Then And Now

THEN AND NOW

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37.

I. A TIME OF GREAT WICKEDNESS

THEN: “…the wickedness of man was great in the earth and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5.

NOW: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." II Timothy 3:12-13.

II. A TIME OF GREAT VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION

THEN: "The earth was corrupt before God and was filled with violence." Genesis 6:11

NOW: "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come; For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power."

III. A TIME OF INEFFECTIVE WITNESSING

THEN: Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (II Peter 2:5) who “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9) yet after all his years of witnessing of the grace of God, the only converts he had was his own family. The masses were unconcerned about the things of God then as they are now.

NOW: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” II Timothy 4:3a-4.

IV. OTHER SIMILARITIES

THEN AND NOW: "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark." Matthew 24:38.

THEN AND NOW: "…and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."

Matthew 24:39-42.

Comparing these two passages we see that the period immediately prior to the flood and conditions our Lord said would exist at the time of His return are quite similar. Everyday life for the world’s population, in both instances, went on as usual.

Recognizing this, all Christians should “trim their lamps…for the Bridegroom cometh!”