Features
Is it time to build an ark?
By Gary Mimbs
Because of all the recent flooding I had someone ask me if they should build an ark. I replied to them, "Not unless God tells you to." When there is a extra heavy amount of rain and flooding it sometimes takes our mind back to the Biblical story of Noah. For those not familiar with the story, I will give you a thumbnail sketch but I suggest that you read Genesis chapters 6-9.
There are several parallels from the story of Noah to what we see in our world today. In Noah's time the world was so wicked and corrupt that God actually regretted that he had made man. I have to wonder as he looks upon our world today what his feelings are about us. Things were so bad that God decided to destroy the world and start over.
The Bible says that Noah was a righteous man who found favor in God's sight. (So anyone who tells you that living right doesn’t count for anything hasn't taken into account that God is watching and keeping score.) God's plan was to flood the earth and wipe out everything and then start over. God decided to spare Noah and his family and use them to repopulate the earth.
God warned Noah about the upcoming rain that would cause the flood. God also told Noah to build an ark and He gave him the specific plans on how to do it. It took a lot of faith for Noah to obey God and build the ark as the people of the earth had never seen rain or an ark (boat) before.
You know that Noah had to face a lot of ridicule and joking from the other people. I am sure that he was considered crazy and silly as he labored away each day building the ark. Instead of being vindictive the Bible says that Noah warned his neighbors and preached to them. Maybe that is why God told Noah to build an ark and didn't tell anyone else.
Noah did his part and built the ark according to God’s design. He then gathered his family and all of the animals and got on the ark. God closed the door and Noah and his family waited for the rain to start. When it did start, it lasted 40 days and 40 nights.
The people came and pounded on the ark and tried to get in but it was too late. They had not heeded Noah (and God's) warning. Noah couldn't open the door because God had closed the door. His time for mercy and grace was over with. Everyone perished except Noah and his family and the animals that were safe in the ark of salvation that God had provided for them.
Today many people of God are warning the people around them that Jesus Christ is coming back one day and this world as we know it will be destroyed. The people who don't believe are making fun and ridiculing the ones who are preparing to enter into the ark of salvation that God is providing. This ark is available to anyone who will just trust and believe but the time of God's mercy and grace will end one day and it will be too late.
God has promised to never destroy the earth again by flooding it. He even made a covenant and put the rainbow in the sky as a reminder. God cannot lie and his promises are always true. But his word says that he will destroy this world by fire and such destructive forces like we have never seen before. When it comes, those who have not heeded the warnings will be destroyed.
So I wouldn't worry about building an ark of safety to survive a flood. But I would consider preparing an ark of salvation to survive the upcoming destruction that this world will face because of our rebellion and wickedness. This ark of salvation comes through trusting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He has done all of the work for you. All that we have to do is be obedient and live in the safety of his love. We must come to him before it is too late.
Perhaps the flooding that we are experiencing is designed to get our attention and serve as a warning of the coming destruction one day. My advice is: Don’t build an ark (to avoid a flood) but make sure that you are saved by trusting Jesus Christ.
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