In the Beginning and in the End :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: June 27, 2026 by RR10

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

If you don’t study Genesis, you miss out on a lot of important knowledge. It’s easy to get confused if you don’t have a proper foundation of truth to stand on. The first verse of Genesis is loaded with information.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

First of all, there was a beginning, and God was there. He was there before anything was created. Something that you miss when reading the verse in English is that the word “God” is from the Hebrew word “‘ĕlōhîm.” This is a plural. In the Hebrew language, a plural is at least three. That helps us to understand the Trinity.

If that isn’t clear enough, verse two says, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).

The rûaḥ, (the Spirit of God) moved, or hovered, upon the face of the waters. After that, God spoke all things into being. If we turn to the New Testament, we see who spoke. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

Jesus spoke, the Spirit hovered, and the Father was over all. When I read these verses, I get a peace knowing that God (the Triune God) sent Jesus (the second person of the Trinity) to purchase our redemption through the shedding of His blood, and the Holy Spirit indwells us. Praise ‘ĕlōhîm…the one God in three persons. He was there in the beginning, and He will be there in the end.

What about the rûaḥ (the Spirit)? His role is very important, but He mostly works behind the scenes. The Spirit draws people to God and leads all who come to faith, but was also active in the Old Testament. Some examples are found in Numbers 11:25, Judges 3:10, Judges 6:34, Judges 11:29, and many, many more. In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit would come upon people, and they would do great things for the Lord, but then the Spirit would go from them. King Saul is a good example of this. The prophet Samuel anointed him as king and told him many things that would happen.

Samuel said, “And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man” (1 Samuel 10:6).

All that Samuel said came to pass. “And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them” (1 Samuel 10:10).

Saul was changed, and people saw the change; but Saul had many problems, and often an evil spirit took over. In Old Testament times, the Spirit came upon people but didn’t indwell them and could depart from them. It happened to Saul.

“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:14).

Saul was a very mixed-up person and lost favor with God. The Holy Spirit protected Saul from evil, but once the Spirit departed, evil was able to cause him trouble.

Eventually, David became king over Israel, and David loved the Lord. He wasn’t perfect, but when he sinned, he didn’t make excuses for his actions. One of the most anguished pleas for forgiveness is seen in Psalm 51. David had committed great sin. He impregnated the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers (sin 1), then he made sure that soldier was killed in battle (sin 2). Then he went on as if nothing was wrong (sin 3). His sin was brought to his attention, and David was brokenhearted over it. David went to God for mercy and cleansing.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).

He knew he sinned, but he also knew the sin was against God. David was a man after God’s own heart, not because he never sinned, but because he desired to please God and live righteously before Him.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me” (Psalm 51:10-11).

David knew the seriousness of his sin and was justifiably afraid of the Holy Spirit departing from him. Then David made a promise: “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:13).

He knew he couldn’t live a life of sin and honor God at the same time. David wrote many Psalms, and his life is still an example of a man who served God. We can all learn from David. We must ask the question, “If the Holy Spirit could be taken away from David, can the Holy Spirit be taken away from us today?”

Remember, David, Saul, and all the prophets lived before the Cross. The prophets spoke God’s truth by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and He is in the world today. He still draws people to God; He speaks through those who are willing to speak for God, but His ways have changed. David could have lost his anointing, and the Holy Spirit could have been taken away. Today we are blessed in a way that David could only dream of. We cannot lose the Holy Spirit. Our salvation is secure from the moment we truly believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

When a sinner (that’s all of us) first realizes that we are bound for Hell unless we turn to Jesus for redemption, then repents (truly repents) of the sin that condemns all of us and asks Jesus to forgive our sin, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, and the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12-14).

Sealed. The Greek word is sphragizō, and it means to make secure. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

That’s security. Have you asked God to forgive your sins? Did you mean it? Too often we make big promises when we feel threatened, but after the danger passes, we revert back to worldly ways. If you meant the words, then live the promise. David desired that he could teach others of God’s love and forgiveness.

“Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:13). Are you teaching others?

Study the words Jesus spoke to His disciples prior to His crucifixion. He knew what was going to happen and wanted them to find peace.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17).

Does that give you comfort? It comforts me. English doesn’t give the full impact of what Jesus said. There are two Greek words that are translated “another,” and it’s important to know which word is being used. One word is “heteros,” which doesn’t mean anything specific. For instance, if I ate a plain donut and wanted another one, not necessarily a plain one, I’d ask for a heteros donut. On the other hand, if I asked for an allos donut, I would be asking for another of the same kind. I would want another plain donut. So, when Jesus said he would ask the Father to give another Comforter, He used the word allos…another of the same kind.

Go back to Genesis and understand that God is three persons. Each one is God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Comforter which Jesus would ask for was like Him…God. This Comforter would indwell Christians. Instead of coming upon us and then leaving, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. What a blessing; what a comfort! Our salvation is secure. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us will guide us into a closer walk with our Lord. Heed His guidance.

Most Christians today deny the power dwelling within us. The Apostle Paul spoke of the times in which we live and explained why Christians seem so weak today:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Wow, that seems to describe many Christians today. We can’t say we’re Christians then live like worldly people and still have the power of the Holy Spirit. He isn’t weak, but we deny His power. We are in very troubled times, and it’s obvious that the end of days is swiftly approaching. What will happen to the Holy Spirit then? Remember that He was there in the beginning, and He will be there at the end. Just not like He’s indwelling us today.

The Rapture is a fact. Many Christians think that it’s a new interpretation of Scripture, but the truth is that it goes back to Genesis. No, it isn’t a new idea. Today, we see so much prophecy unfolding that points to the end of days that we can be certain that the Rapture will happen very, very soon. Once Christians have been taken away from the horrors that will unfold during the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit will continue His work in the same way He worked during the Old Testament.

Paul was very upset with those in Thessalonica because they believed a false letter stating that the Rapture had already happened. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Those words need to be heeded by those who think there will be no Rapture of the Church. Certainly, unsettling things will happen prior to the Rapture, and we see those events today. Prophetic wars are happening, and the world is turning against Israel. Zechariah had a lot to say about all nations turning against Israel, as did Isaiah and Ezekiel. We see earthquakes, pestilence, famine, and more. Jesus told His disciples about the end times and what to look for. He knew what He said was for a future time, not theirs.

He told them, and us, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Christians have been purchased with a price that only Jesus could pay, and we’ve been sealed until the time of redemption. Jesus will call His bride Home very, very soon.

Once Christians have gone Home, then God will turn His attention back to Israel. No, the church has not replaced Israel. In fact, the Tribulation is what will cause Israel to call upon the Lord for help in their fight.

There will be people who choose to reject Christ for salvation prior to the Rapture, who will come to salvation after the Rapture, but they aren’t part of the church; the Holy Spirit will have drawn them to faith, just as He did in Old Testament times. They won’t be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but their faith will be real. They’ll face very troubling times because they must keep true to God and not worship the Beast nor take his mark. It will be very trying times, and a strong commitment to God is required. Only God can restrain evil, and the man of sin can only be revealed after Christians are in Heaven. Being indwelt with the Holy Spirit creates a restraint against pure evil.

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

The English word “letteth” is from the Greek katechō, meaning to hold back, restrain. It’s the Holy Spirit indwelling Christians that restrains full demonic evil. When we are called Home, the Anti-Christ will be able to work his evil in the world.

When Jesus was about to ascend into Heaven, He spoke with His disciples and gave them marching orders. He knew they were equipped for the battle ahead of them. They would face persecution and martyrdom because of their faith. He told them:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).

They could only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them. The day of Pentecost would come, and the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon them. The word “world” is from the Greek word “aiōn,” meaning “age.” At the end of the “church age” (at the Rapture), the Holy Spirit will no longer indwell people but will still be active in drawing people to faith. Most translations use age instead of world. The disciples had their marching orders; they obeyed through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we are blessed today because of them. We have those same marching orders and the same Holy Spirit dwelling in us. We need to get busy. The end of the church age is coming.

The Holy Spirit was there in the beginning, and He will be there at the end. Don’t deny His power, and heed the marching orders from Christ. Preach the word.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

Where Are the Godly Men? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: June 20, 2026 by RR10

It’s a fact that God created everything. He created the sun, moon, and stars; He created every animal kind, and His ultimate creation was humans. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). This fact has been attacked by Satan for many centuries. Creation isn’t a random string of accidents but a deliberate plan by God. Every part of creation shows God’s design and love for what He created.

When all things were in place to support human life, God created man. The Hebrew word for “man” is “Adam”; hence, Adam was the first human. God gave Adam responsibility. Even in Paradise, there are rules. He was to tend to the Garden and name the animals, but he wasn’t to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Some time later, when Adam needed someone to help him, God took Eve from him. The Hebrew word translated Eve is “haua” pronounced “khav-vaw.” Adam fell in love when he saw Eve for the first time. He made a proclamation that should be heeded today.

“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:23-24).

Many modern translations say “joined to his wife” instead of “cleave unto his wife.” This doesn’t mean that you can’t have multiple generations in the same home, but a man needs to lead his own family. Man and woman are both very important in God’s eyes, and each has a distinct place in life. Even though there were only two people in all of creation, Adam knew that there would be more, and knew that their children would multiply. He made the prophetic statement that a man should leave his parents’ authority and take a wife and “cleave” (or cling or join) to her. The one man/one woman idea began in the Garden of Eden and is God’s way even today. He never changes.

What happened? What has caused the trouble we see in marriage today? The simple answer is sin. Adam loved his wife so much that he didn’t seem to want to upset her. When she listened to the voice of deception and ate the forbidden fruit, Adam submitted to his wife’s foolishness. Why didn’t he stop her? Instead of being a man who stood firmly on God’s commands, he submitted to Eve’s foolishness.

God had told Adam, very clearly in a way that couldn’t possibly be misunderstood. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

God didn’t say “if” you eat it, but knew Adam would be weak. God said “in the day that thou eatest thereof.” Eve listened to the lying serpent instead of God, who had created her. Adam chose to follow her in sin. Too many women today follow that same pattern. Instead of striving to honor God and submit to their husband, they want to be the authority over men. The Apostle Paul made it clear that women are to submit to their husbands and learn from them.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

Was Paul a chauvinist? No, he was a scholar who understood that men and women have equally important roles in God’s creation, but each role is separate. He studied the Old Testament and knew what the Genesis account meant. I realize that I’m a woman who writes commentaries on Scriptural issues. I only study the men whose ministries my husband studied. In that way, I believe I submit to my husband’s authority. The role of men and women is clearly seen in all of Scripture. In the Book of Judges, Deborah was a prophetess and knew that Barak was to lead Israel against Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army. Barak knew he had to fight, but would only go if Deborah went with him.

“And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me then I will not go” (Judges 4:8).

I have always wondered about Barak. God used him, but he seems a bit of a wimp. The point is, Deborah was willing to do whatever she could for the Lord. She pointed out to Barak that it wasn’t for his honor she was going, but to honor God. Yes, if a man won’t step up to battle for the Lord, then God will use a woman to accomplish his purpose.

Where are the Godly men today? The men who are men of integrity? Too many boys are being raised by single mothers who can’t show a boy how to be a man. If you’re one of those boys, or if the man in your household isn’t Godly, remember that you have a Father in Heaven who has given Scripture as a guide.

Look in Genesis to see how Abraham was called out of a pagan life and willingly allowed God to show him a better way. Abraham learned to trust God. Still, he made mistakes. Like Adam, Abraham allowed his wife to make decisions contrary to God’s way. God had promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a child, but Abraham and Sarah were quite old, and Sarah was well past child-bearing age. So, Sarah decided to “help” God and talked Abraham into having a child with her maid, Hagar.

“And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife” (Genesis 16:3).

What could go wrong? When you don’t trust God, everything can and will go wrong. Hagar did have a son, who was named Ishmael, and there was much trouble because Abraham and Sarah didn’t trust God to accomplish His promise.

In time, Sarah did become pregnant, and Isaac was the son God had promised Abraham and Sarah. Sarah had come up with a plan, and Abraham just went along. It wasn’t God’s plan. Abraham should have firmly stood on God’s promise. Adam listened to Eve, and the whole world was corrupted. Abraham listened to Sarah, and the Ishmaelites have been trouble for the world ever since. The world has always needed men who stood firmly upon God’s promises, even if their wives have a “better” idea.

There are many examples of men who fear the Lord but fail in their walk with Him. Today it’s very difficult to find true men of God. How can you qualify to be a Godly man? First, love God. A scribe once challenged Jesus as to which is the first commandment.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:29-30).

If a man can love God in that way, the rest of his life will fall into place. Let me ask you a question: do you watch sports? If so, you probably know the stats of your favorite players. Do you follow your favorite team daily? What about vehicles? Now let me ask you: what’s your wife’s favorite color? Does she like flowers? Which flower would she love to get as a surprise from you, just because you love her? If you aren’t married, do you respect your future wife enough to keep yourself pure? What about God? Do you study Scripture as closely as you study sports? We need Godly men in this world; we need men of integrity. Where are the Godly men?

Marriage was ordained of God in the Garden of Eden, and His feelings about marriage haven’t changed at all. Marriage is a “picture” of Jesus’ love for His ekklesia (His church).

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, The he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

Does that describe you? Do you expect your wife to work all day, keep the house perfectly clean, do the laundry, shuffle the children to babysitters and school functions, cook breakfast, make lunches, then cook dinner? That’s not a marriage; that’s a slave driver. Stop and examine your relationship with God. Do you honor Him, or do you think He expects too much of you? Do you love your wife as Jesus loved the church? Remember, Jesus gave His life for His Bride. Are you willing to set your selfish ways aside and sacrifice for your bride? We need Godly men who honor God each and every day.

What about your children? Are you an example of a Godly man that your sons can respect? Do you show them that a man honors God in all aspects of his life? What about your daughters? They need to see an example of the type of man to look for when choosing a husband. A Godly man will love his children and be the example they can follow throughout their lives. Do they see you studying God’s word? Do you lead your family in prayer? My youngest daughter would love to meet a Godly man whom she can respect. Her father, my husband, gave a hard example for any man to follow, and my daughter has no desire to settle for less.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Godly men bless their entire family. By the way, we also need Godly women who submit to God.

Godly men include grandpas, uncles, and brothers in Christ. If you see a family in need, step up. Be the example that a young man who has no Godly example to follow can be shown the right path. Remember to put God first, serve God, and don’t compromise. I’m blessed to know some very Godly men. These men are getting older. Where are the younger Godly men? If you’re a man, there’s a Godly man living in you. Let him out.

I’m sort of hurrying this along. I need to go get Mandi from work. I’ll be glad when we get her problem diagnosed, and hopefully it will be something that can be dealt with easily.