We ended the last article with an unfinished consideration of the prophecies of Abram and Paul, that line upon line produce a 430-year period, made up of 30 years followed by 400 years. I suppose there are some out there in theology-land who may see the 30 years as a period that follows 400 years, but when generally addressed the thirty years are assigned to the beginning of the period. Is it 400 followed by 30, or 30 followed by 400? It is thirty followed by four hundred, for there are many witnesses, to establish a thirty-year period, connected to and followed by a second prophetic period.
我哋喺上一篇文章結束之時,尚未完成對亞伯蘭同保羅之預言嘅考察;逐句比照之下,可見其中構成咗一段四百三十年嘅時期,即先有三十年,後有四百年。我諗喺神學界當中,或者有人會視呢三十年為跟隨四百年之後嘅一段時期;但一般論述之時,呢三十年通常都被歸於呢段時期嘅開端。究竟係四百年之後再加三十年,抑或三十年之後再加四百年?乃係先三十年,後四百年;因為有許多見證,可以確立一段三十年嘅時期,並且呢段時期係同另一段先知性時期相連,且其後隨之而來。
Joseph was thirty years old when he began service for Pharaoh in Genesis 41:46. Then began seven years of plenty, that was followed by seven years of famine. Joseph, as a type Christ at thirty years old was followed by two periods of 2520 days. When Christ was thirty, there followed two periods of 1260, which together make up 2520; which in turn connects with seven times upon two kingdoms.
約瑟在《創世記》41:46開始事奉法老時,年三十歲。其後開始了七個豐年,隨之而來的是七個荒年。約瑟作為基督的預表,在三十歲之時之後,接續着兩段各為2520日的時期。當基督三十歲時,其後有兩段1260日的時期,合共成為2520;而這又與臨到兩個國度的七倍有關。
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reign for forty years as noted in 2 Samuel 5:4. David typifies Christ, and when Christ was thirty years old, He was baptized and then driven into the wilderness for forty days, and then after His resurrection which was typified by His baptism, He stayed and taught the disciples in person for forty days. At the cross, the destruction of Jerusalem was put off in mercy for forty years paralleling the forty years of dying in the wilderness at the beginning of their covenant history.
大衛登基嘅時候年三十歲,照《撒母耳記下》5:4 所記,佢作王四十年。大衛預表基督;而當基督三十歲嘅時候,祂受咗洗,之後被催趕到曠野四十日;及至祂復活之後——而祂嘅受洗正係祂復活嘅預表——祂又親自留低教導門徒四十日。喺十字架上,耶路撒冷嘅毀滅因憐憫而被延後四十年,與佢哋立約歷史起初喺曠野四十年之中走向死亡互相平行。
Ezekiel was thirty years old when he was called to be a prophet in Ezekiel 1:1. I will not take time now to address the period that followed Ezekiel’s thirtieth year, but I will insert a brief AI-summary of established facts of how long his ministry was. “Ezekiel’s prophecies are among the most precisely dated in the Old Testament, with 13 specific dates provided throughout the book. These are all reckoned from the year of Jehoiachin’s exile (597 BCE as year 1), providing a clear chronological framework spanning about 22 years.”
以西結在《以西結書》1:1蒙召作先知之時,年三十歲。現時我不打算花時間論述以西結三十歲之後那段時期,但我會插入一段由 AI 簡要概述、關於他職事歷時多久之既定事實:「以西結的預言乃舊約之中日期記載最為精確者之一,全書共提供了十三個具體日期。這些日期全都以約雅斤被擄之年起算(主前597年為第一年),從而提供了一個清晰、約橫跨二十二年的年代架構。」
Jesus was thirty years old when He was baptized and He then confirmed the covenant with many, for one week.
耶穌受洗嘅時候,年紀係三十歲;然後佢與許多人堅立盟約,一個七。
Antichrist is governed by the pattern of Christ prophetically, and just as Christ was thirty years in preparation to take up his work as Heavenly High Priest, the prophetic period of thirty years of preparation, identified for the antichrist was from the removal of the “daily” in 508, through to 538. When the papacy was empowered as a counterfeit high priest, just as Christ was anointed with power at His baptism, for the 1260 years of the papal darkness would parallel Christ’s 1260 days of pure light from His baptism unto the cross, which aligns with the papacy’s deadly wound in 1798.
敵基督乃係按住基督嘅模式,喺預言上受其支配;正如基督喺承擔祂作為天上大祭司之職事以前,有三十年嘅預備,為敵基督所指明、喺預言上屬於三十年預備嘅時期,乃係由 508 年「常獻的」被除去開始,直到 538 年。嗰時教皇制度被賦予權柄,成為一個冒牌嘅大祭司;正如基督喺受浸時被膏以能力一樣;因為教皇權一千二百六十年嘅黑暗,乃係對應基督由受浸直到十字架之一千二百六十日純全光明,而呢一點亦同教皇權喺 1798 年所受致命傷互相吻合。
None of these previous twofold periods that begin with a thirty-year period, predate Abram’s first step in his three-step covenant process. Therefore, Abram’s is the first mentioned, though it could only be that way, after it was confirmed by Paul’s second testimony. When Paul wrote his words the 400-year prophecy became a 430-year prophecy, that has the first 30 years set apart from the last period of time.
呢兩個先前以三十年時期開始嘅雙重時段,冇一個早於亞伯蘭喺佢三步立約過程中所踏出嘅第一步。因此,亞伯蘭呢一個就成為首先被提及嘅,雖然事情之所以只能係咁,乃係喺保羅第二次見證將之證實之後。當保羅寫下佢嘅話語時,嗰個四百年嘅預言就成為四百三十年嘅預言,而其中頭三十年乃係從最後嗰段時期中分別出嚟。
I contend based upon Christ’s character, as represented as Alpha and Omega, that in the covenant process of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, who are the omega to Abram and Pauls’ twofold prophecy of thirty years—followed by four hundred years must have its counterpart in the omega of the covenant history, which is the history of the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. A period of thirty years, followed by another distinct period must be fulfilled in a fashion which does not apply time, but fulfills Abram’s foundational 430 year prophecy. It would be nice if you read that previous statement again, and then return to this point and continue on.
我根據基督嘅品格主張:正如祂被表明為阿拉法同俄梅戛一樣,喺十四萬四千人嘅聖約進程之中——佢哋乃係亞伯蘭同保羅嗰個關於三十年、其後再加四百年之雙重預言之俄梅戛——喺聖約歷史嘅俄梅戛之中,必須有與之相對應嘅對照;而呢段聖約歷史,就係十四萬四千人受印嘅歷史。三十年嘅一段時期,隨後再加上另一段明確區分開嘅時期,必須以一種不運用時間、卻成就亞伯蘭嗰個作為根基之四百三十年預言嘅方式,得到應驗。若果你再讀一次前面嗰句陳述,然後返到呢一點繼續讀落去,就再好不過。
Jesus, Joseph, David and Ezekiel were all thirty years in preparation for a work that would typify God’s people in the last days. Ezekiel the prophet, Joseph typifying Christ the priest and David the king. Four symbols, but one of the symbols representing the Heavenly High Priest has a human and Divine representative. Those four witnesses all agree with Abram’s 30 years followed by a prophetic period.
耶穌、約瑟、大衛同以西結,都曾有三十年嘅預備,為咗一項要預表神末後日子子民嘅工作。先知以西結,約瑟預表基督作祭司,而大衛則作王。四個象徵,但其中一個代表天上大祭司嘅象徵,具有一位人性同神性嘅代表。呢四位見證都同阿伯蘭嘅三十年相一致,之後接續一段預言時期。
Antichrist was thirty years in preparation, then empowered for 1260 years until she received her first death in 1798. She is the symbol of the second death, for she dies again when probation closes. The second death is eternal death. We serve a risen Savior, for Christ did not die for eternity, He did not die the second death. When the papacies’ deadly wound is healed, Revelation thirteen identifies that she will reign again for 42 months, which represents a prophetic period, without an element of time.
敵基督經過三十年嘅預備,之後得著權勢一千二百六十年,直到佢喺1798年受咗第一次嘅死。佢乃係第二次死嘅象徵,因為當恩門關閉之時,佢將再次死亡。第二次死乃係永遠嘅死。我哋所事奉嘅係一位復活咗嘅救主,因為基督並冇死到永遠,祂並冇經歷第二次死。當教皇制致命嘅傷痕得醫治之時,啟示錄第十三章指出,佢將再次執掌王權四十二個月;呢四十二個月乃係一段預言時期,並不包含時間元素。
When she is resurrected at the Sunday law, the army which opposes her work are those who were resurrected at the end of the three and a half days of Revelation eleven. Two resurrected powers, both of which are ensigns, one of the seventh-day Sabbath and one of the sun—become the point of reference for the entire world, as mankind makes its final choice for life or death.
當她喺星期日法案之時復活,嗰支反對她工作嘅軍隊,就係嗰啲喺《啟示錄》第十一章所述三日半終了之時復活嘅人。兩個復活咗嘅權勢,兩者都係旗號,一個係第七日安息日嘅旗號,一個係太陽嘅旗號——成為全世界嘅指標,當人類為生或死作出最後嘅抉擇之時。
At the Sunday law, the antichrist, who is also the beast, will represent the threefold union of the dragon, herself (the beast), and the false prophet. Those three powers will unite against God’s church, that is to be lifted up above all the mountains. God’s church triumphant is thirty years in preparation, not thirty literal years, but an established prophetic period which has thirty attached to it, and is still in force as a prophecy after the command in 1844, identifying that the application of prophetic time was no longer valid. It is simple to see that the thirty years represents a period of preparation for prophet, priest and king who as the church triumphant will represent the kingdom of glory. The four witnesses of Ezekiel, Christ, Joseph, and David represent the authority of God’s kingdom in the same period of time the papacy and the threefold union are leading the world to Armageddon.
到咗星期日法案之時,敵基督者,即嗰獸,將會代表由龍、她自己(即嗰獸),以及假先知所組成嘅三重聯合。呢三股勢力將會聯合起嚟攻擊上帝嘅教會;呢教會乃係要被高舉,超乎諸山之上。上帝得勝嘅教會,正處於三十年嘅預備之中;唔係三十個字面上嘅年頭,乃係一段已經確立、並且附有「三十」呢個數字嘅預言時期;而且喺1844年嗰道命令之後,作為預言,仍然有效;嗰道命令表明,預言時間嘅應用已經唔再有效。好容易睇得出,呢三十年代表一段為先知、祭司同君王而設嘅預備時期;而佢哋作為得勝嘅教會,將會代表榮耀之國。以西結、基督、約瑟,同大衛呢四位見證人,代表上帝國度嘅權柄;喺同一段時期之內,教皇制度同嗰三重聯合正帶領世界走向哈米吉多頓。
The church triumphant is lifted up at the Sunday law in the United States and according to the testimony of the Old and New Testaments the covenant people who are the one hundred and forty-four thousand are to become a kingdom of priests.
得勝嘅教會喺美國頒佈星期日法令之時被高舉;並且按照舊約同新約嘅見證,嗰立約之民,即嗰十四萬四千人,乃要成為祭司嘅國度。
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5.
你哋也如活石,被建造成為靈宮,作聖潔嘅祭司職分,藉着耶穌基督獻上屬靈嘅祭物,為神所悅納。彼得前書 2:5。
The priests were to be thirty years old when they began to serve in the temple, so there is a period of time before the Sunday law where a priesthood is prepared to serve as the first fruit wave offering. The priests, who are the one hundred and forty-four thousand, are represented as Levites in the purification process accomplished by the Messenger of the Covenant. There is a prophetic period that leads to the Sunday law, in which a purification process prepares a sanctified ministry for the latter rain time period. The preparation ends at the Sunday law, so the period of thirty represents the preparation of the priests, thus corresponding to the required age for a priest. Christ as High Priest began His ministry at 30, and because Joseph typifies Christ, he also began his service at thirty. The counterfeit Christ was 30 years in preparation, so we have three witnesses that a 30-year period represents the preparation of a priesthood.
祭司開始在殿中供職之時,須年滿三十歲;因此,在星期日法令之前,有一段時期,是為着預備一個祭司體系,好作為初熟果子的搖祭。這些祭司,就是那十四萬四千人,在由立約之使者所成就的潔淨過程中,被表徵為利未人。有一段導向星期日法令的預言時期,在其中,一個潔淨的過程預備了一個成聖的職事,以應付後雨時期。這預備在星期日法令時結束,所以三十這個時期乃是表徵祭司的預備,因而對應於祭司所規定的年齡。基督作為大祭司,於三十歲開始祂的職事;而約瑟既預表基督,他也是在三十歲開始他的服事。那冒牌的基督也有三十年的預備期;因此,我們有三個見證,表明三十年的時期乃是代表一個祭司體系的預備。
“The great issue near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.” Selected Messages, book 3, 385.
「那近在眼前嘅重大問題,將會把上帝所未曾委任嘅人篩出去;而祂必有一班純潔、真實、成聖嘅傳道職分,為晚雨作好準備。」《信息選粹》卷三,385頁。
Sister White teaches directly that whenever the church is pure, the Spirit of Prophecy is active. When the great issue weeds out the tares, you will have a sanctified ministry made up of Jesus and Joseph the priest who is both Divine and human, Jesus and Ezekiel the prophet, Jesus and David the king. Those who are prepared over a period symbolized by thirty years, are to be among the one-hundred and forty-four thousand and are represented as prophets, priests and kings. All three humans are biblical symbols of Christ’s work as prophet, priest and king, so the number thirty allows us to deduce that in each of these three categories that are produced by biblical symbols who were prepared for thirty years when brought together with Christ represent the combination of Divinity with humanity. Thus, those priests who are prepared over the symbolic thirty-year period are represented as the ensign of Divinity combined with humanity.
懷愛倫姊妹直接教導:每逢教會純潔之時,預言之靈便活躍運行。當那重大爭議將稗子薅出之時,你必有一班成聖的職事,其構成乃是耶穌與身兼神人二性的祭司約瑟、耶穌與先知以西結、耶穌與君王大衛。凡在一段以三十年為象徵的時期中受預備的人,乃要列於十四萬四千人之中,並被表徵為先知、祭司和君王。此三位人類皆為聖經中基督作先知、祭司、君王之工作的表號;因此,數字三十使我們可以推知:在這三個類別中的每一類裏,那些由聖經表號所產生、並曾受預備三十年的人,當與基督聯合之時,乃表明神性與人性的結合。故此,那些在象徵性的三十年期間中受預備的祭司,乃被表徵為神性與人性結合之旌旗。
The 42 months of the final papal blood bath takes place while Christ walks among men for 42 months in the person of His disciples. 42 months of bondage and oppression ending with deliverance, as represented by the 430 years of Abram’s twofold prophecy. Abram’s four hundred years ends at the Red Sea deliverance which is a classic biblical illustration of the close of probation, at the end of the pope’s symbolic 42 months.
最後教皇血腥屠殺嘅四十二個月,正係基督藉着祂門徒嘅位格喺人間同行四十二個月之時所發生。四十二個月嘅捆綁同壓迫,以拯救告終,正如阿伯蘭雙重預言中四百三十年所表徵嘅一樣。阿伯蘭嗰四百年,喺紅海嘅拯救達到終結;而紅海嘅拯救,乃係聖經中一幅關乎恩門關閉嘅經典圖畫,發生喺教皇象徵性四十二個月終結之時。
The forty-two months represent the testing time from the Sunday law in the United States until human probation closes. Yet in those 42 months, following a thirty-year period of preparation, Christ is confirming the covenant in the person of the remnant. The antichrist counterfeit priest comes to his final end, right where Christ died in his line, which is right where Pharaoh, king of Egypt, died in his line. At Mount Carmel the prophets of Baal were slain, thus identifying the death of the false prophet at the Sunday law. At the Sunday law, you have a false prophet who is then slain, the dragon represented by Pharaoh, and the beast represented by the papacy. These are all represented at the Sunday law in conflict with God’s priests, kings and prophets. The church is purified just before the Sunday law and the gift of prophecy is restored—right where the false prophet dies. From then on, the battle is over the true or false prophetic message.
呢四十二個月,係指由美國制定星期日法例起,直到人類恩典時期終結為止嘅試驗時期。然而,就喺呢四十二個月之內,並且係喺一段三十年嘅預備時期之後,基督正喺餘民嘅身上堅立盟約。敵基督嗰位冒牌祭司去到佢最後嘅結局,正正就喺基督喺佢自己嗰條路線上受死之處;亦即正正係法老——埃及王——喺佢自己嗰條路線上滅亡之處。喺迦密山,巴力嘅先知被殺,從而指明咗假先知之死乃係喺星期日法例之時。喺星期日法例之時,你見到一個假先知,跟住被殺;又有由法老所表徵嘅龍,以及由教皇制度所表徵嘅獸。呢一切都喺星期日法例之時被表明出嚟,並且與上帝嘅祭司、君王同先知對立。教會喺星期日法例之前啱啱被潔淨,而預言之恩賜亦被恢復——正正就喺假先知死去之處。由此以後,爭戰所圍繞嘅,就係真或假嘅先知信息。
The symbolic 30-year period represents a period which precedes the Sunday law. The period is a preparation period for the priests, for Christ is their example in all things, for these are they who follow the Lamb. Within the first 30 years of Abram’s prophecy, the covenant was put in place, thus identifying that whatever the period of preparation for the priests represents it is the period where the Lord renews His covenant with the one hundred and forty-four thousand as typified by the alpha history of Abram. That period is a time of preparation for the priests who begin to serve at the Sunday law, at age thirty, when they are anointed with the Holy Spirit as was Christ at His baptism. One other truth that can be deduced from the alpha history of Abram, is that whatever the period represents that leads to the Sunday law, it has to be momentous, for the omega is always more powerful than the alpha. The Sunday law is the omega represented by October 22, 1844, the cross, Passover in Egypt and on and on.
象徵性嘅三十年時期,係代表一段先於星期日法案嘅時期。呢段時期係祭司嘅預備時期,因為基督喺凡事上都係佢哋嘅榜樣,因為佢哋就係嗰啲跟隨羔羊嘅人。喺亞伯蘭預言頭三十年之內,聖約已經被設立,因此表明:無論呢段作為祭司預備期所代表嘅係乜嘢,佢都係主照住亞伯蘭嘅阿爾法歷史所預表,與十四萬四千人更新祂聖約嘅時期。呢段時期係祭司嘅預備時期;佢哋喺星期日法案開始事奉,喺三十歲嘅時候,正如基督喺受洗時一樣,受聖靈膏抹。從亞伯蘭嘅阿爾法歷史仲可以推論出另一個真理,就係:無論嗰段引向星期日法案嘅時期代表乜嘢,佢都必須係極其重大嘅,因為俄梅加總係比阿爾法更有能力。星期日法案就係俄梅加,由1844年10月22日、十字架、埃及嘅逾越節等等所代表。
The Sunday law represents the end of the period represented by the thirty-year period. It has been prefigured by virtually every major salvational story, and it is also the end of the covenant history of a chosen people that began with Abram. With that type of prophetic weight of evidence concerning the end of the period, and the serious purpose of the period itself, what would be the starting point?
星期日法代表由三十年時期所預表之時段的終結。幾乎每一個重大的救恩歷史故事都曾預示此事,而這亦是始於亞伯蘭之一個蒙揀選之民的聖約歷史的終結。既然有如此具先知性分量的證據指向這一時期的終點,並且這一時期本身又具有如此嚴肅重大的目的,那麼其起點又會是甚麼呢?
There is a prophetic period represented by thirty years that upon a multitude of witnesses ends at the Sunday law. At that point there is a period that follows that is represented in various numerical values, and each of those periods set forth a testimony of a line of prophetic history that follows the Sunday law. Some of those periods are representing the internal line of church history, and some the external line of the world marching to Armageddon.
有一段以三十年所表徵嘅預言時期,喺眾多見證之下,終止於星期日法案。到嗰一點之後,隨之而來嘅係另一段以各種不同數值所表徵嘅時期;而每一個時期都提出一條緊隨星期日法案之後嘅預言歷史線之見證。呢啲時期之中,有啲係表徵教會歷史嘅內在線,有啲則係表徵世界向哈米吉多頓進軍嘅外在線。
It is probably good at this juncture to remind ourselves that we reject the application of any time prophecies in the last days in terms of representing any identifiable dates, until the day and hour is announced at the end of the plagues. I will use Daniel chapter twelve to illustrate my point of no longer applying prophetic time. In chapter twelve there are three verses that identify prophetic time.
喺呢個關頭,提醒我哋自己一點,大概係有益嘅:我哋拒絕將末後日子嘅任何時間預言,應用為代表任何可識別嘅日期;直至災殃結束之時,嗰日子同時辰被宣告出嚟為止。我會用《但以理書》第十二章,嚟說明我呢一點:預言性時間已經唔再適用。喺第十二章裏面,有三節經文指出預言性時間。
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:7.
我聽見那穿細麻衣、站在河水以上的人,向天舉起右手和左手,指着那活到永永遠遠的起誓,說:這事必應驗於一載、二載、半載;及至分散聖民權勢的事完成,這一切事就都完畢了。但以理書 12:7。
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Daniel 12:11.
由除掉常獻的燔祭、並設立那行毀壞可憎之物的時候起,必有一千二百九十日。Daniel 12:11.
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Daniel 12:12.
凡等候,並且到了那一千三百三十五日的,那人便為有福。但以理書 12:12。
The Millerites had the correct understanding of each of these three verses. These three prophecies are part of the truths that represent the foundations. Yet the Millerite understanding of these verses was based upon applying the day for a year principle. Since “time is no longer,” these verses must possess another application, for all of the prophecies are speaking of the time period of the latter rain. These verses must have a latter rain understanding that does not employ time to create a message, and does not disagree with Millerite understanding of the verses. The correct Millerite view of the center verse of the three verses, (verse eleven), is that it represents a twofold period, which begins with a thirty-year period, followed by 1260 years. Verse eleven is identifying the thirty-year-period that precedes the Sunday law, as represented by the setting up of the abomination of desolation.
米勒派對呢三節經文各自都有正確嘅理解。呢三個預言都係構成根基之真理嘅一部分。然而,米勒派對呢啲經文嘅理解,乃係建立喺一日頂一年呢個原則之上。既然「時候不再有」,呢啲經文就必定另有一種應用,因為所有預言所講嘅都係後雨時期。呢啲經文必須有一種後雨嘅理解,而呢種理解唔係用時間去構成信息,並且亦唔可以同米勒派對呢啲經文嘅理解相抵觸。米勒派對三節經文之中間一節(第十一節)嘅正確看法,係認為佢代表一段雙重時期,先由一段三十年時期開始,然後接續一千二百六十年。第十一節所指出嘅,乃係主日法之前嗰段三十年時期,正如由那行毀壞可憎之物嘅設立所表徵嘅一樣。
Daniel twelve is the chapter in God’s Word that sets forth the purification process of God’s people which occurs in the last days at the time of the end when a prophecy from the book of Daniel is unsealed. In verse eleven we find a prophecy that the pioneers correctly understood as a thirty-year period that leads into a 1260-year period. In chapter twelve, the three prophecies of verses seven, eleven and twelve are all sealed up until the time of the end. At the time of the end those three prophecies must be unsealed, for God’s Word never fails. In that very chapter, the clearest representation of the close of human probation in the Bible is set forth, so chapter twelve, is most certainly and more specifically identifying the end of Adventism, than the beginning of Adventism.
但以理書第十二章乃是上帝聖言中一章,闡明上帝子民在末後日子、於末時、當但以理書中的一個預言被開啟之際所經歷的潔淨過程。在第十一節,我們看見一個預言;先驅者正確地明白那是三十年的一段時期,並引入一段一千二百六十年的時期。在第十二章中,第七、十一及十二節的三個預言,直到末時都一概被封住。到了末時,這三個預言都必須被開啟,因為上帝的聖言決不落空。就在那一章之中,聖經對人類恩門關閉之時所作最清楚的表述被陳明出來;因此,第十二章所指認的,毫無疑問、而且更具體地,是復臨運動的終局,而不是復臨運動的開端。
Three prophecies in Daniel twelve were sealed up in the very passage of Scripture where sealing and unsealing finds its primary prophetic definition. Those three prophecies get unsealed in the history of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, for Alpha and Omega always illustrates the end of a thing, with the beginning of a thing. What is unsealed in chapter twelve’s three prophetic periods represents the final unsealing of God’s prophetic Word. That unsealing is set forth in Revelation chapter one when the Revelation of Jesus Christ is unsealed, just before the close of probation. Verse eleven of Daniel twelve is the counterpart to Abram and Paul’s first representation of a twofold prophecy that began with a thirty-year period.
《但以理書》第十二章中有三個預言,正正就在那段經文之內被封住;而「封住」與「開啟」最主要之預言性定義,也正是在那段經文中顯明出來。那三個預言,乃要在十四萬四千人的歷史當中被開啟,因為阿拉法與俄梅戛總是藉着一件事物的起頭,來說明那件事物的終局。第十二章那三段預言時期中所被開啟的,乃代表上帝預言之道最後的開啟。這開啟乃陳明於《啟示錄》第一章,就是在恩典時期結束之前不久,耶穌基督的啟示被開啟之時。《但以理書》第十二章第十一節,乃與亞伯蘭及保羅首先所代表、那一個以三十年時期開始之雙重預言互相對應。
The three prophecies in Daniel twelve are symbolic periods that are unsealed at the final time of the end, and the unsealing leads to the final purification of God’s people. The first of those three prophecies is given by Christ Himself, and when He sets forth the prophecy He is standing on the water dressed in linen, identifying the end of a prophetic period represented as 1260 years, and defining the end of that period as the end of the scattering of the power of God’s people. God’s people in the latter days are the one hundred and forty-four thousand, and they have been scattered.
但以理書第十二章中嘅三個預言,乃係喺末後最後時刻先至被揭開封印嘅象徵性時期,而呢個揭開封印,會引致上帝子民最後嘅潔淨。呢三個預言之中,第一個係由基督親自宣告嘅;當祂陳明呢個預言嘅時候,祂身穿細麻衣,站喺水上,指出一段以一千二百六十年為表徵嘅預言時期之終結,並且將嗰段時期嘅終結界定為上帝子民能力被分散之終結。末後日子中上帝嘅子民,就係十四萬四千人,而佢哋一直都係被分散嘅。
Not only is Christ standing on the water answering a question, the question begins with the words “How long?”. “How long?” is a prophetic symbol that is also asked of Jesus when in verse thirteen, of Daniel eight, the question is asked, “How long?”
基督唔單止係企喺水上回答一個問題,而呢個問題係以「要到幾時呢?」呢幾個字開始。「要到幾時呢?」乃係一個先知性嘅象徵;喺《但以理書》第八章第十三節,當向耶穌提出嗰個問題嘅時候,所問嘅亦都係:「要到幾時呢?」
And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
有一位對那身穿細麻衣、站在河水之上的人說:「到這些奇異之事的結局,還要多久呢?」
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:6, 7.
我聽見那身穿細麻衣、站在河水以上的人,向天舉起右手和左手,指着那活到永永遠遠的起誓說:這事要到一載、二載、半載;及至分散聖民能力的事完成了,這一切事就都應驗了。但以理書 12:6, 7.
The question presented to Jesus, represented as the man in linen, in the vision of the Hiddekel river is, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?,” and in the vision of the Ulai river Jesus, represented as Palmoni (that certain saint) is asked, “How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?”
喺希底結河異象之中,向耶穌所提出嘅問題——耶穌喺其中以穿細麻衣嘅人嘅形象顯現——乃係:「呢啲奇異嘅事,到幾時先至終結呢?」;而喺烏萊河異象之中,耶穌以 Palmoni(那一位聖者)嘅身分顯現,所被問及嘅係:「關乎常獻嘅燔祭、以及使地荒涼嘅罪過,好將聖所同軍旅都交出畀人踐踏嘅異象,要到幾時呢?」
Sister White states that the visions given to Daniel by the banks of the great rivers of Shinar are now in the process of fulfillment, and in connection with both river visions, Jesus is asked the prophetic ‘question,’ which always produces the Sunday law as the ‘answer.’ Yet both answers are presented within the context of prophetic time, which ended in 1844. The pioneers correctly identified the answer to the question of chapter eight and the Ulai river vision, and they understood 1798 was when the scattering of the power of God’s people ended. But after 1844, when ‘time application’ of God’s prophetic Word ended, the prophetic question of “How long?” restates the pioneer understanding as ‘unto 2300 days then shall the sanctuary be cleansed at the soon-coming Sunday law’ and “all” the “marvels” in Daniel’s final vision will be accomplished, when the scattering of the holy people for three and a half symbolic days, ends.
懷愛倫姊妹指出,賜予但以理、於示拿大河邊所見之異象,現今正處於應驗之過程中;並且,就兩個河邊異象而言,耶穌都被問及那先知性的「問題」,而這問題總是產生主日法作為其「答案」。然而,這兩個答案都是在先知性時間的背景之下呈現的,而那先知性時間已於1844年終止。先驅者正確辨識了第八章之問題以及烏萊河異象的答案,並且明白1798年乃是上帝子民權能被分散之事終止之時。然而,在1844年之後,當上帝先知之道的「時間應用」終止之時,那「要到幾時呢?」的先知性問題,便將先驅者的理解重述為:「到二千三百日,聖所就必在那將近來到的主日法之時得潔淨」;並且但以理最後異象中的「一切」「奇事」,都將在聖民被分散那三年半象徵性日子的時期終結之時,得以成就。
The Hiddekel river vision of the last three chapters of Daniel and the Ulai river vision of chapters seven through nine are identified by Sister White as the “great rivers of Shinar.” All historical and biblical scholars identify that there are only two rivers, and they are both great rivers, that are associated with Shinar. Those two rivers are the Tigris (Hiddekel) and the Euphrates. The Ulai river is not the Euphrates of Shinar, it is a small man-made channel river in Persia, not Shinar. The Ulai river in the vision that contains the foundation and central pillar of Adventism is not located in Shinar, yet the prophetess identifies the Ulai as the Euphrates, one of the great rivers of Shinar.
但以理書最後三章中希底結河的異象,以及第七至第九章中烏萊河的異象,被懷愛倫姊妹指明為「示拿的大河」。一切歷史學者與聖經學者都確認,與示拿有關的河流只有兩條,而且兩者都是大河。那兩條河就是底格里斯河(希底結)與幼發拉底河。烏萊河並不是示拿的幼發拉底河;它乃是波斯的一條細小人工水道,不在示拿。那載有復臨信仰根基與中心柱石的異象中的烏萊河,並不位於示拿;然而,這位女先知卻將烏萊認定為幼發拉底河,即示拿的大河之一。
The Hiddekel vision presents the external history of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet leading the world to Armageddon, and the Ulai vision represents the work of Christ in combining His Divinity with man’s humanity. Prophetically inspiration uses the Ulai river as a second witness with the Euphrates River to identify the work that is accomplished by Christ in joining His Divinity with humanity.
希底結異象呈現龍、獸同假先知引領世界走向哈米吉多頓之外在歷史;而烏萊異象則表徵基督將祂嘅神性同人嘅人性結合之工作。喺預言上,默示以烏萊河作為同伯拉大河並列嘅第二個見證,用以指明基督藉着將祂嘅神性與人性聯合而成就嘅工作。
The Euphrates and Tigris both began in Eden and run through the length of covenant history. When they flow into the central pillar of Adventism on October 22, 1844, the Euphrates is combined with the man-made Ulai canal to represent the combination of Divinity with humanity, that is accomplished by the exercise of faith in those represented as the one hundred and forty-four thousand. The Ulai represents a test upon the authority of God’s prophetic Word, for it places the authority of Ellen White identifying the Persian Ulai river as one of the great rivers of Shinar in contradiction with the world’s experts.
幼發拉底河同底格里斯河都起源於伊甸園,並貫穿整段聖約歷史。當佢哋喺 1844 年 10 月 22 日流入復臨信仰嘅中心柱石時,幼發拉底河就同人工開鑿嘅烏萊運河結合,用以表明神性與人性嘅結合;而呢種結合,乃係藉着嗰啲被表徵為十四萬四千人之人所操練嘅信心而成就。烏萊所代表嘅,乃係一場關乎上帝先知之道權威嘅試驗;因為佢使愛倫・懷特將波斯嘅烏萊河指認為示拿大河之一嘅權威,同世上專家嘅觀點形成對立。
The symbol of the Ulai river represents a test over man’s word or God’s Word. Are men correct, or are the words set forth by Sister White, correct? Does the Ulai river represent a single river in Persia, or does it represent a prophetic river which consists of waters from Eden mingled with waters from men?
烏萊河嘅象徵,係代表一場關乎人嘅話語或者上帝話語嘅考驗。究竟係人正確,還是懷愛倫姊妹所陳明嘅話正確?烏萊河究竟係代表波斯境內一條單一嘅河流,還是代表一條先知性嘅河流,由伊甸嘅水同人嘅水混雜而成?
There may be many options to this dilemma I have raised, but I will lay out some thoughts so you see my point. Are the worldly historians and theologians correct and Sister White is wrong? No one disputes that the “great rivers of Shinar” are the Tigris and Euphrates. So, when Sister White identifies the river Ulai in Persia as a great river of Shinar is she a false prophet? Or, is she a true prophet, who made a mistake? How many mistakes can a true prophet make before they cross the line and become a false prophet? Or, are the historians wrong? Or, is she actually correct? Or are the historians and Sister White both correct? I raised this dilemma for the purpose of using the explanation of the dilemma as an added point to the man who is in linen, standing upon the river, who is asked, “How long?” in both the vision of the Hiddekel and Ulai rivers.
對於我所提出嘅呢個兩難處境,或者可以有好多種回應;不過,我會陳述一啲諗法,好使你明白我嘅觀點。究竟係屬世嘅歷史學家同神學家正確,而懷愛倫姊妹錯誤呢?冇人爭議「示拿的大河」就係底格里斯河同幼發拉底河。咁樣,當懷愛倫姊妹將波斯嘅烏萊河指明為示拿嘅一條大河之時,佢係咪一位假先知呢?又或者,佢係一位真先知,只不過犯咗一個錯誤?一位真先知可以犯幾多次錯誤,先至越過界線而成為假先知呢?又或者,係歷史學家錯咗?又或者,其實佢先係正確?抑或歷史學家同懷愛倫姊妹其實都正確?我提出呢個兩難處境,目的係要藉住對呢個兩難處境嘅解釋,作為一個補充論點,指向嗰位身穿細麻衣、站喺河水以上嘅人;喺底格里斯河同烏萊河嘅異象之中,都有人向佢發問:「要到幾時呢?」
In Daniel chapter eight, Daniel is at Susa, in Persia, and Susa is on the river Ulai that due to the agriculture industry includes the natural river and also a series of man-made aqueducts. As the Ulai flows down another one hundred and fifty miles or so, it connects with the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Tigris and Euphrates that began in Eden eventually join, and when they do merge, the Ulai River from Persia connects at the same point. When the Ulai River meets the marsh system of the Tigris at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates, the Ulai becomes part of the water that makes up the great rivers of Shinar. The historians are correct, and so too, is Sister White.
但以理書第八章中,但以理身處波斯的書珊;書珊位於烏萊河畔。由於農業灌溉的緣故,烏萊河不單包括天然河道,也包括一系列人工開鑿的引水渠。烏萊河再向下流約一百五十英里,便與底格里斯河和幼發拉底河的匯流處相接。那起源於伊甸的底格里斯河與幼發拉底河,最終匯合;而當它們匯合之時,來自波斯的烏萊河也在同一地點連接其上。當烏萊河在底格里斯河與幼發拉底河的匯流處,與底格里斯河的沼澤水系相遇時,烏萊河便成為構成示拿大河之水的一部分。歷史學家是正確的,懷愛倫姊妹也是如此。
When Sister White identifies the vision of the Ulai in chapter eight, she is identifying a river that is known for its man-made aqueduct system that joins the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which represent two periods’ of 2520 years, that concluded in 1798 and 1844.
當懷愛倫姊妹指出第八章中烏萊的異象時,她所指出的是一條以人工導水系統聞名的河流;該系統把底格里斯河與幼發拉底河連接起來,而這兩條河乃象徵兩段二五二○年的時期,並分別於1798年與1844年告終。
An ancient name for the Tigris is the Hiddekel, and in relation to the Euphrates both rivers have been specifically located prophetically as being associated with Assyria and Babylon, who are also identified as two lions that were to chastise God’s sheep. Those two desolating powers prefigured the two desolating powers of pagan Rome and papal Rome, which are symbols of a man and a woman, or a church and a state. Pagan Rome was the man representing statecraft, and papal Rome is the impure woman of churchcraft. Assyria was the man and Babylon the woman in their prophetic relationship, thus identifying the Tigris as the man and the Euphrates as the woman.
底格里斯河嘅古名係希底結,而相對於幼發拉底河,呢兩條河喺預言上都被明確定位為與亞述同巴比倫有關;而亞述同巴比倫亦被指認為兩隻要懲治上帝羊群嘅獅子。呢兩個施行荒涼嘅勢力,乃係異教羅馬同教皇羅馬呢兩個施行荒涼之勢力嘅預表;後者乃係一個男人同一個女人,或者一個教會同一個國家嘅象徵。異教羅馬係嗰個代表政權權術嘅男人,而教皇羅馬就係教會權術之不潔嘅女人。喺佢哋預言性嘅關係之中,亞述係男人,巴比倫係女人;因此,底格里斯河就被指明為男人,而幼發拉底河則被指明為女人。
The Tigris River is the river of statecraft that reached to 1798, and the Euphrates of churchcraft reached to 1844. The Euphrates had to reach to 1844, for the message of 1844 was about Babylon, (the Euphrates) which fell again in 1844. As the Euphrates produced a waterfall in 1844, the Ulai river, which had also joined the confluence as a symbol of human works, combined with the other river’s water. The river of statecraft was damned up in 1798, when the civil authority was removed from the papal power. In that same year the United States begins to reign as the earth beast and sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy. The Tigris River is damned up in 1798, exactly where the state will eventually force the entire world to break down the dam, which now holds back the floods of papal persecution about to sweep over the world as an overwhelming flood. That wall, or dam is the wall of separation of church and state.
底格里斯河乃係國家政治之河,一直延伸到1798年;而作為教會政治之幼發拉底河,則延伸到1844年。幼發拉底河必須延伸到1844年,因為1844年嘅信息乃係關乎巴比倫(即幼發拉底河),而巴比倫喺1844年再次傾倒。正如幼發拉底河喺1844年形成瀑布一樣,烏萊河亦作為人為工作之象徵,已經匯入交會之處,並與另一條河嘅水流匯合。國家政治之河喺1798年被築壩攔截,當時民事權柄已從教皇權勢中被除去。喺同一年,美國開始以地獸同聖經預言中第六國度嘅身分掌權。底格里斯河喺1798年被築壩攔截,正正係喺嗰一點上,國家最終將迫使全世界拆毀呢道堤壩;而家呢道堤壩正攔阻住教皇逼迫之洪流,免致其如氾濫大水一般席捲全世界。呢道牆,或者呢道堤壩,就係政教分離之牆。
In 1844, both the Euphrates and Ulai identify the message of 1844 as the fall of Babylon, and also as the very work which Christ began in 1844, when, as the Messenger of the Covenant He purged the waters of Babylon and human works out of a people who were to enter into His sanctuary—a people who needed to be cleansed before they entered into the Most Holy Place. The final cleansing of those people was accomplished with the rain which poured out under the message of the Midnight Cry, and those rain drops of the Midnight Cry message were distilled from the waters of the Tigris, as the Millerites identified papal Rome and 1798, and as they identified the fall of Babylon and were cleansed in advance of the closed door by the message, or you might say—cleansed by the rain that came from the distilled waters of the Ulai, the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, as they presented the message of Daniel 8:14, and fulfilled the message of the Midnight Cry in advance of the opening of the antitypical Day of Atonement.
喺1844年,幼發拉底河同烏萊河都表明:1844年嘅信息就係巴比倫嘅傾倒,亦都係基督喺1844年所開始嘅嗰一項工作;當時,祂作為立約的使者,將巴比倫嘅水同人為嘅作為,從一班將要進入祂聖所嘅子民當中潔淨除去——呢一班子民喺進入至聖所之前,必須先被潔淨。對呢班子民最後嘅潔淨,係藉着喺半夜呼聲信息之下傾注落嚟嘅雨而完成;而半夜呼聲信息嘅呢啲雨點,乃係由底格里斯河嘅水蒸餾而成,正如米勒派曾指出教皇羅馬同1798年,並且正如佢哋指出巴比倫嘅傾倒,又藉着呢個信息喺關門之前先被潔淨;或者你亦可以話——佢哋係藉着由烏萊河、底格里斯河同幼發拉底河嘅蒸餾之水而來嘅雨被潔淨;因為當佢哋傳講但以理書8:14嘅信息之時,亦都喺預表性贖罪日展開之前,應驗咗半夜呼聲嘅信息。
When Christ is standing upon the waters of the Hiddekel in verse seven of chapter twelve of Daniel, He is standing on the waters of the Tigris, the waters of statecraft in the vision that outlines the final movements of human statecraft leading to the close of probation. He is standing there answering the question of the previous verse, just as in the vision of the Ulai River, the man in linen, who there is Palmoni, the Wonderful Numberer, provides an answer, to a question of the previous verse. In both instances the dialogue is heavenly dialogue between angels and Christ, and in both instances the question is, “How long?”
喺《但以理書》第十二章第七節,當基督站立喺希底結河嘅水上之時,祂乃係站喺底格里斯河嘅水上;喺嗰個勾畫出人類政略最終動向、直至恩門關閉之異象中,呢啲水象徵國家政治權術。祂站喺嗰度,回應前一節所提出嘅問題;正如喺烏萊河嘅異象之中,嗰位着細麻衣的人——喺嗰度就係帕勒摩尼(Palmoni),奇妙嘅計數者——亦對前一節所提出嘅問題作出回答。喺兩個情況之中,呢段對話都係天上嘅對話,係眾天使同基督之間嘅對話;而喺兩個情況之中,所問嘅都係:「要到幾時呢?」
The answer is unto 2300 days, in chapter eight and chapter twelve it is “a time, times, and an half.” The answer is understood as 2300 years and 1260 years, but in 1844 God placed a prohibition on the application of time within the prophetic message, for time is no longer. What is Palmoni the man clothed in linen’s answer for His final generation? The question of “How long?” has been shown upon many witnesses to identify the Sunday law as the answer to the question, so is the sanctuary cleansed at the Sunday law, and are “all these wonders” finished at the Sunday law? What are the “wonders” that are finished at the Sunday law, and when did those “wonders” start?
答案係「直到二千三百日」;喺第八章同第十二章,則係「一載、二載、半載」。呢個答案被理解為二千三百年同一千二百六十年;但喺1844年,上帝已經禁止將時間應用於預言信息之內,因為時間不再有了。身穿細麻衣之人巴勒摩尼,對於祂最後一代嘅答案係乜嘢?「要到幾時呢?」呢個問題,已經藉着許多見證顯明,指出星期日法令就係呢個問題嘅答案;咁,聖所係咪喺星期日法令之時得潔淨,而「呢一切奇異的事」又係咪喺星期日法令之時完畢呢?喺星期日法令之時完畢嘅「奇異的事」究竟係乜嘢?而嗰啲「奇異的事」又係喺幾時開始嘅?
Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
其時,我但以理觀看,看哪,另有兩位站立,一位在河這邊岸上,一位在河那邊岸上。其一對那穿細麻衣、立於河水之上的人說:這些奇異的事,到幾時才應驗完畢呢?
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Daniel 12:5–7.
我聽見那穿細麻衣的人,站在河水以上;他向天舉起右手和左手,指着那活到永永遠遠者起誓,說:這事要到一載、二載、半載;及至他成就了分散聖民權能的事,這一切事就都完畢了。但以理書 12:5–7
The symbolic question of “How long?” marks the Sunday law, and the angel asked not when was the Sunday law, but when was the end of the wonders. The “wonders” end at the Sunday law, so what are the wonders that lead to the Sunday law? Or to be more specific what are the “wonders” represented in the vision given by the Hiddekel, represented in chapters ten through twelve? If we can determine what the “wonders” are, we may find when the “wonders” start. In Daniel ten Gabriel specifically identifies what his purpose was in his interaction with Daniel during the vision.
「要到幾時呢?」呢個象徵性嘅問題,標誌住星期日法案;而天使所問嘅,唔係星期日法案係喺幾時,而係奇事幾時完結。「奇事」喺星期日法案時終止;咁樣,嗰啲引向星期日法案嘅奇事究竟係乜嘢呢?或者更具體噉講,喺希底結河邊所賜下、記載於第十至第十二章嘅異象之中,所代表嘅「奇事」係乜嘢呢?如果我哋能夠確定「奇事」係乜嘢,就可能搵到「奇事」喺幾時開始。喺《但以理書》第十章,加百列清楚指出,喺呢個異象之中,佢同但以理互動嘅目的究竟係乜嘢。
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.
如今我來,是要使你明白在末後的日子你本國之民所必遭遇的事;因為這異象還關乎許多日子。〈但以理書〉10:14。
Gabriel came to make God’s people understand what shall befall them in the latter days. To assume that the prophecies in Daniel twelve which were correctly understood by the Millerites, but to use that acknowledgement to deny the application of the chapter to the last days—is to defeat Gabriel’s stated purpose. Once Gabriel begins the prophetic narrative in verse one of chapter eleven on through to the third verse of chapter twelve, the history represented is the external prophetic details of how the dragon, the beast and the false prophet lead the world to Armageddon. There are passages within the chapter that describe God’s people being persecuted, but the history of chapter eleven is primarily an external revelation. This means that chapter ten and chapter twelve represent an alpha and an omega within Daniel’s final vision, for unlike chapter eleven they both describe an internal message identifying the sealing of the one-hundred and forty-four thousand. The middle chapter is the rebellion of mankind as represented by the king of the north, the pope of Rome, and the alpha chapter ten, along with the omega chapter twelve identify the internal experience of the one hundred and forty-four thousand in the latter days. All three chapters lead to the close of probation, the alpha chapter begins with the fear of God that separates two classes of worshippers, and by the end of the chapter Daniel is given a doubling of power, thus identifying the first and second angels’ messages. Chapter twelve is the omega chapter and it identifies the judgment message of the third angel.
加百列來,係要使上帝嘅子民明白,喺末後嘅日子有乜嘢事要臨到佢哋。若假定《但以理書》第十二章中米勒派所正確明白嘅預言,卻又利用呢一種承認去否認該章對末後日子嘅應用——就係推翻加百列明言嘅目的。自加百列喺第十一章第一節開始展開預言性敘述,直到第十二章第三節為止,當中所呈現嘅歷史,乃係關於龍、獸同假先知點樣帶領世界走向哈米吉多頓之外在預言細節。章中雖然有若干經文描述上帝子民受逼迫,但第十一章嘅歷史,主要仍然係一種外在嘅啟示。呢個意思即係話,第十章同第十二章喺但以理最後嘅異象之內,分別構成一個阿拉法同一個俄梅戛;因為同第十一章唔同,呢兩章都描述一個內在嘅信息,指出十四萬四千人受印記嘅事。中間嗰一章,乃係人類嘅悖逆,由北方王、羅馬教皇所代表;而阿拉法嘅第十章,連同俄梅戛嘅第十二章,就指出末後日子十四萬四千人內在嘅經歷。呢三章都引向恩典時期嘅結束;阿拉法章以敬畏上帝開始,將兩等敬拜者分別出嚟,而到該章末了,但以理被賜予加倍嘅能力,從而指出第一位同第二位天使嘅信息。第十二章乃係俄梅戛章,並且指出第三位天使嘅審判信息。
Chapter eleven details mankind’s rebellion from the destruction of Jerusalem unto the close of probation, which according to Sister White is an illustration of the close of probation at the end of the world. Daniel eleven starts at the destruction of Jerusalem, for Daniel is one of those who were taken to Babylon in the threefold destruction of Jerusalem that typified the destruction of the same city in 70 AD, and then again in the latter days as represented by the world.
第十一章詳述人類自耶路撒冷被毀,直至恩典時期結束之間嘅悖逆;而按懷師母所言,呢乃係世界末了恩典時期結束嘅一個預表。〈但以理書〉第十一章係由耶路撒冷被毀開始,因但以理正係喺耶路撒冷三次被毀期間被擄到巴比倫者之一;而嗰三重嘅毀滅,乃係預表主後七十年同一座城被毀,繼而又喺末後日子藉住世界所表徵之事再次應驗。
Two literal destructions of Jerusalem that took place on the same day of the year six hundred and sixty-five years apart. Those two destructions were of the city where the Ark was supposed to be located. Shilo possessed the same prophetic characteristics and represents the first destruction of a city where God’s presence was located, or was supposed to be located. When Sister White employs the destruction of Jerusalem as a symbol of the destruction of the latter days, she is commenting on Christ’s sermon on the destruction of Jerusalem.
耶路撒冷曾有兩次真實的毀滅,兩次都發生在同一年中的同一日,相隔六百六十五年。這兩次毀滅所臨到的,都是那本應安放約櫃之城。示羅具有同樣的先知性特徵,並代表那座曾有上帝同在、或本應有上帝同在之城的第一次毀滅。當懷愛倫姊妹以耶路撒冷的毀滅作為末後日子毀滅的象徵時,她乃是在評論基督關於耶路撒冷毀滅的講論。
Shilo, the destruction of Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar and Titus are three witnesses of the latter days as represented by the destruction of God’s city. Shilo is the first angel’s message which teaches to fear God, something Eli did not do, and give Him glory, something Eli did not do, for the hour of His judgment is come. The second angel’s message is where we find a doubling as represented by Nebuchadnezzar and Titus. The third destruction of Jerusalem, in the latter days is at the close of probation, which is the close of judgment.
示羅、耶路撒冷在尼布甲尼撒同提多手下被毀,乃係末後日子之三個見證,藉着上帝之城被毀而表明。示羅乃第一位天使的信息,教導人要敬畏上帝——以利沒有如此行——並將榮耀歸給祂——以利也沒有如此行——因祂審判的時辰已經到了。第二位天使的信息,乃我哋所見之雙重應驗,由尼布甲尼撒同提多所表徵。第三次耶路撒冷的毀滅,喺末後日子,乃在恩門關閉之時,亦即審判終結之時。
Chapter eleven is the external history of the three angel’s messages. It is sandwiched between chapter ten’s vision of separation and three empowering touches that takes place on the twenty-second day of Daniel’s vision. This means that chapter twelve will also be about the internal story of what befalls God’s people in the latter days. It also means that the light within chapter twelve is twenty-two times more brilliant than the light in chapter ten.
第十一章係三位天使信息之外在歷史。佢夾喺第十章所見分離嘅異象,同埋發生於但以理異象第二十二日之三次賦權觸摸,中間。呢一點亦即係話,第十二章同樣係講述末後日子臨到上帝子民身上之事嘅內在故事。呢一點亦即係話,第十二章裏面嘅亮光,比第十章裏面嘅亮光明亮二十二倍。
In the vision of the Ulai, Christ was also asked “How long?” The previous twelve verses leading to the question in verse thirteen, were identifying external prophetic history representing important details about the powers of Bible prophecy. Those twelve verses were simply repeating and enlarging upon the history represented in chapter seven. The prophetic history set forth in those verses is repeated and enlarged upon in chapter eleven beginning in the time of the Medes and Persians. The last half of chapter eight and all of chapter nine is the representation of God’s last day people by the prophet Daniel. The vision of prophetic history found in the vision of the Ulai rivers three chapters, along with the representation of God’s people in the chapters by Daniel’s interaction with Gabriel, is the alpha to the omega of chapters ten through twelve.
喺烏萊異象之中,基督亦被問到:「要到幾時呢?」由第一十三節所提出呢個問題之前嗰十二節經文,乃係指出外在嘅先知性歷史,藉此表明聖經預言中各種勢力嘅重要細節。嗰十二節經文,只不過係重述並擴展第七章所表徵嘅歷史。喺第十一章,嗰啲經文所陳明嘅先知性歷史,再次由瑪代人同波斯人嘅時代開始被重述並加以擴展。第八章後半部同埋第九章全章,乃係先知但以理對上帝末後日子子民嘅表述。喺烏萊河異象之中所見嘅先知性歷史,連同但以理藉着佢與加百列嘅互動而喺嗰幾章之中對上帝子民所作嘅表述,構成咗第十章至第十二章嘅阿拉法同俄梅戛。
Because the Hiddekel is the omega and the Ulai the alpha, the power represented by the light that is unsealed in chapter twelve, when the time of the end is reached, is twenty-two times brighter than the vision which is the central pillar and foundation of Adventism. This being the case; the light of Daniel’s last vision is directly identified as light associated with God’s people in the latter days. When the angel asks the man clothed in linen, “How long?” to the end of these wonders, the wonders are those who shine as the stars forever and ever as Abram’s covenant history echoes of a command for Abram to look to the stars. The wonders in Daniel twelve is the transformation of human beings into the ensign of the one hundred and forty-four thousand.
因為希底結河乃係 omega,而烏萊河乃係 alpha,所以第十二章喺末時臨到之際所開啟嘅、由嗰光所代表嘅權能,比起作為復臨信仰中心柱石同根基嘅異象,要明亮二十二倍。既然如此;但以理最後一個異象嘅光,就直接被指明為末後日子與上帝子民有關嘅光。當天使問那身穿細麻衣的人:「要到幾時呢?」先至到呢啲奇事嘅終局,所指嘅奇事,就係那些永永遠遠如星發光之人,正如亞伯蘭立約嘅歷史,回響住一個命令,要亞伯蘭觀看眾星。但以理書第十二章中嘅奇事,就係人類被變化成為十四萬四千人之旗號。
In an earlier point we identified that verse eleven of Daniel twelve identifies a prophetic period that consist of two periods, the first of which is thirty years. In order to place the proper emphasis on verse eleven, I went to verse seven; to show Christ’s direct involvement with the wonders He accomplishes among His people in the latter days.
喺較早前嘅一點,我哋已經指出,《但以理書》第十二章第十一節所指明嘅一段預言時期,乃係由兩段時期所組成,其中第一段為三十年。為咗將第十一節嘅重點恰當噉彰顯出嚟,我轉到第七節;以表明基督直接參與祂喺末後日子於祂子民中所成就嘅奇事。
In returning to verse eleven I wish to remind you that chapter twelve is directly called the “latter days” by Gabriel. In the days of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, the days in which they are sealed and enter into covenant with God; according to the book of Daniel, there will be a message unsealed that will swell into a loud cry. That message is represented in chapter twelve by three distinct prophetic periods, that have already been defined by the Millerites, and thereafter endorsed by the Spirit of Prophecy. Those three periods do not represent time, for the very same angel who holds up both hands to heaven in chapter twelve, held up one hand to heaven in Revelation ten, and swore there would be time no longer. That pronouncement in 1844 means that the three prophetic periods in Daniel twelve are symbolic periods that are not meant to represent time.
返到第十一節,我想提醒你哋,第十二章係由加百列直接稱為「末後的日子」。喺十四萬四千人嘅日子,即係佢哋受印並且與上帝立約嘅日子;按照但以理書,將會有一道已被開啟封印嘅信息,漸漸高漲成為大聲呼喊。呢道信息喺第十二章裏面,以三段各自分明嘅預言時期作為表徵;而呢三段時期,早已由米勒派界定,其後又蒙預言之靈印證。呢三段時期並唔代表時間,因為喺第十二章中那位向天舉起雙手嘅同一位天使,曾喺啟示錄第十章向天舉起一隻手,並且起誓話,時間不再有了。呢一項於一八四四年所作出嘅宣告,意思即係但以理書第十二章嗰三段預言時期,乃係象徵性時期,並非用嚟代表時間。
Therefore, when the middle symbolic prophetic period in Daniel twelve is a twofold period that begins with thirty years in the very chapter that Michael stands up, then you know that the twofold period beginning with thirty years is the perfect fulfillment of Abram’s alpha prophecy. The omega of the time prophecy which begins covenant history in terms of a chosen people, reaches its perfect fulfillment in the same chapter which is the climax of Daniel’s testimony of what will befall God’s people in the last days.
所以,當《但以理書》第十二章中間嗰段象徵性預言時期,係一個由三十年開始、並且正正喺米迦勒站起來嗰一章展開嘅雙重時期之時,你就知道,呢個由三十年開始嘅雙重時期,正係亞伯蘭阿爾法預言嘅完全應驗。嗰個以蒙揀選之民嘅約之歷史為起點嘅時間預言之奧米加,亦喺同一章達到其完全嘅應驗;而呢一章,正係《但以理書》見證上帝子民喺末後日子所要遭遇之事嘅高潮。
At the time of the end, the book of Daniel is unsealed and the light produced seals God’s people. At the time of the end, the book of Daniel is unsealed and the light produced is represented by three prophetic periods within Daniel’s last chapter. That chapter is the omega of the three chapters that make up the Hiddekel vision, and the Hiddekel vision is the omega to the three chapters that represent the alpha of the river visions of Daniel. The rivers that began in Eden finally ended up with Daniel, and then God’s prophetic Word brought them to the Millerite movement of the first and second angel, the alpha movement of the three angels’ two movements. The 1290 years of verse eleven are the omega to Abram and Pauls’ 430-year prophecy.
到末時,〈但以理書〉被揭開,而所產生的亮光就印封上帝的子民。到末時,〈但以理書〉被揭開,而所產生的亮光,乃由〈但以理書〉最後一章中的三段預言時期所表徵。那一章乃構成希底結異象之三章的俄梅戛,而希底結異象又是代表〈但以理書〉河流異象之阿拉法的那三章之俄梅戛。那些始於伊甸的河流,最終來到了但以理,而後上帝預言的話語又把它們帶到了第一位與第二位天使之米勒派運動,就是三天使之兩場運動中的阿拉法運動。第十一節的一千二百九十年,乃是亞伯蘭與保羅之四百三十年預言的俄梅戛。
Before we continue on in Daniel twelve and its connection to Abram’s prophecy it is good to remember who Paul was. Paul was not only the apostle to the Gentiles, but just as importantly he presented his message through God’s prophetic Word. More importantly than that, is that Paul was a dispensational prophet. A dispensational prophet is a prophet raised up to guide God’s people from one dispensation to another like unto Moses, from altar worship to sanctuary worship; John the Baptist; from the earthly sanctuary to the Heavenly Sanctuary. Paul recorded more information and rules of the application of the literal to the spiritual than all the other Bible authors combined, by far! He was raised up to explain the transition of literal to spiritual in the context of God’s covenant people.
喺我哋繼續講但以理書十二章,以及佢同阿伯蘭預言之間嘅關聯之前,記住保羅係邊個,乃係有益嘅。保羅唔單止係外邦人嘅使徒;同樣重要嘅係,佢係藉着上帝預言性嘅聖言去傳達佢嘅信息。比呢一點更重要嘅係,保羅乃係一位時代經綸性嘅先知。所謂時代經綸性嘅先知,乃係上帝興起嚟引導祂子民由一個時代轉到另一個時代嘅先知,正如摩西一樣——由祭壇敬拜轉到聖所敬拜;又如施洗約翰——由地上嘅聖所轉到天上嘅聖所。保羅所記錄,有關將字義上嘅應用到屬靈上嘅更多資料同規則,遠遠超過其餘一切聖經作者加埋!佢被興起,乃係要喺上帝立約子民嘅處境之中,闡明由字義到屬靈嘅轉變。
Paul is the connecting link between the covenant promises of Abraham’s chosen people, when that chosen people transitioned from literal to spiritual. If you are not settled into the role of who Paul was in covenant history, then you might not see how divinely fitting it is, that the first-time prophecy of God’s covenant people is a twofold time prophecy that begins with a 30-year period. One prophecy put in place by the father of the chosen people, and when they transition to a spiritual chosen people, a dispensational prophet was raised up to identify and explain that transition, and also to ratify Abram’s time-prophecy with a second witness from the New Testament aligned with the first witness from the Old Testament. Abram at the start, then Paul at the end typify the significance of the 1290 of the latter days.
保羅乃係亞伯拉罕蒙揀選之民嘅聖約應許之間嘅連接環節,喺呢蒙揀選之民由字面轉變為屬靈之時,佢正處於其中。若然你未曾穩妥確立保羅喺聖約歷史之中所擔當嘅角色,你就未必能看見,神聖約之民第一次所領受嘅預言,乃係一個以三十年時期開始嘅雙重時間預言,係何等出於神聖旨意、何等恰切。其一預言,係由蒙揀選之民嘅父所設立;而當佢哋轉變為屬靈嘅蒙揀選之民之時,神就興起一位時代分期嘅先知,去辨明並講解嗰個轉變,並且藉着嚟自新約嘅第二個見證——與來自舊約嘅第一個見證相一致——去印證亞伯蘭嘅時間預言。亞伯蘭喺起首,然後保羅喺末後,正好作為後期之一千二百九十日之重要性嘅預表。
We will continue in the next article.
我哋將會喺下一篇文章繼續。
“Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control even of many professing Christians. But here is a little company who are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law.
「撒迦利亞關於約書亞與那位使者嘅異象,對於上帝子民喺大贖罪日終局場景中嘅經歷,具有特別深刻嘅應驗力。嗰時,餘民教會將要被帶入極大嘅試煉同困苦之中。凡遵守上帝誡命同耶穌真道嘅人,必感受到龍同佢嘅眾軍所發嘅烈怒。撒但將世人算為自己嘅臣民;佢甚至已經取得對許多自稱為基督徒之人嘅控制。然而,呢度有一小群人正抗拒佢嘅統治。若果佢能夠將佢哋從地上塗抹除滅,佢嘅勝利就會完全。正如佢曾煽動外邦列國去毀滅以色列一樣,喺不久嘅將來,佢亦必煽動地上邪惡嘅勢力去毀滅上帝嘅子民。人將被要求服從人所頒布、違背神聖律法嘅法令。」
“Those who are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be ‘betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends,’ even unto death. Luke 21:16. Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer. As Joshua pleaded before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and unfaltering faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus, their Advocate. They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness; and they are ready to despair.
「凡忠於上帝的人,必受威嚇、被斥責、被禁絕;他們要『被父母、弟兄、親族、朋友出賣;也有被害死的。』路加福音 21:16。他們唯一的盼望在乎上帝的憐憫;他們唯一的保障乃是禱告。正如約書亞在那使者面前懇求一樣,餘民教會也必以破碎的心和毫不動搖的信心,藉着他們的中保耶穌,懇求赦免與拯救。他們完全意識到自己生命的罪污,看見自己的軟弱與不配;他們也幾乎要陷於絕望。」
“The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright them with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.
「那試探者站在旁邊控告他們,正如他曾站在約書亞旁邊與他作對一樣。他指着他們污穢的衣服、他們有缺欠的品格;他陳列他們的軟弱和愚昧、他們忘恩的罪,以及他們不像基督之處,而這一切已羞辱了他們的救贖主。他竭力以他們的景況已無可挽回、他們污穢的痕跡永不能洗淨的念頭來驚嚇他們。他盼望藉此摧毀他們的信心,使他們屈從於他的試探,離棄對上帝的忠誠。」
“Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins that he has tempted God’s people to commit, and he urges his accusations against them, declaring, that by their sins they have forfeited divine protection, and claiming that he has the right to destroy them. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. ‘Are these,’ he says, ‘the people who are to take my place in heaven, and the place of the angels who united with me? They profess to obey the law of God; but have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than lovers of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins that have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred of one another. Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them.’
「撒但對於他曾引誘上帝子民所犯的罪,有準確的認識;他極力控告他們,宣稱他們因自己的罪,已喪失了神聖的保護,並聲稱自己有權毀滅他們。他斷言,他們與他自己一樣,都當被摒棄於上帝的恩寵之外。『這些人,』他說,『就是要在天上取代我,並取代那些與我聯合的天使的位置的人嗎?他們自稱順從上帝的律法;但他們曾遵守其中的誡命嗎?他們豈不是愛自己過於愛上帝嗎?他們豈不是把自己的利益置於事奉祂之上嗎?他們豈不是愛世界上的事物嗎?看看那些標誌着他們一生的罪吧。看哪,他們的自私、他們的惡意、他們彼此之間的仇恨。上帝會把我和我的使者從祂面前驅逐,卻又賞賜那些犯了同樣罪的人嗎?主啊,按公義祢不能這樣作。公義要求向他們宣告判決。』」
“But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.’
「然而,基督嘅跟從者雖然犯咗罪,卻冇將自己交出去受撒但嘅勢力所操縱。佢哋已經為自己嘅罪悔改,並且以謙卑同痛悔嘅心尋求主,而神聖嘅中保亦為佢哋代求。嗰位最深受佢哋忘恩所傷、又知道佢哋嘅罪同埋佢哋悔罪之心嘅主宣告話:『撒但哪,願耶和華責備你。我已經為呢啲靈魂捨咗我嘅生命。佢哋銘刻喺我手掌上。佢哋或者喺品格上有缺欠;或者喺努力之中曾經失敗;但佢哋已經悔改,而我亦已經赦免並接納咗佢哋。』」
“The assaults of Satan are strong, his delusions are subtle; but the Lord’s eye is upon His people. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but Jesus will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness will be removed, that through them the image of Christ may be perfectly revealed.
撒但嘅攻擊猛烈,佢嘅迷惑詭詐而微細;但主嘅眼目看顧住祂嘅子民。佢哋所受嘅苦難甚大,火爐嘅烈焰似乎就快要將佢哋吞滅;但耶穌必使佢哋如同經火試煉嘅金子被帶出嚟。佢哋屬地嘅性情將被除去,好叫基督嘅形像可以藉住佢哋得以完全彰顯。
“At times the Lord may seem to have forgotten the perils of His church and the injury done her by her enemies. But God has not forgotten. Nothing in this world is so dear to the heart of God as His church. It is not His will that worldly policy shall corrupt her record. He does not leave His people to be overcome by Satan’s temptations. He will punish those who misrepresent Him, but He will be gracious to all who sincerely repent. To those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christian character, He will give all needed help.
「有時,主似乎忘記咗祂教會所遭遇嘅危險,以及仇敵加諸於佢身上嘅傷害。但上帝並冇忘記。喺呢個世界上,冇任何事物比祂嘅教會更為上帝所珍愛。祂嘅旨意並唔係要屬世嘅權謀敗壞佢嘅記錄。祂唔會任由祂嘅子民被撒但嘅試探所勝過。凡曲解祂嘅人,祂必懲罰;但凡真誠悔改嘅人,祂必施恩。至於嗰啲呼求祂,求祂賜能力以發展基督徒品格嘅人,祂必賜下一切所需嘅幫助。」
“In the time of the end the people of God will sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. With tears they will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross.
「到咗末時,上帝嘅子民必因地上所行嘅可憎之事而歎息哀哭。佢哋必流着眼淚,警告惡人踐踏上帝律法所招致嘅危險;又必以難以言喻嘅憂傷,在主面前自卑悔改。惡人必譏笑佢哋嘅憂傷,並嘲弄佢哋鄭重嘅勸戒。然而,上帝子民嘅痛苦同自卑,乃係 unmistakable evidence,表明佢哋正重新得回因罪而失去嘅品格力量同高貴。正因為佢哋愈發親近基督,正因為佢哋嘅眼目定睛於祂完全嘅聖潔,佢哋先至能夠如此清楚看見罪極其深重嘅罪惡。溫柔同謙卑,乃係成功同得勝嘅條件。榮耀嘅冠冕正等候嗰啲俯伏喺十字架腳前嘅人。」
“God’s faithful, praying ones are, as it were, shut in with Him. They themselves know not how securely they are shielded. Urged on by Satan, the rulers of this world are seeking to destroy them; but could the eyes of God’s children be opened as were the eyes of Elisha’s servant at Dothan, they would see angels of God encamped about them, holding in check the hosts of darkness.
「上帝忠信、祈禱嘅子民,彷彿與祂一同被關在隱密之處。連佢哋自己都唔知道,自己係幾咁穩妥噉蒙保護。喺撒但嘅催逼之下,呢個世界嘅掌權者正設法要毀滅佢哋;但如果上帝兒女嘅眼睛得以打開,好似以利沙嘅僕人喺多坍所見嘅一樣,佢哋就會看見上帝嘅使者四圍安營保護佢哋,制止黑暗權勢嘅軍兵。」
“As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, ‘Take away the filthy garments,’ and the encouraging words are spoken, ‘Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.’ Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb’s book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A ‘fair miter’ is set upon their heads.
當上帝的子民在祂面前刻苦己心,懇求內心潔淨之時,就有命令發出說:「除掉他身上的污穢衣服」;又有鼓舞人心的話說:「看哪,我使你脫離罪孽,要給你穿上華美的衣服。」撒迦利亞書 3:4。基督公義那無瑕疵的袍子,披在上帝那些經過試煉、受過試探而仍然忠心的兒女身上。那被人藐視的餘民,身穿榮美的衣裳,永不再被世界的敗壞所玷污。他們的名字仍然保存在羔羊的生命冊上,記錄在歷代忠信之人的名冊之中。他們已抵擋那迷惑者的詭計;他們沒有因那龍的吼叫而偏離忠誠。如今他們永遠穩妥,不再受那試探者詭計的侵害。他們的罪被轉歸於罪惡的創始者。有一頂「潔淨的冠冕」戴在他們頭上。
“While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. ‘These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.’ Revelation 14:4, 5.
「當撒但一直力陳控告之時,聖潔的天使在人看不見之中,來往奔走,將永生上帝的印記蓋在那些忠心的人身上。這些人就是與羔羊一同站在錫安山上的人,額上寫着父的名。他們在寶座前唱新歌;這歌除了那從地上蒙救贖的十四萬四千人以外,沒有人能學。『這些人未論羔羊往哪裏去,他們都跟隨他。這些人是從人間買來的,作初熟的果子歸與上帝和羔羊。並且在他們口中察不出謊言來;他們在上帝寶座前是沒有瑕疵的。』啟示錄 14:4, 5。」
“Now is reached the complete fulfillment of the words of the Angel: ‘Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant the Branch.’ Zechariah 3:8. Christ is revealed as the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people. Now indeed are the remnant ‘men wondered at,’ as the tears and humiliation of their pilgrimage give place to joy and honor in the presence of God and the Lamb. ‘In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem.’ Isaiah 4:2, 3.” Prophets and Kings 587–592.
「如今,天使所說嘅話已經完全應驗:『大祭司約書亞啊,你同坐喺你面前嘅同伴都當聽;因為佢哋係令人希奇嘅人。看哪,我必使我僕人,大衛嘅苗裔,發出。』撒迦利亞書 3:8。基督被啟示為祂子民嘅救贖主同拯救者。如今,餘民的確係『令人希奇嘅人』,因為佢哋喺寄居旅程中嘅眼淚同屈辱,已讓位畀喺上帝同羔羊面前嘅喜樂同尊榮。『到那日,耶和華所發生嘅苗必華美尊榮,地嘅出產必為以色列逃脫嘅人顯為榮華茂盛。主必將錫安女子的污穢洗去,又將耶路撒冷中殺人的血除淨。那時,錫安剩下的人、耶路撒冷存留的人,都必稱為聖;凡住耶路撒冷、在生命冊上記名嘅,必稱為聖。』以賽亞書 4:2, 3。」《先知與君王》587–592。