Death by Ark

Death by Ark

Hebrews 11:6-7 NKJV

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

   From both the Scriptures and ancient Jewish sources we know the ark took up to one hundred years to build.  And it was a huge barge, about 450 feet in length, or a little less than one half the length of the ocean liner Queen Mary.  We know Noah preached to his generation, Peter tells us that in 2 Peter 2:5 - and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly.

   Studies of the Antediluvian world are difficult for obvious reasons, the world today shows signs of damage and we really can’t begin to imagine what it looked like before the flood.  But geologists and others have come to think that there was no rainfall on the earth during that time.  Water came from a mist that formed at night, a mist more intense than a thick London fog.  So if clouds began to form in the sky that would have been an unusual event.  And since we can believe that Noah was telling people about the coming flood, the clouds would have been a sign everyone could see.

   Then the gathering of the animals would have been another sign the people would see.  Animals that were natural enemies coming together in peace and waiting patiently to be taken to their stalls aboard the Ark would have been noticed by anyone in the area. 

   So with all these hints, I can’t help but be surprised that there were only eight people saved from drowning.  Eight - just Noah and his family.  It’s surprising and it’s also a chilling warning to our world today.  They saw and decided to keep on sinning.  “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (Isaiah 22:13b)

   As I have written before, I think I think differently from others.  I see a passage like the story of the Ark and ask questions, like, why did God need an actual Ark to save Noah and his family?  It seems like a labor-intensive project that took a long time to complete.  Why not have Noah go to the highest mountain in the world and gather the animals there in a handy cave and wait out the storm.  Surely it would be no problem for God to stop the flood a few feet short of the summit.  But then I think some more and realize why God chose the Ark.  It was the means of salvation for Noah and his family, but it was also the symbol of condemnation to the rest of the world.  The same Ark that brought life to Noah and his family brought death to millions more.  They saw it and heard the story of why it was being built and chose to ignore it.  They heard that the only way to life was through the single door of the Ark and chose not to enter.  The very existence of the Ark condemned them to death. 

   We are faced with a similar situation today.  We are the preachers of righteousness and we can point to signs and wonders and tell people to repent and ask God for forgiveness for their sins.  The Cross today gives the same choice to millions today that the Ark gave to that generation years ago.  Come through the one door and live or stay away and die.

   The ark must have grown in fame over the years and perhaps attracted visitors from many miles away.  I see traders bringing their wares to sell to the crowds and sightseers and important leaders who had to see the weird ship they’d heard about.  Noah would speak to them about God’s righteousness and His judgment on them that was about to happen.  And they would walk away not quite convinced. 

Acts 26:28 NKJV “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

   We, like Noah, have been ‘warned about things not yet seen.’  Just as the Ark was slowly completed according to God’s original plans, today we see prophecies in scripture slowly being fulfilled.  As judgment draws near it becomes more and more apparent that time is running out on the sinful world.  Matthew 24:37-39 NLT

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 

38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 

39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

   But….. 

   There came a time when the ark was finished and the door was shut.  The time is soon approaching when the scriptures will be fulfilled and another door will be closed.

Luke 13:24-25 NLT

24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 

25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

   Salvation is through faith in God’s Son.  And like the Ark there is only way to be saved.  Regardless of the scoffing of unbelievers, continue to bear witness to the righteousness of God.  As Noah warned his generation, we must warn people that judgment is surely coming.

Stephen Cram                                                                                                           June 23, 2013                     

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, following the tradition of men according to the rudiments of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. Colossians 2:8