在这篇文章中，我们主要是分享启示录中所说灾难的次序，因以后会照这个次序来详细的分享相对的经文。我们首先讨论了第六印接著发生的事情，其中包括了以色列人的受印，我们指出以前在那篇文章中讨论过此事，且说到了为什么在经文中，我们看见了如约伯记所说的一样，撒但的所做所为，不能超过神所允许的范围内。第二，我们说到了第六印是如何结束的，及其中穿白衣的人。接著的是我们要看看第七印中事件发生的次序，所以在第三中，我们首先提到了第七印是以七号为开始，并在第六号中有封住的七雷，其中也提到了天上的金坛。在最后的第四中，我们讲到了七号中的第七号开始了七碗的灾，并从圣经的一致性看第七号结束的时间，及第七印中的七碗之灾和其结束，因此最后看到了启示录中所说灾难的次序。

1. 第六印接著发生的事情和以色列人的受印        

『此后，我看见四位天使站在地的四角，执掌地上四方的风，叫风不吹在地上、海上和树上。我又看见另有一位天使，从日出之地上来，拿著永生神的印。他就向那得著权柄能伤害地和海的四位天使大声喊著说：「地与海并树木，你们不可伤害，等我们印了我们神众仆人的额。」我听见以色列人各支派中受印的数目有十四万四千：犹大支派中受印的有一万二千；吕便支派中有一万二千；迦得支派中有一万二千；亚设支派中有一万二千；拿弗他利支派中有一万二千；玛拿西支派中有一万二千；西缅支派中有一万二千；利未支派中有一万二千；以萨迦支派中有一万二千；西布伦支派中有一万二千；约瑟支派中有一万二千；便雅悯支派中受印的有一万二千。』(启示录 7:1-8)        

「此后」是指在第六印中已发生的事情之后，仍然在第六印中，而那四位天使是有权柄伤害地和海的，但他们不能越过、拿著永生神的印的另一天使所说的，也就是说那另一位天使绝对是从神而来的。类似的情况我们从约伯记一开始(参约伯记 1:6-2:8)，就可以很清楚的看见，撒但的所做所为，不能超过神所允许的范围。神的本性是不会做不美善的事情，神知道撒但的个性，根本不必亲自动手，只要在祂的计划中如约伯记般，包括撒但的自然反应就可以了。        

在约伯记中，撤但是无所不用其极的攻击约伯，包括敌人的攻击，物质界的超自然现象，从脚掌到头顶长毒疮的人身的攻击，最亲密的人(妻子)的攻击，和借著提幔人以利法的灵界的超自然现象的攻击，一个人能受的攻击也就只能是这么多种了！在第一次的攻击范围是『…凡他所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害于他。…』(约伯记 1:12) 只要不作人身的攻击就可以了，所以这包括了大部份财产的损失，他七个儿子三个女儿的突然一起过世，但将他的妻子留下来了。你想撤但在第一次留下他妻子是好意吗？留下她可以在第二次的攻击中。第二次攻击的范围是『…他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。』(约伯记 2:6) 撒但为什么要作人身的攻击，约伯记说得很清楚我们就不多说了。可见撒但真是只要神允许一个范围，祂就会在所允许的范围内，无所不用其极的攻击。我们再看最后的结局，『…耶和华后来赐福给约伯比先前更多。…他也有七个儿子，三个女儿。』(约伯记 42:12-13)

我们也看到他的祝福在人间是除了儿女的数目一样多外，他所损失的每件都加倍，所以儿女的数目也应加倍才对。从人的角度看，儿女的确是没有加倍，但从神的角度看是加倍了，为什么这样说呢？因为神对人间的死的看法和人的大不相同。我们可以用使徒雅各所遭遇的事看到这点，『那时，希律王下手苦害教会中几个人，用刀杀了约翰的哥哥雅各。』(使徒行传 12:1-2) 雅各很早就为主殉道了！但在启示录中怎么说，『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) 雅各虽是在人间早死，却在天上有荣耀的冠冕。虽然圣经没有明说约伯死去的儿女现在何处？但从圣经的一致性看，从神的角度看，每件事包括他的儿女都加倍了，所以他死去的儿女会在何处，不言而喻。     

约伯是遭遇了许多苦难，但神在需要时会亲自介入，因『那时，耶和华从旋风中回答约伯…』(约伯记 38:1) 虽然耶和华没有直接回答约伯的任何一个问题，但他听懂了，因此『约伯回答耶和华说：「我知道你万事都能做，你的旨意不能拦阻。…我从前风闻有你，现在亲眼看见你。因此我厌恶自己，在尘土和炉灰中懊悔。」』(约伯记 42:1-6) 他悔改了！『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)     

撒但的自然反应是留下了他的妻子在第二次的攻击中，借著他亲密的妻子攻击他。但如果不是留下了他的妻子，怎么会有同样多的儿女呢？所以我们看到了神的确会考虑到撒但的自然反应。         #####约伯记所说的其实和新约所说的完全一致，因为『各样美善的恩赐和各样全备的赏赐都是从上头来的，从众光之父那里降下来的；在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。』(雅各书 1:17) 约伯所遭受的灾难是从撒但而来，怎么会是美善的？我们也知道撒但不只是牠一个背叛神，还有跟著牠的差役，而这些差役也是堕落的天使。虽然圣经没有明说这四位天使应是堕落的天使，但如果这四位天使是从神来，他们所做的事怎么会是美善的呢？这不是和神借著圣经告诉我们的会有矛盾吗？因此从圣经的一致性看，这四位天使应是堕落的天使，神允许牠们有权柄去伤害地和海，但不能越过那另一位、从神而来天使的话。               

那另一天使给四位堕落的天使的讯息很简单，就是在照著所说的、以色列人在额上受印后、才可伤害地与海并树木。请注意，这里说到一万二千重复了十二次，你不会看不到的。如果只是要达到同样的目的，圣经可以说每一支派有一万二千，然后说现在算进了利未支派而没有算进但支派。但这是圣经的一个写法，不只在这一个地方出现了类似的写法，要确定你看到了，也了解了所当蕴藏的信息。在以前『2093 看天开了，宝座和四活物 – 启示录 (4)』中的『2. 天上的宝座』讨论过，旧约数民时是包括但支派，而没有数算利未支派的人，现在启示录中，包括了利未支派，而用玛拿西支派取代了但支派，及其蕴藏的信息，这点就不多说了。有兴趣的人可到网站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，然后按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

至于为什么是一万二千，十二可能和十二支派有关，但圣经既然没有明讲，尊重神，我们也就不猜测了。但我们至少看见、在神眼中每一支派是相同的，因为都是同样的人数受印，这就有如旧约所说的，『以色列人中头生的男子，比利未人多二百七十三个，必当将他们赎出来。你要按人丁，照圣所的平，每人取赎银五舍客勒（一舍客勒是二十季拉）。』(民数记 3:46-47) 你看，每人的赎价都是相同的，所以在神眼中，每个人都是一样的重要，『因为神不偏待人。』(罗马书 2:11)

2. 第六印的完成及穿白衣的人       

『此后，我观看，见有许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的，站在宝座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，手拿棕树枝，大声喊著说：「愿救恩归与坐在宝座上我们的神，也归与羔羊。」众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围，在宝座前，面伏于地敬拜神，说：「阿们！颂赞、荣耀、智慧、感谢、尊贵、权柄、大力都归与我们的神，直到永永远远。阿们！」长老中有一位问我说：「这些穿白衣的是谁？是从哪里来的？」我对他说：「我主，你知道。」 他向我说：「这些人是从大患难中出来的，曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了。所以，他们在神宝座前，昼夜在他殿中事奉他。坐宝座的要用帐幕覆庇他们。他们不再饥、不再渴，日头和炎热也必不伤害他们。因为宝座中的羔羊必牧养他们，领他们到生命水的泉源；神也必擦去他们一切的眼泪。」』(启示录 7:9-17)        

首先我们看来看白色大宝座的审判时间，『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。』(启示录 20:11) 所以这些经文一开始就说在白色的大宝座的审判前，已有许多的人在天上了，为什么会这样呢？因为在别的地方有这样的经文，『因为我们众人必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按著本身所行的，或善或恶受报。』(哥林多后书 5:10) 那些是已在基督台前被审判过的人，不必再受白色大宝座的审判，配得站在宝座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣。这里很明显的说，基督台和白色大宝座在讲两件不同的事，不可混成一团。有人认为所有的基督徒都会在基督台前审判，不必再受白色大宝座的审判，这实在是更改了圣经的话，基督徒不是不会死，圣经这么说，『我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。…』(启示录 20:12) 那些已在基督台前受过审判的人，已在天上活著。我们也看到了生命水的泉源是在新耶路撒冷城内，所以这些身穿白衣的人是能进城的人。我们也看到了三位一体的神是有怜悯有恩典的，会覆庇和牧养他们。

3. 第七印以七号开始并其中的七雷和天上的金坛     

『羔羊揭开第七印的时候，天上寂静约有二刻。我看见那站在神面前的七位天使，有七枝号赐给他们。另有一位天使拿著金香炉，来站在祭坛旁边。有许多香赐给他，要和众圣徒的祈祷一同献在宝座前的金坛上。那香的烟和众圣徒的祈祷，从天使的手中一同升到神面前。天使拿著香炉，盛满了坛上的火，倒在地上，随有雷轰、大声、闪电、地震。拿著七枝号的七位天使就预备要吹。』(启示录 8:1-6)     

为什么第七印被揭开的时候会寂静呢？因为『耶和华发出猛烈的怒气，平安的羊圈就都寂静无声(H1826)。』(耶利米书 25:37) 第七印带来的灾难和前六印加起来仍大不相同，连天上都寂静二刻。至于为什么是二刻，圣经没有明讲，我们也不必猜而解释了，这是神的绝对主权！在后面说到有雷轰等，这只是从神来的警告，并没有和神本性不合的不美善的事情发生。有时这些会是表示神即将来临的标志，如『…那时，耶和华从那里经过，在他面前有烈风大作，崩山碎石，耶和华却不在风中；风后地震，耶和华却不在其中；地震后有火，耶和华也不在火中；火后有微小的声音。以利亚听见，就用外衣蒙上脸，出来站在洞口。 有声音向他说：「以利亚啊，你在这里做甚么？」』(列王纪上 19:11-13) 所以会说，『…耶和华我的神啊，…以风为使者，以火焰为仆役。』(诗篇 104:1-4)        

启示录清楚的说到第一号到第四号的灾难(参启示录 8:7-13)，在『第五位天使吹号，我就看见一个星从天落到地上，有无底坑的钥匙赐给它。…第一样灾祸过去了，还有两样灾祸要来。』(启示录 9:1-12) 直到『第六位天使吹号，我就听见有声音从神面前金坛的四角出来。』(启示录 9:13) 于是『我又看见另有一位大力的天使从天降下，披著云彩，头上有虹，脸面像日头，两脚像火柱。他手里拿著小书卷，是展开的。他右脚踏海，左脚踏地，大声呼喊，好像狮子吼叫。呼喊完了，就有七雷发声。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 10:1-4) 在这里我们看到了约翰的顺服，他的确没有把七雷所说的写出来。到七雷以后的事发生了，如果我们回过头看，就能知道七雷所说的是什么！        

『但在第七位天使吹号发声的时候，神的奥秘就成全了，正如神所传给他仆人众先知的佳音。』(启示录 10:7) 神的奥秘是成全了，因接著的是说，『我先前从天上所听见的那声音又吩咐我说：「你去，把那踏海踏地之天使手中展开的小书卷取过来。」』(启示录 10:8) 第五位天使吹号带来了第一样灾祸，所以会说，『第二样灾祸过去，第三样灾祸快到了。』(启示录 11:14) 当『第七位天使吹号，天上就有大声音说：「世上的国，成了我主和主基督的国；他要作王，直到永永远远。」』(启示录 11:15)       

我们注意到天上是有香坛的，因为会幕也有香坛，而耶和华晓谕摩西说：『制造帐幕和其中的一切器具，都要照我所指示你的样式。』(出埃及记 25:9) 所以我们再看看除了香坛外，天上还有些什么东西？这经文很明显的说有祭坛，『揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的(灵)魂。』(启示录 6:9) 也有灯台，因为经文说，『他们(两个见证人)就是那两棵橄榄树，两个灯台，立在世界之主面前的。』(启示录 11:4) 也有约柜，因经文说得很清楚，『当时，神天上的殿开了，在他殿中现出他的约柜，…』(启示录 11:19) 唯一没有的是实质的供桌，因为当『…一切所有被造之物都说：「但愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀、权势都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远！』(启示录 5:13)  代表教会的四活物和众长老就会有这样的行动，『四活物就说：「阿们！」众长老也俯伏敬拜。』(启示录 5:14) 这是以实际的行动取代了有形的供桌。地上的东西要能正确的反应出天上的东西，难怪耶和华会多次说，『都要照我所指示你的样式』。关于四活物也代表教会这点，请看这文章「2093」，里面有详细的叙述。

4. 第七印中的七碗之灾和其成就        

神的奥秘是完成了，但神的大怒并没发尽，就像这经文所说，『我又看见在天上有异象，大而且奇，就是七位天使掌管末了的七灾，因为神的大怒在这七灾中发尽了。』(启示录 15:1)        

末了的七灾是指七碗之灾，因『我听见有大声音从殿中出来，向那七位天使说：「你们去，把盛神大怒的七碗倒在地上！」』(启示录 16:1) 很显然的，七碗之灾完成时就是第七印的灾祸的全部完成了。这也可从这经文看出，『第七位天使把碗倒在空中，就有大声音从殿中的宝座上出来，说：「成了！」』(启示录 16:17)        

在这里大家可能已经注意到，圣经并没有明说第七号是何时结束的，因此有人会说第七号和第七碗并第七印是同时完成。我们说过，七碗之灾完成时就是第七印的灾祸的全部完成，所以仍然是七碗在先。至于七号和七碗的先后，我们必须从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看。所有其他的灾祸都是一样完成而接著有另一样，这里也应该一样，就是第七号完成了，才会有第七碗的开始。所以当我们用到圣经的一致性，可从经文中看见灾难发生的次序：第一印到第六印，第七印是以七号为开始，并包含了第六号中封住的七雷，接著是第七号的完成，而有七碗的开始，到第七碗完成了，就是第七印的结束，因『…神的大怒在这七灾中发尽了。』(启示录 15:1) 我们以后会照这个次序来详细的分享相对的经文。

(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』。)  

     在這篇文章中，我們主要是分享啓示錄中所說災難的次序，因以後會照這個次序來詳細的分享相對的經文。我們首先討論了第六印接著發生的事情，其中包括了以色列人的受印，我們指出以前在那篇文章中討論過此事，且說到了為什麼在經文中，我們看見了如約伯記所說的一樣，撒但的所做所為，不能超過神所允許的範圍內。第二，我們說到了第六印是如何結束的，及其中穿白衣的人。接著的是我們要看看第七印中事件發生的次序，所以在第三中，我們首先提到了第七印是以七號為開始，並在第六號中有封住的七雷，其中也提到了天上的金壇。在最後的第四中，我們講到了七號中的第七號開始了七碗的災，並從聖經的一致性看第七號結束的時間，及第七印中的七碗之災和其結束，因此最後看到了啓示錄中所說災難的次序。

1. 第六印接著發生的事情和以色列人的受印

        『此後，我看見四位天使站在地的四角，執掌地上四方的風，叫風不吹在地上、海上和樹上。我又看見另有一位天使，從日出之地上來，拿着永生神的印。他就向那得着權柄能傷害地和海的四位天使大聲喊着說：「地與海並樹木，你們不可傷害，等我們印了我們神眾僕人的額。」我聽見以色列人各支派中受印的數目有十四萬四千：猶大支派中受印的有一萬二千；呂便支派中有一萬二千；迦得支派中有一萬二千；亞設支派中有一萬二千；拿弗他利支派中有一萬二千；瑪拿西支派中有一萬二千；西緬支派中有一萬二千；利未支派中有一萬二千；以薩迦支派中有一萬二千；西布倫支派中有一萬二千；約瑟支派中有一萬二千；便雅憫支派中受印的有一萬二千。』(啓示錄 7:1-8)

        「此後」是指在第六印中已發生的事情之後，仍然在第六印中，而那四位天使是有權柄傷害地和海的，但他們不能越過、拿着永生神的印的另一天使所說的，也就是說那另一位天使絕對是從神而來的。類似的情況我們從約伯記一開始(參約伯記 1:6-2:8)，就可以很清楚的看見，撒但的所做所為，不能超過神所允許的範圍。神的本性是不會做不美善的事情，神知道撒但的個性，根本不必親自動手，只要在祂的計劃中如約伯記般，包括撒但的自然反應就可以了。

        在約伯記中，撤但是無所不用其極的攻擊約伯，包括敵人的攻擊，物質界的超自然現象，從腳掌到頭頂長毒瘡的人身的攻擊，最親密的人(妻子)的攻擊，和藉著提幔人以利法的靈界的超自然現象的攻擊，一個人能受的攻擊也就只能是這麼多種了！在第一次的攻擊範圍是『…凡他所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害於他。…』(約伯記 1:12) 只要不作人身的攻擊就可以了，所以這包括了大部份財產的損失，他七個兒子三個女兒的突然一起過世，但將他的妻子留下來了。你想撤但在第一次留下他妻子是好意嗎？留下她可以在第二次的攻擊中。第二次攻擊的範圍是『…他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。』(約伯記 2:6) 撒但為什麼要作人身的攻擊，約伯記說得很清楚我們就不多說了。可見撒但真是只要神允許一個範圍，祂就會在所允許的範圍內，無所不用其極的攻擊。我們再看最後的結局，『…耶和華後來賜福給約伯比先前更多。…他也有七個兒子，三個女兒。』(約伯記 42:12-13)

     我們也看到他的祝福在人間是除了兒女的數目一樣多外，他所損失的每件都加倍，所以兒女的數目也應加倍才對。從人的角度看，兒女的確是沒有加倍，但從神的角度看是加倍了，為什麼這樣說呢？因為神對人間的死的看法和人的大不相同。我們可以用使徒雅各所遭遇的事看到這點，『那時，希律王下手苦害教會中幾個人，用刀殺了約翰的哥哥雅各。』(使徒行傳 12:1-2) 雅各很早就為主殉道了！但在啓示錄中怎麼說，『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) 雅各雖是在人間早死，卻在天上有榮耀的冠冕。雖然聖經沒有明說約伯死去的兒女現在何處？但從聖經的一致性看，從神的角度看，每件事包括他的兒女都加倍了，所以他死去的兒女會在何處，不言而喻。

     約伯是遭遇了許多苦難，但神在需要時會親自介入，因『那時，耶和華從旋風中回答約伯…』(約伯記 38:1) 雖然耶和華沒有直接回答約伯的任何一個問題，但他聽懂了，因此『約伯回答耶和華說：「我知道你萬事都能做，你的旨意不能攔阻。…我從前風聞有你，現在親眼看見你。因此我厭惡自己，在塵土和爐灰中懊悔。」』(約伯記 42:1-6) 他悔改了！『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)

     撒但的自然反應是留下了他的妻子在第二次的攻擊中，藉著他親密的妻子攻擊他。但如果不是留下了他的妻子，怎麼會有同樣多的兒女呢？所以我們看到了神的確會考慮到撒但的自然反應。

        約伯記所說的其實和新約所說的完全一致，因為『各樣美善的恩賜和各樣全備的賞賜都是從上頭來的，從眾光之父那裏降下來的；在他並沒有改變，也沒有轉動的影兒。』(雅各書 1:17) 約伯所遭受的災難是從撒但而來，怎麼會是美善的？我們也知道撒但不只是牠一個背叛神，還有跟著牠的差役，而這些差役也是墮落的天使。雖然聖經沒有明說這四位天使應是墮落的天使，但如果這四位天使是從神來，他們所做的事怎麼會是美善的呢？這不是和神藉著聖經告訴我們的會有矛盾嗎？因此從聖經的一致性看，這四位天使應是墮落的天使，神允許牠們有權柄去傷害地和海，但不能越過那另一位、從神而來天使的話。

           那另一天使給四位墮落的天使的訊息很簡單，就是在照著所說的、以色列人在額上受印後、才可傷害地與海並樹木。請注意，這裡說到一萬二千重複了十二次，你不會看不到的。如果只是要達到同樣的目的，聖經可以說每一支派有一萬二千，然後說現在算進了利未支派而沒有算進但支派。但這是聖經的一個寫法，不只在這一個地方出現了類似的寫法，要確定你看到了，也瞭解了所當藴藏的信息。在以前『2093 看天開了，寶座和四活物 – 啓示錄 (4)』中的『2. 天上的寶座』討論過，舊約數民時是包括但支派，而沒有數算利未支派的人，現在啓示錄中，包括了利未支派，而用瑪拿西支派取代了但支派，及其藴藏的信息，這點就不多說了。有興趣的人可到網站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，然後按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

           至於為什麼是一萬二千，十二可能和十二支派有關，但聖經既然沒有明講，尊重神，我們也就不猜測了。但我們至少看見、在神眼中每一支派是相同的，因為都是同樣的人數受印，這就有如舊約所說的，『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) 你看，每人的贖價都是相同的，所以在神眼中，每個人都是一樣的重要，『因為神不偏待人。』(羅馬書 2:11)

2. 第六印的完成及穿白衣的人

       『此後，我觀看，見有許多的人，沒有人能數過來，是從各國、各族、各民、各方來的，站在寶座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，手拿棕樹枝，大聲喊着說：「願救恩歸與坐在寶座上我們的神，也歸與羔羊。」眾天使都站在寶座和眾長老並四活物的周圍，在寶座前，面伏於地敬拜神，說：「阿們！頌讚、榮耀、智慧、感謝、尊貴、權柄、大力都歸與我們的神，直到永永遠遠。阿們！」長老中有一位問我說：「這些穿白衣的是誰？是從哪裏來的？」我對他說：「我主，你知道。」 他向我說：「這些人是從大患難中出來的，曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白淨了。所以，他們在神寶座前，晝夜在他殿中事奉他。坐寶座的要用帳幕覆庇他們。他們不再飢、不再渴，日頭和炎熱也必不傷害他們。因為寶座中的羔羊必牧養他們，領他們到生命水的泉源；神也必擦去他們一切的眼淚。」』(啓示錄 7:9-17)

        首先我們看來看白色大寶座的審判時間，『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。』(啓示錄 20:11) 所以這些經文一開始就說在白色的大寶座的審判前，已有許多的人在天上了，為什麼會這樣呢？因為在別的地方有這樣的經文，『因為我們眾人必要在基督台前顯露出來，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或惡受報。』(哥林多後書 5:10) 那些是已在基督台前被審判過的人，不必再受白色大寶座的審判，配得站在寶座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣。這裏很明顯的說，基督台和白色大寶座在講兩件不同的事，不可混成一團。有人認為所有的基督徒都會在基督台前審判，不必再受白色大寶座的審判，這實在是更改了聖經的話，基督徒不是不會死，聖經這麼說，『我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。…』(啓示錄 20:12) 那些已在基督台前受過審判的人，已在天上活著。我們也看到了生命水的泉源是在新耶路撒冷城內，所以這些身穿白衣的人是能進城的人。我們也看到了三位一體的神是有憐憫有恩典的，會覆庇和牧養他們。

3. 第七印以七號開始並其中的七雷和天上的金壇

       『羔羊揭開第七印的時候，天上寂靜約有二刻。我看見那站在神面前的七位天使，有七枝號賜給他們。另有一位天使拿着金香爐，來站在祭壇旁邊。有許多香賜給他，要和眾聖徒的祈禱一同獻在寶座前的金壇上。那香的煙和眾聖徒的祈禱，從天使的手中一同升到神面前。天使拿着香爐，盛滿了壇上的火，倒在地上，隨有雷轟、大聲、閃電、地震。拿着七枝號的七位天使就預備要吹。』(啓示錄 8:1-6)

     為什麼第七印被揭開的時候會寂靜呢？因為『耶和華發出猛烈的怒氣，平安的羊圈就都寂靜無聲(H1826)。』(耶利米書 25:37) 第七印帶來的災難和前六印加起來仍大不相同，連天上都寂靜二刻。至於為什麼是二刻，聖經沒有明講，我們也不必猜而解釋了，這是神的絕對主權！在後面說到有雷轟等，這只是從神來的警告，並沒有和神本性不合的不美善的事情發生。有時這些會是表示神即將來臨的標誌，如『…那時，耶和華從那裏經過，在他面前有烈風大作，崩山碎石，耶和華卻不在風中；風後地震，耶和華卻不在其中；地震後有火，耶和華也不在火中；火後有微小的聲音。以利亞聽見，就用外衣蒙上臉，出來站在洞口。 有聲音向他說：「以利亞啊，你在這裏做甚麼？」』(列王紀上 19:11-13) 所以會說，『…耶和華我的神啊，…以風為使者，以火焰為僕役。』(詩篇 104:1-4)

        啓示錄清楚的說到第一號到第四號的災難(參啓示錄 8:7-13)，在『第五位天使吹號，我就看見一個星從天落到地上，有無底坑的鑰匙賜給它。…第一樣災禍過去了，還有兩樣災禍要來。』(啓示錄 9:1-12) 直到『第六位天使吹號，我就聽見有聲音從神面前金壇的四角出來。』(啓示錄 9:13) 於是『我又看見另有一位大力的天使從天降下，披着雲彩，頭上有虹，臉面像日頭，兩腳像火柱。他手裏拿着小書卷，是展開的。他右腳踏海，左腳踏地，大聲呼喊，好像獅子吼叫。呼喊完了，就有七雷發聲。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 10:1-4) 在這裏我們看到了約翰的順服，他的確沒有把七雷所說的寫出來。到七雷以後的事發生了，如果我們回過頭看，就能知道七雷所說的是什麼！

        『但在第七位天使吹號發聲的時候，神的奧秘就成全了，正如神所傳給他僕人眾先知的佳音。』(啓示錄 10:7) 神的奧秘是成全了，因接著的是說，『我先前從天上所聽見的那聲音又吩咐我說：「你去，把那踏海踏地之天使手中展開的小書卷取過來。」』(啓示錄 10:8) 第五位天使吹號帶來了第一樣災禍，所以會說，『第二樣災禍過去，第三樣災禍快到了。』(啓示錄 11:14) 當『第七位天使吹號，天上就有大聲音說：「世上的國，成了我主和主基督的國；他要作王，直到永永遠遠。」』(啓示錄 11:15) 

    我們注意到天上是有香壇的，因為會幕也有香壇，而耶和華曉諭摩西說：『製造帳幕和其中的一切器具，都要照我所指示你的樣式。』(出埃及記 25:9) 所以我們再看看除了香壇外，天上還有些什麼東西？這經文很明顯的說有祭壇，『揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的(靈)魂。』(啓示錄 6:9) 也有燈台，因為經文說，『他們(兩個見證人)就是那兩棵橄欖樹，兩個燈台，立在世界之主面前的。』(啓示錄 11:4) 也有約櫃，因經文說得很清楚，『當時，神天上的殿開了，在他殿中現出他的約櫃，…』(啓示錄 11:19) 唯一沒有的是實質的供桌，因為當『…一切所有被造之物都說：「但願頌讚、尊貴、榮耀、權勢都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊，直到永永遠遠！』(啓示錄 5:13)  代表教會的四活物和眾長老就會有這樣的行動，『四活物就說：「阿們！」眾長老也俯伏敬拜。』(啓示錄 5:14) 這是以實際的行動取代了有形的供桌。地上的東西要能正確的反應出天上的東西，難怪耶和華會多次說，『都要照我所指示你的樣式』。關於四活物也代表教會這點，請看這文章 「2093」，裏面有詳細的敘述。

4. 第七印中的七碗之災和其成就

        神的奧秘是完成了，但神的大怒並沒發盡，就像這經文所說，『我又看見在天上有異象，大而且奇，就是七位天使掌管末了的七災，因為神的大怒在這七災中發盡了。』(啓示錄 15:1)

        末了的七災是指七碗之災，因『我聽見有大聲音從殿中出來，向那七位天使說：「你們去，把盛神大怒的七碗倒在地上！」』(啓示錄 16:1) 很顯然的，七碗之災完成時就是第七印的災禍的全部完成了。這也可從這經文看出，『第七位天使把碗倒在空中，就有大聲音從殿中的寶座上出來，說：「成了！」』(啓示錄 16:17)

        在這裏大家可能已經注意到，聖經並沒有明說第七號是何時結束的，因此有人會說第七號和第七碗並第七印是同時完成。我們說過，七碗之災完成時就是第七印的災禍的全部完成，所以仍然是七碗在先。至於七號和七碗的先後，我們必須從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看。所有其他的災禍都是一樣完成而接著有另一樣，這裏也應該一樣，就是第七號完成了，才會有第七碗的開始。所以當我們用到聖經的一致性，可從經文中看見災難發生的次序：第一印到第六印，第七印是以七號為開始，並包含了第六號中封住的七雷，接著是第七號的完成，而有七碗的開始，到第七碗完成了，就是第七印的結束，因『…神的大怒在這七災中發盡了。』(啓示錄 15:1) 我們以後會照這個次序來詳細的分享相對的經文。

(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』。)

In this article, we mainly share the order of the disasters mentioned in the book of Revelation, because we will share the corresponding scriptures in detail in this order in the future.  We first discuss what happened next with the sixth seal, which included the sealing of the Israelites, and we pointed out that this had been discussed in which article before, and why in the text, we see what the book of Job says likewise, what Satan cannot do anything which exceeds the scope allowed by God.  Second, we talked about how the sixth seal ends, and those in white.  Next, we have to look at the order of events in the seventh seal, so in the third section, we first mention that the seventh seal begins with the seven trumpets, and in the sixth trumpet there are sealed seven thunders, among which there is also the reference to the golden altar in heaven.  In the final fourth section, we talk about the seventh trumpet among the seven angels that started the seven plagues of bowls, and looked at the end time of the seventh trumpet from the consistency of the Bible, as well as the seven plagues of bowls and other plagues in the seventh seal. In the end, the sequence of tribulations spoken of in the book of Revelation is finally seen.

1. What happened next after the sixth seal and the sealing of the Israelites

​”After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.”(Revelation 7:1-8)

“After this” means after what has happened in the sixth seal, it is still in the sixth seal, and the four angels have the authority to harm the earth and the sea, but they cannot hurt the people that holds the seal of the living God. The another angel mentioned in the verses was definitely from God.  In a similar situation, we can clearly see from the beginning of the book of Job (see Job 1:6-2:8) that what Satan cannot do anything exceed the scope allowed by God.  God’s nature is not to do anything that is not good. God knows Satan’s personality and does not have to do anything bad Himself. He only needs to include Satan’s natural reaction in His plan like in the book of Job.

In the book of Job, Satan uses all means to attack Job, including attacks from enemies, supernatural phenomena in the material world, attacks on the human body with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, and attacks from the closest person (wife) , and the attack of supernatural phenomena from the spiritual world through Eliphaz the Temanite, there are only so many kinds of attacks that a person can withstand!  The range of the first attack is “…all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him. …”(Job 1:12) As long as there is no personal attack, this includes the loss of most of the property. His seven sons and three daughters suddenly died together, but his wife was left behind. Did Saran mean well when he kept his wife alive in the first time?  Come on, it’s just leave her available for the second attack.  The scope of the second attack is “…he is in your power, only spare his life.”(Job 2:6) The book of Job makes it very clear why Satan launches personal attacks, so we won’t go into details.  It can be seen that as long as God allows a certain range, Satan will use all possible means to attack within the allowed range.  Let’s look at the final outcome then, “The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters.”(Job 42:12-13)

We have seen that his blessings in the world are that in addition to the same number of children, everything he loses is doubled, so the number of children should also be doubled.  From a human perspective, children are indeed not doubled, but from God’s perspective, they are doubled. Why do we say this?  Because God’s view of death on earth is very different from that of man.  We can see this by what happened to the apostle James,

“Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.” (Acts 12:1-2) James was martyred for the Lord very early!  But what does it say in the book of Revelation, “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) Although James died young on earth, he has a crown of glory in heaven.  Although the Bible does not clearly say where are Job’s dead children now?  But from the consistency of the Bible, from God’s perspective, everything including His children is doubled, so it is self-evident where His dead children will be.

Job encountered many hardships, but God would personally intervene when needed, because “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:”(Job 38:1) Although the Lord did not directly answer any of Job’s questions, but Job understood it, so “Then Job answered the LORD and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. …I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.””(Job 42:1-6) He repented! As the Bible says, “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)

Satan’s natural response is to leave his wife alone for the second attack, attacking him through the intimacy of his wife.  But if Satan hadn’t left behind his wife, how could he have as many children?  So we see that God does take into account Satan’s natural response.

What the book of Job says is actually exactly the same as what the New Testament says, for “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”(James 1:17) The disasters that Job suffered came from Satan. How could they be good?  We also know that Satan is not only a rebel against God, but also has his messengers who follow him, and these messengers are also fallen angels. Although the Bible does not explicitly say that these four angels should be fallen angels, if these four angels came from God, how could the things they did be good?  Doesn’t this contradict what God tells us through the Bible?  Therefore, judging from the consistency of the Bible, these four angels should be fallen angels. God allows them to have the authority to harm the earth and the sea, but they cannot go beyond the words of another angel who comes from God.

The message given by the other angel to the four fallen angels was very simple, that is, before the Israelites were sealed on their foreheads according to what was said, they could not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees.  Please note that twelve thousand is repeated twelve times here to make sure that you will not fail to see it. To achieve the same purpose, the Bible could simply say that each tribe had twelve thousand, and then said that it was now included the tribe of Levi but not the tribe of Dan.  But this is a way of writing in the Bible. Similar writing does not only appear in this one place. The Bible wants to make sure that you have seen it and understand the information it contains.  As previously discussed in “2. The throne in heaven” in “1093 Look at heavens opened, throne and four living creatures – Revelation (4),” the tribe of Dan was included in the counting of the peoples in the Old Testament, but the tribe of Levi was not counted. Now in the book of Revelation, the tribe of Levi is included, and the tribe of Dan is replaced by the tribe of Manasseh, and the information contained therein will not be elaborated on this point.  Those who are interested in this can go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/“, click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article.

As for why there are twelve thousand, the twelve may be related to the twelve tribes. The Bible does not clearly say it, respecting God, we will not speculate it. But we can at least see that in the eyes of God, each tribe is the same, because the same number of people are sealed. This is just like what the Old Testament says, “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) You see, everyone’s ransom price is the same, so in the eyes of God, everyone is equally important, “For there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11)

2. The completion of the sixth seal and the men in white

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.””(Revelation 7:9-17)

First, let us look at the time of judgment of the great white throne, ” 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.”(Revelation 20:11) The great white throne is at Revelation 20, which happens way after this event. So these verses say at the beginning that there will be many people in heaven before the great white throne judgment. Why is this?  For elsewhere it is said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”(2 Corinthians 5:10) Those who have been judged before the judgment seat of Christ no longer need to be judged by the great white throne and are worthy to stand before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes.  It is obvious here that the judgement seat of Christ and the Great White Throne are talking about two different things and should not be confused.  Some people think that all Christians will be judged before the throne of Christ and no longer need to be judged by the great white throne. This really changes the words of the Bible. It is not that Christians will not die. The Bible says, “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, …” (Revelation 20:12) Those who have been judged at the seat of Christ are already alive in heaven.  We also see that the source of the water of life is in the city of New Jerusalem, so these people dressed in white are the ones who can enter the city.  We have also seen that the Triune God is merciful and gracious, and will protect and shepherd them.

3. The seventh seal begins with seven trumpets and includes seven thunders and the golden altar in heaven

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.” (Revelation 8:1-6)

Why is there silence when the seventh seal is opened?  Because “…the peaceful folds are made silent (H1826) Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”(Jeremiah 25:37) The disaster brought by the seventh seal is still very different from the first six seals combined. Even the heavens were silent for about half an hour. As for why it is about half an hour, the Bible does not clearly explain it, and we do not need to guess to explain it. This is the absolute sovereignty of God! The thunder and other things mentioned are just warnings from God, and nothing bad that is inconsistent with God’s nature has happened.  Sometimes these would be signs that God was coming, such as “So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””(1 Kings 19:11-13) So it was said, “…O LORD my God, …He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.”(Psalm 104:1-4)

The book of Revelation clearly talks about the disasters from the first to the fourth trumpet (see Revelation 8:7-13). “Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. …The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.”(Revelation 9:1-12) “Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God.”(Revelation 9:13) “I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire; and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices. 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 10:1-4) Here we see John’s obedience, he indeed did not write down what the seven peals of thunder said. When we realize what is supposed to happen after the seven peals of thunder is really happening, we’ll know what they said if we’ll look back at that time. “but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.”(Revelation 10:7) The mystery of God is fulfilled, for what follows is, “Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.””(Revelation 10:8) The fifth angel sounded the trumpet and brought the first plague, so it’s said, “The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.”(Revelation 11:14) “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.””(Revelation 11:15)

We notice that there is an altar of incense in heaven, because the tabernacle also has an altar of incense, and the Lord said to Moses, “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.”(Exodus 25:9) So let’s take a look at what else is there in heaven besides the altar of incense?  This scripture clearly says that there is an altar, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.”(Revelation 6:9) There are also lampstands, because the scripture says, “These (the two witnesses)are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”(Revelation 11:4) There is also the ark of the covenant, because the scripture says very clearly, “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, …”(Revelation 11:19 ) The only thing that is missing is the physical table, because when “…every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.””(Revelation 5:13) The four living creatures and the elders representing the church will act like this, “And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”(Revelation 5:14) This replaces the physical table with actions.  Things on earth must accurately reflect things in heaven. No wonder Jehovah has said many times, “according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain.” Regarding the fact that the four living creatures also represent the church, please see this article “1093” for a detailed description.

 

4. The seven plagues of bowls in the seventh seal and their completion 

The mystery of God was completed, but God’s wrath was not exhausted. Just as this scripture says, “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”(Revelation 15:1)

The last seven plagues refer to the plagues of the seven bowls, because 

“…I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.””(Revelation 16:1) Obviously, when the plagues of the seven bowls are completed, all the plagues of the seventh seal are completed.  This can also be seen from this scripture, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.””(Revelation 16:17)

You may have noticed here that the Bible does not clearly say when the seventh trumpet ended, so some people would say that the seventh trumpet, the seventh bowl, and the seventh seal were completed at the same time.  We have said that the completion of the plagues of the seven bowls is the completion of all the plagues of the seventh seal, so the seven bowls still come first.  As for the order of the seven trumpets and the seven bowls, we must see it consistent with what God tells us through the Bible.  All other woes are completed one way and then followed by another, and it should be the same here. Only when the seventh trumpet is completed can the seventh bowl begin.  So when we use the consistency of the Bible, we can see the order of the disasters from the scriptures: the first seal to the sixth seal. The seventh seal begins with the seven trumpets and includes the seven thunders sealed in the sixth trumpet, then comes the completion of the seventh trumpet, and the beginning of the seven bowls. When the seventh bowl is completed, it is the end of the seventh seal, because “…seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”(Revelation 15:1) We will share the corresponding scriptures in detail in this order later.

 ​(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.”)

我们首先提到了七印封严的书卷，说到了为什么耶和华是用右手而不是用左手拿书卷，也看到了为什么天使的宣传，和长老的话及事实并不冲突。接著我们看到了众圣徒都是新人，唱了一首反应事实的新歌。并且指出在什么地方可以找到我们以前详细讨论二十四位长老是谁或代表什么，并四活物为什么代表教会。第三，我们谈到了神和羔羊是如何的被赞美。第四，我们首先注意到，这前四印和四活物中的每一个活物都有关，看到了七印被开启是灾难的起头。尤其第一印中骑著白马的是敌基督，因为撒但『…的差役若装作仁义的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多后书 11:15) 第五，在第五印中只和魂有关，看到了灵和魂是可分开的，也就是三分法是对的另一个证据。最后我们来看看第六印被打开时可怕的情景，真的，『…他们忿怒的大日到了，谁能站得住呢？』(启示录 6:17)

1. 七印封严的书卷

『我看见坐宝座的右手中有书卷，里外都写著字，用七印封严了。我又看见一位大力的天使大声宣传(G2784)说：「有谁配展开那书卷，揭开那七印呢？」在天上、地上、地底下，没有能展开、能观看那书卷的。因为没有配展开、配观看那书卷的，我就大哭。长老中有一位对我说：「不要哭！看哪，犹大支派中的狮子，大卫的根，他已得胜，能以展开那书卷，揭开那七印。」』(启示录 5:1-5)      

我们上次讨论过为什么坐宝座的是耶和华，这里就不多讲了。我们也看到耶和华是用右手拿著书卷而不是用左手，因为右边在圣经中代表了得胜、有权柄、和高位等。例如，『耶稣对他(大祭司该亚法)说：「你说的是。然而，我告诉你们：后来你们要看见人子坐在那权能者的右边，驾著天上的云降临。」』(马太福音 26:64) 在旧约中膏立祭司时，耶和华晓谕摩西说：『你使亚伦和他儿子成圣，给我供祭司的职分，要如此行：取一只公牛犊，两只无残疾的公绵羊，无酵饼和调油的无酵饼，与抹油的无酵薄饼，这都要用细麦面做成。』(出埃及记 29:1-2) 然后在许多该做的事中，包括了『你要宰这(公绵)羊，取点血抹在亚伦的右耳垂上和他儿子的右耳垂上，又抹在他们右手的大拇指上和右脚的大拇指上，并要把血洒在坛的四围。』(出埃及记 29:20) 你看到血也是抹在右边的！        

请注意，那位天使是宣传(preach, G2784)，没有说他宣讲的事情一定就会这样成就。约翰大哭，也是相信他宣讲的事一定会成就。如果是的话，就和经文说得很清楚的长老的话和事实冲突，因为死而复活在天上的羔羊，的确能打开这书卷。这字 G2784 共出现 63 次，但在启示录只出现过这一次，它的意义可由一些典型的例子看出来，例如：『从那时候，耶稣就传起道来(G2784)，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」』(马太福音 4:17) 耶稣是传道了，但并不是每一个都悔改了！

2. 开书卷上七印的羔羊       

『我又看见宝座与四活物并长老之中，有羔羊站立，像是被杀过的，有七角七眼，就是神的七灵，奉差遣往普天下去的。这羔羊前来，从坐宝座的右手里拿了书卷。他既拿了书卷，四活物和二十四位长老就俯伏在羔羊面前，各拿著琴和盛满了香的金炉；这香就是众圣徒的祈祷。他们唱新歌，说：「你配拿书卷，配揭开七印，因为你曾被杀，用自己的血从各族、各方、各民、各国中买了人来，叫他们归于神，又叫他们成为国民，作祭司，归于神，在地上执掌王权。」』(启示录 5:6-10)     

我们以前讨论过，羔羊是指主耶稣，而那七灵是往天下去的，是指圣灵，因圣灵是无所不在的。我们看到那书卷是被七印封严的，关于那七印，有人讨论它们是怎么样在书卷上的，这重要吗？对于这种圣经没有明说，而不会有唯一结论的事情，实在是不值得花时间去从人的角度看。这和「三位一体」不同，虽然圣经没有明讲这个辞，但从基于圣经话语的逻辑，我们可以得到唯一的结衣论，神是三位一体的神。我们实在是应该从神的角度去看，圣经是神所默示的，从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看。反之不然，不能划等号。     

我们看到了众圣徒都是新人，因主耶稣是『…以自己的身体废掉冤仇，就是那记在律法上的规条，为要将两下借著自己造成一个新人，如此便成就了和睦。』(以弗所书 2:15)  经文又说，『…这新人是照著神的形像造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。』(以弗所书 4:24) 他们都是新人，就唱著这一首反应事实的新歌。        

在上次的『2093 看天开了，宝座和四活物 – 启示录 (4) 』中的『2. 天上的宝座』，详细的讨论过二十四位长老是谁。而在『3. 四活物是什么？』中，就是用这经文详细的讨论过，看原文就知道，为什么这经文是说四活物是代表教会。因为是这四个不同的活物代表教会，因此表示出了教会的四个不同的方面。福音书也正好有四本，从四个不同的角度来谈耶稣，而我们是要模成耶稣的形像，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, to be conformed to)他儿子的模样(形像)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 圣经在这个地方是多么的一致啊！在这里我们就不多说这些经文了，有兴趣的人可到这网站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到这篇文章。

3. 赞美神和羔羊       

『我又看见，且听见宝座与活物并长老的周围，有许多天使的声音；他们的数目有千千万万，大声说：「曾被杀的羔羊是配得权柄、丰富、智慧、能力、尊贵、荣耀、颂赞的！」我又听见在天上、地上、地底下、沧海里和天地间一切所有被造之物都说：「但愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀、权势都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远！」四活物就说：「阿们！」众长老也俯伏敬拜。』(启示录 5:11-14)         #####这里特别说明了天使赞美完成救恩的羔羊，就像我们以前所提，救恩的计划是撒但不能预先知道的，要不撒但就不会介入耶稣的被钉十字架，如经文所说，『这时，撒但入了那称为加略人犹大的心，…』(路加福音 22:3) 天使也不是预先知道的，这就是为什么会说，『大哉，敬虔的奥秘！无人不以为然，就是神在肉身显现，被圣灵称义，被天使看见，被传于外邦，被世人信服，被接在荣耀里。』(提摩太前书 3:16) 主耶稣基督是很明显的符合这里所讲的，所以这里是讲祂没错。但一个基督是要模成耶稣的形像，如经文所说，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他儿子的模样(形像, image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 对一个完全模成耶稣的形像的人来说，这经文的叙述也是完全的符合，所以这经文是指两者，耶稣自己和主眼中完全模成耶稣的人。     

天使也是被造的，自然包含在所有被造的里面，和所有被造的一起赞美神和羔羊。这里特别提到了代表教会的四活物和二十四位长老，他们会很自然的如启示录 4:9-11 所说，『每逢四活物将荣耀、尊贵、感谢归给那坐在宝座上、活到永永远远者的时候，那二十四位长老就俯伏在坐宝座的面前，敬拜那活到永永远远的，又把他们的冠冕放在宝座前，说：「我们的主，我们的神，你是配得荣耀、尊贵、权柄的！因为你创造了万物，并且万物是因你的旨意被创造而有的。」』上次我们列出了所有四活物和二十四位长老一起出现的经文，指出他们会单独出现、是因为那个行动和别者无关，有兴趣的人可看那篇文章。

4. 前四印的揭开和四活物       

『我看见羔羊揭开七印中第一印的时候，就听见四活物中的一个活物，声音如雷，说：「你来！」我就观看，见有一匹白马；骑在马上的拿著弓，并有冠冕赐给他。他便出来，胜了又要胜。揭开第二印的时候，我听见第二个活物说：「你来！」就另有一匹马出来，是红的，有权柄给了那骑马的，可以从地上夺去太平，使人彼此相杀，又有一把大刀赐给他。揭开第三印的时候，我听见第三个活物说：「你来！」我就观看，见有一匹黑马；骑在马上的，手里拿著天平。我听见在四活物中似乎有声音说：「一钱银子买一升麦子，一钱银子买三升大麦，油和酒不可糟蹋。」揭开第四印的时候，我听见第四个活物说：「你来！」我就观看，见有一匹灰色马；骑在马上的，名字叫作死，阴府也随著他。有权柄赐给他们，可以用刀剑、饥荒、瘟疫、野兽，杀害地上四分之一的人。』(启示录 6:1-8)        

我们首先注意到，这四印和四活物中的每一个活物都有关，但并没有指定某一个活物是对应那一个印。看第二印及其他的印被打开，就知道是讲的灾难，所以第一印也应该讲的是灾难。其实圣经很清楚的说，这些都来自神的大怒，『我(约翰)又看见在天上有异象，大而且奇，就是七位天使掌管末了的七灾，因为神的大怒在这七灾中发尽了。』(启示录 15:1) 虽然第一印中骑的是白马，且戴著一个冠冕，但基督『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。』(启示录 19:12) 其中，『在他衣服和大腿上有名写著说：「万王之王，万主之主。」』(启示录 19:16) 所以第一印中骑著白马的是敌基督，因为撒但『…的差役若装作仁义的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多后书 11:15) 而且经文更明说，『…如今是末时了。…现在已经有好些敌基督的出来了，…』(约翰一书 2:18) 那时如此，未来亦然，且神是允许这样的敌基督能暂时的胜而又胜。这就像在启示录所说的，『又任凭牠(兽)与圣徒争战，并且得胜。也把权柄赐给牠，制伏各族、各民、各方、各国。凡住在地上、名字从创世以来没有记在被杀之羔羊生命册上的人，都要拜牠。』(启示录 13:7-8) 我们也从这经看到有预知，明明在起先提到的罗马书 8:29 中也有预定，更有许多的经文说到预定，我们在这里就不多谈了。所以有人会问到底是只有预知，或是只有预定？照圣经来说，两者都有，并不矛盾，因为它们是一体的两面，犹如一枚硬币有头和尾，但仍是一枚硬币，我们能接受人是由灵、魂、体多于一者所构成，为什么有人很难接受预知和预定是一体的两面呢？        

其他的第二到第四印，灾难都是很清楚的明白写了。有人会以为颜色有其代表，到白色就不对了，不能说白色就代表正确的，这就像有人讨论那七印是怎么样在书卷上的，对于这种圣经没有说，而不会有唯一结论的事情，实在是不值得花时间去从人的角度看，要从圣经的角度。有些基督徒常会说好像很合理的话，「我的看法和你的看法不一样」，而这样的人很少说或甚至不说圣经的说法是怎么，所以是主观的看见，至少有一人不符合、基于圣经话语的客观逻辑，或者是两个都不见得符合。     

当然，灰色只出现了这一次，可以从这里的经文就知道，骑在灰色的两匹马上的，分别为死亡和阴间。那么红马和骑在其上的又代表什么呢？圣经实在说得很清楚，『…可以从地上夺去太平，使人彼此相杀，又有一把大刀赐给他。』(启示录 6:4) 同样，骑在黑马上的所代表的灾难是和缺粮有关。

5. 第五印和魂       

『揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的(灵)魂(souls)，大声喊著说：「圣洁真实的主啊！你不审判住在地上的人给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时呢？」于是有白衣赐给他们各人，又有话对他们说：「还要安息片时，等著一同作仆人的和他们的弟兄，也像他们被杀，满足了数目。」 』(启示录 6:9-11)         

首先我们看到中国人因灵魂不分，所以常常将魂翻译成灵魂，彼得前书是在讲魂的救恩，就是一个很好的例子，在其中魂有时翻译成「心」这个字，『你们既因顺从真理，洁净了自己的心(魂, G5590)，以至爱弟兄没有虚假，就当从心里彼此切实相爱。』(彼得前书 1:22) 有时是这样翻译，『就是那从前在挪亚预备方舟、神容忍等待的时候，不信从的人。当时进入方舟，借著水得救的不多，只有八个人(魂, G5590)。』(彼得前书 3:20)     

这里的原文很清楚的说明，那时只有人的魂的存在，没有人的灵，因人死时，『尘土仍归于地，灵仍归于赐灵的神。』(传道书 12:7) 不管是非基督徒死的旧灵或基督徒有的新灵都是如此。所以灵和魂是要分开的，因此会说，『…愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指摘。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23) 这就是圣经所说的三分法。

6. 第六印发生的事情       

『揭开第六印的时候，我又看见地大震动，日头变黑像毛布，满月变红像血；天上的星辰坠落于地，如同无花果树被大风摇动，落下未熟的果子一样。天就挪移，好像书卷被卷起来；山岭海岛都被挪移，离开本位。地上的君王、臣宰、将军、富户、壮士和一切为奴的、自主的，都藏在山洞和岩石穴里，向山和岩石说：「倒在我们身上吧！把我们藏起来，躲避坐宝座者的面目和羔羊的忿怒，因为他们忿怒的大日到了，谁能站得住呢？」』(启示录 6:12-17)        

这很清楚的描述了第六印被打开后的可怕情景，这使我想起了、耶稣在一次预言耶路撒冷的圣殿会被毁灭的这些经文，『那时，人要向大山说：『倒在我们身上！』向小山说：『遮盖我们！』这些事既行在有汁水的树上，那枯干的树将来怎么样呢？』(路加福音 23:30-31) 真的，『…他们忿怒的大日到了，谁能站得住呢？』(启示录 6:17) 不论如何，基督徒实在应该在基督里，模成耶稣的形像。

(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』。)  

我們首先提到了七印封嚴的書卷，說到了為什麼耶和華是用右手而不是用左手拿書卷，也看到了為什麼天使的宣傳，和長老的話及事實並不衝突。接著我們看到了眾聖徒都是新人，唱了一首反應事實的新歌。並且指出在什麼地方可以找到我們以前詳細討論二十四位長老是誰或代表什麼，並四活物為什麼代表教會。第三，我們談到了神和羔羊是如何的被讚美。第四，我們首先注意到，這前四印和四活物中的每一個活物都有關，看到了七印被開啓是災難的起頭。尤其第一印中騎著白馬的是敵基督，因為撒但『…的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多後書 11:15) 第五，在第五印中只和魂有關，看到了靈和魂是可分開的，也就是三分法是對的另一個証據。最後我們來看看第六印被打開時可怕的情景，真的，『…他們忿怒的大日到了，誰能站得住呢？』(啓示錄 6:17)

1. 七印封嚴的書卷

         『我看見坐寶座的右手中有書卷，裏外都寫着字，用七印封嚴了。我又看見一位大力的天使大聲宣傳(G2784)說：「有誰配展開那書卷，揭開那七印呢？」在天上、地上、地底下，沒有能展開、能觀看那書卷的。因為沒有配展開、配觀看那書卷的，我就大哭。長老中有一位對我說：「不要哭！看哪，猶大支派中的獅子，大衞的根，他已得勝，能以展開那書卷，揭開那七印。」』(啓示錄 5:1-5)

      我們上次討論過為什麼坐寶座的是耶和華，這裏就不多講了。我們也看到耶和華是用右手拿著書卷而不是用左手，因為右邊在聖經中代表了得勝、有權柄、和高位等。例如，『耶穌對他(大祭司該亞法)說：「你說的是。然而，我告訴你們：後來你們要看見人子坐在那權能者的右邊，駕着天上的雲降臨。」』(馬太福音 26:64) 在舊約中膏立祭司時，耶和華曉諭摩西說：『你使亞倫和他兒子成聖，給我供祭司的職分，要如此行：取一隻公牛犢，兩隻無殘疾的公綿羊，無酵餅和調油的無酵餅，與抹油的無酵薄餅，這都要用細麥麪做成。』(出埃及記 29:1-2) 然後在許多該做的事中，包括了『你要宰這(公綿)羊，取點血抹在亞倫的右耳垂上和他兒子的右耳垂上，又抹在他們右手的大拇指上和右腳的大拇指上，並要把血灑在壇的四圍。』(出埃及記 29:20) 你看到血也是抹在右邊的！

        請注意，那位天使是宣傳(preach, G2784)，沒有說他宣講的事情一定就會這樣成就。約翰大哭，也是相信他宣講的事一定會成就。如果是的話，就和經文說得很清楚的長老的話和事實衝突，因為死而復活在天上的羔羊，的確能打開這書卷。這字 G2784 共出現 63 次，但在啓示錄只出現過這一次，它的意義可由一些典型的例子看出來，例如：『從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來(G2784)，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」』(馬太福音 4:17) 耶穌是傳道了，但並不是每一個都悔改了！

2. 開書卷上七印的羔羊

       『我又看見寶座與四活物並長老之中，有羔羊站立，像是被殺過的，有七角七眼，就是神的七靈，奉差遣往普天下去的。這羔羊前來，從坐寶座的右手裏拿了書卷。他既拿了書卷，四活物和二十四位長老就俯伏在羔羊面前，各拿着琴和盛滿了香的金爐；這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。他們唱新歌，說：「你配拿書卷，配揭開七印，因為你曾被殺，用自己的血從各族、各方、各民、各國中買了人來，叫他們歸於神，又叫他們成為國民，作祭司，歸於神，在地上執掌王權。」』(啓示錄 5:6-10)

     我們以前討論過，羔羊是指主耶穌，而那七靈是往天下去的，是指聖靈，因聖靈是無所不在的。我們看到那書卷是被七印封嚴的，關於那七印，有人討論它們是怎麼樣在書卷上的，這重要嗎？對於這種聖經沒有明說，而不會有唯一結論的事情，實在是不值得花時間去從人的角度看。這和「三位一體」不同，雖然聖經沒有明講這個辭，但從基於聖經話語的邏輯，我們可以得到唯一的結衣論，神是三位一體的神。我們實在是應該從神的角度去看，聖經是神所默示的，從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看。反之不然，不能劃等號。

     我們看到了眾聖徒都是新人，因主耶穌是『…以自己的身體廢掉冤仇，就是那記在律法上的規條，為要將兩下藉着自己造成一個新人，如此便成就了和睦。』(以弗所書 2:15)  經文又說，『…這新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。』(以弗所書 4:24) 他們都是新人，就唱著這一首反應事實的新歌。

        在上次的『2093 看天開了，寶座和四活物 – 啓示錄 (4) 』中的『2. 天上的寶座』，詳細的討論過二十四位長老是誰。而在『3. 四活物是什麼？』中，就是用這經文詳細的討論過，看原文就知道，為什麼這經文是說四活物是代表教會。因為是這四個不同的活物代表教會，因此表示出了教會的四個不同的方面。福音書也正好有四本，從四個不同的角度來談耶穌，而我們是要模成耶穌的形像，『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, to 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) 聖經在這個地方是多麼的一致啊！在這裡我們就不多說這些經文了，有興趣的人可到這網站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，就可以找到這篇文章。

3. 讚美神和羔羊

       『我又看見，且聽見寶座與活物並長老的周圍，有許多天使的聲音；他們的數目有千千萬萬，大聲說：「曾被殺的羔羊是配得權柄、豐富、智慧、能力、尊貴、榮耀、頌讚的！」我又聽見在天上、地上、地底下、滄海裏和天地間一切所有被造之物都說：「但願頌讚、尊貴、榮耀、權勢都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊，直到永永遠遠！」四活物就說：「阿們！」眾長老也俯伏敬拜。』(啓示錄 5:11-14)

        這裏特別說明了天使讚美完成救恩的羔羊，就像我們以前所提，救恩的計劃是撒但不能預先知道的，要不撒但就不會介入耶穌的被釘十字架，如經文所說，『這時，撒但入了那稱為加略人猶大的心，…』(路加福音 22:3) 天使也不是預先知道的，這就是為什麼會說，『大哉，敬虔的奧秘！無人不以為然，就是神在肉身顯現，被聖靈稱義，被天使看見，被傳於外邦，被世人信服，被接在榮耀裏。』(提摩太前書 3:16) 主耶穌基督是很明顯的符合這裏所講的，所以這裏是講祂沒錯。但一個基督是要模成耶穌的形像，如經文所說，『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed to)他兒子的模樣(形像, image)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 對一個完全模成耶穌的形像的人來說，這經文的敍述也是完全的符合，所以這經文是指兩者，耶穌自己和主眼中完全模成耶穌的人。

        天使也是被造的，自然包含在所有被造的裏面，和所有被造的一起讚美神和羔羊。這裡特別提到了代表教會的四活物和二十四位長老，他們會很自然的如啓示錄 4:9-11 所說，『每逢四活物將榮耀、尊貴、感謝歸給那坐在寶座上、活到永永遠遠者的時候，那二十四位長老就俯伏在坐寶座的面前，敬拜那活到永永遠遠的，又把他們的冠冕放在寶座前，說：「我們的主，我們的神，你是配得榮耀、尊貴、權柄的！因為你創造了萬物，並且萬物是因你的旨意被創造而有的。」』上次我們列出了所有四活物和二十四位長老一起出現的經文，指出他們會單獨出現、是因為那個行動和別者無關，有興趣的人可看那篇文章。

4. 前四印的揭開和四活物

       『我看見羔羊揭開七印中第一印的時候，就聽見四活物中的一個活物，聲音如雷，說：「你來！」我就觀看，見有一匹白馬；騎在馬上的拿着弓，並有冠冕賜給他。他便出來，勝了又要勝。揭開第二印的時候，我聽見第二個活物說：「你來！」就另有一匹馬出來，是紅的，有權柄給了那騎馬的，可以從地上奪去太平，使人彼此相殺，又有一把大刀賜給他。揭開第三印的時候，我聽見第三個活物說：「你來！」我就觀看，見有一匹黑馬；騎在馬上的，手裏拿着天平。我聽見在四活物中似乎有聲音說：「一錢銀子買一升麥子，一錢銀子買三升大麥，油和酒不可糟蹋。」揭開第四印的時候，我聽見第四個活物說：「你來！」我就觀看，見有一匹灰色馬；騎在馬上的，名字叫作死，陰府也隨着他。有權柄賜給他們，可以用刀劍、饑荒、瘟疫、野獸，殺害地上四分之一的人。』(啓示錄 6:1-8)

        我們首先注意到，這四印和四活物中的每一個活物都有關，但並沒有指定某一個活物是對應那一個印。看第二印及其他的印被打開，就知道是講的災難，所以第一印也應該講的是災難。其實聖經很清楚的說，這些都來自神的大怒，『我(約翰)又看見在天上有異象，大而且奇，就是七位天使掌管末了的七災，因為神的大怒在這七災中發盡了。』(啓示錄 15:1) 雖然第一印中騎的是白馬，且戴著一個冠冕，但基督『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。』(啓示錄 19:12) 其中，『在他衣服和大腿上有名寫着說：「萬王之王，萬主之主。」』(啓示錄 19:16) 所以第一印中騎著白馬的是敵基督，因為撒但『…的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多後書 11:15) 而且經文更明說，『…如今是末時了。…現在已經有好些敵基督的出來了，…』(約翰一書 2:18) 那時如此，未來亦然，且神是允許這樣的敵基督能暫時的勝而又勝。這就像在啓示錄所說的，『又任憑牠(獸)與聖徒爭戰，並且得勝。也把權柄賜給牠，制伏各族、各民、各方、各國。凡住在地上、名字從創世以來沒有記在被殺之羔羊生命冊上的人，都要拜牠。』(啓示錄 13:7-8) 我們也從這經看到有預知，明明在起先提到的羅馬書 8:29 中也有預定，更有許多的經文說到預定，我們在這裏就不多談了。所以有人會問到底是只有預知，或是只有預定？照聖經來說，兩者都有，並不矛盾，因為它們是一體的兩面，猶如一枚硬幣有頭和尾，但仍是一枚硬幣，我們能接受人是由靈、魂、體多於一者所構成，為什麼有人很難接受預知和預定是一體的兩面呢？

        其他的第二到第四印，災難都是很清楚的明白寫了。有人會以為顏色有其代表，到白色就不對了，不能說白色就代表正確的，這就像有人討論那七印是怎麼樣在書卷上的，對於這種聖經沒有說，而不會有唯一結論的事情，實在是不值得花時間去從人的角度看，要從聖經的角度。有些基督徒常會說好像很合理的話，「我的看法和你的看法不一樣」，而這樣的人很少說或甚至不說聖經的說法是怎麼，所以是主觀的看見，至少有一人不符合、基於聖經話語的客觀邏輯，或者是兩個都不見得符合。

     當然，灰色只出現了這一次，可以從這裏的經文就知道，騎在灰色的兩匹馬上的，分別為死亡和陰間。那麼紅馬和騎在其上的又代表什麼呢？聖經實在說得很清楚，『…可以從地上奪去太平，使人彼此相殺，又有一把大刀賜給他。』(啓示錄 6:4) 同樣，騎在黑馬上的所代表的災難是和缺糧有關。

5. 第五印和魂

       『揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的(靈)魂(souls)，大聲喊着說：「聖潔真實的主啊！你不審判住在地上的人給我們伸流血的冤，要等到幾時呢？」於是有白衣賜給他們各人，又有話對他們說：「還要安息片時，等着一同作僕人的和他們的弟兄，也像他們被殺，滿足了數目。」 』(啓示錄 6:9-11)

     首先我們看到中國人因靈魂不分，所以常常將魂翻譯成靈魂，彼得前書是在講魂的救恩，就是一個很好的例子，在其中魂有時翻譯成「心」這個字，『你們既因順從真理，潔淨了自己的心(魂, G5590)，以至愛弟兄沒有虛假，就當從心裏彼此切實相愛。』(彼得前書 1:22) 有時是這樣翻譯，『就是那從前在挪亞預備方舟、神容忍等待的時候，不信從的人。當時進入方舟，藉着水得救的不多，只有八個人(魂, G5590)。』(彼得前書 3:20)

     這裡的原文很清楚的說明，那時只有人的魂的存在，沒有人的靈，因人死時，『塵土仍歸於地，靈仍歸於賜靈的神。』(傳道書 12:7) 不管是非基督徒死的舊靈或基督徒有的新靈都是如此。所以靈和魂是要分開的，因此會說，『…願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23) 這就是聖經所說的三分法。

6. 第六印發生的事情

       『揭開第六印的時候，我又看見地大震動，日頭變黑像毛布，滿月變紅像血；天上的星辰墜落於地，如同無花果樹被大風搖動，落下未熟的果子一樣。天就挪移，好像書卷被捲起來；山嶺海島都被挪移，離開本位。地上的君王、臣宰、將軍、富戶、壯士和一切為奴的、自主的，都藏在山洞和岩石穴裏，向山和岩石說：「倒在我們身上吧！把我們藏起來，躲避坐寶座者的面目和羔羊的忿怒，因為他們忿怒的大日到了，誰能站得住呢？」』(啓示錄 6:12-17)

        這很清楚的描述了第六印被打開後的可怕情景，這使我想起了、耶穌在一次預言耶路撒冷的聖殿會被毀滅的這些經文，『那時，人要向大山說：『倒在我們身上！』向小山說：『遮蓋我們！』這些事既行在有汁水的樹上，那枯乾的樹將來怎麼樣呢？』(路加福音 23:30-31) 真的，『…他們忿怒的大日到了，誰能站得住呢？』(啓示錄 6:17) 不論如何，基督徒實在應該在基督裏，模成耶穌的形像。

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

We first mentioned the seven-seal book and why Jehovah holds the scroll with His right hand instead of His left hand. We also saw why the angel’s propaganda did not conflict with the elders’ words and facts.  Then we see that all the saints are new men and sing a new song that reflects the fact.  And point out where we can find our previous detailed discussion of who or what the twenty-four elders represent, and why the four living creatures represent the church.  Third, we talked about how God and the Lamb are praised.  Fourth, we first notice that the first four seals are related to each of the four living creatures. We see that the opening of the seven seals is the beginning of disaster.  Especially the one riding the white horse in the first seal is the Antichrist, which isn’t surprising since Satan’s “servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:15) Fifth, it is only related to the soul in the fifth seal. Thus, we see that the spirit and the soul are separable, which is another evidence that the trichotomy of man is correct.  Finally, let’s look at the horrific scene when the sixth seal is opened. Indeed, “for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”(Revelation 6:17)

1. The book sealed with seven seals

​”I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice (G2784), “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.””(Revelation 5:1 -5)

We discussed last time why it is Jehovah who sits on the throne, so we won’t go into details here.  We also see that Jehovah holds the book with His right hand instead of His left hand, because the right hand represents victory, authority, high position, etc. in the Bible.  For example, “Jesus said to him (Caiaphas the high priest), “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.””(Matthew 26:64) When anointing the priests in the Old Testament, the Lord spoke to Moses: “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them to minister as priests to Me: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil; you shall make them of fine wheat flour.”(Exodus 29:1-2) Then, among the many things that should be done, include “You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobes of his sons’ right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar.”(Exodus 29:20) You see the blood is also on the right side!

Please note that the angel preached (G2784) and did not say that the things he preached would definitely come true.  John cried because he believed that what he preached would definitely come true.  If so, it conflicts with the words of the elders and the fact that the scriptures clearly state that the Lamb who died and was resurrected in heaven can indeed open the book.  This word G2784 appears 63 times in total, but it only appears once in the book of Revelation. Its meaning can be seen from some typical examples, such as: 

“From that time Jesus began to preach (G2784) and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Jesus preached, but not everyone repented!

2. The Lamb who opens the seven seals of the book

“And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.””(Revelation 5:6-10)

We have discussed before that the Lamb refers to the Lord Jesus, and the seven spirits that are sent out into all the earth refer to the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is omnipresent.  We see that the book is sealed with seven seals. Regarding those seven seals, some people discuss how they are on the book. Is this important?  It is really not worth spending time to look at this kind of matter from a human perspective, for which the Bible does not say anything clearly and there is no unique conclusion.  This is different from “Trinity”. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention this term, from the logic based on the biblical words, we can get the only conclusion that God is a Trinity.  We should really look at it from God’s perspective. The Bible is inspired by God. To look at it from the perspective of the Bible is to look at it from God’s perspective. The reverse isn’t true, and there cannot be an equal sign.

 We see that all the saints are new men, because the Lord Jesus “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.”(Ephesians 2:15) The scripture also says, “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”(Ephesians 4:24) They are all new people, and they sing this new song that reflects the reality.

The last time in “2. The throne in heaven” of “1093 Look at heavens opened, throne and four living creatures – Revelation (4),” we discussed in detail who the twenty-four elders are.  And in “3. What are the four living creatures?”, this scripture was discussed in detail. If you look at the original text, you will know why this scripture says that the four living creatures represent the church.  Because these four different living creatures represent the church, they represent four different aspects of the church.  There are exactly four gospels, talking about Jesus from four different perspectives, and we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus, “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) How consistent the Bible is here!  We won’t talk much about these scriptures here. Those who are interested can go to this website “https://a-christian-voice.com/,” and then click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. article.

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3. Praise God and the Lamb

​”Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”(Revelation 5:11-14)

Here it is specifically explained that the angels praised the Lamb who completed the salvation. As we mentioned before, the plan of salvation cannot be known by Satan in advance. Otherwise, Satan would not have intervened in Jesus’ crucifixion, as the scripture says, “And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.”(Luke 22:3) The angels did not know it in advance either, which is why it is said, “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”(1 Timothy 3:16) The Lord Jesus Christ clearly conforms to what is said here, so the verse are talking about Him here.  But a Christian is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, as the scripture says, “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) For a person who is completely conformed to the image of Jesus, the description is also fitted to such a person. Therefore, this scripture refers to both, Jesus Himself and the perfect conformity of Jesus in the eyes of the Lord.

Angels are also created, and are naturally included in all creation, praising God and the Lamb together with all creation.  The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders who represent the church are specifically mentioned here. They will naturally as it is said in the Bible, “And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.””(Revelation 4:9-11)

Last time we listed all the scripture of four living creatures and the twenty-four elders appear together. When they appear alone, it indicates that action has nothing to do with others. Those who are interested can read that article ‘1093’ the same way as mentioned before.

4. The opening of the first four seals and the four living creatures

“Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”(Revelation 6:1-8)

We first notice that these four seals are related to each of the four living creatures, but they do not specify which seal corresponds to a certain living creature.  Looking at the opening of the second seal and other seals, we know that it is about disaster, so the first seal should also be about disaster.  In fact, the Bible says very clearly that these all come from the wrath of God, “Then I (John) saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”(Revelation 15:1)

Although the one rode on a white horse and wear a crown when the first seal was opened, but we notice that “His (Jesus’) 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.”(Revelation 19:12) Among them, “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.””(Revelation 19:16) Although the one riding on the white horse when the first seal was opened, it is the Antichrist. It is not surprising so, since Satan’s “…servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:15) And the scripture says clearly, “Children, it is the last hour; …even now many antichrists have appeared; …”(1 John 2:18) This was true then, and it will be true in the future. And God allows such antichrists to temporarily conquer again and again, just like what is said in the book of Revelation, “It was also given to him (the beast) to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”(Revelation 13:7-8)

We also see from this scripture that there is foreknowledge. It is clear that there is also predestination in Romans 8:29 mentioned earlier. There are many more scriptures that talk about predestination. We will not discuss them here.  So some people may ask, is there only foreknowledge or only predestination?  According to the Bible, there is both, and there is no contradiction, because they are two sides of the same coin, just like a coin has a head and a tail, but it is still the same coin. We can accept that a person is composed of more than one component. Why is it so difficult for some people to accept that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin?

In the other second to fourth seals, disasters are clearly written.  Some people may think that colors have their own representations, but it isn’t correct. For example, we cannot say that the color represents correctness just by thinking what happened when the first seal was open. This is just like someone discussing how the seven seals are on the book. The Bible does not say anything about this, and there is no unique conclusion. Such a thing is really not worth the time to look at it from a human perspective. We should look at things from a biblical perspective.  Some Christians often say something that seems very reasonable, “My opinion is different from your opinion.” However, such people rarely say or even may not say what said in the Bible, so they have a subjective view. At least one person does not consistent with the objective logic based on biblical words, or neither.

Of course, gray only appears this time. We can know from the scriptures here that the two gray horses riding on them are death and Hades.  So what do the red horse and the person riding on it represent?  The Bible actually says very clearly, “…it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.”(Revelation 6:4) Likewise, the disaster represented by the one riding on the black horse is related to the lack of food.

5. The Fifth Seal and Soul

“When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”(Revelation 6:9-11)

The verse here clearly state that at that time only the human soul existed, not the human spirit, because when a person dies, “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) This is true for whether the dead old spirit of non-Christians or the new spirit that Christians have.  Therefore the spirit and soul are to be separated, and therefore it is said in the Bible, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, …”(1 Thessalonians 5:23) This is what the Bible so called the  trichotomy of man.

6. What Happened in the Sixth Seal

“I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?””(Revelation 6:12-17)

This clearly describes the terrible scene after the sixth seal is opened. It reminds me of these verses where Jesus once predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, “Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?””(Luke 23:30-31) Indeed, “for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”(Revelation 6:17) No matter what, Christians should be conformed to the image of Jesus in Christ.

 ​(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.”)

我们首先详细的讨论观看(G1492)这个字，看到了以赛亚是真实的看见了主基督，并提到了新约在什么地方还说到天开了。第二，我们说到了天上的宝座，说明为什么坐宝座的是耶和华，且同意二十四位长老是代表教会的。虽然圣经没有明讲这二十四位长老是什么，但由基于圣经话语的逻辑，可以推导出来，我们解释了推导的每一步及相关的经文。第三，我们详细的讨论了四活物是什么， 首先看看圣经提到四活物的地方和相关的经文，知道这里的四活物为什么不是基路伯和撒拉弗，然后解释圣经为什么说这里的四活物和二十四位长老都是代表教会的，是一体的两面。最后我们谈到了这四活物所做的事情，看到了圣经的一致性。

1. 观看(G1492)这个字和天开了       

『此后，我观看(G1492)，见天上有门开了。我初次听见好像吹号的声音，对我说：「你上到这里来！我要将以后必成的事指示你。」』(启示录 4:1)     

用这词「此后」，是开始讲未来的事，经文明说有三件事，『所以你要把所看见的和现在的事，并将来必成的事都写出来。』(启示录 1:19) 所以前面三章讲了两件事，我们看到那七个教会发生的事，和当时其他教会所发生的事。对当时的其他的教会而言，我们当然不能一对一的指明某一个教会是和那七个教会中的一个教会完全相同，也就是通常在这教会发生的事是那七个教会发生的事情的混合。也就是说，那七个教会发生的事具代表性，一般教会发生的事通常是这些事的混合，这不就是现在教会的光景吗？怎么会有人说，那七个教会因地理的位置，就代表著教会的七个阶段呢？圣经实在不是这样说的！人有自由意志，真是怎么强解圣经都可以，和当初亚当可以选择不顺服神一样，难怪耶稣会说，『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)        

「观看」这字，汇编是用 G1492，出现了 690 次。而另一原文版本是用 G3708，跟据汇编，这字出现了 68 次，这是因为两者有相同的意义，所以约翰是在异象中真实的看到了(G1492) 天开了！这和但以理不同，但以理是在异梦中看到的，这经文说得很清楚，『巴比伦王伯沙撒元年，但以理在床上做梦，见了脑中的异象，就记录这梦，述说其中的大意。但以理说：「我夜里见(H2370)异象，看见天的四风陡起，刮在大海之上。」』(但以理书 7:1-2)  这字「看 H2370」， 除在但以理书出现 31 次外，只出现在别的经书只出现一次，就是，『我们既食御盐，不忍见(H2370)王吃亏，因此奏告于王。』(以斯拉记 4:14) 显然他们不是真实的看见，是假想的，犹如在梦中看见一般。     

这和以赛亚在这节经文所见的完全不同，以赛亚是真实的看见主，『当乌西雅王崩的那年，我见(H7200)主坐在高高的宝座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮满圣殿。』(以赛亚书 6:1)   这字「见」在原文中用的是  H7200，这字在圣经出现了 1314 次，在以赛亚书 83 次，是真实的用眼睛看见了。我们可以从另外一个典型的经文看到这点，『说：「任他急速行，赶快成就他的作为，使我们看看(H7200)；任以色列圣者所谋划的临近成就，使我们知道。」』(以赛亚书 5:19) 当然有许多的经文都可看到这点，我们只是选其中一个而已。     

在以赛亚书  6:1  说的主是耶稣基督，是道成肉身前的基督。为什么呢？圣灵是看不见的，以赛亚也不例外，而耶和华对摩西说，『…你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。』(出埃及记 33:20)   以赛亚事后活得好好的，所以不会是见到父神耶和华，从圣经的一致性看，神是三位一体的神，就可知道他见的是耶稣基督，所以新约会说，『以赛亚因为看见他(主)的荣耀，就指著他说这话。』(约翰福音 12:41) 新旧约在这点上是多么的一致啊！     

至于天开了这点，以西结是在异象中看见的，『当三十年四月初五日，以西结在迦巴鲁河边被掳的人中，天就开了，得见神的异象。』(以西结书 1:1) 在新约的和合本中提到天开了，有这几次。第一次是耶稣说：『…我实实在在地告诉你们：你们将要看见天开了，神的使者上去下来在人子身上。』(约翰福音 1:51)   以后提到，『…司提反被圣灵充满，定睛望天，看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边，就说：「我看见天开了，人子站在神的右边！」』(使徒行传 7:55-56) 又说到，『…彼得魂游象外，看见天开了，』(使徒行传 10:10-11) 最后提到了耶稣基督，『我(约翰)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。』(启示录 19:11)

2. 天上的宝座       

『我立刻被圣灵感动，见有一个宝座安置在天上，又有一位坐在宝座上。看那坐著的，好像(G3664)碧玉和红宝石，又有虹围著宝座，好像绿宝石。宝座的周围又有二十四个座位，其上坐著二十四位长老，身穿白衣，头上戴著金冠冕。有闪电、声音、雷轰从宝座中发出。又有七盏火灯在宝座前点著，这七灯就是神的七灵。宝座前好像一个玻璃海，如同水晶。 宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物，前后遍体都满了眼睛。第一个活物像狮子，第二个像牛犊，第三个脸面像人，第四个像飞鹰。四活物各有六个翅膀，遍体内外都满了眼睛。他们昼夜不住地说：「圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！主神是昔在、今在、以后永在的全能者！」』(启示录 4:2-8)      

我们首先注意到这坐宝座的是耶和华，因『我又看见宝座与四活物并长老之中，有羔羊站立，像是被杀过的，…』(启示录 5:6) 这羔羊显然是指主耶稣基督，所以祂不是坐在宝座的那一位。接著我们注意到圣经用的字是「好像」，并不是坐宝座的神就是像所描述的宝石一样。以西结描述耶和华荣耀的形像时，也是用仿佛这字，而不是用「就是」这样肯定语气。就是这经文所说的，『在他们(四活物)头以上的穹苍之上有宝座的形像，仿佛蓝宝石；在宝座形像以上有仿佛人的形状。我见从他腰以上有仿佛光耀的精金，周围都有火的形状；又见从他腰以下有仿佛火的形状，周围也有光辉。下雨的日子，云中虹的形状怎样，周围光辉的形状也是怎样。 这就是耶和华荣耀的形像。…』(以西结书 1:26-28) 这里也一致的用虹来形容宝座的周围。        

圣经没有明说这二十四位长老是谁，也没有明说为什么是二十四位，因此会有不同的说法，但大家都一致的同意，二十四位长老是代表教会的，这应该是相当明显的。至于四活物是代表什么，则从人的角度会有不同的说法，在下段中，我们会阐述圣经是如何说的。     

这二十四位长老是谁，圣经没有明讲，尤如三位一体，可以从基于圣经话语的逻辑推导出来。因耶稣说，『我将国赐给你们，正如我父赐给我一样，叫你们在我国里，坐在我的席上吃喝，并且坐在宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。』(路加福音 22:29-30) 所以羔羊的使徒应是这二十四位长老中的十二位，这是相当清楚的。这里说到的羔羊的使徒，显然不包括卖主的犹大，那这十二位到底是谁？除了卖主的犹大外，那剩下的十一位使徒都是耶稣生前亲自选的。在祂复活后，在大光中拣选了保罗，所以第十二位使徒应是保罗，不是马提亚，因为马提亚是抽签选的，如经文所述，『于是众人为他们(两人)摇签，摇出马提亚来，他就和十一个使徒同列。』(使徒行传 1:26) 不是主亲自选的。所以在新耶路撒冷降下后会说，『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)     

关于剩下的十二位长老是代表什么，这会比较有争议，我们就从圣经的一致性来看这个问题。我们看到十二会想到在旧约中的以色列有十二支派，在新约中是保罗取代了卖主的犹大，从圣经的一致性看，旧约中必有一支派被取代了，如果是这样，是那一个支派被取代了呢？又是怎样的被取代呢？回答这个问题，我们必须从启示录的经文找答案。   

在第六印的时候，『我听见以色列人各支派中受印的数目有十四万四千：犹大支派中受印的有一万二千；吕便支派中有一万二千；迦得支派中有一万二千；亚设支派中有一万二千；拿弗他利支派中有一万二千；玛拿西支派中有一万二千；西缅支派中有一万二千；利未支派中有一万二千；以萨迦支派中有一万二千；西布伦支派中有一万二千；约瑟支派中有一万二千；便雅悯支派中受印的有一万二千。』(启示录 7:4-8) 受印的没有但支派的人，所以是但支派被取代了。     

从摩西数民的经文中很清楚的看出约瑟支派是分了两支派，『凡以色列中，从二十岁以外能出去打仗的，你和亚伦要照他们的军队数点。每支派中，必有一人作本支派的族长，帮助你们。…约瑟子孙属以法莲的，有亚米忽的儿子以利沙玛；属玛拿西的，有比大蓿的儿子迦玛列；…属但的，有亚米沙代的儿子亚希以谢；…这都是从会中选召的，各作本支派的首领，都是以色列军中的统领。』(民数记 1:3-16) 这是不包括利未支派的十二个支派。在摩西数民时，但支派还在里面，到启示录时，利未支派算进去了，而但支派没有了，前面所说的，『约瑟支派中有一万二千』(参启示录 7:8) 应是指『约瑟子孙属以法莲的』。我们清楚看见但支派没有了，而由玛拿西支派去取代。新旧做事的方法在这点上是多么的一致啊！因为我们只有一个三位一体的神。所以我们是从圣经的一致性看到剩下的十二位长老是代表以色列的十二支派，这和新约所说的一致，『弟兄们，我不愿意你们不知道这奥秘（恐怕你们自以为聪明）：就是以色列人有几分是硬心的，等到外邦人的数目添满了，于是以色列全家都要得救。…』(罗马书 11:25-26)

3. 四活物是什么？       

我们首先看看圣经提到四活物的地方，知道这里的四活物为什么不是基路伯和撒拉弗，然后解释这里的四活物是指什么。在以西结书中提到了四活物，『当三十年四月初五日，以西结在迦巴鲁河边被掳的人中，天就开了，得见神的异象。…又从其中显出四个活物的形像来。他们的形状是这样：有人的形像，各有四个脸面，四个翅膀。』(以西结书 1:1-6) 又说，『基路伯各有四脸：第一是基路伯的脸，第二是人的脸，第三是狮子的脸，第四是鹰的脸。基路伯升上去了，这是我在迦巴鲁河边所见的活物。』(以西结书 10:14-15) 所以在以西书中的四活物是相同的基路伯。启示录所谈的是只有一个脸的四个不同的活物，且各有六个翅膀，显然不是基路伯。        

圣经其他地方提到有六个翅膀的是当以赛亚看见主坐在高高的宝座上时，那时，『其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六个翅膀：用两个翅膀遮脸，两个翅膀遮脚，两个翅膀飞翔。』(以赛亚书 6:2) 我们只知道撒拉弗不只是一个，因『有一撒拉弗飞到我跟前，手里拿著红炭，是用火剪从坛上取下来的。』(以赛亚书 6:6) 并没说是四个，且没有说，『…前后遍体都满了眼睛。』(启示录 4:6) 很显然，这里的四活物不是撒拉弗。        

有人说四活物是天使，我们来看这节经文，『众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围，在宝座前，面伏于地敬拜。』(启示录 7:11) 如果四活物是天使，在这一句中就重复的说了天使两次，实在是没有必要这样写！那么四活物究竟是指什么？我们必须从别的经文来看。       

我们注意到，四活物基本上都是和二十四位长老一起提的 (参启示录 4:4-6,9-10; 5:6,8,11,14; 7:11; 14:3; 19:4) 而单独提到四活物的，只有这很合理的两次，就是『我看见羔羊揭开七印中第一印的时候，就听见四活物中的一个活物，声音如雷，说：「你来！」』(启示录 6:1) 和『我听见在四活物中似乎有声音说：…』(启示录 6:6) 很显然这些时候只有四活物介入和二十四位无关。单独提到长老的，也是很合理的三次，就是在启示录 5:5; 7:13; 11:16，原因是一样的，因这些活动只有长老介入，有兴趣的人可去看这些经文。     

最后我们再看一处经文，就知道为什么会常把四活物和长老一起提，且知道这里的四活物是指什么了。『他既拿了书卷，四活物和二十四位长老就俯伏在羔羊面前，(having G2192)各拿著琴和盛满了香的金炉；这香就是众圣徒的祈祷。』(启示录 5:8) 这经文是用现在分词 G2192，在原文和英文(NASB)中都有，在和合中没有翻译出来。如果拿著金炉的只是二十四位长老，就会用代名词 G3739(who, which, etc.)。和这字 G3739 的意义有关的典型的例子如后：『然而，有几件事我要责备你，因为在你那里，有人服从了巴兰的教训；这(G3739)巴兰曾教导巴勒将绊脚石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭偶像之物，行奸淫的事。』(启示录 2:14) 和『希律见自己被博士愚弄，就大大发怒，差人将伯利恒城里并四境所有的男孩，照著(G3739)他向博士仔细查问的时候，凡两岁以里的，都杀尽了。』(马太福音 2:16)     

这字 G3739 在新约出现了 1389 次，在启示录就出现了 72 次，如果拿著金炉的只是二十四位长老， 再多用一次跟本无所谓，但这里用的是现在分词，having G2192，因此拿金炉的是同时有四活物和二十四位长老，而『…这香就是众圣徒的祈祷。』(启示录 5:8) 是教会的祈祷。所以四活物和二十四位长老通常会一起出现，因他们都是代表教会的，是一体的两面。

4. 这四活物所做的事        

关于这四活物所做的事，圣经很清楚的说，『每逢四活物将荣耀、尊贵、感谢归给那坐在宝座上、活到永永远远者的时候，那二十四位长老就俯伏在坐宝座的面前，敬拜那活到永永远远的，又把他们的冠冕放在宝座前，说：「我们的主，我们的神，你是配得荣耀、尊贵、权柄的！因为你创造了万物，并且万物是因你的旨意被创造而有的。」』(启示录 4:9-11)      

四活物的呼喊是和天使撒拉弗呼喊不一样，经文说得很清楚，『…撒拉弗…各有六个翅膀：用两个翅膀遮脸，两个翅膀遮脚，两个翅膀飞翔。彼此呼喊说：「圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！万军之耶和华，他的荣光充满全地！」』(以赛亚书 6:2-3) 很明显的，他们不会因救恩计划来感谢神的，圣经明讲，『他(神)并不救拔天使，乃是救拔亚伯拉罕的后裔。』(希伯来书 2:16) 只有教会因救恩的计划感谢神，你看，圣经是多么一致啊！     

我们能看到，在圣洁的神面前，四活物会自然而然的昼夜不住地说：『…圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！…』(启示录 4:8) 实在是他们只能自然而然的说实话。因为教会的每一成员是要模成耶稣的形像(参罗马书 8:29)，所以神的教会是不能说谎而犯罪的，因『凡从神生的，就不犯罪，因神的道存在他心里；他也不能犯罪，因为他是由神生的。』(约翰一书 3:9) 我们又一次看到，圣经是多么一致啊！

(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』。)  

           我們首先詳細的討論觀看(G1492)這個字，看到了以賽亞是真實的看見了主基督，並提到了新約在什麼地方還說到天開了。第二，我們說到了天上的寶座，說明為什麼坐寶座的是耶和華，且同意二十四位長老是代表教會的。雖然聖經沒有明講這二十四位長老是什麼，但由基於聖經話語的邏輯，可以推導出來，我們解釋了推導的每一步及相關的經文。第三，我們詳細的討論了四活物是什麼， 首先看看聖經提到四活物的地方和相關的經文，知道這裡的四活物為什麼不是基路伯和撒拉弗，然後解釋聖經為什麼說這裡的四活物和二十四位長老都是代表教會的，是一體的兩面。最後我們談到了這四活物所做的事情，看到了聖經的一致性。

1. 觀看(G1492)這個字和天開了

       『此後，我觀看(G1492)，見天上有門開了。我初次聽見好像吹號的聲音，對我說：「你上到這裏來！我要將以後必成的事指示你。」』(啓示錄 4:1)

    用這詞「此後」，是開始講未來的事，經文明說有三件事，『所以你要把所看見的和現在的事，並將來必成的事都寫出來。』(啓示錄 1:19) 所以前面三章講了兩件事，我們看到那七個教會發生的事，和當時其他教會所發生的事。對當時的其他的教會而言，我們當然不能一對一的指明某一個教會是和那七個教會中的一個教會完全相同，也就是通常在這教會發生的事是那七個教會發生的事情的混合。也就是說，那七個教會發生的事具代表性，一般教會發生的事通常是這些事的混合，這不就是現在教會的光景嗎？怎麼會有人說，那七個教會因地理的位置，就代表著教會的七個階段呢？聖經實在不是這樣說的！人有自由意志，真是怎麼強解聖經都可以，和當初亞當可以選擇不順服神一樣，難怪耶穌會說，『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)

        「觀看」這字，彙編是用 G1492，出現了 690 次。而另一原文版本是用 G3708，跟據彙編，這字出現了 68 次，這是因為兩者有相同的意義，所以約翰是在異象中真實的看到了(G1492) 天開了！這和但以理不同，但以理是在異夢中看到的，這經文說得很清楚，『巴比倫王伯沙撒元年，但以理在牀上做夢，見了腦中的異象，就記錄這夢，述說其中的大意。但以理說：「我夜裏見(H2370)異象，看見天的四風陡起，颳在大海之上。」』(但以理書 7:1-2)  這字「看 H2370」， 除在但以理書出現 31 次外，只出現在別的經書只出現一次，就是，『我們既食御鹽，不忍見(H2370)王吃虧，因此奏告於王。』(以斯拉記 4:14) 顯然他們不是真實的看見，是假想的，猶如在夢中看見一般。 

     這和以賽亞在這節經文所見的完全不同，以賽亞是真實的看見主，『當烏西雅王崩的那年，我見(H7200)主坐在高高的寶座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮滿聖殿。』(以賽亞書 6:1)   這字「見」在原文中用的是  H7200，這字在聖經出現了 1314 次，在以賽亞書 83 次，是真實的用眼睛看見了。我們可以從另外一個典型的經文看到這點，『說：「任他急速行，趕快成就他的作為，使我們看看(H7200)；任以色列聖者所謀劃的臨近成就，使我們知道。」』(以賽亞書 5:19) 當然有許多的經文都可看到這點，我們只是選其中一個而已。

     在以賽亞書  6:1  說的主是耶穌基督，是道成肉身前的基督。為什麼呢？聖靈是看不見的，以賽亞也不例外，而耶和華對摩西說，『…你不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。』(出埃及記 33:20)   以賽亞事後活得好好的，所以不會是見到父神耶和華，從聖經的一致性看，神是三位一體的神，就可知道他見的是耶穌基督，所以新約會說，『以賽亞因為看見他(主)的榮耀，就指着他說這話。』(約翰福音 12:41) 新舊約在這點上是多麼的一致啊！

     至於天開了這點，以西結是在異象中看見的，『當三十年四月初五日，以西結在迦巴魯河邊被擄的人中，天就開了，得見神的異象。』(以西結書 1:1) 在新約的和合本中提到天開了，有這幾次。第一次是耶穌說：『…我實實在在地告訴你們：你們將要看見天開了，神的使者上去下來在人子身上。』(約翰福音 1:51)   以後提到，『…司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊，就說：「我看見天開了，人子站在神的右邊！」』(使徒行傳 7:55-56) 又說到，『…彼得魂遊象外，看見天開了，』(使徒行傳 10:10-11) 最後提到了耶穌基督，『我(約翰)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。』(啓示錄 19:11)

2. 天上的寶座

       『我立刻被聖靈感動，見有一個寶座安置在天上，又有一位坐在寶座上。看那坐着的，好像(G3664)碧玉和紅寶石，又有虹圍着寶座，好像綠寶石。寶座的周圍又有二十四個座位，其上坐着二十四位長老，身穿白衣，頭上戴着金冠冕。有閃電、聲音、雷轟從寶座中發出。又有七盞火燈在寶座前點着，這七燈就是神的七靈。寶座前好像一個玻璃海，如同水晶。 寶座中和寶座周圍有四個活物，前後遍體都滿了眼睛。第一個活物像獅子，第二個像牛犢，第三個臉面像人，第四個像飛鷹。四活物各有六個翅膀，遍體內外都滿了眼睛。他們晝夜不住地說：「聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！主神是昔在、今在、以後永在的全能者！」』(啓示錄 4:2-8)

        我們首先注意到這坐寶座的是耶和華，因『我又看見寶座與四活物並長老之中，有羔羊站立，像是被殺過的，…』(啓示錄 5:6) 這羔羊顯然是指主耶穌基督，所以祂不是坐在寶座的那一位。接著我們注意到聖經用的字是「好像」，並不是坐寶座的神就是像所描述的寶石一樣。以西結描述耶和華榮耀的形像時，也是用彷彿這字，而不是用「就是」這樣肯定語氣。就是這經文所說的，『在他們(四活物)頭以上的穹蒼之上有寶座的形像，彷彿藍寶石；在寶座形像以上有彷彿人的形狀。我見從他腰以上有彷彿光耀的精金，周圍都有火的形狀；又見從他腰以下有彷彿火的形狀，周圍也有光輝。下雨的日子，雲中虹的形狀怎樣，周圍光輝的形狀也是怎樣。 這就是耶和華榮耀的形像。…』(以西結書 1:26-28) 這裏也一致的用虹來形容寶座的周圍。

        聖經沒有明說這二十四位長老是誰，也沒有明說為什麼是二十四位，因此會有不同的說法，但大家都一致的同意，二十四位長老是代表教會的，這應該是相當明顯的。至於四活物是代表什麼，則從人的角度會有不同的說法，在下段中，我們會闡述聖經是如何說的。

     這二十四位長老是誰，聖經沒有明講，尤如三位一體，可以從基於聖經話語的邏輯推導出來。因耶穌說，『我將國賜給你們，正如我父賜給我一樣，叫你們在我國裏，坐在我的席上吃喝，並且坐在寶座上，審判以色列十二個支派。』(路加福音 22:29-30) 所以羔羊的使徒應是這二十四位長老中的十二位，這是相當清楚的。這裡說到的羔羊的使徒，顯然不包括賣主的猶大，那這十二位到底是誰？除了賣主的猶大外，那剩下的十一位使徒都是耶穌生前親自選的。在祂復活後，在大光中揀選了保羅，所以第十二位使徒應是保羅，不是馬提亞，因為馬提亞是抽籤選的，如經文所述，『於是眾人為他們(兩人)搖籤，搖出馬提亞來，他就和十一個使徒同列。』(使徒行傳 1:26) 不是主親自選的。所以在新耶路撒冷降下後會說，『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)

     關於剩下的十二位長老是代表什麼，這會比較有爭議，我們就從聖經的一致性來看這個問題。我們看到十二會想到在舊約中的以色列有十二支派，在新約中是保羅取代了賣主的猶大，從聖經的一致性看，舊約中必有一支派被取代了，如果是這樣，是那一個支派被取代了呢？又是怎樣的被取代呢？回答這個問題，我們必須從啓示錄的經文找答案。

     在第六印的時候，『我聽見以色列人各支派中受印的數目有十四萬四千：猶大支派中受印的有一萬二千；呂便支派中有一萬二千；迦得支派中有一萬二千；亞設支派中有一萬二千；拿弗他利支派中有一萬二千；瑪拿西支派中有一萬二千；西緬支派中有一萬二千；利未支派中有一萬二千；以薩迦支派中有一萬二千；西布倫支派中有一萬二千；約瑟支派中有一萬二千；便雅憫支派中受印的有一萬二千。』(啓示錄 7:4-8) 受印的沒有但支派的人，所以是但支派被取代了。

     從摩西數民的經文中很清楚的看出約瑟支派是分了兩支派，『凡以色列中，從二十歲以外能出去打仗的，你和亞倫要照他們的軍隊數點。每支派中，必有一人作本支派的族長，幫助你們。…約瑟子孫屬以法蓮的，有亞米忽的兒子以利沙瑪；屬瑪拿西的，有比大蓿的兒子迦瑪列；…屬但的，有亞米沙代的兒子亞希以謝；…這都是從會中選召的，各作本支派的首領，都是以色列軍中的統領。』(民數記 1:3-16) 這是不包括利未支派的十二個支派。在摩西數民時，但支派還在裏面，到啓示錄時，利未支派算進去了，而但支派沒有了，前面所說的，『約瑟支派中有一萬二千』(參啓示錄 7:8) 應是指『約瑟子孫屬以法蓮的』。我們清楚看見但支派沒有了，而由瑪拿西支派去取代。新舊做事的方法在這點上是多麼的一致啊！因為我們只有一個三位一體的神。所以我們是從聖經的一致性看到剩下的十二位長老是代表以色列的十二支派，這和新約所說的一致，『弟兄們，我不願意你們不知道這奧秘（恐怕你們自以為聰明）：就是以色列人有幾分是硬心的，等到外邦人的數目添滿了，於是以色列全家都要得救。…』(羅馬書 11:25-26)

3. 四活物是什麼？

       我們首先看看聖經提到四活物的地方，知道這裡的四活物為什麼不是基路伯和撒拉弗，然後解釋這裡的四活物是指什麼。在以西結書中提到了四活物，『當三十年四月初五日，以西結在迦巴魯河邊被擄的人中，天就開了，得見神的異象。…又從其中顯出四個活物的形像來。他們的形狀是這樣：有人的形像，各有四個臉面，四個翅膀。』(以西結書 1:1-6) 又說，『基路伯各有四臉：第一是基路伯的臉，第二是人的臉，第三是獅子的臉，第四是鷹的臉。基路伯升上去了，這是我在迦巴魯河邊所見的活物。』(以西結書 10:14-15) 所以在以西書中的四活物是相同的基路伯。啓示錄所談的是只有一個臉的四個不同的活物，且各有六個翅膀，顯然不是基路伯。

        聖經其他地方提到有六個翅膀的是當以賽亞看見主坐在高高的寶座上時，那時，『其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六個翅膀：用兩個翅膀遮臉，兩個翅膀遮腳，兩個翅膀飛翔。』(以賽亞書 6:2) 我們只知道撒拉弗不只是一個，因『有一撒拉弗飛到我跟前，手裏拿着紅炭，是用火剪從壇上取下來的。』(以賽亞書 6:6) 並沒說是四個，且沒有說，『…前後遍體都滿了眼睛。』(啓示錄 4:6) 很顯然，這裡的四活物不是撒拉弗。

        有人說四活物是天使，我們來看這節經文，『眾天使都站在寶座和眾長老並四活物的周圍，在寶座前，面伏於地敬拜。』(啓示錄 7:11) 如果四活物是天使，在這一句中就重複的說了天使兩次，實在是沒有必要這樣寫！那麼四活物究竟是指什麼？我們必須從別的經文來看。

       我們注意到，四活物基本上都是和二十四位長老一起提的 (參啓示錄 4:4-6,9-10; 5:6,8,11,14; 7:11; 14:3; 19:4) 而單獨提到四活物的，只有這很合理的兩次，就是『我看見羔羊揭開七印中第一印的時候，就聽見四活物中的一個活物，聲音如雷，說：「你來！」』(啓示錄 6:1) 和『我聽見在四活物中似乎有聲音說：…』(啓示錄 6:6) 很顯然這些時候只有四活物介入和二十四位無關。單獨提到長老的，也是很合理的三次，就是在啓示錄 5:5; 7:13; 11:16，原因是一樣的，因這些活動只有長老介入，有興趣的人可去看這些經文。

     最後我們再看一處經文，就知道為什麼會常把四活物和長老一起提，且知道這裡的四活物是指什麼了。『他既拿了書卷，四活物和二十四位長老就俯伏在羔羊面前，(having G2192)各拿着琴和盛滿了香的金爐；這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。』(啓示錄 5:8) 這經文是用現在分詞 G2192，在原文和英文(NASB)中都有，在和合中沒有翻譯出來。如果拿著金爐的只是二十四位長老，就會用代名詞 G3739(who, which, etc.)。和這字 G3739 的意義有關的典型的例子如後：『然而，有幾件事我要責備你，因為在你那裏，有人服從了巴蘭的教訓；這(G3739)巴蘭曾教導巴勒將絆腳石放在以色列人面前，叫他們吃祭偶像之物，行姦淫的事。』(啓示錄 2:14) 和『希律見自己被博士愚弄，就大大發怒，差人將伯利恆城裏並四境所有的男孩，照着(G3739)他向博士仔細查問的時候，凡兩歲以裏的，都殺盡了。』(馬太福音 2:16) 

     這字 G3739 在新約出現了 1389 次，在啓示錄就出現了 72 次，如果拿著金爐的只是二十四位長老， 再多用一次跟本無所謂，但這裡用的是現在分詞，having G2192，因此拿金爐的是同時有四活物和二十四位長老，而『…這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。』(啓示錄 5:8) 是教會的祈禱。所以四活物和二十四位長老通常會一起出現，因他們都是代表教會的，是一體的兩面。

4. 這四活物所做的事

        關於這四活物所做的事，聖經很清楚的說，『每逢四活物將榮耀、尊貴、感謝歸給那坐在寶座上、活到永永遠遠者的時候，那二十四位長老就俯伏在坐寶座的面前，敬拜那活到永永遠遠的，又把他們的冠冕放在寶座前，說：「我們的主，我們的神，你是配得榮耀、尊貴、權柄的！因為你創造了萬物，並且萬物是因你的旨意被創造而有的。」』(啓示錄 4:9-11)

      四活物的呼喊是和天使撒拉弗呼喊不一樣，經文說得很清楚，『…撒拉弗…各有六個翅膀：用兩個翅膀遮臉，兩個翅膀遮腳，兩個翅膀飛翔。彼此呼喊說：「聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！萬軍之耶和華，他的榮光充滿全地！」』(以賽亞書 6:2-3) 很明顯的，他們不會因救恩計劃來感謝神的，聖經明講，『他(神)並不救拔天使，乃是救拔亞伯拉罕的後裔。』(希伯來書 2:16) 只有教會因救恩的計劃感謝神，你看，聖經是多麼一致啊！

    我們能看到，在聖潔的神面前，四活物會自然而然的晝夜不住地說：『…聖哉！聖哉！聖哉！…』(啓示錄 4:8) 實在是他們只能自然而然的說實話。因為教會的每一成員是要模成耶穌的形像(參羅馬書 8:29)，所以神的教會是不能說謊而犯罪的，因『凡從神生的，就不犯罪，因神的道存在他心裏；他也不能犯罪，因為他是由神生的。』(約翰一書 3:9) 我們又一次看到，聖經是多麼一致啊！

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

We first discussed the word ‘looked (G1492)’ in detail, and saw that Isaiah truly saw the Lord Christ, and mentioned where in the New Testament it was said that the heavens were opened.  Second, we talked about the throne in heaven, explained why it is Jehovah who sits on the throne, and agreed that the twenty-four elders represent the church.  Although the Bible does not explicitly say what these twenty-four elders are, it can be deduced based on the logic of biblical words. We have explained each step of the derivation and the relevant scriptures.  Third, we discussed in detail what the four living creatures are. First, look at the places where the Bible mentions the four living creatures and the relevant scriptures, and understand why the four living creatures here are not cherubim and seraphim, and then explain why the Bible said that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders here represent the church, just like two sides of a coin.  Finally we talked about what these four living creatures did and saw the consistency of the Bible.

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1. The word “looked” (G1492) and the opening of heaven

“After these things I looked (G1492), and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.””(Revelation 4:1)

Using the word “After” means beginning to talk about things in the future. The Bible says there are three things. “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”(Revelation 1:19) So the first three chapters talk about two things. We see what happened in those seven churches and what happened in other churches at that time.  As for other churches at that time, we cannot point out a one-to-one correspondence that a certain church is exactly the same as one of those seven churches. That is to say, what usually happens in this church is the mix of what happens in those seven churches. In other words, what happened in those seven churches is representative, and what happens in the general church is usually a mixture of these things. Isn’t this the situation of the church now?  How could anyone say that the seven churches represent the seven stages of the church because of their geographical locations?  The Bible really doesn’t say that!  People have free will, and they can really interpret the Bible in any way. Just like Adam could choose to disobey God, no wonder Jesus said, “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)

The word “looked” is using G1492 according to the Strong’s Concordance and it appears 690 times.  Another original text version uses G3708. According to the Strong’s Concordance, this word appears 68 times. This is because the two have the same meaning, so John really saw (G1492) in the vision that the heaven was opened. This is different from Daniel, who saw it in a dream. This scripture makes it very clear, “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw (H2370) a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. Daniel said, “I was looking (H2370) in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.”(Daniel 7:1-2) The word “saw H2370” appears 31 times in the book of Daniel, but it only appears once in other scriptures, according to the Strong’s Concordance and the other version of the Bible in original texts, that is, “Now because we are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see (H2370) the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king.”(Ezra 4:14) Obviously, they were not seeing it in real terms, but in an imaginary way, as if they were seeing it in a dream. ​

This is completely different from what Isaiah saw in this verse. Isaiah really saw the Lord, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw (H7200) the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.”(Isaiah 6:1) The word “saw” in the original text is H7200. This word appears 1314 times in the Bible and 83 times in the book of Isaiah. It means seeing with the real eyes.  We can see this from another typical verse, “Who say, “Let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see (H7200) it; And let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near And come to pass, that we may know it!””(Isaiah 5:19) Of course, there are many scriptures where this can be seen, we are just choosing one of them.

The Lord spoken of in Isaiah 6:1 is Jesus Christ, the pre-incarnate Christ.  Why?  The Holy Spirit is invisible, even Isaiah, and the Lord said to Moses, “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) Isaiah lived well afterwards, so he could not have seen the Father God Jehovah. From the consistency of the Bible, God is a Trinity, so we can know that he saw Jesus Christ. So the New Testament says, “These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him (Jesus).”(John 12:41) How consistent the Old and New Testaments are on this point!

As for the opening of the heavens, Ezekiel saw it in a vision: “Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.”(Ezekiel 1:1) In the Union Version of the New Testament, it is mentioned that heavens were opened several times.  The first time was when Jesus said: “And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.””(John 1:51) It is also mentioned later, “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he (Stephen) gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.””(Acts 7:55-56) It is mentioned again, “…he (Peter) fell into a trance; and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground.”(Acts 10:10-11 ) Finally, Jesus Christ is mentioned in this verse, “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.”(Revelation 19:11)

2. The throne in heaven

“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like  (G3664) a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.””(Revelation 4:2-8)

The first thing we notice is that the one sitting on the throne is Jehovah, because “And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, …” (Revelation 5:6) This Lamb obviously refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, so He is not the one sitting on the throne.  Next we notice that the word “like” is used in the Bible, which does not mean that the God who sits on the throne is exactly the precious stones described.  When Ezekiel describes the glorious image of Jehovah, he also uses the word “like” rather than the affirmative tone of “is”.  This is what this scripture says, “Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. …”(Ezekiel 1:26-28) The rainbow is also used consistently to describe the surroundings of the throne.

The Bible does not clearly say who these twenty-four elders are, nor why they are twenty-four. Therefore, there are different opinions, but everyone unanimously agrees that the twenty-four elders represent the church, which should be quite significant. obviously.  As for what the four living creatures represent, there are different opinions from human perspectives. In the next paragraph, we will explain what the Bible says.

As said earlier, the Bible does not clearly state who these twenty-four elders are. Just like the Trinity, the Bible never uses such a word. But the Trinity can be deduced from the logic based on the biblical words.  For Jesus said, “…just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”(Luke 22:29-30) So it is quite clear that the apostles of the Lamb should be twelve of the twenty-four elders.  

The apostles of the Lamb mentioned here obviously do not include the betrayer Judas, so who are these twelve?  Except for Judas, who betrayed the Lord, the remaining eleven apostles were all chosen by Jesus Himself when He was alive. After His resurrection, He chose Paul in great light, so the twelfth apostle should be Paul, not Matthias, because Matthias was chosen by lot, as the scripture says, “And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”(Acts 1:26) Clearly, the Lord did not choose Matthias Himself.  Therefore, after the New Jerusalem comes down, it will be said, “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)

It will be more controversial as to what the remaining twelve elders represent. Let us look at this issue from the consistency of the Bible.  When we see twelve, we think of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Paul replaced the betrayer Judas. From the consistency of the Bible, one tribe must have been replaced in the Old Testament. If so, which tribe was replaced?  How was it replaced?  To answer these questions, we must find the answer from the scriptures in the book of Revelation.

 ​

At the time of the sixth seal, “And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.” (Revelation 7:4-8) No one from the tribe of Dan was sealed, so it was the tribe of Dan that was replaced.

From the scripture of Moses counting the people, it is clear that the tribe of Joseph was divided into two groups, “from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies. With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household. …of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; …of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; …These are they who were called of the congregation, the leaders of their fathers’ tribes; they were the heads of divisions of Israel.”(Numbers 1:3-16) These are the twelve tribes excluding the tribe of Levi.  When Moses numbered the people, the tribe of Dan was still included. By the time of the book of Revelation, the tribe of Levi was included, but the tribe of Dan was no longer included. As mentioned before, “…from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, …”(Revelation 7:8) should refer to “of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim, …”(Numbers 1:10) We clearly see that the tribe of Dan is gone and replaced by the tribe of Manasseh.  How consistent are the old and new ways of doing things in this regard!  Because we only have one triune God.  Therefore, we see from the consistency of the Bible that the remaining twelve elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel. This is consistent with what the New Testament says, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery⁠—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation⁠—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; …”(Romans 11:25-26)

3. What are the four living creatures?

We first look at where the Bible mentions the four living creatures, understand why the four living creatures here are not cherubim and seraphim, and then explain what the four living creatures here refer to.  First, four living creatures are mentioned in the book of Ezekiel, “Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. …Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. Each of them had four faces and four wings.”(Ezekiel 1:1-6) He also said, “And each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. Then the cherubim rose up. They are the living beings that I saw by the river Chebar.”(Ezekiel 10:14-15) So the four living creatures in Ezekiel are the same cherubim.  The book of Revelation talks about four different living creatures with only one face, each with six wings, and they are obviously not cherubim.

Elsewhere in the Bible, six wings are mentioned when Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a high throne. At that time, “Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”(Isaiah 6:2) We only know that there was more than one seraphim, because there was “…one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.”(Isaiah 6:6) It does not say four, nor does it say, “…four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.”(Revelation 4:6) Obviously, the four living creatures here are not seraphim.

Some people say that the four living creatures are angels. Let’s look at this verse then, “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.”

(Revelation 7:11) If the four living creatures are angels, angels are mentioned twice in this sentence. There is really no need to write it like this!  So what exactly are the four living creatures?  We must look at it from other scriptures.

We notice that the four living creatures are basically mentioned together with the twenty-four elders (see Revelation 4:4-6, 9-10; 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11; 14: 3; 19:4) The four living creatures are mentioned individually only twice, which is very reasonable, that is, “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.””(Revelation 6:1) and “And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, …”(Revelation 6:6) Obviously there were only one of the four living creatures at these times takes action, and it has nothing to do with the twenty-four. Similarly, that elders are mentioned separately three times is very reasonably, namely in Revelation 5:5; 7:13; 11:16. The reason is the same, because only elders are involved in these activities. Those who are interested can read these scriptures .

Finally, if we look at another scripture, we will know why the four living creatures are often mentioned together with the elders, and we will also know what the four living creatures here refer to. “When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, (having G2192) each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”(Revelation 5:8) This verse uses the present participle G2192, which is found in the Strong’s Concordance and another version of the Bible in original languages, but is not translated in here.  If there were only twenty-four elders holding the golden furnace, the pronoun G3739 (who, which, etc.) would be used.  Typical examples related to the meaning of this word G3739 is as follows: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who (G3739) hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.”(Revelation 2:14) and “Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which (G3739) he had determined from the magi.”(Matthew 2:16)

This word G3739 appears 1389 times in the New Testament and 72 times in the book of Revelation. If the ones holding the golden furnace are only the twenty-four elders, it doesn’t matter if it is used one more time, but the present participle is used here, having G2192 , so there are four living creatures and twenty-four elders holding harps and golden bowls at the same time, and “…incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”(Revelation 5:8) In other words, the incense is the prayer of the church.  Therefore, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders usually appear together, because they all represent the church and are two sides of one coin.  

4. What these four living creatures do

Regarding what these four living creatures do, the Bible says very clearly, “And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.””(Revelation 4:9-11)

The shouts of the four living creatures are different from the shouts of the angel seraphim. The scriptures make it very clear, “Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.””(Isaiah 6:2-3) It is obvious that they will not be attracted by the plan of salvation and thus thank God, the Bible clearly says, “For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.”(Hebrews 2:16) Only the church thanks God for the plan of salvation. You see, how consistent the Bible is!

We can see that in the presence of a holy God, the four living creatures will naturally say day and night: “…Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, …”(Revelation 4:8) In fact, they can only speak the truth naturally.  Because every member of the church is to be conformed to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29), so God’s church cannot lie and sin, for “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”(1 John 3:9) Once again we see how consistent the Bible is！

 ​(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.”)

首先我们谈到了要有一个能听的耳和为么要这样，也讨论了一个有争议性的以赛亚的预言，发觉完全没有必要争议。也看到了主极其愿意开通我们的耳朵。第二是谈到属灵分辩的方法，因从超自然的意念中来的，不一定都是从神来的，我们举了一个圣经的例子说明这一点。凡灵不认耶稣，就不是出于神，这是那敌基督者的灵。最后我们讲到了属老我分辩的方法，新约教导我们要看结果就知道了！旧约也如此说。能事后分辩至少给了人一个机会能学习如何分辩，并知道要以圣经的话语作为绝对的标准作分辩，我们作了一个简短的见证说明这点，且还有一个补救的方法就是悔改。我们看到不是不怕死就可以了，而是要为基督不怕死，有随时为主殉道的心志。我们也解释了有人可能会问的，为什在逾越节的晚餐中，耶稣蘸饼给犹大吃不是和撒但合作。对撒但的国度有影响的人，牠绝对会试探这人如同试探耶稣一样，因为我们是要模成耶稣的形像，撒但一定会阻挡我们这样做，不让我们长大成人，能够真正的分别好歹。譬如，我们举例说明，神看死亡和世人看相当不同。且看到，如果一个基督徒真正的没有受过试探攻击，是应该警醒了！因为连撒但的差役都认为你不值得受攻击。

1. 要有一个能听的耳       

我们已谈过，在启示录的七个(全部)教会中都有同一句话，『圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』(参启示录 2:7,11,17,29,  3:6,13,22) 当然，灵说的绝对该听，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 当然，我们要分辩是出于圣灵，而不是撒但的差役装作光明的天使 (参哥林多后书 11:14-15)。举些在新约中和这有关的例子是：『凡有耳的，就应当听！』(启示录 13:9) 『有耳可听的，就应当听！』(参马太福音 11:15,13:9,43; 马可福音 4:9,13, 8:19; 路加福音 8:8, 14:35) 『你们有眼睛，看不见吗？有耳朵，听不见吗？也不记得吗？』(马可福音 8:18) 我们看见了这里没有提到圣灵，所以我们要对别人的话语也要有一个能听的耳，只是别人的话不一定全对，要分辩。旧约也有类似的经文，如『当传扬在雅各家，报告在犹大说：愚昧无知的百姓啊，你们有眼不看，有耳不听，现在当听这话。』(耶利米书 5:20-21) 在这里就不多说了，用软体可以很快的查出来。  

有人会问，新约说，『在他们身上，正应了以赛亚的预言，说：『你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。因为这百姓油蒙了心，耳朵发沉，眼睛闭著；恐怕眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，我就医治他们。』(马太福音 13:14-15) 因此就去看以赛亚的预言，『他(耶和华)说：「你去告诉这百姓说：『你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得。』要使这百姓心蒙(H3820)脂油，耳朵发沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，便得医治。」』(以赛亚书 6:9-10) 这不是神使百姓听不见吗？我们看这字 H3820 在以赛亚书有 30 次，足够多次使我们可以看出这字的意思，典型的例子如，『知道公义、将我训诲存在心中(H3820)的民，要听我言！不要怕人的辱骂，也不要因人的毁谤惊惶。』(以赛亚书 51:7) 很显然这里有翻译的问题！其实从圣经的一致性来看就很清楚，『耶和华的话又临到我说：「人子啊，你住在悖逆的家中，他们有眼睛看不见，有耳朵听不见，因为他们是悖逆之家。」』(以西结书 12:1-2) 这民本就是悖逆之家，他们怎能听见呢？在这里，我们要强调的一点是，圣经大部份时候都在讲一般的情况，有时也会讲特例，不能用特例就说圣经讲的一般情况不对。在这里，以西结是以色列人，但他显然不是悖逆的，我们不能说这一般的叙述以色列是悖逆的，是错误的描述。    

从另一方面看，我们看到了『可见信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。』(罗马书 10:17) 如果听都听不见，不要说「信道」了！要想改变，第一步是要能听进去啊？圣灵的话和弟兄姊妹对的话都是如此。尤其是属灵的事，要神开通我们的耳朵，要不怎么能改变啊！诗篇是说，『祭物和礼物，你不喜悦，你已经开通我的耳朵；燔祭和赎罪祭非你所要。』(诗篇 40:6) 是两者都要做，只是那个比较重要必须分清楚。以赛亚书是说，『你未曾听见，未曾知道，你的耳朵从来未曾开通。我原知道你行事极其诡诈，你自从出胎以来，便称为悖逆的。』(以赛亚书 48:8) 以色列家的确是悖逆之家。又说，『主耶和华开通我的耳朵，我并没有违背，也没有退后。』(以赛亚书 50:5) 我们可以看见以赛亚确实有一个能听的耳。我们要再说一次，其实属世的事情也是这样，要有一个能听的耳！如果我们愿意，可以请求主开通我们的耳朵，给我们一个能听的耳，我们知道他是极其愿意这样的，我们谈过多次，祂被老底嘉教会关在门外，仍然说，『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) 真的是要能确定自己真愿意，因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 我们会有时自己欺骗自己的！  

2. 属灵分辩的方法       

从超自然的意念中来的，不一定都是从神来的，因为相当多的人都认为超自然的事情一定是从神来的，但其实不然，要分辩，一定要用圣经的话作为绝对的标准来作分辩。如果圣经的话没有这件事怎么办，那时要看圣经的原则，我们如果真相信圣经是神所默示的，就知道原则都在那里了，所以旧约会说，『他使摩西知道他的法则，叫以色列人晓得他的作为。』(诗篇 103:7) 所以我们读经不只要知道三位一体的神曾经做了什么，祂能做什么，更是要知道祂一些作事的法则。因为祂是无限而我们是有限，除非祂愿意，我们凭自己是不可能知道祂所有作事的法则的。我们相信祂愿意，前提是我们要开心门，在启示录中老底嘉的教会把耶稣关在门外，祂仍然说，『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) 在这里，神不是让摩西知道祂作事的法则吗？请不要搞混祂曾经做了什么，和祂能做什么。的确，新旧约都记录了许多祂曾经做过的事情，但祂能做的是超过我们能想像的，所以新约会说，『神能照著运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。』(以弗所书 3:20)        

首先，我们要知道撒但和牠的差役也会装作光明的天使，『这也不足为怪，因为连撒但也装作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若装作仁义的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多后书 11:14-15) 在旧约的约伯记中讲得非常清楚，从意念来的超自然的事情，不见得是从神来的！我们曾分享过这件事，因为知道这实在是非常的重要，因此我们就把经文列出，随后只有简短的讨论。经文相当长，『提幔人以利法回答说：「人若想与你说话，你就厌烦吗？但谁能忍住不说呢？…「我暗暗地得了默示，我耳朵也听其细微的声音。在思念夜中异象之间，世人沉睡的时候，恐惧、战兢临到我身，使我百骨打战。有灵从我面前经过，我身上的毫毛直立。那灵停住，我却不能辩其形状；有影像在我眼前，我在静默中听见有声音说：『必死的人岂能比神公义吗？人岂能比造他的主洁净吗？主不信靠他的臣仆，并且指他的使者为愚昧；何况那住在土房、根基在尘土里被蠹虫所毁坏的人呢？早晚之间就被毁灭，永归无有，无人理会。他帐棚的绳索岂不从中抽出来呢？他死，且是无智慧而死。』」』(约伯记 4:1-21) 以利法的这段话是对错相杂的，这是和那蛇引诱夏娃的策略一样的！所以以利法遇见的那灵是撒但，只是当时他并不知道而已。        

在新约中，更清楚告诉我们怎样在灵界分辩，『亲爱的弟兄啊，一切的灵，你们不可都信，总要试验那些灵是出于神的不是，因为世上有许多假先知已经出来了。凡灵认耶稣基督是成了肉身来的，就是出于神的，从此你们可以认出神的灵来。凡灵不认耶稣，就不是出于神，这是那敌基督者的灵。…』(约翰一书 4:1-3)  如果我们确定是碰到灵界的事情，可以用这方法去分辩。在以利法的那时，耶稣还没有道成肉身，他不可能如此分辩。

我们要知道，有些从意念来的不对的事情，不全是从撒但的差役来的，很多时候是从老我来的。这不管是不是被撒但的差役激动后自己的老我，因为老我有罪才会被激动，所以要确定是从灵界来的。如果是真是从灵界来的，圣经应许我们，这方法一定有效。如果没效，就一定是从老我来的，下面我们会谈到属老我的分辩方法。

3. 属老我分辩的方法      

我们谈过以赛亚为什么会说，『所以耶和华向他们说的话是：命上加命、令上加令，律上加律、例上加例，这里一点、那里一点。…』(以赛亚书 28:13) 这基本上是圣经的一种写法，真要有信心才能读完圣经的每一页，知道有的时候真是这里一点、那里一点！       

如果没有属灵分辩的机会，或是从老我来的意念，那有没有实际的方法可以作分辩？有。新约教导我们要看结果就知道了！『…凡好树都结好果子，惟独坏树结坏果子。好树不能结坏果子，坏树不能结好果子。』(马太福音 7:17-18) 我们在谈的是生命不是嫁接，一颗树有它自己的生命，就像鸡和鸭有著不同的生命一样，鸭有著能游泳的生命，而我们没有办法强迫鸡去游泳，如果把鸡放在河中，非淹死不可。     

旧约中也有相应的话语，『先知托耶和华的名说话，所说的若不成就，也无效验，这就是耶和华所未曾吩咐的，是那先知擅自说的，你不要怕他。』(申命记 18:22) 从神来的一定会应验！旧约很清楚的说，『撒母耳长大了，耶和华与他同在，使他所说的话，一句都不落空。从但到别是巴所有的以色列人，都知道耶和华立撒母耳为先知。』(撒母耳记上 3:19-20) 的确也是如此，因为经文又说，『(扫罗的)仆人说：「这城里有一位神人(撤母耳)，是众人所尊重的，凡他所说的全都应验。我们不如往他那里去，或者他能将我们当走的路指示我们。」』(撒母耳记上 9:6) 所以一个人就应该知道没有应验的事，就不是从神来的。有人作见证说，有时事情的发生完全是和祷告的结果相合，但有时符合一部份，但有时甚至相反。如果是这样，这人应该知道需要分辩，不要以为是祷告过了，就全盘接受，要知道是有时是老我希望如此！    

当在使徒行传中讲到他们选一个人代替卖主的犹大时，他们的条件在这经文中说了出来，是『…主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候，就是从约翰施洗起，直到主离开我们被接上升的日子为止，必须从那常与我们作伴的人中，立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。』(使徒行传 1:21-22) 『于是选举两个人，就是那叫做巴撒巴，又称呼犹士都的约瑟和马提亚。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。」于是众人为他们摇签，摇出马提亚来，他就和十一个使徒同列。』(使徒行传 1:23-26) 他们祷告了，但圣经没有明说这祷告是否被应许，所以人能做的就是摇签决定，所以马提亚并不是如那十一个使徒般，是耶稣亲自选的。耶稣亲自选的第十二个使徒是保罗，是在复活后祂在大光中选的，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)        

如果只能像这样子事后才能分辩，这不是太迟了吗？不迟。能事后分辩至少给了人一个机会，能学习以后再碰到类似的情况知道如何分辩，并知道要以圣经的话语作为绝对的标准作分辩。而且还有一个补救的方法，就是在神面前悔改，因为圣经说得很清楚，『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) 所以一定要悔改。        

我们来看一个「用圣经的话语作为绝对的标准分辩」的例子，是我的一个见证。有一次在网上的查经中，有一位姊妹很高兴的作见证说，她说有一位弟兄看过神的面。我实在忍不住要问她，这位弟兄现在是活著还已经死了？她很高兴的回答，他还活著。我实在不能不告诉她，这和圣经不和！因为『耶和华…说：「你(摩西)不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及记 33:19-20) 他显然看见的不是神。她说，自从这之后，这位弟兄就很热心。不是看果子就可以知道树如何吗？是的，有时需要等，撒但的差役也会装作光明的天使的，但不能长久，总是会显出马脚来的。这件事很明显，和圣经讲的明显的不合，不必再等就知道了！        

有人可能会引用这句经文，『你们中间若有先知或是做梦的起来，向你显个神迹奇事，对你说：『我们去随从你素来所不认识的别神，事奉他吧！』他所显的神迹奇事，虽有应验，你也不可听那先知或是那做梦之人的话。因为这是耶和华你们的神试验(H5254)你们，要知道你们是尽心尽性爱耶和华你们的神不是。』(申命记 13:1-3) 如果是假的，不会每次都应验的，因为有时是像天气预报一样，短时间可能会准，长时间绝对会不对的。有时我们要等，才能确实的知道，是不是『…耶和华你们的神试验你们，要知道你们是尽心尽性爱耶和华你们的神不是。』(申命记 13:3) 有人可能会引用这节经文，『人被试探，不可说：「我是被神试探(G3985)」，因为神不能被恶试探，他也不试探人。但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引、诱惑的。』(雅各书 1:13-14) 上面两节经文不是矛盾吗？不矛盾。我们看约伯记一开头就知道发生了什么事情(参约伯记 1:1-2:7)，我们看到是神点头了，撒但立到就在神所许可的范围内，尽量的试探人，跟本不需要神亲自作工，因神很清楚撒但的个性，知道牠一定会这样做。        

我们也看到了，『儿女既同有血肉之体，他(耶稣)也照样亲自成了血肉之体，特要借著死，败坏那掌死权的，就是魔鬼，并要释放那些一生因怕死而为奴仆的人。』(希伯来书 2:14-15) 我们一信之时，神就『…救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。』(歌罗西书 1:13-14) 所以我们是从世界出来，要在基督里。     

不过，不是不怕死就可以了，俗话说，砍头不过碗大的疤，你想这样的好汉会怕死吗？是要为基督不怕死，有随时为主殉道的心志，如同彼得一样。就像经文说，『我实实在在地告诉你：你年少的时候，自己束上带子，随意往来；但年老的时候，你要伸出手来，别人要把你束上，带你到不愿意去的地方。」耶稣说这话，是指著彼得要怎样死，荣耀神。…』(约翰福音 21:18-19) 在祂说过这话后，彼得很显然的活得好好的一阵子，所以耶稣说的是预言，重点是虽然彼得已预先知道，他仍然愿意为主摆上。        

我们也知道，撒但是知道耶稣是和牠的国度有损的！经文说，『污鬼无论何时看见他，就俯伏在他面前，喊著说：「你是神的儿子！」』(马可福音 3:11) 连污鬼都知道，撒但怎么会不知道已发生的事情呢？只是牠并不知道救恩的计划会如何完成，如果牠能预先知道，就不会和耶稣被钉十字架有份了！在这点上，经文说得很清楚，在逾越节的晚餐中，『…耶稣就蘸了一点饼，递给加略人西门的儿子犹大。他吃了以后，撒但就入了他的心。 …』(约翰福音 13:26-27) 有人就用这经文说耶稣和撒但合作，其实不然，在逾越节的晚餐前一段时间里，经文说，『这时，撒但入了那称为加略人犹大的心，他本是十二门徒里的一个。』(路加福音 22:3) 犹大本来就准备好要卖耶稣的，看经文就知道，耶稣预先就知道，因此只是『…对他说：「你所做的，快做吧！」』(约翰福音 13:27) 结果是，『犹大受了那点饼，立刻就出去。…』(约翰福音 13:30) 『他既出去，耶稣就说：「如今人子得了荣耀，神在人子身上也得了荣耀。』(约翰福音 13:31) 耶稣也可完成祂该讲的话了。        

对撒但的国度有影响的人，牠绝对会试探这人如同试探耶稣一样，因为『…『仆人不能大于主人。…』(约翰福音 15:20) 圣经明说，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 非基督徒不会影响到撒但的国度的，即使是基督徒也不是每一个人对撒但的国度有影响，譬如那些一次得救永远得救、却不愿走上成圣之路的、仅仅得救的基督徒。耶稣又说，『…他们若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你们；…』(约翰福音 15:20) 所以耶稣会说，『不背著他的十字架跟从我的，也不配作我的门徒。』(马太福音 10:38-39) 我们是要模成耶稣的形像(参罗马书 8:29)，你想撒但或牠的差役会放过我们吗？牠一定会试探这样的人！     

经文说，『惟独长大成人的，才能吃干粮，他们的心窍(G145)习练得通达，就能分辩好歹了。』(希伯来书 5:14) 心窍这字只在和合本出现两次，另一次是：『于是耶稣开他们的心窍(G3563)，使他们能明白圣经。』(路加福音 24:45) 这字 G3563 出现了比较多的 24 次，是不同的字。这字 G145 只出现一次，是从在这节经文中的G143而来的，『他们不明白这话，意思乃是隐藏的，叫他们不能明白(G143, perceived)，他们也不敢问这话的意思。』(路加福音 9:45)  这字 G143 也只出现过一次。从这两处经文中，应该是指这心窍开了后，可以意识到一些事情，造成了对撒但的国度的威胁。       

譬如说，这时候就能真正的分辩好歹了。那么什么叫做真正的好歹呢？再以死亡为例，神所看见的好歹和世人眼中的好歹相当不同！人通常都是希望能够活得长久，但我们看见使徒雅各短命而死，因『那时，希律王下手苦害教会中几个人，用刀杀了约翰的哥哥雅各。』(使徒行传 12:1-2) 但他仍有冠冕，因在新天新地有新耶路撒冷城后神那降下时，『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) 可见神和世人的看法很不同。     

通常一个人受到灵界的攻击，有时会如提幔人以利法一样并不知晓，跟本都不会意识到。所以有人以为没有被邪灵攻击过，并不代表真正没有被攻击遇。所以彼得要我们，『务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 而马丁路德会说，我们不能避免鸟飞过而正好鸟大便落在我们头上，但我们可以不让鸟在我们头上作窝。换句话说，就是我们不能避免邪灵突然的攻击，但我们绝对有足够多的时间避免这攻击发酵，如果我们让它发酵，就是我们的错了。如果一个基督徒真正的没有受过撒但或其差役的攻击，是应该警醒了！因为他们都认为你不值得攻击，已经在他们的国度里了，经文说得很清楚，『若撒但自相攻打纷争，他就站立不住，必要灭亡。』(马可福音 3:26)

(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』。)  

在这七个教会中，我们可以看到不同的的事情，反应出一些我们现在教会的光景。首先我们看见关于主在启示录中前三章的叙述是相当不同的，我们必须取其联集，就是符合所有叙述的描述才行，这是圣经这里一点那里一点的一个写法。在推雅推喇的教会中，我们看到了从人角度而来的错误的教导是多么可怕，会引诱人犯罪！教会不应该容忍这样的教导。其中也提到了得胜者的奖赏。第二是提到了对撒狄的教会有严重的判断，但尚有几个可以进新耶路撒冷城的得胜者，并教导他们如何能做得胜者及其赏赐，我们也从中看到圣经的一致性。第三是谈在许多人都羡慕的非拉铁非的教会，这教会有个不能关的门，谈到了他们所做的事情，及会得到的赏赐。最后我谈到了七个教会中唯一没有得胜者的老底嘉的教会，我们看到神决定把这不冷不热的人吐出来，从人的角度看，一切都很好，但从神的角度看，完全相反。我们解释了为什么我们可以在经文中又一次看到圣经的一致性，和为什么这又让我再次经历到某一节的经文。

1. 主的描述和从推雅推喇的教会所看见的        

『「你要写信给推雅推喇教会的使者说：『那眼目如火焰、脚像光明铜的神之子说：我知道你的行为、爱心、信心、勤劳、忍耐，又知道你末后所行的善事，比起初所行的更多。「『然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你容让那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别教导我的仆人，引诱他们行奸淫，吃祭偶像之物。我曾给她悔改的机会，她却不肯悔改她的淫行。看哪，我要叫她病卧在床。那些与她行淫的人，若不悔改所行的，我也要叫他们同受大患难。我又要杀死她的党类，叫众教会知道，我是那察看人肺腑心肠的，并要照你们的行为报应你们各人。』」「『至于你们推雅推喇其余的人，就是一切不从那教训，不晓得他们素常所说撒但深奥之理的人，我告诉你们：我不将别的担子放在你们身上，但你们已经有的，总要持守，直等到我来。「『那得胜又遵守我命令到底的，我要赐给他权柄制伏列国。他必用铁杖辖管他们，将他们如同窰户的瓦器打得粉碎── 像我从我父领受的权柄一样。我又要把晨星赐给他。圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』」』(启示录 2:18-29)          

当然最后说到，对每一个教会都说的话，要有一个能听的耳，圣灵所说的当然要听，圣经很清楚的说，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 其实不只是圣灵说的，对别人的话也要有一个能听的耳，只是人的诚实话，并不见得是真理或是(对的)真话，要分辩。所以这经文和合本的翻译，『惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督。』(以弗所书 4:15) 是错的，看上下文，我们知道真理可适用，但真理一定是真话，而真话不一定是真理。在经验中，我们大概会听过这样的见证，圣灵常常提醒我去做忘记的事情、如忘了钥匙等，这怎么会是真理呢？看原文就知道爱心是指神的爱，圣灵怎么会没有神的爱呢？所以这经文应该翻译成：『惟用神的爱说真话，凡事长进，连于元首基督。』(和合本的更正, 以弗所书 4:15) 当然，我们要确定有这样的意念是从神来的，因为『…因为连撒但也装作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若装作仁义的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多后书 11:14-15) 我们会在未来的『2092 能听的耳，属灵和属老我的分辩方法』中，讨论如何能分辩的方法，如果你有兴趣的话，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇短文。   

我们首先看到关于主在启示录中前三章的叙述是相当不同的，但并不冲突，我们必须取其联集，也就是符合所有叙述的描述才行。举个例子来说，这里是说，『…那眼目如火焰、脚像光明铜的神之子说：』(启示录 2:18) 在第一章是说，『他的头与发皆白，如白羊毛、如雪，眼目如同火焰，脚好像在炉中锻炼光明的铜，声音如同众水的声音。(启示录 1:14-15) 这叙述包含了我们这里里所讲的，而又说，『…那有两刃利剑的说：』(启示录 2:12) 因此在这三个叙述中，描述须取其联集而符合所有的叙述。当然，在其他地方也有叙述主的叙述，如在其他的教会中，我们在这里就不多讲了。其实关于主的叙述从旧约到新约都有，因为惯穿圣经的就是说到主基督。所以我们的描述必须是所有这里一点那里一点的叙述的联集，这基本上是圣经的一个写法，犹如以赛亚说，『所以耶和华向他们说的话是：命上加命、令上加令，律上加律、例上加例，这里一点、那里一点。…』(以赛亚书 28:13) 要有信心看完圣经，才有可能得到关于一件事情的所有叙述，知道神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，就是、不是字句上的圣经的一致性！在字句上，我们会看到明显的矛盾，我们该问的，神默示这明显的矛盾是要借著这矛盾告诉我们什么？我们要强调一点是，有时圣经明写，我们却以为那些话没有意义，而忽略了这里一点那里一点的写法，我们真的需要圣灵开我们的眼睛，这样就知道保罗说的是实话，『若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前书 8:2) 绝对不要和圣灵争论，我们绝对不会赢的，因为圣经说得很清楚，『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)       

我们以前在『2004 启示录中的七个教会和能听的耳』中，已说到了启示录在七个教会中都说要有一个能听的耳，在这篇短文中，我们简述了这七个教会的优点，缺点或鼓励。简言之，优点和鼓励是我们该做的事，而不要犯缺点，指出了不同的教会处在不同的光景之中，也反应出我们现在教会的光景的某一些方面。我们等下会谈到，即使像老底嘉的教会把耶稣关在门外，在祂眼中仍是金灯台。如果他们听到讯息而悔改了，仍然可在神大能的工作下有机会转换成有得胜者的教会。我们不知道神要怎么工作，神有绝对的主权，祂决定是否应许我们的祷告，但要知道祂有时会因我们的祷告而改变，就像阿摩司书所说的，『耶和华就后悔说：「这灾也可免了。」』(阿摩司书 7:6) (参阿摩司书 7:1-6) 所以即使祷告不被应许，也应该『不住地祷告。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:17) 这经文说，『…我是那察看人肺腑心肠的，并要照你们的行为报应你们各人。』(启示录 2:23) 不是又一次的明说了祂是看人内心的吗？所以『你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断。』(马太福音 7:1) 但圣经也说得很清楚，要分辩，『惟独长大成人的，才能吃干粮，他们的心窍习练得通达，就能分辩(discern, G1263)好歹了。』(希伯来书 5:14) 要能长大成人，不要永远作婴孩。在这里我们就基本上不重复 2004 中的讨论，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇短文。        

在这里，我们看到了从人角度而来的错误的教导是多么可怕，会引诱人犯罪，虽能有时能会一时兴旺而人数增多，最终总会有神的惩罸的，如一些讲成功哲学的教会，真不是教会啊！这样教导的人是应该被赶出神的教会的！经文中也看到了悔改的重要，神是看人的内心的，基督徒要有信心的行为，不要忘了，『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) 这是为什么主两千多年了，主还没有再来的原因。我们的行为要向主负责，难怪会说，『我的弟兄们，不要多人作师傅，因为晓得我们要受更重的判断。』(雅各书 3:1)        

这里也很清楚的明说有得胜者，因只是一些听从了不对的教导，那些得胜者会是遵守主的命令到底的，他们的赏赐是得到权柄和晨星。这里当然有在七个教会都说的，要有一个能听的耳。圣经一再重复的讲，所以我们也一再强调。

2. 从撒狄的教会所看见的        

『「你要写信给撒狄教会的使者说：『那有神的七灵和七星的说：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。你要警醒！坚固那剩下将要衰微的，因我见你的行为，在我神面前，没有一样是完全的。』」「『所以要回想你是怎样领受，怎样听见的，又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道。「『然而在撒狄，你还有几名是未曾污秽自己衣服的；他们要穿白衣与我同行，因为他们是配得过的。凡得胜的，必这样穿白衣，我也必不从生命册上涂抹他的名，且要在我父面前和我父众使者面前认他的名。圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』」』(启示录 3:1-6)        

经文告诉我们，对撒狄的教会的判断是严厉的，并警告他们要悔改，要回想是何处堕落的，因为要从那里站起来。这就犹如亚当的不顺服神，因此『…罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界…』(罗马书 5:12) 神原先是希望亚当选择了吃生命树的果子，而救恩的计划是要以耶稣的一生顺服神而除掉罪，我们在基督内也就是选择了生命树的果子，从亚当跌倒的地方站起来，我们以前分享过这点，就不多讲了。如果撒狄的教会不悔改，是会有惩罸的。但有几名得胜者，是未曾污秽自己衣服的，他们会穿著白衣与主同行，能够进新耶路撒冷城。经文并没有说不穿白衣的基督徒会被在生命册上除名，如果他们只是一次得救永远得救的基督徒，会是在城外的基督徒，圣经在这一点上是多么的一致啊！我们以前在『2087 模成耶稣的形像及实行』中的『5. 一次得救就永远得救是否公平？』详细的讨论了这点，如果你对这题目有兴趣的话，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇短文。

3. 从非拉铁非的教会所看见的    

『「你要写信给非拉铁非教会的使者说：『那圣洁、真实，拿著大卫的钥匙，开了就没有人能关，关了就没有人能开的，说：我知道你的行为，你略有一点力量，也曾遵守我的道，没有弃绝我的名。看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。那撒但一会的，自称是犹太人，其实不是犹太人，乃是说谎话的，我要使他们来在你脚前下拜，也使他们知道我是已经爱你了。你既遵守我忍耐的道，我必在普天下人受试炼的时候，保守你免去你的试炼。』」「『我必快来，你要持守你所有的，免得人夺去你的冠冕。得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再从那里出去。我又要将我神的名和我神城的名（这城就是从天上、从我神那里降下来的新耶路撒冷），并我的新名，都写在他上面。圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』」』(启示录 3:7-13)     

有人提到过和大卫的钥匙相关的经文如后：『我必将大卫家的钥匙放在他肩头上，他开，无人能关；他关，无人能开。』(以赛亚书 22:22) 非拉铁非的教会不是有这样令人羡慕的门吗？我们看得出来，非拉铁非的教会是一个很好的教会。经文又说，『他拆毁的，就不能再建造；他捆住人，便不得开释。』(约伯记 12:14) 神拆毁的目的本是要建造，所以经文会说，『看哪！我今日立你在列邦列国之上，为要施行拔出、拆毁、毁坏、倾覆，又要建立、栽植。』(耶利米书 1:10) 经文还说，『我还告诉你：你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石上，阴间的权柄不能胜过他。我要把天国的钥匙给你，凡你在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放。』(马太福音 16:18-19) 大卫的钥匙就是天国的钥匙。且说，『又是那存活的；我曾死过，现在又活了，直活到永永远远，并且拿著死亡和阴间的钥匙。』(启示录 1:18) 我们以前分享过这一节，这拿著死亡和阴间的钥匙的显然是主耶稣基督。        

这是许多人都羡慕的教会，因他们有这样的一个门，开了就没有人能关，关了就没有人能开的！他们只不过在神眼中略有一点力量，但遵守了耶稣的道，没有弃绝基督的名，我们看到了神是大有怜悯、大有恩典的。他们显然是受了撒但一会的假犹太人的逼迫，要不怎么要忍耐呢？最终是主亲自介入，使假犹太人来在他们脚前。他们的忍耐赏赐是大的，可在普天下人受试炼的时候，免去试炼。鼓励他们持守冠冕，全部作为能进城的得胜者，当然假犹太人除外。他们的赏赐是在神殿中作柱子，并有神的名和神城的名，且有基督的新名。

4. 从老底嘉的教会所看见的       

『「你要写信给老底嘉教会的使者说：『那为阿们的，为诚信真实见证的，在神创造万物之上为元首的，说：我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。』」「『你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。「『凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他，所以你要发热心，也要悔改。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。「『得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与他同坐一般。圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』」』(启示录 3:14-22)        

我们以前谈过老底嘉的教会很多次，现在只是分享一些以前没分享过的，和将以前分享过的摘要说出来。我们看到了他们的行为如饮水不冷不热，喝下去也不好，又舍不得浪费吐出来，最后主的决定是要把他们吐出来，实在是吃下去很不好受！除非们悔改。我们看到他们做了很多的事情，所以从人的角度看，一切都很好，但显然他们做的不是神要他们做的，因神要他们买眼药使他们能看见！且要真正的富足，穿上白衣。        

我们看到基督是大有怜悯的，虽然祂现在被关到门外，祂仍然疼爱他们，愿意他们悔改，只要他们愿意开门，祂就和他们一同坐席。并鼓励他们要做一个得胜者，这是当时七个教会中唯一没有得胜者的，教会真的要小心，不要一不小心就落入老底嘉教会的光景。我们以前分享过，这些经文又一次让我体会到圣经的一致性，因经文说，『…无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。』(马太福音 18:20) 老底嘉的教会是奉主名聚会，虽祂是在心门之外，没有作工，仍然是在他们中间，这应许没有落空，圣经是一致的。我以前那里会想到这点呢？这又让我领会一次保罗说得是多么真实，『若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。』(哥林多前书 8:2) 所以保罗一定自己经历过这样的事，才会这样说。

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

       首先我們談到了要有一個能聽的耳和為麼要這樣，也討論了一個有爭議性的以賽亞的預言，發覺完全沒有必要爭議。也看到了主極其願意開通我們的耳朵。第二是談到屬靈分辨的方法，因從超自然的意念中來的，不一定都是從神來的，我們舉了一個聖經的例子說明這一點。凡靈不認耶穌，就不是出於神，這是那敵基督者的靈。最後我們講到了屬老我分辨的方法，新約教導我們要看結果就知道了！舊約也如此說。能事後分辨至少給了人一個機會能學習如何分辨，並知道要以聖經的話語作為絕對的標準作分辨，我們作了一個簡短的見証說明這點，且還有一個補救的方法就是悔改。我們看到不是不怕死就可以了，而是要為基督不怕死，有隨時為主殉道的心志。我們也解釋了有人可能會問的，為什在逾越節的晚餐中，耶穌蘸餅給猶大吃不是和撒但合作。對撒但的國度有影響的人，牠絕對會試探這人如同試探耶穌一樣，因為我們是要模成耶穌的形像，撒但一定會阻擋我們這樣做，不讓我們長大成人，能夠真正的分別好歹。譬如，我們舉例說明，神看死亡和世人看相當不同。且看到，如果一個基督徒真正的沒有受過試探攻擊，是應該警醒了！因為連撒但的差役都認為你不值得受攻擊。

1. 要有一個能聽的耳

       我們已談過，在啟示錄的七個(全部)教會中都有同一句話，『聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』(參啓示錄 2:7,11,17,29,  3:6,13,22) 當然，靈說的絕對該聽，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 當然，我們要分辨是出於聖靈，而不是撒但的差役裝作光明的天使 (參哥林多後書 11:14-15)。舉些在新約中和這有關的例子是：『凡有耳的，就應當聽！』(啓示錄 13:9) 『有耳可聽的，就應當聽！』(參馬太福音 11:15,13:9,43; 馬可福音 4:9,13, 8:19; 路加福音 8:8, 14:35) 『你們有眼睛，看不見嗎？有耳朵，聽不見嗎？也不記得嗎？』(馬可福音 8:18) 我們看見了這裏沒有提到聖靈，所以我們要對別人的話語也要有一個能聽的耳，只是別人的話不一定全對，要分辨。舊約也有類似的經文，如『當傳揚在雅各家，報告在猶大說：愚昧無知的百姓啊，你們有眼不看，有耳不聽，現在當聽這話。』(耶利米書 5:20-21) 在這裏就不多說了，用軟體可以很快的查出來。

     有人會問，新約說，『在他們身上，正應了以賽亞的預言，說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。因為這百姓油蒙了心，耳朵發沉，眼睛閉着；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，我就醫治他們。』(馬太福音 13:14-15) 因此就去看以賽亞的預言，『他(耶和華)說：「你去告訴這百姓說：『你們聽是要聽見，卻不明白；看是要看見，卻不曉得。』要使這百姓心蒙(H3820)脂油，耳朵發沉，眼睛昏迷；恐怕眼睛看見，耳朵聽見，心裏明白，回轉過來，便得醫治。」』(以賽亞書 6:9-10) 這不是神使百姓聽不見嗎？我們看這字 H3820 在以賽亞書有 30 次，足夠多次使我們可以看出這字的意思，典型的例子如，『知道公義、將我訓誨存在心中(H3820)的民，要聽我言！不要怕人的辱罵，也不要因人的毀謗驚惶。』(以賽亞書 51:7) 很顯然這裏有翻譯的問題！其實從聖經的一致性來看就很清楚，『耶和華的話又臨到我說：「人子啊，你住在悖逆的家中，他們有眼睛看不見，有耳朵聽不見，因為他們是悖逆之家。」』(以西結書 12:1-2) 這民本就是悖逆之家，他們怎能聽見呢？在這裏，我們要強調的一點是，聖經大部份時候都在講一般的情況，有時也會講特例，不能用特例就說聖經講的一般情況不對。在這裏，以西結是以色列人，但他顯然不是悖逆的，我們不能說這一般的敍述以色列是悖逆的，是錯誤的描述。

    從另一方面看，我們看到了『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) 如果聽都聽不見，不要說「信道」了！要想改變，第一步是要能聽進去啊？聖靈的話和弟兄姊妹對的話都是如此。尤其是屬靈的事，要神開通我們的耳朵，要不怎麼能改變啊！詩篇是說，『祭物和禮物，你不喜悅，你已經開通我的耳朵；燔祭和贖罪祭非你所要。』(詩篇 40:6) 是兩者都要做，只是那個比較重要必須分清楚。以賽亞書是說，『你未曾聽見，未曾知道，你的耳朵從來未曾開通。我原知道你行事極其詭詐，你自從出胎以來，便稱為悖逆的。』(以賽亞書 48:8) 以色列家的確是悖逆之家。又說，『主耶和華開通我的耳朵，我並沒有違背，也沒有退後。』(以賽亞書 50:5) 我們可以看見以賽亞確實有一個能聽的耳。我們要再說一次，其實屬世的事情也是這樣，要有一個能聽的耳！如果我們願意，可以請求主開通我們的耳朵，給我們一個能聽的耳，我們知道他是極其願意這樣的，我們談過多次，祂被老底嘉教會關在門外，仍然說，『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) 真的是要能確定自己真願意，因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們會有時自己欺騙自己的！

2. 屬靈分辨的方法

       從超自然的意念中來的，不一定都是從神來的，因為相當多的人都認為超自然的事情一定是從神來的，但其實不然，要分辨，一定要用聖經的話作為絕對的標準來作分辨。如果聖經的話沒有這件事怎麼辦，那時要看聖經的原則，我們如果真相信聖經是神所默示的，就知道原則都在那裏了，所以舊約會說，『他使摩西知道他的法則，叫以色列人曉得他的作為。』(詩篇 103:7) 所以我們讀經不只要知道三位一體的神曾經做了什麼，祂能做什麼，更是要知道祂一些作事的法則。因為祂是無限而我們是有限，除非祂願意，我們憑自己是不可能知道祂所有作事的法則的。我們相信祂願意，前提是我們要開心門，在啓示錄中老底嘉的教會把耶穌關在門外，祂仍然說，『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) 在這裡，神不是讓摩西知道祂作事的法則嗎？請不要搞混祂曾經做了什麼，和祂能做什麼。的確，新舊約都記錄了許多祂曾經做過的事情，但祂能做的是超過我們能想像的，所以新約會說，『神能照着運行在我們心裏的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。』(以弗所書 3:20)

        首先，我們要知道撒但和牠的差役也會裝作光明的天使，『這也不足為怪，因為連撒但也裝作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多後書 11:14-15) 在舊約的約伯記中講得非常清楚，從意念來的超自然的事情，不見得是從神來的！我們曾分享過這件事，因為知道這實在是非常的重要，因此我們就把經文列出，隨後只有簡短的討論。經文相當長，『提幔人以利法回答說：「人若想與你說話，你就厭煩嗎？但誰能忍住不說呢？…「我暗暗地得了默示，我耳朵也聽其細微的聲音。在思念夜中異象之間，世人沉睡的時候，恐懼、戰兢臨到我身，使我百骨打戰。有靈從我面前經過，我身上的毫毛直立。那靈停住，我卻不能辨其形狀；有影像在我眼前，我在靜默中聽見有聲音說：『必死的人豈能比神公義嗎？人豈能比造他的主潔淨嗎？主不信靠他的臣僕，並且指他的使者為愚昧；何況那住在土房、根基在塵土裏被蠹蟲所毀壞的人呢？早晚之間就被毀滅，永歸無有，無人理會。他帳棚的繩索豈不從中抽出來呢？他死，且是無智慧而死。』」』(約伯記 4:1-21) 以利法的這段話是對錯相雜的，這是和那蛇引誘夏娃的策略一樣的！所以以利法遇見的那靈是撒但，只是當時他並不知道而已。

        在新約中，更清楚告訴我們怎樣在靈界分辨，『親愛的弟兄啊，一切的靈，你們不可都信，總要試驗那些靈是出於神的不是，因為世上有許多假先知已經出來了。凡靈認耶穌基督是成了肉身來的，就是出於神的，從此你們可以認出神的靈來。凡靈不認耶穌，就不是出於神，這是那敵基督者的靈。…』(約翰一書 4:1-3)  如果我們確定是碰到靈界的事情，可以用這方法去分辨。在以利法的那時，耶穌還沒有道成肉身，他不可能如此分辨。

     我們要知道，有些從意念來的不對的事情，不全是從撒但的差役來的，很多時候是從老我來的。這不管是不是被撒但的差役激動後自己的老我，因為老我有罪才會被激動，所以要確定是從靈界來的。如果是真是從靈界來的，聖經應許我們，這方法一定有效。如果沒效，就一定是從老我來的，下面我們會談到屬老我的分辨方法。

3. 屬老我分辨的方法

       我們談過以賽亞為什麼會說，『所以耶和華向他們說的話是：命上加命、令上加令，律上加律、例上加例，這裏一點、那裏一點。…』(以賽亞書 28:13) 這基本上是聖經的一種寫法，真要有信心才能讀完聖經的每一頁，知道有的時候真是這裏一點、那裏一點！

        如果沒有屬靈分辨的機會，或是從老我來的意念，那有沒有實際的方法可以作分辨？有。新約教導我們要看結果就知道了！『…凡好樹都結好果子，惟獨壞樹結壞果子。好樹不能結壞果子，壞樹不能結好果子。』(馬太福音 7:17-18) 我們在談的是生命不是嫁接，一顆樹有它自己的生命，就像雞和鴨有著不同的生命一樣，鴨有著能游泳的生命，而我們沒有辦法強迫雞去游泳，如果把雞放在河中，非淹死不可。

     舊約中也有相應的話語，『先知託耶和華的名說話，所說的若不成就，也無效驗，這就是耶和華所未曾吩咐的，是那先知擅自說的，你不要怕他。』(申命記 18:22) 從神來的一定會應驗！舊約很清楚的說，『撒母耳長大了，耶和華與他同在，使他所說的話，一句都不落空。從但到別是巴所有的以色列人，都知道耶和華立撒母耳為先知。』(撒母耳記上 3:19-20) 的確也是如此，因為經文又說，『(掃羅的)僕人說：「這城裏有一位神人(撤母耳)，是眾人所尊重的，凡他所說的全都應驗。我們不如往他那裏去，或者他能將我們當走的路指示我們。」』(撒母耳記上 9:6) 所以一個人就應該知道沒有應驗的事，就不是從神來的。有人作見証說，有時事情的發生完全是和禱告的結果相合，但有時符合一部份，但有時甚至相反。如果是這樣，這人應該知道需要分辨，不要以為是禱告過了，就全盤接受，要知道是有時是老我希望如此！

     當在使徒行傳中講到他們選一個人代替賣主的猶大時，他們的條件在這經文中說了出來，是『…主耶穌在我們中間始終出入的時候，就是從約翰施洗起，直到主離開我們被接上升的日子為止，必須從那常與我們作伴的人中，立一位與我們同作耶穌復活的見證。』(使徒行傳 1:21-22) 『於是選舉兩個人，就是那叫做巴撒巴，又稱呼猶士都的約瑟和馬提亞。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。」於是眾人為他們搖籤，搖出馬提亞來，他就和十一個使徒同列。』(使徒行傳 1:23-26) 他們禱告了，但聖經沒有明說這禱告是否被應許，所以人能做的就是摇籤決定，所以馬提亞並不是如那十一個使徒般，是耶穌親自選的。耶穌親自選的第十二個使徒是保羅，是在復活後祂在大光中選的，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)

        如果只能像這樣子事後才能分辨，這不是太遲了嗎？不遲。能事後分辨至少給了人一個機會，能學習以後再碰到類似的情況知道如何分辨，並知道要以聖經的話語作為絕對的標準作分辨。而且還有一個補救的方法，就是在神面前悔改，因為聖經說得很清楚，『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) 所以一定要悔改。

        我們來看一個「用聖經的話語作為絕對的標準分辨」的例子，是我的一個見証。有一次在網上的查經中，有一位姊妹很高興的作見証說，她說有一位弟兄看過神的面。我實在忍不住要問她，這位弟兄現在是活著還已經死了？她很高興的回答，他還活著。我實在不能不告訴她，這和聖經不和！因為『耶和華…說：「你(摩西)不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及記 33:19-20) 他顯然看見的不是神。她說，自從這之後，這位弟兄就很熱心。不是看果子就可以知道樹如何嗎？是的，有時需要等，撒但的差役也會裝作光明的天使的，但不能長久，總是會顯出馬腳來的。這件事很明顯，和聖經講的明顯的不合，不必再等就知道了！

        有人可能會引用這句經文，『你們中間若有先知或是做夢的起來，向你顯個神蹟奇事，對你說：『我們去隨從你素來所不認識的別神，事奉他吧！』他所顯的神蹟奇事，雖有應驗，你也不可聽那先知或是那做夢之人的話。因為這是耶和華你們的神試驗(H5254)你們，要知道你們是盡心盡性愛耶和華你們的神不是。』(申命記 13:1-3) 如果是假的，不會每次都應驗的，因為有時是像天氣預報一樣，短時間可能會準，長時間絕對會不對的。有時我們要等，才能確實的知道，是不是『…耶和華你們的神試驗你們，要知道你們是盡心盡性愛耶和華你們的神不是。』(申命記 13:3) 有人可能會引用這節經文，『人被試探，不可說：「我是被神試探(G3985)」，因為神不能被惡試探，他也不試探人。但各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引、誘惑的。』(雅各書 1:13-14) 上面兩節經文不是矛盾嗎？不矛盾。我們看約伯記一開頭就知道發生了什麼事情(參約伯記 1:1-2:7)，我們看到是神點頭了，撒但立到就在神所許可的範圍內，儘量的試探人，跟本不需要神親自作工，因神很清楚撒但的個性，知道牠一定會這樣做。

        我們也看到了，『兒女既同有血肉之體，他(耶穌)也照樣親自成了血肉之體，特要藉着死，敗壞那掌死權的，就是魔鬼，並要釋放那些一生因怕死而為奴僕的人。』(希伯來書 2:14-15) 我們一信之時，神就『…救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子的國裏；我們在愛子裏得蒙救贖，罪過得以赦免。』(歌羅西書 1:13-14) 所以我們是從世界出來，要在基督裏。

     不過，不是不怕死就可以了，俗話說，砍頭不過碗大的疤，你想這樣的好漢會怕死嗎？是要為基督不怕死，有隨時為主殉道的心志，如同彼得一樣。就像經文說，『我實實在在地告訴你：你年少的時候，自己束上帶子，隨意往來；但年老的時候，你要伸出手來，別人要把你束上，帶你到不願意去的地方。」耶穌說這話，是指着彼得要怎樣死，榮耀神。…』(約翰福音 21:18-19) 在祂說過這話後，彼得很顯然的活得好好的一陣子，所以耶穌說的是預言，重點是雖然彼得已預先知道，他仍然願意為主擺上。

        我們也知道，撒但是知道耶穌是和牠的國度有損的！經文說，『污鬼無論何時看見他，就俯伏在他面前，喊着說：「你是神的兒子！」』(馬可福音 3:11) 連污鬼都知道，撒但怎麼會不知道已發生的事情呢？只是牠並不知道救恩的計劃會如何完成，如果牠能預先知道，就不會和耶穌被釘十字架有份了！在這點上，經文說得很清楚，在逾越節的晚餐中，『…耶穌就蘸了一點餅，遞給加略人西門的兒子猶大。他吃了以後，撒但就入了他的心。 …』(約翰福音 13:26-27) 有人就用這經文說耶穌和撒但合作，其實不然，在逾越節的晚餐前一段時間裏，經文說，『這時，撒但入了那稱為加略人猶大的心，他本是十二門徒裏的一個。』(路加福音 22:3) 猶大本來就準備好要賣耶穌的，看經文就知道，耶穌預先就知道，因此只是『…對他說：「你所做的，快做吧！」』(約翰福音 13:27) 結果是，『猶大受了那點餅，立刻就出去。…』(約翰福音 13:30) 『他既出去，耶穌就說：「如今人子得了榮耀，神在人子身上也得了榮耀。』(約翰福音 13:31) 耶穌也可完成祂該講的話了。

        對撒但的國度有影響的人，牠絕對會試探這人如同試探耶穌一樣，因為『…『僕人不能大於主人。…』(約翰福音 15:20) 聖經明說，『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 3:18) 非基督徒不會影響到撒但的國度的，即使是基督徒也不是每一個人對撒但的國度有影響，譬如那些一次得救永遠得救、卻不願走上成聖之路的、僅僅得救的基督徒。耶穌又說，『…他們若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你們；…』(約翰福音 15:20) 所以耶穌會說，『不背着他的十字架跟從我的，也不配作我的門徒。』(馬太福音 10:38-39) 我們是要模成耶穌的形像(參羅馬書 8:29)，你想撒但或牠的差役會放過我們嗎？牠一定會試探這樣的人！

     經文說，『惟獨長大成人的，才能吃乾糧，他們的心竅(G145)習練得通達，就能分辨好歹了。』(希伯來書 5:14) 心竅這字只在和合本出現兩次，另一次是：『於是耶穌開他們的心竅(G3563)，使他們能明白聖經。』(路加福音 24:45) 這字 G3563 出現了比較多的 24 次，是不同的字。這字 G145 只出現一次，是從在這節經文中的G143而來的，『他們不明白這話，意思乃是隱藏的，叫他們不能明白(G143, perceived)，他們也不敢問這話的意思。』(路加福音 9:45)  這字 G143 也只出現過一次。從這兩處經文中，應該是指這心竅開了後，可以意識到一些事情，造成了對撒但的國度的威脅。

       譬如說，這時候就能真正的分辨好歹了。那麼什麼叫做真正的好歹呢？再以死亡為例，神所看見的好歹和世人眼中的好歹相當不同！人通常都是希望能夠活得長久，但我們看見使徒雅各短命而死，因『那時，希律王下手苦害教會中幾個人，用刀殺了約翰的哥哥雅各。』(使徒行傳 12:1-2) 但他仍有冠冕，因在新天新地有新耶路撒冷城後神那降下時，『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) 可見神和世人的看法很不同。

     通常一個人受到靈界的攻擊，有時會如提幔人以利法一樣並不知曉，跟本都不會意識到。所以有人以為沒有被邪靈攻擊過，並不代表真正沒有被攻擊遇。所以彼得要我們，『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 而馬丁路德會說，我們不能避免鳥飛過而正好鳥大便落在我們頭上，但我們可以不讓鳥在我們頭上作窩。換句話說，就是我們不能避免邪靈突然的攻擊，但我們絕對有足夠多的時間避免這攻擊發酵，如果我們讓它發酵，就是我們的錯了。如果一個基督徒真正的沒有受過撒但或其差役的攻擊，是應該警醒了！因為他們都認為你不值得攻擊，已經在他們的國度裏了，經文說得很清楚，『若撒但自相攻打紛爭，他就站立不住，必要滅亡。』(馬可福音 3:26)

(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』。)

       在這七個教會中，我們可以看到不同的的事情，反應出一些我們現在教會的光景。首先我們看見關於主在啟示錄中前三章的敘述是相當不同的，我們必須取其聯集，就是符合所有敘述的描述才行，這是聖經這裏一點那裏一點的一個寫法。在推雅推喇的教會中，我們看到了從人角度而來的錯誤的教導是多麼可怕，會引誘人犯罪！教會不應該容忍這樣的教導。其中也提到了得勝者的獎賞。第二是提到了對撒狄的教會有嚴重的判斷，但尚有幾個可以進新耶路撒冷城的得勝者，並教導他們如何能做得勝者及其賞賜，我們也從中看到聖經的一致性。第三是談在許多人都羨慕的非拉鐵非的教會，這教會有個不能關的門，談到了他們所做的事情，及會得到的賞賜。最後我談到了七個教會中唯一沒有得勝者的老底嘉的教會，我們看到神決定把這不冷不熱的人吐出來，從人的角度看，一切都很好，但從神的角度看，完全相反。我們解釋了為什麼我們可以在經文中又一次看到聖經的一致性，和為什麼這又讓我再次經歷到某一節的經文。

1. 主的描述和從推雅推喇的教會所看見的

        『「你要寫信給推雅推喇教會的使者說：『那眼目如火焰、腳像光明銅的神之子說：我知道你的行為、愛心、信心、勤勞、忍耐，又知道你末後所行的善事，比起初所行的更多。「『然而，有一件事我要責備你，就是你容讓那自稱是先知的婦人耶洗別教導我的僕人，引誘他們行姦淫，吃祭偶像之物。我曾給她悔改的機會，她卻不肯悔改她的淫行。看哪，我要叫她病臥在牀。那些與她行淫的人，若不悔改所行的，我也要叫他們同受大患難。我又要殺死她的黨類，叫眾教會知道，我是那察看人肺腑心腸的，並要照你們的行為報應你們各人。』」「『至於你們推雅推喇其餘的人，就是一切不從那教訓，不曉得他們素常所說撒但深奧之理的人，我告訴你們：我不將別的擔子放在你們身上，但你們已經有的，總要持守，直等到我來。「『那得勝又遵守我命令到底的，我要賜給他權柄制伏列國。他必用鐵杖轄管他們，將他們如同窰戶的瓦器打得粉碎── 像我從我父領受的權柄一樣。我又要把晨星賜給他。聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』」』(啓示錄 2:18-29)

     當然最後說到，對每一個教會都說的話，要有一個能聽的耳，聖靈所說的當然要聽，聖經很清楚的說，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 其實不只是聖靈說的，對別人的話也要有一個能聽的耳，只是人的誠實話，並不見得是真理或是(對的)真話，要分辨。所以這經文和合本的翻譯，『惟用愛心說誠實話，凡事長進，連於元首基督。』(以弗所書 4:15) 是錯的，看上下文，我們知道真理可適用，但真理一定是真話，而真話不一定是真理。在經驗中，我們大概會聽過這樣的見証，聖靈常常提醒我去做忘記的事情、如忘了鑰匙等，這怎麼會是真理呢？看原文就知道愛心是指神的愛，聖靈怎麼會沒有神的愛呢？所以這經文應該翻譯成：『惟用神的愛說真話，凡事長進，連於元首基督。』(和合本的更正, 以弗所書 4:15) 當然，我們要確定有這樣的意念是從神來的，因為『…因為連撒但也裝作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多後書 11:14-15) 我們會在未來的『2092 能聽的耳，屬靈和屬老我的分辨方法』中，討論如何能分辨的方法，如果你有興趣的話，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇短文。

     我們首先看到關於主在啟示錄中前三章的敘述是相當不同的，但並不衝突，我們必須取其聯集，也就是符合所有敘述的描述才行。舉個例子來說，這裏是說，『…那眼目如火焰、腳像光明銅的神之子說：』(啓示錄 2:18) 在第一章是說，『他的頭與髮皆白，如白羊毛、如雪，眼目如同火焰，腳好像在爐中鍛煉光明的銅，聲音如同眾水的聲音。(啓示錄 1:14-15) 這敘述包含了我們這裏裏所講的，而又說，『…那有兩刃利劍的說：』(啓示錄 2:12) 因此在這三個敘述中，描述須取其聯集而符合所有的敍述。當然，在其他地方也有敍述主的敍述，如在其他的教會中，我們在這裏就不多講了。其實關於主的敘述從舊約到新約都有，因為慣穿聖經的就是說到主基督。所以我們的描述必須是所有這裏一點那裏一點的敘述的聯集，這基本上是聖經的一個寫法，猶如以賽亞說，『所以耶和華向他們說的話是：命上加命、令上加令，律上加律、例上加例，這裏一點、那裏一點。…』(以賽亞書 28:13) 要有信心看完聖經，才有可能得到關於一件事情的所有敍述，知道神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，就是、不是字句上的聖經的一致性！在字句上，我們會看到明顯的矛盾，我們該問的，神默示這明顯的矛盾是要藉著這矛盾告訴我們什麼？我們要強調一點是，有時聖經明寫，我們卻以為那些話沒有意義，而忽略了這裏一點那裏一點的寫法，我們真的需要聖靈開我們的眼睛，這樣就知道保羅說的是實話，『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) 絕對不要和聖靈爭論，我們絕對不會贏的，因為聖經說得很清楚，『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)

       我們以前在『2004 啓示錄中的七個教會和能聽的耳』中，已說到了啓示錄在七個教會中都說要有一個能聽的耳，在這篇短文中，我們簡述了這七個教會的優點，缺點或鼓勵。簡言之，優點和鼓勵是我們該做的事，而不要犯缺點，指出了不同的教會處在不同的光景之中，也反應出我們現在教會的光景的某一些方面。我們等下會談到，即使像老底嘉的教會把耶穌關在門外，在祂眼中仍是金燈台。如果他們聽到訊息而悔改了，仍然可在神大能的工作下有機會轉換成有得勝者的教會。我們不知道神要怎麼工作，神有絕對的主權，祂決定是否應許我們的禱告，但要知道祂有時會因我們的禱告而改變，就像阿摩司書所說的，『耶和華就後悔說：「這災也可免了。」』(阿摩司書 7:6) (參阿摩司書 7:1-6) 所以即使禱告不被應許，也應該『不住地禱告。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:17) 這經文說，『…我是那察看人肺腑心腸的，並要照你們的行為報應你們各人。』(啓示錄 2:23) 不是又一次的明說了祂是看人內心的嗎？所以『你們不要論斷人，免得你們被論斷。』(馬太福音 7:1) 但聖經也說得很清楚，要分辨，『惟獨長大成人的，才能吃乾糧，他們的心竅習練得通達，就能分辨(discern, G1263)好歹了。』(希伯來書 5:14) 要能長大成人，不要永遠作嬰孩。在這裏我們就基本上不重複 2004 中的討論，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇短文。

        在這裏，我們看到了從人角度而來的錯誤的教導是多麼可怕，會引誘人犯罪，雖能有時能會一時興旺而人數增多，最終總會有神的懲罸的，如一些講成功哲學的教會，真不是教會啊！這樣教導的人是應該被趕出神的教會的！經文中也看到了悔改的重要，神是看人的內心的，基督徒要有信心的行為，不要忘了，『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) 這是為什麼主兩千多年了，主還沒有再來的原因。我們的行為要向主負責，難怪會說，『我的弟兄們，不要多人作師傅，因為曉得我們要受更重的判斷。』(雅各書 3:1)

        這裏也很清楚的明說有得勝者，因只是一些聽從了不對的教導，那些得勝者會是遵守主的命令到底的，他們的賞賜是得到權柄和晨星。這裏當然有在七個教會都說的，要有一個能聽的耳。聖經一再重複的講，所以我們也一再强調。

2. 從撒狄的教會所看見的

        『「你要寫信給撒狄教會的使者說：『那有神的七靈和七星的說：我知道你的行為，按名你是活的，其實是死的。你要警醒！堅固那剩下將要衰微的，因我見你的行為，在我神面前，沒有一樣是完全的。』」「『所以要回想你是怎樣領受，怎樣聽見的，又要遵守，並要悔改。若不警醒，我必臨到你那裏，如同賊一樣。我幾時臨到，你也決不能知道。「『然而在撒狄，你還有幾名是未曾污穢自己衣服的；他們要穿白衣與我同行，因為他們是配得過的。凡得勝的，必這樣穿白衣，我也必不從生命冊上塗抹他的名，且要在我父面前和我父眾使者面前認他的名。聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』」』(啓示錄 3:1-6)

        經文告訴我們，對撒狄的教會的判斷是嚴厲的，並警告他們要悔改，要回想是何處墮落的，因為要從那裏站起來。這就猶如亞當的不順服神，因此『…罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界…』(羅馬書 5:12) 神原先是希望亞當選擇了吃生命樹的果子，而救恩的計劃是要以耶穌的一生順服神而除掉罪，我們在基督內也就是選擇了生命樹的果子，從亞當跌倒的地方站起來，我們以前分享過這點，就不多講了。如果撒狄的教會不悔改，是會有懲罸的。但有幾名得勝者，是未曾污穢自己衣服的，他們會穿著白衣與主同行，能夠進新耶路撒冷城。經文並沒有說不穿白衣的基督徒會被在生命册上除名，如果他們只是一次得救永遠得救的基督徒，會是在城外的基督徒，聖經在這一點上是多麼的一致啊！我們以前在『2087 模成耶穌的形像及實行』中的『5. 一次得救就永遠得救是否公平？』詳細的討論了這點，如果你對這題目有興趣的話，可以到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇短文。

3. 從非拉鐵非的教會所看見的

    『「你要寫信給非拉鐵非教會的使者說：『那聖潔、真實，拿着大衞的鑰匙，開了就沒有人能關，關了就沒有人能開的，說：我知道你的行為，你略有一點力量，也曾遵守我的道，沒有棄絕我的名。看哪，我在你面前給你一個敞開的門，是無人能關的。那撒但一會的，自稱是猶太人，其實不是猶太人，乃是說謊話的，我要使他們來在你腳前下拜，也使他們知道我是已經愛你了。你既遵守我忍耐的道，我必在普天下人受試煉的時候，保守你免去你的試煉。』」「『我必快來，你要持守你所有的，免得人奪去你的冠冕。得勝的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再從那裏出去。我又要將我神的名和我神城的名（這城就是從天上、從我神那裏降下來的新耶路撒冷），並我的新名，都寫在他上面。聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』」』(啓示錄 3:7-13)

     有人提到過和大衞的鑰匙相關的經文如後：『我必將大衞家的鑰匙放在他肩頭上，他開，無人能關；他關，無人能開。』(以賽亞書 22:22) 非拉鐵非的教會不是有這樣令人羨慕的門嗎？我們看得出來，非拉鐵非的教會是一個很好的教會。經文又說，『他拆毀的，就不能再建造；他捆住人，便不得開釋。』(約伯記 12:14) 神拆毀的目的本是要建造，所以經文會說，『看哪！我今日立你在列邦列國之上，為要施行拔出、拆毀、毀壞、傾覆，又要建立、栽植。』(耶利米書 1:10) 經文還說，『我還告訴你：你是彼得，我要把我的教會建造在這磐石上，陰間的權柄不能勝過他。我要把天國的鑰匙給你，凡你在地上所捆綁的，在天上也要捆綁；凡你在地上所釋放的，在天上也要釋放。』(馬太福音 16:18-19) 大衞的鑰匙就是天國的鑰匙。且說，『又是那存活的；我曾死過，現在又活了，直活到永永遠遠，並且拿着死亡和陰間的鑰匙。』(啓示錄 1:18) 我們以前分享過這一節，這拿著死亡和陰間的鑰匙的顯然是主耶穌基督。

        這是許多人都羨慕的教會，因他們有這樣的一個門，開了就沒有人能關，關了就沒有人能開的！他們只不過在神眼中略有一點力量，但遵守了耶穌的道，沒有棄絕基督的名，我們看到了神是大有憐憫、大有恩典的。他們顯然是受了撒但一會的假猶太人的逼迫，要不怎麼要忍耐呢？最終是主親自介入，使假猶太人來在他們腳前。他們的忍耐賞賜是大的，可在普天下人受試煉的時候，免去試煉。鼓勵他們持守冠冕，全部作為能進城的得勝者，當然假猶太人除外。他們的賞賜是在神殿中作柱子，並有神的名和神城的名，且有基督的新名。

4. 從老底嘉的教會所看見的

       『「你要寫信給老底嘉教會的使者說：『那為阿們的，為誠信真實見證的，在神創造萬物之上為元首的，說：我知道你的行為，你也不冷也不熱；我巴不得你或冷或熱。你既如溫水，也不冷也不熱，所以我必從我口中把你吐出去。』」「『你說：我是富足，已經發了財，一樣都不缺。卻不知道你是那困苦、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼、赤身的。我勸你向我買火煉的金子，叫你富足；又買白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞恥不露出來；又買眼藥擦你的眼睛，使你能看見。「『凡我所疼愛的，我就責備管教他，所以你要發熱心，也要悔改。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。「『得勝的，我要賜他在我寶座上與我同坐，就如我得了勝，在我父的寶座上與他同坐一般。聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』」』(啓示錄 3:14-22)

        我們以前談過老底嘉的教會很多次，現在只是分享一些以前沒分享過的，和將以前分享過的摘要說出來。我們看到了他們的行為如飲水不冷不熱，喝下去也不好，又捨不得浪費吐出來，最後主的決定是要把他們吐出來，實在是吃下去很不好受！除非們悔改。我們看到他們做了很多的事情，所以從人的角度看，一切都很好，但顯然他們做的不是神要他們做的，因神要他們買眼藥使他們能看見！且要真正的富足，穿上白衣。

        我們看到基督是大有憐憫的，雖然祂現在被關到門外，祂仍然疼愛他們，願意他們悔改，只要他們願意開門，祂就和他們一同坐席。並鼓勵他們要做一個得勝者，這是當時七個教會中唯一沒有得勝者的，教會真的要小心，不要一不小心就落入老底嘉教會的光景。我們以前分享過，這些經文又一次讓我體會到聖經的一致性，因經文說，『…無論在哪裏，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裏就有我在他們中間。』(馬太福音 18:20) 老底嘉的教會是奉主名聚會，雖祂是在心門之外，沒有作工，仍然是在他們中間，這應許沒有落空，聖經是一致的。我以前那裏會想到這點呢？這又讓我領會一次保羅說得是多麼真實，『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) 所以保羅一定自己經歷過這樣的事，才會這樣說。

(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 talked about having ears which can hear and why we need to be like this. We also discussed a controversial Isaiah’s prophecy and found that there was no need to controversy at all.  We also see that the Lord is extremely willing to open our ears when we are really willing.  The second is about the method of spiritual discernment, because everything that comes from supernatural ideas may not necessarily come from God. We gave a biblical example to illustrate this point.  Every spirit that denies Jesus is not of God; it is the spirit of the Antichrist.  Finally, we talked about the method of distinguishing those thoughts belonging to the old self. The New Testament teaches us to know by looking at the results!  The Old Testament also says so.  Being able to discern after the fact at least gives people an opportunity to learn how to discern, and to know that they must use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard for discernment. We gave a brief testimony to illustrate this point. The remedy is to repent.  We see that it is not enough not to be afraid of death, but that we must not be afraid of death for Christ sake and have the determination to be a martyr for the Lord at any time.  We also explained, one might ask, why Jesus was not collaborating with Satan when he dipped the bread for Judas to eat at the Passover meal.  We also discuss that anyone who has influence over the kingdom of Satan will definitely be tempted by Satan or his servants just as Satan tempted Jesus. Because we want to be conformed to the image of Jesus, Satan will definitely prevent us from doing so and thus preventing us from growing up and being able to truly discern the difference between the good or the bad.  For example, we illustrate that God’s view of death is quite different from the world’s view of death.  Let us see that if a Christian has never been attacked by temptation, he should be alert!  Because even Satan’s servants don’t think he’s worthy of attack.

1. Have an ear that can hear

We have already talked about the same sentence in the seven (all) churches in the book of Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(See Revelation 2:7,11,17,29, 3:6,13,22) Of course, you should definitely listen to what the spirit says, “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Of course, we must discern that it is from the Holy Spirit and not from Satan’s servants masquerading as angels of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:14-15).  Some examples of this in the New Testament are: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.”(Revelation 13:9) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”(See Matthew 11:15, 13:9,43; Mark 4:9,13, 8:19; Luke 8:8, 14:35) “Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?”(Mark 8:18) We see that the Holy Spirit is not mentioned here, so we must also have an ear that can listen to other people’s words. However, other people’s words may not be entirely correct, so we must distinguish them.  There are quite a few similar verses in the Old Testament, such as “Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see; Who have ears but do not hear.”(Jeremiah 5:20-21) I won’t go into details here since you can check them out easily by using software.​

Someone may ask, but the New Testament says, “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’”(Matthew 13:14-15) Since they mentioned the prophecy of Isaiah, let us go to it. “He (the LORD) said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand. “Render the hearts (H3820) of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.””(Isaiah 6:9-10) Isn’t this that God makes the people unable to hear?  We see this word H3820 thirty times in Isaiah, enough times that we can understand the meaning of this word. A typical example is, “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart (H3820) is My law; Do not fear the reproach of man, Nor be dismayed at their revilings.” (Isaiah 51:7) In fact, it is clear from the consistency of Scripture, “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house.””(Ezekiel 12:1-2) These people are from the rebellious house. How can they hear it?  What we want to emphasize here is that most of the time the Bible talks about general situations, and sometimes it talks about special cases. We cannot use special cases to say that the general situations described in the Bible are wrong.  Here, Ezekiel is an Israelite, but he is obviously not rebellious. From the case of Ezekiel, we cannot say that this general description of Israel as rebellious is a wrong description.

On the other hand, we see that “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) If one can’t even hear, how can that person “believe?” If you want to change, the first step is to listen, right?  This is true for both the words of the Holy Spirit and the words of brothers and sisters.  Especially for spiritual matters, we need God to open our ears, otherwise how can we change it?  The psalm says, “Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.”(Psalm 40:6) We need to do both, but which one is more important must be clearly distinguished.  Isaiah says, ““You have not heard, you have not known.

Even from long ago your ear has not been open, Because I knew that you would deal very treacherously; And you have been called a rebel from birth.”(Isaiah 48:8) The house of Israel was indeed a rebellious house.  He also said, “The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back.”(Isaiah 50:5) We can see that Isaiah did have a hearing ear!  We have to say it again, we must have ears that can hear for both the spiritual and worldly things. If we are willing, we can ask the Lord to open our ears and give us an ear that can hear. We know that He is extremely willing to do so. We have talked many times about that He was shut out by the Laodicean church and 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) You really need to be sure that you are really willing, because “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We sometimes deceive ourselves!

2. Methods of spiritual discernment

Everything that comes from supernatural thoughts does not necessarily come from God, because quite a few people think that supernatural things must come from God, but in fact it is not the case. To discern, you must use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to make a distinction.  What if there is no such thing in the Bible? Then we have to look at the principles of the Bible. If we truly believe that the Bible is inspired by God, we will know that the principles are all there. Therefore, the Old Testament says, “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.”(Psalm 103:7) Therefore, when we read the Bible, we not only need to know what the Triune God has done and what He can do, but we also need to know some of His principles for doing things.  Because He is infinite and we are finite, it is impossible for us to know all the laws of His ways of doing things on our own unless He reveals to us.  We believe that He is willing, provided that we open the door in our heart. In the book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea shut Jesus out, but He 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) Here, didn’t God let Moses know His principles for doing things?  Please don’t confuse what He has done with what He can do.  Indeed, both the Old and New Testaments record many things that He has done, but what He can do is beyond our imagination. Therefore, the New Testament says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”(Ephesians 3:20)

First, we must know that Satan and his servants  can also pretend to be angels of light. “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:14-15) The book of Job in the Old Testament makes it very clear that supernatural things that come from thoughts do not necessarily come from God!  We shared this before, and because it is so important to know this, we list the scriptures and then only briefly discuss them here.  The scripture is quite long, “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,  “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? …“Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. “Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake. “Then a spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh bristled up. “It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice: ‘Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? ‘He puts no trust even in His servants; And against His angels He charges error. ‘How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth! ‘Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unobserved, they perish forever. Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’”(Job 4:1-21) Eliphaz’s words are mixed between right and wrong. This is related to the serpent who used the same strategy to seduce Eve!  So the spirit Eliphaz met was Satan, but he didn’t know it at that time.

In the New Testament, we are told more clearly how to distinguish in the spiritual world, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, …”(1 John 4:1-3) If we are sure that we are encountering something in the spiritual world, we can use this method to distinguish it.  At the time of Eliphaz, Jesus had not yet become flesh, so it was impossible for him to discern this way.

We need to know that some wrong things that come from our thoughts are not always from the servants of Satan. Many times they come from our old self.  Regardless of whether the thought comes from your old self that was stirred up by Satan’s agents, whenever you commit sins, your old self can be stirred up, so you must make sure it comes from the spiritual world.  If it really comes from the spiritual world, the Bible promises us that this method will be effective.  If it doesn’t work, it must come from the old self. Below we will talk about the methods to discern the old self.

3. Methods to discern our old self

We first talked about what Isaiah said, “So the word of the LORD to them will be, “Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there,” …”(Isaiah 28:13) This is basically a way of writing the Bible. You really need to have faith to read every page of the Bible, knowing that sometimes it is a little bit here and a little bit there!

If there is no opportunity for spiritual discernment or thoughts coming from the old self, is there any practical way to discern?  Yes.  The New Testament teaches us to know by looking at the results! “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18) What we are talking about is life, not grafting. A tree has its own life, just like chickens and ducks have different lives. Ducks have a life of swimming, but chickens do not. The method to force the chicken to swim isn’t feasible. If the chicken is placed in the river, it will drown. ​

There are corresponding words in the Old Testament too, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”(Deuteronomy 18:22) What comes from God will definitely come true!  The Old Testament says very clearly, “Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.”(1 Samuel 3:19-20) This is indeed the case, because the scripture also says, “He said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.””(1 Samuel 9:6)

Therefore, a person should know that something that doesn’t come true doesn’t come from God for sure.  To reflect such points, some people have testified that sometimes things happen in complete agreement with the results of prayer, sometimes in part, and sometimes even in reverse.  If this is the case, this person should know that he needs to discern. Don’t just accept it all because he has prayed. One should know that sometimes the results of a prayer is due to the old self who hopes it happens according to what prayed.

It is said in the book of Acts that when they chose a man to replace the betrayer Judas, their condition is stated in the verses, “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us⁠— beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us⁠—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”(Acts 1:21-22) “So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And 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.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”(Acts 1:23-26) They prayed, but the Bible does not clearly say whether this prayer was answered, so all people can do is to decide by casting lots. Therefore, Matthias is not like the eleven apostles whom Jesus Himself chose.  The twelfth apostle chosen by Jesus Himself was Paul. He chose him in great light after His resurrection, so 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)

If we can only tell after the fact like this, isn’t it too late?  Not too late.  Being able to discern after the fact at least gives people an opportunity to learn how to discern when encountering similar situations in the future, and to know that the words of the Bible should be used as the absolute standard for discernment.  And there is a remedy, which is to repent before God, because 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) So you must repent.

Let’s look at an example of “using the words of the Bible as the absolute standard for discernment,” which is one of my testimony.  Once during an online Bible study, a sister happily testified that she said that a brother had seen the face of God.  I couldn’t help but ask her, is this brother alive or dead now?  She happily replied that he was still alive.  I really had to tell her that this was inconsistent with the Bible!  Because “…He said, “You (Moses) cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!””(Exodus 33:20) What the person saw was obviously not God.  Then she said that since then, this brother has been very enthusiastic.  Can’t you tell what a tree is like just by looking at its fruits?  Yes, sometimes you have to wait, and Satan’s servants will pretend to be angels of light, but they cannot last long, and they will always show their flaws.  This matter is obvious and inconsistent with what the Bible says. You don’t have to wait any longer to find out!

Someone might quote this verse, “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”(Deuteronomy 13:1-3) If it is a fake, it will not come true every time, because sometimes it is like a weather forecast which may be accurate in the short term, but it will definitely be wrong in the long term.  Sometimes we have to wait before we know for sure whether “…the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”(Deuteronomy 13:3)

Some people may quote this verse, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”(James 1:13-14) Aren’t the above two verses contradictory?  Not contradictory.  When we look at the beginning of the book of Job, we know what happened (see Job 1:1-2:7). We see that it was God who nodded, and Satan established himself within the scope allowed by God, and tried his best to tempting people does not require God’s personal work, because God knows Satan’s personality very well and knows that he will definitely do this.

We have also seen, “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”(Hebrews 2:14-15) As soon as we believed, God “…rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”(Colossians 1:13-14) Therefore, we came out of the world to be in Christ.

However, it doesn’t mean that if one isn’t afraid of death, then it is ok. As the saying goes, a hero says, ‘beheading can only leave a scar as big as a bowl.’ Do you think such a hero would be afraid of death? It only counts if one isn’t afraid of death is for Christ sake and thus to have the determination to be a martyr for the Lord at any time, just like Peter.  The scripture says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!””(John 21:18-19) After He said these words, Peter obviously lived well for a while, so Jesus was speaking a prophecy. The point is that even though Peter knew it in advance, he still wanted to serve for the Lord.

We also know that Satan knows that Jesus is detrimental to his kingdom!  The scripture says, “Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!””(Mark 3:11) Even unclean spirits know that He is the Son of God, how could Satan don’t know what happened?  It’s just that Satan doesn’t know how the plan of salvation will be completed. If he could know in advance, he wouldn’t be a part of Jesus’ crucifixion!  On this point, the scriptures are very clear. During the Passover meal, “…when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. …”(John 13:26-27) Some people use this scripture to say that Jesus cooperated with Satan. In fact, this is not the case. During the period before the Passover meal, the scripture says, “And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.”(Luke 22:3) Judas was already prepared to betray Jesus. You can tell from the scriptures that Jesus knew it beforehand, so He just “…said to him, “What you do, do quickly.””(John 13:27) The result was, “…after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; …”(John 13:30) “Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.””(John 13:31) Jesus can then fulfill His mission saying what He had to say.

Satan will definitely test anyone who has influence over his kingdom just as he tested Jesus, because “…A slave is not greater than his master. …”(John 15:20) We know that the ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bible clearly says, “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 3:18) Non-Christians will not affect the kingdom of Satan. Even Christians, not everyone will have an influence on the kingdom of Satan. For example, those who are once saved are always saved but are unwilling to embark on the journey to sanctification are merely saved Christians and have no effect on Satan’s kingdom. Jesus also said, “…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; …”(John 15:20) So Jesus would say, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”(Matthew 10:38-39) We are to be conformed to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29). Do you think Satan or his servants will let us go?  They will surely tempt such a person!

The scripture says, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses (G145) trained to discern good and evil.”(Hebrews 5:14) This word G145 only appears once, and comes from G143 in this verse, “But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive (G143) it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.”(Luke 9:45) This word G143 only appears once.  From these two scriptures, it should mean that after the mind is opened, it can realize some things, which poses a threat to the kingdom of Satan. For example, after the mind is opened, one can truly discern between good and evil.  So what is the real good or evil?  Let’s take death as an example again. The good and bad in God’s eyes are quite different from the good and bad in the eyes of the world!  People usually hope to live a long life, but we see that the apostle James died short-lived because the Bible clearly stated, “Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.”(Acts 12:1-2) But he still has a crown, because when the new city of Jerusalem comes down in the new heaven and new earth, “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) It can be seen clearly that God and the world have very different views about death.

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Usually, when a person is attacked by the spirit world, sometimes he does not know it, just like Eliphaz the Temanite, and does not realize it at all.  Therefore, just because some people think they have not been attacked by evil spirits does not mean that they have never been attacked.  So Peter tells us, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) And Martin Luther would say, we cannot prevent birds from flying by and their poop falling on our heads, but we can prevent birds from making nests on our heads.  In other words, we cannot avoid the sudden attack of evil spirits, but we definitely have enough time to avoid the attack from fermenting. If we let it ferment, it will be our fault.  If a Christian has truly not been attacked by Satan or his servants, he should be alert!  Because they all think you are not worthy of attack and are already in their kingdom. The scriptures make it clear, “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!” (Mark 3:26)

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

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