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A Time Of Trouble Such As Never Was, December 20
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth
for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as
never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time
thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the
book.
Daniel 12:1
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When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty
inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They
have received “the latter rain,” “the ... refreshing ... from the presence of the Lord,”
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and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to
and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is
done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved
themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God.”
Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and
with a loud voice says, “It is done.” ...
When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth.
In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an
intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan
has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s long-suffering has ended. The
world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The
wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently
resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no
protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth
into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce
winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole
world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem
of old.
Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that trying
time.... Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make
our calling and election sure.
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