patriarchs and prophets-第22章
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had been fixed。 The recurring seasons had come in their order。 Heretofore
rain had never fallen； the earth had been
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watered by a mist or dew。 The rivers had never yet passed their boundaries；
but had borne their waters safely to the sea。 Fixed decrees had kept the
waters from overflowing their banks。 But these reasoners did not recognize
the hand of Him who had stayed the waters； saying； 〃Hitherto shalt thou
come； but no further。〃 Job 38：11。
As time passed on； with no apparent change in nature； men whose hearts had
at times trembled with fear； began to be reassured。 They reasoned； as many
reason now； that nature is above the God of nature； and that her laws are so
firmly established that God Himself could not change them。 Reasoning that if
the message of Noah were correct； nature would be turned out of her course；
they made that message； in the minds of the world； a delusiona grand
deception。 They manifested their contempt for the warning of God by doing
just as they had done before the warning was given。 They continued their
festivities and their gluttonous feasts； they ate and drank； planted and
builded； laying their plans in reference to advantages they hoped to gain in
the future； and they went to greater lengths in wickedness； and in defiant
disregard of God's requirements； to testify that they had no fear of the
Infinite One。 They asserted that if there were any truth in what Noah had
said； the men of renownthe wise； the prudent； the great menwould
understand the matter。
Had the antediluvians believed the warning； and repented of their evil
deeds； the Lord would have turned aside His wrath； as He afterward did from
Nineveh。 But by their obstinate resistance to the reproofs of conscience and
the warnings of God's prophet； that generation filled up the measure of
their iniquity； and became ripe for destruction。
The period of their probation was about to expire。 Noah had faithfully
followed the instructions which he had received from God。 The ark was
finished in every part as the Lord had directed； and was stored with food
for man and beast。 And now the servant of God made his last solemn appeal to
the people。 With an agony of desire that words cannot express； he entreated
them to seek a refuge while it might be found。 Again they rejected his
words； and raised their voices in jest and scoffing。 Suddenly a silence fell
upon the mocking throng。 Beasts of every description； the fiercest as well
as the most gentle； were seen coming from mountain and forest and quietly
making their way toward the ark。 A noise as of a rushing wind was heard； and
lo； birds were flocking from all
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directions； their numbers darkening the heavens； and in perfect order they
passed to the ark。 Animals obeyed the command of God； while men were
disobedient。 Guided by holy angels； they 〃went in two and two unto Noah into
the ark；〃 and the clean beasts by sevens。 The world looked on in wonder；
some in fear。 Philosophers were called upon to account for the singular
occurrence； but in vain。 It was a mystery which they could not fathom。 But
men had become so hardened by their persistent rejection of light that even
this scene produced but a momentary impression。 As the doomed race beheld
the sun shining in its glory； and the earth clad in almost Eden beauty； they
banished their rising fears by boisterous merriment； and by their deeds of
violence they seemed to invite upon themselves the visitation of the already
awakened wrath of God。
God commanded Noah； 〃Come thou and all thy house into the ark； for thee have
I seen righteous before Me in this generation。〃 Noah's warnings had been
rejected by the world； but his influence and example resulted in blessings
to his family。 As a reward for his faithfulness and integrity； God saved all
the members of his family with him。 What encouragement to parental fidelity！
Mercy had ceased its pleadings for the guilty race。 The beasts of the field
and the birds of the air had entered the place of refuge。 Noah and his
household were within the ark； 〃and the Lord shut him in。〃 A flash of
dazzling light was seen； and a cloud of glory more vivid than the lightning
descended from heaven and hovered before the entrance of the ark。 The
massive door； which it was impossible for those within to close； was slowly
swung to its place by unseen hands。 Noah was shut in； and the rejecters of
God's mercy were shut out。 The seal of Heaven was on that door； God had shut
it； and God alone could open it。 So when Christ shall cease His intercession
for guilty men； before His coming in the clouds of heaven； the door of mercy
will be shut。 Then divine grace will no longer restrain the wicked； and
Satan will have full control of those who have rejected mercy。 They will
endeavor to destroy God's people； but as Noah was shut into the ark； so the
righteous will be shielded by divine power。
For seven days after Noah and his family entered the ark； there appeared no
sign of the coming storm。 During this period their faith was tested。 It was
a time of triumph to the world without。 The apparent delay confirmed them in
the belief that Noah's
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message was a delusion； and that the Flood would never come。 Notwithstanding
the solemn scenes which they had witnessedthe beasts and birds entering
the ark； and the angel of God closing the doorthey still continued their
sport and revelry； even making a jest of these signal manifestations of
God's power。 They gathered in crowds about the ark； deriding its inmates
with a daring violence which they had never ventured upon before。
But upon the eighth day dark clouds overspread the heavens。 There followed
the muttering of thunder and the flash of lightning。 Soon large drops of
rain began to fall。 The world had never witnessed anything like this； and
the hearts of men were struck with fear。 All were secretly inquiring； 〃Can
it be that Noah was in the right； and that the world is doomed to
destruction？〃 Darker and darker grew the heavens； and faster came the
falling rain。 The beasts were roaming about in the wildest terror； and their
discordant cries seemed to moan out their own destiny and the fate of man。
Then 〃the fountains of the great deep〃 were 〃broken up； and the windows of
heaven were opened。〃 Water appeared to come from the clouds in mighty
cataracts。 Rivers broke away from their boundaries； and overflowed the
valleys。 Jets of water burst from the earth with indescribable force；
throwing massive rocks hundreds of feet into the air； and these； in falling；
buried themselves deep in the ground。
The people first beheld the destruction of the works of their own hands。
Their splendid buildings； and the beautiful gardens and groves where they
had placed their idols； were destroyed by lightning from heaven； and the
ruins were scattered far and wide。 The altars on which human sacrifices had
been offered were torn down； and the worshipers were made to tremble at the
power of the living God； and to know that it was their corruption and
idolatry which had called down their destruction。
As the violence of the storm increased； trees； buildings； rocks； and earth
were hurled in every direction。 The terror of man and beast was beyond
description。 Above the roar of the tempest was heard the wailing of a people
that had despised the authority of God。 Satan himself； who was compelled to
remain in the midst of the warring elements； feared for his own existence。
He had delighted to control so powerful a race； and desired them to live to
practice their abominations and continue their rebellion against the Ruler
of heaven。 He now uttered imprecations against God；
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charging Him with injustice and cruelty。 Many of the people； like Satan；
blasphemed God； and had they been able； they would have torn Him from the
throne of power。 Others were frantic with fear； stretching their hands
toward the ark and pleading for admittance。 But their entreaties were in
vain。 Conscience was at last aroused to know that there is a God who ruleth
in the heavens。 They called
