CHAPTER XXXI - Revelation 14:1-5 - 第七奇象：羔羊在錫安山 THE SEVENTH SIGN: THE LAMB ON MOUNT ZION

CHAPTER XXXI  

(Revelation 14:1-5)  

第七奇象：羔羊在錫安山  
THE SEVENTH SIGN: THE LAMB ON MOUNT ZION

地上七年大災難期間，地上出現新的教會。教會的成員，都是那七年間信主的人。他們要經歷大災難，經歷｢兩頭獸｣，就是｢敵神的帝國｣與｢假先知｣偽宗教的攻擊迫害。結果，這七年大災難中的教會，表面上敵不住那復活的敵神帝國，敵不住那些狂熱宗教徒的攻擊，受到嚴重的創傷。十一章所講的兩個見證人，就是在大災難中信主的群眾。他們堅定愛主，許多將會被殺害成為殉道者，最後這位神的羔羊在錫安山上迎接他們，因為他們都像羔羊被殺，所以神的羔羊來迎接他們。

During the time of the seven years of the great tribulation a new church emerged on the earth. The members of that church were those who believed in the Lord during the seven years of great tribulation. They had to experience the great tribulation and “the two beasts”, which are the “empire enemy of God” and the “false prophet”, the attacks and persecution of the pseudo religion. As a result, the church from the seven years of great tribulation which appeared to not have been able to withstand the attacks of the resurrected empire that is against God and the attacks of the religious fanatics was greatly wounded. The two witnesses from chapter 11 are the multitudes that believed in the Lord during the great tribulation. They firmly loved the Lord and many of them would be killed and become martyrs and at the end the Lamb of God would stand on Mount Zion to welcome them; because they were also murdered like the Lamb that is why the Lamb of God we welcoming them.

錫安山的預言
THE PROPHECY OF MOUNT ZION

1 我又觀看，見羔羊站在錫安山，同祂又有十四萬四千人。
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000.

錫安山是耶路撒冷城南部的小山崗，是大衛還沒有作王之前的堅固堡壘所在，是大家熟悉的地名。聖經裡面當然有很多地方提到它名字。不過在這許多提到它名字的經文當中，有一些卻有特別的含意，是源於眾先知所看見的同一個末世異象，是關於一個特別的預言，指明末世的時候，基督將會召集祂某些子民在錫安山上有一次特別的聚會。

Mount Zion is a small hill south of the city of Jerusalem, it the place that David used as a stronghold before he became king, a place which David was very familiar with. Of course, this site is mentioned in many places of the Bible but some have special meaning about visions that several prophets had seen regarding the end times, a very special prophecy indicating the end of times. Christ will bring together a special group of His people for a one-time very special gathering on Mount Zion.

在新約聖經共有兩處，提到錫安山上的異象，除了啟示錄這一次之外，另外一處是在希伯來書12:22-23 節：

The vision on Mount Zion is mentioned two times in the New Testament. Besides the time that is mentioned here in the book of Revelation, the other time is in the book of Hebrews 12:22-23:

你們乃是來到錫安山，永生神的城邑，就是天上的耶路撒冷。那裡有千萬天使。有名錄在天上諸長子之會，所共聚的總會。

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

他所說的是｢天上｣的錫安山，不是地上的，是神住所的城邑，是教會總部，所以錫安山的異象，是末後集合在天上聖所的一些特別群眾。

Here it speaks about the “heavenly” Mount Zion, not the one on earth, the city of the living God, the headquarters of the Church. Therefore, the vision on Mount Zion is about a special multitude that has been gathered in the heavenly sanctuary during the end times.

第七章看見兩個群眾。一個是被提的群眾，手拿棕樹枝，從在大災難中抽離出來，站在神寶座前。第二群是在地上七年大災難開始之時，先受印的十四萬四千人。他們都是主所揀選成為末後的見證人。數字當然不是實數，十四萬四千是精英之數。他們錯過教會被提的時間，要經歷災難後，纔與羔羊聚集在神寶座前，稱安山上的群眾。

In chapter 7 there are two groups of people. One of the groups is the multitude that went through the rapture, they were taken from the great tribulation, and they were holding palm branches in their hands, standing before the throne of God. The second group is the 144,000 who were on the earth during the seven years of great tribulation, the ones who were sealed. They were also chosen by God to be His witnesses during the end times. 144,000 is not the actual number, it is the number of the elite. They missed the rapture of the Church; they had to experience the great tribulation prior to being gathered to be with the Lamb before the throne of God, the great multitude on Mount Zion.

是有神生命的人
A MULTITUDE THAT HAS GOD ' S LIFE

1 都有祂的名，和祂父的名，寫在額上。
1 who had His name and His Father's name written on their foreheads.

他們在天上的聖所，不是在地上。第叁節說他們在寶座前，他們也是從地上、從人間買來的，表明那時候已經不在人間了。這個過程是從7:3 開始：｢等我們印了神眾僕人的額。｣大災難正式要開始之時，天使說：｢等一等，先給得救恩的人蓋上印。｣到了末後當他們聚集在錫安神聖山上之時，他們早已有了聖靈的印記，而沒有獸的標誌。他們有基督的名、神的名、聖靈的印記寫在額上，影響思想、價值觀、意識形態。

They are in the sanctuary in heaven, not on the earth. Verse 3 says that they were before the throne; they were purchased from among mankind. This means that they were not among mankind anymore. The course of events started from chapter 7, verse 3: “until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of God.” Before the great tribulation started, the angel said: “Wait, first put a seal on those who are saved.” They already had the seal of the Holy Spirit, not the mark of the beast, long before their holy assembly on Mount Zion during the end times. They had Christ's name, God's name, and the seal of the Holy Spirit on their foreheads influencing their thoughts, their values, and their beliefs .

獸的印記稱為mark( charagma ) ，可翻譯為｢記號｣，｢標誌｣，是可見的，是具體的身份證明。凡是印斑、紋身、手環、GPS 的晶片等，都可能是這種標誌。聖靈印記稱為Seal( sfragis ) 是封上文件用的水印，也是封上耶穌墳墓的官方印記。沒有顏色，是透明的，不容易看得見。

The mark ( charagma ) of the beast is visible, is a concrete proof of identification. Any kind of bar code, tattoo, bracelet, GPS chip, etc. could be this kind of mark. The seal ( sfragis ) of the Holy Spirit is like the watermark on the seal of a manuscript, like the official seal that was put on Jesus' tomb. It had no color, is transparent, it is not easily visible.

有聖靈印記、有羔羊的名字、有神的名字，表明他們是屬神的。在地上，在肉身上可能不容易分辨。有了聖靈印記、有神名字的人，自己可能還不知道。正如我們得救，很難說出是哪一天開始。尤其從小在基督徒家庭長大的人，甚麽時候有了印記也不知道，只知道自己在哪一天決志、受洗。但聖靈的印記，不一定是那一天纔開始有的。

Having the seal of the Holy Spirit, the name of the Lamb, the name of God, indicates that they belong to God. Maybe is not easy to differentiate this kind of seal on the flesh or in this world. You might not even know if you have the seal of the Holy Spirit or the name of God. Like when we are saved, it could be very hard to specifically pin point the day. Especially those who had been raised in a Christian family, you might not know when you were sealed; you can only know when you made the decision to accept Christ as your Savior and when you were baptized. But you might have been sealed by the Holy Spirit before that time.

多數教會12 歲纔可以受洗，或受堅振禮，但得到主印記的年齡，可能比這早得多。主耶穌曾用一個小孩子作例證說：｢不要輕看這小子裡的一個，他們的使者，常見天父的面。｣那個小子，是指toddler ，兩歲到六歲左右的孩子。

In many churches you cannot receive Baptism or Confirmation until you are 12 years old, but a believer might have received the seal of the Lord long before those ceremonies. The Lord Jesus once used the example of a little child when He said: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” The “little ones” refers to “toddlers”, kids between the ages of 2 and 6 years old.

就是說，可能從小就有了聖靈的印記。另外有人在教會多年，也不認識神。有些人想用頭腦知識、外表行為換取恩典。不知道神是活的，能在生活上與祂有接觸。對主有信心的人，就是神的選民，就得救恩。

In other words, maybe the person received the seal of the Holy Spirit at a very early age. Yet, there are others who have been in the Church for many years and still do not know God. Some people want to use their minds, their intellect and outward actions in return for grace. They do not know that God is alive and that they can have a personal relationship with Him. Those who have faith in God are saved and belong to God.

主的名早已寫在額上。剛信主的人，很多還不知道已經換了老闆。像房子有人決定買之後，就先豎個牌說｢賣了｣。但舊主人還住在那裡，里外都沒有改變，要過幾個月，纔看見房子里外都改變了，因為有了新的主人。新主的作風以後會顯出來。人有聖靈印記後，初期可能只是印記而已，人還沒有甚麽改變。到後來清楚看見基督的名、天父名字顯在額上。

The name of God is already on their foreheads. Many new believers do not know that they have a new Boss. For example, after a house has been sold, the first thing that people do is to put a sign that says “SOLD”. But the old owner still lives in the house, nothing has changed yet until after a few months has passed, then you will be able to see changes inside and outside the house, because there is a new owner. The style of the new owner will emerge. Right after a person receives the seal of the Holy Spirit, not much of change could be seen. Later on, the name of Christ and the name of the Heavenly Father will be clearly seen on his forehead.

是習慣集體敬拜神的群眾
A MULTITUDE THAT IS USED TO WORSHIPING GOD COLLECTIVELY

2 我聽見從天上有聲音，像眾水的聲音和大雷的聲音，並且我所聽見的，好像彈琴的所彈的琴聲。
2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.

十四萬四千人在神寶座前敬拜主、唱讚美詩，當然聲音響亮，像眾水的聲音，和大雷的響聲。不過奇怪的是，也像很優美柔和的｢琴聲｣。是harp 豎琴的聲音。豎琴聲音的特點是優美柔和，跟大雷的聲音完全不同。約翰先說很洪亮像大雷，我們會以為是硬崩崩的響聲。但這裡說明，洪亮、優美，同時並存。是甜美又響亮的音樂。

144,000 people worshiping the Lord before the throne of God, singing praises to Him; of course it would sound very loud, like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. But the amazing thing is that it also sounded like a beautiful melody like that of harpists playing their harps. The sound of a harp is graceful and gentle which is completely different than the sound of a peal of thunder. But here the sound is loud and graceful at the same time. Music that is sweet and resounding .

信徒敬拜主的音樂就有這種特色。就算今時用上擴音系統，把聲音加大，仍然不失它的優美柔和，不像世界的搖滾音樂以吵鬧為主。從今世到來世，我們向主的敬拜，都應該是洪亮與優美的。

Those are the distinguished features when music is used to praise and worship the Lord. Even nowadays when using loud speakers, the praise music does not lose its gracefulness and gentleness, not like the worldly rock and roll music that is just noisy. From now to eternity, our worship of the Lord should also be resounding and graceful.

是經歷神最新恩典的人
A MULTITUDE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED GOD ' S NEWEST GRACE

3 他們在寶座前，並在四活物、眾長老前唱歌，彷彿是新歌。除了從地上買來那十四萬四千人外，沒有人能學這歌。

3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

這些歌聲、琴聲，只有他們纔學得到，因為他們是特別的一群。他們不只是得到主的救恩，而且經歷了最難熬的大災難。進入這個錫安山行列的，是不容易的一群。他們唱的是｢新歌｣，因為他們經歷了神的新作為。在詩篇中，凡說唱新歌，都是因為神在他們身上行了神蹟，經歷過以前從來沒有經歷過的大事，所以要唱新歌來頌揚。

Only they could learn the song because they were a special group of people. They not only obtain the Lord's salvation, but also experienced the great tribulation. It was not easy for this multitude to be part of this great assembly on Mount Zion. The song they were singing was a “new song” because they experienced God's new achievement. In Psalms, whenever a new song is sung, it is always because God has done miracles in their lives, they have experienced something amazing that they had never experienced before, which is why they had to sing a new song of praise.

有些人信主的過程沒有甚麽壓力，沒有家人或朋友的反對，信得容易。這種信心雖然是真的，但仍然不夠堅強。有些家庭極力反對信主，長輩會用經濟封鎖、不准吃飯、趕出家門等方法，對付想要受洗的後輩們。這些信徒如果能堅持信心到底，這一種信心就是堅強的信心，是經得起考驗的信心。

Some people believe in the Lord without experiencing any pressure from others, they are not opposed by friends or family members; it is very easy for them to believe. On the other hand, there are those who suffer strong opposition from their families; their elders would stop supporting them economically, they would even not give them food to eat and some would even shun them out of their homes. If these believers would keep their faith in spite of so much opposition, their faith would be a very steadfast faith; it is a faith that can stand any kind of test.

猶太人、阿拉伯人信主更加是難上加難，因為整個家族會反對，用盡殘暴手段對付他。在回教國家可能還有生命危險。猶太人如果知道自己的兒子信了主，就會為兒子舉行一個喪禮，表示從今以後，這兒子等於死了。這等於公開脫離父子關係。在這種環境下信主的人，信心最堅強。他們唱的讚美詩，是我們不會唱的，因為我們沒有這種經歷，無法寫出這種詩歌。

For a Jew or an Arab to believe in the Lord it is extremely difficult, because their whole household would be against them, they would use extreme measures to deal with them. In Muslim countries their lives might even be in danger. If a Jewish family learns that their son has believed in Jesus, they would perform a funeral for their son to show that from that moment on their son is considered dead to them; openly announcing that the son is no longer theirs. Those believers have the strongest faith. The praise songs that they sing, we cannot learn it because we did not have that kind of experience, we cannot compose that kind of song.

是遠離偶像的人
A MULTITUDE THAT DID NOT DEFILE THEMSELVES WITH IDOLS

4 這些人未曾沾染婦女，他們原是童身。
4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.

這話不能從字面來解釋，不要以為他們都是男人。這只是比喻的講法。而且希臘文說｢弟兄｣的時候，也包括姊妹在內。因為男性的複數字是包括女性的。天主教以為神職人員要保持｢童身｣不結婚，纔是聖潔，也是對這經文的誤解。許多人用這經文支持守獨身。其實使徒保羅也沒有結婚，但他在提摩太前書四章叁節指出，有人講鬼魔的道理，就是禁止嫁娶。他指出講鬼魔道理的人，禁止人做兩件事：｢禁婚｣與｢禁葷｣。兩者都是鬼魔的道。違反天性與身體的需要，違反神造物的旨意。神造人之時，造夫妻二人。所以禁止結婚是鬼魔的道。

This phrase cannot be explained literally, don't think that they are all men. This is just a metaphor. Besides, in the Greek language the word “brethren”, also includes sisters; thus the plural word “men” also includes women. The Catholic Church believes that the clergy should stay “celibate”, not marry in order to be holy; they have misunderstood this verse. Many people use this verse to support staying single. Actually, the Apostle Paul never married, but he points out in Timothy 4:3 that men who forbid marriage are paying attention to the doctrines of demons. He pointed out that the people who pay attention to the doctrines of demons prohibit people to do two things: “forbid marriage” and “advocate abstaining from foods” . Both are doctrines of demons. They are going against nature and the needs of the body; they are going against the will of God, the Creator. When God created human beings, He created both husband and wife. Therefore, prohibiting people to get married is the doctrines of demons.

這裡到底說甚麽呢？英譯本說，他們｢保持自己的純潔｣。他們信主之後，一直忠於主。聖經所責備犯姦淫的子民，常是因他們拜偶像，指他們倚靠別的神，投在別神懷抱。到了十七章，我們看見那｢大淫婦｣，就是投在別人懷抱，名義上屬於主的人。

So, what does this verse mean? The English version says “they did not defile themselves”. After they believed in the Lord, they were faithful to the Lord all the way. Often, when the Bible condemns the people who commit adultery, it is because they worshiped idols, they trust other gods, they thrown themselves into the arms of a foreign god. In chapter 17, we see that the “great prostitute” has thrown herself in the arms of someone else; those are the people who nominally say they belong to the Lord.

這裡有兩個極端的對比。保羅說：｢教會像貞潔的童女，許配了基督。｣教會當存貞潔，不拜別神，不為別的事物，像肚腹、金錢而活。

Paul said: “The church is like a pure virgin promised to one husband, Christ.” The Church must be kept pure, must not worship other gods and must not live for worldly things like their stomach or for money.

其中重要的原因，他們之所以能稱為貞潔，是因這七年中一直活在災難裡。苦難能使人純潔。人生活得太舒服，太多享受，對靈魂是一種嚴重的拖累。他們是專心一意為主而活的人。

A very important reason why they are called pure is because they are constantly living in tribulation during those 7 years. Suffering can purify people. When people live too comfortably and have too many enjoyments, it is detrimental to their spirits. The sole purpose of this multitude is to live for the Lord.

是跟隨羔羊的人
A MULTITUDE THAT FOLLOWS THE LAMB

4 羔羊無論往那裡去，他們都跟隨祂。
4 They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

他們學習基督、跟隨基督、聽從主教訓。他們願意跟隨主的腳踪，等候主的指引。耶穌說：｢若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，天天背起他的十字架來跟從我。｣這話雖然簡單，行出來卻不容易。因為羔羊走的路是十字架的道路，十字架的道路是犧牲的路。他們也走同樣被殺之路。

They learn from Christ, they follow Christ and obey the teachings of the Lord. They are willing to follow the steps of the Lord, waiting for His guidance. Jesus said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Although these words are simple, it is very hard to follow through because way of the Lamb is the way of the cross. They also followed the same road and were killed.

人在環境好的時候，不懂得愛主，不珍惜親近主的福氣。主用有保障的籬笆把屬祂的人圈住，在他們四圍安營，設天軍天使保護。但人覺得不自由，要享受外面的世界，想弄破籬笆，跑出去見識、享受。其實是貪愛現今的世界。當走到外面時，纔發現那花花世界裡面，原來充滿豺狼毒蛇之危險。

Some people do not know how to love and cherish the blessings of being close to the Lord when everything goes well. The Lord sends His angels as a protective wall to encamp around those who belong to Him to ensure their safety. But people feel that they do not have any freedom, they want to enjoy the world outside, and they break that protective wall in order to be able to go out to enjoy and experience the world. Actually, they have an insatiable desire for today's world. But when they are outside they find that it is full the dangers of ravenous wolves and poisonous serpents.

在外面受了重傷之後，纔知道要回歸羊圈，纔發現羊圈裡面纔是最好的地方。末後世代，這些新羊處身在最危險的環境，天天面對死亡，覺得親近主最可貴。絕對不像現代的信徒，愛上毒蛇猛獸的巢穴。這些跟隨羔羊腳踪的人，肯定比活在舒服環境的門徒更加熱心與忠心。神使用他們，成為末世的見證人。

After they come out they get seriously injured, just then do they realize that they should return to the sheepfold because that is the best place to be. During the end times, this new group of sheep will be living in a most dangerous environment, they will face death every day, and they will feel that being close to the Lord is the most precious thing. They will be completely different from the believers of this generation that have fallen in love with the dens of venomous snakes and ferocious beasts. The multitude that follows the Lamb is definitely more faithful and fervent than the disciples who live in a comfortable environment. God used them as His witnesses in the last days.

是為主殉道的人
THEY WERE MARTYRS FOR THE LORD

4 他們是從人間買來，作初熟的果子歸與神和羔羊。
4 They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

他們不是最早期的果子，乃是最後期的信徒，怎麽稱他們是從人間買來作｢初熟的果子｣呢？初熟果子是甚麽意思？乃是全奉獻給神的。摩西律法規定所有初熟的果，收成後全奉獻在祭壇上。告訴我們，這十四萬四千人，全部要經歷火的試煉，全部經歷了祭壇上的犧牲。

They are not the earliest firstfruits ; but believers from the last days. Why does it say that they were purchased from among mankind and offered as “ firstfruits ”? What are “ firstfruits ”? Those are the ones that wholly dedicated to God. The Mosaic Law required that all the firstfruits from the harvest be fully offered on the altar. This tells us that all 144,000 will have to experience the test of fire; they will all have to be sacrificed on the altar.

前面已讀過了，在大災難期間信主的門徒，就是兩個見證人，他們後來都被殺了。｢見證人｣這個字，在希臘文是 marter ，這個字後來演變成了英文的｢殉道者｣martyr 。

We previously read, during the great tribulation those who believe in Jesus are the two witnesses who will later be killed. The word “witness” in Greek is “ marter ”, this word later became the English word “martyr”.

這｢初熟果｣first fruits 與希伯來書十二章所說｢諸長子｣firstborns ，都有同樣的意思。這些後期的信徒，怎麽可能稱為｢長子｣呢？｢長子｣是指他們都是｢殉道者｣。他們是經過大災難的一群忠心見證人。由於他們在末後大災難中信主，很自然會給我們一個錯覺，以為他們的靈性一定比較差。因為不儆醒的人，燈裡沒有油的人，生活中沒有聖靈的人，纔要經歷大災難。我們不能用這眼光看他們，因為當他們真心信主，經歷過聖靈從上頭而生，就會有奇妙的生命改變。

The word “ firstfruits ” and the word “firstborns” in Hebrews chapter 12 have the same meaning. How could these believers from the last days be “firstborns”? “Firstborn” means that they are “martyrs”. They are a group of people who were faithful witnesses during the great tribulation. Because they were believers that came from the great tribulation, we might have the misconception that their spiritual life was not that good; due to the fact that only those who are not watchful, whose lamps have no oil, those who do not have the Holy Spirit in their lives, only those people will go through the great tribulation. We should not look at them in such way because when they believe in the Lord true heartedly and experience the birth of the Holy Spirit from above, their lives will go through a miraculous change.

是遠離撒但的人
THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO STAY AWAY FROM SATAN

5 在他們口中察不出謊言來，他們是沒有瑕疵的。
5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

撒但被稱｢虛謊的父｣。這些人是沒有跟從過撒但，沒有聽從過獸命令的人，他們沒有受過獸的記號。獸記號沒有在他們額上，也沒有在他們右手上，他們手所做的，心所想的，都清潔真實。

Satan is called “the father of lies”. These people have never followed Satan; they had never obeyed the beast's orders, they never received the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast was never on their forehead or on their right hand; all their deeds and thoughts were pure and true.

撒但是一切虛假的源頭，用欺騙的方法辦事，從伊甸園開始，牠就是騙子，跟隨撒但的人，都用假冒欺騙的辦法，假冒基督徒的特色，假冒基督徒的生命見證。

Satan is the source of all falsehood, he handles matters deceitfully, and he was a deceiver from the beginning starting in the Garden of Eden. Those who follow Satan also use lies and deceiving ways to impersonate the characteristics and the way of life of Christians.

世上不可能有這樣的完全人。但主的救恩偉大，能把罪人變成沒有瑕疵的人。教會中人都以真誠待人，不用奸詐虛假。罪人靠主的血衣裳洗乾淨，像雪一樣白，沒有瑕疵。可能在某些人眼中還不完全，但在主眼中沒有瑕疵。一直信靠主，信心蒙主喜悅。

It is impossible to find this kind of people in the world. But the Lord's salvation is amazing; it can change a sinner into a blameless person. People in the church treat others with sincerity of heart, not with false pretenses or craftily. The sinner's garment is cleansed by the blood of the Lord and it becomes as white as snow, without any blemishes. They may still not look perfect in some people's eyes, but in the eyes of the Lord, they are blameless. Having faith in the Lord all the way, that is what pleases the Lord.

他們是甚麽人？
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

他們聚集在天上的錫安山，是各時代先知預言錫安山異像中的一群特別的人。希伯來書12:22-23 ：

These are a very special group of people which prophets from different eras had seen in visions of Mount Zion. They were assembled on Mount Zion in heaven. Hebrews 12:22-23:

你們乃是來到錫安山、永生神的城邑，就是天上的耶路撒冷，那裡有千萬天使，有名錄在天上諸長子之會，所共聚的總會，有審判的神和被成全義人的靈魂。

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.

我們綜合其他先知的預言，就可以把這些人的畫像畫出來。

By putting together the visions of other prophets, we can draw a portrait of these people.

俄巴底亞書21 ：必有[ 拯救者] 上到錫安山。

Obadiah 21 ：The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion.

約珥書2:32 ：在錫安山必有逃脫的人( 應譯拯救的人) ，在剩下的人中( 外邦人中) ，必有耶和華所召的。

Joel 2:32 ：For in Mount Zion shall be deliverance…and in the remnant (gentiles) whom the Lord shall call.

這一群是｢拯救靈魂｣的人，是宣教士、福音同工、屬靈領袖。

This group are made of people who “save souls”, they are preachers of the Word, fellow co-workers of the Gospel, spiritual leaders.

這樣，當我們再看以賽亞關於錫安山的異象之時，就會更明白以賽亞49:12 所說的話：

This way, when we read again regarding the vision on Mount Zion in Isaiah, we then understand better what Isaiah 49:12 says,

看哪，這些從遠方來，這些從北方、從西方來，這些從秦國來。

Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim .

以賽亞講出錫安異象之時，特別說出有哪些外邦人從甚麽方向來。指出有些從遠方來，有從北方來，也有從西方來。還有一些從秦國來。｢秦國｣原文是the land of Sinim 從中國人的地來，四百多年前翻譯英文的 KJV 版本時，還不大清楚指甚麽地方，那時以色列還沒有復國，希伯來文也成了死的語文，只少部份拉比懂得。當時照音譯作Sinim 。

When Isaiah spoke about the vision on Mount Zion, he specifically mentioned where the gentiles would be coming from. He pointed out that some would come from far, some from the north and some from the west, and some from the land of Sinim . The land of Sinim is the land of Chinese people. Four hundred years ago when the King James Version of the Bible was written, people were not clear as to what was the land of Sinim . At that time the Israelites had not return to their own country , and the Hebrew language had become obsolete, only a small group of rabbis knew the language, therefore Sinim was transliterated.

一百多年前，當翻譯中文聖經時，以色列人醞釀復國，也希望復國後用希伯來文做為國家語文，早已經把希伯來文講活了，大部份猶太人都懂了，也出版了希伯來文字典，讓大家有所依據。所以翻譯中文聖經時，深文理、淺文理與和合本，全部都翻作｢秦國｣，知道這詞所指的就是中國。因為｢秦｣音比較像，所以譯作｢秦國｣。歐洲多國叫中國作｢秦那｣，中國人叫chino ，中日戰爭叫作 sino -Japanese war 。

More than one hundred years ago, when the Bible was being translated into Chinese, the Jewish Zionist movement had already established Hebrew as their national language. Many Jews were already speaking the language and were very familiar with it; they also published a Hebrew dictionary so their language was established on a solid foundation. Therefore, at that time all the Chinese Bibles versions translated “the land of Sinim ” as “Qin Guo ｢秦國｣”and everyone knew that it referred to China. Also the sound of the word “ qin ” sounds like China.

猶太人、阿拉伯人的字典裡，都把中國稱為Sin ，中國人叫做Sini 。Sinim 是男性複數字。所以那句話原意｢有些從中國人的地來｣。

In the Hebrew and Arabic dictionary, China is called “Sin”, and Chinese people are called “Sini”. “ Sinim ” is the male plural form for the word Chinese. Therefore that sentence means that “there are some that come from the land of the Chinese people.

廿世紀的西方學者不接受這裡說的是中國。因為( 一) 它只出現了一次，可能是抄錯。( 二) 認為那段經文是講以色列復國，沒有道理有很多猶太人從中國回來。( 叁) 認為2750 年前的以賽亞不會知道有中國。還有更重要的原因，他們根本不相信中國教會能起來負起傳福音工作。所以西方學者翻譯 NIV 的時候，把它改成the region of Aswan ，明目張膽地把聖經的字更改了。

Western scholars from the twentieth century do not accept the fact that it refers to China for the following reasons: (1) the word only appears once, maybe it was copied wrong. (2) They believe that the passage speaks about Israel's Zionist movement; it makes no sense that so many Jews would come from China. (3) They believe that 2750 years ago, Isaiah did not know that China existed.

他們不信的理由，完全是沒有根據的。( 一) 因為有多本手抄本來對照，證明不是手民之誤。( 二) 這裡所說的，是超過以色列復國的事。( 叁) 是以賽亞所見的異象，不是他的見解，不是他研究的結果，他知道不知道有中國，並不重要。

The reason why they did not believe was completely unfounded. (1) Because of the many manuscripts that exist, there is no way that it could have been copied in error. (2) What is mentioned here surpasses the event of the restoration of Israel . (3) It was the vision that Isaiah saw, it was not just his opinion, and it was not the result of his research; whether he knew or not of the existence of China is not relevant.

以賽亞在44 章的預言也很神奇，他預言在他150 年之後，以色列被擄滿了70 年之時，將由古列王Cyrus ，一個外邦的君王釋放回國，他連名字都寫出來。而且說：｢古列，你雖然不認識我，我卻揀選你作我民以色列的牧者，要提名召你，要膏抹你，藉你的手拯救以色列。｣從這事看見，原來沒有神先知之處，沒有聖經可讀的環境，神都能揀選人完成祂的計劃。古列是一個很好的君王，不殘暴，對下屬以德服人，有膽色、有謀略，也像百多年前的猶大王約西亞，在戰場上死去，兩個都是好皇帝，都在壯年死於戰場。約西亞王至少還讀過聖經，常在聖殿裡敬拜神，但古列從來沒有進過會堂，沒有聽過神的道，為甚麽神揀選他？還預告他的名字？這名字不是後來改的，是父母親替他取的。可以說，神預先知道這件事，就啟示給以賽亞知道。以賽亞也不認識古列是誰。所以他知道不知道有中國存在，並不重要。因為這些預言，不是出於他自己的，是出於神的。既然神預告中國教會興起，中國教會一定要興起，這不是以賽亞的預測，是神的預告。

Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 44 is very amazing. He prophesied what would happen 150 years later. He prophesied about the liberation of Israel after being in captivity for 70 years. At that time he didn't even know that the gentile king was named Cyrus. It even says: “who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, 'Let it be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'Let its foundations be laid.'” From this event we can see that even in places where there are no prophets from God, and places where there are no Bibles, God can still choose people to accomplish His plans. Cyrus was a very good king, he was not violent, he gave a fair treatment to his subordinates, he had courage, and he was clever, like king Josiah who was king of Judah many hundreds years ago, who died on the battlefield. Both kings were good kings, both died on the battlefield in the prime of their lives. King Josiah at least had the opportunity to read God's Word and often worshiped God in the Sanctuary, but Cyrus had never been in a temple, had never heard the Word of God, why did God choose him and even mentioned his name in the prophecy? His name was given by his parents; it was not changed to that name at a later date. We can only say that God knew what would happen beforehand and revealed the matter to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah did not know who Cyrus was, therefore the fact that he knew or not of the existence of China is not important because the prophecies did not come from Isaiah himself but from God. Since God predicted that the church in China will rise, it will certain do so, this is not Isaiah's prediction, it is what God had foretold.

這預言裡面特別指出，有中國人興起成為末代的福音工作者。因為最末後的時代，是中國人的時代。從他所指出的方向就知道，末後少數外邦信徒，可能多是殉道者，或受迫害的一群，由哪些人組成呢？他指出從遠方、北方與西方來，沒有南方與東方。因為以色列的南方、東方是最少基督徒的地方。非洲、亞洲是回教徒的世界，東亞大部份的人是佛教徒，小部份是回教徒。基督徒的數目比較少。

This prophecy specifically points out that there will be Chinese people who will become the final generation of Gospel workers; because the last days will be the era of the Chinese people. From the directions that he points out we know that during the last days this gentile minority group maybe at lot of them are martyrs, or are persecuted. What kinds of people form this gentile minority group? He indicates that they come from afar; from the north and from the west, not from the south or from the east, because to the south and the east of Israel there aren't many Christians. Africa and Asia are the world of the Muslims; most of East Asia is Buddhist and not many people are Muslims. The amount of Christians is relatively small.

耶穌在馬太24:14 清楚說：｢福音要傳遍天下，然後末期纔來到。｣如果這一大片土地傳不開，主來的日子就會拖延。末後的見證人由以色列北方與西方的人組成，多數是歐美的白人，加上遠方，可能包括澳洲所派出的宣教士。大部份宣教士都是白人。

Jesus said clearly in Matthew 24:14: “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.” If the Gospel is not preached in this vast territory, the day of the Lord will be delayed. The witnesses in the last days are made out of people that come from Israel's north and west, mostly white people from Europe and America plus many from far distant regions, probably including missionaries sent from Australia. Most missionaries are white people.

近年來，南韓宣教士有八千多，亞洲宣教士成第二大一群。中國宣教士雖然只有一千多人，相信幾年之後，中國將會超越南韓的數目。因為亞洲人做宣教士，勝過白人，能夠做白人做不到的事。中國人比較能適應條件差的生活，比較能接受保守的傳統，封建社會的體系。

In recent years, there have been more than 8,000 missionaries from South Korea; missionaries from Asia are the second largest group of missionaries. Though there are only 1,000 missionaries from China, a few years from now the amount of missionaries from China will surpass the amount of missionaries from South Korea; due to the fact that Asian missionaries can accomplish more than white missionaries. Chinese people can adapt better to poor living conditions, they are more able to accept conservative traditions and feudal society.

但我們會問，非洲、中亞洲在末後也有很多信主的人，怎麽沒有他們出現在這裡。因為這十四萬四千人，不只是信徒，他們是末後的見證人，是拯救靈魂的人，也是初熟的果子，是殉道者。

But we ask, during the end times there will also be many believers from Africa and Central Asia, how come they are not mentioned here? Because these 144,000 are not the number of believers but the number of witnesses during the end times, they are soul savers, they are firstborns and they are also martyrs.

為何是中國人？因為中亞洲這大片荒涼的地離中國近。中國人口也最多，遍佈世界。加上中國教會最能捱苦。星加坡、香港有很多宣教士對中亞都有負擔，但都不敢前去，很多擔心，很多顧慮。他們寧願出錢差中國的宣教士，因為他們不怕苦。

Why are they Chinese? It is because China is very near the inhospitable territory of central Asia. China has the largest population; Chinese are all over the world. In addition, Chinese churches can endure harsh sufferings. Many missionaries from Singapore and Hong Kong have a burden for Central Asia but they don't dare go into that territory because they have a lot of worries and apprehensions. They would rather give money to send Chinese missionaries out in that field because they are not afraid of hardships.

這是以賽亞所見的末後異象，中國是在神計劃的藍圖裡，人信不信都會應驗，因聖靈在這塊地作工。信的人會在聖靈這大潮流裡有份，會體驗聖靈的大能，一同參與聖靈的工作。

That is the vision that the prophet Isaiah saw regarding the end times; China is in God's blueprint plan, even though people may not believe that is possible, it will come true because the Holy Spirit is working in this large territory. Those who believe will be part of this great movement and will experience the awesome power of the Holy Spirit.