The Bible describes the pre-Flood civilization as corrupt, violent, and rejecting God, with Noah as a righteous exception.
Scripture portrays the earth as filled with violence and corruption, leading God to destroy it. Les Feldick emphasizes that this was a technologically advanced society that had turned away from God, yet Noah found grace and was preserved.
Genesis 6:11-13 — This passage directly states the earth was corrupt and filled with violence, leading to God's judgment.
The Bible describes the pre-Flood civilization as fundamentally corrupt and violent. Genesis 6:11-12 says, "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." This corruption was so pervasive that God declared, "The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" (Genesis 6:13). Scripture also notes that despite this widespread wickedness, Noah was a righteous man: "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). The biblical record thus contrasts the general moral decay with Noah's faithfulness.
Les Feldick teaches that before the Flood, civilization was highly advanced in technology and lifestyle, possibly even surpassing our modern era. He points to evidence like the book "We're Not the First" to suggest that pre-Flood people had remarkable achievements. However, they had rejected God completely, becoming corrupt and violent to the point that murder was rampant. There was no organized worship or religion, and no government to maintain law and order, which allowed sin to spiral out of control. Despite this, God's grace was still evident in preserving Noah and his family. Les emphasizes that Noah was a believer with spiritual maturity, and his 'perfection' refers to this maturity rather than sinlessness. The pre-Flood people were so busy with their intense activities that they had no time to think about God's coming judgment, mirroring the busyness of today's world.
The Bible and Les Feldick indicate that the pre-Flood civilization had largely rejected God. Les notes that there was no organized worship or religion before the Flood, and man had put God out of his life. This spiritual void led to corruption and violence. Noah was the exception, finding grace in God's eyes due to his faith.
Les Feldick teaches that the pre-Flood civilization's technology and lifestyle were equal to or surpassed modern times. He mentions evidence from a book titled 'We're Not the First' and compares the busy, intense activity to that of a colony of ants. This high standard of living, however, was accompanied by moral and spiritual corruption.
Les explains that God destroyed the earth because it had become filled with violence and corruption. He notes that murder was rampant and the civilization was 'rotten to the core.' God's remedy was to destroy both the people and the planet, turning the surface of the earth inside out. This judgment was necessary because of the utter moral decay.
Noah's Grace
Les explains that despite the human race's decline, God's grace was extended to Noah, who was a just and perfect man, meaning a mature believer.
Corruption and Violence
Les describes the pre-Flood earth as filled with violence and corrupt to the core, leading to God's decision to destroy it.
Destruction of the Earth
Les emphasizes that God destroyed not just people but the planet itself, turning it inside out due to the corruption and violence.
Advanced Society
Les compares the pre-Flood civilization's busyness and violence to a modern city, indicating a technologically advanced but morally corrupt society.
Morality Decline
Les notes that by 2400 B.C., the human race had declined morally and entered a period of violence, leading to the Flood.
No Organized Worship
Les points out that before the Flood there was no idolatry, religion, or organized worship, because man had completely turned away from God.
Busyness and Unawareness
Les notes that pre-Flood people were so busy and intense in activity that they had no time to think about God's coming judgment.
Technological Equality
Les claims that pre-Flood technology and lifestyle equaled or surpassed ours, citing evidence from a book titled 'We're Not the First.'
Genesis 6:5: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
This verse establishes the extent of human wickedness before the Flood.
Genesis 6:8: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Shows Noah as the exception to the corruption, finding grace with God.
Genesis 6:9: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Describes Noah's righteousness and spiritual maturity contrasted with his generation.
Genesis 6:11: The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Directly states the corruption and violence that characterized the earth.
Genesis 6:12: And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Emphasizes the universality of corruption among all people.
Genesis 6:13: And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
God declares the earth's destruction due to violence, showing the severity of the situation.
Les Feldick teaches that pre-Flood technology and lifestyle were equal to or surpassed our modern times, citing evidence from a book titled 'We're Not the First.' However, this advancement was accompanied by moral corruption and violence.
Les Feldick explains that 'perfect' does not mean sinless but rather spiritual maturity. Noah was a mature believer who walked with God, unlike his contemporaries who had rejected God.
According to Les Feldick, there was no idolatry, religion, or temple worship before the Flood. Man had completely turned away from God, leaving a spiritual void that contributed to corruption and violence.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Destroyed the Earth with a Flood (Genesis 6 Explained)