第09章 约翰在流亡中
§1
第09章 约翰在流亡中
§2
chap. 09 - John in Exile
§3
使徒们及其同工传扬福音的奇妙成效，增添了基督仇敌的仇恨。他们千方百计拦阻圣工的进展，最后争取了罗马皇帝的权势来对付基督徒。接着发生可怕的逼迫。许多基督徒遇害。这时使徒约翰已经年纪老迈，但他仍然非常热心和有效地继续传扬基督的道理。他所作的见证，带着他的仇敌无法抵挡的能力，这能力也大大鼓励他的弟兄们。{SL 70.1}[1]
§4
The wonderful success which attended the preaching of the gospel by the apostles and their fellow laborers increased the hatred of the enemies of Christ. They made every effort to hinder its progress, and finally succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the Christians. A terrible persecution ensued, in which many of the followers of Christ were put to death. The apostle John was now an aged man, but with great zeal and success he continued to preach the doctrine of Christ. He had a testimony of power, which his adversaries could not controvert, and which greatly encouraged his brethren. {SL 70.1}[1]
§5
当基督徒的信心在被迫遭遇的猛烈反对下似乎发生动摇的时候，这位使徒就以极大的尊严、能力和口才反复宣称：“论到从起初原有的生命之道，就是我们所听见、所看见、亲眼看过、亲手摸过的，……我们将所看见，所听见的，传给你们，使你们与我们相交，我们乃是与父，并祂儿子耶稣基督相交的”（约壹1:1-3）。{SL 70.2}[2]
§6
When the faith of the Christians would seem to waver under the fierce opposition they were forced to meet, the apostle would repeat, with great dignity, power, and eloquence, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-3). {SL 70.2}[2]
§7
约翰不屈不挠地忠于基督的事业，招致了最苦毒的仇恨。他是那些曾与救主亲密交接的门徒之中仅存的一人。他的仇敌决心止息他的见证。他们以为做到了这一点，基督的道理就不会传播；若施以严厉的手段，很快就会将它消灭。因此约翰被传到罗马为他的信仰受审。他所传的道理被人歪曲。假证人控告他煽动民众，公开教导倾覆国家的理论。{SL 70.3}[3]
§8
The bitterest hatred was kindled against John for his unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ. He was the last survivor of the disciples who are intimately connected with Jesus, and his enemies decided that his testimony must be silenced. If this could be accomplished, they thought the doctrine of Christ would not spread; and if treated with severity, it might soon die out of the world. John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith. His doctrines were misstated. False witnesses accused him as a seditious person, publicly teaching theories which would subvert the nation. {SL 70.3}[3]
§9
使徒以清楚和服人的态度为自己的信仰申辩。他那简明率直的言词发挥了有力的影响。听他的人无不因他的智慧和口才而惊异。但他的见证越有力，反对真理之人的仇恨却越毒辣。皇帝非常震怒，就亵渎上帝与基督的圣名。他既不能反驳使徒所提出的论据，又不能反对约翰所讲真理的能力；但他还是决意要止息这位忠心维护真理者的声音。 {SL 71.1}[4]
§10
The apostle presented his faith in a clear and convincing manner, with such simplicity and candor that his words had a powerful effect. His hearers were astonished at his wisdom and eloquence. But the more convincing his testimony, the deeper the hatred of those who opposed the truth. The emperor was filled with rage, and blasphemed the name of God and of Christ. He could not controvert the apostles reasoning or match the power which attended the utterance of truth, and he determined to silence its faithful advocate. {SL 71.1}[4]
§11
【上帝的见证人不会沉默】
§12
在这里我们可以看出，人心若顽固反对上帝的旨意，会刚硬到什么地步。教会的仇敌决心在民众面前维护自己的骄傲与权势。约翰告诉我们，由于皇帝的命令，他“为上帝的道并为给耶稣作的见证”（启1:9）被流放在拔摩岛上。可是基督的仇敌止息祂忠实见证人的企图完全失败了。使徒的声音从他流放之地发出，宣扬所传给世人最激动人心的真理，直到末时。{SL 71.2}[5]
§13
【Gods Witness Not Silenced】
§14
Here we see how hard the heart may become when obstinately set against the purposes of God. The foes of the church were determined to maintain their pride and power before the people. By the emperors decree, John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, condemned, as he tells us, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). But the enemies of Christ utterly failed in their purpose to silence His faithful witness. From his place of exile comes the apostles voice, reaching even to the end of time, proclaiming the most thrilling truths ever presented to mortals. {SL 71.2}[5]
§15
拔摩岛乃是爱琴海中一个荒芜多岩的海岛，为罗马政府放逐囚犯之处；但这个凄凉的地方在上帝的仆人却成了天国的门户。他被迫离开了忙碌的生活环境，停止了传道者积极的工作，但他没有失去上帝的同在。约翰在他孤寂的住处，能与万王之王交往，非常仔细地研究上帝在自然的课本和圣经的篇幅中所显现的能力。在他，默想创造的大工，敬拜神圣的“工师”，乃是一种喜乐。他在过去的岁月中，眼目所接触的尽是长满树木的山头，青翠欲滴的峡谷，和结果累累的平原。他总是欢喜在大自然的美丽中探究创造主的智慧和技巧。如今，他周围的景色在许多人看来乃是忧郁凄凉的；但对于约翰却不是这样。在荒芜崎岖的岩石间，在奥妙莫测的深渊中，在光耀的穹苍中，他都学到了重要的教训。在他看来，这一切都带有上帝权能的印记并宣扬祂的荣耀。{SL 72.1}[6]
§16
Patmos, a barren rocky island in the Aegean Sea, had been chosen by the Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals. But to the servant of God this gloomy abode proved to be the gate of heaven. He was shut away from the busy scenes of life and from active labor as an evangelist, but he was not excluded from the presence of God. In his desolate home he could commune with the King of kings and study more closely the manifestations of divine power in the book of nature and the pages of inspiration. He delighted to meditate upon the great work of creation and to adore the power of the Divine Architect. In former years his eyes had been greeted with the sight of wood-covered hills, green valleys, and fruitful plains; and in all the beauties of nature he had delighted to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator. He was now surrounded with scenes that to many would appear gloomy and uninteresting. But to John it was otherwise. He could read the most important lessons in the wild, desolate rocks, the mysteries of the great deep, and the glories of the firmament. To him all bore the impress of Gods power and declared His glory. {SL 72.1}[6]
§17
【大自然的声音】
§18
世人因大胆违犯上帝的律法，曾招致洪水泛滥大地。使徒在周围看见了洪水的证据。因大渊的泉源裂开而从深海和地下冲出来的巨石，形象地向他的心显明上帝的可怕忿怒倾降时所引起的恐惧。{SL 72.2}[7]
§19
【The Voice of Nature】
§20
The apostle beheld around him the witnesses of the Flood, which deluged the earth because the inhabitants ventured to transgress the law of God. The rocks, thrown up from the great deep and from the earth by the breaking forth of the waters, brought vividly to his mind the terrors of that awful outpouring of Gods wrath. {SL 72.2}[7]
§21
他的环境虽然荒凉颓废，但孤寂的拔摩岛上头蔚蓝的穹苍与他所爱的耶路撒冷的上空是一样光明美丽的。世人只要在夜间观看诸天的荣耀，注意天上的万象所显示上帝大能的作为，他就会学到有关创造主伟大和他自己渺小的教训。世人若因财富，才能或个人的魅力而骄傲自大，他就当在美丽的夜晚出去观看星空，在无穷的上帝面前学习怎样降卑他骄傲的心。{SL 73.1}[8]
§22
But while all that surrounded him below appeared desolate and barren, the blue heavens that bent above the apostle on lonely Patmos were as bright and beautiful as the skies above his own loved Jerusalem. Let man once look upon the glory of the heavens in the night season and mark the work of Gods power in the hosts thereof, and he is taught a lesson of the greatness of the Creator in contrast with his own littleness. If he has cherished pride and self-importance because of wealth, or talents, or personal attractions, let him go out in the beautiful night and look upon the starry heavens, and learn to humble his proud spirit in the presence of the Infinite One. {SL 73.1}[8]
§23
先知在众水的声音——深渊与深渊响应——中听到创造主的声音。无情的风浪撞击在海洋之上，在他看来就代表被触犯了的上帝的忿怒。汹涌的狂涛大浪不得越过那看不见之手所划定的界限，向约翰说明无穷大能者管制深海的权威。同时，约翰也看出必死之人的软弱和愚妄。他们虽然不过是尘土中的蜉蝣，却以为自己满有智慧，大有力量，因而自豪。他们竟敢反抗宇宙的主宰，好像上帝“恰和他们一样”。世人的骄傲是何等盲目无知！上帝在一小时内藉着阳光和雨露所赐的福惠，能改变大自然的面目，超过世人凭着他所矜夸的智慧和不懈的努力一辈子所能成就的。{SL 73.2}[9]
§24
In the voice of many waters--deep calling unto deep--the prophet heard the voice of the Creator. The sea, lashed to fury by the merciless winds, represented to him the wrath of an offended God. The mighty waves, in their most terrible commotion restrained within the limits appointed by an invisible hand, spoke to John of an infinite power controlling the deep. And in contrast he saw and felt the folly of feeble mortals, but worms of the dust, who glory in their wisdom and strength and set their hearts against the Ruler of the universe, as though God were altogether such a one as themselves. How blind and senseless is human pride! One hour of Gods blessing in the sunshine and rain upon the earth will do more to change the face of nature than man with all his boasted knowledge and persevering efforts can accomplish during a lifetime. {SL 73.2}[9]
§25
这位流亡的先知在他荒岛的住所周围看见了上帝大能的彰显，又在自然界的作品中与他的上帝交往。心灵对上帝最热切的渴望和最诚恳的祈祷，从怪石嶙峋的拔摩岛升上高天。约翰看见那些石头，就想起基督。主是他力量的磐石。他可以在磐石荫下安然无惧地藏身。{SL 74.1}[10]
§26
In the surroundings of his island home the exiled prophet read the manifestations of divine power, and in all the works of nature held communion with his God. The most ardent longing of the soul after God, the most fervent prayers, went up to heaven from rocky Patmos. As John looked upon the rocks, he was reminded of Christ, the rock of his strength, in whose shelter he could hide without a fear. {SL 74.1}[10]
§27
【遵守安息日的人】
§28
约翰所提到的“主日”乃是安息日，就是耶和华完成创造大工后休息的日子。上帝赐福给第七日，定为圣日，因为祂在这一天安息。约翰在拔摩岛上守安息日为圣日，正如他在民间自由传道时一样。他周围荒芜的石头，使他想起多石的何烈山，以及上帝在那里向祂的子民颁布祂的律法时的情形，祂说：“当记念安息日，守为圣日”（出20:8）。{SL 74.2}[11]
§29
【A Sabbathkeeper】
§30
The Lords day mentioned by John was the Sabbath, the day on which Jehovah rested after the great work of creation, and which He blessed and sanctified because He had rested upon it. The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John upon the Isle of Patmos as when he was among the people, preaching upon that day. By the barren rocks surrounding him, John was reminded of rocky Horeb, and how, when God spoke His law to the people there, He said, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). {SL 74.2}[11]
§31
上帝的儿子曾从山顶对摩西说话。上帝以岩石为祂的圣所。祂的殿宇是永恒的山岭。神圣的立法者降临在多石的山上，在百姓听得见的地方，颁布祂的律法，使他们感受到上帝的权能和荣耀显赫可畏的表现，以致不敢违背祂的诫命。上帝在山顶上的雷轰、闪电和密云中宣明祂的律法。祂的声音犹如极其嘹亮的号筒。耶和华的律法是不变的。祂书写律法的石版乃是坚固的岩石，象征着祂法则的不变性。多石的何烈山成为喜爱和敬重上帝律法之人的圣地。{SL 74.3}[12]
§32
The Son of God spoke to Moses from the mountain-top. God made the rocks His sanctuary. His temple was the everlasting hills. The Divine Legislator descended upon the rocky mountain to speak His law in the hearing of all the people, that they might be impressed by the grand and awful exhibition of His power and glory, and fear to transgress His commandments. God spoke His law amid thunders and lightnings and the thick cloud upon the top of the mountain, and His voice was as the voice of a trumpet exceeding loud. The law of Jehovah was unchangeable, and the tablets upon which He wrote that law were solid rock, signifying the immutability of His precepts. Rocky Horeb became a sacred place to all who loved and revered the law of God. {SL 74.3}[12]
§33
【独自与上帝同在】
§34
正当约翰思考何烈山的景象时，那位将第七日定为圣日的上帝的灵就降在他身上。他想到亚当违犯上帝律法的罪，和那次犯罪的可怕后果。上帝无限的大爱，赐下祂的爱子救赎沦丧的人类，真是太伟大了，是言语所无法表达的。他在书信中讲到了这爱，呼吁教会和世人关注。“你看父赐给我们是何等的慈爱，使我们得称为上帝的儿女，我们也真是祂的儿女。世人所以不认识我们，是因未曾认识祂”（约壹3:1）。上帝赐下祂的儿子为悖逆的人类受死，在约翰看来是一个奥秘。他万分诧异上天付出如此代价的救赎计划，竟被主为之付出无限牺牲的世人所拒绝。{SL 75.1}[13]
§35
【Shut in With God】
§36
While John was contemplating the scenes of Horeb, the Spirit of Him who sanctified the seventh day came upon him. He contemplated the sin of Adam in transgressing the divine law, and the fearful result of that transgression. The infinite love of God, in giving His Son to redeem a lost race, seemed too great for language to express. As he presents it in his epistle he calls upon the church and the world to behold it. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not (1 John 3:1). It was a mystery to John that God could give His Son to die for rebellious man. And he was lost in amazement that the plan of salvation, devised at such a cost to Heaven, should be refused by those for whom the infinite sacrifice had been made. {SL 75.1}[13]
§37
约翰独自与上帝同在。当他通过创造之工更多地了解上帝的品德时，他对上帝的崇敬也就随之而增长。他经常问自己，为什么完全依赖上帝的世人，竟不肯藉着甘心顺服而与祂和好呢？祂的智慧广大无边；祂的权柄无限无量。祂管辖穹苍和无数星球。祂保守祂所创造壮丽美妙的万物完全和谐。违背上帝的律法就是罪。罪的工价乃是死。罪恶若是没有入侵，天上或地上就不会有不和谐。违背上帝的律法，带来了祂所创造之物所有的祸患。世人为什么不肯与上帝和好呢？{SL 75.2}[14]
§38
John was shut in with God. As he learned more of the divine character through the works of creation, his reverence for God increased. He often asked himself, Why do not men, who are wholly dependent upon God, seek to be at peace with Him by willing obedience? He is infinite in wisdom, and there is no limit to His power. He controls the heavens with their numberless worlds. He preserves in perfect harmony the grandeur and beauty of the things which He has created. Sin is the transgression of Gods law, and the penalty of sin is death. There would have been no discord in heaven or in the earth if sin had never entered. Disobedience to Gods law has brought all the misery that has existed among His creatures. Why will not men be reconciled to God? {SL 75.2}[14]
§39
得罪上帝，凭世人刚愎的意志与他创造主的旨意作对，这决非小事。即使是在这个世界上，遵守上帝的诫命也对人类有最大的好处。顺服上帝并与祂和好，无疑符合他们永久的福利。田间的走兽，顺服在本能中管理它们的创造主的律法。祂向狂傲的海洋说：“你只可到这里，不可越过，你狂傲的浪要到此止住”（伯38:11）。众水立即听从祂的命令。星辰井然有序，服从上帝所设立的律法。上帝在地上所创造的生物中，惟有人类悖逆祂。然而人却赋有思维的能力，能理解上帝律法的要求，并具有良知，可以感受违法的愧疚和顺从的快乐与平安。上帝创造的人具有自由的意志，可以顺从或不顺从。永生的赏赐——极重无比永远的荣耀，已应许赐给凡遵行上帝旨意的人。而祂忿怒的警告，则悬在违抗祂律法之人的上方。{SL 76.1}[15]
§40
It is no light matter to sin against God, to set the perverse will of man in opposition to the will of his Maker. It is for the best interest of men, even in this world, to obey Gods commandments. And it is surely for their eternal interest to submit to God, and be at peace with Him. The beasts of the field obey their Creators law in the instinct which governs them. He speaks to the proud ocean, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further (Job 38:11); and the waters are prompt to obey His word. The planets are marshaled in perfect order, obeying the laws which God has established. Of all the creatures that God has made upon the earth, man alone is rebellious. Yet he possesses reasoning powers to understand the claims of the divine law and a conscience to feel the guilt of transgression and the peace and joy of obedience. God made him a free moral agent, to obey or disobey. The reward of everlasting life--an eternal weight of glory--is promised to those who do Gods will, while the threatenings of His wrath hang over all who defy His law. {SL 76.1}[15]
§41
【上帝的威严】
§42
当约翰默想上帝的作为所显示祂的荣耀时，便深为创造主的伟大与威严所感动。如果这渺小世界上的人都拒绝顺服上帝，祂仍然不缺乏祂的荣耀。祂能在倾刻之间消灭世上所有的人，创造出新的人类，住在地上荣耀祂的名。上帝的尊荣不依赖世人。祂可以命令天上的众星和数以百万计的诸世界歌唱，将尊贵、赞美与荣耀归于他们的创造主。“耶和华啊，诸天要称赞祢的奇事，在圣者的会中，要称赞祢的信实。在天空谁能比耶和华呢？上帝的众子中，谁能象耶和华呢？祂在圣者的会中，是大有威严的上帝，比一切在祂四围的更可畏惧”（诗89:5-7）。{SL 76.2}[16]
§43
【The Majesty of God】
§44
As John meditated upon the glory of God displayed in His works, he was overwhelmed with the greatness and majesty of the Creator. Should all the inhabitants of this little world refuse obedience to God, He would not be left without glory. He could sweep every mortal from the face of the earth in a moment, and create a new race to people it and glorify His name. God is not dependent on man for honor. He could marshal the starry hosts of heaven, the millions of worlds above, to raise a song of honor and praise and glory to their Creator. The heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (Psalm 89:5-7). {SL 76.2}[16]
§45
【基督的异象】
§46
约翰回忆他在基督的生平中所看见的奇妙事件。他在想象中再度享受他从前所获的宝贵机会，大得安慰。忽然他的思路被打断。他听见了清楚的说话声。于是他转过身来要探明声音的来源，不料却看见了他的主，就是他所爱的并曾与他同行共话的主，也是他所目睹在十字架上受苦的主。但救主的面貌发生了何等大的变化啊！祂不再是“多受痛苦，常经忧患”的那一位（赛53:3）。祂没有带着屈辱的痕迹。祂的眼目如同火焰。祂的脚好像在炉中锻炼光明的铜。祂的声音如同众水的声音。祂的脸面发光，如同正午的太阳。祂的手中拿着七星，代表各教会的传道人。从祂的口中出来一把两刃的利剑，象征祂话语的能力。{SL 77.1}[17]
§47
【A Vision of Christ】
§48
John calls to remembrance the wonderful incidents that he has witnessed in the life of Christ. In imagination he again enjoys the precious opportunities with which he was once favored, and is greatly comforted. Suddenly his meditation is broken in upon; he is addressed in tones distinct and clear. He turns to see from whence the voice proceeds, and, lo! he beholds his Lord, whom he has loved, with whom he has walked and talked, and whose sufferings upon the cross he has witnessed. But how changed is the Saviours appearance! He is no longer a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He bears no marks of His humiliation. His eyes are like a flame of fire; His feet like fine brass, as it glows in a furnace. The tones of His voice are like the musical sound of many waters. His countenance shines like the sun in its meridian glory. In His hand are seven stars, representing the ministers of the churches. Out of His mouth issues a sharp, two-edged sword, an emblem of the power of His word. {SL 77.1}[17]
§49
约翰深爱他的主。面对监禁、鞭挞和死亡的威胁，他始终坚定地持守真理。但他现在受不了基督临格的辉煌荣光，就扑倒在地，象死了一般。耶稣按手在祂扑倒的仆人身上说：“不要惧怕，我是首先的，我是末后的，又是那存活的，我曾死过，现在又活了，直活到永永远远”（启1:17，18）。约翰获得力量，存活在他荣耀的主面前，随后有圣洁的异象在他眼前展开，显示了上帝对于将来世代的旨意。他看见了天家一切可爱的景象，还获准瞻仰上帝的宝座，观看身穿白衣的赎民大军。他听见天使的音乐，和那些藉着羔羊的血与自己所见证的道而得胜者的凯歌。{SL 78.1}[18]
§50
John, who has so loved his Lord, and who has steadfastly adhered to the truth in the face of imprisonment, stripes, and threatened death, cannot endure the excellent glory of Christs presence, and falls to the earth as one stricken dead. Jesus then lays His hand upon the prostrate form of His servant, saying, Fear not; ... I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore (Revelation 1:17, 18). John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord, and then were presented before him in holy vision the purposes of God for future ages. The glorious attractions of the heavenly home were made known to him. He was permitted to look upon the throne of God, and to behold the white-robed throng of redeemed ones. He heard the music of heavenly angels, and the songs of triumph from those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. {SL 78.1}[18]
§51
【约翰的谦卑】
§52
给予蒙爱的门徒约翰的崇高特权很少给予其他世人。他已经与基督的品格深为同化，在心中没有任何骄傲的余地。他的谦卑不只是在口头上的，而是一种美德，象一件穿在身上的衣服。他时常设法掩盖自己的义行，避免使注意力转到他自己身上的任何事物。约翰在他所写的福音书中提到耶稣所爱的门徒，但并没有说受此殊荣的就是他自己。他的行事为人毫无自私自利。他在日常的生活中言传身教最完全的爱心。他高度重视存在于血缘关系和基督徒弟兄间的爱。他提出并强调这种爱是耶稣门徒的重要特性。否则自称信奉基督是毫无意义的。{SL 78.2}[19]
§53
【Johns Humility】
§54
To the beloved disciple were granted such exalted privileges as have rarely been vouchsafed to mortals. Yet so closely had he become assimilated to the character of Christ that pride found no place in his heart. His humility did not consist in a mere profession; it was a grace that clothed him as naturally as a garment. He ever sought to conceal his own righteous acts and to avoid everything that would seem to attract attention to himself. In his Gospel, John mentions the disciple whom Jesus loved, but conceals the fact that the one thus honored was himself. His course was devoid of selfishness. In his daily life he taught and practiced charity in the fullest sense. He had a high sense of the love that should exist among natural brothers and Christian brethren. He presents and urges this love as an essential characteristic of the followers of Jesus. Destitute of this, all pretensions to the Christian name are vain. {SL 78.2}[19]
§55
约翰是一个提倡实际圣洁的教师。他为基督徒的行为立下了毫无错误的规则。他们必须心思清洁，品行端方。他们决不应满足于空虚的信仰表白。他以明确的语言宣布，基督徒必须基督化。{SL 79.1}[20]
§56
John was a teacher of practical holiness. He presents unerring rules for the conduct of Christians. They must be pure in heart and correct in manners. In no case should they be satisfied with an empty profession. He declares in unmistakable terms that to be a Christian is to be Christlike. {SL 79.1}[20]
§57
约翰的一生认真努力地顺从上帝的旨意。这位使徒紧密地跟随他的救主，深刻认识基督的纯全和高尚的圣洁。相比之下，他自己的品格则显得极其残缺不全。当耶稣带着祂得了荣耀的形体向约翰显现的时候，约翰只要一看，就会扑倒象死人一样。凡充分认识他们主的人，也会有同样的感觉。他们越深入地思考耶稣的生平和品格，就越感悟自己的罪，越不愿意自称心中圣洁或自夸成圣。{SL 79.2}[21]
§58
The life of John was one of earnest effort to conform to the will of God. The apostle followed his Saviour so closely, and had such a sense of the purity and exalted holiness of Christ, that his own character appeared, in contrast, exceedingly defective. And when Jesus in His glorified body appeared to John, one glimpse was enough to cause him to fall down as one dead. Such will ever be the feelings of those who know best their Lord and Master. The more closely they contemplate the life and character of Jesus, the more deeply will they feel their own sinfulness, and the less will they be disposed to claim holiness of heart or to boast of their sanctification. {SL 79.2}[21]