In the Book of Genesis (chapters 6-9), we read of God’s judgment upon mankind – through the flood – because of man’s wickedness. Man had become so evil in his flesh that Genesis 6:12 states that even the earth was corrupt before God.
Genesis 6:12,
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.”
But amongst this evil people there was a just man named Noah who not only trusted God – but who did all that God had commanded him to do.
For one hundred and twenty years God was longsuffering while Noah and his sons built the ark per God’s design.
Genesis 6:3 states,
“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
1 Peter 3:20 states,
“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
During the 120 year time period, Noah warned the people of God’s impending judgment. Sadly, only Noah and his family believed God’s Word. After Noah’s family and the animals entered the ark, Genesis 7:16 states that “the Lord shut them in“. For seven days the ark sat – with no apparent danger looming in the distance. No doubt, the people laughed and scoffed. But after seven days, it began to rain just as God stated it would – and it rained for forty days and forty nights.
Genesis 7:10-12 states,
“And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”
The flood waters rose to fifteen cubits (approximately 24 feet) above the highest mountain. All people and land animals not on the ark perished.
The ark symbolized God’s salvation. There was only one door that led to God’s salvation from the destruction from the flood. The door remained open for anyone who would walk through it – if they would only heed God’s warning and trust in God’s salvation. Jesus Christ is our only door unto God’s salvation.
God’s Word declares in John 10:7-11,
“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 14:6 states,
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
God’s Word declares that if we choose not to trust in Christ for salvation we will perish.
John 3:16-18, 36 states,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Yes, the Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9]. But be very sure that there will be a day that the Lord will shut the door into heaven. If you are found outside, you will perish (that is, you will be cast into the lake of fire that burns forever [Revelation 20:10-15]).
If you aren’t saved, why not walk through the door of God’s salvation – by placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour TODAY?
