Earth Year 970 CY
Days of rest on his journey often allow him to catch up on his writing, meditate on the words of God, and most importantly pray without interruption. This time Enoch pushes forward with urgency to arrive before the mid-year festival; the biggest one of the year.
People travel from every outlying corner of the globe to participate in the spectacular event. Crowds are estimated to reach a million. Among the travelers are some families of faith who live in South River which has become known as a place of peace. Nokh calls it by that name since the Lord revealed plans for its future.
Enoch and his friends approaching the outskirts of the city are disturbed by reports of sinister activity, all in the name of the children of God. Properties have been confiscated and turned into places of ritualistic practice for neighborhood groups. These small groups demand participation from all those who live in the vicinity.
Enoch also learns that Haran’s beautiful and well-kept riverside property will be taken before the high feast.
An official announcement published throughout the city claims.
‘We will establish twelve community centers for the good of the people before the brightness of the moon, God will prosper us.’
After a restless sleep, Nokh begins pushing through the crowds to reach Haran by the end of the day. He and his companions draw back into the shadows when they see a large party moving toward them.
The crowd moves toward the western edge of the city. Why is this group leaving? They are going in the wrong direction. Forest trails of years ago have become broad walkways in these large population outskirts. Enoch and his friends listen carefully and hear disturbing phrases almost lost in the crowded street.
‘Why are those fugitives crying?’
‘Look at their faces. They are afraid!’
‘That is my grandson with them.’
‘Hide us in the forest. The unity gangs are pursuing us.’
Haran’s wife and children carry him to a deep grove of trees, known only to Enoch just a few steps from their beloved river. Alone and feeling safe, they clean Haran’s wounds and the water refreshes him for only a brief time. Enoch holds his cousin close to his chest as the breath of life leaves Haran and he slips quietly into eternity.
Throughout a seemingly endless night, Haran’s wife clings to his cold body, hoping her warmth could bring him life. They pray that God’s mercy will prevail. Even the stars appear dimmer—in the presence of death. It always seems so final.
For Enoch, God’s word is his hope of life beyond the grave. Questions cause struggling family members to believe that death is final and there is no life in the place of the dead. Another says,
‘Where is God’s mercy when good men die?’
Haran’s body is placed in a shallow, hastily dug grave on the other side of the river. This may protect those who hate the faithful so much they will desecrate their bodies by dragging them through the streets.
The bereaved emerge slowly from the waters which have always sustained life, but not this time. For many hope dies. Grief conquers. Most return to the city to finish their years in obscurity protected, they think, by their submission to the authorities of community religion.
Haran’s wife and a few others turn upstream with Enoch. He leads them to the old site of Adam’s place. It has grown thick with no care. Weedy vines are covering once majestic, now dying trees. This place protects wicked watchers. Superstitious people avoid Adam’s place.
Women care for Haran’s widow. They tenderly care for her in this new, overwhelming circumstance. As faithful followers of God, the gathering family draws close to one another. Their beliefs tie them together with the cords of love.
Nokh knows that God is calling him to bind up the wounds of the broken and help the hunted ones find a place of safety in this wicked world.
It takes him many days to take the first steps to his place of communion with God. This time he talks to the Cherubim. The distance from the gates seems much closer than it was years ago. Has his secret place moved closer? He knows of no human hands maintaining such pristine beauty. This is a place of order in a world cursed with chaos. The angel asks if he can help. Enoch answers.
‘I will wait for my friend who walks with me.’
The Lord, not bound by time or space, comes at just the right time. He is never late. Tears run down Enoch’s entire body. Will they never end? Nokh fixes his eyes on the gate and hopes.
‘My son do not be afraid. I will overcome the world.’
God’s voice surrounds Nokh. Jumping up and then falling to the ground wishing for protection from the deep bass vibration as if the earth is crumbling beneath him the man sees for himself an open door to the very presence of God.
‘Do not be afraid! I will never leave you or forsake you.’
That same mighty arm lifts him softly and tenderly moving toward the gates of Eden. Nokh’s legs will not move: God carries him along.
Cherubim’s flashing swords of fire stand at attention, blocking the entrance. Enoch sinks as if into a dream. He feels as if he is surrounded by the waters and would have drowned had not the hand of God reached out to grasp his hand.
Then a voice speaks to the angels. It is an unknown language but there is no question who is in charge. Enoch is given its meaning.
‘Move away from the gates. I am the Lord and Creator of Heaven and Earth. I can enter with whomever I choose to bring. I am the only God of the Universe.’
On the short journey back to Adam’s old place Enoch attempts to fathom the events of his day. Darkness approaches quickly as glory fades. The mist of the sky draws aside. Stars light the pathway with a brilliance seldom seen.
Nokh bows his head as he enters the quietness of his sleeping community. Going into God’s Garden has humbled him more than he could ever imagine possible. Pride dissipates much as the mists leave so silently at the end of each day. He is not wise in his estimation. God is his life. Without the Lord, Enoch is nothing because everything he does is for the glory of the Lord.
‘To describe what I experienced is utterly impossible.’
Haran’s slowly healing widow listens reverently. Human attempts would bring God down to the level of his creation. The gulf is too wide. Words could not express the glory, the power, the love, the holiness, the awesome beauty, the wisdom of his person.
‘Just stop and think about it, God veiled his fulness from me, for no man can live in the presence of God’s glory.’
Haran’s wife asks,
‘Did he say if my beloved is with him in Heaven?
‘No!’
Enoch looks straight into her eyes as tears run down his face.
‘I have faith to believe that Haran is safe in the arms of God.’
Love, joy, peace, and patience fill all his days. He does not ask to go into the garden again. Nokh has learned to be content wherever he goes, with his friends, his family, and in the marketplace.
Walking with God is all he seeks. Enoch has learned to think as God thinks, not because of experience, but because of the word from God. Goodness, faithfulness, self-discipline, gentleness, and humility are characteristics of a person who has walked with God for a long, long time. Enoch has. For him, it is the only way to live.
It is not like he is perfect. The works of the flesh continually pull him into selfish excesses. Lust and evil people continue to lure all those who are walkers. The evil one can make sinful habits look beautiful.
However, when Nokh does sin, God has a way of letting him see his failures. Walkers come to the place of forgiveness. It is better than waters of rivers, mist showers, or even crystal pools.
Only God can make him clean. It is real.