OUR LONGSUFFERING GOD

There were ten generations between Adam and Noah.

These patriarchs lived incredibly long lives compared to today. The average lifespan before the flood was 857 years. Those who refuse to believe the Bible scoff at the ages attributed to these men, that it is nothing more than a myth. 

But the world was much different before the flood. Creation had been protected from the dramatic environmental changes that occurred when God's judgment fell upon the earth. Altered climates, atmospheric anomalies, geologic shifts, and a significant increase in the sun's harmful radiation led to man's drastically shortened lifespan. 

Methuselah was in that pre-flood group of men. His name held a significant meaning, 'When he dies, it shall come to pass.' The day that Methuselah took his last breath, the water began to flood the earth ... ultimately destroying everyone and everything outside of the ark.

He was the grandfather of Noah through Lamech. All the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died. Genesis 5:31 

(Methuselah outlived his son by five years)

So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years ... Genesis 5:27 

It is interesting that he was the oldest man who ever lived. Every additional day that he walked the earth afforded mankind one more opportunity to get right with God. It shows that the Lord was longsuffering, not willing that any should perish.

Today, prophesy is unfolding before our eyes. It seems that God is still in the business of forewarning mankind of impending judgment. He continues to offer the gift of salvation before that fateful day arrives ... but time is short.