will you heed the warning?

Just like in Noah’s day, violence is part of everyday life. Even God’s followers aren’t safe. This shocked the world last year when a bomb destroyed a Kingdom Hall in Sydney during a talk on loyalty. One Witness died and over 40 went to hospital. A detective said… “There were 110 people inside and it is simply a miracle that we don’t have 110 dead.” In places like Northern Ireland, Lebanon and El Salvador, Witnesses preach despite constant danger.

Protection and Future Disasters

Recent earthquakes in Mexico killed 23 Witnesses, and floods in Puerto Rico killed seven. This doesn’t mean Jehovah failed to protect them… we aren’t immune to disasters. Jesus warned… “They will put some of you to death.” Hundreds died under Nazi rule, but Jehovah will resurrect them. During the great tribulation, he’ll save those who call on him, just like he saved Noah. Since 1914, wars have killed a hundred million people globally. Terrorism and nuclear threats create national anxiety, but a deeper spiritual danger exists today.

Noah’s Faith in a Wicked World

Satan has tried to mislead the world since Eden. Rebel angels became demons, came to earth and slept with women. They produced giant, hybrid children called the Nephilim, who terrorised mankind. The world became ruined and filled with violence. Noah was the only person of his time who lived a clean life and walked with God. His family alone showed real faith. Jehovah wiped out that corrupt world with a massive flood. The Nephilim died, the demons escaped to the spirit world and Noah’s family survived due to their faith and preaching.

A Warning for Today

Noah’s day mirrors our time. Jesus predicted an era of violence and selfishness before the great tribulation, saying… “Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” You don’t have to ignore the signs like they did. You can escape when Jesus returns to execute justice on those who disobey the good news.

Hate What Is Bad

Today, many lives revolve around sex, divorce is normal and many face the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS. Yet, there’s hope… Jesus welcomed sex workers who changed their lives. Worshippers must use the spiritual protection God offers to resist the Devil. Shockingly, even some prominent people have given in to immorality. Last year, 36,638 people were removed from the congregation, mostly for sexual wrongdoing. The organisation must stay clean. The Bible promises… “O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad. He is guarding the souls of his loyal ones.” The tribulation will destroy the corrupt, so Peter urged us to stay clean and blameless as we wait for a righteous new world.

Learning from the Past

After the Flood, Noah’s family began filling the earth, but inherited sin and demon influence led people back into corruption. Later, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah became so morally degraded that God destroyed them with fire forever. Jesus used Sodom and Noah’s day to warn us to stay alert. The demons can’t take human bodies anymore, but they still foster perversions and try to corrupt God’s servants. We must fight hard to resist these attacks.

Building for Survival

Noah saved his family through faith. Today, Witnesses stay separate from this wicked world through dedication and baptism. We also share in a spiritual building project directed by Jesus. The ark represents the spiritual paradise and safe environment Jehovah has built for his worshippers since 1919 to protect them through the tribulation. Noah represents Jesus… both were preachers of goodness. Noah’s family represents the anointed Christians and the huge crowd of helpers handling the spiritual work today. In the paradise earth, survivors will raise families, the dead will be resurrected and faithful people will gain eternal life.