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suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease
their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob
laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their souls is, “I will not
let thee go, except thou bless me.”
Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the
birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mer-
cifully preserved his life. So in the time of trouble, if the people of
God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with
fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut
off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God
for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthi-
ness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone
beforehand to Judgment, and have been blotted out; and they ca
bring them to remembrance.
Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their un-
faithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the Lord shows in his
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dealings with Jacob that he will in no wise sanction or tolerate evil.
All who endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them
to remain upon the books of Heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven,
will be overcome by Satan. The more exalted their profession, and
the more honorable the position which they hold, the more grievous
is their course in the sight of God, and the more sure the triumph
of their great adversary. Those who delay a preparation for the day
of God ca
time. The case of all such is hopeless. Those professed Christians
who come up to that last fearful conflict unprepared, will, in their
despair, confess their sins in words of burning anguish, while the
wicked exult over their distress.
Yet Jacob’s history is an assurance that God will not cast off
those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin,
but who have returned unto him with true repentance. While Satan
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seeks to destroy this class, God will send his angels to comfort and
protect them in the time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and
determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord’s eye is upon his
people, and his ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the
flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner
will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God’s love for his
children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and
tender as in the days of their su
for them to be placed in the furnace fire; their earthliness must be
removed that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith
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that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger,—a faith that will not
faint, though severely tried. The period of probation is granted
to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was
persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power
of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises as
he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed
as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize
before God, to pray long and earnestly for his blessing, will not
obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few
have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire
until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which
no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling
with unyielding faith to the promises of God.
Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger
of falling under the power of Satanic delusions and the decree to
compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test, they will
be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble,
because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons
of faith which they have neglected, they will be forced to learn under
a terrible pressure of discouragement.
We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving his
promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere.
We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect
communion with God. The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial,
with his approval, is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship
without it. We must take time to pray. If we allow our minds to
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The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
be absorbed by worldly interests, the Lord may give us time by
removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands.
The young would not be seduced into sin if they would refuse to
enter any path, save that upon which they could ask God’s blessing.
If the messengers who bear the last solemn warning to the world
would pray for the blessing of God, not in a cold, listless, lazy
ma
many places where they could say, “I have seen God face to face,
and my life is preserved.” They would be accounted of Heaven as
princes, having power to prevail with God and with men.
The time of trouble such as never was, is soon to open upon
us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess,
and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that
trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true
of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation ca
magnitude of the ordeal. And now, while the precious Saviour is
making an atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in
Christ. God’s providence is the school in which we are to learn the
meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting before us,
not the way we would choose, which is easier and pleasanter to us,
but the true aims of life. None can neglect or defer this work but at
the most fearful peril to their souls.
The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in Heaven ex-
claiming, “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for
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the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time.” [Revelation 12:12.] Fearful are the scenes which call forth this exclamation from the heavenly
voice. The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and
his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the
time of trouble. 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, and the
Lord withdraws his protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the