God Took Him

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24.  “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5.

We understand that the Bible is not the “obituary page” of the newspaper. However, in these two passages above we are introduced to a man as if he is on the “obituary page.”  In Genesis 5:24 we find a man who speaks of life in a chapter of death. Enoch did “not see death” “for God took him.” Enoch was taken in the strength of his life. According to the time in which he lived, he was comparatively young. Truly, we would understand that the family of Enoch would miss this good man. When a loved one is taken in death, we can find comfort from Enoch’s experience.

First, by looking at his reputation before he was taken. The Bible says that Enoch “walked with God.” The Hebrew means, “to go, walk, behave.” (Vines, V. 1, p. 279). The Paul said, “he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5. This is the thought that we find in the New Testament.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9.  

He was a man who demonstrated his faith daily. He was also a prophet. Jude 14-15. “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 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.” He prophesied of the second coming of Christ, warned about the coming judgment and spoke boldly against sin. He stood against evil and error and for truth and righteousness. The neighbors of Enoch knew him as a man of God.

Second, by looking at the reason, he was taken. One can only speculate because the Bible does not tell us. What we do is that he lived in a difficult time. It was a time of religious darkness and moral decline. His world was ripe for judgment. God “may have” chosen to spare him much grief. We can be sure that God loved him and knew the future. As one who pleased God, there are things from which one will be spared at death, for instance, the sorrows that lie ahead, disease, infirmities of the flesh.  When one dies many, want to blame God. God placed man in a perfect environment, and Satan tempted man and man sinned which brought physical and spiritual death. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” Romans 5:12-14.

Third, by looking at his residence after he was taken. Enoch was taken to be with the Lord. Where does the faithful go when we die? Many say directly to heaven. However, the Bible teaches us that we go to a place called “paradise.” This word is from the Greek word “paradeisoV” is the abode of the righteous dead. The word is found three times in the New Testament. Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7. At the Second Coming of Christ, all will be resurrected, John 5:28-29, all will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10, all will received their reward. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46. Those in “paradise” will be judged and sent to heaven. They will go to the promised “mansions”. John 14:1-3. They will go to a place that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23.

When Enoch died, he was ready to go. Jesus made it possible for every person to be ready to go. The question to each of us is, “Are you ready?” Salvation is “in Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:10. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…” Hebrews 5:8-9. One must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, John 20:30-31; 8:24, repent of their sins, Acts 17:30, confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Acts 8:37, and be immersed (buried) to have their sins washed away, Acts 22:16. The Lord will add you to His church. Acts 2:47.
Bobby D. Gayton