The end is nigh

We are familiar with the cartoon picture, perhaps of Noah, holding a placard which says, "The end is nigh" and a crowd standing around laughing about a boat being built some 200 miles inland! But Jesus spoke about these people and said, "They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the flood came and took them all away." [ Matthew 24:38-39 ]. Jesus never told lies or fairy stories so when he spoke about Noah He was giving a history lesson about a real man whose family tree stretched back to Adam and is mentioned in 9 books of the Bible. His name is also linked with Daniel [ Ezekiel 14:14 ] who gave us accurate information about King Belshazzar who saw the writing on the wall. It's interesting that in 1850 an expert said that Belshazzar was a figment of Daniel's imagination but in 1854 clay cylinders were discovered in Southern Iraq that clearly mention the name Belshazzar. A recently published guide to the British Museum also provides enormous archaeological evidence that confirms the Bible's historical accuracy.

But Jesus did not mention Noah just to improve our history! He wants us to know that the days before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth will be characterised by great wickedness and violence, exactly as they were in the days of Noah before the judgement of the flood [ Genesis 6:5-11 ].

Many today will laugh at the story of Noah and the Flood, but this is exactly what St. Peter said they would do! [ 2 Peter 3:1-7 ]. Sensible people however, will take the words of Jesus about the flood as a solemn reminder that one day He will come to judge unbelievers but to save those who trust in Him for their salvation, just as some believed Noah and got on board!