Chapter 10—The Little Time of Trouble
A Time of Trouble Before Probation Closes
On page 33 [of Early Writings] is given the following: “... At the
commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy
Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.”
This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the
Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed
that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between
the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfillment of that view is
beginning to be seen. “The commencement of that time of trouble,”
here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall
begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured
out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work
of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the
nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work
of the third angel.—
Early Writings, 85, 86
(1854).
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The End of Religious Liberty in the United States
The law of God, through the agency of Satan, is to be made void.
In our land of boasted freedom religious liberty will come to an end.
The contest will be decided over the Sabbath question, which will
agitate the whole world.—
Evangelism, 236
(1875).
A great crisis awaits the people of God. Very soon our nation will
attempt to enforce upon all the observance of the first day of the week
as a sacred day. In doing this they will not scruple to compel men
against the voice of their own conscience to observe the day the nation
declares to be the Sabbath.—
The Review and Herald Extra, December
11, 1888
.
Seventh-day Adventists will fight the battle over the seventh-day
Sabbath. The authorities in the United States and in other countries
will rise up in their pride and power and make laws to restrict religious
liberty.—Ms 78, 1897.
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