First, we examined how Jesus was crucified, drawing on previous discussions. Second, we discussed the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume beforehand, declaring that wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she did will be told in memory of her. Third, we recounted the preparations for the Last Supper and its brief prophecies, referencing past discussions. Fourth, we referenced past discussions to describe the Last Supper banquet. Fifth, we discussed the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the only ordinance the Lord established in the New Covenant for us to observe in remembrance of Him, again incorporating references to past discussions. Sixth, we addressed the prophecy of Peter’s threefold denial, again drawing from past discussions. Finally, we examined the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, comparing the accounts in the four Gospels. Crucially, the content of this answered prayer is important: “yet not what I will, but what You will.”

1. How Jesus was crucified

“Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.””(Mark 14:1-2) 

They had long plotted to kill Jesus. As early as when He healed the man with the withered right hand on the Sabbath, the scribes and Pharisees “…themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”(Luke 6:11) When Jesus healed the man who had been ill for thirty-eight years near the Sheep Gate, “Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.””(John 5:8)  “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.”(John 5:16-18) Because they kept the letter of the law rather than its true meaning, when Pilate judged Him, “The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.””(John 19:7) During the trial, “And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.”(Luke 23:22-23) Ultimately, Pilate crucified the innocent One.

Let us briefly review this process: First, “Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.”(Mark 14:10-11) Ultimately, Judas took decisive action, using a kiss as a signal to confirm they had the right man (cf. Matthew 26:47-50). We previously discussed details in “1. The time, process, and ending of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal” under “1081 Discussion of Judas’ betrayal and the ceremony of bread and cups – Jesus (33),” which detailed some specifics. Please visit our website ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, click ‘On spiritual understanding about life’, and find this article.

 2. The matter of pouring the perfume on Jesus in advance

“While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.””(Mark 14:3-9)

The same event is recorded in Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8, truly fulfilling “…wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”(Mark 14:9) The latter explicitly identifies Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, as a thief, and he said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”(John 12:5)

Jesus had prophecies of His death and resurrection (as in Matthew 20:19). Here we note that this perfume was originally kept for the day of Jesus’ burial. Mary’s use of it now signifies her belief in the prophecy of Jesus’ death. Having previously witnessed His power to raise Lazarus from the dead (see John 11:11-45), she naturally believed He could raise Himself. We touched on this briefly in “1. Mary anointed Jesus because she believed in His prophecies” under “1128 Resurrection, humility, life, voice from heavenly father- John (12) 1-43.” At that time, I hadn’t noticed Lazarus’ resurrection had occurred earlier; it was only through others’ responses in other place that I became aware of this point. In “1. Lazarus’ illness,” under “1127  Death and resurrection of Lazarus and politics caused – John (11) 1-54,” we also briefly discussed this event.

Finally, it should be noted that some might mistakenly assume the woman who broke the alabaster jar and poured perfume in Luke 7:36-50 is the same person. While both events occurred in the house of a man named Simon, they involved different individuals. The earlier incident took place during Jesus’ early ministry, whereas this one occurred near the time of His crucifixion. The temporal discrepancy alone indicates they are not the same event. We previously discussed Luke 7:36-50 in detail in “1054 The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume and the parable of sowing seeds -The image of Jesus (9),” specifically in section “1. The woman who anointed Jesus with perfume.” Please locate these articles as described.

3. Preparations for the last supper

“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.”(Mark 14:12-16)

The same event is recorded in Luke 22:7-13 and briefly mentioned in Matthew 26:17-19. Note that it says “found it just as,” indicating a short-term prophecy. We previously discussed Luke 22:7-13 in “2. Preparation for the Passover Feast Prophecy and Fulfillment” in “1081.” We won’t elaborate here; please refer to that article.

4. The Last Supper

 “When it was evening He came with the twelve. As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me⁠—one who is eating with Me.” They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.””(Mark 14:17-21) 

The same event is recorded in Matthew 26:20-25, but with the addition: “And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.””(Matthew 26:25) It is also briefly recorded in Luke 22:14-16, but states: “…I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”(Luke 22:15-16) 

Before Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, left the Last Supper, John 13:1-30 devotes the most space and provides the most detailed account. The Gospel of John clearly states that Jesus dipped the bread for Judas, not “…said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.””(Matthew 26:25). Since the Gospel of John was written later, it corrects the error in the Book of Matthew. This is because the triune God is not a God who commands actions all the time; even in inspired revelation, He grants humans some freedom. When people err within that freedom due to their old self, He corrects them in His own way. John’s correction of Matthew exemplifies this principle perfectly. It also reveals that Matthew at that time had not yet fully conformed to the image of Christ at that time; otherwise there was no error. Ultimately, he attained this goal—otherwise, there would be no mention in the Book of Matthew “…you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”(Matthew 19:28)

We truly need to understand the Bible. The only way to understand it is to let the Holy Spirit lead our Bible study. I sincerely hope more people will commit themselves—not just in words, but through actions! We must especially emphasize that the Triune God is not a God who issues commands and ask us to act upon them all the time; He grants humanity freedom. For instance, in the corresponding topicwise Bible study recorded on YouTube about this article, I hadn’t realized at the time that Matthew was fully conformed to Jesus’ image. Now I see this logically—it’s an example of Him granting me freedom to make decisions. He is the true and living God.

We previously discussed in detail the Lord Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in “2. Jesus, one of the Trinity, is love” within “1129 Light and love, receiving Lord and being sent – John (12) 44-John (13) 30,” specifically covering John 13:1-17. In “3. Receive the Lord Jesus and kick me,” we thoroughly examined John 13:18-30. Please locate this article using the method described.

5. The institution of the Lord’s Supper

“While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”(Mark 14:22-26)

The same event is recorded in Matthew 26:26-30. Luke 22:14-23 also recounts this event. These and related passages were discussed in detail in “3. The ceremony of setting up bread and cups at the Passover feast” in “1081.”

Numerous related passages exist. For instance, when explaining the meaning of the breaking of bread as “in remembrance of me,” we cited 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. These texts also state: “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.”(Luke 22:20-23) For the Book of Luke states, “it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus.”(Luke 1:3) According to the Book of Luke, they only began questioning each other after the meal, revealing a contradiction. John, an eyewitness, recognized this discrepancy and corrected it in his Gospel, written after Luke’s one.

The Gospel of John states: “The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. …So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; …”(John 13:22-30) Therefore, Judas, who betrayed the Lord, departed before the meal was finished. It is impossible that “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, …”(Luke 22:20) Moreover, Jesus merely dipped a piece of bread for Judas, not breaking it. In short, Judas did not partake of the breaking of bread.

Finally, regarding the grape juice (the fruit G1081 of the vine G288), it only states it came from grapes, not specifying whether the cup contained juice or wine. The breaking of bread is the only ordinance the Lord instituted in the New Testament for us to observe. Its true meaning is “in remembrance of me,” and we know that “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”(1 Corinthians 11:26). Here I’ll share a brief testimony: While preparing, 1 Corinthians 11:26 came to mind. Initially, I couldn’t integrate it and deleted it, but unexpectedly it proved relevant here, so I retrieved and added it. Sometimes when the Holy Spirit leads Bible study, verses that seem out of place at first become clear later.

This is like the Sabbath: the Lord keeps its true essence, not its literal timing. Thus, using grape juice or wine is irrelevant. But to claim that bread and wine, once blessed, transform into Jesus’ flesh and blood—the Bible makes no such claim. That is a human invention. 

After His resurrection, Jesus truly did not drink grape juice again. When the two disciples on the road to Emmaus “…urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”(Luke 24:29-31) He broke the bread and suddenly vanished—without drinking any grape juice. On another occasion, “Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.”(John 21:12-13) And it was only bread. Some might say it was because carrying grape juice was inconvenient, but Scripture clearly states, “Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”(Mark 14:25) Believe what the Bible says; do not invent your own reasons to explain it.

6. The prophecy of Peter’s three denials

“And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.”(Mark 14:27-31) 

The prophecy of Peter’s threefold denial is also recorded in the other three Gospels: Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-34, and John 13:36-38. None of these three accounts mention the rooster crowing twice. Not only do they are consistent, but also the verse “Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.”(John 18:27) It is due to the fact that the Gospel of John was written last, its text corrects the error in the Book of Mark. Beyond this, Matthew 26:31-35 aligns with Mark’s account. Previously, in “1. Prophecy that Peter would deny the Lord three times,” under “1082 Prophecy about Peter would deny Jesus three times and love of God- Jesus (34),” we discussed Luke 22:31-34 and related passages in detail, also mentioning John 13:36-38 and Mark 14:27-31. Please locate this article using the method described.

7. The prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

“They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. And He came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!””(Mark 14:32-42)

We see the word “deeply grieved,” and we know He was in His humanity. As we said before, during His incarnation, Jesus never used His divinity. After the Last Supper, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.”(John 18:1) Then came Jesus’ arrest: “Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.”(John 18:2-3) Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, a location recorded in the other three Gospels (see Matthew 26:47-48, Mark 14:43-44, Luke 22:47). Thus, this garden refers to the Garden of Gethsemane, and we can determine its approximate location.

These verses vividly describe the scene of prayer. He urged them to stay awake and pray, yet He knew their flesh was weak. When one is truly exhausted, he can do nothing but sleep. He prayed the same prayer three times, as the text clearly states: “And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.”(Matthew 26:44) We see the same event recorded in Matthew 26:36-46 and briefly in Luke 22:39-46, but it adds, “Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”(Luke 22:43-44) 

For the same event, if the accounts are correct, we must take their union. So here it is said that the angel’s appearance only strengthened Him. The Father never forced Him to make any decision through the Holy Spirit; the decision He made in prayer was His own willing choice. 

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

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

    我们首先在前言中作一个小小的见证，说明神不是一个命令一个动作的神。第二是谈到了圣殿被毁的预言。第三是讲到末期的预兆，特别指明这里的灾难是指犹如生产之难的灾难。第四提到为传福音所受的苦难和不要预先思虑说甚么，三位一体的神会用祂自己的方式保守我们。第五说到主的再来和一些其情景。第六提到了招聚教会中的选民。最后阐述了在人子再来的事上要警醒。

1. 前言        

    我们一向说我们要顺服神，但神绝不是一个命令一个动作的神，三位一体的神会给我们一些自由度去决定某些事情，圣经也是这样说。道成肉身的耶稣是顺服神的，如经文所说，「…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…」(约翰福音 14:31) 但在治疗长大痲疯的事上，「耶稣动了慈心，就伸手摸他，说：「我肯，你洁净了吧！」」(马可福音 1:40-41) 在治愈两个瞎子的事上，也是「耶稣就动了慈心，把他们的眼睛一摸，他们立刻看见，就跟从了耶稣。」(马太福音 20:34) 如果神是在每件事上都是一个命令一个动作，怎么会有耶稣动了慈心的这事？        

    祂在道成肉身的这段时间中，祂仍然是完全的神，因为这是与生俱来的身份，是不能改变的。但衪「反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。」(腓立比书 2:7) 我们不知祂是怎么做到的，但祂的确是完全的人，就如经文所说，「并且因为他是人子，就赐给他行审判的权柄。」(约翰福音 5:27) 在这段期间中祂从来就没有用过祂的神性，所以才会有「…神赐圣灵给他，是没有限量的。」(约翰福音 3:34) 如果在这段期间中，祂用祂的神性，为什么还需要圣灵？        

    在这次专题查经中，我看到了神绝不是一个命令一个动作的神。参加专题查经的人都知道，如果我没忘记的话，通常都会提醒大家，这次提醒的题目为『2164 圣殿, 末期, 苦难及解救, 再来, 招聚, 警醒- 可(13)1-37』，最后看到的题目为『2164 圣殿, 末期, 苦难及保守, 再来, 招聚, 警醒- 可(13)1-37』。为什么会有不同呢? 因为原先在第四小题中，是叫我们不必事先思虑，因此是「解救」了我们，换句话说，就是「保守」了我们。最开始我没有想到这点，后来才想到了这比较好的辞，就在第四小题的题目和大纲中改了，却忘了改题目，因此会不同。        

    所以「让圣灵带领查经」，不是说全部都说圣灵所说的话，如是这样，根本就不会有错，事实上是有时还要更正错误，这是在自由度内看错了或作错了决定。当需要更正错误时，或许是圣灵会在意念中直接告诉我们，或是经由别人的话使我们知道。这次只是在题目中换了一个更好的辞而已，但足够证明，神不是一个命令一个动作的神。       

    像以前一样，这文章是基于专题查经，这次专题查经选择的诗歌敬拜，是和基督徒活出精彩的一生有关。基督徒想要活出精彩的一生，要在圣灵的带领下，如果连查经都不能够真正的在圣灵带领下，遑论其他日常的生活，我们以前在「250823 3 让圣灵带领查经而得生命的一个方法」中，提出了这样一个绝对可行的方法，我知道是绝对可行的，因为是圣经的应许，只是没有说要多少时间，这是由于圣灵有绝对的主权，决定何时开始带领我们查经。        

    我的情况比较特殊，前前后后花了我二十多年时间才达到，你应不会这么久的，但我的估计是你至少要花五年时间这样的读经。想想保罗也花了三年的时间才完成他在旷野的第一批启示，说是第一批，因启示是不断有的，所以他会说，「若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前书 8:2) 他知道的很清楚，神是无限而人是有限。所以五年时间对我们来说实在不算多，要知道慢功出细活，摩西牧羊四十年后神才呼召他，我们绝不会等这么久的。

2. 预言圣殿的被毁          

    「耶稣从殿里出来的时候，有一个门徒对他说：「夫子，请看，这是何等的石头，何等的殿宇！」耶稣对他说：「你看见这大殿宇吗？将来在这里没有一块石头留在石头上不被拆毁了。」」(马可福音 13:1-2)      

    同样的一件事情记录在马太福音 24:1-2 和路加福音 19:41-44，因为都说，没有一块石头留在石头上。后者是这样记载的，「耶稣快到耶路撒冷，看见城，就为它哀哭，说：「巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事，无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来。因为日子将到，你的仇敌必筑起土垒，周围环绕你，四面困住你，并要扫灭你和你里头的儿女，连一块石头也不留在石头上，因你不知道眷顾你的时候。」」(路加福音 19:41-44)     

    耶稣是明说了耶路撒冷会毁灭，但显然对他们是隐藏的，他们的眼睛没有打开，犹如耶稣虽明明预言了死三天后会复活，但门徒要真正看见了才相信，那时神仍眷顾耶路撒冷，所以还没有被毁灭。        

    这里很显然有一个明显的矛盾，因为马可福音和马太福音是说清理完圣殿后发生的事情，而路加福音是说快到耶路撒冷，就是清理圣殿前发生的事情。有人可能会说，如果耶稣预言两次就不会有这明显的矛盾，但祂从没有在这么短的时间内预言同一件事情两次。事实上，这默示的明显矛盾会让我们注意到，「没有一块石头留在石头上」的事实，这就达到了明显矛盾的目的。        

    有人解释这事实是这样说的，就是当第二圣殿被毁时罗马军队焚烧圣殿，因而将其中的金箔熔到石头中，于是人们为了掘金，真将圣殿拆毁到「没有一块石头留在石头上」，这好像是很合理的解释，但不知证据在那里？

3. 末期的预兆       

    「耶稣在橄榄山上对圣殿而坐。彼得、雅各、约翰和安得烈暗暗地问他说：「请告诉我们，甚么时候有这些事呢？这一切事将成的时候有甚么预兆呢？」耶稣说：「你们要谨慎，免得有人迷惑你们。将来有好些人冒我的名来，说『我是基督』，并且要迷惑许多人。你们听见打仗和打仗的风声，不要惊慌。这些事是必须有的，只是末期还没有到。民要攻打民，国要攻打国，多处必有地震，饥荒。这都是灾难(G5604)的起头。」」(马可福音 13:3-8)        

    他们问的是有关耶路撒冷的事，但在这里耶稣的回答显然是提到了末期的事，同样的一件事也记载在路加福音 21:7-13 和马太福音 24:3-8，虽然有些不同，但这是基于一个同样的事实，这件事的叙述必须符合所有的记载，也就是要取其联集。        

    对于前者，我们以前在「3080 末期，耶稣再来，和发芽的比喻 -耶稣(32)」中的「1.  末期的预兆及对策」，详细的讨论了路加福音 21:7-18，在其中说，「我们在经文中看到了末期的预兆和基督徒的对策，就是不要预先思想怎样分诉，完全的依靠圣灵，而在过程中，就是要忍耐到底。」请到我们的网站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    对于后者，特别加上了一句，「这都是灾难(G5604)的起头。」(马太福音 24:8) 这个字G5604只出现过4次，是指生产之难，它的意义可以从这经文清楚的看到，「人正说平安稳妥的时候，灾祸忽然临到他们，如同产难(G5604)临到怀胎的妇人一样；他们绝不能逃脱。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:3) 最后的一次是在这经文，「神却将死的痛苦(G5604)解释了，叫他复活，因为他原不能被死拘禁。」(使徒行传 2:24) 把死的痛苦用生产之难所遭受的痛苦来比喻，因为活著的时候，没有在生理上比生产时所遭受的痛苦更大的。

4. 为传福音所受的苦难及保守       

    「但你们要谨慎，因为人要把你们交给公会，并且你们在会堂里要受鞭打；又为我的缘故站在诸侯与君王面前，对他们作见证。然而，福音必须先传给万民。人把你们拉去交官的时候，不要预先思虑说甚么，到那时候，赐给你们甚么话，你们就说甚么，因为说话的不是你们，乃是圣灵。「弟兄要把弟兄，父亲要把儿子，送到死地；儿女要起来与父母为敌，害死他们。并且你们要为我的名被众人恨恶，惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。」」(马可福音 13:9-13)    

    最后一段说到的事，的确在现实中会看到，非基督徒的亲属，逼迫了忍耐到底的基督徒。关于在会堂里要受鞭打，「你们要记念我(耶稣)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 15:20) 基督徒都是主耶稣基督的仆人。看看他们是如何对待耶稣的，「…耶稣在前头走，门徒就希奇，跟从的人也害怕。耶稣又叫过十二个门徒来，把自己将要遭遇的事告诉他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，人子将要被交给祭司长和文士，他们要定他死罪，交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，吐唾沫在他脸上，鞭打他，杀害他。过了三天，他要复活。」」(马可福音 10:32-34) 门徒为了以后将福音传给万民而作见证，怎么不会遭受同样的待遇呢？      

    关于不要预先思虑说什么， 路加福音是这样说的，「所以，你们当立定心意，不要预先思想怎样分诉，因为我必赐你们口才、智慧，是你们一切敌人所敌不住、驳不倒的。连你们的父母、弟兄、亲族、朋友也要把你们交官，你们也有被他们害死的。你们要为我的名被众人恨恶，然而，你们连一根头发也必不损坏。你们常存忍耐，就必保全(灵)魂(G5590, soul)。」(路加福音 21:14-19)        

    马太福音说到和这类似的经文，「那时，人要把你们陷在患难里，也要杀害你们；你们又要为我的名被万民恨恶。那时，必有许多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨恶；且有好些假先知起来，迷惑多人。只因不法的事增多，许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了。惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。这天国的福音要传遍天下，对万民作见证，然后末期才来到。」(马太福音 24:9-14)     

    的确是，如果神不允许，虽受逼害却连一根头发也不损害，必须常存忍耐，必蒙保守。这里明明说有人会被害死而殉道的，有人从人的角度可能会问，这怎么叫做保守呢？这是因为神对死亡的看法和人大不相同。为主殉道的是有福的，他们不是和千年国度有份，如经文所说吗？「…我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证，并为神之道被斩者的灵魂，和那没有拜过兽与兽像，…他们都复活了，与基督一同作王一千年。」(启示录 20:4) 并不是每个人都有为主殉道的资格的。     

    马太福音说到和这类似的经文，「那时，人要把你们陷在患难里，也要杀害你们；你们又要为我的名被万民恨恶。那时，必有许多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨恶；且有好些假先知起来，迷惑多人。只因不法的事增多，许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了。惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。这天国的福音要传遍天下，对万民作见证，然后末期才来到。」(马太福音 24:9-14)     

    不要将爱心冷淡了，犹如以弗所教会般，经文不是明说吗？「然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。」(启示录 2:4) 这爱心是指爱主的心，是不能离弃的。因为人是照三位一体的神的形像和样式造的 (参创世记 1:26-27)，基督徒想到这点，爱屋及乌，自然会爱人。经文不是这么说吗？「人若说「我爱神」，却恨他的弟兄，就是说谎话的；不爱他所看见的弟兄，就不能爱没有看见的神。爱神的，也当爱弟兄，这是我们从神所受的命令。」(约翰一书 4:20-21)

5. 主的再来         

    「你们看见那『行毁坏可憎的』，站在不当站的地方（读这经的人须要会意），那时，在犹太的，应当逃到山上；在房上的，不要下来，也不要进去拿家里的东西；在田里的，也不要回去取衣裳。当那些日子，怀孕的和奶孩子的有祸了。你们应当祈求，叫这些事不在冬天临到。因为在那些日子必有灾难，自从神创造万物直到如今，并没有这样的灾难，后来也必没有。若不是主减少那日子，凡有血气的，总没有一个得救的；只是为主的选民，他将那日子减少了。那时若有人对你们说：『看哪，基督在这里！』或说：『基督在那里！』你们不要信。因为假基督，假先知将要起来，显神迹(sign, G4592)奇事(wonder, G5059)，倘若能行，就把选民迷惑了。你们要谨慎。看哪，凡事我都预先告诉你们了。」(马可福音 13:14-23)        

    这些经文很清楚的叙述了一些耶稣再来的情景，就不多说了。同样的一件事也记录在马太福音 24:15-25，是说不要在冬天或是安息日发生，并说是但以理的预言，而从但以 理书就知道是指这经文，「他必兴兵，这兵必亵渎圣地，就是保障。除掉常献的燔祭，设立那行毁坏可憎的。」(但以理书 11:31) 并在马太福音 24:25 说到预先告诉你们时的后面，加上了这一段，「若有人对你们说：『看哪，基督在旷野里。』你们不要出去；或说：『看哪，基督在内屋中。』你们不要信。闪电从东边发出，直照到西边；人子降临，也要这样。尸首在哪里，鹰也必聚在那里。」(马太福音 24:26-28)     

    我们知道邪教东方闪电就是基于这些经文，现在改名叫全能神教会，要留心他们想要鱼目混珠。经文说得很清楚预先告诉我们的目的，「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。」(约翰福音 14:29) 耶稣是为了我们，而不是要彰显自己，祂是「…心里柔和谦卑，…」(马太福音 11:29) 的。这里也明讲了耶稣再来的一些情景，但没有说时间，因「（看哪！我来像贼一样。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人见他羞耻的有福了！）」(启示录 16:15) 如果你听到有人说主那年那月那天会来，不要相信，因为一定是错的。目前已证实这样不少的说法是错的，未来也会是如此。  

6. 招聚教会中的选民         

    「在那些日子，那灾难以后，『日头要变黑了，月亮也不放光，众星要从天上坠落，天势都要震动。』「那时，他们要看见人子有大能力，大荣耀，驾云降临。他要差遣天使，把他的选民从四方，从地极直到天边，都招聚了来。」」(马可福音 13:24-27)        

    同一件事情也记载在马太福音 24:29-31。当祂再降临时是大有荣耀的，「看哪！他驾云降临，众目要看见他，连刺他的人也要看见他，地上的万族都要因他哀哭，这话是真实的。阿们！」(启示录 1:7) 这经文不是指在十字架上真正刺祂的那一个人，而是指那些不信祂的人，他们当然会在那时因祂哀哭，而基督徒是，「一有这些事，你们就当挺身昂首，因为你们得赎的日子近了。」(路加福音 21:28)

7. 在人子再来的事上要警醒     

    「你们可以从无花果树学个比方：当树枝发嫩长叶的时候，你们就知道夏天近了。这样，你们几时看见这些事成就，也该知道人子近了，正在门口了。我实在告诉你们：这世代还没有过去，这些事都要成就。天地要废去，我的话却不能废去。「但那日子，那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟有父知道。你们要谨慎，警醒祈祷，因为你们不晓得那日期几时来到。这事正如一个人离开本家，寄居外邦，把权柄交给仆人，分派各人当做的工，又吩咐看门的警醒。「所以，你们要警醒，因为你们不知道家主甚么时候来，或晚上，或半夜，或鸡叫，或早晨。恐怕他忽然来到，看见你们睡著了。我对你们所说的话，也是对众人说：『要警醒！』」(马可福音 13:28-37)    

    这里当然不是说我们不能物理上睡觉，是在说要警醒，可见睡觉时仍可警醒的，要不我们睡觉时耶稣来了怎么办？马太福音在这件事上是这样说的，「你们可以从无花果树学个比方：当树枝发嫩长叶的时候，你们就知道夏天近了。这样，你们看见这一切的事，也该知道人子近了，正在门口了。我实在告诉你们：这世代还没有过去，这些事都要成就。天地要废去，我的话却不能废去。「但那日子、那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟独父知道。挪亚的日子怎样，人子降临也要怎样。当洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亚进方舟的那日，不知不觉洪水来了，把他们全都冲去。人子降临也要这样。那时，两个人在田里，取去一个，撇下一个；两个女人推磨，取去一个，撇下一个。「所以，你们要警醒，因为不知道你们的主是哪一天来到。家主若知道几更天有贼来，就必警醒，不容人挖透房屋，这是你们所知道的。所以，你们也要预备，因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了。」」(马太福音 24:32-44)     

    前半段是和马可福音所说的相同，后半段是新的，先是说到挪亚的洪水是他们不知不觉中来的，还是在说人子降临也要这样。接著举了女人的例子，好像是有百分之五十的机会，但这只是一种说法，如果我们看启示录中提到的七个教会，就知道得胜的人少于一半，我们要做那得胜的人，不要仅仅得救。最后用贼的例子，也是在说明我们不知主再来的确实时间。     

    真的要随时谨守、警醒，因为不只是耶稣「…来像贼一样。…」(启示录 16:15) 也是「…因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前书 5:8) 再一次强调，如果我们在老我中，就会「…立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。」(罗马书 7:18) 一定需要圣灵带领才会改变我们的生命。     

    因「但那日子，那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟有父知道。」(马可福音 13:32) 所以我们知道在道成肉身的这段期间中，子和父是在这点上不同的，因此这算是一个特例，因为一般情况是，「我(子)与父原为一。」(约翰福音 10:30) 另外一个特例是祂在十字架上的时候，「约在申初，耶稣大声喊著说：「以利！以利！拉马撒巴各大尼？」就是说：「我的神！我的神！为甚么离弃我？」」(马太福音 27:46)        

    圣经从没有说过无花果树代表以色列，只明说了葡萄园代表以色列，如经文所说，「万军之耶和华的葡萄园，就是以色列家；他所喜爱的树，就是犹大人。…」(以赛亚书 5:7) 所以有人说树枝发嫩长叶是指以色列复国，祇能说是自己想的，完全没有圣经的根据。在这里祇是说了一个自然现象，「你们可以从无花果树学个比方：当树枝发嫩长叶的时候，你们就知道夏天近了。」(马可福音 13:28) 我们以前在「2080」中的「4. 用无花果树和各样的树的发芽比喻神的国近了」，分享得相当清楚，请找到这篇文章。  

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

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

           我們首先在前言中作一個小小的見証，說明神不是一個命令一個動作的神。第二是談到了聖殿被毀的預言。第三是講到末期的預兆，特別指明這裡的災難是指猶如生產之難的災難。第四提到為傳福音所受的苦難和不要預先思慮說甚麼，三位一體的神會用祂自己的方式保守我們。第五說到主的再來和一些其情景。第六提到了招聚教會中的選民。最後闡述了在人子再來的事上要警醒。

1. 前言

        我們一向說我們要順服神，但神絕不是一個命令一個動作的神，三位一體的神會給我們一些自由度去決定某些事情，聖經也是這樣說。道成肉身的耶穌是順服神的，如經文所說，「…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…」(約翰福音 14:31) 但在治療長大痲瘋的事上，「耶穌動了慈心，就伸手摸他，說：「我肯，你潔淨了吧！」」(馬可福音 1:40-41) 在治癒兩個瞎子的事上，也是「耶穌就動了慈心，把他們的眼睛一摸，他們立刻看見，就跟從了耶穌。」(馬太福音 20:34) 如果神是在每件事上都是一個命令一個動作，怎麼會有耶穌動了慈心的這事？

        祂在道成肉身的這段時間中，祂仍然是完全的神，因為這是與生俱來的身份，是不能改變的。但衪「反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式。」(腓立比書 2:7) 我們不知祂是怎麼做到的，但祂的確是完全的人，就如經文所說，「並且因為他是人子，就賜給他行審判的權柄。」(約翰福音 5:27) 在這段期間中祂從來就沒有用過祂的神性，所以才會有「…神賜聖靈給他，是沒有限量的。」(約翰福音 3:34) 如果在這段期間中，祂用祂的神性，為什麼還需要聖靈？

        在這次專題查經中，我看到了神絕不是一個命令一個動作的神。參加專題查經的人都知道，如果我沒忘記的話，通常都會提醒大家，這次提醒的題目為『2164 聖殿, 末期, 苦難及解救, 再來, 招聚, 警醒- 可(13)1-37』，最後看到的題目為『2164 聖殿, 末期, 苦難及保守, 再來, 招聚, 警醒- 可(13)1-37』。為什麼會有不同呢? 因為原先在第四小題中，是叫我們不必事先思慮，因此是「解救」了我們，換句話說，就是「保守」了我們。最開始我沒有想到這點，後來才想到了這比較好的辭，就在第四小題的題目和大綱中改了，卻忘了改題目，因此會不同。

        所以「讓聖靈帶領查經」，不是說全部都說聖靈所說的話，如是這樣，根本就不會有錯，事實上是有時還要更正錯誤，這是在自由度內看錯了或作錯了決定。當需要更正錯誤時，或許是聖靈會在意念中直接告訴我們，或是經由別人的話使我們知道。這次衹是在題目中換了一個更好的辭而已，但足夠証明，神不是一個命令一個動作的神。

       像以前一樣，這文章是基於專題查經，這次專題查經選擇的詩歌敬拜，是和基督徒活出精彩的一生有關。基督徒想要活出精彩的一生，要在聖靈的帶領下，如果連查經都不能夠真正的在聖靈帶領下，遑論其他日常的生活，我們以前在「250823 2 讓聖靈帶領查經而得生命的一個方法」中，提出了這樣一個絕對可行的方法，我知道是絕對可行的，因為是聖經的應許，衹是沒有說要多少時間，這是由於聖靈有絕對的主權，決定何時開始帶領我們查經。

        我的情況比較特殊，前前後後花了我二十多年時間才達到，你應不會這麼久的，但我的估計是你至少要花五年時間這樣的讀經。想想保羅也花了三年的時間才完成他在曠野的第一批啓示，說是第一批，因啓示是不斷有的，所以他會說，「若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前書 8:2) 他知道的很清楚，神是無限而人是有限。所以五年時間對我們來說實在不算多，要知道慢功出細活，摩西牧羊四十年後神才呼召他，我們絕不會等這麼久的。

2. 預言聖殿的被毀

          「耶穌從殿裏出來的時候，有一個門徒對他說：「夫子，請看，這是何等的石頭，何等的殿宇！」耶穌對他說：「你看見這大殿宇嗎？將來在這裏沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了。」」(馬可福音 13:1-2)

       同樣的一件事情記錄在馬太福音 24:1-2 和路加福音 19:41-44，因為都說，沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上。後者是這樣記載的，「耶穌快到耶路撒冷，看見城，就為它哀哭，說：「巴不得你在這日子知道關係你平安的事，無奈這事現在是隱藏的，叫你的眼看不出來。因為日子將到，你的仇敵必築起土壘，周圍環繞你，四面困住你，並要掃滅你和你裏頭的兒女，連一塊石頭也不留在石頭上，因你不知道眷顧你的時候。」」(路加福音 19:41-44) 

     耶穌是明說了耶路撒冷會毀滅，但顯然對他們是隱藏的，他們的眼睛沒有打開，猶如耶穌雖明明預言了死三天後會復活，但門徒要真正看見了才相信，那時神仍眷顧耶路撒冷，所以還沒有被毀滅。

        這裏很顯然有一個明顯的矛盾，因為馬可福音和馬太福音是說清理完聖殿後發生的事情，而路加福音是說快到耶路撒冷，就是清理聖殿前發生的事情。有人可能會說，如果耶穌預言兩次就不會有這明顯的矛盾，但祂從沒有在這麼短的時間內預言同一件事情兩次。事實上，這默示的明顯矛盾會讓我們注意到，「沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上」的事實，這就達到了明顯矛盾的目的。

        有人解釋這事實是這樣說的，就是當第二聖殿被毀時羅馬軍隊焚燒聖殿，因而將其中的金箔熔到石頭中，於是人們為了掘金，真將聖殿拆毀到「沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上」，這好像是很合理的解釋，但不知証據在那裏？

3. 末期的預兆

       「耶穌在橄欖山上對聖殿而坐。彼得、雅各、約翰和安得烈暗暗地問他說：「請告訴我們，甚麼時候有這些事呢？這一切事將成的時候有甚麼預兆呢？」耶穌說：「你們要謹慎，免得有人迷惑你們。將來有好些人冒我的名來，說『我是基督』，並且要迷惑許多人。你們聽見打仗和打仗的風聲，不要驚慌。這些事是必須有的，只是末期還沒有到。民要攻打民，國要攻打國，多處必有地震，饑荒。這都是災難(G5604)的起頭。」」(馬可福音 13:3-8)

        他們問的是有關耶路撒冷的事，但在這裏耶穌的回答顯然是提到了末期的事，同樣的一件事也記載在路加福音 21:7-13 和馬太福音 24:3-8，雖然有些不同，但這是基於一個同樣的事實，這件事的敍述必須符合所有的記載，也就是要取其聯集。

        對於前者，我們以前在「2080 末期，耶穌再來，和發芽的比喻 -耶穌(32)」中的「1.  末期的預兆及對策」，詳細的討論了路加福音 21:7-18，在其中說，「我們在經文中看到了末期的預兆和基督徒的對策，就是不要預先思想怎樣分訴，完全的依靠聖靈，而在過程中，就是要忍耐到底。」請到我們的網站『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        對於後者，特別加上了一句，「這都是災難(G5604)的起頭。」(馬太福音 24:8) 這個字G5604衹出現過4次，是指生產之難，它的意義可以從這經文清楚的看到，「人正說平安穩妥的時候，災禍忽然臨到他們，如同產難(G5604)臨到懷胎的婦人一樣；他們絕不能逃脫。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:3) 最後的一次是在這經文，「神卻將死的痛苦(G5604)解釋了，叫他復活，因為他原不能被死拘禁。」(使徒行傳 2:24) 把死的痛苦用生產之難所遭受的痛苦來比喻，因為活著的時候，沒有在生理上比生產時所遭受的痛苦更大的。

4. 為傳福音所受的苦難及保守

       「但你們要謹慎，因為人要把你們交給公會，並且你們在會堂裏要受鞭打；又為我的緣故站在諸侯與君王面前，對他們作見證。然而，福音必須先傳給萬民。人把你們拉去交官的時候，不要預先思慮說甚麼，到那時候，賜給你們甚麼話，你們就說甚麼，因為說話的不是你們，乃是聖靈。「弟兄要把弟兄，父親要把兒子，送到死地；兒女要起來與父母為敵，害死他們。並且你們要為我的名被眾人恨惡，惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。」」(馬可福音 13:9-13)

    最後一段說到的事，的確在現實中會看到，非基督徒的親屬，逼迫了忍耐到底的基督徒。關於在會堂裡要受鞭打，「你們要記念我(耶穌)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 15:20) 基督徒都是主耶穌基督的僕人。看看他們是如何對待耶穌的，「…耶穌在前頭走，門徒就希奇，跟從的人也害怕。耶穌又叫過十二個門徒來，把自己將要遭遇的事告訴他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，人子將要被交給祭司長和文士，他們要定他死罪，交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，吐唾沫在他臉上，鞭打他，殺害他。過了三天，他要復活。」」(馬可福音 10:32-34) 門徒為了以後將福音傳給萬民而作見証，怎麼不會遭受同樣的待遇呢？

        關於不要預先思慮說什麼， 路加福音是這樣說的，「所以，你們當立定心意，不要預先思想怎樣分訴，因為我必賜你們口才、智慧，是你們一切敵人所敵不住、駁不倒的。連你們的父母、弟兄、親族、朋友也要把你們交官，你們也有被他們害死的。你們要為我的名被眾人恨惡，然而，你們連一根頭髮也必不損壞。你們常存忍耐，就必保全(靈)魂(G5590, soul)。」(路加福音 21:14-19)

        馬太福音說到和這類似的經文，「那時，人要把你們陷在患難裏，也要殺害你們；你們又要為我的名被萬民恨惡。那時，必有許多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨惡；且有好些假先知起來，迷惑多人。只因不法的事增多，許多人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期才來到。」(馬太福音 24:9-14)

     的確是，如果神不允許，雖受逼害卻連一根頭髮也不損害，必須常存忍耐，必蒙保守。這裏明明說有人會被害死而殉道的，有人從人的角度可能會問，這怎麼叫做保守呢？這是因為神對死亡的看法和人大不相同。為主殉道的是有福的，他們不是和千年國度有份，如經文所說嗎？「…我又看見那些因為給耶穌作見證，並為神之道被斬者的靈魂，和那沒有拜過獸與獸像，…他們都復活了，與基督一同作王一千年。」(啓示錄 20:4) 並不是每個人都有為主殉道的資格的。

     馬太福音說到和這類似的經文，「那時，人要把你們陷在患難裏，也要殺害你們；你們又要為我的名被萬民恨惡。那時，必有許多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨惡；且有好些假先知起來，迷惑多人。只因不法的事增多，許多人的愛心才漸漸冷淡了。惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。這天國的福音要傳遍天下，對萬民作見證，然後末期才來到。」(馬太福音 24:9-14)

     不要將愛心冷淡了，猶如以弗所教會般，經文不是明說嗎？「然而，有一件事我要責備你，就是你把起初的愛心離棄了。」(啓示錄 2:4) 這愛心是指愛主的心，是不能離棄的。因為人是照三位一體的神的形像和樣式造的 (參創世記 1:26-27)，基督徒想到這點，愛屋及烏，自然會愛人。經文不是這麼說嗎？「人若說「我愛神」，卻恨他的弟兄，就是說謊話的；不愛他所看見的弟兄，就不能愛沒有看見的神。愛神的，也當愛弟兄，這是我們從神所受的命令。」(約翰一書 4:20-21)

5. 主的再來

       「你們看見那『行毀壞可憎的』，站在不當站的地方（讀這經的人須要會意），那時，在猶太的，應當逃到山上；在房上的，不要下來，也不要進去拿家裏的東西；在田裏的，也不要回去取衣裳。當那些日子，懷孕的和奶孩子的有禍了。你們應當祈求，叫這些事不在冬天臨到。因為在那些日子必有災難，自從神創造萬物直到如今，並沒有這樣的災難，後來也必沒有。若不是主減少那日子，凡有血氣的，總沒有一個得救的；只是為主的選民，他將那日子減少了。那時若有人對你們說：『看哪，基督在這裏！』或說：『基督在那裏！』你們不要信。因為假基督，假先知將要起來，顯神蹟(sign, G4592)奇事(wonder, G5059)，倘若能行，就把選民迷惑了。你們要謹慎。看哪，凡事我都預先告訴你們了。」(馬可福音 13:14-23)

        這些經文很清楚的敍述了一些耶穌再來的情景，就不多說了。同樣的一件事也記錄在馬太福音 24:15-25，是說不要在冬天或是安息日發生，並說是但以理的預言，而從但以 理書就知道是指這經文，「他必興兵，這兵必褻瀆聖地，就是保障。除掉常獻的燔祭，設立那行毀壞可憎的。」(但以理書 11:31) 並在馬太福音 24:25 說到預先告訴你們時的後面，加上了這一段，「若有人對你們說：『看哪，基督在曠野裏。』你們不要出去；或說：『看哪，基督在內屋中。』你們不要信。閃電從東邊發出，直照到西邊；人子降臨，也要這樣。屍首在哪裏，鷹也必聚在那裏。」(馬太福音 24:26-28) 

     我們知道邪教東方閃電就是基於這些經文，現在改名叫全能神教會，要留心他們想要魚目混珠。經文說得很清楚預先告訴我們的目的，「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。」(約翰福音 14:29) 耶穌是為了我們，而不是要彰顯自己，祂是「…心裏柔和謙卑，…」(馬太福音 11:29) 的。這裡也明講了耶穌再來的一些情景，但沒有說時間，因「（看哪！我來像賊一樣。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人見他羞恥的有福了！）」(啓示錄 16:15) 如果你聽到有人說主那年那月那天會來，不要相信，因為一定是錯的。目前已証實這樣不少的說法是錯的，未來也會是如此。

6. 招聚教會中的選民

       「在那些日子，那災難以後，『日頭要變黑了，月亮也不放光，眾星要從天上墜落，天勢都要震動。』「那時，他們要看見人子有大能力，大榮耀，駕雲降臨。他要差遣天使，把他的選民從四方，從地極直到天邊，都招聚了來。」」(馬可福音 13:24-27)

        同一件事情也記載在馬太福音 24:29-31。當祂再降臨時是大有榮耀的，「看哪！他駕雲降臨，眾目要看見他，連刺他的人也要看見他，地上的萬族都要因他哀哭，這話是真實的。阿們！」(啓示錄 1:7) 這經文不是指在十字架上真正刺祂的那一個人，而是指那些不信祂的人，他們當然會在那時因祂哀哭，而基督徒是，「一有這些事，你們就當挺身昂首，因為你們得贖的日子近了。」(路加福音 21:28)

7. 在人子再來的事上要警醒

       「你們可以從無花果樹學個比方：當樹枝發嫩長葉的時候，你們就知道夏天近了。這樣，你們幾時看見這些事成就，也該知道人子近了，正在門口了。我實在告訴你們：這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。「但那日子，那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟有父知道。你們要謹慎，警醒祈禱，因為你們不曉得那日期幾時來到。這事正如一個人離開本家，寄居外邦，把權柄交給僕人，分派各人當做的工，又吩咐看門的警醒。「所以，你們要警醒，因為你們不知道家主甚麼時候來，或晚上，或半夜，或雞叫，或早晨。恐怕他忽然來到，看見你們睡着了。我對你們所說的話，也是對眾人說：『要警醒！』」(馬可福音 13:28-37)

    這裏當然不是說我們不能物理上睡覺，是在說要警醒，可見睡覺時仍可警醒的，要不我們睡覺時耶穌來了怎麼辦？馬太福音在這件事上是這樣說的，「你們可以從無花果樹學個比方：當樹枝發嫩長葉的時候，你們就知道夏天近了。這樣，你們看見這一切的事，也該知道人子近了，正在門口了。我實在告訴你們：這世代還沒有過去，這些事都要成就。天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。「但那日子、那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟獨父知道。挪亞的日子怎樣，人子降臨也要怎樣。當洪水以前的日子，人照常吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亞進方舟的那日，不知不覺洪水來了，把他們全都沖去。人子降臨也要這樣。那時，兩個人在田裏，取去一個，撇下一個；兩個女人推磨，取去一個，撇下一個。「所以，你們要警醒，因為不知道你們的主是哪一天來到。家主若知道幾更天有賊來，就必警醒，不容人挖透房屋，這是你們所知道的。所以，你們也要預備，因為你們想不到的時候，人子就來了。」」(馬太福音 24:32-44)

     前半段是和馬可福音所說的相同，後半段是新的，先是説到挪亞的洪水是他們不知不覺中來的，還是在說人子降臨也要這樣。接著舉了女人的例子，好像是有百分之五十的機會，但這衹是一種說法，如果我們看啓示錄中提到的七個教會，就知道得勝的人少於一半，我們要做那得勝的人，不要僅僅得救。最後用賊的例子，也是在說明我們不知主再來的確實時間。

     真的要隨時謹守、警醒，因為不衹是耶穌「…來像賊一樣。…」(啓示錄 16:15) 也是「…因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前書 5:8) 再一次强調，如果我們在老我中，就會「…立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。」(羅馬書 7:18) 一定需要聖靈帶領才會改變我們的生命。

     因「但那日子，那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟有父知道。」(馬可福音 13:32) 所以我們知道在道成肉身的這段期間中，子和父是在這點上不同的，因此這算是一個特例，因為一般情況是，「我(子)與父原為一。」(約翰福音 10:30) 另外一個特例是祂在十字架上的時候，「約在申初，耶穌大聲喊着說：「以利！以利！拉馬撒巴各大尼？」就是說：「我的神！我的神！為甚麼離棄我？」」(馬太福音 27:46)

        聖經從沒有說過無花果樹代表以色列，衹明說了葡萄園代表以色列，如經文所說，「萬軍之耶和華的葡萄園，就是以色列家；他所喜愛的樹，就是猶大人。…」(以賽亞書 5:7) 所以有人說樹枝發嫩長葉是指以色列復國，祇能說是自己想的，完全沒有聖經的根據。在這裏祇是說了一個自然現象，「你們可以從無花果樹學個比方：當樹枝發嫩長葉的時候，你們就知道夏天近了。」(馬可福音 13:28) 我們以前在「2080」中的「4. 用無花果樹和各樣的樹的發芽比喻神的國近了」，分享得相當清楚，請找到這篇文章。 

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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, in the foreword, we offer a brief testimony that God is not a God who issues commands for our actions all the time. Second, we discuss the prophecy of the temple’s destruction. Third, we address the signs of the end times, specifically noting that the calamity here refers to suffering like the pains of childbirth. Fourth, it mentions suffering for the gospel and not premeditating what to say, as the triune God will preserve us in His own way. Fifth, it speaks of the Lord’s return and some of its circumstances. Sixth, it refers to gathering the elect of the Church. Finally, we have to be alerting and watchful regarding the Son of Man’s return.

1. Foreword

We often speak of obeying God, yet God is by no means a deity who issues commands for actions all the time. The triune God grants us a measure of freedom to make certain decisions, as the Scriptures also affirm. Jesus, incarnate as the Word, obeyed God, as the scripture declares: “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) Yet in healing the leper, “Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” …”(Mark 1:40-41) Similarly, in healing the two blind men, “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.”(Matthew 20:34) If God were to command every action without exception, how could there be instances like Jesus being moved with compassion?

During His incarnation, He remained fully God, for this is His inherent nature, unchangeable. Yet He “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) We do not know how He accomplished this, but He truly became fully human, as Scripture declares, “and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”(John 5:27) During this period, He never once exercised His divinity. That is why it says, “…for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) If He had used His divinity during this time, why would He still need the Holy Spirit?

In this topicwise Bible study, we have talked about that God is absolutely not a God who issues commands for our every actions. Those who participated in the study know that, if I remembered, I usually reminded everyone of the topic: this time was ‘1164 Temple, end times, tribulation and rescue, second coming, gathering, vigilance – Mark(13)1-37’. The final topic we saw was ‘1164 Temple, end times, tribulation and preservation, second coming, gathering, vigilance – Mark(13)1-37’. Why the discrepancy? Because the original fourth sub-topic instructed us not to worry beforehand, thus ‘rescuing’ us—in other words, ‘preserving’ us. Initially, I didn’t consider this point. Later, I realized this phrasing was better in Chinese and revised it in the fourth sub-title and outline, but forgot to update the main title, hence the discrepancy.

Thus, “let the Holy Spirit lead Bible study” does not mean that the said words are repeating everything the Spirit says verbatim. If that were the case, there would be no room for error. In reality, corrections are sometimes needed when we misinterpret or make wrong decisions within our freedom. When correction is required, the Holy Spirit may reveal it directly through thoughts or through others’ words. This time, it was merely replacing a title with a better one, yet it sufficiently demonstrates that God is not a God who issues commands for our every actions.

As before, this article is based on a topicwise Bible study. The hymn chosen in this study relates to Christians living a vibrant life. For Christians to live a vibrant life, they must follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If we cannot even study the Bible truly under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, how much less can we manage other daily aspects of life? In our previous post, 

“250823 1 A method for having life by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide Bible study,” we proposed a method that is absolutely feasible. I know it is absolutely feasible because it is a promise from the Bible. However, it does not specify how long it will take, as the Holy Spirit holds absolute sovereignty in determining when to begin guiding us in Bible study.

My situation was unique—it took me over twenty years to reach this point. Yours likely won’t take that long, but I estimate you’ll need at least five years of such Bible reading. Consider that Paul spent three years receiving his first revelations in the wilderness. We call his “first” because revelations continued to come, which is why he said, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) He understood clearly that God is infinite while humans are finite. So, five years is truly not excessive for us. Remember that slow work produces fine results. God called Moses only after forty years of shepherding. We certainly won’t wait that long.

2. The prophecy of the temple’s destruction

“As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.””(Mark 13:1-2)

The same event is recorded in Matthew 24:1-2 and Luke 19:41-44, both stating that not one stone would be left upon another. The latter reads: “When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.””(Luke 19:41-44) 

Jesus clearly foretold Jerusalem’s destruction, yet it remained hidden from them—their eyes were not opened. Just as He plainly prophesied His resurrection three days after death, yet the disciples only believed when they saw it, so too did God still show favor to Jerusalem at that time, sparing it from destruction.

Here lies an apparent contradiction: the Books of Mark and Matthew describe events occurring after the cleansing of the temple, while the Book of Luke places them just before entering Jerusalem—before the cleansing. Some might suggest that if Jesus had prophesied twice, this apparent contradiction would not exist. Yet He never prophesied the same event twice within such a short span. In truth, this apparent contradiction in the prophecy draws our attention to the fact that “not one stone will be left upon another”—thus fulfilling the purpose of the apparent contradiction.

Some explain this by suggesting that when the Second Temple was destroyed, Roman soldiers burned the temple, melting the gold leaf into the stones. People then dismantled the temple to extract the gold, leaving “not one stone upon another.” This seems a reasonable explanation, but where is the evidence?

3. Signs of the end times

“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (G5604).”(Mark 13:3-8)

They asked about Jerusalem, but here Jesus’ answer clearly refers to the end times. The same event is recorded in Luke 21:7-13 and Matthew 24:3-8. Though there are some differences, they are based on the same reality. The account of this event must align with all the records, meaning we must take the union of all descriptions.

Regarding the former, we previously discussed in “1. The signs of the end and countermeasures” under “1080 The end of the world, the return of Jesus, and the parable of sprouting – Jesus (32),” where we discussed Luke 21:7-18 in detail. There we stated, “we see in the scriptures the signs of the end times and the Christian countermeasures, which is not to think in advance what to say, but to rely completely on the Holy Spirit, and in the process, to endure to the end.” Please visit our website ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, click ‘On spiritual understanding about life’, and locate this article.

Regarding the latter, a specific phrase is added: “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (G5604).”(Matthew 24:8) This word G5604 appears only four times, referring to the pains of childbirth. Its meaning is clearly seen in this scripture: “While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains (G5604) upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”(1 Thessalonians 5:3) The final occurrence is in this verse: “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony (G5604) of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”(Acts 2:24) The agony of death is likened to the pain of childbirth, for there is no greater physical suffering in life than that endured during childbirth.

4. Persecution for the Gospel and its preservation

“But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”(Mark 13:9-13)

The final passage describes events we indeed witness in reality: non-Christian relatives persecuting Christians who endure to the end. Regarding being flogged in the synagogue, “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 15:20) Christians are all servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider how they treated Jesus: “They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.””(Mark 10:32-34) How could the disciples, who were to bear witness by preaching the gospel to all nations, avoid suffering the same fate?

Regarding not worrying about what to say beforehand, Luke’s Gospel states: “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives (G5590, soul).”(Luke 21:14-19)

The Book of Matthew records a similar passage: ““Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:9-14)

Indeed, if God does not permit it, not even a hair of the head will be harmed despite persecution. One must always endure, and will be preserved. Here it clearly states that some will be killed as martyrs. From a human perspective, one might ask: How is this called preservation? This is because God’s view of death is vastly different from man’s. Are not those who are martyred for the Lord blessed? Do they not share in the millennial kingdom, as the scripture says? “…I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, …they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”(Revelation 20:4) Not everyone is qualified to be martyred for the Lord.

Matthew’s Gospel speaks of similar things: “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:9-14)

Do not let your love grow cold, as it did in the church at Ephesus. Does not the Scripture clearly state this? “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”(Revelation 2:4) This love refers to the love for the Lord, which must not be forsaken. For humans were created in the image and likeness of the triune God (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). When Christians reflect on this, their love naturally extends to others. Doesn’t Scripture say, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”(1 John 4:20-21)

5. The Lord’s return  

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that it may not happen in the winter. For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.”(Mark 13:14-23)

These verses clearly describe certain aspects of Jesus’ return, so I won’t elaborate further. The same event is recorded in Matthew 24:15-25, specifying it will not occur in winter or on the Sabbath, and identifying it as Daniel’s prophecy. From Daniel’s book, we know this refers to the passage: “Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.”(Daniel 11:31) Furthermore, in Matthew 24:25, following the warning about being forewarned, this passage is added: “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”(Matthew 24:26-28)

We know the cult Eastern Lightning, now renamed the Church of Almighty God, bases itself on these scriptures. Be wary of their attempts to pass off counterfeit as genuine. The Scriptures clearly state the purpose of foretelling: “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”(John 14:29) Jesus acted for our sake, not to exalt Himself. He is “…gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29). Here, too, the circumstances of Jesus’ return are clearly described, though no specific time is given, for “(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)”(Revelation 16:15). If you hear anyone claim the Lord will come on a specific year, month, or day, do not believe them, for it will surely be false. Numerous such predictions have already been proven false, and future claims will meet the same fate.

6. Gathering the elect of the Church  

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.”(Mark 13:24-27)

The same event is recorded in Matthew 24:29-31. When He returns in glory, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.”(Revelation 1:7) This scripture does not refer to the actual person who pierced Him on the cross, but to those who do not believe in Him. They will certainly mourn for Him at that time. As for Christians, “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:28)

7. Be alerting and watchful regarding the Son of Man’s return

““Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert⁠—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning⁠— in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’””(Mark 13:28-37)

This certainly does not mean we cannot physically sleep, but rather that we should be alerting and watchful. It shows that one can remain alerting and watchful even while sleeping—otherwise, what if Jesus came while we were asleep? Matthew’s Gospel addresses this matter in this way: ““Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”(Matthew 24:32-44)

The first part is identical to Mark’s account, while the latter part is new. It begins by comparing Noah’s flood—which came unexpectedly—to the coming of the Son of Man. Next, the example of women is given, suggesting a fifty-fifty chance, but this is merely a figure of speech. If we look at the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation, we see that fewer than half are victorious. We must strive to be among the victorious, not merely saved. Finally, the example of the thief also illustrates that we do not know the exact time of the Lord’s return.

We must truly be watchful and alert at all times, for not only does Jesus be “…coming like a thief. …”(Revelation 16:15) but also “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8). This underscores that if we remain in our old selves, we will find that “…For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18). Only the Holy Spirit’s leading can transform our lives.

Because “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”(Mark 13:32) we understand that during the incarnation, the Son and the Father were distinct in this regard—a special case, since ordinarily “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) Another exception occurred when He was on the cross: “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?””(Matthew 27:46)

The Bible never states that the fig tree represents Israel; it explicitly identifies the vineyard as Israel, as the scripture declares: “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. …”(Isaiah 5:7) Therefore, those who claim that the sprouting of branches and leaves signifies Israel’s restoration are merely projecting their own thoughts, with no biblical basis whatsoever. Here, it simply describes a natural phenomenon: ““Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.”(Mark 13:28) We previously shared this clearly in “4. Use the sprouting of fig tree and all the trees to recognize that the kingdom of God is near” of “1080.” Please find that article. 

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

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

    首先，我们讨论了葡萄园的比喻中的凶恶园户，和耶稣这块房角的石头，说到了人心的刚硬，讨论中引用了以前的文章。第二是在讨论纳税给该撒可以不可以的话题上，也引用了以前的文章。第三是在讲耶稣看到人的复活后发生的事，也是引用了以前的文章。第四在谈首先要爱神和其次要爱人如己， 引用经文说非要如此行出来不可。第五，我们讨论了这问题，大卫既自己称基督为主，怎么基督又是大卫的子孙，在新约时代的我们，会很容易的问答这问题。最后，我们提到了寡妇的两个小钱和十一奉献，同时引用了以前的两篇文章。

1. 葡萄园的比喻和房角的头块石头       

    「耶稣就用比喻对他们说：「有人栽了一个葡萄园，周围圈上篱笆，挖了一个压酒池，盖了一座楼，租给园户，就往外国去了。到了时候，打发一个仆人到园户那里，要从园户收葡萄园的果子。园户拿住他，打了他，叫他空手回去。再打发一个仆人到他们那里，他们打伤他的头，并且凌辱他。又打发一个仆人去，他们就杀了他。后又打发好些仆人去，有被他们打的，有被他们杀的。「园主还有一位是他的爱子，末后又打发他去，意思说：『他们必尊敬我的儿子。』「不料，那些园户彼此说：『这是承受产业的。来吧，我们杀他，产业就归我们了！』于是拿住他，杀了他，把他丢在园外。「这样，葡萄园的主人要怎么办呢？他要来除灭那些园户，将葡萄园转给别人。经上写著说：『匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。这是主所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。』 这经你们没有念过吗？」他们看出这比喻是指著他们说的，就想要捉拿他，只是惧怕百姓，于是离开他走了。」(马可福音 12:1-12)    

    请注意一下，这葡萄园里面是什么都有，葡萄园有篱笆保护著，有压酒池为葡萄准备著，并有住处，这不是和救恩相似吗？葡萄不被压榨不会成酒，人不经过苦难的试探怎么会成就生命的改变？「惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。」(马太福音 24:13) 尤其我们知道，「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) 所以要忍耐，苦难终究会过去的。        

    在马太福音 21:33-46 和路加福音 20:9-19 虽然用不同的字句，但基本上是记载同一件事情。我们以前在「3076 智慧的言语，凶恶园户，及耶稣论复活 -耶稣(29)」中的「2. 凶恶园户的比喻并其解说」相当详细的讨论过路加福音 20:9-19，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    我们现在就谈谈一些上次没有讨论到的。路加福音明说，「他(园主人)要来除灭这些园户，将葡萄园转给别人。」 听见的人说：「这是万不可的！」(路加福音 20:16) 这么凶恶的园户，谁不会这样做呢？怎么还说这是万不可的！        

    接著就是「耶稣说：「经上写著：『匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。这是主所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。』 这经你们没有念过吗？「所以我告诉你们：神的国必从你们夺去，赐给那能结果子的百姓。谁掉在这石头上，必要跌碎；这石头掉在谁的身上，就要把谁砸得稀烂。」祭司长和法利赛人听见他的比喻，就看出他是指著他们说的。他们想要捉拿他，只是怕众人，因为众人以他为先知。」(马太福音 21:42-46)        

    祭司长和法利赛人很清楚的知道祂是在说，「…神的国必从你们夺去，赐给那能结果子的百姓。」(马太福音 21:43) 因为「万军之耶和华的葡萄园，就是以色列家；他所喜爱的树，就是犹大人。…」(以赛亚书 5:7) 所以听见的人才会说万不可的，也明说了他们惧怕百姓的原因，是因为众人以祂为先知。        

    难道他们不知道耶稣神的儿子吗？「约翰又作见证说：「我曾看见圣灵仿佛鸽子从天降下，住在他(耶稣)的身上。我先前不认识他，只是那差我来用水施洗的，对我说：『你看见圣灵降下来，住在谁的身上，谁就是用圣灵施洗的。』我看见了，就证明这是神的儿子。」」(约翰福音 1:32-34) 是的，他们是知道的，只是不信，最终还是钉耶稣上十字架，人的心会是何等的刚硬啊 !  难怪耶和华对以西结说，「这众子(以色列人)面无羞耻，心里刚硬。我差你往他们那里去，你要对他们说：『主耶和华如此说。』」(以西结书 2:4) 即使是主耶和华说的，他们没有一个能听的耳，仍然是心里刚硬。

2. 纳税给该撒可以不可以？       

    「后来，他们打发几个法利赛人和几个希律党的人到耶稣那里，要就著他的话陷害他。他们来了，就对他说：「夫子，我们知道你是诚实的，甚么人你都不徇情面，因为你不看人的外貌，乃是诚诚实实传神的道。纳税给凯撒可以不可以？我们该纳不该纳？」 耶稣知道他们的假意，就对他们说：「你们为甚么试探我，拿一个银钱来给我看。」他们就拿了来。耶稣说：「这像和这号是谁的？」 他们说：「是凯撒的。」耶稣说：「凯撒的物当归给凯撒，神的物当归给神。」 他们就很希奇他。」(马可福音 12:13-17)        

    在马太福音 22:15-22 和路加福音 20:20-26 用不同的字句记载了同一件事情。我们以前在「3076」中的「1. 智慧的言语范例」相当详细的讨论过路加福音 20:20-26，在其中我们也谈到了祂有智慧的言语的原因，在这里就不多说了，请找到这篇文章。

3. 复活的事       

    「撒都该人常说没有复活的事。他们来问耶稣说：「夫子，摩西为我们写著说：『人若死了，撇下妻子，没有孩子，他兄弟当娶他的妻，为哥哥生子立后。』有弟兄七人，第一个娶了妻，死了，没有留下孩子；第二个娶了她，也死了，没有留下孩子；第三个也是这样。那七个人都没有留下孩子，末了，那妇人也死了。当复活的时候，她是哪一个的妻子呢？因为他们七个人都娶过她。」耶稣说：「你们所以错了，岂不是因为不明白圣经，不晓得神的大能吗？人从死里复活，也不娶也不嫁，乃像天上的使者一样。论到死人复活，你们没有念过摩西的书荆棘篇上所载的吗？神对摩西说：『我是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。』神不是死人的神，乃是活人的神。你们是大错了。」」(马可福音 12:18-27)     

    虽然圣经没有明说这是真实发生过的事情，因为如果是真实的，发生的概率会非常非常的小。虽然我们不能百分之百的确定发生过，但也可以看到撒都该人在刁难祂。我们知道，同一件事情也记载在路加福音 20:27-40，且「有几个文士说：「夫子，你说得好！以后他们不敢再问他甚么。」(路加福音 20:39-40)     

    在这里，耶稣说得很清楚，以前我们在「2076」中的「3. 耶稣论人复活的事」，是这样简短的说，「撒都该人以为这样可以刁难耶稣，却没有想到是自己不了解，从死里复活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是复活的人，就为神的儿子，且神乃是活人的神，难怪以后他们不敢再问他甚么。」如果你们看过启示录就知道这点，天上「宝座的周围又有二十四个座位，其上坐著二十四位长老，身穿白衣，头上戴著金冠冕。」(启示录 4:4) 至少那时二十四位长老已在天上。          

    保罗说得很清楚，「若没有死人复活的事，基督也就没有复活了。若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然！并且明显我们是为神妄作见证的，因我们见证神是叫基督复活了。若死人真不复活，神也就没有叫基督复活了。因为死人若不复活，基督也就没有复活了。基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里，就是在基督里睡了的人也灭亡了。我们若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比众人更可怜。」(哥林多前书 15:13-19)     

    我们要特别强调保罗只是讲了一个事实，不会说谎去认撒但为父，因为他深深知道，「…魔鬼(撒但)…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 在我们被模成耶稣的形像前，我们有时会不知道的说谎，譬如说，我们可能从小被教成，为了别人的好处而说白色的谎言是可接受的，不知不觉中就这样说谎了自己还不知道，但绝对不要说明明知道的谎言，宁可不说话，即使有时会因此而受委曲。在这种情况下，我们知神会为我们背书的，因为圣经明说，「不要以恶报恶。众人以为美的事，要留心去做。若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦。亲爱的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，宁可让步，听凭主怒。因为经上记著：「主说：『伸冤在我，我必报应。』」」(罗马书 12:17-19)

4. 首先要爱神和其次要爱人如己       

    「有一个文士来，听见他们辩论，晓得耶稣回答得好，就问他说：「诫命中哪是第一要紧的呢？」耶稣回答说：「第一要紧的就是说：『以色列啊，你要听！主我们神是独一的主。你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神。』其次就是说：『要爱人如己。』再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。」那文士对耶稣说：「夫子说，神是一位，实在不错！除了他以外，再没有别的神；并且尽心、尽智、尽力爱他，又爱人如己，就比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好得多。」耶稣见他回答得有智慧，就对他说：「你离神的国不远了。」从此以后，没有人敢再问他甚么。」(马可福音 12:28-34)     

    旧约时代的「撒母耳说：「耶和华喜悦燔祭和平安祭，岂如喜悦人听从他的话呢？听命胜于献祭，顺从胜于公羊的脂油。」」(撒母耳记上 15:22) 难怪那文士会说，「…比一切燔祭和各样祭祀好得多。」(马可福音 12:33) 那时当然是听命和献祭都要做。在新约的时代没有献祭了，「…因为他(耶稣)只一次将自己献上，就把这事成全了。」(希伯来书 7:27)     

    同样的一件事在马太福音 22:34-40 中较为简短的记载，但说了，「这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲。」(马太福音 22:40) 第一要紧的在十诫中第一诫就说得很清楚，其中记著，「除了我以外，你不可有别的神。」(出埃及记 20:3)        

    至于会有第二诫命，「因为全律法都包在「爱人如己」这一句话之内了。」(加拉太书 5:14) 就是说，「凡事都不可亏欠人，惟有彼此相爱，要常以为亏欠，因为爱人的就完全了律法。像那「不可奸淫」，「不可杀人」，「不可偷盗」，「不可贪婪」，或有别的诫命，都包在「爱人如己」这一句话之内了。爱是不加害与人的，所以爱就完全了律法。」(罗马书 13:8-10) 雅各更是强调，「经上记著说：「要爱人如己。」你们若全守这至尊的律法，才是好的。」(雅各书 2:8) 所以不祗是要知道而已，要能行出来。知道祇是「…离神的国不远了…」(马可福音 12:34) 知道是行的第一步。如果知都不知道，怎么行出来呢？

5. 大卫既自己称基督为主，怎么基督又是大卫的子孙       

    「耶稣在殿里教训人，就问他们说：「文士怎么说基督是大卫的子孙呢？大卫被圣灵感动，说：『主对我主说：你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』大卫既自己称他为主，他怎么又是大卫的子孙呢？」众人都喜欢听他。耶稣在教训之间，说：「你们要防备文士，他们好穿长衣游行，喜爱人在街市上问他们的安，又喜爱会堂里的高位，筵席上的首座；他们侵吞寡妇的家产，假意作很长的祷告。这些人要受更重的刑罚。」」(马可福音 12:35-40)       

    前半段是在引用这经文，「耶和华对我主说：「你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。」」(诗篇 110:1) 虽然那时候他们不知道怎么问答这问题，「大卫既自己称基督为主，怎么基督又是大卫的子孙」，但在新约的时代，我们都能回答这问题，就是知道大卫的主是基督，而耶稣在肉身上是大卫的子孙，虽然祂是圣灵感孕而生 (参马太福音 1:18)，但从家谱上就知道祂在肉身上是大卫的子孙，也就是父系可参马太福音 1:1-17，且母系也是如此，就是路加福音 3:23-38 所说的。以前在「3046 耶稣的家谱和受试探及争议 – 耶稣的形像 (1)」中的「2. 耶稣的家谱」，我们把这点说得很清楚，请找到这篇文章。     

    这里并没有明说听众是什么人，只能说文士可能不在。在马太福音 22:41-46 也说到了诗篇 110:1，但明说，「法利赛人聚集的时候，耶稣问他们…」(马太福音 22:41) 在路加福音 20:41-47 提到诗篇 110:1 时，接著说，「众百姓听的时候，耶稣对门徒说：「你们要防备文士。他们好穿长衣游行，喜爱人在街市上问他们安，又喜爱会堂里的高位，筵席上的首座；他们侵吞寡妇的家产，假意作很长的祷告。这些人要受更重的刑罚！」」(路加福音 20:45-47) 我们最多也只能说文士可能不在。      

    马太福音明说法利赛人和文士是两种不同的人，如两节经文所说，「那时，有法利赛人和文士从耶路撒冷来见耶稣…」(马太福音 15:1) 和「你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！…」(马太福音 23:23) 而且耶稣从来没有在这么短的时间中引用同一个经文多过一次，所以在逻辑上，我们从圣经并不知道耶稣是不是引用了诗篇 110:1 多于一次，不能结论说这些不是指同一件事情，因此有明显的矛盾，但我们绝对会注意到诗篇 110:1，所以圣经要我们注意到一件事情，不是非要默示明显的矛盾不可。        

    后半段很清楚的说明要防备文士的原因，耶稣明说了，「…你们的义若不胜于文士和法利赛人的义，断不能进天国。」(马太福音 5:20) 但是我们看到即使如此，他们说对的话时，我们仍然要听那对的话，如经文所说，「那时，耶稣对众人和门徒讲论，说：「文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上，凡他们所吩咐你们的，你们都要谨守遵行；但不要效法他们的行为，因为他们能说不能行。他们把难担的重担捆起来，搁在人的肩上，但自己一个指头也不肯动。「他们一切所做的事都是要叫人看见，所以将佩戴的经文做宽了，衣裳的䍁子做长了；喜爱筵席上的首座，会堂里的高位；又喜爱人在街市上问他安，称呼他拉比。」(马太福音 23:1-7) 这就如同今日一样，要对事不对人，对的话要听。

6. 寡妇的两个小钱和十一奉献

    「耶稣对银库坐著，看众人怎样投钱入库。有好些财主往里投了若干的钱。有一个穷寡妇来，往里投了两个小钱，就是一个大钱。耶稣叫门徒来，说：「我实在告诉你们：这穷寡妇投入库里的，比众人所投的更多。因为，他们都是自己有余，拿出来投在里头，但这寡妇是自己不足，把她一切养生的都投上了。」」(马可福音 12:41-44)      

    所以耶稣是对银库坐著特别来看人如何奉献，同样的一件事情在路加福音 21:1-4 也有记载，我们以前在「3077 耶稣及大卫，法利赛人，和十一奉献  -耶稣(30)」中的「3. 寡妇的两个小钱和十一奉献」，详细的讨论过这些经文，并将其和十一奉献一起讨论。在其中，我们看到了寡妇虽不能每天都投上一切养生的，但绝对知道她的甘心情愿。 后又在「3142 十一奉献的真谛和不要认撒但为父」中的「1. 十一奉献的真谛」，阐述了圣灵是如何的带领我们看到了十一奉献的真谛，请用以前提过的方法，找到这两篇文章。谢谢。         

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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，我們討論了葡萄園的比喻中的兇惡園戶，和耶穌這塊房角的石頭，說到了人心的剛硬，討論中引用了以前的文章。第二是在討論納稅給該撒可以不可以的話題上，也引用了以前的文章。第三是在講耶穌看到人的復活後發生的事，也是引用了以前的文章。第四在談首先要愛神和其次要愛人如己， 引用經文說非要如此行出來不可。第五，我們討論了這問題，大衞既自己稱基督為主，怎麼基督又是大衞的子孫，在新約時代的我們，會很容易的問答這問題。最後，我們提到了寡婦的兩個小錢和十一奉獻，同時引用了以前的兩篇文章。

1. 葡萄園的比喻和房角的頭塊石頭

       「耶穌就用比喻對他們說：「有人栽了一個葡萄園，周圍圈上籬笆，挖了一個壓酒池，蓋了一座樓，租給園戶，就往外國去了。到了時候，打發一個僕人到園戶那裏，要從園戶收葡萄園的果子。園戶拿住他，打了他，叫他空手回去。再打發一個僕人到他們那裏，他們打傷他的頭，並且凌辱他。又打發一個僕人去，他們就殺了他。後又打發好些僕人去，有被他們打的，有被他們殺的。「園主還有一位是他的愛子，末後又打發他去，意思說：『他們必尊敬我的兒子。』「不料，那些園戶彼此說：『這是承受產業的。來吧，我們殺他，產業就歸我們了！』於是拿住他，殺了他，把他丟在園外。「這樣，葡萄園的主人要怎麼辦呢？他要來除滅那些園戶，將葡萄園轉給別人。經上寫着說：『匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。這是主所作的，在我們眼中看為希奇。』 這經你們沒有念過嗎？」他們看出這比喻是指着他們說的，就想要捉拿他，只是懼怕百姓，於是離開他走了。」(馬可福音 12:1-12)

     請注意一下，這葡萄園裏面是什麼都有，葡萄園有籬笆保護著，有壓酒池為葡萄準備著，並有住處，這不是和救恩相似嗎？葡萄不被壓榨不會成酒，人不經過苦難的試探怎麼會成就生命的改變？「惟有忍耐到底的必然得救。」(馬太福音 24:13) 尤其我們知道，「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) 所以要忍耐，苦難終究會過去的。

        在馬太福音 21:33-46 和路加福音 20:9-19 雖然用不同的字句，但基本上是記載同一件事情。我們以前在「2076 智慧的言語，兇惡園戶，及耶穌論復活 -耶穌(29)」中的「2. 兇惡園戶的比喻並其解說」相當詳細的討論過路加福音 20:9-19，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        我們現在就談談一些上次沒有討論到的。路加福音明說，「他(園主人)要來除滅這些園戶，將葡萄園轉給別人。」 聽見的人說：「這是萬不可的！」(路加福音 20:16) 這麼兇惡的園戶，誰不會這樣做呢？怎麼還說這是萬不可的！

        接著就是「耶穌說：「經上寫着：『匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。這是主所作的，在我們眼中看為希奇。』 這經你們沒有念過嗎？「所以我告訴你們：神的國必從你們奪去，賜給那能結果子的百姓。誰掉在這石頭上，必要跌碎；這石頭掉在誰的身上，就要把誰砸得稀爛。」祭司長和法利賽人聽見他的比喻，就看出他是指着他們說的。他們想要捉拿他，只是怕眾人，因為眾人以他為先知。」(馬太福音 21:42-46)

        祭司長和法利賽人很清楚的知道祂是在說，「…神的國必從你們奪去，賜給那能結果子的百姓。」(馬太福音 21:43) 因為「萬軍之耶和華的葡萄園，就是以色列家；他所喜愛的樹，就是猶大人。…」(以賽亞書 5:7) 所以聽見的人才會說萬不可的，也明說了他們懼怕百姓的原因，是因為眾人以祂為先知。

        難道他們不知道耶穌神的兒子嗎？「約翰又作見證說：「我曾看見聖靈彷彿鴿子從天降下，住在他(耶穌)的身上。我先前不認識他，只是那差我來用水施洗的，對我說：『你看見聖靈降下來，住在誰的身上，誰就是用聖靈施洗的。』我看見了，就證明這是神的兒子。」」(約翰福音 1:32-34) 是的，他們是知道的，衹是不信，最終還是釘耶穌上十字架，人的心會是何等的剛硬啊 !  難怪耶和華對以西結說，「這眾子(以色列人)面無羞恥，心裏剛硬。我差你往他們那裏去，你要對他們說：『主耶和華如此說。』」(以西結書 2:4) 即使是主耶和華說的，他們沒有一個能聽的耳，仍然是心裡剛硬。

2. 納稅給該撒可以不可以？

       「後來，他們打發幾個法利賽人和幾個希律黨的人到耶穌那裏，要就着他的話陷害他。他們來了，就對他說：「夫子，我們知道你是誠實的，甚麼人你都不徇情面，因為你不看人的外貌，乃是誠誠實實傳神的道。納稅給凱撒可以不可以？我們該納不該納？」 耶穌知道他們的假意，就對他們說：「你們為甚麼試探我，拿一個銀錢來給我看。」他們就拿了來。耶穌說：「這像和這號是誰的？」 他們說：「是凱撒的。」耶穌說：「凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，神的物當歸給神。」 他們就很希奇他。」(馬可福音 12:13-17)

        在馬太福音 22:15-22 和路加福音 20:20-26 用不同的字句記載了同一件事情。我們以前在「2076」中的「1. 智慧的言語範例」相當詳細的討論過路加福音 20:20-26，在其中我們也談到了祂有智慧的言語的原因，在這裏就不多說了，請找到這篇文章。

3. 復活的事

       「撒都該人常說沒有復活的事。他們來問耶穌說：「夫子，摩西為我們寫着說：『人若死了，撇下妻子，沒有孩子，他兄弟當娶他的妻，為哥哥生子立後。』有弟兄七人，第一個娶了妻，死了，沒有留下孩子；第二個娶了她，也死了，沒有留下孩子；第三個也是這樣。那七個人都沒有留下孩子，末了，那婦人也死了。當復活的時候，她是哪一個的妻子呢？因為他們七個人都娶過她。」耶穌說：「你們所以錯了，豈不是因為不明白聖經，不曉得神的大能嗎？人從死裏復活，也不娶也不嫁，乃像天上的使者一樣。論到死人復活，你們沒有念過摩西的書荊棘篇上所載的嗎？神對摩西說：『我是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。』神不是死人的神，乃是活人的神。你們是大錯了。」」(馬可福音 12:18-27)

     雖然聖經沒有明說這是真實發生過的事情，因為如果是真實的，發生的概率會非常非常的小。雖然我們不能百分之百的確定發生過，但也可以看到撒都該人在刁難祂。我們知道，同一件事情也記載在路加福音 20:27-40，且「有幾個文士說：「夫子，你說得好！以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。」(路加福音 20:39-40) 

     在這裏，耶穌說得很清楚，以前我們在「2076」中的「3. 耶穌論人復活的事」，是這樣簡短的說，「撒都該人以為這樣可以刁難耶穌，卻沒有想到是自己不瞭解，從死裏復活的人也不娶也不嫁，而既是復活的人，就為神的兒子，且神乃是活人的神，難怪以後他們不敢再問他甚麼。」如果你們看過啓示錄就知道這點，天上「寶座的周圍又有二十四個座位，其上坐着二十四位長老，身穿白衣，頭上戴着金冠冕。」(啓示錄 4:4) 至少那時二十四位長老已在天上。

       保羅說得很清楚，「若沒有死人復活的事，基督也就沒有復活了。若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所信的也是枉然！並且明顯我們是為神妄作見證的，因我們見證神是叫基督復活了。若死人真不復活，神也就沒有叫基督復活了。因為死人若不復活，基督也就沒有復活了。基督若沒有復活，你們的信便是徒然，你們仍在罪裏，就是在基督裏睡了的人也滅亡了。我們若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比眾人更可憐。」(哥林多前書 15:13-19)

     我們要特別強調保羅衹是講了一個事實，不會說謊去認撒但為父，因為他深深知道，「…魔鬼(撒但)…說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 在我們被模成耶穌的形像前，我們有時會不知道的說謊，譬如說，我們可能從小被教成，為了別人的好處而說白色的謊言是可接受的，不知不覺中就這樣說謊了自己還不知道，但絕對不要說明明知道的謊言，寧可不說話，即使有時會因此而受委曲。在這種情況下，我們知神會為我們背書的，因為聖經明說，「不要以惡報惡。眾人以為美的事，要留心去做。若是能行，總要盡力與眾人和睦。親愛的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，寧可讓步，聽憑主怒。因為經上記着：「主說：『伸冤在我，我必報應。』」」(羅馬書 12:17-19)

4. 首先要愛神和其次要愛人如己

       「有一個文士來，聽見他們辯論，曉得耶穌回答得好，就問他說：「誡命中哪是第一要緊的呢？」耶穌回答說：「第一要緊的就是說：『以色列啊，你要聽！主我們神是獨一的主。你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主你的神。』其次就是說：『要愛人如己。』再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。」那文士對耶穌說：「夫子說，神是一位，實在不錯！除了他以外，再沒有別的神；並且盡心、盡智、盡力愛他，又愛人如己，就比一切燔祭和各樣祭祀好得多。」耶穌見他回答得有智慧，就對他說：「你離神的國不遠了。」從此以後，沒有人敢再問他甚麼。」(馬可福音 12:28-34)

     舊約時代的「撒母耳說：「耶和華喜悅燔祭和平安祭，豈如喜悅人聽從他的話呢？聽命勝於獻祭，順從勝於公羊的脂油。」」(撒母耳記上 15:22) 難怪那文士會說，「…比一切燔祭和各樣祭祀好得多。」(馬可福音 12:33) 那時當然是聽命和獻祭都要做。在新約的時代沒有獻祭了，「…因為他(耶穌)只一次將自己獻上，就把這事成全了。」(希伯來書 7:27)

     同樣的一件事在馬太福音 22:34-40 中較為簡短的記載，但說了，「這兩條誡命是律法和先知一切道理的總綱。」(馬太福音 22:40) 第一要緊的在十誡中第一誡就說得很清楚，其中記著，「除了我以外，你不可有別的神。」(出埃及記 20:3) 

        至於會有第二誡命，「因為全律法都包在「愛人如己」這一句話之內了。」(加拉太書 5:14) 就是說，「凡事都不可虧欠人，惟有彼此相愛，要常以為虧欠，因為愛人的就完全了律法。像那「不可姦淫」，「不可殺人」，「不可偷盜」，「不可貪婪」，或有別的誡命，都包在「愛人如己」這一句話之內了。愛是不加害與人的，所以愛就完全了律法。」(羅馬書 13:8-10) 雅各更是强調，「經上記着說：「要愛人如己。」你們若全守這至尊的律法，才是好的。」(雅各書 2:8) 所以不祗是要知道而已，要能行出來。知道祇是「…離神的國不遠了…」(馬可福音 12:34) 知道是行的第一步。如果知都不知道，怎麼行出來呢？

5. 大衞既自己稱基督為主，怎麼基督又是大衞的子孫

       「耶穌在殿裏教訓人，就問他們說：「文士怎麼說基督是大衞的子孫呢？大衞被聖靈感動，說：『主對我主說：你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。』大衞既自己稱他為主，他怎麼又是大衞的子孫呢？」眾人都喜歡聽他。耶穌在教訓之間，說：「你們要防備文士，他們好穿長衣遊行，喜愛人在街市上問他們的安，又喜愛會堂裏的高位，筵席上的首座；他們侵吞寡婦的家產，假意作很長的禱告。這些人要受更重的刑罰。」」(馬可福音 12:35-40)

        前半段是在引用這經文，「耶和華對我主說：「你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。」」(詩篇 110:1) 雖然那時候他們不知道怎麼問答這問題，「大衞既自己稱基督為主，怎麼基督又是大衞的子孫」，但在新約的時代，我們都能回答這問題，就是知道大衞的主是基督，而耶穌在肉身上是大衞的子孫，雖然祂是聖靈感孕而生 (參馬太福音 1:18)，但從家譜上就知道祂在肉身上是大衞的子孫，也就是父系可參馬太福音 1:1-17，且母系也是如此，就是路加福音 3:23-38 所說的。以前在「2046 耶穌的家譜和受試探及爭議 – 耶穌的形像 (1)」中的「2. 耶穌的家譜」，我們把這點說得很清楚，請找到這篇文章。

     這裏並沒有明說聽衆是什麼人，衹能說文士可能不在。在馬太福音 22:41-46 也說到了詩篇 110:1，但明說，「法利賽人聚集的時候，耶穌問他們…」(馬太福音 22:41) 在路加福音 20:41-47 提到詩篇 110:1 時，接著說，「眾百姓聽的時候，耶穌對門徒說：「你們要防備文士。他們好穿長衣遊行，喜愛人在街市上問他們安，又喜愛會堂裏的高位，筵席上的首座；他們侵吞寡婦的家產，假意作很長的禱告。這些人要受更重的刑罰！」」(路加福音 20:45-47) 我們最多也衹能說文士可能不在。

        馬太福音明說法利賽人和文士是兩種不同的人，如兩節經文所說，「那時，有法利賽人和文士從耶路撒冷來見耶穌…」(馬太福音 15:1) 和「你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！…」(馬太福音 23:23) 而且耶穌從來沒有在這麼短的時間中引用同一個經文多過一次，所以在邏輯上，我們從聖經並不知道耶穌是不是引用了詩篇 110:1 多於一次，不能結論說這些不是指同一件事情，因此有明顯的矛盾，但我們絕對會注意到詩篇 110:1，所以聖經要我們注意到一件事情，不是非要默示明顯的矛盾不可。 

        後半段很清楚的說明要防備文士的原因，耶穌明說了，「…你們的義若不勝於文士和法利賽人的義，斷不能進天國。」(馬太福音 5:20) 但是我們看到即使如此，他們說對的話時，我們仍然要聽那對的話，如經文所說，「那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行；但不要效法他們的行為，因為他們能說不能行。他們把難擔的重擔捆起來，擱在人的肩上，但自己一個指頭也不肯動。「他們一切所做的事都是要叫人看見，所以將佩戴的經文做寬了，衣裳的繸子做長了；喜愛筵席上的首座，會堂裏的高位；又喜愛人在街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比。」(馬太福音 23:1-7) 這就如同今日一樣，要對事不對人，對的話要聽。

6. 寡婦的兩個小錢和十一奉獻

        「耶穌對銀庫坐着，看眾人怎樣投錢入庫。有好些財主往裏投了若干的錢。有一個窮寡婦來，往裏投了兩個小錢，就是一個大錢。耶穌叫門徒來，說：「我實在告訴你們：這窮寡婦投入庫裏的，比眾人所投的更多。因為，他們都是自己有餘，拿出來投在裏頭，但這寡婦是自己不足，把她一切養生的都投上了。」」(馬可福音 12:41-44)

      所以耶穌是對銀庫坐著特別來看人如何奉獻，同樣的一件事情在路加福音 21:1-4 也有記載，我們以前在「2077 耶穌及大衞，法利賽人，和十一奉獻  -耶穌(30)」中的「3. 寡婦的兩個小錢和十一奉獻」，詳細的討論過這些經文，並將其和十一奉獻一起討論。在其中，我們看到了寡婦雖不能每天都投上一切養生的，但絕對知道她的甘心情願。 後又在「2142 十一奉獻的真諦和不要認撒但為父」中的「1. 十一奉獻的真諦」，闡述了聖靈是如何的帶領我們看到了十一奉獻的真諦，請用以前提過的方法，找到這兩篇文章。謝謝。  

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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 discussed the wicked tenants in the parable of the vineyard and Jesus, the cornerstone, and talked about the hardness of people’s hearts. We quoted a previous article in the discussion. Second, we discussed the topic of whether it is lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not. We also quoted a previous article in the discussion. Third, we talked about what happened after Jesus saw the resurrection of people. We also quoted a previous article. Fourth, we talked about loving God first and loving others as ourselves second. We quoted scriptures saying that we must do so. Fifth, we discussed the question of how David himself called Christ Lord and how Christ is David’s descendant. In the New Testament era, we can easily ask and answer this question. Finally, we mentioned the widow’s two small coins and the tithe, and quoted two previous articles.

1. The parable of the vineyard and the cornerstone

“And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. They took him, and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ They took him, and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.”(Mark 12:1-12)

Notice that this vineyard had everything inside: a hedge protecting it, a winepress for the grapes, and a dwelling. Doesn’t this resemble salvation? Just as grapes don’t become wine unless they’re pressed, how can a person achieve life-changing changes without experiencing the trials of suffering? “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”(Matthew 24:13). Especially since we know, “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). Therefore, be patient; suffering will eventually pass.

Although Matthew 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19 use different wording, they essentially record the same event. We have previously discussed Luke 20:9-19 in some detail in “2. The parable of the evil tenants and its explanation” under “1076 Words of wisdom, evil tenants, and Jesus talking on the resurrection – Jesus (29).” Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click on “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article. 

Now let’s talk about something we didn’t discuss last time. The Book of Luke clearly states, “He (the owner of the vineyard) will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!””(Luke 20:16) Who wouldn’t do such a thing to such wicked tenants? Why do you still say “May it never be!”

Then it goes on: “Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet.”(Matthew 21:42-46)

The chief priests and Pharisees knew clearly that He was saying, “…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.”(Matthew 21:43). “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. …”(Isaiah 5:7). Therefore, those who heard Him said, “…May it never be!”(Luke 20:16) It also clearly stated the reason they feared the people: because they considered Him a prophet.

Did they not know that Jesus was the Son of God? “John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.””(John 1:32-34) Yes, they knew, but they simply did not believe, and ultimately crucified Jesus. How hardened can people’s hearts be! No wonder Jehovah said to Ezekiel, “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’”(Ezekiel 2:4) Even though the Lord God spoke, none of them had ears to hear, and their hearts remained hardened.

2. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 

“Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.”(Mark 12:13-17)

Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26 record the same event in different words. We previously discussed Luke 20:20-26 in detail in “1. Examples of words of wisdom” of “1076”. We also discussed the reasons for His wise words there, so we won’t go into detail here. Please find that article.

3. The resurrection

“Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.””(Mark 12:18-27)

Although the Bible does not explicitly state that this actually happened, the probability of it happening would be extremely small. Although we cannot be 100% certain that it actually occurred, we can see that the Sadducees were giving Him a hard time. We know that the same incident is also recorded in Luke 20:27-40, where “Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”(Luke 20:39-40)

Here, Jesus made it very clear. Previously, in “3. Jesus talks about the resurrection of man” of “1076,” we briefly explained there, ‘The Sadducees thought that they could make things difficult for Jesus, but they did not realize that they did not understand that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living. No wonder they don’t dare to ask him anything anymore.’ If you have read the Book of Revelation, you will know this: “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”(Revelation 4:4) At least the twenty-four elders were already in heaven at that time.

Paul makes this clear: “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”(1 Corinthians 15:13-19)

We must emphasize that Paul was simply stating a fact and would not lie and claim Satan as his father, for he knew full well that “…the devil (Satan)…Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44). Before we are conformed to the image of Jesus, we may sometimes lie unknowingly. For example, we may have been taught from childhood that telling white lies for the benefit of others is acceptable, and thus we may unknowingly lie without realizing it. However, we should never lie if we know something is a lie for sure. It is better to remain silent, even if it sometimes causes us to suffer injustice. In such cases, we know that God will uphold our cause, as the Bible clearly states, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”(Romans 12:17-19)

4. First, love God, and second, love your neighbor as yourself

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.”(Mark 12:28-34)

In the Old Testament, “Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”(1 Samuel 15:22) No wonder the scribe said, “…is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”(Mark 12:33) Of course, both obedience and sacrifice were required back then. In the New Testament era, there are no sacrifices. “…because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”(Hebrews 7:27)

The same thing is recorded more briefly in Matthew 22:34-40, but it says, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”(Matthew 22:40) The first commandment of the Ten Commandments clearly states the importance of the first commandment, which reads, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”(Exodus 20:3)

As for the second commandment, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””(Galatians 5:14) This means, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”(Romans 13:8-10) James further emphasizes, “If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.”(James 2:8) Therefore, it is not just about knowing; it is about being able to put it into practice. Knowing is only “…not far from the kingdom of God. …”(Mark 12:34). Knowing is the first step to doing. If you don’t even know, how can you put it into practice?

5. Since David Calls Christ Lord, how can He Be David’s son?

“And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,

Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.”’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.””(Mark 12:35-40)

The first half of the passage is a quote from Psalm 110:1, “A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Psalm 110:1) At that time, they did not know how to ask and answer this question, “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” …”(Mark 12:37) But in the New Testament era, we can all answer this question, that is, we know that David’s Lord is Christ, and Jesus is David’s son in the flesh. Although He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 1:18), we can know from the genealogy that He is David’s son in the flesh. That is, the paternal line can be seen in Matthew 1:1-17, and the maternal line is also the same, which is what is said in Luke 3:23-38. We have previously explained this point very clearly in “2. The genealogy of Jesus” under “1046 The genealogy and the temptations of Jesus, and controversial issues – The image of Jesus (1).” Please find this article. 

It does not clearly state who the audiences were, but it can only be said that the scribes may not have been there. Matthew 22:41-46 also mentions Psalm 110:1, but explicitly states, “Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question.”(Matthew 22:41). Luke 20:41-47, while referring to Psalm 110:1, goes on to say, “And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.””(Luke 20:45-47). The best we can say is that the scribes were probably not there.

The Book of Matthew clearly states that Pharisees and scribes are two different kinds of people, as stated in two verses: “Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem …”(Matthew 15:1) and “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! …”(Matthew 23:23). Furthermore, Jesus never quoted the same verse more than once in such a short period of time. Therefore, logically, we cannot tell from the Bible whether Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 more than once. We cannot conclude that these are not referring to the same thing, and therefore there is an obvious contradiction. However, we will definitely pay attention to Psalm 110:1. Therefore, the Bible wants us to pay attention to something, and it does not necessarily inspire an obvious contradiction.

The second half of the passage clearly explains why we should be wary of the scribes. Jesus clearly stated, “…unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 5:20) However, we see that even so, when they say something right, we still have to listen to that right word, as the passage says, “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.”(Matthew 23:1-7) Just as it is today, we should address the matter, not the person, and listen to what is right.

6. The widow’s two small coins and the Tithe

“And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.””(Mark 12:41-44) 

So, Jesus sat opposite the treasury specifically to watch how people put in their money. The same thing is also recorded in Luke 21:1-4. We have previously discussed these verses in detail in “3. The widow’s two very small coins and tithe” under “1077 Jesus and David, the Pharisees, and Tithing – Jesus (30).” We want to mention that it was discussed it together with the tithe. In it, we see that although the widow could not invest all her money for her livelihood every day, she was absolutely doing so willingly this time for sure. Later, in “1. The true meaning of tithing” under “1142 True meaning of tithing and don’t acknowledge Satan as father,” we explain how the Holy Spirit leads us to see the true meaning of tithing. Please use the method mentioned above to find these two articles. Thanks.

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

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

    首先，我们看到了短期的预言，能得到进耶路撒冷的驴驹，并引用了过去详细的讨论。第二，我们说到了耶稣骑驴驹进耶路撒冷的事。第三，我们解释耶稣咀咒无花果树的原因。第四，我们谈到了耶稣第二次清理圣殿。第五，我们继续的说那无花果树上发生的神迹，和耶稣讲到要有芥菜种的信心，及要饶恕人，指出在这事上的一个默示的明显矛盾及其原因。对相信圣经一定要字句上的一致人来说，是认撒但为父，归根就底，就是不相信现有的这本圣经是神所默示的。最后，我们看到耶稣用智慧的言语回答祭司长和文士并长老，知道祂的权柄是从神而来。

1. 预言得进耶路撒冷的驴驹       

    「耶稣和门徒将近耶路撒冷，到了伯法其和伯大尼，在橄榄山那里。耶稣就打发两个门徒，对他们说：「你们往对面村子里去，一进去的时候，必看见一匹驴驹拴在那里，是从来没有人骑过的，可以解开，牵来。若有人对你们说：『为甚么做这事？』你们就说：『主要用牠。』那人必立时让你们牵来。」他们去了，便看见一匹驴驹拴在门外街道上，就把牠解开。在那里站著的人，有几个说：「你们解驴驹做甚么？」门徒照著耶稣所说的回答，那些人就任凭他们牵去了。」(马可福音 11:1-6)        

    同一件事情在路加福音 19:28-35 和马太福音 21:1-7 也有记载，前者我们看到了关于驴驹的短期预言的成就，因「打发的人去了，所遇见的正如耶稣所说的。」(路加福音 19:32) 我们特别的提到这是短期的预言，因撒但不能预言，但可像天气预报似的预测，愈靠近会愈准确，但不会如预言般的百分之百会发生，如「玛代族亚哈随鲁的儿子大利乌立为迦勒底国的王元年， 就是他在位第一年，我但以理从书上得知耶和华的话临到先知耶利米，论耶路撒冷荒凉的年数，七十年为满。」(但以理书 9:1-2) 那时耶路撒冷的圣殿就开始重建了。     

    不只是在对观福音记载这事，约翰福音也简短的提到这事，『耶稣得了一个驴驹，就骑上，如经上所记的说：「锡安的民哪，不要惧怕！你的王骑著驴驹来了。」这些事门徒起先不明白，等到耶稣得了荣耀以后，才想起这话是指著他写的，并且众人果然向他这样行了。』(约翰福音 12:14-16) 没有君王是骑著驴驹的，因耶稣本是柔和谦卑的(参马太福音 11:29) 我们也看到「想起」这辞，知道其重要性，我们以前在「3075 耶稣骑驴驹进耶路撒冷，和洁净圣殿 -耶稣(28)」中的「1. 驴驹的准备」，详细的讨论过路加福音 19:28-35，这里就不多说了，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

2. 耶稣骑驴驹进耶路撒冷       

    「他们把驴驹牵到耶稣那里，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶稣就骑上。有许多人把衣服铺在路上，也有人把田间的树枝砍下来，铺在路上。前行后随的人都喊著说：「和散那！奉主名来的是应当称颂的！那将要来的我祖大卫之国是应当称颂的！高高在上和散那！」耶稣进了耶路撒冷，入了圣殿，周围看了各样物件。天色已晚，就和十二个门徒出城，往伯大尼去了。」(马可福音 11:7-11)     

    同样的一件事情也记载在路加福音 19:36-40 和马太福音 21:8-11。「耶稣既进了耶路撒冷，合城都惊动了，说：「这是谁？」众人说：「这是加利利 拿撒勒的先知耶稣。」」(马太福音 21:10-11) 那时的犹太人受罗马的统治，他们以为祂来是要重新恢复地上大卫之国的荣耀，带领他们脱离罗马人的辖制，就在地上舖衣服和田间的树枝等等，但祂进了耶路撒冷后是转向圣殿，且洁净圣殿。耶稣知道很清楚，『…先知在耶路撒冷之外丧命是不能的。』(路加福音 13:33) 所以祂在钉十字架前，是不会在耶路撒冷过夜的。  

3. 耶稣咀咒无花果树     

    「第二天，他们从伯大尼出来，耶稣饿了。远远地看见一棵无花果树，树上有叶子，就往那里去，或者在树上可以找著甚么。到了树下，竟找不著甚么，不过有叶子，因为不是收无花果的时候。耶稣就对树说：「从今以后，永没有人吃你的果子。」他的门徒也听见了。」(马可福音 11:12-14)    

    有人可能会问，明明这不是收无花果的时候，当然应该找不著什么，耶稣为什么跟这树过意不去呢？不是这样的。的确，收无花果的时候是在秋天，现在是靠近耶稣上十字架的逾越节时候的春季，但无花果树至少是应该在春天有初熟的果子的，但这颗树只有叶子，又在必经的道上，因此是没有果子而白站土地。        

    圣经是这么说的，「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。」(约翰福音 15:1-2) 又说，「于是(耶稣)用比喻说：「一个人有一棵无花果树栽在葡萄园里。他来到树前找果子，却找不著。就对管园的说：『看哪，我这三年来到这无花果树前找果子，竟找不著。把它砍了吧，何必白占地土呢？』「管园的说：『主啊，今年且留著，等我周围掘开土，加上粪，以后若结果子便罢，不然再把它砍了。』」」(路加福音 13:6-9) 我们看到神是有怜悯有恩典的神，要确定无花果树不结果，才会砍去它。耶稣显然是确实知道这颗树，祗是在必经的路上白站土地，就咀咒了它，也让门徒可以听见这样的审判，知道生命中不结果子的后果。

4. 耶稣清理圣殿       

    「他们来到耶路撒冷。耶稣进入圣殿，赶出殿里做买卖的人，推倒兑换银钱之人的桌子和卖鸽子之人的凳子，也不许人拿著器具从殿里经过。便教训他们说：「经上不是记著说『我的殿必称为万国祷告的殿』吗？ 你们倒使它成为贼窝了。」祭司长和文士听见这话，就想法子要除灭耶稣，却又怕他，因为众人都希奇他的教训。每天晚上，耶稣出城去。」(马可福音 11:15-19)      

    这儿明说了耶稣上十字架前没有晚上住在耶路撒冷的，关于清理圣殿的事，也在路加福音 19:45-46 和马太福音 21:12-13 简短的提到，这里说得最清楚。以前在「3075」中的「4. 洁净圣殿」，我们详细的讨论过这些和相关经文，请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    请注意的是，这是第二次的清理圣殿，第一次是在耶稣传道的初期，记载在约翰福音 2:13-17，显然犹太人没有学到这功课，因此有了第二次的清理圣殿。

5.  无花果树的神迹       

    「早晨，他们从那里经过，看见无花果树连根都枯干了。彼得想起耶稣的话来，就对他说：「拉比，请看！你所咒诅的无花果树，已经枯干了。」耶稣回答说：「你们当信服神。我实在告诉你们：无论何人对这座山说：『你挪开此地，投在海里！』他若心里不疑惑，只信他所说的必成，就必给他成了。所以我告诉你们：凡你们祷告祈求的，无论是甚么，只要信是得著的，就必得著。你们站著祷告的时候，若想起有人得罪你们，就当饶恕他，好叫你们在天上的父也饶恕你们的过犯。你们若不饶恕人，你们在天上的父也不饶恕你们的过犯。」」(马可福音 11:20-26)        

    我们看到那被咀咒的树是连根枯干的，不是表面上，让春风吹又生，审判也会如此。耶稣的回答不是说到这个神迹，而是讲到要有芥菜种的信心。就像经文说的，「耶稣说：「是因你们的信心小。我实在告诉你们：你们若有信心像一粒芥菜种，就是对这座山说，『你从这边挪到那边』，它也必挪去，并且你们没有一件不能做的事了。」(马太福音 17:20) 然后很清楚的说要饶恕人，就像在主祷文后立刻说的，「你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯；你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。」(马太福音 6:14-15)        

    无花果树的事在马太福音 21:18-22 也有记载，且有一个明显的矛盾。马太福音是这样说的，「早晨回城的时候，他饿了，看见路旁有一棵无花果树，就走到跟前，在树上找不著甚么，不过有叶子，就对树说：「从今以后，你永不结果子！」那无花果树就立刻枯干了。门徒看见了，便希奇说：「无花果树怎么立刻枯干了呢？」耶稣回答说：「我实在告诉你们：你们若有(芥菜种的)信心，不疑惑，不但能行无花果树上所行的事，就是对这座山说：『你挪开此地，投在海里！』也必成就。你们祷告，无论求甚么，只要信，就必得著。」」(马太福音 21:18-22)        

    在这里是说在回程时发生的事情，且是立刻就枯干了，在马可福音是说在来程就咀咒了那树，在回程才看见那树根也枯干了，其余的是相容的。所以这默示的明显矛盾是要我们注目在发生的事情上，至于何时或怎样发生，相对于发生的事情，没有这么重要。不要说谎自己骗自己，说是圣经一定要在字句上一致，认撒但为父，因为圣经明讲，「…他(撒但)说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 或者是玩文字的游戏，说原版在文字上是一致的，反正原版已失传，没有人能证实这点。归根就底，两者都是不相信，现有的这本圣经是神所默示的。     

    最后要提的是，你大概注意到我加了「芥菜种的」这些字在信心的前面，这是因为圣经提到「…就是对这座山说，『你从这边挪到那边』，它也必挪去，…」(马太福音 17:20) 时，是在说芥菜种的信心，有这样的信心才会就必得著，不会妄求如经文所说，「你们求也得不著，是因为你们妄求，要浪费在你们的宴乐中。」(雅各书 4:3) 对一个相信，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」人来说，这会是唯一的结论。最后要讲的是圣灵在背书这件事，原因是我虽然已有了所有相关的经文，我并没有看见那信心是指有芥菜种的信心，一直到我准备投影片时，圣灵才开了我的眼睛，使我看到这事实。知道说谎是认撒但为父是不会有意识的说谎的，所以「让圣灵带领查经」是非常重要的，是不可或缺的。

6. 耶稣权柄的源头       

    「他们又来到耶路撒冷。耶稣在殿里行走的时候，祭司长和文士并长老进前来，问他说：「你仗著甚么权柄做这些事，给你这权柄的是谁呢？」耶稣对他们说：「我要问你们一句话，你们回答我，我就告诉你们我仗著甚么权柄做这些事。约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，是从人间来的呢？你们可以回答我。」他们彼此商议说：「我们若说『从天上来』，他必说：『这样，你们为甚么不信他呢？』若说『从人间来』，却又怕百姓，因为众人真以约翰为先知。」于是回答耶稣说：「我们不知道。」 耶稣说：「我也不告诉你们我仗著甚么权柄做这些事。」」(马可福音 11:27-33)        

    同样的一件事也记录在马太福音 21:23-27 和路加福音 20:1-8。经文说，「耶稣又对他们说：「愿你们平安！父怎样差遣了我，我也照样差遣你们。」」(约翰福音 20:21) 很清楚的说到，道成肉身的耶稣是神所差来的，而「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) 经文又说，『圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。这人蒙圣灵赐他智慧的言语…』(哥林多前书 12:7-8) 我们看到了耶稣在这一次是很有智慧的回答了祂被挑战的问题，使得他们「…回答耶稣说：「我们不知道。」…」 (马可福音 11:33) 所以这是智慧的言语的一个范例。     

    我们看到祭司长和文士并长老是在说谎，他们是怕百姓，因为众人真以约翰为先知，所以不敢说『从人间来』。这也是在准备投影片最后的一分钟时，才被开了眼睛才看到这一点，怎么能不让圣灵带领查经呢？        

    其实从路加福音 5:17-26 也可看出，文士和法利赛人知道，除了神以外，人是不能赦罪的，而耶稣是可以赦罪的，所以耶稣老早就告诉他们自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，只是他们不信。虽然这次耶稣并没有告诉他们自己是仗著什么权柄，但祂很清楚的知道，从神而来，就是祂权柄的源头。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

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

        首先，我們看到了短期的預言，能得到進耶路撒冷的驢駒，並引用了過去詳細的討論。第二，我們說到了耶穌騎驢駒進耶路撒冷的事。第三，我們解釋耶穌咀咒無花果樹的原因。第四，我們談到了耶穌第二次清理聖殿。第五，我們繼續的說那無花果樹上發生的神蹟，和耶穌講到要有芥菜種的信心，及要饒恕人，指出在這事上的一個默示的明顯矛盾及其原因。對相信聖經一定要字句上的一致人來說，是認撒但為父，歸根就底，就是不相信現有的這本聖經是神所默示的。最後，我們看到耶穌用智慧的言語回答祭司長和文士並長老，知道祂的權柄是從神而來。

1. 預言得進耶路撒冷的驢駒

       「耶穌和門徒將近耶路撒冷，到了伯法其和伯大尼，在橄欖山那裏。耶穌就打發兩個門徒，對他們說：「你們往對面村子裏去，一進去的時候，必看見一匹驢駒拴在那裏，是從來沒有人騎過的，可以解開，牽來。若有人對你們說：『為甚麼做這事？』你們就說：『主要用牠。』那人必立時讓你們牽來。」他們去了，便看見一匹驢駒拴在門外街道上，就把牠解開。在那裏站着的人，有幾個說：「你們解驢駒做甚麼？」門徒照着耶穌所說的回答，那些人就任憑他們牽去了。」(馬可福音 11:1-6)

        同一件事情在路加福音 19:28-35 和馬太福音 21:1-7 也有記載，前者我們看到了關於驢駒的短期預言的成就，因「打發的人去了，所遇見的正如耶穌所說的。」(路加福音 19:32) 我們特別的提到這是短期的預言，因撒但不能預言，但可像天氣預報似的預測，愈靠近會愈準確，但不會如預言般的百分之百會發生，如「瑪代族亞哈隨魯的兒子大利烏立為迦勒底國的王元年，

就是他在位第一年，我但以理從書上得知耶和華的話臨到先知耶利米，論耶路撒冷荒涼的年數，七十年為滿。」(但以理書 9:1-2) 那時耶路撒冷的聖殿就開始重建了。

     不只是在對觀福音記載這事，約翰福音也簡短的提到這事，『耶穌得了一個驢駒，就騎上，如經上所記的說：「錫安的民哪，不要懼怕！你的王騎着驢駒來了。」這些事門徒起先不明白，等到耶穌得了榮耀以後，才想起這話是指着他寫的，並且眾人果然向他這樣行了。』(約翰福音 12:14-16) 沒有君王是騎著驢駒的，因耶穌本是柔和謙卑的(參馬太福音 11:29) 我們也看到「想起」這辭，知道其重要性，我們以前在「2075 耶穌騎驢駒進耶路撒冷，和潔淨聖殿 -耶穌(28)」中的「1. 驢駒的準備」，詳細的討論過路加福音 19:28-35，這裏就不多說了，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

2. 耶穌騎驢駒進耶路撒冷

       「他們把驢駒牽到耶穌那裏，把自己的衣服搭在上面，耶穌就騎上。有許多人把衣服鋪在路上，也有人把田間的樹枝砍下來，鋪在路上。前行後隨的人都喊着說：「和散那！奉主名來的是應當稱頌的！那將要來的我祖大衞之國是應當稱頌的！高高在上和散那！」耶穌進了耶路撒冷，入了聖殿，周圍看了各樣物件。天色已晚，就和十二個門徒出城，往伯大尼去了。」(馬可福音 11:7-11)

        同樣的一件事情也記載在路加福音 19:36-40 和馬太福音 21:8-11。「耶穌既進了耶路撒冷，合城都驚動了，說：「這是誰？」眾人說：「這是加利利 拿撒勒的先知耶穌。」」(馬太福音 21:10-11) 那時的猶太人受羅馬的統治，他們以為祂來是要重新恢復地上大衞之國的榮耀，帶領他們脫離羅馬人的轄制，就在地上舖衣服和田間的樹枝等等，但祂進了耶路撒冷後是轉向聖殿，且潔淨聖殿。耶穌知道很清楚，『…先知在耶路撒冷之外喪命是不能的。』(路加福音 13:33) 所以祂在釘十字架前，是不會在耶路撒冷過夜的。

3. 耶穌咀咒無花果樹

       「第二天，他們從伯大尼出來，耶穌餓了。遠遠地看見一棵無花果樹，樹上有葉子，就往那裏去，或者在樹上可以找着甚麼。到了樹下，竟找不着甚麼，不過有葉子，因為不是收無花果的時候。耶穌就對樹說：「從今以後，永沒有人吃你的果子。」他的門徒也聽見了。」(馬可福音 11:12-14)

     有人可能會問，明明這不是收無花果的時候，當然應該找不著什麼，耶穌為什麼跟這樹過意不去呢？不是這樣的。的確，收無花果的時候是在秋天，現在是靠近耶穌上十字架的逾越節時候的春季，但無花果樹至少是應該在春天有初熟的果子的，但這顆樹衹有葉子，又在必經的道上，因此是沒有果子而白站土地。

        聖經是這麼說的，「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。」(約翰福音 15:1-2) 又說，「於是(耶穌)用比喻說：「一個人有一棵無花果樹栽在葡萄園裏。他來到樹前找果子，卻找不着。就對管園的說：『看哪，我這三年來到這無花果樹前找果子，竟找不着。把它砍了吧，何必白佔地土呢？』「管園的說：『主啊，今年且留着，等我周圍掘開土，加上糞，以後若結果子便罷，不然再把它砍了。』」」(路加福音 13:6-9) 我們看到神是有憐憫有恩典的神，要確定無花果樹不結果，才會砍去它。耶穌顯然是確實知道這顆樹，祗是在必經的路上白站土地，就咀咒了它，也讓門徒可以聽見這樣的審判，知道生命中不結果子的後果。

4. 耶穌清理聖殿

       「他們來到耶路撒冷。耶穌進入聖殿，趕出殿裏做買賣的人，推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子和賣鴿子之人的凳子，也不許人拿着器具從殿裏經過。便教訓他們說：「經上不是記着說『我的殿必稱為萬國禱告的殿』嗎？ 你們倒使它成為賊窩了。」祭司長和文士聽見這話，就想法子要除滅耶穌，卻又怕他，因為眾人都希奇他的教訓。每天晚上，耶穌出城去。」(馬可福音 11:15-19)

      這兒明說了耶穌上十字架前沒有晚上住在耶路撒冷的，關於清理聖殿的事，也在路加福音 19:45-46 和馬太福音 21:12-13 簡短的提到，這裏說得最清楚。以前在「2075」中的「4. 潔淨聖殿」，我們詳細的討論過這些和相關經文，請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        請注意的是，這是第二次的清理聖殿，第一次是在耶穌傳道的初期，記載在約翰福音 2:13-17，顯然猶太人沒有學到這功課，因此有了第二次的清理聖殿。

5.  無花果樹的神蹟

       「早晨，他們從那裏經過，看見無花果樹連根都枯乾了。彼得想起耶穌的話來，就對他說：「拉比，請看！你所咒詛的無花果樹，已經枯乾了。」耶穌回答說：「你們當信服神。我實在告訴你們：無論何人對這座山說：『你挪開此地，投在海裏！』他若心裏不疑惑，只信他所說的必成，就必給他成了。所以我告訴你們：凡你們禱告祈求的，無論是甚麼，只要信是得着的，就必得着。你們站着禱告的時候，若想起有人得罪你們，就當饒恕他，好叫你們在天上的父也饒恕你們的過犯。你們若不饒恕人，你們在天上的父也不饒恕你們的過犯。」」(馬可福音 11:20-26)

        我們看到那被咀咒的樹是連根枯乾的，不是表面上，讓春風吹又生，審判也會如此。耶穌的回答不是說到這個神蹟，而是講到要有芥菜種的信心。就像經文說的，「耶穌說：「是因你們的信心小。我實在告訴你們：你們若有信心像一粒芥菜種，就是對這座山說，『你從這邊挪到那邊』，它也必挪去，並且你們沒有一件不能做的事了。」(馬太福音 17:20) 然後很清楚的說要饒恕人，就像在主禱文後立刻說的，「你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。」(馬太福音 6:14-15) 

        無花果樹的事在馬太福音 21:18-22 也有記載，且有一個明顯的矛盾。馬太福音是這樣說的，「早晨回城的時候，他餓了，看見路旁有一棵無花果樹，就走到跟前，在樹上找不着甚麼，不過有葉子，就對樹說：「從今以後，你永不結果子！」那無花果樹就立刻枯乾了。門徒看見了，便希奇說：「無花果樹怎麼立刻枯乾了呢？」耶穌回答說：「我實在告訴你們：你們若有(芥菜種的)信心，不疑惑，不但能行無花果樹上所行的事，就是對這座山說：『你挪開此地，投在海裏！』也必成就。你們禱告，無論求甚麼，只要信，就必得着。」」(馬太福音 21:18-22) 

        在這裏是說在回程時發生的事情，且是立刻就枯乾了，在馬可福音是說在來程就咀咒了那樹，在回程才看見那樹根也枯乾了，其餘的是相容的。所以這默示的明顯矛盾是要我們注目在發生的事情上，至於何時或怎樣發生，相對於發生的事情，沒有這麼重要。不要說謊自己騙自己，說是聖經一定要在字句上一致，認撒但為父，因為聖經明講，「…他(撒但)說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 或者是玩文字的遊戲，說原版在文字上是一致的，反正原版已失傳，沒有人能証實這點。歸根就底，兩者都是不相信，現有的這本聖經是神所默示的。

     最後要提的是，你大概注意到我加了「芥菜種的」這些字在信心的前面，這是因為聖經提到「…就是對這座山說，『你從這邊挪到那邊』，它也必挪去，…」(馬太福音 17:20) 時，是在說芥菜種的信心，有這樣的信心才會就必得著，不會妄求如經文所說，「你們求也得不着，是因為你們妄求，要浪費在你們的宴樂中。」(雅各書 4:3) 對一個相信，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」人來說，這會是唯一的結論。最後要講的是聖靈在背書這件事，原因是我雖然已有了所有相關的經文，我並沒有看見那信心是指有芥菜種的信心，一直到我準備投影片時，聖靈才開了我的眼睛，使我看到這事實。知道說謊是認撒但為父是不會有意識的說謊的，所以「讓聖靈帶領查經」是非常重要的，是不可或缺的。

6. 耶穌權柄的源頭

       「他們又來到耶路撒冷。耶穌在殿裏行走的時候，祭司長和文士並長老進前來，問他說：「你仗着甚麼權柄做這些事，給你這權柄的是誰呢？」耶穌對他們說：「我要問你們一句話，你們回答我，我就告訴你們我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，是從人間來的呢？你們可以回答我。」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』若說『從人間來』，卻又怕百姓，因為眾人真以約翰為先知。」於是回答耶穌說：「我們不知道。」 耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。」」(馬可福音 11:27-33)

        同樣的一件事也記錄在馬太福音 21:23-27 和路加福音 20:1-8。經文説，「耶穌又對他們說：「願你們平安！父怎樣差遣了我，我也照樣差遣你們。」」(約翰福音 20:21) 很清楚的說到，道成肉身的耶穌是神所差來的，而「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) 經文又說，『聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。這人蒙聖靈賜他智慧的言語…』(哥林多前書 12:7-8) 我們看到了耶穌在這一次是很有智慧的回答了祂被挑戰的問題，使得他們「…回答耶穌說：「我們不知道。」…」 (馬可福音 11:33) 所以這是智慧的言語的一個範例。

     我們看到祭司長和文士並長老是在說謊，他們是怕百姓，因為眾人真以約翰為先知，所以不敢說『從人間來』。這也是在準備投影片最後的一分鐘時，才被開了眼睛才看到這一點，怎麼能不讓聖靈帶領查經呢？

        其實從路加福音 5:17-26 也可看出，文士和法利賽人知道，除了神以外，人是不能赦罪的，而耶穌是可以赦罪的，所以耶穌老早就告訴他們自己是人子，可以在地上赦罪，衹是他們不信。雖然這次耶穌並沒有告訴他們自己是仗著什麼權柄，但祂很清楚的知道，從神而來，就是祂權柄的源頭。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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 saw the short-term prophecy of obtaining a colt to enter Jerusalem, and quoted the detailed discussion in the past. Second, we talked about Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem. Third, we explained the reason why Jesus cursed the fig tree. Fourth, we talked about Jesus’ second cleansing of the temple. Fifth, we continued to talk about the miracle that took place on the fig tree and Jesus’ talk about having faith as small as a mustard seed and forgiving others, pointing out the obvious contradiction in the inspiration about this matter and its reason. For those who believe that the Bible must be consistent in words, it is to recognize Satan as the father according to the Bible, and ultimately, it is to not believe that the existing Bible is inspired by God. Finally, we see Jesus answering the chief priests, scribes, and elders with the word of wisdom, knowing that His authority comes from God.

1. The prophecy of obtaining the colt to enter Jerusalem

“As they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ you say, ‘The Lord has need of it’; and immediately he will send it back here.” They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. Some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They spoke to them just as Jesus had told them, and they gave them permission.”(Mark 11:1-6)

The same event is also recorded in Luke 19:28-35 and Matthew 21:1-7. In the former, we see the fulfillment of the short-term prophecy about the colt, for “So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them.”(Luke 19:32) We specifically mention this as a short-term prophecy because Satan cannot make prophecy about things, but he can make predictions like weather forecasts. The closer the prediction gets, the more accurate it becomes, but it will not happen 100% as predicted. For 100% happening example, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans⁠— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.”(Daniel 9:1-2) At that time, the temple in Jerusalem began to be rebuilt.

This event is not only recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, but also briefly mentioned in the Gospel of John: “Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.”(John 12:14-16) No king rides on a colt, “…for I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29) We also see the word “remembered” and know its importance as previously discussed in “1.  Preparation of the donkey’s colt” under “1075 Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt and cleanses the temple – Jesus (28)”. We have also discussed Luke 19:28-35 in detail there and will not elaborate on this here. Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article. 

2. Jesus riding into Jerusalem

“They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it; and He sat on it. And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting:

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.”(Mark 11:7-11)

The same incident is recorded in Luke 19:36-40 and Matthew 21:8-11. The latter says, “When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.””(Matthew 21:10-11). At the time, the Jews were under Roman rule. They thought Jesus came to restore the glory of the David’s kingdom on earth and lead them out of Roman rule, so they spread clothes and field branches on the ground. However, after entering Jerusalem, He turned to the temple and cleansed it. Jesus knew clearly, “…for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.”(Luke 13:33). Therefore, He would not spend the night in Jerusalem before His crucifixion.

3. Jesus curses the fig tree

“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.”(Mark 11:12-14)

Some might ask, since it was clearly not fig season and nothing should be found, why did Jesus have a problem with the tree? That’s not the case. While fig season is autumn, it’s spring, close to the Passover when Jesus was crucified. Fig trees should at least bear their first fruits in spring. However, this tree only had leaves, and being on the road, it was standing in vain without any fruit.

The Bible says, ““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.”(John 15:1-2) And then, “And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’””(Luke 13:6-9) We see that God is a merciful and gracious God. He made sure the fig tree was not bearing fruit before he cut it down. Jesus clearly knew about the tree not bearing fruit forever but standing on the ground along the way to Jerusalem and thus cursed it. His sound must be high enough for the disciples hearing this judgment and learn the consequences of a life without fruitfulness.

4. Jesus cleans the temple

“Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. When evening came, they would go out of the city.”(Mark 11:15-19)

This clearly states that Jesus did not spend any nights in Jerusalem before His crucifixion. The cleansing of the temple is also briefly mentioned in Luke 19:45-46 and Matthew 21:12-13, but it is explained most clearly here. We previously discussed these and related scriptures in detail in “4. Cleanse the Temple” in “1075.” Please visit our website as before to find this article.

Please note that this was the second cleansing of the temple. The first occurred early in Jesus’ ministry, as recorded in John 2:13-17. Apparently, the Jews had not learned this lesson, hence the second cleansing.

5. The miracle of the fig tree

“As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]”(Mark 11:20-26)

We see that the cursed tree withered to the root, not just superficially, to be revived by the spring breeze. The same will be true of judgment. Jesus’ response did not refer to this miracle, but to the need for mustard seed faith. As the Scripture says, “And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”(Matthew 17:20) Then it clearly speaks of forgiving others, as it says immediately after the Lord’s Prayer, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”(Matthew 6:14-15)

The story of the fig tree is also recorded in Matthew 21:18-22, with an obvious contradiction. The Gospel of Matthew says, “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have (mustard seed like) faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.””(Matthew 21:18-22)

Here, it refers to what happened on the return journey, and the tree withered immediately. The Book of Mark says that the curse was cast on the tree on the way there, and only on the return journey did the tree’s roots become withered. The rest of the text is consistent. Therefore, this apparent contradiction in inspiration calls our attention to what happened; when or how it happened is less important than what happened. Don’t lie to yourself by claiming that the Bible must be consistent in its words, acknowledging Satan as the father. The Bible clearly states, “…Whenever he (devil Satan) speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44). Or perhaps you’re playing with words and claiming the original version is consistent in its words, but the original version has been lost and no one can verify it. Ultimately, both approaches contradict the belief that the Bible as it exists today is inspired by God.

Finally, you may have noticed that I added the words “mustard seed like” before the word “faith.” This is because the Bible speaks of “…if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; …”(Matthew 17:20). This kind of faith is what we are referring to. Only with this kind of faith can we receive, not ask in vain. As the Scripture says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”(James 4:3). For someone who believes that “What God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” this is the only conclusion. 

Finally, I want to discuss the Holy Spirit’s endorsement. Although I had all the relevant scriptures, I did not see that this faith referred to mustard seed faith. It was not until I was preparing the slides that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to this fact. Knowing that lying is acknowledging Satan as the father, I will not lie consciously for sure. Therefore, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead the Bible study” is extremely important and indispensable.

6. The source of Jesus’ authority

“They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” And Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” They began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From men’?”⁠—they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””(Mark 11:27-33)

The same incident is recorded in Matthew 21:23-27 and Luke 20:1-8. The Scripture says, “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.””(John 20:21) This clearly states that the incarnate Jesus was sent by God, and “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34). The Scripture also says, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, …”(1 Corinthians 12:7-8). We see that Jesus answered the question He was challenged with the word of wisdom this time, causing them “Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” …”(Mark 11:33). This is an example of the word of wisdom.

We see that the chief priests, scribes, and elders were lying. They were afraid of the people, because people truly considered John a prophet, so they did not dare to say, “From men.” It was only during the final minute of preparing the slideshow that my eyes were opened to realize this point. How could one not let the Holy Spirit lead his Bible study?

In fact, as can be seen from Luke 5:17-26, the scribes and Pharisees knew that no one except God could forgive sins, but Jesus could. Therefore, Jesus had long ago told them that He was the Son of Man and could forgive sins on earth, but they simply didn’t believe. Although Jesus didn’t tell them the source of His authority this time, He clearly understood that it came from God.

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

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

    首先我们简短的讨论要回转像小孩子才能进神国。第二，我们来看少年官问永生的事，和在人不能而在神却能，在这里我们引用了以前的讨论。第三，我们谈到彼得问撇下所有的酬报，也是引用了以前的讨论。在这里我们提到有人可能会问为什么说基督徒会有今世的祝福，这是因为从神的角度看和从人的角度看事情很不相同，就此看到了约翰写启示录时，还没有被模成耶稣的形像。第四，我们简短的提到耶稣的第三次预言，自己会死三天后复活。第五，我们相当详细的讨论了，雅各和约翰求坐在荣耀中的耶稣左右的这事。第六，耶稣说到属灵的准则是，谁愿为大必作服事人的，这和属世的标准完全不同。最后，我们谈到瞎子巴底买因信而被耶稣治愈的事， 指出了在这事上有默示明显矛盾的原因。

1. 要回转像小孩子才能进神国          

    「有人带著小孩子来见耶稣，要耶稣摸他们，门徒便责备那些人。耶稣看见就恼怒，对门徒说：「让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们，因为在神国的，正是这样的人。我实在告诉你们：凡要承受神国的，若不像小孩子，断不能进去。」于是抱著小孩子，给他们按手，为他们祝福。」(马可福音 10:13-16)       

    这是第二次的说要回转像小孩子才能进神国，在路加福音 18:15-17 和马太福音 19:13-26 是在说同一件事，是因要耶稣摸小孩子而引起的，后者则是直说要求耶稣去按手祷告，「于是(耶稣)抱著小孩子，给他们按手，为他们祝福。」(马可福音 10:16)           

    第一次是在我们讨论马可福音 9:33-37，使徒争论谁为大时，且说了，「凡为我名接待一个像这小孩子的，就是接待我；…」(马可福音 9:37) 这也在路加福音 9:46-48，其中有类似的话。马太福音 18:1-6 更明「说：「我实在告诉你们：你们若不回转，变成小孩子的样式，断不得进天国。所以，凡自己谦卑像这小孩子的，他在天国里就是最大的。」(马太福音 18:3-4)       

    这并不是说我们生理上要变成一个小孩子，这是不可能的，岁月过去，人就是会变老的，不会逆转的。所以那小孩是全部依赖父母的年龄，就像基督徒应该谦卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一体的神，顺服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。」(罗马书 7:18)

2. 少年官问永生的事，和在人不能而在神却能        

    「耶稣出来行路的时候，有一个人跑来，跪在他面前，问他说：「良善的夫子，我当做甚么事才可以承受永生？」耶稣对他说：「你为甚么称我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再没有良善的。诫命你是晓得的：『不可杀人，不可奸淫，不可偷盗，不可作假见证，不可亏负人，当孝敬父母。』」他对耶稣说：「夫子，这一切我从小都遵守了。」耶稣看著他，就爱他，对他说：「你还缺少一件，去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。」他听见这话，脸上就变了色，忧忧愁愁地走了，因为他的产业很多。耶稣周围一看，对门徒说：「有钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！」门徒希奇他的话。耶稣又对他们说：「小子，倚靠钱财的人进神的国是何等地难哪！骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进神的国还容易呢。」门徒就分外希奇，对他说：「这样，谁能得救呢？」耶稣看著他们，说：「在人是不能，在神却不然，因为神凡事都能。」」(马可福音 10:17-27)        

    同一件事情也记载在马太福音 19:16-22 和路加福音 18:18-30，前者说是少年人，后者提到是作官的，也就是少年官在问永生的事。首先我们注意到这少年官是在问要做什么，想靠自己做什么的，这是办不到的，我们刚才不是说，不能靠自己吗？靠自己总有做不到的一些点。我们看到耶稣爱他的原因，他已经尽力的做他能做，但很显然的，这并不能使他能确定，要不然他根本就不必来问耶稣了。祂说了他不足的是不要靠属世的财富，还要跟随祂，结果是过不了关，只能忧忧愁愁地走了。        

    「耶稣对他说：「你为甚么称我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再没有良善的。」(马可福音 10:18) 这里的神是指三位一体的神，的确，只有三位一体的神是良善的，耶稣只是说了一个事实。在这里耶稣并没有否认祂是三位一体的神中的一位，但祂知道这是成为人的样式(参腓立比书 2:7)，也就是道成肉身的这段期间(参约翰福音 1:14)，祂和父是有些微不同的，就像这经文所说，「天地要废去，我的话却不能废去。「但那日子、那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟独父知道。」」(马太福音 24:35-36)           

    在道成肉身时，除了这件事外，「我与父原为一。」(约翰福音 10:30) 也就是耶稣对腓力说的，「…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？」(约翰福音 14:9) 神是无限，我们是有限，我们不知道这是怎么安排的，这就像我们知道神是三位一体的神，但不知道三位一体是如何安排的，但我们要相信神在圣经说的话。        

    讲到神是无限，我们来看看启示录中提到七个教会中最好的非拉铁非教会，「我知道你的行为，你略有一点力量，也曾遵守我的道，没有弃绝我的名。看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。」(启示录 3:8) 在无限的神眼中，只因他们略有一点力量，就赐给他们一个敞开的门，神是有怜悯有恩典的神。           

    以前我们在「2073 祷告态度，小孩子，少年官，及预言受难和复活 -耶稣(26)」中的「3. 看少年官的故事知要积财宝在天」中详细的讨论过路加福音 18:18-30，包括讨论了针的眼和在神凡事都能，请到我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

3. 撇下所有的跟从耶稣的酬报          

    「彼得就对他说：「看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从你了。」耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：人为我和福音撇下房屋，或是弟兄、姐妹、父母、儿女、田地，没有不在今世得百倍的，就是房屋、弟兄、姐妹、母亲、儿女、田地，并且要受逼迫，在来世必得永生。然而，有许多在前的，将要在后；在后的，将要在前。」」(马可福音 10:28-31)          

    同样的一件事情也记录在马太福音 19:27-30 和路加福音 18:28-30，在这里彼得问出了一个代表性的问题，我们在「2073」的「3」中的讨论时，也讨论了前者，就在此不多说了，请找到这篇文章。      

    在这里我们要提到一件事，因为有人可能会问，我们知道基督徒会有永生，但为什么说会有今世的祝福呢？ 许多人都认为被祝福的人会活得较长，使徒雅各应是被祝福的人，但他不是被希律所杀而短命而死吗？(参使徒行传 12:1-2) 他那有什么今生的长寿祝福呢？这是因为雅各已完成了他的使命，被接走的，神有绝对的主权，祂可以决定一个人如何被接走， 关于这样，新约有一个实际的例子。我们注意到，耶稣是站在神的右边欢迎司提反 (参使徒行传 7:55-56)，但他是被石头打死的，死前他的祷告和耶稣在十字架的祷告如出一辙 (参使徒行传 7:57-60)，他那时已模成耶稣的形像，完成了他在世的使命，所以耶稣会站著欢迎那第一位为主殉道的门徒，没有人有这样的殊荣。        

    关于长命并不见得因为祝福而可能是另有原因，我们就来看看三个特别的使徒雅各，彼得和约翰，他们特别是因为耶稣有时只带他们三个， 譬如在睚鲁的女儿复活的这件事上，「…带著彼得、雅各、和雅各的兄弟约翰同去，不许别人跟随他。」(马可福音 5:37) 又如在变化山上，「…耶稣带著彼得、雅各、约翰暗暗地上了高山，就在他们面前变了形像。」(马可福音 9:2) 我们都知道彼得是大使徒，知道自己会为主殉道仍跟随主 (参约翰福音 21:18-19) 而约翰活得最久，所以有人很合理的说，他们的确要能站立在更多的恩典上。对于三人的结局是一样的，「耶稣说：「我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。」(马太福音 19:28) 当新耶路撒冷城降临时，「城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(启示录 21:14) 他们三人的名字在其上。结论是虽然我们不知道神到底怎么做的，他们那时绝对已模成了耶稣的形像，要不，会不可能如此。        

    所以约翰活得最久，一个原因是他需要更长的时间去模成耶稣的形像，为什么会这样说呢？约翰写启示录时，虽然我们不知道他确实的年龄，但知道他已经在老年了，如果他那时已模成耶稣的形像，是不会去敬拜天使的。圣经是这样说，「我就俯伏在他(天使)脚前要拜他。他说：「千万不可！我和你，并你那些为耶稣作见证的弟兄同是作仆人的。你要敬拜神。因为预言中的灵意乃是为耶稣作见证。」(启示录 19:10) 和这一节，「这些事是我约翰所听见、所看见的，我既听见、看见了，就在指示我的天使脚前俯伏要拜他。」(启示录 22:8) 记载了两次，我们不太可能看不到的，所以他那时的确还没有模成耶稣的形像。

4. 第三次预言死三天后而复活         

    「他们行路上耶路撒冷去。耶稣在前头走，门徒就希奇，跟从的人也害怕。耶稣又叫过十二个门徒来，把自己将要遭遇的事告诉他们说：「看哪，我们上耶路撒冷去，人子将要被交给祭司长和文士，他们要定他死罪，交给外邦人。他们要戏弄他，吐唾沫在他脸上，鞭打他，杀害他。过了三天，他要复活。」」(马可福音 10:32-34)       

    同样的第三次预言复活的这事情，也记载在马太福音 20:17-19 和路加福音 18:31-34，门徒会害怕，可见得他们知道有死的可能性，但即使是第三次了，门徒仍不知道祂在说什么，难怪耶稣复活后，「…对他们(去以马忤斯的两门徒)说：「无知的人哪，先知所说的一切话，你们的心信得太迟钝了。基督这样受害，又进入他的荣耀，岂不是应当的吗？」」(路加福音 24:25-26) 其实对别的门徒也是一样，要真正看到耶稣复活后才真正了解这预言。

5. 雅各和约翰求坐在荣耀中的耶稣左右          

    「西庇太的儿子雅各、约翰进前来，对耶稣说：「夫子，我们无论求你甚么，愿你给我们做。」耶稣说：「要我给你们做甚么？」他们说：「赐我们在你的荣耀里，一个坐在你右边，一个坐在你左边。」耶稣说：「你们不知道所求的是甚么。我所喝的杯，你们能喝吗？我所受的洗，你们能受吗？」他们说：「我们能。」 耶稣说：「我所喝的杯，你们也要喝；我所受的洗，你们也要受。只是坐在我的左右，不是我可以赐的，乃是为谁预备的，就赐给谁。」那十个门徒听见，就恼怒雅各、约翰。」(马可福音 10:35-41)           

    同样的一件事情，马太福音说得更清楚，「那时，西庇太儿子的母亲同她两个儿子上前来拜耶稣，求他一件事。耶稣说：「你要甚么呢？」 她说：「愿你叫我这两个儿子在你国里，一个坐在你右边，一个坐在你左边。」耶稣回答说：「你们不知道所求的是甚么。我将要喝的杯，你们能喝吗？」 他们说：「我们能。」耶稣说：「我所喝的杯，你们必要喝；只是坐在我的左右，不是我可以赐的，乃是我父为谁预备的，就赐给谁。」那十个门徒听见，就恼怒他们弟兄二人。」(马太福音 20:20-24)           

    我们看到，雅各和约翰提出坐在左右的要求是透过母亲的，所以有人会以人的角度来看，说是长辈的要求可能更容易被耶稣所悦纳，但耶稣拒绝了，衪知道自己在做什么，「因为我从天上降下来，不是要按自己的意思行，乃是要按那差我来者的意思行。」(约翰福音 6:38)           

    耶稣所喝的杯，就是指祂在客西马尼园的「…俯伏在地祷告说：「我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」」(马太福音 26:39) 就是，「既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上。」(腓立比书 2:8) 雅各和约翰的确也喝了这杯，雅各为主的名年轻时就殉道 (参使徒行传 12:1-2)，而约翰也为了主的名被梱挷，就是「我约翰就是你们的弟兄，和你们在耶稣的患难、国度、忍耐里一同有分，为神的道，并为给耶稣作的见证，曾在那名叫拔摩的海岛上。」(启示录 1:9)

6. 谁愿为大必作服事人的          

    「耶稣叫他们来，对他们说：「你们知道，外邦人有尊为君王的治理他们，有大臣操权管束他们。只是在你们中间，不是这样。你们中间，谁愿为大，就必作你们的用人；在你们中间，谁愿为首，就必作众人的仆人。因为人子来，并不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命作多人的赎价。」」(马可福音 10:42-45)         

    这是和马太福音 20:25-28 说的是同一件事， 经文很清楚的讲，天国的准则是和世间完全不同的，谁愿为大必作服事人的。不知道那十二使徒为什么仍不能得到这概念，大概是很难接受天国的准则是和世间完全不同的。           

    在逾越节的筵席，也就是最后的晚餐中，门徒又起了争论，「…他们中间哪一个可算为大。耶稣说：「外邦人有君王为主治理他们，那掌权管他们的称为恩主。但你们不可这样。你们里头为大的，倒要像年幼的；为首领的，倒要像服事人的。是谁为大？是坐席的呢？是服事人的呢？不是坐席的大吗？然而，我在你们中间如同服事人的。」(路加福音 22:24-27) 这是一致的。请注意，这争论是包括卖主的犹大在内的，因为主以身作则的，为服事人的作了榜样， 其中也包括了为这犹大洗了脚 (参约翰福音 13:1-17)。

7. 瞎子巴底买因信被耶稣治愈          

    「到了耶利哥，耶稣同门徒并许多人出耶利哥的时候，有一个讨饭的瞎子，是底买的儿子巴底买，坐在路旁。他听见是拿撒勒的耶稣，就喊著说：「大卫的子孙耶稣啊，可怜我吧！」有许多人责备他，不许他做声。他却越发大声喊著说：「大卫的子孙哪，可怜我吧！」耶稣就站住，说：「叫过他来。」 他们就叫那瞎子，对他说：「放心！起来，他叫你啦。」瞎子就丢下衣服，跳起来，走到耶稣那里。耶稣说：「要我为你做甚么？」瞎子说：「拉波尼，我要能看见！」耶稣说：「你去吧，你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看见了，就在路上跟随耶稣。」(马可福音 10:46-52)           

    请注意，拉波尼是希伯来话，「…（拉波尼就是夫子的意思。）」(约翰福音 20:16) 现在我们来比较路加福音的记载，「耶稣将近耶利哥的时候，有一个瞎子坐在路旁讨饭。听见许多人经过，就问是甚么事。他们告诉他，是拿撒勒人耶稣经过。他就呼叫说：「大卫的子孙耶稣啊，可怜我吧！」在前头走的人就责备他，不许他做声，他却越发喊叫说：「大卫的子孙，可怜我吧！」耶稣站住，吩咐把他领过来，到了跟前，就问他说：「你要我为你做甚么？」 他说：「主啊，我要能看见！」耶稣说：「你可以看见！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看见了，就跟随耶稣，一路归荣耀与神。众人看见这事，也赞美神。」(路加福音 18:35-43)          

    这里是说将近耶利哥发生的，而马可福音是说发生在出耶利哥的时候，所以这儿有一个明显的矛盾，而其余的记载是相容的。所以这默示的明显矛盾是要我们注意发生的事情，看到讨饭的瞎子相信耶稣是那一位大卫的子孙，可以治愈他。耶稣也因他的信，使瞎子立刻看见了，赞美神的跟随耶稣。           

    这儿也可看到信的重要，就像耶稣自己说的，「…「大凡先知，除了本地亲属、本家之外，没有不被人尊敬的。」耶稣就在那里不得行甚么异能，不过按手在几个病人身上，治好他们。他也诧异他们不信，就往周围乡村教训人去了。」(马可福音 6:4-6)

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(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』。)  

          首先我們簡短的討論要回轉像小孩子才能進神國。第二，我們來看少年官問永生的事，和在人不能而在神卻能，在這裏我們引用了以前的討論。第三，我們談到彼得問撇下所有的酬報，也是引用了以前的討論。在這裏我們提到有人可能會問為什麼說基督徒會有今世的祝福，這是因為從神的角度看和從人的角度看事情很不相同，就此看到了約翰寫啓示錄時，還沒有被模成耶穌的形像。第四，我們簡短的提到耶穌的第三次預言，自己會死三天後復活。第五，我們相當詳細的討論了，雅各和約翰求坐在榮耀中的耶穌左右的這事。第六，耶穌說到屬靈的準則是，誰願為大必作服事人的，這和屬世的標準完全不同。最後，我們談到瞎子巴底買因信而被耶穌治癒的事， 指出了在這事上有默示明顯矛盾的原因。

1. 要回轉像小孩子才能進神國

          「有人帶着小孩子來見耶穌，要耶穌摸他們，門徒便責備那些人。耶穌看見就惱怒，對門徒說：「讓小孩子到我這裏來，不要禁止他們，因為在神國的，正是這樣的人。我實在告訴你們：凡要承受神國的，若不像小孩子，斷不能進去。」於是抱着小孩子，給他們按手，為他們祝福。」(馬可福音 10:13-16)

           這是第二次的說要回轉像小孩子才能進神國，在路加福音 18:15-17 和馬太福音 19:13-26 是在說同一件事，是因要耶穌摸小孩子而引起的，後者則是直說要求耶穌去按手禱告，「於是(耶穌)抱着小孩子，給他們按手，為他們祝福。」(馬可福音 10:16)

           第一次是在我們討論馬可福音 9:33-37，使徒爭論誰為大時，且說了，「凡為我名接待一個像這小孩子的，就是接待我；…」(馬可福音 9:37) 這也在路加福音 9:46-48，其中有類似的話。馬太福音 18:1-6 更明「說：「我實在告訴你們：你們若不回轉，變成小孩子的樣式，斷不得進天國。所以，凡自己謙卑像這小孩子的，他在天國裏就是最大的。」(馬太福音 18:3-4)

       這並不是說我們生理上要變成一個小孩子，這是不可能的，歲月過去，人就是會變老的，不會逆轉的。所以那小孩是全部依賴父母的年齡，就像基督徒應該謙卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一體的神，順服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。」(羅馬書 7:18)

2. 少年官問永生的事，和在人不能而在神卻能

        「耶穌出來行路的時候，有一個人跑來，跪在他面前，問他說：「良善的夫子，我當做甚麼事才可以承受永生？」耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。誡命你是曉得的：『不可殺人，不可姦淫，不可偷盜，不可作假見證，不可虧負人，當孝敬父母。』」他對耶穌說：「夫子，這一切我從小都遵守了。」耶穌看着他，就愛他，對他說：「你還缺少一件，去變賣你所有的，分給窮人，就必有財寶在天上；你還要來跟從我。」他聽見這話，臉上就變了色，憂憂愁愁地走了，因為他的產業很多。耶穌周圍一看，對門徒說：「有錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！」門徒希奇他的話。耶穌又對他們說：「小子，倚靠錢財的人進神的國是何等地難哪！駱駝穿過針的眼，比財主進神的國還容易呢。」門徒就分外希奇，對他說：「這樣，誰能得救呢？」耶穌看着他們，說：「在人是不能，在神卻不然，因為神凡事都能。」」(馬可福音 10:17-27)

        同一件事情也記載在馬太福音 19:16-22 和路加福音 18:18-30，前者說是少年人，後者提到是作官的，也就是少年官在問永生的事。首先我們注意到這少年官是在問要做什麼，想靠自己做什麼的，這是辦不到的，我們剛才不是說，不能靠自己嗎？靠自己總有做不到的一些點。我們看到耶穌愛他的原因，他已經儘力的做他能做，但很顯然的，這並不能使他能確定，要不然他根本就不必來問耶穌了。祂說了他不足的是不要靠屬世的財富，還要跟隨祂，結果是過不了關，衹能憂憂愁愁地走了。

        「耶穌對他說：「你為甚麼稱我是良善的？除了神一位之外，再沒有良善的。」(馬可福音 10:18) 這裏的神是指三位一體的神，的確，衹有三位一體的神是良善的，耶穌衹是說了一個事實。在這裏耶穌並沒有否認祂是三位一體的神中的一位，但祂知道這是成為人的樣式(參腓立比書 2:7)，也就是道成肉身的這段期間(參約翰福音 1:14)，祂和父是有些微不同的，就像這經文所說，「天地要廢去，我的話卻不能廢去。「但那日子、那時辰，沒有人知道，連天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟獨父知道。」」(馬太福音 24:35-36) 

           在道成肉身時，除了這件事外，「我與父原為一。」(約翰福音 10:30) 也就是耶穌對腓力說的，「…我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我嗎？人看見了我，就是看見了父，你怎麼說『將父顯給我們看』呢？」(約翰福音 14:9) 神是無限，我們是有限，我們不知道這是怎麼安排的，這就像我們知道神是三位一體的神，但不知道三位一體是如何安排的，但我們要相信神在聖經說的話。

        講到神是無限，我們來看看啓示錄中提到七個教會中最好的非拉鐵非教會，「我知道你的行為，你略有一點力量，也曾遵守我的道，沒有棄絕我的名。看哪，我在你面前給你一個敞開的門，是無人能關的。」(啓示錄 3:8) 在無限的神眼中，衹因他們略有一點力量，就賜給他們一個敞開的門，神是有憐憫有恩典的神。

           以前我們在「2073 禱告態度，小孩子，少年官，及預言受難和復活 -耶穌(26)」中的「3. 看少年官的故事知要積財寶在天」中詳細的討論過路加福音 18:18-30，包括討論了針的眼和在神凡事都能，請到我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

3. 撇下所有的跟從耶穌的酬報

          「彼得就對他說：「看哪，我們已經撇下所有的跟從你了。」耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：人為我和福音撇下房屋，或是弟兄、姐妹、父母、兒女、田地，沒有不在今世得百倍的，就是房屋、弟兄、姐妹、母親、兒女、田地，並且要受逼迫，在來世必得永生。然而，有許多在前的，將要在後；在後的，將要在前。」」(馬可福音 10:28-31)

           同樣的一件事情也記錄在馬太福音 19:27-30 和路加福音 18:28-30，在這裏彼得問出了一個代表性的問題，我們在「2073」的「3」中的討論時，也討論了前者，就在此不多說了，請找到這篇文章。

       在這裏我們要提到一件事，因為有人可能會問，我們知道基督徒會有永生，但為什麼說會有今世的祝福呢？ 許多人都認為被祝福的人會活得較長，使徒雅各應是被祝福的人，但他不是被希律所殺而短命而死嗎？(參使徒行傳 12:1-2) 他那有什麼今生的長壽祝福呢？這是因為雅各已完成了他的使命，被接走的，神有絕對的主權，祂可以決定一個人如何被接走， 關於這樣，新約有一個實際的例子。我們注意到，耶穌是站在神的右邊歡迎司提反 (參使徒行傳 7:55-56)，但他是被石頭打死的，死前他的禱告和耶穌在十字架的禱告如出一轍 (參使徒行傳 7:57-60)，他那時已模成耶穌的形像，完成了他在世的使命，所以耶穌會站著歡迎那第一位為主殉道的門徒，沒有人有這樣的殊榮。

        關於長命並不見得因為祝福而可能是另有原因，我們就來看看三個特別的使徒雅各，彼得和約翰，他們特別是因為耶穌有時衹帶他們三個， 譬如在睚魯的女兒復活的這件事上，「…帶着彼得、雅各、和雅各的兄弟約翰同去，不許別人跟隨他。」(馬可福音 5:37) 又如在變化山上，「…耶穌帶着彼得、雅各、約翰暗暗地上了高山，就在他們面前變了形像。」(馬可福音 9:2) 我們都知道彼得是大使徒，知道自己會為主殉道仍跟隨主 (參約翰福音 21:18-19) 而約翰活得最久，所以有人很合理的說，他們的確要能站立在更多的恩典上。對於三人的結局是一樣的，「耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們：你們這跟從我的人，到復興的時候，人子坐在他榮耀的寶座上，你們也要坐在十二個寶座上，審判以色列十二個支派。」(馬太福音 19:28) 當新耶路撒冷城降臨時，「城牆有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。」(啓示錄 21:14) 他們三人的名字在其上。結論是雖然我們不知道神到底怎麼做的，他們那時絕對已模成了耶穌的形像，要不，會不可能如此。

        所以約翰活得最久，一個原因是他需要更長的時間去模成耶穌的形像，為什麼會這樣說呢？約翰寫啓示錄時，雖然我們不知道他確實的年齡，但知道他已經在老年了，如果他那時已模成耶穌的形像，是不會去敬拜天使的。聖經是這樣說，「我就俯伏在他(天使)腳前要拜他。他說：「千萬不可！我和你，並你那些為耶穌作見證的弟兄同是作僕人的。你要敬拜神。因為預言中的靈意乃是為耶穌作見證。」(啓示錄 19:10) 和這一節，「這些事是我約翰所聽見、所看見的，我既聽見、看見了，就在指示我的天使腳前俯伏要拜他。」(啓示錄 22:8) 記載了兩次，我們不太可能看不到的，所以他那時的確還沒有模成耶穌的形像。

4. 第三次預言死三天後而復活

          「他們行路上耶路撒冷去。耶穌在前頭走，門徒就希奇，跟從的人也害怕。耶穌又叫過十二個門徒來，把自己將要遭遇的事告訴他們說：「看哪，我們上耶路撒冷去，人子將要被交給祭司長和文士，他們要定他死罪，交給外邦人。他們要戲弄他，吐唾沫在他臉上，鞭打他，殺害他。過了三天，他要復活。」」(馬可福音 10:32-34)

        同樣的第三次預言復活的這事情，也記載在馬太福音 20:17-19 和路加福音 18:31-34，門徒會害怕，可見得他們知道有死的可能性，但即使是第三次了，門徒仍不知道祂在說什麼，難怪耶穌復活後，「…對他們(去以馬忤斯的兩門徒)說：「無知的人哪，先知所說的一切話，你們的心信得太遲鈍了。基督這樣受害，又進入他的榮耀，豈不是應當的嗎？」」(路加福音 24:25-26) 其實對別的門徒也是一樣，要真正看到耶穌復活後才真正瞭解這預言。

5. 雅各和約翰求坐在榮耀中的耶穌左右

          「西庇太的兒子雅各、約翰進前來，對耶穌說：「夫子，我們無論求你甚麼，願你給我們做。」耶穌說：「要我給你們做甚麼？」他們說：「賜我們在你的榮耀裏，一個坐在你右邊，一個坐在你左邊。」耶穌說：「你們不知道所求的是甚麼。我所喝的杯，你們能喝嗎？我所受的洗，你們能受嗎？」他們說：「我們能。」 耶穌說：「我所喝的杯，你們也要喝；我所受的洗，你們也要受。只是坐在我的左右，不是我可以賜的，乃是為誰預備的，就賜給誰。」那十個門徒聽見，就惱怒雅各、約翰。」(馬可福音 10:35-41)

           同樣的一件事情，馬太福音說得更清楚，「那時，西庇太兒子的母親同她兩個兒子上前來拜耶穌，求他一件事。耶穌說：「你要甚麼呢？」 她說：「願你叫我這兩個兒子在你國裏，一個坐在你右邊，一個坐在你左邊。」耶穌回答說：「你們不知道所求的是甚麼。我將要喝的杯，你們能喝嗎？」 他們說：「我們能。」耶穌說：「我所喝的杯，你們必要喝；只是坐在我的左右，不是我可以賜的，乃是我父為誰預備的，就賜給誰。」那十個門徒聽見，就惱怒他們弟兄二人。」(馬太福音 20:20-24)

           我們看到，雅各和約翰提出坐在左右的要求是透過母親的，所以有人會以人的角度來看，說是長輩的要求可能更容易被耶穌所悅納，但耶穌拒絕了，衪知道自己在做什麼，「因為我從天上降下來，不是要按自己的意思行，乃是要按那差我來者的意思行。」(約翰福音 6:38)

           耶穌所喝的杯，就是指祂在客西馬尼園的「…俯伏在地禱告說：「我父啊，倘若可行，求你叫這杯離開我；然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」」(馬太福音 26:39) 就是，「既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。」(腓立比書 2:8) 雅各和約翰的確也喝了這杯，雅各為主的名年輕時就殉道 (參使徒行傳 12:1-2)，而約翰也為了主的名被梱挷，就是「我約翰就是你們的弟兄，和你們在耶穌的患難、國度、忍耐裏一同有分，為神的道，並為給耶穌作的見證，曾在那名叫拔摩的海島上。」(啓示錄 1:9)

6. 誰願為大必作服事人的

          「耶穌叫他們來，對他們說：「你們知道，外邦人有尊為君王的治理他們，有大臣操權管束他們。只是在你們中間，不是這樣。你們中間，誰願為大，就必作你們的用人；在你們中間，誰願為首，就必作眾人的僕人。因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。」」(馬可福音 10:42-45)

          這是和馬太福音 20:25-28 說的是同一件事， 經文很清楚的講，天國的準則是和世間完全不同的，誰願為大必作服事人的。不知道那十二使徒為什麼仍不能得到這概念，大概是很難接受天國的準則是和世間完全不同的。

           在逾越節的筵席，也就是最後的晚餐中，門徒又起了爭論，「…他們中間哪一個可算為大。耶穌說：「外邦人有君王為主治理他們，那掌權管他們的稱為恩主。但你們不可這樣。你們裏頭為大的，倒要像年幼的；為首領的，倒要像服事人的。是誰為大？是坐席的呢？是服事人的呢？不是坐席的大嗎？然而，我在你們中間如同服事人的。」(路加福音 22:24-27) 這是一致的。請注意，這爭論是包括賣主的猶大在內的，因為主以身作則的，為服事人的作了榜樣， 其中也包括了為這猶大洗了腳 (參約翰福音 13:1-17)。

7. 瞎子巴底買因信被耶穌治癒

          「到了耶利哥，耶穌同門徒並許多人出耶利哥的時候，有一個討飯的瞎子，是底買的兒子巴底買，坐在路旁。他聽見是拿撒勒的耶穌，就喊着說：「大衞的子孫耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」有許多人責備他，不許他做聲。他卻越發大聲喊着說：「大衞的子孫哪，可憐我吧！」耶穌就站住，說：「叫過他來。」 他們就叫那瞎子，對他說：「放心！起來，他叫你啦。」瞎子就丟下衣服，跳起來，走到耶穌那裏。耶穌說：「要我為你做甚麼？」瞎子說：「拉波尼，我要能看見！」耶穌說：「你去吧，你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看見了，就在路上跟隨耶穌。」(馬可福音 10:46-52)

           請注意，拉波尼是希伯來話，「…（拉波尼就是夫子的意思。）」(約翰福音 20:16) 現在我們來比較路加福音的記載，「耶穌將近耶利哥的時候，有一個瞎子坐在路旁討飯。聽見許多人經過，就問是甚麼事。他們告訴他，是拿撒勒人耶穌經過。他就呼叫說：「大衞的子孫耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」在前頭走的人就責備他，不許他做聲，他卻越發喊叫說：「大衞的子孫，可憐我吧！」耶穌站住，吩咐把他領過來，到了跟前，就問他說：「你要我為你做甚麼？」 他說：「主啊，我要能看見！」耶穌說：「你可以看見！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看見了，就跟隨耶穌，一路歸榮耀與神。眾人看見這事，也讚美神。」(路加福音 18:35-43)

          這裏是說將近耶利哥發生的，而馬可福音是說發生在出耶利哥的時候，所以這兒有一個明顯的矛盾，而其餘的記載是相容的。所以這默示的明顯矛盾是要我們注意發生的事情，看到討飯的瞎子相信耶穌是那一位大衞的子孫，可以治癒他。耶穌也因他的信，使瞎子立刻看見了，讚美神的跟隨耶穌。

           這兒也可看到信的重要，就像耶穌自己說的，「…「大凡先知，除了本地親屬、本家之外，沒有不被人尊敬的。」耶穌就在那裏不得行甚麼異能，不過按手在幾個病人身上，治好他們。他也詫異他們不信，就往周圍鄉村教訓人去了。」(馬可福音 6:4-6)

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(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 briefly discussed that we must become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Second, we looked at the young ruler’s question about eternal life and how it is impossible for man but possible for God. Here we quoted from the previous discussion. Third, we talked about Peter’s question regarding rewards about leaving everything behind to follow Jesus. We also quoted from the previous discussion. Here we mentioned that some people may ask why Christians have blessings in this world. This is because things are viewed very differently from God’s perspective and from a human perspective. This shows that when John wrote the Book of Revelation, he had not yet been conformed to the image of Jesus. Fourth, we briefly mentioned Jesus’ third prophecy that he would die and be resurrected after three days. Fifth, we discussed in considerable detail the matter of James and John asking to be seated near Jesus in glory. Sixth, Jesus spoke of the spiritual principle that those who desire greatness must serve others, which is completely different from the worldly standard. Finally, we discussed the blind man Bartimaeus, who was healed by Jesus due to his faith, and pointed out the reason for the apparent contradiction in inspiration about this matter.

1. One must become like a little child to enter the Kingdom of God

“And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”(Mark 10:13-16)

This is the second time the phrase “turn like a little child” is used to describe the need to enter the Kingdom of God. Luke 18:15-17 and Matthew 19:13-26 discuss the same incident, which is prompted by the request for Jesus to touch the children. The latter directly states that Jesus was requested to lay hands on and pray. “So (Jesus) took the children, laid his hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).

The first instance occurred when we were discussing Mark 9:33-37, where the apostles argued over who was greatest. The verses also said, ““Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; …”(Mark 9:37). Similar language is found in Luke 9:46-48. Matthew 18:1-6 further explains, “and (Jesus) said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 18:3-4)

This does not mean that we need to become like little children physically; that is impossible. As time passes, people simply age, and there is no reversal. Therefore, the child is at an age when he or she is completely dependent on his or her parents, just as Christians should be humble, looking to the Triune God for all things, obeying Him, and not relying on themselves. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18)

2. The young ruler asked about eternal life and what is impossible for man but possible for God

“As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.””(Mark 10:17-27)

The same incident is also recorded in Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 18:18-30. The former mentions a young man, while the latter mentions a ruler. This means the young ruler is asking about eternal life. First, we notice that the young ruler is asking about what he should do. He wants to do something on his own, which is impossible. Didn’t we just say that we can’t rely on ourselves? There are always some things that we cannot achieve on our own. We see the reason why Jesus loves him. He has done everything he can, but it is clear that this does not give him certainty, otherwise he would not have come to Jesus in the first place. He said his lack was not relying on worldly wealth, and he needed to follow Him. However, he failed the test and had no choice but to leave in sorrow.

“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”(Mark 10:18) The God here refers to the Triune God. Indeed, only the Triune God is good; Jesus was simply stating a fact. Jesus did not deny that He is one of the Triune God. However, He knew that this was during that He was “…taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) That is, the period of His incarnation (see John 1:14). He and the Father were slightly different, as this passage says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”(Matthew 24:35-36) In addition to this, when the Word became flesh, “I and the Father are one.”(John 10:30). This is what Jesus said to Philip, “…Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”(John 14:9) God is infinite, and we are finite. We don’t know how this is arranged. It’s like we know God is a Trinity, but we don’t know how the Trinity is arranged. However, we must believe what God says in the Bible.

Speaking of God’s infinity, let’s look at the Church of Philadelphia, the best of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation: “‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”(Revelation 3:8) In the eyes of the infinite God, simply because they have a little power, He grants them an open door. God is a merciful and gracious God.

We have previously discussed Luke 18:18-30 in detail in “3. Read the story of the young ruler and know you must accumulate treasure in heaven” under “1073 Prayer attitude, children, young ruler, And prophecy of crucifixion and resurrection -Jesus (26),” including the discussion of the eye of a needle and that with God all things are possible. Please visit our website, “https://a-christian-voice.com/“, and click “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article. 

3. Rewards about leaving everything to follow Jesus 

“Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.””(Mark 10:28-31)

The same incident is recorded in Matthew 19:27-30 and Luke 18:28-30. Here, Peter asks a representative question. We also discussed the former in “3” under “1073,” so we will not elaborate on it here. Please find the article.

We need to mention one thing here because some may ask, “We know Christians will have eternal life, but why saying there are blessings in this life?” Most people often think about blessed people having longevity. Aren’t people like James blessed by living longer? But James was executed and thus died young. (See Acts 12:1-2) This is because James had completed his mission and was taken away. God has absolute sovereignty and can determine how a person is taken away. The New Testament provides a practical example of this. We note that Jesus stood at God’s right hand to welcome Stephen (see Acts 7:55-56), but he was stoned to death. His prayer before death mirrored Jesus’ prayer on the cross (see Acts 7:57-60). By then, he had been conformed to Jesus’ image and completed his mission on earth. Therefore, Jesus would stand and welcome the first disciple who died for Himself. No one else has such a privilege.

Regarding the fact that longevity isn’t necessarily a blessing but may have other reasons, let’s look at the three special apostles: James, Peter, and John. They were special because Jesus sometimes took only the three of them with Him. For example, in the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, “And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James.”(Mark 5:37). Another example is on the Mount of Transfiguration, “…Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them.”(Mark 9:2). We all know that Peter was the leader among apostles, following the Lord even though he knew he would die for Him (see John 21:18-19). John lived the longest, so some could reasonably argue that they were indeed able to stand on more grace. The fate of all three is the same: “And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”(Matthew 19:28). When the New Jerusalem comes, “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14). The names of these three are on them. The conclusion is that although we don’t know exactly how God did it, they were definitely conformed to the image of Jesus by then; otherwise, this would be impossible.

So, one reason John lived the longest is that it took him longer to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Why is this so? Although we don’t know his exact age when he wrote the Book of Revelation, we know he was already old. If he had been conformed to the image of Jesus by then, he would not have worshiped angels. The Bible says, “Then I fell at his (the angel’s) feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.””(Revelation 19:10) And this verse says, “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.”(Revelation 22:8) These are recorded twice, and it is unlikely that we didn’t see them, so he certainly hadn’t yet been conformed to the image of Jesus at that time.

4. The third prophecy regarding Jesus’ resurrection after three days

“They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.””(Mark 10:32-34)

The same third prophecy of resurrection also recorded in Matthew 20:17-19 and Luke 18:31-34. The disciples were afraid, which shows that they knew there was a possibility of death, but even though it was the third time, the disciples still did not know what He was talking about. No wonder after Jesus was resurrected, “And He said to them (the two disciples who went to Emmaus), “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?””(Luke 24:25-26) In fact, the same was true for the other disciples. Only after they actually saw Jesus’ resurrection could they truly understand this prophecy.

5. James and John asking to sit near Jesus in glory

“James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.”(Mark 10:35-41)

The Book of Matthew describes the same incident more clearly: “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.”(Matthew 20:20-24)

We see that James and John’s request to sit on His right and left was through their mother. So, from a human perspective, some might say that a request from an elder might be more pleasing to Jesus. However, Jesus refused. He knew what He was doing: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”(John 6:38)

The cup Jesus drank refers to the cup He drank in the Garden of Gethsemane: “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.””(Matthew 26:39). That is, “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:8) James and John did indeed drink this cup as well. James died for the Lord at a young age. (see Acts 12:1-2) And John was also imprisoned for the Lord’s name: “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”(Revelation 1:9)

6. Whoever wishes to be great must serve others

“Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””(Mark 10:42-45).

This is the same statement as Matthew 20:25-28. The Scriptures clearly state that the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven are completely different from those of the world: whoever wishes to be great must serve. I wonder why the twelve apostles still couldn’t grasp this concept? Perhaps they found it difficult to accept that the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven are completely different from those of the world.

During the Passover, also known as the Last Supper, the disciples again argued about which of them was to be considered the greatest. Jesus answered them, “And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”(Luke 22:24-27) This is consistent. Please note that this argument included Judas, the betrayer, because the Lord set an example of serving others, including washing Judas’ feet (see John 13:1-17). 

7. Blind Bartimaeus healed by Jesus due to his faith

“Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”(Mark 10:46-52) 

Please notice that Rabboni is in Hebrew, “…(which means, Teacher).”(John 20:16)   Now let’s compare the record in the Book of Luke: “As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”(Luke 18:35-43)

This passage says it happened near Jericho, while the Book of Mark says it happened on the way out of Jericho. This presents an apparent contradiction, while the rest of the account is consistent. This apparent contradiction in inspiration calls our attention to what happened. The blind beggar believed Jesus, the Son of David, could heal him. And because of his faith, Jesus immediately restored the blind man’s sight, and he follows Jesus by praising God.

The importance of faith is also evident here, as Jesus Himself said, “…“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching.”(Mark 6:4-6)

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

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

    看这个争议性的问题，我们必须从根本说起，也就是从基督徒都相信「新旧约都是神所默示的」看起。因为神不是模棱两可的神，所以「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。也是因默示的缘故，我们「不会把圣经的话打折扣」。 基于这两个原则，当三位一体的神开我们的眼睛时，我们会看到一般没有看到的事情，在这篇文章中，我们会举一个例子来说明这点。           

    首先，我们看看包含这句话，「神配合的，人不可分开」的经文，并建议从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看圣经怎么说。第二，为了达到这个目的，我们来看这段经文提到的，摩西律法是说可以单方面休妻，但耶稣说得很清楚，「…摩西因为你们的心硬，所以写这条例给你们。」(马可福音 10:5) 神原先的设定是如耶稣所说， 「…神配合的，人不可分开。」(马可福音 10:9) 第三，我们知道大卫是合神心意的人，但圣经记载了神仍允许撒但试探他，让他面对真实的自己。其中之一是导致了大卫犯奸淫，和隐瞒事实而借刀杀人，虽然神用祂的绝对主权赦免了他的死罪，但惩罚难免，我们会很简洁的提到这事。从神赦免他的死罪上，我们就知道大卫的情况是从律法的审判中的一个特例，所以我们读经时一定要把特例从一般的原则中分别出来，这就和我们讨论的主题，「…神配合的，人不可分开。」(马可福音 10:9) 有关了。第四，为了看到特例和一般情况的区别，我们就接著分享了妓女喇合的事情。圣经明白的记录了她的说谎，但只称赞了她的信心，因圣经明说了不可说谎去认撒但为父，所以我们可以看到这是一个特例。因为这只有一个能一致的解释，就是神有绝对主权可以赦免大卫的死罪，祂也赦免了喇合说谎的罪，所以圣经只提到了她是信心的榜样。最后，我们就先检验一下，传统绝对不可离婚的观念是从那儿来的，和其不符合圣经的地方在那里。简言之，不可离婚是一般的情况，当是特例时，是应该顺服神而离婚的。  

1. 神配合的，人不可分开          

    「耶稣从那里起身，来到犹太的境界并约旦河外。众人又聚集到他那里，他又照常教训他们。有法利赛人来问他说：「人休妻可以不可以？」意思要试探他。耶稣回答说：「摩西吩咐你们的是甚么？」他们说：「摩西许人写了休书便可以休妻。」耶稣说：「摩西因为你们的心硬，所以写这条例给你们。但从起初创造的时候，神造人是造男造女。因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。既然如此，夫妻不再是两个人，乃是一体的了。所以神配合的，人不可分开。」到了屋里，门徒就问他这事。耶稣对他们说：「凡休妻另娶的，就是犯奸淫，辜负他的妻子；妻子若离弃丈夫另嫁，也是犯奸淫了。」」(马可福音 10:1-12)           

    同样的一件事情在马太福音 19:3-9 也有记载，接著就加上了这段，「门徒对耶稣说：「人和妻子既是这样，倒不如不娶。」耶稣说：「这话不是人都能领受的，惟独赐给谁，谁才能领受。因为有生来是阉人，也有被人阉的，并有为天国的缘故自阉的。这话谁能领受，就可以领受。」」(马太福音 19:10-12) 的确，只有能领受的人才会因天国不结婚的。保罗说得很清楚，「难道我们没有权柄娶信主的姊妹为妻，带著一同往来，仿佛其余的使徒和主的弟兄，并矶法一样吗？」(哥林多前书 9:5) 所以保罗那时是绝对没有结婚的。           

    这是一段有争议的经节，尤其是我们的看法和传统的观念很不相同，所以我们要详细的看看圣经是怎么说，因为「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。

2. 摩西的律法和神的安排           

    首先我们来看看摩西的律法是怎么说的，「人若娶妻以后，见她有甚么不合理的事，不喜悦她，就可以写休书交在她手中，打发她离开夫家。妇人离开夫家以后，可以去嫁别人。后夫若恨恶她，写休书交在她手中，打发她离开夫家，或是娶她为妻的后夫死了，打发她去的前夫不可在妇人玷污之后再娶她为妻，因为这是耶和华所憎恶的。不可使耶和华你神所赐为业之地被玷污了。」(申命记 24:1-4)     

    经文说，休妻是单方面的，那时犹太人的社会是不可以休夫的，并将其后的规定也明说了。但耶稣说得很清楚，「…摩西因为你们的心硬，所以写这条例给你们。」(马可福音 10:5) 这和神原先的设定是不同的，因为「…神配合的，人不可分开。」(马可福音 10:9)          

    神原先的设定在创世记说得很清楚，「耶和华神就用那人身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成一个女人，领她到那人跟前。那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一体。」(创世记 2:22-24) 是的，亚当知道，夏娃是从他身上取出来的 H6763 构成的，二人要成为一体后，才能形成一个完整的创造时的亚当。至于H6763这个字到底要如何翻译，我不知道，但绝对不能翻作肋骨，因为这个字在别的场合中从没有这样被翻译作肋骨过。以前在「2146 创造亚当和造夏娃及其成为一体  – 创(2)4-25」中的「3. 夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因和夫妻成为一体」，我们引用经文详细的讨论过这点，请到到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。

3. 大卫犯奸淫和杀人，死罪虽免但惩罚难免              

    首先我们来先看看大卫，他是合神心意的人，旧约是这样说的，「…耶和华已经寻著一个合他心意的人，立他作百姓的君，…」(撒母耳记上 13:14) 不久之后，撒母耳就膏了大卫。新约更是明说，「既废了扫罗，就选立大卫作他们的王，又为他作见证说：『我寻得耶西的儿子大卫，他是合我心意的人，凡事要遵行我的旨意。』」(使徒行传 13:22)           

    从圣经的记录中，我们看到在大卫的一生中，经常有神超自然的眷顾。譬如，「非利士人又上来，布散在利乏音谷。大卫求问耶和华。耶和华说：「不要一直的上去，要转到他们后头，从桑林对面攻打他们。你听见桑树梢上有脚步的声音，就要急速前去，因为那时耶和华已经在你前头去攻打非利士人的军队。」大卫就遵著耶和华所吩咐的去行，攻打非利士人，从迦巴直到基色。」(撒母耳记下 5:22-25) 但是神仍允许撒但试探他，让他面对真实的自己。           

    譬如，在他晚年数民的事上。「撒但起来攻击以色列人，激动大卫数点他们。」(历代志上 21:1) 所以神仍允许撒但试探他。有人可能会提到这节经文，「耶和华又向以色列人发怒，就激动大卫，使他吩咐人去数点以色列人和犹大人。」(撒母耳记下 24:1) 所以是到底谁激动大卫？是撒但，是耶和华允许牠这么做，就犹如约伯记所说一样，「耶和华对撒但说：「凡他所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害于他。」…」(约伯记 1:12) 撒但所作所为，绝对不能超过神所允许的。而且每一次都要求神的许可，「撒但回答耶和华说：「人以皮代皮，情愿舍去一切所有的保全性命。你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉，他必当面弃掉你。」耶和华对撒但说：「他在你手中，只要存留他的性命。」」(约伯记 2:4-6)     

    其他的试探如，「一日，太阳平西，大卫从床上起来，在王宫的平顶上游行，看见一个妇人沐浴，容貌甚美。大卫就差人打听那妇人是谁。有人说：「她是以连的女儿，赫人乌利亚的妻拔示巴。」大卫差人去，将妇人接来。那时她的月经才得洁净。她来了，大卫与她同房，她就回家去了。于是她怀了孕，打发人去告诉大卫说：「我怀了孕。」」(撒母耳记下 11:2-5) 大卫犯了奸淫。   

    请注意，那时她的月经才得洁净，怎么会有怀孕的可能？撒但不能做的，这是神的工作。大卫那时显然没有意识到这点，只想掩盖这件事情，以致于尤有甚者，他「…借亚扪人的刀杀害赫人乌利亚，又娶了他的妻为妻。」(撒母耳记下 12:9) 在一般的情况下，在耶和华的眼中，这绝对是死罪。     

    但「…拿单说：「耶和华已经除掉你的罪，你必不至于死。」(撒母耳记下 12:13) 神用祂的绝对主权赦免了大卫的死罪，但是神很公平，他也受到了处罸，就是「只是你(大卫)行这事，叫耶和华的仇敌大得亵渎的机会，故此，你所得的孩子必定要死。」(撒母耳记下 12:14) 而且，「…刀剑必永不离开你的家。」(撒母耳记下 12:10) 又「耶和华如此说：『我必从你家中兴起祸患攻击你，我必在你眼前把你的妃嫔赐给别人，他在日光之下就与她们同寝。你在暗中行这事，我却要在以色列众人面前、日光之下报应你。』」(撒母耳记下 12:11-12) 他受的处罸是非常大的。    

    他是合神心意的事在先，然后神允许他被试探，他也为数民和拔示巴事件，在今生已受到处罸。神很公平，不会再记念因犯错而已被处罸过的事件，所以圣经对大卫的评价是，「因为大卫除了赫人乌利亚那件事，都是行耶和华眼中看为正的事，一生没有违背耶和华一切所吩咐的。」(列王纪上 15:5)          

    难道我们从大卫的例子就可以说，犯奸淫是可以的。不，绝对不可以。这是特例，而一般的原则在旧约的十诫中说得清楚，「不可奸淫。」(出埃及记 20:14) 在新约也一致的说，「婚姻，人人都当尊重，床也不可污秽，因为苟合行淫的人，神必要审判。」(希伯来书 13:4)           

    圣经基本上都是讲一般的原则，但也有特例，我们要分辩那些是特例，所以耶和华是「…使摩西知道他的法则，叫以色列人晓得他的作为。」(诗篇 103:7) 我们就从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」原则，来看妓女喇合的事情，就可以看到其说谎的赦免。

4. 妓女喇合的信心和其说谎的赦免           

    首先，「耶利哥王打发人去见喇合说：「那来到你这里、进了你家的人要交出来，因为他们来窥探全地。」女人将二人隐藏，就回答说：「那人果然到我这里来，他们是哪里来的我却不知道。天黑、要关城门的时候，他们出去了，往哪里去我却不知道。你们快快地去追赶，就必追上。」（先是女人领二人上了房顶，将他们藏在那里所摆的麻稭中。）」(约书亚记 2:3-6)           

    「二人还没有躺卧，女人就上房顶，到他们那里，对他们说：「我知道耶和华已经把这地赐给你们，并且因你们的缘故我们都惊慌了。这地的一切居民在你们面前心都消化了。因为我们听见你们出埃及的时候，耶和华怎样在你们前面使红海的水干了，并且你们怎样待约旦河东的两个亚摩利王西宏和噩，将他们尽行毁灭。我们一听见这些事，心就消化了。因你们的缘故，并无一人有胆气。耶和华你们的神，本是上天下地的神。」(约书亚记 2:8-11)           

    妓女喇合的信心是大的，她只是听见耶和华所行的事，就相信祂「…本是上天下地的神。」(约书亚记 2:11) 于是她愿意为祂摆上自己的生命去说谎，因为她知道如果被发觉，极可能会被处死的。我们知道，「身体没有灵(魂)(spirit, G4151)是死的，信心没有行为也是死的。」(雅各书 2:26) 伴随妓女喇合的信心行为就是摆上自己的生命去说谎。    

    因此就有基督徒基于喇合的例子，很可笑的说是可以说谎并且实行。圣经说得很清楚，撒但「…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 三位一体的神怎么会要我们认撒但为父呢? 如果不小心说了谎，一旦发觉，就要认罪，「我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9)           

    那么妓女喇合的事究竟该如何解释呢? 她只因听见耶和华所做的事就有大信心，愿意把自己的生命摆上，而圣经只称赞喇合的信心，就是希伯来书说的，「妓女喇合因著信，曾和和平平地接待探子，就不与那些不顺从的人一同灭亡。」(希伯来书 11:31) 我们从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」原则，就可以看到这是一个特例，只有一个能一致的解释，就是神有绝对主权可以赦免大卫的死罪，祂也赦免了喇合说谎的罪，所以圣经只提到了她是信心的榜样。所以读经时一定要把特例从一般的原则中分别出来，这就和我们讨论的主题，「…神配合的，人不可分开。」(马可福音 10:9) 有关了。

5. 传统绝对不可离婚的观念及不符合圣经的地方           

    传统的观念基本上是基于这节经文，「因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一体。」(创世记 2:24) 所以传统的观念是说结了婚就绝对不可以离婚。这当然不是摩西说的，更不是神原先的旨意， 因耶稣很明显的说，「所以神配合的，人不可分开。」(马可福音 10:9) 试问，有多少人真正知道自己的婚姻是神所配合的？就我所知，相信这样的人很多，但真正知道的人不多，知道是神所配合的时候，就自然不会想到要离婚的。不少人是在利用创世记 2:24 的话来牵制虔诚的妻子不可离婚，在字面上要「你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。」(以弗所书 5:22) 却忘了丈夫该尽的责任，「你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己。」(以弗所书 5:25) 虽然作丈夫的，一生都可能不会碰到要舍弃自己物理的生命的时候，但要有这个心志。         

    这不是鼓励人离婚，正好相反，神造男造女是有一个次序的，「…先造的是亚当，后造的是夏娃，」(提摩太前书 2:13) 要知道夫妻角色是不同的，因「耶和华神说：「那人独居不好，我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。」」(创世记 2:18) 男女在救恩前是平等的，「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。」(约翰福音 3:16) 完全和性别无关。就像我们先前所说的，二人要成为一体后，才能形成一个完整的创造时的亚当。尤其是当妻子对的时候，怎么能不「….存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。」(以弗所书 5:21) 呢? 所以不能离婚只是一般性原则，有些特例能确实的说明，有些婚姻绝对不是神所配合的。           

    举个较为极端但可能发生过的例子来说，夫妻二人原都不是信主的，结婚后妻子信了主，而丈夫则仍不信主，且有家暴的行为。在这种情况下，有人可能会说，这是神量给妻子的环境，告诉她要记得这经文，「你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。」(以弗所书 5:22) 有家暴的丈夫，绝对没有尽到作丈夫的责任。虔诚的妻子知道，「不要以恶报恶。众人以为美的事，要留心去做。若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦。」(罗马书 12:17-18) 与众人尚要和睦相处，何况是与丈夫呢？          

    通常即使有家暴，妻子也不会立刻想要离婚的，而可能认为是承受由错误的决定来的惩罸，只有在非常确定这婚姻绝不是神所配合的情况下，才会想到离婚。知道圣经说得很清楚，「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) 焉知丈夫的最终同意离婚，不是神开给她最好的一条出路？简言之，不可离婚是一般的情况，当是特例时，是应该顺服神而离婚的。     

    我们最后来看这经文，「耶稣对他们说：「凡休妻另娶的，就是犯奸淫，辜负他的妻子；妻子若离弃丈夫另嫁，也是犯奸淫了。」」(马可福音 10:11-12) 这是一般原则，不是在说特例。神偶而会以我们难以想像的方式促成一段婚姻，我们先前不是说神的工作促成了大卫和拔示巴的婚姻吗？而且当「大卫安慰他的妻拔示巴，与她同寝。她就生了儿子，给他起名叫所罗门。耶和华也喜爱他，就借先知拿单赐他一个名字叫耶底底亚，因为耶和华爱他。」(撒母耳记下 12:24-25)  

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

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