The "Ark Encounter," the life-sized replica of Noah's Ark, officially opens on July 7th in Williamstown, Kentucky, and promises to serve as a reminder to future generations of the truth of God's Word.
Young Earth Creationist Ken Ham, the president of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, is behind this Biblically-accurate structure. He recently told NBC's Kevin Tibbles he hopes the ark will be one of the greatest Christian outreaches of this era in history.
"Amazing, magnificent, or inspiring," Ham said when asked to describe his $100 million creation. "Christians can have a tourism facility, too."
Built with the same measurements God gave Noah in Genesis 6:15, the upcoming ark is the largest timber-frame structure in the world. It's just over 500 feet long - one and a half times the length of a football field - about 50 feet tall, and 85 feet wide.
Inside, life-like displays and animatronics tell the Old Testament story of Noah, his family, the animals, and the flood that destroyed the world thousands of years ago. Ark Encounter is based on an interpretation of the Bible that says the earth is about 6,000 years old and that dinosaurs and humans at one time co-existed.
"We wanted to be as good - or better - than Hollywood," Ham said, explaining that he hopes to draw at least a million visitors to the replica this year. "We hope they show up two by two, seven by seven, hundred by a hundred."
While the ark is geared towards Christians familiar with the Genesis account, Ham, who cut the ribbon officially opening the Ark on July 5th, encourages people of other faiths to come visit as well, expressing hope that the modern-day ark will spark conversations about God's faithfulness.
He offered up a reminder that God has remained true to the promises made in Genesis 9:11: "There's never going to be another flood, not a global flood, the Bible makes that very, very clear," the creationist said.
In a February blog post, Ham explained that the Ark Encounter is a fun and exciting way to share with the next generation the Good News of the Bible.
"More than ever, people need to discover the truth of God's Word beginning in Genesis and the saving Gospel of the New Testament. That is especially true today for teens and millennials (including those inside the Church)," he wrote.
"Our culture needs to take a voyage of discovery and discover that: God's Word concerning the history of the universe and all life is true. God's Word concerning man's sinful state and his need of salvation in Christ is true," he added.
He further called Noah's Ark "the greatest reminder of the soul-saving Gospel," other than the Cross, and said that the Ark Encounter will be "one of the greatest Christian outreaches of this era."
Ark Encounter tickets will cost $40 for adults, $31 for senior citizens, and $28 for children. Children under five get in free.
