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by a flood； and He also opened more fully to him the plan of redemption。 By
the spirit of prophecy He carried him down through the generations that
should live after the Flood； and showed him the great events connected with
the second coming of Christ and the end of the world。
Enoch had been troubled in regard to the dead。 It had seemed to him that the
righteous and the wicked would go to the dust together； and that this would
be their end。 He could not see the life of the just beyond the grave。 In
prophetic vision he was instructed concerning the death of Christ； and was
shown His coming in glory； attended by all the holy angels； to ransom His
people from the grave。 He also saw the corrupt state of the world
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when Christ should appear the second timethat there would be a boastful；
presumptuous； self…willed generation； denying the only God and the Lord
Jesus Christ； trampling upon the law； and despising the atonement。 He saw
the righteous crowned with glory and honor； and the wicked banished from the
presence of the Lord； and destroyed by fire。
Enoch became a preacher of righteousness； making known to the people what
God had revealed to him。 Those who feared the Lord sought out this holy man；
to share his instruction and his prayers。 He labored publicly also； bearing
God's messages to all who would hear the words or warning。 His labors were
not restricted to the Sethites。 In the land where Cain had sought to flee
from the divine Presence； the prophet of God made known the wonderful scenes
that had passed before his vision。 〃Behold；〃 he declared； 〃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。〃 Jude
14； 15。
He was a fearless reprover of sin。 While he preached the love of God in
Christ to the people of his time； and pleaded with them to forsake their
evil ways； he rebuked the prevailing iniquity and warned the men of his
generation that judgment would surely be visited upon the transgressor。 It
was the Spirit of Christ that spoke through Enoch； that Spirit is
manifested； not alone in utterances of love； compassion； and entreaty； it is
not smooth things only that are spoken by holy men。 God puts into the heart
and lips of His messengers truths to utter that are keen and cutting as a
two…edged sword。
The power of God that wrought with His servant was felt by those who heard。
Some gave heed to the warning； and renounced their sins； but the multitudes
mocked at the solemn message； and went on more boldly in their evil ways。
The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last
days； and it will also be received with unbelief and mockery。 The
antediluvian world rejected the warning words of him who walked with God。 So
will the last generation make light of the warnings of the Lord's
messengers。
In the midst of a life of active labor； Enoch steadfastly maintained his
communion with God。 The greater and more pressing his labors； the more
constant and earnest were his prayers。 He
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continued to exclude himself； at certain periods； from all society。 After
remaining for a time among the people； laboring to benefit them by
instruction and example； he would withdraw； to spend a season in solitude；
hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can
impart。 Communing thus with God； Enoch came more and more to reflect the
divine image。 His face was radiant with a holy light； even the light that
shineth in the face of Jesus。 As he came forth from these divine communings；
even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance。
The wickedness of men had reached such a height that destruction was
pronounced against them。 As year after year passed on； deeper and deeper
grew the tide of human guilt； darker and darker gathered the clouds of
divine judgment。 Yet Enoch； the witness of faith； held on his way； warning；
pleading； entreating； striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay
the bolts of vengeance。 Though his warnings were disregarded by a sinful；
pleasure…loving people； he had the testimony that God approved； and he
continued to battle faithfully against the prevailing evil； until God
removed him from a world of sin to the pure joys of heaven。
The men of that generation had mocked the folly of him who sought not to
gather gold or silver or to build up possessions here。 But Enoch's heart was
upon eternal treasures。 He had looked upon the celestial city。 He had seen
the King in His glory in the midst of Zion。 His mind； his heart； his
conversation； were in heaven。 The greater the existing iniquity； the more
earnest was his longing for the home of God。 While still on earth； he dwelt；
by faith； in the realms of light。
〃Blessed are the pure in heart： for they shall see God。〃 Matthew 5：8。 For
three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of soul； that he might be
in harmony with Heaven。 For three centuries he had walked with God。 Day by
day he had longed for a closer union； nearer and nearer had grown the
communion； until God took him to Himself。 He had stood at the threshold of
the eternal world； only a step between him and the land of the blest； and
now the portals opened； the walk with God； so long pursued on earth；
continued； and he passed through the gates of the Holy Citythe first from
among men to enter there。
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His loss was felt on earth。 The voice that had been heard day after day in
warning and instruction was missed。 There were some； both of the righteous
and the wicked； who had witnessed his departure； and hoping that he might
have been conveyed to some one of his places of retirement； those who loved
him made diligent search； as afterward the sons of the prophets searched for
Elijah； but without avail。 They reported that he was not； for God had taken
him。
By the translation of Enoch the Lord designed to teach an important lesson。
There was danger that men would yield to discouragement； because of the
fearful results of Adam's sin。 Many were ready to exclaim； 〃What profit is
it that we have feared the Lord and have kept His ordinances； since a heavy
curse is resting upon the race； and death is the portion of us all？〃 But the
instructions which God gave to Adam； and which were repeated by Seth； and
exemplified by Enoch； swept away the gloom and darkness； and gave hope to
man； that as through Adam came death； so through the promised Redeemer would
come life and immortality。 Satan was urging upon men the belief that there
was no reward for the righteous or punishment for the wicked； and that it
was impossible for men to obey the divine statutes。 But in the case of
Enoch； God declares 〃that He is； and that He is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him。〃 Hebrews 11：16。 He shows what He will do for those who
keep His commandments。 Men were taught that it is possible to obey the law
of God； that even while living in the midst of the sinful and corrupt； they
were able； by the grace of God； to resist temptation； and become pure and
holy。 They saw in his example th