我們首先看看在七號之前有的訊息，看見為什麼這裏說到寂靜，並指出我們以前討論過為什麼四活物和二十四位長老都代表教會。第二，我們分享前四號的災難和所看見的，為什麼經文說通常預言即使說到時間也是大概的，這是一般的情況，但也有正確的時間的特例，要分辨一般情況和特例。最後，我們來看看第五號帶來的災難，從災難中我們又一次看到撒但的工作是不可越過神所定的範圍。那時，對那些額上沒有神印記的人是極大的災難，是求生不能，求死不得！聖經明說了那些有神印記的是神的僕人，顯然不是指因信稱義而僅僅得救的人，因仇敵如吼叫的獅子，到處尋找可吞吃的人，所以不要以為不走上成聖之路是可以的，為此，我們舉了一個基督徒底馬墮落的聖經例子。

1. 七號之前有的訊息

       『羔羊揭開第七印的時候，天上寂靜(G4602)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)

        這寂靜(G4602)代表有事將要發生了！  這字 G4602 只出現兩次，另一次在這經文中，『保羅說：「我本是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，並不是無名小城的人。求你准我對百姓說話。」千夫長准了。保羅就站在台階上，向百姓擺手，他們都靜默(G4602)無聲，保羅便用希伯來話對他們說：』(使徒行傳 21:39-40) 兩次都一致的說有事要發生了！就請你們到使徒行傳看一看前後文就知道剛才引述的經文是指什麼事，並保羅用希伯來話說的長長的一段話，因為相當長，我們就不在這裏花時間多講了。其實舊約也有類似的字句，如看以下的經文的上下文也就知道這一點，『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)

        請注意，這裏所說的香的煙是從天使而來的，是和眾聖徒的祈禱，從天使的手中一同升到神面前。其實，眾聖徒的祈禱也是香，不同的是這香是由代表教會的四活物和二十四位長老而來，『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。』(啓示錄 5:8) 至於為什麼說四活物和二十四位長老一樣，也是代表教會，我們在『2093 看天開了，寶座和四活物 – 啓示錄 (4) 』中的『3. 四活物是什麼？』講得很清楚，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』，找到這篇文章。

2. 第一號到第四號帶來的災禍

        『第一位天使吹號，就有雹子與火攙着血丟在地上。地的三分之一和樹的三分之一被燒了，一切的青草也被燒了。第二位天使吹號，就有彷彿火燒着的大山扔在海中。海的三分之一變成血，第三位天使吹號，就有燒着的大星好像火把從天上落下來，落在江河的三分之一和眾水的泉源上。這星名叫「茵蔯」。眾水的三分之一變為茵蔯，因水變苦，就死了許多人。第四位天使吹號，日頭的三分之一，月亮的三分之一，星辰的三分之一都被擊打，以致日月星的三分之一黑暗了，白晝的三分之一沒有光，黑夜也是這樣。』(啓示錄 8:7-12)

        我們首先看到經文很清楚的說明了前四號所帶來的災難，我們就不重複了。這裏說的三分之一應該只是大概的數目，不是就是正好三分之一，因通常聖經提到數目時，都是指大概的。譬如說，『耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「你要的確知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。』(創世記 15:13) 確實的時間是，『以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。』(出埃及記 12:40-41) 不能說聖經因此錯了，有了明顯的矛盾，而是神藉著這明顯的矛盾告訴我們什麼？告訴我們這是在講預言，就是你會發覺聖經講的預言一般都沒有講確實的時間，有時聖經甚至連時間都沒有講，譬如耶穌的再來會像賊一樣(參帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:2, 彼得後書 3:10, 啓示錄 3:3, 啓示錄 16:15)，也是這樣，我們必須隨時儆醒。你也可看到，神是有絕對主權的。

        還有很多的這樣的例子，所以這是一般性的原則，但是也有特例。舉個例子來說，就是當初在創世記 5:1-32 時，所記載亞當的後代的時候，用的數目是確定的，我們為什麼這樣說呢？如果我們用這些數目算一算就知道，馬土撒拉死的那一天，就是洪水來的那一天，我們以前分享過，就不重複了。如果數目不正確，我們就不能達到這結論，不能說這是巧合，聖經所說的事都是設計好的，沒有真正的所謂巧合！所以我們實在是要分辨，那些是在講一般原則，那些是指特例。

3. 第五號帶來的災難

       『我又看見一個鷹飛在空中，並聽見牠大聲說：「三位天使要吹那其餘的號，你們住在地上的民，禍哉！禍哉！禍哉！」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。它開了無底坑，便有煙從坑裏往上冒，好像大火爐的煙，日頭和天空都因這煙昏暗了。有蝗蟲從煙中出來，飛到地上，有能力賜給牠們，好像地上蠍子的能力一樣。並且吩咐牠們說，不可傷害地上的草和各樣青物，並一切樹木，惟獨要傷害額上沒有神印記的人。但不許蝗蟲害死他們，只叫他們受痛苦五個月，這痛苦就像蠍子螫人的痛苦一樣。在那些日子，人要求死，決不得死；願意死，死卻遠避他們。蝗蟲的形狀好像預備出戰的馬一樣，頭上戴的好像金冠冕，臉面好像男人的臉面，頭髮像女人的頭髮，牙齒像獅子的牙齒。胸前有甲，好像鐵甲。牠們翅膀的聲音，好像許多車馬奔跑上陣的聲音。有尾巴像蠍子，尾巴上的毒鈎能傷人五個月。有無底坑的使者作牠們的王，按着希伯來話，名叫亞巴頓；希臘話，名叫亞玻倫。第一樣災禍過去了，還有兩樣災禍要來。』(啓示錄 8:13-9:12)

        首先們注意到第一句話和最後一句話，就很清楚的知道，七號的災禍是分為兩組，前四號和後三號的描述是很不相同的。我們可以看見這些經文中所說的蝗蟲不是普通的蝗蟲，是大有能力的，並有無底坑的使者作牠們的王。我們也看到了蝗蟲有不可傷害的，又一次看到撒但的工作是不可越過神所定的範圍。那時，對那些額上沒有神印記的人來說是極大的災難，求生不能，求死不得。

        那麼那些有神印記的是什麼人呢？經文說得很清楚，『…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。」』(啓示錄 7:2-3) 很清楚的說，受印的人是真正神的僕人，不是表面去參加人間的教會，或是因信稱義僅僅得救的人，因這樣的基督徒會受不住撒但利用世界來的誘惑，而回到世界。基督徒因信稱義得救後的第一件事，就是『他(神)救了我們脫離黑暗的權勢，把我們遷到他愛子(耶穌基督)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) 所以我們一定要在基督內。『我們知道我們是屬神的，全世界都臥在那惡者(撒但)手下。』(約翰一書 5:19) 而且『因為你們的仇敵魔鬼(撒但)，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8b) 撒但不會停止工作的！即使是基督徒，也不見得會在世界的誘惑中得勝。大使命是這樣說的，『…你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，…』(馬太福音 28:19-20) 所以受洗只是開始，一定要走上成聖之路。

        關於基督徒會墮落的這一點，我們來看看聖經怎麼說。在新約，底馬這個人只在三節經文提到，其中兩節是，『所親愛的醫生路加和底馬問你們安。』(歌羅西書 4:14) 和『與我同工的馬可、亞里達古、底馬、路加也都問你安。』(腓利門書 1:24) 這兩節都說底馬是保羅的同工，應是基督徒，要不保羅不會選他為同工的。但在保羅快去世前怎麼說，他說，『因為底馬貪愛現今的世界，就離棄我往帖撒羅尼迦去了。…』(提摩太後書 4:10) 底馬跌倒了，難怪彼得會說，『務要謹守、警醒。』(彼得前書 5:8a)  對我來說，我那時在找一個基督徒會墮落的例子，正好在那時的一次查經中要查腓利門書，我想腓利門不是在講保羅在實行愛的一個例子嗎？有什麼好查的？沒想到在最後一節平常問安的話中，突然就意識到提摩太後書 4:10 不正是說到我要找的例子嗎！保羅說，『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) 這不是在講我嗎？真是又讓我經歷這經文一次！

     神不會因一個人是基督徒就偏待他，『因為神不偏待人。』(羅馬書 2:11) 神給了因信稱義的基督徒一個機會，我們不只要僅僅得救，要心甘情願的走上成聖之路。要記得，只要我們甘心情願，主會作我們隨時的幫助，就像經文所說，『所以我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。』(希伯來書 4:16) 感謝讚美神！

(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』。)

Let’s first look at the message before the seven trumpets, see why silence is mentioned here, and point out where we have discussed before why the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders represent the church.  Second, we share the disasters of the first four trumpets and regarding what we saw. Why does the scripture say that usually prophecies are approximate even when they mention time? This is a general situation, but there are also special cases of correct time. We must distinguish between general situations and special cases.  Finally, let’s take a look at the disasters brought about by the fifth trumpet. From the disasters, we once again see that Satan’s work must not go beyond the scope set by God.  At that time, it was a great disaster for those who did not have the mark of God on their foreheads. They will long to die, and death flees from them. The Bible clearly states that those who have the seal of God are God’s servants. It obviously does not refer to those who are justified by faith and are only saved. The enemy is like a roaring lion, looking for people to devour. So don’t think it is alright that one isn’t on the path to sanctification. Regarding this, we give a biblical example of the fall of Demas, a Christian.

1. Messages before the 7th trumpet 

​”When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence (G4602) 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)

This word silence (G4602) means something is about to happen!  This word G4602 only appears twice, and the other time is in this passage, “But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush (G4602), he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,”(Acts 21:39-40)” They both said that something was going to happen. Got it!  Please go to the book of Acts and read the context to understand what the passage just quoted refers to, as well as the long passage Paul said in Hebrew. Because it is quite long, we will not spend time talking about it here.  In fact, there are similar words in the Old Testament. If you look at the context of the following verses, you will know this, “And the peaceful folds are made silent（H1826) Because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”(Jeremiah 25:37)

Please note that the smoke of the incense mentioned here comes from the angel, and together with the prayers of the saints, it rises from the hands of the angel to God.  In fact, the prayers of the saints are also incense. The difference is that this incense comes from the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders who represent the church. “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.”(Revelation 5:8) As for why it is said that the four living creatures, like the twenty-four elders, also represent the church, we see in “3. What are the four living creatures?” of “1093 Look at heavens opened, throne and four living creatures – Revelation (4).” It’s clearly explained there. If you are interested in this, you can go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/“, click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article.

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2. Disasters brought by the first four trumpets

​”The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter. The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.”(Revelation 8:7-12)

We first see that the scriptures clearly explain the disasters caused by the first four trumpets, so we will not repeat them.  The one-third mentioned here should only be an approximate number, not exactly one-third, because usually when the Bible mentions numbers, it refers to approximate numbers.  For example, “God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.”(Genesis 15:13) The exact time is here, “Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 12:40-41) It cannot be said that the Bible is wrong because there are seemly obvious contradictions. Instead we should ask ‘what does God tell us through such obvious contradictions?’ Here, it tells us that this is a prophecy, that is, you will find that prophecies in the Bible are generally not mentioning specific time. Sometimes the Bible does not even talk about time. For example, Jesus will return like a thief (see 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15), thus we must be alert at all times. You can also see that God is absolutely sovereign from above.

There are many such examples, so this is a general principle, but there are also exceptions.  For example, when the descendants of Adam were recorded in Genesis 5:1-32, the numbers used there were definite. Why do we say this?  If we calculate these numbers, we will know that the day Methuselah died was the day the flood came. We have shared this before, so we won’t repeat it.  If the number is incorrect, we cannot reach this conclusion, and we cannot say it is a coincidence. Everything mentioned in the Bible is by design, and there is no real so-called coincidence!  So we really have to distinguish between those that talk about general principles and those that refer to special cases.

3. The disaster brought by the fifth trumpet

“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” 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. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them. The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon. The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.”(Revelation 8:13-9:12)

First of all, notice that the first sentence and the last sentence, which show very well that the disasters of these seven are divided into two groups, and the description of the first four and the latter three is very different.  We can see that the locusts mentioned in these verses are not ordinary locusts. They are powerful and have the angel of the Abyss as their king.  We have also seen what is  locusts cannot be harmed, and thus once again we have seen that Satan’s work cannot go beyond the scope set by God.  At that time, it was a great disaster for those who did not have the mark of God on their foreheads.  They will long to die, and death flees from them. 

So who are those people who have the mark of God?  The scripture says very clearly, “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.””(Revelation 7: 2-3)

It is very clear that those who are sealed are true servants of God, not people who superficially attend the church on earth, or are just saved by being justified by faith, because such Christians will not be able to stand the seduction of Satan. The temptation comes from the world, and seduces Christians back to the world.  We know that the first thing a Christian saved by faith and after being justified is that “…He (God) rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Jesus), in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”(Colossians 1:13-14) So we must be in Christ. “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one:(Satan).”(1 John 5:19) And “… Your adversary, the devil (Satan), prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) Satan will never stop working!  Even Christians may not be able to overcome the temptations of the world.  The Great Commission says this, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; …”(Matthew 28:19-20) So being baptized is just the beginning, and you must embark on the road to sanctification.

Regarding the fall of Christians, let’s take a look at what the Bible says.  In the New Testament, the person Demas is mentioned in only three verses, two of which are, “Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”(Colossians 4:14) and “as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”(Philemon 1:24) Both verses say that Demas was Paul’s co-worker and should be a Christian, otherwise Paul would not have chosen him as his co-worker.  But what did Paul say before he died? He said, “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; ..”(2 Timothy 4:10) Demas fell. No wonder Peter said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. …”(1 Peter 5:8) For me, I was looking for an example of a Christian who would fall, and it happened that we’re looking up the book of Philemon during a Bible study at that time. I didn’t think that the book of Philemon was really worth to study. That book just tells us an example of Paul’s practicing love. Its last verse just is a usual greeting. Unexpectedly, I suddenly realized what mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:10 was exactly the example I was looking for!  Paul said, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) Isn’t this talking about me?  The event really made me experience this scripture again!

God will not show partiality to anyone just because he is a Christian, “For there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11) God has given Christians who are justified by faith an opportunity. We must not only be saved, but also willingly embark on the road to sanctification.  We must remember that as long as we are willing, the Lord will be our ever-present help, as the scripture says, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”(Hebrews 4:16) Thank and praise God!

 ​(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.”)

基督徒常常以这样的话来结束争端，「我们的看见不一样！」这句话听起来好像是很有道理，但却有一个极大的问题，就是这是从人的角度看事情，却没说圣经是如何说这件事情的，也就是说，没有指出基于圣经话语的逻辑错在那里，而基于圣经话语的逻辑是客观的，这也就是从圣经的角度看事情，所以至少有一个人错，也有可能两个都错，我们举了一个两个人都错的例子。因圣经是神所默示的，所以这也就是没有从神角度看事情！这是很严重、但却不能避免的事情，因为除了圣灵开我们的眼睛外，我们有时真是没有办法看见。但即使如此，我们还是要立定心愿、尽自己的能力去避免它。的确，人有自由意志，一个人的看法如何，是勉强不得的，也就是说，这样的一个人会有主观的看见。                        

开始时我是大力的推荐于宏洁的新人门训，那时我是没有看见其中有不合乎圣经的地方，现在看到了少数的地方的确是和圣经不和。就我所知，不少的教会都用这新人门训，譬如，在我所知道的一个教会中，就不只一次的使用这教材，因此我决定指出来我看到的地方，避免别人犯了和我同样的错误。我现在仍然继续推荐新人门训，因为这是我目前看到的最好的门训资料，只需要按照圣经的话去修正一些就可以了。     

理论上，好像是不该指出别人的错误，尤其是华人教会特别强调，『你们不要论断(G2919)人，免得你们被论断。』(马太福音 7:1) 这字 G2919 出现了131次，足够多次使我们能了解这字在圣经中真实的意义，但好像有些人没有注意到这经文，『你们是以外貌判断人，我却不判断人。就是判断人，我的判断(G2919)也是真的，因为不是我独自在这里，还有差我来的父与我同在。』(约翰福音 8:15-16) 这里中文翻译的同一个字有时是论断而有时是判断，一件事情的该不该说，实在是要看情况而定，我们就举一个这样圣经的例子。『…矶法(彼得)到了安提阿，因他有可责之处，我就当面抵挡他。…我一看见他们行得不正，与福音的真理不合，就在众人面前对矶法说：…』(加拉太书 2:11-14) 我们看看以后彼得怎么说？『…我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗，照著所赐给他的智慧写了信给你们。他一切的信上也都是讲论这事。信中有些难明白的，那无学问、不坚固的人强解，如强解别的经书一样，就自取沉沦。』(彼得后书 3:15-16) 彼得很清楚的知道，那时的保罗是该说的！因为和圣经讲的真理有关。我相信于宏洁有这雅量，一但意识到有不合乎圣经的地方，就可以接受，并悔改而更正，因为圣经明说，『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)                  

在这篇文章中，我们从于宏洁的「新人门训的第三课，『成为新造』(2)：认识罪与肉体」说起，在这课中，我祇看见了罪的定义不是依照圣经的，是错的，因而引起了相关议题有的错误结论。因『圣经都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书 3:16)  所以从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看事情，这也说明了不强解圣经的重要。我们也解释了为什么反之不然，也看到了读经时不可随便画等号。因此我们首先要看看圣经怎么定义「罪」，这就是我们所说的，要在每件事情上都应该要从神的角度看。在这种看事情的情况下，我们可以证明「罪」和「不顺服神」是相等的，也就是在圣经里，「罪」的定义是「不顺服神」。为著达到这目的，我们也讨论了罪的本质，看到了其来源。第二，我们看到圣经的一致性，是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，不是指字句上的。如果是在字句上的，我们就会找到有明显的矛盾，我们举了一个在字句上有著明显的矛盾的例子。如果我们看到了有明显的矛盾的地方，我们该问的是，神到底要借著这样的矛盾告诉我们什么，我们借著这个例子来讨论这点。第三，我们讨论了从人的角度看事情，这是相对于从神的角度看的，看到了两者之间的大不相同。如果是从人的角度看事情，就会有很多不同错的「罪」的定义，我们指出在第三课所引用的，为什么会是错的定义。我们特别强调在信心中不要把圣经的话语打折扣，只有这样的使用基于圣经话语的逻辑，才会是客观的。如果我们了解圣经上所说的罪是指不顺服神，传教时应该可以一点都没有困难的告诉非基督徒说，世人都犯了罪，因为神在律法中说过不要撒谎，那一个人会没有说过谎言，因此而不顺服神呢？

1.  罪的定义                        

我们是从于宏洁的「新人门训的第三课，『成为新造』(2)：认识罪与肉体」说起，在第 55 页中说到圣经中其他经文对罪的定义，当我们很清楚知道圣经所说罪的定义是什么的时候，就会很容易的知道为什么这是错的。               

在他引用的经文之一说得很清楚，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』(罗马书 5:12) 所以罪进了这世界是因亚当做的事情，亚当做的事情就是他做了神不要他做的事，也就是亚当不顺服神而使罪进入了这世界，因此对这世界来说，「不顺服神」就意谓著「罪」，否则如果那时亚当顺服神，这世界就不会有罪了。                      

我们来看看亚当到底做了什么事情？『耶和华神吩咐他(亚当)说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子必定死。」』(创世记 2:16-17) 包括了可以吃生命树上的果子。当蛇引诱夏娃之后，『…女人(夏娃)见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫(亚当)，她丈夫也吃了。』(创世记 3:6) 很显然的，亚当「不顺服神」而吃了分别善恶树上的果子，所以对这世界来说，「不顺服神」就意谓著「罪」。                  

在逻辑上，当我们说这一个叙述是那一个叙述的定义时，我们必须证明这两个叙述是相等的。也就是：如果这个叙述成立，则那个叙述就成立；反之亦然。简言之，就是要证明充分和必要条件，所以我们还需要证明其反面，就是对这世界来说，「罪」意谓著「不顺服神」。如果能证明如此，那么「罪」和「不顺服神」就会是完全相等的，也就是说，圣经上对这世界来说，「罪」的定义就是「不顺服神」。现在我们来看看是否可证明：「罪」意谓著「不顺服神」？要证明这点，我们可以证明其相等的叙述，就是「顺服神」意谓著「不是罪」。「顺服神」怎么会是「罪」呢？这根本就是对的，不证自明！也就是说，从圣经的角度来说，对这世界来说，「罪」的定义是「不顺服神」。虽然圣经没有明说是这样，但绝对有像上述讨论的这概念，这就和三位一体这字一样，圣经从没有用过这字，但圣经里绝对有神是三位一体的神的概念。                  

因『圣经都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太后书 3:16) 所以从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看，因此从神的角度看，对这世界来说，「罪」的定义就是「不顺服神」。在这里我们必须要提的一点是，当保罗写「圣经都是神所默示的」这句话的时候，新约还没有完成，譬如启示录那时还根本就不存在，但基督徒在信心中，相信整本圣经都是神所默示的。如果一个人真相信如此，就不会把圣经的话语打折扣，会看到神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，这一致性不是指在字句上的，如果是在字句上，我们就会找到有明显的矛盾的例子。当我们看到了明显的矛盾时，我们会问，神到底要借著这样的矛盾告诉我们什么？在后面的「2. 圣经的一致性是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」中，我们举了一个这样的例子。                  

但要注意一点的是，就是我们不能说，从圣经的角度看事情就是从神的角度看，简言之，就是不能说反过来的叙述也是对的。这是因为神是无限，而圣经的字句有限，关于圣经没有记录所有的事情这点，约翰说得很清楚，『耶稣在门徒面前另外行了许多神迹，没有记在这书上。但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是神的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』(约翰福音 20:30-31)                   

到此，大家可能注意到，我们目前只能证明，从圣经的角度来说，对这世界来说，「罪」的定义是「不顺服神」。我们强调了「这世界」这字，所以圣经是说有「先前的世界」，而天使就是在先前的世界被创造的，但撒但和牠的跟随者堕落了，所以撒但是堕落的天使。(参启示录 12:9) 当亚当不顺服神时，罪就进入了这世界，因此罪在这世界之前就存在了，亚当的不顺服神是在罪的存在之后，我们怎么可能要人接受说罪的定义是不顺神呢？因为不能用未来发生亚当不顺服神的事，就说罪的定义是不顺服神啊！这是对的。所以到目前为止，我们只能证明，对这世界来说，「罪」的定义是「不顺服神」。除非圣经说在先前的世界中，罪，也是由不顺服神而来，我们才可以接受「罪」的定义就是「不顺服神」。               

我们知道罪不是神所创造的，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) 罪绝不是美善的，怎么会是从神而来呢？是从撒但而来的。我们可以举一个例子来看有些事情的确是因撒但而有，首先大家都知道说谎是罪，所以不是神所创造的，那么说谎从那里来呢？我们看经文怎么说，『…他(魔鬼)说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。』(约翰福音 8:44)  牠是说谎之人的父，当然说谎是由撒但(魔鬼)而来。在这里，我们用到了撒但只是魔鬼的别名，因为启示录说得很清楚，『大龙就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，是迷惑普天下的。…』(启示录 12:9) 请注意，那引诱夏娃的那条蛇就是古蛇。           

我们也可从这经文看到，说谎不在神里面，祂不能说谎，不在祂里面的事要祂怎么做，所以神不是无所不能的，祂不能说谎。但祂是全能的，就像经文所说，『亚伯兰年九十九岁的时候，耶和华向他显现，对他说：「我是全能的神，…』(创世记 17:1) 这也成了「全能」的最好定义，就是从神的角度看，存在于祂的事情，祂都能够做。               

我们就先看看为什么圣经说有先前的世界。我们已知道罪不是神所创造的，而是在先前的世界中由撒但而来，所以第二步是说在先前的世界中，罪的来临也是因为撒但的不顺服神，换句话说，罪的本质就是不顺服神，这也成了罪的定义。        

为了证明圣经是说有先前的世界，我们来看看汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文。圣经的第一句话是『起初神创造(created H1254)(诸)天(复数)地。』(创世记 1:1) 我们来看「创造(H1254)」这个字，是指从无中生有的创造。我们再看下面的接著两节，『地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗；神的灵运行在水面上。神说：「要有光。」就有了光。』(创世记 1:2-3) 所以这时才谈到这世界的事，所以这里的起初是指最起初，什么都没有，然后神无中生有的创造了时间和空间和先前的世界，我们为什么说有先前的世界呢？            

我们再看这一经文，『于是神造(made, H6213)了两个大光，大的(太阳)管昼，小的(月亮)管夜，又造众星。』(创世记 1:16) 这里的「造」字是用 H6213，那么我们来看这两个字的区别在那里？为回答这一问题，我们先看看夏娃是怎么来的，『耶和华神说：「那人独居不好，我要为他造(H6213)一个配偶帮助他。」』(创世记 2:18) 这时亚当已经存在，所以『耶和华神使他(亚当)沉睡，他就睡了；于是取下他的一条肋骨，又把肉合起来。耶和华神就用那人身上所取的肋骨造成一个女人，领她到那人跟前。』(创世记 2:21-22) 这就是说，夏娃是从已存在的亚当中造的，这就是为什么我们只能用 H6213。简言之，用 H6213 这字就代表那东西是从已存在的东西造的。            

我们再看看这经文，『创造(H1254)天地的来历，在耶和华神造(H6213)天地的日子，乃是这样：』(创世记 2:4) 这时我们看到这经文用了两个不同的字，在起初的确是无中生有的创造(H1254)，而后在这世界中，神造(H6213)了天地，因为天地在先前的世界就已创造了，只是在现今的这世界原先的状态是，『地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗；…』(创世记 1:2)               

我们现在看看一处和撒但有关的经文，我们看到这经文不是在讲人间的推罗王，而是在说灵界发生的事情，这很清楚的从下面经文看出来，『耶和华的话临到我说：「人子啊，你为推罗王作起哀歌说：『主耶和华如此说：你无所不备：智慧充足，全然美丽。你曾在伊甸神的园中，佩戴各样宝石，…，都是在你受造(H1254)之日预备齐全的。你是那受膏遮掩约柜的基路伯，我将你安置在神的圣山上，你在发光如火的宝石中间往来。你从受造(H1254)之日所行的都完全，后来在你中间又察出不义。因你贸易很多，就被强暴的事充满，以致犯罪，所以我因你亵渎圣地，就从神的山驱逐你。遮掩约柜的基路伯啊，我已将你从发光如火的宝石中除灭。你因美丽心中高傲(H1361)，又因荣光败坏智慧，我已将你摔倒在地，使你倒在君王面前，好叫他们目睹眼见。你因罪孽众多，贸易不公，就亵渎你那里的圣所。故此，我使火从你中间发出烧灭你，使你在所有观看的人眼前变为地上的炉灰。 』」』(以西结书 28:11-18)               

请注意这里是用无中生有的创造 H1254 这字，这里再说了有先前的世界，而且天使是在先前的世界里被创造的，撒但只是堕落的天使，所以启示录12:9 会用古蛇这字。我们也看到了撒但是因罪孽众多被赶出去的，神是有怜悯有恩典的神，不会因为牠一犯错就赶走牠的。我们又看到牠是因美丽而心中高傲，所以我们看到撒但是因骄傲而堕落的。心中有骄傲，终久是存不住的，因为圣经说得很清楚，『善人从他心里所存的善就发出善来；恶人从他心里所存的恶就发出恶来；因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来。』(路加福音 6:45) 撒但更胜一筹，不只是口里就说出来，心中的骄傲就化为不顺服神的行为，罪也就因此产生了，所以在先前的世界中，罪也是由于不顺服神。               

我们再看另一处和撒但有关的类似经文，在这里又是好像在说人间的巴比伦王，因经文说，『你必题这诗歌论巴比伦王说：…』(以赛亚书 14:4) 但接著是说灵界的事情，『明亮之星，早晨之子啊！你何竟从天坠落？你这攻败列国的，何竟被砍倒在地上？你心里曾说：「我要升到天上！我要高举我的宝座在神众星以上；我要坐在聚会的山上，在北方的极处；我要升到高云之上，我要与至上者(H5945)同等。」然而你必坠落阴间，到坑中极深之处。』(以赛亚书 14:12-15)    

撒但被创造的时候的确是明亮之星，早晨之子，只是因我们刚才讨论的，牠是因美丽而心中高傲，而且骄傲到要与至上者同等。我以前以为至高者(H5945)指耶稣基督，因为撒但是创造物，时间只能往前，而在时间里面，主耶稣道成了肉身，是有一个次序的。就是神差遣了耶稣，所以『耶稣说：「我奉差遣，不过是到以色列家迷失的羊那里去。」』(马太福音 15:24) 而且耶稣说，『…我若不去，保惠师(圣灵)就不到你们这里来…』(约翰福音 16:7) 撒但知道受造者不可能超过创造牠的神， 于是牠只想和基督同等，因此用行为表示出来成为敌基督，『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 4:3) 所以至高者不是指基督的话，是指谁呢？     

你看我不是引用圣经的话支持我的看法吗？好像很有道理的样子！但我最后发觉这是主观的看见。那么什么才是客观的看见呢？就是基于圣经话语的逻辑，我们要看圣经怎么说。按照圣经，这里的至高者应是指耶和华，这字 H5945 共出现了53 次，诗篇明讲了在这里的意义，『因为耶和华至高者(H5945)是可畏的，他是治理全地的大君王。』(诗篇 47:2)     

有了客观的看见，我们就能意识到主观的看见的错误在那里！我们看见撒但是知道耶稣基督是神的儿子的，经文不是明说，『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) 连污鬼都知道牠怎么会不知道呢？牠知道被创造者是不可能超过创造者的神的，牠没有三位一体的神的概念，牠是这么的高傲，怎么会想要和次一等神的儿子同等呢？不能超过神，但至少要和神同等啊！关于牠没有三位一体神的概念这一点，如果牠那时就知道耶稣基督是三位一体的神中的一位，牠就不会介入耶稣的被钉十字架，经文不是明说，『这时，撒但入了那称为加略人犹大的心…』吗？(路加福音 22:3)   

回到这里的经文，我们看见撒但是撤底的堕落了，不是祂因为一有骄傲的意念就被赶出，而是在牠真正有了不顺服神的行为后，因为是「曾说」，所以牠的骄傲的意念的确在行为之先。     

我们会看到这是神做事的原则，在新天新地到临前，『我又看见一个白色的大宝座与坐在上面的，从他面前天地都逃避，再无可见之处了。我又看见死了的人，无论大小，都站在宝座前。案卷展开了，并且另有一卷展开，就是生命册。死了的人都凭著这些案卷所记载的，照他们所行的受审判。于是海交出其中的死人，死亡和阴间也交出其中的死人。他们都照各人所行的受审判。』(启示录 20:11-13) 这里用的是「这些」，是复数，圣经没有明讲这些案卷是什么，譬如说有没有记载坏的意念如骄傲等的案卷？有人可能会这样猜答案，但圣经没有明讲的像这样的事，猜也没用，是该猜都不用猜。但我们一定会照我们的行为受审判，撒但不是也因为牠的行为被赶出吗？这行为是指信心的行为，从生命中发出来的。耶稣说得很清楚，『…我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』(约翰福音 10:10)             

我们又看到，『…有不守本位、离开自己住处的天使，主用锁链把他们永远拘留在黑暗里，等候大日的审判。』(犹大书 1:6) 有一些堕落的天使，已因不顺服神不守本位而被拘留到了大日的审判的时候。简言之，在先前的世界中，罪的产生也是由于不顺服神。我们也看到了，天使被创造时有真正的自由意志，他们可以选择顺服神或是不顺服神。有人这时可能会问，为什么神会留下撒但呢？诗篇说得很清楚，『你因敌人(撒但)的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。』(诗篇 8:2) 在创造时，人的能力本是比天使微小一点(参诗篇 8:5, 希伯来书 2:7)，譬如看这经文， 『他(报信的)还说话的时候，又有人来说：「神从天上降下火来，将群羊和仆人都烧灭了；惟有我一人逃脱，来报信给你。」』(约伯记 1:16) 报信的还以为是神做的，看约伯记就知道这是撒但的工作，所以撒但可以从天上降下火来，我们不行。撒但是堕落的天使，牠的能力本就比人强，相对起来，婴孩和吃奶的不就是指人吗？但有些人会为主甘心乐意的摆上自己，甚至生命，撒但还有什么话可说的！                  

有人会问，嫉妒是不顺服神吗？诗篇不是明说，『不要为作恶的心怀不平，也不要向那行不义的生出嫉妒。…你当倚靠耶和华而行善，住在地上，以他的信实为粮。』(诗篇 37:1-3) 嫉妒怎么会是顺服神呢！读经之一点是要读出一些神做事的法则，诗篇对于这点就说得很清楚，『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)  有人还有其他的问题，如若一一细说，时间就不够了！                  

最后我们来谈一谈有人说，死是因为神的审判而来，不是的，因为『耶和华神说：「…现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」于是…在伊甸园的东边安设基路伯，和四面转动发火焰的剑，要把守生命树的道路。』(创世记 3:22-24) 所以虽然亚当犯了罪，不顺服神吃了分别善恶树上的果子，他仍然是可以吃生命树上的果子的，那时神能做的就是把守生命树的道路，不让他有这个机会。我们不是在前面的希伯来书 2:14-15 分享过，那掌死权的就是魔鬼吗？所以死也是罪的权势之一，就像经文所说，『…罪的工价乃是死…』(罗马书 6:23) 我们知道，『…全世界都卧在那恶者(撒但)手下。』(约翰一书 5:19) 但即使如此，神还是永远的保有祂的绝对主权，这就像约伯记开始时所说的一样，撒但行事不能超过神所允许的范围，神不允许我们死，我们就能存活。

2. 圣经的一致性是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的               

圣经的一致性是指神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的，不是指在字句上的，如果是字句上的，我们就会看到有明显的矛盾，看到这样的矛盾，我们应该问的是，神默示这字句上明显的矛盾，到底是要借著这样的矛盾告诉我们什么？              

举个有明显的矛盾的例子来说明这点。在耶稣受洗后，耶稣被圣灵引到旷野，受魔鬼(撒但)的试探，(参马太福音 4:1, 路加福音 4:1, 马可福音 1:12) 这事情在马太福音和路加福音记载的很详细。依照路加福音 4:1-13，提到了三件耶稣被试探的事件，简言之就是：(1) 吩咐这块石头变成食物；(2) 将天下的万国都指给祂看；（3) 领祂到耶路撒冷的殿顶上。并说，『魔鬼用完了各样的试探，就暂时离开耶稣。』(路加福音 4:13) 如果我们看马太福音 4:1-10，就有了不同的次序：(1)，(3)，(2)。这里有著明显的矛盾，神到底要借著这矛盾告诉我们什么？                        

• 我们注意到的是、试探不只有这三件事，只是这三件事特别的突出，两本福音书都有记载，所以这不同的次序会让我们特别注意到，试探的事不只是这三件事而已。        

• 我们会注意到魔鬼只是「暂时」的离开耶稣而已，以后祂还是会受试探的，所以希伯来书会说，『因我们的大祭司(耶稣)并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 明显的说，耶稣在以后还是受过许多试探的。你看圣经在这点上，说得是多么的一致！这是神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的一个例子。对于没有犯罪这点，彼得也说得很清楚，『他(耶稣)并没有犯罪，口里也没有诡诈。』(彼得前书 2:22)                        

• 路加福音说，『这些事我既从起头都详细考察了，就定意要按著次序写给你，使你知道所学之道都是确实的。』(路加福音 1:3-4) 我们看到这里所说的次序不是指事件的次序，如果是的，就会有如上述明显的矛盾，所以这里的次序是指事情的次序，三本福音书都一致的说，受试探这件事情发生耶稣受洗之后。

3.  从人的角度看和从神的角度看事情的大不相同    

相对于从神的角度看就是从人的角度看事情，如果是从人的角度看，就会有很多不同错的定义。譬如在 55 页中说到，「圣经中其他经文对罪的定义」，所引用的经文是：『…违背律法就是罪。』(约翰一书 3:4) 和『凡不义的事都是罪…』(约翰一书 5:17) 对于前者，律法是神所攽的，违背律法当然是不顺服神，当然是罪。事实上，从犹太人的观点来说，耶稣是不守安息日的时间，是违背律法。但耶稣守的是安息日的真谛，并且祂说的很清楚，『因为人子(耶稣)是安息日的主。』(马太福音 12:8) 耶稣是犯罪的吗？绝对不是。也就是说我们会找不到经文说罪就是违背律法，也不能证明这叙述是对的，就是我们不能证明充分和必要条件，所以不能定义「罪」就是违背律法。   

对于后者，新约说得很清楚，『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)  行不义的事当然是不顺服神，自然是罪。但一个不信者虽然行了公义的事情，仍然有罪，因『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)  我们不能定义「罪」就是凡不义的事。              

所以看圣经时，不能随便画等号，圣经常常在说一个单方向成立的叙述而不是说双方向都成立，随便划等号会创造一个不是圣经所说的神自己还不知道！我们实在应该注意到圣经说得很清楚，『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 我们甚至于会自己欺骗自己的！其实听人讲话时，也要如此，不能随便画等号，要不真有时会因听到别人没有说的话，而引起争论。           

有人可能会说，我们是人，当然是从人的角度看事情。但因为圣经是神所默示的，只要我们能像彼得在彼得后书 3:15-16 所说的，不强解圣经，不就是从神的角度看事情吗？耶稣说，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 除耶稣外，那个人在没有模成耶稣的形像前，能说自己一生都顺服神呢？如果我们能正确的了解圣经所说罪的定义是指不顺服神，就会明白圣经为什么会说，『…世人都犯了罪。』(罗马书 3:23a) 犯了罪当然是『亏缺了神的荣耀。』(罗马书 3:23b)         

我们知道杀人放火当然是罪，很清楚的是不顺服神。利未记说得很清楚，『你们不可偷盗，不可欺骗，也不可彼此说谎。』(利未记 19:11) 在经验中，我们不是看到、小孩子不必被人教，就会学会说谎吗！一个没有杀人放火过的人，难道从来没说过谎而不顺服神吗？圣经所说的罪是指不顺服神，所以会说世人都犯了罪。因此传教时，应该会一点都没有困难的告诉非基督徒说，世人都犯了罪。真正的困难是在人有自由意志，可以选择要不要相信圣经的话？所以一个人不在信心中相信圣经是神所默示的，因信心而能用基于圣经的话的逻辑，只纯粹的使用逻辑，结论就会是不可知论者，不知道神是否存在。其实，即使是基督徒，也可以选择要不要把圣经的话打折扣。如果自己没经历过但相信圣经是对的，怎么会把圣经的话打折扣呢？要知道只是自己没经么过这样的真理而已！                 

关于把圣经的话打折扣这一点上，我们来看一个两个人都错的例子。罗马书说，『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) 很显然的，如果不把圣经的话打折扣，就会接受同时有预知和预定，会意识到这是一体的两面，如同一个硬币有头和尾，但仍是一个硬币。马可路德认为只有预知，而喀尔文认为只有预定，也就是说他们都把这经文打了折扣，在这一点上跌倒了！尤其是人们认为他们都很属灵而不应该会错，所以到今天为止还有人在争论那个是对的，其实是两个在这一点上都错了！也不能怪他们，他们没有经历过同时有预知和预定的情况，只晓得不是预知就是预定，而现代人经历过类似这样的情况，怎么还会在这上面把圣经的话打折扣呢？关于类似的一个例子，请参照『2005 只有一圣经』，对这篇短文有兴趣的人，可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』。                  

我们来看一个关于一个公认为属灵的人，犯了错误会影响多大的圣经的例子。我们知道所罗门建造圣殿，所以他那时应该是非常属灵的人，但『所罗门年老的时候，他的妃嫔诱惑他的心去随从别神，…所罗门为摩押可憎的神基抹和亚扪人可憎的神摩洛，在耶路撒冷对面的山上建筑邱坛。他为那些向自己的神烧香献祭的外邦女子，就是他娶来的妃嫔也是这样行。』(列王纪上 11:4-8) 我们看看在什么时候这些邱坛才被清除掉？是在约西亚清除邱坛的时候。就像经文所说，『从前以色列王所罗门在耶路撒冷前、邪僻山右边为西顿人可憎的神亚斯她录、摩押人可憎的神基抹、亚扪人可憎的神米勒公所筑的邱坛，王(约西亚)都污秽了，又打碎柱像，砍下木偶，将人的骨头充满了那地方。』(列王纪下 23:13-14) 那时，犹大国已经快灭亡了！可见得影响会多么深远。         

最后我们来看，保罗讲的一个相关的事实，就是『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) 这是可以经历的经文之一，如果神要的话，会制造环境让我们有这样的经历。一般来说，人都常常喜欢作师傅教人，所以圣经会说，『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) 尤其是我们会常常以为自己知道，却后来发觉当时并不知道，我们真应该要谦卑，耶稣说，『我心里柔和谦卑…』(马太福音 11:29) 不谦卑怎能模成耶稣的形像呢？只是知道容易而做出来不容易，约伯也是受尽苦难后才知道自己的自义，说得出来，『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 42:5-6) 所以耶稣会对众人和门徒说：『…若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。』(马可福音 8:34) 但就像经文所说，『…在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。』(约翰福音 16:33) 以约伯为例，『那时，耶和华从旋风中回答约伯说：』(约伯记 38:1) 有必要的时候，三位一体的神会亲自工作，绝对会实现耶稣的应许。

(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』。)  

        基督徒常常以這樣的話來結束爭端，「我們的看見不一樣！」這句話聽起來好像是很有道理，但卻有一個極大的問題，就是這是從人的角度看事情，卻沒說聖經是如何說這件事情的，也就是說，沒有指出基於聖經話語的邏輯錯在那裏，而基於聖經話語的邏輯是客觀的，這也就是從聖經的角度看事情，所以至少有一個人錯，也有可能兩個都錯，我們舉了一個兩個人都錯的例子。因聖經是神所默示的，所以這也就是沒有從神角度看事情！這是很嚴重、但卻不能避免的事情，因為除了聖靈開我們的眼睛外，我們有時真是沒有辦法看見。但即使如此，我們還是要立定心願、儘自己的能力去避免它。的確，人有自由意志，一個人的看法如何，是勉強不得的，也就是說，這樣的一個人會有主觀的看見。

                        開始時我是大力的推薦于宏潔的新人門訓，那時我是沒有看見其中有不合乎聖經的地方，現在看到了少數的地方的確是和聖經不和。就我所知，不少的教會都用這新人門訓，譬如，在我所知道的一個教會中，就不只一次的使用這教材，因此我決定指出來我看到的地方，避免別人犯了和我同樣的錯誤。我現在仍然繼續推薦新人門訓，因為這是我目前看到的最好的門訓資料，只需要按照聖經的話去修正一些就可以了。

     理論上，好像是不該指出別人的錯誤，尤其是華人教會特別強調，『你們不要論斷(G2919)人，免得你們被論斷。』(馬太福音 7:1) 這字 G2919 出現了131次，足夠多次使我們能瞭解這字在聖經中真實的意義，但好像有些人沒有注意到這經文，『你們是以外貌判斷人，我卻不判斷人。就是判斷人，我的判斷(G2919)也是真的，因為不是我獨自在這裏，還有差我來的父與我同在。』(約翰福音 8:15-16) 這裏中文翻譯的同一個字有時是論斷而有時是判斷，一件事情的該不該說，實在是要看情況而定，我們就舉一個這樣聖經的例子。『…磯法(彼得)到了安提阿，因他有可責之處，我就當面抵擋他。…我一看見他們行得不正，與福音的真理不合，就在眾人面前對磯法說：…』(加拉太書 2:11-14) 我們看看以後彼得怎麼說？『…我們所親愛的兄弟保羅，照着所賜給他的智慧寫了信給你們。他一切的信上也都是講論這事。信中有些難明白的，那無學問、不堅固的人強解，如強解別的經書一樣，就自取沉淪。』(彼得後書 3:15-16) 彼得很清楚的知道，那時的保羅是該說的！因為和聖經講的真理有關。我相信于宏潔有這雅量，一但意識到有不合乎聖經的地方，就可以接受，並悔改而更正，因為聖經明說，『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)

                  在這篇文章中，我們從于宏潔的「新人門訓的第三課，『成為新造』(2)：認識罪與肉體」說起，在這課中，我祇看見了罪的定義不是依照聖經的，是錯的，因而引起了相關議題有的錯誤結論。因『聖經都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書 3:16)  所以從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看事情，這也說明了不強解聖經的重要。我們也解釋了為什麼反之不然，也看到了讀經時不可隨便畫等號。因此我們首先要看看聖經怎麼定義「罪」，這就是我們所說的，要在每件事情上都應該要從神的角度看。在這種看事情的情況下，我們可以証明「罪」和「不順服神」是相等的，也就是在聖經裏，「罪」的定義是「不順服神」。為著達到這目的，我們也討論了罪的本質，看到了其來源。第二，我們看到聖經的一致性，是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，不是指字句上的。如果是在字句上的，我們就會找到有明顯的矛盾，我們舉了一個在字句上有著明顯的矛盾的例子。如果我們看到了有明顯的矛盾的地方，我們該問的是，神到底要藉著這樣的矛盾告訴我們什麼，我們藉著這個例子來討論這點。第三，我們討論了從人的角度看事情，這是相對於從神的角度看的，看到了兩者之間的大不相同。如果是從人的角度看事情，就會有很多不同錯的「罪」的定義，我們指出在第三課所引用的，為什麼會是錯的定義。我們特別強調在信心中不要把聖經的話語打折扣，只有這樣的使用基於聖經話語的邏輯，才會是客觀的。如果我們瞭解聖經上所說的罪是指不順服神，傳教時應該可以一點都沒有困難的告訴非基督徒說，世人都犯了罪，因為神在律法中說過不要撒謊，那一個人會沒有說過謊言，因此而不順服神呢？

1.  罪的定義

                        我們是從于宏潔的「新人門訓的第三課，『成為新造』(2)：認識罪與肉體」說起，在第 55 頁中說到聖經中其他經文對罪的定義，當我們很清楚知道聖經所說罪的定義是什麼的時候，就會很容易的知道為什麼這是錯的。

               在他引用的經文之一說得很清楚，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』(羅馬書 5:12) 所以罪進了這世界是因亞當做的事情，亞當做的事情就是他做了神不要他做的事，也就是亞當不順服神而使罪進入了這世界，因此對這世界來說，「不順服神」就意謂著「罪」，否則如果那時亞當順服神，這世界就不會有罪了。

                      我們來看看亞當到底做了什麼事情？『耶和華神吩咐他(亞當)說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子必定死。」』(創世記 2:16-17) 包括了可以吃生命樹上的果子。當蛇引誘夏娃之後，『…女人(夏娃)見那棵樹的果子好作食物，也悅人的眼目，且是可喜愛的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫(亞當)，她丈夫也吃了。』(創世記 3:6) 很顯然的，亞當「不順服神」而吃了分別善惡樹上的果子，所以對這世界來說，「不順服神」就意謂著「罪」。

                   在邏輯上，當我們說這一個敍述是那一個敍述的定義時，我們必須証明這兩個敍述是相等的。也就是：如果這個敘述成立，則那個敍述就成立；反之亦然。簡言之，就是要証明充分和必要條件，所以我們還需要証明其反面，就是對這世界來說，「罪」意謂著「不順服神」。如果能証明如此，那麼「罪」和「不順服神」就會是完全相等的，也就是說，聖經上對這世界來說，「罪」的定義就是「不順服神」。現在我們來看看是否可証明：「罪」意謂著「不順服神」？要証明這點，我們可以証明其相等的敘述，就是「順服神」意謂著「不是罪」。「順服神」怎麼會是「罪」呢？這根本就是對的，不証自明！也就是說，從聖經的角度來說，對這世界來說，「罪」的定義是「不順服神」。雖然聖經沒有明說是這樣，但絕對有像上述討論的這概念，這就和三位一體這字一樣，聖經從沒有用過這字，但聖經裏絕對有神是三位一體的神的概念。

                  因『聖經都是神所默示的，…』(提摩太後書 3:16) 所以從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看，因此從神的角度看，對這世界來說，「罪」的定義就是「不順服神」。在這裏我們必須要提的一點是，當保羅寫「聖經都是神所默示的」這句話的時候，新約還沒有完成，譬如啓示錄那時還根本就不存在，但基督徒在信心中，相信整本聖經都是神所默示的。如果一個人真相信如此，就不會把聖經的話語打折扣，會看到神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，這一致性不是指在字句上的，如果是在字句上，我們就會找到有明顯的矛盾的例子。當我們看到了明顯的矛盾時，我們會問，神到底要藉著這樣的矛盾告訴我們什麼？在後面的「2. 聖經的一致性是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」中，我們舉了一個這樣的例子。

                  但要注意一點的是，就是我們不能說，從聖經的角度看事情就是從神的角度看，簡言之，就是不能說反過來的敍述也是對的。這是因為神是無限，而聖經的字句有限，關於聖經沒有記錄所有的事情這點，約翰說得很清楚，『耶穌在門徒面前另外行了許多神蹟，沒有記在這書上。但記這些事，要叫你們信耶穌是基督，是神的兒子，並且叫你們信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』(約翰福音 20:30-31)

               到此，大家可能注意到，我們目前只能証明，從聖經的角度來說，對這世界來說，「罪」的定義是「不順服神」。我們強調了「這世界」這字，所以聖經是說有「先前的世界」，而天使就是在先前的世界被創造的，但撒但和牠的跟隨者墮落了，所以撒但是墮落的天使。(參啓示錄 12:9) 當亞當不順服神時，罪就進入了這世界，因此罪在這世界之前就存在了，亞當的不順服神是在罪的存在之後，我們怎麼可能要人接受說罪的定義是不順神呢？因為不能用未來發生亞當不順服神的事，就說罪的定義是不順服神啊！這是對的。所以到目前為止，我們只能証明，對這世界來說，「罪」的定義是「不順服神」。除非聖經說在先前的世界中，罪，也是由不順服神而來，我們才可以接受「罪」的定義就是「不順服神」。

               我們知道罪不是神所創造的，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) 罪絕不是美善的，怎麼會是從神而來呢？是從撒但而來的。我們可以舉一個例子來看有些事情的確是因撒但而有，首先大家都知道說謊是罪，所以不是神所創造的，那麼說謊從那裏來呢？我們看經文怎麼說，『…他(魔鬼)說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。』(約翰福音 8:44)  牠是說謊之人的父，當然說謊是由撒但(魔鬼)而來。在這裏，我們用到了撒但只是魔鬼的別名，因為啓示錄說得很清楚，『大龍就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，是迷惑普天下的。…』(啓示錄 12:9) 請注意，那引誘夏娃的那條蛇就是古蛇。

           我們也可從這經文看到，說謊不在神裏面，祂不能說謊，不在祂裏面的事要祂怎麼做，所以神不是無所不能的，祂不能說謊。但祂是全能的，就像經文所說，『亞伯蘭年九十九歲的時候，耶和華向他顯現，對他說：「我是全能的神，…』(創世記 17:1) 這也成了「全能」的最好定義，就是從神的角度看，存在於祂的事情，祂都能夠做。

               我們就先看看為什麼聖經說有先前的世界。我們已知道罪不是神所創造的，而是在先前的世界中由撒但而來，所以第二步是說在先前的世界中，罪的來臨也是因為撒但的不順服神，換句話說，罪的本質就是不順服神，這也成了罪的定義。

        為了証明聖經是說有先前的世界，我們來看看彙編(Strong’s Concordance)的原文。聖經的第一句話是『起初神創造(created H1254)(諸)天(複數)地。』(創世記 1:1) 我們來看「創造(H1254)」這個字，是指從無中生有的創造。我們再看下面的接著兩節，『地是空虛混沌，淵面黑暗；神的靈運行在水面上。神說：「要有光。」就有了光。』(創世記 1:2-3) 所以這時才談到這世界的事，所以這裏的起初是指最起初，什麼都沒有，然後神無中生有的創造了時間和空間和先前的世界，我們為什麼說有先前的世界呢？

            我們再看這一經文，『於是神造(made, H6213)了兩個大光，大的(太陽)管晝，小的(月亮)管夜，又造眾星。』(創世記 1:16) 這裏的「造」字是用 H6213，那麼我們來看這兩個字的區別在那裏？為回答這一問題，我們先看看夏娃是怎麼來的，『耶和華神說：「那人獨居不好，我要為他造(H6213)一個配偶幫助他。」』(創世記 2:18) 這時亞當已經存在，所以『耶和華神使他(亞當)沉睡，他就睡了；於是取下他的一條肋骨，又把肉合起來。耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨造成一個女人，領她到那人跟前。』(創世記 2:21-22) 這就是說，夏娃是從已存在的亞當中造的，這就是為什麼我們只能用 H6213。簡言之，用 H6213 這字就代表那東西是從已存在的東西造的。

            我們再看看這經文，『創造(H1254)天地的來歷，在耶和華神造(H6213)天地的日子，乃是這樣：』(創世記 2:4) 這時我們看到這經文用了兩個不同的字，在起初的確是無中生有的創造(H1254)，而後在這世界中，神造(H6213)了天地，因為天地在先前的世界就已創造了，只是在現今的這世界原先的狀態是，『地是空虛混沌，淵面黑暗；…』(創世記 1:2)

               我們現在看看一處和撒但有關的經文，我們看到這經文不是在講人間的推羅王，而是在說靈界發生的事情，這很清楚的從下面經文看出來，『耶和華的話臨到我說：「人子啊，你為推羅王作起哀歌說：『主耶和華如此說：你無所不備：智慧充足，全然美麗。你曾在伊甸神的園中，佩戴各樣寶石，…，都是在你受造(H1254)之日預備齊全的。你是那受膏遮掩約櫃的基路伯，我將你安置在神的聖山上，你在發光如火的寶石中間往來。你從受造(H1254)之日所行的都完全，後來在你中間又察出不義。因你貿易很多，就被強暴的事充滿，以致犯罪，所以我因你褻瀆聖地，就從神的山驅逐你。遮掩約櫃的基路伯啊，我已將你從發光如火的寶石中除滅。你因美麗心中高傲(H1361)，又因榮光敗壞智慧，我已將你摔倒在地，使你倒在君王面前，好叫他們目睹眼見。你因罪孽眾多，貿易不公，就褻瀆你那裏的聖所。故此，我使火從你中間發出燒滅你，使你在所有觀看的人眼前變為地上的爐灰。 』」』(以西結書 28:11-18) 

               請注意這裏是用無中生有的創造 H1254 這字，這裏再說了有先前的世界，而且天使是在先前的世界裏被創造的，撒但只是墮落的天使，所以啓示錄12:9 會用古蛇這字。我們也看到了撒但是因罪孽眾多被趕出去的，神是有憐憫有恩典的神，不會因為牠一犯錯就趕走牠的。我們又看到牠是因美麗而心中高傲，所以我們看到撒但是因驕傲而墮落的。心中有驕傲，終久是存不住的，因為聖經說得很清楚，『善人從他心裏所存的善就發出善來；惡人從他心裏所存的惡就發出惡來；因為心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。』(路加福音 6:45) 撒但更勝一籌，不只是口裏就說出來，心中的驕傲就化為不順服神的行為，罪也就因此產生了，所以在先前的世界中，罪也是由於不順服神。

               我們再看另一處和撒但有關的類似經文，在這裏又是好像在說人間的巴比倫王，因經文說，『你必題這詩歌論巴比倫王說：…』(以賽亞書 14:4) 但接著是說靈界的事情，『明亮之星，早晨之子啊！你何竟從天墜落？你這攻敗列國的，何竟被砍倒在地上？你心裏曾說：「我要升到天上！我要高舉我的寶座在神眾星以上；我要坐在聚會的山上，在北方的極處；我要升到高雲之上，我要與至上者(H5945)同等。」然而你必墜落陰間，到坑中極深之處。』(以賽亞書 14:12-15) 

     撒但被創造的時候的確是明亮之星，早晨之子，只是因我們剛才討論的，牠是因美麗而心中高傲，而且驕傲到要與至上者同等。我以前以為至高者(H5945)指耶穌基督，因為撒但是創造物，時間只能往前，而在時間裏面，主耶穌道成了肉身，是有一個次序的。就是神差遣了耶穌，所以『耶穌說：「我奉差遣，不過是到以色列家迷失的羊那裏去。」』(馬太福音 15:24) 而且耶穌說，『…我若不去，保惠師(聖靈)就不到你們這裏來…』(約翰福音 16:7) 撒但知道受造者不可能超過創造牠的神， 於是牠只想和基督同等，因此用行為表示出來成為敵基督，『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 4:3) 所以至高者不是指基督的話，是指誰呢？

     你看我不是引用聖經的話支持我的看法嗎？好像很有道理的樣子！但我最後發覺這是主觀的看見。那麼什麼才是客觀的看見呢？就是基於聖經話語的邏輯，我們要看聖經怎麼說。按照聖經，這裏的至高者應是指耶和華，這字 H5945 共出現了53 次，詩篇明講了在這裏的意義，『因為耶和華至高者(H5945)是可畏的，他是治理全地的大君王。』(詩篇 47:2)

     有了客觀的看見，我們就能意識到主觀的看見的錯誤在那裏！我們看見撒但是知道耶穌基督是神的兒子的，經文不是明說，『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) 連污鬼都知道牠怎麼會不知道呢？牠知道被創造者是不可能超過創造者的神的，牠沒有三位一體的神的概念，牠是這麼的高傲，怎麼會想要和次一等神的兒子同等呢？不能超過神，但至少要和神同等啊！關於牠沒有三位一體神的概念這一點，如果牠那時就知道耶穌基督是三位一體的神中的一位，牠就不會介入耶穌的被釘十字架，經文不是明說，『這時，撒但入了那稱為加略人猶大的心…』嗎？(路加福音 22:3) 

     回到這裏的經文，我們看見撒但是撤底的墮落了，不是祂因為一有驕傲的意念就被趕出，而是在牠真正有了不順服神的行為後，因為是「曾說」，所以牠的驕傲的意念的確在行為之先。

     我們會看到這是神做事的原則，在新天新地到臨前，『我又看見一個白色的大寶座與坐在上面的，從他面前天地都逃避，再無可見之處了。我又看見死了的人，無論大小，都站在寶座前。案卷展開了，並且另有一卷展開，就是生命冊。死了的人都憑着這些案卷所記載的，照他們所行的受審判。於是海交出其中的死人，死亡和陰間也交出其中的死人。他們都照各人所行的受審判。』(啓示錄 20:11-13) 這裏用的是「這些」，是複數，聖經沒有明講這些案卷是什麼，譬如說有沒有記載壞的意念如驕傲等的案卷？有人可能會這樣猜答案，但聖經沒有明講的像這樣的事，猜也沒用，是該猜都不用猜。但我們一定會照我們的行為受審判，撒但不是也因為牠的行為被趕出嗎？這行為是指信心的行為，從生命中發出來的。耶穌說得很清楚，『…我來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。』(約翰福音 10:10)

             我們又看到，『…有不守本位、離開自己住處的天使，主用鎖鏈把他們永遠拘留在黑暗裏，等候大日的審判。』(猶大書 1:6) 有一些墮落的天使，已因不順服神不守本位而被拘留到了大日的審判的時候。簡言之，在先前的世界中，罪的產生也是由於不順服神。我們也看到了，天使被創造時有真正的自由意志，他們可以選擇順服神或是不順服神。有人這時可能會問，為什麼神會留下撒但呢？詩篇說得很清楚，『你因敵人(撒但)的緣故，從嬰孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。』(詩篇 8:2) 在創造時，人的能力本是比天使微小一點(參詩篇 8:5, 希伯來書 2:7)，譬如看這經文， 『他(報信的)還說話的時候，又有人來說：「神從天上降下火來，將羣羊和僕人都燒滅了；惟有我一人逃脫，來報信給你。」』(約伯記 1:16) 報信的還以為是神做的，看約伯記就知道這是撒但的工作，所以撒但可以從天上降下火來，我們不行。撒但是墮落的天使，牠的能力本就比人強，相對起來，嬰孩和吃奶的不就是指人嗎？但有些人會為主甘心樂意的擺上自己，甚至生命，撒但還有什麼話可說的！ 

                     有人會問，嫉妒是不順服神嗎？詩篇不是明說，『不要為作惡的心懷不平，也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。…你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧。』(詩篇 37:1-3) 嫉妒怎麼會是順服神呢！讀經之一點是要讀出一些神做事的法則，詩篇對於這點就說得很清楚，『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)  有人還有其他的問題，如若一一細說，時間就不夠了！

                   最後我們來談一談有人說，死是因為神的審判而來，不是的，因為『耶和華神說：「…現在恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。」於是…在伊甸園的東邊安設基路伯，和四面轉動發火焰的劍，要把守生命樹的道路。』(創世記 3:22-24) 所以雖然亞當犯了罪，不順服神吃了分別善惡樹上的果子，他仍然是可以吃生命樹上的果子的，那時神能做的就是把守生命樹的道路，不讓他有這個機會。我們不是在前面的希伯來書 2:14-15 分享過，那掌死權的就是魔鬼嗎？所以死也是罪的權勢之一，就像經文所說，『…罪的工價乃是死…』(羅馬書 6:23) 我們知道，『…全世界都臥在那惡者(撒但)手下。』(約翰一書 5:19) 但即使如此，神還是永遠的保有祂的絕對主權，這就像約伯記開始時所說的一樣，撒但行事不能超過神所允許的範圍，神不允許我們死，我們就能存活。

2. 聖經的一致性是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的

               聖經的一致性是指神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的，不是指在字句上的，如果是字句上的，我們就會看到有明顯的矛盾，看到這樣的矛盾，我們應該問的是，神默示這字句上明顯的矛盾，到底是要藉著這樣的矛盾告訴我們什麼？

              舉個有明顯的矛盾的例子來說明這點。在耶穌受洗後，耶穌被聖靈引到曠野，受魔鬼(撒但)的試探，(參馬太福音 4:1, 路加福音 4:1, 馬可福音 1:12) 這事情在馬太福音和路加福音記載的很詳細。依照路加福音 4:1-13，提到了三件耶穌被試探的事件，簡言之就是：(1) 吩咐這塊石頭變成食物；(2) 將天下的萬國都指給祂看；（3) 領祂到耶路撒冷的殿頂上。並說，『魔鬼用完了各樣的試探，就暫時離開耶穌。』(路加福音 4:13) 如果我們看馬太福音 4:1-10，就有了不同的次序：(1)，(3)，(2)。這裏有著明顯的矛盾，神到底要藉著這矛盾告訴我們什麼？

                        第一，我們注意到的是、試探不只有這三件事，只是這三件事特別的突出，兩本福音書都有記載，所以這不同的次序會讓我們特別注意到，試探的事不只是這三件事而已。

                        第二，我們會注意到魔鬼只是「暫時」的離開耶穌而已，以後祂還是會受試探的，所以希伯來書會說，『因我們的大祭司(耶穌)並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 明顯的說，耶穌在以後還是受過許多試探的。你看聖經在這點上，說得是多麼的一致！這是神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的一個例子。對於沒有犯罪這點，彼得也說得很清楚，『他(耶穌)並沒有犯罪，口裏也沒有詭詐。』(彼得前書 2:22) 

                        第三，路加福音說，『這些事我既從起頭都詳細考察了，就定意要按着次序寫給你，使你知道所學之道都是確實的。』(路加福音 1:3-4) 我們看到這裏所說的次序不是指事件的次序，如果是的，就會有如上述明顯的矛盾，所以這裏的次序是指事情的次序，三本福音書都一致的說，受試探這件事情發生耶穌受洗之後。

3.  從人的角度看和從神的角度看事情的大不相同

    相對於從神的角度看就是從人的角度看事情，如果是從人的角度看，就會有很多不同錯的定義。譬如在 55 頁中說到，「聖經中其他經文對罪的定義」，所引用的經文是：『…違背律法就是罪。』(約翰一書 3:4) 和『凡不義的事都是罪…』(約翰一書 5:17) 對於前者，律法是神所攽的，違背律法當然是不順服神，當然是罪。事實上，從猶太人的觀點來說，耶穌是不守安息日的時間，是違背律法。但耶穌守的是安息日的真諦，並且祂說的很清楚，『因為人子(耶穌)是安息日的主。』(馬太福音 12:8) 耶穌是犯罪的嗎？絕對不是。也就是說我們會找不到經文說罪就是違背律法，也不能証明這敍述是對的，就是我們不能証明充分和必要條件，所以不能定義「罪」就是違背律法。

     對於後者，新約說得很清楚，『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)  行不義的事當然是不順服神，自然是罪。但一個不信者雖然行了公義的事情，仍然有罪，因『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)  我們不能定義「罪」就是凡不義的事。

 ​

              所以看聖經時，不能隨便畫等號，聖經常常在說一個單方向成立的敘述而不是說雙方向都成立，隨便劃等號會創造一個不是聖經所說的神自己還不知道！我們實在應該注意到聖經說得很清楚，『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們甚至於會自己欺騙自己的！其實聽人講話時，也要如此，不能隨便畫等號，要不真有時會因聽到別人沒有說的話，而引起爭論。

               有人可能會說，我們是人，當然是從人的角度看事情。但因為聖經是神所默示的，只要我們能像彼得在彼得後書 3:15-16 所說的，不強解聖經，不就是從神的角度看事情嗎？耶穌說，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 除耶穌外，那個人在沒有模成耶穌的形像前，能說自己一生都順服神呢？如果我們能正確的瞭解聖經所說罪的定義是指不順服神，就會明白聖經為什麼會說，『…世人都犯了罪。』(羅馬書 3:23a) 犯了罪當然是『虧缺了神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 3:23b)

         我們知道殺人放火當然是罪，很清楚的是不順服神。利未記說得很清楚，『你們不可偷盜，不可欺騙，也不可彼此說謊。』(利未記 19:11) 在經驗中，我們不是看到、小孩子不必被人教，就會學會說謊嗎！一個沒有殺人放火過的人，難道從來沒說過謊而不順服神嗎？聖經所說的罪是指不順服神，所以會說世人都犯了罪。因此傳教時，應該會一點都沒有困難的告訴非基督徒說，世人都犯了罪。真正的困難是在人有自由意志，可以選擇要不要相信聖經的話？所以一個人不在信心中相信聖經是神所默示的，因信心而能用基於聖經的話的邏輯，只純粹的使用邏輯，結論就會是不可知論者，不知道神是否存在。其實，即使是基督徒，也可以選擇要不要把聖經的話打折扣。如果自己沒經歷過但相信聖經是對的，怎麼會把聖經的話打折扣呢？要知道只是自己沒經麼過這樣的真理而已！

                  關於把聖經的話打折扣這一點上，我們來看一個兩個人都錯的例子。羅馬書說，『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) 很顯然的，如果不把聖經的話打折扣，就會接受同時有預知和預定，會意識到這是一體的兩面，如同一個硬幣有頭和尾，但仍是一個硬幣。馬可路德認為只有預知，而喀爾文認為只有預定，也就是說他們都把這經文打了折扣，在這一點上跌倒了！尤其是人們認為他們都很屬靈而不應該會錯，所以到今天為止還有人在爭論那個是對的，其實是兩個在這一點上都錯了！也不能怪他們，他們沒有經歷過同時有預知和預定的情況，只曉得不是預知就是預定，而現代人經歷過類似這樣的情況，怎麼還會在這上面把聖經的話打折扣呢？關於類似的一個例子，請參照『2005 只有一聖經

 』，對這篇短文有興趣的人，可到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

                  我們來看一個關於一個公認為屬靈的人，犯了錯誤會影響多大的聖經的例子。我們知道所羅門建造聖殿，所以他那時應該是非常屬靈的人，但『所羅門年老的時候，他的妃嬪誘惑他的心去隨從別神，…所羅門為摩押可憎的神基抹和亞捫人可憎的神摩洛，在耶路撒冷對面的山上建築邱壇。他為那些向自己的神燒香獻祭的外邦女子，就是他娶來的妃嬪也是這樣行。』(列王紀上 11:4-8) 我們看看在什麼時候這些邱壇才被清除掉？是在約西亞清除邱壇的時候。就像經文所說，『從前以色列王所羅門在耶路撒冷前、邪僻山右邊為西頓人可憎的神亞斯她錄、摩押人可憎的神基抹、亞捫人可憎的神米勒公所築的邱壇，王(約西亞)都污穢了，又打碎柱像，砍下木偶，將人的骨頭充滿了那地方。』(列王紀下 23:13-14) 那時，猶大國已經快滅亡了！可見得影響會多麼深遠。

         最後我們來看，保羅講的一個相關的事實，就是『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) 這是可以經歷的經文之一，如果神要的話，會製造環境讓我們有這樣的經歷。一般來說，人都常常喜歡作師傅教人，所以聖經會說，『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) 尤其是我們會常常以為自己知道，卻後來發覺當時並不知道，我們真應該要謙卑，耶穌說，『我心裏柔和謙卑…』(馬太福音 11:29) 不謙卑怎能模成耶穌的形像呢？只是知道容易而做出來不容易，約伯也是受盡苦難後才知道自己的自義，說得出來，『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 42:5-6) 所以耶穌會對眾人和門徒說：『…若有人要跟從我，就當捨己，背起他的十字架來跟從我。』(馬可福音 8:34) 但就像經文所說，『…在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。』(約翰福音 16:33) 以約伯為例，『那時，耶和華從旋風中回答約伯說：』(約伯記 38:1) 有必要的時候，三位一體的神會親自工作，絕對會實現耶穌的應許。

(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』。)

Christians often end disputes by saying, “We see things differently!” This statement sounds reasonable, but there is a huge problem. It is looking at things from a human perspective, and it doesn’t talk about how the Bible says about this matter, that is, not pointing out where the logic based on biblical words is wrong, and the logic based on biblical words is objective, which is to look at things from a biblical perspective. Since it is impossible for both correct, at least one person is wrong and it is also possible that both are wrong. We gave an example in which both people were wrong according to the Bible.  Because the Bible is inspired by God, this means also looking at things from God’s perspective!  This is a serious but unavoidable matter, because unless the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, sometimes we really have no way to see.  But even so, we must still make up our minds and do our best to avoid it.  Indeed, people have free will, and a person’s opinion cannot be forced. In other words, such a person will have a subjective view.

At the beginning, I strongly recommended Yu Hongjie’s new discipleship training. At that time, I did not see anything unbiblical in it. Now I have seen a few things that are indeed at odds with the Bible.  As far as I know, many churches use this new discipleship guide. For example, one church I know has used this teaching material more than once. Therefore, I decided to point out what I saw to prevent others from making the same mistake as mine.  I still continue to recommend new discipleship because it is the best discipleship material I have seen so far in Chinese. It just needs to be modified a little bit according to the words of the Bible.

In theory, it seems that one shouldn’t point out other people’s mistakes especially some Chinese churches emphasize to “…leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”(Romans 12:19) Furthermore, an emphasis is put on the verse, ““Do not judge (G2919) so that you will not be judged.”(Matthew 7:1) This word G2919 appears 131 times, enough times for us to understand the true meaning of this word in the Bible, but it seems that some people have not noticed this verse, “You judge according to the flesh; I (Jesus) am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment (G2919) is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.”(John 8:15-16) There is nothing wrong in English translation since the same word G2919 is translated the same. But in Chinese Union Version, the same word G2919 is translated differently. Sometimes it means judgment by people as in Matthew 7:1 and sometimes it means judgment by God alike such as in John 8:15-16. Such translation causes problems and misleading, which discourages people saying what should be said.

In reality, whether something should be said or not really depends on the situation. Let’s give an example of this from the Bible. “But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. …But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, …”(Galatians 2:11-14) Let’s hear what Peter said eventually. “…our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”(2 Peter 3:15-16) Peter knew very well what Paul should have talked what said at that time!  Because it has to do with the truth told in the Bible.  I believe that Yu Hongjie has this magnanimity. Once he realizes something is not in line with the Bible, he can accept it, repent and correct it, because the Bible clearly 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)

In this article, we start from Yu Hongjie’s “Lesson 3 of New Man Discipleship, ‘Becoming a New Creation’ (2): Understanding Sin and the Flesh.” In this lesson, I only see that the definition of sin is not according to the Bible, it is wrong, thus leading to some erroneous conclusions on related issues.  Because “All Scripture is inspired by God …”(2 Timothy 3:16), so looking at things from the perspective of the Bible means looking at things from God’s perspective, which also illustrates the importance of not forcing interpretations of the Bible.  We also explained why the opposite is not true, and we also saw that we should not draw equal signs casually when reading the Bible.  So we first have to look at how the Bible defines “sin.” This is what we mean by looking at everything from God’s perspective.  In this way of looking at things, we can prove that “sin” and “disobedience to God” are equivalent. That is, in the Bible, the definition of “sin” is “disobedience to God.”  To this end, we also discussed the nature of sin and saw its origins.  Second, we see that the consistency of the Bible refers to the consistency of what God tells us through the Bible, not in words.  If it is in words, we will find an obvious contradiction. We gave an example where there is an obvious contradiction in words.  If we see an obvious contradiction, what we should ask is what God is trying to tell us through such a contradiction. Let us use this example to discuss this point.  Third, we discussed seeing things from a human perspective as opposed to seeing things from a divine perspective, and saw the big difference between the two.  If we look at things from a human perspective, there will be many different wrong definitions of “sin”. Let us point out why the definition quoted in Lesson 3 is wrong.  We especially emphasize not to discount the words of the Bible in our faith. Only such use based on the logic of the words of the Bible will be objective.  If we understand that sin in the Bible refers to disobedience to God, we should have no difficulty in telling non-Christians when preaching that everyone in the world has sinned because God said in the law not to lie. Have you ever told a lie and therefore disobeyed God? 

1. Definition of sin ​

We start from Yu Hongjie’s “The Third Lesson of New Man Discipleship, ‘Becoming a New Creation’ (2): Understanding Sin and the Flesh”. On page 55, he talks about the definition of sin quoted some other scriptures in the Bible. However when we know clearly what the Bible defines sin, it will be easy to see why such definitions are wrong.​

One of the scriptures he quoted makes it very clear, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) So sin entered the world because of what Adam did. What Adam did was that he did what God didn’t want him to do, that is, Adam disobeyed God and caused sin to enter the world. Therefore, to this world, “disobedience to God” means “sin” , otherwise if Adam had obeyed God at that time, there would be no sin in the world.

Let’s see what Adam did? “The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:16-17) So he can eat the fruit from the tree of life. But after the snake tempted Eve, “When the woman (Eve) saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband (Adam) with her, and he ate.”(Genesis 3:6) Obviously, Adam “disobeyed God” and ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore, “disobedience to God” means “sin” to this world.

Logically, when we say that one statement is the definition of another statement, we must prove that the two statements are equal.  That is: if this statement is true, then that statement is true; and vice versa.  In short, it is to prove the sufficient and necessary conditions. So we also need to prove the opposite, that is, to this world, “sin” means “disobedience to God.”  If this can be proven, then “sin” and “disobedience to God” will be completely equivalent. In other words, the definition of “sin” in the Bible for this world is “disobedience to God.”  Now let’s see if we can prove that “sin” means “disobedience to God.” To prove this, we can prove the equivalent statement that “obeying God” means “not a sin.”  How can “obeying God” be a “sin”?  This is simply right and self-evident!  In other words, from a biblical perspective, the definition of “sin” for this world is “disobedience to God.”  Although the Bible does not explicitly say this, there is definitely a concept like the one discussed above. This is just like the word Trinity. The Bible never uses this word, but there is definitely a concept in the Bible that God is a Trinity.

Because “All Scripture is inspired by God …”(2 Timothy 3:16), so looking at one thing from the perspective of the Bible is looking at it from God’s perspective. Therefore, looking at it from God’s perspective, to this world, the definition of “sin” is “disobedience to God.”  One thing we must mention here is that when Paul wrote the words “All Scripture is inspired by God,” the New Testament had not yet been completed. For example, the book of Revelation did not exist at that time, but Christians, in faith, believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God.  If a person truly believes this, he will not discount the words of the Bible. He will see that God tells us through the Bible is consistent. This consistency does not refer to words. If it is words, we will find that there are examples of apparent contradictions.  When we see obvious contradictions, we then ask, what is God trying to tell us through such contradictions?  In the following section 2, we’ll give such an example.

But one thing to note is that we cannot say that looking at things from the biblical perspective is looking at things from God’s perspective. In short, we cannot say that the reverse narrative is also correct.  This is because God is infinite and the words of the Bible are limited. Regarding the fact that the Bible does not record everything, John said very clearly, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”(John 20:30-31) 

At this point, you may have noticed that we can only prove that from a biblical perspective, the definition of “sin” for this world is “disobedience to God.”  We emphasized the word “this world,” so the Bible says there was a “previous world,” and angels were created in the previous world, but Satan and his followers fell, so Satan is a fallen angel.  (See Revelation 12:9) When Adam disobeyed God, sin entered the world. Therefore, sin existed before the world. Adam’s disobedience to God came after the existence of sin. How can we expect people to accept the definition of sin being disobedience to God?  Because we cannot use the fact that Adam disobeyed God will happen in the future to say that the definition of sin is disobedience to God!  This is a correct thinking.  So far, we can only prove that the definition of “sin” for this world is “disobedience to God.”  Unless the Bible says that in the previous world, sin also came from disobedience to God, then we can accept that the definition of “sin” is “disobedience to God.” ​

We know that sin was not created by God, 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) Sin is never good, so how can it come from God?  It comes from Satan.  We can give an example to see that some things are indeed caused by Satan. First of all, everyone knows that lying is a sin, so it was not created by God. So where does lying come from?  Let us see what the scripture says, “…Whenever he (the devil) speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) He is the father of lies, and of course lies come from Satan (the devil).  Here, we use Satan as just another name for the devil, because the Book of Revelation makes it very clear, “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; …”(Revelation 12:9) Please note that the snake that tempted Eve was the serpent of old.

We can also see from this scripture that lying is not in God, He cannot lie, and He cannot do anything that is not in Him. But He is Almighty, as the scripture says, “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; …”(Genesis 17 : 1) This has also become the best definition of “almighty”, which means that from God’s perspective, He can do everything that exists in Him.

Let’s first look at why the Bible says there was a previous world.  We already know that sin was not created by God, but came from Satan in the previous world, so the second step is to say that in the previous world, sin also came because of Satan’s disobedience to God. In other words, the essence of sin is disobedience to God, which has also become the definition of sin.

To prove that the Bible says there was a previous world, let’s look at the original text of Strong’s Concordance.  The first sentence of the Bible is “In the beginning God created (H1254) the heavens and the earth.”(Genesis 1:1) Let’s look at the word “created (H1254)”, which refers to creation out of nothing.  Let’s look at the next two verses, “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”(Genesis 1:2-3) So we talked about things in this world at this time, so the beginning here refers to the very beginning, there was nothing, and then God created time and space and the previous world out of nothing. The question is why these indicate there is a previous world?​

To answer this question, let’s look at this verse, “God made (H6213) the two great lights, the greater light (the sun) to govern the day, and the lesser light (the moon) to govern the night; He made the stars also.”(Genesis 1:16) So let’s see what is the difference between these two words H6213 and H1254?  To answer this question, let’s first look at where Eve came from. “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper (H6213) suitable for him.””(Genesis 2:18 ) At that time Adam already existed, “So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.”(Genesis 2:21-22) This means that Eve was created from the existing Adam, which is why we can only use H6213.  In short, using the word H6213 means that the thing is made from something that already exists.

Let’s look at this verse, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created (H1254), in the day that the LORD God made (H6213) earth and heaven.”(Genesis 2:4) Then we see that this verse uses two different words. In the beginning, it was indeed created out of nothing (H1254), and then in this world, God made (H6213) the heaven and the earth, because the heaven and the earth were created in the previous world, but in the current world, they were only made. The state of the world is, “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, …”(Genesis 1:2)

Now let’s look at a scripture related to Satan. We see that this scripture is not talking about the king of Tyre in the human world, but what is happening in the spiritual world. This can be clearly seen from the following scriptures, “Again the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone …On the day that you were created (H1254) They were prepared. “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created (H1254) Until unrighteousness was found in you. “By the abundance of your trade

You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire. “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty (H1361); You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. “By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you.”(Ezekiel 28:11-18)

Please note that the word H1254 creation out of nothing is used here. It is also mentioned here that there was a previous world, and angels were created in the previous world. Satan is just a fallen angel, so Revelation 12:9 uses the word the serpent of old.

We have also seen that Satan was driven out because of his numerous sins. God is a merciful and gracious God and will not drive him away just because he makes a mistake.  We also see that he is proud of his heart because of his beauty, so we see that Satan fell because of pride.  Pride in the heart will never abide, because the Bible says very clearly, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”(Luke 6:45) Satan is even worse. He not only speaks it with his mouth, but also turns the pride in his heart into disobedience to God, and sin arises from this. Therefore, in the previous world, sin is also due to disobedience to God.

Let’s look at another similar verse related to Satan. Here it seems to be talking about the king of Babylon on earth, because the verse says, “that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon, …”(Isaiah 14:4) But then comes the spiritual things, ““How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (H5924).’ “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.”(Isaiah 14:12-15)

When Satan was created, he was indeed the star of the morning, son of the dawn! But because of what just discussed, he was proud of his beauty, and he was so proud that he wanted to be equal to the Most High.  I used to think that the Most High (H5945) refers to Jesus Christ, because Satan is a creation, and time can only go forward, and in time, the Lord Jesus became flesh, and there is an order.  It was God who sent Jesus, so “But He (Jesus ) answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.””(Matthew 15:24) And Jesus also said, “…if I do not go away, the Helper (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”(John 16:7) Satan knows that no creature can surpass the God who created it, so he only wants to be equal to Christ, so he shows it through his actions and becomes an antichrist, as the scripture says, “…every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, …”(1 John 4:3) So if the Most High does not refer to Christ, who does it refer to? ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Here I used the words in the Bible to support my viewpoint and it seems to make sense!  But I finally realized that this was a subjective view.  So what is objective seeing?  It is based on the logic of biblical words. We have to look at what the Bible says. According to the Bible, the Most High here should refer to Jehovah (Yahweh). This word H5945 appears 53 times in total. The Psalm clearly explains the meaning here, “For the LORD (Yahweh, H3068) Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.”(Psalm 47:2)

With objective seeing, we can realize the error of subjective view!  We see that Satan knows that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The scripture clearly 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 the unclean spirits know this, so how can Satan not know it?  Satan knows that the created cannot surpass the Creator God, but he has no concept of the Trinity. It is so arrogant, how could it want to be equal to the son of a lesser god in his opinion?  Satan cannot surpass God, but he must at least be equal to God!  Regarding the fact that he did not have the concept of the Trinity, if he had known that Jesus Christ was one of the Trinity, he would not have intervened in the crucifixion of Jesus as evidenced by the scripture, “And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.”(Luke 22:3)

Returning to the scriptures here, “But you said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;…”(Isaiah 14:13), we see that Satan fell thoroughly. He wasn’t driven because as soon as he had proud thoughts, but after he actually acted disobedient to God many times because the past tense is used, so its proud thoughts do precede actions.

We will see that this is the principle of God’s work. To see this, let us take a look before the coming of the new heaven and the new earth, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.(Revelation 20:11-13) The word ‘books’ is used here, which is plural. The Bible does not clearly say what these books are. For example, are there any book that records bad thoughts such as pride?  Some people may guess the answer like this, but the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention anything like this, so there is no point in guessing. In fact, there is no need to guess at all.  But we will definitely be judged according to our actions. Wasn’t Satan also driven out because of his actions not just his thoughts?  This act refers to an act of faith, proceeding from life.  Jesus made it very clear, “…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10)

There are”…angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.”(Jude 1:6) Some fallen angels have been detained until the judgment of the great day because they disobeyed God and did not abide by their duties.  In short, in the previous world, sin also arose from disobedience to God.  We have also seen that angels were created with true free will, and they could choose to obey God or not.  Some people may ask at this time, why did God leave Satan behind?  The book of Psalm says very clearly, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.”(Psalm 8:2) At the time of creation, man’s power was a little smaller than that of angels (see Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7). For example, look at this verse, “While he (the messenger) was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.””(Job 1:16) The messenger thought that It was God who did it. If you read the book of Job, you will know that it is the work of Satan. Therefore, Satan can bring down fire from heaven, but we cannot.  Satan is a fallen angel, and his power is inherently stronger than that of humans. In comparison, don’t infants and nursing babes refer to humans?  But some people will willingly sacrifice themselves and even their lives for the Lord. What else does Satan can say? ​

Some may ask, is jealousy disobeying God?  The book of Psalm explicitly says, “Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”(Psalm 37:1-3) How can jealousy be obedience to God!  One of the points of reading the Bible is to read some of God’s rules for doing things. The book of Psalm makes this point very clear, “He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.”(Psalm 103:7) Some people may have other questions. If I go into detail one by one, there won’t be enough time!​

Finally, let’s talk about some people who say that death comes because of God’s judgment. No, because “Then the LORD God said, “…and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”⁠ …So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”(Genesis 3:22-24) So even though Adam sinned and disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he could still eat from the tree of life. At that time, all God could do was to guard the way to the tree of life and prevent him from having this opportunity.  Didn’t we share before in Hebrews 2:14-15 that the one who has the power of death is the devil?  So death is also one of the powers of sin, as the scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death, …”(Romans 6:23) “We know that…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (Satan).”(1 John 5:19) But even so, God still retains His absolute sovereignty forever. This is just like what was said at the beginning of the book of Job. Satan cannot act beyond the scope of God’s permission. When God don’t allow us to die, we will live.

2. The consistency of the Bible means that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent ​

The consistency of the Bible means that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent. It does not refer to the consistency  in words. If it were the words, we would see obvious contradictions. When we see such contradictions, what we should ask is: from the obvious contradiction in the words from God’s inspiration, what exactly is it trying to tell us through this contradiction?

Give an example with an obvious contradiction to illustrate this point.  After Jesus was baptized, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil (Satan) (see Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1, Mark 1:12). This matter is found in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, which record it in great detail.  According to Luke 4:1-13, three incidents were mentioned in which Jesus was tempted. In short, they are: (1) commanding the stone to become bread; (2) showing Him all the kingdoms of the world; (3) leading Him to the top of the temple in Jerusalem.  It is also said, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”(Luke 4:13) If we look at Matthew 4:1-10, there is a different order: (1), (3), (2).  There is an obvious contradiction here. What is God trying to tell us through this contradiction? ​

First, what we notice is that temptations are not just about these three things, but these three things are particularly prominent. They are recorded in both Gospels, so this different order will make us pay special attention to temptations not just these three things. ​

Second, we will notice that the devil only left Jesus “temporarily”. He will still be tempted in the future. Therefore, Hebrews says, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) Obviously, Jesus still suffered many temptations in the future.  See how consistent the Bible is on this point!  This is an example of what God tells us through the Bible to be consistent.  Regarding His lack of sin, Peter also made it very clear, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”(1 Peter 2:22)

Third, the Gospel of Luke says, “it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”(Luke 1:3-4) We see that the order mentioned here does not refer to the order of events. If it did, there would be an obvious contradiction like the above. Therefore, the order here refers to the order of things. The three Gospels all agree that the temptation occurred after Jesus was baptized.

3. There is a big difference between looking at things from a human perspective and looking at things from a divine perspective.

​Contrary to the perspective of God, it is from the perspective of human beings. If it is from a person’s perspective, there will be many different definitions.  For example, on page 55, it says, “The definition of sin in other scriptures in the Bible.” The scripture quoted is: “…sin is lawlessness.”(1 John 3:4) and “All unrighteousness is sin, …”(1 John 5:17) For the former, the law is given by God, and disobeying the law is of course disobedience to God, which is sin.  But you will also find no scripture that says sin is a violation of the law, nor can it prove that this statement is correct. Actually, from the viewpoint of Jews, Jesus didn’t follow the time of Sabbath and thus was a violation of the law. But He kept the true meaning of Sabbath and said clearly, “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”(Matthew 12:8) Was Jesus sinful? Absolutely not. In short, we cannot prove sufficient and necessary conditions, so we cannot define “sin” as a violation of the law. 

Regarding the latter, the New Testament makes it very clear, “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) Doing unrighteous things is of course disobedience to God and is naturally a sin. But an unbeliever can do righteous things but is still sinful because “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) We cannot define “sin” as anything unrighteous.

Therefore, when reading the Bible, you cannot draw equal signs casually. The Bible often talks about a statement that is true in one direction instead of saying that it is true in both directions. Drawing equal signs casually will create the God that is not what the Bible says, but he himself doesn’t know about it!  We should really note that the Bible says very clearly, ““The heart is more deceitful than all else

And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We can even deceive ourselves!  In fact, you should do the same when listening to others. You can’t draw equal signs casually. Otherwise, sometimes you will hear things that others didn’t say, which will lead to arguments.

Some people may say that we are human beings, and of course we see things from a human perspective.  But because the Bible is inspired by God, as long as we don’t forcefully interpret the Bible as Peter said in 2 Peter 3:15-16, aren’t we seeing things from God’s perspective?  Jesus said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) Except for Jesus, who can say that he has obeyed God throughout his life before he has been conformed to the image of Jesus?  If we can correctly understand the definition of sin in the Bible as disobedience to God, we will understand why the Bible says, “…all have sinned.”(Romans 3:23a) Of course, committing sin means “…fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23b)

We know that murder and arson are certainly sins, and it is clear that they disobey God.  The book of Leviticus makes it very clear, “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.”(Leviticus 19:11) In our experience, haven’t we seen that children can learn to lie without being taught by others?  Has a person who has never committed murder or arson never lied and disobeyed God?  The sin mentioned in the Bible refers to disobedience to God, so it is said that everyone in the world has sinned.  Therefore, when preaching, it should not be difficult at all to tell non-Christians that everyone in the world has sinned.  The real difficulty is that people have free will and can choose whether or not to believe the Bible?  Therefore, if a person does not believe, in faith, that the Bible is inspired by God, and because of faith we can use logic based on the words of the Bible. If one only uses pure logic, the conclusion will be agnostic and does not know whether God exists or not.  In fact, even Christians can choose whether or not to discount the words of the Bible.  If one indeed believe that the Bible is inspired by God and is right, how can that person discount what the Bible says?  That person should know that he just hasn’t experienced the truth since he thinks that it’s inconsistent with the Bible!

Regarding discounting the words of the Bible, let’s look at an example where both people were wrong.  Romans 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) Obviously, if you do not discount the words of the Bible, you will accept that there is both foreknowledge and predestination, and you will realize that these are two sides of the same coin, just like a coin with a head and a tail, but it is still the same coin. Martin Luther believed that there was only foreknowledge, while Calvin believed that there was only predestination. In other words, they both discounted this scripture and fell down on this point!  Especially people think that they are both spiritual and should not be wrong, so to this day there are still people arguing about which one is right, but in fact both of them are wrong on this point!  We can’t blame them. They have never experienced a situation where there is both foreknowledge and predestination. They only know that it is either foreknowledge or predestination. But modern people have experienced similar situations, so how can they discount the words of the Bible on this?  For an example, please refer to “1005 Only one Bible.” Those who are interested in this short article can go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life.”

Let’s look at a biblical example of the impact of mistakes made by a person who is considered spiritual.  We know that Solomon built the temple, so he should have been a very spiritual man at that time, but “…when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.”(1 Kings 11:4-8) Let’s see when these high places were cleared away?  It was when Josiah was clearing out the high places.  As the scripture says, “The high places which were before Jerusalem, which were on the right of the mount of destruction which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the sons of Ammon, the king (Josiah) defiled. He broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim and filled their places with human bones.”(2 Kings 23:13-14) At that time, the kingdom of Judah was almost destroyed!  It can be seen how far-reaching the impact will be.

​​​​​​​Finally, let’s look at a related fact mentioned by Paul, which is, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) This is one of those scriptures that can be experienced. If God wants it, He will create the environment for us to have such an experience.  Generally speaking, people often like to be teachers and teach others, so the Bible says, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”(James 3:1) Especially because we often think we know it, but later find out that we didn’t know it at the time. We should really be humble. Jesus said, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11: 29) How can one be conformed to the image of Jesus without humility?  It’s easy to know but not easy to do. It was only after Job suffered that he realized his own righteousness and could say, “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 42:5-6) So Jesus would say to the crowds and his disciples: “…If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”(Mark 8:34) But as the scripture says, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33) Take Job as an example, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,”(Job 38:1) When necessary, the Triune God Himself will absolutely work to fulfill the promises of Jesus.

 ​(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.”)

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.

 ​

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.

 ​

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.

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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.)

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