APOCALYPTIC AND MERKAVAH MYSTICISM

Cosmological Secret

Reading through the various parts which compose the Ethiopic Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) one easily observes, that the revelations of all kinds of cosmological secrets occupy a prominent part in the apocalyptic experiences of the writers.

The apocalyptic visionaries are said to ascend to heaven and there, with the guidance of different interpreting angels, to see and learn about the operations of a number of natural phenomena.

The apocalyptist says that he has been taken to see "the places of the illuminaries, and the treasures of the stars and of the thunder ... and all the lightnings."

... He saw "the mouths of all the rivers of the earth and the mouth of the deep" ... all in all, it may be said that he receives a pretty comprehensive view of the cosmos.

The visionary learns the laws and rules by which all the phenomena operate : "And I saw the chambers of the sun and the moon, whence they proceed and wither they come again ... how one is superior to the other, ... their stately orbit...

The visionary is translated into heaven and there is instructed about the rules and laws of nature, referred to in terms of measurement, weight, quantity and proportion.

Apart from the fact that in some instances (1 Enoch: the Book of the Heavenly Luminaries) the revelation of astrological secrets come to further the idea of the sectarian solar calendar, the whole idea is meant to induce the impression of order and regularity in Nature. Where there is disorder there is either wickedness - as 1 Enoch introduction implies - or else the coming of the day of G-D.