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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
Though the people of God endure privation, and even suffer for
want of food, they are not left to perish. While God’s judgments are
visited upon the earth, and the wicked are dying from hunger and
thirst, angels provide the righteous with food and water. Said Jesus,
in his lessons of faith to his disciples: “Consider the ravens; for they
neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and
God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls?”
[
Luke 12:24
.] “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of
them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of
more value than many sparrows.” [
Matthew 10:29-31
.]
Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must
soon seal their testimony with their blood, as did the martyrs before
them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to
fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day
and night they cry unto God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and
the jeering cry is heard, “Where now is your faith? Why does not
God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed his people?” But
the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary’s cross, and
the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery, “He saved others;
himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come
down from the cross, and we will believe him.” [
Matthew 27:42
.]
Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express
their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease
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not their earnest intercession.
Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold compa-
nies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have
kept the word of Christ’s patience. With sympathizing tenderness,
angels have witnessed their distress, and have heard their prayers.
They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from
their peril. But they must wait yet a little longer. The people of God
must drink of the cup, and be baptized with the baptism. The very
delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. As
they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to work, they are led to
exercise faith, hope, and patience, which have been too little exer-
cised during their religious experience. Yet for the elect’s sake, the
time of trouble will be shortened. The end will come more quickly
than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves