Revelation 9:1-12
廿世紀末的戰爭形式
TYPES OF WARFARE AT THE END OF THE 20TH CENTURY
TYPES OF WARFARE AT THE END OF THE 20TH CENTURY
上一章天使吹響第一到第四號，描寫末世的戰爭武器，那些戰爭的武器，多數已經出現。本章第五號、第六號又是另外一個主題，是關於末日戰爭的形式。
In the previous chapter, the angels sounded the first four trumpets, which described the weapons of war during the end times; most of those weapons have already appeared. The fifth and the sixth trumpet in this chapter correspond to another theme which pertains to types of warfare during the end times.
In the previous chapter, the angels sounded the first four trumpets, which described the weapons of war during the end times; most of those weapons have already appeared. The fifth and the sixth trumpet in this chapter correspond to another theme which pertains to types of warfare during the end times.
這段經文雖然描寫地上的事，也不能全按字面解釋。因為這段經文裡有很多｢好像｣、｢彷彿｣等字眼。不能按字意，也不能根據原文解釋。因為約翰只能用他所懂的詞句，來描寫廿一世紀的事。就算是當時頂尖的文學家，也沒有辦法寫出今天我們所用的字辭。電腦、電話、電視是他聞所未聞的，就算看見也不知是甚麽。讀這章需要想像力，想像他怎樣描寫今日的事物，他沒有見過現代的科技，也沒有今天的字典。
Even though this passage describes events that are happening on the earth, it cannot entirely be interpreted literally, because it contains such words as: “was like”, “something like”, “resembled”. It cannot be interpreted according to the meaning of the word or according to the original text; because John could only use words he knew at that time to describe events from the 21st century. The finest writer in those times would not have been able to come up with words that we use today. “ Computer”, “telephone”, “television”, those are words which they have never heard of before; even if they saw these things, they would not have known what they were. You need to use your imagination to read this chapter; imagine how John would describe the things that we have today. He has never seen today's technology and he does not have today's dictionary.
Even though this passage describes events that are happening on the earth, it cannot entirely be interpreted literally, because it contains such words as: “was like”, “something like”, “resembled”. It cannot be interpreted according to the meaning of the word or according to the original text; because John could only use words he knew at that time to describe events from the 21st century. The finest writer in those times would not have been able to come up with words that we use today. “ Computer”, “telephone”, “television”, those are words which they have never heard of before; even if they saw these things, they would not have known what they were. You need to use your imagination to read this chapter; imagine how John would describe the things that we have today. He has never seen today's technology and he does not have today's dictionary.
災難從黑暗的國而來
DISASTER CAME FROM THE REALM OF DARKNESS
DISASTER CAME FROM THE REALM OF DARKNESS
11 有無底坑的使者作他們的王．按著希伯來話、名叫亞巴頓、希利尼話、名叫亞玻倫。
11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
地上所有的災難，都是從黑暗的國度來，是魔鬼的作為。牠們的王名字叫做｢破壞者｣，希伯來文叫｢亞巴頓｣，希臘文叫｢亞坡倫｣，意思是｢破壞、毀滅者｣。那時牠將露出真面目。過去牠在人間做了很多事，使人覺得牠是朋友，能助人成功，助人發達。到末日牠的殘暴面目露出來，人間將只有仇恨、互相仇殺，使人間變了地獄一樣。
All disasters on earth come from the realm of darkness; they are the works of demons. Their king is called “Destroyer”, whose name in Hebrew if “Abaddon” and in Greek is “Apollyon”. At that time he will show his real identity. In the past, he did many things among human beings, making people feel that he was their friend, that he could help them be successful and wealthy. During the end times, his ruthless nature will be exposed; there will only be hatred in the world, they will kill each other, and the earth will become a living hell.
All disasters on earth come from the realm of darkness; they are the works of demons. Their king is called “Destroyer”, whose name in Hebrew if “Abaddon” and in Greek is “Apollyon”. At that time he will show his real identity. In the past, he did many things among human beings, making people feel that he was their friend, that he could help them be successful and wealthy. During the end times, his ruthless nature will be exposed; there will only be hatred in the world, they will kill each other, and the earth will become a living hell.
最兇惡的鬼王登場
THE MOST VICIOUS KING OF THE DEMONS APPEARS ON THE SCENE
THE MOST VICIOUS KING OF THE DEMONS APPEARS ON THE SCENE
1 第五位天使吹號，見一個星從天落到地，有無底坑鑰匙賜給他。2 他開了無底坑，便有煙從坑里往上冒，好像大火爐的煙。日頭和天空都因這煙昏暗了。
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.
這星是一位天使從天上來，打開無底坑，把惡魔釋放。開門的是天使，但給他權柄的是神自己。無底坑是關鎖惡天使的監獄。從廿世紀開始，惡天使被釋放出來，地上許多的災難戰爭都是由牠所發動。
The star is an angel that had fallen from the sky to the earth; he opened the Abyss and liberated the evil demons. The one who opened the door was an angel but the one who gave him the authority was God Himself. The Abyss is the prison where evil angels are locked up. Starting from the 20th century, the evil angels are set free, the earth will experience great disasters and wars and all these events are initiated by the evil one.
The star is an angel that had fallen from the sky to the earth; he opened the Abyss and liberated the evil demons. The one who opened the door was an angel but the one who gave him the authority was God Himself. The Abyss is the prison where evil angels are locked up. Starting from the 20th century, the evil angels are set free, the earth will experience great disasters and wars and all these events are initiated by the evil one.
靈界的生物出現之時，常會帶著煙雲。所以鬼怪電影都煙霧瀰漫。從聖經的記載中，我們看見，神出現之時有｢雲彩｣，但那些雲彩是發亮的，因為以色列營地上空的｢雲柱｣，晚上成｢火柱｣，因為有強光發出。
When creatures from the spirit world appear, they are often accompanied with a cloud of smoke. That is why ghost movies are always overflowing with smoke. From the Bible we can see that whenever God appears, He does it in a cloud, but those clouds are very luminous. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, a pillar of cloud went in front of the Israelites during the day and a pillar of fire during the night, because the cloud gave out a very bright light.
When creatures from the spirit world appear, they are often accompanied with a cloud of smoke. That is why ghost movies are always overflowing with smoke. From the Bible we can see that whenever God appears, He does it in a cloud, but those clouds are very luminous. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, a pillar of cloud went in front of the Israelites during the day and a pillar of fire during the night, because the cloud gave out a very bright light.
惡魔出現時卻像火爐的煙，是昏暗的，把日頭的光都擋住了。在原文也是用｢煙｣來形容，不是｢雲彩｣。不過，就算是煙，也顯出他的神秘能力，叫人覺得高深莫測。靈界力量是實在的，尋求魔鬼幫助的人多，表面看來，像是勝過神的幫助，使人名利雙收。在末世的時候，人心被迷惑，寧願拜鬼，不願拜神，寧願跟邪魔外道，不願走永生的道路。
When the Devil appears, he will be accompanied with smoke, like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The smoke will be so dark that it will block the sunlight. The original language also uses the word “smoke”, not the word “cloud” . However, even if it is smoke, people will think he has profoundly mysterious abilities. The power of the spiritual world is very real indeed. Many people seek the help of the Devil instead of God's help, because it may seem to bring them fame and fortune. During the end times, people's heart will be confused, they will prefer to worship the Devil instead of worshiping God; they would rather follow the way of heresy than to follow the way of eternal life.
When the Devil appears, he will be accompanied with smoke, like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The smoke will be so dark that it will block the sunlight. The original language also uses the word “smoke”, not the word “cloud” . However, even if it is smoke, people will think he has profoundly mysterious abilities. The power of the spiritual world is very real indeed. Many people seek the help of the Devil instead of God's help, because it may seem to bring them fame and fortune. During the end times, people's heart will be confused, they will prefer to worship the Devil instead of worshiping God; they would rather follow the way of heresy than to follow the way of eternal life.
戰鬥機
FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS
FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS
7 蝗蟲的形狀像豫備出戰的馬，頭上像有金冠冕，臉面像人，8 頭髮像女人，牙齒像獅子的牙，9 胸前有像鐵甲，像許多車馬奔跑上陣的聲音。
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.
7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.
廿世紀的戰爭方式是以飛機轟炸為主。約翰的時代當然沒有人見過飛機，所以他們都有困難描寫這種末世的武器。
The style of wars in the 20th century will rely mainly on fighter aircrafts carrying bombs. In John's era, of course no one had ever seen an aircraft, so they have difficulty describing the weapons used during the end times.
The style of wars in the 20th century will rely mainly on fighter aircrafts carrying bombs. In John's era, of course no one had ever seen an aircraft, so they have difficulty describing the weapons used during the end times.
從第七節到第九節對這種｢蝗蟲｣的描寫，我們可以知道是描寫現代的飛機。戰鬥機出來參與戰爭的時候，都不是一架單獨出來，一定是大群湧出來，像蝗蟲一樣。
From the description given to the “locust” from verse 7 to verse 9, we know that it is the description of an airplane. When fighter aircrafts started being used in wars, they were sent out in a large group, not just a single aircraft by itself, which may resemble a swarm of locust.
From the description given to the “locust” from verse 7 to verse 9, we know that it is the description of an airplane. When fighter aircrafts started being used in wars, they were sent out in a large group, not just a single aircraft by itself, which may resemble a swarm of locust.
聲音像車馬奔跑上陣的聲音，更清楚是指｢飛機｣了。它有金屬在外面，｢金冠冕｣、｢胸前有像鐵甲｣。｢臉面像人｣，因為機頭都有窗，像兩隻眼睛。｢頭髮像女人｣，蝗蟲沒有頭髮，這裡也不是用頭髮這個字，指的是蝗蟲的天線，天線像女人的髮飾、髮針。也有蝎子的尾巴。
The sound they made was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle which clearly depicts an “airplane”. It has metal on the outside, “something like crowns of gold”, “they had breastplates like breastplates of iron”. “ Their faces resembled human faces” because the front of an airplane has windows, like two eyes. “Their hair was like women's hair”, locust don't have hair and the word used here is not “hair”; it refers to the antennas on the locust, the antenna looked like the adornment of women's hair, hair pins. They had tails with stingers, like scorpions.
The sound they made was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle which clearly depicts an “airplane”. It has metal on the outside, “something like crowns of gold”, “they had breastplates like breastplates of iron”. “ Their faces resembled human faces” because the front of an airplane has windows, like two eyes. “Their hair was like women's hair”, locust don't have hair and the word used here is not “hair”; it refers to the antennas on the locust, the antenna looked like the adornment of women's hair, hair pins. They had tails with stingers, like scorpions.
散播化武的飛機
AIRCRAFTS THAT SPRAY CHEMICAL WEAPONS
AIRCRAFTS THAT SPRAY CHEMICAL WEAPONS
這戰鬥機是散播化武的機器，因為有蝎子的能力。
These aircrafts sprayed chemical weapons, because they had the power like that of scorpions.
These aircrafts sprayed chemical weapons, because they had the power like that of scorpions.
3 有蝗蟲飛到地上，有能力好像地上蝎子能力。4 並且他們不傷害地上的植物，惟獨傷害額上沒有神印記的人，5 但不是殺死他們，只叫他們受痛苦五個月。這痛苦，像蝎子螫人。6 人要求死，決不得死，願意死，死卻遠避他們。
3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6 During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
廿世紀初經過世界大戰之後，世人害怕這殘忍的戰爭會再次發生，所以成立聯合國，希望藉著幾個強大的國家，有監管作用。
At the beginning of the 20th century, after World War II, people were afraid that another ruthless war would take place again; thus, several powerful nations formed the United Nations hoping to promote peace and international cooperation and security.
At the beginning of the 20th century, after World War II, people were afraid that another ruthless war would take place again; thus, several powerful nations formed the United Nations hoping to promote peace and international cooperation and security.
聯合國當然不能阻止戰爭的出現，只希望各國如果打仗要少殺人，要合人道。濫殺的將受懲罰。這一種仗是非常難打的。士兵受牽制，士氣受影響。打韓戰時，中國派士兵幫助北韓對抗美軍，用人海戰術，以肉身對鎗砲，讓人殺不下手。所以後來打越戰之時，用上化武，叫人受折磨時，卻沒有在砲彈下血肉糢糊的恐怖景象。
Of course, the United Nations cannot prevent wars from happening; it can only hope that if there is a war among the nations, that there would be the least amount of casualties and that every person be treated humanely and that those who commit massacres be punished . During the Korean War, China sent troops to help North Korea fight the US troops employing Human wave military attack tactics. Soldiers used their own bodies to block guns and cannons; the number of casualties was such that the enemy did not want to continue the killing. These kinds of wars are very difficult to fight; soldiers are restricted, and it affects their morale. Thus, later on, in the Vietnam War, chemical weapons were used, so people would not have to suffer the horrific blood shed killings from artillery weapons.
Of course, the United Nations cannot prevent wars from happening; it can only hope that if there is a war among the nations, that there would be the least amount of casualties and that every person be treated humanely and that those who commit massacres be punished . During the Korean War, China sent troops to help North Korea fight the US troops employing Human wave military attack tactics. Soldiers used their own bodies to block guns and cannons; the number of casualties was such that the enemy did not want to continue the killing. These kinds of wars are very difficult to fight; soldiers are restricted, and it affects their morale. Thus, later on, in the Vietnam War, chemical weapons were used, so people would not have to suffer the horrific blood shed killings from artillery weapons.
這些化學武器落在地上，對地上的植物好像沒有甚麽影響，但人接觸到，真是求生不得，求死不能。讓人身體產生種種怪異的病。而且是長時間的受苦。｢有尾巴像蝎子，能傷人五個月｣。因為蝗蟲存活期是五個月，就是說在牠們出現的整個時期，人都在受這種毒害。五個月代表全時間受苦，它存在多久，就受苦多久。
The chemical weapons dropped on the ground seem to have little impact on plants but when people come in contact with it, they will seek death but will not find it, they will long to die, but death will elude them. The chemical weapons produce weird diseases in humans. Those diseases last a very long time. “They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.” The life span of a locust is five months, which means that during the entire time that they are around people will be tormented by their poisoning. Five months represents suffering the whole entire time. As long as the Devil is around, the people will continue to suffer.
The chemical weapons dropped on the ground seem to have little impact on plants but when people come in contact with it, they will seek death but will not find it, they will long to die, but death will elude them. The chemical weapons produce weird diseases in humans. Those diseases last a very long time. “They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.” The life span of a locust is five months, which means that during the entire time that they are around people will be tormented by their poisoning. Five months represents suffering the whole entire time. As long as the Devil is around, the people will continue to suffer.
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