Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
View Both Messages at:
Week 1- https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/166093
Week 2- https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/167795
We are coming into the season of Advent in a couple of weeks. Advent is a season of the church where the anticipation of the birth of Christ is observed. The advent is the watching for his arrival; the manifestation of Christ as foretold by the prophets. However, in our celebration of advent, we must even more anticipate His second coming. Just as there were signs that pointed the world to his first arrival, there are clear indications of his second. A casual scroll through Scripture (OT and NT alike), will give you clear prophetic indicators of his return. More than 30 percent of the Bible is prophetic in nature. There are more passages in the Old Testament about his Second Coming than there are about his first. The Apostles lived and wrote to the church with the full expectation of Jesus’ imminent return.
I have a clear understanding that anytime you get into prophetic teaching and the Second Coming of Christ, you touch subjects that are theologically controversial and people will disagree. That’s not uncommon when we’re attempting to dissect future events. They are nuances that are debatable. However, there are also clear and distinguishable events that are not secondary issues, like the Rapture of the Church. Some have tried to explain this away, but in doing so, there are serious implications to Scripture that cannot be reconciled.
The way to approach the study of Prophetic Scripture is the same way you interpret Scripture that is historical, narrative, doctrinal, poetry, or prose. You use the same principles of interpretation to study end-times as you would the parables of Jesus. In doing so, you will find that Scripture is not ambiguous on the topic as some people want to say. However, if you abandon the basic principles for the interpretation of Scripture, you add ambiguity, you introduce false teaching, and you increase confusion.
Here’s the bottom line: The Lord wants you to know and understand His Word. What we need to know is plainly revealed in Scripture- both Old Testament and the New Testament. What is plainly revealed in the Bible is that this world is going to end with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Environmentalists want you to believe that climate change is going to bring our end unless the tide is turned through human achievement, or that there’s a big asteroid on the way. Others want us to get focused on a nuclear doomsday scenario or a pandemic, and then those who believe that aliens will overtake us. Yet with all these speculations and pontifications, it leaves God out of the equation and that He has a plan. You can be certain that when the end comes, everyone will know He is Lord.
We know that the end of this age will arrive with Christ arriving the same way he left (Acts 1:10-11), with the church behind him. That begins with the Rapture of the Church, followed by a 7-year period called the Tribulation as the world faces fierce judgment, which is really God’s final appeal for repentance. All of that will be culminated by the personal and physical return of Christ, followed by 1000 years of his reign here on earth before the final judgment. All of this is presented in the Bible in amazing detail.
What is remarkable in our day is the number of people who will believe anything (including humanism, the paranormal, or aliens) but those simple, but profound truths clearly taught in the Bible. What I originally intended to do was to show you how our world is being deceived by the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). But this exploration led me to the passage we’re going to focus on this week and next week. I want to take you today to Matthew 24, a passage of Scripture called the Mount Olivet Discourse. We’re going to zero in on a passage where Jesus likens the days just prior to his return to the days of Noah in verses 36-41. You will find this teaching in Mark 13 and Luke 17.
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 “For just as the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 “Then there will be two in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding grain at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. (Matthew 24:36–41)
I. Clear Signs of the End Times
In Matthew 24, Jesus lists a litany of signs that will indicate his return. This inventory of last-day events starts with the return of Israel as a nation in 1948 (the fig tree). If we were to go back and review the others we would discover a host of cosmological, environmental, and spiritual indicators of Christ’s return. We would read about wars, famine, and earthquakes. Jesus warns us about false christs, deceptive doctrine, false teachers, and a host of other signs. Jesus refers to these as birthing pangs and there is no doubt that, just as with the pangs of birth, they increase in intensity and frequency. In fact, they are accelerating exponentially as we speak, which will be incumbent on his sudden return.
But then, after reminding us that no one, not the angels in heaven or the Son of Man himself knows the day or hour of his return- only the Father in Heaven knows, Jesus brings yet another and important sign in verse Matthew 24:37 “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” This is where I want to take a little time this morning to discern so that you can be awake to what is going on in our world. Even though we cannot know the day or hour, we are commanded to be aware of the season. What can we learn about the Days of Noah as it applies to our world today and our expectation of Christ’s return?
First, let’s go back and read in Scripture what it says about the events of the days of Noah:
Genesis 6:1-6, 9-12 “1 Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were good in appearance; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then Yahweh said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever because he indeed is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward when the sons of God came into the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And Yahweh regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” “9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among those in his generations; Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.”
There are numerous signs and corollaries here, but I want to focus on 6 specific signs and how they directly apply to our current world.
II. The Days of Noah Experienced an Explosion in the World’s Population
Notice that what preempts this is an explosion in the earth’s population. However, I would add that this is not just a numerical growth in the population, but a growth of evil within the population. You see, God’s command to Adam and Eve before the fall was to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). The implication here was that the righteous men of God would increase and populate the earth. With the fall, however, that command would be perverted, and instead of righteousness multiplying, now evil would abound. This increase in evil reached a point where men were integrating spiritually and physically with demons. It reached a point of such moral erosion that God said he regretted creating man (Genesis 6:6).
How will this population explosion manifest itself today?
The Bible said there will be an explosion of knowledge and travel:
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the time of the end; many will go to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” (Daniel 12:4)
Clearly, you can quickly and relatively easily travel anywhere in the world you want. Not only that, but you can speak with locals, easily exchange currency, and find your way around thanks to technology. Even more, you be anywhere in the world you like virtually.
The Bible said that mankind would be capable of destroying itself
“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 “And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:21–22)
As we sit here today, Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran are all threatening to use nuclear weapons. Even more sinister are the globalists who believe reducing the global population to 500 million people is a righteous cause.
The Bible said that people would demand global peace:
"While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
The Bible says that there would be continual war between nations
“And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pains. (Mark 13:7–8)
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. (Matthew 24:7)
The Bible says that there will be a global governance over nations, the economy and religion:
“Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. 41 “Now in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron; it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 “And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 “And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay; they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not cling to one another, even as iron does not combine with clay. 44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will cause a kingdom to rise up which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself stand forever. (Daniel 2:40–44)
"And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain." (Revelation 13:7–8)
Ten years ago, the fastest-growing religion in America was Wicca, today it is atheism. In 2020 more people believe in Satan than they do in God. What that means is the moral tether of our culture has been untied. Today we are witnessing the unraveling of our culture as we have eroded the sanctity of marriage, celebrate abortion on demand, and advocate for the perversion and mutilation of our children. The reason is that are following the deceiving spirit and doctrine of demons, even celebrating the detestable practices that God clearly forbids.
But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (2 Timothy 3:1–4)
III. The Days of Noah Experienced The Commingling of Demonic Forces and Agendas
The Bible says there will be a perversion of marriage:
Now it happened, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were good in appearance; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. (Genesis 6:1–2)
There are those who try to tie this into a connection between the Sons of God (descendants of Seth) with the Daughters of Man (the Canaanite women). This seems to be a neat and tidy explanation of the text, but when you look at Scripture as a whole, it leaves the interpretation weak it’s connection to the rest of Scripture. First Peter 3:19-20 says, “[Christ was] Preaching to the spirits in prison, because 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.” The word used here for “spirits” (pneumata) is used in the Bible only to describe supernatural beings. Here in First Peter, Genesis 6, and 2 Peter 2:4, 5, 9 all reference fallen angels (demons) through the context of the flood.
2 Peter 2:4-5, 9 “For if God did not spare angels who sinned, but cast them into the pit and delivered them to chains of darkness, being kept for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” “9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”
And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, (Jude 6)
In addition to these New Testament references, the earliest Jewish theologians held this view (cf. 1 Enoch, the Book of Jubilees, the Septuagint (LXX), the writings of Philo and Josephus, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.) The same position was held by early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Origen. Although the Old Testament sometimes declares God’s people to be His sons (cf. Deuteronomy 14:1; Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 1:10), the normal meaning of “sons of God” is angels. In addition to this, the Gospels record demons as fallen angels as craving to inhabit humans (cf. Mark 5:11–13; Luke 8:31–33; 11:24–26). (Hughes)
Therefore, understanding that “the sons of God” are angels and understanding that angels are sexless and cannot marry or procreate (cf. Luke 20:34–36), “the sons of God” marrying “the daughters of man” is best interpreted as fallen angels (demons) commandeering the souls of men, and these demonized men marrying the daughters of other men. To put it plainly, men and/or women possessed with demonic spirits are procreating to expand demonic possession in order to gain influence and to procreate other demonic hosts.
Does this sound too incredible to be true? Perhaps a decade ago, I would’ve held this interpretation cautiously. But looking at our modern-day (the Days of Noah) it is not only plausible, but it is happening. This explains why educated people think it’s perfectly acceptable to have “drag queen story hour for children,” celebrate abortions, pervert marriage and the marriage bed, militantly advance this agenda through laws, salacious parades celebrating gay pride filled with lewdness, carnality, and the demonic, celebrations of abortion in the name of “woman’s rights” where mock abortions take place and women march through the streets dressed as female genitalia, all the while they blaspheme the name of God.
No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they SACRIFICE TO DEMONS AND NOT TO GOD. And I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20–21)
Our schools are indoctrinating children to alter their God-given gender and our government is pushing for permanent surgical and chemical procedures. In the UK, they have banned prayer near abortion clinics and in the US they are arresting people with full FBI raids (currently over a dozen) for praying near abortion clinics. At a recent event in WI, left-wing activists snatched the Bible out of a man reading it, ripped it up, and eating the pages. What we are witnessing in our world today is more than a departure of morality, but the explosion of demonism and demonic possession. As Old Testament scholar Gordon Wenham has said, “If the modern reader finds this story incredible, that reflects a materialism that tends to doubt the existence of spirits, good or ill. But those who believe that the creator could unite himself to human nature in the Virgin’s womb will not find this story intrinsically beyond belief.”
?But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, (1 Timothy 4:1)
IV. The Days of Noah Experienced Increased Wickedness and Violence
"Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)
It is hard to conceive of a more emphatic statement of the wickedness of the human heart. The words “every … only … continually” leave nothing out. The term “every intent” comes from the metaphorical sense of the verb that describes a potter in the act of forming and molding his vessel (cf. Isaiah 29:16; Genesis 2:7, 8). In other words, if a man can contrive an act of evil, he will do it. “It means even the reflections of fantasy, the rising and freely formed movements of the will were ‘only evil continually ” (Von Rad).
"For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper," (Romans 1:28)
This depravity is not a temporary state. There was no relenting, no repentances, no hesitations. Lust was their medium, violence their method. This was total, inveterate depravity.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)
We think of demonic worship as occultic practices or the Satanic Temple. But it is more subtle and subversive than that. in 2010 Witchcraft had become the fourth largest religion in the US. Today more people believe in Satan than they do in the God of the Bible. We trivialize Harry Potter, decorations idolizing the occult for Halloween, with an estimated 10.6 Billion being spent on Halloween this year. We fill our movies and entertainment, especially entertainment targeting kids with witchcraft and the occult. Our top Celebrities like Beyonce, Madonna, Oprah, and most Rock N Roll bands openly attribute their success to demonic influence.
"And do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)
"They did not destroy the peoples, As Yahweh commanded them, 35 But they mingled with the nations And learned their works, 36 And served their idols, Which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons" (Psalm 106:34–37)
In 2021 Democratic Congressman invoked a prayer to the demon god Brahman. Brahman is part of the Hindu gods worshipped as the creator and destroyer of the world. it is clear to me that there are significant similarities and parallels between Brahma and the goals of the Build Back Better campaign and the Great Reset. The global elite, through their knowledge experts, seek what they claim is scientific knowledge, they are pushing an agenda of death. They promote depopulation of the world through sterilization and contraception, while at the same time creating potions (vaccines) that they claim will avoid suffering and death. They seek to build up human fraternity via a new economy and create new social contracts between citizens and their governments while eliminating “structural weaknesses” based on inequality that existed in the past.
"But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be corrupted from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3)
There is no doubt that Americans are more and more participating in the worship of demonic gods forbidden by God in the Bible. The gods of Baal, Molech, and Ashurah are enthroned in our government and society. It is no wonder we are under constant spiritual attack and God’s judgment. The spiritual pitfalls and traps are around every corner–including the halls of Congress. What we are witnessing a much bigger campaign than any political controversy we are seeing a massive supernatural attack, ultimately directed by Satan himself. The signs are now more obvious than ever.
‘YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’ (Acts 7:43)
V. The Days of Noah Experienced The Erosion of Moral Restraint
“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark" (Matthew 24:38)
The explosive growth of wickedness, demonic activity, and increase of birthing pangs of the end all will lead to a decided erosion of moral restrain in our culture. According to statistics, violent crime is on the rise, while the number of police officers to protect citizens is falling. Active shooter incidents are at an all-time high. This is happening at the same time the church grows more and more apostate and focused on entertainment instead of preaching the gospel. We are in a moral free fall and our leaders are celebrating it.
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper" (Romans 1:28)
Our morality is not determined by cultural preferences, the majority rule, or our legislators. The moral fabric of our culture is always tied to God. He is the sovereign over what is right and wrong and He’s clearly outlined that in His Word. Yet there is an indifference to God’s holiness and God’s authority that existed in the days of Noah and also in the Days of Lot. There’s an indifference to marriage and life. Issues like the sanctity of marriage, abortion, child transgenderism, transhumanism, and many other serious moral laws are argued like we’re talking about if pineapple should be on pizza.
In Noah’s day, they were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage. The amazing thing is just as with Noah and Lot they carried on with life as usual despite the warnings from preachers, they scoffed at the preachers and kept on going with life as usual right up to the flood or the coming of brimstone. Jesus said it will be the same when the Tribulation comes with the seven trumpets, seals, and bowls. Even then they’ll continue to try to carry on, ignoring the heavenly and earthly preachers, and even shaking their fists at God.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15–17)
VI. The Days of Noah Experienced The Sudden Deliverance of Believers
"and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:39)
There's an analogy here that is very helpful. Before the Flood, Noah is taken to safety in an ark. Before the fire and brimstone, Lot and his daughters are taken to safety on a mountain. And before the unfolding of judgment, believe me, God will rescue His own. And the ark of safety is the rapture of the church, the gathering together of His own, and then the judgment begins to be poured out. And even those that are converted during the time of the tribulation will be rescued from that judgment and we'll see that in our study next time, how they are secured in the midst of judgment. But it's an analogy to the rapture. Noah and his family are caught away. Then comes the judgment. Lot and his daughters are caught away. Then comes the judgment. In the future, the redeemed and the beloved of the Lord are caught away in those marvelous rapture passages, we have no hint of judgment.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3)
"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18)
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
VII. The Days of Noah Experienced The Sudden Judgement of the Wicked
“Then there will be two in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding grain at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left." (Matthew 24:40–41)
As Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour, but we can look at the signs and listen to the warnings presented by the Bible and those who preach the full counsel of Scripture. A few weeks ago there were 500 people crossing a pedestrian suspension bridge in Gujarat, India killing 141 of the people. Many had gathered on the bridge to perform rituals for a religious festival, according to reports. Authorities said the bridge collapsed under the weight of the large crowd.
This is how it will be when judgment comes. Many will be caught off-guard because they are focused on the wrong things, ignoring the warning signs around them. "There were just too many people on the bridge. We could barely move," Sidik Bai, 27, told AP from a hospital bed in Morbi. He said he survived by climbing on the bridge and holding onto its cables. "Everyone was crying for help, but one by one they all began disappearing in the water," he said.
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)
Conclusion
We think of demonic worship as something that happens in an occultic setting or satanic temple. The truth of the matter is it is happening all around us right here within our culture and we treat it casually. The deceiving spirits in America are deep-rooted and geared to lead you away from your faith in God. We see it in Astrology, Mythology, Disney, Holywood, Harry Potter, Festivities, Celebrities and so much more that derive from the gods of Baal, Molech, and Ashurah, and make them common in our home. My question for you today is, “what are the affections and the attentions of your heart? Are you focused on the desires of this world and the temporary life you have here, or are you pursuing God for the eternity ahead?” This life is just a vapor in the midst of eternity. Who are you trusting in for your today, tomorrow, and eternity?
The hope of our faith rests on the person Jesus Christ. Just as in the days of Noah there was an escape for Noah and his family through the Ark. Just as in the days of Lot there was deliverance, so there is deliverance from the hail of fire, so God has provided a full deliverance from the Tribulation that is imminently upon us. That deliverance comes through turning to Jesus, repenting of your sin, and making him the Lord of your today and eternity.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27)
Will you come to him today?
