And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 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. Luke 17:26, 27
God did not condemn the antediluvians for eating and drinking; He had given them the fruits of the earth in great abundance to supply their physical wants. Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without gratitude to the Giver, and debasing themselves by indulging appetite without restraint. It was lawful for them to marry. Marriage was in God’s order; it was one of the first institutions which He established. He gave special directions concerning this ordinance, clothing it with sanctity and beauty; but these directions were forgotten, and marriage was perverted and made to minister to passion.
A similar condition of things exists now. That which is lawful in itself is carried to excess. Appetite is indulged without restraint…. Multitudes feel under no moral obligation to curb their sensual desires, and they become the slaves of lust. Men are living for the pleasures of sense; for this world and this life alone…. The picture which Inspiration has given of the antediluvian world represents too truly the condition to which modern society is fast hastening….
As the time of their probation was closing, the antediluvians gave themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities. Those who possessed influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed with mirth and pleasure, lest any should be impressed by the last solemn warning.
Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world, that the people might be led to repentance, and thus escape the threatened destruction. As the time of Christ’s second appearing draws near, the Lord sends His servants with a warning to the world to prepare for that great event. Multitudes have been living in transgression of God’s law, and now He in mercy calls them to obey its sacred precepts. All who will put away their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ are offered pardon.
Conflict and Courage p. 41
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Prayer Requests
—– Praises, God has answered our prayers, My son-in-law had surgery and the biopy came back with a good report. GOD IS GOOD!! Linda
—– Please say a prayer for my brother Russ. His dog has a cyst on her neck that keeps getting bigger and could be cancer. She is such a sweet dog but it looks like he may have to put her to sleep. I know the difficulty and sorrow of this decision and my heart breaks for him. Martha
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Dear Friends,
Before I was five, my aunt still lived with may grandparents. Since my grandparents had adpoted me when I was a baby, I was very important to my aunt. She loved children naturally, but I was very special to her. Every week when she got paid, she would go to the store and buy me something. For the first five years of my life, she showered me with expensive gifts. In this way she showed her love.
To me, her gifts were enjoyed but not appreciated. I was too young to realize all the expense and planning that went into some of her gifts. Gilmore’s Department Store was a very expensive store and because Auntie Joyce loved me, she got my presents there. One time when I was very little, she saw a portable dollhouse with very expensive and realistic furnishings. Each week she would buy a piece of furniture, so that by the time I was old enough to enjoy playing with it, I had the complete set. How I loved that dollhouse!
In all the years I can never remember really thanking Auntie Joyce for all the lovely things she bought me. Oh, when I was old enough to talk, I said “thankyou,” because I had been taught to be polite; but really I took her gifts for granted as though they were just a part of life.
How often do we do that with God’s gifts. How often do we enjoy His blessings with scarcely a thought of thankfulness to Him. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:45 He loves all His children so much that He sent Jesus, His only Son, to suffer and die for us. Yet, how often we take His greatest gift for granted.
Do we really thank Him for the sacrifice He made for us? Do we feel thankfulness and love for His goodness welling up within our hearts? “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:8 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess 5:18
May our eyes be opened to His blessings each day. May we praise Him from the heart. May we, someday soon, meet Him in the clouds of the air and thank Him for His redeeming love is my prayer.
Rose
As it was in the Days of Noah