THE ARK HAD ONLY ONE DOOR
God was specific when He commanded Noah to build the ark. He was to make it of gopher wood, supply it with rooms, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. It was to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet tall (Gen. 6:14-15). The instructions continued, “You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks” (v. 16).
I find it disappointing today to see so many pictures depicting Noah’s ark with multiple windows. The Bible says there was only one window – and only one door.
The ark was a vessel of salvation. God’s wrath was being poured out on the entire world. The only air-breathing creatures (man and animal) that survived the global flood were those inside the ark. The only way into the ark was through this one door. Everything outside the ark perished in the flood.
We know that God’s wrath will again be poured out on the earth one day. Instead of water, God will completely destroy the earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). The ark of safety from this coming destruction is the Lord’s church. Those who are in the church (the body of God’s people) will survive the wrath of God’s coming judgment. Those who are outside will perish.
Just as there was only one ark in Noah’s day, there is only one body of saved people today. And just as there was only one door to Noah’s ark, there is only one way to enter the church. One must believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3), confess their faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27).
There is no other way into Christ. There is no other way to be saved. The world abounds with various religions, but they can’t all be right. “Christianity” abounds with groups believing and practicing different things, but they can’t all be right. There is only one door.
God closed the door of the ark in Noah’s day (Gen. 7:16). Those who were inside were protected from the outpouring of His wrath. Those who were outside perished. One day God will close the door of His church. God’s longsuffering will come to an end, the gospel invitation will stop being extended, the trumpet will sound, and judgment will take place.
Once God closes the door, it will not be reopened. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:10-13).
Why would you wait another moment? Prepare yourself for eternity right now by obeying the gospel.