The Ascension of Moses and other Related Texts
Hello there,
I think most of us do not have the luxury of having spare time so I am trying to help you learn this through this post. The summarization and query answers below are derived from some of the books in the "Books of Enoch and Metatron" series made available by Google, here, and Amazon, here.
-------
[1] When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, [2] the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. [3] Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
[4] The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.
-------
Find the Unstuck AI class, here.
/*******/
Combined Summary of the Ascension of Moses and Related
Texts
Overview
The Ascension of Moses is a pivotal text
that serves as a precursor to the Revelation of Metatron, depicting
Moses' journey to the heavens and his encounters with divine beings. This
narrative reflects complex theological themes, including the nature of God, the
role of angels, and the consequences of human actions.
Key Characters
- Moses:
The central figure who ascends to the heavens and learns about divine
order and the fate of humanity.
- Metatron:
Initially a minor character in the Ascension, he becomes a
significant figure in the Revelation of Metatron, identified
as Enoch.
Important Concepts
- Heretical
Elements: The text includes aspects considered heretical within
Judaism, such as multiple divine powers and the portrayal of
Metatron.
- Cosmology:
The narrative explores the cosmography of the seven skies, detailing the
hierarchy of angels and their roles.
Textual Variants
- Long
Aramaic Revelation of Moses: Closely related to the Revelation
of Metatron, featuring vivid descriptions of paradise and
Gehenna.
- Short
Aramaic Revelation of Moses: Retains angel names and is written from
Moses' perspective, differing significantly from other versions.
- Yiddish
Ascension of Moses: Closest to the Short Aramaic version, omitting
Metatron and depicting Moses being taken into the sky by a cloud.
Theological Implications
- Polytheism
vs. Monotheism: The text hints at polytheistic beliefs, with
references to other gods (elohim) and the idea of Metatron being greater
than all princes.
- Rabbi
Elisha (Aher): A heretical figure associated with the Ascension,
known for rejecting traditional Jewish teachings.
Cultural Context
The Ascension of Moses reflects early
Jewish mystical thought, exploring themes of ascension, divine hierarchy, and
the tension between monotheism and polytheism. The varying accounts highlight
the evolution of these beliefs and their implications for Jewish identity and
theology.
Key Themes from Enoch's Journey
- Divine
Justice: Enoch observes the punishments in Gehenna and learns about
the consequences of sin, emphasizing the moral lessons of the text.
- The
Nature of Paradise: Enoch learns about the rewards awaiting the
righteous, contrasting with the torments of Gehenna.
- Angelic
Hierarchy: The narrative emphasizes God's sovereignty and the
hierarchy of angels, with Metatron guiding Moses.
Conclusion
The Ascension of Moses and its related
texts provide a rich tapestry of Jewish mystical thought, exploring the
complexities of divine justice, the nature of the afterlife, and the importance
of adhering to the Torah. These narratives serve as a bridge between ancient
beliefs and the evolving understanding of monotheism in Judaism.
/************************************/
Summary of Lecture Notes on the Secrets of Enoch,
Melchizedek, and the Ascension of Moses
Overview
The Secrets of Enoch is an ancient text
that delves into themes of divinity, the cosmos, and moral teachings,
presenting Enoch's ascension to the heavens and his revelations about the
universe's structure and the fate of souls. It intertwines with narratives
about Melchizedek and the Ascension of Moses, exploring their roles in the
divine order and moral implications.
Key Themes and Concepts
1. Enoch's Ascension
- Enoch
is taken up by angels to witness the heavenly realms, learning about the
divine order and the roles of celestial beings.
- The
text describes multiple heavens, each with distinct characteristics,
including a second sky filled with prisoners awaiting judgment.
2. Moral Teachings
- Enoch
emphasizes following God's commandments and warns against idolatry and
immorality
- The
fate of sinners is depicted, illustrating a place of torment for those
rejecting God.
3. Celestial Beings
- Various
angels are mentioned, including cherubs and seraphs, each serving specific
roles in the heavenly hierarchy.
- Enoch
learns about the movements of celestial bodies, highlighting the
interconnectedness of the cosmos.
4. Astrological References
- Enoch's
writings include astrological elements, suggesting he wrote about
destinies based on celestial movements.
- The
text mentions 366 books that hold the fates of all people, reflecting a
sophisticated understanding of astrology.
5. Melchizedek's Origin and Role
- Melchizedek,
named by Noah and Nir, is destined to become a great priest, protected by
divine intervention during the flood.
- His
lineage is prophesied to include another Melchizedek, who will perform
miracles.
6. The Ascension of Moses
- Moses
ascends through seven skies, witnessing the nature of angels and the
divine order.
- He
learns about the rewards for the righteous in Paradise and the torments of
sinners in Gehenna, emphasizing the moral dichotomy.
7. Divine Justice and Gehenna
- Gehenna
is depicted as a place of eternal punishment for sinners, where they face
severe consequences for their actions.
- Moses
witnesses various tortures inflicted on sinners, learning that these
punishments correspond to their sins.
8. The Role of the Torah
- The
Torah is presented as a divine gift, embodying laws essential for guiding
the Israelites.
- Studying
the Torah is emphasized as a means to attain divine wisdom and
understanding.
9. Theological Implications
- The
texts reflect the tensions between the worship of Yahweh and other
deities, particularly during King Josiah's reforms.
- The
rejection of sacrifices suggests a non-Levite perspective, contrasting
with traditional Jewish practices.
Conclusion
The Secrets of Enoch, along with the narratives
of Melchizedek and the Ascension of Moses, provide rich theological and
cosmological insights. They blend moral teachings with elaborate depictions of
the heavenly order, exploring ancient beliefs about the divine and the universe.
These texts serve as crucial links in understanding the development of Jewish
apocalyptic literature and its influence on later religious thought.
/************************************/
Hinduism
Hinduism exhibits fascinating connections with other
religions, particularly through shared deities, concepts, and historical
interactions. One notable connection is the worship of Vedic gods in the Middle
East during the 2nd millennium BC, which suggests cultural exchanges that
influenced both regions. For instance, the name of the highest sky, Aravatŭ,
closely resembles the Vedic city of the gods, Amaravati (अमरावती), and is almost
identical to Indra's vehicle, Airavata (ऐरावत).
This indicates a linguistic and cultural overlap between these
traditions.
Additionally, the Vedic god Mitra, who was often invoked
alongside Varuna, shows parallels in other cultures. The Mittani, an ancient
civilization in the region of modern-day Syria and Iraq, worshiped Mitra,
Indra, and Varuna, highlighting the spread of Vedic influence beyond India. In
the Rigveda, Varuna is depicted as second in power only to Indra, mirroring the
role of Metatron in other religious texts, which suggests a shared theological
framework.
Moreover, the connections between Hinduism and other faiths
can also be seen in the shared narratives and mythologies. For example, the
description of divine vehicles and cities in Hindu texts often finds parallels
in other religious literature, such as the Secrets of Enoch, where the name
Aravatŭ appears, echoing the Vedic traditions.
In summary, the connections between Hinduism and other
religions are rich and multifaceted, involving shared deities, cultural
exchanges, and similar mythological themes, which reflect a broader tapestry of
religious development across regions.
/************************************/
The
Watcher’s Purpose
The true purpose of the Watchers, as described in the Books
of Watchers from the 1st Book of Enoch, revolves around their
rebellion against the Lord and their subsequent actions on Earth. Initially,
the Watchers were celestial beings who descended to Earth, where they became
enamored with human women. This led them to take wives and ultimately defile
the Earth through their deeds, resulting in the creation of monstrous
offspring, often referred to as giants. Their actions were viewed as a
significant transgression against divine order, prompting God's judgment
against them.
In Chapter 18 of the Secrets of Enoch, Enoch
describes encountering the Watchers, who appeared human but were significantly
larger than giants. Their dejected expressions and silence indicated their
remorse for having rejected their duties and the Lord. The Watchers, led by
their prince Satan, descended to Earth from the heavenly realm, specifically
from Mount Hermon, where they broke their vows and engaged in unlawful
interbreeding with human women.
The term "Watcher" itself has interesting
etymological roots. It is derived from the Greek word egrégoroi,
meaning "wakeful," and has been translated in various ways, including
"guardian" or "sentinel." This reflects their original role
as protectors, which was corrupted by their choice to live among humans and
pursue their desires.
In summary, the Watchers desired to live on Earth due to
their attraction to human women, which led them to forsake their divine
responsibilities. Their actions resulted in significant consequences, both for
themselves and humanity, as they strayed from their intended purpose as
celestial guardians.
/************************************/
Genetics
The Watchers, as described in the Books of Enoch, indeed had
a significant impact on both human and animal genetics. They descended to Earth
and interbred with human women, resulting in the birth of monstrous offspring,
often referred to as giants. This act of defiance against divine order was a
key reason for God's anger. The text states that the Watchers "defiled the
Earth through their deeds" and created "great evil" by
interbreeding, which led to chaos and lawlessness among humanity.
Moreover, the term "Watchers" itself suggests a
role of guardianship or oversight, which they abandoned by engaging in these
forbidden acts. Their actions were not limited to humans; the implications of
their genetic manipulations extended to the natural order, causing God to judge
them severely. Thus, the anger of God was indeed tied to the Watchers'
manipulation of genetics, both human and possibly animal, leading to a
corrupted creation.
/*******/
-------
Keep the Faith. Best regards,
Brother Ron, N.D.S.M.D.