26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
In verses 26-30, Jesus offered two historical situations that illustrate the conditions for His coming. These days refer to the time when Christ will come to judge the world before He establishes His kingdom.
The days of Noah and Lot represent two of the most wicked periods of history. These will be like the circumstances of Jesus’ return.
17:26
And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
The days of Noah were a time of judgment on earth whereby most of humanity was destroyed by a worldwide flood (Gen 6:5-8). The coming of Jesus’ kingdom will be like the flood of Noah’s day. People did not prepare for that day, and God destroyed them.
17:27
They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
People carried on life as normal, eating, drinking, and marrying. In this standard living pattern, a worldwide flood came and destroyed them all. It was a time of God’s ultimate judgment. They were not prepared for the kingdom.
17:28
Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
The “days of Lot” is yet another reference to a time of judgment. God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness. These people were indifferent to God and were caught off guard by His judgment against them (Ge 19:16, 24-25).
17:29
but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
Another comparison to Jesus’ judgment on the world is the day God destroyed Sodom with fire and brimstone. This event was another comparison to Jesus’ coming kingdom.
17:30
Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, the day when the Son of Man returns will be a time of judgment on earth.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s judgment of the world is yet to come.
APPLICATION:
The judgments in the days of Noah and Lot came expectantly. Jesus’ coming judgment will come while few expect it. It will come upon those who are complacent and give no thought to God. Their problem is not sin but indifference.
The time just before Christ returns will be a period of unprecedented evil. The Antichrist will rule the world. Demon possession will be common. The Holy Spirit will no longer restrain the world at that time (2 Th 2:6-7).
As Noah and Lot were taken to safety before judgment came, God will remove the church before the Tribulation. Unbelievers will not heed the warning signs of Revelation (Re 9:20-21; 16:9, 11, 21).
