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A Time of Trouble Such as Never Was, September 14
And 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 angel’s 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,” “the ... refreshing ... from the
presence of the Lord,” and they are prepared for the trying hour before
them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from
the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought
upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine
precepts have received “the seal of the living God.” Then Jesus ceases His
intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud
voice says, “It is done.” ...
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. God’s
long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His
love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary
of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last
withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the
wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one
great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce
winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The
whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came
upon Jerusalem of old.
Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that
trying time.... Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four
winds, to make our calling and election sure.
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