“Buy the truth, and _sell it not_.” Prov. 23:23. NOTE.—That is, buy the truth at whatever sacrifice or cost, and sell it under no consideration. 7. Does the Bible recognize what may be called “present truth”? “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the _present truth_.” 2 Peter 1:12. NOTE.—Some truths are applicable in all ages, and are therefore _present_ truth for every generation; others are of a special character, and are applicable to only one generation. They are none the less important, however, because of this; for upon their acceptance or rejection depends the salvation or loss of the people of that generation. Of this kind was Noah’s message of a coming flood. To the generation to whom it was preached that message was _present truth_; to later generations it has been _past truth_, and not a present, testing message. Similarly, had the first advent message of John the Baptist, of the Messiah at hand, been proclaimed in the generation either before or after John’s time, it would not have been applicable—would not have been _present truth_. The people of the generation before would not have lived to see it fulfilled, and to those living after, it would have been wrongly timed. Not so with general truths, such as love, faith, hope, repentance, obedience, justice, and mercy. These are always in season, and of a saving nature at all times. Present truths, however, always include all these, and hence are saving in character, and of vital importance. 8. What was the special message for Noah’s day? “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. Make thee an ark of gopherwood._” Gen. 6:13, 14. 9. How did Noah show his faith in this message? “_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.” Heb. 11:7. 10. How many were saved in the ark? “The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, _eight souls were saved by water_.” 1 Peter 3:20. NOTE.—Doubtless many who were lost in the flood held, in a nominal way, to faith in God; but the test as to the genuineness of this came with Noah’s special message; and the difference between their faith and his was made plain when they rejected the saving truth for that time,—the warning message concerning the coming flood. 11. What special message was given to Jonah for Nineveh?