第03章 “时候满足”
§1
第03章 “时候满足”
§2
Chap. 3 - The Fullness of the Time
§3
“及至时候满足，上帝就差遣他的儿子，……要把律法以下的人赎出来，叫我们得着儿子的名分。”（加4:4-5）[1]{DA 31.1}
§4
When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, . . . to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4, 5. {DA 31.1}[1]
§5
早在伊甸园中，救主的降临就已有预言了。亚当和夏娃初次听到这应许时，就切望它快快实现。夫妇二人对他们的长子非常喜爱，指望他或许就是那要来的拯救者。可是这应许的实现迟延了。首先听到应许的始祖与世长辞了，却没能看到它的应验。从以诺的日子开始，族长和先知们一再重申这个应许，为的是对救主的显现保持活泼的盼望，但救主一直没有来。先知但以理的预言启示了救主降临的时间，但并非人人都能准确地解释它。光阴如梭，世代更迭，众先知的声音终于止息了。压迫者的铁腕重重的加在以色列人身上。许多人在苦难中哀呼：“日子迟延，一切异象都落了空呢。”（结12:22）[2]{DA 31.2}
§6
The Saviours coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth. Ezekiel 12:22. {DA 31.2}[2]
§7
然而上帝旨意的成全，正如天上的星宿循着指定的轨道运行一般，既不急躁也不迟延。古时，上帝借大黑暗和冒烟的炉为表号，向亚伯拉罕启示以色列人在埃及为奴的事，并宣布他们寄居异地的时期是四百年。他说：“后来他们必带着许多财物，从那里出来。”（创15:14）法老自负其庞大的帝国和精锐兵力，企图反抗上帝的判语，却是徒然。就在上帝应许所指定的“那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。”（出12:41）照样，在天上的议会里，基督降生的时刻早已定准。当历史大钟的指针一指到那时刻，耶稣就在伯利恒降生了。[3]{DA 32.1}
§8
But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, Gods purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, God had revealed to Abraham the bondage of Israel in Egypt, and had declared that the time of their sojourning should be four hundred years. Afterward, He said, shall they come out with great substance. Genesis 15:14. Against that word, all the power of Pharaohs proud empire battled in vain. On the self-same day appointed in the divine promise, it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:41. So in heavens council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. {DA 32.1}[3]
§9
“及至时候满足，上帝就差遣他的儿子”降世（加4:4）天意指引着列国的变动和人世的沧桑。时机一成熟，拯救者就必降临。这时，罗马政权一统天下，希腊语作为官方语言普遍通用。散居各处的犹太人常聚集在耶路撒冷过节，及至他们返回自己寄居之地，就能将救主降临的讯息传遍全世界了。[4]{DA 32.2}
§10
When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son. Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiahs coming. {DA 32.2}[4]
§11
当时，外邦异教的礼俗和神话已渐渐失去人心。人们渴望一种能真正满足心灵需求的宗教。虽然真理的光辉似乎已经离开人间，但总有一些人怀着困惑忧伤的心寻求真光。他们渴望认识永生的上帝，并寻得对来生的保证。[5]{DA 32.3}
§12
At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave. {DA 32.3}[5]
§13
犹太人既已离弃上帝，信心就衰弱了，希望之光也不再照耀前面的路。先知的话已无人领会。死亡对大多数人来说，是可怕的奥秘，是渺茫和阴森。几百年前先知所写以下的话，不单指伯利恒母亲的哀哭，也指着全人类内心的悲鸣：“在拉玛听见号咷大哭的声音，是拉结哭她儿女，不肯受安慰，因为他们都不在了。”（太2:18）“坐在死荫之地的人”得不到安慰。他们望眼欲穿，等待拯救者的降临，到那时黑暗就被驱散，未来的奥秘也就显明了。[6]{DA 32.4}
§14
As the Jews had departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery; beyond was uncertainty and gloom. It was not alone the wailing of the mothers of Bethlehem, but the cry from the great heart of humanity, that was borne to the prophet across the centuries,--the voice heard in Ramah, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2:18. In the region and shadow of death, men sat unsolaced. With longing eyes they looked for the coming of the Deliverer, when the darkness should be dispelled, and the mystery of the future should be made plain. {DA 32.4}[6]
§15
在犹太国以外，有人预言将有一位神圣的教师出现。这些人即追求真理，就有预言的恩赐分给他们。此类教师相继兴起，如同明星闪现在黑暗的天空。他们的预言在千万外邦人心中燃起了希望。[7]{DA 33.1}
§16
Outside of the Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was imparted. One after another, like stars in the darkened heavens, such teachers had arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of the Gentile world. {DA 33.1}[7]
§17
在救主降生数百年之前，《旧约圣经》已被译成罗马帝国通用的希腊文。犹太人散居在世界各处，使外邦人也多少受到犹太人的影响，和他们同有弥赛亚降临的指望。甚至在犹太人所轻视的外邦人中，竟有人比以色列的教师们更明白关于弥赛亚降临的神圣预言。他们盼望他作为使人脱离罪恶的拯救者降临。也有哲学家潜心研究希伯来宗教制度的奥秘。可是犹太人的顽梗不化，阻碍了福音真光的传播。他们一心想要保持与别国之间的隔离状态，不愿把他们所有关于表号性礼节的知识传给别人。因此那位真解释者必须来临。这一切表号所预指的那主必须亲自来解释这些表号的真义。[8]{DA 33.2}
§18
For hundreds of years the Scriptures had been translated into the Greek language, then widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire. The Jews were scattered everywhere, and their expectation of the Messiahs coming was to some extent shared by the Gentiles. Among those whom the Jews styled heathen were men who had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Messiah than had the teachers in Israel. There were some who hoped for His coming as a deliverer from sin. Philosophers endeavored to study into the mystery of the Hebrew economy. But the bigotry of the Jews hindered the spread of the light. Intent on maintaining the separation between themselves and other nations, they were unwilling to impart the knowledge they still possessed concerning the symbolic service. The true Interpreter must come. The One whom all these types prefigured must explain their significance. {DA 33.2}[8]
§19
上帝曾通过自然界，通过表号和象征，通过众族长与先知向世人说话。上帝教训人，不得不用人的语言。那位“立约的使者”必须发言；众人必在上帝自己的殿中听见他的声音。基督必须降临，用清晰明了、确切明白的话讲解福音。他是真理的源头；世人的言论却如糠粃，已使真理失效。所以他必须将真理从人的言论中分别出来。上帝政权的原则和救赎人类的计划必须加以清晰的解说。旧约圣经的教训必须完完全全地向人宣讲明白。[9]{DA 34.1}
§20
Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. The Messenger of the covenant must speak. His voice must be heard in His own temple. Christ must come to utter words which should be clearly and definitely understood. He, the author of truth, must separate truth from the chaff of mans utterance, which had made it of no effect. The principles of Gods government and the plan of redemption must be clearly defined. The lessons of the Old Testament must be fully set before men. {DA 34.1}[9]
§21
然而，在犹太民族中还有一批忠实的人，他们属于那得蒙保守，认识上帝的圣洁世系。这些人仍然怀着希望，坚信上帝对列祖的应许。他们持守上帝借摩西所作的保证，来坚固自己的信心：“摩西曾说：‘主上帝要从你们弟兄中间，给你们兴起一位先知像我，凡他向你们所说的，你们都要听从。’”（徒3:22）他们又读到上帝要油膏一位救主，“传好讯息给谦卑的人”，他将如何“医好伤心的人，报告被掳的得释放，”“报告耶和华的恩年。”（赛61:1-2）他们还读到他将如何“在地上设立公理”，海岛要如何“等候他的训诲”，万国要如何来“就他的光”，君王要如何来“就他发现的光辉”。（赛42:4；60:3）[10]{DA 34.2}
§22
Among the Jews there were yet steadfast souls, descendants of that holy line through whom a knowledge of God had been preserved. These still looked for the hope of the promise made unto the fathers. They strengthened their faith by dwelling upon the assurance given through Moses, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. Acts 3:22. Again, they read how the Lord would anoint One to preach good tidings unto the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to declare the acceptable year of the Lord. Isaiah 61:1, 2. They read how He would set judgment in the earth, how the isles should wait for His law, how the Gentiles should come to His light, and kings to the brightness of His rising. Isaiah 42:4; 60:3. {DA 34.2}[10]
§23
“圭必不离犹大，杖必不离他两脚之间，直等细罗（赐平安者）来到。”（创49:10）先祖雅各临终时所说的这名话使他们心中充满希望。以色列国势的渐趋衰弱，证明救主的降临已在眼前。但以理曾预言弥赛亚所统治之国的光荣：它要灭绝地上一切的国，“这国必存到永远。”（但2:44）虽然了解基督使命的人不多，但在当时确有一种普遍的希望：将有一位大能的君王兴起；他要在以色列建立自己的国位，并作全世界的救星。[11]{DA 34.3}
§24
The dying words of Jacob filled them with hope: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. Genesis 49:10. The waning power of Israel testified that the Messiahs coming was at hand. The prophecy of Daniel pictured the glory of His reign over an empire which should succeed all earthly kingdoms; and, said the prophet, It shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44. While few understood the nature of Christs mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to the nations. {DA 34.3}[11]
§25
时候满足了。因长久犯罪而日趋堕落的人类渴望救主的降临。撒但不倦地努力，要使天间的鸿沟越来越深，以致无法越过，他用欺诈的手段使人胆大妄为，无恶不作。撒但的目的，是要折磨上帝的忍耐，消灭上帝对人类的爱心，以致上帝索性丢弃世界，任凭撒但去管辖。[12]{DA 34.4}
§26
The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer. Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish His love for man, so that He would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction. {DA 34.4}[12]
§27
撒但设法使人不认识上帝，并转移人对上帝圣殿的注意力，以建立他自己的国权。在这场争夺至尊王权的斗争中，他几乎要胜利了。然而，在每一个世代，上帝总有他所用的人；就是在异邦，基督也曾用这等人将沉在罪恶深渊之中的人提升起来。但是，主所用的人竟被世人藐视、恨恶，其中有些甚至惨遭杀害。在撒但不断努力下，笼罩在世上的罪恶阴影越来越深了。[13]{DA 35.1}
§28
Satan was seeking to shut out from men a knowledge of God, to turn their attention from the temple of God, and to establish his own kingdom. His strife for supremacy had seemed to be almost wholly successful. It is true that in every generation God had His agencies. Even among the heathen there were men through whom Christ was working to uplift the people from their sin and degradation. But these men were despised and hated. Many of them suffered a violent death. The dark shadow that Satan had cast over the world grew deeper and deeper. {DA 35.1}[13]
§29
历代以来，撒但用种种异端邪说使多人离弃上帝，而他最大的胜利是败坏以色列人的信仰。异邦人凭空臆测，崇拜自己头脑中想象的神，以致失去对上帝的认识，而落到越来越腐败的地步。以色列人也是如此。靠自己的功德自救，是一切邪教的理论基础，如今它也成了犹太教的原则。这一谬道是由撒但灌输的。不论何处，人若信这种道理，就没有抵抗罪恶的屏障。[14]{DA 35.2}
§30
Through heathenism, Satan had for ages turned men away from God; but he won his great triumph in perverting the faith of Israel. By contemplating and worshiping their own conceptions, the heathen had lost a knowledge of God, and had become more and more corrupt. So it was with Israel. The principle that man can save himself by his own works lay at the foundation of every heathen religion; it had now become the principle of the Jewish religion. Satan had implanted this principle. Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against sin. {DA 35.2}[14]
§31
救恩的信息原是要以人为媒介传给世人的。犹太人却想垄断永生的真理。他们囤积了生命的吗哪，它就腐烂变臭了。他们企图留归自己的信仰反而成了他们的绊脚石。他们夺取了上帝的荣耀，并以伪造的福音欺骗世人。他们既不肯归顺上帝去拯救世界，就只能充当撒但的工具来毁灭世界了。[15]{DA 36.1}
§32
The message of salvation is communicated to men through human agencies. But the Jews had sought to make a monopoly of the truth which is eternal life. They had hoarded the living manna, and it had turned to corruption. The religion which they tried to shut up to themselves became an offense. They robbed God of His glory, and defrauded the world by a counterfeit of the gospel. They had refused to surrender themselves to God for the salvation of the world, and they became agents of Satan for its destruction. {DA 36.1}[15]
§33
蒙上帝所选召作真理之柱石与根基的子民，竟成了撒但的代表。他们正在执行撒但要他们作的事，就是误表上帝的品格，使人视他为暴君。祭司们虽在圣殿供职，却已忘记所行之礼的意义，不会深入察明表号所预表的本体。他们奉献祭牲犹如演戏。上帝亲自设立的神圣礼节反而使人思想昏昧，心地刚硬。上帝再不能通过这些方式来帮助人了。整个制度必须废除。[16]{DA 36.2}
§34
The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant. The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they performed. They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing signified. In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away. {DA 36.2}[16]
§35
罪恶的欺诈已登峰造极，一切足以败坏人心的方法都已使用出来了。上帝的爱子的慧眼视察这世界，所看到的尽是苦难和灾祸。他看到人类成为撒但暴虐的牺牲品，看到他们遭受败坏、杀害、灭绝，他怜悯的慈心油然而生。世人竟被自己所拣选的首领当作俘虏捆锁在他的战车上。受了蒙骗和欺诈的人群汇成忧郁的行列，向着永久的毁灭前进。前面，除了那没有再生之望的死亡和没有黎明之光的黑暗，他们什么也看不见。人类竟与撒但的爪牙勾结在一起。原来为上帝居所而造的人体，竟成了鬼魔的巢穴。人的感官、神经、情感和器官都被邪灵所驱策，去放纵最低劣的情欲。人脸竟印上了鬼魔的烙印，反射附在他们身上群魔的神色。世界的救赎主所看到的，就是如此一幅景象。纯洁至善的主所看到的，是何等的惨状啊！[17]{DA 36.3}
§36
The deception of sin had reached its height. All the agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in operation. The Son of God, looking upon the world, beheld suffering and misery. With pity He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty. He looked with compassion upon those who were being corrupted, murdered, and lost. They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives. Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,--to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed. Such was the prospect upon which the worlds Redeemer looked. What a spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold! {DA 36.3}[17]
§37
犯罪已成了一种学术，邪恶竟被奉为宗教的一部分。叛逆的思想根深蒂固，他们反抗天庭的敌意甚为强烈。在全宇宙面前已经显明：离了上帝，人类无力自拔；生命和能力的更新必须由创造世界的主恩赐与人。[18]{DA 37.1}
§38
Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world. {DA 37.1}[18]
§39
未曾堕落的诸世界，关注着耶和华的举措，看他是否要起来除灭地球的居民。如果上帝采取了这一步骤，撒但就要实行他的计划，煽动全天庭臣服于自己。他早已宣称，上帝政权的纲领是绝不饶恕罪恶的。如果世界被毁灭，他就可以证实他的控告了。他准备以此来攻击上帝，并将他的叛乱扩大到诸世界。可是，上帝非但不毁灭这个世界，反而差遣他的爱子来救它。在这一片四分五裂，强权割据的疆土上，虽然充斥着腐败、堕落和公然的反抗，但上帝还是实施了光复的计划。正当危急之秋，撒但的胜利似乎唾手可得之际，上帝的儿子带着天父的恩典奉差遣降世了。历代以来，上帝无时无刻不向堕落的人类发出爱心；人虽然乖张执拗，但上帝的怜悯还是不断地显示在他们的身上。“及至时候满足”，医治的恩泽如洪流一般，倾泄在世人身上，就此显明上帝的荣耀。其恩泽永不阻塞，也不撤回，直到救恩计划完成。[19]{DA 37.2}
§40
With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the principles of Gods government make forgiveness impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save it. Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the alien province, a way for its recovery was provided. At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God came with the embassage of divine grace. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of the time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled. {DA 37.2}[19]
§41
正当撒但在人性上败坏了上帝的形象，并因此沾沾自喜时，耶稣来了。他要在人身上恢复创造主的形象。除了基督以外，没有人能把那被罪恶毁损的品格予以更新的。他来，是要将控制人类意志的鬼魔驱逐出去。他要将我们从尘埃中举起来，照他神圣品德的模范，将世人败坏了的品格更新再造，以他自己的荣耀使之完美无缺。[20]{DA 37.3}
§42
Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory. {DA 37.3}[20]