I am going to share a portion from Dr. John R. Rice’s book entitled The King of the Jews, which is a commentary on Matthew.  His study of the unpardonable sin reaches the following conclusions:

“The following facts are evidently true about the unpardonable sin:  (1) There is only one unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:31); it is not murder nor adultery nor cursing, and not simply the rejection of Christ;  (2) Saved people cannot commit the unpardonable sin since all their sins are already pardoned and they cannot come into condemnation (John 5:24, Colossians 2:13).  To the saved person salvation is a finished, present possession.  They are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (John 10:28,29, I Peter 1:5).  This sin is committed only by lost people;  (3) The unpardonable sin is committed only by sinners of great enlightenment such as these Pharisees here who the prophecies and saw marvelous evidence of the power of Christ.  (See the enlightenment pictured in Hebrews 6:4,5).  In the Bible, Pharaoh, at the time of Moses, and Judas Iscariot seemed to have committed the unpardonable sin, as the Antichrist will evidently do;  (4) The unpardonable sin is connected always with the rejection of Christ by a sinner; not all who reject Christ as Saviour commit the unpardonable sin but each one may do so;  (5) The unpardonable sin is a complete and final rejection of Christ so definite and blasphemous that it insults and drives away the Holy Spirit forever.  Then He no longer moves the heart, brings conviction or arouses the desire for salvation.  Usually those who feel they have committed the unpardonable sin have not.  One who has is unconcerned, since the Holy Spirit has withdrawn from him;  (6) The desire to be saved proves that one has not committed the unpardonable sin (Revelation 21:6 and 22:17).”

RAPTURE

There are two stages or phases within the process of the Second Coming — the Rapture and the Revelation – and these are separated by a seven-year period of time.The Rapture is the next occurrence on God’s calendar and is the literal, visible, and bodily return of Christ in the heavenlies. He shall return as He left (Acts 1:9-11). One can easily know how He departed by studying Luke 24:39. He had a new resurrected body of flesh and bones — a body that could be seen, touched, and fed (vss. 41-43). When He returns in the heavenlies, all believers, dead and living, will also be taken bodily to meet Him in the clouds. We shall be changed as this mortal body puts on immortality and is transformed to be like Jesus’ body (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Psalm 17:15; 1 John 3:2). This happens in a moment, in “the twinkling of an eye.”

This event ends the Church Age and ushers in the Tribulation period. The Rapture of the Church involves the resurrection of the Christian dead as well as the exit from earth of all believers living at that time (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Regarding the Christian dead, the Bible teaches that the body is asleep in one place (the grave) whereas the soul is alive in another place (heaven). To be “absent from the body” is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). When Christ returns at the Rapture, He brings those that sleep (are dead) with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14). How can He bring the dead with Him and still come for the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16)? The dead are in two places! The souls and spirits are with the Lord, but their bodies are in the grave. Hence Christ brings the dead (souls and spirits) with Him so they may be reunited with their bodies. That is why the dead in Christ rise first.

The return of Christ for His Church is a signless and always imminent event. Even the New Testament writers expected the Lord’s return at any moment (Philippians 3:20). All signs of the Lord’s return have to do with the coming of Christ to set up His kingdom. They are only indicators of the approaching Rapture because that event precedes the establishment of the kingdom by seven years … in fact; we must be raptured so as to return with Him. The moment the Antichrist signs the seven-year peace pact the Tribulation period will begin and a timetable will be evident. Date-setting will now be conclusive and Christ’s return will no longer be imminent. It will be exactly 84 months or 2,520 days until Christ returns to establish His kingdom. The Rapture must precede the Tribulation Hour.

The Church is not to be the recipient of wrath. When one considers God’s purpose for the Tribulation, it is difficult to place the Bride of Christ into such a horrendous scene. Why should Christ’s Bride suffer the judgments of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials found in Revelation 6,8,9,11,15,16, when the Church cannot be found beyond the third chapter of the Book of Revelation? No, the Tribulation Hour is primarily a time of judgment upon a Christ-rejecting, God-rejecting world — both Jew and Gentile (Ezekiel 20:37, 38; Micah 5:15). Paul assured the Thessalonian Christians that they would not go through the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Although the Church is not all it should be, the world is better because the Church is present. The Holy Spirit, working through Christians, holds back the tide of evil sweeping the world. When His influence in this manner is removed at the Rapture, think of the wickedness that shall follow!

During the Tribulation period on earth, the raptured Christians have an appointment with Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 14:10, 12).

The word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible. It was coined from the Latin rapiemur to portray the experience of being “snatched away.” This is what is going to happen one day soon as the people of God disappear from the earth and immediately meet Christ to stand before the Judgment Seat.

JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

The day is coming when every blood-bought believer must stand before a Holy God for a scrutinizing investigation (Romans 14:10, 11). The English term “judgment seat” has a Greek origin, bema seat. The runners’ track in Athens, Greece, contained thousands of seats. However, there was one seat differing from the rest in that it was elevated. The judge of the contest, who sat there, had no obstructions to mar his view. He could see every movement clearly.

This pictures the God of holiness elevated upon His throne watching the Christian’s race of life (2 Corinthians 16:9; Jeremiah 16:7; Hebrews 4:13). God is keeping records for the day when we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done (2 Corinthians 5:10). We cannot live for the flesh and self and hear Christ say in that day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?’

There must be a battle fought and won. Rewards must be earned and scars must be traded for crowns. Paul, who bore in his body the marks [scars] of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17) was pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Salvation was already his as a gift, but only works of self-denial, hardship, suffering, and perhaps death could bring him the prize or crown to lay at Jesus’ feet (Revelation 4:10,11).

God will also investigate the motives behind one’s works. If there is an iota of self-glorification behind any act of service, the rewards will be sparse . . . if any (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-19; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5).

Scriptural facts concerning the Bema Seat:

1. This judgment is only for the people of God . . . those who have erected service or works upon the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. All of God’s people present some form of “works” to Christ at the Bema Seat.
3. Though all worked to some degree, a difference in quantity and quality is observed … gold, silver, and precious stones versus wood, hay, and stubble.
4. The difference is tested by purging fires.
5. The disintegrated ashes of wood, hay, and stubble bring sorrow and loss (1 Corinthians 3:15). While eternal life is freely bestowed upon all who believe as a gift apart from works (Romans 6:23) and cannot be forfeited, rewards and crowns can be earned and lost, accumulated and liquidated. A day of addition and subtraction is coming at the Rapture.
6. Quality works, performed for the glory of God to win the souls of men — gold, silver, precious stones —will earn crowns for all eternity. These crowns will then be placed at the feet of Christ as an eternal memorial of one’s lifetime of service (Revelation 4:10, 11).

Some will be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28; 2 Peter 1:11). They will have nothing but ashes to lay at Christ’s feet. Thank God one can confess failure, rededicate his life, and make a new start immediately. Then such will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

TRIBULATION

The Tribulation lasts seven years and is undoubtedly the worst bombardment of tragedy the earth will ever experience. God has a three-fold purpose for this period:

1. To save and allow many Jews who will enter the Millennium to experience the fulfillment of the kingdom promises to Israel made by God in the covenants
2. To save a multitude of Gentiles who will then populate the millennial kingdom
3. To pour out judgment on unbelieving mankind and nations. The final 42 months or three-and-one-half year period is so terrifying that it is called the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14).

There is a reason the first half is more peaceful. Because Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is soon to return, Satan, the great counterfeiter and super deceiver called Antichrist will present himself as the Messiah and be accepted! Satan will enter the body of a man and proclaim himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This Antichrist will come into prominence and power by presenting a “peace program” to the nations. The contracts are signed and confirmed (Daniel 9:27). However, in the middle of the seven-year period, the Antichrist dishonors his treaties and makes the last 42 months the bloodiest in world history. The Great Tribulation is a time of incomparable judgment from God (Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:2; Matthew 24:21). A total of 21 judgments fall upon the earth. They constitute three series of seven each and are described as the seal, trumpet, and vial (or bowl) judgments. This is the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Revelation 6, 8, 9, 15, 16) (see Judgments).Revelation 8:7 and 9:18 clearly reveal a judgment of fire during the Tribulation. This coincides with Psalm 97:3; Isaiah 66:15; Ezekiel 20:47; Zephaniah 1:18; Malachi 4:1 and numerous other passages of Scripture. Both Old and New Testaments are in agreement concerning what seems to be a fiery, nuclear holocaust (Zechariah 14:12; Revelation 8:7; 9:18) (see Day of the Lord; Daniel’s Seventieth Week).

I remain firmly convinced that the Church will be evacuated before the Tribulation judgment begins (see Rapture, Views of).

TRIBULATION … ORDER OF POLITICAL EVENTS

1. Rise of Antichrist as leader of a confederacy of ten Western nations (Revelation 13:1)
2. Antichrist signs a seven-year peace contract with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
3. After 42 months, Antichrist breaks the contract (Daniel 9:27)
4. Russia invades Israel from the North (Ezekiel 38:15, 16) at a time when Israel is at rest or peace (Ezekiel 38:11). (So this will not happen before the peace contract is in effect.)
5. Antichrist attempts to destroy God’s people, the Jews (Revelation 12)
6. He destroys the world church that helped bring him to power (Revelation 17:16,17)
7. He proclaims himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:411)
8. He himself is defeated at Armageddon (Revelation 19) and cast into the Lake of Fire (vg. 20)

The Tribulation period will end with the Battle of Armageddon and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth (Revelation 19:11-16).

REMNANT (JEWISH), 144,000

The existence of a remnant of Jews is tied to the covenants God made with the nation Israel. The unconditional covenants must have a people to carry out their fulfillment. Even though Israel has often strayed far from the Lord, He has always had a believing remnant. In New Testament times there were always a believing, expectant nucleus to whom the promises were reaffirmed. Presently a remnant of Israel are turning to Messiah, Jesus and receiving His salvation.

Shortly after the Rapture, there will be another remnant of Jews who turn to Christ. These converted Jews are called “servants of God” and they are extremely successful in ministering to others. Not long after this elect group is announced by John, he describes a great multitude from all nations who have been converted to Christ as a result of their labor and who are willing to prove their faith through martyrdom.

WITNESSES, TWO

Two powerful prophets will appear in Jerusalem during the Tribulation period, guaranteeing the truth of the kingdom message of the 144,000 servants of God, adding to the irritation of the Antichrist. The message of Christ’s return will be preached throughout the world. All will be made aware of the timetable of the end, the eventual fall of Antichrist, and the coming kingdom of Christ.

These two witnesses will be miraculously protected for three and one-half years. Their power to bring plagues will draw the attention of the world (Revelation 11:6). They will likely repeat Old Testament prophecies concerning the kingdom of Christ (Daniel 2:44, 45).

When they have concluded their work, they will be slain and television will beam the sight of their dead bodies lying in the streets of Jerusalem to the world. After three and one-half days of the earth’s rejoicing (Revelation 11:10), they will be resurrected and ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watch, paralyzed with fear.

In determining who the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:3 are, most biblical scholars have narrowed the choice down to either Elijah, Moses, or Enoch.

Malachi 3:2, 3 and 4:5, 6 predict that Elijah will come as one of those witnesses. It is corroborated by the fact that Elijah did not die a physical death but was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind and chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:9-11).

Moses appeared with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3) which was a picture of future events. Many of the plagues of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble are similar to those brought by Moses in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The Bible also tells us that Moses’ body was preserved by God (Deuteronomy 34:5, 6; Jude 9).

Like Elijah, Enoch did not die (Hebrews 11:5), and some think that his exemption from death was in view of his coming martyrdom during the Great Tribulation. His message must also be considered. Evidently this prophet had been given a revelation of the Second Coming of Christ and had announced it to his generation (Jude 14, 15).

MARTYRS, TRIBULATION

During the Tribulation, a mighty revival will result when 144,000 Jewish evangelists cover the earth with their testimony of faith in Christ. Multitudes will be saved from all nations. The reaction of the world dictator, Antichrist, to those who publicly proclaim the end of his reign and announce the coming kingdom of Christ will be an angry explosion of persecution. Millions will be martyred, sealing their testimonies with blood.

These persecuted saints are not part of the Church, the body of Christ, the Bride of the Saviour already in glory (Revelation 4:1). Revelation 6:9 finds their souls under the altar. In the Old Testament, the altar always referred to the place where blood had been sacrificed. Souls will be saved during the Tribulation Hour the same way souls are saved today…. through the precious shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the believers of the Tribulation Hour proclaim Christ crucified, they lose their lives for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

The spirits of the martyred Tribulation saints cry. They also wear white robes. Spirits cannot cry or wear white robes, so apparently the spirit has a temporary covering (2 Corinthians 5:1). We may not understand everything about the spirit world, but one thing is certain, being in spirit form does not mean unconsciousness. Spirits move, talk, cry, and even wear white robes!

Their cry is one of vengeance for blood. They are not under grace as martyred Stephen was (Acts 7:60). This is a different dispensation, the fulfillment of the hour that David spoke of (Psalm 9:12).

There will be a 75-day interval between Christ’s return and the Millennium (Daniel 12:11, 12). One of the events that takes place during this time is the resurrection of the Old Testament saints and the Tribulation saints (Job 19:25,26; Isaiah 25:8 26:29; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 11:16-18; 20:4,5) so they might be rewarded, as well as be participants in the Millennium on earth (Daniel 12:2). They are also guests at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. During the Millennium, the Tribulation martyrs will reign with Christ and the Bride (the Church) (Revelation 20:6).

The government will be a theocracy, with Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, ruling as King (Daniel 7:13, 14; Isaiah 49; Luke 1:32; 22:29) as a son of David (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:27). Humanly speaking, our Lord’s position as son of David was established through Joseph, who adopted him (Luke 3:23; Acts 2:30; 13:22, 23, 33; Hebrews 7:14; Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5; 22:16). However, Mary was also of David’s descent. Succession in the kingly line was not altogether by birth, but by appointment.

There is a question as to whether the Lord Jesus Christ will exercise the government over Palestine directly or indirectly through a regent, even David himself (Isaiah 55:3,4; Jeremiah 30:9; 33:15,17,20,21; Ezekiel 34:23,24; 37:24,25; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11).Nobles and governors will reign under David (Jeremiah 30:21; Isaiah 32:1; Ezekiel 45:8, 9). Matthew 19:28 states that 12 disciples will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel, indicating there will be other subordinate rulers administering the government.

There will be even smaller subdivisions of authority (Luke 19:12-28) awarded for faithfulness (Isaiah 40:10; Zechariah 3:7). Judges will be raised up (Zechariah 3:7; Isaiah 1:26). Their authority will demonstrate the theocratic power of Christ to rule with inflexible righteousness and justice (Isaiah 11:3-5), to rule in the fullness of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2, 3), and to rule universally (Daniel 7:14, 27). Any outbreak of sin will be dealt with summarily (Isaiah 11:4).

Wine and intoxicating drink is clearly forbidden and considered unclean in Leviticus 10:8-11: “And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons, with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die:  it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:  and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses”.

Clearly drinking is on the negative and sinful side of God’s Law, and we must not allow the opinions of men to cause us to reject the truth of God’s word.  When the Lord gives us a commandment it is important that we obey.

The Apostle Paul tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16).

The Apostle Peter also mentions the scriptures as being inspired by God.  “for prophecy came not in old time by the will of men:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Now, since we have determined that all scripture both Old and New Testament are God inspired lets look at several more verses:

• Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

• Proverbs 23:20 “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.”

• Proverbs 23:31 “Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Jesus boldly stated in John 10:11, that He was the “Good Shepherd”?  Why then would Jesus being “Good” make something bad such as spoiled, fermented, intoxicating wine.  The answer is plain and simple.  He wouldn’t.  Again, yes, Jesus turned the water into wine, but it was not the wine His scriptures so adamantly denounced.

Think about this.  Why would any believer in Christ Jesus want to cause another to stumble by endorsing drinking?

Please carefully read I Cor. 6:10; 6:19; Galatians 5:19-21, and Habakkuk 2:15.

Medicinal use is the only exception (I Timothy 5:23).  Three studies confirm our conclusions, all found in Dr. Van Impe’s book Alcohol: the Beloved Enemy: a study of wine in the Old Testament, a study of Jesus and wine, and a study of wine in the church.  Three sacred sources speak for total abstinence from intoxicants.  And as Solomon wrote, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).  The book can be obtained from our ministry for a donation of $19.95.

The person who abstains from alcoholic beverages is on solid biblical ground.  This position is not popular.  Nevertheless, we are convinced it is the scriptural one.

In Dr. Van Impe’s 190 page volume on the subject, he deals with the following:

• The long night
• The love affair
• The destroyer
• Booze and your body
• Public enemy number one
• The real cost of alcohol
• Great booze fighters of the past
• Prohibition: what really happened?
• Wine in the Old Testament
• Jesus and wine
• Wine in the Church
• Better than wine
• Ending alcohol’s long night
• Confronting the enemy

The four horsemen of Revelation 6 are: 

1.    The white horse whose rider is Antichrist (vs.2), counterfeits the return of Christ and produces a fraudulent peace pact (Revelation 19:11). 

2.     The red horse (vs. 4) produces wars and rumors of wars.  Perhaps Russia (red) might have a part here. 

3.     The black horse (vs. 5) produces famine and inflation as the 666 program becomes activated. 

4.     The pale horse (vs. 8), the deadliest, produces death and disease with hell following him. 

Countless horses will be utilized by the armies of Armageddon as the blood rises to their bridles (Revelation 14:20), and Christ himself will return, mounted on a white horse, followed by His armies also riding white horses (Revelation 19:11-14).

MILLENNIUM
Millennium means 1,000 years and refers to the kingdom of Christ on earth. This era, foretold by all the prophets, will be a time of peace among people and nations. War will be but a relic of the past. Jerusalem, known for war, bloodshed, and international tensions, will at last become the city of peace and the capitol of the world. The Prince of Peace will rule from David’s throne and the promises given to Mary concerning Jesus will be fulfilled (Luke 1:32, 33; Isaiah 9:6,7).
Peace will come to Israel and to the world. But it will not come through military might or treaties. Christ will come bringing peace. When the governments of earth have finally fallen, the Messiah of Israel, the Saviour of men, will set up His kingdom (Daniel 2:44). Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3). There will be persons with mortal bodies and persons with glorified bodies on earth during this time. Those who survived the Tribulation Hour and who have not been condemned in the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46) are allowed to enter the Millennium in their mortal bodies and will have prolonged lives. They, along with the millions of babies born during this time, will live for the entire 1,000 years of Christ’s reign. If, at the end of this time, they did not rebel with Satan and had accepted Jesus as their Saviour, they will live on eternally.
Their immortal lives will not be spent in glorified bodies but in human bodies eternally preserved through partaking of the tree of life. They will retain perfect health and not experience aging because of the leaves of the trees that grow for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).
The Millennium will bring peace in the world of nature. All of God’s creation suffers as a result of the fall of man and will be restored at this time (Romans 8:20-23). Nature will cooperate with man again (Genesis 3:17, 18) productivity will return, (Zechariah 8:12), earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc., will be absent. Even the animal world will be at peace with man and each other (Isaiah 11:6-8). All economic conflict will be swept away. Oppression and strikes will be unknown with food and housing for all (Isaiah 65:21-23). There will be religious peace with Jews and Gentiles worshipping the Lord together (Isaiah 11:9, 10) and the Jews will be at peace in their own land (Ezekiel 36:24-27). All this will happen because the Kingdom Age (Millennium) will be characterized by the fullness of the Spirit (Joel 2:28, 29) more than in any previous dispensation. It is evident that all believers will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit in the Millennium even as they are in the present age (Ezekiel 36:27; 37:14; Isaiah 11:2, 3; Jeremiah 31:33). No unsaved person will enter the Millennium (the Jews as a nation will have recognized and accepted Christ as Messiah during the Tribulation period and the Gentiles will have experienced conversion prior to admission also (Isaiah 16:5; 18:7; 19:19-21,25; 23:18; 55:5,6; 56:6-8; 60:3-5; 61:8,9; Jeremiah 3:17; 16:19-21; Amos 9:11; Obadiah 17-2 1).
Earth’s motto will be holiness unto the Lord (Zechariah 14:20, 21). Those reigning with Christ during this time are the returning saints (the Church, the Bride of Christ, Jude 14; Revelation 19:14), the resurrected Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:2), and the raised Tribulation saints (Revelation 20:4). Each group, saved during different dispensations of time, has different duties to perform. The Church is the Bride of Christ and enjoys the 1,000-year honeymoon upon earth reigning with Him (Revelation 20:4; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). The 144,000 serve as accompanying bodyguards for the Lamb and His Bride (Revelation 14:4). The Gentiles saved during the Tribulation will be serving in the glorious temple described in Ezekiel 40-48 and waiting on Christ and His Bride (Revelation 7:15) (see Millennium, Government of).
Terms synonymous with Millennium:
1. Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10)
2. The regeneration (Matthew 19:28)
3. The last day (John 6:40)
4. The times of refreshing (Acts 3:21)
5. The restitution of all things (Acts 3:21)
6. The day of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 2:16)
7. The world to come (Hebrews 2:5)

There have always been those who claim to have found “lost” books of the Bible or new information concerning Jesus Christ.  These books are in no way inspired and have no place in Holy Scripture.  Christians should not be confused by them because they are, for the most part, deliberate hoaxes.  There will always be those who wish to use religion for profit (Titus 1:11).The Christian can trust in the historical authenticity and inspiration of the Bible.  It’s integrity as the Word of God is above question.  Those who wish to add or take away from the revealed Word of God should be rejected.There are many excellent books that deal with the scripture and how we got the Bible in its present form.  They can be obtained through your local Christian bookstore.Answer:

The Book of Enoch is any of several pseudepigraphal (falsely attributed works, texts whose claimed authorship is unfounded) works that attribute themselves to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah; that is, Enoch son of Jared (Genesis 5:18). Enoch is also one of the two people in the Bible taken up to heaven without dying (the other being Elijah), as the Bible says “And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24; see also Hebrews 11:5). Most commonly, the phrase “Book of Enoch” refers to 1 Enoch, which is wholly extant only in the Ethiopic language.

Also here is a link for more information on this question https://www.gotquestions.org/Enoch-in-the-Bible.htm

God Bless you George in Jesus name through the Holy Spirit.

II Corinthians 5, beginning with verse 6, explains about the body and the soul of the Christian.  These verses state that while we are home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, in the sense that we are not present in the actual abiding place of God.  Paul goes on to say that he is willing rather to be absent from the body, physical death, and to be present with the Lord.  Your soul is the actual life that you are given and departs from the body at death.  The spirit of man is that part of man that responds to God and has a personal relationship with Him.  Therefore, both the soul and the spirit depart from the body at death and are immediately ushered into the presence of God.  At the time of the Rapture these souls and spirits are reunited with their bodies which are transformed into glorified ones.

Luke 16:19-31 gives an accurate testimony to the fact that existence after death is a very conscious one.  This fundamental truth is taught in many other places in the Word of God.  II Corinthians 5, written by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is also very helpful.  Paul declares emphatically that his absence from his body means his presence with the Lord (vs. 8).  There does not seem to be any indication whatsoever that he is looking forward to a cessation of consciousness or an intermediate period between death and the time of being with the Lord.  In Philippians 1:23-24, the Apostle Paul again emphasized this same truth.  He points out two distinct existences.  There is no indication of an intermediate state or a “sleeping.”Revelation 6:9-12 testifies to the fact that those who have died and gone before are in a conscious presence with the Lord.  We must always be careful to remember the words of Jesus to the thief who was crucified with Him.  John 19:31-37 makes it abundantly clear that this thief died at the same approximate time as Christ.  In Luke 23:43, we have the authoritative words of Christ that give a promise of hope to a dying man that upon his death he would be taken into the conscious joy of the Lord’s presence.In I Thessalonians 4:14 Christ brings “those who sleep” or the spirits of the dead “with him”, to recover their bodies.  The spirit of the believer left the body at death to be with Christ and at the Rapture returns for one’s covering.  This is necessary if the redeemed are to rule and reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4; 22:5).  In order to do so, one must have a body because a spirit alone cannot be seen.

The Bible clearly states that the land of Israel is promised to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob.  Ishmael was never promised the land.  Genesis 17 19-21 makes this clear: “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.  And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.  But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

What was the land promised to Abraham? We read in Genesis 15:18: “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”  God repeated this promise to Isaac [not Ishmael] in Genesis 26:2 – 4: “And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:   Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;  And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”  Then in Genesis 35:9-12 we read: “And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.  And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;  And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.”  The land was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God reiterated the land promise to Joshua when he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Joshua 1:4 states: “From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.”

These verses encompass all of the land modern Israel currently possesses, plus all of the land of the Palestinians (the West Bank and Gaza), plus some of Egypt and Syria, plus all of Jordan, plus some of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Israel currently possesses only a fraction of the land God has promised.

Luke 16:19-31 gives an accurate testimony to the fact that existence after death is a very conscious one.  This fundamental truth is taught in many other places in the Word of God.  II Corinthians 5, written by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is also very helpful.  Paul declares emphatically that his absence from his body means his presence with the Lord (vs. 8).  There does not seem to be any indication whatsoever that he is looking forward to a cessation of consciousness or an intermediate period between death and the time of being with the Lord.  In Philippians 1:23-24, the Apostle Paul again emphasized this same truth.  He points out two distinct existences.  There is no indication of an intermediate state or a “sleeping.”

Revelation 6:9-12 testifies to the fact that those who have died and gone before are in a conscious presence with the Lord.  We must always be careful to remember the words of Jesus to the thief who was crucified with Him.  John 19:31-37 makes it abundantly clear that this thief died at the same approximate time as Christ.  In Luke 23:43, we have the authoritative words of Christ that give a promise of hope to a dying man that upon his death he would be taken into the conscious joy of the Lord’s presence.

In I Thessalonians 4:14 Christ brings “those who sleep” or the spirits of the dead “with him”, to recover their bodies.  The spirit of the believer left the body at death to be with Christ and at the Rapture returns for one’s covering.  This is necessary if the redeemed are to rule and reign with Christ (Revelation 20:4; 22:5).  In order to do so, one must have a body because a spirit alone cannot be seen.

Genesis 1:1 states: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”  John 1:1-3 states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Colossians 1:12 – 17 states: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Hebrews 1:1-3 states: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

Since Deuteronomy 6:4 states: “Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God is one LORD” we see in essence, that everything God the Father does, God the Son and God the Spirit also do.    Therefore we can say that God the Father is the Creator, and He created through Jesus, God the Son.