Understanding the "Why"
Genesis 7:16b Then the Lord shut him in.
I can’t imagine what that moment must have been like for Noah and his family. It had to be a double sword in some ways. They were certainly glad that they would escape the judgment of God, but they knew that every living thing outside that door in a short matter of time would be dead and they would be the only people left on this earth. I would think that Noah was glad that he didn’t have to make the decision to shut the door. That would have been a huge burden to carry the rest of his life. We don’t know if the people outside were screaming to let them in once the water started rising, but Noah knew what it must have been like for them. Fathers and mothers would be trying to hold their children above the water as long as they could. Some no doubt would try to cling to any wood or trees they could find, but eventually they all gave into the raging waters. Then there came the quietness when at last they had all died. What must have went through Noah’s mind and that of his family. God’s judgment had come, and all but their family were left wanting for something to save them.
Maybe you have heard similar stories of the tragic loss of life when the great ship Titanic sank. I heard that possibly the hardest time for the survivors was hearing the screams and cries for help as they sat in their life boats, but could do nothing to help them. Then they said that there came the terrible moment, when at last there were no more cries. There was only silence. They said that the few in the life boats never spoke a word. The tragic loss of life, many their own loved ones, were lost to the freezing waters of the ocean. We should all pray that we would not have to go through such terrible events as these two. Sad to say there are many that still do happen just in smaller ways. Just this past week there has been tornados and flooding throughout the midwest of the United States.
As bad as all these have been it will be small in comparison to that of the Great White Throne Judgment of God. (Rev 20:11-14) It will be at this time all humanity that has ever lived will have to come and stand before God to be determined if they will be able to go to heaven and be blessed with Jesus for all eternity, or they will go to hell where they will be in torment for all eternity.
(Matt 25:31-46)
Lk 13:22-30 says, “Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord are only a few people going to be saved?’He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘We are and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from the east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and the first who will be last.”
This not only has to be a wake up call for those who have not asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, but for those of us who have become Christians. If we do not tell them about judgment day and salvation through Jesus, then who will? The good news of Jesus is only good news if it is told! You may be thinking, “I am not a pastor and I wouldn’t know what to say?” Well,it is simple as giving bread to a beggar. You just simply tell them that everyone has sinned and needs Jesus to forgive them. All they have to do is ask him. When we share it in love it will usually be received that way. God provided an ark big enough for everyone that would want to be saved from going to hell, and that ark is Jesus. Millions of people are just waiting for someone to give them hope and a reason for living. You just might be that person that today God will help someone come to their salvation in the ark of Jesus!
Prayer: Holy Spirit please help us to help others to become a Christian too. Please give us the courage to do it, and to know what to say. Thank you so much, we ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen
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