Page 14 - Our God of Love, Mercy, and Justice

But upon the eighth day dark clouds overspread the heavens. There followed the
muttering of thunder and the flash of lightning. Soon large drops of rain began to fall.
The world had never witnessed anything like this, and the hearts of men were struck
with fear. . . . 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 cruelty. Many of the people, like Satan,

blasphemed God, and had they been able, they would have torn Him from the throne
of power. . . .
From the highest peaks men looked abroad upon a shoreless ocean. The solemn
warnings of God's servant no longer seemed a subject for ridicule and scorning. How
those doomed sinners longed for the opportunities which they had slighted! How they
pleaded for one hour's probation, one more privilege of mercy, one call from the lips

of Noah! But the sweet voice of mercy was no more to be heard by them. Love, no
less than justice, demanded that God's judgments should put a check on sin. The
avenging waters swept over the last retreat, and the despisers of God perished in the
black depths.
"By the word of God . . . the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in

store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2
Peter 3:5-7. Another storm is coming. The earth will again be swept by the
desolating wrath of God, and sin and sinners will be destroyed. PP 99-101.

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