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The Reminder of a Flood

Dear BPCWA worshipper, Summer is over, and it has been a summer where Perth residents experienced record-breaking scorching temperatures. Yet, on the other side of Australia, the eastern states experienced torrential rains caused by El Nina coupled with the effects of climate change. It truly reminds us, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Rom 8:22). While WA often struggles with the lack of rain, when we see what happened in the east, we cannot but be reminded of the great deluge thousands of years ago which changed the history of mankind forever. 

The extent of flooding in Australia. The photographs and news of the floods in Queensland and New South Wales have shown a flood on a scale that many of us have never seen before. People had to be evacuated from the roofs of their houses. Many just lived on their roofs while awaiting rescue. A photograph of the carcass of a dead cow floating in the water, another of a herd struggling to keep their heads barely above the water. Cars were submerged, not just tyre high, but to their roofs. In some scenes, you only see the roofs of houses.  It would seem safe to have a boathouse, but we saw them being swept against and crashing into piers, sinking within minutes. Rains which were so heavy and persistent, the term “rain bomb” was coined. Water that just kept pouring down from the skies without abating. Rivers and creeks could not contain the vast amount of water coming down from the skies and broke their banks, causing more flooding inland. Aerial photographs of towns showing mud water across the town with occasional treetops and rooftops peeping through. There were losses to crops, machinery, buildings. And most tragically, there were many losses to lives of people who drowned, young and old. While our minds are still trying to process the almost surreal scenes in the east, there are often ongoing warnings of greater rains to be expected there.

An incomparably greater flood in man’s history. Most of us are familiar with and talk about Noah’s ark and the animals going in two by two. But perhaps what is not as popular to talk about, or comes as easily to our minds, is the reason why Noah had to build an ark. It was needed because there was going to be a global flood. Migrating to another place will not help. It was such an immense deluge that it has and will never again be seen across the whole earth. “It came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark” (Gen 7:10-13). While what we’ve seen in the east coast astounds us, this global deluge is unmatched by any other. It was not just water pouring down from the skies, but from the below (the earth) as well. It lasted more than a month, not just a week. There was no abating during this period to allow the waters to drain off. Rain beating down by the torrents, waters on the earth rising and filling the whole earth far above the trees and roofs of houses. “And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. 20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered” (Gen 7:19-20). To everything outside the ark, the devastation was complete. “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark” (Gen 7:21-23).

Why we must remember the global flood. For us who have seen and are shocked by the photographs that we have seen over the news, we cannot help but also recall the flood in Noah’s time. More importantly, we must remember the reason why God brought a global flood upon the whole earth and what we should learn today. 1) Judgement for man’s sin. Before the flood came, the warning came. “God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Gen 6:13). There is a greater judgement beyond the physical, and it involves an eternity in hell. Are you saved? If not, don’t wait. Judgement is sure, and there is no escape if you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Saviour. If you are saved, it is a time to repent of your backsliding and start living for Christ to be ready to meet with God! 2) Being a holy witness. In the years that Noah was preparing by building the ark, he was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet 2:5) and by his message, life, and testimony, he “condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb 11:7). Noah knew and absolutely believed God when God told Noah of the impending judgement. We do too. Noah did not just selfishly spend the remaining days for himself and his family. We should not too.  Noah’s fear of God made him reach out to those around him with the warning of judgement and the good news of God’s appointed deliverance from the punishment to come. We must too. Today, we are called to also warn those around us of a coming judgement by God. Be witnesses of God! 3) Preparing our house. Noah’s life was a testimony of his faith. Remember, the coming judgement was a prophecy, and the means of judgement, ie heavy rains and floods, had never even been known or seen before the flood. But Noah was a credible witness by his life and because of his faith in God, his family believed and followed him. Noah lived his faith and by it “prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Heb 11:7). It is not time to be slothful. Parents, be a genuine godly example and prepare your children. Simply because they come to church every week, it does not mean that they are saved. Singles, live the life that God saved you for.  Be very sure that their feet stand on nothing except the solid rock of Jesus Christ!

Christ’s first coming was as the meek and humble Lamb of God. When He comes again, it will be for judgement. When the door of the ark closed, the scorners and unbelievers were locked out to face the judgement of God. The next judgement will not be by floods of water, but when we see the floods around us, let us remember the global flood and be warned! Just as sure as Noah’s flood occurred and it was too late for many, the Second Coming of Christ to rapture the Church and eventually to judge the world again is also a certainty. Where will you stand at that time?

2Pe 3:6-7  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor