prophets and kings-第43节
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。 Men declare that the law of God has been abrogated； that the Bible is not authentic； and as a result； a tide of evil； such as has not been seen since the days of Noah and of apostate Israel； is sweeping over the world。 Nobility of soul； gentleness； piety； are battered away to gratify the lust for forbidden things。 The black record of crime committed for the sake of gain is enough to chill the blood and fill the soul with horror。
Our God is a God of mercy。 With long…sufferance and tender compassion He deals with the transgressors of His law。 And yet； in this our day； when men and women have so many opportunities for becoming familiar with the divine law as revealed in Holy Writ； the great Ruler of the universe cannot behold with any satisfaction the wicked
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cities； where reign violence and crime。 The end of God's forbearance with those who persist in disobedience is approaching rapidly。
Ought men to be surprised over a sudden and unexpected change in the dealings of the Supreme Ruler with the inhabitants of a fallen world？ Ought they to be surprised when punishment follows transgression and increasing crime？ Ought they to be surprised that God should bring destruction and death upon those whose ill…gotten gains have been obtained through deception and fraud？ Notwithstanding the fact that increasing light regarding God's requirements has been shining on their pathway； many have refused to recognize Jehovah's rulership； and have chosen to remain under the black banner of the originator of all rebellion against the government of heaven。
The forbearance of God has been very greatso great that when we consider the continuous insult to His holy commandments； we marvel。 The Omnipotent One has been exerting a restraining power over His own attributes。 But He will certainly arise to punish the wicked； who so boldly defy the just claims of the Decalogue。
God allows men a period of probation； but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted； and the judgments of God are sure to follow。 The Lord bears long with men； and with cities； mercifully giving warnings to save them from divine wrath； but a time will come when pleadings for mercy will no longer be heard； and the rebellious element that continues to reject the light of truth will be blotted out； in mercy to themselves and to those who would otherwise be influenced by their example。
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The time is at hand when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal。 The Spirit of God is being withdrawn。 Disasters by sea and by land follow one another in quick succession。 How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes； of destruction by fire and flood； with great loss of life and property！ Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized； unregulated forces of nature； wholly beyond the control of man； but in them all； God's purpose may be read。 They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger。
God's messengers in the great cities are not to become discouraged over the wickedness； the injustice； the depravity； which they are called upon to face while endeavoring to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation。 The Lord would cheer every such worker with the same message that He gave to the apostle Paul in wicked Corinth： 〃Be not afraid； but speak； and hold not thy peace： for I am with thee； and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee： for I have much people in this city。〃 Acts 18：9； 10。 Let those engaged in soul…saving ministry remember that while there are many who will not heed the counsel of God in His word； the whole world will not turn from light and truth； from the invitations of a patient； forbearing Saviour。 In every city； filled though it may be with violence and crime； there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus。 Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour。
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God's message for the inhabitants of earth today is； 〃Be ye also ready： for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh。〃 Matthew 24：44。 The conditions prevailing in society； and especially in the great cities of the nations； proclaim in thunder tones that the hour of God's judgment is come and that the end of all things earthly is at hand。 We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages。 In quick succession the judgments of God will follow one anotherfire； and flood； and earthquake； with war and bloodshed。 We are not to be surprised at this time by events both great and decisive； for the angel of mercy cannot remain much longer to shelter the impenitent。
〃Behold； the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity： the earth also shall disclose her blood； and shall no more cover her slain。〃 Isaiah 26：21。 The storm of God's wrath is gathering； and those only will stand who respond to the invitations of mercy； as did the inhabitants of Nineveh under the preaching of Jonah； and become sanctified through obedience to the laws of the divine Ruler。 The righteous alone shall be hid with Christ in God till the desolation be overpast。 Let the language of the soul be：
〃Other refuge have I none； Hangs my helpless soul on Thee； Leave； O； leave me not alone！ Still support and comfort me。
〃Hide me； O my Saviour； hide！ Till the storm of life is past； Safe into the haven guide； O receive my soul at last！〃
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Chapter 23
The Assyrian Captivity
The closing years of the ill…fated kingdom of Israel were marked with violence and bloodshed such as had never been witnessed even in the worst periods of strife and unrest under the house of Ahab。 For two centuries and more the rulers of the ten tribes had been sowing the wind； now they were reaping the whirlwind。 King after king was assassinated to make way for others ambitious to rule。 〃They have set up kings；〃 the Lord declared of these godless usurpers； 〃but not by Me： they have made princes； and I knew it not。〃 Hosea 8：4。 Every principle of justice was set aside； those who should have stood before the nations of earth as the depositaries of divine grace； 〃dealt treacherously against the Lord〃 and with one another。 Hosea 5：7。
With the severest reproofs； God sought to arouse the impenitent nation to a realization of its imminent danger of utter destruction。 Through Hosea and Amos He sent
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the ten tribes message after message； urging full and complete repentance； and threatening disaster as the result of continued transgression。 〃Ye have plowed wickedness；〃 declared Hosea； 〃ye have reaped iniquity； ye have eaten the fruit of lies： because thou didst trust in thy way； in the multitude of thy mighty men。 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people； and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled。 。 。 。 In a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off。〃 Hosea 10：13…15。
Of Ephraim the prophet testified； 〃Strangers have devoured his strength； and he knoweth it not： yea； gray hairs are here and there upon him； yet he knoweth not。〃 ＇The prophet Hosea often referred to Ephraim； a leader in apostasy among the tribes of Israel； as a symbol of the apostate nation。＇ 〃Israel hath cast off the thing that is good。〃 〃Broken in judgment；〃 unable to discern the disastrous outcome of their evil course； the ten tribes were soon to be 〃wanderers among the nations。〃 Hosea 7：9； 8：3； 5：11； 9：17。
Some of the leaders in Israel felt keenly their loss of prestige and wished that this might be regained。 But instead of turning away from those practices which had brought weakness to the kingdom； they continued in iniquity； flattering themselves that when occasion arose； they would attain to the political power they desired by allying themselves with the heathen。 〃When Ephraim saw his sickness； and Judah saw his wound； then went Ephraim to the Assyrian。〃 〃Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart： they call to Egypt； they go to Assyria。〃 〃They do make a covenant with the Assyrians。〃 Hosea 5：13； 7：11； 12：1。
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Through the man of God that had appeared before the altar at Bethel； through Elijah and Elisha； through Amos and Hosea； the Lord had repeatedly set before the ten tribes the evils of disobedience。 But notwithstanding reproof and entreaty； Israel had sunk lower and still lower in apostasy。 〃Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer；〃 the Lord declared； 〃My people are bent to backsliding from Me。〃 Hosea 4：16； 11：7。
There were times when the judgments of Heaven fell very heavily on the rebellious people。 〃I hewed them by the prophets；〃 God declared； 〃I have slain them by the words of My mouth： and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth。 For I desired mercy； and not sacrifice； and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings。 But they like men have transgressed the covenant： there have they dealt treacherously against Me。〃 Hosea 6
