EGW WritingsGenesis 6

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 49, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 49, 1897, par. 13

To His servant that had long ministered to a rebellious generation, the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” [Genesis 6:7.] “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Verses 5, 11-13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 121c, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 121c, 1898, par. 14

The inhabitants of the world at this time are represented by the dwellers upon the earth at the time of the flood. The wickedness of the antediluvians is plainly stated: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5.] God became weary of this people whose thoughts were only of sinful pleasure and indulgence. They sought not the counsel of God who had created them, nor cared to do His will. The rebuke of God was upon them because they followed the imagination of their own hearts; and there was violence in the land.

13LtMs, Ms 121c, 1898, par. 15

“And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. ... And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them from the earth.” [Verses 6, 12, 13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 42, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 42, 1900, par. 5

The condition of the world today resembles the condition which existed before the flood. Then “God saw that the wickedness of men was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:5, 11-13.]

Selected Messages Book 2

Chapter 15—Admonition Will Be Heard

2SM 151.1

The message we bear must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. He rebuked the adultery of Herod. Notwithstanding his life was in peril, the truth did not languish upon his lips. And our work in this age must be as faithfully done. The inhabitants of the world at this time are represented by the dwellers upon the earth at the time of the Flood. The wickedness of the inhabitants of the old world is plainly stated: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God became weary of these people whose only thoughts were of pleasure and indulgence. They sought not the counsel of the God who had created them, nor cared to do His will. The rebuke of God was upon them because they followed the imagination of their own hearts continually; and there was violence in the land. “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:6, 12, 13)....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 21, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 21, 1897, par. 4

“Thou shalt worship no other God; for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” [Verse 14.] The Lord God of Israel is a wonder-working God; and He is jealous for His own glory. How then, we inquire, does He regard the inhabitants of this world, who live in His house, and are provided with food and clothing from His liberal treasury, but who never so much as say, Thank you, to Him. They are not mindful of His goodness. They are like the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, who were destroyed by a flood because they constantly worked in opposition to their Creator. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. ... And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:5, 6, 13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 161, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 161, 1897, par. 5

Of the antediluvians we read, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:5, 6, 13.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1418—The Danger of Prosperity; Talents To Be Used for God; An Appeal for New Commitment to Christ

19MR 386.1

Why did the inhabitants of the Noatic world know not the day of their visitation? Because they did not have warnings? No, but because they did not heed the message God sent them through Noah (Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13). God gave directions to Noah to build an ark on dry land, and to warn the people. Noah gave the message of the Lord to the large population upon the earth—he gave it by voice and then showed his faith by his works, in building the ark. God gave him exact directions for building this ark.

19MR 386.2

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). But the Lord gave man [a period of] probation of one hundred and twenty years. During this probation, Noah and his employed carpenters worked upon the ark, but the inhabitants regarded the message of Noah as an idle tale, and [their attitude toward] the building of the ark [was] as one that mocked. They would not believe the message. They charged Noah with being deluded, and they kept planting and building and marrying and giving in marriage, utterly regardless of the solemn message sent them of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 72, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 3

In that time, as in this, there were two classes, the righteous and the wicked. Enoch and others walked with God in uprightness. But the great majority of the inhabitants of the earth were given over to iniquity, and their wickedness rose before God. The earth “was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ... The wickedness of man was great in the earth,” and “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” “And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.” “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:11, 5, 12, 6, 7, 13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 108, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 108, 1896, par. 4

Why did the inhabitants of the Noachic world know not the day of their visitation? Because they did not have warnings? No, but because they did not heed the message God sent them through Noah (Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13). God gave directions to Noah to build an ark on dry land, and to warn the people. Noah gave the message of the Lord to the large population upon the earth—he gave it by voice, and then showed his faith by his works in building the ark. God gave him exact directions for building this ark. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. But the Lord gave men [a period of] probation of one hundred and twenty years. During this probation, Noah and his employed carpenters worked upon the ark, but the inhabitants regarded the message of Noah as an idle tale, and [their attitude toward] the building of the ark [was] as one that mocked. They would not believe the message. They charged Noah with being deluded, and they kept planting and building and marrying and giving in marriage, utterly regardless of the solemn message sent them of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 96, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 4

Then “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air. For it repenteth me that I have made them. ... The earth also was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them. And, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 77, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 77, 1899, par. 26

Why was it that God destroyed the inhabitants of the old world by a flood? The record states, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” [Genesis 6:5-7.] Had they not eaten of the tree of knowledge and every kind of wickedness, God would not have destroyed them. But God “looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Verses 12, 13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 58, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 58, 1897, par. 7

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. ... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted His way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them, and behold, I will destroy them from the earth.” [Genesis 6:5-8, 11-13.] Sodom also was destroyed. Fire from heaven descended upon the wicked inhabitants. But Lot was saved because he did not corrupt his way before God.

The Kress Collection

A Physician’s Opportunities

KC 47.2

Read carefully Genesis 6:5-14. Matthew 24:37, 51; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5. 2 Peter 1:1-6.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 78, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 78, 1897, par. 63

How was it in Noah’s day? “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5.] Had man co-operated with God, there would have been no Cain-worshipers. Abel’s example of obedience would have been followed. Men might have worked out the expressed will of God. They might have obeyed His law, and in obedience they would have found their safety and salvation. God and the heavenly universe would have helped them to retain the divine likeness. Longevity would have been preserved; and God would have delighted in the work of His hands.

12LtMs, Ms 78, 1897, par. 64

But the inhabitants of the antediluvian world turned from Jehovah, refusing to do His holy will. They followed their unholy imagination and perverted ideas. “And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, ... Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. ... And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die.” [Verses 12-14, 17.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 4 [Nos. 210-259]

MR No. 223—Constant Progress Needed in Knowledge of God

4MR 149.2

(Genesis 6:5-18, quoted.) There perished in the Flood greater inventions of art and human skill than the world knows of today. The arts destroyed were more than the boasted arts of today. The great gifts with which God had endowed men were perverted. There was gold and silver in abundance, and men were constantly seeking to exceed their fellow men in devices. The result was that violence was upon the earth. The Lord was forgotten. This long-lived race were constantly devising how they might institute a war with the universe of heaven and gain possession of Eden.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 47, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 47, 1901, par. 3

The condition of the world today is represented by the condition of the world in Noah’s day. Then, we read, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. ... And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. ... And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ... Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.” [Genesis 6:11, 12, 5, 6, 13, 17, 18.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1465—True “Higher Education” Is Obtainable Only From the Master Teacher

20MR 194.4

I am not surprised that as darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people, the light that comes from the Father of lights is not discerned. Just to the extent that the mists and fogs encompass the minds of men, will be their ignorance and misconception of God. The worldly churches cannot read a “Thus saith the Lord,” in regard to the Seventh-day Sabbath; and why? Because they are wise in their own conceits; because they are following the example of men who were only one step from the Eden of God, and who, because of their mental and moral capabilities, began to work out their human inventions, and worship the things their hands had made, supposing that they were improving upon God’s plans and devices. In this they worshiped and extolled themselves. [Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13, 17, 18, quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 65, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 5

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. ... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ... I, even I do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant.” [Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13, 17, 18.]

Conflict and Courage

Build an Ark, February 1

CC 38.1

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark. Genesis 6:13, 14.

CC 38.2

God gave Noah the exact dimensions of the ark and explicit directions in regard to its construction in every particular. Human wisdom could not have devised a structure of so great strength and durability. God was the designer, and Noah the master builder. It was constructed like the hull of a ship, that it might float upon the water, but in some respects it more nearly resembled a house.... The material employed in the construction of the ark was the cypress, or gopher wood, which would be untouched by decay for hundreds of years. The building of this immense structure was a slow and laborious process.1Patriarchs and Prophets, 92-95.

CC 38.3

The race of men then living were of very great stature, and possessed wonderful strength. The trees were vastly larger, and far surpassing in beauty and perfect proportions anything mortals can now look upon. The wood of these trees was of fine grain and hard substance—in this respect more like stone. It required much more time and labor, even of that powerful race, to prepare the timber for building, than it requires in this degenerate age to prepare trees that are now growing upon the earth, even with the present weaker strength men now possess.2Spiritual Gifts 3:61.

CC 38.4

Every piece of timber was closely fitted, and every seam covered with pitch. All that men could do was done to make the work perfect; yet, after all, God alone could preserve the building upon the angry, heaving billows, by His miraculous power.3The Story of Redemption, 64.

CC 38.5

Methuselah and his sons, and grandsons, lived in the time of the building of the ark. They, with some others, received instruction from Noah, and assisted him in building the ark.4Spiritual Gifts 3:59, 60.

CC 38.6

While Noah was giving his warning message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an example of believing just what God says. All that he possessed, he invested in the ark.... Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people.5Patriarchs and Prophets, 95.

Reflecting Christ

Noah Stood Like a Rock, November 4

RC 322.1

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:6-8.

From Here to Forever

Closing Work in the Sanctuary

HF 266.4

A message was sent from heaven to the world in Noah’s day, and their salvation depended on how they treated that message. Genesis 6:6-9; Hebrews 11:7. In the time of Sodom, all but Lot with his wife and two daughters were consumed by fire sent down from heaven. Genesis 19. So in the days of Christ. The Son of God declared to the unbelieving Jews: “Your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:38. Looking down to the last days, the same Infinite Power declares concerning those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved”: “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11. As they reject the teachings of His Word, God withdraws His Spirit and leaves them to the deceptions which they love. But Christ still intercedes in man’s behalf, and light will be given those who seek it.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 66, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 66, 1901, par. 18

The plan of redemption was laid to bring salvation within reach of sinners. Christ has carried out His purpose. His death has brought eternal life to all who will accept Him as a personal Saviour. But many, many of those He died to save refuse to return to their loyalty. The world is fast becoming as it was before the flood. Of the world at that time we read, “The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. ... And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. ... And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:11, 12, 6, 7, 13.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 24—“Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”

PK 297.2

In every age, transgression of God’s law has been followed by the same result. In the days of Noah, when every principle of rightdoing was violated, and iniquity became so deep and widespread that God could no longer bear with it, the decree went forth, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” Genesis 6:7. In Abraham’s day the people of Sodom openly defied God and His law; and there followed the same wickedness, the same corruption, the same unbridled indulgence, that had marked the antediluvian world. The inhabitants of Sodom passed the limits of divine forbearance, and there was kindled against them the fire of God’s vengeance.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 24—A Nation “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”

SS 158.4

In every age, transgression of God’s law has been followed by the same result. In the days of Noah, when iniquity became so deep and widespread that God could no longer bear with it, the decree went forth, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” Genesis 6:7. In Abraham’s day the people of Sodom openly defied God and His law; they passed the limits of divine forbearance, and there was kindled against them the fire of God’s vengeance.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 51, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 51, 1901, par. 6

The world is no more favorable today for the development of Christian character than in Noah’s day. Then wickedness was so widespread that God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” [Genesis 6:7.]

16LtMs, Ms 51, 1901, par. 7

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. ... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” [Verses 8, 9.] Yes, amid the corruption of that degenerate age, Noah was a pleasure to his Creator.

God’s Amazing Grace

Shared With Noah, May 4

AG 132.2

Wickedness was so widespread that God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:7-9).12Selected Messages 1:90.

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 9—Examine Yourselves

1SM 90.2

The world is no more favorable today for the development of Christian character than in Noah’s day. Then wickedness was so widespread that God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:7-9). Yes, amid the corruption of that degenerate age, Noah was a pleasure to his Creator.

From the Heart

Noah’s Unwavering Obedience, December 7

FH 353.1

Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 100, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 100, 1901, par. 32

We are approaching the day of final reckoning. Christ told His disciples that prior to the coming of the Son of Man, the world would be as it was in the days of Noah, when “they were eating, and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, ... and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” [Matthew 24:37-39.] They chose to drink the waters of the flood. During one hundred and twenty years they were on probation, free to choose whether they would obey the voice of God and find refuge in the ark, or refuse to hear His voice, and be destroyed. They chose to disbelieve. Those who did believe when Noah began to build the ark lost their faith through association with unbelievers who aroused all the old passions for amusement and display. In those days “the earth was filled with violence.” [Genesis 6:11.] Is not violence now in the land? How much is human life worth, if somebody’s way is crossed, if somebody’s passion is excited?

Patriarchs and Prophets

Appendix

PP 760.2

The worship of Apis was accompanied with the grossest licentiousness, and the Scripture record indicates that the calf worship by the Israelites was attended with all the license usual in heathen worship. We read: “They rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” Exodus 32:6. The Hebrew word rendered “to play” signifies playing with leaping, singing, and dancing. This dancing, especially among the Egyptians, was sensual and indecent. The word rendered “corrupted” in the next verse, where it is said, “thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves,” is the same that is used in Genesis 6:11, 12, where we read that the earth was corrupt, “for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” This explains the terrible anger of the Lord, and why He desired to consume the people at once.

From Eternity Past

Appendix

EP 550.3

Note 3, page 220: When the Israelites worshiped the golden calf, they professed to be worshiping God. But it was like the Egyptians‘ worship of Osiris, by means of an image. The Egyptians‘ worship of Apis was immoral, and the Israelites‘ worship of the golden calf apparently was the same. Moses says the Israelites “sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” Exodus 32:6. The Hebrew word for “play” denotes singing and dancing, which among the Egyptians was sensual and indecent. The Hebrew word for “corrupted” in verse 7 is the same as that in Genesis 6:11, 12, which refers to the people before the Flood corrupting themselves. This explains the terrible nature of this apostasy.

Conflict and Courage

Until the Day ..., January 31

CC 37.1

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. 2 Peter 2:5.

CC 37.2

God warned the inhabitants of the old world of what He purposed to do in cleansing the earth of its impurity. But they laughed to scorn what they regarded as a superstitious prediction.64Manuscript 161, 1897.

CC 37.3

Many at first appeared to receive the warning; yet they did not turn to God with true repentance. They were unwilling to renounce their sins. During the time that elapsed before the coming of the Flood, their faith was tested, and they failed to endure the trial. Overcome by the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in rejecting the solemn message. Some were deeply convicted, and would have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest and ridicule, that they partook of the same spirit, ... and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers; for none are so reckless and go to such lengths in sin as do those who have once had light but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God.65Patriarchs and Prophets, 95.

CC 37.4

They continued their festivities and their gluttonous feasts; they ate and drank, planted and builded, laying their plans in reference to advantages they hoped to gain in the future; and they went to greater lengths in wickedness, and in defiant disregard of God’s requirements, to testify that they had no fear of the Infinite One....

CC 37.5

Had the antediluvians believed the warning, and repented of their evil deeds, the Lord would have turned aside His wrath, as He afterward did from Nineveh. But by their obstinate resistance to the reproofs of conscience and the warnings of God’s prophet, that generation filled up the measure of their iniquity, and became ripe for destruction.66Ibid., 97.

CC 37.6

The Lord has sent us, by His ambassadors, messages of warning, declaring that the end of all things is at hand. Some will listen to these warnings, but by the vast majority they will be disregarded.

CC 37.7

Thus will it be when Christ comes. Farmers, merchants, lawyers, tradesmen, will be wholly engrossed in business, and upon them the day of the Lord will come as a snare.67Manuscript 161, 1897.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 31a, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 31a, 1898, par. 26

Man’s wickedness made the race offensive to God. He would not leave them to hand their sins to their posterity. “God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt: for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come up before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:12, 13.]

Christ Triumphant

Only Two Classes of People; Only One Ark of Safety, February 19

CTr 56.1

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:13.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 42, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 42, 1905, par. 17

The world is fast becoming as it was before the flood, when God said of it, “The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:13.] God gave the antediluvians a probation of one hundred and twenty years, promising that if they repented and turned to Him, He would pardon their transgressions. But they did not repent, and of the large population then living on the earth, only eight were saved.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1596—American Sentinel Not to Change Its Policies; Circulation of The Great Controversy and Daniel and Revelation Urged; Publishing House Leaders Need to Be Converted

21MR 454.2

Before the destruction of the old world by a flood, there were talented men, men who possessed skill and knowledge. But they became corrupt in their imagination, because they left God out of their plans and councils. They were wise to do what God had never told them to do, wise to do evil. The Lord saw that this example would be deleterious to those who should afterwards be born, and He took the matter in hand. For 120 years He sent them warnings through His servant Noah. But they used the probation so graciously granted them in ridiculing Noah. They caricatured him and criticized him. They laughed at him for his peculiar earnestness and intense feeling in regard to the judgments which he declared God would surely fulfill. They talked of science and of the laws controlling nature. Then they held a carnival over the words of Noah, calling him a crazy fanatic. God’s patience was exhausted. He said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before Me. For the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” [Genesis 6:13].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 29a, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 29a, 1890, par. 39

Before the destruction of the old world by a flood there were talented men, men who possessed skill and knowledge. But they became corrupt in their imagination, because they left God out of their plans and councils. They were wise to do what God has never told them to do, wise to do evil. The Lord saw that this example would be deleterious to those who should afterwards be born, and He took the matter in hand. For one hundred and twenty years He sent them warnings through His servant Noah. But they used the probation so graciously granted them in ridiculing Noah. They caricatured him and criticized him. They laughed at him for his peculiar earnestness and intense feeling in regard to the judgments which he declared God would surely fulfil. They talked of science and of the laws controlling nature. Then they held a carnival over the words of Noah, calling him a crazy fanatic. God’s patience was exhausted. He said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:13.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 29, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 29, 1890, par. 39

Before the destruction of the old world by a flood, there were talented men, men who possessed skill and knowledge. But they became corrupt in their imagination, because they left God out of their plans and councils. They were wise to do what God had never told them to do, wise to do evil. The Lord saw that this example would be deleterious to those who should afterwards be born, and He took the matter in hand. For one hundred and twenty years He sent them warnings through His servant Noah. But they used the probation so graciously granted them in ridiculing Noah. They caricatured him and criticized him. They laughed at him for his peculiar earnestness and intense feeling in regard to the judgments which he declared God would surely fulfil. They talked of science and of the laws controlling nature. Then they held a carnival over the words of Noah, calling him a crazy fanatic. God’s patience was exhausted. He said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them from the earth.” [Genesis 6:13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 27, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 27, 1899, par. 10

God granted them one hundred and twenty years of probation in which to consider, and during that time preached to them through Seth, Enoch, and Noah [“Methuselah, Noah, and many others of His servants” The Review and Herald, April 23, 1901]. They were represented as men shut up in prison. Had they listened to the testimony of these faithful witnesses, had they repented and returned to their loyalty, God would not have destroyed them. But warnings made an impression on them only for a time. Christ was their atoning sacrifice, their mediator, but His intercessions were unavailing because they had no faith, and as the time of probation drew nearer to its close, the service due to God from them passed entirely from their thoughts; and the word went forth, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:13.]

From the Heart

Build an Ark, Noah, December 6

FH 352.1

Make yourself an ark of gopherwood. Genesis 6:14.

Reflecting Christ

Noah Proclaimed God’s Word With Force, November 5

RC 323.1

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Genesis 6:22.