Time of Trouble Bible Study 3

Many have responded to this Bible Study series with questions about the idea (which is new to them) of “the closing of heaven’s door” immediately preceding the “time of trouble” and the visible return of our Savior. Because of this, I am going to devote Parts 3 & 4 entirely to this very important, yet largely unknown biblical doctrine. 

Jesus Christ warned, “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37-39). Thus Jesus plainly said that the time of “the coming of the Son of Man” [His Second Coming] would be just like “the days of Noah,” especially “the day that Noah entered the ark.” This is vital. Prior to this, God said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever… yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years” (Gen. 6:3). Notice this carefully. For 120 years Noah warned the world of its approaching doom. During that time, God’s Spirit was striving with sinners and urging them to repent. Yet eventually – after everyone had made his or her choice – the Holy Spirit ceased striving and withdrew from the entire lost world.

After his last tearful sermon, “Noah entered the ark,” the door closed, “and the Lord shut him in” (Gen. 7:16). At this point, everyone on earth was either in our out, saved or lost. For those outside the ark, the day of salvation was over. It was forever too late for them. Yet the flood didn’t come immediately. There was yet “seven more days” (Gen. 7:4) until the rain fell. Notice this sequence:

1. The world was evil, corrupt, and violent (Gen. 6:5,11-13).
2. God gave man 120 additional years to choose or reject Him.
3. During those years, His Spirit strove with man (Gen. 6:4).
4. When that time ended, everyone had made a final choice.
5. Then Noah entered the ark, its door shut, and God’s Spirit ceased striving with the lost.
6. Seven more days passed by (Gen. 7:4).
7. Then the flood hit and “all flesh died” (Gen. 7:21) that was not preserved inside the ark.

Again, Jesus Christ said, “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Here are the parallels:

1. Today the world is evil, corrupt, and violent.
2. Today God is giving man time to choose or reject Him.
3. Today His Spirit is still striving earnestly with man.
4. When this time ends (I will set no dates – Matt. 24:36), everyone on earth will have made a final choice.
5. Then heaven’s door will shut (read carefully Rev. 22:10-12) and God’s Spirit will cease striving with the lost.
6. Then the “seven last plagues” will fall (Rev. 16; 22:18), which is “the time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1).
7. At the Second Coming (Rev. 19:11-16) all “the nations” (Rev. 19:15) and “all people” (Rev. 19:17-18) not prepared for Jesus Christ’s return will be destroyed (Luke 17:26-30; Rev. 16:17-21).

This is exactly what the Bible says. I realize that this teaching is unknown in most churches. But remember, only a small group (8 people) got it straight in Noah’s day!

For those who wish to study #7 above more fully, I strongly recommend my little booklet, The Millennium: Shocking Facts about a Misunderstood Prophecy and Your Eternal Destiny. It only costs $1.00 and is now available from White Horse Media.

May Jesus forgive our sins, purify our hearts, and prepare us for His soon return.

To be continued….