For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell
and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and
did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of
righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 2 Peter 2:4-5
NKJV
When talking about the end times, I have found that most are
familiar with the statement by Jesus comparing that period of time with the
“days of Noah”. One of the things I have
often thought about is the fact that Noah and his family were outnumbered by
roughly eight to the rest of the entire world.
Pretty lousy odds, wouldn't you say? Have you ever tried to put yourself
in Noah’s place and think about how it would feel to be in that predicament and
consider just what manner of abuse you would be subjected to? Somehow I don’t believe the reaction of the
world was limited to just scorn and laughter.
As I thought about that this past week, I couldn’t help but
think about some of the more publicized events of the past few months where
those who held beliefs based on the Word of God which were not popular with the
rest of the world, were subjected to not only disapproval but outright
hostility. I am reasonably confident
that I am not the only one who has noticed that those who once preached the
idea of tolerance have suddenly decided that it somehow does not apply to those
who do not share their beliefs. As you might expect, criticism is not only
swift to follow, but in many cases profane and hateful.
As I have watched the evolution of this culture of
intolerance for those who choose to follow the teachings of God, and to use the
Bible as a guide for their beliefs and lifestyles, I can’t help but think of
Noah and how he and his family must have felt being surrounded by an
unbelieving world. What do you think the
odds were that they suffered abuse and persecution at the hands of those around
them? Jesus made a statement during His
ministry which I believe describes, as well as predicts, the situation both
Noah and we as believers today find ourselves in.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 NKJV
Now in all honesty, how much comfort do you personally get
from that statement? Living where I do
in the Northwest, I am all too familiar with the subject of wolves, what they
are like, and especially what the majority of people who actually have to live
with them feel about it. It also goes
without saying that it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to picture the outcome
of a meek, tiny lamb being surrounded by a pack of wolves. Yet this is what Jesus tells us our lot in
life will be like. Not only outnumbered,
but placed in a situation where the rest of the unbelieving world looks at us
like their next meal. Just like Noah?
As believers, quickly seeing the odds change to the point
where we are vastly outnumbered; don’t you believe that just like Noah we
should expect to suffer abuse and outright persecution at the hands of those
who disagree with our values and beliefs?
Jesus told us to be wise in order to cope with the situation we find
ourselves in. The best way to do that is
to look to His Word for the wisdom to endure what is to come. What follows is what the Holy Spirit shared
with me this week as I thought about where the Church is today in relation to
the world around us.
Expect to be persecuted.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,
and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Matthew 5:10 NKJV
Expect to be ridiculed.
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we
bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been
made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1Corinthians 4:12-13 NKJV
Expect to be protected.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow
of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly
enemies who surround me. They have closed up their fat hearts; With their
mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have
set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, As a lion is eager to tear his
prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. Psalms 17:8-12 NKJV
Expect to grow.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:1-4 NKJV
Expect to be blessed.
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit
of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your
part He is glorified. 1 Peter
4:14 NKJV
Expect to be rewarded.
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in
heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12 NKJV
Noah found the strength to endure when the odds favored the
opposition by an astronomical amount.
Just as he found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and was delivered from
God’s judgment on an unbelieving world, so we too must endure until our Father
sends His Son to take us home. Considering
that the anniversary of Noah’s flood is just around the corner, it could be
very, very soon.
Keep watching.
