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T.T.B. Noah's Ark

Posted by Steve Brown on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:44:39 PM
 

T.T.B. means through the Bible. If you've never read all the way through the Bible I would recommend it. The bug first hit me quite a few years ago when it occurred to me that I wanted to be sure I had read every word in the book. Since then I've read the King James, New King James, New International, New American Standard, Living, and New Living versions at least once each. Once through per year isn't difficult (even the Old King James) and is a very good habit to cultivate; it will change your outlook, and your life.

This being the case, January is the month I read Genesis. When I reached the verse (Gen.6:14) in which God tells Noah to "pitch" the ark inside and out something occurred to me which I hadn't thought of before. What will happen to Noah's ark when it is found? If that sounds like a leap, ask yourself why God specified inside and outside for pitch? Pitch? Pitch can be sticky, gooey tar, or boiled tree sap with powdered charcoal mixed in. It's purpose would be to water-proof the boat. Wooden boats are usually pitched on the outside to keep water from saturating the wood...good idea. Since God said to pitch the inside as well, it seems that either; A) God was unsure of what He was doing, or B) there was a reason to pitch the inside. I choose B.

Pitching the inside would preserve the wood and facilitate discovery of the ark at a much later date. I first heard this idea from a very intelligent man who is an experienced mountaineer and felt at that time that God had chosen him to find the ark. My initial reaction was that God alone would decide when the ark will be found and that it would be a very good idea to be cautious about saying that God chose you for the task. All of my friend's several requests to the Turkish government to climb Mt. Ararat have been denied. Access through Iran (sneaking across the Turkish border) is possible, but seems to me to be a bad idea. If he is the one to find the ark, God bless him, I'm sure He will show him the way.

Back to the question, what happens then? No doubt many would want a genuine piece of the true ark. Some would argue for cutting it up into toothpick sized splinters suitable for framing or mounting on keychains, rosaries... who knows what else. A suitable safe haven for it would be discussed at length. I doubt both scenarios though. My guess is that the ark's discovery will happen after the church has been raptured. We won't have any input. So what will happen to the ark? The pitch having kept the wood dry enough to prevent fossilization, it will still be wood and flammable. I believe whoever has it in their power will burn the ark into ashes. I also believe that those who burn it will be deceived into thinking that it is a fake. As a symbol (actually, an example) of God providing protection from judgement, the destruction of the ark will be one of the world's final rejections of His mercy.

As a disclaimer, this is speculation and my personal opinion of what may happen; no claim of define inspiration or prophecy.

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Let's give us a hand

Posted by Steve Brown on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:05:14 PM
 

When is it okay to applaud in church?

1) After an especially good sermon?

2) After especially good worship?

3) After the announcement of some good work the congregation is doing?

4) After the announcement of especially good results at an outreach?

Does applause even belong in church? There are times I think it does, but rarely. After hearing an especially good message or set of worship I appreciate the time and effort given to the church by the pastor or worship team to serve God and His people well. My concern is that applause can be seductive and could become a stumbling block. In my experience leading worship for small group Bible studies I sometimes get more praise than I deserve or want. My usual response is that I'm happy to do it and grateful that God has given me the ability. Look at the priesthood in the Gospels. Any church official who went after the prestige that came with their position and loved the praise of men ended up being called out as a hypocrite. I've seen a lot of people get applause in church. I'm glad to say I've never seen anyone ask for it.

I'm always happy to hear about work our church is doing for others. Distributing food, clothes, Bibles, disaster relief, etc. Letting the congregation know what's being done with their tithes is encouraging, and is a form of accountability. I think it's good to announce these things, but it seems strange when we applaud when we hear the news. It seems like we're giving ourselves a hand. Hearing about, or seeing people respond to the gospel or an alter call is different for me. That seems like applause for work God has done in someone's heart. I'm happy to applaud that.

Forbidding applause in church would be legalism. The church goers clapping only mean to celebrate God's goodness. I take this as a personal conviction, nothing I would require in others.

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