As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:37 NIV).
We live in a world today where the gospel is preached in states and cities all across our country, as well as in countries all around the world. However, there are so many today who would much rather prefer their own way of life, follow their own agenda, and “live their best life”.
Their priority is not God, it’s not to follow Jesus or to listen to His message of Salvation.
In fact, for some… choosing to accept Jesus as their savor and to follow them would ruin their life in this world and possibly disrupt their social status.
Noah found favor with God in the midst of a wicked world and when God made the decision to destroy His creation (Genesis 6:5-7) Noah was called to build an Ark for salvation for himself and others (Genesis 6:8-10; 18). God said to Noah, “I am going to destroy all flesh because the world is full of violence. Build an ark of gopherwood, with rooms inside, three decks, and a door. Cover it inside and out with pitch.” Noah listened to God’s instruction and was obedient and did exactly as God commanded him (Genesis 6:13-22). This is pretty impressive for a man who had celebrated his 500th birthday, became a father and was raising a family.
Building the ark was no easy task for one man to accomplish and it was defiantly not an overnight project. In fact, we understand that it took quite some time for Noah to build the Ark. As it says, “and the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:3). God gave a countdown of 120 years before He would destroy mankind and wipe the earth clean, and when this order was given the clock started ticking.
In the text from Matthew 24, we also read, “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 NIV).
Today, far too many people are worried about what makes them happy, who makes them happy, and what they want to do with “their” own lives. They are not concerned about what makes God happy, being obedient to Him, being faithful, or even surrendering their heart to Him for that matter.
It is amazing to me that over all the time it took Noah to complete the Ark, no one cared about what God had said to Noah.
They had 120 years to repent, and yet they didn’t.
Even in this story, of Noah and the Ark, I see God’s grace. They had 120 years to repent but were too concerned about their life, and what they wanted not about what God was doing or wanted to do, or that there was a plan for Salvation being offered.
As the clock was running out, we find in Genesis 7, how after the Noah had done everything that the Lord commanded from the animals entering to Noah’s family entering that as soon as Noah steps onto the Ark that God slammed the door shut (Genesis 7:7-16).
I can only imagine the cries, weeping, screaming, and begging as the waters started to rise. People scratching at the door, momma’s trying to hand over their babies, and the many others who failed to heed God’s warning for 120 years.
The honest truth, God also said in His word that “this is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37-39 NIV).
Everyday, all day, right now there is an opportunity for those who do not know Jesus as the Lord of their life, have the opportunity to accept Him as their personal savior.
Everyday, Christians all around the world are sharing the gospel to all who will listen.
Everyday, especially Sunday’s preachers are sharing sermons, presenting the gospel in hopes that the Lost would call out to Jesus and accept the gift of salvation.
However, there are many who refuse to hear it, don’t want anything to do with it, look down on those who present it, and fail to heed the warning that Jesus will come again for His children.
Again “just like the days of Noah” there is a window of opportunity. A time to repent and accept the gift of salvation, to choose Jesus over self. And to be faithful, obedient and to follow Him.
The Son of Man will return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), will you accept Him today? Make Him the Lord of your life, and faithfully serve Him as your savior?
The clock is ticking, don’t let the door shut on your opportunity…
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” Matthew 24:37
Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell
Rev. Jonathan W. Pannell III 