Flood
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drops of rain began to fall. The world had never witnessed anything
like this, and the hearts of men were struck with fear. All were secretly
inquiring, “Can it be that Noah was in the right, and that the world
is doomed to destruction?” Darker and darker grew the heavens, and
faster came the falling rain. The beasts were roaming about in the
wildest terror, and their discordant cries seemed to moan out their own
destiny and the fate of man. Then “the fountains of the great deep”
were “broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Water
appeared to come from the clouds in mighty cataracts. Rivers broke
away from their boundaries, and overflowed the valleys. Jets of water
burst from the earth with indescribable force, throwing massive rocks
hundreds of feet into the air, and these, in falling, buried themselves
deep in the ground.
The people first beheld the destruction of the works of their own
hands. Their splendid buildings, and the beautiful gardens and groves
where they had placed their idols, were destroyed by lightning from
heaven, and the ruins were scattered far and wide. The altars on which
human sacrifices had been offered were torn down, and the worshipers
were made to tremble at the power of the living God, and to know
that it was their corruption and idolatry which had called down their
destruction.
As the violence of the storm increased, trees, buildings, rocks,
and earth were hurled in every direction. The terror of man and beast
was beyond description. Above the roar of the tempest was heard
the wailing of a people that had despised the authority of God. Satan
himself, who was compelled to remain in the midst of the warring
elements, feared for his own existence. He had delighted to control so
powerful a race, and desired them to live to practice their abominations
and continue their rebellion against the Ruler of heaven. He now
uttered imprecations against God, charging Him with injustice and
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cruelty. Many of the people, like Satan, blasphemed God, and had
they been able, they would have torn Him from the throne of power.
Others were frantic with fear, stretching their hands toward the ark and
pleading for admittance. But their entreaties were in 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