“At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1.

When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received “the latter rain,” “the refreshing from the presence of the Lord,” and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received “the seal of the living God.” Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, “It is done;” and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and  blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,” is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

“En aquel tiempo se levantará Miguel, el gran Príncipe que está de parte de los hijos de tu pueblo; y será tiempo de angustia, cual nunca fue desde que hubo nación hasta aquel tiempo; y en aquel tiempo tu pueblo será librado, todo aquel que se encuentre escrito en el libro.” Daniel 12:1.

Cuando termina el mensaje del tercer ángel, la misericordia ya no suplica por los habitantes culpables de la tierra. El pueblo de Dios ha cumplido su obra. Han recibido “la lluvia tardía”, “el refrigerio de la presencia del Señor” y están preparados para la hora difícil que les espera. Los ángeles se apresuran de un lado a otro en el cielo. Un ángel que regresa de la tierra anuncia que su obra está hecha; la prueba final ha llegado al mundo, y todos los que han demostrado ser leales a los preceptos divinos han recibido “el sello del Dios viviente”. Entonces Jesús cesa su intercesión en el santuario de arriba. Él levanta sus manos y en alta voz dice: “Hecho está”. y toda la hueste angelical se despoja de sus coronas mientras hace el solemne anuncio: “El que es injusto, sea injusto todavía; y el que es inmundo, ensúciese todavía; y el que es justo, sea justo”. quieta: y el que es santo, santifíquese todavía.” Apocalipsis 22:11. Cada caso ha sido decidido por vida o muerte. Cristo hizo la expiación por su pueblo y  borró sus pecados. El número de sus súbditos está compuesto; “el reino, el dominio y la grandeza del reino debajo de todo el cielo” está a punto de ser dado a los herederos de la salvación, y Jesús ha de reinar como Rey de reyes y Señor de señores.

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.

El pueblo de Dios entonces se verá sumergido en aquellas escenas de aflicción y angustia descritas por el profeta como el tiempo de angustia de Jacob. “Así dice el Señor: Hemos oído una voz de temblor, de temor, y no de paz. el tiempo de la angustia de Jacob; pero de ella será salvo.” Jeremías 30:5-7.

La noche de angustia de Jacob, cuando luchó en oración por la liberación de la mano de Esaú (Génesis 32:24-30), representa la experiencia del pueblo de Dios en el tiempo de angustia. Debido al engaño practicado para asegurar la bendición de su padre, destinada a Esaú, Jacob había huido para salvar su vida, alarmado por las amenazas mortales de su hermano. Después de permanecer muchos años en el exilio, se había propuesto, por orden de Dios, regresar con sus mujeres e hijos, sus rebaños y vacas, a su país natal. Al llegar a las fronteras de la tierra, se sintió aterrorizado por la noticia de que Esaú se acercaba a la cabeza de un grupo de guerreros, sin duda decididos a vengarse. La compañía de Jacob, desarmada e indefensa, parecía a punto de ser víctima indefensa de la violencia y la matanza. Y a la carga de la ansiedad y el miedo se añadió el peso aplastante del autorreproche, porque era su propio pecado el que había traído este peligro. Su única esperanza estaba en la misericordia de Dios; su única defensa debe ser la oración. Sin embargo, no deja nada por hacer por su parte para expiar el daño causado a su hermano y evitar el peligro que amenaza. De la misma manera, los seguidores de Cristo, al acercarse el tiempo de problemas, deben hacer todo lo posible para presentarse ante el pueblo bajo la luz adecuada, para desarmar los prejuicios y evitar el peligro que amenaza la libertad de conciencia.

Having sent his family away, that they may not witness his distress, Jacob remains alone to intercede with God. He [617] 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.

Habiendo despedido a su familia para que no sean testigos de su angustia, Jacob se queda solo para interceder ante Dios. Confiesa su pecado y reconoce con gratitud la misericordia de Dios hacia él mientras con profunda humillación alega el pacto hecho con sus padres y las promesas que se hizo a sí mismo en la visión nocturna en Betel y en la tierra de su exilio. La crisis en su vida ha llegado; todo está en juego. En la oscuridad y la soledad continúa orando y humillándose ante Dios. De repente una mano se posa sobre su hombro. Piensa que un enemigo busca su vida y con toda la energía de la desesperación lucha con su agresor. Cuando comienza a amanecer, el extraño hace uso de su poder sobrehumano; ante su toque, el hombre fuerte parece paralizado y cae, indefenso y suplicante, sobre el cuello de su misterioso antagonista. Jacob sabe ahora que es el Ángel del pacto con quien ha estado en conflicto. Aunque discapacitado y sufriendo el dolor más agudo, no renuncia a su propósito. Ha soportado durante mucho tiempo la perplejidad, el remordimiento y los problemas por su pecado; ahora debe tener la seguridad de que es perdonado. El divino visitante parece a punto de partir; pero Jacob se aferra a Él, suplicando una bendición. El ángel insta: “Déjame ir, que raya el día”; pero el patriarca exclama: “No te dejaré ir, si no me bendices”. ¡Qué confianza, qué firmeza y perseverancia se muestran aquí! Si ésta hubiera sido una afirmación jactanciosa y presuntuosa, Jacob habría sido destruido instantáneamente; pero la suya era la seguridad de quien confiesa su debilidad e indignidad, pero confía en la misericordia de un Dios que guarda el pacto.

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 [620] 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.

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a 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 God—how 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. [622]

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.

Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions?

“Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.” Isaiah 49:14-16. The Lord of hosts has said: “He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8. [627]

The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against them. Like the captive exile, they will be in fear of death by starvation or by violence. But the Holy One who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will manifest His mighty power and turn their captivity. “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Malachi 3:17. If the blood of Christ’s faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the obdurate heart has beaten back the waves of mercy until they return no more. If the righteous were now left to fall a prey to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the prince of darkness. Says the psalmist: “In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me.” Psalm 27:5. Christ has spoken: “Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Isaiah 26:20, 21. Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book of life.