“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, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1.
(HF 373.1)
When the third angel’s message closes, the people of God have accomplished their work. They have received “the latter rain” and are prepared for the trying hour before them. The final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God.” Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above and with a loud voice says, “It is done.”“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him by 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. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven” (Daniel 7:27) is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(HF 373.2)
When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. The righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the impenitent. The Spirit of God has been at last withdrawn. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. Angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old. There are forces now ready, only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere.
(HF 373.3)
Those who honor the law of God will be regarded as the cause of the fearful strife and bloodshed that fill the earth with woe. The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked, and Satan will excite the spirit of hatred and persecution against all who have received the message.
(HF 374.1)
When God’s presence was withdrawn from the Jewish nation, priests and people still regarded themselves as the chosen of God. The ministration in the temple continued; daily the divine blessing was invoked upon a people guilty of the blood of God’s Son. 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 withdrawn; the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs.
(HF 374.2)
As the Sabbath becomes the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, it will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to the church and 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 was brought against Christ. “It is expedient for us,” said Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them and giving 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. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of distress described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” Jeremiah 30:5-7; Genesis 32:24-30.
(HF 374.3)
Because of the deception practiced to secure his father’s blessing intended for Esau. Jacob had fled, alarmed by his brother’s deadly threats. After remaining many years an exile, he had set out to return to his native country. On reaching the border he was filled with terror by the tidings of Esau’s approach, doubtless bent on revenge. Jacob’s only hope was in the mercy of God; his only defense must be prayer.
(HF 375.1)
Alone with God, he confessed his sin with deep humiliation. The crisis in his life had come. In the darkness he continued praying. Suddenly a hand was laid upon his shoulder. He thought an enemy was seeking his life. With all the energy of despair he wrestled with his assailant. As the day began to break, the stranger put forth his superhuman power. Jacob seemed paralyzed and fell, a helpless, weeping suppliant, upon the neck of his mysterious antagonist. He knew then that it was the Angel of the covenant with whom he had been in conflict. Long had he endured remorse for his sin; now he must have the assurance that it was pardoned. The Angel urged, “Let me go, for the day breaketh,” but the patriarch exclaimed, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Jacob confessed his weakness and unworthiness, yet trusted the mercy of a covenant-keeping God. Through repentance and self-surrender, this sinful mortal prevailed with the Majesty of heaven.
(HF 375.2)
Satan had accused Jacob before God because of his sin; he had moved Esau to march against him. During the patriarch’s night of wrestling, Satan endeavored to discourage him and break his hold on God. He was driven almost to despair; but he had sincerely repented of his sin and held fast the Angel and urged his petition with earnest cries until he prevailed.
(HF 375.3)
As Satan accused Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God, but the company who keep the commandments of God resist his supremacy. He sees that holy angels are guarding them, and he infers that their sins have been pardoned. He has an accurate knowledge of the sins he has tempted them to commit and declares that the Lord cannot in justice forgive their sins and yet destroy him and his angels. He demands that they be given into his hands to destroy.
(HF 376.1)
The Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith, will be severely tested. Satan endeavors to terrify them. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to temptation and turn from their allegiance to God.
(HF 376.2)
Yet the anguish which God’s people suffer is not a dread of persecution. They fear 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. Should they prove unworthy because of their own defects of character, then God’s holy name would be reproached.
(HF 376.3)
They point to their past repentance of their many sins and plead 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. Though suffering anxiety and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They lay hold 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.”
(HF 376.4)
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 plead with God for deliverance. But 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.
(HF 376.5)
The Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob that He will in no wise tolerate evil. All who excuse or conceal their sins and permit them to remain on the books of heaven unconfessed and unforgiven will be overcome by Satan. The more honorable the position they hold, the more sure the triumph of their adversary. Those who delay preparation cannot obtain it in the time of trouble, or at any subsequent time. The case of all such is hopeless.
(HF 377.1)
Jacob’s history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those who, betrayed into sin, have returned to Him with true repentance. God will send angels to comfort them in peril. The Lord’s eye is upon His people. The flames of the furnace seem about to consume them, but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire.
(HF 377.2)
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. Jacob’s victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, will succeed as he succeeded. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! When waves of despair sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with faith to the promises of God.
(HF 377.3)
Those who exercise but little faith now are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions. And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. We should now prove His promises.
(HF 377.4)
Often 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.
(HF 377.5)
Now, while our 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. 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.
(HF 378.1)
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 unworthiness to His merits. It rests with us to cooperate with Heaven in the work of conforming our characters to the divine model.
(HF 378.2)
Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. Spirits of devils will go forth to the “kings of the earth” and to the whole world, to urge them to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself. They will perform miracles of healing and profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the Scriptures.
(HF 378.3)
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long looked to the Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. Satan will manifest himself as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15.
(HF 378.4)
The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out, “Christ has come!” The people prostrate themselves before him. He lifts up his hands and blesses them. His voice is soft, yet full of melody. In compassionate tones he presents some of the same heavenly truths the Saviour uttered. He heals diseases, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday. He declares that those who keep holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Multitudes give heed to sorceries, saying, This is “the great power of God.” Acts 8:10.
(HF 379.1)
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 worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class on whom the Bible declares that God’s unmingled wrath shall be poured out.
(HF 379.2)
Furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception on this point. “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 shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:24-27. See also Matthew 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming, there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be witnessed by the whole world.
(HF 379.3)
Only diligent students of the Scriptures who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. 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?
(HF 379.4)
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. (See chapter four.) 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 shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, apparently left to die in dark, loathsome dungeons.
(HF 380.1)
Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah, Lot, Joseph, Elijah, Jeremiah, or Daniel? Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls cannot cut off communication between their souls and Christ. Angels will come to them in lonely cells. The prison will be as a palace, and the gloomy walls will be lighted up as when Paul and Silas sang at midnight in the Philippian dungeon.
(HF 380.2)
God’s judgments will be visited upon those who are seeking to destroy His people. To God, punishment is a “strange act.” Isaiah 28:21; see also Ezekiel 33:11. The Lord is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, ... forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Yet He will “by no means clear the guilty.” Exodus 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3. The nation with which He bears long, and which has filled up the measure of its iniquity, will finally drink the cup of wrath unmixed with mercy.
(HF 380.3)
When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast will be poured out. The plagues on Egypt were similar to those more extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God’s people. Says the revelator: “There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.” The sea “became as the blood of a dead man.” And “the rivers and fountains of waters ... became blood.” The angel 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, 8, 9. 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. Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men shed since the days of Abel (Matthew 23:34-36), for they possessed the same spirit as these murderers of the prophets.
(HF 380.4)
In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun “to scorch men with fire.” The prophets describe this fearful time: “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.”“How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture.... The rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.” Joel 1:11, 12, 18-20.
(HF 381.1)
These plagues are not universal, yet they will be the most awful scourges ever known. All judgments prior to the close of probation have been mingled with mercy. The blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is unmixed with mercy. Multitudes will desire the shelter of God’s mercy which they have despised.
(HF 381.2)
While persecuted and distressed, while they suffer for want of food, the people of God will not be left to perish. Angels will supply their wants. “Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.”“I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” Isaiah 33:16; 41:17.
(HF 381.3)
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. It is a time of fearful agony. The wicked exult, “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 on Calvary’s cross. Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God.
(HF 382.1)
Angels are stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ’s patience. They have witnessed their distress and heard their prayers. They wait the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait a little longer. The people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism. Matthew 20:20-23. Yet for the elect’s sake the time of trouble will be shortened. The end will come more quickly than men expect.
(HF 382.2)
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 endeavor to take their lives. But none can pass the guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight from the cities, but the swords raised against them break as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war.
(HF 382.3)
In all ages celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes, acted as guides to benighted travelers, opened prison doors and set free the servants of the Lord. They came to roll away the stone from the Saviour’s tomb.
(HF 382.4)
Angels visit the assemblies of the wicked, as they went to Sodom, to determine whether they have passed the boundary of God’s forbearance. The Lord, for the sake of a few who really serve Him, restrains calamities and prolongs the tranquillity of multitudes. Little do sinners realize that they are indebted for their lives to the faithful few whom they delight to oppress.
(HF 382.5)
Often in the councils of this world, angels have been spokesmen. Human ears have listened to their appeals, human lips have ridiculed their counsels. These heavenly messengers have proved themselves better able to plead the cause of the oppressed than their most eloquent defenders. They have defeated and arrested evils that would have caused great suffering to God’s people.
(HF 383.1)
With earnest longing, God’s people await the tokens of their coming King. As the wrestling ones urge their petitions before God, the heavens glow with the dawn of eternal day. Like the melody of angel songs the words fall upon the ear: “Help is coming.” Christ’s voice comes from the gates ajar: “Lo, I am with you. Be not afraid. I have fought the battle in your behalf, and in my name you are more than conquerors.”
(HF 383.2)
The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The time of trouble is a fearful ordeal for God’s people, but every true believer may see by faith 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.” Isaiah 51:11.
(HF 383.3)
If the blood of Christ’s witnesses were shed at this time, 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 to fall a prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. 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.
(HF 383.4)
Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life.
(HF 384.1)