Noah, according to the instructions of the Lord, had been building an ark for 120 years. It had been a big job involving heavy timbers of cypress wood and the spreading of pitch inside and out for the purpose of waterproofing. The pitch was no doubt tree sap since there was no tar. God had told Noah that he was to build the boat to save himself and his family from the destruction of a world-wide flood. Even though it took 120 years to build, the task was so difficult that probably many of Noah's neighbors helped him in the construction. However, they probably looked upon it as "Noah's Folly" and the whole project was no doubt a big joke. Yet, I'm sure that they admired Noah's dedication and the sincerity of his message of impending disaster and doom.
Finally, all was finished, and God told Noah to go into the ark. So, Noah and his sons and his wife and his son's wives entered the ark; also pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds, and all creatures that moved along the ground, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded. After all were inside they waited seven days before the first raindrop fell. I am sure that during those seven days Noah stood at the door facing a jeering throng, and he begged them to come aboard and be saved. But none of them responded to Noah's petition, and on the seventh day the door of salvation clanged shut, their probation was over, and their fate was sealed forever. "And after seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth" (Gen. 7:10). On the seventeenth day of the second month the springs of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of heaven were opened as the great deluge began.
We are told that as in the days of Noah so shall it be in the last days. In fact, the Genesis flood is used as an example of the final destruction of the earth, except this time by fire instead of by water. If so, then we should expect another door to be open today as a way of salvation. And so there is, for Jesus has said, "Behold, I have set before you an open door which no man can shut" (Rev. 3:8). What is that door by which we can enter for safety and security? Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). Are we willing to take the step through that door or shall we join the jeering throng saying, "Where is the promise of His coming"? Soon that door of mercy will clang shut and probation will close as it did for the antediluvians of old. What are we going to do with THE DOOR?
