第09章 七日的周期
§1
第09章 七日的周期
§2
Chap. 9 - The Literal Week
§3
七日的周期正如安息日一样，是从创造的时候起始的，并且借着《圣经》的历史保留直到如今。上帝亲自划出第一个周期作为示范，使七日的周期从此延续下去，直到末时。第一个周期也像后来的每一个周期一样，就是实实在在的七天。上帝用头六天作创造之工，第七日他安息了，他于是就赐福给第七日，并分别为圣，作为人类安息的日子。[1]{PP 111.1}
§4
Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the first week as a sample for successive weeks to the close of time. Like every other, it consisted of seven literal days. Six days were employed in the work of creation; upon the seventh, God rested, and He then blessed this day and set it apart as a day of rest for man.{PP 111.1}[1]
§5
上帝在西奈山颁布律法的时候，他承认了这七日的周期，并周期所根据的事实。在他颁布“当记念安息日，守为圣日”的命令，并列举六日所该作的事，和第七日所不该作的事之后，他就指出自己的榜样作为遵守安息日的理由：“因为六日之内，耶和华造天、地、海和其中的万物，第七日便安息；所以耶和华赐福与安息日，定为圣日。”（出20:8-11）我们若明白创造周期的日子，每天是二十四小时，那么，这个理由就显得美妙而有力了。每周的头六天是给人作工的，因为上帝用第一个周期中的头六天来作创造之工。在第七天，人要停止工作，来纪念创造主的安息。[2]{PP 111.2}
§6
In the law given from Sinai, God recognized the week, and the facts upon which it is based. After giving the command, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, and specifying what shall be done on the six days, and what shall not be done on the seventh, He states the reason for thus observing the week, by pointing back to His own example: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11. This reason appears beautiful and forcible when we understand the days of creation to be literal. The first six days of each week are given to man for labor, because God employed the same period of the first week in the work of creation. On the seventh day man is to refrain from labor, in commemoration of the Creators rest.{PP 111.2}[2]
§7
但有人假定第一周的大事需要千千万万年来完成的，这样就直接打击了第四条诫命的基础。这种说法的意思就是创造主命令人遵守的七日的周期，是来纪念几个渺茫无限的时代。但这是与上帝对待他创造之人所用的方法不相符的。它把上帝宣示明白的事，变得无定期和模糊不清了。这是最狡猾最危险的一种谬论；并且这种谬论真正的性质又是那么巧妙地被掩饰起来，以至许多自称相信《圣经》的人，也接受并传讲这种谬论了。[3]{PP 111.3}
§8
But the assumption that the events of the first week required thousands upon thousands of years, strikes directly at the foundation of the fourth commandment. It represents the Creator as commanding men to observe the week of literal days in commemoration of vast, indefinite periods. This is unlike His method of dealing with His creatures. It makes indefinite and obscure that which He has made very plain. It is infidelity in its most insidious and hence most dangerous form; its real character is so disguised that it is held and taught by many who profess to believe the Bible. {PP 111.3}[3]
§9
“诸天借耶和华的命而造，万象借他口中的气而成。”“因为他说有，就有；命立，就立。”（诗33:6,9）《圣经》不承认地球是经过悠久的时期，从洪荒状态渐渐进化而来的。在上帝每天创造完工之后，《圣经》的记载都是说，那一天有晚上，有早晨，正如后来一切的日子一样。每天到了晚上的时候，都记载着创造主工作的成绩。第一周记录的结尾，记载如下，说：“创造天地的来历，在耶和华上帝造天地的日子，乃是这样。”（创2:4）这里并没有说创造天地的日子，是七个悠久渺茫的时期。[4]{PP 112.1}
§10
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6, 9. The Bible recognizes no long ages in which the earth was slowly evolved from chaos. Of each successive day of creation, the sacred record declares that it consisted of the evening and the morning, like all other days that have followed. At the close of each day is given the result of the Creators work. The statement is made at the close of the first weeks record, These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created. Genesis 2:4. But this does not convey the idea that the days of creation were other than literal days. Each day was called a generation, because that in it God generated, or produced, some new portion of His work.{PP 112.1}[4]
§11
近代有一些地质学家声称，他们已探索到地壳中的凭据，并证明地球的起源远比摩西所记载的时期为早。据说他们已经发现人和兽的骸骨，以及作战的武器，树木的化石等物，这些东西比现在所有的大得多了，或者是千千万万年以前的东西；从此他们就推论地球在创世记所记载的时期之前，早已有人居住，并且那时的人比现在的人高大得多。这种论证使许多相信《圣经》的人也采取同样的观点，而主张创造的日子乃是渺茫无限的时期。[5]{PP 112.2}
§12
Geologists claim to find evidence from the earth itself that it is very much older than the Mosaic record teaches. Bones of men and animals, as well as instruments of warfare, petrified trees, et cetera, much larger than any that now exist, or that have existed for thousands of years, have been discovered, and from this it is inferred that the earth was populated long before the time brought to view in the record of creation, and by a race of beings vastly superior in size to any men now living. Such reasoning has led many professed Bible believers to adopt the position that the days of creation were vast, indefinite periods.{PP 112.2}[5]
§13
其实，除了《圣经》的历史之外，地质学并不能证实任何事物。那些以自己的发现为有力的论据之人，却对洪水以前的人类、禽兽和树木的大小，或那时所发生的巨大改变，都没有充分的认识。在地下所发现的遗物，固然可以证明那时的情形与现今确有许多不同之处。但是这些情形存在的时代，只有根据《圣经》的记载才能确定。《圣经》内所记载的洪水泛滥史迹，是地质学家依靠自己所永远不能推测出来的。挪亚时代的人和动植物比现代的大过数倍，他们都已埋在地下，借此保留作为后世的凭据，证明那时的世界是被洪水所灭的。上帝令这些遗迹被发现，旨在使人更相信《圣经》的记载；但是世人因他们虚妄的推论，竟蹈洪水以前之人的覆辙——妄用上帝赐人获益的东西，反而使之成为咒诅了。[6]{PP 112.3}
§14
But apart from Bible history, geology can prove nothing. Those who reason so confidently upon its discoveries have no adequate conception of the size of men, animals, and trees before the Flood, or of the great changes which then took place. Relics found in the earth do give evidence of conditions differing in many respects from the present, but the time when these conditions existed can be learned only from the Inspired Record. In the history of the Flood, inspiration has explained that which geology alone could never fathom. In the days of Noah, men, animals, and trees, many times larger than now exist, were buried, and thus preserved as an evidence to later generations that the antediluvians perished by a flood. God designed that the discovery of these things should establish faith in inspired history; but men, with their vain reasoning, fall into the same error as did the people before the Flood--the things which God gave them as a benefit, they turn into a curse by making a wrong use of them. {PP 112.3}[6]
§15
这是撒但的计策，意在引诱人接受不信上帝之人所说虚空的妄言；因为如此，他就能使人看不清那原来很容易明白的上帝的律法，并使他们敢于反抗上帝的政权。撒但要特别努力攻击第四条诫命，因为这一条是那么清楚地向人指出永生的上帝就是创造天地的主宰。[7]{PP 113.1}
§16
It is one of Satans devices to lead the people to accept the fables of infidelity; for he can thus obscure the law of God, in itself very plain, and embolden men to rebel against the divine government. His efforts are especially directed against the fourth commandment, because it so clearly points to the living God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth.{PP 113.1}[7]
§17
世人经常设法，要把创造之工解释为自然的结果；连那些自称为基督徒的人，也常接受人的理论，来反对《圣经》所记的明显的事实。许多人反对查考《圣经》的预言，尤其是但以理和启示录的预言，说这些预言太深奥，是我们所不能明白的；而同时，他们却接受地质学家所提出与摩西记载相抵触的臆测和假定。如果上帝所启示的事真的那么难以明白，那么，一些人对上帝没有启示过的事所作的推测，他们反倒接受，这是多么的自相矛盾啊？[8]{PP 113.2}
§18
There is a constant effort made to explain the work of creation as the result of natural causes; and human reasoning is accepted even by professed Christians, in opposition to plain Scripture facts. There are many who oppose the investigation of the prophecies, especially those of Daniel and the Revelation, declaring them to be so obscure that we cannot understand them; yet these very persons eagerly receive the suppositions of geologists, in contradiction of the Mosaic record. But if that which God has revealed is so difficult to understand, how inconsistent it is to accept mere suppositions in regard to that which He has not revealed!{PP 113.2}[8]
§19
“隐秘的事，是属耶和华我们上帝的，唯有明显的事，是永远属我们和我们子孙的。”（申29:29）上帝究竟如何作成创造之工，他从来没有启示给人；人类的科学决不能查出至高者的秘密。他创造的能力和他的存在，同是人所不能明白的。[9]{PP 113.3}
§20
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever. Deuteronomy 29:29. Just how God accomplished the work of creation He has never revealed to men; human science cannot search out the secrets of the Most High. His creative power is as incomprehensible as His existence.{PP 113.3}[9]
§21
上帝已经将充足的光亮，照耀在世人科学和美术的研究上。但当那些自称有科学知识的人，单凭人的观点来看这些问题时，他们就必要得到错误的结论。如果我们要臆测上帝所没有启示的事，而我们的学说与《圣经》的事实也没有抵触，这样或许还没有多少害处；但是那些离弃《圣经》，而想单凭科学原理来解释上帝创造之工的人，正像没有航海图或指南针的人，在未名的海洋中飘荡一样。世上最大的思想家，在他们的研究上若没有上帝圣言的指导，而企图探索科学与《圣经》的关系，必至彷徨歧路。因为创造主和他的作为，远非他们的理解力所能领会；他们既不能用自然律去解释他的作为，就认定《圣经》的历史为不可靠。那些怀疑新旧约《圣经》记载的人，必要进一步怀疑上帝的存在；这样，他们就像无锚的船，至终必要撞在不信的礁石上。[10]{PP 113.4}
§22
God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in both science and art; but when professedly scientific men treat upon these subjects from a merely human point of view, they will assuredly come to wrong conclusions. It may be innocent to speculate beyond what Gods word has revealed, if our theories do not contradict facts found in the Scriptures; but those who leave the word of God, and seek to account for His created works upon scientific principles, are drifting without chart or compass upon an unknown ocean. The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to trace the relations of science and revelation. Because the Creator and His works are so far beyond their comprehension that they are unable to explain them by natural laws, they regard Bible history as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments, will be led to go a step further, and doubt the existence of God; and then, having lost their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. {PP 113.4}[10]
§23
这些人已经丧失了淳朴的信心。人应当确信上帝圣言的权威。《圣经》是不能用世人的科学观念来试验的。人类的知识原是不可靠的向导。怀疑派阅读《圣经》为的是吹毛求疵，他们对科学和《圣经》的启示既都是一知半解，所以不免在这二者之间看到矛盾的地方；其实，他们若能真的彻底明白《圣经》与科学，就必看出二者之间是完全和谐的。摩西的著作是在上帝圣灵引导之下所写成的；故正确的地质学决不致有什么发现与摩西的言论不符。一切的真理，无论是在自然界中或是在《圣经》里，其所显出的都是互相一致的。[11]{PP 114.1}
§24
These persons have lost the simplicity of faith. There should be a settled belief in the divine authority of Gods Holy Word. The Bible is not to be tested by mens ideas of science. Human knowledge is an unreliable guide. Skeptics who read the Bible for the sake of caviling, may, through an imperfect comprehension of either science or revelation, claim to find contradictions between them; but rightly understood, they are in perfect harmony. Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with his statements. All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in all its manifestations.{PP 114.1}[11]
§25
在《圣经》中有许多问题，是最渊博的学者所永不能解答的。上帝要我们注意这些问题，乃是使我们看出连日常生活普通的事物中也有不少奥秘，是智能有限而自夸聪明的人所永不能充分了解的。[12]{PP 114.2}
§26
In the word of God many queries are raised that the most profound scholars can never answer. Attention is called to these subjects to show us how much there is, even among the common things of everyday life, that finite minds, with all their boasted wisdom, can never fully understand.{PP 114.2}[12]
§27
虽然如此，一些科学家还以为自己能测度上帝的智慧，就是他过去或现在所有的作为。许多人相信上帝已为他自己的定律所限制。世人若不是公然否认上帝的存在，就是故意的不理会他的存在，或者是想要解释一切的问题，甚至连圣灵如何在人心中运行，他们也想要解释；如此，他们就不再敬畏上帝的圣名和他的权能了。他们不相信超自然的能力，不明白上帝的定律，也不明白上帝借着自然律施行他自己旨意的无穷能力。普通之所谓“自然律”一词，不过包含世人所能发现有关管理物质世界的定律；但他们的知识是多么有限，而创造主凭着自己的定律所能运行的事，其范围是多么广大，而且完全超乎有限的人类所能领悟的程度啊！[13]{PP 114.3}
§28
Yet men of science think that they can comprehend the wisdom of God, that which He has done or can do. The idea largely prevails that He is restricted by His own laws. Men either deny or ignore His existence, or think to explain everything, even the operation of His Spirit upon the human heart; and they no longer reverence His name or fear His power. They do not believe in the supernatural, not understanding Gods laws or His infinite power to work His will through them. As commonly used, the term laws of nature comprises what men have been able to discover with regard to the laws that govern the physical world; but how limited is their knowledge, and how vast the field in which the Creator can work in harmony with His own laws and yet wholly beyond the comprehension of finite beings!{PP 114.3}[13]
§29
许多人说，物质本身具有能力，就是说物质赋有某种特性，能靠它内在的能力来活动；又说，自然界的一切作用是循着不变的定律，连上帝自己也不能加以干涉，其实，这是荒谬的科学，是《圣经》所不能支持的。原来大自然为创造大自然之主所役使。上帝决不废除自己的定律，也不违反定律行事；却常用定律作他的工具。大自然界证明有一位全智者，一位神，一种活的动力，凭着自然律在其中运行。在自然界中有圣父和圣子经常不断在工作着。基督说：“我父作事直到如今，我也作事。”（约5:17）[14]{PP 114.4}
§30
Many teach that matter possesses vital power--that certain properties are imparted to matter, and it is then left to act through its own inherent energy; and that the operations of nature are conducted in harmony with fixed laws, with which God Himself cannot interfere. This is false science, and is not sustained by the word of God. Nature is the servant of her Creator. God does not annul His laws or work contrary to them, but He is continually using them as His instruments. Nature testifies of an intelligence, a presence, an active energy, that works in and through her laws. There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son. Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. John 5:17. {PP 114.4}[14]
§31
尼希米所抄录的利未人歌唱的圣诗说：“你，唯独你，是耶和华，你造了天和天上的天，并天上的万象，地和地上的万物……，这一切都是你所保存的。”（尼9:6）就这个世界而论，上帝创造之工已经完成了。因为“造物之工，从创世以来已经成全了。“（来4:3）可是他的能力如今仍在维持着所造的万物。脉搏呼吸之所以经常循环不息，并不是由于机械式的作用，也不是一经发动就可凭它内在的能力而运行不已的；其实每一呼吸，每一心跳，都说明“我们生活、动作、存留，都在乎他”（徒17:28）的上帝无微不至的眷顾。大地年年出产丰富，继续绕着太阳公转，并不是由于它内在的力量；乃是因为有上帝的手引领着一切的星球，使它们照着一定的轨道在天空运行。他“按数目领出，他一一称其名，因他的权能，又因他的大能大力，连一个都不缺。”（赛40:26）植物长叶开花，秀发繁茂，也是靠着上帝的能力。他“使草生长在山上，”（诗147:8）借着他，山谷中结果累累。林中的百兽都向上帝寻求食物，（见诗104:20-21）各样生物，从最微小的昆虫起，直到人类为止，每天都依靠上帝慈爱的照顾。诗人曾有这样的佳句说：“这都仰望你。……你给他们，他们便拾起来；你张手，他们得饱美食。”（诗104:27-28）上帝发命令管理一切的自然力，他“用云遮天，为地降雨。”“他降雪如羊毛，撒霜如炉灰。”“他一发声，空中便有多水激动；他使云雾从地极上腾；他造电随雨而闪，从他府库中带出风来。”（147:8,16；耶10:13）[15]{PP 115.1}
§32
The Levites, in their hymn recorded by Nehemiah, sang, Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things therein, . . . and Thou preservest them all. Nehemiah 9:6. As regards this world, Gods work of creation is completed. For the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:3. But His energy is still exerted in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism that has once been set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath follows breath; but every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the all-pervading care of Him in whom we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion around the sun. The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. He bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth. Isaiah 40:26. It is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. He maketh grass to grow upon the mountains (Psalm 147:8), and by Him the valleys are made fruitful. All the beasts of the forest . . . seek their meat from God, and every living creature, from the smallest insect up to man, is daily dependent upon His providential care. In the beautiful words of the psalmist, These wait all upon Thee. . . . That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. Psalm 104:20, 21, 27, 28. His word controls the elements; He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. Psalm 147:16. When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries. Jeremiah 10:13.{PP 115.1}[15]
§33
上帝是万物的根源。一切真科学都是与他的作为一致的；一切真教育是引人顺服他的管理的。真科学把新奇的事展开在我们面前；它探索高深的事物；但是真科学所探讨的事与上帝的启示是没有冲突的。不认识上帝的人固然想借助于科学，来支持他们对上帝所有错误的观念；但自然界的记录与上帝的话是互相晖映的。都足以引我们敬拜创造的主，并凭着理智信靠他的话语。[16]{PP 115.2}
§34
God is the foundation of everything. All true science is in harmony with His works; all true education leads to obedience to His government. Science opens new wonders to our view; she soars high, and explores new depths; but she brings nothing from her research that conflicts with divine revelation. Ignorance may seek to support false views of God by appeals to science, but the book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. We are thus led to adore the Creator and to have an intelligent trust in His word.{PP 115.2}[16]
§35
智力有限的人类，万不能完全明白无限者的存在，以及他的权能、智慧，和他的作为。《圣经》上说：“你考察，就能测透上帝吗？你岂能尽情测透全能者吗！他的智慧高于天，你还能作什么？深于阴间，你还能知道什么？其量，比地长，比海宽。”（伯11:7-9）就是地上学问最渊博的人，也不能明白上帝。世人尽管考察，研究，但仍有无限的范围是他们所考察不到的。[17]{PP 116.1}
§36
No finite mind can fully comprehend the existence, the power, the wisdom, or the works of the Infinite One. Says the sacred writer: Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job 11:7-9. The mightiest intellects of earth cannot comprehend God. Men may be ever searching, ever learning, and still there is an infinity beyond.{PP 116.1}[17]
§37
虽然如此，但上帝所创造的万物，都证明上帝的权能和伟大。“诸天述说上帝的荣耀；穹苍传扬他的手段。”（诗19:1）凡是以上帝的话为南针的人，必能看出科学是帮助他们认识上帝的。“自从造天地以来，上帝的永能和神性是明明可知的，虽是眼不能见，但借着所造之物就可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。”（罗1:20）[18]{PP 116.2}
§38
Yet the works of creation testify of Gods power and greatness. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Psalm 19:1. Those who take the written word as their counselor will find in science an aid to understand God. The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. Romans 1:20.{PP 116.2}[18]