Manuscript Releases, vol. 6 [Nos. 347-418]

MR No. 371—Faith and the Law

Enoch's Experience

Enoch was a public teacher of the truth in the age in which he lived. He taught the truth; he lived the truth; and the character of the teacher who walked with God was in every way harmonious with the greatness and sacredness of his mission. Enoch was a prophet who spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. He was a light amid the moral darkness, a pattern man, a man who walked with God, being obedient to God's law,—that law which Satan had refused to obey, which Adam had transgressed, which Abel obeyed, and because of his obedience was murdered. And now God would demonstrate to the universe the falsity of Satan's charge that man cannot keep God's law. He would demonstrate that though man had sinned, he could so relate himself to God that he would have the mind and spirit of God and would be a representative symbol of Christ. This holy man was selected of God to denounce the wickedness of the world, and to evidence to the world that it is possible for man to keep all the law of God. 6MR 146.1

Wherever there is genuine piety there will be pure morality. How little is said of Enoch, a man who walked with God, one whom God did not permit to come under the domain of death! How short is his brief biography! How many volumes are written of Napoleon. How much is said of Caesar, and of the other great men of the world. Their works and exploits are recorded and sent through the length and breadth of the earth, and yet we have no evidence that these men honored God, or that God honored them. “Enoch walked with God, and was not; for God took him.” How much is said in these few words.... 6MR 146.2

Enoch was a representative man, but he is not praised, he is not exalted; he simply did that which every son and daughter of Adam may do. 6MR 147.1

God said to Cain, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Reflections are not to be cast upon God's holy law, intimating that it is defective and needs improvement, as Satan had declared. God had made every provision that sinful man might overcome through faith in the promised Saviour. The law of God was just what God saw was for the good of the universe, and for the good of mankind.—Manuscript 43, 1900, 1-3. (“The Prophet Enoch,” typed August 2, 1900.) 6MR 147.2