Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them . They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies . It is a time of fearful agony . Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance . The wicked exult , and the jeering cry is heard : " Where now is your faith ? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed His people ?" But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary ' s cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery : " He saved others ; Himself He cannot save . If He be the King of Israel , let Him now come down from the cross , and we will believe Him ." Matthew 27:42 . Like Jacob , all are wrestling with God . Their 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 endeavor 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 endeavor 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 succor 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
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