1 ENOCH 24 - {Ethiopic Enoch}
[Chapter Twenty-Four]
1. I went from thence to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other.
2. Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface. Three mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards the south, strengthened in a similar manner. There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each other. And the seventh mountain was in the midst of them. In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and odoriferous trees surrounded them.
3. Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell; nor of those which were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never withered, and its fruit was beautiful.
4. Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. I exclaimed, Behold! this tree is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye. Then Michael, one of the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered,
5. And said: Enoch, why dost thou inquire respecting the odour of this tree?
6. Why art thou inquisitive to know it?
7. Then I, Enoch, replied to him, and said, Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this tree.
8. He answered me, saying, That mountain which thou beholdest, the extent of whose head resembles the seat of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when He shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness.
9. And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal odour, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. When all shall be punished and consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. The fruit of this tree shall be given to the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting King.
10. Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. The sweet odour shall enter into their bones; and they shall live a long life on the earth, as thy forefathers have lived; neither in their days shall sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them.
11. And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them.
ENOCH BY THE TREE OF LIFE
[1 Enoch 24:1] — I went from thence to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other.
In this Enoch Verse above, he had left a place where he witnessed "Incessant Moving Stream of Fire" and here he was witnessing "Mountain of Fire," which also flashes both during daytime and nighttime.
But as he drew closer to it, what appeared as one single Mountain of Fire translated into seven magnificent Mountains, each of them different from the other. From a distance they appeared as one, but from proximity the seven Mountains were very different from each other talkless of being one single Mountain.
[1 Enoch 24:2] —Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface. Three mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards the south, strengthened in a similar manner. There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each other. And the seventh mountain was in the midst of them. In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and odoriferous trees surrounded them.
These Seven Mountains were "Precious Mountains" because they were basically monuments of precious stones. Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all had a dazzling and majestic appearance; and their surfaces were exquisite.
*1*Three of the Seven mountains faced east, and were stacked upon each other for strength; and,
*2*Three of the Seven mountains faced south, supported in a similar fashion. There were also deep valleys divided between them.
*3*One of the Seven mountains dwelt in the midst and center of the three eastern and three southern Mountains. This Mountain was like a Throne in their midst, both in design, shape, majesty, appearance and height of greatness.
Why do I have impression that the Seven Mountains formed an appearance together as that of a candlestick or lampstand with seven torches, having three torchstands by its right and three torchstands by its left, while the one torchstand at the middle stood tallest above the six of them on its left and right.
[Zechariah 4:2] — "“What do you see?” the angel asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to each of the lamps."
In addition, various "Precious Trees" surrounded these Seven Mountains, adorning the Seven Mountains. Those Precious Trees were Fragrant Trees, with enchanting and aromatic sweet smelling savor and perfumes from the Trees permeating the prevailing winds and air with their fragrance.
[1 Enoch 24:3] —Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell; nor of those which were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never withered, and its fruit was beautiful.
Amidst them existed a tree with an everlasting fragrance, surpassing even those within Eden. None of the fragrant trees found in Eden possessed a scent as alluring as this one. Its leaves, flowers, and bark remained evergreen, never wilting, and its fruits were stunningly beautiful.
Enoch saw its fruits, and testified its fruit was beautiful though he was yet to taste or touch the fruit of this"Tree of Life." Again, none of the trees in the Garden of Eden was like this "Tree of Life" in all aspects of the five senses of man.
[1 Enoch 24:4] — Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. I exclaimed, Behold! this tree is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye. Then Michael, one of the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered,
Enoch looked at the fruit of the Tree of Life, and metaphorically the fruit of the Tree of Life had a striking resemblance to a cluster of palm. Don't worry, the Tree of Life shall bear twelve manners of fruits according to twelve months of the year (Revelation 24:2).
However, when Enoch sighted it, its fruit was like the cluster of palm. Few trees bear fruits in cluster, including the Palm Kernel of the Palm Tree and the Grape cluster of Vine.
With great enthusiasm, Enoch exclaimed, "Behold! This tree possesses a magnificent appearance, its leaves are pleasing, and its fruit is truly a feast for the eyes."
In that moment, Michael, a revered angel amongst the holy and glorious beings surrounding him, who also held authority over them, responded with an answer. This meant that even among the Archangels, Michael was a leader and given special respect.
ATTENTION AND INQUISITION ABOUT THE TREE OF LIFE
[1 Enoch 24:5] — And said: Enoch, why dost thou inquire respecting the odour of this tree?
Even spirits perceive odors, scents, or perfumes. The sense of smell never dies when men die because, although their souls have no breath of life in their nostrils, those souls can still smell or perceive odors, whether good or bad. This is true for both angels and men, like Enoch, who perceive the smelling savor, aroma, or perfumes. The scent from the Tree of Life was so powerful and attractive that it drew Enoch's curiosity and attention towards the tree. It was not the only tree there, but its aroma was the first to distinguish it from the other fragrant trees.
But Michael's question here was about why Enoch was researching the scent or odor of the Tree of Life. Have you ever asked about a certain smelling scent or perfume that sensually reminds you of a certain memory of a man or woman you had a crush on or loved? There's power in perfume or aroma, which has a history of turning away the wrath of God. In fact, one of the most important components of Anointing is Perfume/Aroma. To be anointed comes with smelling in certain ways that attract the Spirit of Grace but repel evil spirits or corruption. When the wise men came to the Lord Jesus Christ, they did not buy or bring Him a phone or car, but brought Him gold, incense (perfume), and myrrh (ointment). Then Mary anointed Him with the contents of an alabaster box of powerful perfumes, which even if He took His bath or washed His clothes on Him, that Anointing was still enough to prepare Him for burial. And yet, before His burial, Nicodemus brought for His body even more expensive anointing worth one hundred pounds, greater than the thirty pence Judas weighed the alabaster box of perfume (John 19:39).
So why was Enoch inquiring about the Anointing Aroma/Perfume of the Tree of Life that saturated the surrounding air with its elixir of everlasting life, knowing that nothing that perceives such aroma from the Tree of Life can easily die? Because death is repelled by the aroma from the Tree of Life.
[1 Enoch 24:6] — Why art thou inquisitive to know it?
Prince Michael continued to ask Enoch, "What is your reason for being curious about it?" While pointing at the Tree of Life, questioning another person's curiosity or inquiry is also seen in the communication of higher beings, including angels and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For instance, Peter asked about John, and the Lord Jesus questioned, "What is his concern or reason for being inquisitive to know it?"
[John 21:21-22] — "Peter therefore, seeing him, asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
"What is that to you? What is your business concerning it? Why are you asking?" These types of questions are used to assess the worthiness of a question before providing an answer. Wise individuals use such questioning to prevent gossip and gossipers.
Don't always assume that when you ask an angel or the Lord about anything or anyone you encounter during a tour, such as Peter asking about John or Enoch inquiring about the Tree of Life, they will readily satisfy your curiosity and inquiries.
Imagine if the first woman confronted the serpent, who was asking about every tree in the garden and what God said about eating it, with this questioning that Michael posed to Enoch or the questioning the Lord Jesus posed to Peter. Imagine if the woman had replied to the serpent, "Why are you asking, and what is that to you? How is it your business what God said in confidence or privately to my family? Busy-body."
The following two Bible references are similar instances where individuals asked the Lord or an angel about certain time events. However, instead of the Lord or the angel questioning why they needed to know or why it concerned them, they simply gave them another answer without satisfying their curiosity.
[Daniel 12:8-9] — "I heard him, but I did not understand. So I asked him, 'Sir, how will these things end?' The angel replied, 'Go, Daniel. These words are to be kept secret and sealed until the end times.'"
[Acts 1:6-7] — "So when they came together, they asked Him, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' Jesus replied, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.'"
[1 Enoch 24:7] — Then I, Enoch, replied to him, and said, Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this tree.
In response, Enoch expressed his desire for knowledge, stating that while he sought instruction on all matters, his primary interest lay in gaining understanding about this specific tree.
You will appreciate the Holy Spirit better as the Teacher who is never weary to guide us into all truths even to know all things, when we later discover that not every spirit being has the patience and pleasure of always being ready and available to teach, to instruct and to give understanding to dull people who are slow of heart to understand or grasp knowledge and truth.
Enoch desired to learn about everything, but more interested in learning about the tree of life. Thus was his reason for inquiring.
FACTS ABOUT THE TREE OF LIFE
[1 Enoch 24:8] — He answered me, saying, That mountain which thou beholdest, the extent of whose head resembles the seat of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when He shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness.
Michael responded, stating that the mountain Enoch was seeing, with its large summit resembling the Lord's throne, will be where the holy and powerful Lord of glory, the eternal King, will sit when He comes to Earth with goodness.
This implies that the Mountain of Fire, the Seven Mountains, the fragrant Trees of Eden, and the Tree of Life, the Paradise, are all part of the Earth to come. We may not see these on the present earth, but there is another Earth that is one with heaven: so being there means one is both in heaven and on earth at the same time. This is when the Tabernacle of God and the dwelling of holy/righteous men are together and with each other.
What looks like the garden of Eden that Adam once knew, and greater than it, shall be restored again with the new earth. And the Throne of God, which Enoch beheld as the Magnificent Mountain of Precious Stones, will be sat upon by the Lord then.
Until then, know this: — There are thrones meant for the Lord and for kings and priests with Him that they have not yet sat on, although they are already worthy to do so. They are there in heaven, and have already been given the authority to sit on those thrones, but they have to wait for some time and seasons because their sitting on those thrones would mark the beginning of a new era or new things on earth. These three Bible references highlight when the sitting will commence, and that begins a new earthly calendar or timeline on earth.
[Daniel 7:9] — "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His Head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire."
[Matthew 19:28] — "And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
[Zechariah 6:13] — "Even He shall build the temple of the LORD; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; and He shall be a Priest on His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."
[Revelation 20:4] — "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
Well, you can understand the revelations and prophecies better when you notice that thrones are usually seen before those who sit on them are seen. This indicates that the sitters on the thrones of the Kingdom were not always sitting on those thrones from the beginning. There were periods when no one sat on those thrones yet, including the Throne of God the Father or Ancient of Days in "Revelation 4:2-3" or "Daniel 7:9." It was revealed that the Throne was set or prepared in heaven in "Revelation 4:2" before He sat on it, and He was therefore referred to as "He who sat on the Throne."
It's like the "Mercy seat" in the old Tabernacle architecture by Moses. Though there was a Mercy seat and Cherubim were guardians for that seat, yet no one was sitting on the seat. Generally, empty or unoccupied thrones and important seats in the Kingdom of God mean that there are things yet to be withheld or delayed from happening or accomplishing, and some eras have not yet begun.
[1 Enoch 24:9] — And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal odour, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. When all shall be punished and consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. The fruit of this tree shall be given to the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting King.
According to Michael the Prince or Archangel, the fragrant tree, unlike any earthly scent, will remain untouched until the time of the great judgment when all will be punished and destroyed. However, it will be bestowed upon the righteous and humble. The chosen ones will receive the fruit of this tree. Life will be planted in the sacred place to the north, where the everlasting King resides.
Accessing the Tree of Life will not be available to any person as long as there are still sinners or unrighteous individuals, or as long as there is a pending eternal and final judgment. The Tree of Life will only be touchable and available to humankind after the final judgment and destruction have taken place. This is referred to as the second death, which will consume both the first death and the first heaven/earth altogether. This means that hastening the final judgment and destruction may allow the Tree of Life to be available to humanity, but it will not favor the salvation of God to humankind. Salvation is more favored when God's long-suffering, forbearance, and patience suspend the final judgment and destruction.
However, let's observe the availability of the Tree of Life to humankind in the Bible. When Adam sinned, the Tree of Life became untouchable and unavailable to humans while there were sinners on the earth where the Tree of Life was planted. The Tree of Life should not even be planted in the same earth or planet where sinners or unrighteous individuals dwell. So, in the mentioned verse in Enoch, Michael stated that the Tree of Life will be planted in the sides of the North, where the Eternal King and the City of the Great King (Mount Zion) will be situated. This will not be in the present earth but in the new earth and new heaven. Thus, through the Bible, we see that the Tree of Life is once again made available and accessible to humankind and their nations, but only in the new earth and new heaven, where righteousness and the meek dwell.
Let's not forget what Michael said about the perfume or scent from the Tree of Life, which intrigued Enoch. He mentioned that the aroma or scent of the Tree of Life was neither of a carnal (earthly) odor nor like any earthly scent any person had perceived on earth.
[1 Enoch 24:10] — Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. The sweet odour shall enter into their bones; and they shall live a long life on the earth, as thy forefathers have lived; neither in their days shall sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them.
Those who overcome and are blessed to have access to the Tree in the midst of the Paradise of God and entering through the gate of the City, they shall be inhaling the scent or aroma from the tree of life, which will replace oxygen for the breath of life.
Come to think of it: Scientifically, plants are sources for the oxygen we breathe right? They breathe out oxygen for humans and animals to breathe in the oxygen. What if there's a special Plant, a Tree of Life, which does not just breathe out mere oxygen but much more powerful elixir of life and love with aroma or scent for the living creatures and living spirits to breathe in?
According to Micheal in the Enoch Verse above, "In that time, the righteous ones will experience great joy and elation in the presence of the Holy One. The sweet fragrance of the tree will permeate their very being, bringing them comfort and vitality. They shall enjoy a long and prosperous life on earth, just as their ancestors did. Sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment shall not come upon them during their days."
[1 Enoch 24:11] — And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them.
Have you read? Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him." [1 Corinthians 2:9]
But I tell you, one of the things God has prepared for them that love Him is the"Tree of Life," which is also the "Tree of Love."
Now, though eye has not seen, ear has now heard it because let him that has ear hear things which God has prepared for and gave to us who love Him, through His Holy Spirit.
But there's danger in knowing or tasting of such things God prepared for those who love Him and then later falling back to sin and to crucifying Him again.
[Hebrews 6:4-6 AMP] — For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace.