The first six chapters of the book of Daniel represent the history of the earth beast of Revelation thirteen. The United States (the earth beast), began as the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy in 1798, when the papacy (the sea beast of Revelation thirteen) received a prophetic deadly wound, and ended its reign as the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy.
但以理書頭六章代表啟示錄第十三章中地獸的歷史。美國(即地獸)於一七九八年開始,成為聖經預言中的第六國;當時教皇權(即啟示錄第十三章中的海獸)受了預言性的死傷,並結束了其作為聖經預言中第五國的統治。
The history of the earth beast is the history of the warning of the approach of God’s judgments. In the beginning of the history of the earth beast, God’s investigative judgment began, and at the ending of the earth beast God’s executive judgment begins. The warning of the approach of God’s investigative judgment, at the beginning, was represented by the first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen, which arrived at the “time of the end” in 1798. The warning of the approach of God’s executive judgment, at the ending is represented as the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter fourteen, which arrived at the “time of the end” in 1989.
地獸嘅歷史,就係上帝審判臨近之警告嘅歷史。喺地獸歷史嘅起頭,上帝嘅查案審判開始;而喺地獸歷史嘅終結,上帝嘅執行審判開始。起初,對上帝查案審判臨近之警告,乃以《啟示錄》第十四章第一位天使嘅信息作為表徵;呢信息喺1798年,即「末時」臨到。至於喺終結之時,對上帝執行審判臨近之警告,則以《啟示錄》第十四章三位天使嘅信息作為表徵;呢信息喺1989年,即「末時」臨到。
At every “time of the end” a part of the book of Daniel is unsealed. In the beginning history of the earth beast, in 1798, chapters seven, eight and nine of Daniel were unsealed. Those chapters are represented as the vision of the Ulai River. At the ending history of the earth beast, in 1989, chapters ten, eleven and twelve of Daniel were unsealed. Those chapters are represented as the vision of the Hiddekel River. Whenever the book of Daniel is unsealed, there is a three-step testing process brought upon the generation that is then living.
每逢「末時」,但以理書都有一部分被揭開。喺地獸起初嘅歷史之中,即1798年,但以理書第七、八、九章被揭開。呢幾章被表述為烏萊河嘅異象。喺地獸結束嘅歷史之中,即1989年,但以理書第十、十一、十二章被揭開。呢幾章被表述為希底結河嘅異象。每當但以理書被揭開之時,就有一個三步驟嘅試驗過程臨到當時活著嘅嗰一代人。
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9, 10.
他說:「但以理啊,你只管去吧;因為這些話已經封閉、封住,直到末時。必有許多人使自己潔淨,成為潔白,且被熬煉;但惡人仍必行惡,惡人都不明白;惟獨智慧人必明白。」但以理書 12:9, 10
The three-step testing process is based upon the structure of the Hebrew word that is translated as “truth,” which was created by combining the first, thirteenth and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew word represents and possesses God’s creative power. All prophetic truth is structured upon that word, as is the three-step testing process in Daniel chapter twelve. The word represents not only God’s creative power, but also Jesus Christ, who is the Truth, and who is also the First and Last, as represented by the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
呢個三步驟嘅試驗過程,係建基於嗰個被譯作「真理」嘅希伯來字之結構;呢個字乃係由希伯來字母表中第一、第十三同最後一個字母結合而成。呢個希伯來字代表並且具有上帝創造嘅能力。一切先知性嘅真理都係建立喺呢個字之上;《但以理書》第十二章中嘅三步驟試驗過程亦然。呢個字所代表嘅,不單止係上帝創造嘅能力,亦都係耶穌基督;祂就係真理,亦都係首先的和末後的,正如希伯來字母表中第一同最後一個字母所表明嘅一樣。
The beginning history of the earth beast, when the warning of the approach of the investigative judgment arrived at the time of the end in 1798, is represented by the first angel of Revelation fourteen. The first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen possesses each of the three steps, which are the truth, and that represent the three-step testing process which confronted the generation when the first angel arrived in 1798.
地上獸起始歷史,當查案審判臨近之警告於一七九八年在末時來到之際,乃由《啟示錄》第十四章的第一位天使所表徵。《啟示錄》第十四章第一位天使的信息具備那三個步驟;此三步驟乃是真理,並且表徵當第一位天使於一七九八年來到時,擺在那一代人面前之三步考驗過程。
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:6, 7.
我又看見另一位天使飛在空中,帶着永遠的福音,要傳給住在地上嘅人,同各國、各族、各方、各民。佢大聲說:應當敬畏上帝,將榮耀歸畀佢;因為佢施行審判嘅時候已經到了。應當敬拜嗰位創造天地、海同眾水泉源嘅主。啟示錄 14:6, 7
The ending history of the earth beast, when the warning of the approach of the executive judgment arrived at the time of the end in 1989 is represented by the three angels of Revelation chapter fourteen. The three angels of Revelation fourteen represent the three steps, that are the truth, and the three angels represent the three-step testing process which confronted the generation living when the third angel arrived in 1989.
地獸喺歷史終局嘅情況,即係關於行政審判臨近嘅警告喺末時於1989年來到之時,乃由《啟示錄》第十四章嘅三位天使所象徵。《啟示錄》第十四章嘅三位天使代表三個步驟,即真理;而三位天使亦代表三步驟嘅試驗過程,呢個過程臨到嗰一代活喺第三位天使於1989年來到之時嘅人。
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:6–12.
我又看見另一位天使飛在空中,帶着永遠的福音,要傳給住在地上之人,並各國、各族、各方、各民。他大聲說:「應當敬畏神,將榮耀歸給他;因他施行審判的時候已經到了。應當敬拜那創造天地、海和眾水泉源的主。」 又有第二位天使接着說:「巴比倫大城傾倒了!傾倒了!因她叫萬國都喝她淫亂大怒之酒。」 又有第三位天使隨着他們,大聲說:「若有人拜獸和獸像,在額上或在手上受了印記,這人也必喝神大怒的酒;此酒斟在神忿怒的杯中,純一不雜。他要在聖天使和羔羊面前,在火與硫磺之中受痛苦。他們受痛苦的煙往上冒,直到永永遠遠;那些拜獸和獸像,並受牠名之印記的,晝夜不得安寧。」 聖徒的忍耐就在此;守神誡命和耶穌真道的,就是他們。啟示錄 14:6–12.
The book of Daniel is structured upon the three angels’ messages. That structure is both the three steps of the Hebrew word for “truth”, and the corresponding three-step testing process, but the testing process unfolds upon the historical line of the earth beast of Revelation chapter thirteen (the United States), and also the historical line of the earth beast’s two horns (Republicanism and Protestantism). The history of the United States, beginning in 1798 and continuing until the soon-coming Sunday law, is the same period of history in which the Seventh-day Adventist church exists. The book of Daniel therefore also includes the structure that portrays the history of Adventism, beginning in 1798 and continuing until the soon-coming Sunday law. In doing so, the book of Daniel identifies the same prophetic histories represented in the book of Revelation, and in so doing it provides the first witness that brings to perfection the message of the second witness. The perfection of the two books is accomplished with the same prophetic phenomenon that existed in the relationship of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
《但以理書》係建立喺三位天使信息之上而構成嘅。呢個結構既係希伯來文「真理」一詞嘅三個步驟,亦都係與之相對應嘅三步試驗過程;但呢個試驗過程係沿住《啟示錄》第十三章地獸(美國)嘅歷史線而展開,亦都沿住地獸兩角(共和主義同新教主義)嘅歷史線而展開。美國嘅歷史,由1798年開始,延續直到即將來臨嘅星期日法,正正就係基督復臨安息日會存在嘅同一段歷史時期。因此,《但以理書》亦都包含咗一個描繪復臨運動歷史嘅結構,由1798年開始,延續直到即將來臨嘅星期日法。藉此,《但以理書》指出咗《啟示錄》中所表述嘅同樣預言歷史;而且藉住咁樣,佢提供咗第一個見證,使第二個見證嘅信息得以完全。呢兩卷書嘅完全,乃係藉住同一種預言現象而成就,呢種現象曾經存在於舊約同新約之間嘅關係之中。
“The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. The one testifies of a Saviour to come, while the other testifies of a Saviour that has come in the manner predicted by the prophets. In order to appreciate the plan of redemption, the Scripture of the Old Testament must be thoroughly understood. It is the glorified light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Jesus are a proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs that he is the world’s Redeemer are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament compared with the history of the New. Jesus said to the Jews ‘Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.’ At that time there was no other scripture in existence save that of the Old Testament; so the injunction of the Saviour is plain.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 3, 211.
「關於耶穌作為上帝兒子之生平、受死與復活的歷史,若無舊約所載之證據,便不能得到充分的證明。基督喺舊約中所啟示出來,與喺新約中同樣清楚。一者見證那將要來臨的救主,另一者則見證那位已經照先知所預言之方式來到的救主。要領會救贖之計劃,就必須徹底明白舊約聖經。正是來自先知性往昔之榮耀光輝,使基督的生平同新約的教訓,以清晰而美麗的方式彰顯出來。耶穌所行的神蹟,乃係祂神性的一種憑據;但證明祂乃世人救贖主之最有力憑據,乃係將舊約的預言與新約的歷史互相比較而得出的。耶穌對猶太人說:『你們查考聖經;因你們以為內中有永生;給我作見證的就是這經。』當時,除咗舊約聖經之外,並無其他經卷存在;因此,救主呢項吩咐的意思乃係明顯的。」《預言之靈》卷三,211。
The “history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus,” summarizes Christ’s work for mankind, and witnesses unto the three steps, and those three steps are the “truth.” The Hebrew word “truth,” represents Jesus, who is the first and last, the beginning and ending and the Alpha and Omega, and the word itself consist of the first and last letters representing the same thing, for as Alpha and Omega, Jesus illustrates the end of a thing, with the beginning of a thing. Christ’s life, death and resurrection are truth, for among other things they are represented by three steps, and the first and last step are both “life,” for “life” and “resurrection” are both “life.” The middle letter in the Hebrew word is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, and thirteen is a symbol of rebellion, and Christ’s death was brought about by the rebellion of Satan and the sons of Adam, who joined in his rebellion.
「耶穌嘅生、死同復活之歷史」,總括咗基督為人類所作嘅工,並且為嗰三個步驟作見證,而嗰三個步驟就係「真理」。希伯來文「真理」呢個字,係代表耶穌;祂係首先嘅、亦係末後嘅,係起初、亦係終結,係阿拉法同俄梅戛;而呢個字本身亦由首末兩個字母組成,所表明嘅都係同一件事,因為作為阿拉法同俄梅戛,耶穌表明一件事嘅終結,同時亦連於一件事嘅開始。基督嘅生、死同復活就係真理,因為除此以外,佢哋亦由三個步驟所表徵,而第一步同最後一步都同樣係「生命」,因為「生命」同「復活」都同樣係「生命」。希伯來文呢個字中間嗰個字母,係字母表中第十三個字母,而十三係背叛嘅象徵;基督嘅死,乃係由撒但同亞當眾子嘅背叛所導致,佢哋都聯同撒但一同背叛。
The understanding of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation is unsealed just before the close of human probation, and a primary element of the truth unsealed at that time is that Christ is the “truth,” the Alpha and Omega, who places his signature as the Alpha and Omega upon the truths that He has ordained to exist in His Word. When Sister White wrote, “The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New,” she is confirming, for those who will see, that the message of the three angels in Revelation chapter fourteen (which are also structured upon the same three steps, as “life, death and resurrection”), “cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained” in the book of Daniel.
《啟示錄》中關於耶穌基督之啟示的理解,乃係喺人類恩門關閉之前不久先至被開啟;而喺嗰個時候所被開啟之真理嘅一個主要要素,就係基督乃係「真理」、阿拉法同俄梅戛,並且祂以阿拉法同俄梅戛嘅署名,加蓋喺祂所命定存於祂聖言之中嘅各樣真理之上。當懷愛倫姊妹寫道:「耶穌一生、死亡同復活嘅歷史,作為上帝兒子嘅歷史,若冇舊約所包含之證據,就不能被充分證明。基督喺舊約中所啟示出嚟,正如喺新約中一樣清楚,」佢乃係向嗰啲願意看見嘅人確認:《啟示錄》第十四章三位天使嘅信息(呢啲信息同樣係建構喺同一個三重步驟之上,即「生命、死亡同復活」),「若冇……所包含之證據,就不能被充分證明」;而呢啲證據乃係包含喺《但以理書》之中。
She is also identifying that the book of Daniel testifies of a Babylon “to come”, while the book of Revelation testifies of a Babylon that “has come” in the manner predicted by the book of Daniel. Further, the application identifies that “in order to appreciate” the book of Revelation, the book of Daniel “must be thoroughly understood”, for “it is the glorified light” from the book of Daniel “that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings” of the book of Revelation “with clearness and beauty.”
佢亦都指出,《但以理書》見證咗一個「將要來到」嘅巴比倫,而《啟示錄》則見證咗一個按照《但以理書》所預言嘅方式而「已經來到」嘅巴比倫。再者,呢個應用指出,若要「欣賞」《啟示錄》,就「必須徹底明白」《但以理書》,因為正正係嚟自《但以理書》嘅「榮耀之光」,將《啟示錄》中基督嘅生命同埋教訓「以清晰同美麗嘅方式彰顯出來。」
Her words can also be understood to identify that “the miracles of Jesus” represented in the book of Revelation are “a proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs that he is the world’s Redeemer are found” when the prophecies of the book of Daniel are “compared with the history” of the book of Revelation. Further it can be recognized that when “Jesus said to the Jews ‘Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me,’” that for spiritual Jews today, the book of Daniel is what testifies of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and that revelation which is unsealed just before the close of probation is where eternal life is found.
佢嘅話亦可以理解為指出:《啟示錄》所表現嘅「耶穌嘅神蹟」乃係「證明佢神性嘅憑據;但證明佢係世界救贖主最有力嘅憑據,卻係喺《但以理書》嘅預言與《啟示錄》嘅歷史「互相比較」之時先至搵得到。」再者,亦可以看出,當「耶穌對猶太人說:『你們查考聖經;因你們以為內中有永生;給我作見證的就是這經。』」之時,對今日屬靈嘅猶太人而言,為耶穌基督之啟示作見證嘅,乃係《但以理書》;而嗰個喺恩典時期結束之前啱啱被開啟嘅啟示,就係永生所在之處。
The book of Daniel sets forth the prophetic truths that are brought to perfection in the book of Revelation. It is structured upon the three steps that are represented by the Hebrew word for “truth”, and therefore the book itself represents a test for the generation when these facts are unsealed and revealed. Jesus Himself, as the Alpha and Omega, is directly emphasized in the very first words and chapter of the book of Revelation. These articles have also shown that Daniel chapter one possesses the same prophetic structure and characteristics of the first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen.
但以理書陳明了那些在啟示錄中被帶到完全之境的預言真理。它是建立在希伯來文「真理」一詞所代表的三個步驟之上,因此,當這些事實被揭開封印並顯明出來之時,這卷書本身就成為對那一代人的一個試驗。耶穌自己,作為阿拉法與俄梅戛,在啟示錄一書最初的話語和第一章之中,已被直接強調。這些文章也顯示出,但以理書第一章具有與啟示錄第十四章第一位天使信息相同的預言結構和特徵。
The first angel’s message and Daniel chapter one, both identify the three-step testing process that is the signature of Alpha and Omega. The chapter begins with literal Babylon conquering literal Judah, and the book leads to the last battle between Babylon and Judah represented in the last six verses of Daniel chapter eleven. In those verses spiritual Babylon is conquered by spiritual Judah, just as Michael stands up and human probation closes. Those verses represent the end of the prophetic history of the war between Babylon and Judah. In those verses, the healing of the deadly wound is illustrated.
第一位天使嘅信息同但以理書第一章,都同樣指出嗰個三步嘅試驗過程,呢個正正就係阿拉法同俄梅戛嘅標記。呢一章以字面上巴比倫征服字面上猶大作為開始,而呢卷書則引向最後一場巴比倫同猶大之間嘅戰爭,呢場戰爭係喺但以理書第十一章最後六節所表明嘅。喺嗰啲經文當中,屬靈上嘅巴比倫被屬靈上嘅猶大所征服,正如米迦勒起來,人類恩典時期亦隨之結束。嗰啲經文代表咗巴比倫同猶大之間戰爭之預言歷史嘅終結。喺嗰啲經文當中,致命傷口得醫治亦被表明出嚟。
The verses that describe the healing of the deadly wound begins with verse forty of Daniel eleven, which begins with the words, “And at the time of the end.” The “time of the end” in the verse represents 1798, when the papacy was delivered its deadly wound. The verses then tell the story of how the deadly wound is healed, as the papacy conquers, first its enemy, the king of the south (the Soviet Union), second its ally, the glorious land (the United States), and third its victim, Egypt (the United Nations). In verse forty-five the papacy (the king of the north), comes to its end, with none to help. The story of the healing of the deadly wound of the papacy in the verses begins with the fall of the papacy in 1798, and it ends with the final rise and fall of the papacy. The verses between the opening of the passage and the closing of the passage identify the rebellion in the middle.
描述那致命傷得醫治嘅經文,係由《但以理書》十一章四十節開始,而該節係以「到了末時」呢句話起首。該節中嘅「末時」係指一七九八年,當時教皇制度受咗致命傷。其後嘅經文就講述致命傷如何得醫治:當教皇制度先征服佢嘅敵人南方王(蘇聯),其次征服佢嘅盟友榮美之地(美國),第三征服佢嘅受害者埃及(聯合國)之時,致命傷便得醫治。喺第四十五節,教皇制度(北方王)走到佢嘅結局,並無人幫助佢。呢段經文所講述教皇制度致命傷得醫治嘅故事,始於一七九八年教皇制度嘅傾覆,終於教皇制度最後嘅興起與傾覆。而喺呢段經文起首同結尾之間嘅經節,則指出中間嗰場背叛。
The Hebrew word for “truth” was created by the first letter, the thirteenth letter and the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet being combined. Thirteen is a number that symbolizes rebellion, and the history between the first and the last. In the final passage of prophecy in the book of Daniel, the same warfare that is represented in the very first verses of the book is represented. Those verses introduce chapter one, where we find the three-step testing process that is the truth. Then in the final passage we find the same three steps as it begins with the first fall of the papacy and ends with the last fall of the papacy, and couched in the middle is the rebellion of the last days.
希伯來文中「真理」一詞,乃由希伯來字母表嘅第一個字母、第十三個字母,同埋最後一個字母組合而成。十三乃象徵悖逆嘅數字,亦象徵介乎起初與末後之間嘅歷史。 喺《但以理書》最後一段預言入面,書卷最開首幾節經文所表現嘅同一場爭戰,再次被表現出嚟。嗰幾節經文引入第一章,而喺嗰度我哋見到由三個步驟構成、就係真理本身嘅試驗過程。及至最後一段,我哋又見到同樣嘅三個步驟:佢由教皇權第一次嘅傾倒開始,以教皇權最後一次嘅傾倒結束,而置於其中嘅,乃係末後日子嘅悖逆。
Within those final six verses of Daniel chapter eleven, is a second witness to the truth, for the first geographical power the papacy needed to overthrow (the king of the south) is a symbol of the dragon power, as is the last of the three geographical powers (Egypt). The three-step conquering that is necessary for the deadly wound to be healed, begins with the king of the south that is a symbol of the dragon power of atheism, and the last of the three powers, represented by Egypt, is the primary biblical symbol of the atheism associated with the dragon. In fact, the word translated as “south” in verse forty of the passage is “negeb,” which is sometimes translated as Egypt. The three obstacles have the signature of truth, for the first obstacle is the last obstacle. The power in the middle is the glorious land (the United States). The United States is where the rebellion of the Sunday law is brought about, and the symbol of the United States when it began was thirteen colonies.
但以理書第十一章最後嗰六節之內,乃係真理嘅第二個見證,因為教皇制度所必須首先推翻嘅第一個地理勢力(南方王),正如三個地理勢力之中最後嗰一個(埃及)一樣,都係龍勢力嘅象徵。為咗致命傷得以醫好而必需嘅三步征服,係由南方王開始;南方王乃係無神論之龍勢力嘅象徵,而三個勢力之中最後嗰一個,由埃及所代表,乃係喺聖經之中與龍相關之無神論嘅主要象徵。事實上,喺呢段經文第四十節中譯作「南方」嘅字,乃係 “negeb”,而呢個字有時亦譯作埃及。呢三個障礙帶有真理嘅印記,因為第一個障礙就係最後一個障礙。中間嗰個勢力乃係榮美之地(美國)。美國就係星期日法之背道被促成之處,而美國喺起初開始之時嘅象徵,乃係十三個殖民地。
The signature of Alpha and Omega pervades the book of Daniel, and provides the witness that, when brought together with the book of Revelation, establishes the divinity of Jesus Christ. In terms of Daniel chapter twelve, and the three-step testing process that occurs in the generation when the book is unsealed; to reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, is to be among those that are identified as the wicked. In terms of Revelation chapter fourteen, to reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, is to be among those that are identified as worshipping the beast and his image.
阿拉法同俄梅戛嘅印記貫穿《但以理書》,並提供見證;當呢個見證同《啟示錄》一同加以考量之時,就確立耶穌基督嘅神性。就《但以理書》第十二章,以及喺嗰本書被揭開之世代所發生嘅三步試驗過程而言,拒絕《但以理書》結構嘅啟示,就係歸入嗰啲被指明為惡人嘅人當中。就《啟示錄》第十四章而言,拒絕《但以理書》結構嘅啟示,就係歸入嗰啲被指明為敬拜獸同牠像嘅人當中。
The book of Revelation identifies that just before probation closes the Revelation of Jesus Christ is unsealed, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ includes the unsealing of the structure of the book of Daniel.
《啟示錄》指出,就在恩典時期結束之前,《耶穌基督的啟示》被解開;而《耶穌基督的啟示》亦包括將《但以理書》的結構揭開。
“Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that ‘at the end of the days’—in the closing period of this world’s history—he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place. It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose. ‘Shut up the words, and seal the book,’ he was directed concerning his prophetic writings; these were to be sealed ‘even to the time of the end.’ ‘Go thy way, Daniel,’ the angel once more directed the faithful messenger of Jehovah; ‘for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end…. Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.’ Daniel 12:4, 9, 13.
但以理既蒙世人尊崇,受託肩負國政之責,並掌握普世列國之奧秘;他亦蒙上帝尊榮,作祂的使者,並得賜許多關乎將來世代奧秘之啟示。他那奇妙的預言,記載於以他名字命名之書第7章至第12章,即使連先知自己亦未能完全明白;然而,在他一生勞苦將近終結之前,他蒙賜那有福的確據,就是到了「末後的日子」——即這世界歷史將近終局之時期——他必再次得以站在自己的分和地位上。上帝所啟示有關神聖旨意的一切,並非都賜他明白。關於他的預言著作,他曾受指示說:「你要隱藏這話,封閉這書」;這些話必須封住,「直到末時。」天使又一次吩咐這位耶和華忠信的使者說:「但以理啊,你只管去;因為這話已經隱藏封閉,直到末時……你且去等候結局;因為你必安歇,到了末後的日子,你必起來,享受你的福分。」但以理書 12:4, 9, 13.
“As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. ‘The wise shall understand’ (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God’s people all through the centuries, the promise is, ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’ Revelation 1:3.” Prophets and Kings, 547.
「當我哋臨近呢個世界歷史嘅終局之時,《但以理書》所記載嘅預言,因為關乎我哋現今所生活嘅時代,便特別需要我哋留意。呢啲預言應當同新約聖經最後一卷書嘅教訓連繫起來。撒但已引導許多人相信,但以理同啟示者約翰著作中有關預言嘅部分係無法明白嘅。然而,應許講得好清楚:研讀呢啲預言必伴隨特別嘅福氣。『智慧人必明白』(第10節),呢句說話係指但以理那些要在末後日子開啟嘅異象而講;至於基督賜畀祂僕人約翰、為咗歷世歷代引導上帝子民嘅啟示,所應許嘅乃係:『念這書上預言的和那些聽見又遵守其中所記載的,都是有福的。』啟示錄 1:3。」《先知與君王》,547頁。
Speaking in the future tense to her day and age, Sister White stated, “as we near the close of this world’s history”, “‘the wise will understand,” that “the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living.” The “many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters seven to twelve of the book bearing his name,” are “to be unsealed in the latter days.”
懷愛倫姊妹以將來時態向佢所處嘅時代講論,指出:「當我哋臨近呢個世界歷史嘅終局之時」,「『智慧人必明白』」,而且「記錄喺但以理書入面嘅預言,要求我哋特別留意,因為呢啲預言正正關乎我哋而家所生活嘅時代。」嗰啲「許多有關將來世代奧祕嘅啟示;佢奇妙嘅預言,正如記載喺以佢名字命名之書卷第七至第十二章之中」,「要喺末後嘅日子被解開印封。」
When the book of Daniel is unsealed, it produces a three-step purification process, that tests the generation that is living when the Lion of the tribe of Judah gives the book of Daniel to His people. In Revelation ten, Sister White informs us the angel that descended was “no less a personage than Jesus Christ.” In Revelation ten, the angel had a little book open in His hand, that John was commanded to take and eat. That book was unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is no less a personage than Jesus Christ, so the book John was commanded to eat was the little book of Daniel.
當但以理書被解開封印之時,便產生一個三步驟的潔淨過程,用以試驗那一代人;正是在猶大支派的獅子將但以理書交給祂子民之時,那一代人仍然活着。於啟示錄第十章,懷愛倫姊妹告訴我們,那位降下來的天使「正是耶穌基督本身,毫不遜色的人物。」在啟示錄第十章中,那位天使手裏拿着一本展開了的小書,約翰奉命要把它拿過來吃了。那書乃是由猶大支派的獅子所解開封印的;而這位獅子正是耶穌基督本身,毫不遜色的人物,因此,約翰奉命要吃的那本小書,就是但以理書。
“It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days.
「揭開那書卷封印、並將末後這些日子所要有之事啟示給約翰的,乃是猶大支派中的獅子。 」
“Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days; but while ‘many shall be purified, and made white, and tried,’ ‘the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand.’ How true this is! Sin is the transgression of the law of God; and those who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel’s messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.
「但以理站喺自己所分定之地,去承擔佢嘅見證;呢見證一直封住,直到末時,就係第一位天使嘅信息要向我哋呢個世界宣告嘅時候。喺呢末後嘅日子,呢啲事具有無限嘅重要性;但係,雖然『必有許多人使自己清淨潔白,且被熬煉』,『惡人仍必行惡;一切惡人都不明白』。呢話實在千真萬確!罪就係干犯上帝嘅律法;凡唔肯接受關於上帝律法之亮光嘅人,就唔會明白第一、第二同第三位天使信息嘅宣告。《但以理書》喺約翰所得嘅啟示之中被揭開,並且帶領我哋一直前進,直到呢個地球歷史最後嘅場景。」
“Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things.” Testimonies to Ministers, 115.
「我哋嘅弟兄會唔會記住,我哋而家正生活喺末後日子嘅危險之中呢?要將《啟示錄》同《但以理書》聯繫起嚟讀。要教導呢啲事。」《傳道良言》,115頁。
To reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, that is now being unsealed, is to be among those that are identified as the wicked. The first six chapters of Daniel establish the prophetic structure that represents the prophetic history of Adventism, the earth beast, the seventy symbolic years of Isaiah chapter twenty-three, the two horns of Protestantism and Republicanism, the prophetic history of the first and second angels’ messages, and the history of the three angels’ messages. The last six chapters of Daniel identify the prophetic messages that are unsealed in the beginning and ending of all these previously mentioned histories.
拒絕但以理書之結構的啟示——即現今正被揭開封印的啟示——就是置身於那些被指明為惡人的人當中。但以理書前六章確立了一個先知性的結構,代表復臨運動的先知歷史、地獸、以賽亞書第二十三章中象徵性的七十年、新教主義與共和主義的兩角、第一位與第二位天使信息的先知歷史,以及三位天使信息的歷史。但以理書後六章則指出那些先知信息,這些信息乃是在上述一切歷史的起頭與結束之時被揭開封印的。
Chapter one of Daniel is the history of the movement of the first angel, in the beginning of the history of the earth beast. Chapters one through three is the history of the movement of the third angel, at the ending of the history of the earth beast. Chapter four is to be aligned with chapter one, as the beginning, and chapters five and six, are to be aligned with chapters one through three, as the ending. The increase of knowledge that is represented in chapters seven, eight and nine is to be aligned with chapter one as the beginning history. The increase of knowledge that is represented in chapters ten, eleven and twelve is to be aligned with chapters one through three as the ending history.
但以理書第一章,乃係地獸歷史開端之時,第一位天使運動之歷史。第一至第三章,乃係地獸歷史終結之時,第三位天使運動之歷史。第四章應與第一章對齊,作為起頭;第五章及第六章,則應與第一至第三章對齊,作為終結。第七、八、九章所表徵之知識增長,應與第一章對齊,作為起頭的歷史。第十、十一、十二章所表徵之知識增長,應與第一至第三章對齊,作為終結的歷史。
Line upon line, this application identifies the beginning history of the earth beast as chapters one, four, seven, eight and nine. The application also identifies the ending history of the earth beast as chapters one through three, chapters five, six and ten through twelve. Thus, the book of Daniel is set forth as both the beginning and the ending of the earth beast.
逐行逐句,呢個應用指出地上之獸嘅起頭歷史,乃係第一、四、七、八同九章。呢個應用亦指出地上之獸嘅終局歷史,乃係第一至第三章、第五、第六章,同第十至第十二章。如此,《但以理書》就被陳明為地上之獸嘅起頭同終局。
The beginning of the earth beast can then be identified as Daniel chapter one, for chapter four, is to go over the top of chapter one (line upon line). Chapters seven, eight and nine are also to go over the top of chapter one. Therefore, the beginning of the history of the earth beast is represented by Daniel chapter one.
於是,地獸嘅起頭便可確定為《但以理書》第一章,因為第四章係要覆蓋喺第一章之上(律上加律)。第七、第八同第九章亦都係要覆蓋喺第一章之上。因此,地獸歷史嘅開端,乃係由《但以理書》第一章所表徵。
So too, with the ending of the earth beast. The ending of the history of the earth beast is represented by chapters one through three, and chapters five, six, ten, eleven and twelve are to go over the top of the first three chapters (line upon line), thus the ending of the history of the earth beast is represented by the first three chapters of Daniel.
照樣,關於地獸嘅結局亦然。地獸歷史嘅結局,係由第一至第三章所表徵;而第五、第六、第十、第十一同第十二章,乃係建立喺頭三章之上(命上加命),因此,地獸歷史嘅結局,係由但以理書頭三章所表徵。
Chapter one represents the beginning and then chapters one through three represent the ending, and the structure of one and then three, identifies that the prophetic structure of the book of Daniel, is identical to the prophetic structure of the three angels of Revelation fourteen. There as in Daniel, the first angel represents a separate history, but is also one third of the history of the three angels. Simultaneously, as this recognition identifies and emphasizes the three and one combination, it is also the structure of the Hebrew word truth, which represents not only Christ, and the creative power of God, but also a three-step testing and purification process, that is represented in both Daniel chapter one, and then again in Daniel chapters one through three.
第一章代表起頭,然後第一至第三章代表結局;而「一」與「三」呢種結構,指出但以理書嘅預言結構,同啟示錄第十四章三位天使嘅預言結構係相同嘅。喺嗰度,正如喺但以理書一樣,第一位天使代表一段獨立嘅歷史,但同時亦係三位天使歷史嘅三分之一。與此同時,當呢種辨識指出並強調「三與一」嘅結合之際,呢亦係希伯來文「真理」一詞嘅結構;呢個結構所代表嘅,不單止係基督,同埋上帝嘅創造大能,亦都係一個三步驟嘅試驗同潔淨過程,而呢個過程喺但以理書第一章中有表述,然後又喺但以理書第一至第三章再次出現。
Jesus, who is the truth, is also the First and the Last, and in that regard the history of the movement of the first angel is repeated to the very letter in the history of the three angels, so it is prophetically acceptable to place the first three chapters of Daniel over the top of Daniel chapter one, for the beginning always illustrates the ending. The book of Daniel then becomes the “little book” that is in the angel’s hand, for the “little book” of Daniel can be fully represented in Daniel chapter one.
耶穌既是真理,亦是首先的和末後的;就此而言,第一位天使之運動的歷史,如何在三位天使的歷史中一字不差地重演,因此,按先知性的原則,將但以理書首三章置於但以理書第一章之上,乃是可以成立的,因為起頭總是說明結局。如此一來,但以理書便成了那位天使手中的「小書」,因為但以理的「小書」可以在但以理書第一章中得到完全的表明。
We will continue our study of the book of Daniel in the next article.
我哋將會喺下一篇文章繼續研讀《但以理書》。
“Among those sought for by the officers who were preparing to fulfill the provisions of the royal decree, were Daniel and his friends. When told that according to the decree they also must die, ‘with counsel and wisdom’ Daniel inquired of Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, ‘Why is the decree so hasty from the king?’ Arioch told him the story of the king’s perplexity over his remarkable dream, and of his failure to secure help from those in whom he had hitherto placed fullest confidence. Upon hearing this, Daniel, taking his life in his hands, ventured into the king’s presence and begged that time be granted, that he might petition his God to reveal to him the dream and its interpretation.
喺那些奉命執行王諭各項條款之官員所搜尋的人當中,有但以理同佢嘅朋友。當佢哋得知,按住詔令,自己亦必須被處死之時,但以理就「以謀略智慧」向王護衛長亞略查問:「王嘅命令點解咁急呢?」亞略便將事情嘅原委告訴佢:王因自己所作嘅奇異夢境而困惑不解,而一向最受王信任嘅人,亦未能為王提供幫助。但以理一聽見這事,便冒着性命危險,進到王面前,懇求王寬限時日,好讓佢可以祈求自己嘅上帝,將那夢同其講解顯明畀佢。
“To this request the monarch acceded. ‘Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions.’ Together they sought for wisdom from the Source of light and knowledge. Their faith was strong in the consciousness that God had placed them where they were, that they were doing His work and meeting the demands of duty. In times of perplexity and danger they had always turned to Him for guidance and protection, and He had proved an ever-present help. Now with contrition of heart they submitted themselves anew to the Judge of the earth, pleading that He would grant them deliverance in this their time of special need. And they did not plead in vain. The God whom they had honored, now honored them. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, and to Daniel, ‘in a night vision,’ was revealed the king’s dream and its meaning.
「君王應允了這請求。『但以理就回到自己家裏,把這事告訴他嘅同伴哈拿尼雅、米沙利同亞撒利雅。』佢哋一同向光明同知識嘅源頭尋求智慧。佢哋嘅信心堅定,因為佢哋清楚知道,上帝把佢哋安置喺所處之地,係要佢哋作祂嘅工,履行本分嘅要求。喺困惑同危險嘅時候,佢哋一直都轉向祂,尋求引導同保護,而祂亦證明自己乃係隨時嘅幫助。如今,佢哋存着痛悔嘅心,再一次將自己降服於全地嘅審判者之前,懇求祂喺呢個特別需要嘅時刻賜佢哋拯救。而佢哋嘅懇求並沒有落空。佢哋所尊崇嘅上帝,現今也尊崇佢哋。主嘅靈臨到佢哋身上;而王嘅夢同夢嘅講解,就向但以理『喺夜間嘅異象中』顯明了。」
“Daniel’s first act was to thank God for the revelation given him. ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,’ he exclaimed; ‘for wisdom and might are His: and He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.’” Prophets and Kings, 493, 494.
「但以理首先所行的,就是為着所賜給他的啟示而感謝上帝。」他呼喊說:「上帝的名是應當稱頌的,從亙古直到永遠;因為智慧能力都屬乎祂。祂改變時候、日期;祂廢王、立王;祂將智慧賜與智慧人,將知識賜與聰明人。祂顯明深奧隱祕的事;祂知道暗中所有的是甚麼,光明也與祂同居。我列祖的上帝啊,我感謝祢,讚美祢;因祢將智慧才能賜給我,現在又使我知道我們向祢所求的事,因祢已將王的事給我們指明。」《先知與君王》,493、494頁。