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.
Luke 17, 27.
Because people were doing nothing but evil all the time some 4,500 years ago, God said, “I will destroy man, whom I have created from the face of the earth” (Genesis 6, 7). In fact, He waited 120 years, before the floods of water destroyed all life on earth. During that period of time He gave Noah the task of building the ark for safety from the flood. When that enormous ship was finished eight persons boarded it, in order to be saved. All the others stayed outside and perished in the flood of water.
What caused those few to enter the ark? Was it already raining in torrents? Did they see the masses of roaring water approaching? Not at all! There were, as yet, no outward signs of the imminent catastrophe. But God had announced it. That was the deciding factor for them. Those eight people took Him at His word. They believed what He had said and were saved.
Why didn’t the others avail themselves of this means of rescue? Because they disregarded God’s warning of the coming flood. They refused to believe Him. They considered His pronouncement of judgment to be empty talk and continued their sinful life, until the flood came and they drowned in it.
Today we are in a similar situation. Divine judgment is at the door. Jesus Christ still offers redemption in Himself. Whoever trusts Him will be saved; but whoever refuses to believe will be lost.