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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 earth；
his triumph would be complete。 He sees that holy angels are guarding them；
and he infers that their sins have been pardoned； but he does not know that
their cases have been decided in the sanctuary above。 He has an accurate
knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit； and he presents
these before God in the most exaggerated light； representing this people to
be just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God。 He
declares that the Lord cannot in justice forgive their sins and yet destroy
him and his angels。 He claims them as his prey and demands that they be
given into his hands to destroy。
As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins； the Lord
permits him to try them to the uttermost。 Their confidence in God； their
faith and firmness； will be severely tested。 As they review the past； their
hopes sink；
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for in their whole lives they can see little good。 They are fully conscious
of their weakness and unworthiness。 Satan endeavors to terrify them with the
thought that their cases are hopeless； that the stain of their defilement
will never be washed away。 He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will
yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God。
Though God's people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their
destruction； yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution
for the truth's sake； they fear that every sin has not been repented of； and
that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the
fulfillment of the Saviour's promise： I 〃will keep thee from the hour of
temptation； which shall come upon all the world。〃 Revelation 3：10。 If they
could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or
death； but should they prove unworthy； and lose their lives because of their
own defects of character； then God's holy name would be reproached。
On every hand they hear the plottings of treason and see the active working
of rebellion； and there is aroused within them an intense desire； an earnest
yearning of soul； that this great apostasy may be terminated and the
wickedness of the wicked may come to an end。 But while they plead with God
to stay the work of rebellion； it is with a keen sense of self…reproach that
they themselves have no more power to resist and urge back the mighty tide
of evil。 They feel that had they always employed all their ability in the
service of Christ； going forward from strength to strength； Satan's forces
would have less power to prevail against them。
They afflict their souls before God； pointing to their past repentance of
their many sins； and pleading the Saviour's promise： 〃Let him take hold of
My strength； that he may make peace with Me； and he shall make peace with
Me。〃 Isaiah 27：5。 Their faith does not fail because their prayers
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are not immediately answered。 Though 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 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。
Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in
the minor affairs of life； but the Lord shows in His 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 cannot obtain it in the time of trouble or at any subsequent
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。 These confessions are
of the same character as was that of Esau or of Judas。 Those who make them；
lament the result of transgression； but not its guilt。 They feel
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no true contrition； no abhorrence of evil。 They acknowledge their sin；
through fear of punishment； but； like Pharaoh of old； they would return to
their defiance of Heaven should the judgments be removed。
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 sunniest prosperity； 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。
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can
endure weariness； delay； and hungera 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 Godhow 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。
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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 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