patriarchs and prophets-第25章
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throne； in sight like unto an emerald。〃 Revelation 4：2； 3。 When man by his
great wickedness invites the divine judgments； the Saviour； interceding with
the Father in his behalf； points to the bow in the clouds； to the rainbow
around the throne and above His own head； as a token of the mercy of God
toward the repentant sinner。
With the assurance given to Noah concerning the Flood； God Himself has
linked one of the most precious promises of His grace： 〃As I have sworn that
the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth； so have I sworn that I
would not be wroth with thee； nor rebuke thee。 For the mountains shall
depart； and the hills be removed； but My kindness shall not depart from
thee； neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed； saith Jehovah that
hath mercy on thee。〃 Isaiah 54：9； 10。
As Noah looked upon the powerful beasts of prey that came forth with him
from the ark； he feared that his family； numbering only eight persons； would
be destroyed by them。 But the Lord sent an angel to His servant with the
assuring message： 〃The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every
beast of the earth； and upon every fowl of the air； upon all that moveth
upon the earth； and upon all the fishes of the sea； into your hand are they
delivered。 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you； even as the
green herb have I given you all things。〃 Before this time God had given man
no permission to eat animal food； He intended that the race should subsist
wholly upon the productions of the earth； but now that every green thing had
been destroyed。 He allowed them to eat the flesh of the clean beasts that
had been preserved in the ark。
The entire surface of the earth was changed at the Flood。 A third dreadful
curse rested upon it in consequence of sin。 As the water began to subside；
the hills and mountains were surrounded
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by a vast； turbid sea； Everywhere were strewn the dead bodies of men and
beasts。 The Lord would not permit these to remain to decompose and pollute
the air； therefore He made of the earth a vast burial ground。 A violent wind
which was caused to blow for the purpose of drying up the waters； moved them
with great force； in some instances even carrying away the tops of the
mountains and heaping up trees； rocks； and earth above the bodies of the
dead。 By the same means the silver and gold； the choice wood and precious
stones； which had enriched and adorned the world before the Flood； and which
the inhabitants had idolized； were concealed from the sight and search of
men； the violent action of the waters piling earth and rocks upon these
treasures； and in some cases even forming mountains above them。 God saw that
the more He enriched and prospered sinful men； the more they would corrupt
their ways before Him。 The treasures that should have led them to glorify
the bountiful Giver had been worshiped； while God had been dishonored and
despised。
The earth presented an appearance of confusion and desolation impossible to
describe。 The mountains； once so beautiful in their perfect symmetry； had
become broken and irregular。 Stones； ledges； and ragged rocks were now
scattered upon the surface of the earth。 In many places hills and mountains
had disappeared； leaving no trace where they once stood； and plains had
given place to mountain ranges。 These changes were more marked in some
places than in others。 Where once had been earth's richest treasures of
gold； silver； and precious stones； were seen the heaviest marks of the
curse。 And upon countries that were not inhabited； and those where there had
been the least crime； the curse rested more lightly。
At this time immense forests were buried。 These have since been changed to
coal； forming the extensive coal beds that now exist； and also yielding
large quantities of oil。 The coal and oil frequently ignite and burn beneath
the surface of the earth。 Thus rocks are heated； limestone is burned； and
iron ore melted。 The action of the water upon the lime adds fury to the
intense heat； and causes earthquakes； volcanoes； and fiery issues。 As the
fire and water come in contact with ledges of rock and ore； there are heavy
explosions underground； which sound like muffled thunder。 The air is hot and
suffocating。 Volcanic eruptions follow； and these often failing to give
sufficient vent to
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the heated elements； the earth itself is convulsed； the ground heaves and
swells like the waves of the sea； great fissures appear； and sometimes
cities； villages； and burning mountains are swallowed up。 These wonderful
manifestations will be more and more frequent and terrible just before the
second coming of Christ and the end of the world； as signs of its speedy
destruction。
The depths of the earth are the Lord's arsenal； whence were drawn weapons to
be employed in the destruction of the old world。 Waters gushing from the
earth united with the waters from heaven to accomplish the work of
desolation。 Since the Flood； fire as well as water has been God's agent to
destroy very wicked cities。 These judgments are sent that those who lightly
regard God's law and trample upon His authority may be led to tremble before
His power and to confess His just sovereignty。 As men have beheld burning
mountains pouring forth fire and flames and torrents of melted ore； drying
up rivers； overwhelming populous cities； and everywhere spreading ruin and
desolation； the stoutest heart has been filled with terror and infidels and
blasphemers have been constrained to acknowledge the infinite power of God。
Said the prophets of old； referring to scenes like these： 〃Oh that Thou
wouldest rend the heavens； that Thou wouldest come down； that the mountains
might flow down at Thy presence； as when the melting fire burneth； the fire
causeth the waters to boil； to make Thy name known to Thine adversaries；
that the nations may tremble at Thy presence！ When Thou didst terrible
things which we looked not for； Thou camest down； the mountains flowed down
at Thy presence。〃 Isaiah 64：1…3。 〃The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and
in the storm； and the clouds are the dust of His feet。 He rebuketh the sea；
and maketh it dry； and drieth up all the rivers。〃 Nahum 1：3； 4。
More terrible manifestations than the world has ever yet beheld； will be
witnessed at the second advent of Christ。 〃The mountains quake at Him； and
the hills melt； and the earth is burned at His presence； yea； the world； and
all that dwell therein。 Who can stand before His indignation？ and who can
abide in the fierceness of His anger？〃 Nahum 1：5； 6。 〃Bow Thy heavens； O
Lord； and come down： touch the mountains； and they shall smoke。 Cast forth
lightning； and scatter them： shoot out Thine arrows； and destroy them。〃
Psalm 144：5； 6。
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〃I will show wonders in heaven above； and signs in the earth beneath； blood；
and fire； and vapor of smoke。〃 Acts 2：19。 〃And there were voices； and
thunders； and lightnings； and there was a great earthquake； such as was not
since men were upon the earth； so might an earthquake； and so great。〃 〃And
every island fled away； and the mountains were not found。 And there fell
upon men a great hail out of heaven； every stone about the weight of a
talent。〃 Revelation 16：18； 20； 21。
As lightnings from heaven unite with the fire in the earth； the mountains
will burn like a furnace； and will pour forth terrific streams of lava；
overwhelming gardens and fields； villages and cities。 Seething molten masses
thrown into the rivers will cause the waters to boil； sending forth massive
rocks with indescribable violence and scattering their broken fragments upon
the land。 Rivers will be dried up。 The earth will be convulsed； everywhere
there will be dreadful earthquakes and eruptions。
Thus God will destroy the wicked from off the earth。 But the righteous will
be preserved in the midst of these commotions； as Noah was preserved in the
ark。 God will be their refuge； and under His wings shall they trust。 Says
the psalmist： 〃Because thou hast made the Lord； which is my refuge； even the
Most High； thy habitation； there shall no evil befall thee。〃 Psalm 91：
