Years ago there was a game show called “Name That Tune.” Contestants would vie to see who could name the title of a song by choosing how many notes they would need to hear to figure out the song title.
The mention this only because of a unique experience I had last night. I was sitting in a restaurant in Orlando, Florida waiting to catch an early flight home to Lafayette, LA the next morning. I found myself surrounded by people from all over the world; most who came to experience “the magic” and excitement that Orlando and its theme parks offer. Dining solo among so many groups of people allows one to sit quietly and observe those around you.
The place was overflowing with people; the chatter, laughing and actions of those dining and those waiting made for a mini-movie. There were families, couples and friends sitting, standing, drinking and eating—all going about their day in a manner that belied reality.
I wish I could convey the strange sensation I had as I tried to absorb all that I was seeing. I suddenly had the thought “this must of have been what it was like when Noah was building the Ark.” I began to consider if Noah was building an Ark today, what it would be like.
We know from Scripture that his building project lasted for around 100 years. During that time, he preached and warned the people. The sound of every hammer striking its target, the groans exuded with the lifting of each piece of timber was a forewarning of a future event unseen yet very real. For the days leading up to that fateful day, the sounds of every creature crying out as they entered that ship was the crescendo of the 100 year old message. Yet, the people as a whole ignored the sounds and denied what they were hearing. The last sound they heard to Noah’s sermon was a giant “Amen” as God himself sealed the doors to the Ark. The cost of human life was cataclysmic not only in number of lives but the eternal loss of souls.
Today, there is no individual named Noah building a rescue ship but the sounds of warning are all around us telling us to prepare for what’s on the horizon. The fulfillment today of biblical prophecies are once again shouting out like a hammer pounding reminding us that Jesus said, a sign of the end times would be, “As in the days of Noah, they will be eating and drinking and giving in marriage.” In other words, living in a manner oblivious to the message of God’s mercy to prepare for what’s coming soon.
So the next time you’re in a crowded place, listen to the sounds and I’ll wager that you will hear it too—Jesus is coming soon!
Comments