Matthew 24:39

New International Version

They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.

For Meditation

Somebody recently posted a picture on Facebook of a group of young adults with one young boy I know in the middle. The person wanted to know how that boy got into that photograph. His question implied the young boy was out of place with those men.

This young boy was anywhere he could have fun. It did not matter who was there or their engagements. He was game so long as there was fun and pleasure.

In college, he shared a room with his cousin in his first year, which was an excellent opportunity to learn from this determined student of Medicine, who had inspired him as they grew up together. However, he separated from his cousin the following year because the Christian atmosphere threatened his freedom as a fun-loving young man. 

As a young adult, he followed the same pattern through his choices in life after college. Consumed by his desire for pleasure, he did not notice where the trajectory of his life was taking him. His love for enjoyment blinded him from his sinful ways until the grace of God caught him and stopped his spiraling fall into a disgraceful sinkhole. 

Reading the warning Jesus gave about the people in the days of Noah in Matthew brings these memories to this old preacher.

“For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:38-39).

Is it not a shame that animals rested securely in the comfort of the ark while humans drowned in the surging waters outside of it (Genesis 7:13-23)? Unfortunately, the story remains the same today (Romans 1:18-32; 3:23). 

This story underscores the reason for the church to proclaim the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (21-22) and to call those who will believe to come to Him for salvation (Acts 2:38; 4:12). 

However, people love the pleasures the flesh  accords them—eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage without recognizing the coming day of the Lord (Matthew 24:38). But that day will come when Christ is ready  for His church (39-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 5:1-3). 

O, that people will take this reminder seriously!

Until His return, let the church keep its doors open and invite those who believe to come to take refuge in Jesus and escape His coming wrath.