Beginning of the End

An Angel Shuts the Door

The animals of the field and the birds of the air had entered the place of refuge. Noah and his household were within the ark, “and the Lord shut him in.” The massive door, impossible for those inside to close, was slowly swung into place by unseen hands. Noah was shut in and the rejecters of God’s mercy were shut out. So the door of mercy will be shut when Christ shall cease His ministry for guilty sinners before He comes in the clouds of heaven. Then divine grace will no longer restrain the wicked, and Satan will have full control of those who have rejected mercy. They will try to destroy God’s people; but as Noah was shut into the ark, so the righteous will be shielded by divine power. BOE 38.3

For seven days after Noah and his family entered the ark, there was no sign of the coming storm. During this period their faith was tested. It was a time of triumph to the world outside, and they continued making a joke of the exhibits of God’s power. They gathered in crowds around the ark, making fun of those locked inside with a reckless boldness that they had never dared to show before. BOE 38.4

But on the eighth day dark clouds covered the sky. The muttering of thunder and the flash of lightning followed. Soon large drops of rain began to fall. The world had never seen anything like this and fear struck every heart. Everyone was secretly asking, “Can it be that Noah was right and that the world is doomed?” The animals were roaming about in the wildest terror. Then “the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” The clouds poured out rain like mighty waterfalls. Rivers broke away from their boundaries and overflowed the valleys. Jets of water burst from the earth with indescribable force. BOE 38.5

The people first saw their splendid buildings and beautiful gardens and groves in which they had placed their idols destroyed by lightning from heaven. 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. BOE 38.6

As the violence of the storm increased, the terror of humans and animals was beyond description. Above the roar of the tempest was heard the wailing of men and women who had despised the authority of God. Satan himself, compelled to remain among the warring elements, feared for his own life. He now uttered curses against God. Many of the people, like Satan, blasphemed God. Others were frantic with fear, stretching their hands toward the ark, pleading to be let in. Conscience was at last aroused to know that there is a God who rules in the heavens. BOE 39.1

They called upon Him earnestly, but His ear was not open to their cry. In that terrible hour they saw that transgression of God’s law had caused their ruin. Yet they felt no true humility and sorrow, no horror of evil. They would have returned to their defiance of Heaven if the judgment had been removed. BOE 39.2

Some clung to the ark until they were carried away by the surging waters or their hold was broken by crashing into rocks and trees. The massive ark trembled in every fiber as it was beaten by the merciless winds. The cries of animals within expressed their fear and pain, but the ark continued to ride safely. Angels were sent to preserve it. BOE 39.3

Some of the people tied their children and themselves on powerful animals, knowing that these would climb to the highest points to escape the rising waters. Some fastened themselves to lofty trees on the hills or mountains, but the trees were uprooted and hurled into the waves. As the waters rose higher the people fled for refuge to the tallest mountains. Often people and animals struggled together for a foothold until both were swept away. BOE 39.4

From the highest peaks the desperate people looked across a shoreless ocean. The solemn warnings of God’s servant no longer seemed a subject for ridicule. Those doomed sinners pleaded for one hour’s probation, one more call from the lips of Noah! But love, no less than justice, demanded that God’s judgments should put a restraint on sin. The despisers of God perished in the black depths. BOE 39.5