Noah’s Lessons on Future Global Destruction
Jesus Christ believed in the historicity of Noah and the Great Flood (Mt 24:37–42). He also believed in the historical reality of Sodom and Gomorrah (Read Lk 17:26–29). Both of these true events in world history serve as historical types of the coming global destruction of the earth and the heavens, by means of fire (Read 2 Pet 3:10–12).
When one reads and believes the Old and New Testament Scriptures, there are the prophecies of a future destruction, coming on the day of the Lord (Jer 23:20). This is the day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5), even the world and the heavens, too! All of creation is groaning under the plight of our fallen state because of sin (Rom 8:22). Creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God (Rom 8:19), that is, the final elect soul being gathered into the church, following the preaching of the Gospel to all nations (Mt 24:14), even to the uttermost part (Acts 1:8), and to all creation (Mk 16:15).
Final judgment is the one main point in these historical types, and in the preaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount of Olives (Mt 24; Mk 13; Lk 21). Final judgment is warranted, as evidenced in God’s assessment of humanity (Read Gen 6:5–8). The total depravity of humanity is not changed by the judgments of God against sinners throughout history (Rom 3:10–12). Man remains in rebellion, being at enmity with God (Rom 1:30; 5:10; Eph 2:16).
In the days of Noah, the line of the righteous, being the seed of the woman, was reduced to eight people in one family (Gen 6–9). Intermarriage between the sons of God (righteous believers) and the daughters of men (wicked unbelievers) brought corruption to the church of the Old Testament (Gen 6:2–4). The seed of the serpent, being the children of the devil, far outnumbered the righteous remnant (Noah’s family). The persecution and the elimination of the line of Seth was looming. God’s promise to raise up the seed of the woman, who would defeat Satan, was at risk (Gen 3:15).
God raised up the preacher of righteousness, Noah, who was given the task of building an ark of salvation (2 Pet 2:5), which served as one very big sign of the coming judgment, preached by the man of God. The Word and the sign were disregarded by the people who were going about their daily routines. Judgment came in the form of a deluge, on the day appointed by God, when the remnant was safe inside the ark.
The day of Christ’s return will find God’s elect, redeemed, regenerate safe in Christ, who will send His angels to gather the tares (Mt 13:41), the wicked unbelievers — now resurrected (Jn 5:28–29), body and soul, for the final judgment of the just Judge, who is Christ the Lord (Rom 2:16). The angels will then be sent to the four winds to gather the resurrected elect, to be caught up together with the Lord in the air at His glorious appearing (Mt 24:31; 1 Thess 4:17).
Where is the promise of His coming? Many today are going about their daily routines: marrying; giving in marriage; eating and drinking; working in the field; working at the mill — but they do not understand. The wrath of God is revealed, today, against their ungodliness and unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). Further, the wrath of the Lamb to come is like no other day known in the history of the world. Terrified, men will cry for rocks to fall on them, in the hope of avoiding and escaping the wrath of Jesus Christ (Rev 6:16).
Despite the preaching and call for repentance (Acts 17:30; Col 1:21, 23), the wicked reprobate continue to labor in pride, prosperity, and false security. They will be shocked on the day of vengeance (Read 1 Thess 5:1–6). It will be a day of fire, as in the days of Lot at Sodom (Gen 19). Far from being localized, fire and brimstone will pour forth on them that know not God (Read 2 Thess 1:7–10).
Words can hardly capture the severity of God in this matter (Rom 11:22): catastrophic; cataclysmic; terror; wrath; woe; sudden; all-consuming; universal; fire; fervent heat; everlasting destruction; inescapable; vengeance; melting; swept away; destroyed — with the end being eternal punishment in outer darkness (Mt 25:30, 46), in fiery hell (Mt 18:9), where the worm dies not and there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, forever (Is 66:24; Mt 8:12; Mk 9:44).
The parousia of Christ (presence/arrival) will be an apocalyptic (unveiling) climax where separation of peoples will finally occur. Wheat will be stored up in barns, while tares will be burned (Mt 3:12). Sheep will be gathered to their Good Shepherd, while the goats will be sent away (Mt 7:21–23; 25:32–33).
The children of God, the church, the bride of Christ, the Israel of God who have been asking, “How long (Rev 6:10)?” and praying, “Come, Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20),” will rejoice for their Deliverer has come. The children of the devil (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:10), the seed of the serpent, wicked unbelievers will lament, mourn, and curse for their Judge has come to repay them for their evil deeds done in unrighteousness.
Christian, watch and pray. Deny yourself the pleasures of this world in this life (1 Jn 2:15–17). Stay close to your local church and study God’s Word in preparation for end things, which are nearer than when you first believed.
Friend, this life is but a vapor (Jas 4:14). Your days are known by God, who calls you to turn from your wicked ways of sin, to change your mind about the Lord Jesus Christ and your utter need for Him, the one and only Savior of sinners. Go to Him. Seek shelter from Him, who alone can save you from His holy Self and God’s wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10). Will Jesus be your Deliverer or your Judge at His coming? O sinner, may today be the day of your salvation I pray.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 14, 2022
