Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

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.
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.
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.
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,
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