《现代真理》
THE PRESENT TRUTH
1849年8月1日
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们
主已指示我看到我有责任将祂所启示给我的事都述说给你们听，这些事关系到现代真理、我们当前受试炼、被分散和受试探的状态以及我们由于上帝即将来到的审判而有的责任。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 1}
1849年3月24日安息日，我们和缅因州托普瑟姆的弟兄们有了一次很愉快很有趣的聚会。圣灵倾降在我们身上，我就在圣灵里被带到永生上帝的城里去了。在那里我蒙指示，上帝的诫命和耶稣基督关门的见证是不可分开的，而且上帝的诫命以其充分的重要性出现，以及上帝的百姓受到安息日真理考验的时候，正是那天上圣所中进入至圣所的门开了的时候。在那里有约柜，内有十条诫命。过去这扇门一直是关闭的，直到1844年耶稣在圣所里作中保的工作结束为止。那时耶稣站了起来，将圣所的门关了，并将进入至圣所的门开了，进入第二层幔子里去。在那里现今祂正站在约柜旁边，以色列民的信心也一直达到那里。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 2}
我看到耶稣已经关了圣所的门，而没有人能开;祂也开了进入至圣所的门，而没有人能关(启3:7,8);而且自从耶稣打开了那进入内有约柜的至圣所的门以来，上帝诫命的亮光就照耀在祂的百姓身上了，他们也正受着安息日问题的试验。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 3}
我看到现今关于安息日的试验从前不能临到世人，直到耶稣在圣所中供职的中保工作结束，而祂进入了第二层幔子之后;故此那些在进入至圣所的门尚未敞开之前，就是在1844年第7个月半夜呼声结束之前没有遵守真安息日而睡了的基督徒现在是在指望中安歇的;因为他们没有受到我们在那门开了之后所领受的亮光和安息日的试验。我看到撒但正在用这个问题来试探上帝的一些百姓。因为过去有许多善良的基督徒已经靠信心得了胜利而睡了，并没有遵守真正的安息日，所以今日一些信徒怀疑这个问题现在怎能成为对我们的一个试验。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 4}
我看到现代真理的敌人一直在力图打开耶稣所关了的圣所的门，并关闭祂在1844年所打开的进入至圣所的门，其中有那存放两块法版的约柜，法版上有耶和华的手指所写的十条诫命。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 5}
撒但现今趁此盖印的时期，正在利用种种诡计使上帝百姓的心偏离现代盖印的真理，使他们摇摆不定。我看到上帝在大艰难时期中用来保护祂百姓的遮蔽物;每一个坚守真理而且内心清洁的信徒都要被全能者的遮蔽物所遮蔽。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 6}
撒但知道这一点，所以他用大能作工，尽量使更多的人对于真理的信心发生动摇，立场不稳。我看到那在纽约州和其它地方发生的神秘的敲击声乃是撒但的能力，而且这一类的现象要越来越普遍，且要披上宗教的外衣，使受骗的人得到更大的安全感，并尽可能吸引上帝百姓的心意去注意这些事，且使他们怀疑圣灵的教训和能力。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 7}
我看到撒但在利用他的爪牙工具以许多的方式进行工作。他利用那些因弃绝真理而具有一个生发错误的心、叫他们信从虚谎以至被定罪的传道人。当他们正在讲道或祈祷的时候，有些人就会忽然扑倒于地，毫无能力，但不是由于圣灵的能力，不是，不是;而是由于撒但灌输给这些爪牙，并藉着他们灌输给听众们的魔力。有些自命为复临信徒而弃绝了现代真理的人在讲道、祈祷或谈话时曾利用催眠术来获得追随者，人们会因这种影响而欢乐，因为他们以为这就是圣灵。有些用惯了催眠术的人完全沉迷于黑暗和魔鬼的迷惑之中，甚至以为这就是上帝的大能，是赐给他们任意使用的。他们叫人以为上帝就像他们自己一样，并且估计祂的能力算不得什么。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 8}
撒但的这些爪牙工具有时竟危害到某些圣徒的身体——就是那些他们无法用撒但的邪恶影响使之偏离真理的人。哦，唯愿人人都能对这件事有清楚的认识，就像上帝向我所启示的那么清楚，让他们可以更明白撒但的诡计而有所防备!我看到撒但正在利用这些方法在这盖印的时候来使上帝的百姓分心，迷惑并拉走上帝的百姓，我看到有些人没有坚定地支持现代真理。他们的膝盖在发抖，他们的脚在滑跌，因为他们没有在真理上站稳脚步，而且在他们这样发抖的时候，全能上帝的遮蔽物不能遮盖他们。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 9}
撒但正使出浑身解数把这些人保留在这种状态之中，直到盖印的工作过去，上帝的遮蔽物遮蔽了祂的百姓，而他们却被留下，没有可以躲避上帝在最后的七大灾中所发猛烈忿怒的避难所。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 10}
上帝已经开始用这个遮蔽物遮蔽祂的百姓，而且它不久就必遮盖一切在杀戮的日子有避难所的人。上帝必要以大能为祂百姓作工;同时祂也允许撒但作工。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 11}
我看到不可思议的神迹奇事和虚假的改革运动将要增多并且蔓延。我蒙指示所看到的一些改革运动不是从谬道改到真理的运动;而是每况愈下;因为那些自称内心改变了的人，只是裹上了一件宗教外衣，掩盖了邪恶之心的罪孽。一些人看起来已经真的归正了，以便欺骗上帝的百姓;然而要是他们的心能被看到，就会发现他们和一前一样黑心。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 12}
那伴随我的天使吩咐我察看他们有没有像从前那样为罪人而辛劳。我察看，却看不见;因为他们得救的时机已经过去了。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 13}
在圣安息日开始的时候(1849年1月5日)，我们在康涅狄格州罗基希尔地方与贝尔登弟兄全家一同祷告，圣灵降在了我们的身上。我在异象中被带到至圣所，在那里我看见耶稣仍在为以色列代求。在祂衣袍底边上有一个铃铛、一个石榴，一个铃铛、一个石榴。于是我看到耶稣不会离开至圣所，直到每一个案件已经定谳，或得救或灭亡，而且上帝的忿怒也不能倾降，直到耶稣完成了祂在至圣所的工作——脱掉祂祭司的衣袍，并且穿上报仇的衣服为止。那时，耶稣就要离开祂在天父和人类之间的地位，上帝就不再保持缄默了，却要在那些已经拒绝祂真理的人身上，倾降祂的忿怒。我看出列邦发怒，上帝的忿怒，和审判死人的时候，乃是分明有别的事件，要依次发生。我看到米迦勒还没有站起来，那从来没有过的艰难时期还没有开始。邦国现今正在发怒，然而及至我们的大祭司完成了祂在圣所中的工作时，祂就要站起来，穿上报仇的衣服，那时最后的七大灾就要倾降下来了。我看到那四位天使会执掌四方的风，直到耶稣在圣所的工作完毕为止，然后那最后的七大灾就要临到。这些灾难激怒了恶人来攻击义人;他们以为使他们遭灾的是我们，如能将我们从地上消灭，这些灾难就必止息了。于是就有命令发出要杀灭圣徒，这就使圣徒昼夜呼求拯救。这乃是雅各遭难的时候。那时一切圣徒都因心灵的痛苦而大声呼喊，终因上帝的声音而得蒙拯救。那144,000人得胜了。他们的脸都因上帝的荣耀而发光。然后我蒙指示看见一群因极其苦恼而在嚎叫的人。他们的衣服上写着几个大字：“你被称在天平里，显出你的亏欠。”我问这一群人是谁。天使说：“这些乃是曾经一度遵守安息日，后来又放弃了的人。”我听见他们大声喊叫说：“我们相信祢的复临，也曾致力宣讲。”当他们说话的时候，他们的视线就落到自己衣服的字上，于是他们便大声哀号。我看到他们曾喝清水，剩下的水他们竟用脚搅浑浊了——把安息日践踏在脚下，因此他们被称在天平里，显出亏欠来。随后那陪伴我的天使再带我到圣城，在那里我看见四位天使飞向城门去。他们正在向那驻守城门的天使出示他们的金卡片。然后我看见另一位天使从那极其荣耀的地方迅速飞来，大声向其他的天使喊叫，并在手里上下挥舞一样东西。我请求那陪同我的天使为我解释所看到的。他告诉我当时不能再多看了，但他过不久就会向我解释我所看见的那些事的意义。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 14}
安息日的下午我们当中有一个人病了，要求众人为他代祷，使他得以痊愈。我们都一同祈求那位从未失败过一次的大医师，于是当医治之能降下，病人获得痊愈的时候，圣灵就降在我身上，我就被带进了异象中。我看到四位天使，他们在地上有一番工作要做，他们正在出发去完成这工作。耶稣还穿着祭司的衣服。祂以怜恤的表情凝视余民，然后举起双手，用深深怜恤的声音喊叫说：“我的血，父啊，我的血，我的血，我的血!”于是我看见一道极其明亮的光，从坐在白色大宝座上的上帝那里发出来，照耀在耶稣的四周。随后我看见一位天使奉耶稣所给他的使命，迅速飞到那在地上有一番工作要作的四位天使那里，手中上下摆动着一样东西，并且大声喊叫说：“执掌!执掌!执掌!执掌!直等到上帝的众仆人在额上受了印记。”我问陪伴我的天使关于我所听见之事的意义，和那四位天使将要作的是什么。他对我说，那遏制各种权势的乃是上帝，而且是祂命天使执掌地上的事;那四位天使有从上帝而来的权柄，执掌四方的风，而且他们准备要放手;但是正当他们要松手，四方的风将要刮起来的时候，耶稣慈怜的眼睛注视着还没有都受印记的余民，便向父举手，恳求说祂曾为他们流血。于是另有一位天使奉命迅速飞到那四位天使那里，吩咐他们继续执掌，直等到上帝的众仆人在额上受了永生上帝的印记。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 15}
我看到上帝对于祂子民的慈爱，这爱实在是伟大。我看到天使们伸展着翅膀在圣徒的四围。每个圣徒都有一位护卫的天使。如果圣徒因灰心而痛哭流涕，或遭遇危险，那一直护卫他们的天使就要迅速飞升上去，将这消息传到天上，于是圣城里的天使就停止了歌唱。这时，耶稣便要委派另一位天使下去勉励，看顾，并设法保守他们不致偏离那条窄路;但如果他们不顾这些天使的警戒照应，又不肯受他们的安慰，而继续走入歧途，天使就会显得忧伤而哭泣。于是他们就会将这消息传到天上，全城的天使就会哭泣，并大声说：阿们。但如果圣徒定睛注视那摆在前面的赏赐，并以赞美上帝来荣耀祂，那么天使们就要将喜讯传到圣城，城中的天使便要弹奏他们的金琴并扬声歌唱——哈利路亚!而使穹苍洋溢着他们可爱的歌声。我要在此声明，圣城里有着完美的秩序与和谐。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 16}
一切奉命前来访问这个地球的天使都持有一张金卡片，在他们进出城门的时候出示给驻守城门的天使看。天国实在是一个美好的地方。我很想在那里瞻仰那为我舍命的可爱的耶稣，并变成祂荣耀的形像。哦，惟愿我能以言语形容出那未来之光明世界的荣耀!我渴望畅饮于那使我们上帝的城喜乐之生命水的河。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 17}
主已使我得见其他世界的异象。有翅膀赐给我，并有一位天使陪同我从圣城到一个光明荣美的地方去。那里的草是鲜活碧绿的，那里的雀鸟鸣唱着甜美的歌声。那地居民的身材有大小;他们都是高贵、威严、可爱的。他们都具有耶稣本体的真像，他们的脸上焕发着圣洁的喜乐，充分表现着那地的自由和幸福。我问他们当中的一位为什么他们较比地上的人远为可爱。回答是：“我们向来谨守上帝的诫命，没有像地球上的人因悖逆而堕落。”然后我看见两棵树，一棵很像圣城中的生命树。这两棵树上的果子看上去都很美丽，但其中一棵树上的果子他们不可吃。他们本有能力吃这两棵树上的果子，但被禁止吃其中一棵树上的果子。于是那陪伴我的天使对我说：“这地的居民没有一个尝过那禁树的果子;但如果他们吃的话，他们就必堕落。”后来我被带到一个有七个月亮的世界。在那里我看到了古时已变化升天的善良的以诺。在他的右臂中持着一根荣耀的棕树枝，每一片叶子上都写着“胜利”。在他的头上有一顶眩目的白色花冠，花冠上有叶子，每一片叶子中间都写着“纯洁”;叶子的四周有各色的宝石，闪耀着比星星更灿烂的光辉，这光照在叶子的字上，使之更显光大。在以诺的脑后有一个蝴蝶结，把花冠扣住，结上写着“圣洁”。花冠上面有一顶可爱的王冕，焕发着比太阳更亮的光辉。我问以诺这是不是他原先从地上被迁来之处，他说：“不是的;那圣城才是我的家，我只是到这里来访问一下。”他在这里自由行动，犹如这就是他的家。我恳求那陪伴我的天使让我留在那里。想起我还要回到这黑暗的世界，我就受不了。于是天使对我说：“你必须回去，如果你能忠心到底，你必能和那144,000人同有特权去访问诸世界，并观光上帝灵巧的作为。”{PT August 1, 1849, par. 18}
1848年12月16日，主给我得见天势震动的异象。我看到在主讲论到马太、马可和路加所记录的预兆时，祂所说的“天”就是天，祂所说的“地”就是地。“天势”就是日、月、星辰。它们是在天上掌权的。地上的权势就是那些在地上掌权的。天势将要被上帝的声音所震动。那时太阳、月亮和星辰将要挪移本位，它们不会消逝，却要被上帝的声音所震动。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 19}
有浓黑的乌云上来，互相撞击。天空裂开而卷起来了;那时我们的视线就能透入猎户星座敞开的空间，有上帝的声音从其中出来。圣城将要从那敞开的空间下来。我看到地上的权势现今正在被震动，而且各项大事将要依次发生。打仗和打仗的风声——刀剑、饥荒和瘟疫将要先震动地上的权势，然后上帝的声音要震动日、月、星辰和这个地球。我看到欧洲各权势的震动，并不像某些人所讲的是天势的震动，而是列邦发怒的震动。{PT August 1, 1849, par. 20}
怀爱伦
PT1849
August 1, 1849
Dear Brethren and Sisters
The Lord has shown me that it is my duty to relate to you, what he has revealed to me relating to the present truth, our present tried, scattered and tempted state, and our duty in view of the coming judgments of God.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 1}
Sabbath, March 24th, 1849, we had a sweet, and very interesting meeting with the Brethren at Topsham, Me. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us, and I was taken off in the Spirit to the City of the living God. There I was shown that the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, relating to the shut door, could not be separated, and that the time for the commandments of God to shine out, with all their importance, and for God’s people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, where the Ark is, containing the ten commandments. This door was not opened, until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary in 1844. Then, Jesus rose up, and shut the door in the Holy Place, and opened the door in the Most Holy, and passed within the second vail, where he now stands by the Ark; and where the faith of Israel now reaches.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 2}
I saw that Jesus had shut the door in the Holy Place, and no man can open it; and that he had opened the door in the Most Holy, and no man can shut it (See?Revelation 3:7, 8.): and that since Jesus has opened the door in the Most Holy Place, which contains the Ark, the commandments have been shining out to God’s people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath question.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 3}
I saw that the present test on the Sabbath could not come, until the mediation of Jesus in the Holy Place was finished; and he had passed within the second vail; therefore, Christians, who fell asleep before the door was opened in the Most Holy, when the midnight cry was finished, at the seventh month 1844; and had not kept the true Sabbath, now rest in hope; for they had not the light, and the test on the Sabbath, which we now have, since that door was opened. I saw that Satan was tempting some of God’s people on this point. Because so many good Christians have fallen asleep in the triumphs of faith, and have not kept the true Sabbath, they were doubting about it being a test for us now.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 4}
I saw that the enemies of the present truth have been trying to open the door of the Holy Place, that Jesus has shut; and to close the door of the Most Holy Place, which he opened in 1844, where the Ark is containing the two tables of stone, on which are written the ten commandments, by the finger of Jehovah.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 5}
Satan is now using every device in this sealing time, to keep the minds of God’s people from the present, sealing truth; and to cause them to waver. I saw a covering that God was drawing over his people, to protect them in the time of trouble; and every soul that was decided on the truth, and was pure in heart, was to be covered with the covering of Almighty God.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 6}
Satan knew this, and was at work in mighty power, to keep the minds of as many as he possibly could unsettled, and wavering on the truth. I saw that the mysterious knocking in N.Y. and other places, was the power of Satan; and that such things would be more and more common, clothed in a religious garb, to lull the deceived to more security; and to draw the minds of God’s people, if possible, to those things and cause them to doubt the teachings, and power of the Holy Ghost.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 7}
I saw that Satan was working through agents, in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers, who have rejected the truth, and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they might be damned. While they were preaching, or praying some would fall prostrate and helpless; not by the power of the Holy Ghost, no, no; but by the power of Satan breathed upon these agents and through them to the people. Some professed Adventists who had rejected the present truth, while preaching praying or in conversation used Mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people would rejoice in this influence, for they thought it was the Holy Ghost. And even some that used it, were so far in the darkness and deception of the Devil, that they thought it was the power of God, given them to exercise. They had made God altogether such an one as themselves; and had valued his power as a thing of naught.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 8}
Some of these agents of Satan were affecting the bodies of some of the saints; those that they could not deceive and draw away from the truth by a satanic influence. Oh! that all could get a view of it as God revealed it to me, that they might know more of the wiles of Satan, and be on their guard. I saw that Satan was at work in these ways to distract, deceive, and draw away God’s people, just now in this sealing time. I saw some who were not standing stiffly for present truth. Their knees were trembling, and their feet were sliding; because they were not firmly planted on the truth, and the covering of Almighty God could not be drawn over them while they were thus trembling.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 9}
Satan was trying his every art to hold them where they were, until the sealing was past, and the covering drawn over God’s people, and they left out, without a shelter from the burning wrath of God, in the seven last plagues.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 10}
God has begun to draw this covering over his people, and it will very soon be drawn over all who are to have a shelter in the day of slaughter. God will work in power for his people; and Satan will be permitted to work also.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 11}
I saw that the mysterious signs and wonders, and false reformations would increase, and spread. The reformations that were shown me, were not reformations from error to truth; but from bad to worse; for those who professed a change of heart, had only wrapt about them a religious garb, which covered up the iniquity of a wicked heart. Some appeared to have been really converted, so as to deceive God’s people; but if their hearts could be seen, they would appear as black as ever.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 12}
My accompanying angel bade me look for the travail of soul for sinners as used to be. I looked, but could not see it; for the time for their salvation is past.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 13}
At the commencement of the Holy Sabbath, (January 5,) we engaged in prayer with Bro. Belden’s family at Rocky Hill, Ct., and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. I was taken off in vision to the Most Holy Place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of his garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the Most Holy Place, until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction: and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished his work in the Most Holy Place—laid off his priestly attire and clothed himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silent no longer; but pour out his wrath on those who have rejected his truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate events, one following the other. I saw that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished his work in the Sanctuary, he will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out. I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the Sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous, and they thought that we had brought them down upon them, and if they could rid the earth of us, then the plagues would be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the Voice of God. Then the 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters, “thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” I asked who this company were. The angel said, “these are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.” I heard them cry with a loud voice—“we have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy.” And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they would wail aloud. I saw they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet—trodden the Sabbath underfoot, and that is why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting. Then my attending angel directed me to the City again, where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the City, and were just presenting the golden card to the angel at the gate. Then I saw another angel swiftly flying from the direction of the most excellent glory, and crying with a loud voice to the other angels, and waving something up and down in his hand. I asked my attending angel for an explanation of what I saw. He told me that I could see no more then, but he would shortly show me what those things that I then saw meant.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 14}
Sabbath afternoon one of our number was sick, and requested prayers that he might be healed. We all united in applying to the Physician who never lost a case, and while healing power came down, and the sick was healed, the Spirit fell upon me, and I was taken off in vision. I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with Priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised his hands upward, and with a voice of deep pity cried—“My Blood, Father, My Blood, My Blood, My Blood”. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice—“Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold!?until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.” I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He shewed me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that he gave his angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let the four winds go, and while they had started on their mission to let them go, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not all sealed, then he raised his hands to the Father and plead with him that he had spilled his blood for them.—Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 15}
I have seen the tender love that God has for his people, and that it is very great. I saw an angel over every saint, with their wings spread about them: and if the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger, the angel that ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels in the City would cease to sing. Then Jesus would commission another angel to descend to encourage, watch over and try to keep them from going out of the narrow path: but, if they did not take heed to the watchful care of these angels, and would not be comforted by them, and continued to go astray, the angels would look sad and weep. Then they would bear the tidings upward, and all the angels in the City would weep, and then with a loud voice say, Amen. But if the saints fixed their eyes on the prize before them, and glorified God by praising him, then the angels would bear the glad tidings to the City, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice—Alleluia! and the heavenly arches would ring with lovely songs. I will here state, that there is perfect order and harmony in the holy City.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 16}
All the angels that are commissioned to visit the earth, hold a golden card which they present to the angels at the gates of the City, as they pass in and out. Heaven is a good place. I long to be there, and behold my lovely Jesus, who gave his life for me, and be changed into his glorious image. Oh! for language to express the glory of the bright world to come. I thirst for the living streams that make glad the City of our God.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 17}
The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the City to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes, they were noble, majestic and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was—“we have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth. There I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the City. The fruit of both looked beautiful; but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me—“none in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat they would fall.” Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. Then I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written Victory. Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written Purity; and around the leaf were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters, and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written Holiness. Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said “it is not; but the City is my home, and I have come to visit this place.” He moved about the place as if perfectly at home. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said—“you must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000 shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handy work of God.”?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 18}
December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said “heaven” (in giving the signs recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke,) he meant heaven, and when he said “earth” he meant earth. The powers of heaven, are the Sun, Moon and Stars: they rule in the heavens. The powers of earth are those who bear rule on the earth. The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the Sun, Moon, and Stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 19}
Dark, heavy clouds came up, and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back, then we could look up through the open space in Orion, from whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space. I saw that the powers of earth are now being shaken, and that events come in order. War, and rumors of war,—sword, famine and pestilence, are first to shake the powers of earth, then the voice of God will shake the Sun, Moon and Stars, and this earth also. I saw that the shaking of the powers in Europe is not (as some teach) the shaking of the powers of heaven, but it is the shaking of the angry nations.?{PT August 1, 1849, par. 20}
E. G. White
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