The Time of Jacob’s Trouble

The saints left the cities and villages and associated together in companies, living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. The leading men of the earth consulted together, with Satan and his angels busy around them. Copies of a writing were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints would yield their distinct faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were free after a certain time to kill them. But in this trying time the saints were calm and composed, trusting in God and leaning on His promise that a way of escape would be made for them.SH 107.2

In some places, before the time for the decree to be executed, the wicked rushed on the saints to kill them, but Jesus commanded His angels to watch over them. God would be honored by making a covenant with those who had kept His law, in the sight of their enemies surrounding them; and Jesus would be honored by translating the faithful, waiting ones who had expected Him for so long, without their experiencing death.SH 107.3

The saints were suffering great mental anguish. They seemed to be surrounded by the wicked inhabitants of the earth. Everything appeared to be against them. Some began to fear that God had finally left them to die by the hand of the wicked. But if their eyes could have been opened, they would have seen themselves surrounded by angels of God. Next came the mob of the angry wicked, and next a mass of evil angels, hurrying the wicked on to kill the saints. But before they could approach God’s people, the wicked must first pass this company of mighty, holy angels. This was impossible. The angels of God were causing them to recede and also causing the evil angels who were pressing around them to fall back.SH 108.1

The Cry for Deliverance—It was a time of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried to God for deliverance. To outward appearance, there was no possibility of their escape. The wicked had already begun to triumph, taunting them: “Why doesn’t your God deliver you out of our hands? Why don’t you go up and save your lives?” But the saints did not listen to them. Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22-32). The angels longed to deliver them, but they must wait a little longer. The people of God must drink from the cup and be baptized with the baptism of great trial. The angels continued their watch, faithful to their trust. God would not allow His name to be dishonored among the heathen. The time had nearly come when He was to display His mighty power and gloriously deliver His saints. For His name’s glory He would deliver every one of those who had patiently waited for Him and whose names were written in the book.SH 108.2

It was like the experience of faithful Noah. When the rain fell and the Flood came, Noah and his family had entered the ark, and God had shut them in. Noah had faithfully warned the inhabitants of the pre-Flood world, while they had mocked and derided him. And as the waters came down on the earth, and one after another was drowning, they saw that ark, which they had ridiculed, riding safely on the waters, preserving the faithful Noah and his family. It was no less sure that at the end of time the people of God, who had faithfully warned the world of His coming wrath, would be delivered. God would not allow the wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark. If the wicked were permitted to kill the saints, Satan and all his evil angels, and all who hate God, would be gratified. And oh, what a triumph it would be in the last closing struggle for his satanic majesty to have power over those who had so long waited to see Jesus, whom they loved! Those who have mocked at the idea of the saints’ going up will witness the care God has for His people and see their glorious deliverance.SH 108.3

As the saints left the cities and villages, they were pursued by the wicked, who tried to kill them. But the weapons that were raised to kill God’s people broke and fell as powerless as straw. Angels of God shielded the saints. As they cried day and night for deliverance, their cry came up before the Lord.SH 109.1