Noah and the Flood

Let us also look at Noah and the Flood. His name means comfort, consolation, rest or regeneration (Genesis 5:29). As in Christ’s day, the world was wicked (Genesis 6:5–9). Like Christ, he was spiritually just and walked with God (Genesis 6:9); both he and Christ were preachers of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) and had great faith (Heb 11:7); this faith was demonstrated by obedience to God (Genesis 6:22), which included Sabbath observance (Genesis 7:4, 10; 8:4, 10, 12).

Covering Noah’s ark was the pitch (probably resin) which pictures atonement (Heb "kaphar" = atonement), the period prior to the flood is typical of the events leading up to the Great Tribulation; with the flood itself being the height of the tribulation (cf. Luke 17:26–27; Revelation 12:15–17). On 1st Tishri Noah looked out on the new world. We know that Christ will probably return on 1st Tishri too, to commence His millennial reign. Noah, at that time, commenced his 7th century at which time he saw and received the ‘promised land’. Similarly, Christ will commence the seventh millennium of God’s Plan at His return. We also know that God made a covenant with Noah – possibly a type of the New Covenant which Christ will finalise at His return (Isaiah 54:8–10; Genesis 9:9).

Christ preached to the demon spirits, in Noah’s day. It would appear that He may have given them warning about their ultimate punishment which will be fulfilled at the end time. Noah’s Flood was a type of the Day of the Lord at which time their punishments will enforced (1 Peter 3:19–20). Interestingly, in the following verse the Flood is compared to baptism.

The covering of Noah’s ark was what saved the ark from water leaking in and sinking it. That covering is from the same Hebrew word that means atonement. As we keep this Day of Atonement we should remember that in doing so it is bringing us closer to God and separating us from the flood of sin in this world.