We’ve spent a lot of time the past few months talking about this spiritual region called The Underworld, also known as Sheol in the Bible.

Now, it’s actually part of something I would call my Underworld series, which started in July and will conclude in a few weeks. Only I didn’t call it that because I thought that saying we would do a 10-week Underworld series would scare a lot of people off.

And that’s because most Christians equate the Underworld with Hell. But that would be a gross oversimplification. That would be like saying that going to Texas means you’re going to Dallas. Dallas is a place within Texas, but Dallas is not the same thing as Texas.

Now, you might say that driving through Dallas is like going to hell, but that would mix our metaphors, so I’ll try to stay on track.

Texas is a big state, and it has a geography. There are different places within Texas beyond just Dallas. Likewise, Hell—as the fiery place of judgment—is actually just one compartment within Sheol. There are other compartments in Sheol that the Bible also tells us about.

And not just the Bible; the Book of Enoch also contains a pretty lengthy description of this realm. In fact, Enoch got to take a tour of this region, and he told us all about it in his book.

Which is pretty weird. And I’d like to read about that today and see how it lines up with the Bible.

And if you want to find out with me, turn to Revelation 20, and let’s get weird.

——

Note: Enoch quotations are taken from the Modern Standard Version of the Book of Enoch, available on Amazon (and I highly recommend it if you choose to read Enoch's book!)

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

4:15 - A Cosmic Mountain

6:35 - The Abyss or Tartarus

12:45 - The Lake of Fire

14:50 - Abraham’s Bosom

21:00 - Hell

22:00 - Two More Compartments

24:25 - Recap

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You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

I got sick! Something like strep throat- and I was in bed all weekend. I could not record a new episode this week, unfortunately, as my voice was not strong enough to record yet as of Tuesday morning. Fortunately, I had already recorded an extra episode a few months ago, and it’s been sitting patiently on my hard drive until I needed it. So, here’s a reflection on the Book of Enoch study- which comes at a great time, since next week’s episode will also tie in with some insights from the Book of Enoch.

——

You will often hear people claim that it’s “dangerous” for Christians to read the Book of Enoch.

And that’s literally the word that they’ll use. Dangerous.

I’m not trying to pick on anyone so I won’t name names, but if you google it, you’ll find plenty of people telling you that the Book of Enoch should be avoided because it can be so dangerous to your faith.

Now, I often find these fears a little silly and overblown. I mean, if I thought that the book of Enoch was dangerous to read, I wouldn’t have spent the first six months of this year studying it.

However, now that I have, I would say I think there’s one—maybe two—maybe even three fair criticisms that someone could levy against the book of Enoch.

So I want to share my thoughts on those, and then give a few reasons why I actually believe all Christians should study the book of Enoch anyway.

So it’s not so much a bible study today as it is a reflection or retrospective on this year’s study.

——

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

2:40 - Enoch & Paul Harvey

6:00 - Three Dangers of the Book of Enoch

19:15 - Three Reasons to Read It Anyway

26:05 - The Rest of the Story

Visit the Weird Stuff store!

https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!

Before we were arguing over flat earth vs round earth, before we were arguing over creation vs evolution, before were were arguing over whether Tom Holland has surpassed Tobey Maguire as the best portrayal of Spider-Man, there was another debate within the church: did God create the earth with a canopy around it like a dome or protective shield?

Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of this, but it centers around this mysterious firmament that comes up in Genesis 1:6 and 7.

The NKJV says

6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

What even is a firmament? The American dictionary says a firmament is “the vault of heaven.” The British dictionary says it’s “the expanse of the sky.” I don’t quite know what that means, and to be honest, I find it to be weird, and all I really care about is what the Bible says it is.

If you want to find out, too, turn to Genesis 1, and let’s get weird.

——

Sign up for the weekly newsletter! Get additional insights and Bible study tips for unpacking strange things in scripture. Enter your email here:

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Check out the website! www.weirdstuffinthebible.com

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

2:00 - Grossly Normal

4:30 - The Waters and the Firmament

7:25 - Theories on the Firmament

9:20 - The Firmament in the Scriptures

13:05 - The Firmament in Ezekiel

18:45 - The Sea of Glass

23:00 - The Living Creatures

27:50 - Closing Thoughts

Visit the Weird Stuff store!

https://luketaylorpodcasts.creator-spring.com

You can also find a list of past newsletters at that same link so you never have to miss one.

If you want to get in touch, my email is weirdstuffinthebible@gmail.com

Hosted by Luke Taylor

If you’re intrigued by strange Bible stories, uncovering Bible mysteries, or learning about unusual biblical teachings, this podcast is for you! Dive deep into weird Bible facts, biblical controversies, and the supernatural in the Bible, while exploring the hidden stories of the Bible you may have never heard. Get a fresh perspective as we explain the Bible in ways that challenge the norm and uncover the unexpected. I’m so glad you’re here- don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode!