Are You Building an Ark?
By Frank A. Page
“As were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man.” Matt. 24:37, A. R. V. “Now that which happened in Noah’s time will also happen at the coming of the Son of man.”—Campbell’s translation. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11. In many respects Noah and his family were like those who will be prepared to escape the destruction that will engulf the wicked when our Saviour comes again. Hence the life of Noah and his family, as we know from the scriptures already quoted, must teach some principles vital to our welfare. Let us draw a brief comparison: The wicked were about to be destroyed, the righteous saved; so it is now. An earnest invitation was sent, and directions given whereby all could be saved who desired to be; so it is now. Those accepting the call went about preaching the message they had received—more, they lived it; so will it be with those who are finally saved from this generation. They had a work to do in order to save themselves and families—an ark to build. Specific directions were given for its construction. Think you that they could have hoped for salvation if they had slighted or neglected it, or even been unfaithful in it after it was begun? This building of the ark formed an ideal basis for the industrial school which it really was. Working, teaching, and preaching, alternating with one another, gave God’s message to the world, and prepared the pupils for salvation from the universal destruction imminent. From the study of this crisis and the history of God’s people in later crises alone, we might discern the Lord’s desire, and receive an inspiration to do our duty in this time of terrible pollution in the world, which even permeates the children in the public schools to an alarming extent. But God has not left us to our own ideas or research; he has spoken definitely:— “The church has a special work to do in educating and training [italics mine] its children that they may not, in attending school, or in any other association, be influenced by those of corrupt habits.” “To parents he [the Lord] sends the warning cry, Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practising evil. . . . Establish church-schools.” “Work as if you were working for your life to save the children from being drowned in the polluting, corrupting influences of the world.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 193, 195, 199. We all believe that we are in the last days of this earth’s history. “Christ’s prophecy in regard to the similarity of Noah’s time and ours, we believe is now applicable; that is, our lips say we believe it. Something more is needed. Brethren and sisters, we shall never find the ark to save us and our children, until we go to work with our might to build it according to God’s directions and this building involves in part the proper organization and carrying forward of our church-schools. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” Heb. 11:7. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Are you building an ark?