The Open Door

In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.   Matthew 24:38-39

There is nothing wrong with banquets, parties, or weddings. Noah was married, and so were his three sons. They all ate every day. But Noah’s great priority was to be ready for the day God had told him about. The only way to be ready was to believe what God had said and to do what he had commanded.

True faith always shows itself in action. Noah built the boat; he believed what God told him, and he acted on it. Then God told Noah to get into the boat seven days before the rain began (see Genesis 7:1-10), when there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! This too was an act of faith. There was no reason for getting in there except God’s Word.

Then the rain came. The ship that was built in the desert slowly rose, and Noah and his family were lifted up and taken into a new world. All those who were outside the boat were destroyed, and all those who were in it were saved.

The Flood is a judgment that will never be repeated (see Genesis 9:8-16), but Jesus warns us about another more terrible judgment to come. On that day, many people will be in the same position as those who heard Noah and did not believe.

Just as God provided the boat for Noah, he has provided a way for you to be saved from the final judgment. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the judgment of God for our sins fell on him. If you will come to Christ by faith, then you will be safe from the judgment of God. Are you “in Christ”? Why would you stand outside, when the door is open for you to come in?

For further reading, see Genesis 7