CHAPTER IV - 啟示錄 Revelation 1:12-13, 20 ; 撒迦利亞 Zechariah 4:1-14 - 聖所燈檯的奧秘 MYSTERY OF THE LAMPSTAND INSIDE THE SANCTUARY

CHAPTER IV

聖所燈檯的奧秘

MYSTERY OF THE LAMPSTAND INSIDE THE SANCTUARY

(啟示錄 Revelation1:12-13, 20 ;  

撒迦利亞 Zechariah4:1-14)

燈檯與末世到底有什麼關係？為什麼在末世的預言或異象裡，會出 現燈檯？啟示錄與舊約的撒迦利亞書都記載有多個末世的異象，而且很明顯有一些異像是相似的。兩本書都出現了燈檯的記載。兩處經文對照來讀，會更容易掌握這奧秘。

What is the connection between the lampstand and the end of times? Why does a lampstand appear in visions and prophecies of the end times? Many visions of the end times are recorded in the book of Revelation and in the book of Zechariah in the Old Testament ; furthermore, it is very obvious that some of these visions are similar. The lampstand is mentioned in both books. Comparing both passages will help us to better understand this mystery.

啟示錄的目的，不是強調世界末日，乃是要描繪神的國怎樣建成。 撒迦利亞先知也看見天國的建立，所以他用這異象來鼓勵當時的人重建聖殿。其實神的整個救贖大計，都與天國有關。

The purpose of Revelation is not to document the events of the end of the world but to document how the Kingdom of God is being built. The prophet Zechariah also saw the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven, so at that time he used this vision to encourage the people to rebuild the temple. Actually, God's entire plan of salvation is related to the Kingdom.

因有一嬰孩為我們而生…… 政權必擔在祂肩頭上…… 祂必坐大衛的寶座。( 以賽亞書九章)

For to us a child is born…the government will be on His shoulders…He will reign on David's throne. (Isaiah, Chapter 9).

聖誕節不是講嬰孩，不是講禮物，乃是預告天國的來臨。但人一直 以為，有王國就有軍隊、國王、領土。像天主教、猶太教人士所追求的一樣。耶穌教人禱告說：｢願祢的國降臨，願祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。｣地上天國之發展，就是要看有多少人行神的旨意？有多少人聽祂的命令？天國的建立才是重要的事。

Christmas is not about a baby or about presents, but about announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. People always think that a kingdom must have an army, a king and a territory. That is what Catholics and Jews are looking for. Jesus taught the people how to pray saying: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In order for the Kingdom of Heaven to expand, we need to see how many people do God's will and obey God's command . The establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven is a very important matter.

國度的藍圖
THE BLUEPRINT OF THE KINGDOM

12 我轉過身來，要看是誰發聲與我說話。既轉過來，就看 見七個金燈檯。

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands.

2 他問我說：｢你看見了什麼？｣我說：｢我看見了一個純 金的燈檯，頂上有燈盞，燈檯上有七盞燈。( 撒迦利亞四章)

2 He asked me , “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it.” (Zechariah Chapter 4)

對兩個異象的描寫似乎有些不同。啟示錄有七個燈檯，撒迦利亞看 見的像聖所，只有一個燈檯，七盞燈。其實啟示錄說的，並不是七個燈檯，是七盞燈。與耶穌所說｢人點燈不放鬥底下｣之｢燈｣字相同。所以約翰其實只看見七盞燈，並沒有看見燈座。

It might seem that these two visions are different. Revelation mentions seven lampstands; Zechariah saw a lampstand with its bowl on top like the one in the sanctuary. Actually, what is mentioned in Revelation is not a lampstand but seven lamps. Like what Jesus said : “No one, after lighting a [lamp], puts it away in a cellar or under a basket.” In fact, what John saw was seven lamps, not the lampstand.

出埃及記37 章寫出會幕裡的燈檯應該怎樣做，說｢頂上有燈盞｣。 其實每盞燈，都是一個小碗，因為油燈不是直接燒油，是用燈芯把油引出來，是燒燈芯。但如果沒有油，燈芯很快燒完，所以上面需要一個小碗，叫做燈盞。

Exodus 37 describes what the lampstand in the Tabernacle looked like. It said that on the top of the lampstand were seven lamps. Each lamp was made of a little bowl; the lamp did not burn the oil directly, it used a wick to draw the oil. The wick burned and gave light. Without the oil the wick will burn out very soon, so the little bowl on top of the lampstand was call a lamp.

燈檯是預表

THE SYMBOL OF THE LAMPSTAND

燈檯是一個預表。預表是用一些可見的物件，表達出屬靈的真理。  這些物件是像徵性的，通常比較粗略簡單。撒迦利亞所見的異像比較精細。這種異象就像一個｢圖表｣。如果我們要描寫世界上有窮人，可以拍一些窮人的家庭照片，顯示他們的房子、食物與睡覺的地方。但如果想要說明世上有多少窮人，就要用圖表。看圖表，就知道世上有70% 的人穿不暖、吃不飽。所以有些人雖然自稱是窮人，但在全世界人口中，卻是屬於富裕的一群。

The lampstand is a symbol. A symbol uses something visible to convey a spiritual truth; usually the symbol is a simple object. The vision that Zechariah saw was more detailed. This kind of vision was like a chart. If I wanted to describe the poor people of the world, I would take some photographs of their food, the places where they sleep and what they do in order to show how they live. But if I wanted to show how many poor people are in the world, I would draw a chart showing that 70% of the world population does not have warm clothes to wear and go hungry all the time; although some claim to be poor, according to the world population statistics they are still considered rich.

戈爾拍的電影｢絕望真相｣，不能只拍冰雪溶化與北極熊的可憐，他 必須用圖表證明溫度不斷升高。但以理第二章所見到的大像，也是在表達｢更朝換代｣，也是像徵性的。

Al Gore's documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” could not fully show the extent of the global warming by just showing how pitiful the polar bears looked floating on pieces of melting ice; he needed a chart to prove his theory. The great statue that the prophet Daniel saw was also a symbol to convey the great changes that would occur during the different eras.

燈檯的異象，其實也是同一理。如果使徒約翰看見宣教士們在蠻荒傳道，他仍然不清楚天國發展到哪一個地步。當然在今天，可以給他看世界地圖，但在當時的他，沒有見過世界地圖，看見也不一定明白。所以神讓他看燈盞的異象。

In fact, the vision of the lampstand is similar. If the apostle John would have seen missionaries preaching among  uncivilized groups of people, he would not have been able to tell how much the Kingdom of Heaven was growing. Of course, if it were today, we could show him a map of the world, but in his days, he did not know what a map of the world looked like and even if he saw it, he would not understand it. That is why God showed him the vision of the lampstand.

兩個異象預表的重點與精細點不一樣，可以互相補充。

The two visions emphasized different details which complement each other.

國度與奧秘

THE KINGDOM AND THE MYSTERY

20 論到你所看見，在我右手中的七星和七個金燈檯的奧秘。

20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this.

｢奧秘｣，有英譯本翻作｢秘密｣，像是說，神不想人知道這些事。其實奧秘不是秘密。保羅的話( 以弗所書3:5-6) 可說明奧秘不是秘密：

Some English versions of the Bible translate the word “mystery” into “secret”, as if God wanted to keep some things from the people. Actually , mysteries and secrets are not the same. Paul's words (Ephesians 3:5-6) say clearly that a mystery is not a secret:

｢這奧秘在以前的世代，沒有叫人知道，像如今藉著聖靈啟示祂的聖使徒和先知一樣。｣

“ the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.”

他所說的奧秘是什麼？｢這奧秘，就是外邦人在基督耶穌裡，藉著福音，得以同為後嗣、同為一體、同蒙應許。｣是外邦人與猶太人同樣得到救恩。他也不是說奧秘的定義，只是說出前人所不知道的事。

What is this mystery he is speaking about? “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Both Gentiles and Jews will obtain salvation. He is not giving a definition of the mystery. He is just speaking about things that the generations before did not know about.

奧秘，是指不容易明白，不能用頭腦去理解，是要用心靈去領會的 事。每次撒迦利亞先知不明白異象的時候，就發問。天使才給他解釋，約翰也是一樣。耶穌的眾門徒，也是一樣。主不是一下子把所有的細節講解清楚。祂期待人自己心靈領會，自己去發現，才是重要的。

Mysteries are things that are not easy to understand, things that you cannot use your mind to comprehend; you need to use your heart to discern them. Every time that the prophet Zechariah did not understand a vision, he would ask about it. Then the angel will explain the meaning of the vision to him; John did the same thing. Jesus' disciples did the same thing. The Lord does not explain every single detail. He wants people to use their own heart to comprehend and to discover what is important .

如果人沒有用心想明白，或未到程度了解，主也不會告訴他。神的啟示都需要敏銳的心去尋求，他們都要發問才能得到答案。

If you do not try your best to understand it or have not reached that degree of understanding, the Lord will not reveal it to you either. The revelation of God requires a keen spirit to seek it; you need to ask questions to understand it.

撒迦利亞先知說：｢那與我說話的天使又來叫醒我，好像人睡覺被喚醒一樣。｣心靈要先被喚醒，需要有清醒的心，才能領會神的話語。撒迦利亞關心聖殿重建，約翰關心教會發展。所以有不同的領受。

The prophet Zechariah said: “Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep.” In other words, we have to have an alert mind, to understand God's Word. Zechariah was concerned about the rebuilding of the temple, John was concerned about the expansion of the Church. Their concerns were different; therefore what they received from the Lord was different.

國度與教會

THE KINGDOM AND THE CHURCH

10 誰藐視這日的事為小呢？這七眼乃是耶和華的眼睛，遍察全地，見所羅巴伯手拿線鉈就歡喜。( 撒迦利亞四章)

10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel ?”( Zechariah Chapter 4 )

10 

建造工程的開始，測量員手拿線鉈，沒有很大的工具，沒有壯觀的場面，也沒有很多工人。手拿線鉈，在人看來是小事一宗，但在神看，並不是小事。教會國度開始發展之時，在神的心中都是大事。

At the beginning of every construction project, a surveyor will use his leveling instrument (plumb line) to gather information for the future construction site; at that time the large machines are not needed yet, the scene does not look spectacular and there are only a few workers. When people see a plumb line in the hand of a person, they might think that it is just a small thing; but not in God's eyes. In God's heart the expansion of the Church, the Kingdom of Heaven, is a major event.

這七燈就是神的七眼。在全地上走來走去。

These seven lamps are the seven eyes of the Lord, walking back and forth throughout the earth.

多數人對這話的解釋是：神的眼目遍察全地。神的眼目當然能遍察全地，但這裡說的是七盞燈，是指全地教會。教會要在全地走來走去，或走遍全地( ｢遍察全地｣應該翻作｢走遍全地｣) 。教會當往普天下去擴展天國，到地極去傳揚福音。這些燈不是擺著不動，是要走遍全地的。

Most people explain this verse as: God's eyes observing the whole world. Of course, the eyes of God are able observe the whole world; but here, the seven lamps are the Church of the whole world. It is saying that the Church is moving back and forth all over the world, (not just observing it but moving to and from). The Church is moving all over the world to expand the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who are going all over the world to spread the Gospel are the people . These lamps are not stationary; they are moving all over the world.

18 世紀英國浸信會差會創辦人克理威廉，是非常熱心的青年。他在聚會中站起來說：｢亞洲有很多人不認識主，我們要去傳福音。｣長老對他說：｢青年人，坐下來，神要作工，不用你操心。｣那位長老錯了。天國擴展，需要教會，就是燈檯，去走遍全地。

In the 18th century, a very enthusiastic young man named William Carey, who later became the founder of the British Baptist Missionary Society, stood up before a congregation and said: “Many people in Asia do not know the Lord. We must go and preach the Gospel.” An elder said to him: “Young man, sit down, when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid or mine.” That elder was wrong; the Kingdom of Heaven needs the Church to expand . The church is the lampstand moving all over the world.

開始時的工作可能很小，但都是國度裡的喜事。神歡喜、神的靈歡喜、教會歡喜，不能藐視。小小的風雲會引致大的改變。三年半沒有下過雨，以利亞先知求雨，當他看見雲像手掌那麼大，就囑咐人趕快逃。一位小會友一點小改變，變了常常聚會、積極禱告、大發熱心，就可以變成大事，在神眼中很多小事，可以變成大事。所羅巴伯手中小小的線鉈，大衛手中的幾塊小石，小孩手中的五餅二魚，都可以變為大事。

The work in the beginning might seem very insignificant, but it is a happy occasion for the Kingdom of Heaven. God rejoices, the Spirit of God rejoices, the Church rejoices; do not despise the small things. A small amount of wind and clouds can bring tremendous changes. There was a drought for three years and six months, the prophet Elijah prayed for rain, when he saw a cloud as small as a man's hand, he told the people to quickly run away before the storm started. A small member of the church, a small change, he goes to church every Sunday, prays continually, becomes very fervent, transforms into a major event. In God's eyes something small can become a major event. The small plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand, the small stones in David's hands, the five breads and two fish from the boy's hand, can all become great things.

7 大山哪，你算什麼呢？在所羅巴伯面前你必成為平地。他必搬出一塊石頭安在殿頂上。人且大聲歡呼，說：｢願恩惠、恩惠歸與這殿。｣( 撒迦利亞四章)

7 What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!'” (Zechariah Chapter 4)

撒迦利亞第四章有兩塊石。｢線鉈｣plummet stone 可以稱為｢墬子石｣，指開始動工之時所用的石。｢頂上的石｣乃是最後放上去的石頭，那是最後的工作，所以大家歡呼說：｢願恩典、恩典歸它。｣再沒更大的喜樂，比神的子民親眼看見天國建造完成所得的喜樂。開始動工之日早已過去，現今我們在等候大工告成之日。

There are two stones in Zechariah chapter 4. The plummet stone can be called a building stone, used at the beginning of the construction project. The capstone is the stone that will be laid on top on the day that the construction work is completed. Everyone shouted: “Grace, grace to it!” There is no greater joy than that of God's people seeing with their own eyes the construction of the Kingdom of Heaven. The day when the construction started has already passed, now we are waiting for that wonderful day when the work will finally be completed.

天國與聖靈

THE KINGDOM AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

6 他對我說：｢這是耶和華指示所羅巴伯的。萬軍之耶和華說：不是倚靠勢力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的靈方能成事。｣( 撒迦利亞四章)

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah Chapter 4)

建立天國不像做生意，不是倚靠人力、財力。最重要是倚靠聖靈。這油燈的異像已經顯示，沒有油，燈不亮。沒有油，燈芯很快燒掉。燈芯大半泡在油中，只露出一點就發亮。人看見燒燈芯，其實油才是最重要的部分。萬軍之耶和華說：｢不是倚靠勢力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的靈，方能成事。｣

Building the Kingdom of Heaven is not like doing business; it does not depend on manpower or financial resources. The most important thing is to rely on the Holy Spirit. The vision of the lamps demonstrates that without oil the lamps will not give light. Without oil the fire from the wick will quickly be extinguished. Half of the wick is immersed in the oil, as long as a part of the wick is exposed, it will be bright. People see the wick burning but actually the oil is the most important element. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.

做生意的人需要眼光、人才、資金、發展計劃。但天國發展必須倚靠聖靈的工作。有聖靈感動、引導、激發行動的信心。油什麼時候發揮作用？是在燈芯燃燒之時。什麼時候停止？是不燃燒之時。人不願意放自己在祭壇上燃燒，聖靈的油就流不出來，教會變得不冷不熱，聖靈就沒有作為。

Business people need vision, talented personnel, financial resources, and plans for development. But, for the Kingdom of Heaven to expand, it requires the work of the Holy Spirit. It needs the inspiration, guidance and enthusiasm from the Holy Spirit. When does the oil give light? The minute the wick is burning. When does oil stop flowing? The moment the wick stops burning. When a person stops having an ardent heart for the Lord, the oil from the Holy Spirit will not continue to flow; when the Church is lukewarm, the Holy Spirit will not be active.

人需要有信心、有熱心，神使用熱心行動的人。｢他必搬出石頭｣、捲起衣袖、動手去做，像所羅巴伯一樣，不只是動嘴巴。神要使用有信心不怕艱難的人。｢大山哪，你算什麼？我要把這大山鑿平，我要把山移走，來建造主的聖殿。｣當以色列人看見巨人歌利亞，覺得很難打。小大衛也看見那巨人，但覺得這麼一個大塊頭，很難打不中。有信心、有熱心的人，聖靈的油會不斷供應給他，他就是神所使用的人。

People need to have faith and zeal; God will use those who are fervent and ready for action. They must be willing and prepared to remove any obstacles, to roll up their sleeves and get to work like Zerubbabel; not just talking about it. God wants to use faithful people who are not afraid of hardships. “What are you, mighty mountain? I will level the mighty mountain to the ground; I will remove that mountain to build the holy temple of God.” When the Israelites saw Goliath, the giant, they thought that it was going to be very difficult to deal with him. Little David also saw the giant but he thought that it was going to be very difficult to miss such a huge target as the giant's head. A person with faith and zeal is someone whom the Holy Spirit will provide oil continuously; such person will be greatly used by the Lord.

各時代神都在揀選人、使用人。到底神要揀選怎樣的人？有人說，像人在魚塘撈魚，要挑生猛活潑的，所以拿著網在水平面上移動，當有魚一跳出來，就把它網住。主的手也在水面上移動，誰跳上水平面上，就會揀選他、使用他，讓他成為天國的支柱。但很多人滿足於水平線下的生活，以致不能被主使用。

God will use and choose people from all eras. What kind of a person does God choose to use? Some people say it is like fishing with a net in a pond, going for the fish that is most alive and kicking. When the fish jumps out of the water, the fisherman will use the net to scoop it up. God's hand is also moving on top of the water, whoever jumps out of the water will be chosen, and used by Him to become a pillar in the Kingdom of Heaven . Many, though, are content with living under the surface of the water and as a result of that, God will not use them.

一百多年前神在紐約使用宣信博士，他教導會眾作這樣的禱告說：｢求主揀選我的孩子，使他們願意作傳教士；求主幫助我願意為宣教的事工奉獻。｣結果主大大的使用他與他的會眾。

More than a hundred years ago in New York, God used Dr. AB Simpson to teach his congregation to pray saying: “Lord, use my children, so they will be willing to become missionaries, help me to offer myself to the missionary work without any reservations.” The results were that God used him and his congregation greatly.

撒迦利亞問說：｢這兩根橄欖枝在兩個流出金色油的金嘴旁邊，是什麼意思？｣他說：｢這是兩個受膏者( 油之子) 。｣

Zechariah asked the angel: “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” He replied: “These are the two who are anointed.”

這裡的翻譯不大對。平常｢受膏者｣是 Meshiah 彌賽亞，這裡說的是sons of oil ｢油之子｣。而且希伯來文的油字分得很精細，就像中文有｢米｣與｢飯｣之分，是很多其他文字所沒有的。這裡用的油字，不是膏抹時用的膏油，乃是指新鮮流出來的油。這代表神要使用的人，是充滿新鮮活潑的聖靈，是不斷有聖靈供應的人。

The translation here is not very accurate. Usually the anointed one refers to the Messiah; here is “sons of oil”. The meaning of the word “oil” in Hebrew is very clear. Like the words used for uncooked rice ｢米｣ ( Mǐ ) and cooked rice ｢飯｣ ( Fàn ) in the Chinese language. Many other languages don't have these differences. The word “oil” used here is not the oil used for anointing, but the fresh oil that is pouring out. It represents the people that God uses, filled with the Holy Spirit , fresh and full of live, continuously flowing through them.

所以燈檯的異象，是一個天國的藍圖，它指出天國的建立，是靠著動的教會，是到普天下去發光，為主作見證的教會。聖靈從頭到尾都在輔助這天國的大計，我們要信靠聖靈的帶領。末後的時代，是最艱難的時代，因為缺少聖靈。我們為擁有太多的東西自豪，我們有很多人才、錢財，教會中有很多博士、碩士，有很多音樂藝術的人才，有很多精良設備。但我們真正需要的卻是聖靈。｢不是倚靠勢力，不是倚靠才能。｣

Thus, the vision of the lampstand is a blueprint of the Kingdom of Heaven. Clearly, the Kingdom of Heaven is established by the Church moving back and forth, shining all over the world, testifying for the Lord. The Holy Spirit has been assisting the Kingdom of Heaven in completing this great task. We must rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. The end times are the most difficult times because of the absence of the Holy Spirit. We are proud of our material possessions, we have an abundance of human resources and wealth, we have many people in the church with doctors and master's degrees, we have many talented musicians, and we have a lot of sophisticated equipment. Actually, what we really need is the Holy Spirit. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.”