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TUESDAY EVENING ON MOUNT OLIVET
TIRSDAGAFTEN PÅ OLIEBJERGET
1955 176:0.1 THIS Tuesday afternoon, as Jesus and the apostles passed out of the temple on their way to the Gethsemane camp, Matthew, calling attention to the temple construction, said: “Master, observe what manner of buildings these are. See the massive stones and the beautiful adornment; can it be that these buildings are to be destroyed?” As they went on toward Olivet, Jesus said: “You see these stones and this massive temple; verily, verily, I say to you: In the days soon to come there shall not be left one stone upon another. They shall all be thrown down.” These remarks depicting the destruction of the sacred temple aroused the curiosity of the apostles as they walked along behind the Master; they could conceive of no event short of the end of the world which would occasion the destruction of the temple.
2015 176:0.1 DENNE tirsdag eftermiddag, da Jesus og apostlene gik ud af templet på vej til lejren ved Getsemane sagde Mattæus, der gjorde opmærksom på tempelkonstruktionen, "Mester, se, hvilke fine bygninger der her er. Se de massive sten og den smukke udsmykning; er det muligt, at disse bygninger bliver ødelagt?" Som de gik videre mod Oliebjerget, sagde Jesus: "I ser disse sten og dette massive tempel; sandelig, sandelig siger jeg jer: I dagene, der snart vil komme vil der ikke forblive en sten på sten; alt skal brydes ned." Disse bemærkninger som beskrev det hellige tempels ødelæggelse vækkede apostlenes nysgerrighed, da de fulgtes ad bag Mesteren[1]. De kunne ikke forestille sig nogen anden begivenhed end verdens ende som kunne føre til ødelæggelsen af templet[2].
1955 176:0.2 In order to avoid the crowds passing along the Kidron valley toward Gethsemane, Jesus and his associates were minded to climb up the western slope of Olivet for a short distance and then follow a trail over to their private camp near Gethsemane located a short distance above the public camping ground. As they turned to leave the road leading on to Bethany, they observed the temple, glorified by the rays of the setting sun; and while they tarried on the mount, they saw the lights of the city appear and beheld the beauty of the illuminated temple; and there, under the mellow light of the full moon, Jesus and the twelve sat down. The Master talked with them, and presently Nathaniel asked this question: “Tell us, Master, how shall we know when these events are about to come to pass?”
2015 176:0.2 For at undgå folkemængderne, der rejste langs Kidrondalen til Getsemane ville Jesus og hans medarbejdere klatre en kort vej op ad Oliebjergets vestlige skråning og derefter følger en sti, der førte over til deres private lejr nær Getsemane og som lå en kort afstand fra den offentlige lejrplads. Da de drejede af for at forlade vejen, der førte videre til Betania så de templet, der blev oplyst af strålerne fra den nedgående sol; og mens de tøvede på bjerget, så de lysene i byen lyse op og beundrede skønheden i det oplyste tempel, og der, under fuldmånens bløde skær satte Jesus og de tolv sig ned. Mesteren talte med dem, og snart stillede Natanael dette spørgsmål: "Sig os, Mester, hvordan skal vi vide, hvornår disse begivenheder vil begynde at forekomme?”[3]
1. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
1. JERUSALEMS ØDELÆGGELSE
1955 176:1.1 In answering Nathaniel’s question, Jesus said: “Yes, I will tell you about the times when this people shall have filled up the cup of their iniquity; when justice shall swiftly descend upon this city of our fathers. I am about to leave you; I go to the Father. After I leave you, take heed that no man deceive you, for many will come as deliverers and will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled, for though all these things will happen, the end of Jerusalem is not yet at hand. You should not be perturbed by famines or earthquakes; neither should you be concerned when you are delivered up to the civil authorities and are persecuted for the sake of the gospel. You will be thrown out of the synagogue and put in prison for my sake, and some of you will be killed. When you are brought up before governors and rulers, it shall be for a testimony of your faith and to show your steadfastness in the gospel of the kingdom. And when you stand before judges, be not anxious beforehand as to what you should say, for the spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should answer your adversaries. In these days of travail, even your own kinsfolk, under the leadership of those who have rejected the Son of Man, will deliver you up to prison and death. For a time you may be hated by all men for my sake, but even in these persecutions I will not forsake you; my spirit will not desert you. Be patient! doubt not that this gospel of the kingdom will triumph over all enemies and, eventually, be proclaimed to all nations.”
2015 176:1.1 Som svar på Nataniel spørgsmål, sagde Jesus: "Ja, jeg vil fortælle dig om de tider, hvornår disse mennesker har fyldt uretfærdighedens bæger, hvornår retfærdighed pludselig skal komme ned over vore fædres by. Jeg er ved at forlade jer; jeg går til Faderen. Efter at jeg har forladt jer, pas på, at ingen forfører dig, for mange vil komme som befriere og vildlede mange. Når du hører om krige og rygter om krige, vær ikke foruroliget, for selv om alle disse ting vil sker, er det endnu ikke slutningen for Jerusalem[4]. Lad jer ikke skræmme af hungersnød og jordskælv[5]. Ej heller bør I bekymre jer, når I overgives til de civile myndigheder og bliver forfulgt af hensyn til evangeliet. I vil blive bortvist fra synagogen og kastet i fængsel for min skyld, og nogle af jer vil blive dræbt[6]. Når I indbringes for embedsmænd og herskere sker det for at I kan vidne om jeres tro og til at vise, jeres standhaftighed til rigets evangelium. Og når du står foran dommerne, vær så ikke bekymret på forhånd, hvad I vil sige, for ånden vil i det øjeblik lære dig, hvad du skal svare dine modstandere[7]. I disse dage med modgang vil selv dine egne slægtninge, ledet af dem, der har afvist Menneskesønnen, overlade jer til fængsel og død. For en tid, vil du blive hadet af alle mennesker for min skyld, men heller ikke under disse forfølgelser vil jeg forlade dig; min ånd vil ikke flygte fra dig. Vær tålmodig! Tvivl ikke, at rigets evangelium vil sejre over alle fjender, og at det i sidste ende vil blive forkyndt for alle folkeslag."
1955 176:1.2 Jesus paused while he looked down upon the city. The Master realized that the rejection of the spiritual concept of the Messiah, the determination to cling persistently and blindly to the material mission of the expected deliverer, would presently bring the Jews in direct conflict with the powerful Roman armies, and that such a contest could only result in the final and complete overthrow of the Jewish nation. When his people rejected his spiritual bestowal and refused to receive the light of heaven as it so mercifully shone upon them, they thereby sealed their doom as an independent people with a special spiritual mission on earth. Even the Jewish leaders subsequently recognized that it was this secular idea of the Messiah which directly led to the turbulence which eventually brought about their destruction.
2015 176:1.2 Jesus standsede mens han kiggede ned over byen. Mesteren indså, at afvisningen af den åndelige Messias opfattelse, beslutsomheden til stædigt og blindt at klynge sig til tanken om, at den forventede befrier havde en konkret mission at opfylde, snart ville bringe jøderne til en åben konflikt med de magtfulde romerske hære, og at et sådan opgør kun kunne resultere i en endelig og fuldstændig udslettelse af den jødiske nation. Når hans folk afviste hans åndelige overdragelse og nægtede at modtage lyset fra himlen, som det så nådigt skinnede på dem, besluttede de dermed deres undergang som et selvstændigt folk med en særlig åndelig mission på jorden. Selv de jødiske ledere indrømmede senere, at det var denne verdslige idé om Messias, som direkte førte til den uro, der i sidste ende forårsagede deres undergang.
1955 176:1.3 Since Jerusalem was to become the cradle of the early gospel movement, Jesus did not want its teachers and preachers to perish in the terrible overthrow of the Jewish people in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem; wherefore did he give these instructions to his followers. Jesus was much concerned lest some of his disciples become involved in these soon-coming revolts and so perish in the downfall of Jerusalem.
2015 176:1.3 Da Jerusalem skulle blive den tidlige evangeliebevægelses vugge ville Jesus ikke have sine lærere og prædikanter til at omkomme i den forfærdelige ødelæggelse af det jødiske folk i forbindelse med Jerusalems ødelæggelse; derfor gav han disse instruktioner til sine tilhængere. Jesus var meget bekymret for at nogle af hans disciple ville blive inddraget i de snart forestående oprør og således omkomme i Jerusalems undergang.
1955 176:1.4 Then Andrew inquired: “But, Master, if the Holy City and the temple are to be destroyed, and if you are not here to direct us, when should we forsake Jerusalem?” Said Jesus: “You may remain in the city after I have gone, even through these times of travail and bitter persecution, but when you finally see Jerusalem being encompassed by the Roman armies after the revolt of the false prophets, then will you know that her desolation is at hand; then must you flee to the mountains. Let none who are in the city and around about tarry to save aught, neither let those who are outside dare to enter therein. There will be great tribulation, for these will be the days of gentile vengeance. And after you have deserted the city, this disobedient people will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led captive into all nations; and so shall Jerusalem be trodden down by the gentiles. In the meantime, I warn you, be not deceived. If any man comes to you, saying, ‘Behold, here is the Deliverer,’ or ‘Behold, there is he,’ believe it not, for many false teachers will arise and many will be led astray; but you should not be deceived, for I have told you all this beforehand.”
2015 176:1.4 Så spurgte Andreas: "Men, Mester, hvis den hellige by og templet vil blive ødelagt, og du ikke er her for at lede os, hvornår skal vi forlade Jerusalem?" Jesus sagde: "Du kan forblive i byen efter at jeg er gået bort, selv i disse tider med kvaler og bitter forfølgelse, men når I endelig se Jerusalem omringet af de romerske hære, efter de falske profeters oprør, ved I, at dens ødelæggelse er nært forestående; så skal I flygte til bjergene. Lad ingen som er i byen eller dens nærhed stoppe for at redde noget, og lad ikke dem, der er uden for byen vove sig derind[8]. Der vil være stor lidelse, for disse dage vil være hedningernes hævn[9]. Og efter at I har forladt byen, vil dette ulydige folk falde for sværdhug, og føres bort som fanger til alle nationer; og så vil Jerusalem blive trampet ned af de fremmede. I mellemtiden advarer jeg jer: lad jer ikke blive vildledt i tiden indtil da. Hvis nogen kommer til dig og siger: "Se, her er Befrieren' eller, 'Se, der er han’, tror det ikke, fordi mange falske lærere vil opstå, og mange vil blive vildledt; men I vil ikke lade jer blive vildledt, fordi jeg har fortalt dig alt dette på forhånd[10]."
1955 176:1.5 The apostles sat in silence in the moonlight for a considerable time while these astounding predictions of the Master sank into their bewildered minds. And it was in conformity with this very warning that practically the entire group of believers and disciples fled from Jerusalem upon the first appearance of the Roman troops, finding a safe shelter in Pella to the north.
2015 176:1.5 Apostlene sad længe i stilhed i måneskinnet, mens Mesterens overraskende forudsigelser sank ind i deres forvirrede sind. Og det var i overensstemmelse med denne advarsel, at praktisk talt hele gruppen af troende og disciple flygtede fra Jerusalem, så snart de romerske tropper først blev synlig, og gruppen fandt et sikkert skjulested nord for Pella.
1955 176:1.6 Even after this explicit warning, many of Jesus’ followers interpreted these predictions as referring to the changes which would obviously occur in Jerusalem when the reappearing of the Messiah would result in the establishment of the New Jerusalem and in the enlargement of the city to become the world’s capital. In their minds these Jews were determined to connect the destruction of the temple with the “end of the world.” They believed this New Jerusalem would fill all Palestine; that the end of the world would be followed by the immediate appearance of the “new heavens and the new earth.” And so it was not strange that Peter should say: “Master, we know that all things will pass away when the new heavens and the new earth appear, but how shall we know when you will return to bring all this about?”
2015 176:1.6 Selv efter denne klart udtrykte advarsel fortolkede mange af Jesu disciple disse forudsigelser som en henvisning til de ændringer, som naturligvis vil forekomme i Jerusalem, når Messias genkomst ville føre til at det nye Jerusalem blev grundlagt, og at byen blev udvidet til at blive verdens hovedstad[11]. I deres sind sammenkædede disse jøder stædigt ødelæggelse af templet med "verdens ende". De troede at dette nye Jerusalem ville fylde hele Palæstina, at verdens ende ville blive efterfulgt af den umiddelbare tilsynekomst af de "nye himler og den nye jord"[12][13]. Det var derfor ikke overraskende, at Peter sagde: "Mester, vi ved, at alt vil forsvinde, når den nye himmel og den nye jord kommer til syne, men hvordan skal vi vide, hvornår du har til hensigt at vende tilbage for at sætte alt dette i gang?"[14]
1955 176:1.7 When Jesus heard this, he was thoughtful for some time and then said: “You ever err since you always try to attach the new teaching to the old; you are determined to misunderstand all my teaching; you insist on interpreting the gospel in accordance with your established beliefs. Nevertheless, I will try to enlighten you.”
2015 176:1.7 Da Jesus hørte dette, blev han tankevækkende et øjeblik og sagde derefter: "Du tager konstant fejl, fordi du altid forsøger at tilføje den nye lære til den gamle. Du er indstillet på at misforstå al min undervisning; du insisterer på at fortolke evangeliet i overensstemmelse med dine etablerede overbevisninger. På trods af dette, vil jeg forsøge at oplyse dig.”
2. THE MASTER’S SECOND COMING
2. MESTERENS ANDEN ANKOMST
1955 176:2.1 On several occasions Jesus had made statements which led his hearers to infer that, while he intended presently to leave this world, he would most certainly return to consummate the work of the heavenly kingdom. As the conviction grew on his followers that he was going to leave them, and after he had departed from this world, it was only natural for all believers to lay fast hold upon these promises to return. The doctrine of the second coming of Christ thus became early incorporated into the teachings of the Christians, and almost every subsequent generation of disciples has devoutly believed this truth and has confidently looked forward to his sometime coming.
2015 176:2.1 Ved flere lejligheder havde Jesus gjort sådanne udtalelser, der fik hans tilhørere til at drage den konklusion, at selv om han agtede et kort øjeblik at forlade denne verden, ville han helt sikkert vende tilbage for at fuldføre det himmelske riges arbejde. Da overbevisningen voksede hos hans tilhængere, at han ville forlade dem, og efter at han var gået bort fra denne verden, var det derfor kun naturligt, at alle troende holdt fast i hans løfter om at vende tilbage. Læren om Kristi genkomst blev således tidligt indarbejdet i den kristne forkyndelse, og næsten hver efterfølgende generation af disciple har hengivent troet på denne sandhed og trygt set frem imod at han en dag ville komme.
1955 176:2.2 If they were to part with their Master and Teacher, how much more did these first disciples and the apostles grasp at this promise to return, and they lost no time in associating the predicted destruction of Jerusalem with this promised second coming. And they continued thus to interpret his words notwithstanding that, throughout this evening of instruction on Mount Olivet, the Master took particular pains to prevent just such a mistake.
2015 176:2.2 Hvis disse første disciple og apostle var ved at blive adskilt fra deres Mester og Lærer, hvor meget mere klamrede de sig så ikke fast til hans løfte om at vende tilbage, og de sammenknyttede straks den forudsagte Jerusalems ødelæggelse med hans lovede genkomst. De fortsatte med at fortolke hans ord på denne måde, selv om Mesteren gennem hele denne aften, hvor han underviste dem på Oliebjerget gjorde sig stort besvær, især med at forsøge at forhindre netop sådan en fejl.
1955 176:2.3 In further answer to Peter’s question, Jesus said: “Why do you still look for the Son of Man to sit upon the throne of David and expect that the material dreams of the Jews will be fulfilled? Have I not told you all these years that my kingdom is not of this world? The things which you now look down upon are coming to an end, but this will be a new beginning out of which the gospel of the kingdom will go to all the world and this salvation will spread to all peoples. And when the kingdom shall have come to its full fruition, be assured that the Father in heaven will not fail to visit you with an enlarged revelation of truth and an enhanced demonstration of righteousness, even as he has already bestowed upon this world him who became the prince of darkness, and then Adam, who was followed by Melchizedek, and in these days, the Son of Man. And so will my Father continue to manifest his mercy and show forth his love, even to this dark and evil world. So also will I, after my Father has invested me with all power and authority, continue to follow your fortunes and to guide in the affairs of the kingdom by the presence of my spirit, who shall shortly be poured out upon all flesh. Even though I shall thus be present with you in spirit, I also promise that I will sometime return to this world, where I have lived this life in the flesh and achieved the experience of simultaneously revealing God to man and leading man to God. Very soon must I leave you and take up the work the Father has intrusted to my hands, but be of good courage, for I will sometime return. In the meantime, my Spirit of the Truth of a universe shall comfort and guide you.
2015 176:2.3 I yderligere besvarelse af Peters spørgsmål, sagde Jesus: "Hvorfor længes du stadig efter at se Menneskesønnen sidde på Davids Trone, og venter på at jødernes materielle drømme vil gå i opfyldelse? Har jeg ikke i alle disse år fortalt dig, at mit rige ikke er af denne verden? Alt det, du nu ser ud over har en ende, men der vil blive en ny begyndelse, fra hvilken rigets evangelium vil går ud til hele verden, og denne frelse vil spredes til alle folk[15][16]. Og når dette rige har nået sin fulde modenhed, vær da sikker på, at Faderen ikke vil undlade at give dig en endnu større åbenbaring af sandheden og et endnu større opvisning af retfærdighed, ligesom han allerede har skænket denne verden ham, der blev mørkets fyrste, siden Adam, som blev efterfulgt af Melkisedek, og i disse dage af Menneskesønnen. Og så vil min Fader fortsat manifestere sin barmhjertighed og vise sin kærlighed selv til denne mørke og onde verden. Og så vil jeg, efter at min Fader har givet mig al magt og myndighed, fortsætte med at følge jeres livsskæbner og give vejledning i anliggender af riget ved tilstedeværelsen af min ånd, som snart vil blive udøst over alt kød. Selv om jeg derfor vil være med dig i ånden, lover jeg også en dag at vende tilbage til denne verden, hvor jeg har levet dette liv i kødet og opnået erfaringen af samtidigt at have åbenbaret Gud til mennesket og ført mennesket til Gud. Meget snart må jeg forlade jer for at beskæftige mig med det arbejde, som Faderen har betroet i mine hænder, men vær ved godt mod, for jeg skal en dag vende tilbage. I mellemtiden skal min Sandhedens Ånd i universet trøste og vejlede dig.
1955 176:2.4 “You behold me now in weakness and in the flesh, but when I return, it shall be with power and in the spirit. The eye of flesh beholds the Son of Man in the flesh, but only the eye of the spirit will behold the Son of Man glorified by the Father and appearing on earth in his own name.
1955 176:2.5 “But the times of the reappearing of the Son of Man are known only in the councils of Paradise; not even the angels of heaven know when this will occur. However, you should understand that, when this gospel of the kingdom shall have been proclaimed to all the world for the salvation of all peoples, and when the fullness of the age has come to pass, the Father will send you another dispensational bestowal, or else the Son of Man will return to adjudge the age.
2015 176:2.5 "Men tiden for Menneskesønnens genkomst kendes kun i Paradisets rådsforsamlinger; ikke engang himlens engle ved hvornår det vil ske[18]. Du bør imidlertid forstå, at når rigets evangelium er blevet prædiket til hele verden for at frelse alle mennesker, og når tidsalderen har nået sin modenhed, når Faderen sender dig en anden forsynets overdragelse, eller også vender Menneskesønnen tilbage for at dømme denne tidsalder.
1955 176:2.6 “And now concerning the travail of Jerusalem, about which I have spoken to you, even this generation will not pass away until my words are fulfilled; but concerning the times of the coming again of the Son of Man, no one in heaven or on earth may presume to speak. But you should be wise regarding the ripening of an age; you should be alert to discern the signs of the times. You know when the fig tree shows its tender branches and puts forth its leaves that summer is near. Likewise, when the world has passed through the long winter of material-mindedness and you discern the coming of the spiritual springtime of a new dispensation, should you know that the summertime of a new visitation draws near.
2015 176:2.6 "Og nu, med hensyn til Jerusalems angst og sorg, som jeg har talt til jer om, så vil selv denne generation ikke forgå indtil mine ord er gået i opfyldelse; men når det gælder tidspunktet for Menneskesønnen genkomst kan ingen i himlen eller på jorden udtale sig om[19]. Men du skal være klogt når det gælder en tidsalders modenhed; du skal være opmærksom på at skelne tidernes tegn[20]. Du ved, når figentræet skyder nye skud og begynder at spire, når sommeren er nær. Tilsvarende, når verden er gået igennem den lange vinter af materiel sindsorientering, og du skimter det kommende nye åndelige forår af en dispensation, bør du vide, at sommertiden for et nyt besøg nærmer sig.
1955 176:2.7 “But what is the significance of this teaching having to do with the coming of the Sons of God? Do you not perceive that, when each of you is called to lay down his life struggle and pass through the portal of death, you stand in the immediate presence of judgment, and that you are face to face with the facts of a new dispensation of service in the eternal plan of the infinite Father? What the whole world must face as a literal fact at the end of an age, you, as individuals, must each most certainly face as a personal experience when you reach the end of your natural life and thereby pass on to be confronted with the conditions and demands inherent in the next revelation of the eternal progression of the Father’s kingdom.”
2015 176:2.7 "Men hvor vigtigt er denne lære om ankomsten af Guds Sønner? Har du ikke opfattet det, at når hver enkelt af jer er kaldet til at nedlægge sit livs kamp og gå gennem dødens port, står du umiddelbart i tilstedeværelsen af dom og ansigt til ansigt med de faktiske forhold, der hører til en ny dispensation for tjeneste i den uendelige Faders evige plan? Det som hele verden skal møde som et konkret faktum ved en tidsalders afslutning, skal I som individer helt sikkert møde som en personlig oplevelse, når I når til slutningen af jeres naturlige liv, og dermed fortsætte med at opfylde de betingelser og krav som indgår i den næste åbenbaring af Faderens evigt udviklende rige[21]."
1955 176:2.8 Of all the discourses which the Master gave his apostles, none ever became so confused in their minds as this one, given this Tuesday evening on the Mount of Olives, regarding the twofold subject of the destruction of Jerusalem and his own second coming. There was, therefore, little agreement between the subsequent written accounts based on the memories of what the Master said on this extraordinary occasion. Consequently, when the records were left blank concerning much that was said that Tuesday evening, there grew up many traditions; and very early in the second century a Jewish apocalyptic about the Messiah written by one Selta, who was attached to the court of the Emperor Caligula, was bodily copied into the Matthew Gospel and subsequently added (in part) to the Mark and Luke records. It was in these writings of Selta that the parable of the ten virgins appeared. No part of the gospel record ever suffered such confusing misconstruction as this evening’s teaching. But the Apostle John never became thus confused.
2015 176:2.8 Af alle de foredrag, som Mesteren gav til sine apostle var ingen nogensinde så forvirret i deres sind som dette, som blev holdt denne tirsdag aften på Oliebjerget, og som omhandlede de to emner om Jerusalems ødelæggelse og hans egen genkomst[22]. Derfor blev der lidt overensstemmelse mellem de efterfølgende skriftlige erklæringer som var baseret på minderne om, hvad Mesteren havde sagt ved denne meget specielle lejlighed. Når optegnelserne derfor efterfølgende manglede meget af hvad der blev sagt på denne tirsdag aften, opstod der mange traditioner. Meget tidligt i begyndelsen af det andet århundrede blev en jødisk apokalyptisk skrift om Messias, som var skrevet af en vis Selta, der var knyttet til kejser Caligula hof, bogstaveligt kopieret ind i Mattæusevangeliet, og senere (delvis) tilføjet til Markus og Lukas optegnelser[23]. Det var i denne Seltas skrift, at lignelsen om de ti brudepiger forekom[24]. Ingen anden del af evangelieskrifterne led nogensinde af en sådan forvirrende fejlfortolkning som denne aftens undervisning. Apostlen Johannes blev dog aldrig så forvirret.
1955 176:2.9 As these thirteen men resumed their journey toward the camp, they were speechless and under great emotional tension. Judas had finally confirmed his decision to abandon his associates. It was a late hour when David Zebedee, John Mark, and a number of the leading disciples welcomed Jesus and the twelve to the new camp, but the apostles did not want to sleep; they wanted to know more about the destruction of Jerusalem, the Master’s departure, and the end of the world.
2015 176:2.9 Da disse tretten mænd genoptog deres rejse mod lejren, var de målløse og under stærk følelsesmæssige spænding. Judas havde endeligt bekræftet sin beslutning om at opgive sine medarbejdere. Det var sent på aftenen da David Zebedæus, John Mark, og en række af de førende disciple hilste Jesus og de tolv til den nye lejr, men apostlene ville ikke sove. De ønskede at vide mere om Jerusalems ødelæggelse, Mesterens afrejse og verdens ende.
3. LATER DISCUSSION AT THE CAMP
3. SENERE DISKUSSIONER I LEJREN
1955 176:3.1 As they gathered about the campfire, some twenty of them, Thomas asked: “Since you are to return to finish the work of the kingdom, what should be our attitude while you are away on the Father’s business?” As Jesus looked them over by the firelight, he answered:
2015 176:3.1 Da de samledes omkring bålet, omkring tyve af dem, spurgte Thomas: "Da du skal vende tilbage for at fuldføre rigets arbejde, hvad bør vores holdning være, mens du er borte i din Faders anliggender?" Jesus så på dem i bålet og svarede:
1955 176:3.2 “And even you, Thomas, fail to comprehend what I have been saying. Have I not all this time taught you that your connection with the kingdom is spiritual and individual, wholly a matter of personal experience in the spirit by the faith-realization that you are a son of God? What more shall I say? The downfall of nations, the crash of empires, the destruction of the unbelieving Jews, the end of an age, even the end of the world, what have these things to do with one who believes this gospel, and who has hid his life in the surety of the eternal kingdom? You who are God-knowing and gospel-believing have already received the assurances of eternal life. Since your lives have been lived in the spirit and for the Father, nothing can be of serious concern to you. Kingdom builders, the accredited citizens of the heavenly worlds, are not to be disturbed by temporal upheavals or perturbed by terrestrial cataclysms. What does it matter to you who believe this gospel of the kingdom if nations overturn, the age ends, or all things visible crash, since you know that your life is the gift of the Son, and that it is eternally secure in the Father? Having lived the temporal life by faith and having yielded the fruits of the spirit as the righteousness of loving service for your fellows, you can confidently look forward to the next step in the eternal career with the same survival faith that has carried you through your first and earthly adventure in sonship with God.
2015 176:3.2 "Og selv dig, Thomas, forstår ikke, hvad jeg har sagt. Har jeg ikke hele tiden lært dig at din forbindelse til riget er åndelig og individuel, helt et spørgsmål om personlig erfaring i ånden gennem troserkendelse, at du er Guds søn? Hvad mere skal jeg sige? Nationers undergang, imperiers forfald, ødelæggelse af vantro jøder, tidsaldrenes afslutning, selv verdens ende, hvad angår alt dette den, som tror dette evangelium, og som har gemt sit liv i det evige rigets sikkerhed? Du, som kender Gud og tro på evangeliet har allerede modtaget forsikringen om evigt liv. Fordi du har levet dit liv i ånden og for Faderen, er der intet, der alvorligt kan bekymre jer. Rigets bygherrer, officielt akkrediterede borgere i de himmelske verdener, lader sig ikke blive forstyrret af tidsmæssige omvæltninger eller bekymret over jordiske naturkatastrofer. Hvad betyder det for dig, som tror på rigets evangelium, om nationer går under, tidsaldre ender eller alt synligt falder fra hinanden, eftersom at du ved, at dit liv er en gave fra Sønnen og at den er evigt sikret i Faderen? Når du har levet det jordiske liv i tro og frembragt retfærdighedens frugt i form af kærlig tjeneste til dine medmennesker, kan du trygt se frem til det næste skridt i den evige karriere med samme overlevelsestro som har båret dig gennem dit første og jordiske eventyr i sønskab med Gud.
1955 176:3.3 “Each generation of believers should carry on their work, in view of the possible return of the Son of Man, exactly as each individual believer carries forward his lifework in view of inevitable and ever-impending natural death. When you have by faith once established yourself as a son of God, nothing else matters as regards the surety of survival. But make no mistake! this survival faith is a living faith, and it increasingly manifests the fruits of that divine spirit which first inspired it in the human heart. That you have once accepted sonship in the heavenly kingdom will not save you in the face of the knowing and persistent rejection of those truths which have to do with the progressive spiritual fruit-bearing of the sons of God in the flesh. You who have been with me in the Father’s business on earth can even now desert the kingdom if you find that you love not the way of the Father’s service for mankind.
2015 176:3.3 "Hver generation af troende bør udføre sit arbejde, med tanke på at Menneskesønnen kan komme tilbage, ligesom hver enkelt troende bærer sit livsværk i betragtning af uundgåelig og stadigt forestående naturlig død[25]. Når du en gang gennem tro har etableret dig selv som en Guds søn er alt andet underordnet, hvad angår for at sikre overlevelse. Men tag ikke fejl! Denne overlevelsestro er en levende tro og den bringer stadigt flere frugter af den guddommelige ånd, der først bragte troen i menneskets hjerte. At du en gang har accepteret sønskab i det himmelske rige vil ikke redde dig, hvis du bevidst og vedholdende afviser de sandheder som har at gøre med den tiltagende åndelige frugtbarhed af Guds kødelige sønner. Du, som sammen med mig har udført Faderens anliggender på jorden kan selv nu opgive Guds rige, hvis du opdager, at du ikke elsker at tjene menneskeheden på Faderens måde.
1955 176:3.4 “As individuals, and as a generation of believers, hear me while I speak a parable: There was a certain great man who, before starting out on a long journey to another country, called all his trusted servants before him and delivered into their hands all his goods. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. And so on down through the entire group of honored stewards, to each he intrusted his goods according to their several abilities; and then he set out on his journey. When their lord had departed, his servants set themselves at work to gain profits from the wealth intrusted to them. Immediately he who had received five talents began to trade with them and very soon had made a profit of another five talents. In like manner he who had received two talents soon had gained two more. And so did all of these servants make gains for their master except him who received but one talent. He went away by himself and dug a hole in the earth where he hid his lord’s money. Presently the lord of those servants unexpectedly returned and called upon his stewards for a reckoning. And when they had all been called before their master, he who had received the five talents came forward with the money which had been intrusted to him and brought five additional talents, saying, ‘Lord, you gave me five talents to invest, and I am glad to present five other talents as my gain.’ And then his lord said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things; I will now set you as steward over many; enter forthwith into the joy of your lord.’ And then he who had received the two talents came forward, saying: ‘Lord, you delivered into my hands two talents; behold, I have gained these other two talents.’ And his lord then said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful steward; you also have been faithful over a few things, and I will now set you over many; enter you into the joy of your lord.’ And then there came to the accounting he who had received the one talent. This servant came forward, saying, ‘Lord, I knew you and realized that you were a shrewd man in that you expected gains where you had not personally labored; therefore was I afraid to risk aught of that which was intrusted to me. I safely hid your talent in the earth; here it is; you now have what belongs to you.’ But his lord answered: ‘You are an indolent and slothful steward. By your own words you confess that you knew I would require of you an accounting with reasonable profit, such as your diligent fellow servants have this day rendered. Knowing this, you ought, therefore, to have at least put my money into the hands of the bankers that on my return I might have received my own with interest.’ And then to the chief steward this lord said: ‘Take away this one talent from this unprofitable servant and give it to him who has the ten talents.’
2015 176:3.4 "Lyt til mig som individer og som en generation af troende, når jeg fortæller en lignelse for jer: Der var engang en mægtig mand, som før han indledte en lang rejse til et andet land, kaldte alle sine betroede tjener til sig og lod dem tage hånd om al hans ejendom. Den ene gav han fem talenter, en anden to, den tredje en, og så videre gennem hele gruppen af betroede ledere, til enhver efter hans evne; og så rejse han derfra. Da deres herre var rejst begyndte tjenere at arbejde for at opnå en fortjeneste med de værdier, som var blevet betroet dem. Den, der havde fået fem talenter begyndte straks at gøre forretninger med dem, og snart havde han tjent fem til. Ligeledes tjente ham som havde fået to talenter to mere. Og alle disse tjenere fik fortjeneste for deres herre, undtagen ham, der fik en talent. Han gik bort for sig selv og gravede et hul i jorden, hvor han gemte sin herres penge. Efter kort tid kom tjenernes herre uventet tilbage og krævede opgørelse af sine forvaltere. Og da de alle var kaldt frem for deres herre kom ham som havde fået de fem talenter med de penge, der var blevet betroet ham, og lagde yderligere fem talenter frem, og sagde: "Herre, du betroede mig fem talenter til at investere, og jeg har fornøjelsen at fremlægge yderligere fem talenter, som min fortjeneste[26]. "Og da sagde hans herre til ham: Godt, du er en god og tro tjener. Du har været tro over lidt; jeg vil nu gøre dig til forvalter over meget; gå straks ind i glæden ved din herre. 'Så kom han, som havde fået to talenter og sagde: Herre, du gav mig to talenter; Se, jeg har tjent to talenter." Hans herre sagde til ham: Godt, du gode og tro tjener; du har også været tro over lidt, og jeg vil nu sætte dig over meget; gå du ind i glæden ved din herre. Og så kom ham, der havde fået den ene talent for at aflægge regnskab. Han trådte frem og sagde: "Herre, jeg kender dig og indså, at du var en klog mand, der ventede gevinster, som du personligt ikke havde arbejdet for; derfor turde jeg ikke risikere noget af det, der var blevet betroet mig. Jeg gemte din talent i sikkerhed i jorden; her har du, hvad der er dit." Men hans herre svarede," Du er en doven og elendig forvalter. Ved dine egne ord, du indrømmer, at du vidste, jeg ville kræve dig for en opgørelse med en rimelig fortjeneste, såsom dine flittige medtjenere i dag har overgivet. Når du ved det, bør du derfor i det mindste have givet mine penge til bankfolk, så jeg kunne have fået min egen med rente, når jeg kom tilbage." Og så sagde denne herre til sin overforvalter, "Tag fra denne ubrugelige tjener hans ene talent, og giv det til ham, som har de ti talenter."[27]
1955 176:3.5 “To every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away. You cannot stand still in the affairs of the eternal kingdom. My Father requires all his children to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. You who know these truths must yield the increase of the fruits of the spirit and manifest a growing devotion to the unselfish service of your fellow servants. And remember that, inasmuch as you minister to one of the least of my brethren, you have done this service to me.
2015 176:3.5 "Til enhver, der har, han bør mere få, og det i overflod; men fra den, som ikke har, fra ham skal endog det tages, som han har[28]. Du kan ikke stå stille, når det kommer til den evige rigets anliggender. Min Fader kræver, at alle hans børn vokser i nåde og i kundskab om sandheden[29]. Du, som kender disse sandheder skal bære flere frugter af ånden, og se en voksende hengivenhed til den uselviske tjeneste af dine medtjenere[30]. Og husk, at hvad du gør for en af mine mindste brødre, det har du gjort for mig[31].
1955 176:3.6 “And so should you go about the work of the Father’s business, now and henceforth, even forevermore. Carry on until I come. In faithfulness do that which is intrusted to you, and thereby shall you be ready for the reckoning call of death. And having thus lived for the glory of the Father and the satisfaction of the Son, you shall enter with joy and exceedingly great pleasure into the eternal service of the everlasting kingdom.”
2015 176:3.6 "Og dette er, hvordan du skal arbejde, når du tager dig af Faderens anliggender, nu og fremover, selv for evigt. Fortsæt, indtil jeg kommer. I trofasthed gør det som er betroet dig, og så er du klar når døden kalder til regnskab. Og når du således har levet til Faderens ære og Sønnens tilfredshed, vil du med glæde og fryd i stigende grad indgå i den evige tjeneste i det evige rige."
1955 176:3.7 Truth is living; the Spirit of Truth is ever leading the children of light into new realms of spiritual reality and divine service. You are not given truth to crystallize into settled, safe, and honored forms. Your revelation of truth must be so enhanced by passing through your personal experience that new beauty and actual spiritual gains will be disclosed to all who behold your spiritual fruits and in consequence thereof are led to glorify the Father who is in heaven. Only those faithful servants who thus grow in the knowledge of the truth, and who thereby develop the capacity for divine appreciation of spiritual realities, can ever hope to “enter fully into the joy of their Lord.” What a sorry sight for successive generations of the professed followers of Jesus to say, regarding their stewardship of divine truth: “Here, Master, is the truth you committed to us a hundred or a thousand years ago. We have lost nothing; we have faithfully preserved all you gave us; we have allowed no changes to be made in that which you taught us; here is the truth you gave us.” But such a plea concerning spiritual indolence will not justify the barren steward of truth in the presence of the Master. In accordance with the truth committed to your hands will the Master of truth require a reckoning.
2015 176:3.7 Sandheden er levende; Sandhedens Ånd vil altid fører Lysets Børn ind i nye riger af åndelige virkelighed og guddommelig tjeneste. Du får ikke sandheden for at krystallisere den i bestemte, sikre og hædret former. Din åbenbaring af sandheden skal være forædlet ved at passere gennem din personlige erfaring, så nye skønheder og faktiske åndelige resultater bliver åbenbaret for alle som ser dine åndelige frugter, og som konsekvens heraf føres til at herliggøre Faderen, som er i himlen. Kun de trofaste tjenere, der dermed vokser i kundskab om sandheden, og som derved udvikler evnen til guddommelig værdsættelse af åndelige realiteter, kan nogensinde håbe på at "gå fuldstændig ind i sin Herres glæde[32]." Hvilket patetisk syn at se generation efter generationer af erklærede tilhængere af Jesus siger om deres forvaltning af guddommelig sandhed: "Her, Mester, er sandheden, du betroede os for hundrede eller tusinde år siden[33]. Vi har ikke mistet noget af den, vi har trofast bevaret alt, hvad du gav os, vi har ikke tilladt nogen ændringer i det, som du har lært os, dette er sandheden, du gav os." Men et sådan forsvar om åndelig sløvhed, berettiger ikke den golde forvalter af sandhed i tilstedeværelsen af Mesteren. I overensstemmelse med sandheden, der er blevet betroet i dine hænder kræver sandhedens Mester en opgørelse.
1955 176:3.8 In the next world you will be asked to give an account of the endowments and stewardships of this world. Whether inherent talents are few or many, a just and merciful reckoning must be faced. If endowments are used only in selfish pursuits and no thought is bestowed upon the higher duty of obtaining increased yield of the fruits of the spirit, as they are manifested in the ever-expanding service of men and the worship of God, such selfish stewards must accept the consequences of their deliberate choosing.
2015 176:3.8 I den næste verden, vil du bliver bedt om give en redegørelse for din begavelse og din forvaltning af denne verden. Uanset om medfødte evner har været få eller mange, skal hver præsentere en retfærdig og barmhjertig opgørelse. Hvis begavelsen kun anvendes til egoistiske formål, og ingen tanker er skænket til den højere pligt for at få en større høst af åndens frugter, som de manifesterer sig i den stadig mere omfattende tjeneste af mennesket og tilbedelse af Gud, må sådanne egoistiske forvaltere acceptere konsekvenserne af deres bevidste valg.
1955 176:3.9 And how much like all selfish mortals was this unfaithful servant with the one talent in that he blamed his slothfulness directly upon his lord. How prone is man, when he is confronted with the failures of his own making, to put the blame upon others, oftentimes upon those who least deserve it!
2015 176:3.9 Hvor meget ligesom alle egoistiske dødelige var ikke denne utro tjener med den ene talent, når han beskyldte sin sløvhed direkte på sin herre. Hvor tilbøjelig er mennesket, når det står over for de fejl, det selv har forårsaget, til at skyde skylden på andre, ofte dem, der mindst fortjener det!
4. THE RETURN OF MICHAEL
4. MIKAELS TILBAGEKOMST
1955 176:4.1 Of all the Master’s teachings no one phase has been so misunderstood as his promise sometime to come back in person to this world. It is not strange that Michael should be interested in sometime returning to the planet whereon he experienced his seventh and last bestowal, as a mortal of the realm. It is only natural to believe that Jesus of Nazareth, now sovereign ruler of a vast universe, would be interested in coming back, not only once but even many times, to the world whereon he lived such a unique life and finally won for himself the Father’s unlimited bestowal of universe power and authority. Urantia will eternally be one of the seven nativity spheres of Michael in the winning of universe sovereignty.
2015 176:4.1 Af hele Mesterens lære har ingen enkelt del været så misforstået som hans løfte, om engang personligt at komme tilbage til denne verden. Det er ikke underligt, at Mikael er interesseret i engang at vende tilbage til den planet, hvor han som dødelig i denne verden oplevede sin syvende og sidste overdragelse. Det er kun naturligt at tro, at Jesus af Nazaret, nu suveræne hersker over et stort univers, ønsker at vende tilbage, ikke kun én, men mange gange, til den verden, i hvilken han levede sådan et unikt liv, og hvor han til sidst vandt Faderen udstedelse af ubegrænset magt og myndighed i sit univers. Urantia er for evigt en af de syv fødselsverdener hvor Mikael vandt suveræniteten i sit univers.
1955 176:4.2 Jesus did, on numerous occasions and to many individuals, declare his intention of returning to this world. As his followers awakened to the fact that their Master was not going to function as a temporal deliverer, and as they listened to his predictions of the overthrow of Jerusalem and the downfall of the Jewish nation, they most naturally began to associate his promised return with these catastrophic events. But when the Roman armies leveled the walls of Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and dispersed the Judean Jews, and still the Master did not reveal himself in power and glory, his followers began the formulation of that belief which eventually associated the second coming of Christ with the end of the age, even with the end of the world.
2015 176:4.2 Jesus udtrykte, ved talrige lejligheder og til mange individer, sin hensigt om at vende tilbage til denne verden. Da hans tilhængere vågnede til erkendelse af, at deres Mester ikke ville fungere som en tidsmæssig befrier, og når de lyttede til hans forudsigelser om Jerusalems ødelæggelse og den jødiske nations opløsning, var det kun naturligt, at de begyndte at forbinde hans lovede tilbagekomst med disse katastrofale begivenheder. Men da de romerske hære jævnede Jerusalems mure med jorden, ødelagde templet og spredte jøderne i Judæa, og Mesteren stadig ikke åbenbarede sig i magt og herlighed begyndte hans tilhængere formuleringen af den tro, som i sidste ende er forbundet til Kristi genkomst ved tidsalderens afslutning, selv med verdens ende.
1955 176:4.3 Jesus promised to do two things after he had ascended to the Father, and after all power in heaven and on earth had been placed in his hands. He promised, first, to send into the world, and in his stead, another teacher, the Spirit of Truth; and this he did on the day of Pentecost. Second, he most certainly promised his followers that he would sometime personally return to this world. But he did not say how, where, or when he would revisit this planet of his bestowal experience in the flesh. On one occasion he intimated that, whereas the eye of flesh had beheld him when he lived here in the flesh, on his return (at least on one of his possible visits) he would be discerned only by the eye of spiritual faith.
2015 176:4.3 Jesus lovede at gøre to ting efter at han var steget op til Faderen og efter at al magt i himlen og på jorden var blevet lagt i hans hænder[35]. Som det første, lovede han at sende i hans sted en anden lærer, Sandhedens Ånd, til verden; og dette gjorde han på pinsedagen[36][37]. Som det andet, lovede han definitivt sine tilhængere, at han en gang personligt ville vende tilbage til denne verden[38]. Men han sagde ikke, hvordan, hvor eller hvornår han ville vende tilbage for at besøge denne planet, hvor han havde oplevet sin overdragelse i kødet. Ved en lejlighed, antydede han, at mens det kødelige øje havde set ham, da han levede her i kødet, ville han ved sin tilbagevenden (i hvert fald et af hans mulige besøg) kun kunne ses med det åndelige troens øje.
1955 176:4.4 Many of us are inclined to believe that Jesus will return to Urantia many times during the ages to come. We do not have his specific promise to make these plural visits, but it seems most probable that he who carries among his universe titles that of Planetary Prince of Urantia will many times visit the world whose conquest conferred such a unique title upon him.
2015 176:4.4 Mange af os er tilbøjelige til at tro, at Jesus vil vende tilbage til Urantia mange gange i løbet af de kommende tidsaldre. Vi har ikke hans udtrykkelige løfte om at gøre disse besøg ved flere lejligheder, men det forekommer meget sandsynligt, at han som bærer blandt hans univers titler også har betegnelsen Urantias Planetprins mange gange vil besøge den verden, hvis erobring tillægger ham sådan en enestående titel.
1955 176:4.5 We most positively believe that Michael will again come in person to Urantia, but we have not the slightest idea as to when or in what manner he may choose to come. Will his second advent on earth be timed to occur in connection with the terminal judgment of this present age, either with or without the associated appearance of a Magisterial Son? Will he come in connection with the termination of some subsequent Urantian age? Will he come unannounced and as an isolated event? We do not know. Only one thing we are certain of, that is, when he does return, all the world will likely know about it, for he must come as the supreme ruler of a universe and not as the obscure babe of Bethlehem. But if every eye is to behold him, and if only spiritual eyes are to discern his presence, then must his advent be long deferred.
2015 176:4.5 Vi tror helt fuldt og er overbevist om, at Mikael igen personligt kommer til Urantia, men vi har ikke den ringeste idé om, hvornår eller på hvilken måde han vælger at komme. Vil hans anden fremkomst på jorden, være fastsat til at sker i forbindelse med den endelige dom af den nuværende tidsalder, enten med eller uden en dertil tilhørende tilsynekomst af en Administratorsøn? Vil han komme i forbindelse med afslutningen af en efterfølgende tidsalder på Urantia? Vil han komme uanmeldt som en særskilt begivenhed? Vi ved det ikke. Kun én ting er vi sikre på, nemlig at når han rent faktisk vender tilbage, vil hele verden sandsynligvis vide om det, for han skal komme som øverste hersker over universet og ikke som en ukendt baby i Betlehem. Men om hvert øje skal se ham, og hvis kun åndelige øjne vil skelne hans tilstedeværelse, så må hans ankomst længe være udskudt.
1955 176:4.6 You would do well, therefore, to disassociate the Master’s personal return to earth from any and all set events or settled epochs. We are sure of only one thing: He has promised to come back. We have no idea as to when he will fulfill this promise or in what connection. As far as we know, he may appear on earth any day, and he may not come until age after age has passed and been duly adjudicated by his associated Sons of the Paradise corps.
2015 176:4.6 Derfor er det klogt af dig, at adskille Mesterens personlige tilbagevenden til jorden fra alle bestemte begivenheder eller faste perioder. Vi er sikre på kun én ting: Han har lovet at vende tilbage. Vi har ingen idé om, hvornår han agter at opfylde sit løfte, eller i hvilken sammenhæng. Så vidt vi ved, kan han fremtræde på jorden en dag når som helst og det kan være, at han ikke kommer før tidsalder efter tidsalder er gået og blevet behørigt bedømt af hans medarbejdende Sønner i Paradiskorpset.
1955 176:4.7 The second advent of Michael on earth is an event of tremendous sentimental value to both midwayers and humans; but otherwise it is of no immediate moment to midwayers and of no more practical importance to human beings than the common event of natural death, which so suddenly precipitates mortal man into the immediate grasp of that succession of universe events which leads directly to the presence of this same Jesus, the sovereign ruler of our universe. The children of light are all destined to see him, and it is of no serious concern whether we go to him or whether he should chance first to come to us. Be you therefore ever ready to welcome him on earth as he stands ready to welcome you in heaven. We confidently look for his glorious appearing, even for repeated comings, but we are wholly ignorant as to how, when, or in what connection he is destined to appear.
2015 176:4.7 Mikaels anden fremkomst til jorden er en begivenhed, der har en enorm affektionsværdi for både mellemvæsener og mennesker, men ellers har den ingen direkte indflydelse på mellemvæsnerne og for menneskerne ingen større praktisk betydning end den almindelige begivenhed af naturlig død, som pludselig fremskynder det dødelige menneske ind i den umiddelbare forståelse af denne række af universets begivenheder, der direkte fører til denne samme Jesus, den suveræne hersker over universet. Lysets børn er alle bestemt til at se ham, og det er uden større betydning, om vi går til ham, eller hvis det skulle sker, at han først kommer til os. Vær derfor altid klar til at byde ham velkommen på jorden som han er klar til at byde dig velkommen i himlen. Vi ser fortrøstningsfuldt frem til hans strålende præstation, selv flere gange, men vi er helt uvidende om, hvordan, hvornår, eller i hvilken sammenhæng han vil fremtræde.