不法的事
随着时间的推移,这段经文所表述的内容显得愈发令人生畏。也许每一代人都会觉得末世的迹象正在增加。也许这些迹象的确在增加着。当然,现在仍然存活于世的这几代人已经看到了大量的地震、饥荒和战争。我们也观察到邪恶的事还在层出不断,至少在某些地方是这样的现实。
耶稣在第12节中所警戒的邪恶(wickedness)也可以称为“不法的事”(lawlessness)。它不仅仅是拒绝按照神的旨意去生活,它基本上是拒绝按照任何规则去生活。它的态度是相信“只有我被抓到,才算是非法的”。
根据耶稣的说法,这种邪恶的问题在于它与爱相悖。它对其他人没有丝毫委身,也不愿意为任何人做出牺牲。在末世,大多数人只关心自己,他们的爱心变得冷漠。
继续发展下去,这一点令人细思极恐。这将是最暴力和最狡猾的人所角逐的“适者生存”。愿基督在我们演变到如此邪恶不法之先快快到来。
耶稣的灵,求你引领我们,救我们脱离不法的事。祈求你以你的爱和智慧充满我们。阿们。
马太福音 24:1-14
1耶稣出了圣殿,正走的时候,门徒进前来,把殿宇指给他看。
2耶稣对他们说:“你们不是看见这殿宇吗?我实在告诉你们:将来在这里没有一块石头留在石头上不被拆毁了。”
3耶稣在橄榄山上坐着,门徒暗暗地来,说:“请告诉我们,什么时候有这些事?你降临和世界的末了有什么预兆呢?”
4耶稣回答说:“你们要谨慎,免得有人迷惑你们。
5因为将来有好些人冒我的名来,说:‘我是基督’,并且要迷惑许多人。
6你们也要听见打仗和打仗的风声,总不要惊慌,因为这些事是必须有的,只是末期还没有到。
7民要攻打民,国要攻打国,多处必有饥荒、地震,
8这都是灾难的起头。
9那时,人要把你们陷在患难里,也要杀害你们;你们又要为我的名被万民恨恶。
10“那时,必有许多人跌倒,也要彼此陷害、彼此恨恶,
11且有好些假先知起来,迷惑多人。
12只因不法的事增多,许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了。
13唯有忍耐到底的,必然得救。
14这天国的福音要传遍天下,对万民作见证,然后末期才来到。
Wickedness
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." - Matthew 24:12
As time passes, this passage becomes more frightening. Perhaps every generation feels that the signs of the end times are increasing. Perhaps the signs are increasing. Certainly the generations that are still living have seen plenty of earthquakes, famines, and wars. And certainly today we see an increase in wickedness, at least in some places.
The particular wickedness Jesus warns about in verse 12 could be called “lawlessness.” It goes beyond refusing to live God’s way, and it basically refuses to live according to anyone’s rules. It’s the attitude that believes “It’s only illegal if I get caught.”
The problem with this wickedness, according to Jesus, is that it works against love. It holds no commitment to another and has no willingness to sacrifice for anyone. In the end times most people will care only about themselves, and most people’s love will grow cold.
Taken to the extreme, that’s a bone-chilling thought. It will be “survival of the fittest” among people who are most violent and crafty. May Christ return before we become so lawless.
Spirit of Jesus, guide our lives to save us from lawlessness. Fill us with your love and wisdom, we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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