第26章 邪灵的工作
§1
第二十六章 邪灵的工作
§2
Chapter 26—Agency of Evil Spirits
§3
新旧约圣经均充分确认撒但和邪灵的存在。从亚当的日子到摩西，经过一代又一代，一直到最后的福音书作者约翰，都认定撒但是一个活跃而有位格的生灵，是罪恶的创始者，是上帝和人类的仇敌。人的想象和迷信确实为上述事实增添了自己的色彩，将之与异教国家，犹太人，甚至基督教国家的神话和传说联系在一起。然而根据圣经的记载，这些事实是非常严肃和重要的。看得见与看不见之世界的联系，上帝使者的服务和恶使者的工作，是与人类的历史不可分割地交织在一起的。圣经告诉我们，以煽动叛乱的路锡甫为领袖的天使如何从纯洁的状态堕落，他们的同盟和政权，他们不同的等次，他们的聪明与狡猾，以及他们破坏人间和平与幸福的阴谋；告诉我们，有一位比堕落的仇敌更有能力。因着祂的权威，撒但的能力受到局限和抑制；还告诉我们为罪恶的创始者所预备的惩罚。{4SP 331.1}
§4
The existence of Satan and the agency of evil spirits are facts fully established by both the Old and the New Testament. From the days of Adam to Moses, and through all the succeeding ages to John, the latest gospel writer, Satan is recognized as an active, personal agent, the originator of evil, the enemy of God and man. It is true that imagination and superstition have given their own coloring to these facts, and have linked them with legends and traditions of heathen, Jewish, and even Christian nations; but as revealed in the word of God they are of the utmost solemnity and importance. The connection of the visible with the invisible world, the ministration of angels of God, and the agency of evil angels, are inseparably interwoven with human history. We are told of the fall of the angels from their purity, of Lucifer their leader, the instigator of rebellion, of their confederacy and government, of their various orders, of their great intelligence and subtlety, and of their malicious designs against the innocence and happiness of men. We are told of One mightier than the fallen foe,—One by whose authority Satan’s power is limited and controlled; and we are told, also, of the punishment prepared for the originator of iniquity. {4SP 331.1}
§5
基督在世的日子，邪灵以最显著的方式表现自己能力。为什么这样呢？因为基督已经降临来实施救赎人类的计划，所以撒但便决心要行使自己统治全世界的权利。当时除了巴勒斯坦之外，他已经在世界各处很顺利地建立了拜偶像的制度。于是基督到这独一没有完全依从那试探者统治的地方，来将天上的光芒照耀那里的人。这里便有两个敌对的势力互相争雄了。耶稣在那里伸出慈爱的膀臂，邀请一切愿意的人来，在祂里面得到赦罪与平安。黑暗的大军明白，如果基督的使命成功的话，他们的统治就会立刻结束。于是撒但如同困兽一般，大肆狂怒，并放胆在人的身体和灵魂上逞凶。{4SP 332.1}
§6
During the time when Christ was upon the earth, evil spirits manifested their power in a most striking manner. And why was this?—Christ had come to enter upon the plan devised for man’s redemption, and Satan therefore determined to assert his right to control the world. He had succeeded in establishing idolatry in every part of the earth except the land of Palestine. To the only land that had not fully yielded to the tempter’s sway, Christ came to shed upon the people the light of Heaven. Here two rival powers claimed supremacy. Jesus was stretching out his arms of love, inviting all who would to find pardon and peace in him. The hosts of darkness understood that if his mission should be successful, their rule was soon to end. Satan raged like a chained lion, and defiantly exhibited his power over the bodies as well as the souls of men. {4SP 332.1}
§7
新约圣经清楚地记载鬼魔附在人身上的事。那些遭受这种残害的人，不仅是患了自然的病痛。基督很明了祂在对付的是什么，并且看出有邪灵亲自出动并直接作工。{4SP 332.2}
§8
The fact that men have been possessed with demons is clearly stated in the New Testament. The persons thus afflicted were not merely suffering with disease from natural causes. Christ had perfect understanding of that with which he was dealing, and he recognized the direct presence and agency of evil spirits. {4SP 332.2}
§9
圣经所记载基督医好那两个格拉森被鬼附着之人的经过，有力地说明邪灵的众多，力量和凶恶，同时也说明基督的能力和慈爱。那两个可怜的疯子不受任何约束，只知挣扎，吐沫咆哮，狂暴非常，使空中充满他们的喊叫声，同时他们还毁伤自己的身体并危害一切胆敢就近他们的人。他们那血迹斑斑，伤痕累累的身体和失了常态的意识，使黑暗之君甚为满意。附在他们身上的一个鬼魔说：“我名叫群，因为我们多的缘故”（可5:9）。在当时代的罗马军队中，一“群”（译者按：即“军团”）约有三千至五千人之多。撒但的军队也是编成队列的。这一伙鬼魔多达一个军团。{4SP 332.3}
§10
A striking example of their number, power, and malignity, and also of the power and mercy of Christ, is given in the Scripture account of the healing of the demoniacs at Gadara. Those wretched maniacs, spurning all restraint, writhing, foaming, raging, were filling the air with their cries, doing violence to themselves, and endangering all who should approach them. Their bleeding and disfigured bodies and distracted minds presented a spectacle well-pleasing to the prince of darkness. One of the demons controlling the sufferers declared, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” [Mark 5:9.] In the Roman army a legion consisted of from three to five thousand men. Satan’s hosts also are marshaled into companies, and the single company to which these demons belonged numbered no less than a legion. {4SP 333.3}
§11
一经耶稣吩咐，那些邪灵便离开了那两个被害者，让他们安静地坐在救主脚前。他们已经是驯服，清醒而温良的了。同时耶稣准许那些邪灵把一群猪赶到海里去。在格拉森的居民看来，这一个损失比基督所赐的福气远为重大，所以他们去求那位神圣的医师离开他们。这正是撒但所希望的结果。他把他们受损失的责任推到耶稣身上，藉此引起了民众自私的顾虑，不让他们听到耶稣的训言。撒但也经常这样把损失、不幸和受苦的事怪罪基督徒，而不让这责备落在应当落在的他自己和他的爪牙身上。{4SP 333.1}
§12
At the command of Jesus, the evil spirits departed from their victims, leaving them calmly sitting at the Saviour’s feet, subdued, intelligent, and gentle. But the demons were permitted to sweep a herd of swine into the sea; and to the dwellers of Gadara their loss outweighed the blessings which Christ had bestowed, and the divine Healer was entreated to depart. This was the result which Satan designed to secure. By casting the blame upon Jesus, he aroused the selfish fears of the people, and prevented them from listening to his words. Satan is constantly accusing Christians as the cause of loss, misfortune, and suffering, instead of allowing the reproach to fall where it belongs, upon himself and his agents. {4SP 333.1}
§13
但基督的旨意不受阻挠。祂让那些邪灵毁灭那一群猪，藉此责备那为财利而豢养这些不洁净动物从而违背上帝命令的犹太人。况且如果基督没有限制那些邪灵的话，他们就会把养猪的人和放猪的人一起扫入海中。养猪的人和放猪的人之所以幸存，完全是因为基督慈爱地施用了祂的能力来搭救他们。再者，基督准许这事发生，使门徒可以目睹撒但对于人类和兽类所行使的残酷能力。救主要这些跟从祂的人对他们所必须应付的仇敌有所认识，以便不致被他的诡计所迷惑而被他制服。基督也要那一带的居民看出他打破撒但的捆锁，并解救他俘虏的大能。耶稣本人虽然离开了那地，但那两个蒙祂神奇拯救的人却仍留在那里向人宣讲恩主的慈爱。{4SP 333.2}
§14
But the purposes of Christ were not thwarted. He allowed the evil spirits to destroy the herd of swine as a rebuke to those Jews, who, by raising these unclean beasts for the sake of gain, had transgressed the command of God. Had not Christ restrained the demons, they would have plunged into the sea, not only the swine, but also their keepers and owners. The preservation of both the keepers and the owners was due alone to his merciful interposition for their deliverance. Furthermore, this scene was permitted to take place that the disciples might witness the cruel power of Satan upon both man and beast. The Saviour desired his followers to have a knowledge of the foe whom they were to meet, that they might not be deceived and overcome by his devices. It was also his will that the people of that region should behold his power to break the bondage of Satan and release his captives. And though Jesus himself departed, the men so marvelously delivered, remained to declare the mercy of their Benefactor. {4SP 333.2}
§15
圣经中还记载其他一些类似的事件。那叙利亚腓尼基妇人的女儿曾被鬼附身，而耶稣的一句话就把鬼赶走了（见可7:26-30）。还有那“被鬼附着，又瞎又哑的人”（太12:22），和那被哑吧鬼附着的青年，屡次被鬼“把他扔在火里，水里，要灭他”（可9:17-27）；还有那搅扰迦百农会堂中安息日聚会的“被污鬼的精气附着”的疯子（路4:33-36），──这些人都被慈悲的救主医好了。基督几乎每一次都以恶魔为有思想有意识的对象同他讲话，并吩咐他从所害的人身上出来，不许再摧残他。在迦百农会堂敬拜的人看到基督的大能时“都惊讶，彼此对问说，这是什么道理呢？因为祂用权柄能力吩咐污鬼，污鬼就出来”（路4:36）。{4SP 334.1}
§16
Other instances of a similar nature are recorded in the Scriptures. The daughter of the Syrophenician woman was grievously vexed with a devil, whom Jesus cast out by his word. [Mark 7:26-30.] One “possessed with a devil, blind and dumb,” [Matthew 12:22.] a youth who had a dumb spirit, that ofttimes “cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him,” [Mark 9:17-27.] the maniac, who, tormented by “a spirit of an unclean devil,” [Luke 4:33-36.] disturbed the Sabbath quiet of the synagogue at Capernaum, were all healed by the compassionate Saviour. In nearly every instance, Christ addressed the demon as an intelligent entity, commanding him to come out of his victim and to torment him no more. The worshipers at Capernaum, beholding his mighty power, “were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” {4SP 334.1}
§17
一般说来，圣经所记载被鬼附的人是受着剧烈痛苦的，但也有一些例外。为要得着超自然的能力，有一些人还要欢迎撒但的势力。这等人自然就不会与邪灵发生什么矛盾了。古时具有占卜之灵的人，──行邪术的西门，行法术的以吕马和那在腓立比跟随着保罗和西拉的女孩子──都属于这一等的人。{4SP 334.2}
§18
Those possessed with devils are usually represented as being in a condition of great suffering; yet there were exceptions to this rule. For the sake of obtaining supernatural power, some welcomed the Satanic influence. These of course had no conflict with the demons. Of this class were those who possessed the spirit of divination,—Simon Magus, Elymas the sorcerer, and the damsel who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi. {4SP 334.2}
§19
那些抹煞圣经所提供坦白而充足的见证，不承认魔鬼和他使者的存在与工作的人，最容易受邪灵的危害。只要我们不晓得他们的诡计，他们就必占有几乎无限的优势。许多人在听从邪灵的建议时，还以为是在遂行自己的智慧呢。因此，当我们临近末期，就是撒但用他最大的能力迷惑并毁灭人的时候，他便要到处散布那种主张他根本不存在的看法。他的策略乃是要隐蔽自己和自己的工作方式。{4SP 335.1}
§20
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than are those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working. {4SP 335.1}
§21
那大骗子所最怕的就是被我们认出他的诡计。所以为要更好地伪装自己的真性质和用意起见，他叫人把他形容成一种只足以引人戏笑或轻视的怪物。他喜欢人把他描绘成一个四不像，或极为可憎，半人半兽的妖怪。他很喜欢听一些自作聪明通达的人用他的名字作为笑谈和讥刺的话柄。{4SP 335.2}
§22
There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices. The better to disguise his real character and purposes, he has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt. He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object, misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by those who consider themselves intelligent and well-informed. {4SP 335.2}
§23
正因撒但已经巧妙的伪装了自己，所以许多人要问：“这样的东西究竟是存在的吗？”一般宗教界既然是那么普遍地接受了一些否认圣经明文的学说，这就足以说明撒但在这方面所有的成功了。正因为撒但能很容易地控制那些没有意识到他的影响之人的思想，所以圣经才给我们提出那么多的例子来说明撒但恶毒的工作，藉此揭露他隐秘的力量，使我们可以提防他的进袭。{4SP 335.3}
§24
It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question is so widely asked, “Does such a being really exist?” It is an evidence of his success that theories giving the lie to the plainest testimony of the Scriptures are so generally received in the religious world. And it is because Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence that the word of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling before us his secret forces, and thus placing us on our guard against his assaults. {4SP 335.3}
§25
我们若不能在救赎主的卓越大能里面找到避身的所在和拯救，那么我们真该因撒但的能力和凶狠而惊慌了。我们时常很谨慎地用门闩和锁钥保守自己的住宅，使自己的生命财产不致受恶人侵犯。但我们很少想到那些经常在设法陷害我们的邪灵恶魔，何况我们对于他们的侵袭自己还没有任何的抵御方法呢！如果邪灵得到许可的话，他们很能打乱我们的思想，残害我们的身体，并毁灭我们的生命财产。他们唯一的乐趣就是使人类受痛苦，遭毁灭。可见那些抗拒上帝的旨意，并顺从撒但的试探，直到上帝任凭他们受邪灵控制之人的情况是何等可怕。但那些跟从基督的人既然受祂的看顾，就是永保安全的了。必有大能的天使奉命下来保护他们。那恶者决不能冲破上帝在祂子民四围所设置的保障。{4SP 336.1}
§26
The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan’s temptations until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under his watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from Heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about his people. {4SP 336.1}