After the Flood
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flood, and to kings and warriors who were well skilled in battle, and
flatters his subjects that their numbers are much greater than those in
the city, that they can make war with them, and dethrone God and his
Son Jesus Christ, and take the throne and occupy the city, and enjoy
its richness and glory. As the wicked come forth from their graves,
they resume the current of their thoughts where it ceased in death. The
antediluvian race perished blaspheming God. Many perished in battle;
they fell while thirsting to conquer; they rise with the same spirit of
war that they possessed when they fell. They accept Satan as their
general, and his angels as their officers. Satan and his angels were
once inhabitants of the city; and they profess to understand just how
to attack the city and take possession of it. With Satan at their head,
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they go up on the breadth of the earth, and compass the camp of the
saints about, and the beloved city; and fire comes down from God out
of Heaven and devours them.
Jesus and his loyal subjects ascend to the top of the city. The
wicked host behold the splendor of the city, and the happy redeemed
company upon its walls, and are amazed at the scene. They behold
Jesus in his kingly majesty, his countenance surpassing the brightness
of the sun, surrounded by the angelic throng. As the wicked look upon
the redeemed, and see their faces radiant with glory, and glittering
crowns upon their heads, their courage fails, and they wail in anguish
as they realize that they chose a life of rebellion against God, and Jesus
Christ their Saviour, and for their disloyalty have lost eternal life, and
an imperishable treasure. Then many who had professed to be Christ’s
followers, but who had not honored God in their lives, enumerate their
good deeds performed when they lived upon the earth, and entreat
to be admitted into the city. They plead that their names were upon
the church books, and they had prophesied in the name of Christ, and
in his name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works. Christ
answers, Your cases have been decided. Your names are not found
enrolled in the book of life. You professed to believe in my name, but
you trampled upon the law of God. I know you not, depart from me ye
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workers of iniquity. Satan and his angels try to encourage the wicked
multitude to action; but fire descends from Heaven, and unites with
the fire in the earth, and aids in the general conflagration.
Those majestic trees which God had caused to grow upon the
earth, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the old world, and which