Dr. Ray Pritchard Christian Blog and Commentary

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Ark of Salvation

  • Dr. Ray Pritchard
    Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based ministry serving Christians in 225 countries. He is the author of 29 books, including Stealth Attack, Fire and Rain,… More
  • Published Mar 28, 2011

“God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved” (1 Peter 3:20).

Thought Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), it doesn’t appear that he made any converts outside his own family. While Noah patiently built the ark and warned men of coming judgment, they laughed at him and said, “It will never happen.” So for years and years life continued without a change. Eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage. With each passing day old Noah looked like more of a fool than the day before. But finally the heavens opened and the rains came down. When Noah entered the ark, I’m sure his friends pounded on the door and said, “Noah, we’re sorry. You were right and we were wrong. Open up. Let us in.” But it was too late.

This is what the Second Coming will be like for an unbelieving world. It will be business as usual until the very day Jesus returns. Just as the pre-flood generation did not believe Noah, even so the world mocks the idea that Jesus is coming again. They call it a fairy tale because they don’t believe it will really happen.

Just as the flood brought sudden judgment to the world, the return of Christ will do the same. When the waters came, unbelievers were “taken” in sudden death so that only Noah and his family were left. When Jesus returns to the earth, unbelievers will once again be “taken” in death and judgment and only believers will be preserved by God. And just as the ark saved Noah, even so Jesus Christ is the “ark of safety” for those who believe in him.

Only those in the ark were saved. In the same way, outside of Christ there is nothing but certain destruction. Just as God didn’t prepare two arks, he doesn’t have two plans of salvation. Some people reject Christ because they scoff at the notion that they need to be saved. Take care that what happened to Noah’s generation doesn’t happen to you. 

Come to the Ark of Salvation while there is time. Knock on the door of mercy while the door is open.

“God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved” (1 Peter 3:20).

Thought Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), it doesn’t appear that he made any converts outside his own family. While Noah patiently built the ark and warned men of coming judgment, they laughed at him and said, “It will never happen.” So for years and years life continued without a change. Eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage. With each passing day old Noah looked like more of a fool than the day before. But finally the heavens opened and the rains came down. When Noah entered the ark, I’m sure his friends pounded on the door and said, “Noah, we’re sorry. You were right and we were wrong. Open up. Let us in.” But it was too late.

This is what the Second Coming will be like for an unbelieving world. It will be business as usual until the very day Jesus returns. Just as the pre-flood generation did not believe Noah, even so the world mocks the idea that Jesus is coming again. They call it a fairy tale because they don’t believe it will really happen.

Just as the flood brought sudden judgment to the world, the return of Christ will do the same. When the waters came, unbelievers were “taken” in sudden death so that only Noah and his family were left. When Jesus returns to the earth, unbelievers will once again be “taken” in death and judgment and only believers will be preserved by God. And just as the ark saved Noah, even so Jesus Christ is the “ark of safety” for those who believe in him.

Only those in the ark were saved. In the same way, outside of Christ there is nothing but certain destruction. Just as God didn’t prepare two arks, he doesn’t have two plans of salvation. Some people reject Christ because they scoff at the notion that they need to be saved. Take care that what happened to Noah’s generation doesn’t happen to you. 

Come to the Ark of Salvation while there is time. Knock on the door of mercy while the door is open.

One day the flood will come, and then what will you do?

Lord Jesus, help me to hasten by faith to come to you. May I not trifle with lesser things when my own destiny hangs in the balance. Amen. 

You can reach the author at ray@keepbelieving.com. Click here to sign up for the free weekly email sermon.

Lord Jesus, help me to hasten by faith to come to you. May I not trifle with lesser things when my own destiny hangs in the balance. Amen.