於2017-08-01發佈


今日的先知性圖畫─啟示錄   

這週我們繼續研讀啟示錄七章4-8節,關於以色列十二支派的十四萬四千人被印上印。我個人相信這是一個先知性比喻,為『屬靈以色列』的十二支派印上印─就是貫穿教會時期的教會。我是如何帶出那樣的結論呢?

您可以從以色列的十二支派來看普遍性卻又精準預言的教會歷史,從他們的出生順序,雅各和摩西對他們的預言,還有他們的歷史。因此我們看流便就像是第一世紀的教會,然後以此類推。倘若這些是為『屬靈以色列』的十二支派印上印的先知性比喻,那麼雅各的最後一個兒子便雅憫則代表基督身體的最後成員。便雅憫生命中的一些顯著比喻,與這世代末了的基督身體有關。

首先,便雅憫是雅各唯一一個由父親而不是母親命名的兒子,他的母親拉結本想叫他便俄尼,意思是『我的憂傷之子』。然而,雅各卻將他的名子改成便雅憫,意思是『我的右手之子』。在聖經中,右手代表能力和權柄,耶穌就坐在天父的右邊。

便雅憫由父親而不是母親命名,指的是那些不是出於教會想要或期待而擁有位子或責任的人,他們是直接接受由天父來的委任,這便是末世他們不可測度權柄的根基。當您知道是神呼召與揀選您,便不會在乎別人怎麼想。基督身體的最後成員將行在極大的信心與權柄中,因為他們知道自己是由天父命名的。

便雅憫亦是聖經中出生在伯利恆的三人之一,另兩個是耶穌和大衛王。伯利恆的意思是『麵包之家』或是『糧食之家』。在此時的教會有多少屬靈食物來自其他教會時期?此時我們不僅擁有一些有史以來最傑出的教師,我們也擁有更多的書籍與教導系列,透過不同的媒體資源,包括社交媒體。沒有一個時期擁有如此豐富的屬靈資源,主喜歡將祂最好的留到最後,而且遠超過我們所期待的。

當約瑟在埃及與他的兄弟們相遇,他還沒有向他們顯明他的身分,他要他們回去將便雅憫帶回埃及。當他們將便雅憫帶回後,約瑟邀請全部人到他家吃飯,接著某件值得注意的事便發生了:

約瑟使眾弟兄在他面前排列坐席,都按著長幼的次序,眾弟兄就彼此詫異。

約瑟把他面前的食物分出來,送給他們;但便雅憫所得的比別人多五倍。他們就飲酒,和約瑟一同宴樂。 

如此的事件記載下來不是為著娛樂我們,這是一個關乎便雅憫得到比別人多五倍祝福的預言。當我們看到今日基督徒隨手可得的屬靈食物,似乎遠超過五倍祝福那麼多。

當然,一個很嚴肅的問題是:我們是比較好的教會才得到如此的祝福嗎?還是比較好的基督徒呢?有一些是,他們不屈不撓的追求神,認識祂的道路與聲音,並且知道時候與祂對他們的目的。這樣的人有優勢得著目前隨手可得的豐富屬靈食物。

其他聖經中諸如此類的先知性比喻指出,一群大有能力的使者將在末日被釋放在地上。猶大書14節提到他們,引述自以諾書。我們將看見啟示錄一書中更多提到他們,我們以後會陸續看到。我們若有榮幸在這裡,我們也會看見末日教會興起如同祂右手之子­­-能力之子。

當然,那些被給予更多的也會被要求更多,讓我們不要浪費此空前絕後的機會來服事萬王之王,為祂即將到來的國度預備道路。

(摘自喬納 word for the week,Week26, 2017)
 

中譯:國度禱告網
轉載/轉寄,請註明出處:國度禱告網

 
Prophetic Pictures for Today—The Book of Revelation
Week 26, 2017
Rick Joyner

         This week we continue our study of the 144,000 that were sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel in Revelation 7:4-8. I personally believe that these are a prophetic parallel of the sealing of the twelve tribes of “spiritual Israel”—the church through the church age. How did I come to that conclusion?

         You can see a general but accurate prophetic outline of church history in the twelve tribes of Israel, from the sequence of their birth, the prophecies given over them by Jacob and Moses, and their histories. So we would take Reuben as a type of the first-century church, and proceed forward. If these are a prophetic parallel of the sealing of the twelve tribes of “spiritual Israel,” then Benjamin, the last son to be born to Jacob, would represent the last members of the body of Christ to walk the earth in this age. There are some remarkable parallels from Benjamin’s life that are relevant to the body of Christ at the end of this age.

         First, Benjamin is the only son of Jacob named by the father, not the mother. His mother, Rachel, tried to name him Ben-oni, which means “son of my sorrows” because his birth caused her death. However, Jacob changed his name to Benjamin, which means “the son of my right hand.” In Scripture, the right hand speaks of power and authority, the place where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.

         That Benjamin was named by his father instead of his mother speaks of those who do not take positions or responsibilities because of what the church wants or expects them to be—rather, they receive their commission straight from the Father. This is the foundation of their unprecedented authority at the end of the age. When you know that you have been called and appointed by God, you do not care what anyone else thinks of you. The last members of the body of Christ will walk in will walk in great confidence and authority because they know they were named by the Father.

         Benjamin was also one of only three people in Scripture born in Bethlehem, Jesus and King David being the other two. Bethlehem means “house of bread,” or “place of food.” How much more spiritual food has the church of this time been given over any other church period? Not only do we have some of the most extraordinary teachers of all time, we have more books and teaching series available through different media sources, including the internet and Social Media. There has never been a time like this for spiritual enrichment. The Lord likes to save His best wine for last, but this is certainly more than we could have expected.

         When Joseph met with his brothers in Egypt, but had not yet revealed his identity to them, he made them go back home and return to Egypt with Benjamin. When they had returned with Benjamin, Joseph invited them all to eat at his home. Then something remarkable happened:

Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.

He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs (Genesis 43:33-34).

         Such events are not recorded in canon Scripture for our entertainment. This is a prophecy of how Benjamin’s portion would be five times as much as any of the others. When we look at the spiritual food available to Christians today, it seems that it is at least that much more.

         Of course, a serious question would be, are we a better church because of this? Are we better Christians? Some are. Some are relentlessly in pursuit of God, to know His ways, His voice, and to know the times and His purpose in them. Such are taking every advantage of the abundance of spiritual food available now.

         Other such prophetic metaphors in Scripture point to a remarkable company of powerful messengers to be released on the world at the end of the age. Jude references them in verse 14, a quote from the Book of Enoch. We will see that the Book of Revelation has more to say about them as well, as we will see. If we are privileged to be here, we will also see the last-day church arise as the sons of His right hand—the sons of power.

         Of course, to whom much is given much will be required. Let us not waste this unprecedented opportunity to serve the King and prepare the way for His kingdom to come.