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Matthew 24:37-39 – As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 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. (NIV)
During the late 'sixties when I was a musician and singer in a band, I received many requests for the tune, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the song characterized the attitudes of a youth generation of that decade — and decades to follow — through a girl named Molly and a fellow named Desmond. The lyrics to this bright, happy-go-lucky song read, Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, bra! Lala, how the life goes on.
In Noah's day, while the people of the world were engaging in their everyday, normal pursuits, their moral decay caused them to become incognizant of God's impending judgment. During His Olivet discourse, Jesus, on the other hand, tells us that the days of Noah are analogous to the days before the second coming of the Son of Man.
Prior to the account of the flood, the reader finds a lurid description as to what was happening in Noah's day:
Genesis 6:5 – And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (KJV)
Verses 11 through 22 continue the story: The earth was corrupt and full of violence, and the people had corrupted their ways. So God told Noah to build an ark because He was going to destroy the earth. Even though Noah was a preacher of righteousness, the people ignored his message for more than one hundred years, living as if God did not exist. Life went on as usual.
Similarly, Jesus makes a predictive statement of a greater judgment that will soon come to pass for our generation. It, too, will occur during a time dominated by wickedness, ungodliness, and unbelief — such as the present. The warning again is that Jesus' coming will be unexpected. Jesus makes it clear for us:
Matthew 24:42,44 – Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (NKJV)
Therefore, we should inventory our lifestyle and ask ourselves: Are we prepared spiritually and ready to meet the Saviour when He comes the second time? Or, are we complacent and celebrating … Lala how the life goes on?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You said in Your Word that we are citizens of Your kingdom and merely pilgrims just passing through this world on our way to the promised land. Give direction in our lives and keep us constantly prepared and aware of the presence of our living Lord that we may be vigilant until Christ returns. We pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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Apt reminder Lou.
Great analogy. Thank you Lou!!
Thanks Lou for these words of wisdom and warning. Blessings.
The things we find out about our writers when they write!!! Thank you!
Dear Lou!
Thanks for writing to us.
Thank you, Lou, for your uplifting message.
Yep, I’m old enough to fondly remember that catchy tune: “ob-la-di, ob-la-da…”…it was one of my favourite tunes I listened to over & over again…made me happy for a while…but as an older, and presumably wiser person, I now understand the deeper significance of that song as representing a care-free, immoral era that did not acknowledge God.
Blessings.
Dear Lou,
Thank you for a timely and necessary message “The warning again is that Jesus’ coming will be unexpected. Jesus makes it clear for us:”
Matthew 24:42,44 – Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (NKJV)
Write another, coupled with the love of God.
The goodness of God brings us to repentance.
Goof Afternoon Mr. Ciccanti:
A message of warning indeed. One that teaches, we who are christians to walk the straight and narrow taking stock of our lifestyle and giving our Saviour 100{8395b6ce96fcf25a14d80edc3b65c36a8995b6c1ba5f8c16ac11d8adaa79f35b} of our loyalty and dedication. It also teaches those who are complacent towards the word of God, that our Lord will indeed come as a thief in the night, and every eye shall see Him and witness His return. So sad because the unbeliever will also be held accountable for their actions and their denial of accepting Jesus as Saviour and Lord – Sad indeed.
A fine message.
Greeting Lou,
How true your devotional is. I have felt this way for several years, but more so of late as the daily local, USA, and world’s news worsens by the day. The corruption of those we elect to watch out for our best interests, seem to only show concern for us when the reelection is at hand.
So sweet sister in our LORD & SAVIOR, JESUS as you I will keep a diligent eye, for as the scripture you quoted, we know not when HE will return. We all need to be alert and at the ready.
May Father continue to rain HIS blessings upon you and yours and your readers.
(Texas)
So pleased to see you writing about that wonderful occurrence which may happen any day, and asking each one of us, “Are your ready”?
Bless you.
Dear Lou,
Your comparison of Noah’s day to ours was very well laid out. How true!
Yet, there are many who are living without any thought to what is going on.
Thank you for the challenge for us to be prepared and to assist others as well.
Thank you Lou. Good devotional and food for thought. God bless you.