“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:5-8 NKJV
Tuesday will be the anniversary of Noah’s flood, (if you use the sighting of the new moon to establish the start of the Jewish month as they did in Old Testament times), and I thought since Jesus linked the flood of Noah to the end of this age I would share some of my thoughts on the subject. For no reason I can think of, (other than the prompting of the Holy Spirit), I have always been fascinated by the story of Noah. In fact, at one point in time I spent considerable time and effort researching the possible location of where the ark might have come to rest.
Much has been said and written lately on the subject of God judging this world, even singling out America as a nation deserving God’s special attention. As we see evil growing and manifesting itself in sometimes horrific ways not only around the world but here at home, is it any wonder that many believe that we are approaching or even have arrived at the time where God will once again reveal Himself to mankind by directing His wrath upon an unbelieving, sinful world. As believers, we know that God has already warned that there will be a coming time of judgment just as there was in Noah’s day but instead of using water, this time He will use fire.
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth whichare now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:3-7 NKJV
While many in the world would use promises like this to portray God as being cruel and vindictive, they choose to not only ignore the fact that this judgment is well deserved, but also that God has provided both a way of escape and given mankind ample opportunity to make the right choice. In Noah’s day, even those witnessing the ark being constructed over a period of so many years never made the choice to join Noah and his family on the ark. It has been almost two thousand years since Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again as a sacrifice for mankind’s sin, yet slowly but surely that sacrifice has been ignored by more and more of the world’s population until we find ourselves once again facing the time of God’s judgment.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
Many find it hard to believe that we are still here after all that has occurred so far this year, and you can count me among them. Unfortunately though, some people mistake God’s patience for indifference or “slackness”. I can recall while raising my children and setting boundaries they often mistook my patience for indifference. The looks on their faces when my promise of judgment actually occurred was often priceless. Although God has promised a sure and final judgment, He is giving the world time to make the right choice because as a loving father, He wants no one to go to hell. Yet as in Noah’s day, more will choose to ignore God’s providence than accept it.
“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NKJV
The lie that God will not judge is the same one that Satan introduced in the Garden of Eden so many years ago when he convinced Eve to ignore God’s warning not to eat the fruit of the tree. Just as he was able to deceive Eve, he is also able to deceive many in the world today. The question for us as believers is how do we react to the situation we find ourselves in as the world looks more and more like it did in Noah’s day? Noah made the choice to be obedient to God, and followed His instructions to build an ark. In much the same way, salvation by faith in the gospel of Christ is the modern day ark which will save mankind from the coming judgment, and it is our responsibility to share it with an unbelieving world.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NKJV
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. NKJV
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Have you? Have you made the choice to accept the gift of salvation made possible by the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ? If not, if you are reading this you still have time to do so before God’s judgment begins. Becoming a believer is accomplished by asking Christ to come into your life and to begin to help you live life as He directs. If you want to do that today, simply pray this prayer to Him;
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen."
If you have done this today, or have done it in the past, you have God’s promise that you will be spared from the judgment He has promised is going to occur to those who choose not to believe.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:18-22 NKJV
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