patriarchs and prophets-第23章
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vain。 Conscience was at last aroused to know that there is a God who ruleth
in the heavens。 They called upon Him earnestly； but His ear was not open to
their cry。 In that terrible hour they saw that the transgression of God's
law had caused their ruin。 Yet while； through fear of punishment； they
acknowledged their sin； they felt no true contrition； no abhorrence of evil。
They would have returned to their defiance of Heaven； had the judgment been
removed。 So when God's judgments shall fall upon the earth before its deluge
by fire； the impenitent will know just where and what their sin isthe
despising of His holy law。 Yet they will have no more true repentance than
did the old…world sinners。
Some in their desperation endeavored to break into the ark； but the
firm…made structure withstood their efforts。 Some clung to the ark until
they were borne away by the surging waters； or their hold was broken by
collision with rocks and trees。 The massive ark trembled in every fiber as
it was beaten by the merciless winds and flung from billow to billow。 The
cries of the beasts within expressed their fear and pain。 But amid the
warring elements it continued to ride safely。 Angels that excel in strength
were commissioned to preserve it。
The beasts； exposed to the tempest； rushed toward man； as though expecting
help from him。 Some of the people bound their children and themselves upon
powerful animals； knowing that these were tenacious of life； and would climb
to the highest points to escape the rising waters。 Some fastened themselves
to lofty trees on the summit of hills or mountains； but the trees were
uprooted； and with their burden of living beings were hurled into the
seething billows。 One spot after another that promised safety was abandoned。
As the waters rose higher and higher； the people fled for refuge to the
loftiest mountains。 Often man and beast would struggle together for a
foothold； until both were swept away。
From the highest peaks men looked abroad upon a shoreless ocean。 The solemn
warnings of God's servant no longer seemed a subject for ridicule and
scorning。 How those doomed sinners longed for the opportunities which they
had slighted！ How they
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pleaded for one hour's probation； one more privilege of mercy； one call from
the lips of Noah！ But the sweet voice of mercy was no more to be heard by
them。 Love； no less than justice； demanded that God's judgments should put a
check on sin。 The avenging waters swept over the last retreat； and the
despisers of God perished in the black depths。
〃By the word of God 。 。 。 the world that then was； being overflowed with
water； perished： but the heavens and the earth； which are now； by the same
word are kept in store； reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men。〃
2 Peter 3：5…7。 Another storm is coming。 The earth will again be
swept by the desolating wrath of God； and sin and sinners will be destroyed。
The sins that called for vengeance upon the antediluvian world exist today。
The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men； and His law is treated
with indifference and contempt。 The intense worldliness of that generation
is equaled by that of the generation now living。 Said Christ； 〃As in the
days that were before the Flood 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； so shall also the coming
of the Son of man be。〃 Matthew 24：38； 39。 God did not condemn the
antediluvians for eating and drinking； He had given them the fruits of the
earth in great abundance to supply their physical wants。 Their sin consisted
in taking these gifts without gratitude to the Giver； and debasing
themselves by indulging appetite without restraint。 It was lawful for them
to marry。 Marriage was in God's order； it was one of the first institutions
which He established。 He gave special directions concerning this ordinance；
clothing it with sanctity and beauty； but these directions were forgotten；
and marriage was perverted and made to minister to passion。
A similar condition of things exists now。 That which is lawful in itself is
carried to excess。 Appetite is indulged without restraint。 Professed
followers of Christ are today eating and drinking with the drunken； while
their names stand in honored church records。 Intemperance benumbs the moral
and spiritual powers and prepares the way for indulgence of the lower
passions。 Multitudes feel under no moral obligation to curb their sensual
desires； and they become the slaves of lust。 Men are living for the
pleasures
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of sense； for this world and this life alone。 Extravagance pervades all
circles of society。 Integrity is sacrificed for luxury and display。 They
that make haste to be rich pervert justice and oppress the poor； and 〃slaves
and souls of men〃 are still bought and sold。 Fraud and bribery and theft
stalk unrebuked in high places and in low。 The issues of the press teem with
records of murdercrimes so cold…blooded and causeless that it seems as
though every instinct of humanity were blotted out。 And these atrocities
have become of so common occurrence that they hardly elicit a comment or
awaken surprise。 The spirit of anarchy is permeating all nations； and the
outbreaks that from time to time excite the horror of the world are but
indications of the pent…up fires of passion and lawlessness that； having
once escaped control； will fill the earth with woe and desolation。 The
picture which Inspiration has given of the antediluvian world represents too
truly the condition to which modern society is fast hastening。 Even now； in
the present century； and in professedly Christian lands； there are crimes
daily perpetrated as black and terrible as those for which the old…world
sinners were destroyed。
Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world； that the people might be
led to repentance； and thus escape the threatened destruction。 As the time
of Christ's second appearing draws near； the Lord sends His servants with a
warning to the world to prepare for that great event。 Multitudes have been
living in transgression of God's law； and now He in mercy calls them to obey
its sacred precepts。 All who will put away their sins by repentance toward
God and faith in Christ are offered pardon。 But many feel that it requires
too great a sacrifice to put away sin。 Because their life does not harmonize
with the pure principles of God's moral government； they reject His warnings
and deny the authority of His law。
Of the vast population of the earth before the Flood； only eight souls
believed and obeyed God's word through Noah。 For a hundred and twenty years
the preacher of righteousness warned the world of the coming destruction；
but his message was rejected and despised。 So it will be now。 Before the
Lawgiver shall come to punish the disobedient； transgressors are warned to
repent； and return to their allegiance； but with the majority these warnings
will be in vain。 Says the apostle Peter； 〃There shall come in the last days
scoffers； walking after their own lusts； and
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saying； Where is the promise of His coming？ for since the fathers fell
asleep； all things continue as they were from the beginning。〃
2 Peter 3：3； 4。 Do we not hear these very words repeated； not
merely by the openly ungodly； but by many who occupy the pulpits of our
land？ 〃There is no cause for alarm；〃 they cry。 〃Before Christ shall come；
all the world is to be converted； and righteousness is to reign for a
thousand years。 Peace； peace！ all things continue as they were from the
beginning。 Let none be disturbed by the exciting message of these
alarmists。〃 But this doctrine of the millennium does not harmonize with the
teachings of Christ and His apostles。 Jesus asked the significant question；
〃When the Son of man cometh； shall He find faith on the earth？〃 Luke 18：8。
And； as we have seen； He declares that the state of the world will be as in
the days of Noah。 Paul warns us that we may
