第12章 上帝尊荣谦卑的人
§1
第十二章 上帝尊荣谦卑的人
§2
Chapter 12—God Honors the Humble
§3
那些收获了宗教改革运动之丰富福惠的人，并没有在路德所如此勇敢开辟的道路上继续挺进。少数忠心的人相继起来宣扬新的真理并揭发人所习积已久的谬道，但大多数人象在基督时代的犹太教徒或路德时代的罗马教徒一样，以相信他们祖先所信的，并以祖先的生活方式为满足。故此宗教又退化而陷于形式主义；而且人们还保守了许多谬论与迷信。他们如果继续行走在上帝圣言的光照之下，早就能放弃这些谬论和迷信了。如此，宗教改革运动所灌输的精神渐渐熄灭了，直到各基督教会急需再行改革，如同象路德时代的罗马教会一样。他们表现同样属灵的麻痹症，同样的尊重人的意见，同样的贪恋世俗和以人的理论代替《圣经》的教训。骄傲与奢侈的精神在宗教的伪装之下滋长。各教会因与世界联合而腐败了。如此，路德和他的同工所劳碌牺牲去维护的伟大原则被人践踏了。{4SP 194.1}
§4
Those who received the great blessings of the Reformation did not go forward in the path so nobly entered upon by Luther. A few faithful men arose from time to time, to proclaim new truth, and expose long-cherished error; but the majority, like the Jews in Christ’s day, or the papists in the time of Luther, were content to believe as their fathers believed, and to live as they lived. Therefore religion again degenerated into formalism; and errors and superstitions which would have been cast aside had the church continued to walk in the light of God’s word, were retained and cherished. Thus the spirit inspired by the Reformation gradually died out, until there was almost as great need of reform in the Protestant churches as in the Roman Church in the time of Luther. There was the same spiritual stupor, the same respect for the opinions of men, the same spirit of worldliness, the same substitution of human theories for the teachings of God’s word. Pride and extravagance were fostered under the guise of religion. The churches became corrupted by allying themselves with the world. Thus were degraded the great principles for which Luther and his fellow-laborers had done and suffered so much. {4SP 194.1}
§5
撒但既看出他再不能用逼迫的方法扑灭真理，便又采用了当初引起大背道并成立罗马教会的妥协的办法。但这时撒但不是引诱基督徒与异教徒联合，乃是与那些崇拜这世界的神，以世俗为偶像的人联合。撒但不能再把持圣经，不准人读；因为它已经是人人可以得到的一本书了。但他使成千上万的人接受许多错谬的解释和不健全的理论，而不去亲自查考圣经，明白真理。撒但歪曲圣经的道理，于是那败坏千万人的遗传就根深蒂固了。教会一直高举并维护这些遗传，而没有“为从前一次交付圣徒的真道争辩。”{4SP 195.1}
§6
As Satan saw that he had failed to crush out the truth by persecution, he again resorted to the same plan of compromise which had led to the great apostasy and the formation of the church of Rome. He induced Christians to ally themselves, not now with pagans, but with those who, by their worship of the god of this world, as truly proved themselves idolaters. Satan could no longer keep the Bible from the people; it had been placed within the reach of all. But he led thousands to accept false interpretations and unsound theories, without searching the Scriptures to learn the truth for themselves. He had corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions which were to ruin millions were taking deep root. The church was upholding and defending these traditions, instead of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. {4SP 195.1}
§7
正当教会和世界对自己的实在情形和危险茫然无知的时候，他们却正迅速地面临到世界历史最严肃而重大的时期——人子显现的日子。耶稣向跟从祂的人指出这些兆头时，也曾预言末世存在的世俗化和背道状况，并且警告那些不肯摆脱冷淡安全感之人必有的结果说：“按名你是活的，其实是死的。”你“若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道”（启3:1,3）。{4SP 195.2}
§8
And while wholly unconscious of their condition and their peril, the church and the world were rapidly approaching the most solemn and momentous period of earth’s history,—the period of the revelation of the Son of man. Already had the signs which Christ himself had promised,—the sun clothed in darkness by day and the moon by night,—declared his coming near. When Jesus pointed his followers to these signs, he foretold also the existing state of worldliness and backsliding, and gave warning of the result to those who refused to arouse from their careless security: “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Revelation 3:1, 3.] {4SP 195.2}
§9
那从起初看到末后，并且默示众先知众使徒写下各教会和各国将来历史的主，即将完成另一番改革，与路德时代的改革相似。主兴起人研究祂的道，查检基督教界正在其上建造的根基，并且要提出严肃的质询：何为真理？我们是在那磐石上建造呢，还是在流沙上建造呢？{4SP 196.1}
§10
He who knows the end from the beginning, and who inspired prophets and apostles to write the future history of churches and of nations, was about to accomplish another reform similar to that of the days of Luther. The Lord raised up men to investigate his word, to examine the foundation upon which the Christian world were building, and to raise the solemn inquiry, What is truth? Are we building upon the rock, or upon shifting sand? {4SP 196.1}
§11
上帝看到许多自称祂子民的人并没有为永恒而建造；祂既关爱他们，就即将发出一道警告的信息，要唤醒他们摆脱昏迷的状态，预备他们迎见他们主的降临。这道警告不会委托给饱学的神学博士或受欢迎的福音传道人。如果这些人真是忠心的守望者，殷勤恳切地查考圣经，他们便要知道夜间的更次；但以理和约翰的预言也必把那快来的种种大事向他们显明了。如果他们忠心地遵从了已经赐给他们的亮光，某颗有天上光辉的星就会奉派引导他们进入一切的真理。{4SP 196.2}
§12
God saw that many of his professed people were not building for eternity; and in his care and love he was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor, and prepare them for the coming of their Lord. The warning was not to be intrusted to learned doctors of divinity or popular ministers of the gospel. Had these been faithful watchmen, diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known the time of night; the prophecies of Daniel and John would have revealed to them the great events about to take place. If they had faithfully followed the light already given, some star of heavenly radiance would have been sent to guide them into all truth. {4SP 196.2}
§13
在基督第一次降临的时候，耶路撒冷城中有许多祭司和文士。他们曾受托保管上帝的圣言，很可以明察时兆，并宣扬应许之主的降临。弥迦的预言已经指出主诞生的地点（弥5:2）。但以理也曾特别说明主降临的时期（但9:25）。上帝曾把这些预言委托给犹太的领袖。如果他们还是不明白，而又不向百姓宣告弥赛亚的降生已近在目前，那真是无可推诿的了。他们的无知乃是由于恶意的疏忽所致。{4SP 196.3}
§14
At the time of Christ’s first advent, the priests and scribes of the holy city, to whom were intrusted the oracles of God, should have discerned the signs of the times, and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. The prophecy of Micah designated his birthplace; [Micah 5:2.] Daniel specified the time of his advent. [Daniel 9:25.] God had committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; therefore they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiah’s coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect. {4SP 196.3}
§15
上帝并没有派祂的使者到王宫去，到哲人的聚所去，或到拉比的学校去，传达人类的救赎主即将在地上显现的事。那时候的犹太人一面为许多被杀的先知建造纪念碑，一面却在尊敬地上的伟人，也就是撒但的仆人。他们专心争夺人间的地位和权力，甚至于盲目看不出天上之君所乐意赐给他们的神圣光荣。{4SP 197.1}
§16
God did not send his messengers to the palaces of kings, to the assemblies of philosophers, or to the schools of the rabbis, to make known the wonderful fact that the Redeemer of men was about to appear upon the earth. The Jews were building monuments for the slain prophets of God, while by their deference to the great men of the earth they were paying homage to the servants of Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious strife for place and power among men, they lost sight of the divine honors proffered them by the King of Heaven. {4SP 197.1}
§17
以色列家的长老对于这个历史上最大的事件──上帝儿子降世来完成救赎人类的工作──的地点、时间和环境，原是应当用极深切而恭敬的兴趣去研究的！众人也应当在儆醒等候，以便争先欢迎这位世界的救赎主！可是你看那两个疲惫的旅客，从拿撒勒的山地下来，到了伯利恒，走遍那狭窄的街道，直到该镇的东头，也找不到一个安身过夜之所。没有人开门接待他们。他们最后找到的安身之处乃是一个圈养牲畜的破旧茅舍。世界的救主便在这里诞生了。{4SP 197.2}
§18
With what profound and reverent interest should the elders of Israel have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in the world’s history,—the coming of the Son of God to accomplish the redemption of man! Oh, why were not the people watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome the world’s Redeemer! But lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born. {4SP 197.2}
§19
众天使已经看见过这位上帝圣子在创世之前与上帝同享的荣耀。他们也曾深切注意地展望到救主降世的时候，并认明这件大事要为万民带来极大的喜乐。他们奉差遣去把这大喜的信息传给那些预备领受，也喜欢把这信息转告万民的人。基督已经虚己取了人的性质；祂要献上己身作为赎罪祭，并担负人类祸患的无穷重担；但天使们还是希望这位至高者的儿子在屈辱之中，仍可在世人面前得到与祂品格相称的尊严与荣耀。世界各地的大人物是否要聚集在以色列的首都来欢迎祂的降生呢？众天使是否要将祂介绍给那些期待着的人呢？{4SP 197.3}
§20
Heavenly angels had seen the glory which the Son of God shared with the Father before the world was, and they had looked forward with intense interest to his appearance on earth as an event fraught with the greatest joy to all people. Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to those who were prepared to receive it, and who would joyfully make it known to the inhabitants of the earth. Christ has stooped to take upon himself man’s nature; he is to bear an infinite weight of woe as he shall make his soul an offering for sin; yet angels desire that even in his humiliation, the Son of the Highest may appear before men with a dignity and glory befitting his character. Will the great men of earth assemble at Israel’s capital to greet his coming? Will legions of angels present him to the expectant company? {4SP 197.3}
§21
有一位天使到地上来，要看一看谁是预备欢迎耶稣的。但他却看不出世人有什么迫切等待的举动。他听不到什么赞美和欢呼的声音庆祝弥赛亚降生日期的临近。这位天使在这蒙选之城和上帝历代显现的殿上徘徊了一时；然而在这样的场所中，也显出同样的冷淡状态。祭司们正在趾高气扬，满心骄傲的于圣殿中献上有玷污的祭物。法利赛人也正在向民众高谈阔论，或是在街头作夸大自矜的祈祷。没有什么现象足以表明人们在期待着基督，也没有人准备欢迎这生命之君。{4SP 198.1}
§22
An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome Jesus. But he can discern no tokens of expectancy. He hears no voice of praise and triumph that the period of the Messiah’s coming is at hand. The angel hovers for a time over the chosen city and the temple where the divine presence was manifested for ages; but even here is the same indifference. The priests, in their pomp and pride, are offering polluted sacrifices in the temple. The Pharisees are with loud voices addressing the people, or making boastful prayers at the corners of the streets. There is no evidence that Christ is expected, and no preparation for the Prince of life. {4SP 198.1}
§23
这位天使在惊奇之余想要回到天庭，去报告这令人非常羞愧的消息。正在此时，他发现了几个在夜间看守羊群的牧人。他们注视着满天星斗的穹苍，思想有关弥赛亚降世的预言，并盼望这世界的救赎主降临。这里有一班人是已经预备好了，可以接受天上的信息。这位天使便忽然向他们显现，宣布这大喜的信息。随后有天庭的荣耀照射在全平原之上。无数的天使显现了，好像这场欢乐是过于一位天使所能传扬的，众天使便同声唱出赞美的诗歌，也就是将来有一天万国得救的子民所要唱的歌：“在至高之处荣耀归于上帝，在地上平安归于祂所喜悦的人”（路2:14）。{4SP 198.2}
§24
In amazement the celestial messenger is about to return to Heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovers a group of shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, and, as they gaze into the starry heavens, are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to come to earth, and longing for the advent of the world’s Redeemer. Here is a company that can be trusted with the heavenly message. And suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared, declaring the good tidings of great joy. Celestial glory flooded all the plain, an innumerable company of angels were revealed, and as if the joy were too great for one messenger to bring from Heaven, a multitude of voices broke forth in the anthem which all the nations of the saved shall one day sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” {4SP 198.2}
§25
这段伯利恒的奇妙故事，对于我们有何等大的教训啊！它斥责我们的不信、骄傲和自满。它警告我们务要儆醒，免得我们因可怕的冷淡而也看不出现代的兆头，以致不知道自己蒙眷顾的日子。基督“将来要向那等候祂的人第二次显现，并与罪无关，乃是为拯救他们”（来9:28）。{4SP 199.1}
§26
Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our unbelief, our pride and self-sufficiency. How it warns us to beware, lest by our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times, and therefore know not the day of our visitation. It is “unto them that look for him” that Christ is to “appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” [Hebrews 9:28.] {4SP 199.1}
§27
耶稣传给祂的子民一道警告的信息，为要预备他们迎接祂的降临。祂使先知约翰知道了在救赎人类的大计中最后的工作。约翰看到一位天使飞“在空中，有永远的福音要传给住在地上的人，就是各国、各族、各方、各民。他大声说：应当敬畏上帝，将荣耀归给祂！因祂施行审判的时候已经到了。应当敬拜那创造天地海和众水泉源的”（启14:6, 7）。{4SP 199.2}
§28
Jesus sends his people a message of warning to prepare them for his coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan of man’s redemption. He beheld an angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” [Revelation 14:6, 7.] {4SP 199.2}
§29
预言中所描述传扬这道信息的天使，象征一班忠心的人，他们顺从上帝之灵的激励和祂圣言的教导，向地上的居民传扬这个警告。这个信息没有交给民间的宗教领袖们。他们既没有和上帝保持联络，又拒绝了从天而来的光亮；所以他们就不能列在使徒保罗所形容的那一等人之中：“弟兄们，你们却不在黑暗里，叫那日子临到你们象贼一样。你们都是光明之子，都是白昼之子，我们不是属黑夜的，也不是属幽暗的”（帖前5:4-5）。{4SP 199.3}
§30
The angel represented in prophecy as delivering this message, symbolizes a class of faithful men, who, obedient to the promptings of God’s Spirit and the teachings of his word, proclaim this warning to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had refused the light from Heaven; therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night nor of darkness.” [1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5.] {4SP 199.3}
§31
锡安城墙上的守望者按理应当最先得到救主降临的佳音，最先高声传扬主的临近，并且最先向民众发出警告，叫他们准备欢迎祂的降临。但他们却怡然自得地梦想着平安与稳妥，同时百姓也昏睡在自己的罪恶之中。耶稣看见祂的教会像不结果子的无花果树一样，长满虚伪的叶子，而没有结出宝贵的果子。对于宗教形式，他们作夸耀的遵守，但对于真正谦卑、悔改和守信的精神，就是那唯一能使人的服务蒙上帝悦纳的精神，他们却一无所有。他们不但没有显出圣灵的美德，反而显出骄傲、形式主义、虚荣、自私和欺压。一个冷淡退后的教会对于时代的兆头是闭着眼睛看不见的。上帝并没有撇弃他们，也没有对他们失信；乃是他们离开了上帝，并使自己与祂的爱隔绝了。他们既拒绝履行上帝的条件，上帝的应许也就不能为他们实现了。{4SP 200.1}
§32
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to catch the tidings of the Saviour’s advent, the first to lift their voices to proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw his church, like the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith—which alone could render the service acceptable to God—was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail; but they departed from him, and separated themselves from his love. As they refused to comply with the conditions, his promises were not fulfilled to them. {4SP 200.1}
§33
爱基督和相信祂降临的心渐渐冷淡了。这就是不看重和不善用上帝所赐的亮光与特权的必然结果。教会若不顺从上帝敞开天意的引导，接受每一线亮光，实践主所启示的每一个本分，则不免要堕落到徒具形式，而没有活泼敬虔之精神的地步。这种真理已经在教会历史中多次证实了。上帝要求祂的子民务要按所赐的恩典与特权，将信仰与顺从实践出来。顺从是包含牺牲和十字架；因此许多自称为基督徒的人就不肯接受从天而来的亮光，并像古时的犹太人一样，不知道自己蒙眷顾的时候（路19:44）。因为他们的骄傲和不信，上帝就越过他们，而把自己的真理启示给那些过着谦卑的生活、顺从所领受之一切亮光的人。{4SP 200.2}
§34
Love for Christ and faith in his coming waxed cold. Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. [Luke 19:44.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord passed them by, and revealed his truth to men in humble life, who had given heed to all the light they had received. {4SP 200.2}