Do co33
For study use only. May not be
quoted for use in publication
without permission from The
author of the paper, or Elder
R. F. Cottrell.
4•11.....u.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
L. L. Caviness
A few words of introduction to papers number eight and nine, the sending
out of which has been delayed until now.
It has been our privilege to attend not only the excellent Bible
Conference held in Washington, September 1-13, but also the Fall Council
held also in Washington, September 17-27. An action was taken in the Fall
Council recommending "(1) that a committee be appointed by the General
Conference officers to encourage organized and coordinated Bible exegesis
and research and then to function as a body of council to give guidance to
those who, in any part of the world field, make what seems to them to be a
significant discovery of truth, (2Y that this committee be known as a
Committee for Biblical Study and Research and its work be to receive and
examine such manuscripts as may be sent in from time to time.
In view of this plan, we shall be sending in to this committee, to be
appointed, the manuscripts that you have sent us unless you write us that
you want them returned to you, The work of the Bible Research Fellowship
has been to exchange papers sent in to this Fellowship, which was established
by action of the Bible teachers in conference assembled in Washington,
D. C., in 1940, and this work has been conducted for a calendar year at a
time. Number eight, prepared by Dr, D. A. Augsburger of Emmanuel Missionary
College and number nine, prepared by Elder R. F. Cottrell, now connected
with the Review and Herald, are now being sent out a bit late, and number
ten which has been prepared by Brother W. S. Ritchie of Loma Linda will be
sent out soon.
We feel that we must prepare as soon as possible to send in the
papers that we have on hand to the new committee mentioned previously, which
is soon to be appointed. We are writing this introductory note that you
may be aware of the changes that will be soon taking place in the promotion
of Biblical exegesis and research in harmony with the action taken at the
Fall Council. We might also point out that some papers that have been
sent in to us have been returned to the writers of the papers for editorial
changes. After these changes have been made, the papers may either be
sent back to us or may be submitted directly by the writer of the paper to
the Committee for Bible Study and Research, which will soon be appointed by
the General Conference officers.
We wish you much blessing as the institutional and field study groups
continue their work of study and send to Washington any papers that they
may work out in the future. I remain very sincerely yours for a continuation of the Bible study that was emphasized so strongly in the recently
held Bible Conference at Washington, D. C.
JAMES WHITE LIBRARY
ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
HERITAGE ROOM
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4
THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE
by
Raymond F. Cottrell
Number 9, 1952
For study use only. May not be
Goofed for use in publication
without permission from the
author of the paper, or Elder
R. F. Cottrell.
(Though presented to the Bible Research Fellowship, like all
other papers, it represents no pronouncement of the Fellowship.)
It is the purpose of this study to clarify the time location of
the time of Jacobts trouble in relation to events which mark its commencement and its close. The eleven propositions in Part A summarize the
inspired evidence given in Part B. Index numbers following each of the
eleven propositions in Part A refer to the nuMbered sections in Part B
upon which it is based. The concluding paragraph in Part A summarizes the
eleven propositions which precede it:
***
PART A
1. These events follow the close of probation: (1) the impersonation
of Christ by Satan, (2) proclamation of the universal Sabbath law and the
death decree for Sabbath observance (distinct from the Sunday law and death
decree for Sunday violation preceding the close of probation), (3) the
mission of the three unclean spirits, (4) the gathering of the nations,
(5) the time of Jacob's trouble, (6) the effective hour for the death
decree, and (7) the voice of God which delivers His people. 2-4, 11-13, 15-17.
2. The impersonation of Christ by Satan constitutes the climax of
his work of deception and brings to the people of God their great final
test of faith. 1, 4, 5, 13, 14.
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble -- 2
3. The impersonation of Christ by Satan occurs at or immediately
prior to the commencement of the sixth plague -- his "last remnant of time."
1, 4, 14, 21.
4. Impersonating Christ, Satan brands the Sabbath-keeping remnant
as responsible for the seven last plagues and declares that the plagues will
not cease until they are destroyed. 2, 4, 14.
5. To fix the nations of earth in Satan s masterpiece of deception,
the three unclean spirits of the sixth plague go forth to secure their
cooperation with Satan in his last great struggle against God--in the
person of His people, 1, 4, 5, 11, 21,
6. The nations of earth unite for "one hour" with Satan in his
final effort to destroy God's people. 3, 4, 9-12, 20, 22.
NOTE. Inspiration provides no clue as to whether this "one hour"
may be prophetic time (two weeks) or may simply denote a brief
period of time. The Greek numeral "one" seems to indicate a definite,
limited period of time and thus might be understood to imply prophetic
time. However, the "one hour" seems to be used synonymously with
"one day" and "-One moment" -- apparently eliminating or at least
minimizing any specific idea of prophetic time. It would seem from
Revelation 17:12 that the "one hour" is defined as being the time
which elapses between the issuing of the death decree, which seems
to assure Babylon's triumph, and the hour when the decree would
become effective were it not for God intervening to deliver His
people -- rather than the period of time during which Babylon
receives her judgment. Rev. 17:12, 14, cf. lg:$, 10, 17, 19 and
Isa. 47: 9, 11, 15.
7. The leaders of earth concur in a universal decree requiring
Sabbath labor on penalty pf death. 2, 4, 9-11.
g. The proclamation of the universal death decree precipitates and
marks the commencement of the time of Jacob's trouble. 2, 5, g, 9, 15-17.
9. During the time of Jacob's trouble, the final crisis when all the
powers of earth are arrayed against God's people, they. endure their great
final test of faith, 5, 9-11, 13, 15.
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble -- 3
10. As "midnight," the hour appointed in the decree, arrives and the
wicked rush forward in triumph, the voice of God is heard declaring, "It is
done," delivering His people, terminating the time of Jacob's trouble, and
ushering in the seventh plague. 6-10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22.
11. The living saints, 144,000 in number -- having passed through
the time of Jacob's trouble -- recognize and understand the voice of God.
lg, 19.
-
12. The-three-fold religious union collapses, and the nations of
earth turn first upon Babylon, the universal religious leaders, and then
upon one another. 6, 7, 10, 20, 21.
CONCLUSION. All of the events here discussed occur at the commencement of, during, or soon after the close of the sixth plague. Satan as
Christ guides the religious leaders of earth in securing the cooperation
of the political leaders of earth in a universal death decree for Sabbath
observance. The proclamation of this decree initiates the time of Jacob's
trouble, which is concurrent with the sixth plague. At the time appointed
in the decree God intervenes, so bringing the time of Jacob's trouble and
the sixth plague simultaneously to a close.
* *
PART B
1. "Satan has long been preparing for his ,final effort to deceive
He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his
the world. . .
designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the
prophet; 'I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits
of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and
of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God
•
Almighty'. . . the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this
delusion," GC-561.9 to 562.2.
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble -- 4
2. "At that time shall Michael stand up' . . . mercy no longer
pleads . . Every case has been decided for life or death. . . . The
wicked have passed the bound of their probation . . 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 irrevocable decision of the sanctuary has been pronounced, and the
destiny of the world has been forever fixed. . . . As the Sabbath has
become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious
and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of Sunday,
the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand,
will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the
few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of
the land, ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer
than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. . . .
This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued
against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing
them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty,
after a certain time, to put them to death. . .
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." GO-613.4 to 616.2, passim.
3. "As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will
stir up the wicked to destroy God's people in the time of trouble. . . .
If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. He
sees that holy angels are guarding them, and he infers that their cases
have been decided in the sanctuary above. . . . God's people will be
surrounded 31y 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. . . . Their sins have gone
beforehand to judgment, and have been blotted out; and they cannot bring
them to remembrance." GC-618.5 to 620.4, passim.
4, "The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his
work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of
trouble. . . . The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the
earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on
to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven
. . . . As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself
will personate Christ . . . he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday,
ay which
he has blessed. He declares that
and commands all to hallow the
d
those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name
by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth.
This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion." GC-623.9 to 624.9, passim.
5. "The eye of God, looking down the ages, was fixed upon the crisis
which His people are to meet, when earthly powers shall be arrayed against
them." GC-634.2.
6. "As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will
conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in
one night a decisive blow . . . It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity,
. .
that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance, of His chosen.
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble --
5
cause His glorious voice to be heard. . . . With shouts of triumph, jeering,
and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey . . .
The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. . . . It is at midnight that
God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. . . . In the
midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory,
whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying, tIt is
done.'" G0-635,5 to 636,9, passim.
7. "When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there
is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict for
. . They see that they have rebelled against the Author of all
life.
just and righteous law. . . The people see that they have been deluded.
They accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in
heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. . . . Now, in
their despair, those false teachers confess before the world their work of
deception. The multitudes are filled with fury . . and they turn upon
the false shepherds. . . . The swords which were to slay God's people,
are now employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and
. . In the mad strife of their own fierce passions, and by
bloodshed.
the awful outpouring of God's unrningled wrath, 'fall the wicked inhabitants
of the earth." G0-654.1 to 657.4, passim.
5, "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.
Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered hi
the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed." EW-36.9 to 37.2.
9. "Then I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and
Satan and his angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which
were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless
the saints would yield their peculiar faith, give 12R the Sabbath, and
observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a
certain time, to put them to death. . . Soon I saw the saints suffering
the wicked inhabitants
great mental anguish, They seemed to be surrounded
of the earth. . . . It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints.
. . , Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God. . . . As they cried day
and night for deliverance, their cry came up before the Lord. . . It was
at midnight that God chose to deliver His people." EW-282.8 to 255.3, passim.
10. "The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath
of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives;
but they will not yield. . . Satan's host and wicked men will surround
them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape
for them. But in the midst of their revelry and triumph, there is heard
peal upon peal of the loudest thunder . . . as God utters his voice from
his holy habitation, . . . The captivity of the righteous is turned, and
with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one another, 'We are delivered.
It is the voice of God.' . . . Those who were so eager to destroy the
saints cannot endure the glory resting upon the delivered ones, and they
fall like dead men to the earth. Satan and evil angels flee from the presence
of the saints glorified. Their power to annoy them is gone forever." 1T-
353.9 to 354.7, npAgjm.
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble --
6
11. "When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there
is no longer nrobation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of
the living God is upon his people. This small remnant, unable to defend
themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are
marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been
passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast
and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death." 5T-213.3.
12. "As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God shall
be sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshal their
forces for the last great battle."6T-14.5.
13. "It is in a crisis that character is revealed. . . . a sudden
and unlooked-for calamity . . . brings the soul face to face with death. .
. . The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it
will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied." COL-412.4f.
14. "Antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of
God will be fully made void . . . the true leader of all this rebellion is
Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt
him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose."
TM-62.4f.
15. "When Christ shall cease his work as mediator in man's behalf,
then this time of trouble will begin. . .. . Then . . . the people of God
will be in peril from the wicked who are seeking to destroy them . . . "
PP-201.4f.
16. "I saw . . . the seven last plagues. . . . A decree went forth
to slay the saints. , .
This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all
the saints . . . were delivered lay the voice of God," LS-117.5.
17. "Michael's standing uo (Dan. 12:1) to deliver his people, is in
the future. . . . Then Jesus will have the sharp sickle in his hand,
(Rev. 14:14) and then the saints will mm day and night to Jesus on the
cloud, to thrust in his sharp sickle and rear. This, will be the time of
Jacob's trouble, (Jer. 30:54) out of which, the saints will be delivered
12,y the voice of God." WLP-12.5,
1S. "The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the
voiag" of God, announcing the day and hour of Jesus' coming. EW-15.4.
19. "None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that
song; for it is the song of their experience,--an experience such as no
other company have ever had. , . . These, having been translated from the
earth, from among the living, are counted as 'the first-fruits unto God
and to the Lamb.' 'Thede are they which came out of great tribulation;'
they have passed through the tame of trouble such as never was since there
was a nation; they have endured U..e anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble.
. . . but they have been delivered." ac-649.4f.
20. "And the ten horns . . , are to receive authority as kings for
one hour,- together with the beast. These'are of one mind and give over
their power and a-,;thority to the beast; they will make war on the Lamb, and
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The Time of Jacob's Trouble
the
and
and
out
the
16,
-- 7
and those with him are called and chosen
Lamb will conquer them, .
faithful. . . . And the ten horns . . . will hate the harlot . .
burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry
his purpose by being of one mind and giving over their royal power to
beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." Rev. 17:12-14,
17, RSV.
devil spirits, performing signs, who
21. "And I saw . . . three .
abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on
the great day of God the Almighty. . . . The seventh angel poured his bowl
into the air, and a great voice came out of the temple, from the throne,
saying, /It is done!' . . . The great city was split into three parts,
and the cities of the nations fell.." Rev. 16:13-19, RSV.
22. "From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the
nations. . . . And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their
armies gathered to make war against him who sits upon the horse and against
his army." Rev. 19:15, 19, RSV.
NOTE. All emphasis added, to facilitate location of points to
which attention is particOlarly called.
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