我们首先看到了新妇、就是那新耶路撒冷、的描述，我们看到整座城是非人手所能造的绝大立方体，是三位一体的神所在的至圣所，其城墙的有十二根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字，并说明了这十二位是指谁。第二，我们注意到城中不用日月光照和有不能进城的基督徒，后面这一点非常重要，所以我们一再强调这一点，因为如果不能感受到圣经如是说，就会发觉圣经会自相矛盾。如果真正相信圣经是神所默示的，就会看到我们如不强解圣经，就会发觉神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，不是字句上的。另外我们注意到，汇编的原文中除了用列国这字外，另外多用了一个字，我们说明为什么汇编是对的。看到了在生命册上只是能进城的充分条件，不能划等号，说明了这样看如何会在解经上出现问题。最后我们谈到了生命水的河由宝座流出来的，是带著生命的，和生命树是受著河水的滋养，生命树和世界的树不同的是它们结的果子和叶子的功用，而且经文清楚的说明了属神的人会怎样。

1. 新妇就是新耶路撒冷的描述       

『拿著七个金碗、盛满末后七灾的七位天使中，有一位来对我说：「你到这里来，我要将新妇，就是羔羊的妻，指给你看。」我被圣灵感动，天使就带我到一座高大的山，将那由神那里从天而降的圣城耶路撒冷指示我。城中有神的荣耀，城的光辉如同极贵的宝石，好像碧玉，明如水晶。有高大的墙，有十二个门，门上有十二位天使，门上又写著以色列十二个支派的名字。东边有三门，北边有三门，南边有三门，西边有三门。城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。对我说话的，拿著金苇子当尺，要量那城和城门、城墙。城是四方的，长宽一样。天使用苇子量那城，共有四千里，长、宽、高都是一样；又量了城墙，按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四肘。墙是碧玉造的，城是精金的，如同明净的玻璃。城墙的根基是用各样宝石修饰的：第一根基是碧玉，第二是蓝宝石，第三是绿玛瑙，第四是绿宝石，第五是红玛瑙，第六是红宝石，第七是黄璧玺，第八是水苍玉，第九是红璧玺，第十是翡翠，第十一是紫玛瑙，第十二是紫晶。十二个门是十二颗珍珠，每门是一颗珍珠。城内的街道是精金，好像明透的玻璃。』(启示录 21:9-21)        

我们以前看到神的教会就是那新妇，如今又知道是由神那里从天而降的圣城耶路撒冷就是那新妇，也是神和人同在的地方，当然会有神的荣耀，并用好像之类的词语描述城的光辉，所以经文不是说就是这样，而是用人能够描述的。我们不知那门有多高大，重要的那门有十二个以色列支派的名字，所以旧约的时代以色列是选民，是要经过那十二个门进城的。如果外邦人甘心情愿的归顺，神是一律公平的接受他们，如经文所说，『若有外人寄居在你们中间，愿向耶和华守逾越节，他所有的男子务要受割礼，然后才容他前来遵守，他也就像本地人一样；但未受割礼的，都不可吃这羊羔。本地人和寄居在你们中间的外人同归一例。』(出埃及记 12:48-49) 神不偏待人。以前说过，旧约时候的但支派是『神的殿在示罗多少日子，但人为自己设立米迦所雕刻的像，也在但多少日子。』(士师记 18:31) 耶罗波安使众民陷于罪中的两个金牛犊之一也放在但(参列王纪上 12:25-33)，在新约启示录中更明说，但支派已被取代(参启示录 7:1-8) 。 难怪雅各会预言但说，『但必判断他的民，作以色列支派之一。但必作道上的蛇，路中的虺，咬伤马蹄，使骑马的坠落于后。「耶和华啊，我向来等候你的救恩。」』(创世记 49:16-18) 不是神没有给但支派机会，而是他们一直要走自己背逆的路。      

请注意，『城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。』(启示录 21:14) 这不就是在新约说的，教会是『…被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，各房靠他联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。』(以弗所书 2:19-21) 我们以前多次提过，这是羔羊的十二使徒，是羔羊亲自己选的，所以是卖主的犹大是被主复活后在大光中亲自拣选的保罗所取代，所以马提亚不在其中，因他是抽籖选的。虽然『众人就祷告说：「主啊，你知道万人的心。求你从这两个人中，指明你所拣选的是谁，叫他得这使徒的位分。这位分犹大已经丢弃，往自己的地方去了。」』(使徒行传 1:24-25) 但圣经从来没说过这祷告蒙了应许，像耶稣的祷告一样，圣经是明说的，『基督在肉体的时候既大声哀哭，流泪祷告，恳求那能救他免死的主，就因他的虔诚蒙了应允。』(希伯来书 5:7) 其实我们看到圣经没有记载马提亚的事迹和言语，而用的是保罗的，也可知道保罗是以弗所书 2:19 所说的使徒之一，不会是马提亚。保罗很清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按著公义审判的主到了那日要赐给我的；不但赐给我，也赐给凡爱慕他显现的人。』(提摩太后书 4:7-8) 在城墙的十二根基上有保罗的名字，是多么大的公义的冠冕啊！        

在旧约的至圣所都是神同在的地方，都是立方体的，会幕中如此，所罗门所建的圣殿也是如此，只是至圣所的大小比会幕中的大多了。现在城本身是立方体，我们注意到城的大小是人不能建造的，是从天上降下来的，是整个城是三位一体的神同在的至圣所。难怪『我未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。』(启示录 21:22) 这里尚没有提到圣灵，但看这节经文，『圣灵和新妇都说：「来！」听见的人也该说：「来！」口渴的人也当来；愿意的，都可以白白取生命的水喝。』(启示录 22:17) 圣灵怎么会不在城中呢？        

我们看到有城门和街道的描述，看到城的根基是由各种美丽的宝石造的。如果我们比较旧约中所说决断的胸牌上的宝石，就知道是不一样的，所以是在讲不同的事情(参出埃及记 28:15-21)。当然有些宝石在两个地方都提到，因为人们所熟习的宝石不会太多，这是不能避免的。

2. 城中不用日月光照和不能进城的人       

『我未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。那城内又不用日月光照，因有神的荣耀光照，又有羔羊为城的灯。列国(G1484)要在城的光里行走，地上的君王(G935, 名词, 复数)必将自己的荣耀归与那城。城门白昼总不关闭，在那里原没有黑夜。人必将列国(G1484)的荣耀、尊贵归与那城。凡不洁净的，并那行可憎与虚谎之事的，总不得进那城；只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。』(启示录 21:22-27)        

我们已经分享过，整个立方体的城是至圣所，当然不需要殿了， 也说明了在那个时候显然不需要日月的光的原因。在这里，汇编除了用列国(G1484)这字外，另外多用了一个字 G4982，而在另一原文版本就如和合本的翻译一样，没有这个字，因此我们必须决定到底有没有这个字？        

首先我们看见 G4982 这个字出现了 118 次，它的意义非常明显，一个典型的例子是如下节经文所述，『她(马利亚)将要生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫耶稣，因他要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来(G4982)。』(马太福音 1:21) 所以加上这字就是指被拯救的列国。那时所有在城内的人都是被拯救的，所以应该是有这个字！我们再从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，也可以达到同样的结论。我们来看这节经文，『不再有黑夜，他们也不用灯光、日光，因为主神要光照他们。他们要作王(G936, 动词)，直到永永远远。』(启示录 22:5) 开始的时候是再说一次主神要光照他们，我们再看 G936 这字，它是前面所说君王(G935, 名词, 复数)的动词，因名词是复数，所以在 G936 这字，这里说的是他们，而能够作王到永永远远的人，显然是被拯救的，是在城内的所有的人，那时每一个都是列国的君王了，难怪后面也是用同样的字，列国归荣耀和尊贵与那城。

最后很清楚的说明有不能进城的人，并简单提了一下有那些人，接著就说，『…只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。』(启示录 21:27) 这是一节有人会读错的经文。是的，「只有」名字在生命册上的才可以进去，不是说生命册上的所有人都可以进去。也就是说在生命册上只是充分条件，不是必要条件，不能划等号。如果划了等号，在未来详细的说明不能进城的人时就有问题，那时说，『城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。』(启示录 22:15) 就很难想像城外的是堕落的基督徒，在城外咬牙切齿！     

譬如说，怎么会有喜好说谎言的？要知道，『…你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 撒但不是每次都是白白作工的。我们不是看见底马原是保罗的同工，是基督徒，从世界出来的人，后来又回到世界吗！这不是堕落是什么？(参腓利门书 1:24, 提摩太后书 4:10) 但神不会骗人，一次得救就永远得救而和生命册都份，因圣经明说，『 人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得赏赐；人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；虽然得救，乃像从火里经过的一样。』(哥林多前书 3:14-15) 而保罗很清楚的说，『我也求你这真实同负一轭的，帮助这两个女人，因为她们在福音上曾与我一同劳苦；还有革利免，并其余和我一同做工的，他们的名字都在生命册上。』(腓立比书 4:3) 所以底马曾是保罗的同工，今虽堕落到为不能进城的基督徒，仍比下到硫磺火湖的非基督徒好多了！

3. 生命水的河和生命树       

『天使又指示我在城内街道当中一道生命水的河，明亮如水晶，从神和羔羊的宝座流出来。在河这边与那边有生命树，结十二样果子，每月都结果子，树上的叶子乃为医治万民。以后再没有咒诅。在城里有神和羔羊的宝座，他的仆人都要事奉他，也要见他的面。他的名字必写在他们的额上。不再有黑夜，他们也不用灯光、日光，因为主神要光照他们。他们要作王，直到永永远远。』(启示录 22:1-5)        

生命水的河是从生命的源头神和羔羊的宝座流出来的，因此是带著生命的。虽然圣经没有明说生命水的河止于何处，但相信是在四千里的城内，因为到城外的话，城外的人就可以白白的取带著生命的河水喝，而城外的人是没有生命的。        

我们再看看生命树，结了十二样果子，且结果不断。有人告诉我说，这个生命树一定是颗怪树，因为它的根必须从宝座发出才有生命，而每颗树都是要有生命的，因此它的根必须要和前一颗树的根相连，也就是说生命树会是一整颗根根相连的树，这是现今世界上没有的树。好像很有道理的样子，却忘了，树有生命水的河滋养，每颗树可以和现今的树相似，仍然是有生命的，和世界的树不同的是它们结的果子和叶子的功用。        

以前说过，『神要擦去他们一切的眼泪。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。』(启示录 21:4) 当然是以后再没有咒诅了。但也说了生命树上的叶子乃为医治万民，所以不是说不会生病，只是生病时用生命树上的叶子就可以了。

经文清楚的说明了属神的人会怎样，其中包括了如保罗所说的，『我们如今仿佛对著镜子观看，模糊不清，到那时，就要面对面了。我如今所知道的有限，到那时就全知道，如同主知道我一样。』(哥林多前书 13:12) 我们刚才已讨论过要永永远远的作王的这事，就不重复说了。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    我們首先看到了新婦、就是那新耶路撒冷、的描述，我們看到整座城是非人手所能造的絕大立方體，是三位一體的神所在的至聖所，其城牆的有十二根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字，並說明了這十二位是指誰。第二，我們注意到城中不用日月光照和有不能進城的基督徒，後面這一點非常重要，所以我們一再強調這一點，因為如果不能感受到聖經如是說，就會發覺聖經會自相矛盾。如果真正相信聖經是神所默示的，就會看到我們如不強解聖經，就會發覺神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，不是字句上的。另外我們注意到，彙編的原文中除了用列國這字外，另外多用了一個字，我們說明為什麼彙編是對的。看到了在生命册上只是能進城的充分條件，不能劃等號，說明了這樣看如何會在解經上出現問題。最後我們談到了生命水的河由寶座流出來的，是帶著生命的，和生命樹是受著河水的滋養，生命樹和世界的樹不同的是它們結的果子和葉子的功用，而且經文清楚的說明了屬神的人會怎樣。

1. 新婦就是新耶路撒冷的描述

       『拿着七個金碗、盛滿末後七災的七位天使中，有一位來對我說：「你到這裏來，我要將新婦，就是羔羊的妻，指給你看。」我被聖靈感動，天使就帶我到一座高大的山，將那由神那裏從天而降的聖城耶路撒冷指示我。城中有神的榮耀，城的光輝如同極貴的寶石，好像碧玉，明如水晶。有高大的牆，有十二個門，門上有十二位天使，門上又寫着以色列十二個支派的名字。東邊有三門，北邊有三門，南邊有三門，西邊有三門。城牆有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。對我說話的，拿着金葦子當尺，要量那城和城門、城牆。城是四方的，長寬一樣。天使用葦子量那城，共有四千里，長、寬、高都是一樣；又量了城牆，按着人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四肘。牆是碧玉造的，城是精金的，如同明淨的玻璃。城牆的根基是用各樣寶石修飾的：第一根基是碧玉，第二是藍寶石，第三是綠瑪瑙，第四是綠寶石，第五是紅瑪瑙，第六是紅寶石，第七是黃璧璽，第八是水蒼玉，第九是紅璧璽，第十是翡翠，第十一是紫瑪瑙，第十二是紫晶。十二個門是十二顆珍珠，每門是一顆珍珠。城內的街道是精金，好像明透的玻璃。』(啓示錄 21:9-21)

        我們以前看到神的教會就是那新婦，如今又知道是由神那裏從天而降的聖城耶路撒冷就是那新婦，也是神和人同在的地方，當然會有神的榮耀，並用好像之類的詞語描述城的光輝，所以經文不是說就是這樣，而是用人能夠描述的。我們不知那門有多高大，重要的那門有十二個以色列支派的名字，所以舊約的時代以色列是選民，是要經過那十二個門進城的。如果外邦人甘心情願的歸順，神是一律公平的接受他們，如經文所說，『若有外人寄居在你們中間，願向耶和華守逾越節，他所有的男子務要受割禮，然後才容他前來遵守，他也就像本地人一樣；但未受割禮的，都不可吃這羊羔。本地人和寄居在你們中間的外人同歸一例。』(出埃及記 12:48-49) 神不偏待人。以前說過，舊約時候的但支派是『神的殿在示羅多少日子，但人為自己設立米迦所雕刻的像，也在但多少日子。』(士師記 18:31) 耶羅波安使眾民陷於罪中的兩個金牛犢之一也放在但(參列王紀上 12:25-33)，在新約啓示錄中更明說，但支派已被取代(參啓示錄 7:1-8) 。 難怪雅各會預言但說，『但必判斷他的民，作以色列支派之一。但必作道上的蛇，路中的虺，咬傷馬蹄，使騎馬的墜落於後。「耶和華啊，我向來等候你的救恩。」』(創世記 49:16-18) 不是神沒有給但支派機會，而是他們一直要走自己背逆的路。

      請注意，『城牆有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。』(啓示錄 21:14) 這不就是在新約說的，教會是『…被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石，各房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿。』(以弗所書 2:19-21) 我們以前多次提過，這是羔羊的十二使徒，是羔羊親自己選的，所以是賣主的猶大是被主復活後在大光中親自揀選的保羅所取代，所以馬提亞不在其中，因他是抽籖選的。雖然『眾人就禱告說：「主啊，你知道萬人的心。求你從這兩個人中，指明你所揀選的是誰，叫他得這使徒的位分。這位分猶大已經丟棄，往自己的地方去了。」』(使徒行傳 1:24-25) 但聖經從來沒說過這禱告蒙了應許，像耶穌的禱告一樣，聖經是明說的，『基督在肉體的時候既大聲哀哭，流淚禱告，懇求那能救他免死的主，就因他的虔誠蒙了應允。』(希伯來書 5:7) 其實我們看到聖經沒有記載馬提亞的事蹟和言語，而用的是保羅的，也可知道保羅是以弗所書 2:19 所說的使徒之一，不會是馬提亞。保羅很清楚的知道，『那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按着公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我，也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。』(提摩太後書 4:7-8) 在城牆的十二根基上有保羅的名字，是多麼大的公義的冠冕啊！

        在舊約的至聖所都是神同在的地方，都是立方體的，會幕中如此，所羅門所建的聖殿也是如此，只是至聖所的大小比會幕中的大多了。現在城本身是立方體，我們注意到城的大小是人不能建造的，是從天上降下來的，是整個城是三位一體的神同在的至聖所。難怪『我未見城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。』(啓示錄 21:22) 這裏尚沒有提到聖靈，但看這節經文，『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。』(啓示錄 22:17) 聖靈怎麼會不在城中呢？

        我們看到有城門和街道的描述，看到城的根基是由各種美麗的寶石造的。如果我們比較舊約中所說決斷的胸牌上的寶石，就知道是不一樣的，所以是在講不同的事情(參出埃及記 28:15-21)。當然有些寶石在兩個地方都提到，因為人們所熟習的寶石不會太多，這是不能避免的。

2. 城中不用日月光照和不能進城的人

       『我未見城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。那城內又不用日月光照，因有神的榮耀光照，又有羔羊為城的燈。列國(G1484)要在城的光裏行走，地上的君王(G935, 名詞, 複數)必將自己的榮耀歸與那城。城門白晝總不關閉，在那裏原沒有黑夜。人必將列國(G1484)的榮耀、尊貴歸與那城。凡不潔淨的，並那行可憎與虛謊之事的，總不得進那城；只有名字寫在羔羊生命冊上的才得進去。』(啓示錄 21:22-27)

        我們已經分享過，整個立方體的城是至聖所，當然不需要殿了， 也說明了在那個時候顯然不需要日月的光的原因。在這裏，彙編除了用列國(G1484)這字外，另外多用了一個字 G4982，而在另一原文版本就如和合本的翻譯一樣，沒有這個字，因此我們必須決定到底有沒有這個字？

        首先我們看見 G4982 這個字出現了 118 次，它的意義非常明顯，一個典型的例子是如下節經文所述，『她(馬利亞)將要生一個兒子，你要給他起名叫耶穌，因他要將自己的百姓從罪惡裏救出來(G4982)。』(馬太福音 1:21) 所以加上這字就是指被拯救的列國。那時所有在城內的人都是被拯救的，所以應該是有這個字！我們再從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，也可以達到同樣的結論。我們來看這節經文，『不再有黑夜，他們也不用燈光、日光，因為主神要光照他們。他們要作王(G936, 動詞)，直到永永遠遠。』(啓示錄 22:5) 開始的時候是再說一次主神要光照他們，我們再看 G936 這字，它是前面所說君王(G935, 名詞, 複數)的動詞，因名詞是複數，所以在 G936 這字，這裏說的是他們，而能夠作王到永永遠遠的人，顯然是被拯救的，是在城內的所有的人，那時每一個都是列國的君王了，難怪後面也是用同樣的字，列國歸榮耀和尊貴與那城。

        最後很清楚的說明有不能進城的人，並簡單提了一下有那些人，接著就說，『…只有名字寫在羔羊生命冊上的才得進去。』(啓示錄 21:27) 這是一節有人會讀錯的經文。是的，「只有」名字在生命册上的才可以進去，不是說生命册上的所有人都可以進去。也就是說在生命册上只是充分條件，不是必要條件，不能劃等號。如果劃了等號，在未來詳細的說明不能進城的人時就有問題，那時說，『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。』(啓示錄 22:15) 就很難想像城外的是墮落的基督徒，在城外咬牙切齒！

     譬如說，怎麼會有喜好說謊言的？要知道，『…你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 撒但不是每次都是白白作工的。我們不是看見底馬原是保羅的同工，是基督徒，從世界出來的人，後來又回到世界嗎！這不是墮落是什麼？(參腓利門書 1:24, 提摩太後書 4:10) 但神不會騙人，一次得救就永遠得救而和生命册都份，因聖經明說，『 人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得賞賜；人的工程若被燒了，他就要受虧損，自己卻要得救；雖然得救，乃像從火裏經過的一樣。』(哥林多前書 3:14-15) 而保羅很清楚的說，『我也求你這真實同負一軛的，幫助這兩個女人，因為她們在福音上曾與我一同勞苦；還有革利免，並其餘和我一同做工的，他們的名字都在生命冊上。』(腓立比書 4:3) 所以底馬曾是保羅的同工，今雖墮落到為不能進城的基督徒，仍比下到硫磺火湖的非基督徒好多了！

3. 生命水的河和生命樹

       『天使又指示我在城內街道當中一道生命水的河，明亮如水晶，從神和羔羊的寶座流出來。在河這邊與那邊有生命樹，結十二樣果子，每月都結果子，樹上的葉子乃為醫治萬民。以後再沒有咒詛。在城裏有神和羔羊的寶座，他的僕人都要事奉他，也要見他的面。他的名字必寫在他們的額上。不再有黑夜，他們也不用燈光、日光，因為主神要光照他們。他們要作王，直到永永遠遠。』(啓示錄 22:1-5)

        生命水的河是從生命的源頭神和羔羊的寶座流出來的，因此是帶著生命的。雖然聖經沒有明說生命水的河止於何處，但相信是在四千里的城內，因為到城外的話，城外的人就可以白白的取帶著生命的河水喝，而城外的人是沒有生命的。

        我們再看看生命樹，結了十二樣果子，且結果不斷。有人告訴我說，這個生命樹一定是顆怪樹，因為它的根必須從寶座發出才有生命，而每顆樹都是要有生命的，因此它的根必須要和前一顆樹的根相連，也就是說生命樹會是一整顆根根相連的樹，這是現今世界上沒有的樹。好像很有道理的樣子，卻忘了，樹有生命水的河滋養，每顆樹可以和現今的樹相似，仍然是有生命的，和世界的樹不同的是它們結的果子和葉子的功用。

        以前說過，『神要擦去他們一切的眼淚。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭號、疼痛，因為以前的事都過去了。』(啓示錄 21:4) 當然是以後再沒有咒詛了。但也說了生命樹上的葉子乃為醫治萬民，所以不是說不會生病，只是生病時用生命樹上的葉子就可以了。

        經文清楚的說明了屬神的人會怎樣，其中包括了如保羅所說的，『我們如今彷彿對着鏡子觀看，模糊不清，到那時，就要面對面了。我如今所知道的有限，到那時就全知道，如同主知道我一樣。』(哥林多前書 13:12) 我們剛才已討論過要永永遠遠的作王的這事，就不重復說了。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

We first saw the description of the Bride, the New Jerusalem. We saw that the entire city is an extremely large cube that cannot be made with human hands. It is the Holy of Holies where the Triune God resides. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14) We point out the names of the Twelve Apostles are.  Second, we notice that the city does not use the sun and moon to illuminate and there are fallen Christians who cannot enter the city. The latter point is very important, so we have repeatedly emphasized this point, because if one cannot feel what the Bible says this way, one will find that the Bible would contradict itself, which isn’t true. If we truly believe that the Bible is inspired by God, we will see that if we do not forcefully interpret the Bible, we will find that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent and not literal.  In addition, we noticed that in addition to the word nations, the original text of the Strong’s Concordance used another word. We explained why the Concordance was correct.  We see that the Book of Life is only a sufficient condition for entering the city and cannot be equated to the condition entering the city. We also explain how this way of looking at the Bible can cause problems in interpretation.  Finally, we talked about the river of water of life flowing out from the throne, carrying life, and the tree of life being nourished by the river water. The difference between the tree of life and the tree of the world is the fruit they bear and the function of their leaves. The text clearly explains what happens to a man of God.

1. The description of the bride is the New Jerusalem

​”Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”(Revelation 21:9-21)

We saw before that the church of God is the bride, and now we know that new Jerusalem, the holy city that came down from heaven from God, is the bride. It is also the place where God is present with man. Of course, there will be the glory of God, and it is described with words ‘was like’ when talking about the glory of the city, so the scripture does not say that it is exactly like this, but uses what humans can describe.  We don’t know how tall that gate is. The importance of the gates is there are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on them. Therefore, in the Old Testament era, Israel was the chosen people and one had to enter the city through those twelve gates.  If the foreigners submit willingly, God will accept them with no partiality. As the scripture says, “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.”(Exodus 12:48-49) 

As mentioned before, the tribe of Dan in the Old Testament was “So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made, all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh.”(Judges 18:31) One of the two golden calves that Jeroboam used to make all the people sin was also placed in Dan (see 1 Kings 12:25-33). It is further stated in book of Revelation in the New Testament, the tribe Dan has been replaced (see Revelation 7:1-8).  No wonder Jacob prophesied about Dan, saying, ““Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel. “Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that his rider falls backward. “For Your salvation I wait, O LORD.”(Genesis 49:16-18) It is not that God did not give the tribe of Dan a chance, but that they have always followed their own rebellious path.

Please note, “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14) Isn’t this what is said in the New Testament, the church is “…of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.”(Ephesians 2:19-21) We have mentioned many times before that these are the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who were chosen by the Lamb himself. Therefore, Judas, the traitor to the Lord, was replaced by the apostle Paul, who was chosen by the Lord in great light after His resurrection. Matthias was not among them because he was chosen by lottery.  Although “…they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.””(Acts 1:24-25) But the Bible never says that this prayer was answered. Like Jesus’ prayer, the Bible clearly says, “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”(Hebrews 5:7) In fact, we see that the Bible does not record the deeds and words of Matthias, but uses those of Paul. From here, we can also know that Paul is one of the apostles mentioned in Ephesians 2:19, not Matthias.  Paul knew very clearly, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”(2 Timothy 4:7-8) What a great crown of righteousness it is to have Paul’s name on the twelve foundations of the city wall! What God tells us through the Bible is consistent!

In the era of the Old Testament, the Holy of Holies was a place where God was present. They were all cube-shaped. This was the case in the Tabernacle, and the same was true in the temple built by Solomon. However, the size of the Holy of Holies was much larger than that in the Tabernacle.  Now the city itself is a cube, and we note that the city was so large that no man could build it, that it came down from heaven, and that the whole city was the Holy of Holies where the presence of the Trinity God was present.  No wonder “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”(Revelation 21:22) The Holy Spirit is not mentioned here yet, but look at this verse, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”(Revelation 22:17) How could the Holy Spirit not be in the city?

We saw descriptions of city gates and streets, and saw that the foundations of the city were made of various beautiful gems.  If we compare the gems on the breastplate of judgment mentioned in the Old Testament, we will know that they are different, so they are talking about different things (see Exodus 28:15-21).  Of course, some gemstones are mentioned in both places, because there are not too many gemstones that people are familiar with, which is inevitable.

2. People who do not use the sun and moon to illuminate the city and those who cannot enter the city

“​I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations (G1484) will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth (G935, noun, plural) will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations (G1484) into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”(Revelation 21:22-27)

We have already shared that the entire cube-shaped city is the Holy of Holies, and of course there is no need for a temple. This also explains why the light of the sun and moon was obviously not needed at that time.  Here, in addition to using the word nations (G1484), the Strong’s Concordance also uses an additional word G4982. However, in another original version, just like the translation of the Union Version, this word does not exist. Therefore, we must decide whether there is this word?

First of all, we see that the word G4982 appears 118 times. Its meaning is very obvious. A typical example is as stated in the following verse, “She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (G4982).”(Matthew 1:21) Therefore, adding this word refers to the saved nations.  At that time, everyone in the city was saved, so there should be this word!  We can reach the same conclusion based on the consistency of what God tells us through the Bible.  Let’s look at this verse, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign (G936, verb) forever and ever.”(Revelation 22:5) At the beginning, it is said again that the Lord God will enlighten them. Let’s look at the word G936 again. It is the verb of king (G935, noun, plural) mentioned earlier. Because the noun is plural, it is in G936 and thus this word here refers to them, and those who can rule as kings forever and ever are obviously saved. They are all the people in the city. At that time, everyone will be the king of the nations. No wonder the same word G1484 is used later. So the nations gave glory and honor to that city.

Finally, it was clearly stated that there are people who cannot enter the city, and the verse briefly mentioned those people, and then said, “…only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”(Revelation 21:27) This is a verse that some people will misread.  Yes, “only” those whose names are in the Book of Life can enter the city. It does not mean that everyone in the Book of Life can enter.  In other words, being in the Book of Life is only a sufficient condition, not a necessary condition, and cannot be equated.  If we draw an equal sign, there will be a problem in the future when we specify those who cannot enter the city. At that time, it said, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:15) It is hard to imagine that those outside the city are fallen Christians gnashing their teeth outside the city!

For example, how could anyone like to tell lies?  Know that “… Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) Satan does not always work in vain.  Didn’t we see that Demas was originally a co-worker of Paul, a Christian, a person who came out of the world, and later returned to the world?  What is this if not depravity?  (See Philemon 1:24, 2 Timothy 4:10) But God will not deceive people. Once saved, you are saved forever and participate in the book of life, because the Bible clearly says, “If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”(1 Corinthians 3:14-15) And Paul said very clearly, “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”(Philippians 4:3) Therefore, Demas was once a co-worker of Paul, but now, even though he has fallen to the point where he is a Christian who cannot enter the city, he is still much better than the non-Christians who went down to the lake of fire and brimstone!

3. The river of water of life and the tree of life

“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”(Revelation 22:1-5)

The river of water of life flows from God, the source of life, and from the throne of the Lamb, so it carries life.  Although the Bible does not clearly say where the river of water of life ends, it is believed to be within the city that has four thousand miles in length and width. Because if the river goes outside the city, people outside the city can drink the water of the river of life for free, and people outside the city has no life. This leads to a contradiction.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Someone told me that this tree of life must be a strange tree, because its roots must come from the throne to have life, and every tree must have life, so its roots must be the same as the roots of the previous tree. Connected, that is to say, the tree of life will be a whole tree with roots connected to each other. This is a tree that does not exist in the world today.  It seems to make sense, but it forgets that trees are nourished by rivers of life water. Each tree can be similar to today’s trees and still have life. What is different from the trees of the world is the fruits they bear and the functions of their leaves.

We have said before, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4) Of course there will be no more curses.  But it is also said that the leaves on the tree of life are for healing all nations, so it does not mean that you will not get sick, but you can just use the leaves on the tree of life when you are sick.

The scriptures clearly explain what happens to people of God, including what Paul said, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”(1 Corinthians 13:12) We have just discussed the matter of reigning forever, so we won’t repeat it.

 ​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

首先，我们看到了只有两种人和千年国度有份，那些在千年国度的人们，没有了撒但的引诱，而且他们的环境是如何的好啊！第二，虽然在千年国度的环境是这么好，一但释放撒但去引诱这些人，就看到了罪性又显出来了，导致了地上有多如海沙的人，进入了撒但被扔在地狱前最后地上的争战。第三，我们看到了白色大宝座的审判有生命册，非基督徒会在到火湖前有短暂的复活，基督徒复活后会有因信心的行为得奖赏的审判。第四，我们看到了有新天新地和新耶路撒冷，做新妇的教会正在预备自己。最后，我们看到了神的帐幕在人间是祂的心意，经文中说到祂的同在所带来的那些真实可信的话。请注意，只有得胜者才能承受这些为业，做神的儿子，所以我们非要能做得胜者不可，也顺便一提我们需要悔改和饶恕的真谛。在这里，也说到了非基督徒到时会到硫磺的火湖里，经历第二次的死。

1. 谁和千年国度有份       

『我又看见几个宝座(G2362, 复数)，也有坐在上面的，并有审判的权柄赐给他们。我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证，并为神之道被斩者的灵魂，和那没有拜过兽与兽像，也没有在额上和手上受过牠印记之人的灵魂，他们都复活了，与基督一同作王一千年。这是头一次的复活。其余的死人还没有复活，直等那一千年完了。在头一次复活有分的有福了、圣洁了！第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必作神和基督的祭司，并要与基督一同作王一千年。』(启示录 20:4-6)      

首先我们注意到宝座用的是复数，圣经没有明说，有多少宝座，是那些人坐在宝座上，因圣经是神所默示的，除了圣经明讲的外，如果一个人尊重神就不会去猜，因为神认为我们不需要知道。关于圣经明讲的，譬如，『耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。』(马太福音 19:28) 这是指十二个门徒而言，当时卖主的犹大是在场的，但我们知道，『他本来列在我们(十二个门徒)数中，并且在使徒的职任上得了一分。』(使徒行传 1:17) 使徒行传说得很清楚，『因为诗篇上写著说：『愿他的住处变为荒场，无人在内居住。』 又说：『愿别人得他的职分。』』(使徒行传 1:20) 所以犹大不会在审判的宝座上，这里是指羔羊的十二个使徒，我们可以看到这一点，因为剩下的十一个使徒都是羔羊亲自选的，那取代犹大的也应是羔羊亲自选的，所以启示录会说，『城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。』(启示录 21:14) 马提亚是抽签来的，不是耶稣亲自选的，耶稣复活后在大光中亲自拣选了保罗，所以他是那第十二位羔羊所拣选的，也就是他所深信的，『那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按著公义审判的主到了那日要赐给我的；不但赐给我，也赐给凡爱慕他显现的人。』(提摩太后书 4:7-8) 他绝对戴著那公义的冠冕。        

我们注意到的第二件事是这里明讲了什么人会进到千年国度，一种人是历世历代为神被斩的灵魂，这包括了新旧约时代两者。另一种人和海兽的出现后有关，现在海兽还没有出现，所以和现在的我们无关。不要从人的角度看这件事，受到想安慰人的人的欺骗，以为基督徒和千年国度都有份。     

我们以前提到已经有在天上的人，譬如说摩西，他没有在有生之年进入迦南地，但在新约时代中的变化山上，有他的显现，这不是像有人说的，他是从未来回来的，而是他现在已在天上了，我们不是看到撤但要争他的尸体时没有争到吗？『天使长米迦勒为摩西的尸首与魔鬼争辩的时候，尚且不敢用毁谤的话罪责他，只说：「主责备你吧！」』(犹大书 1:9) 神是全能的神，撒但怎么可能有机会呢？神跟本不需要亲自动手，我们看，『在天上就有了争战。米迦勒同他的使者与龙(撒但)争战，龙也同牠的使者去争战，并没有得胜，天上再没有牠们的地方。』(启示录 12:7-8) 这些经文不是很清楚的说到这点吗？       

现在提到了圣徒的复活有两梯次，这是第一梯次，第二梯次是在我们即将分享的白色大宝座时，在生命册上的人受到了得奖赏的审判，而非信徒只能下到地狱的火湖中。        

很显然的，不是每个人都参加了哈米吉多顿的战役，就是指『那三个鬼魔便叫众王聚集在一处，希伯来话叫作哈米吉多顿。』(启示录 16:16) 也就是伪三位一体(撤但，海兽和假先知)他们介入的在地上的最后战役，那时海兽和假先知已被扔到地狱，撒但也被拘禁。我们在这里看到了那些在千年国度的人们没有了撒但的引诱，且他们的环境会是多么的好！

2. 撒但的最后争战和结局       

『那一千年完了，撒但必从监牢里被释那时海兽和假先知被扔在火湖里，撒但也被拘禁放，出来要迷惑地上四方的列国，就是歌革和玛各，叫他们聚集争战。他们的人数多如海沙。他们上来遍满了全地，围住圣徒的营与蒙爱的城，就有火从天降下，烧灭了他们。那迷惑他们的魔鬼被扔在硫磺的火湖里，就是兽和假先知所在的地方。他们必昼夜受痛苦，直到永永远远。』(启示录 20:7-10)        

虽然在千年国度的人环境是这么的好，但人都是带著罪性的，他们仍要悔改，接受主耶稣为主，但我们从这些经文看到了不是每个人都会信主，和罪性的多么可怕，一旦受到撒但的引诱，就人数多如海沙的介入了撒但最后在地上的争战。争战的结果是有火从天降下，烧灭了他们，虽是他们人数多如海沙，也是没有用的。并看到了撒但也被扔在地狱里，日夜受痛苦直到永远。

3. 白色大宝座的审判和生命册       

『我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，从他面前天地都逃避，再无可见之处了。我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。案卷展开了，并且另有一卷展开，就是生命册。死了的人都凭著这些案卷所记载的，照他们所行的受审判。于是海交出其中的死人，死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人。他们都照各人所行的受审判。死亡和阴间也被扔在火湖里，这火湖就是第二次的死。若有人名字没记在生命册上，他就被扔在火湖里。』(启示录 20:11-15)        

虽然基督徒通常不会说到非基督徒也会复活，但这里很清楚说到他们在下到火湖前，会有短暂的复活，且每人都会受到行为的审判，非基督徒的名字不在生命册上，会下到地狱。那时他们会无话可说，因虽然在千年国度时的人没有撒但的引诱和好的环境，一旦在千年国度后，人就被撒但引诱，罪性就显出来了，这就是为什么撒但在千年国度后「必须」释放的原因。基督徒不会下地狱，但也会因信心的行为受到审判。我们以前分享过，死亡和阴间不是指拟人化的空间，而是他们确实的会被扔到地狱里，犹如伪三位一体，和非信徒一样。

4. 新天新地和新耶路撒冷及教会       

『我又看见一个新天新地。因为先前的天地已经过去了，海也不再有了。我又看见圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，预备好了，就如新妇妆饰整齐，等候丈夫。』(启示录 21:1-2)       

我们看到了有新天新地和新耶路撒冷，新妇也就是整体的教会预备好了，每一个成员都能有幸参加这婚筵，羔羊和教会的婚筵即将来临了。我们也看到了即使是神创造的先前的天地也不会永久的存在，因为有新天新地。但反之不然，能存到永远的都是很神来的，犹如复活后的耶稣是存到永远的。基督徒复活后是有永生的，只是有人能进新耶路撒冷城，享受永生的福份，而那在城外的，只能在咬牙切齿的永生中。

5. 得胜者不再有死亡且有生命泉的水        

『我听见有大声音从宝座出来说：「看哪！神的帐幕在人间。他要与人同住，他们要作他的子民；神要亲自与他们同在，作他们的神。神要擦去他们一切的眼泪。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。」坐宝座的说：「看哪！我将一切都更新了。」又说：「你要写上，因这些话是可信的，是真实的。」他又对我说：「都成了！我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是终。我要将生命泉的水白白赐给那口渴的人喝。得胜的，必承受这些为业。我要作他的神，他要作我的儿子。惟有胆怯的、不信的、可憎的、杀人的、淫乱的、行邪术的、拜偶像的和一切说谎话的，他们的分就在烧著硫磺的火湖里，这是第二次的死。」』(启示录 21:3-8)        

是的，神的帐幕在人间是祂的心意，我们可以在新旧约都看到这点。在旧约的时代，有会幕，祂对摩西说，『我要在那里与你相会，又要从法柜施恩座上二基路伯中间，和你说我所要吩咐你传给以色列人的一切事。』(出埃及记 25:22) 又说，『我要在那里与以色列人相会，会幕就要因我的荣耀成为圣。』(出埃及记 29:43) 且有这样的话，『因为耶和华你的神常在你营中行走，要救护你，将仇敌交给你，所以你的营理当圣洁，免得他见你那里有污秽，就离开你。』(申命记 23:14) 虽然这经文是在讲，『在你器械之中当预备一把锹，你出营外便溺以后，用以铲土，转身掩盖。』(申命记 23:13) 但原则在别的事情上也是一样的。在新约更清楚的『说：「必有童女怀孕生子，人要称他的名为以马内利。」（「以马内利」翻出来就是「神与我们同在」。）』(马太福音 1:23) 所以我们在主祷文中会有这样的祷告，『愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。』(马太福音 6:10) 只要我们愿意把心门打开，祂会这样做的。我们现在能看到的是，祂的旨意只能行在真基督徒的身上，不是非基督身上，也不是号称基督徒的人的身上，如称为周日的基督徒的人的身上。      

在旧约的时代，最后是以色列人自甘犯罪，神和罪的污秽是不相合的，使祂的荣耀不得不离开以色列，而导致了以色列人的灭国一长段的时间。新约是说，『主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。』(彼得后书 3:9) 其实旧约时代，就有神『不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改』的概念。你看，神的荣耀因罪的审判而非得离开以色列人不可，但祂是念念不舍的。我们看到，当『他(神)向我(以西结)耳中大声喊叫说：「要使那监管这城的人手中各拿灭命的兵器前来。」』(以西结书 9:1) 所以是审判的时间到了，但即使如此，祂的荣耀离开以色列也是慢慢的。先是『以色列神的荣耀本在基路伯上，现今从那里升到殿的门槛。…』(以西结书 9:3) 然后是『耶和华的荣耀从基路伯那里上升，停在门槛以上。殿内满了云彩，院宇也被耶和华荣耀的光辉充满。』(以西结书 10:4) 最后才是『耶和华的荣耀从殿的门槛那里出去，停在基路伯以上。』(以西结书 10:18) 神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的。         

我们看了经文中说到祂的同在所带来的那些真实可信的话，不再有死亡等和一切都更新的话。祂是初又是终，就像阿拉法和俄梅戛是希腊文中的头一个和最后一个字母一样。这些人且有白白的生命泉的水喝。请注意，只有得胜者才能承受这些为业，做神的儿子。不要像以前所讲的底马一样，他本是保罗的同工，是基督徒，而基督徒是从世界出来的一批人(参歌罗西书 1:13) 而『…底马贪爱现今的世界，就离弃我往帖撒罗尼迦去了。…』(提摩太后书 4:10) 所以他不是不再做保罗的同工，而是在世界中堕落了，成了不能进新耶撒冷的人，因为他仍然和生命册有份，就像保罗说得很清楚一样，『我也求你这真实同负一轭的，帮助这两个女人，因为她们在福音上曾与我一同劳苦；还有革利免，并其余和我一同做工的，他们的名字都在生命册上。』(腓立比书 4:3) 这两女人的行为有问题，但曾是保罗的同工，所以仍然和生命册有份，至少不会下到火湖里，而底马也曾是保罗的同工。    

所以我们要能做得胜者才行，而得胜者是谁呢？启示录的七个教会中已很清楚的说明了。我们不要像老底嘉的教会一样，以为自己做了很多事情，却在神眼中是一无所有，但神是有怜悯有恩典的神，祂仍然把老底嘉的教会看做金灯台，虽然他们把耶稣关在门外，耶稣仍说，『看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。』(启示录 3:20) 所以只要我们愿意开心门，每一个人悔改都有机会成为得胜者。    

圣经说得很清楚，『我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。』(约翰一书 1:9) 说到悔改，『那时，彼得进前来，对耶稣说：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我当饶恕他几次呢？到七次可以吗？」耶稣说：「我对你说：不是到七次，乃是到七十个七次。」』(马太福音 18:21-22) 也就是只要那弟兄认错，我们必须原谅他。我们来看接著的例子，『天国好像一个王要和他仆人算账。…「那仆人就俯伏拜他，说：『主啊，宽容我！将来我都要还清。』那仆人的主人就动了慈心，把他释放了，并且免了他的债。」』(马太福音 18:23-27) 所以是要那仆人先要求宽恕才行，就像神做的一样，要我们「先认」，然后才能被「赦免」。如果你遇到了一个死不认错的态度的人，有什么可饶恕的呢？饶恕是要有对象的。     

有人说这经文没有说人要先悔改啊！『你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。』(马太福音 6:14-15) 对的，是没有提到人要先悔改，所以有教导说，饶恕别人是为了自己的好处，因此应该不论如何都要原谅别人。这种的原谅只是为著自己好过些，从这个角度看原谅是好的，真正的宽恕是跟本不会想到这件事，不是那种自己骗自己的原谅，所以虽这时有对象，对一个不悔改的人的原谅是更难的。这样的原谅，对那不肯悔改的人一点好处都没有！饶恕这件事，必须从神借著圣经告诉是一致的来看。

最后说到了不接受耶稣基督为主的人，可能会有那些行为，他们的名字不会在生命册上，到时会到硫磺的火湖里，经历第二次的死。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    首先，我們看到了只有兩種人和千年國度有份，那些在千年國度的人們，沒有了撒但的引誘，而且他們的環境是如何的好啊！第二，雖然在千年國度的環境是這麼好，一但釋放撒但去引誘這些人，就看到了罪性又顯出來了，導致了地上有多如海沙的人，進入了撒但被扔在地獄前最後地上的爭戰。第三，我們看到了白色大寶座的審判有生命册，非基督徒會在到火湖前有短暫的復活，基督徒復活後會有因信心的行為得獎賞的審判。第四，我們看到了有新天新地和新耶路撒冷，做新婦的教會正在預備自己。最後，我們看到了神的帳幕在人間是祂的心意，經文中說到祂的同在所帶來的那些真實可信的話。請注意，只有得勝者才能承受這些為業，做神的兒子，所以我們非要能做得勝者不可，也順便一提我們需要悔改和饒恕的真諦。在這裏，也說到了非基督徒到時會到硫磺的火湖裏，經歷第二次的死。

1. 誰和千年國度有份

       『我又看見幾個寶座(G2362, 複數)，也有坐在上面的，並有審判的權柄賜給他們。我又看見那些因為給耶穌作見證，並為神之道被斬者的靈魂，和那沒有拜過獸與獸像，也沒有在額上和手上受過牠印記之人的靈魂，他們都復活了，與基督一同作王一千年。這是頭一次的復活。其餘的死人還沒有復活，直等那一千年完了。在頭一次復活有分的有福了、聖潔了！第二次的死在他們身上沒有權柄。他們必作神和基督的祭司，並要與基督一同作王一千年。』(啓示錄 20:4-6)

        首先我們注意到寶座用的是複數，聖經沒有明說，有多少寶座，是那些人坐在寶座上，因聖經是神所默示的，除了聖經明講的外，如果一個人尊重神就不會去猜，因為神認為我們不需要知道。關於聖經明講的，譬如，『耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們這跟從我的人，到復興的時候，人子坐在他榮耀的寶座上，你們也要坐在十二個寶座上，審判以色列十二個支派。』(馬太福音 19:28) 這是指十二個門徒而言，當時賣主的猶大是在場的，但我們知道，『他本來列在我們(十二個門徒)數中，並且在使徒的職任上得了一分。』(使徒行傳 1:17) 使徒行傳說得很清楚，『因為詩篇上寫着說：『願他的住處變為荒場，無人在內居住。』 又說：『願別人得他的職分。』』(使徒行傳 1:20) 所以猶大不會在審判的寶座上，這裏是指羔羊的十二個使徒，我們可以看到這一點，因為剩下的十一個使徒都是羔羊親自選的，那取代猶大的也應是羔羊親自選的，所以啓示錄會說，『城牆有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。』(啓示錄 21:14) 馬提亞是抽籤來的，不是耶穌親自選的，耶穌復活後在大光中親自揀選了保羅，所以他是那第十二位羔羊所揀選的，也就是他所深信的，『那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按着公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我，也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。』(提摩太後書 4:7-8) 他絕對戴著那公義的冠冕。

        我們注意到的第二件事是這裏明講了什麼人會進到千年國度，一種人是歷世歷代為神被斬的靈魂，這包括了新舊約時代兩者。另一種人和海獸的出現後有關，現在海獸還沒有出現，所以和現在的我們無關。不要從人的角度看這件事，受到想安慰人的人的欺騙，以為基督徒和千年國度都有份。

     我們以前提到已經有在天上的人，譬如說摩西，他沒有在有生之年進入迦南地，但在新約時代中的變化山上，有他的顯現，這不是像有人說的，他是從未來回來的，而是他現在已在天上了，我們不是看到撤但要爭他的屍體時沒有爭到嗎？『天使長米迦勒為摩西的屍首與魔鬼爭辯的時候，尚且不敢用毀謗的話罪責他，只說：「主責備你吧！」』(猶大書 1:9) 神是全能的神，撒但怎麼可能有機會呢？神跟本不需要親自動手，我們看，『在天上就有了爭戰。米迦勒同他的使者與龍(撒但)爭戰，龍也同牠的使者去爭戰，並沒有得勝，天上再沒有牠們的地方。』(啓示錄 12:7-8) 這些經文不是很清楚的說到這點嗎？

     現在提到了聖徒的復活有兩梯次，這是第一梯次，第二梯次是在我們即將分享的白色大寶座時，在生命册上的人受到了得獎賞的審判，而非信徒只能下到地獄的火湖中。

        很顯然的，不是每個人都參加了哈米吉多頓的戰役，就是指『那三個鬼魔便叫眾王聚集在一處，希伯來話叫作哈米吉多頓。』(啓示錄 16:16) 也就是偽三位一體(撤但，海獸和假先知)他們介入的在地上的最後戰役，那時海獸和假先知已被扔到地獄，撒但也被拘禁。我們在這裏看到了那些在千年國度的人們沒有了撒但的引誘，且他們的環境會是多麼的好！

2. 撒但的最後爭戰和結局

       『那一千年完了，撒但必從監牢裏被釋那時海獸和假先知被扔在火湖裏，撒但也被拘禁放，出來要迷惑地上四方的列國，就是歌革和瑪各，叫他們聚集爭戰。他們的人數多如海沙。他們上來遍滿了全地，圍住聖徒的營與蒙愛的城，就有火從天降下，燒滅了他們。那迷惑他們的魔鬼被扔在硫磺的火湖裏，就是獸和假先知所在的地方。他們必晝夜受痛苦，直到永永遠遠。』(啓示錄 20:7-10)

        雖然在千年國度的人環境是這麼的好，但人都是帶著罪性的，他們仍要悔改，接受主耶穌為主，但我們從這些經文看到了不是每個人都會信主，和罪性的多麼可怕，一旦受到撒但的引誘，就人數多如海沙的介入了撒但最後在地上的爭戰。爭戰的結果是有火從天降下，燒滅了他們，雖是他們人數多如海沙，也是沒有用的。並看到了撒但也被扔在地獄裏，日夜受痛苦直到永遠。

3. 白色大寶座的審判和生命册

       『我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。案卷展開了，並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。死了的人都憑着這些案卷所記載的，照他們所行的受審判。於是海交出其中的死人，死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人。他們都照各人所行的受審判。死亡和陰間也被扔在火湖裏，這火湖就是第二次的死。若有人名字沒記在生命冊上，他就被扔在火湖裏。』(啓示錄 20:11-15)

        雖然基督徒通常不會說到非基督徒也會復活，但這裏很清楚說到他們在下到火湖前，會有短暫的復活，且每人都會受到行為的審判，非基督徒的名字不在生命册上，會下到地獄。那時他們會無話可說，因雖然在千年國度時的人沒有撒但的引誘和好的環境，一旦在千年國度後，人就被撒但引誘，罪性就顯出來了，這就是為什麼撒但在千年國度後「必須」釋放的原因。基督徒不會下地獄，但也會因信心的行為受到審判。我們以前分享過，死亡和陰間不是指擬人化的空間，而是他們確實的會被扔到地獄裏，猶如偽三位一體，和非信徒一樣。

4. 新天新地和新耶路撒冷及教會

       『我又看見一個新天新地。因為先前的天地已經過去了，海也不再有了。我又看見聖城新耶路撒冷由神那裏從天而降，預備好了，就如新婦妝飾整齊，等候丈夫。』(啓示錄 21:1-2)

       我們看到了有新天新地和新耶路撒冷，新婦也就是整體的教會預備好了，每一個成員都能有幸參加這婚筵，羔羊和教會的婚筵即將來臨了。我們也看到了即使是神創造的先前的天地也不會永久的存在，因為有新天新地。但反之不然，能存到永遠的都是很神來的，猶如復活後的耶穌是存到永遠的。基督徒復活後是有永生的，只是有人能進新耶路撒冷城，享受永生的福份，而那在城外的，只能在咬牙切齒的永生中。

5. 得勝者不再有死亡且有生命泉的水

        『我聽見有大聲音從寶座出來說：「看哪！神的帳幕在人間。他要與人同住，他們要作他的子民；神要親自與他們同在，作他們的神。神要擦去他們一切的眼淚。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭號、疼痛，因為以前的事都過去了。」坐寶座的說：「看哪！我將一切都更新了。」又說：「你要寫上，因這些話是可信的，是真實的。」他又對我說：「都成了！我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是終。我要將生命泉的水白白賜給那口渴的人喝。得勝的，必承受這些為業。我要作他的神，他要作我的兒子。惟有膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的和一切說謊話的，他們的分就在燒着硫磺的火湖裏，這是第二次的死。」』(啓示錄 21:3-8)

        是的，神的帳幕在人間是祂的心意，我們可以在新舊約都看到這點。在舊約的時代，有會幕，祂對摩西說，『我要在那裏與你相會，又要從法櫃施恩座上二基路伯中間，和你說我所要吩咐你傳給以色列人的一切事。』(出埃及記 25:22) 又說，『我要在那裏與以色列人相會，會幕就要因我的榮耀成為聖。』(出埃及記 29:43) 且有這樣的話，『因為耶和華你的神常在你營中行走，要救護你，將仇敵交給你，所以你的營理當聖潔，免得他見你那裏有污穢，就離開你。』(申命記 23:14) 雖然這經文是在講，『在你器械之中當預備一把鍬，你出營外便溺以後，用以鏟土，轉身掩蓋。』(申命記 23:13) 但原則在別的事情上也是一樣的。在新約更清楚的『說：「必有童女懷孕生子，人要稱他的名為以馬內利。」（「以馬內利」翻出來就是「神與我們同在」。）』(馬太福音 1:23) 所以我們在主禱文中會有這樣的禱告，『願你的國降臨，願你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。』(馬太福音 6:10) 只要我們願意把心門打開，祂會這樣做的。我們現在能看到的是，祂的旨意只能行在真基督徒的身上，不是非基督身上，也不是號稱基督徒的人的身上，如稱為週日的基督徒的人的身上。

      在舊約的時代，最後是以色列人自甘犯罪，神和罪的污穢是不相合的，使祂的榮耀不得不離開以色列，而導致了以色列人的滅國一長段的時間。新約是說，『主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。』(彼得後書 3:9) 其實舊約時代，就有神『不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改』的概念。你看，神的榮耀因罪的審判而非得離開以色列人不可，但祂是念念不舍的。我們看到，當『他(神)向我(以西結)耳中大聲喊叫說：「要使那監管這城的人手中各拿滅命的兵器前來。」』(以西結書 9:1) 所以是審判的時間到了，但即使如此，祂的榮耀離開以色列也是慢慢的。先是『以色列神的榮耀本在基路伯上，現今從那裏升到殿的門檻。…』(以西結書 9:3) 然後是『耶和華的榮耀從基路伯那裏上升，停在門檻以上。殿內滿了雲彩，院宇也被耶和華榮耀的光輝充滿。』(以西結書 10:4) 最後才是『耶和華的榮耀從殿的門檻那裏出去，停在基路伯以上。』(以西結書 10:18) 神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。

         我們看了經文中說到祂的同在所帶來的那些真實可信的話，不再有死亡等和一切都更新的話。祂是初又是終，就像阿拉法和俄梅戛是希臘文中的頭一個和最後一個字母一樣。這些人且有白白的生命泉的水喝。請注意，只有得勝者才能承受這些為業，做神的兒子。不要像以前所講的底馬一樣，他本是保羅的同工，是基督徒，而基督徒是從世界出來的一批人(參歌羅西書 1:13) 而『…底馬貪愛現今的世界，就離棄我往帖撒羅尼迦去了。…』(提摩太後書 4:10) 所以他不是不再做保羅的同工，而是在世界中墮落了，成了不能進新耶撒冷的人，因為他仍然和生命册有份，就像保羅說得很清楚一樣，『我也求你這真實同負一軛的，幫助這兩個女人，因為她們在福音上曾與我一同勞苦；還有革利免，並其餘和我一同做工的，他們的名字都在生命冊上。』(腓立比書 4:3) 這兩女人的行為有問題，但曾是保羅的同工，所以仍然和生命册有份，至少不會下到火湖裏，而底馬也曾是保羅的同工。

    所以我們要能做得勝者才行，而得勝者是誰呢？啓示錄的七個教會中已很清楚的說明了。我們不要像老底嘉的教會一樣，以為自己做了很多事情，卻在神眼中是一無所有，但神是有憐憫有恩典的神，祂仍然把老底嘉的教會看做金燈台，雖然他們把耶穌關在門外，耶穌仍說，『看哪，我站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。』(啓示錄 3:20) 所以只要我們願意開心門，每一個人悔改都有機會成為得勝者。

     聖經說得很清楚，『我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。』(約翰一書 1:9) 說到悔改，『那時，彼得進前來，對耶穌說：「主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」耶穌說：「我對你說：不是到七次，乃是到七十個七次。」』(馬太福音 18:21-22) 也就是只要那弟兄認錯，我們必須原諒他。我們來看接著的例子，『天國好像一個王要和他僕人算賬。…「那僕人就俯伏拜他，說：『主啊，寬容我！將來我都要還清。』那僕人的主人就動了慈心，把他釋放了，並且免了他的債。」』(馬太福音 18:23-27) 所以是要那僕人先要求寬恕才行，就像神做的一樣，要我們「先認」，然後才能被「赦免」。如果你遇到了一個死不認錯的態度的人，有什麼可饒恕的呢？饒恕是要有對象的。

     有人說這經文沒有說人要先悔改啊！『你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。』(馬太福音 6:14-15) 對的，是沒有提到人要先悔改，所以有教導說，饒恕別人是為了自己的好處，因此應該不論如何都要原諒別人。這種的原諒只是為著自己好過些，從這個角度看原諒是好的，真正的寬恕是跟本不會想到這件事，不是那種自己騙自己的原諒，所以雖這時有對象，對一個不悔改的人的原諒是更難的。這樣的原諒，對那不肯悔改的人一點好處都沒有！饒恕這件事，必須從神藉著聖經告訴是一致的來看。

    最後說到了不接受耶穌基督為主的人，可能會有那些行為，他們的名字不會在生命册上，到時會到硫磺的火湖裏，經歷第二次的死。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First of all, we have seen that there are only two kinds of people who will participate in the thousand-year kingdom. Those in the thousand-year kingdom are no longer tempted by Satan, and their environment is so good!  Second, although the environment in the thousand-year kingdom is so good, once Satan is released to seduce these people, the sinful nature is revealed again, causing as many people on the earth as the sand on the sea to enter Satan’s final earthly battle before Satan is thrown to hell.  Third, we have seen that the great white throne judgment involved the book of life. Non-Christians will have a short resurrection before going to the lake of fire. After the resurrection, Christians will be judged to be rewarded for their actions out of faith.  Fourth, we see that there is a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem, and the church, the bride, is preparing herself for the wedding.  Finally, we see that God’s tabernacle in earth is His intention, and the scriptures speak of the true and trustworthy words brought about by His presence.  Please note that only overcomers can inherit these and become the sons of God, so we must be overcomers. By the way, we also cover the topics of repent and forgive, which are required for overcomers.  Here, it is also said that non-Christians will go to the lake of fire and brimstone and experience the second death.

1. Who is involved in the thousand-year kingdom?

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“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”(Revelation 20:4-6)

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First of all, we notice that thrones are in the plural. The Bible does not explicitly say how many thrones there are or who sit on them. Because the Bible is inspired by God. If a person respects God, then in addition to what the Bible clearly says or has the concept such as trinity, he will not guess, since God doesn’t think that we need to know.  Regarding what the Bible clearly says, for example, Jesus said to the twelve apostles at that time, “…Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”(Matthew 19:28) Judas, the traitor, was present at the time, but we know that “… he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”(Acts 1:17) Then the book of Acts says very clearly, ““For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’”(Acts 1:20) So this Judas will not be on the throne of judgment. This is referring to the twelve apostles of the Lamb chosen by Himself. We can see this, because the remaining eleven apostles were chosen by the Lamb Himself.

The one who replaced Judas should also be chosen by the Lamb Himself. Thus, the book of Revelation says, “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14) Matthias was chosen by lot, not Jesus Himself, thus his name isn’t there. Jesus personally chose Paul in the great light after His resurrection, so Paul’s name is the twelfth. That is actually consistent what he firmly believed, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; …”(2 Timothy 4:7-8) He will definitely bear that crown of righteousness.​

The second thing we noticed is that it is clearly stated here who will enter the thousand-year kingdom. One kind of person is the soul that has been beheaded for God’s sake throughout the ages. This includes both the Old and New Testament eras.  The other kind of people are related to the emergence of sea beast. The sea beast has not yet appeared, so it now has nothing to do with us.  Do not look at this from a human perspective and be deceived by those who want to comfort others, thinking that Christians are partakers of the Millennial Kingdom.

We mentioned before that there were already people in heaven, such as Moses. He did not enter the land of Canaan during his lifetime, but he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration in the New Testament era. This is not like some people say, he came back from the future. He came back, since he is now in heaven already and don’t need to come back from the future. Didn’t we see that when Satan wanted to fight for his body, he didn’t get it? “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””(Jude 9) God is almighty, Satan doesn’t have a chance to stand against Him. Actually, God does not need to take action Himself. We see, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon (Satan). The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.”(Revelation 12:7-8) Don’t these scriptures speak of this point very clearly?

Now it is mentioned that there are two stages of resurrection of the saints. This is the first stage. The second stage is mentioned at the great white throne that we are about to share. Those who are in the book of life are judged to receive rewards. Non-believers can only descend to the lake of fire in hell.

Obviously, not everyone participated in the battle of Armageddon, which means the time that “…they (three demons) gathered them (kings) together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.”(Revelation 16:16) This is the final battle on earth in which the false trinity (Satan, the sea beast and the false prophet) involved. At that time, the sea beast and the false prophet had been thrown into hell, and Satan was also imprisoned.  Here we see that those in the Millennium Kingdom will no longer have the temptation of Satan, and how good their environment will be!

2. Satan’s final battle and outcome

​”When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”(Revelation 20:7-10)

Although the environment for people in the thousand-year kingdom is so good, people all have sinful natures. They still need to repent and accept the Lord Jesus as Lord. But we see from these scriptures that not everyone will believe in the Lord, and the nature of sin is so terrible. Once tempted by Satan, people as numerous as the sand on the sea will be involved in Satan’s final battle on earth.  The result of the battle was that fire came down from heaven and consumed them. Even though their numbers were as numerous as the sand on the sea, it was of no use.  And we see that Satan was also thrown into hell, tormented day and night forever.

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3. The great white throne judgment and the book of life

“​Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:11-15)

Although Christians usually do not say that non-Christians will be resurrected, it is clearly stated here that they will have a brief resurrection before going to the lake of fire, and everyone will be judged by their actions. The names of non-Christians will not be in the book of life and will go to hell.  At that time, they will have nothing to say, because although people during the Millennium Kingdom will not be tempted by Satan and have a good environment, once they are after the thousand years kingdom and are tempted by Satan, their sinful nature will be revealed. This is the reason why Satan “will and must” be released after the thousand-year kingdom.  Christians will not go to hell, but they will be judged for their acts of faith.  We have shared before that death and Hades do not refer to anthropomorphic spaces, but they will literally be thrown into hell, just like the false trinity, and unbelievers.

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4. New heaven and new earth, new Jerusalem and the Church

​”Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”(Revelation 21:1-2)

We have seen that there is a new heaven and a new earth and a new Jerusalem. The bride, that is, the overall church, is going to be ready for wedding. Every member can have the honor to participate in this wedding feast. The wedding feast of the Lamb and the church is about to come.  We also see that even the previous heavens and earth were created by God, they will not last forever because there is a new heaven and a new earth.  But the opposite is not true. Those who can exist forever are from God, just like Jesus after his resurrection exists forever.  Christians will have eternal life after resurrection, but some can enter the city of new Jerusalem and enjoy the blessings of eternal life, while those outside the city can only spend eternity gnashing their teeth.

5. The overcomer no longer has death but has the water of the spring of life freely

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””(Revelation 21:3-8)

Yes, God’s tabernacle on earth is His intention. We can see this in both the Old and New Testaments.  In the days of the Old Testament, there was the Tabernacle. He said to Moses, “There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.”(Exodus 25:22) And He also said, “I will meet there with the sons of Israel, and it shall be consecrated by My glory.”(Exodus 29:43) And there is this saying, “Since the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you.”(Deuteronomy 23:14)

Although this scripture refers to, “and you shall have a spade among your tools, and it shall be when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and shall turn to cover up your excrement.”(Deuteronomy 23:13) But the principle is the same in other things.  In the New Testament, the Bible says very clearly, ““Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.””(Matthew 1:23) So we have this prayer in the Lord’s Prayer, “‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”(Matthew 6:10) If we are willing to open our hearts, He will do it.  What we can see now is that His will can only be done on true Christians, not on non-Christians, and not on people who claim to be Christians, such as those who are called Sunday Christians.

In the era of the Old Testament, the Israelites were ultimately willing to sin. God was not compatible with the filthiness of sin, so His glory had to leave Israel, which led to the destruction of the Israelites for a long time.  The New Testament says, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”(2 Peter 3:9) In fact, in the Old Testament era, there was the concept that God “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  You see, although God’s glory had to be separated from the Israelites because of the judgment of sin, but He never really wanted to part with them.  We see that when “…He cried out in my hearing with a loud voice saying, “Draw near, O executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.””(Ezekiel 9:1) So the time of judgment has come, but even then, His glory leaves Israel slowly.  First, “Then the glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple. …”(Ezekiel 9:3) “Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the cloud and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.”(Ezekiel 10:4) Finally, “Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim.”(Ezekiel 10:18) What God tells us through the Bible is really consistent.

We looked at the true and trustworthy words in the scriptures that His presence brings, that there will be no more death, and that all things are made new, etc.  He is the beginning and the end, just as Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  These people have free water to drink from the fountain of life.  Please note that only overcomers can inherit these inheritances and become sons of God.  Don’t be like Demas mentioned before. He was a co-worker of Paul and a Christian, and Christians are a group of people who came out of the world (see Colossians 1:13). But “…Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; …”(2 Timothy 4:10) Therefore, he did not cease to be Paul’s co-worker only, but fell in the world and became a person who could not enter the new Jerusalem although he was still in the book of life as Paul clearly said, “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”(Philippians 4:3) There is something wrong with the behavior of these two women, but they were once co-workers of Paul, so they are still partakers of the book of life. At least they will not go into the lake of fire, and Demas was also once one of Paul’s co-workers.

So, we must be overcomers, and who are the overcomers?  This is clearly stated in the seven churches in the book of Revelation.  We should not be like the church in Laodicea, thinking that they have done many things but have nothing in the eyes of God. But God is a merciful and gracious God. He still regards the church in Laodicea as a golden lampstand, even though they shut Jesus outside the door. At the door, Jesus still said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) So as long as we are willing to open our doors, everyone who repent will have the opportunity to become an overcomer.

The Bible says very clearly, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) Speaking of repentance, “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”(Matthew 18:21-22) That is, as long as the brother admits his mistake, we must forgive him.  Let’s now look at the example following this, ““For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. …So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.”(Matthew 18:23-27) So the slave must first ask for forgiveness, just like God does, asking us to “first confess” and then be “forgiven.”  If you meet a person who refuses to admit his fault, what is there to forgive?  Forgiveness must have an object.

Some people say that this scripture does not say that people must first repent! “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”(Matthew 6:14-15) Yes, it is not mentioned that people must repent first, so there is a teaching that forgiving others is for your own benefit, so you should forgive others no matter what.  This kind of forgiveness is just to make yourself feel better. From this point of view, forgiveness is good. Real forgiveness is the kind of forgiveness that you would never have thought of the event. It is not the kind of forgiveness that you deceive yourself. Therefore, even in this case that you have an object to forgive, to forgive a person who doesn’t want to be forgiven, forgiveness is more difficult.  Such forgiveness will do you good but no good to those who refuse to repent!  The matter of forgiveness must be viewed through what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.

Finally, we talked about the behaviors that people who do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord may have. Their names will not be in the book of life, and they will go to the lake of fire and brimstone and experience the second death.

 ​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

We first look at the church which praised God for God’s judgment on the great harlot, because the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures represent the church, and we point out where we have discussed this before.  Second, we see the bride preparing for the wedding supper of the Lamb, which refers to the marriage of Christ and the church as a whole, and those who attend the wedding supper refer to everyone in the church.  We explained in detail why Paul used the marriage of Christ and the church to explain the relationship between Christ and the church, and pointed out that we should look at things from God’s perspective, not from human perspective.  Third, we see Jesus’ victory. All the armies of heaven follow Him, but they don’t need to fight, only the sharp sword that comes out of His mouth is enough.  Fourth, we know that after this battle, both the beast of the sea and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.  Finally we see that Satan is imprisoned and the Thousand Year Kingdom begins.

1. Church Hallelujah God’s judgment of the great harlot 

​”After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!””(Revelation 19:1-4)

Hallelujah means praising the Lord. Isn’t it because the crowd praised God because God judged the great harlot?  These scriptures make this clear.  As for the church, we know that the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures represent the church. This may be different from what some people think. We will get this conclusion from the original text of the Strong’s Concordance, which was previously discussed in detail in “3. What are the four living creatures?” of “1093 Look at heavens opened, throne and four living creatures – Revelation (4).” Those who are interested can go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. I will not repeat it here. 

2. The church is the bride in the marriage supper of the Lamb

“And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.””(Revelation 19:5-10)

Now the crowds are praising the Lord because the Almighty is coming to reign, which is a different reason than before.  The bride obviously refers to the church, since her fine linen clothed by grace is the righteousness of the saints. These verses refer to the preparation of the bride for things to come in the future.  An individual first receives grace and is then justified by faith. Only after he has faith can he have the appropriate acts of faith as mentioned in the Book of James. Because what is seen in the acts of faith, faith will then grow. Faith and behavior are sort of two sides of one coin, but don’t put the cart before the horse.

The wedding banquet refers to the marriage between Christ and the church as a whole, and the people who attend the wedding banquet refer to everyone in the church. Only they have the right to attend the wedding banquet. Others will not be invited. These are true Christians who are willing to choose the narrow gate. As the scripture says, ““Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14) What is the narrow gate?  At least we must be able to “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Know for sure that it was the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and not due to evil spirits. Don’t be like Eliphaz the Temanite mentioned at the beginning of the book of Job, who did Satan’s work without knowing it, and thought he was doing it for God.  (See Job 4:12-21) Do not forcefully interpret the Bible, but use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to discern. Even when you are not moved, you must stand on God’s side when encountering problems.

These verses also make it clear that angels are also our brothers, and they are all servants, “…for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.”(Matthew 23:8) The teacher is Jesus Christ, it is said that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The book of Revelation clearly states at the beginning that it includes “…the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”(Revelation 1:19) What John saw were the things of the seven churches, There is not much to say about the current matter, because it is a partial combination of the seven churches, and the rest are prophecies.

Some people may ask, why Paul used the marriage of Christ and the church as a whole to explain the relationship between Christ and the church?  We can clearly see this from Paul’s words, “…a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”(Ephesians 5:31-32) What exactly is Paul trying to say here?  First of all, we know that no one is born who believes in Jesus and is of the world. Therefore, we originally belong to the world until the day we believe. Our parents were originally the world, and the Church is the gathering of people who came out of the world. In other words, the Church doesn’t mean people who go to the church building.  Thus, christians do leave their parents and become one with Christ and enter the kingdom of Christ.  Some people who deceive themselves into thinking that biblical inerrancy refers to the letter will be ensnared by this error because they will see obvious contradictions in the letter.  We know what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. When we see such an obvious contradiction, what we should ask is what does God want to tell us through such inspiration?

Remember how Christ love the church.  He laid down His life for the church in agape love, and spent his entire life obeying God rather than men. Don’t we see that “…Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.”(John 6:15) Jesus was obedient to God. He said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So we should do the same in order to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Let’s first look at what wives have to do from God’s perspective, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.”(Ephesians 5:22-24) Therefore, when a wife chooses God, she will choose to submit to her husband. This spiritual submission must be based on this principle, “…We must obey God rather than men.”(Acts 5:29) For example, in an extreme case, if the husband asks his wife to kill someone with him, the wife will never obey.  As for worldly matters, the wife sometimes sees it more clearly than the husband. In this case, for the benefit of both of them, should the husband blindly ask his wife to submit?

Some people think that it is much easier for a husband to love his wife than for a wife to obey her husband. Is this true?  No, let’s discuss this.  We are all descendants of Adam, and we look at what Adam did during creation.  Adam was created in the image of God, as the scripture says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”(Genesis 1:27) God’s image contains agape love and absolute sovereignty. Adam had then agape love and free will. Although God gave Adam the command, “but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”(Genesis 2:17) Even though he knew he would die, he still “…have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;…”(Genesis 3:17 ) So the mistake Adam made was to use his free will to choose to disobey God, not because he had agape love and was willing to lay down his life for his wife.  The plan of salvation is to conform man to the image of Jesus, restoring man to the image of Adam when he was created, plus choosing the tree of life because such a man is in Christ.

Paul also said, “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love (G25, agape love, verb) his own wife even as himself, …”(Ephesians 5:33) Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and “…the love (G26, noun) of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.(Romans 5:5) When we have the love of God, we will be like Adam, willing to lay down his life for his wife. The question is, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, …”(2 Corinthians Joshua 4:7) Unless the old self is put to death and the earthen vessels are broken, this treasure cannot be manifested.  So from God’s perspective, we must show God’s love in our wives, that is, we must love to the extent that we are willing to lay down our lives for our wives. This is obviously not easy, but we must become a goal for husbands.

Of course, material life can only be laid down once. Usually we are not qualified to do so. God will only make such a request in special circumstances, but He will create an environment for us to experience similar things. We must believe, ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9) This is why Paul uses the relationship between husband and wife to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church. Didn’t Christ lay down his life for the church? Paul said, “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”(Ephesians 5:33) Please note that the word ‘love’ mentioned in the New Testament is agape love, which talks about the love from God. You can clearly understand this by reading the original text of the Strong’s Concordance.

Let’s finally take a look regarding some people say that wives are naturally disobedient, just like Eve. From Eve’s words, we know that Adam told her God’s command to him. If she obeyed Adam, she would not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (see Genesis 3:1-6), sin would not have entered the world through Adam (see Romans 5:12). In case that the wife would say, husband, if you don’t love me to the extent that you are willing to lay down your life, why should I obey you?  And the husband will say, you disobey me, why do I love you so much?  Such oppositions are all viewed from a human perspective.  In a Christian home, the head is Jesus Christ. We must see things from God’s perspective and willingly embark on the path of sanctification. If both people see things from God’s perspective, when their lives change, opposition will naturally not arise and become harmonious.

3. Jesus’ victory

​”And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.””(Revelation 19:11-16)

The Bible does not talk about the opening of heaven very often. Although the Bible does not clearly say who is the one riding on the white horse, judging from the description, it is none other than Jesus Christ. He judges and fights righteously. His clothes were splattered with the blood of His enemies, and He trod the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, just as it was said before, “And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.”(Revelation 14:20)

Please note that it is mentioned here that the tasting of wine of the wrath of Almighty God was performed by Jesus, so Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, …”(Revelation 1:1) Doesn’t God love the world?  Does this like the love we know? Don’t forget that God is also a righteous God. He has given people free will and will not take it back. If someone insists on not repenting, He can only let them go. This is talking about what Jesus Christ will do when he comes again, which is the time of judgment. We also see that all the armies in heaven follow Him because they are the same as the 144,000, “…These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. …”(Revelation 14:4) In this battle, they do not need to take action, only the sharp sword coming out of His mouth is enough.

4. The sea monster and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.”(Revelation 19:17-21)​

From these verses we see the result of this earthly war. The birds of the sky gather to feast on the corpses of their enemies. We also see the sea beasts and the false prophet being thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, which is generally said to be in the hell, where there isn’t the presence of God. In the hell, “…they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”(Revelation 20:10)

5. The Beginning of the Thousand-Year Kingdom

​”Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.”(Revelation 20:1-3)

 ​

The ending of Satan is clearly described here. At that time, it was not thrown into the lake of fire, but was only imprisoned in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, which is when the thousand-year kingdom began. The book of Revelation was written in chronological order, very clearly state when this occurs.  Reading the Bible is to ‘read out’ what God tells us through the Bible, rather than reading into our own subjective thoughts. We believe that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, and the logic based on the words of the Bible is objective.  The mechanism of logic itself is objective and is the same all over the world. Otherwise, how can researchers publish articles in scientific journals or magazines?  From the different views on when the Millennial Kingdom will occur, we can see how terrifying the subjective view based on human free will is. Some even say that the Millennial Kingdom does not exist for the church, but is only prepared for the Israelites!  The Bible really doesn’t say that.  Please note that in the text it is said that Satan ‘must’ be released temporarily. We will not discuss this until another time, because then we will see this clearly.

As for some people saying that this thousand years is just a long period of time, this is also incorrect.  A thousand years is a number. If it is because of prophecy, it should be almost a thousand years!  Previously, “God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.”(Genesis 15:13) This is prophecy, and the exact time is in these verses, “Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 12:40-41) And we know what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.

 ​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

我们首先看教会为神对大淫妇的审判赞美神，因二十四位长老和四活物都代表教会，我们指出我们以前讨论了这点。第二，我们看到新妇正在准备羔羊的婚宴，这是指基督和教会整体的结婚，而参加婚宴的人是指教会中的每一个人。我们详细的说明了，保罗为什么要以基督和教会的结婚，来说明基督和教会的关系，指出了要以神的角度看事情，不要从人的角度。第三，我们看到了耶稣的得胜，天上的众军都跟随祂，但他们无需动手，只要祂口中出来的利剑就可以了。第四，我们知道在这场争战后，海兽和假先知都被扔在硫磺的火湖。最后我们看到了撒但被拘禁，开始了千年国度。

1. 教会哈利路亚神对大淫妇的审判        

『此后，我听见好像群众在天上大声说：「哈利路亚！救恩、荣耀、权能都属乎我们的神！他的判断是真实、公义的，因他判断了那用淫行败坏世界的大淫妇，并且向淫妇讨流仆人血的罪，给他们伸冤。」又说：「哈利路亚！烧淫妇的烟往上冒，直到永永远远。」那二十四位长老与四活物就俯伏敬拜坐宝座的神，说：「阿们！哈利路亚！」』(启示录 19:1-4)        

哈利路亚是赞美耶和华的意思，群众赞美神，不是因为神审判了大淫妇吗？这些经文很清楚的说明这点。至于说到是教会，我们知道二十四位长老与四活物都是代表教会的，这点可能和有一些人想得不一样，我们从汇编的原文中会得到这个结论，以前在『 2093 看天开了，宝座和四活物 – 启示录 (4)』中的『3. 四活物是什么？ 』详细的讨论过这点，有兴趣的人可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章，就不重复了。

2. 教会是羔羊婚筵中的新妇        

『有声音从宝座出来说：「神的众仆人哪，凡敬畏他的，无论大小，都要赞美我们的神。」我听见好像群众的声音，众水的声音，大雷的声音，说：「哈利路亚！因为主我们的神，全能者作王了。我们要欢喜快乐，将荣耀归给他！因为羔羊婚娶的时候到了，新妇也自己预备好了，就蒙恩得穿光明洁白的细麻衣。」 这细麻衣就是圣徒所行的义。天使吩咐我说：「你要写上：『凡被请赴羔羊之婚筵的有福了！』」又对我说：「这是神真实的话。」我就俯伏在他脚前要拜他。他说：「千万不可！我和你，并你那些为耶稣作见证的弟兄同是作仆人的。你要敬拜神。因为预言中的灵意乃是为耶稣作见证。」』(启示录 19:5-10)        

现在群众赞美耶和华是因全能者要作王了，和以前是为著不同的原因。新妇很显然是指教会，因蒙恩穿的细麻衣就是圣徒所行的义，这些经文提到了新妇为未来要发生的事情在预备。个人是先蒙恩，因信称义，有了信心，才会有雅各书讲的相称的信心行为，因在信心中的行为所看到的，信心会变大，信心和行为是一体的两面，但不要本末倒置。        

婚宴是指基督和教会整体的结婚，而参加婚宴的人是指教会中的每一个人，也只有他们有权利参加婚宴，别人不会被邀请的，这些是愿意选择窄门的真基督徒，就像经文所说，『你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找著的人也少。』(马太福音 7:13-14) 那窄门是什么呢？至少要能，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 确定的知道是圣灵的感动，而不是由于邪灵，不要像约伯记开始说的提幔人以利法一样，做了撤但的工作尚不自知，还以为是为神在做。(参约伯记 4:12-21) 不要强解圣经，要以圣经的话语为绝对的标准去分辩，没有感动时，遇事也要站在神的这一边。       

这些经文也很清楚的说到天使也是我们的弟兄，都是做仆人的，『…只有一位是你们的夫子，你们都是弟兄。』(马太福音 23:8) 那夫子就是耶稣基督，所以会说预言中的灵意乃是为耶稣作见证。启示录一开始就明说，其中包括了『…所看见的和现在的事，并将来必成的事…』(启示录 1:19) 约翰所看见的是七个教会的事情，现在的事没有多说，因是七个教会的部份组合，其余的部份都是预言。        

有人可能会问，为什么要以基督和教会整体的结婚来说明基督和教会的关系呢？我们可以很清楚的从保罗的话看见这一点，『…人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。这是极大的奥秘，但我是指著基督和教会说的。』(以弗所书 5:31-32) 保罗在这里究竟想说些什么？首先我们知道没有一个人生下来就是信耶稣的，是属世界的，所以我们是原属于世界的，直到信的那一天，我们的父母原是世界，教会是从世界出来的一些人，不是指去教堂这个建筑物的人。基督徒的确是离开父母和基督合为一体，进入基督的国度。有人骗自己说，圣经无误论是指字句上的，就会因这错误而进入网罗，因为会看到有字句上明显的矛盾。所以是神借圣经告诉我们是一致的，看到这样明显的矛盾时，该问的是神要借著这样的默示告诉我们什么？     

基督是怎么爱教会呢？基督在神的爱中为教会舍命，一生都顺服神而不顺服人6不顺服人这点，我们不是看到，『耶稣既知道众人要来强逼他作王，就独自又退到山上去了。』(约翰福音 6:15) 耶稣是顺服神的，祂说，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 所以我们也该如此行，才能模成耶稣的形像。        

我们先从神的角度看妻子要做的事，『你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要怎样凡事顺服丈夫。』(以弗所书 5:22-24) 所以妻子选择了神，就会选择顺服丈夫，这属灵的顺服是要在这原则下，『…顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！』(使徒行传 5:29) 譬如说在一个极端的例子中，如果丈夫要妻子去一同杀人，妻子是绝对不能顺服的。至于属世的事情，妻子有时的看见的确比丈夫更清楚，在这种情况下，为著两人的的好处，难道丈夫应该一昧的要求妻子顺服吗？        

有人认为，丈夫爱妻子比妻子顺服丈夫容易多了，是这样的吗？不是，我们来讨论这点。我们都是亚当后裔，我们就看在创造时的亚当是如何做的。亚当是照著神的形像造的，就像经文所说，『神就照著自己的形像造人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 神的形像中有神的爱，也有绝对的主权，亚当就有了神的爱和自由意志，虽然神给了亚当命令，『…分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子必定死。』(创世记 2:17) 他虽然知道会死，仍然『…听从妻子的话，吃了我所吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子，…』(创世记 3:17) 所以亚当犯的错误是用他的自由意志选择了不顺服神，而不是因为他有神的爱愿意为妻子舍命。救恩的计划是要人模成耶稣的形像，使人恢复被创造时亚当的形像，加上选择了生命树，因为是在基督里。        

保罗又说，『然而你们各人都当爱(G25, 神的爱，动词)妻子，如同爱自己一样；…』(以弗所书 5:33) 基督徒都有内住的圣灵，而『…所赐给我们的圣灵将神的爱(G26, 名词)浇灌在我们心里。』(罗马书 5:5)   当我们有神的爱时，就会该像亚当一样，愿意为妻子舍命，问题是『我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，…』(哥林多后书 4:7) 不治死老我，打破瓦器，这宝贝不能彰显出来。所以从神的角度看，我们要在妻子身上彰显神的爱，也就是要爱到一个愿意为妻子舍命的程度，这显然是非常不容易的，但要成为做丈夫的标杆。     

当然物质的生命只能舍命一次，通常我们是不够资格这样做的，神只会在特殊的环境中有这样的要求，但祂会制造环境，让我们去经历类似的事情，要相信，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9) 这也就是保罗为什么会用夫妻的关系，来说明基督和教会的关系，基督不是为教会舍命吗？他说，『…你们各人都当爱(G25)妻子，如同爱(G25)自己一样；妻子也当敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所书 5:33) 所用的都是神的爱。请注意，在新约中绝大部份说到爱时都是说神的爱，看汇编的原文就能很清楚的知道这点。      

我们最后来看一看，有人说妻子是天生的不顺服，如夏娃般，因从夏娃的话语中，知道亚当告诉过她神给他的命令，如果她顺服亚当就不会吃分别善恶树上的果子(创世记 3:1-6)，罪就不会因亚当进入这世界了(参罗马书 5:12) 所以妻子会说丈夫，如果不爱我到愿意舍命的程度，为什么我要顺服他？而丈夫就会说，妳不顺服我，为什么我会这样的爱妳？这样的对立都是从人的角度看。在一个基督徒的家中，作头的本是耶稣基督，要从神的角度看事情，心甘情愿的走上成圣的道路，如果两人都从神的角度看，当生命改变时，对立就自然的变成了和谐。

3. 耶稣的得胜       

『我观看，见天开了。有一匹白马，骑在马上的称为诚信真实，他审判、争战都按著公义。他的眼睛如火焰，他头上戴著许多冠冕，又有写著的名字，除了他自己没有人知道。他穿著溅了血的衣服，他的名称为神之道。在天上的众军骑著白马，穿著细麻衣，又白又洁，跟随他。有利剑从他口中出来，可以击杀列国。他必用铁杖辖管他们，并要踹全能神烈怒的酒醡。在他衣服和大腿上有名写著说：「万王之王，万主之主。」』(启示录 19:11-16)       #####圣经讲到天开了的时候不多，在这里虽然圣经没有明说那位骑在白马上的是谁，但看描述，非耶稣基督莫属，祂是按公义审判和争战的，祂的衣服溅满了仇敌的血，祂踹全能神烈怒的酒酢，就像以前所说的一样，『那酒醡踹在城外，就有血从酒醡里流出来，高到马的嚼环，远有六百里。』(启示录 14:20) 请注意，这里提到全能神的烈怒酒酢是由耶稣执行的，所以启示录是『耶稣基督的启示，…』(启示录 1:1) 不是说神爱世人吗？不要忘记神也是公义的神，祂给了人自由意志是不会收回的，如果有人执意不悔改，祂只能任凭他们，这里是在讲耶稣基督再来时的所作所为，是审判的时候到了。我们也看到了天上的众军都跟随祂，是因和这十四万四千人相同，『…羔羊无论往哪里去，他们都跟随他。…』(启示录 14:4) 这场争战，他们无需动手，只要祂口中出来的利剑就够了。

4. 海兽和假先知被扔在硫磺的火湖       

『我又看见一位天使站在日头中，向天空所飞的鸟大声喊著说：「你们聚集来赴神的大筵席！可以吃君王与将军的肉，壮士与马和骑马者的肉，并一切自主的、为奴的以及大小人民的肉。」我看见那兽和地上的君王，并他们的众军都聚集，要与骑白马的并他的军兵争战。那兽被擒拿，那在兽面前曾行奇事、迷惑受兽印记和拜兽像之人的假先知，也与兽同被擒拿。他们两个就活活地被扔在烧著硫磺的火湖里。其余的被骑白马者口中出来的剑杀了。飞鸟都吃饱了他们的肉。』(启示录 19:17-21)        

我们从这些经文中看到了这场地上战争的结果，是天空的飞鸟聚集享用仇敌的尸体，也看到海兽和假先知被扔在烧著硫磺的火湖里，也就是一般所说没有神同在的地狱，『…他们必昼夜受痛苦，直到永永远远。』(启示录 20:10)

5. 千年国度的开始       

『我又看见一位天使从天降下，手里拿著无底坑的钥匙和一条大链子。他捉住那龙，就是古蛇，又叫魔鬼，也叫撒但，把牠捆绑一千年，扔在无底坑里，将无底坑关闭，用印封上，使牠不得再迷惑列国。等到那一千年完了，以后必须暂时释放牠。』(启示录 20:1-3)        

这里很清楚的叙述了撒但的结局，那时牠还没有被扔在火湖，只在无底坑禁闭了一千年，也就是千年国度开始了，启示录是照时间次序写的，很清楚的说明何时发生。读圣经是要读出来神借著圣经告诉我们什么，而不是读进去自己的主观的想法，相信神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，基于圣经话语的逻辑才是客观的。逻辑的机理本身是客观的，全世界都是一样的，要不，做研究的人，怎么可以在科学期刊或杂志上发表文章呢？从千年国度的发生的时间上有著不同的看法，我们就可以看见基于人的自由意志的主观看法是多么的可怕，甚至到有人说千年国度对教会是不存在的，只是为以色列人预备的！圣经真是没有这样讲。请注意一下，在经文中说到「必须」暂时释放撒但，我们在下一次才会讨论，因为那时可以很清楚的看到这点。        

至于有人说这千年只是说一长段时间，这也是不正确的。千年是一个数字，如果说是因为在说预言，也该是八九不离十的说到千年！以前『耶和华对亚伯兰(亚伯拉罕)说：「你要的确知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。』(创世记 15:13) 这是预言，确实的时间在这些经文中，『以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。』(出埃及记 12:40-41) 我们知道，神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    我們首先看教會為神對大淫婦的審判讚美神，因二十四位長老和四活物都代表教會，我們指出我們以前討論了這點。第二，我們看到新婦正在準備羔羊的婚宴，這是指基督和教會整體的結婚，而參加婚宴的人是指教會中的每一個人。我們詳細的說明了，保羅為什麼要以基督和教會的結婚，來說明基督和教會的關係，指出了要以神的角度看事情，不要從人的角度。第三，我們看到了耶穌的得勝，天上的眾軍都跟隨祂，但他們無需動手，只要祂口中出來的利劍就可以了。第四，我們知道在這場爭戰後，海獸和假先知都被扔在硫磺的火湖。最後我們看到了撒但被拘禁，開始了千年國度。

1. 教會哈利路亞神對大淫婦的審判

        『此後，我聽見好像羣眾在天上大聲說：「哈利路亞！救恩、榮耀、權能都屬乎我們的神！他的判斷是真實、公義的，因他判斷了那用淫行敗壞世界的大淫婦，並且向淫婦討流僕人血的罪，給他們伸冤。」又說：「哈利路亞！燒淫婦的煙往上冒，直到永永遠遠。」那二十四位長老與四活物就俯伏敬拜坐寶座的神，說：「阿們！哈利路亞！」』(啓示錄 19:1-4)

        哈利路亞是讚美耶和華的意思，羣眾讚美神，不是因為神審判了大淫婦嗎？這些經文很清楚的說明這點。至於說到是教會，我們知道二十四位長老與四活物都是代表教會的，這點可能和有一些人想得不一樣，我們從彙編的原文中會得到這個結論，以前在『 2093 看天開了，寶座和四活物 – 啓示錄 (4)』中的『3. 四活物是什麼？ 』詳細的討論過這點，有興趣的人可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章，就不重複了。

2. 教會是羔羊婚筵中的新婦

        『有聲音從寶座出來說：「神的眾僕人哪，凡敬畏他的，無論大小，都要讚美我們的神。」我聽見好像羣眾的聲音，眾水的聲音，大雷的聲音，說：「哈利路亞！因為主我們的神，全能者作王了。我們要歡喜快樂，將榮耀歸給他！因為羔羊婚娶的時候到了，新婦也自己預備好了，就蒙恩得穿光明潔白的細麻衣。」 這細麻衣就是聖徒所行的義。天使吩咐我說：「你要寫上：『凡被請赴羔羊之婚筵的有福了！』」又對我說：「這是神真實的話。」我就俯伏在他腳前要拜他。他說：「千萬不可！我和你，並你那些為耶穌作見證的弟兄同是作僕人的。你要敬拜神。因為預言中的靈意乃是為耶穌作見證。」』(啓示錄 19:5-10)

        現在羣眾讚美耶和華是因全能者要作王了，和以前是為著不同的原因。新婦很顯然是指教會，因蒙恩穿的細麻衣就是聖徒所行的義，這些經文提到了新婦為未來要發生的事情在預備。個人是先蒙恩，因信稱義，有了信心，才會有雅各書講的相稱的信心行為，因在信心中的行為所看到的，信心會變大，信心和行為是一體的兩面，但不要本末倒置。

        婚宴是指基督和教會整體的結婚，而參加婚宴的人是指教會中的每一個人，也只有他們有權利參加婚宴，別人不會被邀請的，這些是願意選擇窄門的真基督徒，就像經文所說，『你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡，那門是寬的，路是大的，進去的人也多；引到永生，那門是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。』(馬太福音 7:13-14) 那窄門是什麼呢？至少要能，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 確定的知道是聖靈的感動，而不是由於邪靈，不要像約伯記開始說的提幔人以利法一樣，做了撤但的工作尚不自知，還以為是為神在做。(參約伯記 4:12-21) 不要強解聖經，要以聖經的話語為絕對的標準去分辨，沒有感動時，遇事也要站在神的這一邊。

        這些經文也很清楚的說到天使也是我們的弟兄，都是做僕人的，『…只有一位是你們的夫子，你們都是弟兄。』(馬太福音 23:8) 那夫子就是耶穌基督，所以會說預言中的靈意乃是為耶穌作見證。啓示錄一開始就明說，其中包括了『…所看見的和現在的事，並將來必成的事…』(啓示錄 1:19) 約翰所看見的是七個教會的事情，現在的事沒有多說，因是七個教會的部份組合，其餘的部份都是預言。

        有人可能會問，為什麼要以基督和教會整體的結婚來說明基督和教會的關係呢？我們可以很清楚的從保羅的話看見這一點，『…人要離開父母，與妻子連合，二人成為一體。這是極大的奧秘，但我是指着基督和教會說的。』(以弗所書 5:31-32) 保羅在這裏究竟想說些什麼？首先我們知道沒有一個人生下來就是信耶穌的，是屬世界的，所以我們是原屬於世界的，直到信的那一天，我們的父母原是世界，教會是從世界出來的一些人，不是指去教堂這個建築物的人。基督徒的確是離開父母和基督合為一體，進入基督的國度。有人騙自己說，聖經無誤論是指字句上的，就會因這錯誤而進入網羅，因為會看到有字句上明顯的矛盾。所以是神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的，看到這樣明顯的矛盾時，該問的是神要藉著這樣的默示告訴我們什麼？

     基督是怎麼愛教會呢？基督在神的愛中為教會捨命，一生都順服神而不順服人6不順服人這點，我們不是看到，『耶穌既知道眾人要來強逼他作王，就獨自又退到山上去了。』(約翰福音 6:15) 耶穌是順服神的，祂說，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 所以我們也該如此行，才能模成耶穌的形像。

        我們先從神的角度看妻子要做的事，『你們作妻子的，當順服自己的丈夫，如同順服主。因為丈夫是妻子的頭，如同基督是教會的頭，他又是教會全體的救主。教會怎樣順服基督，妻子也要怎樣凡事順服丈夫。』(以弗所書 5:22-24) 所以妻子選擇了神，就會選擇順服丈夫，這屬靈的順服是要在這原則下，『…順從神，不順從人，是應當的！』(使徒行傳 5:29) 譬如說在一個極端的例子中，如果丈夫要妻子去一同殺人，妻子是絕對不能順服的。至於屬世的事情，妻子有時的看見的確比丈夫更清楚，在這種情況下，為著兩人的的好處，難道丈夫應該一昧的要求妻子順服嗎？

        有人認為，丈夫愛妻子比妻子順服丈夫容易多了，是這樣的嗎？不是，我們來討論這點。我們都是亞當後裔，我們就看在創造時的亞當是如何做的。亞當是照著神的形像造的，就像經文所說，『神就照着自己的形像造人，乃是照着他的形像造男造女。』(創世記 1:27) 神的形像中有神的愛，也有絕對的主權，亞當就有了神的愛和自由意志，雖然神給了亞當命令，『…分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子必定死。』(創世記 2:17) 他雖然知道會死，仍然『…聽從妻子的話，吃了我所吩咐你不可吃的那樹上的果子，…』(創世記 3:17) 所以亞當犯的錯誤是用他的自由意志選擇了不順服神，而不是因為他有神的愛願意為妻子捨命。救恩的計劃是要人模成耶穌的形像，使人恢復被創造時亞當的形像，加上選擇了生命樹，因為是在基督裏。

        保羅又說，『然而你們各人都當愛(G25, 神的愛，動詞)妻子，如同愛自己一樣；…』(以弗所書 5:33) 基督徒都有內住的聖靈，而『…所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛(G26, 名詞)澆灌在我們心裏。』(羅馬書 5:5)   當我們有神的愛時，就會該像亞當一樣，願意為妻子捨命，問題是『我們有這寶貝放在瓦器裏，…』(哥林多後書 4:7) 不治死老我，打破瓦器，這寶貝不能彰顯出來。所以從神的角度看，我們要在妻子身上彰顯神的愛，也就是要愛到一個願意為妻子捨命的程度，這顯然是非常不容易的，但要成為做丈夫的標桿。

     當然物質的生命只能捨命一次，通常我們是不夠資格這樣做的，神只會在特殊的環境中有這樣的要求，但祂會製造環境，讓我們去經歷類似的事情，要相信，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 這也就是保羅為什麼會用夫妻的關係，來說明基督和教會的關係，基督不是為教會捨命嗎？他說，『…你們各人都當愛(G25)妻子，如同愛(G25)自己一樣；妻子也當敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所書 5:33) 所用的都是神的愛。請注意，在新約中絕大部份說到愛時都是說神的愛，看彙編的原文就能很清楚的知道這點。

      我們最後來看一看，有人說妻子是天生的不順服，如夏娃般，因從夏娃的話語中，知道亞當告訴過她神給他的命令，如果她順服亞當就不會吃分別善惡樹上的果子(創世記 3:1-6)，罪就不會因亞當進入這世界了(參羅馬書 5:12) 所以妻子會說丈夫，如果不愛我到願意捨命的程度，為什麼我要順服他？而丈夫就會說，妳不順服我，為什麼我會這樣的愛妳？這樣的對立都是從人的角度看。在一個基督徒的家中，作頭的本是耶穌基督，要從神的角度看事情，心甘情願的走上成聖的道路，如果兩人都從神的角度看，當生命改變時，對立就自然的變成了和諧。

3. 耶穌的得勝

       『我觀看，見天開了。有一匹白馬，騎在馬上的稱為誠信真實，他審判、爭戰都按着公義。他的眼睛如火焰，他頭上戴着許多冠冕，又有寫着的名字，除了他自己沒有人知道。他穿着濺了血的衣服，他的名稱為神之道。在天上的眾軍騎着白馬，穿着細麻衣，又白又潔，跟隨他。有利劍從他口中出來，可以擊殺列國。他必用鐵杖轄管他們，並要踹全能神烈怒的酒醡。在他衣服和大腿上有名寫着說：「萬王之王，萬主之主。」』(啓示錄 19:11-16)

      聖經講到天開了的時候不多，在這裏雖然聖經沒有明說那位騎在白馬上的是誰，但看描述，非耶穌基督莫屬，祂是按公義審判和爭戰的，祂的衣服濺滿了仇敵的血，祂踹全能神烈怒的酒酢，就像以前所說的一樣，『那酒醡踹在城外，就有血從酒醡裏流出來，高到馬的嚼環，遠有六百里。』(啓示錄 14:20) 請注意，這裏提到全能神的烈怒酒酢是由耶穌執行的，所以啓示錄是『耶穌基督的啓示，…』(啓示錄 1:1) 不是說神愛世人嗎？不要忘記神也是公義的神，祂給了人自由意志是不會收回的，如果有人執意不悔改，祂只能任憑他們，這裏是在講耶穌基督再來時的所作所為，是審判的時候到了。我們也看到了天上的眾軍都跟隨祂，是因和這十四萬四千人相同，『…羔羊無論往哪裏去，他們都跟隨他。…』(啓示錄 14:4) 這場爭戰，他們無需動手，只要祂口中出來的利劍就夠了。

4. 海獸和假先知被扔在硫磺的火湖

       『我又看見一位天使站在日頭中，向天空所飛的鳥大聲喊着說：「你們聚集來赴神的大筵席！可以吃君王與將軍的肉，壯士與馬和騎馬者的肉，並一切自主的、為奴的以及大小人民的肉。」我看見那獸和地上的君王，並他們的眾軍都聚集，要與騎白馬的並他的軍兵爭戰。那獸被擒拿，那在獸面前曾行奇事、迷惑受獸印記和拜獸像之人的假先知，也與獸同被擒拿。他們兩個就活活地被扔在燒着硫磺的火湖裏。其餘的被騎白馬者口中出來的劍殺了。飛鳥都吃飽了他們的肉。』(啓示錄 19:17-21)

        我們從這些經文中看到了這場地上戰爭的結果，是天空的飛鳥聚集享用仇敵的屍體，也看到海獸和假先知被扔在燒着硫磺的火湖裏，也就是一般所說沒有神同在的地獄，『…他們必晝夜受痛苦，直到永永遠遠。』(啓示錄 20:10)

5. 千年國度的開始

       『我又看見一位天使從天降下，手裏拿着無底坑的鑰匙和一條大鏈子。他捉住那龍，就是古蛇，又叫魔鬼，也叫撒但，把牠捆綁一千年，扔在無底坑裏，將無底坑關閉，用印封上，使牠不得再迷惑列國。等到那一千年完了，以後必須暫時釋放牠。』(啓示錄 20:1-3)

        這裏很清楚的敍述了撒但的結局，那時牠還沒有被扔在火湖，只在無底坑禁閉了一千年，也就是千年國度開始了，啓示錄是照時間次序寫的，很清楚的說明何時發生。讀聖經是要讀出來神藉著聖經告訴我們什麼，而不是讀進去自己的主觀的想法，相信神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，基於聖經話語的邏輯才是客觀的。邏輯的機理本身是客觀的，全世界都是一樣的，要不，做研究的人，怎麼可以在科學期刊或雜誌上發表文章呢？從千年國度的發生的時間上有著不同的看法，我們就可以看見基於人的自由意志的主觀看法是多麼的可怕，甚至到有人說千年國度對教會是不存在的，只是為以色列人預備的！聖經真是沒有這樣講。請注意一下，在經文中說到「必須」暫時釋放撒但，我們在下一次才會討論，因為那時可以很清楚的看到這點。

        至於有人說這千年只是說一長段時間，這也是不正確的。千年是一個數字，如果說是因為在說預言，也該是八九不離十的說到千年！以前『耶和華對亞伯蘭(亞伯拉罕)說：「你要的確知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。』(創世記 15:13) 這是預言，確實的時間在這些經文中，『以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。』(出埃及記 12:40-41) 我們知道，神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

首先我们谈谈巴比伦大城的倾倒，她的行淫的一项是指过于奢华追久物质的享受，基督徒知道贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道。第二，基督徒是要从那城出来，不要去追求物质的享受，从世界分别出来。我们也谈到神在定时中审判她的时间到了，她要得到加倍的报应。第三，和她行淫的地上的君王和她一样都追求物质的享受，看到了她的刑罚一时之间就来到，兔死狐悲。第四，我们看到地上的客商所做，尤其是他们的货物中包括了奴仆和人口，他们能幸免吗？第五，靠海为业的也都因她享受了物质的丰盛，现在追求物质享受的价值观一时之间就改变了！第六，从巴比伦大城的最后遭遇，我们从而知道神的爱是包括公义的，而不是溺爱，神带著爱的公义就因此成就了！我们也顺便一提读经要能读对！读经是要读出来神借圣经要告诉我们什么，而不是从人的角度读进去!  我们举了一个启示录的例子来说明这点。

1. 巴比伦大城的倾倒       

『此后，我看见另有一位有大权柄的天使从天降下，地就因他的荣耀发光。他大声喊著说：「巴比伦大城倾倒了！倾倒了！成了鬼魔的住处和各样污秽之灵的巢穴，并各样污秽可憎之雀鸟的巢穴。因为列国都被她邪淫大怒的酒倾倒了。地上的君王与她行淫，地上的客商因她奢华太过就发了财。」』(启示录 18:1-3)     

我们看到是天使，他带属天的荣耀。上次我们看到兽与十角联合废掉了控制地上的政权大淫妇，就是巴比伦大城倾倒了，因此这地方成了鬼魔的住处等等。显然，她的行淫的包括了这一项，就是指过于奢华的去追久物质的享受，这样的价值观结果自然会使地上的客商发了财，在现今的世界中的价值观不就是如此吗？     

而基督徒是要『…敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了，因为我们没有带甚么到世上来，也不能带甚么去，只要有衣有食，就当知足。但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。贪财是万恶之根！有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前书 6:6-10) 基督徒是要从世界分别出来！     

这并不是说基督徒非要过得贫穷不可，亚伯拉罕不是很有钱吗？但他不是贪财，是神的祝福。如果知道是神的祝福而去过舒适的生活，硬是不要是对的吗？这是不顺服神，是从人的角度看，而不是从神的角度看。

2. 不要和恶者同行及定时       

『我又听见从天上有声音说：「我的民哪，你们要从那城出来，免得与她一同有罪，受她所受的灾殃；因她的罪恶滔天，她的不义，神已经想起来了。她怎样待人，也要怎样待她，按她所行的加倍地报应她，用她调酒的杯加倍地调给她喝。她怎样荣耀自己，怎样奢华，也当叫她照样痛苦悲哀，因她心里说：『我坐了皇后的位，并不是寡妇，决不至于悲哀。』所以在一天之内，她的灾殃要一齐来到，就是死亡、悲哀、饥荒。她又要被火烧尽了，因为审判她的主神大有能力。』(启示录 18:4-8)        

对的，基督徒是要从那城出来，不要去追求物质的享受，要从世界分别出来。我们上次谈过，是神在定时中审判她的时间到了，她要得到加倍的报应，经文相当清楚的说明她会遭到什么样的报应。从人的角度看，她以为自己已坐了皇后的位，怎么会有一天得著报应呢？但她忘了神是大有能力的神，当祂的时间到时，审判会立时来临，一天之内立刻来到。想想看，神怎么会不能做到这点呢？如果神允许，连撤但都可以在一天之内，让约伯失去了所有的子女和绝大部份的财产，不是所有的财产，至少留了一人去通风报信，我们也看在其中也包括了从天上降下火来。(参约伯记 1:12-19) 所以是真正的被火烧尽了。

3. 地上的君王所行       

『地上的君王，素来与她行淫、一同奢华的，看见烧她的烟，就必为她哭泣哀号。因怕她的痛苦，就远远地站著说：『哀哉！哀哉！巴比伦大城，坚固的城啊！一时之间你的刑罚就来到了。』』(启示录 18:9-10)     

 一时之间就是那说的一天之内。和她行淫的地上的君王只能远远的看著，他们和她一样都追求物质的享受，看到了她的刑罚一时之间就来到，她没了，兔死狐悲。圣经虽然没有明说，但神是公平的，下一个就会轮到他们，不会是只刑罚她而跳过了和她一样所行的他们。不知道他们会不会想到这点而悔改？还是仍然硬著心？

4. 地上的客商所做      

「地上的客商也都为她哭泣悲哀，因为没有人再买他们的货物了；这货物就是金、银、宝石、珍珠、细麻布、紫色料、绸子、朱红色料、各样香木、各样象牙的器皿，各样极宝贵的木头和铜、铁、汉白玉的器皿，并肉桂、豆蔻、香料、香膏、乳香、酒、油、细面、麦子、牛、羊、车、马和奴仆、人口。「巴比伦哪，你所贪爱的果子离开了你！你一切的珍馐美味和华美的物件也从你中间毁灭，决不能再见了！贩卖这些货物、借著她发了财的客商，因怕她的痛苦，就远远地站著哭泣悲哀，说：『哀哉！哀哉！这大城啊！素常穿著细麻、紫色、朱红色的衣服，又用金子、宝石和珍珠为妆饰。一时之间，这么大的富厚就归于无有了。』」…』(启示录 18:12-17)        

地上的客商当然会为她哭泣悲哀，因为一时之间，没有人再买他们的货物了，这实在是为自己悲伤。他们远远的悲伤，不想沾染到自己！他们能幸免吗？看他们的货物，是超越的奢华，而不是知道，『因为我们没有带甚么到世上来，也不能带甚么去。』(提摩太前书 6:7) 他们的价值观是去享爱世间的荣华。尤其是他们的货物中包括了奴仆和人口，他们能幸免吗？

5. 靠海为业的所为

『…凡船主和坐船往各处去的并众水手，连所有靠海为业的，都远远地站著，看见烧她的烟，就喊著说：『有何城能比这大城呢？』他们又把尘土撒在头上，哭泣悲哀，喊著说：『哀哉！哀哉！这大城啊！凡有船在海中的，都因她的珍宝成了富足，她在一时之间就成了荒场！』(启示录 18:17-19)        

罗马时期的许多货物的交易都是靠船运，今日如此，未来亦然，靠海为业的都因她成富足，享受了物质的丰盛。现在追求物质享受的价值观一时之间就改变了，他们也不能因此再富足了。不知他们有没有想到，『主所应许的尚未成就，…乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。』(彼得后书 3:9)

6. 巴比伦大城的最后遭遇       

『天哪，众圣徒、众使徒、众先知啊！你们都要因她欢喜，因为神已经在她身上伸了你们的冤！』」有一位大力的天使举起一块石头，好像大磨石，扔在海里，说：「巴比伦大城也必这样猛力地被扔下去，决不能再见了！弹琴、作乐、吹笛、吹号的声音，在你中间决不能再听见。各行手艺人，在你中间决不能再遇见。推磨的声音，在你中间决不能再听见。灯光在你中间决不能再照耀。新郎和新妇的声音，在你中间决不能再听见。你的客商原来是地上的尊贵人，万国也被你的邪术迷惑了。先知和圣徒并地上一切被杀之人的血，都在这城里看见了。」』(启示录 18:20-24)        

我们以前提到，『揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的灵魂，大声喊著说：「圣洁真实的主啊！你不审判住在地上的人给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时呢？」』(启示录 6:9-10) 第一段经文很清楚的说到神的伸冤的时间到了！我们在最后一节中也明显的说到她的行淫也包括了杀害圣徒。这些经文中很清楚的描述了巴比伦大城所受的刑罚，我们就不重复了。        

有人说，神不是爱世人吗？这是爱吗？要知道神的爱是包括公义的，而不是溺爱，诗篇说得很清楚，『公义和公平，是你宝座的根基；慈爱和诚实，行在你前面。』(诗篇 89:14) 现在不是相当多的教会只教导神的爱，而常常忘了神的公义，尤其是成功神学的教导，造就了许多启示录中说的老底嘉的教会，以为自己什么都有，却在神的眼中正好相反，把主耶稣关在门外而不自知！(参启示录 3:14-22) 这里是说最后的审判，神带著爱的公义成就了！在新约的时代中，耶稣因爱为我们付上了代价，成就了救恩，信而受洗只是开始，我们仍要走上成圣之路，有信心的行为，『总要趁著还有今日，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心里就刚硬了。』(希伯来书 3:13)     

顺便一提读经要能读对！我们就举一段和启示录有关的经文。底马曾是保罗同工的基督徒，但圣经明说，他堕落了回到世界。如果底马不是曾经得救的基督徒，他怎么会是保罗的同工，除非是保罗瞎了眼! 而保罗是很清楚的，他说，「我劝友阿蝶和循都基要在主里同心。我也求你这真实同负一轭的，帮助这两个女人，因为她们在福音上曾与我一同劳苦；还有革利免，并其余和我一同做工的，他们的名字都在生命册上。」(圣经．和合本, 腓立比书 4:2-3) 她们行为虽会在白色大宝座前受审判，但她们仍和生命册有份。底马也是如此，只是在生命册上有份，但回到世界的人绝不能在新天新地时进新耶路撒冷城!     

读经是要读出来神借圣经要告诉我们什么，而不是从人的角度读进去! 人认为不可能而不相信的事，不见得是对的! 约伯记说，「神…将大地悬在虚空。」(约伯记 26:7) 你想当时的人会信吗？现在有太空船，可以看到这点了! 人有自由意志，是别人勉强不得的，甚至神最多也是任凭人自己做决定，不会强逼人做决定，看亚当的例子就知道这点。    

圣经明说，「若有人用金、银、宝石、草木、禾稭在这根基上建造，各人的工程必然显露，因为那日子要将它表明出来，有火发现，这火要试验各人的工程怎样。人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得赏赐；人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；虽然得救，乃像从火里经过的一样。」(哥林多前书 3:12-15) 所以是一次得救就永远得救，神不会骗人，是在生命册上有份，但不能进新耶路撒冷城，会在城外哀哭切齿。如果你看油管上的视频 ，就会发觉有人曾经是基督徒，甚至是神学教授，现在堕落到错解圣经以致于甚于底马，到了说谎的地步。怎么会曾是基督的人不可能是，「城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。」(启示录 22:15)    

神在作工，撒但也不会停止牠的工作，「务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前书 5:8) 撒但和牠的差役都会利用人性装作光明的天使 ! 温水炖青蛙 !

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先我們談談巴比倫大城的傾倒，她的行淫的一項是指過於奢華追久物質的享受，基督徒知道貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道。第二，基督徒是要從那城出來，不要去追求物質的享受，從世界分別出來。我們也談到神在定時中審判她的時間到了，她要得到加倍的報應。第三，和她行淫的地上的君王和她一樣都追求物質的享受，看到了她的刑罰一時之間就來到，兔死狐悲。第四，我們看到地上的客商所做，尤其是他們的貨物中包括了奴僕和人口，他們能倖免嗎？第五，靠海為業的也都因她享受了物質的豐盛，現在追求物質享受的價值觀一時之間就改變了！第六，從巴比倫大城的最後遭遇，我們從而知道神的愛是包括公義的，而不是溺愛，神帶著愛的公義就因此成就了！我們也順便一提讀經要能讀對！讀經是要讀出來神藉聖經要告訴我們什麼，而不是從人的角度讀進去!  我們舉了一個啓示錄的例子來說明這點。

1. 巴比倫大城的傾倒

       『此後，我看見另有一位有大權柄的天使從天降下，地就因他的榮耀發光。他大聲喊着說：「巴比倫大城傾倒了！傾倒了！成了鬼魔的住處和各樣污穢之靈的巢穴，並各樣污穢可憎之雀鳥的巢穴。因為列國都被她邪淫大怒的酒傾倒了。地上的君王與她行淫，地上的客商因她奢華太過就發了財。」』(啓示錄 18:1-3)

     我們看到是天使，他帶屬天的榮耀。上次我們看到獸與十角聯合廢掉了控制地上的政權大淫婦，就是巴比倫大城傾倒了，因此這地方成了鬼魔的住處等等。顯然，她的行淫的包括了這一項，就是指過於奢華的去追久物質的享受，這樣的價值觀結果自然會使地上的客商發了財，在現今的世界中的價值觀不就是如此嗎？

     而基督徒是要『…敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了，因為我們沒有帶甚麼到世上來，也不能帶甚麼去，只要有衣有食，就當知足。但那些想要發財的人，就陷在迷惑、落在網羅和許多無知有害的私慾裏，叫人沉在敗壞和滅亡中。貪財是萬惡之根！有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。』(提摩太前書 6:6-10) 基督徒是要從世界分別出來！

     這並不是說基督徒非要過得貧窮不可，亞伯拉罕不是很有錢嗎？但他不是貪財，是神的祝福。如果知道是神的祝福而去過舒適的生活，硬是不要是對的嗎？這是不順服神，是從人的角度看，而不是從神的角度看。

2. 不要和惡者同行及定時

       『我又聽見從天上有聲音說：「我的民哪，你們要從那城出來，免得與她一同有罪，受她所受的災殃；因她的罪惡滔天，她的不義，神已經想起來了。她怎樣待人，也要怎樣待她，按她所行的加倍地報應她，用她調酒的杯加倍地調給她喝。她怎樣榮耀自己，怎樣奢華，也當叫她照樣痛苦悲哀，因她心裏說：『我坐了皇后的位，並不是寡婦，決不至於悲哀。』所以在一天之內，她的災殃要一齊來到，就是死亡、悲哀、饑荒。她又要被火燒盡了，因為審判她的主神大有能力。』(啓示錄 18:4-8)

        對的，基督徒是要從那城出來，不要去追求物質的享受，要從世界分別出來。我們上次談過，是神在定時中審判她的時間到了，她要得到加倍的報應，經文相當清楚的說明她會遭到什麼樣的報應。從人的角度看，她以為自己已坐了皇后的位，怎麼會有一天得著報應呢？但她忘了神是大有能力的神，當祂的時間到時，審判會立時來臨，一天之內立刻來到。想想看，神怎麼會不能做到這點呢？如果神允許，連撤但都可以在一天之內，讓約伯失去了所有的子女和絕大部份的財產，不是所有的財產，至少留了一人去通風報信，我們也看在其中也包括了從天上降下火來。(參約伯記 1:12-19) 所以是真正的被火燒盡了。

3. 地上的君王所行

       『地上的君王，素來與她行淫、一同奢華的，看見燒她的煙，就必為她哭泣哀號。因怕她的痛苦，就遠遠地站着說：『哀哉！哀哉！巴比倫大城，堅固的城啊！一時之間你的刑罰就來到了。』』(啓示錄 18:9-10)

      一時之間就是那說的一天之內。和她行淫的地上的君王只能遠遠的看著，他們和她一樣都追求物質的享受，看到了她的刑罰一時之間就來到，她沒了，兔死狐悲。聖經雖然沒有明說，但神是公平的，下一個就會輪到他們，不會是只刑罰她而跳過了和她一樣所行的他們。不知道他們會不會想到這點而悔改？還是仍然硬著心？

4. 地上的客商所做

       「地上的客商也都為她哭泣悲哀，因為沒有人再買他們的貨物了；這貨物就是金、銀、寶石、珍珠、細麻布、紫色料、綢子、朱紅色料、各樣香木、各樣象牙的器皿，各樣極寶貴的木頭和銅、鐵、漢白玉的器皿，並肉桂、豆蔻、香料、香膏、乳香、酒、油、細麪、麥子、牛、羊、車、馬和奴僕、人口。「巴比倫哪，你所貪愛的果子離開了你！你一切的珍饈美味和華美的物件也從你中間毀滅，決不能再見了！販賣這些貨物、藉着她發了財的客商，因怕她的痛苦，就遠遠地站着哭泣悲哀，說：『哀哉！哀哉！這大城啊！素常穿着細麻、紫色、朱紅色的衣服，又用金子、寶石和珍珠為妝飾。一時之間，這麼大的富厚就歸於無有了。』」…』(啓示錄 18:12-17)

        地上的客商當然會為她哭泣悲哀，因為一時之間，沒有人再買他們的貨物了，這實在是為自己悲傷。他們遠遠的悲傷，不想沾染到自己！他們能倖免嗎？看他們的貨物，是超越的奢華，而不是知道，『因為我們沒有帶甚麼到世上來，也不能帶甚麼去。』(提摩太前書 6:7) 他們的價值觀是去享愛世間的榮華。尤其是他們的貨物中包括了奴僕和人口，他們能倖免嗎？

5. 靠海為業的所為

       『…凡船主和坐船往各處去的並眾水手，連所有靠海為業的，都遠遠地站着，看見燒她的煙，就喊着說：『有何城能比這大城呢？』他們又把塵土撒在頭上，哭泣悲哀，喊着說：『哀哉！哀哉！這大城啊！凡有船在海中的，都因她的珍寶成了富足，她在一時之間就成了荒場！』(啓示錄 18:17-19)

        羅馬時期的許多貨物的交易都是靠船運，今日如此，未來亦然，靠海為業的都因她成富足，享受了物質的豐盛。現在追求物質享受的價值觀一時之間就改變了，他們也不能因此再富足了。不知他們有沒有想到，『主所應許的尚未成就，…乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。』(彼得後書 3:9)

6. 巴比倫大城的最後遭遇

       『天哪，眾聖徒、眾使徒、眾先知啊！你們都要因她歡喜，因為神已經在她身上伸了你們的冤！』」有一位大力的天使舉起一塊石頭，好像大磨石，扔在海裏，說：「巴比倫大城也必這樣猛力地被扔下去，決不能再見了！彈琴、作樂、吹笛、吹號的聲音，在你中間決不能再聽見。各行手藝人，在你中間決不能再遇見。推磨的聲音，在你中間決不能再聽見。燈光在你中間決不能再照耀。新郎和新婦的聲音，在你中間決不能再聽見。你的客商原來是地上的尊貴人，萬國也被你的邪術迷惑了。先知和聖徒並地上一切被殺之人的血，都在這城裏看見了。」』(啓示錄 18:20-24)

        我們以前提到，『揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的靈魂，大聲喊着說：「聖潔真實的主啊！你不審判住在地上的人給我們伸流血的冤，要等到幾時呢？」』(啓示錄 6:9-10) 第一段經文很清楚的說到神的伸冤的時間到了！我們在最後一節中也明顯的說到她的行淫也包括了殺害聖徒。這些經文中很清楚的描述了巴比倫大城所受的刑罰，我們就不重複了。

        有人說，神不是愛世人嗎？這是愛嗎？要知道神的愛是包括公義的，而不是溺愛，詩篇說得很清楚，『公義和公平，是你寶座的根基；慈愛和誠實，行在你前面。』(詩篇 89:14) 現在不是相當多的教會只教導神的愛，而常常忘了神的公義，尤其是成功神學的教導，造就了許多啓示錄中說的老底嘉的教會，以為自己什麼都有，卻在神的眼中正好相反，把主耶穌關在門外而不自知！(參啓示錄 3:14-22) 這裏是說最後的審判，神帶著愛的公義成就了！在新約的時代中，耶穌因愛為我們付上了代價，成就了救恩，信而受洗只是開始，我們仍要走上成聖之路，有信心的行為，『總要趁着還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裏就剛硬了。』(希伯來書 3:13)

     順便一提讀經要能讀對！我們就舉一段和啓示錄有關的經文。底馬曾是保羅同工的基督徒，但聖經明說，他墮落了回到世界。如果底馬不是曾經得救的基督徒，他怎麼會是保羅的同工，除非是保羅瞎了眼! 而保羅是很清楚的，他說，「我勸友阿蝶和循都基要在主裏同心。我也求你這真實同負一軛的，幫助這兩個女人，因為她們在福音上曾與我一同勞苦；還有革利免，並其餘和我一同做工的，他們的名字都在生命冊上。」(聖經．和合本, 腓立比書 4:2-3) 她們行為雖會在白色大寶座前受審判，但她們仍和生命册有份。底馬也是如此，衹是在生命册上有份，但回到世界的人絕不能在新天新地時進新耶路撒冷城! 

     讀經是要讀出來神藉聖經要告訴我們什麼，而不是從人的角度讀進去! 人認為不可能而不相信的事，不見得是對的! 約伯記說，「神…將大地懸在虛空。」(約伯記 26:7) 你想當時的人會信嗎？現在有太空船，可以看到這點了! 人有自由意志，是別人勉強不得的，甚至神最多也是任憑人自己做決定，不會强逼人做決定，看亞當的例子就知道這點。

     聖經明說，「若有人用金、銀、寶石、草木、禾稭在這根基上建造，各人的工程必然顯露，因為那日子要將它表明出來，有火發現，這火要試驗各人的工程怎樣。人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得賞賜；人的工程若被燒了，他就要受虧損，自己卻要得救；雖然得救，乃像從火裏經過的一樣。」(哥林多前書 3:12-15) 所以是一次得救就永遠得救，神不會騙人，是在生命册上有份，但不能進新耶路撒冷城，會在城外哀哭切齒。如果你看油管上的視頻 ，就會發覺有人曾經是基督徒，甚至是神學教授，現在墮落到錯解聖經以致於甚於底馬，到了說謊的地步。怎麼會曾是基督的人不可能是，「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。」(啓示錄 22:15)

    神在作工，撒但也不會停止牠的工作，「務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前書 5:8) 撒但和牠的差役都會利用人性裝作光明的天使 ! 溫水燉青蛙 !

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, let’s talk about the fall of the great city of Babylon. One of her fornications refers to excessive luxury and pursuit of material enjoyments. Christians know that the love of money is the root of all evil!  Some people are tempted away from the truth because they are greedy for money.  Second, Christians must come out of that city, not pursue material enjoyments, and separate themselves from the world.  We also talked about how God would judge her in due time and she would receive double retribution.  Third, the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her also pursued material enjoyments like her, and when they saw her punishment coming in an instant, just like if the rabbit died and the fox was sad.  Fourth, we see what the merchants on earth did, especially since their goods included slaves and people. No reason that they’ll be spared. Fifth, those who make a living by the sea have enjoyed material abundance because of her. Now the values ​​​​of pursuing material enjoyments have changed in an instant!  Sixth, from the final encounter with the great city of Babylon, we know that God’s love includes justice, not doting. This is how God’s justice with love has been accomplished!  We also mention by the way that we need to be able to read the Bible correctly!  Reading the Bible is to read out what God wants to tell us through the Bible, not to read into it from a human perspective! We gave an example from the Book of Revelation to illustrate this point.

1. The fall of the great city of Babylon

“After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.””(Revelation 18:1-3)

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We see the angel with heavenly glory.  Last time we saw that the beast and the ten horns united to destroy the political power that controlled the earth, the great harlot. That means that the great city of Babylon fell. As the result, this place became the residence of demons and so on.  Obviously, her prostitution includes this item, which refers to pursuing material enjoyment with excessive luxury. Such kind of values ​​will naturally make merchants on the earth rich. Isn’t this the same as the values ​​in today’s world for many to pursue? ​

Christians should pursue godliness, since “…godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”(1 Timothy 6:6-10) Christians must be separated from the rest world!

This does not mean that Christians must live in poverty. Wasn’t Abraham very rich?  But he is not greedy for money; he is a blessing from God.  If we live a comfortable life knowing that it is God’s blessing, is it right not to insist on it?  This is disobedience to God and is viewed from a human perspective rather than from God’s perspective.

2. Don’t walk with the evil one

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“I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.”(Revelation 18:4-8)

Yes, Christians must come out of that city, stop pursuing material enjoyment, and separate themselves from the world.  As we talked about last time, it reached the God’s appointed time to judge her. The verses says clearly that she would receive double retribution and also clearly stated what kind of retribution she would receive.  From a human perspective, she thought she had already taken the position of queen, so how could she get retribution in one day?  But she forgot that God is a powerful God, and when His time comes, judgment will come immediately, in one day.  Think about it, how could God not be able to do so?  If God had allowed it, even Satan could have caused Job to lose all his children and most of his property in one day. Not all of his property though since at least one person would be left to inform the news. We also see that this includes fire came down from heaven.  (See Job 1:12-19) So the city was truly consumed by fire.

3. What the kings of the earth did

“And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’”(Revelation 18:9-10)

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The kings of the earth who committed adultery with her could only watch from a distance. Like her, they pursued material enjoyment, and when they saw her punishment, it came in an instant. She was gone, and surely if the rabbit dies, the fox grieves. Although the Bible does not say that it will be their turn next, their turn should come since God is fair.  He will not just punish her and skip them who have done the same thing as her.  I wonder if they will think of this and repent?  Or are you still hard-hearted?

 ​

4. What merchants on earth did

​“And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more⁠— cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble, and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’…”(Revelation 18:11-17)

Of course, the merchants on the ground will cry and mourn for her, because no one will buy their goods anymore, which means that they are really sad for themselves.  They are sad from afar and don’t want to contaminate themselves!  Will they be spared?  To look at their goods is to see transcendent luxury, rather than to know, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.”(1 Timothy 6:7) Their value is to enjoy the glory of the world.  Especially since their cargo included slaves and humans, could they be spared?

5. Doing business based on the sea

“…And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’”(Revelation 18:17-19)

Many of the goods in the Roman period depend on shipping in sea. This is the case today.  Now the value of pursuing material enjoyment has changed suddenly, and they can no longer be rich because of it.  I wonder if they have ever thought, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”(2 Peter 3:9)

6. The final encounter with the great city of Babylon

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.””(Revelation 18:20-24)

We mentioned before, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?””(Revelation 6:9-10) The first verse clearly states that God’s time for vengeance has come!  We also see clearly in the last verse that her adultery also included the killing of saints.  These verses clearly describe the punishment of the great city of Babylon, so we will not repeat it.

Some people may say, doesn’t God love the world?  Is this love?  You must know that God’s love includes justice, not doting. The Psalm makes it clear, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14) Nowadays, many churches only teach the love of God, but often forget the justice of God.  Especially from the teaching of prosperity gospel, it has created many churches like what the church in Laodicea which is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. They think that they have everything, but in the eyes of God, it is just the opposite. They have shut out the Lord Jesus without even realizing it!  (See Revelation 3:14-22) What described is about the final judgment, and God’s love with righteousness is accomplished! In the era of the New Testament, Jesus paid the price for us because of His love and accomplished salvation. Believing and being baptized is just the beginning. We still have to embark on the road to sanctification and have acts of faith, so “…encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”(Hebrews 3:13)

By the way, you must be able to read the Bible correctly!  Let’s take a passage related to the Book of Revelation.  Demas was a Christian who was a co-worker of Paul, but the Bible clearly says that he fell and returned to the world.  If Demas was not a saved Christian, how could he be Paul’s co-worker, unless Paul was blind! And Paul knew very well. He said, “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”(Philippians 4:2-3) Although their actions will be judged before the great white throne, they are still partakers of the book of life.  The same is true for Demas. He only has a share in the book of life, but those who return to the world will never enter the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth!

Reading the Bible is to read out what God wants to tell us through the Bible, not to read into it from a human perspective! What people think is impossible and thus do not believe it may not be right! The Book of Job says, ““He (God) …hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) Do you think the people at that time would believe it?  Now that we have spaceships, we can see this! People have free will, which cannot be forced by others. Even God allows people to make their own decisions and will not force people to make decisions. You can know this by looking at the example of Adam.​

The Bible clearly says, “Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”(1 Corinthians 3:12-15) So once you are saved, you are saved forever. God will not lie to you. You have a share in the book of life, but you cannot enter the New Jerusalem. You will be outside the city, weeping and gnashing of teeth.  If you watch the videos on YouTube, you will find that there are people who used to be a Christian, even a professor of theology, and now he has fallen to the point of misinterpreting the Bible significantly, even worse than Demas, even to the point of thus lying even maybe he thinks that he was telling the truth from his viewpoints.  How could it be that the man who was a Christian could not be, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:15)

God is at work, and Satan will not stop his work too. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) Satan and his servants will use human nature and pretend to be angels of light! It is the ‘boiling frog’ effect, where to avoid of jumping out they put people in water and boils slowly so the people wouldn’t realize it until it is too late.

 ​(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

首先我们看到第七碗的烈怒成就了神的大怒，和祂定时审判巴比伦大城的时候到了，再一次看到了人心是何等的刚硬。第二，圣经明说那大淫妇就是大巴比伦，经文描述又她，也在此说明了那女人骑在兽上是指什么，也看到了神为祭坛下的魂伸冤的时候到了。第三，我们讨论了大淫妇和駄著她的兽的奥秘，也又一次看到了圣经没有明讲的事情，会是众说纷芸的。我们也举了一个例子，说到如果人以为自己是猜对了，那只能迷惑人。最后我们谈到了羔羊的得胜和大淫妇的结局，看到了即使十角和兽同心协力，仍究会败于羔羊和教会，这是注定的结局。我们也看到了那淫妇和他们的自相残杀，从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，很清楚的知道，神是任凭诸王选择同心同意，而不是使他们同心同意。

1. 第七碗的烈怒和巴比伦大城   

『第七位天使把碗倒在空中，就有大声音从殿中的宝座上出来，说：「成了！」又有闪电、声音、雷轰、大地震，自从地上有人以来，没有这样大、这样厉害的地震。那大城裂为三段，列国的城也都倒塌了。神也想起巴比伦大城来，要把那盛自己烈怒的酒杯递给他。各海岛都逃避了，众山也不见了。又有大雹子从天落在人身上，每一个约重一他连得。为这雹子的灾极大，人就亵渎神。』(启示录 16:17-21)       

「成了」就是以前说的，『…神的大怒在这七灾中发尽了。』(启示录 15:1) 那大地震等，也代表了即将来临的审判，这审判完全摧毁了巴比伦大城。「想起来」不是说神以前忘记了巴比伦大城所行的恶，『…神必审判义人和恶人，因为在那里，各样事务，一切工作，都有定时。』(传道书 3:17) 是那定时要审判巴比伦大城的时候到了。我们再一次看到了人心何等刚硬，审判的结果不能让人悔改，人却更加亵渎神。

2. 大淫妇就是大巴比伦的描述    

『拿著七碗的七位天使中，有一位前来对我说：「你到这里来，我将坐在众水上的大淫妇所要受的刑罚指给你看。地上的君王与她行淫，住在地上的人喝醉了她淫乱的酒。」我被圣灵感动，天使带我到旷野去，我就看见一个女人骑在朱红色的兽上；那兽有七头十角，遍体有(充满了, full, G1073)亵渎的名号。那女人穿著紫色和朱红色的衣服，用金子、宝石、珍珠为妆饰；手拿金杯，杯中盛满了可憎之物，就是她淫乱的污秽。在她额上有名写著说：「奥秘哉！大巴比伦，作世上的淫妇和一切可憎之物的母。」我又看见那女人喝醉了圣徒的血和为耶稣作见证之人的血。 …』(启示录 17:1-6)     

这一段开始就很清楚的说明了巴比伦大城受罚的原因，以后就用那女人描述巴比伦大城所做的事。那女人骑在兽上是指什么呢？我们先看那兽应该是海兽，过去是说，海兽有『…有十角七头，…七头上有亵渎的名号。』(启示录 13:1) 现在原文用的是G1073，充满了的意思，七头上都有亵渎的名号，的确是充满了！只是现在说那兽是朱红色的，以前没说。我们看见了那女人骑在兽上，所以海兽往那个方向走，那女人就只能往同样的方向走，从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，就很清楚不是在说那女人控制了兽的方向，是先讲海兽的功能，然后巴比伦大城是在兽的控制下。     

那女人从世界看来，一切都很华丽，为人所羡慕，但行的是可憎的事，也包括了杀死圣徒，以前不是说，『揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的(灵)魂(souls, G5590)，大声喊著说：「圣洁真实的主啊！你不审判住在地上的人给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时呢？」于是有白衣赐给他们各人，又有话对他们说：「还要安息片时，等著一同作仆人的和他们的弟兄，也像他们被杀，满足了数目。」』(启示录 6:9-11) 现在是审判世界的时候了，为他们伸冤的时候，很清楚的看到，『凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。』(传道书 3:1) 著急也没有用，神有自己订的时间。

3. 大淫妇和駄著她的兽   

『…我看见她，就大大地希奇。天使对我说：「你为甚么希奇呢？我要将这女人和驮著她的那七头十角兽的奥秘告诉你。你所看见的兽，先前有，如今没有，将要从无底坑里上来，又要归于沉沦。凡住在地上、名字从创世以来没有记在生命册上的，见先前有、如今没有、以后再有的兽，就必希奇。「智慧的心在此可以思想。那七头就是女人所坐的七座山，又是七位王；五位已经倾倒了，一位还在，一位还没有来到；他来的时候，必须暂时存留。那先前有、如今没有的兽，就是第八位；他也和那七位同列，并且归于沉沦。「你所看见的那十角就是十王，他们还没有得国，但他们一时之间要和兽同得权柄，与王一样。他们同心合意将自己的能力权柄给那兽。」』(启示录 17:6-13)     

我们看到了女人和海兽的奥秘，那时的罗马就是全世界，是坐落在七座山上，世界的宗教部份已有地兽的假先知处理，这女人是指世界的政权。至于那七位王是指什么，圣经没有明说，因此众说纷芸，我们不是又看了一次，圣经没有明说且没有概念的事情，不会猜到唯一的结论的！     

重要是那时，一位还在，一位还没来到，然后会有最后仍归于沉沦的第八位的兽。那十角是一时之间要和兽同得权柄，与王一样，所以是指未来的事，圣经没有明说，人更猜不到了，不如不猜。如果以为自己是猜对了，那只能迷惑人，犹如有人肯定的说到耶稣的再来的时间，没有一个是对的。圣经明讲，『看哪！我来像贼一样。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人见他羞耻的有福了！』(启示录 16:15) 居然还有人去猜！当然猜不出来。很清楚的，是要我们时时警醒，就像彼得所说的，『务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8)

4. 羔羊的得胜和大淫妇的结局    

『「他们与羔羊争战，羔羊必胜过他们，因为羔羊是万主之主，万王之王。同著羔羊的，就是蒙召、被选、有忠心的，也必得胜。」天使又对我说：「你所看见那淫妇坐的众水，就是多民、多人、多国、多方。你所看见的那十角与兽必恨这淫妇，使她冷落赤身，又要吃她的肉，用火将她烧尽。因为神使诸王同心合意，遵行他的旨意，把自己的国给那兽，直等到神的话都应验了。你所看见的那女人就是管辖地上众王的大城。」』(启示录 17:14-18)     

我们看到，即使十角和兽同心协力，仍究败于羔羊和教会，这是注定的结局。我们看到那淫妇坐在众水之上是指世间的政权，更在最后一节明说了这一点。我们也看到那淫妇的利用价值完了，那淫妇和兽及十角的自相残杀，兽及十角站的是同一立场，我们可从他们把自己的国给那兽就可看到这点，而这一切都在神的掌控之中。   

和合本翻译说，神「使」诸王同心合意，这使字是不对的。我们上次讲过，神从亚当夏娃开始，就任凭他们的自由意志做决定，而不是干涉他们，使他们做正确的决定。在法老遭遇十灾时也是如此，我们以前在『2103「同在」第一期的反思 – 人能战胜神 创世记 32 章 23-26』中的『5. 雅各与与神与人较力都得了胜』，详细的说明了这一点，有兴趣的人可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。    

所以照神告诉我们是一致的来讲，非常的清楚看到这翻译有问题。那么圣经到底怎么说呢？按照汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文是说，「放进」(put G1325 in G1519)他们的心里完成神旨意的想法。即使神把这想法放入了他们的心中，他们仍有自由意思，神是任凭他们自作决定，因此是可以做出和神的旨意不同的决定，但他们正好做出了符合神心意的决定。这和亚当的情况不同，神甚至给他命令，但任凭他作决定，他决定的结果却是违反神的旨意。不要忘了，神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的！ 

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    首先我們看到第七碗的烈怒成就了神的大怒，和祂定時審判巴比倫大城的時候到了，再一次看到了人心是何等的剛硬。第二，聖經明說那大淫婦就是大巴比倫，經文描述又她，也在此說明了那女人騎在獸上是指什麼，也看到了神為祭壇下的魂伸冤的時候到了。第三，我們討論了大淫婦和駄著她的獸的奧秘，也又一次看到了聖經沒有明講的事情，會是眾說紛芸的。我們也舉了一個例子，說到如果人以為自己是猜對了，那只能迷惑人。最後我們談到了羔羊的得勝和大淫婦的結局，看到了即使十角和獸同心協力，仍究會敗於羔羊和教會，這是注定的結局。我們也看到了那淫婦和他們的自相殘殺，從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，很清楚的知道，神是任憑諸王選擇同心同意，而不是使他們同心同意。

1. 第七碗的烈怒和巴比倫大城

    『第七位天使把碗倒在空中，就有大聲音從殿中的寶座上出來，說：「成了！」又有閃電、聲音、雷轟、大地震，自從地上有人以來，沒有這樣大、這樣厲害的地震。那大城裂為三段，列國的城也都倒塌了。神也想起巴比倫大城來，要把那盛自己烈怒的酒杯遞給他。各海島都逃避了，眾山也不見了。又有大雹子從天落在人身上，每一個約重一他連得。為這雹子的災極大，人就褻瀆神。』(啓示錄 16:17-21)

    「成了」就是以前說的，『…神的大怒在這七災中發盡了。』(啓示錄 15:1) 那大地震等，也代表了即將來臨的審判，這審判完全摧毀了巴比倫大城。「想起來」不是說神以前忘記了巴比倫大城所行的惡，『…神必審判義人和惡人，因為在那裏，各樣事務，一切工作，都有定時。』(傳道書 3:17) 是那定時要審判巴比倫大城的時候到了。我們再一次看到了人心何等剛硬，審判的結果不能讓人悔改，人卻更加褻瀆神。

2. 大淫婦就是大巴比倫的描述

    『拿着七碗的七位天使中，有一位前來對我說：「你到這裏來，我將坐在眾水上的大淫婦所要受的刑罰指給你看。地上的君王與她行淫，住在地上的人喝醉了她淫亂的酒。」我被聖靈感動，天使帶我到曠野去，我就看見一個女人騎在朱紅色的獸上；那獸有七頭十角，遍體有(充滿了, full, G1073)褻瀆的名號。那女人穿着紫色和朱紅色的衣服，用金子、寶石、珍珠為妝飾；手拿金杯，杯中盛滿了可憎之物，就是她淫亂的污穢。在她額上有名寫着說：「奧秘哉！大巴比倫，作世上的淫婦和一切可憎之物的母。」我又看見那女人喝醉了聖徒的血和為耶穌作見證之人的血。 …』(啓示錄 17:1-6)

     這一段開始就很清楚的說明了巴比倫大城受罰的原因，以後就用那女人描述巴比倫大城所做的事。那女人騎在獸上是指什麼呢？我們先看那獸應該是海獸，過去是說，海獸有『…有十角七頭，…七頭上有褻瀆的名號。』(啓示錄 13:1) 現在原文用的是G1073，充滿了的意思，七頭上都有褻瀆的名號，的確是充滿了！只是現在說那獸是朱紅色的，以前沒說。我們看見了那女人騎在獸上，所以海獸往那個方向走，那女人就只能往同樣的方向走，從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，就很清楚不是在說那女人控制了獸的方向，是先講海獸的功能，然後巴比倫大城是在獸的控制下。

     那女人從世界看來，一切都很華麗，為人所羨慕，但行的是可憎的事，也包括了殺死聖徒，以前不是說，『揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的(靈)魂(souls, G5590)，大聲喊着說：「聖潔真實的主啊！你不審判住在地上的人給我們伸流血的冤，要等到幾時呢？」於是有白衣賜給他們各人，又有話對他們說：「還要安息片時，等着一同作僕人的和他們的弟兄，也像他們被殺，滿足了數目。」』(啓示錄 6:9-11) 現在是審判世界的時候了，為他們伸冤的時候，很清楚的看到，『凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。』(傳道書 3:1) 著急也沒有用，神有自己訂的時間。

3. 大淫婦和駄著她的獸

    『…我看見她，就大大地希奇。天使對我說：「你為甚麼希奇呢？我要將這女人和馱着她的那七頭十角獸的奧秘告訴你。你所看見的獸，先前有，如今沒有，將要從無底坑裏上來，又要歸於沉淪。凡住在地上、名字從創世以來沒有記在生命冊上的，見先前有、如今沒有、以後再有的獸，就必希奇。「智慧的心在此可以思想。那七頭就是女人所坐的七座山，又是七位王；五位已經傾倒了，一位還在，一位還沒有來到；他來的時候，必須暫時存留。那先前有、如今沒有的獸，就是第八位；他也和那七位同列，並且歸於沉淪。「你所看見的那十角就是十王，他們還沒有得國，但他們一時之間要和獸同得權柄，與王一樣。他們同心合意將自己的能力權柄給那獸。」』(啓示錄 17:6-13)

     我們看到了女人和海獸的奧秘，那時的羅馬就是全世界，是坐落在七座山上，世界的宗教部份已有地獸的假先知處理，這女人是指世界的政權。至於那七位王是指什麼，聖經沒有明說，因此眾說紛芸，我們不是又看了一次，聖經沒有明說且沒有概念的事情，不會猜到唯一的結論的！

     重要是那時，一位還在，一位還沒來到，然後會有最後仍歸於沉淪的第八位的獸。那十角是一時之間要和獸同得權柄，與王一樣，所以是指未來的事，聖經沒有明說，人更猜不到了，不如不猜。如果以為自己是猜對了，那只能迷惑人，猶如有人肯定的說到耶穌的再來的時間，沒有一個是對的。聖經明講，『看哪！我來像賊一樣。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人見他羞恥的有福了！』(啓示錄 16:15) 居然還有人去猜！當然猜不出來。很清楚的，是要我們時時警醒，就像彼得所說的，『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8)

4. 羔羊的得勝和大淫婦的結局

    『「他們與羔羊爭戰，羔羊必勝過他們，因為羔羊是萬主之主，萬王之王。同着羔羊的，就是蒙召、被選、有忠心的，也必得勝。」天使又對我說：「你所看見那淫婦坐的眾水，就是多民、多人、多國、多方。你所看見的那十角與獸必恨這淫婦，使她冷落赤身，又要吃她的肉，用火將她燒盡。因為神使諸王同心合意，遵行他的旨意，把自己的國給那獸，直等到神的話都應驗了。你所看見的那女人就是管轄地上眾王的大城。」』(啓示錄 17:14-18)

     我們看到，即使十角和獸同心協力，仍究敗於羔羊和教會，這是注定的結局。我們看到那淫婦坐在眾水之上是指世間的政權，更在最後一節明說了這一點。我們也看到那淫婦的利用價值完了，那淫婦和獸及十角的自相殘殺，獸及十角站的是同一立場，我們可從他們把自己的國給那獸就可看到這點，而這一切都在神的掌控之中。

    和合本翻譯說，神「使」諸王同心合意，這使字是不對的。我們上次講過，神從亞當夏娃開始，就任憑他們的自由意志做決定，而不是干涉他們，使他們做正確的決定。在法老遭遇十災時也是如此，我們以前在『2103「同在」第一期的反思 – 人能戰勝神 創世記 32 章 23-26』中的『5. 雅各與與神與人較力都得了勝』，詳細的說明了這一點，有興趣的人可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

    所以照神告訴我們是一致的來講，非常的清楚看到這翻譯有問題。那麼聖經到底怎麼說呢？按照彙編(Strong’s Concordance)的原文是說，「放進」(put G1325 in G1519)他們的心裏完成神旨意的想法。即使神把這想法放入了他們的心中，他們仍有自由意思，神是任憑他們自作決定，因此是可以做出和神的旨意不同的決定，但他們正好做出了符合神心意的決定。這和亞當的情況不同，神甚至給他命令，但任憑他作決定，他決定的結果卻是違反神的旨意。不要忘了，神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的！ 

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)