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The Great Time of Trouble, September 24
In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of
the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mark 13:19
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The time of trouble such as never was, is soon to open upon us; and we
shall need an experience which we do not now possess, and which many
are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in
anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The
most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. And now,
while the precious Saviour is making an atonement for us, we should seek
to become perfect in Christ. God’s providence is the school in which we
are to learn the meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting
before us, not the way we would choose, which is easier and pleasanter to
us, but the true aims of life. None can neglect or defer this work but at the
most fearful peril to their souls.
The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in Heaven exclaiming,
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come
down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a
short time.” Fearful are the scenes which call forth this exclamation from
the heavenly voice. The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short,
and his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the time of
trouble. 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, and the Lord withdraws His protection,
and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen. Satan will
have power over those who have yielded themselves to his control, and he
will 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.
In the midst of the time of trouble—trouble such as has not been since
there was a nation—His [God’s] chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan
with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God’s saints.
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