FROM THE PULPIT: SEEING CHRIST IN THE LESSON OF NOAH'S ARK (GENESIS 6)

Many are no doubt familiar with the story of Noah's Ark this story is perhaps one of the clearest pictures of God's salvation for His people found anywhere in the Old Testament. Let's look at this lesson and see the gospel of God's grace as it is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. THE ARK WAS GOD'S OWN PROVISION AND REVELATION (Vs: 13.14)

That is to say. that the whole scheme to rescue some of the fallen race of Adam was thought of and initiated by Jehovah Himself. In Revelations 13:87 we read that Jesus Christ was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. God had the plan of redemption purposed in the Lord Christ before the fall ever happened. The fall of Adam in the garden did not catch God off guard or surprise Him for He is the Ancient of Days and the Eternal Father. He is on His throne and is over all things in this universe (Ps. 115:3 ; 13 5 :6).

2. THE ARK WAS THE REFUGE FROM DIVINE JUDGMENT (Vs: 17.18) No other place would afford safety from God's terrible wrath and justice. Only in Christ is the sinner safe from the anger and judgment of God. Christ is the believers' protection and shelter from the offended and holy law of God. Just like those "inside" the ark, only those who are in the Son have any reason to think that God loves them (Ps.7:11; Ps. 5:5; Rom. 8:39).

3. ALL WHO WERE IN THE ARK WERE ABSOLUTELY SECURE (7: 21-23) All whom God intended to have in the Ark were in it and none perished. John 6:37-39 plainly shows us that the elect's everlasting security is founded in the Father and ratified in the Lord Jesus Christ. This most humbling truth causes the sheep to bow, adore and worship the majestic and supreme Lord of Glory.

4. THERE WAS ONLY ONE DOOR INTO THE ARK (Vs: 16) When anyone came onto that boat, they must enter through "The door". John 10:9 and 14:6 tells us that the SINGLE means to come unto God is by and through Jesus Christ. If we try to come for salvation or get into Heaven by our works, by a prophet or a priest or by any way or person other than the person and work of Jesus Christ, we will be cast out from His presence forever.

There are at least 10 other beautiful pictures of Christ in this lesson of Noah's Ark but I will leave them for the reader to discover and ponder. Search the scriptures and in them you will see the Lord Jesus Christ in all His wonderful Sovereignty and Power.