第48章 余民教会不是巴比伦
§1
第48章 余民教会不是巴比伦
§2
The Remnant Church Not Babylon
§3
多年以来，我曾作过见证指出，如果有人起来自称拥有大光，而同时却提倡拆毁主藉祂在人间的代表所已建立的，这等人乃是大受欺骗，而不是站在基督立场上与祂同工的。那些主张基督复临安息日会就是巴比伦，或说其中有一部分是巴比伦的人，最好还是留在家里。让他们停下来想一想，在这个时代中所应该传的是什么信息。他们不但没有与上帝的代理人合作，预备一班人可在耶和华的大日站立得住，反而与那昼夜在上帝面前控告弟兄的撒但采取同一的立场了。……{2TT 355.1}[1]
§4
For years I have borne my testimony to the effect that when any arise claiming to have great light, and yet advocating the tearing down of that which the Lord through His human agents has been building up, they are greatly deceived, and are not working along the lines where Christ is working. Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop and consider what is the message to be proclaimed at this time. In place of working with divine agencies to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, they have taken their stand with him who is an accuser of the brethren, who accuses them before God day and night. ...?{2TT 355.1}[1]
§5
教会中虽然有罪恶存在，并且一直要存在到世界的末了，但她在这末世，依然是被罪恶玷污败坏了的世界的光。教会虽然有软弱有缺点，需要责备、警告和劝勉，但她仍是基督在地上所最关怀的唯一对象。世界就象一间工场，耶稣藉着人力与神力的合作，用祂的恩典和上帝的慈悲对人心进行实验。{2TT 355.2}[2]
§6
Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days is to be the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows His supreme regard. The world is a workshop in which, through the co-operation of human and divine agencies, Jesus is making experiments by His grace and divine mercy upon human hearts.?{2TT 355.2}[2]
§7
众天使惊奇地看到那些皈依上帝的人在品格上所发生的改变，就以欢歌赞美上帝和羔羊，以此表达他们的喜乐。他们看到那些本性为可怒之子的人，悔改成为基督的同工，引人归向上帝。他们看到那些曾在黑暗中的人变成了明灯，照亮这邪恶悖谬世代的道德黑夜。他们看到这些人藉着基督化的经验，预备好与他们的主同受苦难，并且将来也必在天上与祂同享祂的荣耀。?{2TT 355.3}[3]
§8
Angels are amazed as they behold the transformation of character brought about in those who yield themselves to God, and they express their joy in songs of rapturous praise to God and to the Lamb. They see those who are by nature the children of wrath, converted and becoming laborers together with Christ in drawing souls to God. They see those who were in darkness becoming lights to shine amid the moral night of this wicked and perverse generation. They?see them becoming prepared by a Christlike experience to suffer with their Lord, and afterward to be partakers with Him in His glory in heaven above.?{2TT 355.3}[3]
§9
上帝在地上有一个教会，高举被人践踏的律法，并向世界指明那除去世人罪孽的上帝的羔羊。教会是基督丰盛恩典的宝库。上帝对世界的爱，终必藉着教会彻底而充分地表现出来。世界要被上帝之爱的荣耀所光照。基督祈求上帝，使祂的教会合而为一，象祂与父合而为一一样，这祈祷终必得到应允。圣灵必沛然大降，不断地供应上帝的子民。他们要在世上见证上帝拯救的大能。{2TT 356.1}[4]
§10
God has a church on earth who are lifting up the downtrodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The church is the depositary of the wealth of the riches of the grace of Christ, and through the church eventually will be made manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world that is to be lighted with its glory. The prayer of Christ that His church may be one as He was one with His Father will finally be answered. The rich dowry of the Holy Spirit will be given, and through its constant supply to the people of God, they will become witnesses in the world of the power of God unto salvation.?{2TT 356.1}[4]
§11
现今世上只有一个教会，站在破口之处，修补篱笆，建造久已荒废之地；若有任何人叫世人及其他教会去注意这个教会，指责她为巴比伦，他就是与那控告弟兄者作同样的工作。在我们当中，岂可有人起来，说悖谬的事，发表撒但要向世人散布的观点，攻击关于守上帝诫命和耶稣真道的人呢？难道没有足够的工作，可以满足你们的热心，去向那在错误黑暗之中的人传扬真理么？{2TT 356.2}[5]
§12
There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach, and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places; and for any man to call the attention of the world and other churches to this church, denouncing her as Babylon, is to do a work in harmony with him who is the accuser of the brethren. Is it possible that men will arise from among us, who speak perverse things, and give voice to the very sentiments that Satan would have disseminated in the world in regard to those who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus? Is there not work enough to satisfy your zeal in presenting the truth to those who are in the darkness of error??{2TT 356.2}[5]
§13
你们受命作为金钱和才干的管家，竟滥用主的资产来散播异端。举世之人都憎恨那些宣扬上帝的律法有约束力之人。效忠耶和华的教会将投入一场非凡的战斗。“因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战”（弗6:12）。凡是认识这场斗争性质的人，必不将其武器，转过来对付战斗中的教会，却要尽其全力与上帝的子民共同作战，抗拒邪恶的联盟。?{2TT 356.3}[6]
§14
As those who have been made stewards of means and ability, you have been misapplying your Lord’s goods in disseminating error. The whole world is filled with hatred of those who proclaim the binding claims of the law of God, and the church who are loyal to Jehovah must engage in no ordinary conflict. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high?places.”?Ephesians 6:12. Those who have any realization of what this warfare means will not turn their weapons against the church militant, but with all their powers will wrestle with the people of God against the confederacy of evil.?{2TT 356.3}[6]
§15
有些人突然起来传扬一个出于他们自己的信息，同时宣称他们受到上帝的教导和引领，以从事特殊的工作，来拆毁上帝多年来所建设的。这等人没有在遵行上帝的旨意。须知这些人乃是站在那大骗子的一边。不可信从他们。他们乃是与上帝及真理的仇敌联合。他们取笑传道人的职分，视之为祭司制度。应当远离他们，不要参与他们的信息，不管他们如何多地引用证言来为自己辩护。不可接待他们，因为上帝没有把这份工作交给他们去作。这种工作的结果，将使人不信证言。他们还将尽可能地使我多年所从事的工作失效。{2TT 357.1}[7]
§16
Those who start up to proclaim a message on their own individual responsibility, who, while claiming to be taught and led of God, still make it their special work to tear down that which God has been for years building up, are not doing the will of God. Be it known that these men are on the side of the great deceiver. Believe them not. They are allying themselves with the enemies of God and the truth. They will deride the order of the ministry as a system of priestcraft. From such turn away, have no fellowship with their message, however much they may quote the?Testimonies?and seek to entrench themselves behind them. Receive them not, for God has not given them this work to do. The result of such work will be unbelief in the?Testimonies, and, as far as possible, they will make of none effect the work that I have for years been doing.?{2TT 357.1}[7]
§17
我几乎毕生致力于此项工作，可是由于有人兴起传扬上帝从未交给他们的信息，往往加重了我的担子。这等邪恶的工人，选用了证言的某些部分，并将之放在谬论的框架中，以便借着这种设置给他们的假见证加添影响力。及至他们的信息显出是谬论之时，证言也被谬论所拖累，而遭受同样的指责。他们所引用的这些证言乃是未经我的同意，擅自摘录我的私人函件而成。不知底细的人竟以这些为凭据，证明我的工作是虚谎的，不是出于上帝或真理。那些这样使上帝的工作蒙受羞辱的人，将来必在上帝面前为他们现在的行为负责。{2TT 357.2}[8]
§18
Almost my whole lifetime has been devoted to this work, but my burden has often been made heavier by the arising of men who went forth to proclaim a message that God had not given them. This class of evil workers have selected portions of the?Testimonies, and have placed them in the framework of error, in order by this setting to give influence to their false testimonies. When it is made manifest that their message is error, then the?Testimoniesbrought into the companionship of error share the same condemnation; and people of the world, who do not know that the?Testimonies?quoted are extracts from private letters used without my consent, present these matters as evidence that my work is not of God or of truth, but falsehood. Those who thus bring the work of God into disrepute will have to answer before God for the work they are doing.?{2TT 357.2}[8]
§19
上帝有一个教会，教会中有上帝所委派的职分。“祂所赐的有使徒，有先知，有传福音的，有牧师和教师。为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体，直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识上帝的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量，使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端，惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督”（弗4:11-15）。?{2TT 357.3}[9]
§20
God has a church, and she has a divinely appointed ministry. “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and?some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”?Ephesians 4:11-15.?{2TT 357.3}[9]
§21
教会是上帝所专设的机构，曾经历过逼迫，斗争和黑暗。耶稣爱教会，为教会舍己。祂要充实她，提炼她，使她尊贵而高尚，能在今世败坏的影响中坚立不拔。上帝所指派的人，已蒙拣选去以坚忍不拔的精神和警醒守望的态度关注着教会，使她不至为撒但的恶计所颠覆，而要屹立世上，增进上帝在人间的荣耀。在教会与世界之间，永远存在剧烈的斗争。思想要与思想冲突，原则要与原则抗衡，真理要与错谬交锋。但在现已开始，不久将达到高潮的危机中，将有经验丰富的人担任上帝所委派的工作，看守他们必要为之交账的生灵。……{2TT 358.1}[10]
§22
The Lord has His appointed agencies, and a church that has lived through persecution, conflict, and darkness. Jesus loved the church, and gave Himself for it, and He will replenish, refine, ennoble, and elevate it, so that it shall stand fast amid the corrupting influences of this world. Men appointed of God have been chosen to watch with jealous care, with vigilant perseverance, that the church may not be overthrown by the evil devices of Satan, but that she shall stand in the world to promote the glory of God among men. There will ever be fierce conflict between the church and the world. Mind will come into contact with mind, principle with principle, truth with error; but in the crisis soon to culminate, which has already begun, the men of experience are to do their God-appointed work, and watch for souls as they that must give an account. ...?{2TT 358.1}[10]
§23
但愿人人都能领会我现在所写的话。那些与上帝同工的人只是祂的工具。他们本身并不具备特殊的恩典或圣洁。他们只有与天上的生灵合作，才能取得成功。他们无非是瓦器，有上帝真理的宝贝放在里面。保罗撒种，亚波罗浇灌，但只有上帝能使其生长。{2TT 358.2}[11]
§24
Let all understand the words that I now write. Those who are laborers together with God are but His instruments, and they in themselves possess no essential grace or holiness. It is only when they are co-operating with heavenly intelligences that they are successful. They are but earthen vessels, the depositaries in which God places the treasure of His truth. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God alone that gives the increase.?{2TT 358.2}[11]
§25
上帝藉着祂所指定的机构发言。任何人或组织，都不要因拒绝听从上帝选派之信使口中所传的上帝圣言而亵渎了祂的圣灵。人们拒绝听从上帝的信息，就是自囚于暗室之中。他们对上帝指派的代理机构不尊重，乃是使自己的心灵自绝于鸿恩厚福，抢夺了本当归于基督的荣耀。{2TT 358.3}[12]
§26
God speaks through His appointed agencies, and let no?man, or confederacy of men, insult the Spirit of God by refusing to hear the message of God’s word from the lips of His chosen messengers. By refusing to hear the message of God, men close themselves in a chamber of darkness. They shut their own souls away from vast blessings and rob Christ of the glory that should come to Him, by showing disrespect to His appointed agencies.?{2TT 358.3}[12]
§27
上帝不是叫人混乱，乃是叫人安静。然而撒但却是一个警醒永不打盹的仇敌，常在人类的心思上运行，想寻一片能撒播他稗子的土地。他若能物色到什么可为他服务的人，便要向他们提出种种意见及错误的理论，并使他们热心拥护谬论。真理不但使人悔改，也是为领受真理者作洁净的工作。耶稣已警告过我们，要防备假师傅。{2TT 359.1}[13]
§28
God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. But Satan is a vigilant, unsleeping foe, ever at work upon human minds, seeking a soil in which he can sow his tares. If he finds any whom he can press into his service, he will suggest ideas and false theories, and make them zealous in advocating error. The truth not only converts, but works the purification of its receiver. Jesus has warned us to beware of false teachers.?{2TT 359.1}[13]
§29
自我们的工作开始以来，不时有人起来提倡新奇骇人的理论。但那些号称信仰真理的人，若肯去见有经验的人，肯存谦卑受教的精神去查究圣经，根据真理之光并藉那素来殷勤研究圣经的弟兄们的帮助，来审查他们的理论，同时也向上帝祈求，询问说，这是主的道吗？是不是撒但要引我走的邪道呢？这样，他们就会接受亮光，并逃避捕鸟者的罗网了。.{2TT 359.2}[14]
§30
From the beginning of our work, men have arisen from time to time, advocating theories that were new and startling. But if those who claim to believe the truth would go to those who have had experience, would go to the word of God in a teachable, humble spirit, and examine their theories in the light of truth and with the aid of the brethren who have been diligent Bible students, and at the same time make supplication unto God, asking, Is this the way of the Lord, or is it a false path in which Satan would lead me? they would receive light, and would escape out of the net of the fowler.?{2TT 359.2}[14]
§31
惟愿我们所有的弟兄姐妹们都要防备有人起来，为使主有关祂复临的话应验，或有关祂其它含特殊意义的应许实现，而给主定下时辰。因为“父凭着自己的权柄所定的时候、日期，不是你们可以知道的”（徒1:7）。假教师们也许看起来对上帝的工作很热心，也肯花钱把他们的理论公诸世人及教会之前；可是由于他们把谬论与真理相混，他们的信息就是一种欺骗，必引领人走上歧途。我们当对付并反对他们，并非因为他们是坏人，而是因为他们是虚谎的教师，正在尽力给谎言加上真理的印记。{2TT 359.3}[15]
§32
Let all our brethren and sisters beware of anyone who would set a time for the Lord to fulfill His word in regard to His coming, or in regard to any other promise He has made of special significance. “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.”?Acts 1:7. False teachers may appear to be very zealous for the work of God, and may expend means to bring their theories before the world and the church; but as they mingle error with truth, their message is one of deception, and will lead souls into false paths. They are to be met and opposed, not because they are bad men, but because they are teachers of?falsehood and are endeavoring to put upon falsehood the stamp of truth.?{2TT 359.3}[15]
§33
既有满库的真理瑰宝可供人在最圣洁的信仰上丰富起来，人却这么辛苦去探寻某种错误的理论，这是多么令人遗憾的事啊！他们不教导真理，却思索新奇之说，与那些上帝用来领人登上真理高台的人离心离德。他们把一切有关团结同心的劝勉置之脑后，践踏基督的祈祷，视祂所求的合而为一是不必要的，认为基督徒无需合而为一，象祂与父合而为一一样。他们舍本求末，象耶户那样，叫弟兄们照他们的样子为主发热心。{2TT 360.1}[16]
§34
What a pity it is that men will go to such pains to discover some theory of error when there is a whole storehouse of precious gems of truth by which the people might be enriched in the most holy faith. Instead of teaching truth they let their imagination dwell upon that which is new and strange, and throw themselves out of harmony with those whom God is using to bring the people up upon the platform of truth. They cast aside all that has been said in regard to unity of sentiment and feeling, and trample upon the prayer of Christ as though the unity for which He prayed were unessential, and there were no necessity for His followers to be one, even as He is one with the Father. They go off on a tangent, and Jehulike, call to their brethren to follow their example of zeal for the Lord.?{2TT 360.1}[16]
§35
他们的弟兄们在工作之时，曾饱受日间的炎热与辛劳。如果他们的热心肯用在与弟兄同一条战线上，象他们的弟兄一样坚持不懈，克服灰心与障碍，他们就值得大家效法，而上帝也就会悦纳他们了。但那些开始出去传扬奇妙的亮光，却又离开上帝所引导之代表的人，将被定罪。这是可拉，大坍，亚比兰等所走的路。圣经记录了他们的行为，作为众人的警戒。我们不应行他们所行的——控告谴责上帝所托以工作重任的人。{2TT 360.2}[17]
§36
If their zeal led them to work in the same lines in which their brethren who have carried the heat and burden of the day are working, if they were as persevering to overcome discouragements and obstacles as their brethren have been, they might well be imitated, and God would accept them. But men are to be condemned who start out with a proclamation of wonderful light, and yet draw away from the agents whom God is leading. This was the way in which Korah, Dathan, and Abiram did, and their action is recorded as a warning to all others. We are not to do as they have done—accuse and condemn those upon whom God has laid the burden of the work.?{2TT 360.2}[17]
§37
那些宣称基督复临安息日会是巴比伦的人，曾利用证言为他们的立场谋求表面上的支持。但他们为什么不提出多年以来我信息的主题，就是教会的合一呢？他们为什么不引用天使所说的话：“团结，团结，团结”呢？他们为什么不重述那告诫，提说那原则，就是“团结生力量，分裂致衰弱”呢？{2TT 360.3}[18]
§38
Those who have proclaimed the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Babylon, have made use of the?Testimonies?in giving their position a seeming support; but why is it that they did not present that which for years has been the burden of my message—the unity of the church? Why did they not quote the words of the angel, “Press together, press together, press together”? Why did they not repeat the admonition?and state the principle, that “in union there is strength, in division there is weakness”??{2TT 360.3}[18]
§39
这等人所传的信息已使教会分裂，使我们在真理之敌面前蒙羞；在这种信息中明白显示了那大骗子似是而非的手段。他要拦阻教会达到完全合一的地步。这等教师是追随自己所点起的火把，依照他们自己独立的判断而行，使真理受到错误观念和理论的阻碍。他们不听弟兄们的劝告，坚持自己的路线，终于到了撒但所期望于他们的神经错乱的地步。{2TT 361.1}[19]
§40
It is such messages as these men have borne that divide the church, and put us to shame before the enemies of truth; and in such messages is plainly revealed the specious working of the great deceiver, who would hinder the church from attaining unto perfection in unity. These teachers follow the sparks of their own kindling, move according to their own independent judgment, and cumber the truth with false notions and theories. They refuse the counsel of their brethren, and press on in their own way until they become just what Satan would desire to have them—unbalanced in mind.?{2TT 361.1}[19]
§41
我要警告我的弟兄们提防撒但各式各样的作为。上帝和人类的大敌，正为自己迷惑生灵的成功，以及把他们的金钱与才干挪用到有害的事上而雀跃欢腾。他们的金钱本可用来推进现代真理的，反而被花在散布那些在真理上毫无根据的种种观点上了。……{2TT 361.2}[20]
§42
I warn my brethren to guard against the working of Satan in every form. The great adversary of God and man is exulting today that he has succeeded in deceiving souls, and in diverting their means and ability into harmful channels. Their money might have been used to advance present truth, but instead of this it has been expended in presenting notions that have no foundation in truth. ...?{2TT 361.2}[20]
§43
我奉劝凡自称信仰真理的人与弟兄们保持一致。不要授人以柄，说我们是极端分子，四分五裂，各传其道。应当避免争执。人人应当提防，留意使人看出自己是站在破口之处从事修补，而非站在墙上企图制造破口的。但愿大家小心，不要高声疾呼反对那些唯一应验圣经所形容的余民。他们守上帝的诫命和耶稣真道，在末日高举公义的旗帜。{2TT 361.3}[21]
§44
I urge those who claim to believe the truth, to walk in unity with their brethren. Do not seek to give to the world occasion to say that we are extremists, that we are disunited, that one teaches one thing, and one another. Avoid dissension. Let everyone be on guard, and be careful to be found standing in the gap to make up the breach, in place of standing at the wall seeking to make a breach. Let all be careful not to make an outcry against the only people who are fulfilling the description given of the remnant people who keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus, who are exalting the standard of righteousness in these last days.?{2TT 361.3}[21]
§45
上帝有一班独特的子民，一个在地上的教会。他们教导真理和维护上帝律法的机会是独一无二，超乎众人的。上帝已经委派了祂的使者，就是祂所引导的人。他们饱受白天的炎热与辛劳，与天上的使者合作，在世上推进基督的国度。但愿大家与这些蒙拣选的使者联合起来，最终能列身于那些有圣徒的忍耐，守上帝的诫命和耶稣真道的人中间。……?{2TT 361.4}[22]
§46
God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God. God has divinely appointed agencies—men whom He is leading, who have borne the heat and burden of the day, who are co-operating with heavenly?instrumentalities to advance the kingdom of Christ in our world. Let all unite with these chosen agents, and be found at last among those who have the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. ...?{2TT 361.4}[22]
§47
上帝在地上有一教会。他们是祂的选民，是遵守祂诫命的。祂所引领的是一班整体的百姓，不是分支别流，这里一个，那里一个。真理是使人成圣的能力；但战斗中的教会并不是已经得胜的教会。在麦子中杂有稗子。仆人问：“你要我们去薅出来么？”主人却回答说，“不必，恐怕薅稗子，连麦子也拔出来”（太13:28,29）。福音之网不但网到好鱼，也网到坏鱼，只有主知道谁是属祂的。{2TT 362.1}[23]
§48
God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people. The truth is a sanctifying power; but the church militant is not the church triumphant. There are tares among the wheat. “Wilt thou then that we ... gather them up?” was the question of the servant; but the master answered, “Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.”?Matthew 13:28, 29. The gospel net draws not only good fish but bad ones as well, and the Lord only knows who are His.?{2TT 362.1}[23]
§49
我们个人的本分，就是谦卑地与主同行。我们不必追寻什么新奇的信息，不要认为那些努力行在光中的上帝选民是巴比伦的成员。{2TT 362.2}[24]
§50
It is our individual duty to walk humbly with God. We are not to seek any strange, new message. We are not to think that the chosen ones of God who are trying to walk in the light compose Babylon.?{2TT 362.2}[24]
§51
倾倒了的各派教会才是巴比伦。巴比伦一向炮制有毒的道理和异端的酒。这酒是由假道所构成的，比如人的灵魂不死，恶人永远受苦刑，否认基督在伯利恒降生之前已经存在，鼓吹和高举每周的第一日过于上帝所定为圣的日子。各教会正把这些异端以及类似的异端传给世人，从而应验了经上的话，‘列国都被她邪淫大怒的酒倾倒了’（启18:3）。（《给传道人的证言》36-62页.1893年）{2TT 362.3}[25]
§52
The fallen denominational churches are Babylon. Babylon has been fostering poisonous doctrines, the wine of error. This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God’s holy and sanctified day. These and kindred errors are presented to the world by the various churches, and thus the Scriptures are fulfilled that say, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”?{2TT 362.3}[25]
§53
教会虽然有软弱，有缺点，需要不断得到警告和劝戒，但仍是基督最关怀的对象。祂正在人类的心上进行恩典的实验，改变人的品格，令天使感到惊奇，并高唱赞美之歌表达他们的欢乐。他们想到有罪犯错的人类竟得到这样的改变，就很高兴。（7T16.1902）{2TT 362.4}[26]
§54
Enfeebled and defective, needing constantly to be warned and counseled, the church is nevertheless the object of Christ’s supreme regard. He is making experiments of grace on human hearts and is affecting such transformations of character that angels are amazed, and express their joy in?songs of praise. They rejoice to think that sinful, erring human beings can be so transformed.—1902,?Testimonies for the Church 7:16.?{2TT 362.4}[26]
§55
上帝有一班子民，是全天庭都关心的；他们是上帝在地上最关怀的对象[注2]。但愿每一位读到这句话的人都仔细考虑一番，因为我愿奉耶稣的名将这句话深深印在每个人的心上。在我们中间或我们之外，如果有人起来传达信息说上帝的子民被列在巴比伦之中，并声称大呼声是要呼召人们从教会中出来，你们就可以知道他传的并不是真理的信息。不要接待他，也不要问他的安；因为上帝并没有藉着他说话，也没有赐给他信息。他还未受差遣就已经出发了。（《给传道人的证言》41页）{2TT 363.1}[27]
§56
God has a people in which all heaven is interested, and they are the one object on earth dear to the heart of God. Let everyone who reads these words give them thorough consideration, for in the name of Jesus I would press them home upon every soul. When anyone arises, either among us or outside of us, who is burdened with a message which declares that the people of God are numbered with Babylon, and claims that the loud cry is a call to come out of her, you may know that he is not bearing the message of truth. Receive him not, nor bid him Godspeed; for God has not spoken by him, neither has He given a message to him, but he has run before he was sent.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 41.?{2TT 363.1}[27]
§57
主已说过，在我们开始完成此工之时，应当温习过去的历史。祂为末世所发的每一项真理，都应该传扬给世人听。祂所建立的每一根柱子，都应予以强化。我们现今不能离开上帝已经建立的基础。我们现今不能参加任何新的组织；因为这是等于叛离真理。（《笔记活页》《论教会》之一，1905年）?{2TT 363.2}[28]
§58
The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization; for this would mean apostasy from the truth.—1905,?Notebook Leaflets, “The Church,” No. 1.{2TT 363.2}[28]
§59
我们不必怀疑，也不必害怕这工作不成功。上帝正在领导工作，祂必顺序安排一切。如果在领导工作方面需要什么调整的话，上帝必能善予处理，改正一切错误。惟愿我们信靠上帝必领导这搭载上帝子民的高贵船舶，安全地驶入港内。（《评论与通讯》1892.9.20）{2TT 363.3}[29]
§60
There is no need to doubt, to be fearful that the work will not succeed. God is at the head of the work, and He will set everything in order. If matters need adjusting at the head of the work, God will attend to that, and work to right every wrong. Let us have faith that God is going to carry the noble ship which bears the people of God safely into port.—The Review and Herald, September 20, 1892.?{2TT 363.3}[29]