於2021-01-14發佈


祂的榮耀器皿 

我們已經進入以賽亞書六十章1-2節所描述的時候:黑暗遮蓋大地,幽暗遮蓋萬民,但要顯現在神子民身上的榮耀在哪裡呢?那可能是此時我們所能問的最重要問題。

神的話是真實的,我們知道此預言將發生。如果我們走在神的光中,我們將妥善為其預備。正如不到夜晚來臨,我們不會看見星星,目前充滿在全地的黑暗將開始顯明真光,以及祂的榮耀器皿。

地上將看見神從未有過的最大行動,凡是在此時活著並跟隨主的,可能是有史以來最蒙福的人。雖然會有挑戰,但能看見祂的榮耀和祂正在做的偉大之事便大大值得了。

在美國,我們相信政府正被劇烈震動。即使是那些可能喜歡正揭開事物之結果的人,也已經充分意識到當今世界上最穩定的政府有多無力和脆弱。許多人正為美國政府的困境而歡欣,但他們不會歡欣太久,很快他們的困境也會來到。我們必須明白這正是我們所活著的時候,正如詩篇九十七篇所預言的。下面我會以粗體部分引用經文,每節經文後面會有評註:

耶和華作王!願地快樂!願眾海島歡喜! 

主的喜樂是我們的力量,這是大大喜樂而不是憂傷的時候,因為正發生的每件事都加速主的日子來到,祂的國降臨,祂的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上。 

密雲和幽暗在祂的四圍;公義和公平是祂寶座的根基。 

雲通常代表混亂,混亂和黑暗將遮蓋大地一段時間。即便如此,凡是喜愛神的公義和公平的人,便擁有一個不會被震動的國,而在他們心中的光能夠指引他們度過黑暗。 

有烈火在祂前頭行,燒滅祂四圍的敵人。 

主發誓不會再次用水來毀滅世界,而是用火。在這些時候,人所建造高舉自己的一切工程,都會連同主的敵人一同被燒滅。對神的子民而言,這火不會毀滅他們,乃會燒滅他們生命中的草木禾稭,鍊淨金銀寶石。 

祂的閃電光照世界,大地看見便震動。 

閃電代表啟示,它曝光在黑暗中隱藏的每件事。這正在發生,大地將在黑暗的啟示中繼續震動。 

諸山見耶和華的面,就是全地之主的面,便消化如蠟。 

在聖經象徵符號中,山經常代表政府。這是一切沒有被建造並與神國政府連結的政府將消散的時候,此正在發生是因為「主的同在(主的面)」,我們必須信靠祂的同在,而不是將在祂面前消化的政府。 

諸天表明祂的公義;萬民看見祂的榮耀。 

黑暗臨到是因為人喜愛不義,所有人都將看見不義的果子,正如祂的公義隨著祂的榮耀被看見時,萬民都將看見祂的榮耀。 

願一切事奉雕刻的偶像、靠虛無之神自誇的,都蒙羞愧。萬神哪,你們都當拜祂。 

一切偶像和假神、一切遮蔽我們對神熱愛和信靠的事物,以及崇拜這些事物的人,都蒙羞愧。 

耶和華啊,錫安聽見袮的判斷就歡喜;猶大的城邑(原文是女子)也都快樂。

以色列會來認識她的王,在祂裡面大大歡喜,並為著祂在此時的審判而歡喜。 

因為袮耶和華至高,超乎全地;袮被尊崇,遠超萬神之上。 

只有一位神,祂是主。這是祂被尊崇的時候,所有假神和信靠假神的人都要降卑。 

你們愛耶和華的,都當恨惡罪惡;祂保護聖民的性命,搭救他們脫離惡人的手。 

箴言告訴我們敬畏主是智慧的開端,敬畏主的「恨惡邪惡」(箴言8:13)。如果我們要脫離惡人的手,我們必須拿起劍刺入所有對邪惡的喜愛和依戀。 

散布亮光是為義人;預備喜樂是為正直人。 

亮光可比作真理、知識和瞭解,是需要培育而不是隨意生長的。我們有認出神撒在我們生命的種子嗎?我們是否忠心澆灌、照料、不讓野鳥靠近,不容雜草叢生,好讓它們結果呢? 

你們義人當靠耶和華歡喜,稱謝祂可記念的聖名。 

我們即將進入有史以來最黑暗的時候,甚至被稱為「大災難」和「大患難」。我們也即將進入主最大的榮耀透過祂子民顯現的時候。當我們看到祂公義的工作和審判時,那將是最大喜樂之時。

我們以感恩進入祂的門和祂的同在,感恩總是合宜的。

(摘自喬納word for the week, Week 2, 2021)

 

Vessels of His Glory

We are well into the time described in Isaiah 60:1-2. Darkness is covering the earth, and deep darkness the people, but where is the glory that is to appear on God’s people? That may be the most important question we can ask at this time. 

         The Lord’s word is true, and we know this is coming. If we are walking in the Light we will be well prepared for it. Just as we don’t see the stars until the darkness comes, this present darkness now spreading over the earth is going to start revealing the true lights on the earth, and the vessels of His glory.

         The earth is about to behold the greatest move of God there has ever been. Those who are alive at this time and follow The Lord may be the most blessed of all time. It will be challenging, but it will be worth it many times over to behold His glory and the great things He is doing. 

         In America we have had faith in our government shaken about as much as it can be. Even those who may like the outcome of what has unfolded here have become well aware of how tenuous and fragile the most stable government in the world now is. Many are rejoicing at the troubles of the American government, but they will not rejoice long before their time comes. This is the time we live in that we must understand, as predicted in Psalm 97. This I will quote in bold and include a comment after each verse that is not bold:

         The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad. 

         The joy of The Lord is our strength. This is a time of great rejoicing, not sorrow, because everything that is happening is hastening the coming of the day of The Lord when His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth just as it is in heaven.

         Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

         Clouds often speak of confusion, and confusion and darkness will cover the earth for a time. Even so, those who love His righteousness and justice have a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and a light in their heart that can guide them through any     darkness.

         Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about.

         The Lord made an oath that He will not again destroy the world with water, but with fire. All of the works that man has built to exalt himself are going to be consumed in these times, along with His adversaries. For God’s people this fire will not destroy them, but consume the wood, hay, and stubble in their life, and purify the gold, silver, and precious stones.

         His lightnings lit up the world; the earth saw and trembled. 

         Lightning speaks of revelation, as it exposes everything hidden in darkness. This is now happening, and the earth will continue to tremble at the revelations of darkness.

         The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 

         Mountains usually represent governments in biblical symbolism. This is the time when all governments that have not been built upon, and stayed linked to the government of God, will melt. This is happening because of the “presence of The Lord.” We must put our trust in His presence and not in the governments that are melting away before Him. 

         The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory. 

         The darkness has come because of men loving unrighteousness, and all will see the fruit of this as His righteousness becomes seen with His glory, and all people will see it.

         Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; worship Him, all you gods.

         All idols and all false gods, those things which have eclipsed in our affections and trust above God, along with all who worship them, will be ashamed.

         Zion heard this and was glad, and the daughters of Judah have rejoiced because of Your judgments, O Lord. 

         Israel will come to know her King, and will rejoice greatly in Him and His judgments in this time.

         For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 

         There is only one God, and He is The Lord. This is the time when He will be exalted, and all false gods and those who put their trust in them will be abased.

         Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 

         We are told in Proverbs that the fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to fear The Lord is to “hate evil” (see Proverbs 8:13). We must put the sword to all evil affections and attachments if we are going to be delivered from the hand of the wicked.

         Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

         Light is compared to truth, knowledge, and understanding, which are cultivated, not just reaped as that which grows wild. Do we recognize the seeds that God is sowing in us, and are we faithful to water them, tend them, keep the birds away, and keep the weeds out so that they bear fruit?

         Be glad in the Lord you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name. 

         We are entering the darkest times the world has ever known, and is even called “the great time of trouble” and “the great tribulation.” We are also entering the time when the greatest glory of The Lord will be revealed through His people. It will be the time of the greatest joy as we behold His righteous works and His righteous judgments. 

         We enter His gates and His presence with thanksgiving. Gratefulness is always appropriate.