第14章 以利亚的心志能力
§1
第14章 以利亚的心志能力
§2
Chap. 14 - In the Spirit and Power of Elias
§3
自从以利亚的日子以来，在那过去漫长的许多世纪中，他毕生工作地经历已为凡蒙召在背道之中坚持正义的人带来了鼓舞和勇气。而对于“我们这末世的人”（林前10:11）尤具有特别的意义。现今历史正在重演着。今日的世界也有它的亚哈和它的耶洗别。现今的时代乃是拜偶像的时代，正如以利亚在世的时代一样。虽然表面上没有看得见的神龛；也没有供人瞻仰的偶像；但是千万人却正在随从今世的诸神，追随财富、名誉、享乐和那悦耳的、容人随从未曾重生之心的倾向的荒渺言语。许许多多的人对于上帝和他的神性有了错误的观念，并且正如古时敬拜巴力的人一样去侍奉假神。甚至许多自称为基督徒的人，也竟与完全反抗上帝和他真理的权势联盟。这样，他们就被引诱离弃真神而高举世人了。[1]{PK 177.1}
§4
Through the long centuries that have passed since Elijahs time, the record of his lifework has brought inspiration and courage to those who have been called to stand for the right in the midst of apostasy. And for us, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11), it has special significance. History is being repeated. The world today has its Ahabs and its Jezebels. The present age is one of idolatry, as verily as was that in which Elijah lived. No outward shrine may be visible; there may be no image for the eye to rest upon; yet thousands are following after the gods of this world--after riches, fame, pleasure, and the pleasing fables that permit man to follow the inclinations of the unregenerate heart. Multitude have a wrong conception of God and His attributes, and are as truly serving a false god as were the worshipers of Baal. Many even of those who claim to be Christians have allied themselves with influences that are unalterably opposed to God and His truth. Thus they are led to turn away from the divine and to exalt the human.{PK 177.1}[1]
§5
我们这个时代所流行的风气，乃是一种不信和背道之风，一种因有真理的知识而自命为开明的精神，其实这是最盲目的僭越自恃。人的理论被高举，而且被置于上帝和他的律法所应居的地位。撒但引诱男女悖逆，并应许他们必在不顺从中得到解放和自由，使他们可以像神一样。现今可以见到一种反抗上帝明确的圣言，一种有如拜偶像一般抬高人类智慧过于神圣启示的精神。人们因随从世俗的习惯和影响，而使自己的思想昏昧混乱，以致他们似乎失去了一切分辨光明与黑暗、真理与谬论的能力。他们已如此远离正路，以至认为少数所谓哲学家的见解较比《圣经》的真理更为可靠。上帝圣言的劝勉和应许，以及对于不顺从和拜偶像的警告，这一切似乎根本不能感化他们的心。他们认为那曾鼓舞保罗、彼得、约翰的信仰，乃是不合时宜而神秘莫测的，根本不值得现代思想家运用才智加以考虑。[2]{PK 178.1}
§6
The prevailing spirit of our time is one of infidelity and apostasy--a spirit of avowed illumination because of a knowledge of truth, but in reality of the blindest presumption. Human theories are exalted and placed where God and His law should be. Satan tempts men and women to disobey, with the promise that in disobedience they will find liberty and freedom that will make them as gods. There is seen a spirit of opposition to the plain word of God, of idolatrous exaltation of human wisdom above divine revelation. Men have allowed their minds to become so darkened and confused by conformity to worldly customs and influences that they seem to have lost all power to discriminate between light and darkness, truth and error. So far have they departed from the right way that they hold the opinions of a few philosophers, so-called, to be more trustworthy than the truths of the Bible. The entreaties and promises of Gods word, its threatenings against disobedience and idolatry--these seem powerless to melt their hearts. A faith such as actuated Paul, Peter, and John they regard as old-fashioned, mystical, and unworthy of the intelligence of modern thinkers.{PK 178.1}[2]
§7
起初上帝曾将他的律法赐给人类，作为获致幸福和永生的媒介。撒但破坏上帝旨意的唯一希望，就是要引诱世人违背这个律法；他之所以不断地努力，也就是要曲解它的教训，抹杀它的重要性。撒但的杰作就是企图改变律法，以便引诱人违犯其中的训令，而在名义上还算是顺从它。[3]{PK 178.2}
§8
In the beginning, God gave His law to mankind as a means of attaining happiness and eternal life. Satans only hope of thwarting the purpose of God is to lead men and women to disobey this law, and his constant effort has been to misrepresent its teachings and belittle its importance. His master stroke has been an attempt to change the law itself, so as to lead men to violate its precepts while professing to obey it. {PK 178.2}[3]
§9
有一位著作家将改变上帝律法的企图，比作把两条路相交的重要岔路口上的路标转往错误方向的古老恶作剧。这种行为所时常引起的困惑和艰难是非常严重的。[4]{PK 179.1}
§10
One writer has likened the attempt to change the law of God to an ancient mischievous practice of turning in a wrong direction a signpost erected at an important junction where two roads met. The perplexity and hardship which this practice often caused was great.{PK 179.1}[4]
§11
上帝已为那些行经世路之人立了一个路标。这路标的一端指明乐意顺从创造主为幸福和生命之道，另一端则指明悖逆为祸患和死亡的路。那通向幸福之道正如犹太人时代导往逃城之道一样，乃是清楚标明的。但正在人类遭遇不幸之时，众善之大敌却将这路标掉转了方向，因此许多人便误认了道路。[5]{PK 179.2}
§12
A signpost was erected by God for those journeying through this world. One arm of this signpost pointed out willing obedience to the Creator as the road to felicity and life, while the other arm indicated disobedience as the path to misery and death. The way to happiness was as clearly defined as was the way to the city of refuge under the Jewish dispensation. But in an evil hour for our race, the great enemy of all good turned the signpost around, and multitudes have mistaken the way.{PK 179.2}[5]
§13
主借着摩西吩咐以色列人说：“你们务要守我的安息日；因为这是你我之间世世代代的证据，使你们知道我耶和华是叫你们成为圣的。所以你们要守安息日，以为圣日，凡干犯这日的，必要把他治死；……凡在安息日作工的，必要把他治死。故此，以色列人要世世代代守安息日为永远的约。这是我和以色列人永远的证据，因为六日之内耶和华造天地，第七日便安息舒畅。”（出31:13-17）[6]{PK 179.3}
§14
Through Moses the Lord instructed the Israelites: Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: everyone that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work . . . in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed. Exodus 31:13-17.{PK 179.3}[6]
§15
主在这几句话中，清楚地说明了顺从乃是通往上帝圣城的道路；但那个“大罪人”竟更改路标，使它指向错误的方向。他已设立了一个伪安息日，并使男男女女以为在这日休息就是顺从创造主的命令。[7]{PK 179.4}
§16
In these words the Lord clearly defined obedience as the way to the City of God; but the man of sin has changed the signpost, making it point in the wrong direction. He has set up a false sabbath and has caused men and women to think that by resting on it they were obeying the command of the Creator.{PK 179.4}[7]
§17
上帝已声明第七日乃是耶和华的安息日。当“天地万物都造齐了”时，他高举这日为他创造之工的纪念。上帝在第七日“歇了他一切的工，”“上帝赐福给第七日，定为圣日。”（创2:1-3）[8]{PK 180.1}
§18
God has declared that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. When the heavens and the earth were finished, He exalted this day as a memorial of His creative work. Resting on the seventh day from all His work which He had made, God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. Genesis 2:1-3.{PK 180.1}[8]
§19
在出埃及的时候，安息日的制度曾显著地摆在上帝子民的面前。当他们仍在为奴之时，他们的督工曾企图以加添他们每周工作的定额，来勉强他们在安息日作工。后来他们工作的条件越来越困难而苛刻。但以色列人终于从奴役中被拯救出来，并被领到一个可不受阻挠而遵守耶和华一切律例的地方。在西奈山上律法颁布了；并且它的副本，就是“上帝用指头写的”两块石版，（出31:18）也交给了摩西。在以色列人将近四十年的飘流时期中，上帝每逢第七日不降吗哪，并神奇地保存预备日所降的双份吗哪，借此经常提醒他们记得他所命定的安息日。[9]{PK 180.2}
§20
At the time of the Exodus from Egypt, the Sabbath institution was brought prominently before the people of God. While they were still in bondage, their taskmasters had attempted to force them to labor on the Sabbath by increasing the amount of work required each week. Again and again the conditions of labor had been made harder and more exacting. But the Israelites were delivered from bondage and brought to a place where they might observe unmolested all the precepts of Jehovah. At Sinai the law was spoken; and a copy of it, on two tables of stone, written with the finger of God was delivered to Moses. Exodus 31:18. And through nearly forty years of wandering the Israelites were constantly reminded of Gods appointed rest day, by the withholding of the manna every seventh day and the miraculous preservation of the double portion that fell on the preparation day.{PK 180.2}[9]
§21
在以色列人进入应许之地以前，摩西又劝勉以色列人要“守安息日为圣日。”（申5:12）主定意要以色列人借着忠心遵守安息日的命令，不断地记念自己对于他为创造主和救赎主所有的责任。只要他们常以正确的精神遵守安息日，拜偶像的邪教就不能存在；但如果他们将十诫训令的要求置诸一旁，认为不再有遵守的必要，那么，创造主就要被人忘记，世人也就要去敬拜别神了。上帝宣布说：“又将我的安息日赐给他们，好在我与他们中间为证据，使他们知道我耶和华是叫他们成为圣的。”然而“他们厌弃我的典章，不顺从我的律例，干犯我的安息日；他们的心随从自己的偶像。”所以当他恳劝他们归向他时，他叫他们要重新注意守安息日为圣的重要性。他说：“我是耶和华你们的上帝；你们要顺从我的律例，谨守遵行我的典章，且以我的安息日为圣；这日在我与你们中间为证据，使你们知道我是耶和华你们的上帝。”（结20:12,16,19-20）[10]{PK 181.1}
§22
Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were admonished by Moses to keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it. Deuteronomy 5:12. The Lord designed that by a faithful observance of the Sabbath command, Israel should continually be reminded of their accountability to Him as their Creator and their Redeemer. While they should keep the Sabbath in the proper spirit, idolatry could not exist; but should the claims of this precept of the Decalogue be set aside as no longer binding, the Creator would be forgotten and men would worship other gods. I gave them My Sabbaths, God declared, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Yet they despised My judgments, and walked not in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. And in His appeal to them to return to Him, He called their attention anew to the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. I am the Lord your God, He said; walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Ezekiel 20:12, 16, 19, 20.{PK 181.1}[10]
§23
主在呼召犹大国注意那终于促使他们被掳到巴比伦去的罪时，宣称说：“你……干犯了我的安息日。”“所以我将恼恨倒在他们身上，用烈怒的火灭了他们，照他们所行的报应在他们头上。”（结22:8,31）[11]{PK 182.1}
§24
In calling the attention of Judah to the sins that finally brought upon them the Babylonian Captivity, the Lord declared: Thou hast . . . profaned My Sabbaths. Therefore have I poured out Mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads. Ezekiel 22:8, 31.{PK 182.1}[11]
§25
在尼希米时代重建耶路撒冷的时候，干犯安息日的罪行曾受到严厉的责问：“从前你们列祖岂不是这样行，以致我们上帝使一切灾祸临到我们和这城吗？现在你们还犯安息日，使忿怒越发临到以色列。”（尼13:18）[12]{PK 182.2}
§26
At the restoration of Jerusalem, in the days of Nehemiah, Sabbathbreaking was met with the stern inquiry, Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. Nehemiah 13:18.{PK 182.2}[12]
§27
基督在世上传道的时候，曾强调遵守安息日的义务；他在一切的教训中都表明尊重他自己所颁布的制度。在他的日子，安息日已被曲解，以致遵守这日只反映自私和专横之人的品性，并不反映上帝的圣德。基督废弃了那些自称认识上帝之人所用以误表他的假道理。他虽遭受拉比们的无情反对，但一点也没有显出迎合他们的要求的样子，只知勇往直前，依照上帝的律法遵守安息日。[13]{PK 183.1}
§28
Christ, during His earthly ministry, emphasized the binding claims of the Sabbath; in all His teaching He showed reverence for the institution He Himself had given. In His days the Sabbath had become so perverted that its observance reflected the character of selfish and arbitrary men rather than the character of God. Christ set aside the false teaching by which those who claimed to know God had misrepresented Him. Although followed with merciless hostility by the rabbis, He did not even appear to conform to their requirements, but went straight forward keeping the Sabbath according to the law of God.{PK 183.1}[13]
§29
他以明白无讹的话语证明他重视耶和华的律法。他说：“莫想我来要废掉律法和先知；我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。我实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一划也不能废去，都要成全。所以无论何人废掉这诫命中最小的一条，又教训人这样作，他在天国要称为最小的；但无论何人遵行这诫命，又教训人遵行，他在天国要称为大的。”（太5:17-19）[14]{PK 183.2}
§30
In unmistakable language He testified to His regard for the law of Jehovah. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets, He said; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19.{PK 183.2}[14]
§31
在新约的时代，人类幸福的大敌常以第四诫的安息日作为他特别攻击的目标。撒但说：我要设法阻挠上帝的旨意。我要使跟从我的人有力量去废弃上帝的记念日——第七日的安息日。这样，我便可向世人表明上帝所分别为圣并赐福的日子已经改变了。人们的脑海中必不再有这一天存在。我要叫人忘掉它。我要拿不带上帝任何凭证的一天，也就是不能作为上帝和他子民之间的证据的一天，来代替它。我要引领那些接受这日的人，将上帝赐予第七日的神圣性转移到这一天上。[15]{PK 183.3}
§32
During the Christian dispensation, the great enemy of mans happiness has made the Sabbath of the fourth commandment an object of special attack. Satan says, I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my followers to set aside Gods memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day.{PK 183.3}[15]
§33
我要借着我的代理人来高抬我自己。七日的第一日必被高举，基督教界必要接受这个伪安息日为真安息日。由于不遵守上帝所设立的安息日，我就可以使他的律法被藐视。我要利用“这是你我之间世世代代的证据”这句话来支持我的安息日。[16]{PK 184.1}
§34
Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself. The first day will be extolled, and the Protestant world will receive this spurious sabbath as genuine. Through the nonobservance of the Sabbath that God instituted, I will bring His law into contempt. The words, A sign between Me and you throughout your generations, I will make to serve on the side of my sabbath.{PK 184.1}[16]
§35
这样，全世界就必成为我的了。我必作地上的主宰，世界的君王。我必这样控制一切在我权势下之人的心理，而使上帝的安息日成为人所特别憎厌的对像。证据？我要使遵守第七日成为不忠于地上政权的证据。世人的律法必变得非常严格，以致男男女女都不敢遵守第七日的安息日。他们因为害怕缺衣乏食，就必与世人一同违犯上帝的律法。这样，全地就必服在我的权下了。[17]{PK 184.2}
§36
Thus the world will become mine. I will be the ruler of the earth, the prince of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that Gods Sabbath shall be a special object of contempt. A sign? I will make the observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of earth. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing Gods law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion.{PK 184.2}[17]
§37
仇敌借着设立一个伪安息日，想要改变节期和律法。但他在改变上帝律法的事上真的成功了吗？出埃及记第三十一章的话就是一个答复。那位昨日今日一直到永远是一样的主，曾论及第七日的安息日而宣称：“这是你我之间世世代代的证据。”“这是……永远的证据。”（出31:13,17）那被改变了的路标虽然指向错误的方向，但上帝却没有改变。他依然是以色列全能的上帝。“看哪，万民都像水桶的一滴，又算如天平上的微尘；他举起众海岛好像极微之物。黎巴嫩的树林不够当柴烧，其中的走兽也不够作燔祭。万民在他面前好像虚无；被他看为不及虚无，乃是虚空。”（赛40:15-17）他现今仍要爱惜维护他的律法，正如在亚哈和以利亚的日子一样。[18]{PK 184.3}
§38
Through the setting up of a false sabbath, the enemy thought to change times and laws. But has he really succeeded in changing Gods law? The words of the thirty-first chapter of Exodus are the answer. He who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has declared of the seventh-day Sabbath: It is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations. It is a sign . . . forever. Exodus 31:13, 17. The changed signpost is pointing the wrong way, but God has not changed. He is still the mighty God of Israel. Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity. Isaiah 40:15-17. And He is just as jealous for His law now as He was in the days of Ahab and Elijah.{PK 184.3}[18]
§39
但是这律法是何等地被人藐视啊！且看今日世人竟公然背叛上帝。这真是一个悖谬的世代，充满了忘恩负义、形式主义、虚伪不实、骄傲自大，与离道反教等罪恶。世人轻视《圣经》，恨恶真理。耶稣看到他的律法被拒绝，他的慈爱被侮蔑，他的使节被轻视。他曾以慈悲说话，但这些话却无人感激；他又以警告发言，但所说的也无人留意。世人心殿的外院已变成污秽的市场。自私、仇恨、骄傲、恶毒，样样俱备。[19]{PK 185.1}
§40
But how is that law disregarded! Behold the world today in open rebellion against God. This is in truth a froward generation, filled with ingratitude, formalism, insincerity, pride, and apostasy. Men neglect the Bible and hate truth. Jesus sees His law rejected, His love despised, His ambassadors treated with indifference. He has spoken by His mercies, but these have been unacknowledged; He has spoken by warnings, but these have been unheeded. The temple courts of the human soul have been turned into places of unholy traffic. Selfishness, envy, pride, malice--all are cherished.{PK 185.1}[19]
§41
许多人不假思索地讥讽上帝的圣言。那些相信《圣经》明文记载的人，都成了嘲笑的对像。轻视法律和秩序的情况日益严重，其直接的原因就是违犯耶和华明白的命令。暴乱和罪行乃是离弃顺从之道的结果。且看无数在偶像祠庙敬拜的人那种可怜不幸的景况，他们追求幸福与平安，却都徒劳无功。[20]{PK 185.2}
§42
Many do not hesitate to sneer at the word of God. Those who believe that word just as it reads are held up to ridicule. There is a growing contempt for law and order, directly traceable to a violation of the plain commands of Jehovah. Violence and crime are the result of turning aside from the path of obedience. Behold the wretchedness and misery of multitudes who worship at the shrine of idols and who seek in vain for happiness and peace. {PK 185.2}[20]
§43
且看世上几乎普遍轻视安息日的诫命。再看那些一面制定律法为维护七日的第一日假想中的神圣性，一面却制定准许贩酒的法律之人的狂妄不敬。他们自以为聪明过于《圣经》的记载，竟企图强迫人的良心，同时又赞许那使照着上帝形象而造的人变为禽兽并归于毁灭的恶行。那鼓动制定这种法律的，乃是撒但自己。他熟知上帝的咒诅必临到一切高举人的条例过于神的律法的人；所以他尽力要诱导人走在那引到灭亡的大路上。[21]{PK 186.1}
§44
Behold the well-nigh universal disregard of the Sabbath commandment. Behold also the daring impiety of those who, while enacting laws to safeguard the supposed sanctity of the first day of the week, at the same time are making laws legalizing the liquor traffic. Wise above that which is written, they attempt to coerce the consciences of men, while lending their sanction to an evil that brutalizes and destroys the beings created in the image of God. It is Satan himself who inspires such legislation. He well knows that the curse of God will rest on those who exalt human enactments above the divine, and he does all in his power to lead men into the broad road that ends in destruction.{PK 186.1}[21]
§45
世人既已如此长久崇拜人的意见和人的制度，以致几乎全世界都在随从偶像了。那曾经力图改变上帝律法的，正在运用各种欺骗的诡计引诱男男女女列阵反抗上帝，并反抗那用以辨明义人的标记。但主绝不会长此让人破坏并藐视他的律法，而不予以谴罚。时候要到，“眼目高傲的必降为卑，性情狂傲的都必屈膝；唯独耶和华被尊崇。”（赛2:11）怀疑派可能以嘲笑、讥刺，并否认来对付上帝律法的要求。尽管世俗化的精神玷污多数人而控制少数人；尽管上帝的圣工唯有付上非常的努力和不断的牺牲才能坚守阵地；然而真理至终必光荣地获得胜利。[22]{PK 186.2}
§46
So long have men worshiped human opinions and human institutions that almost the whole world is following after idols. And he who has endeavored to change Gods law is using every deceptive artifice to induce men and women to array themselves against God and against the sign by which the righteous are known. But the Lord will not always suffer His law to be broken and despised with impunity. There is a time coming when the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:11. Skepticism may treat the claims of Gods law with jest, scoffing, and denial. The spirit of worldliness may contaminate the many and control the few, the cause of God may hold its ground only by great exertion and continual sacrifice, yet in the end the truth will triumph gloriously.{PK 186.2}[22]
§47
当上帝在地上的工作行将结束之际，他律法的标准必再度被高举。假的宗教尽管流行，不法的事尽管增多，许多人的爱心尽管渐渐冷淡，髑髅地的十字架尽管被忽视，黑暗尽管像死亡之幕笼罩全世界；社会的潮流尽管倾其全力反对真理；千方百计尽管被设想出来要毁灭上帝的子民；但在最危急之时，以利亚的上帝必要兴起一班人作为助手，来传扬那无法禁压的信息。在地上人烟稠密的城市中，在人们讲说最狂傲的话来抵挡至高者的地方，必定可以听到严正责备的声音。上帝所指派的人必要大胆地斥责教会与世俗的联合。他们必恳切地呼唤男男女女转离人为的制度而遵守真安息日。他们必向万民宣告：“应当敬畏上帝，将荣耀归给他！因他施行审判的时候已经到了；应当敬拜那创造天、地、海和众水泉源的。……若有人拜兽和兽像，在额上或在手上受了印记，这人也必喝上帝大怒的酒，此酒斟在上帝忿怒的杯中纯一不杂。”（启14:7-10）[23]{PK 186.3}
§48
In the closing work of God in the earth, the standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced. In the populous cities of the land, and in the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of Gods appointment denounce the union of the church with the world. Earnestly will they call upon men and women to turn from the observance of a man-made institution to the observance of the true Sabbath. Fear God, and give glory to Him, they will proclaim to every nation; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. Revelation 14:7-10.{PK 186.3}[23]
§49
上帝决不会毁弃他的约，也不会改变他口中所出的话。他的话永远坚定，如同他的宝座一样不能改变。在审判的时候，上帝用指头所清楚写出的这约必显示出来；而世人都要被传到无穷公平之主的台前领受判决。[24]{PK 187.1}
§50
God will not break His covenant, nor alter the thing that has gone out of His lips. His word will stand fast forever as unalterable as His throne. At the judgment this covenant will be brought forth, plainly written with the finger of God, and the world will be arraigned before the bar of Infinite Justice to receive sentence.{PK 187.1}[24]
§51
今日，正如以利亚的日子一样，遵守上帝诫命之人和敬拜假神之人中间的界线乃是清楚地划分了的。从前以利亚大声疾呼说：“你们心持两意要到几时呢？若耶和华是上帝，就当顺从耶和华；若巴力是上帝，就当顺从巴力。”（王上18:21）今日的信息则是：“巴比伦大城倾倒了，倾倒了。……我的民哪，你们要从那城出来，免得与她一同有罪，受她所受的灾殃；因她的罪恶滔天，她的不义上帝已经想起来了。”（启18:2,4-5）[25]{PK 187.2}
§52
Today, as in the days of Elijah, the line of demarcation between Gods commandment-keeping people and the worshipers of false gods is clearly drawn. How long halt ye between two opinions? Elijah cried; if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. 1 Kings 18:21. And the message for today is: Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. . . . Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:2, 4, 5.{PK 187.2}[25]
§53
时候快到，试验要临到各人。那时我们要被强迫遵守伪安息日。争点乃在于上帝的诫命和人的诫命之间。凡业已逐步屈从世俗的要求以致依附世俗习惯的人，必要向这些权势屈服，而不愿忍受嘲笑、侮辱、监禁，或死亡的威胁。那时，精金和渣滓就必分别开来。真实的敬虔与那徒具外表的虚饰，也必清楚地辨明。我们素来所景仰的许多“明星”必要陨落于黑暗之中。那些妄自穿着圣所中的衣袍，而没有披戴基督之公义的人，到那时必要露出他们赤身的羞耻来。[26]{PK 188.1}
§54
The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The observance of the false sabbath will be urged upon us. The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Those who have yielded step by step to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. At that time the gold will be separated from the dross. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christs righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness.{PK 188.1}[26]
§55
在地上的居民之中，还有许多未曾向巴力屈膝的人分散在各处。这些忠心的人像天上的星一般，只在夜间出现，必在黑暗遮盖大地，幽暗遮盖万民的时候才发出光来。在信奉邪教的非洲，在信奉天主教的欧洲和南美洲，在中国，在印度，在各海岛，和地上一切黑暗的角落里，上帝保留着一群璨若星辰的选民，他们要在黑暗中发光，向背道的世界清楚地显明顺从他的律法所有的变化之能。即使在现今，这些人也已在各国、各方、各民中出现；在背道情形最严重的时候，正当撒但尽他最大的力量，以死刑的威胁“叫众人，无论大小、贫富、自主的、为奴的”（启13:16）都接受伪安息日的印记时，这些“无可指摘，诚实无伪，……作上帝无瑕疵的儿女”的忠心之人必“显在这世代中，好像明光照耀。”（腓2:15）黑夜越深，他们必越显光明。[27]{PK 188.2}
§56
Among earths inhabitants, scattered in every land, there are those who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Like the stars of heaven, which appear only at night, these faithful ones will shine forth when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India, in the islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law. Even now they are appearing in every nation, among every tongue and people; and in the hour of deepest apostasy, when Satans supreme effort is made to cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive, under penalty of death, the sign of allegiance to a false rest day, these faithful ones, blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, will shine as lights in the world. Revelation 13:16; Philippians 2:15. The darker the night, the more brilliantly will they shine.{PK 188.2}[27]
§57
在上帝降罚于背道的众民身上时，以利亚所作数点以色列人的工作，该是何等的奇特啊！他数出只有一个人站在主这一边。但是当他说：“只剩下我一个人；他们还要寻索我的命”时，主的回答使他惊奇万分：“我在以色列人中为自己留下七千人，是未曾向巴力屈膝的。”（王上19:14-18）[28]{PK 189.1}
§58
What strange work Elijah would have done in numbering Israel at the time when Gods judgments were falling upon the backsliding people! He could count only one on the Lords side. But when he said, I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, the word of the Lord surprised him, Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal. 1 Kings 19:14, 18.{PK 189.1}[28]
§59
既然如此，但愿没有人想在今日数点以色列人，唯愿人人务必怀有一颗“肉心”，一颗温柔同情的心，一颗像基督的心一样的心，切望拯救丧亡的世界。[29]{PK 189.2}
§60
Then let no man attempt to number Israel today, but let everyone have a heart of flesh, a heart of tender sympathy, a heart that, like the heart of Christ, reaches out for the salvation of a lost world.{PK 189.2}[29]