What did we learn from Noah?

     The curse placed on Satan after he deceived Eve in the Garden included enmity between his seed and the Seed of the woman.

     The first example was Adam and Eve’s son Cain.

     “…and it came to pass…that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”  Genesis 4:8

     Cain is later referred to in the Scriptures as being ‘of the evil one.’

     Things got progressively worse.

     “Then the LORD 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

     Judgment was required by a Holy and Righteous God; however, the corrupt and unrepentant were oblivious to the impending judgment.

     But a man named Noah found favor with God because he humbled himself and was obedient before his Creator.

     “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.’”  Genesis 6:13

      How does Noah’s experience apply to us?   Have we heeded Noah’s example and warning of impending judgment?

     “But as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage… and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”   Matthew 24:37-39

     Luke provided another example of mankind’s indifference towards God’s righteousness and warnings.

    

     “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”  Luke 17:26-30

     In both examples, historical judgment fell upon the unrepentant.  Their expedient destruction is compared with the inevitable coming/return of the Son of Man to whom all judgment has been delegated.

     After the birth of the church, the Apostles were diligent to warn of impending judgment.  The church was admonished to ‘watch’ and be prepared for the return of the righteous Judge.

     “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them...”  1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

     The ‘Day of the Lord’ is the return of the Son of Man.

     Paul admonishes the church to watch and be sober (vigilant).  He states that the church is not in darkness, but rather sons of the light.

     The true ‘church’ will find grace (favor) with God as did Noah for the same reasons Noah and his family were spared.  The church’s escape will be their removal before the righteous Judge is revealed.

     And then in the final Book in the Bible, Jesus Himself addresses the certainty of His coming and admonishes His own to watch for Him.

     “Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed is he who watches…”  Revelation 16:15

     The significance of not knowing the timing of the Lord’s return was illustrated by Solomon approximately 3,000 years ago.

     The setting is a young, naïve man who was being enticed by a harlot.  The harlot assured the young man that their clandestine activity would not be revealed because her husband was on a long journey and his return date was known, so she thought.

     “For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey…and will come home on the appointed day.”  Proverbs 7:19-20

     The above Scripture represents Jesus’ example for current times.

     “…A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.”  Luke 19:12

     Upon his return the nobleman commanded his servants to account for their stewardship during his absence.  Some had been good stewards while others despised his rule.

     “…bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them and slay them before me.”  Luke 19:27

     Is America preparing for the return of the ‘Nobleman?’  If not, are we prepared for the consequences?

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