Are We Living In The Last Days?
Social evidence points to the imminent return of Jesus!
There is clear social evidence ominously similar to the days of Noah and Lot that compels us to ask, are we living in the last days? Jesus shared Noah’s and Lot’s stories to alert us to the prevalent social conditions we would see just before His return. Unfortunately, very few people are paying attention to the signs of the time and it is clear we are living in the last days. Moreover, it is dangerous to ignore the words of Jesus.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37-39)
It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:28-29)
Then as now, people continue with business as usual making light of the warning signs and ignoring the evidence. We seem to have learned little from history. We are blinded by lust, perversion, and the anything-goes social climate of moral corruption.
Without serious consideration, most antediluvians dismissed the prophetic warnings as fanatical foolishness. Roughly, 120 years before the flood this “preacher of righteousness,” Noah, began warning everyone to repent and turn to God. Only Noah and his family, eight in all, escaped God’s judgment. The rest were doomed for all eternity.
The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:5-8
Somewhere between 350 and 400 years after the flood, the scriptures record the story of Abraham’s nephew, Lot, who lived in the decadent city of Sodom. Jude tells us Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities were sexually immoral and pursued unnatural desires—a euphemism for Genesis 19:5 where we read that the men of Sodom demanded to have same-sex relations with the visitors.
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” (Genesis 19:4-5)
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7
Jesus spoke of Noah’s flood and Sodom and Gomorrah as literal historical events. The Apostles Paul and Peter both spoke of these historical events. They are not parables or allegories, but real historical people and events. (Matthew 24:37-38, Luke 3:36, 17:26-27, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20, and 2 Peter 2:5)
The Apostle Paul references these historical events (Romans 1:18-32) describing the ungodliness dominating the ancient culture before God’s judgment fell. The same ungodly culture has resurfaced today and is becoming a dominant factor.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:26-27)
The detestable and perverse practices of same-sex relationships seem to be the final stage that provokes God’s judgment. You will find an abundance of sin that precedes this final stage of perversion. Rejecting God ushers in the depraved state of mind.
The Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel describes the prevalent social climate of Sodom as arrogant, prideful, idle, not caring for the needy, and practicing detestable things.
‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Ezekiel 16:49-50
We are witnessing the wickedness of Noah’s and Lot’s day continually accelerating before our very eyes. Ungodly behavior is becoming shockingly acceptable even among the professing religious community. The secret sins and abominable behaviors once too shameful to mention are now openly practiced and celebrated in many schools and universities, churches, businesses, the athletic community, and the medical community. When was the last time you heard one of those televangelists speak against ungodliness or sinful practices?
Jesus warns us in Luke 17:32 to remember Lot’s wife.
Remember Lot’s wife! 33Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. (Luke 17:32-33)
Lot’s wife departed Sodom with her husband, leaving behind the life she loved so dearly. She looked back in sadness at the decadent City she loved more than God and righteousness. Some have suggested she was married to Sodom more than God or her husband Lot. God’s judgment immediately fell on her, turning her into a pillar of salt. She was in love with the unrighteous culture of Sodom.
The Apostle John tells us:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
Jesus forewarns us to remember Lot’s wife because anyone who loves this world and the forbidden fruit of sin will lose their life in the end.
If you haven’t repented and turned your life over to God, I urge you to do so before it’s too late. God loves us and sent his son into the world to rescue us from our sins. However, if we neglect the salvation God has provided through Christ, how shall we escape eternal judgment and separation from God?
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins, come into my heart, and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus is my Lord and Savior forever.
You may also want to read: Rapture: When will Jesus Return?
