(1903年11月27日于加利福尼亚州疗养院)
数月以来，我睡得很少，因为正在巴特尔克里克做着的工作令我大伤脑筋。这项工作的结果被呈现在我面前，所赐给我的话是，如果在那里的那群工人被分成好几个小群体派到不同的地区，就会成就多得多的工作。有因必有果。{SpTB07 3.1}
我正在接受关于对上帝的依赖的教导。我们应当更多倚赖祂，更少倚赖人，他们若有机会任意而行，就会带领上帝的羊群进入陌生的牧场。我奉命在不同的集会上传达一个信息，因为撒但的爪牙正与应该摆脱引诱人的邪灵和鬼魔道理的人们联起手来。给我的委托是：“对付它，不一定要亲临现场，而是用书面信息。要警醒，及至危险来临时，要对付它。没有时间可以浪费。”{SpTB07 3.2}
欺骗性理论在其发展过程中受到了遏制，但它们还没有被根除。人们的内心并没有改变。有些人被撒但的诡辩弄瞎了双眼。他们没有归正。过去多次多方遭遇的错误理论准备死灰复燃，因为人心生来喜爱罪恶，且已如此被撒但迷人的言论迷惑以致非但没有敏感的良心和涂了天上眼药的眼睛，能发现撒但的伪装，反而看不见罪的可怕，倒给罪披上了圣洁纯净的美衣。他们留下的印象是，对上帝如此可恨的罪竟是一种奇妙的好处。他们所声称的成圣是被最诱人的罪污染了的，这罪在他们看来就是义。这种腐败的、唯灵论的物质观正在蒙蔽属灵的眼力。这种宗教信仰就像核心被虫蛀了的苹果。那些应该提供帮助的人却缺乏属灵眼力。有些事情可以说看起来非常好。果子可能看起来很漂亮，没有瑕疵，然而把苹果打开，我们就看到核心正在毁坏。那些已经犯错的人或许对自己的想法保持沉默，但其核心却有死亡。他们的错误想法虽然受受到了抑制，但并没有改变。一遇有利时机，它们就会死灰复燃。人们可能自以为在巴特尔克里克聚集的那群人中看到了上帝之灵的运行;然而实际上虽有一种能力激励、建议和鼓舞人心，这种能力却没有来自纯粹的“耶和华如此说”的重要原则。{SpTB07 3.3}
我的头脑因考虑接下来要做什么以对付我们面前的危险而感到疲倦。我想要以最简明的语言宣扬现代真理。我非常渴望使用不会让任何人有机会保持错误观点的字眼。我必须使用不会被误解和使之与它们的原意相反的词语。{SpTB07 4.1}
圣经真理若被接受到生活中，就会使内心纯洁干净。它必导致提升整个生活并使之高贵的做法。思想必须摆脱由不同的人带来的所有诱人的、唯灵论的想法。{SpTB07 4.2}
我无法看透人心。然而有一位从远处知道人的意念，并且看到这些意念的结局。当必要的工作在心中完成时，当头脑被圣灵支使时，人生就会结出正确的果实。这个应许就会实现：“我也要赐给你们一个新心”(结36:26)。这就是现在所需要的。{SpTB07 4.3}
那些组成巴特尔克里克工人团队的人在许多方面处于不利地位。如果他们有一种完全不同的精神氛围来呼吸，他们花在听原则和各种研究上的时间，对他们的好处就会大得多。表现并不好。促使学生给出最令人满意的学校报告，不是最好的教育课。他们做够了这种事。弄虚作假并不是任何一个人应该接受的教育。这种教育的动力并非来自于主，祂知道人心的诡诈，决不误导人。……{SpTB07 5.1}
我心悲伤，无以言表，因为仇敌已经胜过了那些人的心思意念和意志，主一直在劝诫他们，说：“这是正路，要行在其间”(赛30:21)。上帝多年来一直在警告他们，但他们不愿接受祂的话语，也不愿听从;他们不愿使自己的行为在祂面前完全。一些自称一直在教导现代真理的人在上帝面前的做法很粗糙，是祂不悦纳的。他们决心要随从自己的意志和道路，是受众义之敌引导的。撒但一直在抢夺他们的灵魂，一直在从他们身上偷走主所委托给他们的恩赐，代之以他的邪恶观点，要解决科学问题。他已蒙蔽了属灵的眼力，虚伪的、迷惑人的想像正在取代生命和真理之道。一些身居要职的人正在支持错误取代真理。撒但使他的迷惑极具吸引力，给谬论披上了真理的外衣，使它看起来像最值得拥有的东西。许多我们自然以为能看得清楚之人的头脑就像被谬论的迷人诡辩蒙蔽了。如果这种销魂迷人的假话不被打断，那些听这些谬论的人就会在信仰上变成异教徒。他们目前的经验是是没有安全可言的。他们需要藉着吃上帝的道来服罪归正，就照着所读的相信这道，正确地解释它，不将上帝为拯救祂的子民而发出的信息编织成他们自己的诡辩，使它们支持虚言，暗中破坏主为祂守诫命的子民所立的根基。{SpTB07 5.2}
撒但会继续引进他那些错误的理论，声称他的观点是正确的。引诱人的邪灵在作工。我要积极面对危险，否认任何人有权用我的著作去服务魔鬼的目的，引诱和欺骗上帝的子民。上帝爱惜了我的性命，以便我提出所赐给我的证言，去维护上帝所维护的，谴责撒但诡辩的每一点残余。在属灵的诡辩方面会有一件接一件的事发生，倘若可能，连选民也就迷惑了。{SpTB07 6.1}
11月29日。——我大约一点钟就醒了，求主赐我更大的信心，使祂的事业和工作越来越明显地成为上帝的道。当这道进入人心时，它就以令人信服的力量运行。是的，心是真理开始工作的地方。真理要在人生与品格上成为一种能力。若被接受并常存于心，真理就会像赐生命之原理的酵发生作用，使整个人改变过来。{SpTB07 6.2}
真理有能力使基督所说的话成为灵与生命，若怀存于心并被重视，它就会使人转离其罪恶的行径。真理与谬论不能同时住在一个心内。基督说：“不与我相合的，就是敌我的，不同我收聚的，就是分散的”(太12:30) 。{SpTB07 6.3}
智慧、聪明、能力——这都不是上帝。但上帝是一切智慧、一切恩惠和一切能力的源头。上帝将能力与智慧赋予路锡甫，但这智能并非上帝自己。我们要照着祂的奇妙作为所显示的得以认识上帝，有谁藉着考察能测透上帝呢?这不是我们工作的一部分。上帝律法是完美的，能改变人心。上帝的品德在十条诫命中表达出来。要照着上帝的真情认识祂——这是一切良善、真理与公义的科学。凡祂的律法所显示关于祂圣德的每一表现，我们都必须服从。{SpTB07 7.1}
上帝要求顺从，并非藉此显示祂的权威，乃为使我们在品格上得以与祂合一。我们在上帝里面就寻得所需要的品格特质藉以培养像祂那样的品性。我们当养成与神相合的品格。这样我们的本性在每一方面都得以属灵化。{SpTB07 7.2}
我们不能藉着言语准确地形容上帝的荣耀与威严，这是超越言语所能表达的。但我们可以欣赏思念上帝，和祂临格的感觉。我们可以认识祂到世人能当得起的地步，我们可以在祷告中与祂共话。有时，我们全然地信赖祂，我们与祂共话，本着恒毅的信心，如同看见那看不见的主。信心将祂表达出来，而我们便按自己所能当得起的程度沉思有关祂的事。遇见患难与困惑时，我们若全然信赖祂，就能祂令人振奋、无所不在的临格与能力。我们感悟到主实在是我们的力量和我们的分直到永远。我们可在上帝里与基督合而为一。但我们永不要形容上帝为一种原质，永勿冒险一步，把上帝放在祂的创造物的位置上。{SpTB07 7.3}
SpTB07-《TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH CONTAINING MESSAGES OF WARNING AND INSTRUCTION TO SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS》
《Chapter 1—A Warning Against Present Dangers》
(Sanitarium, Cal.,November 27, 1903.)
For months I have had little sleep, because my mind is intensely exercised regarding the work that is being done in Battle Creek. The results of this work are represented to me, and the word given me is that if the company of workers there were divided into several smaller companies, and sent into various localities, very much more good would be accomplished. Cause is always followed by effect.{SpTB07 3.1}[1]
I am receiving instruction regarding the dependence that is to be placed in God. We are to depend far more on Him and far less on men, who, if they had opportunity and were left to themselves, would lead the flock of God into strange pastures. I am charged with a message to be given at different assemblies, because satanic agencies are linking arms with men who should stand free from all seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The commission given me is, “Meet it, not always by being present in person, but with the written message. Watch, and when a crisis comes, meet it. There is no time to be lost.”{SpTB07 3.2}[2]
Deceptive theories have been arrested in their development, but they have not been rooted up. Hearts are not changed. There are men who are blinded by Satan’s sophistry. They are not converted. The wrong theories which in the past have been met many times and in many places, are ready to spring into life, because the natural heart loves sin, and has been so deceived by Satan’s fascinating presentations that in the place of having sensitive consciences and eyes anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, able to detect the deceptive guise of Satan, men do not see the awfulness of sin, but have clothed sin with the beautiful garments of sanctification and purity. They retain the impression that the sin so hateful to God?is a wonderful advantage. The sanctification that they claim, is polluted by the most seductive sin, which in their estimation is righteousness. This corrupting, spiritualistic view of matters is blinding the spiritual eyesight. The religious faith is like an apple worm-eaten at the core. Men who are supposed to be helping have deficient spiritual eyesight. Some things may be said which appear to be excellent. The fruit may apparently be fair and beautiful, without a flaw, but break the apple open, and we see the work of destruction going on at the core. Those who have been in the wrong may be silent in regard to their ideas, but there is death at the core. Their wrong ideas are smothered, but not changed. At a favorable opportunity they will spring into life. Men may flatter themselves that there is seen the working of the Spirit of God in the company assembled at Battle Creek: but in reality there is a power prompting and advising and inspiring that has not the vital principle which comes from a pure “Thus saith the Lord.”{SpTB07 3.3}[3]
My mind is weary with considering what to do next to meet the danger before us. I wish to proclaim, in the very simplest language, the truth for this time. I am exceedingly anxious to use words that will not give any one a chance to sustain erroneous sentiments. I must use words that will not be misconstrued and made to mean the opposite of that which they were designed to mean.{SpTB07 4.1}[4] Bible truth, received into the life, will make the heart pure and clean. It will lead to practises that elevate and ennoble the whole life. The thoughts must be kept free from all seductive, spiritualistic ideas that have been brought in by different ones.{SpTB07 4.2}[5]
I am unable to see into the human heart. But there is One who knoweth the thoughts afar off, and who sees the outcome of these thoughts. When the necessary work is accomplished in the heart, when?the mind is worked by the Holy Spirit, the life will bear the right kind of fruit. The promise will be fulfilled, “A new heart also will I give you.” This is what is needed now.{SpTB07 4.3}[6]
Those who compose the company of workers at Battle Creek are at a disadvantage in many ways. The time they spend in hearing principles and in studies of various kinds, would be of far more benefit to them if they had an altogether different spiritual atmosphere to breathe. The presentation is not good. The prompting of the students to give the most satisfactory reports of the school, is not the best lesson in education. They have had enough of this. Pretense is not the kind of education to give any one The stimulus of such education does not come from Him who understands the deceitfulness of the human heart, and who never misleads....{SpTB07 5.1}[7]
My mind is sad beyond expression because the enemy has obtained victories over the minds and hearts and wills of those whom the Lord has been admonishing, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” God has been warning them for years, but they would not receive His words and take heed to them; they would not make their works perfect before Him. Some of those who claim to have been teaching the truth present before God a very ragged practise, which He does not accept. They determined to follow their own will and way, and they have been led by the enemy of all righteousness. Satan has been playing the game of life for their souls, and has been stealing away from them the Lord’s entrusted gifts, putting in their place his evil sentiments, to be worked out in scientific problems. He has blinded the spiritual eyesight, and deceptive, delusive imaginings are taking the place of the word of life and truth. Some in exalted positions of responsibility are sustaining error in the place of truth. Satan makes his delusions most attractive, clothing error in the garments of truth, so that it seems the most desirable thing to possess. The minds of many whom we would naturally suppose would see things clearly, are blinded as with a bewitching sophistry of error. If the terribly bewitching, fascinating story is not interrupted, those who are listening to it will become infidels in their belief. There is no safety in their present experience. They need to be convicted and converted by eating the word of God, believing it just as it reads, interpreting it correctly, not weaving the messages sent by God to save His people, into their own sophistries, making them speak in favor of fables that undermine the foundation established by the Lord for His commandment-keeping people.{SpTB07 5.2}[8]
Satan will continue to bring in his erroneous theories and to claim that his sentiments are true. Seducing spirits are at work. I am to meet the danger positively, denying the right of any one to use my writings to serve the devil’s purpose to allure and deceive the people of God. God has spared my life that I may present the testimonies given me, to vindicate that which God vindicates, and to denounce every vestige of Satan’s sophistry. One thing will follow another in spiritual sophistry, to deceive if possible the very elect.{SpTB07 6.1}[9]
November 29.—I awake about one o’clock, and ask the Lord to give me increased faith, that His cause and work shall become more and more manifestly the work of God. When it obtains entrance into the heart, it works with convincing power. Yes, the heart is the place for the truth to begin its work. Truth is to be a power in the life and character. If received and cherished in the heart, it will work as the leaven of a life-giving principle, changing the whole being.{SpTB07 6.2}[10]
Truth has power to make the sayings of Christ spirit and life. If cherished and respected, it will cause the man to turn from his evil ways. Truth and error can not abide in the same heart. “He that is not with Me is against Me,” Christ declares, “and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.”{SpTB07 6.3}[11]
Wisdom, intellect, power,—these are not God. But God is the author of all wisdom, all grace, all power. God gave Lucifer his power and wisdom, yet this intelligence was not God himself. We are to know God as He is revealed in His marvelous works. Who by searching can find out God? This is not part of our work. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. God’s character is expressed in the ten commandments. To know God as He is,—this is the science of all goodness and truth and righteousness. We must obey every expression of His character as revealed in His law.{SpTB07 7.1}[12]
God requires obedience, not for the purpose of showing His authority, but that we may become one with Him in character. We shall find in God the attributes of character needed to form characters after His likeness. We are to form characters that are in harmony with the Deity. Thus our natures become spiritualized in every faculty.{SpTB07 7.2}[13]
We can not present any correct representation in words of God’s glory and majesty. It is beyond expression. But we can enjoy the contemplation of God, and the sense of His presence. We can know of Him all that human beings can bear. We can talk with Him in prayer. At times when our faith goes out to Him completely, we converse with Him, and by faith endure the seeing of the Invisible. Faith reveals Him, and we contemplate all that we can endure. When in times of trouble and perplexity we trust Him fully, we have a living sense of His cheering, all-pervading presence and power. We realize that the Lord is indeed our strength and our portion forever. We can be one with Christ in God. But let us never undertake to define God as an essence. Never, never, venture one step into the way of putting God in the place of the things of His creation.{SpTB07 7.3}[14]
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