PERFECTION

PERDITION

OR

We are apt to forget in our studies that all Scripture, though universal in its application and true for all time,

nevertheless had a primary and restricted origin. Hebrews 11 is so full, each character so great, that we forget that

the writer was addressing `Hebrews', and urging them to `go on unto perfection', and that every item of this chapter

has been divinely selected with that fact in mind. Abel showed the absolute necessity for the `one Sacrifice' of

Christ, and the danger of going in the way of Cain should that one Offering be despised or rejected. Enoch's case

sets forth the goal, summed up in the `walk', and the `translation'. Towards the close of Hebrews 11 the apostle

speaks of:

`Others (who) were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a BETTER RESURRECTION' (Heb. 11:35).

lt must be observed here that the obtaining of a better resurrection is directly connected with not accepting

deliverance, and the question arises, How can Enoch's example have any bearing upon this, or upon the Hebrews,

seeing that Enoch apparently did not die? It is time therefore to search and see. The sources of direct information

are the following. The passage in Genesis 5, the LXX translation, and the passage in Hebrews 11. These we must

give first.

`And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him' (Hebrew of Gen. 5:24).

`And Enoch pleased God: and he was not found, for God translated him' (LXX version of Gen. 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' (Heb. 11:5).

It will be noticed that the record grows as we proceed. The Hebrew is the shortest statement. Paul does not

quote the Hebrew original, but quotes the LXX version as more suitable to his purpose, and more familiar to his

readers, who used that version daily.

Let us examine the actual statements used before we come to any conclusion. `He was not'. Identical words are

used in Jeremiah 31:15, `Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they

were not'. There is no ambiguity in Reuben's meaning when he cried, `The child is not' (Gen. 37:30), or of Jacob's

lament `Joseph is not, and Simeon is not' (Gen. 42:36), indeed Jacob said, `Me have ye bereaved'.

`For God took him'. The Hebrew word laqach is used both of death and of translation:

`Behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke' (Ezek. 24:16).

`Knowest thou that the `LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day?' (2 Kings 2:3).

The case of Elijah is somewhat parallel with that of Enoch. Elijah is taken up to heaven by a whirlwind, and

Elisha `saw him no more' (verse 12). When the sons of the prophets urged Elisha to send the fifty men to look for

Elijah, the result is recorded, `They sought three days, but found him not' (verse 17). It is the LXX that adds the

word `found' in Genesis 5:24. While this reference to Elijah strengthens the conception that Enoch did not die,

Psalm 37:35,36 shows that the avoidance of death is not necessarily implied by the word, `I have seen the wicked ...

yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not;, yea, I sought him, but he could not be found'.

By faith Enoch was translated. It is usual to suppose that the use of the word `translation' is the end of all

controversy, and that such a word could not apply to any who had died. Yet, notice the first occurrence of the word

in the New Testament:

`So Jacob went down into Egypt, and DIED, he, and our fathers, and were carried over (TRANSLATED) into Sychem, and

laid in the sepulchre ...' (Acts 7:15,16).

It is evident that the word `translation' of itself does not necessitate escape from death. Hebrews 7:12 has

already used the word to speak of the change of the priesthood and the law.

That he should not see death. The fifth chapter of Genesis is punctuated by the words, `and he died', eight times.

Enoch's translation breaks the sad sequence of mortality and provides the exception. Hebrews 11:5 does not say