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The Great Controversy 1888
divine form they discern the marks of his humiliation; and from his
lips they hear the request, presented before his Father and the holy
angels, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am.” [
John 17:24
.] Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is
heard, saying, “They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled.
They have kept the word of my patience; they shall walk among the
angels;” and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their
faith, utter a shout of victory.
It is at midnight that God manifests his power for the deliverance
of his people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and
wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and
amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn
joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned
out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come
up, and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens
is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of
God like the sound of many waters, saying, “It is done.” [
Revelation
16:17, 18
.]
That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty
earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty
an earthquake and so great.” [
Revelation 16:17, 18
.] The firmament
appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems
flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and
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ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming
tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the shriek of the
hurricane, like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The
whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is
breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain
chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have
become like Sodom for wickedness, are swallowed up by the angry
waters. Babylon the Great hath come in remembrance before God,
“to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.”
[
Revelation 16:19, 21
.] Great hailstones, every one “about the weight
of a talent,” are doing their work of destruction. The proudest cities
of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world’s
great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves,
are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder,