Noah and his family must have been so relieved when the waters of the flood abated and all the labor, burdens were over and they came to "rest" on solid ground. The stench of all those animals enclosed inside the Ark had to be intolorable... except for the fact that the sin and evil of mankind that had just been destroyed made the cities of the earth also intolorable. Nevertheless, Noah had to be ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy when the dove brought back a "sign" that land was at hand.
We see the 'signs' all around us that the "end " is near! But we have become so accustomed to the stench of the "things of this world" we don't want to hear the sound of the watchman; "LAND AHOY!" For if we did, we would let everyone hear "The Good News!" Instead, we don't want to study Daniel & Revelation...nor all the prophesies concerning these times.'
For we know that "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." And we love this 'World' and it's accomodations so much, we want our "cruise" to go on for just a while longer!
If we hear too much about "THE END" we might believe it, and not enjoy our deception any longer. The beautiful cabin we have will begin to "smell like a zoo" and we will feel the rocking and swaying of the waves of the flood waters as the reality sets in. We are called to "work while the day is yet,for the night cometh when no man can work." Not to be a "vacation passenger."
We will feel the urgency to preach to our loved ones as never before, and then realize how this is what we should have been doing all along! This will cause us to not enjoy our "state room" like we used to, and instead of coming to the "captains table for all the "dainty and tasty morsels "of our wonderful cruise ship's menu, we hear of the invitation to "the marriage Supper of the Lamb, and it has been so long since we thought what that would taste like... because we have eaten and drank of this world's pleasure, we are no longer excited to get of the boat!
Many Churches are shortening their service days, and are accomadating the passengers on this salvation ship instead of obeying the Captain of our salvation!
But
Acts 27 gives us a picture in "allegory" of how this 'SHIP' will make it through this end time storm and "times of trouble."
When a 'tempest wind called euroclydon" rose up and the ship which Apostle Paul and many souls became endangered, that this allegory fits the ship we sail. The apostle Paul prophesied that it would happen! They did not believe him because the winds were "gentle" at the time. As the storm blew worse the sailors began throwing off all the 'tackle' and other dead weight so the ship could be lightened.
Those that are involved with the sailing of the ship, and looking for land, a safe harbor, will be topside like those in
Acts 27. The ship was steered into a creek, a narrow passage! And ran aground on ROCK! Paul warned that only those who stayed in the ship would be saved! The forepart of the ship remained UNMOVABLE, but the hinderpart, was broken up and destroyed!
Only those in the front of the ship who participate in fullfilling their purpose and calling, and have heard the alarm..."LAND AHOY!!!"... and know and Do the "Word" (are sailors not passengers) and have confidence that this end time age is the greatest hourof the Church... but for those saints who know how to sail a ship of soul savers, not a ship of fools!