“The Time of Trouble”
509
them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who
stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the
State, ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than
for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The
same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ
by the “rulers of the people.” “It is expedient for us,” said the wily
Caiaphas, “that one man should die for the people, and that the whole
nation perish not.” [
John 11:50
.] This argument will appear conclu-
sive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of
the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain
time, to put them to death. Romanism in the Old World, and apostate
Protestantism in the New, will pursue a similar course toward those
who honor all the divine precepts.
[616]
The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of af-
fliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s
trouble. “Thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of
fear, and not of peace.” “All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for
that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s
trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” [
Jeremiah 30:5-7
.]
Jacob’s night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer for deliv-
erance from the hand of Esau, [
Genesis 32:24-30
.] represents the
experience of God’s people in the time of trouble. Because of the
deception practiced to secure his father’s blessing, intended for Esau,
Jacob had fled for his life, alarmed by his brother’s deadly threats.
After remaining for many years an exile, he had set out, at God’s
command, to return with his wives and children, his flocks and herds,
to his native country. On reaching the borders of the land, he was filled
with terror by the tidings of Esau’s approach at the head of a band of
warriors, doubtless bent upon revenge. Jacob’s company, unarmed
and defenseless, seemed about to fall helpless victims of violence and
slaughter. And to the burden of anxiety and fear was added the crush-
ing weight of self-reproach; for it was his own sin that had brought
this danger. His only hope was in the mercy of God; his only defense
must be prayer. Yet he leaves nothing undone on his own part to atone
for the wrong to his brother, and to avert the threatened danger. So
should the followers of Christ, as they approach the time of trouble,
make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the