As we address the third proxy war, represented in verses thirteen through fifteen, we will remind ourselves of what has led up to these verses. In chapter ten, Daniel receives his final vision, and in doing so he is identified as understanding both the internal and external prophetic visions. The Hebrew word “dabar,” meaning “word” is translated as “thing.” In chapter nine, when Gabriel came to make Daniel understand the vision of the twenty-three hundred days, the Hebrew word “dabar” was translated as “matter.”
當我哋講到第三場代理戰爭，即係由第十三至第十五節所代表嘅內容時，我哋要提醒自己，喺呢幾節經文之前，事情係點樣一步一步發展到呢度。喺第十章，但以理領受咗佢最後一個異象；而喺呢個過程當中，佢被指明為明白內在同外在先知性異象嘅人。希伯來文「dabar」，意思係「話語」，喺呢度被譯作「事」。喺第九章，當加百列前來使但以理明白二千三百日嘅異象時，希伯來文「dabar」被譯作「事」。
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Daniel 9:21–23.
誠然，當我禱告說話之時，我起初在異象中所見的那人加百列，奉命迅速飛來，於晚祭的時候觸及我。他便指教我，與我說話，說：「但以理啊，我現在出來，要使你有智慧，有聰明。你初懇求的時候，命令就已發出；我來要告訴你，因你是大蒙眷愛的；所以你要明白這事，思想這異象。」但以理書 9:21–23
When Gabriel told Daniel to “understand the matter, and consider the vision,” the Hebrew word “biyn” was translated as both “understand” and also as “consider.” The word means to mentally separate. Gabriel informed Daniel to make a mental separation between the “dabar” translated as “matter” and the “mareh“, translated as “vision”. In order to understand the interpretation that Gabriel was providing to Daniel concerning the prophecy of twenty-three hundred years, Daniel was to recognize the distinction between the prophetic vision represented as the “matter” and the prophetic “mareh” vision. The “matter”, which is the “dabar,” meaning word, represents the external line of prophecy and the “mareh” vision represents the internal line of prophecy.
當加百列對但以理說要「明白這事，並思想這異象」的時候，希伯來字「biyn」既被譯作「明白」，亦被譯作「思想」。這個字的意思是，在心思上作出分別。加百列告訴但以理，要在心裏把譯作「這事」的「dabar」與譯作「異象」的「mareh」分別開來。為要明白加百列向但以理所提供、關乎二千三百年預言的解釋，但以理必須辨認出那被表述為「這事」的預言異象，與「mareh」這預言異象之間的分別。「這事」，即「dabar」，意思是話語，代表預言的外在線；而「mareh」異象則代表預言的內在線。
In Daniel chapter ten, the first truth that is revealed to the student of prophecy is that Daniel represents God’s people in the last days who understand both the internal and external lines of prophecy.
喺《但以理書》第十章，首先向預言研究者所啟示嘅真理係：但以理所代表嘅，乃係末後日子明白預言內在線同外在線嘅上帝子民。
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. Daniel 10:1.
波斯王古列第三年，有事顯現給但以理；他又名伯提沙撒。這事是真實的，只是所定的時期漫長；他明白這事，也明白這異象。 但以理書 10:1
The “thing,” is the Hebrew word “dabar,” and the “vision,” is the “mareh” vision. As a prophet, Daniel represents God’s last day people, whose perfect fulfillment is the one hundred and forty-four thousand. The third year of Cyrus places Daniel in the reform line that began at the time of the end in 1989. In “those days,” representing the history of 1989 to the soon coming Sunday law in the United States, Daniel was mourning for three weeks. In the reform line of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, the period of mourning is marking the three and a half days that the two witnesses of Revelation chapter eleven, are dead in the street. The street of that great city of Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified, is also Ezekiel’s valley of dead dry bones.
「事」乃希伯來文「dabar」，而「異象」則是「mareh」異象。作為一位先知，但以理代表上帝末後日子嘅子民；而呢一點最完全嘅應驗，乃係嗰十四萬四千人。古列第三年，將但以理置於一條改革線之中；呢條改革線始於1989年末時。在「那些日子」裡——即代表由1989年至美國即將來臨之星期日法案嘅歷史——但以理悲哀咗三個星期。在十四萬四千人嘅改革線中，呢段悲哀時期，標誌住《啟示錄》第十一章中兩個見證人倒斃街上嘅三日半。嗰大城嘅街上，就係所多瑪同埃及——我哋嘅主亦曾在那裡被釘十字架——亦即係以西結異象中充滿枯乾骸骨嘅平原。
In chapter ten, Daniel is transformed into the image of Christ, and touched three times in advance of Gabriel interpreting the vision which Daniel saw. The vision produced a separation of two classes of worshippers. The everlasting gospel always produces two classes of worshippers. Daniel represented the class of worshippers represented as the one hundred and forty-four thousand, in contrast with the class that fled in fear from the vision.
喺第十章，丹以理被改造成基督嘅形像，並且喺加百列解明丹以理所見嘅異象之前，預先三次被觸摸。嗰個異象造成咗兩類敬拜者之間嘅分別。永遠嘅福音一向都會產生兩類敬拜者。丹以理所代表嘅，乃係嗰一類敬拜者，即係嗰十四萬四千人，與嗰一類因異象而驚懼逃跑嘅人形成對比。
Prior to chapter ten Gabriel came three times to Daniel to interpret a vision. He interpreted the visions of chapters seven and eight, which illustrated the kingdoms of Bible prophecy in both their political manifestation (chapter seven), and their religious manifestation (chapter eight). Then in chapter nine Gabriel interpreted the twenty-three-hundred-year prophecy. Gabriel arrives in chapter ten to finish the interpretation that was left incomplete in chapter nine, and to provide Daniel with the interpretation of the vision which produced the two classes of worshippers. Gabriel first provides Daniel with a general overview of the vision in verse fourteen.
喺第十章之前，加百列曾經三次到但以理嗰度解釋異象。佢解釋咗第七章同第八章嘅異象；呢啲異象分別說明咗聖經預言中諸國度喺政治上嘅表現（第七章），以及喺宗教上嘅表現（第八章）。跟住喺第九章，加百列解釋咗二千三百年嘅預言。到第十章，加百列嚟到，為要完成喺第九章尚未完結嘅解釋，並且向但以理講解嗰個產生兩類敬拜者之異象嘅含義。加百列首先喺第十四節，向但以理提供咗對呢個異象嘅一個概括總覽。
Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. Daniel 10:14.
而家我嚟，要使你明白你本國之民喺末後日子所要遭遇嘅事；因為呢異象所關乎嘅，仲有好多日子。Daniel 10:14
The vision of Christ, which produced two classes of worshippers, represents what shall befall God’s people in the last days. The interpretation of chapters seven and eight was an interpretation of the history represented by the rise and fall of the kingdoms of Bible prophecy, as illustrated by beasts of prey and sanctuary animals respectively. The interpretation of chapter nine, was a detailed breakdown of the different prophetic periods represented within the prophecy of twenty-three hundred years. Somehow the vision of the glorified Christ in chapter ten represented what shall befall God’s people in the last days. Before Gabriel begins with the detailed outline of history, which is the interpretation of the vision of the glorified Christ, he reminds Daniel that he has already told Daniel what the interpretation represents.
基督嘅異象，產生咗兩類敬拜者，呢個異象代表上帝子民喺末後日子將要遭遇嘅事。第七章同第八章嘅講解，乃係對《聖經》預言中諸國興衰歷史嘅講解；呢啲歷史分別以猛獸同聖所牲畜作為象徵。第九章嘅講解，則係對二千三百年預言之內各個唔同預言時期嘅詳細分解。第十章中榮耀基督嘅異象，同樣代表上帝子民喺末後日子將要遭遇嘅事。加百列喺開始詳細鋪陳歷史，即係對榮耀基督異象嘅講解之前，先提醒但以理，佢早已話過畀但以理聽，呢個講解所代表嘅係乜嘢。
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. Daniel 10:20.
他就說：「你知道我為何來到你這裏嗎？現在我要回去與波斯的君爭戰；我出去之後，看哪，希臘的君必來。」但以理書 10:20
Gabriel reminds Daniel that he had told Daniel in verse fourteen, that he had come to make Daniel understand what shall befall God’s people in the last days, and he expected Daniel to place the following presentation of prophetic history in that context. Daniel had been seeking a specific understanding from the first day in which he began to mourn.
加百列提醒但以理，佢喺第十四節已經對但以理講過，自己前來係要使但以理明白，喺末後嘅日子，神嘅子民將要遭遇乜嘢；佢亦預期但以理會喺呢個脈絡之下，去領會以下對預言歷史嘅陳述。自但以理開始悲哀嘅第一日起，佢一直都喺尋求一個具體嘅明白。
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12, 13.
佢就對我話：「但以理啊，唔好驚；因為由你第一日立定心志要明白，又喺你嘅神面前刻苦己心開始，你嘅言語已經蒙垂聽；我因你嘅言語而嚟。但波斯國嘅魔君攔阻我二十一日；然而，看哪，大君之一米迦勒前來幫助我；我就留喺波斯諸王嗰度。」但以理書 10:12, 13.
After Daniel’s three weeks of mourning, he saw the vision of Christ, that prophetically aligned with the vision of Christ that John in Patmos had witnessed.
但以理哀慟咗三個星期之後，佢見到基督嘅異象；呢個異象喺先知性上，與約翰喺拔摩島所見證嘅基督異象彼此相符。
“No less a personage than the Son of God appeared to Daniel. This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos. Our Lord now comes with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days. This knowledge was given to Daniel and recorded by inspiration for us upon whom the ends of the world are come.
向但以理顯現的，正是上帝的兒子，非同尋常的人物。這一番描述，與約翰在拔摩海島上蒙啟示看見基督時所得的描寫相似。主現今與另一位天上的使者一同前來，要將末後日子所要發生的事教導但以理。這知識賜給了但以理，並且藉着默示記錄下來，為着我們這等承受世代末期的人。
“The great truths revealed by the world’s Redeemer are for those who search for truth as for hid treasures. Daniel was an aged man. His life had been passed amid the fascinations of a heathen court, his mind cumbered with the affairs of a great empire; yet he turns aside from all these to afflict his soul before God, and seek a knowledge of the purposes of the Most High. And in response to his supplications, light from the heavenly courts was communicated for those who should live in the latter days. With what earnestness, then, should we seek God, that he may open our understanding to comprehend the truths brought to us from Heaven.
「世上救贖主所啟示之偉大真理，乃為那些尋求真理如尋找隱藏珍寶的人而設。 但以理已是年邁之人。他一生都度於異教宮廷的迷惑之中，心思又為一大帝國的政務所纏累；然而，他卻撇開這一切，在上帝面前刻苦己心，尋求至高者旨意的知識。 作為對他懇求的回應，從天上朝庭而來的亮光便傳達下來，賜予那些活在末後日子的人。 那麼，我們豈不更當何等懇切地尋求上帝，好叫祂開啟我們的悟性，使我們明白那從天上帶給我們的真理。」
“‘And I Daniel alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves…. And there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.’ Such will be the experience of every one who is truly sanctified. The clearer their views of the greatness, glory, and perfection of Christ, the more vividly will they see their own weakness and imperfection. They will have no disposition to claim a sinless character; that which has appeared right and comely in themselves will, in contrast with Christ’s purity and glory, appear only as unworthy and corruptible. It is when men are separated from God, when they have very indistinct views of Christ, that they say, ‘I am sinless; I am sanctified.’
「惟有我但以理一人看見這異象；同我在一起的人卻沒有看見這異象；只是有大大戰兢臨到他們，以致他們逃跑躲藏……我身上再無氣力；我素來的秀美在我裏面變為敗壞，我毫無氣力可言。」凡真正成聖的人，都必有這樣的經歷。他們對基督的偉大、榮耀和完全，看得越清楚，就越鮮明地看見自己的軟弱與不完全。他們決不會傾向於自稱自己是無罪的；那些曾經在自己身上顯為正直可美的，在基督的純潔與榮耀對照之下，只會顯得不配而且敗壞。人惟有在與上帝隔絕、對基督只有極其模糊的認識時，才會說：「我是無罪的；我是成聖的。」
“Gabriel then appeared to the prophet, and thus addressed him; ‘O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.’
「加百列隨後向先知顯現，如此對他說：『但以理啊，大蒙眷愛的人，要明白我對你所說的話，並且直立站起；因我現今奉差遣到你這裏來。』他向我說了這話之後，我便戰戰兢兢地站起來。於是他對我說：『但以理啊，不要懼怕；因為從你第一日立志明白這事、在你神面前刻苦己心起，你的言語已蒙垂聽；我也是因你的言語而來。』」
“What great honor was shown to Daniel by the Majesty of Heaven! He comforts his trembling servant, and assures him that his prayer was heard in Heaven, and that in answer to that fervent petition, the angel Gabriel was sent to affect the heart of the Persian king. The monarch had resisted the impressions of the Spirit of God during the three weeks while Daniel was fasting and praying, but Heaven’s Prince, the archangel, Michael, was sent to turn the heart of the stubborn king to take some decided action to answer the prayer of Daniel.
「天上之尊榮向但以理所顯示嘅，係何等大嘅尊貴！祂安慰祂戰兢嘅僕人，並向他保證，他嘅祈禱已在天上蒙垂聽；又為答應那懇切嘅祈求，天使加百列奉差遣去感動波斯王嘅心。當但以理禁食祈禱嗰三個星期之內，呢位君王一直抗拒上帝之靈所加於他嘅感動；然而，天上之君、大天使米迦勒被差遣，去扭轉呢位頑梗君王嘅心，使他採取某種堅定嘅行動，藉以回應但以理嘅祈禱。
“‘And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips…. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.’ So great was the divine glory revealed to Daniel that he could not endure the sight. Then the messenger of Heaven veiled the brightness of his presence and appeared to the prophet as ‘one like the similitude of the sons of men.’ By his divine power he strengthened this man of integrity and of faith, to hear the message sent to him from God.
「『他向我說了這樣的話，我便面伏於地，啞口無言。看哪，有一位形狀彷彿人子模樣的，摸我的嘴唇……又說，大蒙眷愛的人哪，不要懼怕：願你平安；你總要堅強，總要堅強。他向我說話的時候，我便得了力量，就說，願我主說話，因你使我有力量。』」 向但以理顯明出來的神聖榮耀是如此浩大，以致他不能忍受那景象。於是，那從天而來的使者遮蔽了自己臨格的光輝，以「形狀彷彿人子模樣的」向這位先知顯現。祂藉着神聖的能力，使這位正直而有信心的人得着力量，好聽取那從神那裏差來給他的信息。
“Daniel was a devoted servant of the Most High. His long life was filled up with noble deeds of service for his Master. His purity of character, and unwavering fidelity, are equaled only by his humility of heart and his contrition before God. We repeat, The life of Daniel is an inspired illustration of true sanctification.” Review and Herald, February 8, 1881.
「但以理乃係至高者忠心奉獻嘅僕人。佢漫長嘅一生，滿有為主人所作高尚服事嘅事蹟。佢品格嘅純潔，同埋毫不動搖嘅忠誠，只可與佢內心嘅謙卑同埋喺上帝面前嘅痛悔相提並論。我哋再重申：但以理嘅人生，乃係真實成聖嘅受靈感啟示之例證。」Review and Herald, February 8, 1881.
Daniel’s experience in chapter ten, represents God’s people in the last days, who as Daniel and John, understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The key to placing Daniel into the prophetic history where his experience is located is based upon the fact that he was in mourning, and that Michael was sent at the conclusion of the twenty-one days. In the first verse, Daniel records that he had understanding of both the internal and external visions of prophecy. Prior to the twenty-one days Daniel had an incomplete understanding of the two visions, but with the interpretation of Gabriel, Daniel fully grasps the “thing” and the “vision” as different revelations.
但以理在第十章中的經歷，乃是預表末後日子上帝的子民；他們如同但以理與約翰一樣，明白耶穌基督的啟示。要將但以理安置於其經歷所在的預言歷史之中，其關鍵乃是基於以下事實：他正在悲哀之中，而米迦勒是在那二十一日終了之時奉差遣而來。在第一節，但以理記錄他對預言中內在與外在的異象兩者都有所領悟。在那二十一日之前，但以理對這兩個異象的理解尚未完全；但藉着加百列的講解，但以理便完全明白這「事」與這「異象」乃是不同的啟示。
“As the time approached for the close of the seventy years’ captivity, Daniel’s mind became greatly exercised upon the prophecies of Jeremiah. He saw that the time was at hand when God would give his chosen people another trial; and with fasting, humiliation, and prayer, he importuned the God of Heaven in behalf of Israel, in these words: ‘O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments’; we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments; neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.’
當七十年被擄的期限將近完結之時，但以理的心思深深專注於耶利米的預言之上。他看見，上帝要再一次試驗祂所揀選的子民的時候已經臨近；於是他禁食、自卑、祈禱，為以色列向天上的上帝懇切祈求，說：『主啊，大而可畏的上帝，向愛祂、守祂誡命的人守約施慈愛；我們犯了罪，作了孽，行了惡，悖逆了，偏離了祢的誡命和典章；也沒有聽從祢僕人眾先知，就是奉祢名向我們的君王、首領、列祖，和國中眾民所說的話。』
“Notice these words. Daniel does not proclaim his own fidelity before the Lord. Instead of claiming to be pure and holy, he identifies himself with the really sinful of Israel. The wisdom which God imparted to him was as far superior to the wisdom of the wise men of the world as the light of the sun shining in the heavens at noonday is brighter than the feeblest star. Yet ponder the prayer from the lips of this man so highly favored of Heaven. With deep humiliation, with tears, and with rending of heart, he pleads for himself and for his people. He lays his soul open before God, confessing his own vileness, and acknowledging the Lord’s greatness and majesty.
「請留意呢啲說話。但以理並冇喺主面前宣稱自己忠誠。佢唔係聲稱自己純潔聖潔，反而認同自己係以色列民中真正有罪嘅一分子。上帝所賜畀佢嘅智慧，遠遠超越世上智者嘅智慧，正如正午時分照耀諸天嘅日光，比起最微弱嘅星宿更為明亮一樣。然而，請細想呢位如此蒙天恩寵愛之人嘴唇所發出嘅禱告。佢帶住深切嘅自卑，帶住眼淚，帶住撕裂嘅心腸，為自己同為自己嘅百姓懇求。佢喺上帝面前敞開自己嘅心靈，承認自己嘅卑污，並承認主嘅偉大同威嚴。」
“What earnestness and fervor characterize his supplications! He is coming nearer and nearer to God. The hand of faith is reached upward to grasp the never-failing promises of the Most High. His soul is wrestling in agony. And he has the evidence that his prayer is heard. He feels that victory is his. If we as a people would pray as Daniel prayed, and wrestle as he wrestled, humbling our souls before God, we should realize as marked answers to our petitions as were granted to Daniel. Hear how he presses his case at the court of Heaven:
「何等懇切、何等熱烈，成為他祈求的特徵！他正愈來愈親近上帝。信心的手向上伸出，去抓住至高者那永不落空的應許。他的心靈正在痛苦中搏鬥。而且他有憑據知道，他的禱告已蒙垂聽。他感到勝利屬於他。若我們作為一班子民，能像但以理那樣禱告，像他那樣奮力摔跤，在上帝面前使自己的心靈謙卑下來，我們便必看見我們的祈求蒙應允，其顯著程度正如但以理所得的一樣。請聽他如何在天庭之前陳明他的案件：」
“‘O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. And whilst I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, … even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.’
「『我嘅 神啊，求你側耳而聽；開你嘅眼而看，垂顧我哋嘅荒涼，同埋嗰座稱為你名下嘅城；因為我哋喺你面前陳明懇求，唔係憑住我哋自己嘅義，乃是憑住你豐盛嘅憐憫。主啊，求你垂聽；主啊，求你赦免；主啊，求你留心而行；我嘅 神啊，為你自己嘅緣故，唔好遲延；因為你嘅城同你嘅民都係稱為你名下嘅。當我還在說話、禱告，承認我嘅罪同我百姓嘅罪嘅時候，……我起初在異象中所見嗰人加百列，奉命迅速飛來，大約喺獻晚祭嘅時候，摸着咗我。』」
“As Daniel’s prayer is going forth, the angel Gabriel comes sweeping down from the heavenly courts, to tell him that his petitions are heard and answered. This mighty angel has been commissioned to give him skill and understanding,—to open before him the mysteries of future ages. Thus, while earnestly seeking to know and understand the truth, Daniel was brought into communion with Heaven’s delegated messenger.
「正當但以理嘅禱告上達之時，天使加百列便由天庭疾飛而下，告訴佢，佢嘅祈求已蒙垂聽，亦已得應允。呢位大能嘅天使奉差遣賜佢智慧同聰明——將未來世代嘅奧祕向佢揭開。於是，當但以理懇切尋求明白並領悟真理之際，佢就被帶進與天上所差派之使者嘅交通之中。」
“The man of God was praying, not for a flight of happy feeling, but for a knowledge of the divine will. And he desired this knowledge, not merely for himself, but for his people. His great burden was for Israel, who were not, in the strictest sense, keeping the law of God. He acknowledges that all their misfortunes have come upon them in consequence of their transgressions of that holy law. He says, ‘We have sinned, we have done wickedly…. Because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.’ They had lost their peculiar, holy character as God’s chosen people. ‘Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate.’ Daniel’s heart turns with intense longing to the desolate sanctuary of God. He knows that its prosperity can be restored only as Israel shall repent of their transgressions of God’s law, and become humble, and faithful, and obedient.
「神人所祈求的，並不是一時愉悅情感的高漲，乃是對神聖旨意的認識。而他所渴望得着這認識，也不單是為自己，乃是為他的百姓。他心中極重的負擔，是為以色列；因為嚴格來說，他們並沒有遵守上帝的律法。他承認，他們一切的災禍，都是因干犯那神聖律法而臨到他們的。他說：『我們犯了罪，我們作了惡……因我們的罪孽和我們列祖的罪孽，耶路撒冷和你的子民，成了四圍眾人的羞辱。』他們已失去了作為上帝選民那種獨特而聖潔的品格。『現在，因此，我們的上帝啊，求你垂聽你僕人的祈禱和懇求，為你荒涼的聖所，使你的臉發光。』但以理的心以強烈的渴慕轉向上帝那荒涼的聖所。他知道，惟有當以色列人為自己干犯上帝律法而悔改，並且變得謙卑、忠信、順服，它的興盛才能得以恢復。」
“In answer to his petition, Daniel received not only the light and truth which he and his people most needed, but a view of the great events of the future, even to the advent of the world’s Redeemer. Those who claim to be sanctified, while they have no desire to search the Scriptures, or to wrestle with God in prayer for a clearer understanding of Bible truth, know not what true sanctification is.
作為對他祈求嘅回應，但以理所領受嘅，唔單止係佢同佢嘅子民最為需要嘅亮光同真理，並且亦得見將來一切重大事件嘅異象，直至世界救贖主嘅降臨。凡自稱已成聖，卻無心查考聖經，亦唔願在禱告中與上帝摔跤，以求更清楚明白聖經真理嘅人，並不知道何謂真正嘅成聖。
“All who believe with the heart the word of God will hunger and thirst for a knowledge of his will. God is the author of truth. He enlightens the darkened understanding, and gives to the human mind power to grasp and comprehend the truths which he has revealed.
「凡心裡相信上帝話語的人，必渴慕明白祂的旨意。上帝乃真理的源頭。祂照亮昏暗的悟性，並賜給人的心思能力，去領會並明白祂所啟示的真理。 」
“Daniel talked with God. Heaven was opened before him. But the high honors granted him were the result of humiliation and earnest seeking. He did not think, as do many at the present day, that it is no matter what we believe, if we are only honest, and love Jesus. True love for Jesus will lead to the most close and earnest inquiry as to what is truth. Christ prayed that his disciples might be sanctified through the truth. He who is too indolent to make anxious, prayerful search for truth, will be left to receive errors which shall prove the ruin of his soul.
但以理與上帝交談；天在他面前敞開。然而，賜予他嘅崇高尊榮，乃係卑微自抑同懇切尋求嘅結果。佢並冇好似現今許多人所諗咁，以為只要我哋誠實，又愛耶穌，信乜嘢都冇所謂。對耶穌真實嘅愛，必會引導人以最嚴謹、最懇切嘅態度，查究乜嘢先係真理。基督曾禱告，求佢嘅門徒因真理而成聖。凡係懶惰到唔肯以焦急、祈禱嘅心去尋求真理嘅人，終必被撇下去接受錯謬，而呢啲錯謬將會成為佢靈魂敗亡嘅原因。
“At the time of Gabriel’s visit, the prophet Daniel was unable to receive further instruction; but a few years afterward, desiring to know more of subjects not yet fully explained, he again set himself to seek light and wisdom from God. ‘In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all…. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.’
「喺加百列到訪嘅時候，先知但以理未能再領受進一步嘅指示；但喺幾年之後，佢渴望更明白嗰啲尚未完全講解清楚嘅事，於是再次專心向上帝尋求亮光同智慧。『當那些日子，我但以理悲傷了滿三個七日。我沒有吃美味嘅餅，肉同酒都沒有入口，也沒有用油抹自己……。我舉目觀看，見有一人身穿細麻衣，腰束烏法精金帶。佢嘅身體如水蒼玉，面貌如閃電，眼目如火把，手臂同腳好像擦亮嘅銅，說話嘅聲音如大眾嘅聲音。』」
“No less a personage than the Son of God appeared to Daniel. This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos. Our Lord now comes with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days. This knowledge was given to Daniel and recorded by inspiration for us upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Review and Herald, February 8, 1881.
顯現畀但以理嘅，正係上帝嘅兒子呢位尊貴者。呢個描寫，同約翰喺拔摩海島上基督向佢顯現時所見嘅描寫相似。如今，我哋嘅主同另一位天上嘅使者一同前來，要教導但以理末後日子將要發生嘅事。呢啲知識賜咗畀但以理，並且藉着默示記錄落嚟，係為咗我哋呢班處於世界末期嘅人。」《Review and Herald》，1881年2月8日。
The interpretation that Gabriel, “heaven’s delegated messenger,” was bringing to Daniel was the completion of the interpretation he had begun to provide to Daniel in chapter nine. The methodology of “line upon line,” requires that we align the interpretation and associated circumstances of both chapters nine and ten, together in order to rightly divide the prophetic illustration. It is in this interpretation that the visions of the Ulai and Hiddekel rivers join.
加百列——「天上所委派的使者」——帶給但以理嘅解釋，乃係將佢喺第九章開始向但以理所作嘅解釋完成。「律上加律、令上加令」嘅方法，要求我哋將第九章同第十章兩章嘅解釋及其相關情況一同對照配合，好叫我哋可以正確分解呢幅先知性嘅圖畫。正係喺呢個解釋之中，烏萊河同希底結河嘅異象彼此匯合。
Daniel had understood from the books of Jeremiah and Moses that the deliverance of God’s people was at hand. In so doing, Daniel represents God’s people of the last days that understand that the final deliverance of God’s people is at hand. Those last-day people will recognize that they have been spiritually scattered, as represented by Daniel who had been scattered into the slavery of the seventy years captivity in Babylon. They will then understand that they, as Daniel, must manifest the response to their scattered condition that agrees with the remedy represented by the “seven times,” of Leviticus chapter twenty-six.
但以理從耶利米同摩西嘅書卷之中，明白到上帝子民嘅拯救已經臨近。藉此，但以理乃係代表末後日子上帝嘅子民；呢啲子民明白到，上帝子民最終嘅拯救已經近在眼前。嗰啲末後嘅子民會認出，佢哋喺屬靈上已經被分散；正如但以理一樣，被分散到巴比倫七十年被擄嘅奴役之中。然後，佢哋就會明白，佢哋亦都必須好似但以理一樣，對自己被分散嘅景況顯出相應嘅回應，而呢種回應必須同《利未記》第二十六章所表徵嘅「七次」之補救相一致。
When the experience of humility represented by Daniel, that is demanded by the remedy set forth in Leviticus twenty-six, is manifested in the last days, God’s last-day people will have been mourning for a specific period of time. That period of time concludes when Michael the archangel descends.
當《利未記》第二十六章所陳明之補救方法所要求、並由但以理所象徵之謙卑經驗，在末後日子顯明之時，上帝末後的子民已經哀慟了一段特定時期；而這段時期，乃在天使長米迦勒降臨之時告終。
We will continue this study in the next article.
我哋將會喺下一篇文章繼續呢項研習。
And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the Lord their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:38–45.
你們必在列邦中滅亡；你們仇敵之地必吞吃你們。你們中間所剩下的人，必因自己的罪孽在仇敵之地消磨；也必因他們列祖的罪孽與列祖一同消磨。若他們承認自己的罪孽，和他們列祖的罪孽，就是干犯我的過犯，並且承認他們行事與我反對；以致我也行事與他們反對，把他們帶到仇敵之地；那時，若他們未受割禮的心自卑，並且甘願接受自己罪孽的刑罰；我就要記念我與雅各所立的約，也要記念我與以撒所立的約，也要記念我與亞伯拉罕所立的約；我也要記念這地。這地在他們離去之後，必要被撇下，荒涼無人，享受她的安息日；而他們也要接受自己罪孽的刑罰；因為，正因為他們厭棄我的典章，心裏憎惡我的律例。雖是這樣，當他們在仇敵之地的時候，我卻不撇棄他們，也不厭惡他們，以致將他們全然滅絕，並廢棄我與他們所立的約；因為我是耶和華他們的神。我卻要為他們的緣故，記念我與他們先祖所立的約；那些先祖是我在列邦眼前從埃及地領出來的，為要作他們的神：我是耶和華。利未記 26:38–45。