The Insignificant Holy Man Saves Nations

     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 for ever 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.   

     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. 

     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 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. The only way to achieve holiness 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. 

     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.

     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.