When in the Days of Noah

I often visualize Noah standing outside the ark during the last week before God shut the door, preaching to the lost to come inside and be saved. As the animals made their way into the ark I am sure Noah preached hard and even begged and pleaded with everyone to come in but none came as we are told in 2^nd Peter 2:5

"And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;"

As the last animals settled in something was about to happen on the earth that had not happened before. The earth was to be destroyed and perish by water.

There must have been many watching the animals file in, a very large crowd watching as the last few moments slipped away and many were in the valley of decision. Imagine the fate of those who almost went in. Perhaps these actually enjoyed Noah’s preaching and several times had wanted to join him but ultimately they walked off that final day and decided not to go. Perhaps, they simply didn’t take him seriously.

The Bible tells us there will be many in this state in the last days. Joel 3:14 states

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."

And there were many chances to come in. It can be argued that Noah spent 100 years building the ark, preaching all the way. Those people had many years to get right with God but they all refused and when God shut the door the time had ended. There was no more mercy, only wrath, from a loving God.

God had shut the door and the Bible tells us in Luke 13:25

"When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:"

So let there be no mistake, God has and will again shut the door of mercy and salvation upon those who reject him, as the Bible says in 1st Peter 3:20.

"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

So Noah built the ark and preached for all those around him to come into the ark and be saved. He preached for many years and never saw the first person saved. Only his wife and sons and son’s wives were with him and I suppose even they were only there because Noah was their father.

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7

The same thing is happening today. The message to come in and be saved is going out into the world. If God is dealing with you now would you please accept his calling to come in and be saved? Don’t let the door shut on you.