As in the days of Noah

By Gina Miller

In recent years, I've noticed a messaging trend in columns, commentary, and sermons regarding a section of Scripture in Matthew 24. It's the "As in the days of Noah" passage, and I believe some people are missing its central meaning. The point they make is that when the Lord returns, the world will be sinful like in the days of Noah, and as proof they use this part of the verse:

"38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage..."

In part, they claim it refers to the corruption of marriage, as in same-sex "marriage," but that's not what Jesus is saying there. Yes, when the Lord returns there will be horrible, rampant sin in the world, but the sinfulness will be worse than in the days of Noah. Remember what Jesus said earlier in verses 21-22:

"21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

What is yet to come is unimaginably worse than anything the world has ever seen. The sinfulness, the tribulation, everything will be worse even than in the days of Noah. It will be terrible, but look at the context of what Jesus is saying in the, "as in the days of Noah," passage. In Matthew 24, He is speaking to His disciples of the events that will lead up to His return and the return itself, and starting in verse 36, He pivots to the exact time of His return:

"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 also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Jesus is making the point that His return will be sudden and will catch people unaware, so Christians must always watch and be ready. As in the days of Noah, everyone was living his life as usual, eating and drinking, marrying, going to work, going to sleep at night, and they were all unaware until suddenly the flood came and took them away.

That's how it will be at the end of this world when Jesus comes back and gathers His church. Then, two will be working by each other, and very suddenly, one will be taken and the other left. Jesus takes his church and leaves behind those who refused Him. And because Jesus has warned us in what He says here in Matthew 24 and what He says through His prophets, like Daniel, John in Revelation, and others, we need not be caught off-guard by His return.

For those who are not Christians: If you have read this far and have not accepted the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then please know that everyone is accountable to God Who made us. There is only one Way to God, and that is through His Son Jesus, alone. Whether you believe or not, one of two people will pay for your sins: either you or Jesus. That's why Jesus came into this world, God in human form, and gave His innocent, sinless life on the cross, because of His great love for us. It was to pay the price for sin that none of us could ever pay, to redeem the lost and remake the bridge between God and man that Adam broke.

Seek Jesus today, while you still can. If you seek Him, you will find Him. Grab a Bible and read it. What you need to know is in there.

© Gina Miller