第08章 洪水之后
§1
第08章 洪水之后
§2
Chap. 8 - After the Flood
§3
洪水泛滥，水势比最高的山还要高出“十五肘”。方舟里面的一家人时常觉得自己总不能免于灭亡，因为他们的船已随波上下五个月之久，显然唯风浪之命是听而飘荡了。这是一个严重的试验，但是挪亚的信心并没有动摇。因为他确信有上帝的手在掌着方舟的舵。[1]{PP 105.1}
§4
The waters rose fifteen cubits above the highest mountains. It often seemed to the family within the ark that they must perish, as for five long months their boat was tossed about, apparently at the mercy of wind and wave. It was a trying ordeal; but Noahs faith did not waver, for he had the assurance that the divine hand was upon the helm.{PP 105.1}[1]
§5
当水势渐落时，上帝使方舟飘流到他所预定的群山之间。这些山岭彼此相距不远，于是方舟徘徊于四山环抱的水港之内，而不再飘荡在无边无际的海洋中了。这给方舟里被暴风催逼而筋疲力尽的人和禽兽，带来了莫大的安慰。[2]{PP 105.2}
§6
As the waters began to subside, the Lord caused the ark to drift into a spot protected by a group of mountains that had been preserved by His power. These mountains were but a little distance apart, and the ark moved about in this quiet haven, and was no longer driven upon the boundless ocean. This gave great relief to the weary, tempest-tossed voyagers.{PP 105.2}[2]
§7
挪亚和他全家，焦急地等着水势退落，因为他们渴望再回到陆地上。在山顶出现之后，过了四十天，他们放出一只乌鸦——一只善于探索的飞鸟出去，要看看地上的水干了没有。那乌鸦只见遍地都是水，并无别物，只在方舟附近飞来飞去。再过七天，挪亚又放出一只鸽子，鸽子找不到落脚之地，仍旧飞回方舟。挪亚再等了七天，重又放出鸽子。到了晚上，鸽子回来，嘴里叼着一片橄榄树的叶子，大家就极其欢喜。然后“挪亚撤去方舟的盖观看，便见地面上干了。”（创8:13）他仍然耐性地在方舟里面等候着。他既然照着上帝的命令进入方舟，所以出去时，也要等待特别的指示。[3]{PP 105.3}
§8
Noah and his family anxiously waited for the decrease of the waters, for they longed to go forth again upon the earth. Forty days after the tops of the mountains became visible, they sent out a raven, a bird of quick scent, to discover whether the earth had become dry. This bird, finding nothing but water, continued to fly to and from the ark. Seven days later a dove was sent forth, which, finding no footing, returned to the ark. Noah waited seven days longer, and again sent forth the dove. When she returned at evening with an olive leaf in her mouth, there was great rejoicing. Later Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. Still he waited patiently within the ark. As he had entered at Gods command, he waited for special directions to depart.{PP 105.3}[3]
§9
最后，有一位天使从天上降下，打开方舟的大门，吩咐先祖挪亚和他的全家离舟，并要他们带着一切活物回到陆地上去。挪亚逃离洪水之灾，深自庆幸之余，并没有忘记那位保全他们生命的慈悲的上帝。他离开方舟后的第一件事，便是筑一座坛，献上各样洁净的飞鸟和牲畜为祭，用以表示他感谢上帝拯救的大恩和对伟大的牺牲——基督的信心。上帝悦纳了挪亚的祭物；不但赐福与他和他全家，也赐福与以后一切住在地上的人。“耶和华闻那馨香之气，就心里说，我不再因人的缘故咒诅地，……地还存留的时候，稼穑、寒暑、冬夏、昼夜，就永不停息了。”（创8:21-22）这是给洪水以后各世代人的一个教训。挪亚面临一片荒凉的大地，他在为自己预备住处之前，先为上帝筑了一座祭坛。他所有的牲畜不多，且是付了非常的代价才保存下来的，但他欢欢喜喜地将一部分献给上帝，借以承认万物都是属于上帝的。照样，我们首先应该关心的乃是奉献乐意捐给上帝。我们当用敬拜的行为和推进圣工的捐献，来表示感谢上帝向我们所显示的恩典和慈爱。[4]{PP 105.4}
§10
At last an angel descended from heaven, opened the massive door, and bade the patriarch and his household go forth upon the earth and take with them every living thing. In the joy of their release Noah did not forget Him by whose gracious care they had been preserved. His first act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer from every kind of clean beast and fowl a sacrifice, thus manifesting his gratitude to God for deliverance and his faith in Christ, the great sacrifice. This offering was pleasing to the Lord; and a blessing resulted, not only to the patriarch and his family, but to all who should live upon the earth. The Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for mans sake. . . . While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Here was a lesson for all succeeding generations. Noah had come forth upon a desolate earth, but before preparing a house for himself he built an altar to God. His stock of cattle was small, and had been preserved at great expense; yet he cheerfully gave a part to the Lord as an acknowledgment that all was His. In like manner it should be our first care to render our freewill offerings to God. Every manifestation of His mercy and love toward us should be gratefully acknowledged, both by acts of devotion and by gifts to His cause.{PP 105.4}[4]
§11
上帝唯恐以后遇着乌云四合，大雨下降之际，会使世人因怕洪水再一次泛滥而心惊胆寒，所以就应许挪亚全家，说：“我与你们立约……不再有洪水毁坏地了。……我把虹放在云彩中，这就可作我与地立约的记号了。我使云彩盖地的时候，必有虹现在云彩中，……我看见，就要记念我与地上各样有血肉的活物所立的永约。”（创9:11-16）[5]{PP 106.1}
§12
Lest the gathering clouds and falling rain should fill men with constant terror, from fear of another flood, the Lord encouraged the family of Noah by a promise: I will establish My covenant with you; . . . neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. . . . I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud. . . . And I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature.{PP 106.1}[5]
§13
上帝这样把美丽的虹放在云中，作为他与世人立约的记号。他的垂顾和他对犯错误之人类的慈心，是何等的大啊！耶和华说：当他看见虹的时候，他必记念他的约。这并不是说他会忘记；乃是他用我们的言语向我们讲话，使我们能更明白他的意思。上帝的旨意：是要在我们后代子孙询问这架在天空中的美丽拱门有什么意义时，父母就要重述洪水的故事；并告诉他们，至高者将虹弯好了放在云彩中，就是应许永不再使洪水在地上泛滥。这虹就要世世代代向人见证神圣之爱，并坚固他们对上帝的信心。[6]{PP 106.2}
§14
How great the condescension of God and His compassion for His erring creatures in thus placing the beautiful rainbow in the clouds as a token of His covenant with men! The Lord declares that when He looks upon the bow, He will remember His covenant. This does not imply that He would ever forget; but He speaks to us in our own language, that we may better understand Him. It was Gods purpose that as the children of after generations should ask the meaning of the glorious arch which spans the heavens, their parents should repeat the story of the Flood, and tell them that the Most High had bended the bow and placed it in the clouds as an assurance that the waters should never again overflow the earth. Thus from generation to generation it would testify of divine love to man and would strengthen his confidence in God.{PP 106.2}[6]
§15
在天上也有仿佛虹的荣光围绕着上帝的宝座；并映照在基督的头顶。先知说：“下雨的日子，云中虹的形状怎样，（宝座）周围光辉的形状也是怎样；这就是耶和华荣耀的形象。”（结1:28）蒙启示的约翰说：“我……见有一个宝座安置在天上，又有一位坐在宝座上，……又有虹围着宝座，好像绿宝石。”（启4:2-3）当人因犯重罪而招致上帝的刑罚时，救主就指着云彩中的虹，并指着宝座周围和自己头顶上的虹，作为上帝向悔改的罪人发怜悯的记号为之代求。[7]{PP 107.1}
§16
In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne and overarches the head of Christ. The prophet says, As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about [the throne]. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. Ezekiel 1:28. The revelator declares, Behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. . . . There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Revelation 4:2, 3. When man by his great wickedness invites the divine judgments, the Saviour, interceding with the Father in his behalf, points to the bow in the clouds, to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head, as a token of the mercy of God toward the repentant sinner.{PP 107.1}[7]
§17
上帝曾亲自将他赐给挪亚有关洪水的保证，和一个最宝贵的、带恩典的应许结合起来说：“我怎样起誓不再使挪亚的洪水漫过遍地，我也照样起誓不再向你发怒，也不斥责你。大山可以挪开，小山可以迁移，但我的慈爱必不离开你，我平安的约也不迁移，这是怜恤你的耶和华说的。”（赛54:9-10）[8]{PP 107.2}
§18
With the assurance given to Noah concerning the Flood, God Himself has linked one of the most precious promises of His grace: As I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:9, 10.{PP 107.2}[8]
§19
当挪亚看见凶猛的野兽同他一起从方舟里出来时，他害怕那只有几口人的家会被野兽杀害。于是上帝差遣天使来，送给他仆人一个使他放心的信息，说：“凡地上的走兽，和空中的飞鸟，都必惊恐、惧怕你们。连地上一切的昆虫，并海里一切的鱼，都交付你们的手。凡活着的动物，都可以作你们的食物，这一切我都赐给你们如同菜蔬一样。”（创9:2-3）在以前，上帝并没有允许人吃动物的肉，他的本意是要人完全靠地里的出产维持生活；但如今一切植物既然都已毁灭，所以才允许他们吃那些由方舟保存下来的洁净动物之肉。[9]{PP 107.3}
§20
As Noah looked upon the powerful beasts of prey that came forth with him from the ark, he feared that his family, numbering only eight persons, would be destroyed by them. But the Lord sent an angel to His servant with the assuring message: The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Before this time God had given man no permission to eat animal food; He intended that the race should subsist wholly upon the productions of the earth; but now that every green thing had been destroyed, He allowed them to eat the flesh of the clean beasts that had been preserved in the ark.{PP 107.3}[9]
§21
洪水之后，整个地面都改变了。因为人犯罪的结果，地受了第三次可怕的咒诅。当洪水渐退时，大小山冈都被一望无际的混浊海水所包围，到处可见人和走兽的尸体。上帝不愿意让这些尸体留在地面上腐烂，致令空气污浊，所以要把它们都埋在地下。为了吹干地上的水，上帝就使大风刮起，这风的暴力激动了水面，甚至把一些山头都冲掉了，将树木、巨石、泥土堆积在尸体之上。在洪水之前，那使世界丰富美丽而被人当作偶像敬拜的金银宝石和贵重的木料，这时也照样被埋在土中不见了，巨大的水力把大石和泥土冲来，堆积在这些宝物之上，甚至有些地方堆成了大山。上帝看出罪人越富足昌盛，他们在他面前也就越发败坏。那些宝物本应使人尊荣厚赐百物的上帝，如今却被拿来当作神明敬拜，而上帝反被他们侮辱轻慢了。[10]{PP 107.4}
§22
The entire surface of the earth was changed at the Flood. A third dreadful curse rested upon it in consequence of sin. As the water began to subside, the hills and mountains were surrounded by a vast, turbid sea, Everywhere were strewn the dead bodies of men and beasts. The Lord would not permit these to remain to decompose and pollute the air, therefore He made of the earth a vast burial ground. A violent wind which was caused to blow for the purpose of drying up the waters, moved them with great force, in some instances even carrying away the tops of the mountains and heaping up trees, rocks, and earth above the bodies of the dead. By the same means the silver and gold, the choice wood and precious stones, which had enriched and adorned the world before the Flood, and which the inhabitants had idolized, were concealed from the sight and search of men, the violent action of the waters piling earth and rocks upon these treasures, and in some cases even forming mountains above them. God saw that the more He enriched and prospered sinful men, the more they would corrupt their ways before Him. The treasures that should have led them to glorify the bountiful Giver had been worshiped, while God had been dishonored and despised.{PP 107.4}[10]
§23
地上呈现出一片无法言喻的荒凉和混乱景象。从前匀称壮丽的山岭如今都崩裂成犬牙交错的了。地面上到处散布着石块和断崖。许多地方原来的大小山冈都不见了，连一点痕迹也找不到；而以前的平原上却出现了重重叠叠的山脉。这种变化在有些地方特别显著。从前盛产金银宝石的地方，所受的咒诅也是最严重的。至于无人居住和邪恶较少的地方，所受的咒诅则较轻了。[11]{PP 108.1}
§24
The earth presented an appearance of confusion and desolation impossible to describe. The mountains, once so beautiful in their perfect symmetry, had become broken and irregular. Stones, ledges, and ragged rocks were now scattered upon the surface of the earth. In many places hills and mountains had disappeared, leaving no trace where they once stood; and plains had given place to mountain ranges. These changes were more marked in some places than in others. Where once had been earths richest treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, were seen the heaviest marks of the curse. And upon countries that were not inhabited, and those where there had been the least crime, the curse rested more lightly.{PP 108.1}[11]
§25
这时，从前极大的森林也被埋在地下。后来这些森林成了煤，就是今日广大的煤层，并产生大量的油类。这些煤和油常常在地下自燃。于是岩石受热烧成石灰，铁矿也因而溶化了。水遇石灰的作用，使地下产生更大的热量，由此出现了地震、火山和喷泉等自然现象。当火与水在岩石层或矿穴中接触时，地下就发生猛烈的爆炸，如同隆隆的雷声。于是空气闷热，继而火山喷发；这些极热的物质往往得不到适当的出口，于是地壳震动，地面突起高涨，如同海中的波浪，而后就裂开，将城市、村庄和燃烧着的大山都吞了下去。这些惊人的现象，在基督降临和世界末日前，必要越来越多，越来越可怕。这就是地球即将被毁的预兆。[12]{PP 108.2}
§26
At this time immense forests were buried. These have since been changed to coal, forming the extensive coal beds that now exist, and also yielding large quantities of oil. The coal and oil frequently ignite and burn beneath the surface of the earth. Thus rocks are heated, limestone is burned, and iron ore melted. The action of the water upon the lime adds fury to the intense heat, and causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and fiery issues. As the fire and water come in contact with ledges of rock and ore, there are heavy explosions underground, which sound like muffled thunder. The air is hot and suffocating. Volcanic eruptions follow; and these often failing to give sufficient vent to the heated elements, the earth itself is convulsed, the ground heaves and swells like the waves of the sea, great fissures appear, and sometimes cities, villages, and burning mountains are swallowed up. These wonderful manifestations will be more and more frequent and terrible just before the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, as signs of its speedy destruction.{PP 108.2}[12]
§27
地的深处乃是耶和华的武库，他曾从其中拿出兵器来，毁灭洪水以前的世界。水曾从地下涌出，连同从天上降下来的雨水，一起完成了毁灭的工作。洪水以后，火也同水一样，曾作上帝毁灭罪恶极大之城邑的工具。上帝降下这些灾难，使轻视他权威并践踏他律法的人，看到他的能力而震惊战栗，从而承认他公义的至尊主权。当世人看到燃烧着的山头倾泻出火焰和熔化的矿质，使河流干涸，城邑灭绝，到处呈现出毁坏和荒凉的景象时，连勇士都要胆颤心惊，以至那些不信和亵渎上帝的人，不得不承认上帝确有无穷的权能。[13]{PP 109.1}
§28
The depths of the earth are the Lords arsenal, whence were drawn weapons to be employed in the destruction of the old world. Waters gushing from the earth united with the waters from heaven to accomplish the work of desolation. Since the Flood, fire as well as water has been Gods agent to destroy very wicked cities. These judgments are sent that those who lightly regard Gods law and trample upon His authority may be led to tremble before His power and to confess His just sovereignty. As men have beheld burning mountains pouring forth fire and flames and torrents of melted ore, drying up rivers, overwhelming populous cities, and everywhere spreading ruin and desolation, the stoutest heart has been filled with terror and infidels and blasphemers have been constrained to acknowledge the infinite power of God.{PP 109.1}[13]
§29
古时候先知曾提到过这种景象，说：“愿你裂天而降，愿山在你面前震动，好像火烧干柴，又像火将水烧开；使你敌人知道你的名，使列国在你面前发颤。你曾行我们不能预料、可畏的事；那时你降临，山岭在你面前震动。”（赛64:1-3）“耶和华……乘旋风和暴风而来，云彩为他脚下的尘土；他斥责海，使海干了，使一切江河干涸。”（鸿1:3-4）[14]{PP 109.2}
§30
Said the prophets of old, referring to scenes like these: Oh that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence, as when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make Thy name known to Thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Thy presence! When Thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, Thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at Thy presence. Isaiah 64:1-3. The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers. Nahum 1:3, 4.{PP 109.2}[14]
§31
在基督再来的时候，世人必要看见从来没有见过的可怕现象。“大山因他震动，小山也都消化；大地在他面前突起，世界和住在其间的，也都如此。他发愤恨，谁能立得住呢？他发烈怒，谁能当得起呢？”（鸿1:5-6）“耶和华啊，求你使天下垂，亲自降临，摸山，山就冒烟。求你发出闪电，使他们四散；射出你的箭，使他们扰乱。”（诗144:5-6）[15]{PP 109.3}
§32
More terrible manifestations than the world has ever yet beheld, will be witnessed at the second advent of Christ. The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at His presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before His indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? Nahum 1:5, 6. Bow Thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out Thine arrows, and destroy them. Psalm 144:5, 6. {PP 109.3}[15]
§33
“在天上我要显出奇事，在地下我要显出神迹，有血、有火、有烟雾。”（徒2:19）“又有闪电、声音、雷轰、大地震。自从地上有人以来，没有这样大、这样厉害的地震。”“各海岛都逃避了，众山也不见了，又有大雹子从天落在人身上，每一个约重一他连得。（约九十斤）”（启16:18；20-21）[16]{PP 110.1}
§34
I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. Acts 2:19. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent. Revelation 16:18, 20, 21.{PP 110.1}[16]
§35
当天上的闪电和地上的火焰互相接触的时候，众山就要燃烧像火窑一般，并要倾泻出一股炽烈的熔岩洪流，摧毁田园、乡村和城邑。沸腾的熔岩要被倾入江河之中，使众水滚沸。又有非常巨大的力量射出大石，并散布碎石片于地上。河水必要干涸，地必要震动，到处都有可怕的地震和爆炸。[17]{PP 110.2}
§36
As lightnings from heaven unite with the fire in the earth, the mountains will burn like a furnace, and will pour forth terrific streams of lava, overwhelming gardens and fields, villages and cities. Seething molten masses thrown into the rivers will cause the waters to boil, sending forth massive rocks with indescribable violence and scattering their broken fragments upon the land. Rivers will be dried up. The earth will be convulsed; everywhere there will be dreadful earthquakes and eruptions.{PP 110.2}[17]
§37
上帝必要这样将恶人从地上除灭。但是义人必会在这惊涛骇浪之中得蒙保存，如同挪亚在方舟里得蒙保存一样。上帝必要作他们的避难所，他们必会在他的翅膀底下得庇护。诗人这样说：“耶和华是我的避难所，你已将至高者当你的居所。祸患必不临到你。”“因为我遭遇患难，他必暗暗地保守我；在他亭子里，把我藏在他帐幕的隐密处。”上帝的应许是：“因为他专心爱我，我就要搭救他。因为他知道我的名，我要把他安置在高处。”（诗91:9,10,14；27:5）[18]{PP 110.3}
§38
Thus God will destroy the wicked from off the earth. But the righteous will be preserved in the midst of these commotions, as Noah was preserved in the ark. God will be their refuge, and under His wings shall they trust. Says the psalmist: Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee. Psalm 91:9, 10. In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me. Psalm 27:5. Gods promise is, Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. Psalm 91:14.{PP 110.3}[18]