教会证言3(1872-1875)E · 第27章老底嘉教会

第27章老底嘉教会

§1 第27章老底嘉教会

§2 Chap. 27 - 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。{3T 252.1}[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. {3T 252.1}[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）。{3T 252.2}[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. {3T 252.2}[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。”{3T 252.3}[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. {3T 252.3}[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。{3T 252.4}[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. {3T 252.4}[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。{3T 253.1}[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. 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. {3T 253.1}[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。{3T 253.2}[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 Gods requirements. {3T 253.2}[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。{3T 254.1}[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. {3T 254.1}[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。{3T 254.2}[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. {3T 254.2}[8]

§19 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。{3T 255.1}[9]

§20 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. {3T 255.1}[9]

§21 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？{3T 255.2}[10]

§22 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? {3T 255.2}[10]

§23 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）。{3T 255.3}[11]

§24 Faith and love are golden treasures, elements that are greatly wanting among Gods people. I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from Gods 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. {3T 255.3}[11]

§25 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。{3T 255.4}[12]

§26 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 Gods 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. {3T 255.4}[12]

§27 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。{3T 256.1}[13]

§28 In the rise of the third angels 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. {3T 256.1}[13]

§29 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。{3T 256.2}[14]

§30 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. {3T 256.2}[14]

§31 【教会中率直的证言】

§32 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）。{3T 256.3}[15]

§33 【Pointed Testimonies in the Church】

§34 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. {3T 256.3}[15]

§35 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。{3T 257.1}[16]

§36 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. {3T 257.1}[16]

§37 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。{3T 257.2}[17]

§38 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. {3T 257.2}[17]

§39 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。{3T 257.3}[18]

§40 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. 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. {3T 257.3}[18]

§41 我蒙指示：上帝已将特殊的工作托付我和我丈夫，要向祂的子民作出明确的见证，大声喊叫，不可止息，向百姓说明他们的过犯，向以色列家说明他们的罪恶。然而，有一班人不愿意接受责备的信息，他们举起手来遮蔽上帝要责备和纠正的人。这些人总是对那些上帝要令其认识到自己真正贫乏之人表示同情。{3T 258.1}[19]

§42 I was shown that God has laid upon my husband and me a special work, to bear a plain testimony to His people, and to cry aloud and spare not, to show the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. But there is a class who will not receive the message of reproof, and they raise their hands to shield those whom God would reprove and correct. These are ever found sympathizing with those whom God would make to feel their true poverty. {3T 258.1}[19]

§43 许多人心存种种疑虑和畏惧接受了上帝藉祂的众仆人讲的话。许多人推迟顺从所赐给他们的警告和督责，想等到每一个不确定的阴影都从心中挪去之后再顺从。此种想具备全备的知识之后才信的人，他们的不信永远不会屈服于上帝乐于赐下的证据。上帝要求祂百姓的信心要依赖证据的份量，而不是依赖全备的知识。那些接受上帝所赐亮光的基督的门徒，必须顺从上帝对他们讲话的声音，纵使有很多其它的声音在大声反对。我们需要辨识力以分辨上帝的声音。{3T 258.2}[20]

§44 The word of the Lord, spoken through His servants, is received by many with questionings and fears. And many will defer their obedience to the warning and reproofs given, waiting till every shadow of uncertainty is removed from their minds. The unbelief that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to the evidence that God is pleased to give. He requires of His people faith that rests upon the weight of evidence, not upon perfect knowledge. Those followers of Christ who accept the light that God sends them must obey the voice of God speaking to them when there are many other voices crying out against it. It requires discernment to distinguish the voice of God. {3T 258.2}[20]

§45 那些在上帝呼召他们时不肯采取行动，却等待更多明确证据和更多有利机会的人，必行在黑暗中，因为这光必要收回。某一天上帝赐下了证据，这证据若遭到了拒绝，便可能永不再出现了。{3T 258.3}[21]

§46 Those who will not act when the Lord calls upon them, but who wait for more certain evidence and more favorable opportunities, will walk in darkness, for the light will be withdrawn. The evidence given one day, if rejected, may never be repeated. {3T 258.3}[21]

§47 许多人受试探对我们的工作表示怀疑。有些人在受试探时将上帝子民的困难和困惑归罪于我们传给他们的督责性证言。他们认为麻烦在于传警告信息的人，就是指出上帝子民的罪恶并纠正其错行的人。许多人被众生之敌欺骗。他们认为，倘若怀弟兄和怀姐妹不像这样不断地谴责错行责备罪恶，他们的劳苦就会被人接纳。我蒙指示看到上帝将这样的工作托付我们，当我们受阻无法见到上帝的子民并传扬我们的证言、抵消未成圣之人的猜测和嫉妒时，撒但便强烈地试探他们。那些一直站在质疑和疑惑一边的人，觉得可以随意提出他们的疑惑并暗示他们的不信。有些人存有伪善的、看似谨慎尽责且十分虔诚的疑惑，他们虽慎重地不再讨论这些疑惑，却比坦率地说出来有十倍多的能力坚固那些犯错的人，抹杀我们的影响力并削弱上帝子民对于我们工作的信心。我看到这些可怜的生灵是受了撒但的欺骗。他们自以为自己没有问题，以为自己蒙上帝的喜悦并且有丰富的属灵辨识力，其实却是贫穷、瞎眼、和可怜的。他们在从事撒但的工作，却以为在为上帝发热心。{3T 258.4}[22]

§48 Many are tempted in regard to our work and are calling it in question. Some, in their tempted condition, charge the difficulties and perplexities of the people of God to the testimonies of reproof that we have given them. They think the trouble is with the ones who bear the message of warning, who point out the sins of the people and correct their errors. Many are deceived by the adversary of souls. They think that the labors of Brother and Sister White would be acceptable if they were not continually condemning wrong and reproving sin. I was shown that God has laid this work upon us, and when we are hindered from meeting with His people and from bearing our testimony and counteracting the surmisings and jealousies of the unconsecrated, then Satan presses in his temptations very strongly. Those who have been ever on the questioning, doubting side feel at liberty to suggest their doubts and to insinuate their unbelief. Some have sanctimonious and apparently conscientious and very pious doubts, which they cautiously drop, but which have tenfold more power to strengthen those who are wrong, and to lessen our influence and weaken the confidence of Gods people in our work, than if they came out more frankly. These poor souls, I saw, were deceived by Satan. They flatter themselves that they are all right, that they are in favor with God and are rich in spiritual discernment, when they are poor, blind, and wretched. They are doing the work of Satan, but think they have a zeal for God. {3T 258.4}[22]

§49 有些人不愿接受上帝要我们作的见证，自以为我们受了欺骗，而他们才是正确的。他们认为上帝的子民不需要直率的警告和责备，因为有上帝与他们同在。这些受试探的人一直反对忠心地谴责罪恶，他们会喊叫说：要向我们说柔和的话（赛30:10）。这些人会怎样对待诚实作见证者给老底嘉的信息呢？在这个问题上不可有欺骗的行为，上帝的仆人务要把这个信息传给不冷不热的教会。这个信息必要把上帝的子民从安全感和危险的欺骗中唤醒，认识到自己在上帝面前的真实状况。他们若接受这个信息，就会觉悟过来，以致自卑认罪。那位诚信真实见证者说：“我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热。”祂接着说，“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他，所以你们要发热心，也要悔改。”随后就是祂对我们的应许：“看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，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3:15，19，20-21）。{3T 259.1}[23]

§50 Some will not receive the testimony that God has given us to bear, flattering themselves that we may be deceived and that they may be right. They think that the people of God are not in need of plain dealing and of reproof, but that God is with them. These tempted ones, whose souls have ever been at war with the faithful reproving of sin, would cry: Speak unto us smooth things. What disposition will these make of the message of the True Witness to the Laodiceans? There can be no deception here. This message must be borne to a lukewarm church by Gods servants. It must arouse His people from their security and dangerous deception in regard to their real standing before God. This testimony, if received, will arouse to action and lead to self-abasement and confession of sins. The True Witness says: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. And again, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Then comes the promise: 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. {3T 259.1}[23]

§51 上帝的子民必须看出自己的错误，觉悟过来，热心悔改，离弃那些导致他们陷入这种贫穷、瞎眼、可怜和可怕欺骗之可悲境遇的罪恶。我蒙指示看到这率直的证言必须常在教会中。只有这样才会符合给老底嘉教会的信息。错行必须受到谴责，罪恶必须被称为罪，对待罪孽必须迅速果断，使其远离我们。{3T 260.1}[24]

§52 The people of God must see their wrongs and arouse to zealous repentance and a putting away of those sins which have brought them into such a deplorable condition of poverty, blindness, wretchedness, and fearful deception. I was shown that the pointed testimony must live in the church. This alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans. Wrongs must be reproved, sin must be called sin, and iniquity must be met promptly and decidedly, and put away from us as a people. {3T 260.1}[24]

§53 【敌对上帝的灵】

§54 那些对上帝的灵敦促我们做了二十六年的工作有敌对精神的人，和毁坏我们所作见证的人，我看到他们并不是在抵挡我们，而是在抵挡上帝，因为是上帝将没有托付他人的工作托付给了我们。那些质疑并诡辩，以疑惑为美德，希望阻止我们工作的人；那些使我们的工作困难并且削弱我们信心、希望和勇气的人，一直都是那些恶意猜测，暗示可疑的指控，因嫉妒而伺机反对我们的人。他们认为这是理所当然的，因为我们也有人性的弱点，这便是确凿的证据，说明我们错了，而他们才是正确的。他们若能发现有什么事可以用作幌子伤害我们，就会用夸胜的精神去做，随时准备公然抨击我们责备错误和谴责罪恶的工作是一种苛刻专横的精神。 {3T 260.2}[25]

§55 【Fighting the Spirit of God】

§56 Those who have a spirit of opposition to the work that for twenty-six years we have been pressed by the Spirit of God to do, and who would break down our testimony, I saw are not fighting against us, but against God, who has laid upon us the burden of a work that He has not given to others. Those who question and quibble, and think it a virtue to doubt, and who would discourage; those who have been the means of making our work hard and of weakening our faith, hope, and courage have been the ones to surmise evil, to insinuate suspicious charges, and to watch with jealousy for occasion against us. They take it for granted that because we have human weaknesses it is a positive evidence that we are wrong and that they are right. If they can find a semblance of anything that they can use to injure us they do it with a spirit of triumph and are ready to denounce our work of reproving wrong and condemning sin as a harsh, dictatorial spirit. {3T 260.2}[25]

§57 然而，虽然我们不接受他们把我们的情况说成是我们痛苦的原因，虽然我们主张上帝已指定我们做比祂让别人做的更艰难的工作，但是我们得以谦卑和悔改的心承认，我们的信心和勇气一直受着严峻的考验，而且我们有时没能完全信靠指派我们工作的上帝。我们经历了极度的失望和考验之后，再次鼓起勇气时，便深深懊悔自己曾经不信任上帝，屈从人性的软弱，允许绝望蒙蔽我们的信心且削弱我们对上帝的信任。我蒙指示看到上帝古时的仆人曾遭受了绝望和沮丧，与我们这些可怜软弱的人一样。我们是与许多良善的人在一起，然而我们并没有以此为原谅自己的借口。{3T 260.3}[26]

§58 But while we do not accept their version of our case as the reason for our afflictions, while we maintain that God has appointed us to a more trying work than He has others, we acknowledge with humility of soul and with repentance that our faith and courage have been severely tried and that we have sometimes failed to trust wholly in Him who has appointed us our work. When we gather courage again, after sore disappointment and trials, we deeply regret that we ever distrusted God, gave way to human weaknesses, and permitted discouragement to cloud our faith and lessen our confidence in God. I have been shown that Gods ancient servants suffered disappointments and discouragements as well as we poor mortals. We were in good company; nevertheless this did not excuse us. {3T 260.3}[26]

§59 由于我丈夫站在我身边支持我的工作，并且与上帝的圣灵同心合意作了清楚的见证，很多人感觉是他个人在伤害他们，而事实上这是上帝托付于他的重任，是上帝在藉着祂的仆人责备他们，试图引导他们悔改自己的错行且讨上帝的喜悦。{3T 261.1}[27]

§60 As my husband has stood by my side to sustain me in my work and has borne a plain testimony in unison with the work of the Spirit of God, many have felt that it was he personally who was injuring them, when it was the Lord who laid upon him the burden and who was, through His servant, reproving them and seeking to bring them where they would repent of their wrongs and have the favor of God. {3T 261.1}[27]

§61 那些蒙上帝拣选从事重要工作的人总会遭遇不信和猜疑。在古时，以利亚奉差将来自上帝的信息传给祂的百姓，但他们不留意那警告。他们认为以利亚没必要那么严厉。他们甚至想以利亚必是精神错乱了，因为他竟公开指责上帝所特别眷爱的子民为罪人，说他们的罪恶严重到上帝要用审判来唤醒他们。撒但及其党羽联合一致抵挡那些传警告信息和谴责罪恶的人。未成圣的人也会与众生之敌联合起来，尽力拦阻上帝忠心仆人的工作。{3T 261.2}[28]

§62 Those whom God has chosen for an important work have ever been received with distrust and suspicion. Anciently, when Elijah was sent with a message from God to the people, they did not heed the warning. They thought him unnecessarily severe. They even thought that he must have lost his senses because he denounced them, the favored people of God, as sinners and their crimes as so aggravated that the judgments of God would awaken against them. Satan and his host have ever been arrayed against those who bear the message of warning and who reprove sins. The unconsecrated will also be united with the adversary of souls to make the work of Gods faithful servants as hard as possible. {3T 261.2}[28]

§63 倘若我的丈夫被压垮并变得灰心沮丧，倘若我们有时对生活没有任何憧憬，这并不稀奇也并非新事。上帝大有能力的先知以利亚，曾在耶洗别的暴怒之下逃命。他身为疲惫劳累的逃亡者，曾想死而不想活。他对于以色列人不忠的痛苦失望，压垮了他的精神，他感到自己再也不能相信任何人了。约伯在他痛苦和黑暗的日子悲叹说：“愿我生的那日和说怀了男胎的那夜都灭没”（伯3:3）。{3T 261.3}[29]

§64 If my husband has been pressed beyond measure and has become discouraged and desponding, if we have at times seen nothing desirable in life that we should choose it, this is nothing strange or new. Elijah, one of Gods great and mighty prophets, as he fled for his life from the rage of the infuriated Jezebel, a fugitive, weary and travel-worn, desired to die rather than to live. His bitter disappointment in regard to Israels faithfulness had crushed his spirits, and he felt that he could no longer put confidence in man. In the day of Jobs affliction and darkness, he utters these words: Let the day perish wherein I was born. {3T 261.3}[29]

§65 那些不习惯有此深刻感受的人，没有象载满禾捆的马车一样处于重负之下的人，以及从未与上帝的事工利益与共，以致圣工成了他们身体的一部分，比自己的生命更宝贵的人，是无法赏识我丈夫的感受的，正如以色列人无法赏识以利亚的感受一样。我们深深懊悔自己曾经灰心气馁，无论当时的环境怎样。{3T 262.1}[30]

§66 Those who are not accustomed to feel to the very depths, who have not stood under burdens as a cart beneath sheaves, and who have never had their interest identified so closely with the cause and work of God that it seems to be a part of their very being and dearer to them than life, cannot appreciate the feelings of my husband any more than Israel could appreciate the feelings of Elijah. We deeply regret being disheartened, whatever the circumstances may have been. {3T 262.1}[30]

§67 【亚哈的案例是一个警告】

§68 在亚哈邪恶的统治之下，以色列远离上帝，并在祂面前败坏了自己的行为。暗利的儿子亚哈行耶和华眼中看为恶的事，比他以前的列王更甚，犯了尼八的儿子耶罗波安所犯的罪；他还以为轻，又娶了西顿王谒巴力的女儿耶洗别为妻，去事奉敬拜巴力，在撒玛利亚建造巴力的庙，在庙里为巴力筑坛。亚哈又做亚舍拉，他所行的惹耶和华以色列上帝的怒气，比他以前的以色列诸王更甚（王上16:30-33）。{3T 262.2}[31]

§69 【Ahabs Case a Warning】

§70 Under the perverted rule of Ahab, Israel departed from God and corrupted their ways before Him. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. {3T 262.2}[31]

§71 亚哈在道德方面的力量是软弱的。他对于神圣的事物没有高度的敏感。他是一个自私而没有原则的人。他与一个品质倔强，性情执拗的拜偶像的女子结婚，结果他们二人都成了撒但的特别工具，带领上帝的百姓陷入了偶像崇拜和可怕的背道中。耶洗别倔强的性情也塑造了亚哈的品格。他那自私的癖性使他不能赏识上帝对祂子民的慈悲，和他自己作以色列民监护人与领导人对上帝应尽的本分。以色列人对上帝的敬畏日益减退。他们盲目崇拜偶像的亵渎记号在上帝的以色列民中到处可见。没有一个人胆敢冒着生命危险站出来反对流行亵渎的拜偶像之风。到处都有敬拜巴力的祭坛，向日月星献祭的巴力的先知。他们有献祭的庙宇和柱像，其中供有人手所造的东西。上帝所赐给这班百姓的恩惠丝毫没有唤起他们对赐予者的感激之情。他们将上天一切的恩赐──川流潺潺的溪涧，活水滚滚的江河，滋润地土使之出产富饶的甘露和时雨──都归功于他们所敬拜的假神。{3T 262.3}[32]

§72 Ahab was weak in moral power. He did not have a high sense of sacred things; he was selfish and unprincipled. His union by marriage with a woman of decided character and positive temperament, who was devoted to idolatry, made them both special agents of Satan to lead the people of God into idolatry and terrible apostasy. The determined spirit of Jezebel molded the character of Ahab. His selfish nature was incapable of appreciating the mercies of God to His people and his obligation to God as the guardian and leader of Israel. The fear of God was daily growing less in Israel. The blasphemous tokens of their blind idolatry were to be seen among the Israel of God. There were none who dared to expose their lives by openly standing forth in opposition to the prevailing blasphemous idolatry. The altars of Baal, and the priests of Baal who sacrificed to the sun, moon, and stars, were conspicuous everywhere. They had consecrated temples and groves wherein the work of mens hands was placed to be worshiped. The benefits which God gave to this people called forth from them no gratitude to the Giver. All the bounties of heaven,--the running brooks, the streams of living waters, the gentle dew, the showers of rain which refreshed the earth and caused their fields to bring forth abundantly,--these they ascribed to the favor of their gods. {3T 262.3}[32]

§73 以利亚忠诚的心颇为伤痛。他的义愤被激起了，他为上帝的荣耀而焦急。他看到以色列陷入了可怕的背道之中。当他回顾上帝为以色列人所行的种种大事之时，心中便不胜悲伤和惊愕。但以色列人大都忘记了上帝为他们所做的这一切。以利亚来到上帝面前，以悲痛的心恳求上帝拯救祂的百姓，哪怕必须刑罚他们也可。他呼求上帝不要再从天上的府库中给这些忘恩负义的百姓降下雨露，背道的以色列人徒然指望他们的神，他们用金子、木头、石头所造的偶像，日、月、星来灌溉大地，使其富饶多产。耶和华告诉以利亚，祂已经垂听了他的祈祷，要停止降雨露给祂的百姓，直到他们悔改转向上帝的日子。{3T 263.1}[33]

§74 Elijahs faithful soul was grieved. His indignation was aroused, and he was jealous for the glory of God. He saw that Israel was plunged into fearful apostasy. And when he called to mind the great things that God had wrought for them, he was overwhelmed with grief and amazement. But all this was forgotten by the majority of the people. He went before the Lord, and, with his soul wrung with anguish, pleaded for Him to save His people if it must be by judgments. He pleaded with God to withhold from His ungrateful people dew and rain, the treasures of heaven, that apostate Israel might look in vain to their gods, their idols of gold, wood, and stone, the sun, moon, and stars, to water and enrich the earth, and cause it to bring forth plentifully. The Lord told Elijah that He had heard his prayer and would withhold dew and rain from His people until they should turn unto Him with repentance. {3T 263.1}[33]

§75 【亚干的罪与惩罚】

§76 上帝曾特别保守祂的百姓不与他们周围拜偶像的民族掺杂，免得他们的心被外邦人所建造的颇具吸引力的柱像和神龛，庙宇和祭坛所欺骗，那些东西造价昂贵，很是诱人，败坏人的感官，以致会把上帝从人们的心中排挤出去。{3T 263.2}[34]

§77 【Achans Sin and Punishment】

§78 God had specially guarded His people against mingling with the idolatrous nations around them, lest their hearts should be deceived by the attractive groves and shrines, temples and altars, which were arranged in the most expensive, alluring manner to pervert the senses so that God would be supplanted in the minds of the people. {3T 263.2}[34]

§79 耶利哥城是一个敬拜偶像成风的地方。这里的居民非常富有，但是上帝所赐予他们一切的财富都被看作是他们假神的恩惠。他们有大量的金银，但他们就像洪水之前的人一样败坏亵渎，用他们邪恶的行为侮辱上帝，惹动天上上帝的怒气。上帝的刑罚突然临到耶利哥城。它是一个堡垒。但是耶和华军队的元帅亲自从天而降，率领天军攻击这城。上帝的天使将其高大的城墙夷为平地。上帝曾指示百姓，耶利哥城应受咒诅，城里的一切都当除灭，只有喇合和她的家人可以存活。这些人之所以应该得救，是因为喇合恩待了上帝的使者。上帝的话临到众人说：至于你们，务要谨慎，不可取那当灭的物，恐怕你们取了那当灭的物就连累以色列的全营，使全营受咒诅（书6:18）。当时，约书亚叫众人起誓说：“有兴起重修这耶利哥城的人，当在耶和华面前受咒诅。他立根基的时候，必丧长子，安门的时候，必丧幼子”（书6:26）。{3T 264.1}[35]

§80 The city of Jericho was devoted to the most extravagant idolatry. The inhabitants were very wealthy, but all the riches that God had given them they counted as the gift of their gods. They had gold and silver in abundance; but, like the people before the Flood, they were corrupt and blasphemous, and insulted and provoked the God of heaven by their wicked works. Gods judgments were awakened against Jericho. It was a stronghold. But the Captain of the Lords host Himself came from heaven to lead the armies of heaven in an attack upon the city. Angels of God laid hold of the massive walls and brought them to the ground. God had said that the city of Jericho should be accursed and that all should perish except Rahab and her household. These should be saved because of the favor that Rahab showed the messengers of the Lord. The word of the Lord to the people was: And ye, in anywise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. {3T 264.1}[35]

§81 上帝对待耶利哥城是非常特殊的，免得以色列人被该城居民所敬拜的事物迷住，以致他们的心也偏离上帝。上帝以最明确的命令保护祂的百姓。然而，尽管上帝藉约书亚的口宣布了严肃的禁令，亚干却冒险犯罪。他的贪心导使他取了上帝曾禁止他去摸的财物，因为那些财物是被上帝所咒诅的。由于亚干的罪，以色列人在敌人面前软弱如水。{3T 264.2}[36]

§82 God was very particular in regard to Jericho, lest the people should be charmed with the things that the inhabitants had worshiped and their hearts be diverted from God. He guarded His people by most positive commands; yet notwithstanding the solemn injunction from God by the mouth of Joshua, Achan ventured to transgress. His covetousness led him to take of the treasures that God had forbidden him to touch because the curse of God was upon them. And because of this mans sin the Israel of God were as weak as water before their enemies. {3T 264.2}[36]

§83 约书亚和以色列的长老们非常痛苦。他们极其谦卑地俯伏在上帝的约柜前，因为耶和华向祂的百姓发怒。他们在上帝面前痛哭祈祷。耶和华对约书亚说:“起来！你为何这样俯伏在地呢？以色列人犯了罪，违背了我所吩咐他们的约，取了当灭的物；又偷窃，又行诡诈，又把那当灭的放在他们的家具里。因此，以色列人在仇敌面前站立不住。他们在仇敌面前转背逃跑，是因成了被咒诅的；你们若不把当灭的物从你们中间除掉，我就不再与你们同在了（书7:10-12）。{3T 264.3}[37]

§84 Joshua and the elders of Israel were in great affliction. They lay before the ark of God in most abject humility because the Lord was wroth with His people. They prayed and wept before God. The Lord spoke to Joshua: Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. {3T 264.3}[37]

§85 【斥责罪恶的责任】

§86 我蒙指示，上帝在这里说明了祂是如何看待自称遵守祂诫命之人中间的罪恶。祂曾特别重视他们，使他们亲见祂权能的异常表现，犹如古时的以色列人一样，但他们竟敢忽视祂的明确指导，因此他们必遭祂的忿怒。祂要祂的子民知道，悖逆与犯罪，对祂乃是大逆不道，祂决不等闲视之。祂向我们表明，祂的子民若陷身罪中，就当立即决心离罪自拔，免致祂的怒气临到他们众人。但如果身居负责地位的人，对主子民的罪恶视如无睹，祂的怒气就要临到他们，上帝的子民既为一体，也必对这些罪负责。从主以往怎样对待祂子民的情形上，可看出教会有清除罪恶的必要。一个罪人能将黑暗弥漫，使全会众得不到上帝的光。若众人觉得有黑暗临到他们而不知是何缘故，他们就当谦卑切心求告上帝，直到找出了那使圣灵担忧的罪恶而清除之。{3T 265.1}[38]

§87 【Duty to Reprove Sin】

§88 I have been shown that God here illustrates how He regards sin among those who profess to be His commandment-keeping people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard His express directions, will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins. In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away. {3T 265.1}[38]

§89 上帝将现存的罪恶指示我，但因为我们所发的责备，人们起来对我们心怀成见，发出粗暴无情的叫喊，这真是不公正的。上帝吩咐我们说话，我们必不缄默。上帝的子民中间若有明显的罪恶，而上帝的仆人们却对此漠不关心，他们实际上就是在支持罪人，证明他们是对的，所以就与他们同样有罪，必遭上帝不悦；因为上帝要他们对所犯的罪行负责任。在异象中我蒙指示，见到许多因上帝的仆人疏忽处理他们中间存在的错误而招致上帝不悦的事。那些原谅这些错误的人一直被人们认为是秉性非常可爱可亲的，只不过因为他们避免履行圣经所要求的明白的职责。他们不喜欢这种任务；所以就避开它。{3T 265.2}[39]

§90 The prejudice which has arisen against us because we have reproved the wrongs that God has shown me existed, and the cry that has been raised of harshness and severity, are unjust. God bids us speak, and we will not be silent. If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty. In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it. {3T 265.2}[39]

§91 上帝的子民有了过失，遭受责备，但有些人却因此怀上仇恨的精神，以致变得盲目无知，心灵惨受欺骗，不能自辨正邪。他们已关闭了自己的属灵眼光。他们本可指出错误，但他们却不象约书亚那样的觉悟，他们也没有因感到众人的危险，而深自谦卑。{3T 266.1}[40]

§92 The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among Gods people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them. {3T 266.1}[40]

§93 有为主作工的精神，心中牵挂救灵工作的上帝忠心子民，将看出罪的真正面目。他们必常守忠义的立场，率直地对付那容易缠累上帝子民的罪恶。尤其是在教会圣工结束，那站在上帝宝座之前，无瑕无疵的十四万四千人承受印记之时，他们会极其深切地感觉到那自称为上帝子民者的罪恶。这种情形在先知对末后工作的说明中已有强烈的表示，他见到有人，手中各拿灭命的兵器，内中有一人身穿细麻衣，腰间带着墨盒子。“耶和华对他说，你去走遍耶路撒冷全城，那些因城中所行可憎之事叹息哀哭的人，画记号在额上”（结9:4）。{3T 266.2}[41]

§94 The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of Gods professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophets illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writers inkhorn by his side. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. {3T 266.2}[41]

§95 当今之世，谁是坚守上帝训诲的人呢?是那些实际上姑息自称为上帝子民之人的罪，纵无公开表示，却在心中牢骚，反对那些指责罪恶者的人么?是那些反对指责罪恶者，而对犯罪者表同情的人么? 断乎不是！他们若不悔改，放弃撒但压迫那负工作责任之人的工，不去维持那锡安城中罪人的手，他们就永不会领受上帝悦纳的印记。在那五个手拿灭命兵器之人的工作所代表的，对恶人施行大毁灭之时，他们都要倒毙的。请注意这个要点：凡接受真理纯洁的记号，而心中有圣灵能力作工的，就是那身穿细麻衣者所盖印的人，他们是因教会中“所行可憎之事叹息哀哭的人。”他们十分明白罪的穷凶极恶本相，他们爱护上帝的荣耀纯洁与尊贵，其诚切之度，真如先知所形容的，心中痛苦，甚至于叹息哀哭。请阅读《以西结书》第九章。{3T 267.1}[42]

§96 Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of Gods sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. {3T 267.1}[42]

§97 至于所有不这样明确辨别罪与义，不与那些坚守上帝训诲而被画上记号的人同感的人，他们所要遭受的大毁灭，正如先知所形容的那五个手拿灭命兵器的人奉命杀伐的情形：“要跟随他走遍全城，以行击杀；你们的眼睛不要顾惜，也不要可怜他们；要将年老的，年少的，并处女，婴孩，和妇女，从圣所起全都杀尽”（结9:5-6）。{3T 267.2}[43]

§98 But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. {3T 267.2}[43]

§99 在亚干犯罪的事上，上帝对约书亚说：“你们若不把当灭的物，从你们中间除掉，我就不再与你们同在了”（书7:12）。这次的情形，与不肯扬声指责罪恶与错误，始终同情那些祸害以色列全营之人的行为怎样比较呢?上帝对约书亚说：“你们中间有当灭的物；你们若不除掉，在仇敌面前，必站立不住”（书7:13）。祂宣布了人干犯祂约之后所必有的刑罚。{3T 267.3}[44]

§100 In the case of Achans sin God said to Joshua: Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. How does this instance compare with the course pursued by those who will not raise their voice against sin and wrong, but whose sympathies are ever found with those who trouble the camp of Israel with their sins? Said God to Joshua: Thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. He pronounced the punishment which would follow the transgression of His covenant. {3T 267.3}[44]

§101 约书亚随即下手严究，清查谁是犯罪的。他先按支派，继按宗族，再按人丁，逐次拈阄，找出了罪犯是亚干。为使以色列全体明白真相，及使大众之中无机会发怨言，说他冤枉好人，使亚干无辜受过起见，约书亚采取了策略。他知道亚干犯了罪，又隐瞒了罪，致使上帝对祂的子民发怒。约书亚谨慎地诱导亚干承认己罪，使上帝的尊荣和公义在以色列人面前得到维护。“约书亚对亚干说，我儿，我劝你将荣耀归给耶和华以色列的上帝，在祂面前认罪，将你所作的事告诉我；不要向我隐瞒。”{3T 268.1}[45]

§102 Joshua then began a diligent search to find out the guilty one. He took Israel by their tribes, then by their families, and next individually; and Achan was designated as the guilty one. But that the matter might be plain to all Israel, that there should be no occasion given them to murmur and to say that the guiltless was made to suffer, Joshua used policy. He knew Achan was the transgressor and that he had concealed his sin and provoked God against His people. Joshua discreetly induced Achan to make confession of his sin, that Gods honor and justice might be vindicated before Israel. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto Him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. {3T 268.1}[45]

§103 “亚干回答约书亚说，我实在得罪了耶和华以色列的上帝；我所作的事，如此如此。我在所夺的财物中，看见一件美好的示拿衣服，二百舍客勒银子，一条金子，重五十舍客勒，我就贪爱这些物件，便拿去了；现今藏在我帐棚内的地里，银子在衣服底下。约书亚就打发人跑到亚干的帐棚里；那件衣服果然藏在他帐棚内，银子在底下。他们就从帐棚里取出来，拿到约书亚和以色列众人那里，放在耶和华面前。约书亚和以色列众人，把谢拉的曾孙亚干，和那银子，那件衣服，那条金子，并亚干的儿女，牛，驴，羊,帐棚，以及他所有的，都带到亚割谷去。约书亚说，你为什么连累我们呢?今日耶和华必叫你受连累。于是以色列众人用石头打死他，将石头扔在其上；又用火烧他所有的”（书7:19-25）。{3T 268.2}[46]

§104 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. {3T 268.2}[46]

§105 耶和华告诉约书亚，亚干不仅擅自拿了祂所严令禁止取走，免得他们遭惹咒诅的东西，他是又偷窃又隐藏。耶和华曾说，耶利哥城及其一切掳物，都要焚烧掉，只有金银要归入耶和华的库中。这次攻取耶利哥城的胜利，不是出于战争，也不是出于百姓力量的炫耀。耶和华大军的“元帅”已率领天上的军兵。这场战争是耶和华的，是祂打下的仗。以色列子民毫无一击之功。胜利和光荣是耶和华的，一切战利品也都是祂的。祂命令要焚烧城中的一切，只留下金银，归入祂的库中。亚干十分明白这道保存的命令，知道他所贪爱的金银财宝是属于耶和华的；但他却偷窃了上帝的财物，据为己有。{3T 268.3}[47]

§106 The Lord told Joshua that Achan had not only taken the things which He had positively charged them not to take, lest they be accursed, but he had stolen and had also dissembled. The Lord said that Jericho and all its spoils should be consumed, except the gold and silver, which were to be reserved for the treasury of the Lord. The victory of taking Jericho was not obtained through warfare or the exposure of the people. The Captain of the Lords host had led the armies of heaven. The battle was the Lords; it was He who fought the battle. The children of Israel did not strike a blow. The victory and glory were the Lords, and the spoils were His. He directed all to be consumed except the gold and silver, which He reserved for His treasury. Achan understood well the reserve made and that the treasures of gold and silver which he coveted were the Lords. He stole from Gods treasury for his own benefit. {3T 268.3}[47]

§107 【上帝子民中间的贪婪】

§108 我看到许多自称遵守上帝诫命的人，在将上帝所托付给他们、应当奉献到祂库中的钱财挪归己用。他们在十分之一和奉献上抢夺上帝的物。他们在上帝面前隐藏并扣留上帝之物，使自己受亏损。他们自取缺乏与贫穷，又使黑暗临到教会，因为他们贪婪、隐藏、在十分之一和奉献上抢夺上帝的物。 {3T 269.1}[48]

§109 【Covetousness Among Gods People】

§110 I saw that many who profess to be keeping the commandments of God are appropriating to their own use the means which the Lord has entrusted to them and which should come into His treasury. They rob God in tithes and in offerings. They dissemble and withhold from Him to their own hurt. They bring leanness and poverty upon themselves and darkness upon the church because of their covetousness, their dissembling, and their robbing God in tithes and in offerings. {3T 269.1}[48]

§111 我看到有很多人将要因为贪心而陷入黑暗之中。那道清楚率直的见证必须时刻在教会中宣扬，否则上帝的咒诅必要临到祂的子民，正如古时以色列由于自己的罪恶所遭遇的一样。上帝将祂的子民视为一个身体，要对他们中间个人身上的罪负责。倘若教会的领袖忽视了殷勤查出那些使上帝对整个教会不悦的罪恶，他们就要为这些罪恶负责。然而，对付人心的工作乃是人类所从事的最美好的工作。不是人人都适合纠正犯错的人。他们没有智慧进行公正地处理，同时充满爱怜。他们不会倾向于看出忠心的谴责必须结合爱与慈怜。有些人总是不必要地严厉，没有感觉到使徒禁令的必要性：“有些人存疑心，你们要怜悯他们，有些人你们要从火中抢出来，搭救他们”（犹22，23）。{3T 269.2}[49]

§112 I saw that many souls will sink in darkness because of their covetousness. The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins. God holds His people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for these sins. But to deal with minds is the nicest work in which men ever engaged. All are not fitted to correct the erring. They have not wisdom to deal justly, while loving mercy. They are not inclined to see the necessity of mingling love and tender compassion with faithful reproofs. Some are ever needlessly severe, and do not feel the necessity of the injunction of the apostle: And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. {3T 269.2}[49]

§113 有许多人不具备约书亚的辨识力，也没有查出错行并立刻清理他们中间所存罪恶的特殊职责。但愿这样的人不要拦阻那些有这种工作责任的人；但愿他们不要挡在那些有这种本分要尽之人的路上。有些人格外关注要质疑、怀疑和吹毛求疵，因为他人在做上帝并没有分派给他们的工作。这些人直接妨碍那些负责谴责并纠正上帝子民中间盛行的罪恶，以便上帝的不悦能转离祂的百姓之人的工作。倘若我们中间存在亚干的案例，必定会有很多人谴责那些像约书亚一样查出罪恶的人，控告他们有邪恶的，吹毛求疵的精神。上帝是轻慢不得的，堕落的人无视祂的警告不能不受罚。{3T 270.1}[50]

§114 There are many who do not have the discretion of Joshua and who have no special duty to search out wrongs and to deal promptly with the sins existing among them. Let not such hinder those who have the burden of this work upon them; let them not stand in the way of those who have this duty to do. Some make it a point to question and doubt and find fault because others do the work that God has not laid upon them. These stand directly in the way to hinder those upon whom God has laid the burden of reproving and correcting prevailing sins in order that His frown may be turned away from His people. Should a case like Achans be among us, there are many who would accuse those who might act the part of Joshua in searching out the wrong, of having a wicked, fault-finding spirit. God is not to be trifled with and His warnings disregarded with impunity by a perverse people. {3T 270.1}[50]

§115 我蒙指示看到亚干认罪的态度与我们中间很多人所做的和将要做的忏悔十分相似。他们隐藏自己的恶行，拒绝自愿坦白，直到上帝把他们查出来才肯认罪。有些人持续行恶直到变得心地刚硬。他们可能甚至晓得教会承受了他们的罪担，正如亚干知道自己的罪牵连了全体以色列人，使他们在敌人面前软弱一般。然而，他们的良心并不谴责他们。他们不愿意藉着在上帝面前降卑自己高傲，反叛的心和离弃自己的错行来卸除教会的重担。上帝的不悦临到了祂的子民，当祂的子民中间存在罪恶，并且那些负有责任之人姑息罪恶之时，上帝是不会在他们中间彰显其大能的。{3T 270.2}[51]

§116 I was shown that the manner of Achans confession was similar to the confessions that some among us have made and will make. They hide their wrongs and refuse to make a voluntary confession until God searches them out, and then they acknowledge their sins. A few persons pass on in a course of wrong until they become hardened. They may even know that the church is burdened, as Achan knew that Israel were made weak before their enemies because of his guilt. Yet their consciences do not condemn them. They will not relieve the church by humbling their proud, rebellious hearts before God and putting away their wrongs. Gods displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest His power in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by those in responsible positions. {3T 270.2}[51]

§117 那些本着敬畏上帝的心去除教会中的障碍并纠正严重错行，以便上帝的子民能看出憎恶罪恶的必要，秉纯正而得以兴旺，使上帝的名得荣耀的人，总会遭遇未成圣之人的抗拒性影响。西番雅如此描述了这等人的真实状况和将要临到他们的可怕审判：{3T 270.3}[52]

§118 Those who work in the fear of God to rid the church of hindrances and to correct grievous wrongs, that the people of God may see the necessity of abhorring sin and may prosper in purity, and that the name of God may be glorified, will ever meet with resisting influences from the unconsecrated. Zephaniah thus describes the true state of this class and the terrible judgments that will come upon them: {3T 270.3}[52]

§119 那时，我必用灯巡查耶路撒冷；我必惩罚那些如酒在渣滓上澄清的；他们心里说：耶和华必不降福，也不降祸。他们的财宝必成为掠物；他们的房屋必变为荒场。他们必建造房屋，却不得住在其内；栽种葡萄园，却不得喝所出的酒。耶和华的大日临近，临近而且甚快，乃是耶和华日子的风声；勇士必痛痛的哭号。那日是忿怒的日子，是急难困苦的日子，是荒废凄凉的日子，是黑暗幽冥、密云乌黑的日子，是吹角呐喊的日子，要攻击坚固城和高大的城楼。我必使灾祸临到人身上，使他们行走如同瞎眼的，因为得罪了我。他们的血必倒出如灰尘；他们的肉必抛弃如粪土。当耶和华发怒的日子，他们的金银不能救他们；他的忿怒如火必烧灭全地，毁灭这地的一切居民，而且大大毁灭（番1:12-18）。{3T 271.1}[53]

§120 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. {3T 271.1}[53]

§121 【认罪太晚了】

§122 当危机最终来临，上帝为祂的子民说话之时，那些犯罪之人，那些曾象一片乌云直接拦阻上帝为祂的子民所施行之工作的人，将要惊慌失措，因为他们长久以来抱怨并拦阻上帝的事工；他们要像亚干一样万分恐惧，他们可能会承认自己所犯的罪。但他们的认罪已经太晚了。这种认罪不正确，无法使他们受益，尽管这样的认罪会减轻上帝圣工的牵累。这种人认罪并非因为深知自己的本相，深感自己的行为多么令上帝不悦。上帝或许会再次试验他们，再次检验他们，让他们显出并没有比认罪之前作出更好的准备，脱离一切叛逆和罪恶。他们总是倾向错误的一边。当上帝呼召那些愿意站在主这一边的人采取坚决的行动维护正义时，他们就会显明自己真实的立场。当时候来到，人人都须决定如何行动时，那些象亚干一样，几乎一生都受与上帝之灵无关的灵控制的人，会非常被动。他们不会声称自己站在任何一边。撒但的势力久已控制他们，以致他们似乎瞎了眼，无意维护正义。他们若是没有采取坚决的行动站在错误一边，并非因为他们有清晰的正义感，而是因为不敢。{3T 271.2}[54]

§123 【Confessions Made Too Late】

§124 When a crisis finally comes, as it surely will, and God speaks in behalf of His people, those who have sinned, those who have been a cloud of darkness and who have stood directly in the way of Gods working for His people, may become alarmed at the length they have gone in murmuring and in bringing discouragement upon the cause; and, like Achan, becoming terrified, they may acknowledge that they have sinned. But their confessions are too late and are not of the right kind to benefit themselves, although they may relieve the cause of God. Such do not make their confessions because of a conviction of their true state and a sense of how displeasing their course has been to God. God may give this class another test, another proving, and let them show that they are no better prepared to stand free from all rebellion and sin than before their confessions were made. They are inclined to be ever on the side of wrong. And when the call is made for those who will be on the Lords side to make a decided move to vindicate the right, they will manifest their true position. Those who have been nearly all their lives controlled by a spirit as foreign to the Spirit of God as was Achans will be very passive when the time comes for decided action on the part of all. They will not claim to be on either side. The power of Satan has so long held them that they seem blinded and have no inclination to stand in defense of right. If they do not take a determined course on the wrong side, it is not because they have a clear sense of the right, but because they dare not. {3T 271.2}[54]

§125 上帝是轻慢不得的。只有在斗争的时刻才能显出本色。正是在那时旗手才需要坚定并且显明他们真实的立场。正是在那时每一位真战士为正义而战的技能才受到检验。逃避责任的人决不能戴上胜利的桂冠。那些真实而忠诚的人不会隐瞒事实，反而会全心全力投入到工作中，敢于将自己的一切都投入到斗争中，让这场战斗随意转变。上帝是一位憎恶罪恶的上帝。那些鼓励罪人说你们平安无事的人，必受上帝咒诅。{3T 272.1}[55]

§126 God will not be trifled with. It is in the time of conflict that the true colors should be flung to the breeze. It is then that the standard-bearers need to be firm and let their true position be known. It is then that the skill of every true soldier for the right is tested. Shirkers can never wear the laurels of victory. Those who are true and loyal will not conceal the fact, but will put heart and might into the work, and venture their all in the struggle, let the battle turn as it will. God is a sin-hating God. And those who encourage the sinner, saying, It is well with thee, God will curse. {3T 272.1}[55]

§127 在合适的时间认罪以减轻上帝百姓的痛苦，必蒙上帝悦纳。但我们中间那些像亚干一样认罪的人，会为时太晚，不能救自己。上帝或许会显明他们的罪并给他们另一次考验，为要向祂的百姓证明他们忍受不住上帝的一次考验，一次试验。他们没有与正义和谐一致。他们轻视那触动人心的率直证言，喜欢看到每一个发出责备的人闭口不言。{3T 272.2}[56]

§128 Confessions of sin made at the right time to relieve the people of God will be accepted of Him. But there are those among us who will make confessions, as did Achan, too late to save themselves. God may prove them and give them another trial, for the sake of evidencing to His people that they will not endure one test, one proving of God. They are not in harmony with right. They despise the straight testimony that reaches the heart, and would rejoice to see everyone silenced who gives reproof. {3T 272.2}[56]

§129 【以利亚责备亚哈】

§130 以色列人渐渐失去了对上帝的敬畏和尊重，直到祂藉约书亚说的话在他们心中彻底失去了份量。亚哈在位的时候，有伯特利人希伊勒重修耶利哥城；立根基的时候，丧了长子亚比兰；安门的时候，丧了幼子西割，正如耶和华藉嫩的儿子约书亚所说的话（王上16:34）。{3T 273.1}[57]

§131 【Elijah Reproves Ahab】

§132 The people of Israel had gradually lost their fear and reverence for God until His word through Joshua had no weight with them. In his [Ahabs] days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun. {3T 273.1}[57]

§133 当以色列背道时，以利亚依然保持对上帝的忠诚，作上帝的真先知。忠心的以利亚内心极其悲痛，因为他看到不信和背道速速使以色列人远离了上帝，他祈求上帝拯救祂的百姓。他恳求主不要完全抛弃祂犯罪的百姓，若有必要，愿祂用刑罚唤醒他们，使他们悔改，不要任凭他们继续陷入更大的罪恶之中，免得激怒上帝毁灭整个以色列民族。{3T 273.2}[58]

§134 While Israel was apostatizing, Elijah remained a loyal and true prophet of God. His faithful soul was greatly distressed as he saw that unbelief and infidelity were fast separating the children of Israel from God, and he prayed that God would save His people. He entreated that the Lord would not wholly cast away His sinning people, but that He would by judgments if necessary arouse them to repentance and not permit them to go to still greater lengths in sin and thus provoke Him to destroy them as a nation. {3T 273.2}[58]

§135 上帝的话临到以利亚，要他去为以色列人的罪而谴责亚哈，宣布祂的刑罚。以利亚昼夜行走一直到了亚哈的王宫。他既不要求许可，又不等正式通知，就穿着众先知所惯穿的简朴衣服，完全出乎亚哈意料地站在了惊愕的撒玛利亚王面前。以利亚并没有为自己未被邀请就突然出现在王面前而道歉，反而向天举手，严肃地奉创造天地之永生上帝的名断言：刑罚即将降到以色列的身上: 这几年我若不祷告，必不降露，不下雨”（王上17:1）。{3T 273.3}[59]

§136 The message of the Lord came to Elijah to go to Ahab with the denunciations of His judgments because of the sins of Israel. Elijah traveled day and night until he reached the palace of Ahab. He solicited no admission, and waited not to be formally announced. All unexpectedly to Ahab, Elijah stands before the astonished king of Samaria in the coarse garments usually worn by the prophets. He makes no apology for his abrupt appearance, without invitation; but, raising his hands to heaven, he solemnly affirms by the living God, who made the heavens and the earth, the judgments which would come upon Israel: There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. {3T 273.3}[59]

§137 上帝的刑罚即将来到的信息象晴天霹雳般落到那背道的王耳中，这一切都是因为以色列人的罪；亚哈惊魂未定，不及答话。以利亚也没有等着要看他所传信息的反应，就象他来的时候一般突然不见了。他的工作就是传达从上帝那里来的灾祸，传达完之后就立刻回去。他的话闭塞了天上的府库，他的话也是唯一可以再次开启这府库的钥匙。{3T 273.4}[60]

§138 This startling denunciation of Gods judgments because of the sins of Israel fell like a thunderbolt upon the apostate king. He seemed to be paralyzed with amazement and terror; and before he could recover from his astonishment, Elijah, without waiting to see the effect of his message, disappeared as suddenly as he came. His work was to speak the word of woe from God, and he instantly withdrew. His word had locked up the treasures of heaven, and his word was the only key which could open them again. {3T 273.4}[60]

§139 上帝知道祂的仆人留在以色列人中间没有任何安全可言。祂不愿将以利亚托付给背道的以色列人，而是差派他去外邦的民族寻找避难所。上帝指示以利亚去一个寡妇那里，那寡妇十分贫穷，仅靠极其贫乏的一点食物维持生命。一个实践自己所明白之亮光的异教妇女，倒比曾蒙上帝惠赐特别权利和伟大亮光，却没有按照上帝所赐亮光生活的以色列寡妇更蒙上帝喜悦。希伯来人既拒绝了真光，就被留在黑暗里，而且上帝不愿把祂的仆人托付给祂的子民，他们已惹起了祂神圣的怒气。{3T 274.1}[61]

§140 The Lord knew that there was no safety for His servant among the children of Israel. He would not trust him with apostate Israel, but sent him to find an asylum among a heathen nation. He directed him to a woman who was a widow and who was in such poverty that she could barely sustain life with the most meager fare. A heathen woman living up to the best light she had was in a more acceptable state with God than the widows of Israel, who had been blessed with special privileges and great light, and yet did not live according to the light which God had given them. As the Hebrews had rejected light, they were left in darkness, and God would not trust His servant among His people, who had provoked His divine anger. {3T 274.1}[61]

§141 如今，背道的亚哈和异教的耶洗别有机会验证他们所敬拜之假神的能力并证明以利亚的话是假的了。耶洗别的先知有数百，而与他们敌对的仅仅以利亚一人。以利亚的话闭塞了天上的府库。倘若巴力能降下雨露，使植物生长茂盛，倘若他能使溪流照常涌流，不依赖天上降下的雨水，那么，就让以色列王敬拜他，让众民称他为上帝吧。{3T 274.2}[62]

§142 Now there is an opportunity for apostate Ahab and pagan Jezebel to test the power of their gods and to prove the word of Elijah false. Jezebels prophets are numbered by hundreds. Against them all stands Elijah, alone. His word has locked heaven. If Baal can give dew and rain, and cause vegetation to flourish; if he can cause the brooks and streams to flow on as usual, independent of the treasures of heaven in the showers of rain, then let the king of Israel worship him and the people say that he is God. {3T 274.2}[62]

§143 以利亚与我们是一样性情的人（雅5:17）。他谴责亚哈的使命和向亚哈宣布上帝可怕刑罚的工作，需要勇气和信心。以利亚到撒玛利亚来，一路经过了长流不息的溪涧，青翠欲滴的山头，茂盛高大的森林。目光所接触的，尽是繁茂荣美的景象，这一切自然会引起他的不信。大自然中的这一切此时如此繁茂，怎么可能会成为赤地千里呢？这些灌溉地土流水潺潺的溪涧的怎么会干涸枯竭呢？但以利亚并没有给不信留下一点地步。他冒着生命的危险执行他的使命。他完全相信上帝必要使背道的以色列降卑，藉着刑罚使他们谦卑悔改。以利亚眼前的使命需要他冒一切的风险。{3T 274.3}[63]

§144 Elijah was a man subject to like passions as ourselves. His mission to Ahab, and the terrible denunciation to him of the judgments of God, required courage and faith. On his way to Samaria the perpetually flowing streams, the hills covered with verdure, the forests of stately, flourishing trees,--everything his eye rested upon flourishing in beauty and glory,-- would naturally suggest unbelief. How can all these things in nature, now so flourishing, be burned with drought? How can these streams that water the land and that have never been known to cease their flow, become dry? But Elijah did not cherish unbelief. He went forth on his mission at the peril of his life. He fully believed that God would humble His apostate people and that through the visitation of His judgments He would bring them to humiliation and repentance. He ventured everything in the mission before him. {3T 274.3}[63]

§145 以利亚的话使亚哈震惊，及至他惊魂稍定，先知已经离去。于是他开始费尽心思搜寻以利亚，但是没有一个人见到以利亚，不能提供关于他的任何消息。亚哈告诉耶洗别以利亚当面所说的祸患，她便向巴力的祭司表示了对这位先知的仇恨。他们与她联合起来抨击咒诅耶和华的先知。先知谴责的消息传遍了这地，引起了一些人的恐惧，招致了许多人的怒气。{3T 275.1}[64]

§146 When Ahab recovers in a degree from his astonishment at the words of Elijah, the prophet is gone. He makes diligent inquiry for him, but no one has seen him or can give any information respecting him. Ahab informs Jezebel of the word of woe that Elijah has uttered in his presence, and her hatred against the prophet is expressed to the priests of Baal. They unite with her in denouncing and cursing the prophet of Jehovah. The news of the prophets denunciations spread throughout the land, arousing the fears of some and the wrath of many. {3T 275.1}[64]

§147 几个月之后，地土没有雨露的滋润，就渐渐干裂了，蔬菜草木都枯槁了。再过一些时候，那从不枯竭的河水开始减少，溪涧也开始干涸了。耶洗别的先知们向他们的假神献祭，昼夜呼求他们的神降下雨露滋润大地。但是他们从前惯常用来蒙骗百姓的咒语和骗术如今丝毫不起作用了。祭司们已经竭尽全力来平息他们神明的怒气；并以一种值得用在更高尚事业上的热诚和恒心，留连于他们异教的神坛四围恳切求雨。在各高冈邱坛焚烧祭牲的火焰熊熊燃烧着，敬拜巴力的祭司们恐怖的喊叫与呼求夜复一夜响彻注定遭劫的撒玛利亚。但是白天仍然没有一朵云彩来遮蔽太阳炽人的光线。以利亚的话语完全应验，不能落空，巴力的祭司所尽的任何努力，都不足以改变以利亚所说的话。{3T 275.2}[65]

§148 After a few months the earth, unrefreshed by dew or rain, becomes dry, and vegetation withers. The streams that have never been known to cease their flow, decrease, and the brooks dry up. Jezebels prophets offer sacrifices to their gods and call upon them night and day to refresh the earth by dew and rain. But the incantations and deceptions formerly practiced by them to deceive the people do not answer the purpose now. The priests have done everything to appease the anger of their gods; with a perseverance and zeal worthy of a better cause have they lingered around their pagan altars, while the flames of sacrifice burn on all the high places, and the fearful cries and entreaties of the priests of Baal are heard night after night through doomed Samaria. But the clouds do not appear in the heavens to cut off the burning rays of the sun. The word of Elijah stands firm, and nothing that Baals priests can do will change it. {3T 275.2}[65]

§149 一年过去了，第二年已经开始，仍然没有下雨。地土干焦象是被火烧过一般。一度茂盛的田地变成干旱的旷野沙漠。空气干燥窒闷；风沙之大，几乎使人不能张目，不能呼吸。敬拜巴力的树木都叶落枝枯；森林枯残凋萎，也不足以遮荫，反而看起来像恐怖的枯骨。人畜都普遍饥渴，死去的人畜也不计其数。一{3T 275.3}[66]

§150 An entire year passes, and another commences, and yet there is no rain. The earth is parched as though a fire had passed over it. The flourishing fields are as the scorching desert. The air becomes dry and suffocating, and the dust-storm blinds the eyes and nearly stops the breath. The groves of Baal are leafless, and the forest trees give no shade, but appear as skeletons. Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality. {3T 275.3}[66]

§151 这一切虽然显明了上帝的公正和审判，却未能唤醒以色列人悔改。耶洗别被极愚蠢的疯狂精神所充满。她不愿向天上的上帝屈服。敬拜巴力的众先知、亚哈、耶洗别和几乎全部的以色列人都把他们的灾难归罪于以利亚。亚哈在四周远近的各国各族寻找这位奇怪的先知，要这些邦国起誓说，实在没有以利亚的消息（王上18:10）。以利亚已经用他的话封锁了天上的库房，唯一的钥匙就在他手里，可是却找不到他。{3T 276.1}[67]

§152 All this evidence of Gods justice and judgment does not awaken Israel to repentance. Jezebel is filled with insane madness. She will not bend nor yield to the God of heaven. Baals prophets, Ahab, Jezebel, and nearly the whole of Israel, charge their calamity upon Elijah. Ahab has sent to every kingdom and nation in search of the strange prophet and has required an oath of the kingdoms and nations of Israel that they know nothing in regard to him. Elijah had locked heaven with his word and had taken the key with him, and he could not be found. {3T 276.1}[67]

§153 于是耶洗别决定，她既不能使以利亚感受她杀人的权柄，就要杀害以色列中耶和华的众先知，以泄她心头之愤。她绝不容任何一个自称是上帝先知的人存活。这个心意已决的狂怒妇人实行她疯狂的勾当，屠杀主的众先知。敬拜巴力的众祭司和几乎全部的以色列人都深受迷惑，以为若不除灭上帝的先知，他们所遭遇的灾祸就不会挪去。{3T 276.2}[68]

§154 Jezebel then decides that as she cannot make Elijah feel her murderous power, she will be revenged by destroying the prophets of God in Israel. No one who professed to be a prophet of God shall live. This determined, infuriated woman executes her work of madness by slaying the Lords prophets. Baals priests and nearly all Israel are so far deluded that they think that if the prophets of God were slain, the calamity under which they are suffering would be averted. {3T 276.2}[68]

§155 第二年又过去了，而无情的天空仍然没有下雨的迹象。干旱和饥荒继续蹂躏全国。然而背道的以色列人仍旧不肯在上帝面前让自己骄傲有罪的心降卑，他们继续埋怨上帝的先知，使这些可怕的刑罚临到他们身上。父母无法解救儿女的痛若，眼睁睁地看着他们死去。百姓依然处在可怕的黑暗之中，他们无法看出上帝的公正乃是要唤醒他们，使他们晓得这场可怕的灾祸乃是由于他们自己的罪，而且降此灾祸也是对他们的怜悯，以拯救他们，使他们不再彻底否认并离弃他们祖宗的上帝。{3T 276.3}[69]

§156 But the second year passes, and the pitiless heavens give no rain. Drought and famine are doing their sad work, and yet the apostate Israelites do not humble their proud, sinful hearts before God; but they murmur and complain against the prophet of God who brought this dreadful state of things upon them. Fathers and mothers see their children perish, with no power to relieve them. And yet the people are in such terrible darkness that they cannot see that the justice of God is awakened against them because of their sins and that this terrible calamity is sent in mercy to them to save them from fully denying and forsaking the God of their fathers. {3T 276.3}[69]

§157 以色列人为悔改付出了极大的苦难和痛苦的代价，但为了恢复他们丧失的信心并使他们清楚认识到自己对上帝的责任，这是必不可少的。他们的背道比旱灾和饥荒更加可怕。在这漫长的干旱与饥荒时期，以利亚凭着信心等待并祈祷，希望以色列人的心能由于所遭受的痛苦而转离偶像，效忠上帝。然而，尽管他们遭受了这一切的痛苦，却依然顽固的敬拜偶像，且认为上帝的先知是这场灾难的罪魁祸首。倘若他们有能力抓到以利亚，他们便会将他押送到耶洗别那里，而耶洗别必杀害以利亚，以解心头之恨。因为以利亚竟然胆敢宣布上帝吩咐他传达的降灾的话，所以就成了他们仇恨的对象。他们不能从因为自己的罪而遭遇的这一切苦难中看出上帝之手，反而将这一切都归咎于以利亚。他们并不痛恨使自己遭受责打的罪，反而痛恨这位忠心的先知，先知不过是上帝的工具，用来谴责他们的罪恶并宣布灾祸。{3T 276.4}[70]

§158 It cost Israel suffering and great affliction to be brought to that repentance that was necessary in order to recover their lost faith and a clear sense of their responsibility to God. Their apostasy was more dreadful than drought or famine. Elijah waited and prayed in faith through the long years of drought and famine that the hearts of Israel, through their affliction, might be turned from their idolatry to allegiance to God. But notwithstanding all their sufferings, they stood firm in their idolatry and looked upon the prophet of God as the cause of their calamity. And if they could have had Elijah in their power they would have delivered him to Jezebel, that she might satisfy her revenge by taking his life. Because Elijah dared to utter the word of woe which God bade him, he made himself the object of their hatred. They could not see Gods hand in the judgments under which they were suffering because of their sins, but charged them to the man Elijah. They abhorred not the sins which had brought them under the chastening rod, but hated the faithful prophet, Gods instrument to denounce their sins and calamity. {3T 276.4}[70]

§159 “过了许久，到第三年，耶和华的话临到以利亚说：你去，使亚哈得见你；我要降雨在地上”（王上18:1）。以利亚毫不犹豫地开始了这次危险的旅程。三年来他被人憎恨，由于亚哈王的命令他被到处搜捕，从这城搜到那城，通国的人都已起誓说找不到他。如今以利亚要遵照上帝的话，亲自来到亚哈面前。{3T 277.1}[71]

§160 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. Elijah hesitates not to start on his perilous journey. For three years he had been hated, and hunted from city to city by the mandate of the king, and the whole nation have given their oath that he cannot be found. And now, by the word of God, he is to present himself before Ahab. {3T 277.1}[71]

§161 在以色列举国背道期间，在一国之君也敬拜巴力之时，亚哈的家宰却一直保持对上帝的忠贞。他冒着生命的危险保全了上帝的众先知，将他们藏在洞中，每五十个人一个洞，用食物和水供养他们。当亚哈的家宰到处寻找水源和溪水之时，以利亚出现在他面前。俄巴底敬重上帝的先知，但是当以利亚打发他向亚哈王传达信息时，他却大为恐慌。他看出这会使他和以利亚招来杀身之祸。于是俄巴底迫切恳求使自己的生命得以保全，但以利亚便向他起誓保证那日他必见亚哈。先知以利亚不会去找亚哈，作为一名受人尊敬的上帝使者，他派遣俄巴底去传达以下的信息：看哪，以利亚在这里。如果亚哈想要见以利亚，如今就是他的机会，可以来见他。以利亚不会去见亚哈。{3T 277.2}[72]

§162 During the apostasy of all Israel, and while his master is a worshiper of Baal, the governor of Ahabs house has proved faithful to God. At the risk of his own life he has preserved the prophets of God by hiding them by fifties in a cave and feeding them. While the servant of Ahab is searching throughout the kingdom for springs and brooks of water, Elijah presents himself before him. Obadiah reverenced the prophet of God, but as Elijah sends him with a message to the king, he is greatly terrified. He sees danger and death to himself and also to Elijah. He pleads earnestly that his life may not be sacrificed; but Elijah assures him with an oath that he will see Ahab that day. The prophet will not go to Ahab but as one of Gods messengers, to command respect, and he sends a message by Obadiah: Behold, Elijah is here. If Ahab wants to see Elijah, he now has the opportunity to come to him. Elijah will not go to Ahab. {3T 277.2}[72]

§163 当亚哈听说他又怕又恨的以利亚要来见他时，心中不禁惊惧横生。他长期以来一直在寻索以利亚的性命，他深知以利亚如此冒性命的危险来到他这里，必得到保护或带着某种可怕的谴责。他想起了耶罗波安枯干的手，为了安全起见，便决定不伸手反抗上帝的使者。于是这个恐惧战兢的君王就带着大批扈从和耀武扬威的军队，匆忙前住迎见以利亚。王和他长期以来寻索的先知面面相对了，却不敢伤害这位先知。王虽然情绪激昂，对以利亚充满了仇恨，但他在以利亚面前，却似乎失去勇气，软弱无力了。他见到以利亚，就不禁说出了内心的感想：使以色列遭灾的就是你吗”（王上18:17）？以利亚为上帝的尊荣而心中愤慨，颇感焦急，他勇敢地回答亚哈的控告说：“使以色列遭灾的不是我，乃是你和你父家；因为你们离弃耶和华的诫命，去随从巴力。” {3T 278.1}[73]

§164 With astonishment mingled with terror the king hears the message that Elijah whom he fears and hates, is coming to meet him. He has long sought for the prophet that he might destroy him, and he knows that Elijah would not expose his life to come to him unless guarded or with some terrible denunciation. He remembers the withered arm of Jeroboam and decides that it is not safe to lift up his hand against the messenger of God. And with fear and trembling, and with a large retinue and an imposing display of armies, he hastens to meet Elijah. And as he meets face to face the man whom he has so long sought, he dares not harm him. The king, so passionate, and so filled with hatred against Elijah, seems to be powerless and unmanned in his presence. As he meets the prophet he cannot refrain from speaking the language of his heart: Art thou he that troubleth Israel? Elijah, indignant, and jealous for the honor and glory of God, answers the charge of Ahab with boldness: I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy fathers house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord. {3T 278.1}[73]

§165 作为上帝的使者，先知以利亚谴责了以色列人的罪恶，宣布上帝对他们邪恶行为的审判。如今，尽管被全副武装的士兵所包围，但以利亚本着无愧的良心和坚定的正直独自站立，他没有显出一丝胆怯，也丝毫没有显出对王的尊重。这位与上帝交通，清楚明了上帝如何看待这个罪恶堕落之人的先知，绝不会向亚哈道歉，更不会向他表示尊敬。作为上帝的使者，以利亚现在发令，亚哈立刻听从，仿佛以利亚才是君王，而亚哈是他的仆人。{3T 278.2}[74]

§166 The prophet, as Gods messenger, had reproved the sins of the people, denouncing upon them the judgments of God because of their wickedness. And now, standing alone in conscious innocence, firm in his integrity, surrounded by the train of armed men, Elijah shows no timidity, neither does he show the least reverence to the king. The man whom God has talked with, and who has a clear sense of how God regards man in his sinful depravity, has no apology to make to Ahab nor homage to give him. As Gods messenger, Elijah now commands and Ahab at once obeys as though Elijah were monarch and he the subject. {3T 278.2}[74]

§167 【迦密山上的献祭】

§168 以利亚发命召集全以色列人和所有敬拜巴力的先知上迦密山。先知脸上可怕的严肃显出他是站在耶和华以色列的上帝面前的一位。以色列国背道的状况需要一种坚定的举止，严厉的话语，和威严的权威。上帝预备了适合这个时间和场合的信息。有时，祂将祂的灵赐给祂的使者，昼夜发出警告，就像祂的仆人施洗约翰一样说：“预备主的道”（路3:4）！此时，依然需要不偏离职守的实干家，他们要激起活力并吩咐说“凡属耶和华的”，都要到我们这里来（出32:26）。在各种各样的情形之下，上帝都有合适的信息对付祂的百姓。{3T 279.1}[75]

§169 【The Sacrifice on Mount Carmel】

§170 Elijah demands a convocation at Carmel of all Israel and also of all the prophets of Baal. The awful solemnity in the looks of the prophet gives him the appearance of one standing in the presence of the Lord God of Israel. The condition of Israel in their apostasy demands a firm demeanor, stern speech, and commanding authority. God prepares the message to fit the time and occasion. Sometimes He puts His Spirit upon His messengers to sound an alarm day and night, as did His messenger John: Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Then, again, men of action are needed who will not be swerved from duty, but whose energy will arouse and demand, Who is on the Lords side? let him come over with us. God will have a fitting message to meet His people in their varied conditions. {3T 279.1}[75]

§171 有使者迅速将以利亚的信息传达以色列各处。代表们被派往各个城镇，乡村，和家庭。人人似乎都匆忙响应这呼召，仿佛要有奇妙的神迹发生。遵照以利亚的吩咐，亚哈召集敬拜巴力的先知来到了迦密山。以色列背道之领袖的心被吓倒了，他胆战心惊的顺服了上帝这位严厉先知的指示。{3T 279.2}[76]

§172 Swift messengers are sent throughout the kingdom with the message from Elijah. Representatives are sent from cities, towns, villages, and families. All seem in haste to answer the call, as though some wonderful miracle is to be performed. According to Elijahs command, Ahab gathers the prophets of Baal at Carmel. The heart of Israels apostate leader is overawed, and he tremblingly follows the direction of the stern prophet of God. {3T 279.2}[76]

§173 百姓聚集在迦密山上，有雨露滋润使之繁茂时，这是一个很美丽的地方，但现在在上帝的咒诅之下，它的美容凋残了。在这座曾经满是花木的山上，巴力的先知们曾为他们的异教崇拜建立起祭坛。这座山非常显眼，从山上可以俯瞰四围的列国，也可看到以色列国的大部分疆土。由于上帝曾被在这里进行的偶像崇拜大大亵渎，以利亚便选择这个最显眼的地方来展现上帝的大能并维护祂的尊荣。{3T 279.3}[77]

§174 The people assemble upon Mount Carmel, a place of beauty when the dew and rain fall upon it causing it to flourish; but now its beauty is languishing under the curse of God. Upon this mount, which was the excellency of groves and flowers, Baals prophets had erected altars for their pagan worship. This mountain was conspicuous; it overlooked the surrounding countries and was in sight of a large portion of the kingdom. As God had been signally dishonored by the idolatrous worship carried on here, Elijah chose this as the most conspicuous place for the display of Gods power and to vindicate His honor. {3T 279.3}[77]

§175 耶洗别的先知，为数八百五十名，就像一个准备战斗的军团，奏着乐耀武扬威地出发了。然而，他们既想到照耶和华的先知所说的，以色列已三年没有雨露，就心中战栗。他们感到某种可怕的危机即将到来。他们曾信靠自己的神，却没能取消以利亚的话，证明他的话是假的。他们的神对于他们疯狂的喊叫，祈祷，和牺牲无动于衷。{3T 279.4}[78]

§176 Jezebels prophets, eight hundred and fifty in number, like a regiment of soldiers prepared for battle, march out in a body with instrumental music and imposing display. But there is trembling in their hearts as they consider that at the word of this prophet of Jehovah the land of Israel has been destitute of dew and rain three years. They feel that some fearful crisis is at hand. They had trusted in their gods, but could not unsay the words of Elijah and prove him false. Their gods were indifferent to their frantic cries, prayers, and sacrifices. {3T 279.4}[78]

§177 清晨，以利亚站在迦密山上，周围都是背道的百姓和敬拜巴力的先知。他在那广大的群众中一人独立，无所畏惧。全以色列所控告使他们遭灾的那一位此时就站在他们面前，毫不畏惧，也没有看得见的军队和壮观的仪仗队伴随着他。以利亚穿着粗布的衣服，以可怕的严肃表情站着，仿佛完全意识到他作为上帝仆人的神圣使命，要执行祂的命令。以利亚定睛望着最高的山脊，当山上花木繁茂之时，那里曾经屹立着敬拜耶和华的祭坛。现在，上帝的打击临到它；以色列一切的荒芜都尽收眼底，皆因耶和华的祭坛被人忽视被人拆毁，现在所看到的都是敬拜巴力的祭坛。亚哈站在巴力祭司的最前面，人人都焦急恐惧地等待着以利亚发言。{3T 280.1}[79]

§178 Elijah, early in the morning, stands upon Mount Carmel, surrounded by apostate Israel and the prophets of Baal. A lone man in that vast multitude, he stands undaunted. He whom the whole kingdom has charged with its weight of woe is before them, unterrified and unattended by visible armies and imposing display. He stands, clad in his coarse garment, with awful solemnity in his countenance, as though fully aware of his sacred commission as the servant of God to execute His commands. Elijah fastens his eyes upon the highest ridge of mountains where had stood the altar of Jehovah when the mountain was covered with flourishing trees and flowers. The blight of God is now upon it; all the desolation of Israel is in full view of the neglected, torn-down altar of Jehovah, and in sight are the altars of Baal. Ahab stands at the head of the priests of Baal, and all wait in anxious, fearful expectation for the words of Elijah. {3T 280.1}[79]

§179 在烈日之下，数千名战士，巴力的先知，和以色列王站在这位毫无防备的上帝先知的周围，以利亚看似是独自一人，其实他并不孤独。天上最有能力的军队环绕着他。大能的天使从天而降来保护这位忠义的先知。以利亚用严厉而威严的声音喊着说：“你们心持两意要到几时呢？若耶和华是上帝，就当顺从耶和华；若巴力是上帝，就当顺从巴力。众民一言不答”（王上18:21）。在这广大的人群中竟没有一人胆敢表示效忠耶和华。{3T 280.2}[80]

§180 In the full light of the sun, surrounded by thousands,--men of war, prophets of Baal, and the monarch of Israel,--stands the defenseless man, Elijah, apparently alone, yet not alone. The most powerful host of heaven surrounds him. Angels who excel in strength have come from heaven to shield the faithful and righteous prophet. With stern and commanding voice Elijah cries: How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Not one in that vast assembly dared utter one word for God and show his loyalty to Jehovah. {3T 280.2}[80]

§181 何等惊人的欺骗和迷惑犹如一片乌云笼罩着以色列！这种盲目和背道不是一朝一夕的事，而是逐渐临到的，因为他们不听上帝因他们的骄傲和罪恶而传给他们的警告和责备。如今，在这场可怕的危机中，在拜偶像的祭司和背道的国王面前，他们保持中立。假如上帝憎恶一样他子民所犯的罪过于别的罪，那就是祂的子民在紧急情况无所事事。在一场宗教危机中漠不关心且保持中立，这被上帝看为极严重的罪行，与最恶劣的敌对上帝的罪同等。{3T 280.3}[81]

§182 What astonishing deception and fearful blindness had, like a dark cloud, covered Israel! This blindness and apostasy had not closed about them suddenly; it had come upon them gradually as they had not heeded the word of reproof and warning which the Lord had sent to them because of their pride and their sins. And now, in this fearful crisis, in the presence of the idolatrous priests and the apostate king, they remained neutral. If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God. {3T 280.3}[81]

§183 全体以色列人都寂静无声。以利亚再次对他们说：“作耶和华先知的只剩下我一个人；巴力的先知却有四百五十个人。当给我们两只牛犊，巴力的先知可以挑选一只，切成块子，放在柴上，不要点火；我也预备一只牛犊放在柴上，也不点火。你们求告你们神的名，我也求告耶和华的名。那降火显应的神，就是上帝。”众民回答说：“这话甚好。”以利亚对巴力的先知说：“你们既是人多，当先挑选一只牛犊，预备好了，就求告你们神的名，却不要点火。”他们将所得的牛犊预备好了，从早晨到午间，求告巴力的名说：“巴力啊，求你应允我们！”却没有声音，没有应允的。他们在所筑的坛四围踊跳（王上18:22-26）。{3T 281.1}[82]

§184 All Israel is silent. Again the voice of Elijah is heard addressing them: I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baals prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let Him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. {3T 281.1}[82]

§185 以利亚的建议非常合理，众民无法托辞规避，所以他们只得鼓起勇气回答说：“这话甚好。”巴力的先知不敢发言反对或规避这事；上帝指示了这次试验，且已预备使那些敬拜假神的人心中混乱，使祂的名显著得胜。巴力的祭司除了接受这条件不敢做什么。他们虽然表面上大胆挑衅，目中无人，负疚的内心却惊恐莫名；他们预备他们的坛，并把木柴和祭牲摆在上面；然后就开始念咒，颂歌，大声喊叫，完全是异教的敬拜特征。他们那尖锐的呼声一再地回响于森林和周围的山岭之间：“巴力啊，求你应允我们！”祭司们聚集在他们的祭坛周围，扭身跳踊并尖声呐喊，撕掉头发又割破身体，表现出明显的诚意。{3T 281.2}[83]

§186 The proposition of Elijah is reasonable. The people dare not evade it, and they find courage to answer: The word is good. The prophets of Baal dare not dissent or evade the matter. God has directed this trial and has prepared confusion for the authors of idolatry and a signal triumph for His name. The priests of Baal dare not do otherwise than accept the conditions. With terror and guiltiness in their hearts, while outwardly bold and defiant, they rear their altar, lay on the wood and the victim, and then begin their incantations, their chanting and bawling, characteristics of pagan worship. Their shrill cries re-echo through forests and mountains: O Baal, hear us. The priests gather in an army about their altars, and with leaping, and writhing, and screaming, and stamping, and with unnatural gestures, and tearing their hair, and cutting their flesh, they manifest apparent sincerity. {3T 281.2}[83]

§187 早晨过去，中午来到，可是他们的神却没有动静，对于巴力的祭司、被蒙骗的敬拜者们丝毫没有怜悯之情。没有声音应允他们疯狂的祷告。这些祭司不断图谋藉着骗术在坛上点火，归荣耀于巴力。可是以利亚严格注视着他们的每一个动作；八百多个声音喊得嘶哑了。他们衣服充满了血迹，可是他们疯狂的兴奋并未减退。他们的恳求夹杂着对他们的太阳神的咒骂，因为他没有降火给他们的祭坛。以利亚袖手旁观，密切注意着，以免任何诡计得逞；因为他知道；如果祭司的任何诡计得逞，居然能够点起祭坛上的火，他就会当场被撕成碎片。他希望向百姓显明他们犹疑不定心持两意多么愚蠢，因为他们有上帝的威严权能为他们施行的奇妙作为，也有无数的证据表明祂对他们无限的怜悯和慈爱。{3T 282.1}[84]

§188 The morning passes and noon comes, and yet there is no move of their gods in pity to Baals priests, the deluded worshipers of idols. No voice answers their frantic cries. The priests are continually devising how, by deception, they can kindle a fire upon the altars and give the glory to Baal. But the firm eye of Elijah watches every motion. Eight hundred voices become hoarse. Their garments are covered with blood, and yet their frantic excitement does not abate. Their pleadings are mingled with cursings to their sun-god that he does not send fire for their altars. Elijah stands by, watching with eagle eye lest any deception should be practiced; for he knows that if, by any device, they could kindle their altar fire, he would be torn in pieces upon the spot. He wishes to show the people the folly of their doubting and halting between two opinions when they have the wonderful works of Gods majestic power in their behalf and innumerable evidences of His infinite mercies and loving-kindness toward them. {3T 282.1}[84]

§189 “到了正午，以利亚嬉笑他们，说：‘大声求告吧！因为它是神，它或默想，或走到一边，或行路，或睡觉，你们当叫醒它。’他们大声求告，按着他们的规矩，用刀枪自割、自刺，直到身体流血。从午后直到献晚祭的时候，他们狂呼乱叫，却没有声音，没有应允的，也没有理会的”（王上18:27-29）。{3T 282.2}[85]

§190 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. {3T 282.2}[85]

§191 曾象闪电一样从天上坠落的撒但甚愿来帮助他所欺骗、心思受他控制而专心为他服务的人。他甚愿发出电光，点燃他们的祭牲。但耶和华划定撒但的界限，遏制了他的能力，他用尽所有的诡计也不能在巴力的坛上发出一星火花。黄昏将近。巴力的先知已疲乏、昏迷、混乱了。一个人建议一件事，而另一个人则建议另一件事，直到他们终于停止了他们的挣扎。迦密山上再听不到他们的尖叫和咒骂了。他们绝望地败退了。{3T 282.3}[86]

§192 How gladly would Satan, who fell like lightning from heaven, come to the help of those whom he has deceived, whose minds he has controlled, and who are fully devoted to his service. Gladly would he send the lightning and kindle their sacrifices; but Jehovah has set Satans bounds. He has restrained his power, and all his devices cannot convey one spark to Baals altars. Evening draws on. The prophets of Baal are weary, faint, and confused. One suggests one thing, and one another, until they cease their efforts. Their shrieks and curses no longer resound over Mount Carmel. With weakness and despair they retire from the contest. {3T 282.3}[86]

§193 民众已目睹了这些毫无理智的，疯狂的祭司的可怕表演。众人看到他们在祭坛周围狂蹦乱跳，好像是要抓住太阳灼热的光线来达成他们的目的似的。他们对于信仰魔鬼的表现、异教拜偶像的表演变得厌倦了，这时他们迫切而焦急的想听到以利亚要说什么。{3T 283.1}[87]

§194 The people have witnessed the terrible demonstrations of the unreasonable, frantic priests. They have beheld their leaping upon the altar as though they would grasp the burning rays from the sun to serve their altars. They have become tired of the exhibitions of demonism, of pagan idolatry; and they feel earnest and anxious to hear what Elijah will speak. {3T 283.1}[87]

§195 现在轮到以利亚了。“以利亚对众民说：‘你们到我这里来。’众民就到他那里。他便重修已经毁坏耶和华的坛。以利亚照雅各子孙支派的数目，取了十二块石头（耶和华的话曾临到雅各说：‘你的名要叫以色列’），用这些石头为耶和华的名筑一座坛，在坛的四围挖沟，可容谷种二细亚，又在坛上摆好了柴，把牛犊切成块子放在柴上，对众人说：‘你们用四个桶盛满水，倒在燔祭和柴上’；又说：‘倒第二次。’他们就倒第二次；又说：‘倒第三次。’他们就倒第三次。水流在坛的四围，沟里也满了水。到了献晚祭的时候，先知以利亚近前来，说：‘亚伯拉罕、以撒、以色列的上帝，耶和华啊，求祢今日使人知道祢是以色列的上帝，也知道我是祢的仆人，又是奉祢的命行这一切事。耶和华啊，求祢应允我，应允我！使这民知道祢耶和华是上帝，又知道是祢叫这民的心回转。’于是，耶和华降下火来，烧尽燔祭、木柴、石头、尘土，又烧干沟里的水。众民看见了，就俯伏在地，说：‘耶和华是上帝！耶和华是上帝’（王上18:30-39）！{3T 283.2}[88]

§196 Elijahs turn has now come. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God. {3T 283.2}[88]

§197 这正是献晚祭的时候。以利亚重修了上帝的祭坛，就是背道的以色列人许可巴力的祭司拆毁的祭坛。以利亚并没有请求民中的任何一个人来帮助他做这件费力的事。巴力的祭坛都已经准备好了，但他转向被拆毁的上帝的祭坛，在以利亚看来，它比任何敬拜巴力的壮丽神坛更为神圣，更为宝贵。{3T 284.1}[89]

§198 Elijah at the hour of evening sacrifice repairs the altar of God which the apostasy of Israel has allowed the priests of Baal to tear down. He does not call upon one of the people to aid him in his laborious work. The altars of Baal are all prepared; but he turns to the broken-down altar of God, which is more sacred and precious to him in its unsightly ruins than all the magnificent altars of Baal. {3T 284.1}[89]

§199 以利亚尊重上帝与祂子民所立的约，尽管他们已经背道了。以利亚镇静严肃地按照以色列十二个支派的数目，用十二块石头修复了被拆毁了的祭坛。灰心失望的巴力的祭司们因枉然疯狂的努力而疲惫，正坐在或躺在地上，等着看以利亚有什么举动。他们对先知以利亚充满了恐惧和仇恨，因为他的提议暴露了他们神明的软弱无能。 {3T 284.2}[90]

§200 Elijah respects the Lords covenant with His people, although they have apostatized. With calmness and solemnity he repairs the broken-down altar with twelve stones, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. The disappointed priests of Baal, wearied with their vain, frenzied efforts, are sitting or lying prostrate on the ground, waiting to see what Elijah will do. They are filled with fear and hatred toward the prophet for proposing a test which has exposed their weakness and the inefficiency of their gods. {3T 284.2}[90]

§201 当以利亚求告创造天地的耶和华时，以色列百姓出神地站着，脸色苍白，表情焦急，几乎因敬畏而屏息。百姓已经目睹了巴力的先知们狂热盲信不合理的狂乱行为。相形之下，他们现在特别蒙恩见到以利亚沉着镇静，令人敬畏的行为举止。以利亚提醒以色列人的堕落，正是他们的堕落才招致了上帝的愤怒，随后，以利亚又呼吁他们谦卑己心并转向他们列祖的上帝，以便上帝将他们的咒诅挪去。亚哈和他那些敬拜偶像的祭司们又惊异又恐惧地看着这一切。他们心中焦急，严肃沉默地等待着结果。{3T 284.3}[91]

§202 The people of Israel stand spellbound, pale, anxious, and almost breathless with awe, while Elijah calls upon Jehovah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The people have witnessed the fanatical, unreasonable frenzy of the prophets of Baal. In contrast they are now privileged to witness the calm, awe-inspiring deportment of Elijah. He reminds the people of their degeneracy, which has awakened the wrath of God against them, and then calls upon them to humble their hearts and turn to the God of their fathers, that His curse may be removed from them. Ahab and his idolatrous priests are looking on with amazement mingled with terror. They await the result with anxious, solemn silence. {3T 284.3}[91]

§203 以利亚将祭牲放在祭坛上之后，便吩咐人将水浇在祭牲和祭坛之上，而且要将祭坛四围的沟里也灌满水。然后，以利亚恭恭敬敬地跪在那看不见的上帝面前，向天举起双手，献上一次镇静而简单的祷告，没有粗暴的姿势也没有扭曲身体。没有尖叫声回响在迦密的高地。一种令巴力的祭司感到压抑的严肃的静默临到了众人身上。以利亚在祈祷中没有使用过多的言辞。他向耶和华祈祷，仿佛祂就在近旁，目睹着眼前的一切，而且倾听他真挚、热切而简短的恳求。巴力的祭司曾尖叫、口中流沫、蹦跳、祈求了很久，从早晨直到晚上。以利亚的祈祷非常简短，恳切，虔诚而真挚。他的祷告一结束，就有火以独特的方式从天降下，象光耀的闪电一般，点燃了坛上的柴，烧尽了祭牲，烧干了沟里的水，甚至连坛上的石头都烧尽了。火焰的光芒照亮全山，使众人目眩不已。以色列国没有聚集到山上的人正关心地注视着聚集在山上的那些人。当火降下时，他们看到了，无不因而惊异万状。这火与从前过红海时夜间将以色列民和埃及军兵隔开的火炷相似。{3T 284.4}[92]

§204 After the victim is laid upon the altar, he commands the people to flood the sacrifice and the altar with water, and to fill the trench round about the altar. He then reverentially bows before the unseen God, raises his hands toward heaven, and offers a calm and simple prayer, unattended with violent gestures or contortions of the body. No shrieks resound over Carmels height. A solemn silence, which is oppressive to the priests of Baal, rests upon all. In his prayer, Elijah makes use of no extravagant expressions. He prays to Jehovah as though He were nigh, witnessing the whole scene, and hearing his sincere, fervent, yet simple prayer. Baals priests have screamed, and foamed, and leaped, and prayed, very long-- from morning until near evening. Elijahs prayer is very short, earnest, reverential, and sincere. No sooner is that prayer uttered than flames of fire descend from heaven in a distinct manner, like a brilliant flash of lightning, kindling the wood for sacrifice and consuming the victim, licking up the water in the trench and consuming even the stones of the altar. The brilliancy of the blaze illumes the mountain and is painful to the eyes of the multitude. The people of the kingdom of Israel not gathered upon the mount are watching with interest those there assembled. As the fire descends, they witness it and are amazed at the sight. It resembles the pillar of fire at the Red Sea, which by night separated the children of Israel from the Egyptian host. {3T 284.4}[92]

§205 山上的众民肃敬地俯伏在那看不见的上帝面前。他们不敢再看那从天而降的火。他们害怕因自己的背道和罪恶而被这火烧灭，于是他们异口同声地呼喊说：耶和华是上帝！耶和华是上帝！”他们的呼喊响应在山间，并且极其清楚地回响在山下的平原。以色列终于觉醒起来，不再受骗，悔罪改过了。众民终于看出自己是怎样大大地侮辱了上帝，他们激起了针对巴力先知的怒气。亚哈和巴力的先知怀着恐惧目睹了耶和华大能的奇妙显现。以利亚的声音再次以惊人的口吻吩咐众人说：“拿住巴力的先知，不容一人逃脱！”百姓已经预备好要顺从以利亚的话语了。他们抓住这些欺骗他们的假先知，将他们带到基顺河边，在那里以利亚亲手杀死了这些敬拜偶像的祭司。{3T 285.1}[93]

§206 The people upon the mountain prostrate themselves in terror and awe before the unseen God. They cannot look upon the bright consuming fire sent from heaven. They fear that they will be consumed in their apostasy and sins, and cry out with one voice, which resounds over the mountain and echoes to the plains below with terrible distinctness: The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God. Israel is at last aroused and undeceived. They see their sin and how greatly they have dishonored God. Their anger is aroused against the prophets of Baal. With terror, Ahab and Baals priests witness the wonderful exhibition of Jehovahs power. Again the voice of Elijah is heard in startling words of command to the people: Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. The people are ready to obey his word. They seize the false prophets who have deluded them, and bring them to the brook Kishon, and there, with his own hand, Elijah slays these idolatrous priests. {3T 285.1}[93]

§207 上帝的审判临到了这些假祭司，众人也都承认自己的罪并承认他们列祖所敬拜的上帝才是真神，上帝毁灭性的咒诅现在被收回了，祂要重新赐福祂的百姓，再次降雨露在地上。{3T 286.1}[94]

§208 The judgments of God having been executed upon the false priests, the people having confessed their sins and acknowledged their fathers God, the withering curse of God is now to be withdrawn, and He is to renew His blessings unto His people and again refresh the earth with dew and rain. {3T 286.1}[94]

§209 以利亚对亚哈说：“你现在可以上去吃喝，因为有多雨的响声了”（王上18:41）。亚哈上去吃喝的时候，以利亚就离开这场恐怖的杀戮场面，上到迦密山顶祈祷。他杀死异教祭司的工作并未使他不适合在上帝面前献上严肃的祈祷。他施行了上帝的旨意。他作为上帝的工具，藉着杀灭拜偶像的祭司来消除以色列背道的因由之后，他不能再做什么。于是他为犯罪背道的以色列人代求。在最为痛苦的情形之下，以利亚将脸俯伏在两膝之间，极其诚挚地恳求上帝降雨下来。以利亚连续六次打发他的仆人观看有没有上帝垂听他祷告的明显记号。他并没有因为上帝没有立刻给出垂听他祈祷的明显记号而不耐烦和失去信心。他继续恳切祈求，七次打发仆人观看上帝有没有赐下任何信号。他的仆人第六次望海回来都带来令人灰心的报告，说那“变为铜”的天没有一丝云彩。但当仆人第七次回来时，他告诉以利亚说有一小片云彩从海里上来，约有人手那样大。这就足以满足以利亚的信心了。以利亚并没有等候天空乌云密布。他凭着信心在这一小片云中看出大量的雨水；他的行动与信心相称，立即差遣仆人去告诉亚哈说： “当套车下去，免得被雨阻挡”（王上18:44）。{3T 286.2}[95]

§210 Elijah addresses Ahab: Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. While Ahab went up to feast, Elijah went up from the fearful sacrifice to the top of Mount Carmel to pray. His work of slaying the pagan priests had not unfitted him for the solemn exercise of prayer. He had performed the will of God. After he had, as Gods instrument, done what he could to remove the cause of Israels apostasy by slaying the idolatrous priests, he could do no more. He then intercedes in behalf of sinning, apostate Israel. In the most painful position, his face bowed between his knees, he most earnestly supplicates God to send rain. Six times in succession he sends his servant to see if there is any visible token that God has heard his prayer. He does not become impatient and faithless because the Lord does not immediately give the token that his prayer is heard. He continues in earnest prayer, sending his servant seven times to see if God has granted any signal. His servant returns the sixth time from his outlook toward the sea with the discouraging report that there is no sign of clouds forming in the brassy heavens. The seventh time he informs Elijah that there is a small cloud to be seen, about the size of a mans hand. This is enough to satisfy the faith of Elijah. He does not wait for the heavens to gather blackness, to make the matter sure. In that small, rising cloud his faith hears the sound of abundance of rain. His works are in accordance with his faith. He sends a message to Ahab by his servant: Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. {3T 286.2}[95]

§211 【以利亚的谦卑】

§212 此时以利亚敢于凭着信心做事。他并没有等待眼见。“霎时间，天因风云黑暗，降下大雨。亚哈就坐车往耶斯列去了。耶和华的手降在以利亚身上，他就束上腰，奔在亚哈前头，直到耶斯列的城门”（王上18:45，46）。{3T 287.1}[96]

§213 【Elijahs Humility】

§214 Here Elijah ventured something upon his faith. He did not wait for sight. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. {3T 287.1}[96]

§215 这一天以利亚经历了极大的兴奋和劳苦，但耶和华的灵降在他身上是因为他已顺从并遵行了上帝的旨意，处死了拜偶像的祭司。有人要说：以利亚肯定是一个苛刻残忍的人！任何一个不顾一切危险捍卫上帝尊荣的人，都会遭到一大类人的谴责。{3T 287.2}[97]

§216 Elijah had passed through great excitement and labor during the day; but the Spirit of the Lord came upon him because he had been obedient and had done His will in executing the idolatrous priests. Some will be ready to say: What a hard, cruel man Elijah must have been! And anyone who defends the honor of God at any risk will bring censure and condemnation upon himself from a large class. {3T 287.2}[97]

§217 雨开始降下了。当时已经是夜晚，由于雨太大，亚哈无法看清自己的路线。上帝的灵和能力加给以利亚勇气，他就束上自己简朴的衣服跑在亚哈的车前，带领亚哈一直来到城门。上帝的先知以利亚那一天曾当着亚哈的百姓使他屈服，并杀了他那拜偶像的祭司，但现在，他希望向以色列人表明他承认亚哈为他的王。这时，他以一种尊敬的行动跑在亚哈的车前带路直到城门。{3T 287.3}[98]

§218 The rain began to descend. It was night, and the blinding rain prevented Ahab from seeing his course. Elijah, nerved by the Spirit and power of God, girded his coarse garment about him and ran before the chariot of Ahab, guiding his course to the entrance of the city. The prophet of God had humiliated Ahab before his people. He had slain his idolatrous priests, and now he wished to show to Israel that he acknowledged Ahab as his king. As an act of special homage he guided his chariot, running before it to the entrance of the gate of the city. {3T 287.3}[98]

§219 这里对于自称是上帝仆人，传扬祂信息却夜郎自大的青年有一个教训。他们虽不能像以利亚那样在自己的经历中寻得卓越的事迹，却自视过高，不屑履行他们认为是仆婢该作的事。他们不愿放下牧者的尊严，去从事必要的服务，唯恐自己做了仆人的工作。这种人都应当效学以利亚的榜样。他的话封锁了天上的库房，使雨露不降在地上达三年之久。他的话也是唯一可以打开天上库房，使雨降在地上的钥匙。以利亚在王和数千以色列人面前祈祷上帝之时，受到上帝的尊荣，垂听了他的祈祷，吩咐火从天降烧灭了祭坛上的祭物。以利亚的手执行了上帝的审判，处死了八百五十名巴力的祭司；可是，在经历白天令人筋疲力尽的辛劳和极其显著的胜利之后，这位能叫乌云和雨与火从天降下的先知竟然愿意从事奴仆的工作，在风雨交加的夜晚跑在亚哈的车前带路，为这位君王服务，他曾因王的罪恶与罪行而无畏地当面斥责他。亚哈王进了城门。以利亚却拿外衣裹身，就躺在地上睡着了。{3T 287.4}[99]

§220 Here is a lesson for young men who profess to be servants of God, bearing His message, who are exalted in their own estimation. They can trace nothing remarkable in their experience, as could Elijah, yet they feel above performing duties which to them appear menial. They will not come down from their ministerial dignity to do needful service, fearing that they will be doing the work of a servant. All such should learn from the example of Elijah. His word locked the treasures of heaven, the dew and rain, from the earth three years. His word alone was the key to unlock heaven and bring showers of rain. He was honored of God as he offered his simple prayer in the presence of the king and the thousands of Israel, in answer to which fire flashed from heaven and kindled the fire upon the altar of sacrifice. His hand executed the judgment of God in slaying eight hundred and fifty priests of Baal; and yet, after the exhausting toil and most signal triumph of the day, he who could bring clouds and rain and fire from heaven was willing to perform the service of a menial and run before the chariot of Ahab in the darkness and in the wind and rain to serve the sovereign whom he had not feared to rebuke to his face because of his sins and crimes. The king passed within the gates. Elijah wrapped himself in his mantle and lay upon the bare earth. {3T 287.4}[99]

§221 【以利亚在失望中】

§222 以利亚在生与死的较量之间显出了大无畏的精神，在他胜过王，祭司和众民之后，我们自然会以为他决不会失去勇气也不会被任何事情所吓倒。{3T 288.1}[100]

§223 【Elijah in Despondency】

§224 After Elijah had shown such undaunted courage in a contest between life and death, after he had triumphed over the king, the priests, and the people, we would naturally suppose that he would never give way to despondency or be awed into timidity. {3T 288.1}[100]

§225 以利亚第一次面见亚哈就谴责了他，宣告了上帝的审判，因为亚哈和以色列人都背道了。此后，上帝指示以利亚脱离耶洗别的权势，来到山间靠近基立溪旁的一个安全之所。在那里祂尊荣了以利亚，派天上的一名天使早晚给他送饭。后来基立溪的水干了，上帝又打发他去撒勒法的一个寡妇那里，每天都行神迹，使寡妇的家人和以利亚不断绝食物。在以利亚蒙主惠赐来自上帝的这种爱与关怀的证据之后，我们可能会认为以利亚决不会不信任上帝了。但使徒告诉我们，以利亚是与我们一样性情的人，与我们一样受试探。{3T 288.2}[101]

§226 After his first appearance to Ahab, denouncing upon him the judgments of God because of his and Israels apostasy, God directed his course from Jezebels power to a place of safety in the mountains, by the brook Cherith. There He honored Elijah by sending food to him morning and evening by an angel of heaven. Then, as the brook became dry, He sent him to the widow of Sarepta, and wrought a miracle daily to keep the widows family and Elijah in food. After he had been blessed with evidences of such love and care from God, we would suppose that Elijah would never distrust Him. But the apostle tells us that he was a man of like passions as we, and subject, as we are, to temptations. {3T 288.2}[101]

§227 亚哈告诉他的妻子那一天所发生的奇妙大事，上帝能力的奇妙显示表明创造天地的耶和华才是上帝；还说以利亚杀灭了巴力的众先知。对此，在罪中刚硬不化的耶洗别被激怒了。她既大胆、反叛、坚决地敬拜偶像，就对亚哈说，以利亚不该活。{3T 288.3}[102]

§228 Ahab related to his wife the wonderful events of the day and the marvelous exhibitions of the power of God showing that Jehovah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, was God; also that Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal. At this, Jezebel, who was hardened in sin, became infuriated. Bold, defiant, and determined in her idolatry, she declared to Ahab that Elijah should not live. {3T 288.3}[102]

§229 那一天夜里，有一个使者叫醒疲乏的先知，把耶洗别的话告诉以利亚：她要奉她那些异教神名的名，当着以色列人的面对以利亚做他曾对巴力的先知做的事。以利亚本应对付这个威胁和耶洗别所起的誓，请求天上上帝的保护，祂曾委托他去做他所做的事。以利亚原应告诉传信的人，他所信靠的上帝会保护他，对付耶洗别的仇恨和威胁。但以利亚的信心和勇气似乎离他而去了。他从睡眠中突然起来，不知所措。那时大雨倾盆，四面黑暗。他忘记了上帝，开始逃命了，仿佛报血仇的紧跟在他后面。他在途中留下了自己的仆人，早晨他已远离有人的居所，独自来到了荒凉的旷野。{3T 289.1}[103]

§230 That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet and delivered the word of Jezebel, given in the name of her pagan gods, that she would, in the presence of Israel, do to Elijah as he had done to the priests of Baal. Elijah should have met this threat and oath of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the God of heaven, who had commissioned him to do the work he had done. He should have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would be his protector against the hatred and threats of Jezebel. But the faith and courage of Elijah seem to forsake him. He starts up from his slumbers bewildered. The rain is pouring from the heavens, and darkness is on every side. He loses sight of God and flees for his life as though the avenger of blood were close behind him. He leaves his servant behind him on the way, and in the morning he is far from the habitations of men, upon a dreary desert alone. {3T 289.1}[103]

§231 “以利亚见这光景就起来逃命，到了犹大的别是巴，将仆人留在那里，自己在旷野走了一日的路程，来到一棵罗腾树下，就坐在那里求死，说：‘耶和华啊，罢了！求祢取我的性命，因为我不胜于我的列祖。’他就躺在罗腾树下，睡着了。有一个天使拍他，说：‘起来吃吧！’他观看，见头旁有一瓶水与炭火烧的饼，他就吃了喝了，仍然躺下。耶和华的使者第二次来拍他，说：‘起来吃吧！因为你当走的路甚远。’他就起来吃了喝了，仗着这饮食的力，走了四十昼夜，到了上帝的山，就是何烈山。他在那里进了一个洞，就住在洞中。耶和华的话临到他说：‘以利亚啊，你在这里做什么’（王上19:3-9）？{3T 289.2}[104]

§232 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a days journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? {3T 289.2}[104]

§233 以利亚本应该信靠上帝，上帝曾通知他何时逃亡，何处寻找避难所，以逃避耶洗别的仇恨和亚哈穷追不舍的搜寻。但这次上帝并没有通知他逃跑。他没有等上帝跟他说话，就轻率行动了。要是他存着信心和忍耐等候，上帝原会保护祂的仆人，并且藉着惩罚耶洗别而使他在以色列获得另一次显著的胜利。{3T 290.1}[105]

§234 Elijah should have trusted in God, who had warned him when to flee and where to find an asylum from the hatred of Jezebel, secure from the diligent search of Ahab. The Lord had not warned him at this time to flee. He had not waited for the Lord to speak to him. He moved rashly. Had he waited with faith and patience, God would have shielded His servant and would have given him another signal victory in Israel by sending His judgments upon Jezebel. {3T 290.1}[105]

§235 疲惫沮丧的以利亚坐下来休息。他非常灰心并且想要发怨言。他说：“耶和华啊，罢了！求祢取我的性命，因为我不胜于我的列祖。”他感觉生命没什么可羡慕的了。他希望在迦密山上向众以色列人显著展示了上帝的大能之后，他们便会信靠并忠于上帝。他希望耶洗别再也不会左右亚哈的心思，以色列国要兴起普遍的改革。当耶洗别要杀害他的消息临到之时，他忘了上帝仍是全能而充满怜悯的，与他在迦密山上求祂从天上降火祂就降火，求雨祂就降雨时一样。上帝允准了以利亚的每一项请求；可是以利亚却成了一个逃亡的人，远离了有人居住之处，不想见到任何人了。{3T 290.2}[106]

§236 Weary and prostrate, Elijah sits down to rest. He is discouraged and feels like murmuring. He says. Now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. He feels that life is no more desirable. He expected after the signal display of Gods power in the presence of Israel that they would be true and faithful to God. He expected that Jezebel would no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab and that there would be a general revolution in the kingdom of Israel. And when the threatening message from Jezebel was delivered to him, he forgot that God was the same all-powerful and pitiful God that He was when he prayed to Him for fire from heaven, and it came, and for rain, and it came. God had granted every request; yet Elijah is a fugitive far from the homes of men, and he wishes never to look upon man again. {3T 290.2}[106]

§237 上帝如何看待祂受苦的仆人呢？以利亚意气消沉，深感绝望，上帝会因此抛弃祂的仆人吗？不。以利亚是被灰心打倒了。他劳苦了一整天，却什么都没有吃。当他带领亚哈的马车，跑在马车前头直到城门时，他是充满勇气的。他深切地盼望以色列这个民族会转回效忠上帝，重讨上帝的欢心。可是那常随着强大的信心与光荣的成功而来的反作用，这时正压在以利亚的心上。他曾一度被高举到“毗斯迦的山顶”上，而今却落在信心和情感的幽谷之中了。但上帝的眼目依然看顾着祂的仆人。祂依然爱以利亚，当以利亚感到心碎，觉得上帝和人都离弃他时，上帝对他的爱与回应他的祈祷，从天降火照亮迦密山时是一样的。{3T 290.3}[107]

§238 How did God look upon His suffering servant? Did He forsake him because despondency and despair had seized him? Oh, no. Elijah was prostrated with discouragement. All day had he toiled without food. When he guided the chariot of Ahab, running before it to the gate of the city, he was strong of courage. He had high hopes that Israel as a nation would return to their allegiance to God and be reinstated in His favor. But the reaction which frequently follows elevation of faith and marked and glorious success, was pressing upon Elijah. He was exalted to Pisgahs top, to be humiliated to the lowliest valley in faith and feeling. But Gods eye was still upon His servant. He loved him no less when he felt brokenhearted and forsaken of God and man than when, in answer to his prayer, fire flashed from heaven illuminating Carmel. {3T 290.3}[107]

§239 那些没有担负重大职责的人，或者那些不习惯有深刻感受的人，无法明白以利亚的感受，也没有准备好给予以利亚应得的温柔同情。上帝知道并且能理解内心在试探和激烈斗争之下的剧烈痛苦。{3T 291.1}[108]

§240 Those who have not borne weighty responsibilities, or who have not been accustomed to feel very deeply, cannot understand the feelings of Elijah and are not prepared to give him the tender sympathy he deserves. God knows and can read the hearts sore anguish under temptation and sore conflict. {3T 291.1}[108]

§241 当以利亚在罗腾树下沉睡的时候，有温柔的手拍他，并有悦耳的声音喊叫他。他惊醒过来，准备逃命，惟恐是寻索他性命的敌人找到了他。但那充满爱怜地俯视着他的不是仇敌的脸，而是朋友的脸。上帝已经从天上打发一个天使送食物给祂的仆人。天使对以利亚说：“起来吃吧。” 以利亚吃喝了那为他预备的饮食之后，又躺下睡了。上帝的天使第二次照顾了以利亚的需要。他拍醒了这个疲惫的人，柔声说：“起来吃吧；因为你当走的路甚远。”以利亚得了力量就继续他的旅程到了何烈山。他是在一个荒野里。晚上他住在一个洞中，防止野兽的侵袭。{3T 291.2}[109]

§242 As Elijah sleeps under the juniper tree, a soft touch and pleasant voice arouse him. He starts at once in his terror, as if to flee, as though the enemy who was in pursuit of his life had indeed found him. But in the pitying face of love bending over him he sees, not the face of an enemy, but of a friend. An angel has been sent with food from heaven to sustain the faithful servant of God. His voice says to Elijah: Arise and eat. After Elijah had partaken of the refreshment prepared for him, he again slumbered. A second time the angel of God ministers to the wants of Elijah. He touches the weary, exhausted man, and in pitying tenderness says to him: Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. Elijah was strengthened and pursued his journey to Horeb. He was in a wilderness. At night he lodged in a cave for protection from the wild beasts. {3T 291.2}[109]

§243 在这里，上帝藉着祂的一个使者会见以利亚，问他说：“以利亚啊，你在这里做什么？”我曾差遣你到基立溪旁，我曾打发你到撒勒法的寡妇那里，我也曾差派你到撒玛利亚传信息给亚哈王，但是谁差派你长途跋涉来到这旷野呢？你在这里有什么任务呢？以利亚心中愁若，对上帝说：“我为耶和华万军之上帝大发热心；因为以色列人背弃了祢的约，毁坏了祢的坛，用刀杀了祢的先知，只剩下我一个人，他们还要寻索我的命。”耶和华说：“你出来站在山上，在我面前。”那时耶和华从那里经过，在祂面前有烈风大作，崩山碎石，耶和华却不在风中；风后地震，耶和华却不在其中；地震后有火，耶和华也不在火中；火后有微小的声音。以利亚听见，就用外衣蒙上脸，出来站在洞口。”有声音向他说：“以利亚啊，你在这里做什么？”他说：“我为耶和华万军之上帝大发热心；因为以色列人背弃了祢的约，毁坏了祢的坛，用刀杀了祢的先知，只剩下我一个人，他们还要寻索我的命”（王上19:9-14）。{3T 291.3}[110]

§244 Here God, through one of His angels, met with Elijah, and inquired of him: What doest thou here, Elijah? I sent you to the brook Cherith, I sent you to the widow of Sarepta, I sent you to Samaria with a message to Ahab, but who sent you this long journey into the wilderness? And what errand have you here? Elijah mourns out the bitterness of his soul to the Lord: And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. {3T 291.3}[110]

§245 然后，耶和华向以利亚显现，向他说明安静信靠和坚定依赖耶和华的人，总会在需要时发现耶和华是随时的帮助。{3T 292.1}[111]

§246 Then the Lord manifests Himself to Elijah, showing him that quiet trust and firm reliance upon God will ever find Him a present help in time of need. {3T 292.1}[111]

§247 我蒙指示看到我的丈夫犯了错误，因为他向丧气和不信任上帝妥协了。上帝屡次用祂关爱和权能的明显证据向他显现。然而，当他看到他对上帝事工的关心和热心不被人理解和欣赏时，有时就会屈从沮丧与绝望。上帝已经赐给我丈夫和我在祂的圣工中从事特殊而重要的工作，责备并劝勉祂的子民。当我们看到我们的责备被轻视而且被报以仇恨而不是同情时，我们便常常失去信心和对以色列之上帝的信靠，我们就像以利亚一样向灰心和绝望低头了。这就是我丈夫在生活中所犯的大错误——他变得灰心气馁，因为他的弟兄们给他带来的不是帮助而是种种的磨难。当弟兄们在我丈夫的悲伤灰心中看到他们的不信和缺乏同情的结果时，有些人就准备要击垮他，并利用他沮丧的状况，感觉上帝终究不能与怀弟兄同在，否则他就不会在这方面表现出软弱。我劝这样的人查阅以利亚的工作和他的灰心与气馁。以利亚虽是上帝的先知，但他也是一个与我们一样性情的人。我们有人类情感的弱点要对付。但如果我们信靠上帝，祂就绝不会撇下或丢弃我们。不论在什么情况下，我们都可以坚定地信靠上帝，在我们保持正直时，祂决不会撇弃我们。{3T 292.2}[112]

§248 I have been shown that my husband has erred in giving way to despondency and distrust of God. Time and again has God revealed Himself to him by remarkable evidences of His care, love, and power. But when he has seen that his interest and jealousy for God and His cause have not been understood or appreciated, he has at times given way to discouragement and to despair. God has given my husband and me a special and important work to do in His cause, to reprove and counsel His people. When we see our reproofs slighted and are repaid with hatred instead of sympathy, then we have frequently let go our faith and trust in the God of Israel; and, like Elijah, we have yielded to despondency and despair. Here has been the great error in the life of my husband--his becoming discouraged because his brethren have brought trials upon him instead of helping him. And when his brethren see, in the sadness and despondency of my husband, the effect of their unbelief and lack of sympathy, some are prepared to triumph over him and take advantage of his discouraged state, and feel that, after all, God cannot be with Brother White or he would not manifest weakness in this direction. I refer such to the work of Elijah and to his despondency and discouragements. Elijah, although a prophet of God, was a man subject to like passions as we are. We have the frailties of mortal feelings to contend with. But if we trust in God, He will never leave nor forsake us. Under all circumstances we may have firm trust in God, that He will never leave nor forsake us while we preserve our integrity. {3T 292.2}[112]

§249 我丈夫在苦难中可以鼓起勇气，因为他有一位满有怜悯的天父，理解他的动机，明白他内心的意图。那些在斗争前线的人，和受上帝圣灵的控制要为祂做一番特殊工作的人，当压力消除之时常常会感到一种反作用，有时灰心或许会重重地压着他们，动摇他们最为勇敢的信心，削弱他们最坚定的心志。上帝清楚我们每一个人的软弱。在人心刚硬如铁石的时候祂也能怜爱。当看到一切都是那么黑暗之时，耐心等待并信靠上帝乃是我丈夫必须更加全面学习的功课。上帝不会因为他维护正直而让他失望。{3T 293.1}[113]

§250 My husband may take courage in his affliction, that he has a pitying heavenly Father who reads the motives and understands the purposes of the soul. Those who stand in the front of the conflict, and who are reined up by the Spirit of God to do a special work for Him, will frequently feel a reaction when the pressure is removed, and despondency may sometimes press them hard and shake the most heroic faith and weaken the most steadfast minds. God understands all our weaknesses. He can pity and love when the hearts of men may be as hard as flint. To wait patiently and trust in God when everything looks dark is the lesson that my husband must learn more fully. God will not fail him in his integrity. - {3T 293.1}[113]