Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6

 "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith" - Hebrews 11:7

This Sunday, my Pastor preached on Noah, who believed God about the coming judgment even though it ran counter to the prevailing logic and experience; and continued to build the ark despite the world's condemnation.  Noah's faith changed his affections, emotional attachments, and actions.

The way he was able to "condemn the world", was that when faced with righteousness, unrighteousness is revealed - like our sin being exposed when faced with the holiness of God.   An interesting point made, is that Methusaleh was the grandfather of Noah; and his name meant, "when he dies, it will be sent".    And the flood is calculated to have come the year Methusaleh died.    Also, because Methusaleh is known to have lived the longest (969 years), it actually shows the patience of God, waiting until judgment came through the flood.  As 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

Final judgment is still coming, and the only "ark" of safety is found by believing in Jesus Christ.