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Now Is the Time for Preparation, November 30
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy
to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man.
Luke 21:36
.
Those professed believers who come up to the time of trouble unprepared,
will, in their despair, confess their sins before the world in words of burning
anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. The case of all such is
hopeless. When Christ stands up, and leaves the most holy place, the time of
trouble commences, the case of every soul is decided, and there will be no
atoning blood to cleanse from sin and pollution. As Jesus leaves the most
holy, He speaks in tones of decision and kingly authority: “He that is unjust,
let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he
that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy
still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every
man according as his work shall be” (
Revelation 22:11, 12
).
Those who have delayed a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it
in the time of trouble, or at any future period. The righteous will not cease
their earnest, agonizing cries for deliverance. They cannot bring to mind any
particular sins; but in their whole life they can see little good. Their sins have
gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon has been written. Their sins have
been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they cannot bring them to
remembrance. Certain destruction threatens them, and, like Jacob, they will
not suffer their faith to grow weak because their prayers are not immediately
answered. Though suffering the pangs of hunger, they will not cease their
intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God, as Jacob laid hold of the
angel; and the language of their soul is “I will not let thee go, except thou
bless me” (
Genesis 32:26
).
That season of distress and anguish will require an effort of earnestness
and determined faith that can endure delay and hunger, and will not fail under
weakness, though severely tried. The period of probation is the time granted
to all to prepare for the day of God.—
The Signs of the Times, November 27,
1879
.
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