第07章 我们唯一的保障
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第07章 我们唯一的保障
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Chap. 07—Our Only Safeguard
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今日的世界上有许多声音。我们从何处寻找真理？我们如何了解上帝的旨意，抵制撒但的试探？我们信什么关系重大吗？ “人当以训诲和法度为标准，他们所说的，若不与此相符，必不得见晨光”（赛8:20）。上帝的子民应当以圣经作为自己的保障，藉以抵挡假教师的势力和黑暗之灵的迷惑。撒但总要千方百计地不让人得到圣经的知识，因为圣经的明白启示完全揭露了他的欺骗。每当上帝的工作复兴时，魔王就要加紧活动。他现今正在竭尽全力与基督和祂的信徒作最后的决斗。最后的大骗局快要在我们面前展开了。那敌基督者将要在我们眼前施行他奇异的作为。他的赝造品将要与真的事物极为相似，以致若非藉用圣经，便无法辨明真伪。人必须以圣经的训诲为标准，去试验每一个学说和每一件奇事。{DD 36.1}[1]
§4
With so many voices in the world today, where can we turn to find truth? How can we know God’s will and guard against Satan’s deceptions? Does it really matter what we believe? “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”?Isaiah 8:20. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.{DD 36.1}[1]
§5
凡尽力要遵守上帝全部诫命的人将要受到世人的反对和嘲笑。他们只有靠着站在上帝一边，才能站立得住。为要忍受当前的试炼，他们必须明白圣经中所启示的上帝旨意。他们必须先对上帝的品德、政权和旨意有正确的认识，并在行为上与之配合一致，然后才能知道如何尊敬祂。惟有那些以圣经的真理来巩固自己心灵的人，才能在最后的大斗争中站立得住。每一个人都要受到这种严重的考验：我们是否顺从上帝过于顺从人呢？作决定的严肃时辰即将来到。试问，我们的脚是否立在上帝永不变更之真道的磐石上呢？我们是否准备在“上帝诫命和耶稣真道”的防线上坚立不移呢？ {DD 36.2}[2]
§6
Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?{DD 36.2}[2]
§7
【基督受难时希望破灭】
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救主在被钉十字架之前，曾向门徒说明祂要被人置于死地，并要从坟墓里复活。当时有天使把这些话铭刻在他们的心中(可8:31-32；9:31；10:32-34)。但那时门徒正在希望挣脱罗马帝国的铁轭，所以他们对于自己一切希望所寄托的主将要受可耻之死的这个思想，是很难接受的。因此他们把所应当牢记的话置于脑后。及至考验来到时，他们却没有准备。基督的死使他们的希望全归幻灭，好像是基督事先没有警告过他们一样。照样，先知的预言已经把未来的事明明白白地展开在我们面前，正如昔日基督的话向门徒展开一样。一切有关恩典时期结束的种种大事，以及应付大灾难时期的预备工作，主都已向我们清楚地指明了。但有许多人根本不明白这些重要的真理，好像圣经没有把它启示给人一样。撒但准备随时消灭一切足以使人有得救智慧的印象，以致大艰难的时期来到的时候，他们还没有作好准备。{DD 36.3}[3]
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【Hopes Destroyed when Christ Died】
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Before His crucifixion the Saviour explained to His disciples that He was to be put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress His words on minds and hearts. But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom all their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which they needed to remember were banished from their minds; and when the time of trial came, it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not forewarned them. So in the prophecies?the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready.{DD 36.3}[3]
§11
上帝所传给世人的警告既是那么重要，甚至用飞在空中的天使来形容传扬这警告的工作，因此祂要每一个赋有理智的人注意这个信息。那将要临到拜兽和兽像之人的可怕刑罚（见启14:9-11）应当使人人都殷勤研究预言，好明白兽的印记是什么，并知道如何才能避免接受这个印记。可惜大多数的人对于真理置若罔闻，反而偏向邪说神话。使徒保罗展望到末日的情形说：“时候要到，人必厌烦纯正的道理”（提后4:3）。那个时候现在已经到了。现今大多数的人不欢迎圣经的真理，因为它干涉到他们爱好罪恶和贪爱世俗的私欲；于是撒但便要将他们所喜爱的欺骗提供给他们。{DD 37.1}[4]
§12
When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people turn away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables. The apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.”?2 Timothy 4:3. That time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love.{DD 37.1}[4]
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【信仰的标准】
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但上帝必要有一等人在世上维护圣经，并专以圣经为一切教义的标准和一切改革的基础。学者的见解、科学家的推理、宗教会议的信条或议案、以及多数人的意见，都不应该作为证据，来确定或反对任何一项宗教的信仰。何况宗派繁多，而各派所议定的教义更是五花八门呢。在接受任何道理或教训之前，我们应当查问明白，它是否以“耶和华如此说”为根据。?{DD 37.2}[5]
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【The Standard of Doctrine】
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But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science,?the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its support.?{DD 37.2}[5]
§17
撒但经常设法使人的注意力转离上帝，而去注意人。他叫人仰望主教、牧师和神学教授们，作为他们的向导，而不愿亲自查考圣经来明白自己的本分.这样，撒但就能藉着管理这些领袖的思想，去影响广大群众随从他的意旨。……{DD 38.1}[6]
§18
Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God. He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology, as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence the multitudes according to his will....{DD 38.1}[6]
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【寻求救恩】
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上帝已经把祂的圣经赐给我们，使我们可以熟悉其中的教训，并亲自查明祂对我们的要求是什么。从前有律法师来问耶稣说：“我该作什么才可以承受永生？”救主便指着圣经对他说：“律法上写的是什么？你念的是怎样呢？”无论老少，都不得以蒙昧无知为借口，以求避免干犯上帝律法的刑罚；因为在他们手中的圣经详细说明上帝律法的原则和要求。他们存心为善是不够的；单照自己所以为是正的，或传道人所说是正的去行，也是不够的。这有关每人自己灵性的得救问题，所以人人必须亲自去查考圣经。不管他自己的信念是多么坚强，也不管他怎样确信某一个传道人是明白真理的，这都不能作为他的立足点。他既有一幅指明天国路程的图表，就不应该凭空臆测。{DD 38.2}[7]
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【The Search for Salvation】
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God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When the lawyer came to Jesus with the inquiry, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” the Saviour referred him to the Scriptures, saying: “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Ignorance will not excuse young or old, nor release them from the punishment due for the transgression of God’s law; because there is in their hands a faithful presentation of that law and of its principles and claims. It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is truth, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.{DD 38.2}[7]
§23
每一个有理性的人首要和最高的任务乃是在圣经中查明什么是真理，然后行在光中，并鼓励别人去效法他的榜样。我们应当每天殷勤研究圣经，仔细揣摩其中的每一个思想，以经文对照经文。靠着上帝的帮助，我们必须自己作出结论，因为人人必须在上帝的台前为自己作交代。{DD 38.3}[8]
§24
It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.{DD 38.3}[8]
§25
圣经中最明显的真理已经被一些有学问的人笼罩在怀疑黑暗之中。他们自以为大有智慧，便教训人说，圣经有一种奥妙而神秘的灵意，是不露在字面上的。这等人乃是假师傅。耶稣曾论到他们说：“你们……不明白圣经，也不晓得上帝的大能”（可12:24）。圣经中的话，除了一些明显是采用表号或比喻之外，都应当按照其明白的意思解释。基督已经应许说：“人若立志遵着祂的旨意行，就必晓得这教训”（约7:17）。人们若能按照圣经字面上的教训去行，同时也没有假师傅在旁引诱并混乱他们的思想，那就必能完成一番足以使众天使欢乐的工作，而现今那些还在谬论之黑暗中流浪的人，也必成千成万地归入基督的羊圈了。……T{DD 38.4}[9]
§26
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared: “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.”?Mark 12:24. The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”?John 7:17. If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error....{DD 38.4}[9]
§27
【世界的命运】
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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。上帝的哨兵啊，不可贪睡！仇敌正在旁边埋伏，等待机会。何时你松懈昏迷，他就要一跃而出，把你掳去。{DD 39.1}[10]
§29
【The Destiny of the World】
§30
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. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.{DD 39.1}[10]
§31
许多人自欺，不明白自己在上帝面前的真情实况。他们因为自己没有作过错事而自命清高，却没有想到自己曾疏忽了上帝所要他们去行的善事。他们单作上帝园中的树木，是不够的。他们必须迎合上帝的希望而结出果子来。他们原可以靠上帝的恩典所加给他们的力量去行许多善事，但他们若在这事上疏忽了，上帝就必追讨他们的罪。在天上的记录册中，他们要被定为白占地土的。但就是这等人，也不是完全没有希望的。那位存心忍耐，满有怜爱的上帝对于那些轻看祂慈悲并滥用祂恩典的人，还是劝告说：“你这睡着的人，当醒过来，从死里复活，基督就要光照你了。你们要谨慎行事，……要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶”（弗5:14-16）。{DD 39.2}[11]
§32
Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted God’s mercy and abused His grace, the heart of long-suffering love yet pleads. “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, ... redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”?Ephesians 5:14-16.{DD 39.2}[11]
§33
及至试炼的时期来到，凡以圣经为自己生活准则的人就必显露出来。在夏天，常绿树和一般的树木之间没有什么显著的区别。但冬季的风霜一到，常绿树没有改变，而其他的树木则叶落枝枯了。照样，一般有名无实的基督徒，现今与真实的基督徒或许难以分明，但他们中间的区别很快就要显明了。何时反对兴起，而宗教偏见再度活跃，以致逼迫重新发动，那心怀二意假冒为善的人就要动摇起来，而放弃信仰。但真实的基督徒却要站立稳固，坚如磐石。他的信心与希望反要比平安顺利的日子更为坚强，更放光明。{DD 39.3}[12]
§34
When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the falsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.{DD 39.3}[12]