第28章 末日的祈祷
§1
第28章 末日的祈祷
§2
Chap. 28—Prayer in the Last Days
§3
生活在末世的人尤其需要祈祷——那具有神性力量的人类救主，尚且觉得有祷告的需要。我们这软弱有罪必死的世人，更当如何觉得需要祈祷──需要热切的、不断的祈祷啊！基督在受最强烈的试探之时，禁食并把自己交托给上帝，藉着迫切祈祷及完全顺从祂父的旨意，而终为得胜者。凡自称相信末世真理，而超乎一般口头基督徒之上的人，都应当在祷告上效法这伟大的模范。（CD 52，53）{Pr 274.1}[1]
§4
Those Living in the Last Days Especially Need to Pray—If the Saviour of men, with His divine strength, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of prayer—fervent, constant prayer! When Christ was the most fiercely beset by temptation, He ate nothing. He committed Himself to God, and through earnest prayer, and perfect submission to the will of His Father, came off conqueror. Those who profess the truth for these last days, above every other class of professed Christians, should imitate the great Exemplar in prayer.—(Counsels on Diet and Foods, 52, 53.){Pr 274.1}[1]
§5
上帝的子民有责任祈求在末日来临之前有更多恩典的岁月——必须有更属灵的生活，更深切地献身于上帝，及在祂的圣工上更加空前热心。必须多用工夫祈祷，使我们品格的衣袍可在羔羊的血中洗净洁白。{Pr 274.2}[2]
§6
God’s People Have a Responsibility to Pray for a Few More Years of Grace Before the End Comes—There must be more spirituality, a deeper consecration to God, and a zeal in His work that has never yet been reached. Much time should be spent in prayer, that our garments of character may be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.{Pr 274.2}[2]
§7
我们尤其是应当本着绝不摇动的信心，求上帝降赐恩典及能力给祂现代的子民。我们不相信上帝让我们的自由受拘束的时候已经完全来到了。先知见到有“四位天使站在地的四角，执掌地上四方的风，叫风不吹在地上、海上和树上。”另有一位天使，从东方上来，向他们喊叫说：“地与海并树木，你们不可伤害，等我们印了我们上帝众仆人的额”（启7:13）。这里指出了我们现在应作之工。一种重大的责任，现正交给全球各地虔诚祈祷的男女信徒们，应当祈求上帝驱退邪恶凶险之风云，再赏几年恩典的光阴，以便为主作工。但愿我们向上帝呼吁，使天使执掌四方的风，直到能派布道士到天涯海角，向违背耶和华律法之人发出警告。（5T 717，718）{Pr 274.3}[3]
§8
Especially should we, with unwavering faith, seek God for grace and power to be given to His people now. We do not believe that the time has fully come when He would have our liberties restricted.?The prophet saw “four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” Another angel, ascending from the east, cried to them, saying: “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” This points out the work we have now to do. A vast responsibility is devolving upon men and women of prayer throughout the land to petition that God will sweep back the cloud of evil and give a few more years of grace in which to work for the Master. Let us cry to God that the angels may hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world and shall proclaim the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:717, 718.)?{Pr 274.3}[3]
§9
在平安时祈祷会预备上帝的子民迎接末日艰难的时辰——基督的仆人不必预备一套在受审问时应用的讲辞。他们的准备在乎天天储藏上帝圣言中宝贵的真理，并藉着祷告来坚固自己的信仰。及至他们受审时，圣灵就必使他们想起所需要的真理。{Pr 275.1}[4]
§10
Prayer in Times of Peace Will Prepare God’s People for Times of Trouble at the End—The servants of Christ were to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial. Their preparation was to be made day by day in treasuring up the precious truths of God’s word, and through prayer strengthening their faith. When they were brought into trial, the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the very truths that would be needed.{Pr 275.1}[4]
§11
人若天天热切追求认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督，心里就必得着力量和效能。由于殷勤查考圣经而得的知识，必在恰当的时候忽然现于心头。但人若疏忽而不熟悉基督的话，从来没有在考验中亲身经历过祂恩典的力量，就不能希望圣灵帮助他们想起祂的话来。他们必须天天全心全意地侍奉上帝而信靠祂。（DA 355）{Pr 275.2}[5]
§12
A daily, earnest striving to know God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, would bring power and efficiency to the soul. The knowledge obtained by diligent searching of the Scriptures would be flashed into the memory at the right time. But if any had neglected to acquaint themselves with the words of Christ, if they had never tested the power of His grace in trial, they could not expect that the Holy Spirit would bring His words to their remembrance. They were to serve God daily with undivided affection, and then trust Him.—(The Desire of Ages, 355.){Pr 275.2}[5]
§13
我们现今正处在世界历史最严重的时期。地上亿万人的命运行将永远决定了。我们自己来生的幸福以及别人的得救或灭亡，全在乎我们现在所遵循的途径。我们需要真理之灵的引导。每一个跟随基督的人应当恳切求问说：“主啊，祢要我作什么呢？”我们需要在主面前谦卑、禁食、祈祷、并多多默想祂的话，尤其是关乎审判的每一幕情景。我们现今应当在一切有关上帝的事上寻求深刻而活泼的经验，不容稍懈。许多极其重大的事件正在我们的周围发生。我们现今正处在撒但施行魔力蛊惑人心的范围之内。（GC 601）?{Pr 275.3}[6]
§14
We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history. The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being, and also the salvation of other souls, depend upon the course which we now pursue. We need to?be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His Word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan’s enchanted ground.—(The Great Controversy, 601.)?{Pr 275.3}[6]
§15
我们需要一种能以忍受疲劳、迟延和饥饿的信心，来应付那即将临到我们的忧患和痛苦的时期，──这种信心纵然经受最惨重的试炼，也不至于衰退。上帝给人一个恩典时期，使人人都可以准备应付这未来的考验。雅各的得胜是因为他有恒心和决心。他的胜利说明了恳切祈祷的力量。凡能像雅各一样持守上帝的应许，并像他一样热切呼求坚持到底的人，必能像他一样成功。凡不愿克己，不愿在上帝面前挣扎，不愿恒切求主赐福的人，必一无所得。与上帝“角力”，能体会这一句话的人，真是寥寥无几！有几个人曾因渴慕上帝而不遗余力地寻求祂呢？当那说不出来的绝望之感，象浪涛一样猛然冲击祈求上帝的人时，又有几个人能以不屈不挠的信心持住上帝的应许呢？（GC 621）{Pr 276.1}[7]
§16
The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God.—(The Great Controversy, 621.){Pr 276.1}[7]
§17
祈祷要成为保障直到末日——直到善恶的大斗争结束为止，世上总免不了有偏离上帝的人。撒但一定要为我们布置环境，以致我们若不得蒙上帝能力的保守，这些环境就必不知不觉地削弱我们心灵的屏障。我们必须步步扪心自问：“这是耶和华的道路么？”只要我们生存一天，我们就需要坚毅地控制自己的感情和情欲。我们若不倚赖上帝，将生命“与基督一同藏在上帝里面”，我们就没有一时一刻是真正安全的。儆醒与祷告乃是纯洁的保障。{Pr 276.2}[8]
§18
Prayer to Be a Safeguard Until the End—Till the conflict is ended, there will be those who will depart from God. Satan will so shape circumstances that unless we are kept by divine power, they will almost imperceptibly weaken the fortifications of the soul. We need to inquire at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” So long as life shall last, there will be need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. Not one moment can we be secure except as we rely upon God, the life hidden with Christ. Watchfulness and prayer are the safeguards of purity.{Pr 276.2}[8]
§19
凡进入上帝圣城的人必要从那“窄门”进去──经历艰苦的奋斗；因为“凡不洁净的……总不得进那城”（启21:27）。但任何已经跌倒的人都不必失望。一度蒙上帝重用的年纪老迈的人，或许曾在情欲的火焰上牺牲了自己的贞洁而污秽了自己的心灵，但只要他们悔改，离弃罪恶，并转向上帝，他们还是有希望的。那位应许说：“你们务要至死忠心，我就赐给你那生命的冠冕”的主（启2:10），也向罪人发出邀请说：“恶人当离弃自己的道路；不义的人当除掉自己的意念，归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他；当归向我们的上帝，因为上帝必广行赦免”（赛55:7）。上帝恨恶罪恶，但祂怜爱罪人。祂说：“我必医治他们背道的病；甘心爱他们”（何14:4）。（PK 83，84）{Pr 276.3}[9]
§20
All who enter the City of God will enter through the strait gate—by agonizing effort; for “there shall in no wise enter into it anything?that defileth.”?Revelation 21:27. But none who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them. He who declares, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” also gives the invitation, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”Revelation 2:10;?Isaiah 55:7. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. “I will heal their backsliding,” He declares; “I will love them freely.”Hosea 14:4.—(Prophets and Kings, 83, 84.)?{Pr 276.3}[9]
§21
在最大的危险时辰小群人将为教会祈祷——敬虔的酵还没有完全失效。正在教会危机最严重，情况最低落的时候，那行在光中的小群将要因地上所行可憎之事而叹息哀哭。但他们更要特别为教会献上祈祷，因为其中的教友正在效法世俗的榜样。{Pr 277.1}[10]
§22
A Small Group Will Be Praying for the Church in the Time of Her Greatest Danger—The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.{Pr 277.1}[10]
§23
这一班少数忠心之人的恳切祈祷，必不徒然。当主以施行报应者的身分降临时，祂也必以护卫者的姿态出现，来保护那些保持信仰纯洁并保守自己不沾染世俗的人。上帝应许要给那些昼夜呼吁祂的选民伸冤，祂纵然为他们忍了多时，这时也要实现了。（5T 209，210）{Pr 277.2}[11]
§24
The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:209, 210.){Pr 277.2}[11]
§25
在晚雨时祈求圣灵——我们不能依靠形式或外在的动力。我们所需要的，是上帝的圣灵苏醒人心的影响力。“不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事”（亚4:6）。你要不住的祷告，并按照你的祈求警醒工作。你在祷告的时候，要相信并依靠上帝。当主赐下丰盛的圣灵时，晚雨的时候就来到了。要热切地祷告，并且在圣灵里警醒。（RH.1897.3.2）{Pr 277.3}[12]
§26
Pray for the Spirit in the Time of the Latter Rain—We cannot depend upon form or external machinery. What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Pray without ceasing, and watch by working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of his Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit.—(The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897.){Pr 277.3}[12]
§27
祈祷是基督徒最后唯一的保障——我看见一些人，凭着坚强的信心和痛苦的呼吁，恳求上帝。他们脸色苍白，表露着深切的焦虑，显示他们内心的争战。坚强的意志和极其诚恳的心情表露在他们的面孔上；从他们的额上流下大滴的汗珠。他们的脸上偶尔焕发着上帝嘉纳的记号，然后那原来严肃、诚恳、焦虑的表情又显出来了。{Pr 278.1}[13]
§28
Prayer the Christian’s Only Safety at the End—I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them.{Pr 278.1}[13]
§29
有恶使者挤在周围，将黑暗压在他们身上，叫他们看不见耶稣，使他们的眼睛注意那包围着他们的黑暗，从而诱导他们不信任上帝，而且小声抱怨祂。他们唯一的保障是一直举目向上。有上帝的使者负责看顾祂的子民，所以当恶使者恶毒的气氛逼在这些焦虑的人身上时，圣天使就不住地在他们上面摆动翅膀，驱散那浓密的黑暗。{Pr 278.2}[14]
§30
Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness.{Pr 278.2}[14]
§31
当那些祈祷的人继续他们恳切的呼吁时，不时有一道光从耶稣那里射下来，鼓励他们的心并光照他们的脸。我看出有一些人没有参与这种挣扎恳求的工作。他们似乎漠不关心，无忧无虑。他们没有抗拒那环绕着他们的黑暗，这黑暗便像一层浓黑的云雾将他们罩住了。上帝的使者离开了这一等人，去帮助那些恳切的、祈祷的人。我看见上帝的使者急忙去协助一切竭力挣扎抵挡恶使者，并恒切地呼求上帝而力图自助的人。但祂的使者离开了那些不肯出力自助的人，我就再也看不见他们了。（ EW 269，270）{Pr 278.3}[15]
§32
As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.—(Early Writings, 269, 270.){Pr 278.3}[15]
§33
到了最后，上帝的子民将象雅各那样祈祷和获胜——雅各和以扫代表两等人：雅各代表义人。以扫代表恶人。雅各在听说以扫带着四百人向他进袭时所感到的急难，正代表义人在主复临前夕有法令发出要将他们处死时所遭受的艰难。恶人既包围他们，他们势必忧心如焚，因为他们也象雅各一样，看不出自己有什么生路。那位天使既已置身于雅各面前，雅各便抓住那位天使，与他整夜较力。义人也必如此，他们遭受艰难痛苦时，也必在祈祷中与上帝较力，正如雅各与天使较力一样。雅各在急难中彻夜祷告，要求脱离以扫的手。义人在受到心灵方面的痛苦时，也必昼夜呼求上帝，求祂拯救他们脱离那包围着他们之恶人的手。?{Pr 278.4}[16]
§34
God’s People Will Pray and Prevail at the End as Did Jacob—Jacob and Esau represent two classes; Jacob the righteous, and Esau the wicked. Jacob’s distress when he learned that Esau was marching against him with four hundred men, represents the trouble of the righteous as the decree goes forth to put them to death, just before the coming of the Lord. As the wicked gather about them they will be filled with anguish, for like Jacob they can see no escape for their?lives. The angel placed himself before Jacob, and he took hold of the angel and held him, and wrestled with him all night. So also will the righteous, in their time of trouble and anguish, wrestle in prayer with God, as Jacob wrestled with the angel. Jacob in his distress prayed all night for deliverance from the hand of Esau. The righteous in their mental anguish will cry to God day and night for deliverance from the hand of the wicked who surround them.?{Pr 278.4}[16]
§35
雅各承认了他的不配：“祢向仆人所施的一切慈爱和诚实，我一点也不配得”（创32:10）。义人在急难中也必深深感到自己的不配，并且不住流泪承认自己的完全不配，象雅各一般，提出上帝借基督所赐给象这样无依无靠，不能自主而痛悔之罪人的种种应许。{Pr 279.1}[17]
§36
Jacob confessed his unworthiness. “I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant.” The righteous, in their distress, will have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and with many tears will acknowledge their utter unworthiness, and like Jacob will plead the promises of God through Christ, made to just such dependent, helpless, repenting sinners.{Pr 279.1}[17]
§37
雅各在急难中紧紧握住了那位天使而不容他去。他流泪恳求时，那位天使就叫他想起他过去所犯的错误，并竭力要摆脱雅各，要试验他。义人在遭难的日子也要如此经受试炼和考验，为要显明他们信心的力量、他们的恒心以及对于上帝拯救他们之神能的坚强信赖。{Pr 279.2}[18]
§38
Jacob took firm hold of the angel in his distress, and would not let him go. As he made supplication with tears, the angel reminded him of his past wrongs, and endeavored to escape from Jacob, to test him and prove him. So will the righteous, in the day of their anguish, be tested, proved, and tried, to manifest their strength of faith, their perseverance and unshaken confidence in the power of God to deliver them.{Pr 279.2}[18]
§39
雅各不肯被拒绝。他知道上帝是有怜悯的，所以他就恳求上帝的怜悯。他指出他过去如何为自己的罪忧伤痛悔，所以竭力恳求拯救他脱离以扫的手。他如此继续不断地请求了一整夜。他既回顾自己过去的一切错误，便几乎要绝望了。但他深知他必须得到上帝的帮助，否则就必灭亡。他紧握住那位天使，并用痛苦、恳切的呼求提出他的请求，直到他得到胜利为止。义人的经验也必如此，他们在回顾过去一生事迹时，他们的希望几乎要消沉了。但他们既认识到这事的有关生死存亡，就必热切地呼求上帝，向祂申诉他们过去曾经如何为自己的许多罪恶忧伤与谦心痛悔，同时也提出祂的应许：“让他持住我的能力，使他与我和好；愿他与我和好”（赛27:5）。这样，他们的恳切呼求就必日以继夜奉献到上帝面前。{3SG 131-133}{Pr 279.3}[19]
§40
Jacob would not be turned away. He knew that God was merciful, and he appealed to His mercy. He pointed back to his past sorrow and repentance of his wrongs, and urged his petition for deliverance from the hand of Esau. Thus his importuning continued all night. As he reviewed his past wrongs, he was driven almost to despair. But he knew that he must have help from God or perish. He held fast the angel, and urged his petition with agonizing, earnest cries, until he prevailed. Thus will it be with the righteous. As they review the events of their past life, their hopes will almost sink. But as they realize that it is a case of life or death, they will earnestly cry unto God, and appeal to Him in regard to their past sorrow and humble repentance of their many sins, and then will refer to His promise, “Let him take hold of My strength, and make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me.” Thus will their earnest petitions be offered to God day and night.—(Spiritual Gifts 3:131-133.){Pr 279.3}[19]