We visited the Ark Encounter with our friends Nick and Mulenga Chanda from Endfield, England this week. They had their three children, ages 10, 8, and 7, and we had Pyper, Paylinn, and our friend Barry Ogden. Gaynell, Kyle, Angie, and I made up the rest of our entourage. I realized that the Ark is one of the most family friendly venues I have ever visited. While others were fascinated with all of the different exhibits and the presentations throughout the ark, my mind’s eye was open to other things.
I realized we were in a structure that was a symbol of judgment while, at the same time, it is an amazing architectural structure denoting the genius of man. The question arises, “How did he do it”? The answer is found in the book of Genesis, Chapter 6. “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” The word found is full of insight. It means to encounter, to secure, to acquire, and to learn. It can mean to be found, to be gained, and be secured.
Have you ever stopped to think about how far reaching the prophetic actions of Noah were? Listen to the language of the scripture, “The Lord was grieved with what He saw”. The Lord was grieved with man’s wickedness, but when you read a little closer, you will see He was also observant of their hearts and even the inclination of their thoughts. He was grieved that He ever made them in the first place. “BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD.” Noah is the “go to” subject of Jesus in regard to His return; therefore, His prophecy reaches to the final judgment. The ARK ENCOUNTER IS A SYMBOL OF JUDGMENT AND GRACE, as Genesis 6:8 reveals it to us.
Tuesday night, I saw 5 children playing, running, laughing, calling for one another, dancing, spinning, cart wheeling, doing the splits, playing tag, and literally having the time of their lives. Just think! It was all aboard the symbol of judgment. God’s grace is family friendly. 1 Peter 3:18-21, “For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit; 19 in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the great patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Christ] now saves you, not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
Cleddie and GayNell