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land with mourning。 When David offended against God by numbering the people；
one angel caused that terrible destruction by which his sin was punished。
The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands； will
be exercised by evil angels when He permits。 There are forces now ready； and
only waiting the divine permission； to spread desolation everywhere。
Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon
the world； and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions
of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth
with woe。 The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked； their
anger is kindled against all who
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have received the message； and Satan will excite to still greater intensity
the spirit of hatred and persecution。
When God's presence was finally withdrawn from the Jewish nation； priests
and people knew it not。 Though under the control of Satan； and swayed by the
most horrible and malignant passions； they still regarded themselves as the
chosen of God。 The ministration in the temple continued； sacrifices were
offered upon its polluted altars； and daily the divine blessing was invoked
upon a people guilty of the blood of God's dear Son and seeking to slay His
ministers and apostles。 So when the irrevocable decision of the sanctuary
has been pronounced and the destiny of the world has been forever fixed； the
inhabitants of the earth will know it not。 The forms of religion will be
continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God has been finally
withdrawn； and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire
them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs； will bear the
semblance of zeal for God。
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
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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。
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。
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。 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 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 the threatened danger。 So should the
followers of Christ； as they approach the time of trouble； make every
exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people； to disarm
prejudice； and to avert the danger which threatens liberty of conscience。
Having sent his family away； that they may not witness his distress； Jacob
remains alone to intercede with God。 He
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confesses his sin and gratefully acknowledges the mercy of God toward him
while with deep humiliation he pleads the covenant made with his fathers and
the promises to himself in the night vision at Bethel and in the land of his
exile。 The crisis in his life has come； everything is at stake。 In the
darkness and solitude he continues praying and humbling himself before God。
Suddenly a hand is laid upon his shoulder。 He thinks that an enemy is
seeking his life； and with all the energy of despair he wrestles with his
assailant。 As the day begins to break； the stranger puts forth his
superhuman power； at his touch the strong man seems paralyzed； and he falls；
a helpless； weeping suppliant； upon the neck of his mysterious antagonist。
Jacob knows now that it is the Angel of the covenant with whom he has been
in conflict。 Though disabled and suffering the keenest pain； he does not
relinquish his purpose。 Long has he endured perplexity； remorse； and trouble
for his sin； now he must have the assurance that it is pardoned。 The divine
visitant seems about to depart； but Jacob clings to Him； pleading for a
blessing。 The Angel urges； 〃Let Me go； for the day breaketh；〃 but the
patriarch exclaims； 〃I will not let Thee go； except Thou bless me。〃 What
confidence； what firmness and perseverance； are here displayed！ Had this
been a boastful； presumptuous claim； Jacob would have been instantly
destroyed； but his was the assurance of one who confesses his weakness and
unworthiness； yet trusts the mercy of a covenant…keeping God。
〃He had power over the Angel； and prevailed。〃 Hosea 12：4。 Through
humiliation； repentance； and self…surrender； this sinful； erring mortal
prevailed with the Majesty of heaven。 He had fastened his trembling grasp
upon the promises of God； and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away
the sinner's plea。 As an evidence of his triumph and an encouragement to
others to imitate his example； his name was changed from one which was a
reminder of his sin； to one that commemorated his victory。 And the fact that
Jacob
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had prevailed with God was an assurance that he would prevail with men。 He
no longer feared to encounter his brother's anger； for the Lord was his
defense。
Satan had accused Jacob before the angels of God； claiming the right to
destroy him because of his sin； he had moved upon Esau to march against him；
and during the patriarch's long night of wrestling； Satan endeavored to
force upon him a sense of his guilt in order to discourage him and break his
hold upon God。 Jacob was driven almost to despair； but he knew that without
help from heaven he must perish。 He had sincerely repented of his great sin；
and he appealed to the mercy of God。 He would not be turned from his
purpose； but held fast the Angel and urged his petition with earnest；
agonizing cries until he prevailed。
As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob； so he will stir up the
wicked to destroy God's people in the time of trouble。 And as he accused
Jacob； he will urge his accusations against the people of God。 He numbers
the world as his subjects； but the little company who keep the commandments
of God are resisting his supremacy。 If he could blot them from the eart