Conditions as in the Time of Noah
By H. G. Thurston
The Reign of Lawlessness Throughout the World—An Ancient Prediction Concerning It
“THE earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:11. THAT manifestation of violence was in the days of Noah, and was but the working out of the inward corruption of the race. Corruption of the heart first, then works of violence. When the violence manifested itself, then men could know something of the fearful corruption God saw in the heart. When God spoke to Noah, the violence seen everywhere became, to him, a continual sign of the impending Flood that had been promised. During those dark years of violence and oppression, fair women, and renowned men of giant stature and intellect, might be found. But did not even their beauty and might foster their pride and lead to violence? Truly an appalling picture is presented in this chapter. The Deluge came and swept all away save Noah and his family. Through them another start was made to people the earth. Thousands of years have passed into history, and another reign of violence is on. ALL THE NATIONS IN FERMENT OF STRIFE
Every great nation on the globe is to-day tottering on the very brink of a great crater of strife, either external or internal, or both. Judge Gary recently declared: “There is throughout the world just now, a feeling of unrest. . . . I tell you, gentlemen, that there are things being said nowadays which are very similar indeed to things said just before the French Revolution. I tell you that the spark may yet make a flame, and that soon.” His intimate connection with the great United States Steel Corporation gives the judge a close insight into existing conditions in the labor world. And who dare say he is mistaken in the foregoing utterance? BESIDE THE SLUMBERING VOLCANO
Vines may be planted and quietly grow on the sloping side of a volcano. Neat cottages may nestle around its base. But the volcano is there just the same, ready to do its awful work of destruction with scarce a warning. The condition of every nation is now like the volcano, only waiting. The death-dealing lava of strife may burst forth any day, and the time will not be long delayed. Fever is seen in the hasty but gigantic war preparations. Every nation is getting ready for “something.” These preparations are caused by political troubles or changes or a fear of changes. Thugs, pickpockets, grafters, and other criminals are multiplying, and are bolder and more active. Their boldness in wrong-doing and their deeds of violence cause the stoutest hearts to ponder. Women are now among the experts in forging, highway robbing, and grafting. Property rights, the right of free speech, and the rights of conscience which our fathers suffered so much to gain, are fast being undermined. The price paid for our liberty seems about to be forgotten. The torch, the knife, the bribe, and the bomb are in evidence on every side. Labor, feeling the heavy hand of oppression, has gradually united, until it now stands like a huge giant ready to assert its rights; and in many instances resistance resulting in bloodshed is the outcome. Before me lies the record of a recent opening struggle between capital and labor. The heading is as follows: “First day of strike shows five men killed, two more fatally wounded, railroad bridge burned, and troops deported.” This is but a fair sample of conditions of strife and violence fast becoming world-wide. The apostle writes of the just of this time, “He doth not resist you.” James 5:1-6. Violence, oppression, and resistance must exist, or this language has no force. PREDICTION OF TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO
Our Saviour, beholding the time preceding His return to earth, declares it will be like the days of Noah. Do not present conditions exactly repeat the time described in Genesis 6? Strife and increasing preparations for strife among the nations; crimes of every kind abounding everywhere, perpetrated by women and men; organized resistance on the part of millions of toilers, against the oppression of great corporations in heaping together their great wealth. Is not the picture complete? Violence among individuals, societies, and nations. What next? “Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:9, 8.