The Flood: A Type Of Coming "Baptism Of Fire"
By Ray Brubaker
Dr. Nelson Glueck, noted archaeologist, once commented:
"It may be stated categorically that no archaeological
discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference.
Scores of archaeological findings have been made which
confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical
statements in the Bible."
If following the flood Noah and his family were the only
inhabitants of the whole earth it is reasonable to assume
that from their offspring there would flow some kind of
information concerning a gigantic flood that swept the
whole world. And this is true. Almost everywhere in the
literature and legend of ancient peoples there is reference
to a great flood.
From the Chinese we learn this description of a great
flood. "The pillars of heaven were broken, the earth
shook to its foundation, the sun and the stars disappeared,
the earth broke up and its waters within engulfed the earth
and overflowed. All these evils arose from man having
rebelled against heaven, despising the supreme power of
the Universe."
The Egyptians have a legend which says that a long time
ago the gods purified the earth by a great flood from which
a few shepherds escaped by climbing a high mountain.
In Britain, an ancient legend declares that because of
the wickedness of man, the Supreme Being sent a flood,
when the waves of the sea lifted themselves up all around
the island of Britain. But a patriarch with a select company
found refuge in a strong ship, survived the flood,
and repopulated the earth.
Among the American Indians the tradition of a flood
is found in every tribe. Among the 120 tribes in North,
Central and South America, not a tribe exists which does
not have a legend of a great deluge in which from three
to eight persons were saved and cast upon a high mountain.
In Cambodia, pictured on the temple of Angkor is
water spilling over the land.
Perhaps the most similar description to the Bible
account comes out of Babylonian tradition which tells of
a great flood once covering the earth. In this particular
instance, Ardatas the king was warned to build a ship
3000 feet long and 1200 feet wide in which he and some
friends and a large number of animals, with all necessary
food, passed through the flood. Tradition also relates
the sending forth of birds which returned again, and
the ship finally coming to rest on the mountains of
Armenia.
Such are the various traditions which seem to stem
from the one true account given in Genesis. Actually,
everything that is known about the period of history Before
the flood is recorded in the Bible. If there were any
records kept by any nation up until that time they were
totally destroyed. Thus, three chapters in the Bible,
namely Genesis 4,5, and 6 are the only authentic written
account and reliable record of conditions on this earth
as they existed in the days before the flood.
The Apostle Peter compares the days of Noah with the
day of Christ's Return saying: "Whereby the world
that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the
same word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against
the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men."
(2 Pet. 3:6-7)
Peter enlarges upon this theme, noting: "The day
of the Lord will come as a thief in the night: in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and
the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner
of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and
godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the
day of God wherein the heavens being on FIRE shall be
dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat."
Here referred to is a Baptism of Fire coming to this
earth even as Baptism by a Flood immersed the earth in
the days of Noah.
The Prophet Malachi speaks of this, saying: "Who
may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand
when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's FIRE..."
There is no question but that as we come to the end of
this age it is one of careless indifference to the things
of God and almost total disregard for His Word. Predicted
has been both the apostasy - the falling away that we are
now seeing, along with lukewarmness or spiritual apathy
that characterizes our age. Because iniquity would abound
the love of many would wax cold, we're told. And that is
exactly as we are seeing it today. So God has no alternative
but to end this age with tribulation - a trial by fire
to see what kind of faith is ours. Thus, Malachi likens the
return of Christ to a refiner's fire. And he goes on to
declare: "he shall sit as arefiner and purifier of silver."
In Scripture 'silver' speaks of redemption. So Christ
is here seen purifying those whom he has redeemed. His
purpose is to cleanse from all iniquity that characterizes
the lives of many who call themselves Christians today
and to prepare us for heaven.
Malachi goes on to declare: "He shall purify the
Sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they
may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
We know the tribulation will be a time of Jacob's
trouble. Israel is in for some difficult times. However,
in the midst of her fires of judgment there will come a
purifying such as was never seen among men. A whole
nation will ultimately be converted when in the midst of
serious times of calamity there will be a great turning
to the Lord.
So we discover this baptism of fire will come both to
the Laodicean Church and to Israel in the Endtime. Thus
in the midst of persecution and affliction, in tribulation
and amidst chastening we hear our Lord saying: "I counsel
of thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire." Rev 3:18
We don't like tests and trials. Nevertheless, Peter
reminds us - "the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Pet. 1:7)
Who knows what the Church will go through before Jesus
comes. Already in many parts of the world Christians are
suffering for their faith. But you can be assured the calibre
of faith which is exhibited amidst suffering is much
greater than the anemic, lukewarm, wishy-washy experience
to which some of us testify today. Too often following
an experience we call conversion or the new birth
our lives are not changed, our deportment is not affected,
our character remains the same...we steal, lie, cheat,
hate, hurt, and harm others as before a so-called
conversion. We would just as soon damn our fellowman as
win him for Christ. Such animosity that exists, such coldness
that prevails, is not characteristic of Christ Who
commands us to 'love our enemies and do good to them
that hate us.'
If going through a deep trial now just remember this
may be God's way of perfecting, purifying and preparing
us for the rapture. Though we believe in divine healing
we also believe the Lord permits tests to come our way to
correct faults and failings in our lives and to help
prepare us for Christ's Return. As we read in Hebrews
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth joyous but
grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby." Heb. 12:11 Did you hear it?
There is often a purpose in our affliction. If
suffering becomes our lot and we become aggravated over our
affliction we will fail to gain the benefits of suffering if we
don't accept it as a divine favor in perfecting our faith. To
keep sweet amidst discouraging circumstances is what
God is seeking to do in our lives... "for tribulation worketh
patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope
that maketh not ashamed."
Thus, Paul would say, "We glory in tribulation." And
James would remind us, "Count it all joy when ye fall into
divers testings."
Finally, we would like to point out that the Apostle Paul
reminds those who are going through tribulation now for
their faith that there is a time coming when Christ will
appear and put an end to their persecution and distress.
He writes: "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to
you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Notice, Christ's coming will have a two-fold effect.
In flaming FIRE he will reign judgment upon the wicked.
As Jesus himself declared, "As it was in the days of
Lot...it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed
them all, even thus shall it be in the day when the
son of man is revealed." (Luke 18:28-30) The world
once destroyed by water is to be destroyed by fire.
Then, also we're told God's judgment will also be
upon those who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
As in previous broadcasts we have emphasized that
the sin of Noah's Day was not primarily unbelief but rather
disobedience, so will it be at the coming of the Lord.
Our churches are largely filled in America. We are a
religious people. Over 95% would attest to belief in God.
But this does not make us Christians. We become
Christians when by faith we trust Christ as Saviour and Lord,
having repented of sin. Here's where many fail to
recognize their responsibility before God. They fail to turn
from sin to trust the Saviour. And Jesus makes it clear
saying: "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish."
Then, following our conversion it is expected of us to
keep God's Holy Word...to OBEY THE GOSPEL.
When our Lord gave the great commission He said "Go
ye therefore and teach all nations ...teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."(Matt. 28:
19-20)
Somewhere we have gotten the idea that when we are
saved there is nothing we need to do. Indeed, how wrong.
We are to obey the Gospel. God has given us His Word to
let us know how to live, how to treat our fellow man, how to
be victorious over sin.
To believe the Gospel is to believe that Jesus died for
our sin. To obey the Gospel is to die to sin, the flesh and
the world and live in newness of life by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, obedience is important if we are to be filled
with the Spirit and ready for the coming of the Lord. For
we read: "the Holy Ghost is given unto them that obey
Him." My friend, just begin obeying the Lord in whatever
He tells you to do in His Word and see what happens. It
will transform your life.
The reason many are not happy in their Christian
experience is because they are trying to live for the world
and still live for Christ, trying to serve the devil and still
serve the Lord. And you can't do it. The result of such
two-timing God, such disobedience, is to incur the judgment
of Almighty God and face the wrath of God at the coming of
the Lord. For while it is true that having trusted Christ
as Saviour we are no longer 'appointed unto wrath', it is
also true if we engage in the sins of the flesh - fornication,
uncleanness and covetousness - that we will incur the
wrath of God. Hear Paul as he warns: "Let no man deceive
you with vain words: for because of these things
cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be ye not therefore partakers with them." Eph. 5:1-7
Peter says the sin of Noah's day was 'disobedience.'
And when Jesus died he went and preached to those spirits
in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once
the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while
the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls
were saved by water.
So will it be at the coming of Christ. While faith in
the Lord Jesus saves us, on account of disobedience we
condemn ourselves to coming awful great tribulation in
the which we will have our faith tested, our hearts purified,
and our obedience perfected. We will either come
clean for Christ and possibly die for our faith, or we will
succumb to the antichrist and take his identification mark.
We're living in a day when our Lord could return at
any moment. Let us walk in obedience to His will, following
His bidding, living close to Him in prayer and meditations
upon His Word.
Indeed, be ye therefore ready also, for in such an hour
as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.
