June 26, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
Jesus said that the days before His return would resemble the days of Noah.
“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
— Matthew 24:37 (KJV)
In Noah’s day, people were consumed with ordinary life. They ate, drank, married, built families, and carried on as though nothing would ever change. They ignored God’s warnings until the flood came suddenly.
“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
— Matthew 24:38–39 (KJV)
The world in Noah’s day had also become morally corrupt and filled with violence.
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”
— Genesis 6:11 (KJV)
Yet Noah found grace because he believed God and obeyed Him.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
— Genesis 6:8 (KJV)
Today we see many of the same conditions: increasing violence, widespread wickedness, rejection of God’s truth, and people living as though there will never be a day of judgment. Jesus’ message was not to make His followers fearful, but watchful and ready.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
— Matthew 24:42 (KJV)
Just as there was only one ark that provided safety in Noah’s day, today there is only one Savior.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
—John 14:6 (KJV)
The people in Noah’s day heard God’s warning for many years as Noah faithfully preached righteousness and prepared the ark, yet they mocked, ignored, and refused to believe him. Noah entered the ark. Then God Himself shut the door: “And the LORD shut him in” (Genesis 7:16, KJV).
When the rain finally began to fall, those who had rejected God’s warning undoubtedly believed Noah’s message, but it was too late. The door had been sealed by God, and no one outside could enter. Their opportunity to respond had ended. It is a sobering reminder that God’s invitation of grace is open today, but it will not remain open forever.
As stated in these scriptures, so it will be the same when Jesus Christ returns to the earth. Many…I might add, MOST of the people on earth will be carrying on as if everything is normal. And the FLOOD… This time, it is not a flood that is coming, rather it is the 7-Year Tribulation Period that will be the most difficult time for the inhabitants of the earth, EVER!
The Tribulation will be the darkest period the world has ever known. Jesus warned,
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21, KJV).
It will be a time of worldwide deception, war, famine, disease, persecution, and the outpouring of God’s righteous judgments upon an unbelieving world. Revelation describes devastating plagues, the rise of the Antichrist, the mark of the beast, and the deaths of multitudes. Yet even in that terrible time, God’s mercy will still be available to those who turn to Jesus Christ in faith. The Tribulation stands as a solemn warning that today is the day of salvation, before those dreadful days begin (2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV).
THIS is the “flood” that is coming. Are You in the ark? What exactly is the “ark” in this case?
Just as the ark was God’s appointed way of salvation from the coming judgment, Jesus Christ is God’s appointed way of salvation today. The ark had only one door, and Christ declared, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9, KJV). Those who entered the ark by faith were safe. Those who remained outside perished, not because there was no way of escape, but because they refused God’s provision.
The rapture will likewise separate those who belong to Christ from those who have rejected Him. Scripture says,
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, KJV).
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”
In a moment, believers will be taken to be with the Lord, just as Noah and his family were safely inside the ark before the floodwaters fell. After that removal, the earth will enter the terrible time of tribulation, just as judgment followed after the door of the ark was shut.
The lesson is clear: God always provides a way of escape before His judgment falls. Noah’s ark was that way in his generation. Today, that way is Jesus Christ. Just as no one could open the ark’s door after God shut it, there will come a day when the opportunity to receive Christ before God’s judgment has passed. Today is the day to enter the safety that is found in Christ.
Those of you reading this who are “in Christ” should KNOW that you are already in the ark, and will be raptured when Jesus Christ comes for His followers before the Tribulation Period begins.
So how can you be one considered to be “in Christ?” Let’s continue learning.
How Does a Person Become “In Christ”? (KJV)
The Bible teaches that becoming “in Christ” is not about joining a church, becoming more religious, or earning God’s favor through good works. It is about receiving Jesus Christ by faith.
Step 1: Realize You Are a Sinner
Every one of us has sinned and cannot save ourselves.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Step 2: Believe Who Jesus Is
Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
“That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
Step 3: Repent
Repent means to turn to God with a changed heart and mind, turning away from trusting yourself and your sin, and turning to Christ.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
— Acts 3:19 (KJV)
Step 4: Place Your Faith in Jesus Christ Alone
Trust Jesus—not your own goodness, works, ordinances, or religious accomplishments—to save you.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Some of you may have been taught something different than what the Bible teaches about salvation. You may have been told that accepting the atonement of Jesus Christ is only the beginning—that your salvation also depends upon your own good works, tithing, temple ordinances, or other religious requirements.
But to be truly “in Christ,” your faith must rest entirely upon Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Salvation is not a partnership between Christ’s atonement and your own efforts. The moment we begin trusting in our good works alongside His atonement as the basis of our salvation, we are no longer relying on Christ alone. Instead, we have mixed human effort with God’s gift of grace.
To be “in Christ,” you must place your complete trust in the atonement of Jesus Christ as the only basis of your salvation. His death, burial, and resurrection are fully sufficient to save all who believe. Good works are the natural fruit of a saved life, but they are never the cause of salvation. We are saved by Christ alone, through faith alone, and only then does a transformed life of obedience follow.
Step 5: Confess Him as Lord
Openly acknowledge your faith in Christ.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (KJV)
What Happens Next?
The moment you truly believe, God places you in Christ.
Your sins are forgiven.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”
— Romans 8:1 (KJV)
You become a new creation.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
You receive the Holy Spirit.
“In whom ye also trusted… after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
— Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)
You become a child of God.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
— Galatians 3:26 (KJV)
The Gospel Is Simple
You do not become “in Christ” by:
- Joining a church.
- Performing religious ceremonies.
- Keeping commandments to earn salvation.
- Paying money.
- Becoming “good enough.”
You become in Christ by believing the gospel and placing your faith in Jesus Christ.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31 (KJV)
Once you are in Christ, good works follow as the fruit of your new life—they are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
— Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
In one sentence:
A person becomes “in Christ” the moment they repent, believe the gospel that He taught when He was on the earth, and place their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
This is how you can know that you are in the “ark,” and will be included in God’s rescue plan of the rapture that will soon happen.
For those of you who are struggling to let go of your traditional religious teachings, let me help you in that process. It is very simple… Take it to God through prayer, and let Him lead you through the process. This is where you will find truth, by trusting God, and no longer in a church or a man. Truth is taught by the Holy Ghost, not me, nor a church, nor anyone else.
In my own life, perhaps like you are experiencing, relying on a church, or a “prophet” resulted in me being deceived. There were many good things that the church provided to me and my family, yet one huge thing was missing… “The Truth!”
I spent me entire life trying to do enough to earn my way into heaven. To be good enough. To pay enough tithing, repenting “properly” through a church system, striving for perfection, which is impossible. This was a very emotionally difficult, stressful life.
This pathway was not only difficult, but it was taking me away from the Savior. I was one that Christ did not know, as referenced in this scripture:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
It is NOT about believing in a church!!!! It’s about believing in Jesus Christ and the gospel that He taught. If your testimony is in a church, PLEASE change your focus into learning and knowing Jesus Christ, and having a testimony in Him alone.
An obvious example that a person does not know Christ, and Him not knowing you, is that if you have a belief that you would follow a “prophet” even when God give you your own personal revelation that what he is saying is not true. If that is your belief, you’ve got some work to do in the relationship that you have with the Savior.
Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV)
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”
Psalm 146:3 (KJV)
“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
Psalm 118:8–9 (KJV)
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”
These verses do not teach us to be suspicious of every person or refuse all human relationships. Rather, they teach that no man should take the place of God. People can fail, deceive, or make mistakes, but the Lord never does.
As Proverbs 3:5 reminds us:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.“
The consistent message of Scripture is to place your complete confidence in Jesus Christ and His Word above any religious leader, teacher, church, or human authority.
It’s time to get busy if you feel that you are not yet “in Christ.” Many of you reading this have no idea of what is coming, the Tribulation Period. You feel that it might feel easier to simply ignore it and continue living your life. That is certainly up to you, but be forewarned that something terrible is about to shake your world… I personally would prefer to safely board the ark before the door is shut, and know that I will be included in God’s rescue plan of the rapture. The choice again is up to you.
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