Category: Through the Bible Page 33 of 46

Household Salvation

On January 7, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Imagine for a moment if either Mrs. Noah or one of Noah’s children or their wives chose not to enter into the ark. What would have been their fate? It would have been the same as those who were not in the ark – dead/perished.

Genesis 7:1 indicates that God is interested in not just an individual but the family as a whole. He tells unto Noah, to bring his family (in fact all his family) into the ark by which they can be saved.

Points to ponder:
God is certainly interested in you, but not just you, but your entire family as well. When the keeper of the prison asked “What must I do to be saved?”, the disciples of Jesus, Paul and Silas replied, “Believe in the Lord and you will be saved, you and your house.” (Acts 16:31). Note how the plan of salvation is for the family (you and your house), not just an individual who sought salvation. However, it must be recognized that each member of the household must personally believe i.e., enter the ark. The faith (belief) of Rahab the harlot, which when expressed in action brought about the assurance of the salvation, not just for herself but for her entire house who were within. (Joshua 6:17). The Bible contradicts some of the erudite sayings of the world which are indeed foolish, that God is not a personal God … for God is certainly personal – personally wanting not just your own salvation but the salvation of all your household. What a wonderful God we have! Have you believed in Jesus? Does your family believe in Jesus?

Genesis 7:1 (KJV)
1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Joshua 6:17 (KJV)
17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

God’s verb, Our verb …

By Mano Paul

On January 6, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

The verb that God has for us is the same as the one that we ought to have for ourselves and it is stated in the first verse of the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible. The word is “Come”. The LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark;
God told Noah to come so that he and his household could be saved. Upon salvation, Noah worshipped God (Genesis 8:20).

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Only in Jesus will you find true rest and when we have the rest for our souls (salvation), we ought to worship God as the Psalmist says in Psalm 95:6, “Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker.”
God’s verb for you is “Come”, what is yours for him?

Genesis 7:1 (KJV)
1. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Psalm 95:6 (KJV)
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Noah – a purpose driven man

By Mano Paul

On January 3, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

An individual of purpose is one who does what is intended and expected of him or her, in their life so that when their life comes to an end, they can be assured that they have fulfilled their whole duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states that “to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man.”

Hebrews 11:7 says that Noah was moved with fear and he kept God’s commandments, for he did all that God commanded him to (Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5), which means his life was a purpose driven life.

Points to ponder:
Noah was a purpose driven man and he fulfilled God’s purposes fully, not partially. How about you and me? Can it be said of you and me that we fear God and that we do ALL that God commands us to.

Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
7 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.

Genesis 6:22 (KJV)
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Genesis 7:5 (KJV)
5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The Ark of Love – “expressed”

By Mano Paul

On January 2, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

When God commanded Noah to build an ark, the Bible says that Noah did ALL that the Lord commanded him (Genesis 6:22). In other words, Noah loved God. We can deduce this from Jesus’ words – “If you love me, [you will] keep [do] my commandments.” (John 14:15). To love God is to DO ALL that he commands us to i.e., express our faith in action.

Points to ponder:
Noah loved God and built an ark for the salvation of God’s creatures. God so loved the world that he made his Only begotten Son, the Ark, that whosoever abides in him, shall not be drowned in sin and death, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Because of his love, God made Jesus, the Ark of Love, for the salvation of God’s creation – including you and me.

Genesis 6:22 (KJV)
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

John 14:15 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

James 1:22 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: Kept Alive

By Mano Paul

On December 30, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it, pitch it inside and out and then explicitly gave Noah the fashion (dimensions) in which Noah was to build the ark. Additionally, God told Noah that he was to make ‘A’ window and finish it on top and instructs Noah that he was to set ‘The Door’ in the side of the ark. God then tells Noah that he ought to make three stories in the ark – a lower story, a second and third story.

Many speculate as to the significance of these three stories and one common explanation is that it could possibly be a reference to the Triune nature of God. While this is not entirely implausible, it must be understood that this is merely conjecture as it is not supported by Biblical references explicitly. However, one thing is true, irrespective of which story Noah of the residents of the ark were housed, as long as they were in the ark, they were kept alive.

Points to ponder:
Only if you and I are in Christ and Christ Jesus is in us (John 15:4), can we be kept alive from God’s impending judgment. It does not matter what level of your relationship you are in with Christ – whether you are a new believer who has just entered through the door (like the repentant thief on the Cross) in the lower story, or if you are a maturing Christian in the second story, or if you are a mature Christian in the third story in a close walk with God (as was Enoch, the seventh from Adam), as long as you are inside Jesus Christ, the Ark, you shall be saved. Are you assured that you shall be kept alive?

Genesis 6:16-21 (KJV)
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.|
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

John 15:4 (KJV)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: God’s Door

By Mano Paul

On December 23, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it, pitch it inside and out and then explicitly gave Noah the fashion (dimensions) in which Noah was to build the ark. Additionally, God told Noah that he was to make ‘A’ window and finish it on top. Then God instructs Noah that he was to set ‘The Door’ in the side of the ark. Notice how God instructs Noah to only set ‘One’ door and also explicitly specifies the location of the door, which is on the side.

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, I am ‘The Door’ and if any man enter in by him, he shall be saved (John 10:7, 9). The Bible records that after Jesus had died on the Cross, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with his spear and out came blood and water. Did you notice, how the Bible explicitly records the location of the place where Jesus’ body was speared. It was on the side, the same as was the location where Noah was to set the door on the Ark. All those who entered in by the door on the side of the ark were saved from God’s judgment. Jesus is the Ark of God – He is The Door – only those who believe in him (enter into God’s kingdom by him) shall be saved from God’s impending Judgment. Have you entered in by Jesus – God’s Door?

Genesis 6:16 (KJV)
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

John 10:7-9 (KJV)
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 19:34 (KJV)
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: God’s Window

By Mano Paul

On December 18, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it, pitch it inside and out and then explicitly gave Noah the fashion (dimensions) in which Noah was to build the ark. Additionally, God told Noah that he was to make ‘A’ window. The dictionary defines a window as “an opening in the wall of a building, the side of a vehicle, etc., for the admission of air or light“. This window that God was asking Noah to make in the ark was to be a cubit in dimension and it was to be finished above (on top). Notice, not only the singularity of the window, but also its position and its completeness (finished). There was to be ‘A’ window and it was to be finished on top, implying that there was only one window, that was finished (complete) and it was made in a place above which would require Noah and his family (and the other creatures in the ark) to have to look up for their source of light and life (air). I also believe that God was making sure that Noah and his family (and the other creatures in the ark) looked up to him and not focus on the stormy situation around them during the flood.

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, if you have seen me, you have seen God the Father (John 14:9). He is the portal – the Window – the Only Window – through whom, we can see God. We should not focus on the stormy situations of our lives, but instead, we must look up at Jesus and through him to light our life and redeem it from all darkness (sin). We must look at Jesus for the very breath of life, for only in Jesus, is found life – not just abundantly (John 10:10), but everlasting as well (John 3:16). As the writer to the Hebrews state, we must be constantly “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (note: A window was to be finished above), who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down (seated) at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is God’s Window! Is Jesus on top of your life and mine?

Genesis 6:16 (KJV)
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

John 14:9 (KJV)
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: God’s Fashion

By Mano Paul

On December 17, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it, pitch it inside and out and then explicitly gave Noah the fashion in which Noah was to build the ark. The Bible states God’s instruction was “And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. (Genesis 6:15)” Augustine of Hippo (13 Nov 354 to 28 August 43), who is known to many in Christendom for his writings and development of Western Christianity, pens in his acclaimed and notable book, De Civitate Dei contra Paganos (meaning The City of God against the Pagans), the following in Latin which when translated is – “For even its [ark’s] very dimensions, in length, breadth, and height, represent the human body in which He [Jesus] came, as it had been foretold. For the length of the human body, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, is six times its breadth from side to side, and ten times its depth or thickness, measuring from back to front: that is to say, if you measure a man as he lies on his back or on his face, he is six times as long from head to foot as he is broad from side to side, and ten times as long as he is high from the ground. And therefore the ark was made 300 cubits in length, 50 in breadth, and 30 in height.”

Points to ponder:
God’s fashion for the ark to save mankind was to made with certain measurements, that symbolically could be represented by the human frame (six times from head to food (300 cubits) as he is broad from side to side (50 cubits) and ten times (30 cubits) as long as he is high from the ground). Jesus Christ, God’s Son was made of a woman with a human frame (Galatians 4:4) to redeem all and adopt them into God’s family (Galatians 4:4-7). Jesus lay down his life on a ‘wood’-en Cross, willingly (John 10:17-18), with his back pressed against the Cross, so that all who enter in by him (John 10:9) shall be saved and no longer perish (John 3:16). Jesus is the Ark, God’s fashion for the salvation of all creatures.

Genesis 6:15 (KJV)
15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

Galatians 4:4-7 (KJV)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

John 10:15-18 (KJV)
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: Sealed in and out

By Mano Paul

On December 16, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and make rooms in it. Immediately following this instruction, God instructs Noah that he was to seal the ark with tar (pitch it) both inside and out. Normally, one would think that since it is the outside of a boat that is in contact with the water, it would suffice to merely seal it on the outside, but this was not God’s instruction. God wanted Noah to seal the ark, both the inside and the outside.

Points to ponder:
The Bible affirms that those who have trusted (believed in) Jesus Christ, after hearing the true Word/gospel of Salvation, are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Bible also affirms that it is only Jesus who is able to present his church (those who have trusted in him) without spot or wrinkle. Spots are those that come from the outside, but wrinkles have their origin from within. In other words, it is only Jesus who can seal us from the outside and inside so that we can be without spot or wrinkles. Just as Noah waterproofed the ark both in and out, so does Jesus seal us with his holy Spirit (the living water (John 7:38-39)) so that we are living-waterproofed from any unholy influences that are external or from inward unholy desires (Matthew 15:18-20). Are you sealed with God’s holy Spirit, in and out?

Genesis 6:14 (KJV)
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Ephesian 1:12-14 (KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Jesus Christ – The Ark :: Roomy

By Mano Paul

On December 11, 2013

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

This article is part of the series, Jesus Christ – The Ark, where in we learn of Noah’s ark as a pre-type of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, as The One and Only Ark to save mankind.

God told Noah to build the ark with gopher wood and immediately following this instruction, on the kind of wood to use, God tells Noah that he should make rooms in it. In fact, it is in this account that the word “rooms” is used for the very first time in the King James Version of the Bible. Ever wonder why God would state something such as a “room”, which is implied so explicitly, as his requirement in the building of Noah’s ark. Logically it would make sense that these rooms would possibly serve as storehouses for the provisions needed to sustain life, but these rooms would also serve as the dwelling and resting place for Noah, his family, and the other creatures that Noah was to bring onboard the ark.

Points to ponder:
Jesus said “In my Father’s house are many mansions (rooms) and that he was going to prepare a place (room) for us (Jphn 14:2)”. The ark was made with many rooms to house many creatures just as Jesus will house his new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) in his Father’s house.

Interestingly though, when Jesus was born of a woman, in this world that he created, there was no ‘room’ for him in the inn (Luke 2:7). Today, there are many who are rejecting Christ and shutting him out, as if there was no room in their lives for him. However, because he is a God of love with great faithfulness and new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23), he has a room for you, if you repent and confess to him and receive him as Lord and Savior, believing that in your heart.

Jesus said, come unto me and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Only if we abide (dwell) in Christ Jesus and he in us, as one would in a room, can we be assured of true rest. Like Noah’s ark with many rooms for its inhabitants to dwell and rest, Jesus is God’s room for the resting of our souls. No evil shall befall those who make the Lord, even the most High, their habitation (room) (Psalm 91:8-10).

Jesus asked “I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20). Do you have room in your life for Jesus?

Genesis 6:14 (KJV)
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

John 14:2-3 (KJV)
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions [rooms]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Category: Through the Bible Page 33 of 46

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