When Evil Multiplies: Finding Hope in Dark Times

When Evil Multiplies: Finding Hope in Dark Times
The early chapters of Genesis paint a sobering picture of humanity's descent into wickedness. By the time we reach Genesis 6, the earth had become so corrupted that God grieved over His own creation. Yet even in the darkest moment of human history, a single thread of hope remained—one righteous man who walked with God.
The Population Explosion
When we read that "man began to multiply on the face of the land," we might not grasp the full scope of what was happening. Consider this: if people lived 700 to 900 years and remained fertile throughout much of that lifespan, the population could have exploded to a billion people before the flood.
To put this in perspective, think about compound interest. If you were offered either a million dollars today or a penny that doubled in value every day for 30 days, which would you choose? The financially savvy would take the penny. Why? Because after 30 days, that penny would be worth over $5.3 million. One more day would double it to over $10.7 million.
Population growth works the same way. After the flood, it took until 1804 AD to reach one billion people again. But once that threshold was crossed, the acceleration was dramatic: two billion by 1927, three billion by 1959, and now we're over eight billion. The compounding effect is undeniable.
As It Was in the Days of Noah
Jesus made a striking statement in Matthew's gospel: "For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." This wasn't merely a historical reference—it was a prophetic warning about the conditions that would precede His return.
What characterized Noah's time? A massive population increase, sexual obsession and perversion, rampant wickedness, escalating violence, and contempt for God's word. Sound familiar?
Turn on any streaming service and browse the top ten recommended shows. You'll encounter nearly every element that defined Noah's corrupt generation: sexual content outside of marriage, perversion normalized, wickedness celebrated, and violence saturated throughout. Even children's programming isn't immune.
Studies show that the number of violent acts people witness through media has skyrocketed compared to just a few decades ago. We're being desensitized to things that should shock our conscience.
The Mystery of the Sons of God
Genesis 6 presents one of the most debated passages in Scripture: "The sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive, and they took as their wives any they chose." Who were these "sons of God"?
Throughout church history, two primary interpretations have emerged. The angelic view suggests that fallen angels rebelled and physically mingled with humans, producing hybrid offspring called the Nephilim. Ancient Jewish texts like the Book of Enoch support this interpretation, and many early church fathers held this view.
However, another interpretation—the Sethite view—sees the "sons of God" as the righteous descendants of Seth who intermarried with the unrighteous lineage of Cain. This blending of godly and ungodly families resulted in widespread moral corruption.
The Sethite view gains support from Scripture's broader use of "sons of God" to describe believers. Moses wrote in Deuteronomy, "You are the sons of the Lord your God." Jesus declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Paul wrote, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Additionally, Scripture consistently teaches that things reproduce after their own kind. Angels are described as "ministering spirits," not physical beings with reproductive capabilities. Throughout the Bible, demons are never seen creating flesh for themselves, which is precisely why they seek to possess human bodies.
The Essence of Corruption
Regardless of which interpretation we hold, the central issue remains clear: humanity had become utterly corrupt. Genesis 6:5 delivers a devastating assessment: "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
This echoes the progression we've witnessed since Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they introduced corruption into God's perfect creation. By the time of Noah, that corruption had saturated every aspect of human existence. People's thoughts were "only evil continually."
The same God who looked at His creation and declared it "good" now looked at humanity and was grieved to His heart. Genesis 6:6 records one of the most sobering statements in all of Scripture: "The Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart."
This grief isn't confined to the Old Testament. Paul warns believers, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Our words, attitudes, and actions can grieve God today just as humanity's wickedness grieved Him in Noah's time
But Noah
After the devastating declaration that God would destroy all life from the earth, we encounter one of the most beautiful conjunctions in Scripture: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."
In a generation where every thought was evil continually, one man stood apart. Noah was "a righteous man, blameless in his generation." And like Enoch before him, Noah "walked with God."
Out of potentially a billion people, only eight were saved—Noah's family. One righteous man made the difference between complete annihilation and the preservation of humanity.
The phrase "but God" or "but Noah" appears throughout Scripture at pivotal moments. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us..." (Ephesians 2:4). "But God will ransom my soul from the power of the grave" (Psalm 49:15).
These divine interruptions remind us that no matter how dark the circumstances, God's grace breaks through.
Walking with God in Our Generation
Noah's example speaks powerfully to our current moment. We live in a generation that mirrors Noah's in disturbing ways. The population has exploded. Wickedness is celebrated. Violence saturates our media. Sexual perversion is normalized. And increasingly, there's open contempt for God's word.
Yet like Noah, we're called to be righteous and blameless in our generation. Not through our own effort, but through Christ. Noah found favor—grace—in God's sight. We have found grace in God's sight because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
The call is simple but profound: walk with God. In a world rushing toward judgment, maintain your relationship with the One who saves. Let your life be a testimony that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding culture.
Noah preached righteousness as he built the ark. Every trip for materials, every swing of the hammer, every board placed was a sermon to his generation. They mocked, but he persevered.
We, too, are called to live lives that preach—not with contempt for the lost, but with steadfast faithfulness to the One who called us. In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.
The days of Noah have returned. The question is: will we be found walking with God when the Son of Man appears?