OUR WATCHFULNESS TAKES ON GREATER URGENCY

Earth Becomes "Filled With Violence"

Pointing to yet another characteristic of Noah's day, the Bible states:  "The earth came to be ruined in the sight of the true God and the earth became filled with violence."  (Genesis 6:11)  Violence was not actually new.  Adam's son Cain murdered his righteous brother.  (Genesis 4:8)  Reflecting the violent spirit of his day, Lamech composed a poem boasting about how he had killed a young man, allegedly in self-defense.  (Genesis 4:23, 24)  What was new in Noah's day was the degree of violence.  As disobedient angelic sons of God married women on earth and produced progeny-the Nephilim-violence increased to a level previously unknown.  These violent giants were "the fellers"-"those who cause others to fall down."  (Genesis 6:4) As a result, the earth was "full of violence."  (Genesis 6:13)  Imagine the problems Noah must have faced bringing up his family in such an environment!  Yet, Noah proved to be 'righteous before Jehovah among that generation.' -Genesis 7:1.

Violence has been with mankind throughout the ages.  But as was true in the days of Noah, our time has also witnesses  it on an unprecedented  scale.  We regularly hear about domestic violence, acts of terrorism, campaigns of genocide, and mass killings by gunmen with little apparent motive. Add to all of this the bloodshed cause by wars.  The earth has again become filled with violence. Why? The answer reveals another similarity to Noah's day.

When God's Messianic Kingdom was established in heaven in 1914, the enthroned Kind,Jesus Christ, took epoch-making action.  Satan the Devil and his demons  were ousted from heaven to the vicinity of the earth.  (Revelation 12:9-12)  Before the Flood, disobedient angels forsook their heavenly position voluntarily;  in modern times, however, they were forcibly evicted.  Furthermore, they now lack the ability in order to enjoy illicit fleshly pleasures.  So in frustration, anger, and fear of impending judgment, they influence man and organizations to perform inhuman acts of crime and violence of even greater magnitude than those of Noah's day.  Jehovah obliterated the pre-Flood world after disobedient angels and their offspring had filled it with badness.  make no  mistake about it, he will not do any less in our day!  (Psalm 37:10) However, those staying watchful today know that their deliverance is near.

Next time: The Message Is Preached

The Watchtower, 2003