WITHIN the meaning of the Scriptures the word "world" signifies the peoples of earth organized into tribes or forms of government, under the supervision of an overlord or superhuman power. The superior power is invisible and is spoken of under the term "heaven"; while the organization on earth is visible and is spoken of as "earth".

Sixteen hundred years after the tragedy of Eden found the human race in a deplorable condition. The peoples of earth dwelt together in families or tribes; and the superior power that controlled them was Satan and a host of his evil angels, operating in conjunction with and under his direction. This was the invisible part of that "world". Having the power to materialize in human form, some of these angels did that very thing and then cohabited with the women of the human race. The result was a race of giants. "The sons of God came in unto the daughters of men and they bare children to 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." — Genesis 6:4,11,12.

The people who walked about the earth in human form constituted the visible part of the world. This part of that world was exceedingly corrupt, and the in-

visible part of it was the chief cause for the corruption. Satan the great adversary of God was the real responsible one. Still impressed with his own greatness, egotistically believing that he could defeat God in his purposes, he devised various schemes to that end. He saw the human race dying, and doubtless reasoned that if the angels should materialize and cohabit with women they would produce a superior race, and that this would make his kingdom more powerful. For this reason Satan was the inducing cause for the debauchery of angels and women.

So strong was the enemy's influence that all the peoples came under his control except Noah and the members of his household. It is written concerning Noah that he was perfect in his generation. By this we are to understand that Noah and his household were in no wise contaminated with these materialized angels, but that all the blood that coursed the veins of Noah and his family was human blood. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." — Genesis 6: 8, 9.

God told Noah of his purpose to bring a great flood of waters upon the earth and thereby destroy both man and beast. "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.

By this we are not to understand that God would destroy the mundane sphere, the planet earth, but that he would destroy the visible part of the world, the organization of the adversary. "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 tinder 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." — Gen. 6:17, 18.

Noah believed God. He was obedient to him, and his faith was pleasing to the Lord. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." — Hebrews 11: 7.

The righteous course of Noah testified against the Devil's organization, both visible and invisible, and marked it with God's condemnation. Noah was a witness for God, and for this reason Satan the Devil had turned all others against Noah and against God. Of course the Devil would do everything within his power to destroy Noah, but was unable to do so because Noah had the protection of Jehovah. The mixed breed of human and angelic beings had resulted in a race of giants that were wicked beyond description. Seemingly God was forced to take action to destroy this mongrel race from the face of the earth. At the death of Noah and his family there would be no one on earth as a witness for the Lord. Hence God must clear out this wicked progeny, carry Noah and his family over in the flood, and then start the race anew. And this he did.

THE DELUGE

Noah warned the people of the impending judgment of the Lord against the wickedness prevailing in the earth. They gave no heed to his warning. No rain had

ever fallen upon the earth (Genesis 2: 5, 6), and it was not a difficult matter for Satan to induce the people to believe that none would ever fall. No one gave serious heed to the warning of Noah, but on the contrary they scoffed at him and made all manner of sport of his prophesying before them. In obedience to God Noah built the ark, which was completed after a long period of time; and during its construction he continued to preach to the people.

At the appointed time Noah and his family, and the beasts of various kinds, went into the ark. Then the Lord opened the windows of the heavens, and a great deluge of water swept from one end of the earth to the other and destroyed every living creature upon the face of the earth. This included of course the progeny of the angels and women; but the wicked angels themselves, who had left their first estate, were not destroyed. The record is that they were incarcerated in prison, there to be held until the great judgment day. — Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4, 5.

But why should God bring the flood upon the earth? Was it merely to destroy wicked creatures? Other scriptures indicate that such was not the sole nor even the most important reason. The issue in the minds of the people was then, and is now: Who is the mighty God? Satan unhindered had induced almost all men, and a host of angels, to believe that he, Satan, was superior to Jehovah. He became arrogant in the extreme, boasting of his greatness and power; and doubtless he exhibited it in a marked degree. God would teach all of his creatures that every good and perfect thing proceeds from himself, and that to follow the enemy Satan would result in disaster. He would teach all intelligent

creatures that he is the great Eternal One and that from him alone proceed the blessings of life, liberty and eternal happiness. The principle was later stated by the Lord Jesus in these words: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." — John 17: 3.

The flood was so terrible that its marks are still upon the earth; and all peoples, regardless of whether they believe in God or not, have been taught by tradition that at some time in the past there was a great deluge upon the earth. In due time they will learn the real reason why the flood was sent. The goodness and mercy of God were again manifested in this lesson that he gave to men and angels.

It is important to notice what occurred in the days of Noah, and particularly the event which marked the end of that antediluvian "world". The flood was typical of a greater and more terrible trouble coming upon this world, in which Jehovah God will demonstrate to all his creatures that he is the Almighty, the Most High. The spirit of the Lord had moved upon the mind of Noah to teach him of the approaching flood, but it is manifest from the words of St. Paul that the deluge foreshadowed something even greater to come at the end of this age. — Hebrews 11: 7.

Long centuries after the flood Jesus said: "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24: 37) All the people, aside from his family, mocked Noah because he preached of the coming disaster upon the then evil world. Then all, aside from Noah and his family, formed a portion of the devil's own religious system and worshiped the devil or some of his creatures. Now at this present

time the religious systems make sport of the preaching of the gospel concerning the impending fall of Satan's organization and of the establishment of God's kingdom of righteousness. In Noah's day only a few were witnesses for God. Now only those who love and serve the Lord Jehovah with pure hearts are really on the side of the Lord. It is to the faithful class that Jehovah now says: "Ye are my witnesses, that I am God."

As the issue in Noah's day was: "Who is God?" even so now the issue is: "Who is God?" That evil world, of which Satan was the ruler, Jehovah destroyed with the flood as an expression of indignation against evil and against the evil one; and for the purpose of teaching all of his intelligent creatures that in Jehovah resides all power, which operates in complete harmony with wisdom, justice and love; and that the oppressed creatures of the human race will find complete deliverance only by taking heed to the mighty plan which God has graciously provided for the deliverance and eternal blessing of his obedient creatures.