第65章 约书亚和天使
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第65章 约书亚和天使
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Chap. 65—Joshua and the Angel
§3
如果使分隔能见的与不能见的世界之幕被揭开,上帝的子民就可看出在基督及其圣天使与撒但及其恶天使之间,正在因为人类的救赎大计,而作重大的斗争;如果他们能明白上帝为救人脱离罪恶捆绑而行的奇妙工作,以及祂如何常常发挥大能来保护他们免受那恶者的毒害,他们就会更加预备好,能抵挡撒但的种种诡计了。他们见到救赎计划的极其广博与重要,以及摆在他们面前作与基督同工者之工作的伟大,他们的心意就必庄肃了。他们必定谦卑,但又很受鼓励,知道天庭全体都在关心他们的得救。{CCh 350.1}[1]
§4
If the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world could be lifted, and the people of God could behold the great controversy that is going on between Christ and holy angels and Satan and his evil hosts concerning the redemption of man; if they could understand the wonderful work of God for the rescue of souls from the bondage of sin, and the constant exercise of His power for their protection from the malice of the evil one, they would be better prepared to withstand the devices of Satan. Their minds would be solemnized in view of the vast extent and importance of the plan of redemption and the greatness of the work before them as colaborers with Christ. They would be humbled, yet encouraged, knowing that all heaven is interested in their salvation.?{CCh 350.1}[1]
§5
在撒迦利亚先知的预言中,有一个最有力而动人的例证,显明撒但的工作与基督的工作,以及我们中保的大能,怎样制胜上帝子民的控告者。在神圣的异象中,先知见到大祭司约书亚,“穿着污秽的衣服,”站在耶和华的使者面前,为其深陷苦难中的国民向上帝求恩。撒但也站在他的右边,与他作对。那大祭司对于撒但的控诉,无法为自己和他的百姓辩护。他不声称以色列民是无罪的。他穿着那象征百姓罪恶之污秽的衣服,充当他们的代表,站在使者面前,承认他们的罪,但也指出他们的悔改与谦卑,信靠救赎主的赦罪恩典,并本着信心要求上帝的诸般应许。{CCh 350.2}[2]
§6
A most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan and the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish the accuser of His people, is given in the prophecy of Zechariah. In holy vision the prophet beholds Joshua the high priest, “clothed with filthy garments,” standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of his people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him. The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the promises of God.?{CCh 350.2}[2]
§7
随后那位使者,也就是基督本身,罪人的救主,使那控告主百姓的哑口无言,祂宣布说:“撒但哪,耶和华责备你,就是拣选耶路撒冷的耶和华责备你;这不是从火中抽出来的一根柴么”(亚3:2)?约书亚的代求蒙了应允之时,即有命令发出说:“你们要脱去他污秽的衣服,”那位使者又对约书亚说:“我使你脱离罪孽,要给你穿上华美的衣服。”“他们就把洁净的冠冕戴在他头上,给他穿上华美的衣服”(亚3:4,5)。他自己和他百姓的罪都被赦免了。以色列被穿上了“华美的衣服”──就是基督的义归与他们。?{CCh 350.3}[3]
§8
Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”?Zechariah 3:2. As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments from him,” and to Joshua the Angel declares, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” “So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments.”Zechariah 3:4, 5. His own sins and those of his people were pardoned. Israel was clothed with “change of raiment”—the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.?{CCh 350.3}[3]
§9
撒但在各时代中,也象控告约书亚及其百姓一样,控告凡是寻求上帝慈悲及恩眷的人。启示录上称他为“在我们上帝面前昼夜控告我们弟兄的”(启12:10)。每当有生灵从邪恶权势之下被救出来,及其名字记录在羔羊生命册上时,都要重演一场同样的争斗。从来没有一个离开撒但家庭而参加上帝家庭的人,不激起恶者的坚决抗拒。撒但控告那些寻求主的人,并非因为不喜他们的罪恶。他们的品格有瑕疵,他便雀跃大喜。他只有在他们干犯上帝律法上才有权力压服他们。他的控告完全是出于仇恨基督的心而起。耶稣正在藉着救恩的计划擘开撒但对人类家庭的掌握,并拯救生灵脱离他的权势。这个大叛徒一见到基督至高王权的凭据,便激起一切的仇恨与恶毒,并千方百计大施魔力,要把接受主救恩的人类余民,从主那里强拉出来。{CCh 350.4}[4]
§10
As Satan accused Joshua and his people, so in all ages he accuses?those who are seeking the mercy and favor of God. In the Revelation he is declared to be the “accuser of our brethren,” “which accused them before our God day and night.”?Revelation 12:10. The controversy is repeated over every soul that is rescued from the power of evil and whose name is registered in the Lamb’s book of life. Never is one received from the family of Satan into the family of God without exciting the determined resistance of the wicked one. Satan’s accusations against those who seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sins. He exults in their defective characters. Only through their transgression of God’s law can he obtain power over them. His accusations arise solely from his enmity to Christ. Through the plan of salvation, Jesus is breaking Satan’s hold upon the human family and rescuing souls from his power. All the hatred and malignity of the archrebel is stirred as he beholds the evidence of Christ’s supremacy, and with fiendish power and cunning he works to wrest from Him the remnant of the children of men who have accepted His salvation.{CCh 350.4}[4]
§11
他引人陷于疑惑主义,使他们失去信任上帝的心,离弃祂的爱;他试探他们破坏上帝的律法,然后宣称他们是他的俘虏,并对于基督从他那里把他们夺回去的权力提出抗议。他明知凡向上帝恳求饶恕与恩典的人,结果必定得着;因此他把他们的罪恶摆在他们之前,使他们灰心。他常常不断寻找机会;攻击凡尽力要顺从上帝的人。甚至他们最好而最蒙悦纳的服务,他也要设法使它显为腐败的。他用无数的诡计,最阴险最残忍的手段,尽力使他们被定为罪。?{CCh 351.1}[5]
§12
He leads men into skepticism, causing them to lose confidence in God and to separate from His love; he tempts them to break His law, and then he claims them as his captives and contests the right of Christ to take them from him. He knows that those who seek God earnestly for pardon and grace will obtain it; therefore he presents their sins before them to discourage them. He is constantly seeking occasion against those who are trying to obey God. Even their best and most acceptable services he seeks to make appear corrupt. By countless devices, the most subtle and the most cruel, he endeavors to secure their condemnation.?{CCh 351.1}[5]
§13
人不能自己应付这些控告。他穿着罪所污秽的衣服,承认己罪,站在上帝之前。但我们的中保耶稣却要为一切凡因悔改以及因信而把自己灵魂交主保守的人们,发出有效的代求。祂为他们求情,并用髑髅地伟大论据来克服他们的控告者。祂完全顺从上帝的律法,甚至死在十字架上,使祂得了天上地下所有的权柄,而要求祂的父亲开恩与罪人和好。祂对控告祂百姓的说:“‘撒但哪,耶和华责备你。’这些人是我用血买来的,是从火中抽出来的柴。”凡凭信心倚靠祂的人,必得那安慰的保证:“看哪,我使你脱离罪孽,要给你穿上华美的衣服。”?{CCh 351.2}[6]
§14
Man cannot meet these charges himself. In his sin-stained garments, confessing his guilt, he stands before God. But Jesus our Advocate presents an effectual plea in behalf of all who by repentance and faith have committed the keeping of their souls to Him. He pleads their cause and vanquishes their accuser by the mighty arguments of Calvary. His perfect obedience to God’s law, even unto the death of the cross, has given Him all power in heaven and in earth, and He claims of His Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man. To the accuser of His people He declares: “‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’ These are the purchase of My blood, brands plucked from the burning.” Those who rely upon Him in faith receive the comforting assurance: “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”?{CCh 351.2}[6]
§15
一切已经穿上基督义袍的,必要站在祂面前作蒙拣选,忠心,而诚实的人。撒但无权把他们从基督的手里夺去。凡是悔罪而本着信心要求主保护的,主必不让他们之中的一人经过撒但的权下。祂保证的话是:“让他持住我的能力,使他与我和好;愿他与我和好”(赛27:5)。那给约书亚的应许,也是给众人说的:“你若遵行我的道,谨守我的命令……我也要使你在这些站立的人中间来往”(亚3:7)。上帝的天使必在他们的两边行走,甚至在今世也是如此,并且最后他们还要站在那环绕上帝宝座的天使之列。?{CCh 351.3}[7]
§16
All that have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to pluck them out of the hand of Christ. Not one soul that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power. His word is pledged: “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.”?Isaiah 27:5. The promise given to Joshua is made to all: “If thou wilt keep My?charge, ... I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.”?Zechariah 3:7. Angels of God will walk on either side of them, even in this world, and they will stand at last among the angels that surround the throne of God.?{CCh 351.3}[7]
§17
上帝所承认的子民被形容身穿污秽的衣服站在主的面前,这种事实应当使凡承认主名的人谦卑并深刻省察己心。凡藉着顺从真理而洁净自己心灵的人,对于自己的估价必是谦逊的。他们越清楚地看出基督无瑕疵的品格,就必越渴望要变成祂的形像,并越少看出自己里面有什么纯全或圣洁之处。我们一面应当明白自己有罪的情形,同时却要倚靠基督为我们的公义,圣洁,和救赎。我们不能应付撒但对我们的攻击。只有基督能为我们作有效的代求。祂能用那不是出于我们的功劳,乃是出乎祂自己的功劳的论据止息那控告者。?{CCh 352.1}[8]
§18
The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.?{CCh 352.1}[8]
§19
【余民教会】
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撒迦利亚所见到的约书亚及使者的异象,对于赎罪大日结束时上帝子民的经验,特别切合有力。余民的教会必遭受大试炼和大痛苦。凡守上帝诫命和耶稣真道的人,将尝到龙和龙的使者忿怒的滋味。撒但将世上的人都算为他的臣民。他已控制着一切叛道的教会;而这里还有一小群人,在抵制他的威权。只要能把这一群人从地上灭绝,他就必全胜。他在古时如何唆使许多拜偶像的国家来毁灭以色列国,在不久的将来,他也必照样鼓动地上的恶势力来毁灭上帝的百姓。一切的人都必受命去服从人定的法令,而违反上帝的律法。凡忠于上帝尽到本份的人,必遭恐吓、辱骂和迫害。他们必被“父母、弟兄、亲族、朋友”出卖(路21:16)。?{CCh 352.2}[9]
§21
【The Remnant Church】
§22
Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing up of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will “be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.”?{CCh 352.2}[9]
§23
他们唯一的希望是靠上帝的慈悲;他们唯一的保障就是祈祷。余民教会也象约书亚在使者之前祈求一样,必要伤心及存恳切的信心,藉耶稣为中保而求赦免与拯救。他们充分地感觉到自己生活上的罪孽,看明自己的软弱及不配,而且他们一看到自己,便几乎要绝望了。那试探者站在旁边控告他们,象以前站在约书亚旁边与他作对一样。他指出他们污秽的衣服,他们有瑕疵的品格。他提出他们的软弱与愚昧,他们忘恩负义的罪,他们不肖基督之处,已使他们的救赎主受了羞辱。他尽力恐吓他们的心灵,叫他们想到自己的情形是绝望的,污秽的痕迹是永远无法洗清的。他希望这样破坏他们的信心,以致他们会屈服于他的试探之下,不再忠于上帝,而接受兽的印记。撒但在上帝面前坚决控告他们,声称他们已因他们自己的罪而丧失了蒙神圣保护的权力,并宣称他有权除灭他们这些罪人。他说他们是与他本身一样,不该再蒙上帝的恩宠。他说:“难道这些就是代替我在天上的地位,以及凡与我联合之天使的地位的人么?他们虽口称遵守上帝的律法,但他们曾否谨守律法的条例呢?他们何尝不是爱自己过于爱上帝呢?何尝不是看重自己的福利过于上帝的服务呢?他们没有贪爱世俗的事物么?且看他们生活上所表现的罪恶。看哪,他们的自私自利,他们的恶毒,他们的彼此仇恨。”{CCh 352.3}[10]
§24
Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer. As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate. They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness, and as they look upon themselves they are ready to despair. The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright the soul with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes to so destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, turn from their allegiance to God, and receive the mark of the beast. Satan urges before?God his accusations against them, declaring that they have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the right to destroy them as transgressors. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. “Are these,” he says, “the people who are to take my place in heaven and the place of the angels who united with me? While they profess to obey the law of God, have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins which have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred toward one another.”?{CCh 352.3}[10]
§25
上帝子民在许多方面是有很多过失的。撒但对于这些他曾引诱他们去犯的罪,知道得很详确,而今他把这些罪恶大肆渲染,宣称说:“上帝怎能把我和我的使者从祂面前驱除,却又赏赐这些犯同样罪恶的人呢?主啊,从公义上说,祢不能这样作。祢的宝座有失公义和公平的立场。公平会要求祢判他们为有罪。”?{CCh 353.1}[11]
§26
The people of God have been in many respects very faulty. Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these in the most exaggerated light, declaring: “Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Thy throne will not stand in righteousness and judgment. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them.”?{CCh 353.1}[11]
§27
然而基督的门徒虽曾犯罪,但却没有自置于罪恶的控制之中。他们已除去罪恶,谦卑痛悔地祈求主,神圣的中保已为他们代求。那曾被他们忘恩负义尽情侮辱的主,明白他们的罪及他们的悔改,祂宣告说:“‘撒但哪,耶和华责备你。’我曾为这些人舍命,他们是铭刻在我掌上的。”?{CCh 353.2}[12]
§28
But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves to the control of evil. They have put away their sins, and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin, and also their repentance, declares: “‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’ I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands.”?{CCh 353.2}[12]
§29
【披上基督的义袍】
§30
当上帝的子民在祂面前刻苦己心,祈求清洁之心时,有命令发出说:从他们身上“脱去污秽的衣服,”并有鼓励的话说:“看哪,我使你脱离罪孽,要给你穿上华美的衣服。”基督无玷染的义袍要加在受苦难,受试探,而仍然忠心之上帝子民的身上。那被人轻视的余民要穿上荣美的衣服,永不再被世俗的败坏所玷污。他们的名留在羔羊的生命册上,被编入历代忠心子民之列。他们已拒绝那欺骗者的诡计,也没有被龙的咆哮所慑服,而改变其忠贞不贰之心。从此他们是永远安全,不再受试探者诡计之害。他们的罪已归给罪的起源者了。{CCh 353.3}[13]
§31
【Covered With the Robe of Christ’s Righteousness】
§32
As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments” from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb’s book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin.?{CCh 353.3}[13]
§33
余民不但得赦免蒙接纳,也要被尊荣。“洁净的冠冕”要戴在他们的头上。他们要作君王,作祭司,归于上帝。当撒但坚决控告及设法毁灭这群人的时候,圣天使在冥冥之中来来往往,给他们盖上永生上帝的印记。这些人要与羔羊一同站在锡安山上,有父的名字写在他们的额上。他们在宝座前唱新歌,“除了从地上买来的那十四万四千人以外,没有人能学这歌。他们是从人间买来的,作初熟的果子归与上帝和羔羊。在他们口中察不出谎言来,他们是没有瑕疵的”(启14:3-5)。(5T 467-476){CCh 353.4}[14]
§34
And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. “A fair miter” is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in?their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”?Revelation 14:4, 5.{CCh 353.4}[14]