第02章 前进的信号
§1
第02章 前进的信号
§2
Chap. 2—The Signal of Advance
§3
耶和华的一条永恒的律法，就是要那些接受世人所需之真理的人，以传讲这真理为其首要的工作。但有谁承担起拯救行将伦亡之罪人的重担呢？我观察自称为上帝子民的人，看到他们不乐意服侍祂，心中便充满难以言喻的痛苦。在上帝严肃的工作结束时，与祂心连心的人何等少啊。有成千上万的人需要受警告，然而，把自己完全奉献给圣工，为救人归向基督，甘愿接受任何职务或工作的人是何等少啊。基督为拯救世人而死。祂过去和现在都谦虚，卑微，无私地为罪人作工。但许多应当与祂合作的人却是自满而冷漠。{7T 13.1}[1]
§4
It is an eternal law of Jehovah that he who accepts the truth that the world needs is to make it his first work to proclaim this truth. But who is there that makes the burden of perishing sinners his own? As I look upon the professed people of God, and see their unwillingness to serve Him, my heart is filled with a pain that I cannot express. How few are heart to heart with God in His solemn, closing work. There are thousands to be warned, yet how few consecrate themselves wholly to the work, willing to be or to do anything if only they may win souls to Christ. Jesus died to save the world. In humility, in lowliness, in unselfishness, He worked and is working for sinners. But many of those who ought to co-operate with Him are self-sufficient and indifferent.?{7T 13.1}[1]
§5
如今在上帝的子民中有一种可怕的情形，就是对于未得救的人缺乏应有的同情心。我们谈论基督徒的使命。我们的声音已被听到；但我们是否感受到基督温柔的心肠渴望拯救那些圈外的羊呢？我们若不与基督心相契合，共奏心曲，又如何理解这项工作的神圣性和重要性呢？我们是蒙上帝圣言恩召来从事这项工作的：“为……灵魂时刻儆醒，好像那将来交账的人”（来13:17）。{7T 13.2}[2]
§6
Among God’s people today there is a fearful lack of the sympathy that should be felt for souls unsaved. We talk of Christian missions. The sound of our voices is heard; but do we feel Christ’s tender heart longing for those outside the fold? And unless our hearts beat in union with the heart of Christ, how can we understand the sacredness and importance of the work to which we are called by the words: “Watch for ... souls, as they that must give account”??Hebrews 13:17.?{7T 13.2}[2]
§7
上帝正等待人们意识到自己的责任。祂正等着他们与祂联合起来。要让他们注意前进的信号，在实行主的旨意上不再拖拉耽搁。{7T 13.3}[3]
§8
God is waiting for men and women to awake to their responsibilities. He is waiting for them to link themselves with Him. Let them mark the signal of advance, and no longer be laggards in working out the will of the Lord.?{7T 13.3}[3]
§9
我们有没有意识到世上有多么多的人在观看我们的一举一动呢？从我们最意想不到的地区会传出声音，催促我们在工作中前进，把最后怜悯的信息传给世人。传道人和平信徒们，醒来吧！要迅速识别并抓住上帝天意的运行中所提供的每一个机会和有利条件。上帝，基督和天使们正在紧张地工作，抑制撒但愤怒的狂澜，好使上帝的计划不至受阻。永生的上帝在掌控着一切。祂在管理着宇宙的事务。祂的士兵们要前进去争取胜利。他们的队伍要完全统一。他们要把战役推进到城门口。主作为大能的胜利者，必为他们做工。{7T 14.1}[4]
§10
Do we realize how large a number in the world are watching our movements? From quarters where we least expect will come voices urging us forward in the work of giving to the world the last message of mercy. Ministers and people, wake up! Be quick to recognize and seize every opportunity and advantage offered in the turning of the wheel of providence. God and Christ and the heavenly angels are working with intense activity to hold in check the fierceness of Satan’s wrath, that God’s plans may not be thwarted. God lives and reigns. He is conducting the affairs of the universe. Let His soldiers move forward to victory. Let there be perfect unity in their ranks. Let them press the battle to the gates. As a mighty Conqueror, the Lord will work for them.?{7T 14.1}[4]
§11
要让福音的信息传遍我们的各教会，呼唤大家一致行动。信徒们应有更大的信心，从他们看不见的属天同盟中，从认识到自己拥有取之不尽的资源中，从自己所从事之事业的伟大上，并从他们领袖的大能中获得热情。那些接受上帝掌控，顺从祂领导的人，必认出祂所命定发生之事件的坚定步伐。主为世人的性命舍弃了自己的生命。他们既受主的灵感动，就不再站着不动，无所作为，光想着自己所无能为力的事。他们要披上天庭的盔甲，出发上阵，乐意为上帝行事和冒险，知道那无所不能之主必供应他们的需要。{7T 14.2}[5]
§12
Let the gospel message ring through our churches, summoning them to universal action. Let the members of the church have increased faith, gaining zeal from their unseen, heavenly allies, from a knowledge of their exhaustless resources, from the greatness of the enterprise in which they are engaged, and from the power of their Leader. Those who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by Him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who gave His life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare, willing to do and dare for God, knowing that His omnipotence will supply their need.?{7T 14.2}[5]
§13
【一项不断扩展的工作】
§14
上帝的仆人们当利用每一资源扩展祂的国度。使徒保罗宣布说：“这是好的，在上帝我们救主面前可蒙悦纳。祂愿意万人得救，明白真道。”“第一要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢”（提前2:3,4,1）。雅各说：“这人该知道叫一个罪人从迷路上转回，便是救一个灵魂不死，并且遮盖许多的罪”（雅5:20）。每一个信徒都要保证与自己的弟兄一同发出邀请说：“请来吧！样样都齐备了”（路14:17）。每一个人都当鼓励他人全心全意地做工。有生命力的教会必会发出恳切的邀请。要把干渴的人领就生命的水边。{7T 14.3}[6]
§15
【An Ever-Widening Work】
§16
God’s servants are to make use of every resource for enlarging His kingdom. The apostle Paul declares that?it is “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”?1 Timothy 2:3, 4, 1. And James says: “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”?James 5:20. Every believer is pledged to unite with his brethren in giving the invitation, “Come; for all things are now ready.”?Luke 14:17. Each is to encourage the others in doing wholehearted work. Earnest invitations will be given by a living church. Thirsty souls will be led to the water of life.?{7T 14.3}[6]
§17
使徒们身负重任，要扩展他们做工的范围，将福音传到他们以外的地方。我们从他们的榜样中学到，在主的葡萄园中不当有懒惰的人。祂的仆人们要不断地扩展自己努力作工的范围。他们要不断地做更多的事，绝非更少的事。主的圣工要拓宽扩展，直到包扩全世界。{7T 15.1}[7]
§18
The apostles carried a weight of responsibility to enlarge their sphere of labor, to proclaim the gospel in the regions beyond. From their example we learn that there are to be no idlers in the Lord’s vineyard. His servants are constantly to enlarge the circle of their efforts. Constantly they are to do more,?never less. The Lord’s work is to widen and broaden until it encircles the world.?{7T 15.1}[7]
§19
保罗和巴拿巴在巡回布道后，顺原路返回，拜访了他们所建立的众教会并拣选人与他们联合做工。上帝的仆人们今天也要如此做工，拣选并训练合适的年轻人作同工。上帝帮助我们洁净自己，使别人也因我们的榜样而得洁净，好在得人归向基督的工作上获得成功。{7T 15.2}[8]
§20
After making a missionary tour, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps, visiting the churches they had raised up and selecting men to unite with them in the work. Thus God’s servants are to labor today, selecting and training worthy young men as colaborers. God help us to sanctify ourselves, that by our example others may be sanctified, enabled to do successful work in winning souls to Christ.?{7T 15.2}[8]
§21
我们已临近这世界历史的末叶；再过不久，我们就要侍立于白色的大宝座前。你的工作时机即将永逝。当留心寻找机会向你所接触的人说合宜的话。不要等到与他们熟悉之后，才向他们提供无价的真理财宝。要开始作工，门路必为你而敞开。{7T 15.3}[9]
§22
We are nearing the close of this earth’s history; soon we shall stand before the great white throne. Soon your time for work will be forever past. Watch for opportunities to speak a word in season to those with whom?you come in contact. Do not wait to become acquainted before you offer them the priceless treasures of truth. Go to work, and ways will open before you.?{7T 15.3}[9]
§23
在审判的日子，沦丧的人将充分认识到髑髅地牺牲的意义。他们将看出自己不肯效忠的损失。他们想到自己本有特权享受高尚、纯洁的交往，但已为时太晚。最后的呼召已经发出。他们将发出哀号：“麦秋已过，夏令已完，我们还未得救”（耶8:20）。{7T 16.1}[10]
§24
At the day of judgment there comes to the lost a full realization of the meaning of the sacrifice made on Calvary. They see what they have lost by refusing to be loyal. They think of the high, pure association it was their privilege to gain. But it is too late. The last call has been made. The wail is heard: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”?Jeremiah 8:20.?{7T 16.1}[10]
§25
我们身上负有重大的责任，要把即将临到的厄运警告世界。从各方各处，无论远近，都有求救的呼声传来。上帝呼召祂的教会兴起，披上能力。要争取不朽的冠冕；要争取天国；在无知中将要灭亡的世界应得到启迪。{7T 16.2}[11]
§26
Upon us rests the weighty responsibility of warning the world of its coming doom. From every direction, from far and near, are coming calls for help. God calls upon His church to arise and clothe herself with power. Immortal crowns are to be won; the kingdom of heaven is to be gained; the world, perishing in ignorance, is to be enlightened.?{7T 16.2}[11]
§27
世人信服真理，将不是藉着讲台的说教，而是通过教会信徒的生活。传道人在讲台上所宣扬的是福音的理论；而教会的实际敬虔则彰显福音的大能。{7T 16.3}[12]
§28
The world will be convinced, not by what the pulpit teaches, but by what the church lives. The minister in the desk announces the theory of the gospel; the practical piety of the church demonstrates its power.?{7T 16.3}[12]
§29
教会虽然有软弱，有缺点，需要不断得到警告和劝戒，但仍是基督最关怀的对象。祂正在人类的心上进行恩典的实验，改变人的品格，令天使感到惊奇，并高唱赞美之歌表达他们的欢乐。他们想到有罪犯错的人类竟得到这样的改变，就很高兴。{7T 16.4}[13]
§30
Enfeebled and defective, needing constantly to be warned and counseled, the church is nevertheless the object of Christ’s supreme regard. He is making experiments of grace on human hearts and is effecting such transformations of character that angels are amazed and express their joy in songs of praise. They rejoice to think that sinful, erring human beings can be so transformed.?{7T 16.4}[13]
§31
当第三位天使的信息增强为大呼声时，它的宣扬必伴随着大能力和荣耀。上帝子民的脸上必反映出天上的光辉。{7T 17.1}[14]
§32
As the third angel’s message swells into a loud cry, great power and glory will attend its proclamation. The faces of God’s people will shine with the light of heaven.?{7T 17.1}[14]
§33
上帝要预备人，包括小孩子，像祂对撒母耳那样，来为祂做工，成为祂的使者。祂从不打盹也不睡觉。祂看顾着每一个工人，为他选择做工的范围。全天庭都在观看上帝的仆人们在显然不利的环境所进行的斗争。当主的仆人们集结在他们救赎主的旗帜之下，前去为真道打美好的仗时，就能获得新的胜利，赢得新的荣誉。全体天使都乐意帮助谦卑信靠上帝的人；当上帝在地上的工人大军唱诗赞美的时候，天上的诗班也要加入，一同感恩，将颂赞归给上帝和祂的儿子。{7T 17.2}[15]
§34
The Lord will fit men and women—yes, and children, as He did Samuel—for His work, making them His messengers. He who never slumbers or sleeps watches over each worker, choosing his sphere of labor. All heaven is watching the warfare which, under apparently discouraging circumstances, God’s servants are carrying on. New conquests are being achieved, new honors won, as the Lord’s servants, rallying round the banner of their Redeemer, go forth to fight the good fight of faith. All the heavenly angels are at the service of the humble, believing people of God; and as the Lord’s army of workers here below sing their songs of praise, the choir above join with them in thanksgiving, ascribing praise to God and to His Son.?{7T 17.2}[15]
§35
一个感觉到自己一无所有，完全依靠救主功劳的人，在表面上看是最无助的了，但实际上他是不可战胜的。上帝愿意差遣天上的每一位使者来帮助这样的人，决不让他被打败。{7T 17.3}[16]
§36
Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. God would send every angel in heaven to the aid of such a one, rather than allow him to be overcome.?{7T 17.3}[16]
§37
战争的呼声正响彻整个战线。但愿每一个十字架的精兵，不是凭着自满之心，而是存心柔和谦卑，和以对上帝的坚定信心，向着前线迈进。你的工作，我的工作，都不会因今生的停止而结束。我们或许在坟墓中休息片时，但在听到呼唤时，我们要在上帝的国里再次开始从事我们的工作。{7T 17.4}[17]
§38
The battle cry is sounding along the line. Let every soldier of the cross push to the front, not in self-sufficiency, but in meekness and lowliness, and with firm faith in God. Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little while we may rest in the grave, but, when the call comes, we shall, in the kingdom of God, take up our work once more.?{7T 17.4}[17]