Jude 1:14 (KJV) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Within the pages of the Bible, we read very little about this man named “Enoch” and, yet, what we are told about him should cause any Christian to appreciate the wonderful testimony that he left behind. Besides his age, lineage and descendants, we are told basically four different things about Enoch:
1. “Enoch walked with God”
2. “God took him (Enoch)”; in other words, “Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found for God took him”
3. “he had this testimony, that he pleased God”
4.”Enoch… prophesied of these saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints”
In our next devotion, I would like us to consider the fourth aspect of the Enoch’s testimony…”Enoch… prophesied of these saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints”
Keep in mind, the event that Enoch is talking about is an end-time event that leads to the Battle Of Armageddon as taught in the book of Revelation and elsewhere. Following the rapture (the taking of God’s people to meet Him in the air and the resurrection of the believer’s body) we find Christ returning to the earth with His saints to fight the Battle of Armageddon. This battle will involve Christ coming to this earth and destroying the sinful powers of this world using the words of His mouth. (Rev 19:11-16, Zech 14:5, 2 Thes 1:7-10 etc). This then is followed by the final judgment and consigning of lost to the Lake of Fire while the saints are placed in a New Heavens and Earth to dwell eternally. (Rev 20:-22:)
When we read that Enoch spoke to others about this great future event we can learn much about the basic teaching that others received through the witnessing of Enoch:
1. Enoch spoke of Jehovah and His attitude against, and judgment of, sin.
2. Enoch spoke of the final victory over Satan, sin and death.
3. Enoch spoke of the future blessings of Jehovah’s people and their final victory in Christ.
4. Enoch was a living illustration of faith in Jehovah. Keep in mind, He was declaring to others a future prophecy. His faith in Jehovah was clearly shown by his certainty this prophecy would take place.
5. Enoch’s life exhibited love for His Lord and others. As he spoke of this prophecy, he was glorifying God and placing the attention of his hearers on God. He was warning others of their coming judgment and the blessings they can receive if they turned to this great and victorious God.
I believe that Enoch revealed other teachings of the Lord to his hearers beyond this one prophecy. In my mind, I am certain he related to them their need of salvation and the way that would lead them to the Lord. However, this part of his teachings is mentioned as a cornerstone of his ministry because by relating to others this one event that is yet to come that many of the basic truths about sin, judgment, the victory wrought by God and future blessings of His people can be clearly seen.
Do we make these truths clearly understood by others as well?
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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Rob, I am a little worried about myself. I find myself questioning why God is allowing Al to suffer so much. Why am I doing this?
Terry,
Questioning the Lord is something that we all do from time to time. It is a part of our sin nature to question that which we do not understand. Especially when it affects our loved ones or ourselves, it makes patience and simple trusting in the Lord a very difficult thing to do.
When I am faced with such situations, I try to remember all the other times I have questioned Him and my faith has been weak. As I look back I realize that He always brought me through those situations as a stronger Christian who was better equipped to help others that come my way.
As you have told me from time to time… He is always proven Himself faithful and He always meets our every need… in His time. I know it must be extremely difficult to watch Al suffer and we may never understand (on earth) why this is taking place. But we can rest assured that He is with you and Al and working out His will for both of you. In the end, He will be glorified and it will work out for the good of His people. I continue in prayer and trust the Lord will intervene in the whole situation and work a miracle.
Thank you, Pastor Rob, for helping us consider if we are making the truths of God clearly understood too. You are!
God bless you and praying with you for Terry and Al.
Debbie,
Thank you for the kind words and thank you so much for your prayers on Terry and Als behalf. I know they much appreciate it. Sometimes all we can do is pray and know that He will do what is best and right in it. Lord bless you. Thanks again.
Rob, I am sure it is the desire of every blood-bought, adopted child of the living God for others to know the abundance of blessings we have in Christ.
>> “Do we make these truths clearly understood by others?”
We seek to bring others to see this, but we know it is not OUR work – that we, of ourselves, can do NOTHING – but we trust Him to lead us, to give us the words, actions and attitudes that WILL reflect the love of Christ and that they will respond to HIS call.
Thank you for the clarity of teaching you provide here, and for supplying us with ‘ammunition’ to use in our daily lives and in our service for the King of kings.
Angela,
Thank you for adding to the posting. You are so right… the Lord must open up our eyes for any truth to be understood.
I was just trying to help people to understand that when we witness, we need to minister to poeple where they are at in life. Paul described the idea in 1 Cor 9:19-21 as “1Cor 9:19-21 (KJV)
“For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”
Sometimes we forget to whom we are speaking ahd we present the gospel in a very ineffective way to those who are in such need.
Lord bless you again, my friend.