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Chapter 34—The Time of Trouble
“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
.]
When the third 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, or the refreshing from
the presence of the Lord, and they are prepared for the trying hour
before them. Angels are hurrying to and fro in Heaven. An angel
returning from the earth announces that his work is done, that the
seal of God [
See appendix, note 9.
] has been placed upon his people.
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
[432]
for his people, and 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. The power attending the last warning has enraged
them, and their anger is kindled against all who have received the
message. The people of God are then plunged into those scenes of
affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s
trouble:—
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