Outline
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Noah's work was a work that changed the age—1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1; Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:12:
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God gave Noah an all-inclusive revelation, a further revelation, the revelation to build the ark, which was the way that God would terminate the corrupted generation and bring in a new age:
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The ark is a type of Christ (1 Pet. 3:20-21)—not only the individual Christ but also the corporate Christ, the church, which is the Body of Christ and the new man to consummate in the New Jerusalem (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 2:15-16; Col. 3:10-11; Rev. 21:2).
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The building of the ark typifies the building of the corporate Christ, with the element of Christ's riches as the building material, by those who work together with God—1 Cor. 3:9-12a; Eph. 4:12; 2:22.
Morning Nourishment
Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, having been divinely instructed concerning things not yet seen…, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house…Matt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church…
Eph. 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up of the Body of Christ.
God gave Noah what was nearly an all-inclusive revelation, a further revelation that none of Noah’s forefathers saw. Although Enoch prophesied that when his son Methuselah died, the deluge would come (the meaning of the name Methuselah) and that God’s judgment would be executed upon the corrupted earth, and although he even prophesied about the Lord’s coming (Jude 14), Enoch never received the vision of the way that God would terminate the corrupted generation and bring in a new age. None of Noah’s forefathers saw this revelation. One day God came to Noah and revealed it to him. As a result of this, Noah’s view of godly things was greatly broadened, and he saw much more than all his forefathers did…We all need such a revelation. (Life-study of Genesis, p. 390)
Today’s Reading
In principle, our situation is exactly the same as Noah’s. Today’s generation is corrupt, and the earth is filled with evil and violence. It seems that, according to man’s concept, God has been defeated and driven out of the earth. However, do you not realize that today there is a big “but”?…We have inherited all the godly ways that were exercised in the past centuries. But should we stop here?…No. Although we have inherited so many godly things and are satisfied and contented, how about God? How about God’s purpose? God needs to terminate this age. He needs a change of generation.He needs an ark that can bring His people out of this generation and start a new age.
God not only showed Noah the evil generation but also revealed to him His intention. God was and still is a God of purpose, and He can never be defeated in His purpose. Years and years ago, God showed us His purpose. Many of you have read Brother Nee’s own testimony in which he says that once he had a dream, meaning a revelation, in which he saw local churches raised up throughout China. He saw churches raised up by God. What he called a dream was actually a revelation. Through him, many years ago, God showed us His need of the churches. Before the Lord comes back, He needs the churches to be raised up. Otherwise, He will have no way to return. What is today’s ark?…It is the churches. God revealed the ark to Noah, and I must testify that God has revealed to us the need for the proper church life. The proper church life is the ark God needs today. The church life is needed to terminate this generation and to bring in a new age.
What does the Lord want to do today? He does not simply want to save people, cause them to please God, teach them to call on the name of the Lord, and enable them to live, beget, and walk with God…He needs the churches to be raised up. His intention is to attract His lovers and seekers and gather them together to practice the proper church life as a testimony against the enemy’s kingdom of darkness and as a preparation for His return. This is His intention today. We all need to see this and build this “ark” to be today’s Noah that we may terminate this generation and usher in the new age of the kingdom.
God not only has an intention but also a desire…He is…hungry and thirsty for this. God desires to have the church life. God needs the church… We…preach the gospel,…but our goal in doing so is the building up of the church. We all need to see the vision. We all must have today’s revelation to see what is God’s heart’s desire. Are you going to be today’s Noah? If you are, you must see what Noah did. God’s desire is not only that thousands of people be saved but to have the wonderful church life. (Life-study of Genesis, pp. 390-395)
Further Reading: Life-study of Genesis, msg. 29