Hebrews 11:7 – The Hall of Faith
Noah & The Ark of Refuge, part 2
We will continue studying the life of Noah. We will see how the sins which were prevalent in his time are also occurring today, and we will analyze the important message that needs to be declared for men to be saved from the coming destruction.
1. Read Hebrews 11:7. How did Noah move when he obeyed God and built the ark?
2. What does it mean to fear God? Proverbs 8:13; 3:7
3. What will be the condition of the world just before the Second Coming of Jesus? Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26, 28
Note: Since Noah moved with fear while he built the ark, it means he chose to depart from sin and evil. As we saw from scripture, the condition of the world in the last days will be similar to the time of Noah and Lot. Let us now compare the sins that were prevalent in their time with our time to see how close we are to the Second Coming of Jesus.
4. Read Matthew 24:38. What are the first two reasons listed for the destruction of the world in the days of Noah?
5. Merely eating and drinking is not a sin, because these are actions that are needed to sustain our lives. However, what principle does the Bible show us about how much we should eat? Proverbs 25:16
6. Which fruit of the Spirit did the antediluvians lack while they ate and drank? Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6
7. In addition to the previous points, eating and drinking become sins when we eat things that God has forbidden in His Word. What groups of people are joined together in Proverbs 23:20-21? (Note: One of the sins that led to the flood was the consumption of flesh food before God had permitted mankind to eat the temporary flesh-based diet).
Patriarchs and Prophets, 91: …They [antediluvians] delighted in destroying the life of animals; and the use of flesh for food rendered them still more cruel and bloodthirsty, until they came to regard human life with astonishing indifference. {PP 91.3}
8. What other sin were the antediluvians committing before the Flood? Luke 17:27
9. Marriage, when conducted after God’s design, is a blessing not a sin. Why were their marriages abominable in God’s sight?
a) Genesis 4:19; 6:1-2
b) 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
“[NY] Court that first legalized same-sex marriage now legalizing polygamy, too”
Patriarchs and Prophets, 91: Polygamy had been early introduced, contrary to the divine arrangement at the beginning. The Lord gave to Adam one wife, showing His order in that respect. But after the Fall, men chose to follow their own sinful desires; and as the result, crime and wretchedness rapidly increased. Neither the marriage relation nor the rights of property were respected. Whoever coveted the wives or the possessions of his neighbor, took them by force, and men exulted in their deeds of violence. They delighted in destroying the life of animals; and the use of flesh for food rendered them still more cruel and bloodthirsty, until they came to regard human life with astonishing indifference.” {PP 91.3}
10. Read Luke 17:29. What sin from the days of Lot is also prevalent today? Genesis 19:4-5; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27
11. While members of the LGBT community are often singled out as sinners, who does God say His wrath will be revealed against? Romans 1:18
Note: Read Romans 1:20-21, 28-32 and examine yourself to see what sins you are guilty of and need victory over.
12. How did the people respond to Noah’s message of the coming destruction and the need to repent? 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5
Patriarchs and Prophets, 96: It was not multitudes or majorities that were on the side of right. The world was arrayed against God’s justice and His laws, and Noah was regarded as a fanatic. Satan, when tempting Eve to disobey God, said to her, “Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. Great men, worldly, honored, and wise men, repeated the same. “The threatenings of God,” they said, “are for the purpose of intimidating, and will never be verified. You need not be alarmed. Such an event as the destruction of the world by the God who made it, and the punishment of the beings He has created, will never take place. Be at peace; fear not. Noah is a wild fanatic.” The world made merry at the folly of the deluded old man. Instead of humbling the heart before God, they continued their disobedience and wickedness, the same as though God had not spoken to them through His servant.” {PP 96.1}
13. How does the Bible describe men who reject God’s end-time messengers? 2 Peter 3:3-7
14. Noah preached for 120 years prior to the flood (Genesis 6:3). Why did God delay His judgment upon the earth for so long, and why is He delaying judgment upon the earth in our time as well? 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 3:20
15. What was one sign God gave to the antediluvian world to prove that Noah’s warnings were true and the close of their probation was near? Genesis 7:1-3, 9
16. What should God’s faithful people preach in connection with the message that probation for the world will soon close? Matthew 16:3; 1 Chronicles 12:32
17. The life, message, and experience of Noah shows us the “shut door” message. What did God do after Noah entered the ark? Genesis 7:15-16
18. How many doors did the ark have? Genesis 6:16
19. Who does the door represent for us? John 10:9; 14:6; Acts 4:10, 12
20. What does it mean to be “shut in” with Jesus Christ? Daniel 12:4; Song of Solomon 4:12; Job 41:15
God’s seal is the seventh-day Sabbath (Isaiah 8:16; Esther 3:12-13; 8:8; Exodus 20:8-11). What is the experience of the sealing? Daniel 6:17; Esther 8:8; Revelation 22:11; 2 Timothy 2:19 Answer: The sealing experience is when we are settled into the truth so that we will not change our mind to disobey God. It also points to getting victory over our sins so God will recognize us as His people.
Note: Noah’s account teaches us that we need to be shut in with Christ before death, before our names pass before God in judgment, before the seven last plagues, and before the Second Coming of Jesus.
20. In the last days, the seven last plagues are the beginning of God’s judgments upon the unrepentant wicked (Revelation 14:9-10; 15:1). What must we experience before God’s wrath or indignation is poured out? Isaiah 26:20, 21
21. In these last days, after everyone has made their final decision for Jesus or against Him, what will the wicked be crying which the unrepentant also cried in the days of Noah? Luke 13:24, 25
22. Before we can be “shut in” with Jesus, there is a work we must do. Where is Jesus now standing and knocking, and how should we respond to Him? Revelation 3:20
23. What is preventing many individuals from opening up the door of their hearts to Jesus? Isaiah 59:1-2
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 1, 143: 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.” I saw that many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of their heart that they cannot get the door open. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove. Others have evil tempers, selfish covetousness, to remove before they can open the door. Others have rolled the world before the door of their heart, which bars the door. All this rubbish must be taken away, and then they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in. {1T 143.2}
24. What instructions does Jesus give us once we recognize that sin is separating us from God? Revelation 3:19, 21(first phrase)
25. What spiritual element is needed to overcome our sins? 1 John 5:4
26. Who must we believe in to overcome our sins? 1 John 5:5
27. What did Jesus do, while He was here on earth, as an example for us to follow? Revelation 3:21; 1 Peter 2:21-22