1、关于我们在斯堪的纳维亚工作的呼吁
我们在斯堪的纳维亚的弟兄们陷入了困境，然而，虽然这可能在很大程度上是所犯错误的结果，我们现在却不应花时间去批评和抱怨;因为批评、报怨和责难不会使他们摆脱困境的压力。现在所需要的是真诚的同情和果断的帮助。现在我们每一个人都应当考虑我们处在麻烦中的弟兄们必须在这个困惑痛苦的时期得到帮助。{PH008 7.1}
既然天地之间有一种坚定的同情，既然上帝认为委派天使去为所有需要帮助的人效力是合宜的，我们就知道如果我们尽自己的本分，这些全能力量的天上代表就会奉派在这个特别需要的时候提供帮助。上帝会感动已蒙祂托付才能与资金的人承担起责任，并在这个时候帮助我们斯堪的纳维亚的弟兄们，使他们可以保存否则就必须被牺牲掉的财产。{PH008 7.2}
现在不是批评的时候。在这件事上我们的每一气息都要用来讲鼓励的话，一切行动力量都用要来帮助提拔人。如果那些有财力的人愿意奉献他们的钱财帮助在这个园地的工作，就会将主所赐给他们的怜悯与福气的一小部分归还给祂。祂所有的恩赐都托付给了我们，当祂需要用祂自己的东西来推进祂在地上的工作时就可以使用。那么我们岂不要做出坚定、有力、团结一致的努力，不是自私和不情愿地，而是愉快和毫无怨言地提供帮助吗?{PH008 8.1}
圣天使工作中的一部分就是拜访我们的世界，并监督主的管家们手中的工作。每当有亟需之际，他们都帮助那些与上帝同工，尽他们最大的能力，努力在地上成功地推进祂工作的人。这些天国的智者被描绘为极愿察看救赎的计划，而且每当上帝圣工的任何一个部门处在成功兴旺的状况时，天使天军都欢喜快乐。{PH008 8.2}
上帝已呼召人在救恩的工作上与祂同工;我们自己既是遭受试探和容易犯错的人，岂可责难其他如此不幸以致犯错的人呢?我们岂不应宁可变得如此被上帝的恩典所改变，以致对人的祸患能深表同情吗?这会使天庭喜乐;因为我们爱跌倒的弟兄就像上帝和基督爱我们一样，这表明我们与基督的性情有分。天使关怀那些设法在人身上恢复上帝道德形像之人的属灵福利;而且人间的家庭要与天上的家庭合作，缠裹罪恶所造成的伤口和青肿。{PH008 8.3}
天使虽然是看不见的，却与看得见的人类合作，与人组成一个救济机构。世人竟能作为看得见的工具，将天使的福惠传于人，这岂不是一种激励人鼓舞人的思想吗?我们既如此地与上帝同工，这工作就带有神圣的印记。全天庭以何等样的欢喜快乐注视着这些配合的感化力啊!这是天庭所承认的感化力啊!人类是天国媒介的手臂，因为天使用人的手从事实际的服务。他们无私的服务行动，使他们得以在所成就的救济工作上有分。这是上天施行拯救能力的方法。天上工作者的知识与行动，配合了所赋予地上工作者的知识与能力，就解救了被欺压与不幸的人。{PH008 9.1}
那些在撒但争取无上权势时在天庭参加战斗，并在上帝一方获得全胜的天使，那些在我们这个世界及我们要住在地上的始祖受造时一同欢呼的天使，那些眼见世人堕落被逐出伊甸家园的天使，都非常热切地关心与原来堕落而蒙救赎的世人合作同工，发展上帝所赐的能力，帮助每一位愿意与天使合作的人，寻找拯救在罪孽中行将灭亡的人。要是人们愿意变得与上帝的性情有分，使他们的生活摆脱自私，就会获得互相帮助的特殊才干。如果人人都愿意像基督那样去爱，将亡的人就会得救，免于灭亡，我们的世界就会发生何等大的改变啊!{PH008 9.2}
“我却要在你们中间留下困苦贫寒的民，他们必投靠我耶和华的名。以色列所剩下的人必不作罪孽，不说谎言，口中也没有诡诈的舌头;而且吃喝躺卧，无人惊吓。锡安的民哪，应当歌唱!以色列啊，应当欢呼!耶路撒冷的民哪，应当满心欢喜快乐!耶和华已经除去你的刑罚，赶出你的仇敌。以色列的王耶和华在你中间，你必不再惧怕灾祸。当那日，必有话向耶路撒冷说：‘不要惧怕!锡安哪，不要手软。耶和华你的上帝是施行拯救，大有能力的主。祂在你中间必因你欢欣喜乐，默然爱你，且因你喜乐而欢呼”(番3:12-17)。这是何等的陈述啊!我们能领会它的意思吗?{PH008 10.1}
“那些属你、为无大会愁烦、因你担当羞辱的，我必聚集他们。那时，我必罚办一切苦待你的人，又拯救你瘸腿的，聚集你被赶出的。那些在全地受羞辱的，我必使他们得称赞，有名声。那时，我必领你们进来，聚集你们。我使你们被掳之人归回的时候，就必使你们在地上的万民中有名声，得称赞。这是耶和华说的”(18-20节)。再阅读《哈该书》第一章。{PH008 10.2}
凡认识到主来临的日子已近的人，都宜于表现出他们的信心。当我们看到上帝的一个机构衰弱或处在危险中时，那些尽心尽性从事工作的人就应当表现出他们的关心。我们若是愿意与天上的生灵有一样的心思意念，就能被他们支使。当世人作为上帝的管家，愿意联合起来拿出主自己的物资，用来减轻祂机构的负担时，主就必与他们合作。{PH008 11.1}
“那与我说话的天使又来叫醒我，好像人睡觉被唤醒一样。他问我说：‘你看见了什么?’我说：‘我看见了一个纯金的灯台，顶上有灯盏，灯台上有七盏灯，每盏有七个管子。旁边有两棵橄榄树，一棵在灯盏的右边，一棵在灯盏的左边。’我问与我说话的天使说：‘主啊，这是什么意思?’与我说话的天使回答我说：‘你不知道这是什么意思吗?’我说：‘主啊，我不知道。’他对我说：‘这是耶和华指示所罗巴伯的。万军之耶和华说：不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事。大山哪，你算什么呢?在所罗巴伯面前，你必成为平地。他必搬出一块石头，安在殿顶上。人且大声欢呼说：愿恩惠恩惠归与这殿!’耶和华的话又临到我说：‘所罗巴伯的手立了这殿的根基，他的手也必完成这工。你就知道万军之耶和华差遣我到你们这里来了。谁藐视这日的事为小呢?这七眼乃是耶和华的眼睛，遍察全地。见所罗巴伯手拿线铊，就欢喜。’我又问天使说：‘这灯台左右的两棵橄榄树是什么意思?’我二次问他说：‘这两根橄榄枝在两个流出金色油的金嘴旁边是什么意思?’他对我说：‘你不知道这是什么意思吗?’我说：‘主啊，我不知道。’他说：‘这是两个受膏者，站在普天下主的旁边’”(亚4:1-14)。{PH008 11.2}
人们被要求从天上的机构那里接受，以便他们能够传授。无论何时，上帝任何一个机构的管理者们若向姐妹机构的迫切需要关闭心门，不肯尽努力解救他们，自私地说：“让他们受苦吧。”上帝就会记下他们的无情，到时他们自己也会经历同样的屈辱。可是弟兄们，你们不是有意这样做的，我知道你们不是。{PH008 12.1}
当上帝的一个机构，正在从事祂的工作，因其管理人员缺乏判断力而陷入衰败时，那些处于更繁荣状态的机构，就应尽其最大的能力，将这残废的机构扶起来，使上帝的名不致受羞辱。我们在欧州推进圣工的一切设施都是需要的;每一个机构都应健康地、欣欣向荣地屹立在不敬虔的世界面前。不要让那些正在为负责圣工的人效力的天使看见上帝的工人灰心。我们因耽搁已增加了不少困难，以致恢复工作将需要更大的辛劳和开支。我们奉主的名要求有钱财的上帝子民要兴起，认识到上帝是他们所有财产的业主，并且证明自己是忠心的管家。要补救对推进圣工必不可少的机构，使祂的子民不致灰心丧胆，祂的工作不致衰弱无力。{PH008 13.1}
“耶和华的话又临到撒迦利亚说：‘万军之耶和华如此说：要按至理判断，各人以慈爱怜悯弟兄。不可欺压寡妇、孤儿、寄居的和贫穷人，谁都不可心里谋害弟兄’”(亚7:8-10)。这就是主的话。{PH008 13.2}
我无法设想这章的结尾部分会成为你们的经历：“他们却不肯听从，扭转肩头，塞耳不听，使心硬如金刚石，不听律法和万军之耶和华用灵藉从前的先知所说的话。故此，万军之耶和华大发烈怒。万军之耶和华说：我曾呼唤他们，他们不听;将来他们呼求我，我也不听。我必以旋风吹散他们到素不认识的万国中。这样，他们的地就荒凉，甚至无人来往经过，因为他们使美好之地荒凉了”(亚7:11-14)。{PH008 13.3}
不要说责难的话。不要责备这个人或那个人。事实是现在需要的帮助是所有的人都可以提供的，要补好已形成的缺口。要高高兴兴地做，大大方方地做。要来帮助耶和华，来帮助耶和华攻击勇士。马上赎回处在非常危险中的机构。要是人人都愿意抱着兴趣提供帮助，挽回这个负着重债的机构，就能成就这事;而在这么做时，主的福气就必临到你们身上。这是可以做成的;要奉主的名把握它。人人都应勇敢、愉快、喜乐地作工，这种工作在凡把握它并成功地推进它之人经验中会证明是一大福气。{PH008 14.1}
在欧洲有一项大工要做。全天庭不仅关注我们附近需要帮助的地区，也关注遥远的地区。天国的全部居民都在积极工作，为堕落的世界服务。他们深切而热诚地关注着人类，就是这个世界堕落居民的得救。这些天上的生灵正在警醒等候人被他们处在困惑、考验、悲伤和痛苦中的同胞深深感动。世人蒙召作为帮手，要利用天使的知识，运用天使的能力。藉着与这些无所不能的力量联合，我们便因他们更高尚的教育与经验而获得益处。主所托付的才干，若用于从事所委托给祂各机构的工作，使他们能再次独立，就会很有效验。全天庭都在关注着这些有如手臂的工具成就上帝在地上的目的，从而实现天上上帝的旨意。这样的合作完成了将尊贵，荣耀，与威严归于上帝的工作。{PH008 14.2}
有一项大工要为在斯堪的纳维亚的人做成。任何人的手都不要发软或瘫痪。你们有天使是你们的帮助者的保证。他们的家在永生上帝的亭子里，他们在上帝面前，得见上帝的荣耀。你们愿意与他们合作，建造每一个在服役的天使的监管下侍奉上帝的机构吗?{PH008 15.1}
谁能够明白人类灵魂的价值呢?为了他们，他们的大君、他们的王、无穷上帝的儿子，舍了祂无瑕无疵的生命，受了耻辱的死亡，以便拯救凡相信祂的人。如果所有的人都对这件事有应有的理解，他们手中就会成就何等的工作，以最认真、恒切的努力进到前所未有的深度啊，因为藉着圣灵的运行，他们就会用自己言语的感化力和钱财，引领许多人逃离黑暗的锁链和撒但邪恶的阴谋，并在羔羊的血中洗净自己的罪。哦，要让工作进行得深而又深!天国的使者欢喜看到罪人悔改并转向永生的上帝。“你们不是自己的人;因为你们是重价买来的。所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”(林前6:19,20)。{PH008 15.2}
怀爱伦
加利福尼亚州圣赫勒那
1900年11月20日
PH008 - An Appeal in Behalf of Our Work in Scandinavia
Our brethren in Scandinavia are brought into a strait place, but, though this may have been largely the result of mistakes that have been made, let us not now devote time to criticism and complaints; for criticism and complaints and censure will not bring them through the pressure of the strait place. That which is needed now is genuine sympathy and decided help. We should now individually consider that our brethren who are in trouble must be helped just now in this time of perplexity and distress.?{PH008 7.1}[1]
As there is a decided sympathy between heaven and earth, and as God sees fit to delegate angels to minister unto all who are in need of help, we know that when we do our part, these heavenly?representatives of omnipotent power will be commissioned to help in this time of special need. God will impress men to whom he has entrusted capabilities and talents of means, to take on the burden of responsibility, and at this time help our Scandinavian brethren, that they may save property which otherwise must be sacrificed.?{PH008 7.2}[2]
This is no time to criticise, but every breath devoted to this matter should be used in speaking words that shall encourage, and every power to actions that shall lift. If those who can, will give of their means to help the work in this field, it will be returning to the Lord but a small portion of the mercies and blessings which he has given them. All his gifts are entrusted to us, to be used when he requires his own to carry forward his work in the earth. Shall we not then make an effort, a firm, strong, united effort, helping, not selfishly nor grudgingly, but cheerfully and uncomplainingly??{PH008 8.1}[3]
One part of the ministry of heavenly angels is to visit our world and oversee the work of the Lord which is in the hands of his stewards. They are to minister in every time of necessity to those who as co-workers with God are striving to the best of their ability to successfully carry forward his work in the earth. These heavenly intelligences are represented as desiring to look into the plan and scheme of redemption, and the angelic hosts rejoice whenever any part of the work of God is in a prosperous condition.?{PH008 8.2}[4]
God has called human agencies to be laborers together with him in the work of salvation; and shall we who are ourselves subject to temptation and error, censure and blame others who have been so unfortunate as to make mistakes? Shall?we not rather become so transformed by the grace of God as to become compassionate, touched with human woe? This will cause joy in heaven; for in loving our fallen brother as God and Christ love us, we evidence that we are partakers of Christ’s attributes. Angels are interested in the spiritual welfare of all who are seeking to restore the moral image of God in man, and the human family are to connect with the heavenly family in binding up the wounds and bruises which sin has made.?{PH008 8.3}[5]
Angelic agencies, though invisible, are co-operating with visible human agencies, forming a relief association with men. Is there not something stimulating and inspiring in this thought that the human agent stands as the visible instrument to confer the blessings of angelic agencies? As we are thus laborers together with God, the work bears the inscription of the divine. With what joy and delight all heaven looks upon these blended influences—influences which are acknowledged in the heavenly courts! Human agencies are the hands of heavenly instrumentalities; for heavenly angels employ human hands in practical ministry. Their acts of unselfish ministry make them partakers in the success which is a result of the relief offered. This is heaven’s way of administering saving power. The knowledge and actions of the heavenly order of workers, united with the knowledge and power which are imparted to human agencies, relieve the oppressed and distressed.?{PH008 9.1}[6]
The very angels who, when Satan was seeking the supremacy, fought the battle in the heavenly courts, and triumphed on the side of God; the very angels who from their exalted position?shouted for joy over the creation of our world, and over the creation of our first parents, who were to inhabit the earth; the angels who witnessed the fall of man and his expulsion from his Eden home, are most intensely interested to work in union with the fallen, redeemed race in the development of that power which God gives to help every man who will unite with heavenly intelligences to seek and save human beings who are perishing in their sins. If men will become partakers of the divine nature, and separate selfishness from their lives, special talents for helping one another will be granted them. If all will love as Christ has loved, that perishing men may be saved from ruin, O, what a change would come to our world!?{PH008 9.2}[7]
“I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy; the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” What a representation is this! Can we grasp its meaning??{PH008 10.1}[8]
“I will gather them that are sorrowful for the?solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.” Read also the first chapter of Haggai.?{PH008 10.2}[9]
It is fitting that all who realize the near coming of the Lord, act their faith. When we see one of God’s instrumentalities languishing or in peril, let those who are heart and soul in the work manifest their interest. If we would be one in mind and heart with the heavenly intelligences, we can be worked by them. When human agencies, as stewards of God, will unitedly take of the Lord’s own substance, and use it to lift the burdens resting on his institutions, the Lord will co-operate with them.?{PH008 11.1}[10]
“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest?thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches, which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”?{PH008 11.2}[11]
Men are required to receive from the heavenly agencies that they may impart. Whenever the managers of any of God’s institutions close their hearts to the dire necessities of sister institutions, and do not make every effort possible to relieve them, selfishly saying, Let them suffer, God marks their cruelty, and a time will come when they will have to pass through a similar experience?of humiliation. But, my brethren, you do not mean to do this. I know you do not.?{PH008 12.1}[12]
When one of God’s institutions, which is engaged in doing his work, shall, through some lack of judgment on the part of its managers, fall into decay, let those institutions which are in a more prosperous condition do to the uttermost of their ability to lift the cripple institution to its feet, that the name of God be not dishonored. Every facility that we have in Europe for the advancement of the work is needed, and should stand in a healthy, wholesome condition before an ungodly world. Let not the angels of God who are ministering unto those who bear the responsibilities, see God’s workers disheartened. Already the difficulties have increased by our delay, so that now the work of restoration will require greater labor and expense. In the name of the Lord we ask his people who have means, to arise and realize that God is the owner of all the property which they possess, and prove themselves faithful stewards. Repair the machinery which is essential to carry forward the work of God, that his people shall not become discouraged, and his work left to languish.?{PH008 13.1}[13]
“And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” This is the word of the Lord.?{PH008 13.2}[14]
I can not think that the closing part of this chapter will be your experience: “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder,?and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.”?{PH008 13.3}[15]
Talk not words of censure. Lay not the blame upon this one or that one. It is a fact that there is now need of the help which all can bring to heal the breach that has been made. Do it cheerfully. Do it nobly. Come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Redeem at once the institution that is in great peril. This can be done if all will take hold interestedly, and redeem this heavily debt-burdened institution; and in doing this the blessing of the Lord will be upon you. It can be done; and in the name of the Lord lay hold of it. Let all work with courage and with cheerfulness and with joy, and this very work will prove a great blessing in the experience of all who lay hold of it and carry it through successfully.?{PH008 14.1}[16]
There is a great work to be done in Europe. All heaven takes an interest not only in lands that are nigh and that need our help, but in lands that are afar off. All the inhabitants of heaven are in active service, ministering to a fallen world. They take a deep and fervent interest in the salvation of men, the fallen inhabitants of?this world. These heavenly beings are watching and waiting for human agencies to be deeply moved over their fellow workmen who are in perplexity and trial and sorrow and distress. Human agencies are called to be hand-helpers, to work out the knowledge and use the faculties of heavenly angels. By uniting with these powers that are omnipotent, we shall be benefited by their higher education and experience. The Lord’s entrusted talents will be efficacious, if used to do the work entrusted to his institutions, that they may stand again in independence. All heaven is watching those agencies that have been as the hand to work out the purposes of God in the earth, thus doing the will and purpose of God in heaven. Such a co-operation will accomplish a work which will give honor and glory and majesty to God.?{PH008 14.2}[17]
There is a large work to be done for souls in Scandinavia. Let no hand become slack or palsied, when you have the assurance that angels whose home is in the pavilion of the Eternal, in the presence of God, and who see the glory of God, are your helpers. Will you co-operate with them in building up every institution, doing God’s service under the supervision of the angelic ministration??{PH008 15.1}[18]
Who can understand the value of the human souls for whom their Prince, their King, the Son of the infinite God, gave his spotless life to a shameful death, to save all who should believe on him? If all understood this as they should, what a work would go forth from their hands in most earnest, persevering efforts to go deeper than they have ever gone before, because through the Holy Spirit’s working they may with the influence of?their voice and their talent of means lead many souls to escape the chain of darkness and the hellish plottings of Satan, and become washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb. O, let the work go on deeper and still deeper. Angels in heaven rejoice to see sinners repent and turn to the living God. “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”?{PH008 15.2}[19]
Ellen G. White---St. Helena, Cal.,November 20, 1900.[20]
搜索
