There is a unique and powerful force moving across the world today, drawing people to Christ. This power is the Holy Spirit, which speaks to the hearts of individuals, compelling them to come to God. This same power is what drew the animals to Noah\u2019s Ark.<\/p>\n
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit plays a central role in the salvation of humanity. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8, NIV). Just before the flood, Noah witnessed a strange phenomenon: animals moving toward the Ark. The Spirit was at work in these creatures, just as He works in human hearts to draw them to Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit stirred the animals to enter the Ark and be saved from the coming destruction, He now moves in the hearts of people, urging them to accept Christ and escape eternal judgment.<\/p>\n
John 16:8 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhen he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Ark in Noah\u2019s time serves as a type (a foreshadowing) of Christ, who is our refuge and salvation. The animals entering the Ark represent those who, by the Holy Spirit, are drawn into Christ, the only safe place from God\u2019s judgment. The Ark, a structure of salvation, points to Christ, who offers eternal salvation to all who come to Him. Just as Noah’s Ark was the sole place of refuge during the flood, Jesus Christ is the only refuge from God’s wrath and judgment.<\/p>\n Romans 8:19-22 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Before the flood, animals moved toward the Ark as though drawn by an unseen force. Noah must have marveled at how they instinctively knew where to go. This divine influence is a reflection of how the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of people today, urging them to come to Christ. He leads them toward the only true safety Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n John 6:44 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNo one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The behavior of the animals moving toward the Ark has an important lesson for us today. Just as in Noah\u2019s time, people are being drawn to Christ, yet only a few will respond. In fact, Jesus teaches that the way to salvation is narrow, and few will find it. Many will seek refuge, but only those who respond to the drawing of the Holy Spirit will enter into the safety of Christ.<\/p>\n Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cEnter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Just as the animals were drawn to Noah\u2019s Ark before the flood, the Holy Spirit is drawing people to Christ in the last days, before the final judgment. The signs of the times the natural disasters, the rising of evil, the call for repentance are all pointing toward the return of Christ. The Spirit is working in hearts, convicting them that the end is near and urging them to seek refuge in Christ. Yet, just as only a few animals entered the Ark, only a few people will respond to the call of salvation.<\/p>\n Romans 8:19-22 (NKJV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n As time rapidly passes, we must ask ourselves: Do we still feel that drawing power of the Holy Spirit? Are we near to the Ark (Christ), or have we distanced ourselves? Jesus, the new Noah, calls us to come to Him, but it requires a personal decision. The time of opportunity will not last forever, and once the door is shut, it will be too late. Just as the animals could not enter the Ark once the door was closed, people will not be able to enter God\u2019s kingdom once Christ returns and the door is shut.<\/p>\n Luke 13:24-27 (NKJV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cStrive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, \u2018Lord, Lord, open for us,\u2019 and He will answer and say to you, \u2018I do not know you, where you are from.\u2019 Then you will begin to say, \u2018We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.\u2019 But He will say, \u2018I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n As we look to Noah’s Ark, we must remember that not all the animals made it inside. Only those who were drawn to it entered. Similarly, only those who respond to the Holy Spirit\u2019s call today will find salvation in Christ. The Bible encourages us to strive, to actively seek the narrow gate, to respond to God’s invitation to salvation before it is too late.<\/p>\n John 10:9 (NIV):<\/strong> \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n ‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Let us not ignore the call that the Holy Spirit is making in our hearts every day. Just as the animals were drawn to the Ark, we too are being drawn to Christ. Let us make the decision today to enter the safe refuge of Christ, for the days of judgment are coming.<\/p>\n Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAs it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Bible teaches that Jesus is our Ark of salvation, and the Holy Spirit is drawing us to Him. The floodwaters of judgment are coming, and only those who find refuge in Christ will be saved. Let us, like the animals, listen to the prompting of the Spirit and run to Jesus, our Ark, for He is the only way to escape the coming wrath. The time to make a decision is now.<\/p>\n May God bless you.<\/p>\nThe Ark as a Type of Christ<\/h3>\n
The Urgency of the Call<\/h3>\n
The Parallel to Our Day: The Narrow Gate<\/h3>\n
The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Last Days<\/h3>\n
The Need for Personal Decision<\/h3>\n
The Call to Respond<\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n