The Days Of Noah (Part 6)

Continued from Monday . . .

Jesus said in Matthew 24 that it would be like the days of Noah when He returns. Today we conclude this series, with the fifth and final lesson, about what we learn from the days of Noah, as we approach the day of Christ's return and judgment.

LESSON 5 - GOD PROVIDES A WAY TO SAVE WICKED PEOPLE

Could the ark hold all the animals?

It is a sad fact that sunday school lessons and pictures perpetuate the idea of a fairy tale via the cartoon like pictures of an old man in an oversized bathtub with an elephant bulging over the sides and a giraffe poking his head out through the roof. The picture above gives a more realistic idea of the dimensions and awesome size of the ark Noah spent over a century building. I don't think the greenies of Noah's day would have been too pleased with Noah's carbon footprint. We're talking a lot of old growth forest for building that hulking vessel.

We need to remember that the animals came after their kind. So you didn’t need 2 poodles, 2 bassett hounds, 2 great danes etc. Just 2 dogs. What about the dinosaurs? Yes it would have had dinosaurs onboard. Based on a worst case scenario it would have needed to hold 45000 animals at an average size of a sheep. That would take 190 railway cars. Well guess what - the ark was as big as 520 railway cars. Even with food it would have used another 150 railway cars. That leaves another 180 railway cars. What do you think all that space was for? Why do you think Noah was preaching for 120 years? I believe God provided plenty of space for people to repent and come onto the ark (source Answers In Genesis).

God has provided an ark for the wicked generation of today. An ark for repentant sinners to flee into before the great and terrible day of God's judgment. Don't be deceived by the ease and comfort of western life in the 21st century. That's just how it was in Noah's day and the flood was upon them before they even realized. And be warned - something worse than a flood is coming . . .

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17)

This ark God has provided for us has a Name. It is the Name above all names, the Name that shall cause every knee to bow and tongue confess His Lordship - His Name is Jesus Christ. The first ark may have cost a lot of wood but the new Ark cost Jesus His precious blood. God made a way in spite of our rebellion against him. Many people ask why a loving God sends people to hell when they should be asking how God can save anybody without violating His character and nature. The answer lies in the Penal Substitutionary Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was more than the corrupt Jewish judges, or the savagery of the Roman executioners, or the schemes of Satan that caused Jesus' primary suffering on the cross. It was the cup of God's wrath against the endless mass of human sin that Christ drank in full on that cross at Calvary.

Did you ever wake up in the morning and wonder “where did all the stars go?” Did they all just disappear? No – but we only ever see them shining in their glory against the background of a dark night sky. And the cross of Jesus Christ shines in its glory against the dark background of our sin against Him. It was only when God helped me to see the awful darkness of my sin against Him that I could start to see the depth of His love for me in sending Jesus Christ.

Gaze into the mirror of God's law and see your need for Christ while there is still time to repent. Flee into the Lord Jesus Christ trusting Him alone for pardon from sin, His righteousness credited to your account, and salvation from the wrath to come.

God has appointed Noah’s for the people of today – us, to be preachers of righteousness! The kindness of God in saving wicked sinners like us should be the fuel that drives us to preach like Noah for the rest of our lives – even if no one repents – because God’s Name must be glorified. And guess what – I actually believe He might save people in this fallen evil world – He saved me!

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