第24章 当前的危机
§1
第24章 当前的危机The Coming Crisis
§2
“龙向妇人发怒，去与她其余的儿女争战，这儿女就是那守上帝诫命，为耶稣作见证的”（启12:17）。在不久的将来，我们就要见到这些话的应验，那时，改正教会要与世界及罗马教的势力联合，反对遵守诫命的人。那在以往时代中激动罗马教徒的灵，也将同样地引导改正教徒，向凡对上帝坚守忠诚者采取相同的手段。{2TT 149.1}[1]
§3
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”?Revelation 12:17. In the near future we shall see these words fulfilled as the Protestant churches unite with the world and with the papal power against commandment keepers. The same spirit which actuated papists in ages past will lead Protestants to pursue a similar course toward those who will maintain their loyalty to God.?{2TT 149.1}[1]
§4
教会与政府现今正是为这未来的冲突作准备。改正教徒在伪装之下，把星期日放在前面，正如罗马教徒所作的一样。在遍地各处，罗马教正是兴建高大雄伟的建筑物，而在其秘密之处，将来要重施往日的各种逼迫。现今正在为那伟大的场面筹备，届时将有那些虚假的奇事出现，如果可能的话，甚至连选民，也要被撒但迷惑。{2TT 149.2}[2]
§5
Church and state are now making preparations for the future conflict. Protestants are working in disguise to bring Sunday to the front, as did the Romanists. Throughout the land the papacy is piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions are to be repeated. And the way is preparing for the manifestation, on a grand scale, of those lying wonders by which, if it were possible, Satan would deceive even the elect.?{2TT 149.2}[2]
§6
那将要发出的攻击上帝子民的命令，是与以斯帖时代亚哈随鲁颁布攻击犹太人的命令很相似的。那波斯王的通告，乃由哈曼对末底改的恶念而起。末底改对他原属无害，只是拒绝向他致那独归上帝的敬礼而已。王反对犹太人的决定，是人用欺骗的手段对那特选的子民不实的报导和歪曲之下所作出的，撒但鼓动人设立计谋来除掉那保存真神上帝知识的那班人。但他的计谋被在人间执掌一切的的抵挡势力给挫败了。大有能力的天使奉命来保护上帝的子民，使仇敌的计谋归到他们自己头上了。今日改正教界看那守安息日的小群，犹如那在朝门之前的末底改一般。他的品格及行为表明是敬重上帝的律法，这对于凡已丢弃敬畏上帝之心及正在蹂躏祂安息日的人们，确是一种时刻不断的申斥；因此，必须设法把这讨厌的打扰者清除掉。.?{2TT 149.3}[3]
§7
The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther. The Persian edict sprang from the malice of Haman toward Mordecai. Not that Mordecai had done him harm, but he had refused to show him reverence which belongs only to God. The king’s decision against the Jews was secured under false pretenses through misrepresentation of that peculiar people. Satan instigated the scheme in order to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. But his plots were defeated by a counterpower that reigns among the children of men. Angels that excel in strength were commissioned to protect?the people of God, and the plots of their adversaries returned upon their own heads. The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling upon His Sabbath; the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way.?{2TT 149.3}[3]
§8
那在历代以来发动阴谋攻击忠心之人的首脑，现仍设计除灭地上敬畏上帝及遵从祂律法之人。撒但要激动人的愤恨，攻击那因受良心驱使而拒绝接受流行之风俗遗传的少数卑微之人。那些有地位及有声誉的人，将与无法无天及犯罪作恶的人合作，设法攻击上帝的子民。那有财富，天才，受过教育的人要联合起来羞辱他们。逼迫人的官长，教牧人员和平信徒，要同谋陷害他们。他们要运用口舌及笔墨来夸张，威胁，及嘲笑，以推翻其信仰。他们要用虚伪的宣扬及恼怒的煽动，来激发民众的情感。他们既不能用“经上记着说”这句话来攻击拥护圣经所命定之安息日的人，因此就计划用强迫的法令来弥补这缺憾。立法委员们为要得到贿赂及拥护，就听从那设立星期日法律的要求。凡敬畏上帝的人不能接受那违背十诫之一的制度。在这场战斗中，展开了真理与错谬之间的最后大冲突。这场争战的结果，我们也无须疑虑。现今，犹如末底改之日一样，主要为其真理及其子民伸冤的。.{2TT 150.1}[4]
§9
The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals they will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a “Thus saith the Scriptures” to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.?{2TT 150.1}[4]
§10
【证明末日临近】
§11
我们的国家将因发出法令强行罗马教的制度，违反上帝的律法而与公义完全脱节。当改正教伸出手来，越过鸿沟，去与罗马教势力握手的时候；当她伸出手来，越过深渊，去与招魂术拉手的时候，在此三面言欢，携手合力的影响之下，我们的国家将弃绝那奠立一个基督新教及共和国政体的宪法上之每一原则，并为罗马教异端邪道的推行作各种准备，那时我们就可以知道，撒但要行大奇事的时候已到，末日已临近了。?{2TT 150.2}[5]
§12
【An Indication That the End Is Near】
§13
By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall?stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.?{2TT 150.2}[5]
§14
今日基督教之变节对于我们是一个预兆，正如罗马军队的迫近，对于门徒乃是耶路撒冷城即将灭亡的一个预兆一样，表明上帝忍耐的限度已到了尽头，我们国家的罪孽已届满盈，那恩典的天使快要飞离，永不复返了。到那时上帝子民将被陷入众先知所描述雅各遭难之时的困苦灾难之情景中。那受逼迫的忠心之人的呼声，上达于天。犹如亚伯的血从地里喊叫一样，从那些殉道者的坟墓中，从海洋下，从山岩洞穴里，从女修道院的地牢中，也有声音向上帝喊叫：“圣洁真实的主啊，祢不审判在地上的人，给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时呢”（启6:10）？{2TT 151.1}[6]
§15
As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs’ graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”?{2TT 151.1}[6]
§16
主正在执行祂的工作。全天庭都在积极活动着。审判全地的主快要站起来，要维护祂被人羞辱了的权威。凡遵守上帝诫命，尊敬祂的律法，并拒绝兽的印记或兽像的人，将有得救的记号印在他们的身上。{2TT 151.2}[7]
§17
The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority. The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep God’s commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the mark of the beast or of his image.?{2TT 151.2}[7]
§18
【需要完成的工作】
§19
上帝已启示了在末日必有的事，使其子民可作准备，能够应付反对与忿怒的大风暴。那些受到警告知道当前大事的人，不应袖手安坐，静待暴风雨的来临，而安慰自己说，主要在艰难之日护庇其忠心的子民。我们当象那等候主的一班人，不是闲懒坐待，而要具有不摇动之信仰，恳切地作工。现今没有时候可容我们醉心于无关重要的事了。当人们睡觉时，撒但却积极活动地安排各事，务使主的子民得不到恩典和公平。星期日的运动，现正潜滋暗长。领袖们正在掩饰其真正的争点，许多参加此种运动的人，亦不自知此股暗流将趋向何方。在外表宣言上很是温和而似乎是基督化，但到了说话的时候，它就要显露出龙的精神了。{2TT 151.3}[8]
§20
【A Work to Be Done】
§21
God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord?will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.?{2TT 151.3}[8]
§22
我们的本分，是应当竭尽能力去防避这威胁人的危险。我们应当在人前取正当光明的立场，以尽力消除人的成见。我们应当向人提出这问题的真正争点，对那剥夺信仰自由的提案作最有效的抗议。我们应当查考圣经，以便能向人说明自己信仰的缘由。先知说道：“恶人仍必行恶，一切恶人都不明白，惟独智慧人能明白”（但12:10）。{2TT 152.1}[9]
§23
It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: “The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”?Daniel 12:10.?{2TT 152.1}[9]
§24
凡藉着基督而已接近上帝的人，当前有一番重大的工作。现今是应当握住使我们有力之膀臂的时候。大卫的祈祷，应当成为牧师及平信徒们的祈祷，说：“这是耶和华降罚的时候，因人废了祢的律法”（诗119:126）。主的仆人们应当在廊子和祭坛中间，哭泣说：“耶和华啊，求祢顾惜祢的百姓，不要使祢的产业受羞辱”（珥2:17）。在似乎无望挽回毁灭之时，上帝常常为其处境极危之子民行了大事。教会之仇敌──恶人的种种奸谋，都受制于上帝的权能及统管万有的天意之下。祂能够感动政治家的心；也能够转移那恨恶上帝，真理及其子民的暴徒乱党的愤怒，正如河水改道一样，只要祂发出命令，就能那样成就。祈祷能运转全能者的膀臂。那指挥众星在天循轨而行，及其言语控制深渊巨浪之全能创造主，也要为其子民行事，只要他们凭着信心去求告祂就行了。祂要约束黑暗的势力，直到警告传遍人间，使凡愿听从的人就可为这场大斗争早作准备。?{2TT 152.2}[10]
§25
Those who have access to God through Christ have important work before them. Now is the time to lay hold of the arm of our strength. The prayer of David should be the prayer of pastors and laymen: “It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.”?Psalm 119:126. Let the servants of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar, crying: “Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach.”?Joel 2:17. God has always wrought for His people in their greatest extremity, when there seemed the least hope that ruin could be averted. The designs of wicked men, the enemies of the church, are subject to His power and overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen; the wrath of the turbulent and?disaffected, the haters of God, His truth, and His people can be turned aside, even as the rivers of water are turned, if He orders it thus. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict.?{2TT 152.2}[10]
§26
【逼迫使真理显明】
§27
诗人说：“人的忿怒要成全祢的荣美，人的余怒，祢要禁止”（诗76:10）。上帝的意思是要使这试验人的真理被提到前面，甚至于在被人轻视责难之下，也要成为查考讨论的主题。人们的心思必须被激发。每一争执，每一责难，每一诽谤，都要成为上帝的一种工具，来激起人去研究，促人猛省；否则，人的心思便要沉迷昏睡了。2TT153.1}[11]
§28
【Persecution Makes Truth Prominent】
§29
“The wrath of man shall praise Thee,” says the psalmist; “the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.”?Psalm 76:10. God means that testing truth shall be brought to the front and become a subject of examination and discussion, even if it is through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated. Every controversy, every reproach, every slander, will be God’s means of provoking inquiry and awakening minds that otherwise would slumber.?{2TT 153.1}[11]
§30
在上帝子民以往的历史中，就有过这种情形。那三个希伯来人因为不拜尼布甲尼撒所立的大金像，便被投进烈火的窑中。但上帝保全了祂在烈焰之中的仆人，使那原欲强迫人拜偶像之举，结果反将认识真神的知识，表扬给巴比伦大国在场的达官贵人们。{2TT 153.2}[12]
§31
Thus it has been in the past history of God’s people. For refusing to worship the great golden image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up, the three Hebrews were cast into the fiery furnace. But God preserved His servants in the midst of the flames, and the attempt to enforce idolatry resulted in bringing the knowledge of the true God before the assembled princes and great men of the vast kingdom of Babylon.?{2TT 153.2}[12]
§32
当命令发出，除向王之外，禁止人向任何神明祈祷之时，情形亦然。当但以理照其素常规矩，每日三次向天上上帝祈祷之时，那些王侯官长们就注意到了他的情形。这样，他就有一个机会替自己说话，显明谁是真神，并提出理由，为何只有祂当受人的敬拜，以及人有赞美敬拜祂的本分。及至但以理从狮洞蒙救之时，他又有了另一种凭据，证明他所敬拜的一位，乃是真实而永活的上帝。{2TT 153.3}[13]
§33
So when the decree went forth forbidding prayer to any god save the king. As Daniel, according to his custom, made his supplications three times a day to the God of heaven, the attention of the princes and rulers was called to his case. He had an opportunity to speak for himself, to show who is the true God, and to present the reason why He alone should receive worship, and the duty of rendering Him praise and homage. And the deliverance of Daniel from?the den of lions was another evidence that the Being whom he worshiped was the true and living God.?{2TT 153.3}[13]
§34
照样，保罗也因为坐监，而能将福音传给君王，诸侯，及官长等人；若非如此，他们便得不到这亮光。那压迫真理前进的种种努力反而要促使真理扩展。真理的高贵反而在每一要点上更加显明，使人都能看得清楚。异端邪道是需要伪装及掩饰的。它虽披上天使的外衣，可是在其每一暴露真相的表现上，便减少其成功的机会了。{2TT 154.1}[14]
§35
So the imprisonment of Paul brought the gospel before kings, princes, and rulers who otherwise would not have had this light. The efforts made to retard the progress of truth will serve to extend it. The excellence of truth is more clearly seen from every successive point from which it may be viewed. Error requires disguise and concealment. It clothes itself in angel robes, and every manifestation of its real character lessens its chance of success.?{2TT 154.1}[14]
§36
受上帝委托为其律法之保管者的那班人，不应当让自己的亮光埋没隐藏。真理必须传到地上各黑暗之处。困难必要遇到并要克服之。有一番大工必需作成，此番大工已委托给凡认识真理的人去作。他们现刻应向上帝大求援助。基督之爱必须洋溢在他们自己的心中。基督之灵必须沛降在他们的身上，他们必须预备好，能在审判之日站立得住。当他们将自己献与上帝之时，一种劝服人的能力就要随着他们的服务，将真理传给别人，并使真理之光照到许多人的心中。{2TT 154.2}[15]
§37
The people whom God has made the depositaries of His law are not to permit their light to be hidden. The truth must be proclaimed in the dark places of the earth. Obstacles must be met and surmounted. A great work is to be done, and this work has been entrusted to those who know the truth. They should make mighty intercession with God for help now. The love of Christ must be diffused in their own hearts. The Spirit of Christ must be poured out upon them, and they must be making ready to stand in the judgment. While they are consecrating themselves to God, a convincing power will attend their efforts to present the truth to others, and its light will find access to many hearts.?{2TT 154.2}[15]
§38
我们不应再沉睡在撒但的迷阵中，乃当集中自己全部的能力，殚精竭虑地使用出天赋的每一才能来。那最后的警告必须传给“多民、多国、多方、多王”；同时主也应许说，“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（启10:12；太28:20）。（5T.449-454.1885年）{2TT 154.3}[16]
§39
We must sleep no longer on Satan’s enchanted ground, but call into requisition all our resources and avail ourselves of every facility with which Providence has furnished us. The last warning is to be proclaimed “before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings;” and the promise is given, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”?Revelation 10:11;?Matthew 28:20.?{2TT 154.3}[16]