第44章 大背道
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第44章 大背道
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Chap. 44 - The Great Apostasy
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当耶稣将耶路撒冷的厄运和祂第二次降临的景象启示给门徒时，祂也预言到从祂被接离开他们直到祂带着权柄和荣耀再来拯救他们，这一段时期中祂百姓所必有的经历。在橄榄山上，救主见到了那将要加于使徒教会身上的暴行。祂的慧眼也看明了跟从祂的人在未来的黑暗和逼迫时期中所要遭受凶狠猛烈的迫害。祂用几句言简意赅的话，预言这世界的掌权者将要怎样对待上帝的教会（太24:1,21-22）。基督的门徒必须踏上他们的夫子所走过的那条遭受屈辱，诬蔑和痛苦的道路。撒但向世界的救赎主所发泄的仇恨，也要对一切信祂名的人发作。{SR 320.1}[1]
§4
WHEN Jesus revealed to His disciples the fate of Jerusalem and the scenes of the second advent, He foretold also the experience of His people from the time when He should be taken from them to His return in power and glory for their deliverance. From Olivet the Saviour beheld the storms about to fall upon the apostolic church, and, penetrating deeper into the future, His eye discerned the fierce, wasting tempests that were to beat upon His followers in the coming ages of darkness and persecution. In a few brief utterances, of awful significance, He foretold the portion which the rulers of this world would mete out to the church of God. The followers of Christ must tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering which their Master trod. The enmity that burst forth against the worlds Redeemer would be manifested against all who should believe on His name. {SR 320.1}[1]
§5
早期教会的历史证实了救主的话。地上和阴间的掌权者联合起来攻击跟随基督的人，藉以攻击基督。异教看明：若是福音获得胜利，她的庙宇和神坛势必铲除一尽。故此，她集合她的全部势力来摧毁基督教。于是逼迫的火焰燃起来了。基督徒的财产被夺走，并从自己家中被人赶出。他们“忍受大争战的各样苦难”（来10:32）。他们“忍受戏弄，鞭打，捆锁，监禁”（来11:36）。无数人用自己的血印证了自己所作的见证。贵族和奴隶、富户和穷人，智士和愚夫，一律都被无情地残杀了。{SR 320.2}[2]
§6
The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Saviours words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They endured a great fight ofafflictions. They had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. Hebrews 11:36. Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. {SR 320.2}[2]
§7
撒但虽然用暴力来摧毁基督的教会，但他一切的努力都是徒然的。当这些忠心高举真理旗帜的勇士在他们的岗位上光荣牺牲时，耶稣的门徒所殉身的大斗争并未就此停止。他们在失败中获得了胜利。上帝的工人固然被杀了，可是祂的圣工却稳步前进。福音继续传开，信徒的数目也不断地增多。它深入了最难进去的地区，甚至传到罗马的御营中。有一个基督徒向一些推动逼迫的异教官长申辩说：“你们可以拷问我们，折磨我们，使我们痛苦。你们的邪恶虽然使我们的软弱受到考验，但你们的残暴，并不能使你们成功，只不过更有力地邀请别人来接受我们的信仰。我们被杀的越多，我们的人数就越多；基督徒的血乃是福音的种子”。 {SR 321.1}[3]
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In vain were Satans efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence. The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives did not cease when these faithful standard-bearers fell at their post. By defeat they conquered. Gods workmen were slain, but His work went steadily forward. The gospel continued to spread, and the number of its adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible, even to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian, expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging forward the persecution: You may kill us, torture us, condemn us. . . . Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent. . . . Nor does your cruelty . . . avail you. It was but a stronger invitation to bring others to their persuasion. The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed. {SR 321.1}[3]
§9
千万的人被监禁，被残杀了；可是另有人起来补充他们的空缺。那些为信仰殉身的人，便确定是属于基督的了。祂也认他们为得胜者。他们已打了美好的仗。当基督再来时，他们将要接受荣耀的冠冕。基督徒所忍受的苦难，使他们彼此更为接近，并更亲近他们的救赎主。他们生活的榜样和临死的见证，经常为真理作了申辩；而且在人所最难意料的地方，也有撒但臣仆离开了他的行列，投身到基督的旗帜之下。{SR 321.2}[4]
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Thousands were imprisoned and slain; but others sprang up to fill their places. And those who were martyred for their faith were secured to Christ, and accounted of Him as conquerors. They had fought the good fight, and they were to receive the crown of glory when Christ should come. The sufferings which they endured brought Christians nearer to one another and to their Redeemer. Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth; and, where least expected, the subjects of Satan were leaving his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ. {SR 321.2}[4]
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【与异教妥协】
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于是撒但布置了新的计划，把他的旌旗插在基督的教会当中，以便更有效地对上帝的政权作战。若是基督的门徒能被诱惑，因而招致上帝的不悦，那么他们的力量、果敢和坚定将要衰退，而他们就很容易地成为他的掠物了。{SR 322.1}[5]
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【The Compromise With Paganism】
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Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God, by planting his banner in the Christian church. If the followers of Christ could be deceived and led to displease God, then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they would fall an easy prey. {SR 322.1}[5]
§15
那大仇敌撒但这时企图藉着欺骗的手段，来达到他用武力所未能达到的目的。于是逼迫停止了，代之以暂时的兴旺和属世尊荣的可怕引诱。拜偶像者接受了基督教信仰的一部分，而拒绝了其他主要的真理。他们口头上承认耶稣是上帝的儿子，并相信祂的死和复活；可是他们并不自觉有罪，也不感到有悔改或心灵更新的必要。他们既然作了一些让步，就建议基督徒也应有所让步，以便人人可以在信仰基督的大原则上团结起来。{SR 322.2}[6]
§16
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to secure by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith, while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection; but they had no conviction of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart. With some concessions on their part, they proposed that Christians should make concessions, that all might unite on the platform of belief in Christ. {SR 322.2}[6]
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于是教会便处于极可怕的危险之中了。监禁，刑罚，火刑和刀剑比起来倒要算为福气。有一些基督徒坚定不移，宣称他们决不能妥协。其他的人则赞成放弃或修改他们信仰的某些方面，与那些接受了基督教一部分信仰的人团结，并主张说，这样做或许可能使他们彻底悔改。这是忠心的基督徒最痛苦的时期。撒但披着伪装基督教的外衣钻进了教会，为要败坏他们的信仰，并使他们的心转离真理之道。{SR 322.3}[7]
§18
Now was the church in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make no compromise. Others reasoned that if they should yield or modify some features of their faith, and unite with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, it might be the means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth. {SR 322.3}[7]
§19
最后，大多数的基督徒同意降低他们的标准，于是基督教和异教团结起来了。敬拜偶像者虽然口称悔改并加入了教会，但他们并没有放弃拜偶像的习惯，只不过把他们跪拜的对象改换为耶稣甚至马利亚和圣徒的像而已。拜偶像的邪恶影响这样进入教会之后，就不断地发挥其毒害的作用。错误的教义，迷信的礼节和拜偶像的仪式与教会的信仰和崇拜混杂起来了。基督的门徒既与拜偶像者联合，基督教就渐渐腐化了，而教会也就失去她的纯洁和力量。纵然如此，还是有一些人没有因这些诱惑而步入歧途。他们仍坚持效忠真理的创始者，单单敬拜上帝。{SR 322.4}[8]
§20
At last the larger portion of the Christian company lowered their standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Although the worshipers of idols professed to be converted, and united with the church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints. The foul leaven of idolatry, thus introduced into the church, continued its baleful work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith and worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters, the Christian religion became corrupted and the church lost her purity and power. There were some, however, who were not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and worshiped God alone. {SR 322.4}[8]
§21
在自称为基督徒的人中，向来就有两等人。一等人研究救主的生活，并诚恳地设法改正自己的缺点，以求符合基督的模范；而另一等人，则逃避那暴露他们错误的清楚而实际的真理。即使在最良好的情况下，教会的成员也不完全是真实、纯洁和忠诚的。我们的救主固然教导我们不可让故意放纵罪恶的人加入教会，但祂也使一些在品格上有缺欠的人与自己接近，并以自己的教训和榜样帮助他们，使他们可以有机会看清并改正自己的过错。{SR 323.1}[9]
§22
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviours life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and to conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see and correct their errors. {SR 323.1}[9]
§23
光明之君和黑暗之君是没有什么相干的，所以跟从光明之君和跟从黑暗之君的人也没有什么相干。当基督徒同意和那些刚从异教中出来而没有彻底悔改的人联合时，他们就是走上了一条离真理越来越远的道路。撒但见到自己欺骗了这么多的基督徒，便大为庆喜。他将力量完全用在这些人身上，促使他们去逼迫那些仍然效忠上帝的人。那些一度护卫基督教信仰而后背道的人，最有办法反对基督教的真信仰。这些叛道的基督徒会同一些半信异教半信基督教的人，对基督教教义中最主要的特点进行攻击。{SR 323.2}[10]
§24
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led farther and farther from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number of the followers of Christ. He then brought his power to bear more fully upon them, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God. None could so well understand how to oppose the true Christian faith as could those who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ. {SR 323.2}[10]
§25
既有这些披着宗教外衣的人进入教会，施行欺骗和可憎之事，凡要忠心坚决抵抗这些事的人，就不得不作一番拚命的奋斗。那时圣经已不再公认为信仰的标准了。宗教自由的教义已被斥为异端。拥护宗教自由的人，反而遭到恨恶，被人排斥。{SR 324.1}[11]
§26
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were disguised in sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed. {SR 324.1}[11]
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【忠心的人退出】
§28
经过长期剧烈的斗争之后，少数忠实的信徒认明，如果这叛道的教会不肯放弃虚伪和拜偶像的罪，他们就必须和她割断一切关系。他们看出，如果他们要遵从上帝的道，则这种分裂是绝对必要的。他们不敢容忍任何对灵性有致命之害的谬道，也不敢留下一个足以危及子子孙孙信仰的榜样。为求和平与团结起见，只要不妨碍他们对上帝的忠贞，他们尽可让步。可是他们认为，如果必须牺牲真理的原则去换取和平，其代价是太高了。如果为求团结而必须牺牲真理和正义，那就让它分裂吧，即使引起战争也在所不计。当时鼓励那些坚定不移的圣徒的原则，如能重新振作现代自称为上帝子民之人的心，那么教会和世界都必受到良好的影响。{SR 324.2}[12]
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【Withdrawal of the Faithful】
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After a long and severe conflict the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the Word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and childrens children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war. Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of Gods professed people. {SR 324.2}[12]
§31
使徒保罗宣称：“凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的，也都要受逼迫”（提后3:12）。但是现在为什么逼迫似乎大为削弱了呢？唯一的原因，就是教会效法了世界的标准，所以引不起反对。今日流行的宗教已经失去了基督及使徒时代信仰的纯洁和神圣的特质。基督教之所以能博得群众的赞许，乃是因为它与罪恶的妥协精神，因为它对圣经的伟大真理的漠不关心，并因为它缺乏真正的敬虔。只要把早期教会的信心和能力恢复起来，则逼迫的风云必将再起，逼迫的火焰也必复燃。{SR 324.3}[13]
§32
The apostle Paul declares that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The only reason is that the church has conformed to the worlds standard, and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion current in our day is not of the pure and holy character which marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the great truths of the Word of God are so indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital godliness in the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution will be revived and the fires of persecution will be rekindled. {SR 324.3}[13]