Did a great flood occur? Archaeologists say, “Yes, it did.” Was this flood global, encompassing the whole earth, or was it local, regional or even isolated to the area of Mesopotamia? Here, though, lies disagreement.
The Bible is a proven historically reliable document. In addition, its divine origin is evident from its hundreds of prophesies that were fulfilled hundreds of years later. (Some prophecies remain to be fulfilled, but acknowledging those that have already been fulfilled, we can certainly anticipate fulfillment of prophecies in the future, such as the general resurrection from the dead and final judgment.) The Genesis Flood, as it is commonly called, has been recorded by over 100 cultures from around the world. They all record a cataclysmic event known to many as The Great Flood. In all these records, the core truth is present: (1) a universal destruction by water of human-kind and all living creatures occurred, (2) an ark (boat) was provided as a means of escape for some, (3) a seed of mankind was provided to perpetuate the human race (The Current Digression II 117).
To better understand the fact of a global flood, we must first see the need for one. As man began to multiply and fill the earth, it is noted that the sons of God began to marry the daughters of man (Genesis 6:2ff). Some try to contend that this meant angels married those of earth. Instead, it refers to the mingling of righteous and unrighteous people, through which they and their descendants became unrighteous. A distinction was being made in the character of people. Godly people were marrying ungodly people and sin began to run rampant on the earth.
From the biblical record, some calculate that the average age of the earth at the time of the flood was around 800 to 900 years old. It is highly likely and most probable that within this amount of time the entire world, not just Mesopotamia, was engulfed in sin. It was God’s purpose by the flood to bring about a cleansing of the earth from sin and corruption. Thus, it was necessary for a flood that would fully encompass the earth—with a global flood. Without a global flood, all sin or impurity could not have been purified.
Fossilization of formerly living creatures evidences a great movement of water where the extreme pressures attributed to the formation of fossils in varying stages. This evidence coupled with the fact that fossilization has been discovered throughout the earth, even of marine animals in the top of mountains, reflects that this event occurred globally.
Jesus referred to the flood in Luke 17:26-30. He compared the doom that befell those of the days of Noah with that of the destruction of Sodom, and also likened it to the fall of man in His day. Jesus spoke of their spiritual destruction but also referred to the day when all will be made new in eternity.
In conclusion, consider a note about the rainbow. God gave mankind a reminder in the sky for those who will heed His will. The rainbow is God’s covenant with mankind. It is a picture of His wrath (the global flood because of sin) and His mercy (‘I shall never again destroy the earth by water’). He did, however, promise that this earth would not last forever (2 Peter 3:9–12). A coming destruction by fire awaits the next generation that chooses not to obey God (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10).
