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Thessalonians 4: 17). The Thessalonian saints had this same

testimony that they were walking and pleasing God (1

Thessalonians 4: l), and this no doubt encouraged the apostle

to reveal to them the blessedness of the truth of the rapture. It

says of Enoch, “God took him”.

Such a man was so precious to God’s affections that He must

take him to be with Himself. In this way he is a type of the

blessed Man of whom it is said, “Whom heaven indeed must

receive”, Acts 3: 21. In Hebrews 11 the apostle gives us the

reason that underlies Enoch’s translation; “By faith”, he says,

“Enoch was translated”, and “without faith it is impossible to

please him. For he that draws near to God must believe that

he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who seek him out”.

What an attractive matter it is! God is looking for us to draw

near in full assurance of faith, apart from the evil around,

looking for the appearing in glory of our great God and

Saviour, Jesus Christ, and in the meantime concerned to

secure God’s pleasure by walking in happy communion, with

Himself, for before his translation Enoch had this testimony

that he had pleased God.

Aberdeen.