Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

---

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark and the flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27).

It sounds as if the days of Noah (Noe) were lots of fun. They ate and drank, they married. They were regular guys who just wanted to have fun, right? Not really. The days of Noah were filled with evil. It was all around and even touched the animals. It became so evil that God was forced to destroy all men, women, children, and animals. Knowing the love that God has for His creation, whatever went on, whatever the evil was, had to have been worse than anything we have seen. Or was it?

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

That sounds a lot like today’s world. When we read the headlines in our newspapers we can’t ignore the fact that evil is increasing. Homosexuality, abortion, killers in movie theaters, cannibalism, child abductions and molestations, husbands killing wives, mothers killing children, leaders of nations committing genocide…I could fill this commentary with the evil that is all around us.

This evil is all satanically inspired as it always has been. Satan has tried for thousands of years to come between mankind and God and the events prior to the Flood of Noah were an all out effort to make the redemption of man impossible. He failed, as he always will, but Jesus referred to the days of Noah, and also the days of Lot, when explaining the end times to His disciples.

Understanding Genesis chapter 6 and the evil that was happening prior to the flood is imperative to enable a person to understand much of the Bible, and also for discerning the times in which we currently live. What was the evil that was so wicked in Noah’s day?

Many people believe that the wickedness that prompted God to destroy His creation, including men, women, children, animals, and vegetation, was that Seth’s sons married Cain’s daughters. Really? After Cain killed his brother Abel he was worried that he would be killed also.

“And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him” (Genesis 4:15).

Those who buy into the Sethite view of Genesis 6 need to explain why God would protect Cain the murderer but destroy the entire Creation because Cain’s daughters and Seth’s sons married. I am amazed at the stories Satan plants in men’s minds in order to cover the truth. I’m amazed that people buy into Satan’s lies. There is no biblical support for the “Sethite” view.

On the other hand, if you believe God’s Word instead of contrived stories you will come to understand what was really happening in the days of Noah. It was pure evil and Scripture says it happened more than once.

The “sons of God” were fallen angels and many of them were mating with human women.

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair: and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).

Even in English that’s fairly easy to understand. It says “the sons of God” not “the sons of Seth.” The Hebrew words are ben ‘elohiym.

This refers to a direct creation by God…Adam was a direct creation, but Seth was not. Angels are a direct creation of God whether they have fallen or not. The creatures created from this union were neither human nor angelic, they were hybrids; their souls could not be redeemed from the curse brought on by Adam’s sin. God loves His creation as He created it and this wickedness had to be stopped before there were no pure humans left (in their physical human makeup).

People chose to stay blind to what was happening; they ate, drank, and went on with their lives. When the flood came everyone perished except for the eight people who listened to God. Those who hold to any view other than that of fallen angels procreated with human women who gave birth to hybrids (Nephilim), are only diluting biblical truth. We see hybrids being created today and evil all around, yet even Christians are eating, drinking, and ignoring what is happening. The Sethite view of Genesis 6 is a blatant attempt at corrupting God’s inerrant word.Now, what about Lot?

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:28-29).

Once again these people seem like just regular people doing regular things. It’s interesting, though, that this time they aren’t marrying or giving in marriage.

Lot was Abraham’s nephew and they traveled together. Their fortunes grew and it became necessary for them to go their separate ways. Abraham let Lot choose where he wanted to go, and Lot looked around and saw the plain of Jordan and its beauty.

“Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other” (Genesis 13:11).

Lot made his choice. For all of its beauty and assets it was also where Sodom was. Sodom was a city filled with sin.

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13).

God will not tolerate sin, and later we are given a glimpse of the evil that thrived there. Lot’s move toward evil was gradual. First he was drawn to the plain of Jordan, which was lush and would support his cattle easily.

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12).

Was the real draw Sodom? Time went on and the evil in Sodom became so bad that God had to send judgment. Two angels, angels who had not fallen, were sent to execute judgment, but first they had to get Lot out of there.

“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom” (Genesis 19:1a).

Lot, who had been drawn to the plain of Jordan and separated from his uncle, ended up being an official in the city of Sodom. Well, we all know the story. The wicked men of Sodom descended upon Lot’s house, where the angels were staying, and wanted Lot to send the angels out so they could “know” them. Homosexuals? Yes they were, but in Jude we get a little more information:

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:6-7).

The men of Sodom went after “strange flesh,” meaning they wanted the angels for carnal purposes. The Greek word “heteros” is translated “strange” and means “a different kind.” Lot even offered to send his daughters out to them, but the men of Sodom wanted the angels. The angels removed Lot, his wife, and his daughters before God’s judgment began.

Fire and brimstone rained down to destroy Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities. God does not tolerate messing up the gene pool and the homosexuality and lust after angels was corrupting humanity like the days before the flood.

Angels are often recorded in the Bible looking like men. They are always male, never female. When the three beings appeared to Abraham just before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, they sat with Abraham and ate a meal with him. They were attended to as guests. Their feet were washed, they ate and drank, they participated in normal conversation, and by all appearances were men.

With that premise in mind, why then can we not conceive of fallen angels participating in procreation with human women? You might bring up the statement our Lord Jesus made.

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).

Nowhere in that verse is Jesus saying angels can’t procreate. He says the angels of God (godly angels not fallen ones) “in heaven” do not marry (procreate). He doesn’t mention fallen angels bent on the destruction of humans.

What about today? Surely we are far above such behavior. If not, surely God has changed His mind about this subject. No, we are not above such behavior and God has not changed His mind about it. Watch the news and you will see the days of Noe and the days of Lot played out before your eyes. The lack of respect for God is appalling. Same sex marriage is being pushed on us…as it was in the days of Lot…

Gene manipulation is becoming commonplace…as it was in the days of Noe…There are “scientific” discussions as to how human is human. Scientists splice genes together in order to create something new, but if part of the splice is human is it all human? What rights does it have?

There are debates over whether or not it is ethical to kill a creature that has some human cells (laws require these spliced creatures to only grow for a few days), yet abortion is not given a second thought, although the child that is killed is fully human. Is our society today any different than Noah or Lot?

We have reached that period of time known as the last days, and the Lord’s return as imminent. I believe the ekklesia (the assembly of the called out) needs to come to grips with Genesis chapter six because those events are happening again, just as Jesus said. Gene manipulation is creating creatures that God never intended to exist. Once again it is Satan who is behind this attempt to thwart God’s plan.

Many scientists are convinced that if people are crossed with cats our eyesight would improve, or if crossed with dogs our sense of smell will make our life better. The problem with that line of thinking is it is opposed to God’s way of thinking. Once cat genes are crossed with human genes you no longer have a cat or a human…you have a hybrid…as it was in the days of Noe…

All of this leads to the fact that we are very close to the time of the end. The Rapture will happen soon and after that God will pour out His wrath. Have you been putting off accepting Christ as your Savior because, you, like Lot, are lured by the wickedness of Sodom? Are you happy eating, drinking, and ignoring the evil around you? The time for delay is over. We cannot choose the time we live in, but we can choose where we spend eternity.

Noah lived in days filled with evil yet he kept himself genetically pure and obeyed God in spite of the evil around him. Lot chose to live in Sodom amongst wicked men, but he chose not to join in their evil doings. If you have already accepted Christ as your Savior be sure that you do not join in the evil happening all around you.

If you have delayed accepting Christ because you think you are having fun living in the world, you are wrong. Today…this very minute…you need to make your choice. Tomorrow may be too late.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

Ron Graham was called home on March 14, 2013. He began writing this commentary before his death and had asked me, Nathele Graham, to continue his service to our Lord by finishing what he began.

---

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Eight days before this, the disciples had been gathered together behind closed doors. They had seen Jesus crucified, found the empty tomb, and were worried that they, too, would be arrested. While they were discussing these events Jesus appeared in the room. They were very understandably confused, but Jesus showed them His hands and His side as proof that it really was Him. Thomas had not been there and when he heard about it he wouldn’t believe them until he saw for himself the nail prints in His hands and the hole in His side.

After all, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus had indeed died. Eight days later, the disciples had once again been gathered together, but this time Thomas was with them. Once again the doors were shut but Jesus appeared. Thomas saw and believed:

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and My God” (John 20:28).

For Thomas, seeing was: believing, but Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” That is us today…believing is seeing.

So many people doubt God’s existence. Whether a person accepts God as real or not does not lessen the fact that God is real. He does not need our seal of approval.

“He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true” (John 3:33).

In Matthew Henry’s commentary on this verse he says, “God is true, though we do not set our seal to it; let God be true, and every man a liar; his truth needs not our faith to support it, but by faith we do ourselves the honour and justice to subscribe to his truth, and hereby God reckons Himself honoured.”

I’m always amazed at how many folks think the Bible is just impossible to believe, especially the part about this Jesus, fellow. Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and the Gospels are eyewitness accounts of His ministry earth. Yet those same folks who doubt find it simple to believe that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin existed; and Alexander the Great for that matter. The accounts of these men are accepted, yet the one who stands out in most people’s minds as impossible to believe even existed─ is the One who died so they could live. That is, Jesus Christ…the Messiah.

It’s astonishing that many who profess a belief in Jesus Christ relegate the Bible into a category of myth and allegory instead of believing its factual accounts of earth’s history. Yet they expect to be recognized as born-again believers in Christ. I can sort of understand the lost world’s denigration of truth since they are blinded by: The “god of this world.” But why would professing Christians question God’s Word? The worldly people seem so wise, but are really fools.

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

The wisdom of this world…that’s almost an oxymoron! Wisdom is only in the knowledge of God and believing His Word.

“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). Let’s start here with the word “believe.” Many people don’t grasp the true meaning behind the word “believe.” It’s a simple English word meaning “to hold a firm religious faith – to accept something as true – to have a firm conviction as to goodness, efficacy, and truth”. In His Word, God says that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believing in the Lord means we must firmly put our faith, our hope, and our trust in Christ; He alone is our salvation. When Christians are asked if they believe in Jesus Christ they say, “Yes,” but many of these same people cave in when they are asked if they believe everything Jesus tells us in His Word. For example: When questioned about the two specific natures of Jesus Christ (Jesus is fully God and fully Man) many don’t really believe that. Yet this is a very fundamental truth of the Christian faith.

Other basic Christian beliefs that many question are: The virgin birth, His death on the cross, and subsequent resurrection. We cannot be born-again if there is even one component of the gospel that we hold in unbelief. Sadly many Christians fall into this category. We either believe everything about our coming King or we don’t, there is no in between. Unbelief regarding one or more aspects/attributes of Jesus Christ is the same as unbelief. If we’re going to turn our lives over to Jesus Christ then we must stop calling Him a liar.

A new believer in Christ, like a newborn baby, isn’t expected to understand everything about this new life in Christ. But just like that newborn baby, growth needs to happen. Step by step you learn more and grow. How many people saw Benjamin Franklin fly a kite in a thunderstorm? Yet it is taught in history classes. How many people saw the risen Christ? Hundreds. Yet this most important historical event is questioned.

Believing is seeing.

We see many people today who claim to be Christians but do not believe God’s Word, the Holy Bible. They desire to be called Christians, they believe that name fits their New Age concept, but they really want a “designer god” that fits their lifestyle. This is a simple re-emergence of Satan’s lie to Eve. When it comes to the truth of the Bible they would rather stand on their own spirituality instead of standing on God’s inerrant Word, which they see as myth mixed with allegory. Much evidence regarding places, events and people named in the Bible has been unearthed by archeologists─over past decades. For a Christian who believes by faith, believing should be seeing, but after so many discoveries have been made by archeologists─anyone who remains in unbelief is foolishly and woefully ignorant.

“He that is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30a). How can we say we believe in Jesus Christ when we stand opposed to portions of His truth? In the previous verse Jesus makes it plain that if we aren’t in full agreement with Him─which means we believe His inerrant Word─we stand against Him. If you are against Jesus in regard to any of His precepts, are you really born again?

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

It seems so simple, yet so many people question this truth. They refuse to believe therefore they cannot see.

Many Christians try to add works to belief and will tell you that you must be baptized: in order to be saved. Others tell you that you cannot be saved unless you speak in tongues. Some even think you have to be able to handle poisonous snakes in order to be saved. Baptism is an act of obedience. Speaking in tongues is just one of many gifts of the spirit and not a requirement. Poisonous snakes? Foolishness.

It is our belief in Jesus and His finished work on the cross that determines our salvation. “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). Simple…believing is seeing.

Another example of what some Christians foolishly refuse to believe about Jesus is that He is actually God Almighty. Oh sure, they believe He is the Son of God but not Almighty God.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

Others believe He’s their Savior but not necessarily the Savior for everyone. They believe in many paths to God.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Some professing Christians believe that humanity evolved from pond scum and that God was just an Overseer – that the creation account is simply an allegory.

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).

Some Christians don’t believe that the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

So on and on it goes. It’s amazing what professing Christians simply refuse to believe about the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus’ own words tell us what we must do to be saved (justified). He simply says to believe on Him…the One God sent. That’s it.

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29).

Why is it that so many folks find it necessary to complicate this? Belief is so simple, but people make it so hard.

Some Bible teachers would have you believe you have to confess all of your sins before you can be saved. Yes, many times we are told to repent, but what does that word mean? In the Greek, the word is “metanoeō” which means to change one’s mind. The account of the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts chapter 8 is a good example. He was trying to understand who Jesus was by reading from Isaiah 53. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading, but the man answered “…How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:31).

Philip didn’t give him a list of sins to repent from but explained Who Jesus was. Being sinless isn’t a prerequisite of salvation. You just need to change your mind about the need for a Savior. Belief is the only prerequisite to becoming a born-again child of God.

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16b).

Over and over again the Bible explains what it takes to be born-again, born from above from God.

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

We condemn ourselves when we choose not to believe.

If we are to believe God’s Word we must believe that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection paid the price for ALL sin. Those who are born-again are no longer judged as sinners, and over time even those living a lifestyle of obvious “public” sin will come to recognize their opposition to God’s will. This recognition of sin usually isn’t immediate upon believing in Christ. It’s a process and involves all three members of the Holy Trinity.

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2).

For most of us it’s a slow, steady, gradual process referred to in our Bibles as sanctification. Everyone who claims to believe in Christ needs to learn about Him and grow closer to Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. That is done by prayerfully studying our Bible, believing God’s Word, and applying it to our life. When we sin we need to confess to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).

In order to see Jesus first we must believe. We must believe that Jesus Christ is God Almighty and entered His creation and became a Man (the Man Jesus Christ). His Word is true as He is the Word; we can and must trust Him with our lives by believing without any doubt Who He is and what He’s done. Then by studying God’s Word and examining our own lives we will see sin as God does. We will get the mote out of our own eye before we try to get the speck out of other people’s eyes.

Christ paid the full price for our forgiveness.

Do you believe it? Do you see Him?

If so, live for Him.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham