Chapter 18 – What does the 6:1 ratio mean for you and me?
Over the last century many have fallen victim to feelings, impressions, or outright guessing to offer up a supposed time of the end. The list is long and perhaps distinguished with many from various cultures, educational backgrounds, or self-appointed positions. Their predictions are designed to excite, perhaps produce fear, generate money or wealth, or recognition and fame. This is not the intended purpose of this publication.
Some shy away from the idea that the Plan of Salvation would be that of a divine blueprint. The thought that God’s plan would consist of only some kind of a beginning, but we must never think about an end, is totally absurd. God is a God of structure and order, He is not arbitrary, this problem of sin would be brought to an end. The Sanctuary service illustrated this.
Many in the Christian community have read into Matt. 24:36 more than the verse is actually stating, fearful of the thought that humanity could get a heads-up, that probationary time is coming to an end. Are we to believe the contrary that God would on purpose, keep from us the timing of such a significant event. That sentiment is in part a result of the thousands of dates erroneously set with nothing taking place. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”. (Matt. 24:37)
The context of the verse is surrounded by the story of Noah, “but as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” What actually took place then is the real question for consideration today?
The flood itself would be the parallel to Christ’s 2nd coming, one event resulted in the world being destroyed by water, the other by fire. The door of Noah’s ship had already been closed before the flood occurred (7 days before). Once the rain started, an event that had never occurred before, those outside the boat would begin to get very alarmed, especially as the intensity of the storm increased.
The Genesis account states that not only did the windows of heaven open (rain from the sky), but that all the fountains of the great deep were opened up as well (Gen. 7:11). Most of the flood water came from the underground aquifer system. The forty days and nights of rain was produced from the deterioration of the ice canopy, which had been part of the original creation (Gen. 1:6-7). This additional layer in the upper atmosphere accomplished many tacks, all of which maintained a terrarium effect allowing for the prolific growth of both nature in general, and humanity specifically. Pre-flood humanity were giants, perhaps 15-16 feet in height, these estimates are calculated from human archaeological remains.
“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the Ark”. (Matt. 24:38) and then the next verse states, “And knew not”, just what didn’t they know? Had God keep some critical bit of insight from them? Had God tricked them in some manner to leave them in the dark? No!
What those outside the Ark didn’t know, was that their probation had ended, which meant their choosing the option of life was no longer an option. When the door of the ship was closed, not by Noah or the crew, but by the angels of God, those outside the ship, by their own choice had sealed their fate. “And knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.”
This bit of insight clarifies a few distortions within Christianity today. There are many folks who have embraced an idea completely opposite of this Biblical account. Many have been taught it will be the righteous that are taken away and the wicked left to be given a third choice.
However, the Scripture’s are clear in this example of what the coming of the Son of man will be. It is the wicked that are taken; the Greek word for taken is the word – paralambano – it means to take, to take away. But not in the positive sense, it was the wicked that were taken in condemnation by the waters of the flood.
On the other hand, those that were left, which is the Greek word (Aphiemi), which means the ones separated or forgiven; through departure, divorce, or even death. The righteous were separated from the wicked by the closing of the door of the Ark. The flood waters swept the wicked away, while the Ark, a symbol of Christ, secured the faithful to new life. So, to be taken is not a good thing, you’ll want to be left, just like faithful Noah and his family.
Instead of not knowing when things are wrapping up, God rather would have us understand that things are coming to a close. He wants us on the boat! He wants us to be ready! This knowledge and discernment is only going to be available to those who are spiritually awake and alive.
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:11-14)
It is the Spirit of God that declares in first Thessalonians chapter 5 that Christians should be aware of the things God has revealed. To the unconverted they seem foolish, but to the converted heart, Godly wisdom finds a lodging place.
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation”. (1 Thess. 5:1-8)
Do the children of light have an advantage of knowing the things that God has revealed? Do they have a responsibility to share this insight with any who will hear? It seems absurd from these verses that God would want to keep us in the dark concerning such a time as the closing of human probation and the nearness of His coming.
The wise will understand says Daniel (Dan. 12:10) “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding”. (Dan. 2:21)
The 6:1 ratio of Scripture provides the clues we need to help discern the light flowing from God’s word.