By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:19-20)
These phrases are very puzzling passages even among biblical scholars. However, it is never difficult to understand if we dismiss fixed ideas and take it as it is. The reason that people cannot understand these phrases is the phrase, ‘he went and preached unto the spirits in prison’. In here, we must know what he preached. In generally, people think that it means relieving them by preaching good news but it go too far. Remember that the Bible made a record only ‘preached’.
Preaching good news of Jesus shows two sides; the life for believers and the judgment for unbelievers. Of course, it was about the judgment that the spirits in prison was given. They were already persons who didn’t pay attention to the words of God and refused the way for salvation which Noah presented. So the Bible says ‘eight souls were saved’.
In the above contents, we can understand the property of God. It is endurance for our salvation. Yes, God want salvation of everyone, and even now he is bearing patiently looking the world. The Noah age is similar with today in many parts, but two has only one difference that God judged the Noah age with water but will judge this age with fire.
The disobedience of people has many things beyond our understanding. The Lord conveyed good news through Noah, and give a situation that can be relieve only by entering Noah’s ark. In other word, receiving salvation was never difficult. However, people rejected and couldn’t avoid the judgment of water. In the end, all they died and went to hell.
Even now, good news is conveyed to many people, but they still don’t pay attention that and refuse entering the way of salvation. It isn’t because it is difficult or they do not know, but because they don’t cognize the judgment they will receive. This world will be judge by fire, and wheat and chaff will stand in the presence of the Lord. Where is our place? I hope that you go to meet glorious days with the Lord like eight members of Noah’s family.
