第35章 过去的教训
§1
第35章 过去的教训
§2
Chap. 35—Lessons from the Past
§3
上帝的计划是在洪水后，人们应该分散在全地上，遍满地面并征服全地，以实现所赐给亚当的命令。{8T 213.1}[1]
§4
【Centralization】
§5
It was God’s design that after the Flood, in fulfillment of the command given to Adam, men should disperse themselves throughout the earth, to replenish and subdue it.?{8T 213.1}[1]
§6
但当挪亚的后裔人数增多时，背道也显而易见了。那些想要摆脱上帝律法之约束的人，决定与敬拜耶和华的人分开。他们决心要保持自己的社会联合为一体，并要建立一个最终将统治全地的君主国。他们决心在示拿的平原建造一座城，并在城中建造一座要成为世界奇迹的塔。这塔要高到没有洪水可以淹到它的顶部，要极其结实没有什么可以把它冲走。这样，他们指望保证自己的安全，使自己独立于上帝。{8T 213.2}[2]
§7
But as Noah’s descendants increased in numbers, apostasy manifested itself. Those who desired to cast off the restraint of God’s law decided to separate from the worshipers of Jehovah. They determined to keep their community united in one body and to found a monarchy which should eventually embrace the whole earth. In the plain of Shinar they resolved to build a city, and in it a tower that should be the wonder of the world. This tower was to be so high that no flood could rise to the top, so massive that nothing could sweep it away. Thus they hoped to secure their own safety and make themselves independent of God.?{8T 213.2}[2]
§8
这个联盟出自对上帝的反叛。示拿平原的居民建立他们的国度为的是高抬自己，而不是为了荣耀上帝。要是他们成功了，一个强大的势力就会掌权，取消公义并创立一个新的宗教。世界就会腐化败坏。错误的理论就会使人心转离对神圣律例的效忠，耶和华的律法就会被忽视被忘记。但上帝从不许可世界没有为祂作见证的人。当时有人在上帝面前自卑并向祂呼求。他们恳求说：“上帝啊，求祢在祢的圣工和世人的计划和方法之间加以干预。”“耶和华降临，要看看世人所建造的城和塔”（创11:5）。天使奉差遣去使建造者们的目的落空。{8T 213.3}[3]
§9
This confederacy was born of rebellion against God. The dwellers on the plain of Shinar established their kingdom for self-exaltation, not for the glory of God. Had they succeeded, a mighty power would have borne sway, banishing righteousness and inaugurating a new religion. The world would have been demoralized. Erroneous theories would have diverted?minds from allegiance to the divine statutes, and the law of Jehovah would have been ignored and forgotten. But God never leaves the world without witnesses for Him. At this time there were men who humbled themselves before God and cried unto Him. “O God,” they pleaded, “interpose between Thy cause, and the plans and methods of men.” “And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.”?Genesis 11:5. Angels were sent to bring to nought the purposes of the builders.?{8T 213.3}[3]
§10
那塔已经建得很高，塔上的工人无法与地面上的人直接通话；所以每一层都派有传话的人，将上层之人所需要的材料，或其它关于工作的指示，一一传达下来。可是，正当他们这样彼此指示传达的时候，他们的言语变乱了，以致下面所送上的材料，不是上面所需要的，而下面所行的，常常与上面所指示的相反。于是混乱与惊慌随之而来，一切的工作都停顿了。他们不能再协调或合作下去。这些建筑的人完全不明白他们中间这奇怪的误会究竟是什么原因，所以他们在盛怒和绝望之下，就彼此责骂起来。他们的混乱终于导致纷争流血了。同时，天上发出闪电，把塔的上层击掉，抛掷地上。这时世人才体验到，天上实在有一位掌管万有的上帝，祂能使人乱上加乱以便教人知道他们不过是人。{8T 214.1}[4]
§11
The tower had reached a lofty height, and it was impossible for the workmen at the top to communicate directly with those at the base; therefore men were stationed at different points, each to receive and report to the one next below him the orders for the needed material, or other directions regarding the work. As messages were thus passing from one to another, the language was confounded, so that material was called for which was not needed, and the directions received were often the reverse of those that had been given. Confusion and dismay followed. All work came to a standstill. There could be no further harmony or co-operation. The builders were wholly unable to account for the strange misunderstandings among them, and in their rage and disappointment they reproached one another. Their confusion ended in strife and bloodshed. Lightnings from heaven broke off the upper portion of the tower and cast it to the ground. Men were made to feel that there is a God who ruleth in the heavens and that He is able to confuse and to multiply confusion in order to teach men that they are only men.?{8T 214.1}[4]
§12
上帝长久宽容忍受了人们的刚愎任性，给他们充分的机会悔改；但祂也记下了他们反抗祂公义神圣律法之权威的一切计谋。{8T 214.2}[5]
§13
God bears long with the perversity of men, giving them ample opportunity for repentance; but He marks all their devices to resist the authority of His just and holy law.?{8T 214.2}[5]
§14
在此以前，人人都说同样的言语；这时，他们却根据不同的口音结成许多团体，各自西东。“耶和华使他们从那里分散在全地上”（创11:9）。{8T 215.1}[6]
§15
Up to this time all had spoken the same language; now those that could understand one another’s speech united in companies; some went one way, and some another. “From thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”?Verse 9.?{8T 215.1}[6]
§16
主在我们这个时代，也希望祂的子民要分散全地之上。他们不可都聚居在同一地方。耶稣说：“你们往普天下去，传福音给凡受造的听”（可16:15）。当门徒们随从自己的倾向多人留在耶路撒冷时，主就允许逼迫临到他们，他们就被分散到有世人居住的各地去。{8T 215.2}[7]
§17
In our day the Lord desires that His people shall be dispersed throughout the earth. They are not to colonize. Jesus said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”?Mark 16:15. When the disciples followed their inclination to remain in large numbers in Jerusalem, persecution was permitted to come upon them, and they were scattered to all parts of the inhabited world.?{8T 215.2}[7]
§18
多年以来，一直有警告的信息和恳劝的信息临到我们的百姓，敦促他们到主的大收割场去，无私地从事救灵的工作。{8T 215.3}[8]
§19
For years messages of warning and entreaty have been coming to our people, urging them to go forth into the Master’s great harvest field and labor unselfishly for souls.?{8T 215.3}[8]
§20
从写于1895和1899年的证言中，我复制了下述段落：{8T 215.4}[9]
§21
From testimonies written in 1895 and 1899 I copy the following paragraphs:?{8T 215.4}[9]
§22
“真正的医疗布道工人不会殖民聚居。上帝的子民在地上是要做客旅和寄居的。投入大笔钱财在一个地方增进工作并不符合上帝的规程。应该在许多地区设立机构。要在现今无可代表真理的地方建立学校和疗养院。不可为赚钱设立这些机构，而要为了传播真理。应该在离城较远处购置地皮，建立学校，使青少年在那里获得农业和医疗方面的教育。{8T 215.5}[10]
§23
“True missionary workers will not colonize. God’s people are to be pilgrims and strangers on the earth. The investment of large sums of money in the building up of the work in one place is not in the order of God. Plants are to be made in many places. Schools and sanitariums are to be established in places where there is now nothing to represent the truth. These interests are not to be established for the purpose of making money, but for the purpose of spreading the truth. Land should be secured at a distance from the cities, where schools can be built up in which the youth can be given an education in agricultural and mechanical lines.?{8T 215.5}[10]
§24
“现代真理的各项原则要传得更加广泛。有些人是从错误的观点推理的。因为把工作集中在一个地方更为便利，他们就赞成把一切都集中在一个地方。结果就是极大的弊端。应该得到帮助的地区被遗弃受缺乏。{8T 215.6}[11]
§25
“The principles of present truth are to become more widespread. There are those who are reasoning from a wrong point of view. Because it is more convenient to have the work?centered in one place, they are in favor of crowding everything together in one locality. Great evil is the result. Places that should be helped are left destitute.?{8T 215.6}[11]
§26
“我能对我们的百姓说什么，才能使他们遵循那会有益于他们的现在与将来的路线呢？那些在巴特尔克里克的人岂可不听从上帝赐给他们的亮光呢？他们岂可不舍己背十字架跟从耶稣呢？他们岂可不顺从他们‘领袖’的呼召，离开巴特尔克里克并在其它地方建立机构呢？他们岂可不前去地上的黑暗地区，传讲基督之爱的故事，信赖上帝使他们成功呢？{8T 216.1}[12]
§27
“What can I say to our people that will lead them to follow the course that will be for their present and future good? Will not those in Battle Creek heed the light given them by God? Will they not deny self, lift the cross, and follow Jesus? Will they not obey the call of their Leader to leave Battle Creek and build up interests in other places? Will they not go to the dark places of the earth to tell the story of the love of Christ, trusting in God to give them success??{8T 216.1}[12]
§28
“我们的百姓挤进巴特尔克里克并非上帝的计划。耶稣说：‘今天到我的葡萄园去做工。离开不需要你们的地方。在还没有听过这信息的城镇安插真理的旗帜。为我的降临预备道路。凡在大路和篱笆那里的人都要听到呼召。’{8T 216.2}[13]
§29
“It is not God’s plan for our people to crowd into Battle Creek. Jesus says: ‘Go work today in My vineyard. Get away from the places where you are not needed. Plant the standard of truth in towns and cities that have not heard the message. Prepare the way for My coming. Those in the highways and hedges are to hear the call. ’?{8T 216.2}[13]
§30
“当主的子民充满传道的精神，前去为祂的工作设立中心点，建立可以照顾患病和受苦之人的疗养院，以及青少年可以正确受教的学校时，主会使旷野成为圣地。”{8T 216.3}[14]
§31
“The Lord will make the wilderness a sacred place, as His people, filled with the missionary spirit, go forth to make centers for His work, to establish sanitariums, where the sick and afflicted can be cared for; and schools, where the youth can be educated in right lines.”?{8T 216.3}[14]
§32
“有人主张把这么多机构集中在一起是大有好处的，可以互相支持，帮助那些寻求教育和职业的人。这是人的推理。应该承认，在人看来，把许多机构集中在巴特尔克里克有众多的好处。但我们眼界应该扩大。”{8T 216.4}[15]
§33
“It has been urged that there were great advantages in having so many institutions in close connection; that they would be a strength to one another and could afford help to those seeking education and employment. This is according to human reasoning; it will be admitted that, from a human point of view, many advantages are gained by crowding so many responsibilities in Battle Creek; but the vision needs to be extended.”?{8T 216.4}[15]
§34
虽然频繁赐下了相反的忠告，人们还是继续中央集权的计划，使许多权益处在一个地方的控制之下。这工作最初是在《评论与通讯》出版社开始的。事情先是倒向一方然后倒向另一方。那把出版社的工作合并在巴特尔克里克的一个控制性权力之下的要求，乃是我们工作的仇敌鼓动人提出的。{8T 216.5}[16]
§35
Notwithstanding frequent counsels to the contrary, men?continued to plan for centralization of power, for the binding of many interests under one control. This work was first started in the Review and Herald office. Things were swayed first one way and then another. It was the enemy of our work who prompted the call for the consolidation of the publishing work under one controlling power in Battle Creek.?{8T 216.5}[16]
§36
然后得到支持的想法是，若是我们所有的医疗机构和其它医疗布道事业若被限制在巴特尔克里克的医疗布道协会的控制之下，医疗布道工作就会大大前进。{8T 217.1}[17]
§37
Then the idea gained favor that the medical missionary work would be greatly advanced if all our medical institutions and other medical missionary interests were bound up under the control of the medical missionary association at Battle Creek.?{8T 217.1}[17]
§38
我蒙告知，我必须扬声警告这事。我们不当处在不能控制自己也不愿顺从上帝之人的控制之下。我们不当受那些想使自己的话成为控制性权力之人的指导。想要施控的欲望已显著发展了，上帝赐下了一个接一个的警告，禁止联盟与合并。祂警告我们不要约束自己去履行某些由人提出来要控制弟兄们活动的协议。{8T 217.2}[18]
§39
I was told that I must lift my voice in warning against this. We were not to be under the control of men who could not control themselves and who were not willing to be amenable to God. We were not to be guided by men who wanted their word to be the controlling power. The development of the desire to control has been very marked, and God sent warning after warning, forbidding confederacies and consolidation. He warned us against binding ourselves to fulfill certain agreements that would be presented by men laboring to control the movements of their brethren.?{8T 217.2}[18]
§40
【一个教育中心】
§41
主并不喜悦在巴特尔克里克作出的一些安排。祂已宣布，集中并增殖巴特尔克里克乃是在抢夺其它地区的亮光和利益。我们各地的青少年被召到巴特尔克里克，去那里的疗养院工作或受教育是不蒙上帝喜悦的。当我们允许这事时，我们往往犯了抢夺贫困地区的极宝贵财宝的罪。{8T 217.3}[19]
§42
【An Educational Center】
§43
The Lord is not pleased with some of the arrangements that have been made in Battle Creek. He has declared that other places are being robbed of the light and advantages that have been centered and multiplied in Battle Creek. It is not pleasing to God that our youth from all parts of the country should be called to Battle Creek, to work in the sanitarium, and to receive their education. When we permit this, we are often guilty of robbing needy fields of their most precious treasure.?{8T 217.3}[19]
§44
藉着在证言中赐下的亮光，主已指明祂不愿学生们离开自己家乡的学校和疗养院来到巴特尔克里克受教。祂指示我们要把大学搬出这个地方。这事已经做了，但各机构仍没能做他们原应做成的事，与别的地区同享仍集中在巴特尔克里克的利益。主藉着允许这些机构中最主要的建筑被火烧毁表示了祂的不悦。{8T 218.1}[20]
§45
Through the light given in the testimonies, the Lord has indicated that He does not desire students to leave their home schools and sanitariums to be educated in Battle Creek. He instructed us to remove the college from this place. This was done, but the institutions that remained failed of doing what they should have done to share with other places the advantages still centered in Battle Creek. The Lord signified His displeasure by permitting the principal buildings of these institutions to be destroyed by fire.?{8T 218.1}[20]
§46
在烧毁这些机构的大火中，虽有上帝天意的清楚证据，我们中有些人还是毫不犹豫地轻视了这个声明，即这些楼房被烧毁是因为人们已使事情倒向了主不能赞同的方向。{8T 218.2}[21]
§47
Notwithstanding the plain evidence of the Lord’s providence in these destructive fires, some among us have not hesitated to make light of the statement that these buildings were burned because men had been swaying things in directions which the Lord could not approve.?{8T 218.2}[21]
§48
人们已离开了正义原则，这些机构原是为传播正义原则而设立的。他们没能做上帝命定要做的工作，预备一班人“修造荒废之处”并且要站在破口，就如《以赛亚书》第58章中所描述的。在这章的经文中，我们要做的工作被清楚地定义为医疗布道工作。这项工作要在各地做成。上帝有一个葡萄园；祂切愿这个葡萄园被无私地开垦。任何一个部分都不被忽视。最受忽视的部分需要最机警的布道士去做圣灵藉着以赛亚所描绘的工作：{8T 218.3}[22]
§49
Men have been departing from right principles, for the promulgation of which these institutions were established. They have failed of doing the very work that God ordained should be done to prepare a people to “build the old waste places” and to stand in the breach, as represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. In this scripture the work we are to do is clearly defined as being medical missionary work. This work is to be done in all places. God has a vineyard; and He desires that this vineyard shall be worked unselfishly. No parts are to be neglected. The most neglected portion needs the most wide-awake missionaries to do the work which, through Isaiah, the Holy Spirit has portrayed:?{8T 218.3}[22]
§50
“我所拣选的禁食不是要松开凶恶的绳，解下轭上的索，使被欺压的得自由，折断一切的轭吗？”“你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困苦的人得满足，你的光就必在黑暗中发现；你的幽暗必变如正午。耶和华也必时常引导你，在干旱之地使你心满意足，骨头强壮。你必象浇灌的园子，又象水流不绝的泉源。那些出于你的人必修造久已荒废之处；你要建立拆毁累代的根基。你必称为补破口的，和重修路径与人居住的”（赛58:6,10-12）。{8T 218.4}[23]
§51
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the?noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”?Isaiah 58:6, 10-12.?{8T 218.4}[23]
§52
上帝为祂自己圣名的缘故，不会允许刚愎执拗的人和不受约束的人实现他们不圣洁的计划。祂必报应他们乖僻的行为。“我的上帝说：恶人必不得平安”（赛57:21）。但主在祂的审判中会记得怜悯。祂宣布：{8T 219.1}[24]
§53
For His own name’s sake, God will not permit the froward and the independent to carry out their unsanctified plans. He will visit them for their perversity of action. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”?Isaiah 57:21. But in His judgments the Lord will remember mercy. He declares:?{8T 219.1}[24]
§54
“我必不永远相争，也不长久发怒，恐怕我所造的人与灵性都必发昏。因他贪婪的罪孽，我就发怒击打他；我向他掩面发怒，他却仍然随心背道。我看见他所行的道，也要医治他；又要引导他，使他和那一同伤心的人再得安慰。我造就嘴唇的果子；愿平安康泰归与远处的人，也归与近处的人；并且我要医治他。这是耶和华说的”（赛57:16-19）。{8T 219.2}[25]
§55
“I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid Me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.”?Verses 16-19.?{8T 219.2}[25]
§56
主说：“我若按照我民的乖僻行为对待他们，他们的心灵就必发昏。他们受不了我的不悦和我的忿怒。我已看到每个罪人的乖张行为。凡悔改并且行义的，我必使之回转并得医治，重得我的眷爱。”{8T 219.3}[26]
§57
“The spirit of My people should fail before Me,” said the Lord, “if I were to deal with them in accordance with their perversity. They could not endure My displeasure and My wrath. I have seen the perverse ways of every sinner. He who repents and does the works of righteousness, I will convert and heal, and restore unto My favor.”?{8T 219.3}[26]
§58
论到那些已受欺骗被不献身不圣洁的人带入歧途的人，主说：“他们的行动方针与我的旨意并不一致；然而为了我自己公义的缘故，为了真理的缘故，我要医治每一个会尊荣我名的人。以色列痛悔的人都必看见我的救恩。我耶和华确实在掌权，我要使远近的人心中都充满赞美与感恩，就是以色列所有持守我道路的痛悔的人。”{8T 219.4}[27]
§59
Concerning those who have been deceived and led astray?by unconsecrated men, the Lord says: “Their course of action has not been in accordance with My will; yet for the righteousness of My own cause, for the truth’s sake, I will heal everyone who shall honor My name. All the penitent of Israel shall see of My salvation. I, the Lord, do rule, and I will fill with praise and thanksgiving the hearts of all who are nigh and far off, even all the penitent of Israel who have kept My ways.”?{8T 219.4}[27]
§60
“因为那至高至上、住在永远、名为圣者的如此说：我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒”（赛57:15）。{8T 220.1}[28]
§61
“Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”?Verse 15.?{8T 220.1}[28]