By Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:21-22).

The ancient world had enough knowledge to have avoided destruction, but they chose to walk without God.

I. They had the promise of a redeemer (Gen.

3:15, 49:18). II. The establishment of a sacrifice as a means of approaching God was critical to men understanding the plan of salvation (Gen. 3:21, 4:3-4). III. The mark placed upon Cain as a reminder of the punishment of sin had to be viewed by many (Gen. 4:15) IV. The establishment of the Sabbath as a time of worship lets us know that God provided some understanding of His will (Gen. 4:3).

V. The longevity of the patriarchs, especially Adam and Methuselah, reflects God’s patience, and allowed for His Word to be preached (Gen. 5:5,27). VI. God sent Enoch to preach His Word, and he did so with a powerful anointing (Jude 14,15). VII. The supernatural and mystical translation of Enoch must have aroused quite a stir among people (Gen.

5:24).

VIII. The preaching of Noah and the building of the ark condemned the world (II Peter 2:25). IX. The ministry of the Holy Spirit striving with men must have been powerful, and apparently lasted for a long time. Noah was building the ark for at least 100 years it seems, and the testimony of Adam as well as Enoch had to be profound. Yet somehow men continued to follow the path of destruction until there was no remedy. (Gen 6:3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Gen 6:7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.