[ Heading No. 111 ]: As We Have Said Before, The Ark In Typology Is Christ! . . .

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Noah Part- 7. MENU

[ No. 125 ] - The Scientific Approach To The Great Flood, And The Later Points Of Historical Events . . .

[ No. 126 ] - Noah's Ark Compared To Modern Ships . . .

[ No. 127 ] - Indonesian And American "Dinosaurs" . . .

[ No. 128 ] - The Formation Of The Present Ocean Basins . . .

[ No. 129 ] - The Ocean Shoreline . . . A Perpetual Boundary . . .

[ No. 130 ] - Africa's New Ocean - A Continent Splits Apart: . . .

[ No. 131 ] - Bubbling Magma And The Smell Of Sulfur. . . .

[ No. 132 ] - A New Ocean Floor On The Earth's Surface: . . .

[ No. 133 ] - Africa To Lose Its Horn. . . .

[ No. 134 ] - What About The Universal Flood? . . .

[ No. 135 ] - The Ocean . . . God's Instrument Of Global Judgment . . .

[ No. 136 ] - The Testimony Of The Apostle Peter . . .

[ No. 137 ] - The Destructive Power Of River Floods . . .

[ No. 138 ] - The Destructive Power Of Moving Water . . .

[ No. 139 ] - The Grand Canyon . . .

[ No. 140 ] - Millions And Millions Of Mammoths Are Still Present On The Earth . . .

[ No. 141 ] - Concerning Coal . . .

[ No. 142 ] - The Coastline Of Antarctica And Great Coal Deposits . . .

[ No. 143 ] - Volcanoes . . .

[ No. 144 ] - Exploding Mountains Since The Flood . . .

[ No. 145 ] - A Volcano Is Born . . .

[ No. 146 ] - Uniformitarianism And A Burning Candle . . .

[ No. 147 ] - Stalactites And Stalagmites Under The Lincoln Memorial . . .

[ No. 148 ] - A Bat Inside A Stalagmite At Carlsbad Caverns In The State 0f New Mexico . . .

[ No. 149 ] - The Age Of Petrified Logs A Good Question How Old Are They? . . .

[ No. 150 ] - Rapid Formation Of Oil Deposits . . .

[ No. 151 ] - Hurricane Katrina, God's Messenger Of Judgment On America? . . .

[ No. 152 ] - The Day Of The Lord, Prophecies Of Judgment . . .

[ No. 153 ] - The Predictions Of Judgment In The Light Of The Day Of The Lord. The Warning Of Judgments Delivered. . . .

[ No. 154 ] - Zephaniah Chapter Two. The Call To Repentance In View Of The Judgment . . .

[ No. 155 ] - What Does All Of This Have To Do With Hurricane Katrina? . . .

[ No. 156 ] - A High Risk Environment . . .

[ No. 157 ] - A National Calamity . . .

[ No. 158 ] - Exposed To International Scorn . . .

[ No. 159 ] - The Ancient Curse . . .

[ No. 160 ] - The Pattern Persists . . .

[ No. 161 ] - America's New Course With Regard To Israel . . .

[ No. 162 ] - The Coming Shame Of Jerusalem . . .

[ No. 163 ] - The Final Battle For Jerusalem Has It Begun? . . .

[ No. 164 ] - Will We Listen? . . .

[ No. 165 ] - Climatic Messages from God . . .

[ No. 166 ] - Ariel Sharon And Others Whom Have Possibly Suffered A Penalty. . . .

[ No. 167 ] - Jewish groups are urging each other to "Secede from Israel." . . .

[ No. 168 ] - Is the French People About To Lose Their Country? . . .

[ No. 169 ] - Could It Be That The Mark 0f The Beast Is Near At Hand? . . .

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165. Commentary . . . All of this becomes tremendously interesting and significant when we remember that this Ark was a type of Christ. He, too, was somber and unattractive to the natural physical eye." Speaking of this Christ, Isaiah the prophet said:

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166. Scripture: "For [ i.e., Christ the servant of Almighty God ] He shall grow up before Him [ the Father like ] as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He has no form [ i.e., no royal, kingly pomp ] nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him, { Isaiah 53:2 }."

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167. Commentary . . . Today many unbelievers actually heap scorn on Christ, and since the Ark was a type of Christ, we can understand how people heaped scorn upon the Ark in like manner. We can also easily imagine with what scorn the people in Noah's day scorned Noah's labors. How ridiculous they thought, building a box that looked like a huge coffin, and predicting a Flood of waters when it had as yet never rained upon the earth. Certainly it had no appeal to the natural man. All they had was the Word of the Lord, and if they rejected that, they were lost. If the people had believed, in spite of outward appearances, they could enter in and be saved. All of this was true of the Lord Jesus. Of Him, Isaiah says again . . .

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168. Scripture: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not, { Isaiah 53:3 }."

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169. The above verse paraphrased: "He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and as one from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him." This is the way the lost folks today seem to look and think of Christ Jesus.

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[ Heading No. 112 ]: The Ark Had No Resemblance To The Picture Books That Portray It Today:

170. Commentary . . . The view of the Ark in books - and what the Scripture portrays is, I am quite sure - different than most people imagine it to be. I remember seeing the pictures in our Bible story-books which portrayed the Ark as a sleek liner with rounded rooms and graceful prow and three rows of windows for each floor. There have been several pictures that had a large door at the front or perhaps at the extreme rear of the ship similar to a landing boat that the military uses. However, the Bible presents no such picture. The Ark, we have mentioned before, looked like a huge black coffin. Most folks have seen a common match box squarely made on both ends, this we believe, was a similar picture of the Ark.

171. The word translated "Ark" is also translated "Coffin" by various translators by using { Genesis 50:26 }, which consisted as a mummy case for Joseph. And, as we have stated before, the Ark was a symbol of the death of our Lord Jesus and that He was to die that those within might be saved. This lesson of life through death is written large upon the Ark. Not only was the Ark in the shape of a coffin, covered with black pitch, but even the wood construction of the Ark spoke of death that others might live. Notice carefully that this was a wooden vessel. It was not made of steel like our modern dreadnoughts, but required the death of trees, to provide the lumber for the Ark. Again we see there is no life apart from death. Jesus expressed it when He said . . .

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172. { V. 24 } Scripture: ". . . Except a [ grain of ] corn [ i.e., which was used as a type of a grain ] of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit,

173. { V. 25 }: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it until life eternal. [ "Remember, this world is not the home of a Christian but Heaven is, we are not to fall in love with this world." ]

174. { V. 26 }: If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be If any man serve Me, him will My Father honour, { John 12:24-26 }."

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[ The three above verses paraphrased, . . .

175. . . . { 24 }: "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls or is placed into the earth and dies after being planted, it remains just as it is, just one grain; and never becomes more if it is not fertile. But, if it dies as a fertile seed, it produces many other grains and yields a rich harvest.

176. . . . { 25 }: Any person who loves his life will lose it. But, any one who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal in Heaven but only if he is a Child of God. . . . Whoever has no love for, no concern for, nor any regard for his life here on the earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.

177. . . . { 26 }: If any person serves Me, he must continue to follow Me . . . to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example, in living and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If any one serves Me, the Father will honor him."

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178. Commentary . . . What Jesus was saying was that "Seeds which are not sown are alone." "The seeds which are sown, die, and in so doing brings forth a harvest. Christ used this to illustrate His Own death, which would produce a rich spiritual harvest of Saints in the future." "Had Jesus not died on the cross no one would have ever been saved. This principle of death produces life and is applicable to the disciple [ follower ] of Christ, as well as the Master, see { Matthew 10:37-39; - & - Mark 8:34-38 }." Read:

179. { V. 26 } again and remember that we Saints are servants of Christ, and where a Child of God is, Christ is also there with him because we are indwelling Him and He is dwelling in us individually. Our bodies are tabernacles of the Holy Spirit.

180. Notice in { V. 24 } that when corn, yes and even wheat or seed potatoes are planted, they eventually rot in the ground, but because of this process of dying, a growth will then begin to grow from the seed and sprout up into a plant to produce the fruit of the vine and this is where corn, wheat and potatoes come from. Any gardener can explain this remedy for growing garden produce. Therefore, in typology, Christ is using garden seed as examples and applying unbelievers to garden seed. When I was lost to sin, it was necessary for me to die to Christ. In other words, my days of sinful rot had to be laid low in order to sprout up into a Christ-like seed of recognition to God the Father, and this, in order to take on a spiritual growth as a Child of the living God.

[ Heading No. 113 ]: The Only Door Of Noah's Ark . . .

181. Commentary . . . We come now to a consideration of the 'door of the Ark.' [ 1 ]: First there was only one door, [ 2 ]: it was in the side of the Ark, and [ 3 ]: God alone held the key to the door. There was no need for any more than one door, for the occupants of the Ark were to use the door only twice-once to go into the Ark, and once to leave. There was only one door because the occupants of the Ark would not have to leave in a panic or a hurry.

182. Today in our cities we have strict building codes especially for public places. There must be an ample number of exits, plainly marked, so that if fire breaks out or another catastrophe threatens, there will be no congestion and crushing at the exits. But all this was unnecessary in the Ark, for they were perfectly safe because God Himself was in the ark, to preserve them. We have before pointed out the security of those in the Ark by the fact that there were no casualties, no sickness, and no death." How clearly the Word of God is when the Lord stated . . .

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183. { V. 18 } Scripture: "And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his son's wives with him,

184. { V. 19 }: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creeps upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the Ark, { Genesis 8:18-19 }."

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185. Commentary . . . Although there was only one door, it was safe enough for all. It is worthy of note that no dimensions are given for the door of the Ark. The length, breadth and height of the Ark are carefully given, and the size of the little sky-light in the roof; but for the door, no dimensions. It was as wide as God's provision, wide enough to let the largest animal in. It is therefore the 'whoever door.' No one is excluded. There is room for all. Of course, we know that the door of the Ark speaks of Another, Who Himself said:

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186. { V. 1 } Scripture: "Verily, verily, [ surely, most solemnly ] I say to you, he that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way [ elsewhere, from some other quarter ], the same is a thief and a robber.

187. { V. 7 }: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of [ for ] the sheep, [ i.e., the saved Believer. Or listen to the Lord once more when he says ] . . .

188. { V. 9 }: I am the door: by Me if any man enter in [ through Me ], he shall be saved, and [ he ] shall go in and out [ freely ], and find pasture, { John 10:1, 7, 9 }."

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189. Commentary . . . Jesus is the only door into the Ark of salvation. He is not one of several doors, but He is the door of the saved sheep: "Family of God." Notice further that this door was in the side of the Ark. It reminds us immediately of the opened side of our first parent Adam from whence his bride Eve was taken, and points to the pierced side of the Lord at Calvary which opened a door into the very heart of God the Father.

190. And, since Eve came from the side of Adam, so shall Christ's bride "redeemed Israel" appear through the redemption brought forth through their Redeemer the Son of God at His second return as Messiah and Israel's Bridegroom! In type, the same thing must be applied to the Body of Christ today. He will not be our Bridegroom or Messiah, but He is at this very time our Head, our heavenly Redeemer, and adopted Brother, for we are of His Own Body which will continue onward throughout all eternally!

[ Heading No. 114 ]: The Ark Was Like A Building With Three Flours . . .

191. Commentary . . .There is one detail often overlooked when studying the Ark. It is the instruction to build three stories or levels in the Ark, one above the other. When we recall that the Ark is a picture of Christ, this provision is full of meaning. Jesus, while He was perfect God, was also perfect man. He was the Second Man as Adam was the first man. Adam was created after the image of God and, God is a tripartit God [ "tripartit". . . divided into or consisting of three parts: "3 persons in one God!" ] The Ark was also a type of the Trinitarian God [ 1 ]: God the Father, a type of the upper deck of the Ark, [ 2 ]: God the Lord Jesus Christ, a type of the center deck of the Ark, and [ 3 ]: God the Holy Spirit, a type of the lower deck of the Ark, the 'Three in One,' it was constructed with three decks, three the number of the trinity.

192. This 'image of God' we confidently believe consisted in Adam being tripartit; he was created with, a body, a soul, and a spirit, but yet he was one man. Jesus, too, was made in the 'likeness of man, { Philippians 2:7 },' He had a body, a soul and a spirit. Thus, we Children of God being tripartit are divided into three parts the same as is Christ, body, soul and spirit. If one denies this he denies himself!" Therefore, repeating ourselves, Christ, in His humanity, possessed a body, { Hebrews 10:5 }, a soul, { John 12:27 }, and a Spirit, { Luke 23:46 }. We see in the three stories or levels of the Ark a shadow of all this. God said:

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193. Scripture: ". . . with lower, second, and third stories shall you make it, { Genesis 6:16 }."

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194. Commentary . . . Why are we told this? What difference does it make to us living over four thousand years later how many stories it had, one or a dozen? Since we believe that everything in the Bible, even every word, has some spiritual lesson for us, and since the Ark is an indisputable type of Christ, it must point to Him. In addition, we may also see in these three levels of the Ark the threefold salvation work of Christ.

195. The inside of the Ark speaks of what we as Believers have in Christ. Isn't it a fact that this points to the complete salvation of our whole being? We are spiritually saved the moment we believe; we are progressively saved as to the sanctification of the soul, and shall ultimately also have our bodies redeemed at His Coming. We were justified in the spirit [ in the past ], sanctified in our soul [ in the presence ], and will be glorified in our heavenly bodies [ in the future eternity. ]

[ Heading No. 115 ]: The Question Arises: Were There Many Carpenters Used In The Ark's Construction? . . .

196. Commentary . . . In the same connection, speaking of the humanity of Jesus, we notice from the Scriptures a complete absence of any mention of Noah's helpers in the Ark's construction. Apparently from the record in Genesis, Noah alone built the complete Ark without any help. Evidently many sermons given by various ministers giving their ideas about "Noah's carpenters" we will be subject to criticism by what I say here, but I must believe it will be the truth just the same.

197. It has been taught that a large number of carpenters worked on the Ark, and yet not entering the very Ark they helped build. One can indeed make a nice application of this; namely, that it is possible to be religiously preoccupied, be an Assembly member and help build the organization and yet be lost! Nowhere in our Bible does it state that the entire membership of a Christian Congregation will be eternally saved!

198. This would be a good application if one could prove that Noah always had helpers. I hate to spoil all those good sermons, but there is every indication that 'Noah alone' was instrumental in building the Ark. There is certainly no reference in the record of any assistants. Had Noah had a large crew of workman working, it certainly would not have taken him 120 years for the Ark's construction, do you get the point? This would be in harmony with the typology of the Ark.

199. The Ark is a shadow of Jesus in His humanity, passing through the waters of judgment, bearing "our sins in his own body on the Cross." This body was designed by God, but the instrument of God used to build this body was the womb of a virgin. The reference is that the Ark designed by God but built by a human instrument, certainly suggests the supernatural conception of [ God's design ], and the virgin birth [ the human instrument ].

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[ Heading No. 116 ]: Does Scripture State That There Were Children, Birds,

200. Commentary . . . We conclude with a very practical observation. There is no record of any young beast, birds, or humans being born in the Ark for the entire year of their residence. The animals went in two by two with the exception of clean animals of which there were seven pairs of each kind, and they apparently came out the same way. The sons of Noah did not have any children in the Ark, and there is not even a hint that the same is not true of the animals and birds.

201. For one whole year there was no reproduction or increase. The lesson should be clear. Entrance into the Ark was a personal decision for each one. The parents cannot decide for their children. Since Christ is the Ark of salvation, we learn that we cannot be saved by our father's religion. While we believe that all babies who die in infancy before years of personal accountability, are all saved by virtue of the work of Christ, it is just as true that when these children reach the age of personal responsibility, they must themselves make the decision.

202. They cannot be saved because of the religion or piety or example of their parents, without a personal choice. That false terminology which teaches that children born of Christian parents are in the covenant of grace and need only to grow up into mature Christians without the experience of the new birth, is absolutely foreign to the revelation of Scripture. To teach that so-called covenant children are saved if they die in infancy, while others who are not children of believing parents are lost, is an invention of man and a delusion. God is not in the 'baby damning' business like many folks seem to believe during this present age. If you have been taught that you are a child of God because your parents were Christians and members of a certain Denomination, and because you were water baptized as an infant, I would remind you of the "Lord's Words" . . .

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203. Scripture: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily [ surely, most solemnly, ] I say unto you, Except a man be born again [ according to the Scriptures ], he cannot see the kingdom of God, { John 3:3 }."

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204. Commentary . . . The Kingdom of God consists of all God's creation which concerns all three heavens mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven which refers to Christ's future Millennial reign on this earth will naturally be surrounded and encompassed by the second and third heavens. This means that all three Heavens consist of the Kingdom of God in their entirety. Whereas as we have stated, the Kingdom of Heaven just consists of the Lord Jesus' earthly kingdom. Even though we today were born into a different Dispensation other than the one John lived in when he walked with Christ before the Body of Christ first began with the Apostle Paul, still, we must understand that: the Apostle John wrote the Books of First, Second, Third John, and Revelation after Christ's death and during this present grace period, [ A.D. 90-96 ].

205. This means that the above verse applies to you and me during our own age of grace. Therefore, do you, to whom these above words were spoken, believe that you were saved because your parents were saved? Do you believe that just because you attended a Christian assembly, were baptized, taught Sunday school, or perhaps became some type of officer in the Assembly etc, when you were young, prove that you are a Christian? Also do you, to whom these words in {John 3:3} were spoken believe that you can be saved in any other way than what the above verse states?

206. These words were spoken by Christ personally, not only to you and me but to the fallen woman in { John 4 }, to a lost publican and also to a man by the name of Nicodemus, a religious Pharisee. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews, a teacher in Israel, who was a member of the chosen Hebrew race. It is an absolute fact, no person could be saved before Christ's crucifixion or afterwards up to this very time without being reborn into the family of God? Nicodemus was a covenant child under the old Hebrew order, and had been circumcised as an infant, but Jesus said to him . . .

207. "You must be born again!" My friend, even though Noah and his family were living long before the Hebrew law was in existence, and thousands of years before this grace period came into being, still, people in that day and in every generation since that time could not be saved into God's family without being 'reborn into it.' Typology is a marvelous teacher, is it not? We find types and shadows displayed all the way through the 66 books of our Bible. There were only eight adults who entered the Ark, because they believed God's promise and acted upon it. No one entered the Ark by being born into it by natural birth. Neither can anyone's natural birth make him a child of God today. "Ye must be born again!" John said concerning Jesus:

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208. { V. 12 } Scripture: " But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [ past, present, and future tense ] to become the sons [ and daughters ] of God, even to them that believe on His name:

209. { V. 13 }: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God, { John 1:12-13 }."

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210. Commentary . . . We have already explained how people of the Old Testament period were saved, and so we will not go into that again. But, your own religion, your works, your denomination, your friends, and your loved ones, cannot save you. It must be by a personal faith in the Son of God. And again we repeat this next verse:

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211. Scripture: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an Ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, { Hebrews 11:7 }."

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212. Commentary . . . This verse may well be called the story of Noah in a nutshell. This is a common occurrence in the Bible. Most of the great doctrines taught throughout the Bible will be summed up somewhere in a brief, succinct passage or verse. The whole doctrine of the love of God, for instance, is condensed in capsule form as follows, and we have already repeated some of these verses in other parts of this message . . .

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213. Scripture: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, { John 3:16 }." See { Romans 10:9-13 }. [ The doctrine of justification by faith is pressed together in five verses ] . . .

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214. Scripture: "{ V. 1 }: "What shall we say then that Abraham our [ fore ] father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found?

215. { V. 2 }: For if Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory; but not before God,

216. { V. 3 }: For what says the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. see { Genesis 15:6 }

217. { V. 4 }: Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

218. { V. 5 }: But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness, { Romans 4:1-5 }." [ The doctrine of Israel's restoration is summed up as follows ] . . .

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The above 5 verses paraphrased . . .

220. . . . { V. 1 }: "But if so, what shall we say about Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking? How does this affect his position, and what was gained by him?

221. . . . { V. 2 }: For if Abraham was justified [ that is, established as just by acquittal from guilt ] by good works that he did, then he has grounds for boasting. But not before God!

222. . . . { V. 3 }: For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed and trusted in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness . . . right living and right standing with God.

223. . . . { V. 4 }: Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation . . . something owed to him.

224. . . . { V. 5 }: But to one who doesn't work [ and yet ] trusts [ i.e., believes fully ] in Him [ Christ ] Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness . . . the right standing that is acceptable to God."

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225. Scripture: "For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, { Romans 11:25 },"

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226. The above { V. 25 } paraphrased: "Lest you be self-opinionated . . . wise in your own conceits . . . I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening [ insensibility ] has [ temporarily ] befallen a part of Israel [ to last ] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in." [ Read { V. 26 }, { Isaiah 59:20-21 }, and See { Acts 15:14 }. "Read the doctrine of the Rapture of the Body of Christ as follows, and both of these following texts apply to the Rapture of Christ's Body": ========

227. { V. 16 } Scripture : "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

228. { V. 17 }: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord, { 1- Thessalonians 4:16-17 },"

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229. { V. 51 } Scripture: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed,

230. { V. 52 }: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead [ in Christ ] shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. See { Philippians 3:21 - & - Luke 21:35-36 }.

231. { V. 53 }: For the corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

232. { V. 54 }: So when the corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. See { Isaiah 25:8; - & - Revelation 21:4 }.

233. { V. 55 }: 0 death, where is your sting? 0 grave, where is your victory?, { 1- Corinthians 15:51-55 }."

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234. Commentary . . . And so on with the other great truths of the Bible. So it is with our text in { Hebrews 11:7 } concerning the faith of Noah and the building of the Ark. It sums up in one small condensed package the whole story of the Flood, in what we might call a dehydrated concentrate. It is the story of Noah's faith, and the verse begins and ends with the same two words "by faith."

[ Heading No. 117 ]: Considering These Seven Different Divisions Of Faith In

{ Hebrews 11:7 } . . .

[ Heading No. 118 ]: [ 1 ]: The Foundation 0f Faith In The Word 0f God . . .

236. Commentary . . .

[ A ]: God had spoken to Noah and told him the flood was coming, even though there was no indication of it and it seemed utterly impossible.

[ B ]:Saving faith is simply believing God's Word, without any additional evidence or proof.

[ C ]: It is believing the unreasonable, illogical, unexplainable, supernatural revelation of God just because God says it.

[ D ]: True faith asks for no additional evidences.

[ E ]: It does not ask for signs or voices or revelations, visions or dreams, scientific proof or archeological discoveries or geological evidences.

[ F ]: True saving faith is accepting the Word of God just because God says it.

[ G ]: Noah was warned of God concerning a most unbelievable Flood, and he believed it.

[ Heading No. 119 ]: [ 2 ]: The Nature Of Faith - Believing The Unexplainable . . .

237. Commentary . . . This need of believing God's Word without necessary proof or explanation is seen in the second observation concerning Noah's faith. We have seen the basis-the very foundation of faith, and now we come to the nature of faith. As we said, it was believing God even though we cannot understand everything He says in each minute detail. Our verse therefore continues: Scripture: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet" . . .

238. Notice that phrase: "of things never before seen!" What does this refer to anyway? No doubt it pointed to the Flood of waters which would come upon the earth. It had never rained upon earth until that time; no rain had ever fallen from the sky. But God said it would! The people must have laughed and scoffed at Noah when he told them water would fall from the sky. Why, just look up there! There is no water up there, and if there is, how did it get up there? It did seem unreasonable and unbelievable. We are told that there was no rain upon the earth, but the moisture came up from the earth in the form of a heavy mist.

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239. { V. 4 } Scripture: "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

240. { V. 5 }: And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

241. { V. 6 }: But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground, { Genesis 2:4-6 }."

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242. Commentary . . . In the day. The creation week is not specified as a single day by this phrase; rather, without the article "the," it means "at the time." The Lord, literally., YHWA [ probably pronounced "Yahweh" ], the most significant name for God in the old Testament. It has a twofold meaning: the active, self-existent One since the word is connected with the verb meaning "to be," { Exodus 3:14 }; and Israel's Redeemer { Exodus 6:6 }. The name occurs 6,823 times in the O.T. and is especially associated with God's holiness { Leviticus 11:44-45 }, His hatred of sin { Genesis 6:3-7 }, And His gracious provision of redemption { Isaiah 53:1, 5, 6, 10 }.

243. This sentence may begin at { V. 4 } above, "At the time the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, then no shrub of the field was at yet in the earth . . ." The kind of plants referred to here are those requiring cultivation, and the green plants appeared the third day, { Ch. 1:11-12 } and did not grow until after there was a man to take care of them. The mist, probably caused by daily evaporation and condensation, which occurred because of the change in temperature between daytime and nighttime.

244. There is no indication of rain having fallen until the days of Noah. This is evidently the meaning of the phrase that Noah was warned "of things not yet seen." Rain had not been seen before, but Noah believed the Word of God. This is the nature of faith-believing what we cannot explain, but believing it because God says it.

[ Heading No. 120 ]: [ 3 ]: The Motive Of Faith - Moved With Fear . . .

245. Commentary . . . After mentioning the basis of Noah's faith and then the nature of this faith, we notice the third thing mentioned-the motive of faith "moved with fear." Noah was afraid. When God told Noah about the wrath of God and that He was going to destroy millions of sinners for their rejection of the Word of God, it scared Noah. He was moved with fear. It has been said many times that to be afraid is to be "chicken" and soft. But fear is one of the basic emotions of every persons existence. The life of the average man is motivated by fear. We build homes because we fear exposure and cold. We work to obtain money to feed, house and clothe ourselves, because we fear the specter of hunger, cold, and discomfort. We spend billions for defense because we fear invasion. Almost all actions are motivated in a measure by fear.

246. It is not a sign of weakness to be afraid. All humanity fear pain, sickness, and death, or else, why all the doctors, drugstores, and hospitals? All humanity fear death whether they admit it or not. I have heard men boast and brag, blaspheme and curse, and laugh at God and Christianity; and I have heard many stories about people who are braggarts who whined and cringed like beaten puppies when facing eternity. Any person in their right mind must know some fear of the future and the wrath of God. Yes, Noah was moved with fear before the wrath of God, and it drove him to seek salvation. The wise will do as Noah did. The Bible says there is a Hell at the end of the sinners road. God's Word says:

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247. Scripture: " . . . it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment, { Hebrews 9:27 }." [ Why not discard your thin mask of audacity, braggadocio and false bravery, and acknowledge that you do fear God, and flee to Him for salvation! It is questionable if any man was ever saved without a certain amount of the element of fear. ]

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[ Heading No. 121 ]: [ 4 ]: Faith And Works. The 0peration 0f Faith - Prepared An Ark . . .

248. Commentary . . . The fourth thing we learn about Noah's faith is the exercise of his faith. It is contained in the phrase "prepared an Ark." Noah did something about his faith. "It was a working faith," for we read: Scripture: "By faith Noah, being warned of God . . . moved with fear, prepared an Ark . . ." Noah's faith was an active faith. It was faith that saved him, "and it was his work which proved his faith." Noah did not say: "Yes I believe a Flood is coming, and my only hope is to find refuge in the Ark," and then do nothing about it. Faith without works is dead. It is not enough to give mental assent to a warning of danger. One must act upon it.

249. There are teachers who will say that personal works has never had anything to do with salvation. This is true during this present grace generation, but it was not always true during the Old Testament period! During the Mosaic Law period, works had a great deal to do with salvation. For instance, animal offerings to the Lord God were performed as works of faith, the offering in itself saved no one, but faith plus works did. As we stated above: faith was a necessary ingredient to prove ones faith, faith without works did not count as far as salvation was concerned. This is easily proven when studying the old Mosaic Law. Read the above Bible verse again. And we repeat it: Scripture: "By faith Noah, being warned of God . . . moved with fear, prepared an Ark . . ."

250. May I ask you: Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe God is going to punish the wicked unless they repent and accept the remedy for sin? You may believe all this and be lost unless you personally receive Jesus Christ by an act of faith. It is often said: "One needs to do nothing to be saved," but the very opposite is true. You need to do nothing to be lost. You are a sinner and already condemned and already lost. When the Philippian said to Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul did not say, "Do nothing," but he said: and again we repeat this verse . . .

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251. Scripture: " . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house, { Acts 16:31 }." Commentary . . . If you believe that you do not have to do anything to be saved then read { John 3:3; - & - 3:16 } again to prove that you could be wrong in your thinking. You positively do have to do "two things" to be saved, "you absolutely must 'BELIEVE IN AND ACCEPT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR TO BE SAVED!" Have you ever by a definite act of faith received Christ, and called upon Him and trusted Him for salvation? Is it so difficult to believe by pure faith and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?

[ Heading No. 122 ]: [ 5 ]: The Scope Of Faith. Included Noah's Family . . .

252. Commentary . . . This brings us to the scope of Noah's faith. Remember the seven aspects of Noah's faith-the foundation, the nature, the motive, the exercise, the scope, the testimony, and the reward of faith. We have considered the first four. Now the scope. We read that Noah: this same verse repeated . . .

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Scripture: "By faith Noah . . . prepared an Ark to the saving of his house [ family ]. . ., { Hebrews 11:7 }."

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253. Commentary . . . Noah was not satisfied to be saved alone, but was deeply concerned about his family. He expected his family to follow him, for he made provision for them in the Ark, "He prepared an Ark to the saving of his house." And this is one of the surest evidences of the genuineness of faith. When a person is truly saved, he becomes concerned about others, beginning at home. A parent who professes salvation but shows no concern over the fact his children are lost, will find it difficult to convince anyone else that he is saved.

254. We may indeed doubt the reality of a profession which does not show deep regard for the salvation of others. How often I have observed that immediately after a person accepted Christ he became thoughtful about a father, mother, boy, or girl who may not be saved. "Now I will not rest until I have brought mom and dad also," exclaimed one person as he got up from his knees after receiving Christ. Test yourself by this rule, and it will reveal the reality and depth of your spiritual life. Do you know that you were saved because someone was interested in you, prayed for you, and gave you the Word? Yes, Noah "prepared an Ark to the saving of his house." Are your children saved? Your brother. Your Sister?

[ Heading No. 123 ]: [ 6 ]: The Testimony Of Faith - Condemned The World . . .

255. Commentary . . . The sixth characteristic of the faith of Noah was his testimony to the world. Notice how our text states it : Scripture: "By faith Noah . . . prepared an Ark . . . by the which he condemned the world . . . { Hebrews 11:7 }." While the building of the Ark was for Noah's salvation, it was the condemnation of the unbelievers. Day after day Noah labored on the Ark; day after day he preached the coming judgment of the great Flood; day after day he must have pleaded with them to repent and believe.

256. There was no excuse for their perishing in the Flood, for they had-had ample warning. There stood the Ark nearing completion, as a daily reminder of the impending catastrophe. The building of the Ark was a testimony of the faith of Noah. Noah and his family believed the Word of God; all the others rejected it and perished in the Flood. Millenniums later, Jesus spoke practically the same message when He said:

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257. { V. 17 } Scripture: "For God sent not His Son unto the world to condemn the world; but that the world though Him might be saved.

258. { V. 18 }: He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

259. { V. 19 }: And this is the condemnation, that light [ spiritual knowledge ] is come into the world, and man loved darkness rather than light, { John 3:17-19 }."

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[ Heading No. 124 ]: [ 7 ]: The Reward Of Faith - Imputed Righteousness . . .

260. Commentary . . . One other feature of Noah's faith remains. We have seen the basis, the nature, the motive, the scope, the exercise, and the testimony of faith. Now we mention the last one, the reward of faith. Our text says that Noah, and we repeat these next verses for the last time: Scripture: " . . . became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, { Hebrews 11:7 }."

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261. { V. 38 } Scripture: "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the Ark,

262. { V. 39 }: And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be, { Matthew 24:38-39 }."

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263. Commentary . . . Dear reader, be honest with yourself. Ask yourself the question: What or who rules me? Is it fear, jealously, hate, wrath, evil thoughts? Do you have to admit that evil desires rule your heart, and ignore the worries and the guilt which threaten to destroy you? You know, it is really true. You are a poor sinner! There is no need to hide behind your Christian Assembly, or your traditional Denominationalism, for Satan himself does not mind at all if you remain an Assembly member in good standing or that you are without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. One thing the enemy does not want: namely, the fulfillment of the Scripture such as the following one that Paul stated when he said . . .

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264. Scripture: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts [ minds ], to the which also you are called in one Body; and be you thankful, { Colossians 3:15 }."

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265. Commentary . . . Because, whenever the peace of the Lord rules in your mind and life then you have been liberated from all resignation, from all the complication of your own created philosophies, and you are free to serve a living and soon-returning Saviour. Then the dynamic power of God becomes effective in your life. It is the harmony and peace of your Liberator with all His unlimited power that will enable you to live a life purposefully for Him, because your entire life will then be aimed at God.

265. In order to be positive of your own Salvation, we would ask you to "Please" read and pray the following prayer at the end of the last part of this message, and if you really believe and accept in your heart [ mind ] what you have read and have spoken those words in the prayer with a contrite mind to God the Father, you will have become a Child of the living God!

End Of Part Six Of "The Days Of Noah." Continued 0n Part Seven Of This Subject.

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