With the collapse of the USSR in 1989 verse forty of Daniel eleven was fulfilled. Verse forty-one is the Sunday law in the United States, as is verse sixteen. From 1989 until the Sunday law in the United States verse forty is empty. The collapse of the USSR in 1989 was also identified in verse ten of Daniel eleven, that was initially fulfilled by Antiochus Magnus.

隨着蘇聯於1989年瓦解,但以理書第十一章第四十節便應驗了。第四十一節乃是美國的星期日法,正如第十六節也是如此。自1989年直到美國的星期日法之間,第四十節乃是空白的。蘇聯於1989年瓦解,也在但以理書第十一章第十節中被指明;那一節最初乃由安提阿古・馬古努斯應驗。

Antiochus III Magnus the Seleucid “king of the north,” ruled from 223–187 BC and sought to reclaim territories lost to the Ptolemies (the “king of the south”) after the Third Syrian War (246–241 BC). His campaign in the Fourth Syrian War (219–217 BC) aimed to retake Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine. In 219 BC Antiochus marched south, capturing Seleucia-in-Pieria, Tyre, and Ptolemais (Acre), regaining coastal strongholds. In 218 BC he advanced further, taking Philadelphia (Amman) and pressing toward Egypt’s frontier, intent on reclaiming lost Seleucid lands down to Gaza. Antiochus halted his march in 218 BC, consolidating gains and preparing for a decisive push. Ptolemy IV Philopator, the Ptolemaic king, mustered an army to meet him, bolstered by Egyptian troops. Verse ten of Daniel eleven sets forth this movement of Antiochus, thus prefiguring the collapse of the USSR in 1989, and typifying verse forty.

塞琉古王朝「北方王」安提阿古三世大帝,於主前223年至187年在位;第三次敘利亞戰爭(主前246至241年)之後,他力圖收復從托勒密王朝(即「南方王」)手中失去的領土。他在第四次敘利亞戰爭(主前219至217年)中的戰役,旨在奪回中空敘利亞、腓尼基及巴勒斯坦。主前219年,安提阿古南下進軍,攻取皮埃里亞的塞琉西亞、推羅與托勒密城(亞革),重新奪回沿海要塞。主前218年,他進一步推進,奪取非拉鐵非(安曼),並向埃及邊境進逼,立意收復一切失去的塞琉古領土,直至迦薩。安提阿古於主前218年暫停進軍,鞏固既得成果,並為決定性的推進作準備。托勒密王朝之王托勒密四世·菲洛帕托爾則集結軍隊迎戰,並有埃及軍兵增援。《但以理書》第十一章第十節陳明安提阿古此一行動,從而預表1989年蘇聯的瓦解,並作為第四十節的預型。

But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. Daniel 11:10.

然而,他的眾子必被激動,聚集大批強盛的軍兵;其中一個必定前來,如洪水氾濫,橫掃而過;然後他必回來,再被激動,直逼到他的保障。Daniel 11:10.

When the king of the north in verse forty “overflows and passes over” it aligns with verse ten’s king of the north “overflowing and passing through.” In both verses it is the identical Hebrew words, that are simply translated a little differently. It is the same expression as found in Isaiah 8:8.

當第四十節中的北方王「勢如洪流,氾濫而過」之時,這與第十節中北方王「勢如洪流,穿越而過」乃是相互對應的。在這兩節經文中,所用的是完全相同的希伯來文字詞,只不過譯法稍有不同而已。這亦正是以賽亞書 8:8 所見的同一表達。

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. Isaiah 8:8.

佢必經過猶大;佢必氾濫氾溢,直漲到頸項;佢展開嘅翅膀,必充滿你地嘅闊度,哦,以馬內利。以賽亞書 8:8。

Each of the three verses is identifying a southern king being defeated by a northern king. Antiochus the northern king prevails over Ptolemy the southern king, just as Sennacherib prevailed over Judah the southern king, and just as the king of the north in verse forty swept away the USSR in 1989. Three verses along with the three historical fulfillments of those verses, identify the “time of the end” in 1989. Thus, verse ten is 1989 and verse sixteen is the Sunday law in the United States, as is verse forty-one.

呢三節經文每一節都指出有一個南方王被一個北方王擊敗。北方王安提阿哥勝過南方王托勒密,正如西拿基立勝過南方王猶大一樣;亦正如第四十節所講嘅北方王於1989年席捲蘇聯一樣。呢三節經文連同呢三節經文喺歷史上嘅三次應驗,都指明「末時」係喺1989年。因此,第十節就係1989年,而第十六節乃係美國嘅星期日法,第四十一節亦然。

Verses eleven through fifteen is a line of Scripture, which also has a historical fulfillment that identifies specific prophetic waymarks within the hidden history of verse forty. Before the Sunday law in the United States, but after 1989 the battle of Raphia and its aftermath is set forth in verses eleven and twelve, and the battle of Panium is set forth in verses thirteen to fifteen.

第十一至第十五節乃是一段經文;此段經文亦有其歷史上之應驗,用以指出第四十節隱藏歷史之中特定的先知性里程碑。於美國主日法令之前、但在一九八九年之後,拉菲亞之戰及其後續發展記載於第十一及第十二節,而帕尼烏姆之戰則記載於第十三至第十五節。

The Sunday law is the time appointed; for it is there that the deadly wound of the papacy is healed, and the pope returns to the throne of the earth. That empowerment was typified by the enthronement of the papacy in 538, and by the enthronement of pagan Rome at the battle of Actium. Once prophetically enthroned pagan Rome ruled supremely for 360 years. Once the papacy was enthroned in 538, she ruled supremely for twelve hundred and sixty years. Once the deadly wound is healed at the Sunday law the papacy will rule supremely for a symbolic 42 months.

星期日法乃是所指定的時候;因為正是在那時,教皇權致命的傷便得醫治,而教皇亦重返地上的寶座。這種賦權,曾由教皇權於 538 年登位,以及異教羅馬於亞克興戰役登位所預表。異教羅馬一旦在預言上登位,便至高統治了三百六十年。教皇權一旦於 538 年登位,便至高統治了一千二百六十年。一旦在星期日法之時那致命的傷得了醫治,教皇權便要至高統治象徵性的四十二個月。

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Revelation 13:3–5.

我又看見獸嘅七頭中有一個,似乎受咗致命傷;但佢嗰致命傷卻醫好咗。全地嘅人都希奇,跟從嗰獸;又敬拜嗰龍,因為佢將權柄賜咗畀嗰獸;亦都敬拜嗰獸,話:「有邊個能比得上呢獸呢?有邊個能同佢爭戰呢?」又有口賜畀佢,叫佢說誇大褻瀆嘅話;又有權柄賜畀佢,可以任意而行四十二個月。啟示錄 13:3–5

Verse 27 says “both” of these kings:

第27節論到呢兩個王,話:「他們二人」:

And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. Daniel 11:27.

至於呢兩個王,佢哋心裏都懷着惡念,要行奸惡;並且同席說謊,彼此欺哄;但這事必不亨通,因為到了所定的時候,結局方才來到。 但以理書 11:27。

The two kings in verse twenty-seven are the kings in the previous two verses who thereafter fought the battle of Actium.

第二十七節所說的兩個王,就是前兩節所提及、其後交戰於亞克興之役的那兩個王。

And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. Daniel 11:25, 26.

他必奮起其勢力和勇氣,率領大軍攻擊南方王;南方王也必被激動,出動極大而強盛的軍隊應戰;只是他必站立不住,因為人必設計謀害他。連那些吃他膳食分的人,也必毀滅他;他的軍隊必如洪水氾濫;被殺仆倒的必有許多。〈但以理書〉11:25, 26。

Verse twenty-seven therefore creates an anomaly that needs to be understood before we proceed. In verse twenty-four the “time” represents a 360-year period beginning at the battle of Actium and concluding at the appointed time in the year 330.

因此,第二十七節便造成一個異常之處;在我哋繼續之前,必須先明白呢一點。於第二十四節,「時間」乃指一段三百六十年嘅時期,始於亞克興之戰,終於公元330年所定嘅時候。

The king of the south in the battle was Cleopatra, who was in an alliance with Marc Antony. Octavius was the king of the north who would defeat them both. At the time appointed (31 BC) the two kings who had previously sat down at one table and told lies to one another would confront each other at the battle of Actium.

戰事中嘅南方王係克里奧佩特拉,佢同馬克・安東尼結盟。屋大維就係北方王,佢將會擊敗佢哋二人。到咗所定嘅時候(主前31年),呢兩個先前曾經同席而坐、彼此說謊嘅王,將會喺亞克興海戰中正面交鋒。

The two kings at the table align with the history of the battle of Panium (verses 13 through 15), where there was an alliance of Antiochus Magnus and Phillip of Macedon. That historical alliance corresponds with the symbolic alliance represented in the name of Panium in the time of Christ—Caesarea Philippi. The alliance is also represented in verse forty when the USSR is swept away in 1989 through an alliance between Reagan and pope John Paul II. The two kings tell lies to each other before 31 BC, which aligns with the Sunday law in the United States, and therefore their lies occur before verse sixteen, during the history represented by verses thirteen to fifteen which were fulfilled at the battle of Panium seventeen years after the battle of Raphia, and one hundred and thirty-seven years before Pompey conquered Jerusalem in fulfillment of verse sixteen.

席上的兩個王,乃係對應巴尼烏姆之戰(第13至15節)嘅歷史;當時安提阿古·麥格努斯同馬其頓王腓力結成同盟。呢一段歷史上嘅同盟,又對應住喺基督時代以巴尼烏姆之名所象徵嘅聯盟——該撒利亞腓立比。呢個聯盟亦喺第40節中有所表徵:1989年,蘇聯藉住列根同教宗若望保祿二世之間嘅聯盟而被掃除。兩個王喺主前31年之前彼此說謊,呢點對應美國嘅星期日法,因此,佢哋嘅謊言係發生喺第16節之前,即係發生喺第13至15節所代表嘅歷史之中;呢段歷史喺拉非亞之戰後十七年,於巴尼烏姆之戰中應驗,並且喺龐培攻取耶路撒冷、應驗第16節之前一百三十七年。

In verse twenty-eight Octavius, the victor over both Cleopatra (the king of the south) and Marc Antony, “returns into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.” Uriah Smith identifies these two victories as Actium in 31 BC and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Verse twenty-eight is therefore identifying a history which begins at the battle of Actium, which is the beginning of the 360 years and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

喺第二十八節,戰勝咗克麗奧佩脫拉(南方王)同馬克.安東尼嘅屋大維,「必帶許多財寶回本地;他嘅心必敵擋聖約;他必任意而行,然後回到自己嘅地。」烏利亞.史密斯指出,呢兩次勝利分別係公元前31年亞克興海戰,以及公元70年耶路撒冷被毀。因此,第二十八節所指明嘅,乃係一段始於亞克興之戰嘅歷史;亞克興之戰即係嗰360年嘅起點,而終點則係公元70年耶路撒冷嘅毀滅。

Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. Daniel 11:28.

他必帶着極多財寶回到本地;他心裏卻敵對聖約;他必任意而行,然後回到本地。但以理書 11:28。

The last phrase of verse twenty-four (even for a time) onward represents a historical line which began in 31 BC and concludes in the last phrase of verse thirty-one (shall place the abomination that maketh desolate) which was fulfilled in 538. The line begins with the battle of Actium, which marks the beginning of pagan Rome ruling supremely for three hundred and sixty years. The line ends in 538 with papal Rome beginning to rule supremely for twelve hundred and sixty years. Within the verses and the history which fulfilled the verses the time appointed in 330 represents a division in the history of pagan Rome as the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy. After the initial period of ruling supremely for three hundred and sixty years, there follows two hundred and eight years of disintegration of the empire in advance of the papacy taking the throne in verse thirty-one in the year 538. In the sequence of those eight verses only verse twenty-seven identifies a historical fulfillment that occurred before the battle of Actium in 31 BC.

第二十四節最後一句(「甚至到了所定的時候」)起,呈現出一條歷史脈絡;此脈絡始於公元前三十一年,並終於第三十一節最後一句(「設立那行毀壞可憎的」),而這一句乃應驗於公元五三八年。這條脈絡始於亞克興之戰,該戰標誌着異教羅馬開始以至高權勢統治三百六十年。這條脈絡終於公元五三八年,屆時教皇羅馬開始以至高權勢統治一千二百六十年。在這些經文,以及應驗這些經文的歷史當中,公元三三〇年的所定時候,代表着異教羅馬作為《聖經》預言中第四國之歷史的一次分裂。在最初以至高權勢統治三百六十年之後,接着便有帝國瓦解的二百零八年,為教皇制於第三十一節、即公元五三八年登上寶座鋪路。在那八節經文的次序之中,唯有第二十七節指出了一項歷史上的應驗,而該應驗乃發生於公元前三十一年亞克興之戰之前。

Verse twenty-seven identifies a meeting between two kings in advance of the “appointed time” and verse twenty-nine identifies an “appointed time.” Verse twenty-seven’s “appointed time” is the beginning of the three hundred and sixty year period and the “appointed time” of verse twenty-nine is the ending of the three hundred and sixty year period. The beginning and ending represent an “appointed time.”

第二十七節預先指出,喺「所定的時候」之前,有兩個王相會;而第二十九節則指出一個「所定的時候」。第二十七節所講嘅「所定的時候」,係三百六十年時期嘅開始;而第二十九節所講嘅「所定的時候」,則係三百六十年時期嘅終結。呢個開始同終結,都代表一個「所定的時候」。

The empowerment of pagan Rome began when it conquered the third geographical obstacle as represented in Daniel 8:9.

異教羅馬嘅得勢,始於佢征服咗《但以理書》8:9 所表徵嘅第三個地理障礙。

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. Daniel 8:9.

從其中一角生出一個小角,這角漸漸強大,向南、向東,並向那榮美之地發展。 但以理書 8:9。

The empowerment began at the battle of Actium, and the subsequent subjection of the king of the south (Egypt) in verse nine of chapter eight.

賦權始於亞克興之戰,並延及第八章第九節所述南方王(埃及)其後所受的制伏。

The ending of pagan Rome’s rules as the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy ended in 538 when papal Rome overcame its third geographical obstacle. The entire five-hundred and sixty-eight year period from the battle of Actium unto 538 begins with pagan Rome conquering it’s third obstacle and becoming the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy, and it ends when papal Rome conquers it’s third geographical obstacle.

異教羅馬作為聖經預言中第四國度之統治,其終結乃在公元538年,當時教皇羅馬勝過了其第三個地理上的障礙。由亞克興海戰至538年之間整整五百六十八年的時期,始於異教羅馬征服其第三個障礙,成為聖經預言中的第四國度;而終於教皇羅馬征服其第三個地理上的障礙。

As the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy, the history represented identifies two periods, the first when Rome exalts itself followed by a period describing Rome’s fall. The beginning of the first period of exaltation is also the beginning of the entire period pagan Rome ruled as the fourth kingdom of Bible prophecy. The first period of Rome’s exaltation begins and ends with an appointed time, and it also begins with the joining of the northern and southern kingdoms. It ends with the division into an eastern kingdom and a western kingdom. Beginning and ending with an appointed time and the beginning and ending represent the four divisions of Alexander’s kingdom.

作為聖經預言中第四個國度,所表徵嘅歷史指出兩個時期:第一個時期係羅馬自高自大,隨後則係描述羅馬傾覆嘅時期。第一個高舉時期嘅開端,亦即係異教羅馬作為聖經預言中第四個國度統治嘅整段時期嘅開端。羅馬第一個高舉時期嘅開始同終結,都以一個指定嘅時候為標誌;而且,佢亦都係由北方王國同南方王國嘅聯合而開始。呢個時期以分裂為東方王國同西方王國而告終。以一個指定嘅時候開始,又以一個指定嘅時候結束;而呢個開始同終結,正係亞歷山大王國四個分裂部分嘅表徵。

The two appointed times of verses twenty-seven and twenty-nine represent a beginning and ending waymark describing the period when Rome rules supremely. At the Sunday law in the United States in fulfillment of verse forty-one and verse sixteen of Daniel eleven the period for modern Rome to rule supremely for forty-two symbolic months begins. The first appointed time of verse twenty-seven is the Sunday law in the United States and the second appointed time represents when the last nation on earth follows the example of the United States and enforces the last Sunday law and in so doing identifies the worldwide enforcement of the idol sabbath.

第二十七節同第二十九節所提到嘅兩個所定時候,代表一個起始同終結嘅路標,說明羅馬至高掌權嘅時期。當美國頒布星期日法令,應驗第四十一節同《但以理書》第十一章第十六節之時,現代羅馬以四十二個象徵性月份至高掌權嘅時期就開始。第二十七節所講嘅第一個所定時候,就係美國嘅星期日法令;而第二個所定時候,則代表地上最後一個國家效法美國,執行最後嘅星期日法令,並且藉此表明對偶像安息日喺全球範圍內嘅強制執行。

Those two prophetic waymarks are the Sunday law in the United States unto the world Sunday law enforcement, and those two Sunday laws are the two appointed times in verse twenty-seven and twenty-nine. The first appointed time of verse twenty-seven was also typified by Constantine’s Sunday law in 321, and the papal Sunday law at the Counsel of Orleans in 538 represents the worldwide Sunday law.

嗰兩個先知性嘅路標,就係美國嘅《星期日法》直到世界性執行《星期日法》;而呢兩個《星期日法》,就係第二十七節同第二十九節所講嘅兩個指定時候。第二十七節嘅第一個指定時候,亦都係由君士坦丁喺公元321年所頒布嘅《星期日法》所預表;而教皇喺公元538年奧爾良會議(Counsel of Orleans)所立嘅《星期日法》,就代表世界性嘅《星期日法》。

In the context of verses thirteen through fifteen the battle of Panium is the history that precedes the Sunday law of verse sixteen. Within that history the meeting of the two kings who lie to each other is fulfilled. Verse thirteen through fifteen are part of the history represented in verses ten through sixteen. The verses identify the fourth Syrian War in verse ten, the battle of Raphia in verse eleven, and the aftermath of that battle in verse twelve. Verses thirteen through fifteen represent the history of the year 200 BC when the battle of Panium was fulfilled, and when pagan Rome represented as the robbers of thy people enter the prophetic narrative.

喺第十三至第十五節嘅上下文之中,帕尼烏姆之戰乃係先於第十六節之星期日法令嘅歷史。喺呢段歷史當中,嗰兩個彼此說謊嘅王相會之事得以應驗。第十三至第十五節,乃係第十至第十六節所表徵之歷史嘅一部分。呢幾節經文喺第十節指出第四次敘利亞戰爭,喺第十一節指出拉非亞之戰,並喺第十二節指出該場戰役之後續。第十三至第十五節所代表者,乃係主前二百年之歷史;當時帕尼烏姆之戰得以應驗,而異教羅馬——即被表徵為你本國強暴人者——亦進入呢段先知性敘事之中。

Daniel eleven verse forty identifies the collapse of the USSR in 1989 and verse sixteen identifies the Sunday law in the United States. The meeting between two kings who tell lies to one another in advance of the time appointed, which was the battle of Actium, do so within the history of verse forty that follows the time of the end in 1989 and concludes at the Sunday law in the United States. Verse twenty-seven is a waymark in the hidden history of verse forty, occurring after 1989, but before the Sunday law. The “meeting” of verse twenty-seven is a waymark before the empowerment of Rome at the Sunday law. There are several waymarks that lead up to the empowerment of the papacy in 538, and these waymarks also occur before the time appointed. One of those prophetic waymarks is the decree of Justinian in 533, that fulfilled verse thirty’s reference to having “intelligence with those that forsake the covenant.”

但以理書十一章四十節指出蘇聯於一九八九年瓦解,而第十六節則指出美國的星期日法。兩王在所定的時候之前彼此說謊而相會,亦即亞克興之戰,乃發生於第四十節的歷史之中;這段歷史乃在一九八九年末時之後,並在美國的星期日法處告終。第二十七節乃是第四十節隱藏歷史中的一個路標,發生於一九八九年之後,卻在星期日法之前。第二十七節的「相會」乃是羅馬於星期日法得權之前的一個路標。在引向教皇權於五三八年得權之前,有若干路標,而這些路標亦都出現在所定的時候之前。其中一個先知性的路標,乃是查士丁尼於五三三年所頒佈的敕令,這應驗了第三十節所提到與「離棄聖約的人彼此連合」之事。

The other waymarks that lead to the time appointed in the history of pagan Rome are the year 330 when pagan Rome cast down and simultaneously gave the “seat,” to the papal power. In 496 Clovis gave his “power” to the papacy. In fulfillment of Daniel seven pagan Rome removed “three horns” for the papacy, the last being the removal of the Ostrogoths from the city of Rome in 538. In 508 the religion of paganism was set aside as the legal religion of the realm and was replaced with Catholicism. 538 represents the Sunday law of verse forty-one, and 496 represents 1989 when Reagan as with Clovis dedicated his power to the pope of Rome. The year 330 identifies the Sunday law, for it is there that the papacy returns to the seat of authority.

引向異教羅馬歷史中所指定時候嘅其他路標,包括公元330年;嗰時異教羅馬將佢推倒,並且同時將「座位」交畀教皇權勢。公元496年,克洛維將佢嘅「權柄」交畀教廷。為應驗《但以理書》第七章,異教羅馬為教廷除去咗「三角」;最後一角,乃係喺公元538年將東哥特人由羅馬城中除去。公元508年,異教主義被廢除,不再作為國度合法嘅宗教,並由天主教取而代之。538代表第四十一節嘅星期日法,而496則代表1989年;嗰時列根如同克洛維一樣,將自己嘅權柄奉獻畀羅馬教皇。公元330年標明星期日法,因為正係喺嗰時,教廷重返權柄嘅座位。

This identifies that both 538 and 330 represent the time appointed, which is verses sixteen and forty-one. 496 represents 1989 fulfilled verse ten and verse forty in Daniel eleven and Isaiah 8:8. 508 identifies when the religion of the realm is set aside for Catholicism. Beginning with Clovis in 496 through 508, a progressive removal and replacement of the legal religion of the realm was illustrated. In the history beginning in 330 a progressive demise of Western Rome is represented by the first four trumpets, thus identifying progressive destruction that begins at the Sunday law in the United States.

呢一點表明,538 同 330 都代表所定的時候,即係第十六節同第四十一節。496 代表 1989 年,應驗咗但以理書十一章第十節同第四十節,以及以賽亞書 8:8。508 指明當國境嘅宗教被擱置,改以天主教取代之時。由 496 年克洛維開始,直到 508 年,呢段歷史說明咗國境合法宗教被逐步廢除並遭取代嘅過程。喺由 330 年開始嘅歷史之中,西羅馬漸進式嘅衰亡,藉住頭四枝號筒表現出嚟;因此表明,呢種漸進式嘅毀滅,係由美國嘅星期日法開始。

The progressive fall of pagan Rome following Constantine’s Sunday law in 321 illustrates the fall of the United States as the sixth kingdom of Bible prophecy that arrives at the Sunday law. Then the four trumpet judgments are brought upon the United States as Sister White has identified when she states that “national apostacy will be followed by national ruin.” Ezekiel adds witness to a fourfold punishment.

自從君士坦丁於321年頒布星期日法之後,異教羅馬逐步傾覆,這正說明了美國作為《聖經》預言中第六個國度,在來到星期日法之時的傾覆。其後,正如懷愛倫姊妹所指出,四個號筒的審判便臨到美國;她曾說:「全國性的背道,隨之而來的必是全國性的毀滅。」以西結又為此加添了四重刑罰的見證。

The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:12–23.

耶和華的話又臨到我,說:「人子啊,若有一地藉着大行不忠之罪得罪我,我就必向它伸手,折斷它所倚靠的糧杖,使饑荒臨到其上,將人與牲畜從其中剪除。即使挪亞、但以理、約伯這三人都在其中,主耶和華說:他們也只能因自己的義救自己的性命。 「若我使惡獸經過那地,糟蹋它,使它荒涼,甚至因那些惡獸,無人可以經過;即使這三人在其中,我指着我的永生起誓,主耶和華說:他們既不能救兒子,也不能救女兒;只有他們自己得救,那地卻必荒涼。 「或者我使刀劍臨到那地,說:刀劍哪,要經過那地;以致我將人與牲畜從其中剪除。即使這三人在其中,我指着我的永生起誓,主耶和華說:他們既不能救兒子,也不能救女兒;只有他們自己得救。 「或者我使瘟疫進入那地,將我的烈怒藉着流血傾倒在其上,要將人與牲畜從其中剪除。即使挪亞、但以理、約伯在其中,我指着我的永生起誓,主耶和華說:他們既不能救兒子,也不能救女兒;他們只能因自己的義救自己的性命。 「因為主耶和華如此說:我將我的四樣嚴厲審判,就是刀劍、饑荒、惡獸、瘟疫,降在耶路撒冷,要將人與牲畜從其中剪除,那就更是如何呢?然而,看哪,其中仍必有餘剩的人被帶出來,連兒子帶女兒;看哪,他們必出來到你們這裏,你們看見他們的道路和他們的作為,就必因我降在耶路撒冷的災禍,並我降在其上的一切事,得着安慰。 「你們看見他們的道路和他們的作為,就必得着安慰;你們也必知道,我在其中所行的一切,並非無故;這是主耶和華說的。」以西結書 14:12–23。

We will continue these considerations in the next article.

我哋將會喺下一篇文章中繼續探討呢啲考量。