“By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.

「藉着一項強制推行教皇制度、並違反上帝律法嘅法令,我哋嘅國家將會同公義完全割離。當新教伸手越過鴻溝,去握住羅馬權勢之手;當佢伸越深淵,去同招魂術握手;當我哋嘅國家喺呢種三重聯合嘅影響之下,將佢憲法中作為一個新教同共和政體政府嘅每一項原則都加以否棄,並且為教皇制度嘅謬誤同迷惑之傳播預作安排之時,我哋就可以知道,撒但奇異作為嘅時候已經到了,而且末日近了。」

“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, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’

「正如羅馬軍隊迫近乃係門徒得見耶路撒冷將要毀滅嘅預兆,照樣,呢種背道亦可以成為我哋嘅一個徵兆,表明上帝寬容嘅界限已經到咗,我哋國家罪孽嘅分量已經滿盈,而憐憫嘅天使就快要展翅飛去,永不再返。到嗰時,上帝嘅子民就要陷入先知所形容為雅各遭難時期嘅嗰啲苦難同困厄景況之中。嗰啲忠心而受迫害之人嘅呼喊上達於天。正如亞伯嘅血從地裡呼叫,照樣,亦有聲音從殉道者嘅墳墓、從海中嘅塚穴、從山嶺嘅洞窟、從修道院嘅地窖向上帝呼喊:『聖潔真實嘅主啊,你不審判住喺地上嘅人,給我哋嘅血伸冤,要到幾時呢?』」

“The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority. The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep God’s commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the mark of the beast or of his image.

「主正在作祂的工。全天庭都在震動。全地的審判者快要興起,為祂那受凌辱的權柄伸冤。拯救的印記必加在那些遵守上帝誡命、敬畏祂律法,並拒絕獸或獸像之印記的人身上。 」

“God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’” Testimonies, volume 5, 451, 452.

「上帝已經啟示咗喺末後日子將要發生嘅事,為要使祂嘅子民準備好,能夠抵擋反對同憤怒嘅風暴。凡係已經蒙警告、知道擺在佢哋面前之事件嘅人,唔應當安坐喺平靜嘅期待之中,等候將來嘅暴風雨,又用『主必喺患難之日庇護祂忠心嘅人』嚟安慰自己。我哋應當好似等候主人嘅人一樣,不係懶散空等,乃係殷勤作工,存住堅定不移嘅信心。現今絕唔係容讓我哋嘅心思專注於次要之事嘅時候。當人沉睡之際,撒但正積極安排各樣事情,好叫主嘅子民得唔到憐憫同公義。主日運動現今正喺黑暗中推進。領袖們正隱瞞真正嘅爭端,而許多加入呢場運動嘅人,自己亦睇唔見暗流究竟正趨向何方。佢所宣稱嘅都係溫和嘅、表面上亦似乎合乎基督教精神;但當佢一開口說話,就會顯露出龍嘅靈。我哋嘅本分,就係竭盡所能去避免所威脅嘅危險。我哋應當努力藉住喺民眾面前正確地表明自己,從而消除偏見。我哋應當將真正爭論嘅問題擺喺佢哋面前,如此就能對一切限制良心自由嘅措施,提出最有效嘅抗議。我哋應當查考聖經,並且能夠講明我哋信仰嘅理由。先知話:『惡人必行惡;一切惡人都不明白,惟獨智慧人能明白。』」《證言》卷五,451、452頁。

When the “Sunday movement” “shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.” The four paragraphs identify that at the Sunday law the United States “will disconnect herself fully from righteousness.” At the Sunday law “the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan.” At the Sunday law the threefold union is accomplished. At the Sunday law the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant republican government”, and they also “make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions.” That Sunday law is a “sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return.” That sign was typified by the warning given by Jesus identifying the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. It is there that prayer given by the martyrs of the fifth seal ask, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” is accomplished. It is also at that waymark that the foolish and wise virgins manifest their characters.

當「星期日運動」「一開口發言,就必顯露龍的精神」之時。那四段文字指出,在星期日法案之下,美國「將會徹底與公義斷絕關係」。在星期日法案之下,「撒但奇異作為的時候已經到了」。在星期日法案之下,三重聯合得以完成。在星期日法案之下,美國「否棄其作為一個新教共和政體之憲法的一切原則」,並且也「為教皇制度之虛謊與迷惑的傳播鋪路」。那條星期日法案乃是「給我們的一個兆頭,表明上帝寬容的限度已經達到,我們國家的罪孽之量已滿,而憐憫的天使將要展翅離去,永不再返」。這個兆頭,乃是由耶穌所發出的警告所預表的;祂指出了先知但以理所說那行毀壞可憎之物。就在那裏,第五印之殉道者所獻上的禱告,就是「聖潔真實的主啊,祢不審判住在地上的人,給我們伸流血的冤,要等到幾時呢?」得以應驗。也正是在那一個路標之處,愚拙和聰明的童女顯明她們的品格。

At the Sunday law, the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution.” The period of time when this work was accomplished began with the Patriot Act in 2001. 2001 until the Sunday law represents a progressive work of repudiating the Constitution. That progressive work corresponds to the line of prophecy where the formation of the image of the beast is accomplished. The line of the image of the beast may appear a bit more complicated, but the complication is worth understanding. What complicates the line of the image of the beast is that it represents two lines.

喺星期日法令之時,美國就「否定其憲法嘅每一項原則」。呢項工作得以完成嘅嗰段時期,係由二○○一年《愛國者法案》開始。由二○○一年直到星期日法令,代表住一項逐步否定憲法嘅工作。呢項逐步進行嘅工作,對應住預言線中獸像形成得以完成嘅嗰條線。獸像之線或者睇落會稍為複雜一啲,但呢種複雜性係值得明白嘅。令獸像之線變得複雜嘅原因,係因為佢代表兩條線。

For the earth beast the two lines are the horns of Republicanism and Protestantism. Those two horns come together into a church-state relationship and thus fulfill the formation of the image of the beast. The line of the formation of the image of the beast therefore has two lines within the one line, for the Republican and Protestant horns run parallel to one another through history, but their individual lines also have their own prophetic testimony to bear. One prophetic line, with two parallel subjects, is more complicated than simply marking the waymarks of political actions that represent the speaking associated with the Constitution.

對於地上嘅獸而言,嗰兩條線就係共和主義同新教主義呢兩隻角。呢兩隻角結合為政教關係,從而應驗咗獸像嘅形成。因此,獸像形成呢一條線之內包含兩條線,因為共和同新教呢兩隻角喺歷史之中彼此平行推進;然而,佢哋各自嘅線亦都有其本身需要承擔嘅先知性見證。一條先知性嘅路線,連同兩個平行嘅主題,比起單單標示出代表與憲法相關之「說話」嘅政治行動之路標,要複雜得多。

The two lines of Republican and Protestant horns is further complicated by the prophetic fact that within the Republican horn is the history of the struggle between proslavery Democrats, and antislavery Republicans; and further that within the Protestant horn there is a continual testing process that follows the wise and the foolish virgins within the history of the Protestant horn. Still, it is highly important to settle into these truths.

共和黨同新教呢兩條角嘅脈絡,因着以下先知性事實而更加複雜:喺共和黨呢隻角之內,包含咗支持奴隸制度嘅民主黨人同反對奴隸制度嘅共和黨人之間鬥爭嘅歷史;並且,喺新教呢隻角之內,亦有一個持續不斷嘅試驗過程,係沿着新教之角歷史當中智慧童女同愚拙童女嘅路線而展開。儘管如此,穩固地安頓於呢啲真理之中,仍然極其重要。

Within the line represented by the earth beast’s two horns is the parallel illustration of either forming a character of Christ or a character of Satan, which equates to either forming an image of Christ or an image of the beast, for in this context the “beast” represents a created being in contrast with the Creator. The formation of these attributes is accomplished internally among all men, for when probation closes there are only two classes. The formation is also accomplished externally with the alliance between the papal power and the United Nations.

喺由地獸嘅兩角所表徵嘅脈絡之內,有一個平行嘅說明:人或者形成基督嘅品格,或者形成撒但嘅品格;呢一點等同於或者形成基督嘅形像,或者形成獸嘅像,因為喺呢個語境之中,「獸」係代表受造之物,與創造主相對。呢啲屬性嘅形成,係喺所有人當中內在地完成,因為當恩典時期結束之時,只剩下兩等人。呢種形成亦都藉住教皇權勢同聯合國之間嘅聯盟,喺外在層面上完成。

So, the testing time for formation of the image of the beast began in 2001, and it ends at the Sunday law in the United States. In that period of time the prophetic history of the earth beast’s two horns illustrates an internal and external controversy within their respective horns, whether it be religious or political, and also a struggle between the two horns themselves.

所以,為着獸像形成而有嘅試驗時期,喺2001年開始,並喺美國嘅星期日法案之時結束。喺呢段期間,地獸兩角嘅預言歷史,說明咗各自角之內部同外部嘅爭議,無論係宗教上抑或政治上,亦都說明咗兩角彼此之間嘅鬥爭。

The Sunday law in the United States represents the warning to flee which Jesus identified as “the abomination of desolation.” The Sunday law in the United States is the conclusion of the period that began in 2001. The Patriot Act was the “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel”, and identified by Jesus as a sign to flee from a coming destruction.

美國嘅星期日法,代表咗耶穌所指出、作為逃離警告嘅「那行毀壞可憎的」。美國嘅星期日法,乃係始於2001年嗰段時期嘅終結。《愛國者法案》就係「但以理所說的那行毀壞可憎的」,並且被耶穌指明為一個記號,警告人要逃避將要來臨嘅毀滅。

The Patriot Act includes the prophetic light of 1888, and the Blair Bill. The Patriot Act then also prophetically contains the typification of the Sunday law, so the period from 2001 begins with a Sunday law as typified by 1888—Blair Bill, 2001—Patriot Act, and it ends with the Sunday law.

《愛國者法案》包含咗1888年同布萊爾法案所發出嘅預言之光。因此,《愛國者法案》亦都喺預言上包含咗主日法嘅預表;所以,2001年開始嘅呢段時期,係由一條主日法開始——即1888年—布萊爾法案、2001年—《愛國者法案》所預表者——並且亦都以主日法作結。

The warning to flee the cities in 2001, typifies the warning to flee from Babylon at the Sunday law. The judgment brought upon the United States at the Sunday law typifies the judgment brought upon the entire world when Michael stands up and human probation closes. Christ’s signature as Alpha and Omega is repeatedly represented within the truths represented by the Blair Bill in 1888, and all that 1888 represents, repeating in 2001.

二〇〇一年發出逃離城市嘅警告,乃係預表主日法臨到時要逃離巴比倫嘅警告。主日法之時臨到美國嘅審判,乃係預表米迦勒起立、人類恩典時期終止之時臨到全世界嘅審判。基督作為阿拉法同俄梅戛嘅印記,喺一八八八年布萊爾法案所代表嘅真理,以及一八八八年所代表嘅一切之中,一再被表明;而呢一切喺二〇〇一年重複出現。

2001, which was typified by 1888, represents not only the sign to flee as represented by the abomination of desolation, but it was also represented by 66 AD and the siege of Cestius. The siege of Titus in 70 AD represents the Sunday law in the United States. The Sunday law in the United States is represented by the year 321 and the first Sunday law of Constantine, and 538 represents when the last nation of the earth succumbs to the mark of the beast.

2001年,由1888年所預表,所代表嘅唔單止係嗰作為逃走記號、由「那行毀壞可憎的」所表徵嘅事件;佢亦由主後66年同塞斯提烏斯嘅圍城所代表。提多於主後70年嘅圍城,代表美國嘅星期日法。美國嘅星期日法,由321年同君士坦丁所立嘅第一條星期日法所代表,而538年則代表地上最後一個國家屈服於獸印之時。

2001 is 1888, Cestius and the year 66 AD. The Sunday law is Titus and the years 70 and 321. 2001 is also the baptism of Jesus, and His descent in Revelation chapter ten on August 11, 1840. All these symbols contribute to the line of the Constitution.

2001年乃是1888年、塞斯提烏,以及主後66年。星期日法乃是提多,以及主後70年與321年。2001年亦是耶穌的受洗,並祂於1840年8月11日在《啟示錄》第十章中的降臨。這一切象徵都構成了憲法的路線。

The prophetic history of the United States runs parallel to the history of Adventism. In 1798 the papacy received its deadly wound, and 1798 was the time of the end when the portion of the prophecies of Daniel that related to the history of the first and second angels of Revelation fourteen was unsealed. There in 1798, Adventism’s prophetic beginning is marked, and in 1798 the earth-beast with lamblike horns became the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy.

美國嘅預言歷史,與復臨運動嘅歷史並行。喺1798年,教皇權受咗致命嘅傷;而1798年亦係末時,嗰時《但以理書》預言中關乎《啟示錄》第十四章第一位同第二位天使歷史嘅部分被揭開封印。正喺1798年,復臨運動預言性嘅開端被標誌出嚟;亦喺1798年,嗰隻有如羊羔兩角嘅地獸,成為《聖經》預言中第六個國度。

1798 was preceded by three prophetic waymarks associated with the line of the earth beast, and therefore with the speaking of the United States, and the Constitution of the United States. Those three waymarks were the Declaration of Independence, spoken in 1776, then the Constitution in 1789, and then the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

1798年之前,有三個先知性嘅路標先行出現,呢啲路標同地獸嘅路線有關,因此亦同美國嘅發言,以及美國憲法有關。呢三個路標分別係:1776年所發表嘅《獨立宣言》;其後1789年嘅《憲法》;再之後就係1798年嘅《外僑與煽動叛亂法案》。

Those three waymarks address the prophetic line of the Constitution and mark the beginning of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy. The Sunday law is the end of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy’s reign, and therefore there must be of prophetic necessity three waymarks that precede the end, as typified by the three waymarks that preceded the beginning.

嗰三個路標對應憲法呢條預言線,並標誌住聖經預言中第六國度嘅開始。主日法乃係聖經預言中第六國度統治嘅終結,因此,按住預言上嘅必然性,喺呢個終結之前,必定有三個路標先行,正如喺其開始之前,亦有三個路標作為預表一樣。

In 2001, at the fall of the towers, the Patriot Act, is typified by the Blair Bill of 1888, along with the manifest rebellion of Adventism’s leadership at the Minneapolis General Conference. A rebellion which an angel told Sister White was typified by the rebellion against Moses by Korah, Dathan and Abiram is also typified by the baptism of Christ in 27 AD, the restraint of Islam on August 11, 1840 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776, as well as the “abomination of desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet” as a sign to flee from the coming wrath, as represented by Cestius and 66 AD.

喺2001年,於雙塔倒塌之時,《愛國者法案》乃由1888年嘅布萊爾法案所預表,並且亦與復臨信徒領袖喺明尼阿波利斯總會大會上所明顯表現出嚟嘅悖逆相對應。呢一場悖逆,曾有一位天使告訴懷愛倫姊妹,係由可拉、大坍同亞比蘭背叛摩西所預表;同時,佢亦由主後27年基督受浸、1840年8月11日伊斯蘭教勢力受約束,以及1776年《獨立宣言》所預表;並且亦由「但以理先知所說的那行毀壞可憎的」作為從將臨忿怒中逃跑之記號所預表,正如塞斯提烏斯同主後66年所代表嘅一樣。

If you can still remember that the line of prophecy we are now considering is the line of the Constitution of the United States, all of the aforementioned prophetic lines contribute to and establish the prophetic theme represented by the line of the Constitution. Yet the line which appears to be the most interconnected line is the line of the formation of the image of the beast. The image of the beast is an image of the papal beast, which is represented as a beast with a woman reigning over the beast, which is the combination of church and state with the church in control of the relationship. In order for the United States to form an image to the beast apostate Protestantism must so control the government to the point where the government will pass and enforce religious statutes, and ultimately the Sunday law.

如果你仍然記得,我們現在所考察的預言線乃是美國憲法的線,那麼,上述一切預言線都共同促成並確立了由憲法之線所代表的預言主題。然而,看來彼此關聯最為緊密的一條線,乃是獸像形成的線。獸像乃是教皇制之獸的像;那獸被描繪為一隻獸,其上有一個女人統治着那獸,這就是政教聯合,而教會在這種關係中居於主導地位。為使美國形成獸像,背道的新教必須如此操控政府,以致政府會通過並執行宗教法令,並最終頒布星期日法。

As the process of forming the image of the beast is accomplished the Constitution, written with a premier principle which Thomas Jefferson penned as “separation of church and state,” is to be overturned. When the Protestant horn has the power to direct the Republican horn to enforce religious mandates, the very heart of the Constitution is torn apart, thus you have the prophetic relationship between the line of the Constitution and the line of the image of the beast.

當獸像形成嘅過程完成之際,美國憲法——其所寫立嘅首要原則,正如湯馬斯・傑斐遜所題寫者,乃係「政教分離」——將要被推翻。當新教之角得着權力,指使共和國之角強制推行宗教法令之時,憲法嘅核心本質便被撕裂;因此,你就見到憲法之線同獸像之線之間所存在嘅預言性關係。

The period where the image of the beast is formed began in 2001, with the Patriot Act, and it ends at the Sunday law, when the mark of the beast is enforced. During that period the latter rain is sprinkled, for the latter rain begins to fall when the mighty angel of Revelation eighteen descends and lightens the earth with His glory, which, according to Sister White, would occur when the great buildings of New York City were brought down by a touch of the Lord.

獸像形成嘅時期始於2001年《愛國者法案》頒布之時,並喺星期日法案實施、獸印被強制施行之時終結。喺呢段時期之內,晚雨被灑下,因為晚雨開始降落,乃係喺《啟示錄》第十八章嗰位大力天使降臨、以祂嘅榮耀照亮全地之時;而按照懷愛倫姊妹所言,呢件事將會發生喺紐約市嘅大樓因主一觸而被拆毀之時。

The latter rain is to fall upon the people of God. A mighty angel is to come down from heaven, and the whole earth is to be lighted with his glory.” Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.

「晚雨要降喺上帝嘅子民身上。一位大能嘅天使要從天降下,全地都要因佢嘅榮耀而被照亮。」《Review and Herald》,1891年4月21日。

The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain represents a period of time when the wheat and tares of Adventism’s last generation are being sifted and purged. That sifting and purging ends at the Sunday law, and the wise virgins who possess the oil when the crisis of the Sunday law arrives, are sealed and then the Holy Spirit is poured out without measure until Michael stands up and human probation closes.

後雨灑降之時期,乃代表一段時日;在此期間,復臨信仰末後一代中之麥子與稗子正被篩分並潔淨。此等篩分與潔淨,至星期日法案時即告終止;而當星期日法案之危機臨到之際,那些持有油之聰明童女,便受印記,隨後聖靈無限量地傾降,直到米迦勒起來,人類恩典時期終結。

During the formation of the image of the beast in the United States the latter rain will be sprinkling, and during the formation of the image of the beast in the world the latter rain will be poured out without measure.

喺美國形成獸像期間,晚雨將會灑落;而喺全世界形成獸像期間,晚雨將會無限量傾注而下。

In 2001 the testing of the Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist church began, as typified by the Protestants of August 11, 1840, and by ancient Israel when Christ was baptized.

到咗2001年,老底嘉嘅基督復臨安息日會開始受試驗,正如1840年8月11日嘅更正教徒所預表嘅,亦如古代以色列喺基督受浸之時所表徵嘅一樣。

The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Selected Messages, book 1, 362.

「考驗嘅時候而家正臨到我哋;因為第三位天使嘅大聲呼喊,已經喺基督嘅義──嗰位赦免罪嘅救贖主──嘅啟示中開始咗。呢個就係嗰位榮光將要充滿全地之天使嘅亮光嘅開始。」《信息選粹》卷一,362。

The final testing process for the former covenant people begins when the light of the angel of Revelation eighteen begins to present His message. His message is also represented in the first three verses of chapter eighteen of Revelation, and those three verses were, according to Sister White fulfilled when the great buildings of New York City came down.

對於前約之民嘅最後試驗過程,係由《啟示錄》第十八章嗰位天使嘅光開始傳達佢嘅信息之時展開。佢嘅信息亦喺《啟示錄》第十八章頭三節之中有所表徵;而根據懷愛倫姊妹所言,嗰三節已經喺紐約市嘅巨大建築物倒塌之時應驗。

The testing process then began, as represented by John in chapter ten of Revelation. The test was whether you would take the little book that was in the angel’s hand, and then eat it. During this testing period, while the latter rain is being sprinkled it is falling only upon those who choose to take the little book and eat it.

於是,試驗的過程便開始了,正如約翰在《啟示錄》第十章所表明的。這試驗乃在於你是否願意取那在天使手中的小書卷,然後把它喫了。在這試驗期間,當晚雨正在灑下之時,它只降在那些選擇取這小書卷並把它喫了的人身上。

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.Testimonies to Ministers, 506, 507.

「好多人喺好大程度上未能領受前雨。上帝因此為佢哋所預備嘅一切益處,佢哋並冇完全得着。佢哋以為,呢種缺乏會由後雨補足。當最豐盛嘅恩典要被賜下嘅時候,佢哋打算敞開心懷去領受。佢哋正犯緊一個可怕嘅錯誤。上帝喺人心裏藉着賜下祂嘅亮光同知識而開始咗嘅工作,必須不斷向前推進。每一個人都必須意識到自己本身嘅需要。人心必須倒空一切污穢,並被潔淨,好叫聖靈可以內住。早期門徒正係藉着認罪同離棄罪惡,藉着懇切嘅祈禱,同埋將自己獻畀上帝,為五旬節聖靈嘅澆灌作好準備。現今,同樣嘅工作亦必須完成,只係程度要更大。嗰時,人只需要求福分,並等候主為佢成全關乎佢嘅工作。開始呢項工作嘅係上帝,而祂亦必完成祂嘅工作,叫人成為喺耶穌基督裏完全。但人絕不可忽略由前雨所表徵嘅恩典。唯有按着自己所已有嘅亮光而行嘅人,先會領受更大嘅亮光。若果我哋唔係每日喺活出積極主動嘅基督徒美德上不斷長進,我哋就唔會喺後雨中認出聖靈嘅彰顯。後雨或者正降喺我哋四圍嘅人心上,但我哋卻唔會察覺,亦唔會領受。」《傳道人證言》,506、507頁。

Those who ate the message of 2001 were receiving a message appropriate for that period, but they were to be tested in order to manifest if they truly internalized the message into an experience prepared for the seal of God. In that period the latter rain is therefore represented as sprinkling, for the wheat and tares are still together. Therefore, Sister White says, “It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” When the wise are separated from the foolish, the latter rain is then poured out without measure, as it was at Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.

那些吃了二〇〇一年信息的人,所領受的乃是切合那一時期的信息;然而,他們必須受試驗,好顯明他們是否真的已將那信息內化,成為一種為上帝印記而預備的經驗。因此,在那一時期,晚雨乃被表述為灑下,因為麥子與稗子仍然混雜在一起。所以,懷愛倫姊妹說:「它也許正降在我們四圍各人的心上,但我們卻不會辨識它,也不會領受它。」當智慧的與愚拙的被分別出來之後,晚雨便如同五旬節時一樣,無量地傾降下來;而五旬節乃是星期日法令的預表。

“Again, these parables teach that there is to be no probation after the judgment. When the work of the gospel is completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and the evil, and the destiny of each class is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123.

「再者,呢啲比喻教導我哋,審判之後並冇恩典時期。當福音嘅工作完成之時,善與惡嘅分別就會隨即出現,而各等人嘅命運亦就此永遠定下。」《基督實訓》,123頁。

The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain, followed by a period when the latter rain is poured out without measure, are also illustrated as two periods where judgment is accomplished upon God’s people. The first period of judgment upon God’s people began with the house of God on September 11, 2001, and at the Sunday law judgment is then accomplished for God’s other flock who are responding to or rejecting the loud cry of the third angel that begins at the Sunday law in the United States, and ends when Michael stands up, and human probation closes.

後雨灑下嘅時期,繼而後雨無量傾注而下嘅時期,亦都被描繪為兩個喺上帝子民身上完成審判嘅時期。對上帝子民嘅第一個審判時期,係喺2001年9月11日由上帝嘅家開始;而到咗星期日法令嘅審判之時,審判就會喺上帝其餘嘅羊群身上完成——呢啲人正回應或者拒絕由美國星期日法令開始嘅第三位天使大呼聲——並且一直持續,直到米迦勒起來,人類恩門關閉。

The two periods of the latter rain, which are also the two periods of the judgment which begins with the house of God, and then moves to God’s other flock, are also the two periods of the formation of the image of the beast.

後雨嘅兩個時期,同時亦都係審判嘅兩個時期;呢審判先由神嘅家開始,然後轉到神嘅另一群羊;亦都係獸像形成嘅兩個時期。

Within the first of those two prophetic periods, when judgment is brought upon God’s church and also the United States, is the very same history where the Republican horn and the Protestant horn are both judged. Right where Laodicean Adventism is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, the United States fills its probationary cup, and national ruin is brought upon the nation, and Satan then appears and begins his marvelous work. The one hundred and forty-four thousand are sealed and lifted up as an ensign at the Sunday law.

喺嗰兩段先知時期之中嘅第一段,當審判臨到上帝嘅教會,同時亦臨到美國之時,正正就係共和黨之角同新教之角一同受審判嘅同一段歷史。正喺老底嘉時期嘅復臨信仰被主從口中吐出去嘅地方,美國裝滿佢恩典時期嘅杯,國家嘅毀滅便臨到呢個國家;其後撒但顯現,並開始佢奇異嘅工作。一百四十四千人喺星期日法案之時受印,並被高舉作為一面旌旗。

We are informed that it is impossible to give any idea of “the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended.”

我哋得知,對於「當天上嘅榮耀同過去逼迫嘅重演交織埋一齊之時,仍然活喺地上嘅上帝子民所要經歷嘅經驗」,係唔可能畀人有任何概念。

“Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12–18. They are to take their stand on the living word: ‘It is written.’ This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.

「撒但乃係一個勤力研讀聖經嘅學生。佢知道自己嘅時候無幾,並且喺每一個關頭都企圖抵消主喺呢個地上嘅工作。當天上嘅榮耀同過去迫害嘅重演交織埋一齊之時,凡仍然活喺地上嘅上帝子民所要經歷嘅情況,係唔可能用言語充分表達出嚟嘅。佢哋要行喺由上帝寶座發出嘅光中。藉着天使,天同地之間將會有不斷嘅交通。而撒但被惡天使圍繞,又自稱為上帝,將要行各樣神蹟,若可能,連選民也要迷惑。上帝嘅子民唔會喺行神蹟之中搵到佢哋嘅安全,因為撒但會仿冒嗰啲將要被行出嚟嘅神蹟。上帝經過試驗同考驗嘅子民,將會喺《出埃及記》31:12–18 所講嘅記號之中搵到佢哋嘅能力。佢哋要站穩喺永活嘅聖言之上:『經上記着說。』呢個係佢哋唯一可以穩固站立嘅根基。嗰啲已經破壞咗自己同上帝所立之約嘅人,喺嗰日將會無上帝,亦都無指望。」《證言》卷九,16。

The repetition of the persecutions of the past begins at the Sunday law in the United States, for Satan begins his marvelous work at that time, and the wise virgins who have already been “tried and tested,” will then “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God.” This will be accomplished through the work of angels, for “by means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth.”

往昔迫害嘅重演,係由美國嘅星期日法開始,因為撒但喺嗰時就開始佢奇異嘅工作;而嗰啲已經「經過試煉同考驗」嘅聰明童女,屆時就必「行喺由上帝寶座發出嘅光中。」呢一切將藉住天使嘅工作而成就,因為「藉着天使,天同地之間將會有不斷嘅交通。」

“The anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth, have the position once given to Satan as covering cherub. By the holy beings surrounding his throne, the Lord keeps up a constant communication with the inhabitants of the earth. The golden oil represents the grace with which God keeps the lamps of believers supplied, that they shall not flicker and go out. Were it not that this holy oil is poured from heaven in the messages of God’s Spirit, the agencies of evil would have entire control over men.

「站喺全地之主旁邊嘅受膏者,乃係處於昔日曾賜畀撒但作為遮掩基路伯嘅地位。主藉住環繞佢寶座嘅聖者,同地上嘅居民保持不斷嘅交通。金油象徵上帝用以供應信徒明燈嘅恩典,叫燈唔致搖曳熄滅。若唔係呢聖油藉住上帝之靈嘅信息由天上傾注落嚟,邪惡嘅勢力就必完全控制人類。」

“God is dishonored when we do not receive the communications which he sends us. Thus we refuse the golden oil which he would pour into our souls to be communicated to those in darkness. When the call shall come, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ those who have not received the holy oil, who have not cherished the grace of Christ in their hearts, will find, like the foolish virgins, that they are not ready to meet their Lord. They have not, in themselves, the power to obtain the oil, and their lives are wrecked. But if God’s Holy Spirit is asked for, if we plead, as did Moses, ‘Show me thy glory,’ the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts. Through the golden pipes, the golden oil will be communicated to us. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.’ By receiving the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, God’s children shine as lights in the world.” Review and Herald, July 20, 1897.

當我哋唔領受上帝所差遣畀我哋嘅信息之時,上帝就被羞辱。如此,我哋就拒絕咗佢本要傾注入我哋心靈之中、好使再傳遞畀處於黑暗中之人嘅金油。當呼聲發出:「看哪,新郎來了;你們出去迎接他!」之時,凡未曾領受聖油、未曾在心中珍惜基督恩典的人,必會像愚拙的童女一樣,發現自己並未預備好迎見他們的主。他們本身並冇能力取得這油,因此他們的生命就遭受毀壞。但若有人祈求上帝的聖靈,若我哋像摩西那樣懇求:「求你顯出你的榮耀給我看」,上帝的愛就必澆灌在我哋心裏。藉着金管,金油就必傳輸到我哋這裏。「不是倚靠勢力,不是倚靠才能,乃是倚靠我的靈,這是萬軍之耶和華說的。」藉着領受公義之日明亮的光輝,上帝的兒女就在世上發光,如同明燈。——《Review and Herald》,1897年7月20日。

The wise are those who are sealed in Revelation chapter seven and Ezekiel chapter nine, and who are contrasted with the foolish who dishonor the Lord, by refusing “the communications he sends.” The foolish are those “who have broken their covenant with God who will in that day be without God and without hope.” Those two classes were tested and brought to a point where they manifested their character based upon whether they accepted or rejected the message of the hour. The message of the hour since September 11, 2001 has been the message of the latter rain.

智慧人,乃是《啟示錄》第七章與《以西結書》第九章中受印記的人;他們與愚拙人形成對比,因後者拒絕「祂所傳給他們的信息」,以致羞辱主。愚拙人就是那些「背棄了他們與上帝所立之約的人;到那日,他們必沒有上帝,也沒有指望。」這兩等人都受了試驗,並被帶到一個地步,按着他們是接受還是拒絕當時的信息,而顯明了自己的品格。自2001年9月11日以來,當時的信息一直就是晚雨的信息。

The message of the latter rain is recognized by the methodology of line upon line as set forth in Isaiah chapter twenty-eight. The methodology of line upon line is God’s appointed method of biblical study, and therefore to reject that methodology is not only to reject the message represented through the application of line upon line, from here a little and there a little, it is also to reject the Giver of the methodology.

後雨的信息,乃是藉着《以賽亞書》第二十八章所陳明之「律上加律、令上加令」的方法而被辨認出來的。「律上加律、令上加令」的方法,乃是上帝所指定的聖經研讀方法;因此,拒絕這方法,不單是拒絕那藉着運用「律上加律、令上加令,這裏一點、那裏一點」而彰顯出來的信息,同時亦是拒絕那賜下此方法者。

Because of the inspired parameters revealed in the testing process that leads to the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, it is apparent that the only way a child of God can navigate through the history where “celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended,” is to be in an experience where the light from the throne of God can be recognized. It must be recognized, or it is useless, and we are lost.

由於在那引向十四萬四千人受印之考驗過程中所啟示、並受默示之界限,顯然可見,神嘅兒女若要穿越嗰段「天上嘅榮光同過去迫害嘅重演交織喺一齊」嘅歷史,唯一嘅途徑,就係進入一種能夠辨認出由神寶座發出之光嘅經歷。呢光必須被辨認;若不能辨認,便毫無益處,而我哋就失喪了。

“We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. [Isaiah 61:11 quoted.] The whole earth is to be filled with the glory of God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.

「我哋唔可以等候秋雨。凡係願意承認並領受那降臨喺我哋身上恩典之甘露與時雨嘅人,秋雨就必臨到佢哋。當我哋收聚零碎嘅亮光,當我哋珍視上帝確實嘅憐憫——祂喜悅我哋信靠祂——嗰時,每一個應許都必應驗。[引用以賽亞書 61:11。] 全地都要充滿上帝嘅榮耀。」《基督復臨安息日會聖經註釋》,第7卷,984頁。

In the period that began when the angel of Revelation eighteen fills the whole earth with His glory, beginning on September 11, 2001, the latter rain has only come “upon” those “who” have “recognized and appropriated the dew and showers of grace that” is “falling upon us.” The “great mistake” identified earlier by Sister White, was when the foolish virgins thought they could wait until the latter rain was poured out without measure, for then they thought they could catch up. Not so, only those who are growing in their understanding of God’s prophetic word receive more light.

由二○○一年九月十一日開始,當啟示錄第十八章的那位天使以祂的榮耀照亮全地之時所展開的時期之中,晚雨只是臨到那些「已經認識並領受那正降在我們身上的恩典甘露與陣雨」的人。懷師早前所指出的那個「大錯誤」,乃是在於愚拙的童女以為自己可以等到晚雨無限量地傾降之時,然後才追趕補上。但事實並非如此;惟有那些在明白上帝預言之道上不斷長進的人,才會領受更多亮光。

As we conclude this article, the point I wish to identify is in connection with the purpose of the testing time we are now in. If we are to “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God” in the time when the persecutions of the past are repeated, we will need to master the prophetic word in advance of the crisis.

喺結束呢篇文章之際,我所要指出嘅一點,乃係關乎我哋現今所處試煉時期嘅目的。若然我哋要喺昔日嘅迫害重演之時,「行喺由上帝寶座所發出嘅光中」,我哋就必須喺危機來臨之前,先掌握預言之道。

In chapter one, Daniel and the three worthies had already perfected their education before they went in to be tested by Nebuchadnezzar. For forty days Christ opened the prophetic word to the understanding of the disciples in advance of the ten days where the disciples perfected their unity. Then came Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.

喺第一章入面,但以理同嗰三位忠貞之士喺進到尼布甲尼撒面前受考驗之前,佢哋嘅教育已經臻於完全。基督喺四十日之內,向門徒嘅悟性開啟咗預言之道,喺嗰十日之前預先作成呢件事;而喺嗰十日之中,門徒使佢哋嘅合一臻於完全。其後,五旬節就來到;五旬節乃係主日法令嘅預表。

In Daniel chapter three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego informed Nebuchadnezzar they needed no extra time, for they were already settled as to what they were to do in the Sunday law testing time. Their faithfulness was magnified when they walked in the furnace with Christ, and the message they had already settled into before the test was carried to all the then-known world by all the visiting dignitaries that witnessed the miracle in the furnace.

喺《但以理書》第三章,沙得拉、米煞同亞伯尼歌對尼布甲尼撒表明,佢哋唔需要額外嘅時間,因為喺星期日法考驗嘅時候,佢哋對自己應當點樣行,早已立定心志。當佢哋與基督一同行喺火窰中時,佢哋嘅忠誠就更顯尊大;而嗰個喺考驗臨到之前,佢哋早已確立並持守嘅信息,亦藉住所有親眼目睹火窰神蹟嘅來訪顯貴,傳到當時所知嘅全世界。

We will continue these thoughts in the next article.

我哋將會喺下一篇文章繼續呢啲思考。