Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THEY REALLY DID NOT KNOW?!

“ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:38, 39.

The Divine description of life in the antediluvian world is one of basic, sinful, sensuality being the driving force of life; of an epicurean society who did not eat to live, but they lived to eat, drink, and gratify wanton lusts. The deciding clue comes from the rest of that description, “...And knew not until the flood came and took them all away…”

It was not that they had not heard, but it was one of blatant disbelief that stole their hearing (comprehension and perception of reality) How they must have tired of the 120 year long preachments of Noah and his persistence through decades of ark-building. So, they had neither regard for God nor any sense of accountability to Him. Therein, life degenerates to the lowest level of “me only.” When that determination persists, God gives people over to a reprobate mind to do those things that are not convenient, but things that are rotten, filthy, and without compassion. So, they continued on in a lifestyle of debauchery which they must have thought would never end. And the flood came and took them all away, except the righteous man Noah and his family.

Jesus’ description of that time was given as a warning sign that the world would degenerate into that same condition as the time of His coming approached. Let the reader pause and read again the first chapter of the book of Romans. Certainly, this is a description of the dark side of civilization in Paul’s day. But that was nearly 2000 years ago. The kind of folks he described were the same kind of those before the flood. Moreover, this type of humanity has multiplied exponentially during the last two millenniums. On the American scene, at least, this has become considered normal and acceptable. It is not that warnings have escaped the scope of their knowledge; rather it is that they refuse to believe them, and so discount them altogether. In the strictest sense, THEY KNEW, but tiring of the time, were shocked when the warning they were exposed to became a reality. It is to be repeated! What can be done? Keep sounding the alarm! This evil world system is going down, and all with it who love it. But there may be one here or there who will hear. Still, for the most part it shall be repeated, “And they knew not . . . “ So soon shall the Lord appear, and the corrupters of men will cry for the rock and mountains to fall upon them to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Rev. 6:16.

FOR THOUGHT: The generation who remembers WWII even faintly, has seen more changes in the world than any generation before them. While most every generation has decried changes as significant signs of the end of the age, what do you think of the views of the present older generation? Are the many indicators of societal degeneration warning of the soon return of Jesus? If so, are you ready to meet Him. Do you realize you have an appointment with Him? Do you think anything will be acceptable with Him if He is not your Savior?