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Counsels for the Church
into the ranks. Still the evil angels pressed around them, but they could
have no power over them. [See
Ephesians 6:12-18
.]
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great
power. It had effect. I saw those who had been bound; some wives
had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound
by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from
hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of it. All fear of their relatives
was gone. The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more
precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth. I
asked what had made this great change. An angel answered: “It is the
latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry
of the third angel.”
Great power was with these chosen ones. Said the angel: “Look
ye!” My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They
were all astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused
and enraged them. Confusion, confusion was on every side. I saw
measures taken against this company, who had the power and light of
God.
[340]
Darkness thickened around them, yet there they stood, approved
of God, and trusting in Him. I saw them perplexed. Next I heard them
crying unto God earnestly. Through the day and night their cry ceased
not. [See
Luke 18:7, 8
;
Revelation 14:14, 15
.]
I heard these words: “Thy will, O God, be done! If it can glorify
Thy name, make a way of escape for Thy people! Deliver us from the
heathen round about us! They have appointed us unto death; but Thine
arm can bring salvation.” These are all the words that I can bring to
mind. All seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and
manifested entire submission to the will of God. Yet like Jacob, every
one, without an exception, was earnestly pleading and wrestling for
deliverance.
Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in
sympathy, would have gone to their deliverance. But a tall, command-
ing angel suffered them not. Said he: “The will of God is not yet
fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the
baptism.”
Soon I heard the voice of God which shook the heavens and the
earth. [See
Joel 3:16
;
Hebrews 12:26
; and
Revelation 16:17
.] There
was a mighty earthquake. Buildings were shaken down, and fell on