The focus for this blog is centered around the onloading of Noah’s ark. I was prompted to share this after a comment I made recently to someone who was worried about all the covid hoopla, vaccines, and other ominous things happening around the world. We’re safe if we’re hidden in Jesus, that is, we’re in the ark, we’re safe. I have always felt that that ark of Noah was a type and shadow of the Rapture of the Church; and I still do. But that comment I felt was prompted by the Holy Spirit. As I prayed on it a bit I felt to expound on it as it related to Noah’s ark. The account of Noah’s ark is found in Genesis 6:8f-8:22. This is a most powerful passage in scripture as it depicts a global judgment, a global flood, and the destruction of every living creature that breathes. It’s obvious that all the sea creatures survived as they were underwater, whales included. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, after a debating with Ken Ham of ICR; posted a video on YouTube that refuted the Noah’s Ark account and basically denied it’s possibility by using his interpretation of science. However, this account is as true as it is history.
The Bible is crystal clear that the story of Noah’s ark is real. There are other historical records that also support the location of Noah’s ark as resting on the mountains of Ararat in Turkey. It’s not a myth, it’s real. We have video evidence, also available on YouTube that confirms this truth. While there is also a false sight of Noah’s ark posted, the truth of Noah’s ark is a founding event that supports that authenticity of the Bible. I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ because the Bible says it happened, I don’t need to Shroud of Turin to confirm it. I do believe that shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus; but it only supports what I already believe to be true regarding Christ resurrection. In the same manner, I don’t need to see Noah’s ark to believe that God judged this world with a global flood and saved eight people and two of every animal on the earth on a large boat. The biblical account confirms my faith and it also assures me of my future in Christ, something that this world does not understand or comprehend. The point of this blog has more to do with the correlation between the Rapture/rescue of the body of Christ and God’s subsequent judgment upon the entire earth in the form of the seven-year tribulation.
Jesus said it this way,
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour (day) your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour (watch in the night) the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Matthew 24:36-44
- This passage is a direct reference to the Rapture of the Church. The properties include no one knowing the day or hour, it’s correlation to the days of Noah, the instantaneous taking of some people while leaving others, and our instruction to be watching for this event.
All of this infers that we are to believe that this will happen. The Lord reminds us that if we are not watching; that is, not believing, than we will miss His return. The Lord commands us to live a life of readiness and obedience to Him.
We all know the story of Noah and the condition of the world.
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” – Genesis 6:5-8
It’s to this ‘grace’ that I wish to speak to you in this study. The word used for grace (Hebrew: chen) and it literally means, ‘graciousness, kindness, favor, objective beauty, pleasant, precious, and well-favored.’ This is how God saw Noah, and this is how God sees us too. The question/joke many preachers like to ask/tell when teaching this passage is, What was Noah’s wife’s name? Their answer is, ‘Grace.’ The quote this passage, ‘Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.’ While this might be a humorous anecdote, Jasher tells us that Noah’s wife was named Naamah, she was the daughter of Enoch and she was 580 years old when he married her, but that’s okay because Jasher says that Noah was 498 years old. This means that Naamah was 82 years older than Noah; talk about robbing the cradle.
NOTE: The Greek word for ‘grace’ in the NT is charis and it has a similar meaning. This tells us that the same grace that we are saved by in the NT, was established in the OT, with Noah and His family.
Jesus said in Matthew 24, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,” – (vs.37,38)
- The implication here is that life will be continuing on in a relatively normal state, it will not be a time of global chaos or duress, as described in the seven-year tribulation. This statement alone infers a pretribulation Rapture.
The eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (betrothal) all speak to a sense of normalcy in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Clearly this was what was happening in Noah’s day and it is also happening in our day today (literally). Then we read the phrase, ‘up until the day that Noah entered the ark.’ This means that after Noah entered the ark and the Lord closed the door, one week later the flood waters came on the earth and Noah’s ark began to rise; again, inferring to a pretribulation Rapture.
“So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” – Genesis 7:7-12
- Moses tells us that Noah and his family, with all the selected animals, were onloaded into the ark. Then we see this phrase, ‘after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth.’ It’s to this seven days’ that I wish to speak a bit more. Why seven days? Why wait another seven days after onloading the ark? Can you image what that must have been like for Noah and his family to have to wait on the ark for another week before the judgment rains began to fall?
Let’s continue, “On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark— 14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.” – Genesis 7:13-16
Here we see that it too one day to onload the ark, with all the animals being properly staged in their various pens and cages and such. Then we see this final phrase in this passage, ‘and the Lord shut him in.’ This phrase speaks to God closing and sealing the door to the ark, not allowing any one or any water to pass through this door and into the ark.
Jesus said it this way, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” – John 10:1-5
- The word used here for door (Greek: thura) references a door or gate, but it also speaks metaphorically of Jesus, of faith in Him, and the acceptance of the gospel. It also speaks of openings or opportunities to preach the gospel or gain entrance into the Kingdom of God.
The same door that Noah entered through to get into the ark and the Lord closed, is the same door we all must enter through, that is the Christ, to enter into the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus preached this to the people, they didn’t understand Him, so He said the same thing, but in a different way.
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:7-10
- Christ identifies Himself as the door of the sheep. We are the sheep, believers who follow the Good Shepherd. He says it twice in this passage, ‘I am is the door.’ If we enter by Jesus, the Door, we will be saved in the same way that Noah and his family, and all those animals, entered the door to the ark and were saved.
The first time we see the word ‘door’ used in the OT is in reference to the ark of Noah. This door was important in that without it, nobody could access the ark. In the same way, Jesus is the door, nobody can access the kingdom of heaven without Him. I mentioned the book of Jasher earlier in this blog when identifying who Noah’s wife was. The Bible doesn’t tell us her name and it doesn’t give us an exact time as to how long it took Noah to build the ark; but the book of Jasher does.
What is the book of Jasher?
The book is mentioned twice in the Bible, once in Joshua and once in 2 Samuel.
“Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. 14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.” – Joshua 10:12-14
In context, Joshua was winning a battle against Adonizedek (king of Jerusalem) and his allies. Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to stand still, which means on this day the earth stood still; therein is the real miracle.
The second biblical reference to the book of Jasher is found in 2 Samuel,
“Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18 and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:” – 2 Samuel 1:17,18
- In context, David was lamenting the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and he wrote the Song of the Bow which is recorded in this passage and also in the book of Jasher.
The Book of Jasher, also known as the Book of Just Ones, is an ancient book that never made the canon of scripture. It’s similar to the apocryphal books, but Jasher only covers from Creation through the death of Joshua. We don’t know who wrote the Book of Jasher. Since Joshua makes mention of the book, the writer must have written the text prior to the time of the Judges, even though the text seems to talk about Joshua’s death as well. Our English Bible doesn’t include Jasher, however, the Latin Vulgate does. Any Bible student knows that the writers of both the OT and NT included references and sometimes quotes from extra-biblical sources. As NT believers, we don’t rely on non-canonical writings and should always use discernment whenever reading something outside of the biblical canon.
Jasher existed during the time of Joshua, so we know that someone else documented the day when the sun (earth), stood still. We also know that just because a verse in the Bible quotes or makes mention of an extra-biblical source, it doesn’t make that source part of the Bible. The Apostle Paul quoted pagan poets, but he didn’t endorse them. God can use any philosopher or any writing to direct readers back to the Bible.
We don’t find anything written in Jasher that contradicts with the Bible, however, it was not considered to be part of the canon of scripture, therefore, it can only be used to support the biblical text. This being said, I should like to quote a section of passages from Jasher to expound more on the onloading of Noah’s ark and its relevance to our current pandemic, world crisis, and the Rapture that is quickly approaching.
In Jasher 5, we read that Lamech, the father of Noah, died at age 777. Noah was 595 years old when Lamech died.
Jasher says that… “all the sons of men who knew the Lord, died in that year before the Lord brought evil upon them (the earth); for the Lord willed them to die, so as not to behold the evil that God would bring upon their brothers and relative, as he had so declared to do.” – Jasher 5:21
It was after the death of Lamech that God told Noah and Methuselah to stand and proclaim to the sons of men all the words of the Lord so that perhaps, if they repented, God would relent His destruction of the earth by this global flood. They preached for 120 years, but the people would not listen. It was then that God said to Noah,
“The end of all flesh is come before Me, on account of their evil deeds, and behold I will destroy the earth.” – (vs.25b)
God then instructed Noah to build an ark. The specs that are recorded in Jasher are the same as in Genesis. God told Noah that He would destroy the world with a global flood.
Jasher says, “I will bring the flood of waters upon the earth, and all flesh be destroyed , from under the heavens all that is upon the earth shall perish.” – Jasher 5:29
Noah obeyed the Lord and began building the ark at age 595, in the same year Lamech, his father, died. It took Noah 5 years to build the ark. No doubt he had some hired help. Methuselah had a son named Elliakim who had three daughters. Noah took three of Elliakim’s daughters to be married to his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. When Methuselah was 969 years old, he died. It was in that same year that Methuselah died that God told Noah to enter the ark with his wife, his sons, and their wives.
This is Jasher’s recording of this account.
God said to Noah, “I will gather to thee all the animals of the earth, the beast of the field and the fowls of the air, and they shall all come and surround the ark. 2 And thou shalt go and seat thyself by the door of the ark, and all the beasts, the animals, and the fowls, shall assemble and place themselves before thee, and such of them as shall come an crouch before thee, shalt thou take and deliver into the hands of thy sons, who shall being them to the ark, and all that will stand before thee thou shalt leave, 3 And the Lord brought this about on the next day, and animals, beasts and fowls came in great multitudes and surrounded the ark. 4 And Noah went and seated himself by the door of the ark, and of all flesh that couched before him, he brought into the ark, and all that stood before him he left upon the earth.” – Jasher 6:1-4
- In this passage we see that God brought the animals to Noah in one day. The animals weren’t just hanging around while Noah and his crew were constructing the ark. They came in groups according to their species and positioned themselves around the ark. That is, they surrounded the ark, thousands and thousands of animals.
From those groupings, two of every species approached Noah, who was sitting by the door to the ark, and they crouched before him. This was Noah’s sign that these two, male and female, were to be onboarded. Noah’s sons guided the animals onto the ark and into their places therein.
“And a lioness came, with her two whelps, male and female, and the three couched before Noah, and the two whelps rose up against the lioness and smote her, and made her flee from her place, and she went away, and they returned to their places, and couched upon the earth before Noah. 6 And the lioness ran away, and stood in the place of the lions, 7 And Noah saw this, and wondered greatly, and he rose and took the two whelps, and brought them into the ark.” – (vs.5-7)
Here we can see an incident involving the lions. It was clear that only specific animals, male and female, were allowed on the ark. This was the Lord’s doing and Noah ‘wondered greatly’ as he observed this.
The take away for us in the NT is that God is the one who allows the various people to enter the ark. While we all have freewill, the Lord knows our hearts. Each of us must choose, yet God knows. There will always be those who think that they can fake their way into heaven by their works; but alas, it’s only by God’s grace.
“And Noah brought into the ark from all living creatures that were upon earth, so that there was none left but which Noah brought into the ark. 9 Two and two came to Noah into the ark, but from the clean animals, and clean fowls, he brought seven couples, as God has commanded him. 10 And all the animals, and beasts, and fowls, were still there, and they surrounded the ark at every place, and the rain had not descended till seven days after.” – (vs.8-10)
- Here can see the clean animals were also onboarded for sacrifices. We can also see the large groups of animals still surrounding the ark. We also see that they remained there ‘till seven days after.’ This means that the ark was secure after the Lord closed the door, for seven days.
Noah and his family were on board the ark for a week before any rain fell. While the eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage had stopped the day Noah entered the ark, there were seven days to go before the first drop of rain. Noah and his family were safe on board the ark, prior to and during those seven days.
“And on that day, the Lord caused the whole earth to shake, and the sun darkened, and the foundations of the world raged, and the whole earth was moved violently, and the lightening flashed, and the thunder roared, and all the fountains in the earth were broken up, such as was not known to the inhabitants before; and God did this mighty act, in order to terrify the sons of men, that there might be no more evil upon the earth. 12 And still the sons of men would not return from their evil ways, and they increased the anger of the Lord at that time, and did not even direct their hearts to all this. 13 And at the end of seven days, in the six-hundredth year of the life of Noah, the waters of the flood were upon the earth. 14 And all the fountains of the deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” – (vs.11-14)
- While the text is a bit jumbled as to the order of things, the inference here is that during those seven days God caused ‘the earth to quake, the sun to darken, the lightening to flash, the thunder roared in order to terrify the sons of men that there might be no more evil upon the earth.’
This infers that God was giving the people a chance to repent during those seven days, but ‘they would not return from their evil ways.’ This increased God’s anger and at the end of seven days, God broke up the waters of the deep and opened the windows of heaven and it rained for forty days and nights. While this passage and the Bible doesn’t say that people could have repented, it does say that God waited seven days before bringing the rain. This matters right now for us because with all the unprecedented things that are happening; we who are aware of how God works can see that we may be approaching that ‘seven-day’ window.
“And Noah and his household, and all the living creatures that were with him, came into the ark on account of the waters of the flood, and the Lord shut him in. 16 And all the sons of men that were left upon the earth, became exhausted through evil on account of the rain, for the waters were coming more violently upon the earth, and the animals and beasts were still surrounding the ark. 17 And the sons of men assembled together, about seven hundred thousand men and women, and they came unto Noah to the ark. 18 And they called to Noah, saying, “Open for us that we may come to thee in the ark—and wherefore shall we die?” 19 And Noah, with a loud voice, answered them from the ark, saying, “Have you not all rebelled against the Lord, and said that He does not exist? And therefore the Lord brought upon you this evil, to destroy and cut you off form the face of the earth. 20 Is not this the thing that I spoke to you of one-hundred and twenty years back, and you would not hearken to the voice of the Lord, and now do you desire to live upon the earth?” 21 And they said to Noah, “We are ready to return to the Lord; only open for us that we may live and not die.” 22 And Noah answered them, saying, “Behold now that you see the trouble of your souls, you wish to return to the Lord; why did you not return during these hundred and twenty years, which the Lord granted you as the determined period? 23 But now you come and tell me this on account of the troubles of your souls, now also the Lord will not listen to you, neither will He give ear to you on this day, so that you will not now succeed in your wishes.” – (vs.15-23)
- The men of the earth, after seeing and hearing all the fearful sights and sounds, were ready to repent and board the ark. Key phrase here, ‘and board the ark.’ Their repentance was contingent on living. Noah said it was too late to repent and live; the only thing left was to repent and die.
They were not willing to repent and die because they were not willing to die, therefore, God knew the heart, they were not willing to repent. This is a truer picture of what them people were feeling; no real love for God, just a real love for themselves, and Noah’s ark was the only ticket to ride out of this storm. So it is with us today. Too many people want to come to God on their terms, and live. However, for believers who understand how God works, we must die to ourselves in order to live for Christ.
Jesus said it this way, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
– Matthew 16:24-26
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
– Philippians 1:21
The attitude of most people today is they want to live, they want security, they want what they want, and they don’t care if they have to riot or vax to get it. This was the attitude of the 7,000 men and women in Noah’s day who were not willing to repent and die; they wanted to live and were willing to swamp the ark in order to do so.
“And the sons of men approached in order to break into the ark, to come in on account of the rain, for they could not bear the rain upon them. 25 And the Lord sent all the beasts and animals that stood round the ark. And the beasts overpowered them and drove them from that place, and every man went his way and they again scattered themselves upon the face of the earth. 26 And the rain was still descending upon the earth, and it descended forty days and forty nights, and the waters prevailed greatly upon the earth; and all flesh that was upon the earth or in the waters died, whether men, animal, beasts, creeping things or birds of the air, there only remined Noah and those that were with him in the ark. 27 And the water prevailed, and they greatly increased upon the earth, and they lifted up the ark and it was raised from the earth. 28 And the ark floated upon the face of the waters, and it was tossed upon the waters so that all the living creatures within were turned about like pottage in a cauldron.” – Jasher 6:24-28
- God knew their hearts and what they would do to try and save themselves. This is why He had the animals staged around the ark, driving anyone who would attempt to gain access to the ark, to the door, to the safety of the boat on their own terms.
The people fled to high ground and the animals who defended the ark would eventually drown. By the time that happened, the ark was surrounded by water which then was lifted above the earth and floated on the waters, being tossed and turned in the tempest. There is a storm coming folks, it’s going to be global. What we are seeing right now with this Covid crisis and the political hoopla are only the beginning of what is to come. However, as believes in Jesus, we need to consider the story of Noah’s ark because Jesus directed us to do so. While this account if Jasher doesn’t conflict with the Genesis account, it does provide more perspective and details that might help us to better understand God’s heart when it comes to truly repenting of our sin and turning to Him. We, as believers, are safe in the ark, we are hidden in Christ, we are safe from the storm. This is a major difference between the saved and the lost, the sheep and the goats, those who are aboard the ark and those who are outside of it.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” – Colossians 3:2-4
- Right now, if we are saved, we need to understand that our mindset needs to be on heaven and the Lord of glory. We don’t want to feign repentance just to get into heaven, because we know that won’t work no more that it did for the people in Noah’s day.
We must be genuine in our love for the Lord and our obedience to His Word. As Christians, we need to die to ourselves and live for the Lord. Our life is now ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ He is coming for us, He has not forsaken us, and when He appears, so we will be with Him in glory.
Paul reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” – Galatians 2:20,21
While our works will reveal our rewards, they can never save us. It’s by God’s grace that we are saved through faith in Christ. We are to live our lives for Jesus, and that living is NOT what saves you; only Jesus can do that. Our lives are our demonstration of love and obedience that we have for the Lord. The call right now is to get on the boat, the title of this blog. If we are in Christ, we already have a reservation for the Rapture; but if you’re reading this blog right now and you are not saved, than you need to receive Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Confess Him as Lord with your voice, believe that He truly is God, and repent of your sin. God is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you for all your sin.
If you are reading this after the Rapture, what many will call the global disappearances, it’s still not too late for you to be saved. It will be much more difficult for you and you most likely will have to die for your faith. Don’t be like those men in Noah’s day who were not willing to die and repent, you must be willing to die for your newfound faith.
Better for you to suffer a few days on earth than an eternity in Hell. Better for you to not take the mark and be able to live, work, and eat for a few days then to suffer forever in Hell. You must be willing to die for your faith, no exceptions! After the Rapture, the Holy Spirit is still on the earth working and regenerating souls when a person receives Jesus. No matter what people may say, you can still be saved; just don’t take that mark!
For all of us who are living on this side of the Rapture; our day of departure is at hand. Make sure you are ready and about the Lord’s work while you wait. Make sure you life and relationships are right in God’s sight and continue to be steadfast in your love and discipline for the Lord and others He is bringing into your life.
I hope this blog has been a blessing to you. It was on the 27th of Cheshvan that God sent the rain on the earth in Noah’s day. That translates to our 12/3,4/21 if you’re keeping record. If the Lord returns in the next few days, that would be great. In the words of Dr. Andy Woods, ‘There’s not a problem in my life that the Rapture won’t solve!’ However, if we continue on into 2022, then we will keep on serving the Lord until He does return. For all of our fellow watchers out there, stay ready, be faithful, and continue serving and working for the Lord. Our hope is in Him and what He has promised us in His Word. We’ll be home soon, but we must remain faith to God and all those who He has entrusted into our care Be good, stay safe, love others, and serve the Lord with gladness of heart. God is faithful and will usher us home when He is ready for us. Get on the boat!
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Southern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 32-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 