countenances express their internal struggle . Paleness sits upon every face . Yet they cease not their earnest intercession .
Could men see with heavenly vision , they would behold companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ ' s patience . With sympathizing tenderness , angels have witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers . They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril . But they must wait yet a little longer . The people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism . The very delay , so painful to them , is the best answer to their petitions . As they endeavour to wait trustingly for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith , hope , and patience , which have been too little exercised during their religious experience . Yet for the elect ' s sake the time of trouble will be shortened . " Shall not God avenge His own elect , which cry day and night unto Him ? . . . I tell you that He will avenge them speedily ." Luke 18:7 , 8 . The end will come more quickly than men expect . The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of God ; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction .
The heavenly sentinels , faithful to their trust , continue their watch . Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment keepers may be put to death , their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree , and before the time specified , will endeavour to take their lives . But none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul . Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages ; but the swords raised against them break and fall powerless as a straw . Others are defended by angels in the form of men of war .
In all ages , God has wrought through holy angels for the succour and deliverance of His people . Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men . They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as the lightning ; they have come as men in the garb of wayfarers . Angels have appeared in human form to men of God . They have rested , as if weary , under the oaks at noon . They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes . They have acted as guides to benighted travellers . They have , with their own hands , kindled the fires at the altar . They have opened prison doors and set free the servants of the Lord . Clothed with the panoply of heaven , they came to roll away the stone from the Saviour ' s tomb .
In the form of men , angels are often in the assemblies of the righteous ; and they visit the assemblies of the wicked , as they went to Sodom , to make a record of their deeds , to determine whether they have passed the boundary of God ' s forbearance . The Lord delights in mercy ; and for the sake of a few who really serve Him , He restrains calamities and prolongs the tranquillity of multitudes . Little do sinners against God realize that they are indebted for their own lives to the faithful few whom they delight to ridicule and oppress .
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