The Great Time of Trouble

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for September 24
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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The Great Time of Trouble

In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the
beginning of the creation which God created unto this time,
neither shall be. Mark 13:19. 


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. And now, while the precious Savior 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
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."
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 leader they have chosen. Satan will have power over
those who have yielded themselves to his control, and he
will 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. 

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.

>From Maranatha - Page 275