Time of Trouble Refined Presentation

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The Time Of Trouble

Areas of interest during the time of trouble

• Stewardship

•

Holiness• Prayer

• Preparation

• Intercession

• Evangelism

Introduction

"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, everyone

that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1. {GC 613.1}

The Lord God does nothing without giving to his servants the

prophets knowledge of his plans. Amos 3:7, N.E.B.

The events connected with the close of probation and the

work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented.

But multitudes have no more understanding of these important

truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to

catch away every impression that would make them wise unto

salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready. {Mar

160.1}

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 cannot reach the

magnitude of the ordeal. {GC 622.4}

The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in heaven exclaiming: "Woe

to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for 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 will reach its

culmination in the time of trouble. {GC 623.3}

BIBLE AND TIME OF TROUBLE

Daniel Chapter 12

12:1 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.

The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther

were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages

to the close of time, has declared, "The dragon was wroth with the

woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep

the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Rev. 12:17. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words

fulfilled. {FLB 289.3}

Nehemiah 9:27 Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their

enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they

cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to thy

manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the

hand of their enemies.



Job 38:23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the

day of battle and war?

Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:

in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon

a rock.

Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is]

their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalms 41:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed [is] he

that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Psalms 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like]

a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

Isaish 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be

thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Jeremiah 2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone,

Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me,

and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise,

and save us.

Jeremiah 2:28 But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let

them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according

to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Jeremiah 11:12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of

Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but

they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble



Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of

trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a

wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Jeremiah 30:7 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.

Ezekiel 7:7 The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the

land: the time is come, the day of trouble [is] near, and not the sounding

again of the mountains.

WHAT IS THE TIME OF TROUBLE AND WHAT CAUSES IT

Jacob's night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer for deliverance from

the hand of Esau (Genesis 32:24-30), represents the experience of God's

people in the time of trouble. {GC 619.3}

As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout

Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to

enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small

minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of

universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition

to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be

tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be

thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The same argument eighteen

hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the "rulers of the

people." "It is expedient for us," said the wily Caiaphas, "that one man

should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not." John

11:50. This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be

issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth

commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest

punishment and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put

them to death. Romanism in the Old World and apostate Protestantism



in the New will pursue a similar course toward those who honor all the

divine precepts. {GC 615.2}

The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction

and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob's trouble.

"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. {GC 616.1}

In that day, multitudes will desire the shelter of God's mercy which they

have so long despised. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I

will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for

water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from

sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro

to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos 8:11, 12. {GC

629.1}

The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it

is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath

of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and

even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the

Sabbath.--HP 344 (1908). {LDE 257.4}

The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of

God, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond"

(Rev. 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the

false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and itwill finally be declared that they are deserving of death.--GC 604 (1911). {LDE

257.5}

WHEN IS THE TIME OF TROUBLE

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," 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;" and all the angelic host lay off their

crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He 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.

As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against

commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and

abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God

will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies,

dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in

the strongholds of the mountains. {GC 626.1}

The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this

earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.--

Letter 200, 1903. {CL 10

The time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at

hand. We have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war.

The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final

fulfillment.--RH Nov. 24, 1904. {LDE 12.1}

The time of trouble--trouble such as was not since there was a nation

[Dan. 12:1]--is right upon us, and we are like the sleeping virgins. We are

to awake and ask the Lord Jesus to place underneath us His everlasting

arms, and carry us through the time of trial before us.--3MR 305 (1906).

{LDE 12.2}



The world is becoming more and more lawless. Soon great trouble will

arise among the nations--trouble that will not cease until Jesus comes.--

RH Feb. 11, 1904. {LDE 12.3}

We are on the very verge of the time of trouble, and perplexities that

are scarcely dreamed of are before us.--9T 43 (1909). {LDE 12.4}

We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages. In quick

succession the judgments of God will follow one another--fire, and

flood, and earthquake, with war and bloodshed.--PK 278 (c. 1914).

{LDE 12.5}

There are stormy times before us, but let us not utter one word of

unbelief or discouragement.--ChS 136 (1905). {LDE 12.6}

Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal

of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four

winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword, nation rose against

nation, and the whole world was in confusion.--7BC 968 (1846). {LDE

228.4}

I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's

inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus

that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed.

Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing

the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands,

and with a loud voice said, "It is done."--EW 279 (1858). {LDE 229.1}

Only a moment of time, as it were, yet remains. But while already

nation is rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, there is

not now a general engagement. As yet the four winds are held until

the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the

powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle.--6T

14 (1900). {LDE 229.2}



In the time of trouble Satan stirs up the wicked, and they encircle the

people of God to destroy them. But he does not know that "pardon"

has been written opposite their names in the books of heaven.--RH

Nov. 19, 1908. {LDE 234.1}

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. . . . The

people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and

distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob's trouble. {FLB

339.3}

At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the

Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.

{Mar 170.1}

"The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned, does

not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but

to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the

sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will

be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check

so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the "latter

rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give

power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand

in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. {Mar

170.2}

We are not now able to describe with accuracy the scenes to be

enacted in our world in the future, but this we do know, that this is a



time when we must watch unto prayer, for the great day of the Lord is

at hand. --2SM 35 (1901). {LDE 17.1}

Many will look away from present duties, present comfort and

blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This

will be making a time of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no

grace for any such anticipated troubles.--3SM 383, 384 (1884). {LDE

17.3}

PROBATION AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE

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.

Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and men, and God

will keep silence no longer, but pour out His wrath on those who have

rejected His truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of

God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate and distinct, one

following the other; also that Michael had not stood up, and that the

time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The

nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished

His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of

vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out. {CET

100.2}



I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus'

work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last

plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they

thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and

that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be

stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to

cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's

trouble.[SEE GENESIS 32.]

We are to make the best of our present opportunities. There will be

no other probation given to us in which to prepare for heaven. This is

our only and last opportunity to form characters which will fit us for

the future home which the Lord has prepared for all who

are obedient to His commandments.--Letter 20, 1899. {LDE 236.3}

It is a solemn thing to die, but a far more solemn thing to live.

Every thought and word and deed of our lives will meet us again.

What we make of ourselves in probationary time, that we must remain

to all eternity. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no

change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our

characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change.--5T 466

(1885). {LDE 236.2}

When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man's behalf,

then this time of trouble will begin. Then the case of every soul will

have been decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from

sin. When Jesus leaves His position as man's intercessor before God

the solemn announcement is made, "He 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" (Rev. 22:11). Then the restraining Spirit of God is withdrawn

from the earth.--PP 201 (1890). {LDE 253.1}



When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no

longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the

living God is upon His people. {LDE 259.2}

Preparation and The Time Of Trouble

I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and

were looking to the time of "refreshing" and the "latter rain" to fit them

to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many

I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the

needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing

that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. {FLB

337.4}

Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify

their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe

that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the

time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be

hewed and squared for the building. . . . {FLB 337.5}

I saw that none could share the "refreshing" unless they obtain the

victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world,

and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be

drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that

preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of

the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy

beings can ever dwell in His presence. {FLB 337.6}

Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in

that trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds,

foreheads, and written in our hearts. . . . What leisure time we have

should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the

last day. . . . {FLB 339.4}

Let the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ

be in your minds continually and let them crowd out worldly thoughts



and cares. When you lie down and when you rise up, let them be your

meditation. Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of the

Son of man. The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over.

Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds,

to make our calling and election sure.

{FLB 339.5}

Those who delay a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the

time of trouble or at any subsequent time. The case of all such is

hopeless. {GC 620.2}

SALVATION AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE

The living righteous will receive the seal of God prior to the close of

probation.

In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God.

"Though Noah, Daniel, and Job" were in the land, "as I live, saith the

Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but

deliver their own souls by their righteousness." Ezekiel 14:20. {GC 622.4}

It is in this life that we are to separate sin from us, through faith in

the atoning blood of Christ. {GC 623.2}

I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of

the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who

receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect

the image of Jesus fully. {EW 71.1}

I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of

the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who



receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect

the image of Jesus fully. {EW 71.1}

Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we

should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our

Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in

human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful

desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their

power. But Christ declared of Himself: "The prince of this world cometh,

and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the

Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His

Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could

use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found

who shall stand in the time of trouble. {GC 623.1}

Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in

the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The

spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the

whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite

with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By

these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons

will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and

worship which belong to the world's Redeemer. They will perform

wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations

from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures. {GC

624.1}

As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan

himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look

to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the

great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different

parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a

majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of

the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15.



The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that

mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon

the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate

themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and

pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples

when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full

of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the

same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals

the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of

Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and

commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares

that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are

blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to

them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering

delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus,

the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these

sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts 8:10. {GC

624.2}

Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and

who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the

powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible

testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the

testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine

Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly

established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence

of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and

the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a

preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to

hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause

them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be

overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come

upon them as a thief. {GC 625.3}



As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near,

satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only

appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ; and

the world who has rejected the truth will receive him as the Lord

of lords and King of kings. {Mar 276.1}

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 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. {GC 630.2}

The precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The way to

heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our

feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has

borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace.

The time of trouble is a fearful ordeal for God's people; but it is the time

for every true believer to look up, and by faith he may see the bow of

promise encircling him. {GC 633.1}

Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright

by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully 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 unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs

to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been

blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. {GC 620.1}

FAITH AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith

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 hesucceeded. 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. {GC 621.2}

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. {GC 622.1}

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 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. {GC 622.2}

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 manner, but fervently

and in faith, as did Jacob, they would find many places where they could

say: "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis

32:30. They would be accounted of heaven as princes, having power to

prevail with God and with men. {GC 622.3}

The season of distress before God's people will call for a faith that will

not falter. His children must make it manifest that He is the only

object of their worship, and that no consideration, not even that of life

itself, can induce them to make the least concession to false worship.

To the loyal heart the commands of sinful, finite men will sink into

insignificance beside the word of the eternal God. Truth will be obeyed

though the result be imprisonment or exile or death. {Mar 214.6}

Many Laid to Rest Before Time of Trouble



It is not always safe to ask for unconditional healing. . . . He

knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would

be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if

they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be

laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble

shall come upon our world.--CH 375 (1897). {LDE 255.2}

The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be

laid away before the time of trouble. We shall see our children again.

We shall meet them and know them in the heavenly courts.--2SM

259 (1899). {LDE 255.3}

TREASURE AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE

Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of

trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at

that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the

cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the

saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of

trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If

they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God

for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then

they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh

them down. {CS 59.4}

I saw that if any held on to their property, and did not inquire of

the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they

would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of

trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush

them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I

heard some mourn like this: "The cause was languishing, God's

people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply



the lack; now our property is useless. O that we had let it go, and

laid up treasure in heaven!" {CS 60.1}

I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased and was

consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to

dispose of their property at the same time, but if they desired to be

taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and

how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their

property in times past to sustain the advent cause, while others

have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as

the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.--EW 56, 57. {CS 60.2}

HOPE AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE

Jacob's history is also 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 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 sunniestprosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire;

their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be

perfectly reflected. {GC 621.1}

Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful

Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He

forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of

the plain? Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did



He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of

the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit

of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace?

or Daniel in the den of lions? {GC 626.2}

"Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten

me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have

compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not

forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands."

Isaiah 49:14-16. The Lord hosts has said: "He that toucheth you

toucheth the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8.{GC 626.3}

Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls

cannot cut off the communication between their souls and Christ. One

who sees their every weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is

above all earthly powers; and angels will come to them in lonely cells,

bringing light and peace from heaven. The prison will be as a palace; for

the rich in faith dwell there, and the gloomy walls will be lighted up with

heavenly light as when Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at

midnight in the Philippian dungeon. {GC 627.1}

The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while

persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for

want of food they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah

will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the

hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be

satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels

will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him that "walketh

righteously" is the promise: "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be

sure." "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their

tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will

not forsake them." Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17. {GC 629.2}

"The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord

shall preserve thee from all evil:



He shall preserve thy soul." "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the

fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His

feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy

shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor

for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in

darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand

shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not

come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the

reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my

refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Psalms 121:5-7; 91:3-

10. {GC 629.4}

In the midst of the time of trouble--trouble such as has not been since

there was a nation--His [God's] chosen ones will stand unmoved.

Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God's

saints. {Mar 275.3}

The time of trouble is just before us, and then stern necessity will

require the people of God to deny self and to eat merely enough to

sustain life, but God will prepare us for that time. In that fearful hour

our necessity will be God's opportunity to impart His strengthening

power and to sustain His people.--1T 206 (1859). {LDE 265.2}

Bread and water is all that is promised to the remnant in the time

of trouble.--SR 129 (1870). {LDE 265.3}

In the time of trouble, just before the coming of Christ, the

righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly

angels.--PP 256 (1890). {LDE 265.4}

This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the

powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense.

The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shallworship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May



God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict

without His assistance!--5T 212, 213 (1882). {LDE 259.3}

Time of Trouble Refined Presentation

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