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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 look for wickedness to increase
as the end draws near： 〃The Spirit speaketh expressly； that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith； giving heed to seducing spirits； and
doctrines of devils。〃 1 Timothy 4：1。 The apostle says that 〃in the last days
perilous times shall come。〃 2 Timothy 3：1。 And he gives a startling list of
sins that will be found among those who have a form of godliness。
As the time of their probation was closing； the antediluvians gave
themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities。 Those who possessed
influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed
with mirth and pleasure； lest any should be impressed by the last solemn
warning。 Do we not see the same repeated in our day？ While God's servants
are giving the message that the end of all things is at hand； the world is
absorbed in amusements and pleasure seeking。 There is a constant round of
excitement that causes indifference to God and prevents the people from
being impressed by the truths which alone can save them from the coming
destruction。
In Noah's day philosophers declared that it was impossible for the world to
be destroyed by water； so now there are men of science who endeavor to show
that the world cannot be destroyed by firethat this would be inconsistent
with the laws of nature。 But the God of nature； the Maker and Controller of
her laws； can use the works of His hands to serve His own purpose。
When great and wise men had proved to their satisfaction that it was
impossible for the world to be destroyed by water； when
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the fears of the people were quieted； when all regarded Noah's prophecy as a
delusion； and looked upon him as a fanaticthen it was that God's time had
come。 〃The fountains of the great deep〃 were 〃broken up； and the windows of
heaven were opened；〃 and the scoffers were overwhelmed in the waters of the
Flood。 With all their boasted philosophy； men found too late that their
wisdom was foolishness； that the Lawgiver is greater than the laws of
nature； and that Omnipotence is at no loss for means to accomplish His
purposes。 〃As it was in the days of Noah；〃 〃even thus shall it be in the
days when the Son of man is revealed。〃 Luke 17：26； 30。 〃The day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night； in the which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise； and the elements shall melt with fervent heat； the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up。〃 2 Peter 3：10。 When
the reasoning of philosophy has banished the fear of God's judgments； when
religious teachers are pointing forward to long ages of peace and
prosperity； and the world are absorbed in their rounds of business and
pleasure； planting and building； feasting and merrymaking； rejecting God's
warnings and mocking His messengersthen it is that sudden destruction
cometh upon them； and they shall not escape。 1 Thessalonians 5：3。
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Chapter 8
After the Flood
The waters rose fifteen cubits above the highest mountains。 It often seemed
to the family within the ark that they must perish； as for five long months
their boat was tossed about； apparently at the mercy of wind and wave。 It
was a trying ordeal； but Noah's faith did not waver； for he had the
assurance that the divine hand was upon the helm。
As the waters began to subside； the Lord caused the ark to drift into a spot
protected by a group of mountains that had been preserved by His power。
These mountains were but a little distance apart； and the ark moved about in
this quiet haven； and was no longer driven upon the boundless ocean。 This
gave great relief to the weary； tempest…tossed voyagers。
Noah and his family anxiously waited for the decrease of the waters； for
they longed to go forth again upon the earth。 Forty days after the tops of
the mountains became visible； they sent out a raven； a bird of quick scent；
to discover whether the earth had become dry。 This bird； finding nothing but
water； continued to fly to and from the ark。 Seven days later a dove was
sent forth； which； finding no footing； returned to the ark。 Noah waited
seven days longer； and again sent forth the dove。 When she returned at
evening with an olive leaf in her mouth； there was great rejoicing。 Later
〃Noah removed the covering of the ark； and looked； and； behold； the face of
the ground was dry。〃 Still he waited patiently within the ark。 As he had
entered at God's command； he waited for special directions to depart。
At last an angel descended from heaven； opened the massive door； and bade
the patriarch and his household go forth upon the earth and take with them
every living thing。 In the joy of their release Noah did not forget Him by
whose gracious care they had been preserved。 His first act after leaving the
ark was
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to build an altar and offer from every kind of clean beast and fowl a
sacrifice； thus manifesting his gratitude to God for deliverance and his
fait