As it Occurred in the Days of Noah...

During the days of Noah, Nephilim walked the earth.  The Nephilim were bullies and its safe to assume that these 'mighty men' loved violence.  The spirit of "self-love" permeated society, displaying itself through haughty attitudes and selfish desires of the people.  However, even though it is mentioned in the scriptures that "man's wickedness was great", the people continued to eat, drink, and get married.  It wasn't so bad that no one could live day to day, carrying on with their daily affairs. So, despite the reasonably assumed challenges intertwined within their lives, they did their things.  They ate. They drank. They married.  Nothing wrong with that.  But..."they paid no attention to God". They did their own thing, paying no attention to the standards that God approves of or sets forth.

Luke 17:26-27-Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of man: they were eating, they were drinking, men were marrying, women were being given in marriage until that day when Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all.

Genesis 6:5-Consequently, Jehovah saw that man’s wickedness was great on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time.

Jesus said that the last days would be "just as it occurred in the days of Noah".

Do you think it is?

Now-a-days, reading the news can be such a downer, because of all the chaos and troubles going on around the world.  Reading and hearing such things day after day wears people down and makes some feel as though there is no hope.  This is especially true when one's own life is already marred with anguish and despair.

Even those who feel that they have a fairly satisfying life can see and feel the troubles around them. Their lives are still struck with sickness, mourning, and the emotional trauma of seeing others faced with their own tribulations.  And, of course, no matter how satisfying one's life is, nobody escapes the demise of death, nor the effects that it has on loved-ones.

More to the point, however, is the fact that there are many people who lie, steal, or deceive in order to get what they want, not really caring about hurting another.  They can justify their actions, and, amazingly, even convince others that they were justified.  Politicians themselves seem to only say what needs to be said to get elected; to gain power.  It's hard to trust.  It's hard to feel safe.  The crime. The selfishness. The attitudes. The greed. The addictions. The pain. Where does it end? Who can we turn to?

Why is it continuing this way?  Think a moment about what characteristics God's word says that society would display in the last days:

2 Timothy 3:1-5  But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 

It's pretty descriptive, actually.  Can you see these characteristics being played out rampantly in society today? Perhaps you'd agree, yes.  Are there any characteristics above that don't exist in excess today? No. There really isn't.  Jesus said that these days would be like in the days of Noah, so we can envision what it was like in those days.  

Exactly like today.

It isn't enough to say "Well, sorry, but I was having a bad day" every single day.  The scripture above says "and from these turn away.", so that is what we need to be actively trying to do.  This is for the well-being of others, and also for our own good, as well.

So, in what way can the Bible help us? 

Well, first, think about this: What happens when you hear about a good deed done?  What happens when you watch a video of someone helping another?  We sort of have a "heart-melt", don't we?  We enjoy hearing about those things, because it shows a part of humanity that we love, but perhaps, don't always get to see.  The news is so filled with badness, that we don't always get to hear about the touching, sweet stories among humans.  These stories are the ones that usually go viral, because deep down inside, we crave goodness.  We tend to like to envision ourselves in those same situations helping another person in need.  It makes us feel good to give, so sometimes we feel like we want to be "that person".

The Bible can help us to be that person.  It tells us to shun those negative characteristics described in the scriptures.  God is warning us what to avoid, in addition to what we need to change within ourselves. The Bible also trains us how to do this.  God never leaves us hanging.  He is always there to help us. He is there to protect us, but he is also there to change us for the good.  We can do better than the modern-day "Nephilim", or bullies, running about the earth right now, yes? We can do better than to allow that negative spirit to permeate our being as "in the days of Noah".

When we put forth the effort to make needed changes in our lives to conform to God's given standards, we can be blessed by him.  He not only gives us direction to find our way through chaos, but he gives us peace-at-heart while we are doing it.  Sometimes our lives seem so hopeless, if even just temporarily, that peace-at-heart is all we can ask for....and all we need, to see some kind of light at the end of life's tunnel. The blessings that we acquire as we continue to learn how to walk with God are endless and abounding.  When there seems to be no way out, remember:

He is the way out.

If we are acting like the Nephilim, or walking the worldly way (refer to above characteristics again), we need to stop.  If we are trying our best to walk right, but are  trapped within the world's selfish turmoil, then we need hope.  The Bible can help us with both.

Have you heard the quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world?"  I love that.  It is really true.  We must be actively trying to be that change. We may need to change a lot about ourselves, but we should never quit trying.  We are also warned to watch for these undesirable characteristics in others and avoid close association with them, as the Bible says, "Bad association spoils useful habits" (1 Cor. 15:33).

Here's the big picture: God is offering something bigger.  God is offering something better.  Remember, this is Satan's system, and it is going to end.  The world and all of its desires are going away with it (1 John 2:17). Would you love to be a part of something better?  Please start a study of God's word to find the hope and promises hidden within.  There are treasures that he wants you to have (Proverbs 2:1-6)  This system is not going on much longer, and all the pain, suffering, and injustices will be over (Rev. 21: 3-4).

That being said, will you be willing to reach for the new system, or will you slip away with the old? (Isaiah 65:17; 1Peter 3:13) God's word is the path, and you need to keep on learning the way to walk.  Be careful and cautious, however.  Not every path leads to everlasting life.  Not everyone saying "Lord Lord" is on that path (Matt. 7:21).

Jesus said, "By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35). This love is selfless love.  Find it. Pray intensely for God to lead you to the truth. Find Jesus's followers, and just like in the days of Noah, get on the ark. You will be blessed with loving association, light to your footpath, and peace to your heart.  

These things, in connection with God's Holy Spirit, will get you through until the new system.  Keep in mind: we are not promised "easy", but we are promised help.

Psalm 73:28-But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me.

I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge,

To declare all your works.