The fulfillment of Isaiah 24 is becoming more and more conspicuous as the end is drawing nigh. Everything in the world shows that we are going from bad to worse.

The inhabitants of the earth want peace, but there will be no peace in the world before the coming of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who declared: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: . . . For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: . . . All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:6–8).

Christ did not mean only sporadic local wars as have been witnessed throughout the history of humanity. He referred to international conflicts involving more and more nations. Evidence shows that He had in view the world wars, as well as the final battle, predicted for the time of the end. (See Joel 3:9–15).

This is the fearful event that Jesus had in mind when He spoke about “wars and rumours of wars” to be expected in the last days. John the Revelator had a vision of the great final conflict, which he described as, “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” (Revelation 16:14).

The great nations of the earth are playing an important role in the present situation in view of the great problems and dangers that are threatening the world. But not all are pulling in the same direction, because there is a conflict of interests. So it is evident that something very serious is going to happen.

“Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. . . . They recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.”2

So far, the predicted international conflict has been detained. Why? There is a reason why—a reason that affects each one of us individually and all of us as a people. God in His mercy is still holding back the winds of the coming strife, not because the nations are not ready to engage in mortal combat, but because God’s chosen people are not ready to receive the seal of protection and deliverance. John the Revelator wrote: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:1–3).

The fierce winds of contention, which will bring international ruin, have not as yet been released for one specific reason: It is because the remnant of God’s people have not all been sealed. During this waiting time something extraordinary is going to happen: The inhabitants of the world will be deceived by false rumors. It will be announced everywhere that peace and safety—the world’s greatest need—is just around the corner. Bible prophecy, however, warns us against this illusive desire and expectation. The apostle Paul writes: “The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them” (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3).

“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.”3

In that terrible time, after the close of probation, many of God’s people will find refuge in the mountains and under the cleft of the rocks. They will be under the protection of Christ and the holy angels. And they will have bread and water to survive until the coming of the Lord. Bible prophecy describes this fearful time as follows: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17).

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain” (Isaiah 26:20, 21).

Many things that Jesus predicted in Matthew 24 had already been foretold by Him through the Old Testament prophets. Concerning the promised deliverance, He said: “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” (Daniel 12:1).

“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. . . . And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption [deliverance] draweth nigh” (Luke 21:26, 28).

From what will God’s remnant people be delivered? And how can they make sure that their names will remain in the book of life and that they will receive the seal of God?

The greatest crisis that the world has ever known is about to come. Trouble—the worst that has ever existed in the world—will soon involve every nation. The hearts of men and women will be giving up for fear of what is ahead of them. Luke 21:26. At that time, which is not far off, the remnant people of God—all those whose names remain in the book of life—will be delivered. Here is a comprehensive picture of what is going to happen:

The day of wrath, often foretold by the prophets, will be ushered in before the coming of Christ. Job 20:28; Psalm 110:5; Isaiah 13:9; Zephaniah 1:15; Matthew 3:7; Romans 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 6:17; 11:18; 14:10; 16:1, 19. The wrath of God will be unleashed in the seven last plagues, right after the close of probation. Revelation 16. Just as it happened before the Flood, the inhabitants of the world have again become so depraved that they have finally exhausted God’s patience. And since they refused to listen to Him when He spoke to them in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) in His mercy, He will finally speak to them in His indignation through the instruments of His wrath, which will cause devastation everywhere. The remnant people of God will be protected from the effect of the plagues (Psalm 46:1, 2, 6–8), while the enemies of God will have no protection.

At that time, two religio-political powers, represented by the first and second beasts of Revelation 13, will dominate the world. The position of the second beast will be an image (an imitation, a copy) of the intolerant course followed by the first beast in the past. These two powers will not grant liberty of religious conscience in areas where they think that their interests are at stake. To safeguard their cause, they will issue a decree (or a series of decrees) forcing men and women to obey their requirements in conflict with the law of God. Revelation 13:1–17.

Nearly the entire world will yield to the antibiblical demands of these two powers, who will be acting hand in hand. A faithful minority of true Christians, however, will be an exception. As they have decided to obey the Lord rather than human beings, they will be accused of displeasing God and provoking His anger.

In the days of king Ahab, Elijah the prophet and the little remnant of faithful servants of God were held responsible for the severe drought and famine. And the prophets of Baal declared that it was necessary to eliminate them in order to appease the anger of the offended god (Baal) and bring the national calamity to a stop. This conclusion is suggested by the following passages: 1 Kings 17:1, 7; 18:1, 2, 13, 17, 18. In the near future, similar declarations will be made against the faithful few who keep the Ten Commandments through their love for Christ. The representatives of the nominal churches will be “riding” on the earthly governments. Revelation 13:5–8, 11–17; 17:5–7, 12–14. Those who keep the commandments of God will then be cruelly persecuted (Matthew 24:9; Revelation 12:17) by those who wish to put them out of existence. Multitudes will be brainwashed to believe that this wholesale destruction of human lives will please God and persuade Him to stop the plagues. God, however, will intervene in behalf of His people and deliver them.

“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).

Christians in general know that there is a great tribulation before us, but many do not understand that this tribulation begins with the close of probation and ends with the coming of Christ, when the wicked inhabitants of the earth will be destroyed. Revelation 6:15–17.

The Bible teaches that once the door of probation is shut, those who are unsaved will remain unsaved. Matthew 25:1–12; Luke 13:23–27; Revelation 22:11. They will have no second chance. They will all perish—if not under the seven last plagues or in the last international war (Armageddon), then at the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 17:26–30; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Isaiah 24:1–6. The only few survivors that will be saved from the coming destruction are those who have made preparations for the coming of the Lord. Luke 21:36; John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17; Isaiah 25:8, 9. These will then be translated (taken up from the earth) to be with Christ in the kingdom of glory. Matthew 25:34; Romans 8:16–18; Revelation 7:13–17; 20:4; 21:1–4.

The remnant people of God, who will have the seal of protection and deliverance, will be identified with the following characteristics:

1. They have the name of God (His character) written in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1 (compare Exodus 34:5–7).

2. They are partakers in the patience of the saints; they keep the commandments of God; they have the faith of Jesus; and they uphold the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of Prophecy. Revelation 14:12; 12:17; 19:10.

3. They are not defiled by any connection with the fallen churches. Revelation 14:4; 18:1–5. They may have been connected with Babylon (either the mother or her daughters: Revelation 17:5) before they have heard the call, “Come out of her, My people.” But they were free from any defilement when they received the seal of God.

4. There is no deception in their mouth. Revelation 14:5.

5. They follow Christ whithersoever He goeth. Revelation 14:4.

6. They are victorious over the antibiblical requirements of the two religio-political powers that will persecute those who conscientiously obey God rather than human beings when there is a conflict between a “Thus saith the Lord” and a “Thus saith the state.” Revelation 15:2.

7. They are the only ones that can sing the song of victory (Revelation 14:3; 15:3), which is similar to the song that was sung by the people of Israel after they had been delivered from the Egyptians. Exodus 14:27–31; 15:1–19.

8. “These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14, NKJV).

The robes of our character must be washed in the merits of Christ’s blood now, while the door of probation is open, so that, at His coming, we “may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).

Now, while our Mediator is making intercession for us in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 7:25; 8:1; 1 John 2:1, 2), it is our privilege and duty to find acceptance before God and get the needed preparation to stand in the time of trouble (the coming tribulation). Before it is too late, let us heed the invitation:

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6, 7).

Now, while the door of mercy and opportunity is still open, and while we still have a chance to turn to Him wholeheartedly, God wants to save us from our sins so that we may be “preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). If we think that the Lord will make us blameless at His coming, we will be disappointed. Matthew 7:21–23; 25:11, 12; Luke 13:24, 25. We are to be made blameless now (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and “preserved” in the state of blamelessness throughout the coming time of trouble, so that, upon Christ’s return, we “may be found” blameless and without spot (2 Peter 3:14; 1 Corinthians 1:7, 8).

If we accept the provisions that the Lord has made for our salvation, then, and only then, can we claim His promise:

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10, NKJV).

“He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13, NKJV).