“By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.
借着一项违背上帝律法、强制推行教皇制度的法令,我国将与公义完全断绝。当新教越过鸿沟,伸手握住罗马权势的手,又越过深渊与招魂术握手;当在这三重联盟的影响下,我国背弃其作为新教共和政体的一切宪政原则,并为传播教皇制度的谬论与迷惑提供便利之时,我们就可以知道,撒但施行奇异作为的时刻已经来到,末日临近了。
“As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’
正如罗马军队的逼近对于门徒而言是耶路撒冷即将被毁的记号;照样,这场背道也可成为给我们的记号,表明上帝忍耐的限度已经到了,我们国家罪孽的分量已经满了,怜悯的天使正要展翅飞去,再也不回来。那时,上帝的子民将被投入先知所描述的那些患难与困苦的景象之中,就是“雅各遭难的时候”。忠心而受逼迫之人的呼声上达天庭。正如亚伯的血从地里呼喊,还有声音也从殉道者的坟茔、海中的坟墓、山间的洞穴、修道院的地窖向上帝呼求:“圣洁真实的主啊,你不审判那住在地上的人,为我们的血伸冤,要到几时呢?”
“The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority. The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep God’s commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the mark of the beast or of his image.
主正在施行祂的工作。全天都在活动起来。审判全地的主不久要兴起,维护祂被侮辱的权威。拯救的印记将加在那些遵守上帝的诫命、尊崇祂的律法,并拒绝受兽或兽像之印记的人身上。
“God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’” Testimonies, volume 5, 451, 452.
上帝已经启示了末后的日子将要发生的事,使祂的子民得以预备,能在反对与愤怒的暴风中站立得住。那些已经蒙警告、知道前面事件的人,不应当安坐地等待将至的风暴,自我安慰说,在患难之日主会庇护祂忠心的人。我们要像等候主的人,不是懒散地期待,乃是殷勤作工,信心坚定不移。现在不是让我们的心思被次要的事情所占据的时候。人们沉睡之时,撒但正积极运作,安排一切,使主的子民得不到怜悯与公义。星期日运动如今正于黑暗中推进。领袖们掩饰真正的议题,许多参加这运动的人自己也看不出暗流正趋向何方。它的主张温和,表面上合乎基督教,但一旦发声,便要显露出龙的精神。我们有责任尽我们所能,避免这迫在眉睫的危险。我们应当努力在民众面前以恰当的形象呈现自己,以此化解成见。我们应当把真正的争论焦点摆在他们面前,从而对限制良心自由的措施提出最有效的抗议。我们应当查考圣经,并且能说出我们信仰的根据。先知说:“恶人必仍作恶;恶人没有一个能明白,惟有智慧人必能明白。”《证言》卷五,第451、452页。
When the “Sunday movement” “shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.” The four paragraphs identify that at the Sunday law the United States “will disconnect herself fully from righteousness.” At the Sunday law “the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan.” At the Sunday law the threefold union is accomplished. At the Sunday law the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant republican government”, and they also “make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions.” That Sunday law is a “sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return.” That sign was typified by the warning given by Jesus identifying the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. It is there that prayer given by the martyrs of the fifth seal ask, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” is accomplished. It is also at that waymark that the foolish and wise virgins manifest their characters.
当“星期日运动”“开口说话”的时候,它就会显露出龙的灵。四段文字指出,在星期日法令之时,美国将“完全与公义断绝关系”。在星期日法令之时,“撒但奇妙作为的时候已经来到”。在星期日法令之时,三方面的联合得以完成。在星期日法令之时,美国“否认其作为新教共和政府的宪法所包含的一切原则”,并且也“为传播教皇的谎言与迷惑作出安排”。那道星期日法令是“向我们所发的一个记号,说明上帝忍耐的界限已经达到,我们国家的罪孽分量已经满盈,而慈悲的天使将要展翅离去,永不再回”。这个记号,早已由耶稣所发的警告所预表,就是他指明先知但以理所说的那行毁坏可憎的。也正是在那里,第五印殉道者所发出的祷告——“圣洁真实的主啊,你不审判住在地上的人,给我们伸流血的冤,要等到几时呢?”——得以应验。同样也就在那一道标志之时,愚拙的童女和聪明的童女显明了她们的品格。
At the Sunday law, the United States “repudiates every principle of its Constitution.” The period of time when this work was accomplished began with the Patriot Act in 2001. 2001 until the Sunday law represents a progressive work of repudiating the Constitution. That progressive work corresponds to the line of prophecy where the formation of the image of the beast is accomplished. The line of the image of the beast may appear a bit more complicated, but the complication is worth understanding. What complicates the line of the image of the beast is that it represents two lines.
在星期日法令之时,美国“背弃其宪法的每一项原则”。这项工作展开的时期始于2001年的《爱国者法案》。从2001年直到星期日法令,代表着一个逐步背弃宪法的过程。这个渐进的工作对应于预言的那条线,在那条线上,兽像的形成得以完成。关于兽像的这条线看起来可能更为复杂一些,但这种复杂性值得理解。使兽像这条线复杂的原因在于,它代表了两条线。
For the earth beast the two lines are the horns of Republicanism and Protestantism. Those two horns come together into a church-state relationship and thus fulfill the formation of the image of the beast. The line of the formation of the image of the beast therefore has two lines within the one line, for the Republican and Protestant horns run parallel to one another through history, but their individual lines also have their own prophetic testimony to bear. One prophetic line, with two parallel subjects, is more complicated than simply marking the waymarks of political actions that represent the speaking associated with the Constitution.
对于地兽而言,这两条线就是共和主义和新教的两只角。这两只角汇合成一种政教关系,从而实现了兽像的形成。因此,关于兽像形成的这条线之中包含两条线,因为共和主义与新教这两只角在历史中彼此并行,但它们各自的线路也有自己的预言见证。一条预言的线路却有两个并行的主题,这比起仅仅标注那些代表与宪法相关言说的政治行动的路标,要复杂得多。
The two lines of Republican and Protestant horns is further complicated by the prophetic fact that within the Republican horn is the history of the struggle between proslavery Democrats, and antislavery Republicans; and further that within the Protestant horn there is a continual testing process that follows the wise and the foolish virgins within the history of the Protestant horn. Still, it is highly important to settle into these truths.
关于共和党号角与新教号角的两条线,又因一个预言性的事实而更加复杂:在共和党号角之中,包含着支持奴隶制的民主党人与反奴隶制的共和党人之间的斗争历史;并且,在新教号角之中,有一个持续的考验过程,在新教号角的历史里紧随其中的聪明童女与愚拙童女。尽管如此,扎根于这些真理极为重要。
Within the line represented by the earth beast’s two horns is the parallel illustration of either forming a character of Christ or a character of Satan, which equates to either forming an image of Christ or an image of the beast, for in this context the “beast” represents a created being in contrast with the Creator. The formation of these attributes is accomplished internally among all men, for when probation closes there are only two classes. The formation is also accomplished externally with the alliance between the papal power and the United Nations.
在地上兽两角所代表的路线之内,有一个平行的说明:要么形成基督的品格,要么形成撒但的品格;这也等同于要么塑造基督的形象,要么塑造兽的形象,因为在此语境中,“兽”代表受造之物,与造物主相对。这些属性的形成是在每个人内心中完成的,因为当恩典期结束时,只剩下两类人。这种形成也在外部通过教皇势力与联合国的联盟而实现。
So, the testing time for formation of the image of the beast began in 2001, and it ends at the Sunday law in the United States. In that period of time the prophetic history of the earth beast’s two horns illustrates an internal and external controversy within their respective horns, whether it be religious or political, and also a struggle between the two horns themselves.
因此,形成兽像的考验时期始于2001年,并结束于美国的星期日法令。在那段时间里,地兽两角的预言历史显示,在各自的角内外,无论是宗教还是政治,都存在争议,并且两角之间也有斗争。
The Sunday law in the United States represents the warning to flee which Jesus identified as “the abomination of desolation.” The Sunday law in the United States is the conclusion of the period that began in 2001. The Patriot Act was the “abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel”, and identified by Jesus as a sign to flee from a coming destruction.
美国的星期日法令代表要人逃离的警告,耶稣将其认定为“那行毁坏可憎的”。美国的星期日法令是始于2001年的那一时期的结束。爱国者法案就是“但以理所说的那行毁坏可憎的”,并被耶稣视为逃离即将到来的毁灭的记号。
The Patriot Act includes the prophetic light of 1888, and the Blair Bill. The Patriot Act then also prophetically contains the typification of the Sunday law, so the period from 2001 begins with a Sunday law as typified by 1888—Blair Bill, 2001—Patriot Act, and it ends with the Sunday law.
《爱国者法案》包含了1888年的预言之光和布莱尔法案。于是,《爱国者法案》在预言上也包含了对星期日法的预表,因此,从2001年开始的这段时期,以星期日法为开端(正如1888年—布莱尔法案、2001年—《爱国者法案》所预表的那样),并以星期日法结束。
The warning to flee the cities in 2001, typifies the warning to flee from Babylon at the Sunday law. The judgment brought upon the United States at the Sunday law typifies the judgment brought upon the entire world when Michael stands up and human probation closes. Christ’s signature as Alpha and Omega is repeatedly represented within the truths represented by the Blair Bill in 1888, and all that 1888 represents, repeating in 2001.
2001年发出的逃离城市的警告,预表了在星期日法令时要从巴比伦逃离的警告。星期日法令时临到美国的审判,预表了当米迦勒站起来、恩典时期结束之时临到全世界的审判。基督作为“阿尔法与俄梅伽”的标志,反复地体现在1888年布莱尔法案所代表的真理之中,以及1888年所代表的一切之中,并在2001年重演。
2001, which was typified by 1888, represents not only the sign to flee as represented by the abomination of desolation, but it was also represented by 66 AD and the siege of Cestius. The siege of Titus in 70 AD represents the Sunday law in the United States. The Sunday law in the United States is represented by the year 321 and the first Sunday law of Constantine, and 538 represents when the last nation of the earth succumbs to the mark of the beast.
由1888年所预表的2001年,不仅代表“那行毁坏可憎的”所指示的逃离记号,也由公元66年塞斯提乌斯的围城所表明。公元70年提图斯的围城,预表美国的星期日法令。美国的星期日法令以公元321年君士坦丁颁布的第一道星期日法令为代表,而538年则代表地上最后一个国家屈服于兽的印记之时。
2001 is 1888, Cestius and the year 66 AD. The Sunday law is Titus and the years 70 and 321. 2001 is also the baptism of Jesus, and His descent in Revelation chapter ten on August 11, 1840. All these symbols contribute to the line of the Constitution.
2001是1888、凯斯提乌斯和公元66年。主日法令是提图斯以及公元70年和321年。2001也是耶稣的受洗,以及祂在1840年8月11日于《启示录》第十章中的降临。所有这些象征都构成了宪法这条线。
The prophetic history of the United States runs parallel to the history of Adventism. In 1798 the papacy received its deadly wound, and 1798 was the time of the end when the portion of the prophecies of Daniel that related to the history of the first and second angels of Revelation fourteen was unsealed. There in 1798, Adventism’s prophetic beginning is marked, and in 1798 the earth-beast with lamblike horns became the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy.
美国的预言性历史与复临运动的历史并行。1798年,教皇权受了致命的伤;1798年也是末时,那时但以理书中与启示录十四章第一、第二位天使历史有关的那部分预言被开启。就在1798年,复临运动的预言性开端被标志出来,并且在这一年,长有羔羊般两角的地兽成为圣经预言中的第六个王国。
1798 was preceded by three prophetic waymarks associated with the line of the earth beast, and therefore with the speaking of the United States, and the Constitution of the United States. Those three waymarks were the Declaration of Independence, spoken in 1776, then the Constitution in 1789, and then the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.
1798年之前,有三个与地兽的时间线相关的预言性里程碑,因此也与美国的发声以及《美国宪法》有关。这三个里程碑分别是:1776年发表的《独立宣言》,1789年的《美国宪法》,以及1798年的《外国人和煽动叛乱法案》。
Those three waymarks address the prophetic line of the Constitution and mark the beginning of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy. The Sunday law is the end of the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy’s reign, and therefore there must be of prophetic necessity three waymarks that precede the end, as typified by the three waymarks that preceded the beginning.
那三个路标涉及宪法的预言线,并标志着圣经预言中第六个国度的开端。星期日法令是该第六个国度统治的结束,因此,按预言的必然性,在终结之前必定有三个路标,正如先于开端的那三个路标所作的预表一样。
In 2001, at the fall of the towers, the Patriot Act, is typified by the Blair Bill of 1888, along with the manifest rebellion of Adventism’s leadership at the Minneapolis General Conference. A rebellion which an angel told Sister White was typified by the rebellion against Moses by Korah, Dathan and Abiram is also typified by the baptism of Christ in 27 AD, the restraint of Islam on August 11, 1840 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776, as well as the “abomination of desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet” as a sign to flee from the coming wrath, as represented by Cestius and 66 AD.
2001年双塔倒塌之时的《爱国者法案》,被1888年的布莱尔法案以及复临派领导层在明尼阿波利斯总会会议上的公然叛逆所预表。那场叛逆,天使曾告诉怀爱伦姐妹,它是由可拉、大坍和亚比兰反对摩西的叛逆所预表,也由公元27年基督的受洗、1840年8月11日伊斯兰受到约束以及1776年的《独立宣言》所预表;同时,“先知但以理所说的那行毁坏可憎的”作为逃避即将来临之忿怒的记号,则以凯斯提乌斯与公元66年为代表。
If you can still remember that the line of prophecy we are now considering is the line of the Constitution of the United States, all of the aforementioned prophetic lines contribute to and establish the prophetic theme represented by the line of the Constitution. Yet the line which appears to be the most interconnected line is the line of the formation of the image of the beast. The image of the beast is an image of the papal beast, which is represented as a beast with a woman reigning over the beast, which is the combination of church and state with the church in control of the relationship. In order for the United States to form an image to the beast apostate Protestantism must so control the government to the point where the government will pass and enforce religious statutes, and ultimately the Sunday law.
如果你还记得,我们现在所考察的这条预言线是美国宪法这一线,那么前述所有的预言线都共同促成并确立了由美国宪法这一线所代表的预言主题。然而,看起来彼此联系最为紧密的一条线,是兽像形成这一线。兽像是教皇权之兽的像,那兽被描绘为一头有女子骑在其上并统治它的兽,也就是教会与国家的结合,并且由教会掌控这层关系。为了使美国形成兽的像,背道的新教必须在如此程度上控制政府,以至于政府会通过并执行宗教法令,并最终实行星期日法。
As the process of forming the image of the beast is accomplished the Constitution, written with a premier principle which Thomas Jefferson penned as “separation of church and state,” is to be overturned. When the Protestant horn has the power to direct the Republican horn to enforce religious mandates, the very heart of the Constitution is torn apart, thus you have the prophetic relationship between the line of the Constitution and the line of the image of the beast.
当形成兽像的过程完成之时,以托马斯·杰斐逊所写的“政教分离”为首要原则的宪法将被推翻。当新教之角有权指使共和之角去强制执行宗教法令时,宪法的核心被撕裂;由此便有了宪法这条线与兽像这条线之间的预言性关系。
The period where the image of the beast is formed began in 2001, with the Patriot Act, and it ends at the Sunday law, when the mark of the beast is enforced. During that period the latter rain is sprinkled, for the latter rain begins to fall when the mighty angel of Revelation eighteen descends and lightens the earth with His glory, which, according to Sister White, would occur when the great buildings of New York City were brought down by a touch of the Lord.
兽像成形的时期始于2001年,随着《爱国者法案》的通过,并将在星期日法令颁行之时结束,那时兽的印记将被强制施行。在那段时期,晚雨被洒下,因为当《启示录》第十八章所述那位大能天使降临,并以他的荣耀照亮全地之时,晚雨就开始降下;而据怀爱伦姐妹所说,这将发生在纽约市的高楼大厦被主一触而倒之时。
“The latter rain is to fall upon the people of God. A mighty angel is to come down from heaven, and the whole earth is to be lighted with his glory.” Review and Herald, April 21, 1891.
“晚雨要降在上帝的子民身上。一位大能的天使要从天而降,全地要因他的荣耀而发光。”《评论与先驱》,1891年4月21日。
The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain represents a period of time when the wheat and tares of Adventism’s last generation are being sifted and purged. That sifting and purging ends at the Sunday law, and the wise virgins who possess the oil when the crisis of the Sunday law arrives, are sealed and then the Holy Spirit is poured out without measure until Michael stands up and human probation closes.
晚雨点滴降下的时期,代表一个时段:复临信仰末一代中的麦子与稗子正在被筛选与洁净。那筛选与洁净在星期日法令时结束;在星期日法令的危机来临时,有油的聪明童女就被盖印;随后,圣灵不加限量地倾降,直到米迦勒站起来,人类的恩典时期结束。
During the formation of the image of the beast in the United States the latter rain will be sprinkling, and during the formation of the image of the beast in the world the latter rain will be poured out without measure.
在美国形成兽像的过程中,晚雨将如细雨般洒落;而在全世界形成兽像的过程中,晚雨将毫无保留地倾倒下来。
In 2001 the testing of the Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist church began, as typified by the Protestants of August 11, 1840, and by ancient Israel when Christ was baptized.
2001年,老底嘉的基督复临安息日会开始接受考验,正如1840年8月11日的新教徒以及基督受洗时的古代以色列所预表的那样。
“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Selected Messages, book 1, 362.
“考验的时刻已临到我们,因为在对赦罪的救赎主基督之义的启示中,第三位天使的大呼声已经开始了。这就是那位荣耀将充满全地的天使之光的开端。” 《信息选集》第一卷,第362页。
The final testing process for the former covenant people begins when the light of the angel of Revelation eighteen begins to present His message. His message is also represented in the first three verses of chapter eighteen of Revelation, and those three verses were, according to Sister White fulfilled when the great buildings of New York City came down.
当启示录第十八章那位天使的光辉开始传达祂的信息时,从前立约的子民最终的考验过程便开始了。祂的信息也体现在启示录第十八章的前三节经文中,而据怀特姐妹所说,当纽约市的高楼大厦倒塌时,那三节经文就应验了。
The testing process then began, as represented by John in chapter ten of Revelation. The test was whether you would take the little book that was in the angel’s hand, and then eat it. During this testing period, while the latter rain is being sprinkled it is falling only upon those who choose to take the little book and eat it.
于是,考验的过程开始了,正如约翰在《启示录》第十章所描述的那样。考验在于你是否会拿取天使手中的那本小书卷,并把它吃下去。在这段考验期间,当晚雨正在降下时,它只降在那些选择拿起小书卷并把它吃下去的人身上。
“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers, 506, 507.
许多人在很大程度上未能领受早雨。他们并未获得上帝借此为他们所提供的一切益处。他们指望晚雨会补足他们的缺乏。当最丰盛的恩典被赐下时,他们打算敞开心门去领受。他们犯了严重的错误。上帝在人的心中所开始的工作——赐下祂的光照与知识——必须不断向前推进。每个人都必须认识到自己的需要。心灵必须腾空一切污秽,并被洁净,好让圣灵内住其中。早期的门徒正是借着认罪并离弃罪恶、恳切祈祷,并把自己奉献给上帝,才为五旬节那日圣灵的倾降作好预备。如今也必须做同样的工作,只是程度更深。那时,人只需要求告这福分,并等候主在他身上成全所关乎的工作。开始这工作的乃是上帝,祂也必成全祂的工作,使人在基督耶稣里得以完全。但绝不可忽视早雨所代表的恩典。只有按着已得之亮光去生活的人,才会获得更大的亮光。除非我们在每日生活中在实行活泼的基督徒美德上不断长进,我们就不会认出晚雨中圣灵的显现。它也许正降在我们周围人们的心里,而我们却既不能辨识,也不能领受。 《给传道人的证言》,第506、507页。
Those who ate the message of 2001 were receiving a message appropriate for that period, but they were to be tested in order to manifest if they truly internalized the message into an experience prepared for the seal of God. In that period the latter rain is therefore represented as sprinkling, for the wheat and tares are still together. Therefore, Sister White says, “It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” When the wise are separated from the foolish, the latter rain is then poured out without measure, as it was at Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.
那些领受了2001年信息的人,所领受的是适合于那一时期的信息,但他们必须受试验,以显明他们是否真正将这信息内化为一种为领受神的印记所预备的经历。因而,在那段时期,晚雨被视为点点滴滴的洒落,因为麦子与稗子仍在一起。因此,怀爱伦姐妹说:“它也许正降在我们周围人的心上,但我们却不会察觉或领受。”当聪明人与愚拙人被分出来的时候,晚雨就会毫无保留地倾注下来,正如五旬节时那样;而五旬节预表星期日法令。
“Again, these parables teach that there is to be no probation after the judgment. When the work of the gospel is completed, there immediately follows the separation between the good and the evil, and the destiny of each class is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 123.
“再者,这些比喻教导我们,审判之后将不会再有悔改的机会。当福音的工作完成时,随即就会发生善恶的分离,并且各类人的命运从此永远定了。” 《基督比喻的教训》,第123页。
The period of the sprinkling of the latter rain, followed by a period when the latter rain is poured out without measure, are also illustrated as two periods where judgment is accomplished upon God’s people. The first period of judgment upon God’s people began with the house of God on September 11, 2001, and at the Sunday law judgment is then accomplished for God’s other flock who are responding to or rejecting the loud cry of the third angel that begins at the Sunday law in the United States, and ends when Michael stands up, and human probation closes.
晚雨的点滴时期,随后晚雨毫无保留地倾降的时期,也被描绘为在神子民身上施行审判的两个阶段。对神子民的第一阶段审判于2001年9月11日从神的家起首;而当周日法令颁布时,审判便施行在神的其他羊群身上,他们对那在美国颁布周日法令时开始的第三位天使信息的大呼喊作出回应或予以拒绝,并一直持续到米迦勒站起来、人类恩典期关闭之时。
The two periods of the latter rain, which are also the two periods of the judgment which begins with the house of God, and then moves to God’s other flock, are also the two periods of the formation of the image of the beast.
晚雨的两个时期,既是那先从神的家开始、随后转向神的另一群羊的审判的两个时期,也是形成兽像的两个时期。
Within the first of those two prophetic periods, when judgment is brought upon God’s church and also the United States, is the very same history where the Republican horn and the Protestant horn are both judged. Right where Laodicean Adventism is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, the United States fills its probationary cup, and national ruin is brought upon the nation, and Satan then appears and begins his marvelous work. The one hundred and forty-four thousand are sealed and lifted up as an ensign at the Sunday law.
在那两个预言时期中的第一个时期内,当审判临到神的教会以及美国之时,正是共和主义之角与新教之角同受审判的那段历史。正当老底嘉式的复临派被主从口中吐出之时,美国使其恩典期之杯满溢,并且国家性毁灭临到美国,撒但随即显现,开始他奇妙的作为。在星期日法令之时,十四万四千人受了印,并被举起为旌旗。
We are informed that it is impossible to give any idea of “the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended.”
我们被告知,无法对“当天上的荣耀与过去迫害的重演相融合之时,将在地上活着的上帝子民的经历”作出任何描述。
“Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12–18. They are to take their stand on the living word: ‘It is written.’ This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope.” Testimonies, volume 9, 16.
撒但是一个勤勉的圣经学生。他知道自己的时日无多,并且处处设法抵挡、破坏主在这地上的工作。当天上的荣耀与过去迫害的重演交织在一起时,仍活在地上的上帝子民将要有怎样的经历,是无法形容的。他们将行走在从上帝宝座发出的光中。借着天使,天与地之间将有不断的交通。而撒但在恶天使的环绕下,自称为神,施行各种神迹,若能的话,甚至要迷惑那蒙拣选的人。上帝的子民的安全并不在于行神迹,因为撒但会仿冒将要显出的神迹。上帝那经受试炼、经得起考验的子民,将在出埃及记31:12-18所说的记号上找到他们的能力。他们要立足于那有生命的话语:“经上记着说。”这是他们能够稳固站立的唯一根基。那些与上帝背约的人到那日将没有神、没有指望。《证言》卷九,16。
The repetition of the persecutions of the past begins at the Sunday law in the United States, for Satan begins his marvelous work at that time, and the wise virgins who have already been “tried and tested,” will then “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God.” This will be accomplished through the work of angels, for “by means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth.”
过去迫害的重演,将在美国颁布主日法令的时候开始,因为撒但将在那时开始他奇妙的工作,而那些已经“经受试炼和考验”的聪明童女,就要“行在从神的宝座发出的光中”。这将通过天使的工作得以成就,因为“借着天使,天与地之间将有不断的沟通。”
“The anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth, have the position once given to Satan as covering cherub. By the holy beings surrounding his throne, the Lord keeps up a constant communication with the inhabitants of the earth. The golden oil represents the grace with which God keeps the lamps of believers supplied, that they shall not flicker and go out. Were it not that this holy oil is poured from heaven in the messages of God’s Spirit, the agencies of evil would have entire control over men.
侍立在全地之主身旁的受膏者,拥有那曾赐给撒但的遮掩的基路伯之职分。主借着环绕他宝座的圣者,与地上的居民保持不间断的联系。金油象征上帝的恩典;借此恩典,上帝不断为信徒的灯补给,使其不致摇曳熄灭。若不是这圣油借着上帝的灵的信息从天倾注下来,邪恶的势力就会完全掌控人类。
“God is dishonored when we do not receive the communications which he sends us. Thus we refuse the golden oil which he would pour into our souls to be communicated to those in darkness. When the call shall come, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ those who have not received the holy oil, who have not cherished the grace of Christ in their hearts, will find, like the foolish virgins, that they are not ready to meet their Lord. They have not, in themselves, the power to obtain the oil, and their lives are wrecked. But if God’s Holy Spirit is asked for, if we plead, as did Moses, ‘Show me thy glory,’ the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts. Through the golden pipes, the golden oil will be communicated to us. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.’ By receiving the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, God’s children shine as lights in the world.” Review and Herald, July 20, 1897.
当我们不接受上帝传给我们的信息时,便是羞辱了上帝。这样,我们就拒绝了他要倾注在我们心灵里的金油,使之传递给在黑暗中的人。当那呼声传来:“看哪,新郎来了;你们出来迎接他!”那些没有领受圣油、没有在心里珍惜基督恩典的人,就会像愚拙的童女一样,发现自己没有预备好去迎见他们的主。他们本身无力获得这油,因而他们的生命遭到毁坏。但若我们求上帝赐下圣灵,像摩西那样恳求说:“求你将你的荣耀显给我看,”上帝的爱就必浇灌在我们心里。借着金管,金油将传给我们。“不是倚靠势力,不是倚靠才能,乃是倚靠我的灵,”这是万军之耶和华说的。借着领受公义的日头明亮的光辉,上帝的儿女就在世上发光。 《评论与宣报》,1897年7月20日。
The wise are those who are sealed in Revelation chapter seven and Ezekiel chapter nine, and who are contrasted with the foolish who dishonor the Lord, by refusing “the communications he sends.” The foolish are those “who have broken their covenant with God who will in that day be without God and without hope.” Those two classes were tested and brought to a point where they manifested their character based upon whether they accepted or rejected the message of the hour. The message of the hour since September 11, 2001 has been the message of the latter rain.
智慧人就是那些在《启示录》第七章和《以西结书》第九章中受了印记的人,他们与愚拙人形成对比;后者因拒绝“他所发出的信息”而羞辱主。 愚拙人就是“与上帝背约的人,在那日将无神无望。” 这两类人都经受了考验,被带到一个地步:他们是否接受或拒绝此时的信息,使他们的品格显露出来。 自2001年9月11日以来,此时的信息就是晚雨的信息。
The message of the latter rain is recognized by the methodology of line upon line as set forth in Isaiah chapter twenty-eight. The methodology of line upon line is God’s appointed method of biblical study, and therefore to reject that methodology is not only to reject the message represented through the application of line upon line, from here a little and there a little, it is also to reject the Giver of the methodology.
晚雨的信息,是借着以赛亚书第二十八章所阐明的“律上加律、例上加例”的方法来辨识的。“律上加律、例上加例”的方法是上帝所设立的研读圣经的方法,因此,拒绝这种方法,不仅是拒绝通过应用“律上加律、例上加例”(这里一点,那里一点)所呈现的信息,也是在拒绝这方法的赐予者。
Because of the inspired parameters revealed in the testing process that leads to the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, it is apparent that the only way a child of God can navigate through the history where “celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended,” is to be in an experience where the light from the throne of God can be recognized. It must be recognized, or it is useless, and we are lost.
由于在导致十四万四千人受印的考验过程中所启示的准则,我们可以明显看出,神的儿女要走过那段“天上的荣耀与昔日逼迫的重演交织在一起”的历史,唯一的途径就是处在一种能认出从神宝座发出的光的经历里。那光必须被认出来,否则就是徒然,我们也会迷失。
“We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled. [Isaiah 61:11 quoted.] The whole earth is to be filled with the glory of God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, volume 7, 984.
我们不可等候晚雨。它将临到一切愿意认识并取用降在我们身上的恩典的甘露与恩雨的人。当我们把零碎的亮光收集起来,当我们珍视那位喜悦我们信靠祂的上帝所赐下的确实慈爱时,一切的应许都必应验。[引用以赛亚书61:11。]全地都要充满上帝的荣耀。 基督复临安息日会圣经注释,第7卷,第984页。
In the period that began when the angel of Revelation eighteen fills the whole earth with His glory, beginning on September 11, 2001, the latter rain has only come “upon” those “who” have “recognized and appropriated the dew and showers of grace that” is “falling upon us.” The “great mistake” identified earlier by Sister White, was when the foolish virgins thought they could wait until the latter rain was poured out without measure, for then they thought they could catch up. Not so, only those who are growing in their understanding of God’s prophetic word receive more light.
在自2001年9月11日启示录第十八章的天使以他的荣耀充满全地之时开始的那段时期里,晚雨只“临到”那些已经“认识并领受那正在‘临到我们’的恩典之露水与甘霖”的人。怀爱伦姐妹先前指出的“ 大错 ”是:愚拙的童女以为她们可以等到晚雨不加限量地倾注下来,那时就可以赶上。并非如此,只有在对上帝预言的话语的理解上不断长进的人,才会得到更多的亮光。
As we conclude this article, the point I wish to identify is in connection with the purpose of the testing time we are now in. If we are to “walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God” in the time when the persecutions of the past are repeated, we will need to master the prophetic word in advance of the crisis.
在本文即将结束之际,我想要强调的要点,是与我们如今所处试炼时期的目的相关。若要在昔日的逼迫再度重演之时“行在从神宝座所发出的光中”,我们就需要在危机来临之前掌握先知的话语。
In chapter one, Daniel and the three worthies had already perfected their education before they went in to be tested by Nebuchadnezzar. For forty days Christ opened the prophetic word to the understanding of the disciples in advance of the ten days where the disciples perfected their unity. Then came Pentecost, which typifies the Sunday law.
在第一章中,但以理和三位同伴在进去接受尼布甲尼撒的考验之前,已经完善了他们的学业。四十天之久,基督向门徒开启预言的话语,使他们能够明白,为随后的十天作准备;在那十天里,门徒使他们的合一臻于完全。随后到了五旬节,这预表星期日法令。
In Daniel chapter three, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego informed Nebuchadnezzar they needed no extra time, for they were already settled as to what they were to do in the Sunday law testing time. Their faithfulness was magnified when they walked in the furnace with Christ, and the message they had already settled into before the test was carried to all the then-known world by all the visiting dignitaries that witnessed the miracle in the furnace.
在《但以理书》第三章中,沙得拉、米煞和亚伯尼歌告诉尼布甲尼撒,他们无需额外的时间,因为对于在星期日法令考验时期该如何行事,他们早已立定心志。当他们与基督一同在火窑中行走时,他们的忠心被大大彰显;而他们在试炼之前已经确立的信息,也借着所有目睹火窑神迹的来访显贵,传到了当时所知的全世界。
We will continue these thoughts in the next article.
我们将在下一篇文章中继续探讨这些想法。