第131章 末世的危险和特权
§1
第131章 末世的危险和特权
§2
Chapter 134—Love, the Need of the Church
§3
《评论与通讯》1892年11月22日
§4
Review and Herald, November 22, 1892
§5
“因为上帝救众人的恩典已经显明出来，教训我们除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情欲，在今世自守、公义、敬虔度日，等候所盼望的福，并等候至大的上帝和我们救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现。祂为我们舍了自己，要赎我们脱离一切罪恶，又洁净我们，特作自己的子民，热心为善”（多2:11-14）。{1888 1073.1}
§6
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” {1888 1073.1}
§7
对早期教会来说，基督降临的盼望乃是一个有福的盼望，使徒描绘他们正在等候上帝的儿子从天降临，爱慕祂的显现。只要自称跟从基督徒的人怀有这个盼望，他们就是世上的光。然而撒但的计划是不让他们作世上的光。因为罪孽增多，许多人的爱心就渐渐冷淡了。圣经描绘不忠心的仆人说：“我的主人必来得迟”（太24:48）。不忠心的仆人既丧失了对耶稣显现的信心，就开始殴打与他同作仆人的，并且吃喝醉酒。撒但在作工，要在早期教会引起背道；为实现他的目的，就引进了各种教义，使教会渐渐变得不相信基督和祂的降临。上帝与人类的共同仇敌将他邪恶的阴影横阻在信徒的道路上，使他们的希望之星，就是使他们对至大的上帝和我们救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现的信心黯淡了。{1888 1073.2}
§8
To the early church the hope of Christ’s coming was a blessed hope, and they were represented by the apostle as waiting for his Son from heaven, as loving his appearing. As long as this hope was cherished by the professed followers of Christ, they were a light to the world. But it was not the design of Satan that they should be a light to the world; and because iniquity abounded, the love of many waxed cold, and the unfaithful servant is represented as saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” As a result of loss of faith in the appearing of Jesus, the unfaithful servant begins to smite his fellow-servant, and to eat and drink with the drunken. Satan was at work to cause apostasy in the early church; and in accomplishing his purpose, doctrines were introduced through which the church was leavened with unbelief in Christ and his coming. The adversary of God and man cast his hellish shadow athwart the path of the believers, and dimmed their star of hope, even their faith in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. {1888 1073.2}
§9
对他们来说曾那么宝贵的盼望丧失了吸引力；因为撒但似是而非的欺骗几乎完全熄灭了靠一位被钉而复活之救主的功劳得救的亮光，人们便被误导去追求靠着自己的行为赎罪，——靠着禁食和苦修，靠着付钱给教会。人心自然更同意这样追求称义而不是藉着悔改和信心、藉着信靠和顺从真理来称义。在背道的时代，黑暗遮盖大地，幽暗遮盖万民；但宗教改革却将地上的居民从死亡般的昏睡中唤醒，许多人便转离了他们的虚妄和迷信，神父和告解，去侍奉永生的上帝，为真理查考祂的圣言如同寻找隐藏的珍宝。他们开始殷勤地开采真理的矿藏，清除已把亮光的瑰宝埋没了的人意的垃圾。然而宗教改革的工作一开始，撒但就决意更加热心地力求将人们的心思束缚于迷信和谬论中。当他发现自己不能阻止他们研究上帝的道，无法制止他们接受真理时，他就想要用威胁和逼迫恐吓他们，从而熄灭正照在人们身上的天上亮光，这亮光显明上帝的圣德，也显明那大骗子的恶毒。 {1888 1073.3}
§10
The hope which had been so precious to them lost its attractions; for the specious delusions of Satan almost wholly extinguished the light of salvation through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, and men were led to seek to make an atonement through works of their own,—by fasts and penances, and through the payment of money to the church. It was more agreeable to the natural heart thus to seek justification than to seek it through repentance and faith, through belief in, and obedience to, the truth. During the ages of apostasy, darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Reformation aroused the inhabitants of earth from their death-like slumber, and many turned away from their vanities and superstitions, from priests and penances, to serve the living God, to search in his holy word for truth as for hidden treasure. They began diligently to work the mine of truth, to clear away the rubbish of human opinion that had buried up the precious jewels of light. But as soon as the work of reformation began. Satan with determined purpose sought the more zealously to bind the minds of men in superstition and error. When he found that he could not prevent them from investigating the word of God, or deter them from accepting the truth, through forcing erroneous doctrines upon their attention, he thought to intimidate them by threatening and persecution, and thus to quench the heavenly light that was shining upon men, revealing the character of God, and making manifest the malignity of the arch deceiver. {1888 1073.3}
§11
撒但过去诱导人们所做的事，倘若可能，还会诱导他们再去做。早期的教会被上帝和人类的共同仇敌欺骗了，背道便进入那些自称爱上帝的人中间；今日，上帝的子民若不从沉睡中醒来，就会不知不觉被撒但的诡计欺骗。在那些自称相信救主的降临已近的人中间，有多少人在后退，多少人丧失了起初的爱心，到了经上所描绘的老底嘉教会的地步，成了不冷不热的。撒但必倾其全力使他们保持在冷淡昏睡的状态。愿主向祂的子民显明那在他们前面的危险，使他们从属灵的昏睡中醒来，剔净点亮他们的灯，当新郎从婚宴上回来时，好发现他们在警醒等候祂。{1888 1073.4}
§12
That which Satan has led men to do in the past, he will if possible lead them to do again. The early church was deceived by the enemy of God and man, and apostasy was brought into the ranks of those who professed to love God; and today, unless the people of God awake out of sleep, they will be taken unawares by the devices of Satan. Among those who claim to believe in the near coming of the Saviour, how many are back-slidden, how many have lost their first love, and come under the description written of the Laodicean church, denominating them as neither cold nor hot. Satan will do his utmost to keep them in a state of indifference and stupor. May the Lord reveal to the people the perils that are before them, that they may arouse from their spiritual slumber, and trim their lamps, and be found watching for the Bridegroom when he shall return from the wedding. {1888 1073.4}
§13
我们生活的时代是充满危险的多事之秋。末日将临的兆头在我们周围增多，将要发生的大事会比世人曾见过的任何事件都具有更加可怕的性质。“人正说‘平安稳妥’的时候，灾祸忽然临到他们”（帖前5:3）。然而对那些拥有真理亮光的人，经上记着说：“弟兄们，你们却不在黑暗里，叫那日子临到你们象贼一样。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。所以我们不要睡觉象别人一样，总要警醒谨守”（4-6节）。“再者，你们晓得现今就是该趁早睡醒的时候；因为我们得救，现今比初信的时候更近了。黑夜已深，白昼将近；我们就当脱去暗昧的行为，带上光明的兵器”（罗13:11,12）。“所以，你们要警醒；因为你们不知道家主什么时候来，或晚上，或半夜，或鸡叫，或早晨；恐怕他忽然来到，看见你们睡着了”（可13:35,36）。{1888 1073.5}
§14
The days in which we live are eventful and full of peril. The signs of the coming of the end are thickening around us, and events are to come to pass that will be of a more terrible character than any the world has yet witnessed. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” But to those who have the light of truth, it has been written, “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. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” {1888 1073.5}
§15
我们软弱的信心非常需要得到振奋，我们应该始终谨记主就要来临的证据，以便总是显出不仅在等候，而且在警醒作工。我们不要被发现处在闲懒的期待中；因为这导致粗心大意的生活和有缺陷的品格。我们要认识到上帝的审判即将临到尘世，我们应该极其恳切地把主已委任我们要传的警告摆在人们面前：“因为那时必有大灾难，从世界的起头直到如今，没有这样的灾难，后来也必没有”（太24:21）。“天势都要震动，人想起那将要临到世界的事，就都吓得魂不附体。那时，他们要看见人子有能力，有大荣耀驾云降临。一有这些事，你们就当挺身昂首，因为你们得赎的日子近了”（路21:26-28）。{1888 1073.6}
§16
There is great need that our weakening faith should be quickened, and that we should ever keep before the mind the evidences that our Lord is soon coming, that we may ever be found not only waiting, but watching and working. We are not to be found in idle expectancy; for this leads to carelessness of life, and deficiency of character. We are to realize that the judgments of God are about to fall upon the earth, and we should most earnestly present before the people the warning that the Lord has commissioned us to give: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” {1888 1073.6}
§17
每一位自称相信主必快来的人，都应以空前的热情研究圣经，因为撒但决意用尽手段把人心留在黑暗之中，使他们看不见当代的种种危险。每一位信徒都应以至诚的祈祷拿起圣经，以便得蒙圣灵的启发，明白什么是真理，更加认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督。要寻求真理如同寻求隐藏的珍宝，使仇敌失望。试验的时期快要临到我们，因为第三位天使的大呼声已经在赦罪的救赎主基督之义的启示中开始了。这也是那一位以其荣耀充满全地之天使发光的开始。每一位得到警告信息的人都要高举耶稣，告诉世人祂就是表号所预示、先知的预言所指出、赐给门徒的教训和为世人而行的神迹所揭示的主。要查考圣经，因为圣经是为祂作见证的。{1888 1073.7}
§18
Let every one who claims to believe that the Lord is soon coming, search the Scriptures as never before; for Satan is determined to try every device possible to keep souls in darkness, and blind the mind to the perils of the times in which we are living. Let every believer take up his Bible with earnest prayer, that he may be enlightened by the holy Spirit as to what is truth, that he may know more of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Search for the truth as for hidden treasures, and disappoint the enemy. The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to his disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of him. {1888 1073.7}
§19
如果你想在艰难时期站立得住，就必须认识基督，接受祂赐给悔改罪人的礼物，就是祂的义。人的智慧不会有助于发明救恩的计划。人的哲学是无用的，人类最高才能的结果若离开那位神圣教师的伟大计划，就是没有价值的。没有荣耀可以加给人；人的一切帮助和荣耀都落在尘埃；因为那在耶稣里的真理才是惟一可用的媒介，人类藉以得救。人有特权与基督联络，于是神与人便结合，人类的指望必须惟独寄于这种联合上；因为当上帝的灵触动人心时，心灵的能力才会苏醒，人才成为在基督耶稣里新造的人。祂曾显现，为要带来生命、不朽和光明。祂说：“我对你们所说的话就是灵，就是生命”（约6:63）。诗人宣布：“祢的言语一解开，就发出亮光，使愚人通达”（诗119:130）。{1888 1073.8}
§20
If you would stand through the time of trouble, you must know Christ, and appropriate the gift of his righteousness, which he imputes to the repentant sinner. Human wisdom will not avail to devise a plan of salvation. Human philosophy is vain, the fruits of the loftiest powers of man are worthless, aside from the great plan of the divine Teacher. No glory is to redound to man; all human help and glory lies in the dust; for the truth as it is in Jesus is the only available 1074agent by which man may be saved. Man is privileged to connect with Christ, and then the divine and the human combine; and in this union the hope of man must rest alone; for it is as the Spirit of God touches the soul that the powers of the soul are quickened and man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. He was manifested to bring life and immortality to light. He says, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” The psalmist declares, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” {1888 1073.8}
§21
那么就让我们学习上帝的道吧，好认识祂，在祂毫无黑暗。耶稣说：“跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光”（约8:12）。那吸引罪人之心的主题乃是基督和祂钉十字架。在髑髅地的十字架上，耶稣向世人显明了无与伦比的爱。这样把祂介绍给饥渴的群众，祂爱的亮光就会争取人们从黑暗走向光明，从犯罪走向顺从和真正的圣洁。注目髑髅地十字架上的耶稣，就会使良心觉悟到罪的可憎性，是别无它法可以做到的。正是罪造成了上帝爱子的死，而罪就是违背律法。我们众人的罪孽都加在祂身上了。于是罪人就应承律法是良善的；因为他认识到律法谴责他的恶行，同时他也推崇上帝无比的爱，竟藉着将基督的义归给他来给他救恩。基督是那不知罪的，在祂口中查不出诡诈来。
§22
Then let us study the word of God, that we may know him in whom there is no darkness at all. Jesus says, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The theme that attracts the heart of the sinner is Christ, and him crucified. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus stands revealed to the world in unparalleled love. Present him thus to the hungering multitudes, and the light of his love will win men from darkness to light, from transgression to obedience and true holiness. Beholding Jesus upon the cross of Calvary arouses the conscience to the heinous character of sin as nothing else can do. It was sin that caused the death of God’s dear Son, and sin is the transgression of the law. On him was laid the iniquities of us all. The sinner then consents unto the law that it is good; for he realizes that it condemns his evil deeds, while he magnifies the matchless love of God in providing for him salvation through the imputed righteousness of Him who knew no sin, in whose mouth there was found no guile. {1888 1074.1}
§23
(下周续完) {1888 1074.1}
§24
(Concluded next week.)
§25
末世的危险和特权
§26
Chapter 134—Love, the Need of the Church
§27
(续完)(Concluded.)
§28
真理是有效能的。服从真理，其力量就使我们的心灵改变成耶稣的形像。那使良心苏醒，改变心思的，乃是在耶稣里的真理。因为圣灵伴随着真理进入我们的心。许多人，既缺少属灵的辨识力，只领受了圣经中的字句，而未有上帝之灵的伴随，它就不会苏醒人心，也不会使心灵成为圣洁。人或能引用新旧约圣经，可能熟习上帝圣言中的诸般命令与应许，但若非圣灵使真理进入人心，以神圣亮光照亮人的心思，就没有人会跌在磐石上并且跌碎，因为那将心灵与上帝连接的，乃是上帝的力量。缺少了上帝之灵的光照，我们就无法分辨真理与错谬，必落入撒但要带给世人的诸般试探与欺骗之中。我们已靠近光明之君与黑暗之君斗争的结尾。不久仇敌的欺骗要试验我们的信心是何种的信心。撒但将在那兽面前施行奇事，“就迷惑住在地上的人说：‘要给那受刀伤还活着的兽作个像’”（启13:14）。{1888 1075.1}
§29
The truth is efficient, and through obedience its power changes the mind into the image of Jesus. It is the truth as it is in Jesus that quickens the conscience and transforms the mind; for it is accompanied to the heart by the holy Spirit. There are many, who, lacking spiritual discernment, take the bare letter of the word, and find that unaccompanied by the Spirit of God, it quickens not the soul, it sanctifies not the heart. One may be able to quote from the Old and the New Testament, may be familiar with the commands and promises of the word of God; but unless the holy Spirit sends the truth home to the heart, enlightening the mind with divine light, no soul falls upon the Rock and is broken; for it is the divine agency that connects the soul with God. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit of God, we shall not be able to discern truth from error, and shall fall under the masterful temptations and deceptions that Satan will bring upon the world. We are near the close of the controversy between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and soon the delusions of the enemy will try our faith, of what sort it is. Satan will work miracles in the sight of the beast, and deceive “them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.” {1888 1075.1}
§30
黑暗之君虽要使黑暗遮盖大地，使幽暗遮盖万民，但主仍要彰显改变人心的能力。地上有一种工作要完成，与早期门徒们宣讲耶稣并祂钉十字架圣灵倾降时进行的工作相似。一天之内将有许多人悔改。因为这信息要带着能力出去。那时就可以说：“因为我们的福音传到你们那里，不独在乎言语、也在乎权能和圣灵”（帖前1:5）。圣灵要吸引人到基督面前，因为祂要将属上帝的事向罪人显明。耶稣说过：“祂要荣耀我，因为祂要将受于我的，告诉你们”（约16:14）。{1888 1075.2}
§31
But though the prince of darkness will work to cover the earth with darkness, and with gross darkness the people, the Lord will manifest his converting power. A work is to be accomplished in the earth similar to that which took place at the outpouring of the holy Spirit in the days of the early disciples, when they preached Jesus and him crucified. Many will be converted in a day; for the message will go with power. It can then be said: “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.” It is the holy Spirit that draws men to Christ; for he takes of the things of God, and shows them unto the sinner. Jesus said: “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” {1888 1075.2}
§32
圣灵的工作无限伟大。上帝工人的力量和效能，都来自这个源头。圣灵也是保惠师，对人心来说，如同基督亲自的临格。凡以单纯的、孩子似的信心指望基督的人，都靠圣灵的力量得以与上帝的性情有分。基督徒蒙上帝的灵引导的时候，就会晓得自己在主里得以完全，主是万有的元首。基督怎样在五旬节得了荣耀，也要照样在福音工作结束的时候再得荣耀，那时祂要预备一班人在大斗争结束的一战中经受住最后的试验。先知描述仇敌的作战计划，说：{1888 1075.3}
§33
The work of the holy Spirit is immeasurably great. It is from this source that power and efficiency come to the worker for God; and the holy Spirit is the comforter, as the personal presence of Christ to the soul. He who looks to Christ in simple, childlike faith, is made a partaker of the divine nature through the agency of the holy Spirit. When led by the Spirit of God, the Christian may know that he is made complete in him who is the head of all things. As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentecost, so will he again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when he shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy. The prophet describes the enemy’s plan of battle, saying: {1888 1075.3}
§34
“我又看见另有一个兽从地中上来，有两角如同羊羔，说话好像龙。它在头一个兽面前，施行头一个兽所有的权柄，并且叫地和住在地上的人拜那死伤医好的头一个兽。又行大奇事，甚至在人面前，叫火从天降在地上。它因赐给它权柄在兽面前能行奇事，就迷惑住在地上的人，说：‘要给那受刀伤还活着的兽作个像。’又有权柄赐给它，叫兽像有生气，并且能说话，又叫所有不拜兽像的人都被杀害”（启13:11-15）。“他们与羔羊争战，羔羊必胜过他们，因为羔羊是万主之主、万王之王。同着羔羊的，就是蒙召、被选、有忠心的，也必得胜”（启17:14）。“此后，我看见另有一位有大权柄的天使从天降下，地就因他的荣耀发光。他大声喊着说：巴比伦大城倾倒了！倾倒了！成了鬼魔的住处和各样污秽之灵的巢穴，并各样污秽可憎之雀鸟的巢穴。……我又听见从天上有声音说：我的民哪，你们要从那城出来，免得与她一同有罪，受她所受的灾殃；因她的罪恶滔天，她的不义，上帝已经想起来了”（启18:1-5）。{1888 1075.4}
§35
“I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, but he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.... And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” {1888 1075.4}
§36
上帝的子民要蒙召从与俗人和行恶之人的交往中出来，为主战斗，反对黑暗的权势。当全地为上帝的荣光照亮时，我们要见到一番与门徒被圣灵充满去宣扬一位复活之救主的权能时所成就的工作相似的工作。天上的亮光穿透那些曾被基督的敌人们欺骗之人暗昧的脑筋，他们便抛弃了对祂的虚假陈述；因为藉着圣灵的效能，他们便看出基督被高举为君王和救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。他们看见祂为天国的荣耀所环绕，祂手中有无限的财宝要赐给那些转离背叛的人。当使徒们宣扬天父独生子的荣耀时，三千人感到扎心，他们得以看到自己是有罪的，污秽的，而基督是他们的救主和救赎主。基督得到了高举。基督因圣灵的能力临到人们而得了荣耀。这些信徒用信心的眼睛看见祂曾忍受羞辱、苦难和死亡，好叫他们不至灭亡，反得永生。他们仰望祂无瑕疵的公义时，就看见自己的缺陷和污秽，便满心敬畏，热爱崇拜那为他们舍命牺牲的主。他们降卑自己的心灵到尘埃，悔改自己的恶行，并为上帝的拯救而归荣耀于祂。{1888 1075.5}
§37
The people of God are to be called out from their association with worldlings and evil-doers, to stand in the battle for the Lord against the powers of darkness. When the earth is lightened with the glory of God, we shall see a work similar to that which was wrought when the disciples, filled with the holy Spirit, proclaimed the power of a risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ, and the false representation of him was rejected; for through the efficiency of the holy Spirit they now saw him exalted to be a prince and Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins. They saw him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in his hands to bestow upon those who turn from their rebellion. As the apostles set forth the glory of the only begotten of the Father, 3,000 souls were pricked to the heart, and they were made to see themselves as they were sinful and polluted, and Christ as their Saviour and Redeemer. Christ was lifted up, Christ was glorified, through the power of the holy Spirit resting upon men. By the eye of faith these believers saw him as the one who had borne humiliation, suffering, and death, that they might not perish, but have everlasting life. As they looked upon his spotless righteousness, they saw their own deformity and pollution, and were filled with godly fear, with love and adoration for Him who gave his life a sacrifice for them. They humbled their souls to the very dust, and repented of their wicked works, and glorified God for his salvation. {1888 1075.5}
§38
他们彼此说：“这就是那被指控为贪食好酒，与税吏和罪人一同吃喝的那一位；曾受捆绑、被鞭打和被钉的那一位。我们相信祂是上帝的儿子，是君王和救主。”圣灵所带给他们有关基督的启示，使他们深深体会到祂的能力和威严。他们便向祂伸出信心之手说：“我相信。”在早雨沛降的时期是这样；但晚雨会更丰盛。人类的救主将得荣耀，全地要被祂公义的光辉照亮。祂是亮光之源，亮光一直在从半开的门户照在上帝的子民身上，使他们可以将祂荣美的品格高举在那些坐在黑暗中的人面前。{1888 1075.6}
§39
They said one to another, “This is the very one who was accused of gluttony, of eating with publicans and sinners; the one who was bound, and scourged, and crucified. We believe in him as the Son of God, the prince and Saviour.” The revelation of Christ by the holy Spirit brought to them a realizing sense of his power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands unto him by faith, saying, “I believe.” Thus it was in the time of the early rain; but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Saviour of men will be glorified, and the earth will be lightened with the bright shining of the beams of his righteousness. 1076He is the fountain of light, and light from the gates ajar has been shining upon the people of God, that they may lift him up in his glorious character before those who sit in darkness. {1888 1075.6}
§40
人们一直没有将基督与律法一同传讲，介绍祂为忠信慈悲的大祭司，在凡事上受了试探与我们一样，只是祂没有犯罪。祂没有被高举在罪人面前作为神圣的牺牲。祂作祭牲、替身和中保的工作只得到了轻描淡写随便的讲述；然而这才是罪人需要知道的。罪人必须看到基督作为赦罪救主的丰富完全，因为基督无与伦比的爱，藉着圣灵的力量，会使刚硬的心知罪悔改。神圣的感化力才是基督徒身上盐的滋味。许多人传扬我们信仰的教义和理论，但他们的传扬却象失了味的盐；因为圣灵没有藉着他们不忠心的服务作工。他们没有打开心门接受基督的恩典，不知道圣灵的运行，就像是没有发过酵的粮食；因为在他们一切的劳作上没有工作的原则。他们未能救灵归向基督。他们没有接受基督的义；基督的义对他们来说是一件没有穿过的礼服，一座不了解的富库，一个未曾接触的泉源。{1888 1076.1}
§41
Christ has not been presented in connection with the law as a faithful and merciful High Priest, who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He has not been lifted up before the sinner as the divine sacrifice. His work as sacrifice, substitute, and surety, has been only coldly and casually dwelt upon; but this is what the sinner needs to know. It is Christ in his fullness as a sin-pardoning Saviour, that the sinner must see; for the unparalleled love of Christ, through the agency of the holy Spirit, will bring conviction and conversion to the hardened heart. It is the divine influence that is the savor of the salt in the Christian. Many present the doctrines and theories of our faith; but their presentation is as salt without savor; for the holy Spirit is not working through their faithless ministry. They have not opened the heart to receive the grace of Christ; they know not the operation of the Spirit; they are as meal without leaven; for there is no working principle in all their labor, and they fail to win souls to Christ. They do not appropriate the righteousness of Christ; it is a robe unworn by them, a fullness unknown, a fountain untouched. {1888 1076.1}
§42
但愿我们仔细研究基督的赎罪工作！但愿大家都认真而虔诚地学习上帝的道，不要培养自己去辩论教义的要点，而是使饥渴的心灵得到饱足，就像那些干渴的人在生命泉得到舒畅一样。当我们以谦卑的心查考圣经，感觉到自己的软弱和不配时，耶稣才向我们的心灵显明祂一切的宝贵。当我们与上帝的性情有分时，我们就会对自己一切高抬自我的行为深恶痛绝，而我们曾珍视为智慧的，就会看起来象渣滓和垃圾一样。那些已经把自己训练成辩论家的人，自视精明敏锐的人，就会忧伤羞愧地看待自己的工作，知道自己的供物象该隐的供物一样没有价值，因为没有基督的义。{1888 1076.2}
§43
O that the atoning work of Christ might be carefully studied! O that all would carefully and prayerfully study the word of God, not to qualify themselves for debating controverted points of doctrine; but that as hungry souls they might be filled, as those that thirst, be refreshed at the fountain of life. It is when we search the Scriptures with humble hearts, feeling our weakness and unworthiness, that Jesus is revealed to our souls in all his preciousness. When we become partakers of the divine nature, we shall look with abhorrence upon all our exaltation of self, and that which we have cherished as wisdom, will seem as dross and rubbish. Those who have educated themselves as debaters, who have looked upon themselves as sharp, keen men, will view their work with sorrow and shame, and know that their offering has been as valueless as was Cain’s; for it has been destitute of the righteousness of Christ. {1888 1076.2}
§44
但愿我们这班人能在上帝面前谦卑己心，恳求祂赐予圣灵！我们若是以谦卑痛悔的心来到主面前，祂就会应允我们的恳求；因为祂说祂乐于把圣灵赐给我们，过于父母把好东西给儿女。那么就让基督得荣耀吧，在祂里面我们应该有形有体地看出上帝神性一切的丰盛。因为基督已论到过保惠师：“祂要荣耀我，因为祂要将受于我的告诉你们”（约16:14）。这是对我们来说最重要的事。因为“认识祢独一的真神，并且认识祢所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生”（约17:3）。{1888 1076.3}
§45
O that we as a people might humble our hearts before God, and plead with him for the endowment of the holy Spirit! If we came to the Lord in humility and contrition of soul, he would answer our petitions; for he says that he is more willing to give us the holy Spirit than are parents to give good gifts to their children. Then would Christ be glorified, and in him we should discern the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For Christ has said of the Comforter, “He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” This is the thing most essential to us. For “this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” {1888 1076.3}