Was the Bible Flood Story a Legend?
Accepting the testimony of Jesus Christ demands that the story of the Flood in the Bible be taken as a literal event and not as a legend. The Lord Himself affirmed the historical story of the great Flood in the following passages when He drew the following parallels:
The Discourse on the Coming of God’s Kingdom
Jesus said, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30).
For 120 years, Noah had warned the antediluvians of the coming of the Flood. They had much time to know, but chose not to believe. They made the decision to harbor unbelief. In like manner, would be the wicked when they hear the message of warning at the end of time.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
Jesus said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:32-39).
A Warning to All Generations
Jesus predicted an impending doom that was to befall the Jews of His day who would not heed the Word of God. And He discussed the Flood destruction of Genesis 6-8 and placed the Flood alongside the destruction of Sodom. He also, placed it alongside the destruction of the ungodly at His Second Coming.
From Jesus’ remarks, one can clearly see that He accepted the Genesis account of a global flood as a historical fact and not as a legend. Therefore, a Christian cannot maintain a belief in Jesus and His teachings, while denying the details of the accounts that He endorsed as factual. And we know that Jesus’ testimony is true because of His sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21), the Father’s testimony of His Sonship (Matthew 3:17), His supernatural acts (John 21:25), and His resurrection from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
