God's Grace For Noah

 Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

The word translated "substance" used in the New Testament from the original Koine greek  in which the New Testament was written is " hypostasis..."

 Hypostasis literally means "a standing under" or "that which underlies what is apparent". The meaning of the word depends on how it is understood. For example, subjectively, it can translate to "faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see".  It also may signify a title-deed, as giving a guarantee, or reality. Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T.                                                    

In Hebrews 11, commonly referred to as the faith chapter verse 7, we read this: By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." There was a contrast between Noah’s life and the life of mankind in general. Noah found favor by being counter-cultural in a world of evil. As a result, he was chosen to do a nearly impossible task that advanced God’s purpose and changed the world.

Noah knew that what God said was true. It was going to happen. For God said to Noah, " “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.  So make yourself an ark...."                                                                        

Reverence for God yes.....But also a good healthy fear for Noah knew that what God said to him would come to pass. God would flood the world and destroy mankind and all the creatures of the earth. As the LORD  had said, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.  But Noah found grace  in the eyes of the Lord."                                                         

God chose Noah, out of all the peoples of the earth, to preserve a remnant of his creatures. We see Noah’s obedient life demonstrated in his willingness to obey without question  the Lord’s commands regarding the ark. Consider the fact that Noah and his generation more than likely had never seen rain before, yet God tells Noah to build a large seagoing vessel nowhere near a body of water. Even though "God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways." God made a sovereign choice to call Noah,  a man, though himself a sinner,  who to the best of his ability, was pious, prayed and  believed God and did his foremost  to submit to and honor God with His obedience. As the hymn says, Trust and Obey. So did Noah. 

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Noah communed with God. He prayed to God and Scripture tells us  "Noah was a righteous man, blameless man  among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God."  He was chosen by God to perpetuate the human race after his wicked contemporaries had perished in the Flood. Noah found grace with God, was obedient, revered God, and shared his faith with others.  Scripture tells us  " Noah did everything just as God commanded him."  He believed and he obeyed. Jesus Himself said he who has my commandments and obeys them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest (reveal) Myself to him.”    (John 14:21-22)     

                                                             

                                                    

Noah was the grandson of Methuselah, the oldest person in the Bible, who died at 969 years old in the year of the flood.   His father was Enoch, of whom it is said he “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24), but who was taken to heaven without dying at 365 years. In the book of Hebrews we are told " By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God." The Lord took him to himself out of the world, in love for  him, and removed him from earth to heaven, soul and body, as Elijah was taken; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven; body and soul; such a change passing on him, as he went through the region of the air, which divested him of his mortality and corruption, and fitted him for the invisible world. 2 Kings 2:11) 

                                                       

What was it about Enoch that so pleased God and made God decide to catch up (rapture) Enoch up to Himself. Simply put... He pleased God. He trusted God had his best interests at heart. And even when times got rough in Enoch's life, whenever he may have started to doubt in some way the love and plan of God, he did not stray from the righteous course, the Godly path, that the LORD had marked out for him. Then God said, "it is time. Come up here!" And Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death.  

                                                          

And it was all because Enoch had faith. It is very interesting to note that immediately after Heb. 11 verse 7 about Enoch's translation into heaven the author of Hebrews writes: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." It appears that the sole desire of Enoch was a daily practice of praying, proclaiming, and  obeying God. He truly was one who exhibited a  very special  faith. A faith rewarded in the same way to only one other person. Elijah the Tishbite. Who himself was translated to glory in a chariot of fire.  

                                                     

In the account of Enoch in Gen. 9 it says Enoch walked with God. What does that mean? It means that a person lives a spiritual life in which he tells God everything. His entire life was characterized by his love for God. God transformed him into another man. A man who loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strenght.  He kept nothing from God by prayer. And He obeyed and trusted God with all things, even his life.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Phil. 4:6-7)                                                                 

                                             

What was it that made Noah a man attested to by God and chosen by God to rescue a remnant of God's creation  from the destruction that would be poured out on the Masters creation? Why did Noah so vigorously obey God? Did Noah receive a warning from God of things as yet not seen. Was it a vision or the voice of God from heaven. Scripture does not say. But it does say Noah was forewarned of things not yet seen. A great and severe judgment, such as the world had never yet seen, that would consume all life not rescued by the Ark that God commanded Noah to build.                                       

 Acting on his faith his soul was impressed with a fear of God's judgement. He was told, he believed and knew God would accomplish His will and judge the world with it's destruction. Noah was moved with fear.  Faith first influences our affections, then our actions; His faith influenced his practice. His fear, thus excited by believing God's threatening, moved him to prepare an ark, in which, no doubt, he met with the scorns and reproaches of a wicked generation. He did not dispute with God why he should make an ark, nor how it could be capable of containing what was to be lodged in it, nor how such a vessel could possibly weather out so great a storm. His faith silenced all objections, and set him to work in earnest. (Matthew Henry commentary)                                                       

The fruit and rewards of Noah's faith: God would save himself and his family where as the whole world of sinners would perish in the damning waters of the flood. His obedience condemned those who mocked and cursed him for his seemingly inane rabblings of the destruction that would come upon them. And was in all probability  labled a halfwit, moron,  imbecile or worse. One prone to strange, irrational  ramblings that defied any semblance to rational thought or reason. Noah's building what? There's no large bodies of water around here.  A Flood? From who? A God no body has seen? Judgement? Why? We're good people.  Noah must be imbibing of his femented grapes.  

There is something very convincing in a life of strict holiness and regard to God; it commends itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God, and they are judged by it.They may rebel and speak cruelly of the people of God. For they resent the condemnation that they see as directed towards them. Others, through the convicting of the Holy Spirit in their hearts may be turned from their sin  and believe. In Noah's case it seems no one was convinced even as Noah tended to the construction of the Ark for 120 years. God gave the world plenty of time for them to repent but it was to  no avail. The flood waters came and took them all away.          

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 Noah’s life serves as a reminder that judgment on sin will come. The Day of the Lord will come (2 Peter 3:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). Jesus uses the life of Noah as a foreshadowing of what it will be like when the Son of Man returns in final judgment (Matthew 24:37-38); Luke 17:26-27). As such, we need to know to follow Noah’s example and be a “herald of righteousness” and heed the words of Paul: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Just as Noah was, we too are Christ’s ambassadors in these last days. God’s judgment is coming, but He offers reconciliation through Jesus Christ. (6 Things you didn't Know About Noah,  Belief Net)    

                                               

the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,  in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. (2 Thess 1:7-10)

(NOTE: some info taken from (6 Things you didn't Know About Noah,  Belief Net)    

                   

Those who Forget the Past Are Condemed To Repeat It

                     THOSE WHO FORGET THE PAST ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT

Many factors contributed to Rome's decline, such as political instability, military defeats, economic crises, social decay, and cultural assimilation

The most straightforward theory for Western Rome’s collapse pins the fall on a string of military losses sustained against outside forces. in 476, the Germanic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and deposed Emperor Romulus Augustulus. From then on, no Roman emperor would ever again rule from a post in Italy, leading many to cite 476 as the year the Western Empire suffered its death blow.

Even as Rome was under attack from outside forces, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. Constant wars and overspending had significantly lightened imperial coffers, and oppressive taxation and inflation had widened the gap between rich and poor.

In the fifth century, when the Vandals claimed North Africa and began disrupting the empire’s trade by prowling the Mediterranean as pirates. With its economy faltering and its commercial and agricultural production in decline, the Empire began to lose its grip on Europe.

The fate of Western Rome was partially sealed in the late third century, when Emperor Diocletian divided the Empire into two halves—the Western Empire seated in the city of Milan, and the Eastern Empire in Byzantium, later known as Constantinople. The division made the empire more easily governable in the short term, but over time the two halves drifted apart. East and West failed to adequately work together to combat outside threats, and the two often squabbled over resources and military aid. As the gulf widened, the largely Greek-speaking Eastern Empire grew in wealth while the Latin-speaking West descended into an economic crisis.

At its height, the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Euphrates River in the Middle East, but its grandeur may have also been its downfall. With such a vast territory to govern, the empire faced an administrative and logistical nightmare. As more and more funds were funneled into the military upkeep of the empire, technological advancement slowed and Rome’s civil infrastructure fell into disrepair.

If Rome’s sheer size made it difficult to govern, ineffective and inconsistent leadership only served to magnify the problem. Civil war thrust the empire into chaos.  The political rot also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own widespread corruption and incompetence. As the situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Roman citizens lost trust in their leadership.

The Barbarian attacks on Rome partially stemmed from a mass migration caused by the Huns’ invasion of Europe in the late fourth century, The Romans grudgingly allowed members of the Visigoth tribe to cross south of the Danube and into the safety of Roman territory,With the Western Empire weakened, Germanic tribes like the Vandals and the Saxons were able to surge across its borders and occupy Britain, Spain and North Africa.

The decline of Rome dovetailed with the spread of Christianity, The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity in 313, and it later became the state religion in 380. These decrees ended centuries of persecution, but they may have also eroded the traditional Roman values system. Popes and other church leaders took an increased role in political affairs, further complicating governance. While the spread of Christianity may have played a small role in curbing Roman civic virtue, most scholars now argue that its influence paled in comparison to military, economic and administrative factors.

For most of its history, Rome’s military was the envy of the ancient world. But during the decline, the makeup of the once mighty legions began to change.  The ranks of the legions eventually swelled with Germanic Goths and other barbarians, While these Germanic soldiers of fortune proved to be fierce warriors, they also had little or no loyalty to the empire, and their power-hungry officers often turned against their Roman employers. In fact, many of the barbarians who sacked the city of Rome and brought down the Western Empire had earned their military stripes while serving in the Roman legions.

                 

                          With Peru port project, China gains a foothold in America’s backyard

CHANCAY, Peru — Life in this centuries-old fishing town on Peru’s Pacific coast is about to be transformed.A massive deep-water port for container ships is being built in Chancay, about 45 miles north of Lima, and it is being financed largely by China, Peru’s largest trading partner. The port will host some of the biggest cargo ships in the world and serve as an economic beachhead for China in Latin America, a region historically dominated by the United States where Beijing’s investment and influence is growing.                                                                                                                         U.S. officials have reportedly raised concerns with Peru that Chinese investment in the port could have national security implications, given Xi’s oft-mentioned ambition of turning China into a “maritime superpower.” The port’s builder says it is for commercial use only."                                                                                                     Miriam Arce, a community leader whose father was a fisherman, has a different concern:“Both countries are in conflict,” said Arce, a 52-year-old artist. “We are in the middle of this conflict. And Chancay is very small.”

                                              

Ex-spy says US should be concerned by Russian ships visiting Cuba as Kremlin insists ‘nothing to worry about’

Former KGB spy Jack Barsky, who spent a decade spying for the Soviet Union in the US before he was discovered by the FBI, told NewsNation that the US should be “worried” after Russia sent three warships and a nuclear-powered submarine into Cuban waters – just 90 miles from Florida – on Tuesday for routine military exercises.“                                                                                                                              You can’t look at this as just a routine exercise. It has to be seen against the background where Putin is stating that he’s actually fighting the West in the Ukraine,” he said.                                                                                                                                     The Pentagon has maintained that it is not worried about the deployment of the ships, saying that they pose no threat because the deployment is part of routine naval activity. Cuba has also said the deployment poses no threat.                                But Barsky said he disagreed with the Pentagon and Cuba’s stance. “Everything that Putin does is sending messaging, particularly threatening ones,” Barsky said, adding that Putin “likes to scare people,                                                                                                                                Barsky added that his fear stems from the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, when the fear of nuclear war paralyzed America for nearly two weeks.“With this kind of tension that we have, there’s always the possibility of an accidental launch,” Barsky said. “I’m worried about that.”Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark shared similar remarks on NewsNation’s “The Hill” on Tuesday, arguing that while Russia’s presence in Cuba’s waters does not signal war, it is clearly a show of strength by Putin who is trying to send a message to the world as the war in Ukraine continues.

(History of Rome from HISTORY)

Ravaged By Sin

      Even our goods deeds are ravaged by the indwelling corruptible nature of sin.

I find that the majority of people think they are good enough to enter into the presence of God and into his kingdom on their own merit. They're good people. They proclaim. Comparing themselves to others. The "I haven't did this or that" routine.  So they base their merit on so called good works. But it is always based on what other people do or have done. But they might respond to the question, "are you perfect?" with a resounding NO.                                                              In God's economy it's not what you do but who you know, or rather who knows you. Scripture tells us there is no one righteous. No Not One. There is no one who does good.  No not one! And no one who seeks God. All have turned away and have become worthless. (Paul quoting the Old Testament in Romans 3:10-18)

             

                                                                                                                                         

John Newton a former  English slave trader, who became an Angelian minister, abolitionist and hymn writer including Amazing Grace penned this: Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see.  The word wretch is rarely, if ever used today. What exactly does it mean? How did John  Newton see himself. And how should we evaluate ourselves. Well, it isn't a pretty picture, how the God of all creation sees us. The word "wretch"  tells us we are scoundrels, villians, reprobates ,contemptible.  A despicable, or vile person. Not a pretty picture of our sinful fallen nature.                                                                                                                       Let's look at the word "base" since many only recognize base as a place to run to in a baseball game or a military base of operation.  Base as an adjective and now archaic to our modern day ears is denoting or befitting a person without moral principles. It is Bad;  wrong, sordid { meaning sleazy, vile, foul, dirty, filthy, degenerate, debased, vulgar, foul, abominable, shameful, disgusting. You can see some of those in our own Bibles.

                                     

 A base person is unscrupulous (Dishonest, unfair)  corrupt (a lot of that going around these days) abhorrent {repugnant, replusive, revolting, offensive,} and disgusting. Also dispicable {meaning obnoxious, detestable, infamous, unprincipled, abominable and finally vile {debauched, diabolical {devilish, satanic, hellish), damnable, depraved, reprobate and perverted.                                                                                                                                                                          That is how every single human being appears to a Holy, Righteous and Perfect God. God can not tolerate such human wretchedness. Only perfection is accepted in the kingdon of God. An eternal, everlasting God demands that one be perfect, as the Father in heaven is perfect, for those who may enter his kingdom. Nothing else will do.                                                                                              Yet  Scripture tells us in this is love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us. and sent His Son as a propitiation (that is an atoning sacrifice 1 John 4:10) for our sins. And thus we have the cross upon which Christ Jesus was placed. Died, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. To believe that is to believe God. To believe that is to have redemption. To have that is to have everlasting life in the presence of God and the glory of His power.

                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                 To understand  how odious our present state is before God. How replusive, foul and offensive we are is to have a whole new appreciation for what God has done for the sinful, fallen state of human kind. Our condition is worse than you think. And it's more glorious and beautiful than you can fathom when we believe.                                                                                                                         It's like protesting the opening of Lazarus tomb because it had been four days since he died and they warned , "He strinketh!"  PU! That's how all people are before God. We are a foul, disgusting odor. But when one trusts in Jesus as Savior and Lord we become a soothing aroma, a pleasing aroma of Christ, His perfect righteousness is imputed to us.  The only One who could provide the eternally pleasing sacrifice. God sees that righeousness of His only Son and we are accepted into the Kingdom of God.                                                                       It is not what we do, but what Christ Jesus has done. As God the Father said, "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well please. Listen to Him!" And as Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel of John, "I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except through me."  And Peter proclaimed "salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." " God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin (offering)  for us. So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."                                                                                                                   Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God  which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           If you have confessed, repented and desire to trust and obey the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,  your place in Gods kingdom is assured. As Jesus the Christ Himself said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.”                                                                                                                                                                                                 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Good works are the result of God's calling us. Not its cause. Therefore let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.                                                     

(   John 14:6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Romans 1:1-4; John 10:27-30; Matt. 10:16)