the jeering cry is heard,
"Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if
you are indeed His people?" But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon
Calvary's cross, and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery, "He
saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him
now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him."(1082) Like Jacob,
all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express their internal
struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest
intercession.

Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels
that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of
Christ's patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed
their distress, and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of
their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a
little longer. The people of God must drink of the cup, and be baptized
with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer
to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to
work, they are led to exercise faith, hope, and patience, which have been
too little exercised during their religious experience. Yet for the
elect's sake, the time of trouble will be shortened. "Shall not God avenge
His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him?... I tell you that He
will avenge them speedily."(1083) The end will come more quickly than men
expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of
God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction.

The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch.
Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-keepers may be
put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree, and
before the time specified, will endeavor to take their lives. But none can
pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are
assailed in their flight from the cities and villages; but the swords
raised against them break and fall as powerless as a straw. Others are
defended by angels in the form of men of war.

In all ages, God has wrought through holy angels for the succor and
deliverance of His people. Celestial beings have taken an active part in
the affairs of men. They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as
the lightning; they have come as men, in the g