第15章 第二位天使的信息
§1
第十五章 第二位天使的信息
§2
Chapter 15—The Second Angel’s Message
§3
那些不肯接受第一位天使信息的教会就此拒绝了从天上来的亮光。上帝本着怜悯把那信息传给他们，为要唤醒他们，使他们看出自己迷恋世俗和后退的真实情况并使他们设法准备迎见主。上帝总是要求祂的子民与世界保持分离，免得被引诱，不再效忠于祂。祂救以色列人脱离埃及的奴役，是因为祂不愿他们被周围拜偶像风习所败坏。今世之子乃是黑暗之子。他们并不专注于公义的日头，而是专顾自己和地上的财宝。他们既被这世界的神弄瞎了心眼，就不能正确地感悟真神的荣耀与威严。他们虽享有祂的恩赐，却忘了施恩之主的要求。这种人已决定行在黑暗里，他们是受黑暗权势之君带领的。他们不喜爱神圣的事物，因为他们看不出这种事物有什么价值或可爱之处。他们自行与上帝的光疏远，他们的悟性就对那正义、真实、圣洁的事变得很糊涂，以致上帝之灵的事对他们来说倒成了愚拙。{4SP 230.1}
§4
The churches that refused to receive the first angel’s message, rejected light from Heaven. That message was sent in mercy to arouse them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding, and to seek a preparation to meet their Lord. God has ever required his people to remain separate from the world, that they might not be allured from their allegiance to him. He delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt because he would not have them corrupted by the idolatry with which they were there surrounded. The children of this world are the children of darkness. Their attention is not directed to the Sun of Righteousness, but is centered upon themselves and the treasures of earth. Blinded by the god of this world, they have no just perception of the glory and majesty of the true God. While they enjoy his gifts, they forget the claims of the Giver. Such have chosen to walk in darkness, and they are led by the prince of the powers of darkness. They do not love and enjoy divine things, because they do not discern their value or loveliness. They have alienated themselves from the light of God, and their understanding becomes so confused in regard to that which is right, true, and holy, that the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to them. {4SP 230.1}
§5
上帝传出第一位天使之信息的目的，乃是要把基督的教会从世界腐化的影响中分别开来。但就一般群众，甚或在名义上信奉基督的人来说，那把他们羁绊在地上的绳索总比那吸引他们向上的力量更坚强。他们宁愿听从世界智慧的声音，故而转离了那察验人心的真理的信息。{4SP 231.1}
§6
It was to separate the church of Christ from the corrupting influence of the world that the first angel’s message was given. But with the multitude, even of professed Christians, the ties which bound them to earth were stronger than the attractions heavenward. They chose to listen to the voice of worldly wisdom, and turned away from the heart-searching message of truth. {4SP 231.1}
§7
彼得在受圣灵感动写作时，描绘了基督复临的信息会受到怎样的对待：“在末世必有好讥诮的人随从自己的私欲出来讥诮说：‘主要降临的应许在哪里呢？因为从列祖睡了以来，万物与起初创造的时候仍是一样。’他们故意忘记，从太古，凭上帝的命有了天，并从水而出、藉水而成的地。故此，当时的世界被水淹没就消灭了。但现在的天地还是凭着那命存留，直留到不敬虔之人受审判遭沉沦的日子，用火焚烧”（彼后3:3-7）。{4SP 231.2}
§8
Peter, writing as he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, described the manner in which the message of Christ’s second coming would be received: “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” [2 Peter 3:3-7.] {4SP 231.2}
§9
那些在洪水中灭亡的人本来有机会逃脱的。人人都曾受劝在方舟中得到避难所。但众人却不肯听从警告。传扬第一位天使信息的时候也是这样，凡听到的人都受邀接受这信息，并享有随着接受而来的福气；但许多人却蔑视并拒绝了这个邀请。一个人转到自己的农场去，另一个人做买卖去，他们并不关心这些事。灵感之言说当洪水前的人拒绝了挪亚的话语时，上帝的灵就不再与他们相争。如今的人在轻视上帝本着怜悯传给他们的警告时也是这样，祂的灵过一段时间之后就不会在他们心中引起确信了。上帝赐人亮光，乃是要他们珍爱及顺从的，不是要他们轻视而弃绝的。对一切忽视真光的人，那光便要变为黑暗。何时圣灵不再将真理铭刻在人心中，人纵然听道，必归徒然；人讲道也必归徒然。{4SP 231.3}
§10
Those who perished in the waters of the flood had an opportunity to escape. All were urged to find refuge in the ark; but the multitudes refused to heed the warning. So when the first angel’s message was given, all who heard were invited to receive it, and share the blessing to follow its acceptance; but many scorned and rejected the call. One turned to his farm, another to his merchandise, and they cared for none of these things. Inspiration declares that when the antediluvians rejected Noah’s words, the Spirit of God ceased to strive with them. So when men now despise the warnings which God in mercy sends them, his Spirit after a time ceases to arouse conviction in their hearts. God gives light to be cherished and obeyed, not to be despised and rejected. The light which he sends becomes darkness to those who disregard it. When the Spirit of God ceases to impress the truth upon the hearts of men, all hearing is vain, and all preaching also is vain. {4SP 231.3}
§11
当众教会拒绝基督复临的信息时，主也就弃绝了他们。紧随着那第一位天使，有第二位天使宣布说：“叫万民喝邪淫大怒之酒的巴比伦大城倾倒了，倾倒了”（启14:8）。复临运动的信徒认明这个信息，就是论到众教会因拒绝第一道信息而在灵性上堕落的宣告：“巴比伦倾倒了”是在1844年夏季宣布的，结果约有五万人从这些教会中出来。{4SP 232.1}
§12
When the churches spurned the counsel of God by rejecting the Advent message, the Lord rejected them. The first angel was followed by a second, proclaiming, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [Revelation 14:8] This message was understood by Adventists to be an announcement of the moral fall of the churches in consequence of their rejection of the first message. The proclamation, “Babylon is fallen,” was given in the summer of 1844, and as the result, about fifty thousand withdrew from these churches. {4SP 232.1}
§13
“巴比伦”一词是从“巴别”而来的，是“混乱”的意思。圣经用这词来代表各种虚假或叛道的宗教。然而这道宣布巴比伦倾倒了的信息必定适用于某个曾经纯洁且已变为腐败的宗教团体。这里不可能指的是罗马教会；因为那个教会已经处在堕落状态一千多年了。然而这个比喻用在各改正教会上多么适当啊，他们都自称根据圣经得出自己的教义，可是却分裂成几乎无数的宗派。他们中间不存在基督所祈求的合一状态。他们不是一主、一信、一洗，而是有无数相冲突的信条和理论。他们的宗教信仰显得那么混乱不和，以致世人不知道要相信什么是真理。上帝并不在这一切的混乱之中；这乃是人的作为——撒但的作为。{4SP 232.2}
§14
The term Babylon, derived from Babel, and signifying confusion, is applied in Scripture to the various forms of false or apostate religion. But the message announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to some religious body that was once pure, and has become corrupt. It cannot be the Romish Church which is here meant; for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. But how appropriate the figure as applied to the Protestant churches, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects. The unity for which Christ prayed does not exist. Instead of one Lord, one faith, one baptism, there are numberless conflicting creeds and theories. Religious faith appears so confused and discordant that the world know not what to believe as truth. God is not in all this; it is the work of man,—the work of Satan. {4SP 232.2}
§15
在《启示录》第十七章中，巴比伦用一个妇人来代表。圣经中常用妇人来代表教会。贞洁的妇人代表纯洁的教会，淫乱的妇人代表叛道的教会。巴比伦被说成一个淫妇；先知看到她喝醉了圣徒和殉道者的血。被这样描绘的巴比伦代表罗马教，那个背道的教会十分残忍地逼迫了跟从基督的人。大淫妇巴比伦乃是母亲，有许多女儿效法她腐败的榜样。圣经就这样描绘了那些依附罗马教的教义和遗传并且效法其属世行为的教会，并在第二位天使的信息中宣布了她们的倾倒。{4SP 233.1}
§16
In Revelation 17, Babylon is represented as a woman, a figure which is used in the Scriptures as the symbol of a church. A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be a harlot; and the prophet beheld her drunken with the blood of saints and martyrs. The Babylon thus described represents Rome, that apostate church which has so cruelly persecuted the followers of Christ. But Babylon the harlot is the mother of daughters who follow her example of corruption. Thus are represented those churches that cling to the doctrines and traditions of Rome and follow her worldly practices, and whose fall is announced in the second angel’s message. {4SP 233.1}
§17
基督与教会的亲密关系是以婚姻的比喻来象征的。主已经用一个严肃的契约使祂的子民与祂联合。祂应许作他们的上帝；他们也立约愿意作祂的子民，惟独属于祂。保罗对教会说：“我曾把你们许配一个丈夫，要把你们如同贞洁的童女献给基督”（林后11:2）。然而当教会的信心和爱心转离主，去追求虚荣，并且容许喜爱世俗事物的心使她与上帝隔绝时，她就丧失了这种特殊而神圣的关系中所包含的种种特权。那些与世俗同化的人被使徒雅各称为“淫乱的人”（雅4:4）。{4SP 233.2}
§18
The close relation of the church to Christ is represented under the figure of marriage. The Lord had joined his people to himself by a solemn covenant, he promising to be their God, and they pledging themselves to be his, and his alone. Said Paul, addressing the church, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” [2 Corinthians 11:2.] But when her confidence and affection were turned away from him, and she sought after vanity, and allowed the love of worldly things to separate her from God, she forfeited the privileges included in this peculiar and sacred relation. By the apostle James those who assimilate to the world are addressed as “adulterers and adulteresses.” [James 4:4.] {4SP 233.2}
§19
口头上的宗教信仰是社会上最流行的。官员、政客、律师、医生、商人等往往加入教会，来博得一般社会人士的尊重和信任，以便促进自己属世的利益。这样他们企图给自己所有不义的行为，加上一层基督化的色彩。各宗教团体既然收容了这些受过洗礼而依然迷恋于世俗的教友，并得到他们财富和势力的支持，便要更进一步地追求与世俗为友，博得众人的赞助。于是装饰得富丽堂皇的大教堂，在宽广的马路上建造起来了。参加礼拜的人穿戴着华贵而时髦的服装前来赴会。他们聘请一个有才干的传道人，并给他优厚的薪俸；让他上台给大家助兴，并吸引更多的听众。他的讲章万不可涉及流行的罪恶，却要使一般讲究时髦的人听得愉快入耳。这样，时髦的罪人就得以录在教会的名册之上，而他们时髦的罪恶也能在虚伪的敬虔之下掩饰过去了。上帝俯视这些背道的团体，宣布她们是淫妇的儿女。她们为了获得地上伟人的恩宠和支持，竟违背了效忠天上君王的严肃誓约。{4SP 234.1}
§20
A profession of religion has become popular with the world. Rulers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their own worldly interests. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. Thus fashionable sinners are enrolled on the church-records, and fashionable sins are concealed under a pretense of godliness. God looks down upon these apostate bodies, and declares them daughters of a harlot. To secure the favor and support of the great men of earth, they have broken their solemn vows of allegiance and fidelity to the King of Heaven. {4SP 234.1}
§21
巴比伦的大罪乃是她“叫万民喝邪淫大怒之酒”（启14:8）。这酒象征她因与世上的伟人发生不正当的关系而接受的谬道。“与世俗为友”腐蚀了她的信仰，她便散播了许多与圣经明文相抵触的假道，因此对全世界发挥了一种腐化的影响。{4SP 234.2}
§22
The great sin charged against Babylon is, that she “made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world, represents the false doctrines which she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth. Friendship with the world corrupts her faith, and in her turn she exerts a corrupting influence upon the world by teaching doctrines which are opposed to the plainest statements of the word of God. {4SP 234.2}
§23
这些谬道中最突出的就是现世千禧年的道理——在基督降临之前，有属灵平安与繁荣的一千年，世人要在这一千年中悔改归主。这种诱人的歌声已哄骗了成千上万人，使他们沉睡直至永远灭亡。{4SP 235.1}
§24
Prominent among these false doctrines is that of the temporal millennium,—a thousand years of spiritual peace and prosperity, in which the world is to be converted, before the coming of Christ. This siren song has lulled thousands of souls to sleep over the abyss of eternal ruin. {4SP 235.1}
§25
灵魂不灭的道理已为撒但藉着现代招魂术施展的狡诈作为敞开了门路；罗马之炼狱、为死人祈祷、圣徒的召灵等谬道都发源于灵魂不灭的谬论，除了那些谬道之外，这个谬论已使许多改正教徒否认了复活与审判，且使令人厌恶的永刑异端及普救说的危险谬见出现。{4SP 235.2}
§26
The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul has opened the way for the artful working of Satan through modern Spiritualism; and besides the Romish errors, purgatory, prayers for the dead, invocation of saints, etc., which have sprung from this source, it has led many Protestants to deny the resurrection and the Judgment, and has given rise to the revolting heresy of eternal torment, and the dangerous delusion of Universalism. {4SP 235.2}
§27
比这些谬论更危险更广泛传播的谬论乃是僭越地声称上帝的律法在十字架上被废掉了，还说七日的第一日如今是圣日，以取代第四诫的安息日。{4SP 235.3}
§28
And even more dangerous and more widely held than these are the assumptions that the law of God was abolished at the cross, and that the first day of the week is now a holy day, instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. {4SP 235.3}
§29
当忠诚的教师们向人讲解上帝的圣言时，就必有一些学问渊博的人和自称明白圣经的传道人出来斥责纯正的道理为异端，藉此使许多寻求真理的人偏离正路。若不是全世界已经因巴比伦的“酒”而醉迷不醒，就必有成群的人因圣经明白犀利的真理而折服了。可见世界顽梗不化的罪是必须由教会负责的。{4SP 235.4}
§30
When faithful teachers expound the word of God, there arise men of learning, ministers professing to understand the Scriptures, who denounce sound doctrine as heresy, and thus turn away inquirers after truth. Were it not that the world is hopelessly intoxicated with the wine of Babylon, multitudes would be convicted and converted by the plain, cutting truths of the word of God. The sin of the world’s impenitence lies at the door of the church. {4SP 235.4}
§31
上帝传给自称祂子民的人一道信息，原是要纠正使他们与祂的眷爱隔绝的种种弊端。那些因接受了复临运动的道理而从各支派出来人中间曾产生一种团结且有信心和爱心的状态。要是各教会普遍接受了复临的真理，同样有福的结果原会随之而来。但巴比伦却轻蔑地拒绝了上天所保留使她得恢复的最后手段，而后她竟然更加急切地转身去寻求世俗的友谊。{4SP 236.1}
§32
God sent his professed people a message that would have corrected the evils which separated them from his favor. A state of union, faith, and love had been produced among those who from every denomination in Christendom received the Advent doctrine; and had the churches in general accepted the same truth, the same blessed results would have followed. But Babylon scornfully rejected the last means which Heaven had in reserve for her restoration, and then, with greater eagerness, she turned to seek the friendship of the world. {4SP 236.1}
§33
传扬第一道信息的人并没有打算，也没有希望在各教会中造成分裂，或成立什么另外的组织。威廉米勒耳说：“在我一切的工作中，我从来没有想要设立与既有的宗派不同的个别组织，或是帮助某一个宗派去损害另一个宗派。我的意思是要帮助一切的宗派。我也想一切的基督徒一听到基督快要回来的信息，必都是欢喜的，而且那些与我持有不同见解的人对于相信这道理的人不会不以爱心相待，所以我没有想到有分开聚会的必要。我的唯一宗旨乃是要引领人归向上帝，警告世人关于将来的审判，并劝戒我的同胞务要作心灵方面的准备，以便安然迎见上帝。那些因我的工作而悔改的人大多参加了现有的基督教团体。每当有人来问我他们当尽的义务之时，我总是叫他们加入那使他们感觉最自在的教会，在我给予他们的劝言中，我从来没有推荐任何宗派。”{4SP 236.2}
§34
Those who preached the first message had no purpose or expectation of causing divisions in the churches, or of forming separate organizations. “In all my labors,” said Wm. Miller, “I never had the desire or thought to establish any separate interest from that of existing denominations, or to benefit one at the expense of another. I thought to benefit all. Supposing that all Christians would rejoice in the prospect of Christ’s coming, and that those who could not see as I did would not love any the less those who should embrace this doctrine, I did not conceive there would ever be any necessity for separate meetings. My whole object was a desire to convert souls to God, to notify the world of a coming Judgment, and to induce my fellow-men to make that preparation of heart which will enable them to meet their God in peace. The great majority of those who were converted under my labors united with the various existing churches. When individuals came to me to inquire respecting their duty, I always told them to go where they would feel at home; and I never favored any one denomination in my advice to such.” {4SP 236.2}
§35
各教会当初欢迎米勒耳的工作，但及至他们决定要弃绝基督复临的真理之后，他们便想制止人对这问题进行任何议论。因此凡已经接受这教训的人就陷入了很难堪与困惑的境地。他们热爱自己的教会，不愿意离开这些团体。但他们既被讥笑，受压迫，不能享有讲说自己指望的权利，又没有自由去参赴基督复临的讲道聚会，故此许多人终于起来挣脱了那强加在他们身上的轭。{4SP 237.1}
§36
For a time many of the churches welcomed his labors; but as they decided against the Advent truth, they desired to suppress all agitation of the subject. Those who had accepted the doctrine were thus placed in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved their churches, and were loth to separate from them; but as they were ridiculed and oppressed, denied the privilege of speaking of their hope, or of attending preaching upon the Lord’s coming, many at last arose and cast off the yoke which had been imposed upon them. {4SP 237.1}
§37
在宗教改革的时代，温柔虔诚的梅兰克吞宣称：“除了拥有上帝话，并因上帝话而洁净的团体之外，不存在其他的教会”。信仰基督复临的信徒既看出各教会已经弃绝上帝圣言的见证，就不能再承认这些团体为基督的教会，为“真理的柱石和根基”（提前3:15）；所以当“巴比伦倾倒了”的信息传开时，他们就认为他们应该退出原来所属的教会。{4SP 237.2}
§38
In the days of the Reformation, the gentle and pious Melancthon declared, “There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the word of God, and who are purified by it.” Adventists, seeing that the churches rejected the testimony of God’s word, could no longer regard them as constituting the church of Christ, “the pillar and ground of the truth;” and as the message, “Babylon is fallen,” began to be proclaimed, they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection. {4SP 237.2}
§39
自从各教会拒绝了第一道信息之后，他们中间已经起了很不幸的变化。他们既弃绝了真理，便领受并珍爱了谬道。爱上帝和信仰圣经的心已经渐渐冷淡了。众教会已经使主的灵担忧，所以圣灵已经大大地被收回了。这种状况可怕地适用先知以西结的话：“人子啊，这些人已将他们的假神接到心里，把陷于罪的绊脚石放在面前，我岂能丝毫被他们求问吗？”“我耶和华在他所求的事上，必按他众多的假神回答他”（结14:3, 4）。人们虽然可能没有向木石的偶像跪拜，然而凡喜爱世上的事物并以不义的事为乐的人，都已在自己的心中树立了偶像。自称基督徒的人大半在耶和华之外侍奉别的神。骄傲和奢华为人所珍爱，偶像被设立在圣所里，她的圣地就被玷污了。{4SP 237.3}
§40
Since the rejection of the first message, a sad change has taken place in the churches. As truth is spurned, error is received and cherished. Love for God, and faith in his word, have grown cold. The churches have grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and it has been in a great measure withdrawn. The words of the prophet Ezekiel are fearfully applicable: “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be inquired of at all by them?” “I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols.” [Ezekiel 14:3, 4.] Men may not bow down to idols of wood and stone, but all who love the things of the world and take pleasure in unrighteousness have set up idols in their hearts. The majority of professed Christians are serving other gods besides the Lord. Pride and luxury are cherished, idols are set up in the sanctuary, and her holy places are polluted. {4SP 237.3}
§41
古时耶和华曾对祂的仆人们论到以色列说：“引导这百姓的使他们走错了路；被引导的都必败亡”（赛9:16）。“先知说假预言，祭司藉他们把持权柄；我的百姓也喜爱这些事，到了结局你们怎样行呢”（耶5:31）？“他们从最小的到至大的都一味地贪婪，从先知到祭司都行事虚谎”（耶6:13）。曾十分蒙主眷爱的犹太教会，因疏于善用所赐给他们的福惠而令人感到惊讶和羞辱。然而这些经文不只适用于古时的以色列，也是描绘今日许多有名无实的基督教会的性质和状况。他们虽然拥有比曾赐给犹太人的大得多的福惠，却随从了犹太人的脚踪；所赐下的亮光和特权越大，那些不善用这些亮光和特权之人的罪过也就越大。{4SP 238.1}
§42
Anciently the Lord declared to his servants concerning Israel: “The leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.” [Isaiah 9:16.] “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the end thereof?” [Jeremiah 5:31.] “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely.” [Jeremiah 6:13.] The Jewish church, once so highly favored of the Lord, became an astonishment and a reproach through neglect to improve the blessings granted them. Pride and unbelief led to their ruin. But these scriptures do not apply to ancient Israel only. The character and condition of many nominally Christian churches are here portrayed. Though in possession of far greater blessings than were granted to the Jews, they are following in the steps of that people; and the greater the light and privileges bestowed, the greater the guilt of those who permit them to pass unimproved. {4SP 238.1}
§43
使徒保罗所描绘自称上帝子民之人在末后日子的画面虽然可悲，但却是我们当代一般教会的写真。“有敬虔的外貌，却背了敬虔的实意”，爱宴乐不爱上帝”，“专顾自己、贪爱钱财、自夸、狂傲”（提后3:2-7）——这不过是他所列出的那份暗昧行为目录中的几个细目而已。考虑到即使在那些在圣事上做执事的人中间都常常揭露出来的令人吃惊的罪行，谁敢断言使徒所列举的这些罪恶中有一项不是在自称信仰基督教的外衣之下犯下的呢？{4SP 239.1}
§44
The picture which the apostle Paul has drawn of the professed people of God in the last days is a sad but faithful delineation of the popular churches of our time. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,” [2 Timothy 3:2-7.]—such are a few specifications from the dark catalogue which he has given. And in view of the frequent and startling revelations of crime, even among those that minister in holy things, who dare affirm that there is one sin enumerated by the apostle which is not concealed under a profession of Christianity? {4SP 239.1}
§45
“义和不义有什么相交呢？”“基督和彼列（彼列就是撒但的别名）有什么相和呢？”“上帝的殿和偶像有什么相同呢？因为我们是永生上帝的殿，就如上帝曾说：我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间来往；我要作他们的上帝；他们要作我的子民。又说：你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别；不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父；你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”（林后6:14-18）。{4SP 239.2}
§46
“But what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” “And what concord hath Christ with Belial?” “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:14-18.] {4SP 239.2}
§47
在传扬第一位天使的信息时，上帝的子民是在巴比伦里；许多真正的基督徒仍在她的团体里。有不少从未见过当代特别真理的人并不满足于自己的现状，而是渴望得到更清晰的亮光。他们想在自己所属的教会中看见基督的形像，却是徒然。当这些教会偏离真理越远，并与世俗越为接近时，时候要到，那些敬畏并尊荣上帝的人就不能再与他们保持联络了。那些“不信真理，倒喜爱不义的人” 将大受欺骗而“信从虚谎”（帖后2:11）。这时逼迫的精神将死灰复燃。但真理的亮光却要照耀一切敞开心门去接受它的人，于是一切仍然在巴比伦中的上帝儿女必要听从祂的呼召：“我的民哪，你们要从那城出来”（启18:4）。{4SP 239.3}
§48
At the proclamation of the first angel’s message, the people of God were in Babylon; and many true Christians are still to be found in her communion. Not a few who have never seen the special truths for this time are dissatisfied with their present position, and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the church. As the churches depart more and more widely from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the time will come when those who fear and honor God can no longer remain in connection with them. Those that “believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” will be left to receive “strong delusion,” and to “believe a lie.” [2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12.] Then the spirit of persecution will again be revealed. But the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord still in Babylon, will heed the call, “Come out of her, my people.” {4SP 239.3}