The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-08
BROOKLYN TABERNACLE.
GODS RAINBOW COVENANT.

| GODS RAINBOW CONEN AMI.
Genesis S:1-9:17-February 9.
Il do set My bow in the cloud, and
it shall be for a token of a covenant
between Me and the earth."-Genesis
9:13
/ Higher Critics refer US to clay tab
let's found in Babylonia as the earliest
record of the Noachian DeIuge. These
| represent in outline Noah and boa t,
and contain a few words descriptive
| of the Flood. This we are asked to
accept as superior to the Genesis ac-
count. We are amazed. and recall to
mind the prophecy which discusses our
| day, saying, THE wisdom of their
wise men shall perish, and the under
standing of their learned men shall not
| be apparent isaiah 29:14) For our
part, the logical, reasonable statements
| of Genesis respecting the Flood are a
hundred times more trustworthy than
the crude Babylonian record.
| Noah and his family dreaded another
deluge. God called their attention to
the rainbow, assuring them that never
again would the whole earth he flood
ed. Because earth's last ring had
| come down. there could not be another
deluge. Since the Flood, we have
moisture in the form of clouds.
Prior TO the Flood, the sun shone
| through the watery envelope as great
! ball of fire. Hence no rainbow was
| possible. But now fine vapors in the
direct line of the suns rays naturally
| cause the rainbow. AS God declares,
so long as there is rainbow, there
| can never be a flood.
The Tower of Babel.
Centuries afterward, the worldlywise
of that time undertook the building of
a great tower, anticipating another de-
luge. Since they disregarded Gods
promise He let them manifest their
/ folly in unavailing sweat of face. When
they We're wearied by their herculean
task and had learned valuable lessons,
God COMPOUNDED their language. Sep
arated in tongue and interest, they
scattered. Gradually manners, GUS
toms and color of skin became dis
similar Thus the various races with
their peculiarities of temperament and
language had their start. ST Paul
remarks that this was premeditated on
Gods part as being most favorable for
the outworking of Divine purposes.
The separation of mankind into diff
ferent nationalities and the barriers of
language kept the peoples apart for
centuries. But since steam became eff
fective for transportation the COM
mingling of nations is breaking down
national barriers and favoring human
co-opera ton. Since mankind are sim
ners by nature their cooperation is
usually selfish and therefore evil.
Today rich corporations are build
ing a great Tower of Babel for pro-
lection against calamity. Likewise the
laboring classes are building a great
Tower of Unionism, to deliver them
from all adversely. Except for the
dispersion and the language barriers,
these worldwide organizations would
have developed long ago and precipi-
tated the final great conflict-'a time
of trouble such as never was since
there. was a nation. Daniel 1921.
Fire, the Next Calamity.
st. Peter divides human history into
three great Epochs, called worlds" in
llo rCft
Epoch ended with the Flood, where
the present Epoch began, styled by
ST. Paul, This present evil world" St. |
Peter says that the present world will
will follow a new world" or order |
of things. "The world to come will |
be an Epoch of Righteousness, under /
Messianic supervision
Bible students formerly understood |
St. Peters words to signify literal fire, /
to consume the physical earth and |
heavens. Closer study shows that the |
fire is symbolic, and will consume
everything contrary to the Divine will. |
The elements to melt with fervent
heat are Capital and Labor elements.
The friction between these will soon
burst into flame, as st. Peter prophe-
sled. The heavens are ecclesiaS
ticalHthe church institutions. These
will become involved in the strife be-
tween Capital and Labor, and will
perish.
Christ Jesus is the Ark of Safety for
all who will be saved from the pres
ent order His followers will become
with Him the new heavens"-the
spiritual ruling power of Messiah's
Kingdom. Under their supervision a
new social order will be inaugurated,
and seIfishness will be eliminated.
Although many lives will be lost in
that trouble which ends this Age, the
great mass of mankind will remain.
Social, financial and ecclesiastical ar
will have persisted, and
n ling no nj IN a has hui
Messiah. The Lord tells us that fol-
lowing the fiery trouble He will send
mankind a pure Message, ''that they
may all call upon the name of the
Lord to serve Him with one consent"
(Zephaniah 3:9.) Mankind will not
be wholly destroyed by that fiery
trouble. The confusion of doctrines
sssSSn forth in the name of the Lord