第23章 “上帝的国近了”
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第23章 “上帝的国近了”
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Chap. 23 - The Kingdom of God Is at Hand
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“耶稣来到加利利，宣传上帝的福音，说：‘日期满了，上帝的国近了！你们当悔改，信福音。’”（可1:14-15）[1]{DA 231.1}
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Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14, 15. {DA 231.1}[1]
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弥赛亚的降临，最先是在犹太地宣布的。在耶路撒冷的圣殿里，当撒迦利亚在香坛前供职时，天使把基督的先锋诞生的事预先告诉了他。在伯利恒的群山上，天使宣告了耶稣的降生。东方的博士曾到耶路撒冷来寻访他。西面和亚拿在圣殿里为耶稣的神性作了见证。“耶路撒冷和犹太全地”都听过施洗约翰的讲道；犹太公会所派的代表和当时围着约翰的人群，也都听见过他为耶稣所作的见证。基督曾在犹太招收第一批门徒。他早期工作的很多时间都用在这里了。他在洁净圣殿时所显的神性，他医病的神迹，以及他亲口所发的神圣真理的教训，这一切，都证明了他在毕士大池旁医治病患之后向犹太公会所宣布的身份——永生上帝的儿子。[2]{DA 231.2}
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The Messiahs coming had been first announced in Judea. In the temple at Jerusalem the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar. On the hills of Bethlehem the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus. To Jerusalem the magi had come in search of Him. In the temple Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity. Jerusalem, and all Judea had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist; and the deputation from the Sanhedrin, with the multitude, had heard his testimony concerning Jesus. In Judea, Christ had received His first disciples. Here much of His early ministry had been spent. The flashing forth of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple, His miracles of healing, and the lessons of divine truth that fell from His lips, all proclaimed that which after the healing at Bethesda He had declared before the Sanhedrin,--His Sonship to the Eternal. {DA 231.2}[2]
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如果以色列的领袖接受了基督，他就必重用他们，叫他们作他的使者，将福音传遍天下。他们原享有优先机会，可作宣传上帝国度和恩典的先锋。但是，机会到来时，他们竟不知道。犹太领袖们的嫉妒和不信已经发展到了公开仇恨的地步，以致民众的心也跟着远离耶稣了。[3]{DA 231.3}
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If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them first was given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace 2of God. But Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people were turned away from Jesus. {DA 231.3}[3]
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犹太公会已经拒绝了基督的信息，并决意要置他于死地。所以耶稣就离开耶路撒冷，离开祭司、圣殿、宗教领袖们和受过律法教育的民众，到另一等人中间去宣传他的信息，并拣选那些将来要传福音到各国去的人。[4]{DA 232.1}
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The Sanhedrin had rejected Christs message and was bent upon His death; therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations. {DA 232.1}[4]
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世界的光、世界的生命，如何被基督时代的宗教权威所拒绝，以后的每个世代也照样拒绝了他。基督退出犹太地的历史，已经一次次重演。中古时期，倡导宗教改革者传讲上帝真道之时，他们本无意脱离原来的教会，但教会中的领袖不肯容纳真光，于是宣传真光的人，就不得不去找一班渴慕真理的人了。在我们现今的时代，那些以宗教改革家之继承人自居者，很少具有宗教改革家的精神；不论真理传来的方式如何，他们很少愿听上帝的声音，很少准备接受真理。结果，那些真正踏着宗教改革家的脚步而行的人，才迫不得已，离开他们所爱的教会，以便宣扬上帝话中明显的教训。同时，那些寻求真光的人也往往为要服从真理，而必须脱离他们的先辈所在的教会。[5]{DA 232.2}
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As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christs withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience. {DA 232.2}[5]
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耶路撒冷的拉比们素来轻视加利利人，看他们是粗鲁没学识的小民，而实际上，他们却是救主工作的最好对象。他们又热诚又真挚，既不那么固执己见，又愿虚心领受真理。耶稣到加利利去，并不是要隐退，或者离群索居。当时的加利利是一个人烟稠密的省份，那里外籍的居民比犹太人还多。[6]{DA 232.3}
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The people of Galilee were despised by the rabbis of Jerusalem as rude and unlearned, yet they presented a more favorable field for the Saviours work. They were more earnest and sincere; less under the control of bigotry; their minds were more open for the reception of truth. In going to Galilee, Jesus was not seeking seclusion or isolation. The province was at this time the home of a crowded population, with a much larger admixture of people of other nations than was found in Judea. {DA 232.3}[6]
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耶稣周游加利利全地，教训人，医治人的疾病，有许多群众从各城各乡来到他那里，甚至从犹太或邻近的省份，也有许多人来；因此耶稣往往不得不避开众人。那时民众的情绪高涨，所以他必须有所提防，以免引起罗马当局惧怕叛乱的戒心。世上从来没有过像这样的时期：天庭降到人间了。那些长久如饥似渴地等候以色列蒙救赎的人，现在能享受慈悲救主的恩惠了。[7]{DA 232.4}
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As Jesus traveled through Galilee, teaching and healing, multitudes flocked to Him from the cities and villages. Many came even from Judea and the adjoining provinces. Often He was obliged to hide Himself from the people. The enthusiasm ran so high that it was necessary to take precautions lest the Roman authorities should be aroused to fear an insurrection. Never before had there been such a period as this for the world. Heaven was brought down to men. Hungering and thirsting souls that had waited long for the redemption of Israel now feasted upon the grace of a merciful Saviour. {DA 232.4}[7]
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基督传道的主题是：“日期满了，上帝的国近了！你们当悔改，信福音。”救主亲自所传的福音，是以预言为根据的。他所宣布已经满了的“日期”，就是天使加百列对但以理所说的那个日期。天使说：“为你本国之民和你圣城，已经定了七十个七，要止住罪过，除净罪恶，赎尽罪孽，引进永义，封住异象和预言，并膏至圣者。”（但9:24）在《圣经》预言中，一日顶一年（民14:34；结4:6），所以七十个七，即490日，代表490年。它的起点是已经指明了的：“你当知道、当明白，从出令重新建造耶路撒冷，直到有受膏君的时候，必有七个七和六十二个七。”（但9:25）这六十九个七，即483年。重建耶路撒冷的命令是亚达薛西王于公元前457年秋发出的（拉6:14；7:1,9）。从那一年算起，过483年就是公元27年秋。照预言所说，这就是有受膏君弥赛亚的时候。耶稣在公元27年受洗，就受了圣灵的膏。此后他开始传道，宣布说：“日期满了”。[8]{DA 233.1}
§18
The burden of Christs preaching was, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel. Thus the gospel message, as given by the Saviour Himself, was based on the prophecies. The time which He declared to be fulfilled was the period made known by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. Seventy weeks, said the angel, are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. Daniel 9:24. A day in prophecy stands for a year. See Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6. The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, represent four hundred and ninety years. A starting point for this period is given: Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks, sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty-three years. Daniel 9:25. The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, as completed by the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus (see Ezra 6:14; 7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the autumn of B. C. 457. From this time four hundred and eighty-three years extend to the autumn of A. D. 27. According to the prophecy, this period was to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One. In A. D. 27, Jesus at His baptism received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward began His ministry. Then the message was proclaimed. The time is fulfilled. {DA 233.1}[8]
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天使又说：此后“一七（即七年）之内，他必与许多人坚定盟约。”救主开始传道之后的七年内，福音是特别传给犹太人的；其中三年半由基督自己传，三年半由他的门徒接着传。“一七之半，他必使祭祀与供献止息。”（但9:27）在公元31年春天，基督被献在髑髅地十字架上，成了真实的祭物。当时圣殿的幔子裂为两半，表明圣所的祭祀从此失去了它的神圣性和意义。地上的祭祀和供献，就在这时止息了。[9]{DA 233.2}
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Then, said the angel, He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [seven years]. For seven years after the Saviour entered on His ministry, the gospel was to be preached especially to the Jews; for three and a half years by Christ Himself; and afterward by the apostles. In the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. Daniel 9:27. In the spring of A. D. 31, Christ the true sacrifice was offered on Calvary. Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain, showing that the sacredness and significance of the sacrificial service had departed. The time had come for the earthly sacrifice and oblation to cease. {DA 233.2}[9]
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“一七”（即七年）到公元三十四年为止。那时犹太人用石头打死司提反，就最后坚决地拒绝了福音，于是那些因遭遇逼迫而分散的门徒“往各处去传道”（徒8:4）。此后不久，迫害门徒的扫罗悔改了，改名保罗，成了外邦人的使徒。[10]{DA 233.3}
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The one week--seven years--ended in A. D. 34. Then by the stoning of Stephen the Jews finally sealed their rejection of the gospel; the disciples who were scattered abroad by persecution went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4); and shortly after, Saul the persecutor was converted, and became Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. {DA 233.3}[10]
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基督第一次降临，他受圣灵的膏，他的受死，以及福音传到外邦，这些大事发生的各个时候，预言中都有明确的指示。犹太人原享有特权来明白这些预言，并确认它正应验在耶稣的工作上。基督也曾向门徒强调研究预言的重要性。他论那启示给但以理，有关他们那时代的预言说：“读这经的人须要会意。”（太24:15）耶稣复活之后，他把“从摩西和众先知起，凡经上所指着自己的话”都给门徒讲解明白了（路24:27）。救主曾借着众先知说话。“在他们心里基督的灵，预先证明基督受苦难，后来得荣耀”（彼前1:11）。[11]{DA 234.1}
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The time of Christs coming, His anointing by the Holy Spirit, His death, and the giving of the gospel to the Gentiles, were definitely pointed out. It was the privilege of the Jewish people to understand these prophecies, and to recognize their fulfillment in the mission of Jesus. Christ urged upon His disciples the importance of prophetic study. Referring to the prophecy given to Daniel in regard to their time, He said, Whoso readeth, let him understand. Matthew 24:15. After His resurrection He explained to the disciples in all the prophets the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27. The Saviour had spoken through all the prophets. The Spirit of Christ which was in them testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11. {DA 234.1}[11]
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那将上帝的旨意传给但以理的，就是位分仅次于上帝儿子的天使加百列。那奉基督差遣，把将来的事启示他所爱的使徒约翰的，也就是“他的使者”加百列。凡“念这书上预言的和那些听见又遵守其中所记载的，都是有福的。”（启1:3）[12]{DA 234.2}
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It was Gabriel, the angel next in rank to the Son of God, who came with the divine message to Daniel. It was Gabriel, His angel, whom Christ sent to open the future to the beloved John; and a blessing is pronounced on those who read and hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written therein. Revelation 1:3. {DA 234.2}[12]
§27
“耶和华若不将奥秘指示他的仆人众先知,就一无所行。”固然，“隐秘的事是属耶和华我们上帝的”；但是“明显（原文及英译文均作“启示”）的事是永远属我们和我们子孙的。”（摩3:7；申29:29）上帝已将这些事赐给我们，凡存着虔诚恭敬的态度，切心去研究《圣经》预言的，必蒙上帝赐福。[13]{DA 234.3}
§28
The Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants and prophets. While the secret things belong unto the Lord our God, those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever. Amos 3:7; Deuteronomy 29:29. God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures. {DA 234.3}[13]
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正如基督第一次降临的信息，宣告了他恩典之国的来临。照样，他第二次降临的信息，宣告了他荣耀之国的来临。而且两次的信息，都是以预言为根据的。天使对但以理所说关于末期的预言，末世的人须要会意。那时“必有多人来往奔跑，知识就必增长。”“恶人仍必行恶，一切恶人都不明白，唯独智慧人能明白。”（但12:4,10）救主自己也提到他降临的预兆，说：“你们看见这些事渐渐地成就，也该晓得上帝的国近了。”“你们要谨慎，恐怕因贪食、醉酒，并今生的思虑累住你们的心，那日子就如同网罗忽然临到你们。”“你们要时时警醒，常常祈求，使你们能逃避这一切要来的事，得以站立在人子面前。”（路21:31,34,36）[14]{DA 234.4}
§30
As the message of Christs first advent announced the kingdom of His grace, so the message of His second advent announces the kingdom of His glory. And the second message, like the first, is based on the prophecies. The words of the angel to Daniel relating to the last days were to be understood in the time of the end. At that time, many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:4, 10. The Saviour Himself has given signs of His coming, and He says, When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:31, 34, 36. {DA 234.4}[14]
§31
我们现在已经到了这些经文所预言的时期。末期到了，众先知的异象已经启封。他们所发的严重警告向我们指明：我们的主在荣耀里降临的时候已迫在眉睫了。[15]{DA 235.1}
§32
We have reached the period foretold in these scriptures. The time of the end is come, the visions of the prophets are unsealed, and their solemn warnings point us to our Lords coming in glory as near at hand. {DA 235.1}[15]
§33
犹太人误解并错用了上帝的话，以致不知道自己蒙眷顾的时候。他们把基督和使徒传道的时期，就是给选民最后之宽容的短短几年光阴，用在策划谋害上帝众使者的事上。他们被属世的野心所迷住，以致请他们迎接属灵的国度，全是枉费心机。现在也是这样，世人的心充满了属世的国度，一点也不注意那些正在迅速应验的预言和上帝之国即将临到的兆头。[16]{DA 235.2}
§34
The Jews misinterpreted and misapplied the word of God, and they knew not the time of their visitation. The years of the ministry of Christ and His apostles,--the precious last years of grace to the chosen people,--they spent in plotting the destruction of the Lords messengers. Earthly ambitions absorbed them, and the offer of the spiritual kingdom came to them in vain. So today the kingdom of this world absorbs mens thoughts, and they take no note of the rapidly fulfilling prophecies and the tokens of the swift-coming kingdom of God. {DA 235.2}[16]
§35
“弟兄们，你们却不在黑暗里，叫那日子临到你们像贼一样。你们都是光明之子，都是白昼之子；我们不是属黑夜的，也不是属幽暗的。”我们虽然不知道主再来的时辰，但能知道这日子已经近了。“所以，我们不要睡觉，像别人一样，总要警醒谨守。”（帖前5:4-6）[17]{DA 235.3}
§36
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. While we are not to know the hour of our Lords return, we may know when it is near. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6. {DA 235.3}[17]