一头沉睡的狮子

¶一头沉睡的狮子

¶（托马斯·华森，《系统神学》）

¶“恶人的道路为何亨通呢？大行诡诈的为何得安逸呢？”（耶利米书12:1）

¶罪恶最深的人，往往也最为亨通。这使许多人质疑神的公义。第欧根尼看见一个贼一直过着富足的日子，就说：“神必定已经放弃治理这世界，也不管世上的事如何了。”

¶恶人在世上亨通，这怎么能与神的公义相合呢？

¶如果神容让人在罪中暂时亨通，祂盛忿怒的碗在这期间正渐渐装满；祂的刀在这期间也正越磨越锋利。虽然神可能暂且宽容人，但长久的宽容并不是赦免。神等得越久才出手，最后的一击就越重！只要永恒长存，神就有足够的时间与祂的仇敌算账！

¶神的公义或许像一头沉睡的狮子，但这狮子终必醒来，向罪人怒吼！

¶“是的，主神，全能者阿，你的判断义哉，诚哉！”（启示录16:7）

¶A sleeping lion

¶(Thomas Watson, " Body of Divinity ")

¶"Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do the treacherous live at ease?" Jeremiah 12:1

¶Such as are highest in sin--are often highest in prosperity. This has led many to question God's justice. Diogenes, seeing a thief live on affluently, said, "Surely God has cast off the government of the world, and does not care how things go on here below."

¶How can it be consistent with God's justice , that the wicked should prosper in the world?

¶If God lets men prosper a while in their sin--His vial of wrath is all this while filling; His sword is all this time sharpening. Though God may forbear with men a while--yet long forbearance is not forgiveness. The longer God is in taking His blow, the heavier it will be at last! As long as there is eternity, God has time enough to reckon with His enemies!

¶God's justice may be as a sleeping lion --but the lion will awake at last, and roar upon the sinner!

¶"Yes, Lord God Almighty, Your punishments are true and just." Revelation 16:7