Angels in the Final Crisis
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patience, which have been too little exercised during their religious
experience....
The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch.
Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-
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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.—
The Great Controversy, 630, 631
.
God Interposes as the Wicked Try to Kill God’s People
The people of God—some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary
retreats in the forests and the mountains—still plead for divine pro-
tection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by
hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in
the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for
the deliverance of His chosen....
It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance
of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and
wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and
amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn
joy the tokens of their deliverance.... Dark, heavy clouds come up, and
clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear
space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God....
That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty
earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty
an earthquake, and so great.” The firmament appears to open and
shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The
mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered
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on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed
into fury. There is heard the shriek of the hurricane, like the voice
of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves
and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its
very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking.
Inhabited islands disappear....
Fierce lightnings leap from the heavens, enveloping the earth in a
sheet of flames. Above the terrific roar of thunder, voices, mysterious
and awful, declare the doom of the wicked.... Those who a little before