How will the coming of the Son of Man be like the days of Noah and the flood?
The coming of the Son of Man will resemble Noah’s day because society will be absorbed in ordinary pursuits, such as wedding receptions and lavish spending, remaining unaware until sudden destruction comes. Just as the flood brought instantaneous ruin when the fountains of the deep broke open, so the Son of Man’s coming will catch an unconcerned people unprepared.
Les explains that verse 39 points back to Noah’s day, when people were occupied with ordinary life, even wedding receptions and extravagant spending, and knew not until the flood came. He stresses that the flood was not merely a gradual rise from rain; it was an instantaneous breaking up of the fountains of the deep, an instantaneous destruction that caught them completely off guard. He says this is an indication of how it will happen again at the coming of the Son of Man. He also observes that today’s society has the same makeup: homes may have Bibles, but people are not enlightened, do not care, and have no concern. Thus the events leading up to the end time will culminate in a sudden, unexpected coming like Noah’s flood.
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
More Questions
Was Noah's flood a gradual rising of water from rain or an instantaneous breaking up of the fountains of the deep?
The flood was not merely water gradually rising from rain, but an instantaneous breaking up of the fountains of the deep that caused instantaneous destruction.