The World Before the Flood

 

The World Before the Flood

**Genesis 6:1-8**  

Please take the time to read the passage. The Word of God is more important than what anyone else says!

I don’t think we would recognize the world that existed before the Flood. For one thing, conditions had to be different for people to live so long.  

Let’s read the first two verses of our text today:  

Genesis 6:1-2 (NKJV)  

1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,  

2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.  

As the first step of our journey today, let’s take a look at what it means when it says, *“When men began to multiply on the face of the earth.”*  

We will start with Genesis 4:1-2, where it speaks of Adam and Eve’s first children:  

Genesis 4:1-2 (NKJV)  

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.”  

2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  

Eve was very excited at the birth of Cain. The name *Cain* means *to acquire,* or it could mean *spear.* Even more to the point, Eve actually said, “I have acquired a man, the Lord.” The Lord had promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head:  

Genesis 3:15 (NKJV)

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

So, Eve thought her first child was the promised offspring who would be both God and man—the God-man. However, she soon discovered that this was not the case. Her second son was named Abel, which means *emptiness* or *vanity.*  

After these first two children, Scripture shows us how humanity multiplied on the earth. Adam and Eve and their descendants had many children. Genesis 5 provides an account of the early generations. Look with me at Genesis 5:4-7:  

Genesis 5:4-7 (NKJV)

4 After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters.  

5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.  

6 Seth lived one hundred and five years and begot Enosh.  

7 After he begot Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had sons and daughters.  

Notice that, besides having more children, they lived extraordinarily long lives, allowing the earth’s population to grow rapidly. How many children could a human couple have in 700 years? Even if they had two every hundred years, that could easily result in 14 children!  

There are reasons why people may have lived so long before the Flood. The earth was different then. In Genesis 1, it says:  

Genesis 1:6-7 (NKJV)

6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”  

7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.  

Why does the Bible mention waters *above* and *below* the firmament? Is this some sort of mythology? When Scripture describes these waters, could it be referring to a canopy of water that enveloped the earth before the Flood? A canopy that later collapsed, causing the great deluge?  

If such a canopy existed, it would have had significant effects. A greenhouse effect could have made temperatures stable worldwide, likely tropical. With the entire planet covered in lush vegetation, the air would have contained more oxygen. Higher air pressure would have made oxygen more readily available, increasing stamina and improving healing. This canopy might have also shielded the earth from harmful solar radiation—gamma rays, X-rays, and other forces that damage the human body.  

Could this explain why people before the Flood lived for 900 years or more? After all, the human body repairs itself. Without harmful radiation damaging DNA, would our lifespan have increased dramatically?  

Other passages in Scripture suggest that such conditions existed. Consider Genesis 2:5-6:  

Genesis 2:5-6 (NKJV)  

5 Before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;  

6 But a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.  

The fact that there was no rain yet sufficient moisture suggests that conditions were vastly different. Using our imaginations, we might envision an earth with high humidity. Would the cooling at night cause heavy dew to form, providing enough water? And wouldn’t these conditions also reduce evaporation, preventing dryness?  

Some might say, “Well, imagination is fine, but that’s how fairy tales are written!” True, fairy tales and scientific hypotheses are both born from imagination. However, many people don’t realize there is ample evidence for creation. Believing that God created everything is not the same as believing the world is flat.  

We do not know exactly what happened before the Flood. God and those who lived then know. We are simply examining what God has told us. Everything else is speculation. What we do know is that before the Flood, the world was a vastly different place, and people lived extraordinarily long lives.  

Now, let’s consider another statement from Genesis 6.

Genesis 6:3 (NKJV)  

And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”  

Here, God makes a decision regarding the lifespan of humans. There are two key points to examine:  

1. What does He mean by *strive?*  

2. What does He mean by *forever?*  

Let’s start with the second question. What does God mean by *forever* in this context? The Hebrew word used here is *olam.* According to Strong’s Lexicon:  

"TheHebrew word 'olam' primarily conveys the concept of eternity or an indefinite, unending duration."  

Let’s apply the definition of “an indefinite, unending duration.” Have you ever heard someone say, “This is taking forever!”? This is similar to the expression in Genesis 6. God is saying, “I have had enough! If a person cannot make peace with Me in 120 years, they never will.”

This brings us to the idea of God’s Spirit *striving* with humanity. How does God’s Spirit strive with people? After all, He is the Almighty. What strength do we have to resist Him?  

God created us in His image, and part of that image is the ability to choose. He does not violate the free will He has given us. However, He pleads with us. Consider this passage from 2 Samuel 14:  

2 Samuel 14:14 (NLT)  

All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, He devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from Him.

God makes a way for us through Jesus Christ. In Ezekiel 33:11, He declares:  

Ezekiel 33:11 (NKJV)

*‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?’*  

Jesus promised to return, and we know this will happen soon. But why does God wait? 2 Peter 3:9 explains:  

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)  

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.  

God will not *strive* with us forever. He pleads with us, offering reconciliation through Christ. But if we continue to reject Him, our time eventually runs out. None of us will have more than 120 years to decide—but why wait? God seeks to bless us. Why not be reconciled to Him today?  

The Fifth Seal, The White Robes Revelation 6:11

Revelation6:11 (NKJV) Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both [the number of] their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they [were,] was completed.

The people given white robes are the Martyrs of the Great Tribulation. 

Revelation 6:9-10 (NKJV) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

These people counted gaining Christ as more valuable than their physical lives. God puts them in a privileged position before His throne and listens to their prayers. And they are crying out with a loud voice, one voice from many. They cry out, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood.”

Therefore, why the white robe? Why not immediate action?

The reason for the delay is “…until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” 

In Romans 11, the Scriptures explain why not all the Jews believe in Jesus. 

Romans 11:25 (NKJV) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

In 2 Peter, the Scriptures tell us why the end waits.

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as somecount slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God saves all who would be saved. Romans 10:13 clarifies that all who call on the Lord will be saved. Jesus died so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The “how long” of the martyrs is expressed as God gives all who would be saved time to be saved.

In Revelation 6:11, there is the following phrase, “… until both [the number of] their fellow servants and their brethren.” Why “both?” Are not their fellow servants their brethren? It is probably better to translate this verse along the lines of the KJV and the NLT.

Revelation 6:11 (KJV) And white robes were given unto every one of them; andit was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.

Revelation 6:11 (NLT) Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters--their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred--had joined them.

Let’s return to the question, “Why the white robe?”

In Luke, Jesus said,

Luke 20:46 (NKJV) “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in longrobes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,

From this, we gather that long robes are a sign of honor. In Esther, when the king wanted to honor Mordecai, he put on him the royal robes. Clothing is significant. The garments of the Jewish priesthood were carefully defined and made to exact specifications because of their symbolic significance. When Jesus was transfigured before James, Peter, and John, the Scriptures say:

Luke 9:29 (NKJV) As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, andHis robe [became] white [and] glistening.

In this translation, “glistening” is a weak rendering of a word that means to flash out like lightning. Jesus's garments would have been blindingly bright. White shows purity and cleanliness. We all are washed white in the blood of Christ as our sins are washed away. We are made clean. Shining shows glory. Jesus’s face shown when He was transfigured. Moses’s face shown when he spent time in the presence of God. In Hebrews 1, Jesus is said to be the “shining forth” of God’s glory. In Corinthians, Paul speaks of the “crown of righteousness” that awaits those who faithfully serve God in this life. The white robes given to the martyrs of the Tribulation show the unique honor and glory they receive for their faithfulness.

We cannot earn our salvation, but we can store up treasures in heaven. We can be saved as if by fire, having nothing but our lives. Or, we can enter into heaven, where our treasures are stored.

How many of us waste our lives pursuing the things of this world? We know Jesus. We go to church and worship God, but our priorities end there. We pursue our careers, our wealth, and our desires as if these are the things that matter. Our faith is so weak that we do not see the kingdom of God surrounding us. We are blind to the work of God in the world.

Do not focus on what is in the news and what is happening in the world. Focus on what God is doing in the world. Invest in His work and His kingdom. 

The Church age is at an end. We are in the last days. No one knows when Jesus will return, but we know we are in the “end times.” Jesus gave us enough information that He said we should know the “season.” Plan for the future and act as if you will live to see retirement, and live as if Jesus will return at any moment.

The white robes given to the martyrs should remind us that glory and blessing await those who seek God's kingdom first.

The Fifth Seal, Martyrs, Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9 (NKJV) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

Revelation 5 began with God seated on the throne with a scroll in His right hand. Revelation 5:1 tells us that the scroll was written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 5:1 (NKJV) And I saw in the right [hand] of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

From the evidence in the passage, we concluded that this scroll is the title deed to the Earth. The Lamb, as our kinsman Redeemer, is the only One qualified to assume our debt and restore our inheritance. As the Lamb opens each seal, the stored-up wrath of God pours out on the world. As we watch the four horsemen, we see that the judgments that they bring are the consequences of humanity's actions. 

When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, no action is taken. God does not pour out wrath and judgment; instead, John sees “the souls who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” We are going to explore why this is the wrath of God. God judges the earth when His children are persecuted.

To understand these events, we must understand all the elements revealed. 

First, John sees “under the altar.” These souls are not on the altar. They are “under” the altar.

We must understand what this altar is. Revelation speaks of this altar several times.

Revelation 8:3 (NKJV) Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Revelation 8:5 (NKJV) Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw [it] to the earth. And there werenoises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Revelation 9:13 (NKJV) Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is beforeGod,

These verses show us that this is the altar of incense. 

Exodus 40:5 (NKJV) “You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screenfor the door of the tabernacle.

Notice the details. The altar is golden (Exodus 40:5 - Revelation 8:3). Incense is involved (Exodus 40:5 - Revelation 8:3). In Revelation, the golden altar is described as being “before the throne.” In Exodus, the golden altar of incense was in the Holy of Holies with the Ark of the Testimony. This holiest place represented the throne room of God and the “Mercy Seat,” which is another way of saying God’s seat of judgment. (God is merciful and offers forgiveness and restoration to all who call upon His name. He has done everything necessary for every person to inherit eternal life, but many reject His mercy.) 

Why would incense be used in worshiping God, and why would God put incense in His throne room before anything else? Revelation 5:8 can help us here.

Revelation 5:8 (NKJV) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Incense is the prayers of the saints. Psalm 141:2 and Luke 1:10 speak of incense in connection with prayer. The prayers of His people are a very high priority for God. He keeps them ever before Him and “in His face.” He is exceedingly intentional in this. He stresses to us that our prayers are incredibly significant to Him. Jesus said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do [it.]” (John 14:14 NKJV) 

The devil attacks prayer. He convinces us that it does not make a difference and is not the best use of our time. We are too busy to pray. This is a huge, huge, huge mistake. If prayer is one of God’s highest priorities, how significant is it for us? Prayer is the most world-shaping, changing, powerful tool available to us as God’s children. For this reason, it is crucial for the devil that he keep us from praying. For this reason, Satan has caused much confusion about prayer, ritualizing, and formalizing it.

The altar for sacrifice is unnecessary in God’s throne room because the Lamb is present there. But the prayers of the saints are always before God. The souls’ position under this altar gives them a place of extreme attention and focus for God. They have His full attention.

Who are these souls that have God’s full attention? When the rapture occurred before all these events started (Revelation 4:1), all the dead in Christ and all those who were alive and remained were caught up with Christ to meet Him in the air and were thus in His presence. However, the Bible speaks of many of Christ’s followers being killed by persecution during the seven years of tribulation. Revelation 7 speaks of 144,000 witnesses from the nation of Israel, and Revelation 11 speaks of two witnesses. The entire purpose of the Tribulation is to bring people to repentance so that they might live and not die. Many millions will repent and call upon the name of the Lord during this time, and they will pay for that decision with their lives. These brave people will value God above their physical lives. The tribulation will be a time of persecution against the children of God as there has never been before. Revelation 7:9 describes these martyrs as “a crowd that no one could number.”

As these souls are gathered in the presence of God, what are they praying in Revelation 6:10?

Revelation 6:10 (NKJV) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

They call upon the Lord, holy and true, to avenge their blood. 

Up to this point in the tribulation, God has been relatively passive, allowing what will happen to happen, but - no longer! 

However, once again, we see God’s mercy. He is waiting for more to repent and be saved. Verse 11 says,

Revelation 6:11 (NKJV) Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both [the number of] their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they [were,] was completed.

Because of the prayers of the saints, from this point on, God will act directly in judgment. The only reason the persecution and killing are not stopped immediately is God is patient and not willing that anyone should perish. He does not want anyone to go to hell. But unless one calls on the name of the Lord and accepts His mercy, hell is exactly where they are going. Physical death is preferable to going to hell, and many will make this choice, but whoa to the persecutors because the saints are before the throne of God, praying.

The Rider on the Black Horse, the Third Horseman Revelation 6:5-6

Revelation 6:5-6 (NKJV) When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

When God established the nation of Israel, He told them of the curses that would fall on them if they ignored His laws. One thing God made clear is He is the provider. He sends the rain and gives the harvest. 

No matter how clever we are, if God does not provide, we will starve. 

The rider on the red horse will bring widespread warfare. This will cause a complete economic collapse. The rider on the black horse is carrying a pair of scales. Since the scale is a “pair,” we know it is a balance, the simplest means of economic trade. 

In verse 6, the voice says, “A quart of  wheat for a denarius.” To have a clear idea of what we are talking about, let’s look at the definition of a denarius from the Blue Letter Bible.

Denarius = "containing ten" 

A Roman silver coin in NT time. It took its name from it being equal to ten "asses," a number after 217 B.C. increased to sixteen (about 3.898 grams or.1375 oz.). It was the principal silver coin of the Roman Empire. From the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, it would seem that a denarius was then the ordinary pay for a day's wages. (Mt. 20:2-13)

Of course, the “quart” was not the measure used. So, let’s look at what the measure was at the time. The entry from the lexicon in the Blue Letter Bible follows.

a choenix, a dry measure, containing four cotylae or two setarii (less than our quart, one litre) (or as much as would support a man of moderate appetite for a day)

A day’s wages for a “quart” of wheat means that if a man worked all day, he could feed himself, and if he had a family, he would not have enough to provide for all of them.  John heard the voice declaring the cost of goods in the “new” economy. 

People will starve. Necessities will be hard to get and very expensive. As the supply of food dwindles, the price will go up accordingly. War destroys infrastructure. With so much of the world’s population destroyed, economic activity as we know it will cease. Not only is this a consequence of war, but it is also a consequence of not thanking God for His constant provision.

Jesus said that if these days were not cut short, no flesh would be saved.

Matthew 24:22 (NKJV) “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

 From the time of the rider on the white horse to the return of Jesus, the Bible tells us that only seven years will transpire. Such complete and utter devastation signals the end of the world. If Jesus did not return, humanity would be extinct. 

These events are not far off but will be a reality in a few short years. This is not setting times for Jesus’s return. We can see the season. Jesus said,

Matthew 24:32-33 (NKJV) “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer [is] near. “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!

In the case before us, the fig tree represents Israel. Earlier in Matthew’s account, Jesus had cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit, and it withered and died. This is what happened to Israel. The nation did not recognize the day of its visitation and was destroyed. The Messiah came and was not recognized but rejected. This was all foretold in the prophets. But the fig tree will once again show life. Jesus is telling us that this will be the sign of His coming. The time is “even at the door.”

Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948. Since that time, we have seen the continual fulfillment of many prophecies concerning the Nation and its people. We have witnessed the events of Ezekiel 37 occurring before our eyes.

 Ezekiel 37:21 (NKJV) “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;

For close to 2,000 years, almost no one believed that Israel would ever be a nation again. And yet, God said it would, and it has. The leaves on the fig tree are showing green, and summer is near.

What are you pursuing? 

What are you living for?

That thing you are saving for - you may never see it. 

Things may go as we plan. We may die in a car crash. Or the world economy may collapse. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God. He also warned us that where our treasure is, our hearts will also be. Therefore, we should store up treasures in heaven. Saving for retirement is wise. But be wise about it. What is our highest priority? How much we need for retirement needs to be balanced with what we can invest in the kingdom of God. God is our provider. He gives us all that we have. We need to remind ourselves that all that we have is His. We are stewards and caretakers. 

Seeing that the time is so short, what kind of people ought we to be?

2 Peter 3:11 (NKJV) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,