Enoch
Since childhood, he had known. This beautiful, powerful man who came to see first his father, then Enoch himself, was more than man. As a child, his father had explained who the visitor called Elohim was. Even in his rebellious teen years, Enoch had never considered disassociating himself with this wonderful, wise, gentle Man who his father called “God.”
Even before his father’s death, Enoch walked and talked with Elohim. Whether upset over the destruction of crops, elated over the birth of a son, or angry over his wife’s accidental death, Elohim had been there for him. Enoch remembered with some shame railing at Him about the unfairness of losing his wife, and asking why she was not protected. Elohim had held him, comforted him, accepted his anger and tears. “Do you think this was my plan when I created man?” He had asked as Enoch had wept in His arms. “Man’s sin brought death into this world, not I.”
After Enoch’s father died, Elohim came and talked often. Enoch had offered to bring other men into this relationship with the Maker, but no one had been interested. Elohim had shown him the corruption that sin had ravaged on man’s heart, and after that, Enoch had stopped trying.
After several years, Enoch came to understand that the Man who came and talked with him was not the natural personage of God. There was much hidden, and much unknown, about Him. It took a very long time for Enoch to approach the subject. Elohim was a Friend, and a Father, yes, but He was also God.
“Father Elohim,” Enoch finally asked, “I recognize that this form that You use to visit me is not the true You. Will You show me Your true self?”
Elohim had sighed. “My son, I change My form for Your protection. Because man is sinful, his flesh cannot exist in My presence. Even you, My friend, have sinned. The glory of My presence would make it impossible for you to exist here. When this flesh you inhabit dies, your spirit will see Me in all My glory. Until then, you must be satisfied with what you now see.”
Many years later, with all his children grown, and great-grandchildren on the way, Enoch brought up the subject again. “Will You not show me Your glory, Your true self? I care not that this flesh will not survive it. The world is growing more and more evil, and I no longer want to be in it. Please, my Father, let me see You.”
Elohim smiled. This man was so precious to Him! The world was soon to end, with Enoch’s grandson and great-grandsons being the only survivors. “I will consider it, Son.”
In hope, Enoch made sure that all would be well with his family if he were to die. He also confided in his favorite grandson, Noah, what Elohim had said. Noah was the only one of the family who still even believed Elohim existed, much less followed Him.
When Elohim came again, nothing was mentioned about it. Just as they always did, He and Enoch walked, and talked. The discussion was so animated that Enoch paid little attention to where they were walking, allowing Elohim to guide both the walk and the conversation. He only briefly noticed a gentle fog rolling in, slowly concealing their surroundings.
It was only when they were completely engulfed that he commented on it.
“Strange fog. I can’t even see the road now.”
Elohim laughed a little. “It is no longer there. You are so special to Me, Enoch. You have followed Me and obeyed Me when no one else did. You asked to see Me in all My glory. Do you still want this?”
Enoch stopped and swallowed hard.“Lord, You said it was not possible. That I couldn’t see Your glory and live.”
“I said you could not be in that world and see Me. You have not answered my question, child. Do you still want to see Me?”
Enoch, understanding now what had happened, could only nod, and watch as the Elohim he had always known shifted, transformed, and shone like a hundred suns. Enoch, now on his knees, trembled before this Being of almost unreal purity and light.
“Rise, and do not fear, My friend,” Elohim spoke to Enoch’s heart. “Rise and come home with Me. You will not see death, but are now transformed into glorified flesh and will spend eternity walking with Me, as you have done all your life. Welcome home, My son.”