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Fishers of Men

by Phil Maxwell 12/97

There is a flood coming upon the face of the whole earth. Very few will escape, because very few will believe the warnings that are sounded, nor join in the allegorical project of preparing an ark like Noah did.

Mt.24:38-39 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.

What was Noah doing in the days before the flood? He was working faithfully preparing for the flood by building the ark according to God's plans. What was everyone else doing? Going about their lives, not believing that any such thing could or would happen, or excusing themselves from preparing. Noah lived by faith, everyone else lived in unbelief. When the work was done, Noah entered the ark, God shut the door, and the same day everyone else was caught in the flood - with no escape available.

SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE!!!

Are you watching for the coming of the Son of man? Are you preparing for the flood that is coming? Do you think I'm making this up? No doubt that's what Noah's contemporaries thought, and the record is profoundly clear what their unbelief cost them.

Lu.17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

There is a flood coming, whether you believe it or not.

Re.12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

1Th.5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Re.3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Lu.21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

In these days before the flood, are you preparing for it, or are you going about your ordinary affairs? Are you watching and praying always that you may be counted worthy to escape, or do you assume that you have no need to be concerned?

1Ti.6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

2Ti.2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Are you willing to move with fear and obey the Word of God, as Noah did?

He.11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Lu.6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Perhaps you think God is going to supernaturally remove you from the earth before any such thing happens. I'm not interested in engaging in an argument over the veracity of the various rapture doctrines going around, but would like to reason with you on the matter.

There is a flood coming, just like there was in Noah's day. The difference is that in Noah's day, the flood literally destroyed all living things (except those in the ark), and we know that God said He would never again do such a thing. Nonetheless, there is a flood coming in the form of an "hour of temptation," a "snare" coming upon "all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." We know where temptation comes from: Satan, our adversary, and it is out of his mouth that this flood of temptation will come.

Consider this in the light of Noah's generation, whereby only Noah and his family believed and prepared for the coming flood, moving with holy fear of Almighty God. Had they not prepared for it, but gone about their ordinary lives instead, they would have perished with everyone else. Who, I ask you, would have wanted them to think they didn't need to build an ark? Who would have wanted them to doubt there really was a flood coming? Who would have an interest in convincing us to think such things about the flood coming in the days to come? This is not complicated, folks, just think about it.

While you set that in the back of your mind, we should also consider the magnitude of the task that Noah was called to. Noah had 120 years to build this ship, and it took every bit of that time to accomplish. What would have happened to Noah and his family if they had skimped on building it exactly as God had instructed? What if he had procrastinated and delayed, trying to fit the project into the life he was living when God called him to this task?

If anything within you considers that such a flood may, in fact, be coming soon, you're probably wondering what the modern day equivalent to Noah's ark would be? Let me say this, first, in response: If the magnitude or difficulty of the task in building it has any bearing on your willingness to dedicate yourself to it, understanding it will only cause you to draw away. True faith is founded on fear of God above all other fears, and true faith is, in reality, true liberty:

Mt.10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Heb.2:15 And deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

What do you think? Do you think Noah's faith was ordinary? Do you think some kind of common faith is going to be sufficient in the days to come? I doubt it.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray ALWAYS, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass"

Do you feel comfortable, those of you who are going about your ordinary lives, perhaps even doing the best you can to be godly and sanctified, that all is well? So did they in Noah's day -- until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood destroyed them all! Are you doing anything with your life that is tantamount to building an ark? Do you think you have no need to because you and many others believe that God will rapture you safely out of the world? Let me tell you something, Noah was lifted up by the flood waters in a manner that provides a foreshadow of the coming flood, BUT he was lifted up in the ark which was built by his own hands as he moved with fear in obedience to God.

Do you still think you can live a life of comfort and pleasure, doing nothing to prepare for the days ahead, and be lifted up out of harms way before the flood comes? If so, you are a fool. If that is offensive, I apologize, but it needs to be said, and I can't find any nice way to say it.

God did identify Noah as the sole righteous man on the earth, He did forewarn Noah of the coming flood, and He did give Noah precise instructions as to how to be spared from destruction. Listen, friends, Noah preached righteousness throughout building the ark, and building the ark itself testified clearly of the Word that God had given him to his contemporaries -- the same ones who perished in the flood. Everyone around him knew what God had spoken, but only Noah and his family believed enough to obey, and faith without works is DEAD. There are dead works, also, and they are equally worthless. Faith based on dead works isn't even faith. People with dead faith are not going to escape the flood, anymore than Noah would have if he hadn't moved with godly fear in building the ark! Genuine living faith is no ordinary thing, my friends, and if you think this kind of faith is just automatically imparted to people when they confess the Lord, you are deceived.

Mt.17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

The people of Noah's day didn't believe until they saw the waters, and it was too late then, for God had closed the door of the ark behind Noah and his family. Not only are the people of this generation called to build an allegorical ark, but they will have the door closed behind them when it is finished and they enter in. Many will continue in dead faith and dead works until then, not believing in the coming flood, and will find themselves pounding on the door seeking entrance when it is too late.

Re.3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Mt.25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mt.7:21 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.

22 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?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Lu.6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

The point is that it doesn't matter what building this allegorical ark is, unless we are truly moved with fear to a point of unconditional obedience to God. The question is, are we going to live our lives, or give our lives to God? There may be time before this flood comes, but there isn't much time before building the ark must commence. We've already been told what is coming, and how to prepare for it, like Noah was.

In the days to come, there's going to be two groups of people. Those in the ark, and those in the flood. Fishermen and fish, both good and bad. Which would you rather be?

Mt.4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mt.13:47-48 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Well, if you'd rather be a fisherman than a fish, then you must be taught the trade. What did Yahshua say? Follow me! This is not a correspondence course, it is strictly on the job training. There are no part time evening classes for this course, you must be Yahshua's disciple; there is no other way!

Lu.14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

...33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

We are all aware of how the churches of this day "disciple" converts. Teach them the Bible, give them work to do within the church and evangelizing, put on seminars to help them deal with their family life and finances, encourage them to do good things. There's nothing wrong with any of these things, and, in fact (depending on the substance) they all can be quite good. The trouble is that they don't teach anyone how to be a "fisher of men"!

The Lord said to be His disciple you had to forsake everything....EVERYTHING. Father, mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters, even YOUR OWN LIFE; in other words, EVERYTHING!!!

Am I telling you to leave your family, quit your job, and commit suicide? No, of course not. But let me ask you this, would Noah have waited for his wife and family's approval and participation to build the ark? Moses left his beloved father in law, Jethro, and his wife and children in obedience to God. Peter, John, and James dropped their nets and followed Yahshua, leaving everything behind, when He called to them. They chose to be fishers of men, forsaking everything.

It is all a question of ownership: Who owns our life (and, therefore, everything that pertains to it)?

1Co.6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.

We could easily say that the disciples were all personally called to follow Yahshua, and none of us have heard such a call. This is a good point, but one that is easily cleared up with a little further research.

We know that the apostles literally walked away from their lives, forsaking everything when Yahshua came by and called them. In so doing, they became truly disciples, and ultimately were appointed apostles. Their calling represents a unique place in the Church, the temple of God, as the final stones of the foundation:

Ep.2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Now, the foundation having been laid, the Church has been placed upon it. It is apparent that beyond the discipling of the apostles, the same faith was at the heart of the origins of the Church that was built upon that foundation.

Ac.2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Ac.4:32-35 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

It seems quite apparent that every bit as much as emulated by the apostles when they were called to be disciples, these multiple thousands of people forsook everything to follow Yahshua. They exercised a Noah-like faith, which works by obedience, and obedience is keeping the commandments of God.

Noah was given one commandment: build an ark. He moved in fear to do exactly as God instructed. Yahshua has given the Church one commandment: to love one another as He loved us, and gave Himself for us. These early disciples obeyed, giving themselves for each other.

Noah didn't have to believe God, and neither did he have to obey God. There was no "evidence" whatsoever that there was a flood coming, and I'm quite sure that even the modern science of our generation with all their knowledge and devices would have ridiculed Noah's claim up to the last minute. Nonetheless, Noah believed God simply because He is God. Not only that, but he also obeyed. If he had believed and not obeyed, not only would his faith have been dead, but so would he as a result.

Consider the parallels:

1. Noah was warned of God that a flood was coming upon the face of the whole earth. The Church has likewise been warned of a coming flood, though of a different sort, upon the entire world.

2. Noah was called to a task of faith and obedience to escape the flood. The elect of God are likewise called to faith and obedience.

3. Because of Noah's faith and obedience, his works, the door of the ark was open before him. Because of the faith and obedience of the elect, their works, an open door will be set before them.

4. God shut the door behind Noah, as He will the elect.

5. As soon as Noah entered the safety of the ark, the flood came. As soon as the elect go forth through the night and enter the bridegroom's chamber, the flood will come upon this world.

6. All others in Noah's generation were caught in the flood. All others in this generation will be caught in the flood, the hour of temptation.

7. After the flood, Noah inherited the world. After the latter day flood, the elect will inherit the kingdom of God.

We understand that the purpose of the flood in Noah's day was to destroy the wicked from the face of the earth, and that God promised that He would never do so again with a flood. The point of the end time flood is to tempt and try those upon the face of the earth, not to destroy them. As the parable in Matthew reveals, both good and bad will be caught in the sea:

Mt.13:47-48 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Likewise, if the disciples are to be "fishers of men" it stands to reason that there are men in the sea who are to be redeemed. This represents a forthcoming chapter in end time events, but is represented by the analogy of Lot's deliverance from Sodom, depicted in Luke 17, immediately following the analogy of Noah's deliverance:

Lu.17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Suffice it to say for now that Lot was a fish, barely snatched out of the destruction that came upon his dwelling place. Even though a righteous man, he was caught in the flood of temptation:

2Pe.2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Unlike Noah, who prepared well in advance and escaped the flood with all he had, including his family, Lot lost practically everything and everyone in his life. The end time deliverance of those good fish caught in the flood of temptation is not going to be pleasant, my friends, and we would do well to heed this warning.

Take a look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthians about our work as members of the temple of God:

1Co.3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Above we see the significance of the foundation, which, referring to the parable of the wise and foolish builders discussed earlier is the ultimate determining factor in whether or not we shall be saved. Those founded upon the Rock of the Lord Yahshua are joined to the Church which the gates of hell shall not prevail against (Mt.16). But there's more to consider:

1Co.3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. 14 If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The first lesson here is that those who build upon another foundation rock than Yahshua, the Son of the living God, will be washed away in the flood -- whatever they have built upon their foundation won't matter if it is on the wrong foundation. The second lesson is that there are two groupings of those who are founded on the Rock: those who build incorruptible works upon it, and those who build corruptible works. This is Noah and Lot, respectively. Noah's works went with him through the flood of destruction, whereas Lot lost everything, though he himself was saved. Noah was a fisherman in a boat, Lot was a fish in the sea.

What you do with this is entirely between you and God, but I'm sounding a warning. There is a flood coming, and there will be no escape for those who aren't prepared. Deliverance will be at the hand of God to the faithful and obedient, and we're not talking about the millions who's names on the membership and attendance roles of the churches. We're talking about the relative few who will forsake everything to be Yahshua's disciples, and it is already established that those who are bidden won't accept the invitation (Mt.22).

I know that some who read this message are caught between a sense that these things are probably correct, but don't know how to begin "building an ark." I find myself, like those who heard Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost, wondering what to do.

Ac.2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

We have the knowledge similar to what Noah had of what is coming upon this world, though perhaps somewhat lacking in detail. We also have a pretty good idea of how those who escape the snare coming upon the world will do so: through obedience and preparation. The big question is, what shall we do? Where do we start? The scriptures say the first step is to be watchful and pray always to be accounted worthy to escape.

Lu.21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Obviously, not everyone is going to escape, but only those who are specifically watching and praying for this escape. The scriptures provide particular signs to watch for, as well as glimpses of the manner of escape, but they will only be seen by those who have first moved with fear believing there is a reason to. The first step, therefore, is a matter of our hearts. Let us take one last cue from Noah, who believed God and moved with fear before setting the first board in place on the ark:

Heb.11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

And with that in mind, let us take the matter to our heavenly Father in diligent prayer, believing that He is willing and able to answer:

Ja.1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

If we don't believe enough to obey, we will not escape. If we don't fear God enough to obey, we will not escape. If we hold anything or anyone in this world more precious than God Almighty, and fail to move in fear and obedience, we will be caught in the flood.

Personally, I'd rather be a fisherman than a fish.

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