The teaching of the Essene was known as THE WAY. The Way became the final interpretation of the Law and the Prophets, as revealed by Yeshua Messiah. The Way also became the enlightened transitional teaching of the early church.
Enoch rides from the heavens to dispense God’s righteousness. Enoch is known as the first true prophet, Recorder of Israel, and recipient of heavenly knowledge.
Enoch was righteous and his eyes were open, meaning he was awake and enlightened into the higher principles of God. Enoch becomes the recipient of the ‘branches of knowledge’ handed down from Adam and Eve, now unto the seventh generation. The revealed holy vision given to Enoch brings with it a holy commission, indicated by, “The word of the blessing of Enoch, how he blessed the elect and the righteous.” For Enoch, his revelation is broad, he is knowledgable, and his commission will course into deep waters.
“The time of trouble” relates to a time of spiritual confusion, enough confusion that the wicked had to be separated from those who had remained godly. It is also the seventh generation of Cain, producing the murderer and robber, Lamech. It is in this world Enoch begins his ministry. Turmoil roils upon the planet. During this time, a new and disturbing element appears in the earth scene.
THE WATCHERS
The early chapters of Enoch introduce those who oversee the heavens and the beauty of the earth. Chapter six of the Book of Enoch begins with an introduction portraying the fruitfulness of the earth, then by contrast, we come to those souls whom we know as the Watchers:
(4) “But you endure not patiently, nor fulfill the commandments of the Lord, but you transgress and calumniate His greatness; and malignant are the words in your polluted mouths against his Majesty. (10) But you, ye unholy, shall be accursed.”
It is in chapter seven that the trouble begins. Next, we find out why these Watchers have become cursed, En. 7.2: “And when the angels, the sons (children) of heaven, beheld them, they became enamored of them, saying to each other, Come, from the progeny of men let us select for ourselves wives, and let us beget children.”
Who are the Watchers? In the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar mentions that in his second dream (4.13), “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.” “Holy one, coming down from heaven” indicates ‘angel’ as the identity of the Watchers, or “angels, the sons of heaven.”
Jeremiah 4.16, “Yes, proclaim against Jerusalem, that Watchers come from a far country and raise their voices against the cities of Judah. (17) Because she has been rebellious against Me, says the Lord.” Not all angels are Watchers, but all Watchers seem to be angels.
From the Book of Jubilees, 4.15: “For in his days the angels of the Lord descended on earth those who are named the Watchers, that they should instruct the children of men, and they should do judgment and uprightness on the earth.”
“Angels of the Lord descended,” this version seems to infer that the Watchers entered into flesh. Their mission was to instruct humans who were already going astray, as noted in the chronicle of Enosh. In the beginning, entering into the body (flesh) may not have been their intent. To be clear, the watching angels may have been instructing humans but remained outside the body—spirit to human contact for purposes of soul development. Further, Jubilees 5.1 recounts the same story as Enoch 7.2: that the angels had fallen to lust even as they instructed men and women.
The Damascus Document of the Dead Sea Scrolls recounts the Watchers, which reveals this belief in the Watchers as ancient angelic beings.
“Because they walked in the stubbornness of their heart the Heavenly Watchers fell; they were caught because they did not keep the commandments of God. And their sons also fell who were tall as cedar trees and whose bodies were like mountains. All flesh on dry land perished; they were as though they had never been because they did their own will and did not keep the commandment of their Maker so that His wrath was kindled against them” (Exhortations II).*
*”Tall as cedar trees” is usually accepted as hyperbole. For example, Goliath, of the people called Raphia of the Philistine tribe, measured 9′ 9″, six cubits (18″), and one span (9″). The average man was 5’2″ to 5’4″.
Angels are not known to incarnate, yet these angels “descended,” or there would be no way of later producing children. Even so, should angels enter the flesh, the rabbinical teaching requires that the angels leave an aspect of their holiness behind. Yet there seems no explanation for the physical bodies they assume, nor are they noted as having powers to create new bodies for themselves.
Regardless, the descent into flesh now exposes what will become the furtherance of their sinful plan: enamored of their earthly powers or influence, with continued associations with women, they effectuate progeny. They knew beforehand such a trespass would not be condoned. The Watchers, in effect, initiated a rebellion.
As we move from the introduction of Enoch and into the litany of events concerning the Watchers, it is clear that the Watchers have connived a plot or plan. It is also clear that the intent is not only toward the appeal of women, but the final goal seems to entail having children. In other
words, children that the Watchers will create. Their children, they presume, will have a continuing effect. Otherwise, why bother? It seems they are about establishing their kingdom, devoid of God’s presence nor His permission. Essentially, they are usurping God’s creation for their purposes.
Just as an order exists in the heavens and the souls who abide in heaven, an ascribed order exists in every soul’s life. The life plan, or God’s plan for your life, is an important principle in understanding the Way. Moving out of season can cause momentous problems, either immediately or later. The Watchers break from the proper order by no longer just observing or teaching man but participating.*
*The Zohar associates Naamah as the seductress. She is one of the daughters of Eve. Through seduction, she initiates the action in this storyline. The result births the Nephilim.
They may have considered a plan of reincarnation, wherein they would continue to be their children. Even though mixed with earthly women they would always be of superior intellect, thus ruling upon the earth—pure speculation takes us to wondrous places, no doubt. Considering their angelic status, why would they be devising such a plan? Why are they attempting to alter God’s order? There is more involved here than just a lust for women or sex. The Watcher’s participation soon brings about serious confusion on Earth.
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THE WATCHERS REBEL
For this rebellion to be successful, preparations must now commence. Chapter seven, verses 3, 4 & 5: “Then their leader Samyaza said to them; I fear that you may perhaps be indisposed to the performance of this enterprise; (4) And that I alone shall suffer so grievous a crime. (5) But they all answered him and said; We all swear; …and that we will not change our intention, but execute our projected undertaking.” That Samyaza alone might suffer, “That I alone shall become the payer,”* indicates a knowledge of the consequences. “They all swore together and bound one another by it (the curse).”
*OT Pseudepigrapha, Charlesworth.
Primarily, one soul pushes for these events, Samyaza, who is at the head of the Watchers. It is also just as clear that those who undertake this venture have given some thought and discussion to entering the body, and readily agree to the undertaking; even further, their progeny will be intended to elevate man after their fashion. That they should refashion the world is not only a serious crime against God but will lead to horrendous and long-lasting consequences.*
*see Numbers 13. 32-33, Anakites; Gn. 6.4, giants before and after.
Are they trying to subsume God’s creation? Enoch Ch. 10.11 answers this question: “And the Lord said unto Michael: Go, bind Semjâzâ and
his associates who have united themselves with women to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness.”* The uncleanness does not refer to the women but the angels. Angels are defiling themselves by defiling the order of God’s creation concerning man, improperly mixing heavenly and earthly. They violate the divine order of creation. They produced unholy children, reckless and destructive,** “men which were of old (olden times), men of renown” (Gn. 6.4).
*R.H. Charles
**Nephilim, see Dr. Peter Gentry, Southern Seminary, youtube.
Finally destroyed, the Watchers and their demon progeny are released from the body and upon the earth as evil spirits, En. 15.8-12: “But now the giants who are born from the (union of) the spirits and the flesh shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, for their dwelling shall be upon the earth and inside the earth.”*
There seems to be no other explanation for the Watcher’s rebellion but that they are overwhelmed by a lust for power. Familiarity with women will produce this conduit to power, which will become their children and thence to the continuation of their race. For the woman’s part, they may also have been agreeable. Few women could attain the status of having sex with an angel; either that or the power of the assault overwhelmed them. What seductions occurred on either side would be hard to determine.
*Charlesworth
From the Enoch scripture, it seems clear that a new creature, the Nephilim, has been created. This creature is some strange confluence of spirit and flesh. But certainly, these angels had an understanding of such forces. Or did they? Their creation wreaks havoc.
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THE WAY
Why would this information be pertinent to those who walk in the Way?
The Watchers raise moral and ethical questions that run deep into the soul. The first issue is one of obedience. The Watchers knew their behavior was out of God’s order. If so, why did they persist? Lust for power seems one reason. Yet, lusting does not exist in a vacuum. Whether called the ego, or the fleshly self, it becomes that portion of “I” willing to break any rule regardless of consequences. It presumes recklessness. Even amidst a direct knowledge of God, their lust for power prevailed. The question of obedience and lust for power mimics the Garden narrative, as well as the creation of this new ‘self willing’ to proceed.
There remains a second problem. By bringing forth knowledge out of season they inadvertently introduce a bent pathway of knowledge, also similar to the Garden. Previously men learned as they went and as a natural consequence of observance and experiences. From this angelic interference, man confronts knowledge combined with rapid change. It is not a change anyone could be prepared for.
Assuming the pathway of knowledge is an important step for mankind. The Watchers introduce knowledge without a connection to God. They reveal secrets for which man is not prepared. In effect, knowledge is given power but not under God’s authority. It is within these times we will meet Tubal-Cain (Cain-Aftermath). Knowledge replaces God. Men become their own gods (“men of renown,” Gn. 6.4)), much as the Watchers have presumed themselves to do.
To be clear, man is to attribute God first and thus recognize a relationship and a fundamental Unity. Adam and Eve, for instance, listened to an alternative voice. The Watchers have done much the same, only they listen to the counsel of each other. The argument echoes like the Satan-Serpent, “Why should you be denied these things?” Harboring a certain kind of lust that is hard to grasp, the Watchers focus there and then enter in.
The approach to God can never be based on the knowledge you may possess but proceeds with a contrite spirit and obedience reflecting committed will or faith. This basic conversion message resounds throughout the Hebrew Bible, then illustrated by whether each man comes forth or does not. Belief accepts, then Faith begins the new soul journey. The Child of God is only then meant to be united with knowledge teaching and the wisdom pathway. Knowledge may have its sufficiencies, but Truth claims its place, and it is this lesson the Watchers seemed to have forgotten.
Reading the scriptures above, each can observe pitfalls and difficulties upon entering divergent pathways. From time to time everyone should seriously self-inspect. Often simple reflection keeps a person’s pathway cohesive, well-directed, and purposeful.
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SONS of GOD
For the sake of balance, a more conventional version needs to be presented.* It goes like this: Pious men, represented as the descendants of Seth (as opposed to angels who left their heavenly estate) designate the priesthood of Watchers as those who oversee, those entrusted to watch over society. This explanation emphasizes the reference to “sons of God” (Gn. 6.4), a subject discussed in the article, Noah. Sons of God is a term used to indicate a level of understanding, perhaps awakening, within the priesthood. These men, the Watchers, considered trustworthy, worshippers, and beneficiaries of God, ended up removing themselves from their station.
*Judaic view, although others also accept this view.
The belief that these men accepted the notion of taking any woman they wanted seems credible within this scenario. Their pollutions begat a ‘race’ or lineage which became arbitrary and oppressive, consuming all possessions and otherwise corrupting everything. The central theme of taking pagan women into marriage, even multiple partners, and the trouble this causes becomes recurrent within the Hebrew Bible. The women whom the Watchers (priests) were supposed to be assisting, developing upon the pathway toward the One God, suggests a mixing, even a syncretism with paganism, with all of the resultant afflictions societies then suffer.
This group of souls, those who ‘watch over’, would have been in the line of Seth. In this version, the lineage of Seth now falls into polluted behavior (Seth & Enosh). The situation becomes hopeless, for this is the godly line of the race, now mixing with Cain’s lineage. The leadership of the priesthood and the priests themselves no longer oversee or protect but by lust enter into rebellion.
Those entering darkness never want to be alone, and those who rebel always seek company. Hence, this priestly company sought counsel among themselves to indulge their lust for women and power. These confluent lusts would later become exercised as autocratic and brutal. It is their children in great numbers who will inherit, with the intent toward continued rule. This does not explain how physical giants appeared, however.
In this much more conventional interpretation, the angels mentioned in the Book of Enoch would remain messengers and thus would not
have the will to rebel. Therefore, the described rebellion remains among men. The mentioning of giants also seems literal. Several scriptures refer to giants, among them Deut. 3.11, describing Og, the king of Bashan, the last of the giants, and measuring nine cubits (13′ 6″).
Earlier giant progeny may have been taller; found in W. Virginia, Kentucky, and other parts of the world.
Order of Events
The intent of the Watchers remains out of season and fundamentally wrong at the root, regardless of any other considerations. In some fashion, they have lost their convicting conscience. “And lawlessness increased on the earth and all flesh corrupted its way,” (Jub. 5.2). With the risk involved, this grasp for power appears unreasonable, yet they selfishly pursue their proscribed order of events.
Their intention to ‘create’ must include some fascination with sex and the assumption of godlike control, as opposed to the natural course of events or God’s plan. Carried into the New Testament, Jude 6 states, “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” “Keep their proper domain” indicates an order to souls, even groups of souls, and a structure each soul operates within; that different orders of souls specialize in various functions, much as we see with the Watchers. This lends some credibility that angelic beings did enter the flesh. Jude, at least, believed so during the time he wrote.
As mentioned throughout this series, there is a proper order for all events. Further, an order of the very creation of souls exists, that souls operate or belong to groups with specific intents and purposes. A proper order to each soul’s development exists as well. All of these factors entail lessons for the Way.
In I Corinthians 15. 23, Paul writes, “But each after his order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at his coming.” Man lives “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4.4), not by man’s designs. The Watchers tamper with God’s plan for soul progression, which becomes the root of the evil.
Secret Things
In Chapter IX of Enoch, the crux of how the Watchers proceed is exposed. Mankind is educated out of season, outside the proper order of events, especially concerning “the secret things which are done in the heavens.” Verse five tells us much: “Thou has seen what Azazel has done, how he has taught every species of iniquity on earth and has disclosed to the world all the secret things which are done in the heavens.”
“Secret things which are done in the heavens” does not infer a negative slant toward heaven. Secret things may be methods used to assist soul development, fulfill a worthy plan, even assist someone in establishing faithfulness, or perhaps execute duties. That Azazyal revealed these secrets before man was prepared becomes the issue. Further, Azazyal “taught every species of inequity on earth,” which means ‘species of inequity’ refers to ‘kinds of inequities’.
Samyaza and those who follow him are moving past God’s plan and substituting their own, much as we see in the Garden narrative. The Way teaches that responsibly following assigned duties is critical to soul expression and growth.* Within this context, the ‘bringing down of heaven to earth’, the Watchers have caused massive unbalance.
*Mt. 6.1-4, “Do good to please God but do not do good to please men.”
Certain heavenly knowledge seems not best for man to know, or the application of the knowledge kept restrained to heaven. Such knowledge should arrive only in the proper season. Jesus teaches in the Way when he explains in Lk. 12.42, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season.” The steward has his station or place. If he is wise and faithful he will eventually rule the household and in the proper season receives his fair portion. This scripture deals with the faithful servant as opposed to the evil servant, from verses 35-48, and conveys very well to the Watchers, no longer considered faithful servants.
Man can become overwhelmed by knowledge out of season. The Way teaches daily progress.
En. 8.9: “And men, being destroyed, cried out; and their voice reached to heaven.” Abuse and destruction are now being wrought upon the earth. En. 9.6, “Samyaza also has taught sorcery, to whom thou hast given authority over those who are associated with him. They have gone together to the daughters of men; have lain with them… (7) And have discovered crimes to them.” “Crimes” might be likened to knowledge out of season, or perhaps worse, revealing knowledge and actions (sorcery) contributing to rebellion.
Whether seen as earthly or angelic, once the lust for sex, progeny, and earthly power binds them, the Watchers essentially begin to run after themselves. Forsaking the true light but more than willing to follow the light of their lusts and desires. They believe in their notions and what they suppose will transpire out of them. Yet, they cannot foresee the exact details of how events might unfold. The machinations become more convoluted and entrapping. They live in their imaginations, and as the calumny proceeds for them, course corrections become no longer available.
The Watchers oversee but do not hold the power and majesty of the archangels or God Himself. Were the Watchers content with their position? What were the Watchers truly after? Or, by the assertion of their creative powers were they wanting to overthrow the order of the heavens? What did they consider their more rightful place? The resolutions to these questions lie in their offspring. Their offspring will initiate evil events upon planet Earth.
An end to the plague of the Watchers will soon arrive, detailed in our next presentation, Noah.
En. 10.6: “And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons.”*
*R. H. Charles
God Bless!
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks