The Days Of Noah: A Sign That His Time Is Near[i]
(Matthew 24:37-39)
In Acts 1 Jesus gathers His disciple team together for one last word of instruction. Following the instruction, He was taken into the heavenlies. As the disciples fixated their eyes on Him disappearing into the cloud,[ii] Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes, saying “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will one day return.[iii]
Understand, His return will be radically different from His first coming to the earth. At His first coming, He was born in a manager, and crisscrossed the nation of Israel on foot preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.[iv] When He returns, He will come as a mighty warrior King, destroying His enemies, and displaying His glory.[v] Isaiah 66:18 (ESV) “. . . all nations and tongues will be gathered together, and they shall come and shall see ‘His’ glory.[vi]
So the disciples in Matthew 24 ask Jesus, what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus answered them in v37(MSG), The Arrival of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. In light of His answer, I’ve entitled todays message, The Days Of Noah: A Sign That Jesus’ Return Is Near.
In the previous verses Jesus gave several illustrations of what will characterize the days leading up to His return. One of the characteristics He highlights is that the time of His return will be “as it was in the days of Noah” leading up to the flood waters that swept the people away(v37).
Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together to sing Your praises and lifting up Your name. We now seek Your help as we study Your Word. We pray this in the name of the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Interestingly, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians chap 5, vs1-5(GW) that it should not take us by surprise. He writes, 1Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates. 2You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape. 4But, brothers and sisters, you do not live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would. 5Why? Because You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark.
In explaining what to look for in regards to His return, Jesus draws a lesson for us from the fig tree. vs32-33(MSG), Now learn the parable from the fig tree: From the moment you notice its buds forming, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. 33So it is with you: When you see all these things, you’ll know He’s at the door.
The point that He is making is, we need to be students of world events as laid out in Matthew 24, the book of Daniel, and Revelation. By being a student of world events we can conclude that His coming is near, and perhaps standing at the door. Therefore, we should not be taken by surprise when it happens. And know that when He is at the door massive events will unfold swiftly. That’s what Jesus tells us in Luke 17:24 ESV For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
It is in that context that Jesus said, you don’t know the day or the hour, but I don’t want you to be ignorant, ie., don’t burry your head in the sand. 37 (GW) “for when the Son of Man comes again, it will be exactly like the days of Noah.[vii]
Now think with me for a moment:
- First, Jesus is providing us insight into God’s intentions so that we will be faithful in the midst of chaotic times. You might feel apprehensive and stressed out. God has given us special insight as to the world stage, so don’t be stressed.
Here’s a War Bulletin from Zechariah 12:1–3 (MSG) 1. . . the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women: 2“Watch for this: I’m about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who have set siege to Judah and Jerusalem staggering in a drunken stupor. 3“On the Big Day, I’ll turn Jerusalem into a huge stone blocking the way for everyone. All who try to lift it will rupture themselves. All the nations of the earth will come together and try to get rid of it. Chap 14, v2 (ESV) 2I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle . . .
How is God going to do that? Let me suggest for our thinking that the actions of Hamas on Oct 7, 2023 may be the rallying cry for pulling not just the immediate surrounding nations of Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and Iran together against Israel, but also the nations of the world against Israel From South Africa to Norway to Southeast Asia, as well as possibly our own country. The point is, God is gathering the nations for a showdown. Isaiah 66:18, . . . the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.[viii]
2. Second, notice that Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man in v37. That title comes from Daniel 7, vs13-14 where we are told that the One like a
Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days, and was presented before Him. And He was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom
from every nation and every language might serve Him.
So in the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is telling us that we need to be in tune with world events, and that history has a way of authenticating His words. The trend of world events is a clear lens that Jesus has been telling the truth about the future. We are now nearing the end of two thousand years of history since the days Jesus died and rose from the dead. As current affairs unfold, the stage is being set for the coming of the Lawless One—the leader of a great rebellion;[ix] In light of that know that the King of kings is about to walk on stage.
Interestingly, Jesus gives us some valuable insight as to His return. He tells us here that the world belief and behavior will be just like the days of Noah. So that raises the question, what were the days of Noah like?
Understand, that when Jesus said in the days of Noah, He had in mind not only the belief and behavior of the time, but also God’s message of coming judgment. According to Genesis 6 God gave a 120 year warning of coming annihilation. What Jesus is telling us is, the spiritual condition of Noah’s world leading up to God’s judgment is a portrayal of the spiritual condition of the world preceding His return to the earth and I might add, coming judgement.
So what were the days of Noah like leading up to God’s judgment? Let me highlight 5 character traits of the Days of Noah that are applicable to our day.
A. First, It Was Business As Usual
That’s what Jesus tells us in v38 (MSG) everyone was carrying on as usual. Eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. They were living normal lives, going about their normal business, and conducting their normal affairs. Life was in many respects like life in our own day.
- People of Noah’s day were eating and drinking (nothing wrong with that)
- The people of Noah’s day were marrying and giving in marriage (nothing wrong with that).
- The people of Noah’s day were buying and selling and continuing in all the usual activities of human life (nothing wrong with that). Their children went to school every day, businessmen made deals, teachers taught, doctors dispensed healing, farmers tended their crops.
- The people of Noah’s day paid no attention to Noah, his message and his boat building program. They turned a deaf ear to Noah’s preaching. What matter to them was “living for the moment”.
Genesis tells us that that before the worldwide flood . . .
- It was an age of enlightenment. But they did not listen to Noah.
- It was an age of great progress. But they did not listen to Noah.
- It was an age of music, fine arts and literature. But they did not listen to Noah.[x]
- It was an age of military might. But they did not listen to Noah.
- It was an age when mighty men roamed the earth. But they did not listen to Noah.[xi]
That was the world of Noah’s day, going about life as usual, ignoring the message of Noah. It was business as usual.[xii] They were wise fools who did not heed the warnings of the preacher of righteousness.[xiii] Then the flood came and took them all away.
Like Noah’s day, people today are just going about doing their thing with no concept the coming end of days. We are more concerned about environmental issues than the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[xiv]
B. Second, It Was a Sensual Time
Genesis 6 gives us some additional insight as to the days of Noah. vs1–2 (GW) 1As the number of people increased all over the earth, daughters were born to them. 2The sons of God saw that the daughters were beautiful. So they took them as they chose.
In the Bible the phrase “the sons of God” is understood to be in reference to “fallen angels”. These fallen angels left their God given dominion, and either materialized in actually human flesh or because of the evil of the day, were able to take bodily control of the men, as in demon possession. Either way, what we have here are fallen angels jumping the boundaries that God had established.[xv]
Spurred on by demonic lust, they freely took women for themselves, no constraints. Marriage was a sham. It was all about senusuality and sexual domination. Satan was now at “war” against the “seed of the woman” in Genesis 3. His objective was to demonize the human race and make a mockery of the sexual union. And what better way to destroy the coming Messiah than to utterly corrupt the human race through the introduction of impurities and demonism? [xvi] Women were used and abused. The demons were consumed by their lusts.
Know this, it was a time of great demonic activity. Paul, Peter and Jude teach us that in the last days leading up to Jesus return there will be an abundance of demonic activity, and it will be a “time of great difficulty”[xvii]
C. Third, It Was A Time of Great Violence
V13 (GW) God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people because the earth is full of their violence. Understand Noah lived in very violent time.
Consider the age we live in.
- There’s been an alarming increase in global violence just in the past 100 years. According to one source, wars in the past 90 years killed more people than during the previous 500 years combined. It is estimated 203 million people were killed by wars just in the 20th century. [xviii].
- Apart from war, it is reported that in this 20th century up to 360 million people have been arbitrarily killed by governments
- In the last decade, war has claimed the lives of an estimated 2 million children and has disabled another 4 to 5 million children.
- And globally, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has documented more than 125,000 violent terrorist attacks since 1970. [xix]
- Then there are the various silent forms of violence—deliberate abortions of millions of babies,[xx] along with the increase of puberty-blocking medications and gender-affirming surgeries.[xxi]
Genesis 6 tells us that during the days of Noah people were vile and wicked. They had no respect for God, indulging in their sinful actions unashamedly.[xxii] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. They had no time for God until it was too late.[xxiii] And because of their vile evilness, God says I will blot them out. Like Noah, we live in violent times. Life is cheap.
D. Fourth, There was an Abundance of Charismatic, Corrupt Leaders
V4 (ESV) The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.
The resulting cohabitation of the demonic with humanity produced a form of evil offspring called the Nephilim. They roamed the earth as giants, tyrants, and workers of enormous evil. As a side note, you should know that for this hideous sin, these angels were placed in a pit of deep darkness by God. According to 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Judge 6-7 God punished them for “abandoning their proper abode.”
Anyway, these demons possessed men, whether they were able to materialize as a male or actually possess men of the day, they impregnate women. This spawned charismatic corrupt leaders known as the Nephilim, enormously violent, brutal, cruel, barbaric people, and corrupt. In the Bible the Nephilim at times are spoken of as “giants”, and may refer to a documented race of ancient men and women who on average were ten to 12 feet tall.[xxiv] Whoever they were, they arrogantly ignored God, built vast empires, living as despots and tyrants, and embodied the worst traits of humanity—living as if God didn’t exist.
A quick overview of the present, corrupt leadership is on the rise. Corruption takes many forms, but at its most basic it is an illegal abuse of power that takes advantage of public trust to benefit an individual or small minority.[xxv] According to one article I read, corruption in the United States is at its worst in almost a decade. Advocates attribute this to a declining trust in democratic institutions and poor oversight of pandemic-related financial aid.[xxvi] Like Noah’s day, corruption is on the rise.
E. Fifth, There was a Love Passion for Evil
V5 (ESV) The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. At this point sinful living was out of control, wiping out what God initially pronounced good for every intent of the thoughts of men and women was only evil continually. This is God’s epithet of the heart of man.
In Matthew 15, v 19(ESV) For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.[xxvii] We are currently living in an age where these vices are considered normal, and in fact encouraged.[xxviii] Research shows there is a correlation between media violence and youths exhibiting violent behavior in society. In this country alone a typical child will view more than 200,000 acts of violence, including 16,000 murders, on television before the age of 18. Television programs display 812 violent acts per hour. A recent study found that 15 percent of music videos contain interpersonal violence.[xxix]
In John 3, v19(ESV) Jesus said, And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. Understand, there is a dark brooding love affair for evil unfolding around us.
- Notice Jesus’ commentary: it’s not an insufficiency of light or a lack of evidence or lack of knowledge. The reason He gives is this: evil exits because people love the darkness. The problem is a love for darkness.
- Proverbs 2:14 (ESV) There are people who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil.[xxx] Jesus said in Matthew 24:12(GW) And because there will be more and more lawlessness, most people’s love will grow cold. So what we have here is a love problem. What the heart loves blinds the mind to the light of truth.
That’s why Paul writes in Ephesians 4:18 (NASB95) Love for darkness darkens one’s understanding, excludes them from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of their heart; There is something beneath a love for darkness – namely a heart that is hard.[xxxi]
John Piper writes: Hardness of heart is a stiff-necked resistance to God because we love our independence from God. We hate the idea of being under absolute authority. We love our autonomy, our self-sufficiency, our self-direction, our self-exaltation. We bristle with hardness, stiffness against any suggestion of absolute dependence on another, especially God.[xxxii]
As the passion for evil increases, Hosea’s message becomes more fitting: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, ‘its’ bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away” (Hosea 4:1-3). We shouldn’t be shocked or dismayed by what we see and hear. Our world is following the path exactly as Jesus said it would do.
Let’s pause here, and reflect on what we have just considered. Jesus said that when He returns, the spiritual climate will be like the days of Noah.
- It was business as usual
- A time of great sensuality
- A time of great violence
- An abundance corrupt leaders
- A love affair with evil
In Noah’s day, the time of punishment came when God “saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). He resolved to blot that generation off of the face of the earth. In his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah (1996), former U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Robert H. Bork explained the roots of American cultural decline and degeneracy. He cited increased violence in and sexualization of mass media, the legalization of abortion and the decline of religion, among other factors. These societal ills are contrary to God’s laws that bring peace, success and strength to any nation.[xxxiii]
God preserved the biblical record of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah for us to read and take warning. Today the world is heading recklessly toward the edge of a cliff, like a runaway car down a winding mountain road. As humans reject God’s laws of sexual morality and cast off all restraint, without large-scale repentance, disaster will come. He warned them that they were becoming boastful and unashamed of their blatant sins. God said, “Because of this, they have brought evil upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9).
Interestingly, history doesn’t seem to run in a straight light. It seems to run in an oval circle. Peter picks up on this in 2 Peter 2, vs5–6 (ESV) where he speaks about God destroying the world in Noah’s day, then years later he highlights Sodom and Gomorrah. [xxxiv] Noah’s world was destroyed with a flood, Sodom and Gomorrah’s world was destroyed with fire and brimstone. Both are left as a warning. In Romans 2, vs5-6 God said, “In accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’”.
The first time God brought His judgment on the earth, it was by a great flood of water. The next time God punishes the whole earth will be at Christ’s return, when He will “render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the LORD will judge all flesh” (Isaiah 66:15-16).
Jesus said in Luke 21, vs34-36, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [of My return andGod’s wrath] come upon you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).[xxxv]
Let me close with a reading from the pen of Peter. I’m reading from 2 Peter 3:10–14 (GW) 10The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound, and everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed. 11All these things will be destroyed in this way. So think of the kind of holy and godly lives you must live 12as you look forward to the day of God and eagerly wait for it to come. When that day comes, heaven will be on fire and will be destroyed. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and melt. 13But we look forward to what God has promised—a new heaven and a new earth—a place where everything that has God’s approval lives. 14Therefore, dear friends, with this to look forward to, make every effort to have him find you at peace, without ⸤spiritual⸥ stains or blemishes.
It is said of the great Scottish minister, Horatio Bonar, that on one occasion he was in discussion with a number of fellow ministers. He said to them, "Do you really expect Jesus Christ to come today?" One by one he went around the circle and put that question to each. And one by one they shook their heads and said, "No, not today." Then without comment he wrote on a piece of paper these words and passed it around:
"You also must be ready;
for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect."[xxxvi]
Will God get our attention before that time? Will He find lasting, heartfelt changes in our behavior before He unleashes His anger? The choice is ours.
Let’s pray: Father, You are the God of our past and our present. By Your hand we were all created for a unique purpose to be realized in the days of our lives on this earth. Though we have no way of knowing what is coming our way, we know that life this side of heaven will be hard. We know we have an enemy set to destroy us. Give us the boldness we need to operate in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to discern the lies of the enemy and recall and remember the truths in Your Word.For those of us that live our lives according to the Truth, it gets harder every day. We are misunderstood and mislabeled. We are lonely and alone at times. But through it all, we maintain a hope and a peace that surpass all understanding.In this life, between here and the not yet, give us courage and bravery to operate in Your Truth even when we are afraid. As our culture strips Your name from everything and everywhere, let us proclaim it louder and longer . . . and everywhere we go . . . that Jesus Christ has defeated death. In Him, we are victorious, and He will come again. Be our strength when it’s hard to be His Follower in this world. Embrace us with Your encouragement and fortify us with Your perfect love.And if there is someone here this morning struggling with the knowledge of the Jesus’ soon return and are not ready, we ask that You solidify salvation in their hearts. Prompt them to confess their sins, acknowledge Jesus’ death payment and believe in their heart that You raised Him from the dead . . . give them now the confidence that the burden of sin has been removed, and they will be welcomed by Him on that great day, that they will indeed see His glory.
For we know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
[i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. https://www.gotquestions.org/coming-Son-of-Man-days-of-Noah.html Ray Stedman, A Thief in the Night https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/a-thief-in-the-night https://www. christianity.com/wiki/end-times/what-is-the-meaning-and-warning-in-as-it-was-in-the-days-of-noah.html https://bible.org/seriespage/3-it-was-days-noah-pt-1-god-s-patience-runs-out-gen-61-8 Chris Moen, Shades of Sodom and Gomorrah. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/sodom-and-gomorrah/
[ii] https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/1/Acts-1-9.html. Acts 1:9 (ESV) 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. God is often represented by clouds in the Bible Interestly,.in Exodus, a pillar of cloud led the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). When the Israelites camped at Mt. Sinai, God covered the mountain in cloud and smoke to show the people the authority He was giving Moses (Exodus 19:9,16–18). When Solomon brought the ark of the covenant into the new temple, God filled the whole building with a cloud of His glory so thick the priests had to flee (1 Kings 8:10–11). When God showed Peter, James, and John the glory of Jesus during the transfiguration, He spoke to them from a cloud (Mark 9:7). And when Jesus will return, for both the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) and the second coming (Revelation 1:7), He will come with clouds. All such cases illustrate the shekinah glory of God—the glory of God that dwells with His people. God's glory is so great we can only experience it if it is veiled as if by clouds. Soon, we will see God clearly (2 Corinthians 3:12–18).
[iii] Acts 1:9–11 (ESV) 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
[iv] Matthew 4:23 (ESV) 23And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Mark 1:14 (ESV) 14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, See also Matthew 3:2; 9:35; 24:14; Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 16:16; Acts 20:25; 28:3
[v] Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV) 11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Isaiah 66:14–17 (ESV) 14. . . he shall show his indignation against his enemies. 15“For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many. 17“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD.
[vi] Isaiah 40:5 (ESV) 5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
[vii] Cf., Alan S. Bandy, The Return of Christ, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-return-of-christ/ The imminent return of Christ, however, does not mean it could happen at any moment without any preconditioned fulfillment of prophecies or signs. Paul told the Thessalonians they were children of the light, and therefore they would not be taken by sudden surprise, like a thief (1Thes. 5:1–5). There are at least three events that are mentioned as taking place before the second coming: (1) the gospel preached to all the nations; (2) the great tribulation and the great apostasy; and (3) the coming of the Antichrist. The point is certain things must happen before Christ returns but exactly how and where these signs are fulfilled is difficult to say. Consequently, we must always be open to the possibility that Christ could return at any time. Thus, although certain “signs” have been present throughout history, such signs will intensify before Christ returns. That is, these signs will become clearer before they reach their climax. Imminence does not necessitate suddenness devoid of potential indicators.
[viii] Isaiah 45:22–25 (ESV)22“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ 24“Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. 25In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”; Jeremiah 3:17 (ESV)17At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.
[ix] 2 Thessalonians 2:8–9 (NASB95) 8Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
[x] Cf., Genesis 4:20–22 (NASB95) 20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Samuel Boxter, The Days of Noah, What Was It Really Like Before the Flood, https://rcg.org/realtruth/articles/140219-003.html. Due to their extended lifespans, the number of people could have grown to between five billion and 17 billion by Noah’s time. Knowledge and technology also rapidly increased in the 1,656 years from Creation to the Flood. Mankind built cities (4:17), had cattle ranches (vs. 20), composed and played music (vs. 21), and discovered metallurgy, including how to make alloys such as brass (vs. 22).
[xi]Cf., Genesis 6:4 (NASB95) 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Numbers 13:33 (NASB95) 33“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.
[xii] Cf., Luke 17:28–30 (NASB95) 28“It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30“It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.
[xiii] 2 Peter 2:5 (ESV)5if 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;
[xiv] Matthew 10:27–28 (ESV)27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
[xv] Jude 6 (ESV) 6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 1 Peter 3:19–20 (ESV) 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
[xvi] 2 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV) 4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5if 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; Jude 6–7 (ESV)6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
[xvii] 1 Timothy 4:1–2 (ESV)1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,; 2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ; 2 Peter 3:3–7 (ESV)3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.; Jude 17–19 (ESV)17But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
[xviii] Matthew White,Historical Atlas of the Twentieth Century, 2010, “Deaths by War”
[xix] Chris Moen, As in the Days of Noah: Warnings for Today. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/as-in-the-days-of-noah/
[xx] Global Abortion Rates. https://www.infoplease.com/math-science/health/healthcare/global-abortion-rates
[xxi] https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-transyouth-data/. At least 14,726 minors started hormone treatment with a prior gender dysphoria diagnosis from 2017 through 2021, according to the Komodo analysis. The Komodo analysis of insurance claims found 56 genital surgeries among patients ages 13 to 17 with a prior gender dysphoria diagnosis from 2019 to 2021. Among teens, “top surgery” to remove breasts is more common. In the three years ending in 2021, at least 776 mastectomies were performed in the United States on patients ages 13 to 17 with a gender dysphoria diagnosis, according to Komodo’s data analysis of insurance claims. This tally does not include procedures that were paid for out of pocket Andrew Court, 4 out 5 kids who question gender ‘grow out of it’: Transgerder expert.. https://nypost.com/2023/02/22/four-out-of-five-kids-who-question-their-gender-grow-out-of-it-trans-expert/ A psychiatrist who has presided over youth gender transition treatments for more than a decade says “four out of five” gender-questioning children eventually accept their bodies if no medical interventions are carried out. follow-up studies of transgender kids have shown that a substantial majority -- anywhere from 65 to 94 percent -- eventually ceased to identify as transgender.
[xxii] Cf., Genesis 6:1–5 (NASB95) 1Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” 4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
[xxiii] Cf., Romans 1:21–24 (NASB95) 21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
[xxiv]Zacgart Garrusm Giants in the Land: A Biblical Theology of the Nephilim, Anakim, Rephaim (And Goliath),https://knowingscripture.com/articles/giants-in-the-land-a-biblical-theology-of-the-nephilim-anakim-rephaim-and-goliath. It is important to note that Genesis 6:4 never explicitly calls the Nephilim ‘giants’. However, the Nephilim have often been considered giants because of the description o the giants in the land as those who come from the Nephilim in Numbers 13:32-33. Also the Septuagint translates both the Hebrew Nephilim and Gibborim in Genesis 6:4 as giants. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward—afterward is presumably after the flood. Nephilim (Numbers 13:33) after the fllod because in some way the fallen angels again were able to ‘bred’ with women, bringing about again the Nephilim. There was Goliath, and Og of Ashan (Deut 3:11)
[xxv] World’s Most Corrupt Leaders, https://www.infoplease.com/world/social-statistics/worlds-most-corrupt-leaders
[xxvi] Cailey Griffin, Amy Mackinnon, Report: Corruption in U.S. at Worst Levels in Almost a Decade. https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/28/report-transparency-international-corruption-worst-decade-united-states/
[xxvii]Cf. Galatians 5:19–21 (NASB95) 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
[xxviii] Romans 1:28–32 (ESV)28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. The point of the last half of the verse is to show that many people not only do things that they know deserve death, but also entice others to do them and approve when they do. Cf., Proverbs 2:14 (ESV) 14who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,
[xxix] Chris Moen, As in the Days of Noah: Warnings for Today. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/as-in-the-days-of-noah/.
[xxx] Proverbs 4:19 (ESV) 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
[xxxi] 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 (ESV)10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
[xxxii] John Piper, How Your Heart Governs Your Mind., https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-your-heart-governs-your-mind
- Statistics show that kids are more sexualized now than ever, and that 70% of kids will have sex before graduating high school
- A new report says that 45% of Americans think that God wants them to be happy more than anything else
- A pew poll report shows that church attendance is at the lowest mark in twenty years
- Studies now indicate that the current presidential administration is the most anti-Christian administration of the modern era
[xxxiv] Luke 17:28–30 (ESV)28In the same way, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. See Jude 7 (ESV) 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Ezekiel 16:49–50 (ESV) 49Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. 50They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. Jeremiah 23:14 (ESV) 14But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”
[xxxv] Isaiah 66:18 (ESV)18“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,
[xxxvi] Ray Stedman, A Thief in the Night https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/matthew/a-thief-in-the-night
