Note: I usually aim to write messages that uplift, but today a heavy burden has touched my heart. I feel compelled to record these thoughts, for in the midst of our turmoil lies good news—the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is near.
Reflections on Genesis: A World Overflowing with Wickedness
With a world experiencing levels of turmoil that seem unprecedented, it is fitting to look back at the days of Noah for striking parallels. In Genesis 6:5-7 (NLT), we read:
“Then the LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the LORD said, ‘I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.’”
This passage leaves us with a profound impression of a grieving Creator. How can God, who is full of love, be so heartbroken over His creation? The answer lies in understanding that God did not create humanity to be mere servants; He desired a family—a relationship marked by obedience, trust, and love. Our disobedience grieves Him because it betrays the very purpose for which we were made.
Noah: Righteousness in the Midst of Corruption
Genesis 6:9-13 (NLT) further explains the decline of humanity:
“This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So, God said to Noah, ‘I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!’”
This wasn’t a case of a few misbehaving individuals; wickedness had become systemic. The hearts and minds of people had been infiltrated by pride and violence, and it wasn’t long before corruption tainted every aspect of society. God’s decision, though tragic, was a response to a world that had utterly rejected His design for righteousness.
Widespread Wickedness: A Corrupt System and the Tipping Point
The era of Noah reminds us of that wickedness often goes beyond isolated offenses—it becomes woven into the fabric of society. Wicked behavior was not merely a series of bad acts; it permeated the minds, hearts, and actions of entire communities. Violence became the norm. People scorned righteousness, showing hostility to their neighbors, refusing the duty of hospitality, and mistreating the poor. In this climate of lawlessness and perpetual decay, God’s judgment was not impulsive but rather the inevitable outcome of a long history of rebellion. His long-suffering patience gave time for repentance, yet the day came when corruption reached a tipping point.
A Lesson from the Amorites: Justice, Mercy, and Divine Patience
In Genesis 15:15-16 (NIV), we find an intriguing lesson when God speaks to Abraham:
“You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
This message emphatically demonstrates God’s fairness and mercy. Even though God could judge any nation at His whim, He chooses to delay punishment when there is an opportunity for repentance—even if the outcome seems inevitable. It underscores that while God is just, He also provides room for individuals to return to righteousness. But when sin becomes all-encompassing, His patience gives way to decisive judgment.
The Days of Noah and the Coming of the Son of Man
Jesus Himself drew a parallel between the days of Noah and the last days. In Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV), He says:
> “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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.”
This passage reveals that in the days before the flood, people were immersed in their daily routines—marrying, dining, planning for the future—completely unaware of the impending judgment. They carried on as if nothing were amiss, a stark reminder of the spiritual apathy that precedes divine intervention. The everyday normality masks an underlying disregard for God’s warnings, making the return of the Son of Man all the more startling.
Modern Parallels: Violence, Apathy, and the Erosion of Truth
Today, we witness striking parallels to the time of Noah. Violence seems broadcast on every channel—from senseless acts of brutality and mass shootings to terror attacks and hate crime incidents. Recent headlines report tragedies: anti-Semitic attacks at places as sacred as the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., and a horrifying attempt on Jewish lives in Colorado. Even more disturbing, the normalization of such terror has left communities numb. Much like the days before the flood, while catastrophic events unfold, many choose to live within their own bubbles—going to work, making financial plans, even taking on debt for things they may not truly need.
There is also an ideological trend where those in power, such as some in the political realm, seem to downplay these disturbing events. For instance, during the riots in Los Angeles—a stark picture of societal breakdown reminiscent of the lawlessness in Noah’s time—Senator Cory Booker described these disturbances as “peaceful.” Governor Gavin Newsom has even compared such riots to a sports celebration. This rhetoric not only minimizes the gravity of the situation but also serves to obscure the underlying spiritual decay.
In a disturbing, perverse way, Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent comparison of the Los Angeles riots to the riots in Paris rings true. When leaders dismiss chaos by likening it to a sports celebration, they contribute to a dangerous normalization of lawlessness. Under this light, the unraveling of societal order is no longer met with the shock and urgency it deserves—rather, it is trivialized, even celebrated.
As the New Testament warns in 1 Timothy 4:2 (NIV):
“Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
A seared conscience no longer senses the weight of moral truth. Repeated sinful behavior hardens the heart until deception becomes the accepted norm. And all too often, we see this in action, not only on the streets during riots or mass violence but also in the courtroom, where individuals reject the very laws meant to preserve order.
The Days of Lawlessness: Sovereign Citizens and the Rejection of Authority
Today’s landscape is gripped by a culture of defiance against the rule of law—a phenomenon that mirrors the apostasy of Noah’s generation. Consider the “sovereign citizens” who claim that laws do not apply to them. They refuse to register vehicles, to obtain driver's licenses, and show contempt for the government’s authority. A chilling instance is that of Darrell Brooks, who on November 21, 2021, drove his SUV into the Waukesha Christmas parade in Wisconsin—an act that claimed six lives and left 62 injured. Instead of pleading insanity or accident, Brooks attempted to defend his actions by arguing that the law held no authority over him. Ultimately, his actions led to a sentence of six consecutive life sentences plus an additional 762.5 years.
Additionally, figures like Maxine Waters—who represents California’s 43rd congressional district—have been vocal in their criticisms of law enforcement during chaotic times. Such statements, along with the actions of self-proclaimed sovereign citizens, highlight a deep-seated dismissal of accountability and a rejection of both earthly and divine authority.
Propaganda, Lies, and the Power of Repetition
The potency of falsehood is best captured in a statement attributed to Joseph Goebbels:
“A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.”
In our era, a similar tactic seems to be in effect. Repeated misinformation and relentless rhetoric conceal the truth, making deception an acceptable defense in the eyes of many. This tactic enables those with nefarious motives to manipulate reality and obscure the stark truths revealed by scripture.
Conclusion: The Imminence of Judgment and the Call to Repentance
The narrative of Noah’s time offers a sobering mirror to our present age. From widespread violence and moral apathy to the deliberate rejection of law and truth, the signs are all around us. Whether measured in the daily normalization of brutality or the political rhetoric that downplays genuine disorder, there is a clear indication that the spirit of lawlessness reigns.
Yet, the call remains: “He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” In acknowledging the parallels between biblical prophecy and today’s events, we are prompted to examine our hearts, seek repentance, and realign our lives with righteousness. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is upon us, and the time for spiritual awakening is now.
May you find the courage to confront the onerous truths of our time, and may this message stir a profound reflection on our present and ignite hope for a future grounded in His eternal truth.
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