Friday, June 5, 2020

The Door

The LORD shut him in. Genesis 7:16 

Noah was shut in, away from the rest of the world, by the hand of divine love. The door of God’s elective purpose stands between us and the world, which is “under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). We are not of the world, just like our Lord Jesus was not of the world. We cannot enter into the sin, the frivolity, and the pursuits of the multitude; we cannot play in the streets of “Vanity Fair” with the children of darkness, because our heavenly Father has shut us in. Noah was shut in with his God. “You shall come into the ark” (Genesis 6:18 ESV) was the Lord’s invitation, by which He clearly showed that He himself intended to live in the ark with Noah and his family. In the same way, all the chosen people live in God, and God in them. What happy people to be enclosed in the same circle that contains God in the Trinity of His persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. May we never ignore that gracious call, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by” (Isaiah 26:20 ESV). Noah was shut in so that no evil could reach him. Floods only lifted him toward heaven, and winds only moved him on his way. Outside the ark everything was ruined, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety. Noah was so shut in that he could not even want to come out—and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him forever. They will never again go out, for eternal faithfulness has shut them in and infernal malice cannot drag them out. The Prince of the house of David shuts and no one opens; and when in the last days the Master of the house rises up to shut the door, it will be vain for merely professing Christians to knock and cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us” (Matthew 25:11 ESV). The same door that shuts in the wise virgins will shut out the foolish ones forever. Lord, shut me in by your grace! - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

For some reason every time I read that story in Genesis, I fixate on that verse.  There was no lock on the door to the Ark. What closed the door, what held it shut, was Jesus. 

Physically, note the size that door had to be.  Noah was probably wondering when he was making it, just how it would be closed. It wasn't a small door.

Noah knew what the world was like before the flood.   Knew that in everything that the Lord told him, that the Lord was right to do what was coming.  For the whole time of building it, Noah preached repentance. Yet no one outside of exactly who was saved, was saved.  Why? Why preach for hundreds of years and there be no fruit of it?  The doors of the hearts of millions of people were closed. So why?

Why do preachers still preach the Gospel today?  2,000 plus years later.  Scripture itself says why. Every man and woman will be without excuse.  Everyone who has rejected Christ will stand by their decision. Just as everyone who has accepted Christ is sealed by their decision to come to Christ by the Holy Spirit. 

Noah likely was spared being able to hear the cries of the people beating on the door of the Ark. Begging to be let in.

Think about today.  It's indeed just like the days of Noah. Just as Jesus said.  People marrying and being given in marriage.  Life appearing to go on. Yet the cry to everyone today is still the same as it was when Jesus stood up and called out to everyone to come to Him all who are weary and heavy laden and He would give you rest. 

There's a door before mankind again that can only be seen with Spiritual eyes. 

The door is Christ.  Much as it was with Noah's Ark. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He said He is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Him.  He is the door. Soon the door will close to mankind's current offer of Salvation.  Then judgment will come to the Earth.  People will be saved throughout the Tribulation but they won't be caught up to be with Christ immediately as those who were Raptured earlier.  There's mention of them under the Throne in Revelation being given new robes to wear and being told to be patient.  Many will seek death but will not find it during the Tribulation. 

The horror of watching waters rise and not knowing how to survive was all that was on the minds of those outside the Ark.  There was nothing to get on top of. Nothing was surviving the devastation of the weather in any pieces big enough to hold onto.  There was absolutely no way to survive outside the Ark. 

There's no way to be saved outside of Christ. None at all. You think the social anxiety and disorder is bad now?  Wait til governments try to explain away why millions of people vanishing.  There will be some grand lies being told as to where everyone went.  When the Rapture takes place the Spirit of God will be here but will step aside in the role of the one who restrains.  People and demons will then really be like people were before the flood. 
Noah was persecuted for his preaching. Those who adhere to Christianity will most definitely be persecuted. Churches will be destroyed on a global scale because Satan wants to be worshipped. 

The door for you my friend is still open before you.  Jesus beckons you to come to Him.  He pleads with you to take His hand and be saved today.  While the door is open, come. 

Life isn't going to return to what life was like for one very good reason.  The Earth is getting ready for Jesus to stand up from His Throne and call all Christians to come home.  Then the door of opportunity will close.  There will be millions outside that door crying out to Jesus to let them in, just like the days of Noah. 

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