The Only Thing That Changed

Scripture Text: Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:36-39

(3) And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

(36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

(37) But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

(38) For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.

(39) And knew not until the flood came and took them all away. So shall the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus’ disciples asked him, “What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” Jesus did not keep his disciples in the dark, he answered their question. He let them know that just as it was in Noah’s day, so shall it be when he returns. Jesus reminded his disciples that unto the very day that Noah entered the ark, the people were behaving themselves in a God-less manner despite having been given warnings by Noah to turn from their wicked ways. God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. Noah, the Bible says (2 Peter 2:5), was a preacher of righteousness. The Bible says (I Corinthians 1:21) that it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Unfortunately, no one in Noah’s day believed. No one was saved from the flood other than Noah and his family.

The Bible lets us know (7th Chapter of Genesis) that after the two by two of all flesh had come unto Noah in the ark that the Lord shut them in. What is imperative to note here is that when Noah and his family were shut in by God it meant everyone else was shut out by God.

The Bible says (Genesis 7:10) that it came to pass after 7 days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. So, taking cues from what Jesus told his disciples, situations in Noah’s day would be similar situations upon his return. The people were ungodly, unbelieving, unconcerned, and unprepared. Jesus said in essence that people had forgotten God even as Noah entered the ark. Likewise, they did wickedly during the 7 days that the ark just sat awaiting the flood, nothing changed. Nothing changed except one thing. The only thing that changed was that they had no chance of being saved from destruction. The people though were not aware of their hopeless situation. They were not aware that God had shut the ark door, shutting Noah in and them out. They were not aware that while they mocked Noah’s salvation, their doom was being sealed. Perhaps they told Noah that he was crazy, that it had never rained. Perhaps they told him that it did not take all that, that an ark was too much, that a canoe would do. Perhaps they told him that God is love and would never destroy mankind. Perhaps they told him that the majority is always right. The people carried on in their wickedness as though nothing had changed. The only thing that changed was that God had withdrawn mercy and they knew it not until as Jesus said, “And knew it not until the flood came and took them all away.”

Jesus, remember, stated that upon his return, it would be as in Noah’s day. That means just like in Noah’s day, mercy at some point will be withdrawn and man will continue in his wickedness and unrighteousness unaware that something had changed. Wickedness continues to spike despite a Covid-19 wake-up call. God put the virus in place to get mankind’s attention, to slow down, turn from sin and turn to him. In large part, unfortunately, that has not happened. As in Noah’s day, the eating, drinking, and marrying has reached uncommon proportions in our day as many Covid restrictions for now are lifted. There are and will continue to be more loveless marriages and divorces and re-marriages. Giving in marriage has reached alarming totals. The United Nations estimates that hardships resulting from Covid-19 has driven over 13 million girls in third world countries to marry. Many grandfatherly-aged men marrying girls as young as 10 or 12 who are forcibly being given in marriage by their parents for money or livestock.

No doubt there were people in Noah’s day who could swim, after all, they did have lakes, rivers, and streams, etc. However, their ability to swim could not save them.

No doubt when Christ returns there will be those who will say that they have been faithful churchgoers. Their church going and church memberships will not be able to save them.

The Bible says (Matthew 7:23) “And will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” In other words, ye churchgoers that are still sinning, including false preachers, Hell will be your reward. We all know (John 3:16) that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That means whosoever believes that Jesus came to die for man’s sins and accepts, appreciates, and articulates that belief by living a life free from sin upon repentance will be saved. It is not us who can live that life but Christ in us. The Bible says that there is no sin in him. So, if a person lets Christ take control of their lives, accepts him into their hearts, he is powerful enough to keep sin out of your life too. You learned how to drive from a person that could drive. You learned how to cook from a person that could cook. Repent of your sins and learn how to live free from sin from the only one who lived his entire earthly life free from sin. God has a remnant of people who have been forgiven from their sins and living for him without sin. Let’s not forget that the angel declared that Jesus was born on earth to save his people FROM their sins, not IN their sins. (Romans 6: 1-23)

Today, these last days are worse than the violence-filled days of Noah’s time. Yes, Jesus is soon to return as the violence and unrighteousness in our time far exceeds that of Noah’s day. Only God’s great mercy has delayed him. That will run out! Jesus said be watchful, no man knows the day or the hour of his return. Repent today if you are not saved before mercy runs out. Either repent or remain as you are and think that nothing will change. Please think and choose wisely but as Jesus told Judas at the Last Supper, “That which thou doest, do quickly!”