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A Preacher of Righteousness, November 3
As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man.
They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the
day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them
all.
Luke 17:26, 27
, R.S.V.
It is the nature of sin to spread and increase. Since the first sin of Adam,
from generation to generation it has spread like a contagious disease. While the
world was yet in its infancy, sin became fearful in its proportions. Hatred of
God’s law, and, as the sure result, hatred of all goodness, became universal. God,
who had created man and given him with an unsparing hand the bounties of His
providence, was dishonored by the beings He had created, slighted and despised by
the recipients of His gifts. But though sinful man forgot His benevolent Benefactor,
God did not forget the creature He had formed. Not only did He send “rain from
heaven, and fruitful seasons,” filling man’s heart with “food and gladness,” but He
sent him also messages of warning and entreaty. Man’s wickedness was fully set
before him, and the result of transgressing the divine law.
In the days of Noah, the wickedness of the world became so great that God
could no longer bear with it.... But He pitied the race, and in His love provided
a refuge for all who would accept it. He gave the message to Noah to be given
to the people: “My spirit shall not always strive with man.” ... The Spirit of God
continued to strive with rebellious man until the time specified had nearly expired,
when Noah and his family entered the ark, and the hand of God closed its door.
Mercy had stepped from the golden throne, no longer to intercede for the guilty
sinner.
All the men of that generation were not in the fullest sense of the term heathen
idolaters. Many had a knowledge of God and His law; but they not only rejected
the message of the faithful preacher of righteousness themselves, but used all their
influence to prevent others from being obedient to God. To everyone comes a
day of trial and trust. That generation had their day of opportunity and privilege
while Noah was sounding the note of warning of the coming destruction; but they
yielded their minds to the control of Satan rather than of God, and he deceived
them, as he did our first parents. He set before them darkness and falsehood in
the place of light and truth; and they accepted his sophistry and lies, because they
were acceptable to them, and in harmony with their corrupt lives, while truth that
would have saved them was rejected as a delusion. Numbers were not on the side
of right.—
The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886
.
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