Because of the total pervasive wickedness on earth, God intervened. "I have determined to make and end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (6:13). His judgment was announced 120 years in advance (6:3). This patience on the part of God did two things: 1) It gave every person on earth more than ample time to repent of their sin and turn to the LORD; 2) It gave ample time for Noah and his family to prepare the Ark.
The dimensions of the Ark were 450' long, 75' wide, and 45' high with 3 decks. Indeed, it looked more like a barge than a boat. It was designed for floatation and maximum storage. Studies confirm that indeed there was enough space to house couples of all the world's animals that the LORD wanted to preserve, along with their food.
Genesis 7 is very detailed in its description of the
world-wide flood. "And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them 15 cubits deep (nearly 23 feet).
-Imagine Mount Everest 23 feet underwater!
-Imagine the topographical changes of the earth with that much water carving its surface.
-Imagine the rapid burial of living matter required to produce what are now underground fields of oil.
-Imagine the environmental change with no more mist from the earth to water it but an occasional rain instead.
Given the description of the flood, the totality of this judgment should be self-evident. "And all flesh
died that moved on the earth, birds,
livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all
mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died." (7:21-22)
After 120 years of preaching the coming judgment of God to his generation, the only ones who responded and were saved from the flood were members of his own family.
The Apostle Peter used this real life example to warn of the coming final judgment from God. "...if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly,...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment..." (2 Peter 2:5 and 9) Why has God delayed that coming final judgment? "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
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