"Little Time of Trouble vs Time of Jacobs Trouble

[messenger]

Are we in or near the "Little Time of Trouble?"

With all the economy problems in the USA and in the world and other problems too, like the threats of terrorism, destruction by storms, fire etc. I think we should pray more about where the Lord would have us live, work and how to become more self sufficient with our resources and move to the country areas. What do you think? Here is some inspired thoughts to think about!

One of the best books with more counsel about this subject is the book "Country Living" by Ellen White. Here are a few quotes on the subject from different compilations of hers.

“The commencement of that (little) time of trouble," here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel”.--Early Writings 85, 86 (1854)

So it is clear that there is a ‘Little Time of Trouble, before the ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble’, where some preparation is necessary, moving to the country storing provisions, trying to live more simply and self sufficiently, and working together to proclaim the three angel’s messages.

“...There is need, great need, of this work being done, and now.Those who have felt at last to make a move,let it not be in a rush, in an excitement,or in a rash manner,or in a way that thereafter they will deeply regret that they did move out . . . Let everyone take time to consider carefully; and not be like the man in the parable who began to build, and was not able to finish.Not a move should be made but that movement and all that it portends are carefully considered--everything weighed. . . . To every man was given his work according to his several ability.Then let him not move hesitatingly, but firmly, and yet humbly trusting in God.. . There may be individuals who will make a rush to do something, and enter into some business they know nothing about. This God does not require. Think candidly, prayerfully,studying the Word with all carefulness and prayer fullness, with mind and heart awake to hear the voice of God. . . . To understand the will of God is a great thing . . . Let there be nothing done in a disorderly manner, that there shall be a great loss or sacrifice made upon property because of ardent, impulsive speeches which stir up an enthusiasm which is not after the order of God, that a victory that was essential to be gained, shall, for lack of levelheaded moderation and proper contemplation and sound principles and purposes, be turned into a defeat. Let there be wise generalship in this matter, and all move under the guidance of a wise, unseen Counselor, which is God. Elements that are human will struggle for the mastery, and there may be a work done that does not bear the signature of God. Now I plead with every soul to look not too strongly and confidently to human counselors, but look most earnestly to God, the one wise in counsel. Submit all your ways and your will to God's ways and to God's will . . . Now,just now, is the time when the perils of the last days are thickening around us, and we need wise men for counselors, not men who will feel it duty to stir up and create disorder, but who cannot possibly give wise counsel and organize and arrange that every stirring up shall bring order out of confusion, and rest and peace in obeying the Word of the Lord. Let every man be found in his true place, to do some work for the Master, according to his several ability . . .

“If everyone will come to Jesus in a teachable spirit, with contrition of heart, then he is in a condition of mind to be instructed and to learn of Jesus and obey His orders . . . We cannot have a weak faith now; we cannot be safe in a listless,indolent, slothful attitude. Every jot of ability is to be used, and sharp, calm, deep thinking is to be done. The wisdom of any human agent is not sufficient for the planning and devising in this time. Spread every plan before God with fasting, [and] with the humbling of the soul before the Lord Jesus,and commit thy ways unto the Lord. The sure promise is,He will direct the paths.He is infinite in resources.The Holy One of Israel,who calls the host of heaven by name, and holds the stars of heaven in position, has you individually in His keeping . . . I would that all could realize what possibilities and probabilities there are for all who make Christ their sufficiency and their trust. The life hid with Christ in God ever has a refuge; he can say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Country Living p.25-28.

Time to Move Out of the Cities Imminence of God's Judgments “There are reasons why we should not build in the cities. On these cities, God's judgments are soon to fall.”--Letter 158,

1902. {Country Living 8.2}“The time is near when large cities will be swept away,and all should be warned of these coming judgments.”--Evangelism, p. 29.(1910) {CL 8.3}“O that God's people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost given to idolatry.”--Review and Herald, Sept.10, 1903. {Country Living p. 8.4}

“God Will Help His People.Parents can secure small homes in the country,with land for cultivation, where they can have orchards and where they can raise vegetables and small fruits to take the place of flesh meat, which is so corrupting to the lifeblood coursing through the veins. On such places the children will not be surrounded with the corrupting influences of city life. God will help His people to find such homes outside of the cities. {Adventist Home 139.6} 140.

“Rich Blessings Assured Country Dwellers.The earth has blessings hidden in her depths for those who have courage and will and perseverance to gather her treasures. . . . Many farmers have failed to secure adequate returns from their land because they have undertaken the work as though it was a degrading employment;they do not see that there is a blessing in it for themselves and their families. Adventist Home 142.2

“He wants us to live where we can have elbow room.His people are not to crowd into the cities. He wants them to take their families out of the cities,that they may better prepare for eternal life. In a little while they will have to leave the cities. {CL 17.1} “These cities are filled with wickedness of every kind,--with strikes and murders and suicides. Satan is in them,controlling men in their work of destruction. Under his influence they kill for the sake of killing, and this they will do more and more. . . .” {CL 17.2}

“If we place ourselves under objectionable influences, can we expect God to work a miracle to undo the results of our wrong course? --No, indeed. Get out of the cities as soon as possible, and purchase a little piece of land, where you can have a garden, where your children can watch the flowers growing, and learn from them lessons of simplicity and purity”.--Gen. Conf. Bulletin, 3/ 30/1903. {Country Living 17.3}

“The earth is to be made to give forth its strength; but without the blessing of God it could do nothing. In the beginning,God looked upon all that He had made, and pronounced it very good. The curse was brought upon the earth in consequence of sin. But shall this curse be multiplied by increasing sin? Ignorance is doing its baleful work. Slothful servants are increasing the evil by their lazy habits. Many are unwilling to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, and they refuse to till the soil. But the earth has blessings hidden in her depths for those who have courage and will and perseverance to gather her treasures. Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens. {Country Living 18.2}

blessings in Christ, Messenger

[messenger]

Times of Trouble Continued...

Some SDA's do not realize though that there are two times of trouble this little one that is coming while Christ is still in the Heavenly Sanctuary. This little time of trouble before Sunday laws are enforced and when they are enforced is the time to move to the countries, get out of the cities and live more a simple, self sufficient life style. Learn to grow food,have your own water supplies from a well etc.your own heat and energy resources etc. Those who do we live like kings and queens in the little time of trouble that is coming on all of us soon.

But then later in the time of Jacobs Trouble when Christ finishes His work in the Most Holy Place and probation closes for the world, a time of greater trouble will come upon the world with the seven last plagues etc. During this time we have to be willing to go to more secluded places as God directs us, and we will have to depend totally in God. We should not stock up food or any provisions we are told, but rather that we will need a faith that can endure weariness, hunger and delay!

..."The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed,and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent.God's long-suffering has ended.The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn.Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old . . . Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe. The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked; their anger is kindled against all who have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution.” Great Controversy p. 614.-616.

..."As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains...” Maranatha p.180.1

“It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is no true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal.”Great Controversy, p.622

“Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” Vol. 8.Testimonies 28.

“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 says the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! For the day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved.

“In this final time of trouble, we are not to make provision for our self but totally trust the Lord. “The Lord has shown me in vision, repeatedly, that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble.I saw that if the saints have food laid up by them, or in the fields, in the time of trouble when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it will be taken from them by violent hands, and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water would be sure at that time,and we should not lack, or suffer hunger. The Lord has shown me that some of His children would fear when they see the price of food rising, and they would buy food and lay it by for the time of trouble. Then in a time of need, I saw them go to their food and look at it, and it had bred worms, and was full of living creatures,and not fit for use... “Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth . . . “I saw that if any held on to their property and did not inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. . . . But if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell.It will finally be decreed that they shall be put to death. . . . But to the obedient is given the promise, “He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah 33:16. By this promise the children of God will live.” Maranatha, p. 181.4

...“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 and 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 promise of God...“Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of failing under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience...We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises.Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratification than neglect communion with God.The deepest poverty, the greatest self-denial,with His approval, is better than riches,honors,ease,and friendship without it.We must take time to pray.If we allow our minds to be absorbed by worldly interest,the Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands.” Great Controversy, p. 621-622.

Blessings In Christ, Messenger