no rule.
The angel describes to Ezra the day of the rising up and the seizing. The Most High shall appear upon the seat of judgment. There will be no more patience, it is time. Judgment comes, truth stands, and faith strengthens. Works will follow and the reward will be shown. Good deeds will be strong and wicked deeds shall not rule. After the explanation, Ezra then comments about praying for the wicked as Abraham prayed for Sodom. The Angel then answers:
2 Esdras 7:42-45 (KJVApocrypha)
42 He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak.
43 But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,
44 Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.
45 Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.
The ‘day of doom’. Then the beginning of immortality. Ezra can either be talking about the end of the tribulation or he can be talking about the end of the millennial reign after the great white throne judgment. Either way, the sooner one believes that Jesus is Lord and that he rose up, the sooner one will enter into immortality. The first wave of those putting on immortality is at the time that the dead in Christ rise and the living are seized. The next way to immortality is during the tribulation, dying as a martyr. After the millennial reign, those who have been in the grave will have their works judged. There is a possibility that those who previously did not receive Jesus as their Lord may be saved by their works.
We humans are not the only ones who will be judged. Angels and demons will be judged too. Paul tells us that we will judge angels.
I Corinthians 6:3 G3756 Do you not G1492 know G3754 that G32 [2angels G2919 1we shall judge]? G3385 how much more G1065 indeed G982 of the cares of life?
2919 LSJ Gloss:κρίνω to pick out, choose
Dodson:κρίνω I judge, decide, think good(a) I judge, whether in a law-court or privately: sometimes with cognate nouns emphasizing the notion of the verb, (b) I decide, I think (it) good.
Thayer:
1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4) to determine, resolve, decree
5) to judge
5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, govern
6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
7a) to dispute
7b) in a forensic sense
7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
κρίνω
krinō kree'-no Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish KJV Usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
We will separate angels; we will try, condemn, or punish, angels. We will pass judgment on angels. Jesus told us that the overcomers will receive a white stone. To understand this better we want to look at this gift that the overcomers are given by Jesus upon entering Paradise.
Revelation 2:17 G3588 The one G2192 having G3775 an ear, G191 hear G5100 what G3588 the G4151 spirit G3004 says G3588 to the G1577 assemblies! G3588 To the one G3528 overcoming G1325 I shall give G1473 to him G2068 to eat G575 from G3588 the G3131 manna G3588 G2928 being hid; G2532 and G1325 I will give G1473 to him G5586 [2small stone G3022 1a white], G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G5586 small stone G3686 [2name G2537 1a new] G1125 being written, G3739 which G3762 no one G1492 knew G1508 except G3588 the one G2983 receiving.
5586 LSJ Gloss:ψῆφος a small stone, a pebble, rubbed and rounded
Dodson:ψῆφοςa pebble, a vote (a) a pebble, small stone, (b) hence, from their use in voting: a vote.
TBESG:ψῆφος stone/vote
G:N-F
ψῆφος, -ου, ἡ
(< ψάω, to rub) [in LXX: Exo.4:25 (צֹר), La 3:16 (חָצָץ), Ecc.7:26 (25) (צֹר), 4Ki.12:4 (5) A,
Refs
Sir.18:10, 4Ma.15:26* ;]
__1. a small smooth stone, a pebble: ψ. λευκή (for suggestions as to the meaning, see Swete, in l), Rev.2:17.
__2. From the use of pebbles in voting, a vote: Act.26:10.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a small worn smooth stone, a pebble
1a) in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and the acquitted by white
2) a vote (on account of the use of pebbles in voting)
ψῆφος
psēphos psay'-fos From the same as G5584; a pebble (as worn smooth by handling), that is, (by implication of use as a counter or ballot) a verdict (of acquittal) or ticket (of admission); a vote KJV Usage: stone, voice.
This word psēphos has an understanding of whispering and reckoning as well as voting. We will be given a stone with a name on it that only we know. This keeps our votes secret. That stone will be used to cast a verdict. The same way peoples’ works will be judged, angels’ works will be judged. Why?
Hebrews 1:13 G4314 [2to G5100 3which G1161 1And] G3588 of the G32 angels G2046 said he G4218 at some time or other? G2521 Sit down G1537 at G1188 my right, G1473 G2193 until G302 whenever G5087 I should put G3588 G2190 your enemies G1473 G5286 as a footstool G3588 G4228 of your feet!
14 G3780 [2not G3956 3all G1510.2.6 1Are they] G3010 ministering G4151 spirits, G1519 [2in G1248 3service G649 1being sent] G1223 on account of G3588 the ones G3195 being about G2816 to inherit G4991 deliverance?
3010 LSJ Gloss:λειτουργικός ministering
Dodson:λειτουργικός ministering given to serving (ministration), ministering.
Thayer:
1) relating to the performance of service, employed in ministering
λειτουργικός
leitourgikos li-toorg-ik-os' From the same as G3008; functional publicly (“liturgic”), that is, beneficent KJV Usage: ministering.
1248 LSJ Gloss:διακονία the office of a
Dodson:διακονία waiting at table, service, ministration
waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration.
Thayer:
1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others
2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men
2a) of the office of Moses
2b) of the office of the apostles and its administration
2c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.
3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities
4) the office of the deacon in the church
5) the service of those who prepare and present food
διακονία
diakonia dee-ak-on-ee'-ah From G1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate) KJV Usage: (ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing).
649 LSJ Gloss:ἀποστέλλω to send off
Dodson:ἀποστέλλω I send forth, send, send away, dismiss I send forth, send (as a messenger, commission, etc.), send away, dismiss.
Thayer:
1) to order (one) to go to a place appointed
2) to send away, dismiss
2a) to allow one to depart, that he may be in a state of liberty
2b) to order one to depart, send off
2c) to drive away
For Synonyms see entry G5813
ἀποστέλλω
apostellō ap-os-tel'-lo From G575 and G4724; set apart, that is, (by implication) to send out (properly on a mission) literally or figuratively KJV Usage: put in, send (away, forth, out), set [at liberty].
We have a distorted view of who we are as compared to who angels are. Angels are spiritual servants who are appointed to serve humanity, and the Father and Son. They have freedom of will. They have more spiritual knowledge than we do. They were originally sent to teach, guide, watch, and report on man, but some decided to break ranks and that is where a majority of trouble started for humanity. Angels will be judged on how they served. Josephus gives us some insight here.
An Extract Out of Josephus’ Discourse to the Greeks Concerning Hades
The Works of Flavius Josephus.
6. For all men, the just as well as the unjust, shall be brought before God the word: for to him hath the Father committed all judgment; and he, in order to fulfill the will of his Father, shall come as Judge, whom we call Christ. For Minos and Rhadamanthus are not the judges, as you Greeks do suppose, but he whom God and the Father hath glorified: Concerning Whom We Have Elsewhere Given A More Particular Account, For The Sake Of Those Who Seek After Truth. This person, exercising the righteous judgment of the Father towards all men, hath prepared a just sentence for every one, according to his works; at whose judgment-seat when all men, and angels, and demons shall stand, they will send forth one voice, and say, Just Is Thy Judgment; the rejoinder to which will bring a just sentence upon both parties, by giving justly to those that have done well an everlasting fruition; but allotting to the lovers of wicked works eternal punishment. To these belong the unquenchable fire, and that without end, and a certain fiery worm, never dying, and not destroying the body, but continuing its eruption out of the body with never-ceasing grief: neither will sleep give ease to these men, nor will the night afford them comfort; death will not free them from their punishment, nor will the interceding prayers of their kindred profit them; for the just are no longer seen by them, nor are they thought worthy of remembrance. But the just shall remember only their righteous actions, whereby they have attained the heavenly kingdom, in which there is no sleep, no sorrow, no corruption, no care, no night, no day measured by time, no sun driven in his course along the circle of heaven by necessity, and measuring out the bounds and conversions of the seasons, for the better illumination of the life of men; no moon decreasing and increasing, or introducing a variety of seasons, nor will she then moisten the earth; no burning sun, no Bear turning round [the pole], no Orion to rise, no wandering of innumerable stars. The earth will not then be difficult to be passed over, nor will it he hard to find out the court of paradise, nor will there be any fearful roaring of the sea, forbidding the passengers to walk on it; even that will be made easily passable to the just, though it will not be void of moisture. Heaven will not then be uninhabitable by men, and it will not be impossible to discover the way of ascending thither. The earth will not be uncultivated, nor require too much labor of men, but will bring forth its fruits of its own accord, and will be well adorned with them. There will be no more generations of wild beasts, nor will the substance of the rest of the animals shoot out any more; for it will not produce men, but the number of the righteous will continue, and never fail, together with righteous angels, and spirits [of God], and with his word, as a choir of righteous men and women that never grow old, and continue in an incorruptible state, singing hymns to God, who hath advanced them to that happiness, by the means of a regular institution of life; with whom the whole creation also will lift up a perpetual hymn from corruption, to incorruption, as glorified by a splendid and pure spirit. It will not then be restrained by a bond of necessity, but with a lively freedom shall offer up a voluntary hymn, and shall praise him that made them, together with the angels, and spirits, and men now freed from all bondage.
The Works of Flavius Josephus.
This is an incredible insight into the future. Where did Josephus learn this? We know that he studied as an Essene and that is probably the clue we are looking for. When we look at the writings found in the caves at Qumran we see books that were written three hundred years before Christ which were not canonized three hundred years after Christ. We have the scribing and writing of all our teachings up to about one hundred years after Christ. These are the things that the first century church believed and understood. We trust those writers and scribes to tell us about Jesus, the Father, and the right way to live. If they relied on the “non-canonized” writings, we should at least consider theses writings because this is what they knew and the point of view in which they write from. Josephus just spoke about the worm that does not die and immortality. We can find those ideas in the Bible. But the writings that were eliminated from canon speak of other things that Josephus just mentioned. The Book of Enoch, found at Qumran, tells us about the judgment of the fallen angels. It tells us about the punishment of the flood because of the fallen watchers. It tells us about other fallen angels and their punishment as well. Josephus mentions that angels and demons will be punished, and Enoch fills us in on these details. Again, it does not matter what we believe, it only matters what they, the writers of the Bible, believed.
Enoch starts out by telling us that some of this information is for a remote generation which is to come.
Enoch 1:1. The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked ⌈⌈and godless⌉⌉ are to be removed. 2. And he took up his parable and said--Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by God, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, ⌈which⌉ the angels showed me, and from them I heard everything, and from them I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. 3. Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them:
The Holy Great One will come forth from His dwelling,
4. And the eternal God will tread upon the earth, (even) on Mount Sinai,
⌈And appear from His camp⌉
And appear in the strength of His might from the heaven of heavens.
5. And all shall be smitten with fear
And the Watchers shall quake,
And great fear and trembling shall seize them unto the ends of the earth.
6. And the high mountains shall be shaken,
And the high hills shall be made low,
And shall melt like wax before the flame
7. And the earth shall be ⌈wholly⌉ rent in sunder,
And all that is upon the earth shall perish,
And there shall be a judgement upon all (men).
8. But with the righteous He will make peace.
And will protect the elect,
And mercy shall be upon them.
And they shall all belong to God,
And they shall be prospered,
And they shall ⌈all⌉ be blessed.
⌈And He will help them all⌉,
And light shall appear unto them,
⌈And He will make peace with them⌉.
9. And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of ⌈His⌉ holy ones
To execute judgement upon all,
And to destroy ⌈all⌉ the ungodly:
And to convict all flesh
Of all the works ⌈of their ungodliness⌉ which they have ungodly committed,
And of all the hard things which ungodly sinners ⌈have spoken⌉ against Him.
Enoch is writing before the flood what he sees and is told by the angel. Before Moses ever wrote Genesis in paleo Hebrew, Enoch told us that the Lord would eventually come with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all, to destroy the ungodly, and to convict all flesh. Jude quotes this as well.
Jude 1:14-15 (KJV)
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Why do some people feel that Jude is an acceptable book while Enoch is not? In any event, the first century church believed and understood the Book of Enoch. It then becomes our job to also understand Enoch’s writings. From the time of the fall of the Adam and Eve, we have a prophecy of the coming Messiah. Yet Enoch, in his first few sentences sees beyond the coming of Jesus on the earth to the wrap up of the tribulation. In Enoch’s time some of the watchers had left their first estate and were causing chaos on the earth, as Jude also mentions.
Jude 1:6 (KJV)
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.
Some of these watchers were already imprisoned and asked Enoch to intercede for them. Enoch responds this way:
Enoch 14:4. I wrote out your petition, and in my vision it appeared thus, that your petition will not be granted unto you ⌈⌈throughout all the days of eternity, and that judgement has been finally passed upon you: yea (your petition) will not be granted unto you⌉⌉. 5. And from henceforth you shall not ascend into heaven unto all eternity, and ⌈in bonds⌉ of the earth the decree has gone forth to bind you for all the days of the world. 6. And (that) previously you shall have seen the destruction of your beloved sons and ye shall have no pleasure in them, but they shall fall before you by the sword. 7. And your petition on their behalf shall not be granted, nor yet on your own: even though you weep and pray and speak all the words contained in the writing which I have written.
15:4. And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those ⌈also⌉ do who die and perish. 5. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth. 6. But you were ⌈formerly⌉ spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. 7. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven, in heaven is their dwelling. 8. And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, and on the earth shall be their dwelling. 9. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men, ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; ⌈they shall be evil spirits on earth, and⌉ evil spirits shall they be called. [10. As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the earth shall be their dwelling.] 11. And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: they take no food, ⌈but nevertheless hunger⌉ and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded ⌈from them⌉.
16:1. From the days of the slaughter and destruction and death ⌈of the giants⌉, from the souls of whose flesh the spirits, having gone forth, shall destroy without incurring judgement--thus shall they destroy until the day of the consummation, the great ⌈judgement⌉ in which the age shall be consummated, over the Watchers and the godless, yea, shall be wholly consummated." 2. And now as to the Watchers who have sent thee to intercede for them, who had been ⌈⌈aforetime⌉⌉ in heaven, (say to them): "You have been in heaven, but ⌈all⌉ the mysteries had not yet been revealed to you, and you knew worthless ones, and these in the hardness of your hearts you have made known to the women, and through these mysteries women and men work much evil on earth." 4. Say to them therefore: "You have no peace."'
What we learn from Enoch is that even though there will be a judgment that will destroy the children of the Watchers which happened in the flood. The spirits of the children of the Watchers, (which do not die), will continue to destroy, afflict, oppress, attack, and do battle, with humankind until the great white throne judgment. That is when the age will be consummated and when the Watchers and the godless will also be consummated or completed. We know from previous studies that there will be a battle when the saints come back with the Lord at the end of the tribulation where the children of the watchers will be led to prison.
Enoch talks about a congregation of the righteous. This is the above congregation or the above synagogue, the episunagoge. He says the Righteous One shall appear.
Enoch 38:XXXVIII. The Coming Judgement of the Wicked.
1. The First Parable.
When the congregation of the righteous shall appear,
And sinners shall be judged for their sins,
And shall be driven from the face of the earth:
2. And when the Righteous One shall appear before the eyes of the righteous,
Whose elect works hang upon the Lord of Spirits,
And light shall appear to the righteous and the elect who dwell on the earth, Where then will be the dwelling of the sinners,
And where the resting-place of those who have denied the Lord of Spirits?
It had been good for them if they had not been born.
3. When the secrets of the righteous shall be revealed and the sinners judged,
And the godless driven from the presence of the righteous and elect,
4. From that time those that possess the earth shall no longer be powerful and exalted:
And they shall not be able to behold the face of the holy,
For the Lord of Spirits has caused His light to appear
On the face of the holy, righteous, and elect.
5. Then shall the kings and the mighty perish
And be given into the hands of the righteous and holy.
6. And thenceforward none shall seek for themselves mercy from the Lord of Spirits
For their life is at an end.
Enoch, seventh from the adam, tells us of the righteous one who appears before the righteous. What day does Jesus appear to his people? The day that he raises them up or seizes them from the earth. While Jesus gives overcomers some type of rewards or benefits for overcoming the world and making it into Paradise, he also holds a ceremony, a presentation ceremony rewarding the redeemed for what they have done on the earth.
Enoch points out two groups, the righteous and the elect. The elect in this context are not necessarily righteous, but instead they are heirs of Jacob promised to live in Israel. The end of the tribulation gives Israel back to the elect, as Jesus told us the angels would gather them from the ends of heaven and earth. The righteous will reign as kings and priests. The ungodly and unrighteous will be sent to hades to await the white throne judgment. Noah gives us some insight here also.
Book of Noah
61:8. And the Lord of Spirits placed the Elect one on the throne of glory.
And he shall judge all the works of the holy above in the heaven,
And in the balance shall their deeds be weighed
9. And when he shall lift up his countenance
To judge their secret ways according to the word of the name of the Lord of Spirits,
And their path according to the way of the righteous judgement of the Lord of Spirits,
Then shall they all with one voice speak and bless,
And glorify and extol and sanctify the name of the Lord of Spirits.
10. And He will summon all the host of the heavens, and all the holy ones above, and the host of God, the Cherubic, Seraphin and Ophannin, and all the angels of power, and all the angels of principalities, and the Elect One, and the other powers on the earth (and) over the water. 11. On that day shall raise one voice, and bless and glorify and exalt in the spirit of faith, and in the spirit of wisdom, and in the spirit of patience, and in the spirit of mercy, and in the spirit of judgement and of peace, and in the spirit of goodness, and shall all say with one voice: "Blessed is He, and may the name of the Lord of Spirits be blessed for ever and ever."
12. All who sleep not above in heaven shall bless Him:
All the holy ones who are in heaven shall bless Him,
And all the elect who dwell in the garden of life:
And every spirit of light who is able to bless, and glorify, and extol, and hallow Thy blessed name,
And all flesh shall beyond measure glorify and bless Thy name for ever and ever.
13. For great is the mercy of the Lord of Spirits, and He is long-suffering,
And all His works and all that He has created He has revealed to the righteous and elect
In the name of the Lord of Spirits.
Noah tells us that all the works of the holy in the heavens will be judged. Their deeds will be weighed and balanced. This is what we read last week, that the servants, the prophets, the holy, and the reverent, will be judged, Revelation 11. Then all the hosts of the heavens will gather and bless His name. What does this imply? That the fate of man, the brokenness of humans, oppressed, and mixed with the fallen sons of God, looked as if their fate was doomed. But in a hidden, mysterious, plan, humans found their way to the Father and the Son. The forces of darkness looked as if they would rule and reign, damning mankind forever; until the secret was revealed that humans could be redeemed and rewarded for their works. The rewards of the redeemed will look glorious, better than we can imagine, and the unrighteous sons of God will be in fear at the splendor revealed.
We have turned the understanding of our works into something that we use to condemn, control, and judge one another. That is not the purpose of our works. Imagine someone condemning another individual for not doing enough works. That condemning individual will not be rewarded for that attitude even if it produces results. The one being condemned may not have the right heart or intent to serve at a particular time, but does it out of false obligation or manipulation. Is there a full reward in that? We are not saved by works, we are saved by believing that Jesus is the Messiah and that he rose up on the third day. This is our hinge point that leads us to redemption so that we are either raised up or seized off the earth. Even if someone never served the Lord, that one has his or her salvation and redemption if they believe.
Now Enoch also gives us a breakdown of the future by weeks. In the last three weeks we see that sinners will be delivered into he hands of the righteous.
The Apocalypse of Weeks
93:XCI. 12.-17. The Last Three Weeks.
12. And after that there shall be another, the eighth week, that of righteousness,
And a sword shall be given to it that a righteous judgement may be executed on the oppressors,
And sinners shall be delivered into the hands of the righteous.
13 And at its close they shall acquire houses through their righteousness,
And a house shall be built for the Great King in glory for evermore,
14d. And all mankind shall look to the path of uprightness.
14a. And after that, in the ninth week, the righteous judgement shall be revealed to the whole world,
b. And all the works of the godless shall vanish from all the earth,
c. And the world shall be written down for destruction.
15. And after this, in the tenth week in the seventh part,
There shall be the great eternal judgement,
In which He will execute vengeance amongst the angels.
16. And the first heaven shall depart and pass away,
And a new heaven shall appear,
And all the powers of the heavens shall give sevenfold light.
17. And after that there will be many weeks without number for ever,
And all shall be in goodness and righteousness,
And sin shall no more be mentioned for ever.
The disciples asked Jesus about the new heaven and new earth as recorded in Matthew 24. Where did they get the idea that there will be a new heaven and new earth? Jesus answered them by saying no man knows the day or the hour but only the Father. John also told us of the new heavens and new earth. What we see is that the angels will be judged before the new heavens and earth. The time that the saints will judge the angels may come to pass at least twice. Once during the tribulation when the Nephilim are taken to prison, which is before the millennial kingdom. Then after the millennial kingdom during the white throne judgment. All judgments will be complete before the new heavens and earth. If you overcome, you will receive a white stone to cast votes in judgment.
Angels are here to minister to us, even if we do not understand or see them at work. Their deeds will be judged. Likewise those who left their first estate, who oppress and war with mankind, will also be judged. Those who mixed their DNA with human DNA have been judged and are awaiting their fate. Their children were killed, but the spirits of that mixed union lives on to harm humans. They will be judged as well. We judge them alongside our Lord Jesus.
We know that works and rewards are not contingent to salvation. They are benefits to the redeemed who overcame, and stood for Jesus as Messiah, even though the fallen spiritual beings made life hard, and grievous. This time is not the end of our lives, it is simply the warmup to our eternal lives. We see the saints again, dressed in white, and coming to earth with Jesus to establish His kingdom. Next week.
