When we read the following passage...we need to examine the description that Jesus gave concerning the the times preceding the judgments that fell upon Noah's and Lot's time. First of all...the Bible describes the sin that was running rampant during Noah and Lot'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.
11 ¶ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 ¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
Luke 17
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot’s wife.
The list of activities mentioned in the Luke passage...itemize activities that are not sinful in themselves! The list is describing normal everyday functions of society. In both Noah's and Lot's day there was much busyness. So busy that people didn't make time for that which is important...GOD! In the gospel of Luke 14:15-24...people were all given an invitation to come to the great supper...one by one the excuses came...
Luke 14
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Consider the lameness of the 3 excuses...
- Excuse #1 Business – How could he examine his property in the dark? It is suppertime...it is evening!
- Excuse #2 Possessions – Anybody who buys 10 oxen without 1st testing them is foolish.
- Excuse #3 Family – He is already on a 1 year honeymoon!
- Deut 24:5 “When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.”
We live in a time of unprecedented pleasure seeking...people are consumed with what makes them 'happy' - utilitarianism is the order of the day! Paul wrote to Timothy, pastor at the church of Ephesus back in 66 AD about our pleasure orientated society!
2Timothy 3
1 ¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
People in our society have been "choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life" and now as of this writing...all sports teams, theaters, concerts, etc. have been cancelled. Our province has called a state of emergency, no congregating in groups more than 5. All provincial and municipal parks, daycare's, etc. are closed. Many people are beginning to be laid off from work...some have lost their jobs. Only essential services are open. Many are home with their spouses, parents and children. Now...everyone has a lot of time on their hands! People are not running "to and fro" (Dan 12:4) any more! Things are coming to a grinding halt in our country and in our world...and yes...by mandate of our governments!
I believe the oppourtunity is here...more than ever...for people to get saved and for believers to get right. It is time for believers everywhere to be what God intended us to be...salt and light to this world. (Mt 5:13-14)
The need of the hour....saved and lost is...
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Instead of being consumed with the "things that are in the world" (1Jn 2:15)...we are to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Mt 6:33). Jesus Christ is supposed to have the "preeminence" (Col 1:18) in our lives! We are supposed to "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col 3:2)
In the midst of all this stillness...God is still seeking to save that which is lost! (Lk 19:10) The Lord is still NOT willing that any should perish! (2Pet 3:9) As we have been forced to "be still"...the oppourtunity to listen and receive the truth has come to our country...our world. Are we going to STOP and LISTEN to God? He is trying to get the attention of this whole world!
If you are not saved..."...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2Cor 6:2) If you are saved..."...go work to day..." (Mt 21:28) for Jesus Christ. There is no better time than right now!
If you want to be saved...if you want to be sure where you will spend eternity when you die...receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour! For more info...click here
Christians...if you are not right with God...heed His words...
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;
...and remember to spend time with God in the word and prayer!
And then the Lord will be "...exalted among the heathen...exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10)
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