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separate him from God by alluring temptations. When these do
not succeed, then a compelling power is employed to force the
conscience.
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But as long as Jesus remains man’s intercessor in the sanctuary
above, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers
and people. It still controls, to some extent, the laws of the land.
Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be much
worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are active agents
of Satan, God also has his agents among the leading men of the
nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures
that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear
the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions
with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check
a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth
will be restrained that the third message may do its work. When the
loud cry shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading
men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will
accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of
trouble.
The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message
is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide
extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent
movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of
God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the
world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest
which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the
sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty
movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be
Loud Cry
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similar to that of the day of Pentecost. Servants of God, with their
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faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from
place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands
of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles
are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the
believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down
fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the
earth are brought to take their stand.
The message will be carried, as was the midnight cry of 1844,
not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit
of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been
sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications
distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence; yet
many whose minds have been impressed have been prevented from
fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the
rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness,
and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held
them. Family co
them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding
the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their
stand upon the Lord’s side.
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Chapter 34—The Time of Trouble
“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.]
When the third 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, or the refreshing from
the presence of the Lord, and they are prepared for the trying hour
before them. Angels are hurrying to and fro in Heaven. An angel
returning from the earth a
seal of God [See Appendix, note 9.] has been placed upon his people.
Then Jesus ceases his intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts
his hands, and with a loud voice says, “It is done;” and all the angelic
host lay off their crowns as he makes the solemn a
that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him
be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and
he that is holy, let him be holy still.” [Revelation 22:11] Every case
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has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement
for his people, and blotted out their sins. The number of his subjects
is made up; “the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven,” is about to be given to the heirs
of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
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. The power attending the last warning has enraged
them, and their anger is kindled against all who have received the
message. The people of God are then plunged into those scenes of
affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s
trouble:—
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Time of Trouble
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“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
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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 crushing 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