第04章 为基督再来作准备
§1
第04章 为基督再来作准备
§2
Chap.4—Preparation for Christ’s Coming
§3
《文稿》1886年第10号（1886年7月23日星期五上午在丹麦哥本哈根的讲话）
§4
“这事正如一个人离开本家，寄居外邦，把权柄交给仆人，分派各人当做的工，又吩咐看门的警醒。所以，你们要警醒；因为你们不知道家主什么时候来，或晚上，或半夜，或鸡叫，或早晨；恐怕他忽然来到，看见你们睡着了。我对你们所说的话，也是对众人说：要警醒”（可13:34-37）！我们在这段经文中看到，谁也没有理由不作工。祂给各人都分派了工作；所以人人都有为主当作的工。这里虽然说他们在警醒等候，同时也在为主做高尚的工作；所以上帝的子民警醒等候的立场并不是休止不动的立场。{2SAT 26.1}[1]
§5
Manuscript 10, 1886[Talk given Friday morning, July 23, 1886, at Copenhagen, Denmark.]
§6
Mark 13:34-37. We see here that there are none excused from work. To every man He gave his work; therefore everyone has a work to do for the Master. And while they are represented as waiting and watching, yet they are doing noble work for the Master; so that the waiting, watching position of the people of God is not a position of inactivity.?{2SAT 26.1}[1]
§7
人民普遍认为只有讲道人才是有事情要做的人。而这就是我们国家那么多教会软弱的原因。他们若是都认识到个人皆有工作要做，就会在至圣的真道上彼此造就了。{2SAT 26.2}[2]
§8
The impression has prevailed largely that the preacher who proclaims God’s word is the only one who has anything to do. And this is why there are so many weak churches in our land. If they would all realize that they have an individual work to do, then they would be building one another up in the most holy faith.?{2SAT 26.2}[2]
§9
问题是，落在我们这些正指望和守候主降临之人个人身上的工作责任是什么呢？请阅读马太24:43-48。“家主若知道几更天有贼来，就必警醒，不容人挖透房屋；这是你们所知道的。所以，你们也要预备，因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了。谁是忠心有见识的仆人，为主人所派，管理家里的人，按时分粮给他们呢？主人来到，看见他这样行，那仆人就有福了。我实在告诉你们，主人要派他管理一切所有的。倘若那恶仆心里说：‘我的主人必来得迟。’”这段经文中提到一项特别的工作，要明白应把什么样的粮分给上帝的羊群。虽然上帝羊群的监督要打开圣经，向他们讲解真理，但是上帝的羊群也有责任向别人讲解圣经。{2SAT 26.3}[3]
§10
The question is, What is the work that devolves upon us as individuals who are looking and watching for the Lord to come? Please read?Matthew 24:43-48. Here is a special work, to understand what kind of food is to be given to the flock of God. And while he that is made overseer of the flock of God shall open the Scriptures and give them the truth, then it is their duty to open the Scriptures to others.?{2SAT 26.3}[3]
§11
有人问，如果没有讲道的，我们怎么会听到呢？然而当上帝藉着人把祂的信息传给我们的时候，我们就对如何把那信息教导人有了责任。上帝已赐给我们一个伟大而严肃的真理，我们不应独享这个真理，而应想方设法将之传给他人，这真理就是主即将复临。这世界的历史的结局不久就要来到。我们竟对此事漠不关心粗心疏忽吗？我们必须处在会感到对周围的人负有责任的地步。{2SAT 26.4}[4]
§12
The question is asked, How shall we hear without a preacher? But when God has given His message to us through the instrumentality of men, then we are accountable for how we teach that message. It is a great and solemn truth that God has given us, and we should not confine this truth to ourselves; but we should be seeking in every way possible to present it to others, that the Lord is coming. The end of this earth’s history is to take place in a short time. Are we indifferent and careless in regard to the matter? Why, we must be in that position that we will feel that we are accountable for the souls around us.?{2SAT 26.4}[4]
§13
而当我们开始感到自己的兴趣在减弱，以致与上帝没有活泼联络时，就要向上帝恳求，直到你得到这种联络，因为你的天父必定尊重你在这方面做出的每一次努力。我们在自称比周围的众教会进步时，要用行为表明我们的信仰。这涉及我们永恒的权益；生灵的命运危在旦夕。我们若是赚得了全世界，却丧失了自己的灵魂，有什么益处呢？{2SAT 26.5}[5]
§14
And when we begin to feel that our interest is weakening, so that we have not a living connection with God, plead with God until you get it, for your heavenly Father will honor every effort you make in this direction. And while we profess to be in advance of the churches around us, we want [to] show our faith by our works. Here our eternal interests are involved; souls are at stake. And what would it profit us if we gain the whole world and lose our own souls??{2SAT 26.5}[5]
§15
我们必须表明我们对圣经有真实活泼的信心，于是我们才算是警醒等候上帝的人。我们不仅警醒等候，而且渴望祂的显现。在圣经中这被称为荣耀的盼望（见多2:13）。我们应当对自己的漠不关心感到惊讶，因为我们应当充满生机和活力，要是我们能够见到天上正在进行的工作，就会生机勃勃。{2SAT 26.6}[6]
§16
We must show that we have a true and living faith in the Bible,then we shall be represented as God’s waiting, watching ones; and we are not only waiting and watching, but longing, for His appearing. It is that which is called in the Word of God a glorious hope. We should be astonished at our own indifference when we should be all life and vivacity, could we see the work that is going on in heaven.?{2SAT 26.6}[6]
§17
这段经文中还提到了我们的代求者的工作，在实际的赎罪大日，审判死人的工作正在进行。有多久就会开始审判活人呢？那时我们每一个人的案件都要在上帝面前审阅。你要明白，你若没有做上帝交给你的工作，就会被称在圣所的天平里，显出亏欠。对于我们有这种指望和信心的人来说，推迟上帝的日子乃是一件可怕的事。太24:48，“那恶仆心里说：‘我的主人必来得迟。’”{2SAT 27.1}[7]
§18
Here is the work of our Intercessor, [on] the great antitypical day of atonement, where [the] work of judgment is going on with the dead. How soon will it begin with the living, when every one of our cases will pass in review before God? And let it be understood by you that if you do not [do] the work that God has given you, you will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting. To us who have this hope and faith it is a dangerous thing to be putting off the day of God.?Matthew 24:48.?{2SAT 27.1}[7]
§19
心中有真原则的信徒会天天侍奉上帝，好像那就是他们最后的一天。他们必与罪恶和罪孽分离，且会始终把我们主和救主耶稣基督荣耀的显现摆在面前。而“凡向祂有这指望的，就洁净自己，象祂洁净一样”（约壹3:3）。我们若是变得粗心大意，以为宽容时期还很长，仇敌就会进来占据我们。而今假定我们每一个人都处于基督所要求的警醒状态，教会所处的状况就会好得多了。{2SAT 27.2}[8]
§20
Believers who have the true principle at heart will serve God every day as though it were their last. They will separate sin and iniquity from them and will keep before them the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And whosoever “hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself even as He is pure.” If we get careless and think that we have many days of probation, then the enemy comes in and takes possession of us. And now supposing that every one of us should be in that state of watchfulness that Christ requires us to be in, then how much better condition would the church be in.?{2SAT 27.2}[8]
§21
每一个人都会感到：我今天必须做我的工作，如同为永恒做一样。他们会象基督忠心的仆人一样感到：我必须忠诚地传我的信息。我们查考圣经的时候，我们的信心就会增长。我们就会在祂的光中见光，并因真理而欢喜快乐。我们必须时刻把耶稣摆在面前，警醒等候祂的降临，而后，如果我们准备好了，如果我们的品格没有瑕疵了，我们就会列身于身穿白衣的人中间，站在上帝的宝座周围。{2SAT 27.3}[9]
§22
Why, everyone would feel, Why today I must do my work as for eternity. And they would feel, Like a faithful servant of Christ I must bear my message with fidelity. And our faith will grow as we search the Scriptures. We will see light in His light, and rejoice in the truth. We must keep Jesus ever before us and be waiting and watching for His coming, and then if we are ready, if our character is spotless, we shall be among the white-robed ones who shall stand around the throne of God.?{2SAT 27.3}[9]
§23
耶稣知道对祂的降临粗心疏忽和漠不关心会对人心产生的影响，所以祂明确嘱咐我们要把祂降临的事摆在面前。万物的结局近了；所以你们要谨慎自守，警醒祷告。{2SAT 27.4}[10]
§24
Jesus knew the influence it would have upon the human mind to be careless and indifferent in regard to His coming, therefore He expressly enjoined upon us to keep His coming in view. The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.?{2SAT 27.4}[10]
§25
你在此世的生活是要为不朽的来生作准备的。我们若存这样的心，就会给世人留下怎样的印象啊！他们就会说，那班人相信他们所表白的信仰，并在自己的生活中为基督作了彻底的高尚的工作。一个活着的教会是一个作工的教会，而一个作工的教会也是一个活着的教会。{2SAT 27.5}[11]
§26
Your life here is to be a preparation for the future, immortal life. And if this shall be in us, what an impression it will make upon the world. Why, they will say, that people believe just what they profess to believe, and in their lives they are doing thorough, noble work for Christ. A living church is a working church, and a working church is a living church.?{2SAT 27.5}[11]
§27
我们必须教育自己去思想和仔细研究我们即将面临的审判的伟大场面，如同将上帝大日的情景摆在我们面前一样，那是万物被显明的时候，这就会影响到我们的品格。{2SAT 27.6}[12]
§28
We must educate ourselves to be thinking and dwelling upon the great scenes of the judgment just?before us, and then as we keep the scenes of the great day of God before us, when everything will be revealed, it will have an effect upon our character.?{2SAT 27.6}[12]
§29
一位弟兄对我说：“怀姐妹，你认为主会在十年之后来吗？”（我回答说：）“如果祂在二年、四年或十年之后来，这对你有什么不同呢？”他说：“啊，如果我知道主会在十年之后来临，那么我想我会在一些事情上与现在的做法有所不同。”“你会怎样做呢？”我说。他说：“啊，我会变卖我的财产，开始寻求上帝的圣言，尽力警告人们去为耶稣的来临作准备，我会恳求上帝帮助我能准备好迎接祂。”于是我说：“如果你知道主二十年之后不会来，你会不同地生活吗？”{2SAT 28.1}[13]
§30
One brother said to me, “Sister White, do you think the Lord will come in ten years?” [I replied] “What difference does it make to you whether He shall come in two, four, or ten years?” “Why,” said he, “I think I would do differently in some things than I now do if I knew the Lord was to come in ten years.” “What would you do?” said I. “Why,” said he, “I would sell my property and begin to search the Word of God and try to warn the people and get them to prepare for His coming, and I would plead with God that I might be ready to meet Him.” “Then,” said I, “if you knew that the Lord was not coming for twenty years would you live differently?”?{2SAT 28.1}[13]
§31
他说：“我想我会的。”我说：“那么，你既知道主的旨意，你的本分就是行事好像你知道祂会在二十年之后来临一样。”我打开圣经，给他读了我们今天早上读的那段经文，他便觉悟到自己应该改变做法，他也确实改变了自己的做法。如果他知道他的主会在十年后来，他就会过一种不同的生活，这个表白是多么自私啊！以诺与上帝同行三百年哪。这是给我们的教训，我们应当每天与上帝同行。我们若不是在警醒等候，就不安全。我们必须单单着眼于上帝的荣耀。{2SAT 28.2}[14]
§32
Said he, “I think I would.” “Then,” said I, “you know your Master’s will, and it is your duty to do just as though you knew that He was coming in twenty years.” I opened the Scriptures and read to him what we have read this morning, and he was convicted that he should change his course, and he did change his course of action. Well, now, how selfish was that expression that he would live a different life if he knew his Lord was to come in ten years. Why, Enoch walked with God 300 years, and this is a lesson for us, that we shall walk with God every day. We are not safe unless we are waiting and watching; we must have an eye single to God’s glory.?{2SAT 28.2}[14]
§33
当撒但引诱你去行恶时，要说：“我不会迈错一步，因为这会记在天上的册子上。我要是做这种坏事，就不能向上帝举起圣洁的手，我就会耻于将我的心灵在我救主面前敞开。”有许多人行恶，于是他们就没有勇气接近他们的救主。我们所需要的是单单考虑上帝的荣耀。只要主来时能发现我们预备好了，祂就会说：“孩子，来上到更高。”{2SAT 28.3}[15]
§34
When Satan tempts you to do evil, then say, “I will not take the first wrong step, for it is registered in the books of heaven. Why, if I do this wrong I cannot lift up holy hands to God; I will be ashamed to lay my soul open before my Saviour.” There are many who do wrong; then they have no courage to approach their Saviour. What we want is to live with an eye single to God’s glory. Oh, if we can only be found ready when the Master comes, then He will say, “Child, come up higher.”?{2SAT 28.3}[15]
§35
我们已经在羔羊的血里把我们的品格洗干净了。我们必须强烈渴望与罪恶隔绝。我们若丧失了天国，就丧失了一切，我们若得到了天国，就得到了一切。我们就会不仅在荣耀的国中拥有永生，而且永远有恒久的财富。所以我们应该对这些事深感兴趣。时候将到，人们会使基督的教训无效。你们会听到传道人在讲台上说：“平安了，平安了；在基督降临之前先有现世的一千年。”但我们所需要的乃是圣经。{2SAT 28.4}[16]
§36
We have washed our character and made it white in the blood of the Lamb. We must have an intense anxiety to separate evil from us. If we lose heaven we lose everything, and if we gain heaven we gain everything. We will not only have eternal life in the kingdom of glory but eternal riches forevermore. Therefore we should have a deep interest in these things. Why, the time is coming when the teachings of Christ will be made of none effect. From the minister in the desk you will hear, “Peace, peace; there is to be a temporal millennium first before Christ will come.” But what we want is the Bible.?{2SAT 28.4}[16]
§37
且看马丁·路德。他曾站在人们面前大声呼喊说：“圣经，圣经才是我们信仰的根基。”我们需要查考圣经，祈求天上的上帝赐给我们圣经的亮光。及至这些道理从面四向我们涌来时，我们就能说：“圣经，惟有圣经才是我们信仰的根基。”我们要相信主将要驾天云降临，并用我们的行为表明我们的信心，为祂的显现作好准备。{2SAT 28.5}[17]
§38
Look at Martin Luther. As he stood before the people he cried?out, “The Bible, the Bible, is the foundation of our religion.” And we want to search the Scriptures, praying the God of heaven to give us light upon it. And when these doctrines come pouring in upon us from every side, then we can say, “The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the foundation of our religion.” We want to believe that the Lord is coming in the clouds of heaven, and show our faith by our works, and be getting ready for His appearing.?{2SAT 28.5}[17]
§39
好了，如今我们在这里，各地有一小群一小群的人在为我们主的降临做准备。你们不会在各地都有一位传道人。你们每一个人都需要祈求天上的上帝启迪你们，使你们能互相帮助，在至圣的真道上彼此造就。你们必须说：“我们不会把传道人留在我们这里，而要让他出去启迪他人。”但你们自己可以读经，本着信心查考圣经并且祷告上帝，相信祂必应允你们。{2SAT 29.1}[18]
§40
Well now, here we are, little companies in different places getting ready for the coming of our Lord. You cannot have a minister with you in all these places. You want, every one of you, to pray the God of heaven to enlighten you so that you can be a help to one another, building up one another in the most holy faith. You must say, “We will not keep the minister with us, but let him go out and enlighten others.” But you can have Bible readings among yourselves, and search the Scriptures and pray to God in faith, believing that He will answer you.?{2SAT 29.1}[18]
§41
我们在《玛拉基书》中读道：“那时，敬畏耶和华的彼此谈论，耶和华侧耳而听，且有纪念册在祂面前，记录那敬畏耶和华、思念祂名的人”（玛3:16）。这里描绘上帝倾听他们的见证。你们虽然没有传道人站在台上对你们讲道，但你们有上帝的天使会为你们效力。而当你们谈论有福的盼望和天上的家乡时，天使就在你们身旁。只要我们更加亲近上帝，这个盼望就足以使我们得到生命和勇气。{2SAT 29.2}[19]
§42
Here in Malachi we read, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.” It is represented as God hearkening to their testimonies. Although you have no minister standing in the desk talking to you, yet you have angels of God that will minister unto you. And as you talk of the blessed hope and of the home in heaven, angels are right by your side. Why, we have enough in this hope to give us life and courage if we will only draw nearer to God.?{2SAT 29.2}[19]
§43
上帝的眼目正关注着这些分散的人。你们即使只有两三个人聚在一起，主的应许也是：“无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间”（太18:20）。关于这一小群一小群的人，主是怎么说的呢？祂说：“在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我。我必怜恤他们，如同人怜恤服事自己的儿子”（玛3:17）。{2SAT 29.3}[20]
§44
The eye of God is upon these scattered ones. If there are only two or three of you together, the promise is, Where two or three are met together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. And what does the Lord say in regard to these little companies? Why, He says, “They shall be mine in that day when I make up My jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”?{2SAT 29.3}[20]
§45
我们每一个人若愿意设法藉自己的行为把一种健康的、复兴的感化力带入教会中，都会在天上被纪念，主必奖赏他们，使他们与站在讲台上的传道人得到一样多的奖赏。他们正在忠诚地做自己的工作，而且感到自己负有一种责任，就是要互相效力。{2SAT 29.4}[21]
§46
Now, every one of us who will try to bring a healthful, reviving influence into the church by their works will be remembered in heaven, and He will give them a reward just as much as to the minister who stands in the desk. They are doing their work with fidelity, and they have a sense of the responsibility that rests upon them, that they must labor for one another.?{2SAT 29.4}[21]
§47
祂说：“在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我。”好了，我们要在那日列在蒙福的人中间。作一个基督徒是有意义的。所以我们每一个人都穿上公义的全副军装吧。我们不是与属血气的争战，而是与执政的、掌权的、空中属灵气的恶魔争战。上帝看顾你们每一个人。我们在道德的黑暗中需要祂的能力，祂也必赐给我们能力。祂无意让我们独自作战，而是有祂的天使在场为我们作战。我们竭尽所能的时候，上帝就会赐福我们的努力。祂的膀臂并非缩短不能拯救，祂的耳朵也没有发沉不能听见。{2SAT 29.5}[22]
§48
And He says, “They shall be Mine in that day when I make up My jewels.” Well now, we want to be among the blessed in that day. It means something to be a Christian. Then let every one of us put on the armor of righteousness. We?war not against [flesh and blood, but against] principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places. God sees each of you. We need His power amid the moral darkness, and He will give it [to] us. He does not mean that we shall fight this battle alone, but He has His angels right on the ground to fight for us. When we do all we can, God will add His blessing to our efforts. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save, neither is His ear heavy that it not hear.?{2SAT 29.5}[22]
§49
你们在各自的小教会中聚在一起的时候，要记住今天早上对你们说的这些话，让每一个人都感到切愿把自己所能带来的生机和活力都带到聚会中。要祈求你们的天父，好像你们料到祂会听你们一样。你们献上的见证要好像你们知道天上的上帝会倾听且会记在天上的册子中一样。你们这么做时，你们自己的心灵就会保持活泼；你们就会靠祂的力量刚强，靠祂的能力有力。你们就会在你们中间见到上帝的作为，且会有别人加添给你们，与你们联合。--《文稿》1886年第10号(MR900.66).[23]
§50
Now, when you meet together in your little churches where you are, then remember these words that have been spoken to you this morning, and let every one feel an earnestness to bring all the life and vivacity into that meeting that it is possible for him to bring. Pray to your heavenly Father as though you expected that He would hear you. Offer your testimonies as though you knew the God of heaven would listen and that they would be written down in the books of heaven. When you do this, your own souls will be kept alive; you will be strong in His strength, mighty in His power. You will see the work of God in your midst, and others will be added to your number to unite with you.—Ms 10, 1886 (MR 900. 66).?{2SAT 30.1}[23]
§51
（由怀爱伦著作托管委员会在马里兰州银泉全文发表。）{2SAT 30.1}[24]
§52
Ellen G. White Estate?Silver Spring, Maryland?Entire Ms.[24]