The days of Noah - The last days
Temptation in Genesis 3 has multiplied into physical death by the time we read Genesis 4. Cain has murdered his brother and sin has multiplied.
James 1:14-16
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. NKJV
Lamech is a descendant of Cain. He becomes the first man to take two wives - Genesis 4:16 - 17. This is a direct contradiction of God?s command in Genesis 2: 24-25.
Lamech himself later goes on to commit murder - Genesis 4: 23-24.
By the time Noah comes into the picture in Genesis 6, sin is running rampage. Every conceivable divine moral law of God written into the heart of mankind is being broken. The following verse summarises the state of things.
Gen 6:9-15
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. NKJV
Luke 17:26-30
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. NKJV
What happened in the days of Noah prior to the flood and Lot prior to the destruction of the City with fire is a picture of what will happen in our days. Jesus predicted this Himself.
Noah and Lot did not live during the same time. It is interesting that Jesus should pick these two historical figures out to illustrate the last days. There must be something in their lives and history that are particularly relevant to us in these days.
1. Violence was on the earth. Sin and wickedness was rampage - Genesis 6:5, 12-13
2. God patience and longsuffering. The clue lies in the generation of Seth. Enoch was a descendant of Seth. He pleased God so much that God took him away. But this was not before he had a child called Methuselah which means - ?he dies and it is sent? - Faussets Bible dictionary. Or - ?he dies and there is a sending forth? - Matthew Henry?s commentary. Methuselah is the oldest person ever to live - 969 years. After his death the flood came. It took this long for God to wait before sending His judgement.
3. People were living as normal despite the impending judgement of God - Matthew 24:38. Noah preached the gospel to them but none heeded his call - 2 Peter 2:5. When people embrace sin even the most vivid cries of God?s mercy go unheeded.
4. When God?s judgement fell, those faithful to God were aware of its coming and were safe - Genesis 7:1. The unrighteous perished.
5. God knows how to protect those committed to Him. He kept Noah safe in the Ark - Genesis 7:1 and delivered Lot from the City - Genesis 19: 12 - 22
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
No One Knows the Day or Hour
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Lot lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. The people in these cities lived filthy lifestyles. They embraced everything from homosexuality, vile languages and all other manner of sinful lifestyles. Even Lot?s heart was grieved by observing they conduct - 2 Peter 2:6-8.
The main difference between Noah and Lot was that Noah saved his family but Lot lost his. Even Lot?s wife turned back and the last moment and became a pillar of salt.
They will be a great attack on the family in these last days. The only protection from it is a commitment to God and a desire to do his will. Lot never involved God in his decision to live in Sodom and Gomorrah - Genesis 13: 7-18. He paid the price dearly.
Being committed to God and having a desire to do His will in all things is vital if we are to survive the last days without sustaining the scares of war.
The fact that Noah was right before God demonstrates that the rest of mankind needed not live in sin.
God has not called us to do the impossible. His judgement comes when we knowingly and continuously disobey His will.
God is a righteous Judge. His judgement falls on those who are disobedient to His will.
Examine some other cases in scriptures where the judgement of God was executed.
They overlooked the position God had placed Moses in - verses 7 - 8. God gifts us all. However God places some people in places of authority. We need to show God respect by respecting them. How often have churches torn themselves apart because they refuse to accept those God has placed in authority. Others deny themselves a blessing because they cannot bring themselves to respect those God has placed in authority. They question everything they do because they consider themselves equal (or even higher) than them.
God?s judgement on Miriam was a result of her disrespect for Him - God.
Eli was too weak to offer his sons a rebuke weighty enough of the offence they committed. He feared them more than he feared God - 1 Samuel 2:29. He did confront their evil ways - 1 Samuel 2:22-25, but not with the vigour such a rebuke should have held. Indeed he should have relieved them of their duties until there was a total change of heart on their part. He would have then no longer been a party to their crime.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 12-13 NKJV
The prophet of Judah is a clear warning to us believers. Don?t let anyone lead you astray. Do what is right and keep to it. Honour God. Respect those He has placed in authority. Be diligent to obey His Word. Those of you leaders in the Church - fear God, never ever take advantage of His people. Do not be lead astray.
In these days many a Christian are being led astray by the lure of riches. There is nothing wrong with being rich. Nor do receiving gifts make us a sinner. But when Ministers of the Gospel and God?s redeemed people allow the rewards of wealth to become the focus of their ministry, they will lose their heart for God and start serving another master. You have been warned.
The Bible talks about many things that are to happen in these last days. Many of them are to do with the judgement of God on the world. They need not terrify us. God does not punish the righteous with the unrighteous.
There are some things that we will go through, like Noah went through the flood, and there are other things that we shall escape from, Like Lot escaped Sodom and Gomorrah. Our confidence lives in the mercy of God. Listen to the following scripture.
2 Peter 2:9-10
9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment, NKJV
Satan and his host are the first to be thrown into the lake of fire for indeed it was made for him - Revelations 19:20.
Christ may have called you to do something, which seems small and insignificant in his kingdom. The Lord does not reward quantity but quality. Quality is measured by our obedience and motives. Stop running after the crowd or being influenced by your peers. There is a lot of activity in the church today, which looks good but has nothing to do with God. They are all empty works. Stay with your calling.