In this thread we shall examine certain aspects of the story of Noah's ark and how it relates to Christ. Noahs ark is often considered as a children's story, a Hollywood blockbuster movie, or a story to defend Creationism and prove the demise of the dinosaurs. However if we fail to see Christ in the story of Noah's ark, we miss the point.
Christ does not want us to be slow or ignorant concerning the revelation of Him in the Old Testament (Luke 24:25-27). The whole Bible is about Christ, all of the Scriptures point to Christ. This is because Christ is the WORD and everything (John 1:1, Col 3:11, Phil 3:8). Christ is the fulfilment of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18) and the Old Testament testifies of Christ (John 5:39, Luke 24:25-27, 37), that Jesus is the Messiah. Of course this doesn't mean that every verse is exclusively about Christ. However the revelation of Christ is found in many passages in the old testament with direct link to the new testament. The purpose of God giving us the Old Testament in our Bibles is to point us to Christ.
Noah Himself
Noah is a type of Christ, being the man-saviour of his family and all the living creatures. The word Noah means rest or comfort. Christ is our comfort and rest (Heb 4:4-11).
The Building
Noah built the ark according to God's revelation, not his own wisdom or imagination (Gen 6:15). This is symbolic of Christ and Christ's workers, building the church according to God's plan and not their own plan (Matt 16:18, John 6:38, 1 Cor 3:10-15, Eph 2:20-22).
The Wood
The ark was made out of a kind of resinous wood which withstands water (Gen 6:14). This is not only good engineering, but signifies Christ who cannot be harmed by the waters of death (Acts 2:24, John 14:6). Of course, the wood, also symbolizes the cross of Christ, which stands between us and God's judgement (the flood water).
The Covering
The ark was covered within and without by pitch (Gen 6:14). The covering of pitch symbolizes Christ's blood. The internal covering of pitch is for our inward peace with God via purification of our conscience (Heb 9:14, Gen 3:8, Col 1:20). The external covering of pitch is for protecting from God's wrath (Rom 5:9), as also symbolized by the external application of blood to the houses in Exo 12:13.
The Dimensions
The dimensions of the ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (Gen 6:15). Some English Bible translations have converted cubits into feet and inches or metres, and if so, the meaning will be lost. The numbers 3 and 5 are the same numbers used in construction of the altar of burnt offering which signifies the cross of Christ (Exo 27:1, Heb 13:10).
The number 3 signifies the Trinity (Matt 28:19). The number 5 signifies the creation (four, Rev 4:6-9) plus God (one). Four is creation in weakness, 5 (four plus one) is creation in God, or strengthened creation. God created men with 5 fingers, 5 toes and 5 senses (hear, see, smell, taste, touch). If we lose just one finger, one toe or one sense, we become weaker. Similarly, mankind without God is weak. The number 10 or 100 signifies completion. The dimensions of the ark signifies none other than Christ who is the perfect and complete person being both God and perfect (and strong) man. It also signifies the complete and perfect dwelling of God and man together (Rev 21:3), even the union between God and man (1 Cor 6:17).
The Window and Door
The ark had only one window at the top of the ark, facing Heaven, which was an opening for light (Gen 6:16). That there was only one window opening to Heaven signifies that there is only one way to Heaven which is through Christ (John 14:6). Christ is the window which opens up to Heaven to allow the light of God to shine through into our hearts (2 Cor 4:6, 2 Pet 1:19, Eph 5:14).
The ark had only one door for entrance into the ark (Gen 6:16). The door signifies Christ (John 10:9) and that Christ is the only way to saved (John 14:6).
The Levels
Noah's ark had 3 levels (Gen 6:16). This signifies the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This signifies that when we abide in the ark, which represents Christ, we experience the complete Trinity (Col 2:9, John 14:23, John 14:16).
Entering and Remaining in the Ark
The Lord's coming back is likened to the days of Noah (Matt 24:37). The ark is very large, it is an ark not a canoe - it is intended to hold a great number. Remaining in the ark is symbolic for abiding in the Body of Christ, the Church, for our salvation and protection during the Tribulation period (1 Peter 3:20-21, 1 Cor 12:12). As individuals we cannot hope to stand strong during the tribulation period, we need the church. Noah's ark represents the Body of Christ, which as represented by the woman in Rev 12:6, is protected for 1260 days (3 and a half years) during the tribulation period (Rev 12:6).
Remaining in the ark is symbolic for abiding in Christ for our salvation from judgement, and for our protection (John 15:4, Psalm 91:1). Like Christ, the ark was for the salvation of all living things, not just mankind (Col 1:20).
The Flood
The purpose of water is two-fold - judgement, and salvation. The water of the Red Sea judged the Egyptians and saved the children of Israel from their captivity (Exo 14:26:30). The waters of baptism signifies Christ's death (Rom 6:3), which judged Satan and the world (John 12:31, Heb 2:14), and which also saves believers (Gal 6:14).
Similarly, the flood represents God's judgement, cleansing and separation (sanctification). It signifies baptism into Christ, baptism into his death, burial and resurrection (1 Peter 3:21). Our salvation is by passing through the waters of death to our old self and being resurrected unto new life. The flood also signifies separation and rescue from the old creation unto the new creation (Gal 1:4), as the flood caused all of the old things to go away and the coming of the new (2 Cor 5:17).
God Shutting The Door
Gen 7:16 says God shut the door of the ark. This signifies that once we enter the ark, once we enter Christ, we are saved forever, our salvation is secure (John 10:28-29, 2 Cor 1:22).
Christ does not want us to be slow or ignorant concerning the revelation of Him in the Old Testament (Luke 24:25-27). The whole Bible is about Christ, all of the Scriptures point to Christ. This is because Christ is the WORD and everything (John 1:1, Col 3:11, Phil 3:8). Christ is the fulfilment of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18) and the Old Testament testifies of Christ (John 5:39, Luke 24:25-27, 37), that Jesus is the Messiah. Of course this doesn't mean that every verse is exclusively about Christ. However the revelation of Christ is found in many passages in the old testament with direct link to the new testament. The purpose of God giving us the Old Testament in our Bibles is to point us to Christ.
Noah Himself
Noah is a type of Christ, being the man-saviour of his family and all the living creatures. The word Noah means rest or comfort. Christ is our comfort and rest (Heb 4:4-11).
The Building
Noah built the ark according to God's revelation, not his own wisdom or imagination (Gen 6:15). This is symbolic of Christ and Christ's workers, building the church according to God's plan and not their own plan (Matt 16:18, John 6:38, 1 Cor 3:10-15, Eph 2:20-22).
The Wood
The ark was made out of a kind of resinous wood which withstands water (Gen 6:14). This is not only good engineering, but signifies Christ who cannot be harmed by the waters of death (Acts 2:24, John 14:6). Of course, the wood, also symbolizes the cross of Christ, which stands between us and God's judgement (the flood water).
The Covering
The ark was covered within and without by pitch (Gen 6:14). The covering of pitch symbolizes Christ's blood. The internal covering of pitch is for our inward peace with God via purification of our conscience (Heb 9:14, Gen 3:8, Col 1:20). The external covering of pitch is for protecting from God's wrath (Rom 5:9), as also symbolized by the external application of blood to the houses in Exo 12:13.
The Dimensions
The dimensions of the ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (Gen 6:15). Some English Bible translations have converted cubits into feet and inches or metres, and if so, the meaning will be lost. The numbers 3 and 5 are the same numbers used in construction of the altar of burnt offering which signifies the cross of Christ (Exo 27:1, Heb 13:10).
The number 3 signifies the Trinity (Matt 28:19). The number 5 signifies the creation (four, Rev 4:6-9) plus God (one). Four is creation in weakness, 5 (four plus one) is creation in God, or strengthened creation. God created men with 5 fingers, 5 toes and 5 senses (hear, see, smell, taste, touch). If we lose just one finger, one toe or one sense, we become weaker. Similarly, mankind without God is weak. The number 10 or 100 signifies completion. The dimensions of the ark signifies none other than Christ who is the perfect and complete person being both God and perfect (and strong) man. It also signifies the complete and perfect dwelling of God and man together (Rev 21:3), even the union between God and man (1 Cor 6:17).
The Window and Door
The ark had only one window at the top of the ark, facing Heaven, which was an opening for light (Gen 6:16). That there was only one window opening to Heaven signifies that there is only one way to Heaven which is through Christ (John 14:6). Christ is the window which opens up to Heaven to allow the light of God to shine through into our hearts (2 Cor 4:6, 2 Pet 1:19, Eph 5:14).
The ark had only one door for entrance into the ark (Gen 6:16). The door signifies Christ (John 10:9) and that Christ is the only way to saved (John 14:6).
The Levels
Noah's ark had 3 levels (Gen 6:16). This signifies the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This signifies that when we abide in the ark, which represents Christ, we experience the complete Trinity (Col 2:9, John 14:23, John 14:16).
Entering and Remaining in the Ark
The Lord's coming back is likened to the days of Noah (Matt 24:37). The ark is very large, it is an ark not a canoe - it is intended to hold a great number. Remaining in the ark is symbolic for abiding in the Body of Christ, the Church, for our salvation and protection during the Tribulation period (1 Peter 3:20-21, 1 Cor 12:12). As individuals we cannot hope to stand strong during the tribulation period, we need the church. Noah's ark represents the Body of Christ, which as represented by the woman in Rev 12:6, is protected for 1260 days (3 and a half years) during the tribulation period (Rev 12:6).
Remaining in the ark is symbolic for abiding in Christ for our salvation from judgement, and for our protection (John 15:4, Psalm 91:1). Like Christ, the ark was for the salvation of all living things, not just mankind (Col 1:20).
The Flood
The purpose of water is two-fold - judgement, and salvation. The water of the Red Sea judged the Egyptians and saved the children of Israel from their captivity (Exo 14:26:30). The waters of baptism signifies Christ's death (Rom 6:3), which judged Satan and the world (John 12:31, Heb 2:14), and which also saves believers (Gal 6:14).
Similarly, the flood represents God's judgement, cleansing and separation (sanctification). It signifies baptism into Christ, baptism into his death, burial and resurrection (1 Peter 3:21). Our salvation is by passing through the waters of death to our old self and being resurrected unto new life. The flood also signifies separation and rescue from the old creation unto the new creation (Gal 1:4), as the flood caused all of the old things to go away and the coming of the new (2 Cor 5:17).
God Shutting The Door
Gen 7:16 says God shut the door of the ark. This signifies that once we enter the ark, once we enter Christ, we are saved forever, our salvation is secure (John 10:28-29, 2 Cor 1:22).
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