You’ve heard the story of Noah and the Ark.
Did you realize that Noah lived for 600 years BEFORE the flood, then 350 AFTER the flood, for a total of 900 Years?
During his long life, Noah worshipped God. He also watched the world around him fall apart. Sound familiar to you? Have you seen the world deteriorate during your lifetime? The world has traded solid Biblical principals (love God first, then your neighbor also) for the concept of “if it feels good, do it.”
Noah didn’t go along with the crowd though. He lived knowing the stories of God’s interactions with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He had his own personal relationship with God too. While the crowds laughed at Noah – laughing at this huge boat he was building far from the sea. Noah simply trusted God.
NOAH KNEW – the world would be destroyed. NOAH KNEW that God was in control. NOAH KNEW GOD and knew that God would save him and his family.
In Matthew 24 it says this, 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Have you stopped to consider this? The world today is just like it was in Noah’s day, people ignoring God and carrying on as though He doesn’t exist.
THE WORLD CHANGES SLOWLY – IN OUR MIND
We tend to see things slowly, and the world changes slowly in our minds. Have you ever driven back to an old hometown, where you haven’t been for years, only to say, “so much has changed!” You notice it because it’s all happened to you at once. But for the locals, it’s happened over years, and it was not much noticed. They adapted to it over time.
Our world, our society and our churches, have changed dramatically over the past 100 years, yet we often fail to recognize the changes. However, there are many, and many of them are bad.
Recently, while going to a funeral in my hometown of Rocky Mount, my wife and I noticed the many changes in the town. New businesses were there, while old ones were gone. There has been a lot of growth in the area, and it’s no longer the small town we grew up in.
The changes in our world are often what the Bible calls “signs” of the end times. That refers to the time when our Lord Jesus will return.
NOAH KNEW – BECAUSE HE WATCHED THE SIGNS
Just as the roads we traveled today have signs pointing out the directions and destinations, God’s word provides the information about the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
If you drive to Roanoke, or Richmond, or any big city, you travel through the country, seeing farms, a few businesses, churches, and scattered homes. As you begin to enter the city areas, the view changes. We see traffic, industry, warehouses, trains, high rise buildings, apartments, homes close together. The change is NOTICABLE.
Even without road signs, you are able to detect a change in the atmosphere, that life is different. The Bible teaches us that there are SIGNS along the highway of life to alert us to where we are on God’s calendar. Those who are watching will be able to discern when they are entering a new territory.
In Noah’s day, he looked to the heavens to see that a great storm was coming! NOAH KNEW!
In Jesus day, the disciples wanted to know the future, too. Mt 24:3 records this encounter: Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?
In Mt 24:4, Jesus begins to answer their questions by giving a list they would see to let them know where they were on the prophetic road to the end of the age. The word “sign” used in Mt 24:3 is a Greek word which literally means signposts that helped travelers know exactly where they were when making a journey. Matthew 24:4-7 tells us what Jesus said – there are signs along the road, prophetic signs, to indicate that we are entering the very end of the age.
Signs not only confirm the direction one is traveling, but they also provide warnings to drivers about hazards along the way. “Soft shoulder, animal crossing, narrow bridge, pass with care, winding roads. Remember, these signs that Jesus gave us are intended to direct and instruct us, not send us “running for the hills.” As we lock our trust in Him, He will enable us to navigate safely the road ahead and “pass with care” the dangers to come than might ensnare others or hinder journeys.
One thing is clear in reading Matthew 24:4-14 – these events or conditions WILL ESCALATE in the last days of the age. Escalate in INTENSITY. They will not be Category 1, 3, or 5. They will be Category 100!
Then in Matthew 24:3-14, the disciples asked Jesus a direct question: “Tell us, when will all this happen?
Jesus’ response is fascinating. He doesn’t give them a timeline. Instead, He gives them a reality check. He warns us about wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution, and false messiahs. But then He says something crucial in verse 8: “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”
Think about birth pains for a moment. When a woman goes into labor, the contractions don’t mean the baby is coming immediately. Birth pains mean the process has begun. They increase in intensity and frequency as the birth approaches, but there’s still preparation time. Jesus is telling us that global conflicts, natural disasters, and moral upheaval are birth pains of His return, not the final moment itself.
Today, another storm is coming! It’s called the Great Tribulation – and it is one that will make all other tribulations seem like a light summer shower.
The Bible is our STORM WARNING SYSTEM – OUR STORM WARNING BOOK.
I have in my home a radio – a storm warning radio. It will go off from time to time and scare the dickens out of you. It’s loud and obnoxious, on purpose to wake you from sleep and warn you about tornadoes, large storms, wind and snow events. But its purpose is not to scare us – it is to prepare us.
The Bible was not written to scare us: it was written to PREPARE us.
This means four things:
- First, we shouldn’t be surprised by current events.
- Second, we should use this time to prepare, not panic. The Bible teaches us that we should make preparations. Extra food, medicine, something to barter with. Even if you are not a Christian, this is a good idea! But don’t depend on your preparations alone.
In verse 13, Jesus gives us the key: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
- the word “endures” here means to remain steadfast, to persevere with purpose.
- It’s not passive waiting; it’s active preparation and faithful living while we wait.
- The question isn’t whether difficult times will come—Jesus promised they would.
- The question is: will we be ready when they do?
- Fourth – We need to understand that this is happening soon!
The Bible, God’s Holy Word, has carefully given us instructions about this, yet most Christians, most churches, fail to teach about the period BEFORE Jesus returns. Some teach about the GREAT TRIBULATION or about the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH, but few teach about what will happen before, yet the Bible has a great deal to say about this. God has provided, and will provide, everything that we need to live in the end times as we await the second coming of Jesus.
BUT – our job now is to learn to DEPEND ON GOD TODAY. There is SO MUCH information that we cannot claim ignorance on this subject.
-Pastor Scott Gabrielson, Craig Valley Baptist
Craig Valley Baptist Church, at 171 Salem Ave in New Castle, welcomes you to visit and share in the love of God. We meet Sundays at 11AM, with an upbeat service of music, sharing and preaching. You don’t need to dress up, and you won’t be asked to speak, so just come and hang out and meet new and old friends! Questions? Call 540-864-5667 or email pastor@cv-bc.com.