How does the flood narrative connect to Jesus' teachings on judgment? The Rising Waters of Genesis 7:17 • “For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.” (Genesis 7:17) • Literal, global judgment—water covering every peak (7:19). • Only those inside the God-designed ark were safe; every other refuge failed. Jesus Brings the Flood Into His Teaching • “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37) • “They were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away. So also will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:39) • “Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:27) Jesus treats Genesis as literal history and uses it as the pattern for His own return. Key Parallels Between Flood Judgment and Final Judgment 1. Suddenness – Waters rose without warning once the door shut (Genesis 7:16–17). – Christ’s return arrives “at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). 2. Universal Scope – “All the springs of the great deep burst forth” (Genesis 7:11). – Final judgment reaches “all nations” (Matthew 25:32). 3. Divine Patience First, Then Finality – 120-year warning period (Genesis 6:3); God “waited patiently” (1 Peter 3:20). – Today, His patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:9), yet a Day is fixed (Acts 17:31). 4. A Single Place of Safety – Ark with one door (Genesis 6:16). – Christ: “I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9) 5. Witness of Righteousness – Noah: “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). – Church proclaims the gospel until the door closes (Matthew 24:14). 6. Water Then, Fire Next – “The world of that time perished, being flooded with water.” (2 Peter 3:6) – “The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 3:7) Salvation Then and Salvation Now • Hebrews 11:7: Noah’s faith built an ark that “condemned the world” yet rescued his household. • 1 Peter 3:20-21: The floodwaters prefigure baptism—entering Christ by faith brings deliverance. • Only eight souls survived; Jesus warns that the narrow road is still “few” (Matthew 7:14). Living Ready in the Present Hour • Watchfulness—learn from those caught unaware (Matthew 24:38-42). • Gospel urgency—persuade others to enter the true Ark, Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11). • Holy living—“what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11). The flood lifts the ark above judgment; Christ lifts believers into life. The same God who shut the door behind Noah will one day close history. Be inside the Ark before the waters—or the fire—arrive. |
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