The Flood Could Not Happen While Holy Methuselah Lived
Notice the two pictures above of a 969 year old man named Methuselah (also called Mathusala) at Luke 3:37 and a picture of Noah's ark surrounded by the great flood. The Greek definition of the name Mathusala at Luke 3:37 is when he dies, there shall be an emission. Emission means to be sent forth. So when Enoch named his son Methuselah, Enoch prophesied the great flood by saying that when Methuselah dies, the flood shall come or be sent forth. Biblical chronologies show that Methuselah died in the same year the flood began, marking his life as a countdown to that event.
Methuselah's son was Lamech and Lamech's son was Noah. So Methuselah was Noah's grandfather (Genesis 5:22-29). And per Methuselah's name, the flood could not occur until holy Methuselah died because Methuselah's name means when Methuselah dies, it (the flood) shall come forth. All I know is if I was living during Noah's time and found out that Methuselah had died, I'd run to the ark that Noah built for safety from the oncoming flood.
The bible proves that when Methuselah died at the age of 969, the flood occurred. Genesis 5:25 says that Methuselah was 187 years old when his son Lamech was born. Genesis 5:28 says that Lamech was 182 years old when his son Noah was born. Genesis 7:6 says that Noah was 600 years old when the flood occurred. 187+182+600=969 (proving that the flood occurred after Methuselah died at the age of 969). Genesis 5:27 says And all the days of Methuselah were 969 years: and he died.
Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah were among the first ten people that ever lived. It's incredible that the first ten people's Hebrew names talk about Jesus. This is because Jesus is the Word of God and the bible is all about Jesus. At Genesis 5 the Hebrew definitions for Adam, Seth, Enos, and Cainan talk about Jesus saying A man was appointed to mortal sorrow. Then the Hebrew definitions for Mahalaleel, Jared, and Enoch talk about Jesus saying The blessed God shall come down teaching. Then the Hebrew definitions for Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah talk about Jesus saying His death shall bring the despairing rest and comfort.
While holy Methuselah lived for 969 years the flood could not occur. Jewish tradition suggests that God delayed the flood for seven days after Methuselah's death to allow for an extra period of repentance. Genesis 7:4 says For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. Then God destroyed everything except Noah, the ark, the animals in the ark, and Noah's family.
God was longsuffering and gave the people of that time 969 years, the longest any man ever lived (nearly a millennium) plus an extra seven days after Methuselah's death to repent but unfortunately only Noah and his family repented and everyone else was destroyed. 2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Take heed to the warning given at Hebrews 3:15 that says While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (during the flood when people provoked and angered God by their rebelliousness). Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.
The Lord Jesus is a carpenter like Noah who laid down his life as a foundation and has prepared mansions for christians in the kingdom of God. Jesus said at John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Every day look by faith with your hearts to Jesus Christ crucified and remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). Every day say I am crucified with Jesus Christ and Jesus has destroyed forever all my worries, fears, and problems at the cross of Calvary. Then say with Jesus' stripes I am healed (Isaiah 53:5). Luke 9:23 says And He (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Noah was a preacher and cried out and tried to warn everyone about the oncoming flood but no one listened to Noah except his own family. 2 Peter 2:5 says And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. Be like Noah and keep telling others to get saved with Jesus even with no converts outside of your own family. Keep witnessing Jesus everywhere and ignore the persecutions around you.
Notice the anointed picture above of Noah, his family, and the pairs of animals that survived the flood. It's amazing how the artist painted everything so accurate with all the pairs of animals. First notice that there are 8 people getting out of the ark (Noah, his wife, his 3 sons, and their wives) with a beautiful rainbow. Next notice the pairs of animals (two of each animal) 2 zebras, 2 bears, 2 giraffes, 2 rhinos, 2 elephants, 2 camels, 2 chimps, 2 lions, 2 rabbits, 2 penguins, 2 geese, 2 snakes, 2 foxes, 2 eagles flying, 2 quails, 2 sheep, 2 peacocks, 2 lizards, a rooster and a hen, 2 parrots, 2 robins, 2 kangaroos, 2 gorillas, 2 ostriches (struthiocamelus), 2 elks, 2 gazelles, 2 buffalo bisons, 2 seals, 2 chipmunks, 2 mice, 2 cougars, 2 crocodiles, and 2 ducks.
And how about some Noah humor. Noah was a blessed banker. He floated his stock while the whole world was in liquidation. When Noah's boys were fishing on the ark, Noah told his boys, "Go easy on the bait boys, we only have 2 worms." The money on Noah's ark was the following: The skunk brought in a scent, the duck brought in a bill, the doe brought in a buck, and the frog brought in a green back.
One Holy Man Named Lot Saved The City Of Zoar
Next notice the picture above of Lot and his family escaping from burning Sodom and Gomorrah and going to the safe city of Zoar. Lot told God at Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, is it not a little one? and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I can not do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Note that the meaning of Zoar is small and insignificant to this world. Today like in Lot's day only a few (small amount of saved people insignificant to this world) will escape the soon coming seven year tribulation. Matthew 7:13 says Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Like Lot and his daughters, choose to live righteous with the few small amount of holy Zoar people that are insignificant to this world, escaping the wrath of God's seven year tribulation. Luke 17:28 says Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man (Jesus) is revealed.
What Is The Significance Of Zoar In The Bible
Modern Day Zoar Survived With No Evidence Of Burnt Ash Layers
One holy man Lot spared a whole city Zoar from fire and destruction. The people in the city of Zoar's lives were saved because of one holy man's presence at Zoar named Lot. In Jesus name, let all those who read this live holy lives like Lot by looking to Jesus daily and be lights in this dark world and save nations and cities from destruction by the holy presence of Jesus in our lives.
Archaeologists demonstrated that modern day Zoar (identified as the site of Safi) survived without burning by uncovering clear evidence of uninterrupted human occupation and a total lack of the ash or burn layers that define the four surrounding cities (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim) that were destroyed by fire and brimstone. This archaeological evidence proves that the bible is accurate where Zoar was not destroyed or burned when Lot fled safely to Zoar and escaped the fire and brimstone that destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim.
Excavations at the sites south of the Dead Sea reveal a stark contrast between Zoar and its neighboring four cities. Continuous stratigraphy (the branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification) and pottery exist at modern day Zoar. Excavations at Khirbet Ashek Issa (near Safi) revealed a continuous historical record. Archaeologists found intact pottery and structural layers at Zoar continuously spanning from the Early Bronze Age through the Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine, and Christian medieval periods. Had Zoar been destroyed by fire and brimstone, there would be a distinct structural and abandonment phase.
At the neighboring cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Ziboiim, archaeologists discovered three foot thick burn layers and charnel houses completely incinerated from the roof down. The site of Safi where Zoar existed entirely lacks these uniform, catyclysmic charcoal and ash layers. Because Zoar was never destroyed, Zoar remained on geographical records for millennia.
Zoar was explicitly mentioned as an active, existing town by classical historians like Josephus (1st Century AD) and Eusebius (4th Century AD), and it is prominently depicted as an active settlement on the 6th Century AD Byzantine Madaba Map. While millions of high pure sulfer balls and severe thermal scars mark the abandoned ruins of the four cities by the Dead Sea (Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim), Zoar stands out precisely because its archaeological footprint shows that life continuously went on with no evidence of ash layers.
Lot's Cave Outside Of Zoar In Modern Day Safi, Jordan Has Been Discovered
And See What Lot's Cave Looks Like Today At Safi, Jordan
The discovery of Lot's cave pictured above near modern day Safi, Jordan (historically known as Zoar) stands as a major achievement in biblical archaeology. Led by Greek archaeologist Konstantinos Politis, the excavations confirmed the location of a lost site to the Western World for centuries. While early Christian and Byzantine pilgrims frequently visited the site, its location was entirely lost during the Middle Ages. But today you can visit Lot's cave proving that the bible is true. After fleeing the destruction of Sodom, Lot and his daughters stayed in the small town of Zoar before moving into a cave in the surrounding mountains. Genesis 19:30 says And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him: for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
Two primary keys allowed archaelogists to discover Lot's cave. The famous 6th Century Madaba Mosaic Floor Map found in Jordan explicitly depicts the "Sanctuary of Saint Lot" positioned on a mountainside just east of Zoar. The Madaba Map clearly marks a church building on a steep hillside just east of the ancient city of Zoar (modern day Safi, Jordan) and labels it the "Sanctuary of Saint Lot." Archaeologists tracking the coordinates from the Madaba map located the ruins of a monastery on a steep hillside called The Monastery Of The Abba's Spring in front of Lot's cave.
Konstantinos Politis began systematic excavations at the site in 1988, working on the treacherous slope until 2011. As the team cleared away centuries of debris, they uncovered a Byzantine monastic complex built directly into the mountain. The monastic complex included a triple-apsed Basilica church adorned with high quality white marble and beautiful mosaic floors. Greek inscriptions on the mosaics date the church's expansion and renovations to between 606 and 691 AD.
Inside the Basilica church, archaeologists found stone blocks and inscriptions explicitly invoking the name of Saint Lot, asking for his blessing upon the monks and the construction. Built directly into the northern apse of the church was an elegant doorway and a flight of stone stairs leading straight into the natural mountain cave where Lot and his daughters lived. The Byzantine Christians had designed the entire church to enshrine Lot's cave as a holy site.
When Politis and his team excavated inside Lot's cave, they dug beneath the Byzantine period floor levels and found evidence of human occupation spanning thousands of years. The upper Byzantine and Roman layers contained Byzantine glass oil lamps and Nabataean pottery from the 1st to 6th centuries CE left behind by pilgrims. Deep beneath the floor, archaeologists discovered much older Middle and Early Bronze Age artifacts, including pottery jugs for wine used by Lot's daughters to make him drunk where they could have children that created the Moabites and Ammonites, a ceramic chalice cup, and bronze axe heads for weapons.
If the cave had only contained items from the Byzantine and Roman eras, it could be dismissed as an invention of later pilgrims. However, excavations inside the smaller cave floor revealed artifacts from the earlier Bronze Age for Lot's cave. The pottery found at the lowest occupational levels of Lot's cave dates precisely to the Early Bronze Age and the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age (approximately 3300-1550 BC). This aligns perfectly with the conventional archaeological timeframe associated with Abraham and Lot, proving that Lot's cave was actively used as a shelter during the exact era described in Genesis.
The most definitive proof that Lot's cave has been discovered at Safi, Jordan is the epigraphic written evidence left behind by the people that built the monastic complex. Archaeologists uncovered multiple Greek inscriptions explicitly naming Saint Lot. One prominent painted Greek inscription found right at Lot's sanctuary reads "O Saint Lot, remember your servants, Sozomenos." The ancient caretakers for Lot's cave sanctuary carved and painted the name "Aghios Lot" (Saint Lot) directly into the stone walls and mosaic entries to honor Lot.
The identification is strengthened by the fact that the cave wasn't just a Christian holy site. Archaelogists found that the veneration of the cave seamlessly continued into the early Islamic period. Inside Lot's cave, researchers discovered 9th Century CE Arabic graffiti and Kufic inscriptions citing Quaranic verses (37:133-136), which explicity mention Lot as a prophet and detail his escape from the destruction of Sodom. Both ancient Christians and early Muslims independently recognized and protected the exact same cave as the refuge of Lot.
While archaeology cannot extract 4000 year old DNA to prove that Lot slept in Lot's cave, the combination of written stone inscriptions invoking Lot's name, perfect geographical synchronization with ancient Madaba Mosaic Floor Maps, and Bronze Age artifacts leaves no doubt that this is the exact, definitive location ancient civilizations identified as Lot's cave at Safi, Jordan. Today, Lot's cave is protected, and a modern shelter pictured above protects the pristine mosaics of the monastic complex. Visitors can look out from Lot's cave entrance to view the southern Dead Sea plain below, the very landscape described in the ancient biblical narrative.
Genesis 19:30 tells how Lot and his daughters lived in Lot's cave outside of Zoar. And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also; and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
According To Jeremiah 5:1 One Holy Perfect Man
Named Jesus Can Save This World
The only way to achieve holiness like Lot on a daily basis is through Jesus and not by our own efforts and works. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. The Lord Jesus is sanctification and holiness. Therefore if we preach about the Lord Jesus and let the KJV Word of God shine through us, the presence of Jesus in christians will bless cities and nations everywhere. Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The title of my message today is The Insignificant Holy Man Saves Nations. Thomas Brooks wrote about this in the 1600s by saying All in the family, all in the city, and all in the country fare better because of one holy man's presence. All in Laban's family did fare the better because of holy Jacob. And all in the city of Zoar did fare the better because of holy Lot. And all the Pharoah's court and the whole country of Egypt did fare the better because of holy Joseph.
Now meditate on this gem from Jeremiah 5:1 that says Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. The answer to Jeremiah's parable above is Jesus who is the truth. According to Jeremiah 5:1 if a person witnesses Jesus everywhere, that person through Jesus will pardon and bless everyone in their city and nation.
Thomas Brooks in the 1600s commented on Jeremiah 5:1 and said 10 righteous souls could have saved Sodom and Gomorrah. But only 1 righteous soul could have saved Jerusalem. One saint who denies sin and refuses to be a friend of this wicked world can bless a city, nation, and a world of sinners from confusion and destruction. Psalm 33:12 says Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. Proverbs 14:34 reads Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Psalm 9:17 says The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
One Holy Man Named Paul Saved His Roman Enemies From A Sinking Ship
Notice the picture above of how one holy man Paul saved an entire ship's crew from drowning in a storm. The picture above shows us how we should treat our enemies. In the picture above Paul is saving the Roman soldier who imprisoned and persecuted Paul on the ship shown to be sinking. Everyone on the ship pictured above was saved because of the presence of holy Jesus in one holy man named Paul. One christian's holy life can save and bless multitudes of peoples and nations everywhere.
The story of the above picture and Paul's encouragement is at Acts 27:22 and says And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God (theophany visible manifestation of the Lord Jesus who Paul served and worshipped), whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Holy Paul was the plank used by all that sailed with him to get safely to shore.
Another example of how holiness saves nations is at Isaiah 19:24 and how holy Israel during the millennium will cause Assyria and Egypt to be blessed. Isaiah 19:24 says In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
One Holy Man Named Aaron Stopped A Plague From Killing The People Of God
Notice the picture above of how one holy man Aaron praying with incense stopped a plague from killing the people of God. I pray that everyone reading this will obey Galatians 6:9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. People's lives around us are in the balance and our holy walk with Jesus and prayers for others will save people's lives. James 5:16 says Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Numbers 16:42 says And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Get ye up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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