Introductory comments to “Enoch’s Shield of Faith Defeated Death” Lesson

In April 1970, three men were on their way to the moon aboard Apollo 13 spacecraft. Before reaching the moon, an oxygen tank exploded and prompted this message.

“Houston, we have a problem”

Lets consider the name that was broadcast throughout the solar system that day. Houston is the name of the city where the U.S. space program has its operational headquaters. Its name comes from Sam Houston, an Anglo-American pioneer, settler, general and governor during the days when Texas was a republic and its early years of statehood.

Huston’s heroism and service to Texas earned him the respect and admiration of early Texans. As a result, the coastal settlement that has grown into present-day Houston, Texas was named as an expression of honor for Sam Huston’s dedication to Texas.

How many of us can expect our names to be broadcast through history and space as is Sam Houston’s every time a manned space mission is launched from earth?

This lesson considers a man whose name has been repeated since the early days of human history, and into eternity because of his faithful, righteous service to Jehovah. That man was Enoch.

Enoch’s Shield of Faith Defeated Death

I Enoch’s History

--- Genesis 5: 18 -22 born 622 years after Adam was created.

--- Genesis 5: 23 -24 at age 365, God removed Enoch from Earth.

--- Hebrews 11: 5 “…Enoch was translated…” so that he did not die.

TRANSLATED: A Greek verb indicating transferred to another place

“…was taken away…” NKJV “…was taken up…” NASV

--- Jude verses 14 – 15 The Holy Spirit marked Enoch as a prophet of Jehovah.

** Enoch – the seventh from Adam, father of Methuselah, great grandfather of Noah, and

ancestor of Jesus of Nazareth whose faith is broadcast into forever.

II Enoch’s Religion – Direct Revelations to Patriarchs (Genesis 18: 18 - 19)

A. DID NOT HAVE ANY WRITTEN BIBLE DOCUMENTS !!!!

B. God communicated to humanity by direct revelation during Enoch’s age.

--- Genesis 7: 1 - 5 God spoke directly to Noah concerning the flood and ark.

--- Genesis 12 1 - 3 Abraham received instructions from God about leaving Ur.

C. Examples of religious activities

--- Genesis 4: 3 - 7 Mankind was required to offer sacrifices based on obedient faith

--- Genesis 9: 3 - 7 God issued commands directly to his preachers and prophets.

--- Genesis 14: 18 - 19 God ordained some men as priests.

--- Genesis 18: 22 - 33 God allowed conversations between himself and humans.

--- Genesis 20: 7 God designated some men as prophets.

** Jehovah was closely associated with righteous people during the age when Patriarch revelation was God’s method of conveying righteousness to mankind.

III How Did Enoch Acquire Faith?

The divine pattern for human faith.

--- Hebrews : 11: 6 Without faith it is impossible to please God

--- Romans 10: 17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by God’s word

--- Romans 1: 16 -17 The just shall live by faith in the power of Christ’s gospel

--- Hebrews 11: 13 Evidence (God’s word) → Believe → FAITH

--- Hebrews 11: 1 Substance (assurance) of things hoped for → life beyond Earth

Evidence (conviction) of things not seen → promises of Christ’s gospel

** Faith is the product of evidence and hope which leads people to trust a belief so intensely that they change their behavior (life style) to conform to their conviction.

** Enoch believed God’s words to the point that he was willing to trust what he heard and positively act upon that belief = obedient faith.

IV Enoch’s Message to Christians

--- Romans 15: 4 Enoch’s example was written for our learning to strengthen our hope

--- Ephesians 6: 16 The shielding effect of faith is a real attribute of Christ’s gospel.

--- Hebrews 11: 6 God rewards faithful people.

--- Galatians 3: 28 – 29 Christians are descendents of a linage of faithful son’s of God.