cy, and groveling in abject
terror.

Said the prophets of old, as they beheld in holy vision the day of God:
"Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a
destruction from the Almighty."(1098) "Enter into the rock, and hide thee
in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty. The
lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be
bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day
of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and
upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low." "In that
day a man shall cast the idols of his silver, and the idols of his gold,
which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the
bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged
rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He
ariseth to shake terribly the earth."(1099)

Through a rift in the clouds, there beams a star whose brilliancy is
increased fourfold in contrast with the darkness. It speaks hope and joy
to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of God's law.
Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure, hidden as in the
secret of the Lord's pavilion. They have been tested, and before the world
and the despisers of truth they have evinced their fidelity to Him who
died for them. A marvelous change has come over those who have held fast
their integrity in the very face of death. They have been suddenly
delivered from the dark and terrible tyranny of men transformed to demons.
Their faces, so lately pale, anxious, and haggard, are now aglow with
wonder, faith, and love. Their voices rise in triumphant song: "God is our
refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we
fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."(1100)

While these words of holy trust ascend to God, the clouds sweep back, and
the starry heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast with the
black and angry firmament on either side. The glory of the celestial city
streams from the gates ajar. Then there appears against the sky a hand
holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet, "The
heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself."(1101)