What lessons can we learn from Noah's time to prepare for Christ's return? A Key Warning from Jesus “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37) The Days of Noah: A Clear Portrait • Social routine masked spiritual apathy “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage… and they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away.” (Matthew 24:38-39) • Rampant evil and violence “Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5) “The earth was corrupt… and full of violence.” (Genesis 6:11-12) Lesson 1 – Guard against Spiritual Indifference • Normal life activities are not wrong, but they can lull hearts to sleep. • Jesus links Noah’s generation with the danger of being “oblivious.” • Wakefulness is commanded: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) Lesson 2 – Reject Cultural Corruption • When wickedness becomes universal, God still calls His people to be distinct. • Believers today must refuse entertainment, habits, and ideologies that celebrate violence or immorality. • Romans 12:2 reinforces this break from conformity. Lesson 3 – Practice Obedient Faith • “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9) • “By faith Noah… in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” (Hebrews 11:7) • His obedience was practical (gopher-wood planks, pitch, measurements) and persevering (decades of labor). • Likewise, believers prepare through daily disciplines—prayer, Scripture intake, fellowship, serving. Lesson 4 – Preach Righteousness Regardless of Response • God “protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5) • He warned a scoffing generation (cf. 2 Peter 3:3-4). • Today’s proclamation of the gospel, even when dismissed, is part of end-times readiness. Lesson 5 – Trust the Certainty of Judgment and Deliverance • The same word that once sent a flood will soon bring final judgment: “By that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire.” (2 Peter 3:7) • God’s deliverance is equally sure: He shut Noah in the ark (Genesis 7:16), and He keeps all who are in Christ (John 10:28). Practical Steps to Prepare for Christ’s Return • Cultivate watchfulness—schedule regular times to examine your walk and anticipate His appearing (Titus 2:13). • Pursue holiness—decisively turn from any sin the Spirit exposes (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Strengthen family faith—Noah’s obedience “saved his family” (Hebrews 11:7); lead household worship, model repentance. • Engage in gospel witness—share Christ verbally, support missions, live noticeably different lives (Philippians 2:15-16). • Persevere in hope—scoffers will rise, but God “remembered Noah” (Genesis 8:1) and will remember His own (Philippians 1:6). Hope Anchored in God’s Faithfulness What sustained Noah through long years of building, ridicule, and waiting was absolute confidence in the God who warned him. The same Lord now promises, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). Living with that certainty shapes every choice until the day the skies open and the Son of Man appears. |
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