FOR AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
Matthew 24:37-39 New King James Version (NKJV)
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
I’ve recently become drawn to the story of Noah and the flood. After God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis chapter 1, and created man in Genesis chapter 3, only three chapters later God repents for making man because of his wickedness.
In Genesis chapter 6 we read of the great flood which completely destroyed every living thing on the earth. Only Noah and his family and the animals who took refuge in the ark survived. It was a flood unlike any ever seen or will ever be seen again in history.
The story of Noah is a story of faith in God and patience. God told Noah to build an ark. Surely those of his day and probably his family thought he was crazy. I’m sure he felt crazy himself at times. Nevertheless, God came to Noah, spoke to him, and after waiting 120 years the ark was completed. Can you imagine waiting 120 years for God to do what He said He would do? What kind of faith, spiritual fortitude, stamina and patience that would take.
When Jesus speaks of the end times; likening those days unto the days when Noah lived on the earth; we read of the culture and condition the earth will be in when Jesus comes back. I believe we are living in that day and hour.
Sodom and Gomorrah and the city of Nineveh were also examples in the Bible of the wickedness of man and the coming judgement of God upon the earth. God never judges man without first warning him.
The Word of the Lord came to Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance and the coming judgement of God. After spending three days and nights in the belly of the fish God came to Jonah a second time. This time Jonah heeded the Lord's warning and went to Nineveh and preached unto them and the entire city of over 600,000 people starting with the King on down repented and turned back to the Lord.
The United States of America is in desperate need of a similar revival. I am as far away from preaching doom and gloom as the next person, but the signs are all there and we are on the verge of the coming of the Lord and His mighty hand of judgement upon this country and the world. I truly believe with all my heart we are living in a world likened unto the days of Noah and I pray daily, earnestly, for the soon return of the Lord - as we await that great and notable (terrible) day of the Lord (Acts 2:20).
First Thessalonians 4:16-18
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
This passage of scripture in the book of first Thessalonians in the Bible has become a focal point for my life. I often visit my Mother’s grave and think of the resurrection power that is soon to come, which will raise her and all those who have died in Christ up into the heavens to meet the Lord in the air. A special effect in Hollywood? Never!! Hollywood could never get this right.
People spend hours speaking about the end times, writing books and screenplays. The end times are summarized in this passage in I Thessalonians simply and powerfully!!
I believe the condition and culture of this earth today are similar to the days of Noah; therefore I am encouraged when I see all of these things happening. I don’t like it, I don’t condone the bad things happening in this world, but there is hope of the soon return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the catching away of the saints and the resurrection from the dead of those whom we have loved who died in Christ.
BUILDING YOUR ARK -
A spiritual flood of God's Word is coming to this earth. the Bible speaks a lot about the rain of God's Spirit in the latter days. It is crucial we each build our own spiritual ark to save us from the destruction and judgement which is coming upon this earth. Just like in the days of Noah many won't understand what you are doing. They may mock you, tease you and even persecute you for your faith. But rest assured, you are in good company. God is working behind the scenes in your life strengthening and encouraging you to continue on, listening to Him and His Word and not the fake news media so prevalent in our world today.
Many of us have believed the promises of God. Perhaps we have believed the word of a parent, an elder or someone we hold in high regard on a spiritual level. Nevertheless, we all are waiting for these promises to appear and come to pass in our lifetime.
In so doing, waiting, we are likened unto Noah, who believed the promise of God and was steadfast for 120 years until it came to pass. Those of us who step out in faith and believe the promises of God will also be persecuted, laughed at, mocked, and some will be killed for the sake of the gospel. Many will be hated because of Jesus’ name. Jesus said so himself in Matthew chapter 24.
How many of us will faint and grow weary waiting for Jesus’ return, and like the five foolish virgins, come unprepared with no oil for our flasks, and then allow slumber and sleep to overtake us waiting for the bride grooms return? Upon his return they were not ready; the door was locked and the Lord had already come like a thief in the night.
Like Noah, we must be ready, we must wait patiently and look forward to the coming of the Lord as Noah waited 120 years for God‘s promise to come to pass to destroy the earth with an all consuming flood. We must also comfort one another with these words. I find few people today with an ear towards God and what He is saying through his Spirit, or in a position to even listen. The distractions and noise of the world and the devil are deceiving many!! Hence, many are called but few are chosen or able to heed that call. Broad and wide is the gate and the path which leads to destruction and “many be who find it,” Jesus said. “Straight and narrow is the way which leads until life, and few be who find it."
God bless you as you as you continue your own spiritual, personal pilgrimage and journey in this life, on a divine path and road to know God and His Word better, to forge a deeper and stronger relationship between you and the Almighty!!
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