The first six chapters of the book of Daniel represent the history of the earth beast of Revelation thirteen. The United States (the earth beast), began as the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy in 1798, when the papacy (the sea beast of Revelation thirteen) received a prophetic deadly wound, and ended its reign as the fifth kingdom of Bible prophecy.

《但以理书》的前六章代表了《启示录》第十三章地兽的历史。美国(地兽)于1798年作为圣经预言中的第六个王国开始;当时,教皇制(《启示录》第十三章的海兽)受到了一道预言性的致命伤,从而结束了其作为圣经预言中第五个王国的统治。

The history of the earth beast is the history of the warning of the approach of God’s judgments. In the beginning of the history of the earth beast, God’s investigative judgment began, and at the ending of the earth beast God’s executive judgment begins. The warning of the approach of God’s investigative judgment, at the beginning, was represented by the first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen, which arrived at the “time of the end” in 1798. The warning of the approach of God’s executive judgment, at the ending is represented as the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter fourteen, which arrived at the “time of the end” in 1989.

地兽的历史,就是关于上帝审判临近之警告的历史。地兽历史之初,上帝的查案审判开始了;到了地兽历史的终结,上帝的执行审判开始。起初,上帝的查案审判临近的警告,由《启示录》第十四章第一位天使的信息所代表,这一信息在1798年“末时”来临之时出现。到结尾,上帝的执行审判临近的警告,则由《启示录》第十四章三位天使的信息所代表,这一信息在1989年“末时”来临之时出现。

At every “time of the end” a part of the book of Daniel is unsealed. In the beginning history of the earth beast, in 1798, chapters seven, eight and nine of Daniel were unsealed. Those chapters are represented as the vision of the Ulai River. At the ending history of the earth beast, in 1989, chapters ten, eleven and twelve of Daniel were unsealed. Those chapters are represented as the vision of the Hiddekel River. Whenever the book of Daniel is unsealed, there is a three-step testing process brought upon the generation that is then living.

每逢“末时”,但以理书的一部分就会被开启。在地上兽历史的开端,于1798年,但以理书第七、第八和第九章被开启,这几章被称为乌莱河的异象。在地上兽历史的末期,于1989年,但以理书第十、第十一和第十二章被开启,这几章被称为希底结河的异象。每当但以理书被开启,一个三阶段的考验过程就会临到当时活着的那一代人。

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9, 10.

他说:“但以理啊,你只管去,因为这话已经隐藏封闭,直到末时。必有许多人使自己清净洁白,且被熬炼;恶人仍必行恶,一切恶人都不明白,惟独智慧人必明白。”但以理书 12:9, 10.

The three-step testing process is based upon the structure of the Hebrew word that is translated as “truth,” which was created by combining the first, thirteenth and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew word represents and possesses God’s creative power. All prophetic truth is structured upon that word, as is the three-step testing process in Daniel chapter twelve. The word represents not only God’s creative power, but also Jesus Christ, who is the Truth, and who is also the First and Last, as represented by the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

三步考验过程是基于那个被译为“真理”的希伯来词的结构。该词由希伯来字母表的第一个、第十三个和最后一个字母组合而成。这个希伯来词代表并拥有上帝的创造大能。一切预言的真理都是建立在这个词之上的,正如但以理书第十二章中的三步考验过程也是如此。这个词不仅代表上帝的创造大能,也代表耶稣基督——他就是真理,也是“首先的和末后的”,如同由希伯来字母表的首字母和末字母所代表的那样。

The beginning history of the earth beast, when the warning of the approach of the investigative judgment arrived at the time of the end in 1798, is represented by the first angel of Revelation fourteen. The first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen possesses each of the three steps, which are the truth, and that represent the three-step testing process which confronted the generation when the first angel arrived in 1798.

地兽的起始历史——当关于查案审判临近的警告于1798年的末时到来之时——是由《启示录》十四章的第一位天使所代表。启示录十四章第一位天使的信息包含这三个步骤,每一步都是真理,并代表了当第一位天使在1798年到来时那一代人所面对的三步考验过程。

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:6, 7.

我又看见另有一位天使飞在空中,有永远的福音要传给住在地上的人,就是各国、各族、各方、各民。他大声说:应当敬畏神,将荣耀归给他,因为他审判的时候已经到了;要敬拜那创造天地、海和众水泉源的。启示录14:6、7。

The ending history of the earth beast, when the warning of the approach of the executive judgment arrived at the time of the end in 1989 is represented by the three angels of Revelation chapter fourteen. The three angels of Revelation fourteen represent the three steps, that are the truth, and the three angels represent the three-step testing process which confronted the generation living when the third angel arrived in 1989.

在1989年的末时,当关于执行审判临近的警告来到之时,从地里上来的兽的末期历史,是由启示录第十四章的三位天使所代表的。启示录第十四章的三位天使代表三个步骤,这三个步骤就是真理;三位天使也代表一个三步的考验过程,这个过程临到并考验了在1989年第三位天使来到时仍在世的那一代人。

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:6–12.

我又看见另一位天使飞在空中,拿着永远的福音,要传给住在地上的人,就是各国、各族、各方、各民;他大声说:你们应当敬畏神,将荣耀归给他,因为他审判的时候已经到了;应当敬拜那创造天、地、海与众水泉源的。又有第二位天使接着说:巴比伦倾倒了!倾倒了!那大城因她使万国喝了她淫乱大怒的酒。又有第三位天使跟随他们,大声说:若有人拜兽和它的像,在额上或在手上受了印记,这人也必喝神大怒的酒,这酒在他忿怒的杯中纯一不杂地斟上;他要在圣天使和羔羊面前,用火与硫磺受痛苦。他们受痛苦的烟往上冒,直到永永远远;那些拜兽和它的像、以及凡领受它名之印记的,昼夜不得安宁。圣徒的忍耐就在这里:他们是遵守神的诫命,并持守耶稣的信心的人。启示录 14:6-12。

The book of Daniel is structured upon the three angels’ messages. That structure is both the three steps of the Hebrew word for “truth”, and the corresponding three-step testing process, but the testing process unfolds upon the historical line of the earth beast of Revelation chapter thirteen (the United States), and also the historical line of the earth beast’s two horns (Republicanism and Protestantism). The history of the United States, beginning in 1798 and continuing until the soon-coming Sunday law, is the same period of history in which the Seventh-day Adventist church exists. The book of Daniel therefore also includes the structure that portrays the history of Adventism, beginning in 1798 and continuing until the soon-coming Sunday law. In doing so, the book of Daniel identifies the same prophetic histories represented in the book of Revelation, and in so doing it provides the first witness that brings to perfection the message of the second witness. The perfection of the two books is accomplished with the same prophetic phenomenon that existed in the relationship of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

《但以理书》是建立在三天使信息之上的。其结构既是希伯来语“真理”一词的三个步骤,也是相应的三步考验过程;但这考验过程是沿着《启示录》第十三章中从地里上来的兽(美国)的历史线展开的,同时也沿着这地兽两角(共和政体与新教)的历史线展开。美国的历史,自1798年开始,一直延续到即将来临的周日法令,正是基督复临安息日会存在的同一段历史时期。因此,《但以理书》也包含描绘复临运动历史的结构,自1798年开始,直至即将来临的周日法令。如此,《但以理书》识别出《启示录》中所呈现的同样预言历史,从而提供第一个见证,使第二个见证的信息臻于完全。这两卷书的完善,是借着与旧约和新约之间关系中存在的同一预言性现象而成就的。

“The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. The one testifies of a Saviour to come, while the other testifies of a Saviour that has come in the manner predicted by the prophets. In order to appreciate the plan of redemption, the Scripture of the Old Testament must be thoroughly understood. It is the glorified light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Jesus are a proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs that he is the world’s Redeemer are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament compared with the history of the New. Jesus said to the Jews ‘Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.’ At that time there was no other scripture in existence save that of the Old Testament; so the injunction of the Saviour is plain.” Spirit of Prophecy, volume 3, 211.

耶稣作为上帝之子的生、死与复活的历史,若没有旧约中所包含的证据,就无法完全证明。基督在旧约中的启示与在新约中一样清楚。前者见证将要来的救主,后者则见证那位照先知所预言的方式已经来到的救主。要领会救赎的计划,就必须透彻理解旧约的经文。正是那从预言的往昔所发出的荣耀之光,使基督的生平和新约的教训显得清楚而美丽。耶稣的神迹是他神性的证明;然而,他是世界的救赎主的最有力证据,则在于把旧约的预言与新约的历史相对照。耶稣对犹太人说:“你们查考圣经,因为你们以为内中有永生;给我作见证的就是这经。”那时除了旧约的经文外,并无其他经卷,所以救主的吩咐十分明白。《预言之灵》,第3卷,211。

The “history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus,” summarizes Christ’s work for mankind, and witnesses unto the three steps, and those three steps are the “truth.” The Hebrew word “truth,” represents Jesus, who is the first and last, the beginning and ending and the Alpha and Omega, and the word itself consist of the first and last letters representing the same thing, for as Alpha and Omega, Jesus illustrates the end of a thing, with the beginning of a thing. Christ’s life, death and resurrection are truth, for among other things they are represented by three steps, and the first and last step are both “life,” for “life” and “resurrection” are both “life.” The middle letter in the Hebrew word is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, and thirteen is a symbol of rebellion, and Christ’s death was brought about by the rebellion of Satan and the sons of Adam, who joined in his rebellion.

“耶稣的生、死与复活的历史”概括了基督为人类所做的工作,并见证了那“三个步骤”,而这三个步骤就是“真理”。希伯来语中的“真理”一词代表耶稣,他是首先的也是末后的,是起初也是末了,是阿尔法和欧米伽;而这个词本身由第一个和最后一个字母组成,表达同样的意思,因为作为阿尔法和欧米伽,耶稣把事物的终结与开端并举。基督的生、死与复活就是真理,因为除其他意义外,它们也以三个步骤来表明,而第一步和最后一步都是“生命”,因为“生命”和“复活”二者同为“生命”。这个希伯来词的中间字母是字母表的第十三个字母,而十三是叛逆的象征;基督的受死是由于撒但以及与他一同叛逆的亚当子孙的悖逆所造成的。

The understanding of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation is unsealed just before the close of human probation, and a primary element of the truth unsealed at that time is that Christ is the “truth,” the Alpha and Omega, who places his signature as the Alpha and Omega upon the truths that He has ordained to exist in His Word. When Sister White wrote, “The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as that of the Son of God, cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained in the Old Testament. Christ is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New,” she is confirming, for those who will see, that the message of the three angels in Revelation chapter fourteen (which are also structured upon the same three steps, as “life, death and resurrection”), “cannot be fully demonstrated without the evidence contained” in the book of Daniel.

对于《启示录》中“耶稣基督的启示”的理解,将在人类的恩典时期结束之前不久被解封;而那时所开启之真理的一个主要要素,就是基督乃是“真理”、是阿尔法与俄梅伽;他在自己话语中所命定要存在的那些真理上,署上“阿尔法与俄梅伽”的名号。 当怀特姐妹写道:“作为上帝之子的耶稣之生、死与复活的历史,若没有旧约中所包含的证据,就无法得到完全的证明。基督在旧约中的启示与在新约中一样清楚”时,她是在向那些愿意看见的人证实:启示录第十四章中的三位天使的信息(同样按“生、死与复活”这三步构成),若没有《但以理书》中所包含的证据,就无法得到完全的证明。

She is also identifying that the book of Daniel testifies of a Babylon “to come”, while the book of Revelation testifies of a Babylon that “has come” in the manner predicted by the book of Daniel. Further, the application identifies that “in order to appreciate” the book of Revelation, the book of Daniel “must be thoroughly understood”, for “it is the glorified light” from the book of Daniel “that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings” of the book of Revelation “with clearness and beauty.”

她也指出,《但以理书》见证了一个“将要到来”的巴比伦,而《启示录》则见证了一个按照《但以理书》所预言的方式“已经到来”的巴比伦。此外,该应用指出,为了“领会”《启示录》,《但以理书》“必须被彻底理解”,因为“正是出自《但以理书》的荣耀之光”,使“基督的生命和《启示录》的教训”“清楚而美丽”地显明出来。

Her words can also be understood to identify that “the miracles of Jesus” represented in the book of Revelation are “a proof of his divinity; but the strongest proofs that he is the world’s Redeemer are found” when the prophecies of the book of Daniel are “compared with the history” of the book of Revelation. Further it can be recognized that when “Jesus said to the Jews ‘Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me,’” that for spiritual Jews today, the book of Daniel is what testifies of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and that revelation which is unsealed just before the close of probation is where eternal life is found.

她的话也可以理解为指出,《启示录》中所呈现的“耶稣的神迹”是“祂神性的证据;但证明祂是世界的救赎主的最有力证据,是在”将《但以理书》的预言“与《启示录》的历史”相比较时找到的。进一步可以认识到,当“耶稣对犹太人说:‘你们查考圣经,因你们以为内中有永生;给我作见证的就是这经’”时,对于今日属灵的犹太人来说,《但以理书》正是为《耶稣基督的启示》作见证的,而那在恩典期结束前不久被启封的启示,正是可以寻得永生之处。

The book of Daniel sets forth the prophetic truths that are brought to perfection in the book of Revelation. It is structured upon the three steps that are represented by the Hebrew word for “truth”, and therefore the book itself represents a test for the generation when these facts are unsealed and revealed. Jesus Himself, as the Alpha and Omega, is directly emphasized in the very first words and chapter of the book of Revelation. These articles have also shown that Daniel chapter one possesses the same prophetic structure and characteristics of the first angel’s message of Revelation chapter fourteen.

《但以理书》阐明了那些在《启示录》中得以成全的预言真理。它的结构建立在希伯来语“真理”一词所代表的三个步骤之上,因此,当这些事实被解封并揭示之时,这卷书本身就成为那个世代的考验。作为阿尔法和俄梅伽的耶稣自己,在《启示录》起首的话语和第一章中被直接强调。这些文章还表明,《但以理书》第一章具有与《启示录》第十四章第一位天使的信息相同的预言结构和特征。

The first angel’s message and Daniel chapter one, both identify the three-step testing process that is the signature of Alpha and Omega. The chapter begins with literal Babylon conquering literal Judah, and the book leads to the last battle between Babylon and Judah represented in the last six verses of Daniel chapter eleven. In those verses spiritual Babylon is conquered by spiritual Judah, just as Michael stands up and human probation closes. Those verses represent the end of the prophetic history of the war between Babylon and Judah. In those verses, the healing of the deadly wound is illustrated.

第一位天使的信息和《但以理书》第一章,都指出阿尔法与俄梅伽的标志——一个三步的考验过程。该章以字义上的巴比伦征服字义上的犹大为开端,而整卷书则指向最后一场战争,即《但以理书》十一章最后六节所呈现的巴比伦与犹大之间的最终之战。在那些经文里,属灵的巴比伦被属灵的犹大所征服,正当米迦勒站起来,人类的恩典时期也随之结束。那些经文标志着巴比伦与犹大之间战争的预言历史走到终点。在这些经文中,致命伤得医治被加以说明。

The verses that describe the healing of the deadly wound begins with verse forty of Daniel eleven, which begins with the words, “And at the time of the end.” The “time of the end” in the verse represents 1798, when the papacy was delivered its deadly wound. The verses then tell the story of how the deadly wound is healed, as the papacy conquers, first its enemy, the king of the south (the Soviet Union), second its ally, the glorious land (the United States), and third its victim, Egypt (the United Nations). In verse forty-five the papacy (the king of the north), comes to its end, with none to help. The story of the healing of the deadly wound of the papacy in the verses begins with the fall of the papacy in 1798, and it ends with the final rise and fall of the papacy. The verses between the opening of the passage and the closing of the passage identify the rebellion in the middle.

描述致命伤得医治的经文始于但以理书十一章四十节,该节以“到末了的时候”这几个字开头。经文中的“末了的时候”代表1798年,也就是教皇权受到致命伤之时。随后这些经文讲述致命伤如何得以医治:教皇权征服的次序是,首先它的仇敌南方王(苏联),其次它的盟友荣美之地(美国),第三它的受害者埃及(联合国)。到了四十五节,教皇权(北方王)走到尽头,无人相助。经文中关于教皇权致命伤得医治的故事,以1798年教皇权的倾覆为开端,以教皇权最终的兴起与覆灭为结局。贯穿这段经文开头与结尾之间的那些经节,则指出中间的叛逆。

The Hebrew word for “truth” was created by the first letter, the thirteenth letter and the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet being combined. Thirteen is a number that symbolizes rebellion, and the history between the first and the last. In the final passage of prophecy in the book of Daniel, the same warfare that is represented in the very first verses of the book is represented. Those verses introduce chapter one, where we find the three-step testing process that is the truth. Then in the final passage we find the same three steps as it begins with the first fall of the papacy and ends with the last fall of the papacy, and couched in the middle is the rebellion of the last days.

希伯来文中表示“真理”的词是由希伯来字母表的第一个字母、第十三个字母和最后一个字母组合而成的。十三是一个象征叛逆的数字,也象征起初与末了之间的历史。在《但以理书》预言的最后一段中,所描绘的战争与本书开篇几节所描绘的一样。那些经文引出第一章;在第一章中,我们发现作为真理的三步考验过程。随后,在最后一段中我们看到同样的三个步骤:它以教皇制度的第一次倾覆为始,以教皇制度的最后一次倾覆为终,而夹在中间的则是末后的叛逆。

Within those final six verses of Daniel chapter eleven, is a second witness to the truth, for the first geographical power the papacy needed to overthrow (the king of the south) is a symbol of the dragon power, as is the last of the three geographical powers (Egypt). The three-step conquering that is necessary for the deadly wound to be healed, begins with the king of the south that is a symbol of the dragon power of atheism, and the last of the three powers, represented by Egypt, is the primary biblical symbol of the atheism associated with the dragon. In fact, the word translated as “south” in verse forty of the passage is “negeb,” which is sometimes translated as Egypt. The three obstacles have the signature of truth, for the first obstacle is the last obstacle. The power in the middle is the glorious land (the United States). The United States is where the rebellion of the Sunday law is brought about, and the symbol of the United States when it began was thirteen colonies.

在《但以理书》十一章最后六节之中,有对真理的第二个见证,因为教皇权首先需要推翻的第一个地缘势力(南方王)是龙的势力的象征,正如这三者中最后一个地缘势力(埃及)也是如此。为使那致命伤得以医治所必需的三步征服,始于象征龙之无神论势力的南方王;而三者中的最后一个势力,以埃及为代表,则是与龙相关之无神论的主要圣经象征。事实上,该段经文第四十节中被译为“南方”的词是“negeb”,有时也被译为埃及。这三个障碍带有真理的印记,因为第一个障碍就是最后一个障碍。中间的势力是荣美之地(美国)。美国是引发星期日法令之叛逆之处,而美国在起初的象征是十三个殖民地。

The signature of Alpha and Omega pervades the book of Daniel, and provides the witness that, when brought together with the book of Revelation, establishes the divinity of Jesus Christ. In terms of Daniel chapter twelve, and the three-step testing process that occurs in the generation when the book is unsealed; to reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, is to be among those that are identified as the wicked. In terms of Revelation chapter fourteen, to reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, is to be among those that are identified as worshipping the beast and his image.

阿尔法与俄梅伽的印记贯穿《但以理书》,并提供见证:当与《启示录》结合时,便确立耶稣基督的神性。就《但以理书》第十二章以及在书卷被开启的世代所发生的三步试炼过程而言,拒绝关于《但以理书》结构的启示,就是被列在那些被认定为恶人的人当中。就《启示录》第十四章而言,拒绝关于《但以理书》结构的启示,就是被列在那些被认定为敬拜兽及其像的人当中。

The book of Revelation identifies that just before probation closes the Revelation of Jesus Christ is unsealed, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ includes the unsealing of the structure of the book of Daniel.

《启示录》指出,就在恩典期结束之前不久,耶稣基督的启示被解封,而耶稣基督的启示包括对《但以理书》结构的解封。

“Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that ‘at the end of the days’—in the closing period of this world’s history—he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place. It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose. ‘Shut up the words, and seal the book,’ he was directed concerning his prophetic writings; these were to be sealed ‘even to the time of the end.’ ‘Go thy way, Daniel,’ the angel once more directed the faithful messenger of Jehovah; ‘for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end…. Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.’ Daniel 12:4, 9, 13.

在世人那里,因肩负治国之责并被托以统御天下之国度的机密,但以理备受尊崇;在上帝那里,他又被尊为祂的使者,并蒙赐许多关于将来世代奥秘的启示。他那些奇妙的预言,记载在以他名字命名的书卷第七至第十二章,连先知本人也未能完全明白;但在他一生劳苦将尽之前,他得了有福的确据:到了“日子的末了”——在这世界历史的收尾时期——他还要再次被许可站在自己的本分与地位上。上帝并没有让他把所启示的一切神圣旨意都明白。关于他的预言文字,他蒙指示说:“把这些话隐藏,封住这书”;这些话要“直到末时仍被封闭”。“但以理啊,你只管去吧,”天使又一次对这位耶和华忠信的使者说;“因为这些话已经封闭隐藏,直到末时……你只管去,直到结局;因为你必安息,到了日子的末了,你必站在你的分上。”但以理书 12:4、9、13。

“As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. ‘The wise shall understand’ (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God’s people all through the centuries, the promise is, ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’ Revelation 1:3.” Prophets and Kings, 547.

“当我们接近这个世界历史的终结时,但以理所记载的预言,因与我们所生活的时代息息相关,格外值得我们特别留意。与之相连的,还应当有新约圣经最后一卷书的教训。撒但使许多人以为,但以理与启示者约翰著作中的预言部分无法理解。然而,应许却很清楚:研读这些预言必有特别的福分相随。‘智慧人必明白’(第10节),是指那些将在末后的日子被解封的但以理的异象;而关于基督赐给祂仆人约翰、为历代引导上帝子民的启示,其应许是:‘念这书上预言的,和那些听见又遵守其中所记载的,都是有福的。’启示录1:3。” 《先知与君王》,547。

Speaking in the future tense to her day and age, Sister White stated, “as we near the close of this world’s history”, “‘the wise will understand,” that “the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living.” The “many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters seven to twelve of the book bearing his name,” are “to be unsealed in the latter days.”

怀特姐妹以将来语气对她所处的时代说:“当我们接近这世界历史的终结时,通达人必能明白:但以理所记录的预言需要我们格外留意,因为它们与我们所生活的这个时期息息相关。” “关于将来世代之奥秘的许多启示——他在以他名字命名的书中第七至第十二章所记载的奇妙预言——将在末后的日子被开启。”

When the book of Daniel is unsealed, it produces a three-step purification process, that tests the generation that is living when the Lion of the tribe of Judah gives the book of Daniel to His people. In Revelation ten, Sister White informs us the angel that descended was “no less a personage than Jesus Christ.” In Revelation ten, the angel had a little book open in His hand, that John was commanded to take and eat. That book was unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is no less a personage than Jesus Christ, so the book John was commanded to eat was the little book of Daniel.

当《但以理书》被开启封印时,它会引出一个三步的洁净过程,用来考验这样的一代人:当犹大支派的狮子将《但以理书》赐给祂的子民时仍然活着的那一代。在启示录第十章中,怀爱伦姐妹告诉我们,那位降下来的天使“不是别人,正是耶稣基督”。在启示录第十章中,那位天使手里拿着展开的小书卷,约翰被吩咐把它取来吃下。那书卷是由犹大支派的狮子开启封印的,而犹大支派的狮子“不是别人,正是耶稣基督”;因此,约翰被吩咐吃下的那小书卷就是《但以理书》。

“It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days.

正是犹大支派中的狮子揭开了书卷的封印,并把关于这末后的日子将要发生之事的启示赐给了约翰。

“Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days; but while ‘many shall be purified, and made white, and tried,’ ‘the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand.’ How true this is! Sin is the transgression of the law of God; and those who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel’s messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.

但以理站在他所分定的位置上,作见证;这见证被封存,直到末时——那时第一位天使的信息要向我们的世界宣告。这些事在这些末后的日子里具有无限的重要性;然而,“必有许多人被炼净、洁白、试验”;“恶人仍必行恶,并且没有一个恶人能明白。”这真是如此!罪就是对上帝律法的违犯;凡不愿接受有关上帝律法之光的人,就不会明白第一、第二和第三位天使信息的宣告。但以理书在赐给约翰的启示中被揭开,并带领我们进入这地球历史的最后场景。

“Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things.” Testimonies to Ministers, 115.

“我们的弟兄们能否牢记,我们正处在末后日子的险境之中?把《启示录》与《但以理书》联系起来阅读。要教导这些事。”《给传道人的证言》,第115页。

To reject the revelation of the structure of the book of Daniel, that is now being unsealed, is to be among those that are identified as the wicked. The first six chapters of Daniel establish the prophetic structure that represents the prophetic history of Adventism, the earth beast, the seventy symbolic years of Isaiah chapter twenty-three, the two horns of Protestantism and Republicanism, the prophetic history of the first and second angels’ messages, and the history of the three angels’ messages. The last six chapters of Daniel identify the prophetic messages that are unsealed in the beginning and ending of all these previously mentioned histories.

拒绝那现今正在被开启的但以理书结构之启示,就是被列在被认定为恶人的一类人当中。但以理书的前六章确立了一个预言性的结构,代表复临运动的预言历史、从地里上来的兽、以赛亚书二十三章象征性的七十年、新教与共和主义的两只角、第一位与第二位天使信息的预言历史,以及三位天使信息的历史。但以理书的后六章则指明在上述所有历史的开端与结束之时被开启的预言信息。

Chapter one of Daniel is the history of the movement of the first angel, in the beginning of the history of the earth beast. Chapters one through three is the history of the movement of the third angel, at the ending of the history of the earth beast. Chapter four is to be aligned with chapter one, as the beginning, and chapters five and six, are to be aligned with chapters one through three, as the ending. The increase of knowledge that is represented in chapters seven, eight and nine is to be aligned with chapter one as the beginning history. The increase of knowledge that is represented in chapters ten, eleven and twelve is to be aligned with chapters one through three as the ending history.

《但以理书》第一章,是地上兽历史开端时第一位天使运动的历史。第一至第三章,是地上兽历史结束时第三位天使运动的历史。第四章应与第一章相对应,作为开端;第五、第六章应与第一至第三章相对应,作为结尾。第七、八、九章所代表的知识的增长,应与第一章相对应,作为起始的历史。第十、十一、十二章所代表的知识的增长,应与第一至第三章相对应,作为结束的历史。

Line upon line, this application identifies the beginning history of the earth beast as chapters one, four, seven, eight and nine. The application also identifies the ending history of the earth beast as chapters one through three, chapters five, six and ten through twelve. Thus, the book of Daniel is set forth as both the beginning and the ending of the earth beast.

逐条逐句地,该应用将地上的兽的起始历史界定为第一、第四、第七、第八和第九章。该应用还将地上的兽的结束历史界定为第一至第三章、第五、第六章以及第十至第十二章。因此,《但以理书》被呈现为地上的兽的起始与结束。

The beginning of the earth beast can then be identified as Daniel chapter one, for chapter four, is to go over the top of chapter one (line upon line). Chapters seven, eight and nine are also to go over the top of chapter one. Therefore, the beginning of the history of the earth beast is represented by Daniel chapter one.

那么,地兽的起始就可以认定为《但以理书》第一章,因为第四章要叠加在第一章之上(行上加行)。第七、八、九章也要叠加在第一章之上。因此,地兽历史的开端由《但以理书》第一章所代表。

So too, with the ending of the earth beast. The ending of the history of the earth beast is represented by chapters one through three, and chapters five, six, ten, eleven and twelve are to go over the top of the first three chapters (line upon line), thus the ending of the history of the earth beast is represented by the first three chapters of Daniel.

地兽的结局也是如此。地兽历史的结局由第一至第三章来表示,而第五、第六、第十、第十一和第十二章将叠加在前三章之上(一行接一行),因此,地兽历史的结局由但以理书的前三章所代表。

Chapter one represents the beginning and then chapters one through three represent the ending, and the structure of one and then three, identifies that the prophetic structure of the book of Daniel, is identical to the prophetic structure of the three angels of Revelation fourteen. There as in Daniel, the first angel represents a separate history, but is also one third of the history of the three angels. Simultaneously, as this recognition identifies and emphasizes the three and one combination, it is also the structure of the Hebrew word truth, which represents not only Christ, and the creative power of God, but also a three-step testing and purification process, that is represented in both Daniel chapter one, and then again in Daniel chapters one through three.

第一章代表开端,而第一至第三章代表结尾;这种“一然后三”的结构表明,《但以理书》的预言结构与《启示录》十四章三位天使的预言结构完全相同。在那里,如同在《但以理书》中一样,第一位天使代表一段独立的历史,但同时也是三位天使历史的三分之一。与此同时,这一认识在指出并强调“三与一”的组合的同时,也表明这正是希伯来语“真理”一词的结构;它不仅代表基督和上帝的创造大能,也代表一个三步的考验与洁净过程,而这一过程既体现在《但以理书》第一章中,又体现在第一至第三章中。

Jesus, who is the truth, is also the First and the Last, and in that regard the history of the movement of the first angel is repeated to the very letter in the history of the three angels, so it is prophetically acceptable to place the first three chapters of Daniel over the top of Daniel chapter one, for the beginning always illustrates the ending. The book of Daniel then becomes the “little book” that is in the angel’s hand, for the “little book” of Daniel can be fully represented in Daniel chapter one.

耶稣就是真理,也是首先的、末后的;就此而论,第一位天使运动的历史在三位天使的历史中被丝毫不差地重演,因此,从预言的角度来看,把《但以理书》前三章叠加在第一章之上是可以接受的,因为起初总是阐明结局。这样,《但以理书》就成了天使手中的“小书卷”,因为《但以理书》这本“小书卷”可以在第一章中得到完全的呈现。

We will continue our study of the book of Daniel in the next article.

我们将在下一篇文章中继续研读《但以理书》。

“Among those sought for by the officers who were preparing to fulfill the provisions of the royal decree, were Daniel and his friends. When told that according to the decree they also must die, ‘with counsel and wisdom’ Daniel inquired of Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, ‘Why is the decree so hasty from the king?’ Arioch told him the story of the king’s perplexity over his remarkable dream, and of his failure to secure help from those in whom he had hitherto placed fullest confidence. Upon hearing this, Daniel, taking his life in his hands, ventured into the king’s presence and begged that time be granted, that he might petition his God to reveal to him the dream and its interpretation.

在那些正准备执行王命的官员所要寻找的人当中,也包括但以理和他的朋友。有人告诉他们,按照王命,他们也必须被处死。于是,但以理“用谋略和智慧”询问王的护卫长亚略:“王的命令为何如此仓促?”亚略便告诉他,王因那非凡的梦而困惑不已,也未能从那些他一向最信赖的人那里得到帮助。听见这话,但以理就冒着性命危险进到王前,恳求赐给他一些时间,好让他向他的神祈求,将那梦和它的讲解指示他。

“To this request the monarch acceded. ‘Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions.’ Together they sought for wisdom from the Source of light and knowledge. Their faith was strong in the consciousness that God had placed them where they were, that they were doing His work and meeting the demands of duty. In times of perplexity and danger they had always turned to Him for guidance and protection, and He had proved an ever-present help. Now with contrition of heart they submitted themselves anew to the Judge of the earth, pleading that He would grant them deliverance in this their time of special need. And they did not plead in vain. The God whom they had honored, now honored them. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, and to Daniel, ‘in a night vision,’ was revealed the king’s dream and its meaning.

君王应允了这请求。“于是但以理回到自己的家,将这事告诉他的同伴哈拿尼雅、米沙利和亚撒利雅。”他们一同向光明与知识的源头寻求智慧。他们的信心坚定,因为他们深知神把他们安置在如今的位置,他们在做祂的工,满足职责的要求。在困惑和危险之时,他们总是转向祂寻求引导与保护,而祂也显明自己是随时的帮助。现在,他们心中痛悔,再次把自己交托给全地的审判者,恳求祂在这特别需要的时刻赐给他们拯救。他们的恳求并非徒然。他们所尊崇的神,如今也尊荣了他们。主的灵降在他们身上;并且在“夜间的异象”中,将王的梦及其含义启示给但以理。

“Daniel’s first act was to thank God for the revelation given him. ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,’ he exclaimed; ‘for wisdom and might are His: and He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee: for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.’” Prophets and Kings, 493, 494.

但以理做的第一件事,就是为所赐给他的启示感谢上帝。他说:“愿上帝的名从亘古直到永远是应当称颂的!因为智慧和能力都属乎他;他改变时候、日期,废王立王;他将智慧赐给智慧人,将知识赐给有悟性的人;他显明深奥隐秘的事;他知道暗中所有的,光明也与他同居。我列祖的神啊,我感谢你,赞美你,因为你将智慧和能力赐给我,并且使我知道我们向你所求的;因为你如今把王的事给我们指明了。”《先知与君王》,第493、494页。