Shalom, servant of God. Welcome, let us study the Bible together.
There are those who think that salvation is not possible in this world—but let me tell you, salvation is here and now. Heaven is not where salvation starts, but the result of having already been saved while on earth.
The Bible says:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. As it was in the days of Lot… it will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”
— Luke 17:26, 28, 30 (NIV)
So if we study what happened shortly before those two major events—the Flood in Noah’s day and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot’s time—we can understand what things will look like just before the return of Christ.
One unique thing we can observe before fire fell on Sodom and Gomorrah is how people were offered a chance to be saved. While many lessons can be drawn from both stories, today we will focus on this one point.
Salvation Before Judgment
Let’s read what the Bible says:
Genesis 19:12-15 (NKJV)
Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place!
For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”
So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.”
We learn that even after judgment had been declared, there was still a brief window of mercy. Lot was sent to tell his family to flee. If they had believed him, perhaps each one of them would have gone to warn others—and many could have been saved.
But sadly, they mocked the warning. Even that small door of grace was ignored, and so the city was destroyed. This reflects what Jesus said:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction… But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
— Matthew 7:13–14 (NIV)
Noah’s Ark – Another Picture of Salvation
Let’s also consider Noah. He too did not enter the ark alone:
Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)
Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”
Genesis 7:7 (NKJV)
So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.
Noah must have preached the warning of coming judgment to others—he is called a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5)—but people did not take him seriously, just as they did not listen to Lot. Only his family believed and entered the ark.
Even among Noah’s family, they were not perfect. After the Flood, we see that Ham acted inappropriately toward his father’s nakedness (Genesis 9:22–25). This shows us that salvation wasn’t based on their perfection, but their obedience to the message.
This is a powerful picture of the gospel: Salvation is not earned by being good enough. It is received through faith and obedience to God’s warning.
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household.”
— Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)
Judgment Is Declared – Flee to Christ!
Once judgment has been declared, you can no longer plead for God to change His mind—the only thing left is to obey His call and flee from destruction.
That’s what we see in both stories. The people didn’t have time to “clean themselves up” before entering the ark or fleeing the city. The call was urgent and immediate. It is the same with the gospel today:
“Flee from the coming wrath!”
— Luke 3:7
Jesus is our Ark—our place of refuge:
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)
Just as Noah entered the ark and was saved before the rain fell, and Lot fled the city before fire came down, you must enter into Christ now—before judgment comes.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect to Come to Jesus
You don’t need to be holy to believe in Jesus—you come as you are, and He begins the work of making you holy:
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
— Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
So many people delay responding to the gospel because they think they have to “fix themselves first.” But remember, you don’t clean yourself to take a bath—you bathe in order to be clean!
Have You Entered the Ark?
Have you responded to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who is still speaking today? Have you separated yourself from the world and entered the Ark of Christ?
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
— Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)
Judgment is coming upon the earth. God has said it, and nothing can change that now. The only thing that remains is: Will you be found in Christ or outside of Him?
Two choices are before you:
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Stay in the world and perish.
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Enter into Christ and be saved.
Final Word:
Salvation is here, now, in this life. Heaven is the destination, but salvation starts the moment you believe in Jesus Christ, repent, and enter into the life of faith.
Jesus is calling. Enter the Ark. Don’t delay. Don’t look back.
“Remember Lot’s wife.” — Luke 17:32
God bless you.