The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 339

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 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
succession 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 before. But their unbelief did not hinder the predicted event.
God bore long with their wickedness, giving them ample opportunity 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 pleasures; 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

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