Does Noah's Ark Still Exist?

Jesus believed in Noah and the Flood? Do you?

My awesome husband had the distinct honor of doing a presentation on Noah’s Ark to international students at SMU. They were from various countries including Turkey, Kuwait, India, China, Korea, the Ivory Coast, Taiwan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Mike was the guest speaker for Chi Alpha, an on campus organization that helps international students integrate into American life, culture and gives them an exposure to Christianity.

It was great to be able to share the story of Noah’s Ark and the Flood with many students who had never before heard the Biblical story. My husband shared documented accounts of a great flood from Chinese, Indian, Hawaiian, Toltec, and Islamic traditions. He really shocked the Chinese students when he had them read the Chinese word for boat which is made up of 3 characters; vessel, people, and 8! There were 8 people recorded on the Ark! The young man from Turkey had relatives who actually lived in a town near Mt. Ararat. When asked if they believed that the Ark was up there, he answered affirmatively!

360 cultures have the story of a great flood in their traditions. The names are different, but the story of 8 people, the 40 days and 40 nights of rain and the rainbow are all very similar!

Over the past 100 years, there have been multiple sightings by various individuals unknown to each other who have described a very similar structure of a large wooden vessel on top of Mt. Ararat. The two big factors that make it very difficult to settle this debate for once and for all are inclement weather and political deterrents to exploration.

So why are we so fascinated with the possibility of proving Noah’s Ark and the Flood as an actual historical occurrence? It would authenticate one of the most told and loved stories of the Bible to be sure, but the ramifications go much deeper than that. One would have to conclude that there is a God in Heaven Who concerns Himself with the affairs of men! It would mean that we live in a moral universe where our actions are weighed in the balance of a Holy God. And that would mean that we desperately need a Savior! Jesus came for all people, and no one country or culture has exclusive claims to Him!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelations 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Do you thirst? Then come to Jesus who is the present “Ark” of safety from the judgment that is to come. For me, my faith does not rest on whether or not the Ark sits on top of Mt. Ararat, but instead on the reliability of God’s Word, the Bible, that has kept me afloat in the storms of life!

Lori