First let us see the fifth miracle in the book of the Gospel of John, walking on the sea. Similar records are in the book of the Gospel of Mark, which also mentions that their heart was hardened so that they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves of bread. In the book of the Gospel of Matthew, it mentions that Peter could walk on the sea in faith, but he sank when he had little faith by looking at the environment. We will follow this with a corresponding testimony and the work of Holy Spirit in it. Finally, let us take a look at the miracle of healing a man who was born blind, the sixth miracle in the book of Gospel of John. At the beginning of chapter 9, it describes the miracle itself. We can see that if one is suffering from tribulations, it doesn’t imply that the tribulations are due to sins. It could be to display God’s glory. We can see good merciful things can be done anytime. We can also see that to stand up for the Lord Christ is not easy. We cannot desire the glory of human more than the glory of God. When the blind man encountered such a miracle, how could he not believe? We really must pray for our spiritual eyes opened.  

1. The miracle of walking on the sea: the fifth miracle in the book of the Gospel of John 

We first take a look at the miracle itself. In John 6:16-21, it says, “Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

In Mark 6:45-52, there is a similar description. “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat …When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. …But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened (G4456).” There are only five places using the word G4456. Please check them by yourselves. 

In fact, the same event is mentioned in Matthew 14:22-33, where Peter walking on the sea is also described, “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat …But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. …But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!””

Notice that here mentions it the event of Peter walking on the sea. He could do it in faith, but began to sink when he concentrated on what happened around him. We can see indeed that a person can be of little faith. We have to behave in faith, not according to the environment. We’ll give a corresponding testimony in the next section. We also see that disciples believed because they saw first. Those who don’t see but believe are blessed like what said in John 20:29, “Jesus said to him, “Because you (Thomas) have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.””

2. A corresponding testimony and the work of Holy Spirit

It was about the night of 7/29/2012. You’ll know why I know the approximate time when it happened after you hear the testimony. At that time, I had already worn a pair of glasses with correction for double images. Suddenly, there was a thought coming to my mind to tell me to wear an old pair of glasses, their prescription was about the same but with no double image correction. I decided to give it a try even though I had doubts. Surprisingly, I didn’t see the double image. Thus, I thought that this had to be another miracle since I saw double images before. I decided immediately to see my optometrist. He told me that I still had the double image according to the apparatus. But I didn’t see the double image and read the testing words correctly each time. It wasn’t easy for the doctor since I didn’t see the double image and the apparatus said I had. After asking for him a long while, he finally agreed to give me a new pair of glasses even without corrections and presbyopia which I had it at that time.

After wearing the new pair of glasses, I didn’t see the double image for about half a year until I suddenly saw the double image again. As the result, I had to go back to the optometrist to change a new pair of glasses with the double image correction and presbyopia. After that, we sort of started chasing the double image. In other words, I was able to wear a pair of glasses for about half a year in the beginning. But then I needed to change to new prescriptions pretty frequently afterwards because the double vision kept getting worse even though the other numbers stayed about the same. Therefore, I thought that my thinking about another miracle happening had to be wrong. I had made the wrong decision to ask the doctor to give me a new pair of glasses without double vision correction. The apparatus didn’t lie, and it did tell me that I still had the double image. So, I thought that it was the work of an evil spirit. The situation lasted for a long while until there happened an unexplainable event, at least to my knowledge.  Because it involved foreknowledge, which I know that Satan cannot do it. After I knew that it was indeed a miracle, my heart was no longer worry. I would not explain the unexplainable since I didn’t know myself at the beginning, and I tried to explain to others after I knew. I didn’t think that they understood what I perceived exactly. As the result, there are at least three people know about it. It doesn’t edify people. Thus, there is no need to talk about it nowadays despite that I have a tendency to talk about what God did.   

After I knew that it was a miracle, the real situation was getting worse day by day. First, I needed to change to a new pair of glasses more often, about three times a year. At the end, I couldn’t even wear any glasses because the double image was so bad. After that, I did go to an ophthalmologist. The prescription he gave to me is about the same as before except the double image got worser. There had no point for me to even try. He told me that I was legally blind if not wearing a pair of glasses. It doesn’t mean that I am totally blind and cannot see anything at all. I just cannot see clearly. I can still see well enough not to bump into people, so that I can still walk on sidewalks. I have not been able to wear a pair of glasses for about three years now. We have a 50-inch television at home, and I use it to measure the progress of my eyes. At the beginning, even from a palm’s length away I couldn’t see clearly. Nowadays, with at least one arm distance, I can see better than before! Although it is good and bad stochastically, the overall trend is towards better. I have no idea when or where it will stop at this point.      

In between, there happened another event. I was stimulated to call the office of my optometrist to ask for my records. After some thinking, I finally made such a call and got all the records available to me. Because of this phone call, I realized that an optometrist needs only to keep the records seven years instead of ten years for a medical doctor. After I got the records, I realized that I couldn’t see what happened in my records if I called just a few months later. That means, I started with double image correction, then without, and then having it again. Because of this phone call, I have adequate records which explain why I can know the approximate date. But there are two things I cannot prove, which are the facts that I was stimulated to try my old pair of glasses and to call the office. Therefore, you have to believe that I am not lying. The spiritual things are just like these. There are things which you cannot prove with written records. Faith is necessary. If someone tells you that he can prove logically the existence of God, you know that it has to be wrong. It is impossible, and there must be something wrong. Theoretically, God is much bigger and higher than us, how can one use our logic to prove His existence? He has the absolute authority. If He isn’t willing, we really cannot do anything. 

The Bible is inspired by God. He keeps His word. There are so many promises in the Bible. Do we really believe those? The Bible says explicitly that there are things one cannot share. For example, “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) As an another example, although Paul didn’t say explicitly that he was the one who went to the third heaven, he did say in  2 Corinthians 12:3-4, “And I know how such a man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” It is clear that there are things which cannot be shared. This phone call let me believe that God wants me to share what He did in this testimony. If not, there is not a reason to stimulate me to make such a call. Just waiting for the time to pass, I have then no records at all. Also, in preparing this topic-wise Bible study, I suddenly realized that my situation was similar to what Peter encountered. Did I fall because of the environment that the double image became worse and worse? We really have to behave according to faith, not according to what we see.   

3. The miracle of healing the born blind: the sixth miracle in the book of Gospel John 

The miracle itself is given in John 9:1-7 “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.”

We can see that one person who got tribulations doesn’t imply that he was sinned, “but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” I have no idea why He made clay from the spittle, and applied the clay to the blind man’s eyes. He can perform miracles just like what happened in the third miracle in the book of the Gospel of John which heals the 38-year lame by His words. But this reminds me in John 12:28-30, “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.”

We see again that good merciful things can be done even at Sabbath in John 13-16, “They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them.” We discussed before what Jesus did is the true meaning of Sabbath, not the date according to law. He is the Lord of Sabbath as verses say. We’ll not repeat the discussion. We just reiterate that good merciful things can be done anytime.

“The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”” (John 9:18-23) In John 9:11, it says, “He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.”” This verse happened before the previous verse. Thus, the parents of the blind should know who opened his son’s eyes. If they indeed knew, they were not telling the truth. In fact, it is not easy to stand firm for the Lord Jesus. We have to pay the prices. We cannot desire the glory of human more than the glory of God.

“So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” …The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”” (John 9:24-33) We can see now that not only the eyes of the blind were opened, but also his spiritual eyes. This point can be seen clearly in John 9:35-38, “Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.”

Let us use the verses in John 9:39-41 to conclude this sharing, “And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” Yes, when our eyes are opened, we can see what Paul says is a fact in 1 Corinthians 8:2, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.” This is true theoretically too. God is infinite, and we are finite. If He is willing, He can certainly let us see something more than we already knew.

 (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.”)

     如果我们绝对相信圣经所说的，加上逻辑和圣经的一致性，我们就会看见圣经明讲了有争议话题的答案，我们会借着叙述医治三十八年的瘫子的神迹的经文，提到一个这样的问题及答案。首先我们复习约翰福音选神迹的标准是为要得生命，看到了读经的目的也相同，说明了读经的必要，解释为什么说在得生命上我们只能扮演主动的被动的角色。然后我们叙述了在约翰福音中的第三个神迹，就是医治病了三十八年的瘫子的相关的经文及其看见。经文中提到了「我父做事直到如今」的这句子，是我们开始提到有争议的话题之一，我们会从创世记第一章，逻辑，和圣经的一致性提供答案。约翰福音中的第四个神迹是以五饼二鱼喂饱了五千人，我们叙述了相关的经文及其看见。这个神迹显然是非常重要，因为四福音书都提到它，因是基于一件事实，我们必须取联集，也就是必须符合四者的叙述。

1. 前言: 在得生命上为什么我们只能主动的被动       

     约翰福音说得很清楚它选择七个神迹的标准，『耶稣在门徒面前另外行了许多神迹，没有记在这书上。但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是神的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』(约翰福音 20:30-31) 耶稣自己说了读经的目的:『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我(耶稣)作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 很显然的，得生命是我们的目的，是非常重要的。因此我们有读经的必要，圣经是神所默示的，正确的读经我们会知道神要透过圣经告诉我们什么。因此我们可看见从圣经的角度看就是从神的角度看，但圣经没有记载所有神的事情，就如约翰福音不是记载了所有的神迹一样，所以反之不然，不能将两者划等号。我们要知道生命只能从神来: 『我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。』(哥林多前书 3:6-7) 所以要生命成长一定需要神的启示。启示不是全部超自然的，神常常借着别人的话告诉我们当走的路。如保罗见大光后，是主在异象中对亚拿尼亚说去见保罗，告诉他未来的角色。『主对亚拿尼亚说：「你只管去。他是我所拣选的器皿，要在外邦人和君王并以色列人面前宣扬我的名。我也要指示他，为我的名必须受许多的苦难。」』(使徒行传 9:15-16)    

     我们看保罗如何祷告，『求我们主耶稣基督的神，荣耀的父，将那赐人智慧和启示的灵赏给你们，使你们真知道他。』(以弗所书 1:17) 我们从雅各书可看见，我们可以求智慧，只要是基督徒就可以，没有任何其他的条件，只是没有说时间，所以并不违被神的绝对主权。因为神有绝对主权，因此我们在得生命上是由神主动，我们只能被动。但我们能主动的愿意祷告如保罗一样的得启示，因此被称为是主动的被动。意识到我们在生命上是被动的这一点真是相当重要，这就犹如葡萄枝子必须连于葡萄树上才能结果子，枝子的生命是从葡萄树来。

2. 医治病了三十八年的瘫子: 约翰福音的第三个神迹      

     『…到了犹太人的一个节期，耶稣就上耶路撒冷去。在耶路撒冷，靠近羊门有一个池子，希伯来话叫作毕士大，旁边有五个廊子。里面躺着瞎眼的、瘸腿的、血气枯干的许多病人。在那里有一个人，病了三十八年。耶稣看见他躺着，知道他病了许久，就问他说：「你要痊愈吗？」病人回答说：「先生，水动的时候，没有人把我放在池子里；我正去的时候，就有别人比我先下去。」耶稣对他说：「起来，拿你的褥子走吧！」那人立刻痊愈，就拿起褥子来走了。』(约翰福音 5:1-9) 我们看到了为什么这么多人在那里的原因，我们也看到了耶稣主动的怜悯那瘫子。我们知道耶稣会用不同的方法行神迹，看情况而定。这次只用了祂的话就行了这神迹，这使我们想到这和创世时一样，『因为他(耶和华)说有，就有；命立，就立。』(诗篇 33:9)        

     『那天是安息日，所以犹太人对那医好的人说：「今天是安息日，你拿褥子是不可的！」他却回答说：「那使我痊愈的对我说：『拿你的褥子走吧』」他们问他说：「对你说『拿褥子走』的是甚么人？」那医好的人不知道是谁，因为那里的人多，耶稣已经躲开了。后来耶稣在殿里遇见他，对他说：「你已经痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」那人就去告诉犹太人，使他痊愈的是耶稣。』(约翰福音 5:10-15) 我们看到了瘫的原因是犯罪，要去除原因是不要再犯罪。这是和耶稣的传道是一致的，『从那时候，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」』(马太福音 4:17) 不只一次，耶稣告诉人不要再犯罪了。例如在约翰福音 8:10-11 中，『耶稣就直起腰来，对她(行淫时被拿的妇人)说：「妇人，那些人在哪里呢？没有人定你的罪吗？」她说：「主啊，没有。」 耶稣说：「我也不定你的罪，去吧！从此不要再犯罪了。」』我们可以看相应的经文就知道这件事的来龙去脉，知道耶稣为什么会这样说。 『所以犹太人逼迫耶稣，因为他在安息日做了这事。耶稣就对他们说：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」所以犹太人越发想要杀他，因他不但犯了安息日，并且称神为他的父，将自己和神当作平等。』(约翰福音 5:16-18)       

     基于这句话，『我父(耶和华)做事直到如今』，在逻辑上我们只能有一个解释如下图所示。

为什么呢？创世记 1:1-5 说，『起初神创造天地。地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗；神的灵运行在水面上。神说：「要有光。」就有了光。神看光是好的，就把光暗分开了。神称光为昼，称暗为夜。有晚上，有早晨，这是头一日。』 如果我们绝对相信圣经所说的，就知道这是说我们现在的一日，因为有晚上，有早晨。我们谈到创世记时，再详细的说明这一点。请注意，没有说在有光之前究竟有多少天。 因亚当选择了知识善恶树的果子，第六天就启动了那个圆，相当于「救赎计划」，我们正在圆中，所以父做事直到如今，还没有安息。我们不知圆的的大小，就相当于不知何时主再来，『（看哪！我来像贼一样。…』(启示录 16:15)  完成救赎计划后，就回复到神起初创造人的心意，神就照「原先希望 」安息了。当然，如果当初亚当的自由意志选择了生命树上的果子，神就可以照「原先希望 」得了安息。从上面的看见，所以我们会说在逻辑上只能有一个解释。譬如说，有人有不同的解释，用直线取代圆，但这是不行的，因为这时的最后一天就代表了许多现在的一天，且不能有固定的长度，因主的再来像贼一样。在圆上，每一天就是现在的一天。       

     关于安息日的真谛，以赛亚书 58:13-14 说得相当清楚，『「你若在安息日掉转你的脚步，在我圣日不以操作为喜乐，称安息日为可喜乐的，称耶和华的圣日为可尊重的，而且尊敬这日，不办自己的私事，不随自己的私意，不说自己的私话，你就以耶和华为乐。耶和华要使你乘驾地的高处，又以你祖雅各的产业养育你。」这是耶和华亲口说的。』耶稣所完成的是安息日的真谛，不是律法上的安息曰，祂是安息日的主，如马可福音 2:27-28 所说，『又对他们说：「安息日是为人设立的，人不是为安息日设立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。」』       

     这一点也可从下述的经文中看到。『那时，耶稣在安息日从麦地经过。他的门徒饿了，就掐起麦穗来吃。法利赛人看见，就对耶稣说：「看哪，你的门徒做安息日不可做的事了！」耶稣对他们说：「经上记着大卫和跟从他的人饥饿之时所做的事，你们没有念过吗？他怎么进了神的殿，吃了陈设饼，这饼不是他和跟从他的人可以吃得，惟独祭司才可以吃。再者，律法上所记的，当安息日，祭司在殿里犯了安息日，还是没有罪，你们没有念过吗？但我告诉你们：在这里有一人比殿更大。『我喜爱怜恤，不喜爱祭祀。』你们若明白这话的意思，就不将无罪的当作有罪的了。因为人子是安息日的主。」』(马太福音 12:1-8) 『耶稣说：「你们中间谁有一只羊，当安息日掉在坑里，不把牠抓住拉上来呢？人比羊何等贵重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(马太福音 12:11-12) 『管会堂的因为耶稣在安息日治病，就气忿忿地对众人说：「有六日应当做工，那六日之内可以来求医，在安息日却不可！」主说：「假冒为善的人哪，难道你们各人在安息日不解开槽上的牛、驴，牵去饮吗？况且这女人本是亚伯拉罕的后裔，被撒但捆绑了这十八年，不当在安息日解开她的绑吗？」耶稣说这话，他的敌人都惭愧了；众人因他所行一切荣耀的事，就都欢喜了。』(路加福音 13:14-17)    

     我们不消灭圣灵的感动，就自然的成就了律法。因圣灵是直理的灵，祂不会带领我们违背律法的。『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)

3. 喂饱五千人: 约翰福音的第四个神迹     

     这神迹发生的背景可在约翰福音 6:1-4 中找到，『…耶稣渡过加利利海，就是提比哩亚海。有许多人因为看见他在病人身上所行的神迹，就跟随他。耶稣上了山，和门徒一同坐在那里。那时犹太人的逾越节近了。』我们看见了神迹的确是相当重要的。    

     当时情况是，『耶稣举目看见许多人来，就对腓力说：「我们从哪里买饼叫这些人吃呢？」他说这话是要试验腓力，他自己原知道要怎样行。腓力回答说：「就是二十两银子的饼，叫他们各人吃一点，也是不够的。」』(约翰福音 6:5-7) 腓力是从人的角度看，是无解的，耶稣是从神的角度看这一件事，就是很简单的行神迹。       

     关于这神迹的本身是相当清楚的记在约翰福音 6:8-13，『有一个门徒，就是西门彼得的兄弟安得烈，对耶稣说：「在这里有一个孩童，带着五个大麦饼、两条鱼，只是分给这许多人，还算甚么呢？」耶稣说：「你们叫众人坐下。」原来那地方的草多，众人就坐下，数目约有五千。耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，就分给那坐着的人，分鱼也是这样，都随着他们所要的。他们吃饱了，耶稣对门徒说：「把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的。」他们便将那五个大麦饼的零碎，就是众人吃了剩下的，收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。』』       

     这是我们可能经常提到的五饼二鱼喂饱五千人而剩下十二篮零碎的神迹。这不是完全的无中生有，是由孩童的五饼二鱼而来的，这使我们想起一粒麦子的事情。『耶稣说:『我实实在在地告诉你们：一粒麦子不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；若是死了，就结出许多子粒来。』』(约翰福音 12:24) 我们不知道究竟是什么原因使这孩童肯拿出他所有的五饼二鱼，我们是可以猜，但永远不会真知道，因为圣经没有明说这不是重点的事。请注意，耶稣是先祝谢后才分饼和鱼的。我们也看到耶稣的反应和世人截然不同，『众人看见耶稣所行的神迹，就说：「这真是那要到世间来的先知。」耶稣既知道众人要来强逼他作王，就独自又退到山上去了。』(约翰福音 6:14-15) 一般来说，世人的反应大概至少会很高兴。       

     这个神迹显然非常重要，因四福音书都提到。因是基于一件事实，我们必须取联集，就是叙述必须符合四者。马太福音 14:15-21 说，『天将晚的时候，…门徒说：「我们这里只有五个饼、两条鱼。」耶稣说：「拿过来给我。」于是吩咐众人坐在草地上，就拿着这五个饼、两条鱼，望着天祝福，擘开饼，递给门徒，门徒又递给众人。他们都吃，并且吃饱了，把剩下的零碎收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。吃的人，除了妇女孩子，约有五千。』这里提到了时间，且还有妇女和孩子，所以总人数一定是超过五千人。到底是多少人，有人猜过，但就如前述，圣经没有说，我们永远不可能真知道到底有多少人。       

     马可福音 6:35-44 记载着，『天已经晚了，…耶稣说：「你们有多少饼，可以去看看。」 他们知道了，就说：「五个饼，两条鱼。」耶稣吩咐他们，叫众人一帮一帮地坐在青草地上。众人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。耶稣拿着这五个饼，两条鱼，望着天祝福，擘开饼，递给门徒，摆在众人面前，也把那两条鱼分给众人。他们都吃，并且吃饱了。门徒就把碎饼碎鱼收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。吃饼的男人共有五千。』在这里详细的提到他们是怎么坐的，所以可以估计约有多少人，因只说吃饼的男人共有五千，大概也是说坐的时候一排多少人只是指男人，这也和当时犹太的风俗相合。       

     最后看路加福音 9:10-17 中说，『…耶稣就带他们暗暗地离开那里，往一座城去，那城名叫伯赛大。但众人知道了，就跟着他去。耶稣便接待他们，对他们讲论神国的道，医治那些需医的人。日头快要平西，十二个门徒来对他说：「请叫众人散开，他们好往四面乡村里去借宿找吃的，因为我们这里是野地。」耶稣说：「你们给他们吃吧！」 门徒说：「我们不过有五个饼，两条鱼，若不去为这许多人买食物就不够。」那时，人数约有五千。 耶稣对门徒说：「叫他们一排一排地坐下，每排大约五十个人。」门徒就如此行，叫众人都坐下。耶稣拿着这五个饼，两条鱼，望着天祝福，擘开，递给门徒，摆在众人面前。他们就吃，并且都吃饱了；把剩下的零碎收拾起来，装满了十二篮子。』(路加福音 9:10-17) 这里说明了发生的地点，耶稣虽然是暗暗地去，还是被发现了！我们也看到了耶稣在行五饼二鱼的神迹前，是在讲论神国的道，医治那些需医的人。    

     虽然每本福音书都会有一些不同的资料，我们必须取联集，但这些记载基本上都是大同小异，从许多这样的事情，我们可以看出这三本福音书为什么称为对观福音或符类福音。

(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』。)

     如果我們絕對相信聖經所說的，加上邏輯和聖經的一致性，我們就會看見聖經明講了有爭議話題的答案，我們會藉著敘述醫治三十八年的癱子的神蹟的經文，提到一個這樣的問題及答案。首先我們複習約翰福音選神蹟的標準是為要得生命，看到了讀經的目的也相同，說明了讀經的必要，解釋為什麼說在得生命上我們只能扮演主動的被動的角色。然後我們敘述了在約翰福音中的第三個神蹟，就是醫治病了三十八年的癱子的相關的經文及其看見。經文中提到了「我父做事直到如今」的這句子，是我們開始提到有爭議的話題之一，我們會從創世記第一章，邏輯，和聖經的一致性提供答案。約翰福音中的第四個神蹟是以五餅二魚餵飽了五千人，我們敍述了相關的經文及其看見。這個神蹟顯然是非常重要，因為四福音書都提到它，因是基於一件事實，我們必須取聯集，也就是必須符合四者的敘述。

1. 前言: 在得生命上為什麼我們只能主動的被動

       約翰福音說得很清楚它選擇七個神蹟的標準，『耶穌在門徒面前另外行了許多神蹟，沒有記在這書上。但記這些事，要叫你們信耶穌是基督，是神的兒子，並且叫你們信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』(約翰福音 20:30-31) 耶穌自己說了讀經的目的:『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我(耶穌)作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 很顯然的，得生命是我們的目的，是非常重要的。因此我們有讀經的必要，聖經是神所默示的，正確的讀經我們會知道神要透過聖經告訴我們什麼。因此我們可看見從聖經的角度看就是從神的角度看，但聖經沒有記載所有神的事情，就如約翰福音不是記載了所有的神蹟一樣，所以反之不然，不能將兩者劃等號。我們要知道生命只能從神來: 『我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在那叫他生長的神。』(哥林多前書 3:6-7) 所以要生命成長一定需要神的啓示。啓示不是全部超自然的，神常常藉著別人的話告訴我們當走的路。如保羅見大光後，是主在異象中對亞拿尼亞說去見保羅，告訴他未來的角色。『主對亞拿尼亞說：「你只管去。他是我所揀選的器皿，要在外邦人和君王並以色列人面前宣揚我的名。我也要指示他，為我的名必須受許多的苦難。」』(使徒行傳 9:15-16)

    我們看保羅如何禱告，『求我們主耶穌基督的神，榮耀的父，將那賜人智慧和啓示的靈賞給你們，使你們真知道他。』(以弗所書 1:17) 我們從雅各書可看見，我們可以求智慧，只要是基督徒就可以，沒有任何其他的條件，只是沒有說時間，所以並不違被神的絕對主權。因為神有絕對主權，因此我們在得生命上是由神主動，我們只能被動。但我們能主動的願意禱告如保羅一樣的得啓示，因此被稱為是主動的被動。意識到我們在生命上是被動的這一點真是相當重要，這就猶如葡萄枝子必須連於葡萄樹上才能結果子，枝子的生命是從葡萄樹來。

2. 醫治病了三十八年的癱子: 約翰福音的第三個神蹟

       『…到了猶太人的一個節期，耶穌就上耶路撒冷去。在耶路撒冷，靠近羊門有一個池子，希伯來話叫作畢士大，旁邊有五個廊子。裏面躺着瞎眼的、瘸腿的、血氣枯乾的許多病人。在那裏有一個人，病了三十八年。耶穌看見他躺着，知道他病了許久，就問他說：「你要痊愈嗎？」病人回答說：「先生，水動的時候，沒有人把我放在池子裏；我正去的時候，就有別人比我先下去。」耶穌對他說：「起來，拿你的褥子走吧！」那人立刻痊愈，就拿起褥子來走了。』(約翰福音 5:1-9) 我們看到了為什麼這麼多人在那裏的原因，我們也看到了耶穌主動的憐憫那癱子。我們知道耶穌會用不同的方法行神蹟，看情況而定。這次只用了祂的話就行了這神蹟，這使我們想到這和創世時一樣，『因為他(耶和華)說有，就有；命立，就立。』(詩篇 33:9) 

        『那天是安息日，所以猶太人對那醫好的人說：「今天是安息日，你拿褥子是不可的！」他卻回答說：「那使我痊愈的對我說：『拿你的褥子走吧』」他們問他說：「對你說『拿褥子走』的是甚麼人？」那醫好的人不知道是誰，因為那裏的人多，耶穌已經躲開了。後來耶穌在殿裏遇見他，對他說：「你已經痊愈了，不要再犯罪，恐怕你遭遇的更加利害。」那人就去告訴猶太人，使他痊愈的是耶穌。』(約翰福音 5:10-15) 我們看到了癱的原因是犯罪，要去除原因是不要再犯罪。這是和耶穌的傳道是一致的，『從那時候，耶穌就傳起道來，說：「天國近了，你們應當悔改！」』(馬太福音 4:17) 不只一次，耶穌告訴人不要再犯罪了。例如在約翰福音 8:10-11 中，『耶穌就直起腰來，對她(行淫時被拿的婦人)說：「婦人，那些人在哪裏呢？沒有人定你的罪嗎？」她說：「主啊，沒有。」 耶穌說：「我也不定你的罪，去吧！從此不要再犯罪了。」』我們可以看相應的經文就知道這件事的來龍去脈，知道耶穌為什麼會這樣說。 『所以猶太人逼迫耶穌，因為他在安息日做了這事。耶穌就對他們說：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」所以猶太人越發想要殺他，因他不但犯了安息日，並且稱神為他的父，將自己和神當作平等。』(約翰福音 5:16-18)

       基於這句話，『我父(耶和華)做事直到如今』，在邏輯上我們只能有一個解釋如下圖所示。

為什麼呢？創世記 1:1-5 說，『起初神創造天地。地是空虛混沌，淵面黑暗；神的靈運行在水面上。神說：「要有光。」就有了光。神看光是好的，就把光暗分開了。神稱光為晝，稱暗為夜。有晚上，有早晨，這是頭一日。』 如果我們絕對相信聖經所說的，就知道這是說我們現在的一日，因為有晚上，有早晨。我們談到創世記時，再詳細的說明這一點。請注意，沒有說在有光之前究竟有多少天。 因亞當選擇了知識善惡樹的果子，第六天就啓動了那個圓，相當於「救贖計劃」，我們正在圓中，所以父做事直到如今，還沒有安息。我們不知圓的的大小，就相當於不知何時主再來，『（看哪！我來像賊一樣。…』(啓示錄 16:15)  完成救贖計劃後，就回復到神起初創造人的心意，神就照「原先希望 」安息了。當然，如果當初亞當的自由意志選擇了生命樹上的果子，神就可以照「原先希望 」得了安息。從上面的看見，所以我們會說在邏輯上只能有一個解釋。譬如說，有人有不同的解釋，用直線取代圓，但這是不行的，因為這時的最後一天就代表了許多現在的一天，且不能有固定的長度，因主的再來像賊一樣。在圓上，每一天就是現在的一天。

       關於安息日的真諦，以賽亞書 58:13-14 說得相當清楚，『「你若在安息日掉轉你的腳步，在我聖日不以操作為喜樂，稱安息日為可喜樂的，稱耶和華的聖日為可尊重的，而且尊敬這日，不辦自己的私事，不隨自己的私意，不說自己的私話，你就以耶和華為樂。耶和華要使你乘駕地的高處，又以你祖雅各的產業養育你。」這是耶和華親口說的。』耶穌所完成的是安息日的真諦，不是律法上的安息曰，祂是安息日的主，如馬可福音 2:27-28 所說，『又對他們說：「安息日是為人設立的，人不是為安息日設立的。所以，人子也是安息日的主。」』

       這一點也可從下述的經文中看到。『那時，耶穌在安息日從麥地經過。他的門徒餓了，就掐起麥穗來吃。法利賽人看見，就對耶穌說：「看哪，你的門徒做安息日不可做的事了！」耶穌對他們說：「經上記着大衞和跟從他的人飢餓之時所做的事，你們沒有念過嗎？他怎麼進了神的殿，吃了陳設餅，這餅不是他和跟從他的人可以吃得，惟獨祭司才可以吃。再者，律法上所記的，當安息日，祭司在殿裏犯了安息日，還是沒有罪，你們沒有念過嗎？但我告訴你們：在這裏有一人比殿更大。『我喜愛憐恤，不喜愛祭祀。』你們若明白這話的意思，就不將無罪的當作有罪的了。因為人子是安息日的主。」』(馬太福音 12:1-8) 『耶穌說：「你們中間誰有一隻羊，當安息日掉在坑裏，不把牠抓住拉上來呢？人比羊何等貴重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(馬太福音 12:11-12) 『管會堂的因為耶穌在安息日治病，就氣忿忿地對眾人說：「有六日應當做工，那六日之內可以來求醫，在安息日卻不可！」主說：「假冒為善的人哪，難道你們各人在安息日不解開槽上的牛、驢，牽去飲嗎？況且這女人本是亞伯拉罕的後裔，被撒但捆綁了這十八年，不當在安息日解開她的綁嗎？」耶穌說這話，他的敵人都慚愧了；眾人因他所行一切榮耀的事，就都歡喜了。』(路加福音 13:14-17) 

    我們不消滅聖靈的感動，就自然的成就了律法。因聖靈是直理的靈，祂不會帶領我們違背律法的。『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)

3. 餵飽五千人: 約翰福音的第四個神蹟

     這神蹟發生的背景可在約翰福音 6:1-4 中找到，『…耶穌渡過加利利海，就是提比哩亞海。有許多人因為看見他在病人身上所行的神蹟，就跟隨他。耶穌上了山，和門徒一同坐在那裏。那時猶太人的逾越節近了。』我們看見了神蹟的確是相當重要的。

    當時情況是，『耶穌舉目看見許多人來，就對腓力說：「我們從哪裏買餅叫這些人吃呢？」他說這話是要試驗腓力，他自己原知道要怎樣行。腓力回答說：「就是二十兩銀子的餅，叫他們各人吃一點，也是不夠的。」』(約翰福音 6:5-7) 腓力是從人的角度看，是無解的，耶穌是從神的角度看這一件事，就是很簡單的行神蹟。

       關於這神蹟的本身是相當清楚的記在約翰福音 6:8-13，『有一個門徒，就是西門彼得的兄弟安得烈，對耶穌說：「在這裏有一個孩童，帶着五個大麥餅、兩條魚，只是分給這許多人，還算甚麼呢？」耶穌說：「你們叫眾人坐下。」原來那地方的草多，眾人就坐下，數目約有五千。耶穌拿起餅來，祝謝了，就分給那坐着的人，分魚也是這樣，都隨着他們所要的。他們吃飽了，耶穌對門徒說：「把剩下的零碎收拾起來，免得有糟蹋的。」他們便將那五個大麥餅的零碎，就是眾人吃了剩下的，收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。』』

       這是我們可能經常提到的五餅二魚餵飽五千人而剩下十二籃零碎的神蹟。這不是完全的無中生有，是由孩童的五餅二魚而來的，這使我們想起一粒麥子的事情。『耶穌說:『我實實在在地告訴你們：一粒麥子不落在地裏死了，仍舊是一粒；若是死了，就結出許多子粒來。』』(約翰福音 12:24) 我們不知道究竟是什麼原因使這孩童肯拿出他所有的五餅二魚，我們是可以猜，但永遠不會真知道，因為聖經沒有明說這不是重點的事。請注意，耶穌是先祝謝後才分餅和魚的。我們也看到耶穌的反應和世人截然不同，『眾人看見耶穌所行的神蹟，就說：「這真是那要到世間來的先知。」耶穌既知道眾人要來強逼他作王，就獨自又退到山上去了。』(約翰福音 6:14-15) 一般來說，世人的反應大概至少會很高興。

       這個神蹟顯然非常重要，因四福音書都提到。因是基於一件事實，我們必須取聯集，就是敍述必須符合四者。馬太福音 14:15-21 說，『天將晚的時候，…門徒說：「我們這裏只有五個餅、兩條魚。」耶穌說：「拿過來給我。」於是吩咐眾人坐在草地上，就拿着這五個餅、兩條魚，望着天祝福，擘開餅，遞給門徒，門徒又遞給眾人。他們都吃，並且吃飽了，把剩下的零碎收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。吃的人，除了婦女孩子，約有五千。』這裏提到了時間，且還有婦女和孩子，所以總人數一定是超過五千人。到底是多少人，有人猜過，但就如前述，聖經沒有說，我們永遠不可能真知道到底有多少人。

       馬可福音 6:35-44 記載著，『天已經晚了，…耶穌說：「你們有多少餅，可以去看看。」 他們知道了，就說：「五個餅，兩條魚。」耶穌吩咐他們，叫眾人一幫一幫地坐在青草地上。眾人就一排一排地坐下，有一百一排的，有五十一排的。耶穌拿着這五個餅，兩條魚，望着天祝福，擘開餅，遞給門徒，擺在眾人面前，也把那兩條魚分給眾人。他們都吃，並且吃飽了。門徒就把碎餅碎魚收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。吃餅的男人共有五千。』在這裏詳細的提到他們是怎麼坐的，所以可以估計約有多少人，因只說吃餅的男人共有五千，大概也是說坐的時候一排多少人只是指男人，這也和當時猶太的風俗相合。

       最後看路加福音 9:10-17 中說，『…耶穌就帶他們暗暗地離開那裏，往一座城去，那城名叫伯賽大。但眾人知道了，就跟着他去。耶穌便接待他們，對他們講論神國的道，醫治那些需醫的人。日頭快要平西，十二個門徒來對他說：「請叫眾人散開，他們好往四面鄉村裏去借宿找吃的，因為我們這裏是野地。」耶穌說：「你們給他們吃吧！」 門徒說：「我們不過有五個餅，兩條魚，若不去為這許多人買食物就不夠。」那時，人數約有五千。 耶穌對門徒說：「叫他們一排一排地坐下，每排大約五十個人。」門徒就如此行，叫眾人都坐下。耶穌拿着這五個餅，兩條魚，望着天祝福，擘開，遞給門徒，擺在眾人面前。他們就吃，並且都吃飽了；把剩下的零碎收拾起來，裝滿了十二籃子。』(路加福音 9:10-17) 這裏說明了發生的地點，耶穌雖然是暗暗地去，還是被發現了！我們也看到了耶穌在行五餅二魚的神蹟前，是在講論神國的道，醫治那些需醫的人。

    雖然每本福音書都會有一些不同的資料，我們必須取聯集，但這些記載基本上都是大同小異，從許多這樣的事情，我們可以看出這三本福音書為什麼稱為對觀福音或符類福音。

(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』。)

If we believe absolutely what the Bible says, with logic and the consistency of the Bible, we’ll get unique answers for seemly controversial questions. We would like to ask and answer an example of such a question by using the miracle of healing the man who was lame for thirty-eight years. First, we review the that rule used when selecting the seven miracles in the Gospel of John is to have life. According to Jesus, the purpose of reading the Bible is the same, to have life. This also explains the necessity of reading the Bible. Then we explain why our role in having life can only be called “actively passive”. Then we describe the relevant verses of the third miracle in the Gospel of John, healing a thirty-eight-year lame, and the associated explanations. A verse mentions ‘My Father is working until now,’ which is what we discussed before regarding one of the controversial verses. We’ll use the beginning of the Book of Genesis, logic, and the consistency of the Bible to provide the answer. Thirdly, we describe the fourth miracle in the Gospel of John which is to use five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand. We state the relevant verses and what we saw. Apparently, this miracle is very important since it is mentioned in all four Gospels. They are all based on one fact but are described with different aspects. Thus, we need to choose their union. In other words, the description must fulfill all four of them, in order not to miss anything.

1. Preface: In having life, why can we only play the role of so called actively passive?

Gospel John said clearly in John 20:30-31 how He chose the seven miracles (signs) out of so many, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” Jesus said Himself the purpose of reading the Bible, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) Apparently, having life is our goal, and thus is very important. Therefore, there’s a necessity of reading the Bible. Furthermore, the Bible is inspired by God. Reading the Bible accurately will let us know what God wants to tell us through the Bible. Therefore, we can conclude that seeing something in the aspect of the Bible is the sufficient condition of seeing the same thing in the aspect of God, but not a necessary condition due to the fact that it is not necessarily to have all things described in the Bible. As an example, the Gospel of John doesn’t record all miracles. We cannot make them equal.

We know the life can only come from God as described in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” So, it needs the revelation of the God to make life grow. Revelation is not all supernatural. God often tells us what to do through people. For example, after Paul saw the big light, the Lord told Ananias through the vision to tell Paul as described in Acts 9:15-16, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Let us take a look at how Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” We can see in the Book of James that we can pray to get the heavenly wisdom as long as we are Christians. There is no other condition, but without specifying the time framework. Therefore, there is not any contradictions to the absolute authority of God. Because God has the absolute authority. Therefore, He is active in the matter of having life and we are passive. We can only be willingly active to follow Him. Thus, it is so called actively passive. Realize this point is really important since it is similar to say that a branch must be connected to the vine to bear fruit since the life of a branch is from the vine.

2. Healing a thirty-eight-year lame: The third miracle in Gospel John

In John 5:1-9, it says, “After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.” From theses verses, we can see why there were so many in there. We can also see that Jesus had mercy on that lame actively. We know that Jesus uses different ways to perform miracles depending on the situations. This time, He simply used His words just like in the beginning of the Book of Genesis described, “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”(Psalms 33:9)

In John 5:10-15, it says, “So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.'” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.” We can see that the lame person became lame is because of his committing sin, since Jesus told him not to sin anymore. This is consistent with the gospel Jesus preaches. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matthew 4:17)

This is not the only time that Jesus told people not to sin. For example, it is said in John 8:4,10-11, “Straightening up, Jesus said to her (this woman has been caught in adultery), “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”” If we look at the corresponding verses of this event, we know why Jesus said so and He had mercy on her actively. 

It continues to describe what happened in John 5:16-18, “For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.”

Based on the words, “My Father is working until now,” we can only have one logical explanation for this sentence as the following figure shows, if we believe absolutely what the Bible says.

Why? In Genesis 1:1-5, it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” If we believe what the Bible says is absolutely true, we know this one day means the present one day since there was evening and there was morning. When we share the Book of Genesis, we’ll discuss this in more detail. Please notice that the verses don’t say how many days passed before there was the light. To explain the figure, because Adam chose the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it started the circle in the sixth day, which represents the ‘salvation plan.’ We are in the middle of the circle. That is why “My Father is working until now,” not yet in rest. We don’t know how big the circle is, which corresponds to the fact we don’t know when the Lord comes again as said in Revelation 16:15, “…I am coming like a thief…”

After the salvation plan is completed, men will be restored to the state when created, but already with the choice of the fruit of the tree of life. God will be in rest according to the ‘original hope’ that Adam might choose the fruit of the tree of life. Of course, if Adam chose the fruit of the tree of life at that time, He would be in rest by the original hope and there’s not the circle. From the above discussion, we can see why there is only one logical explanation. Someone may say that we could explain differently by stretching the circle as a straight line before at the end of sixth day to represent the salvation plan. However, this is incorrect for the following reason. The last segment then represents many and unknown present one days not the seventh day. In the circle, one day represents one present day.

Regarding the true requirements of the Sabbath, it is said clearly in Isaiah 58:13-14, “If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the Lord, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” What Jesus did was to fulfill the true requirements, not according to the law. He is the Lord even of the Sabbath as said in Mark 2:27-28, “Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

This point can also be seen from examples like the following verses. In Matthew 12:11-12, it is said, “And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”” And in Luke 13:14-17, it says, “But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, …And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.”

“Do not quench the Spirit,”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Law will be fulfilled automatically. Because the Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth, He will not lead us to the disobedience to the Law. “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)

3. Feeding five thousand: The fourth miracle in Gospel John

The background of this event is described in John 6:1-4, “After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.” From these verses, we can see that miracles are really important, which could make people at least follow Him.

The situation at that time is stated in John 6:5-7, “Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” Well, Phillips saw the issue in the aspect of human, and there was no solution. Jesus viewed the same event in the aspect of God, which is simply to perform a miracle.

Regarding the miracle itself, it is described clearly in John 6:8-13, “One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.”

This miracle is often mentioned and is referred to as the miracle of five loaves and two fish, which feed five thousand and even had twelve baskets of leftovers afterwards. Such large quantities of food are not out of nowhere like in creation, since they have the seed from five loaves and two fish. This reminds us the verse in John 12:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  We don’t know why the lad was willing to give up the five loaves and two fish, all he had. We can guess, but we never know since the Bible doesn’t mention such unimportant things. Please notice that Jesus blessed first before dividing loaves and fish. We also see the reaction of Jesus is very different from normal people as described in John 6:14-15, “Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.” Generally, a normal person may at least welcome the thought of making him a king.

Apparently, this miracle is very important since it is mentioned in all four Gospels. They are all based upon one fact but described in different aspects. Thus, we need to choose their union as they are all based upon one fact. In other words, the description must fulfill all four of them, not to miss anything. In Matthew 14:15-21, “When it was evening, …the disciples …said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.” Here, it is mentioned when the miracle happened. And there were also women and children. Thus, the total number must be over five thousand. As for how many, some people guessed. As said before, the Bible doesn’t say clearly, we will never know precisely how many people were fed.

In Mark 6:35-44, it says, “When it was already quite late, …And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. …They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.” Here, it is mentioned how they sit in detail. No wonder that they could estimate how many. Furthermore, we can guess that only men were counted in the row, which is also consistent with the Jewish custom at that time.

Finally, in Luke 9:10-17, it says, “When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. Now the day was ending, …And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and had them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.” Here, the place of the miracle is given. Although He tried to withdraw by Himself, but the crowds found Him. We can also see that what He talked about before the miracle is about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 

Although the three Gospels offer a slightly different information, they are basically about the same for this miracle. From many such things, we can see why they are called the synoptic gospel.

 (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.”)

     首先我们看见了约翰福音讲得很清楚他选择神迹的标准，在众多的神迹中，他只选择了七个神迹，是要人们相信耶稣是基督。我们已谈过第一个迦拿水变酒的神迹，今天要分享的是在加利利行的第二神迹，医治大臣的儿子。神迹(G4592)在约翰福音都是指记号或标志(sign)，指向信耶稣是基督，而不是指奇事(G5059)。只有奇事时人们会常常以为是实行奇事的人做的，容易让实行的人骄傲到自己都看不见自己的骄傲的地步。必须要加上圣经的话，不能只因遇到了超自然的事就以为是神做的，虽然不是很容易，但要分辩。我们会在最后做一个这样的见证，不能本末倒置。神常常会要我们面对真实的自己。

1. 前言: 约翰福音选择神迹的标准     

     这在约翰福音 20:30-31 讲得很清楚，『耶稣在门徒面前另外行了许多神迹(G4592)，没有记在这书上。但记这些事，要叫你们信耶稣是基督，是神的儿子，并且叫你们信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』耶稣自己说: 『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 从这些经文中看到，得生命是非常重要的，可见神更看重的是我们的所是，过于我们的所做。但两者都要有，因为有信心就会有雅各书讲的信心的行为，不要本末倒置。『只是你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。因为听道而不行道的，就像人对着镜子看自己本来的面目，看见，走后，随即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各书 1:22-24) 所以我们是光是盐，就自然会做光做盐。

2. 为什么耶稣行神迹？     

     约翰福音 4:47-48 说，『耶稣就对他(犹大的大臣)说：「若不看见神迹(G4592)奇事(G5059)，你们总是不信。」』我们看见了行神迹的目的是要人们信。『当耶稣在耶路撒冷过逾越节的时候，有许多人看见他所行的神迹，就信了他的名。』(约翰福音 2:23) 他的门徒也是一样，『这是耶稣所行的头一件神迹(水变酒)，是在加利利的迦拿行的，显出他的荣耀来，他的门徒就信他了。』(约翰福音 2:11) 其实耶稣道成肉身时行了许多神迹，即使如此，不是每个看到神迹的人都信！在五旬节教会成立时，参加聚会的没有多少人。     

     约翰福音 3:1-2 叙述了一个外邦人看见了耶稣与神同在的事实，以致于他最后公开的信主，『有一个法利赛人，名叫尼哥德慕，是犹太人的官。这人夜里来见耶稣，说：「拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。」』我们看到了他是夜间是耶稣的，所以最开始时他是不敢公开的信，最后我们看到了他是公开的信主，『又有尼哥德慕，就是先前夜里去见耶稣的，带着没药和沉香约有一百斤前来。』(约翰福音 19:39)     

     神迹(G4592) 这字出现了 69 次，比奇事(G5059) 这字出现了 16 次要多不少，而且奇事这字每次都是和神迹(G4592)一起提的。只有奇事展现自己的超能是没有用的，只有奇事时会常常以为是实行奇事的人做的，容易让实行的人骄傲到自己都看不见的地步。如果是神迹，一定是神透过这人做的，神是真正背后的力量。

3. 现今仍有神迹奇事     

     以前有神迹奇事在使徒行传中说得很清楚，『…一面叫你仆人大放胆量，讲你的道；一面伸出你的手来医治疾病，并且使神迹(G4592)奇事(G5059)因着你圣仆耶稣的名行出来。』(使徒行传 4:29-30) 现在有神迹奇事也在使徒行传讲得很清楚，『这正是先知约珥所说的：『神说：在末后的日子，…在天上我要显出奇事，在地下我要显出神迹，…这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前。』(使徒行传 2:16-20) 为什么要有神迹奇事呢？是如使徒行传 14:3) 所说，证明祂的恩道，不是光光说而已。『二人(巴拿巴和扫罗)在那里住了多日，倚靠主放胆讲道，主借他们的手施行神迹奇事，证明他的恩道。』     

     这是一个只为展现超能的例子，『因为假基督、假先知将要起来，显大神迹(G4592)、大奇事(G5059)。倘若能行，连选民也就迷惑了。』(马太福音 24:24) 所以必须要加上圣经的话，不能只因遇到了超自然的事就以为一定是神做的，要知道施行神迹奇事的目的。就像我们以前分享过的，撒但是不能预知的，只能如天气预报般的预测。例如，『耶和华对亚伯兰说：「你要的确知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。』(创世记 15:13) 撒但怎么可能预先知道到时会有『耶和华的使者从荆棘里火焰中向摩西显现。…』(出埃及记 3:2) 又如在约伯记中，只有神知道『那时，耶和华从旋风中回答约伯…』(约伯记 38:1)

4. 耶稣医治大臣儿子的第二个神迹     

     这事件的缘由记录在约翰福音 4:46-48，『耶稣又到了加利利的迦拿，就是他从前变水为酒的地方。有一个大臣，他的儿子在迦百农患病。他听见耶稣从犹太到了加利利，就来见他，求他下去医治他的儿子，因为他儿子快要死了。耶稣就对他说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」』我们看见了大臣的没有看见就信的大信心和其结果，『那大臣说：「先生，求你趁着我的孩子还没有死就下去。」耶稣对他说：「回去吧！你的儿子活了。」 那人信耶稣所说的话，就回去了。正下去的时候，他的仆人迎见他，说他的儿子活了。他就问甚么时候见好的。他们说：「昨日未时热就退了。」他便知道这正是耶稣对他说「你儿子活了」的时候，他自己和全家就都信了。这是耶稣在加利利行的第二件神迹，是他从犹太回去以后行的。』(约翰福音 4:49-54)     

     在这件事上他的儿子有没有信心不是重点。圣经没有明说他儿子有没有信心，父亲因父爱而做出来的事，他儿子有可能都不知道呢！这是一个以自己的信心为别人求的例子，大臣这么有信心以致于耶稣都动容。在约翰福音 20:28-29，『多马说：「我的主，我的神！」耶稣对他说：「你因看见了我才信，那没有看见就信的有福了！」』(约翰福音 20:28-29) 多马跟随了耶稣约三年尚且要看见，我们不能归咎于人要求要见有形的神迹，但要知道神迹只是证实祂的道，不要本末倒置，且要知道神有绝对的主权，所以不要以为求就一定会被应允，其实基督徒生命的改变本就是一个大神迹。     

     神迹的确不是用来展示的，祂知道什么时候该行，『法利赛人和撒都该人来试探耶稣，请他从天上显个神迹给他们看。…耶稣回答说：『…你们知道分辩天上的气色，倒不能分辩这时候的神迹。一个邪恶淫乱的世代求神迹，除了约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他看。」耶稣就离开他们去了。』(马太福音 16:1-4)

5. 见证: 不是超自然的事就是神迹，要配合圣经的话     

     去年我为了要决定是不是要分享某一件事，做完一些人能做的事后，就发生了一件超自然的事。有一天我走在绿地的路上(greenbelt)，心中突然有一个意念告诉我要走去两个姊妹家，她们有些误会，已经至少一年多没有讲话了，我一直希望她们能够和好，我如果那时去她们就会变好。但这对我来说是一段相当长的路，在脑部手术后的要去走去是不太容易的，回来是请姊妹用车带我回来的可以做为证明。我不敢不去。因前一次要我去看其中一人的先生，他那时是好好的，我决定了不去。只是一段时间后没想到他会相当突然的去世，我没看见他最后一面。上次做决定不去也不是很容易的，因在这之前也同样的被激动过、去传教给一位垂危的朋友。在那次特别的造访后，他受洗了，而且他太太告诉我他受洗后直到离世时，都很平安。后来，他太太也受洗了。     

     没想到走去的时候虽有一段上坡，虽一面祷告但仍有力气，相当的顺利，且她们经过一些事情后也真的很久以来第一次交谈了。我因此决定要分享，且心中有平安，因我已经做了我所有能做的事情，且加上这超自然的事。决定后，我又被激动要最后确定一下，因为有时神会借我的姊妹告诉我一些事。我那时给她看了准备的材料，她告诉我说，『不要以恶报恶。…』 (罗马书 12:17) 我以前对这件事出来的话是，『你不可为恶所胜，反要以善胜恶。』 (罗马书 12:21) 那时我相信除神能以善胜恶外，我实在不知道该如何做，但因此我失去了平安。因为已有一个超自然的事，所以我就祷告，除非有超自然的事发生，我一定会分享，没想到发生至今都没法解释的事。当然，最后的结果是没有分享。     

     我一直都不知道圣灵为什么会阻止我分享，一直到有人说还要加上圣经的话，我才恍然大悟。我们知道，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖前 5:19) 世人努力所得到的平安和神所赐的平安是很不同的，不能用人的努力得到的平安感觉去取代圣灵的带领。从圣灵来的一定有平安，有平安的感觉不一定是圣灵的带领，不能随便划等号。所以我们即使遇到了超自然的事，必须要和圣经的话一致才能确定是圣灵的工作。

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

     首先我們看見了約翰福音講得很清楚他選擇神蹟的標準，在衆多的神蹟中，他只選擇了七個神蹟，是要人們相信耶穌是基督。我們已談過第一個迦拿水變酒的神蹟，今天要分享的是在加利利行的第二神蹟，醫治大臣的兒子。神蹟(G4592)在約翰福音都是指記號或標誌(sign)，指向信耶穌是基督，而不是指奇事(G5059)。只有奇事時人們會常常以為是實行奇事的人做的，容易讓實行的人驕傲到自己都看不見自己的驕傲的地步。必須要加上聖經的話，不能只因遇到了超自然的事就以為是神做的，雖然不是很容易，但要分辨。我們會在最後做一個這樣的見証，不能本末倒置。神常常會要我們面對真實的自己。

1. 前言: 約翰福音選擇神蹟的標準

    這在約翰福音 20:30-31 講得很清楚，『耶穌在門徒面前另外行了許多神蹟(G4592)，沒有記在這書上。但記這些事，要叫你們信耶穌是基督，是神的兒子，並且叫你們信了他，就可以因他的名得生命。』耶穌自己說: 『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 從這些經文中看到，得生命是非常重要的，可見神更看重的是我們的所是，過於我們的所做。但兩者都要有，因為有信心就會有雅各書講的信心的行為，不要本末倒置。『只是你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。因為聽道而不行道的，就像人對着鏡子看自己本來的面目，看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。』(雅各書 1:22-24) 所以我們是光是鹽，就自然會做光做鹽。

2. 為什麼耶穌行神蹟？

    約翰福音 4:47-48 說，『耶穌就對他(猶大的大臣)說：「若不看見神蹟(G4592)奇事(G5059)，你們總是不信。」』我們看見了行神蹟的目的是要人們信。『當耶穌在耶路撒冷過逾越節的時候，有許多人看見他所行的神蹟，就信了他的名。』(約翰福音 2:23) 他的門徒也是一樣，『這是耶穌所行的頭一件神蹟(水變酒)，是在加利利的迦拿行的，顯出他的榮耀來，他的門徒就信他了。』(約翰福音 2:11) 其實耶穌道成肉身時行了許多神蹟，即使如此，不是每個看到神蹟的人都信！在五旬節教會成立時，參加聚會的沒有多少人。

    約翰福音 3:1-2 敘述了一個外邦人看見了耶穌與神同在的事實，以致於他最後公開的信主，『有一個法利賽人，名叫尼哥德慕，是猶太人的官。這人夜裏來見耶穌，說：「拉比，我們知道你是由神那裏來作師傅的，因為你所行的神蹟，若沒有神同在，無人能行。」』我們看到了他是夜間是耶穌的，所以最開始時他是不敢公開的信，最後我們看到了他是公開的信主，『又有尼哥德慕，就是先前夜裏去見耶穌的，帶着沒藥和沉香約有一百斤前來。』(約翰福音 19:39)

    神蹟(G4592) 這字出現了 69 次，比奇事(G5059) 這字出現了 16 次要多不少，而且奇事這字每次都是和神蹟(G4592)一起提的。只有奇事展現自己的超能是沒有用的，只有奇事時會常常以為是實行奇事的人做的，容易讓實行的人驕傲到自己都看不見的地步。如果是神蹟，一定是神透過這人做的，神是真正背後的力量。

3. 現今仍有神蹟奇事

     以前有神蹟奇事在使徒行傳中說得很清楚，『…一面叫你僕人大放膽量，講你的道；一面伸出你的手來醫治疾病，並且使神蹟(G4592)奇事(G5059)因着你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。』(使徒行傳 4:29-30) 現在有神蹟奇事也在使徒行傳講得很清楚，『這正是先知約珥所說的：『神說：在末後的日子，…在天上我要顯出奇事，在地下我要顯出神蹟，…這都在主大而明顯的日子未到以前。』(使徒行傳 2:16-20) 為什麼要有神蹟奇事呢？是如使徒行傳 14:3) 所說，證明祂的恩道，不是光光說而已。『二人(巴拿巴和掃羅)在那裏住了多日，倚靠主放膽講道，主藉他們的手施行神蹟奇事，證明他的恩道。』

     這是一個只為展現超能的例子，『因為假基督、假先知將要起來，顯大神蹟(G4592)、大奇事(G5059)。倘若能行，連選民也就迷惑了。』(馬太福音 24:24) 所以必須要加上聖經的話，不能只因遇到了超自然的事就以為一定是神做的，要知道施行神蹟奇事的目的。就像我們以前分享過的，撒但是不能預知的，只能如天氣預報般的預測。例如，

『耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「你要的確知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。』(創世記 15:13) 撒但怎麼可能預先知道到時會有『耶和華的使者從荊棘裏火焰中向摩西顯現。…』(出埃及記 3:2) 又如在約伯記中，只有神知道『

那時，耶和華從旋風中回答約伯…』(約伯記 38:1)

4. 耶穌醫治大臣兒子的第二個神蹟

    這事件的緣由記錄在約翰福音 4:46-48，『耶穌又到了加利利的迦拿，就是他從前變水為酒的地方。有一個大臣，他的兒子在迦百農患病。他聽見耶穌從猶太到了加利利，就來見他，求他下去醫治他的兒子，因為他兒子快要死了。耶穌就對他說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」』我們看見了大臣的沒有看見就信的大信心和其結果，『那大臣說：「先生，求你趁着我的孩子還沒有死就下去。」耶穌對他說：「回去吧！你的兒子活了。」 那人信耶穌所說的話，就回去了。正下去的時候，他的僕人迎見他，說他的兒子活了。他就問甚麼時候見好的。他們說：「昨日未時熱就退了。」他便知道這正是耶穌對他說「你兒子活了」的時候，他自己和全家就都信了。這是耶穌在加利利行的第二件神蹟，是他從猶太回去以後行的。』(約翰福音 4:49-54)

     在這件事上他的兒子有沒有信心不是重點。聖經沒有明說他兒子有沒有信心，父親因父愛而做出來的事，他兒子有可能都不知道呢！這是一個以自己的信心為別人求的例子，大臣這麼有信心以致於耶穌都動容。在約翰福音 20:28-29，『多馬說：「我的主，我的神！」耶穌對他說：「你因看見了我才信，那沒有看見就信的有福了！」』(約翰福音 20:28-29) 多馬跟隨了耶穌約三年尚且要看見，我們不能歸咎於人要求要見有形的神蹟，但要知道神蹟只是証實祂的道，不要本末倒置，且要知道神有絕對的主權，所以不要以為求就一定會被應允，其實基督徒生命的改變本就是一個大神蹟。

    神蹟的確不是用來展示的，祂知道什麼時候該行，『法利賽人和撒都該人來試探耶穌，請他從天上顯個神蹟給他們看。…耶穌回答說：『…你們知道分辨天上的氣色，倒不能分辨這時候的神蹟。一個邪惡淫亂的世代求神蹟，除了約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他看。」耶穌就離開他們去了。』(馬太福音 16:1-4)

5. 見証: 不是超自然的事就是神蹟，要配合聖經的話

    去年我為了要決定是不是要分享某一件事，做完一些人能做的事後，就發生了一件超自然的事。有一天我走在綠地的路上(greenbelt)，心中突然有一個意念告訴我要走去兩個姊妹家，她們有些誤會，已經至少一年多沒有講話了，我一直希望她們能夠和好，我如果那時去她們就會變好。但這對我來說是一段相當長的路，在腦部手術後的要去走去是不太容易的，回來是請姊妹用車帶我回來的可以做為証明。我不敢不去。因前一次要我去看其中一人的先生，他那時是好好的，我決定了不去。只是一段時間後沒想到他會相當突然的去世，我沒看見他最後一面。上次做決定不去也不是很容易的，因在這之前也同樣的被激動過、去傳教給一位垂危的朋友。在那次特別的造訪後，他受洗了，而且他太太告訴我他受洗後直到離世時，都很平安。後來，他太太也受洗了。

    沒想到走去的時候雖有一段上坡，雖一面禱告但仍有力氣，相當的順利，且她們經過一些事情後也真的很久以來第一次交談了。我因此決定要分享，且心中有平安，因我已經做了我所有能做的事情，且加上這超自然的事。決定後，我又被激動要最後確定一下，因為有時神會藉我的姊妹告訴我一些事。我那時給她看了準備的材料，她告訴我說，『不要以惡報惡。…』 (羅馬書 12:17) 我以前對這件事出來的話是，『你不可為惡所勝，反要以善勝惡。』 (羅馬書 12:21) 那時我相信除神能以善勝惡外，我實在不知道該如何做，但因此我失去了平安。因為已有一個超自然的事，所以我就禱告，除非有超自然的事發生，我一定會分享，沒想到發生至今都沒法解釋的事。當然，最後的結果是沒有分享。

    我一直都不知道聖靈為什麼會阻止我分享，一直到有人說還要加上聖經的話，我才恍然大悟。我們知道，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖前 5:19) 世人努力所得到的平安和神所賜的平安是很不同的，不能用人的努力得到的平安感覺去取代聖靈的帶領。從聖靈來的一定有平安，有平安的感覺不一定是聖靈的帶領，不能隨便劃等號。所以我們即使遇到了超自然的事，必須要和聖經的話一致才能確定是聖靈的工作。

(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, we can see that the Gospel of John clearly says the criterion of selecting these particular seven miracles among so many choices. He wanted people to believe that Jesus is Christ. We had discussed the first miracle in Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Today, we’ll share the second miracle of healing the son of a royal official. The word miracle (G4592) in the Gospel of John means sign, which points out that Jesus is Christ. It is not the same as wonders (G5059). Only having wonders for the purpose of showing off is useless. With only wonders, it will often make people believe the person can perform such wonders and make that person easily be proud to the extent that he doesn’t realize that he is proud. We should not believe that all supernatural things are from God, which must be consistent with what the Bible says. It is not easy to discern, but we must. We’ll present such a testimony at the end. We shouldn’t be confused. God often wants us to face our real ourselves.

1. Preface: The standard of choosing miracles in the Gospel of John

In John 20:30-31, it says clearly, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” Jesus Himself said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) From these verses, we can see that having life is very important. God emphasizes what we are more than what we do. But we really need both. And we shouldn’t be upside down. If we have faith, then we’ll have the action from the faith like what it says in James 1:22-24, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.” If our life is indeed the light and the salt, we can then do the work of the light and the salt. 

2. Why does Jesus perform miracles?

In John 4:47-48, it says, “When he (a royal official at Capernaum) heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs (G4592) and wonders (G5059), you simply will not believe.”” We can see the purpose of performing miracles is to have people believe Him. “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.”(John 2:23) His disciples behaved the same as said in John 2:11, “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” As a matter of fact, during the period of the Word becoming the flesh, He performed a lot of miracles, but not a lot of people believed Him! When the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost, not too many people attended the ceremony when the Church was created.

In John 3:1-2, it describes when a Pharisee saw the fact that the God was with Jesus, so he at last was able to openly express his faith. “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”” We can see the man came to Jesus by night, not wanting to be seen. At last, he openly expressed his faith. “Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.”(John 19:39)

The word sign (G4592) which is translated as miracle in Chinese appears 69 times, more than the word wonder (G5059), which only appears 16 times and is mentioned together with miracles every time. Only having wonders for the purpose of displaying power is useless. With only wonders, it will often make people believe the person can perform such wonders and make that person easily be proud to the extent that he doesn’t realize that he is proud. If it is a miracle, it must be what God does through the person. The power behind miracles is from the God.   

3. There are miracles and wonders nowadays.

In the past, there were miracles and wonders as described in Acts 4:29-30, “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” We also have them nowadays as is clearly stated in Acts 2:16-20, “but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel, ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ …’And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, …Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.” Why do we have miracles? It is as said in Acts 14:3, “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.” Miracles are there to testify of the word of His grace, not merely saying something so.

Here is an example to demonstrate that which is not from God as described in Matthew 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Therefore, we must not accept all supernatural things as from the God. We need to check them with what the Bible says.  Knowing the purposes of miracles help us to discern if it is from God. As shared before, Satan cannot have foreknowledge, and he can only guess, like weather forecasting. As an example, in Genesis 15:13, “God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.”” Satan cannot know ahead, “The angel of the Lord appeared to him (Moses) in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.”(Exodus 3:2) As another example, Satan cannot know ahead what was described in Job 38:1, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind …”

4. The second miracle of healing the son of royal official 

The occasion is recorded in John 4:46-48, “Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”” In John 4:49-54, we can see that the official showed his great faith by not seeing but believing and its result, “The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

In this event, whether his son has faith or not isn’t a key point. The Bible doesn’t say if his son had faith. What the father did due to love may not even be known by his son! This is an example in which a person can pray for others due to his own faith alone and be granted. In John 20:28-29, it says, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”” Thomas followed Jesus for more than three years, but he still wanted to see proof. We cannot blame people that want to see miracles.  But we really should know that miracles are to testify the word of His grace. Don’t get it wrong and use them just to show off. To be sure, God has the absolute authority. Don’t think that they can be granted for sure by just asking. Actually, the fact that the life of Christians can be changed is in itself a great miracle which we cannot do ourselves.  

Miracles are indeed not used to show off. He knows when to perform them as said in Matthew 16:1-4, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “…Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.”

5. Testimony:  not all supernatural things are miracles, must be consistent with the Bible 

Last year, I had to decide if I would share one thing. After doing what I could do as a human, something supernatural happened to me. One day, when I walked on the greenbelt (a road so called locally), I suddenly had a thought that I should visit two elderly sisters. They had misunderstanding previously and hadn’t talked to each other for more than a year. For a long while, I was hoping that they could make peace. If I went at that time, the situation would become better. The way to their home is not easy for me after I had brain surgery, as evidenced by the fact that I had to ask my wife to give me a ride on my way back. I didn’t dare ignore my feeling since in the past I had also been in a similar situation but ignored it that time. I had previously felt like I should visit the husband of one of the sisters. He was well at that time, but after a period of time suddenly passed away. I didn’t get a chance to see him at that time. The decision of not going at that time was not easy for me since I was also in a similar situation even before the event of feeling to visit her husband to share the Gospel with a dying friend. After that particular visit, the dying friend was baptized and his wife told me that he was peaceful after baptized until he was passed away. After a while, his wife was also baptized.

To my surprise, the way to their homes was very smooth although there was an uphill area that was very long for me. And they talked to each other the first time after a long while. I decided to share since I had done everything I could and had a peaceful mind. Of course, it was also due to this supernatural event. After this decision, I was stimulated again to confirm it with my wife since God sometimes used her words to reveal to me. So, I showed her the materials I prepared, and she told me, ” Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. …”(Romans 12:17) For the same event, what I came out before was in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” At that time, I believed that only God can overcome evil with good. I didn’t know what to do, but lost peace. Since there was already a supernatural thing, I prayed correspondingly that I would share for sure unless there was another supernatural thing happened. Out of my expectations, there was an unexplained thing occurred and we couldn’t explain even nowadays. The final result was that I didn’t share.  

For a while, I didn’t know why the Holy Spirit prevented me from sharing. Until one day someone said, it had to be consistent with the Bible words. We know that it says clearly in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The peace gotten from human’s effort is very different from the peace God gives. We cannot substitute a peaceful feeling for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What comes from the Holy Spirit must have peace, but a peaceful feeling doesn’t mean such a guidance. We shouldn’t make them equal. So, even if we encounter a supernatural thing, it has to be consistent with what the Bible says before we can be sure that it is indeed from Holy Spirit.

 (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.”)

     我们在这里要分享一个看见，这想法是在网路的有限搜寻中没找到的。我们不是要标新立异，只是从圣经的话和逻辑上，实在看不出有什么错误！首先我们得讲清楚，圣经的一致性是指神要借着圣经告诉我们什么是一致的，不是指圣经的字句非得相同不可。如果是后者那圣经就会有很明显的矛盾，我们会用一个例子来说明这点。如果我们相信圣经是神所默示的，用圣经作为绝对的标准，相信圣经的话而不加上自己的意见，就会看见启示录的四活物是唯一的，这是我们的第二话题。顺着这个方向，我们在第三话题中用工具书的原文圣经讨论、为什么说四活物和二十四位长老是一体的。最后，我们从这里看见了启示录的四活物和教会的关系。

1. 前言: 圣经是我们的绝对标准    

     我们知道，『耶和华说：「我的意念非同你们的意念，我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地，照样，我的道路高过你们的道路，我的意念高过你们的意念。』(以赛亚书 55:8-9) 神有绝对的权威，圣经是神所默示的，所以我们要把圣经作为我们的绝对标准。我们实在应该把祂的话话藏在心里，就像诗篇 119:147-148 所说，『我趁天未亮呼求，我仰望了你的言语；我趁夜更未换将眼睁开，为要思想你的话语。』在这里我可能和许多人的看见不同，把神的话藏在心里不等于要背圣经，把祂的话藏在心中，祂会透过圣灵让我们想起圣经的话如彼得般，『我(彼得)就想起主的话说：「.约翰是用水施洗，但你们要受圣灵的洗。」』(使徒行传 11:16)    

     我们常引用以赛亚书 40:31，『但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏。』(以赛亚书 40:31) 我们若在基督里，祂是可以做到，让我们如鹰展翅上腾。是的，我们要等候耶和华，因凡事有定时，所以也要等候祂的时间的到来。如果我们真的相信整本圣经都是神所默示的，以圣经作为我们绝对的标准，相信圣经说的话，就可以知道我们已经在祂爱子的国度里。 (参歌罗西书 1:13) 在新人里面，我们是可以如鹰展翅上腾，翺翔在神的国度里，就如经文所说，『所以我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助。』(希伯来书 4:16)    

     我们要再一次强调，我们要用圣经作为我们绝对的标准，相信圣经所说的。我们说过，逻辑只是一个工具，假设不同，我们放到同一样的逻辑机器结果会不一样。当我们完全相信圣经的话，假设会不一样的，我们会在下面分享这样的一个例子。

2. 圣经的一致性是什么？    

     圣经的一致性就是神要借着圣经告诉我们的是一致的。我只能说在有限的例子中，用外插法我得到这样的结论，因神是无限，人是有限，非得用外插法不可。如真相信圣经是神所默示的，我们就会相信圣经的话，以圣经作为我们绝对的标准，这是很不容易的事。尤其是当圣经的话语有明显矛盾的地方，我们会常常试着去解释它们使它们一致，而忘记了神是知道这矛盾的，而仍然放在那里，所以我们要了解，神要透过这样明显的矛盾告诉我们什么？    

     举个关于在变化山上一个有争议性的例子。按照马太福音 17:1 和马可福音 9:2，耶稣带着彼得、雅各和雅各的兄弟约翰上了高山是过了六天，但依路加福音 9:28，是说了这话以后约有八天。时间上到底是六天或八天很重要吗？有人说看你怎么算，六天可以算成八天。我不知这解释对不对，假如解释行得通而能知道日子的话，能造就人吗？这才是我们该问的问题。确实是几天真的不那么重要，重点是在三福音都讲了类似的话，『他们举目不见一人，只见耶稣在那里。』(马太福音 17:8) 也就是当转眼仰望耶稣，唯独仰望耶稣。真的要在主耶稣基督内！当然，在变化山上还发生其他的事情如摩西和以利亚的显现，我们以后有机会再分享这些事情。

3. 启示录的四活物是唯一的    

     我们下面就以圣经作为我们绝对的标准，去解释启示录的四活物是什么。先看到圣经提到四活物唯一的另外一次是在以西结书，时间和地点都说得很清楚，『当三十年四月初五日，以西结在迦巴鲁河边被掳的人中，天就开了，得见神的异象。』(以西结书 1:1) 关于这四活物说得很多，我们就看其中的一段。『…四个活物…的形状是这样：…各有四个脸面，四个翅膀。』(以西结书 1:5-6) 又说，『这是我在迦巴鲁河边所见以色列神荣耀以下的活物，我就知道他们是基路伯。各有四个脸面，四个翅膀，…至于他们脸的模样，并身体的形像，是我从前在迦巴鲁河边所看见的。…』(以西结书 10:20-22) 所以圣经很清楚的告诉我们这四活物都是一样的四个翅膀的基路伯。    

     我们再看看启示录的四活物，『…四个活物…第一个活物像狮子，第二个像牛犊，第三个脸面像人，第四个像飞鹰。四活物各有六个翅膀，…』(启示录 4:6-8) 这是四个各有六个翅膀四个不同的活物，如果我们完全相信圣经的话，这四活物怎么可能会和以西结所看到的四活物相同呢？有人说他们相似，这是没有错的，但的确是不相同。神是信实的，他们明明相似，神也不能说他们不相似啊！其实人依圣经说他们相似，已经承认了他们不是相同。    

     我们其实可以在经文中看到约翰的顺服。在启示录 10:4 中说：『七雷发声之后，我正要写出来，就听见从天上有声音说：「七雷所说的你要封上，不可写出来。」』他的确没有写了出来七雷的发声，他所写出来的都是他所看到的所听见的，是可信的。就像启示录 22:18-19 所说的，不可加添或减少。『我向一切听见这书上预言的作见证，若有人在这预言上加添甚么，神必将写在这书上的灾祸加在他身上；这书上的预言，若有人删去甚么，神必从这书上所写的生命树和圣城删去他的分。』(启示录 22:18-19) 从另一方面来看，圣经是神所默示的，如果他写错了，难道神会不知道，会不更正他吗？会的。我们实在要『把神当作神』，不要把祂的话打折扣，以致会如彼得所说的这样会强解(曲解)圣经。彼得和约翰都被主亲自开他们心窍去明白圣经的，彼得绝对有资格要我们不要强解圣经。    

     顺便一提，圣经只有一次提到这六个翅膀的功用，也就是讲到撒拉弗的地方。『当乌西雅王崩的那年，我见主坐在高高的宝座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮满圣殿。其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六个翅膀：用两个翅膀遮脸，两个翅膀遮脚，两个翅膀飞翔。』(以赛亚书 6:1-2) 撒拉弗是相同的，很显然启示录的四活物不是撒拉弗，所以启示录的四活物是唯一的，但我们知道他们是在天上、是属灵的。

4. 四活物和二十四位长老    

     当我们看见了四活物是唯一的时候，就会从这个方向去想。因我不懂原文，就不得不借重工具书(Strong’s Concordance)去看原文怎么说。我们先看这四活物和二十四位长老的第一次出现在启示录 4:4-6，『宝座的周围…坐着二十四位长老，…宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物…』  然后看见了四活物和二十四位长老常常是在一起提到的，让我们看看所有这样摘录的经文。『每逢四活物将…那二十四位长老就俯伏…』(启示录 4:9-10) 『我又看见，且听见宝座与活物并长老的周围，…四活物就说：「阿们！」众长老也俯伏敬拜。』(启示录 5:11-14) 『众天使都站在宝座和众长老并四活物的周围，在宝座前，面伏于地敬拜神，说：…』(启示录 7:11-12) 『他们在宝座前，并在四活物和众长老前唱歌，仿佛是新歌；除了从地上买来的那十四万四千人以外，没有人能学这歌。』(启示录 14:3) 『那二十四位长老与四活物就俯伏敬拜坐宝座的神，说：「阿们！哈利路亚！」』(启示录 19:4)『我又看见宝座与四活物并长老之中，有羔羊站立，…他既拿了书卷，四活物和二十四位长老就俯伏在羔羊面前，(having G2192)各拿着(G1538)琴和盛满了香的金炉；这香就是众圣徒的祈祷。』(启示录 5:6-8)    

     有人可能认为在启示录 5:6-8 中只有二十四位长老拿着琴和盛满了香的金炉，所以我们再从工具书的原文看。如是只是指二十四位长老，就会很清楚的用 G3588 (who, which) 说明是单指二十四位长老，这就犹如在启示录 1:9 所说：『我约翰就是(G3588)你们的弟兄，…』这字 G3588 在启示录就出现了六十六次，如果是单指二十四位长老，多用一次又何妨呢？但用的是现在分词 G2192，确定我们知道是同时在指四活物和二十四位长老。所以我们看到了四活物和二十四位长老是一体的。

5. 为什么说四活物是代表教会？    

     单独的提到二十四位长老只有在这里，『 …坐在自己位上的二十四位长老，就面伏于地敬拜神，说：「昔在、今在的主神，全能者啊，我们感谢你！因你执掌大权作王了。外邦发怒，你的忿怒也临到了，审判死人的时候也到了；你的仆人众先知和众圣徒，凡敬畏你名的人，连大带小得赏赐的时候也到了；你败坏那些败坏世界之人的时候也就到了。」』(启示录 11:15-18) 二十四长老所说的不是教会的祈祷和所希望的吗？而且金炉的香是众圣徒的祈祷，所以这二十四位长老是代表教会的。因四活物和二十四位长老是一体的，也有众圣徒祈祷的香，且因这时地上的众教会还没有成为羔羊的新妇，所以我们看到了这四活物和二十四位长老是代表在天上那唯一的教会的。这样的看见会导致在启示录只提到活物的部份有着不同的看见，以后再从这点上和大家分享。

(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』。)

    我們在這裏要分享一個看見，這想法是在網路的有限搜尋中沒找到的。我們不是要標新立異，只是從聖經的話和邏輯上，實在看不出有什麼錯誤！首先我們得講清楚，聖經的一致性是指神要藉著聖經告訴我們什麼是一致的，不是指聖經的字句非得相同不可。如果是後者那聖經就會有很明顯的矛盾，我們會用一個例子來說明這點。如果我們相信聖經是神所默示的，用聖經作為絕對的標準，相信聖經的話而不加上自己的意見，就會看見啓示錄的四活物是唯一的，這是我們的第二話題。順著這個方向，我們在第三話題中用工具書的原文聖經討論、為什麼說四活物和二十四位長老是一體的。最後，我們從這裏看見了啓示錄的四活物和教會的關係。

1. 前言: 聖經是我們的絕對標準

    我們知道，『耶和華說：「我的意念非同你們的意念，我的道路非同你們的道路。天怎樣高過地，照樣，我的道路高過你們的道路，我的意念高過你們的意念。』(以賽亞書 55:8-9) 神有絕對的權威，聖經是神所默示的，所以我們要把聖經作為我們的絕對標準。我們實在應該把祂的話話藏在心裏，就像詩篇 119:147-148 所說，『我趁天未亮呼求，我仰望了你的言語；我趁夜更未換將眼睜開，為要思想你的話語。』在這裏我可能和許多人的看見不同，把神的話藏在心裏不等於要背聖經，把祂的話藏在心中，祂會透過聖靈讓我們想起聖經的話如彼得般，『我(彼得)就想起主的話說：「.約翰是用水施洗，但你們要受聖靈的洗。」』(使徒行傳 11:16)

    我們常引用以賽亞書 40:31，『但那等候耶和華的，必從新得力。他們必如鷹展翅上騰，他們奔跑卻不困倦，行走卻不疲乏。』(以賽亞書 40:31) 我們若在基督裏，祂是可以做到，讓我們如鷹展翅上騰。是的，我們要等候耶和華，因凡事有定時，所以也要等候祂的時間的到來。如果我們真的相信整本聖經都是神所默示的，以聖經作為我們絕對的標準，相信聖經說的話，就可以知道我們已經在祂愛子的國度裏。 (參歌羅西書 1:13) 在新人裏面，我們是可以如鷹展翅上騰，翺翔在神的國度裏，就如經文所說，『所以我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。』(希伯來書 4:16)

    我們要再一次强調，我們要用聖經作為我們絕對的標準，相信聖經所說的。我們說過，邏輯只是一個工具，假設不同，我們放到同一樣的邏輯機器結果會不一樣。當我們完全相信聖經的話，假設會不一樣的，我們會在下面分享這樣的一個例子。

2. 聖經的一致性是什麼？

    聖經的一致性就是神要藉著聖經告訴我們的是一致的。我只能說在有限的例子中，用外插法我得到這樣的結論，因神是無限，人是有限，非得用外插法不可。如真相信聖經是神所默示的，我們就會相信聖經的話，以聖經作為我們絕對的標準，這是很不容易的事。尤其是當聖經的話語有明顯矛盾的地方，我們會常常試著去解釋它們使它們一致，而忘記了神是知道這矛盾的，而仍然放在那裏，所以我們要瞭解，神要透過這樣明顯的矛盾告訴我們什麼？

    舉個關於在變化山上一個有爭議性的例子。按照馬太福音 17:1 和馬可福音 9:2，耶穌帶着彼得、雅各和雅各的兄弟約翰上了高山是過了六天，但依路加福音 9:28，是說了這話以後約有八天。時間上到底是六天或八天很重要嗎？有人說看你怎麼算，六天可以算成八天。我不知這解釋對不對，假如解釋行得通而能知道日子的話，能造就人嗎？這才是我們該問的問題。確實是幾天真的不那麼重要，重點是在三福音都講了類似的話，『他們舉目不見一人，只見耶穌在那裏。』(馬太福音 17:8) 也就是當轉眼仰望耶穌，唯獨仰望耶穌。真的要在主耶穌基督內！當然，在變化山上還發生其他的事情如摩西和以利亞的顯現，我們以後有機會再分享這些事情。

3. 啓示錄的四活物是唯一的

    我們下面就以聖經作為我們絕對的標準，去解釋啓示錄的四活物是什麼。先看到聖經提到四活物唯一的另外一次是在以西結書，時間和地點都說得很清楚，『當三十年四月初五日，以西結在迦巴魯河邊被擄的人中，天就開了，得見神的異象。』(以西結書 1:1) 關於這四活物說得很多，我們就看其中的一段。『…四個活物…的形狀是這樣：…各有四個臉面，四個翅膀。』(以西結書 1:5-6) 又說，『這是我在迦巴魯河邊所見以色列神榮耀以下的活物，我就知道他們是基路伯。各有四個臉面，四個翅膀，…至於他們臉的模樣，並身體的形像，是我從前在迦巴魯河邊所看見的。…』(以西結書 10:20-22) 所以聖經很清楚的告訴我們這四活物都是一樣的四個翅膀的基路伯。

    我們再看看啓示錄的四活物，『…四個活物…第一個活物像獅子，第二個像牛犢，第三個臉面像人，第四個像飛鷹。四活物各有六個翅膀，…』(啓示錄 4:6-8) 這是四個各有六個翅膀四個不同的活物，如果我們完全相信聖經的話，這四活物怎麼可能會和以西結所看到的四活物相同呢？有人說他們相似，這是沒有錯的，但的確是不相同。神是信實的，他們明明相似，神也不能說他們不相似啊！其實人依聖經說他們相似，已經承認了他們不是相同。

    我們其實可以在經文中看到約翰的順服。在啓示錄 10:4 中說：『七雷發聲之後，我正要寫出來，就聽見從天上有聲音說：「七雷所說的你要封上，不可寫出來。」』他的確沒有寫了出來七雷的發聲，他所寫出來的都是他所看到的所聽見的，是可信的。就像啓示錄 22:18-19 所說的，不可加添或減少。『我向一切聽見這書上預言的作見證，若有人在這預言上加添甚麼，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上；這書上的預言，若有人刪去甚麼，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城刪去他的分。』(啓示錄 22:18-19) 從另一方面來看，聖經是神所默示的，如果他寫錯了，難道神會不知道，會不更正他嗎？會的。我們實在要『把神當作神』，不要把祂的話打折扣，以致會如彼得所說的這樣會强解(曲解)聖經。彼得和約翰都被主親自開他們心竅去明白聖經的，彼得絕對有資格要我們不要强解聖經。

    順便一提，聖經只有一次提到這六個翅膀的功用，也就是講到撒拉弗的地方。『當烏西雅王崩的那年，我見主坐在高高的寶座上。他的衣裳垂下，遮滿聖殿。其上有撒拉弗侍立，各有六個翅膀：用兩個翅膀遮臉，兩個翅膀遮腳，兩個翅膀飛翔。』(以賽亞書 6:1-2) 撒拉弗是相同的，很顯然啓示錄的四活物不是撒拉弗，所以啓示錄的四活物是唯一的，但我們知道他們是在天上、是屬靈的。

4. 四活物和二十四位長老

    當我們看見了四活物是唯一的時候，就會從這個方向去想。因我不懂原文，就不得不借重工具書(Strong’s Concordance)去看原文怎麼說。我們先看這四活物和二十四位長老的第一次出現在啓示錄 4:4-6，『寶座的周圍…坐着二十四位長老，…寶座中和寶座周圍有四個活物…』  然後看見了四活物和二十四位長老常常是在一起提到的，讓我們看看所有這樣摘錄的經文。『每逢四活物將…那二十四位長老就俯伏…』(啓示錄 4:9-10) 『我又看見，且聽見寶座與活物並長老的周圍，…四活物就說：「阿們！」眾長老也俯伏敬拜。』(啓示錄 5:11-14) 『眾天使都站在寶座和眾長老並四活物的周圍，在寶座前，面伏於地敬拜神，說：…』(啓示錄 7:11-12) 『他們在寶座前，並在四活物和眾長老前唱歌，彷彿是新歌；除了從地上買來的那十四萬四千人以外，沒有人能學這歌。』(啓示錄 14:3) 『那二十四位長老與四活物就俯伏敬拜坐寶座的神，說：「阿們！哈利路亞！」』(啓示錄 19:4)『我又看見寶座與四活物並長老之中，有羔羊站立，…他既拿了書卷，四活物和二十四位長老就俯伏在羔羊面前，(having G2192)各拿着(G1538)琴和盛滿了香的金爐；這香就是眾聖徒的祈禱。』(啓示錄 5:6-8)

    有人可能認為在啓示錄 5:6-8 中只有二十四位長老拿著琴和盛滿了香的金爐，所以我們再從工具書的原文看。如是只是指二十四位長老，就會很清楚的用 G3588 (who, which) 說明是單指二十四位長老，這就猶如在啓示錄 1:9 所說：『我約翰就是(G3588)你們的弟兄，…』這字 G3588 在啓示錄就出現了六十六次，如果是單指二十四位長老，多用一次又何妨呢？但用的是現在分詞 G2192，確定我們知道是同時在指四活物和二十四位長老。所以我們看到了四活物和二十四位長老是一體的。

5. 為什麼說四活物是代表教會？

    單獨的提到二十四位長老只有在這裏，『 …坐在自己位上的二十四位長老，就面伏於地敬拜神，說：「昔在、今在的主神，全能者啊，我們感謝你！因你執掌大權作王了。外邦發怒，你的忿怒也臨到了，審判死人的時候也到了；你的僕人眾先知和眾聖徒，凡敬畏你名的人，連大帶小得賞賜的時候也到了；你敗壞那些敗壞世界之人的時候也就到了。」』(啓示錄 11:15-18) 二十四長老所說的不是教會的祈禱和所希望的嗎？而且金爐的香是眾聖徒的祈禱，所以這二十四位長老是代表教會的。因四活物和二十四位長老是一體的，也有眾聖徒祈禱的香，且因這時地上的衆教會還沒有成為羔羊的新婦，所以我們看到了這四活物和二十四位長老是代表在天上那唯一的教會的。這樣的看見會導致在啓示錄只提到活物的部份有著不同的看見，以後再從這點上和大家分享。

(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』。)

Here we’ll share one thought which we couldn’t find on the web through our limited search. We are not trying to act outside the box, but we really couldn’t figure out any mistakes from what the Bible says and through logic. First, we have to say that the consistency of the Bible means what God tells us through the Bible is consistent, not means the consistency literally. If the latter is true, then there are apparent contradictions. We’ll use one example to illustrate this point. If we do believe that the Bible is inspired by God, and use the Bible as our absolute standard, then we’ll believe what the Bible says without adding our own opinions. In this case, we can see that the four living creatures is unique which is our second subtopic. In this same direction, the third subtopic will be to use the original language of the Bible in Strong’s Concordance to discuss why the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders form one body. Finally, we can see the relationship of the four living creatures representing the Church in heaven. This viewpoint will lead to different observations for the relevant portions in the Book of Revelations, and we’ll share these in the future when the occasion arises.

1. Preface: Bible is our absolute standard

We know in Isaiah 55:8-9, it says, “”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”” God has the absolute authority. And the Bible is inspired by God, so we should regard the Bible as our absolute standard. We should be in very deed as Psalms 119:147-148 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.” Here I might perceive differently from other people. Putting God’s words on a person doesn’t implies the person has to be able to recite the words.  As long as the words are buried inside a person, God can make him through Holy Spirit to recall the words just like what Peter did, “And I (Peter) remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'”(Acts 11:16)

We often quote Isaiah 40:31, “Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” If we are in Christ, we can indeed be mount up with wings like eagles and fly like an eagle in the kingdom of heaven because He can. Yes, we have to wait upon the Lord, and wait for His time too since everything has a predestined time by Him. If we indeed believe what Bible says, we know that we have already in the kingdom of His Son as said in Colossians 1:13, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” We can indeed fly like an eagle in the kingdom of heaven as said in Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Let us emphasize again that we must use the Bible as our absolute standard. We shared before that logic was merely an instrument. If a hypothesis is different, then the result will be different when we put it into the logic machine. If we firmly believe what the Bible says, we’ll come up with a different hypothesis.

2. What does the consistency in the Bible mean?

The consistency of the Bible means what the Bible tells us is consistent. I checked with limited examples and used extrapolation to get this result. I have no choice but to use extrapolation as God is infinite and man is finite. If we indeed believe that the Bible is inspired by God, then we’ll believe what the Bible says for sure.  It isn’t easy, particularly when there are apparent contradictions literally speaking. In these cases, people normally try to explain the contradictions away and forgot that God is omniscient. He knows the apparent contradictions and still put them there. What does He want to convey to us through them? 

Along this line, let us use one controversial example regarding the mountain of transfiguration. According to Matthew 17:1 and Mark 9:2, “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.” (Matthew 17:1) But according to Luke 9:28, it is eight days later. Is it important if the time is in six days or eight days? There are people saying that it all depends on how you count a day. If you can count differently, the six days are the same as the eight days. I have no idea if such counting is correct. If the explanation is correct, will it edify people? It is merely knowledge. Whether it edifies people is the question we should ask. How many days are not really important here? The emphasis is the similar words used in three Gospels, “And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.”(Matthew 17:8) In other words, we should turn our eyes to Jesus, and only on Him. We have to be in Christ. Of course, there are other things that happened on the mountain of transfiguration such as the appearance of Moses and Elijah. We’ll share about them when opportunities arise.

3. The four living beings in the book of Revelation is unique

Next, we’ll use the Bible as our absolute standard to explain what the four living beings in the book of Revelation are. In other words, our hypothesis in logic is that the Bible is our absolute standard. In the Bible, the only other time mentioning the four living beings is in the book of Ezekiel, where the time and the place are clearly described in Ezekiel 1:1, “Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” Regarding the four living beings, there are quite a few statements. We will look at Ezekiel 1:5-6 which will suffice for our purpose, “…And this was their appearance: …Each of them had four faces and four wings.” And it also says in Ezekiel 10:20-22, “These are the living beings that I saw beneath the God of Israel by the river Chebar; so I knew that they were cherubim. Each one had four faces and each one four wings, …As for the likeness of their faces, they were the same faces whose appearance I had seen by the river Chebar…” Thus, the Bible says clearly that the four living beings are the same cherubim with four wings.

Let us then take a look at the four living beings in the Book of Revelation, “…and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.  And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; …”(Revelation 4:6-8) These are four different creatures and each of them with six wings. If we believe fully what the Bible says, how can these be the same as what Ezekiel saw? There are people saying that they are similar. They are correct since the four living creatures are similar but different. God is faithful and they are similar, and He cannot describe as if they are the same. In fact, if those people say that they’re similar according to the Bible, they have already admitted that they are different.

We can clearly see the obedience of John in Revelation 10:4. It 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.”” He indeed didn’t write what the seven peals of thunder said. What he wrote is what he saw, is believable. Like what he said in Revelation 22:18-19, “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.” From another aspect, the Bible is inspired by God. If he made a mistake, won’t God know about it and correct it? Yes, He would. We in every deed should be ‘let God be God’ and not discount His words, so that we have a chance not to distort the Bible like what Peter warned. Peter is definitely qualified to give such warnings since his mind was opened by Jesus Himself so that he could understand the Scriptures. 

Let us mention it by passing, the Bible describes only one time regarding the usage of the six wings when Seraphim was mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-2, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” Seraphim is the same and is apparently different from the four living creatures described in the Book of Revelations. So, the four living creatures are unique. But we do know that they are in heaven, and are spiritual.

4. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders

When we see the four living creatures are unique, we’ll think along this direction. Because I don’t understand the original languages used in the Bible, I have to use books like the Strong’s Concordance as instrument to see how Bibles in the original languages say. First, we notice the first appearance of the four creatures and the twenty-four elders is in Revelation 4:4-6, “Around the throne were …twenty-four elders sitting, …and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.” Then we see that the four creatures and the twenty-four elders are often mentioned together, and let see all such verses. In Revelation 4:9-10, it says, “And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, …the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, …” In Revelation 5:11-14, it says, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; …And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.” In Revelation 7:11, it says, “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” In Revelation 14:3, it says, “And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.” In Revelation 19:4, it says, “And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped …” Finally, in Revelation 5:6-8 (KJV used in Concordance), it says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, …And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having (G2192) every one (G1538) of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.“

Some people may think that there are only the twenty-four elders that hold the harp and golden bowls. So, we have to use the Bible in the original language to determine this. If the verse only means the twenty-four elders, then it should use G3588 which means who or which, just like in Revelation 2:1, it says, “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who (G3588) walks among the seven golden lampstands, …” The words G3588 appears in the Book of revelation sixty-six times already. If it means only for the twenty-four elders, it’ll not hurt to use it once more? Instead, it uses the present participle “having G2192.” The Bible wants us to make sure that we know that it means both the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. Therefore, they are one. 

5. Why do we say the four living creatures stand for the Church in heaven?

The verses alone in here mention the twenty-four elders only by themselves, “Then the seventh angel sounded; …And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.””(Revelation 11:15-18) Isn’t what said by the twenty-four elders the prayer by churches on earth, which are churches hope for?  Furthermore, the golden bowls are full of incense which are the prayers of the saints. Therefore, the twenty-four elders represent the Church in heaven since we are talking about what happens in heaven. Since the four creatures and the twenty-four elders are one, they also have the golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints. At this time, the churches on earth have not yet become His bride yet as said in Revelation 19:7, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” Therefore, we see the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders represent the only Church in heaven.

In fact, when we see the twenty-four elders offer the golden bowls, it is ordinarily said with basically no disagreement that they represent the Church. Meanwhile, the four living creatures also offer the prayers of the saints, how can they not represent the Church in heaven?  This viewpoint will lead to different observations for the relevant portions in the Book of Revelation, which only mention the live creatures. We’ll share these in the future when occasions arise.

 (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.”)

     这是我们最后一次谈到最后的晚餐发生的事情。我们知道神重视我们的所是，更胜于我们的所做，基督徒没有圣灵的工作都是枉然。在最后的晚餐中，主耶稣基督应许圣灵的到来，我们也看到了基督透过圣灵内住我们心中。真的，基督所赐的喜乐和平安是没有人能夺去的。神所差来的耶稣，就说神的话。耶稣自己说，「我是从父出来的。」祂是真葡萄树，离了祂，我们真不能做什么。我们知道要在爱里合一而彼此相爱。最后我们看到了基督徒模成耶稣形像的一个实际，也看到了仆人不能大过主人，祂预知世人会恨基督徒。

1. 应许圣灵的到来及其工作    

     应许圣灵的到来在约翰福音 14:15-18 讲得很清楚：『你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。我要求父，父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，叫他永远与你们同在，就是真理的圣灵，乃世人不能接受的，因为不见他，也不认识他；你们却认识他，因他常与你们同在，也要在你们里面。我不撇下你们为孤儿，我必到你们这里来。』所以真理的圣灵就是保惠师。主耶稣钉十字架复活回归天上后，借着我们内住的圣灵与我们同在，祂的确到我们这里来，没有撇下我们，说到做到。    

     关于圣灵的工作，约翰福音 16:13-15 说：『只等真理的圣灵来了，他要引导你们明白(进入)一切的真理，因为他不是凭自己说的，乃是把他所听见的都说出来，并要把将来的事告诉你们。他要荣耀我，因为他要将受于我的告诉你们。凡父所有的，都是我的，所以我说，他要将受于我的告诉你们。』如果你们用工具书看原文就知道，是有动作的，是要进入一切的真理，也就是说，『…你们要行道，不要单单听道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各书 1:22) 我们也看到了圣灵如何荣耀祂。   

     约翰福音 14:26 说：『但保惠师，就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵，他要将一切的事指教你们，并且要叫你们想起我对你们所说的一切话。』以前即使耶稣明讲，他们也听不懂。圣灵在五旬节降临后一切都不一样了，的确有这样的记录，『我(彼得)就想起主的话说：『约翰是用水施洗，但你们要受圣灵的洗。』』(使徒行传 11:16) 彼得在适当的时候是想起了耶稣所讲的话。  

     我们看到了圣灵来，不是要荣耀祂自己。不是说祂没有位格，祂是三位一体的神中的一位，有自己的思想，但选择了谦卑顺服，犹如耶稣虚己一样。在道成肉身这段时间中，有一个秩序的，父差遣子，子不去，圣灵不来。

2. 基督透过圣灵内住我们心中    

     我们在心中可以看到主耶稣基督是又真又活的神，就像以前所分享的，我们不能纯粹用逻辑证明给别人看，逻辑的假设在信心中是会不同的。我们就看圣经怎么说？『还有不多的时候，世人不再看见我，你们却看见我，因为我活着，你们也要活着。到那日你们就知道我在父里面，你们在我里面，我也在你们里面。有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的；爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现。』(约翰福音 14:19-21) 祂的确借着内住的圣灵住在我们心中，我们也看见了合一的重要。就像我们在前段所说的，行道胜听道，要遵守才行，而祂显现的对象是爱祂的，实在是讲得很清楚。  

     接着又说，『「等不多时，你们就不得见我；再等不多时，你们还要见我。」有几个门徒就彼此说：「他对我们说『等不多时，你们就不得见我；再等不多时，你们还要见我。』又说『因我往父那里去』，这是甚么意思呢？」门徒彼此说：「他说『等不多时』到底是甚么意思呢？我们不明白他所说的话。」(约翰福音 16:16-18)    

     『耶稣看出他们要问他，就说：「我说『等不多时，你们就不得见我；再等不多时，你们还要见我(透过圣灵)』，你们为这话彼此相问吗？我实实在在地告诉你们：你们将要痛哭、哀号，世人倒要喜乐；你们将要忧愁，然而你们的忧愁要变为喜乐。』(约翰福音 16:19-20) 耶稣明说，但他们那时听不懂。祂复活后门徒显然的非常喜乐，而世人要喜乐，因救恩成就了！    

     关于内住的圣灵，哥林多前书 6:19 直说：『岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的；并且你们不是自己的人。』圣经讲的都是事实，要在信心内，也知道我们的科学有时还看不到，如哥白尼当时的处境一样。    

     说到事实，我们可以看保罗怎么说。『我就是愿意夸口，也不算狂，因为我必说实话；…』(哥林多后书 12:6)『那永远可称颂之主耶稣的父神知道我不说谎。』(哥林多后书 11:31) 圣灵常借着环境要我们面对真实的自己，因『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 我们会看不到自己的！其实在旧约中就有很多的例子，如『希西家听从使者的话，就把他宝库的金子、银子、香料、贵重的膏油和他武库的一切军器，并他所有的财宝，都给他们看。他家中和他全国之内，希西家没有一样不给他们看的。』他也预先知道会得到惩罚，『日子必到，凡你家里所有的，并你列祖积蓄到如今的，都要被掳到巴比伦去，不留下一样。这是耶和华说的。并且从你本身所生的众子，其中必有被掳去在巴比伦王宫里当太监的。』(列王纪下 20:13,17-18)

3. 基督所赐的喜乐和平安

     基督所赐的喜乐和平安是没有人能夺去的。『你们现在也是忧愁，但我要再见你们，你们的心就喜乐了，这喜乐也没有人能夺去。』(约翰福音 16:22) 『我留下平安给你们，我将我的平安赐给你们；我所赐的，不像世人所赐的。你们心里不要忧愁，也不要胆怯。』(约翰福音 14:27)    

     『我将这些事告诉你们，是要叫你们在我里面有平安。在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。』(约翰福音 16:33) 所以基督徒是和世人一样是有苦难的，只是像祂所应许的，祂已胜了世界。『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) 如果神不允许，没有事情会发生的。    

     我们可能会那些事？ 其中一件是，『耶稣说：「…看哪，时候将到，且是已经到了，你们要分散，各归自己的地方去，留下我独自一人。其实我不是独自一人，因为有父与我同在。」』(约翰福音 16:31-32) 我们也看到了结果，『门徒都离开他，逃走了。有一个少年人，赤身披着一块麻布，跟随耶稣，众人就捉拿他。他却丢了麻布，赤身逃走了。』(马可福音 14:50-52) 从人的角度看，当时的情况实在是非常紧迫。这少年人是谁，圣经没有明讲，我们就不猜测了。

4. 耶稣来自何处    

     耶稣说：『父自己爱你们，因为你们已经爱我，又信我是从父出来的。我从父出来，到了世界；我又离开世界，往父那里去。』(约翰福音 16:27-28) 耶稣讲祂是从父那里来的，使徒又见祂所行的事，就因此相信了。在这点上，『门徒说：「如今你是明说，并不用比喻了。现在我们晓得你凡事都知道，也不用人问你，因此我们信你是从神出来的。」』(约翰福音 16:29-30) 耶稣自己非常清楚，祂是道成了肉身。     

     约翰福音 3:34 说，『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) 我们可能会问，既是道成了肉身，难道祂不能做所有的事吗？为什么需要圣灵的引导？祂是虚己，取了人的样式，就和我们相同，只是我们被圣灵充满是有限量的，而祂是没有限量的。    

     祂钉十字架为我们而死，但应许了祂的再来。『你们听见我对你们说了，我去还要到你们这里来。你们若爱我，因我到父那里去，就必喜乐，因为父是比我大的。现在事情还没有成就，我预先告诉你们，叫你们到事情成就的时候，就可以信。以后我不再和你们多说话，因为这世界的王将到，他在我里面是毫无所有，但要叫世人知道我爱父，并且父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』 (约翰福音 14:28-31) 我们实在很高兴的知道撒但在他里面毫无所有。关于父是比我大的的这点，是指道成肉身的那一段时间，那时在时间中是有一个秩序的。父差子，子不去，圣灵不来。我们也看到了祂的一生都遵行圣灵的带领，因父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。

5. 主是真葡萄树    

     约翰福音 15:1-4 说得很清楚，『我是真葡萄树，我父是栽培的人。凡属我不结果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡结果子的，他就修理干净，使枝子结果子更多。现在你们因我讲给你们的道，已经干净了。你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。枝子若不常在葡萄树上，自己就不能结果子；你们若不常在我里面，也是这样。』在这里我们看到了一个属灵的原则，苦难常常是化装的祝福，是为了叫我们多结果子。又再次提到了合一，且很显然的，枝子不在葡萄树上，失去了生命的供应，总有一天会死的。所以会说，『…离了我，你们就不能做甚么。』(约翰福音 15:5)    

     我们要特别强调一点，圣灵只有一个果子，用的是单数，但这果子是有着不同的特性的：『…仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。这样的事，没有律法禁止。』(加拉太书 5:22-23)

6. 爱的合一而彼此相爱    

     『我爱你们，正如父爱我一样，你们要常在我的爱里。你们若遵守我的命令，就常在我的爱里；正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在他的爱里。这些事我已经对你们说了，是要叫我的喜乐存在你们心里，并叫你们的喜乐可以满足。你们要彼此相爱，像我爱你们一样，这就是我的命令。人为朋友舍命，人的爱心没有比这个大的。你们若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。以后我不再称你们为仆人，因仆人不知道主人所做的事；我乃称你们为朋友，因我从我父所听见的，已经都告诉你们了。』(约翰福音 15:9-15)    

     所以是要有行动遵守的，祂作了我们的榜样。我们也看到了在爱的合一里面，我们也要彼此相爱。祂真的是为我们，祂的朋友舍命，且是『惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。』(罗马书 5:8) 我们被称为朋友，这是多大的荣耀啊！我们实在要知道我们的地位。

7. 预知世人恨基督徒    

     『世人若恨你们，你们知道恨你们以先，已经恨我了。你们若属世界，世界必爱属自己的；只因你们不属世界，乃是我从世界中拣选了你们，所以世界就恨你们。你们要记念我从前对你们所说的话：『仆人不能大于主人。』他们若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你们；若遵守了我的话，也要遵守你们的话。』(约翰福音 15:18-20)    

     在这里再次的强调是祂拣选了我们，主权是在祂的手上。耶稣自己被世界钉上了十字架，我们做了义的奴仆如罗马书 6:18 所说，『你们既从罪里得了释放，就作了义的奴仆。』而仆不能大过主人，我们是要背起自己的十字架，跟随耶稣。基督徒是要摸成耶稣的形像，这时他们的话就是主的话，遵守了主耶稣的话怎么会不遵守『你们的话』呢？    

     我本以为在今生是不可能模成耶稣的形像的，但真的『…在神凡事都能！』(马太福音 19:26) 我们看看司提反的例子。『他们正用石头打的时候，司提反…又跪下大声喊着说：「主啊，不要将这罪归于他们！」说了这话，就睡了。…』(使徒行传 7:59-60) 司提反是真的睡了，因基督徒最终会死里复活，且到永远。我们再看耶稣在十字架上怎么说，『…当下耶稣说：「父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所做的，他们不晓得。」…』(路加福音 23:33-34) 基本上虽用不同的字句，是同样的意思。所以圣经明说，至少在这点上，司提反被模成了耶稣的形像。我们也看见了以司提反得到的荣耀，『但司提反被圣灵充满，定睛望天，看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边，就说：「我看见天开了，人子站在神的右边！」』(使徒行传 7:55-56) 在新约里，司提反是第一个殉道的，也只记载了这么一次耶稣是站着欢迎睡了的圣徒的。相信祂平常都是坐着的，因有多处说到这点，其中包括了歌罗西书 3:1 说，『…那里有基督坐在神的右边。』第一个殉道的使徒是雅各，祂的殉道是在雅各之前。     

     我们最后以这些经文作结束。『但他们因我的名要向你们行这一切的事，因为他们不认识那差我来的。我若没有来教训他们，他们就没有罪；但如今他们的罪无可推诿了。恨我的，也恨我的父。我若没有在他们中间行过别人未曾行的事，他们就没有罪；但如今连我与我的父，他们也看见也恨恶了。这要应验他们律法上所写的话，说：「他们无故地恨我。」』(约翰福音 15:21-25)

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

    這是我們最後一次談到最後的晚餐發生的事情。我們知道神重視我們的所是，更勝於我們的所做，基督徒沒有聖靈的工作都是枉然。在最後的晚餐中，主耶穌基督應許聖靈的到來，我們也看到了基督透過聖靈內住我們心中。真的，基督所賜的喜樂和平安是沒有人能奪去的。神所差來的耶穌，就說神的話。耶穌自己說，「我是從父出來的。」祂是真葡萄樹，離了祂，我們真不能做什麼。我們知道要在愛裏合一而彼此相愛。最後我們看到了基督徒模成耶穌形像的一個實際，也看到了僕人不能大過主人，祂預知世人會恨基督徒。

1. 應許聖靈的到來及其工作

    應許聖靈的到來在約翰福音 14:15-18 講得很清楚：『你們若愛我，就必遵守我的命令。我要求父，父就另外賜給你們一位保惠師，叫他永遠與你們同在，就是真理的聖靈，乃世人不能接受的，因為不見他，也不認識他；你們卻認識他，因他常與你們同在，也要在你們裏面。我不撇下你們為孤兒，我必到你們這裏來。』所以真理的聖靈就是保惠師。主耶穌釘十字架復活回歸天上後，藉著我們內住的聖靈與我們同在，祂的確到我們這裏來，沒有撇下我們，說到做到。

    關於聖靈的工作，約翰福音 16:13-15 說：『只等真理的聖靈來了，他要引導你們明白(進入)一切的真理，因為他不是憑自己說的，乃是把他所聽見的都說出來，並要把將來的事告訴你們。他要榮耀我，因為他要將受於我的告訴你們。凡父所有的，都是我的，所以我說，他要將受於我的告訴你們。』如果你們用工具書看原文就知道，是有動作的，是要進入一切的真理，也就是說，『…你們要行道，不要單單聽道，自己欺哄自己。』(雅各書 1:22) 我們也看到了聖靈如何榮耀祂。

    約翰福音 14:26 說：『但保惠師，就是父因我的名所要差來的聖靈，他要將一切的事指教你們，並且要叫你們想起我對你們所說的一切話。』以前即使耶穌明講，他們也聽不懂。聖靈在五旬節降臨後一切都不一樣了，的確有這樣的記錄，『我(彼得)就想起主的話說：『約翰是用水施洗，但你們要受聖靈的洗。』』(使徒行傳 11:16) 彼得在適當的時候是想起了耶穌所講的話。

    我們看到了聖靈來，不是要榮耀祂自己。不是說祂沒有位格，祂是三位一體的神中的一位，有自己的思想，但選擇了謙卑順服，猶如耶穌虛己一樣。在道成肉身這段時間中，有一個秩序的，父差遣子，子不去，聖靈不來。

2. 基督透過聖靈內住我們心中

    我們在心中可以看到主耶穌基督是又真又活的神，就像以前所分享的，我們不能純粹用邏輯証明給別人看，邏輯的假設在信心中是會不同的。我們就看聖經怎麼說？『還有不多的時候，世人不再看見我，你們卻看見我，因為我活着，你們也要活着。到那日你們就知道我在父裏面，你們在我裏面，我也在你們裏面。有了我的命令又遵守的，這人就是愛我的；愛我的必蒙我父愛他，我也要愛他，並且要向他顯現。』(約翰福音 14:19-21) 祂的確藉著內住的聖靈住在我們心中，我們也看見了合一的重要。就像我們在前段所說的，行道勝聽道，要遵守才行，而祂顯現的對象是愛祂的，實在是講得很清楚。

    接著又說，『「等不多時，你們就不得見我；再等不多時，你們還要見我。」有幾個門徒就彼此說：「他對我們說『等不多時，你們就不得見我；再等不多時，你們還要見我。』又說『因我往父那裏去』，這是甚麼意思呢？」門徒彼此說：「他說『等不多時』到底是甚麼意思呢？我們不明白他所說的話。」(約翰福音 16:16-18) 

    『耶穌看出他們要問他，就說：「我說『等不多時，你們就不得見我；再等不多時，你們還要見我(透過聖靈)』，你們為這話彼此相問嗎？我實實在在地告訴你們：你們將要痛哭、哀號，世人倒要喜樂；你們將要憂愁，然而你們的憂愁要變為喜樂。』(約翰福音 16:19-20) 耶穌明說，但他們那時聽不懂。祂復活後門徒顯然的非常喜樂，而世人要喜樂，因救恩成就了！

    關於內住的聖靈，哥林多前書 6:19 直說：『豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裏頭的；並且你們不是自己的人。』聖經講的都是事實，要在信心內，也知道我們的科學有時還看不到，如哥白尼當時的處境一樣。

    說到事實，我們可以看保羅怎麼說。『我就是願意誇口，也不算狂，因為我必說實話；…』(哥林多後書 12:6)『那永遠可稱頌之主耶穌的父神知道我不說謊。』(哥林多後書 11:31) 聖靈常藉著環境要我們面對真實的自己，因『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 我們會看不到自己的！其實在舊約中就有很多的例子，如『希西家聽從使者的話，就把他寶庫的金子、銀子、香料、貴重的膏油和他武庫的一切軍器，並他所有的財寶，都給他們看。他家中和他全國之內，希西家沒有一樣不給他們看的。』他也預先知道會得到懲罰，『日子必到，凡你家裏所有的，並你列祖積蓄到如今的，都要被擄到巴比倫去，不留下一樣。這是耶和華說的。並且從你本身所生的眾子，其中必有被擄去在巴比倫王宮裏當太監的。』(列王紀下 20:13,17-18)

3. 基督所賜的喜樂和平安

     基督所賜的喜樂和平安是沒有人能奪去的。『你們現在也是憂愁，但我要再見你們，你們的心就喜樂了，這喜樂也沒有人能奪去。』(約翰福音 16:22) 『我留下平安給你們，我將我的平安賜給你們；我所賜的，不像世人所賜的。你們心裏不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。』(約翰福音 14:27)

     『我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裏面有平安。在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。』(約翰福音 16:33) 所以基督徒是和世人一樣是有苦難的，只是像祂所應許的，祂已勝了世界。『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) 如果神不允許，沒有事情會發生的。

     我們可能會那些事？ 其中一件是，『耶穌說：「…看哪，時候將到，且是已經到了，你們要分散，各歸自己的地方去，留下我獨自一人。其實我不是獨自一人，因為有父與我同在。」』(約翰福音 16:31-32) 我們也看到了結果，『門徒都離開他，逃走了。有一個少年人，赤身披着一塊麻布，跟隨耶穌，眾人就捉拿他。他卻丟了麻布，赤身逃走了。』(馬可福音 14:50-52) 從人的角度看，當時的情況實在是非常緊迫。這少年人是誰，聖經沒有明講，我們就不猜測了。

4. 耶穌來自何處

    耶穌說：『父自己愛你們，因為你們已經愛我，又信我是從父出來的。我從父出來，到了世界；我又離開世界，往父那裏去。』(約翰福音 16:27-28) 耶穌講祂是從父那裏來的，使徒又見祂所行的事，就因此相信了。在這點上，『門徒說：「如今你是明說，並不用比喻了。現在我們曉得你凡事都知道，也不用人問你，因此我們信你是從神出來的。」』(約翰福音 16:29-30) 耶穌自己非常清楚，祂是道成了肉身。

     約翰福音 3:34 說，『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) 我們可能會問，既是道成了肉身，難道祂不能做所有的事嗎？為什麼需要聖靈的引導？祂是虛己，取了人的樣式，就和我們相同，只是我們被聖靈充滿是有限量的，而祂是沒有限量的。

    祂釘十字架為我們而死，但應許了祂的再來。『你們聽見我對你們說了，我去還要到你們這裏來。你們若愛我，因我到父那裏去，就必喜樂，因為父是比我大的。現在事情還沒有成就，我預先告訴你們，叫你們到事情成就的時候，就可以信。以後我不再和你們多說話，因為這世界的王將到，他在我裏面是毫無所有，但要叫世人知道我愛父，並且父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』 (約翰福音 14:28-31) 我們實在很高興的知道撒但在他裏面毫無所有。關於父是比我大的的這點，是指道成肉身的那一段時間，那時在時間中是有一個秩序的。父差子，子不去，聖靈不來。我們也看到了祂的一生都遵行聖靈的帶領，因父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。

5. 主是真葡萄樹

    約翰福音 15:1-4 說得很清楚，『我是真葡萄樹，我父是栽培的人。凡屬我不結果子的枝子，他就剪去；凡結果子的，他就修理乾淨，使枝子結果子更多。現在你們因我講給你們的道，已經乾淨了。你們要常在我裏面，我也常在你們裏面。枝子若不常在葡萄樹上，自己就不能結果子；你們若不常在我裏面，也是這樣。』在這裏我們看到了一個屬靈的原則，苦難常常是化裝的祝福，是為了叫我們多結果子。又再次提到了合一，且很顯然的，枝子不在葡萄樹上，失去了生命的供應，總有一天會死的。所以會說，『…離了我，你們就不能做甚麼。』(約翰福音 15:5)

    我們要特別强調一點，聖靈只有一個果子，用的是單數，但這果子是有著不同的特性的：『…仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制。這樣的事，沒有律法禁止。』(加拉太書 5:22-23)

6. 愛的合一而彼此相愛 

    『我愛你們，正如父愛我一樣，你們要常在我的愛裏。你們若遵守我的命令，就常在我的愛裏；正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在他的愛裏。這些事我已經對你們說了，是要叫我的喜樂存在你們心裏，並叫你們的喜樂可以滿足。你們要彼此相愛，像我愛你們一樣，這就是我的命令。人為朋友捨命，人的愛心沒有比這個大的。你們若遵行我所吩咐的，就是我的朋友了。以後我不再稱你們為僕人，因僕人不知道主人所做的事；我乃稱你們為朋友，因我從我父所聽見的，已經都告訴你們了。』(約翰福音 15:9-15)

    所以是要有行動遵守的，祂作了我們的榜樣。我們也看到了在愛的合一裏面，我們也要彼此相愛。祂真的是為我們，祂的朋友捨命，且是『惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。』(羅馬書 5:8) 我們被稱為朋友，這是多大的榮耀啊！我們實在要知道我們的地位。

7. 預知世人恨基督徒

    『世人若恨你們，你們知道恨你們以先，已經恨我了。你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的；只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。你們要記念我從前對你們所說的話：『僕人不能大於主人。』他們若逼迫了我，也要逼迫你們；若遵守了我的話，也要遵守你們的話。』(約翰福音 15:18-20) 

    在這裏再次的强調是祂揀選了我們，主權是在祂的手上。耶穌自己被世界釘上了十字架，我們做了義的奴僕如羅馬書 6:18 所說，『你們既從罪裏得了釋放，就作了義的奴僕。』而僕不能大過主人，我們是要背起自己的十字架，跟隨耶穌。基督徒是要摸成耶穌的形像，這時他們的話就是主的話，遵守了主耶穌的話怎麼會不遵守『你們的話』呢？

    我本以為在今生是不可能模成耶穌的形像的，但真的『…在神凡事都能！』(馬太福音 19:26) 我們看看司提反的例子。『他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反…又跪下大聲喊着說：「主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！」說了這話，就睡了。…』(使徒行傳 7:59-60) 司提反是真的睡了，因基督徒最終會死裏復活，且到永遠。我們再看耶穌在十字架上怎麼說，『…當下耶穌說：「父啊，赦免他們！因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。」…』(路加福音 23:33-34) 基本上雖用不同的字句，是同樣的意思。所以聖經明說，至少在這點上，司提反被模成了耶穌的形像。我們也看見了以司提反得到的榮耀，『但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊，就說：「我看見天開了，人子站在神的右邊！」』(使徒行傳 7:55-56) 在新約裏，司提反是第一個殉道的，也只記載了這麼一次耶穌是站著歡迎睡了的聖徒的。相信祂平常都是坐著的，因有多處說到這點，其中包括了歌羅西書 3:1 說，『…那裏有基督坐在神的右邊。』第一個殉道的使徒是雅各，祂的殉道是在雅各之前。

     我們最後以這些經文作結束。『但他們因我的名要向你們行這一切的事，因為他們不認識那差我來的。我若沒有來教訓他們，他們就沒有罪；但如今他們的罪無可推諉了。恨我的，也恨我的父。我若沒有在他們中間行過別人未曾行的事，他們就沒有罪；但如今連我與我的父，他們也看見也恨惡了。這要應驗他們律法上所寫的話，說：「他們無故地恨我。」』(約翰福音 15:21-25)

(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』。)

This is our last time talking about what happened in the Last Supper. We know that God emphasizes more on what we are than what we do. It is in vain if the work of a Christian has no involvement of the Holy Spirit. In the Last Supper, Lord Jesus Christ promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, we see also His abiding in us through the Holy Spirit. Indeed, no one can deprive us of the joy and the peace given by Christ. God sends Jesus, so He says the words of God. Jesus Himself said that He was from the Father. He is the true vine, and we cannot do anything without Him. We know that we need to be united in love and have brotherly love. Finally, through an example, we illustrate to be conformed to the image of Jesus is a reality. We also see that a servant cannot be bigger than his master, and we see His prediction about the hate for Christians from the world.

1. Promise of the coming of Holy Spirit and His work

The promise is stated clearly in John 14:15-18, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Therefore, the Helper is the Spirit of truth. After the resurrection of Jesus, He arises in Heaven. Through the abiding Holy Spirit, He is with us. Indeed, He doesn’t leave us as orphans like promised.

Regarding the work of the Holy Spirit, it is said in John 16:13-15, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Yes, there is action to guide you into. In other words, you should behave as said in James 1:22, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” We also see how Holy Spirit glorifies Him.

In John 14:26, it says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” They didn’t understand before, even though Jesus said things directly. After the Pentecost, everything became different. In Bible, there are records of this such as in Acts 11:16, “And I (Peter) remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'” In an adequate time, Peter remembered what Jesus had said.

We can see that the Holy Spirit came not to glorify Himself but Jesus. We are not saying that the Holy Spirit is not a person, He is indeed one of Holy Trinity and has His own thinking and will but instead chooses to be humble and obedient, just like how Jesus emptied Himself. When Word became flesh, there is indeed an order. The Father sends the Son, and Holy Spirit will not come if the Son doesn’t go first.

2. Jesus through the abiding Holy Spirit living in us

We as Christians can see Lord Jesus Christ in our heart that He is a true and living God. Just like what we have shared, we cannot prove the fact to you by pure logic. The hypothesis of logic in faith is very different. Let us take a look at how the Bible says in John 14:19-21, “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” Indeed, He is living in us through the abiding Holy Spirit. We also see the importance of being united as one. As shared before, being a doer is over merely being a hearer. We need to keep His commandments. And it is clearly said that He will disclose Himself to those who love Him.  

Then it is followed in John 16:16-18, “”A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.””

“Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me (through Holy Spirit)’? Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”(John 16:19-20) Jesus said clearly at that time, but they didn’t understand. When seeing His resurrection, they are apparently joyful. And the people of the world who believes will rejoice, because the salvation is completed.

Regarding the abiding Holy Spirit, it is said directly in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”  Bible says all facts, not only in faith, but it needs faith to believe. We need to know that sometimes we cannot see a fact because modern science has not reached that point yet as we discussed before about the case of Copernicus (1473-1543). At that time, people couldn’t accept that the Earth rotates around the Sun. 

Talking about facts, we may want to see what Paul would say. In 2 Corinthians 12:6, it says, “For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.” “The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.”(2 Corinthians 11:31) The Holy Spirit often through environments wants us to face the real us, since “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We can even cheat ourselves without knowing! In fact, there are examples in the Old Testament such as “Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and the house of his armor and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.”(2 Kings 20:13) And he foreknew that he would get penalty as stated in 2 Kings 20:17-18, “‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away; and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.'”

3. The joy and the peace given by Christ 

No one can deprive the joy and the peace given by Christ. “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”(John 16:22) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”(John 14:27)

In John 16:33, it says, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Yes, Christians have tribulations just like unbelievers. But it is just like He promised, “I have overcome the world.” “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 God doesn’t permit, nothing can happen to you just like what said in the beginning of the Book Job.

Someone may ask what are these things are referred to in John 16:33. Among them is this one. “Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.”(John 16:31-32) We see the results in Mark 14:50-52, “And they all left Him and fled. A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.” From the aspect of man, the situation at that time was indeed very urgent. Who is this young man? The Bible doesn’t say, so there is no point to guess since we would never know the correct answer. 

4. Where Jesus comes from?

Jesus in John 16:27-28 said, “for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” Jesus Himself said, “I came forth from the Father.” And the disciples saw what He did and believed Him. Along this direction, “His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”(John 16:29-30) He knew clearly, He was the Word becoming flesh.

In John 3:34, it says, “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” One may ask, “How come? Isn’t He the Word becoming flesh? He should be able to do anything. Not in this period though. He emptied Himself and became a man. He needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit just like us. But He gives the Spirit without measure, and we are limited.

He was nailed to the cross for us, but promised to come again. “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:28-31) We are glad to know that Satan has nothing in Him. Regarding what He said about the Father being greater than Him, it is referring to the period that the Word became flesh. At that period of time, there is an order. The Father sends the Son, and Holy Spirit don’t come unless the Son goes back first. We can also see that He obeys the leading of Holy Spirit in His whole life as He did exactly as the Father commanded Him.

5. Lord is the true vine

It says directly in John 15:1-4, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” Here, we can see one spiritual principle. Often in times, tribulations are pretended blessings for the purposes to bear more fruits. It is mentioned again about being united. And apparently if the branches are not connected to the vine, they will die soon or later. Thus, He said, “unless you abide in Me.”

We want to particularly emphasize the point that there is only one fruit of the Spirit since the fruit in Galatians 5:22-23 is singular. But such fruit has twelve kinds of characteristics. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

6. Being united by love and having brotherly love

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”(John 15:9-15)

So, it comes with actions “If you keep My commandments, …”, and He is our example. We see that we need to be united in love, and love each other. He indeed died for us, died for friends. And “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8) We are called His friends. This is such honor! We indeed need to know our place.

7. Foreknowledge of the world hating Christians

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”(John 15:18-20)

Here He emphasized again that He chose the disciples out of the world, not the other way around. Indeed, He was nailed to the cross by the world, and we become slaves of righteousness like what was said in Romans 6:18, “and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” And a servant cannot be bigger than the master. We have to carry our own cross and follow Jesus. A Christian is to be conformed to the image of Jesus. By then, our words are but the same words with Jesus. Thus, “if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” How cannot be?

Originally, I thought that there was no way to be conformed to the image of Jesus in this life, but indeed “… With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26) The Bible records such an example about Stephen. “They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.”(Acts 7:59-60) Stephen indeed fell sleep since Christians shall resurrect eventually, and live forever. Let us now take a look at what Jesus said when nailed to the cross. “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” …”(Luke 23:34) Basically, they are the same. At least in this point, Stephen was conformed to the image of Jesus. We also see the glory Stephen received as stated in Acts 7:55-56, “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”” In the New Testament, Stephen is the first one who was a martyr. There is only this once that Jesus is standing at the right hand of God to receive disciples. Normally, He was seated as mentioned in several places including Colossians 3:1, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” The first disciple who is a martyr was James, which is after Stephen timewise.

We shall conclude our sharing with these verses. “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.'”(John 15:21-25)

 (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.”)

     首先我们看到了耶稣去是为我们预备地方，并应许必再来。接着知道祂是唯一的中保，是道路、真理、和生命。第三主自己说得很清楚，看见了祂就是看见了父，并说我们要做比祂做的更大的事，我们从经文说明这事是指什么。最后在14章到16章中，祂说了七次奉祂的名求就必成就，这不是一张空白的支票，我们简短的说明一下先决的条件是什么，也谈到了为什么圣经说、祷告不立刻得着不是代表没有答应。

1. 预备地方必再来    

     约翰福音 14:1-3 说得很清楚，『你们心里不要忧愁，你们信神，也当信我(耶稣)。在我父的家里有许多住处，若是没有，我就早已。我去原是为你们预备地方去。。若去为你们预了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去；我在哪里，叫你们也在那里。』    

     这是应许，祂在那里，我们也会在那里。主耶稣基督本就是三位一体的神中的一位，当然我们信神，也当信耶稣。

2. 主是道路、真理、生命    

     约翰福音 14:4-7 接着说，『我往哪里去，你们知道；那条路，你们也知道。」多马对他说：「主啊，我们不知道你往哪里去，怎么知道那条路呢？」耶稣说：「我就是道路、真理、生命，若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。你们若认识我，也就认识我的父。从今以后，你们认识他，并且已经看见他。」』     

     祂和父是合一的，叫以会说你们认识祂，就是认识父。祂的确是唯一的道路，『因为只有一位神，在神和人中间，只有一位中保，乃是降世为人的基督耶稣。』(提摩太前书 2:5) 祂是真理，因『道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。』(约翰福音 1:14) 祂是生命，『生命在他里头，这生命就是人的光。』(约翰福音 1:4) 『是借着他给我们开了一条又新又活的路，从幔子经过，这幔子就是他的身体。』(希伯来书 10:20) 『求你用真理使他们成圣，你的道就是真理。』(约翰福音 17:17) 『…我对你们所说的话就是灵，就是生命。』(约翰福音 6:63)

3. 看见了主耶稣就是看见了父    

     约翰福音 14:8-12 在这点上说得很清楚：『腓力对他说：「求主将父显给我们看，我们就知足了。」耶稣对他说：「腓力，我与你们同在这样长久，你还不认识我吗？人看见了我，就是看见了父，你怎么说『将父显给我们看』呢？我在父里面，父在我里面，你不信吗？我对你们所说的话，不是凭着自己说的，乃是住在我里面的父做他自己的事。你们当信我，我在父里面，父在我里面；即或不信，也当因我所做的事信我。我实实在在地告诉你们：我所做的事，信我的人也要做，并且要做比这更大的事，因为我往父那里去。』     

     的确，没有人看过父的面，『耶和华…说：「你(摩西)不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」』(出埃及记 33:19-20) 『…你就得见我的背，却不得见我的面。』(出埃及记 33:23) 祂和父本是完全的合一，所以耶稣在新约时代会说，人看见了我，就是看见了父。     

     关于『即或不信，也当因我所做的事信我。』即使是法利赛人也看到了这一点。如约翰福音 3:1-2 所记，『有一个法利赛人，名叫尼哥德慕，是犹太人的官。这人夜里来见耶稣，说：「拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。」』      

     很显然基督徒有内住的圣灵，我们现在透过圣灵、经由耶稣、和父、三位一体的神合一。我们一切都是奉主名做的，『…惟有基督是包括一切，又住在各人之内。』(歌罗西书 3:11)     

     那么，这更大的事是指什么？很显然不是指神迹奇事，在这方面，我们绝不会比耶稣做得更大的！其实经文说得很清楚，是『因为我往父那里去。』我往父那里去的结果是什么呢？就是圣灵来了。耶稣在肉身的时候，传福音限制在加利利海和耶路撒冷附近，不可能自已行大使命。就犹如一粒麦子，死了就结出许多子粒来。耶稣钉十字架为我们而死，现今基督徒有内住的圣灵，可传福音到地极，没有了肉身的限制，这是基督在地上所不能做的。所以说： 因为我往父那里去。

4. 七次说要奉我的名求   

     我们首先看看在14章到16章中七次说到、奉我的名无论求什么我必成就，这是我以前没有注意到的，所以我们先将这七次经文列出来。我们也注意到这不是给我们一张空白的支票，譬如说我们求一辆很贵的跑车，虽说神有绝对的主权可以答应这样的祈求，众所皆知，这样的祷告是不被应许的。那么从这些经文中说的先决条件究竟是什么，我们会简短的说明一下。    

     第一次是在约翰福音 14:13，『你们奉我的名无论求甚么，我必成就，叫父因儿子得荣耀。』接着就说了第二次， 『你们若奉我的名求甚么，我必成就。』(约翰福音 14:14) 在15章说了第三次，『你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面；凡你们所愿意的，祈求就给你们成就。』(约翰福音 15:7) 又说了第四次， 『不是你们拣选了我，是我拣选了你们，并且分派你们去结果子，叫你们的果子常存，使你们奉我的名，无论向父求甚么，他就赐给你们。』(约翰福音 15:16) 接着的第五次见在16章， 『到那日，你们甚么也就不问我了。我实实在在地告诉你们：你们若向父求甚么，他必因我的名赐给你们。』(约翰福音 16:23) 最后在16章的两次是第六次在约翰福音 16:24， 『向来你们没有奉我的名求甚么，如今你们求就必得着，叫你们的喜乐可以满足。』和第七次是在约翰福音 16:26，『到那日，你们要奉我的名祈求；我并不对你们说，我要为你们求父。』      

     说到这七次，不会有完全相同的叙述，先决条件就是要符合所有的七次，也就是我们需要取交集。这和以前谈过的保罗见大光的三次叙述不同，因是基于同一个事实，每一次只能描述一部份，要知道真相，我们必须全部都符合，也就是要取联集。     

     在这里，我们看见了先决条件是要和基督的垂直的合一，如同「2019 垂直及水平的爱和合一」所说 [1]，并要奉主耶稣基督的名求。在这种情况下我们求的不就是耶稣自己求的吗？怎么会不允许呢？请注意，这不是说我们没有达到完全的和基督垂直的合一，我们的祷告一定不会得到应许。也许我们并不知道，在那一件事上我们是和基督合一的，更何况祂有绝对主权呢！     

     我们要特别的指出第四次说到的，『不是你们拣选了我，是我拣选了你们。』的确是耶稣自己主动的拣选了使徒们，不是使徒们选了祂。所以我们又一次可看到成圣的道路是被动的，这是因为生命是从神来，如哥林多前书 3:6-7 所说，『我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。』     

     我们可能会常常问，为什么我们的祷告没回应呢？也许回应是「不」而我们不能接受。其实圣经说得很清楚，祷告不立刻得着并不是代表没有答应。在但以理书 10:12-14 说，『他就说：「但以理啊，不要惧怕！因为从你第一日专心求明白将来的事，又在你神面前刻苦己心，你的言语已蒙应允，我是因你的言语而来。但波斯国的魔君拦阻我二十一日，忽然有大君中的一位米迦勒来帮助我，我就停留在波斯诸王那里。现在我来要使你明白本国之民日后必遭遇的事，因为这异象关乎后来许多的日子。』     

     很显然的，他一开始祷告就已蒙了应允，而应允不代表立刻就得着，撒但尽一切可能的拦阻了二十一天。神是全和全能的神，祂知道虽有这二十一天的耽延，但以理信心仍旧不会改变，他绝对可以承受这样的耽延。

相关的知识

[1] 「2019 垂直及水平的爱和合一」在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)

(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』。)