My apologies for so many words in advance of taking up the primary topic. I wish to place certain prophetic lines in place, that are important pieces of the logic I intend to employ when we directly consider the book of Joel. I have previously mentioned that the Hebrew word that is translated as “cut off” in the book of Joel, finds its roots in the sacrificial method of ratifying a covenant in the days of Abraham.

在正式進入主要題目之前,先為我用了這麼多篇幅致歉。我希望先把若干先知性脈絡安放妥當,因為當我們直接考察《約珥書》時,這些乃是我擬採用之論證的重要組成部分。我先前曾提到,在《約珥書》中被譯作「剪除」的希伯來字,其字根乃源自亞伯拉罕時代藉着獻祭來立定盟約的方法。

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. Joel 1:5.

你哋醉酒的人哪,要醒起,並要哀哭;一切飲酒的人哪,都要號咷,因為新酒已從你哋口中斷絕。約珥書 1:5。

The Hebrew word “cut off” is H3772, and it is a primitive root meaning ‘to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication to destroy or consume; specifically to covenant (that is, make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces).’

希伯來文「cut off」一詞係 H3772,乃一個原始字根,意思係「切開(切除、砍下,或劈開);引伸指毀滅或吞滅;特別指立約(即締結聯盟或約定,原本係藉着割開肉身,並從各塊中間經過而成)。」

I realize that the Strong’s definition of “cut off,” calls it a “primitive root,” in the grammatical sense. That being said, the cutting associated with the covenant and Abraham, identifies that the light of the covenant is attached to the word, and that light is set forth at its primitive historical root. “Cut” in terms of covenant history; is a prophetic symbol based upon its primitive roots, and it is also grammatically identified as a primitive root.

我明白,Strong 對「cut off」一詞嘅釋義,係喺文法意義上稱之為「原始字根」。話雖如此,與聖約同阿伯拉罕相關嘅「割」,表明聖約之光係附著於該詞之上,而呢道光乃係喺其原初嘅歷史字根上被彰顯出嚟。就聖約歷史而言,「割」乃係一個建基於其原始根源之上嘅先知性象徵;同時,喺文法上,佢亦被界定為一個原始字根。

The pronouncement in verse five, is not only identifying that they do not have the message of the latter rain, as represented by the “new wine,” but also that they are ‘then and there’ rejected as God’s covenant people, a covenant people who trace their “primitive roots” back to Abraham.

第五節所宣告嘅,唔單止係指出佢哋冇咗後雨嘅信息,即係由「新酒」所表徵嘅信息;並且亦表明,佢哋就喺當時當地被棄絕,唔再作為上帝立約嘅子民——呢一班立約嘅子民,其「原初根源」係可以追溯返去亞伯拉罕。

The generation that died in the wilderness over forty years, traced their primitive roots back to Abraham, meaning the father of many nations. The generation who entered the Promised Land with Joshua, traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. The Jews who crucified Christ traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. The Protestants who came out of the Dark Ages, and who were then tested and passed by as God’s chosen covenant people in 1844, traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. The Millerite Philadelphian movement that entered into the Most Holy Place on October 22, 1844 traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. The Millerite Laodicean movement that rebuilt Jericho in 1863, traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. The Laodicean Seventh-day Adventist church that is spewed out of the mouth of the Lord at the soon-coming Sunday law traced their primitive roots back to Abraham. All of those generations have, or will fulfill the parable of the vineyard.

嗰一代喺曠野之中死去、歷時四十多年嘅人,佢哋最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕,即係多國之父。嗰一代喺約書亞帶領之下進入應許之地嘅人,佢哋最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。將基督釘十字架嘅猶太人,佢哋最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。由黑暗時代之中出來、並喺1844年受試驗,且被越過,作為上帝所揀選立約之民嘅新教徒,佢哋最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。嗰個於1844年10月22日進入至聖所嘅米勒派非拉鐵非運動,佢最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。嗰個於1863年重建耶利哥嘅米勒派老底嘉運動,佢最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。嗰個喺即將來到嘅星期日法案之時被主從口中吐出來嘅老底嘉基督復臨安息日會,佢最原始嘅根源可追溯到阿伯拉罕。所有呢啲世代,都已經,或者將要,應驗葡萄園嘅比喻。

The drunkards in Joel awake to find they have been rejected as God’s people, and that they do not have the message of the latter rain. The inverse is then true. Those who Joel identifies as wearing “crowns of glory,” then enter into covenant, are sealed and lifted up as an offering. The very first ratified covenant between God and a chosen people began with the same “cutting” that is represented at the final sacrifice of God’s people, which begins at the Sunday law. The cutting is the separation of wheat and tares. The tares are rejected and cast into the fire and the wheat is bundled together as the Pentecostal first fruit wheat offering, that is then lifted up, “as in former years.”

約珥書中嘅醉酒的人醒過來,發現自己已被棄絕,不再係上帝嘅子民,並且佢哋並冇後雨嘅信息。咁樣,相反嘅情況就成立。約珥所指出嗰啲佩戴「榮耀冠冕」嘅人,隨後便進入聖約,受印記,並被舉起成為供物。上帝同蒙揀選之民之間第一個正式立定嘅聖約,乃係以同一種「切割」開始;而呢種「切割」亦正係喺上帝子民最後嘅祭獻當中所表徵嘅,並且係由星期日法開始。呢個切割,就係麥子同稗子嘅分開。稗子被棄絕,並被拋喺火裏;麥子則被捆埋一齊,成為五旬節初熟麥子嘅供物,然後被舉起,「如同往年一樣。」

There are four places that are typically pointed out to represent Abraham’s covenant. In Genesis twelve Abraham is ‘called’ and given the promise to make him a great nation. This is not part of the covenant, but it is the calling of a promise. At that point his name is Abram, for one of the symbols of a covenant relationship is a name-change. Abram’s name is changed in the third of the four steps of the covenant.

一般指出,有四處經文代表亞伯拉罕之約。於《創世記》第十二章,亞伯拉罕被「呼召」,並得着應許,神要使他成為大國。這並非該約本身的一部分,卻是對一個應許的呼召。當時他的名字仍是亞伯蘭,因為立約關係的其中一個象徵,乃是改名。亞伯蘭的名字,是在這約四個步驟中的第三步被更改的。

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:13–20.

當 神應許亞伯拉罕嘅時候,因為冇比自己更大可以指着起誓,就指着自己起誓,話:「論福,我必賜大福畀你;論子孫,我必叫你大大增多。」咁樣,亞伯拉罕既然恆久忍耐,就得着咗所應許嘅。蓋因人都係指着比自己大嘅起誓,並且以起誓作實據,了結各樣爭論。照樣,神既然定意更加充分向承受應許的人顯明祂旨意係永不更改嘅,就以起誓作保證;好叫我哋呢啲逃往避難所、持定擺喺我哋前頭盼望嘅人,可以藉着兩件不更改嘅事——喺其中神決不能說謊——得着極大嘅安慰。呢盼望對我哋有如靈魂嘅錨,又堅固,又牢靠,並且通入幔子內;作先鋒嘅耶穌,既照着麥基洗德嘅等次成了永遠嘅大祭司,就已經為我哋進入其中。希伯來書 6:13–20。

The calling was God’s promise to Abram, and He provided a second witness with the “oath” that followed. The “oath” that followed was threefold. After the calling of a promise, which was the first step, the second, third and fourth steps are the actual threefold covenant, by God, with a chosen people. In Genesis fifteen God formally “cuts” (establishes) the covenant through a dramatic ritual where God alone passes between divided animals, unconditionally promising land to Abraham’s descendants. The Promised Land was represented as a land between two rivers; the river of Egypt and the river Euphrates. The first step of the threefold covenant includes a direct reference of the prophetic symbolism of two rivers, and all that is attached to that symbol. When inspiration points to the Ulai and Hiddekel rivers as events that are now in the process of fulfillment, those two rivers were typified in Abram’s prophecy. The setting is between Abram’s two rivers, which when brought together with Daniel’s two rivers makes four rivers, for the voice of Christ is the voice of many waters.

呢個呼召乃是上帝對亞伯蘭嘅應許,而祂藉住隨後嘅「誓言」提供咗第二個見證。隨後嘅「誓言」乃是三重嘅。喺應許之呼召——即第一步——之後,第二、第三同第四步,就係上帝與一個蒙揀選之民所立、實際上三重嘅約。 喺《創世記》第十五章,上帝藉住一個戲劇性嘅儀式,正式「立」(確立)呢個約;喺嗰個儀式當中,只有上帝獨自從劈開咗嘅牲畜中間經過,無條件地應許將地賜畀亞伯拉罕嘅後裔。應許之地被表述為兩條河之間嘅一片土地:埃及河同幼發拉底河。三重之約嘅第一步,包括對兩條河呢一個先知性象徵及其所附帶一切事物嘅直接指涉。 當默示指出烏萊河同希底結河所代表嘅事件如今正喺應驗過程之中,呢兩條河早已喺亞伯蘭嘅預言之中作為預表。其場景乃設於亞伯蘭嘅兩條河之間;而當呢兩條河與但以理嘅兩條河合埋一齊之時,就成為四條河,因為基督嘅聲音乃是眾水嘅聲音。

In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. Genesis 15:18–21.

當日,耶和華與亞伯蘭立約,說:「我已將這地賜給你的後裔,從埃及河直到伯拉大大河,就是幼發拉底河:就是基尼人、基尼洗人、甲摩尼人之地,赫人、比利洗人、利乏音人之地,亞摩利人、迦南人、革迦撒人、耶布斯人之地。」創世記 15:18–21。

The land promised to Abram was the entire world which is represented by ten kings in the last days, whereas in the first days of the covenant it was listed as ten tribes, not kings. The one hundred and forty-four thousand will be in conflict with the entire world. The world will then be involved with the testing process of Sunday worship enforcement by a one-world government under the direction of the scarlet-colored whore of Revelation seventeen, who reigns over the ten kings of the earth. With Abram the church and state symbol of the image of the beast is represented by the river of Egypt, a symbol of statecraft and the river of Babylon, a symbol of churchcraft.

應許給亞伯蘭之地,乃是全世界;在末後的日子,這世界由十王所表徵;然而在聖約起初的日子,所列出的卻是十個支派,而非君王。十四萬四千人將要與全世界發生衝突。屆時,在一個世界政府的統治之下,全世界都將捲入強制推行星期日崇拜之試驗過程;這世界政府乃是在《啟示錄》第十七章那朱紅色淫婦的指使之下行事,因她統治地上的十王。就亞伯蘭而言,獸像之政教合一的表號,乃由埃及的河——國家權術的象徵——以及巴比倫的河——教會權術的象徵——所表明。

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying,

呢些事以後,耶和華嘅話喺異象中臨到亞伯蘭,說:

Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

亞伯蘭,你唔使懼怕;我係你嘅盾牌,亦係你極大嘅賞賜。

And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

亞伯蘭說:「主耶和華啊,我既然無子而去,你還要賜我甚麼呢?並且承受我家業的,乃是這大馬色人以利以謝。」亞伯蘭又說:「看哪,你沒有賜給我後裔;看哪,那生在我家中的人竟要作我的後嗣。」看哪,耶和華的話臨到他,說:

This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

呢個唔會成為你嘅後嗣;惟有從你自己身中所出嘅,先至會成為你嘅後嗣。於是祂領佢走到外邊,話:「你而今向天觀看,數算眾星,若你能數得清;」又對佢話:「你嘅後裔也必如此。」

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. And he said unto him,

他信耶和華,耶和華就以此算為他的義。耶和華又對他說,

I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

我係耶和華,曾領你出迦勒底的吾珥,為要將呢地賜畀你為業。

And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him,

佢話:「主耶和華啊,我憑乜嘢知道我必承受這地呢?」佢對佢話:

Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

你為我取一隻三歲的母牛犢、一隻三歲的母山羊、一隻三歲的公綿羊,又一隻斑鳩,同一隻雛鴿。

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram,

佢就將呢一切都帶到自己面前,把牠們從中劈開,將每一塊彼此相對擺列;只是飛鳥沒有劈開。當空中的飛鳥下來啄食那些肉塊的時候,亞伯蘭就把牠們趕走。到日頭將要落下的時候,亞伯蘭沉沉睡去;看哪,有極其可怕的幽暗臨到他。耶和華對亞伯蘭說,

Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

你要確實知道:你嘅後裔必寄居喺唔屬於佢哋嘅地方,又要服事嗰地嘅人;嗰地嘅人必苦待佢哋四百年。並且,佢哋所服事嘅嗰一國,我也要審判;然後,佢哋必帶着許多財物出來。

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

你必平平安安歸到你列祖那裡;你必享高壽而被埋葬。

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

到咗第四代,佢哋必再返到呢度;因為亞摩利人嘅罪孽仲未滿盈。

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. Genesis 15:1–17.

日落天黑嘅時候,看哪,有冒煙嘅火爐,同埋燒着嘅火把,從嗰啲肉塊中間經過。創世記 15:1–17。

The One who would guide Moses and the children of Israel as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day passed between those “cut” pieces as a smoking furnace and burning lamp.

那位要在夜間以火柱、日間以雲柱引導摩西同以色列子民者,曾以冒煙嘅爐同燃燒嘅火把,從嗰些「劈開」咗嘅肉塊中間經過。

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Exodus 13:21, 22.

耶和華在日間於雲柱中行在他們前頭,為要引領他們行路;在夜間於火柱中行在他們前頭,為要光照他們,使他們日夜都可以前行。日間的雲柱,夜間的火柱,總不離開百姓的前頭。出埃及記 13:21, 22。

The burning lamp and smoking furnace typified the pillar of cloud or fire and represents an prophetic element of the first step, of the three steps involved with God establishing the covenant with Abram. The chapter begins with the words, “Fear not,” for the message of the first angel is fear God, and those who like Abram fear God, will not need to fear God. There are two types of fear, because there are two classes of people.

燃燒的火把同冒煙的火爐,乃係預表雲柱或火柱,並且代表神與亞伯蘭立約所涉及三個步驟之中第一步嘅一個先知性要素。本章以「不要懼怕」起首,因為第一位天使嘅信息乃係敬畏神;而凡像亞伯蘭一樣敬畏神嘅人,就唔需要懼怕神。懼怕有兩種,因為人有兩等。

Further into the covenant passage Abram believes God and it was counted unto him as righteousness. The three angels parallel the work of the Holy Spirit as set forth by John who teaches the Holy Spirit convicts of three things; sin, righteousness and judgment. Those characteristics align with the three angels, so after the fear of God is set forth in the covenant passage, then the second step of righteousness is identified, only to be followed by the pronouncement of judgment, which is the third work of the Holy Spirit, and the message of the third angel. The first step of the covenant typified the first angel’s message, which is always a fractal of all three messages. The three steps of the covenant process, represent the three angels of Revelation fourteen.

喺聖約嘅經文再往下看,亞伯蘭信神,這就算為他的義。三位天使與聖靈嘅工作相對應,正如約翰所陳明,聖靈叫人為三件事自責:罪、義、審判。呢啲特徵與三位天使彼此吻合;所以,喺聖約嘅經文中既已設立敬畏神之後,第二步就指出義,隨後便係審判嘅宣告;呢正係聖靈第三樣工作,亦即第三位天使嘅信息。聖約嘅第一步,預表咗第一位天使嘅信息;而第一位天使嘅信息,始終都係全部三重信息嘅分形。聖約進程嘅三個步驟,代表《啟示錄》第十四章嘅三位天使。

After Abram is counted as righteous marking the second angel, he prepares an offering, for the offering is prepared just before the third step of judgment. That offering represents the offering of the Levites of Malachi three that is lifted up as an ensign. Just as the three periods of forty years in the life of Moses represents the three angels’ messages, the first forty years of Moses has all three steps of the three angels’ message.

亞伯蘭被算為義之後,這標誌着第二位天使;他便預備祭物,因為祭物乃是在審判第三步之前預備好的。那祭物代表瑪拉基書第三章利未人之供獻,被高舉作為旌旗。正如摩西一生中三段四十年的時期代表三天使的信息,摩西頭四十年亦包含了三天使信息的全部三個步驟。

Where Moses’ testimony begins is with his parents fearing God, (the first step), followed by a visual test. The second step includes a visual test, as was the case in Daniel chapter one, when Daniel first fears God and refused to eat the Babylonian diet, and then is tested based upon his physical appearance. Then for Daniel it was the third test three years later by king Nebuchadnezzar, a symbol of the king of the north and the Sunday law, which is the third angels’ message.

摩西嘅見證開始於佢父母敬畏上帝,(第一步),跟住就係一個視覺上嘅考驗。第二步包括一個視覺上嘅考驗,正如《但以理書》第一章所記,當但以理首先敬畏上帝,拒絕食用巴比倫嘅膳食,然後就按住佢外表上嘅情況受試驗。至於但以理,第三個考驗就係三年之後由尼布甲尼撒王所施行;尼布甲尼撒王乃係北方王同星期日法令嘅象徵,而呢一切就係第三位天使嘅信息。

Moses’ parents fear God, put him into an ark in the water and Pharaoh’s daughter was led to see the situation, and then passed judgment in favor of saving the child. The beginning of Moses life was an illustration of the covenant that God made with mankind, and then through Moses, God also made a covenant with a chosen nation selected from mankind. Noah’s covenant with mankind represents the great multitude and Moses covenant with a chosen people is the one-hundred and forty-four thousand. The offering that Abram was to make to ratify the covenant bore the emblem of the covenant of Noah, just as did Moses who fulfilled Abram’s prophecy centuries later.

摩西的父母敬畏神,把他放在水中的一個方舟裏;法老的女兒被引導去看見那情況,隨後便作出有利於拯救那孩子的判決。摩西一生的開端,乃是神與人類所立之約的一個預表;其後,神又藉着摩西,與從人類中揀選出來的一個民族立約。挪亞與人類所立的約,代表那大群人;摩西與蒙揀選之民所立的約,則是那十四萬四千人。亞伯蘭為使那約得以確立而當獻上的祭物,帶有挪亞之約的標記;正如幾個世紀之後成就了亞伯蘭預言的摩西一樣。

The offering consisted of five various animals; a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon. The birds were left whole, and the heifer, ram and she goat were “cut” in halves. The offering typifies the lifting up of an ensign in the last days as a visual test for mankind. The visual sign for Pharaoh’s daughter was the baby Moses in the ark. The ark is symbolized by the eight souls on the ark. The number “eight” is established as one of the prophetic characteristics of the ensign of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. When you consider the five animal offerings and divide three in half, then your offering is made up of eight pieces, as typified by Noah, and then confirmed in Abram’s offering.

祭物由五種不同的牲畜組成:一隻三歲的母牛犢、一隻三歲的母山羊、一隻三歲的公綿羊、一隻斑鳩,並一隻雛鴿。飛鳥保持完整,而母牛犢、公綿羊和母山羊則被「劈開」為兩半。這祭物預表在末後日子豎立一面旌旗,作為給人類的一個可見的試驗。法老的女兒所得的可見記號,乃是方舟中的嬰孩摩西。方舟乃藉着方舟上的八個靈魂作為象徵。數字「八」被確立為那十四萬四千人之旌旗的一項先知性特徵。當你思想這五種牲畜祭物,並將其中三個劈為兩半,那麼你的祭物便由八部分組成,如挪亞所預表的,並且其後在亞伯蘭的祭物中得着印證。

Those five animals, when divided as directed by God, represent the number “eight,” and in so doing, they represent those souls at the end of the world that were typified by the “eight” souls upon the ark. The sign of circumcision, which is the second step in Abram’s threefold covenant was to be carried out on the “eighth” day after birth, and the rite was replaced by baptism, which typifies the resurrection of Christ which took place on the “eighth” day. The number “eight” is an established characteristic of the covenants of both Noah and Moses, and they typify the one hundred and forty-four thousand who will be lifted up as an ensign offering, and who are the “eighth” that is of the seven.

嗰五隻牲畜,照住上帝所吩咐分開之後,就表明數目「八」;藉此,佢哋就預表咗世界末了嗰啲靈魂,即係方舟上嗰「八」個靈魂所預表嘅人。割禮嘅記號,乃係亞伯蘭三重之約嘅第二步,必須喺出生後第「八」日施行;而呢個禮儀後來由洗禮所取代,洗禮乃係預表基督喺第「八」日所發生嘅復活。數目「八」乃係挪亞同摩西兩個約嘅一個既定特徵;而佢哋都預表嗰十四萬四千人,佢哋將要被高舉,作為一個旌旗祭,而且佢哋就係出於七者之中嘅第「八」位。

Those five animals represent the five wise virgins, who are typified by the “eight” on the ark, will pass from an old world to a new world—without seeing death.

嗰五隻動物代表嗰五個聰明的童女,佢哋由方舟上嘅「八」所預表,將要由舊世界進入新世界——而不見死。

Abram’s offering was a pure offering, for all the animals in the offering were clean animals, and together they represent the primary animals used for whole burnt offerings. The first angel’s message includes the command to worship the Creator, and the primary sacrificial animals of the sanctuary service that was to be instituted when Abram’s prophecy was fulfilled in the time of Moses are set forth as the offerings of worship, while also typifying the first angel’s call to worship the Creator.

亞伯蘭嘅祭物係純潔嘅祭物,因為祭物中所有牲畜都係潔淨嘅牲畜,而佢哋合埋一齊,正好代表全燔祭所主要使用嘅祭牲。第一位天使嘅信息包括咗敬拜創造主嘅命令;而當亞伯蘭嘅預言喺摩西時代應驗、聖所嘅崇祀禮儀將要設立之時,其中所制定作為敬拜祭物之聖所主要祭牲,喺呢度被陳明為供物,同時亦預表第一位天使對敬拜創造主之呼召。

Verse eighteen explicitly states, “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.” That marks the first of three steps that typify the three angels of Revelation fourteen. The covenant step in Genesis fifteen represents the first angel’s message of Revelation fourteen, which is followed by a second angel, who was typified by the second step of Abram’s covenant found in Genesis seventeen.

第十八節明確指出:「當那日,耶和華與亞伯蘭立約。」這標誌住三個步驟之中嘅第一個,而呢三個步驟正係預表《啟示錄》第十四章嘅三位天使。《創世記》第十五章立約呢一步,代表咗《啟示錄》第十四章第一位天使嘅信息;隨後而來嘅第二位天使,則由亞伯蘭之約嘅第二步所預表,見於《創世記》第十七章。

In step number two, Abram’s name is changed to Abraham. Abram means ‘the father is exalted,’ and Abraham means ‘the father of many nations.’ In the calling of Abram, the promise of becoming a great nation was given, but the promise was not ratified until Abram’s name was changed. Then he became the first father of a chosen covenant people. The next step typified the third angel’s message as Abraham is tested upon sacrificing Isaac, which typified the cross, which typified October 22, 1844, which typifies the Sunday law—which is the third angel’s message. That third covenant step was fulfilled on the twenty-second of October in 1844, and it is set forth in Genesis twenty-two.

喺第二個步驟入面,亞伯蘭嘅名被改為亞伯拉罕。亞伯蘭嘅意思係「父被尊崇」,而亞伯拉罕嘅意思係「多國之父」。喺對亞伯蘭嘅呼召之中,已經賜下咗要成為大國嘅應許,但呢個應許直到亞伯蘭嘅名被改變之後,先至得以確認。於是,佢就成為蒙揀選之約民嘅第一位父。下一個步驟預表第三位天使嘅信息,因為亞伯拉罕喺獻以撒嘅事上受試驗;呢件事預表十字架,十字架又預表1844年10月22日,1844年10月22日又預表星期日法——即係第三位天使嘅信息。呢第三個立約步驟喺1844年10月22日得以應驗,並且記載喺創世記第二十二章。

In the second step, which is the second angel’s message, where Abram’s name is changed, the rite of circumcision is established as the “sign” of a covenant people and their relation to God. It is in the history of the second angel’s message, that God’s people are sealed. They are lifted up as an ensign at the third angel’s message represented by the Sunday law, but they are sealed in the period just before the Sunday law, which in Millerite history would be, just before the door closed on October 22, 1844.

喺第二個步驟,即係第二位天使嘅信息之中,當阿伯蘭嘅名被改變之時,割禮被設立為立約之民及其與上帝關係嘅「記號」。正正喺第二位天使信息嘅歷史之中,上帝嘅子民受咗印。佢哋喺由星期日法所代表嘅第三位天使信息之時被高舉,好似一面旌旗;但佢哋受印,乃係喺星期日法之前嗰段時期,即係喺米勒派歷史當中,亦即喺1844年10月22日恩門關閉之前不久。

The same is true with the three decrees to come out of Babylon that started the 2300-year prophecy, which ended at the third angel’s arrival on October 22, 1844. The temple was finished during the history of the second decree, after the first, but before the third. The foundations were laid during the first decree and the temple building finished in the history of the second decree. The third decree in 457 BC started the 2300 years, while the decree itself returned national sovereignty to the Jews. At the third waymark a kingdom is set up, as represented by the restoration of national sovereignty at the third decree and the lifting up of the church triumphant as an ensign at the Sunday law.

同樣地,那開始了二千三百年預言、並於1844年10月22日隨着第三位天使之來到而結束的、從巴比倫出來的三道諭令,也是如此。聖殿是在第二道諭令的歷史期間完成的,在第一道之後,卻在第三道之前。根基是在第一道諭令期間立下的,而殿宇則在第二道諭令的歷史中建成。公元前457年的第三道諭令開始了二千三百年,而該諭令本身則把國家的主權歸還給猶太人。在第三個路標,有一個國度被建立起來;這由第三道諭令中國家主權的恢復,以及在星期日法案之時得勝教會被高舉為大旗,所表徵。

The third decree typified the third angel’s arrival to the marriage on October 22, 1844. The bride makes herself ready, before the marriage, not at the marriage. The sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is accomplished just before the Sunday law in the period of time prophetically represented as the image of the beast test. We are informed that the image of the beast test is the test we must pass before probation closes.

第三道諭令預表咗第三位天使於1844年10月22日到達婚筵。新婦使自己預備妥當,乃係喺婚禮之前,唔係喺婚禮之時。十四萬四千人嘅印記工作,係喺星期日法令之前、即先知性地由獸像試驗所表徵嘅時期之內,啱啱完成。我哋蒙指示,獸像嘅試驗就係我哋喺恩門關閉之前必須通過嘅試驗。

“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.

「主已清楚向我顯明,獸像必會在恩門關閉之前形成;因為這乃是上帝子民所要面對的大試驗,藉此他們永遠的命運將被決定。你們的立場充滿混亂、前後矛盾,以致只有極少數人會被迷惑。 」

“In Revelation 13 this subject is plainly presented; [Revelation 13:11–17, quoted].

「喺《啟示錄》第13章,呢個題目已經清楚咁呈現出嚟;[《啟示錄》13:11–17,引述。]」

“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.

「呢個就係上帝子民喺受印之前所必須經歷嘅考驗。凡藉着遵守祂嘅律法,並拒絕接受一個冒牌嘅安息日,從而證明自己忠於上帝嘅人,都必歸列喺主上帝耶和華嘅旌旗下,並且必領受永生上帝嘅印記。至於嗰啲放棄源自天上嘅真理、接受星期日安息日嘅人,就必領受獸嘅印記。」《Manuscript Releases》,第15卷,15。

The door closed on October 22, 1844, typifying the closed door at the Sunday law. Sister White states that the image of the beast test is the test we must pass “before” probation closes, and she also states that the test is where our eternal destiny is decided. Before the Sunday law, the bride makes herself ready, and this requires having the proper wedding garment, a garment that is to be purified by the refining fires of the Messenger of the Covenant. The seal is placed before the wedding, and then the wedding takes place at the Sunday law.

門於1844年10月22日關閉,預表於星期日法令時所關閉的門。懷愛倫姊妹指出,獸像的試驗乃是恩典時期結束「之前」我們必須通過的試驗;她又指出,這試驗乃是決定我們永恆命運之所在。於星期日法令之前,新婦使自己預備好了;而這要求她具有合宜的婚筵禮服,就是那要藉着立約之使者煉淨之火而得潔淨的衣袍。印記是在婚娶之前蓋上的,然後婚娶便於星期日法令時發生。

Sister White identifies that the sealing is a settling into the truth both intellectually and spiritually. She further identifies that ‘when’ God’s people are sealed, ‘then’ the shaking of God’s judgments will come. The shaking is the judgments that begin at the earthquake of Revelation eleven, which is the Sunday law in the United States.

懷愛倫姊妹指出,受印乃是在理智上同屬靈上都被安定於真理之中。她進一步指出,當上帝的子民受了印之時,上帝審判所帶來的震動便會來到。這震動就是那始於《啟示錄》第十一章地震之審判,而那地震乃是美國的星期日法案。

The Millerite temple was finished at the Midnight Cry, identifying that the seal is placed before the third waymark of judgment. In Abraham’s covenant the third step of judgment was Isaac on Mount Moriah, typifying not only Christ upon the cross, but also the offering of the Levites in Malachi three.

米勒派嘅聖殿喺半夜呼聲之時完成,表明印記係喺審判第三個路標之前蓋上。喺阿伯拉罕嘅約中,審判嘅第三步係以撒喺摩利亞山上;呢一件事所預表嘅,唔單止係基督喺十字架上,亦都係瑪拉基書第三章之中利未人嘅獻上。

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

佢必坐下,如煉淨銀子的,作潔淨者;佢必潔淨利未之子,熬煉佢哋如金如銀,使佢哋可以憑公義獻供物畀耶和華。嗰時,猶大同耶路撒冷所獻的供物,必蒙耶和華悅納,好似古時之日,又如往年一樣。

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:3–5.

我必臨近你們,施行審判;我必迅速作見證,攻擊那些行邪術的、行姦淫的、起假誓的、虧負雇工工價的、欺壓寡婦和孤兒的、屈枉寄居者之權利的,並且不敬畏我的人,這是萬軍之耶和華說的。瑪拉基書 3:3–5。

After the purification process, the offering will ‘then’ be as in days of old, and the offering is prepared during the final act of judgment, for it is then that the Levites who have been purified and prepared as an offering, are contrasted with the foolish virgins who Christ is to be a “swift witness against.” The “swift witness” is the “faithful witness to the Laodicean church,” who cast Shebna as a ball into a far field, and who projectile vomits the Laodiceans out of His mouth. The separation of the wheat and tares will be swift, for the final movements are rapid ones. That swift messenger is He who suddenly comes to His temple in Malachi three.

經過潔淨嘅過程之後,供物先會「然後」如古時一樣;而且,呢個供物係喺最後審判嘅行動之中預備好嘅,因為正正喺嗰時,嗰啲已經被潔淨、並被預備成為供物嘅利未人,就同基督所要作「快快作見證攻擊」嘅愚拙童女形成對比。呢位「快快作見證」者,就係「對老底嘉教會忠信嘅見證」,佢將舍伯那好似球一般拋到遠處嘅田野,又將老底嘉人從自己口中噴吐出去。麥子同稗子嘅分離將會迅速,因為最後嘅行動乃係急速嘅。嗰位迅速嘅使者,就係喺《瑪拉基書》第三章忽然來到祂殿中嘅嗰一位。

The lifting up of the offering in Malachi “as in days of old,” is the lifting up of the ensign of the one hundred and forty-four thousand; it was the lifting up of the two Pentecostal wave loaves offering; it was the lifting up of the serpent on the pole in the wilderness; it was the lifting up of Christ on the cross and it was the lifting up of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego in the fiery furnace with Christ while all the world marveled and wondered; it was the publication of the 1843 chart, and the intended purpose for the 1850 chart.

瑪拉基書中所說把供物「照古時之日」舉起來,就是把那十四萬四千人嘅旗號舉起來;亦即係把五旬節兩個搖祭餅嘅供物舉起來;亦即係把曠野中杆上嘅蛇舉起來;亦即係把基督喺十字架上被舉起來,以及把沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌同基督一同喺烈火嘅窰中被高舉,當時全世界都希奇驚訝;亦即係1843年圖表嘅出版,同埋1850年圖表原定嘅目的。

It was in the second step of Abraham’s covenant that the rite of circumcision was enacted and enforced, thus becoming the sign of the covenant. Abraham, unlike Moses, immediately circumcised Isaac, so when he lifted him up as an offering in the third step, Isaac would represent the sign. That sign would later be replaced by baptism, which together provide two witnesses to the sign of the cross.

正喺亞伯拉罕之約嘅第二步,割禮呢一項禮儀被設立並施行,因此成為呢約嘅記號。亞伯拉罕與摩西唔同,佢隨即為以撒行咗割禮,所以當佢喺第三步將以撒舉起作為祭獻上嘅時候,以撒就代表住呢個記號。呢個記號後來會由洗禮所取代,而二者一同為十字架嘅記號提供兩個見證。

“What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters. The sin of the transgression of the law of God is taken away. They have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and faithful to all God’s commands.” Manuscript Release, number 21, 51.

「永生上帝嘅印記係乜嘢?呢個印記係安放喺祂子民嘅額上。呢個係一個只有天使而唔係人眼所能辨認嘅記號;因為施行毀滅嘅天使必須看見呢個救贖嘅記號。有悟性嘅心思已經喺主所收納嘅眾子眾女身上,看見加略山十字架嘅標記。干犯上帝律法之罪已被除去。佢哋穿上咗婚筵嘅禮服,並且順服而忠心於上帝一切嘅誡命。」《文稿發佈》,第21號,51。

In the first step of the covenant in Genesis fifteen, a time prophecy of 400 years in bondage is identified, and Paul identifies the same period as 430 years. Paul’s calculation begins with the calling in Exodus twelve, for he includes Abram’s time of sojourning. When closely considered the four hundred years in relation to thirty years is one symbol set forth by Paul, and four hundred years set forth by Abram is another symbol. So, what does the four-hundred-year period represent, and what does the four-hundred and thirty year period represent, and what does the thirty years represent?

喺《創世記》第十五章所記之約嘅第一步當中,一段被奴役四百年嘅時間預言被指出;而保羅則指出同一段時期為四百三十年。保羅嘅計算係由《出埃及記》第十二章所記嘅呼召開始,因為佢將亞伯蘭寄居嘅時間亦計算在內。若仔細思量,四百年相對於三十年,乃係保羅所提出嘅一組象徵;而亞伯蘭所提出嘅四百年,則係另一個象徵。咁,呢段四百年嘅時期代表乜嘢?而呢段四百三十年嘅時期代表乜嘢?又,呢三十年代表乜嘢?

The scholars have aptly demonstrated that the four hundred and thirty years can be divided into two periods of two hundred and fifteen years, the first period free of bondage and slavery, the second is slavery.

學者已恰切地證明,嗰四百三十年可以分為兩段、每段二百一十五年;頭一段並無受捆綁同作奴僕,第二段則係奴役。

Abraham entered Canaan at the age of 75, and Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old (25 years later). Jacob was born when Isaac was 60 years old, and Jacob entered Egypt when he was 130 years old. This totals 215 years in Canaan and 215 years in Egypt, for a total of 430 years. For a student of prophecy this provides two testimonies, from two covenant symbols, for Paul, as with Abram had his name changed. Paul identifies 430 and Abram 400. The line upon line fulfillment of two related time prophecies is associated with the first covenant period that led to the establishment of God’s chosen people.

亞伯拉罕七十五歲進入迦南;以撒出世時,亞伯拉罕一百歲(即二十五年後)。以撒六十歲時雅各出世;雅各一百三十歲時進入埃及。如此,在迦南共二百一十五年,在埃及亦二百一十五年,合共四百三十年。對於研習預言的人而言,這便藉着兩個立約的象徵,提供了兩個見證,給保羅;正如亞伯蘭曾改名一樣。保羅指出四百三十年,而亞伯蘭則指出四百年。兩個相關時間預言那逐句逐句的應驗,乃與第一約時期相連;而該時期最終導向上帝選民之建立。

When Christ came into history to confirm the covenant with many for one week, that week represented two interrelated time prophecies. The four-hundred and thirty year prophecy of Paul can be divided into two equal parts, as with the week of Christ. 215 years in Canaan followed by the 215 years in Egypt, typifying the testimony of Christ in person for 1260 days, followed by 1260 days of Christ’s testimony in the person of His disciples. The 2520 days Christ confirmed the covenant also represents the seven times that are the “quarrel of His covenant.”

當基督進入歷史,要與許多人堅立盟約一個七之時,那一個七代表兩個彼此相關的時間預言。保羅所說那四百三十年的預言,可以像基督的一個七那樣分為兩個相等的部分:在迦南的二百一十五年,隨後是在埃及的二百一十五年,預表基督親身作見證的一千二百六十日,隨後是基督在祂門徒身上作見證的一千二百六十日。基督堅立盟約的二千五百二十日,也代表那作為「祂盟約之爭」的七次。

From 723 BC unto 1798 is 2520 years, and those years are divided into two periods of 1260 years, representing paganism trampling down the sanctuary and host for 1260 years, followed by papalism trampling down the sanctuary and host for 1260 years. The middle of Christ’s week was the cross, and the middle of the week (538) produces 1260 years of pagan testimony followed by 1260 years of pagan testimony from the papal disciple of paganism. When Christ’s kingdom of grace was empowered at the cross it typified 538, when the antichrist’s kingdom was empowered. At the cross, literal Israel was passed by and spiritual Israel began. In 538, literal paganism was passed by, and spiritual paganism began.

由公元前723年直到1798年,共有2520年,而呢啲年日分為兩段1260年,象徵異教踐踏聖所同軍旅1260年,隨後教皇制度再踐踏聖所同軍旅1260年。基督嗰一七之半係十字架,而嗰一週之中間(538)產生咗1260年異教嘅見證,其後又由異教之門徒——教皇制度——延續1260年異教嘅見證。當基督恩典之國喺十字架上得著權能之時,佢就預表咗538年,即敵基督之國得著權能之時。喺十字架上,字面上嘅以色列被越過,而屬靈嘅以色列開始咗。喺538年,字面上嘅異教被越過,而屬靈嘅異教開始咗。

Abram’s prophecy of four hundred years, is also four hundred and thirty years. It is the same prophecy, but set forth by two covenant symbols. Those two related time prophecies were identifying the bondage and deliverance of God’s people that would be fulfilled at the beginning of ancient Israel’s covenant history. At the end of ancient Israel’s covenant history, there is one time prophecy that aligns with another, in a day for a year relationship, thus identifying two time-prophecies emphasizing deliverance and bondage.

亞伯蘭關於四百年的預言,也就是四百三十年。這乃是同一個預言,卻藉着兩個立約的象徵表明出來。這兩個彼此相關的時間預言,乃是指明神子民的受奴役與蒙拯救,並要在古代以色列立約歷史的起始時應驗。到了古代以色列立約歷史的末了,有一個時間預言與另一個相對應,乃是按一日頂一年的關係彼此對齊,從而指明兩個着重拯救與受奴役的時間預言。

In the middle history of the beginning and ending of ancient Israel we find Daniel in the captivity of Babylon. From that covenant history, which identifies bondage and a promise of delivery; the prophecy which ties ancient Israel covenant history together with modern Israel’s covenant history is set forth. In the book of Daniel, two time-prophecies are identified. The “oath” of Moses’ “seven times” of Leviticus twenty-six is identified in Daniel 9/11, as well as verse thirteen’s question in Daniel eight, that leads to the answer of verse fourteen, that identifies the prophecy of 2300 years. The “oath,” which if broken, is the “curse of Moses” in Daniel nine eleven, when carried out in 677 BC against the southern kingdom and it concluded on October 22, 1844, as did the 2300 years. Both 2520 scatterings are located in the question of verse thirteen, and verse fourteen’s answer is the 2300.

喺古代以色列開始同結束之間嘅中段歷史之中,我哋見到但以理身處巴比倫被擄之中。正正由呢段立約歷史——即指出捆綁同蒙應許得拯救——嗰度,嗰個將古代以色列嘅立約歷史同現代以色列嘅立約歷史連繫起來嘅預言,就被陳明出嚟。喺《但以理書》入面,有兩個時間預言被指出。摩西喺《利未記》二十六章所講「七次」嘅「誓言」,喺《但以理書》9/11 之中被指出;與此同時,《但以理書》第八章第十三節嘅問題亦被指出,而呢個問題引向第十四節嘅答案,表明咗二千三百年嘅預言。呢個「誓言」——若被破壞——就係《但以理書》第九章十一節所講嘅「摩西嘅咒詛」;當呢個咒詛喺主前 677 年施行喺南國身上之時,就喺 1844 年 10 月 22 日完結,正如二千三百年亦係如此。兩次 2520 嘅分散都位於第十三節嘅問題之中,而第十四節嘅答案就係二千三百。

As with Moses, the alpha of ancient Israel’s covenant history, and as with Christ, the omega of ancient Israel’s covenant history, the beginning alpha history of modern Israel included two interrelated time prophecies. One represented bondage and slavery and the other deliverance. The division of 430 years into two equal periods in the alpha history of ancient Israel typified, the prophetic division that was repeated in the week Christ confirmed the covenant, and the interrelated period of judgment for breaking the covenant which was divided into two equal periods, sets forth two witnesses; that the alpha history of modern Israel would have a similar prophetic anchor. The 2520 years and 2300 years ending together provide the third witness of two interrelated time-prophecies, which possess a prophecy that is divided equally in the middle.

正如摩西乃古代以色列立約歷史之阿拉法,而基督乃古代以色列立約歷史之俄梅戛一樣,現代以色列起始之阿拉法歷史,也包括兩個彼此相關的時間預言。一個表徵捆綁與奴役,另一個表徵拯救。古代以色列阿拉法歷史中四百三十年的劃分為兩個相等時期,預表了那在基督堅立聖約之週中重複出現的預言性劃分;而那因違背聖約而臨到、並被分為兩個相等時期之彼此相關的審判時期,提出了兩個見證,表明現代以色列之阿拉法歷史也必有一個類似的預言錨點。二千五百二十年與二千三百年同時終結,便提供了第三個見證,證明有兩個彼此相關的時間預言,而其中之一乃是在中間被均分的預言。

Three witnesses would lead a soul to expect that when the Lord enters into covenant with the one hundred and forty-four thousand in the omega history of modern Israel, that there would be two related prophecies of prophetic time, and a period connected that is divided into two equal parts, but this cannot be so, for when the Lord entered into covenant with modern Israel, He raised His hand to heaven and proclaimed that time would be no longer.

三個見證會引導一個人期望:當主喺現代以色列之歐米伽歷史中,與十四萬四千人立約嘅時候,必定會有兩個彼此相關、關於先知性時間嘅預言,並且有一段彼此相連而又分為兩個相等部分嘅時期;然而,事情唔可能係咁,因為當主與現代以色列立約之時,祂舉手向天,宣告不再有時間。

The covenant of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is represented by two wave loaves of the first fruit wheat offering. The prophetic structure of three witnesses, followed by a twofold witness that lacks the distinction of prophetic time, is found in Abram’s offering of a heifer (that was divided equally), a she goat (that was divided equally), and a ram (that was divided equally), followed by a turtledove and a pigeon.

十四萬四千人之約,乃由初熟麥子供物中兩個搖祭餅所預表。三重見證之先知性結構,繼而有一個失卻先知性時間區分之雙重見證,乃見於亞伯蘭所獻之一隻母牛犢(均分為二)、一隻母山羊(均分為二),以及一隻公綿羊(均分為二),其後又有一隻斑鳩和一隻雛鴿。

The first three offerings all had three years attached to their symbolism, identifying they represent three offerings which possessed prophetic time. Not only did the three offerings all possess prophetic time, they each had prophetic time that was equally divided into two periods. The turtledove and the pigeon have no age attached, they simply needed to be young, for they represent the last generation of covenant people, who is represented by two birds, or two flocks.

頭三種祭物,其象徵都附有三年之數,表明牠們代表三種具有預言時期的祭物。這三種祭物不但都具有預言時期,而且各自的預言時期都平均分為兩段。斑鳩與雛鴿則沒有附上年歲,只須是幼小的,因為牠們代表立約子民中的末後一代;這一代乃由兩隻鳥,或兩群羊群所象徵。

The two flocks represent the great multitude and the one hundred and forty-four thousand, but the two birds hold a secondary meaning. The pigeon is one of the offerings for the sanctuary, and when you look up the identification of the pigeon as an offering, more times than not it means a type of dove; whereas the pigeon in Abram’s offering is identifying a bird that is so young it has no feathers, or worse yet, a bird whose feathers have been plucked off. At this prophetic level the two birds are the wheat and tares.

嗰兩群羊代表大群人同十四萬四千人,但嗰兩隻雀就帶有次要嘅含義。斑鳩係聖所祭物之一;而當你查考斑鳩作為祭物嘅辨識時,多數情況下都係指某一類鴿子;然而,阿伯蘭所獻祭物入面嘅鴿雛,所指明嘅,乃係一隻幼嫩到尚未長出羽毛嘅雀,或者更差嘅情況,係一隻羽毛已被拔去嘅雀。在呢一個預言性嘅層面上,嗰兩隻雀就係麥子同稗子。

In the last days the ensign will be lifted up to the heavens as a bird, and it will do so at the very time that two unclean birds are going to lift up wickedness and place her on her throne in Shinar.

喺末後嘅日子,旌旗必如飛鳥被舉到諸天之上;而且正正喺嗰個時候,兩隻污穢嘅飛鳥將要抬起邪惡,把她安置喺示拿地自己嘅座位上。

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

那與我說話的天使就出來,對我說:「你要舉目觀看,那出去的是甚麼。」我說:「這是甚麼呢?」他說:「這是出去的量器。」他又說:「這是他們在全地的形狀。」看哪,有一塊鉛圓蓋被提起來;這是在量器中間坐着的一個婦人。

And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

佢又話:「這就是邪惡。」於是將她扔進伊法量器中間,又把那塊鉛蓋拋在其口上。

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base. Zechariah 5:5–11.

我又舉目觀看,看哪,有兩個婦人出來;風在她們的翅膀裏,因她們有翅膀如同鸛鳥的翅膀;她們將那量器抬起,懸在地與天之間。於是我對那與我說話的天使說:「她們要把這量器抬到哪裏去呢?」他對我說:「要在示拿地為它建造房屋;等房屋預備好了,便把它安置在自己的座上。」撒迦利亞書 5:5–11。

The papacy, represented as “wickedness,” or by Paul as “that wicked,” received its deadly wound in 1798, when a talent of lead was placed over the basket she sits in. Thereafter spiritualism and apostate Protestantism are going lift her up and build her a house in Shinar, at the same point that God has finished building the house that He is going to lift up as an ensign. In Zechariah the counterfeit ensign is the woman of wickedness and the ensign are represented as doves. The world with then be choosing between Rome, which is the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, or the dove, a symbol of God’s covenant with mankind.

教皇制度,作為「邪惡」的象徵,或如保羅所稱「那惡者」,於1798年受了致命的傷;那時有一他連得重的鉛被放在她所坐的量器口上。此後,招魂術與背道的新教將要把她抬起來,並在示拿地為她建造房屋;而就在同一時刻,上帝已經建成祂所要舉起作為旗幟的房屋。在撒迦利亞書中,那冒牌的旗幟就是那邪惡的婦人,而那旗幟則被表述為鴿子。屆時,世人將要在羅馬——就是各樣污穢可憎之鳥的籠子——與鴿子,即上帝與人類立約之象徵,兩者之間作出抉擇。

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. Revelation 18:2.

他大聲呼喊,聲音強而有力,說:「巴比倫大城傾倒了!傾倒了!成了鬼魔的住處,和各樣污穢之靈的巢穴,並各樣污穢可憎之雀鳥的囚籠。」啟示錄 18:2

Christ stated in connection with His death and resurrection, ‘destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.’ Those three days represent a prophetic period when a temple is raised up, as was the case with Moses, with Christ and with the Millerites. The three-year-old requirement for Abram’s offering of a heifer, she goat and ram represent that within each of the three covenant histories we are now considering, a temple would be erected. The final covenant temple of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is the ensign is to be lifted up as a crown unto heaven. For this reason; the heifer, she goat and ram are earth beasts, thus making the distinction with the birds that fly in the heavens. The covenant temple that is erected in the last days is when Jerusalem is lifted up above all the hills and mountains.

基督論到祂的死與復活時曾說:「你們拆毀這殿,我三日內要再建立起來。」呢三日代表一段有殿被建立起來嘅預言時期,正如摩西、基督同米勒派嘅情況一樣。亞伯蘭所獻嘅母牛、母山羊同公綿羊都必須係三歲,呢個要求表明:喺我哋而家所考察嘅三段聖約歷史當中,每一段都會有一座殿被建立起來。一百四十四萬人最終嘅聖約之殿,乃係嗰面要被舉起、作為冠冕歸於天上嘅大旗。為此,母牛、母山羊同公綿羊都係地上嘅獸,從而與那些飛翔於天上嘅雀鳥有所區別。喺末後嘅日子所建立起來嘅聖約之殿,就係當耶路撒冷被高舉,超乎一切山岡同大山之上嘅時候。

Though I have not yet identified every element of Abram’s first of three covenant steps, so far, every element we have considered has a counterpart in the beginning and ending of ancient literal Israel, and in the beginning of modern Israel. We have shown the three steps of the angels of Revelation fourteen in Abram’s first covenant step. The fractal of the three angels that is in the first covenant step of Abram, will be even more clearly upheld when we consider Abram’s second and third covenant steps.

雖然我尚未辨明亞伯蘭三個立約步驟中第一步的每一個元素,但到目前為止,我們所考察過的每一個元素,在古代字面以色列的開始與結束,以及在現代以色列的開始,都有其對應。我們已經在亞伯蘭第一個立約步驟中,指出啟示錄第十四章三位天使的三個步驟。當我們考察亞伯蘭第二及第三個立約步驟時,那存在於亞伯蘭第一個立約步驟中的三天使分形,將會更清楚地得到印證。

Abram’s “eight” offerings represent not only offerings that would become part of Moses’ sanctuary rituals, but they identify and confirm the role of prophetic time in the story of God’s covenant people. They confirm the beginning and endings of Israel as God’s chosen people, whether literal or spiritual.

阿伯蘭所獻嘅「八種」祭物,唔單止代表後來成為摩西聿幕禮儀一部分嘅祭物,更指明並印證咗先知性時間喺神立約子民歷史中所擔當嘅角色。佢哋印證以色列作為神所揀選之民嘅開始同終結,無論係按字面而言,抑或按屬靈而言。

Paul’s 430 years, is a prophetic period that cannot be logically separated from Abram’s 400 years. When laid over the top of one another they produce a thirty-year period, followed by four hundred years. This is where we will continue the next article.

保羅所講嘅四百三十年,乃係一段喺邏輯上唔可以同亞伯蘭嘅四百年分割開來嘅先知性時期。當將兩者重疊對照之時,佢哋就顯出一段三十年嘅時期,隨後係四百年。我哋將會喺下一篇文章繼續講述呢一點。

“The prophecies recorded in the Old Testament are the word of the Lord for the last days, and will be fulfilled as surely as we have seen the desolation of San Francisco.” Letter 154, May 26, 1906.

「舊約所記載嘅預言,乃係主為末後日子所發嘅話;其應驗必然確實,正如我哋已經看見三藩市嘅荒涼一樣。」Letter 154, May 26, 1906.