Sunday
October 25
1. JACOB’S TROUBLE
a. Relate the experience of Jacob in that night when he was returning to his homeland. Genesis 32:24–28.
“When destruction seemed just before him, Jacob had been taught how vain is the help of man, how groundless is all trust in human power. He saw that his only help must come from Him against whom he had so grievously sinned. Helpless and unworthy, he pleaded God’s promise of mercy to the repentant sinner.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 198-201.
b. What did the prophets Jeremiah and Daniel prophesy about the time of trouble, and when will it commence? Jeremiah 30:6, 7; Daniel 12:1. What divine pronouncement will then be made? Revelation 22:11.
“Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish represents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ’s second coming. . . .
“When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin. Then the case of every soul will have been decided, and there will be no atoning blood to cleanse from sin.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 201.
Monday
October 26
2. SPIRITUAL ANGUISH
a. What caused Jacob’s fear and deep anguish? Genesis 32:9–11. What will God’s people experience in the time of Jacob’s trouble?
“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. . . . [Jacob] 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.”—The Great Controversy, p. 616.
b. What was the other cause of Jacob’s anguish similar to the affliction of king David? Psalms 32:4, 5. What will be the state of those to be delivered in the time of trouble? 2 Peter 3:14.
“As Jacob was threatened with death by his angry brother, so the people of God will be in peril from the wicked who are seeking to destroy them. And as the patriarch wrestled all night for deliverance from the hand of Esau, so the righteous will cry to God day and night for deliverance from the enemies that surround them.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 201.
“Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance.”—The Great Controversy, p. 620.
“Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary, through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully.”—Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 112.
Tuesday
October 27
3. THE TIME OF GRACE CLOSES
a. After the close of probation, what will be the condition of those who are not saved? Amos 8:11, 12.
“Satan leads many to believe that God will overlook their unfaithfulness in the minor affairs of life; but the Lord shows in His dealings with Jacob that He will in no wise sanction or tolerate evil. All who endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. The more exalted their profession and the more honorable the position which they hold, the more grievous is their course in the sight of God and the more sure the triumph of their great adversary. Those who delay a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble or at any subsequent time. The case of all such is hopeless.”—The Great Controversy, p. 620.
b. What condition will exist in many families as well as in the fallen churches? Luke 12:53.
“A great portion of the wicked was greatly enraged, as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children, and children reproaching their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers. Loud wailing cries were heard in every direction, It was you who kept me from receiving the truth, which would have saved me from this awful hour. The people turned upon the ministers with bitter hate, and reproached them, telling them, You have not warned us. You told us all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour, and those who warned us of it you said were fanatics, and evil men, who would ruin us. But the ministers, I saw, did not escape the wrath of God. Their sufferings were ten fold greater than their people’s.”—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, pp. 200, 201.
“When [Christ] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s longsuffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law.”—The Great Controversy, p. 614.
Wednesday
October 28
4. THE ENEMIES OF GOD’S PEOPLE
a. What will the wicked devise against God’s people and why? Matthew 10:22; Psalms 37:12.
“I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time to put them to death. But in this hour of trial the saints were calm and composed, trusting in God and leaning upon His promise that a way of escape would be made for them. In some places, before the time for the decree to be executed, the wicked rushed upon the saints to slay them; but angels in the form of men of war fought for them. Satan wished to have the privilege of destroying the saints of the Most High; but Jesus bade His angels watch over them.
“Soon I saw the saints suffering great mental anguish. They seemed to be surrounded by the wicked inhabitants of the earth. Every appearance was against them. Some began to fear that God had at last left them to perish by the hand of the wicked. But if their eyes could have been opened, they would have seen themselves surrounded by angels of God. Next came the multitude of the angry wicked, and next a mass of evil angels, hurrying on the wicked to slay the saints. But before they could approach God’s people, the wicked must first pass this company of mighty, holy angels. This was impossible. The angels of God were causing them to recede and also causing the evil angels who were pressing around them to fall back.”—Early Writings, pp. 282, 283.
b. What pretext will the wicked use to justify their evil plan to destroy the saints? Esther 3:8; Lamentations 2:16.
“The four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble.”—Early Writings, pp. 36, 37.
Thursday
October 29
5. GOD’S PEOPLE DELIVERED
a. What promise is given in God’s word for those who serve the Lord? Psalm 91:1–6, 15.
“God would be honored by making a covenant with those who had kept His law, in the sight of the heathen round about them; and Jesus would be honored by translating, without their seeing death, the faithful, waiting ones who had so long expected Him.”—Early Writings, p. 283.
b. Although God’s people are delivered from the death decree, when only will they be free from all anguish? 2 Thessalonians 1:7. How should we prepare for the trying hour ahead? 2 Peter 1:4–10.
“The righteous cry with trembling: ‘Who shall be able to stand?’ The angels’ song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying: ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ The faces of the righteous are lighted up, and joy fills every heart.”—The Great Controversy, p. 641.
“Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me’ (John 14:30). Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.”—Ibid., p. 623.
Friday
October 30
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. In what way is the experience of Jacob relevant to us today?
b. Why is it so important to confess our sins as soon as we see them?
c. In considering God’s grace, what must we also bear in mind?
d. Why will there be no Christian martyrs in the time of trouble?
e. Despite the anguish felt by God’s people in the time of trouble, how does the Lord view them, and why?