Word of Truth Fellowship

At the heart of this narrative is Mount Hermon, a place of immense spiritual significance. According to the Book of Enoch (considered Scripture by Ethiopian Christians and widely read in the Second Temple period), Mount Hermon was where the angels descended to earth, swore an oath, and rebelled by taking human women as wives (Enoch 6). This act, mirrored in Genesis 6:1-4, produced the Nephilim—mighty men of renown but also agents of corruption. Amos begins his prophecy with Damascus, located at the base of Mount Hermon, symbolically linking human rebellion to this ancient angelic sin. As Amos 1:5 declares, Yovah will “break the gate bar of Damascus,” signaling judgment on this epicenter of rebellion.

The connection isn’t coincidental. The Valley of Aven and nearby Caesarea Philippi (formerly Baal Hermon) lie in this region, reinforcing its significance. In the New Testament, Caesarea Philippi becomes the stage for a pivotal moment. In Matthew 16:13-19, Yeshua asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s response—“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”—occurs at the foot of Mount Hermon, the very place where the “sons of God” rebelled in Genesis 6. Yeshua’s declaration, “On this rock I will build my ekklesia, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” is a direct challenge to the powers established at Mount Hermon. The “rock” isn’t just Peter or Yeshua Himself but the rocky base of Hermon, where rebellion began and where redemption is proclaimed. The “gates of hell” (Hades/Sheol) evoke Job 38:17, where the “gates of death” tremble before Yehovah, signaling that Yeshua’s church will storm the defenses of the rebellious powers.

Yeshua’s Conquest: Reversing the Rebellion

Yeshua’s presence at Mount Hermon is deliberate. He stands at the site of the angels’ rebellion, reversing its consequences. The teaching highlights how the “gates of hell” aren’t attacking the church; rather, the ekklesia is the aggressor, empowered by Yehovah’s Spirit to invade Hades’ domain. In Ephesians 4:8-10, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18: “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” This depicts Yeshua as a conqueror, stripping authority from the rebellious “gods” of the nations (Deuteronomy 32) and redistributing it to His people—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Unlike the angels who corrupted humanity, Yeshua descends to earth (the “lower regions”) to restore and empower his people.

This conquest is foreshadowed in Yeshua’s rejection of Satan’s temptation to worship him for the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-10). Instead, Yeshua claims “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18), fulfilling Acts 2, where the Spirit unites nations at Pentecost, reversing the division of Babel. This is a cosmic conquest, where Yeshua reclaims what the fallen angels corrupted.

Matthew’s Genealogy: Redeeming the Fallen Legacy

Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1) subtly reinforces this reversal. Unlike typical genealogies that exclude women, Matthew includes four Gentiles: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. These women, tied to nations associated with the Nephilim (e.g., Rahab from Jericho, Ruth from Moab), contrast with the angels’ corruption. Enoch describes how the angels taught humanity sexual sin and warfare, corrupting places like Jericho. Yet Rahab, a prostitute, and Ruth, a Moabitess, choose to follow the God of Israel, which is the complete opposite of the lineage of the “Son’s of God” in Genesis 6. Yeshua, descending from these women, reverses the angels’ legacy, bringing righteousness where they sowed wickedness.

The Transfiguration: Triumph on Mount Hermon

Six days after Peter’s confession, Yeshua ascends Mount Hermon for the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8). Here, Peter, James, and John witness Yeshua’s divine glory, joined by Moses and Elijah, clothed in dazzling white. This event, at the peak where the angels swore their rebellious oath, proclaims Yeshua as the true Son of God, far above the fallen “sons of God.” Peter’s flustered suggestion to build tabernacles underscores the overwhelming divine presence—a stark contrast to the angels’ corruption.

Beyond Genesis 3: A Broader Fall

Western Christianity often focuses on Genesis 3 (Adam and Eve’s sin) as the sole cause of humanity’s fall. However, the teaching highlights that the Old Testament never emphasizes Genesis 3 in this way. Instead, Genesis 6 (the Nephilim) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) are repeatedly addressed as significant disruptions. The New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation, frequently references these events, portraying Yeshua as the one who reverses their effects. The fallen angels and their offspring influenced nations to rebel, but Yeshua’s ministry—culminating in His death, resurrection, and ascension—restores humanity and reclaims authority.

A Call to See Scripture Anew

Amos and the giant clans challenge us to see the Bible as its original audience did, immersed in a world of divine beings and cosmic battles. The Book of Enoch (especially chapters 1-16, the Book of the Watchers) details the angels’ sins, from sexual corruption to teaching warfare, and their impact on humanity. Comparing these to the stories of Rahab, Ruth, and others in Matthew’s genealogy reveals Yeshua’s redemptive work. I encourage you, read 1 Enoch whether you think it’s Scripture or not because the New Testament writers did, study these women’s stories, and explore how Scripture connects these threads.

Yeshua’s declaration at Mount Hermon—that the gates of hell will not prevail—assures us that His ekklesia, empowered by His Spirit, will triumph over the forces that once led humanity astray. As Amos 1:2 proclaims, Yehovah “roars from Zion,” and through Yeshua, His people conquer. Shalom, and may this inspire you to dig deeper into the Scriptures’ cosmic narrative.