It Will Be Like in the Days of Noah
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
The Weight of Jesus’ Warning
(Verse 36) Jesus delivers one of the most sobering warnings in all of Scripture.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. “ (Matthew 24:36)
Notice, Jesus indicates that not even He knows when the rapture will occur. In His ministry, Jesus often used the culture and rituals of the Galileans to teach on the coming kingdom of God. This was so the Galileans, who He ministered to the most would understand His teaching. This is explained further in the “Wine, the Wedding, and the Rapture.”
The phrase “no one knows the day or the hour” serves as both a caution and a call to readiness. While many events of prophecy unfold with clear timing, the gathering of Christ’s Church — the rapture — remains veiled in mystery. This is why it is an imminent event. There is no event required to trigger its occurrence.
Yet, when it occurs, it will begin the seven-year countdown toward the visible Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.
This passage is not meant to confuse but to awaken us. With prophetic signs converging all around us, the urgency is greater than ever. Just as the people of Noah’s day ignored the warnings until it was too late, so too will many in our generation. Jesus calls His followers to be awake, alert, and ready.
The Meaning of “No One Knows the Day or the Hour”
This phrase highlights the unpredictability of the rapture — Christ’s sudden gathering of His Church. Unlike the Second Coming, which can be calculated from the
(1260 days after the abomination of desolation), the rapture has no date markers. Its suddenness is by God’s design, keeping believers in a constant state of readiness.
The “unknown hour” is not an excuse for speculation but a warning against complacency. Jesus is telling us that the end will not be announced in advance; it will come like a thief in the night, catching the unprepared off guard.
“Like in the Days of Noah”
(Verses 37-39) Look around you. What do you see? Just as the days of Noah, so is it the same today. People are living their lives going about their business. Amidst the warnings blaring from multiple angles, how many are listening?
Jesus points back to Noah’s time as an illustration.
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” ( Matthew 24:37)
The people of Noah’s day were not guilty of wickedness alone — their greatest sin was indifference. They lived life as usual, ignoring the coming judgment. They laughed at Noah, mocked his warnings, and went about their routines until the floodwaters swept them away.
“For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:38-39)
The Old Testament is filled with forewarnings and foreshadowings of the earths’ final judgment and the Second Coming of Christ. The story of Noah is a forewarning of the God’s final wrath in the seven year Tribulation.
Meaning for us today: Many are repeating the same pattern. They dismiss prophecy, ridicule those who sound the alarm, and continue in spiritual apathy. Yet Jesus said His coming for His Church will be just as sudden. The world will be unprepared, but God’s people must remain vigilant.
Historical Examples of Failed Predictions
Throughout history, countless individuals have tried to set a date for Christ’s return, despite Jesus’ clear teaching that no one knows the day or the hour. Every single prediction has ended in disappointment.
- William Miller (1844): Predicted Christ’s return, leading to what became known as the “Great Disappointment.”
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Predicted multiple failed dates, including 1914, 1925, and 1975.
- Harold Camping: Set dates for 1994 and again for 2011, both of which failed publicly.
- Modern Internet Predictions: Many various false prophets make viral prophecies and set dates, yet all have proven false.
Each failed untruthful attempt only proves Jesus’ words true — the timing cannot be known.
God has intentionally hidden the day and hour so that His people would focus not on predicting but on preparing. If we knew the day or the hour, we would live our lives according to our own will (spiritual desolation) up to the time just before it was too late. Then we would change. This is not having a heart for Christ.
The Sudden Separation: One Will Be Taken and the Other Left Behind
(Verses 40-41) Jesus continues His teaching by emphasizing the suddenness and personal impact of His return at the rapture. It’s important to keep in mind that Jesus’ return at the rapture will not find Him physically returning to earth. But we’ll meet Him in the air as He gathers His church.
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. (Matthew 24:40-41)
This imagery shows how the rapture will divide households, workplaces, and communities in an instant. Believers will be caught up to meet Christ, while the unbelieving will remain behind to face the Tribulation.
Jesus concludes with a clear exhortation.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come… the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Matthew 24:43).
This is a call not to curiosity about dates, but to constant watchfulness. Just as a homeowner would remain alert if he knew when a thief was coming, so must believers remain spiritually awake, prepared, and expectant.
What Is the Rapture In the Bible?
The Urgency of Converging Signs
While the timing of the rapture remains unknown, the signs of the season are all around us. Israel has seen its rebirth (the fig tree prophecy). The nation restored in 1948 fulfills prophecy and signals the season of the end.
- Rise of globalism: A world increasingly connected and controlled, setting the stage for the Antichrist.
- Spiritual apostasy: Churches abandoning sound doctrine in favor of worldly teachings.
- Wars, lawlessness, and disasters: Exactly as Jesus described in Matthew 24.
These converging signs confirm that the world stands on the edge of eternity and the threshold of the Tribulation. When the rapture happens, the world will instantly be plunged into chaos, and the “seven-year clock” will begin.
Like Noah’s ark door shutting, a time is coming when the opportunity to escape God’s wrath will be gone. Now is the time to repent of your sins, ask Christ to come into your life and believe.
Living in Light of Christ’s Imminent Return
As believers, we must be Watchful. Do not fall asleep spiritually. Christ’s return is imminent. Be faithful and endure until He returns to gather His Church. Live with eternity in view — obeying God’s Word and storing treasures in heaven.
We must be bold in sharing the truth of things to come. Share the gospel urgently. Just as Noah warned his generation, so must we. Be ready at all times. Do not let sin, distractions, or complacency leave you unprepared.
A Call to Readiness
Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 are crystal clear. “No one knows the day or the hour.” History has proven Him right, as every prediction has failed. The world today mirrors the days of Noah — indifferent, deceptive, mocking, unprepared. Yet, as believers, we must not be caught off guard.
When Christ gathers His Church, the seven-year countdown will begin, culminating in His glorious return at the Second Coming. The urgency is now. The signs are converging. The ark door is about to close.
Be ready today. For in the words of Jesus Himself: “At an hour when you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
“One will be taken and the other left behind.” Which one will you be?
Prayer For Faithfulness
Lord Jesus, You have warned us that no one knows the day or the hour of Your return. As in the days of Noah, many live unaware, but I choose to be watchful and ready. Guard my heart from complacency and fill me with urgency to live faithfully in Your truth. Let me shine Your light, share Your gospel boldly, and be found among those who are taken with joy at Your coming. Keep me steadfast, awake, and longing for the day I meet You face to face. Amen.
Intercessory Prayer
Father in Heaven, You alone know the day and the hour when Jesus will return. My heart is burdened for those who are not ready — those who live as in the days of Noah, unaware of the coming judgment. Lord, open their eyes before it is too late. Break through their unbelief, soften their hearts, and draw them to salvation in Christ. Use me as a witness of Your truth and mercy, that many would be taken with joy when You come and not left behind in sorrow. Let this urgency stir revival in Your people and bring the lost into the ark of safety, which is Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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