一般人常以為聖經無誤論是指字句上的，如果是字句上的，就會發現有明顯的矛盾，這時就只能自己騙自己說，原版的聖經是沒有錯誤的，反正原版的聖經已失傳，沒有人可以証實這點。我們知道聖經的確是神所默示的，當我們看到明顯的矛盾時，我們要思想的是為什麼神要默示這明顯的矛盾給我們，祂究竟想藉著這明顯的矛盾告訴我們什麼？當我們不強解聖經時，就會發覺聖經的確是無誤的，神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的，在這裏我們就從這個方向來看聖經，因為神是無限，人是有限，我們不可能看到所有這樣的例子，只能舉出一些例子來解釋這原則。

        以下就從三方面來看這些例子，首先我們藉著一個例子去說明神默示明顯的矛盾是要告訴我們什麼？第二，我們從相信「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」著手，來看一些貌似有明顯矛盾經文的例子和其解說。最後，我們解說了油管(YouTube)上一個視頻中提到的九個明顯矛盾的例子。

1. 神默示明顯的矛盾是要告訴我們什麼？

        如果你還沒有看過，「Watch “CXCY〈誠心呈義〉40分鐘了解所有聖經中明顯矛盾的經文” on YouTube」，請你先看看，不過我會儘量使這視頻能夠獨立觀看，他的鏈結為: https://youtu.be/z5ZY9Lg9-GQ?si=7TnGQ0tWpn_XXmbn。

        首先我真的希望莊弟兄能夠謙卑點，不要把題目定為「了解聖經中所有明顯矛盾的經文」，問題很明顯的出在『所有』這辭上。神是無限，人是有限，神可以隨時隨地的如祂開以利沙的僕人的眼睛般(參聖經．和合本, 列王紀下 6:8-23)，讓我們看見我們不知道的事情。有時這看見是藉著對網路或別人話語的分辨，保羅說得好，『若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前書 8:2) 保羅是很謙卑的人，所以他會講這句話。可是知道這句話的人不一定謙卑，就像我以前分享過，我知道這句話，但在神給我的環境中，我看到自己絕對不夠謙卑。在這裏我們還可以強調以前分享的一點，就是讀經時不能隨便劃等號！

        謙卑是很難學到的，我們在這經文中，『…耶和華已經尋着一個合他心意的人，立他作百姓的君，…』(撒母耳記上 13:14) 可以很明顯的看到那時大衞就是合神心意的人，但他在老年數民時仍說，『…我好知道他們的數目。』(撒母耳記下 24:2) 『大衞數點百姓以後，就心中自責，禱告耶和華說：「我行這事大有罪了。耶和華啊，求你除掉僕人的罪孽，因我所行的甚是愚昧。」』(撒母耳記下 24:10) 他在至少九個多月的那時才意識到心中的驕傲，因而禱告耶和華除掉他的罪孽。

     耶和華藉著迦得給了他三個選擇，他非常瞭解神，於是他選擇了，『…願落在耶和華的手裏，因為他有豐盛的憐憫，我不願落在人的手裏。』(撒母耳記下 24:14) 當『大衞看見滅民的天使，就禱告耶和華說：「我犯了罪，行了惡；但這羣羊做了甚麼呢？願你的手攻擊我和我的父家。』(撒母耳記下 24:17)  所以那時已死了不少的民眾，從他的禱告中我們看到了他的憂心和痛苦，看出這的確對他是一個懲罸，而不像其他的人可能會覺得，只要我沒事，眾民的死與我何干！請注意，經文說，『天使向耶路撒冷伸手要滅城的時候，耶和華後悔，就不降這災了，…』(撒母耳記下 24:16) 這是在大衞禱告前就已發生了。大衞的驕傲被除去了，『因為大衞除了赫人烏利亞那件事，都是行耶和華眼中看為正的事，一生沒有違背耶和華一切所吩咐的。』(列王紀上 15:5) 大衞生前被懲罰過的事，聖經就不會再題，就如拔示巴的事情，他們的兒子死了，且耶和華說，『你既藐視我，…所以刀劍必永不離開你的家。』(撒母耳記下 12:10) 且說，『你在暗中行這事，我卻要在以色列眾人面前、日光之下報應你。』(撒母耳記下 12:12)

        當有人見証自己已學會了謙卑，我實在是為他的驕傲擔心，因為從他的表現，我不會覺得他會比大衞更好，至少神沒對那人說過他是合神心意的人。我相信他是驕傲到自己看不到自己的驕傲，就像我以前分享過，我以前有過這樣的經驗，所會對這件事相當敏感。這作見証的人還不是很老就以為自己學到了謙卑，而大衞年老時仍沒有學到，我只能夠下結論說，這人是驕傲到看不到自己的驕傲，大衞不是那時事情已發生了，他也至少有九個多月仍不能意識到自己的驕傲嗎？

     保羅說，『…他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他兒子的模樣(形像)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 所以基督徒是要模成耶穌的形像，而耶穌說，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』(馬太福音 11:29) 所以要能謙卑是不可或缺的。知道自己不夠謙卑不是完全沒有用，因為知道自己的狀況是能行的第一步，是和這經文在同樣的原則下，『可見信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。』(羅馬書 10:17) 基督徒相信整本聖經都是神所默示的，因此從聖經的角度看事情就是從神角度看事情。基督的話都在聖經裏面，豈可不「讀出來」神藉聖經告訴我們的，不要將自己的想法讀進去。

        在那視頻中，我要先指出來『所有』這辭是不對的，不過能把一些有明顯矛盾的經文放在一起，絕對是有幫助的，只是要解釋正確。要從相信「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」著手，而不是錯誤的相信聖經的無誤是指字句上的，在這裏我們不是看到了一些字句上有明顯矛盾的例子嗎？當我們看到了明顯的矛盾時，要問的是，神默示這些明顯的矛盾，到底是要告訴我們什麼？所以我要藉著在網路上看到的，一個沒有在這裏討論的明顯矛盾，所以絕不是所有的明顯矛盾都在那視頻中。我們就看看剛才分享的原則是怎麼說的，最後就依照這原則來看那視頻所提到的，有九個明顯矛盾的地方。

        首先我們來看還有其他明顯矛盾的例子。當耶穌被引到曠野受魔鬼的試探時，主要的是記錄了三件事(參馬太福音 4:1-11, 路加福音 4:1-13)，如果你比較兩本福音書的記載，就會發覺這三件事的順序是不同的，於是就有人看見了這明顯的矛盾。馬太是使徒，而路加明講，『這些事我既從起頭都詳細考察了，就定意要按着次序寫給你。』(路加福音 1:3) 到底是誰對？兩個都對。為什麼呢？前三本福音書包括馬可福音都一致記載這事情發生在耶穌受洗後，所以路加福音所講的次序是指事情發生的次序，而不是個別事件的次序。那麼神要藉著這些事件上明顯的矛盾告訴我們什麼呢？

        至少告訴我們有下列幾個點，第一是注意到這次的試探這事情不是只有這三個事件。第二是要我們注意到，『魔鬼用完了各樣的試探，就「暫時」離開耶穌。』(路加福音 4:13) 希伯來書不是就說祂以後繼續受試探嗎？『因我們的大祭司(耶穌基督)並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的。第三是試探的本身要告訴我們的一些事，譬如說，『…人活着不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』(路加福音 4:4) 這裏很清楚的說，基督徒需要地上的食物和靈糧，缺一不可。

2. 貌似有明顯矛盾經文的例子

        有些貌似有明顯矛盾的經文，實在是由於我們自己沒有讀懂，我就舉一個例子。在莊弟兄的另一個視頻，https://youtu.be/UWsXES2gRr4?si=a9RqDzD_ID8iWU3N，是有關「摩西五經真是摩西所寫的？」約在12:15分時提到了這兩處經文，『凡有血肉的活物，每樣兩個，一公一母，你要帶進方舟，好在你那裏保全生命。』(創世記 6:19) 和『凡潔淨的畜類，你要帶七公七母；不潔淨的畜類，你要帶一公一母。』(創世記 7:2) 因而問到底潔淨的畜類要帶幾個上方舟？從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，這就很清楚。

        首先是沒有注意到一公一母是指種類，因為接著說，『飛鳥各從其類，牲畜各從其類，地上的昆蟲各從其類，每樣兩個，要到你那裏，好保全生命。』(創世記 6:20) 七公七母是實際上方舟的數目。要不，當『挪亞為耶和華築了一座壇，拿各類潔淨的牲畜、飛鳥獻在壇上為燔祭。』(創世記 8:20) 如果上方舟的潔淨畜類只有一公一母，那潔淨的畜類豈不是要絕種了嗎？

        我們再看看這節經文，『誰知道人的靈(H7307)是往上升，獸的魂(H7307)是下入地呢？』(傳道書 3:21)  原文兩個地方都用的是靈，我們知道獸是沒有靈的，當我們注意到在希伯來的文化中靈和魂是可以互換的，雖是不同的字，但有著同樣的意義，就像二點半和二時三十分，雖是不同的字，意義是相同的。在中文裏，靈魂通常都是一起講的，所以聖經中講靈的地方和合本常翻成靈魂，同樣的，聖經是講魂的地方和合本也常翻成靈魂，這會常常造成靈和魂不分，只有少數地方是明講了！所以要看彙編的原文才會清楚。

    我不知道為什麼有人會用二分法以為人由體和靈魂構成，其實這可從舊約神給亞當的命令看到這樣是不對的，『只是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) 神不會騙人的，這是指靈死了，因聖經明講魂走的時候人就死了，『她(拉結)將近於死，(靈)魂(H5315)要走的時候，…』(創世記 35:18) 而『亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。』(創世記 5:5) 所以亞當的體和魂還活著，但靈死了。如果是用二分法，靈魂就會一部份死而另一部份活，不會有這樣的東西存在的。

        新約明講了人由靈、魂、和體三者構成，『…願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，…』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23) 也就是三分法是對的。而說到靈和魂是可分的經文是在，『神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，比一切兩刃的劍更快，甚至魂與靈、骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。』(希伯來書 4:12) 其實，如果我們把新舊約放在一起看，就會發覺人死時是靈先走，然後魂去了，體就死了，關於後者這點，我們剛才已經在拉結身上看到，所以我們只要看到死時是靈先走就可以了。我們在睚魯的女兒身上可看到這點，『…耶穌說：「不要哭！她不是死了，是睡着了。」』(路加福音 8:52) 然後，『耶穌拉着她的手，呼叫說：「女兒，起來吧！」她的靈(魂)(G4151)便回來，她就立刻起來了。…』(路加福音 8:54-55) 她的魂還在身上因而只是睡了，當靈回來她就起來了，所以三分法是對的。

        最後在寇紹涵牧師的視頻，https://youtu.be/MZCBK7nArbU?si=54YOmwPmnDI_gr1T， 有關「聖經難題 聖經真的無誤嗎」，約在1分時提到了一個數目上有明顯矛盾的例子，他也提到了這明顯矛盾是如何解決的。對這明顯的矛盾，我們先看三節經文：『屬革順的，…其中被數、從一個月以外所有的男子，共有七千五百名。』(民數記 3:21-22) 『屬哥轄的，…按所有男子的數目，從一個月以外看守聖所的，共有八千六百名。』(民數記 3:27-28) 『屬米拉利的，…他們被數的，按所有男子的數目，從一個月以外的，共有六千二百名。』(民數記 3:33-34) 這三個加起來就是利未支派的總人數，共兩萬兩千三百人。但後來的一節說，『凡被數的利未人，就是摩西、亞倫照耶和華吩咐所數的，按着家室，從一個月以外的男子，共有二萬二千名。』(民數記 3:39) 這不是看到了有三百人的差距嗎？難道聖經連加法也會錯嗎？順便一提，這是耶和華要他們數民的，和大衞因自己的驕傲而數民大不相同。

        我們再看下列的經文，『耶和華對摩西說：「你要從以色列人中數點一個月以外凡頭生的男子，把他們的名字記下。我是耶和華，你要揀選利未人歸我，代替以色列人所有頭生的；也取利未人的牲畜代替以色列所有頭生的牲畜。」摩西就照耶和華所吩咐的，把以色列人頭生的都數點了。按人名的數目，從一個月以外，凡頭生的男子，共有二萬二千二百七十三名。』(民數記 3:40-43) 最後是『以色列人中頭生的男子，比利未人多二百七十三個，必當將他們贖出來。你要按人丁，照聖所的平，每人取贖銀五舍客勒（一舍客勒是二十季拉）。』(民數記 3:46-47) 這是發生過的事，所以數目的正確在這裏是非常重要的。

     他花了相當多的時間討論究竟是怎麼回事，結論是這必須要從希伯來文才能看出來。希伯來文的三是這樣寫「שׁלושׁ」，而六則是這樣寫「שׁשׁ」，當手抄本發生龜裂時，三的中間部份看不到了，就變成了六。因此應該是，『屬哥轄的，…按所有男子的數目，從一個月以外看守聖所的，共有八千三百名。』(民數記 3:27-28) 所以加起來利未支派是兩萬兩千人，這樣就會一致了。有時必須要專家們詳細探討一個問題，才能還原聖經所要說的。

3. 那視頻中提到的九個明顯矛盾例子的解說

         我們就從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」，來看那視頻中提到的一些明顯的矛盾。那視頻很多都是在講數目上的矛盾，看第一個引用的經文約在1:00分，是『約雅斤登基的時候，年十八歲，在耶路撒冷作王三個月。…』( 列王紀下 24:8) 和這節經文數目上有明顯矛盾的經文是，『約雅敬登基的時候年二十五歲，在耶路撒冷作王十一年，行耶和華他神眼中看為惡的事。』(歷代志下 36:5)  對，重要的不是數目上的一致，所以這裏要告訴我們的是，不要把目光放在數目上，因為我們一看到極少數有明顯矛盾的地方，就會因此注意到，「神藉著聖經告訴我們的訊息是一致的」。那這裏神要告訴我們什麼？就是那視頻在約32:30分的地方所講的，是約雅斤不應該做耶和華眼中視為惡的事，這才是重點，是神要告訴我們的事情。相信神藉聖經告訴我們的訊息是一致的，不任意修改聖經才會清楚的看到，神默示明顯的矛盾要告訴我們什麼。

         我們來看一個沒有明顯矛盾的經文，就知道聖經上說的數目經常是大概的，數目上一定要一致不是這麼的重要。『耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「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) 確實的時間是『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) 所以聖經許多數目是在一般情況下是講大概的數目，但也有例外的特例。

     如剛才所講在寇紹涵牧師的視頻中數目是正確的，另一個不同的例子是當記錄亞當的後代時，我們從不同的原因，也數目是準確的。當數目正確時，我們才可以算出馬土撒拉和洪水來時是同一天，因『瑪土撒拉活到一百八十七歲，生了拉麥。』(創世記 5:25) 『拉麥活到一百八十二歲，生了一個兒子，給他起名叫挪亞，…』(創世記 5:28-29) 所以挪亞是瑪土撒拉 187 + 182 = 369 歲時生的。而『當挪亞六百歲，…』(創世記 7:11) 洪水來了，就是在瑪土撒拉 369 + 600 = 969 歲時發生的，而『瑪土撒拉共活了九百六十九歲就死了。』(創世記 5:27) 只是聖經沒有明講，瑪土撒拉是被洪水淹死的，或是他一死，洪水就來，即然神說我們不需要知道，尊重神，就不要猜，其實猜也不會有結論的，只是猜而已。我們該做的是要分辨特例和一般的情況。

         我們再用同樣的原則來看其他的例子。約4:24分時提到了第二組的明顯的矛盾。首先，『他(亞哈謝)登基的時候年二十二歲，在耶路撒冷作王一年。他母親名叫亞她利雅，是以色列王暗利的孫女。亞哈謝效法亞哈家，行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，與亞哈家一樣。因為他是亞哈家的女婿。』(列王紀下 8:26-27) 和這經文時間上有衝突的是，『亞哈謝登基的時候年四十二歲，在耶路撒冷作王一年。他母親名叫亞她利雅，是暗利的孫女。亞哈謝也行亞哈家的道，因為他母親給他主謀，使他行惡。』(歷代志下 22:2-3)  亞哈謝幾歲登基不重要，神要我們看見的是他的母親的資訊，使得他行耶和華眼中看為惡的事。

    而最終我們看到，『亞哈謝的母親亞她利雅見她兒子死了，就起來剿滅王室。』(列王紀下 11:1)  在這裏我們就看到了神的介入，『但約蘭王的女兒、亞哈謝的妹子約示巴，將亞哈謝的兒子約阿施從那被殺的王子中偷出來，把他和他的乳母都藏在臥房裏，躲避亞她利雅，免得被殺。約阿施和他的乳母藏在耶和華的殿裏六年，亞她利雅篡了國位。』(列王紀下 11:2-3) 如果沒有神的介入，就會像那視頻所說的，消滅了大衞的後裔，破壞了神的救恩的計劃，這是神要藉著這明顯的矛盾要我們看見，祂會在適當的時間介入，不會去破壞祂的計劃的。這就猶如在約伯記中祂本是要祝福約伯，在適當的時間到時，祂會親自介入，也就是，『那時，耶和華從旋風中回答約伯說：』(約伯記 38:1)  祂開始親自介了去完成祂原先的計劃。

         約6:35分時提到了第三組明顯的矛盾，『他又鑄一個銅海，樣式是圓的，高五肘，徑十肘，圍三十肘。…海厚一掌，邊如杯邊，又如百合花，可容二千罷特。』(列王紀上 7:23-26) 而另一處經文說，『又鑄一個銅海，樣式是圓的，高五肘，徑十肘，圍三十肘。…海厚一掌，邊如杯邊，又如百合花，可容三千罷特。』(歷代志下 4:2-5)  到底銅海的容量是二千或三千罷特重要嗎？銅海的功用才是我們要注意到的，這是摩西造會幕時沒有必要的。『…又將海放在殿門的右旁，就是南邊。』(列王紀上 7:39) 這是因以色列人以右邊的為大。當摩西建造會幕時，『…都要照着在山上指示你的樣式。』(出埃及記 25:40, 及參出埃及記 26:30, 27:8) 我們以前討論過，這是因為在地上的要反映出在天上的。造聖殿的原則也是一樣的，『大衞說：「這一切工作的樣式，都是耶和華用手劃出來使我明白的。」』(歷代志上 28:19) 從歷代志上 28:11-18，就可以看到這一切是指屬靈的事，所以屬地的事會有不同的需要，但在屬靈的事上兩者是一致的。

         約10分時，提到了第四組明顯的矛盾，一是在『所羅門有套車的馬四萬，還有馬兵一萬二千。』(列王紀上 4:26) 和這矛盾的經文是在『所羅門有套車的馬四千棚，有馬兵一萬二千，安置在屯車的城邑和耶路撒冷，就是王那裏。』(歷代志下 9:25) 那視頻詳細的解釋了為什麼這裏有數目上明顯的矛盾，就像那視頻所說的，耶路撒冷是位在猶大的山地，並不適合戰車馬兵的行動，因此安排在耶路撒冷的戰車和馬兵完全是用來炫耀排場的，這才是神要我們藉著這明顯的矛盾注意到的。到目前為止，所有的明顯的矛盾都是發生在列王紀和歷代志，如果有了這四次，我們還不能意識到神要藉這明顯的矛盾傳達給我們的訊息，夫復何言！

         約11:58分提到了第五組明顯的矛盾，這時到了新約，一在兩處經文，『當希律王的時候，耶穌生在猶太的伯利恆。有幾個博士從東方來到耶路撒冷，說：』(馬太福音 2:1) 和『當猶太王希律的時候，亞比雅班裏有一個祭司，名叫撒迦利亞。他妻子是亞倫的後人，名叫伊利沙伯。』(路加福音 1:5) 這兩處經文一致的說，耶穌都是出生在大希律王的時候。有明顯矛盾的經文是在『當那些日子，凱撒亞古士督有旨意下來，叫天下人民都報名上冊。這是居里扭作敍利亞巡撫的時候，頭一次行報名上冊的事。眾人各歸各城，報名上冊。約瑟也從加利利的拿撒勒城上猶太去，到了大衞的城，名叫伯利恆。因他本是大衞一族一家的人，要和他所聘之妻馬利亞一同報名上冊。…』(路加福音 2:1-5) 

    在那視頻提到，根據猶太歷史學家約瑟夫斯的記載，有居里扭做巡撫的時間，那視頻詳細的說明，這就會和耶穌出生的時間不合。這是假設歷史的記載是對的才會產生的明顯矛盾，但記載往往不見得對，看看中國近代史就很清楚的知道這點，神要我們看見，當歷史的記載和聖經的記載矛盾時，我們要以神默示的聖經為準，不要本末倒置，因為歷史的記載是會有錯誤的，而神的話則是永遠對的。關於後者，我們可以舉一個例子，約伯記說，『神…將大地懸在虛空。』(約伯記 26:7) 當時的人會想，這怎麼會有可能呢？而如今，在太空船中可以真實的看到這點，知道神的話是對的。

         約16:45分時提到了第六組明顯的矛盾，一是在『安息日將盡，七日的頭一日，天快亮的時候，抹大拉的馬利亞和那個馬利亞來看墳墓。忽然，地大震動，因為有主的使者從天上下來，把石頭滾開，坐在上面。』(馬太福音 28:1-2) 所以是她們看到了石頭被移開。那視頻看到相對應的矛盾經文有三處，是在『七日的第一日清早，天還黑的時候，抹大拉的馬利亞來到墳墓那裏，看見石頭從墳墓挪開了。』(約翰福音 20:1) 和『過了安息日，抹大拉的馬利亞和雅各的母親馬利亞並撒羅米，買了香膏要去膏耶穌的身體。七日的第一日清早，出太陽的時候，她們來到墳墓那裏，彼此說：「誰給我們把石頭從墓門滾開呢？」那石頭原來很大，她們抬頭一看，卻見石頭已經滾開了。』(馬可福音 16:1-4) 及『看見石頭已經從墳墓滾開了。』(路加福音 24:2)  這三處經文都說石頭已滾開了，因此有了到底石頭有沒有滾開的爭論。其實我們如果我們相信神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的，並且不把聖經的話打折扣，我們就會有正確的看見，發覺這裏跟本沒有明顯的矛盾。以前我們在『2085 耶穌的死、安葬、和有爭議性的復活的細節 -耶穌(37) 』中的『3. 耶穌的復活的細節』詳細的討論過這點，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

         約19:38分說到第七組明顯的矛盾是有關耶穌升天的地方。首先看這些經文，『耶穌領他們到伯大尼的對面，就舉手給他們祝福。正祝福的時候，他就離開他們，被帶到天上去了。』(路加福音 24:50-51) 很清楚這裏是說耶穌是在伯大尼升天的。使徒行傳卻說祂升天的地方是靠近耶路撒冷的橄欖山，因『說了這話，他們正看的時候，他就被取上升，有一朵雲彩把他接去，便看不見他了。當他往上去，他們定睛望天的時候，忽然有兩個人身穿白衣，站在旁邊，說：「加利利人哪，你們為甚麼站着望天呢？這離開你們被接升天的耶穌，你們見他怎樣往天上去，他還要怎樣來。」有一座山，名叫橄欖山，離耶路撒冷不遠，約有安息日可走的路程。當下，門徒從那裏回耶路撒冷去。』(使徒行傳 1:9-12) 而『伯大尼離耶路撒冷不遠，約有六里路。』(約翰福音 11:18) 就像那視頻所說，正常人是不能看見同一個人在這兩個不同地方的。所以神是要我們注意到，『閃電從東邊發出，直照到西邊；人子降臨，也要這樣。』(馬太福音 24:27) 且要確定我們注意到，『…你們見他怎樣往天上去，他還要怎樣來。』(使徒行傳 1:11) 不要人的角度看這事情，耶穌再來的時候，這些都不是問題。

        約29分是第八組有關保羅見大光的事，先是『同行的人站在那裏，說不出話來，聽見聲音，卻看不見人。掃羅從地上起來，睜開眼睛，竟不能看見甚麼。有人拉他的手，領他進了大馬士革。』(使徒行傳 9:7-8) 在使徒行傳最後則說，『與我同行的人看見了那光，卻沒有聽明(彙編直寫沒有聽見)那位對我說話的聲音。』(使徒行傳 22:9) 到底同行的人有沒有聽見？神要我們在這裏看見什麼？首先我們注意到保羅看見那光是和同行的人看見的光是不同的，只有保羅看見的光能使他暫時不能看見。神要我們注意到，聲音也同樣是不同的，和他同行的人是如使徒行傳22:9所說，沒有聽見聲音，在使徒行傳9:7的聲音，只是保羅以為他們聽到了和他聽到同樣的聲音，讀經不能段章取義，要相信神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，這是非常的重要，沒有這一點，就會看到許多明顯的矛盾，不能體會神為什麼要這樣的默示。所以，非要這樣，才可能不強解聖經。

         約30:45分，第九組是說到關於和平的爭議，先是看三節經文，『在至高之處榮耀歸與神！在地上平安歸與他所喜悅的人！』(路加福音 2:14) 『我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們；我所賜的，不像世人所賜的。你們心裏不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。』(約翰福音 14:27) 『神藉着耶穌基督（他是萬有的主）傳和平的福音，將這道賜給以色列人。』(使徒行傳 10:36)

          這些經文看起來和下列的經文衝突，『你們不要想，我來是叫地上太平；我來並不是叫地上太平，乃是叫地上動刀兵。因為我來是叫『人與父親生疏，女兒與母親生疏，媳婦與婆婆生疏。人的仇敵就是自己家裏的人。』(馬太福音 10:34-36) 到底耶穌有沒有帶來和平，如果我們不強解聖經，會發覺神藉著聖經告訴我們的訊意是一致的，在這裏就可以看見，剛才所說的是和這些經文所說的類似，『因為神差他的兒子降世，不是要定世人的罪，乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:17-18) 所以耶穌的本意的確是帶著和平而來，當家中的人不相信，而阻止我們信仰的時候，難道不是『人的仇敵就是自己家裏的人』嗎？即使是家人相信，每個人信的程度也會不一樣，因此神也會允許他們成為我們的環境。

         的確只有耶穌是唯一的真理，但我們有關耶穌的知識由聖經而來，這是一體的兩面，『因為神的義正在這福音上顯明出來，這義是本於信，以至於信。…』(羅馬書 1:17) 我們不只是因最初的信僅僅得救，而要走上成聖之路，這樣才能本於信，以致於信，能夠在成聖的路上行，我們也才有可能在基督裏，被模成耶穌的形像，與主完全的合一。

(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』。)

Many people often think that biblical inerrancy refers to words. If it is words, they will find obvious contradictions. At this time, they can only lie to themselves and say that the original version of the Bible has no errors. Anyway, the original version of the Bible has been lost, so no one can confirm this statement.  We know that the Bible is indeed inspired by God. When we see obvious contradictions, what we have to think about is why God inspired us with such obvious contradictions. What exactly does He want to tell us through such obvious contradictions?  When we do not forcefully interpret the Bible, we will find that the Bible is indeed inerrant. What God tells us through the Bible is indeed consistent. Here we will look at the Bible from this direction, because God is infinite and man is limited. It is impossible for us to know all such examples. Thus only a few are cited to explain this principle.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​First of all, we use an example to illustrate an obvious contradiction, and explain why God inspired us with such an obvious contradiction. Second, we start from the belief that “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent” and look at some examples and their explanations why they are just seemingly obviously contradictions.  Finally, we explain nine examples of apparent contradictions mentioned in a YouTube video.

1. An illustration why God inspired us with obvious contradictions

If you haven’t watched yet, “40 Minutes to Understand All Obvious Contradictions in the Bible” on YouTube, please watch it first. But I’ll try my best to make this video watchable independently. His link is at https://youtu.be/z5ZY9Lg9-GQ?si=7TnGQ0tWpn_XXmbn.

First of all, I really hope that Brother Zhuang can be humble, and do not set the title as “understand all the obvious contradictions in the Bible.” The problem is obviously on the word “all.”  God is infinite and man is limited. God could open the eyes of Elisha’s servant at any time(see 2 Kings 6:8-23), He can open our eyes at any time to allow us to see things we don’t know. Sometimes this seeing is through discernment of the Internet or other people’s words. Paul said it well, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) Paul is a very humble person, so he would say this.  But people who know this sentence are not necessarily humble. As I have shared before, I know this sentence, but in the environment God has given me, I see that I am definitely not humble enough.  Here we can also emphasize a point we shared before, that is, you cannot draw equal signs casually when reading the Bible!

Humility is difficult to learn. In this passage, we read, “…The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, …”(1 Samuel 13:14) It is obvious that David was a man after God’s own heart at that time, but when he counted the people in his old age, he still said, “…I may know the number of the people.”(2 Samuel 24:2) “Now David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”(2 Samuel 24:10) It took at least nine months for him to realize the pride in his heart and pray to the Lord to take away his sin.

Jehovah gave him three choices through Gad. He knew God very well, so he chose, “…Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”(2 Samuel 24:14) “Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, “Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”(2 Samuel 24:17) So many people had died at that time. From his prayer, we can see his worry and pain, and we can see that this is indeed a punishment for him, and unlike other people who may think that as long as I am fine, the death of all the people has nothing to do with me! Please note that the scripture says, “When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity …”(2 Samuel 24:16) This happened before David prayed.

David’s pride was removed, “because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.”(1 Kings 15:5) The Bible will not mention the things that David was punished in the past, just like the incident with Bathsheba. Their son died, and the Lord said, “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me …”(2 Samuel 12:10) And He said, “Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.”(2 Samuel 12:12)

When someone testifies that he has learned humility, I really worry about his pride, because from his performance, I don’t think he will be better than David. At least God has not told that person that he is after God’s own heart.  I believe he is so proud that he cannot see his own pride. As I have shared before, I have had such an experience before, so I am very sensitive to this matter.  The man who testified thought he had learned humility even when he was not very old, but David still did not learn it when he was old. I can only conclude that this man was so proud that he could not see his own pride. Couldn’t David still realize his pride for at least more than nine months after counting people happened?

Paul said, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) Therefore, Christians must be conformed to the image of Jesus, and Jesus said, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29) So being humble is indispensable. Knowing that you are not humble enough is not completely useless, because knowing your own situation is the first step to being able to do it. It is based on the same principle as this scripture, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Christians believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God, so looking at things from the Bible’s perspective is looking at things from God’s perspective.  The words of Christ are in the Bible. How can we not “read out” what God tells us through the Bible? Don’t read in your own thoughts into it.

In that video, I want to start by pointing out that the word “all” is wrong, but it is definitely helpful to put together some scriptures that have obvious contradictions, as long as they are interpreted correctly.  We must start by believing that “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” rather than mistakenly believing that the inerrancy of the Bible refers to words. Haven’t we seen some examples of obvious contradictions in words here?  When we see obvious contradictions, what we need to ask is, what is God trying to tell us by inspiring these obvious contradictions? Based on what I saw on the Internet, an obvious contradiction that is not discussed here is presented, so by no means all the obvious contradictions are in that video.  Let’s take a look at what the principle just shared says. Based on this principle, we will look at the nine obvious contradictions mentioned in the video.

First let’s look at an other example of apparent contradiction.  When Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, three main things were recorded (see Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). If you compare the records in the two gospels, you will find that the order of these three things is different, so someone saw this obvious contradiction.  Matthew was an apostle, and Luke clearly said, “…having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, …”(Luke 1:3) Who is right?  Both are correct.  Why?  The first three gospels, including the Gospel of Mark, all unanimously record that this event happened after Jesus was baptized, so the order mentioned in the book of Luke refers to the order for the event happened, not the order of individual things.  So what does God want to tell us through these apparent contradictions in things?

It tells us at least the following points. The first is to note that this temptation is not limited to these three events. There were many other things.

The second is for us to notice that “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”(Luke 4:13) Doesn’t the book of Hebrews say that He continued to be tempted in the future? “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) What God tells us through the Bible is consistent. 

The third thing is what the temptation itself wants to tell us, for example, Jesus said, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”(Luke 4:4) It is clearly stated here that Christians need both earthly food and spiritual food, and both are indispensable.

2. Examples of seemly apparently contradictory scriptures ​

Some scriptures that seem to have obvious contradictions are actually due to our own failure to understand them. Let me give you an example through another video by Brother Zhuang, https://youtu.be/UWsXES2gRr4?si=a9RqDzD_ID8iWU3N, is about “Is the Pentateuch really written by Moses?” These two verses were mentioned at about 12:15, “And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.”(Genesis 6:19) and “You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female.”

(Genesis 7:2) So how many clean animals should be brought onto the ark?  This is clear from the consistency of what God tells us through the Bible. ​

First of all, it is not noticed that one male and one female refers to the kind, because it goes on to say, “Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.”(Genesis 6:20) Seven males and seven females are the actual number entering the ark.  Otherwise, “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”(Genesis 8:20) If there were only one male and one female of the clean animals on the ark, wouldn’t the clean animals be extinct?

Let’s now look at this verse, “Who knows that the breath (spirit, H7373) of man ascends upward and the breath (spirit, H7373) of the beast descends downward to the earth?”(Ecclesiastes 3:21) The original text uses the word spirit in both places. We know that beasts have no spirit. When we notice that in the culture of Hebrews, spirit (H7373) and soul (H5315) are interchangeable, although they are different words, but have the same meaning, just like half past two and two thirty, although they are different words, the meaning is the same.  In Chinese, spirit and soul are usually spoken together. Therefore, where the Bible talks about soul in the Union Version, it is often translated as spirit and soul. Similarly, where the Bible talks about soul in the Union Version, it is often translated as spirit and soul also. This often leads to the confusion between spirit and soul. Regardless, only a few places make it clear!  So you have to read the original text in the Strong’s Concordance to know clearly.

I don’t know why some people use the dichotomy to think that humans are composed of body and spirit-soul. In fact, this can be seen from the command given by God to Adam in the Old Testament why this is wrong, “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) God will not lie to Adam. This refers to the death of the spirit, because the Bible clearly says that a person dies when the soul departs. “It came about as her soul was departing (for she (Rachel) died), …”(Genesis 35:18) “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.”(Genesis 5:5) So Adam’s body and soul were alive, but his spirit was dead.  If we use the dichotomy, one part of the spirit-soul will be dead and the other part alive. There will be no such thing.

The New Testament clearly states that human beings are composed of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. “…may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, …”

(1 Thessalonians 5:23) That is, trichotomy is correct.  The verse that says the spirit and soul are separable is, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, …”(Hebrews 4:12) In fact, if we look at the Old and New Testaments together, we will find that when a person dies, the spirit passes away first, then the soul passes away, and the body dies. Regarding the latter, we We have just seen it with Rachel, so we only need to see that the spirit goes first when death occurs.  We see this with Jairus’ daughter, “…He (Jesus) said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.””(Luke 8:52) Then, “He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; …”(Luke 8:54-55) Her soul was still in her body, so she just fell asleep. When the spirit came back, she got up, so trichotomy is correct. ​

Finally, in Pastor Kou Shaohan’s video regarding “Is the Bible Really Inerrant?” in https://youtu.be/MZCBK7nArbU?si=54YOmwPmnDI_gr1T, about 1 minute in, he mentioned an example of an obvious contradiction in numbers. He also mentioned how this apparent contradiction was resolved.  For this apparent contradiction, let us first look at three verses: “Of Gershon …Their numbered men, in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, even their numbered men were 7,500.”(Numbers 3:21-22) “Of Kohath …In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,600, …”(Numbers 3:27-28) “Of Merari …Their numbered men in the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, were 6,200.”(Numbers 3:33-34) These three numbers together were the total number of the tribe of Levi, 22,300. But the later verse says, “All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of the LORD by their families, every male from a month old and upward, were 22,000.”(Numbers 3:39) Isn’t this a gap of 300 people?  Could it be that even addition in the Bible is wrong?  By the way, this is how Jehovah asked them to number the people, which is very different from David who numbered the people because of his own pride.

Let’s now look at the following verses, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Number every firstborn male of the sons of Israel from a month old and upward, and make a list of their names. You shall take the Levites for Me, I am the LORD, instead of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the sons of Israel.” So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded him; and all the firstborn males by the number of names from a month old and upward, for their numbered men were 22,273.”(Numbers 3:40-43) Eventually , “For the ransom of the 273 of the firstborn of the sons of Israel who are in excess beyond the Levites, you shall take five shekels apiece, per head; you shall take them in terms of the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs).”(Numbers 3:46-47) This is what happened, so the correct number is very important here. ​

He spent considerable time discussing what was going on and concluded that the contradiction can be resolved in the Hebrew text.  The Hebrew number three is written as “שׁלושׁ”, and the number six is ​​written as “שׁשׁ”. When the manuscript cracked, the middle part of the three was no longer visible, and it became six.  Therefore, it should be,”Of Kohath …In the numbering of every male from a month old and upward, there were 8,300, …”(Numbers 3:27-28) Therefore, the total number of the tribe of Levi is 22,000, which will be consistent.  Sometimes it takes experts to explore an issue in detail to restore what the Bible has to say.

3. Explanation of the nine obvious contradictory examples mentioned in that video

Let’s look at some of the obvious contradictions mentioned in the video from the perspective of “What God tells us through the Bible is consistent.”  A lot of that video talks about contradictions in numbers. The first quoted verse is about 1:00, which is “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem; …”(2 Kings 24:8) The scripture that is obviously inconsistent with the number of this verse is, “Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God.”(2 Chronicles 36:5) Yes, the important thing is not the agreement in numbers, so what we are told here is not to focus on the numbers, because as soon as we see a very few obvious contradictions, we will Therefore, it is noted that “the message God tells us through the Bible is consistent.”  So what is God trying to tell us here?  What the video says at about 32:30 is that Jehoiachin should not do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. This is the key point, and it is what God wants to tell us.  We believe that the messages God tells us through the Bible are consistent. Only by not modifying the Bible arbitrarily, can we clearly see what God’s inspiration tells us through obvious contradictions.

From an example of no obvious contradiction, we shall know that the numbers mentioned in the Bible in ordinary cases are approximate, and it is not so important that the numbers must be consistent. “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) The exact time is given in the verse, “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) Therefore, many numbers in the Bible are approximate numbers under normal circumstances, but there are also exceptions and special cases. ​​

As mentioned just before, the number in Pastor Kou Shaohan’s video is correct. Another different example is when recording the descendants of Adam. For different reasons, the number is also accurate.  When the numbers are correct, we can calculate that Methuselah and the flood came on the same day, because “Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.”(Genesis 5:25) “Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and became the father of a son. Now he called his name Noah, …”(Genesis 5:28-29) So Noah was born when Methuselah was 187 + 182 = 369 years old.  And “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, …”(Genesis 7:11), the flood came, which happened when Methuselah was 369 + 600 = 969 years old, and “So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.”(Genesis 5:27) But the Bible does not clearly say that Methuselah was drowned by the flood, or that the flood came as soon as he died. Since God said that we do not need to know, and respect God, we should not guess. In fact, there is no conclusion to guessing, it is just a guess.  What we should do is distinguish between special cases and general cases.

Let’s look at other examples using the same principle.  At about the 4:24 mark, the apparent contradiction in the second group was mentioned.  First, “Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab had done, because he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab.”(2 Kings 8:26-27) The time conflict with this scripture is, “Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.”(2 Chronicles 22:2-3) It doesn’t matter how old Ahaziah was when he ascended the throne. What God wants us to see is the information about his mother that caused him to do evil in the sight of the Lord. ​

Ffinally we see, “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring.”(2 Kings 11:1) Here we see God’s intervention, “But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.”(2 Kings 11:2-3) Without God’s intervention, as that video said, the descendants of David would be wiped out and God’s plan of salvation would be destroyed. This is what God wants to see through this obvious contradiction that He will intervene at the appropriate time and will not disrupt His plan.  This is just like in the book of Job that God was going to bless Job. When the appropriate time came, He would personally intervene, that is, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,”(Job 38 :1) He began to personally intervene to complete His original plan.

The third set of apparent contradictions is mentioned at about 6:35, “Now he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in circumference. …It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, as a lily blossom; it could hold two thousand baths.”(1 Kings 7:23-26) And another scripture says, “Also he made the cast metal sea, ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits and its circumference thirty cubits…It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom; it could hold 3,000 baths.”(2 Chronicles 4:2-5) Does it matter whether the capacity of the cast metal sea is two thousand or three thousand? 

What we need to pay attention to is the function of the cast metal sea. This was not necessary when Moses built the tabernacle.  The verse says, “…he set the sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.”(1 Kings 7:39) This is because the Israelites considered the right side to be the greatest.  When Moses built the tabernacle, “See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.”(Exodus 25:40, and see Exodus 26:30, 27:8) We have discussed before that this is because what is on earth will reflect what is in Heaven.  The same principle was used in building the temple, “All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern.””(1 Chronicles 28:19) From 1 Chronicles 28:11 -18, you can see that all these refer to spiritual things, so earthly things will have different needs, but in spiritual things the two are consistent.

At about 10 minutes, the fourth group of obvious contradictions was mentioned. One is that “Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.”(1 Kings 4:26) The contradictory verse is found in “Now Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.”(2 Chronicles 9:25) That video explains in detail why there is an obvious contradiction in numbers,which basically talks about the difference between ‘40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots’ and ‘4,000 stalls for horses and chariots.” As that video says, Jerusalem is located in the mountains of Judah and is not suitable for the movement of chariots and horsemen. Therefore, the chariots and horsemen arranged in Jerusalem were purely for show. This is what God wants us to notice through this obvious contradiction.  So far, all the obvious contradictions occur in Kings and Chronicles. If there are these four times, we still cannot realize the message God wants to convey to us through these obvious contradictions. What can the Bible say or do in this case!

The fifth set of obvious contradictions is mentioned in John 11:58. At this time, in the New Testament, there are two verses, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, …”(Matthew 2:1) and “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.”(Luke 1:5) These two passages agree that Jesus was born during the time of King Herod the Great.  The obvious contradictory passage is “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, …”(Luke 2:1-5) ​

That video mentioned that according to the records of the Jewish historian Josephus, there was a time when Quirinius was governor. The video explains in detail that this would be inconsistent with the time when Jesus was born.  This is an obvious contradiction that would arise if the historical records are correct, but the records are often not necessarily correct. If you look at the modern history of China, you will know this very clearly. God wants us to see that when the historical records conflict with the Bible records, we must take the Bible inspired by God as the standard and not put the cart before the horse, because there may be errors in historical records, but God’s words are always correct.  As an example of the latter, we can cite the book of Job, which says, “He …hangs the earth on nothing.”(Job 26:7) People at that time would have thought, how could this be possible?  Now, in spacecraft, you can actually see this and know that God’s word is correct.

The sixth group of obvious contradictions is mentioned at about 16:45. One is that “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it”(Matthew 28:1-2) So they saw the stone being removed.  In that video, we saw three corresponding contradictory scriptures, which are “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.”(John 20:1) and “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.”(Mark 16:1-4) and “And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” The three scriptures all say that the stone was rolled away, so there is a debate about whether the stone was rolled away.  In fact, if we believe that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent and do not discount the words of the Bible, we will have a correct view and realize that there is no obvious contradiction here.  We have previously discussed this point in detail inb”3. Details of Jesus’ Resurrection” of “1085 Jesus’ Death, burial, and controversial issue in resurrection – Jesus (37),” please go to “https:// a-christian-voice.com/“, click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article.

The seventh set of apparent contradictions mentioned in John 19:38 concerns the place where Jesus ascended to heaven.  First look at these verses, “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”(Luke 24:50-51) It is clear that Jesus ascended to heaven in Bethany.  But the book of Acts says that the place where He ascended into heaven was the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, for “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.”(Acts 1:9-12) And “Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off.”(John 11:18) As that video notes, normal people cannot see the same person in these two different places.  Therefore, God wants us to notice, “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”(Matthew 24:27) And make sure we notice, “…This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”(Acts 1:11) Don’t look at this from a human perspective. When Jesus comes again, these will not be a problem.

About minute 29 is the eighth group of things about Paul seeing the great light. First, “The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.”(Acts 9:7-8) At almost the end of the book of days, “And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.”(Acts 22:9) Here, it says the companions heard the voice. But if you got the original text of the Strong’s Concordance, it says clearly that the companions didn’t hear the voice. So, did anyone traveling with him hear it?  What does God want us to see here?  First of all, we notice that the light that Paul saw was different from the light that his fellow travelers saw. Only the light that Paul saw could temporarily prevent him from seeing.  God wants us to notice that the voices were also different. The people who were walking with him did not hear the voice as Acts 22:9 says. The voice in Acts 9:7 was just that Paul thought the companions heard the same voice. It is very important to believe that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent when reading the Bible. Without this, you will see many obvious contradictions and cannot understand why God does this kind of inspiration.  Therefore, this is the only way to avoid forced interpretation of the Bible.

At about 30:45, the ninth group talks about the controversy about peace. First, we look at three verses, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”(Luke 2:14) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”(John 14:27) “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).”(Acts 10:36)

These verses seem to conflict with the following verse, ““Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”(Matthew 10:34-36) Whether Jesus brings peace or not, if we do not forcefully interpret the Bible, we will find that the message what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. Here you can see that what we just said is something similar to what these verses say, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:17-18) So Jesus’ original intention is indeed to come with peace. When people at home do not believe and prevent us from believing, isn’t it true that “and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”(Matthew 10:36) Even if family members believe, each person’s degree of belief will be different, so God will also allow them to become our circumstances. ​

It is true that only Jesus is the only truth, but our knowledge about Jesus comes from the Bible, which are two sides of the same coin, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; …”(Romans 1:17) We are not just saved by our initial faith, but we also have to embark on the road to sanctification. Only in this way can we be from faith to faith, and be able to walk on the road to sanctification. It then is possible for us to be in Christ, to be conformed into the image of Jesus, and to be completely one with the Lord.

 ​(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.”)

更正是切掉了一个错误及其相关的部份，其余的保持一样。这已到了启示录的最后，我们首先要看见，我们只要敬拜神，我们不要如约翰般的软弱，因看到天使的荣耀会要敬拜天使，但这是相当不容易的，所幸那天使知道自己的本位。第二，我们看到不是每个人都相信预言，神会任凭我们做自己的抉择。我们也看到了主耶稣自己宣告祂是三位一体的神中的一位，怎么会有人说没有三位一体的神呢！我们要做能进城的，洗净自己的衣服的得胜者。我们也看到主耶稣是旧约所说的弥赛亚，不论在耶稣基督的父系家谱，或母系家谱，我们都可以看见祂是大卫的根，又是他的后裔。祂是明亮的晨星，是我们在黑暗中的一线曙光。最后我们知道启示录的预言不可加添也不可减少，我们各举了一个这样的例子，这样号称自己是基督徒的人怎么会不怕神的话啊！我们实在是要尊重神的话，把神当作神来看待，要知道神是无限，而人是有限。

1. 天使和我们同是作仆人的        

『天使又对我说：「这些话是真实可信的。主就是众先知被感之灵的神，差遣他的使者，将那必要快成的事指示他仆人。」「看哪，我必快来！凡遵守这书上预言的有福了！」这些事是我约翰所听见、所看见的，我既听见、看见了，就在指示我的天使脚前俯伏要拜他。他对我说：「千万不可！我与你和你的弟兄众先知，并那些守这书上言语的人，同是作仆人的。你要敬拜神。」』(启示录 22:6-9)        

首先很清楚的说，天使说这是真实的，是将要必成的事。我们很清楚的看到，不只是听见就可以了，而是要去遵行，我们以前分享过，听见的而听对的确实比没有听见的有福，就不多讲这点了。虽然我们知道，『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) 但时候总归是要到的，是时候了虽然『…主的日子要像贼来到一样。…』(彼得后书 3:10) 祂有绝对的主权。

这是约翰第二次要敬拜天使，第一次是『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 19:9-10) 这是因为约翰看见了天使带著属天的荣耀而忘了基督徒只要敬拜神，所幸虽然约翰显示了人的软弱，但天使知道自己的职份，说你要敬拜神。这就如耶稣被试探时，很清楚的『…说：「撒但退去吧！因为经上记著说：『当拜主你的神，单要事奉他。』」』(马太福音 4:10)       

关于不要敬拜天使这点，希伯来书说得很清楚，『神既在古时借著众先知多次多方地晓谕列祖，就在这末世，借著他儿子晓谕我们，又早已立他为承受万有的，也曾借著他创造诸世界。他是神荣耀所发的光辉，是神本体的真像，常用他权能的命令托住万有。他洗净了人的罪，就坐在高天至大者的右边。他所承受的名，既比天使的名更尊贵，就远超过天使。所有的天使，神从来对哪一个说：「你是我的儿子，我今日生你」？ 又指著哪一个说：「我要作他的父，他要作我的子」？』(希伯来书 1:1-5) 我们知道在耶稣道成肉身的时间里面是有一个次序的，父差遣子，子不去圣灵不来。但在永世里，祂们同尊同荣，是三位一体的神。

再者，『所有的天使，神从来对哪一个说：「你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳」？天使岂不都是服役的灵、奉差遣为那将要承受救恩的人效力吗？』(希伯来书 1:13-14) 在新约中，很清楚的说，我们单要敬拜那三位一体的神。       

我们再从旧约来看，神给了我们十诫而最开始的两诫是这样说的，『神吩咐这一切的话说：「我是耶和华你的神，曾将你从埃及地为奴之家领出来。「除了我以外，你不可有别的神。「不可为自己雕刻偶像，也不可做甚么形像仿佛上天、下地和地底下、水中的百物。不可跪拜那些像，也不可事奉它，因为我耶和华你的神，是忌邪的神。恨我的，我必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三四代；爱我、守我诫命的，我必向他们发慈爱，直到千代。』(出埃及记 20:1-6) 很清楚的说明我们不能敬拜别神。 神借著圣经告诉我们的是多么的一致啊！

2. 人对预言的抉择和主耶稣的宣告     

『他又对我说：「不可封了这书上的预言，因为日期近了。不义的，叫他仍旧不义；污秽的，叫他仍旧污秽；为义的，叫他仍旧为义；圣洁的，叫他仍旧圣洁。「看哪，我必快来！赏罚在我，要照各人所行的报应他。我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是首先的，我是末后的；我是初，我是终。「那些洗净自己衣服的有福了！可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城。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。「我耶稣差遣我的使者为众教会将这些事向你们证明。我是大卫的根，又是他的后裔。我是明亮的晨星。」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 22:10-17)       

在但以理那时，『所说二千三百日的异象是真的，但你要将这异象封住，因为关乎后来许多的日子。』(但以理书 8:26) 那时的异象是封住的，因『凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。』(传道书 3:1) 现在时候到了，预言不再被封住。但很显然的不是每个都相信而接受预言，人对预言有抉择，神不帮你做选择，是任凭你做自己的决定，我们实在是应该转向神！      

 我们很明显的看到主耶稣宣告自己是三位一体神中间的那一位，我们上次已谈到新耶路撒城是至圣所，是三位一体的神同在的地方，就不多讲这一点了。我们看到了洗净自己的衣服的得胜者可以进城，就像我们上次所强调的，不要沦为在城外坠落的基督徒，只能有咬牙切齿的份。       

我们也看到主耶稣是旧约所说的弥赛亚，不论在马太福音的第一章耶稣基督的父系家谱，或是路加福音第三章中耶稣基督的母系家谱，我们都可以看见祂是大卫的根，又是他的后裔。祂是明亮的晨星，是我们在黑暗中的一线曙光。

3. 启示录的预言不可加添也不可减少

『我向一切听见这书上预言的作见证，若有人在这预言上加添甚么，神必将写在这书上的灾祸加在他身上；这书上的预言，若有人删去甚么，神必从这书上所写的生命树和圣城删去他的分。证明这事的说：「是了，我必快来！」 阿们！主耶稣啊，我愿你来！愿主耶稣的恩惠常与众圣徒同在。阿们！』(启示录 22:18-21)       

有人没有提任何的证据下而主观的说，开始的经文是外加的，不应该在那里，这人明明知道这样做是删去了这书上的预言，我实在是怀疑这样号称自己是基督徒的人怎么会不怕神的话！而另外有人告诉我说，只有属灵的人知道七雷的发生，我当然不知道，圣经明说，『七雷发声之后，我正要写出来，就听见从天上有声音说：「七雷所说的你要封上，不可写出来。」』 (启示录 10:4) 约翰顺服神，他的确没有记载七雷所说的。这是属于在预言上加添甚么的号称为基督徒的人，还以为自己有特别的看见，我会同样的问，这样号称自己是基督徒的人怎么会不怕神的话啊！难怪在神眼中有这么多启示录所提的老底嘉的教会！人都会照自己的想法去做事情，像老底嘉教会一样，以为自己做了很多事情，但在神的眼中一无是处，基至于他们把耶稣关在门外，而不自知！       

我们实在是要尊重神的话，把神当作神来看待，要知道神是无限，而人是有限，圣经明写，『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) 这不只是说说而已，真的是这样。      

圣经讲得很清楚，『天国好像宝贝藏在地里，人遇见了就把它藏起来，欢欢喜喜地去变卖一切所有的，买这块地。』(马太福音 13:44) 那人是指人子，祂真的会这样做。经文接著强调的说，『天国又好像买卖人寻找好珠子，遇见一颗重价的珠子，就去变卖他一切所有的，买了这颗珠子。』(马太福音 13:45-46) 这买卖人也是指主耶稣，当主耶稣遇见一颗重价的珠子，祂会用祂绝对的主权去买下那颗珠子。

最后我们看到，的确是最后的时刻到了，主耶稣说，我必快来，是的，我们愿祢快来，但知道这一切都为祢绝对的主权所决定，同时，我们愿意看到祢的恩惠常与众圣徒同在，知道没有祢的恩惠，我们什么都不会是。阿门！

(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』。)  

    這已到了啓示錄的最後，我們首先要看見，我們只要敬拜神，我們不要如約翰般的軟弱，因看到天使的榮耀會要敬拜天使，但這是相當不容易的，所幸那天使知道自己的本位。第二，我們看到不是每個人都相信預言，神會任憑我們做自己的抉擇。我們也看到了主耶穌自己宣告祂是三位一體的神中的一位，怎麼會有人說沒有三位一體的神呢！我們要做能進城的，洗淨自己的衣服的得勝者。我們也看到主耶穌是舊約所說的彌賽亞，不論在耶穌基督的父系家譜，或母系家譜，我們都可以看見祂是大衞的根，又是他的後裔。祂是明亮的晨星，是我們在黑暗中的一線曙光。最後我們知道啓示錄的預言不可加添也不可減少，我們各舉了一個這樣的例子，這樣號稱自己是基督徒的人怎麼會不怕神的話啊！我們實在是要尊重神的話，把神當作神來看待，要知道神是無限，而人是有限。

1. 天使和我們同是作僕人的

        『天使又對我說：「這些話是真實可信的。主就是眾先知被感之靈的神，差遣他的使者，將那必要快成的事指示他僕人。」「看哪，我必快來！凡遵守這書上預言的有福了！」這些事是我約翰所聽見、所看見的，我既聽見、看見了，就在指示我的天使腳前俯伏要拜他。他對我說：「千萬不可！我與你和你的弟兄眾先知，並那些守這書上言語的人，同是作僕人的。你要敬拜神。」』(啓示錄 22:6-9)

        首先很清楚的說，天使說這是真實的，是將要必成的事。我們很清楚的看到，不只是聽見就可以了，而是要去遵行，我們以前分享過，聽見的而聽對的確實比沒有聽見的有福，就不多講這點了。雖然我們知道，『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) 但時候總歸是要到的，是時候了雖然『…主的日子要像賊來到一樣。…』(彼得後書 3:10) 祂有絕對的主權。

        這是約翰第二次要敬拜天使，第一次是『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 19:9-10) 這是因為約翰看見了天使帶著屬天的榮耀而忘了基督徒只要敬拜神，所幸雖然約翰顯示了人的軟弱，但天使知道自己的職份，說你要敬拜神。這就如耶穌被試探時，很清楚的『…說：「撒但退去吧！因為經上記着說：『當拜主你的神，單要事奉他。』」』(馬太福音 4:10)

       關於不要敬拜天使這點，希伯來書說得很清楚，『神既在古時藉着眾先知多次多方地曉諭列祖，就在這末世，藉着他兒子曉諭我們，又早已立他為承受萬有的，也曾藉着他創造諸世界。他是神榮耀所發的光輝，是神本體的真像，常用他權能的命令托住萬有。他洗淨了人的罪，就坐在高天至大者的右邊。他所承受的名，既比天使的名更尊貴，就遠超過天使。所有的天使，神從來對哪一個說：「你是我的兒子，我今日生你」？ 又指着哪一個說：「我要作他的父，他要作我的子」？』(希伯來書 1:1-5) 我們知道在耶穌道成肉身的時間裏面是有一個次序的，父差遣子，子不去聖靈不來。但在永世裏，祂們同尊同榮，是三位一體的神。

     再者，『所有的天使，神從來對哪一個說：「你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳」？天使豈不都是服役的靈、奉差遣為那將要承受救恩的人效力嗎？』(希伯來書 1:13-14) 在新約中，很清楚的說，我們單要敬拜那三位一體的神。

       我們再從舊約來看，神給了我們十誡而最開始的兩誡是這樣說的，『神吩咐這一切的話說：「我是耶和華你的神，曾將你從埃及地為奴之家領出來。「除了我以外，你不可有別的神。「不可為自己雕刻偶像，也不可做甚麼形像彷彿上天、下地和地底下、水中的百物。不可跪拜那些像，也不可事奉它，因為我耶和華你的神，是忌邪的神。恨我的，我必追討他的罪，自父及子，直到三四代；愛我、守我誡命的，我必向他們發慈愛，直到千代。』(出埃及記 20:1-6) 很清楚的說明我們不能敬拜別神。 神藉著聖經告訴我們的是多麼的一致啊！

2. 人對預言的抉擇和主耶穌的宣告

     『他又對我說：「不可封了這書上的預言，因為日期近了。不義的，叫他仍舊不義；污穢的，叫他仍舊污穢；為義的，叫他仍舊為義；聖潔的，叫他仍舊聖潔。「看哪，我必快來！賞罰在我，要照各人所行的報應他。我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是首先的，我是末後的；我是初，我是終。「那些洗淨自己衣服的有福了！可得權柄能到生命樹那裏，也能從門進城。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。「我耶穌差遣我的使者為眾教會將這些事向你們證明。我是大衞的根，又是他的後裔。我是明亮的晨星。」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 22:10-17)

       在但以理那時，『所說二千三百日的異象是真的，但你要將這異象封住，因為關乎後來許多的日子。』(但以理書 8:26) 那時的異象是封住的，因『凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。』(傳道書 3:1) 現在時候到了，預言不再被封住。但很顯然的不是每個都相信而接受預言，人對預言有抉擇，神不幫你做選擇，是任憑你做自己的決定，我們實在是應該轉向神！

       我們很明顯的看到主耶穌宣告自己是三位一體神中間的那一位，我們上次已談到新耶路撒城是至聖所，是三位一體的神同在的地方，就不多講這一點了。我們看到了洗淨自己的衣服的得勝者可以進城，就像我們上次所強調的，不要淪為在城外墜落的基督徒，只能有咬牙切齒的份。

       我們也看到主耶穌是舊約所說的彌賽亞，不論在馬太福音的第一章耶穌基督的父系家譜，或是路加福音第三章中耶穌基督的母系家譜，我們都可以看見祂是大衞的根，又是他的後裔。祂是明亮的晨星，是我們在黑暗中的一線曙光。

3. 啓示錄的預言不可加添也不可減少

       『我向一切聽見這書上預言的作見證，若有人在這預言上加添甚麼，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上；這書上的預言，若有人刪去甚麼，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城刪去他的分。證明這事的說：「是了，我必快來！」 阿們！主耶穌啊，我願你來！願主耶穌的恩惠常與眾聖徒同在。阿們！』(啓示錄 22:18-21)

       有人沒有提任何的証據下而主觀的說，開始的經文是外加的，不應該在那裏，這人明明知道這樣做是删去了這書上的預言，我實在是懷疑這樣號稱自己是基督徒的人怎麼會不怕神的話！而另外有人告訴我說，只有屬靈的人知道七雷的發生，我當然不知道，聖經明說，『七雷發聲之後，我正要寫出來，就聽見從天上有聲音說：「七雷所說的你要封上，不可寫出來。」』 (啓示錄 10:4) 約翰順服神，他的確沒有記載七雷所說的。這是屬於在預言上加添甚麼的號稱為基督徒的人，還以為自己有特別的看見，我會同樣的問，這樣號稱自己是基督徒的人怎麼會不怕神的話啊！難怪在神眼中有這麼多啓示錄所提的老底嘉的教會！人都會照自己的想法去做事情，像老底嘉教會一樣，以為自己做了很多事情，但在神的眼中一無是處，基至於他們把耶穌關在門外，而不自知！

       我們實在是要尊重神的話，把神當作神來看待，要知道神是無限，而人是有限，聖經明寫，『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) 這不只是說說而已，真的是這樣。

      聖經講得很清楚，『天國好像寶貝藏在地裏，人遇見了就把它藏起來，歡歡喜喜地去變賣一切所有的，買這塊地。』(馬太福音 13:44) 那人是指人子，祂真的會這樣做。經文接著強調的說，『天國又好像買賣人尋找好珠子，遇見一顆重價的珠子，就去變賣他一切所有的，買了這顆珠子。』(馬太福音 13:45-46) 這買賣人也是指主耶穌，當主耶穌遇見一顆重價的珠子，祂會用祂絕對的主權去買下那顆珠子。

      最後我們看到，的確是最後的時刻到了，主耶穌說，我必快來，是的，我們願祢快來，但知道這一切都為祢絕對的主權所決定，同時，我們願意看到祢的恩惠常與眾聖徒同在，知道沒有祢的恩惠，我們什麼都不會是。阿門！

(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』。)

Correction cuts out an error and its associated parts, leaving the rest the same. This has come to the end of the book of Revelation. We must first see that we must only worship God. We should not be as weak as John about to worship the angel since he saw the angel glory from Heaven, but this is not easy. Fortunately, that angel know his place.  Second, we see that not everyone believes the prophecies and God will leave us to make our own choices.  We have also seen that the Lord Jesus Himself declared that He is one of the Trinity. How could anyone say that there is no Trinity of God!  We must be overcomers who wash their clothes and can enter the city.  We also see that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament. Whether in the paternal or maternal genealogy of Jesus Christ, we can see that He is the root of David and his descendant.  He is the bright morning star, our ray of light in the darkness.  Finally, we know that the prophecies in the book of Revelation cannot be added to or subtracted from. We give one such example for both cases. How could someone who claims to be a Christian not be afraid of God’s words?  We really need to respect God’s words, treat Him as God, and know that God is infinite and humans are limited.

1. Angels are servants together with us

​”And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.””(Revelation 22:6-9)

First it made very clear that the angel said this was true and it was something that would definitely happen.  We clearly see that it is not enough to just hear, but to obey. We have shared before that those who hear and hear correctly are indeed more blessed than those who do not hear, so I won’t go into more detail on this point.  Although we know that “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) But the time will come eventually, although “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief, …”(2 Peter 3:10) He has absolute sovereignty.

This was the second time John wanted to worship an angel. The first time was, “Then he (angel) 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 19:9-10) This is because John saw the angel with heavenly glory and forgot that Christians must only worship God. Fortunately, although John showed the weakness of man, the angel knew his position and said that you must worship God.  This is just like when Jesus was tempted, He clearly “…said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’””(Matthew 4:10)

Regarding the prohibition of worshiping angels, the book of Hebrews makes it very clear, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me”?”(Hebrews 1:1-5) We know that there is a sequence in the time when Jesus became flesh. The Father sends the Son, and the Holy Spirit will not come until the Son goes.  But in eternity, They have the same dignity and glory, and they are the Trinity God.

Furthermore, “But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand,

Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”(Hebrews 1:13-14) In era of the New Testament, it is very clear that we must worship the Triune God alone.

Let’s look at it from the era of the Old Testament then. God gave us the Ten Commandments, and the first two commandments say this, “Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”(Exodus 20:1-6) It clearly shows that we cannot worship other gods. How consistent is what God tells us through the Bible!  

2. Man’s choice of prophecies and the declaration of the Lord Jesus

“​And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.” “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 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 22:10-17)

In the time of Daniel, “The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true;

But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future.”(Daniel 8:26) The vision at that time was sealed because “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1) The time has come when prophecy is no longer sealed.  But it is obvious that not everyone believes and accepts prophecies. People have choices about prophecies. God does not help you make choices, but allows you to make your own decisions. We should really turn to God!

We can clearly see that the Lord Jesus declares Himself to be the one in the Trinity. Last time we talked about New Jerusalem being the Holy of Holies, the place where the Triune God is present, so we won’t go into detail about this. We have seen that overcomers who have washed their clothes can enter the city. As we emphasized last time, we should not become Christians who fall outside the city and can only gnash their teeth by then.

We also see that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament. We can see this whether in the paternal genealogy of Jesus Christ in the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew or the maternal genealogy of Jesus Christ in the third chapter of the Gospel of Luke. He is the root of David and his descendant.  He is the bright morning star, our ray of light in the darkness.

 ​

3. The prophecies of the book of Revelation cannot be added to or subtracted from

​”I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”(Revelation 22:18-21)

Someone subjectively said without mentioning any evidence that the opening verses were added and should not be there. This person clearly knew that by doing so he was deleting the prophecies in this book. I really doubt how such a claimed Christian cannot be afraid of God’s words!  Someone else told me that only spiritual people know about the occurrence of the seven thunders. Of course I don’t know their occurrence since the Bible clearly says, “When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.””(Revelation 10:4) John obeyed God, and he indeed did not record what the seven thunders said.  This belongs to this who claims to be a Christian and add something to the prophecies, and think that he has special visions. I would ask the same question, how can such people who claim to be a Christian who doesn’t be afraid of God’s words?  No wonder in the eyes of God, there are so many churches like the church in Laodicea mentioned in the book of Revelation!  People will do things according to their own ideas. Like the church in Laodicea, they think they have done many things, but they are worthless in the eyes of God. So much so that they shut Jesus out without knowing it!

We really need to respect God’s words and treat Him as God. We must know that God is infinite and man is limited. The Bible clearly says, ““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 not just talk, it’s true. That’s it.

The Bible says very clearly, ““The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”(Matthew 13:44) That person is the Son of Man, and He will really do this.  The scripture goes on to say emphatically, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”(Matthew 13:45-46) This buyer and seller also refers to the Lord Jesus. When the Lord Jesus encounters a pearl of great price, He will use His absolute sovereignty try to buy that pearl. 

Finally, we see that the last moment has indeed arrived. The Lord Jesus said, I will come quickly. Yes, we want you to come quickly, but we know that everything is determined by your absolute sovereignty. At the same time, we are willing to see you to come. Your grace is always with all the saints, knowing that without Your grace, we would be anything.  Amen!

 ​(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。

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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。

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