第39章 世界的状况
§1
第39章 世界的状况
§2
Chap. 39 - The State of the World
§3
我蒙指示看到世界的状况,罪恶之杯快要满盈了。世上正充斥着各色的强暴与罪恶;撒但正用各种方法,使罪恶及下流之事风行。青年人所行的街上,周围都是罪恶的传单及通告,有的载在小说上,有的演于剧院中。他们的思想受到训练与罪恶熟悉。时下的期刊,在他们眼前展示下流邪恶之人的行径。凡足以激发好奇心及挑动兽性情欲的事,都在刺激煽情的小说中呈现在他们眼前。{3T 471.3}[1]
§4
I was shown the state of the world, that it is fast filling up its cup of iniquity. Violence and crime of every description are filling our world, and Satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. The youth who walk the streets are surrounded with handbills and notices of crime and sin, presented in some novel or to be acted at some theater. Their minds are educated into familiarity with sin. The course pursued by the base and vile is kept before them in the periodicals of the day, and everything which can excite curiosity and arouse the animal passions is brought before them in thrilling and exciting stories. {3T 471.3}[1]
§5
败坏的文人所写的文学作品,毒害了世上千万人的心。罪恶穷凶极恶的真相,并没有显露出来。他们听了读了这么多下流的罪行和恶事,以致那曾经畏罪恶如蛇蝎的敏感良心,竟变得麻木迟钝,醉心于人下流邪恶的言行,而感到兴味无穷。{3T 472.1}[2]
§6
The literature that proceeds from corrupted intellects poisons the minds of thousands in our world. Sin does not appear exceeding sinful. They hear and read so much of debasing crime and vileness that the once tender conscience which would have recoiled with horror becomes so blunted that it can dwell upon the low and vile sayings and actions of men with greedy interest. {3T 472.1}[2]
§7
“挪亚的日子怎样,人子的日子也要怎样”(路17:26)。上帝希望有一班子民热心为善,在这堕落的世代里作中流砥柱。这班人要紧紧地依靠上帝的能力,抵制各样试探。煽情的广告登载着种种罪恶,可能要刺激他们的感官,败坏他们的心灵。但他们与上帝和天使紧密联合,对这一切视若无睹,听若无闻。他们要作一番无人能替他们作的工作,那就是为真道打美好的仗,而持定永生。他们不自信自满。他们深知自己的软弱,就将自己的愚昧连于基督的智慧,将自己的软弱连于基督的刚强。{3T 472.2}[3]
§8
As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. God will have a people zealous of good works, standing firm amid the pollutions of this degenerate age. There will be a people who hold so fast to the divine strength that they will be proof against every temptation. Evil communications in flaming handbills may seek to speak to their senses and corrupt their minds; yet they will be so united to God and angels that they will be as those who see not and hear not. They have a work to do which no one can do for them, which is to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. They will not be self-confident and self-sufficient. Knowing their weakness, they will unite their ignorance to Christs wisdom, their weakness to His strength. {3T 472.2}[3]
§9
青年人可以有坚定的原则,即使是撒但最有力的试探,也不能动摇他们的忠诚。撒母耳作小孩的时候,周围的风气是非常败坏恶浊的。他所耳闻目睹的,都是使他心灵忧伤的事。以利担任圣职的两个儿子,被撒但所控制。他们使周围的风气污浊不堪。男男女女都天天迷醉于罪恶及过犯之中;然而撒母耳却纤尘不染。他品格的衣袍毫无玷污。罪恶充满以色列全家,留下可怕的名声,但撒母耳却不与罪恶纠缠,丝毫不喜爱罪恶。他爱上帝;他让自己的心灵与上天有密切的联系,以致主派一位天使来与他谈论以利儿子犯罪作恶,使以色列人败坏的事。{3T 472.3}[4]
§10
The youth may have principles so firm that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from their allegiance. Samuel was a child surrounded by the most corrupting influences. He saw and heard things that grieved his soul. The sons of Eli, who ministered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. These men polluted the whole atmosphere which surrounded them. Men and women were daily fascinated with sin and wrong, yet Samuel walked untainted. His robes of character were spotless. He did not fellowship, or have the least delight in, the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports. Samuel loved God; he kept his soul in such close connection with heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the sins of Elis sons, which were corrupting Israel. {3T 472.3}[4]
§11
食欲和情欲正在打败成千成万自称为基督徒的人。他们的感官因与罪恶亲密而麻木,以致对于罪恶非但不憎恨,反而认为动人可爱。万物的结局近了。上帝不能再容忍人类的罪恶及下流不法之事了。他们的罪恶确已滔天,上帝惊人的灾难不久就要降在世上来报应人了。他们要喝上帝不掺怜悯的忿怒之杯了。{3T 473.1}[5]
§12
Appetite and passion are overcoming thousands of Christs professed followers. Their senses become so blunted on account of familiarity with sin that they do not abhor it, but view it as attractive. The end of all things is at hand. God will not much longer bear with the crimes and debasing iniquity of the children of men. Their crimes have indeed reached unto the heavens and will soon be answered by the fearful plagues of God upon the earth. They will drink the cup of Gods wrath unmixed with mercy. {3T 473.1}[5]
§13
我见到连自称为上帝子民之人也有败坏的危险。淫乱的罪正把男男女女捆绑为囚徒。他们似乎迷恋并无力抵制和克服食欲与情欲。在上帝里面有能力;在祂里面有力量。如果他们愿意获得这种力量,耶稣的赐生命的能力就会激发每一个信奉基督圣名的人。我们处于危机四伏,险状环生之中。我们只有认识到自己的软弱,运用信心拉住我们大能的拯救者,才是安全的。我们生活在一个可怕的时代。我们不可片时停止儆醒与祈祷。我们软弱无助的心灵,应当依靠我们慈悲的救赎主耶稣。{3T 473.2}[6]
§14
I have seen that there is danger that even the professed children of God will be corrupted. Licentiousness is binding men and women as captives. They seem to be infatuated and powerless to resist and overcome upon the point of appetite and passion. In God there is power; in Him there is strength. If they will take hold upon it, the life-giving power of Jesus will stimulate everyone who has named the name of Christ. Dangers and perils surround us; and we are only safe when we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith to our mighty Deliverer. It is a fearful time in which we live. We cannot cease watchfulness and prayer for a moment. Our helpless souls must rely on Jesus, our compassionate Redeemer. {3T 473.2}[6]
§15
我蒙指示看到当前工作的伟大和重要性。但是很少人能认明事情的真相。凡沉睡而不觉得需要儆醒的人终必失败。青年人正在兴起从事上帝的圣工,其中有些人很少意识到工作的神圣与责任。他们运用信心的经验非常浅薄,也没有诚意渴慕那有求必应之上帝的灵。一些人很有才干,能担任重要的职务,但他们不知道自己出于什么精神。他们寻欢作乐,就象水往低处流那么自然。他们虽然几乎天天听最严肃最惊人的真理,却说愚蠢的话,与少女开玩笑。这种人头脑里虽有宗教,但他们的心并未因所听到的真理而成圣。这等人自己若不先喝活水,就决不能引领别人到活水的泉源。{3T 473.3}[7]
§16
I was shown the greatness and importance of the work before us. But few realize the true state of things. All who are asleep, and who cannot realize any necessity for vigilance and alarm, will be overcome. Young men are arising to engage in the work of God, some of whom have scarcely any sense of the sacredness and responsibility of the work. They have but little experience in exercising faith and in earnest soul hunger for the Spirit of God, which ever brings returns. Some men of good capabilities, who might fill important positions, do not know what spirit they are of. They run in a jovial mood as naturally as water flows downhill. They talk nonsense, and sport with young girls, while almost daily listening to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths. These men have a religion of the head, but their hearts are not sanctified by the truths they hear. Such can never lead others to the Fountain of living waters until they have drunk of the stream themselves. {3T 473.3}[7]
§17
现今没有时间可以浪费在轻佻,虚浮或嬉戏上了。世界历史最后的几幕,即将结束。那些放松思想的人需要改变。使徒彼得说:“要约束你们的心,谨慎自守,专心盼望耶稣基督显现的时候所带来给你们的恩。你们既作顺命的儿女,就不要效法从前蒙昧无知的时候,那放纵私欲的样子。那召你们的既是圣洁,你们在一切所行的事上也要圣洁;因为经上记着说,你们要圣洁,因为我是圣洁的”(彼前1:13-16)。{3T 474.1}[8]
§18
It is no time now for lightness, vanity, or trifling. The scenes of this earths history are soon to close. Minds that have been left to loose thought need change. Says the apostle Peter: Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. {3T 474.1}[8]
§19
散漫的思想务必约束集中于上帝。心思意念应当顺服上帝的旨意。不要称赞别人,也不要指望别人的称赞;因为称赞不能使人更加谦卑纯洁,反而会助长自恃,使人腐败。凡真正合格,觉得自己与上帝的圣工有分的人,必意识到自己肩负着神圣的使命,就像承载重荷的车辆一样。现今正是需要作极诚恳的努力,以克制本性上属肉体的情感。{3T 474.2}[9]
§20
Loose thoughts must be gathered up and centered on God. The very thoughts should be in obedience to the will of God. Praise should not be given or expected; for this will have a tendency to foster self-confidence rather than to increase humility, to corrupt rather than to purify. Men who are really qualified and who feel that they have a part to act in connection with the work of God will feel pressed beneath the sense of the sacredness of the work, as a cart beneath sheaves. Now is the time to make the most earnest efforts to overcome the natural feelings of the carnal heart. - {3T 474.2}[9]