1) Just as the ark was provided by God, Christ was sent from heaven as a gracious provision for our

salvation.

2) The ark was sealed inside and out with “pitch.” The Hebrew word for this resinous substance comes
from the same root word translated elsewhere as “atonement” or “covering.” Just as the pitch sealed and
covered the spaces between the planks of gopher wood, the blood of Christ covers our sins so that they
cannot rise up and condemn us any longer.

3) There was only one ark provided and it had only one door. God never said, “Make four or five arks and
let the people make their choice.” And he never offered more than one door to the ark. Only one ark! Only
one door! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6).

4) The ark saved everyone who entered. And everyone who comes to Christ is saved. No one who comes
to him in faith will be turned away (John 6:37).

5) The ark was a place of total security. No matter how high the waters rose, the people and the animals
inside were safe. Let the winds howl and the waves crash against the side. Let the rain fall for 40 days and
40 nights. It did not matter. The ark was so strong that it preserved everyone and everything inside. And
those who come to Christ find that they are not only saved, they are safe forever and eternally secure.

6) Once God shut the door, no one else could enter. This is a sad and solemn thought. While the door was
open, anyone could enter and be saved from the coming flood. Once the door was shut, it would not be
opened again until the flood was over. Today is the day of grace. The door of salvation is open to all who
care to enter. Whosoever will may freely come. The invitation goes out to the entire world. God takes no
delight in the death of the wicked. He delays the coming judgment that all may come to repentance (II
Peter 3:9). But the day of grace will not last forever. Death comes to all men sooner or later. And there
will come a time when the gospel call will end and judgment must begin.

Consider this final thought. When the flood finally arrived, everyone inside the ark was saved while
everyone outside perished in the rising waters. Perhaps some people came and banged on the door and
cried, “Let us in!” When the floodwaters rose, the skeptics at last knew that Noah wasn’t so crazy after
all. But it was too late then. The same thing will happen when Christ returns to the earth. There will be a
final separation between the saved and the lost.

Only one question remains. Are you in the Ark of Safety? I am not asking about your religion or your
tithes offering or your good works or your religious background. And I am not inquiring as to your
baptism or your church membership or even about your Sunday School attendance. Those things are of
small value when it comes to the issue of eternal destiny. If Christ is the ark, are you “in” Christ by faith
alone? Or are you “outside” Christ because you only call to Him when there is trouble?

I fear that many otherwise good and decent people are hoping to “dog paddle” their way to heaven. They
are not in the ark but they figure they can swim to safety if the need arises. But that’s like saying, “I can
swim from Surigao to China.” It can’t be done. You’re sure to drown and it doesn’t matter how far you
can swim.

If you want to go to heaven, you must be in the ark. Jesus is the “Ark of Salvation.” He alone can save
you from your sins. He alone can deliver you to the shores of heaven. He alone can rescue you from the
judgment to come.

I have said this many times before and I say it again now. Run to the Ark! Run to the Ark of Salvation!
Put your trust in Jesus Christ. May you and your family be found safe in the Ark of Salvation. Amen.