Tuesday, February 4, 2020

願祢的國降臨 - 啟示錄的信息 The Message of the Book of Revelation by 葉華牧師 Rev. Carpus Yip (Bilingual Edition: 中文/English-- English Translation by Estela Yip)



願祢的國降臨 - 啟示錄的信息

Thy Kingdom Come - The Message of the Book of Revelation by 葉華牧師Rev. Carpus Yip

基督再來的日期近了,祂永遠的國將要降臨在地上。啟示錄的中心信息,不是世界末日,乃是天國成立在地上。祂不厭其煩的要求約翰說出啟示錄的重要性與準確性。我們怎能掉以輕心,漠視祂的心意呢?

The time of Christ's return is near, His eternal Kingdom will descend on earth. The main message of Revelation is not about the end of the world, but about the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ himself asked John to relate the important message of Revelation in an accurate way. How can we be complacent and ignore his intentions?

筆者嘗試把每一章、每一節都加以解釋。把整本書串連起來,更正一些傳統解釋的錯誤,提供慎重、明確的大圖畫

Therefore, The writer's endeavor is to explain each chapter and each verse carefully, in order to provide a big picture of the entire book of Revelation.

念這書上預言的和那些聽見又遵守其中所記載的,都是有福的,因為日期近了。(啟示錄1:3)

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.( Revelation 1:3)




Saturday, January 18, 2020

Rev. Carpus Wah Yip 葉華牧師 (1946-2018)



Rev. Carpus  Wah Yip 葉華牧師  (1946-2018)





CHAPTER I - 啟示錄 Revelation 1:1-3 - 末世預言 PROPHECY OF THE END TIMES



CHAPTER I
末世預言
PROPHECY OF THE END TIMES

啟示錄 Revelation 1:1-3)

聖經是一本奇特的書,它有很多末日的預言已經應驗,所以我們也可以肯定,其餘部份的預言,也必定要應驗。

The Bible is an amazing book, many of its prophecies about the end times have already been fulfilled, so we can be sure that the remaining part of the prophecies will certainly be fulfilled.


預言描寫未來事物的方式,常是用象徵性的語言。啟示錄像一個拼圖遊戲的母板,如果對人類歷史有不清楚的地方,我們只要把啟示錄的圖拼出來,就會看見神的整個大計劃出現。

Prophecies about the future are often written in symbolic language. Revelation is like a jigsaw puzzle, if some parts of the human history are unclear, we just have to look for the missing pieces and put them together, that way we will be able to see God's perfect plan. We just need patience to put the puzzle together.


有人以為,只要好好用心做基督徒、努力見證主,至於預言,可以不必研究。其實如果真要做好主的門徒,或要作好主的見證人,就要用心去讀聖經的預言。為什麼呢?

Some people think that as long as they are good Christians and witness for the Lord, they do not need to study the prophecies in the Bible. In reality, if you really want to be a good disciple of the Lord, or be a witness for Him, you need to study the prophecies in the bible very carefully. Why?

因為這是神的啟示
BECAUSE IT IS THE REVELATION OF GOD


1耶穌基督的啟示,就是神賜給祂。
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him.


這是神的啟示,也是基督的啟示。啟示的原意是「揭開」。表示有很多奧秘的事,藏在主的寶庫裡。神要打開讓人知道。所有的預言都是出於神,因為只有神才知道未來發生的事。只有祂才能將百年、千年以後的事預先告訴人。以賽亞46:10說:「我從起初指明末後的事,古時言明未成之事。」未來的事,人無從知道,但神想把它向人預告。因為神的心意不是隱藏的心意。

It is the revelation of God and the revelation of Christ. To reveal means “to uncover”. There are many mysteries hidden in God's treasure-house. God wants to uncover them so that people may know what they are. Only God knows what will happen in the future. Only He can tell people what will happen in 100 years or 1,000 years from now. Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” Nobody knows the future, but God wants us to know what will happen beforehand. God does not intend to hide things from us.



聖經其他的書卷,很多聖經學者在讀的時候,都會注意他的神學思想,保羅有保羅的神學,約翰有約翰神學。他們寫書的時候,總帶著他們自己的特色,自己的眼光,自己的看法。他們也會針對不同的對象,講適合他們靈性光景的話。看路加寫的福音與約翰寫的福音,風格上有很大的距離,就可以明白。

When Bible scholars study the Bible, they pay attention to the theological thoughts of each book. Paul and John each have their own theological thoughts. Their writings bring up their own distinguished features, their own vision and their own view. Their message was directed towards a specific group of people and their spiritual needs. When you look at the writings of the Gospel of Luke versus the Gospel of John you will find that their styles are very different.


很多學者研究每一卷書的時候,總要想當時他寫給什麼人?那些讀者有些什麼需要?應當給他們怎樣的信息。所以有許多學者對本書的解釋是這樣,它是寫給當時在苦難當中、在動亂中,在羅馬統治下的基督徒。有不容易明白的地方,是因為怕羅馬政府的對付,所以用隱閉的言語。所以只要找出對當時信徒的安慰與鼓勵的信息就夠了。

Many scholars, when they study each book, they have to think about to whom the book was directed to at that time. What were the needs of the readers? What kind of message was given to them? Therefore, some scholars believe that Revelation was written for those Christians who were suffering and going through tumultuous times under the rule of the Roman Empire. The parts in Revelation that were difficult to understand were due to the fact that Christians were afraid of the Roman government so they used hidden language in their writings . Therefore, as long as they could find the message of comfort and encouragement for the believers at that time, then that was enough.



但啟示錄是非常獨特的書。猶太人寫書信習慣,不寫自己名字,唯獨這本啟示錄他寫上自己名字,指明是基督給他的啟示。

But the book of Revelation is an amazingly unique book. When Jewish people write letters, they do not mention their own names, but in this book of Revelation the author writes his name, specifying that it was the Revelation of Christ to him.

這本書,我們不需要研究約翰的神學觀,因為這本書從頭到尾,都不是他自己的話,他說得明白清楚,這書是基督自己告訴他的話,或基督差派天使給他看見的各種異象。所以我們不需要知道他對未來事件的意見是什麼,我們只要知道他看見了什麼。

For this book, we do not have to study the theology of John because from beginning to end, this book does not contain John's own words. He said it clearly that this book is Christ's own words to him, or visions shown to him by an angel sent by Christ. So we do not have to know what his views of future events are, we just need to know what he saw.


所預言的事是必定要發生的.
ALL THE PROPHECIES WILL DEFINITELY BE FULFILLED


1 叫祂將必要快成的事。
1 to show his servants what must soon take place.


這本書,全部都是預言。很多解經人士想叫我們忽略這個事實,要對待它像對待其他的書卷一樣,只要找出屬靈的教訓,不必管事情將怎樣發生,何時發生。他們錯了,因為這書一開頭就表明,它是一本預言的書。既是預言,就要知道它怎樣應驗。

All the events in this book are prophecies. Many Bible commentators tell us to ignore this fact, and to treat this book as the other books of the Bible. They tell us to look only for spiritual lessons, and not to worry about how things will happen or when they will happen. They are wrong, because this book clearly states at the beginning of it that it is a prophecy. Since is it is a prophecy, we need to know how it will be fulfilled. A prophecy is different than a prediction. When the Olympic Games are held somewhere in the world next year, people might be able to predict that the prices of hotels will increase. Will this definitely happen? Not really. If the country where the games are to be held gets into a civil war, is boycotted by other countries, or suddenly faces a natural disaster, the Olympic Games might be canceled, and the hotels might have to have big price cuts. So what was predicted might not happen. The prophecies of the Lord will definitely take place soon, they will not change.



預言不同於預測。當奧運明年在某地舉行之時,人能預測旅館將會大漲價,那是按情況推測。是否一定這樣發生?不一定。如果該國發生內戰,受國際盃葛,或遇大災難,使大會不能如期舉行,就會大降價。所以那不是必定發生的事。主的預言卻是必要快成的事,不會改變。

This does not mean that God predestined those things to happen. It is a prophecy because God has already seen the future; He is just letting us know beforehand what will happen. It is something that mankind cannot understand. Because we live inside time, we have to follow a timeline. God lives outside time; He can see the whole entire history as it unfolds in front of Him. Of course He can tell us what will happen in the future.


有人說,這書的內容太多像徵的話,不容易讀。什麼七頭的獸、污鬼、蝗蟲、巴比倫、大淫婦。也有很多災難,很多可怕的描寫,所以不敢讀。但我們要記得,我們的主把將要發生的事告知我們,目的是安慰我們,不是恐嚇我們。叫我們知道祂是掌控萬事的神。

Some people say that this book contains too many symbols; it is too difficult to study. What does it mean when it mentions a Beast with seven heads, unclean spirits and locusts, Babylon or the Great Harlot? Also there are too many catastrophic and horrifying events; therefore they are too afraid to study it. But we have to remember, the reason why our Lord wants us to know about these events  before they happen is to comfort us, not to terrify us and to show us  that He is God and that He is in control of everything.


當我們預先知道未來的結局都是圓滿的,中間雖然有驚險的事,也不用擔心。世界上雖然有很多叫人氣憤的事,但我們知道結局的真相,就能以心平氣和的態度來看待。它提醒我們,眼光要看得遠,現今所遇到的並非結局,產難之後那新生的嬰孩就出來了,那才是圓滿的結局。

When we know in advance that the future outcome will have a perfect ending, though the midst of it might seem alarmingly dangerous, we should not worry. Many things that are happening in the world might make people angry, but we know the truth of how it will end, therefore we can face things calmly. He reminds us, look further away; whatever we encounter today is not the end. After suffering the pains of childbirth, the newborn baby will come into the world, and then it will be a happy ending.


所以我們的心要得安慰鼓勵,無論遇到什麼事,無論有多大痛苦,總要對主忠心。啟示錄的七印、七號、七碗,都是在描寫地上的災禍,只有到第七號的時候,才稱為佳音(10:7) 。那必定是指到信徒被提的時候,是災難中的喜訊.

So our hearts are comforted and encouraged, no matter what happens, no matter how great the pain and suffering, we have to be loyal to our Lord. The seven seals , seven trumpets, and seven bowls, depict the scourges on earth; only at the sound of the seventh trumpet will the mystery of God be accomplished, good tidings (10:7). That for sure will be the time of the rapture when the believers are caught up to be with the Lord in heaven, the joy among the tribulation.


這書的對像是給我們眾信徒的
THE PROPHECIES OF THIS BOOK ARE WRITTEN FOR US, THE BELIEVERS


1 指示祂的眾僕人。
1 To show his servants.


神將未來的事啟示給約翰,目的不是只叫他一人知道,祂要求約翰指示祂的眾僕人,就是要我們眾信徒都知道。所以本書的對象,是給我們的,要我們好作準備。如果講明是給我們讀的,我們怎可以不讀呢?

The Lord revealed the future to John, not only for him to know about it, but for him to show us, His servants, what must soon take place. Therefore, the purpose of this book is for us to read it so we can know how to be prepared. If it clearly states that we must read it, how could we not read it?



但我們要問:「為什麼這麼難明白呢?」有好些原因使我們不容易明白啟示錄:

But we have to ask: “Why is it so hard to understand?” There are many reasons why we do not understand this book:


( 一) 這是二千年前的辭匯,而且是用不同的文字,就是古希臘文寫成的,古希臘文是已經停用多年的文字,這就有一定的困難。就像讀中國古文、甲骨文,當然不容易了解。

1) It was written 2000 years ago in another language, which was ancient Greek. Ancient Greek has not been used for many years and that is one of the reasons why it is so hard to understand. Even if it would have been written in ancient Chinese or in oracle bone inscriptions, it would have been very difficult to understand.


( 二) 想像二千年前的約翰看到21 世紀的電影,恐怕很多他所看見事物,都不明白,他也沒有現代的文字可以描寫。他看見飛機在天空,他能怎樣形容呢?大概是碩大的蝗蟲包著鐵甲,尾巴像蝎子,聲音像許多車馬奔跑上.

2) Imagine John from 2,000 years ago watching a 21st century movie. I am sure that he would not have been able to recognize any of the things that he was seeing; he would not even know how to describe those objects. If he saw airplanes flying in the sky, how would he describe them? He would probably say that they were like locust with breastplates of iron, with a tail with stingers like a scorpion and the sound of their wings were like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. In those times people did not even know what gunpowder was, how could they describe the weapons of war that we use today?



( 三) 啟示錄有多種異象。有描寫地上的事,有描寫天上的事,有描靈界的事。像人看畫,有寫實派,有抽象派,也有寫意派,都要用不同的欣賞法。啟示錄各段都有不同的解釋方法,不能一概而論。有些憑字面解,有用靈意解。

3) There are a variety of visions in Revelation: Visions of things on earth, in heaven and in the spiritual realm. Like people looking at different styles of paintings, some are realistic paintings, some are abstract, others are impressionistic paintings, and each style must be appreciated in its own way. Likewise, different parts of the book of Revelation might need different ways of interpretation, some parts have to be explained literally and other parts spiritually.



神用了最多的啟示方法
GOD USED MANY DIFFERENT WAYS OF REVELATION




1-2 祂就差遣使者曉諭( 顯示make known) 祂的僕人約翰,約翰便將神的道,和耶穌基督的見證,凡自己所看見的,都證明( 見證) 出來。

1-2 He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.



神的顯示包括(1) 神的話,(2) 基督的見證,(3) 自己所看見的事。約
翰好像看見有聲的電影,神把第一世紀以後的事,像放電影一樣,給約翰看見。

God's revelation includes (1) the Word of God, (2) The testimony of Jesus Christ, (3) and everything that John saw. God showed John the things that were going to happen in the 21st century as if he was watching a movie .


啟示錄裡面共有44 次約翰說「我看見」。沒有別的書像它一樣,完全是啟示。神在整個人類歷史裡面,唯有這本書,祂用了最多種的方法,啟示給人知道祂國度怎樣完成的事。歷史中有多種啟示方法:

John said the words “I saw” forty four times in the book of Revelation. There is no other book in the Bible like the book of Revelation that contains so many prophecies. God used many ways to reveal Himself to humans throughout history:


第一種,是像摩西面對面聽神說話。雖然他並不能看見神,因為神用光雲把祂自己遮蓋。

1) God spoke to Moses face to face. Moses could not see God because God used clouds and fire to cover His own glory.



第二種,被提到三重天去。保羅與多位使徒們,魂遊像外,能聽到隱秘的言語,能知道世人不知道的事.

2) God took Paul to the third heaven. Paul and a few disciples had an out-of-body experience and they were able to hear inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.



第三種,看見異象、異夢或看見天使報訊。像但以理、約翰、彼得等人所見。耶穌降生的時候,約瑟也多次夢見天使的指示。以上幾種,都是特別的情形,神要讓人很清楚聽明白所說的話。

3) God used visions, dreams and angels to relate messages. Like what Daniel, John, Peter and others saw. Joseph received instructions from an angel of what to do in his dreams many times. The ways of revelation mentioned above are very special cases which God used to give a clear message to certain people.



第四種,是默示inspiration 。那是人心靈裡得到靈感,用自己的話寫出來。先知的信息與多本經卷,都是用這種方法。他們寫的東西,都有濃厚的個人風格.

4) Inspiration. After being moved by the Spirit, the writer would use his own words to record the message. The prophets and many books in the Bible are inspired by God this way. Their writings have a strong personal style.


第五種,是內心的感動,這是最基本神對人說話的方式。通常只有是與非,只有紅燈與綠燈,沒有清楚的信息,有點像舊約的烏陵土明。

5) Inner feeling or voice, which is God's most basic way for speaking to people. Usually is right or wrong, red light or green light, no specific message, like the Urim and Thummim from the Old Testament.



這啟示錄用了最多的啟示方法:被提三重天、異象、天使報訊,他自己的意見最少,都是神要對我們說的話。所以這本書豈可不讀呢?

This book uses most of the ways of revelation: Being taken to the third heaven, visions, message from an angel. John's own views are very few, they are all words spoken to us by God. How could we not read this book?

讀啟示錄又跟著行的人有福了
THOSE WHO READ THIS BOOK AND FOLLOW IT WILL BE BLESSED


3 念這書上預言的和那些聽見又遵守其中所記載的,都是有福的,因為日期近了。

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


讀、聽又遵守的人,必然有福,因為他必定作好準備,過儆醒的生活,將要在大災難之前被提,是有福的人.

Those who read this book, those who hear it and those who take to heart what is written in it will definitely be blessed because they will be prepared for when these things will happen and will live a watchful life.


像突擊的考試,許多人通不過,因為沒有作好準備。常準備的人必能通過。主吩咐我們儆醒,「免得那日子如同網羅,忽然臨到我們。」( 路加21)

Like an unexpected exam, many will not pass it if they are not prepared for it. Those who are always prepared will for sure pass the exam. The Lord told us to be watchful, “Be careful, or…that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21)


祂吩咐我們,不要效法世界人的生活方式,不要跟隨世界的引誘,因為祂來像夜間的賊,是不會預先通知的。聖經多處都勸告我們,要儆醒。啟示錄中有七個「有福了」,全都與儆醒有關。

The Lord commands us not to be conformed to the patterns of this worldly life or to the temptations of this world because He will come like a thief in the night and will not announce Himself beforehand. The Bible tells us over and over again to be alert , therefore we should be watchful. In Revelation there are seven “blessed” words and all of them are related to being watchful.



什麼叫作儆醒等候?不是叫我們辭掉工作,穿上白衣站在山上等。乃是要求我們像管賬的人,隨時隨地有人來查賬,都無愧于心,沒什麼需要收藏起來的。

What does it mean to watch and wait? It does not mean to quit our jobs, wear a white robe and stand on top of a mountain to wait. Let us be prepared like a bookkeeper who has nothing to hide when someone comes to audit his books.



「因為日期近了」,這句話像講了很久,已經二千年過去了,何時才是真的近?我們知道事情已開始發生了,只要等最後一位天使吹號,我們就被提到主的面前。

“Because the time is near”, these words have been spoken for more than 2,000 years, so when is the time really near? We know that the events have already started to happen, when the last angel sounds the trumpet, we will be caught up to be before the Lord.


「論到時候日期」( 帖前5:1) 保羅在這裡用了兩個辭描寫時間,一個指「次序」,像崇拜唱詩之後是禱告,到這程序就知道下一個程序是什麼。另一個辭,有的時候會翻譯作season ,可譯作「時機」。他所講的時候日期,都不是時鐘、日曆所指示的時間。

“About times and dates” (1 Thessalonians 5:1) Paul uses two words to describe the timing. One refers to a sequence of events like during worship time; prayer comes after singing the hymns. At that time we will know what event will take place next. The other word sometimes is translated into season, or timing. The times and dates does not refer to the hours or minutes of a day.



「這福音要傳遍天下,然後末期才來到。」( 太24:14) 這也是說出等候成熟的時間。就像禾田成熟,就是收割之時。不是釘著日曆看,乃是要看成熟的程度。

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14). This is the time to maturity. Like the harvest time when the grain becomes ripe. Not according to the calendar but according to the maturity of the grain.



聖經的預言不是為滿足人的好奇心的,乃是要使人知道應該怎樣生活。如果人知道明天強風要吹到,今天就會作好準備。啟示錄一開始的時候就應許我們,聽而遵守的人有福了。

The Bible prophecies were not written to satisfy the curiosity of the people but to show the people how to live. If people knew that a hurricane would be coming tomorrow, today you would do some preparations. Revelation begins with a promise: Blessed are those who hear it and take heart what is written in it.


CHAPTER II - 啟示錄 Revelation 1:4-8 - 全備的福音 FULL GOSPEL



CHAPTER II
全備的福音 FULL GOSPEL 
啟示錄 Revelation1:4-8)


人寫信,一定有一個目的。知道目的,就會更明白信的內容。讀聖經時,也要注意該書成書的目的,就會更深入了解書的內容。成書的目的常在前面引言裡面就可找到,今天所讀雖然是一個開場白與問候,但本書的目的已經清楚可以看見。

Whenever people write a letter it is always with a purpose. Once you know the purpose of the letter you will be able to understand its content better. When you read the Bible you need to pay attention to the purpose of each book so you can better understand its content. The purpose of the entire book can often be found in the introduction. From this passage, though it is an introductory greeting, we can clearly see the purpose of the book.


常有人說啟示錄的內容叫人害怕。人害怕的原因是因為人沒有控制的能力,沒有權能或力量去改變事情。如果人能夠控制事情的發生,自然就不會害怕了。

People always say that the content of the book of Revelation makes people fearful. People are fearful because they do not have the ability, the power or the authority to control certain things from happening. If they could control events from happening they would not be afraid.



人坐飛機的時候,以為人的科技已經發達到可以全面控制飛機與天氣,可以應付各種困難。直到遇見強大的氣流時就會開始害怕,如果再看見引擎掉下,就會痛哭呼號,那時才知道人並非全能。很多不信者就有這種錯覺,以為靠自己什麼都可以解決,不需要神。不錯,神給我們有解決問題的頭腦,很多生活上的問題,如果智慧地安排好,也可以順利的過去,但以為因此不需要神,就大錯特錯了。

When people travel by air, they believe that due to the advancement in technology they can achieve full control of the aircraft and the weather and cope with various difficulties. But when they encounter severe turbulence, then they start getting scared; if they see the engine falling off from the plane, they will really panic and start to cry frantically. At that moment they will realize that they are not omnipotent beings. Many unbelievers have the misconception that they can solve anything on their own and that they do not need to depend on God at all. Yes, God has given us a problem-solving mind, we can successfully solve some life issues wisely, but if you think that there is no need for God, you better think again.



這種想法以為人擁有全備的智慧與能力,無論什麼意外事件都可以應付。人有這種想法只因還沒有遇到大麻煩而已。

People who believe that they have the wisdom and the ability to cope with any kind of unexpected circumstances think that way because they have not yet encountered extreme difficulties.



過去的時代當人遇到苦難,心會迴轉,會尋求神,看看自己做錯了什麼事。子女受責打之後會聽從父母的話。但末世的人遇到苦難的時候會咒罵神,子女受到責打的時候,會控告父母。這是一種錯覺,以為人的前途操縱在自己的手上。約翰要我們搞清楚,什麼是真正的權能,那時才能正確面對末世的事件。所以這一段的主題是「神的完全與全備」。

In the past, when people encountered difficult situations, they would examine themselves to see where they went wrong and then they would turn their hearts to God and seek Him. Children would listen to their parents after they have been disciplined. But during the end times , when people encounter hardships, they will curse God. Children will sue their parents for disciplining them. They have the misconception that they have the power to control their own destiny. John wants us to know what real power is so we know how to face the future events of the end times the right way. So the theme of this passage is: “THE PERFECT FULLNESS OF GOD”.


全備的三一神一同施恩
THE PERFECT TRIUNE GOD SHEDS HIS GRACE


4 約翰寫信給亞西亞的七個教會,但願從那昔在、今在,以後永在的神,和祂寶座前的七靈,5 並那誠實作見證的神,從死里首先復活,為世上君王元首的耶穌基督,有恩惠平安歸
與你們

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.



基督坐上大衛傳下來之寶座作王,以前的王,都不長久,只有基督永遠不會下台。

Christ reigns sitting on the throne passed down from David; the kings of old were not permanent, only Christ will reign forever.



多個詞都只出現在啟示錄,「昔在今在以後永在」、「七靈」、「首先復活」等,告訴我們,這位是全能、全知、全在的永生神。

In here there are many words that appear only in Revelation, words like “who is”, “who was”, and “who is to come”, “the seven Spirits”, “the firstborn from the dead”; these words tell us that He is the almighty, all knowing, eternal living God.



另外還有一些詞句,「使成王國」、「作父神的祭司」,「阿拉法、俄梅戛」,「全能者」等,都只在啟示錄出現。這一位三位一元,全能的神,都一起向我們施恩。

In addition, there are words like “made us to be a kingdom”, “priests to serve His God and Father”, “the Alpha”, “the Omega”, “the Almighty”, etc. that appear only in Revelation . Here we see, the Triune Almighty God bestowing His grace upon us.




有人會說,他們的偶像很靈驗、很有能力。那都是次等的能。撒但有偷竊、殺害、毀壞之能,它能用法術害人,能幫人發財升官,得到短暫的榮華富貴,但它不能給人新生命、豐盛的生活、與永遠的榮耀。

Some people might say that their idols work wonders and are very powerful. But their power is inferior. Satan has the power to steal, murder, and destroy; he can use sorcery to hurt others, he can help people have riches and glory for a brief period of time, but he cannot give people new life, abundant life, and eternal glory.


基督全備救贖工程
CHRIST ' S PERFECT PLAN OF SALVATION

5 祂愛我們,用自己的血使我們脫離罪惡。6 又使我們成為祂父神的王國與祭司。

5 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.


基督救贖的工程使人脫罪、成立王國,及使人作祭司等詞,都是用過去式,不是等將來才發生,那是教會的歷史,是主王國建立的過程。

Christ's plan of salvation freed us from our sins and made us to be a kingdom and priests. The verbs used here are all in the past tense. We do not have to wait for the future, it already happened; it is all part of the history of the church. It was a process which the Kingdom of Christ had to go through in order to be established.



祂怎樣建立這王國呢?這完全是由基督所作成的:.

How did He establish this Kingdom? It was completely done by Christ:

( 1) 祂自己流血救罪人。( 2) 使這些人成為王國即教會。( 3) 使這些人成為祭司,做世人與神之間的中間人,為人代求,這才是完備的救恩。並不是使人得救就完工了。

(1) He shed His own blood to save sinners. (2) He made these people to become a Kingdom which is the Church. (3) And made them to be priests, to be a mediator between God and the people of this world , and to pray for them. This is the complete plan of salvation. It was not just for people to be saved.

基督的工作做到哪一步才是完全?是在信徒脫離了自我中心生活,成為幫助人的祭司,成為主的王國,也就是王國中的官員Officer ,與主一同作王。這樣好像已經完全了,其實還有一步。

When is Christ's work complete? Christ's work is complete when the believer breaks away from his self-centered lifestyle and becomes a priest to help the people; when he becomes the kingdom of the Lord and an officer of the kingdom, to reign together with the Lord. After all this happens, it may seem that the task is completed, but there is one more step.


7 看哪,祂駕雲降臨,眾目要看見祂,連刺祂的人也要看見祂,地上的萬族都要因祂哀哭。

7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”



祂駕雲再來,才完成整個運作。在猶太人的禮拜中,已經可以隱約看見。祭司進入聖所為他們禱告,他們都站在外面等候,像今天基督在天上的聖所為我們禱告一樣。祭司供職完畢,出來為他們祝福,禮拜才算做完。祂駕雲再來,才算完全了祂的工作。

He is coming back with the clouds to complete the entire operation.  We kind of get an idea of it by watching a Jewish worship ceremony. The priest will enter into the Sanctuary to pray for the congregation while the congregation waits outside, similar to Christ praying for us in the Sanctuary in heaven. After the priest is done performing his duty, he then comes out to bless the congregation; at that point the worship service is completed.


雲彩表示神的同在,祂駕雲升天的時候,已經正式恢復成為全能的神,那時候是暫時的離開地上,其他的人還沒機會見到祂的威嚴榮耀。當祂回來的時候,也是駕雲降臨,是大有威榮的降臨。

A cloud represents the presence of God. Christ ascended to heaven with the clouds; officially restored as the Almighty God. At that time He was leaving this world temporarily and only a few had the opportunity to see His awesome glory. When He comes back the second time, He will also be coming with the clouds but then He will be returning in all His glory and majesty.


祂第一次到世上來,以愛和忍耐完成祂的救贖。當祂第二次來,祂要以公義的神、審判的主、威嚴的王之身份顯現。

Jesus Christ first came into this world with love and forbearance to complete His plan of salvation. When He returns the second time, He will appear as the righteous God, the Judge, and the Majestic King.



本書雖然提到很多災難、戰爭,人對聖殿的種種破壞,敵神帝國的手段,但我們最需要看見的,卻是基督要帶著眾聖徒降臨的大日。祂降臨的時候,先與被提的眾聖徒在天上的聖所相會。那時,也就是基督婚筵的時候,也是地上七年大災難發生的時間,留在地上的是那些不信的人與在那七年中才真正信主的人,包括猶太人在內。

Although this book mentions many disasters, wars, the destruction of the temple and the evil schemes of the empire that is against God, we should focus our attention on that wonderful day when Christ will return with all His saints. When He returns, He will first meet with the raptured saints in the heavenly sanctuary. That is the time of the wedding banquet of Christ, and the seven years of great tribulation on the earth. The ones who remain on the earth are the unbelievers and those who will believe in the Lord during the seven years of tribulation, including the Jews.


主第一次來,降生在卑微的牛棚中,是低調的來。升天的時候也是低調的去,只有門徒送行。主再臨的時候,眾目要看見祂,地上的萬族都要因祂哀哭。因為祂是審判萬人的王,是我們所難以想像的。

When the Lord came to this world the first time He kept a low profile, as He was born in a humble manger. When He ascended to heaven it was also very low-key, only the disciples saw Him depart. But, when the Lord returns for the second time, it will not be low-key anymore, every eye will see Him, and all the peoples on earth will mourn because of Him. He will come as the King who will judge the whole world. He will return in such a grandiose way that we cannot even imagine.


約翰不知道該怎樣表達那個大場面,只能說:「這話是真實的,阿們。」一點沒有誇大。世人無論多尊貴,總有人鄙視他。沒有人能得全世界的人跪拜,但主再來的時候,全部都要下跪,因為祂是萬王之王,是至高的審判官。

John did not know how to express this spectacular scene, so he said: “So shall it be! Amen.” No matter how respectable a person is, there will always be someone who will despise him. No one can get the whole world to bow down to them, but when the Lord returns to earth again, everyone will bow down to Him because He is the King of Kings, He is the Judge Most High.



創始成終的全能神
ALMIGHTY GOD FROM BEGINNING TO END


8 主神說:「我是阿拉法,我是俄梅戛,是昔在、今在、
以後永在的全能者。」

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is , and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”



這句話在啟示錄之外看不見。用希臘文首末兩個字母,表示祂是創始成終的主,沒有別人能夠做得到。歷史就是人開始了,卻不能持續到永遠的記錄。古埃及文明只差一小步,如果不是人自我毀滅,人類早幾千年已上太空,但人進步到某一個地步,就會自我毀滅。只有祂是創始成終的主,祂的王國是永遠的國。

This sentence can only be found in book of Revelation. The Alpha and the Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet which means that the Lord established everything from the beginning, no one else could do that but Him. History started with mankind but it will not last forever. Ancient Egyptian Civilization is just a small part of it, if it was not for self-destruction of mankind, humans could have gone to space thousands of years earlier, but people progress to a certain extent, then war occurs, self-destruction. Only the Lord God is the beginning and the end, His kingdom is everlasting.

當我們只看見片段,會以為大事不好了。例如看見七個教會中的示每拿教會有苦難,但神用不同的事件、不同的環境,用萬事叫愛神的人得益處。不如意的事,可以變成使我們得益處的因素。

When we can only see a small part of the whole picture, we tend to think that whatever happened is bad. For example, when see the suffering of the Church in Smyrna, one of the seven churches in Revelation, we think is bad; but God can use different events, different circumstances, and different ways to benefit those who love Him. Things that happened to us that we think are bad can actually be for our own good.


這段經文出現「全能神」這一個詞。到底祂怎樣的全能呢?聖經有多個能力的字:有權柄、有大力、有威力,這裡是指掌控之能。全能者 panto+krater 全所有 掌控。民主 demo+crat 是「人民+ 掌控」,獨裁 auto+crat 是「獨自+ 掌控」。「全能神」就是「全所有掌權者」。這個
詞告訴我們,全人類的歷史,從頭到尾,全在祂掌管之下。

The word “Almighty” appears in this verse. Actually, how almighty is God? The Bible uses different words for power like: authority, strength, might. Here it refers to the power to control. The Almighty, “panto+ krater”= ( total + control). Democrat “demo+crat” is control by the people. Autocrat “ auto+ crat ”= (sole + control). “Almighty God” means “The One who has absolute control over everything.” This word tells us that the history of mankind, from beginning to end, is under God's absolute control.



在這多災多難的期間,我們不用擔心,因為主是「全然掌管」的神。祂不忘記我們。只要我們不忘記祂,就能夠過得快樂像小孩子一樣。

During these tumultuous times we do not have to worry because our Lord is God Almighty and He has “absolute control over everything”. As long as we do not neglect Him, we will be able to enjoy a happy life just like a child.

CHAPTER III - 啟示錄 Revelation 1:9-11 - 建造中的天國 KINGDOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION



CHAPTER III
建造中的天國 KINGDOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 (啟示錄 Revelation 1:9-11)


很多人的印象,啟示錄是描寫末世災難的預言。其實啟示錄的主題不是講論末世的災難,乃是天國的完成。天國在耶穌的時候已經開始建造,現在仍然是在建造之中。

Many people think that the purpose of Revelation is to describe the prophecies of the end times. Actually, the main theme of Revelation is not about the disasters of the end of the world, but the completion of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven began its construction during the times of Jesus and it is still under construction today.

有人對於天國的認識很模糊。有說將來主回來後才建天國。其實耶穌早說天國已經開始。上文說,基督的使命是使我們脫離罪惡,又使我們成為祂父神的王國,成為父神的祭司,都用過去式,表示基督已經開始祂的工作,也就是說天國已經開始建造,只是還沒有完工而已。

Some people are very confused about the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven. Some say: The Lord will build the Kingdom of Heaven after He returns in the future. In fact, Jesus already said in the beginning that the Kingdom of Heaven had already started. We already talked about what Christ did for us in an earlier section. He freed us from our sins, and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His Heavenly Father. All the verbs are in the past tense. Christ already began His work ; in other words, the Kingdom of Heaven is already under construction, but it has not been completed yet.


天國已經接近完成階段。到本書中間與後面部份,不斷重覆告訴我們,天國正式完成了,君王基督正式執掌王權。現在仍然在建造的過程中,雖然有不同的困難與意外事件發生,但我們知道,參與建造的人,總要面對變幻與動亂。但主已經藉著這本書,預告我們知道將要面對的事,我們就不會手足無措。我們有了準備,就知道怎樣去應付這種種困難。這里短短幾節經文,可以給我們先看一看這天國幾件重要的事。

The Kingdom of Heaven is nearing its completion. In the middle part and towards the end of the book of Revelation, it repeatedly tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is formally completed, Christ the King is officially reigning. Right now we are still in the construction process. There may be many difficulties and unforeseen circumstances on the way, as those who participate in the construction process will be facing changes and  turmoil. But the Lord has already told us beforehand about the hardships we may encounter so that when these things happen we will not be caught by surprise. If we are prepared, we will know how to confront these difficulties. Here are a few short Bible verses which can give us a first look at some important things in the Kingdom of Heaven.


天國的合夥人
PARTNERS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN


9 我約翰,就是你們的弟兄,和你們在耶穌的患難、國度、忍耐裡一同有分,為神的道,並為給耶穌作的見證。

9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

約翰本來在以弗所牧養教會,當時的皇帝Domitian 不准他傳道。在公元95 年把他囚禁在拔摩小島,去開礦作苦 工。那時約翰也大約有95 歲,還要做這些粗重的苦工。到了96 年,那皇帝死了,接任的皇帝 Nerva 把他釋放。他再回到以弗所教會牧會。一共被囚禁了18 個月。

John was originally pastoring a church in Ephesus when the Emperor Domitian forbade him to preach the word of God. In the year 95 AD he was sent to the island of Patmos as a prisoner to do hard labor in the mines. At that time John was approximately 95 years old, but he still had to do such strenuous work. In 96 AD Domitian died and Emperor Nerva succeeded him and freed John from prison, then John went back to pastoring the church in Ephesus. He was imprisoned for 18 months.

那拔摩島是一個長窄的小島,寬不到一英哩,長約五六英哩,很小的火山島。在島上,約翰所做的工,都是苦工,因為他是囚犯。

The island of Patmos is a very small, long and narrow volcanic island, less than one mile wide and about five or six miles long.

在世人眼中,他是囚犯。但他怎樣看自己才重要。他說:「我是你們的弟兄。」也就是說,我們是一家人。我與你們是一樣的人。雖然他有非常特別的身份,是12 使徒中一個,其他使徒都過世了,只剩他一個。他可以很自豪的說:「我是唯一一個剩下的使徒。」但他卻很謙卑地說:「我是你們的弟兄,也是你們的 partaker 、partner 。中文比較難翻譯,所以譯作一同有分。原來是名詞,改譯成了形容詞。

In the eyes of people, John was a prisoner. Yet, the most important thing is how he looked at himself. He said: “I, your brother.” He is saying we are family, we are the same. John had a very special status, he was one of the original twelve disciples; and he was the only one left, all the others disciples had already died. He was the youngest one of all, yet he was not persecuted or murdered by the enemy. He was 95 years old. He could have been very proud of himself and could have said: “I am the only one left of all the apostles.” But instead he was very humble and said: “ I am your brother, and your partaker/partner . ”


現代做生意的合夥人叫股東,但在天國里面,我們沒有股份這種東西,當然不能叫股東。可以勉強叫做「合夥人」。合夥人有大家拿出一些東西湊合起來的意思。其實這字的原意是我們大家都分享這幾方面的東西,是分享者,或分擔者。分享、分擔什麼呢?這裡說是在幾方面的分享、分擔者:是「患難」、「天國」、「忍耐」的分享、分擔者。

Today business partners are called shareholders, but in the Kingdom of Heaven, we do not share company stock, so we cannot call it “shareholder”. You might call it “partner”. A partnership means that everyone comes up with something and puts it together. In fact, the word means that we all share in something together, to share or to partake. Share and partake of what? Here are a few aspects of sharing: Sharing in the suffering, sharing in the kingdom, sharing in patient endurance .

天國的分擔者、分享者
COMPANIONS/PARTNERS IN THE KINGDOM

到底是什麼意思?我們是其中一個主人嗎?是其中的董事嗎?是內閣人員嗎?天國的分擔者是一同建造天國的人,一同推廣天國,發展到全世界的人。我們不只是一個天國公民,也是建立天國的官員,是把這天國的福音傳遍世界的建造者。約翰在老年、接近一百歲的時候,還被禁止傳道,地上的門雖然關了,天上門卻開了。

What does this really mean? Are we one of the owners? Are we a board member? Are we one of the staff members? Companions/partners in the Kingdom of Heaven are those who take part in the construction of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that it expands all over the world. We are not just citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven; we are officers who take part in building the Kingdom of Heaven in order to spread the Gospel throughout the whole world. John was forbidden to preach the Gospel when he was about 100 years old, the doors on earth where closed but the doors in heaven were still opened.

患難的分擔者
PARTNERS IN SUFFERING


天國的建築材料就是患難。天國最後建造完成出現之時,也是在患難之後。患難是不能缺少的原料。最初期的教會建立起來,因為經歷很多的逼迫患難。經過猶太人的迫害、羅馬皇帝的迫害,教會就建立起來了。中國教會能夠建立起來也是因為患難,因為民間的迫害,因為政府的迫害,因為文革的迫害,造成今天強壯的教會。

The building material that the Kingdom of Heaven is made of  is suffering. When the Kingdom of Heaven is finally built, it will be after the great tribulation. Trials and tribulations are the raw materials that the Kingdom of Heaven cannot do without. The early church was established and grew as a result of great persecution by the Jews and by the Roman Emperor. The Church in China was also established through adversity. They were persecuted by the people, by the government and by the Cultural Revolution; all these sufferings made the church to become stronger today.


忍耐的分擔者
PARTNERS IN PATIENT ENDURANCE

為什麼這個王國總是跟患難、忍耐相連?因為這個建造過程以見證為主。作主的見證人,就要背十字架,要經過艱難。經過艱難的人必定認識忍耐。患難生忍耐,這種忍耐是從聖靈來的素質。聖靈所結的果子就是忍耐。凡屬主的信徒,能夠靠聖靈的忍耐度過艱難,沒有聖靈的人遇到患難,會大聲咒罵、怨天尤人。我們卻是忍耐的分擔者。

What is the reason that this kingdom is continuously linked to tribulations and endurance? It is due to the fact that the building process gives priority to witnessing. To be a witness for the Lord, you have to carry the cross; you have to go through difficulties. People who have gone through difficulties will know about endurance. Trials and tribulations produce patient endurance. This kind of inner quality comes from the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is patience. Any believer who belongs to the Lord can depend on the Holy Spirit for endurance to overcome difficulties. Those who do not have the Holy Spirit will curse loudly, complain and blame God for everything bad that happens to them. We are indeed partners in patient endurance.


也是「為神的道,並為給耶穌作的見證」。希臘文的Martus 是見證人,Marturew 是作見證之意,變成今天英文之殉道者。因為當日的見證人,都成為殉道者。這天國的partner 不容易做。不過也不是人人有資格做殉道者,是祂所特別揀選,也是祂額外加給能力的人才有資格。

Another reason is because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. The Greek word “ Martus ” means witness, “ Marturew ” means to bear witness. In those days all the witnesses were martyrs. It is not easy to be a partner in the Kingdom of Heaven. Not everyone is qualified to be a martyr, only those who are specially chosen by the Lord and who have been given additional strength.

雅各約翰兩兄弟曾經問主,能不能坐在主的左右。主問:「我所喝的杯,你們能喝嗎?」祂所喝的杯是苦杯,能喝祂苦杯的必得大榮耀,在天國里必有特別位置。不能喝苦杯的人,就不會得到這一種榮耀。

Two brothers, James and John, asked the Lord if they may sit at His right and at His left in His kingdom. The Lord asked them: “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”(Matthew 20:22) The cup that Jesus was about to drink was a bitter cup; those who can drink His bitter cup will have great glory and a special place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who cannot drink the bitter cup will not receive that kind of glory.


天國的領域
THE TERRITORY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN


9 曾在那名叫拔摩的海島上。10 當主日我被聖靈感動,聽見在後面有大聲音如吹號。

9 Was on the island of Patmos… 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.

每一個王國都有一個範圍。中文的「國」字,有一個方格,中間一個「域」字。太平天國的時候把中間的「域」字改成「玉」,簡單易寫。現在的簡體字也跟著他們這樣寫,其實本來是領域的域。美國的領域,東至大西洋,西至太平洋。

Every kingdom has a territory. The Chinese character for country/nation 「國」(guo2) is made out of a square and inside the square the word 「域」(yu4) which means boundary/domain. During the times of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom the word inside the square 「域」(yu4) was changed to 「玉」(yu4) which means jade/precious stone for simplified writing. Simplified Chinese today uses this word 国 for country. But originally the character in the center of the square was 「域」(yu4) which is the character that forms the word 領域( ling3 yu4) which means boundary/domain/territory. The territory of the United States has its boundaries; it is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

天國的國界在哪裡呢?是否就在拔摩海島上?其實全地都是魔鬼的國土,它試探耶穌的時候就曾說:「祢只要拜我一下,全世界都歸祢所有。」因為全地都歸魔鬼掌管。耶穌卻在魔鬼的領域裡建造起天國。天國的地到底有多大?那就要看聽王命的人有多少。順服主的人在哪裡,哪裡就是國土。基督像在魔鬼的地上建立起一個大使館一樣。

Where is the territory of the Kingdom of Heaven? Is it in the island of Patmos? In fact, the whole world is the territory of the devil. When the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, he took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and said: “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” In fact, the whole world is under the rule of the devil. But Jesus is establishing His Kingdom in the devil's territory. How big is the territory of the Kingdom of Heaven? That depends on how many people obey the command of the King. Wherever there are people who serve the Lord that is where the Kingdom of Heaven is. It is as if Christ would have established an embassy inside the devil's territory.

這事在什麼時候發生?是在主日。耶穌升天之後,他們開始在七日的頭一日聚會,而不在過去的安息日,用來記念主復活之日。保羅的時代,即50 年代,稱聖餐為「主的晚餐」,90 年代稱七日的頭一日為「主日」,以後教會都是這樣用。因為禮拜天就是主耶穌復活的日子。「主日」,就是主的日子。

When did this happen? It happened on the Lord's Day. After Jesus went back to heaven, the believers started meeting together on the first day of the week, not on the Sabbath Day but on the Lord's Day, because that was the day of the resurrection of the Lord. During the times of Paul, until the year 50, the Holy Communion was called “The Lord's Supper”, in the  year 90 the first day of the week was called “Sunday”, and the church continued to use these terms up to the present times. Sunday is the day that the Lord Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. Sunday is the Lord's Day.

有人以為安息日的目的是要我們一星期休息一天。其實安息日有兩個目的:「休息」與「尊為聖日」,不單放下工作,也用來敬拜神。到了新約,還加上了天國君王向我們頒布旨意的時候。耶穌復活之後,每次向門徒顯現都在主日。約翰得到主的啟示也在主日。主日成了基督徒重大的日子,是天國開大會、萬王之王頒布祂旨意的時刻。

Some people think that the purpose of the Sabbath is for people to take one day of the week to rest. Actually, the Sabbath has two purposes: to rest and to keep it holy by setting our work aside and dedicating that day to worship God. During the New Testament times, it was also when the King of the Kingdom of Heaven would issue His decree to the people. After Jesus resurrected, every time that He appeared to His disciples it was on a Sunday. John received the Lord's revelation also on a Sunday. Sunday is a very important day for the believers, it is the time of General Assembly in the Kingdom of Heaven, and it is the time when the King of Kings will let us know His imperial decree.


這王國的地點不重要,時間反而更重要。約翰被囚在荒島,沒有教堂,沒有會眾,但他照常在主日敬拜主。結果他「被聖靈感動」。

The location of this Kingdom is not that important, what is more important is the time. John was imprisoned in a desert island, without a church and without a congregation, but he worshiped the Lord on Sunday as usual. As a result, he found himself “in the Spirit”.




所以真正的天國范圍不是在地上。對於他來說,當時的外面世界已經消失不見,他再不是在荒島裡,像是到了另外一個空間,被聖靈提到另外一處。所以我們可以說,我們聚會都會在同一個地方。這地方在哪裡?其實不是最重要,最重要的是我們都在聖靈裡面,在另外一個空間與主相會。好像有無線網絡,接通天地線一樣。我們與主,與其他眾聖徒有所交流,好像到了另一個領域,見到、聽到平常聽不到的東西。所以他所見的異象,比以賽亞先知在聖殿中所見的異象更大、更深奧。

So the real scope of the Kingdom of Heaven is not on the earth. For John, the outside world had already disappeared, he was no longer on a desert island, and he seemed to have gone into another dimension, taken by the Spirit to a different place. Thus, we can say that when we gather together we are meeting in that same place. Where is that place? Actually, that is rather not that important, what is important is that we are all in the Spirit, we are meeting with the Lord in another dimension. Like a wireless network connecting heaven and earth. We have fellowship with the Lord and with other saints, like going into another territory; we can see and hear things that we cannot usually hear. The vision that John saw was much larger and more profound than what the prophet Isaiah saw in the temple.


聽見在我後面有大聲音如吹號。
“I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.”

以前用吹號來召集遠處的人,因為它的聲音夠強,傳得夠遠,就像今天的擴音器。所以這裡說「像」吹號,不是真的吹號,是感覺上有非聽不可的聲音。這聲音使他有很強烈的領受,覺得一定要聽從,覺得這聲音有權柄,一定要跟隨祂的話。所以神的國到底在哪裡?就是在人聽從祂旨意之處,在人覺得神的聲音比其他一切聲音更強大的地方。

In the old times, a trumpet was used to gather people from a distance because the sound of a trumpet is very loud and can travel very far, like the loud speakers that we use today. What John heard was not the actual sound of a trumpet but a loud voice like a trumpet. The voice was so strong and full of authority that compelled John to listen and obey. So where is the Kingdom of God? It is where people listen and obey God's will, where His voice is more powerful than all other voices.

天國的文告
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

11 你所看見的當寫在書上,達與以弗所、示每拿、別迦摩、推雅推喇、撒狄、非拉鐵非、老底嘉那七個教會。

11 “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

19 所以你要把所看見的,和現在的事,並將來必成的事,都寫出來。

19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.


全書共有12 次吩咐他「寫下來」,這是第一次。皇帝禁止他傳道,但不能禁止他寫作。約翰本仁也是在坐牢的時候得異夢,寫下偉大的天路歷程。神的僕人雖然被囚禁,但神的話語卻不被囚禁。

John was told twelve times in this book to write down what he saw; this was the first time. The Emperor prohibited him from preaching the word of God but he could not prohibit him from writing. John Bunyan was also in prison when he had a dream which inspired him to write the best known and the most remarkable great book called The Pilgrim's Progress. The servants of God may be put in prison, but the Word of God can never be held captive.


他寫下的就是天國的文告,讓所有天國的成員知道,要等候天國的降臨,要同心建造天國。所以都不是壞消息,是好消息。這啟示錄的信息,是主耶穌親自吩咐約翰寫下來,給我們讀的文告,使這本書成為最特別的書,是不可不讀的書。而且要按著正意來讀它與解釋它,這本書是給全部所有各教會去讀的。

What John wrote down was the proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven announcing to the members of the Kingdom to wait for its coming, and to build the Kingdom of Heaven in one accord. So it is not bad news but good news. Jesus Christ Himself told John to write down the message of the Book of Revelation for us to read it. It is the most special book ever. It is a book that must be read. Furthermore, it must be read and explained with the correct interpretation. This book is to be read by each and every one of the churches.

為什麼這裡只選七個教會呢?這七個教會不是特別有名,不是特別大,也不是在大城市裡,不見得特別屬靈。當時很多其他的城鎮,都有教會,為什麼單選這七個?因為這七個教會代表這二千年來的教會,代表所有教會。這七個教會情況非常不同,示每拿教會受大苦,卻充滿生命;撒狄有教會之名,卻沒有生命;老底嘉自以為非常富有,但福音傳不開。非拉鐵非自覺力量小,但蒙主稱讚,蒙主大大使用,把福音傳到地極。怎麼會有這樣大的分別?

Why were these seven churches chosen? These seven churches were not particularly famous, big, or situated in large cities; they were not even particularly spiritual. At that time, other cities and towns also had churches, why were these seven churches chosen? These seven churches were chosen because they were a representation of all the churches during these two thousand years. The circumstances of these seven churches were very different, the Church in Smyrna suffered great persecution, but it was full of life; the Church in Sardis was called a church, but it did not have life; the Church in Laodicea thought it was rich, but could not spread the Gospel. The Church in Philadelphia was conscious of their little strength, but was greatly praised and used by the Lord to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Why such a big difference?


不單各地教會不同,各時代教會也非常不同。我們現在正處在最後的階段,正在迎接末日的來臨。地震、天災、瘟疫、戰亂種種情況,都是按照聖經所預告的發生。美國正在衰退,如果美國不衰退,預言中的獸,那末後敵對神的大帝國出現,就成為不可能的事。現在歷史正朝著那方向穩步前進。我們讀聖經預言,會覺得非常奇妙,似乎是不可能的事,卻真的根據聖經的預言在發生。

Not only churches from different places are unique, but churches from different eras are also very distinct. We are living in the final stages, anticipating the arrival of the end times. Earthquakes, natural disasters, pestilence, chaos caused by war, all these things are happening according to the prophecies of the Bible. The United States is in decline, if it was not so, the beast from the prophecy would not rise. This beast is the great kingdom that is against God. History is moving steadily towards that direction . We feel completely amazed to see how the events which at first seemed impossible are beginning to come true according to the prophecies of the Bible.


另一個不可能的事,就是中國教會的興起。中國人拜偶像超過一千年,佛教深入人心,所有佛教的國家都必定貧窮落後。看中國過去一千年的歷史,它像走到盡頭,必像其他拜偶像的國家一樣慢慢消滅。誰知忽然之間,神感動西方宣教士前仆後繼的湧到中國來,有人甚至夢見地圖上一點,覺得是神叫她到那地方做宣教士。這如果這不算是聖靈的作為,到底是什麼力量?

Another event that seemed impossible was the rise of the Chinese Church. Chinese people have worshiped idols for more than 1000 years; Buddhism had deeply infiltrated their hearts. Buddhist countries are poor and underdeveloped. Looking back at 1000 years of the history of China, it seemed that this country would soon come to an end like other Buddhist countries that fade away little by little. But unexpectedly, God moved western missionaries to come to China, advancing wave upon wave. Someone even dreamed of seeing a map pinpointing China and felt that it was God's calling for her to go to that place as a missionary. If this was not the work of the Holy Spirit, what kind of force was it?


廿世紀後期,看見很多台灣、香港來的基督徒學者,他們受感動投身在查經班與教會的事工上。他們有自己事業,但每週花卅小時以上做教會福音工作、文字工作。全美各地都有這些專業人士為主作工,這還不是聖靈的工作嗎?

By the end of the 20th century, many Christian scholars came to America from Taiwan and China; they were moved to serve the Lord in Chinese churches and in Bible study groups. They had their own career, but spent more than thirty hours a week doing evangelistic work and writing Christian articles. These professionals were working for the Lord throughout the United States. If this is not the power of the Holy Spirit, then what is it?

中國教會遭遇大逼迫超過一百年時間,像使徒時代教會一樣。受人民迫害、受政府迫害,但越受迫害,發展越快,教會更加強壯。現在終於到了豐收的時候。普世發展最快的教會,是在中國的家庭教會,以及海外的華人教會。美洲、歐洲教會普遍衰落、老化、關門之時,中國教會卻越開越多,越開越大,世界各地的華人教會也是一樣。

The Chinese Church suffered persecution for more than 100 years, like the times of the early church with the apostles. They were persecuted by the people and by the government, but the more they were persecuted, the more the church grew and got stronger. Now , at last, it is the time of the abundant harvest. The churches that are growing the most are the house churches in China as well as the Chinese churches overseas. The American and European churches are in decline and aging. On the other hand, there are more and more churches in China that are being established and are growing at a steady rate. Chinese churches all around the world are also growing.

為什麼華人教會特別蒙福?因為在神計劃中的外邦人日期裡面,也是分時段的。先是歐洲的外邦人,再是美洲的外邦人,最後是亞洲的外邦人。

Why is the Chinese church particularly blessed? It is due to the fact that the plan of God for the time of the gentiles is divided into different periods: first the European gentiles, then the American gentiles, and finally the Asian gentiles.

傳福音其實就是傳達天國的文告,執行天國君王的旨意。所以天國的成員,必需要認識神的通告,聽清楚神的宣言,執行神的旨意。

To preach the Gospel, actually, is to convey the message of the Kingdom of Heaven and to carry out the will of the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, the members of the Kingdom of Heaven must know the proclamation of God, hear clearly the declaration of God and carry out God's will.

願祢的國降臨 - 啟示錄的信息 The Message of the Book of Revelation by 葉華牧師 Rev. Carpus Yip (Bilingual Edition: 中文/English-- English Translation by Estela Yip)

願祢的國降臨 - 啟示錄的信息 Thy Kingdom Come - The Message of the Book of Revelation  by 葉華牧師Rev. Carpus Yip 基督再來的日期近了,祂永遠的國將要降臨在地上...

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