Sabbath Afternoon December 13
存心节:
“耶和华应许以色列家的一切美善之事，没有一件落空，都应验了。”（约书亚记 21:45，和合本
“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” KJV — Joshua 21:45
战争和征服结束后，约书亚隐居在亭拿西拉的家中，过着平静的生活。过了很久，耶和华使以色列人脱离四围仇敌的侵扰，约书亚……召集以色列众人，包括他们的长老、首领、审判官和官长。”（诗篇521.1）
“百姓定居在他们所拥有的土地上已经过去了几年，他们身上已经开始显露出与以往给以色列带来灾祸的同样的罪恶。约书亚感到年老体衰，意识到自己的使命即将结束，便为百姓的未来忧心忡忡。百姓再次聚集在他身边时，他以父亲般的关怀向他们讲话。“你们都看见了，”他说，“耶和华你们的神因你们的缘故向这些国家所行的一切事；因为耶和华你们的神为你们争战。”虽然迦南人已被征服，但他们仍然占据着应许给以色列的相当一部分土地，约书亚劝诫他的百姓不要安于现状，忘记耶和华的命令，要将这些拜偶像的民族彻底赶出去。”（PP 521.2）
“The wars and conquest ended, Joshua had withdrawn to the peaceful retirement of his home at Timnath-serah. “And it came to pass, a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua ... called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers.” PP 521.1
“Some years had passed since the people had settled in their possessions, and already could be seen cropping out the same evils that had heretofore brought judgments upon Israel. As Joshua felt the infirmities of age stealing upon him, and realized that his work must soon close, he was filled with anxiety for the future of his people. It was with more than a father's interest that he addressed them, as they gathered once more about their aged chief. “Ye have seen,” he said, “all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is He that hath fought for you.” Although the Canaanites had been subdued, they still possessed a considerable portion of the land promised to Israel, and Joshua exhorted his people not to settle down at ease and forget the Lord's command to utterly dispossess these idolatrous nations.” PP 521.2
12月14日，星期日——
切都应验了
约书亚记21:43-45描绘了怎样的上帝形象？这些经文如何不仅适用于历史上应许之地，也适用于我们得救的现实（提摩太后书2:11-13）？
In Joshua 21:43–45, what picture does the book paint of God? How do these words apply not only to the historical Promised Land but also to the reality of our salvation (2 Tim. 2:11–13)?
“百姓普遍迟迟未能完成驱逐异教徒的工作。各支派已分散到各自的领地，军队也已解散，重新开战被视为一项艰巨而充满变数的任务。但约书亚宣告说：‘耶和华你们的神必将他们从你们面前赶出去，从你们眼前驱逐出去；你们必得着他们的地，正如耶和华你们的神所应许你们的。所以，你们要大大壮胆，谨守遵行摩西律法书上所写的一切话，不可偏离左右。’” PP 521.3
约书亚以百姓自身为证，证明只要他们遵守了条件，上帝就信实地实现了祂对他们的应许。他说：“你们心里要知道，耶和华你们的上帝所应许赐给你们的一切福分，没有一件落空；都已应验在你们身上了，没有一件落空。”他向他们宣告，正如耶和华实现了祂的应许，祂也必实现祂的威胁。“耶和华你们的上帝所应许你们的一切福分都已临到你们，耶和华也必照样使一切灾祸临到你们……你们若违背耶和华的约，……耶和华的怒气必向你们发作，你们必从祂赐给你们的美地上迅速灭亡。”（诗篇522.1）
“撒但用一种看似合理的理论欺骗了许多人，说上帝对祂子民的爱如此之大，以至于祂会赦免他们的罪；他声称，虽然上帝话语中的警告在祂的道德统治中具有某种作用，但这些警告永远不会被字面意义上地实现。然而，在祂与祂所造的一切交往中，上帝始终维护着公义的原则，祂揭示了罪的真面目——祂表明罪的必然结果是痛苦和死亡。无条件地赦免罪从来没有，也永远不会有。这样的赦免意味着背弃了公义的原则，而公义的原则正是上帝统治的根基。它会使未堕落的宇宙充满恐慌。上帝忠实地指出了罪的后果，如果这些警告不是真的，我们又怎能确信祂的应许会实现呢？那种抛弃公义的所谓仁慈，并非仁慈，而是软弱。” PP 522.2
“The people in general were slow to complete the work of driving out the heathen. The tribes had dispersed to their possessions, the army had disbanded, and it was looked upon as a difficult and doubtful undertaking to renew the war. But Joshua declared: “The Lord your God, He shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.” PP 521.3
“Joshua appealed to the people themselves as witnesses that, so far as they had complied with the conditions, God had faithfully fulfilled His promises to them. “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls,” he said, “that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” He declared to them that as the Lord had fulfilled His promises, so He would fulfill His threatenings. “It shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things.... When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord, ... then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you.” PP 522.1
“Satan deceives many with the plausible theory that God's love for His people is so great that He will excuse sin in them; he represents that while the threatenings of God's word are to serve a certain purpose in His moral government, they are never to be literally fulfilled. But in all His dealings with His creatures God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character—by demonstrating that its sure result is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been, and never will be. Such pardon would show the abandonment of the principles of righteousness, which are the very foundation of the government of God. It would fill the unfallen universe with consternation. God has faithfully pointed out the results of sin, and if these warnings were not true, how could we be sure that His promises would be fulfilled? That so-called benevolence which would set aside justice is not benevolence but weakness.” PP 522.2
12月15日，星期一
令人担忧的迹象
阅读约书亚记23:1-5。约书亚记的引言主要关注哪些方面？
Read Joshua 23:1–5. What are the major focal points of Joshua’s introduction?
在向以色列人述说了上帝对他们的恩慈之后，约书亚奉耶和华的名呼召他们选择要事奉的神。当时，偶像崇拜在以色列仍然在某种程度上秘密进行，约书亚努力引导他们做出决定，彻底根除这种罪恶。他说：“如果你们认为事奉耶和华不好，今天就可以选择你们要事奉的。”约书亚渴望引导他们事奉上帝，不是强迫，而是出于自愿。爱上帝是宗教的根基。仅仅出于对奖赏的盼望或对惩罚的恐惧而事奉上帝是毫无益处的。公开的背道并不比虚伪和形式主义的敬拜更令上帝反感。（PP 523.1）
这位年迈的领袖敦促百姓仔细思考他所提出的一切，并决定他们是否真的愿意像周围那些堕落的、拜偶像的民族那样生活。如果他们觉得事奉耶和华——力量的源泉、祝福的泉源——是邪恶的，那么就让他们在那一天选择自己要事奉的神明——“你们列祖所事奉的神明”，亚伯拉罕就是从这些神明中被呼召出来的，“还是你们所居住的亚摩利人的神明”。这最后的话是对以色列人的严厉斥责。亚摩利人的神明未能保护他们的信徒。由于他们可憎的、堕落的罪行，这个邪恶的民族被毁灭了，他们曾经拥有的美好土地也赐给了上帝的子民。以色列人选择那些亚摩利人因敬拜而灭亡的神明，是多么愚蠢啊！约书亚说：“至于我和我家，我们必事奉耶和华。”领袖心中那份圣洁的热忱也传递给了百姓。他的呼吁赢得了毫不犹豫的回应：“我们断绝离弃耶和华去事奉别神！”（PP 523.2）
“After presenting the goodness of God toward Israel, he called upon them, in the name of Jehovah, to choose whom they would serve. The worship of idols was still to some extent secretly practiced, and Joshua endeavored now to bring them to a decision that should banish this sin from Israel. “If it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah,” he said, “choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua desired to lead them to serve God, not by compulsion, but willingly. Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship. PP 523.1
“The aged leader urged the people to consider, in all its bearings, what he had set before them, and to decide if they really desired to live as did the degraded idolatrous nations around them. If it seemed evil to them to serve Jehovah, the source of power, the fountain of blessing, let them that day choose whom they would serve—“the gods which your fathers served,” from whom Abraham was called out, “or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell.” These last words were a keen rebuke to Israel. The gods of the Amorites had not been able to protect their worshipers. Because of their abominable and debasing sins, that wicked nation had been destroyed, and the good land which they once possessed had been given to God's people. What folly for Israel to choose the deities for whose worship the Amorites had been destroyed! “As for me and my house,” said Joshua, “we will serve Jehovah.” The same holy zeal that inspired the leader's heart was communicated to the people. His appeals called forth the unhesitating response, ‘God forbid that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods.’” PP 523.2
以色列人在约书亚的带领下征服迦南的方式，与今天基督徒如何过得胜的属灵生活，之间有哪些相似之处？（请阅读约书亚记 23:10，歌罗西书 2:15，哥林多后书 10:3-5，以及以弗所书 6:11-18。）
What are the similarities between how the Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership and the way Christians today can live a victorious spiritual life? (Read Josh. 23:10, Col. 2:15, 2 Cor. 10:3–5, and Eph. 6:11–18.)
“凡立志进入属灵国度的人，必会发现，未重生之人的一切权势和情欲，在黑暗国度的势力支持下，都与他为敌。自私和骄傲会竭力抵挡任何能显明它们罪恶本质的事物。我们靠自己无法战胜那些试图掌控我们的邪恶欲望和习性。我们无法战胜那奴役我们的强大敌人。唯有神才能赐予我们胜利。祂渴望我们掌控自己，掌控自己的意志和道路。但若没有我们的同意和配合，祂就无法在我们里面动工。神圣的灵透过人所拥有的能力和力量来工作。我们需要付出努力与神合作。（MB 141.3）
“若没有恳切的祷告，若没有每一步都谦卑己身，胜利便无从得胜。我们的意志并非被迫与神圣的机构合作，而是必须甘心顺服。即便能以百倍的强度强迫你感受到圣灵的影响，你也无法成为基督徒，无法成为天国的子民。撒旦的堡垒也无法被攻破。你的意志必须站在神的旨意一边。你自身无法使你的目的、欲望和倾向顺服神的旨意；但如果你“甘愿顺服”，神必为你成就这工，甚至“将各样的计谋，和各样拦阻人认识神的自高之事，一概攻破了，又将人所有的心意夺回，使他都顺服基督。”（哥林多后书 10:5）那时，你必“恐惧战兢地作成你们得救的工夫。因为你们立志行事，都是神在你们心里运行，为要成就他的美意。”腓立比书 2:12, 13。” MB 142.1
“He who determines to enter the spiritual kingdom will find that all the powers and passions of an unregenerate nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Selfishness and pride will make a stand against anything that would show them to be sinful. We cannot, of ourselves, conquer the evil desires and habits that strive for the mastery. We cannot overcome the mighty foe who holds us in his thrall. God alone can give us the victory. He desires us to have the mastery over ourselves, our own will and ways. But He cannot work in us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the faculties and powers given to man. Our energies are required to co-operate with God. MB 141.3
“The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. The will must be placed on the side of God's will. You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; but if you are “willing to be made willing,” God will accomplish the work for you, even “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then you will “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13.” MB 142.1
12月16日，星期二
明确界限
你认为约书亚为何在以色列与周边国家的关系上采取如此强硬的立场（书23:6-8, 12, 13）？
Why do you think Joshua took such a strong position concerning Israel’s relations with the surrounding nations (Josh. 23:6–8, 12, 13)?
“上帝是生命的赐予者。从起初，祂所有的律法都是为了生命而设立的。但罪破坏了上帝所设立的秩序，随之而来的是纷争。只要罪存在，苦难和死亡就不可避免。唯有救赎主为我们承担了罪的咒诅，人才能盼望自己能够逃脱罪的可怕后果。”《先知书》522.3
约书亚说：“你们不能事奉耶和华，因为他是圣洁的神……他必不赦免你们的过犯和罪恶。” 在进行任何永久性的改革之前，百姓必须感受到自己完全无力顺服神。他们违背了神的律法，律法定他们为罪人，并且没有提供任何逃脱的途径。他们倚靠自己的力量和义行，却无法获得罪的赦免；他们无法满足神完美律法的要求，他们发誓事奉神也是徒劳的。唯有藉着对基督的信，他们才能获得罪的赦免，并获得力量去遵守神的律法。他们必须停止依靠自己的努力得救，必须完全信靠那应许的救主的功德，才能被神接纳。（PP 524.1）
约书亚竭力引导听众慎重考虑自己的言辞，不要许下自己无法履行的誓言。他们郑重其事地重复道：“不，我们必事奉耶和华。”他们郑重地承认自己选择了耶和华，并再次重申了他们的忠诚誓言：“我们必事奉耶和华我们的上帝，必听从他的话。”（PP 524.2）
“God is the life-giver. From the beginning all His laws were ordained to life. But sin broke in upon the order that God had established, and discord followed. So long as sin exists, suffering and death are inevitable. It is only because the Redeemer has borne the curse of sin in our behalf that man can hope to escape, in his own person, its dire results.” PP 522.3
“‘Ye cannot serve the Lord,’ said Joshua: ‘for He is a holy God; ... He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.’ Before there could be any permanent reformation the people must be led to feel their utter inability in themselves to render obedience to God. They had broken His law, it condemned them as transgressors, and it provided no way of escape. While they trusted in their own strength and righteousness, it was impossible for them to secure the pardon of their sins; they could not meet the claims of God's perfect law, and it was in vain that they pledged themselves to serve God. It was only by faith in Christ that they could secure pardon of sin and receive strength to obey God's law. They must cease to rely upon their own efforts for salvation, they must trust wholly in the merits of the promised Saviour, if they would be accepted of God. PP 524.1
“Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: “Nay; but we will serve the Lord.” Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: “The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.” PP 524.2
12月17日，星期三
耶和华的愤怒
我们应该如何解读约书亚记（书23:15-16）以及圣经其他章节中对上帝愤怒和报应的描述？（另见民11:33；历代志下36:16；启示录14:10, 19；启示录15:1。）
How should we interpret the descriptions of God's wrath and retributive justice in Joshua (Josh. 23:15, 16) and elsewhere in Scripture? (See also Num. 11:33; 2 Chron. 36:16; Rev. 14:10, 19; Rev. 15:1.)
以色列人已经做出了他们的选择。他们指着耶稣说：“不要这个人，要巴拉巴。”巴拉巴，这个强盗和杀人犯，是撒旦的代表。基督是上帝的代表。基督被弃绝了；巴拉巴被选中了。他们要接受巴拉巴。做出这个选择，他们接受了那个从一开始就是说谎者和杀人犯的人。撒旦是他们的领袖。作为一个国家，他们将执行他的命令。他们将做他的事。他们必须忍受他的统治。那些选择巴拉巴而不是基督的人，将永远承受巴拉巴的残暴。DA 738.5
“犹太人望着被击杀的羔羊，喊道：‘他的血归到我们和我们的子孙身上。’这可怕的呼喊直达上帝的宝座。这判决，是他们自己所宣告的，已记录在天上。这祷告蒙垂听。上帝之子的血归到他们的子孙后代身上，成为永世的咒诅。”（《历代志下》739.1）
“耶路撒冷的毁灭，可怕地印证了这一点。一千八百年来，犹太民族的境况也可怕地显露了这一点——如同从葡萄树上砍下的枝条，枯死不结果子的枝条，被收割焚烧。从一处到另一处，遍及世界各地，从一个世纪到另一个世纪，他们都死于过犯和罪恶之中！《历代志下》739.2
“在末日审判之日，这祷告必将应验。当基督再次降临地球时，人们看到的不再是被乌合之众包围的囚犯，而是天上的君王。基督将带着祂自身的荣耀、祂父的荣耀以及圣天使的荣耀降临。成千上万的天使，那些美丽而得胜的上帝之子，拥有无比的荣美和荣耀，将护送祂前行。那时，祂将坐在祂荣耀的宝座上，万国万民都将聚集在祂面前。那时，所有的眼睛都将看见祂，就连刺穿祂的人也将看见祂。” 祂将不再戴荆棘冠冕，而是戴上荣耀的冠冕——冠冕中的冠冕。祂将不再穿那件紫色的王袍，而是穿上洁白无瑕的衣袍，“世上没有漂布的能漂得更白。”（马可福音 9:3）祂的衣袍和大腿上将写着一个名字：“万王之王，万主之主。”（启示录 19:16）那些曾嘲笑祂、击打祂的人将会出现。祭司和官长们将在审判厅里再次目睹这一切。一切的真相都将如火焰般清晰地呈现在他们面前。那时，那些祷告说“祂的血归到我们和我们的子孙身上”的人，将得到应允。那时，全世界都将明白这一切。他们将意识到，他们这些可怜、软弱、有限的生命，究竟在与谁、与什么争战。在极度的痛苦和恐惧中，他们将向山岳岩石呼喊：“倒在我们身上吧！把我们藏起来，躲避坐在宝座上的那一位的面目和羔羊的忿怒；因为他忿怒的大日子到了，谁能站得住呢？”（启示录 6:16-17） DA 739.3
“The people of Israel had made their choice. Pointing to Jesus they had said, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Barabbas, the robber and murderer, was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative of God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas they were to have. In making this choice they accepted him who from the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader. As a nation they would act out his dictation. His works they would do. His rule they must endure. That people who chose Barabbas in the place of Christ were to feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time should last. DA 738.5
“Looking upon the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” That awful cry ascended to the throne of God. That sentence, pronounced upon themselves, was written in heaven. That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of God was upon their children and their children's children, a perpetual curse. DA 739.1
“Terribly was it realized in the destruction of Jerusalem. Terribly has it been manifested in the condition of the Jewish nation for eighteen hundred years,—a branch severed from the vine, a dead, fruitless branch, to be gathered up and burned. From land to land throughout the world, from century to century, dead, dead in trespasses and sins! DA 739.2
“Terribly will that prayer be fulfilled in the great judgment day. When Christ shall come to the earth again, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble will men see Him. They will see Him then as heaven's King. Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father, and the glory of the holy angels. Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness and glory, will escort Him on His way. Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations. Then every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. In the place of a crown of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory,—a crown within a crown. In place of that old purple kingly robe, He will be clothed in raiment of whitest white, “so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Mark 9:3. And on His vesture and on His thigh a name will be written, “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16. Those who mocked and smote Him will be there. The priests and rulers will behold again the scene in the judgment hall. Every circumstance will appear before them, as if written in letters of fire. Then those who prayed, “His blood be on us, and on our children,” will receive the answer to their prayer. Then the whole world will know and understand. They will realize who and what they, poor, feeble, finite beings, have been warring against. In awful agony and horror they will cry to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:16, 17.” DA 739.3
12月18日，星期四
紧紧依靠神
约书亚呼吁以色列人爱他们的神耶和华（书23:11；参申6:5）。
爱不能强迫；否则，爱就失去了它本质的意义。然而，爱在何种意义上可以被命令呢？
Joshua appeals to Israel to love the Lord their God (Josh. 23:11; compare with Deut. 6:5). Love cannot be forced; otherwise, it will cease to be what it essentially is. Yet, in what sense can love be commanded?
“上帝不强迫任何人的意志或判断。他不喜悦奴性的服从。他渴望他所创造的生灵爱他，因为他配得爱。他希望他们服从他，因为他们能明智地领悟他的智慧、公正和仁慈。所有对这些品质有正确认识的人都会爱他，因为他们因敬仰他的属性而被他吸引。GC88 541.3
“救主所教导和示范的仁慈、怜悯和爱的原则，正是上帝旨意和品格的体现。基督曾宣告，他所教导的，无非是他从父那里领受的。神圣统治的原则与救主的训诫“爱你的仇敌”完全一致。”上帝对恶人施行公义，为了宇宙的福祉，也为了那些受祂审判之人的福祉。祂若能按照祂的律法和祂公正的品格使他们幸福，祂定意如此。祂以祂爱的象征环绕他们，赐予他们祂律法的认知，并以祂的怜悯眷顾他们；然而，他们藐视祂的爱，废弃祂的律法，拒绝祂的怜悯。他们不断接受祂的恩赐，却羞辱赐予者；他们憎恨上帝，因为他们知道祂厌恶他们的罪恶。主容忍他们的悖逆，但最终，决胜的时刻终将到来，他们的命运将被决定。那时，祂会将这些叛逆者束缚在祂身边吗？祂会强迫他们遵行祂的旨意吗？（GC88 542.1）
“那些选择撒旦为领袖，并受其权势控制的人，还没有准备好进入神的面前。骄傲、欺骗、放荡、残忍，已根深蒂固于他们的品格之中。他们怎能进入天堂，与他们生前所鄙视和憎恨的人永远同住呢？说谎者永远不会喜欢真理；谦卑无法满足自尊和骄傲；纯洁无法被败坏者所接受；无私的爱对自私者毫无吸引力。对于那些完全沉溺于世俗和自私利益的人来说，天堂又能提供什么喜乐呢？（GC88 542.2）
“那些一生都在悖逆上帝的人，能否突然被带到天堂，亲眼目睹那里永恒存在的崇高、神圣的完美状态——每个灵魂都充满爱；每张脸都洋溢着喜悦；美妙的旋律响起，荣耀上帝和羔羊；从坐在宝座上的那位脸上，源源不断地散发着光芒，照耀着被救赎的人——那些心中充满对上帝、对真理和圣洁的仇恨的人，能否融入天上的人群，加入他们的赞美之歌呢？”
他们能承受上帝和羔羊的荣耀吗？——不，不能；上帝赐予他们多年的考验期，是为了让他们塑造进入天国的品格；但他们从未训练自己热爱纯洁的心；他们从未学习天国的语言，如今一切都太迟了。悖逆上帝的一生使他们不配进入天国。天国的纯洁、圣洁与平安对他们而言将是酷刑；上帝的荣耀对他们而言将是烈火焚烧。他们会渴望逃离那圣洁之地。他们会欣然接受毁灭，好让自己躲避那位为他们舍命的主的面容。恶人的命运由他们自己的选择决定。他们被逐出天国是他们自愿的，也是上帝公义而仁慈的安排。”（GC88 542.3）
“God does not force the will or judgment of any. He takes no pleasure in a slavish obedience. He desires that the creatures of his hands shall love him because he is worthy of love. He would have them obey him because they have an intelligent appreciation of his wisdom, justice, and benevolence. And all who have a just conception of these qualities will love him because they are drawn toward him in admiration of his attributes. GC88 541.3
“The principles of kindness, mercy, and love, taught and exemplified by our Saviour, are a transcript of the will and character of God. Christ declared that he taught nothing except that which he had received from his Father. The principles of the divine government are in perfect harmony with the Saviour’s precept, “Love your enemies.” God executes justice upon the wicked, for the good of the universe, and even for the good of those upon whom his judgments are visited. He would make them happy if he could do so in accordance with the laws of his government and the justice of his character. He surrounds them with the tokens of his love, he grants them a knowledge of his law, and follows them with the offers of his mercy; but they despise his love, make void his law, and reject his mercy. While constantly receiving his gifts, they dishonor the Giver; they hate God because they know that he abhors their sins. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but the decisive hour will come at last, when their destiny is to be decided. Will he then chain these rebels to his side? Will he force them to do his will? GC88 542.1
“Those who have chosen Satan as their leader, and have been controlled by his power, are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, have become fixed in their characters. Can they enter Heaven, to dwell forever with those whom they despised and hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem and pride; purity is not acceptable to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What source of enjoyment could Heaven offer to those who are wholly absorbed in earthly and selfish interests? GC88 542.2
“Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to Heaven, and witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever exists there,—every soul filled with love; every countenance beaming with joy; enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb; and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne,—could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb?—No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for Heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of Heaven, and now it is too late. A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for Heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from Heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.” GC88 542.3
12月19日，星期五
进一步思考
“基督献上祂破碎的身体，为赎回上帝的产业，使人再次受试炼。所以，凡靠着祂进到上帝面前的人，祂都能拯救到底，因为祂长远活着，替他们祈求。”（希伯来书7:25）基督以祂无瑕疵的生命、祂的顺服、祂在各各他十字架上的牺牲，为失丧的人类代求。如今，我们救恩的元帅不再仅仅以祈求者的身份为我们代求，而是以得胜者的身份宣告祂的胜利。祂的献祭已经完成，祂作为我们的代求者，履行祂自己所命定的使命，将盛满祂自己无瑕疵的功德以及祂子民的祷告、认罪和感恩的香炉呈献在上帝面前。这些充满祂义的馨香之气，如同馨香之气升到上帝面前。这献祭完全蒙悦纳，赦免一切过犯。（歌罗西书156:2）
基督已承诺作我们的替代者和担保人，祂不忽略任何人。祂若不为人类舍命，就无法眼睁睁地看着他们走向永恒的毁灭；祂必以怜悯和慈悲之心看待每一个意识到自己无力自救的灵魂。（歌罗西书 157.1）
“祂必垂顾每一个颤抖的祈求者，必将扶起他。祂藉着自己的赎罪，为人类预备了无限的道德力量，祂必会运用这力量来帮助我们。我们可以将自己的罪孽和忧伤带到祂面前；因为祂爱我们。祂的每一个眼神、每一句话都邀请我们信赖祂。祂必按着自己的旨意塑造我们的品格。”（歌罗西书 157.2）
“撒但的整个势力都无法胜过一个单纯信靠基督的灵魂。‘疲乏的，他赐能力；软弱的，他加力量。’”（以赛亚书 40:29）COL 157.3
“‘我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。’耶和华说：‘你只要承认你的罪孽，就是你得罪了耶和华你的神。’‘我就用清水洒在你们身上，你们就洁净了；我要洁净你们，使你们脱离一切的污秽和偶像。’约翰一书 1:9；耶利米书 3:13；以西结书 36:25。” COL 158.1
“Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God’s heritage, to give man another trial. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. COL 156.2
“Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He neglects no one. He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin without pouring out His soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and compassion upon every soul who realizes that he cannot save himself. COL 157.1
“He will look upon no trembling suppliant without raising him up. He who through His own atonement provided for man an infinite fund of moral power, will not fail to employ this power in our behalf. We may take our sins and sorrows to His feet; for He loves us. His every look and word invites our confidence. He will shape and mold our characters according to His own will. COL 157.2
“In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29. COL 157.3
“‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ The Lord says, ‘Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God.’ ‘Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you.’ 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 3:13; Ezekiel 36:25.” COL 158.1