历史的教训
§1
历史的教训
§2
Lessons From the Past
§3
当挪亚的后代人数增多的时候，背道不久就导致了分裂。那些想要忘记他们的创造主，摆脱祂律法约束的人，决定与敬拜上帝的人分开。于是他们就旅行到示拿平原，在幼发拉底河两岸。他们决定在这里建一座城，在城中建一座高得顶天的塔，——高到没有洪水能淹没它，大到没有什么能将它扫除。他们就这样希望使自己独立于上帝。{KC 1.1}
§4
As Noah’s descendants increased in number, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator, and to cast off the restraint of His law, decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates. Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower reaching unto heaven—so high that no flood could rise to the top, so massive that nothing could sweep it away. Thus they hoped to make themselves independent of God.?{KC 1.1}
§5
然而在巴别人中间还有一些敬畏上帝的人，他们被不虔诚之人的主张欺骗，卷入了他们的计划。这些人不愿加入这种联盟去反对上帝的旨意。他们拒绝被奇妙的陈述和宏大的前景所欺骗。为了这些忠心之人的缘故，主推迟了祂的刑罚，给人们时间去显明他们的真实品质。他们不听从主的忠告，反而实施自己的意图。大多数人在他们胆大包天的事业上完全联合起来了。要是允许他们继续下去而不加抑制，他们就会用种种奇妙的计划败坏世界。{KC 1.2}
§6
But among the men of Babel there were living some God-fearing men who had been deceived by the pretensions of the ungodly, and drawn into their wicked schemes. These men would not join this confederacy to thwart the purposes of God. They refused to be deceived by the wonderful representations and the grand outlook. For the sake of these faithful ones, the Lord delayed His judgments, and gave the people time to reveal their true character. They heeded not the counsel of the Lord, but carried out their own purposes. The great majority were fully united in their heaven-daring undertaking. Had they been permitted to go on unchecked, they would have demoralized the world by their wonderful plans.?{KC 1.2}
§7
这个联盟出自对上帝的反叛。示拿平原的居民建立他们的国度为的是高抬自己，而不是为了荣耀上帝。要是他们成功了，一个强大的势力就会掌权，取消公义并创立一个新的宗教。某些宗教思想与大量错误理论的混和就会导致关闭平安、幸福与安全之门。这些推测、错误的理论得到实行和完善，就会将认识耶和华律法的知识从人们心中驱逐出去，他们就不会认为有必要遵守神圣的律例。这些圣洁、公义、善良的律例就会被忽视。下定决心的人们既受那叛逆魁首的启发，就会受他鞭策，还会不允许任何东西干涉他们的计划或阻止他们的罪恶行径。他们就会用按照他们私心的愿望制定的律法取代上帝的律例，以便遂行他们的目的。{KC 1.3}
§8
This confederacy was born of rebellion against God. The dwellers on the plains of Shinar established their kingdom for self-exaltation, and not for the glory of God. Had they succeeded, a mighty power would have borne away, banishing righteousness, and inaugurating a new religion. The mixture of certain religious ideas with a mass of erroneous theories would have resulted in closing the door of peace, happiness, and security. These suppositions, erroneous theories, carried out and perfected, would have banished a knowledge of the law of Jehovah from the minds of men, who would not think it necessary to obey the divine statutes. These statutes, which are holy, just, and good, would have been ignored. Determined men, inspired by the first great rebel, would have urged on by him, and would have permitted nothing to interfere with their plans, or to stop them in their evil course. In the place of the divine precepts they would have substituted laws framed in accordance with the desires of their selfish hearts in order that they might carry out their purposes.?{KC 1.3}
§9
但上帝从不许可世界没有为祂作见证的人。在洪水之后第一次大背道时，那些敬畏上帝的人自卑并向祂呼求。他们恳求说：“上帝啊，求祢在祢的圣工和世人的计划和方法之间加以干预。”“耶和华降临，要看看世人所建造的城和塔（那个巨大的偶像建筑物）”（创11:5）。祂挫败了建塔者们的意图，推翻了他们叛乱的纪念物。上帝长久容忍世人的刚愎，给他们充分的机会悔改；但也注意到他们抗拒祂公义圣洁的律法的权威所用的一切策略。作为祂不喜悦他们建这座塔的证据，祂变乱了建造者们的口音，以致谁也不能明白同工的话了。{KC 1.4}
§10
But God never leaves the world without witnesses for Him. Those who loved and feared Him at the time of the first great apostasy after the flood, humbled themselves, and cried unto him. “Oh God,” they pleaded, “interpose thyself between thy cause and the plans and methods of men “and the Lord came down to see the city and the tower (the great idol-building), which the children of men builded.” He defeated the purpose of the tower builders, and over-threw the memorial of their rebellion. God bears long with the perversity of men, giving them ample opportunity for repentance; but He marks all their devices to resist the authority of His just and holy law. As an evidence of His displeasure over the building of the tower, He confounded the language of the builders, so that none could understand the words of his fellow-worker.?-?{KC 1.4}
§11
在巴特尔克里克所作出的一些安排并不是主吩咐的。祂已宣布，集中并增殖巴特尔克里克乃是在抢夺其它地区的亮光和利益。藉着一封发送给我们各区会领袖和教会长老们的通函，发出了一个呼吁，要求提供有能力的青年男女的名单，以便与他们通信，邀请他们到巴特尔克里克为布道工作接受培训。{KC 1.5}
§12
The Lord has not ordered some of the arrangements that have been made in Battle Creek. He has declared that other places have been robbed of the light?and advantages that have been centered and multiplied in Battle Creek. Through a circular letter sent out to the leading men and the church elders of our conferences, a call has been made for the names of young men and young women of capability, in order that they may be corresponded with and invited to come to Battle Creek to receive a training for missionary work.?{KC 1.5}
§13
藉着在证言中赐下的亮光，主已指明祂不愿学生们在巴特尔克里克受教育。祂指示我们要把大学搬出这个地方。这事已经做了，但各机构仍没能做他们原应做成的事，与别的地区分享仍集中在巴特尔克里克的利益。主藉着烧毁留在那里的两个主要机构表示了祂对这件事的不悦。{KC 2.1}
§14
Through the light given in the Testimonies, the Lord has indicated that He does not desire students to be educated in Battle Creek. He instructed us to remove the College from this place. This was done, but the institutions that remained failed of doing what they should have done in sharing with other places the advantage still centered in Battle Creek. The Lord signified His displeasure over this matter by destroying two of the principal institutions remaining there.?{KC 2.1}
§15
在烧毁这些机构的大火中，虽有上帝天意的清楚证据，人们在议事会中还是毫不犹豫地站在弟兄们面前，轻视了这个声明，即这些建筑物被烧毁是因为人们一直在使事情倒向主不能赞同的方向。{KC 2.2}
§16
Notwithstanding the plain evidences of the Lord’s providence in these destructive fires, men in council meetings have not hesitated to stand before their brethren and make light of the statement that these buildings were burned because men had been swaying things in directions the Lord could not approve.?{KC 2.2}
§17
原则已被歪曲。人们一直在离开正义原则，这些机构原是为传播正义原则而设立的。他们没能做上帝命定要做的工作，预备一班人“修造荒废之处”并且要站在破口，就如《以赛亚书》第58章中所描述的。在这章的经文中，我们要做的工作被清楚地定义为医疗布道工作。这项工作要在各地做成。上帝有一个葡萄园；祂切愿这个葡萄园被无私地开垦。任何一个部分都不被忽视。最受忽视的部分需要最机警的布道士去做在《以赛亚书》第五十七章中所描绘的工作。{KC 2.3}
§18
Principles have been perverted. Men have been departing from right principles, for the promulgation of which these institutions were established. They have failed in doing the very work that God ordained should be done to prepare a people to “build the old waste places” and to stand in the breach, as is represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. In this scripture the work we are to do is clearly defined as being medical missionary work. This work is to be done in all places. God has a vineyard; and He desires that this vineyard shall be worked unselfishly. No parts are to be neglected. The most neglected portion needs the most wide awake missionaries to do the work portrayed in the fifty-seventh chapter of Isaiah.?{KC 2.3}
§19
“你因路远疲倦，却不说这是枉然；你以为有复兴之力，所以不觉疲惫。你怕谁？因谁恐惧？竟说谎，不记念我，又不将这事放在心上。我不是许久闭口不言，你仍不怕我吗？我要指明你的公义；至于你所行的都必与你无益。”{KC 2.4}
§20
“Thou are wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not. There is no hope; thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? Have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.”?{KC 2.4}
§21
“你哀求的时候，让你所聚集的拯救你吧！风要把他们刮散，一口气要把他们都吹去。但那投靠我的必得地土，必承受我的圣山为业。耶和华要说：你们修筑修筑，预备道路，将绊脚石从我百姓的路中除掉。因为那至高至上、永远长存（原文作住在永远）、名为圣者的如此说：我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒。我必不永远相争，也不长久发怒，恐怕我所造的人与灵性都必发昏。因他贪婪的罪孽，我就发怒击打他；我向他掩面发怒，他却仍然随心背道。我看见他所行的道，也要医治他；又要引导他，使他和那一同伤心的人再得安慰。我造就嘴唇的果子；愿平安康泰归与远处的人，也归与近处的人；并且我要医治他。这是耶和华说的。惟独恶人，好像翻腾的海，不得平静；其中的水常涌出污秽和淤泥来”（赛57:10-20）。{KC 2.5}
§22
“When thou criest, let they companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them, and shall inherit my holy mountain: and shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people for thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him, I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; peace to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”?{KC 2.5}
§23
主说：“我若按照我民的乖僻行为对待他们，他们的心灵就必发昏。他们受不了我的不悦和我的忿怒。我已看到每个罪人的乖张行为。凡悔改并且行义的，我必使之回转并得医治，重得我的眷爱。”{KC 3.1}
§24
For their spirit should fail before me, saith the Lord, if I were to deal with my people in accordance with their perversity they could not endure my displeasure and my wrath. I have seen the perverse ways of every sinner. He who repents and does the works of righteousness I will convert and heal, and restore unto him my favour.?{KC 3.1}
§25
我蒙指示要说：主在祂的审判中会记得怜悯。为祂自己圣名的缘故，祂不会允许刚愎执拗和不受约束的人实现他们不圣洁的计划。祂必报应他们乖僻的行为。“我的上帝说：恶人必不得平安”（赛57:21）。{KC 3.2}
§26
I am instructed to say that in his judgments the Lord will remember mercy. For His own name’s sake He will not permit the froward and independent to carry out their unsanctified plans. He will visit them for their perversity of action. “There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked.”?{KC 3.2}
§27
论到那些已受欺骗被不献身不圣洁的人带入歧途的人，主说：“他们的行动方针与我的旨意并不一致；然而为了我自己公义的缘故，为了真理的缘故，为了那些保持了对上帝的敬畏与热爱之人的缘故，造就了嘴唇的果子的我要将我的信息放在那些不会被滥用之人的口中。尽管一些人在他们对人们的想法和人们的目的上可能受骗和被蒙蔽，我也要医治每一个尊荣我名的人。以色列痛悔的人都必看见我的救恩。我耶和华确实在掌权，我要使远近的人心中都充满赞美与感恩，就是以色列所有持守我道路的痛悔的人。”{KC 3.3}
§28
Concerning those who have been deceived and led astray by unconsecrated men, the Lord says: “Their course of action has not been in accordance with my will; yet for the righteousness of my own cause, for the truth’s sake, for the sake of those who have preserved their fear and love of God, I, who create the fruit of the lips, will put my message in the lips of those who will not be perverted. Although some may be deceived and blinded in their ideas of men and the purposes of men, I will heal every one who honors my name. All the penitent of Israel shall see my salvation. I, the Lord do rule, and I will fill with praise and thanksgiving the hearts of all who are nigh and afar off even all the penitent of Israel who have kept my way.”?{KC 3.3}
§29
当罪孽在列国增多的时候；当种种表现在美国像过去的几年那样显著的时候；当主的钱被那些并不以圣经为指南的人随意流通的时候，当群众受到尊敬，大型的欢宴庆典举行的时候，当人人都有兴趣使人成为一切可能，并且追求自己的快乐的时候（我们看到这一切的事现在都在发生），我们就可以知道情况与挪亚的日子存在的状况相似，那时耶和华使地上的居民喝了洪水。{KC 3.4}
§30
When iniquity abounds among the nations; when presentations are as marked as they have been during the past few years in America; when the Lord’s money is freely circulated by those who do not take the Word of God as their guide, when multitudes are honored, and great festivities are held, when all are interested in making everything possible of men, and are seeking their own pleasure (and we see all these things taking place now), then we may know that the condition of things is similar to the condition that existed in the days of Noah, when the Lord caused the inhabitants of the earth to drink the waters of the flood.?{KC 3.4}