 |  |
No.13.
The Testimony of Peter to the days of Noah.
pp. 169 - 174
After the great gap formed by the loss of Paradise, the record divides into two
according as the false and the true seed are spoken of, until we come to the next great
crisis, the Deluge. Here history seems to repeat itself. The deep (Heb. tehom) of
Gen. 1: 2, is not referred to again until we reach the record of the Flood (Gen. 7: 11;
8: 2). The `dry land' (Heb. yabbashah Gen. 1: 9, 10) which appeared on the third day
from beneath the waters, finds an echo in the `drying up' of the earth after the Flood
(Heb. yabesh Gen. 8: 7, 14). There are a number of interesting parallel features
between Adam and Noah, which establish that the relationship is intended. For example
both Adam and Noah are commanded to replenish the earth, both have three sons, one of
whom becomes involved in a curse and is either `of that wicked one' or the father of
Canaan, who in his turn is seen to be of the evil seed. These parallels are so close that we
have accepted without question that Peter, in his second epistle, chapter 3: refers to
Gen. 1: 1 and 2, whereas a careful study of his epistles will show that he had, primarily,
the days of Noah before his mind. This testimony is important, and the examination of it
will necessitate a fairly intensive study, but the subject matter is of the deepest solemnity
and fully justifies all the time and space which we have devoted to its elucidation. Just as
the primal creation is balanced after the gap of the ages by the "End" that succeeds the
New Heaven and the New Earth, and just as Paradise lost is balanced by Paradise
restored, so the structure persists and another pair of corresponding members can be
added to the outline already presented in articles that have previously appeared.
C | The days of Noah.
The nations just before the call of Abraham. |
a | The irruption of the sons of God (Gen. 6:).
b | Preservation in the Ark. Noah uncontaminated (Gen. 6: 9).
c | Punishment by flood (Gen. 7: 8).
d | Spirits in prison (I Pet. 3: 19-22; Jude 6).
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
C | As it was in the days of Noah.
The nations just before Israel are saved and blessed. |
a | Antichrist and the son of Perdition.
b | Preservation, the Lamb's book of life. Uncontaminated (Rev. 13: 8).
c | Punishment by fire (Rev. 14: 9, 10).
d | Spirits liberated for a season (Rev. 9: 4-15).
Let us now attend to the teaching of Scripture with regard to this great epoch.
Much light can be obtained on matters that are beyond our ken or experience but the
use of analogy, and much of Israel's history and hope foreshadows the wider purpose of
the ages.