CHAPTER L ( 最後一章LAST AND FINAL CHAPTER) - Revelation 22:10-19 - 要傳講末世預言 MUST PREACH THE PROPHECY OF THE END TIMES

CHAPTER L  
( 最後一章 LAST AND FINAL CHAPTER) - 

(Revelation 22:10-19)  

要傳講末世預言  -  
MUST PREACH THE PROPHECY OF THE END TIMES

啟示錄的最後一章與第一章都有一個共同點，就是強調本書的重要性，叫人不要輕視這本書。那些讀了又照著行的人有福了，不相信、不跟隨的人有禍了。新舊約聖經六十六卷裡面，以這一本最獨特，不斷講出它的權威性。不單清楚說是耶穌基督自己的話，也告訴人是信實可靠的，要人多讀、相信、遵行。

The first and the last chapters of Revelation have something in common which is the emphasis on the importance of this book. It tells people not to take this book lightly. Those who read it and follow it will be blessed but woe to those who do not believe and do not follow it. Of all the 66 books from the Old and the New Testament, this book is the most unique one since it continually speaks of its authority. It not only says it clearly that those are the words of Jesus Himself, but also tells people that those words are trustworthy and true and we should study it, believe it and follow it.

原因它是講將來的事，對於預言，人對它的接受，常有保留。另一方面，它的內容也太神奇了，不容易明白，肯定很多人放在一邊不去讀它，聽到也不真的相信。主要約翰傳講，不要封起來，要讓普世知道。

People have their reservations regarding accepting prophecies. On one hand, it speaks of the things to come; on the other hand, the content of this book is too mysterious, it is not easy to understand. I am sure many people would just put this book aside; they don't want to read it and if they hear about its message, they would not believe it. The Lord wanted John to preach the message of Revelation, not to seal the book but to tell about it to everyone in the whole world.

因為預言解開了
BECAUSE THE PROPHECY HAS BEEN OPENED UP

10 祂又對我說：不可封了這書上的豫言，因為日期近了。
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.

神曾吩咐但以理，要封閉某些末日的預言。但以理12:4 ：｢但以理阿，你要隱藏這話，封閉這書，直到末時，必有多人來往奔跑，知識就必增長。｣但以理看見的異像很多，有些是在他的時代應驗，有些是在二叁百年後發生，有些是關於末世的預言。主吩咐他要封了其中一些預言，到底是哪一些呢？

Once God told Daniel to seal up certain prophecies. Daniel 12:4: “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” Daniel saw many prophecies, some of the prophecies happened 200 to 300 years later, others will happen during the end times. God told him to seal certain prophecies, so which ones were the ones he was told to seal?

主要他封閉的，是最後末日的預言，是七年大災難的情形或日期。神要他封閉到甚麽時候呢？是要｢直到末時｣。為甚麽早期封閉，末期開封？因為到了末時，必有多人來往奔跑，知識就必增長。在末後時代，交通發達，一天之內，可以到世界另一邊，全世界流行走來走去，每天有幾億人坐飛機旅行，見識多了，資訊發達，任何地方發生的事，馬上全世界都知道，表示很多聖經論關於末日的預兆，人留心的話，都可以看出來。到末世之時，人就能明白預兆。

The prophecies that the Lord wanted Daniel to seal were prophecies concerning the end times. Those prophecies were related to the 7 years of great tribulation. Until when did God want him to seal the prophecies? It was “until the time of the end”. How come it was to be sealed during earlier times and opened during the end times? Because during the end times many will go here and there to increase knowledge. During the end times transportation will be greatly developed, people could go to the other side of the world in one day. Every day, hundred of millions of people fly all over the world; their knowledge has increased. Information is so developed that if something happens somewhere in the world, everyone will know about it right away. This means that many things which the Bible talks about  regarding the signs of the end times can be seen if careful attention is paid. People will understand the signs when the end times come.

在古代跟人說，將來有很多空難，會有人造衛星相撞，太空垃圾墬下，會有很多人患上癌症，有很多輻射、污染，使人產生怪病而死。他們不會明白。說了也是白說，所以要封起來。到末日，人的見識多了，很多聖經說的預兆人都看見了，就能關聯起來。不信的人可能還是不明白，但信主的人就能夠領會。有信心的人就能夠早做準備迎接主回來。

If you tell people from the past that in the future there would be many plane crashes, that man-made satellites will collide, that outer space trash would drop from the sky, that many people will have cancer and that there would be lots of people getting sick and dying from radiation and pollution, they would not understand what you are talking about. You would have said it in vain, that is why the prophecy had to be sealed. During the end times, people would have gained knowledge and experience, people would have seen many of the signs that were written in the Bible, then they could relate to them. The unbelievers will continue in their unbelief, but those who belong to God will be able to understand it. Those who have faith can prepare themselves to welcome the Lord on His second coming.

約翰的時候，已經吩咐不可以封閉，因為日期近。封閉是不可講出來。不可封閉，當然就是盡力公開宣揚，讓人知道，不可以看為機密。

During John's time, he was told not to seal up the words of the prophecy because the time was near. To seal means to not speak out. No to seal it up, of course means to spare no effort to proclaim it publicly to let everyone know that it is not a secret.

但以理時要封閉的，約翰的時候要開封。為甚麽？關鍵在於時機。日期近了，或末日到了，就要開封。所以神吩咐祂僕人對預言的處理，是要看時機。越近末時，越要宣揚。

During the times of Daniel it was supposed to be sealed and during the times of John it had to be opened. Why? The key is timing. When the time was at hand, when the end times arrive, that is the time to open it . God told his servants to handle the prophecy according to the timing. The closer to the end, the more we should proclaim it.

無可挽回的日子快到了
IRREVERSIBLE DAYS ARE COMING

11 不義叫他仍舊不義，污穢的叫他仍舊污穢，為義的叫他仍舊為義，聖潔的叫他仍舊聖潔。12 看哪，我必快來，賞罰在我，要照各人所行的報應他。

11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” 12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

主來之日，是報應的時候，審判的時候。審判的日期已經定好了，祂一來，一切都成了定案，再沒有機會更改。世人都是罪人，將以罪人身份上法庭受審判。但還沒有到那一天時，我們仍然可以改變身份，從犯人攔到證人欄。

The day of the Lord is payback time, the day of judgment. The day of judgment has already been set, when HE comes, everything will be finalized, there will be no more opportunity for change. All the  people of this world are sinners and they will be judged accordingly.   But while the final judgment day is not here yet, we can still change our status from the criminal line to the witness stand.

因為現在仍然是接納的時候，還可以作改變。到那日，不義的人就是不義，污穢的人就是污穢，為義的仍舊為義，聖潔的仍舊聖潔，不能改變了。就像考試的人，到了時間要停筆了，試卷要收了，不能再改答案了，結局已經定了，人的悔改轉變，一定要在接納的時候做。到了報應、賞罰的時間，結果已經定了，不能再改變。

Right now it is still the time for acceptance; you can still change.   On that day, the one who does wrong will continue to do wrong, the vile person will continue to be vile, the one who does right will continue to do right and the holy person will continue to be holy, you will not be able to change anymore. It is like someone taking an exam, when the time is up you will have to put down your pen and the test will be collected, the answers cannot be changed anymore, the outcome has been set. If people want to change and repent, it must be during the time of acceptance. When the time of the retribution comes, the time of reward and punishment, the result will already be determined, it cannot be changed anymore.

祂是創始成終的主
HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END

13 我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛，我是首先的、我是末後的，我是初、我是終。

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

基督是創始成終的神，祂創造了人類歷史的開始，也定好了這舊天地的結束，祂創始了一套救贖的計劃，也一定完成這個計劃。

Christ is the God of the beginning and of the end. He created the beginning of human history and will also set the time when this old heaven and old earth will end. He started the plan of salvation and He will definitely finish His plan.

以前的人，可能一生有幾十年的光陰可以做決定，但到末世，不一定再有時間拖延。以前的人以為宇宙可以存到永遠，現在知道有開始，也有結束。所以要盡快把末世信息告訴罪人，讓人準備主的日子來到。

The people in the past may have had decades of lifetime to make a decision, but during the end times, there might not be time to procrastinate. In the past people believed that the universe would last forever, now we know that it had a beginning and it will have an end. That is why we should tell sinners about the message of the end times as soon as possible, so that the people would be ready for the second coming of the Lord.

有人雖然相信末日，但心想可能還有很長的時間，主雖然說｢快來了｣，說了二千年還沒有到，會不會再等二千年？不過主還告訴人祂來之前的兆頭，有了預兆可以看，就知道大概的時間。就像看天氣預測，現在有科學家為人服務，雖然預測有時也會錯，但如果他們發出風暴的警告，我們豈可以不聽，豈可以不作準備？

While some people believe in the end of the world, in their hearts they think that maybe there is still a long time to go. Although Jesus said: “I am coming soon”, it's been 2000 years and He still hasn't returned. Will we have to wait another 2000 years? However, the Lord has told us about the signs that will happen before His return. By looking at those signs, we will be able to know more or less the time of His coming. It's like watching the weather forecast; although sometimes the forecast may not be accurate, we still have scientists studying the weather. If they issue a storm warning, shouldn't we listen to them and be prepared?

遵守的人有福了
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ABIDE BY IT

14 那些洗淨自己衣服的有福了，可得權柄能到生命樹那裡，也能從門進城。

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

主救恩是白白給我們的，祂為我們釘了十架，為我們受罪的刑罰。我們得救，得稱為神的兒女，藉著祂的血洗淨衣服，都是白白得到的。但衣服潔淨所代表的，卻是有聖潔的生活、行為。就是說，得救之後的生活行為，都應該蒙主洗乾淨了，如果沒有洗乾淨，仍然犯罪作惡，可能是沒有真正得到這白白的救恩。

The Lord's salvation is given to us freely. He died on the cross for us, He took the penalty for our sins. We are saved and called to be children of God by His blood that washed our garments clean, all these things are free to us. However, the washed garments represent a holy life and actions. In other words, the way we live after being saved must also be holy and clean. If the person is not clean, if he or she still sins and acts wickedly, it may be that the person did not receive the salvation that was given to him or her freely.

基督在這裡再強調，這書裡的話是祂親自對我們說的，人必須相信又遵行，纔能得到天國的福。纔有資格進入天國，進入新耶路撒冷，纔能得到生命樹的供應。

Here Christ emphasizes once again that the words of this book are spoken directly to us by Him. Mankind must believe and act upon it in order to receive the blessings of the kingdom of heaven and to enter into the new Jerusalem to have the right to the tree of life.

15 城外有那些犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，並一切喜好說謊言編造虛謊的。

15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

｢犬類｣，或狗出現在這裡，是不容易明白的。有人用這句話斷定，狗隻不能進天國。那到底在新天新地裡，有沒有動物、畜牲？是不是只有狗不能進，其他的畜牲可以？我們可以肯定這裡說的｢犬類｣不是指動物、狗。

The word “dogs” mentioned here is not easy to understand. Some people use this phrase to conclude that dogs cannot go into the kingdom of heaven. Will there be any animals and livestock in the new heaven and the new earth? Are dogs the only animals that will not be allowed in heaven? We can be sure that the “dogs” mentioned here are not referring to dog animals.

申命記23:18 說明狗是指｢男妓｣。｢娼妓所得的錢，或孌童【原文是狗】所得的價，你不可帶入殿裡還願。｣中國人稱妓女作雞，大概因為妓與雞音近。猶太人稱男妓作狗，包括作同性戀淫業的人。Deuteronomy 23:18 explains that a “male prostitute” is referred to as a dog. “You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute [Hebrew of a dog] into the house of the Lord your God to pay any vow, because the Lord your God detests them both. Chinese people call the female prostitutes, “chickens”; probably because the word prostitute and the word chicken have a similar sound. Jews call the male prostitutes “dogs”, which includes those who practice homosexuality.

一切犯罪作惡的人，跟隨異教的人，不聽從主話語的人，沒有主生命的人，沒有聖靈引導的人，全部都不能進天國。就算受了洗，在教會名冊上有了名字，都不能進去。因為信主是關乎生命，並不是拿一個簽證。但事實上得救恩比得簽證更容易，只要願意｢來｣。

All those who sin and do wicked things, the heretics, those who do not follow God's words, those who do not have the life of the Lord, those who are not led by the Holy Spirit, none of them will enter the kingdom of heaven . They might have been baptized, they might be members of the church, but they will not be able to enter. Because believing in Jesus is about life, is not like getting a visa. Actually obtaining salvation is easier than obtaining a visa, you just have to be willing to “come”.

17 聖靈和新婦都說[ 來] ，聽見的人也該說[ 來] ，口渴的人也當[ 來] ，願意的都可以白白取生命的水喝。17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

主親自肯定祂的話
THE LORD PERSONALLY CONFIRMS HIS WORD

16 我耶穌差遣我的使者，為眾教會將這些事向你們證明，我是大衛的根，又是他的後裔，我是明亮的晨星。

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

對於約翰，這裡還有一個很重要的證明，是主耶穌親自對他說話。他是耶穌所喜歡的門徒，跟耶穌相處了叁年多。耶穌復活升天之後，他自己以為要等過世之後纔有機會再見到主。誰知所有門徒都過世之後，他在晚年還能見到主。他在第一章開始見異像那段時間，已經看見幾十年沒見過的主。看完所有異象之後，主還是向他顯現，對他說話。

For John, the fact that the Lord Jesus himself spoke to him, was a very important proof.  He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. John had been with Jesus for more than 3 years. After Jesus resurrected from the dead and went up to heaven, John thought that he would have to wait until he passed away before he could see the Lord again. Who would have known that after all the disciples had died, John would see Jesus once 

again during his later years.  On  chapter 1, when he started seeing visions , he saw Jesus whom he had not seen for so many years. After John saw all the visions, the Lord appeared to him one more time and He even spoke to him.

｢我耶穌｣是一個非常特別的自稱。這好像一個畫家，畫好他的作品之後，再親自加上簽名，證實這幅畫是祂的傑作。祂說，祂是大衛的祖宗【根】，也是大衛的後裔。這真是非常獨特地介紹自己的話。古往今來，只有一位是可以這樣自稱的。是他祖宗，也是他後代。

“I, Jesus” is a very particular way to call Himself.   It is like an artist who after finishing his work of art, signs it himself to confirm that the paint was indeed his masterpiece. He said that He is the Root and Offspring of David. That is indeed a very unusual way to introduce oneself. Since ancient times, only one person could make that statement, to be the Root and the Offspring of David.

古時的大衛發現並建立了舊的耶路撒冷。基督卻建立了新的耶路撒冷。大衛建立了一個長時間的王朝。但基督將要建立一個永遠的王朝。祂將要永遠作王，沒有窮盡。David  founded and built the old Jerusalem in ancient times. However, Christ, established the new Jerusalem. David established a long dynasty; but Christ will establish an eternal kingdom. He will reign forever and ever, a kingdom without end.

祂也是明亮的晨星。晨星帶來新的一天、新的希望。基督也將要再來，帶給世界一個新的景象、永遠的盼望。以色列人很尊重大衛，以大衛的星為國徽。大衛星又稱為大衛的盾牌，但這大衛星並不是真的星，更不是晨星，不會帶來新的希望。耶穌基督卻是明亮的晨星，是將來新的領袖，帶給人新的希望、永遠的倚靠。

He is also the bright Morning Star. Morning star brings a brand new day, a new hope. Christ will soon come back again and He will bring a new sight to behold, an eternal hope. The Israelites honored David, they use the Star of David as their national emblem. The Star of David is also called the Shield of David; but the Star of David is not a real star or a morning star, it cannot bring new hope. However, Jesus Christ is indeed the bright Morning Star, He will be the new leader, bringing new hope to mankind, a leader  in whom we can always rely on.

這些預言都不能更改
THESE PROPHECIES CANNOT BE CHANGED

18 我向一切聽見這書上豫言的作見證，若有人在這豫言上加添甚麽，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上。19 這書上的豫言，若有人刪去甚麽，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城，刪去他的分。

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

這本啟示錄是非常有權威的，絕對不能輕視。整本新約聖經最重要的書，就是這一本，因為內中許多話，是榮耀的基督親自說的。有些不是祂親口說，也是祂差派的天使說的。｢我的使者｣是最靠近祂，貼身的天使傳話。

Revelation is a book that is very authoritative, by no means can it be underestimated. The most important book in the entire New Testament is this one because many words that appear here are spoken directly by the glorified Christ Himself. In some instances there are words that were not spoken by Him but by an angel whom He sent. “My angel ” , the messenger who was closest to Him.

保羅寫的書信，我們都尊為聖經，但有些地方他也說，｢我沒有主的命令｣，只是他個人的意見，不是主的吩咐。但在這裡，卻是百分之百是主的話語，比一切先知、使徒講的話更重要。

The letters that Paul wrote, we regard them as Holy Scripture, but there are some sections where he says: “I have no command from the Lord”, it was only his opinion, it was not the command of the Lord. But here, these are the words of the Lord, one hundred percent; His words are more important than those of all the prophets and apostles.

到底甚麽人會把末日的預言增加或減少？增加或減少預言的目的是甚麽？增減啟示錄的結果會是怎樣？為甚麽主看得這麽嚴重？到底增減一點對主的話語有甚麽大影響？

So actually, who are these people who add or take away from the words of this prophecy? What is the purpose of adding or taking away from the words of this prophecy? What is the result of adding or taking away the words from the book of Revelation? Why does the Lord put so much importance on this? What is the big impact of adding or taking way a few words?

這段話裡多次說｢我必快來｣，或｢主啊，我願祢來｣。大家都等得很焦急。只有那些不想人盼望主快再來的人，纔會增減這書的內容，他們更改內容的目的是使人不等候主的再來。

The phrases: “I am coming soon,” or “come Lord”, appear a few times in this chapter. Everyone is waiting anxiously. Only those who do not want people to wait for the coming of the Lord will add or take away from the content of this book. The purpose of changing the content of this book is to prevent people from waiting for the return of the Lord.

這問題很嚴重。無論是誰，他所傳講的若是一個沒有末日的福音，是沒有考試就得到學位，叫人不用作準備的，他一定是魔鬼的爪牙。This problem is very serious. No matter who it is, they are preaching a Gospel that does not include the end of the world, is like getting a degree without having a test, telling people not to be prepared; that person must definitely be an accomplice of Satan.

這種修改主話語的罪，在第二、叁世紀時尤其嚴重，因為那時需要人抄寫聖經，如果抄寫的人隨便修改內容，對我們後世影響就很大。今回教徒普遍相信我們的聖經經過很多惡意修改，已經不是主當日傳下來的，他們用這方法使回教徒不改信基督。但我們知道，我們所根據的聖經最可靠，我們找到萬份以上的手抄本對照，使今天這本聖經，跟約翰當日所寫的，沒有甚麽分別。跟隨這書內容生活的人是有福的。

The sin of changing the Word of the Lord was specially serious during the second and third century because during those times people had to copy the Scriptures and if words in the Bible were changed, it would have  affected us greatly, the later generations. It is widely believed by Muslims today that our Bible had been maliciously altered and it is no longer what the Lord handed down to us. They use this method to keep Muslims from believing in Christ. But we know that the Bible is based on reliable sources. There are more than a thousand manuscripts that proof that there is no difference between our Bible and the one written during John's times. Blessed are those who live by this book.

從最後一節｢願主耶穌的恩惠常與眾聖徒同在，阿們｣這句話，我們知道這是一封信，是會在眾教會的聚會中宣讀的。第一世紀使徒們的書信，會輪流在各教會朗讀，讓人人聽見。當時還沒有新約聖經，舊約聖經都是抄寫在羊皮上，多數人都沒有聖經可讀。他們就靠主日聚會時，聽使徒或長老朗讀與講解聖經真理。當時沒有印刷設備之時，聖經的話都是聽回來的，沒有機會像我們今日人手一本。這是現代人的福氣。我們要重視它、宣揚它，要人人知道，好作準備。

From the last verse , ” The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen,” we know it was a letter that was read in the assembly of the churches. During the first century, the epistles of the apostles were read in different churches so everyone could listen to it. In those days, they didn't have the New Testament yet, and the Old Testament was copied on sheepskin; many of the people did not have a Bible that they could read on their own. They would depend on the apostles or elders of the church to read them Bible truths. During those early times there was no printing press, they could only hear the word of God as it was read to them; they didn't each have a Bible. Nowadays, it is a blessing to have a Bible that we could read on our own. We should value it and proclaim it’s message so every human being will know to be ready.