This is Part 2 of the
essay. Part 1 and be found here:
As
in the Days of Noah (Revisited) — Part 1
______________________________
Having examined what Scripture reveals about the days leading
up to the flood, a natural question now presents itself. If Jesus described
“the end of the age” as being like “the days of Noah,” should we expect to see
similar conditions appear again? Do major turning points in history follow
recognizable patterns? And could there be repeated attempts—across different
ages—to corrupt or distort life, creation, or what Scripture calls “all flesh,”
in ways reminiscent of the world before the flood?
To answer these questions responsibly, we must first
consider how Jesus’ words would have been understood by those who originally
heard them. The question He was answering was not abstract or distant. His
disciples were asking specifically about the fate of Jerusalem, the Temple, and
the close of the age they were living in. This strongly suggests that the first
and most immediate application of Jesus’ warning points toward the events that
culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
At the same time, Jesus’ use of the days of Noah invites us
to look beyond a single moment in history. While 70 AD provides the primary
historical reference point, the pattern He described may also offer insight
into how similar dynamics have unfolded—and may yet unfold—at other critical
moments in human history.
First Century AD:
When viewed this way, the parallels are striking. Like
Noah’s generation, the people of Judea were given ample warning. Jesus warned
openly and repeatedly. His apostles continued that warning after His
resurrection, calling for repentance throughout the land. The message was not
hidden, nor was it delivered at the last minute. There was time—decades of
time—to respond. Yet, as in Noah’s day, the warnings were largely ignored.
Life, meanwhile, continued as normal. Religious routines
carried on. The Temple still stood. Sacrifices were offered. Daily business
went on uninterrupted. This mirrors Jesus’ description of the days before the
flood, when people were eating, drinking, marrying, and planning for the future
right up until judgment arrived. The problem was not a lack of information, but
a refusal to take the warnings seriously.
Corruption had also become systemic. Before the flood,
Scripture says that “all flesh had corrupted its way.” By the first century,
corruption was no longer limited to individuals. Religious leadership had
become compromised. Violence filled the land. False prophets multiplied,
offering reassurance instead of truth. The system itself was breaking down,
much as it had in Noah’s time.
What makes this comparison even more sobering is that, in
both cases, people had a sense that something significant was coming. Noah’s
generation had a defined window of time. First-century Jews were deeply aware
of prophetic expectations and lived with an intense sense of anticipation. Yet
knowing that judgment was approaching did not lead to repentance. Instead, it
hardened positions, increased conflict, and deepened denial.
In this sense, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD fits
Jesus’ warning with remarkable precision. It was sudden, devastating, and
avoidable—yet it came upon a people who believed they were secure.
A Pattern Repeated:
At the same time, Jesus’ use of the days of Noah does more
than point to a single historical moment. It establishes a pattern. History
shows that when warnings are ignored, corruption becomes normalized, and life
appears “business as usual,” collapse often follows. These moments are not
identical, nor do they all carry the same weight as the flood or the fall of
Jerusalem. Still, they echo the same rhythm: patience,
warning, refusal,
and consequence.
This does not mean that every crisis marks the end of the
world, or that every generation is uniquely evil. Rather, it reminds us that
judgment often comes after long restraint, and that it usually arrives when
people least expect it—not because it was unpredictable, but because the
eventuality of the pattern repeating was dismissed.
Seen this way, Jesus’ warning is not meant to inspire fear
or endless speculation. It is a call to awareness. The tragedy of Noah’s
generation, and of Jerusalem in the first century, was not ignorance. It was
inattentiveness. Life went on, signs were ignored, and warnings were treated as
noise—until suddenly, they were not. This, more
than anything else, is the enduring lesson of “the days of Noah.”
So what about our own day?
History shows that warnings are often ignored, and
corruption—present in every age—gradually becomes accepted as normal. People
may be disturbed at first by the direction society appears to be heading, but
over time they adjust. Life goes on. Daily routines continue. What once caused
concern slowly fades into the background and becomes “business as usual.”
This pattern often holds for a season—until, suddenly, something breaks. The
same rhythm repeats again and again: patience,
warning, refusal,
and consequence.
Throughout history, we see evidence of judgment following
this same general pattern—though certainly not on the same scale as the flood
or the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Movements, societies, and
nations have continued to rise and fall, sometimes quite suddenly. What often
begins as a sincere attempt to build a just and moral society, guided by high
ideals, gradually gives way to corruption and deceit. Despite warnings and
efforts to halt the decline, this erosion is frequently met with tacit approval
or resigned acceptance. This eventually leads to further decline and then collapse.
Are things any different today? If we just look at this
present generation and the numerous events occurring in recent years, I believe
we can see that evidence of that same pattern. In just the past five years we’ve
had the “Covid pandemic”—accompanied
by frequent mention of needing to accept, “the New Normal.” During that same period
we should have been aware of the numerous economic and political shifts—which
in many cases, concentrated power and control into the hands of an elite few. And
we could not help but be aware that something was majorly wrong. People had a
sense that something significant must be coming—yet many chose to ignore and
treat the warnings as nothing more than noise.
In recent years, and in addition to Covid, we have seen a
series of unprecedented attacks on long-standing societal and cultural norms.
By this I am referring to institutions and norms that were clearly accepted, understood
and undisputed for centuries—marriage, sexual norms, and even basic biology including
gender. Reality and truth itself are under attack by certain ideologies and
world views that seem to be growing in public acceptance.
In addition to the social pressures, a subject that cannot
be overlooked is the intrusion of technology into the very fabric of living
organisms. Such technology seems to carry the intention of creating, changing
and/or manipulating the basic structures of life. Ever since the discovery of
DNA we have seen growing efforts in this direction. History has shown us that
as chaos builds, societies eventually collapse. There is still time for us
today—but will the warnings be heeded before the pattern of collapse repeats
yet again?
Tinkering with the Code of Living Cells
Earlier, I mentioned DNA and
humanity’s growing desire to experiment with it and control it. This desire
often comes from the belief that human intelligence and determination are
enough to safely change living systems to suit our goals. History suggests that
this confidence is often misplaced.
While it is true that DNA can
be altered, far less attention is usually given to whether it should be altered, or what the long-term
consequences might be. Again and again, new technologies are introduced before
their full effects are understood. In many cases, unintended consequences only
become clear later.
One area where this concern
appears is in the food supply. Practices such as gene-splicing, cloning,
laboratory-grown meat, and genetically modified crops are becoming increasingly
common. At first glance, these developments may seem beneficial. However, they
raise important questions that are rarely discussed.
Are these foods truly safe
over the long term? Could they contribute to health problems, deficiencies, or
unexpected side effects? Beyond personal health, there are also broader
concerns. Instead of solving hunger, are these technologies always helping to
meet the real agricultural needs of struggling nations? Or could they, in some
cases, contribute to crop failure, dependency, or instability?
Another issue closely
connected to DNA manipulation is control. Increasingly, seeds are patented and
must be purchased each year rather than saved and replanted. This raises
serious questions about who controls the global food supply and how vulnerable
farmers and nations may become as a result.
The following statement from the National Library
of Medicine highlights why caution is often urged in this area:
“As genetically modified (GM)
foods are starting to intrude in our diet, concerns have been expressed
regarding GM food safety… Animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have
shown that they may affect several organs and systems… many years of research
with animals and clinical trials are required for this assessment.”
— National
Library of Medicine (PubMed ID: 18989835)
Changing Humanity Itself
Beyond changing food or
medicine, it is also important to consider efforts aimed at changing humanity
itself. One movement often connected to this idea is called transhumanism.
If the term is unfamiliar, the
website whatistranshumanism.org defines it
this way:
“Transhumanism is a way of
thinking about the future that is based on the idea that the human species, in
its current form, is not the final stage of development, but an early phase.”
The definition continues by
explaining that transhumanism seeks to move humanity beyond its current
biological limits through science and technology, guided by what it considers
life-promoting values. This description comes from Max More, one of the early
voices associated with the movement.
Max More further defined
transhumanism in two related ways. First, as an intellectual and cultural
movement that supports the idea of greatly improving the human condition
through technology. This includes efforts to slow or eliminate aging and to
enhance physical, mental, and psychological abilities. Second, as the study of
both the promises and dangers of technologies that aim to overcome human
limitations, along with the ethical questions that come with using them.
The same source explains that
the World Transhumanist Association later changed its name to Humanity+, while
continuing to promote these same goals. At the center of the movement is the
belief that humanity is still unfinished and can be reshaped.
As Humanity+ describes it:
“Transhumanists view human
nature as a work in progress, something that can be improved and redesigned.
Humanity does not need to be the final stage of evolution. Through responsible
use of science and technology, transhumanists hope to eventually become
posthuman—beings with abilities far beyond those of present-day humans.”
This raises an important
question. What truly drives the desire to move toward a “posthuman” future? Is
it mainly motivated by idealistic goals such as reducing suffering and
extending life? Or does it reflect a deeper desire to escape the limits and
vulnerabilities that come with being human?
Canada’s Approach:
If you think all this sounds a little farfetched, you may be
surprised to know this topic is getting attention from our own Canadian
Government – except there it is called “Biodigital Convergence” (see https://horizons.gc.ca/en/2020/02/11/exploring-biodigital-convergence/).
The Government
of Canada website offers the following definition:
“Biodigital convergence is the interactive combination,
sometimes to the point of merging, of digital and biological technologies and
systems. Policy Horizons is examining three ways in which this convergence is
happening.”
Further on
in the website we read: “Biodigital convergence is opening up striking new ways
to:
- Change
human beings–our bodies, minds, and behaviours
- Change or
create other organisms
- Alter
ecosystems
- Sense,
store, process, and transmit information
- Manage
biological innovation
- Structure and manage production and supply chains
Under the heading “New
ways to change human beings – our bodies, minds, and behaviours,” we
find the following. This list is a small sampling of the points in the article:
“...Altering the human genome –
our core biological attributes and characteristics
...Machine learning helps
scientists predict which genes to target for editing
...Monitoring, altering and
manipulating human thoughts and behaviours
...Neurotechnologies read brain
signals to monitor attention and manage fatigue
...Digital apps can help enhance
brain health
...New ways to monitor, manage,
and influence bodily functions, as well as predict, diagnose, and treat disease
...Gene sequencing entire samples
helps us understand complex environments such as the human microbiome
...Digital devices can be worn or
embedded in the body to treat and monitor functionality
...eg. Amazon patent will allow Alexa
to detect a cough or a cold
...Creating new organs and
enhancing human functionality
...Biohacking with implanted
digital devices to enhance bodily functions
...Nanobots and nanomaterials can operate and precisely deliver
drugs within living creatures”
These examples show that biodigital convergence is not
science fiction. It is an active area of research and policy discussion.
This leads to serious questions. What limits, if any, should
exist when it comes to altering the human body and mind? At what point does
treatment become enhancement? And how should society weigh the potential
medical benefits against unforeseen and irreversible consequences as well as long-term
ethical and spiritual concerns? Alongside these questions, and in keeping with
our recent exposure to the Covid experience, should we be concerned with the
ramped-up pursuit of potential bio-weapons?
Bio-Weapons and Injectables:
At great risk to themselves, many experts testified, and it
can now be shown with a reasonable degree of certainty that the “SARS-CoV-2
virus” was manufactured in the laboratory. In addition, it was subject to “gain
of function” study and modification. With the release of this pathogen into the
general public, the so called pandemic was born. Here we have an example of man
playing around with genetic material and creating one such bio-weapon.
We know the mRNA “vaccine” concept is one technology that is
supposed to have the capability to “hack” and issue instructions to your DNA in
order to produce certain protein strands. In essence, it hijacks your system to
produce a piece of the pathogen. The idea is to stimulate the body’s immune
system into producing anti-bodies. However, in the process, it appears that
hacking the immune system in this manner has rendered the immune system less
efficient at fighting other infectious processes. Might there come a day when
we are no longer capable of fighting off infection at all—without the need for
patented technology?
With all these unanswered questions in mind, is it
unreasonable to entertain at least one additional question: Are we perhaps seeing
the corruption of our flesh that could in some way resemble the corruption of
all flesh in the days of Noah?
Rise and Fall of Nations
So does the deceit and
corruption we see around us today mean we have reached the end? It might… however;
it might also simply mean that a familiar cycle is repeating itself. Nations
rise, prosper for a time, grow corrupt, ignore warnings to repent, and
eventually collapse. In fact, this pattern reflects a central biblical theme:
God’s sovereignty over the rise and fall of nations and kingdoms.
Examples of Biblical
Foundations
for This Pattern:
Job 12:23, This verse states the principle directly: “He makes nations great, and destroys
them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.” The Message
translation renders it, “He
makes nations rise and then fall, builds up some and abandons others.”
This highlights God’s absolute authority over the destiny of peoples throughout
history.
Acts 17:26, In the New
Testament, the Apostle Paul echoes this theme, stating that from one man God “made every nation of men, that they
should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the
boundaries of their lands.” This reinforces the idea that national
rise and fall occur within God’s determined plan.
Jeremiah 1:10, The prophet
Jeremiah was appointed by God with a commission “to uproot and tear down, to destroy and
overthrow, to build and to plant” nations and kingdoms,
illustrating God’s use of prophets—and even other nations—as instruments of
judgment and restoration.
Daniel 2:21, Daniel affirms
that God “changes the times and
seasons; He removes kings and establishes them.” This book, which
describes the succession of empires (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman),
reinforces the principle that all earthly rulers and kingdoms are subject to
God’s ultimate authority.
These passages together emphasize several key truths:
Divine Judgment: The fall of nations is
often portrayed as a consequence of wickedness, pride, and disobedience to
God’s ways.
Human Power Is Temporary: Empires such
as Assyria and Babylon, which once seemed invincible, eventually crumbled,
showing the temporary nature of human power compared with God’s eternal
kingdom.
Divine Sovereignty: Scripture
consistently teaches that all authority ultimately comes from God, who oversees
all creation—including the destinies of nations.
Conclusion:
I am not in any way saying that events (as we see them
today) spell the end of the world. They might however, point to the end of an
age. It might simply be that if all warnings are ignored, our western society
fails and falls as it faces judgment. This has been the pattern humanity has
unfortunately had to repeat many times—history bears this out. Certainly there
is nothing in scripture to indicate this could not happen again. In fact, it
very well could continue until the kingdom comes fully—“on earth as it is in
Heaven.”
