The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 617
the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism
in the Old World and apostate Protestantism in the New will pursue a
similar course toward those who honor all the divine precepts.
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.
Having sent his family away, that they may not witness his distress,
Jacob remains alone to intercede with God. He
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