4月19日安息日下午
Memory Text:
“得了权柄、荣耀、国度，使各方、各国、各族的人都事奉他。他的权柄是永远的，不能废去；他的国必不败坏。”——但以理书 7:14
“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” KJV — Daniel 7:14
新天新地中，恶人的脚在“短暂的时期”所践踏和玷污的那一部分，将被“从上帝那里从天上降下来的火”所净化，烧毁恶人和他们的作品。而那些永远居住在新天新地的人，将在“圣城”及其周围受到庇护。启示录21:2。
That portion of the new earth which the feet of the wicked have trodden and defiled during the “short season,” will be purified by the fire’s coming “down from God out of heaven” and burning them and their works, while those who will inhabit the new earth for eternity, will be shielded in and about “the holy city.” Revelation 21:2.
他们上来遍满了全地，围住圣徒的营与蒙爱的城。就有火从天降下，烧灭了他们。那迷惑他们的魔鬼被扔在硫磺的火湖里，就是兽和假先知所在的地方。他们必昼夜受痛苦，直到永永远远。……死亡和阴间也被扔在火湖里，这火湖就是第二次的死。凡名字没记在生命册上的，就被扔在火湖里。”（启示录 20:9, 10, 14, 15）
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever…. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:9, 10, 14, 15.
因为不仅撒旦，而且“凡名字没记在生命册上的，都被扔在火湖里”，湖中的火只是延续了“从天上由上帝那里降下来”的火所带来的毁灭。启示录 20:9。换句话说，一千年之后，“从天上由上帝那里降下来”的火会带来“火湖”（启示录 20:10），并导致所有罪人永远灭绝。关于这最后的毁灭，将在千禧年之前得到证明，届时兽和假先知将被扔进“火湖”——他们一千年的坟墓。当然，由于火不会在一千年期间一直燃烧，所以“魔鬼……被扔在硫磺的火湖里，就是兽和假先知所在的地方”（启示录 20:10）这句话表明，毁灭既有典型的，也有反典型的；千禧年之前的火湖，是千禧年之后火湖的预表。
Since not only Satan, but also “whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life, was cast into the lake of fire,” the fire in the lake simply continues the same destruction wrought by the fire which comes “down from God out of heaven.” Revelation 20:9. After the thousand years, in other words, the fire which comes “down from God out of heaven,” results in “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10) and in eternal extermination of all sinners. Of this final destruction, a pre-millennial demonstration is to be given when the beast and the false prophet are cast into the “lake of fire” – their grave for the thousand years. And as the fire does not, of course, keep burning during the thousand years, the statement, “the devil…was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are” (Revelation 20:10), shows therefore that there are both a typical and an antitypical destruction; the lake of fire before the millennium, being a type of the one after the millennium.
“我又看见一个新天新地；因为先前的天地已经过去了。” 吞噬恶人的烈火净化了地球。咒诅的一切痕迹都将被一扫而空。永恒燃烧的地狱，不会再将罪恶的可怕后果留在赎民面前。《南方守望者报》，1905年3月14日，第14段。
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. The Southern Watchman, March 14, 1905, paragraph 14.
得救的人回到失落已久的伊甸园，回到生命树旁，将“成长”到人类原始荣耀的巅峰。罪的咒诅的最后一丝残留痕迹将被清除，基督的忠仆将“显明我们主上帝的荣美”；他们的身心都将反映出主的完美形象。哦，奇妙的救赎！长久以来，人们谈论着，期盼着，热切地思考着，却从未完全理解。《南方守望者报》，1905年3月14日，第15段。
“Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will “grow up” to the full stature of the race in its primeval glory. The last lingering trace of the curse of sin will be removed, and Christ's faithful ones will appear “in the beauty of the Lord our God;” in mind and soul and body reflecting the perfect image of their Lord. Oh, wonderful redemption! long talked of, long hoped for, contemplated with eager expectation, but never fully understood.” The Southern Watchman, March 14, 1905, paragraph 15.
4月20日星期日
宁录和尼尼微
亚当堕落犯罪之后，主对他说了什么？——“因为你听从妻子的话，做你不该吃的果子，吃了我禁止你吃的果子，所以地受咒诅，不是因你，是因你的缘故。”
After Adam fell into sin, what did the Lord say to him? – “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, hast done what you ought not, and hast eaten of the fruit which I forbade you to eat, for this cause, cursed is the ground, not against you, but for your sake.”
那么，上帝是怎么说的呢？——“你必终身汗流满面才得糊口；也就是说，为了你自己，你现在要为生计而受苦，你最好接受它。”虽然这并非人类在犯罪之前的命运，但自从他被带出伊甸园，自从他承受咒诅之后，这便成了他的命运。
What did God say, though? – “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life; that is, for your own sake you are now to have hardship in making a living, and you might just as well reconcile yourself to it.” Although such was not man’s lot before he sinned, it became his lot as soon as he was taken out of the Garden, as soon as he earned the curse.
“但是，”你会问，“为什么上帝要让我们所有人经历苦难和悲伤，才能回到伊甸园呢？如果他要带我们回去，为什么不在起初，在亚当的时代就这么做呢？”
“But,” you ask, “why did God purpose that all of us should go through hardship and sorrow before we are taken back into Eden? If He is to take us back, why did He not do it in the beginning, in Adam’s days?”
如果上帝允许亚当和夏娃在犯罪后留在伊甸园，继续接近“生命树”，祂就等于让他们罪孽深重地永生。那将是多么可怕的事——罪人不得不永生永世！即使祂让他们和他们的后代免于苦难和死亡，他们也就不会再体会到什么是罪孽深重的生活，就像浪子在经历放荡、破产、苦役和贫困之前一样。
Had God allowed Adam and Eve to remain in the Garden after they had sinned and continued to have access to the “tree of life,” He would have thereby perpetuated their sinful lives in their sinful state. What a terrible thing that would have been – sinners having to live for ever and ever! And had He spared them and their descendants from going through hardships and death, they could no more have come to realize what life of sin is, no, no more than could the prodigal before going through licentiousness, bankruptcy, hard labor and poverty.
“但是，”你会说，“如果主不能在亚当和夏娃经历死亡和复活之前就把他们带进伊甸园，祂难道要咒诅大地，让他们汗流浃背地挣面包吗？”为什么祂要让他们六千年来饱尝苦难？——因为所有想要进入天国、回到伊甸园的人，都必须像浪子一样首先醒悟过来，因为所有人都必须认识到，离开伊甸园的一切不过是猪的皮囊。
“But,” you say, “If the Lord could not have brought Adam and Eve into the Garden before first passing through death and the resurrection, did He have to curse the ground and cause them to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow?” And why did He have to cause them to eat their bread in sorrow for 6,000 years? – Because all who are ever to enter the Kingdom, get back into Eden, must first come to themselves as did the prodigal, for all must be brought to realize that everything away from the Garden is nothing more than swine’s husks.
因为工作必不可少，而罪人生来就厌恶工作，所以荆棘和蒺藜就被造出来，迫使他们劳作谋生。如果我们把这些讨厌的野草留在地里，自己寻欢作乐，它们就会扼杀庄稼，我们就会像浪子一样，陷入饥荒。因此，不工作，就吃不饱。上帝知道什么对我们最好，他让我们以艰苦的方式谋生，整天工作，却很少休息。
Because work is essential and because sinners by nature dislike work, the thorns and thistles were created to compel them to go to work for a living. If we leave the obnoxious weeds in the ground, and spend our time having fun, they will choke out the crops, and we, like the prodigal, will have famine. Thus, no work, no eat. God Who knows what is best for us has made it that we earn our living the hard way, to work all day long with but little rest.
那些清醒过来的人，工作对他们来说是一种乐趣。只有愚昧的人才憎恨工作。
Those who come to themselves, to them work is pleasure. Only fools hate work.
阅读创世记10:1-12。圣经在这一节介绍了一些在圣经其他部分中出现的关键政治人物，包括尼尼微和巴比伦。鉴于我们对这些城市后来所扮演的角色的了解，我们可以从这些经文中推断出什么？
Read Genesis 10:1–12. This is where the Bible introduces a number of key political players found throughout the rest of the Bible, including Nineveh and Babylon. Given what we know about the roles of those cities later on, what can we deduce from these texts?
宁录王国的开端是“巴别”，希腊语为“巴比伦”。他的统治范围覆盖平原上的四座城市：巴比伦、以力、亚甲和甲尼。如果读者翻到创世记10:1-8，仔细数算从挪亚家族走出方舟到宁录出生期间出生的人数，就会发现宁录是洪水后出生的第26个人。这座城市位于示拿地，正如创世记11:2所述：“他们从东方迁徙的时候，在示拿地遇见一片平原，就住在那里。”
The beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom was “Babel,” or as it is in the Greek, “Babylon.” His dominion extended over the four cities of the plain; namely, Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. If the reader will turn to Genesis 10:1-8 and carefully count the persons born from the family of Noah after going out from the ark of the deluge to the birth of Nimrod, it will be noticed that Nimrod is the 26th person born after the flood. The location of the city was in the land of Shinar, as in Genesis 11:2 : “And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.”
巴别（希腊语为巴比伦）这个名字起源于巴别塔建造之时，此后上帝用不同的语言使众人困惑。根据但以理书的记载，巴比伦的首都也位于同一平原：“耶和华将犹大王约雅敬交在他手中（巴比伦王），……他就把约雅敬掳到示拿地。”（但以理书1:2）因此，巴比伦是在洪水之后立即建立的，时间大约在公元前2400年至2300年之间，并在公元前400年或500年之间达到鼎盛，成为一个世界性的帝国。巴比伦的发展经历了大约1800年甚至更久。当然，没有人会认为巴比伦在征服古代世界方面速度非常快。
The name Babel (Babylon in Greek) originated at the time the tower of Babel was in building, after which God confounded the multitude by diversity of speech. According to Daniel, the capitol of Babylon stood on the same plain: “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah into his hand [The king of Babylon],… which he carried into the land of Shinar.” (Daniel 1:2) Therefore, Babylon was founded immediately after the flood, perhaps somewhere between 2400 and 2300 B.C., and had reached her height as a universal empire between 400 or 500 B.C. Babylon, in her development, had consumed a period of about 1800 years or more. Certainly no one would think that Babylon made very rapid speed in conquering the ancient world.
“示拿平原的居民不相信上帝不会再次降洪水于地的约定……他们建造这座塔的唯一目的，就是为了在洪水再次来临时保障自身的安全。他们想通过建造这座塔，将自己提升到远高于洪水所能到达的高度，从而置身于任何可能的危险之外。他们希望能够升到云层之上，从而查明洪水的起因。”——《族长与先知》，第119页，第1段。
“The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God's covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth…One object before them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge. By carrying the structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the cause of the Flood.” Patriarchs and Prophets, page 119, paragraph 1.
4月21日星期一
亚伯拉罕的呼召
阅读创世记12：1-9。上帝为何呼召亚伯兰（后来的亚伯拉罕）离开他的家乡？
Read Genesis 12:1–9. Why did God call Abram (later Abraham) out from his country of origin?
巴别塔被驱散之后，偶像崇拜再次几乎普遍盛行。主最终任凭那些心硬的罪人继续他们的恶行，而祂拣选了闪的后裔亚伯拉罕，使他成为祂律法的守护者，直到世世代代。亚伯拉罕在迷信和异教的环境中长大。就连他父亲的家人，也就是那些保存了对上帝的认识的人，也屈服于周围诱惑的影响，除了耶和华之外“侍奉别神”。但真正的信仰并没有消失。上帝一直保留着一批余民侍奉祂。亚当、塞特、以诺、玛土撒拉、挪亚、闪，他们源源不断地传承着祂旨意的宝贵启示，代代相传。他拉的儿子继承了这神圣的托付。偶像崇拜从四面八方诱惑他，却徒劳无功。在不信的人中保持忠信，没有被当时盛行的叛教风气所腐蚀，他坚定地坚持敬拜独一真神。“凡求告耶和华的，就是诚心求告他的，耶和华便与他们相近。” 诗篇145:18。他将自己的旨意启示给亚伯拉罕，使他清楚地认识律法的要求，以及借着基督而来的救恩。《先祖与先知》，第125页，第1段。
“After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father's household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they “served other gods” than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct. God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ.” Patriarchs and Prophets, page 125, paragraph 1.
我们都知道这个故事：当上帝呼召亚伯拉罕离开故土，前往一片未知的土地时，上帝应许赐给他一个儿子。大约二十五年过去了，他仍然不见儿子降临的迹象。当时撒拉大约九十岁了（创世记 17:17）。在亚伯拉罕和撒拉等待儿子的那些年里，夏甲成了亚伯拉罕的妻子，并以实玛利从她而生。因此，撒拉是那位被撇开的孤苦伶仃的女子，而夏甲则是那位有丈夫的女子。因此，以赛亚书 54:1 以寓言的方式讲述了这两个女人和她们的孩子。
We all know the story, that when God called Abraham to depart from his country and to go to an unknown land, God promised to give him a son. Something like twenty-five years passed by and still the arrival of a son was not in sight. Sarah was then about ninety years old (Genesis 17:17). During those years of Abraham’s and Sarah’s waiting for a son, Hagar became Abraham’s wife and through her Ishmael was born. Sarah, therefore, is the desolate woman (put aside), and Hagar is the one who has an husband. Accordingly Isaiah 54:1 is allegorically speaking of these two women and their children.
阅读申命记4：5-9。耶和华对亚伯拉罕的子孙，也就是实现了神对亚伯拉罕的应许的民族，说了什么？
Read Deuteronomy 4:5–9. What was the Lord telling the children of Abraham, the nation that had become a fulfillment of the promise God had made to Abraham?
以色列人要占领上帝为他们指定的所有领土。那些拒绝敬拜和侍奉真神的民族将被驱逐。但上帝的旨意是要借着以色列彰显祂的品格，吸引世人归向祂。福音的邀请要传遍全世界。藉着献祭礼仪的教导，基督要在列国面前被高举，凡仰望祂的人都必得永生。所有像迦南人喇合和摩押女子路得一样，离弃偶像崇拜，归向真神的人，都要与祂的选民联合。随着以色列人口的增长，他们的疆界也要不断扩张，直到他们的国度遍及全世界。（《基督实训实录》第290页，第1段）
“The children of Israel were to occupy all the territory which God appointed them. Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God were to be dispossessed. But it was God's purpose that by the revelation of His character through Israel men should be drawn unto Him. To all the world the gospel invitation was to be given. Through the teaching of the sacrificial service Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live. All who, like Rahab the Canaanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. As the numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world.” Christ’s Object Lessons, page 290, paragraph 1.
上帝藉着以色列这个被拣选的民族为世人所定的旨意，最终将藉着祂今日在地上的教会成就。祂已“将祂的葡萄园租给别的园户”，甚至租给祂守约的子民，他们忠心地“按时将果子归给祂”。主在世上从不缺少真正的代表，他们将祂的利益视为己有。这些上帝的见证人被算作属灵的以色列人，耶和华与祂古代子民立约的一切应许，都将在他们身上实现。《先知与君王》第713页，第1段。
“That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has “let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen,” even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully “render Him the fruits in their seasons.” Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.” Prophets and Kings, page 713, paragraph 1.
4月22日星期二
鉴于你的要求
阅读撒母耳记上8:4-18。你认为长老们为什么觉得立王这个主意很有吸引力？我们在哪些方面容易受到类似的诱惑？
Read 1 Samuel 8:4–18. Why do you suppose the elders found the idea of a king appealing? In what ways do we fall prey to similar temptations?
在撒母耳的治理下，国家繁荣昌盛，秩序得以恢复，敬虔得到提升，不满情绪也暂时得到抑制。但随着岁月的流逝，先知任命他的两个儿子为他的助手。这两个年轻人驻扎在别是巴，负责在靠近以色列南部边境的民众中伸张正义。摘自《永恒的过去》，第437页，第4段。
“Under Samuel's administration the nation had prospered, order had been restored, godliness promoted, and the spirit of discontent checked for the time. But with advancing years the prophet appointed his two sons to act as his assistants. The young men were stationed at Beersheba to administer justice among the people near the southern border of the land. From Eternity Past, page 437, paragraph 4.
他们不配得上这样的地位，反而“贪图利益，收受贿赂，屈枉正直”。他们没有效法父亲纯洁无私的生活。父亲在某种程度上对儿子们过于溺爱，其后果在他们的性格中显而易见。摘自《永恒的过去》，第438页，第1段。
“They did not prove worthy but “turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.” They had not copied the pure, unselfish life of their father. He had been to some extent too indulgent with his sons, and the result was apparent in their character. From Eternity Past, page 438, paragraph 1.
如此一来，他们就找到了一个借口，催促那长期以来暗中期盼的改变。“以色列的长老都聚集，来到拉玛见撒母耳，对他说：‘你年纪老迈了，你儿子不行你的道。现在求你为我们立一个王治理我们，像列国一样。’”撒母耳若知晓儿子们的恶行，必定会立即废黜他们，但这并非众请愿者所愿。撒母耳看出他们真正的动机是不满和骄傲。没有人对撒母耳提出任何抱怨。所有人都承认他治理国家的正直和智慧。这位年迈的先知没有发出任何责备，而是将此事祷告交给耶和华，单单寻求他的指引。摘自《永恒的过去》，第438页，第2段。
“A pretext was thus furnished for urging the change long secretly desired. “All the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” Had the evil course of his sons been known to him, he would have removed them without delay, but this was not what the petitioners desired. Samuel saw that their real motive was discontent and pride. No complaint had been made against Samuel. All acknowledged the integrity and wisdom of his administration. The aged prophet uttered no reproach, but carried the matter to the Lord in prayer and sought counsel from Him alone.” From Eternity Past, page 438, paragraph 2.
“与列国一样。”以色列人没有意识到，在这方面与其他国家不同是一种特殊的特权和福分。上帝已将以色列人从其他民族中分别出来，使他们成为祂自己独特的珍宝。但他们却漠视这崇高的尊荣，热切地渴望效法外邦人的榜样！在那些自称是上帝子民的人中，仍然存有追随世俗习俗的渴望。他们既离弃了主，就变得贪图世俗的利益和荣誉。基督徒不断地试图效法那些敬拜这世界之神之人的做法。许多人主张，通过与世俗之人联合，并顺从他们的习俗，他们就能对不敬虔之人发挥更大的感化力。但凡走这条路的人，就等于远离了他们力量的源泉。他们既与世俗为友，就成了上帝的仇敌。为了尘世的荣耀，他们牺牲了上帝赋予他们的无比荣耀，即宣扬那召我们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。彼得前书2:9。《先祖与先知》，第607页，第2段。
“Like all the nations.” The Israelites did not realize that to be in this respect unlike other nations was a special privilege and blessing. God had separated the Israelites from every other people, to make them His own peculiar treasure. But they, disregarding this high honor, eagerly desired to imitate the example of the heathen! And still the longing to conform to worldly practices and customs exists among the professed people of God. As they depart from the Lord they become ambitious for the gains and honors of the world. Christians are constantly seeking to imitate the practices of those who worship the god of this world. Many urge that by uniting with worldlings and conforming to their customs they might exert a stronger influence over the ungodly. But all who pursue this course thereby separate from the Source of their strength. Becoming the friends of the world, they are the enemies of God. For the sake of earthly distinction they sacrifice the unspeakable honor to which God has called them, of showing forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 607, paragraph 2.
4月23日星期三
外邦人的统治者
阅读马太福音20:25-28。耶稣警告门徒在建立基督教会时要避免什么错误？
Read Matthew 20:25–28. What error did Jesus warn His disciples to avoid in establishing the work of the Christian church?
他的国度与世上的万国之间应当有所区别。“外邦人的君王”野心勃勃，追求地位和权力；但他们在这方面的做法源于错误的伟大观念和人心的骄傲。基督的门徒们应当经历完全不同的境况。他们不应妄想统治自己的弟兄，也不应妄图成为上帝产业的主人。《时兆》，1885年1月15日，第8段。
“There was to be a difference between his kingdom and the kingdoms of the world. “The princes of the Gentiles” were ambitious, and sought for place and power; but their course in this respect resulted from false ideas of greatness and the pride of the human heart. Among the disciples of Christ an entirely different state of things was to exist. One was not to aspire to dominion over his brethren, and to seek to be lord over God's heritage. The Signs of the Times, January 15, 1885, paragraph 8.
“‘人子来，并不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命，作多人的赎价。’祂，他们的主，为他们树立了无私关爱他人的榜样。祂是天上的主，天使也听从祂的话语；然而，祂却屈尊承担人性的软弱，效法人的榜样，以死为祭。祂在世上时，没有为自己选择财富、尊荣和美好的交往；而是在卑微的农民中度过一生，服侍贫困和受苦之人。祂没有回避与最卑微、最罪恶的人接触；祂向所有愿意以上天仁慈宽容的条件接受的人，宣讲赦免与和平的福音。门徒们在传道事工中也要效法祂的榜样。《时兆》，1885年1月15日，第9段
“‘Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ He, their Master, had set them an example of unselfish care for others. He was Lord of Heaven, and angels obeyed his word; yet he condescended to take upon himself the weaknesses and infirmities of human nature, to live man's example and to die his sacrifice. He did not, while upon earth, choose for himself wealth and honor and pleasant associations; but his life was spent among humble peasants in ministering to the wants of the needy and the afflicted. He did not shrink from contact with the most degraded and sinful; he preached the good news of pardon and peace to all who would accept it on Heaven's gracious and liberal terms. And in their ministry the disciples were to follow his example. The Signs of the Times, January 15, 1885, paragraph 9
耶稣在这些场合所教导的伟大教训，使徒保罗如此表达：“爱弟兄，要彼此亲热；恭敬人，要互相推让。”门徒们身处基督作教师的学校；那些愿意看到自身缺点，并渴望改善品格的人，拥有充足的机会。他们不断地接受律上加律、训上加训的教导，使他们明白，温柔、谦卑和爱心对于在恩典中成长，以及对于胜任他们即将从事的工作至关重要。《时兆》，1885年1月15日，第10段
The great lesson which Jesus taught on these occasions is thus expressed by the apostle Paul: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another.” The disciples were in a school in which Christ was teacher; and those who were willing to see their own defects, and were anxious to improve in character, had ample opportunity. They were constantly receiving line upon line, precept upon precept, showing them that meekness, humility, and love were essential to growth in grace, and to a fitness for the work upon which they were soon to enter. The Signs of the Times, January 15, 1885, paragraph 10
4月24日星期四
外邦人的光
以下经文教导我们，上帝希望祂的子民在世上扮演什么角色？我们该如何将这些原则应用在自己身上？
What do the following passages teach us about God’s intended role for His people in this world? How can we apply these principles to ourselves?
(a) 民数记 14:17-21 - “耶和华仍然以类似的方式行事，使人承认他的公义，以此荣耀他的名。当那些自称爱他的人抱怨他的天意，轻视他的应许，并屈服于诱惑，与恶天使联合，破坏上帝的旨意时，耶和华常常会掌控环境，使这些人即使没有真正的悔改，也会认识到自己的罪，并被迫承认他们行为的邪恶，以及上帝对待他们的公义和良善。上帝就是这样发动反抗力量，使黑暗的作为显露出来。虽然促使他们行恶的精神没有彻底改变，但人们会做出忏悔，维护上帝的荣耀，并为那些被反对和歪曲的忠实谴责者辩护。上帝的愤怒最终倾泻而下时，情况也是如此。当“耶和华带着他的千万仆人降临”时，圣徒，审判众人”，他也将“证实一切不敬虔的人，证实他们一切不敬虔的行为”。犹大书14，15。每一个罪人都会被带去看，并承认他被定罪是公正的。《族长与先知》，第393页，第1段。
(a) Numbers 14:17–21- “The Lord still works in a similar manner to glorify His name by bringing men to acknowledge His justice. When those who profess to love Him complain of His providence, despise His promises, and, yielding to temptation, unite with evil angels to defeat the purposes of God, the Lord often so overrules circumstances as to bring these persons where, though they may have no real repentance, they will be convinced of their sin and will be constrained to acknowledge the wickedness of their course and the justice and goodness of God in His dealings with them. It is thus that God sets counteragencies at work to make manifest the works of darkness. And though the spirit which prompted to the evil course is not radically changed, confessions are made that vindicate the honor of God and justify His faithful reprovers, who have been opposed and misrepresented. Thus it will be when the wrath of God shall be finally poured out. When “the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all,” He will also “convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds.” Jude 14, 15. Every sinner will be brought to see and acknowledge the justice of his condemnation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, page 393, paragraph 1.
b）以赛亚书42:6——换句话说，那些向教会宣告十四万四千人受印信息的人（以色列人），也必在外邦人中宣告上帝的荣耀，从而成为祂的救恩，直到地极，并且“将他们的弟兄从万国中领出来，作为供物献给耶和华”。以赛亚书66:19-20。——{8TR 86.1}
(b) Isaiah 42:6 - In other words, those (of Israel) who declare the sealing message of the 144,000 to the church, shall also declare God’s glory among the Gentiles, thus be His salvation unto the end of the earth, and “bring all [their] brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations.” Isaiah 66:19-20.
以赛亚书 49:6 - 这段经文预表使徒们最终受命要向外邦人和犹太人传福音的时期。如今，兴起雅各支派，就是首先兴起初熟的果子，即从以色列各支派中兴起十四万四千到一万两千人（启示录 7:3）。此外，成为地极的光和救恩，意味着这些末世的神仆人要完成福音的事工，要将天国的福音传遍全世界，向万国作见证，从而带来末日（马太福音 24:14）。——{1TG46 5.5}
Isaiah 49:6 - This scripture had as its type the time when the Apostles were finally instructed to preach the gospel to Gentiles as well as to the Jews. Now to raise up the tribes of Jacob, is first to raise up the first fruits, 144,000 – 12,000 out of each tribe of Israel (Revelation 7:3). Moreover, to be a light and salvation to the ends of the earth, means that these latter-day servants of God are to finish the gospel work, are to preach the gospel of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and thus bring the end (Matthew 24:14).
因此，我们不仅有幸将上帝的光带到拥有伟大属灵丰收的“初熟果子”（十四万四千人——启示录 14:4）的宗派，而且有幸将同样的光带到拥有次熟果子的众人，带到从万国聚集而来的众多人，这群人的数量无人能数（启示录 7:9）。
It is our privilege, therefore, not only to bring the light of God to the Denomination where the “first-fruits” (the 144,000 – Revelation 14:4) of the great spiritual harvest are, but even to bring the same light to the second fruits, to the great multitude that are gathered out of all nations, a multitude which no man can number (Revelation 7:9).
那些享有如此特权的人，正如上帝亲自作证，是雅各的后裔，是“以色列迷失的支派”，如今正显露出来。
Those who are thus privileged are, as God Himself testifies, the descendants of Jacob, “the lost tribes of Israel” who are now coming to light.
以赛亚书 60:3 我们现在是世上最默默无闻的人，但那日，我们将被世人最广为人知。这里有确凿的应许：如果我们现在不再坐视不理，努力达成上帝为我们设定的目标，结果就是外邦人要来就我们的光，君王要来就我们兴起的光辉。这是你们蒙悦纳的日子。
Isaiah 60:3 - We are now the most obscure people in the world, but the day is already here in which we shall be best known. Here is the sure promise that if we now arise from sitting down and make the effort to reach God’s set goal for us, the result shall be that the Gentiles shall come to our light and the kings to the brightness of our rising. This is the acceptable day for you.
（c）启示录 18:1-4 - 大呼喊
(c) Revelation 18:1-4 - The Loud Cry
我看见天使们在天上匆匆忙忙地来回奔走，一会儿降落到地上，一会儿又升天，为某件重要事件的完成做准备。然后我又看见另一位大能的天使奉命降临到地上，与第三位天使的声音合一，赋予他信息的力量和威力。这位天使被赋予了极大的能力和荣耀，当他降临时，大地因他的荣耀而明亮。伴随这位天使的光辉照耀四方，他大声呼喊：“巴比伦大城倾倒了！倾倒了！成了鬼魔的住处和各样污秽之灵的巢穴，并各样污秽可憎之雀鸟的巢穴。”第二位天使所传的巴比伦倾倒的信息再次被提及，并进一步提及自1844年以来渗入教会的腐败现象。这位天使的工作恰逢其时，与第三位天使信息那最终的伟大工作——它正逐渐发展成为一声呐喊——相辅相成。上帝的子民也因此做好了准备，迎接他们即将面临的试探时刻。我看到一道强光照射在他们身上，他们团结一致，勇敢地宣扬第三位天使的信息。《早期著作》，第277页，第1段。
“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. Early Writings, page 277, paragraph 1.
“天使奉命从天上援助那位大能的天使，我听见似乎四处都有声音说：‘我的民哪，你们要从那城出来，免得与她一同有罪，受她所受的灾殃。因她的罪恶滔天，她的不义，上帝已经想起来了。’”这则信息似乎是对第三条信息的补充，就像1844年午夜的呼喊加入了第二位天使的信息一样。上帝的荣耀落在了耐心等待的圣徒身上，他们无畏地发出了最后的严肃警告，宣告巴比伦的倾覆，并呼吁上帝的子民从那城出来，以便逃脱她可怕的厄运。（《早期著作》，第277页，第1段）
“Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel's message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God's people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom.” Early Writings, page 277, paragraph 1.
4月25日星期五
进一步思考——本周课程总结
安息日下午的课程探讨了我们始祖的堕落、世俗政府的更迭以及人类试图控制地球的实验。它指出了启示录中上帝统治的胜利，以及人类苦难和灾祸的最终解决方案。
Sabbath afternoon’s lesson talks about the fall of our first parents, the succession of worldly governments and the human experiment to control planet earth. It points out the triumph of God’s government in the Revelation and the ultimate solution to human misery and woe.
周日的课程讲述了亚当和夏娃被逐出伊甸园以及他们之后的几代人，一直到地球上存在时间最长的帝国巴比伦的出现。
Sunday’s lesson deals with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and the generations that followed them, all the way up to the emergence of Babylon, the longest empire to exist on planet Earth.
周一的课程讲述了亚伯拉罕蒙召脱离偶像崇拜的民族，侍奉上帝，成为祂在世上的代表。同样，它也指出了以色列——上帝的子民——蒙召在列国中宣扬祂的道路，宣扬祂的荣耀。古代以色列的失败不会阻碍上帝的计划。“上帝藉着以色列这个被拣选的民族为世人所定的旨意，最终将藉着祂今日在地上的教会成就一切。”——《先知与君王》，第713页，第1段。
Monday’s lesson talks about the call of Abraham from among an idolatrous people to serve God and be His representative in the world. Similarly, it points to the call of Israel, the people of God, to make known His ways and declare His glory among the nations. The failure of ancient Israel will not hinder God’s plan. “That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today.” Prophets and Kings, page 713, paragraph 1.
周二的课文提到，古代以色列人渴望效法列国，请求立王。这反映出他们对上帝作为领袖的不满，以及他们对世俗事物的喜爱。我们今天要受劝诫，不要重蹈他们的覆辙。
Tuesday’s lesson mentions the ancient Israelites wanting to be like the nations in their request for a king. It shows their dissatisfaction with God as their leader and their affection with the things of this world. We today are admonished not to repeat their mistakes
周三的课程探讨的是外邦人的统治者。课程将他们自私的统治与上帝公义的统治进行了对比，并告诫我们不要根据世俗原则建立教会组织。
Wednesday’s lesson deals with the rulers of the Gentiles. It contrasts their selfish rule with God’s righteous reign and admonishes us not to establish church organizations upon worldly principles.
周四的课程总结了本周的学习，我们蒙召成为外邦人的光，宣扬上帝的荣耀。当上帝印记十四万四千个初熟的果子（启示录7:1-4，14:1, 4, 5），并从万国聚集大群人，也就是次熟的果子（启示录7:9），这项工作最终将完成。
Thursday’s lesson concludes the week’s study with our being called as lights to the Gentiles, to declare God’s glory. This work will be finally accomplished when God seals the 144,000 first fruits (Revelation 7:1-4, Revelation 14:1, 4, 5) and gathers the great multitude, second fruits (Revelation 7:9) from all nations.