第17章 黎明的曙光
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第17章 黎明的曙光
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Chap. 17 - Heralds of the Morning
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《圣经》中所启示最严肃最光荣的真理之一，就是基督第二次降临来完成救赎大工的真理。上帝的子民像旅客一样久已寄居在“死荫之地”。救主将要显现的这个应许，给予他们一个宝贵而快乐的指望，因为他就是“复活与生命”，他要使“逃亡的人回来”。基督第二次降临的道理乃是全部《圣经》的中心。自从人类的始祖依依不舍地走出伊甸园以来，凡具有信心的儿女都曾仰望所应许的主降临，来打破那行毁灭者的权势，并带他们回到失去的乐园。古代的圣人都曾仰望弥赛亚在荣耀中降临，作为他们希望的实现。住过伊甸园之始祖的七世孙以诺曾在地上与上帝同行三百年之久，他得以远远望到拯救者的降临。他说：“看哪，主带着他的千万圣者降临，要在众人身上行审判。”（犹14-15）先祖约伯在痛苦悲惨之夜，以毫不动摇的信心说：“我知道我的救赎主活着，末了必站立在地上；……我必在肉体之外得见上帝。我自己要见他，亲眼要看他，并不像外人。”（伯19:25-27）[1]{GC 299.1}
§4
One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christs second coming to complete the great work of redemption. To Gods pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in the region and shadow of death, a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is the resurrection and the life, to bring home again His banished. The doctrine of the second advent is the very keynote of the Sacred Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyers power and bring them again to the lost Paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in glory, as the consummation of their hope. Enoch, only the seventh in descent from them that dwelt in Eden, he who for three centuries on earth walked with his God, was permitted to behold from afar the coming of the Deliverer. Behold, he declared, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all. Jude 14, 15. The patriarch Job in the night of his affliction exclaimed with unshaken trust: I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: . . . in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25-27. {GC 299.1}[1]
§5
基督再来建立公义的政权，这件大事曾感动《圣经》的作者发出高雅最动人的言论。《圣经》中的诗人和先知曾因圣灵的感化而用生动的词句详述此事。作诗的人曾歌颂以色列大君的权能与威严，说：“从全美的锡安中，上帝已经发光了。我们的上帝要来，决不闭口；……他招呼上天下地，为要审判他的民。”（诗50:2-4）“愿天欢喜，愿地快乐；……都要在耶和华面前欢呼；因为他来了，他来要审判全地；他要按公义审判世界，按他的信实审判万民。”（诗96:11-13）[2]{GC 300.1}
§6
The coming of Christ to usher in the reign of righteousness has inspired the most sublime and impassioned utterances of the sacred writers. The poets and prophets of the Bible have dwelt upon it in words glowing with celestial fire. The psalmist sang of the power and majesty of Israels King: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. . . . He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Psalm 50:2-4. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad . . . before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth. Psalm 96:11-13. {GC 300.1}[2]
§7
先知以赛亚说：“死人要复活，尸首要兴起。睡在尘埃的啊，要醒起歌唱；因你的甘露好像菜蔬上的甘露，地也要交出死人来。”“他已经吞灭死亡直到永远；主耶和华必擦去各人脸上的眼泪，又除掉普天下他百姓的羞辱；因为这是耶和华说的。到那日人必说，看哪，这是我们的上帝；我们素来等候他，他必拯救我们，这是耶和华，我们素来等候他，我们必因他的救恩，欢喜快乐。”（赛26:19；25:8-9）[3]{GC 300.2}
§8
Said the prophet Isaiah: Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isaiah 26:19; 25:8, 9. {GC 300.2}[3]
§9
先知哈巴谷在异象中看到主的显现说：“上帝从提幔而来，圣者从巴兰山临到。他的荣光遮蔽诸天，颂赞充满大地。他的辉煌如同日光。”“他站立，量了大地；观看，赶散万民；永久的山崩裂，长存的岭塌陷；他的作为与古时一样。”“你乘在马上，坐在得胜的车上。”“山岭见你，无不战惧；……深渊发声，汹涌翻腾。因为你的箭射出发光，你的枪闪出光耀，日月都在本宫停住。”“你出来要拯救你的百姓，拯救你的受膏者。”（哈3:3-13）[4]{GC 300.3}
§10
And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light. He stood, and measured the earth: He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hill did bow: His ways are everlasting. Thou didst ride upon Thine horses and Thy chariots of salvation. The mountains saw Thee, and they trembled: . . . the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they went, and at the shining of Thy glittering spear. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of Thy people, even for salvation with Thine anointed. Habakkuk 3:3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13. {GC 300.3}[4]
§11
当救主将与门徒离别的时候，他安慰他们不要忧愁并应许他必再来，说：“你们心里不要忧愁。……在我父的家里，有许多住处。……我去原是为你们预备地方去。我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去。”（约14:1-3）“当人子在他荣耀里，同着众天使降临的时候，要坐在他荣耀的宝座上；万民都要聚集在他面前。”（太25:31-32）[5]{GC 301.1}
§12
When the Saviour was about to be separated from His disciples, He comforted them in their sorrow with the assurance that He would come again: Let not your heart be troubled. . . . In My Fathers house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself. John 14:1-3. The Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him. Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations. Matthew 25:31, 32. {GC 301.1}[5]
§13
在基督升天之时，那留在橄榄山上的两个天使，向门徒重申主必复临的应许，说：“这离开你们被接升天的耶稣，你们见他怎样往天上去，他还要怎样来。”（徒1:11）使徒保罗在圣灵感动之下作见证说：“主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有上帝的号吹响。”（帖前4:16）那被放逐在拔摩孤岛的先知也说：“看哪，他驾云降临，众目要看见他。”（启1:7）[6]{GC 301.2}
§14
The angels who lingered upon Olivet after Christs ascension repeated to the disciples the promise of His return: This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:11. And the apostle Paul, speaking by the Spirit of Inspiration, testified: The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Says the prophet of Patmos: Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him. Revelation 1:7. {GC 301.2}[6]
§15
在“万物复兴的时候，就是上帝从创世以来，借着圣先知的口所说的，”（徒3:21）这一切荣耀的事都要集中在基督的复临上。那时，那恶者长久握在手中的统治权便要被打破了。“世上的国，成了我主和主基督的国；他要作王，直到永永远远。”（启11:15）“耶和华的荣耀必然显现，凡有血气的，必一同看见。”“耶和华必……使公义和赞美在万民中发出。”“到那日，万军之耶和华必作他余剩之民的荣冠华冕。”（赛40:5；61:11；28:5）[7]{GC 301.3}
§16
About His coming cluster the glories of that restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:21. Then the long-continued rule of evil shall be broken; the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. He shall be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of His people. Isaiah 40:5; 61:11; Isaiah 28:5. {GC 301.3}[7]
§17
到了那时，世人所长久盼望的弥赛亚太平的国度便要在普天之下建立起来了。“耶和华已经安慰锡安，和锡安一切的荒场，使旷野像伊甸，使沙漠像耶和华的园囿。”“黎巴嫩的荣耀，并迦密与沙伦的华美，必赐给他。”“你必不再称为撇弃的，你的地也不再称为荒凉的；你却要称为我所喜悦的，你的地也必称为有夫之妇。”“新郎怎样喜悦新妇，你的上帝也要照样喜悦你。”（赛51:3；35:2；62:4-5）[8]{GC 302.1}
§18
It is then that the peaceful and long-desired kingdom of the Messiah shall be established under the whole heaven. The Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called My Delight, and thy land Beulah. As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Isaiah 51:3; 35:2; 62:4, 5, margin. {GC 302.1}[8]
§19
主的降临已经成为他忠实信徒历代的指望。救主在橄榄山上临别之时所发他必再来的应许，照亮了门徒的前途，使他们心中充满了喜乐和希望，这种喜乐和希望乃是忧伤所不能消灭，磨炼所不能蒙蔽的。在受痛苦与逼迫之际，那“至大的上帝，和我们救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现，”乃是他们“所盼望的福。”当帖撒罗尼迦的教友把他们所亲爱的人——这些人曾盼望可以亲眼看见主的降临——埋葬入土的时候，他们的心中充满了悲哀，但他们的教师保罗却向他们指出在基督再来的时候所必有的复活。在那日，凡在基督里死了的人必要复活，并要和那些仍然活着的人一同被提到空中与主相遇。他说：“这样，我们就要和主永远同在。所以你们当用这些话彼此劝慰。”（帖前4:16-18）[9]{GC 302.2}
§20
The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers. The Saviours parting promise upon Olivet, that He would come again, lighted up the future for His disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope that sorrow could not quench nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution, the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ was the blessed hope. When the Thessalonian Christians were filled with grief as they buried their loved ones, who had hoped to live to witness the coming of the Lord, Paul, their teacher, pointed them to the resurrection, to take place at the Saviours advent. Then the dead in Christ should rise, and together with the living be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And so, he said, shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. {GC 302.2}[9]
§21
在那荒芜多石的拔摩岛上，蒙爱的使徒约翰听到了这个应许：“是了，我必快来！”他便发出殷切的响应，这也就表达了历代行走天路之教会的心愿，他说，“主耶稣啊，我愿你来。”（启22:20）[10]{GC 302.3}
§22
On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple hears the promise, Surely I come quickly, and his longing response voices the prayer of the church in all her pilgrimage, Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20. {GC 302.3}[10]
§23
从监狱里，从火刑柱和断头台上，就是许多圣徒和殉道者为真理作见证的地方，从古时直到今日，我们都可以听到他们为自己的信仰和指望所发的宣言。在这些基督徒中曾有一位说：“他们确信基督已经亲自复活，并确信在主来时，他们自己也要复活；因此，他们轻看死亡，视死如归。”他们甘愿进入坟墓，以便“复活自由”。他们仰望“主带着他父的荣耀，驾着天上的云降临。”“为义人建立天国。”瓦典西人也曾怀有这同一的信仰。威克里夫曾以救赎主的显现为教会的指望。[11]{GC 302.4}
§24
From the dungeon, the stake, the scaffold, where saints and martyrs witnessed for the truth, comes down the centuries the utterance of their faith and hope. Being assured of His personal resurrection, and consequently of their own at His coming, for this cause, says one of these Christians, they despised death, and were found to be above it.--Daniel T. Taylor, The Reign of Christ on Earth: or, The Voice of the Church in All Ages, page 33. They were willing to go down to the grave, that they might rise free.--Ibid., page 54. They looked for the Lord to come from heaven in the clouds with the glory of His Father, bringing to the just the times of the kingdom. The Waldenses cherished the same faith.--Ibid., pages 129-132. Wycliffe looked forward to the Redeemers appearing as the hope of the church.-- Ibid., pages 132-134. {GC 302.4}[11]
§25
路德宣称：“我自己切实相信，审判大日决不会迟延到三百年之后。上帝不愿，也不能容忍这罪恶的世界长久存留。”“那伟大的日子正逐渐临近，到那日，这罪大恶极的国度就要被推翻了。”[12]{GC 303.1}
§26
Luther declared: I persuade myself verily, that the day of judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will not, cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer. The great day is drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be overthrown.--Ibid., pages 158, 134. {GC 303.1}[12]
§27
梅兰克吞说：“这个衰老的世界现在离它的终局不远了。”喀尔文嘱咐基督徒“不要犹豫，乃是热切渴望基督降临的日子为万事之中最可喜的事；”“忠心信徒的全家都要殷勤仰望那日。”他又说：“我们必须渴望基督，我们必须追求，思慕他，直到那大日的黎明；那时，我们的主要全然显出他国度的荣耀。”[13]{GC 303.2}
§28
This aged world is not far from its end, said Melanchthon. Calvin bids Christians not to hesitate, ardently desiring the day of Christs coming as of all events most auspicious; and declares that the whole family of the faithful will keep in view that day. We must hunger after Christ, we must seek, contemplate, he says, till the dawning of that great day, when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.--Ibid., pages 158, 134. {GC 303.2}[13]
§29
苏格兰的改革家诺克斯曾说：“我们的主耶稣岂不是已经带着与我们相同的肉身升天了吗？他岂不是要再回来吗？我们知道他必回来，而且甚快。”那为真理殉身的黎特理和拉替麦曾凭着信心仰望主的降临。黎特理写道：“我相信——因此我才说，这世界无疑地已经临到终局。但愿我们同上帝的仆人约翰一样，从心里向我们的救主基督呼吁说：主耶稣啊，我愿你来！”[14]{GC 303.3}
§30
Has not the Lord Jesus carried up our flesh into heaven? said Knox, the Scotch Reformer, and shall He not return? We know that He shall return, and that with expedition. Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth, looked in faith for the Lords coming. Ridley wrote: The world without doubt--this I do believe, and therefore I say it--draws to an end. Let us with John, the servant of God, cry in our hearts unto our Saviour Christ, Come, Lord Jesus, come.--Ibid., pages 151, 145. {GC 303.3}[14]
§31
巴克斯特曾说：“主降临的事对于我乃是最甜蜜最愉快的。”“信心的工作和圣徒的特性就是爱慕主的显现，并持守那有福的盼望。”“在复活的时候，死亡既要成为最后被毁灭的仇敌，那么，我们作信徒的人就应当如何渴望并祈求基督的复临啊！到那时我们就要得到完全和最后的胜利了。”“一切的信徒应当渴慕、希望，并等候那日。他们得赎的一切工作，和他们心灵上的一切愿望与努力，在那日都要成全了。”“主啊，求你使这有福的日子速速来到！”这就是使徒时代的教会，“旷野的教会”和一般宗教改革家的指望。[15]{GC 303.4}
§32
The thoughts of the coming of the Lord, said Baxter, are most sweet and joyful to me.--Richard Baxter, Works, vol. 17, p. 555. It is the work of faith and the character of His saints to love His appearing and to look for that blessed hope. If death be the last enemy to be destroyed at the resurrection, we may learn how earnestly believers should long and pray for the second coming of Christ, when this full and final conquest shall be made.--Ibid., vol. 17, p. 500. This is the day that all believers should long, and hope, and wait for, as being the accomplishment of all the work of their redemption, and all the desires and endeavors of their souls. Hasten, O Lord, this blessed day!--Ibid., vol. 17, pp. 182, 183. Such was the hope of the apostolic church, of the church in the wilderness, and of the Reformers. {GC 303.4}[15]
§33
先知的预言不但提到基督降临的样式和目的，同时也提供了一些预兆，叫人得以知道那日子的临近。耶稣说：“日月星辰要显出异兆。”（路21:25）“日头要变黑了，月亮也不放光，众星要从天上坠落，天势都要震动。那时他们要看见人子有大能力，大荣耀，驾云降临。”（可13:24-26）启示录的著者形容主复临之前的第一个预兆，说：“我又看见地大震动；日头变黑像毛布，满月变红像血。”（启6:12）[16]{GC 304.1}
§34
Prophecy not only foretells the manner and object of Christs coming, but presents tokens by which men are to know when it is near. Said Jesus: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. Luke 21:25. The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:24-26. The revelator thus describes the first of the signs to precede the second advent: There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. Revelation 6:12. {GC 304.1}[16]
§35
这些预兆在第十九世纪开始之前就已经出现了。这个预言的应验是在一七五五年，那时有了一次空前惨重的地震。虽然这次地震通称为里斯本地震，但它却延及欧洲，非洲，和美洲的大部分。在格陵兰，在西印度，在马地拉岛，在挪威与瑞典，在英格兰与爱尔兰等处，都觉到它的震动。这次地震的范围，不下四百万方里。在非洲所遭到的震动，也差不多像欧洲一样的猛烈。阿尔及耳城大部分被毁灭了；在离摩洛哥不远的地方，一个拥有八千至一万人口的乡村全部被陷没了。西班牙与非洲的沿岸有了巨大的海啸，淹没了许多城邑，以至酿成了大灾浩劫。[17]{GC 304.2}
§36
These signs were witnessed before the opening of the nineteenth century. In fulfillment of this prophecy there occurred, in the year 1755, the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded. Though commonly known as the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended to the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. It was felt in Greenland, in the West Indies, in the island of Madeira, in Norway and Sweden, Great Britain and Ireland. It pervaded an extent of not less than four million square miles. In Africa the shock was almost as severe as in Europe. A great part of Algiers was destroyed; and a short distance from Morocco, a village containing eight or ten thousand inhabitants was swallowed up. A vast wave swept over the coast of Spain and Africa engulfing cities and causing great destruction. {GC 304.2}[17]
§37
在西班牙与葡萄牙，这场灾祸最为惨重。据说在加底斯冲上岸来的海浪竟达六十尺之高。许多山岭，“其中有一些是葡萄牙最大的山，都受了巨裂的震撼，似乎连根都摇动了；还有一些山却在峰顶上开了口，很希奇地分裂了，然后其破裂部分则滚落到山下的各山谷中，据说从这些山上还喷出火焰来。”[18]{GC 304.3}
§38
It was in Spain and Portugal that the shock manifested its extreme violence. At Cadiz the inflowing wave was said to be sixty feet high. Mountains, some of the largest in Portugal, were impetuously shaken, as it were, from their very foundations, and some of them opened at their summits, which were split and rent in a wonderful manner, huge masses of them being thrown down into the adjacent valleys. Flames are related to have issued from these mountains.-- Sir Charles Lyell, Principles of Geology, page 495. {GC 304.3}[18]
§39
在里斯本，“从地底下发出了隆隆的声音，随即起了一个强烈的震动，城中大部分的房屋倒塌了。约在六分钟的过程中，城内死亡的人数已达六万。海水先行退落，露出沙滩，然后又涌流回来，超过平常水位五十尺以上。”“在里斯本的这场浩劫中，发生了许多非常的事，其中的一件就是有一个耗费巨款，用大理石筑成的新码头，全部塌陷了。在未陷之前，曾有一大群人，聚集在其上，以求安全，他们以为在那里不至被倒塌的房屋所伤害；不料那码头和其上的群众，忽然之间陷了下去，后来连一个尸首也没有浮上来。”[19]{GC 305.1}
§40
At Lisbon a sound of thunder was heard underground, and immediately afterwards a violent shock threw down the greater part of that city. In the course of about six minutes sixty thousand persons perished. The sea first retired, and laid the bar dry; it then rolled in, rising fifty feet or more above its ordinary level. Among other extraordinary events related to have occurred at Lisbon during the catastrophe, was the subsidence of a new quay, built entirely of marble, at an immense expense. A great concourse of people had collected there for safety, as a spot where they might be beyond the reach of falling ruins; but suddenly the quay sank down with all the people on it, and not one of the dead bodies ever floated to the surface.--Ibid., page 495. {GC 305.1}[19]
§41
地一起了震动，“随即城内每一个教堂和修道院都倒塌了，一切伟大的公共建筑物差不多都倒了，城市四分之一的房屋也坍陷了。约在地震两小时之后，城中数处起火，火势极为猛烈，焚烧达三天之久，以至全城都变成废墟了。地震发生的那一天正是一个圣日，当时各教堂和修道院都挤满了人，所以死里逃生的极其稀少。”“民众的惊惶恐怖，真是无法形容。没有人哭泣，因为那是根本无法哭泣的时候，人们只有惶恐若狂地东奔西跑，捶胸击面，喊叫说：‘天啊，救我！世界末日到了！’母亲们竟忘记了自己的儿女，只是抱着许多基督钉十字架的神像乱跑。不幸的很，有许多人竟跑到教堂里去避难；神父们虽然把‘圣体’陈设了出来，也是无济于事；这些可怜的人虽然抱着圣坛，也是无用；所有的偶像、神父与民众，都在这一场普遍的毁灭中同归于尽。”后来有人估计约有九万人在这一天丧失了性命。[20]{GC 305.2}
§42
The shock of the earthquake was instantly followed by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the large public buildings, and more than one fourth of the houses. In about two hours after the shock, fires broke out in different quarters, and raged with such violence for the space of nearly three days, that the city was completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holyday, when the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom escaped.-- Encyclopedia Americana, art. Lisbon, note (ed. 1831). The terror of the people was beyond description. Nobody wept; it was beyond tears. They ran hither and thither, delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their faces and breasts, crying, Misericordia! the worlds at an end! Mothers forgot their children, and ran about loaded with crucifixed images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for protection; but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did the poor creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and people were buried in one common ruin. It has been estimated that ninety thousand persons lost their lives on that fatal day. {GC 305.2}[20]
§43
二十五年之后，预言中的第二个预兆——日月无光——出现了。这个预兆所以更能使人惊异的缘故，乃是因为它应验的时候早已明确的指出了。当救主在橄榄山上与门徒谈话的时候，他曾描述到教会所要经过的长期试炼，就是罗马教逼迫圣徒的一千二百六十年；他也曾应许要把这苦难的时期减短。在他说完了这些话之后，他又提到在他降临之先所必有的几个预兆，并且确定了头一个预兆出现的时候：“在那些日子，那灾难以后，日头要变黑了，月亮也不放光。”（可13:24）圣徒受逼迫的一千二百六十年是在一七九八年结束的。不过约在二十五年以前，逼迫已全部停止了。按着基督的预言，在这逼迫停止之后，日头就要变黑了。在年5月19日，这个预言果然应验了。[21]{GC 306.1}
§44
Twenty-five years later appeared the next sign mentioned in the prophecy--the darkening of the sun and moon. What rendered this more striking was the fact that the time of its fulfillment had been definitely pointed out. In the Saviours conversation with His disciples upon Olivet, after describing the long period of trial for the church,--the 1260 years of papal persecution, concerning which He had promised that the tribulation should be shortened,--He thus mentioned certain events to precede His coming, and fixed the time when the first of these should be witnessed: In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. Mark 13:24. The 1260 days, or years, terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled. {GC 306.1}[21]
§45
“在自然界的现象中，最特殊，最不可思议，而尚未得到解释的，……就是年5月19日的‘黑日’了。这一天在新英格兰一带地方，整个天空笼罩着极奇怪的黑暗。”[22]{GC 306.2}
§46
Almost, if not altogether alone, as the most mysterious and as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind, . . . stands the dark day of May 19, 1780,--a most unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England.--R. M. Devens, Our First Century, page 89. {GC 306.2}[22]
§47
马萨诸塞省一个亲眼看到这现象的人，描写当时的情况说：“早晨天气晴朗，日光普照，但不久之后，黑云蔽日，云雾越降越低，深而且浓，继之即有闪电、雷击，并微雨。及至九时，云雾变为淡薄，显出黄铜的色彩，于是大地的岩石、树木、房屋、水流和人，都因这道奇异非凡的光而变色，数分钟后，一片浓云密雾，布满全天，仅余海平面上一隙之光，整个地面已如夏夜九时的黑暗。”[23]{GC 306.3}
§48
An eyewitness living in Massachusetts describes the event as follows: In the morning the sun rose clear, but was soon overcast. The clouds became lowery, and from them, black and ominous, as they soon appeared, lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and a little rain fell. Toward nine oclock, the clouds became thinner, and assumed a brassy or coppery appearance, and earth, rocks, trees, buildings, water, and persons were changed by this strange, unearthly light. A few minutes later, a heavy black cloud spread over the entire sky except a narrow rim at the horizon, and it was as dark as it usually is at nine oclock on a summer evening. . . . {GC 306.3}[23]
§49
“人们心中渐渐充满了恐惧、焦虑和严肃之感。妇女们站在房门口，观望着黑暗的景色；男人们则停止了田园里的农作而回家，木匠摆下工具，铁匠离开熔炉，各业工人也都关门闭户，学校放学了，儿童们都惊惶地逃返家中。旅行的人也到最近的农家借宿去了。人人的口中和心里都发问题说：‘将有什么事情发生呢？’看上去似乎是将有一阵暴风袭来，或是万物的结局已经到了。”[24]{GC 306.4}
§50
Fear, anxiety, and awe gradually filled the minds of the people. Women stood at the door, looking out upon the dark landscape; men returned from their labor in the fields; the carpenter left his tools, the blacksmith his forge, the tradesman his counter. Schools were dismissed, and tremblingly the children fled homeward. Travelers put up at the nearest farmhouse. What is coming? queried every lip and heart. It seemed as if a hurricane was about to dash across the land, or as if it was the day of the consummation of all things. {GC 306.4}[24]
§51
“人们点起蜡烛，烧着了壁炉，火光照耀，有如深秋无月之夜。家禽上埘入睡，牛羊家畜也都回圈，青蛙鸣叫，夜莺奏曲，蝙蝠飞舞。只有人们知道黑夜并没有来到。”[25]{GC 307.1}
§52
Candles were used; and hearth fires shone as brightly as on a moonless evening in autumn. . . . Fowls retired to their roosts and went to sleep, cattle gathered at the pasture bars and lowed, frogs peeped, birds sang their evening songs, and bats flew about. But the human knew that night had not come. . . . {GC 307.1}[25]
§53
“撒冷城教堂的牧师韦得客博士召集了聚会，在讲道中，他也说这场黑暗乃是超乎自然的。其他许多地方也有聚会。在各地临时讲题新用的《圣经》章节，都指明这场黑暗正是应验《圣经》上的预言。上午十一时之后不久，黑暗最为浓厚。”“该地各处，这在日间所看到的黑暗是那么浓密，甚至若不借用火烛之光，就不能看明钟点，不能进餐，也不能作家常事务。”[26]{GC 307.2}
§54
Dr. Nathanael Whittaker, pastor of the Tabernacle church in Salem, held religious services in the meeting-house, and preached a sermon in which he maintained that the darkness was supernatural. Congregations came together in many other places. The texts for the extemporaneous sermons were invariably those that seemed to indicate that the darkness was consonant with Scriptural prophecy. . . . The darkness was most dense shortly after eleven oclock.--The Essex Antiquarian, April, 1899, vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 53, 54. In most parts of the country it was so great in the daytime, that the people could not tell the hour by either watch or clock, nor dine, nor manage their domestic business, without the light of candles. . . . {GC 307.2}[26]
§55
“这场黑暗范围之大也是非常的。在东方的法尔矛斯可以见到，在西部康乃提克省极远之处，直到阿本尼城，也有这黑暗。南方到海口，北方到美国人最远的居留地，都可看到这同样的景象。”[27]{GC 307.3}
§56
The extent of this darkness was extraordinary. It was observed as far east as Falmouth. To the westward it reached to the farthest part of Connecticut, and to Albany. To the southward, it was observed along the seacoasts; and to the north as far as the American settlements extend.--William Gordon, History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the U.S.A., vol. 3, p. 57. {GC 307.3}[27]
§57
这一天异常的黑暗一直延续到黄昏之前，天空开始局部开朗，太阳微现，但仍有浓黑的云雾笼罩着。“日落之后，又是浓雾当头，很快就到了黑夜。”“这一夜的非凡黑暗与可怕，不减于当日。虽然那天晚上将近月望，但若不借用灯火就不能看见什么东西。而那从邻居或远处所发出来的灯火，似乎都被古时埃及人所经历的黑暗所蒙蔽，几乎无法穿透。”有一位看到此种情景的人说：“当时我不禁想到，如果宇宙间一切发光体都被不能穿透的阴影所蒙蔽，或是完全被消灭，其所致的黑暗也不会比这天晚上的黑暗更甚。”当晚九点钟虽然皓月升上天空，“但对于这死沉沉的阴影，却不能消散分毫。”午夜之后，黑暗才消退。而月亮初现的时候，它的颜色是血红的。[28]{GC 307.4}
§58
The intense darkness of the day was succeeded, an hour or two before evening, by a partially clear sky, and the sun appeared, though it was still obscured by the black, heavy mist. After sundown, the clouds came again overhead, and it grew dark very fast. Nor was the darkness of the night less uncommon and terrifying than that of the day; notwithstanding there was almost a full moon, no object was discernible but by the help of some artificial light, which, when seen from the neighboring houses and other places at a distance, appeared through a kind of Egyptian darkness which seemed almost impervious to the rays.--Isaiah Thomas, Massachusetts Spy; or, American Oracle of Liberty, vol. 10, No. 472 (May 25, 1780). Said an eyewitness of the scene: I could not help conceiving at the time, that if every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete.--Letter by Dr. Samuel Tenney, of Exeter, New Hampshire, December, 1785 (in Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 1792, 1st series, vol. 1, p. 97). Though at nine oclock that night the moon rose to the full, it had not the least effect to dispel the deathlike shadows. After midnight the darkness disappeared, and the moon, when first visible, had the appearance of blood. {GC 307.4}[28]
§59
1780年5月19日，在历史上通称为“黑日”。自从摩西时代以来，历史上从未见过像这一次一样浓密，普遍而长久的黑暗，当时亲眼看见的人对于这桩大事所作的描述，不过是《圣经》中话语的回声而已，因为在这些事应验之前二千五百年，先知约珥就已经说过了：“日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血，这是在耶和华大而可畏的日子未到以前。”（珥2:31）[29]{GC 308.1}
§60
May 19, 1780, stands in history as The Dark Day. Since the time of Moses no period of darkness of equal density, extent, and duration, has ever been recorded. The description of this event, as given by eyewitnesses, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel, twenty-five hundred years previous to their fulfillment: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. Joel 2:31. {GC 308.1}[29]
§61
基督曾经嘱咐他的门徒要注意他复临的预兆，并在见到这些兆头的时候，应当欢喜。他说：“一有这些事，你们就当挺身昂首；因为你们得赎的日子近了。”他又指着那些春天发芽的树木，对门徒说：“你们看无花果树和各样的树，它发芽的时候，你们一看见自然，晓得夏天近了。这样，你们看见这些事渐渐地成就，也该晓得上帝的国近了。”（路21:28,30,31）[30]{GC 308.2}
§62
Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming King. When these things begin to come to pass, He said, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. He pointed His followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luke 21:28, 30, 31. {GC 308.2}[30]
§63
但是自从教会失去谦卑与敬虔的精神，变为骄傲而形式化之后，那爱基督的心和盼望他复临的信仰也就冷淡了。那些自称为上帝子民的人既专心追求世俗并寻欢作乐，他们对救主所发有关他复临预兆的教训就盲目无知了。基督第二次降临的道理竟被人忽略，凡与此有关的经文，因被人曲解而暧昧，以至大都被人轻视而忘掉了。这情形在美国的各教会中尤其如此。社会各阶层所有自由安舒的生活，贪图财利与奢华的欲望，产生了专求致富的心理；他们一心追求名誉和势力，因为人人似乎都有成功的希望，这一切便使他们的志趣与希望都集中于今生的事物上，并将那大而可畏的日子，就是今生事物尽都要化为乌有的日子，推到遥远的将来。[31]{GC 309.1}
§64
But as the spirit of humility and devotion in the church had given place to pride and formalism, love for Christ and faith in His coming had grown cold. Absorbed in worldliness and pleasure seeking, the professed people of God were blinded to the Saviours instructions concerning the signs of His appearing. The doctrine of the second advent had been neglected; the scriptures relating to it were obscured by misinterpretation, until it was, to a great extent, ignored and forgotten. Especially was this the case in the churches of America. The freedom and comfort enjoyed by all classes of society, the ambitious desire for wealth and luxury, begetting an absorbing devotion to money-making, the eager rush for popularity and power, which seemed to be within the reach of all, led men to center their interests and hopes on the things of this life, and to put far in the future that solemn day when the present order of things should pass away. {GC 309.1}[31]
§65
当救主向门徒指出他复临的预兆时，他预先提到在他第二次降临之前所必有的背道退后的情形。那时要像挪亚的日子一样，人人要忙于世俗的业务和宴乐的生活买卖、栽种、盖造、嫁娶——忘记了上帝，忘记了来生。对于一般生存在这时代中的人，基督曾发出劝告说：“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21:34-36）[32]{GC 309.2}
§66
When the Saviour pointed out to His followers the signs of His return, He foretold the state of backsliding that would exist just prior to His second advent. There would be, as in the days of Noah, the activity and stir of worldly business and pleasure seeking--buying, selling, planting, building, marrying, and giving in marriage--with forgetfulness of God and the future life. For those living at this time, Christs admonition is: 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 21:34, 36. {GC 309.2}[32]
§67
论到这一时代中教会的情形，救主也在启示录书中说明了：“按名你是活的，其实是死的。”（启3:1）对于那些不肯从怠惰苟安中警醒振作的人，救主发出严重的警告说：“若不警醒，我必临到你那里如同贼一样；我几时临到，你也决不能知道。”（启3:3）[33]{GC 309.3}
§68
The condition of the church at this time is pointed out in the Saviours words in the Revelation: Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. And to those who refuse to arouse from their careless security, the solemn warning is addressed: If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:1, 3. {GC 309.3}[33]
§69
人们必须觉悟起来，看出自己的危险；必须警醒预备，以应付救恩结束时期中的严重大事。上帝的先知宣告说：“耶和华的日子大而可畏；谁能当得起呢？”（珥2:11）在主显现的时候，谁能站在这位“眼目清洁不看邪僻，不看奸恶”的主面前呢？（哈1:13）将有一等人呼叫说：“我的上帝啊，我们……认识你了。”但他们同时却违背他的约，以别神代替耶和华，（何8:2,1；诗16:4）并在心中隐藏罪恶，喜爱不义的道路；对于这一等人，耶和华的日子乃是“黑暗没有光明……，幽暗毫无光辉……”的（摩5:20）。主耶和华说：“那时，我必用灯巡察耶路撒冷，我必惩罚那些如酒在渣滓上澄清的；他们心里说，耶和华必不降福，也不降祸。”（番1:12）“我必因邪恶，刑罚世界，因罪孽，刑罚恶人；使骄傲人的狂妄止息，制服强暴人的骄傲。”（赛13:11）“他们的金银不能救他们；”“他们的财宝，必成为掠物，他们的房屋，必变为荒场。”（番1:18,13）[34]{GC 310.1}
§70
It was needful that men should be awakened to their danger; that they should be roused to prepare for the solemn events connected with the close of probation. The prophet of God declares: The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Who shall stand when He appeareth who is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity? Joel 2:11; Habakkuk 1:13. To them that cry, My God, we know Thee, yet have transgressed His covenant, and hastened after another god, hiding iniquity in their hearts, and loving the paths of unrighteousness-- to these the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light, even very dark, and no brightness in it. Hosea 8:2, 1; Psalm 16:4; Amos 5:20. It shall come to pass at that time, saith the Lord, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. Zephaniah 1:12. I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. Isaiah 13:11. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them; their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation. Zephaniah 1:18, 13. {GC 310.1}[34]
§71
先知耶利米观望到这个可怕的时辰，呼叫说：“我心疼痛。”“我不能静默不言；因为我已经听见角声和打仗的喊声。毁坏的信息联络不绝，因为全地荒废。”（耶4:19-20）[35]{GC 310.2}
§72
The prophet Jeremiah, looking forward to this fearful time, exclaimed: I am pained at my very heart. . . . I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried. Jeremiah 4:19, 20. {GC 310.2}[35]
§73
“那日是忿怒的日子，是急难困苦的日子，是荒废凄凉的日子，是黑暗、幽冥、密云、乌黑的日子，是吹角呐喊的日子。”（番1:15-16）“耶和华的日子临到，……使这地荒凉，使其中除灭罪人。”（赛13:9）[36]{GC 310.3}
§74
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm. Zephaniah 1:15, 16. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, . . . to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Isaiah 13:9. {GC 310.3}[36]
§75
鉴于那大日所有的情景，《圣经》用最庄严而动人的话语，呼召上帝的子民要从属灵的昏睡中警醒，并要存悔改和谦卑的心去寻找他的面。“你们要在锡安吹角，在我圣山吹出大声；国中的居民，都要发颤；因为耶和华的日子将到，已经临近。”“分定禁食的日子，宣告严肃会；聚集众民，使会众自洁，招聚老者，聚集孩童，和吃奶的；使新郎出离洞房，新妇出离内室。侍奉耶和华的祭司，要在廊子和祭坛中间哭泣。”“虽然如此，你们应当禁食、哭泣、悲哀，一心归向我。你们要撕裂心肠，不撕裂衣服，归向耶和华你们的上帝；因为他有恩典，有怜悯，不轻易发怒，有丰盛的慈爱。”（珥2:1,15-18,12-13）[37]{GC 311.1}
§76
In view of that great day the word of God, in the most solemn and impressive language, calls upon His people to arouse from their spiritual lethargy and to seek His face with repentance and humiliation: Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children: . . . let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar. Turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:1, 15-17, 12, 13. {GC 311.1}[37]
§77
为要预备一班子民能在上帝的日子站立得住起见，势必先完成一番伟大的改革工作。上帝见到许多称为他子民的人没有为永生建造品格，因此他便本着慈悲的心怀，发出一道警告的信息，要把他们从昏迷中唤醒，预备等候主的降临。[38]{GC 311.2}
§78
To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of His professed people were not building for eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord. {GC 311.2}[38]
§79
这道警告可从启示录十四章上看出来。这里有一个三重的警告，由三位天使传扬出来，紧接着便是人子降临，“地上的庄稼就被收割了。”第一重警告宣布审判的时候已经到了。先知见到有一位天使“飞在空中，有永远的福音要传给住在地上的人，就是各国、各族、各方、各民；他大声说，应当敬畏上帝，将荣耀归给他；因他施行审判的时候已经到了；应当敬拜那创造天、地、海和众水泉源的。”（启14:6-7）[39]{GC 311.3}
§80
This warning is brought to view in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold message represented as proclaimed by heavenly beings and immediately followed by the coming of the Son of man to reap the harvest of the earth. The first of these warnings announces the approaching judgment. The prophet beheld an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:6, 7. {GC 311.3}[39]
§81
这个信息乃是“永远的福音”的一部分。传福音的工作并没有委托给天使，乃是交托给世人的。上帝固然用圣天使来指导这工作，他们在救人的大运动上固然负有责任；但实际宣传福音的工作，却是交给基督在地上的仆人去执行的。[40]{GC 312.1}
§82
This message is declared to be a part of the everlasting gospel. The work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels, but has been entrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men; but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of Christ upon the earth. {GC 312.1}[40]
§83
忠心的人们，就是那些顺从上帝圣灵指示和《圣经》教训的人，要将这警告传给世人。这些人曾经留意“先知更确的预言，如同灯照在暗处；……直等到天发亮晨星……出现的时候。”（彼后1:19）他们曾寻求上帝的知识，过于寻求一切隐藏的财宝，并认为“得智慧胜过得银子，其利益强如精金。”（箴3:14）所以主耶和华就将有关天国的大事启示他们。“耶和华与敬畏他的人亲密；他必将自己的约指示他们。”（诗25:14）[41]{GC 312.2}
§84
Faithful men, who were obedient to the promptings of Gods Spirit and the teachings of His word, were to proclaim this warning to the world. They were those who had taken heed to the sure word of prophecy, the light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise. 2 Peter 1:19. They had been seeking the knowledge of God more than all hid treasures, counting it better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 3:14. And the Lord revealed to them the great things of the kingdom. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:14. {GC 312.2}[41]
§85
那些能理解这真理并进行传扬的人，不是一般博学的神学家。如果那些神学家真是忠心的守望者，殷勤恳切地查考《圣经》，他们便要知道夜间的更次；并且先知的预言也必把那快来的种种大事向他们显明了。可惜他们没有作到这一步，所以这警告只好交给一班更卑微的人去传扬了。耶稣曾说：“应当趁着有光行走，免得黑暗临到你们。”（约12:35）凡是离开上帝所赐的光，或是在可以得到光的时候而不寻求的人，都要被撇弃在黑暗之中。但救主宣称：“跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光。”（约8:12）凡是专心一致努力遵行上帝的旨意，认真顺从所赐之光的人，必要得到更大的光亮；对于这一等人，天上必要发出光来，引导他们进入一切真理之中。[42]{GC 312.3}
§86
It was not the scholarly theologians who had an understanding of this truth, and engaged in its proclamation. Had these been faithful watchmen, diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known the time of night; the prophecies would have opened to them the events about to take place. But they did not occupy this position, and the message was given by humbler men. Said Jesus: Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. John 12:35. Those who turn away from the light which God has given, or who neglect to seek it when it is within their reach, are left in darkness. But the Saviour declares: He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12. Whoever is with singleness of purpose seeking to do Gods will, earnestly heeding the light already given, will receive greater light; to that soul some star of heavenly radiance will be sent to guide him into all truth. {GC 312.3}[42]
§87
在基督第一次降临的时候，耶路撒冷城中有许多祭司和文士，他们曾受托保管上帝的圣言，很可以明察时兆，并宣扬应许之主的降临。弥迦的预言已经指出主诞生的地点；（弥5:2）但以理也曾特别说明主降临的时期。（但9:25）上帝曾把这些预言委托给犹太的领袖；如果他们还是不明白，而又不向百姓宣告弥赛亚的降生已近在目前，那真是无可推诿的了。他们的无知乃是由于恶意的疏忽所致。那时候的犹太人一面为许多被杀的先知建造纪念碑，而一面却在尊敬地上的伟人——也就是敬服撒但的仆人。他们专心争夺人间的地位和权力，甚至于盲目看不出天上之君所乐意赐给他们的神圣光荣。[43]{GC 313.1}
§88
At the time of Christs first advent the priests and scribes of the Holy City, to whom were entrusted the oracles of God, might have discerned the signs of the times and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. The prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace; Daniel specified the time of His advent. Micah 5:2; Daniel 9:25. God committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiahs coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect. The Jews were building monuments for the slain prophets of God, while by their deference to the great men of earth they were paying homage to the servants of Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious strife for place and power among men, they lost sight of the divine honors proffered them by the King of heaven. {GC 313.1}[43]
§89
以色列家的长老对于这个历史上最大的事件——上帝儿子降世来完成救赎的工作——的地点，时间和情形，原是应当用深切而恭敬的兴趣去研究的。众人也应当在警醒等候，以便争先欢迎这位世界的救赎主。可是你看那两个疲惫的旅客，从拿撒勒的山地下来，到了伯利恒，走遍那狭窄的街道，直到该镇的东头，也找不到一个安身过夜之所。没有人开门接待他们。他们最后找到的安身之处乃是一个圈养牲畜的破旧茅舍，世界的救主便在这里诞生了。[44]{GC 313.2}
§90
With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in the worlds history--the coming of the Son of God to accomplish the redemption of man. All the people should have been watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome the worlds Redeemer. But, lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born. {GC 313.2}[44]
§91
众天使已经看见过这位上帝圣子在创世之前与上帝同享的荣耀，他们也曾深切注意地展望到救主降世的时候，并认明这桩大事要为万民带来极大的喜乐。他们奉差遣去把这大喜的信息传给那些预备领受，也喜欢把这信息转告万民的人。基督已经虚己取了人的性质；他要献上己身作为赎罪祭，并担负人类祸患的无穷重担；但天使们还是希望这位至高者的儿子在屈辱之中，仍可在世人面前得到与他品格相称的尊严与荣耀。世界各地的大人物是否要聚集在以色列的首都来欢迎他的降生呢？众天使是否要将他介绍给那些期待着的人呢？[45]{GC 313.3}
§92
Heavenly angels had seen the glory which the Son of God shared with the Father before the world was, and they had looked forward with intense interest to His appearing on earth as an event fraught with the greatest joy to all people. Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to those who were prepared to receive it and who would joyfully make it known to the inhabitants of the earth. Christ had stooped to take upon Himself mans nature; He was to bear an infinite weight of woe as He should make His soul an offering for sin; yet angels desired that even in His humiliation the Son of the Highest might appear before men with a dignity and glory befitting His character. Would the great men of earth assemble at Israels capital to greet His coming? Would legions of angels present Him to the expectant company? {GC 313.3}[45]
§93
有一位天使到地上来，要看一看谁是预备欢迎耶稣的。但他却看不出世人有什么迫切等待的举动。他听不到什么赞美和欢呼的声音庆祝弥赛亚降生日期的临近。这位天使在这蒙选之城和上帝历代显现的殿上徘徊了一时；然而在这样的场所中，也显有同样的冷淡状态。祭司们正在趾高气扬，满心骄傲的于圣殿中献上有玷污的祭物。法利赛人也正在向民众高谈阔论，或是在街头作夸大自矜的祈祷。在王宫内，在哲人学者的会所中，在拉比的学校里，人们对于这使全天庭充满快乐与赞美的奇妙大事——人类的救赎主要降生世上，都毫不在意。[46]{GC 314.1}
§94
An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome Jesus. But he can discern no tokens of expectancy. He hears no voice of praise and triumph that the period of Messiahs coming is at hand. The angel hovers for a time over the chosen city and the temple where the divine presence has been manifested for ages; but even here is the same indifference. The priests, in their pomp and pride, are offering polluted sacrifices in the temple. The Pharisees are with loud voices addressing the people or making boastful prayers at the corners of the streets. In the palaces of kings, in the assemblies of philosophers, in the schools of the rabbis, all are alike unmindful of the wondrous fact which has filled all heaven with joy and praise--that the Redeemer of men is about to appear upon the earth. {GC 314.1}[46]
§95
没有什么现象足以表明人们在期待着基督，也没有人准备欢迎这生命之君。这位天使在惊奇之余想要回到天庭，去报告这令人非常羞愧的消息，正在此时，他发现了几个在夜间看守羊群的牧人，他们注视着满天星斗的穹苍，思想有关弥赛亚降世的预言，并盼望这世界的救赎主降临。这里有一班人是已经预备好了，可以接受天上的信息。这位天使便忽然向他们显现，宣布这大喜的信息。随后有天庭的荣耀照射在全平原之上，无数的天使显现了，好像这场欢乐是过于一位天使所能传扬的，众天使便同声唱出赞美的诗歌，也就是将来有一天万国得救的子民所要唱的歌，说：“在至高之处荣耀归于上帝，在地上平安归于他所喜悦的人。”（路2:14）[47]{GC 314.2}
§96
There is no evidence that Christ is expected, and no preparation for the Prince of life. In amazement the celestial messenger is about to return to heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovers a group of shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, and, as they gaze into the starry heavens, are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to come to earth, and longing for the advent of the worlds Redeemer. Here is a company that is prepared to receive the heavenly message. And suddenly the angel of the Lord appears, declaring the good tidings of great joy. Celestial glory floods all the plain, an innumerable company of angels is revealed, and as if the joy were too great for one messenger to bring from heaven, a multitude of voices break forth in the anthem which all the nations of the saved shall one day sing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14. {GC 314.2}[47]
§97
这段伯利恒的奇妙故事，对于我们有何等大的教训啊！它斥责我们的不信、骄傲和自满。它警告我们务要警醒，免得我们因有罪的冷淡而也看不出现代的兆头，以至不知道自己蒙眷顾的日子。[48]{GC 315.1}
§98
Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our unbelief, our pride and self-sufficiency. How it warns us to beware, lest by our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times, and therefore know not the day of our visitation. {GC 315.1}[48]
§99
众天使不但在犹太的山地上看到了一班低微的牧羊人守候着弥赛亚的降生；他们也曾在异邦人之地找到了一些正在仰望他的人。这些人乃是博士、富贵之士、东方的哲学家。这几位博士是研究自然界的学者，他们已经从上帝的作为中看到上帝。他们研究过希伯来人的《圣经》，知道“出于雅各”的星必要出现，便切切等待他的降生，并知道他不但要成为“以色列的安慰者”，同时也是“照亮外邦人的光”，“施行救恩直到地极”。（路2:25,32）他们乃是寻求真光的人，所以从上帝宝座那里就射出光来照亮他们脚前的路。正当那些受托为真理之保守者和解释者的耶路撒冷的祭司与拉比们被笼罩在黑暗中的时候，有一颗天庭所差来的明星引领这些异邦的客人来到了新生君王的诞生地点。[49]{GC 315.2}
§100
It was not alone upon the hills of Judea, not among the lowly shepherds only, that angels found the watchers for Messiahs coming. In the land of the heathen also were those that looked for Him; they were wise men, rich and noble, the philosophers of the East. Students of nature, the Magi had seen God in His handiwork. From the Hebrew Scriptures they had learned of the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with eager desire they awaited His coming, who should be not only the Consolation of Israel, but a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Luke 2:25, 32; Acts 13:47. They were seekers for light, and light from the throne of God illumined the path for their feet. While the priests and rabbis of Jerusalem, the appointed guardians and expounders of the truth, were shrouded in darkness, the Heaven-sent star guided these Gentile strangers to the birthplace of the newborn King. {GC 315.2}[49]
§101
对于一切“等候他的人，”基督“将来要……第二次显现，并与罪无关，乃是为拯救他们。”（来9:28）基督第二次降临的信息正如救主降生时的佳音一样，也没有交给民间的宗教领袖们。他们既没有和上帝保持联络，又拒绝了从天而来的光亮；所以他们就不能列在使徒保罗所形容的那一等人之中：“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。”（帖前5:4-5）[50]{GC 315.3}
§102
It is unto them that look for Him that Christ is to appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28. Like the tidings of the Saviours birth, the message of the second advent was not committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had refused light from heaven; therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul: 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. 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5. {GC 315.3}[50]
§103
锡安城墙上的守望者按理应当最先得到救主降生的佳音，最先高声传扬主的临近，并且最先向民众发出警告叫他们准备欢迎他的降临。但他们却怡然自得地梦想着平安与稳妥，同时百姓已昏睡在自己的罪恶之中。耶稣看见他的教会像不结果子的无花果树一样，长满虚伪的叶子，而没有结出宝贵的果子。对于宗教形式，他们作夸耀的遵守，但对于真正谦卑悔改和守信的精神，他们却一无所有。他们不但没有显出圣灵的美德，反而显出骄傲、形式主义、虚荣、自私和欺压。一个冷淡退后的教会对于时代的兆头，是闭着眼睛看不见的。上帝并没有撇弃他们，也没有对他们失信；乃是他们离开了上帝，并使自己与他的爱隔绝了。他们既拒绝履行上帝的条件，上帝的应许也就不能为他们实现了。[51]{GC 315.4}
§104
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should have been the first to catch the tidings of the Saviours advent, the first to lift their voices to proclaim Him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for His coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw His church, like the barren fig tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence, and faith--which alone could render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them, or suffer His faithfulness to fail; but they departed from Him, and separated themselves from His love. As they refused to comply with the conditions, His promises were not fulfilled to them. {GC 315.4}[51]
§105
这就是不看重和不善用上帝所赐的亮光与权利的必然结果。教会若不顺从上帝的引导，接受每一线亮光，实践主所启示的每一个本分，则不免要堕落到徒具形式，而没有活泼敬虔之精神的地步。这种真理已经在教会历史中多次证实了。上帝要求他的子民务要按所赐的恩典与特权，将信仰与顺从实践出来。顺从的条件乃是牺牲，也包含十字架在内；因此许多自称为基督徒的人就不肯接受从天而来的亮光，并像古时的犹太人一样，不知道自己蒙眷顾的时候。（路19:44）因为他们的骄傲和不信，上帝就越过他们，而把自己的真理启示给那些像伯利恒的牧人和东方的博士一样顺从所领受的一切亮光的人。[52]{GC 316.1}
§106
Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in His opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of His people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. Luke 19:44. Because of their pride and unbelief the Lord passed them by and revealed His truth to those who, like the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Eastern Magi, had given heed to all the light they had received. {GC 316.1}[52]