In the days of Noah God sent the flood and those who believed in the prophecy and took shelter in the ark were saved, but those who did not believe were destroyed. In Matthew 24:36-44 Christ remembers us about the extravagant life of the people from Noah's time. Everyone lived as if they were the masters of their own lives, but when the flood came they all perished. Christ alerts us to a coming greater than that of the flood. It is clear that the flood was just a shadow that points to the day when Jesus will return. St. Chrysostom comments that in this text Christ makes a point of showing us that He is the Lord by revealing to us that no one knows the day and hour of His coming. He does this so that we understand that He is the one who decides the beginning and end of all things, including our lives, and that we are not masters of our own lives. He also does it so that we look forward to the day when He will come to free us from the prison of the corruption of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 11:9 helps us apply the gospel text when it says "Do whatever you feel like doing and knowing. Try everything, but remember one thing: You will be accountable to God for everything you've done. ."
What a beautiful day it will be when Christ will seek his church, which is sinful but also justified through faith in Christ. But what a terrible day it will be for those who, like the people in Noah's time, did not believe and lived licentiously as if they were their own masters.
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