In Matthew 24:37, Jesus says “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” This verse raises the question – what were the days of Noah like, and how will the second coming of Christ be similar?
To understand this verse, we first need to examine what the days of Noah were like according to the Bible. Genesis 6-9 gives the account of Noah and the flood. In Genesis 6:5, it describes the state of mankind during Noah’s day: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Humanity had become thoroughly evil and corrupt in their ways. Violence and immorality were rampant throughout the earth (Genesis 6:11-13).
However, there was one righteous man that found favor with God – Noah. Genesis 6:8 says “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” While the rest of humanity continued to live in wickedness and rebellion against God, Noah was blameless and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). He stood out as the only one living in obedience to God.
As a result of mankind’s corruption, God decided to send the flood waters over the earth to wipe out evil and destroy all flesh (Genesis 6:17). God commanded Noah to build an ark to save him, his family, and representative pairs of every kind of animal (Genesis 6:14-21). Noah did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:22). After the ark was prepared, the flood waters came and destroyed everything and everyone on earth, except for those sheltered inside the ark (Genesis 7:17-24).
After about a year on the ark, the flood waters receded and Noah and his family emerged to a cleansed earth (Genesis 8). They had been saved by God through the judgment that came on the world’s wickedness. As Noah and his family stepped out onto the fresh, clean earth, they were in essence entering into a new era. God established a covenant with Noah promising to never again destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:8-17). Life was beginning again on the earth.
With this background, we can now better understand the comparison Jesus makes between the days of Noah and His second coming. Looking at Matthew 24, we see Jesus is responding to questions from His disciples about the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Jesus describes many signs that will precede His return.
In Matthew 24:37, when Jesus says His coming will be as in the days of Noah, He is referring back to the conditions of evil and corruption on the earth. Just as mankind became completely wicked and violent in Noah’s time, the world will be living in deep sin and rebellion against God before Christ’s return. We already see signs of this, such as the rampant immorality, greed and hatred in our world today.
However, Jesus provides hope that, just as God saved Noah and his family through the judgment, He will save those who put their trust in Him before Christ returns. In Luke 17:26-30, Jesus draws the same comparison to Noah and continues in verses 31-33 to encourage people to be ready for His return:
On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”
(Luke 17:31-33 ESV)
Just as Noah entered a new cleansed world after being saved through the judgment, those who put their trust in Christ will enter into eternal life with Him after being saved through the judgment preceding His return. As in Noah’s day, the earth will once again be cleansed of evil by judgment, allowing righteousness to dwell.
Another important parallel to note is that unbelievers continued living life as normal right up until the flood came. Matthew 24:38-39 describes it this way:
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Despite the impending judgment, people went about their daily lives unconcerned and oblivious. They ignored Noah’s warnings up until the flood came and destroyed them all. Jesus says His coming will happen the same way – people will be living life as usual, not expecting His return or the judgment to come. Judgment will come suddenly, which is why Jesus repeatedly tells His disciples to be watchful, ready and prepared for His return (Matthew 24:42-44).
In comparing His second coming to the days of Noah, Jesus is underscoring several important truths:
- The world will be living in deep sin, evil and rebellion against God, just as in Noah’s time.
- For those who faithfully follow Him, He promises salvation from judgment, just as He saved Noah.
- Judgment will come suddenly when people least expect it.
- We must be ready and live in obedience and faith, in contrast to the wickedness around us.
The days of Noah provide a sobering picture of mankind’s potential for wickedness and violence when they suppress the truth and reject God (Romans 1:18-32). But they also give us hope that God protects the righteous and promises salvation to those who trust in Him.
The last days will be characterized by scoffing and unbelief regarding Christ’s return and coming judgment, just as in Noah’s day (2 Peter 3:3-7). But Peter exhorts us to live in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming day of God, when righteousness will dwell in the new heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:11-13).
As believers, we can have hope and confidence that just as God saved Noah and blessed him, Christ will redeem us and bless us with eternal life in His presence if we walk in faith and obedience. We must continue living as lights in the deep darkness, warning others of the imminent judgment and testifying of God’s offer of salvation to all who believe.
While mockers will deny it and most will be unprepared, Jesus is coming suddenly, like a flood in the night, when conditions are much like they were in Noah’s day. But those who trust in Jesus will be saved through the judgment and enter into the glorious kingdom of God.
The account of Noah gives us a preview of the end times. Though often overlooked, the story contains many parallels to Christ’s return and powerful lessons for us as we await His coming:
Parallels between Noah’s day and Christ’s return:
- Widespread immorality and corruption (Genesis 6:5,11-12; Matthew 24:12)
- Sudden, unexpected judgment (Genesis 7:11,17-23; Matthew 24:37-39)
- Only a few saved through the judgment (Genesis 7:23; Matthew 7:13-14)
- Judgment cleanses and renews the earth (Genesis 7:23; 2 Peter 3:6-7,10-13)
- Saved enter a new kingdom – covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:1-17), eternal life with Christ (John 3:16, Revelation 21:1-4)
- Salvation by God’s grace through faith (Genesis 6:8; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Lessons for believers awaiting Christ’s return:
- Resist the immorality and corruption of the world (Romans 12:2)
- Warn others of coming judgment and offer salvation (Ezekiel 3:17-19; 2 Peter 3:9)
- Live in righteousness and purity as you wait (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:13-16)
- Walk by faith in obedience to God (Genesis 6:22; Hebrews 11:7)
- Persevere through persecution and trials (Matthew 24:9-13; Romans 5:3-4)
- Don’t become complacent or absorbed in the cares of this world (Luke 21:34-36)
- Be prepared spiritually – live each day ready for His return (Matthew 24:42-44)
In comparing the days of Noah with His return, Jesus emphasizes the need for us to live in godliness and faith amidst a wicked world and be ready for His sudden appearance. Though mocked and marginalized, as believers we must stay focused on Him and His eternal kingdom. His promised return and coming salvation should motivate us to live each day ready for His appearing.
How should we live in light of this?
Realizing that Christ’s return will happen amidst conditions similar to Noah’s day gives us perspective on how we should live as believers awaiting His coming. Here are some principles for righteous living:
- Walk in holiness and purity – As sin becomes more acceptable and even promoted in society, we must uphold God’s standards of morality and sexual ethics (1 Peter 1:14-16; Romans 12:1-2).
- Seek justice, defend the oppressed – Our culture will become increasingly unjust and marked by violence as in Noah’s day. We must take action to defend and rescue the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:16-17; Psalm 82:3-4).
- Be separate from the world’s ways – Don’t adopt the world’s values, priorities or lifestyle. Pursue God’s kingdom first, invest in eternal things (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17).
- Warn of judgment – People don’t believe judgment is coming. With compassion, warn them, call to repentance (Ezekiel 3:17-19; 2 Peter 3:9).
- Offer the salvation – No one needed the ark until Noah built it. Tell people there is forgiveness and refuge in Christ (Romans 10:14-15; Hebrews 2:3).
- Persevere in obedience – Don’t be discouraged by wickedness or persecution. Stay faithful as Noah did (Matthew 24:13; Genesis 6:22).
- Stay ready for Christ’s return – Live each day ready to see Jesus, not complacent (Luke 12:35-40; Hebrews 9:28).
Striving to walk uprightly and live this way, by God’s strength and Spirit, will make us witnesses of righteousness to our generation. Though despised by many, may the Lord find us faithful as we await the glorious day of His return.
Key principles:
- People will be living in deep sin and rebellion right before Christ returns – just as in Noah’s day.
- For the faithful, Jesus promises salvation through the judgment – just as He saved Noah.
- Judgment will come suddenly and unexpectedly when conditions mirror Noah’s day.
- We must be ready and live righteously, in contrast to the wickedness around us.
- As in Noah’s day, the earth will be cleansed of evil by judgment before righteousness dwells.
- Salvation is by God’s grace, through faith – we must walk with God like Noah.
- We can have hope – if we faithfully follow Christ, we will be saved as Noah was.
- The account of Noah gives us lessons on how we should live as we await Christ’s return.
The days of Noah paint a sobering picture of the end times. Though often ignored, Noah’s life powerfully illustrates the sudden judgment coming, the salvation God offers, and how we should live until Jesus returns. By God’s strength, may we walk uprightly as we eagerly await the coming of our Lord and Savior.
Deeper Study – Old Testament Parallels
Beyond the obvious connections to the days of Noah, Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:37-39 also echo themes and phrases from the Old Testament prophets regarding the final judgment. Understanding these parallels gives further insight into what Jesus meant.
First, the description of people eating, drinking and marrying right up until judgment mirrors how the people of Sodom and Gomorrah lived unconcerned up until the moment their destruction came from the Lord:
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. (Ezekiel 16:49-50 ESV)
Lot’s wife was judged for “looking back” and longing after the ungodly culture she was leaving behind, just as the people in Noah’s day were oblivious until swept away (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32).
Isaiah and Amos both describe people being caught unaware in the midst of feasting, drinking, and revelry when sudden destruction falls upon them:
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!…Their banqueting lyre is like David; they care for drink; They give no thought to the deeds of the Lord, to the work of his hands. (Isaiah 5:11,12 ESV)
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion… who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile. (Amos 6:1,4-7 ESV)
Finally, Jesus’ statement that people “knew not” until swept away echoes God’s words of pending judgment through Ezekiel:
For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers…They will plunder your riches and loot your merchandise. They shall break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses…They will slay with the sword your daughters on the mainland. They will set up a siege wall against you and throw up a mound against you, and raise a roof of shields against you…For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. They shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers, and I will scrape her soil from her and make her a bare rock…Then they will know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 26:7-21 ESV)
As Jesus alludes to these Old Testament passages, He makes clear that just as God brought sudden judgment and destruction in the past, the end times judgment will likewise come unexpectedly. Only those found faithful and obedient will be saved.
Not only will the wicked be caught unprepared, but they will even scoff at the idea that judgment could overtake them so suddenly, just as in the days of Noah and Lot (2 Peter 3:3-7). Jesus emphasizes that life will seem to go on normally right up until He returns. But those ready and living for Christ will be saved from the judgment that comes upon the earth.