Introduction

Will God eliminate sin, sinners and wickedness the same as what He did in Noah’s time? When and How? What does the rainbow covenant teaches us of God’s universal Love? This week’s SSLesson will show God’s great love for all future generation.

Inspiration says, “In the days of Noah, men found their highest enjoyment in the gratification of sensual desires. This world was their all. "Eat, drink, and be merry," was the cry echoed from lip to lip. The same insane love of pleasure, the same all-absorbing spirit of worldliness, characterize the people of this age. How little do they consider that their deeds and words are passing into judgment, and that every sin must have its retribution in the future!” {RH, February 28, 1882 par. 4}

The future of society is indexed by the youth of today. In them we see the future teachers and lawmakers and judges, the leaders and the people, that determine the character and destiny of the nation. How important, then, the mission of those who are to form the habits and influence the lives of the rising generation. {1MCP 4.2}

Outline of the Study

The Antediluvian World

Only Evil Thoughts

Noah: A Just Man

God’s Covenants

A Covenant with Noah

A Covenant with All Living Beings

The Remnant

Memory Verse

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. {Gen. 6:8}

Prayer Thought

Noah, amid the moral darkness prevailing just before the deluge, was the light of the world. God employed him as a channel through which to transmit his light to future generations, to reveal to them the honour, authority, goodness, and fidelity of God. Abraham was a channel of light in his generation. His life and precepts and example reflected the light from God in bright, clear, strong rays, revealing to them the only living and true God, in holiness, in condescension, in goodness, in mercy, in love, and justice. Joseph was a medium of light, catching the heavenly rays and reflecting them upon a nation of gross idolaters. Moses was God's channel of communication to Pharaoh. The light of heaven was flashed upon the gross darkness of Egypt, revealing a greater than Pharaoh as sovereign of the heavens and the earth in the great "I AM." Israel's marching out of Egypt was a testimony that God rules. The Hebrew host was made a living channel of light to preserve a knowledge of God's law, and to show forth the purposes of God, to establish and maintain a kingdom in the world against the power and craft of Satan; and when scattered in captivity among the idolatrous nations of the world, they were still God's witness--a light amid the moral darkness. {PrT, November 4, 1886 par. 4}

The Antediluvian World

There was a God to call to account the inhabitants of the antediluvian world. There is a God to try the deeds of the men of this generation, and to give every man according to his works. The faithful sentinels for God have a work to do, to keep these things vividly before the people. Every lay member of the church has also a duty, to show that there is a reality in the truth that we are indeed living in the last days, and the Lord is at the door.

Only Evil Thoughts

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

God’s Displeasure of Wickedness

"For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; thou hatest all workers of iniquity." . . . {CG 451.1}

Enoch’s Righteous Life Marked Contrast to the Wicked People

Enoch walked with God, while of the world around him sacred history records: “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.” Enoch’s righteous life was in marked contrast to the wicked people around him. His piety, his purity, his unswerving integrity, was the result of his walking with God, while the wickedness of the world was the result of their walking with the [great] deceiver. . Enoch was a representative man, but he is not praised, he is not exalted; he simply did that which every son and daughter of Adam may do.—Manuscript 43, 1900. {CTr 51.5}

Remember that Satan will make our Thoughts into Captivity to Evil

We need to remember continually that our secret sins are in the light of God's countenance. Of ourselves we cannot see or realize how grievous are our secret sins in the sight of God. Under the influence of Satan we are led to pursue a course of evil until our hearts become hardened, our conscience seared, and our thoughts are brought into captivity to the prince of evil. {ST, September 4, 1893 par. 1}

The natural, selfish mind, if left to follow out its own evil desires, will act without high motives, without reference to the glory of God or the benefit of mankind. The thoughts will be evil, and only evil, continually. . . . The Spirit of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing the thoughts and desires into obedience to the will of Christ.--RH, June 12, 1888. (HC 113.) {2MCP 658.2}

Many Troubled by Evil Thoughts

There are many who are really troubled because low, debasing thoughts come into the mind and are not easily banished. Satan has his evil angels around us, and though they cannot read men's thoughts, they closely watch their words and actions. Satan takes advantage of the weaknesses and defects of character that are thus revealed and presses his temptations where there is the least power of resistance.

He makes evil suggestions and inspires worldly thoughts, knowing that he can thus bring the soul into condemnation and bondage. To those who are selfish, worldly, avaricious, proud, faultfinding, or given to detraction--to all who are cherishing errors and defects of character--Satan presents the indulgence of self and leads the soul off upon a track that the Bible condemns, but which he makes appear attractive. {2MCP 658.4}

Notice and Remember these Facts

After sin entered Earth, humans quickly went from being “very good” to being “corrupted.”

(1) 1st generation Genesis 3:11-13. Fearing God, mistrust, self-justification.

(2) 2nd generation Genesis 4:8. Murder, open rebellion against God.

(3) 7th generation Genesis 4:23. Polygamy, lack of respect for human life.

(4) 8th-10th generation Genesis 6:2, 11. God’s servants mingle with sinners, unlimited violence.

Noah: A Just Man

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

In the days of Noah the overwhelming majority was opposed to the truth, and enamored with a tissue of falsehoods. The land was filled with violence. War, crime, murder, was the order of the day. Just so will it be before Christ's second coming.--1BC 1090 (1891). {LDE 23.2}

He Walked with God as a Just Man and Perfect in His Generation

Noah, too, witnessed for God in that age of wickedness. "These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." When God was about to destroy the inhabitants of the earth with a flood, he said to Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation." {ST, February 11, 1897 par. 7}

He has Genuine Faith that Works

But Noah had that genuine faith, that faith that works. He testified by his faith and works to the inhabitants of the Noachic world that he believed God. Had he stood back and said, “I cannot build this ark; why, I will be considered crazy if I build this ark on dry land,” then he would have had no influence for good upon them. But he believed just what God had said, and carried it out by his works. {CTr 55.4}

He is Consistent and Acted His Sermon

“It was through Noah’s consistent faith and works combined that condemned the world. He not only preached the present truth appropriate for that time, but he acted every sermon. Had he never lifted his voice in warning, his works, his holy character among the corrupt and ungodly would have been condemning sermons to the unbelieving and dissolute of that age. He bore himself with a Christlike patience and meekness under the provoking insults, taunts, and mockery. His voice was often heard in prayer to God for His power and help that he might do all the commandments of God. This was a condemning power to the unbelieving.” E.G.W. (This Day With God, August 14)

Remember the Points the Following

Sin leads to ruin and death. That’s why God hates sin. He wants to eradicate it, but He also wants to save the sinners. That’s what the Covenant is about.

When God assessed the situation of the world, He observed that most humans had reached such a high level of wickedness and rebellion that they were no longer hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.

However, all was not lost. There were still some people who were listening to God and serving Him. Noah was one of them. He was a just and perfect person before God.

Nevertheless, his justice was not enough to save him from God’s sentence. God established His covenant with Noah by grace (Genesis 6:8).

God’s Covenants

In the future there will be broken thrones and great distress of nations with perplexity. Satan will work with intense activity. The earth will be filled with the shrieks of suffering, expiring nations. There will be war. The places of the earth will be in confusion, as from its bowels pour forth its burning contents to destroy the inhabitants of the world who, in their wickedness, resemble the inhabitants of the antediluvian world. {CTr 56.2}

In that time [before the Flood], 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. . . . {CTr 56.3}

A Covenant with Noah

“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (Genesis 6:18)

Noah Proclaimed the Warning Message

As Noah proclaimed his warning message, some listened and worked with him in building the ark. But they did not endure. Evil influences prevailed. They turned away from the truth to become scoffers. {CTr 56.5}

In the Last Days, God’s People will Proclaim the Warning Message as Well

Thus it will be in the last days of this earth’s history. Those who today hear the message of truth, but do not believe, will fall amid the moral infidelity, even as in Noah’s day those who were not firmly grounded failed to stand till the end of their probation. When the Lord rewards everyone according to his deeds, these people will understand that God is truth, and that His message would have been their life and salvation if they had accepted the evidence given and practiced the conditions laid down. Then they will see that they might have been saved had they not rejected the only means of salvation. {CTr 56.6}

God Destroyed the Wicked Inhabitants but Preserve Noah and Establish His Covenant

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 everything 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." {RH, January 7, 1902 par. 3}

As in the Days of Noah – Forms of Wickedness is Existing

The forms of wickedness existing in Noah's day are current in the world today. God's word declares: "As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." {RH, January 7, 1902 par. 4}

Message of Warning will be Given but Rejected

Noah was given a message to give to the antediluvians. But they scorned his warning. So today the message that God has sent to be given to the world will be rejected. But this message must be given. The people of God are to make every other interest secondary to its proclamation. {RH, January 7, 1902 par. 5}

An Ark in the Shape of A Cross

God helped Noah like someone throws a life preserver to a shipwrecked sailor. He made a covenant with him: if you obey me, build an ark, and enter it, then I’ll save you and your family.

God didn’t benefit from that covenant. However, Noah would have lost everything if he had broken it.

God longs to see those shipwrecked by sin being saved. Therefore He offers us His Covenant, so we can enter the ark of salvation. An ark in the shape of a cross.

A Covenant with All Living Beings

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:13)

A Power for Salvation was Given – Rom. 1:16

Every provision has been made for the salvation of the fallen race. All power has been given to Him who offered himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of every son and daughter of Adam. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." {RH, January 7, 1902 par. 6}

A Token of His Covenant for Future Generation

"I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth . . . And I will remember My covenant, . . . and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh" [Genesis 9:13-15]. In the rainbow above the throne is an everlasting testimony that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16]. Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of truth point out the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. The glory of the law is Christ. He came to magnify the law and make it honorable. Make it distinct that mercy and truth have met together in Christ, and righteousness and peace have embraced each other. It is when you are looking to His throne, offering up your penitence and praise and thanksgiving to God, that you perfect Christian character, and represent Christ to the world. You abide in Christ and Christ abides in you; you have that peace that passeth all understanding. We need constantly to meditate upon Christ and His attractive loveliness. We must direct minds to Jesus, fasten them upon Him. In every discourse dwell upon the divine attributes. {2MR 232.1}

Everlasting Covenant for Every Living Creature

The rainbow spanning the heavens with its arch of light is a token of "the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature." {Genesis 9:16}. And the rainbow encircling the throne on high is also a token to God's children of His covenant of peace. {Ed 115.1}

The clouds that gathered, dark with tempest, were arched by the rainbow of promise. So above Israel's degradation shone the promised glory of the Messiah's reign. The clouds of wrath were spanned by the rainbow of His covenant-mercy. {DA 102.4}

As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined power of mercy and justice. It is not justice alone that is to be maintained; for this would eclipse the glory of the rainbow of promise above the throne; man could see only the penalty of the law. Were there no justice, no penalty, there would be no stability to the government of God. {2MR 232.2}

The Rainbow Above the Throne is God’s Token of His Great Love for Humanity

A compact entered into by the Father and the Son to save the world through Christ, who would give Himself that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. No human power or angelic power could make such a covenant. The rainbow above the Throne is a token that God through Christ binds Himself to save all who believe on Him. The covenant is as sure as the throne. Then why are we so unbelieving, so distrustful? Ms 16, 1890, pp. 25, 26. ("Our Constant Need of Divine Enlightenment," 1890.) {1MR 109.5}

What to Do With Sorrow

Are you filled with sorrow today? Fasten your eyes on the Sun of righteousness. Do not try to adjust all the difficulties, but turn your face to the light, to the throne of God. What will you see there? The rainbow of the covenant, the living promise of God. Beneath it is the mercy seat, and whosoever avails himself of the provisions of mercy that have been made and appropriates the merits of the life and death of Christ has in the rainbow of the covenant a blessed assurance of acceptance with the Father as long as the throne of God endures. {2MCP 462.1}

God’s covenant with “every living creature” in Genesis 9:12 is different to the eternal covenant. This covenant goes beyond humanity, it covers all animate beings. There are no conditions to become part of this covenant. God just promised to never send a Flood again.

This is a unique and unbreakable covenant. Its sign will last as long as Earth does.

The Remnant

“He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground […] Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.” (Genesis 7:23)

At the 11^th Hour Thousands will be converted to the Truth

Thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth. . . . These conversions to truth will be made with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and God's name alone will be glorified.--2SM 16 (1890). {LDE 212.1}

There will be thousands converted to the truth in a day who at the eleventh hour see and acknowledge the truth and the movements of the Spirit of God.--EGW'88 755 (1890).

The time is coming when there will be as many converted in a day as there were on the Day of Pentecost, after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit.--Ev 692 (1905). {LDE 212.3}

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God’s Remnant People will Give the Warning

The remnant church of God are to give the warning of the third angel to the world: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." {ST, June 18, 1894 par. 10}

I saw some in Zion that were languishing; they were dormant and unbelieving. I asked the angel if Zion should languish. Said the angel, "She is rising never to fall again. God has stretched out His hand the second time to recover the remnant of His people." I saw that some who meet together at [the conferences at] Oswego and vicinity were not right. They do not partake of the spirit of the lovely Jesus; they have not vital godliness, and unless they soon partake of the spirit of Jesus and have their hearts sanctified by the truth they profess to believe, they will be purged out of the camp of Israel. {18MR 10.1}

The people of God in these last days must expect to enter into the thick of the conflict; for the prophetic Word says, "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Letter 43, 1895). {4BC 1153.2}

Kept Through Faith in Christ

It was Christ who kept the ark safe amid the roaring, seething billows, because its inmates had faith in His power to preserve them (RH March 12, 1901). {1BC 1091.1}

The beautiful trees and shrubbery bearing flowers were destroyed, yet Noah preserved seed and took it with him in the ark, and God by His miraculous power preserved a few of the different kinds of trees and shrubs alive for future generations. Soon after the Flood trees and plants seemed to spring out of the very rocks. In God's providence seeds were scattered and driven into the crevices of the rocks and there securely hid for the future use of man (3SG 76). {1BC 1091.2}

God Saves the Remnant - Remain

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [go before] them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. {LS 477.1}

The verb “to remain” is closely related to the concept of “remnant” (something that is left) [e.g. see Ezra 9:8, Isaiah 4:3, Jeremiah 42:2, Ezekiel 14:22; Zechariah 9:7; Romans 11:5].

God judged the antediluvian world and condemned them to destruction for their wickedness. But He made a covenant with the remnant, with those willing to accept God and His “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5).

God is judging the world again. His Covenant is still available to all willing to accept it. There is still a “little flock”, a faithful remnant. They are not better than others, they just love God and accept His grace. Are you part of this remnant?

From the Pen of Inspiration:

“Once again, before the great destruction of the world by fire, there is granted a period of test and trial. Men are given opportunity to show whether or not they will be loyal to God […]

As God’s witnesses, we have a message to bear to all the world. The Lord has many children who have never heard the truth for this time. God’s servants must give them the final warning.” E.G.W. (The Upward Look, March 15)

The whole surface of the earth was changed at the flood. A third dreadful curse now rested upon it in consequence of man's transgression. The beautiful trees and shrubbery bearing flowers were destroyed, yet Noah preserved seed and took it with him in the ark, and God by his miraculous power preserved a few of the different kinds of trees and shrubs alive for future generations. Soon after the flood trees and plants seemed to spring out of the very rocks. In God's providence seeds were scattered and driven into the crevices of the rocks and there securely hid for the future use of man. {3SG 76.2}