Or the Ark, or the Chance! For some reason today my Grandkids missed the bus. They all have alarm clocks, which are seldom needed as they wake up in the morning happy and ready to start the day. Today was different, they just couldn’t get it into gear. They are not allowed to stay up late, and therefore get plenty of rest, but this morning they were dragging. Well, guess what, the bus did not wait for them to get their acts together, and it left without them. All the pleading under their breath didn’t change the outcome ofgetting that bus to make everyone late so they could make the bus. It reminds me of Noah, who spent 100 years telling people about the impending flood. They didn’t believe him, and even made fun of the fact he was making this huge boat to carry animals and people from this prophesied threat. There wasn’t even a river big enough to float the huge boat (Ark) he was building, and no one was interested in catching a ride. How do you think they felt when the heavens opened and the rain began? Until that time there is no record of rain. There was a canopy over the earth much like a terrarium, it misted, and there was dew, but no rain. When the rains came and the fountains of the deep erupted, (geysers) they realized they missed their chance at being saved from the flood. Do you think they ran to the Ark and pounded on the sides? What do you think was running through their minds when they succumbed to the water? “Why did I miss the chance to get on the ARK?”
The scene at heaven’s gate will be much like the missing of the bus, or the ark. In the last days people will crowd the gates of heaven wanting to be admitted, but lo they missed the ride they could have gotten on the cross, by rejecting, the saving properties of the blood, that was offered. Or perhaps they were waiting for the very last ride they could catch so they wouldn’t miss out on any of the fun they had planned for their life. Whatever the reason, the door of the bus, Ark, and heaven, was closed in the face of those who are too late. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee:
As parents we need to teach our children to be responsible for getting up on time in the morning, whether it is for school or for church. Teach them good habits like laying out their clothes the night before, and making sure their backpacks are packed and in an easily accessible place. Unfortunately life is controlled by time, like it or not it is reality. So teach them not to miss the bus to school or the ride salvation will give them to eternity.
We as authors have time restraints put on us all the time. And in order to be successful, we must meet those deadlines. Salvation has the same time restraint and missing it would be your greatest failure.
And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
Genesis 7:15-16&23
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luke 13:25-27