1In the Beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen. 1:1. (beginning: rê’shîyth...the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically a firstfruit), principal thing. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

The book of Genesis is a blueprint of creation in seed form. In Genesis is hidden all the mysteries of God relating to Adam. It is much like the tree, or even the forest of humanity, in a single seed. From those pages is the register of all the generations of the heaven and earth. The book of Revelation, which is the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, speaks of that forest with each tree bearing its full-grown fruit of the seed in Genesis. The other books relate to the process. Throughout the Bible are types and shadows which point to things to be seen and lived, some in Christ and some in Adam. The story of creation is especially clear in the first three or four chapters of Genesis. And to condense that vision, we can look more closely and see the whole of creation, from the beginning to the end, contained in the first three verses of the book. For instance:

1) In the Beginning God created, and Jesus said ⁸I am...the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Rev. 22:13, 1:8. We read also in the same book: ¹⁴And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God  Rev. 3:14. Therefore, it was in that holy Anointing, in that gracious Environment, in that realm of Perfection wherein God created all things. That is where it all commenced — in Jesus Christ! (rf. In The Beginning, Pub. #160.03).

2) The earth became void and dark. Adam left his first estate, that bright place wherein he was created. When he ate from the forbidden tree he fled from under his covering of light. His perception of God vanished as darkness covered his understanding (the face of the deep). He then had to feel after Him, along with the rest of mankind.

3) God moved, or brooded, upon the face of the waters, as He has brooded always over the waters of humanity.

4) God said let there be Light. God spoke Jesus Christ, the Living Word, and there was Light. He manifested Himself in the earth, and it was good. And all who hear His voice have their eyes opened to the Light and they will live.

That which had its Beginning in Light will find its End in Light; but there is a great chasm of darkness and deep valleys between. That is what we see in Genesis. Man’s journey is mapped in the book. Like an embryo, it contains the mystery of God and His creation. It illustrates God and man housed together in the same creature. Genesis is a synopsis of the Bible, and if we can see the spirit of its word, we will see everything contained in Adam springing from those pages. Every form of life bounds from him, with its record having been archived upon a few pages, waiting in the wings to be released by revelation and manifested throughout the ages.

Out of that first man comes that which is his nature. Good and evil emerge without effort. We also see the result of the divine seed sown in the soil of his earth. On one hand, there is that ever quest for God, with heart-strings resounding praise and reaching heavenward; while on the other, that which is carnal by nature strives ever downward, seeking always the earth. The book seems to be a tale of two men, of two trees, with one being godlike, majestic, and noble, while with the other is nothing but shame and failure. Nevertheless, it is a story of only one man, of one tree, and depending one how the man eats from it determines its fruit, whether of life or of death. (rf. Their Eyes Were Opened, And They Knew... Part 8 #03.158)

Genesis tells us how the powers of life and death are in constant battle with one another, yet both are growing from the same root. We see this conflict between Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. It has been the mystery of Christ and the mystery of iniquity springing from the same root. Of course, this ongoing war is not the finale of man. James admonishes that in Christ Jesus this should not be. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10. And Paul tells us where the victory of this dilemma is known: "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" Rom. 7:24-25. The End of man’s struggles is Jesus Christ. The end of all conflict is gained in our Lord. It is found in the same one where creation had its Beginning.

In the Beginning — in the First Rank, in Christ the Firstfruit, in the Principal Thing — God created the heaven and earth and all their generations. And please remember, this Beginning was not a starting point in linear space and time, but a Person, the One who carried every created thing in heaven and earth to the cross with Him, and then back into life in resurrection glory. All things were created in Him. It is in Him that all fullness dwells. For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things were created in, through and for Him. Everything that was in Him came out of Him, is going through Him, and shall return back to Him. Although it is not seen by most – we are complete in Him where all fullness dwells. To be reminded: ⁹For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. ¹⁰And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power Col. 2:9-10. Moreover, we are ordained to walk in that fullness Eph. 2:10.

Most of what was created in the Beginning remains in darkness; for having come out of Him it has yet to return. As the veil of darkness is lifted from the face of humanity’s soul, as the Deep of God calls to their deep, they too will see their Origin and will know their Destiny – the End, the fullness of God in their Lord Jesus Christ. And I say "their" Lord; for Paul was quick to tell the world that a day would come when every tongue would confess Jesus as their Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2:11.

Genesis 1:1 is such a well-known verse, yet it is seldom seen for what it is. Everyone can easily quote it; but few have explored its depths. For the most part, they have done nothing more than to skim its surface. The common thoughts and teachings have been like kids skipping flat rocks across the scriptural waters of the mystery of life. Few have heard the Deep calling to the deep. They have not plunged by inspiration into the seas of God’s mysteries. Understanding is greatly lacking; for the spirit of revelation has not pierced the dark veil over the face of their waters. There is no evidence that revelation has been conceived, only entertained. There has been very little manifestation of truth. And revelation without manifestation, as Stacy Wood said, is nothing but information. The church of every realm is full of information but falls short of manifestation. It is clear that true revelation has yet to dawn upon their veil of darkness, and if it has, they have rejected what they see.

If light has not dawned upon their darkness, is there anything we should lay to their charge? Unless they are willingly ignorant and fall into the ranks of the Pharisees and Sadducees, there is none; for how can a person grasp a thing they do not know exists? How can one desire that which he or she has never known? How can one respond to the reveille of truth if the call is not heard? Or how can the dead chose to live? It is impossible.

The person who is alive can help. They who have the power of life, can breath life, speak life, manifest life to the dead and quicken them; but the dead cannot bring the Son of revelation upon themselves. They are made alive by He who is alive, and by those who are alive in Him. Positive thinking from the realm of earth will never gender life from the heavens, not even a spark. Life comes from above and not from beneath. Without Jesus, all are without light. They are dead and come short of the glory of God. Frankly, a dead man has just about the same chance of living on his own as a worm has in flying with the eagles. Ah, but there is hope in a man. The worm of a man can change to a butterfly by the in-working power of Christ Jesus. But it is essential to know, there is no other avenue by which he can go that can make the change.

Jesus alone is the gateway of life. He is the door, the only door. His resurrection made Him the Lord of life with power over all death. All sin was atoned by the shedding of His blood. His lordship gave Him the power to impart that same life to you and me John 5:21. When we were born from above, it was by the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead, and we are called to walk in the newness of it Rom. 6:4. And now that the veil of darkness has been removed from our eyes, and we have been made alive by His Spirit, we are determined to know Him fully and the power of His resurrection Phil. 3:10. We know Him now, and we know something of His resurrection; but our hearts are bursting to know Him in His fullness, and to know THE FULL POWER of His resurrection. And not so much for ourselves, but for creation.

And as Jesus was given authority over all flesh, and He would give eternal life to as many as His Father had given Him John 17:2, so have we been given the same life and the ministry of reconciliation. Being members of His body in particular, we also have authority; but it is certainly not full and running over.

That eternal life and righteousness is presently being administered, but, without question, it is in limited portions. However, it will come like the rain when it is commanded to pour from the heavens upon everything God created in the Beginning of Jesus Christ. Not only do we see this allegory in Isaiah 45:8, "Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it," but a little further in the book as well: ¹⁰"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: ¹¹So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa. 55:10-11.

And the seed of salvation is in every mouth and heart; but never assume that such a holy seed can germinate by any element outside of Christ. No carnal command will ignite that candle of life. Salvation comes only by hearing, believing in the heart, and confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus Rom. 10:8-10. ¹⁴How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom. 10:14 -15. Preaching by hirelings will not do it; for they are not sent. As I have said before – they just went. The word of the Anointing, the word of Life, the word that speaks Light is what lights candles and removes the veil from the dark waters of sleeping souls.

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. Gen. 1:2. (was: became, same as Gen. 2:7, 4:3, 9:15, 19:26, Ex. 32:1, Deut. 27:9, 2 Sam. 7:24 (E. W. Bullinger’s notes in The Companion Bible. The NIV notes suggest that was should be translated became.)

Darkness certainly overshadows the church and all her daughters; but it is not in the people’s hands to make the light shine. They do not have the ability to do that. The light comes only from He who is Light; namely, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we cannot find ought against anyone who sits ignorantly in darkness. To do so would be the same as condemning the blind for not seeing. Only if there was a remedy to be had, and the blind insist that they see, refusing to be healed, can they be charged. That was the way it was with the Pharisees, ⁴¹Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remains.

John 9:41. People who love darkness more than light John 3:19-20 will reap that which is born in darkness, and that fruit is death. And let us be sure to know, the Pharisees KNEW WHO JESUS WAS; for one of their rulers made this clear: ¹There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ²The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi (rhabbi, my master...as an official title of honor), we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. John 3:1-2. Moreover, the high priest must have known Jesus was without blemish; for only by being pure could He be offered as a sacrifice:

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. John 11:49-53.

A man had never been offered for the sin of the people. It was unheard of. However, there had never been one to qualify until then. All had sinned and come short of the glory of God, except Jesus. The sacrifices had always been perfect animals which pointed to the Perfect Man, the Son of God, and they served their purpose until the true sacrifice came. Could the high priest have known Jesus was that spotless lamb? It seems that he did, else Jesus could not have been offered to die for not only the people of Israel, but for those scattered abroad as well.

Caiaphas knew the scriptures, and one which may have come before him is found in the book of Isaiah: For unto us a child is born, unto us A SON IS GIVEN: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6. It was surely clear to him that this humble man of authority was the Son to be given on behalf of the people. According to Nicodemus, the leaders knew Jesus was sent from God, and Caiaphas being the chief leader fulfilled his duty as the high priest and gave Him over to be killed.

Darkness covered the earth that dreadful day. There was no light, and the heavens groaned. The mountains and hills trembled, the earth shook, and the rocks were torn apart; for there was no Man. He died. He gave up the Ghost. The light of life vanished from the earth. Deity fled. Jesus descended into the deep for three days and nights. It was there that He preached to the prisoners and shined His light for them to see and live 1 Peter 3:17-19. He lead captivity captive Eph. 4:8. He captured death by the power of life. The veil of darkness over the deep was rent that day and light dispelled their darkness. (I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. Jer. 4:23-25)

Light is the foremost element of deity. The fact is, Light is Deity: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5. ¹²Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12. Moreover, there is only one deity, that deity is God, with Jesus Christ being the manifestation of that deity. ¹⁰...Understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. ¹¹I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior. Isa. 43:10-11. Jesus is God in the flesh, the Savior of the world 1 John 4:14, ³Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. 1:3.

It has been said by many Bible teachers that God created everything out of nothing, and this is simply not true; for such statements collide headlong with the plain truth of the scriptures. There is not one word in the entire Bible that says anything close to such an absurdity. If you do not believe this is so, please tell me of a place where there is nothing. Explain to me where an absolute vacuum exists, while at the same time you tell me that God is omnipresent and fills all things. To say such a thing would be an oxymoron; for it is impossible for God to be everywhere at every time, and for there to be a place in the universe where there is nothing: ²⁴Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. Jer. 23:24. ²⁷...Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built? 1 Kings 8:27.

God has always filled all things and He will continue to fill all things. Nothing can exist without His presence. He is the God of fullness, and it was from His fullness that He filled up Christ. From Himself, God created all things in Jesus Christ. He filled Him up with heaven and earth and all their generations of all time and space.

This is a mystery; but it is easily understood when the light of truth shines upon it. As it has been said, "Everything in the universe is simple to the one who understands it." The problem comes in not understanding, and not understanding is simply due to the lack of light. When light shines, mysteries are unlocked, and understanding dawns. That is what we see in the Beginning and in God. For instance, God, who is Light, created heaven and earth in the Beginning, in Jesus Christ, who is Light. All things were created by Light and in Light; but that light was not seen until God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." We can see the manifestation of that word more fully with Jesus.

While God’s Spirit was brooding upon the face of the waters, as it was with the rest of Israel, Mary lived under the darkness of the law. Light had not yet come. This covering of darkness was locked in place and remained until God said: "Let there be Jesus, and there was Jesus." This is the short version of Luke 1:26 through Luke 2:7. These eight words contain everything from the time Gabriel spoke to Mary until Jesus, the light of the world, was born. "Let there be light, and there was light," or "Let there be Jesus, and there was Jesus" is the same. There are many such seeds in the Bible, not to mention in the hearts and in the mouths of those who are born from above. The seed contained in a single word can furnish a forest with God’s glory.

The story of creation has such seed. The first three verses of Genesis are the short version of The Beginning To The End. Again:

In the Beginning God created, and remember, Jesus said ⁸I am...the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Rev. 1:8. ¹⁴...These things saith the Amen...the beginning of the creation of God. Rev. 3:14. Therefore, it was in that holy Anointing, in that gracious Environment, in that realm of Perfection wherein God created all things. That is where it all commenced — in Jesus Christ -- and that is where it will all be consummated! (rf. In The Beginning, Pub. #160.03).

The earth became void and dark when Adam left his first estate when he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In shame he fled from the light. His perception of God vanished as darkness covered the face of his deep (understanding). Although man hid himself among the trees of humanity, God never left nor forsook him. God moved, or brooded, over the face of his waters. When the time was right, God said let there be Light, and there was Light. He manifested Himself in the earth, and God saw Jesus, the Light, that He was good.

That which had its Beginning in Light will have its End in Light. That is what we see in the first three verses of Genesis, then in more detail in the first three chapters, and finally in the remainder of the Bible. We see man being made in the image of God, which is in the light of Christ. We see him leaving the light, his journey through darkness, and back to the light. After the light came, life abounded from every realm. The heavens, the earth, and the seas brought forth life after their kind, and so has it been, and it shall be multiplied many times over when God says, let there be light. The sons of God will shine as the first born Son over the expanse of the world.

Even so, as it was with Jesus, the high priests of today’s religion will know that the elect are sent from God, and they will kill them. Darkness will, no doubt, cover the earth for a season. Men’s kingdoms will tremble, the graves of the prisoners will open, and the sons of God will descended into the deep and preach to them. Even today, this is happening in a measure. In obscure places they minister and bring light to the remnant who have been scattered abroad and held captive. When we view the world as a whole, and we note the ratio of those who remain in darkness and those whose eyes are opened, it may be difficult to maintain hope.

Ah, my friends, this hope, although ever so slight as it may be, is not in vain! Can you not see the small cloud rising out of the sea in the shape of a man’s hand? Kingdom power is rising in mighty strength. Even if you cannot see it, let me tell you, there is a sound of abundance of rain. The elect of God have had their faces bowed low in deep absorption in their Father. The idolatrous priests within the borders of their land have been slain. To them, the curse of drought has been lifted; but there will be no rain except by their word. In the Spirit they see something rising from the church which is not visible to the natural eye. Nevertheless, when the fullness of the season has come, at the seventh time, as it was with Elijah, a little cloud will rise out of the sea like a man’s hand. That little cloud will grow swiftly and with power. There will be the mighty wind of Christ’s Spirit, not a gentle breeze, but a mighty wind. And with it will be the downpour of His word, His great rain/reign over the earth. 1 Kings 18:41-46.

At last, it’s beginning to rain! Praise God, it is beginning to rain! Even if you don’t see or hear it — it is beginning to rain!

To be continued...

Elwin R. Roach

In The Beginning Directory