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The Great Controversy 1888
are in error; we have had ridicule enough; that can never convince us
that we are in the wrong; the Word of God alone can change our views.
Our conclusions have been formed deliberately and prayerfully, as we
have seen the evidence in the Scriptures.”
From age to age the warnings which God has sent to the world
by his servants have been received with like incredulity and unbelief.
When the iniquity of the antediluvians moved him to bring a flood
of waters upon the earth, he first made known to them his purpose,
that they might have opportunity to turn from their evil ways. For a
hundred and twenty years was sounded in their ears the warning to
repent, lest the wrath of God be manifested in their destruction. But
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the message seemed to them an idle tale, and they believed it not.
Emboldened in their wickedness, they mocked the messenger of God,
made light of his entreaties, and even accused him of presumption.
How dare one man stand up against all the great men of the earth? If
Noah’s message were true, why did not all the world see it and believe
it? One man’s assertion against the wisdom of thousands! They would
not credit the warning, nor would they seek shelter in the ark.
Scoffers pointed to the things of nature,—to the unvarying suc-
cession of the seasons, to the blue skies that had never poured out
rain, to the green fields refreshed by the soft dews of night,—and they
cried out, “Doth he not speak parables?” In contempt they declared
the preacher of righteousness to be a wild enthusiast; and they went
on, more eager in their pursuit of pleasure, more intent upon their evil
ways, than ever before. But their unbelief did not hinder the predicted
event. God bore long with their wickedness, giving them ample op-
portunity for repentance; but at the appointed time his judgments were
visited upon the rejecters of his mercy.
Christ declares that there will exist similar unbelief concerning
his second coming. As the people of Noah’s day “knew not until the
flood came, and took them all away; so,” in the words of our Saviour,
“shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [
Matthew 24:39
.] When
the professed people of God are uniting with the world, living as they
live, and joining with them in forbidden pleasure; when the luxury of
the world becomes the luxury of the church; when the marriage bells
are chiming, and all are looking forward to many years of worldly
prosperity,—then, suddenly as the lightning flashes from the heavens,
will come the end of their bright visions and delusive hopes.