8-18-23 Discerning God's Prophetic Signals

Discerning God's Prophetic Signals – Bill Perkins - https://compass.org/discerning-gods-signals/ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Gen. 6:8 In the account of Noah and the worldwide flood, after construction of the ark was completed, God told Noah and his family the flood would begin in 7 days. “For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.” Gen. 7:4 Noah and family spent those last 7 days loading the animals on the ark. Actually, God brought the animals to the ark and commanded them to go inside to Noah…which must have been quite helpful! So they went into the ark to Noah, by twos of all flesh in which was the breath of life. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him. Gen. 7:15-16 But what’s most interesting is that Noah and his family were given a heads-up when the flood was about to begin. They had spent some 100 years constructing that huge boat and now it was time to trust God’s design to save them from the global flood waters. We know Noah and his three sons all had wives. I wonder what it would have been like that last week knowing the floodwaters were about to commence. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall listening to some of those conversations that last week! Each family would have probably built an apartment and the wives would have loaded it with necessities like clothes, pots and pans. Think of all the questions! It had never rained on the earth, surely that was discussed—"Noah, tell us what rain is." What a wild week that would have been knowing the coming devastation was just days away! Talk about faith!! By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, Heb. 11:7 Today, I believe the Bible teaches Noah and family illustratively represent the Church (Matt. 24:37). Just as God promised Noah and his family He would rescue them PRIOR to the flood, He promises us today we’ll also be rescued from God’s wrath that’s coming on this earth. Therefore, since Noah and his family knew they were down to 7 days, it shouldn’t surprise us that God is revealing to Believers on this earth that our rapturous rescue is near. Just as Noah and his family knew the flood was days away, Paul also says Believers should be able to clearly see the day approaching. not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Heb. 10:25 We don’t know today when the Church will be complete. So our exciting exit could be moments, months or years away. But I think you can make a case that we can see the end of the Church Age coming to a close. But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; 2Tim. 3:1-5 Hey, we might be seeing the equivalent of the animals showing up at the ark. They may not be loading yet, but they certainly seem to be gathering at the door! What an amazing time to live and be used by God! And always remember, as we see the signs all around us of our impending departure, we’re commanded to encourage one another. …we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another,… 1Th. 5:10b-11a CQLJ! BP While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 1Th. 5:3