首先我們在經文中看到了末期的預兆和基督徒的對策，就是不要預先思想怎樣分訴，完全的依靠聖靈，而在過程中，就是要忍耐到底。第二，我們以前分享過耶路撒路的預言和結局，就不多講，但指出那裏可找到以前分享的詳情。第三，我們看到末期人子榮耀的駕雲降臨，提到基督徒和非基督徒的反應完全不同。又一次看到神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的，在末時，祂會駕雲降臨。最後在第四時，我們討論了用無花果樹和各樣的樹的發芽作比喻，看見發芽的時候，自然是順理成章的看見神的國近了，也討論了在舊約中以色列會復國的預言。末期會有很多預兆的，不只是以色列的復國造成了國要攻打國的局面而已，福音要傳遍天下末期才會來到。我們實在是『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 

1.  末期的預兆及對策

       『他們問他說：「夫子，甚麼時候有這事呢？這事將到的時候有甚麼預兆呢？」耶穌說：「你們要謹慎，不要受迷惑，因為將來有好些人冒我的名來，說：『我是基督』，又說：『時候近了』，你們不要跟從他們！你們聽見打仗和擾亂的事，不要驚惶，因為這些事必須先有，只是末期(G5056)不能立時就到。」當時，耶穌對他們說：「民要攻打民，國要攻打國，地要大大震動，多處必有饑荒、瘟疫，又有可怕的異象和大神蹟從天上顯現。「但這一切的事以先，人要下手拿住你們，逼迫你們，把你們交給會堂，並且收在監裏，又為我的名拉你們到君王諸侯面前。但這些事終必為你們的見證。」「所以，你們當立定心意，不要預先思想怎樣分訴，因為我必賜你們口才、智慧，是你們一切敵人所敵不住、駁不倒的。連你們的父母、弟兄、親族、朋友也要把你們交官，你們也有被他們害死的。你們要為我的名被眾人恨惡，然而，你們連一根頭髮也必不損壞。』(路加福音 21:7-18)

    他們在問末期的事，末期的來臨是有預兆的，現在的俄烏戰爭，和擴大的以哈戰爭等等，顯然是民要攻打民，國要攻打國。戰爭是會引起饑荒的，現在又有新冠病毒的瘟疫，地震也不斷，但沒有可怕的異象和大神蹟從天上顯現，並沒有發生所有的預兆。在啓示錄也很清楚的說到會有各式各樣的災難，並說『我向一切聽見這書上預言的作見證，若有人在這預言上加添甚麼，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上；這書上的預言，若有人刪去甚麼，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城刪去他的分。』(啓示錄 22:18-19) 有人對我說，屬靈的人才能看見七雷，如九一一事件是七雷之一，但聖經明講，『七雷發聲之後，我正要寫出來，就聽見從天上有聲音說：「七雷所說的你要封上，不可寫出來。」』(啓示錄 10:4) 這實在是在啓示錄的預言中加添了一些。神的旨意本是要、在從七雷發生之後的災難才知道七雷已發生過，要不然其他的都寫出來，為什麼唯獨要封了七雷？當然我們從這裏也看到約翰的順服，他的確沒有寫出來。我們知道最後有新天新地 (參啓示錄 21:1)，以前所分享的以西結書預言的聖殿尚未建造，一定會先建造才會有新天新地的，因神的預言從不落空。我們在『2079  預言聖殿的被毀和以西結預言的聖殿 -耶穌(31)』中已詳述這一點，有興趣的人請去那兒看詳情。

       末期的預兆很清楚的記在這裏，只是在這之先我們會受到逼迫，就像經文所說，『當時，那按着血氣生的，逼迫了那按着聖靈生的，現在也是這樣。』(加拉太書 4:29)   這其實和這節經文類似的還有，『…你們要為我的名被眾人恨惡，惟有忍耐到底的(G5056)，必然得救。』(馬可福音 13:13) 的確現在是如此，中國發生的事情就是很好的例子。我們特別把忍耐到底的彙編原文數字標註出來，因和末期是同一個字，中文和合本的翻譯不是很容易看到這點。

     教導我們的對策也很簡單，就是不要預先思想怎樣分訴，完全的依靠聖靈，而在過程中，就是要忍耐到底。這也是我們在詩歌的敬拜中為什麼選擇了「後是膏油先是血」，如約伯記中的約伯，在他得到祝福前神允許他受二次嚴厲的試探，最後神自己介入讓約伯看清了自己而悔改，這也說明了為什麼耶穌會說，『不背着他的十字架跟從我的，也不配作我的門徒。』(馬太福音 10:38) 大衞數民也是一樣，讓他看清了自己而悔改 (參撒母耳記下 24:1-14) 聖經中還記錄了其他的例子，就不多說了。我們也看到了『你們連一根頭髮也必不損壞』的應許，在那時，當家人和我們理念不同的時候，是會發生『人的仇敵就是自己家裏的人。』(馬太福音 10:36) 那時，我們真會要為耶穌的名被眾人恨惡。

    我們現在要過的是一個信望愛而分別為聖的生活，從信開始，『因為神的義…是本於信，以至於信。如經上所記：「義人必因信得生。」』(羅馬書 1:17) 有了信，我們就有盼望，因為『我們又藉着他(耶穌)，因信得進入現在所站的這恩典中，並且歡歡喜喜盼望神的榮耀。』(羅馬書 5:2) 『所以要約束你們的心，謹慎自守，專心盼望耶穌基督顯現的時候所帶來給你們的恩。』(彼得前書 1:13) 『盼望不至於羞恥。因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。』(羅馬書 5:5)

2. 預言耶路撒冷的災難

       『你們看見耶路撒冷被兵圍困，就可知道它成荒場的日子近了。那時，在猶太的應當逃到山上，在城裏的應當出來，在鄉是我們在詩歌的敬拜中下的不要進城，因為這是報應的日子，使經上所寫的都得應驗。當那些日子，懷孕的和奶孩子的有禍了！因為將有大災難降在這地方，也有震怒臨到這百姓。他們要倒在刀下，又被擄到各國去。耶路撒冷要被外邦人踐踏，直到外邦人的日期滿了。』(路加福音 21:20-24)

    我們看到了這是報應的日子，也說到了時間，雖然在新約時代的我們已因耶穌在十字架的受死而得赦免，但我們不要忘記，『公義和公平，是你(耶和華)寶座的根基…』(詩篇 89:14) 雖然新約中只記載了亞拿尼亞一件因欺哄聖靈而立刻倒弊的例子 (參使徒行傳 5:1-10)， 但要記得，『弟兄們，你們蒙召是要得自由，只是不可將你們的自由當作放縱情慾的機會，總要用愛心互相服事。』(加拉太書 5:13) 『主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。』(彼得後書 3:9) 凡事都有定時，所以會說要到外邦人的日期滿了。我們以前討論過這些經文就不多說了，更多的討論請看『2067 窄門，耶路撒冷，醫治水臌的人，和自高的 -耶穌(20)』。

3. 末期人子榮耀的駕雲降臨

        『日、月、星辰要顯出異兆，地上的邦國也有困苦，因海中波浪的響聲，就慌慌不定。天勢都要震動，人想起那將要臨到世界的事，就都嚇得魂不附體。那時，他們要看見人子有能力，有大榮耀駕雲降臨。一有這些事，你們就當挺身昂首，因為你們得贖的日子近了。』(路加福音 21:25-28)

       從這經文，我們看見了雖然基督徒和非基督徒都會同樣的遭遇苦難，但兩者的反應會大不相同。對非基督徒而言，想到啓示中提到的那將要臨到世界的災難，會嚇得魂不附體。而基督徒知道得贖的日子近了，反而會挺身昂首。我們再看看這經文，『說了這話，他們正看的時候，他就被取上升，有一朵雲彩把他接去，便看不見他了。當他往上去，他們定睛望天的時候，忽然有兩個人身穿白衣，站在旁邊，說：「加利利人哪，你們為甚麼站着望天呢？這離開你們被接升天的耶穌，你們見他怎樣往天上去，他還要怎樣來。」』(使徒行傳 1:9-11) 又一次看到神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的，在末時，祂會駕雲降臨。

就如我們以前所說，我們可看見神藉聖經告訴我們是一致的許多例子，但是不論如何，這些例子總會是有限的，我們必須擴展這事實成為邏輯的公理，作為我們邏輯推導的開始的一部份。我們也看到，『看哪！我來像賊一樣。…』(啓示錄 16:15) 賊不會告訴你偷東西的時間讓你有所防備的，所以我們不知道祂來的確實時間，但祂的來臨是有如前所述的預兆的。在啓示錄也可看到在祂來臨之後發生的事情，祂不像道成肉身時是謙卑的來臨，誕生在馬槽裏，那時祂來是大有榮耀的，我們談到啓示錄時再詳細分享這點。

4. 用無花果樹和各樣的樹的發芽比喻神的國近了

      有人說無花果樹的發芽就是指以色列的復國，不是這樣的，我們要看經文怎麼說！ 『耶穌又設比喻對他們說：「你們看無花果樹和各樣的樹：它發芽的時候，你們一看見，自然曉得夏天近了。這樣，你們看見這些事漸漸地成就，也該曉得神的國近了。「我實在告訴你們：這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。「你們要謹慎，恐怕因貪食、醉酒，並今生的思慮累住你們的心，那日子就如同網羅忽然臨到你們，因為那日子要這樣臨到全地上一切居住的人。你們要時時警醒，常常祈求，使你們能逃避這一切要來的事，得以站立在人子面前。」耶穌每日在殿裏教訓人，每夜出城在一座山，名叫橄欖山住宿。眾百姓清早上聖殿，到耶穌那裏，要聽他講道。』(路加福音 21:29-38)

       這裏說到了在橄欖山的住宿，這是明說了以前所分享的，祂在祂的時間沒有到的時候作事的模式，白天進耶路撒冷講道，晚上出城，一直到祂的時間到了，被釘在十字架上。至於我們，是『…要拿起神所賜的全副軍裝，好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵，並且成就了一切，還能站立得住。』(以弗所書 6:13) 我們以前提到過，那全副的軍裝中只有神的道的聖靈的寶劍是攻擊的武器 (參以弗所書 6:14-17)，我們知道我們自己不能做什麼 (參約翰福音 15:5)，實在是『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 當聖靈要我們去攻擊時，絕對不會失敗。

    耶穌『又說：「神的國，如同人把種撒在地上。黑夜睡覺，白日起來，這種就發芽漸長，那人卻不曉得如何這樣。地生五穀是出於自然的：先發苗，後長穗，再後穗上結成飽滿的子粒。穀既熟了，就用鐮刀去割，因為收成的時候到了。」』(馬可福音 4:26-29) 所以這裏是說，當我們看見發芽的時候，自然是順理成章的看見神的國近了。有人說無花果樹發芽就是指以色列復國，因此神的國近了！但是聖經沒這樣說，說的是當無花果樹和各樣的樹發芽的時候，不只是說到無花果樹。就像之前所分享的，照目前的局勢看來，應是指「民要攻打民，國要攻打國」的預兆，而漸漸成就的預兆有很多種，不能只有一種就說是末期了。

     我們要注意到，即使天地廢去，耶穌的話卻不能廢去。那日子就如同網羅忽然臨到你們，就如我們之前所分享的，『看哪！我來像賊一樣。…』(啓示錄 16:15) 『惟有忍耐到底的(G5056)必然得救。這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期(G5056)才來到。』(馬太福音 24:13-14) 什麼時候福音才算是傳遍天下呢？我們不知道，至少現在有衛星的網路，一些以前福音傳不到的地方，現在可以傳到了。我們實在是『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8)

       關於以色列 1948 年的復國，聖經的確有預言，我們來看看如後的兩個地方的經文。『萬軍之耶和華如此說：「我要從東方、從西方救回我的民。我要領他們來，使他們住在耶路撒冷中。他們要作我的子民，我要作他們的神，都憑誠實和公義。」』(撒迦利亞書 8:7-8) 『不要害怕，因我與你同在！我必領你的後裔從東方來，又從西方招聚你。我要對北方說：『交出來！』對南方說：『不要拘留！』將我的眾子從遠方帶來，將我的眾女從地極領回。』(以賽亞書 43:5-6)  我們看到了這些經文不是在指歸回重建聖殿的時候，那時歸回的人只有從東方來，因為這些經文是說有人從各方而來，所以這是指現今時代以色列的復國。雖然以色列已亡國二千多年，他們現在復國了，世上沒有一個國家滅亡了二千多年仍能復國的，但神的應許從不落空。

    順便一提的是，因為『耶和華命定律法中的一條律例乃是這樣說：你要吩咐以色列人，把一隻沒有殘疾、未曾負軛、純紅的母牛牽到你這裏來，…人要在他眼前把這母牛焚燒，牛的皮、肉、血、糞都要焚燒。祭司要把香柏木、牛膝草、朱紅色線都丟在燒牛的火中。』(民數記 19:2-6) 目的是要，『…收起母牛的灰，存在營外潔淨的地方，為以色列會眾調做除污穢的水。…』(民數記 19:9) 所以正在尋找這樣的純紅母牛。網路上有一個不能完全証實的消息說，以色列人已準備好重建聖殿的材料，一但找到紅母牛，就會重建聖殿。很顯然的，這和聖經所說的不合，沒有預言說到聖殿的重建，只有預言說會建造以西結的聖殿，而重建聖殿的材料，顯然是不夠建造以西結的聖殿的。

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

First of all, we see in the scriptures the signs of the end times and the Christian countermeasures, which is not to think in advance what to say, but to rely completely on the Holy Spirit, and in the process, to endure to the end.  Second, we have shared the prophecy and ending of Jerusalem before, so we won’t go into details about it, but we will point out where the details we shared before can be found.  Third, when the Son of Man comes in a cloud with power and great glory at the end of the world, we see that Christians and non-Christians have completely different reactions.  Once again, we see that God is consistent in telling us through the Bible that Jesus will come in clouds at the end of time.  Finally, in the fourth part, we discussed using the sprouting of the fig tree and various trees as a metaphor. When we see the sprouting, we naturally see that the kingdom of God is near. We also discussed the prophecy of the restoration of Israel in the Old Testament. There will be many signs of the end times. It is not just the restoration of Israel. The end will not come until the gospel is spread throughout the world.  We really need to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8)

1. The signs of the end and countermeasures

“They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish.”(Luke 21:7-18)

They are asking about the end of the world and there are signs. The current Russian-Ukrainian war, the expanding Israel-Hamas war, etc. are obviously about people attacking people and countries attacking countries.  War can cause famine, and now there is the COVID-19 plague, and there are constant earthquakes, but there aren’t terrors and great signs from heaven. Apparently, not all signs are happening. The book of Revelation also clearly mentions that there will be various disasters and also says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”(Revelation 22:18-19) 

Someone said to me that only spiritual people could see the seven peals of thunder. For example, that person said that the September 11 incident was one of them. But the Bible clearly says, “When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.””(Revelation 10:4) This really adds something to the prophecies in the Book of Revelation.  God’s will is to know that the corresponding disaster would occur only after the seven peals of thunder had occurred. Otherwise, if everything else was written down, why would only seven peals of thunder be sealed?  Of course, we also see John’s obedience here, since he did not write it down as told.  We know that there will be a new heaven and a new earth in the end (see Revelation 21:1). The temple prophesied in the book of Ezekiel that we shared before has not yet been built. It must be built first before there will be a new heaven and a new earth, because God’s prophecies never fail.  We have elaborated on this in “1079 Prophecy of the destruction of the temple and the temple prophesied by Ezekiel – Jesus (31).” Those who are interested should go there to see the details.

The signs of the end are clearly recorded here, but before that we will be persecuted, as the scripture says, “But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.”(Galatians 4:29) This is actually similar to this verse, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”(Mark 13:13) This is indeed the case now, and what is happening in China is a good example.  

The countermeasures taught to us are also very simple, that is, do not think about what to say in advance, rely completely on the Holy Spirit, and in the process, be patient to the end.  This is why we chose ‘First the Blood, then The Ointment’ in our hymn worship. Just like Job in the Book of Job, God allowed him to be severely tempted twice before he received the blessing. In the end, God Himself intervened to let Job see himself clearly and thus repented, which also explains why Jesus said, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”(Matthew 10:38) David counted the people, and thus allowed him in the same way to see himself clearly and repent (see 2 Samuel 24:1-14). There are other examples recorded in the Bible, so I won’t go into details.  We also saw the promise that “Yet not a hair of your head will perish.”(Luke 21:18) At that time, when family members had different viewpoints from ours, it would happen that “…a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”(Matthew 10:36) At that time, we will really be hated by everyone for the name of Jesus.

What we have to live now is a life sanctified by faith, hope and love, starting from faith, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.””(Romans 1:17) With faith, we have hope, because “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exalt in hope of the glory of God.”(Romans 5:2) “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”(1 Peter 1:13) “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:5)

2. Prophecy of disaster in Jerusalem

​”But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”(Luke 21:20-24)

We have seen that these were days of vengeance, and it also spoke when it would happen. Although in the New Testament era we have been forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we must not forget, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne …”(Psalm 89:14) “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”(Galatians 5:13) “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”(2 Peter 3:9) There is a time for everything, so it is said in Luke 21:24 that “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” We have discussed these verses before, so we won’t go into details. For more discussion, please see “1067 Narrow Gate, Jerusalem, Healing Dropsy, and Self Exalted – Jesus (20).”

3. Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory at the end of the world

​”There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:25-28)

From these verses, we see that although Christians and non-Christians will encounter suffering in the same way, their reactions will be very different.  For non-Christians, the thought of the disasters mentioned in revelation that will come to the world can be frightening.  But when Christians know that the day of redemption is near, they will stand up and hold their heads high.  Let’s look at the verses in Acts 1:9-11, “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”” Once again, we see that God is consistent in telling us through the Bible that at the end of the day, Jesus will come in the clouds.

As we said before, we can see that God tells us through the Bible many examples that are consistent, but no matter what, these examples will always be finite. We must expand this fact into a logical axiom as the beginning of our logical derivation. We also see, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. …”(Revelation 16:15) The thief will not tell you the time to steal so that you can be on guard, so we don’t know the exact time of His coming, but His coming has the signs that were mentioned before.  We can also see what happened after His coming in the Book of Revelation. Unlike when He became flesh, He came humbly and was born in a manger. At that time, He came with power and great glory. We will talk about it in detail when we talk about the Book of Revelation.

4. Use the sprouting of fig tree and all the trees to recognize that the kingdom of God is near

Some people say that the sprouting of the fig tree refers to the restoration of Israel. This is not the case. We have to look at what the scriptures say. “Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.”(Luke 21:29-38)

Here the ending verses talk about the accommodation on the Mount of Olivet. This clearly explains what we have shared before, His mode of doing things when His time has not come. He goes into Jerusalem to preach during the day and leaves the city at night, until His time comes and He is crucified on the cross.  As for us, “…take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13) We have mentioned before that in the full armor only the word of God that is the sword of the Spirit is the weapon of attack (see Ephesians 6:14-17), we know that we by ourselves cannot do anything right (see John 15:5) and we have to “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) When the Holy Spirit tells us to attack, we will never fail.

And Jesus also “…was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows⁠—how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.””(Mark 4:26-29) So here it is said, when we see them sprouting, we naturally see that the kingdom of God is near.  Some people say that the fig tree sprouting refers to the restoration of Israel, so the kingdom of God is near!  But the Bible doesn’t say that. It says when the fig tree and all kinds of trees sprout, not just the fig tree.  As shared before, judging from the current situation, it should be a sign of “…Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”(Luke 21:10) There are many types of signs that are gradually coming to fruition, and it cannot be said to be the end of the world with just one.

We need to note that even if heaven and earth pass away, the words of Jesus will not pass away.  That day will come upon you suddenly like a snare, as we shared before, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. …”(Revelation 16:15) “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:13-14) When will the gospel be preached throughout the world?  We don’t know that, at least now with the satellite network, the gospel can now reach some places where it could not be preached before.  We really need to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8)

Regarding the restoration of Israel in 1948, the Bible does have prophecies. Let’s take a look at the following two places. “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’”(Zechariah 8:7-8) ““Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth.”(Isaiah 43:5-6) We have seen that these verses do not refer to the time of returning to rebuild the temple. At that time, the returning people would only come from the east, because these verses say that people came from all directions. So this refers to the restoration of Israel in the present era.  Although Israel has been in ruins for more than 2,000 years, they are now restored. No country in the world can be restored after more than 2,000 years of destruction, but God’s promises have never failed.

By the way, because ““This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, …Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight; its hide and its flesh and its blood, with its refuse, shall be burned. The priest shall take cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet material and cast it into the midst of the burning heifer.”(Numbers 19:2-6) The purpose is to “…gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place, and the congregation of the sons of Israel shall keep it as water to remove impurity; it is purification from sin.”(Numbers 19:9) So they are looking for such a pure red heifer.  There is news on the Internet that cannot be completely confirmed that the Israelites have prepared the materials to rebuild the temple. Once the red heifer is found, the temple will be rebuilt.  Obviously, this is inconsistent with what the Bible says. There is no prophecy about the rebuilding of the temple, only the prophecy that Ezekiel’s temple will be built, and the materials for rebuilding the temple are obviously not enough to build Ezekiel’s temple.

 ​

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

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

    圣经上提到了三个圣殿，就是所罗门建造的圣殿称为第一圣殿，第二圣殿是指回归时所罗巴伯立下根基而重建的圣殿，后为大希律所扩建，又有以西结预言而尚未建立的圣殿，最后是在新天新地中『…圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，…』(启示录 21:1-2) 『…未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。』(启示录 21:22)  在这里，我们首先谈到了第二圣殿被摧毁的预言，在其中我们简单的介绍了前二个圣殿的历史，然后我们将大部份时间用来讨论以西结书中预言的未来圣殿。我们看到圣经中的预言没有不应验的，所以以西结的圣殿一定会被建造的，这是为什么他连尺寸的大小都是这么详细的说明。因为非常困难在大纲中说清楚圣经是怎么说的，所以我们不在大纲中简介了，请直接到第二部份看看详情。

1. 预言圣殿的被毁和圣殿简史                

    『有人谈论圣殿是用美石和供物妆饰的，耶稣就说：「论到你们所看见的这一切，将来日子到了，在这里没有一块石头留在石头上不被拆毁了。」』(路加福音 21:5-6)          

    这里所说的是第二圣殿被摧毁的预言，我们以前在「2067 窄门，耶路撒冷，医治水臌的人，和自高的  –耶稣(20)」中讨论过，在那里，我们提到了这预言在历史中是如何成就的，这里就不多说了。我们现在就顺便简谈一下圣殿的历史。             

    第一圣殿为所罗门所建，地点很清楚，『所罗门就在耶路撒冷、耶和华向他父大卫显现的摩利亚山上，就是耶布斯人阿珥楠的禾场上、大卫所指定的地方预备好了，开工建造耶和华的殿。』(历代志下 3:1) 。『大卫(指示所罗门)说：「这一切工作的样式，都是耶和华用手划出来使我明白的。」』(历代志上 28:19) 开工的时间也清楚的记载，就是『所罗门作王第四年二月初二日开工建造。』(历代志下 3:2) 也就是『所罗门在位第四年西弗月，立了耶和华殿的根基。』(列王纪上 6:37) 『到十一年布勒月，就是八月，殿和一切属殿的都按著样式造成。他建殿的工夫共有七年。』(列王纪上 6:38) 这殿宇是金碧辉煌，就如所罗门所说，『我所要建造的殿宇甚大，因为我们的神至大，超乎诸神。』(历代志下 2:5)                 

    这第一圣殿的被毁是在『西底家…在耶路撒冷作王十一年』时 (历代志下 36:11)，那时『迦勒底人焚烧神的殿，拆毁耶路撒冷的城墙，用火烧了城里的宫殿，毁坏了城里宝贵的器皿。』(历代志下 36:19) 第一圣殿献殿时曾将约柜抬入，其过程在历代志下 5:2-7:10 中有详细的记载。所以那时约柜还在的，圣经没有讲约柜是什么时候失踪的，最后一次是提到在天上的约柜，『当时，神天上的殿开了，在他殿中现出他的约柜，随后有闪电、声音、雷轰、地震、大雹。』(启示录 11:19) 请注意，那时『因耶和华的荣光充满了耶和华殿，所以祭司不能进殿。』(历代志下 7:2) 在所罗门的圣殿献殿时是有耶和华的荣光的。这和当初摩西建造会幕完工时相似，『当时，云彩遮盖会幕，耶和华的荣光就充满了帐幕。摩西不能进会幕，因为云彩停在其上，并且耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕。』(出埃及记 40:34-35) 以西结预言的圣殿中，也是如此，『…我观看，见耶和华的荣光充满耶和华的殿，我就俯伏在地。』(以西结书 44:4) 这些都明显的看见了耶和华的同在。但重建为第二圣殿时，就没有见到如此。              

    第二圣殿是指在波斯王塞鲁士元年归回的时候重建的所罗门的圣殿，是先在原有的根基上筑坛，然后所罗巴伯才将耶和华殿的根基立定。(参以斯拉记 3:1-11) 这时殿的根基大概已不太相同，因『…有许多祭司、利未人、族长，就是见过旧殿的老年人，现在亲眼看见立这殿的根基，便大声哭号，也有许多人大声欢呼。』(以斯拉记 3:12) 大声欢呼是因为圣殿要重建了。直到『大利乌王第六年，亚达月初三日，这殿修成了。』(以斯拉记 6:15) 殿建了这么久，因为曾被强迫停止过，虽然圣经没有明说停止的过程，但提到了『在亚哈随鲁才登基的时候，上本控告犹大和耶路撒冷的居民。』(以斯拉记 4:6) 『于是，在耶路撒冷神殿的工程就停止了，直停到波斯王大利乌第二年。』(以斯拉记 4:24) 最后是『那时，撒拉铁的儿子所罗巴伯和约撒答的儿子大祭司约书亚，并剩下的百姓，都听从耶和华他们神的话，和先知哈该奉耶和华他们神差来所说的话；百姓也在耶和华面前存敬畏的心。…耶和华激动犹大省长撒拉铁的儿子所罗巴伯和约撒答的儿子大祭司约书亚，并剩下之百姓的心，他们就来为万军之耶和华他们神的殿做工。这是在大利乌王第二年六月二十四日。』(哈该书 1:12-15) 虽然圣经没有明讲殿的建造被停止的过程，但在以斯拉记 4:7-23，插了一段关于建城时被『…用势力强迫他们停工』(以斯拉记 23) 的类似情况，有兴趣的人请看那一段的历史。    

    那时，『以色列的祭司和利未人并其余被掳归回的人，都欢欢喜喜地行奉献神殿的礼。』(以斯拉记 6:16) 请注意，这时的第二圣殿并没有记载有耶和华的荣光显现。然后是大希律修理并扩充了圣殿，就如经文所说，『…这殿是四十六年才造成的，你三日内就再建立起来吗？』(约翰福音 2:20) 『但耶稣这话，是以他的身体为殿。所以到他从死里复活以后，门徒就想起他说过这话，便信了圣经和耶稣所说的。』(约翰福音 2:21-22) 门徒跟随祂三年多，但要到真正看到祂复活后才真正相信祂说的话，信是一件很不容易的事情。在这里我们也看到了基督徒是要回想的，才可以明白圣灵当时为什么会这么做。即使不明了也要顺服，要知道圣灵如此做，本是为我们的益处。『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。雨雪从天而降，并不返回，却滋润地土，使地上发芽结实，使撒种的有种，使要吃的有粮。』(以赛亚书 55:8-10)    

    最后就是历史告诉我们，在主后约七十年，罗马人将这第二圣殿如这预言所说的摧毁了 !  又有以西结预言而尚未建立的圣殿，在新天新地中『…圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，…』(启示录 21:1-2) 我们等会看到，以西结的圣殿虽大，仍可被人手建造，而新城耶路撒冷是不可能被人手所建造的，那时是 『…未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。』(启示录 21:22)  在会幕和所罗门的圣殿的至圣所都有约柜代表了耶和华的同在，在新城里，『…有神和羔羊的宝座，他的仆人都要事奉他，也要见他的面。…』(启示录 22:3-4) 祂们已经同在，这样我们怎么还需要殿呢？

2. 以西结预言的圣殿             

    以西结预言而尚未建立的圣殿是以色列人建的，也是为以色列人建的。如果我们真正相信圣经是神所默示的，不把圣经的话打折扣，就可以看到这点，下面我们就慢慢的说明我们会为什么这样说。先是经文说，『那人对我说：「人子啊，凡我所指示你的，你都要用眼看，用耳听，并要放在心上。我带你到这里来，特为要指示你；凡你所见的，你都要告诉以色列家。」』(以西结书 40:4) 如果我们不把圣经的话打折扣，圣经是明说了要以西结告诉以色列家。有人就说，新约时代的所有基督徒就是以色列家，圣经从没有这样说过也没看到那些经节有这概念，只能说这是用人的看法去强解圣经啊！我们就看看圣经到底怎么说。    

    以西结书又说，『人子啊，你要将这殿指示以色列家，使他们因自己的罪孽惭愧，也要他们量殿的尺寸。』(以西结书 43:10) 接著又说，『他们若因自己所行的一切事惭愧，你就将殿的规模、样式、出入之处和一切形状、典章、礼仪、法则指示他们，在他们眼前写上，使他们遵照殿的一切规模典章去做。』 (以西结书 43:11) 是他们惭愧在先，而不是看著尺寸等因而惭愧！这就像约伯一样，要他先悔改，并为他的朋友们祷告，然后耶和华让他在苦境中转回，本末不要倒置啊！(参约伯记 42:1-10) 那么为什么会这么详细呢？因为终是要建造的，圣经上的预言没有最终不成就的，相信有关以西结圣殿的预言也会是如此，神是信实的。    

    照神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的看来，这情况是和摩西建会幕时相同的，耶和华那时晓谕摩西是多么的详细啊！祂且说得很清楚，要谨慎做这些物件，因为多次说，『…都要照著在山上指示你的样式。』(出埃及记 25:40) 天上有实体，地上的是影子，影子要反应出实体，必须如此。如不详细的说明，怎么能如此建呢？再说到『以色列神的荣光从东而来。他的声音如同多水的声音，地就因他的荣耀发光。』(以西结书 43:2) 这神是指耶和华，因经文说得很清楚，『…从此以后，这城的名字，必称为『耶和华(H3068)的所在(H4725)』。』(以西结书 48:35) 请注意，耶和华所在是两个字，在和合本中的以西结书 3:12 是说，『那时，灵将我举起，我就听见在我身后有震动轰轰的声音说：「从耶和华的所在(H4725)显出来的荣耀是该称颂的！」』汇编(Strong’s Concordance) 用的是一个字，这个字的确意谓著耶和华的所在。确定这一点，我们看了另一原文版本，在另一原文版本是用「那里(H8033)耶和华(H3068)」，这是一致的说是耶和华，而不是说三位一体的神。为什么这点这么重要的，因为犹太教只信耶和华不信三位一体的神，所以我们会说这预言中的圣殿是为信犹太教的以色列人所建。            

    以西结书也说到分地，我们看到殿是在所分的地的其中，因为经文说，『你们拈阄分地为业，要献上一分给耶和华为圣供地，长二万五千肘，宽一万肘。这分以内，四围都为圣地。…要以肘为度量地，长二万五千肘，宽一万肘。其中有圣所，是至圣的。』(以西结书 45:1-3) 我们再看殿四围的地也是为以色列分的，共有十三份，其中包括了但支派，玛拿西支派，以法莲支派，和其余的十支派，是整个以色列的支派都有份 (参以西结书 48:1-34) 另外，这殿是有至圣所的，就如经文所说，『他量内殿，长二十肘，宽二十肘。他对我说：「这是至圣所。」』(以西结书 41:4) 从圣经的一致性来看，这应该是和所罗门圣殿中的至圣所一样的大小。关于所罗门的圣殿，『内殿，就是至圣所，长二十肘，从地到棚顶，用香柏木板遮蔽。内殿长二十肘，宽二十肘，高二十肘，墙面都贴上精金。又用香柏木做坛，包上精金。』(列王纪上 6:20) 也请注意，至圣所是立方体的。        #

    再看会幕的大小是长三十肘，宽十肘，高十肘(参出埃及记 26:15-22)，虽圣经只说，『要使幔子垂在钩子下，把法柜抬进幔子内，这幔子要将圣所和至圣所隔开。』(出埃及记 26:33) 虽然这里并没有说到至圣所的大小，但宽和高已定，只有长没有说，从圣经的一致性来说，会幕的至圣所也应为立方体，也就是长十肘，宽十肘，高十肘，为所罗门圣殿的至圣所的各量度减半。这样分为至圣所和圣所即使从人的角度看也是非常合理的，我们就来看看其中的器具。『…把施恩座安在至圣所内的法柜上。把桌子安在幔子外帐幕的北面，把灯台安在帐幕的南面，彼此相对。』(出埃及记 26:34-35) 除此之外，『要把(金香)坛放在法柜前的幔子外，对著法柜上的施恩座，就是我要与你相会的地方。』(出埃及记 30:6) 所以圣所的器具是比至圣所多一些的，应该占据较大的地方。    

    如果我们大约参照以西结书 40-42，其中说，『我见殿四围有墙，那人手拿量度的竿，长六肘，每肘是一肘零一掌。他用竿量墙，厚一竿，高一竿。』(以西结书 40:5) 基本上都是以竿为单位的。我们看到了圣殿的尺寸虽然大，仍可以被人建立的。因为犹太教并不相信耶稣是神，只相信耶和华，所以这殿是耶和华的所在，为犹太教的以色列人所建立的。这时以色列的外邦人会如『主耶和华…说：以色列中的外邦人，就是身心未受割礼的，都不可入我的圣地。』(以西结书 44:9) 难怪这圣殿中会有如犹太教般的献祭，就如经文所说，『他对我说：「人子啊，主耶和华如此说：建造祭坛，为要在其上献燔祭洒血，…』(以西结书 43:18) 这是很合理的，因那时的以西结看到是犹太教。反过来看，新约时没有献祭，而这尚未建造的圣殿中有献祭，从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来讲，就知道这以色列民不是指新约时代的基督徒，而真正地在讲犹太教的以色列人。       

    至于殿的地点，我们看到『在神的异象中带我(以西结)到以色列地，安置在至高的山上；在山上的南边有仿佛一座城建立。…那人对我说：「人子啊，凡我所指示你的，你都要用眼看，用耳听，并要放在心上。我带你到这里来，特为要指示你；凡你所见的，你都要告诉以色列家。」』(以西结书 40:2-4) 这里是明讲了要告诉以色列家。从圣经的一致性，我们知道以西结的圣殿是建在摩利亚山上，顺便一提，『殿的法则乃是如此：殿在山顶上，四围的全界要称为至圣。这就是殿的法则。』(以西结书 43:12) 有人照圣经所写的估计以西结圣殿的大小，发觉这样的圣殿不可能建在现有的摩利亚山顶，因此结论说这不是实际建造的，只能用灵意解经。但要知道以西结的圣殿是在未来才被建造，不能用现在的看见限制住了自己，而忘了神的大能。我们今天就先不看属灵的意义，只看圣经怎么说到未来会发生的事情。       

    我们首先看这些经文，『他带我回到殿门，见殿的门槛下有水往东流出（原来殿面朝东）。这水从槛下，由殿的右边，在祭坛的南边往下流。…又量了一千肘，水便成了河，使我不能蹚过；因为水势涨起，成为可洑的水，不可蹚的河。』(以西结书 47:1-5) 现在摩利亚山上是没有河的，而那殿被建造的时候却是有的，这就说明了未来的地形有改变的事情。我们再看这节经文，『末后的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立，超乎诸山，高举过于万岭，万民都要流归这山。』(以赛亚书 2:2) 照网上的资料，现在摩利亚山约 744 公尺，而橄榄山高为 811 公尺，那时耶和华殿的山超乎诸山，显然未来有地形变化的事情。       

    圣经在这点上说得很清楚，『那日，他的脚必站在耶路撒冷前面朝东的橄榄山上。这山必从中间分裂，自东至西，成为极大的谷。山的一半向北挪移，一半向南挪移。…那日，必有活水从耶路撒冷出来，一半往东海流，一半往西海流。冬夏都是如此。』(撒迦利亚书 14:4-8) 有低下的地方就会有高起来的地方，那时摩利亚山是超乎诸山，显然是要高起来并且山顶变大，能够建造以西结的圣殿。因殿是在北边而城在南边，且中间隔著利未区(参以西结书 45:1-5, 48:15)。按照诗篇，那时『神是我们的避难所，是我们的力量，是我们在患难中随时的帮助！…有一道河，这河的分汊，使神的城欢喜；这城就是至高者居住的圣所。』(诗篇 46:1-4) 在伊甸园是有河的 (参创世记 2:10-14)，那时这里也有了河，这河是由殿流到城后而分汊。        

    至于什么时候会建造这尚未建立的圣殿呢？我们首先看到在启示录中第六印已打开，而在第七印要打开之前发生的事情：『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。』(启示录 7:1-4) 这受印的人当中没有但支派的人。(参启示录 7:5-8) 而以西结书所讲的圣殿及其分地包括了但支派，因此讲的是两件事情。以西结所讲尚未建立的圣殿应建造在耶稣再来发生地形变化的时候之后，『但主的日子要像贼来到一样。…』(彼得后书 3:10) 因此我们只能从圣经的话语中得到一个很大的未知区间，而不能够知道确实的时间。不过，因为这是和新天新地所发生的是两件事情，这也再一次确定了那圣殿是如以前所说，是以色列的犹太教所建造的，是犹太教未来要发生的事情。             

    最后我们来看一下启示录在新天新地时的新耶路撒冷，『我被圣灵感动，天使就带我到一座高大的山，将那由神那里从天而降的圣城耶路撒冷指示我。…对我说话的，拿著金苇子当尺，要量那城和城门、城墙。城是四方的，长宽一样。天使用苇子量那城，共有四千里，长、宽、高都是一样；又量了城墙，按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四肘。』(启示录 21:10-17) 我们看到这城是立方体的，是人手不能做的！而且『我未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。那城内又不用日月光照，因有神的荣耀光照，又有羔羊为城的灯。』(启示录 21:22-23) 虽然圣经没有明说，那立方体的城本身就应该是至圣所，因是和主神全能者和羔羊同在的地方，这怎么会还要有殿呢？    

    最近才知道有人看到这点，『…城是精金的，如同明净的玻璃。』(启示录 21:18) 那不用日月光照的城，也给在城外的人些许光照，那些在城外的人只是能看到些许光照，却不能进城。这是圣经明说的，有人『…可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城。城外有那些犬类、行邪术的、淫乱的、杀人的、拜偶像的，并一切喜好说谎言编造虚谎的。』(启示录 22:14-15) 这不像在圣经明说的第二次的死，『惟有胆怯的、不信的、可憎的、杀人的、淫乱的、行邪术的、拜偶像的和一切说谎话的，他们的分就在烧著硫磺的火湖里，这是第二次的死。』(启示录 21:8) 其中包括了那不信的，明说了那不信的都已在硫磺的火湖里。在启示录 22:15 没有包括那不信的，神是不会光照不信的人的，那些在城外的人是撒但成功的案例，因彼得说得很清楚，『…你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 如果撒但每次都知道会注定失败，彼得就不会这样说，『务要谨守、警醒…』(彼得前书 5:8) 另外，即使从人的看法，神在那时是不可能光照不信的人的，所以城外的是有这样的曾经信过的基督徒。虽然这样的看法和一些人的想法不一样，圣经的确是这样说，重要的是，我们要做那能进城的基督徒。

(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』。) 

       聖經上提到了三個聖殿，就是所羅門建造的聖殿稱為第一聖殿，第二聖殿是指回歸時所羅巴伯立下根基而重建的聖殿，後為大希律所擴建，又有以西結預言而尚未建立的聖殿，最後是在新天新地中『…聖城新耶路撒冷由神那裏從天而降，…』(啓示錄 21:1-2) 『…未見城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。』(啓示錄 21:22)  在這裏，我們首先談到了第二聖殿被摧毀的預言，在其中我們簡單的介紹了前二個聖殿的歷史，然後我們將大部份時間用來討論以西結書中預言的未來聖殿。我們看到聖經中的預言沒有不應驗的，所以以西結的聖殿一定會被建造的，這是為什麼他連尺寸的大小都是這麼詳細的說明。因為非常困難在大綱中說清楚聖經是怎麼說的，所以我們不在大綱中簡介了，請直接到第二部份看看詳情。

1. 預言聖殿的被毀和聖殿簡史

                『有人談論聖殿是用美石和供物妝飾的，耶穌就說：「論到你們所看見的這一切，將來日子到了，在這裏沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了。」』(路加福音 21:5-6)

           這裏所說的是第二聖殿被摧毀的預言，我們以前在「2067 窄門，耶路撒冷，醫治水臌的人，和自高的  -耶穌(20)」中討論過，在那裏，我們提到了這預言在歷史中是如何成就的，這裏就不多說了。我們現在就順便簡談一下聖殿的歷史。

             第一聖殿為所羅門所建，地點很清楚，『所羅門就在耶路撒冷、耶和華向他父大衞顯現的摩利亞山上，就是耶布斯人阿珥楠的禾場上、大衞所指定的地方預備好了，開工建造耶和華的殿。』(歷代志下 3:1) 。『大衞(指示所羅門)說：「這一切工作的樣式，都是耶和華用手劃出來使我明白的。」』(歷代志上 28:19) 開工的時間也清楚的記載，就是『所羅門作王第四年二月初二日開工建造。』(歷代志下 3:2) 也就是『所羅門在位第四年西弗月，立了耶和華殿的根基。』(列王紀上 6:37) 『到十一年布勒月，就是八月，殿和一切屬殿的都按着樣式造成。他建殿的工夫共有七年。』(列王紀上 6:38) 這殿宇是金碧輝煌，就如所羅門所說，『我所要建造的殿宇甚大，因為我們的神至大，超乎諸神。』(歷代志下 2:5)

                 這第一聖殿的被毀是在『西底家…在耶路撒冷作王十一年』時 (歷代志下 36:11)，那時『迦勒底人焚燒神的殿，拆毀耶路撒冷的城牆，用火燒了城裏的宮殿，毀壞了城裏寶貴的器皿。』(歷代志下 36:19) 第一聖殿獻殿時曾將約櫃抬入，其過程在歷代志下 5:2-7:10 中有詳細的記載。所以那時約櫃還在的，聖經沒有講約櫃是什麼時候失踪的，最後一次是提到在天上的約櫃，『當時，神天上的殿開了，在他殿中現出他的約櫃，隨後有閃電、聲音、雷轟、地震、大雹。』(啓示錄 11:19) 請注意，那時『因耶和華的榮光充滿了耶和華殿，所以祭司不能進殿。』(歷代志下 7:2) 在所羅門的聖殿獻殿時是有耶和華的榮光的。這和當初摩西建造會幕完工時相似，『當時，雲彩遮蓋會幕，耶和華的榮光就充滿了帳幕。摩西不能進會幕，因為雲彩停在其上，並且耶和華的榮光充滿了帳幕。』(出埃及記 40:34-35) 以西結預言的聖殿中，也是如此，『…我觀看，見耶和華的榮光充滿耶和華的殿，我就俯伏在地。』(以西結書 44:4) 這些都明顯的看見了耶和華的同在。但重建為第二聖殿時，就沒有見到如此。

                第二聖殿是指在波斯王塞魯士元年歸回的時候重建的所羅門的聖殿，是先在原有的根基上築壇，然後所羅巴伯才將耶和華殿的根基立定。(參以斯拉記 3:1-11) 這時殿的根基大概已不太相同，因『…有許多祭司、利未人、族長，就是見過舊殿的老年人，現在親眼看見立這殿的根基，便大聲哭號，也有許多人大聲歡呼。』(以斯拉記 3:12) 大聲歡呼是因為聖殿要重建了。直到『大利烏王第六年，亞達月初三日，這殿修成了。』(以斯拉記 6:15) 殿建了這麼久，因為曾被強迫停止過，雖然聖經沒有明說停止的過程，但提到了『在亞哈隨魯才登基的時候，上本控告猶大和耶路撒冷的居民。』(以斯拉記 4:6) 『於是，在耶路撒冷神殿的工程就停止了，直停到波斯王大利烏第二年。』(以斯拉記 4:24) 最後是『那時，撒拉鐵的兒子所羅巴伯和約撒答的兒子大祭司約書亞，並剩下的百姓，都聽從耶和華他們神的話，和先知哈該奉耶和華他們神差來所說的話；百姓也在耶和華面前存敬畏的心。…耶和華激動猶大省長撒拉鐵的兒子所羅巴伯和約撒答的兒子大祭司約書亞，並剩下之百姓的心，他們就來為萬軍之耶和華他們神的殿做工。這是在大利烏王第二年六月二十四日。』(哈該書 1:12-15) 雖然聖經沒有明講殿的建造被停止的過程，但在以斯拉記 4:7-23，插了一段關於建城時被『…用勢力強迫他們停工』(以斯拉記 23) 的類似情況，有興趣的人請看那一段的歷史。

    那時，『以色列的祭司和利未人並其餘被擄歸回的人，都歡歡喜喜地行奉獻神殿的禮。』(以斯拉記 6:16) 請注意，這時的第二聖殿並沒有記載有耶和華的榮光顯現。然後是大希律修理並擴充了聖殿，就如經文所說，『…這殿是四十六年才造成的，你三日內就再建立起來嗎？』(約翰福音 2:20) 『但耶穌這話，是以他的身體為殿。所以到他從死裏復活以後，門徒就想起他說過這話，便信了聖經和耶穌所說的。』(約翰福音 2:21-22) 門徒跟隨祂三年多，但要到真正看到祂復活後才真正相信祂說的話，信是一件很不容易的事情。在這裏我們也看到了基督徒是要回想的，才可以明白聖靈當時為什麼會這麼做。即使不明瞭也要順服，要知道聖靈如此做，本是為我們的益處。『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。雨雪從天而降，並不返回，卻滋潤地土，使地上發芽結實，使撒種的有種，使要吃的有糧。』(以賽亞書 55:8-10) 

    最後就是歷史告訴我們，在主後約七十年，羅馬人將這第二聖殿如這預言所說的摧毀了 !  又有以西結預言而尚未建立的聖殿，在新天新地中『…聖城新耶路撒冷由神那裏從天而降，…』(啓示錄 21:1-2) 我們等會看到，以西結的聖殿雖大，仍可被人手建造，而新城耶路撒冷是不可能被人手所建造的，那時是 『…未見城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。』(啓示錄 21:22)  在會幕和所羅門的聖殿的至聖所都有約櫃代表了耶和華的同在，在新城裏，『…有神和羔羊的寶座，他的僕人都要事奉他，也要見他的面。…』(啓示錄 22:3-4) 祂們已經同在，這樣我們怎麼還需要殿呢？

2. 以西結預言的聖殿

             以西結預言而尚未建立的聖殿是以色列人建的，也是為以色列人建的。如果我們真正相信聖經是神所默示的，不把聖經的話打折扣，就可以看到這點，下面我們就慢慢的說明我們會為什麼這樣說。先是經文說，『那人對我說：「人子啊，凡我所指示你的，你都要用眼看，用耳聽，並要放在心上。我帶你到這裏來，特為要指示你；凡你所見的，你都要告訴以色列家。」』(以西結書 40:4) 如果我們不把聖經的話打折扣，聖經是明說了要以西結告訴以色列家。有人就說，新約時代的所有基督徒就是以色列家，聖經從沒有這樣說過也沒看到那些經節有這概念，只能說這是用人的看法去強解聖經啊！我們就看看聖經到底怎麼說。

    以西結書又說，『人子啊，你要將這殿指示以色列家，使他們因自己的罪孽慚愧，也要他們量殿的尺寸。』(以西結書 43:10) 接著又說，『他們若因自己所行的一切事慚愧，你就將殿的規模、樣式、出入之處和一切形狀、典章、禮儀、法則指示他們，在他們眼前寫上，使他們遵照殿的一切規模典章去做。』 (以西結書 43:11) 是他們慚愧在先，而不是看著尺寸等因而慚愧！這就像約伯一樣，要他先悔改，並為他的朋友們禱告，然後耶和華讓他在苦境中轉回，本末不要倒置啊！(參約伯記 42:1-10) 那麼為什麼會這麼詳細呢？因為終是要建造的，聖經上的預言沒有最終不成就的，相信有關以西結聖殿的預言也會是如此，神是信實的。

    照神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的看來，這情況是和摩西建會幕時相同的，耶和華那時曉諭摩西是多麼的詳細啊！祂且說得很清楚，要謹慎做這些物件，因為多次說，『…都要照着在山上指示你的樣式。』(出埃及記 25:40) 天上有實體，地上的是影子，影子要反應出實體，必須如此。如不詳細的說明，怎麼能如此建呢？再說到『以色列神的榮光從東而來。他的聲音如同多水的聲音，地就因他的榮耀發光。』(以西結書 43:2) 這神是指耶和華，因經文說得很清楚，『…從此以後，這城的名字，必稱為『耶和華(H3068)的所在(H4725)』。』(以西結書 48:35) 請注意，耶和華所在是兩個字，在和合本中的以西結書 3:12 是說，『那時，靈將我舉起，我就聽見在我身後有震動轟轟的聲音說：「從耶和華的所在(H4725)顯出來的榮耀是該稱頌的！」』彙編(Strong’s Concordance) 用的是一個字，這個字的確意謂著耶和華的所在。確定這一點，我們看了另一原文版本，在另一原文版本是用「那裏(H8033)耶和華(H3068)」，這是一致的說是耶和華，而不是說三位一體的神。為什麼這點這麼重要的，因為猶太教只信耶和華不信三位一體的神，所以我們會說這預言中的聖殿是為信猶太教的以色列人所建。

            以西結書也說到分地，我們看到殿是在所分的地的其中，因為經文說，『你們拈鬮分地為業，要獻上一分給耶和華為聖供地，長二萬五千肘，寬一萬肘。這分以內，四圍都為聖地。…要以肘為度量地，長二萬五千肘，寬一萬肘。其中有聖所，是至聖的。』(以西結書 45:1-3) 我們再看殿四圍的地也是為以色列分的，共有十三份，其中包括了但支派，瑪拿西支派，以法蓮支派，和其餘的十支派，是整個以色列的支派都有份 (參以西結書 48:1-34) 另外，這殿是有至聖所的，就如經文所說，『他量內殿，長二十肘，寬二十肘。他對我說：「這是至聖所。」』(以西結書 41:4) 從聖經的一致性來看，這應該是和所羅門聖殿中的至聖所一樣的大小。關於所羅門的聖殿，『內殿，就是至聖所，長二十肘，從地到棚頂，用香柏木板遮蔽。內殿長二十肘，寬二十肘，高二十肘，牆面都貼上精金。又用香柏木做壇，包上精金。』(列王紀上 6:20) 也請注意，至聖所是立方體的。

       再看會幕的大小是長三十肘，寬十肘，高十肘(參出埃及記 26:15-22)，雖聖經只說，『要使幔子垂在鈎子下，把法櫃抬進幔子內，這幔子要將聖所和至聖所隔開。』(出埃及記 26:33) 雖然這裏並沒有說到至聖所的大小，但寬和高已定，只有長沒有說，從聖經的一致性來說，會幕的至聖所也應為立方體，也就是長十肘，寬十肘，高十肘，為所羅門聖殿的至聖所的各量度減半。這樣分為至聖所和聖所即使從人的角度看也是非常合理的，我們就來看看其中的器具。『…把施恩座安在至聖所內的法櫃上。把桌子安在幔子外帳幕的北面，把燈台安在帳幕的南面，彼此相對。』(出埃及記 26:34-35) 除此之外，『要把(金香)壇放在法櫃前的幔子外，對着法櫃上的施恩座，就是我要與你相會的地方。』(出埃及記 30:6) 所以聖所的器具是比至聖所多一些的，應該佔據較大的地方。

    如果我們大約參照以西結書 40-42，其中說，『我見殿四圍有牆，那人手拿量度的竿，長六肘，每肘是一肘零一掌。他用竿量牆，厚一竿，高一竿。』(以西結書 40:5) 基本上都是以竿為單位的。我們看到了聖殿的尺寸雖然大，仍可以被人建立的。因為猶太教並不相信耶穌是神，只相信耶和華，所以這殿是耶和華的所在，為猶太教的以色列人所建立的。這時以色列的外邦人會如『主耶和華…說：以色列中的外邦人，就是身心未受割禮的，都不可入我的聖地。』(以西結書 44:9) 難怪這聖殿中會有如猶太教般的獻祭，就如經文所說，『他對我說：「人子啊，主耶和華如此說：建造祭壇，為要在其上獻燔祭灑血，…』(以西結書 43:18) 這是很合理的，因那時的以西結看到是猶太教。反過來看，新約時沒有獻祭，而這尚未建造的聖殿中有獻祭，從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來講，就知道這以色列民不是指新約時代的基督徒，而真正地在講猶太教的以色列人。

       至於殿的地點，我們看到『在神的異象中帶我(以西結)到以色列地，安置在至高的山上；在山上的南邊有彷彿一座城建立。…那人對我說：「人子啊，凡我所指示你的，你都要用眼看，用耳聽，並要放在心上。我帶你到這裏來，特為要指示你；凡你所見的，你都要告訴以色列家。」』(以西結書 40:2-4) 這裏是明講了要告訴以色列家。從聖經的一致性，我們知道以西結的聖殿是建在摩利亞山上，順便一提，『殿的法則乃是如此：殿在山頂上，四圍的全界要稱為至聖。這就是殿的法則。』(以西結書 43:12) 有人照聖經所寫的估計以西結聖殿的大小，發覺這樣的聖殿不可能建在現有的摩利亞山頂，因此結論說這不是實際建造的，只能用靈意解經。但要知道以西結的聖殿是在未來才被建造，不能用現在的看見限制住了自己，而忘了神的大能。我們今天就先不看屬靈的意義，只看聖經怎麼說到未來會發生的事情。

       我們首先看這些經文，『他帶我回到殿門，見殿的門檻下有水往東流出（原來殿面朝東）。這水從檻下，由殿的右邊，在祭壇的南邊往下流。…又量了一千肘，水便成了河，使我不能蹚過；因為水勢漲起，成為可洑的水，不可蹚的河。』(以西結書 47:1-5) 現在摩利亞山上是沒有河的，而那殿被建造的時候卻是有的，這就說明了未來的地形有改變的事情。我們再看這節經文，『末後的日子，耶和華殿的山必堅立，超乎諸山，高舉過於萬嶺，萬民都要流歸這山。』(以賽亞書 2:2) 照網上的資料，現在摩利亞山約 744 公尺，而橄欖山高為 811 公尺，那時耶和華殿的山超乎諸山，顯然未來有地形變化的事情。

       聖經在這點上說得很清楚，『那日，他的腳必站在耶路撒冷前面朝東的橄欖山上。這山必從中間分裂，自東至西，成為極大的谷。山的一半向北挪移，一半向南挪移。…那日，必有活水從耶路撒冷出來，一半往東海流，一半往西海流。冬夏都是如此。』(撒迦利亞書 14:4-8) 有低下的地方就會有高起來的地方，那時摩利亞山是超乎諸山，顯然是要高起來並且山頂變大，能夠建造以西結的聖殿。因殿是在北邊而城在南邊，且中間隔著利未區(參以西結書 45:1-5, 48:15)。按照詩篇，那時『神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助！…有一道河，這河的分汊，使神的城歡喜；這城就是至高者居住的聖所。』(詩篇 46:1-4) 在伊甸園是有河的 (參創世記 2:10-14)，那時這裏也有了河，這河是由殿流到城後而分汊。

        至於什麼時候會建造這尚未建立的聖殿呢？我們首先看到在啓示錄中第六印已打開，而在第七印要打開之前發生的事情：『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。』(啓示錄 7:1-4) 這受印的人當中沒有但支派的人。(參啓示錄 7:5-8) 而以西結書所講的聖殿及其分地包括了但支派，因此講的是兩件事情。以西結所講尚未建立的聖殿應建造在耶穌再來發生地形變化的時候之後，『但主的日子要像賊來到一樣。…』(彼得後書 3:10) 因此我們只能從聖經的話語中得到一個很大的未知區間，而不能夠知道確實的時間。不過，因為這是和新天新地所發生的是兩件事情，這也再一次確定了那聖殿是如以前所說，是以色列的猶太教所建造的，是猶太教未來要發生的事情。

             最後我們來看一下啓示錄在新天新地時的新耶路撒冷，『我被聖靈感動，天使就帶我到一座高大的山，將那由神那裏從天而降的聖城耶路撒冷指示我。…對我說話的，拿着金葦子當尺，要量那城和城門、城牆。城是四方的，長寬一樣。天使用葦子量那城，共有四千里，長、寬、高都是一樣；又量了城牆，按着人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四肘。』(啓示錄 21:10-17) 我們看到這城是立方體的，是人手不能做的！而且『我未見城內有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊為城的殿。那城內又不用日月光照，因有神的榮耀光照，又有羔羊為城的燈。』(啓示錄 21:22-23) 雖然聖經沒有明說，那立方體的城本身就應該是至聖所，因是和主神全能者和羔羊同在的地方，這怎麼會還要有殿呢？

    最近才知道有人看到這點，『…城是精金的，如同明淨的玻璃。』(啓示錄 21:18) 那不用日月光照的城，也給在城外的人些許光照，那些在城外的人只是能看到些許光照，卻不能進城。這是聖經明說的，有人『…可得權柄能到生命樹那裏，也能從門進城。城外有那些犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，並一切喜好說謊言編造虛謊的。』(啓示錄 22:14-15) 這不像在聖經明說的第二次的死，『惟有膽怯的、不信的、可憎的、殺人的、淫亂的、行邪術的、拜偶像的和一切說謊話的，他們的分就在燒着硫磺的火湖裏，這是第二次的死。』(啓示錄 21:8) 其中包括了那不信的，明說了那不信的都已在硫磺的火湖裏。在啓示錄 22:15 沒有包括那不信的，神是不會光照不信的人的，那些在城外的人是撒但成功的案例，因彼得說得很清楚，『…你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 如果撒但每次都知道會注定失敗，彼得就不會這樣說，『務要謹守、警醒…』(彼得前書 5:8) 另外，即使從人的看法，神在那時是不可能光照不信的人的，所以城外的是有這樣的曾經信過的基督徒。雖然這樣的看法和一些人的想法不一樣，聖經的確是這樣說，重要的是，我們要做那能進城的基督徒。

(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』。)

The Bible mentions three temples. The temple built by Solomon is called the First Temple. The Second Temple refers to the temple that Zerubbabel laid the foundation and rebuilt when returned. It was later expanded by Herod the Great, and there is the temple that Ezekiel prophesied but has not yet been built, and finally in the new heaven and new earth, “…the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, …” (Revelation 21:1-2) “…no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”(Revelation 21:22) Here, we first talk about the prophecy of the destruction of the Second Temple, in which we briefly introduced the history of the first two temples, and then we spent most of the time discussing Ezekiel’s future temple prophesied in the book of Ezekiel.  We see that all the prophecies in the Bible are fulfilled, so Ezekiel’s temple will definitely be built. This is why he even explained its construction in such detail.  Because it is very difficult to explain clearly what the Bible says in the outline, we will not introduce it in the outline. Please go directly to Part 2 for details.

1. Prophecy of the destruction of the Temple and brief history of the Temple

“And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.””(Luke 21:5-6)

What is being spoken of here is the prophecy of the destruction of the Second Temple, which we have previously discussed in “1067 Narrow Gate, Jerusalem, Healing Dropsy, and Self Exalted – Jesus (20),” where we mentioned how this prophecy was fulfilled in history, and I won’t go into detail here.  Let us now briefly discuss the history of the Temple.​

The first temple was built by Solomon, and the location is clear: “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.”(2 Chronicles 3:1). ““All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the details of this pattern.””(1 Chronicles 28:19) The time when the work began is also clearly recorded, “He began to build on the second day in the second month of the fourth year of his reign.” (2 Chronicles 3:2) That is, “In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv.”(1 Kings 6:37) It was finished as the scripture says, “In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished throughout all its parts and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.”(1 Kings 6:38) This temple is splendid, just as Solomon said, “The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods.”(2 Chronicles 2:5)​

The destruction of this first temple occurred when “Zedekiah …reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.”(2 Chronicles 36:11) The Chaldeans “burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.”(2 Chronicles 36:19) The Ark of the Covenant was brought in when the First Temple was dedicated, and the process is recorded in detail in 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:10.  So the Ark of the Covenant was still there at that time. The Bible does not tell when the Ark of the Covenant disappeared. The last time it mentioned the Ark of the Covenant is in heaven, “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.”(Revelation 11:19) Please note that at that time, “The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’S house.”(2 Chronicles 7:2) Therefore, there was the glory of the Lord when Solomon’s temple was dedicated.  This is similar to the situation when Moses finished building the tabernacle, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”(Exodus 40:34-35) The same was true in the temple prophesied by Ezekiel, “…I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD, and I fell on my face.”(Ezekiel 44:4) These all clearly saw the presence of the Lord.  But when it was rebuilt as the Second Temple, the glory of the LORD was not seen.

The Second Temple refers to the Temple of Solomon that was rebuilt when King Cyrus of Persia was in the first year of his reign. The altar was first built on the original foundation, and then Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord.  (See Ezra 3:1-11) The foundation of the temple at this time was probably not the same, because “Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy.”(Ezra 3:12) The reason for shouting loudly for joy is that the temple will be rebuilt.

Much later, “This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.”(Ezra 6:15) The construction of the temple took so long because it was forced to stop. Although the Bible does not clearly explain the process of stopping, it does mention that “Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.”(Ezra 4:6) “Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.”(Ezra 4:24) So finally, “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the LORD. …So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.”(Haggai 1:12-15) Although the Bible does not explicitly mention the process of stopping the construction of the temple, in Ezra 4:7-23, a paragraph is inserted about the construction of the city when “…they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms.”(Ezra 23). If you are interested in this, please read that period of history.

At that time, “…the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.”(Ezra 6:16) Please note that there is no record of the glory of Jehovah appearing in the Second Temple at this time.  Then Herod the Great repaired and expanded the temple, as the scripture says, “…It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”(John 2:20) “But He (Jesus) was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.”(John 2:21-22) The disciples followed Him for more than three years, but they did not truly believe what He said until they actually saw His resurrection. Having faith is not easy. 

Here we also see that Christians need to think back before they can understand why the Holy Spirit did what they did.  We must obey even if we don’t understand. We must know that the Holy Spirit does this for our benefit. ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”(Isaiah 55:8-10)

Finally, history tells us that in about 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the second temple as predicted by this prophecy! There is also a temple that Ezekiel prophesied but has not yet built. Eventually, in the new heaven and new earth, “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, …”(Revelation 21:1-2) We will see later that although Ezekiel’s temple was large, it could still be built with human hands, but the new city Jerusalem cannot be built with human hands. At that time, “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”(Revelation 21:22) In the tabernacle of the meeting and in the Holy of Holies of Solomon’s temple, there was the ark of the covenant, which represented the presence of the Lord. In the new city, “…the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, …”(Revelation 22:3-4) They are already with us, so why do we still need a temple?

2. The temple prophesied by Ezekiel

The temple that Ezekiel prophesied but had not yet built was built by the Israelites and for the Israelites.  If we truly believe that the Bible is inspired by God and do not discount its words, we can see this. Below we will slowly explain why we say this.  First, the scripture says, “The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.””(Ezekiel 40:4) If we do not discount the words of the Bible, the Bible clearly says that Ezekiel should tell it to the house of Israel.  Some people say that all Christians in the New Testament era are the house of Israel. The Bible has never said this and has not seen this concept in verses. We can only say that this is a forced interpretation of the Bible using human opinions!  Let’s see what the Bible actually says.

Ezekiel also says, ““As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the plan.”(Ezekiel 43:10) Then he said, “As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the plan.”(Ezekiel 43:11) They were ashamed first, not because they looked at the size and so on!  This is like Job. He was repented first and prayed for his friends, and then Jehovah allowed him to turn around in his plight. Don’t put the cart before the horse!  (See Job 42:1-10) So why is it so detailed?  Because it will eventually be built. All prophecies in the Bible will eventually come true. The prophecy about Ezekiel’s temple will be the same, since God is faithful. ​

According to what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, this situation should be the same as the time when Moses built the tabernacle. How detailed the instructions that the   Lord told Moses were at that time!  He also made it very clear that these items should be made carefully, for He said many times, “…you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.”(Exodus 25:40) There is the reality in heaven, and the shadow of it on the earth. The shadow must reflect reality, and this must be the case.  How could it be built like this without detailed explanation? 

Again, “and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”(Ezekiel 43:2) This God refers to Jehovah, because the scriptures make it clear, “…and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The LORD (H3068) is there (H4725).’” (Ezekiel 48:35) Please note that the word in Ezekiel 3:12, “…Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place (H4725).” Strong’s Concordance uses one word, and this word does mean the place of the Lord.  To confirm this, we looked at another original text version. In the other original text version, “there (H8033) the Lord (H3068)” is used, which is consistent with saying that it is Jehovah, not the Trinity God.  Why is this so important? Because Judaism only believes in Jehovah and not the Trinity, so we would say that the temple in this prophecy was built for the Israelites who believed in Judaism.

The book of Ezekiel also talks about the allotment of land. We see that the temple is in the allotment of land, because the scripture says, “And when you divide by lot the land for inheritance, you shall offer an allotment to the LORD, a holy portion of the land; …From this area you shall measure a length of 25,000 cubits and a width of 10,000 cubits; and in it shall be the sanctuary, the most holy place.”(Ezekiel 45:1-3) Let’s look at the land around the temple that was also divided for Israel. There were thirteen portions in total, including the tribe of Dan, the tribe of Manasseh, the tribe of Ephraim, and the remaining ten tribes. All the tribes of Israel have a share (see Ezekiel 48:1-34) In addition, this temple has the Holy of Holies, as the scripture says, “He measured its length, twenty cubits, and the width, twenty cubits, before the nave; and he said to me, “This is the most holy place.””(Ezekiel 41:4) From the consistency of the Bible, this should be the same proportion as the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple.  Concerning Solomon’s temple, “The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in height, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid the altar with cedar.”(1 Kings 6:20) Please also note that the Holy of Holies was cube-shaped.

Looking at the size of the tabernacle, it is thirty cubits long, ten cubits wide, and ten cubits high (see Exodus 26:15-22). Although the Bible only says, “You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies.”(Exodus 26:33) Although the size of the Holy of Holies is not mentioned here, the width and height have been determined, and only the length is not mentioned. From the consistency of the Bible, the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle should also be the cube, that is, ten cubits long, ten cubits wide, and ten cubits high, which was half the measure of the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple.  This division into the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place is very reasonable even from a human perspective. Let’s take a look at the utensils in it. “You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the holy of holies. You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.”(Exodus 26:34-35) In addition, “You shall put this altar (of gold incense) in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.”(Exodus 30:6) Therefore, the Holy Place has more utensils than the Holy of Holies and should occupy a larger space.

If we refer roughly to Ezekiel 40-42 which tells the size of the temple, it says in Ezekiel 40:5, “And behold, there was a wall on the outside of the temple all around, and in the man’s hand was a measuring rod of six cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one rod; and the height, one rod.” So the basic unit is rod.  We saw that despite the size of the temple, it could still be built.  Because Judaism does not believe that Jesus is God, but only believes in Jehovah, this temple is where Jehovah is and was built for the Jewish Israelites.  At this time, the Gentiles in Israel will be like, “Thus says the Lord GOD, “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 44:9) No wonder there are Jewish-like sacrifices in this temple, as the scripture says, “And He said to me, “Son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is built, to offer burnt offerings on it and to sprinkle blood on it.”(Ezekiel 43:18) This is very reasonable, because Ezekiel at that time saw only Judaism. On the other hand, there were no sacrifices anymore in the New Covenant, but there are sacrifices in the temple. From the fact that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, we know that the people of Israel does not refer to the Christians of the New Testament era, but truly refers to the Israelites in Judaism.

As for the location of the temple, we see that “In the visions of God He brought me (Ezekiel) into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, and on it to the south there was a structure like a city. …The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.””(Ezekiel 40:2-4) First, here it is clearly stated that you will tell it to the house of Israel.  Second, from the consistency of Scripture, we know that Ezekiel’s temple was built on Mount Moriah, and by the way, “This is the law of the house: its entire area on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.”(Ezekiel 43:12)

Some people estimated the size of Ezekiel’s temple based on what is written in the Bible and found that such a temple could not be built on the existing Mount Moriah. Therefore, they concluded that it was not actually built but could only interpret the Bible spiritually.  But you must know that Ezekiel’s temple will be built in the future. You cannot limit yourself with what you see now and forget the power of God.  Let’s not look at the spiritual meaning today, but just look at what the Bible says about what will happen in the future. ​

Let’s first look at these verses, “Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. …Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.”(Ezekiel 47:1-5) There is no river on Mount Moriah now, but there will be one when the temple is built. This shows that the terrain will change in the future.  Let’s now look at this verse, “Now it will come about that In the last daysThe mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it.”(Isaiah 2:2) According to the information on the Internet, Mount Moriah is now about 744 meters high, while the Mount of Olives is 811 meters high. At that time, the mountain of the Temple of the Lord was higher than the other mountains. Obviously, there will be changes in the terrain in the future.

The Bible is very clear on this point, “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. …And in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter.”(Zechariah 14:4-8) Wherever there is a low place, there will be a high place in that large earthquake. At that time, Mount Moriah will be higher than all the mountains. It is obviously going to be high and the top of the mountain will become bigger, so that it will be large enough to build the temple Ezekiel prophesied.  Note that the temple is on the north and the city is on the south, with the Levitical district separated in between (see Ezekiel 45:1-5, 48:15).  According to the Psalms, then “…God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. …There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.”(Psalm 46:1-4) There was a river in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 2:10-14). There was also a river here at that time whose streams make glad the city of God. Thus, the river flowed from the temple to the back of the city and branched.

As for when this yet-to-be-built temple will be built?  We first see in Revelation regarding what happened before the sixth seal was opened and before the seventh seal was opened: “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.”(Revelation 7:1-4) Among those who were sealed, there was no one from the tribe of Dan.  (See Revelation 7:5-8) The temple and its portions mentioned in Ezekiel include the tribe of Dan, so they are talking about two different things.  The unbuilt temple that Ezekiel spoke of should be built after the changes in the terrain when Jesus returns, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, …”(2 Peter 3:10) Therefore, we can only get a large unknown interval from the words of the Bible, and we cannot know the exact time.  However, because this is two different things from what will happen in the new heaven and new earth, this once again confirms that the temple was built by Judaism in Israel as mentioned before, and it is something that will happen to Judaism in the future.

Finally, let’s look at the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth in the Book of Revelation, “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. …The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.”(Revelation 21:10-17) We see that this city is cube-shaped and cannot be built by human hands!  And “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:22-23) Although the Bible does not say it clearly, the cube-shaped city itself should be the Holy of Holies, because it is the place where the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are present. There is no reason to have a temple.

 ​

I recently learned that someone saw this, “…the city was pure gold, like clear glass.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​(Revelation 21:18) The city that does not shine with the sun or moon also gives some light to those outside the city. In other words, those outside the city can only see some light, but cannot enter the city.  This is clearly stated in the Bible. Some people “…may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”(Revelation 22:14-15) This is not like the second death, which is clearly stated in the Bible, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”(Revelation 21:8) This includes those who do not believe, and it is clearly stated that those who do not believe are in the lake of fire and brimstone.  In Revelation 22:15, it does not include those who do not believe. God will not enlighten the unbelievers. Those outside the city are examples of Satan’s success because Peter made it very clear, “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) If Satan had known that he was doomed to fail every time, Peter would not have said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. …”(1 Peter 5:8) In addition, even if you follow the viewpoint of men, it is impossible for God to enlighten unbelievers at that time, so there were such Christians outside the city who had once believed.  Although this viewpoint is different from what some people think, the Bible does say this. The important thing is that we should be like those Christians who can enter the city.

 ​

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

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

    我们多年前在 8月30日2020年时，就谈到了撒但的一些本质，就是从约伯记一开始就可看到，只要神容许，牠就会坏到无所不用其极。虽然圣经没有明说神的空间是什么，但在那里，我们可以看到牠能到神一样的空间里，但牠是受造物，时间只能往前，而神是可以控制时间，在时间中行走的。也看到了撒但能行一些超自然的事，包括一些物质界和灵界的事情，但牠的所行的绝不能越过神所允许的一步。牠能如天气预报的预测，绝对不能预知未来，所以当我们遇见超自然的事而难以分辩的时候，如果有预知介入，就知道一定是神的作为。我们一定要以圣经的话语作为绝对的标准来分辩，所以正确的了解圣经中神的旨意，不强解圣经，是非常重要的。详情请看油管(YouTube)上的「200830 撒但的一些本质」。          

    在这短文中，我们首先将神的一些特质和撒但的作为对比，就是神是无所不在的，全知的，和全能的，也提到为什么经文说撒但不是这样。第二我们看到试探的本质，就是撒但用尽手段的想要我们在神面前跌倒。我们简略的讨论了耶稣在受洗后所受的试探，只是祂没有犯罪。又把约伯受的试探作为另一个例子，说明了我们为什么说，撒但在他身上用了所有可能的的试探。也看到了在受试探的时候，总会给我们开一条出路，叫我们能忍受得住。第三，  有人说祷告是要了解神的旨意，一但清楚的了解神的旨意后，就要完全照著神的旨意做。我们举圣经的例子说明不完全是这样的，祂渴望人代求，只要是不损害祂的根基的事，祂是有可能改变主意的，因为祂所用的是回授策略。所以祷告的目的是要用圣经作为绝对的标准来分辩，确定神的旨意，也要看看是否是属于神可能会改变主意的事。如果是，要代求。如果不是，即使是和自己所想的不同，也要顺服。

1. 神和撒但的一些特质          

    我们从三方面来看看一些神的所是，和撒但不是什么。第一，神是无所不在的，而撒但不能这样。虽然圣经没有明说神是无所不在的，但说了『因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。』(马太福音 18:20) 如果三位一体神不是无所不在的，焉能如此？          

    撒但是被造物，牠不能像神一样的无所不在，事实上，祂会有固定的住所。我们不知道牠现在住在何处，但圣经明说了，『你要写信给别迦摩教会的使者说︰『那有两刃利剑的说：我知道你的居所，就是有撒但座位之处。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们中间、撒但所住的地方被杀之时，你还坚守我的名，没有弃绝我的道。』』(启示录 2:12-13) 所以我们知道那时牠是住在别迦摩的。我们也从这些经文中看到跟随耶稣是要付代价的，有时甚至要付出生命的代价。          

    第二，神是全知的，而撒但不是。也是和现前一样，圣经没有明说神是全知的，但绝对有这概念。举个例子来说，耶稣基督是三位一体中的一位，当祂在道成肉身治疗一个瘫子时，『有人用褥子抬著一个瘫子到耶稣跟前来。耶稣见他们的信心，就对瘫子说：「小子，放心吧！你的罪赦了。」有几个文士心里说：「这个人说僭妄的话了。」耶稣知道他们的心意，就说：「你们为甚么心里怀著恶念呢？」』(马太福音 9:2-4) 这不就是说祂是全知的吗？当然还有其他的例子，如『耶稣看见拿但业来，就指著他说：「看哪，这是个真以色列人，他心里是没有诡诈的。」拿但业对耶稣说：「你从哪里知道我呢？」 耶稣回答说：「腓力还没有招呼你，你在无花果树底下，我就看见你了。」』(约翰福音 1:47-48) 其他的例子我们就不多说了。          

    我们已经说过撒但是不能预知的，也就说明了牠不是全知的。我们现在从另外一个角度来说明这点，圣经在旧约中说，『有一天，神的众子来侍立在耶和华面前，撒但也来在其中。耶和华问撒但说：「你从哪里来？」 撒但回答说：「我从地上走来走去，往返而来。」』(约伯记 1:6-7) 的确，撒但是可以到神的空间的。圣经在新约中也说，『务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前书 5:8) 如果撒但是全知的，祂需要走来走去，遍地游行吗？在这里又可看到圣经的一致性，就是神借著圣经告诉我们的是一致的，而不是文字上的。文字上会有明显的矛盾，这时我们该问的是、神借著这看起来好像是明显的矛盾，到底要告诉我们那一致的事情在那里！          

    第三，神是神是全能的，而撒但不是。撒但所行，不能越过神所许可的一步，祂怎么会是全能的呢？圣经直接说神是全能的神，譬如在这经文，『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，你当在我面前作完全人。』(创世记 17:1)          

    在这里我们需要定义全能一下，因为许多人认为全能就是无所不能，不是这样的！以说谎为例，我们知道，『…魔鬼(撒但)…从起初是杀人的，不守真理，因他心里没有真理；他说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。』(约翰福音 8:44) 所以谎言是从撒但(父)而来的，不是神所创造的。神是信实的，祂不能说谎，因谎言不在祂里面，要祂怎能说谎呢？可见祂不是无所不能的。那么全能究竟是什么呢？有一些对我们不存在的事情对祂是存在的，以行神迹为例，祂有绝对的主权，可以在祂认为需要时行神迹，而我们不能这样，最多是行神迹的一个管道，源头仍在于祂。譬如圣经记载保罗能作行神迹，只是因为他是一个管道，而源头在于三位一体的神。我们看到这，是因为后面第三段「祷告的真谛和目的」中我们会提到，保罗不能行神迹让他肉体上的一根刺拿走。所以「全能」是指对祂存在的事情，祂都能做。因此我们不能说，要祂「在三维空间中，造出一个祂都不能搬动的石头」，这是不合逻辑的，不存在的。    

    圣经说，『神能照著运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。』(以弗所书 3:20) 如果举一个例子是现在的，那例子就是我们现在可想的事，那例子就一定是错的，因为那不是超过我们所想的事，在「2048 耶稣的权柄和超过所求所想的事  – 耶稣的形像(3)」中，我们举例说明了什么事是叫做超过所想的事，这些例子是说对那时的人而言，是超过他们那时所想的事，在这里就不多说了。

2. 试探的本质和例子         

    试探的本质就是撒但用尽手段的想要我们在神面前跌倒，可以控告我们。最有名的例子大概是耶稣在受洗后所受的试探，那时『耶稣被圣灵充满，从约旦河回来，圣灵将他引到旷野，四十天受魔鬼的试探。』(路加福音 4:1) 这并不说圣灵和魔鬼合作，圣灵知道耶稣一生会受到许多的试探，既然受洗后被圣灵充满，不如那时就开始这一生剩下的时间要受的试探，因此会将祂引到旷野。我们看到了『魔鬼用完了各样的试探，就暂时离开耶稣。』(路加福音 4:13) 这次受试探的事被记录下来的只有三件(参路加福音 4:2-12)，就是第一要使石头变成食物，而耶稣回答说：『人活著不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。』我们是要食物才能活著没错，但基督徒感谢主时不只是因为有地上食物的供应，也有属灵的粮食。第二是要耶稣在牠面前下拜，而耶稣说：『当拜主你的神，单要事奉他。』第三是要祂从殿顶上跳下去，而耶稣对牠说：『不可试探主你的神。』    

    如果看马太福音 4:1-11，就知道这三件记录的受试探的事情是次序不一样的，所以看起来似乎有明显的矛盾！但试探这件事在对观福音中都说是在耶稣受洗后，所以在这里所讲的整个事件的发生是在确定的时间，当路加福音 1:3 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。』看这些经文就知道，神借著圣经告诉我们的是、这里的次序是指整个事件的次序，圣经是一致的。    

    我们也知道在耶稣的一生中受过许多的试探，圣经明说，『因我们的大祭司(耶稣基督)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) 祂在道成肉身是叫耶稣，在天上时是基督。祂道成肉身时『…虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。』(腓立比书 2:7) 祂由圣灵感孕而生(参马太福音 1:18-21) 一生和罪无关，所以祂会说这世界的王在我里面是毫无所有。(参约翰福音 14:30) 『并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。』(约翰福音 5:27) 在这里我们看到受试探是可以不犯罪的，其中一项是圣经明讲的，『生气却不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落；也不可给魔鬼留地步。』(以弗所书 4:26-27) 我们是可以做到不可含怒到日落的。在新约的时代，我们是要顺服圣灵的带领，当我们确定是圣灵的带领而顺服时，就是不给魔鬼留地步。          

    另一个我们可能会想到的是约伯受的试探，他真是受了撒但能用的所有的试探。先看第一次的攻击(参约伯记 1:6-19)，『耶和华对撒但说：「凡他所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害于他。」』 于是撒但不等马上就做了，使他失去了大部份的财产，有的从人间来的祸患，也有的是超自然的而来的，也使他的七个儿女同时遭难而去世。但撒但留下他妻子是好意吗？约伯显然是通过了第一次的攻击，因为『在这一切的事上，约伯并不犯罪，也不以神为愚妄。』(约伯记 1:22) 于是有了第二次的攻击，在其中，『耶和华对撒但说：「他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。」于是撒但从耶和华面前退去，击打约伯，使他从脚掌到头顶长毒疮。』(约伯记 2:6-7) 又是立刻的攻击，有人身的攻击，且『他的妻子对他说：「你仍然持守你的纯正吗？你弃掉神，死了吧！」』(约伯记 2:9) 我们看见了撒但留下他的妻子是为了使他被最亲密的人攻击他，所以我们可以看到撒但真是太坏了！     #####当然不止如此，还有他的朋友们的攻击。在结局中我们看到了，『约伯为他的朋友祈祷，耶和华就使约伯从苦境转回，并且耶和华赐给他的比他从前所有的加倍。…他也有七个儿子，三个女儿。』(约伯记 42:10-13) 虽然他的朋友攻击他，他仍然要先为他的朋友祈祷，这是和神的爱一致的，『我们爱，因为神先爱我们。』(约翰一书 4:19) 也正因为撒但太坏而留下了他的妻子，就成就了他们能在事后有了儿子女儿，这显然是撒但没有事先想到的，而神是全知的，祂事先就知道撒但会这样做。我们才看看，除了儿子女儿没有加倍外，其余的都加倍，怎么会这样呢？不是明说所有的都加倍吗？那是因为人和牲畜不同，人死后可到祂那里去，『神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因为在他那里，人都是活的。』(路加福音 20:38) 从圣经的一致性看，我们相信那死去的儿女已到祂那里而活著，所以儿女也是加倍的。          

    我们再来看他的朋友们在第二次的攻击中的角色，『他们(三个朋友)就同他七天七夜坐在地上，…』(约伯记 2:13) 他们是多么好的朋友啊！而从他们的对话中就可以知道，他们也并不真正的了解约伯，他们的安慰反而变成了攻击，其中还借著提幔人以利法的话做了灵界的攻击。因以利法说，『我暗暗地得了默示，我耳朵也听其细微的声音。在思念夜中异象之间，世人沉睡的时候，恐惧、战兢临到我身，使我百骨打战。』(约伯记 4:12-14) 我们看看他因此讲的话是对错相杂的，犹如当时夏娃被引诱般，而且圣灵是不会使人觉得恐惧的等等，很清楚的知道这是撒但的作为。从这里我们也看到撒但这时不是立到有灵界的攻击，牠是可以等的，牠会选择牠认为最好的时候攻击，这也包括了属世的攻击，牠不是第一次攻击中留下了约伯的妻子吗？          

    最后是『…耶和华从旋风中回答约伯…』(约伯记 38:1) 祂并没直接的回答了约伯所提的问题，但告诉约伯一些事实作为回答。约伯意识到他是不可能做这些的，听后就悔改说，『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) 所以说，『…约伯…完全正直(perfect H8535 and upright, H3477)，…』(约伯记 1:1) 是从人的角度看。很显然的，他『…敬畏神，远离恶事。』(约伯记 1:1) 从神的角度看他仍要悔改而得到祝福，只是在这祝福前要先经过试探，确定约伯知道了自己以行为产生的自义，『此后，约伯又活了一百四十年，得见他的儿孙，直到四代。这样，约伯年纪老迈，日子满足而死。』(约伯记 42:16-17)    

    这不就是经文所说，『你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的。神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的。在受试探的时候，总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。』(哥林多前书 10:13) 如果不是借著别人，在需要的时候，祂会自己有所作为的，祂不是在旋风中用祂自己的方法回答约伯吗？。所以只要不是自找苦吃，不要因受试探而产生的苦难在信心中而忧虑，要知道神已经应许，祂会有祂的计划的。但要知道，『凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。』(传道书 3:1) 在定时的时候祂会工作的。

3. 祷告的真谛和目的          

    有人说祷告是要了解神的旨意，尤有甚者，有教导说，只有从超自然的意念中得到的，才是神的旨意，这和圣经的教导不同。在保罗见到大光后，神是要亚拿尼亚(人)去告诉保罗一些该做的事情(参使徒行传 9:10-18)。又有教导说，只说神要你说的话，听起来好像是对的，但是先决的条件是这个人能完全分辩是否是神的话，『…因为连撒但也装作光明的天使。』(哥林多后书 11:14) 以前有人教导我这样，结果是有相当多年我在团契查经时一句话都没有讲，因为没有神要我讲的话。到目前为止我没有碰过这样的人，只见过自以为是这样的人，可以不遵守圣经的教导，尤其是启示录说得很清楚，『我向一切听见这书上预言的作见证，若有人在这预言上加添甚么，神必将写在这书上的灾祸加在他身上；这书上的预言，若有人删去甚么，神必从这书上所写的生命树和圣城删去他的分。』(启示录 22:18-19) 启示录是不可以加减的。就像我们之前所讲的，当我们能以圣经作为我们绝对的标准，对于有些异端的教派是相当容易分辩的，例如摩门教有另外的摩门经，而耶和华见证会不相信耶稣是三位一体的神中的一位，真是『…连买他们的主他们也不承认，自取速速的灭亡。』(彼得后书 2:1)  即使撒但的差役会装作光明的天使使分辩不容易，只要我们能非常小心的确定是圣灵的带领而依靠圣灵，仍是可以分辩的。       

    接著有人就会说，一但我们清楚的了解神的旨意后，就算是和我们所想的不同，就要完全照著神的旨意做，亚伯拉罕献以撤不就这样吗？我们再看一个保罗的例子，他说，『又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒但的差役要攻击我，免得我过于自高。为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。他对我说：「我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。」所以，我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。』(哥林多后书 12:7-9) 他不是祷告三次以后确定了是神的旨意就不再祷告了吗？       

    所以应该不要去试著改变神的旨意，是这样吗？大部份时候都是对的，但按照圣经，不是全部如此。我们来看在阿摩司书的例子。『主耶和华指示我一件事：为王割菜之后，菜又发生，刚发生的时候，主造蝗虫。蝗虫吃尽那地的青物，我就说：「主耶和华啊，求你赦免！因为雅各微弱，他怎能站立得住呢？」耶和华就后悔说：「这灾可以免了。」主耶和华又指示我一件事：他命火来惩罚以色列，火就吞灭深渊，险些将地烧灭。我就说：「主耶和华啊，求你止息！因为雅各微弱，他怎能站立得住呢？」耶和华就后悔说：「这灾也可免了。」』(阿摩司书 7:1-6) 神原先是预备要降灾给以色列人的，因阿摩司的代求，神就改变了主意。如果只是不分辩而一昧的遵行神的旨意，就不会有祂的赦免了

    但有些和准绳有关的事情，神是不会改变的，因阿摩司又说，『他又指示我一件事：有一道墙是按准绳建筑的，主手拿准绳站在其上。耶和华对我说：「阿摩司啊，你看见甚么？」 我说：「看见准绳。」 主说：「我要吊起准绳在我民以色列中，我必不再宽恕他们。以撒的邱坛必然凄凉，以色列的圣所必然荒废。我必兴起，用刀攻击耶罗波安的家。」』(阿摩司书 7:7-9)          

    我们再看看，『…那时，耶和华看见没有公平，甚不喜悦。他见无人拯救，无人代求，甚为诧异，…』(以赛亚书 59:15-16) 所以我们看见祂是希望有人代求的，当代求如阿摩司般对的时候，祂的怜悯和和恩典会使祂改变主意的，因『…慈爱和诚实，行在你前面。』(诗篇 89:14) 只是祂不只一次提到，『…公义和公平是他宝座的根基。』(诗篇 97:2) 祂渴望人代求，只要是不损害祂的根基的事，祂是有可能改变主意的，因为祂所用的是回授策略。就如以西结书所说，『义人转离他的义而作罪孽，就必因此死亡。恶人转离他的恶，行正直与合理的事，就必因此存活。』(以西结书 33:18-19) 看人的反应如何，祂会做相应的事。所以祷告的目的不只是要知道神的旨意，并要用圣经作为绝对的标准来分辩，看看是否是属于神可能会改变主意的事。    

    当然也有神不会改变的事，再举一个祂不会改变的例子，当亚伯拉罕和耶和华讨价还价要祂饶恕所多玛时，『耶和华说：「我若在所多玛城里见有五十个义人，我就为他们的缘故饶恕那地方的众人。」』(创世记 18:26) 最后是『亚伯拉罕说：「求主不要动怒，我再说这一次，假若在那里见有十个呢？」 他说：「为这十个的缘故，我也不毁灭那城。」』(创世记 18:26)  而『耶和华与亚伯拉罕说完了话就走了；…』(创世记 18:33) 没有再给亚伯拉罕机会继续下去，这是因为『所多玛人在耶和华面前罪大恶极。』(创世记 13:13) 同时亚伯拉罕应该很满意，从五十个义人降到只要十个义人就可以了，只是他没想到只有罗得一个义人(参彼得后书 2:7-8)    

    结论很简单，祷告的真谛和目的是：了解神的旨意，如果是属于神可能会改变主意的事，要代求，神有绝对的主权，代求会不会被允许在祂，但我们要代求。如果不是，即使是和自己所想的不同，也要顺服。

(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』。) 

          我們多年前在 8月30日2020年時，就談到了撒但的一些本質，就是從約伯記一開始就可看到，只要神容許，牠就會壞到無所不用其極。雖然聖經沒有明說神的空間是什麼，但在那裏，我們可以看到牠能到神一樣的空間裏，但牠是受造物，時間只能往前，而神是可以控制時間，在時間中行走的。也看到了撒但能行一些超自然的事，包括一些物質界和靈界的事情，但牠的所行的絕不能越過神所允許的一步。牠能如天氣預報的預測，絕對不能預知未來，所以當我們遇見超自然的事而難以分辨的時候，如果有預知介入，就知道一定是神的作為。我們一定要以聖經的話語作為絕對的標準來分辨，所以正確的瞭解聖經中神的旨意，不強解聖經，是非常重要的。詳情請看油管(YouTube)上的「200830 撒但的一些本質」。

          在這短文中，我們首先將神的一些特質和撒但的作為對比，就是神是無所不在的，全知的，和全能的，也提到為什麼經文說撒但不是這樣。第二我們看到試探的本質，就是撒但用盡手段的想要我們在神面前跌倒。我們簡略的討論了耶穌在受洗後所受的試探，只是祂沒有犯罪。又把約伯受的試探作為另一個例子，說明了我們為什麼說，撒但在他身上用了所有可能的的試探。也看到了在受試探的時候，總會給我們開一條出路，叫我們能忍受得住。第三，  有人說禱告是要瞭解神的旨意，一但清楚的瞭解神的旨意後，就要完全照著神的旨意做。我們舉聖經的例子說明不完全是這樣的，祂渴望人代求，只要是不損害祂的根基的事，祂是有可能改變主意的，因為祂所用的是回授策略。所以禱告的目的是要用聖經作為絕對的標準來分辨，確定神的旨意，也要看看是否是屬於神可能會改變主意的事。如果是，要代求。如果不是，即使是和自己所想的不同，也要順服。

1. 神和撒但的一些特質

          我們從三方面來看看一些神的所是，和撒但不是什麼。第一，神是無所不在的，而撒但不能這樣。雖然聖經沒有明說神是無所不在的，但說了『因為無論在哪裏，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裏就有我在他們中間。』(馬太福音 18:20) 如果三位一體神不是無所不在的，焉能如此？

          撒但是被造物，牠不能像神一樣的無所不在，事實上，祂會有固定的住所。我們不知道牠現在住在何處，但聖經明說了，『你要寫信給別迦摩教會的使者說︰『那有兩刃利劍的說：我知道你的居所，就是有撒但座位之處。當我忠心的見證人安提帕在你們中間、撒但所住的地方被殺之時，你還堅守我的名，沒有棄絕我的道。』』(啓示錄 2:12-13) 所以我們知道那時牠是住在別迦摩的。我們也從這些經文中看到跟隨耶穌是要付代價的，有時甚至要付出生命的代價。

          第二，神是全知的，而撒但不是。也是和現前一樣，聖經沒有明說神是全知的，但絕對有這概念。舉個例子來說，耶穌基督是三位一體中的一位，當祂在道成肉身治療一個癱子時，『有人用褥子抬着一個癱子到耶穌跟前來。耶穌見他們的信心，就對癱子說：「小子，放心吧！你的罪赦了。」有幾個文士心裏說：「這個人說僭妄的話了。」耶穌知道他們的心意，就說：「你們為甚麼心裏懷着惡念呢？」』(馬太福音 9:2-4) 這不就是說祂是全知的嗎？當然還有其他的例子，如『耶穌看見拿但業來，就指着他說：「看哪，這是個真以色列人，他心裏是沒有詭詐的。」拿但業對耶穌說：「你從哪裏知道我呢？」 耶穌回答說：「腓力還沒有招呼你，你在無花果樹底下，我就看見你了。」』(約翰福音 1:47-48) 其他的例子我們就不多說了。

          我們已經說過撒但是不能預知的，也就說明了牠不是全知的。我們現在從另外一個角度來說明這點，聖經在舊約中說，『有一天，神的眾子來侍立在耶和華面前，撒但也來在其中。耶和華問撒但說：「你從哪裏來？」 撒但回答說：「我從地上走來走去，往返而來。」』(約伯記 1:6-7) 的確，撒但是可以到神的空間的。聖經在新約中也說，『務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。』(彼得前書 5:8) 如果撒但是全知的，祂需要走來走去，遍地遊行嗎？在這裡又可看到聖經的一致性，就是神藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的，而不是文字上的。文字上會有明顯的矛盾，這時我們該問的是、神藉著這看起來好像是明顯的矛盾，到底要告訴我們那一致的事情在那裏！

          第三，神是神是全能的，而撒但不是。撒但所行，不能越過神所許可的一步，祂怎麼會是全能的呢？聖經直接說神是全能的神，譬如在這經文，『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，你當在我面前作完全人。』(創世記 17:1) 

          在這裏我們需要定義全能一下，因為許多人認為全能就是無所不能，不是這樣的！以說謊為例，我們知道，『…魔鬼(撒但)…從起初是殺人的，不守真理，因他心裏沒有真理；他說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。』(約翰福音 8:44) 所以謊言是從撒但(父)而來的，不是神所創造的。神是信實的，祂不能說謊，因謊言不在祂裏面，要祂怎能說謊呢？可見祂不是無所不能的。那麼全能究竟是什麼呢？有一些對我們不存在的事情對祂是存在的，以行神蹟為例，祂有絕對的主權，可以在祂認為需要時行神蹟，而我們不能這樣，最多是行神蹟的一個管道，源頭仍在於祂。譬如聖經記載保羅能作行神蹟，只是因為他是一個管道，而源頭在於三位一體的神。我們看到這，是因為後面第三段「禱告的真諦和目的」中我們會提到，保羅不能行神蹟讓他肉體上的一根刺拿走。所以「全能」是指對祂存在的事情，祂都能做。因此我們不能說，要祂「在三維空間中，造出一個祂都不能搬動的石頭」，這是不合邏輯的，不存在的。

    聖經說，『神能照着運行在我們心裏的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超過我們所求所想的。』(以弗所書 3:20) 如果舉一個例子是現在的，那例子就是我們現在可想的事，那例子就一定是錯的，因為那不是超過我們所想的事，在「2048 耶穌的權柄和超過所求所想的事  – 耶穌的形像(3)」中，我們舉例說明了什麼事是叫做超過所想的事，這些例子是說對那時的人而言，是超過他們那時所想的事，在這裏就不多說了。

2. 試探的本質和例子

          試探的本質就是撒但用盡手段的想要我們在神面前跌倒，可以控告我們。最有名的例子大概是耶穌在受洗後所受的試探，那時『耶穌被聖靈充滿，從約旦河回來，聖靈將他引到曠野，四十天受魔鬼的試探。』(路加福音 4:1) 這並不說聖靈和魔鬼合作，聖靈知道耶穌一生會受到許多的試探，既然受洗後被聖靈充滿，不如那時就開始這一生剩下的時間要受的試探，因此會將祂引到曠野。我們看到了『魔鬼用完了各樣的試探，就暫時離開耶穌。』(路加福音 4:13) 這次受試探的事被記錄下來的只有三件(參路加福音 4:2-12)，就是第一要使石頭變成食物，而耶穌回答說：『人活着不是單靠食物，乃是靠神口裏所出的一切話。』我們是要食物才能活著沒錯，但基督徒感謝主時不只是因為有地上食物的供應，也有屬靈的糧食。第二是要耶穌在牠面前下拜，而耶穌說：『當拜主你的神，單要事奉他。』第三是要祂從殿頂上跳下去，而耶穌對牠說：『不可試探主你的神。』

    如果看馬太福音 4:1-11，就知道這三件記錄的受試探的事情是次序不一樣的，所以看起來似乎有明顯的矛盾！但試探這件事在對觀福音中都說是在耶穌受洗後，所以在這裏所講的整個事件的發生是在確定的時間，當路加福音 1:3 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。』看這些經文就知道，神藉著聖經告訴我們的是、這裏的次序是指整個事件的次序，聖經是一致的。

    我們也知道在耶穌的一生中受過許多的試探，聖經明說，『因我們的大祭司(耶穌基督)並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 祂在道成肉身是叫耶穌，在天上時是基督。祂道成肉身時『…虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式。』(腓立比書 2:7) 祂由聖靈感孕而生(參馬太福音 1:18-21) 一生和罪無關，所以祂會說這世界的王在我裏面是毫無所有。(參約翰福音 14:30) 『並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。』(約翰福音 5:27) 在這裏我們看到受試探是可以不犯罪的，其中一項是聖經明講的，『生氣卻不要犯罪，不可含怒到日落；也不可給魔鬼留地步。』(以弗所書 4:26-27) 我們是可以做到不可含怒到日落的。在新約的時代，我們是要順服聖靈的帶領，當我們確定是聖靈的帶領而順服時，就是不給魔鬼留地步。

          另一個我們可能會想到的是約伯受的試探，他真是受了撒但能用的所有的試探。先看第一次的攻擊(參約伯記 1:6-19)，『耶和華對撒但說：「凡他所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害於他。」』 於是撒但不等馬上就做了，使他失去了大部份的財產，有的從人間來的禍患，也有的是超自然的而來的，也使他的七個兒女同時遭難而去世。但撒但留下他妻子是好意嗎？約伯顯然是通過了第一次的攻擊，因為『在這一切的事上，約伯並不犯罪，也不以神為愚妄。』(約伯記 1:22) 於是有了第二次的攻擊，在其中，『耶和華對撒但說：「他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。」於是撒但從耶和華面前退去，擊打約伯，使他從腳掌到頭頂長毒瘡。』(約伯記 2:6-7) 又是立刻的攻擊，有人身的攻擊，且『他的妻子對他說：「你仍然持守你的純正嗎？你棄掉神，死了吧！」』(約伯記 2:9) 我們看見了撒但留下他的妻子是為了使他被最親密的人攻擊他，所以我們可以看到撒但真是太壞了！

    當然不止如此，還有他的朋友們的攻擊。在結局中我們看到了，『約伯為他的朋友祈禱，耶和華就使約伯從苦境轉回，並且耶和華賜給他的比他從前所有的加倍。…他也有七個兒子，三個女兒。』(約伯記 42:10-13) 雖然他的朋友攻擊他，他仍然要先為他的朋友祈禱，這是和神的愛一致的，『我們愛，因為神先愛我們。』(約翰一書 4:19) 也正因為撒但太壞而留下了他的妻子，就成就了他們能在事後有了兒子女兒，這顯然是撒但沒有事先想到的，而神是全知的，祂事先就知道撒但會這樣做。我們才看看，除了兒子女兒沒有加倍外，其餘的都加倍，怎麼會這樣呢？不是明說所有的都加倍嗎？那是因為人和牲畜不同，人死後可到祂那裏去，『神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因為在他那裏，人都是活的。』(路加福音 20:38) 從聖經的一致性看，我們相信那死去的兒女已到祂那裏而活著，所以兒女也是加倍的。

          我們再來看他的朋友們在第二次的攻擊中的角色，『他們(三個朋友)就同他七天七夜坐在地上，…』(約伯記 2:13) 他們是多麼好的朋友啊！而從他們的對話中就可以知道，他們也並不真正的瞭解約伯，他們的安慰反而變成了攻擊，其中還藉著提幔人以利法的話做了靈界的攻擊。因以利法說，『我暗暗地得了默示，我耳朵也聽其細微的聲音。在思念夜中異象之間，世人沉睡的時候，恐懼、戰兢臨到我身，使我百骨打戰。』(約伯記 4:12-14) 我們看看他因此講的話是對錯相雜的，猶如當時夏娃被引誘般，而且聖靈是不會使人覺得恐懼的等等，很清楚的知道這是撒但的作為。從這裏我們也看到撒但這時不是立到有靈界的攻擊，牠是可以等的，牠會選擇牠認為最好的時候攻擊，這也包括了屬世的攻擊，牠不是第一次攻擊中留下了約伯的妻子嗎？

          最後是『…耶和華從旋風中回答約伯…』(約伯記 38:1) 祂並沒直接的回答了約伯所提的問題，但告訴約伯一些事實作為回答。約伯意識到他是不可能做這些的，聽後就悔改說，『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) 所以說，『…約伯…完全正直(perfect H8535 and upright, H3477)，…』(約伯記 1:1) 是從人的角度看。很顯然的，他『…敬畏神，遠離惡事。』(約伯記 1:1) 從神的角度看他仍要悔改而得到祝福，只是在這祝福前要先經過試探，確定約伯知道了自己以行為產生的自義，『此後，約伯又活了一百四十年，得見他的兒孫，直到四代。這樣，約伯年紀老邁，日子滿足而死。』(約伯記 42:16-17)

    這不就是經文所說，『你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的。神是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的。在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住。』(哥林多前書 10:13) 如果不是藉著別人，在需要的時候，祂會自己有所作為的，祂不是在旋風中用祂自己的方法回答約伯嗎？。所以只要不是自找苦吃，不要因受試探而產生的苦難在信心中而憂慮，要知道神已經應許，祂會有祂的計劃的。但要知道，『凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。』(傳道書 3:1) 在定時的時候祂會工作的。

3. 禱告的真諦和目的

          有人說禱告是要瞭解神的旨意，尤有甚者，有教導說，只有從超自然的意念中得到的，才是神的旨意，這和聖經的教導不同。在保羅見到大光後，神是要亞拿尼亞(人)去告訴保羅一些該做的事情(參使徒行傳 9:10-18)。又有教導說，只說神要你說的話，聽起來好像是對的，但是先決的條件是這個人能完全分辨是否是神的話，『…因為連撒但也裝作光明的天使。』(哥林多後書 11:14) 以前有人教導我這樣，結果是有相當多年我在團契查經時一句話都沒有講，因為沒有神要我講的話。到目前為止我沒有碰過這樣的人，只見過自以為是這樣的人，可以不遵守聖經的教導，尤其是啓示錄說得很清楚，『我向一切聽見這書上預言的作見證，若有人在這預言上加添甚麼，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上；這書上的預言，若有人刪去甚麼，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城刪去他的分。』(啓示錄 22:18-19) 啓示錄是不可以加減的。就像我們之前所講的，當我們能以聖經作為我們絕對的標準，對於有些異端的教派是相當容易分辨的，例如摩門教有另外的摩門經，而耶和華見証會不相信耶穌是三位一體的神中的一位，真是『…連買他們的主他們也不承認，自取速速的滅亡。』(彼得後書 2:1)  即使撒但的差役會裝作光明的天使使分辨不容易，只要我們能非常小心的確定是聖靈的帶領而依靠聖靈，仍是可以分辨的。

       接著有人就會說，一但我們清楚的瞭解神的旨意後，就算是和我們所想的不同，就要完全照著神的旨意做，亞伯拉罕獻以撤不就這樣嗎？我們再看一個保羅的例子，他說，『又恐怕我因所得的啓示甚大，就過於自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉體上，就是撒但的差役要攻擊我，免得我過於自高。為這事，我三次求過主，叫這刺離開我。他對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。』(哥林多後書 12:7-9) 他不是禱告三次以後確定了是神的旨意就不再禱告了嗎？

       所以應該不要去試著改變神的旨意，是這樣嗎？大部份時候都是對的，但按照聖經，不是全部如此。我們來看在阿摩司書的例子。『主耶和華指示我一件事：為王割菜之後，菜又發生，剛發生的時候，主造蝗蟲。蝗蟲吃盡那地的青物，我就說：「主耶和華啊，求你赦免！因為雅各微弱，他怎能站立得住呢？」耶和華就後悔說：「這災可以免了。」主耶和華又指示我一件事：他命火來懲罰以色列，火就吞滅深淵，險些將地燒滅。我就說：「主耶和華啊，求你止息！因為雅各微弱，他怎能站立得住呢？」耶和華就後悔說：「這災也可免了。」』(阿摩司書 7:1-6) 神原先是預備要降災給以色列人的，因阿摩司的代求，神就改變了主意。如果只是不分辨而一昧的遵行神的旨意，就不會有祂的赦免了！

       但有些和準繩有關的事情，神是不會改變的，因阿摩司又說，『他又指示我一件事：有一道牆是按準繩建築的，主手拿準繩站在其上。耶和華對我說：「阿摩司啊，你看見甚麼？」 我說：「看見準繩。」 主說：「我要吊起準繩在我民以色列中，我必不再寬恕他們。以撒的邱壇必然淒涼，以色列的聖所必然荒廢。我必興起，用刀攻擊耶羅波安的家。」』(阿摩司書 7:7-9) 

          我們再看看，『…那時，耶和華看見沒有公平，甚不喜悅。他見無人拯救，無人代求，甚為詫異，…』(以賽亞書 59:15-16) 所以我們看見祂是希望有人代求的，當代求如阿摩司般對的時候，祂的憐憫和和恩典會使祂改變主意的，因『…慈愛和誠實，行在你前面。』(詩篇 89:14) 只是祂不只一次提到，『…公義和公平是他寶座的根基。』(詩篇 97:2) 祂渴望人代求，只要是不損害祂的根基的事，祂是有可能改變主意的，因為祂所用的是回授策略。就如以西結書所說，『義人轉離他的義而作罪孽，就必因此死亡。惡人轉離他的惡，行正直與合理的事，就必因此存活。』(以西結書 33:18-19) 看人的反應如何，祂會做相應的事。所以禱告的目的不只是要知道神的旨意，並要用聖經作為絕對的標準來分辨，看看是否是屬於神可能會改變主意的事。

    當然也有神不會改變的事，再舉一個祂不會改變的例子，當亞伯拉罕和耶和華討價還價要祂饒恕所多瑪時，『耶和華說：「我若在所多瑪城裏見有五十個義人，我就為他們的緣故饒恕那地方的眾人。」』(創世記 18:26) 最後是『亞伯拉罕說：「求主不要動怒，我再說這一次，假若在那裏見有十個呢？」 他說：「為這十個的緣故，我也不毀滅那城。」』(創世記 18:26)  而『耶和華與亞伯拉罕說完了話就走了；…』(創世記 18:33) 沒有再給亞伯拉罕機會繼續下去，這是因為『所多瑪人在耶和華面前罪大惡極。』(創世記 13:13) 同時亞伯拉罕應該很滿意，從五十個義人降到只要十個義人就可以了，只是他沒想到只有羅得一個義人(參彼得後書 2:7-8)

    結論很簡單，禱告的真諦和目的是：瞭解神的旨意，如果是屬於神可能會改變主意的事，要代求，神有絕對的主權，代求會不會被允許在祂，但我們要代求。如果不是，即使是和自己所想的不同，也要順服。

(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 talked about the nature of Satan many years ago on August 30, 2020, which can be seen from the beginning of the book of Job. As long as God allows it, he will do anything within the limit.  Although the Bible does not clearly explain what God’s space is, we can see that Satan can enter the same space as God. However, Satan is a created creature, and time can only go forward, while God can control time and walk in time. We have also seen that Satan can do some supernatural things, including things in the material world and the spiritual world, but what he does can never go beyond what God allows.  It can predict the future just like the weather forecast, but cannot foretell. So when we encounter supernatural things that are difficult to distinguish, if there is foreknowledge involved, we know that it must be the work of God.  We must use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to make judgments. Therefore, it is very important to correctly understand God’s will in the Bible and not to interpret the Bible forcefully.

In this short article, we first compare some of God’s characteristics with those of Satan. That is, God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, and we also mention why the scriptures say that Satan is not like this.  Second, we see the essence of temptation, which is that Satan uses every means to make us fall before God.  We briefly discussed Jesus’ temptation after His baptism. We see that He did not sin all His life.  And the temptation of Job is used as another example to illustrate why we say that Satan used all possible temptations on him.  We have also seen that when we are tempted, we will always be able to find a way out so that we can endure it.  Third, some people say that prayer is about understanding God’s will. Once you clearly understand God’s will, you must do it completely according to God’s will.  We use examples from the Bible to show that this is not entirely the case. He longs for people to intercede. As long as it does not damage His foundation, He may change His mind because He uses a feedback strategy.  Therefore, the purpose of prayer is to use the Bible as the absolute standard to discern and determine that it is indeed God’s will, and also to see if it is something that God may change his mind about.  If so, intercede.  If not, even if it is different from what you think, you must obey.

1. Some Characteristics of God and Satan

Let’s look at what God is versus what Satan is from three aspects.  First, God is omnipresent, but Satan cannot be so.  Although the Bible does not explicitly say that God is omnipresent, it does say, “For wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”” (Matthew 18:20) If the Trinity is not omnipresent, how can it be?

Satan is a created being. He cannot be omnipresent like God. In fact, he will have a fixed residence.  We don’t know where he lives now, but the Bible clearly says, ““And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” (Revelation 2:12-13) So we know that it was living in Pergamum at that time.  We also see from these verses that following Jesus comes at a cost, sometimes even with your life.

Second, God is omniscient, but Satan is not.  Just like before, the Bible does not explicitly say that God is omniscient, but it definitely has this concept.  For example, Jesus Christ, one of the Trinity, when He was healing a paralyzed man in the incarnation, “And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:2-4) Doesn’t this mean that He is omniscient?  Of course, there are other examples, such as, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.””(John 1:47-48) We won’t go into other examples.

We have already said that Satan cannot predict, which means that he is not omniscient.  Let us now explain this from another angle. The Bible says in the Old Testament, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.””(Job 1:6-7) Indeed, Satan can come to the space of God.  The Bible also says in the New Testament, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) If Satan is omniscient, does he need to be roaming or prowling?  Here again we can see the consistency of the Bible, that is, what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, not literal.  If it means literal, then there will be an obvious contradiction in the text. When this happens, what we should ask is, through this seemingly obvious contradiction, what consistent thing is God trying to tell us.

Third, God is almighty, but Satan is not.  What Satan can do cannot go beyond what God allows. How can he be almighty?  The Bible directly says that God is the Almighty God. For example, in this verse, “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless.”(Genesis 17:1)

Here we need to define ‘Almighty’, because many people think that He can do whatever He wants. But this is not the case!  Taking lying as an example, we know that “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) So lies come from Satan and are not created by God.  God is faithful, He cannot lie, because lies are not in Him, so how can He lie?  It can be seen that He cannot do everything. So what exactly is ‘Almighty’?  There are some things that do not exist for us but exist for Him. Take miracles as an example. He has absolute sovereignty and can perform miracles when He deems necessary. But we cannot do this. At most, we are just a channel for performing miracles, and the source still lies in Him.  For example, the Bible records that Paul was able to perform miracles only because he was a channel, and the source was the Triune God.  We see this because we will mention in the third paragraph ‘”The true meaning and purpose of prayer” later that Paul could not perform a miracle to have a thorn in his flesh taken away.  So ‘Almighty’ or so called ‘omnipotence’ means that He can do anything that exists in His eyes.  Therefore, we cannot say that asking Him to ‘create a stone in a three-dimensional space that He cannot move’, which is illogical and non-existent.

The Bible says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:20) If an example is given regarding what might happen today, and that example is something we can think about now, then the example must be wrong, because it is not something beyond what we can think about. In “1048 Power of Jesus and things beyond all that we ask or think – The image of Jesus (3),’ we give examples of what is called the things exceeding the things you can think. These examples mean that for the people at that time, it was more than they could think of. I won’t go into detail here since you can find them there.

2. The nature and examples of temptation

The essence of temptation is that Satan uses every means to make us fall before God so that he can accuse us.  The most famous example is probably the temptation that Jesus suffered after his baptism. At that time, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. …”(Luke 4:1-2) This does not mean that the Holy Spirit cooperated with the devil. The Holy Spirit knew that Jesus would be subject to many temptations in his life. Since he was filled with the Holy Spirit after being baptized, it would be better to start the temptations that he would endure for the rest of his life at that time. That is why the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness.  We see that “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.”(Luke 4:13) So, the devil left Him only temporarily.

There are only three things recorded about this temptation (see Luke 4:2-12). The first is to turn stones into food, and Jesus replied: “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”(Luke 4:4) It is true that we need food to live, but when Christians thank the Lord it is not only for the supply of earthly food, but also for spiritual food.  The second was to ask Jesus to bow down before him, and Jesus said: “…It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”(Luke 4:8) The third was to ask Him to jump from the top of the temple, and Jesus said to him: “…It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”(Luke 4:12)

If you look at Matthew 4:1-11, you will know that the order of these three recorded temptations is different, so there seems to be an obvious contradiction!  But the temptation is said in the Synoptic Gospels to be after the baptism of Jesus, so the whole event mentioned here happened at a certain time which is consistent in the Synoptic Gospels. When Luke 1:3 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.” Looking at these verses, we can see that what God tells us through the Bible is that the order here refers to the order of the entire event, and the Bible is consistent.

We also know that Jesus suffered many temptations in his life. The Bible clearly says, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) He was called Jesus when he was incarnate, and he was Christ when he was in heaven.  When He became flesh, He “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 1:18-21). His whole life has nothing to do with sin, so He would say that the prince of this world has nothing in me.  (See John 14:30) “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) Here we see that you can avoid sinning when you are tempted, one of which is clearly stated in the Bible, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”(Ephesians 4:26-27) We can do this by not letting the sun go down on our anger.  In the New Testament era, we must submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When we are sure that we are led by the Holy Spirit and obey, we will not leave room for the devil.

Another thing we might think of is the temptation of Job, who was really tempted by every temptation that Satan could use.  Let’s look at the first attack first (see Job 1:6-19), “…the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.”(Job 1:12) So Satan did not wait. He did it immediately, causing him to lose most of his property. Some disasters came from the human world, and some were supernatural. It also caused his seven children to die at the same time. But did Satan have good intentions in sparing his wife?  Job apparently passed the first attack, for ” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”(Job 1:22)

So there was a second attack, in which, “So the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”(Job 2:6-7) There was another immediate attack, a personal attack, “Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!””(Job 2:9) We saw that Satan left his wife behind so that the people closest to him would attack him, so we can see that Satan is really that bad!

Of course, it’s not just that, there are also attacks from his friends.  But in the ending we see, “The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. …He had seven sons and three daughters.”(Job 42:10-13) Even though his friends attack him, he still prays for his friends first. This is consistent with God’s love, “We love, because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19)

It was precisely due to the fact that Satan was so bad that he left Job’s wife behind, so they could have sons and daughters afterwards. This was obviously something Satan had not thought of in advance, and God is omniscient. Yes, He knew in advance that Satan would do this.  Let’s take a look at what happened. Except for sons and daughters, everything else has doubled. How could this be?  Doesn’t it clearly say that everything is doubled?  That is because humans and animals are different. After death, humans can go to Him. “Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”(Luke 20:38) From the consistency of the Bible, we believe that the children who died have come to Him and live, so there are also twice as many children.

Let’s look at the role of his friends in the second attack. “Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.”(Job 2:13) What good friends they were!  And from their conversation, we can know that they did not really understand Job, and their comfort turned into an attack, including a spiritual attack through the words of Eliphaz the Temanite.  For Eliphaz said, “Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. “Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake.”(Job 4:12-14) Let’s see that what he said was a mixture of right and wrong, just like Eve was tempted at that time, and the Holy Spirit does not make people afraid, etc., we clearly know this it is the work of Satan.  From here we can also see that Satan doesn’t attack immediately. He can wait, and will choose the time he thinks is best to attack. This also includes earthly attacks. It is not the first time. Wasn’t Job’s wife left behind in the first attack?

Finally, “…the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind …”(Job 38:1). He did not directly answer Job’s question, but told Job some facts as an answer.  Job realized that it was impossible for him to do this. After hearing this, he repented and said, “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) Therefore, “…Job …was blameless (H8535), upright (H3477), fearing God and turning away from evil.”(Job 1:1) is from a human perspective.  It is clear that he was “turning away from evil.”(Job 1:1) From God’s point of view, he still had to repent and receive blessings, but before this blessing, he had to go through temptation to make sure that Job knew the self-righteousness resulting from his actions. “After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days.”(Job 42:16-17)

Isn’t this what the scripture says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13) If not through others, He will do something Himself when needed. Didn’t He answer Job in His own way in the whirlwind?  So as long as you are not asking for trouble, don’t worry about the suffering caused by temptation in your faith. You must know that God has promised that He will have His plan.  But know, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven⁠.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1) In due time He will work.

3. The true meaning and purpose of prayer

Some people say that prayer is about understanding God’s will. What’s more, some people teach that only what is obtained from supernatural thoughts is God’s will. This is different from the teaching of the Bible.  After Paul saw the great light, God asked Ananias (a man) to tell Paul something he should do (see Acts 9:10-18).  There are also teachings that it sounds right to only say what God wants you to say, but the prerequisite is that the person can completely distinguish whether it is from God, “…for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”(2 Corinthians 11:14) Someone taught me this before. As a result, for many years I didn’t say a word during fellowship Bible studies because there was nothing God wanted me to say.  So far, I have never met such a person. I have only seen people who think they are like this. They do not abide by the teachings of the Bible. Especially the book of Revelation makes it very clear, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”(Revelation 22:18-19) The Book of Revelation cannot be added or subtracted from.

As we said before, when we can use the Bible as our absolute standard, it is quite easy to distinguish some heretical sects. For example, Mormons have another Book of Mormon, and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is a Trinity – one of the God, truly “…even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”(2 Peter 2:1) Even if Satan’s messengers pretend to be angels of light to make it difficult to discern, as long as we are very careful to make sure it is the leading of the Holy Spirit and rely on the Holy Spirit, we can still discern.

Then some people will say that once we clearly understand God’s will, even if it is different from what we think, we must do it exactly according to God’s will. Isn’t that the same as Abraham sacrificing Isaac?  Let’s look at another example from Paul. He said, “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me⁠—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”(2 Corinthians 12:7-9) Didn’t he stop praying after he prayed three times and became convinced that it was God’s will?

So one shouldn’t try to change God’s will, right?  This is true most of the time, but according to the Bible, not all the time.  Let’s look at an example from the book of Amos. “Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, He was forming a locust-swarm when the spring crop began to sprout. And behold, the spring crop was after the king’s mowing. And it came about, when it had finished eating the vegetation of the land, that I said,

“Lord GOD, please pardon! How can Jacob stand, For he is small?” The LORD changed His mind about this. “It shall not be,” said the LORD. Thus the Lord GOD showed me, and behold, the Lord GOD was calling to contend with them by fire, and it consumed the great deep and began to consume the farm land. Then I said“Lord GOD, please stop! How can Jacob stand, for he is small?” The LORD changed His mind about this. “This too shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.”(Amos 7:1 – 6)

God originally planned to bring disaster to the Israelites, but because of Amos’ intercession, God changed his mind.  If you just blindly follow God’s will without discerning it, there will be no forgiveness from Him! But there are some things related to the yardstick that God will not change, because Amos said again, “He showed me another thing: There was a wall built according to the yardstick, and the Lord stood on it with the yardstick in his hand. The LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I said, “You see a line.” The Lord said, “I will raise a line in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not forgive them anymore. The high places of Isaac.” The altar will be desolate, and the sanctuary of Israel will be desolate. I will rise up with a sword against the house of Jeroboam.”(Amos 7:7-9)

Let us now take a look at this verse, “…And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; …”(Isaiah 59:15-16) So we see that He hopes for someone to intercede, and when intercession is right like Amos, His mercy and grace will cause Him to change His mind, since “…Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14) But He mentioned more than once, “…Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”(Psalm 97:2) He longs for intercession. As long as it does not damage His foundation, He may change his mind because He uses a feedback strategy.  As the book of Ezekiel says, “When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them.”(Ezekiel 33:18-19) Depending on how people respond, He will do something accordingly.  Therefore, the purpose of prayer is not only to know God’s will, but also to use the Bible as the absolute standard to discern whether it is something that God may change his mind about. 

Of course, there are things that God will not change. To give another example that He will not change, when Abraham was bargaining with the Lord to ask Him to forgive Sodom, “So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.””(Genesis 18:26) Finally, “Then he (Abraham) said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.””(Genesis 18:32) “As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, …”(Genesis 18: 33) Abraham was not given another chance to continue because “Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.”(Genesis 13:13) At the same time, Abraham should be very satisfied. From fifty righteous people down to ten righteous people, he just didn’t expect that there was only one righteous person ‘Lot’ (see 2 Peter 2:7-8)

The conclusion is very simple. The true meaning and purpose of prayer is as follows. First of all, it is to understand God’s will. If it is something that God may change his mind about, we must intercede. God has absolute sovereignty. Intercession will be permitted or not, it solely depends on Him, but we must do our duty – intercession.  If not, even if it is different from what you think, you must obey.

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

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

              我們首先看耶穌和大衞的關係，在肉體上耶穌是大衞的子孫，而耶穌基督是三位一體的神中的一位，當然是大衞的主。第二、我們談到了法利賽人的行為，是能說而不能做。第三、我們看到了寡婦兩個小錢的奉獻為耶穌所稱讚，且說明為什麼說新約中沒有十一奉獻的律法要求，而只談到了甘心情願的奉獻。在這點上，我們首先看到舊約有超過了十分之一的奉獻的教導，因有十一奉獻加上獻祭。我們舉例說明這樣的奉獻絕對會使神家有糧，其實舊約從摩西建會幕時就說要有甘心情願的奉獻才會被悅納。新約的時代已經不再獻祭，那麼我們還有十一奉獻的律法嗎？沒有。我們從三方面來說明這問題。首先我們看到耶穌在新約的自己都是守安息日的真締，而最討厭守文字上的律法，耶穌怎麼會說要有十一奉獻的律法呢？第二，在新約中我們是不要消滅聖靈的感動，這樣就自然而然的成就了律法，神是信實的，從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，怎麼會有文字上的律法呢？第三，從個人的經驗(見証)看，神是知道有些人跟本沒辦法有能力做十一的奉獻，不會悅納守律法的十一奉獻的，其實神是看人內心不是看外表，祂知道一個愛主的人會在能力所及下，儘可能會使神家有糧！我們也談了兩個在新約中還可能提到關於十一奉獻的問題。結論是要時時儆醒，要以聖經作為我們分辨的絕對標準，確定不是撒但的差役裝作光明的天使。神是信實的，聖經中神所預言的事情，沒有不發生的。

1. 耶穌和大衞的關係

          『耶穌對他們說：「人怎麼說基督是大衞的子孫呢？詩篇上大衞自己說：『主對我主說：你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。』大衞既稱他為主，他怎麼又是大衞的子孫呢？」』(路加福音 20:41-44)

        看樣子是很矛盾！這是引用詩篇，『耶和華對我主說：「你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。」』(詩篇 110:1) 現在我們已知道，耶穌是聖靈感孕而生，但在肉體上是大衞的子孫，而耶穌是三位一體的神中的一位，當然是大衞的主。誠然，那時的他們怎麼能瞭解而回答呢？同樣的一件事情記載在馬太福音 22:41-45，並加上了一句，『他們沒有一個人能回答一言。從那日以後也沒有人敢再問他甚麼。』(馬太福音 22:46) 當然沒有人敢問他甚麼，回答不出祂的問題嘛！怕被問倒。同樣一件事情也記載在馬可福音 12:35-37，並在使徒行傳 2:34-35 提到。

2. 法利賽人和文士的行為

             『眾百姓聽的時候，耶穌對門徒說：「你們要防備文士。他們好穿長衣遊行，喜愛人在街市上問他們安，又喜愛會堂裏的高位，筵席上的首座；他們侵吞寡婦的家產，假意作很長的禱告。這些人要受更重的刑罰！」』(路加福音 20:45-47)

             類似的經文在馬可福音 12:38-40 提到，在馬太福音 23:1-7 也提到，且特別的『說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行；但不要效法他們的行為，因為他們能說不能行。』(馬太福音 23:2-3) 其實許多是他們訂的條文，聖經並沒有講，如耶穌說，『「你們是離棄神的誡命，拘守人的遺傳。」又說：「你們誠然是廢棄神的誡命，要守自己的遺傳。摩西說：『當孝敬父母』，又說：『咒罵父母的，必治死他。』你們倒說：『人若對父母說：我所當奉給你的，已經作了各耳板』（各耳板就是供獻的意思），以後你們就不容他再奉養父母。這就是你們承接遺傳，廢了神的道。你們還做許多這樣的事。」』(馬可福音 7:8-13) 。我們以前在「2061 約拿的預表, 眼睛, 和法利賽人及律法師的禍  -耶穌(16)」中談到耶穌對法利賽的審判相當的詳細，就不多說了。

3. 寡婦的兩個小錢和十一奉獻

             『耶穌抬頭觀看，見財主把捐項投在庫裏，又見一個窮寡婦投了兩個小錢，就說：「我實在告訴你們：這窮寡婦所投的比眾人還多，因為眾人都是自己有餘，拿出來投在捐項裏；但這寡婦是自己不足，把她一切養生的都投上了。」』(路加福音 21:1-4)

             同樣的一件事在馬可福音 12:41-44 也有記載。我們以前說過，如果這寡婦常常奉獻而每一次都把一切養生之物都投上了，大概是很難生存的，但不論如何，我們都可以看見她是甘心情願的，難怪主耶穌會稱讚她。在新約中，對奉獻而言，耶穌在新約中唯一的稱讚的就是那窮寡婦甘心樂意的奉獻，我們可以從三方面看，在新約中沒有提到說要十一的奉獻。

    先看舊約有十一奉獻和獻祭的教導，這可以從下列經文看出，『「人豈可奪取神之物呢？你們竟奪取我的供物。 「你們卻說：『我們在何事上奪取你的供物呢？』 「就是你們在當納的十分之一和當獻的供物上。」』(瑪拉基書 3:8) 加起來是超過十分之一的。

    我們也看到這樣的奉獻足夠使神家有糧，就如經文所說，『(希西家)諭旨一出，以色列人就把初熟的五穀、新酒、油、蜜和田地的出產多多送來，又把各物的十分之一送來的極多。住猶大各城的以色列人和猶大人，也將牛羊的十分之一，並分別為聖歸耶和華他們神之物，就是十分取一之物，盡都送來積成堆壘。…希西家和眾首領來，看見堆壘，就稱頌耶和華，又為耶和華的民以色列人祝福。希西家向祭司利未人查問這堆壘。撒督家的大祭司亞撒利雅回答說：「自從民將供物送到耶和華殿以來，我們不但吃飽，且剩下的甚多。因為耶和華賜福與他的民，所剩下的才這樣豐盛。」』(歷代志下 31:5-10) 

    附帶一提的是這些經文中提到了諭旨，但我們從聖經中就可看到，他的兒子瑪拿西就不這樣行，所以這樣的事情一定要民眾主動的甘心樂意發起，要不很容易會是人在政在，人亡政亡。後來的約西亞也是這樣，他死後，他所做的事情也消失了。聖經說得很清楚，自己要為自己做的事負責，救恩就像這一樣，不可能由父母傳到兒女身上，各人要選擇相信才行。

    其實舊約一開始就說到要甘心樂意的奉獻才會被悅納，在建立會幕時，『耶和華曉諭摩西說：「你告訴以色列人當為我送禮物來，凡甘心樂意的，你們就可以收下歸我。」』(出埃及記 25:1-2) 我們也看到當時的以色列人是多麼的熱心，因為最後是，『凡做聖所一切工的智慧人，各都離開他所做的工，來對摩西說：「百姓為耶和華吩咐使用之工所拿來的，富富有餘。」摩西傳命，他們就在全營中宣告說：「無論男女，不必再為聖所拿甚麼禮物來。」這樣才攔住百姓不再拿禮物來。因為他們所有的材料夠做一切當做的物，而且有餘。』(出埃及記 36:4-7)

          新約時代已不要獻祭，因『他(耶穌基督)為我們的罪作了挽回祭，不是單為我們的罪，也是為普天下人的罪。』(約翰一書 2:1-2) 就神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致上，不會再有十一奉獻的律法，愛主的人會自然而然的想要神家有糧，自然會以能力所及的，甘心樂意的有超過十一的奉獻。我知道奉獻最多的是超過百分之四十的一位姊妹的家，她不是藉此誇耀，超過百分之二十就已經很難得了，如果要跨耀的話不需要超過百分之四十。因為她前一年報稅時正好才發覺出了問題，她才知道她奉獻的非盈利機構只能報稅到百分之四十，要告訴我們是有上限的，所以我知道她們超過了百分之四十。後來我在網上查到，上限最高的為教會，到百分之五十。

          有人說，如果我們看馬太福音就會說到要有十一奉獻，『經文士和法利賽人哪，你們這些偽善的人有禍了！因為你們奉獻薄荷、蒔蘿、香芹的十分之一，卻放棄了律法上更重要的：就是公義、憐憫、信實。這些才是你們應該做的，至於前者也不可放棄。』(中文標準譯本，馬太福音 23:23) 如果我們看這個譯本，的確是說，前者的十一奉獻也要做。但如果我們回到和合本的翻譯，就是這樣說，『你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！因為你們將薄荷、茴香、芹菜獻上十分之一，那律法上更重的事，就是公義、憐憫、信實，反倒不行了。這更重的是你們當行的，那也是不可不行的。』(和合本, 馬太福音 23:23) 這更重的公義、憐憫、信實確實是不可不行的。但從我所知道在網上 https://www.biblegateway.com/ 的 52 英文譯本都基本上和中文標準譯本相同，耶穌告訴在舊約時代的文士和法利賽人要守十一奉獻，那在新約時代的我們到底該怎麼做呢？

       首先，我們看到耶穌並沒有說在新約時代的我們要守十一奉獻的律法，耶穌自己最討厭的是遵守文字上的律法，祂自己也是在守安息日的真諦，不是守律法上文字所訂的時間，在新約中怎麼會有十一奉獻的律法呢！

       第二，我們從神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，也就是這裏講的不是文字上的聖經的一致性。如果必須要文字上的，你會發覺相當多文字上明顯的矛盾，但從前者的角度看，就沒有問題。那麼在新約應該怎麼做呢？就是『不要消滅聖靈的感動，』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 當我們確定不是邪靈裝作光明的天使時，我們就是從神的角度看，因為聖靈是三位一體神中的一位，這樣就自然而然的遵行了律法，所以會說，『莫想我來要廢掉律法和先知；我來不是要廢掉，乃是要成全。我實在告訴你們：就是到天地都廢去了，律法的一點一畫也不能廢去，都要成全。』(馬太福音 5:17-18) 祂沒有遵守文字上律法的安息日，但作我們的榜像，遵守了安息日的真諦。我們剛才談過，一個愛主的人，自然會希望神家有糧，在能力的所及之下，會有超過十一的奉獻。但這並不是說，奉獻不到十一就不蒙悅納，因為就像耶和華對撒母耳說的一樣：『…耶和華不像人看人：人是看外貌，耶和華是看內心。』(撒母耳記上 16:7) 神知道有些人的力量是沒辦法奉獻十分之一的。而且，『…一生的果效，是由心發出。』(箴言 4:23)

       第三，從個人的經驗中，也看到了神不會悅納守律法的十一奉獻。關於這點，我可以做一個簡短的見証。我原先相信每個人都要十一奉獻，因為我理解我過去的教導就是如此！約至少十幾年前吧，我心中被激動要做十一奉獻，但我們的經濟情況不允許我們這樣做，就決定要把大房子換成較小的，心想這樣就可以有十一奉獻了！當然我的姊妹一開始不同意，最後她同意了，這實在非常不容易。於是我們就找了一個中介去看房子，一連看了三個房子，發覺那時的房價跟本沒辦法做到十一奉獻，房子雖然變小了，但是買新房子稅增加了，大房子的價錢卻不是這麼高，只是徒然把大房子換成小房子，只好作罷！這個中介雖不是基督徒，不是以買掉房子賺錢為唯一的目的，最後他和太太來勸我們不要賣房子，會划不來，那時他們並不知道我們已決定不賣房子了。所以從人的角度看他是很好的，會為顧客著想，真希望他們能有一天信主，因『…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)

    我自己一直都沒有意識到我們有經濟上的需要，一直到岳母去世後的多年前，我的姊妹才告訴我每次她回去看她媽媽時，岳母都塞給她一些錢，都補貼家用了！她以前沒告訴我，因想我不會接受，所以對我而言，『…你們需用的這一切東西，你們的天父是知道的。』(馬太福音 6:32) 我不知道，但神都知道，這次是藉著我太太和岳母使我經歷了這經文，你們也可看見做我太太是很不容易的。

          我們再談一下在新約中可能提到的問題，我們先看這經文，『論到為聖徒捐錢，我從前怎樣吩咐加拉太的眾教會，你們也當怎樣行。每逢七日的第一日，各人要照自己的進項抽出來留着，免得我來的時候現湊。』(哥林多前書 16:1-2) 再看看剛才我們提到的那時法利賽人的教導是要奉獻十分之一，耶穌不是在舊約的時代，『說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行…』(馬太福音 23:2-3) 嗎？所以保羅不需要說大家都應該知道要奉獻在十分之一以上。這不是說每一個人都要至少奉獻十分之一嗎？但我們知道那時的保羅是在新約時代，而且他說的很清楚，他所得到的，『…不是從人領受的，也不是人教導我的，乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。』(加拉太書 1:12) 他也去了耶路撒冷，確定了和使徒們是在傳同一個福音，所以不論是親見跟過耶穌的使徒們，或是由啓示而來的保羅，都是傳一樣的，我們也看到要得到生命最快也是要三年多，不是一信就立刻就會有的。就像我們剛才所說，耶穌自己都是在守安息日的真諦，不是在守文字上的律法，你想保羅會加給我們十分之一奉獻的律法嗎？

          可能又有人會問，難道不是，『地上所有的，無論是地上的種子是樹上的果子，十分之一是耶和華的，是歸給耶和華為聖的。』(利未記 27:30) 這句話從來沒有收回？難道我們不是要將耶和華的歸給祂嗎？但耶和華也說得很清楚，『…全地都是我的。』(出埃及記 19:5-6) 難道我們要將所有的都歸給耶和華嗎？不是的。在新約中，難道我們每個人都要像耶穌呼召那少年官時說得一樣嗎？那時『耶穌說：「你若願意作完全人，可去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」』(馬太福音 19:21)  難道每一個人都該變賣所有的嗎？不是的，如果這是律法，我們就會得到錯誤的結論說，亞伯拉罕是不會進天國的，因神的祝福，他的產業很多。我們看到，『 那少年人聽見這話，就憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。』(馬太福音 19:22) 我們看前後文就知道，這帶出了『…財主進天國是難的。』(馬太福音 19:23) 但『…在神凡事都能！』(馬太福音 19:26) 這是一個特例，說到耶穌是如何的呼召那少年人，給他一個機會，且不干涉他自由意志的決定，並不是一般的例子，說是每一個人都該要這樣做。其實和當初亞當和夏娃在伊甸園一樣，神給也了他們一個機會。

    說到特例和一般的例子，也可以從以前談過的要不要受洗作例子，我們不能以和耶穌同釘十字架強盜中的一位作藉口不受洗，他不受洗就直接上樂園了。他是特例，我們和他的情況不同。在一般情況下，我們是要跟隨耶穌的榜樣受洗的。回到本題，在新約中，沒有說每個人都要有十一奉獻的律法的！

       最後談到一個可能常常聽到的見証，就是說在禱告中預先就知道事情會如何發生，以後發生的的事情就和預先知道的一模一樣，但有時事情的發生不同，甚至於會完全相反！人們容易以為超自然的事情都是從神來的，其實不是，在約伯記中就說得很清楚，我也可以在以後有適當的機會做這方面的見証。結論是我們要時時儆醒，要以聖經作為我們絕對的標準作分辨，確定不是『…撒但…裝作光明的天使。』(哥林多後書 11:14) 聖經中神所預言的事情，沒有不發生的。

    關於以聖經作為絕對的標準作分辨的例子上，我可以用一個發生的事情作為例子。在最近的網上查經中，一次有位姊妹很高興的說到她知道一個人見過耶和華的面，我實忍不住要問這人是死是活，她很高興的說，這人是活著的。我只好告訴她，『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 33:19-20) 我不知他到底是看見了什麼？於是她引用了類似這經文，『所以，憑着他們的果子，就可以認出他們來。』(馬太福音 7:20) 並說，那人見過耶和華的面後就很熱心。即使這樣，『這也不足為怪，因為連撒但也裝作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若裝作仁義的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多後書 11:14-15) 撒但的差役也會裝著光明的天使的，通常這樣都不會長久，只是有時要蓋棺才能論定。

(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』。)

    我们首先看耶稣和大卫的关系，在肉体上耶稣是大卫的子孙，而耶稣基督是三位一体的神中的一位，当然是大卫的主。第二、我们谈到了法利赛人的行为，是能说而不能做。第三、我们看到了寡妇两个小钱的奉献为耶稣所称赞，且说明为什么说新约中没有十一奉献的律法要求，而只谈到了甘心情愿的奉献。在这点上，我们首先看到旧约有超过了十分之一的奉献的教导，因有十一奉献加上献祭。我们举例说明这样的奉献绝对会使神家有粮，其实旧约从摩西建会幕时就说要有甘心情愿的奉献才会被悦纳。新约的时代已经不再献祭，那么我们还有十一奉献的律法吗？没有。我们从三方面来说明这问题。首先我们看到耶稣在新约的自己都是守安息日的真缔，而最讨厌守文字上的律法，耶稣怎么会说要有十一奉献的律法呢？第二，在新约中我们是不要消灭圣灵的感动，这样就自然而然的成就了律法，神是信实的，从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，怎么会有文字上的律法呢？第三，从个人的经验(见证)看，神是知道有些人跟本没办法有能力做十一的奉献，不会悦纳守律法的十一奉献的，其实神是看人内心不是看外表，祂知道一个爱主的人会在能力所及下，尽可能会使神家有粮！我们也谈了两个在新约中还可能提到关于十一奉献的问题。结论是要时时儆醒，要以圣经作为我们分辩的绝对标准，确定不是撒但的差役装作光明的天使。神是信实的，圣经中神所预言的事情，没有不发生的。

1. 耶稣和大卫的关系          

    『耶稣对他们说：「人怎么说基督是大卫的子孙呢？诗篇上大卫自己说：『主对我主说：你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』大卫既称他为主，他怎么又是大卫的子孙呢？」』(路加福音 20:41-44)        

    看样子是很矛盾！这是引用诗篇，『耶和华对我主说：「你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。」』(诗篇 110:1) 现在我们已知道，耶稣是圣灵感孕而生，但在肉体上是大卫的子孙，而耶稣是三位一体的神中的一位，当然是大卫的主。诚然，那时的他们怎么能了解而回答呢？同样的一件事情记载在马太福音 22:41-45，并加上了一句，『他们没有一个人能回答一言。从那日以后也没有人敢再问他甚么。』(马太福音 22:46) 当然没有人敢问他甚么，回答不出祂的问题嘛！怕被问倒。同样一件事情也记载在马可福音 12:35-37，并在使徒行传 2:34-35 提到。

2. 法利赛人和文士的行为             

    『众百姓听的时候，耶稣对门徒说：「你们要防备文士。他们好穿长衣游行，喜爱人在街市上问他们安，又喜爱会堂里的高位，筵席上的首座；他们侵吞寡妇的家产，假意作很长的祷告。这些人要受更重的刑罚！」』(路加福音 20:45-47)             

    类似的经文在马可福音 12:38-40 提到，在马太福音 23:1-7 也提到，且特别的『说：「文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上，凡他们所吩咐你们的，你们都要谨守遵行；但不要效法他们的行为，因为他们能说不能行。』(马太福音 23:2-3) 其实许多是他们订的条文，圣经并没有讲，如耶稣说，『「你们是离弃神的诫命，拘守人的遗传。」又说：「你们诚然是废弃神的诫命，要守自己的遗传。摩西说：『当孝敬父母』，又说：『咒骂父母的，必治死他。』你们倒说：『人若对父母说：我所当奉给你的，已经作了各耳板』（各耳板就是供献的意思），以后你们就不容他再奉养父母。这就是你们承接遗传，废了神的道。你们还做许多这样的事。」』(马可福音 7:8-13) 。我们以前在「2061 约拿的预表, 眼睛, 和法利赛人及律法师的祸  –耶稣(16)」中谈到耶稣对法利赛的审判相当的详细，就不多说了。

3. 寡妇的两个小钱和十一奉献             

    『耶稣抬头观看，见财主把捐项投在库里，又见一个穷寡妇投了两个小钱，就说：「我实在告诉你们：这穷寡妇所投的比众人还多，因为众人都是自己有余，拿出来投在捐项里；但这寡妇是自己不足，把她一切养生的都投上了。」』(路加福音 21:1-4)            

    同样的一件事在马可福音 12:41-44 也有记载。我们以前说过，如果这寡妇常常奉献而每一次都把一切养生之物都投上了，大概是很难生存的，但不论如何，我们都可以看见她是甘心情愿的，难怪主耶稣会称赞她。在新约中，对奉献而言，耶稣在新约中唯一的称赞的就是那穷寡妇甘心乐意的奉献，我们可以从三方面看，在新约中没有提到说要十一的奉献。    

    先看旧约有十一奉献和献祭的教导，这可以从下列经文看出，『「人岂可夺取神之物呢？你们竟夺取我的供物。 「你们却说：『我们在何事上夺取你的供物呢？』 「就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。」』(玛拉基书 3:8) 加起来是超过十分之一的。    

    我们也看到这样的奉献足够使神家有粮，就如经文所说，『(希西家)谕旨一出，以色列人就把初熟的五谷、新酒、油、蜜和田地的出产多多送来，又把各物的十分之一送来的极多。住犹大各城的以色列人和犹大人，也将牛羊的十分之一，并分别为圣归耶和华他们神之物，就是十分取一之物，尽都送来积成堆垒。…希西家和众首领来，看见堆垒，就称颂耶和华，又为耶和华的民以色列人祝福。希西家向祭司利未人查问这堆垒。撒督家的大祭司亚撒利雅回答说：「自从民将供物送到耶和华殿以来，我们不但吃饱，且剩下的甚多。因为耶和华赐福与他的民，所剩下的才这样丰盛。」』(历代志下 31:5-10)    

    附带一提的是这些经文中提到了谕旨，但我们从圣经中就可看到，他的儿子玛拿西就不这样行，所以这样的事情一定要民众主动的甘心乐意发起，要不很容易会是人在政在，人亡政亡。后来的约西亚也是这样，他死后，他所做的事情也消失了。圣经说得很清楚，自己要为自己做的事负责，救恩就像这一样，不可能由父母传到儿女身上，各人要选择相信才行。    

    其实旧约一开始就说到要甘心乐意的奉献才会被悦纳，在建立会幕时，『耶和华晓谕摩西说：「你告诉以色列人当为我送礼物来，凡甘心乐意的，你们就可以收下归我。」』(出埃及记 25:1-2) 我们也看到当时的以色列人是多么的热心，因为最后是，『凡做圣所一切工的智慧人，各都离开他所做的工，来对摩西说：「百姓为耶和华吩咐使用之工所拿来的，富富有余。」摩西传命，他们就在全营中宣告说：「无论男女，不必再为圣所拿甚么礼物来。」这样才拦住百姓不再拿礼物来。因为他们所有的材料够做一切当做的物，而且有余。』(出埃及记 36:4-7)          

    新约时代已不要献祭，因『他(耶稣基督)为我们的罪作了挽回祭，不是单为我们的罪，也是为普天下人的罪。』(约翰一书 2:1-2) 就神借著圣经告诉我们是一致上，不会再有十一奉献的律法，爱主的人会自然而然的想要神家有粮，自然会以能力所及的，甘心乐意的有超过十一的奉献。我知道奉献最多的是超过百分之四十的一位姊妹的家，她不是借此夸耀，超过百分之二十就已经很难得了，如果要跨耀的话不需要超过百分之四十。因为她前一年报税时正好才发觉出了问题，她才知道她奉献的非盈利机构只能报税到百分之四十，要告诉我们是有上限的，所以我知道她们超过了百分之四十。后来我在网上查到，上限最高的为教会，到百分之五十。          

    有人说，如果我们看马太福音就会说到要有十一奉献，『经文士和法利赛人哪，你们这些伪善的人有祸了！因为你们奉献薄荷、莳萝、香芹的十分之一，却放弃了律法上更重要的：就是公义、怜悯、信实。这些才是你们应该做的，至于前者也不可放弃。』(中文标准译本，马太福音 23:23) 如果我们看这个译本，的确是说，前者的十一奉献也要做。但如果我们回到和合本的翻译，就是这样说，『你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们将薄荷、茴香、芹菜献上十分之一，那律法上更重的事，就是公义、怜悯、信实，反倒不行了。这更重的是你们当行的，那也是不可不行的。』(和合本, 马太福音 23:23) 这更重的公义、怜悯、信实确实是不可不行的。但从我所知道在网上 https://www.biblegateway.com/ 的 52 英文译本都基本上和中文标准译本相同，耶稣告诉在旧约时代的文士和法利赛人要守十一奉献，那在新约时代的我们到底该怎么做呢？       

    首先，我们看到耶稣并没有说在新约时代的我们要守十一奉献的律法，耶稣自己最讨厌的是遵守文字上的律法，祂自己也是在守安息日的真谛，不是守律法上文字所订的时间，在新约中怎么会有十一奉献的律法呢！       

    第二，我们从神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，也就是这里讲的不是文字上的圣经的一致性。如果必须要文字上的，你会发觉相当多文字上明显的矛盾，但从前者的角度看，就没有问题。那么在新约应该怎么做呢？就是『不要消灭圣灵的感动，』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 当我们确定不是邪灵装作光明的天使时，我们就是从神的角度看，因为圣灵是三位一体神中的一位，这样就自然而然的遵行了律法，所以会说，『莫想我来要废掉律法和先知；我来不是要废掉，乃是要成全。我实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。』(马太福音 5:17-18) 祂没有遵守文字上律法的安息日，但作我们的榜像，遵守了安息日的真谛。我们刚才谈过，一个爱主的人，自然会希望神家有粮，在能力的所及之下，会有超过十一的奉献。但这并不是说，奉献不到十一就不蒙悦纳，因为就像耶和华对撒母耳说的一样：『…耶和华不像人看人：人是看外貌，耶和华是看内心。』(撒母耳记上 16:7) 神知道有些人的力量是没办法奉献十分之一的。而且，『…一生的果效，是由心发出。』(箴言 4:23)       

    第三，从个人的经验中，也看到了神不会悦纳守律法的十一奉献。关于这点，我可以做一个简短的见证。我原先相信每个人都要十一奉献，因为我理解我过去的教导就是如此！约至少十几年前吧，我心中被激动要做十一奉献，但我们的经济情况不允许我们这样做，就决定要把大房子换成较小的，心想这样就可以有十一奉献了！当然我的姊妹一开始不同意，最后她同意了，这实在非常不容易。于是我们就找了一个中介去看房子，一连看了三个房子，发觉那时的房价跟本没办法做到十一奉献，房子虽然变小了，但是买新房子税增加了，大房子的价钱却不是这么高，只是徒然把大房子换成小房子，只好作罢！这个中介虽不是基督徒，不是以买掉房子赚钱为唯一的目的，最后他和太太来劝我们不要卖房子，会划不来，那时他们并不知道我们已决定不卖房子了。所以从人的角度看他是很好的，会为顾客著想，真希望他们能有一天信主，因『…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)    

    我自己一直都没有意识到我们有经济上的需要，一直到岳母去世后的多年前，我的姊妹才告诉我每次她回去看她妈妈时，岳母都塞给她一些钱，都补贴家用了！她以前没告诉我，因想我不会接受，所以对我而言，『…你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。』(马太福音 6:32) 我不知道，但神都知道，这次是借著我太太和岳母使我经历了这经文，你们也可看见做我太太是很不容易的。          

    我们再谈一下在新约中可能提到的问题，我们先看这经文，『论到为圣徒捐钱，我从前怎样吩咐加拉太的众教会，你们也当怎样行。每逢七日的第一日，各人要照自己的进项抽出来留著，免得我来的时候现凑。』(哥林多前书 16:1-2) 再看看刚才我们提到的那时法利赛人的教导是要奉献十分之一，耶稣不是在旧约的时代，『说：「文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上，凡他们所吩咐你们的，你们都要谨守遵行…』(马太福音 23:2-3) 吗？所以保罗不需要说大家都应该知道要奉献在十分之一以上。这不是说每一个人都要至少奉献十分之一吗？但我们知道那时的保罗是在新约时代，而且他说的很清楚，他所得到的，『…不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。』(加拉太书 1:12) 他也去了耶路撒冷，确定了和使徒们是在传同一个福音，所以不论是亲见跟过耶稣的使徒们，或是由启示而来的保罗，都是传一样的，我们也看到要得到生命最快也是要三年多，不是一信就立刻就会有的。就像我们刚才所说，耶稣自己都是在守安息日的真谛，不是在守文字上的律法，你想保罗会加给我们十分之一奉献的律法吗？          

    可能又有人会问，难道不是，『地上所有的，无论是地上的种子是树上的果子，十分之一是耶和华的，是归给耶和华为圣的。』(利未记 27:30) 这句话从来没有收回？难道我们不是要将耶和华的归给祂吗？但耶和华也说得很清楚，『…全地都是我的。』(出埃及记 19:5-6) 难道我们要将所有的都归给耶和华吗？不是的。在新约中，难道我们每个人都要像耶稣呼召那少年官时说得一样吗？那时『耶稣说：「你若愿意作完全人，可去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」』(马太福音 19:21)  难道每一个人都该变卖所有的吗？不是的，如果这是律法，我们就会得到错误的结论说，亚伯拉罕是不会进天国的，因神的祝福，他的产业很多。我们看到，『 那少年人听见这话，就忧忧愁愁地走了，因为他的产业很多。』(马太福音 19:22) 我们看前后文就知道，这带出了『…财主进天国是难的。』(马太福音 19:23) 但『…在神凡事都能！』(马太福音 19:26) 这是一个特例，说到耶稣是如何的呼召那少年人，给他一个机会，且不干涉他自由意志的决定，并不是一般的例子，说是每一个人都该要这样做。其实和当初亚当和夏娃在伊甸园一样，神给也了他们一个机会。    

    说到特例和一般的例子，也可以从以前谈过的要不要受洗作例子，我们不能以和耶稣同钉十字架强盗中的一位作借口不受洗，他不受洗就直接上乐园了。他是特例，我们和他的情况不同。在一般情况下，我们是要跟随耶稣的榜样受洗的。回到本题，在新约中，没有说每个人都要有十一奉献的律法的！   

    最后谈到一个可能常常听到的见证，就是说在祷告中预先就知道事情会如何发生，以后发生的的事情就和预先知道的一模一样，但有时事情的发生不同，甚至于会完全相反！人们容易以为超自然的事情都是从神来的，其实不是，在约伯记中就说得很清楚，我也可以在以后有适当的机会做这方面的见证。结论是我们要时时儆醒，要以圣经作为我们绝对的标准作分辩，确定不是『…撒但…装作光明的天使。』(哥林多后书 11:14) 圣经中神所预言的事情，没有不发生的。    

    关于以圣经作为绝对的标准作分辩的例子上，我可以用一个发生的事情作为例子。在最近的网上查经中，一次有位姊妹很高兴的说到她知道一个人见过耶和华的面，我实忍不住要问这人是死是活，她很高兴的说，这人是活著的。我只好告诉她，『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 33:19-20) 我不知他到底是看见了什么？于是她引用了类似这经文，『所以，凭著他们的果子，就可以认出他们来。』(马太福音 7:20) 并说，那人见过耶和华的面后就很热心。即使这样，『这也不足为怪，因为连撒但也装作光明的天使。所以，他的差役若装作仁义的差役，也不算希奇。…』(哥林多后书 11:14-15) 撒但的差役也会装著光明的天使的，通常这样都不会长久，只是有时要盖棺才能论定。

(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』。) 

We first look at the relationship between Jesus and David. In the flesh, Jesus is the descendant of David, and Jesus Christ is one of the Trinity of God, and is of course the Lord of David.  Second, we talk about the behavior of the Pharisees, who could say but did not do.  Third, we have seen that the widow’s donation of two very small coins was praised by Jesus, and explain why there is no legal requirement for tithing in the New Testament, but only voluntary giving.  At this point, we first see the Old Testament teaching of more than a tithe, because there are tithes plus sacrifices.  We give an example to illustrate that such an offering will definitely bring enough bread to God’s house. In fact, the Old Testament says from the time Moses built the tabernacle that only a willing offering will be accepted.  In the New Testament era, there are no more sacrifices, so do we still have the law of tithing?  No.  We explain this issue from three aspects.  First of all, we see that Jesus Himself in the New Testament obeyed the true meaning of keeping the Sabbath, but hated keeping the literal law the most. How could Jesus say that there should be a law of tithing?  Second, in the New Testament we should not eliminate the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that the law will be fulfilled naturally. God is faithful. Judging from the fact that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, how can there be a literal law? No, definitely not. Third, from personal experience (testimony), God knows that some people are incapable of tithing and will not accept law-abiding tithes. In fact, God looks at people’s hearts and does not compare them with others. Outwardly, He knows that a person who loves the Lord will do his best to make God’s house as prosperous as possible!  We also talked about two other possible references to tithing in the New Testament.  The conclusion is that we must be alert at all times and use the Bible as our absolute standard for discernment to make sure that it is not Satan’s messengers pretending to be angels of light.  God is faithful, and nothing predicted by God in the Bible will fail to happen.

1. The relationship between Jesus and David

“Then He (Jesus) said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?””(Luke 20:41-44)

It seems very contradictory!  This is a quote from the Psalm, “A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Psalm 110:1) Now we know that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born, but physically a son of David, and Jesus is one of the Trinity and, of course, the Lord of David.  Indeed, how could they understand and answer at that time?  The same incident is recorded in Matthew 22:41-45, with the addition, “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.”(Matthew 22:46) Of course, no one dared to ask Him anything since they couldn’t answer His questions and was afraid of being questioned again.  The same incident is recorded in Mark 12:35-37 and mentioned in Acts 2:34-35.

2. Behavior of the Pharisees and Scribes

“And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.””(Luke 20:45-47)

Similar scriptures are mentioned in Mark 12:38-40, and also mentioned in Matthew 23:1-7, specifically “saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.”(Matthew 23:2-3) In fact, many of the regulations are made by them and are not mentioned in the Bible. For example, Jesus said, “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.””(Mark 7:8-13)  We have previously talked about Jesus’ judgment of the Pharisees in considerable detail in “1061 The type of Jonah, the eye, and the woe to the Pharisees and teachers of the law – Jesus (16) “, so I won’t go into details. 

3. The widow’s two very small coins and tithe

“And He (Jesus ) looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.””(Luke 21:1-4)

The same incident is recorded in Mark 12:41-44.  We have said before that if this widow often gave and invested all her livelihood every time, it would probably be difficult for her to survive. But no matter what, we can see that she is willing. No wonder the Lord Jesus praised her.   In the New Testament, regarding offering, the only thing Jesus praised was the willing offering of the poor widow. We can see from three aspects that there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament.

Let’s first look at the Old Testament’s teaching on tithes and sacrifices. This can be seen from the following verses, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.”(Malachi 3:8) That adds up to more than one tenth.

We also see that such an offering is enough to provide bread for the house of God, as the scripture says, “As soon as the order (Hezekiah’s) decree spread, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of sacred gifts which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month they began to make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, “Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.””(2 Chronicles 31:5-10)

By the way, these verses mention ‘the order (Hezekiah’s) decree.’ We can see from the Bible that his son Manasseh did not do this. Therefore, such a thing must be initiated by the people willingly and actively, otherwise it will easy to get into the situation, ‘policies exist only when a person like Hezekiah is alive, his policies will die with his death.’ The same thing happened with Josiah later. After his death, the things he did disappeared.  The Bible makes it very clear that you are responsible for what you do. Salvation, just like this, cannot be passed on from parents to children. Everyone himself must choose what to believe.

In fact, from the very beginning of the Old Testament, it is said that only a willing offering will be accepted. When the tabernacle was built, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.”(Exodus 25:1-2) We also see how zealous the Israelites were at that time, because in the end, “And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.” So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.”(Exodus 36:4-7)

In the New Testament era, there is no need to offer sacrifices because “…Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”(1 John 2:1-2) It is consistent with what God tells us through the Bible. There will no longer be a law of tithing. People who love the Lord will naturally want to have bread for God’s house, and should be willing to give more than ten percent when able. I know that who had offered the most is from the home of a sister which was more than 40%. She was not bragging about it at that time. More than 20% is already very rare. If you want to show off, you don’t need to exceed 40%.  Because she just discovered something was wrong when she filed her tax return the year before, and she learned that the non-profit organization she contributed to could only file tax returns up to 40%. She told us that there was an upper limit, so I knew they exceeded 40%.  Later I found out on the Internet that the highest limit is for churches, which is 50%.

Some people say, if we look at the Gospel of Matthew, it will talk about tithing, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”(Matthew 23:23) Yes, Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees in the Old Testament era to keep tithing, then what should we do in the New Testament era?

First of all, we see that Jesus did not say that in the New Testament era we should keep the law of tithing. What Jesus hated most was keeping the literal law. He himself was keeping the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the literal law. How can there be a law of tithing in the New Testament at the time specified in the text above for the New Testament era?

Second, we see that what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, that is, what we are talking about here is not the consistency of the Bible in words.  If you have to look at the text literally, you will find quite a few obvious contradictions, but from the perspective of the former, there is no problem.  So what should we do in the New Testament?  That is, “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we are sure that it is not an evil spirit pretending to be an angel of light, we are looking at it from God’s perspective, because the Holy Spirit is one of the Trinity. In this way, you will naturally obey the law, so it is said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”(Matthew 5:17-18) He did not keep the Sabbath of the literal law, but as our example, He kept the true meaning of the Sabbath.  As we have just discussed, a person who loves the Lord will naturally hope that God’s house will have enough bread, and will give more than tithe within his ability.  But this does not mean that giving less than ten percent is not acceptable, because just as the Lord said to Samuel: “…God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7) God knows that some people are unable to give a tithe.  Moreover, we know that “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”(Proverbs 4:23)

Third, from personal experience, I have also seen that God will not accept tithing that abides by the law.  I can give a brief testimony about this.  I originally believed that everyone should tithe because I understood that was what I had been taught in the past!  About at least ten years ago, I was inspired to tithe, but our financial situation did not allow us to do so, so we decided to replace the big house with a smaller one, thinking that this way we could tithe. Got it!  Of course my wife didn’t agree at first, but eventually she agreed, which was really not easy for her.  So we hired an agent to look at the houses, and we looked at three houses in a row. We found that the house prices at that time were impossible to allow us to tithe. Although the house had become smaller, the tax on buying a new house had increased. The price is not that high enough for the big house. It was just a futile attempt to replace a big house with a small one, so we had to give up!  Although this agent was not a Christian, his sole purpose was not to make money by selling the house. Finally, he and his wife came to persuade us not to sell the house because it would be uneconomical. At that time, they did not know that we had decided not to sell the house.  Therefore, from a human perspective, he is very good and considers his customers. I really hope that they will believe in the Lord one day, 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)

I myself never realized that we had financial needs. It was not until many years after my mother-in-law passed away that my wife told me that every time she went back to see her mother, and her mother gave her some money, which helped support the family!  She hadn’t told me before because she didn’t think I would accept it, so to me, “…your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”(Matthew 6:32) I don’t know, but God knows. This time it was through my wife and mother-in-law that I experienced this scripture. You can also see that it is not easy to be my wife.

Let’s talk about the issues that may be raised by someone about the New Testament. Let’s first look at this verse, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”(1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Let’s look at the teaching of the Pharisees we mentioned before, which was to give tithes. Was Jesus in the Old Testament era, “saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, …””? (Matthew 23:2-3) So Paul doesn’t need to say since everyone should know how to give. More than one tenth. Doesn’t this mean that everyone must give at least one tenth? We know that Paul was in the New Testament era at that time, and he made it very clear, “…I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:12) He also went to Jerusalem and confirmed that he and the apostles were preaching the same gospel, so whether it is the apostles who have personally seen Jesus or Paul who came through revelation, they all preach the same thing. We also see that it takes more than three years at the fastest to have life like Paul in wilderness about three years or apostles followed Jesus about the same years. It does not happen immediately as soon as one believes. As we just said, Jesus Himself kept the true meaning of the Sabbath, not the literal law. Do you think Paul would give us the law of tithing?

Someone may ask, isn’t it, “…all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD.”(Leviticus 27:30) This sentence has never been taken back?  Are we not to give to the Lord what is His?  But Jehovah also made it clear, “…all the earth is Mine.”(Exodus 19:5) Shall we give everything to the Lord?  No.  In the New Testament, should each of us do the same thing as Jesus said when he called the young ruler?  At that time, “Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””(Matthew 19:21) Could it be that should everyone sell everything?  No. If this was the law, we would come to the wrong conclusion that Abraham would not enter the kingdom of heaven. Because of God’s blessing, his wealth was large.  We see, “But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”(Matthew 19:22) When we look at the context, we can see that this brings out “…it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 19:23) But “…with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26) This is a special case, which states how Jesus called the young man, loved him, gave him a chance, and did not interfere with his free will decision. It is not a general case, which says that everyone should do this.  In fact, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God gave them a chance.

Speaking of special cases and general examples, we can also take the previous discussion of whether to be baptized as an example. We cannot use one of the criminals crucified with Jesus as an excuse not to be baptized. Yes, he went directly to paradise without being baptized.  It is a special case, and our situation is different from his.  Under normal circumstances, we are to follow Jesus’ example in being baptized.  Back to the topic, in the New Testament, there is no law that says everyone must tithe!

Finally, let me talk about a testimony that you may often hear, that is, one knows in advance how things will happen in prayer, and what happens in the future will be exactly the same as what one knew in advance, but sometimes things will happen differently, or even completely opposite!  People tend to think that supernatural things all come from God. In fact, this is not the case. It is clearly stated in the Book of Job. I can also bear witness in this regard when I have the appropriate opportunity in the future.  The conclusion is that we must always be alert and use the Bible as our absolute standard for judgment to make sure it is not “…Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”(2 Corinthians 11:14) Or “…his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:15) Nothing predicted by God in the Bible will not happen.

As an example of using the Bible as the absolute standard for discernment, I can use an incident that happened as an example.  In a recent online Bible study, a sister happily said that she knew a person who had seen the face of Jehovah. I couldn’t help but ask whether this person was dead or alive. She happily said that this person was living.  I had to tell her, “…He (Jehovah) said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!””(Exodus 33:19-20) I don’t know what he saw exactly. To respond, she quoted a verse like this, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”(Matthew 7:20) And said, the man became zealous after seeing the presence.  Even so, as we said before, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, …”(2 Corinthians 11:14-15) You see that Satan’s messengers are disguised as angels of light very often. But usually this will not last very long, but sometimes it is hard to determine until the coffin is closed.

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

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

    我们在此时应该要提到，这些短文是基于在油管(YouTube )上的专题查经，在分享话语前，我们有个简短的诗歌敬拜，结束的时候也有个简短的结束祷告。通常我们选的诗歌和主题有关，譬如这次选的是「主居首位」，「祂藏我灵」，和「主活著」。如果我们能以主居首位，在有需要的时候，主是信实的神，自然会赐给我们智慧的话语。凶恶的园户的比喻中，提到了耶稣就是匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头，信靠祂的人绝不致羞愧，祂会藏我们的灵魂在磐石洞穴里。且神是活人的神，在祂那里人都是活著，我们是奉一位复活主，主活著，今日活在我们心中。因为有些人比较喜欢看文章，而有些文觉得在油管上有声音比较亲切，因此我们决定基本上分享会以两种的形式出现。文章是后写的，因此发觉能表示得更清楚时、或偶而需要更正错误时，我们都会放在文章里。    

    首先我们看到了两个智慧的言语的例子，一是耶稣如何回答祂的权柄从何来的问题，二是为是否该纳税给凯撒的问题。祂很清楚这样智慧的回答是知道自己的时候还没到，我们也看到了祂这时也会做我们的榜样去遵守属世的法律。当祂的时间到了的时候，祂会直接的回答事实，并不珍惜自己的生命，最终钉上了十字架，完成了救恩，给了我们一个机会。第二，凶恶园户的比喻非常清楚，连文士和祭司长都很清楚这比喻是指著他们说的。他们就是那凶恶的园户，将耶稣钉上了十字架，而耶稣基督就是那块匠人所弃的，但作了房角石的石头，是教会的根基。最后我们听到了耶稣论人复活的事，知道了从死里复活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是复活的人，就为神的儿子，且神乃是活人的神。

1. 智慧的言语范例       

    『有一天，耶稣在(耶路撒冷)殿里教训百姓，讲福音的时候，祭司长和文士并长老上前来，问他说：「你告诉我们，你仗著甚么权柄做这些事？给你这权柄的是谁呢？」耶稣回答说：「我也要问你们一句话，你们且告诉我，约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，是从人间来的呢？」他们彼此商议说：「我们若说『从天上来』，他必说：『你们为甚么不信他呢？』若说『从人间来』，百姓都要用石头打死我们，因为他们信约翰是先知。」于是回答说：「不知道是从哪里来的。」耶稣说：「我也不告诉你们，我仗著甚么权柄做这些事。」』(路加福音 20:1-8)     #####我们看到了耶稣并没有直接回答他们的问题，而是反问了他们。接著我们就看到了衪为什么用反问他们作为回答，这样的反问使他们左右为难，只好说我们不知道从那里来。照经文看来，他们既然不相信施洗约翰，只是因怕百姓，不敢讲，就撒谎了。       

    同样的一件事也记录在马太福音 21:23-27 和马可福音 11:27-33。我们看到了耶稣在这一次很有智慧的回答了祂被挑战的问题。其实耶稣老早就告诉文士和法利赛人自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，而文士和法利赛人知道，除了神以外，谁能赦罪呢？(参路加福音 5:17-26) 只是他们不信。经文说，『圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。这人蒙圣灵赐他智慧的言语…』(哥林多前书 12:7-8) 『神所差来的，就说神的话，因为神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。』(约翰福音 3:34) 这就是智慧的言语的一个范例。     

    其实这也不是唯一的一次，在这里有另外一次，『于是(文士和祭司长)窥探耶稣，打发奸细装作好人，要在他的话上得把柄，好将他交在巡抚的政权之下。奸细就问耶稣说：「夫子，我们晓得你所讲所传都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是诚诚实实传神的道。我们纳税给凯撒，可以不可以？」耶稣看出他们的诡诈，就对他们说：「拿一个银钱来给我看。这像和这号是谁的？」 他们说：「是凯撒的。」耶稣说：「这样，凯撒的物当归给凯撒，神的物当归给神。」他们当著百姓，在这话上得不著把柄，又希奇他的应对，就闭口无言了。』(路加福音 20:20-26）那时犹太人在罗马的统治下，除了死刑外，他们是可以审判的，所以才要找把柄把祂交在巡抚的政权之下，判祂死刑。而这一次祂显然又以智慧的话语问答他们，使他们找不著把柄。       

    祂知道自己的时候还没到的时候，也会做我们的榜样去遵守属世的法律。我们先看保罗怎么说？『在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他，因为没有权柄不是出于神的，凡掌权的都是神所命的。』(罗马书 13:1) 彼得也说，『你们为主的缘故，要顺服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罚恶赏善的臣宰。』(彼得前书 2:13-14) 但这不指一味的顺服，而是应该在这很清楚的原则之下，就像彼得和众使徒所说的：『…顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！』(使徒行传 5:29) 主耶稣就是这样做我们的榜样。在祂遵守属世的法律上，我们可以在这些经文中看到，『到了迦百农，有收丁税的人来见彼得说：「你们的先生不纳丁税吗？」彼得说：「纳。」他进了屋子，耶稣先向他说：「西门，你的意思如何？世上的君王向谁征收关税、丁税？是向自己的儿子呢，是向外人呢？」彼得说：「是向外人。」 耶稣说：「既然如此，儿子就可以免税了。但恐怕触犯他们，你且往海边去钓鱼，把先钓上来的鱼拿起来，开了牠的口，必得一块钱，可以拿去给他们，作你我的税银。」』(马太福音 17:24-27) 这当然也是一个神迹，祂预先就知道这事会发生，但这是一个奇怪的方法，也不知道这事是不是如有些人说在训练彼得的耐心，因为彼得是渔夫，平常都是用鱼网的，而钓鱼是要很有耐心。通常不是一钓就有鱼上勾，如果很快就有鱼上勾，真会是有主的怜悯。       

    当祂的时间到了的时候，祂会直接回答事实，并不珍惜自己的生命，犹如经文所说，『… 大祭司对他说：「我指著永生神叫你起誓告诉我们，你是神的儿子基督不是？」耶稣对他说：「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。」大祭司就撕开衣服，说：「他说了僭妄的话！我们何必再用见证人呢？这僭妄的话，现在你们都听见了。你们的意见如何？」 他们回答说：「他是该死的。」』(马太福音 26:63-66) 这里我们也看到了耶稣的方式，祂先要别人说出到祂的身份，然后回答说「你说的是」。他们以前要找祂的把柄一直都找不到，现在时间到了，祂就直接给他们一个是事实的理由，并不珍惜自己的生命，只要，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(马太福音 26:39)       

    不只是在犹太人前如此，在巡抚彼拉多前亦然，就如经文所记，『耶稣站在巡抚面前，巡抚问他说：「你是犹太人的王吗？」 耶稣说：「你说的是。」』(马太福音 27:11) 最终，『于是彼拉多释放巴拉巴给他们，把耶稣鞭打了，交给人钉十字架。』(马太福音 27:26) 祂为完成救恩，钉上了十字架，舍弃了自己的生命，给了我们一个机会。

2. 凶恶园户的比喻并其解说       

    『耶稣就设比喻对百姓说：「有人栽了一个葡萄园，租给园户，就往外国去住了许久。到了时候，打发一个仆人到园户那里去，叫他们把园中当纳的果子交给他。园户竟打了他，叫他空手回去。又打发一个仆人去，他们也打了他，并且凌辱他，叫他空手回去。又打发第三个仆人去，他们也打伤了他，把他推出去了。「园主说：『我怎么办呢？我要打发我的爱子去，或者他们尊敬他。』「不料，园户看见他，就彼此商量说：『这是承受产业的，我们杀他吧，使产业归于我们！』于是把他推出葡萄园外杀了。 「这样，葡萄园的主人要怎样处治他们呢？他要来除灭这些园户，将葡萄园转给别人。」 听见的人说：「这是万不可的！」耶稣看著他们说：「经上记著：『匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。』 这是甚么意思呢？凡掉在那石头上的，必要跌碎；那石头掉在谁的身上，就要把谁砸得稀烂。」文士和祭司长看出这比喻是指著他们说的，当时就想要下手拿他，只是惧怕百姓。』(路加福音 20:9-19)    

    这是一个比喻不是实际发生的事情，我们读经时要把这两者分清楚。但这比喻非常清楚，连文士和祭司长都很清楚这比喻是指著他们说的。他们不是那凶恶的园户吗？他们不是最终将耶稣钉上了十字架吗？耶稣基督就是那块匠人所弃的石头，就像彼得所说，『主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，作圣洁的祭司，借著耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。因为经上说：「看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。」所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵，在那不信的人有话说：「匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。」又说：「作了绊脚的石头，跌人的磐石。」 他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌。他们这样绊跌，也是预定的。』(彼得前书 2:4-8)    

    我们看到神的标准和人的是很不同的，同样的一块石头，在信的人就为宝贵，在不信的人，就成了跌人的磐石。我们除了自己为活石建造成灵宫外，也是圣洁的祭司，人人都有大使命 (参马太福音 28:18,20)，有责任宣讲福音，因为我们深深的知道，『…信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。』(罗马书 10:17) 有些人可能会说，既然是预定的，那我们还需要传教吗？是的，我们仍需要，原因是我们不知道那预定的人是什么人？也许那预定的人信是因为你的传教呢！其实，能不能信就看听的人了，如果一个人觉得自己不需要救恩，是很难让这人得到救恩的。但我们必须甘心情愿的、尽我们的义务以身作则的去宣道，就像耶稣道成肉身的那段时间，祂讲了，也行了许多神迹，但很显然的，信的人并不是那么多，我们也不要因宣道时有些人不信而灰心。简言之就是，我们『…不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是神家里的人了。并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，各房靠他联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。』(以弗所书 2:19-21) 清注意，成圣之路是渐渐的，看亚伯拉罕的经历就知道这点，真不要告诉人因信称义就可以了，那只是开始。

3. 耶稣论人复活的事    

    『撒都该人常说没有复活的事。有几个来问耶稣说：「夫子！摩西为我们写著说：『人若有妻无子就死了，他兄弟当娶他的妻，为哥哥生子立后。』有弟兄七人，第一个娶了妻，没有孩子死了；第二个、第三个也娶过她；那七个人都娶过她，没有留下孩子就死了。后来妇人也死了。这样，当复活的时候，她是哪一个的妻子呢？因为他们七个人都娶过她。」耶稣说：「这世界的人有娶有嫁，惟有算为配得那世界，与从死里复活的人，也不娶也不嫁，因为他们不能再死，和天使一样。既是复活的人，就为神的儿子。至于死人复活，摩西在荆棘篇上，称主是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因为在他那里，人都是活的。」有几个文士说：「夫子，你说得好！」以后他们不敢再问他甚么。』(路加福音 20:27-40)      

    撒都该人以为这样可以刁难耶稣，却没有想到是自己不了解，从死里复活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是复活的人，就为神的儿子，且神乃是活人的神，难怪以后他们不敢再问他甚么。

(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』。) 

    我們在此時應該要提到，這些短文是基於在油管(YouTube )上的專題查經，在分享話語前，我們有個簡短的詩歌敬拜，結束的時候也有個簡短的結束禱告。通常我們選的詩歌和主題有關，譬如這次選的是「主居首位」，「祂藏我靈」，和「主活著」。如果我們能以主居首位，在有需要的時候，主是信實的神，自然會賜給我們智慧的話語。兇惡的園戶的比喻中，提到了耶穌就是匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭，信靠祂的人絕不致羞愧，祂會藏我們的靈魂在磐石洞穴裡。且神是活人的神，在祂那裏人都是活著，我們是奉一位復活主，主活著，今日活在我們心中。因為有些人比較喜歡看文章，而有些文覺得在油管上有聲音比較親切，因此我們決定基本上分享會以兩種的形式出現。文章是後寫的，因此發覺能表示得更清楚時、或偶而需要更正錯誤時，我們都會放在文章裏。

    首先我們看到了兩個智慧的言語的例子，一是耶穌如何回答祂的權柄從何來的問題，二是為是否該納稅給凱撒的問題。祂很清楚這樣智慧的回答是知道自己的時候還沒到，我們也看到了祂這時也會做我們的榜樣去遵守屬世的法律。當祂的時間到了的時候，祂會直接的回答事實，並不珍惜自己的生命，最終釘上了十字架，完成了救恩，給了我們一個機會。第二，兇惡園戶的比喻非常清楚，連文士和祭司長都很清楚這比喻是指着他們說的。他們就是那兇惡的園戶，將耶穌釘上了十字架，而耶穌基督就是那塊匠人所棄的，但作了房角石的石頭，是教會的根基。最後我們聽到了耶穌論人復活的事，知道了從死裏復活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是復活的人，就為神的兒子，且神乃是活人的神。

1. 智慧的言語範例

       『有一天，耶穌在(耶路撒冷)殿裏教訓百姓，講福音的時候，祭司長和文士並長老上前來，問他說：「你告訴我們，你仗着甚麼權柄做這些事？給你這權柄的是誰呢？」耶穌回答說：「我也要問你們一句話，你們且告訴我，約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，是從人間來的呢？」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必說：『你們為甚麼不信他呢？』若說『從人間來』，百姓都要用石頭打死我們，因為他們信約翰是先知。」於是回答說：「不知道是從哪裏來的。」耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們，我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。」』(路加福音 20:1-8)

    我們看到了耶穌並沒有直接回答他們的問題，而是反問了他們。接著我們就看到了衪為什麼用反問他們作為回答，這樣的反問使他們左右為難，衹好說我們不知道從那裏來。照經文看來，他們既然不相信施洗約翰，衹是因怕百姓，不敢講，就撒謊了。

       同樣的一件事也記錄在馬太福音 21:23-27 和馬可福音 11:27-33。我們看到了耶穌在這一次很有智慧的回答了祂被挑戰的問題。其實耶穌老早就告訴文士和法利賽人自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，而文士和法利賽人知道，除了神以外，誰能赦罪呢？(參路加福音 5:17-26) 衹是他們不信。經文說，『聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。這人蒙聖靈賜他智慧的言語…』(哥林多前書 12:7-8) 『神所差來的，就說神的話，因為神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。』(約翰福音 3:34) 這就是智慧的言語的一個範例。

     其實這也不是唯一的一次，在這裏有另外一次，『於是(文士和祭司長)窺探耶穌，打發奸細裝作好人，要在他的話上得把柄，好將他交在巡撫的政權之下。奸細就問耶穌說：「夫子，我們曉得你所講所傳都是正道，也不取人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳神的道。我們納稅給凱撒，可以不可以？」耶穌看出他們的詭詐，就對他們說：「拿一個銀錢來給我看。這像和這號是誰的？」 他們說：「是凱撒的。」耶穌說：「這樣，凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，神的物當歸給神。」他們當着百姓，在這話上得不着把柄，又希奇他的應對，就閉口無言了。』(路加福音 20:20-26）那時猶太人在羅馬的統治下，除了死刑外，他們是可以審判的，所以才要找把柄把祂交在巡撫的政權之下，判祂死刑。而這一次祂顯然又以智慧的話語問答他們，使他們找不著把柄。

       祂知道自己的時候還沒到的時候，也會做我們的榜樣去遵守屬世的法律。我們先看保羅怎麼說？『在上有權柄的，人人當順服他，因為沒有權柄不是出於神的，凡掌權的都是神所命的。』(羅馬書 13:1) 彼得也說，『你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。』(彼得前書 2:13-14) 但這不指一味的順服，而是應該在這很清楚的原則之下，就像彼得和衆使徒所說的：『…順從神，不順從人，是應當的！』(使徒行傳 5:29) 主耶穌就是這樣做我們的榜樣。在祂遵守屬世的法律上，我們可以在這些經文中看到，『到了迦百農，有收丁稅的人來見彼得說：「你們的先生不納丁稅嗎？」彼得說：「納。」他進了屋子，耶穌先向他說：「西門，你的意思如何？世上的君王向誰徵收關稅、丁稅？是向自己的兒子呢，是向外人呢？」彼得說：「是向外人。」 耶穌說：「既然如此，兒子就可以免稅了。但恐怕觸犯他們，你且往海邊去釣魚，把先釣上來的魚拿起來，開了牠的口，必得一塊錢，可以拿去給他們，作你我的稅銀。」』(馬太福音 17:24-27) 這當然也是一個神蹟，祂預先就知道這事會發生，但這是一個奇怪的方法，也不知道這事是不是如有些人說在訓練彼得的耐心，因為彼得是漁夫，平常都是用魚網的，而釣魚是要很有耐心。通常不是一釣就有魚上勾，如果很快就有魚上勾，真會是有主的憐憫。

       當祂的時間到了的時候，祂會直接回答事實，並不珍惜自己的生命，猶如經文所說，『… 大祭司對他說：「我指着永生神叫你起誓告訴我們，你是神的兒子基督不是？」耶穌對他說：「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。」大祭司就撕開衣服，說：「他說了僭妄的話！我們何必再用見證人呢？這僭妄的話，現在你們都聽見了。你們的意見如何？」 他們回答說：「他是該死的。」』(馬太福音 26:63-66) 這裏我們也看到了耶穌的方式，祂先要別人說出到祂的身份，然後回答說「你說的是」。他們以前要找祂的把柄一直都找不到，現在時間到了，祂就直接給他們一個是事實的理由，並不珍惜自己的生命，只要，『…不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。』(馬太福音 26:39)

       不只是在猶太人前如此，在巡撫彼拉多前亦然，就如經文所記，『耶穌站在巡撫面前，巡撫問他說：「你是猶太人的王嗎？」 耶穌說：「你說的是。」』(馬太福音 27:11) 最終，『於是彼拉多釋放巴拉巴給他們，把耶穌鞭打了，交給人釘十字架。』(馬太福音 27:26) 祂為完成救恩，釘上了十字架，捨棄了自己的生命，給了我們一個機會。

2. 兇惡園戶的比喻並其解說

       『耶穌就設比喻對百姓說：「有人栽了一個葡萄園，租給園戶，就往外國去住了許久。到了時候，打發一個僕人到園戶那裏去，叫他們把園中當納的果子交給他。園戶竟打了他，叫他空手回去。又打發一個僕人去，他們也打了他，並且凌辱他，叫他空手回去。又打發第三個僕人去，他們也打傷了他，把他推出去了。「園主說：『我怎麼辦呢？我要打發我的愛子去，或者他們尊敬他。』「不料，園戶看見他，就彼此商量說：『這是承受產業的，我們殺他吧，使產業歸於我們！』於是把他推出葡萄園外殺了。 「這樣，葡萄園的主人要怎樣處治他們呢？他要來除滅這些園戶，將葡萄園轉給別人。」 聽見的人說：「這是萬不可的！」耶穌看着他們說：「經上記着：『匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。』 這是甚麼意思呢？凡掉在那石頭上的，必要跌碎；那石頭掉在誰的身上，就要把誰砸得稀爛。」文士和祭司長看出這比喻是指着他們說的，當時就想要下手拿他，只是懼怕百姓。』(路加福音 20:9-19)

    這是一個比喻不是實際發生的事情，我們讀經時要把這兩者分清楚。但這比喻非常清楚，連文士和祭司長都很清楚這比喻是指着他們說的。他們不是那兇惡的園戶嗎？他們不是最終將耶穌釘上了十字架嗎？耶穌基督就是那塊匠人所棄的石頭，就像彼得所說，『主乃活石，固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮，作聖潔的祭司，藉着耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。因為經上說：「看哪，我把所揀選、所寶貴的房角石安放在錫安，信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。」所以，他在你們信的人就為寶貴，在那不信的人有話說：「匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。」又說：「作了絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石。」 他們既不順從，就在道理上絆跌。他們這樣絆跌，也是預定的。』(彼得前書 2:4-8) 

    我們看到神的標準和人的是很不同的，同樣的一塊石頭，在信的人就為寶貴，在不信的人，就成了跌人的磐石。我們除了自己為活石建造成靈宮外，也是聖潔的祭司，人人都有大使命 (參馬太福音 28:18,20)，有責任宣講福音，因為我們深深的知道，『…信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。』(羅馬書 10:17) 有些人可能會說，既然是預定的，那我們還需要傳教嗎？是的，我們仍需要，原因是我們不知道那預定的人是什麼人？也許那預定的人信是因為你的傳教呢！其實，能不能信就看聽的人了，如果一個人覺得自己不需要救恩，是很難讓這人得到救恩的。但我們必須甘心情願的、盡我們的義務以身作則的去宣道，就像耶穌道成肉身的那段時間，祂講了，也行了許多神蹟，但很顯然的，信的人並不是那麼多，我們也不要因宣道時有些人不信而灰心。簡言之就是，我們『…不再作外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裏的人了。並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石，各房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿。』(以弗所書 2:19-21) 清注意，成聖之路是漸漸的，看亞伯拉罕的經歷就知道這點，真不要告訴人因信稱義就可以了，那只是開始。

3. 耶穌論人復活的事

    『撒都該人常說沒有復活的事。有幾個來問耶穌說：「夫子！摩西為我們寫着說：『人若有妻無子就死了，他兄弟當娶他的妻，為哥哥生子立後。』有弟兄七人，第一個娶了妻，沒有孩子死了；第二個、第三個也娶過她；那七個人都娶過她，沒有留下孩子就死了。後來婦人也死了。這樣，當復活的時候，她是哪一個的妻子呢？因為他們七個人都娶過她。」耶穌說：「這世界的人有娶有嫁，惟有算為配得那世界，與從死裏復活的人，也不娶也不嫁，因為他們不能再死，和天使一樣。既是復活的人，就為神的兒子。至於死人復活，摩西在荊棘篇上，稱主是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神，就指示明白了。神原不是死人的神，乃是活人的神；因為在他那裏，人都是活的。」有幾個文士說：「夫子，你說得好！」以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。』(路加福音 20:27-40)

       撒都該人以為這樣可以刁難耶穌，卻沒有想到是自己不瞭解，從死裏復活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是復活的人，就為神的兒子，且神乃是活人的神，難怪以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。

(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 should mention at this point that these short articles are based on the Topic Wise Bible studies on YouTube. Before sharing these words, we have a short song of worship, and there is also a short closing prayer at the end.  Usually, the hymns we choose are related to the theme. For example, this time we chose “Christ Preeminence”, “He Hideth My Soul”, and “He Lives”.  If we can put the Lord first, the Lord, who is a faithful God, will naturally give us words of wisdom when we are in need.  In the parable of the evil tenants, it is mentioned that Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected and has become the corner stone. Those who believe in Him will never be ashamed. He will hide our souls in the cave of the rock.  Moreover, God is the God of living people. With Him, everyone is alive. We serve a resurrected Lord. The Lord lives and lives in our hearts today.  Because some people prefer to read articles, and some people feel that it is more friendly to have voices on YouTube, so we decided that sharing will basically appear in two forms.  The article is written later, so when we find it can be expressed more clearly, or when we occasionally need to correct errors, we will put them in the article.

First, we saw two examples of wise words, one is how Jesus answered the question of where his authority comes from, and the other is the question of whether taxes should be paid to Caesar.  He knew very well that His time had not yet come, so He used the words of wisdom to reply to these questions. We also saw that He would set an example for us to obey the laws of the world at that time.  When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, and finally be nailed to the cross, completing salvation and giving us a chance.  Second, the parable of the evil tenants is so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them.  They were the evil tenants who nailed Jesus to the cross, and Jesus Christ was the stone that the builders rejected but became the cornerstone, the foundation of the church.  Finally, we heard Jesus talk about the resurrection of man, and we learned that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living.

1. Examples of words of wisdom 

 ​

“On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””(Luke 20:1-8)

We see that Jesus did not answer their questions directly, but asked them in return.  Then we see why He responded with a rhetorical question that put them in a dilemma and they had to say we don’t know where it comes from.  According to the scriptures, since they did not believe John the Baptist, they just lied because they were afraid of the people.

The same incident is recorded in Matthew 21:23-27 and Mark 11:27-33.  We see that Jesus wisely answered the question when He was challenged on this occasion.  In fact, Jesus had long ago told the scribes and Pharisees that he was the Son of Man and could forgive sins on earth, since the scribes and Pharisees knew that except God, who could forgive sins?  (See Luke 5:17-26) But they didn’t believe it.  The scripture says, ” But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, …”( 1 Corinthians 12:7-8) “For He (Jesus) whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) This is an example of words of wisdom.

In fact, this is not the only time, there is another time here, “So they (the scribes and chief priests) watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He detected their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.”(Luke 20:20-26)

At that time, the Jews were under the rule of Rome. Other than the death penalty, they could punish others with any penalties, so they wanted to find a reason to hand Him over to the governor’s authority and sentence Him to death.  And this time He obviously answered them with wise words, leaving them with no excuses.

Knowing that His time has not yet come, He will also be our example to obey the laws of the world.  Let’s first see what Paul says? “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”(Romans 13:1) Peter also said, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”(1 Peter 2:13-14) But this does not mean blind obedience, but it should be under this very clear principle, just as Peter and the apostles said: “…We must obey God rather than men.”(Acts 5:29)

The Lord Jesus is our example of doing this.  In His observance of earthly laws, we can see in these verses, “When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.””(Matthew 17:24-27)

This is of course a miracle. He knew in advance that this would happen, but this is a strange method and may be like what some people say. It is training Peter’s patience, because Peter is a fisherman and usually uses a fishing net, and fishing requires great patience.  Usually, fish don’t take the bait when you cast the fishing rod. If fish take the bait that soon, it will really be the Lord’s mercy.

When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, as the scripture says, “…And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “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.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!””(Matthew 26:63-66)

Here we also see Jesus’ way of asking others to reveal first who He is and then replying, “You have said it yourself.”  They had never been able to find a reason to kill Him before. Now that the time has come, He directly gave them a factual reason. He did not cherish his own life, as long as, “…yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39)

This was true not only before the Jews, but also before the governor Pilate, as the scripture records, “Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.””(Matthew 27:11) Finally, “Then he (Pilate) released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”(Matthew 27:26) In order to complete salvation, He was crucified on the cross, gave up His life, and gave us a chance.

2. The parable of the evil tenants and its explanation

“And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.”(Luke 20:9-19)

This is a parable and not an actual thing. We must clearly distinguish between the two when reading the Bible.  But the parable was so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them.  Aren’t they the evil tenants?  Didn’t they ultimately crucify Jesus?  Jesus Christ is the stone that was rejected by the builders. Just as Peter said, “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”(1 Peter 2:4-8)

We see that God’s standards are very different from those of man. The same stone is precious to those who believe, but it becomes a rock of offense to those who do not believe.  In addition to building a spiritual house for ourselves as living stones, we are also holy priests. Everyone has the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18,20) and has the responsibility to preach the gospel, because we know deeply that “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Some people may say, since it is predestined, do we still need to preach?  Yes, we still need it, and the reason is that we don’t know who the predestined one is?  Maybe the intended people believe because of your preaching! 

In fact, whether a person can believe it or not depends on the person who listens. If a person feels that he does not need salvation, it will be difficult for him to receive salvation.  But we must be willing to preach and fulfill our obligations and lead by example. Just like the time when Jesus became flesh, He spoke and performed many miracles, but obviously, not so many people believed. We shouldn’t be discouraged because some people don’t believe when you preach.  In short, we “…are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”(Ephesians 2:19-20) Please notice that the road to sanctification is gradual. You can know this by looking at Abraham’s experience. Don’t tell people that they can be justified by faith is enough. That’s just the beginning.

3. Jesus talks about the resurrection of man

​”Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”(Luke 20:27-40)

The Sadducees thought that they could make things difficult for Jesus, but they did not realize that they did not understand that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living. No wonder they don’t dare to ask him anything anymore.

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

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