Question:What is the Book of Enoch, and should we as Christians believe in it? Answer:The Book of Enoch is an ancient writing classified among the Apocrypha, believed to have been composed between roughly 200 BC and 400 AD. Some Christian groups regard it as a secret or hidden book because it contains mysterious revelations about God and the history of the world. However, it was never included in the canonical Bible of 66 books that most Christians accept today. The reason the Book of Enoch—and other apocryphal writings—were excluded from the Bible is not simply because they were “secret” or too spiritual. Rather, these writings contain many teachings and stories that conflict with the core doctrines of Christianity and biblical truth. Historical Context and Discovery The Book of Enoch was rediscovered in the 18th century in Ethiopia and later translated into other languages. It is sometimes called 1 Enoch because there are other Enochic writings as well. In 1947, fragments of the book were also found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in caves near the Dead Sea, confirming its antiquity and influence among some ancient Jewish groups. Who Was Enoch? Enoch is a biblical figure mentioned in Genesis 5:18–24 (ESV): “Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Unlike other humans, Enoch did not die but was taken directly by God, a unique event that later fueled speculation that he was given special heavenly knowledge. Contents of the Book of Enoch The book includes elaborate stories about angels—specifically 200 “watchers” or angels who fell from heaven because they lusted after human women and took them as wives (Genesis 6:1–4 alludes to such events). Their offspring were giants called the Nephilim, described as beings of enormous size and great violence. Enoch’s book details how these angels taught humanity forbidden knowledge, such as the use of weapons, sorcery, astrology, and other forms of corruption. This narrative attempts to explain the wickedness of humanity before the flood. However, many of these accounts stretch beyond what Scripture teaches and include mythological or legendary elements that cannot be substantiated by biblical revelation or reason. Theological Considerations The Bible does not teach that angels marry or reproduce with humans. Jesus himself clarified that in the resurrection, people “neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29–30, ESV). Angels were created as spiritual beings without physical reproductive functions. Furthermore, the New Testament affirms that after death comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27, ESV): “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” This contradicts teachings found in some apocryphal books about purgatory or prayers for the dead. Why Christians Should Be Cautious While the Book of Enoch contains some historical and theological insights, it is filled with stories and ideas that contradict the core message of the Bible. It includes many myths and speculative traditions that can mislead believers. Church tradition and biblical scholarship affirm that the canonical 66 books of the Bible are sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Some Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic Church, include additional apocryphal books in their Bible canon, increasing the total number of books to 73. However, these additional books also contain teachings that differ from Protestant interpretations, such as the doctrine of purgatory and prayers for the dead, which are not supported by Scripture. Conclusion The Book of Enoch is a fascinating ancient text with some connections to biblical themes but is not inspired Scripture and should not be regarded as authoritative or infallible. Christians should base their faith on the 66 canonical books of the Bible, which have been divinely inspired and preserved by the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned against being led astray by teachings that do not align with Scripture (Matthew 22:29). Therefore, it is wise to be discerning and cautious about accepting writings outside the biblical canon, especially when they contain theological errors or myths. May the Lord bless and guide you in all truth.
Jeremiah 8:7 (ESV) “Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.” Nature often teaches us lessons that we, in our spiritual blindness, fail to grasp. In Jeremiah 8:7, God uses birds—creatures without human reasoning—to expose the spiritual ignorance of His people. Birds like the stork, swallow, and crane instinctively discern the changing seasons and migrate accordingly for their survival. They know when winter approaches and leave their habitats to seek warmer climates, sometimes flying thousands of miles to regions like Africa or parts of the southern hemisphere. After the cold subsides, they return home and continue with life as normal. The winters in places like Europe can be deadly, with temperatures so low they turn water to solid ice. Human beings cannot endure the cold without proper shelter and heating, let alone birds with delicate bodies. If these birds remained in such conditions, their nests would freeze, and they would perish. But because they perceive the times, they move. This survival strategy is not born of intelligence like ours, but of divine instinct. Yet, God laments that His people, gifted with reason and spiritual insight, fail to discern the spiritual seasons He has appointed. We don’t recognize the time of God’s mercy, nor the impending season of His judgment. We live as though grace will last forever, assuming the gospel will always be freely preached, that the doors of salvation will always be open. But Scripture warns us otherwise. Jesus said in Revelation 22:10–12 (ESV): “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” This is not merely an invitation anymore—it is a declaration of finality. The time for persuasion is fading; now is the time for confirmation. Christ is coming back soon, and He will repay each person according to their deeds. Many signs indicate we are at the end of the age: pandemics like COVID-19, intensifying natural disasters, and the rise of false prophets and deceptive spiritual movements. These are not random events—they are prophetic indicators. Jesus rebuked His generation for failing to recognize the spiritual significance of their time: Luke 12:54–56 (ESV): “He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming.” And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat,” and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’” If we can predict the weather, prepare our farms for the rainy season, and even relocate from flood-prone areas—why do we ignore the spiritual warnings all around us? How can we allow birds like the stork to outmatch us in wisdom? Now is the time to wake up from spiritual slumber. God’s judgment is near. If you are still outside the ark of salvation—Jesus Christ—run to Him now. Surrender with your whole heart. This world is not our home, and it will not last. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of Jesus will remain forever (Matthew 24:35). Heaven is real—and so is hell. The choice is yours.Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus.