预言之灵
§1
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
§2
从前，人在伊甸园中与上帝同行。他敞着脸看到主的荣耀，在乐园中与上帝、基督和天使交谈，毫无隔阂。后来，人从道德纯正的状态堕落，被赶出了伊甸园，离开了生命树，也不能亲眼见到主和圣天使的同在了。从那时起，道德的黑暗就象死亡的罩衣将其阴影投射各处。罪恶的不良影响和霉烂到处可见。在普遍的阴暗和道德惨况中，人离开乐园之门后，已经流离飘荡了近六千年之久，遭受疾病、痛苦、悲伤、流泪和死亡。人还常常遭受魔鬼的试探和诡计，以致人处在堕落状态的整个时期的历史都是可悲，因为撒但几乎普遍左右了人类。[1]
§3
ONCE, MAN WALKED WITH GOD IN EDEN. WITH OPEN FACE HE BEHELD THE GLORY OF THE LORD, AND TALKED WITH GOD, AND CHRIST, AND ANGELS, IN PARADISE, WITHOUT A DIMMING VAIL BETWEEN. MAN FELL FROM HIS MORAL RECTITUDE AND INNOCENCY, AND WAS DRIVEN FROM THE GARDEN, FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, AND FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND HIS HOLY ANGELS. MORAL DARKNESS, LIKE THE PALL OF DEATH, HAS SINCE CAST ITS SHADOWS EVERYWHERE, AND EVERYWHERE THE BLIGHT AND MILDEW OF SIN HAS BEEN SEEN. AND AMID THE GENERAL GLOOM AND MORAL WRETCHEDNESS, MAN HAS WANDERED FROM THE GATES OF PARADISE FOR NEARLY SIX THOUSAND YEARS, SUBJECT TO SICKNESS, PAIN, SORROW, TEARS, AND DEATH. HE HAS ALSO BEEN SUBJECT TO THE TEMPTATIONS AND WILES OF THE DEVIL, SO MUCH SO THAT IT IS THE SAD HISTORY OF MAN, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF HIS FALLEN STATE, THAT SATAN HAS REIGNED WITH ALMOST UNIVERSAL SWAY.[1]
§4
在亚当里，众人都失丧了，黑夜的阴影使道德的诸天变暗，然而不久就在基督里出现了希望之星，藉着它才得以在上帝和人之间建立了一种通讯手段。人在堕落的状态不能与上帝、与基督、与天使面对面交谈，象他在伊甸园中处于纯洁状态时那样。然而藉着圣天使的服务，伟大的上帝可以在异梦和异象中对人讲话。“你们中间若有先知，我耶和华必在异象中向他显现，在梦中与他说话”（民12:6）。[2]
§5
WHEN ALL WAS LOST IN ADAM, AND THE SHADES OF NIGHT DARKENED THE MORAL HEAVENS, THERE SOON APPEARED THE STAR OF HOPE IN CHRIST, AND WITH IT THERE WAS ESTABLISHED A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. IN HIS FALLEN STATE, MAN COULD NOT CONVERSE FACE TO FACE WITH GOD, AND WITH CHRIST, AND WITH ANGELS, AS WHEN IN HIS EDEN PURITY. BUT THROUGH THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY ANGELS COULD THE GREAT GOD SPEAK TO HIM IN DREAMS AND IN VISIONS. IF THERE BE A PROPHET AMONG YOU, I THE LORD WILL MAKE MYSELF KNOWN UNTO HIM IN A VISION, AND WILL SPEAK UNTO HIM IN A DREAM. NUMBERS 12:6.[2]
§6
预言之灵的显现是为所有体制设计的。圣经从未将其限制在任何一个特殊的时期，从人类的堕落到最终得到恢复都是如此。圣经承认它在先祖时代、犹太时代和基督教时代都是以同样的方式显现的。上帝通过这种媒介与古时的圣人交通。亚当的七世孙以诺说过预言，而且他所见的预言的异象范围是那么的广大，又那么的详细而准确，以致能使他看到以后的许多世代，并且描绘主降临并在不虔不义的人身上执行最后审判的情形。见《犹大书》14,15节。[3]
§7
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY WAS DESIGNED FOR ALL DISPENSATIONS. THE SACRED RECORD NOWHERE RESTRICTS IT TO ANY PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME, FROM THE FALL TO THE FINAL RESTITUTION. THE BIBLE RECOGNIZES ITS MANIFESTATION ALIKE IN THE PATRIARCHAL AGE, IN THE JEWISH AGE, AND IN THE CHRISTIAN AGE. THROUGH THIS MEDIUM GOD COMMUNED WITH HOLY MEN OF OLD. ENOCH, THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM, PROPHESIED; AND SO EXTENSIVE WAS THE RANGE OF HIS PROPHETIC VISION, AND SO MINUTE, THAT HE COULD LOOK DOWN OVER LONG AGES, AND DESCRIBE THE COMING OF THE LORD, AND THE EXECUTION OF THE LAST JUDGMENT UPON THE UNGODLY. JUDE, VERSES 14, 15.[3]
§8
上帝在犹太体制时期在异象和异梦中对祂的先知讲话，并且把将来的大事展现在他们面前，特别是那些与基督第一次降临好为罪人受难和第二次在荣耀中显现好消灭祂的敌人并完全救赎祂子民有关的大事。由于犹太教会的腐败，预言之灵在犹太体制结束前几乎从犹太教会消失了几个世纪，在那个体制结束时才再现，为要宣告弥赛亚的来临。施洗约翰的父亲撒迦利亚“被圣灵充满了，就说预言”（路1:67）。又公义又虔诚的西面“素常盼望以色列的安慰者来到，”他受了圣灵的感动，进入圣殿，并且预言耶稣“是照亮外邦人的光，又是以色列的荣耀。”又有女先知亚拿“将孩子的事对一切盼望耶路撒冷得救赎的人讲说”（见路2:25-38）。还有一位最大的先知施洗约翰，蒙上帝拣选向以色列介绍“上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”（约1:29）。[4]
§9
GOD SPAKE TO HIS PROPHETS IN THE JEWISH DISPENSATION IN VISIONS AND IN DREAMS, AND OPENED BEFORE THEM THE GREAT THINGS OF THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONNECTED WITH THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST TO SUFFER FOR SINNERS, AND HIS SECOND APPEARING IN GLORY TO DESTROY HIS ENEMIES, AND COMPLETE THE REDEMPTION OF HIS PEOPLE. IF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY NEARLY DISAPPEARED FROM THE JEWISH CHURCH FOR A FEW CENTURIES TOWARD THE CLOSE OF THAT DISPENSATION, ON ACCOUNT OF THE CORRUPTIONS IN THAT CHURCH, IT RE-APPEARED AT ITS CLOSE TO USHER IN THE MESSIAH. ZACHARIAS, THE FATHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PROPHESIED. SIMEON, A JUST AND DEVOUT MAN, WHO WAS WAITING FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL, CAME BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, AND PROPHESIED OF JESUS AS A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, AND THE GLORY OF ISRAEL. AND ANNA, A PROPHETESS, SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM. AND THERE WAS NO GREATER PROPHET THAN JOHN, WHO WAS CHOSEN OF GOD TO INTRODUCE TO ISRAEL THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.[4]
§10
基督教时代从圣灵的沛降和各种属灵的恩赐显现开始。在这些恩赐中有预言的恩赐。耶稣在委托祂的门徒到全世界去传讲福音之后，对他们说：“信的人必有神迹随着他们，就是奉我的名赶鬼；说新方言；手能拿蛇；若喝了什么毒物，也必不受害；手按病人，病人就必好了”（可16:17, 18）。在五旬节那天，就是基督教时代充分开始的时候，这些恩赐中有一些恩赐以一种奇妙的方式显现出来。见《使徒行传》2:1-11。路加在记载他和保罗及其他人一起旅行时，基督教时代已经开始了四分之一个世纪，这位福音书作者在说到进了腓利家里之后，说“他有四个女儿，都是处女，是说预言的。我们在那里多住了几天，有一个先知，名叫亚迦布，从犹太下来”（徒21:9, 10）。此外，更晚一些时候，我们见到蒙爱的约翰在拔摩岛上被完全丰富的预言之灵充满了。主将那个奇妙的启示赐给他时，基督教时代已过了半个多世纪。在这里，新约的记录没有给我们留下一个暗示说属灵的恩赐会在教会停止，直到耶稣基督第二次显现，引进那个荣耀之日的时候。[5]
§11
THE CHRISTIAN AGE COMMENCED WITH THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE MANIFESTATION OF VARIOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS. AMONG THESE WAS THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. AFTER COMMISSIONING HIS DISCIPLES TO GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL, JESUS SAYS TO THEM, AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE: IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER, MARK 16:17, 18. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHEN THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION WAS FULLY OPENED, SOME OF THESE GIFTS WERE MANIFESTED IN A WONDERFUL MANNER. ACTS 2:1-11. LUKE, IN GIVING ACCOUNT OF HIS TRAVELS WITH PAUL AND OTHERS, WHEN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE HAD ALREADY PASSED, AFTER SPEAKING OF ENTERING INTO THE HOUSE OF PHILIP, THE EVANGELIST, SAYS: AND THE SAME MAN HAD FOUR DAUGHTERS, VIRGINS, WHICH DID PROPHESY. AND AS WE TARRIED THERE MANY DAYS, THERE CAME DOWN FROM JUDEA A CERTAIN PROPHET, NAMED AGABUS. ACTS 21:9, 10. AGAIN, STILL LATER, WE SEE THE BELOVED JOHN, IN THE ISLE OF PATMOS, IMBUED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IN ALL ITS FULLNESS. THE WONDERFUL REVELATION WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM WHEN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE HAD PASSED. AND HERE THE NEW-TESTAMENT RECORD LEAVES US WITHOUT A SINGLE INTIMATION THAT THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT SHOULD CEASE FROM THE CHURCH TILL THE DAY OF GLORY SHOULD BE USHERED IN BY THE SECOND APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST.[5]
§12
自从大背道以后，这些恩赐就很少显现了；因此，自称的基督徒一般以为这些恩赐原是限于初期教会的。然而从初期的基督徒到现在，这些恩赐在极其虔诚献身地跟从耶稣的人中一直有显现，几乎所有主要的教派都承认这是圣灵的恩赐。因而，难道不应该认为是因教会的错误和不信才使这些恩赐这么少显现，而不是因为上帝已把这些恩赐从教会拿走了吗？当上帝的子民达到起初的信心和行为时，当他们极其确定地愿意处在最后信息的领导之下时，晚雨就会沛降，所有的恩赐都会复兴。早雨是在基督教时代开始之时赐下的，是在撒播福音种子的时候，要使它发芽生根。那时教会享有属灵的恩赐。及至晚雨在基督教体制结束时沛降，要使宝贵的庄稼成熟好收进上帝的仓里时，圣灵的恩赐必以其全部的丰盛显现出来。[6]
§13
SINCE THE GREAT APOSTASY, THESE GIFTS HAVE RARELY BEEN MANIFESTED; AND FOR THIS REASON, PROFESSED CHRISTIANS GENERALLY SUPPOSE THAT THEY WERE DESIGNED TO BE LIMITED TO THE PERIOD OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH. BUT FROM THE TIME OF THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS TO THE PRESENT THERE HAVE BEEN MANIFESTATIONS AMONG THE MOST DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, WHICH HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY NEARLY ALL OF THE LEADING DENOMINATIONS AS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEN SHOULD NOT THE ERRORS AND THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHURCH BE ASSIGNED AS REASONS WHY THESE MANIFESTATIONS HAVE BEEN SO SELDOM, RATHER THAN THAT GOD HAS TAKEN THESE BLESSINGS FROM THE CHURCH? WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD ATTAIN TO PRIMITIVE FAITH AND PRACTICE, AS THEY MOST CERTAINLY WILL UNDER THE LAST MESSAGE, THE LATTER RAIN WILL BE POURED OUT, AND ALL THE GIFTS WILL BE REVIVED. THE FORMER RAIN WAS GIVEN AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE, IN THE TIME OF THE SOWING OF THE GOSPEL SEED, TO CAUSE IT TO GERMINATE AND TAKE GOOD ROOT. THEN THE CHURCH ENJOYED THE GIFTS. AND WHEN THE LATTER RAIN SHALL BE POURED OUT AT THE CLOSE OF THE DISPENSATION, TO RIPEN THE GOLDEN HARVEST FOR THE GARNER OF GOD, THEN WILL THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE MANIFESTED IN ALL THEIR FULLNESS.[6]
§14
这与先知的话是一致的，就如彼得所引用的：“上帝说：在末后的日子，我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的。你们的儿女要说预言；你们的少年人要见异象；老年人要做异梦。在那些日子，我要将我的灵浇灌我的仆人和使女，他们就要说预言。在天上、我要显出奇事；在地下、我要显出神迹；有血，有火，有烟雾。日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血；这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前”（徒2:17-20）。这段经文说明在末后日子的特别兆头中，会见到预言之灵的显现。它在末后日子的复兴要构成末日临近的最著名的征兆之一。这是显而易见的，因为它被列入日月星辰最显著的兆头中和天上地下的神迹奇事中，如血、火和烟雾。[7]
§15
TO THIS AGREE THE WORDS OF THE PROPHET, AS QUOTED BY PETER: AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. AND ON MY SERVANTS, AND ON MY HANDMAIDENS, I WILL POUR OUT IN THOSE DAYS OF MY SPIRIT, AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY. AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE, AND SIGNS IN THE EARTH BENEATH; BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THAT GREAT AND NOTABLE DAY OF THE LORD COME. ACTS 2:17-20. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IS HERE SEEN AMONG THE ESPECIAL SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS. ITS REVIVAL IN THE LAST DAYS WAS TO CONSTITUTE ONE OF THE MOST NOTED SIGNS OF THE APPROACHING END. THIS IS EVIDENT FROM ITS BEING CLASSED WITH THE MOST PROMINENT SIGNS, IN THE SUN, IN THE MOON, AND IN THE STARS, AND SUCH WONDERS, IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE, AND IN THE EARTH BENEATH, AS BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.[7]
§16
在上帝所赐给祂子民的一切福气中，除了赐下祂的儿子之外，没有什么福气象赐下祂圣洁的律法和祂的圣灵那么神圣那么重要了。也没有什么福气象这两种恩赐更能阻碍撒但的计划并因此激起他的忿怒了。及至那班子民在末后的世代出现，要遵守上帝圣洁律法的全部十条诫命，并且承认预言之灵的复兴时，他们可以料到会感受到反对者对他们的苦毒情绪，这种情绪只能来自撒但的直接授意。“龙向妇人发怒，去与她其余的儿女争战，这儿女就是那守上帝诫命、为耶稣作见证的”（启12:17）。[8]
§17
OF ALL THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD HAS BESTOWED UPON HIS PEOPLE, THE GIFT OF HIS SON EXCEPTED, NONE HAVE BEEN SO SACRED, AND SO IMPORTANT TO THEIR WELFARE, AS THE GIFT OF HIS HOLY LAW, AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT. AND NONE HAVE BEEN SO WELL CALCULATED TO THWART THE PLANS OF SATAN, AND, CONSEQUENTLY, TO STIR HIS RAGE, AS THESE. AND WHEN THAT PEOPLE SHOULD ARISE IN THE LAST GENERATION OF MEN, WHO SHOULD BE OBSERVING ALL TEN OF THE PRECEPTS OF GODS HOLY LAW, AND SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE REVIVAL OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, THEY MIGHT EXPECT TO FEEL THAT BITTERNESS FROM THEIR OPPONENTS, WHICH CAN ARISE ONLY FROM THE DIRECT INSPIRATION OF SATAN. AND THE DRAGON WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST. REVELATION 12:17.[8]
§18
天使对约翰说：“耶稣的见证就是预言之灵（启19:10）。正是因为余民教会或最后世代的基督徒们遵守上帝的诫命和承认预言之灵的复兴，才激起了龙的忿怒。[9]
§19
THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, SAID THE ANGEL TO JOHN, IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. REVELATION 19:10. IT IS THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE RECOGNITION OF THE REVIVAL OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY BY THE REMNANT OF THE CHURCH, OR THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION, THAT STIRS THE IRE OF THE DRAGON.[9]
§20
犹太时代尽管有背道，却是以上帝之灵的特别显现开始和结束的。因此，基督教时代的亮光比起犹太体制既如日光与微弱的月光相比一样，若认为它以荣耀开始而以阴暗结束，就是不合理的。而且，既然为基督的第一次降临预备一班子民必需有圣灵的特别运行，为基督的复临预备一班子民就更加必需有圣灵特别运行了。[10]
§21
THE JEWISH AGE, NOTWITHSTANDING ITS APOSTASIES, OPENED AND CLOSED WITH SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. AND IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO SUPPOSE THAT THE CHRISTIAN AGE, THE LIGHT OF WHICH, COMPARED WITH THE FORMER DISPENSATION, IS AS THE LIGHT OF THE SUN TO THE FEEBLE RAYS OF THE MOON, SHOULD COMMENCE IN GLORY, AND CLOSE IN OBSCURITY. AND SINCE A SPECIAL WORK OF THE SPIRIT WAS NECESSARY TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE FIRST ADVENT OF CHRIST, HOW MUCH MORE SO FOR HIS SECOND ADVENT.[10]
§22
上帝向祂的子民彰显祂的能力，从来不是只为让他们感到满意；而是按照他们的需要为他们行事。因而我们可以确实地断定，当祂的子民在与黑暗权势的最后斗争中经过末后日子的危险时，假先知会有能力行大神迹大奇事，以致倘若可能，连选民都会迷惑了，那时我们恩慈的上帝必用圣灵的恩赐和恩典加强和赐福祂最后的子民。[11]
§23
GOD HAS NEVER MANIFESTED HIS POWER TO HIS PEOPLE SIMPLY FOR THEIR GRATIFICATION; BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR NECESSITIES HAS HE WROUGHT FOR THEM. THEN WE MAY SAFELY CONCLUDE THAT AS HIS PEOPLE ARE PASSING THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS IN THE FINAL STRUGGLE WITH THE AROUSED POWERS OF DARKNESS, WHEN FALSE PROPHETS SHALL HAVE POWER TO SHOW GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS, INSOMUCH THAT, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THEY WOULD DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT, OUR GRACIOUS GOD WILL BLESS AND STRENGTHEN HIS FAINTING PEOPLE WITH THE GIFTS, AS WELL AS THE GRACES, OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.[11]
§24
我们已经看到，预言之灵必需在异梦和异象中显现，这是因为人不能亲眼看到上帝的同在了。然而当上帝的帐幕在人间，祂要与人同住，上帝要亲自和他们在一起时（启21:3），当基督同着众天使复临，接祂的子民归祂自己，以便祂在哪里，叫他们也在那里时（约14:3），当得赎之人在光复的伊甸园中与上帝、基督、天使同行共话时，才会不再需要更多预言之灵。[12]
§25
WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IN DREAMS AND IN VISIONS BECAME NECESSARY IN CONSEQUENCE OF MANS BEING SEPARATED FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD. BUT WHEN THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SHALL BE WITH MEN, AND HE SHALL DWELL WITH THEM, AND GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM,REVELATION 21:3; WHEN CHRIST SHALL COME AGAIN WITH ALL THE HOLY ANGELS, AND RECEIVE HIS PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, THAT WHERE HE SHALL BE, THERE THEY MAY BE ALSO, JOHN 14:3; AND WHEN MAN REDEEMED SHALL WALK AND TALK WITH GOD, AND CHRIST, AND ANGELS, IN EDEN RESTORED; THEN THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER NEED OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.[12]
§26
在罪的不良影响触及上帝为人所造的任何事物之前，人以人性的全部完美站在伊甸园中，并且敞着脸观看上帝的荣耀时，他原本不需要预言之灵。然而当人因犯罪而丧失了伊甸园，注定要在乐园门外摸索自己的道路，笼罩在由咒诅和撒但的统治而产生道德幽暗中时，他就需要预言之灵的亮光了。而且他在这方面的需要会或多或少不断变得紧迫，直到恢复的时候，那时得赎的人要与上帝、基督和圣天使在光复了的伊甸园中同行共话。[13]
§27
WHEN MAN IN EDEN STOOD IN ALL THE PERFECTION OF HIS MANHOOD, BEFORE THE BLIGHT OF SIN HAD TOUCHED ANYTHING THAT GOD HAD MADE FOR HIM, AND WITH OPEN FACE BEHELD THE GLORY OF THE LORD, HE COULD HAVE NO NEED OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. BUT WHEN EDEN WAS LOST IN CONSEQUENCE OF TRANSGRESSION, AND MAN WAS DOOMED TO GROPE HIS WAY FROM THE GATES OF PARADISE, ENSHROUDED IN THE MORAL GLOOM THAT RESULTED FROM THE CURSE AND THE REIGN OF SATAN, HE NEEDED THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. AND HIS NEED IN THIS RESPECT WILL CONTINUE, MORE OR LESS URGENT, UNTIL THE RESTITUTION, WHEN THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK AND TALK WITH GOD, AND WITH CHRIST, AND WITH THE HOLY ANGELS, IN EDEN RESTORED.[13]
§28
使徒在写给哥林多人的书信中明显支持这种立场。他提出这个主题说：“弟兄们，论到属灵的恩赐，我不愿意你们不明白”（林前12:1）。他认为这个主题太重要了，不能让哥林多教会不知道。他定意要教导他们。我们最好使自己受益于他的教导。[14]
§29
THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS CLEARLY SUSTAINS THIS POSITION. HE INTRODUCES THE SUBJECT BY STATING, NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1. HE DEEMED THE SUBJECT OF TOO GREAT IMPORTANCE TO LEAVE THE CHURCH AT CORINTH IN IGNORANCE RESPECTING IT. HE PROPOSES TO INSTRUCT THEM. WE SHALL DO WELL TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE BENEFIT OF HIS TEACHINGS.[14]
§30
在这一章中，使徒提出了人体及其几个肢体的和谐运作，彼此依赖，作为一个例证，来说明基督的教会及其成员，以及上帝已在教会设立的几种恩赐。然后他是这样应用这个比喻的：“你们就是基督的身子，并且各自作肢体。上帝在教会所设立的：第一是使徒，第二是先知，第三是教师，其次是行异能的，再次是得恩赐医病的，帮助人的，治理事的，说方言的”（林前12:27,28）。[15]
§31
IN THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE INTRODUCES THE HUMAN BODY, WITH ITS SEVERAL MEMBERS ACTING IN HARMONY, ONE DEPENDENT UPON THE OTHER, AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, WITH ITS MEMBERS, AND THE SEVERAL GIFTS GOD HAS SET IN THE CHURCH. HE THEN MAKES THE APPLICATION OF THE FIGURE THUS: NOW YE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR. AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALING, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES. VERSES 27 AND 28.[15]
§32
我们要谨记在心的是，上帝已经在基督的教会设立了先知、行异能的和医病的恩赐，象祂已在教会设立了教师、帮助人的和治理事的恩赐一样确实。而且“上帝在教会所设立的”这种措辞，意思不只是祂愿意在基督教时代藉着祂的圣灵与这班子民交通，象祂在从前的体制下一样。它传达的思想是，上帝已特别把这些恩赐赋予基督的教会。祂已在教会设立了这些恩赐，要保留它们直到她不在的主回来的时候。上帝这样做是因为教会需要这些恩赐。初期的教会岂不是需要这些恩赐吗？照样，真教会也需要这些恩赐在她受迫害和殉道的黑暗时期照亮她的道路。而且教会在经过末后日子的危险，准备迎接她快要来到的主时，更需要这些恩赐。[16]
§33
LET IT BE BORNE IN MIND THAT GOD HAS SET PROPHETS, MIRACLES, AND GIFTS OF HEALINGS, IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS VERILY AS HE HAS TEACHERS, HELPS, AND GOVERNMENTS. AND THIS EXPRESSION, GOD HATH SET THEM IN THE CHURCH, MEANS MORE THAN THAT HE WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH THIS PEOPLE BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHRISTIAN AGE THE SAME AS HE HAD IN FORMER DISPENSATIONS. IT CONVEYS THE IDEA THAT GOD HAD ESPECIALLY ENDOWED THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WITH THEM. HE HAD ESTABLISHED THEM IN THE CHURCH, TO REMAIN UNTIL THE RETURN OF HER ABSENT LORD. THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE THE CHURCH NEEDED THEM. DID THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH NEED THEM? SO DID THE TRUE CHURCH NEED THEM TO LIGHT HER PATHWAY DURING THE DARK PERIOD OF HER PERSECUTIONS AND MARTYRDOM. AND MUCH MORE DOES THE CHURCH NEED THE GIFTS IN MAKING HER COURSE THROUGH THE PERILS OF THE LAST DAYS, AND IN MAKING READY TO RECEIVE HER SOON-COMING LORD.[16]
§34
这些恩赐的设计和它们在教会持续的时间，在使徒给以弗所人的书信中得到了明确的说明：“祂所赐的，有使徒，有先知，有传福音的，有牧师和教师，为要成全圣徒，各尽其职，建立基督的身体，直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识上帝的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量”（弗4:11-13）。[17]
§35
THE DESIGN OF THE GIFTS, AND ALSO THE TIME OF THEIR CONTINUANCE IN THE CHURCH, ARE DEFINITELY EXPRESSED BY THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS: AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST; TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. CHAP. 4:11-13.[17]
§36
教会在保罗的一生并没有达到这段经文所提到的团结、认识和完全的状态。当然了，教会在帖后2:3的背道时期和启12:6逃到旷野的时期也没有享有这种状态。自从马丁路德的工作以来，教会也没有达到这种团结、认识和完全的状态。今日的教会几乎无限地低于这种团结、认识和完全的状态。而且在末世代的基督徒因最后的警告信息和上帝可以用来预备他们不尝死味就变化升天的一切方法而达到这种状态之前，这些恩赐的最后设计是不是会实现的。[18]
§37
IT CANNOT BE SHOWN THAT THE CHURCH DID, IN THE LIFETIME OF PAUL, REACH THE STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION, HERE MENTIONED. AND CERTAINLY THE CHURCH DID NOT ENJOY THESE DURING HER APOSTASY, 2 THESSALONIANS 2:3, AND THE PERIOD OF HER FLIGHT INTO THE WILDERNESS, REVELATION 12:6. NOR HAS SHE REACHED THIS STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION, SINCE THE LABORS OF MARTIN LUTHER. THE CHURCH TODAY IS ALMOST INFINITELY BELOW THIS STATE OF UNITY, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFECTION. AND NOT UNTIL THE CHRISTIANS OF THE LAST GENERATION OF MEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE ENJOYMENT OF IT BY THE LAST WARNING MESSAGE, AND ALL THE MEANS GOD MAY EMPLOY TO PREPARE THEM TO BE TRANSLATED TO HEAVEN WITHOUT TASTING DEATH, WILL THE ULTIMATE DESIGN OF THE GIFTS BE REALIZED.[18]
§38
然而保罗在林前13章中明确说到了这些恩赐何时会止息。使徒在本章的第一部分讲论了爱的卓越性，它超过了方言的恩赐、预言的恩赐、信心、慷慨施舍穷人、和舍己身让人焚烧的勇气。这些恩赐若没有爱，就没有价值。然后他描绘了爱的美德和富有，以这些话结束：“爱是永不止息。先知讲道之能终必归于无有；说方言之能终必停止；知识也终必归于无有”（林前13:8）。爱不仅在今世是最高的基督徒美德，且会向前延伸到永恒，成为赎民最高的荣耀，而属灵的恩赐则会与信心和盼望一同止息。当主光荣显现时，信心会变为眼见，盼望会实现，预言会不再光照教会，方言也会不再作为兆头，而今暗淡夜晚的一点知识会在那完全之日的完全知识之前消失，就象暗淡的月光在上升的日光之前消失一样。[19]
§39
BUT PAUL, IN 1 CORINTHIANS 13, HAS DISTINCTLY SHOWN WHEN THE GIFTS WOULD CEASE. IN THE FIRST PART OF THIS CHAPTER THE APOSTLE DISCOURSES UPON THE PRE-EMINENCE OF LOVE (IMPROPERLY TRANSLATED CHARITY) TO THE GIFT OF TONGUES, GIFT OF PROPHECY, FAITH, LIBERALITY TO THE POOR, AND COURAGE TO GIVE ONES BODY TO BE BURNED. THESE, IN THE ABSENCE OF LOVE, ARE VALUELESS. HE THEN DESCRIBES THE VIRTUES AND RICHES OF LOVE, CLOSING WITH THESE WORDS: CHARITY [LOVE] NEVER FAILETH; BUT WHETHER THERE BE PROPHECIES, THEY SHALL FAIL; WHETHER THERE BE TONGUES, THEY SHALL CEASE; WHETHER THERE BE KNOWLEDGE, IT SHALL VANISH AWAY. VERSE 8. WHILE LOVE IS NOT ONLY THE CROWNING CHRISTIAN GRACE HERE, BUT WILL REACH FORWARD TO ALL ETERNITY, AND BE THE CROWNING GLORY OF THE REDEEMED, THE GIFTS WILL CEASE WITH FAITH AND HOPE. AT THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE LORD, FAITH WILL BE LOST IN SIGHT, HOPE IN FRUITION, PROPHECIES WILL FAIL TO BE ANY LONGER A LIGHT TO THE CHURCH, TONGUES WILL CEASE TO BE A SIGN, AND THE FAINT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRESENT DIM NIGHT WILL VANISH BEFORE THE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERFECT DAY, AS THE DIM RAYS OF THE MOON VANISH BEFORE THE LIGHT OF THE RISING SUN.[19]
§40
接下来就是9节和10节的有力话语：“我们现在所知道的有限，先知所讲的也有限，等那完全的来到，这有限的必归于无有了。”我们仍在等待那完全的来到。而且在我们等待的时候，愿我们亲爱的不在的主藉着这些恩赐向等候着祂的子民显现。保罗论到目前不完全的状态说：“我们现在所知道的有限，先知所讲的也有限。”预言之灵要服务教会多久呢？何时才会没有预言之灵呢？答案是：“等那完全的来到，这有限的必归于无有了。”这应当解决属灵的恩赐在基督教会中永存的问题。[20]
§41
NEXT COME THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF VERSE 9 AND 10: FOR WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART; BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY. WE STILL WAIT FOR THAT WHICH IS PERFECT TO COME. AND WHILE WE WAIT, MAY OUR DEAR, ABSENT LORD MANIFEST HIMSELF TO HIS WAITING PEOPLE THROUGH THE GIFTS. FOR, SAYS PAUL, SPEAKING OF THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE, WE KNOW IN PART, AND WE PROPHESY IN PART. HOW LONG SHALL THE SPIRIT OF PROPHESY SERVE THE CHURCH? WHEN WILL IT BE DONE AWAY? ANSWER: BUT WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY. THIS SHOULD SETTLE THE QUESTION OF THE PERPETUITY OF THE GIFTS IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.[20]
§42
然而，流行的观点却是：这些恩赐是赐给初期教会的，只保留在基督的第一批使徒们在世的时候；他们死后，这些恩赐就从教会消除了。然而我们要记住，当这些恩赐止息时，会发生一场大改变，而且那场改变是从不完全的状态变成完全的状态；从夜间的幽暗变成正午的荣耀。我们不用问就知道第一批使徒去世时并没有发生这种大改变；因为凡对初期教会有所了解的人，都知道约在使徒们去世时，教会里所发生的改变，都不是变得更好，而是确实变得更坏。甚至在保罗的日子，那不法的隐意就已经在教会里发动了，见帖后2:7。使徒在向米利都教会的长老们讲话时说：“我知道，我去之后必有凶暴的豺狼进入你们中间，不爱惜羊群。就是你们中间，也必有人起来说悖谬的话，要引诱门徒跟从他们”（徒20:29, 30）。然而我们若是把这种大改变应用于目前的体制结束时和永恒的荣耀之日到来时，就都清楚明白了。在这里我们有最清晰的证据，证明属灵的恩赐不会归于无有，直到基督第二次显现的时候。[21]
§43
THE POPULAR VIEW, HOWEVER, IS THIS: THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN TO THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, TO REMAIN ONLY DURING THE LIFETIME OF CHRISTS FIRST APOSTLES. AT THEIR DEATH, THE GIFTS WERE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CHURCH. BUT LET IT BE REMEMBERED THAT A GREAT CHANGE TAKES PLACE WHEN THE GIFTS ARE TO CEASE, AND THAT CHANGE IS FROM AN IMPERFECT STATE TO THAT WHICH IS PERFECT; FROM THE DIMNESS OF NIGHT TO THE GLORY OF PERFECT DAY. WE NEED NOT INQUIRE IF SUCH A CHANGE TOOK PLACE AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST APOSTLES; FOR ALL WHO HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, KNOW THAT WHATEVER CHANGES DID TAKE PLACE IN THE CHURCH ABOUT THE TIME OF THE DEATH OF THE APOSTLES, WERE NOT FOR THE BETTER, BUT DECIDEDLY FOR THE WORSE. EVEN IN PAULS DAY, THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY ALREADY WORKED IN THE CHURCH. 2 THESSALONIANS 2:7. AND THE APOSTLE, ADDRESSING THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AT MILETUS, SAYS: FOR I KNOW THIS, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTING SHALL GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM. ACTS 20:29, 30. BUT IF WE APPLY THIS GREAT CHANGE TO THE CLOSE OF THE PRESENT DISPENSATION, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ETERNAL DAY OF GLORY, ALL IS PLAIN. HERE WE HAVE THE CLEAREST PROOF THAT THE GIFTS WERE NOT TO BE DONE AWAY UNTIL THE SECOND APPEARING OF CHRIST.[21]
§44
保罗继续举例说明目前的不完全状态和将来完全而荣耀的状态：“我作孩子的时候，话语象孩子，心思象孩子，意念象孩子，既成了人，就把孩子的事丢弃了”（林前13:11）。他用孩童时期代表目前的不完全状态；而用成人时期代表不朽的完全状态。这是显而易见的。现在假使我们错了，保罗的孩童时期代表他那个时代的教会状况，赋有恩赐；而他的成年时期代表他死后教会的状况，没有圣灵的恩赐，并且迅速沉沦到大背道中，这就太荒谬了！[22]
§45
PAUL CONTINUES WITH AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE, AND THE FUTURE STATE PERFECTION AND GLORY: WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD; BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS. VERSE 11. HIS CHILDHOOD REPRESENTS THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STATE; HIS MANHOOD, THE PERFECTION OF THE IMMORTAL STATE. THIS IS EVIDENT. NOW SUPPOSE WE ARE WRONG, AND THAT PAULS CHILDHOOD REPRESENTS THE CHURCH IN HIS DAY, ENDOWED WITH THE GIFTS; AND THAT HIS MANHOOD REPRESENTS THE CHURCH AFTER HIS DEATH, STRIPPED OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND FAST SINKING AWAY TOWARD THE GREAT APOSTASY! ABSURDITY![22]
§46
使徒继续用另一个美好的例子说明从现在的体制发生的改变，在此期间教会要享有相当暗淡的恩赐之光，因她凭信心和盼望而行，要展开那将来世界的荣耀，那时赎民要在光复了的伊甸园中与上帝同行，并且与基督和天使面对面交谈。他说：“我们如今仿佛对着镜子观看，模糊不清；到那时就要面对面了”（林前13:12）。对于那种认为这些恩赐要在第一批使徒去世时止息，而且在他们死时会发生使徒的这些话所说明的荣耀改变的观点，我们只需再说一次：太荒谬了！[23]
§47
AND STILL THE APOSTLE CONTINUES WITH ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHANGE FROM THE PRESENT DISPENSATION, DURING WHICH THE CHURCH WAS TO ENJOY THE COMPARATIVELY-DIM LIGHT OF THE GIFTS, AS SHE WALKED BY FAITH AND HOPE, TO THE OPEN GLORIES OF THE WORLD TO COME, WHEN THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK WITH GOD IN EDEN RESTORED, AND TALK FACE TO FACE WITH CHRIST AND ANGELS. HE SAYS: FOR NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY; BUT THEN, FACE TO FACE. VERSE 12. TO THE VIEW THAT THE GIFTS WERE TO CEASE AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST APOSTLES, AND THAT WITH THEIR DEATH CAME THE GLORIOUS CHANGE ILLUSTRATED BY THESE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE, WE NEED ONLY TO REPEAT, ABSURDITY![23]
§48
上帝关于这个问题的真理本身是连贯而和谐一致的，且与一切的神圣真理和谐一致。预言之灵由于人类的堕落和与上帝可见的同在隔绝而成为必要的。这种必要性并没有因过去体制的改变而消除。而且没有什么体制比基督教时代更需要圣灵的恩赐；在人类与上帝可见的临格长期隔绝的历史中，也没有什么时候比在末后日子的狂风暴雨中更需要这些恩赐。然而当救赎主来到时，斗争就结束了，圣徒得到安息，他们都成为不朽坏的，与天使在宝座周围相见，并且面对面见到上帝和羔羊的荣耀，那时预言之灵要被算为上天以往所赐上好的福气。[24]
§49
THE TRUTH OF GOD UPON THIS SUBJECT IS CONSISTENT AND HARMONIOUS WITH ITSELF, AND WITH ALL DIVINE TRUTH. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE FALL AND MANS SEPARATION FROM THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD, BECAME A NECESSITY. THIS NECESSITY HAS NOT BEEN OBVIATED BY ANY PAST CHANGE OF DISPENSATION. AND NO DISPENSATION NEEDS THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MORE THAN THE CHRISTIAN AGE; AND AT NO TIME IN THE LONG PERIOD OF MANS SEPARATION FROM GODS VISIBLE PRESENCE, HAVE THEY BEEN SO MUCH NEEDED AS AMID THE PERILS OF THE RAGING TEMPESTS OF THE LAST DAYS. BUT WHEN THE REDEEMER SHALL COME, THE CONTROVERSY BE ENDED, THE SAINTS REST GIVEN, AND THEY, ALL IMMORTAL, MEET AROUND THE THRONE WITH ANGELS, AND FACE TO FACE BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE LAMB, THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY WILL BE NUMBERED AMONG HEAVENS CHOICEST BLESSINGS OF THE PAST.[24]