第67章 老底嘉教会
§1
第67章 老底嘉教会
§2
The Laodicean Church
§3
给老底嘉教会的信息，是一道令人吃惊的斥责，适用于现今上帝的子民。{1TT 327.1}[1]
§4
The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time.?{1TT 327.1}[1]
§5
“你要写信给老底嘉教会的使者，说:那为阿们的，为诚信真实见证的，在上帝创造万物之上为元首的，说:我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。你说，我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的”（启3:14-17）。{1TT 327.2}[2]
§6
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”?Revelation 3:14-17.?{1TT 327.2}[2]
§7
主在这里指示我们，祂呼召传道人警告祂子民的信息，不是平安稳妥的信息；它不仅是理论上的，而且在所有的细节上都是实用的。致老底嘉的信息中所呈现的上帝子民，似乎处在肉身安全的状况之中。他们很安心，认为自己有很高的属灵造诣。“你说，我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的。””{1TT 327.3}[3]
§8
The Lord here shows us that the message to be borne to His people by ministers whom He has called to warn the people is not a peace-and-safety message. It is not merely theoretical, but practical in every particular. The people of God are represented in the message to the Laodiceans as in a position of carnal security. They are at ease, believing themselves to be in an exalted condition of spiritual attainments. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”?{1TT 327.3}[3]
§9
人心所受的最大迷惑，莫过于在完全错误之时，却自以为是对的！那真实见证者的信息，指出上帝的子民处于不幸的迷惑之中，却诚心相信这种欺骗。他们不知道自己的处境在上帝眼中是可悲的。当这些受信人自以为处于很高的属灵状态时，那真实见证者的信息却打破他们的安全感，用惊人的斥责说明他们属灵的真情实况是瞎眼，贫穷和困苦的。这道见证尖锐严厉，不可能误会，因为这是真实见证者所说的，祂的见证一定是正确的。?{1TT 327.4}[4]
§10
What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true?condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct.{1TT 327.4}[4]
§11
若要让那些自以为有可靠的造诣，相信自己有丰富属灵知识的人，接受一道说他们受了迷惑，需要各样属灵的恩典的信息，这是很困难的。未因真理成圣的人心，是“比万物都诡诈，坏到极处”（耶17:9）。我蒙主指示，看到有许多人没有一线来自耶稣的光明，但自以为是优秀的基督徒。他们属灵生活上自己没有活的经验。他们需要深刻彻底地在上帝面前自卑，这样才会觉得自己真正需要恒切地努力，追求圣灵的宝贵恩典。{1TT 328.1}[5]
§12
It is difficult for those who feel secure in their attainments, and who believe themselves to be rich in spiritual knowledge, to receive the message which declares that they are deceived and in need of every spiritual grace. The unsanctified heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”?Jeremiah 17:9. I was shown that many are flattering themselves that they are good Christians, who have not a ray of light from Jesus. They have not a living experience for themselves in the divine life. They need a deep and thorough work of self-abasement before God before they will feel their true need of earnest, persevering effort to secure the precious graces of the Spirit.?{1TT 328.1}[5]
§13
上帝一步一步地引导祂的子民。基督徒的生活是不停的战斗和前进。在战斗中是没有休息的。藉着不停的努力，我们才能保持对撒但试探的胜利。我们这等人是在真理的宣扬和力量中得胜的。圣经明确的见证十分丰富，足以支援我们的立场。但我们所极其缺少的，是圣经中的谦卑，忍耐，信心，爱心，克己，儆醒及牺牲的精神。我们需要培养圣经中的圣洁。罪恶在上帝的子民中间流行。责备老底嘉教会的明确信息没有被人接受。许多人不肯放弃自己的疑惑和所喜爱的罪恶，同时处在大欺骗中，自夸自觉一无所缺。他们认为上帝圣灵证言的责备是多余的，或与他们没有关系。这等人极需上帝的恩典和属灵的眼光，以便发觉自己属灵知识的欠缺。他们几乎没有完善基督徒品格所需要的所有资格。圣经真理的实际知识引人过谦卑的生活，使人的意愿与基督的旨意相符；他们却没有这种知识。他们没有过顺从上帝全部要求的生活。?{1TT 328.2}[6]
§14
God leads His people on step by step. The Christian life is a constant battle and a march. There is no rest from the warfare. It is by constant, unceasing effort that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. As a people we are triumphing in the clearness and strength of the truth. We are fully sustained in our positions by an overwhelming amount of plain Scriptural testimony. But we are very much wanting in Bible humility, patience, faith, love, self-denial, watchfulness, and the spirit of sacrifice. We need to cultivate Bible holiness. Sin prevails among the people of God. The plain message of rebuke to the Laodiceans is not received. Many cling to their doubts and their darling sins while they are in so great a deception as to talk and feel that they are in need of nothing. They think the testimony of the Spirit of God in reproof is uncalled for or that it does not mean them. Such are in the greatest need of the grace of God and spiritual discernment that they may discover their deficiency in spiritual knowledge. They lack almost every qualification necessary to perfect Christian character. They have not a practical knowledge of Bible truth,?which leads to lowliness of life and a conformity of their will to the will of Christ. They are not living in obedience to all God’s requirements.?{1TT 328.2}[6]
§15
单单承认相信真理是不够的。所有基督十字架的精兵，实际上都有责任去与人类的仇敌作战，谴责邪恶，维护正义。真实见证者的信息指出我们的信徒处在可怕的欺骗之中，所以要警告他们，打破他们的属灵美梦，唤醒他们采取坚决的行动。{1TT 329.1}[7]
§16
It is not enough to merely profess to believe the truth. All the soldiers of the cross of Christ virtually obligate themselves to enter the crusade against the adversary of souls, to condemn wrong and sustain righteousness. But the message of the True Witness reveals the fact that a terrible deception is upon our people, which makes it necessary to come to them with warnings, to break their spiritual slumber, and arouse them to decided action.?{1TT 329.1}[7]
§17
我在上一次的异象中得蒙指示：连诚实见证者的这个明确信息，也未能实现上帝的旨意。人们仍在罪中酣睡，仍然说自己是富足，一样都不缺的。许多人问：这一切责备到底是为什么?为什么证言不断指责我们退步并犯有严重的罪行呢?我们都爱真理；我们都很兴旺；我们不需要这些责备警戒的证言。但愿这些发怨言的人能看明自己的心，将自己的生活与圣经的实际教训进行比较，在上帝面前自卑，让上帝的恩典照亮黑暗，使鳞片从他们的眼中掉下来，那时他们就要明白自己属灵上的贫穷可怜，觉得需要购买金子，就是纯洁的信心和爱心；白衣，就是他们亲爱救赎主的宝血所洗净的无瑕疵的品格；以及眼药，就是那能认清属灵事物并探明罪恶的上帝恩典。这些造诣比俄斐的金子更宝贵。.{1TT 329.2}[8]
§18
In my last vision I was shown that even this decided message of the True Witness had not accomplished the design of God. The people slumber on in their sins. They continue to declare themselves rich and having need of nothing. Many inquire: Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the?Testimonies?continually charge us with backsliding and with grievous sins? We love the truth; we are prospering; we are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible, let them humble their souls before God, let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and love; white raiment, which is a spotless character made pure in the blood of their dear Redeemer; and eyesalve, which is the grace of God and which will give clear discernment of spiritual things and detect sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.?{1TT 329.2}[8]
§19
【属灵盲目的原因】
§20
我蒙指示，现今上帝子民陷于属灵的盲目之中，其最大的原因就是他们不愿意接受纠正。许多人轻视给他们的责备和警告。那真实的见证者遣责上帝的子民不冷不热的状况。在此儆醒等待之际，这种情形大大有利于撒但胜过他们。自私，骄傲和喜爱罪恶的人，常受到疑惑的袭击。撒但会提出种种疑点，炮制出反对上帝所赐明确证言的意见。许多人以怀疑，爱提问，吹毛求疵为美德，为智慧的表现。想要疑惑的人，总有许多可乘之机的。上帝无意消除一切怀疑的因素。祂提出证据，是应当存谦卑的心，受教的精神认真查验的。大家都应按照证据的分量作出选择。{1TT 329.3}[9]
§21
【The Cause of Spiritual Blindness】
§22
I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not receive correction. Many have despised the?reproofs and warnings given them. The True Witness condemns the lukewarm condition of the people of God, which gives Satan great power over them in this waiting, watching time. The selfish, the proud, and the lovers of sin are ever assailed with doubts. Satan has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.?{1TT 329.3}[9]
§23
永生是无限宝贵的，值得我们为此付出所有的一切。我蒙指示：我们对于永恒的事物没有正确的估计。凡值得拥有的东西，即使是今世之物，也必须经过努力，有时需要经过最痛苦的牺牲，才能得到。然而这只是获取能坏的财宝。要获得那无价的财宝，以及可与无穷之主的生命相比的生命，我们难道不愿意忍受斗争辛劳，作出认真的努力和重大的牺牲么？上天所要我们付的代价会太大么？{1TT 330.1}[10]
§24
Eternal life is of infinite value and will cost us all that we have. I was shown that we do not place a proper estimate upon eternal things. Everything worth possessing, even in this world, must be secured by effort, and sometimes by most painful sacrifice. And this is merely to obtain a perishable treasure. Shall we be less willing to endure conflict and toil, and to make earnest efforts and great sacrifices, to obtain a treasure which is of infinite value, and a life which will measure with that of the Infinite? Can heaven cost us too much??{1TT 330.1}[10]
§25
信心和爱心是金子般的财宝，是上帝的子民非常缺乏的品质。我蒙指示：不相信警告，鼓励，和责备的证言，就是向上帝的子民关闭亮光。怀疑蒙蔽了他们的眼睛，使他们看不到自己的真实状况。真实见证者描述他们的盲目说：“却不知道你是那困苦，可怜，贫穷，瞎眼，赤身的”（启3:17）。{1TT 330.2}[11]
§26
Faith and love are golden treasures, elements that are greatly wanting among God’s people. I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God’s people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that they are ignorant of their true condition. The True Witness thus describes their blindness: “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”?Revelation 3:17.?{1TT 330.2}[11]
§27
对于基督快来的信心正在消退。人们不但在心里说，“我的主必来得迟，”也在言语和最明显的行动上表现出来。在这个应当儆醒的时刻，愚昧麻痹上帝的子民对于时兆的感觉。到处流行可怕的罪恶。要抵制罪恶侵入教会，就需要最大的勤劳与活泼的见证。信心已经退化到可怕的程度。信心只有藉着运用才能增加。{1TT 330.3}[12]
§28
Faith in the soon coming of Christ is waning. “My Lord delayeth His coming” is not only said in the heart, but expressed in words and most decidedly in works. Stupidity in this watching time is sealing the senses of God’s people as to the signs of the times. The terrible iniquity which abounds calls for the greatest diligence and for the living testimony, to?keep sin out of the church. Faith has been decreasing to a fearful degree, and it is only by exercise that it can increase.?{1TT 330.3}[12]
§29
在第三位天使的信息开始发出之时，参加上帝圣工的人，都冒过险，作出过牺牲。他们开始这项工作时很贫穷，饱受极大的困窘与指责。他们遭遇坚决的反对，迫使他们向上帝求助，保持活泼的信心。我们现在的定期捐款计划，充分支持了我们的传道人，使他们不感到缺乏，也无需乎运用信心求助。现今出发传扬真理的人，不必冒险。他们已是无险可冒，也没有什么特别的牺牲。他们手头有现成的真理系统，也有各种书刊供应他们，阐明他们所倡导的真理。{1TT 331.1}[13]
§30
In the rise of the third angel’s message those who engaged in the work of God had something to venture; they had sacrifices to make. They started this work in poverty and suffered the greatest deprivations and reproach. They met determined opposition, which drove them to God in their necessity and kept their faith alive. Our present plan of systematic benevolence?amply sustains our ministers, and there is no want and no call for the exercise of faith as to a support. Those who start out now to preach the truth have nothing to venture. They have no risks to run, no special sacrifices to make. The system of truth is made ready to their hand, and publications are provided for them, vindicating the truths they advance.?{1TT 331.1}[13]
§31
一些青年人在开始工作时没有认识到圣工的崇高性质，也没有遇到需要运用信心的困苦，艰难和剧烈的斗争。他们没有培养实际的克己，也没有抱着牺牲的精神。有些人骄傲自满，对工作没有真正的责任心。那真实的见证者对这些传道人说：“所以你要发热心，也要悔改。”有些人骄傲到已成上帝宝贵圣工的障碍与祸害。他们没有在别人的身上发挥拯救的感化力。这等人需要向上帝彻底悔改，并因他们所传给别人的真理而成圣。{1TT 331.2}[14]
§32
Some young men start out with no real sense of the exalted character of the work. They have no privations, hardships, or severe conflicts to meet, which would call for the exercise of faith. They do not cultivate practical self-denial and cherish a spirit of sacrifice. Some are becoming proud and lifted up, and have no real burden of the work upon them. The True Witness speaks to these ministers: “Be zealous therefore, and repent.” Some of them are so lifted up in pride that they are really a hindrance and a curse to the precious cause of God. They do not exert a saving influence upon others. These men need to be thoroughly converted to God themselves and sanctified by the truths they present to others.?{1TT 331.2}[14]
§33
【教会中率直的证言】
§34
很多人因为经常受到警告和责备，把他们的罪孽摆在他们面前，便觉得不耐烦和愤恨。真实的见证者说：“我知道你的行为。”你的动机，目的，怀疑，不信和嫉妒，也许可以瞒过人，但却瞒不过基督。真实的见证者以顾问的身份对你说：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足，又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他；所以你要发热心，也要悔改。看哪，我站在门外叩门；若有听见我的声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与祂同坐一般”（启3:18-21）。?{1TT 331.3}[15]
§35
【Pointed Testimonies in the Church】
§36
Very many feel impatient and jealous because they are frequently disturbed with warnings and reproofs which keep?their sins before them. Says the True Witness: “I know thy works.” The motives, the purposes, the unbelief, the suspicions and jealousies may be hid from men, but not from Christ. The True Witness comes as a counselor: “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”?Revelation 3:18-21.?{1TT 331.3}[15]
§37
凡是受上帝圣灵责备的人，不应该起来反对那卑微的器皿。那位发言拯救他们免于灭亡的乃是上帝，而不是有过失必死的人。凡轻看警告的人，必陷于自欺的盲目之中。但那些听从警告，热心摆脱罪恶，以获得所需要之各种美德的人，必要敞开心门，让亲爱的救主进来与他们同住。你总会发现这一等人与上帝之灵的证言完全和谐。{1TT 332.1}[16]
§38
Those who are reproved by the Spirit of God should not rise up against the humble instrument. It is God, and not an erring mortal, who has spoken to save them from ruin. Those who despise the warning will be left in blindness to become self-deceived. But those who heed it, and zealously go about the work of separating their sins from them in order to have the needed graces, will be opening the door of their hearts that the dear Saviour may come in and dwell with them. This class you will ever find in perfect harmony with the testimony of the Spirit of God.?{1TT 332.1}[16]
§39
传扬现代真理的传道人，切不可忽略给老底嘉教会的严肃信息。真实见证者的证言不是一道平静的信息。主没有对他们说，你们基本上是对的；你们受了不该受的警告和责备；你们因严厉的话而产生不必要的灰心；你们并没有犯所责备你们的罪过。{1TT 332.2}[17]
§40
Ministers who are preaching present truth should not neglect the solemn message to the Laodiceans. The testimony of the True Witness is not a smooth message. The Lord does not say to them, You are about right; you have borne chastisement and reproof that you never deserved; you have been unnecessarily discouraged by severity; you are not guilty of the wrongs and sins for which you have been reproved.?{1TT 332.2}[17]
§41
真实的见证者宣布，在你们自以为兴旺发达的时候，你们却样样都缺。传道人单单宣传理论是不够的。他们应该宣讲实用的题目，研究基督给门徒的实际教训，切实将这些教训应用在自己和别人身上。这道责备的证言是基督所发的，难道我们能说祂对自己的子民缺少温柔的爱吗?不！祂曾舍命救赎人类脱离死亡，用神圣的爱去爱他们，并责备祂所疼爱的人。“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教”（启3:19）。然而许多人不接受上天本着慈悲赐他们的信息。主指出他们忽略责任，做错事，自私自利，骄傲，贪爱世界，他们却受不了。（3T252-258.1873年）?{1TT 332.3}[18]
§42
The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity you are in need of everything. It is not enough for ministers to present theoretical subjects; they should also present those subjects which are?practical. They need to study the practical lessons that Christ gave His disciples and make a close application of the same to their own souls and to the people. Because Christ bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that He is destitute of tender love to His people? Oh, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom He loves He rebukes. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”?Revelation 3:19. But many will not receive the message that Heaven in mercy sends them. They cannot endure to be told of their neglect of duty and of their wrongs, their selfishness, their pride and love of the world.?{1TT 332.3}[18]
§43
末日的危险——我们是生于世界历史最严肃最重要的时代中。我们是处于末日危险之间。许多重大而骇人的大事出现在我们之前。凡敬畏上帝，爱护他律法的人，都应当在祂面前自卑，痛心悔过，忏悔那使上帝与其子民隔绝的罪恶，这件事真是何其需要啊！因为我们还不知觉不了解自己的处境，自己的卑陋情形，而竟自满自足，依然故我，所以就当激发最大的警觉。我们应该逃到上帝的道，勤作祷告，个别切心寻求主，使我们可以寻见祂。我们应当以此为当急之务，首要之事。（3T53.1872年）{1TT 333.1}[19]
§44
Perils of the Last Days—We are living in a most solemn, important time of this earth’s history. We are amid the perils of the last days. Important and fearful events are before us. How necessary that all who do fear God and love His law should humble themselves before Him, and be afflicted and mourn, and confess the sins that have separated God from His people. That which should excite the greatest alarm is that we do not feel or understand our condition, our low estate, and that we are satisfied to remain as we are. We should flee to the word of God and to prayer, individually seeking the Lord earnestly, that we may find Him. We should make this our first business.—1872,?Testimonies for the Church 3:53.?{1TT 333.1}[19]