Things Not Yet Seen

Things Not Yet Seen

“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.”

The thing that had not yet been seen was rain. Before that, there was only a mist that rose up from the earth and watered the entire surface of the earth. All flesh had corrupted its way, but Noah was a righteous and blameless man in his generation who found grace in the Lord’s eyes. Gen. 6:8-9. By this grace he didn’t sit down with his hands in his lap, waiting for God to save him. On the contrary! Through this grace he received a mission; he began to work on his salvation.

This is written to us as an example. 1 Cor. 10:11. We are being warned that we will be raptured before the destruction—the wrath—comes over the ungodly. 1 Thess. 4:16-17, 5:3-11. Noah didn’t just hear a rumor or accept a teaching, but he was warned. He received revelation from God, and this revelation impelled him to start working on his salvation. He believed and was obedient. “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Many people have accepted a doctrine concerning the rapture, and they believe it, but they have also accepted a doctrine concerning “grace,” which tells them they cannot and must not work out their own salvation, for our salvation was procured for us by God on the cross. They say it is all by grace; we shall do nothing. Thus they are hindered from working out their own salvation as Noah did, by a false grace. Almost all believers live in this deception, which, through faith in this grace, makes them incapable of working out their salvation.

Noah was obedient, and he began to work. Paul was given the apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations to the glory of His name. Rom. 1:5. Consequently he exhorts us as follows: “Therefore . . . not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and doubting, that you may become blameless and innocent, children of God without fault . . . .” Phil. 2:12-15.

We have Noah as an example. God worked; Noah did according to all that God commanded him without murmuring and doubting what God had worked in him. The fact that God warned Noah and began to work in him was true grace from God. This is how it will be when we stand in the true grace; then we can be diligent in adding virtue to our faith, and we can partake of divine nature. 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Pet. 1:3-13.

Very few people have this connection with God that He can warn them so that they begin to work out their salvation. They have only accepted a doctrine and are not getting ready for the wedding, but are rather much more interested in predicting the time of the rapture. Rev. 19:7-8. They are comforted by the thought that the bridal garment is ready and waiting for them, but they do not consider that the bridal garment is made of fine linen, which is the righteous works of the saints. They totally ignore the exhortation in 1 John 3:3: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” They also ignore Paul’s exhortation to those who hoped to be raptured: “Therefore encourage each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11.

If those who have only received a doctrine about the rapture were to begin to work out their salvation, they would consider that as being in bondage to the law. They also call out “Bondage!” when those who have been warned by God speak about working out your own salvation. Noah labored in holy fear, and he no doubt rejoiced in the hope of saving himself and his household.

This also applies to us, as many as have been warned by God. When we sense that God is working both to will and to do, our hope and joy increase, for we know that we are under grace. All murmuring and doubting vanish, and the desire to work increases. We also have a special help in these days as we see Jesus’ predictions being fulfilled, knowing that our redemption is near. Luke 21:28-36.