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The phrase 'the first seven revolve in the form of the seventh thousand' means 7,000 years. Here the days of creation are interpreted in the light of the biblical equation 'a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday' (Ps. 90:4; cf. 2 Pet. 3:8). The eighth day is depicted as a day which does not end. This may be corollary to the canonical Book of Revelation, which describes how, after the thousand-year Kingdom of God on earth, Satan is let loose for a short time before being cast into a lake of fire for ever (Rev. 20:7-10). It is not necessary to take up the issue of whether or not The Secrets of Enoch contains any canonical merit or inspiration. It is sufficient simply to note that this kind of interpretation and chronological understanding existed before and during New Testament times. (187:1) Another early text containing this allegory is the Epistle of Barnabas (not to be confused with the later forgery known as the Gospel of Barnabas), which states:-- Of the sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signifieth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end. And He rested on the seventh day. This He meaneth; when His Son shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the stars, then shall He truly rest on the seventh day. (J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers 284)
(187:2)
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