The First Astronaut

~ Enoch ~  

Enoch, who was a “type” of the church, was the first astronaut—he made a non-stop trip to heaven. One day Jesus Christ will return a second time to take away His church, His bride to be with Him forever. This typical aspect of Enoch is not the only interesting aspect of the Biblical account of Enoch. He was a fascinating Biblical character in other ways. Consider three main aspects of Enoch’s life. 

His FAITH in God  ~  Enoch possessed a consistent PURPOSE in his life and as a result the Hebrew writer tells us that he pleased God. “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:5-6). He was determined to obey God, regardless of cost, and as a result he achieved his life purpose. And because of his faith and obedience he experienced a TRANSFORMATION of his life.    

His WALK with God  ~  Enoch understood the PATH in which he should go and he walked with God. A path implies a beginning and an end. “Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him” (Genesis 5:24). The fact that Enoch walked steadily with God implies certain things. First, it implies a harmony or agreement with God. Second, increasing intimacy occurs the longer you walk together with another. Third, there was a consistency which implies he neither ran ahead of God nor lagged behind. Finally a walk with God provides safety in the form of both shelter and protection. Enoch experienced a TRANSLATION as God took him directly to heaven. 

His TESTIMONY for God  ~  Enoch was a PROPHET who gave an amazing prediction. “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him’” (Jude 14-15). Enoch was the first prophet and he prophesied about the Lord’s coming. His prophecy was one of coming CONDEMNATION for those sinners who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.     

CONTEMPLATE:  How is your current walk with God?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW