Enoch instinctively pressed closer to Gabriel as they neared the flaming crystal wall and its gate of fire. He managed only shallow breaths until they had cleared the flames and entered the courtyard. Then he lifted his face to the star-glittered sky and inhaled the fresh-rain scent of the ethereal city.
Gabriel pointed to the archway that led to the garden where Enoch had last heard the Voice. One angel stood guard. “The portal stands open,” said Gabriel.
Enoch nodded his thanks. As he headed for the garden, he chuckled at his spry gait and the giddy desire to trot, skip, leap. With effort he governed his impulses and strode as calmly as he could. But before he reached the entrance, the angel guard extended her silver wings and blocked the way. She motioned to a covered walk that led to a stairway. Enoch turned to Gabriel for confirmation.
Gabriel’s dark eyes widened as he stepped to Enoch’s side. “Are you certain, Hanael?”
“I am.” The angel smiled and lowered her silver wings. “You may escort your friend.”
“Yes. Well . . .” Gabriel smoothed his black hair. “An unexpected privilege.” He dusted off Enoch’s cloak and straightened its shoulders.
Enoch searched Gabriel’s face, which held a tentative smile.
“We’re to approach the throne room,” said Gabriel.
Enoch ran his hand through his own hair. “Enter the throne room? Of the Holy Great One?”
“I didn’t say enter. I said approach.” Gabriel took Enoch’s arm and guided him down the covered walk. “Although who knows?” Gabriel mused. “I didn’t expect to get this far.”
At the top of the stairs they crossed a tiled courtyard, which fronted a palatial building. Angels with fiery wings guarded its flaming doors. The angels parted to allow Gabriel and Enoch to enter.
Enoch trembled as he and Gabriel stepped through the blaze onto a floor of fire. High above, lightning streaked across the paths of a thousand stars, and ahead, beyond an open archway, stood a crystal throne. Streams of flaming fire flowed from beneath the throne, Cherubim stood on each side, and upon it sat the Great One with robes glowing brighter than the sun, whiter than snow. Enoch’s eyes watered at the brilliance, and he looked away.
The familiar Voice spoke. “Come, Enoch, and hear my word.”
Gabriel ushered Enoch forward. They stepped to the archway, but there Gabriel halted. He knelt and tugged Enoch down. Enoch went to his knees, staring at the blazing floor. He blinked sweat out of his eyes.
“Fear not, Enoch,” said the Great One. “I know why you’ve come. Return to the former Watchers of heaven and tell them: ‘You should intercede for men, and not men for you. I am Mercy. But you accuse and condemn. I am Love. But you turn love into lust. I am Life. But you foment death. Therefore death you shall see. The giants of your lineage are evil. When they die – which they soon will – their evil spirits shall be barred from the heavens. Be warned: as they oppressed and destroyed in the flesh, so they shall oppress and destroy as spirits.’”
Enoch heard footsteps, but did not look up, nor did Gabriel. Bare feet appeared on the flaming floor before them, and an angel spoke. “A scroll for you, Gabriel. You will know what to do when you return Enoch to the grove.”
The feet retreated. Gabriel rose and lifted Enoch to his feet. “Thank you, Holy One,” said Gabriel. He bowed. Enoch bowed as well, and they turned to leave.
“Enoch,” called the Voice.
Enoch turned to the brilliant blaze and immediately closed his eyes against the brightness.
“Tell my Watchers: ‘You shall have no peace.’”
“Yes, Lord.” Enoch bowed again. Then he strode back to the stairs with Gabriel. The stairwell seemed dim now compared to the light that had engulfed him moments before. But worse, the hope in his heart had dimmed. ‘You shall have no peace.’ Though the prophecy was meant for the Watchers and their offspring, Enoch held no illusions. Their turmoil would spill into the world. Peace everywhere would be fragile.
- to be continued -
© 2012 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved. Based on The Book of Enoch, 220 BCE – 100 CE. Photo courtesy morguefile.com
