Enoch's Ascension into Heaven The Book of Enoch chapter 70

Enoch's Ascension into Heaven The Book of Enoch chapter 70

### Document 1: The Book of Enoch and the Symbolic Last Days

The Book of Enoch is often seen as a prophetic work, but it is crucial to understand its symbolic nature, especially from a perspective that avoids supernatural interpretations. The opening of Enoch 1:3 sets the stage for understanding this book as a "parable," emphasizing its metaphorical and allegorical content, rather than a literal narrative. The passage reads: *"Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come (in the Last Days)."* This indicates that the vision presented is for a future time, yet it is not to be understood through literal, chronological events but through the unfolding of spiritual insight.

The concept of the "Last Days," particularly in John 6:39-40, is reinterpreted here as the last stage or degree of spiritual understanding. This aligns with a metaphysical approach where "day" is understood as a state of mind dominated by intelligence, while "night" represents ignorance. Thus, the "last day" signifies the highest level of spiritual insight or enlightenment that one can achieve. It is the final phase of spiritual evolution, where material conditions are transcended, and one enters a state of spiritual consciousness. This is not a literal apocalyptic event, but a metaphor for the ultimate realization of divine truth.

In line with this symbolic framework, the concept of the "day of judgment" is interpreted as the moment of personal realization, when one's thoughts and actions bring about consequences in their life. Judgment is not an external event but an internal transformation where the old, material ways of thinking are cast aside, making room for spiritual renewal. This reflects the broader teaching found in I Peter 4:7, which states: *"The end of all things is at hand."* In this view, the end is not a literal destruction but the dissolution of material consciousness, making way for spiritual enlightenment.

Chapters 70 and 71 of Enoch describe the ascension of the prophet and his experiences in the heavenly realm. However, even these passages can be understood symbolically. Enoch's ascension is not a physical event but represents a shift in consciousness. He is "raised aloft on the chariots of the spirit," symbolizing the elevation of his mind to a higher spiritual state. The "place for the elect and righteous" is not a literal location, but the attainment of spiritual consciousness, where one is in harmony with divine principles.

The imagery of angels, fire, and heavenly structures in these chapters further emphasizes the metaphorical nature of the text. The "holy sons of God" stepping on flames of fire, the "streams of fire" surrounding the heavenly house, and the countless angels are not descriptions of a physical reality but of spiritual truths. Fire often symbolizes purification and transformation, and the angels represent divine messengers or higher states of consciousness.

The appearance of the "Son of Man" in these chapters also carries deep symbolic meaning. This figure represents the ideal state of righteousness and spiritual purity, one who embodies the divine attributes and serves as a model for those seeking spiritual transformation. The Son of Man’s association with "righteousness" and the "Head of Days" points to the ultimate goal of spiritual evolution, where one attains peace and harmony in alignment with divine will.

Thus, the Book of Enoch, particularly in its closing chapters, presents a deeply symbolic narrative of spiritual ascent. It describes the journey from material consciousness to spiritual enlightenment, using vivid imagery and allegorical language. The "Last Days" are not to be feared as an impending cataclysm but understood as the final stage of personal and collective spiritual growth.

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### Document 2: Enoch as a Symbol of Spiritual Ascension

Enoch, a figure of great significance in both the biblical and apocryphal traditions, represents a profound symbol of spiritual ascent and transformation. The name Enoch itself means "founder," "instructor," or "one trained up," suggesting that he is not merely an individual historical figure but a representation of what humanity can achieve when aligned with divine principles. Enoch’s life and "translation" into heaven can be understood as an allegory for the spiritual journey that each person is destined to undertake.

In the context of Hebrews 11:5, Enoch is described as one who "was translated that he should not see death." While this could be interpreted literally, a deeper, symbolic understanding emerges when we consider Enoch as a metaphor for spiritual ascension. His "walking with God" reflects a state of harmony with divine will, and his translation into heaven symbolizes the attainment of spiritual consciousness. This is not about escaping physical death but about transcending the limitations of the material world and entering a state of spiritual enlightenment.

Enoch’s journey into heaven, particularly as described in the Book of Enoch, can be seen as a precursor to the ascension of Jesus, who was "taken up in a cloud" after his resurrection. Both ascensions symbolize the ultimate goal of spiritual evolution: the transition from a carnal, material state of mind to a spiritual one. The "whirlwind" that takes Enoch into heaven represents the transformative power of the Spirit, which lifts the individual out of worldly concerns and into a state of divine peace and harmony.

Enoch's ascension, much like that of Jesus, is not a physical journey but a transformation in consciousness. It marks the point at which one moves from a purely carnal or mental state to a spiritual one. Enoch represents the "gateway" into a new state of thought, one that is characterized by spiritual understanding and Christ-consciousness. In this sense, Enoch’s translation into heaven is the final step in the believer’s journey towards divine union.

This symbolic interpretation of Enoch's ascension aligns with a broader metaphysical framework, where heaven and earth are understood as two states of mind. Heaven represents the Christ consciousness, a state of harmony with Divine Mind, while earth represents the manifestation of material conditions. According to this view, Revelation 21:1’s "new heaven and new earth" is a metaphor for the transformation of consciousness, where old, material ways of thinking are replaced with new, spiritual ideals.

Enoch, as a symbol of spiritual ascent, also teaches that humanity is destined to rise above the angels. While angels represent messengers or intermediaries of divine will, Enoch’s journey suggests that perfected humanity, fully aligned with the Christ consciousness, is superior even to these celestial beings. This is a profound insight into the potential of human spiritual development, where man is not limited by his material nature but is capable of reaching the highest levels of divine union.

In conclusion, the figure of Enoch serves as a powerful symbol of the spiritual journey. His translation into heaven represents the final stage of spiritual evolution, where the believer transcends material consciousness and enters into divine peace and harmony. The Book of Enoch, in this light, is not a literal account of supernatural events but an allegory of the soul’s ascent to God, offering profound insights into the nature of spiritual transformation.

3. Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. (in the Last Days)."]


The Book of Enoch chapter 70

1. And it came to pass after this that his name during his lifetime was raised aloft to that Son of Man and to the Lord of Spirits from amongst those who dwell on the earth.
2. And he was raised aloft on the chariots of the spirit and his name vanished among them.
3. And from that day I was no longer numbered amongst them: and he set me between the two winds, between the North and the West, where the angels who measured for me the place for the elect and righteous.
4. And there I saw the first fathers and the righteous who from the beginning dwell in that place.

The Book of Enoch chapter 71 1. Afterwards my spirit was concealed, ascending into the heavens. I beheld the sons of the holy angels treading on flaming fire, whose garments and robes were white, and whose countenances were transparent as crystal.

The meaning of Enoch

Enoch, means--founder; teacher; instructor;. One Trained Up; Inaugurated that is, dedicated, initiated

Enoch was the man who walked with God and was translated, so has not to see death but that does not mean that he did not die (Heb. 11:5).

Enoch is symbolic of that which each of us can become, and for which all humanity was destined from the very beginning

The name Enoch means "founder," or "instructor," Enoch walked with God. He was translated into the spiritual consciousness. Enoch represents the gateway into and instruction in the new life in Christ.

In the book of Enoch we should understand Enoch's ascension into heaven has a state of of peace and harmony which is symbolised by heaven;

Enoch is the gateway into and instruction in a new state of thought, or understanding. In the case of Enoch who walked with God, the new state of thought would be spiritual consciousness, the new life in Christ.

Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham are represent states or conditions that are higher in the scale than the purely carnal or fleshly. By faith they all made connection with the abiding realities of the Gospel.

Enoch symbolises the highest or climactic point of the ascent for which man is destined to strive, and in this refined image perfect man is superior to the angels.

ascension--The ascending or progressive unfoldment of a believer from the carnal to the spiritual. It is measured by three degrees or states of consciousness: first, the carnal; second, the mental; and third, the spiritual. Enoch first manifested Himself as the man on the physical plane, from which He was translated to the mental; from thence He ascended to the spiritual. The ascension is the final step in the attainment of the Christ consciousness.

Why was “Enoch” taken up by a whirlwind into heaven?   The ascent of Enoch was a precursor of the experience that Jesus went through, when at the ascension he was “taken up in a cloud.”

Enoch was taken by a whirlwind into heaven: that is the positive or dominant element of the mind of Enoch must be taken by Yahweh into a state of peace and harmony which is symbolised by heaven;

What is the meaning of the taking of Enoch into heaven in the chariot of spirit? It represents a change that takes place in consciousness,

The carnal mind of Enoch is lifted up in Spirit,

the place for the elect and righteous is the spiritual consciousness which is symbolised by heaven;

The Pleroma as a Place Psalm 89:11

The Pleroma as a Place Psalm 89:11

or

The Concept of the Pleroma Colossians 2:9

The Pleroma is a word used in the Bible it means fullness is a derivative of pleroo and pletho (“to fill, to make full”) 

“Pleroo is an extremely common verb in both NT and LXX. Its simple meaning is “fill”; eg “I am filled with comfort” (2Co 7:4). “The house was filled with the odour of the ointment” (John 12:3).

Pleroma, “fulness”, is associated with this imagery a good deal. “In him (Jesus) dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9). “The Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us; and we beheld his glory....full of grace and truth...and of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:14,16; 

The Greek word for "fullness" is pleroma - the same word is also found in Col. 1:19, regarding how all God’s “fullness” dwelt in Jesus. Although the Lord Jesus had human nature, He never sinned; because He was full of the God’s personality and character. To know Jesus was to know God- for He was and is God’s Son, and indeed the perfect replica of Him in human form. 

Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness <4138> dwell;

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness <4138> of the Godhead bodily.

John 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

Jesus being filled with God's spirit or fullness refers to Jesus being filled with God's character and personality, as well as his divine power 

The fullness of the Deity the logos or the anointing spirit also known as the Divine Christ descended (Eph. 4:10) upon the man Jesus at his baptism, and at his crucifixion returned.

In The Nag Hammadi Library there is a text called The Letter of Peter to Philip in this document it has the Biblical understanding that the fullness/pleroma is manifested in Jesus. Jesus himself he says Concerning the fullness, it is I. 

The Letter of Peter to Philip:

“Concerning the fullness, it is I. I was sent down in the body for the seed that had fallen away. And I came down to their mortal model. But they did not recognize me, thinking I was a mortal. I spoke with the one who is mine, and the one who is mine listened to me just as you also who have listened to me today. And I gave him authority to enter into the inheritance of his fatherhood. And I took him . . . filled . . . through his salvation. Since he was deficiency, he became fullness.

The heavenly pleroma is [understood as] the centre of divine life, a region of light "above" our world...  The Christ is interpreted as an intermediary aeon who was sent from the pleroma.

According to this text the logos or anointing spirit is the Fullness which came down at the baptism to fill Jesus with all the fullness of the Deity

The Pleroma of God

The Pleroma of God or the fullness of God refers to his personality, character and divine nature. This divine nature can be described as Aeonian the word Aeon is used to described the divine nature and the place or abode were the Deity dwells see Isaiah 57:15

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Yahweh is residing in eternity or as the Septuagint rendering puts it dwelling (in) the aeon. This shows that aeon is the nature of the Yahweh and his dwelling place 

1tim 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person (5287 ὑπόστασις hupostasis), and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The Greek word hypostasis means substance and always refers to physical corporeal nature. 

God is corporeal because he has substance

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness <4138> dwell;

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness <4138> of the Godhead bodily.

God has a substance it is his divine nature and power which is the fullness of his being, he is immortal dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen. 

The Pleroma as a Place 

In the Bible the word Pleroma is used to described the divine nature and substance of God (Col 1:19  Col 2:9) however it also used to describe places and things whatever fills the earth or is contained in it, 1 Corinthians 10:26, 28 (Psalm 23:1 Jeremiah 8:16; Ezekiel 12:19, Psalm 95:11  1 Chronicles 16:32); those things with which the baskets were filled, Mark 6:43 the filling by which a gap is filled up, Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21 fullness = that which fills, entire contents,

If you where to ask someone what is heaven like they would not be able to describe it.  The best way to describe heaven would be to describe it as the fullness of God's glory or the fullness of God's presence. 

This is how the word fullness was used by the Gnostics to describe the invisible heavens a place full of divine beings filled with the divine nature, glory and power of the Uncreated Eternal Spirit

It is the spirit-world, a world perceptible only by the intellect however it is not a incorporeal world. 

psa 89:11  Thine are the heavens — the earth also is Thine, The habitable world and its fulness, Thou hast founded them.

psa 89:11 Heaven is yours, the earth also is yours;

The productive land and what fills it—you yourself have founded them.

The heavens to the earth the world and the fullness you have founded

There is no distinction here of the word fullness between heaven, earth and the world each one has its fullness. the fullness of the heaven of heavens is its entire contents they are the work of his hands, and the seat of his majesty, and the throne of his glory; the angels of heaven are his, his creatures and servants; a court of celestial beings

Compare Psalm 112:4-6 LXX 

4  (112:4) The Lord is high above all the nations; his glory is above the heavens.

5  (112:5) Who is as the Lord our God? who dwells in the high places,

6 (112:6) and [yet] looks upon the low things in heaven, and on the earth:

Compare Psalm 112:5 LXX 5 (112:5) Who is as the Lord our God? who dwells in the high places, the summits or hills literally the heights of the Most High define the space of his pleroma

There is a third signification (of place), in keeping with which God Himself is called a place, by reason of His containing all things and being contained by nothing whatever, and being a place for all to flee into, and because He is Himself the space which holds Him; for He is that which He Himself has occupied, and nought encloses Him but Himself. I, mark you, am not a place but in a place and each thing likewise that exists; for that which is contained is different from that which contains it, and the Deity, being contained by nothing, is of necessity Itself Its own place Philo, De Somniis, I, xi, 63-64. Likewise, see De Migrations AbraEami, xxxii, 181-182; xxxv, 192>; De ConTusione Lingu'arum, xxvii, 136; and Legum Allegoria, I, xiv, 44.

Here there is a spatial sense to the pleroma

Like Psalm 89:11 and Psalm 112 Genesis chapter 1 also speaks about God establish the heavens 

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (the entire universe).
Gen 1:1 ¶  In the beginning of God’s preparing (The verb does not necessarily describe creation out of nothing) the heavens and the earth — 

We learn Genesis 1:1 that God exists outside of time and God existed before the creation of heavens and the earth

The heavenly places or the spiritual heavens (pleroma) is the waters above the firmament (outer-space) which is likened to a spread-out curtain.

These spiritual heavens are where Christ sits far above all heavens (Eph. 4:10), that is, far above the physical heavens called outer-space or the firmament which is the limit or boundary.

The Spiritual Heavens are called the Aeon Pleroma

The Pleroma in Gnostic Text

The Pleroma is sometimes compared by allegory to a city, temple tree, and body

The Heavens or the Pleroma did not always exist it was produced and formed by the Eternal Spirit this we call the emanation.
(He created the holy Pleroma in this way. . .The Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

The Pleroma is also called the ‘emanations of the Father “Therefore, all the emanations of the Father are pleromas, and the root of all his emanations is in the one who made them all grow up in himself.” (Gospel of Truth)

In the Untitled Bruce Codex ms, the Pleroma is described as a temple-city with four gates and a Holy of Holies: “He created the holy Pleroma in this way: four gates with four monads within it, one monad to each gate and six helpers (parastatai) to each gate, ... and an unutterable aspect - to each gate. One of his aspects looks forth from the gate to the outer aeons, the other looks inwards to the Setheus, and the other looks to the height, and the sonship is in each monad. ... The unutterable aspect of the overseer looks towards to the holy of the holies, that is, the infinite one who is the head of the sanctuary.” (Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

- The Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex also describes the Pleroma as ‘the body’ of the monad, which is like the mother-city “This is the manner in which they are all within the monad : there are twelve monads making a crown upon its head ; each one makes twelve. And there are ten decads surrounding its shoulders. And there are nine enneads surrounding its belly. And there are seven hebdomads at its feet, and each one makes a hebdomad. And to the veil which surrounds it like a tower, there are twelve gates. There are twelve myriad powers at each gate, and they are called archangels and also angels. This is the mother-city of the only-begotten one.” (Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

- As the ‘immeasurable deep’: “After these things there is another place which is broad, having hidden within it a great wealth which supplies the All. This is the immeasurable deep.” (Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

- One may also ‘become full’: “Become full, and leave no space within you empty.” (Apocalypse of James)

Summary

First of all the Pleroma did not always exist it was produced and formed by the Eternal Spirit this we call the emanation. (He created the holy Pleroma in this way The Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

The word Pleroma means "fullness". It refers to all existence beyond visible universe. In other words it is the world of the Aeons, the heavens or spiritual universe.

Bythos is the spiritual source of everything which emanates the pleroma,

The Pleroma is both the abode of and the essential nature of the True Ultimate Deity or Bythos.

The Pleroma as well as being the the dwellings place of the Aeons is also a a state of consciousness

The Pleroma is both a state of consciousness (the Ideas in the Divine Mind) and the dwellings place of the Aeons

As a state of consciousness the pleroma is the fullness of the Divine attributes. the various means by which God reveals Himself: it is the totality of the thirty aeons or emanations which proceed from God they are aspects of the divine mind

The word aeon means temporal sometimes a spatial concept in addition it is also used for personal beings whether divine or mortal.

Political Universe

Political Universe

Jer 10:1 ¶ Hear ye the word which Yahweh hath spoken unto you, O house of Israel:––
2 Thus, saith Yahweh––Unto the way of the nations, become not ye accustomed, Nor, at the signs of the heavens, be ye dismayed,––Because the nations are dismayed at them.

The bible mostly uses very straightforward language. The majority is a simple communication. Error is often made when people 'interpret' according to their theories, out of context, the simple communication as symbolic. To further confuse, some others may interpret prophetic 'symbolic' language as literal.

The Deity’s signs are in the political universe. This, in a sense corresponds to the physical universe, which has its earth, sea, and firmament or aerial expanse; in which are set its greater and lesser lights, and constellations -- its Sun, Moon, and Stars. It has its hurricanes, eclipses, hailstorms, and so forth, which affect injuriously those who belong to the Body Politic, whether they be rulers or the common people.

Heavens Representing Rulership. the heavens can refer to the Deity in his sovereign position. Thus, when Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the experience the Babylonian emperor was due to have would make him “know that the heavens are ruling,” it meant the same as knowing “that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.”—Da 4:25, 26.

heaven and earth are Two states of mind, the ideal spiritual mind heaven and the lower carnal mind the earth. There are two planes of consciousness, the heaven and the earth, or more properly, "the heavens and the earth." One is the realm of the Christ consciousness of pure thoughts in harmony with the Divine mind; the other, is the thinking of the flesh or carnal mind. By becoming sons of God we can reflect his "image" and "likeness" to be transformed into the spiritual man.

Jesus says Lk 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Heavens and Earth:

The heavens and earth encompass our whole experience of the natural world. In analogy, in prophecy, they relate to the whole political world. The aspects of the political world, the focus of the bible prophecy, are related to aspects we understand of the natural world. In the political world some are elevated above others into ruling positions. Those great ones that rule are 'high' above the ordinary person and are said to be in 'the heavens'. The Hebrew for 'heaven'(sha^mayim) is from a word for 'lofty', or 'high'. One can rise in power into the political heavens, and likewise descend.

Lam 2:1 ¶  How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

Mt 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Lu 10:15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Lu 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 The ordinary person is said to be of the earth. 

In Hebrew a word for 'earth' (ăda^ma^h) is related to the name Adam.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. (Psalm 96:11)
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: (Isaiah 1:2)
Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! (Isaiah 44:23)
In all of these instances the heavens and earth have human emotions, and skills, which inanimate nature cannot have. They are poetry and prophecy are analogy. Isaiah particularly uses this analogy
Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth;
for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)
Isaiah is both poetry and prophecy. Note the poetic pairs: heavens - people, earth - afflicted.
In any instance when you read 'heavens' in a prophetic book, or a prophetic song, where it is speaking of the fate of nations, think first it means political heavens.

Heavens Shake & Earthquake

In the natural world the heavens do not shake. But in the political 'heavens' large events can 'shake' the political structure. Isaiah uses this image, note how the shaking is the result of God's anger. God is not angry at the natural world, rather at the people who live on earth.
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of Yahweh of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)
If the earth are the common people a great earthquake, is an event that like a natural earthquake changes their political world. This symbol or analogy is also used throughout the western world.
An example from a source which is not religious at all is the 'Socialist Review, No.126, December 1989, pp.11-14', by Tony Cliff titled “Earthquake in the East”
We are witnessing the most massive earthquake of the social and political order in Eastern Europe. It is on a scale reminiscent of 1848 and 1917.....To understand an earthquake you have to look at the pressure inside the system. It is summed up with Marx’s statement that when the social system becomes a brake on the development of the productive forces, the epoch of the social revolution starts.

Note Tony Cliff does not explain he is using an analogy- he uses the word 'earthquake' as synonymous for revolution, assuming his audience understands. In revelation, this analogy of an earthquake is used a few times.
The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev 8:4-5)
There is no way in the natural world a fire will cause the earth to quake! This is symbolic of people.

Sun & Moon

Just as the sun dominates the heavens of the natural world, so the sun is representative of the supreme ruler in the political world. The moon is the lesser ruler. Jacob had not trouble understanding his son Joseph's dream.
“Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me. ”He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?”(Genesis 37:9-10)
In the tribe of Israel now numbering many people in the extended family, Jacob was the supreme ruler, and his wife was secondary by virtue of reflected glory. Isaiah is clearly not speaking of the natural moon and sun, when he writes,

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.(Isaiah 24:23)

 But we can easily understand how the religious authority, who are secondary to the national leaders and secondary in the political 'heavens', like the moon, will be put to silence by such an event.

Just as the natural sun and moon set and rise, so do kings and religious powers. They can be covered or decrease. They can also be 'turned to blood', which means they are attacked violently and wounded.

Stars

We understand this word, thanks to Hollywood's use of the term in the early 1900's, before electric light spillage prevented us from seeing stars and Satnav replaced all navigation by stars. If someone says “for the stars, silver is the new black”, we would not look with concern to the heavens, but rather conclude famous people were wearing silver in preference to black. Stars in prophetic analogy also are famous people. They may not be political rulers, though some have such a personality they become stars. Some stars become political rulers. Daniel explains the analogy
Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
The wise shall have influence or 'shine' so we know of them like we see natural stars. Deborah uses this rich language in her song of victory
“The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.(Judges 5:19-20)
Sisera was not defeated by stars doing strange things. If we read the parallel account, he was defeated by the kings of Canaan. (See Judges chapter 4)  Notice the poetic links: kings came = from the sky, Kings of Canaan = stars, and, waters = courses.

What is Heaven?

What is Heaven? 

Literal meaning 

The usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is _shamayim_, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" #Ge 1:1 2:1

The heavens can be considered "a natural phenomena and not [always] as the dwelling of the deity." (131) (See Mat 10:29)

The heaven(s)” may apply to the full range of earth’s atmosphere in which dew and frost form (Ge 27:28; Job 38:29), the birds fly (De 4:17; Pr 30:19; Mt 6:26), the winds blow (Ps 78:26), lightning flashes (Lu 17:24), and the clouds float and drop their rain, snow, or hailstones (Jos 10:11; 1Ki 18:45; Isa 55:10; Ac 14:17).

 “The sky” is sometimes meant, that is, the apparent or visual dome or vault arching over the earth.—Mt 16:1-3; Ac 1:10, 11.

The physical “heavens” extend through earth’s atmosphere and beyond to the regions of outer space with their stellar bodies, “all the army of the heavens”—sun, moon, stars, and constellations. (De 4:19; Isa 13:10; 1Co 15:40, 41; Heb 11:12) The first verse of the Bible describes the creation of such starry heavens prior to the development of earth for human habitation. (Ge 1:1)

And these have a firmament corresponding to each aeon-heaven. They were given names according to the glory which belongs to heaven for the destruction of the powers. (apocryphon of John)

And a voice came forth from the exalted aeon-heaven: '

This is the hebdomad

 For these are those who have a firmament corresponding to each aeon.

These are the ones who have a firmament corresponding to each heaven and aeon according to the likeness of the Aeon which exists from the beginning, in the model of the indestructible ones.

Symbolic meaning

In the Old and New Testament, "the phrase 'heavens and earth' signifies, in analogy the whole political world. The aspects of the political world, the focus of the bible prophecy, are related to aspects we understand of the natural world. In the political world some are elevated above others into ruling positions. Those great ones that rule are 'high' above the ordinary person and are said to be in 'the heavens'. The Hebrew for 'heaven'(shâmayim) is from a word for 'lofty', or 'high'. One can rise in power into the political heavens, and likewise descend. The ordinary person is said to be of the earth. In Hebrew a word for 'earth' (ădâmâh) is related to the name Adam.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. (Psalm 96:11) 
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: (Isaiah 1:2) 
Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! (Isaiah 44:23)

In all of these instances the heavens and earth have human emotions, and skills, which inanimate nature cannot have. They are poetry and prophecy are analogy. Isaiah particularly uses this analogy

Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; 
for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:13)

Isaiah is both poetry and prophecy. Note the poetic pairs: heavens - people, earth - afflicted.
In any instance when you read 'heavens' in a prophetic book, or a prophetic song, where it is speaking of the fate of nations, think first it means political heavens. There may be some instances where prophets speak of the natural world, but they will be rarer.

Daniel 8:9-12, where what has previously been shown to represent a political power is spoken of as “getting greater all the way to the army of the heavens,” and even causing some of that army and of the stars to fall to the earth

3772 ouranos οὐρανός, οὐρανοῦ, ὁ (from a root meaning 'to cover,' 'encompass'; cf. Vanicek, p. 895; Curtius, § 509),

Perhaps from the same as oros (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity) -- air, heaven(-ly), sky.

3772 ouranós – heaven (singular), and nearly as often used in the plural ("heavens"). "The singular and plural have distinct overtones and therefore should be distinguished in translation (though unfortunately they rarely are)" (G. Archer).

The incorporeal world then was already completed, having its seat in the Divine Reason; and the world, perceptible by the external senses, was made on the model of it; and the first portion of it, being also the most excellent of all made by the Creator, was the heaven, which he truly called the firmament, as being corporeal; for the body is by nature firm, inasmuch as it is divisible into three parts; and what other idea of solidity and of body can there be, except that it is something which may be measured in every direction? therefore he, very naturally contrasting that which was perceptible to the external senses, and corporeal with that which was perceptible only by the intellect and incorporeal, called this the firmament. (37) Immediately afterwards he, with great propriety and entire correctness, called it the heaven, either because it was already the Boundary{2} of everything, or because it was the first of all visible things which was created; and after its second rising he called the time day, referring the entire space and measure of a day to the heaven, on account of its dignity and honour among the things perceptible to the external senses.

{2} {philo means that ouranos was derived either from horos, a boundary, or from horaoµ, to see, horatos, visible.}

Gen 1:6 ¶  And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [{firmament: Heb. expansion }
Gen 1:8  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

In the King James marginal reading gives the alternate reading “expansion,” and the American Standard Version gives “expanse” in its footnote. Other translations support such rendering—“expanse” (Ro; Fn; Yg; An; NW); “expansión” (VM [Spanish]); “étendue [extent or expanse]”

Heaven in the Greek is ouranos, which can mean expansion. Therefore, that is a way of understanding what heaven is being a beyond somewhere up there in a cloud with some angels and some harps. Which I personally do not think that is what is happening anyway. However, heaven really is about the expansion of consciousness. 

God visioned two planes of consciousness, the heaven and the earth, or more properly, "the heavens and the earth." One is the realm of pure ideas; the other, of thought forms. Heaven is the orderly realization of divine ideas. Earth is the manifestation of these ideas.

heaven and earth--Two states of mind, the ideal and the manifestation. According to Revelation 21:1 we are to have new ideals with manifestations in the earth to correspond.

The kingdom of heaven is an expanding consciousness of truth or, we might say, an expanding awareness. To be consistent in our interpretation we should keep in mind that heaven always relates to consciousness and consciousness is relative. Not everyone is at the same point of development in consciousness. Jesus represents the highest development of spiritual consciousness.

heaven--The Christ consciousness; the realm of Divine Mind; a state of consciousness in harmony with the thoughts of God. Heaven is everywhere present. It is the orderly, lawful adjustment of God's kingdom in man's mind, body, and affairs.

heaven, firmament of--The consciousness of Truth that has been formulated and established.

heaven, restoration to--Faith in Spirit and the ultimate dominance of the good in all men will finally restore man to the heavenly consciousness from which he descended.

Revelation 4 A Vision of the Pleroma Revelation 4 and the Pleroma

A Vision of the Pleroma


Revelation 4 and the Pleroma

First of all the Pleroma did not always exist it was produced and formed by the Eternal Spirit this we call the emanation.
(He created the holy Pleroma in this way The Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex)

The word Pleroma means "fullness". It refers to all existence beyond visible universe. In other words it is the world of the Aeons, the heavens or spiritual universe. Bythos is the spiritual source of everything which emanates the pleroma,

The Pleroma is both the abode of and the essential nature of the True Ultimate Deity or Bythos.
The Pleroma as well as being the dwellings place of the Aeons is also a a state of consciousness

4:1 After these things I looked (when we are spiritually attuned), and behold, a door (a level of heightened awareness. It is only as the Lord, who holds the key, opens the door to the understanding of Heavenly things, that we are able to comprehend them. — Matt. 3:16; Ezek. 1:1; Rev. 19:11. ) standing open in heaven (an opening in the Firmament a way to the Pleroma). And the first voice (the still small voice) which I heard was like a trumpet (which is the seat of our deep intuitive knowing) speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, (raising into our awarneness to the super-conscious heaven that is the Pleroma. the Pleroma is has two different meanings the first the dwellings place of the Aeons the abode of and the essential nature of the True Ultimate Deity or Bythos. the second an elevated state of consciousness) and I will show you things which must take place after this.” (john did not go to heaven he was merely given a vision of Heavenly things. (Rev. 11:12.) "The seer now obtains a higher spiritual standpoint." What the Apostle beheld taking place in heaven has to do with those in covenant with God, those who are even now “in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”)

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit (experience our transcendental state); and behold, a throne set in heaven, and the One (the Allness) sat on the throne (Of the Universe the ruler of this Universe and the Pleroma). 

As soon as John heard this invitation, he entered another visionary state (cf. 1:10). His body remained on the earth, but he saw a throne and someone sitting on it in heaven (cf. Ezek. 11:1, 5).

3 And He who sat there was like a jasper (Sophia) and a sardius (Logos) stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne (Justice is "the habitation of Thy Throne." [Psa. 89:14.] ), in appearance like an emerald ( Green, the predominant colour of life. the Divine Being on the throne is described as "like a jasper and a sardine stone to look upon." A phrase like this meets the reader in Revelation 2:11, where the light of the holy Jerusalem is described as "like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." 
"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper." (Rev. 21:18, 19.)

4 Around the throne (Encompassing it on all sides — always in mind — never out of sight.) were twenty-four thrones (moving away from the center where the One set on the throne we see twenty-four thrones in a circale ), and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, (2 united Israels, 2 sets of 12 apostles) clothed in white robes (purified); and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (fully enlightened perspective)

5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. The 24 elders and the seven spirits of God are the emanation of the 30 aeons 

6 Before the throne there was a sea (the waters above the heavens or the Pleroma) of glass (the Firmament), like crystal (the Universe or outerspace "As the body of heaven in its clearness" (Exo 24:10; Psa 113:6). And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 

To be "before the throne" means to be in a high state of good judgment. When we are using good judgment, there extends into our future an unlimited area of pure potentialities of good. This is the symbolism of the sea of glass and crystal. The sea stands for unlimited possibilities. Glass and crystal stand for purity.

"Eyes in front and behind" refers to the powers of foresight and hindsight. These are possessed by the four beasts mentioned.

7 The first living creature was like a lion (man’s physical nature), the second living creature like a calf (man’s subjective or emotional nature), the third living creature had a face like a man ( man’s mentality;), and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle (standing for our inspirations and our intuition).

The four beasts in Rev. 4:7 represent the four main aspects of human nature. They are:

"like a lion"--physicality, the physical aspect of man, the physical body.
"like an ox"--subjective and emotional nature of man, the emotional or heart.
"With the face of a man"--mental or intellectual nature of man, mental or soul.
"like a flying eagle"--inspirational and intuitive nature of man, spiritual or spirit.

We have these four parts of our human nature, and all four are valuable to us, and yet none of them is of the highest. The highest, of course, is spiritual, our spiritual nature. These four beasts do not mean our spiritual nature, but our lower levels of human nature, except for the fourth, which means our inspirations and our intuitions leading us higher into the spiritual. 

8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy,[f] holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, [g]O Lord,
To receive glory and honour and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they [h]exist and were created.”

What does the Bible say about Parallel Universes and Different Heavens?

What does the Bible say about parallel universes 
and different heavens?

The Bible never mentions other universes. It only describes God creating “the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1) and interacting with people on earth.

However, it does describe different heavens. In fact, the word “heaven” is used in several different ways: to start with, it can mean the atmosphere, outer space and where God dwells. See “What is the third heaven?” for a discussion of these uses and an explanation of 2 Corinthians 12:2.

The “heavens” are also used figuratively to mean the political leaders (those who are above everyone else) as distinct from “earth” (the people they rule). For example, this is how it is used in Haggai 2:21-22


Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother.

Here, “heavens and earth” refers to the governments and people of the day. The same symbolism is found in Isaiah’s description of the overthrow of Babylon in Isaiah 13:13,15. Because the Bible uses the word “heaven” in several different ways, we need to decide by context what the word means when it occurs.

“A new heaven and a new earth” is also used symbolically to mean a new order of things (God’s Kingdom) where the rulers and the people change. This is how it is used in Isaiah 65:17-19; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1.

The Knowledge of Astrology

Spiritual Gifts and Realm Travel