The Time of Trouble
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"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for
the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as
never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that
time
thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the
book." Daniel 12:1.
When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the
guilty
inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work.
They have received "the latter rain," "the refre****ng from the presence of
the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels
are
hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth
announces
that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and
all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received
"the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the
sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is
done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the
solemn
announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is
filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation
22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the
atonement for His people and
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blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; "the
kingdom
and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven," is
about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King
of kings and Lord of lords.
When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the
earth.
In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God
without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is
removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God's
long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His
love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of
their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at
last
withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the
wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one
great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the
fierce
winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The
whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came
upon
Jerusalem of old.
A single angel destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians and filled
the
land with mourning. When David offended against God by numbering the
people,
one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished.
The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands,
will
be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready,
and
only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere.
Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments
upon
the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful
convulsions
of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the
earth
with woe. The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked;
their
anger is kindled against all who
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have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater
intensity
the spirit of hatred and persecution.
When God's presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests
and people knew it not. Though under the control of Satan, and swayed by
the
most horrible and malignant passions, they still regarded themselves as
the
chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; sacrifices were
offered upon its polluted altars, and daily the divine blessing was
invoked
upon a people guilty of the blood of God's dear Son and seeking to slay
His
ministers and apostles. So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary
has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed,
the
inhabitants of the earth will know it not. The forms of religion will be
continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally
withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire
them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the
semblance of zeal for God.
As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout
Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to
enforce
the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority
to
yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal
execration.
It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of
the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is
better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into
confusion
and lawlessness. The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought
against Christ by the "rulers of the people." "It is expedient for us,"
said
the wily Caiaphas, "that one man should die for the people, and that the
whole nation perish not." John 11:50. This argument will appear
conclusive;
and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath
of
the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest
punishment and giving
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the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism
in
the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a similar
course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.
The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and
distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob's trouble. "Thus
saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of
peace. . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is
great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble;
but
he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:5-7.
Jacob's night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer for deliverance from
the hand of Esau (Genesis 32:24-30), represents the experience of God's
people in the time of trouble. Because of the deception practiced to
secure
his father's blessing, intended for Esau, Jacob had fled for his life,
alarmed by his brother's deadly threats. After remaining for many years an
exile, he had set out, at God's command, to return with his wives and
children, his flocks and herds, to his native country. On reaching the
borders of the land, he was filled with terror by the tidings of Esau's
approach at the head of a band of warriors, doubtless bent upon revenge.
Jacob's company, unarmed and defenseless, seemed about to fall helpless
victims of violence and slaughter. And to the burden of anxiety and fear
was
added the cru****ng weight of self-reproach, for it was his own sin that
had
brought this danger. His only hope was in the mercy of God; his only
defense
must be prayer. Yet he leaves nothing undone on his own part to atone for
the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. So should the
followers of Christ, as they approach the time of trouble, make every
exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to
disarm
prejudice, and to avert the danger which threatens liberty of conscience.
Having sent his family away, that they may not witness his distress, Jacob
remains alone to intercede with God. He
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confesses his sin and gratefully acknowledges the mercy of God toward him
while with deep humiliation he pleads the covenant made with his fathers
and
the promises to himself in the night vision at Bethel and in the land of
his
exile. The crisis in his life has come; everything is at stake. In the
darkness and solitude he continues praying and humbling himself before
God.
Suddenly a hand is laid upon his shoulder. He thinks that an enemy is
seeking his life, and with all the energy of despair he wrestles with his
assailant. As the day begins to break, the stranger puts forth his
superhuman power; at his touch the strong man seems paralyzed, and he
falls,
a helpless, weeping suppliant, upon the neck of his mysterious antagonist.
Jacob knows now that it is the Angel of the covenant with whom he has been
in conflict. Though disabled and suffering the keenest pain, he does not
relinquish his purpose. Long has he endured perplexity, remorse, and
trouble
for his sin; now he must have the assurance that it is pardoned. The
divine
visitant seems about to depart; but Jacob clings to Him, pleading for a
blessing. The Angel urges, "Let Me go, for the day breaketh;" but the
patriarch exclaims, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." What
confidence, what firmness and perseverance, are here displayed! Had this
been a boastful, presumptuous claim, Jacob would have been instantly
destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his weakness and
unworthiness, yet trusts the mercy of a covenant-keeping God.
"He had power over the Angel, and prevailed." Hosea 12:4. Through
humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal
prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp
upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn
away
the sinner's plea. As an evidence of his triumph and an encouragement to
others to imitate his example, his name was changed from one which was a
reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory. And the fact
that
Jacob
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had prevailed with God was an assurance that he would prevail with men. He
no longer feared to encounter his brother's anger, for the Lord was his
defense.
Satan had accused Jacob before the angels of God, claiming the right to
destroy him because of his sin; he had moved upon Esau to march against
him;
and during the patriarch's long night of wrestling, Satan endeavored to
force upon him a sense of his guilt in order to discourage him and break
his
hold upon God. Jacob was driven almost to despair; but he knew that
without
help from heaven he must perish. He had sincerely repented of his great
sin,
and he appealed to the mercy of God. He would not be turned from his
purpose, but held fast the Angel and urged his petition with earnest,
agonizing cries until he prevailed.
As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the
wicked to destroy God's people in the time of trouble. And as he accused
Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God. He numbers
the world as his subjects; but the little company who keep the
commandments
of God are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth,
his triumph would be complete. He sees that holy angels are guarding them,
and he infers that their sins have been pardoned; but he does not know
that
their cases have been decided in the sanctuary above. He has an accurate
knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents
these before God in the most exaggerated light, representing this people
to
be just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. He
declares that the Lord cannot in justice forgive their sins and yet
destroy
him and his angels. He claims them as his prey and demands that they be
given into his hands to destroy.
As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord
permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their
faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past,
their
hopes sink;
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for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully
conscious
of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with
the
thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement
will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they
will
yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God.
Though God's people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their
destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of
persecution
for the truth's sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of,
and
that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the
fulfillment of the Saviour's promise: I "will keep thee from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world." Revelation 3:10. If they
could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or
death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of
their
own defects of character, then God's holy name would be reproached.
On every hand they hear the plottings of treason and see the active
working
of rebellion; and there is aroused within them an intense desire, an
earnest
yearning of soul, that this great apostasy may be terminated and the
wickedness of the wicked may come to an end. But while they plead with God
to stay the work of rebellion, it is with a keen sense of self-reproach
that
they themselves have no more power to resist and urge back the mighty tide
of evil. They feel that had they always employed all their ability in the
service of Christ, going forward from strength to strength, Satan's forces
would have less power to prevail against them.
They afflict their souls before God, pointing to their past repentance of
their many sins, and pleading the Saviour's promise: "Let him take hold of
My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with
Me." Isaiah 27:5. Their faith does not fail because their prayers
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are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety,
terror,
and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the
strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their
souls is: "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me."
Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright
by
fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his
life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed
sins
to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be
overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have
confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep
sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal.
Their
sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they
cannot bring them to remembrance.
Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in
the minor affairs of life; but the Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob
that He will in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who endeavor to
excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of
heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. The more
exalted their profession and the more honorable the position which they
hold, the more grievous is their course in the sight of God and the more
sure the triumph of their great adversary. Those who delay a preparation
for
the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble or at any
subsequent
time. The case of all such is hopeless.
Those professed Christians who come up to that last fearful conflict
unprepared will, in their despair, confess their sins in words of burning
anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. These confessions are
of the same character as was that of Esau or of Judas. Those who make
them,
lament the result of transgression, but not its guilt. They feel
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no true contrition, no abhorrence of evil. They acknowledge their sin,
through fear of punishment; but, like Pharaoh of old, they would return to
their defiance of Heaven should the judgments be removed.
Jacob's history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those who
have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but who have
returned
unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy this class,
God
will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. The
assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible;
but
the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries.
Their
affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them;
but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God's
love
for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong
and
tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for
them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be
consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can
endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though
severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for
that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His
victory is an evidence of the power of im****tunate prayer. All who will
lay
hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he
was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self,
to
agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not
obtain it. Wrestling with God--how few know what it is! How few have ever
had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every
power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can
express
sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the
promises of God.
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Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of
falling under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the
conscience. And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into
deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have
never
made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have
neglected they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of
discouragement.
We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises. Angels
record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense
with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest
poverty, the greatest self-denial, with His approval, is better than
riches,
honors, ease, and friend****p without it. We must take time to pray. If we
allow our minds to be absorbed by worldly interests, the Lord may give us
time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile
lands.
The young would not be seduced into sin if they would refuse to enter any
path save that upon which they could ask God's blessing. If the messengers
who bear the last solemn warning to the world would pray for the blessing
of
God, not in a cold, listless, lazy manner, but fervently and in faith, as
did Jacob, they would find many places where they could say: "I have seen
God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis 32:30. They would be
accounted of heaven as princes, having power to prevail with God and with
men.
The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we
shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are
too
indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in
anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before
us.
The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In
that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. "Though
Noah, Daniel, and Job" were in the land, "as I live, saith the Lord God,
they shall deliver neither son
623
nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their
righteousness." Ezekiel 14:20.
Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should
seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour
be
brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts
some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished,
by
means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of
Himself: "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John
14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to
gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no
sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in
which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.
It is in this life that we are to separate sin from us, through faith in
the
atoning blood of Christ. Our precious Saviour invites us to join ourselves
to Him, to unite our weakness to His strength, our ignorance to His
wisdom,
our unworthiness to His merits. God's providence is the school in which we
are to learn the meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting
before us, not the way we would choose, which seems easier and pleasanter
to
us, but the true aims of life. It rests with us to co-operate with the
agencies which Heaven employs in the work of conforming our characters to
the divine model. None can neglect or defer this work but at the most
fearful peril to their souls.
The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in heaven exclaiming: "Woe
to
the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down
unto
you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short
time."
Revelation 12:12. Fearful are the scenes which call forth this exclamation
from the heavenly voice. The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows
short, and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination
in
the time of trouble.
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Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the
heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of
devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to
fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last
struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and
subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be
Christ
Himself, and claiming the title and wor****p which belong to the world's
Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess
to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the
Scriptures.
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will
personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's
advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make
it
appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will
manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness,
resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the
Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is
unsurpassed
by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings
out
upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate
themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and
pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He
was
upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In
gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious,
heavenly
truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and
then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the
Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has
blessed.
He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are
blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with
light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like
the
Samaritans who
625
were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the
greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power
of
God." Acts 8:10.
But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false
christ
are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon
the wor****pers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the
Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out.
And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of
Christ's advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon
this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming.
"There
shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs
and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the
very
elect. . . . Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the
desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it
not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and ****neth even unto the
west;
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:24-27, 31;
25:31;
Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is no
possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known--witnessed by
the whole world.
Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have
received the love of the truth will be ****elded from the powerful delusion
that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the
deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the
sifting
of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of
God
now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the
evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible
and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a
preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge
up
their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a
heavy, wearisome burden, that
626
their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of
trial may come upon them as a thief.
As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against
commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and
abandon
them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee
from
the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in
the
most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the
strongholds
of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmont valleys, they will
make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries and will thank God for
"the munitions of rocks." Isaiah 33:16. But many of all nations and of all
classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into
the
most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound
in
chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently
left
to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open
to
hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help.
Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget
faithful
Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He
forget
Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the
plain?
Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget
Elijah
when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of
Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison
house?
Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the
den
of lions?
"Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can
a
woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the
son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold,
I
have graven thee upon the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:14-16. The Lord of
hosts has said: "He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye."
Zechariah 2:8.
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Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls cannot cut
off
the communication between their souls and Christ. One who sees their every
weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers;
and angels will come to them in lonely cells, bringing light and peace
from
heaven. The prison will be as a palace; for the rich in faith dwell there,
and the gloomy walls will be lighted up with heavenly light as when Paul
and
Silas prayed and sang praises at midnight in the Philippian dungeon.
God's judgments will be visited upon those who are seeking to oppress and
destroy His people. His long forbearance with the wicked emboldens men in
transgression, but their punishment is nonetheless certain and terrible
because it is long delayed. "The Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim,
He
shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His
strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act." Isaiah 28:21.
To
our merciful God the act of punishment is a strange act. "As I live, saith
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Ezekiel
33:11.
The Lord is "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in
goodness
and truth, . . . forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Yet He
will
"by no means clear the guilty." "The Lord is slow to anger, and great in
power, and will not at all acquit the wicked." Exodus 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3.
By
terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His
downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor
may be judged by the Lord's reluctance to execute justice. The nation with
which He bears long, and which He will not smite until it has filled up
the
measure of its iniquity in God's account, will finally drink the cup of
wrath unmixed with mercy.
When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath
threatened against those who wor****p the beast and his image and receive
his
mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt
when
God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those
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more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world
just
before the final deliverance of God's people. Says the revelator, in
describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous
sore
upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which
wor****ped
his image." The sea "became as the blood of a dead man: and every living
soul died in the sea." And "the rivers and fountains of waters . . .
became
blood." Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully
vindicated. The angel of God declares: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, . . .
because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and
prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy."
Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of God to death, they have as
truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their
hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all
the
blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they
possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these
murderers of the prophets.
In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun "to scorch men with
fire. And men were scorched with great heat." Verses 8, 9. The prophets
thus
describe the condition of the earth at this fearful time: "The land
mourneth; . . . because the harvest of the field is perished. . . . All
the
trees of the field are withered: because joy is withered away from the
sons
of men." "The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid
desolate. . . . How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are
perplexed,
because they have no pasture. . . . The rivers of water are dried up, and
the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness." "The songs of the
temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be
many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence."
Joel 1:10-12, 17-20; Amos 8:3.
These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be
wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most
629
awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments
upon
men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The
pleading blood of Christ has ****elded the sinner from receiving the full
measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out
unmixed
with mercy.
In that day, multitudes will desire the shelter of God's mercy which they
have so long despised. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I
will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for
water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from
sea
to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to
seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos 8:11, 12.
The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted
and
distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they
will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by
one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their
head
will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While
the
wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will ****eld the
righteous and supply their wants. To him that "walketh righteously" is the
promise: "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." "When the
poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for
thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake
them." Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the
vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no
meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd
in the stalls;" yet shall they that fear Him "rejoice in the Lord" and joy
in the God of their salvation. Habakkuk 3:17, 18.
"The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The
sun
shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall
preserve
thee from all evil:
630
He shall preserve thy soul." "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the
fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His
feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy
****eld and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor
for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in
darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand
shall
fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not
come
nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of
the
wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most
High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any
plague come nigh thy dwelling." Psalms 121:5-7; 91:3-10.
Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal
their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They
themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand
of
their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto
God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard:
"Where
now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you
are
indeed His people?" But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon
Calvary's
cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery: "He saved
others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now
come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." Matthew 27:42. Like
Jacob, all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express their
internal
struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest
intercession.
Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels
that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of
Christ's patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed
their
distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their
Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a little
longer. The people of God must drink
631
of the cup and be baptized with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to
them, is the best answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait
trustingly for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith, hope, and
patience, which have been too little exercised during their religious
experience. Yet for the elect's sake the time of trouble will be
shortened.
"Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him? . .
.
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:7, 8. The end will
come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in
sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the
fires of destruction.
The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch.
Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment keepers may be
put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree, and
before the time specified, will endeavor to take their lives. But none can
pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are
assailed in their flight from the cities and villages; but the swords
raised
against them break and fall powerless as a straw. Others are defended by
angels in the form of men of war.
In all ages, God has wrought through holy angels for the succor and
deliverance of His people. Celestial beings have taken an active part in
the
affairs of men. They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as the
lightning; they have come as men in the garb of wayfarers. Angels have
appeared in human form to men of God. They have rested, as if weary, under
the oaks at noon. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes.
They
have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have, with their own
hands, kindled the fires at the altar. They have opened prison doors and
set
free the servants of the Lord. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they
came
to roll away the stone from the Saviour's tomb.
In the form of men, angels are often in the assemblies of
632
the righteous; and they visit the assemblies of the wicked, as they went
to
Sodom, to make a record of their deeds, to determine whether they have
passed the boundary of God's forbearance. The Lord delights in mercy; and
for the sake of a few who really serve Him, He restrains calamities and
prolongs the tranquillity of multitudes. Little do sinners against God
realize that they are indebted for their own lives to the faithful few
whom
they delight to ridicule and oppress.
Though the rulers of this world know it not, yet often in their councils
angels have been spokesmen. Human eyes have looked upon them; human ears
have listened to their appeals; human lips have opposed their suggestions
and ridiculed their counsels; human hands have met them with insult and
abuse. In the council hall and the court of justice these heavenly
messengers have shown an intimate acquaintance with human history; they
have
proved themselves better able to plead the cause of the oppressed than
were
their ablest and most eloquent defenders. They have defeated purposes and
arrested evils that would have greatly retarded the work of God and would
have caused great suffering to His people. In the hour of peril and
distress
"the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and
delivereth them." Psalm 34:7.
With earnest longing, God's people await the tokens of their coming King.
As
the watchmen are accosted, "What of the night?" the answer is given
unfalteringly, "'The morning cometh, and also the night.' Isaiah 21:11,
12.
Light is gleaming upon the clouds above the mountaintops. Soon there will
be
a revealing of His glory. The Sun of Righteousness is about to ****ne
forth.
The morning and the night are both at hand--the opening of endless day to
the righteous, the settling down of eternal night to the wicked."
As the wrestling ones urge their petitions before God, the veil separating
them from the unseen seems almost withdrawn. The heavens glow with the
dawning of eternal day, and like the melody of angel songs the words fall
upon the
633
ear: "Stand fast to your allegiance. Help is coming." Christ, the almighty
Victor, holds out to His weary soldiers a crown of immortal glory; and His
voice comes from the gates ajar: "Lo, I am with you. Be not afraid. I am
acquainted with all your sorrows; I have borne your griefs. You are not
warring against untried enemies. I have fought the battle in your behalf,
and in My name you are more than conquerors."
The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The way to
heaven
is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has
wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before
us.
The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace. The time of
trouble is a fearful ordeal for God's people; but it is the time for every
true believer to look up, and by faith he may see the bow of promise
encircling him.
"The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion;
and
everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and
joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am He that
comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that
shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and
forgettest the Lord thy Maker; . . . and hast feared continually every day
because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and
where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hasteneth that he
may
be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread
should
fail. But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared:
The Lord of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in thy mouth, and I
have covered thee in the shadow of Mine hand." Isaiah 51:11-16.
"Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of His
people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even
the dregs of the cup of My fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: but I
will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said
634
to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as
the ground, and as the street, to them that went over." Verses 21-23.
The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His
people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against them.
Like
the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by
violence. But the Holy One who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will
manifest His mighty power and turn their captivity. "They shall be Mine,
saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will
spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17.
If
the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would
not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for
God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the
truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until
they
return no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their
enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. Says the
psalmist: "In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the
secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me." Psalm 27:5. Christ has spoken:
"Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about
thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation
be
overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the
inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." Isaiah 26:20, 21. Glorious
will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming
and whose names are written in the book of life.
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