We are nearing the end. Terrible things will happen in the near future. The world is preparing for destruction, while the flock of Jesus is preparing for heaven. Jesus said, “but as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:37
Troubles that we do not anticipate will break upon us. We have already seen wars, terrorism, earthquakes and other events that caused the scientists to conclude that the world cannot continue much longer.
Let us just mention a few of them. For instance, one of them is the greenhouse effect. The ozone layer is thinning down. The result of it is warmer temperatures and ultraviolet rays hitting people, causing skin cancer and other diseases. They say that the ice caps may melt and raise the water level by one meter, which could cause much of Florida and other low land coastal areas to be under water. Some inhabited islands could disappear. Many lakes and rivers would dry out, and much of the farmland may not produce crops. The Bible says there will be famines (Matthew 24:7).
The population of the world is increasing every year, while farmland is reduced by twelve million acres each year. Also, pollution in the air, land and in water are affecting people’s lives. Because of it, thousands of lakes have no fish anymore. In the Great Lakes they have found 350 different toxic chemicals. In Mexico City, about 30,000 children die annually because of air pollution.
For these reasons scientists say that in a short time this world would be unfit for living; mankind is committing mass suicide.
A prophet saw this condition developing 2700 years ago. “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” Isaiah 24:5–6
And he continues, “The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” Isaiah 24:19–20
Seeing what will happen in the near future it is time to set our lives in order, that we will not perish with the dying world. Sister White writes, “Most trying times are before us. . . Time is short, and all that is to be done must be done quickly. The angels are holding the four winds, and Satan is taking advantage of everyone who is not fully established in the truth. Every soul is to be tested. Every defect in the character, unless overcome by the help of God’s Spirit, will become a sure means of destruction.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 573
The scientists write in various newspaper articles that the biggest problem facing our world today is psychological problems. People even in prosperous living conditions are depressed, miserable, and unhappy, and they have no medicine to cure this problem.
The condition in the world is truly similar to Noah’s time. Therefore our work as God’s people is similar to the work which Noah was doing. Noah had clear instructions for building the ark and warning the people of the coming doom, and he followed the instructions exactly.
We have instructions given to us, to know what to do, and how to live; our message is clearly shown to us, and nothing can be changed from it. We read from the Spirit of Prophecy, “The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been located by the Word of Inspiration. Not a peg or pin is to be removed. No human authority has any more right to change the location of these messages than to substitute the New Testament for the Old.” –Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 26
Not a pin or a peg can be changed from the message that God gave through Sister White. Noah was very careful not to change anything from the instruction that God gave him. In 2 Peter 2:5, God called Noah a preacher of righteousness; we also have been given the message of righteousness which we are to preach to the world. Great is the reward of those who turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3). But before we can be preachers of righteousness we must have it ourselves that we can speak of our own experience.
Noah sacrificed all that he had. When the ark was finished he had nothing left. We are also to sacrifice for the cause of God. When we must flee to the mountains and isolated places, we will leave nothing behind.
Jesus said, “So likewise, whosoever he be that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.
The sins that existed in the time of Noah called for the destruction of the people and the whole world. The same sins are existing today. “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water; Whereby the world then was, being overflowed with water perished; But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:5–7
We are nearer to the end than many realize. We have seen the signs of the times being fulfilled. Today only one thing is important and that is to be ready to meet our God.
We need to ask ourselves, am I ready for the storm that is before us; does my character reflect the image of Jesus; are my garments of righteousness spotless?
The most important day in our lives is our judgment day that takes place in heaven. At that time, we will not be in prison nor hiding in the mountains. Jesus said, “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:39–42
In the time of Noah there was one place of safety, the ark of Noah. In the time of the end there is only one place of safety also, and that is the church of God.
“The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world.” Acts of the Apostles, p. 11. Everyone who remains in the church of God to the end shall be saved.
In this time many become lukewarm and careless, but there is still a little remnant who lift up the banner of truth, who would rather die than commit a sin. In this, you and I, are we like the preachers of righteousness, like Noah, or does God have to look for someone else to warn the world? May the Lord bless us all to be faithful. AMEN.
Timo Martin