우리 앞에 있는 환난의 때

우리 앞에 있는 환난의 때

큰 환난의 때가 우리 앞에 있다. 

지금은 우리가 하나님의 사업을 앞으로 나아가게 하기 위해 우리의 모든 능력과 은사들을 다 사용할 때이다. 주님께서 우리에게 주신 능력들은 헐기 위해서가 아니라 건설하기 위해서 사용되어야 한다. 

알지 못하고 기만을 당한 이들은 이 상태에 계속 머물러 있어서는 안 된다. 

주께서는 그 사자들에게 이르시기를, 

그들에게가서 내가 이른 말을 전하되 그들이 듣든지 아니 듣든지 그리하라고 하신다.

진리를 전하는 이들에게 박해가 이를 시기가 다가오고 있다. 

전망은 밝지 못하다. 

그러나,우리는 하늘의 왕께서 그 귀한 생명을 바쳐 대속하신 멸망 직전의 영혼들을 구원하려는노력을 

포기하지 말자.

우리는 죽은 것 같고 생명이 없는 노력을 하지 말 것이다. 

생명이 있는 한 우리는 하나님을위해서 일 하자. 

교회 역사의 모든 시대에 있어서 하나님이 친히 임명하신 사자들은 

진리의 연고로 비난과 박해를 받아 왔다. 

그러나, 하나님의 백성이 어디로 쫓겨난다 할지라도,

비록 사랑하는 제자처럼 황량한 섬들에 방축된다 할지라도 

그리스도께서는 그들이 있는곳을 아셔서 평안과 기쁨으로 그들의 마음을 채우시고 힘을 주시며 

축복하실 것이다.

- 증언보감 3, 391.

A Time of Trial Before Us

A season of great trial is before us. It becomes us now to use all our capabilities and gifts in advancing the work of God. The powers the Lord has given us are to be used to build up, not to tear down. Those who are ignorantly deceived are not to remain in this condition. The Lord says to His messengers: Go to them and declare unto them what I have said, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

The time is right upon us when persecution will come to those who proclaim the truth. The outlook is not flattering; but, notwithstanding this, let us not give up our efforts to save those ready to perish, for whose ransom the Prince of heaven offered up His precious life. When one means fails, try another.

Our efforts must not be dead and lifeless. As long as life is spared, let us work for God. In all ages of the church God’s appointed messengers have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth’s sake. But wherever God’s people may be forced to go, even though, like the beloved disciple, they are banished to desert islands, Christ will know where they are and will strengthen and bless them, filling them with peace and joy.

- Testimony Treasures 3, 391.