by dada » Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:31 pm
In the Enochiic tradition, the petition from the underworld is communicated to Enoch by the lower order of fallen angels. Leaving aside the discussion of what particular laws they transgressed to end up in this uncomfortable predicament, the scenario is similar to Enkidu's. They descended, got lost down there one way or another, and became stuck.
"the angels choose to ask the patriarch about interceding with God. This request for intercession before God appears to allude to the unique role of the seventh antediluvian hero [patriarch, seventh antediluvian hero mean Enoch] reflected already in the earliest Enochic booklets where he is depicted as the envoy bringing petitions of intercession to God on behalf of this rebellious angelic group. John Reeves suggests that the petition pressed upon the exalted patriarch by the imprisoned angels in 2 Enoch 7 is reminiscent of the language found in the Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 13:4) where the Watchers ask the patriarch to write for them a prayer of intercession. From 1 Enoch 13:6-7 we learn that this prayer was prepared by the seventh antediluvian hero and later was delivered by him in a vision to the Creator."
Is the Creator moved by the petition? Even if so, can the destiny of angels be changed? I don't know, something to think about. In another sense, these angels have failed a test. Enoch is another test, and this time they pass. The devil submits, is 'converted to islam.' Maybe the lord of spirits isn't moved by the penitence of the angels, but by Enoch's capacity for mercy.
Anyway, that's the lower order of fallen angels. To the higher order, Enoch says, “I have seen your brothers and their deeds and their torments and their great prayers; and I have prayed for them. But the Lord has sentenced them under the earth until heaven and earth are ended forever.”
And then he says to them, “Why are you waiting for your brothers? And why don’t you perform the liturgy before the face of the Lord? Start up your liturgy, and perform the liturgy before the face of the Lord, so that you do not enrage your Lord God to the limit.”
And they responded to his recommendations, and they stood in four regiments in this heaven. And then 4 trumpets trumpeted in unison with a great sound, and the Grigori burst into singing in unison. And their voice rose in front of the face of the Lord, piteously and touchingly.
Both his words and manner of speech seemed at first totally unfamiliar to me, and yet somehow they stirred memories - as an actor might be stirred by the forgotten lines of some role he had played far away and long ago.