In the book of Daniel we are given a most serious message that should have the children of God ever aware, that there will come a time that we must get ready and prepared for.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” {Dan.12:1}
God always send warning before judgment, and He has provided “the way” for His children. I thank God for the “Bible” & the “Spirit of Prophecy” which is equivalent to the Law and to the testimony, that we may be equipped for every emergency! So what is this troublous time that is ahead of us? How can we be prepared? When will our bread and water be sure? Is there two distinct times of crises that affect the saints and the world? …“The wise shall understand” {Dan.12:10}
“The “time of trouble, such as never was,” is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job” were in the land, “as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:20. {GC 622.4}
As we see calamity and trouble rising at an alarming rate, God’s people are to be gaining a closer walk with Jesus, confessing, forsaken, and overcoming sin. We need an experience brothers and sisters. May God help us!

“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of “refreshing” and the “latter rain” to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” {EW 71.2}

Did you get that? “Many were neglecting the preparation so needful” Wow!
The prophet is letting us know there is a preparation that is needful and we are not to wait for the Holy Spirit to do it for us. Let us see our part that we must play.
“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” {5T 214.2}
“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. {COL 69.1}

These are some of the most clearest counsel given that reveals the biblical principles of overcoming sin, wether hereditary or cultivated the promise is sure:
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. {Rev.3:21}
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. {1John 3:9}
Now we are about to look into the two distinct periods that takes place at one colossal event, but as Seventh Day Adventist we are somewhat lost to the order of the issue. But first a beautiful quote by the prophet of the Lord:
“God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When the lawyer came to Jesus with the inquiry, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” the Saviour referred him to the Scriptures, saying: “What is written in the law? how readest thou?”………. It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is truth, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything. {GC 598.1}
The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is compared to a chart and compass, and we need to study, and not to guess, at anything. Let us read carefully this next statement:
“I saw that God had children who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They have not rejected the light upon it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the churches and nominal Adventist, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time God’s chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. I saw the sword, famine, pestilence, and great confusion in the land. The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments upon them, and they rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would be stayed. {EW 33.2}
We’re going to let the prophet explain the crux of the matter of what she was referring to was a particular TIME!
“The commencement of that time of trouble,” here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” {EW 85.3}
This quotation deserves our attention for it clarifies that there are important issues that are taking place here.
(1) A short period just before they are poured out (2) While Christ is in the sanctuary (3) The work of salvation is closing (4) The work of the third angel.
(5) The “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out
From the above points there is a time of trouble before the plagues are poured out, and our Lord has not left the most Holy Place in the Heavenly sanctuary, salvation’s work is not yet finished due to the fact that the third angel message in combination with the latter rain that will give power to the loud cry, being strengthen by the fourth angel of Rev. 18 has not taken place to warn the world!
“And at this time [before they are poured out, the seven last plagues] God’s chosen all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. {EW 33.2} This will take place in what we term the little time of trouble.
The big question, what must commence that will get the final events to be rapid ones?
“It is at the time of the national apostasy, when, acting on the policy of Satan, the rulers of the land will rank themselves on the side of the man of sin–it is then the measure of guilt is full; the national apostasy is the signal for national ruin”. {1888 903.3}
To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law….By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. . . . {LDE 132.4}
As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached.–5T 451 (1885).
The National Sunday law is the event that marks out the beginning of trouble to the faithful followers of Christ. Another big question, when will our bread and water be sure? We shall have to go to the book of Isaiah, the prophet of the Lord.
“O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble”. {Is.33:2}
“At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered”. {33:3}
Isaiah is here giving an overview of the time of trouble as was stated in verse 1. Verse 2 is pivotal in that we can locate when our water and bread will be provided to His children. Let’s look again at verse 2 and break it down. “At the noise of the tumult the people fled; what is a tumult?
TUMULT- 1. The commotion, disturbance or agitation of a multitude, usually accompanied with great noise, uproar and confusion of voices.
2. Violent commotion or agitation with confusion of sounds;
3. Agitation; high excitement; irregular or confused motion;
I wonder what is the cause of the agitation with great noise?
“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image”. {Rev. 16:1, 2}
These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy. {GC 628.2}
This “noise of the tumult” points us to the wrath of God. We have clear understanding of this by reading the next portion of Isaiah 33:2; “at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered”. Does this sound familiar? “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book”. {Dan.12:1}
“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee”. {Num.10:35}
“For the LORD shall rise up as [in] mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as [in] the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act”. {Is.28:21}
The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out. {EW 36.1}
The rabbis had a saying that there is rejoicing in heaven when one who has sinned against God is destroyed; but Jesus taught that to God the work of destruction is a strange work. {COL 190.1}
By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord’s reluctance to execute justice. The nation with which He bears long, and which He will not smite until it has filled up the measure of its iniquity in God’s account, will finally drink the cup of wrath unmixed with mercy. {FLB 338.5}
When will our bread and water be sure?

The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
The earth mourneth [and] languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed [and] hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their fruits].
Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. {Is. 33:8-10}
And the people shall be [as] the burnings of lime: [as] thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. {Is.33:12}
Hear, ye [that are] far off, what I have done; and, ye [that are] near, acknowledge my might. {Is.33:13}
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? {Is. 33:14}
And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of [his] anger, and [with] the flame of a devouring fire, [with] scattering, and tempest, and hilstones. {Is.30:30}

When will our bread and water be sure? ANSWER – The great time of trouble

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure. {Isaiah 33:16}
[When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. {Is. 41:17}
With the plagues being in action God will protect His people, they are sealed and found refuge in Christ: “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence”. {Psalm 91:3} Does this language ring a bell? Surely the psalmist is revealing our Lord’s care at that time. The time of trouble.
The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The observance of the false sabbath will be urged upon us. The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Those who have yielded step by step to worldly demands, and conformed to worldly customs, will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. At that time the gold will be separated from the dross. . . . Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness.–Prophets and Kings, p. 188. {ChS 157.2}
There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even of life itself, to defend the law of God, which is made void by the laws of men.–Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 712. {ChS 157.3}

The test, the false Sabbath, or the national Sunday law will be the event that will plunge this world toward the consummation of all things! This event is when the wheat shall be separated from the tares, “This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed”. {BC 7 420} The gold will be separated from the dross, and how is our spiritual life? “The storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet it? Are we one with Christ as He is one with the Father? Are we heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ? Are we working in copartnership with Christ?--Manuscript 32a, 1896”. {Ev 199.1}

“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of “refreshing” and the “latter rain” to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” {EW 71.2}
“The needful preparation”, we are to thank our kind and merciful Father for providing for us solutions from His Holy word! Even that of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; “All had taken their lamps, the Bible, and by its light had gone forth to meet the Bridegroom. But while “they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them,” “the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The latter class had received the grace of God, the regenerating, enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, which renders His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. In the fear of God they had studied the Scriptures to learn the truth, and had earnestly sought for purity of heart and life. These had a personal experience, a faith in God and in His word, which could not be overthrown by disappointment and delay. Others “took their lamps, and took no oil with them.” They had moved from impulse. Their fears had been excited by the solemn message, but they had depended upon the faith of their brethren, satisfied with the flickering light of good emotions, without a thorough understanding of the truth or a genuine work of grace in the heart. These had gone forth to meet the Lord, full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward; but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment. When trials came, their faith failed, and their lights burned dim. {GC 393.4}
Recognize that if we do not comprehend our bread and water will not be provided until the falling of the plagues, we are setting ourselves up for major disappointment and failure! “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest”.{Prov.6:6-8}
What is the principle here to be discovered? There’s a work for us to do in the lines of preparation. Now consider this.
“Get out of the cities as soon as possible and purchase a little piece of land where you can have a garden, where your children can watch the flowers growing and learn from them lessons of simplicity and purity”.–2SM 356 (1903). {LDE 95.1}
The time has come when, as God opens the way, families should move out of the cities. The children should be taken into the country. The parents should get as suitable a place as their means will allow. Though the dwelling may be small, yet there should be land in connection with it that may be cultivated. {AH 139.4}
Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens.–AH 141 (1894). {LDE 96.1}
The cities are to be worked from outposts. Said the messenger of God, “Shall not the cities be warned? Yes; not by God’s people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth.”–Letter 182, 1902. {CL 30.2}
As God’s commandment-keeping people we must leave the cities. As did Enoch, we must work in the cities but not dwell in them.–Ev 77, 78 (1899). {LDE 96.2}
Brothers and Sisters, we have been given tremendous light, we have been in ignorance for to long. It is time to arise and shine for the light has come. It was the Devil’s aim to keep us in darkness. The major point of country living is not, as some may have entertained, to hide, but rather character development!
Take your children away from the sights and sounds of the city, away from the rattle and din of streetcars and teams, and their minds will become more healthy. It will be found easier to bring home to their hearts the truth of the Word of God.–Manuscript 76, 1905. {CL 13.1}
Who will be warned? We say again, Out of the cities. Do not consider it a great deprivation, that you must go into the hills and mountains, but seek for that retirement where you can be alone with God, to learn His will and way. . . . {CL 14.4}
I urge our people to make it their lifework to seek for spirituality. Christ is at the door. This is why I say to our people, Do not consider it a privation when you are called to leave the cities and move out into the country places. Here there await rich blessings for those who will grasp them. By beholding the scenes of nature, the works of the Creator, by studying God’s handiwork, imperceptibly you will be changed into the same image.–Manuscript 85, 1908. {CL 14.5}
“An expensive dwelling, elaborate furnishings, display, luxury, and ease, do not furnish the conditions essential to a happy, useful life. Jesus came to this earth to accomplish the greatest work ever accomplished among men. He came as God’s ambassador, to show us how to live so as to secure life’s best results. What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mother’s side, with the open scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the soul’s communion with God,–these were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus”. {CL 14.6}
“So with the great majority of the best and noblest men of all ages. Read the history of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph, of Moses, David, and Elisha. Study the lives of men of later times who have most worthily filled positions of trust and responsibility, the men whose influence has been most effective for the world’s uplifting”. {CL 15.1}
“How many of these were reared in country homes. They knew little of luxury. They did not spend their youth in amusement. Many were forced to struggle with poverty and hardship. They early learned to work, and their active life in the open air gave vigor and elasticity to all their faculties. Forced to depend upon their own resources, they learned to combat difficulties and to surmount obstacles, and they gained courage and perseverance. They learned the lessons of self-reliance and self-control. Sheltered in a great degree from evil associations, they were satisfied with natural pleasures and wholesome companionships. They were simple in their tastes and temperate in their habits. They were governed by principle, and they grew up pure and strong and true. When called to their lifework, they brought to it physical and mental power, buoyancy of spirit, ability to plan and execute, and steadfastness in resisting evil, that made them a positive power for good in the world”. {CL 15.2}

We must start to get into that country experience, pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit, Study for ourselves, seek to gain the victory over self in Christ Jesus our Lord, be co- laborers with Christ and finish the work!
“I see the necessity of making haste to get all things ready for the crisis”.–Letter 90, 1897. {CL 21.1}

Seven reasons for leaving the cities and heading for the country – click here