God caused animals to line up and go aboard the great ark.

“Yeah! When is your God going to give us some rain? My throat is dry!”
Everyone laughed and chuckled—but soon their laughter turned into silence. Every man, woman and child in the crowd was shocked to see an incredible sight: a long, seemingly endless line of animals marched up to the ark, two-by-two. Quietly, they went up the long ramp and through the giant entrance on the side of the ship. Horses, elephants, sheep, lions, birds, bears, and more—every kind of animal on earth peacefully entered the ark, just as God had said. This was a great miracle—an act that could only be done by God.

Some people in the crowd began to have second thoughts. “Say, maybe Noah knows something we don’t,” some said.
Others wondered, “What if he was right all along?”
However, their doubts did not last for very long. Even after witnessing such a great miracle, the people would not reject their carnal nature and change. They were too stubborn and set in their ungodly ways.

God understood this. That is why He chose to take their physical lives then. He will bring everyone back to life in the future, when the kingdom of God will rule on the earth. At that time, they will be offered God’s Holy Spirit, which will help them to reject their carnal nature and live happy, healthy lives.

The Flood Begins
After Noah, his family, and all of the animals were secure aboard the ark, God closed the giant door and sealed it shut. No one could get in, and no one could get out (Genesis 7:15-16).

A day passed—no rain. Another day passed. Still nothing, not even a raindrop. A third day passed. And then another. Six days came and went, and still there was no flood.
By the seventh day, a growing crowd of hundreds and thousands of people surrounded the ark. As they did before, they cried out to Noah, laughing and shouting insults at him and his family.

“Noah, Noah! Help me! Help me! I’m drowning!” they teased.
They were all so sure that Noah’s warnings about the great Flood were false. They did not realize how merciful their Creator really was.

Not only had He given them 120 years to change their rotten ways, God had also given them seven extra days to repent.

But the people would not change their lives.
When the seventh day ended, storm clouds began to form. The air grew from a soft breeze into harsh winds that were so powerful, people could barely make it back to their homes.
Suddenly, everyone knew that a big storm was coming.

And then a drop of rain fell. Then a few more. Soon, what began as a light drizzle became a mighty shower of rain.

Those who had teased and laughed at Noah were no longer laughing.
They now knew that his warnings were coming true—and that their end was near.

The earth trembled and shook as pockets of underwater springs exploded from the ground, shooting out rivers of water like a fire hose.

People shouted and screamed as they ran for cover. The rain from above and the waters from beneath rushed upon the earth. Across fields, towns and cities, the waters rose higher and higher until almost no one in them was left alive.

Those left headed for the highest mountains in hopes of out-running the ever-rising floodwaters. Fights broke out as people scrambled for higher ground. Some even had to fight off wild animals who were also fleeing to escape.

But in the end, all of the fighting was in vain. Even at the very top of the highest mountains, the dark, swirling floodwaters soon rose to cover them. The few people and animals left alive squirmed and twisted in the cold water, fighting to stay alive. But the flood currents were too strong (Gen 5:10-23).

Except for those in the ark and the fish in the seas, the life of every man, animal and bird was taken in the great flood.

Too Late!
Aboard the ark, Noah listened to the screams of those he had warned.
He heard the people beat and pound against the sides of the great ship.
“Noah! Noah! Save us!” they screamed. “Open the door and let us in!”
But it was too late for them. God had sealed the giant door shut. No one could open it.
Noah felt the waters lift the ark from the ground. Soon, the cries and screams of the people outside were silent. At that moment, Noah realized that he, his wife, his sons and their wives were the last eight people alive on earth.

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