the great controversy-第79部分
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the condition foretold by the second angel； and the people of God still in
Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion。 This message is
the last that will ever be given to the world； and it will accomplish its
work。 When those that 〃believed not the truth； but had pleasure in
unrighteousness〃 （2 Thessalonians 2：12）； shall be left to receive strong
delusion and to believe a lie； then the light of truth will shine upon all
whose hearts are open to receive it； and all the children of the Lord that
remain in Babylon will heed the call： 〃Come out of her； My people〃
（Revelation 18：4）。
（391）
Chapter 22
Prophecies Fulfilled
When the time passed at which the Lord's coming was first expected；in the
spring of 1844；those who had looked in faith for His appearing were for a
season involved in doubt and uncertainty。 While the world regarded them as
having been utterly defeated and proved to have been cherishing a delusion；
their source of consolation was still the word of God。 Many continued to
search the Scriptures； examining anew the evidences of their faith and
carefully studying the prophecies to obtain further light。 The Bible
testimony in support of their position seemed clear and conclusive。 Signs
which could not be mistaken pointed to the coming of Christ as near。 The
special blessing of the Lord； both in the conversion of sinners and the
revival of spiritual life among Christians； had testified that the message
was of Heaven。 And though the believers could not explain their
disappointment； they felt assured that God had led them in their past
experience。
Interwoven with prophecies which they had regarded as applying to the time
of the second advent was instruction specially adapted to their state of
uncertainty and suspense； and encouraging them to wait patiently in the
faith that what was now dark to their understanding would in due time be
made plain。
392
Among these prophecies was that of Habakkuk 2：1…4： 〃I will stand upon my
watch； and set me upon the tower； and will watch to see what He will say
unto me； and what I shall answer when I am reproved。 And the Lord answered
me； and said； Write the vision； and make it plain upon tables； that he may
run that readeth it。 For the vision is yet for an appointed time； but at the
end it shall speak； and not lie： though it tarry； wait for it； because it
will surely come； it will not tarry。 Behold； his soul which is lifted up is
not upright in him： but the just shall live by his faith。〃
As early as 1842 the direction given in this prophecy to 〃write the vision；
and make it plain upon tables； that he may run that readeth it；〃 had
suggested to Charles Fitch the preparation of a prophetic chart to
illustrate the visions of Daniel and the Revelation。 The publication of this
chart was regarded as a fulfillment of the command given by Habakkuk。 No
one； however； then noticed than an apparent delay in the accomplishment of
the visiona tarrying timeis presented in the same prophecy。 After the
disappointment； this scripture appeared very significant： 〃The vision is yet
for an appointed time； but at the end it shall speak； and not lie： though it
tarry； wait for it； because it will surely come； it will not tarry。 。 。 。
The just shall live by his faith。〃
A portion of Ezekiel's prophecy also was a source of strength and comfort to
believers： 〃The word of the Lord came unto me； saying； Son of man； what is
that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel； saying； The days are
prolonged； and every vision faileth？ Tell them therefore； Thus saith the
Lord God。 。 。 。 The days are at hand； and the effect of every vision。 。 。 。
I will speak； and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass； it shall
be no more prolonged。〃 〃They of the house of Israel say； The vision that he
seeth is for many days to come； and he prophesieth of the times that are far
off。 Therefore say unto them； Thus saith the Lord God； There shall none of
My words be prolonged any more； but the word
393
which I have spoken shall be done。〃 Ezekiel 12：21…25； 27； 28。
The waiting ones rejoiced； believing that He who knows the end from the
beginning had looked down through the ages and； foreseeing their
disappointment； had given them words of courage and hope。 Had it not been
for such portions of Scripture； admonishing them to wait with patience and
to hold fast their confidence in God's word； their faith would have failed
in that trying hour。
The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the experience
of the Adventist people。 In Matthew
24； in answer to the question of His disciples concerning the
sign of His coming and of the end of the world； Christ had pointed out some
of the most important events in the history of the world and of the church
from His first to His second advent； namely； the destruction of Jerusalem；
the great tribulation of the church under the pagan and papal persecutions；
the darkening of the sun and moon； and the falling of the stars。 After this
He spoke of His coming in His kingdom； and related the parable describing
the two classes of servants who look for His appearing。 Chapter 25 opens
with the words： 〃Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
virgins。〃 Here is brought to view the church living in the last days； the
same that is pointed out in the close of chapter
24。 In this parable their experience is illustrated by the
incidents of an Eastern marriage。
〃Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins； which took
their lamps； and went forth to meet the bridegroom。 And five of them were
wise； and five were foolish。 They that were foolish took their lamps； and
took no oil with them： but the wise took oil in their vessels with their
lamps。 While the bridegroom tarried； they all slumbered and slept。 And at
midnight there was a cry made； Behold； the bridegroom cometh； go ye out to
meet him。〃
The coming of Christ； as announced by the first angel's message； was
understood to be represented by the coming
394
of the bridegroom。 The widespread reformation under the proclamation of His
soon coming； answered to the going forth of the virgins。 In this parable； as
in that of Matthew 24； two classes are represented。 All had taken their
lamps； the Bible； and by its light had gone forth to meet the Bridegroom。
But while 〃they that were foolish took their lamps； and took no oil with
them；〃 〃the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps。 The latter
class had received the grace of God； the regenerating； enlightening power of
the Holy Spirit； which renders His word a lamp to the feet and a light to
the path。 In the fear of God they had studied the Scriptures to learn the
truth； and had earnestly sought for purity of heart and life。 These had a
personal experience； a faith in God and in His word； which could not be
overthrown by disappointment and delay。 Others 〃took their lamps； and took
no oil with them。〃 They had moved from impulse。 Their fears had been excited
by the solemn message； but they had depended upon the faith of their
brethren； satisfied with the flickering light of good emotions； without a
thorough understanding of the truth or a genuine work of grace in the heart。
These had gone forth to meet the Lord； full of hope in the prospect of
immediate reward； but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment。
When trials came； their faith failed； and their lights burned dim。
〃While the bridegroom tarried； they all slumbered and slept。〃 By the
tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the
Lord was expected； the disappointment； and the seeming delay。 In this time
of uncertainty； the interest of the superficial and halfhearted soon began
to waver； and their efforts to relax； but those whose faith was based on a
personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet； which the
waves of disappointment could not wash away。 〃They all slumbered and slept；〃
one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith； the other class
patiently waiting till clearer light should be given。 Yet
395
in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose； to some extent； their zeal
and devotion。 The halfhearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the
faith of their brethren。 Each must stand or fall for himself。
About this time； fanaticism began to appear。 Some who had professed to be
zealous believers in the message rejected the word of God as the one
infallible guide and； claiming to be led by the Spirit； gave themselves up
to the control of their own feelings； impressions； and imaginations。 There
were some who manifested a blind and bigoted zeal； denouncing all who would
not sanction their course。 Their fanatical ideas and exercises met with no
sympathy from the great body of Adventists； yet they served to bring
reproach upon the cause of truth。
Satan was seeking by this means to oppose and destroy the work of God。 The
people had been greatly stirred by the advent movement； thousands of sinners
had been converted； and faithful men were giving themselves to the work of
proclaiming the truth； even in the tarrying time。 The prince of evil was
losing his subjects； and in order to bring reproach upon the cause of God；
he sought to deceive some who professed the faith and to drive them to
extremes。 Then his agents stood ready to seize upon every error； every
failure； every unbecoming act； and hold it up before the people in the most
exaggerated light； to render Adventists and their faith odious。 Thus the
greater the number whom he could crowd in to make a profession of faith in
the second advent while his power controlled their hearts； the greater
advantage would he gain by calling attention to them as representatives of
the whole body of believers。
Satan is 〃the accuser of the brethren；〃 and it is his spirit that inspires
men to watch for the errors and defects of the Lord's people； and to hold
them up to
