“All Aboard?!”
Did you know that there were only ten generations from Adam to Noah? Think about it; only ten generations from the point when God created man perfectly and in “His image”, until he became so corrupt...that, when God looked down he saw; “.....that every imagination of the thoughts of men’s hearts were only evil continually.”(Gen. 6:5) Only ten generations until the Creator of the earth and of man knew that He had to destroy them both.
The account of the Great Flood is one that tells the story of both great wrath......and yet, of even greater mercy. And you know, I noticed something that I had never before realized while studying this last week; are you aware that two chapters of Genesis were devoted to creation, and two to the fall of man.....but four chapters were devoted to the flood. What does that mean? well, I guess it means that there is definitely more to this event besides the fact that the animals went on the ark two by two and seven by two. You see, there is a very important message interwoven into this story that we all need to take a closer look at. And that is the intention of this sermon.
Let’s look at Genesis 6:6,7:
“ The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals,
and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.””
So often we look at the account of Noah’s Ark merely as a cute little story that we tell our children from time to time---we many times fail to realize the vital message of urgency that it carries to our generation. Unfortunately, the bible doesn’t tell us all the details of what actually happened from the time that God chose Noah to build this immense boat until the actual time the waters receded....so, if you’ll humor me, let’s use our imaginations along with our common sense and think about some of the untold details of this pivotal time in mankind’s history.....
Now, let’s just imagine that we were there when God told Noah that mankind had become so corrupt that He was going to destroy them and the earth.... I can speculate that Noah probably wasn’t too surprised at this because after all, he himself had constantly witnessed the wickedness of humanity---he had seen that no one feared the Lord any longer nor did they
care to even know Him. And I’m sure when God first told him of his plan of destruction, Noah might have thought that he and his family were also included--but, the scriptures say (verse 8) that “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Now the King James version translates this word “favor” as “grace”. The actual Hebrew word here is “chen” (khane) and if you will, notice that here in the account of the flood is the first time that this word “grace” is used in the scriptures........ No, Noah and his family wouldn’t be destroyed, for it was through them that the Creator
would perform an awesome act of mercy.
God said; “Noah, I need for you to build a boat.” Now, that seems simple enough doesn’t it? But wait a minute, this boat had to be constructed according to some very particular specifications...... Noah listened attentively as God said; “Let’s make it 450 feet long (1-1/2 times longer than a regulation football field), 75 feet wide and 45 feet high! Now, in my mind, I’m seeing Noah’s jaw drop to the ground at this point! Again, what Noah said to this is not recorded for us, the bible just says that he did it, but I can imagine what some of us might have said in response to these instructions..... ”I’m a farmer- not a carpenter” or “What do we need a boat that big for?” or “You are God Almighty, you can build it a whole lot faster”
But you know, I don’t believe that Noah said any of those things. You see, Noah was a man of great faith--while all those around him were falling victim to Satan’s alluring deceptions, he was holding fast to the hand of God. And it was because of Noah’s prior faith and obedience that the Lord chose to save him and his family---not only them but also to preserve
humanity through them.
From chapter 6:3 we see that God set Noah a time limit for accomplishing this seemingly impossible undertaking. He said; “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
What do you think went on during that one hundred and twenty years? I’ll tell you what happened; Picture this in your mind if you will; In a land that had never before seen rain, far from the water’s edge, this man and his family began construction of the most immense sea-worthy vessel that had ever been built. Noah “exercised his faith”---with every tree that was cut down, with every peg that was driven into place-- Noah sent a message from God. And the message was of two parts; one of judgment and the other of mercy--you see, as Noah day by day, week by week, and even decade by decade tirelessly labored in the building of this mighty vessel, he also labored as a “preacher of righteousness” as he is called in 2Peter 2:5.
No doubt people gathered around this man hurling insults and making light of his endeavors. But I believe also that, at first anyway, many joined in with Noah and helped with the construction of the ark and may have even believed Noah’s message of judgment. But, as time went on and they didn’t see signs of any changes in nature or even of a drop of rain, they were eventually drawn back into the state of apostasy that they were in before. And, as the completion of the ark drew nearer, the obstinance of the people grew as well. They continued in their wickedness, they wallowed in their disobedience and seemed to enjoy taunting the “crazy old fanatic boat builder.” But even then, I imagine that Noah continued to preach and plead with all who would listen.
You know, today we have a saying; “There’s room at the altar for you” but I imagine Noah repeated another phrase over and over again; “there’s room on this ark for you.” But none would listen, even those who perhaps gave of their labor for many years helping Noah eventually chose to harden their hearts and reject God’s warning.
How in the world could these people NOT believe the preaching of Noah? Again, in our imaginations, let’s go there..........Let’s imagine that we are in the crowd of those who were casting insults at Noah and his family. The ark is completed, the only door is open, forming a ramp by which those who choose to do so may easily walk into the great cypress boat. Now, at this point, inspiration tells us that the animals, led in pairs by unseen angels, calmly and orderly came to Noah to be boarded onto the ark. Think about it, seeing animals of all species, both ferocious and docile.....walking, crawling, slithering, and flying right past the crowd of unbelievers and into the boat!
But by this time, the unbelieving spectators were so hardened against the truth that even then they made no decision to repent and accept God’s offer of mercy, but rather, they tirelessly continued in their assault against this man of God and his message.
In chapter 7:16 the bible tells us that once Noah, his family, and all the animals were on the ark, that the door was shut. Now, this is very important, Noah didn’t shut the door, his sons did not shut the door, and no the elephants weren’t used to pull this huge door shut-- --the bible says that Yaweh(Holy name of God before translation) Himself shut and sealed that
door.
The scripture says that they were inside the ark seven days before the floodwaters came upon the earth. During those seven days, just outside this vessel of salvation, I imagine that the crowd was still carrying on their worship of idols and false gods-- probably even using some of the leftover wood from the ark to offer burnt offerings to these “counterfeit deities.”
They went on eating, drinking, and partaking in all sorts of revelry as if they had never heard the message from God.
The sounds of amusement soon faded though, when something that had never happened in that area before occurred; it began to rain. A dead silence fell over the crowd as they looked upward and saw water falling from the sky. These people were accustomed to the earth being watered by a heavy dew--never rain. Horrified, they began to wonder if Noah’s god was the true God..... and if this boat that they had seen being built really was their only means of salvation from the flood that he had preached about for these hundred and twenty years! Many ran to
the closed door, beating and banging, pleading with Noah to let them in. But, it was no use. You see, God closed that door and only He could open it.
Unbelievably, some still were unmoved by what was transpiring before their eyes, but then, the floodgates of the heavens were opened, and the earth violently busted open in many places-- spewing water hundreds of feet in the air. It was now evident that in a very little while, the earth would be completely covered. Now all that were outside the ark desperately
wanted in---but again it was no use, Noah and his family could only try not to hear the desperate crys of those perishing outside.
And so, in a short while, the only living souls on the earth were inside the ark, floating safely atop the raging waters that claimed the lives of every other living creature upon the face of the planet.
And they were alive because through faith, they built and entered into the boat that would eventually save them.
You know, when I was in junior high, I hated history class, and one day I complained to the teacher that it was pointless to study all this stuff that happened so long ago. I’ll never forget what he told me; “Dwight,” he said, “ history has a way of repeating itself, and if we can learn something from the successes and mistakes of others so that we don’t make the same mistakes, wouldn’t it be a wise investment of our time to peek back, into the future.?”
Brothers and sisters, what we are studying today will be repeated. The story of Noah’s Ark is without a doubt a parallel to what will happen in this generation. I don’t know about you, but I for one believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is coming back and I believe that it will be soon. Now when we say that, people are quick to remind us that “they” have been saying that forever! And I can identify with that, in fact some of the apostles kept the hope alive that Jesus would return even in their day. But obviously, He hasn’t returned- in bodily form-- yet.
Let’s take a look at what Jesus tells us in Luke 17:26-27
“ “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed
them all.”
You know, something strange happens to us when we realize God’s love for us doesn’t it? --When we accept His sacrifice on our behalf and when we begin living “by the Spirit” rather than “by the sinful nature”; we inherit a certain “outlook” on life. And we are saddened when we look around at those who live and act in such a way that it seems that they aren’t even aware that there is such a loving God in heaven that is pleading with them to come to Him and have true life--everlasting life!
It really helps me to identify with how Noah must have felt. For “as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man...” Brothers and sisters, the major difference between what happened then and what is in store for us is, that this time there is no literal “boat”-- You see, Jesus Christ is our only “Vessel of Salvation”. And just as it was back then, no one is going to forcibly board you onto this Vessel, you have to make that decision yourself. Our loving Heavenly Father gives us the power to chose whether we will accept His offer
of salvation..... or not--- whether we will get “on board” or chose to remain where we are.
Friends, there is an urgency involved in making this decision, but the problem is that today we are much like those scoffers in Noah’s time---we simply “don’t see the rush”. But, before they realized it back then, the door was shut and unfortunately, they were outside. Let’s take a look at 2Peter 3:3-6
“3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.”
When will OUR “door to salvation” be shut?.......... Well, for sure when Christ returns, and the scriptures are very clear that He will return much like a “thief in the night”---very unexpectedly. Yes, the Second Coming will be when the door is closed on humanity.......but, it could very well be closed on you “personally” before the sun goes down today. You see, when we die, the door is closed for us--we either die “in Christ” or “outside of Christ.”
And you know there is a popular misconception of how we know where we are; in or out. Some think that just because their name is recorded on some church membership role that it is also inscribed in the Book of Life. Let me just remind you that again, there were other people besides Noah and his family that built the ark, but they somehow found themselves on the wrong side of the door when the flood came.
Brothers and sisters, Noah had an urgent message from God that was indeed a matter of life and death. We too have a message from God, and like Noah our faith and love of the Lord should drive us to diligently carry that message to the world. Because the dark clouds of destruction are indeed gathering......the time is short and whether we’re ready or not, “the rain is coming.” May God richly bless you as you seek to draw nearer to Him.
