II Corinthian 5:8-10 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Text Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

When it says that “Enoch was translated” it means he was transferred or he exchanged or changed sides. When Enoch was taken out of this world into the presence of the Lord, it was a picture of our departure. Enoch’s translation magnifies three things about our departure. There is the day of departure. It was God that determined the day! Whether it be by way of the grave or the second coming; it is God that determines when we leave, for our life “is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Moses said in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” There is the declaration at departure; “he had this testimony.” When we depart, each of us will leave behind a testimony. Paul emphasized this truth when he said, “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7). It was said of Abel and his testimony “by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). Lastly, there is the deliberation at departure; “he pleased God.” After deliberation of all the evidence, it revealed that Enoch pleased God. Will the same be said of each of us? Will we have pleased Him and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). It is not a matter of if we will depart, but what will be our spiritual state? “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”