12. Manna issue 65 - Know Your Challenges (I) False Prophets 了解自已的挑戰(I)：假先知
Based on a sermon by Aun Quek Chin—Singapore 新加坡，參考 Aun Quek Chin 陳恩國傳道 講道
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
(Mt 7:15–16)
15你們要防備假先知。他們到你們這裡來，外面披著羊皮，裡面卻是殘暴的狼。
16憑著他們的果子，就可以認出他們來。荊棘上豈能摘葡萄呢？蒺藜裡豈能摘無花果呢？
(太 7：15-16)
Jesus has long warned us to be vigilant against false prophets.
But false prophets are not just found in the world, outside the church.
Jesus’ warning was of false prophets who have come into our midst,
those who have entered the fold of the true church.
These are the most dangerous.
耶穌早就警告我們要警惕假先知。
但是假先知不僅在世界上，在教會之外。
耶穌的警告是，假先知已經進入我們中間，
是那些已經進入真教會的人。
這些才是最危險的。
Coming in with sheep’s clothing,
they convince many that they are the sheep of God.
But inwardly, they are ravenous wolves.
They hide amidst the fold just like a Trojan horse[i].
The story of the fall of Troy is a reminder that,
while our strength enables us to fend off external attacks,
we are very vulnerable when the enemy hails from within.
披著羊皮進來，
他們說服許多人相信，他們是神的羊。
但內心深處，他們是貪婪的狼群。
他們像特洛伊木馬一樣，潛藏在羊圈裡[i]。
特洛伊城陷落的故事提醒我們，
雖然我們有力量，自已能夠抵禦外部的攻擊，
但當敵人來自內部時，我們就非常脆弱。
Paul sounded a similar warning to the Ephesian believers
(Acts 20:28–31).
After his departure, savage wolves clothed in sheep’s clothing would arise amongst believers.
Sparing none, they would deceive and draw away disciples after them!
Paul had good reason to worry.
He knew these false prophets existed and only his presence deterred them from wreaking havoc.
He also knew that the moment he left,
they would appear, some entering the church, and some arising from within.
保羅向以弗所的信徒發出了類似的警告
（徒 20：28-31）。
他走之後，披著羊皮的兇猛狼群會出現信徒中。
不惜一切，他們會騙走信徒，拉走信徒去追隨他們！
所以保羅有充分的理由擔心。
他知道這些假先知的存在，他的存在只是阻止了他們肆虐。
他也知道，只要他離開的那一刻，
他們就會出現，有的進入教會，有的從教會裡出來。
The prospect of this grieved him so much that he unceasingly reminded everyone night and day with tears.
Unfortunately, after Paul’s departure, heresies indeed crept in and many souls were lost.
想到這一點，他就非常難過，日夜不停流著淚不斷提醒大家。
不幸的是，在保羅離開後，異端確實悄悄蔓延，許多靈魂迷失了。
Hence Paul emphasized that overseers of the church must be even more vigilant for themselves
besides watching out for the entire flock.
Obviously, if the leaders are deceived, the effect on the church is greater.
因此除了注意整個羊群之外，
保羅強調，教會的監督者更要警醒自己。
很顯然的，如果領導者遭受欺騙，對教會的影響更大。
RECOGNIZE THE CLOTHING 辨別外衣
As we look around us, we can clearly identify three types of “sheep’s clothing”
assumed by these false prophets:
環顧四周，我們可以清楚地辨別出三種“羊皮”，
是這些假先知假裝所使用的：
1. Bible knowledge 聖經知識
The first sheepskin oft-used by false prophets is the Bible.
Their familiarity with the Bible is impressive and their “explanations” of the Bible appear convincing.
Naive sheep are taken in, erroneously equating these wolves’ mastery of the Bible with sincerity of faith.
假先知經常使用的第一種羊皮，就是聖經。
他們對聖經的熟悉程度令人印象深刻，他們的聖經“解釋”也令人信服。
天真的羊被帶進來，錯誤將這些狼群精通聖經，等同於信仰的虔誠。
In fact, several biblical events have shown us that
the devil is even more familiar with the Bible than us and can quote the Bible very precisely.
For instance, Satan quoted the Scriptures accurately in his attempt to tempt Jesus.
However, while he understands the Scriptures perfectly,
he does not interpret it accurately.
Let us thus be on our guard against false prophets’ deliberate misinterpretations of the Bible.
事實上，有一些聖經事件已經向我們表明，
魔鬼甚至比我們更熟悉聖經，可以非常精準確的引用聖經。
例如，撒旦準確引用了聖經，試圖引誘耶穌。
然而，雖然他完全理解聖經，
他並沒有準確的解釋經文。
因此，我們要提防假先知故意曲解聖經。
At the same time, all workers of the Lord must be careful in their exposition of God’s word.
Besides the preachers, Religious Education teachers and parents have to explain the word of God as well.
As we explain the word of God, are we rightly dividing the truth?
If our personal interpretation is not in line with the actual meaning of the Scriptures,
then our explanation has deviated from the truth.
同時，所有主的工人都必須謹慎解釋神的話語。
除了傳道之外，宗教教育老師和家長也必須解釋神的話語。
我們解釋神的話語的時候，是否能正確分辨真理呢？
如果我們個人的解釋與聖經的實際意義不一樣，
那麼我們的解釋就偏離了真理。
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,
a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
(2 Tim 2:15–16)
15你當竭力在神面前得蒙喜悅，作無愧的工人，按著正意分解真理的道。
16但要遠避世俗的虛談，因為這等人必進到更不敬虔的地步。
(提後 2：15-16)
In the same epistle, Paul also tells Timothy and us to deal with false prophets:
在同一封書信中，保羅也告訴提摩太和我們，要處置假先知：
And their message will spread like cancer.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
who have strayed concerning the truth,
saying that the resurrection is already past;
and they overthrow the faith of some.
(2 Tim 2:17–18)
17他們的話如同毒瘡，越爛越大；其中有許米乃和腓理徒，
18他們偏離了真道，說復活的事已過，就敗壞好些人的信心。
(提後 2：17-18)
Paul specially names the two men whose wrong explanation of the truth had affected the faith of many:
Hymenaeus and Philetus.
保羅特別提到兩個人，他們錯誤解釋真理，已經影響了許多人的信仰：
許米乃和腓理徒。
Unused to this concept of highlighting wrongdoers,
some believers may think Paul’s actions harsh.
Why did he have to mention their specific names?
In our context today, why are the names of wrongdoers specifically mentioned in sermons?
Surely they were not the only two who preached heresies?
It is, after all, human weakness to occasionally teach the wrong thing.
In fact, when Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus
“in order to charge some that they teach no other doctrine”
(1 Tim 1:3),
he did not mention any specific names.
由於不習慣這種突顯不法行為的想法，
有些信徒可能會認為保羅的行為很嚴厲。
為什麼他一定要說出他們具體的名字？
在我們今日的背景下，為什麼講道中會特別提到做錯事人的名字呢？
他們絕對不是宣傳異端唯一的兩個人吧？
畢竟，偶爾教錯東西是人性的弱點。
事實上，當保羅鼓勵提摩太留在以弗所的時候，
“就是為了責備一些人，他們不可教導其他的教義”
（提前 1：3），
而他沒有提到任何具體的名字。
So why were Hymenaeus and Philetus singled out?
那麼，為何要挑明講出許米乃和腓理徒呢？
The key difference between Hymenaeus and Philetus and the others was
that the latter could still turn back.
All they needed was encouragement or advice.
In contrast, the message of Hymenaeus and Philetus was set to spread like cancer.
Not only could they no longer turn back, they were continually influencing and destroying others.
Just like a malignant tumor, they had to be clearly identified and excised lest the cancer spread.
許米乃和腓理徒與其他人的主要區別是，
後者還可以回頭。
他們所需要的只是鼓勵或勸告。
相比之下，許米乃和腓理徒的訊息被認為會像癌症一樣蔓延開來。
他們不僅不能再回頭，還不斷地影響和毀滅他人。
就像惡性腫瘤一樣，必須明確辨識出來，並且開刀切除，以免癌症擴散。
Excommunication is an agonizing step because every soul is precious to us.
But recalcitrant false prophets must be stopped and removed.
Critically, their names must be highlighted
so that other believers can recognize and be vigilant against their heresies.
If no names are mentioned, the congregation may assume that the situation is not that serious.
Hence, as believers, we must understand why the church today takes seemingly harsh steps,
just as Paul did in the past.
教會除名，是一個痛苦的措施，因為每個靈魂對我們來說都是珍貴的。
但頑固的假先知必須被制止和清除。
重要的是，必須突顯他們的名字，
這樣其他信徒能夠辨別，警惕他們的異端邪說。
如果沒有提到名字，眾信徒可能會認為，情況沒有那麼嚴重。
因此，身為信徒，我們必須理解，今日教會為什麼會採取看似嚴厲的作法，
就像保羅過去所做的那樣。
2. Godliness 虔誠
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words,
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words,
from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds
and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
From such withdraw yourself.
(1 Tim 6:3–5)
3若有人傳異教，不服從我們主耶穌基督純正的話與那合乎敬虔的道理，
4他是自高自大，一無所知，專好問難，爭辯言詞，從此就生出嫉妒、分爭、毀謗、妄疑，
5並那壞了心術、失喪真理之人的爭競。他們以敬虔為得利的門路。
(提前 6：3-5)
Another misconception that
we may have is that fierce and ravenous wolves would actually look fierce and ravenous.
Paul reminds us that false prophets often don godliness as a means of gain.
These “godly sheepskins” enable them to deceive many.
When we see a person who is God-fearing, active in church work,
filled with wisdom and eloquence, humble and full of love, it is easy to conclude:
“How can such a person be a false prophet?
Did Jesus not say that that we can tell a person from his fruits?
Since good fruits abound in him, it must mean that he is good and thus cannot be a false prophet!”
另一個誤解是，
我們可能認為，凶猛而貪婪的狼群實際看起來會很兇猛而貪婪。
保羅提醒我們，假先知常以敬虔為謀利手段。
這些“敬虔的羊皮”使他們能夠欺騙許多人。
當我們看到一個人敬畏神、積極參與教會聖工，
充滿智慧和口才，謙虛而充滿愛心，很容易得出結論：
“這樣的人怎麼可能會是假先知呢？
難道耶穌不是說，我們可以從他的果子分辨一個人嗎？
即然他身上結滿了好果子，就說明他是好人，因此不可能是假先知！”
But consider the Pharisees.
In the eyes of men,
they were godly people - they were faultless in the law;
they faithfully kept the laws of God, and they taught God’s commandments zealously.
They frequently fasted and prayed for long durations, always tithed,
and always participated in a lot of work.
但想想法利賽人。
在人們的眼裡，
他們是敬虔的人—他們在律法上沒有過錯；
他們忠實遵守神的律法，熱心教導神的誡命。
他們經常禁食，長時間禱告，總是獻上什一捐，
並且總是參與很多聖工。
Yet, in the eyes of Jesus, they were hypocrites, and their godliness, false.
Thus, do not judge by outward godliness.
Instead question whether the message preached is consistent with the doctrine which accords with godliness.
Would the sound doctrine lead to pride, envy and strife?
然而，在耶穌眼中，他們是偽善的人，他們的敬虔是虛假的。
因此，不要憑著外表的敬虔來判斷。
相反的，要質疑所傳講的訊息，是否與符合敬虔的教義一樣。
難道純正健全的教義會導致驕傲、嫉妒和紛爭嗎？
Today, we shall also encounter eloquent and clever false prophets
who are “obsessed with disputes and arguments over words”.
When we voice doubt over their teachings,
they will debate us into speechlessness;
and challenge us until we are at a loss for words.
Verbal victory is their yardstick of truth:
If I am wrong, why can’t you prove that I am wrong?
今天，我們還會遇到能言善道、聰明靈巧的假先知，
他們“沉迷於經文爭議和辯論”。
當我們出聲質疑他們的教義時，
他們會與我們爭論直到啞口無言；
挑戰我們，直到我們無言以對。
口頭上的勝利是他們衡量真理的標準：
如果我錯了，為什麼你不能證明我錯了？
Human wisdom and our eloquence have their limits,
and cannot be the basis for discussion or debate.
Instead, we must always use the Bible as validation:
is the teaching according to
the “wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ”?
Does it have a basis in the Scriptures?
If it does, is this basis correct?
Do the passages that have been cited
or one’s understanding of these passages contradict other parts of the Bible?
Is the basis that has been cited only applicable for a very specific scenario?
人的智慧和我們的口才是有其限度的，
不能作為討論或辯論的基礎。
相反，我們必須始終以聖經來驗證：
是否這種教導符合
“我們主耶穌基督健全純正的話語”？
這是不是有聖經的根據？
如果有聖經根據，這個基礎是否是正確的？
這些做被引用的段落，
或是這些段落的個人理解，有沒有與聖經其他的部分互相矛盾呢？
被引用的依據是否僅適用於非常特定的情況？
The truth is not skewed.
Instead, it is wholesome.
The truth is not contradictory.
Instead, it is unified and continuous because it is the word of God.
Therefore, do not just look at outward godliness.
Instead, look at the person to see if his very nature is according to the word of God.
Listen and see whether he speaks in accord with all the teachings of the Bible.
Does he speak the wholesome word of God, or has he already gone astray?
事理並不會有所偏斜。
相反的，真理是整體健全的。
真理並不會互相矛盾。
相反的，它會合而為一，並且前後連貫，因為它是神的話語。
所以，不要只單看外表的敬虔。
相反的，檢視這個人，來辨別他的本性是否符合神的道理。
聽其言，觀其行，他說話的時候，有沒有符合聖經所有的教導。
他有沒有談論神純正健全的話語，還是他已經步入歧途了？
3. Miracles 神蹟
Occasionally, the teachings of false prophets make us feel uncomfortable.
偶爾，假先知的教導會讓我們感到不舒服。
However, the moment we see this person perform miracles, our fears are allayed.
Seeing him perform healing and casting out demons,
we are convinced that his prayers are really effective
and conclude that this person must definitely be from God.
We ignore the tinge of discomfort we feel at the contents of his preaching.
然而，當我們看到這個人行奇蹟的時刻，自已的恐懼就會減輕。
看到他醫病趕鬼，
我們相信，他的祈禱真的有功效，
並得出結論，這個人一定是來自神的。
我們忽略了自已對他的講道內容感到不適的氣息。
But the Lord Jesus has warned us. 耶穌已經警告我們。
Then if anyone says to you,
'Look, here is the Christ!'
or, 'Look, He is there!'
do not believe it.
For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive,
if possible, even the elect.
But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
(Mk 13:21–23)
21那時若有人對你們說：看哪，基督在這裡，或說：基督在那裡，你們不要信！
22因為假基督、假先知將要起來，顯神蹟奇事，倘若能行，就把選民迷惑了。
23你們要謹慎。看哪，凡事我都預先告訴你們了。
(可 13：21-23)
False prophets performing signs and wonders have deceived many of the Lord’s sheep
— not just the little lambs, but even the experienced older sheep.
They are amazed at the “power” of these false prophets
and conclude that such signs and wonders can only be from God.
假先知行神蹟奇事，迷惑了許多主的羊，
—不僅是小羊羔受騙，甚至是經驗豐富的大羊也不能避免。
他們驚嘆於這些假先知的“力量”，
並下結論，這種神蹟奇事只能來自於神。
However, the Lord Jesus warns us that the power may not be from God but the devil
(Rev 13:11–14)[ii].
The beast mentioned in the book of Revelation represents false prophets and false christs.
If we do not listen carefully,
we may erroneously conclude that this person is a true Christ or prophet.
然而，主耶穌警告我們，這種能力可能不是來自神，而是來自魔鬼，
（啟 13：11-14）[ii]。
啟示錄提到的獸，代表有很多假先知和假基督。
如果我們不仔細聆聽，
我們可能就會錯誤斷定，此人是真的基督或先知。
Many are deluded because seeing is easier than listening.
Very often, when we listen to something,
we don’t listen to it in entirety.
On the other hand, when we see something,
it is very clear and obvious.
Hence, when we see great signs and miracles,
we don’t doubt what we have heard.
This is the way the false prophets and false christs
use their power from Satan to deceive many.
許多人被迷惑了，因為看比聽容易。
很多時候，當我們聽到某事的時候，
我們並沒有完整聽完全部的事。
另一方面，當我們看見某樣東西時，
那就非常清楚又明顯。
因此，當我們看到出現偉大的異象和奇蹟時，
因此就不會懷疑自已所聽到的訊息。
這就是假先知和假基督的方式，
利用他們來自撒旦的力量，來欺騙許多人。
There are moments in our lives
when we really want a supernatural power to heal us of our terminal illnesses,
help solve relationship or financial issues, or to gain us fame in society.
No human can achieve this for us, so will you then rely on evil powers?
Will you disregard the truth in order to achieve your goals?
我們的生活中有一些時刻，
那個時候我們真的想要一種超自然的力量，來治療已的絕症，
幫助解決人際關係或財務問題，或是讓我們得到社會名聲。
沒有人能為我們做到這一點，那麼你會依靠邪惡的力量嗎？
你會為了實現自已的目標而忽視真理嗎？
The late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping once said,
“Black cat, or white cat, as long as it catches the mouse, it is a good cat.”
Can this be extended to spiritual matters,
i.e. Holy Spirit or evil spirit, as long as the spirit can help me, it is a good spirit?
Are we prepared to disregard the consequences
and forgo eternity for the sake of temporary happiness, glory and power?
中國前領導人鄧小平曾說過，
“黑貓白貓，只要抓到老鼠就是好貓。”
這句話可以延伸到關於屬靈的問題嗎？
就是說，聖靈還是邪靈，只要能幫助我的靈就是好靈？
我們是否準備好忽視其帶來的後果呢？
為了短暫的幸福、榮耀和權力，而放棄永生呢？
Satan once told Jesus,
“Worship me and I will give you all of these.”
Undeniably, Satan has the power to heal you of your sicknesses,
and give you women, position and status…if you worship him;
if you sell your soul to him.
撒旦曾經告訴耶穌，
“崇拜我，我會把這一切都給你。”
不可否認的，撒旦有能力治好你的疾病，
給你女人、地位和身份……如果你崇拜他；
如果你把自已的靈魂賣給他。
Choose wisely.
Be wary of the wolves that come in like sheep,
even if they perform miracles, signs and wonders.
Although we often need a greater power to help us,
we must not be deceived by the power of Satan.
做出明智的選擇吧。
警惕如同綿羊一樣進入的狼群，
即使他們行神蹟、異象和奇事。
雖然我們常常需要更大的力量來幫助我們，
我們切不可被撒但的力量所迷惑。
LOVE THE TRUTH OF GOD, NOT THE TEACHING OF MAN 喜愛神的真理，而不是凡人的教導
Why are devout Christians deceived by false christs and false prophets?
Paul says it is because they do not receive the love of the truth
(2 Thess 2:9–12).
They love and esteem the teachings of men over the teachings of God.
Hence God allows them to believe in the lie.
And since they do not believe the truth but take pleasure in unrighteousness,
they will be condemned.
為何虔誠的基督徒會被假基督、假先知所迷惑？
保羅說那是因為，他們沒有接受真理的愛
（帖後 2：9-12）。
他們喜愛重視人的教導，勝過神的教導。
因此，神允許他們相信謊言。
他們既不相信真理，反而喜歡不義，
他們將受到譴責。
There is only one truth, and that is Jesus Christ.
And if we love the truth,
then it will not matter to us who the speaker is.
As long as he teaches us according to the truth,
we are willing to submit to this teaching.
However, if we choose to only listen to what speaker X says, and reject speaker Y,
then our love is for the teachings of men, not for God’s word.
只有一個真理，那就是耶穌基督。
如果我們喜愛真理，
那麼說話的人是誰，對我們來說就無關緊要了。
只要他按照真理教導我們，
我們願意服從這個教導。
但是，如果我們選擇只聽某個人說的話，而拒絕聽另一個人說話，
那麼我們的喜愛就是喜愛人的教導，而不是喜愛神的話語。
Peter also reminds us that in the future there will be “false teachers among [us]
who will bring in destructive heresies”
(2 Pet 2:1).
These are teachings without biblical basis,
which are adapted instead from the philosophies and religions of the world
or from personal interpretations of the Scriptures.
Some false teachers defend their teachings as “logical and rational”.
But these two characteristics are not good enough
—a “logical and rational” teaching cannot save us;
only a biblical truth can.
彼得還提醒我們，將來會有“[我們]中的假教師”
他會帶來破壞性的異端”
（彼後 2：1）。
這些都是沒有聖經根據的說法，
這些不是取自世界的哲學和宗教，
就是來自對聖經的個人解釋。
一些假教師辯護他們的教導是“合乎邏輯和理性的”。
但是只有這兩個性質還不夠好，
—“邏輯和理性”的教導不能拯救我們；
只有聖經真理可以。
If we love the truth, we will know how to use this checklist
to measure the “new teachings” we hear:
如果我們熱愛真理，就會知道如何使用這份檢查清單，
來評估自已聽到的“新教義”：
·The teaching may be reasonable and logical,
but does it contradict the Bible?
Or is it consistent with the Bible?
·這種教義似手合理且合乎邏輯，
但是它是否與聖經矛盾呢？
還是合乎聖經？
·Is the teaching from the Bible?
Or is it developed by man and/or adapted from the world’s beliefs?
·這種教義是來自聖經嗎？
或者它是由人研究開展出來的，而且/或是取自世界的各種信仰呢？
ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST 遵守基督的教義
Humbly accept God’s word 謙卑接神的話語
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.
He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son”
(2 Jn 9).
9凡越過基督的教訓、不常守著的，就沒有神；常守這教訓的，就有父又有子。
(約二 9)
To transgress means to supersede the boundaries of the doctrines of Christ.
In other words, if what we say and teach has no biblical basis and has even gone beyond biblical teachings,
we are no longer keeping the truth.
We shall thus not have God’s abidance even if we purport to worship Him.
犯錯違規就表示，取代了基督教義的界限。
換句話說，如果我們談論教導的主題沒有聖經的根據，甚至超越了聖經的教誨，
我們不再是遵守真理。
這樣，即使我們打算聲稱要敬拜神，也得不到神的同在。
In this case, we no longer have God
because we have elevated our personal teachings and thoughts to the level of God’s.
We are in fact applying our own way of thinking and explanations to supplement God’s ways and God’s thoughts!
When a person reaches a stage where he considers his ideas equivalent to God’s level,
and acceptable as God’s teachings, imagine how great a transgression that is.
This is a person who no longer has God for he is adding to and removing from God’s teaching at will!
這種情況下，我們不再有神，
因為我們已經將自已個人的教導和想法，提升到神的水平。
我們其實是用自己的想法和解釋，來加添補充神的道理、神的意念！
當有人出現某種程度，自認自已的想法等同於神的層次，
他的教導就該如同神的教義為人所接受，想像一下這是犯了多麼大的罪過啊。
這人不再有神，因為他隨意增減神的教義！
This is extremely and terribly wrong.
God’s commandments are not for us to debate.
To debate over or take a vote on His commandments
in the name of “democracy” lowers our almighty God to our level;
reducing Him to being “one of us”!
God is our Creator and source of life.
The whole duty of man is to keep His commands.
We are in NO position to discuss and debate
whether we should keep His commandments,
or vote on which one we ought to keep.
If and when we do that, we are no longer regarding Him as Lord.
And what else would that be if not a transgression?
這是極端可怕的錯誤。
神的誡命不是讓我們議論的。
若是爭議辯論，或是投票表決神的誡命，
就是以“民主”的名義，貶低我們全能真神的地位到我們的水平；
削弱神成為“我們等級的成員”！
神是我們的創造者，亦是生命的源頭。
人的全部責任，就是要遵守祂的命令。
我們沒有資格來加以議論和爭辯，
自已是否要遵守祂的誡命，
或者投票表決，我們應該遵守哪一條誡命。
如果我們這樣做，亦是當我們這樣做的時候，我們就不再視祂為主了。
如果這不是得罪神，那還能是什麼情況呢？
The Lord Jesus has said,
“Can a servant be greater than his master?
Can he who is sent be greater than he who sends him?
I am your Master, so do as I have commanded you.”
主耶穌說過，
“僕人豈能大過主人呢？
差人豈能大過差他的人嗎？
我是你們的主人，所以就照我說的去做吧。”
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust,
avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge
-- by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Grace be with you.
Amen.
(1 Tim 6:20–21)
20提摩太阿，你要保守所託付你的，躲避世俗的虛談和那敵真道、似是而非的學問。
21已經有人自稱有這學問，就偏離了真道。願恩惠常與你們同在！
(提前 6：20-21)
Guard what has been committed to us 要保守所託付你的
Besides being careful never to use our own wisdom to add to or take away from God’s teachings,
or to apply our personal interpretation without biblical basis,
we must also be careful to
“guard what [has been] committed to us”.
除了要小心，不要用我們自己的智慧，來增添或減少神的教義，
或是沒有聖經依據的情況之下，採用自已個人的解釋之外，
我們還必須小心
“保守[已經]所託付給我們的”。
Paul warned of people who had strayed from the truth;
teaching
“idle babblings, contradictions and what is falsely called knowledge”.
When did they start to deviate?
保羅警告那些已經偏離真理的人；
教導
“一些虛談、矛盾，以及被誤稱為知識的想法”。
他們何時開始偏離的呢？
Deviation often starts from a small issue.
People often take slight deviations lightly.
However, left uncorrected, slight deviations will eventually lead us off course as we proceed farther.
By the time we realize that we have gone a little too far
or that the impact of that slight deviation was greater than we expected,
we have already deviated too far off course.
偏差往往是從一個小問題開始的。
人們常常輕忽輕微小的偏差。
然而，如果不加以糾正，隨著我們越走越遠，輕微的偏差最終會使我們偏離正道。
當我們意識到，自已已經有些走偏太遠的時候，
或者那輕微偏差的衝擊，比我們預想的還要巨大，
我們已經偏離正道太遠了。
Sometimes we might not even know that we have deviated.
For example, we know our car has drifted slightly from the lane we are driving in.
We earn a honk from the car behind us but we continue driving,
thinking that we are safe.
Before we know it, we have deviated into the next lane and caused an accident!
It is then too late for regret.
Our unwillingness to heed the warnings of others and correct our deviation
brings harm not just to ourselves, but to all those around us.
有時我們甚至可能不知道，自已已經走偏了。
例如，我們知道車輛稍微漂離了自已行駛的車道。
自已聽到後面車子按了喇叭，但是我們卻繼續開車前進，
認為自已是很安全的。
不知不覺中，我們已經偏離到相鄰的車道，造成了車輛事故！
那時後悔就來不及了。
我們不願意留意別人的警告，糾正自已的偏差，
帶來的傷害不僅僅是傷害我們自己，而且亦傷害我們周圍的所有人。
BE PREPARED 預備好
Some people are alarmed that false prophets can arise in the true church
that has both the Holy Spirit and the truth.
Such alarm is truly alarming
because it means that such people have not yet prepared for the end-time.
有些人擔心，假先知會出現在同時有聖靈和真理的真教會。
這樣的警示著實令人震驚，
因為這代表了，這群人還沒有為末世做好準備。
Our Lord Jesus has long warned us of
false prophets both in the world as well as in the true church.
Let us no longer be paralyzed by alarm but rise to equip ourselves.
Let us recognize the signs and know the challenges to our faith
in the 21st century from the ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Let us love only the truth of God and resolve to abide in and only teach the doctrine of Christ.
我們主耶穌早就警告我們，
要提防世上，以及真教會中的假先知。
我們不要再因為有警告而麻痺，而要起來裝備自己。
我們要能從披著羊皮極度飢餓的狼群身上，辨認異象，
並了解 21 世紀我們信仰的眾多挑戰。
讓我們只愛慕神的真理，下定決心遵守基督的教義，並且只會教導基督的教義。
[i]
The Trojan Horse is a tale from the war between the Trojans and the Greeks.
After a 10-year siege, the Greeks still could not conquer the city of Troy.
One day, the Greeks suddenly retreated but left behind a gigantic wooden horse.
Rejoicing, the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy.
Little did they know that a select Greek force was hiding inside the hollow horse.
In the quiet of the night, as the Trojans slept,
the Greeks crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army
which had sailed back under cover of night.
The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, decisively ending the war.
特洛伊木馬是特洛伊人與希臘人之間戰爭的故事。
經過10年的圍城，希臘人仍不能攻克特洛伊城。
有一天，希臘人突然撤退，卻留下了一座巨大的木馬。
特洛伊人歡欣鼓舞之餘，將木馬拉進了他們的城市，作為勝利的象徵。
他們所不知道的是，空心的木馬內，隱藏著一支精銳的希臘武裝戰士。
在寂靜的夜晚，當特洛伊人熟睡之時，
希臘人從馬腹中爬出來，為其餘的希臘軍隊打開城門，
這些運隊在夜幕的掩護下返航回攻。
希臘人衝進並摧毀了特洛伊城，決定性的結束了戰爭。
[ii]
THE DANGEROUS BEAST (Rev 13:11-14) 危險的獸 (啟 13：11-14)
He is able to perform miracles and signs to deceive many.
However, this person’s power comes from the dragon.
他能夠施行奇蹟異象來迷惑許多人。
但是，此人的力量來自於龍。
He looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon.
Not every word he speaks is from the dragon
because it would be too easy to prove that he is false.
Rather, his speech is mixed with the words of Christ and the words of the dragon.
他的外表看起來像羔羊，但是說話卻像龍的口氣。
他說的每一句話，不是都來自於龍，
因為要證明他是假的，就太容易了。
反之，他的談話中夾雜著基督的道理和龍的話語。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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