People Who Are in the Covenant of the Ark (Genesis 6:13-22) 3/29/2020
The Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
People Who Are in the Covenant of the Ark (Genesis 6:13-22) 3/29/2020
Matthew 24 is a representative chapter in the Bible that shows us firsthand what kinds of incidents will take place before Jesus comes as the Lord of judgment. This is a warning for people who refuse God’s gospel of salvation and go against Him, and to those who continuously fall into individual, physical and worldly things. There is a need to bring attention to Matthew 24:6-14. First, it says that war caused by man’s greed will continue (verse 6). Then, disasters caused by famines, disasters caused by pestilence (KJV Bible), and earthquake disasters will come (verse 7). However, it says this is only the beginning. Seizing this time, false prophets will arise and deceive people (verse 11). In that, there are two types of messages given to believers. First, those who endure to the end will be saved (verse 13). It is not simply bearing and waiting. It symbolizes those who looked to the Lord with faith to the end and who enjoyed a spiritual victory. This is the covenant given to those who are saved. Second, it said that the end will come after this gospel is preached to all nations(verse14). This is the covenant given to evangelists. There is still hope in the world because of people who evangelize with the gospel. The passage talks about the covenant of the ark that God had given during the flood, which was the first judgment of the world. Matthew 24:37-39 states that when the Lord returns, it will be like the days of Noah. Even as people will perish due to the flood, it says that they will not understand. It is the same now. People are simply trying hard to escape from disasters but refuse to listen to God’s message. People of God should not live at this level. Discover God’s answer. Why did God ask to build an ark in Noah’s age? As they built the ark and went inside, all the answers were in there. Everyone’s house has become the safest ark right now due to the coronavirus. If three facts are evident, then wherever you are will be the spiritual ark, and what you must do will be revealed even at home (Upper Room).
- Hold onto the covenant of Christ who is our eternal Savior(Verse14).
“Salvation” does not simply mean going to heaven after death. It means that He will deliver us, lead us to victory, and allow us to receive evidence in all the problems we face.
1) Colossians 1:13-24 explains this salvation the best. What works did Christ do and save us?
① He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness that is behind all problems (verse 13). These problems do not just come. Look at it spiritually. There is a being that bounds me to fate unbeknownst to myself and continuously leads me into failure. This is the work He has done as the king.
② He has brought us into the kingdom of the Son (verse 13b). He came as the prophet and opened the way to meet God.
③ We have received redemption, the forgiveness of sins (verse 14). He has received all judgment of sin and curses for us on the cross. That is how all curses ended. This is what He has done as He came as the priest.
2) How Christ is the perfect Savior will be explained while explaining how to build the ark.
① It says to build the ark with gopher wood. What is the characteristic of this wood? It is a wood that will not change, get destroyed or become distorted even if it bumps into places during the flood. What spiritual meaning does it have? It is the eternity of our Savior Christ.
② It says to make rooms with wood and to coat it with pitch inside and out. Today, the pitch is coal tar that is made to use asphalt. No water of judgment can seep in. What spiritual meaning does it have? It is the wholeness (perfection) of Christ.
③ It says to build a window on top. It was so that they would only look up no matter what kind of flood of judgment may come. It is Christ’s uniqueness. Who is up above? It is Christ who is seated at the right hand of God in Colossians 3:1. If we truly look to Christ wherever we are, everything will become evidence of uniqueness and recreation.
- Make this covenant of the ark into my covenant(Verse 18).
Then, God’s absolute plan will be seen when seeing problems, incidents, and people. There is no reason to waver.
1) Focus in the place I am to the point where the gospel and the covenant of the ark changes my thoughts and standards (imprint).
No matter what others say, I have become a person who will receive the blessings of heaven in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This is God’s absolute plan. I was chosen for this and was made into one who has God’s righteousness in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). This is God’s absolute grace. For this, I was made into a child of God in Christ (Ephesians 1:5). This is God’s absolute identity. As soon as I hear this word of the gospel and receive salvation, I am sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). This is God’s absolute protection. We are people who will surely have victory with the name of Christ, stand as witnesses and save the world. This is God’s absolute blessing. For the covenant of Christ to be continuously imprinted, listen to the word and meditate.
2) Pray to the point where this gospel, the covenant of the ark, heals my deepest place (hidden scars, bitter roots-Root).
There is no need to pray for problems to be solved and for blessings to come. Those will rightfully come when these bitter roots and hidden scars are healed. Every day at noon, read the covenant prayer and pray so that the covenant becomes mine and for my bitter roots to be healed.
3) Correctly confess a confession of faith to the point where this gospel, the covenant of the ark, controls my life (Nature).
Most people blurt out words (words of worry, negative words, words of unbelief, words of judgment and criticism). It was by God’s grace that Noah was able to build an ark his whole life without saying a word of unbelief even as he was being mocked and criticized (1 Peter 3:10, Psalms 19:14). May our words be words that save ourselves, people, the church and the world.
- While building this ark, think about God’s absolute conclusion which is evangelism.
Noah in 2 Peter 2:5 is expressed as an “evangelist” who delivered God’s absolute conclusion. Hold onto God’s absolute conclusion when problems and crises come. He will use you as a witness and evangelist (Acts 1:8).
1) Noah gave a message and opportunity to all people while building the ark.
There would have been people who refused and mocked him. It did not matter. Our work is done when we share the gospel. Salvation is God’s absolute plan and God’s time schedule. We are only acting as messengers (doable online). We need to give courage and hope with the gospel all the more during these times, and it is the greatest opportunity to explain what the true way of salvation is.
2) The fruit of Noah’s evangelism was his family (wife, sons, daughters in law).
This is what must really be done at home. Make it into an opportunity for the whole family to become one in God’s grace.
Conclusion – We are those who are inside the covenant of the ark. May the Lord bless your home as the today’s spiritual Ark. May the time at home become a different time of answers.