第38章 弥赛亚
§1
第38章 弥赛亚
§2
Chap. 38—The Messiah
§3
基督离开天庭到世上来受死之前，是比任何天使都高大的。祂威严而可爱。“祂本有上帝的形像，不以自己与上帝同等为强夺的”（腓2:6）。祂亲自取了人的本性。祂开始服务时，只比当时地上的生活的常人略高一点。要是祂以高贵的天上形像来到人间，祂的外表仪容就会吸引人们来归向祂，人们无需运用信心就会接受祂。{4aSG 115.1}[1]
§4
Before Christ left Heaven, and came into the world to die, he was taller than any of the angels. He was majestic and lovely. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” He took upon himself man’s nature. When his ministry commenced, he was but little taller than the common size of men then living upon the earth. Had he come among men with his noble, heavenly form, his outward appearance would have attracted the minds of the people to himself, and he would have been received without the exercise of faith.?{4aSG 115.1}[1]
§5
人们期盼弥赛亚约在那个时期来临。许多人渴望祂来作一位强大的君王。犹太人曾向外邦人夸口祂的来临，主要是详述祂会给他们带来的伟大拯救，说祂会作王，取缔一切权威。各国各民都要向祂俯首，犹太民族会统治他们。他们把基督第一次降临和第二次降临的大事混在一起了。{4aSG 115.2}[2]
§6
About that period Messiah was expected. By many he was looked for to come as a mighty monarch. The Jews had boasted to the Gentiles of his coming, and had dwelt largely upon the great deliverance which he would bring them, that he would reign as king, and put down all authority. Every kingdom and nation would bow to him, and the Jewish nation would reign over them. They had the events of the first and second comings of Christ confounded together.?{4aSG 115.2}[2]
§7
上帝的命令是基督应当亲自取了堕落人类的样式和本性，好使祂可以藉着苦难得以完全，亲自忍受撒但试探的力量，好使祂可以更好地知道如何搭救那些受试探的人。人们对基督是弥赛亚的信心不是依赖眼见的证据，叫他们因祂个人的吸引力而信靠祂，而是因为祂品格的优美，那是从未在另一个人身上见到过，也不可能见到的。凡喜爱美德、纯正和圣洁的人，都会被吸引归向基督，且会看到足够的证据，证明祂就是那预言要来的弥赛亚。凡如此信靠上帝之道的人，都会得到基督的教训和祂最后赎罪的益处。{4aSG 115.3}[3]
§8
It was in the order of God that Christ should take upon himself the form and nature of fallen man, that he might be made perfect through suffering, and?endure himself the strength of Satan’s temptations, that he might the better know how to succor those who should be tempted. The faith of men in Christ as the Messiah was not to rest in the evidences of sight, and they believe on him because of his personal attractions, but because of the excellence of character found in him, which had never been, neither could be found in another. All who loved virtue, purity, and holiness, would be drawn to Christ, and would see sufficient evidence of his being the Messiah, foretold by prophecy, that should come. Those who thus trusted in the word of God, would receive the benefits of the teachings of Christ, and finally of his atonement.?{4aSG 115.3}[3]
§9
基督来叫众人注意祂的父，教导他们向上帝悔改。祂的工作是叫人与上帝和好。尽管基督没有照着人们所期盼的来到，但祂的降临却正如预言所规划的。那些愿意相信的，通过查考预言就可得到足够的信仰根据，经上预言了那义者的降临，并且描绘了祂降临的方式。{4aSG 116.1}[4]
§10
Christ came to call the attention of all men to his Father, teaching them repentance toward God. His work was to reconcile man to God. Although Christ did not come as he was expected, yet he came just as prophecy had marked out that he would come. Those who wished to believe, had sufficient foundation for their faith by referring to prophecy, which predicted the coming of the Just One, and described the manner of his coming.?{4aSG 116.1}[4]
§11
古时的犹太教会是非常蒙恩的上帝子民，主将他们从埃及带出来，认他们为祂自己特殊的产业。那赐给这个民族的许多极大极宝贵的应许，乃是犹太教会的盼望和胆量。他们所倚靠的就在此，并且相信他们必定得救。没有其它民族自称是受上帝的诫命管理的。我们的救主先来到祂自己的人那里，但他们却不接待祂。{4aSG 116.2}[5]
§12
The ancient Jewish church were the highly-favored people of God, brought out of Egypt and acknowledged as his own peculiar treasure. The many and exceeding great and precious promises to them as a people, were the hope and confidence of the Jewish church. Herein they trusted, and believed their salvation sure. No other people professed to be governed by the commandments of God. Our Saviour came first to his own people, but they received him not.?{4aSG 116.2}[5]
§13
自以为义、骄傲、多疑的犹太人期望他们的救主和君王会披着威严和能力来到世上，强迫一切外邦人顺服祂。他们并不期望祂会蒙受什么羞辱和苦难。他们不愿接受柔和谦卑的耶稣，承认祂是救世主。要是祂光彩地出现，采用世上伟人的权威，而不是取了奴仆的样式，他们就会接受祂敬拜祂了。但他们却拒绝基督作他们的救主，他们心中定意反抗祂之后，就不容易改变方针了。他们虽然看到祂所行一切大能的作为，却太骄傲太自高，不肯降服他们反叛的情绪。祂神圣品格的每一记号和表现都增加犹太人的仇恨和嫉妒。他们不满足于自己离开祂，还设法阻止凡他们所能阻止的人来听祂的教训，看祂的奇事。多数人拒绝了祂。他们鄙视祂卑微的外表，否认祂的见证。他们喜爱人的称赞和世上的伟大。在他们对这些事的估计中，他们认为自己判断正确，料事如神。{4aSG 116.3}[6]
§14
The self-righteous, proud, unbelieving Jews expected their Saviour and King would come into the world clothed with majesty and power, compelling all Gentiles to yield obedience to him. They did not expect any humiliation and suffering would be manifested in him. They would not receive the meek and lowly Jesus, and acknowledge him to be the Saviour of the world. Had he appeared in splendor, and assumed the authority of the world’s great men, instead of?taking the form of a servant, they would have received and worshiped him. But they rejected Christ as their Saviour, and after they had set their hearts in rebellion against him, it was not so easy for them to change their course. Notwithstanding all the mighty works they saw him do, they were too proud and self-exalted to yield their rebellious feelings. Every token and manifestation of his divine character increased the hatred and jealousy of the Jews. They were not content to turn from him themselves, but they sought to hinder all they could from listening to his teachings, or witnessing his miracles. The majority rejected him. They despised his humble appearance. They denied his testimony. They loved the praise of men, and the grandeur of the world. In their estimation of these things, they thought their judgment perfect, even as the judgment of God.?{4aSG 116.3}[6]
§15
基督的整个和生平和教训乃是持续不断的谦卑、仁爱、德行和舍己的教训。这对犹太人所表现的自以为义、苛求的精神是一种不断的责备。撒但引诱率领他们，直到他们似乎具有了一种狂暴的精神，只要一提到基督的奇妙作为他们就会这样，因为那些奇事在吸引百姓的注意力，使民众不再注意他们。最后他们终于使自己相信祂是一个骗子，并且想方设法要除掉祂，还认为这样做是一种美德。他们在祂的生活中无法指出一个可以定罪的举动，可是祂真实的良善却使祂成了他们嫉妒和仇恨的对象，他们便在盲目的愤怒中大声喊叫：“钉祂十字架！钉祂十字架！”人们拒绝亮光，这使他们被撒但掳去，遭受他的试探。当撒但控制人心时，那人就会以光为暗，以善为恶，以恶为善。{4aSG 117.1}[7]
§16
The whole life and teachings of Christ were continual lessons of humility, benevolence, virtue, and self-denial. This was a continual reproof to the self-righteous, exacting spirit manifested by the Jews. Satan led them on until they seemed to possess a frenzy at the mere mention of the wonderful works of Christ, which were drawing the attention of the people from them. They at length made themselves believe that he was an impostor, and any means they could devise to get rid of him would be a virtue in them. They could not point to one act in his life which they could condemn, yet his very goodness made him a subject of their jealousy and hate, and in their blind rage they cried out, Crucify him! crucify him! The rejection of light leaves men captives of Satan, subject to his temptations. When he controls the mind, light will become darkness to that mind, good evil, and evil good.?{4aSG 117.1}[7]
§17
基督第一次降临时，撒但知道祂来要限制他的能力，释放被他捆绑囚禁的人，他便特别地运用巧计诱导犹太民族相信基督是一个骗子。预言提供了充分的证据，足供心中没有偏见的人相信基督确实是上帝的儿子，世人的救主。但不信的犹太人却拣选他们自己的德行标准和生活纯正的标准。他们不愿受那义者教导，而是继续进行他们那无用的献祭和献礼，期待一位已经来了的弥赛亚。{4aSG 117.2}[8]
§18
At the first advent of Christ, Satan knew that he had come to limit his power, and set free captives which he had bound, and his skill was especially exercised to lead the Jewish nation to believe Christ an impostor. The prophecies furnished sufficient evidence to unprejudiced minds that Christ was indeed the Son of?God, the Saviour of the world. But the unbelieving Jews chose their own standard of virtue, and purity of life. They would not be taught by the Just One, and continued to perform their useless sacrifices and offerings, looking forward for a Messiah which had already come.?{4aSG 117.2}[8]
§19
我们的天父原是要检验和考验祂子民自称的信心和顺从。他们在律法下所献的祭，原是预表上帝的羔羊和说明祂的伟大赎罪的。可是犹太民族被撒但欺骗，竟然那么盲目，以致他们的祭物和礼物所预表的基督来了，他们却不接待祂。他们把祂象羊牵到宰杀之处。{4aSG 118.1}[9]
§20
Our heavenly Father designed to prove and test the professed faith and obedience of his people. The sacrifices which they performed under the law were typical of the Lamb of God, and illustrated his great atonement. Yet the Jewish nation were so blinded and deceived by Satan that when Christ came, whom their sacrifices and offerings had been prefiguring, they would not receive him. They led him as a lamb to the slaughter.?{4aSG 118.1}[9]
§21
在基督复临时，人们心中会对祂具有同样的叛逆和仇恨。要是基督以祂第一次降临时那样谦卑的方式复临，责备罪恶，表扬德行和圣洁，在当时一个人扬声喊叫“钉祂十字架！钉祂十字架！”之处，在这个背道的时代就会有数千人那样做。在基督复临之前，对于基督是真正的弥赛亚和救世主的不信行为会增长和扩散到惊人的程度。撒但并没有失去他去过所一直在运用的巧计和能力，他如今比基督第一次降临的时候更能欺骗人。{4aSG 118.2}[10]
§22
The same rebellion and hatred against Christ will be in the hearts of men at his second advent. If Christ’s second coming should be in the same humble manner as at his first advent, reproving sin, and commending virtue and holiness, where there was then one voice raised, crying, Crucify him! crucify him! there would be thousands in this apostate age. Infidelity in regard to Christ’s being the true Messiah, the Saviour of the world, will increase and spread to an alarming degree previous to his second coming. Satan has lost none of his skill and power which he has been exercising in past time. He can better deceive man now than at Christ’s first advent.?{4aSG 118.2}[10]
§23
在这个时代，上帝的儿子确实会被自称好人的腐败的人所轻视和侮辱，象祂第一次降临时一样。撒但如今正在把自己变成光明天使的形像，隐藏他品格的缺陷，从而使他和他的使者接受一班盲目受骗之人惟独应当向上帝献上的崇拜。基督被践踏在脚下。美德和圣洁受到藐视。恶天使在人们耳边低语，向他们传授下流腐败的教训，他们就很高兴。他们体贴肉体的心得到了满足。他们把来自撒但和地狱的东西当成是来自死人之灵的东西。他们的良心象被烙焦了一样。当上帝的儿子来到世上受死，为人牺牲时，祂撇下了自己的荣耀和尊贵的地位。祂的身材不过比一般人稍高一点。祂本人的外表丝毫不带有祂神圣品格的特别标志，惟独祂那神圣的品格才能激发人的信心。可是祂完全的形体和威严的仪态，祂表露着慈善、仁爱和圣洁的面容，却是当时生在世上的人所无与伦比的。{4aSG 118.3}[11]
§24
The Son of God in this age will be as virtually despised and insulted by corrupt men who pretend to be good men, as at his first advent. Satan is now transforming himself into an angel of light, to hide the deformity of his character, and thereby he and his evil angels receive that worship from a blinded, deluded people, which belongs alone to God. Christ is trampled under foot. Virtue and holiness are despised. Evil angels whisper their low, corrupt teachings in the ears of men, and they are pleased. Their carnal minds are gratified. That which comes from Satan and hell they make themselves believe comes from the spirits of the?dead. Their consciences are seared as with a hot iron. When the Son of God came into the world to die, man’s sacrifice, he laid aside his glory and exalted stature. His height was but a little above the general size of men. His personal appearance bore no special marks of his divine character, which would of itself inspire faith. Yet his perfect form, and dignified bearing, his countenance expressing benevolence, love and holiness, were unequaled by any then living upon the earth.?{4aSG 118.3}[11]
§25
当赐生命的主从死里复活，胜利凯旋并向祂的门徒显现时，祂的身材与祂被钉前是一样的。当时没有什么特别的标志会使那两个去以马忤斯的人立刻认出祂就是上帝的儿子。他们没有认出祂来，直到祂告诉他们祂是谁。{4aSG 119.1}[12]
§26
When the Life-giver rose from the dead a triumphant conqueror, and made himself known unto his disciples, he was of the same size as before his crucifixion. There were no special marks which would at once cause the men of Emmaus to know that he was the Son of God. They did not know him until he told them who he was.?{4aSG 119.1}[12]
§27
然而当祂升上高天，带着大批俘虏，由天军护送，并且被天使得胜和喜乐的歌声接入圣城之门时，我却惊羡地看到祂具有了与祂进入世界为人类受死之前同样高大的身材。天使说，行了这么大的奇迹，竟使基督成为肉身住在人们中间的上帝，也愿用祂的大能提拔堕落、退化、矮小的人，在他们从地上得赎之后，使他们“出来跳跃如圈里的肥犊”（玛4:2），祂能用祂无限的能力使祂的爱子恢复祂自己尊贵的身材，就是祂离开天庭之前的身材，祂虚己成了人，并且存心顺服以至于死在十字架上。{4aSG 119.2}[13]
§28
But when he ascended up on high, and led a multitude of captives, escorted by the heavenly host, and was received in through the gates of the city, with angelic songs of triumph and rejoicing, I beheld with admiration and wonder, that he possessed the same exalted stature that he had before he came into the world to die for man. Said the angel, God, who wrought so great a miracle as to make Christ flesh to dwell among men, and will with his almighty power lift up fallen, degenerate, and dwarfed man, and after they are redeemed from the earth, make them “grow up as calves of the stall,” could in his infinite power return to his dear Son his own exalted stature, which was his before he left Heaven, and humbled himself as a man, and submitted to the death of the cross.?{4aSG 119.2}[13]
§29
天使们看到他们所爱的统帅在执行了救恩计划之后，升到天上，取了祂自己尊贵的身材，得以披上祂离开天庭之前的威严和荣耀，并不感到惊奇。然而令全天庭惊奇的是，天父竟让祂怀里的爱子撇下祂的荣耀，下到世上，忍受羞辱和在十字架上痛苦的死亡，为要拯救堕落的人类。{4aSG 119.3}[14]
§30
It is no marvel with the angelic host that their loved Commander, after he had carried out the plan of salvation, and ascended up to Heaven, should take his own exalted stature, and be clothed with majesty and glory, which was his before he left Heaven. But it was a marvel with all heaven, that the Father suffered the Son of his bosom to lay aside his glory, and come down to earth, and submit to humiliation, and the agonizing death of the cross to save fallen man.?{4aSG 119.3}[14]