4 月 5 日安息日下午
记忆经文：
“第二天，约翰看见耶稣来到他那里，就说：看哪，神的羔羊，除去（或作背负）世人罪孽的。” KJV — 约翰福音 1:29
Memory Text: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” KJV — John 1:29
“我们在旧约和新约中追溯基督。 “看哪，我必快来。赏罚在我，要照各人所行的报应他。我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛，我是初，我是终，我是首先的，我是末后的。那些遵行他诫命的人有福了，可得权柄到生命树那里，也能从门进城。因为城外有犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言的。我耶稣差遣我的使者为众教会将这些事向你们证明。我是大卫的根，又是他的后裔，我是明亮的晨星。圣灵和新妇都说来。听见的人也该说来。口渴的人也可以来。凡愿意的，都可以白白取生命的水喝。” RH 1897 年 6 月 8 日，第 9 段
“We trace Christ all through the Old Testament and the New. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” RH June 8, 1897, par. 9
“这里是创世记的开始和启示录的结束。所有遵守上帝诫命并与他合作宣扬第三位天使信息的人都将得到祝福。“我耶稣差遣我的天使在教会中向你们证明这些事。我是大卫的根和后裔，我是明亮的晨星。”基督在旧约中所说的话是针对全世界的。他关于他的诫命所说的话不是“是”和“不是”，而是“是”和“阿们”。RH 1897 年 6 月 8 日，第 10 段
“Here we have the Alpha of Genesis and the Omega of Revelation. The blessing is promised to all those who keep the commandments of God, and who co-operate with him in the proclamation of the third angel's message. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” That which Christ has spoken in the Old Testament is for all the world. What he has said in reference to his commandments is not yea and nay, but yea and amen.” RH June 8, 1897, par. 10
“《圣经》的所有书卷都在《启示录》中汇合并结束。这是《但以理书》的补充。一本是预言，另一本是启示。被封住的书不是《启示录》，而是《但以理书》中有关末日的预言部分。天使命令说：“但以理啊，你要隐藏这话，封闭这书，直到末时。”《但以理书》12:4。” AA 585.1
“In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4.” AA 585.1
4 月 6 日星期日
“首次提及”原则
阅读以赛亚书40:7,8；玛拉基书3:6；希伯来书13:8。你能从这些经文中得出什么原则来帮助你正确地研究预言？
Read Isaiah 40:7, 8; Malachi 3:6; and Hebrews 13:8. What principle can you derive from these texts that would help you properly anchor your study of prophecy?
“异教徒伏尔泰曾自夸说：‘我厌倦听人重复说十二个人创立了基督教。我要证明一个人就足以推翻它。’”伏尔泰去世后已过去了几代人。有数百万人加入了反对圣经的战争。但圣经远没有被摧毁，伏尔泰时代只有一百本，现在却有上万本，是的，十万本上帝的书。正如一位早期改革家论基督教会所说：“圣经是一块磨破了许多铁锤的铁砧。”主说：“凡为攻击你造成的器械必不利用；凡在审判时兴起用舌头攻击你的，你必定为有罪。”（以赛亚书54:17）GC 288.2
“The infidel Voltaire once boastingly said: “I am weary of hearing people repeat that twelve men established the Christian religion. I will prove that one man may suffice to overthrow it.” Generations have passed since his death. Millions have joined in the war upon the Bible. But it is so far from being destroyed, that where there were a hundred in Voltaire's time, there are now ten thousand, yes, a hundred thousand copies of the book of God. In the words of an early Reformer concerning the Christian church, “The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.” Saith the Lord: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” Isaiah 54:17. GC 288.2
“‘我们上帝的话必永远立定。’‘他的一切诫命都是确定的，永永远远坚定，都是凭着诚实和正直而行的。’以赛亚书40:8；诗篇111:7，8。凡建立在人的权威上的，都必倾覆；但凡建立在上帝不变之道的磐石上的，必永远立定。” GC 288.3
“‘The word of our God shall stand forever.’ ‘All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.’ Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 111:7, 8. Whatever is built upon the authority of man will be overthrown; but that which is founded upon the rock of God's immutable word shall stand forever.” GC 288.3
当今的信息是要指出，所有人都是凡人，不会比草更持久；甚至他们的美德也不会比田野里的花更持久；但上帝的道是永恒的；那些渴望获得永生、变得像圣经一样永恒的人，不应该信任任何人，而应该只信任上帝的道：他们应该自己问：“这是真理吗？”而不是“它来自谁？”
The message of the hour is to point out that all men are mortal, no more enduring than the grass; that even their virtues are no more lasting than the flowers of the field; but that the Word of God is everlasting; that those who desire to obtain eternal life, to become as eternal as the Word Itself, should not put confidence in any man, but in the Word of God only: that they should inquire for themselves, “Is it Truth?” and not, “From whom does it come?”
那么，人们肯定对这些现实视而不见，否则他们就不需要被提醒了。他们肯定是依靠肉体，而不是依靠上帝的道和祂的灵。
It must be, then, that men are blind to these realities, else they would not need be reminded of them. It must be that they are depending upon flesh, instead of upon the Word of God and His Spirit.
4 月 7 日星期一
理解上帝的爱
阅读创世记 22：1-13。圣经中第一次提到“爱”是在创世记 22：2。这个故事教导我们关于上帝之爱的本质是什么？
Read Genesis 22:1–13. The first mention of “love” in the Bible is found in Genesis 22:2. What does this story teach us about the nature of God’s love?
“亚伯拉罕非常渴望见到那位应许的救主。他献上最诚挚的祷告，希望在临死之前能见到弥赛亚。他看见了基督。他被赐予了超自然的亮光，认识到了基督的神圣品格。他看到了祂的日子，并为此而欢欣鼓舞。他看到了上帝为赎罪而做出的牺牲。他以自己的经验为这种牺牲作了例证。上帝命令他：“你带着你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，你所爱的以撒……献为燔祭。”（创世记 22:2）他把应许之子，也就是他所寄予希望的儿子，放在祭坛上。然后，当他举起刀子，等待着服从上帝的时候，他听到天上有声音说：“你不可在这童子身上下手，一点不可害他；现在我知道你是敬畏上帝的了，因为你没有将你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，留下不给我。”创世记22:12。上帝使亚伯拉罕经受了这可怕的考验，为要使他能看见基督的日子，并认识到上帝对世人的大爱，他为了拯救世人脱离堕落，竟将自己的独生子置于最可耻的死亡之中。DA 468.4
“Abraham had greatly desired to see the promised Saviour. He offered up the most earnest prayer that before his death he might behold the Messiah. And he saw Christ. A supernatural light was given him, and he acknowledged Christ's divine character. He saw His day, and was glad. He was given a view of the divine sacrifice for sin. Of this sacrifice he had an illustration in his own experience. The command came to him, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, ... and offer him ... for a burnt offering.” Genesis 22:2. Upon the altar of sacrifice he laid the son of promise, the son in whom his hopes were centered. Then as he waited beside the altar with knife upraised to obey God, he heard a voice from heaven saying, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.” Genesis 22:12. This terrible ordeal was imposed upon Abraham that he might see the day of Christ, and realize the great love of God for the world, so great that to raise it from its degradation, He gave His only-begotten Son to a most shameful death. DA 468.4
“亚伯拉罕从上帝那里学到了人类有史以来最伟大的教训。他祈求在死前能见到基督，上帝应允了他。他看见了基督；他看见了凡人所能看见和活下去的一切。由于完全臣服，他能够理解上帝赐给他的基督异象。他蒙上帝指示，上帝赐下他的独生子来拯救罪人免于永远的毁灭，这是人类所作的更大、更奇妙的牺牲。DA 469.1
“Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal. His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered. He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live. By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him. He was shown that in giving His only-begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make. DA 469.1
“亚伯拉罕的经验回答了这个问题：‘我朝见耶和华，在至高上帝面前跪拜，当献什么呢？岂可献一岁的牛犊为燔祭呢？岂可献千千的公羊，或万万的油河呢？我岂可献我的长子为我的罪过呢？我岂可献我身所生的为我心中的罪恶呢？’”（弥迦书6:6, 7）亚伯拉罕说：“我儿，上帝必自己预备作燔祭的羊羔”（创世记22:8），上帝也预备了祭物代替以撒，这说明没有人能为自己赎罪。异教的献祭制度是上帝完全不能接受的。没有一个父亲可以献上他的儿子或女儿作为赎罪祭。只有上帝的儿子才能担当世人的罪孽。” DA 469.2
“Abraham's experience answered the question: “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Micah 6:6, 7. In the words of Abraham, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” (Genesis 22:8), and in God's provision of a sacrifice instead of Isaac, it was declared that no man could make expiation for himself. The pagan system of sacrifice was wholly unacceptable to God. No father was to offer up his son or his daughter for a sin offering. The Son of God alone can bear the guilt of the world.” DA 469.2
4 月 8 日，星期二
以撒的问题：羔羊在哪里？
阅读创世记 22：7，8；出埃及记 12：3-13；启示录 5：5-10。以撒险些牺牲的故事如何帮助我们理解羔羊的象征意义？这个故事与约翰在启示录第 5 章中看到的内容有何关联？
Read Genesis 22:7, 8; Exodus 12:3–13; and Revelation 5:5–10. How does the story of Isaac’s near sacrifice help us understand how lambs are used symbolically? How does this story tie into what John sees in Revelation 5?
“当约翰看见耶稣俯伏恳求，流着泪恳求天父的嘉许时，他深受感动。当上帝的荣耀环绕着他，天上发出声音时，约翰认出了上帝所应许的记号。他知道他所施洗的就是世界的救赎主。圣灵降在他身上，他伸出手指着耶稣，喊道：“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。” DA 112.4
“John had been deeply moved as he saw Jesus bowed as a suppliant, pleading with tears for the approval of the Father. As the glory of God encircled Him, and the voice from heaven was heard, John recognized the token which God had promised. He knew that it was the world's Redeemer whom he had baptized. The Holy Spirit rested upon him, and with outstretched hand pointing to Jesus, he cried, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” DA 112.4
“听众中没有一个人，甚至连演讲者本人也没有意识到“上帝的羔羊”这句话的含义。”在摩利亚山上，亚伯拉罕听到儿子问：“我的父亲，……燔祭的羔羊在哪里？”父亲回答说：“我的儿子，上帝会自己准备一只燔祭的羔羊。”创22:7,8。亚伯拉罕在上帝所预备代替以撒的公羊身上，看出那位要为人类的罪而死的主的象征。圣灵借着以赛亚，借着这比喻，预言救主说：“他如羊羔被牵到宰杀之地，”“耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在他身上”（赛53:7,6）；但以色列人却不明白这教训。他们中许多人把祭祀看作是异教徒看待他们的祭物一样——他们自己可以借此讨好上帝的礼物。上帝愿意教导他们，那使他们与他和好的礼物，是出自他自己的爱。”DA 112.5
“None among the hearers, and not even the speaker himself, discerned the import of these words, “the Lamb of God.” Upon Mount Moriah, Abraham had heard the question of his son, “My father, ... where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” The father answered, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Genesis 22:7, 8. And in the ram divinely provided in the place of Isaac, Abraham saw a symbol of Him who was to die for the sins of men. The Holy Spirit through Isaiah, taking up the illustration, prophesied of the Saviour, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” “and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:7, 6); but the people of Israel had not understood the lesson. Many of them regarded the sacrificial offerings much as the heathen looked upon their sacrifices,—as gifts by which they themselves might propitiate the Deity. God desired to teach them that from His own love comes the gift which reconciles them to Himself.” DA 112.5
羔羊站在宝座前向我们保证，“若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位中保，就是那义者耶稣基督。”约翰一书 2:1。羔羊的七角象征着权力和权威的完整性，基督对此保证说：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。”马太福音 28:18。他的无限权力是为了我们的利益，供我们使用。他宣称：“你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这座山说，你从这边挪到那边，它也必挪去，并且你们没有不能作的事了。”马太福音 17:20。
The Lamb’s presence before the throne assures us that “if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1.
The Lamb’s seven horns signify completeness of power and authority, in assurance of which Christ said: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18. His unlimited power is for our good, and for our use. He proclaims: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt. 17:20.
羔羊的七眼表示万物在祂面前都是敞开、赤裸的。
The Lamb’s seven eyes denote that all things are open and naked unto Him.
诗篇作者问道：“我往哪里去躲避祢的灵？我往哪里去躲避祢的面？我若升到天上，祢在那里；我若在阴间下榻，祢也在那里。我若展开清晨的翅膀，飞到海极居住，就是在那里，祢的手必引导我，祢的右手也必扶持我。我若说：黑暗必定遮蔽我，黑夜必成为我周围的光明。黑暗不能遮蔽祢，黑夜却如白昼发亮；黑暗和光明，在祢都一样。”诗篇139:7-12。
“Whither,” asks the Psalmist “shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven,” he declares, “Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” Ps. 139:7-12.
是的，七个象征性的“角”、“眼睛”和“火灯”确实是“神的七灵”，是圣灵在所有阶段的工作，被差遣到全地，赐给圣徒对抗邪恶势力的力量，也照亮基督的福音，让他们看到他们现在的状态和未来的荣耀，等等。因此，救世主保证，“我去是与你们有益的；我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来；我若去，就差他来。”约翰福音 16:7。“保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，他要将一切的事指教你们，并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。”约翰福音 14:26。显然，任何灵感本身没有教导和解释的东西，都不值得记住、教导，甚至不值得倾听。
Yes, the seven symbolical “horns,” “eyes,” and “lamps of fire,” are indeed “the seven Spirits of God,” the Spirit’s work in all phases, sent forth into all the earth, to give to the saints power against the forces of evil, also light on the Gospel of Christ, a vision of their present state of being and of their future glory, and so on. Hence the Saviour’s reassurance, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26. Plainly, then, whatever things Inspiration Itself does not teach and interpret, are not worth remembering, teaching, or even listening to.
4 月 9 日星期三
应对死亡
阅读创世记 2:15-17、创世记 4:8-15、哥林多前书 15:15-19 和启示录 1:18。这些经文（包括第一次提到和出现死亡）告诉我们人为什么会死、上帝如何看待死亡以及他如何解决我们的问题？
Read Genesis 2:15–17, Genesis 4:8–15, 1 Corinthians 15:15–19, and Revelation 1:18. What do these passages—which include the first mention and occurrence of death—tell us about why people die, how God views death, and what His solution is for our problem?
“当亚当和他的同伴在枯萎的花朵和落叶中看到腐烂的最初迹象时，他们比现在的人为死者哀悼得更深。脆弱娇嫩的花朵的死亡确实令人悲伤；但当美丽的树木落叶时，这一幕生动地使人想起一个严峻的事实：死亡是每一个生物的命运。” PP 62.1
“As they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that death is the portion of every living thing.” PP 62.1
“主藉着以诺的复活，是要给人一个重要的教训。当时的危险是，人类会因亚当犯罪的可怕后果而灰心丧气。许多人都快要喊道：“人类将要遭受沉重的咒诅，死亡是我们众人的命运，我们敬畏耶和华并遵守他的法令，这有什么益处呢？”但上帝赐给亚当的指示，塞特曾重复这些指示，以诺也曾加以示范，扫除了阴郁和黑暗，给人类带来了希望，正如死亡是通过亚当而来的，同样，生命和永生也将通过应许的救赎主而来。”PP 88.2
“By the translation of Enoch the Lord designed to teach an important lesson. There was danger that men would yield to discouragement, because of the fearful results of Adam's sin. Many were ready to exclaim, “What profit is it that we have feared the Lord and have kept His ordinances, since a heavy curse is resting upon the race, and death is the portion of us all?” But the instructions which God gave to Adam, and which were repeated by Seth, and exemplified by Enoch, swept away the gloom and darkness, and gave hope to man, that as through Adam came death, so through the promised Redeemer would come life and immortality.” PP 88.2
“‘复活的教义在早期基督徒中似乎比现在被认为更重要！这是怎么回事？使徒们一直坚持这一点，并以此激励上帝的追随者勤奋、顺从和快乐。而他们今天的继承者却很少提到它！使徒们如此传道，早期基督徒也如此相信；我们也是如此传道，我们的听众也如此相信。福音中没有一个教义比这更受重视；在目前的传道体系中也没有一个教义比这更受忽视！’——《评注》，对《哥林多前书》第 15 章第 3 段的评论。” GC 547.2
“‘The doctrine of the resurrection appears to have been thought of much more consequence among the primitive Christians than it is now! How is this? The apostles were continually insisting on it, and exciting the followers of God to diligence, obedience, and cheerfulness through it. And their successors in the present day seldom mention it! So apostles preached, and so primitive Christians believed; so we preach, and so our hearers believe. There is not a doctrine in the gospel on which more stress is laid; and there is not a doctrine in the present system of preaching which is treated with more neglect!’—Commentary, remarks on 1 Corinthians 15, paragraph 3.” GC 547.2
“耶稣用无限希望的信息安慰我们为死者所忧伤的心情：“我要救赎他们脱离阴间的权势，救赎他们脱离死亡。死亡啊，我必为你施行灾祸；阴间啊，我必为你毁灭。”（何西阿书13:14）“又是那存活的，我曾死过，现在又活了，直活到永永远远，并且拿着死亡和阴间的钥匙。”（启示录1:18）“因为主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有上帝的号吹响；那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇。这样，我们就要和主永远同在。”（帖撒罗尼迦前书4:16-17）PK 240.1
“Jesus comforts our sorrow for the dead with a message of infinite hope: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” Hosea 13:14. “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, ... and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18. “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.” PK 240.1
4月10日星期四
蛇
将创世记 3：1-5 与启示录 12：1-9 进行比较。每个记载中有哪些共同的主题？创世记中蛇的介绍中发现的细节如何帮助我们理解启示录中提到的导致天堂之战的一些问题？
Compare Genesis 3:1–5 with Revelation 12:1–9. What are some of the common themes in each account? How do the details found in the introduction of the serpent in Genesis help us to understand some of the issues that had previously led to the war in heaven mentioned in Revelation?
“为了不被人察觉地完成他的工作，撒但选择使用蛇作为媒介——一种非常适合他欺骗目的的伪装。蛇是当时地上最聪明、最美丽的生物之一。它有翅膀，在空中飞翔时，它呈现出耀眼的光辉，有着抛光金子的颜色和光泽。它栖息在禁树上硕果累累的树枝上，尽情享用美味的果实，这是一件吸引人注意和取悦旁观者眼球的东西。就这样，毁灭者潜伏在平安的花园里，守候着他的猎物。” PP 53.4
“In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent—a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold. Resting in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an object to arrest the attention and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey.” PP 53.4
“撒但因自己的成功而欢欣鼓舞。他曾引诱女人不信上帝的爱，怀疑上帝的智慧，违背上帝的律法，并通过她推翻了亚当。” PP 57.3
“Satan exulted in his success. He had tempted the woman to distrust God's love, to doubt His wisdom, and to transgress His law, and through her he had caused the overthrow of Adam.” PP 57.3
“于是上帝对蛇宣判说：‘因你作了这事，你就必受咒诅，比一切的牲畜野兽更甚。你必用肚子行走，终身吃尘土。’”蛇既被用作撒但的媒介，就必分担上帝审判的惩罚。它从田野中最美丽、最受人敬仰的动物，变为最卑鄙、最受人憎恨的动物，为人类和动物所惧怕和憎恨。接下来对蛇说的话直接适用于撒但自己，预示着他最终的失败和毁灭：‘我又要叫你和女人彼此为仇；你的后裔和女人的后裔也彼此为仇。女人的后裔要伤你的头，你要伤他的脚跟。’” PP 58.2
“The Lord then passed sentence upon the serpent: “Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.” Since it had been employed as Satan's medium, the serpent was to share the visitation of divine judgment. From the most beautiful and admired of the creatures of the field, it was to become the most groveling and detested of them all, feared and hated by both man and beast. The words next addressed to the serpent applied directly to Satan himself, pointing forward to his ultimate defeat and destruction: ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.’” PP 58.2
“在《启示录》第十二章中，我们用一条大红龙作为象征。该章第九节对这一象征的解释如下：“大龙就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒旦，是迷惑普天下的。他被摔在地上，他的使者也一同被摔下去。”毫无疑问，龙主要代表撒但。但撒但并不亲自出现在地上；他通过代理人行事。他试图通过恶人来毁灭耶稣，耶稣刚一出生。无论在哪里，撒但能够完全控制一个政府，以致于可以实现他的阴谋，那个国家就暂时成为撒但的代表。所有大的异教国家都是如此。例如，见以西结书第 28 章，撒但被代表为推罗的实际国王。这是因为他完全控制了那个政府。在基督教时代的最初几个世纪，在所有异教国家中，罗马是撒但反对福音的主要代理人，因此由龙来代表。” GC88 679.4
“In the twelfth chapter of Revelation we have as a symbol a great red dragon. In the ninth verse of that chapter this symbol is explained as follows: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Undoubtedly the dragon primarily represents Satan. But Satan does not appear upon the earth in person; he works through agents. It was in the person of wicked men that he sought to destroy Jesus as soon as he was born. Wherever Satan has been able to control a government so fully that it would carry out his designs, that nation became, for the time, Satan's representative. This was the case with all the great heathen nations. For instance, see Ezekiel 28, where Satan is represented as actual king of Tyre. This was because he fully controlled that government. In the first centuries of the Christian era, Rome, of all the pagan nations, was Satan's chief agent in opposing the gospel, and was therefore represented by the dragon.” GC88 679.4
月 11 日，星期五
进一步思考 – 本周课程总结
本课首先说明，圣经的象征和预言都起源于《创世记》，即《圣经》的第一本书。我们被告知“《圣经》的所有书卷都在《启示录》中相遇和结束。” AA 585.1
The lesson begins by showing by showing that Biblical symbols and prophecies all have their origin in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. We are told that “In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end.” AA 585.1
周日的课程讲的是上帝圣言的永恒性。人类被比作草和花，在一天结束时枯萎或持续一段时间然后消失，但“我们上帝的话却永远立定。”以赛亚书40:7
Sunday’s lesson deals with the enduring nature of God’s Word. Humans are compared to grass and flower that withers at the end of the day or endures for a period and then disappears, but “the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:7
周一的课程讲的是，通过亚伯拉罕愿意牺牲自己唯一的儿子来理解上帝的爱。“上帝爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们”，耶稣牺牲了自己的生命，让我们可以拥有生命，并且更加丰富地生活。
Monday’s lesson talks understanding God’s love through the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his only son. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” Jesus who sacrificed His life that we might have life, and that more abundantly.
周二的课程重点讨论了以撒关于羔羊的问题以及他的父亲亚伯拉罕的回答。它表明耶稣是上帝的羔羊，除去了世人的罪孽。
Tuesday’s lesson points to Isaac’s question about the lamb and his father Abraham’s response. It shows Jesus as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.
周三的课程讲的是死亡，生命的敌人。它被视为潜伏在幕后的入侵者，在阴影中等待着扼杀我们的生命。那些在主里死去的人，对伟大的复活日抱有希望。
Wednesday’s lesson deals with deals with death, an enemy of life. It is seen as an intruder lurking behind the scenes, waiting in the shadows to snuff out our lives. Those who die in the lord have hope of the great resurrection day.
周四的课程讲的是撒旦所伪装的蛇。撒旦是天上的大骗子，他欺骗了三分之一的天使，在地上，他欺骗了我们的始祖。在《启示录》12:9 中，他被称为“龙……那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒旦，是迷惑全地的。”
Thursday’s lesson talks about the serpent whom Satan impersonated. Satan is the great deceiver from heaven, where he deceived a third of the angels and on earth where he deceived our first parents. In Revelation 12:9 he is called the “dragon...that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.”