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A Little Time of Peace, September 8
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they
shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
.
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. At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from
the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the
third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last
plagues shall be poured out.
I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War,
bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land.
As these things surrounded God’s people, they began to press together,
and to cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled
them; deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation
caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable
man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom.
My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little
time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before
me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and
bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations
were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and
bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men’s hearts failed them for fear,
“and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”
Angels are now restraining the winds of strife, until the world shall be
warned of its coming doom; but a storm is gathering, ready to burst upon
the earth, and when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be
such a scene of strife as no pen can picture....
A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power
lent us of heaven is to be used in doing the work assigned us by the Lord
for those who are perishing in ignorance.
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