The Final Events.
Jacob’s Time of Trouble.
Part Twenty in a Series.
https://www.secondcoming.org/blog/
God’s people enter an experience of deep spiritual heart- searching and self- examination, tightening their grip on God’s grace, and not their own good works, as their only hope.
Each one sees their life of sin and feels their unworthiness before God, but the Holy Spirit impresses upon them a sense of God’s acceptance and love.
Their trust in God’s pardoning grace comes under internal scrutiny, but they come through the experienced victorious, solidly grounded within the reality of God’s love.
They are eternally secure in Christ.
“And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”
But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
So, He said to him, “What is your name?”
He said, “Jacob.”
And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but [d]Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32: 22-28
“Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30: 7
“Jacobs 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 the fear that 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 threat and danger. So, 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.
Jacob knows now that it is the Angel of the covenant with whom he has been in conflict. Though disabled and suffering the keenest pain, he does not relinquish his purpose. Long has he endured perplexity, remorse, and trouble for his sin; he must have the assurance that it is pardoned.
The divine visitant seems about to depart, but Jacob clings to him pleading for blessing. Had this been a boastful presumptuous claim Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his weakness and unworthiness yet trust the mercy of a covenant keeping God.
He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the promises of God and the Heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the sinner’s plea. Jacob had prevailed with God, was an assurance that he would prevail with men, he no longer feared to encounter his brother’s anger, for the Lord was his defense.
The Final Events will end with the splendor of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ also known as the Parousia. The Signs of Parousia are detailed in the Final Events series and emphasize the Imminent Return and Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
https://www.secondcoming.org/blog/
https://lightbearers.org
As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink. For in their whole lives, they can see little good.
Though God’s people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth’s sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of.
If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, God’s holy name would be reproached.
Jacob’s history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but who have returned unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy this class God will send his angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril.
The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord’s eye is upon His people and His ear listens to their cries. their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in fire.
God’s love for his children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days with their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger, a faith that will not fate 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 in evidence of the power of importunate prayer.” GC 616-621
The Final Events will end with the splendor of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ also known as the Parousia. The Signs of Parousia are detailed in the Final Events series and emphasize the Imminent Return and Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!
https://www.secondcoming.org/blog/
https://lightbearers.org
The Final Events.
Jacob’s Time of Trouble.
Part Twenty in a Series.
NOTE: In this series, various events overlap and transpire more as an intersecting and mutually intensifying process, than as isolated events in strict succession.
