Matthew 24:37 "…as the days of Noah were, so also will
the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Jesus was teaching the disciples on the Mount of Olives
about the approaching destruction of Jerusalem, the precursor of His coming,
and the end of world. Jesus answered their
questions and in doing so made the above statement about the similarity between
what the culture was like in Noah’s day and what it would be like when He
returned.
While there is no doubt as to the wickedness which permeated
the world in Noah’s day, there is a striking resemblance to our current age and
present darkness. As you look at the
list of characteristics below, consider how closely cultural mores in Noah’s
day matche our own.
1. Preoccupation
with physical appetites (Luke 17:26-27)
2. Rapid
advances in technology (Gen. 4:22)
3. Grossly
materialistic attitudes and interests (Luke 17:28)
4. Uniformitarian
Philosophies (2 Pet. 3:4)
5. Inordinate
devotion to pleasure and comfort (Matt. 24:38)
6. No
concern for God in either belief or conduct (2 Pet. 2:5, Jude 15)
7. Disregard
for the sacredness of marriage (Matt. 24:38)
8. Population
explosion (Gen. 6:1,11)
9. Widespread
violence (Gen. 6:11,13)
10. Corruption
throughout society (Gen. 6:12)
11. Preoccupation
with fornication and illicit sexual activity (Gen. 4:19; 6:12)
12. Widespread
words and thoughts of blasphemy (Jude 15)
The parallel is awfully conspicuous and should cause us to
consider if we are right with God or not.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and we must consider the actions and
attitudes we would have if we knew this was our last week upon the earth. Are we looking forward to the return of
Jesus, or is that concept cause for dread?
Are we waiting in anticipation or wading in a sea of complacency?
The gift of God’s grace is being offered to all. It is free
and without charge. It is an offer that
no one should refuse although many do.
Paul told the church in Corinth to not dawdle in making a decision to
accept Jesus as Lord and Savior stating, “now is the accepted time, now is the
day of salvation.”
We live in very loathsome and vile times which mirror the
sinful civilization found during the days of Noah. Jesus said that this would be a sign of His
coming in the last days. If you were to
die today, do you know where you would spend eternity? For some, it is a sheer delight to answer
this question, and for others, terrifying.
If you know Jesus, look up because the day when you will
meet Him is drawing close. If you do not
know Jesus you can do so by:
- Admitting that you are a sinner and that you have broken
God’s commandments, - Believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for
your sins and that God raised Him from the dead on the 3rd day, - Confess that Jesus is your Lord giving Him full authority
and control of your life.
In his day, Noah found grace in the eyes of God, and that is the very
thing God is offering to those in need in our day.
PD