With heaviness of heart Nokh returns to his home, he says it is his home now, the one beyond the marshes. An erratic beating in his chest slows him down some. He thinks this unparalleled ungodliness disturbs the very center of his body. So many things are changing.

One fact does not change—Enoch trusts God with his whole being, body, soul, and even his inner beatings. His trail on the north side of the river still provides safety, peace, and opportunity to spend great times with God. Like most people of this seventh generation from Adam, his mind has total recall.

Words and stories from God and people are remembered without fail. God has not been silent. Every human on earth knows his words. They may disobey them, but they do not forget them.

Enoch does not hurry. There is no need to rush through projects and activities when each moment is lived in harmony with God.

Peace among people for two cycles of the sun finds Enoch faithful to God, his family, and his ministry. Every faithful follower has a ministry and Nokh takes his seriously, doing the best he can to walk worthy of his calling.

Widow Haran dies peacefully having been strengthened in faith with full assurance that she will go to be with Haran in God’s care.

Her community dwindles in size as disease and age take their toll. Each one departs with the hope that they have a future forever. This belief blesses the entire group. There is no despair. By faith, they have overcome the sting of death.

God has not met Enoch at the gates of Eden since long before he last approached alongside Lamech, his oldest grandson. Faith does not need to see to believe. Nokh believes.

As he addresses the community on a notable occasion everyone, including children, stops and gives him their attention. Every day sounds, noisy, and happy become silent. Men put down their tools. Shopkeepers move toward the plaza. Women stop grinding, washing, and teaching.

‘I am going to the gates of Eden. God is drawing me to himself. Thank you for the love you show to God and one another. Your devotion to his word has encouraged each one of us. We do not know what will happen in the future, but we know who holds our future.’

One of the women speaks rather loudly to her neighbor.

‘Well, now we know there is something about the garden that he does not tell us. I wonder what he is thinking. Why does Enoch not talk? I like to be told.’

Her friend answers.

‘That is all right. He will tell us if God wants him to share it.’

‘Your faith in him is stronger than mine.’

Echoes across the street.

The second woman wonders if her friend means faith in Enoch or faith in God. Wisely she does not ask.

They part and walk toward their dwelling places. One struggles with doubt, the other smiles, greets neighbors, and after preparing the evening meal, shares peace and joy with her family.

Enoch dislikes the wild waterways of the swamp so much he looks for a safer route around the garden. He does not find one. But nothing stops him from meeting with his Lord.

If the swamp is the way he will walk through it even if the powers of the devil oppress him. Demonic spirits which he cannot see surround him. He hears cries. His chest throbs. Hot breath presses against his face.

The old paths have disappeared. Muck with brackish grime clogs the waterways. Dead trees fall. Fear grips him and once again he feels the loneliness of evil. Can he face it?

A cat with a golden mane lands noiselessly between Nokh and the deepest darkness. Was this the cat that followed the hikers on their long trek?

Struggling onward on hands and knees, slime covers his body, and suddenly he feels a breath of perfumed freshness. The large animal guides him to familiar waters coming out of God’s Garden.

‘My Lord and my God.’

Nokh cries out as he falls limply with exhaustion on solid ground. The magnificent cat purrs and walks on ahead pausing to drink deeply of the water of life.

A right hand rests on Nokh’s shoulder. Then the voice of God, awesome with authority, wise beyond all comprehension, surrounds him and whispers.

‘Fear not, I am your rock, your fortress and redeemer.’

The strong arm lifts this broken man from his miry clay. He sets his feet upon solid ground and leads him with boldness right past the flaming swords.

Time has no power over Enoch when he walks with God in the garden. A day may pass or a month, or perhaps even more. He does not know. They embrace. Nokh sits at his feet. Their pulse is one. Remembering God’s special revelation to every man he learns about accountability. There are no excuses for rejecting God’s word. They talk about the way prayer reaches the heart of God.

Nokh learns the purpose of creation and of human responsibility to care for all that has been given. Life is dependent on a woman, created from Adam’s body. Childbearing is a miracle. Hundreds of perfectly timed interactions bring forth a person also made in God’s image.

Animals, unlike humans, are not created in the image of their creator. They perpetuate God’s plan and always reproduce after their kind.

The magnitude of a vast universe, each part known by God, overwhelms Enoch’s finite mind. These truths declare the glory of God—his eternal power, and divine nature. They are clearly seen by every person.

Worship is the only proper response but those who come to him must come with clean hands and pure hearts. Individuals are required to approach God sincerely—in spirit and truth.

‘I am the God of all creation. It is by me, through me, and for me.’

Nokh looks intently into the face of God, realizing his fullness is veiled, for no human can stand to see the glory. God says.

‘You are right. You only see what I desire for you to see. We are spirits, but we can appear in angelic or even other forms when we choose to do so. That majestic cat which followed you for so many days came to teach you reverent fear of me and he protected you. He also kept extremely large and dangerous animals, flying beings, who could devour you easily, from coming near. You did not even see any evidence of them, but they are in the region where you walked.’

Then the Lord says without words.

‘You encountered great difficulty in the swamp just a short time ago not because Satan had power over you but because you thought you could come to me on your own. That does not honor me.’

Humbled, Enoch learns new truths about God even after three hundred years of walking with him. He submits.

‘I want to know you. You are my life. I desire you more than anything else in the whole world. Nothing excites me more than my relationship with you.’

God answers,

‘I know. Now go to your old place on the south river. Tell all who will hear that I will come to conquer sin and death with myriads and myriads of angels. Do not forget Enoch that I am the only one who can overcome sin in this world.’

Enoch knows the mind of God.

‘He regrets that he made man on the earth. I grieve with him.’

Tears well up in their eyes and then sobs of intense sorrow punctuate this place of beauty. He feels the sadness that sin brings to the very heart of God.

Enoch cries out.

‘It is my sin O Lord, I am sorry. Please forgive me for your name’s sake. I humble myself in your sight and offer thanks for your loyal love.’

So the Lord says.

‘I will destroy ungodly sinners throughout the earth of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which these ungodly sinners have spoken against me.’

This destruction will affect animals of all sizes, creeping things, and birds of the skies, for they too have been ruined by Adam’s sin.

They stop suddenly for no reason but when Enoch looks up he sees that they are within sight of the most amazing sight he has ever seen. It is a tree. Spectacular with light emanating from within. Is it the only tree?

“Yes! It is the Tree of Life!’

Enoch looks to his side and sees the fullness of God—the wisdom of a protecting father, the sacrificing son fulfilling his father’s will, and a third person, a spirit communicating and empowering life to all who believe.

It is the one tree.

Standing in silence time once again calls and Enoch is ushered safely away from the garden. Walking along his well-known and comfortably traveled south river road he witnesses a brightness in the sky behind him. The universe lights up with a tremendous flash. Having never experienced anything like this, he calls it lightning of the sky.

In the Garden, God falls to the earth, weeping, at the Tree of Life, knowing the awful price He chooses to pay for the sin of the world to restore his created order. This price will rescue those who will be saved. He knows them by name.

Heaviness deep within makes each step difficult. Entering town a mob runs toward him with anxious faces. They ask all at once.

‘Did you see that?’

‘What was it?’

Many fall to their faces and cry aloud in agony. Words cannot express their wonder, fear, and sense of impending doom.

Enoch answers,

‘It is God!’

Then he preaches the message of the Lord with renewed energy. This word spreads from house to house along each avenue. Large groups gather to hear.

After preaching in south town he goes to the big city and publicly proclaims to all who will hear. They also had seen the light in the western sky and it captured their attention.

A group of faithful followers go with him north and east away from the river to the region of Ararat. They preach the message wherever they go. People ask,

‘When will this happen?’

Enoch answers sincerely.

‘I do not know, but believe this—it will come. Do not think you can wait and decide at the final moment. Be ready!’

When the party arrives at Methuselah’s place Nokh says,

‘I believe the judgment will come soon.’

One of the little ones asks,

‘Will we all die?’

Enoch, always the encourager, blesses them with truth.

‘God will spare his people because he is steadfast love.’

From that day forward faithful walkers remind each other that they are in the safety of mercy. Fear of God does not mean that they are afraid of what will happen to them during the judgment. Enoch speaks truth in such a passionate way that many of his family and friends believe.

One thing remains that Nokh cannot answer satisfactorily in his mind. When God takes his faithful followers in death, which is precious in his eyes, why are they dying at younger ages than the ungodly?

It helps when he thinks that death delivers from the terrible future. He says as he makes his way to find a quiet retreat with intimate friends toward the setting of the sun.

‘I do not want to be here when that day comes!’

Comfortable agreement among the walkers helps them move forward knowing this fact: Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

On a typically perfect day, which they always have in their world, two people find a path that takes them around the back side of Eden. Dry riverbeds show drastic and recent changes. They ask each other,

‘Did God do this so we would not go through the swamps again?’

God is like that. He does nice things for his people. They are blessings from the windows of Heaven. Together these two lead the people of the setting-sun community to relocate to the south town. This friend brings brightness into all of life for these people. She can encourage these elderly people to come along for their good. Vitality with an optimistic vision for the future overcomes feelings of despair.

Nokh likes working with her. Friendships often thrive among co-workers. They have similar goals, and interests, and work well together. Enoch has been hoping for a lasting, forever friendship relationship. It is a longing in his heart. She asks him.

‘Is your relationship with God enough?’

His answer shows his true longing.

‘My hope is in God alone, not in the circumstances of my life.’

And he truly means it.

Toward the end of the year, as the sun rises and sets in line with the northernmost avenue in town, Enoch is drawn by God’s light to come. He approaches knowing he has been faithful. The good news of deliverance from the coming judgment has been preached to the whole world.

‘Come to my resting place on earth. I have prepared a meal for us to enjoy.’

Angels step back from the table as the man takes his place across from his Lord. He is seated on his familiar stone. Nokh has never seen this place before, even though it is very close to the entrance of the garden. He leans into the presence of God. Fear flees. In its place is love, joy, peace and so much more.

God guards Enoch’s mind by leading the conversation. They speak of things that are true, honorable, just, and pure. They’re in perfect union with lovely, commendable, excellent thoughts.

Authentic worship replaces performance. They do not even think of the shameful behavior of those who do ungodly things in secret.

A meal of bread and wine, fresh and sweet, coarsely textured yet flaky pieces of fish served alongside plates of delectable fruit provide a satisfying accompaniment. Both of them enjoy the moment. Nokh asks,

‘Can I stay here with you forever?’

The host responds with infinite wisdom.

‘You cannot do that for this is not my home!’

A huge smile locks itself on Enoch’s face. God knows his deepest thoughts. Such knowledge is too lofty for finite minds to comprehend. Those who believe bow down in humility. They do not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think.

‘You should not wish to stay here forever. This garden will also be destroyed in the judgment. The whole earth will be rearranged. You have announced the judgment to every community in the world. This garden will be gone.’

No person will ever see it again. Searchers will look but never find my garden on Earth.

‘Think about it. I may make a new earth someday where sin cannot enter?’

Nokh looks up into the light of God and says,

‘A long time ago I stopped asking questions, but could I ask one now?’

God permits all who sincerely ask.

Enoch learns that the longsuffering Lord will delay judgment for several hundred years. God adds,

‘Your son Methuselah will live longer than any other person on earth. When I take him in death, the destruction will come.’

Nokh nods,

‘Thank you! You do all things with fairness, goodness, and righteousness—Oh the glory of grace.’

Of all that God has created, Nokh likes water the best. It is the sole source of his existence. Therefore if the Lord chooses to use water as a judgment against sin that is his choice. Enoch will still praise the Lord.

God puts truth in the minds of those who live in Enoch’s generation. Separation from God forever and ever is a fact. The cost of redemption requires a place of eternal separation from the merciful love of God. Sinners can never be comfortable in the presence of holiness. If there is no Hell, the price of redemption from sin is too great. Those who believe know the facts of eternal life and salvation.

God said to bring a sacrifice. They come through the lamb exactly as he said.

With many unasked questions, Enoch’s faith overcomes all doubt. God looks to the joy beyond the judgment and is pleased. Nokh does not know that this sacrifice has been determined before time began.

The creation of humans in his image is not an afterthought. He creates people, like himself, with intellect, emotion, and will. They, unlike him, have free will to choose between good and evil. God can only choose good. That is one of his glorious attributes.

Believers have chosen well.

After their meal ends, and on earth all good things do come to an end, the two walk in the shadows of majesty. Trees surround them. They stand tall as they have for close to one thousand years since they were called into existence on the third day.

Enoch has walked with God for three hundred years. On this walk, the two walk through the waters as if that is a normal experience. Why does the Lord take Enoch through the water? Will it be the instrument of God’s judgment?

Then they see the first light of a new day. Has it been that long? Morning light is dim in the presence of the one who is the light of the world.

‘Thank you, my Lord, for walking with me. This closeness, so intimate, brings me incredible joy. How can I express gratitude? I give you my soul, my life, my all!’

Time interrupts and causes Enoch to shudder. He is not afraid. Physical reality attempts to push spiritual reality aside.

Light draws him back. Darkness threatens. Angels surround them. They rejoice with voices that earthly beings have never heard.

God takes them to the northern edge of the garden. The one closest to the swamps. The evil, utter darkness of that putrid place pushes hard, attempting to overcome the man. He feels it. It is real.

The Lord rebukes the darkness. He flees.

A shining portal takes the place of darkness. Angels ascend and descend. Enoch cannot look at the intense brightness coming from far above.

With reverence, he looks into the face of his Lord and Master, his friend, the only God of all things.

Eyes meet with gentle reassurance. God’s voice is clear and resonates. It echoes through Enoch’s entire being like a lyrical vibration.

‘Nokh, my friend, you have walked with me these three hundred years. I choose to do for you that which I will do for only one other person in the true story of the world.’

Enoch’s wonder begins to turn to sight.

‘Speak Lord. Your servant hears. I will do anything you ask.’

The Lord smiles.

‘How would you like to come home with me?’

With silent words unformed.

‘I cannot breathe. Yes! Yes! I will come! Oh my Lord and God! I will come with you.’

He falls and worships.

‘Thank you! Thank you! I am not worthy.’

God reaches out.

‘No! You are not worthy. I am the one. I Am!’

Grace is like that is it not? Yes! God is grace.

Enoch reaches out, his hands touching the light. God grasps them firmly and two friends walk hand in hand through the portal into a land without time.

The good news spreads rapidly. Family and friends are not surprised that God has taken him away. They know.

‘Enoch is not, for God took him.’

Scoffers, those of ungodly deeds, the speakers of harsh words that ungodly sinners speak against God say it is a lie.

Rebellion against God and God’s people and God’s plan on earth is the lie of Satan’s darkness: that serpent, the deceiver of humanity. The swamp spreads with unnatural powers. Earth is not safe for the ungodly.

Those who believe follow Enoch’s good example. Each one learns to go with God wherever he leads. They meditate on the word of God—day and night. Prayer without ceasing becomes their constant companion.

For some, the journey continues for several hundreds of years. Others die at unusually young ages according to the steadfast love of the Lord.

The path each of the faithful takes is the Way of Faith—one step at a time.