“The Time of Trouble”
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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 not their earnest intercession.
Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies
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,
[631]
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 exercised during their religious experience.
Yet for the elect’s sake, the time of trouble will be shortened. “Shall
not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? ... I
tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” [
Luke 18:7, 8
.] The end
will come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered
and bound in sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as
fagots for the fires of destruction.
The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch.
Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-
keepers may be put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate
the decree, and, before the time specified, will endeavor to take their
lives. But none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every
faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and
villages; but the swords raised against them break and fall as powerless
as a straw. Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war.