Thursday, February 28, 2019

Just Hang In There, Jesus Is On His Way.


CHAPTER 32  (The Great Controversy)

The Shaking

I saw some with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God.  Their countenances were pale, and marked with deep anxiety, which expressed their internal struggle.  There were firmness and great earnestness expressed in their countenances, while large drops of perspiration rose upon their foreheads, and fell.  Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look settled upon them.

Evil angels crowded around them, pressing their darkness upon them, to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and they distrust God, and next murmur against him.  Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward.  Angels were having the charge over the people of God, and as the poisonous atmosphere from these evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the angels, which had the charge over them, were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness that surrounded them.

Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading.  They seemed indifferent and careless.  They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud.  The angels of God left them, and went to the aid of those earnest, praying ones.  I saw the angels of God hasten to the assistance of all those who were struggling with all their energies to resist those evil angels, and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance.  But the angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

As these praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, and encouraged their hearts, and lighted up their countenances.

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen.  I was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true Witness to the Laodiceans.  It will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver of the testimony, and it will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.  This straight testimony some will not bear.  They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.

I saw that the testimony of the true Witness has not been half heeded.  The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded.  This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified.

Said the angel, List ye!  Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious.  It surpassed any music I had ever heard.  It seemed to be so full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy.  It thrilled through my whole being.  Said the angel, Look ye!  My attention was then turned to the company I had seen before, who were mightily shaken.  I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping, and praying with agony of spirit.  I saw that the company of guardian angels around them had doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet.  They moved in exact order, firm like a company of soldiers.  Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through.  Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, shone now with the light and glory of heaven.  They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy.

The numbers of this company had lessened.  Some had been shaken out, and left by the way.  The careless and indifferent who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to agonize, persevere, and plead for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their numbers were immediately made up by others taking hold of the truth, and coming into the ranks.  Still the evil angels pressed around them, but they could have no power over them.

I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth in great power.  It had effect.  I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents.  The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of the truth spoken.  All fear of their relatives was gone.  The truth alone was exalted to them.  It was dearer and more precious than life.  They had been hungering and thirsting for truth.  I asked what had made this great change.  An angel answered, It is the latter rain; the refreshing from the presence of the Lord; the loud cry of the third angel.

Great power was with these chosen ones.  Said the angel, Look ye!  My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers.  They were all astir.  The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them.  Confusion, confusion, was on every side.  I saw measures taken against this company, who were having the power and light of God.  Darkness thickened around them, yet there they stood, approved of God, and trusting in him.  I saw them perplexed.  Next I heard them crying unto God earnestly.  Through the day and night their cry ceased not.  I heard these words, Thy will, O God, be done!  If it can glorify thy name, make a way of escape for thy people!  Deliver us from the heathen round about us!  They have appointed us unto death; but thine arm can bring salvation.  These are all the words I can bring to mind.  They seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and manifested entire submission to the will of God.  Yet everyone, without an exception, was earnestly pleading, and wrestling like Jacob for deliverance.

Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy would have gone to their deliverance.  But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not.  Said he, The will of God is not yet fulfilled.  They must drink of the cup.  They must be baptized with the baptism.

Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth.  There was a mighty earthquake.  Buildings were shaken down, and fell on every side.  I then heard a triumphant shout of victory, loud, musical and clear.  I looked upon this company who, a short time before were in such distress and bondage.  Their captivity was turned.  A glorious light shone upon them.  How beautiful they then looked.  All weariness and marks of care were gone.  Health and beauty were seen in every countenance.  Their enemies, the heathen around them, fell like dead men.  They could not endure the light that shone upon the delivered, holy ones.  This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company was changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory.  And the graves were opened and the saints came forth, clothed with immortality, crying victory over death and the grave, and together with the living saints, were caught up to meet their Lord in the air; while the rich, musical shouts of glory and victory were upon every immortal tongue, and proceeding from every sanctified, holy lip.

See Psalms chap.86; Hosea 6:3; Haggai 2:21-23; Matthew 10:35-39, 20:23; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1Thessalonians 4:14-18; Revelation 3:14-22

Psa 86:1  A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. 
Psa 86:2  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 
Psa 86:3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 
Psa 86:4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 
Psa 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 
Psa 86:6  Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 
Psa 86:7  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. 
Psa 86:8  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. 
Psa 86:9  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 
Psa 86:10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 
Psa 86:11  Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 
Psa 86:12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 
Psa 86:13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. 
Psa 86:14  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 
Psa 86:15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 
Psa 86:16  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 
Psa 86:17  Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. 

Hos 6:3  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. 

Hag 2:21  Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 
Hag 2:22  And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 
Hag 2:23  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Mat 10:35  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 
Mat 10:36  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 
Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 
Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 
Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 

Act 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 
1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 
Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 
Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 
Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 



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