第12章 警告和责备
§1
第12章 警告和责备
§2
Chap. 12 - Warnings and Reproofs
§3
O弟兄：我蒙指示看到你被包围在黑暗里，甚至连从耶稣而来的亮光也无法穿透这黑暗。你似乎意识不到自己的危险，处在一种倦怠的漠不关心状态，无情而又满不在乎。我询问这种可怕状况的原因，便蒙指示看到你过去多年的情形，你虽拥护真理，却未因真理而成圣。你为满足自己的食欲情欲而导致心灵的败亡。我蒙指示看到上帝藉着放在教会中的恩赐使你得到亮光，这些恩赐会指教、劝勉、引导、责备和警告你。你自称相信的这些证言是来自上帝的，你却未予重视实行。忽视亮光就是拒绝亮光。人拒绝亮光，就是自愿被黑暗和不信捆锁。【2T.93.1】[1]
§4
Dear Brother O: I was shown that you were enshrouded in darkness, which was not relieved by rays of light from Jesus. You did not seem sensible of your danger, but were in a state of listless indifference, unfeeling and unconcerned. I inquired the cause of this much-to-be-dreaded condition, and was pointed back for years, and shown that you had not, since you embraced the truth, been sanctified through it. You have gratified your appetite and your lustful passions to the destruction of your own spirituality. I was shown that God had given light through the gifts placed in the church, which would instruct, counsel, guide, reprove, and warn. These testimonies which you have professed to believe were from God, you have not regarded to live them out. To disregard light is to reject it. The rejection of light leaves men captives bound about by chains of darkness and unbelief. {2T 93.1}[1]
§5
我蒙指示看到，你多多生育儿女，却没有认识到自己要担负的责任。你在这种情况下便不可能公平地对待你的配偶或儿女。你头一个妻子本不应死，但因你给她加上了沉重的忧虑和负担，以致她的生命早早结束了。你现在的妻子生活也很艰难；她的活力几乎要被耗尽了。你家的人口增长太快，以至于你多年贫穷；你的妻子不停地生养儿女，这对她的生活来说并不公平。不分严寒酷暑，她在最恶劣的环境中乳养儿女。她无法按照她应该的那样去指导他们，也无法调教他们的饮食和活动习惯。你们吃不很健康的食物，加之其它违背上帝在我们身体内建立的自然律的行为，已导致你头几个孩子患病夭折。疾病已经遗传到你后代身上，随意吃肉更是导致雪上加霜。食用猪肉使人身体里产生并增多一种极其致命的体液。你的儿女出生之前生命力就已被削弱了。你没有在德行上增加知识，你的儿女也未受教如何保持自己处于最佳健康状态。你家餐桌上绝不应出现一丁点猪肉。【2T.93.2】[2]
§6
I was shown that you have increased your family without realizing the responsibility you were bringing upon yourself. It has been impossible for you to do justice to your companion or to your children. Your first wife ought not to have died, but you brought upon her cares and burdens which ended in the sacrifice of her life. Your present wife has a hard lot; her vitality is nearly exhausted. By increasing your family so rapidly, you have been kept in a state of poverty, and the mother, engaged in rearing the young members of the family, has not had a fair chance for her life. She has nursed her children under the most unfavorable circumstances, when heated over the cookstove. She could not instruct them as she should, nor regulate their habits of eating and working. The result of eating food not the most healthful, and otherwise violating the laws which God has established in our being, has brought disease and premature death upon your elder children. Disease has been transmitted to your offspring, and the free use of flesh meats has increased the difficulty. The eating of pork has aroused and strengthened a most deadly humor which was in the system. Your offspring are robbed of vitality before they are born. You have not added to virtue knowledge, and your children have not been taught how to preserve themselves in the best condition of health. Never should one morsel of swines flesh be placed upon your table. {2T 93.2}[2]
§7
你的儿女逐渐长大，但却没有受教养最终成为基督徒。你家的牲畜在许多方面所受的待遇都比你儿女好。你没有尽到对儿女的责任，反倒任由他们在无知中长大。你把这么多生命带到世上来，却没有认识到你要为他们的得救负很大的责任。你不能把这项责任甩在一边。你不关心儿女的教育，也没有忍耐忠心地指导他们为天国预备品格，从而剥夺了原本属于他们的权利。你的行为大大破坏了儿女对你的信任。你的性格苛刻、傲慢、专横；你动不动就烦躁、批评、责骂，这样就使儿女与你疏远了。你对待儿女好像他们没有正当的权利，好像他们是机器，随你任意操纵。你激起他们的怒气，常使他们灰心。你没有给予他们爱心和温情。爱生爱，情生情。你向儿女表现的精神终将有一天要报应在你身上。【2T.94.1】[3]
§8
Your children have come up, instead of being brought up and educated to the end that they might become Christians. In many respects your cattle have received better treatment than your children. You have not done your duty to your children, but have left them to grow up in ignorance. You have not realized the responsibility you took upon yourself in bringing into the world so numerous a flock, that you were in a great measure accountable for their salvation. You cannot throw off this responsibility. You have robbed your children of their rights by not interesting yourself in their education and instructing them patiently and faithfully in regard to forming characters for heaven. Your course has done much to destroy their confidence in you. You are exacting, overbearing, tyrannical; you fret, and scold, and censure, and by so doing wean their affections from you. You treat them as though they had no just rights, as though they were machines to turn in your hands according to your pleasure. You provoke them to wrath, and often discourage them. You do not give them love and affection. Love begets love, affection begets affection. The spirit which you manifest toward your children will be reflected upon you. {2T 94.1}[3]
§9
你现在所处的情况危急，你对此却无正确认识。一个放纵的人不可能是一个忍耐的人。人首先要节制，其次才有忍耐。你长久为自我而活，随从己心的想象，以致无法辨别神圣的事物。你强烈的食欲和情欲已经牢牢控制了你。高等官能已被削弱，并受下等官能的控制。兽性一直在增强。当理智受食欲支配时，领悟神圣事物的高等官能便受到损害。心思下贱，感情也不圣洁了，而言语行为必证明心中所存的。上帝因你的言谈举止受到羞辱，大大不悦。你的言语并不是经过慎重思考和仔细挑选的，即便当着儿童和青年，你口中也自然发出低劣、粗俗的言谈。你这方面的影响一直很坏！【2T.95.1】[4]
§10
You are in a critical condition, and have no true sense of it. It is impossible for an intemperate man to be a patient man. First temperance, then patience. You have so long lived for self, and followed the imagination of your own heart, that you cannot discern sacred things. Your lustful appetite and passions have controlled you. The higher order of mental organs has been weakened and controlled by the lower, baser organs. The animal propensities have been gaining strength. When reason is left to be controlled by appetite, the high sense of sacred things is impaired. The mind is debased, the affections are unsanctified, and the words and acts testify what is in the heart. God has been displeased and dishonored by your conversation and your deportment. Your words have not been select and well chosen; low, vulgar conversation comes naturally to your lips, even in the presence of children and youth. Your influence in this respect has been bad. {2T 95.1}[4]
§11
你没有起到好榜样，你直接挡在你自己的儿女和守安息日之人的儿女寻求上帝的路上。你在这方面的行为受到多么严厉的谴责都不过分。“因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来。善人从他心里所存的善就发出善来；恶人从他心里所存的恶就发出恶来。我又告诉你们：凡人所说的闲话，当审判的日子，必要句句供出来。因为要凭你的话定你为义；也要凭你的话定你有罪”（太12:34-37）。你的心需要因顺从真理而得到净化、清洁、圣化。你若不彻底转变——真正意识到自己的行为是有罪的，并藉着心意更新而完全变化，就没有什么能够救你。【2T.95.2】[5]
§12
Your example has not been right, and you have stood directly in the way of your own children, and the children of Sabbathkeepers, seeking the Lord. Your course, in this respect, cannot be too severely censured. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Your heart needs to be purified, cleansed, sanctified, through obedience to the truth. Nothing can save you but a thorough conversion--a true sense of your sinful ways and a thorough transformation by the renewing of your mind. {2T 95.2}[5]
§13
你非常热心地辩解，说不能因我们的行为否定我们的信仰。你以信仰为借口，剥夺了你儿女受教育的机会，甚至连普通的学科也不允许他们学习。你所需要的就是认识你自己，而且你将不得不看到有自知之明的必要。你的儿女需要知识却没有权利得到知识。他们既有这种大缺陷，就无法成为社会上有用之人，他们在宗教教育上也会不足。你门前有极重的责任。你正在缩减你妻子的寿命。试问，她怎能在她原属上帝的身体和精神上荣耀祂呢？【2T.96.1】[6]
§14
You have been very zealous to plead the necessity of not denying our faith by our works, and have made your faith an excuse for not granting your children an opportunity to obtain an education in even the common branches. Knowledge in regard to yourself is what you need, and you will yet have to see the necessity of obtaining it. Knowledge is what your children need but do not have the privilege of obtaining. With this great lack they cannot become useful members of society, and they will be deficient in their religious education. A weighty responsibility rests at your door. You are shortening the life of your wife. How can she glorify God in her body and spirit, which are His? {2T 96.1}[6]
§15
上帝已经赐给你知识和亮光，你自称相信它们是直接从上帝而来，指教你克服食欲的。你知道食用猪肉是直接违背上帝明确的命令的，上帝发出这条明令不是因为祂想要特别彰显自己的威权，而是因为猪肉的确对吃它的人有害。食用猪肉会令血液不洁，导致身体因充满淋巴结核以及其它有害的体液而败坏，整个机体都会受苦害。尤其是大脑精细敏感的神经会变得衰弱麻痹，以致无法辨明神圣的事物，而将其置于俗物的卑劣水准。在上帝的子民刚刚能够承受时，吃这种粗劣食物会导致疾病的亮光就临到他们了。你注意这亮光了吗？【2T.96.2】[7]
§16
God has given you light and knowledge, which you have professed to believe came direct from Him, instructing you to deny appetite. You know that the use of swines flesh is contrary to His express command, given not because He wished to especially show His authority, but because it would be injurious to those who should eat it. Its use would cause the blood to become impure, so that scrofula and other humors would corrupt the system, and the whole organism would suffer. Especially would the fine, sensitive nerves of the brain become enfeebled and so beclouded that sacred things would not be discerned, but be placed upon the low level with common things. Light showing that disease is caused by using this gross article of food has come just as soon as Gods people could bear it. Have you heeded the light? {2T 96.2}[7]
§17
关于吸烟，你已直接违背了上帝一直乐于赐下的亮光。你为满足吸烟这种嗜好而使上天所赐的亮光昏暗，你已经将这种有害的放纵当成了自己的神。烟草就是你的偶像！你向你的偶像下拜，与此同时，你还自称对上帝所赐的异象很有信心，但你的行为却与之相反。多年以来，你在圣洁生活上没有取得一点进步，反倒越来越软弱，越来越黑暗。你因P弟兄反对真理的行为而感到伤痛。你将教会软弱气馁的状态归咎于他的反对。没错，P弟兄对于上帝在某地的圣工来说，的确是一个大障碍。但你虽自称明白真理并在上帝圣工上拥有经验，你的做法却比P弟兄的做法对上帝圣工的拦阻更大。如果你在上帝的劝勉中站稳，并因你所自称相信的真理而得以成圣，那么P弟兄就不会有他现在的疑惑了。你自诩维护异象的立场已经成了那些不信之人的绊脚石。我蒙指示看到，你的兄弟努力承担起教会悲惨状况给他带来的重担，几乎要倒下丧命了。我看到上帝正在眷顾R弟兄和姐妹，他们的信心若坚定不移，就必在自己家中和教会里看到上帝的拯救。【2T.96.3】[8]
§18
You have gone directly contrary to the light which God has been pleased to give in regard to the use of tobacco. The gratification of appetite has eclipsed the light given of Heaven, and you have made a god of this hurtful indulgence. It is your idol. You have bowed to this instead of God, at the same time professing great faith in the visions, but acting entirely contrary to them. For years you have not advanced one step in the divine life, but have been growing weaker and weaker, darker and darker. You have felt sadly afflicted over the course of Brother P in opposing the truth as he has done. You have ascribed the weak, discouraged state of the church to his opposition. It is true that he has been a great hindrance to the advancement of the cause of God in -----. But the course you have pursued, while professing to know the truth and to have an experience in the cause of God, has been a greater hindrance than his course. If you had stood in the counsel of God and been sanctified through the truth which you professed to believe, Brother P would not have had all the doubts he has had. Your position as a defender of the visions has been a stumbling block to those who were unbelieving. I was shown that your brother tried to stand up under the heavy burdens which the sad condition of the church brought upon him until he nearly fell under the weight he was bearing, and left for his life. I saw that Gods care was over Brother and Sister R, and if their faith remained unwavering they would yet see the salvation of God in their own house and in the church. {2T 96.3}[8]
§19
我蒙指示看到亲爱的S弟兄和姐妹的情况。他们一直在经过黑暗的众水，巨浪几乎淹没他们的头；然而上帝爱他们，只要他们肯将自己的道路单单交托给上帝，上帝就会领他们出离炼净渣滓的苦难熔炉。S弟兄注重事情黑暗的一面，疑惑自己是不是上帝的孩子，疑惑自己是否能得救。我看到，他不应当太过努力以致不能相信，而应当像小孩子信赖父母那样信靠上帝。他忧虑太多了，担心自己已经脱离了耶稣的怀抱，于是便给仇敌一个机会来试探、搅扰他。上帝知道他身心的软弱，祂对他的要求不会超过祂愿意赐给他力量去履行的。S弟兄努力忠于上帝和自己的信仰表白，却在生活的许多事上完全无知地失败了。在管教子女的事上，他认为自己有责任严厉，于是他的管教便施之过严了。子女稍有小错，他便施以重罚。这在一定程度上疏远了儿子对父亲的感情。S弟兄患病期间有一种病态的想象。他的神经系统全部错乱了，认为他的子女对他没有应有的同情和关爱；但其实这种思想是他得病的结果。撒但想要毁灭他，并使他可怜的儿女灰心失望。但上帝并没有将这重担放在他身上。S弟兄的儿女要挑的担子比许多年长的人更重。他们应该受到精心的管教，明智的训练，配以同情、仁爱和极大的温柔。【2T.97.1】[9]
§20
I was shown the case of dear Brother and Sister S. They had been passing through the dark waters, and the billows had nearly gone over their heads; yet God loved them, and if they would only trust their ways to Him He would bring them forth from the furnace of affliction purified. Brother S has looked upon the dark side, and doubted whether he was a child of God--doubted his salvation. I saw that he should not labor too hard to believe, but should trust in God as a child would confide in its parents. He worries too much--he worries himself out of the arms of Jesus, and gives the enemy a chance to tempt and annoy him. God knows the feebleness of the body and of the mind, and will require no more of him than He will give him strength to perform. He has tried to be faithful and true to his profession. He has failed in his life in a number of things, all ignorantly. In regard to the discipline of his children, he has considered it his duty to be strict, and has carried this discipline too far. He has treated small offenses with too great severity. This has had an influence to wean, in a degree, the affection of the son from the father. During his sickness Brother S has had a diseased imagination. His nervous system has been all deranged, and he has thought that his children did not feel for him and love him as they should; but this was the result of disease. Satan wished to destroy him and dishearten and discourage his poor children. But God has not laid this to his charge. His children have greater burdens to bear than many that are older than they, and they deserve careful discipline, judicious training, mingled with sympathy, love, and great tenderness. {2T 97.1}[9]
§21
母亲有从上帝而来的特殊能力和智慧，可以鼓励并帮助她丈夫，尽力将她的孩子们系在自己的心上，并加强他们对父母以及彼此之间的感情。尽管前景看起来非常黑暗不祥，但我仍看到施恩的天使盘旋在这个家庭上方。那些对S弟兄有同情心肠的人决没有理由为此后悔，因为他是上帝的孩子，是蒙上帝所爱的。教会的萧条景况对他的健康大为不利。我看到他注视黑暗面，不信任自己，眼睛向下盯着坟墓。他千万不可再细想这些事了，而要注目无误的模范耶稣。他必须鼓励自己在主里面快活勇敢——谈论信心，谈论希望；在上帝里面安息，不要再觉得自己必须付出严峻难堪的努力。上帝一切的要求，就是单纯的信靠——带着自己所有的软弱、伤痛和瑕疵投入耶稣的怀抱，耶稣必帮助无助的人，坚固建立那些自觉非常软弱的人。上帝会因他在痛苦中表现的忍耐、信心和顺服得到荣耀。这将证明我们所表白之真理的力量，它是我们需要之时的安慰，当我们失去所有属世有限的帮助时，它是我们的支柱。【2T.98.1】[10]
§22
The mother has had especial strength and wisdom from God to encourage and help her husband, and to do much in binding her children to her heart and strengthening their affection for their parents and for one another. I saw that angels of mercy were hovering over this family, although prospects looked so dark and foreboding. Those who have had bowels of compassion for Brother S will never have cause to regret it, for he is a child of God, beloved of Him. The depressed state of the church has been very detrimental to his health. I saw him looking on the dark side, distrustful of himself, and looking down into the grave. He must not dwell on these things, but look to Jesus, a pattern that is unerring. He must encourage cheerfulness and courage in the Lord--talk faith, talk hope; rest in God, and not feel that a severe, taxing effort is required on his part. All that God requires is simple trust--to drop into His arms with all his weakness, and brokenness, and imperfection, and Jesus will help the helpless, and strengthen and build up those who feel that they are very weakness itself. God will be glorified in his affliction, through the patience, faith, and submission exemplified by him. Oh! this will prove the power of the truth we profess; it is consolation when we need it; it is support when every prop of an earthly nature, which has been a measurable support, is removed. {2T 98.1}[10]
§23
我还蒙指示看到了T弟兄的情况。他使自己处在一种受束缚的状况，而这并非上帝的旨意。当年迈的父亲把财产管理权交在未献身的儿女手中时，即使这些儿女自称相信真理，上帝也对此不悦。而当主托付给祂百姓的钱财被放在他们敌对上帝的不信儿女手中时，上帝便被羞辱了；因为那本应留在上帝阵营里的资源反倒流入仇敌的阵营了。【2T.99.1】[11]
§24
I was also shown the case of Brother T. He has placed himself in a condition of bondage to which God did not call him. God is not pleased when aged fathers give their stewardship into the hands of unconsecrated children, even though these profess the truth. But when the means which the Lord has entrusted to His people is placed in the hands of unbelieving children who are enemies to God, He is dishonored; for that which should be retained in the ranks of the Lord is placed in the enemys ranks. {2T 99.1}[11]
§25
此外，T弟兄还扮演了欺骗者的角色。他吸烟，却希望他的弟兄们以为他没有吸。我看到，这种罪阻碍了他在神圣生活上取得进步。他在自己年迈之时有一番工作要完成，就是禁戒那与灵魂争战的肉体的私欲。他热爱真理，并为真理的缘故受过痛苦。他现在应该仔细估量那永恒的赏赐，天国的珍宝，不朽的产业，以及永不衰残的荣耀冠冕，好使他能高高兴兴地放弃那种堕落的嗜好，为完成肉体、心灵的洁净工作，不惜付出任何代价或痛苦。【2T.99.2】[12]
§26
Again, Brother T has acted the part of a deceiver. He has used tobacco, but would have his brethren think that he did not use it. I saw that this sin has prevented his advancement in the divine life. He has a work to do, at his advanced age, to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. He has loved the truth, and has suffered for the truths sake. Now he should so estimate the eternal reward, the treasure in the heavens, the immortal inheritance, the crown of glory that is unfading, that he can cheerfully sacrifice the gratification of depraved appetite, let the consequence or suffering be ever so great, in order to accomplish the work of purification of the flesh and of the spirit. {2T 99.2}[12]
§27
我蒙指示，看到了他的儿媳。她本是上帝所爱的，却陷入束缚，恐惧，战抖，失望，疑惑和紧张的奴役中。这位姐妹不应觉得必须让自己的意志屈从一位不信上帝，也不如她成熟的青年。她应该记住她的婚姻不应消灭自己的个性。上帝对她的要求，远超过世间任何的要求。基督用自己的宝血赎买了她。她不是属于自己的。她没有完全信赖上帝，却将自己的信仰和良心交给了一个专横暴虐的人。每当撒但邪恶的权势能有效地藉着他恐吓这个颤抖畏缩的女子时，此人就会勃然大怒。她经常焦虑不安，神经系统遭到摧残，成了废物。这位姐妹落到这种处境，被剥夺了侍奉上帝的权利，难道是上帝的旨意么？不是的。她的婚姻是魔鬼的诡计。但她现在应当尽量利用这样的处境，温柔地对待她的丈夫，使他幸福，但也不违背她自己的良心。如果他继续悖逆，这个世界就成了他的天堂。然而剥夺她参加聚会的权利，来满足具有龙的精神的专横丈夫，并不符合上帝的旨意。祂希望这颗颤抖的心投奔祂。祂将成为她的避难所。祂如同大磐石的影子在疲乏之地。只要有信心，信靠上帝，祂就会祝福并赐力量。她的三个孩子也会感受到真理和圣灵的影响。这些孩子如果处在有利的环境下，像许多遵守安息日的孩子们一样，就会发生变化，成为上帝军队的一员。【2T.99.3】[13]
§28
I was then shown his daughter-in-law. She is beloved of God, but held in servile bondage, fearing, trembling, desponding, doubting, and very nervous. This sister should not feel that she must yield her will to a godless youth who has less years upon his head than herself. She should remember that her marriage does not destroy her individuality. God has claims upon her higher than any earthly claim. Christ has bought her with His own blood. She is not her own. She fails to put her entire trust in God, and submits to yield her convictions, her conscience, to an overbearing, tyrannical man, fired up by Satan whenever his satanic majesty can work effectually through him to intimidate this trembling, shrinking soul. She has so many times been thrown into agitation that her nervous system is shattered, and she is merely a wreck. Is it the will of the Lord that this sister should be in this state and God be robbed of her service? No. Her marriage was a deception of the devil. Yet now she should make the best of it, treat her husband with tenderness, and make him as happy as she can without violating her conscience; for if he remains in his rebellion, this world is all the heaven he will have. But to deprive herself of the privilege of meetings, to gratify an overbearing husband possessing the spirit of the dragon, is not according to Gods will. He wants this trembling soul to flee to Him. He will be a covert to her. He will be like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Only have faith, trust in God and He will strengthen and bless. All three of her children are susceptible to the influences of the truth and Spirit of God. Could these children be as favorably situated as are many Sabbathkeeping children, all would be converted and enlist in the army of the Lord. {2T 99.3}[13]
§29
后来我又蒙指示，看到同一地方的一个年轻姑娘。她远离了上帝，陷在黑暗里。天使说：“她一度跑得很好，是什么阻拦了她呢？”我蒙指示回顾过去，看到这个姑娘的生活环境发生了改变。她和一群与她一样的青年有了联络，他们充满了轻浮的欢乐、嬉笑、骄傲和爱世界的心。她若注重了基督的话语，本来不需要屈从于仇敌。总要警醒祷告，免得入了迷惑。周围也许尽是试探，但这不该使我们必需进入试探。真理值得我们付上任何代价。真理的影响不是令人趋向堕落的，而是将人提拔、精炼、洁净、高举到不朽的地步和上帝的宝座那里。天使说：“你是要选择基督，还是选择世界？”撒但把这个世界最奉承讨好、迷惑诱人的一面摆在可怜的世人眼前，当人注目这些东西时，就被其虚荣的光彩蒙蔽，看不到天国的荣耀和与上帝的宝座一样永恒的生命了。人为了一世短暂的罪中之乐，竟将无法形容的平安、幸福和喜乐、永不再有痛苦、忧伤和死亡的来生牺牲了。所有转离属世享乐，与摩西一样，宁可和上帝百姓同受苦害，也不愿暂时享受罪中之乐，看为基督受的凌辱比世界的财物更宝贵的人，也必将和忠心的摩西一样，承受永不衰残的不朽冠冕和极重无比永远的荣耀。【2T.100.1】[14]
§30
I was then shown a young girl of the same place, who had departed from God and was enshrouded in darkness. Said the angel: She did run well for a season; what did hinder her? I was pointed back and saw that it was a change of surroundings. She was associating with youth like herself, who were filled with hilarity and glee, pride, and love of the world. Had she regarded the words of Christ, she need not have yielded to the enemy. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Temptation may be all around us, but this does not make it necessary that we should enter into temptation. The truth is worth everything. Its influence tends not to degrade, but to elevate, refine, purify, and exalt to immortality and the throne of God. Said the angel: Will ye have Christ, or the world? Satan presents the world with its most alluring, flattering charms to poor mortals, and they gaze upon it, and its glitter and tinsel eclipse the glory of heaven and that life which is as enduring as the throne of God. A life of peace, happiness, joy unspeakable, which shall know nothing of sorrow, sadness, pain, nor death, is sacrificed for a short lifetime of sin. All who will turn from the pleasures of earth, and with Moses choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of the world, will, with faithful Moses, receive the unfading crown of immortality and the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. {2T 100.1}[14]
§31
这个姑娘的母亲曾在不同的时间受过真理的影响，但因犹豫不决很快丧失了这种印象。她的性格缺乏果断，过于优柔寡断，太容易受不信的人影响。她必须鼓励自己培养果断、刚毅和稳健的意志，好使她不再随环境而左右摇摆。她一定得摆脱这种游移不定的状态。她若不在这方面改变，就会轻易陷入撒但的网罗并任由他任意掳去。她必须在得胜的工夫上获得坚定和毅力，否则就会失败并丧失永生。得救的工夫并非儿戏一样可以随意把握或放手。它需要坚定不屈的意志、坚持不懈的努力，方能获得最后的胜利。那忍耐到底的，才会得救。那些恒心行善的，才会得到永生和不朽的赏赐。这位亲爱的姐妹若忠于她的信念，拥有坚定的意志，原能在自己家中、在自己丈夫身上发挥使人得救的影响，原能成为她女儿的特别帮助。所有参与到这场和撒但及其党羽之战斗中的人，眼前都面临着紧迫的工作。他们不可像蜡那样易受影响，随火烘烤，任意塑形。他们必须像忠心的精兵一样忍受艰难，坚持自己的岗位，时刻忠诚。【2T.101.1】[15]
§32
The mother of this girl has at different times been susceptible to the influence of the truth, but she has soon lost the impression through indecision. She lacks decision of character, is too vacillating, and is affected too much by unbelievers. She must encourage decision, fortitude, steadiness of purpose, which will not be swerved to the right or left by circumstances. She must not be in a state of such vacillation. If she does not reform in this respect she will be easily ensnared and taken captive by Satan at his will. She will have to possess perseverance and firmness in the work of overcoming, or she will be overcome and lose her soul. The work of salvation is not childs play, to be taken hold of at will and let alone at pleasure. It is the steady purpose, the untiring effort, that will gain the victory at last. It is he who endureth to the end that shall be saved. It is they who patiently continue in well-doing that shall have eternal life and the immortal reward. If this dear sister had been true to her convictions, and had possessed steadiness of purpose, she might have exerted a saving influence in her family, over her husband, and she might have been a special help to her daughter. All who are engaged in this warfare with Satan and his host have a close work before them. They must not be as impressible as wax, that the fire can melt into any form. They must endure hardness as faithful soldiers, stand at their post, and be true every time. {2T 101.1}[15]
§33
上帝的灵在与这全家的人相争。他们若愿按照上帝指定的方式得救，上帝就必拯救他们。现在正是宽容的时候，现在正是拯救的日子。现在正是上帝的时候。我们替基督恳劝他们，在还可以的时候与上帝和好，存心谦卑，恐惧战兢地作成自己得救的工夫。我蒙指示看到，撒但努力让教会处于麻木冷淡状态，好确保青年列身他的阵营当中。我看到青年是易受真理影响的。如果作父母的愿意将自己献给上帝，并且兴致勃勃地为他们儿女的悔改努力作工，上帝就会向他们显示自己，并在他们中间显扬祂的名。【2T.102.1】[16]
§34
Gods Spirit is striving with this entire family. He will save them if they are willing to be saved in His appointed way. Now is the hour of probation. Now is the day of salvation. Now, now, is Gods time. In Christs stead we beseech them to become reconciled to God while they may, and in humility, with fear and trembling, work out their salvation. I was shown that it was the work of Satan to keep the church in a state of insensibility, that the youth may be secured in his own ranks. I saw that the youth were susceptible of the influence of the truth. If the parents would consecrate themselves to God and labor with interest for the conversion of their children, God would reveal Himself to them and magnify His name among them. {2T 102.1}[16]
§35
然后我蒙指示看到U弟兄的情况。撒但一直在紧紧地捆绑他，并引诱他远离上帝及他的弟兄们。V弟兄的不信对U弟兄产生了极大的影响，使他的理解力大大昏暗了。我蒙指示看到过去，这位弟兄并没有采取最明智的作法。原没有足够的理由把他丢在教会外面。他原应受到鼓励、甚至催促，在教会里与弟兄们联合。他比一些在教会里的人更适合进入教会。他没有清楚地理解事情，于是仇敌利用这种误解来伤害他。在鉴察人心的上帝看来，U弟兄的生活和言行比一些在教会里的人更蒙祂悦纳。主的旨意是，他应该和他的弟兄们亲近，好使他们互相得力。【2T.102.2】[17]
§36
I was then shown the case of Brother U, that Satan had been fastening his bands about him and leading him away from God and his brethren. Brother V has had an influence to greatly darken this brothers understanding with his unbelief. I was pointed back and shown that the wisest course was not pursued in this brothers case. There was not sufficient reason why he should have been left out of the church. He should have been encouraged, even urged, to unite with his brethren in church capacity. He was in a more fit state to come into the church than several who were united with it. He did not understand things clearly, and the enemy used this misunderstanding to his injury. God, who sees hearts, has been better pleased with the life and deportment of Brother U than with the lives of some who were united with the church. It is the Lords will that he should come close to his brethren, that he may be a strength to them and they a strength to him. {2T 102.2}[17]
§37
U弟兄的妻子是可以接受真理的。在许多方面，她的言行举止并不比一些自称相信所有真理的人更有问题。但是，她决不能关注那些承认更美事物之人的失败和错误，而应切心询问说：什么才是真理？她能在自己朋友身上发挥一种为善的感化力。这些生灵一经真理圣化，便可靠赖上帝的力量，成为教会的柱石，拥有拯救他人的感化力。这些亲爱的弟兄姐妹要为他们所发挥的影响向上帝交账。他们不是同基督收聚的，就是与祂分散的。上帝要求他们将在祂圣工中的影响力放在真理这边。耶稣已用自己的血赎买了他们。他们不是自己的人，因为他们是用重价买来的。所以他们有责任在本属于上帝的心灵和身体上荣耀祂。我们是在为永恒工作。每一个小时都用来为上帝服务，从而确保我们积财在天，这是极其重要的。【2T.103.1】[18]
§38
The wife of Brother U can be reached by the truth. In many respects her deportment is not as questionable as that of some who profess to believe all the truth. Yet she must not look at the failures and wrongs of those who profess better things, but earnestly inquire: What is truth? She can exert an influence for good in connection with her companion. These souls, sanctified through the truth, can in the strength of God be pillars in the church and have a saving influence upon others. These dear souls are accountable to God for the influence they exert. They either gather with Christ or scatter abroad. God requires the weight of their influence in His cause on the side of truth. Jesus has bought them by His own blood. They are not their own, for they have been bought with a price. Therefore the work is before them to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are His. We are doing work for eternity. It is of the highest importance that every hour be employed in the service of God, and thus to secure a treasure in heaven. {2T 103.1}[18]
§39
V弟兄，我蒙指示看到你两年前在某地教会的状况。这个异象关乎过去、现在和未来。当我们旅行各地，我站在不同地方的人面前时，主的灵便将从前在异象中指示我的事活画在我面前。我蒙指示看到，你虽接受安息日，却反对一些与安息日有关的重要真理。你没有用所有真理使自己坚固。后来我又看到，你的思想被不信、疑惑和怀疑所控制，并追求获得那些旨在加强不信和黑暗的事物。你非但没有寻求证据以加强信心，反倒走上相反道路，而撒但也指引你的思路迎合他的意图。你喜爱争斗，你一进入战场，便不知道何时放下武器。你喜爱辩论，沉溺于此，直到它引诱你不看真光，背弃真理，远离上帝，陷在黑暗里，不信和疑惑占据了你的心意。你被撒但弄瞎了眼睛。【2T.103.2】[19]
§40
I was shown your case, Brother V, in connection with the church at -----, two years ago. The vision related to the past, present, and future. As we travel and I stand before the people in different places, the Spirit of the Lord brings before me clearly the cases I have been shown, reviving the matter previously given me. I was shown you as receiving the Sabbath, while you stood opposed to important truths connected with the Sabbath. You were not fortified with all the truth. I then saw your mind directed in the channel of unbelief, of doubt and distrust, and seeking to obtain those things which were calculated to strengthen unbelief and darkness. Instead of searching for evidence to strengthen faith, you took the opposite course, and Satan directed your mind in a course to suit his own purposes. You love to combat, and when you enter the field of battle you know not when to lay down your arms. You love to argue, and have indulged in this until it has led you from the light, led you from the truth and from God, to where you have been enshrouded in darkness, and unbelief has taken possession of your mind. You have been blinded by Satan. {2T 103.2}[19]
§41
你象缺乏信心的多马一样，认为怀疑是一种美德，除非你能看到确实无误的证据，除去心中所有疑惑的因由。多马声称，若无凭据，总不相信，耶稣在应允他的要求，给了他凭据时，有没有称赞多疑的多马呢？耶稣对他说：“不要疑惑，总要信”（约20:27）。多马喊道：“我的主，我的上帝”（约20:28）！多马现在是不得不相信，因为再无任何疑惑的余地。耶稣随后说：多马，“你因看见了我才信；那没有看见就信的有福了”（约20:29）。主向我指出，你现正与大叛徒和他的仆役联合，搅扰、难为、阻挡并瓦解那些为正义而战的人，使这些站在以马内利大君血迹斑斑旌旗之下的人灰心失望。我蒙指示看到，你的影响已使别人放弃遵守第四诫的安息日。你用你的才干和技巧制造武器，将其放在上帝仇敌手中，去与那些藉遵守诫命而努力顺从上帝之人争战。当天使奉派前来坚固余剩的、拦阻并抵消你的影响时，他们以最深的忧伤看着你使人灰心、毁灭别人的工作。你令纯洁、无罪、圣善的天使伤心哭泣了！【2T.104.1】[20]
§42
Like faithless Thomas, you have considered it a virtue to doubt unless you could have unmistakable evidence, removing from your mind all cause for doubt. Did Jesus commend the unbelieving Thomas while granting him the evidence which he declared he would have before he believed? Jesus said unto him: Be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered: My Lord and my God. He is now compelled to believe; there is no room to doubt. Jesus then said: Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. You were represented to me as uniting with the rebel leader and his host to annoy, perplex, dishearten, discourage, and overthrow those who are battling for the right, who are standing under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel. Your influence, I was shown, has turned souls from keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. You have employed your talents and your skill to manufacture weapons to place in the hands of the enemies of God, to fight those who are trying to obey God in keeping His commandments. While angels have been commissioned to strengthen the things that remain, to withstand and counteract your influence, they have looked with the deepest grief upon your work to dishearten and destroy. You have caused pure, sinless, holy angels to weep. {2T 104.1}[20]
§43
末世的特征是人们普遍将上帝的真实变为虚谎，那些生活在这末世危险中的人，有一番紧迫的工作要作，就是转脸不看这些随处出现的虚言妄语，而要喜爱以不受欢迎的真理为食。那些转离这些妄言而归向真理的人，要受到那些将这些虚言语提供给人要人接受之人的轻视、仇恨和逼迫。撒但正与努力守上帝诫命和为耶稣作见证的余民争战。恶天使也受命使用人作他们在世上的爪牙。这些人能够最为有效地施加影响，令撒但对余民的攻击大获成功，上帝称余民“是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德”（彼前2:9）。而撒但决意要阻挡这事。他会使用一切愿意为他服务之人，阻挡上帝的选民宣扬那召他们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德。撒但和他仆役的工作，就是要隐藏、遮盖，使人不信任这光，怀疑这光。当耶稣正洁净祂的子民归向祂自己，救赎他们脱离一切罪孽时，撒但会投入他的势力阻拦这工，防止圣徒达到完全。撒但并不在那些完全被骗、彻底陷入虚妄和错误中的人，和不作丝毫努力接受并顺从真理的人身上施行他的能力。撒但知道他们必是属于他的了；激起撒但仇恨，使他忿怒如狂的，是那些寻求真理，并因热爱真理而顺从真理的人。这些人若一直亲近耶稣，撒但就决不能削弱他们。因此，当撒但能引诱他们走上悖逆道路时，他便得意洋洋了。【2T.105.1】[21]
§44
Those who are living amid the perils of the last days, days which are characterized by the masses turning from the truth of God to fables, will have close work to turn from the fables which are prepared for them on every hand, and have an appetite to feast upon unpopular truth. Those who turn from these fables to truth are despised, hated, and persecuted by those who are presenting fables to the people for their reception. Satan is at war with the remnant who are endeavoring to keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. Evil angels are commissioned to employ men as their agents upon the earth. These can the most successfully exert an influence to make Satans attacks effective against the remnant whom God calls a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This, Satan is determined to hinder. He will employ everyone who will engage in his service to hinder the chosen people of God from showing forth the praises of Him who has called them from darkness into His marvelous light. To hide, to cover up this light, to cause people to distrust it, to disbelieve it, is the work of the great rebel and his host. While Jesus is purifying His people unto Himself, redeeming them from all iniquity, Satan will employ his forces to hinder the work and prevent the perfection of the saints. He does not exert his power upon those who are all covered up with deception and walled in by fables and error, and who make no effort to receive and obey the truth. He knows he is sure of them; but those who are seeking for truth, that they may obey it in the love of it, are the ones who excite his malice and stir his ire. He can never weaken them while they keep close to Jesus; therefore he is pleased when he can lead them in a course of disobedience. {2T 105.1}[21]
§45
我们得罪上帝的时候，就会想落后耶稣一天的路程；我们会设法与祂分开，因为不喜欢和祂在一起。祂神圣同在的每一道光辉，都指明了我们心中愧疚的罪。撒但因他引诱生灵所犯的罪而欢呼雀跃，并尽量利用这些失败和罪恶。他把这些罪过列举给上帝的天使看，并因罪人的这些软弱和失败而嘲笑天使。撒但怎么说都是控告弟兄的，且因上帝百姓被欺骗、受引诱所犯的每一桩罪、每一个错误而欣喜若狂。V弟兄，你在相当大的程度上一直在从事撒但的这种工作。你关注安息日复临信徒中每一个你所认为的错误、软弱和过失，将它们暴露在我们信仰的仇敌面前。而这些仇敌正在与天使所服侍的那班人作战。他们的中保耶稣正在祂的父面前为他们代求。耶稣举起祂带有钉痕的手，向天父呼喊说：“父啊，赦免他们！赦免他们！他们是我用我的血买来的！”你在上帝面前犯了大罪。当上帝的百姓看到他们中一些人没有献身并常为撒但所胜时，他们心中就大为忧伤、极其痛苦，而你却一直在利用那些令他们忧伤痛苦的事。你非但没有帮助这些犯错误的生灵归回正路，反倒得意洋洋地将他们的错误显在那些因他们承认自己遵守上帝的诫命和耶稣真道而恨他们的人面前。你令那些努力拯救犯错的生灵、寻找以色列家迷羊之人的工作异常艰辛。【2T.106.1】[22]
§46
When we sin against God, there is a disposition to fall behind Jesus a days journey; we seek to separate from His company because it is distasteful, for every ray of light from His divine presence points to the sin of which we have been guilty. Satan exults over the sins which he has induced souls to commit, and he makes the most of all these failures and sins. He rehearses them to the angels of God, and taunts them with these weaknesses and failures. He is in every sense an accuser of the brethren, and exults over every sin and wrong which Gods people are beguiled to commit. You, Brother V, have been engaged in this same work to quite an extent. You have taken what appeared to you like wrongs, weaknesses, and errors in the ranks of Sabbathkeeping Adventists, and have brought them to the notice of the enemies of our faith who were warring against that company unto whom angels of heaven were ministering, and whose cause Jesus, their Advocate, was pleading before His Father. He cries, Spare them, Father, spare them, they are the purchase of My blood, and lifts to His Father His wounded hands. You have been guilty before God of a great sin. You have been taking advantage of those things which grieve, which bring anguish upon the people of God as they see some of their numbers unconsecrated and frequently overcome by Satan. Instead of aiding these erring souls to get right, you have triumphantly made their errors conspicuous to those who hated them because they professed to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. You have made it very hard for those who were engaged in the work of saving the erring, hunting up the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {2T 106.1}[22]
§47
因为以色列悖逆并离开上帝，上帝便任凭他们陷入困窘之地并遭受灾祸；允许仇敌来与他们争战，为要使他们谦卑，并在急难困苦中寻求上帝。“那时，亚玛力人来在利非订，和以色列人争战”（出17:8）。此前不久，以色列人刚刚陷入叛逆的抱怨，无理而又不公正地向上帝授权并指派要带领他们过旷野进迦南的领袖大发怨言。耶和华引导他们所行的路上没有水，为要试验他们，看看他们在亲身经历了那么多祂权能的凭据后，是否学会了在困苦中转向祂，是否已经悔改了过去向祂发叛逆怨言的罪。他们曾控告摩西和亚伦将百姓从埃及带出来有自私的动机，要让他们和他们的儿女饿死，好用他们的财产肥己。以色列人这样作，就是将他们曾经明白无误得到凭据、证明是拥有无限能力之上帝把他们从埃及地领出来的工作归于人。上帝原是要他们将祂能力的这些奇妙的展示单单归于祂，并在地上尊祂的名为大。耶和华反复将他们带到同样受考验的境地，为要看他们是否已经认识到祂的作为，并悔改他们有罪的悖逆和反叛的怨言。在利非订，当百姓因无水而干渴难耐时，他们再次萌生了骄傲，这表明他们仍旧拥有不信、抱怨、叛逆的恶心，这表明把他们安置在迦南地尚不安全。在试验和困苦中，在他们经过旷野，迦南在望的旅程中，在上帝不断赐下祂的能力、荣耀和照顾的无误凭据的时候，他们若不愿荣耀上帝，如若此时将他们栽植在迦南地蒙福昌盛的环境里，他们也不会尊祂的名为大并荣耀祂。百姓因缺水干渴而群情激愤，以致摩西为自己的性命担忧。【2T.106.2】[23]
§48
Because of Israels disobedience and departure from God, they were allowed to be brought into close places and to suffer adversity; their enemies were permitted to make war with them, to humble them and lead them to seek God in their trouble and distress. Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. This took place immediately after the children of Israel had given themselves up to their rebellious murmurings and to unjust, unreasonable complaints against their leaders whom God had qualified and appointed to lead them through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. The Lord directed their course where there was no water, to prove them, to see if, after receiving so many evidences of His power, they had learned to turn to Him in their affliction, and had repented of their past rebellious murmurings against Him. They had charged Moses and Aaron with selfish motives in bringing them from Egypt to kill them and their children with hunger, that they might be enriched with their possessions. In doing this the Israelites ascribed to man that which they had received unmistakable evidence was from God alone, whose power is unlimited. These wonderful manifestations of the power of God He would have them ascribe to Him alone, and magnify His name upon the earth. The Lord brought them over the same ground of trial repeatedly to prove whether they had yet learned His dealings and repented of their sinful disobedience and rebellious murmurings. In Rephidim, when the people thirsted for water, they were again proud, and showed that they still possessed an evil heart of unbelief, of murmuring, of rebellion, which revealed the fact that it would not yet be safe to establish them in the land of Canaan. If they would not glorify God in their trials and adversity, in their travels through the wilderness to the Canaan in prospect, while God was continually giving them unmistakable evidence of His power and glory, and His care for them, they would not magnify His name and glorify Him when established in the land of Canaan, surrounded with blessings and prosperity. Because the people thirsted for water, they were provoked, so that Moses feared for his life. {2T 106.2}[23]
§49
以色列人受到亚玛力人攻击时，摩西命令约书亚领兵出战，而他则手中拿着上帝的杖站立，在百姓面前向天举杖，向这班悖逆、抱怨的以色列人表明，他们的力量和权能是在上帝里。祂是他们的力量，且是他们力气的源头。那根杖本身并没有什么能力，上帝不过是藉着摩西行事罢了。摩西必须从上头领受他所有的力量。摩西何时举手，以色列人就得胜；何时垂手，亚玛力人就得胜。当摩西手臂发沉时，他就需要别人帮助他疲倦的手继续向天举杖。亚伦和户珥给摩西预备了一个座位，一边一个扶住他疲乏的膀臂，直到太阳落山。这些人从而向以色列人表明了他们辅助摩西承担艰巨工作的责任，摩西从上帝领受命令，再说与这些人听。这件事同时向以色列表明，惟有上帝掌握他们的命运，祂是他们公认的领袖。“耶和华对摩西说：我要将亚玛力的名号从天下全然涂抹了，你要将这话写在书上作记念，又念给约书亚听。……又说：耶和华已经起了誓，必世世代代和亚玛力人争战”（出17:14-16） 。“你要记念你们出埃及的时候，亚玛力人在路上怎样待你。他们在路上遇见你，趁你疲乏困倦，击杀你尽后边软弱的人，并不敬畏上帝。所以耶和华你上帝使你不被四围一切的仇敌扰乱，在耶和华你上帝赐你为业的地上得享平安。那时，你要将亚玛力的名号从天下涂抹了，不可忘记”（申25:17-19）。【2T.107.1】[24]
§50
When Israel was assailed by the Amalekites, Moses gave Joshua directions to fight with their enemies while he would stand with the rod of God in his hand, with his hand raised toward heaven in the sight of the people, showing to rebellious, murmuring Israel that their strength and power was in God. He was their might and the source of their strength. There was no power in that rod; God wrought through Moses. Moses had to receive all his strength from above. When he held up his hands, Israel prevailed; when he let down his hands, Amalek prevailed. When Moses became weary, preparations were needful to keep his weary hands continually raised toward heaven. Aaron and Hur prepared a seat for Moses, and then both engaged in holding up his weary hands until the going down of the sun. These men thus showed to Israel their duty to sustain Moses in his arduous work while he should receive the word from God to speak to them. This act was also to show Israel that God alone held their destiny in His hands, that He was their acknowledged leader. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. . . . For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. {2T 107.1}[24]
§51
当上帝的使者将以色列人旅途中经历的这些事向我显明时，我便对上帝对祂子民的特别关心深有感触。尽管他们有错误，尽管他们悖逆不顺从，他们仍旧是上帝的选民。上帝离开祂天上神圣的居所，亲自降临西奈山顶，在威严、荣耀和可怕的庄严中，当着以色列所有百姓的面颁布十条诫命，并用自己的指头把诫命写在石版上，藉此特别尊荣了以色列人。耶和华论到祂的民以色列说：“因为你归耶和华你上帝为圣洁的民，耶和华你上帝从地上的万民中拣选你，特作自己的子民。耶和华专爱你们，拣选你们，并非因你们的人数多于别民，原来你们的人数在万民中是最少的。只因耶和华爱你们，又要守祂向你们列祖所起的誓”（申7:6-8）。【2T.108.1】[25]
§52
As the angel of God presented these facts in the travels and experience of the children of Israel, I was deeply impressed with the especial regard of God for His people. Notwithstanding their errors, their disobedience, and their rebellion, they were still Gods chosen people. He had especially honored them by coming down from His holy habitation upon Mount Sinai and, in majesty and glory and awful grandeur, speaking the Ten Commandments in the audience of all the people and writing them with His own finger on the tables of stone. The Lord says of His people Israel: For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers. {2T 108.1}[25]
§53
我蒙指示看到，那些努力藉着顺从真理来顺从上帝并洁净自己灵魂的人，是上帝的选民，是祂现代的以色列人。上帝藉彼得论到这等人说：“惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德”（彼前2:9）。亚玛力人趁以色列人软弱疲乏之机攻击他们，使他们烦恼、困惑、灰心是有罪的，同样，你严密注意要发现上帝受苦遭难百姓的软弱、犹疑、错误和罪恶，并将之暴露给他们的仇敌，所犯的罪也不小。你是在作撒但的工作，而非上帝的工作。某地许多守安息日的复临信徒非常软弱。他们已经成了真理的卑劣代表。他们没有荣耀现代真理，上帝的圣工若没有他们原会更好。你将守安息日信徒未献身的生活当作自己居于怀疑不信立场的藉口。有些未献身的人强烈表白自己相信异象，若有人反对异象，他们便热心地为维护异象，为异象辩护，然而，他们在自称如此热心时，却不顾上帝藉异象给他们的教训，行事直接与这些教训相反，你看到之后越发不信了。他们在这方面成了U弟兄的绊脚石，并因自己的行为给异象带来了坏名声。【2T.109.1】[26]
§54
I was shown that those who are trying to obey God and purify their souls through obedience to the truth are Gods chosen people, His modern Israel. God says of them, through Peter: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. As it was a crime for Amalek to take advantage of the children of Israel in their weakness and weariness, to annoy, perplex, and discourage them, so it was no small sin for you to be closely watching to discover the weakness, the haltings, the errors and sins of Gods afflicted people, and expose the same to their enemies. You were doing Satans work, not the work of God. Many of the Sabbathkeeping Adventists in ----- have been very weak. They have been miserable representatives of the truth. They have not been an honor to the cause of present truth, and the cause would have been better off without them. You have taken the unconsecrated lives of Sabbathkeepers as an excuse for your occupying a position of doubt and unbelief. It has also strengthened your unbelief to see that some of these unconsecrated ones were professing strong faith in the visions, vindicating them when opposed, and defending them with warmth, while, at the same time that they professed so much zeal, they were disregarding the teachings given through vision and were going directly contrary to them. In this respect they were stumbling blocks to Brother U, and were bringing the visions into disrepute by their course of action. {2T 109.1}[26]
§55
V弟兄，我蒙指示看到你有一颗骄傲的心，当你以为自己的文章在《评论与通讯》办公室受到轻视时，你的自尊心便受到刺激，于是开始一种类似扫罗用脚踢刺的争战。你与那些将上帝的真实变为虚谎之人联手。你坚固了罪人的手，反对上帝针对你自己的灵魂所发的劝勉。你一直在与你所不了解的争战。你不知道自己在作什么。我看到你妻子正在祷告中与上帝较力，一方面她的信心坚定地把握住你，与此同时她注目着上帝的宝座，恳求上帝永不失败的应许。当她看到你坚持与真理为仇作对时，她的心大大伤痛。我蒙指示看到你作这事是出于无知，被撒但蒙蔽了。你陷入这场战争并没有使你增长灵性并对上帝更忠诚。你并无证据表明你的道路讨上帝喜悦。你有热心，但不是按着真知识。你对我的呼召毫无经验，几乎没有见过我，对我的工作一无所知。【2T.110.1】[27]
§56
Brother V, I was shown that you had a proud heart, and when you thought your writings were slighted at the Review office, your pride was touched, and you commenced a warfare which has been like Sauls kicking against the pricks. You have joined hands with those who turn the truth of God into a lie. You have strengthened the hands of sinners and opposed the counsel of God against your own soul. You have been warring against that of which you had no knowledge. You have not known what work you were doing. I saw your wife wrestling with God in prayer, her faith firmly grasping you and at the same time fixed upon the throne, pleading the never-failing promises of God. Her heart has ached as she has seen you persisting in your warfare against the truth. I was shown that you were doing this ignorantly, blinded by Satan. While engaged in this warfare you were not increasing in spirituality and devotion to God. You had not the witness that your ways pleased God. You had a zeal, but not according to knowledge. You had no experience in my calling, had scarcely seen me, and had no knowledge of my work. {2T 110.1}[27]
§57
V弟兄，你的才干若奉献为建立上帝圣工所用，则你拥有的资质可使你在某地教会或其它任何教会担任特别的侍奉工作。V弟兄啊，我看到你的儿女们现在正处于对真理产生深刻印象的状态，并且耶稣正为你恳求：“再宽限他一点时间。”我蒙指示看到，你若归向真理，便可成为教会的柱石，并藉你因真理而成圣的影响力荣耀上帝。【2T.110.2】[28]
§58
Brother V, you possess qualifications which would make you of special service in the church at -----, or in any other church, were your talents devoted to the upbuilding of the cause of God. I saw that your children were now in a state to be impressed with the truth, and Jesus was pleading for you, Brother V: Spare him a little longer. I was shown that if you were converted to the truth, you would make a pillar in the church, and could honor God by your influence, sanctified through the truth. {2T 110.2}[28]
§59
我看到施恩的天使正在V弟兄上方徘徊。我蒙指示看到他在上帝面前的道德价值和立场，受到了那班脱离了团体之人大大的欺骗。他们中间有少数人是诚实的；这些人将得救；但他们中绝大多数人内心久未成圣，严谨的证言一直挡在他们的路上，对他们来说是束缚的轭。他们把证言抛在一边，继续自己败坏的行为。上帝呼召你与他们分别，与那些乐于跟上帝的真理为仇的人割断联系。稍有偏离，就会显出品格的真相。他们是一班喜爱谎言和编造虚谎的人。【2T.111.1】[29]
§60
I saw angels of mercy hovering about Brother V. I was shown that he was greatly deceived in the moral worth and standing before God of that class who have withdrawn from the body. A few honest ones are among them; these will be rescued; but the most of them have long been unconsecrated in heart, and the close testimonies have been in their way, a yoke of bondage to them. They have thrown off the yoke and retained their corrupt ways. God calls upon you to separate from them. Cut loose from these whose delight it is to war against the truth of God. A little from this, true character will be developed. They are of that class who love and make a lie. {2T 111.1}[29]
§61
你的志趣若全在真理和此时的预备工作，就必因真理而成圣并为永生作好准备。你有危险对你的儿女过于苛刻，没有必要的忍耐。凡自称相信真理的人都必须进行彻底的预备工作，直到我们站立在上帝宝座前，无瑕无疵，毫无玷污、皱纹等类的病。如果你愿忍受熬炼的过程，上帝就必使你洁净。【2T.111.2】[30]
§62
If your whole interest is in the truth and the preparatory work for this time you will be sanctified through the truth and receive a fitness for immortality. You are in danger of being too exacting with your children and not as patient as is necessary. The thorough work of preparation must go on with all who profess the truth, until we stand before the throne of God without fault, without a spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. God will cleanse you if you will submit to the purifying process. {2T 111.2}[30]