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Chapter Nine

THE TIDE CHANGES TO FAVOR THE RIGHTEOUS
Jacob’s Trouble is Over

“December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said ‘heaven’ in giving the signs recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He meant heaven...the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.” EW 41

We have seen what happens when our High Priest leaves the Most Holy. Now notice what happens when He leaves the entire sanctuary.

“Then Jesus laid off His priestly garment and put on His Kingly robe, and took His place on the cloud that carried Him to the East, where it first appeared to the saints on earth – a small black cloud which was the sign of the Son of Man. While the cloud was passing from the Holiest to the East, which took a number of days, the synagogue of Satan worshipped at the saint’s feet.” E.G. White and Her Critics, page 625; The Day Star 3/14/46

“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious Star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and the wicked would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet, and salute the holy brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshipped at our feet. Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared about half as large as a man’s hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of Man.” RH 7/21/51; EW 15

Verse 30

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven.”

“Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the clouds which surrounds the Savior and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.” GC 640

Verse 31

“And He shall send His angels with a great sound of trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

“Christ is coming with clouds and with great glory. A multitude of shining angels will attend Him. He will come to raise the dead, and to change the living saints from glory to glory.” DA 631

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself. Psalms 50:3-6

Verse 32-34

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.”

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 24

Jesus placed these things in the following order:

1. Deceivers come in His name.
2. Wars.
3. Nations rise against nations.
4. An increase in famines, pestilence, and earthquakes.
5. Persecution returns. God’s people are:
   1. Afflicted.
   2. Hated.
   3. Murdered.
   4. Betrayed by fellowmen.
   5. Harassed by false prophets.
   6. Harassed by coldhearted members rejecting sanctification.
6. The end of the Church Militant.
7. The Church Triumphant begins to function.
8. Gospel preached one last time to the world.
9. Final close of probation on the world.
10. Sign of the desolator in Jerusalem.
11. Flight to the mountains.
12. Worldwide destruction worse than has ever been.
13. Satan’s most spectacular charades and wily deceptions.
14. An awesome display in the sun, moon, and stars.
15. Sign of the Son of Man in the heavens.
16. Second coming of Christ with power and great glory.
17. Holy angels gather His elect.
18. The wicked left as carrion for birds.

The remaining verses on Matthew Chapter 24 are counsel to those who desire to be among the ‘elect.” The next chapter in Matthew’s gospel has counsel for those who desire to be prepared for the soon coming close of probation on the church. Both messages are very timely. “Study to show thyself approved unto God” is of paramount importance as final events will be rapid ones. There is no legitimate reason for not being ready. The end-time prophet Daniel stated it very plainly when he wrote:

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10

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