I've heard people say that, despite believing in the gospel, they would put off converting to Christ. When questioned about the fact that there might not be enough time for such a decision, they said that when the Lord comes, they would call on His name and be saved. They have not read that this will be impossible at the last moment. Numerous biblical passages address this issue, and that's what we're going to study now.

Frankly, it's incomprehensible how such individuals think. They use illogical arguments and disregard the Lord's advice. For example, God called Noah and sent him out to preach His righteousness, and our beloved brother and father—we are descended from him because of the Flood that killed the sinners of that time—obeyed Him. For 120 years, Noah preached the Word, but he didn't convert a single person. But he didn't bother with that, for he was following God's command!

Was Noah a bad preacher? No. In fact, the people of his time were wicked because they had become so corrupt. In those days, there was prosperity and temptation everywhere. The people preferred to indulge in sin, mocking the heavenly message, rather than heading towards the light (Genesis 6.5,11,12). Even today, there are those who allow themselves to be deceived, covering up their iniquity. The consequence of this is the same as in the days of the preacher of righteousness. Only Noah and his family were saved.

How many later repented and knocked on the door of the ark to save themselves? However, this last attempt was futile, since the boat was locked from the outside; not even Noah could open it (Genesis 7.11-16). The command was for him, his wife, his sons, and his daughters-in-law to enter, and so they did. He was a good preacher because he maintained the integrity of his family despite that corrupt generation.

Many are called, but only the chosen will enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 22.14). Noah's sons, when they got married, must have had many guests at their party, but none of them were chosen to be saved either. After all, deep down in their hearts, they loved the world more than God. In the rejected group, who stopped obeying the Word, were Noah's and his wife's brothers, their in-laws, brothers-in-law, their daughters-in-law's brothers, cousins, and other relatives, as well as people who possibly attended their services!

Look, it's no use being nice to the preacher, returning the tithe, giving good offerings, and being kind to the people, because this is what the Lord said: Most assuredly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3.5). If you don't understand what it means “to be born again”, ask someone who is anointed by God and knows the Word. He will undoubtedly enlighten you. Never lose your way!

Read the verse in this message again and see that the Lord specified who Noah was to take into the ark with him: But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you (Genesis 6.18). God closed the boat to prevent those who refused to listen to his servant from going in (2 Peter 2.5).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares