Jess Whitlock
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights (Gen. 7:11-12).
The account of the worldwide floodwaters of Noah’s day is one of the earliest Bible stories that I can recall. I still marvel at the majesty of God’s power. In one day, the fountains of the great deep (oceans and seas) were broken up by God. The windows of heaven opened up with non-stop rain for forty days and nights!
In the past few years we have beheld the incredible power of volcanoes. The lava from erupting volcanoes can move slowly. However, the pyroclastic flow travels rapidly. The temperature can easily exceed 800 degrees! That flow can destroy everything in its path. The volcanic eruption of Mount Saint Helen’s affected the weather of our planet for an entire year.
Geologists who believe the Bible to be inspired are convinced that the flood was a combination of volcanoes erupting in the great deep and volcanoes erupting on land. Erupting volcanoes can produce or destroy mountain ranges. The rains coming from the heavens, the destructive damage done by volcanoes, and God’s power coming over the earth resulted in a worldwide cataclysm. The power of God was made known to a corrupt people (6:5-6).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise…the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up…by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Pet. 3:9-10, 12).
The first time God destroyed the entire earth was with water. The final time that He destroys the earth it will be done with fire and will include the entire universe! Should we not fear and respect such an awesome God? Should we not prepare for such a time? God will once again show forth His majesty and His power! Noah obeyed God (Gen. 6:22). We must do the same today (Heb. 5:8-9).
