The phrase "The Days of Noah and Lot" refers to two distinct periods in biblical history characterized by widespread moral decay and divine judgment. These periods are often cited in Christian eschatology as illustrative of the conditions that will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The accounts of Noah and Lot are found in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Genesis, and are referenced by Jesus in the New Testament as a warning to future generations.

The Days of Noah

The account of Noah is primarily found in Genesis 6-9. During Noah's time, humanity had become exceedingly wicked, prompting God to express regret over creating mankind. Genesis 6:5 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." In response, God decided to cleanse the earth with a great flood, sparing only Noah, "a righteous man, blameless in his generation" (Genesis 6:9), and his family, along with pairs of every living creature.

Noah was instructed to build an ark to preserve life. The floodwaters came as foretold, covering the earth and destroying all living things outside the ark. After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again (Genesis 9:11-17).

The Days of Lot

The narrative of Lot is found in Genesis 18-19. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, lived in the city of Sodom, which, along with Gomorrah, was notorious for its grave sinfulness. Genesis 18:20-21 records, "Then the LORD said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Their sin is so grievous.'" God decided to destroy these cities but agreed to spare them if ten righteous people could be found. Ultimately, only Lot and his family were deemed worthy of rescue.

Two angels visited Lot and warned him to flee the city with his family. As they escaped, God rained down sulfur and fire, obliterating Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife, looking back at the destruction, was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).

New Testament References

Jesus Christ references the days of Noah and Lot in the Gospels, drawing parallels between those times and the conditions that will precede His return. In Luke 17:26-30 , Jesus states, "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: People were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed."

These references serve as a warning to remain vigilant and righteous, emphasizing the suddenness and severity of divine judgment. The moral conditions of Noah's and Lot's times are seen as a foreshadowing of the end times, urging believers to live in readiness for Christ's return.