第22章 “这尼尼微大城”
§1
第22章 “这尼尼微大城”
§2
Chap. 22 - Nineveh, That Great City
§3
亚述国的首都尼尼微，乃是以色列分国以后古代最大城市之一。在巴别塔人口分散之后不久，该城就建立在底格里斯河肥沃的岸边，经过许多世纪之后，渐渐兴旺，直到成了“极大的城，有三日的路程。”（拿3:3）[1]{PK 265.1}
§4
Among the cities of the ancient world in the days of divided Israel one of the greatest was Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian realm. Founded on the fertile bank of the Tigris, soon after the dispersion from the tower of Babel, it had flourished through the centuries until it had become an exceeding great city of three days journey. Jonah 3:3.{PK 265.1}[1]
§5
尼尼微在其短暂的极盛时期，乃是一个罪恶的渊薮。《圣经》形容它是“流人血的城，充满谎诈和强暴。”（鸿3:1）先知那鸿用比喻的话把尼尼微人比作残酷、凶猛的狮子。他问道：“你所行的恶，谁没有时常遭遇呢？”（鸿3:19）[2]{PK 265.2}
§6
In the time of its temporal prosperity Nineveh was a center of crime and wickedness. Inspiration has characterized it as the bloody city, . . . full of lies and robbery. In figurative language the prophet Nahum compared the Ninevites to a cruel, ravenous lion. Upon whom, he inquired, hath not thy wickedness passed continually? Nahum 3:1, 19.{PK 265.2}[2]
§7
尼尼微已变为邪恶，但还没有完全沉溺于罪恶之中。那位“看见一切的世人，”并且“看见各样宝物”的主，（诗33:13；伯28:10）洞察到那城中也有许多人渴望更佳美、更高尚的事物，只要予以认识永生上帝的机会，他们就必放弃恶行来敬拜他了。因此上帝就本乎他的智慧，而以明确无误的方式向他们显示自己，尽可能地引领他们悔改。[3]{PK 265.3}
§8
Yet Nineveh, wicked though it had become, was not wholly given over to evil. He who beholdeth all the sons of men (Psalm 33:13) and seeth every precious thing (Job 28:10) perceived in that city many who were reaching out after something better and higher, and who, if granted opportunity to learn of the living God, would put away their evil deeds and worship Him. And so in His wisdom God revealed Himself to them in an unmistakable manner, to lead them, if possible, to repentance.{PK 265.3}[3]
§9
那蒙拣选来进行这番工作的器皿，就是亚米太的儿子先知约拿。主的话临到他说：“你起来往尼尼微大城去，向其中的居民呼喊；因为他们的恶达到我面前。”(拿1:1-2)[4]{PK 266.1}
§10
The instrument chosen for this work was the prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai. To him came the word of the Lord, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me. Jonah 1:1, 2.{PK 266.1}[4]
§11
当先知考虑到这项使命所有的困难和显然无法达成时，他就受试探而怀疑这个呼召的是否明智了。从世人的观点看来，到那个骄奢的城市中去宣布这样的一项信息，似乎不可能有所收获。他一时竟忘记自己所侍奉的上帝乃是全智全能的。因此当他还在迟疑不决的时候，撒但就以灰心丧志将他制服了。先知起了极大的恐惧，于是就“起来，逃往他施去。”他下到约帕去，在那里找到一只正准备开航的船，“他就给了船价，上了船，要与船上的人同往他施去。”（拿1:3）[5]{PK 266.2}
§12
As the prophet thought of the difficulties and seeming impossibilities of this commission, he was tempted to question the wisdom of the call. From a human viewpoint it seemed as if nothing could be gained by proclaiming such a message in that proud city. He forgot for the moment that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement. The prophet was seized with a great dread, and he rose up to flee unto Tarshish. Going to Joppa, and finding there a ship ready to sail, he paid the fare thereof and went down into it, to go with them. Verse 3.{PK 266.2}[5]
§13
约拿在所领受的使命中，已蒙赋予一项重大的责任；然而那位吩咐他去的主，足能支持他的仆人并使他成功。先知若毫不迟疑地加以顺从，就必免去许多痛苦的经验，并得蒙丰厚的福惠。但是在约拿绝望的时刻，主也没有撇弃他。由于一连串的考验和神奇的安排，先知对于上帝和他无穷能力的信心就得以复兴了。[6]{PK 266.3}
§14
In the charge given him, Jonah had been entrusted with a heavy responsibility; yet He who had bidden him go was able to sustain His servant and grant him success. Had the prophet obeyed unquestioningly, he would have been spared many bitter experiences, and would have been blessed abundantly. Yet in the hour of Jonahs despair the Lord did not desert him. Through a series of trials and strange providences, the prophets confidence in God and in His infinite power to save was to be revived.{PK 266.3}[6]
§15
约拿在这呼召最初临到他时，若能冷静地思考一下，他可能会看出自己竭力想逃避那加于他的责任，乃是何等的愚蠢。但他在疯狂的逃遁中，没有多久就遇到阻碍了。“耶和华使海中起大风，海就狂风大作，甚至船几乎破坏。水手便惧怕，各人哀求自己的神；他们将船上的货物抛在海中，为要使船轻些。约拿已下到底舱，躺卧沉睡。”（拿1:4-5）[7]{PK 267.1}
§16
If, when the call first came to him, Jonah had stopped to consider calmly, he might have known how foolish would be any effort on his part to escape the responsibility placed upon him. But not for long was he permitted to go on undisturbed in his mad flight. The Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. Verses 4, 5.{PK 267.1}[7]
§17
当船上的水手都在哀求他们异教的神祗施予帮助时，船主惊惶失措地找到了约拿，对他说：“你这沉睡的人哪，为何这样呢？起来，求告你的神，或者神顾念我们，使我们不至灭亡。”（拿1:6）[8]{PK 267.2}
§18
As the mariners were beseeching their heathen gods for help, the master of the ship, distressed beyond measure, sought out Jonah and said, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. Verse 6.{PK 267.2}[8]
§19
但这个规避责任之人所献的祷告并没有什么帮助。水手们觉得这次奇特而猛烈的风暴，乃是他们神明发怒的朕兆，所以最后提议掣签的方法，他们说：“看看这灾临到我们是因谁的缘故。”“于是他们掣签，掣出约拿来。众人对他说：请你告诉我们，这灾到我们是因谁的缘故；你以何事为业？你从哪里来？你是哪一国，属哪一族的人？[9]{PK 267.3}
§20
But the prayers of the man who had turned aside from the path of duty brought no help. The mariners, impressed with the thought that the strange violence of the storm betokened the anger of their gods, proposed as a last resort the casting of lots, that we may know, they said, for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; what is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? {PK 267.3}[9]
§21
他说：我是希伯来人；我敬畏耶和华，那创造沧海旱地之天上的上帝。[10]{PK 268.1}
§22
And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.{PK 268.1}[10]
§23
他们就大大惧怕，对他说：你作的是什么事呢？他们已经知道他躲避耶和华，因为他告诉了他们。[11]{PK 268.2}
§24
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.{PK 268.2}[11]
§25
他们问他说：我们当向你怎样行，使海浪平静呢？这话是因海浪越发翻腾。他对他们说：你们将我抬起来，抛在海中，海就平静了；我知道你们遭这大风，是因我的缘故。[12]{PK 268.3}
§26
Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.{PK 268.3}[12]
§27
然而那些人竭力荡桨，要把船拢岸，却是不能；因为海浪越发向他们翻腾。他们便求告耶和华说：耶和华啊，我们恳求你，不要因这人的性命使我们死亡，不要使流无辜血的罪归与我们；因为你耶和华是随自己的意旨行事。他们遂将约拿抬起抛在海中，海的狂浪就平息了。那些人便大大敬畏耶和华，向耶和华献祭，并且许愿。[13]{PK 268.4}
§28
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech Thee, O Lord, we beseech Thee, let us not perish for this mans life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for Thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased Thee. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.{PK 268.4}[13]
§29
耶和华安排一条大鱼吞了约拿。他在鱼腹中三日三夜。[14]{PK 268.5}
§30
Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.{PK 268.5}[14]
§31
约拿在鱼腹中祷告耶和华他的上帝，说：‘我遭遇患难求告耶和华，你就应允我；从阴间的深处呼求，你就俯听我的声音。你将我投下深渊，就是海的深处；大水环绕我，你的波浪洪涛都漫过我身。我说，我从你眼前虽被驱逐，我仍要仰望你的圣殿。诸水环绕我，几乎淹没我。深渊围住我，海草缠绕我的头。我下到山根，地的门将我永远关住。耶和华我的上帝啊，你却将我的性命从坑中救出来。我心在我里面发昏的时候，我就想念耶和华。我的祷告进入你的圣殿，达到你的面前。那信奉虚无之神的人离弃怜爱他们的主。但我必用感谢的声音献祭与你。我所许的愿，我必偿还。救恩出于耶和华。’（拿1:7-2:9）[15]{PK 268.6}
§32
Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fishs belly, and said: I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, And He heard me; Out of the belly of hell cried I, And Thou heardest my voice. For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, In the midst of the seas; And the floods compassed me about: And Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of Thy sight; Yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, Even to the soul: The depth closed me round about, The weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; The earth with her bars was about me forever: Yet hast Thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: And my prayer came in unto Thee, Into Thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. Verse 7 to 2:9.{PK 268.6}[15]
§33
约拿终于明白了“救恩属乎耶和华。”（诗3:8）那随悔改与承认上帝救恩以俱来的乃是拯救。于是约拿就脱离了深渊的危险，而被抛在旱地上了。[16]{PK 269.1}
§34
At last Jonah had learned that salvation belongeth unto the Lord. Psalm 3:8. With penitence and a recognition of the saving grace of God, came deliverance. Jonah was released from the perils of the mighty deep and was cast upon the dry land.{PK 269.1}[16]
§35
上帝的仆人又再度受命去警告尼尼微。“耶和华的话二次临到约拿，说：你起来，往尼尼微大城去，向其中的居民宣告我所吩咐你的话。”他这次并没有迟疑问难，却毫不犹豫地听从了。他“便照耶和华的话起来，往尼尼微去。”（拿3:1-3）[17]{PK 269.2}
§36
Once more the servant of God was commissioned to warn Nineveh. The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. This time he did not stop to question or doubt, but obeyed unhesitatingly. He arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Jonah 3:1-3.{PK 269.2}[17]
§37
约拿进了城，便立时“宣告”这信息说：“再等四十日，尼尼微必倾覆了。”（拿3:4）他从这条街走到那条街，大声宣布警告。[18]{PK 270.1}
§38
As Jonah entered the city, he began at once to cry against it the message, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Verse 4. From street to street he went, sounding the note of warning.{PK 270.1}[18]
§39
这信息并没有归于徒然。在这不敬上帝之城的街道上所扬起的呼声，众口交传，直到全城的居民都听到了这惊人的宣告。上帝的灵使这信息打动了众人的心，以致成群的人因自己的罪孽而恐惧战兢，虚心痛悔。[19]{PK 270.2}
§40
The message was not in vain. The cry that rang through the streets of the godless city was passed from lip to lip until all the inhabitants had heard the startling announcement. The Spirit of God pressed the message home to every heart and caused multitudes to tremble because of their sins and to repent in deep humiliation.{PK 270.2}[19]
§41
“尼尼微人信服上帝，便宣告禁食，从最大的到至小的，都穿麻衣。这信息传到尼尼微王的耳中，他就下了宝座，脱下朝服，披上麻布，坐在灰中。他又使人遍告尼尼微通城说：王和大臣有令，人不可尝什么；牲畜、牛羊不可吃草，也不可喝水。人与牲畜都当披上麻布，人要切切求告上帝；各人回头离开所行的恶道，丢弃手中的强暴。或者上帝转意后悔，不发烈怒，使我们不至灭亡，也未可知。”（拿3:5-9）[20]{PK 270.3}
§42
The people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he causeth it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything: let them not feed, nor drink water: but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not? Verses 5-9.{PK 270.3}[20]
§43
当国王、臣宰和大小庶民“听了约拿所传的，就悔改”并一致向天上的上帝呼吁时（太12:41），他就赐恩给他们。他“察看他们的行为，见他们离开恶道；他就后悔，不把所说的灾祸降与他们了。”（拿3:10）他们的厄运得以避免；而以色列的上帝就在外邦世界中到处被高举、得尊荣，他的律法也受敬重了。此后，尼尼微过了许多年，才因忘记上帝和夸大狂傲而被四围列国所攻陷。（关于亚述国的衰落与覆亡经过，请参阅本书第三十章）[21]{PK 270.4}
§44
As king and nobles, with the common people, the high and the low, repented at the preaching of Jonas (Matthew 12:41) and united in crying to the God of heaven, His mercy was granted them. He saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not. Jonah 3:10. Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted and honored throughout the heathen world, and His law was revered. Not until many years later was Nineveh to fall a prey to the surrounding nations through forgetfulness of God and through boastful pride. [For an account of the downfall of Assyria, see chapter 30.]{PK 270.4}[21]
§45
约拿既得悉上帝并不追究尼尼微人的邪恶，却因他们的受劝披麻蒙灰而悔改，便定意饶恕他们，他理应最先因上帝奇妙的恩典而欣喜；但他反倒一心想着自己可能会被视为假先知的事。他只顾自己的名誉，而没有想到在那可怜的城市中许多较比贵重得多的生灵。上帝向悔改的尼尼微人所显示的怜悯，竟使“约拿大大不悦，且甚发怒。”他质问主说：“我在本国的时候，岂不是这样说吗？我知道你是有恩典、有怜悯的上帝，不轻易发怒，有丰盛的慈爱，并且后悔不降所说的灾；所以我急速逃往他施去。”（拿4:1-2）[22]{PK 271.1}
§46
When Jonah learned of Gods purpose to spare the city that, notwithstanding its wickedness, had been led to repent in sackcloth and ashes, he should have been the first to rejoice because of Gods amazing grace; but instead he allowed his mind to dwell upon the possibility of his being regarded as a false prophet. Jealous of his reputation, he lost sight of the infinitely greater value of the souls in that wretched city. The compassion shown by God toward the repentant Ninevites displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Was not this my saying, he inquired of the Lord, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil. Jonah 4:1, 2.{PK 271.1}[22]
§47
约拿再度屈从自己怀疑问难的癖性，于是就再度被灰心失望所压倒了。他忽略了他人的幸福，只觉得自己宁可死去，也不愿活着见到这城得蒙宽恕，他便非常不满地呼求说：“耶和华啊，现在求你取我的命吧；因为我死了比活着还好。”[23]{PK 271.2}
§48
Once more he yielded to his inclination to question and doubt, and once more he was overwhelmed with discouragement. Losing sight of the interests of others, and feeling as if he would rather die than live to see the city spared, in his dissatisfaction he exclaimed, Now, O Lord, take, I beseech Thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. {PK 271.2}[23]
§49
耶和华问道：“你这样发怒合乎理吗？”“于是约拿出城，坐在城的东边，在那里为自己搭了一座棚，坐在棚的荫下，要看看那城究竟如何。耶和华上帝安排一棵蓖麻，使其发生高过约拿，影儿遮盖他的头，救他脱离苦楚。约拿因这棵蓖麻大大喜乐。”（拿4:3-6）[24]{PK 272.1}
§50
Doest thou well to be angry? the Lord inquired. So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. Verses 3-6.{PK 272.1}[24]
§51
于是上帝就赐给约拿一项实例的教训。“次日黎明，上帝却安排一条虫子。咬这蓖麻，以致枯槁。日头出来的时候，上帝安排炎热的东风；日头暴晒约拿的头使他发昏，他就为自己求死，说：我死了比活着还好。”[25]{PK 272.2}
§52
Then the Lord gave Jonah an object lesson. He prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.{PK 272.2}[25]
§53
上帝又对他的先知说：“你因这棵蓖麻发怒合乎理吗？”他就说：“我发怒以至于死，都合乎理。”[26]{PK 272.3}
§54
Again God spoke to His prophet, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.{PK 272.3}[26]
§55
“耶和华说：这蓖麻不是你栽种的，也不是你培养的，一夜发生，一夜干死，你尚且爱惜；何况这尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二万多人，并有许多牲畜；我岂能不爱惜呢？”（拿4:7-11）[27]{PK 272.4}
§56
Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: and should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? Verses 7-11.{PK 272.4}[27]
§57
约拿虽然满心困惑，自觉羞愧，不能了解上帝为什么宽恕尼尼微，但总算是完成了所交付与他警告那大城的使命；虽然所预言的事并未实现，但这警告的信息仍然是从上帝而来的。而且这信息也成就了上帝定意要它成就的事。他恩典的荣耀得以在外邦人中彰显。那些长久“坐在黑暗中死荫里的人，被困苦和铁链捆锁，”“他们在苦难中哀求耶和华，他从他们的祸患中拯救他们。他从黑暗中和死荫里领他们出来，折断他们的绑索。”“他发命医治他们，救他们脱离死亡。”（诗107:10,13-14,20）[28]{PK 272.5}
§58
Confused, humiliated, and unable to understand Gods purpose in sparing Nineveh, Jonah nevertheless had fulfilled the commission given him to warn that great city; and though the event predicted did not come to pass, yet the message of warning was nonetheless from God. And it accomplished the purpose God designed it should. The glory of His grace was revealed among the heathen. Those who had long been sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron, cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:10, 13, 14, 20.{PK 272.5}[28]
§59
基督在地上传道服务时，曾提到约拿在尼尼微传道所有的好结果，并将那邪教中心的居民，与他当时那些自称为上帝子民的人相较。他宣称说：“当审判的时候，尼尼微人要起来定这世代的罪；因为尼尼微人听了约拿所传的，就悔改了；看哪，在这里有一人比约拿更大。”（太12:41）基督曾来到这个征逐财利而喧嚣扰攘的繁忙世界，就是世人企图尽力为自己攫取一切的地方；但他却在纷扰之上扬起有如上帝号筒般的声音，说：“人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢？”（可8:36-37）[29]{PK 273.1}
§60
Christ during His earthly ministry referred to the good wrought by the preaching of Jonah in Nineveh, and compared the inhabitants of that heathen center with the professed people of God in His day. The men of Nineveh, He declared, shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Matthew 12:40, 41. Into the busy world, filled with the din of commerce and the altercation of trade, where men were trying to get all they could for self, Christ had come; and above the confusion His voice, like the trump of God, was heard: What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36, 37.{PK 273.1}[29]
§61
正如约拿传道对于尼尼微人成了一个兆头，照样基督的传道对于他的世代也成了一个兆头。但在领受所传之道的事上却是何等的悬殊啊！虽然如此，救主仍冒着冷漠与侮蔑而继续工作，直到他完成了自己的使命。[30]{PK 274.1}
§62
As the preaching of Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so Christs preaching was a sign to His generation. But what a contrast in the reception of the word! Yet in the face of indifference and scorn the Saviour labored on and on, until He had accomplished His mission.{PK 274.1}[30]
§63
这教训是给今日为上帝信使之人的，现在各国的大城市确实都像古代的尼尼微人一样，亟需认识真神上帝的品德和旨意。基督的使节应指点人仰望那已为大多数人所忽视的更高尚的世界。根据《圣经》的教训，那唯一永存的城邑乃是“上帝所经营所建造的。”世人可以凭着信心的眼睛看到天国的门限，那里充满了上帝永生的荣耀。现在主耶稣正借着他服务的仆人，呼召人要怀着圣洁的大志努力去获取永不衰残的基业。他恳劝他们要将财宝积存在上帝的宝座旁。[31]{PK 274.2}
§64
The lesson is for Gods messengers today, when the cities of the nations are as verily in need of a knowledge of the attributes and purposes of the true God as were the Ninevites of old. Christs ambassadors are to point men to the nobler world, which has largely been lost sight of. According to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures, the only city that will endure is the city whose builder and maker is God. With the eye of faith man may behold the threshold of heaven, flushed with Gods living glory. Through His ministering servants the Lord Jesus is calling upon men to strive with sanctified ambition to secure the immortal inheritance. He urges them to lay up treasure beside the throne of God. {PK 274.2}[31]
§65
由于故意犯罪的情形有增无已，各城市的居民很快就必为几乎普遍的罪恶所波及。各处充斥的败坏情形，诚非世人笔墨所能形容。每一天都带来了纷争、贿赂，和欺诈的新发现；每一天都带来了横行不法，不顾世人痛苦，惨无人道而草菅人命的伤心记录。每一天也见证了疯狂、谋害，与自杀事件的增多。[32]{PK 275.1}
§66
There is coming rapidly and surely an almost universal guilt upon the inhabitants of the cities, because of the steady increase of determined wickedness. The corruption that prevails is beyond the power of the human pen to describe. Every day brings fresh revelations of strife, bribery, and fraud; every day brings its heart-sickening record of violence and lawlessness, of indifference to human suffering, of brutal, fiendish destruction of human life. Every day testifies to the increase of insanity, murder, and suicide.{PK 275.1}[32]
§67
撒但世世代代都设法抑制人，使人对于耶和华仁慈的旨意茫无所知。他致力于从他们的眼中挪除上帝律法中的伟大要素，就是所揭示的公义、怜悯和慈爱的原则。世人自夸我们所处现时代新奇的进步与文明；但上帝却看到全地充满了罪恶与强暴。世人声称上帝的律法已经作废，《圣经》也不可靠；结果，全世界都被那自挪亚和背道的以色列的日子以来所未曾见过的罪恶洪潮所扫荡了。心灵的高贵、温柔和敬虔，竟都被换成为满足那放纵禁制之事的情欲了。人们为求获得而犯的罪行的黑记录，实在足以令人毛骨悚然、不寒而栗。[33]{PK 275.2}
§68
From age to age Satan has sought to keep men in ignorance of the beneficent designs of Jehovah. He has endeavored to remove from their sight the great things of Gods law--the principles of justice, mercy, and love therein set forth. Men boast of the wonderful progress and enlightenment of the age in which we are now living; but God sees the earth filled with iniquity and violence. Men declare that the law of God has been abrogated, that the Bible is not authentic; and as a result, a tide of evil, such as has not been seen since the days of Noah and of apostate Israel, is sweeping over the world. Nobility of soul, gentleness, piety, are battered away to gratify the lust for forbidden things. The black record of crime committed for the sake of gain is enough to chill the blood and fill the soul with horror.{PK 275.2}[33]
§69
我们的上帝乃是有怜悯的上帝。他以恒久的忍耐和温柔的慈爱对待一切违反他律法的人。然而在现今的时代，人们既有很多机会可以明悉《圣经》中所显示的神圣律法，宇宙的大统治者眼看着这些邪恶城市充斥着强暴和罪行，决难感到满意。上帝对于那些怙恶不悛之人的容忍很快就要到达尽头了。[34]{PK 275.3}
§70
Our God is a God of mercy. With long-sufferance and tender compassion He deals with the transgressors of His law. And yet, in this our day, when men and women have so many opportunities for becoming familiar with the divine law as revealed in Holy Writ, the great Ruler of the universe cannot behold with any satisfaction the wicked cities, where reign violence and crime. The end of Gods forbearance with those who persist in disobedience is approaching rapidly.{PK 275.3}[34]
§71
至高的统治者在对待这堕落世界之居民的事上，若有突然出乎意外的改变，世人又何必感到惊愕？当刑罚随着犯法和有增无已的罪行以俱来之时，他们又何必感到惊愕？当上帝使毁灭与死亡临到那些以欺骗和讹诈的手段获取非法得利的人，他们又何必感到惊愕？许多人虽有逐渐增加的亮光照在他们的路上，显明上帝的要求，但他们依然不肯承认耶和华的权柄，而宁愿留在那发动一切叛乱以抗逆天国政权之魁首的黑旗之下。[35]{PK 276.1}
§72
Ought men to be surprised over a sudden and unexpected change in the dealings of the Supreme Ruler with the inhabitants of a fallen world? Ought they to be surprised when punishment follows transgression and increasing crime? Ought they to be surprised that God should bring destruction and death upon those whose ill-gotten gains have been obtained through deception and fraud? Notwithstanding the fact that increasing light regarding Gods requirements has been shining on their pathway, many have refused to recognize Jehovahs rulership, and have chosen to remain under the black banner of the originator of all rebellion against the government of heaven.{PK 276.1}[35]
§73
上帝的容忍实在是够伟大了，——以致当我们想到他圣洁的诫命不断地受到侮辱，也不禁大为诧异。全能者对于他自己的赋性一直施用抑制的力量。但他终必兴起，惩罚那大胆抗拒十条诫命之公义要求的恶人。[36]{PK 276.2}
§74
The forbearance of God has been very great--so great that when we consider the continuous insult to His holy commandments, we marvel. The Omnipotent One has been exerting a restraining power over His own attributes. But He will certainly arise to punish the wicked, who so boldly defy the just claims of the Decalogue.{PK 276.2}[36]
§75
上帝赐予人一段宽容时期；但过了一定的限度，上帝的忍耐就要到达尽头，而上帝的刑罚便接踵而来。主长期容忍世人，容忍城市，并慈怜地传出警告以拯救他们脱离上帝的忿怒；但终有一天再也听不到恩典的代求，而一直拒绝真理之光的叛逆分子都将被扫灭净尽，这也是出于上帝对他们自己、以及对那些若不如此就必受他们榜样所影响之人的慈怜。[37]{PK 276.3}
§76
God allows men a period of probation; but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted, and the judgments of God are sure to follow. The Lord bears long with men, and with cities, mercifully giving warnings to save them from divine wrath; but a time will come when pleadings for mercy will no longer be heard, and the rebellious element that continues to reject the light of truth will be blotted out, in mercy to themselves and to those who would otherwise be influenced by their example. {PK 276.3}[37]
§77
时候已近，世界将发生忧患，是人的膏油所无法医治的。上帝的灵渐渐地收回了。海上和陆地的灾祸接踵而至。我们对于地震、风暴、火灾、水灾等事件，以及所引致生命财产的巨大损失，真是屡闻不鲜了啊！这些灾祸看上去似乎是自然能力偶尔失常的突发事件，是人力所完全无法控制的；但从这一切当中，可以看出上帝的旨意。这都是上帝所采用的方法，借以唤醒世人觉悟自己的危险。[38]{PK 277.1}
§78
The time is at hand when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn. Disasters by sea and by land follow one another in quick succession. How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, Gods purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.{PK 277.1}[38]
§79
各大都市中的上帝的信使，切莫因他们蒙召而尽力宣扬救恩喜讯时所遭遇的邪恶、不义和腐败而感到灰心。主必以他赐予住在邪恶的哥林多的使徒保罗的同一信息，安慰每一个这样的工作者说：“不要怕，只管讲，不要闭口；有我与你同在，必没有人下手害你；因为在这城里我有许多的百姓。”（徒18:9-10）但愿凡参与救灵工作的人都记得：虽有许多人不肯听从上帝在他圣言中所赐的教训，但全世界的人决不会都转离真光和真理，而不接受这位忍耐宽容之救主的邀请。在每一个城市中，尽管它充满强暴与罪行，总有很多人由于正确的指导而可能学习作耶稣的信徒。如此，成千上万的人都可被救恩的真理所感动，并且受引领而接受基督为个人的救主。[39]{PK 277.2}
§80
Gods messengers in the great cities are not to become discouraged over the wickedness, the injustice, the depravity, which they are called upon to face while endeavoring to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. The Lord would cheer every such worker with the same message that He gave to the apostle Paul in wicked Corinth: Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. Acts 18:9, 10. Let those engaged in soul-saving ministry remember that while there are many who will not heed the counsel of God in His word, the whole world will not turn from light and truth, from the invitations of a patient, forbearing Saviour. In every city, filled though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus. Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour. {PK 277.2}[39]
§81
上帝赐予今日世上居民的信息乃是：“你们也要预备；因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了。”（太24:44）现在社会上——尤其是各国大城市中普遍的情形，都在大声宣告上帝施行审判的时候已经来到，而地上万物的结局也已临近了。我们正站在历代以来最大危机的门口。上帝的刑罚将接踵而至，就是火灾、水灾、地震，以及战争流血的事。我们对于现今所发生的重大而有决定性的事不应感到惊奇；因为上帝慈悲的天使不能再停留多久来护庇怙恶不悛的人了。[40]{PK 278.1}
§82
Gods message for the inhabitants of earth today is, Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44. The conditions prevailing in society, and especially in the great cities of the nations, proclaim in thunder tones that the hour of Gods judgment is come and that the end of all things earthly is at hand. We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages. In quick succession the judgments of God will follow one another--fire, and flood, and earthquake, with war and bloodshed. We are not to be surprised at this time by events both great and decisive; for the angel of mercy cannot remain much longer to shelter the impenitent.{PK 278.1}[40]
§83
“因为耶和华从他的居所出来，要刑罚地上居民的罪孽；地也必露出其中的血，不再掩盖被杀的人。”（赛26:21）上帝忿怒的风云已经密布；唯有那些像尼尼微的居民一般，在约拿的传道之下响应恩典的邀请，并因顺从神圣统治者的律法而成圣的人才能站立得住。唯有义人必与基督一同藏在上帝里面，直到毁灭过去。但愿我们的心声乃是：“无助心灵来就主，此外别无避难所；求主切莫撇下我，常施扶持赐帮助。求主容我深藏躲，领我进入平安所；直至风暴全过去，接我永在天国住。”[41]{PK 278.2}
§84
Behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26:21. The storm of Gods wrath is gathering; and those only will stand who respond to the invitations of mercy, as did the inhabitants of Nineveh under the preaching of Jonah, and become sanctified through obedience to the laws of the divine Ruler. The righteous alone shall be hid with Christ in God till the desolation be overpast. Let the language of the soul be: Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, O, leave me not alone! Still support and comfort me. Hide me, O my Saviour, hide! Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!{PK 278.2}[41]