“In the days that were before the flood,” says our Saviour, “they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Matt. 24:38, 39. Why did they not know? Noah spent a hundred and twenty years in building the ark and telling the people that the flood was coming. Christ was preaching to them through Noah. 1 Peter 3:18-21. Then why did they not know in time to be saved?—Because they did not believe. When the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, they were to be taken into the “promised land.” They were delivered by “a mighty hand and an outstretched arm;” were led through the wilderness, overcoming all obstacles by the same power, up to the very border of their destination. But they “could not enter in.” Why?—“Because of unbelief.” “The Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 3:19; 4:2. Now these things “were written for our learning,” Rom. 15:4. The lesson of the flood is in the warning that “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Christ’s second advent is foretold many times in the Scriptures, and signs are given by which it may be known that it “is near, even at the door.” Yet those who do not believe are in darkness, and will not know of His coming until it is too late. To such His advent will be as a thief in the night. “But ye, brethren [true believers], are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5:4. The lesson to us from the failure of Israel at Kadesh-Barnea is, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1. We are plainly told that “there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Verse 9. And to this is added the warning to those who profess to be such a people: “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Verse 11. Those who believe not are the victims of the “god of this world,” who hath blinded their minds, “lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Cor. 4:4.