The original ark of Genesis 6-8 was made for 8 people and a whole bunch of animals and birds. God was totally disgusted with all the evil that was taking place, and also with most humans. Only Noah and his family were considered righteous. There were ample warnings about what was coming, but the people ridiculed Noah for the whole one hundred years it took for the ark to be built. Up to that time, there had been no rain or flooding as God provided everything needed for all living things to survive. (all emphasis mine)
It’s said the earth was created about 4000BC. Going forward to the time of the flood about 2348BC, to the birth of Jesus about 4BC, God had put up with about every form of disobedience there was. In every era, there had been faithful people who followed God’s will, but they were almost always in the minority. Prior to Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary, people were to honor God by not worshiping any so-called manmade deities.
Just as there are many today who find it difficult, people back then found it easier to worship something they could see rather than an invisible Creator. If they would only have seriously looked, they would have seen God’s presence in just about everything. Before it gets misunderstood, I am not saying everything is God, but that everything was made through His will. Wood, metal, stone, and whatever can never make a loving Heavenly Father.
Those who became the religious leaders of God’s chosen people throughout the ages “tweaked” His commandments to fit their own desires and greed. As with many churches today, man’s word was presented, and God’s word was pushed to the background. They came up with so many rules and regulations that even our Savior was disgusted with them. He tried His best to get them to turn to the true loving Heavenly Father but was killed for His efforts. None of what took place surprised Jesus or the Heavenly Father or Holy Spirit. It was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, and everything happened just as scripture said it would.
Likewise, what is taking place today can be found in the Holy Scriptures. Changing weather patterns, increased earthquakes in diverse places, pestilence, and people’s desire for earthly things rather than following a true Savior are but a few that are mentioned in the prophecies. Hate toward anything that has to do with Jesus and all who believe in Him is increasing rapidly, just as Jesus, Paul, and others said it would.
God provided everyone an “Ark” through His covenant in the form of Jesus the Christ. All who will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). Our “Ark” is not limited in space to a particular number of people but is large enough to accommodate everyone on earth who receives and accepts Jesus as their eternal Savior (Romans 10:9-13).
Sadly, it won’t be nearly as large a crowd as God would like it to be. More will be on the broad road that leads to destruction than on the straight and narrow pathway that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).
Today, while there may still be time, all who have not called out to Jesus need to carefully consider where their eternal dwelling place will be. It can only be one of two places: Heaven or Hell.
A song written by Gordon Jensen around 1977 gives a good “altar call” to Salvation. It’s titled, “Come, Enter Now the Ark of Grace.” Please consider the words:
- Come enter now the Ark of Grace that God Himself has built; for every sinner, there is room where God removes the guilt.
(ref) In the Ark, there still is room; room for you, room for me; in the Ark there still is room; there is room for you and me.
(2) The door of grace will soon be shut; believe, come in today. Your soul’s Salvation is at stake; take heed, do not delay.
(3) The Ark of God is Jesus Christ, who calls to you “Come In.” To all who will in faith respond, a heavenly crown shall win.
(4) Then come, dear soul, in faith to Him; God’s name you will receive. A place in Heaven is prepared for all who will believe.
Jesus came to this earth to be a willing sacrifice for everyone, as He was the only perfect sinless “human” to have ever lived on this earth (John 10:16-18). When the song says, “A place in Heaven is prepared for all who will believe,” this promise was given by Jesus in John 14:1-3.
Grace is mentioned several times, and it’s clear that this “Grace” was provided by Jesus. We receive “Mercy” from the Father because of the great love with which He loved us, as stated in Ephesians 2:4. Going on to verses 8-9, “For by Grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
The song’s chorus is plain and simple; there is room for everyone. Satan and his evil forces are more prevalent in today’s world than ever before. We are seeing all the signs of the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, as given in Daniel 9. That will be the 7-year tribulation. This will not officially start until the man of lawlessness – antichrist – is revealed, as given in 2 Thessalonians 2.
Because God promised that all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will not go through the Wrath (another word for the tribulation), the Rapture must take place before that 7-year period of time. Those verses are found in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10.
For all who refuse to believe in and accept Jesus as their Savior, God will send them a Great Delusion so that they will believe in what is false (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.”
God does not take delight in anyone choosing hell and would rather everyone repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). This being said, He allows us a free will choice as to where we will spend eternity. A truly loving God will not force Himself on anyone but will honor whatever choice we may make.
Forever is real, and no one can opt out for any other options. It will be forever with Jesus in a Heavenly Paradise or forever in total darkness with Satan in eternal punishment. All who refuse Jesus will answer for every and all sins they will have committed in their lifetimes.
If you are considering that you might want the Gift of “Pardon” for all of your sins, today would not be too early to call on Jesus. He will be coming soon to take all believers up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). After that call, it will still be possible to be saved, but the cost will be very heavy. With the delusion, most that were left behind will choose to follow the antichrist.
Think carefully, and please call on Jesus soon. Missing the wrath/tribulation would be the most important and greatest decision you will ever make. “Come Enter Now the Ark of Grace.”
Shalom!