Daniel chapter one, represents the first angel’s message, and chapter two represents the second angel’s message. In prophetic symbolism, the first message is to fear God, the second message is to give God glory and the third message identifies the hour of judgment. Before we get directly into the second chapter of Daniel, a little review is required. The second angel’s message primarily identifies the fall of Babylon.
但以理书第一章代表第一位天使的信息，第二章代表第二位天使的信息。在预言的象征中，第一条信息是要敬畏上帝，第二条信息是要将荣耀归给上帝，第三条信息指出审判的时辰。在我们直接进入但以理书第二章之前，需要做一点复习。第二位天使的信息主要指出巴比伦的倾倒。
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. Revelation 14:8.
随后又有一位天使说：“巴比伦，那大城，倾倒了，倾倒了，因为她曾使万国饮她淫乱之怒的酒。”启示录14:8。
The second angel defines the fall of Babylon as the fact that she made “all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Her fall is in response to her committing fornication with all nations. The fornication is brought about through her false doctrines, which are represented as “wine.” The Catholic church is made up of many false teachings, but the false doctrine that is directly associated with her fall, is the false doctrine that produces her “wrath”. That doctrine is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. The Catholic church’s wrath, is her persecution of those she identifies as heretics. Her wrath is accomplished by her fornication with the kings of the earth. Without her connection with, and control over, the kings of the earth, she would not have the ability to persecute those she defines as heretics. Her second fall, is therefore marking the point in the future when she can once again exercise her wrath as she did in the past, that is brought about by her fornication with the kings of the earth. The kings of the earth enter into the unlawful relationship by drinking her lies. The fall of Babylon is announced for the final time in Revelation chapter eighteen.
第二位天使把巴比伦倾倒的含义界定为：她使“万国都喝她淫乱之怒的酒”。她的倾倒，是对她与万国行淫的回应。这种淫乱是通过她的虚假教义造成的，这些教义被象征为“酒”。天主教会包含许多错误教导，但与她的倾倒直接相关的那条错误教义，就是产生她“忿怒”的那条教义。那条教义就是教会与国家相结合，并由教会掌控这层关系。天主教会的“忿怒”，就是她对她所认定为异端之人的迫害。她的忿怒是借着她与地上诸王的淫乱而加以施行的。若没有与地上诸王的勾连与控制，她便没有能力去迫害她所界定为异端的人。因此，她的第二次倾倒，就标志着一个未来的时点：她将因与地上诸王行淫，而能像过去那样再度施行她的忿怒。地上诸王因喝下她的谎言而进入这不法的关系。巴比伦的倾倒在《启示录》第十八章被最后一次宣告。
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Revelation 18:1–6.
此后，我看见另有一位有大权柄的天使从天降下，地就因他的荣耀发光。他大声喊着说：巴比伦大城倾倒了！倾倒了！成了鬼魔的住处、各样污秽之灵的巢穴、各样不洁可憎之鸟的巢穴。因为列国都喝了她淫乱烈怒的酒；地上的君王与她行淫；地上的商人因她奢华太过就发了财。我又听见从天上有声音说：我的民哪，你们要从她那里出来，免得与她一同有罪，也免得受她所受的灾殃；因为她的罪恶直达天上，神已经记念她的不义。她怎样待你们，也要怎样待她；要按她所行的加倍报应她；在她所调和的杯中，加倍地倒给她喝。启示录 18:1-6。
The probationary cup of the Catholic church ended in 1798, but she is to repeat the persecution she accomplished in the Dark Ages, during the soon-coming Sunday law crisis.
天主教会的试炼之杯在1798年结束了，但她将在即将到来的星期日法令危机期间，重演她在黑暗时代所施行的迫害。
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:20–22.
然而，我有几件事要责备你：因为你容让那自称为女先知的妇人耶洗别，教导并引诱我的仆人行淫，吃祭偶像之物。我曾给她时间，叫她为她的淫行悔改；她却不悔改。看哪，我必将她投在床榻上；那些与她行奸淫的人，若不悔改他们所行的，我也必使他们陷入大患难。启示录 2:20–22
She was given twelve hundred and sixty years to repent and she refused. The three and a half years of drought that led to Mount Carmel, was given to Jezebel to repent, but she also refused. At the soon-coming Sunday law in the United States, the first of the kings of the earth that commit fornication with her in the last days is the United States, the earth beast of Revelation thirteen. It then has filled the cup of its probationary time.
她被赐予一千二百六十年的悔改时间，她却拒绝了。导致迦密山对决的三年半旱灾，是给耶洗别悔改的机会，但她也拒绝了。在美国即将到来的主日法令之时，末后日子里地上诸王中第一个与她行淫的，就是美国——启示录十三章的地兽。那时，它的恩典期就满了。
“The greatest and most favored nation upon the earth is the United States. A gracious Providence has shielded this country, and poured upon her the choicest of Heaven’s blessings. Here the persecuted and oppressed have found refuge. Here the Christian faith in its purity has been taught. This people have been the recipients of great light and unrivaled mercies. But these gifts have been repaid by ingratitude and forgetfulness of God. The Infinite One keeps a reckoning with the nations, and their guilt is proportioned to the light rejected. A fearful record now stands in the register of Heaven against our land; but the crime which shall fill up the measure of her iniquity is that of making void the law of God.
地上最伟大、最受恩宠的国家是美利坚合众国。慈爱的天佑庇护了这个国家，并将天上最上好的祝福倾注在她身上。受逼迫和受压迫的人在这里找到了避难所。在这里，纯正的基督信仰得以传授。这个民族蒙受了大光与无与伦比的怜悯。然而，这些恩赐却被以忘恩负义和对上帝的遗忘来回报。那位无限的上帝与列国清算，他们的罪责与所拒绝的光相称。如今，在天上的册籍中，已有一条可畏的记录指控我们的国家；但将使她的罪孽满盈的罪行，是废掉上帝的律法。
“Between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. Upon this battle we are now entering,—a battle not between rival churches contending for the supremacy, but between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition. The agencies which will unite against truth and righteousness in this contest are now actively at work.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, 398.
在人类的法律与耶和华的律例之间，将要爆发真理与谬误之争的最后一场大冲突。我们现在正进入这场争战——这并不是彼此争夺至高权柄的对立教会之间的战斗，而是圣经的宗教与神话和传统的宗教之间的战斗。在这场较量中，那些将要联合起来反对真理与公义的各种势力，如今正积极活动。——《预言之灵》第四卷，第398页。
At the Sunday law, the mark of the beast is enforced, thus “making void the law of God.” Before the Sunday law, the image of the beast is formed within the United States. The Sunday law arrives at a point in time, but the formation of the image of the beast is a period of time. That period of time is the prophetic period represented by Daniel’s lifespan as represented by the seventy years of captivity in Daniel chapter one. Those seventy years began with Jehoiakim, symbolizing when the first message was empowered on September 11, 2001, and ended with the making void the law of God, as represented by the “decree” of Cyrus.
在周日法令之时，兽的印记被强制施行，从而“使上帝的律法作废”。在周日法令之前，兽像在美国境内形成。周日法令是在某一时间点到来，而兽像的形成则是一个时期。那段时期就是但以理的寿命所代表的预言时期，也就是但以理书第一章所代表的七十年被掳期。这七十年始于约雅敬，象征着第一道信息在2001年9月11日被赋予能力之时，并以使上帝的律法作废而告终，这由古列的“谕旨”所象征。
The history of Daniel’s prophetic life of seventy years is symbolic of several lines of prophecy. It represents the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. It represents a three-step testing process that is illustrated in the three angels of Revelation fourteen, and represents the structure of the Hebrew word “truth.” It represents the purification of the sons of Levi that is accomplished by the messenger of the covenant. It is represented by Christ twice cleansing the temple. It is represented by the progressive apostasy within Jerusalem in Ezekiel chapters eight and nine. It also represents the history where the image of the beast is formed in the United States.
但以理七十年先知生涯的历史象征着若干条预言线索。它代表十四万四千人的封印时期。它代表一个三阶段的考验过程，这个过程在启示录十四章的三位天使中有所说明，并且也体现在希伯来语“真理”一词的结构上。它代表由立约的使者所完成的洁净利未人的工作。它由基督两次洁净圣殿所表明。它也由以西结书第八、九章中耶路撒冷内部渐进的背道所呈现。它也代表在美国形成兽像的那段历史。
The image of the beast is also represented by the fornication of Jezebel with Ahab, the fornication of Herod with Herodias, the golden calf of Aaron’s rebellion, the two counterfeit worship temples of Jeroboam located in Bethel and Dan, the prophets of Baal and the prophets of Ashtaroth in the story of Mount Carmel. The only definition of the image of the beast in the writings of Ellen White is the combination of church and state, with the church in control of the relationship. That issue of a church ruling over the state is the essence of what the sacred document, which is the Constitution of the United States, was designed to guard against. When the principle of the separation of church and state is discarded by the earth beast at the soon-coming Sunday law, the completed union of church and state in the United States will be accomplished.
兽像也体现在耶洗别与亚哈的淫乱、希律与希罗底的淫乱、亚伦叛逆时的金牛犊、耶罗波安在伯特利和但所设立的两座假冒敬拜的殿，以及迦密山故事中巴力的先知和亚斯她录的先知。 怀爱伦著作中对兽像的唯一定义，是教会与国家的结合，并且由教会掌控这层关系。教会统治国家这一问题，正是那部神圣的文件——《美利坚合众国宪法》——旨在加以防范的要点。当政教分离原则在即将到来的星期日法令上被地兽所抛弃时，美国的政教完全合一就会实现。
From September 11, 2001 until the Sunday law in the United States there is a visual test, which is based upon students of prophecy recognizing the formation of the image of the beast. We are now at the very end of that process. In the process of forming the image of the beast there are several movements that contribute to the full development at the Sunday law, where the mark of the beast is enforced. There are political movements, religious movements, social movements and financial movements. Notice the events that are referenced in connection with the formation of the image of the beast in the following passage.
从2001年9月11日直到美国的周日法令，其间有一个可见的考验，这场考验以研究预言的人能够识别兽像的形成为基础。我们如今正处在这一进程的最末阶段。在形成兽像的过程中，有若干运动促成其在周日法令之时的完全成熟，届时兽的印记将被强制实行。有政治运动、宗教运动、社会运动和金融运动。请注意下面一段文字中与兽像形成有关所提到的事件。
“Already preparations are advancing, and movements are in progress, which will result in making an image to the beast. Events will be brought about in the earth’s history that will fulfill the predictions of prophecy for these last days” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 976.
“各样准备工作已经在推进，各种运动也在展开，这将导致树立兽像。在世界历史中将会发生一些事件，以应验关于这些末后日子的预言。”《基督复临安息日会圣经注释》，第七卷，第976页。
The formation of the image of the beast involves an advancing preparation that includes “events” and “movements,” both in the plural. The history represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity began with Jehoiakim, and ended with the decree of Cyrus. Jesus illustrates the end of a thing with the beginning of a thing, and there is a “decree” that represents the beginning of the period that Daniel’s seventy prophetic years typifies. That “decree” was the USA Patriot Act, which was publicly premised upon the attack of Islam of the third woe. But unlike the dictatorial executive orders of Abraham Lincoln in the Civil War, or Franklin Roosevelt in World War Two, the Patriot Act is still in force, and will most likely be reinforced and strengthened as hostilities with global Islam increase. The executive orders of both the Civil and Second World War ended with the end of hostilities, but there will be no end of hostilities with global Islam, but rather, escalating terror attacks around the world.
兽的像的形成涉及一个不断推进的预备，其中包括“事件”和“运动”，且二者都用复数。由但以理的七十年被掳所代表的历史始于约雅敬，终于古列的谕旨。耶稣用事情的开头来说明事情的结尾，并且有一道“谕旨”代表着但以理那七十个预言之年所预表的时期的开端。那道“谕旨”就是《美国爱国者法案》，其公开的前提是第三祸哉中伊斯兰的袭击。但不同于内战时期亚伯拉罕·林肯或第二次世界大战时期富兰克林·罗斯福的那些独裁式行政命令，《爱国者法案》至今仍然有效，并且随着与全球伊斯兰的敌对加剧，很可能会被进一步巩固和强化。内战与第二次世界大战中的行政命令都随着敌对行动的结束而终止，但与全球伊斯兰的敌对不会有终结；相反，世界各地的恐怖袭击将会不断升级。
There are two primary legal philosophies within Western culture. English Law and Roman Law. The premise of English Law is that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the premise of Roman Law is that a person is guilty until proven innocent. The USA Patriot Act is a classic example of Roman Law, and stands in direct opposition to English Law. This is one of those “events” that would be brought about in the formation of the image of the beast. If the United States is going to become the image of Catholicism, Catholic religious and political philosophy would need to be established in the United States in advance of the enforcement of the mark of the beast.
在西方文化中存在两种主要的法律哲学：英国法与罗马法。英国法的前提是，在被证明有罪之前，一个人被视为无罪；罗马法的前提则是，在被证明无罪之前，一个人被视为有罪。《美国爱国者法案》是罗马法的经典例子，与英国法截然对立。这正是形成“兽像”的过程中会出现的那些“事件”之一。若美国要成为天主教的形象，那么在实施兽的印记之前，就必须先在美国确立天主教的宗教与政治哲学。
“This subject is urging itself upon my mind. Consider it; for it is a matter of vast importance. With which of these two classes shall we identify our interest? We are now making our choice, and we shall soon discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting upon a short-sighted policy. Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendency of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have made not the law of God their rule of life. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls which John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, ‘It is time, Lord, for thee to work: for they have made void thy law.’” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 1, 1900.
这件事正迫切地压在我心上。请思想它；因为这是一件极其重要的事。我们要把自己的利益与这两类人中的哪一类联系在一起呢？我们正在作出选择，不久我们就要分辨出事奉上帝的与不事奉上帝的。请读《玛拉基书》第四章，认真思想。上帝的日子近在眼前。世界已经把教会同化了。二者彼此和谐，奉行短视的政策。新教徒将会游说这地的统治者，制定法律，以恢复那不法之人所失去的霸权；他坐在上帝的殿中，自称自己就是神。罗马天主教的原则将被国家所照管并加以保护。这种国家性的背道很快就会带来国家性的毁灭。那些不以上帝的律法为生活准则的人，将不再容忍圣经真理的抗议之声。那时，将会听见殉道者坟墓中的声音，他们由约翰所看见的那些为上帝的道并为他们所持守的耶稣基督的见证而被杀之人的“灵魂”所代表；那时，每一个上帝真正的儿女都要发出祷告说：“主啊，现在是你施行作为的时候了，因为他们使你的律法作废了。” 总会每日公报，1900年1月1日。
The previous passage marks the time when “Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the State,” as occurring at the Sunday law. The Sunday law is the end of the symbolic period that began on September 11, 2001. The Patriot Act at the beginning, typifies the Sunday law at the end. Two of the events that are brought about in order to form the image of the beast was the arrival of the third Woe, and the subsequent Patriot Act.
前一段指出，“罗马天主教的原则将被国家照管并予以保护”的时刻，是在星期日法令之时。星期日法令是始于2001年9月11日的象征性时期的终点。起初的《爱国者法案》预表了末了的星期日法令。为了形成兽像而促成的事件中，有两件是：第三祸的到来，以及随之而来的《爱国者法案》。
The formation of the image of the beast is the test where our eternal destiny will be decided, and it comes in advance of the Sunday law. At the Sunday law our probation as Seventh-day Adventists closes, and it is there that the visible seal is impressed and the ensign uplifted. The formation of the image of the beast occurs before the Sunday law, before the visible sealing, and before the close of probation.
兽像的形成是决定我们永恒命运的考验，并且它先于星期日法令而来。在星期日法令之时，我们作为基督复临安息日会信徒的恩典期就结束；就在那时，可见的印记被盖上，旌旗被高举。兽像的形成发生在星期日法令之前、可见的盖印之前，以及恩典期结束之前。
“The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. Your position is such a jumble of inconsistencies that but few will be deceived.
“主已经清楚地向我显明，在恩典之门关闭之前，兽像必将被立起来；因为那将成为上帝的子民所要面对的大试验，藉此他们永恒的定命将被决定。你的立场乃是一团矛盾的混杂，以致受其迷惑的人不过寥寥无几。”
“In Revelation 13 this subject is plainly presented; [Revelation 13:11–17, quoted].
“在《启示录》第十三章中，这一题目被清楚地阐明；[启示录 13:11–17，引用]。”
“This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast” Manuscript Releases, volume 15, 15.
“这是上帝的子民在受印之前必须经历的考验。凡是通过遵守祂的律法并拒绝接受伪安息日而证明对上帝忠诚的人，都会归在主上帝耶和华的旗下，并领受永生上帝的印记。那些放弃源自天上的真理而接受星期日安息日的人，将会受兽的印记。”《Manuscript Releases》，第15卷，第15页。
The period of time for the formation of the image of the beast was represented by Daniel’s seventy years of captivity. Daniel first passed the test of fearing God, by choosing to eat only God’s food. Daniel’s first test was a dietary test. Daniel’s second test was a visual test that occurred at the end of a testing period of ten days of eating God’s diet, as opposed to eating the diet of Babylon. The success of that diet was manifested in Daniel’s physical appearance. The second test is a visual test. The first test is a dietary test. Daniel manifested his faith, and passed the first test, but in the second test, Daniel could not see in advance if he was going to appear “fatter and fairer” than those who ate Babylon’s diet. There are always people who look tremendous, but eat garbage, and there are conscientious health reformers that look like walking death.
兽的像形成的时期以但以理被掳的七十年为代表。但以理首先通过了敬畏上帝的考验，选择只吃上帝的食物。但以理的第一项考验是饮食方面的考验。但以理的第二项考验是一个视觉上的考验，它发生在为期十天的试验期末：在这十天里，他吃的是上帝所定的饮食，而不是巴比伦的饮食。那种饮食的效果显现在但以理的外貌上。第二项考验是视觉上的考验。第一项考验是饮食上的考验。但以理彰显了他的信心，并通过了第一项考验；但在第二项考验中，他无法预先看见自己是否会比那些吃巴比伦饮食的人显得“更健壮、更俊美”。总有人看起来状态极佳，却吃着垃圾食品；也有一些认真推行健康改革的人，看起来像行走的死尸。
The exercise of Daniel’s self-discipline and faith in the first test is what carried him through the second test, though the outcome of the second testing period was clouded in “darkness”. The Millerites who ate the little book on August 11, 1840, thereafter glorified God in the proclamation of the Midnight Cry message as the message swept over the land as a tidal wave. The second test is a visual test, which is preceded by a literal and spiritual dietary test and then followed by a prophetic litmus test. The second test requires a visual demonstration of the faith that was professed in the first test.
但以理在第一次考验中对自律与信心的操练，使他得以通过第二次考验，尽管第二个考验时期的结果被“黑暗”所笼罩。1840年8月11日吃下“小书卷”的米勒派信徒，此后在宣告“午夜呼声”的信息时荣耀了上帝，这信息像海啸般席卷全地。第二次考验是一场视觉性的考验，其前有一次在字面与属灵层面的饮食考验，其后则伴随着一次预言性的试金石考验。第二次考验要求以可见的方式展示在第一次考验中所宣认的信心。
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Hebrews 11:1, 2.
现在，信心是所盼望之事的实质，是未见之事的凭据。因着这信心，古人得到了美好的称许。希伯来书 11:1-2
Daniel chapter two is a visual test, that is only successfully accomplished if the diet that was selected in the first test is actively applied to the testing process.
但以理书第二章是一次视觉测试，只有将第一次测试中所选择的饮食积极应用于测试过程，才能成功完成。
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:3, 4.
因为这异象还有所定的日期；到末了，它必显现，并不虚谎。虽然迟延，还要等候它，因为它必定来到，决不迟延。看哪，心里自高的人，他的心并不正直；但义人必因他的信心而活。哈巴谷 2:3，4。
The outcome of the second test is left in darkness in order to demonstrate if the professed faith of the first test was a genuine faith.
第二次试炼的结果被留在黑暗中，为要显明第一次试炼所口称的信心是否是真实的信心。
“The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 971.
“赐给约翰的特殊亮光，在七雷中所表达的，是对将在第一位和第二位天使的信息之下发生的事件的描绘。让人们知道这些事并非最妥当，因为他们的信心必须受试验。按照上帝的安排，最奇妙且更进深的真理将被传扬。第一位和第二位天使的信息应当传扬，但在这些信息完成其特定工作之前，不会有进一步的亮光被启示。” 《基督复临安息日会圣经注释》，第7卷，第971页。
It is divinely fitting that Daniel chapter two, is based upon an image, for it represents the test of the image of the beast. Those students of prophecy that recognized September 11, 2001 as a fulfillment of prophecy, symbolically ate the hidden book. They were then led back to the old paths of Adventism as they appear on the pioneer 1843 and 1850 Charts. The old paths identified the movement of the first angel, which they then were led to understand represented the movement of the third angel. All the precious revelations that they were led to understand came about by the understanding of the prophetic methodology that they received. That methodology was typified by the methodology of William Miller, that was confirmed when the first message of his history was empowered on August 11, 1840.
按着神的安排，但以理书第二章是以一个形象为基础的，这是恰当的，因为它代表着对兽像的考验。那些认出2001年9月11日是预言应验的预言研究者，象征性地吃了那隐藏的书卷。随后他们被带回到复临主义的旧路径上，正如先驱的1843年和1850年图表所呈现的那样。那些旧路径指出了第一位天使的运动，而他们随后被引导明白，这代表着第三位天使的运动。他们所被引导明白的一切宝贵启示，都是借着他们所领受的预言方法论的理解而来的。这种方法论以威廉·米勒的方法为典型，并在1840年8月11日他历史中的第一道信息被赋予能力时得到了证实。
“In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown . . . on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case.’
“1840年，又一次引人注目的预言应验激起了广泛的关注。两年前，宣讲基督复临的主要传道人之一约西亚·利奇发表了对《启示录》第九章的释义，预告奥斯曼帝国的覆灭。按照他的推算，这一政权将被推翻……在1840年8月11日，届时奥斯曼在君士坦丁堡的权势可望被打破。而且我相信，事实将证明确是如此。”
“At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the advent movement. Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and in publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335.
“恰在所指定的时间，土耳其藉由其大使，接受了欧洲同盟列强的保护，于是将自己置于基督教国家的管制之下。此事准确地应验了预言。这一消息一经传开，无数人便信服米勒及其同工所采纳之预言诠释原则的正确性，复临运动因而得到奇妙的推动力。有学识并具地位的人士与米勒联合，无论在讲道上，还是在出版其见解方面，都与他同工；从1840年至1844年，这工作迅速扩展。”《善恶之争》，第334、335页。
When men accepted September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of prophecy, they were also “convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by” Future for America. The angel had descended with the hidden book and commanded those that would eat, to eat. The prophetic logic contained within the little book of the Millerite history, and the hidden book of our current history, is required to safely navigate the test of the formation of the image of the beast. But after eating, or assimilation of the prophetic methodology, the student must thereafter manifest a visual confirmation of what he had previously eaten. That act of faith must be manifested by a test which is navigated with an outcome that is “dark”.
当人们接受2001年9月11日是预言的应验时，他们也“确信由 Future for America 所采用的预言解释原则是正确的”。那位天使带着那本隐藏的书卷已经降下，并吩咐凡要吃的人就吃。米勒派历史中的小书卷，以及我们现今历史中的那本隐藏书卷所包含的预言逻辑，是安全通过兽像形成之考验所必需的。但在吃了之后，或者说在将预言的方法论消化吸收之后，学生此后必须以可见的方式显明他先前所吃的内容。那信心的举动必须借着一次其结果为“黑暗”的考验来显明。
The prophetic rules of William Miller in the history of the first angel, combined with the prophetic keys that were established in the history of the third angel, allows students of prophecy to recognize that each of the three angels of Revelation fourteen brought with them a message in a little book that was to be eaten. The methodology they chose to eat allows those students to then see that when the angel of Revelation eighteen descended on September 11, 2001, he had a book that must be eaten in his hand, though it is not directly addressed in chapter eighteen.
第一位天使的历史中威廉·米勒的预言规则，连同在第三位天使的历史中确立的预言的钥匙，使研究预言的学生认识到，《启示录》第十四章的三位天使各自都带来了一条信息，这条信息装在一卷必须被吃下去的小书卷中。他们选择用来吃的那套方法论，又使这些学生看到：当《启示录》第十八章的天使在2001年9月11日降下时，他手中也有一卷必须被吃下去的书，尽管第十八章并未直接提及此事。
The angel had a hidden book in his hand. That prophetic logic is what Daniel represents when he chose to reject Babylonian food. That prophetic logic is what is necessary in order to see the formation of the image of the beast, for though we have been informed that there are “movements” and “events” that will be brought about in forming the image of the beast, we have also been informed that the movement for Sunday legislation is going on in “darkness.” We must have spiritual “night vision goggles” to be able to see their movements in the dark, for it is the formation of the image, but it is formed in “darkness”. It will only be recognized by the prophetic rules that the student of prophecy accepted when he recognized September 11, 2001, as a fulfillment of the arrival of the third Woe.
天使手中有一本隐藏的书。那种预言性的逻辑，正是但以理在选择拒绝巴比伦的食物时所代表的。要看见兽像的形成，就必须具备那种预言性的逻辑；因为虽然我们已被告知，在形成兽像的过程中会有一些“运动”和“事件”被促成，我们也被告知，推动星期日立法的运动正在“黑暗”中进行。我们必须有属灵的“夜视镜”，才能在黑暗中看见他们的动向，因为那是兽像的形成，但它是在“黑暗”中形成的。只有借着那些预言的规则才能识别它——这些规则是研究预言的人在承认2001年9月11日应验了第三样祸灾的到来之时所接受的。
“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, 452.
上帝已经启示了在末后的日子将要发生的事，使祂的子民得以预备，能抵御反对与忿怒的暴风。那些已经蒙警告、知道前面将要发生之事的人，不可安坐，泰然等待即将来临的风暴，自我安慰说，在患难之日主必庇护祂忠心的人。我们要像仆人等候他们的主一样，不是懒散地空等，乃是以坚定不移的信心殷勤工作。现在不是让我们的心思被次要的事情所占据的时候。当人们沉睡之时，撒但正积极安排一切，使主的子民不得蒙怜悯与公义。星期日运动正在黑暗中推进。领袖们在掩盖真正的问题，而许多加入这一运动的人自己也看不见暗流正涌向何处。它的宣称温和，表面上似乎合乎基督教，但一旦开口，便要显露出那龙的灵。我们的本分是尽我们所能来避免那逼近的危险。我们应努力在众人面前以恰当的方式呈现自己，从而消除成见。我们应当把真正的争议摆在他们面前，从而对限制良心自由的措施提出最有力的抗议。我们应当查考圣经，并能说明我们信仰的根据。先知说：“恶人仍要行恶；恶人没有一个能明白，惟独智慧人能明白。”《证言》第五卷，第452页。
Daniel represents the “wise” who can see the movement for Sunday legislation, even though it is going on in “darkness.” He can do so, for he passed the dietary test, before the visual test. The visual test of the formation of the image of the beast takes place in “darkness.”
但以理代表那些“智慧人”，他们能够看见推动星期日立法的运动，尽管它是在“黑暗”中进行的。他之所以能做到，是因为他在视觉考验之前先通过了饮食考验。兽像形成的视觉考验是在“黑暗”中进行的。
We will begin our consideration of Daniel chapter two as the second angel’s message in the next article.
我们将在下一篇文章中，开始把《但以理书》第二章作为第二位天使的信息进行探讨。
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16.
我要引瞎子行不认识的路，领他们走不知道的道；在他们面前使黑暗变为光明，使弯曲变为平直。这些事我都要行，并不离弃他们。以赛亚书 42:16。