The Time of Trouble - Steps to Life

September 13 – 19, 2026

Key Text

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7

Study Help: Early Writings, 279–285; The Great Controversy, 613–634

Introduction

“Those who have mocked at the idea of the saints’ going up will witness the care of God for His people and behold their glorious deliverance.” Early Writings, 284

Sunday

1 WHEN PROBATION CLOSES

1.a. When the door of probation closes and our great High Priest stands up, what will come upon the whole world? Zephaniah 1:14, 15; Daniel 12:1, first part

Note: “When He [Christ] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.” The Great Controversy, 614

1.b. Despite the abundance of churches and preachers that will still be available, what will many people start seeking—but in vain? Why? Amos 8:11, 12

Note: “Those who had not prized God’s word were hurrying to and fro, wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to seek the word of the Lord. Said the angel, ‘They shall not find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord. What would they not give for one word of approval from God! but no, they must hunger and thirst on. Day after day have they slighted salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have rejected Jesus and despised His saints. The filthy must remain filthy forever.’ ” Early Writings, 281, 282

Monday

2 PRECIOUS PROMISES

2.a. What trials must God’s people yet endure before they are delivered? What promise is for that time? Jeremiah 30:7, 10; Daniel 12:1, last part

Note: “When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, 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. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance!” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 213

2.b. While there will be famine in many places, how does the Lord promise to supply our temporal needs? Isaiah 33:16

Note: “The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants.” The Great Controversy, 629

Tuesday

3 “HIS STRANGE WORK”

3.a. How will God show that the time has come for Him to stop the growing torrent of iniquity that will be sweeping over the earth? Isaiah 28:21

Note: “Through every century of this world’s history, evil workers have been treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath; and when the time fully comes that iniquity shall have reached the stated boundary of God’s mercy, His forbearance will cease. When the accumulated figures in heaven’s record books shall mark the sum of transgression complete, wrath will come, unmixed with mercy, and then it will be seen what a tremendous thing it is to have worn out the divine patience. This crisis will be reached when the nations shall unite in making void God’s law.

“The days will come when the righteous will be stirred to zeal for God because of the abounding iniquity. None but divine power can stay the arrogance of Satan united with evil men.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 524

3.b. When the Lord sends His punishment upon the world, what promise will strengthen the confidence of His people? Psalms 46:1–3, 7; 91:1–11

Note: “To human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night, they cry unto God for deliverance. …

“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.” The Great Controversy, 630

Wednesday

4 THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES

4.a. How will God punish the inhabitants of the earth? Jeremiah 7 10:10; Revelation 15:1

Note: “The fearful threatenings of the third angel are to be realized, and all the wicked are to drink of the wrath of God.” Early Writings, 274

“When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God’s people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: ‘There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.’ The sea ‘became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.’ And ‘the rivers and fountains of waters … became blood.’ Terrible as these inflictions are, God’s justice stands fully vindicated.” The Great Controversy, 627, 628

4.b. In what sense will the seven last plagues be the severest punishment ever suffered by mortals? Revelation 16:1 (compare Revelation 14:10).

Note: “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.” The Great Controversy, 628, 629

Thursday

5 GOD’S PEOPLE DELIVERED

5.a. Whom will the wicked blame for the plagues, and what measures will the clergy of the popular churches recommend “to stop the calamities”? Matthew 24:9, 10

Note: “The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God’s people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.” Prophets and Kings, 605

“[The] plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. 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 by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed.” Early Writings, 36, 37

5.b. When and how will God manifest His power to deliver His people? Isaiah 30:27–30; Hebrews 12:26; Revelation 16:17, 18

Note: “When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. 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, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof.

“The people of God—some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains—still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen.” The Great Controversy, 635

“There was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth.” Early Writings, 285

“The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance.” Ibid.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

Why is the time of trouble called as such? What happens?
What comfort is offered to God’s people during this dreadful time?
Name some scriptural texts to be learned now for strength then.
What happens when God’s mercy is finally withdrawn from the earth?
Where will God’s people be and what assurance will be theirs in that fearful day?