The Fall of the Watchers
Explanation from the Book of Enoch
In the Book of Enoch, particularly in the Book of the Watchers (Chapters 1–36), the story unfolds as follows:
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The Watchers' Sin:
- A group of 200 angels, led by Shemihazah, descended to Earth and took human wives, which was forbidden.
- These unions resulted in the birth of the Nephilim, giant hybrid beings who became violent and corrupted the Earth.
- The Watchers also taught forbidden knowledge to humans, including weapon-making, sorcery, and astrology.
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The Corruption of Earth:
- As the Nephilim spread, violence, sin, and chaos took over the world.
- Humanity became corrupt under the influence of the fallen angels and their offspring.
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God’s Judgment:
- The archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and Suriel petitioned to God about the corruption.
- God ordered their punishment:
- The Nephilim were destroyed by the Great Flood.
- The Watchers were bound and cast into the abyss (Tartarus or Sheol) to await final judgment.
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Enoch's Role:
- Enoch, a righteous man, was chosen by God to deliver a message to the fallen angels.
- He told them that their actions had doomed them, and their prayers for forgiveness would not be heard.
Why Were These Angels Punished?
The Watchers were punished because:
- They defied divine order by leaving their heavenly realm.
- They corrupted humanity by introducing forbidden knowledge.
- They created the Nephilim, leading to widespread destruction.
- They broke their sacred duty as guardians of the Earth.
This event is seen as a major reason for the Great Flood, which was meant to cleanse the world of their influence. The punishment of the Watchers serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rebellion against divine law.
The Fate of the Watchers
Enoch 10:11-14 (The Watchers are cast into the Abyss)
11 And the Lord said unto Michael: “Go, bind Shemihazah and his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness.
12 And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgment and of their consummation, till the judgment that is forever and ever is consummated.
13 In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined forever.
14 And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end of all generations.”
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