Daniel is identified in chapter ten, as being resurrected from the days of mourning by the three-step process of the everlasting gospel. Gabriel then provides Daniel with the prophetic history of chapter eleven, thus identifying the history of the light of the great River Hiddekel.
在第十章中，指出但以理藉着永远的福音的三步过程，得以从哀悼的日子中复活。随后，加百列将第十一章的预言历史赐给但以理，从而指明大河希底结之光的历史。
“There is need of a much closer study of the Word of God. Especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy, but we should call attention to what the prophets and the apostles have written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy, and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted.
我们需要对上帝的话语进行更加深入的研究。特别是但以理书和启示录，理当获得我们事工历史上前所未有的关注。对于罗马势力和教皇制度，在某些方面我们可以少说一些，但我们应当使人注意先知和使徒在上帝的灵感动下所写的内容。圣灵在赐下预言以及在所描绘的事件中，都作了这样的安排：教导人要使人的器皿退居幕后，藏在基督里，而天上的主上帝和祂的律法应当被高举。
“Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust. God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty ruler and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom—the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future. Read and understand how poor, how frail, how short-lived, how erring, how guilty, is man in lifting up his soul unto vanity.
读《但以理书》。逐点回顾其中所代表的诸国历史。看哪，政治家、议会、强大的军队；且看神如何作为，降卑人的骄傲，使人的荣耀归于尘土。惟独神被显为伟大。在先知的异象中，人看见祂废去一位强大的统治者，又立起另一位。祂被显明为宇宙的君王，正要建立祂永恒的国度——亘古常在者、永生的神、一切智慧的源头、掌管现在者、启示未来者。读了便明白：当人把自己的心灵高举向虚妄时，他是何等贫乏、何等脆弱、何等短暂、何等迷误、何等有罪。
“The Holy Spirit through Isaiah points us to God, the living God, as the chief object of attention—to God as revealed in Christ. ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace’ [Isaiah 9:6].
圣灵借着以赛亚把我们的目光引向神——那位永生的神——使他成为我们关注的首要对象；即在基督里所启示的神。 “因有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们；政权必担在他的肩头上；他名称为奇妙、策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君”［以赛亚书 9:6］。
“The light that Daniel received direct from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon have come to pass.” Manuscript Releases, volume 16, 333, 334.
但以理从上帝直接领受的亮光，乃是特别为这末后的日子所赐的。他在示拿的大河乌莱与希底结河畔所见的异象，如今正在应验之中，所预言的一切事件不久都将成就。Manuscript Releases，第16卷，第333、334页。
The Holy Spirit “so shaped matters” in the giving of the prophecy “and events” of Daniel’s last vision that the first chapter (ten), represents the experience of God’s people in the latter days, as does the last chapter (twelve). The shaping of those three chapters that make up the light of the Hiddekel River, that “was given especially for these last days,” was designed to bear the three-step definition of “truth.” In the first agreeing with the last, and the middle representing rebellion, we have not only the structure of the Hebrew word “truth,” which was created by the first, thirteenth and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, but we also see the signature of Alpha and Omega.
圣灵在但以理最后异象之预言的赐下及其“事件”中，“如此安排诸事”，以致第一章（第十章）表征神子民在末后的经历，正如最后一章（第十二章）所表征的一样。构成希底结河之亮光的那三章，亦即“特别为这末后的日子所赐下”的部分，其安排乃是要承载“真理”之三重定义。首尾相合，而中间表征悖逆；我们在其中所见的，不仅是希伯来文“真理”一词的结构——该词由希伯来字母表的第一个、第十三个和最后一个字母构成——并且也看见阿拉法与俄梅戛的印记。
Daniel chapter ten identifies the one hundred and forty-four thousand who understand both the “chazon” vision of the twenty-five hundred and twenty years, and the “mareh” vision of the twenty-three hundred years. Not only do they understand those two visions, but they possess the experience of justification by faith that is produced by the feminine and causative “marah” vision of “the appearance”.
但以理书第十章表明，十四万四千人既明白两千五百二十年的“chazon”异象，也明白两千三百年的“mareh”异象。他们不仅明白这两个异象，还拥有由关于“the appearance”的阴性且使役性的“marah”异象所产生的因信称义的经历。
“For the mind and the soul, as well as for the body, it is God’s law that strength is acquired by effort. It is exercise that develops. In harmony with this law, God has provided in His word the means for mental and spiritual development.
无论是心智和灵魂，还是身体，按照上帝的律法，力量都是通过努力获得的。成长来自操练。与这条律法相一致，上帝在祂的话语中为心智与灵性的发展预备了途径。
“The Bible contains all the principles that men need to understand in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, ‘here a little, and there a little.’ Isaiah 28:10.
圣经包含了人类必须明白的一切原则，好使人无论在今生还是在将来的生命中都能得以预备妥当。而这些原则人人都能明白。凡怀着欣赏其教训之心的人，读圣经的任何一段经文，都不会读而无所得，总能从中得到一些有益的思想。但是，圣经最宝贵的教训并不能靠偶尔的或零碎的研读而获得。它伟大的真理体系并不是以使匆忙或粗心的读者就能识别出来的方式呈现的。它的许多宝藏深藏在表面之下，只有通过勤勉的研读和持续的努力才能获得。构成这宏大整体的诸般真理，必须被搜寻出来并聚集起来，“这里一点，那里一点。”以赛亚书28:10。
“When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.
当以这种方式被寻出并汇集起来时，便会发现它们彼此完全契合。每一部福音书都互为补充，每一个预言都是对另一个的解释，每一条真理都是另一条真理的展开。犹太制度中的各样预表因着福音而显明。神的话语中的每一项原则都有其位置，每一个事实都有其意义。而这完整的结构，在设计与执行上，都为其作者作见证。如此的结构，除了那位无限者的心智之外，任何心智都不能构思或塑造。
“In searching out the various parts and studying their relationship, the highest faculties of the human mind are called into intense activity. No one can engage in such study without developing mental power.
在探寻各个部分并研究它们之间的关系时，人类心智的最高机能被强烈地调动起来。没有人能从事这样的研究而不发展心智能力。
“And not alone in searching out truth and bringing it together does the mental value of Bible study consist. It consists also in the effort required to grasp the themes presented. The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth. As a safeguard against this degeneracy, and a stimulus to development, nothing else can equal the study of God’s word. As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined. The greatness of its themes, the dignified simplicity of its utterances, the beauty of its imagery, quicken and uplift the thoughts as nothing else can. No other study can impart such mental power as does the effort to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The mind thus brought in contact with the thoughts of the Infinite cannot but expand and strengthen.
研读圣经的心智价值，不仅在于寻求并归纳整合真理，还在于为把握其所呈现的主题而付出的努力。若心思只被寻常琐事占据，便会渐趋萎缩而衰弱。若从未被要求去理解宏大而深远的真理，久而久之就会失去成长的能力。作为防止这种退化并激励发展的保障，没有任何事物能与研读上帝的话语相比。就智力训练而言，圣经比任何其他书籍，甚至胜过所有书籍加在一起，更为有效。其题旨之宏大、其言语之庄重简洁、其意象之优美，能以他物所不能的方式振奋并提升人的思想。没有任何学习能像为把握启示中那浩瀚真理而付出的努力那样，赋予如此的心智力量。如此与无限者的思想相接触的心智，必然扩展并得以坚固。
“And even greater is the power of the Bible in the development of the spiritual nature. Man, created for fellowship with God, can only in such fellowship find his real life and development. Created to find in God his highest joy, he can find in nothing else that which can quiet the cravings of the heart, can satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. He who with sincere and teachable spirit studies God’s word, seeking to comprehend its truths, will be brought in touch with its Author; and, except by his own choice, there is no limit to the possibilities of his development.
在灵性本性的发展上，圣经的力量更为强大。人是为与上帝相交而被造的，唯有在这样的相交中，他才能找到真正的生命与发展。人被造是要在上帝里面找到至高的喜乐，他在别的任何事物中都找不到能平息心中的渴望、满足灵魂的饥渴的东西。凡以诚恳、受教的心研读上帝的话语、寻求明白其中真理的人，必被带到与其作者相交；除非出于他自己的选择，他的发展潜能没有界限。
“In its wide range of style and subjects the Bible has something to interest every mind and appeal to every heart. In its pages are found history the most ancient; biography the truest to life; principles of government for the control of the state, for the regulation of the household—principles that human wisdom has never equaled. It contains philosophy the most profound, poetry the sweetest and the most sublime, the most impassioned and the most pathetic. Immeasurably superior in value to the productions of any human author are the Bible writings, even when thus considered; but of infinitely wider scope, of infinitely greater value, are they when viewed in their relation to the grand central thought. Viewed in the light of this thought, every topic has a new significance. In the most simply stated truths are involved principles that are as high as heaven and that compass eternity.
在风格与题材的广泛多样之中，圣经总能引起每一种心智的兴趣，触动每一颗心。在它的篇页中，既有最古老的历史，也有最真实传神的传记；有治理国家、规范家庭的原则——人类智慧从未能与之匹敌。它包含最深邃的哲学，以及最甜美而又最崇高、最炽烈而又最动人的诗歌。即便仅从这些方面来看，圣经的著述其价值也远远超越任何人类作者的作品；然而，当把它们同那宏大中心思想的关系一并审视时，其范围便无限广阔，其价值也无限高昂。借着这一思想的光照，每一个主题都获得新的意义。在最为朴素的真理表述中，也蕴含着高如天、包罗永恒的原则。
“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,—man’s uplifting,—the power of God, ‘which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 15:57.” Education, 123–125.
圣经的中心主题——整本书中所有其他主题都环绕其而聚——就是救赎的计划，即在人的心灵中恢复上帝的形象。从伊甸园所宣告的话语中首次透出的希望，到《启示录》中那最后荣耀的应许：“他们要见他的面；他的名字必写在他们的额上”（启示录22:4），圣经每一卷书、每一段经文所承载的主旨，都是这一奇妙主题的展开——人的提升——上帝的大能，“借着我们的主耶稣基督使我们得胜。”（哥林多前书15:57）。《教育》，123-125。
In the passage just cited it is identified that the Bible, when considered from any avenue of literature, is by far superior to any human production. Sister White stated, “In its pages are found history the most ancient; biography the truest to life; principles of government for the control of the state, for the regulation of the household—principles that human wisdom has never equaled. It contains philosophy the most profound, poetry the sweetest and the most sublime, the most impassioned and the most pathetic,” and that “such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.”
在刚才所引述的那段文字中，已指出：圣经无论从文学的任何途径加以考察，都远远超越任何人类的作品。怀爱伦姊妹曾说：“其篇页之中，载有最古老的历史；最忠于人生实况的传记；有治理国家、规管家庭的施政原则——这些原则是人的智慧从未能企及的。它包含最深邃的哲学、最甘美而最崇高的诗歌、最炽烈而最感人的篇章，”并且“除了无限者的心思之外，没有任何心智能构思或塑造这样的结构。”
All the recognized rules of humanity that identify the rules that provide the structure of literature are surpassed by the Bible. The principles that are presented in universities of humanity, which identify the difference between average or lesser literature, all the way to the masterpieces of human literature, are all surpassed by the Bible. With that in mind, it is worth recognizing that the climax, the grand conclusion of the prophetic testimony of the entire Bible, is represented in Daniel’s last vision. It is the capstone of the prophetic testimony, and there is no climax in human literature that comes close to the testimony of Daniel chapter eleven, beginning in verse one and continuing on through chapter twelve verse four.
人类一切公认的、用以辨识并界定文学结构之规则，都被圣经超越了。人类各大学所提出的原则，用以分辨平庸或较次文学与人类文学杰作之间差异的那些原则，也都被圣经超越了。鉴于此，值得承认的是，整本圣经先知性见证的高潮、那宏伟的结论，乃体现于但以理最后的异象之中。它是先知性见证的顶石；在人类文学中，没有任何高潮能与但以理书第十一章的见证相比拟——这见证始于第一节，并一直延续到第十二章第四节。
In the book of Revelation, all the books of the Bible meet and end, and in the revelation the same lines of prophecy are taken up as in the book of Daniel, but in relation to one-another the book of Daniel is the first mention, and Revelation the last. Everything exists in the first mention, and everything exists in the book of Daniel, and the climax to the book is the vision given by the Hiddekel River. The climax to the events represented in that vision begin in verse forty, and continue until the book is sealed in verse four of chapter twelve. Those verses represent the grand finale of every prophetic truth ever uttered or recorded by the holy men of old, including Sister White.
在《启示录》中，圣经所有书卷汇合并告终；而在这启示中，正如《但以理书》中一样，承接了同样的预言脉络；但就二者的相互关系而言，《但以理书》是首次的提及，而《启示录》是最后的记述。万事皆在首次提及之中，万事也都在《但以理书》中，而该书的高潮是希底结河所赐的异象。那异象所代表的事件之高潮自第四十节开始，并一直延续，直到第十二章第四节书卷被封。那些经文代表了古时圣徒（包括怀特姐妹）所宣讲或记录的一切预言真理的宏大终曲。
What leads up to that conclusion in chapter eleven are histories within the chapter that provide witnesses to the correct understanding of the last six verses of chapter eleven, where the threefold enemies of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet are now leading the world to the close of human probation. Sister White directly identifies this internal principle.
在第十一章中，引出那个结论的是本章中的历史记述；这些记述为正确理解第十一章最后六节提供了见证，其中描述龙、兽和假先知这三重仇敌如今正引导世界走向人类恩典期的结束。怀特姐妹直接指出了这一内在原则。
“We have no time to lose. Troublous times are before us. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that ‘shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.’ Daniel 11:30–36.
我们没有时间可以浪费。艰难的时期就在眼前。整个世界被战争的气息所激荡。预言中所说的患难景象很快就要发生。《但以理书》第十一章的预言几乎已经完全应验了。为应验这预言而发生的许多历史事件将会重演。在第三十节中提到有一股势力，“必懊恼而回，向圣约发怒；他必照样而行；他还要回来，与离弃圣约的人通谋。军队要站在他一边，他们要污秽坚固的圣所，并除去每日的献祭，又设立那使荒凉的可憎之物。作恶违背圣约的人，他必用谄言败坏；但认识自己之神的子民必刚强而行。民间有明白的人必教导许多人；然而他们多日要倒在刀剑、火焰、被掳和掠夺之下。他们仆倒的时候，必得些许帮助；却有许多人用谄媚亲近他们。智慧人中也有些要仆倒，为要试验他们、洁净他们，使他们洁白，直到末时，因为这事尚在所定的日期之中。王必任意而行，他必自高自大，高抬自己超过一切的神，并且出奇异的话攻击万神之神；他必亨通，直到忿怒完毕，因为所注定的事必然成就。”但以理书11:30-36。
“Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book, for we are now entering upon the time of trouble spoken of:
类似于这些话所描述的情景将会发生。我们看到有证据表明，撒但正在迅速取得对那些不敬畏上帝之人的心思意念的控制。让所有人都阅读并明白这本书的预言，因为我们现在正进入所说的患难时期：
“‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ Daniel 12:1–4.” Manuscript Releases, number 13, 394.
“那时，为你百姓的子孙站立护卫的那位大君米迦勒必起来；将有患难的时期，是自从有国以来直到那时从未有过的。到那时，你的百姓中，凡名字记在册上的都必得拯救。沉睡在尘土中的许多人必醒来：有的得享永生，有的遭受羞辱和永远的藐视。智慧人必发光，如同穹苍的光辉；使许多人归向公义的，必像众星，永永远远地照耀。至于你，但以理啊，要封住这些话，把这书封起来，直到末时；必有许多人往来奔走，知识也必增长。”但以理书12:1-4。 手稿发布，第13号，394。
In this passage Sister White first references Daniel chapter eleven and then identifies the principle “that much of the history which has taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated.” She then directly quotes verse thirty to thirty-six and follows with the statement that, “scenes similar to those described in these words will take place.” After identifying verse thirty to thirty-six, and saying scenes similar to those verses will take place, she then identifies the close of probation, when Michael stands up in verse one of chapter twelve. In doing so, she is isolating those seven verses, and placing them in the history which immediately precedes Michael standing up.
在这段文字中，怀爱伦姊妹首先提到《但以理书》第十一章，随后指出这样一个原则：“这预言应验过程中所发生的许多历史，将要重演。”接着，她直接引用了第三十至三十六节，并继而陈述说：“与这些话中所描述的相似的场面将要出现。”在指出第三十至三十六节，并说明与这些经文相似的场面将要发生之后，她又指出恩典时期的结束，就是第十二章第一节中米迦勒站起来的时候。如此一来，她便是将这七节经文单独划出，并将其置于紧接着米迦勒站起来之前的那段历史之中。
More than once we have addressed the history of verses thirty to thirty-six, and how they parallel verses forty to forty-five of Daniel eleven, and we will now begin to consider other periods of prophetic history in chapter eleven that is repeated in those final six verses. However, before we do we will once again present a brief summary of the parallel of verses thirty to thirty-six with verses forty to forty-five.
我们不止一次讨论过三十至三十六节的历史，以及它们如何与但以理书十一章四十至四十五节相对应；现在我们将开始考察十一章中其他在最后六节里被重述的预言历史时期。不过，在此之前，我们将再次简要概述三十至三十六节与四十至四十五节之间的对应关系。
Verse thirty marks the transition from pagan Rome to papal Rome. That transitional history is addressed in a variety of prophetic passages that identify such dates as the years 330, 508, 533 and 538. There are other prophetic markers in the transition from the fourth kingdom to the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy, but in verse thirty-one pagan Rome stands up for the papacy, as represented by Clovis in the year 496. The pagan powers initially represented by Clovis in the verse accomplish the work of removing any pagan resistance (the daily) to the rise of the papacy by the year 508. The warfare of those times brings destruction against the City of Rome during that history as represented by the “sanctuary of strength”, and by the year 538, the pagan powers place the papacy on the throne of the earth, and she then passes a Sunday law at the Council of Orleans.
第三十节标志着从异教罗马向教皇罗马的过渡。那一过渡性的历史，在多处预言经文中都有论及，其中指出了诸如330年、508年、533年和538年这样的年份。在《圣经》预言中，从第四国过渡到第五国的过程中，还有其他预言性的标记；但在第三十一节中，异教罗马为教皇制站立起来，如同496年的克洛维所代表的那样。经文中最初由克洛维所代表的异教势力，到508年完成了除去一切对教皇制兴起之异教抵抗（即“常献的”）的工作。那一时期的战争，在那段历史中带来了对罗马城的毁灭，这由“保障的圣所”所表征；而到538年，异教势力将教皇制安置在地上的宝座上，于是她随后在奥尔良会议上通过了一项星期日法令。
Verses thirty-two through thirty-six identify the murderous warfare the papacy then brought against God’s faithful during the twelve hundred and sixty years of the Dark Ages. Ultimately the papacy comes to her end in verse thirty-six. In verse forty, Reagan formed a secret alliance with the antichrist, marking when the resistance of Protestantism had been taken away, as represented by the year 508. Reagan’s commitment of finances and military might had been typified by the “arms” standing up for the papacy in 496. The destruction of pagan Rome’s sanctuary of strength, represented by the city of Rome, typifies the destruction of the US Constitution at the soon coming Sunday law, for the Constitution is the sanctuary of strength for the United States. At the Sunday law the papacy will once again be placed upon the throne of the earth, as represented by the year 538.
第三十二至三十六节指出，在黑暗时代的一千二百六十年间，教皇制度随后向上帝忠心之民所发动的残酷杀戮之战。最终，教皇制度在第三十六节中走到她的结局。第四十节中，里根与敌基督结成秘密联盟，标志着新教抵抗势力已被除去，正如五〇八年所预表的那样。里根在财政与军事力量上的投入，已由四九六年那些为教皇制度挺身而起的“军兵”所预表。异教罗马力量保障之圣所的毁灭——由罗马城所表征——预表那即将来到之星期日法案中美国宪法的毁灭，因为宪法乃是美国力量保障之圣所。在星期日法案之时，教皇制度将再次被安置于世界的宝座之上，正如五三八年所表征的那样。
Then will begin the final period of murderous papal persecution brought against God’s faithful as occurred in the Dark Ages from 538 unto 1798. This will lead to the close of human probation, when Michael stands up, as represented by 1798, when the papacy, who had prospered for twelve hundred and sixty years, received the indignation of the deadly wound.
那时，将开始最后一段由教皇发动的、针对上帝忠信之民的血腥迫害，正如在538年至1798年的黑暗时代所发生的那样。这将导致人类宽限期的结束——当米迦勒站起来之时——此事以1798年为代表：那一年，兴盛了一千二百六十年的教皇权遭受了忿怒的致命一击。
We will continue this study in the next article.
我们将在下一篇文章中继续这项研究。
“On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: ‘How can we best glorify God?’ The Lord was not in their thoughts.
有一次，我在纽约市，夜间被召唤去观看那些建筑一层又一层地向天升起。这些建筑被保证是防火的，它们被建造出来是为荣耀其所有者和建造者。它们越建越高，其中使用了最昂贵的材料。这些建筑的所有者并没有自问：“我们怎样才能最荣耀上帝？”主并不在他们的心中。
“I thought: ‘Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man.’
“我想：‘哦，要是那些这样运用他们财力的人，能像上帝那样看清他们所走的路就好了！他们在堆砌宏伟的建筑，然而在宇宙之主眼中，他们的筹划与谋算是多么愚昧。他们并没有用尽心智的一切力量去思考如何荣耀上帝。他们已经忽略了这一点——这是人的首要本分。’”
“As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.
随着这些高耸的建筑相继落成，业主们得意洋洋、踌躇满志，为自己手中有钱可以满足私欲、惹得邻里眼红而欢欣。他们如此投入的许多资金，是通过苛索、压榨穷人得来的。他们忘了，天上记录着每一笔商业交易；每一桩不义的买卖、每一个欺诈的行为，都在那里被记在册。时候将到，在他们的欺诈与狂傲中，人会走到一个主不容许他们越过的界限，他们就会明白，耶和华的宽容是有度的。
“The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: ‘They are perfectly safe.’ But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.
接下来呈现在我眼前的情景是火警警报响起。人们望着那些高耸、号称防火的建筑，说：“它们绝对安全。”然而这些建筑却仿佛是用沥青制成的，被焚毁殆尽。消防车无力阻止这场毁灭，消防员也无法操作这些机器。
“I am instructed that when the Lord’s time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God’s appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition.
我蒙指示：当上帝所定的时候来到，如果那些骄傲、野心勃勃之人的心仍未改变，人们就会发现，那曾大能拯救的手，也必大能毁灭。世上的任何权势都不能拦阻上帝的手。无论用何种材料建造房屋，都不能在上帝所定降下报应之时保全不毁；那时，上帝要因人藐视他的律法，并因他们自私的野心而施行惩罚。
“There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis. If men would give more heed to the teaching of God’s word, they would find a solution of the problems that perplex them.
即使在教育家和政治家当中，能理解当今社会状况背后原因的人也不多。执政者也无法解决道德败坏、贫困、赤贫以及日益增加的犯罪问题。他们徒劳地挣扎，试图使商业运作建立在更稳固的基础上。若人们更多留心上帝话语的教导，他们就会找到困扰他们的问题的解决之道。
“The Scriptures describe the condition of the world just before Christ’s second coming. Of the men who by robbery and extortion are amassing great riches, it is written: ‘Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.’ James 5:3–6.
圣经描述了基督再来之前世界的光景。关于那些以抢夺和勒索聚敛巨财的人，经上记着说：“你们为末后的日子积聚财宝。看哪，你们克扣那为你们收割田地之人的工价，这工价在呼号；那收割之人的哀声已经进入万军之主的耳中。你们在世上奢华宴乐，放纵；你们养肥你们的心，如同在宰杀的日子。你们定了义人的罪，把他杀了；他也不抵挡你们。”雅各书5:3-6。
“But who reads the warnings given by the fast-fulfilling signs of the times? What impression is made upon worldlings? What change is seen in their attitude? No more than was seen in the attitude of the inhabitants of the Noachian world. Absorbed in worldly business and pleasure, the antediluvians ‘knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away.’ Matthew 24:39. They had heaven-sent warnings, but they refused to listen. And today the world, utterly regardless of the warning voice of God, is hurrying on to eternal ruin.
但是，有谁去阅读那些正在迅速应验的时代征兆所给出的警告呢？这在世俗之人心中留下了什么印象？他们的态度有何改变？与挪亚时代的居民并无二致。沉迷于世俗的生意和享乐，洪水以前的人“并不知，直到洪水来了，把他们全都冲去”。马太福音24:39。他们得到了从天而来的警告，却拒绝倾听。而今天，这个世界全然不顾上帝警戒的声音，正急速奔向永恒的灭亡。
“The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.” Testimonies, volume 9, 12–14.
“世界正被战争的精神所激动。〈但以理书〉第十一章的预言几乎已完全应验。不久，预言中所说的患难景象就要发生。”《证言》卷九，12–14页。