Manna issue 78 - Eden in the East 東方的伊甸園
Salvation comes from the east. 救贖從東邊而來
K.C. Tsai—Toronto, Canada
加拿大 多倫多 蔡恆忠 執事 撰
The LORD God planted a garden
eastward in Eden, and there He put
the man whom He had formed.
(Gen 2:8)
8耶和華神在東方的伊甸立了一個園子，把所造的人安置在那裡。
(創 2：8)
Now a river went out of Eden to
water the garden, and from there it
parted and become four riverheads.
(Gen 2:10)
10有河從伊甸流出來，滋潤那園子，從那裡分為四道：
(創 2：10)
Studying these verses, we can see
that God planted Eden in the east. Its
position is indicated by two rivers near
Mesopotamia: the Hiddekel (Tigris),
which flowed east of Assyria, and the
Euphrates. Eden became the home of
Adam, God’s creation, a man without
sin who bore the image of God.
研究這些經節，我們可以看見，神把伊甸園放在東邊。
它的位置很清楚的被描寫出來，就在靠近米索不達米亞平原的兩條大河邊：
Hiddekel (底格里斯河)，流過亞述帝國的東邊，和幼發拉底河。
伊甸園成為亞當的家，他是神所創造的，是一個沒有罪，且依造神形象所創造出來的。
Adam was created in true
righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24).
Yet he was not able to uphold God’s
command steadfastly. Adam sinned
and lost his right to remain in the
garden of Eden (Gen 3:24). Worse,
through his action, sin entered the
world and death spread to mankind
(Rom 5:12).
亞當是照著神的形像造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。(弗 4：24)
然而他卻不能堅定地持守神的命令。
亞當犯了罪，失去了他可以留在伊甸園裡面的權利。(創 3：24)
更糟的是，因為他的行為，罪就進到這個世界，死亡也在人類之中傳播開來。(羅 5：12)
Adam was driven out of Eden, and
God placed cherubim and a flaming
sword to guard the entrance to the
garden. This was necessary to prevent
man from entering and eating the
fruit from the tree of life and living
forever in a state of sin. However,
God does not act without reason. He
created Eden for a higher purpose.
Although man was cast out of Eden,
God has a plan of salvation that
provides fallen man a way to become
a “new creation” and to regain the
image of God. Once restored with
God’s image, man will be able to find
the way to return to the garden of
Eden where he will be able to access
the tree of life (Rev 22:14).
亞當被逐出來伊甸園，神也安置了基路伯，手拿火焰的劍，在看守伊甸園的入口。
這是很有必要的，因為可以防止人們再進入園內，並且從生命樹上拿到果子吃了，變成永遠活在罪惡之中。
然而，神的行動並不是沒有原因的。
祂創造伊甸園有其更高深的目的。
雖然人類被逐出了伊甸園，神卻準備了救贖的計劃，可以讓墮落的人類有一條路，可以變成新造之物，並且重新取回神的形象。
一旦重新回復了神的形象，人將可以找到回歸伊甸園的道路，在那裡人們可以享用生命樹的果子。
God placed cherubim at the east
of the garden of Eden, to guard the
way to the tree of life (Gen 3:24).
Therefore, if man wants to regain
access to the tree of life, in the garden
of Eden, he must enter from the east.
神放置基路伯在伊甸遠的東方，要守衛進入生命樹的道路。(創 3：24)
所以，若人們想要在伊甸園中重新取得生命樹，他必需從東方進去。
THE IMAGE OF GOD 神的形象
From the words of Moses (Deut
10:14), we see that the people of
God knew from time immemorial that
“heaven” and “the highest heavens”
belonged to God. Apostle Paul also
talked about the “third heaven” and
“Paradise” (2 Cor 12:2–4). According
to one of Jesus’ parables, this is the
place where the saints rest—people
like Abraham and Lazarus (Lk 16:19–
31).
從摩西的話中(申 10：14)，我們知道，神的百姓從遙遠的古時候，就已經知道"天國"和"最高的天"是屬於神的。
使徒保羅也說到有關"第三層天的事"和"樂園"。(林後 12：2-4)
根據主耶穌其中一個比喻，這是一個聖徒憩息的地方 - 就是像亞伯拉罕和拉撒路的那些人。(路 16：19-31)
The book of Revelation records the
Lord Jesus’ instructions to Elder John
to write to the seven churches. Those
messages revealed that victorious
believers will be given the right to
eat from the tree of life, which is in
the middle of God’s Paradise (Rev
2:7). This privilege is on account of
their endurance and triumph over
sin and death. They have resurrected
with Christ (Col 3:1) and have put to
death their old nature: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire,
covetousness, anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, and filthy language. They
have become a new person, renewed
by the Holy Spirit and the “knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him” (Col 3:10).
啟示錄記載，主耶穌指示約翰長老，要寫信給七個教會。
這些訊息顯示出得勝的信徒，會被給予權利來享用生命樹上的果子，而這棵樹就在神樂園的中間。(啟 2：7)
這個特權，會依據他們的忍耐，以及超越罪和死亡的勝利。
他們已經和基督一同復活 (西 3：1)，並且治死自已舊的罪性：
就如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾，貪婪，惱恨、忿怒、惡毒（或作：陰毒）、毀謗，並口中污穢的言語。
他們已經成為新人，透過聖靈的更新，這新人在知識上漸漸更新，正如造他主的形像。
(西 3：10)
The garden of Eden is a symbol
of the true church. As part of God’s
salvation plan, He has chosen people
to become His workmanship, created
anew through Jesus Christ (Eph 2:10).
And through this, God re-opens the
sealed entrance to the garden and
gives man access to the tree of life.
伊甸園是真教會的象徵。
也是神救贖計劃的一部份，祂已經選擇一些人成為他的工人，透過耶穌基督創造更新。(弗 2：10)
透過這麼作，神再一次打開伊甸園封印的大門，讓人們可以取得生命樹。
To be a new creation (Gal 6:15),
man must be born again through
the power of God. Jesus says, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is
born of the water and the Spirit, he
cannot enter the kingdom of God”
(Jn 3:3–5). Apostle Paul speaks of
“the washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:5).
In summary, we need to be baptized
and transformed by the Holy Spirit so
that we can conform to the image of
God.
成為一個新造之物(加 6：15)，人們一定要透過人的力量來重生。
5耶穌說：「我實實在在的告訴你，人若不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進神的國。(約 3：5)
使徒保羅說到 "藉著重生的洗和聖靈的更新。"(多 3：5)
總之，我們一定要接受洗禮，並且被聖靈轉變，這麼一來，我們才能符合神的形象。
IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN 伊甸園中
Words of God 神的話
In the garden of Eden, God planted
trees, pleasing to the eye and bearing
good fruit. In the middle were the tree
of life and the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil (Gen 2:9). With the
tree of life in their presence, God
allowed Adam and Eve, in their sinless
state, to eat of the fruit and be able to
live forever. As part of God’s broader
salvation plan, the privilege of access
to this tree is to be given to believers
who have kept His commandments
and triumphed over sin through Jesus
Christ (Rev 22:14).
在伊甸園裡面，神種了許多的樹，這些樹不但悅人眼目，也會結出好果子。
在園子中央的就是生命樹和辨別善惡知識的果樹。(創 2：9)
神讓亞當和夏娃在無罪的時候，可以吃生命樹的果子，並且得以永遠活著。
而且廣大救贖計劃的一部份，就是讓有遵守誡命並且透過耶穌基督已經勝過罪的信徒，可以得享使用這樹上果子的特權。(啟 22：14)
By placing the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil in Eden, man could
glorify God by steadfastly upholding
His word in the face of temptations.
If man were to disobey—that is, to
eat the fruit—his consequence would
be certain death. Alas, Adam and
Eve were unable to keep this single
commandment of God. They sinned
and fell short of God’s glory (Rom
3:23), failing to fulfill His purpose for
creating them (Is 43:7).
藉由放置分辨善惡知識的果樹在伊甸園中，人們在面對試探的時候，可以永久遵守祂的話，並且榮耀神。
若是人們不順服 - 也就是，吃了這個果子 - 隨之而來的後果就會是有確定的死亡。
哎呀，亞當和夏娃不能遵守這唯一神的誡命。
他們犯罪了，虧欠了神的榮耀(羅 3：23)，
並且不能完成神創造他們在世上的目的。(賽 43：7)
Moses once taught the Israelites
that man should not live by bread
alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of the Lord
(Deut 8:3). Before Adam sinned, he
had been a living being, sustained by
keeping the word of God. Today, we
too must have God’s word and submit
to it so that we can see the path of life
clearly. God’s word is the bread of life;
when we eat of it, we shall be a “living
being” with spiritual life. Through
the revelation of the Holy Spirit, the
church offers believers living bread
from the Bible, which can sustain their
spiritual life, as long as they remember
to collect their daily portion as they
sojourn in the wilderness—the world.
摩西曾經教導以色列百姓，人活著不是單靠食物，而是靠著神口裡所出的一切話語。(申 8：3)
在亞當犯罪之前，他是一個活著的人，因為遵守神的話而活下來。
今日，我們也應該有神的話，順服它，這樣我們才可以清楚看見生命的道路。
神的話，就是生命的糧；當我們吃了它，我們就可以成為一個"活人"，並且有屬靈的生命。
透過聖靈的啟示，教會會從聖經裡面，提供信徒有生命的食物，就是可以維持他們靈命的東西，
讓他們在曠野 - 也就是世上，旅居的時候，只要記得每天去拾取當天的份。
Spirit of God 神的靈
Now a river went out of Eden to
water the garden, and from there it
parted and became four riverheads.
The first is Pishon; it is the one which
encompasses the whole land of
Havilah, where there is gold. And the
gold of that land is good. Bdelium
and the onyx stone are there.
(Gen 2:10–12)
10有河從伊甸流出來，滋潤那園子，從那裡分為四道：
11第一道名叫比遜，就是環繞哈腓拉全地的。在那裡有金子，
12並且那地的金子是好的；在那裡又有珍珠和紅瑪瑙。
(創 2：10-12)
In the same way that the rivers of
Eden watered the garden, so the true
church has a river of living water.
The Lord Jesus promised those who
believe in Him that they shall never
thirst again, as this living water will
remain with them forever, and their
lives will always be full (Jn 4:14). The
Bible explains that the living water is
the Holy Spirit and those who receive
the Spirit will experience a fullness of
life. The Lord says, “If anyone thirsts,
let him come to Me and drink” (Jn
7:37). Jesus offers the Holy Spirit to
those who thirst. Today, when people
come to the true church, they can ask
for this living water.
同樣的情況，伊甸園的河水澆灌園中的果樹，同理，直教會有一條活水的河流。
主耶穌應許那些相信祂的人，他們永遠不會再渴，因為這活水將會和他們永遠為伴，並且他們的生命總會得到充滿。(約 4：14)
聖經解釋，活水就是聖靈，得到聖靈的人將會體會到生命的圓滿。
主說，"人若渴了，可以到我這裡來喝。"(約 7：37)
耶穌賜聖靈給那些口渴的人。
今天，當人們來到真教會，他們也可以祈求這活水。
Church of God 神的教會
In the garden of Eden, there was
gold, bdellium, and onyx stone. The
same reference is found in the Book
of Revelation, where the precious
stones are in the holy city, the “new
Jerusalem”—the spiritual true church
where God dwells forever (Rev
21:11, 21). This holy city is made of
pure gold, signifying the holy and
glorious true church (Rev 21:18). Her
foundation is decorated with twelve
kinds of precious stones, signifying the
apostles’ teachings and the believers’
virtues (Rev 21:19–20). Furthermore,
the twelve gates of the holy city are
twelve pearls, each gate comprising
one pearl (Rev 21:21), signifying the
complete truth in the true church. It
is through the truth of the gospel that
a person can come to know Jesus and
His salvation, and to understand that
He is the only way to the Father (Jn
14:6; Acts 4:12).
在伊甸園中，有金子，珍珠和紅瑪瑙。
相同的延伸也在啟示錄裡面被找到，在聖城裡面有許多珍貴的寶石，"新耶路撒冷" -
這個屬靈的真教會，神永遠在其中居住。(啟 21：11，21)
這聖城是很純金打造的，象徵了聖潔和榮耀的真教會。(啟 21：18)
她的根基是用12種珍貴的寶石來裝飾，象徵了使徒的教訓和信徒的美德。(啟 21：19-20)
不只如此，聖城的12座大門是12個珍珠，(啟 21：21)，象徵了真教會有完全的真理。
透過福音的真理，任何人都可以來到神前認識耶穌，得到祂的救贖，並且明白，祂是唯一通往天父的道路。(約 14：6；使 4：12)
“MY FATHER HAS BEEN WORKING UNTIL NOW”
天父一直工作直到如今
But Jesus answered them, “My
Father has been working until now,
and I have been working.” (Jn 5:17)
17耶穌就對他們說：我父做事直到如今，我也做事。
(約 5：17)
This was the Lord Jesus’ reply to
the Jews who persecuted Him for
healing on the Sabbath. But what
did He mean? Had not the heavenly
Father already created everything in
six days and rested from His work
on the seventh? This statement
is not referring to God’s creation
but to the work of salvation. After
Adam’s downfall, God set about
paving the way for “new creations.”
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:10 says, “[A]nd have put
on the new man who is renewed in
knowledge according to the image of
Him who created him.”
這是主耶穌對迫害他在安息日治病的猶太人，所作的回答。
但是祂想要表達的意思到底是什麼呢？
天父難道不是已經在六日創造一切，並且在第七日憩了祂一切的工作嗎？
這段敘述並不是指神的創造，而是指求贖的工作。
在亞當的墮落之後，神為了"新的創造"開始著手鋪路。
以弗所書二章10節說，"我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的。"
歌羅西書三章10節說，"10穿上了新人。這新人在知識上漸漸更新，正如造他主的形像。"
So, when Jesus said, “My Father
has been working until now,” He was
speaking of God’s salvation plan—
the plan to make “new creations”
through the death and redemption
work of Jesus on the cross. Through
this plan, man can be spiritually
renewed: removing his old nature and
embracing the new through baptism.
He can be filled by the Holy Spirit and
live according to the truth. And as a
new creation, man regains the image
of God (Eph 4:20–24).
所以當耶穌說，"我父親一直都在工作直到如今，" 他其實就是在說神救贖的計劃 -
這個計劃，就是透過耶穌在十字加上死亡和救贖的工作，來完成一個"全新創造的工作"。
經由這個計劃，人們的靈命得以更新：除去舊的本性，透過洗禮迎接新的生命。
人們可以因此被聖靈充滿，並且得以依造真理而活。
而且因為是新造的人，所以可以得到神的形象。
Once, when some Jews asked,
“What shall we do, that we may work
the works of God?” Jesus answered,
“This is the work of God, that you
believe in Him whom He sent” (Jn
6:28–29). The work of God is to save
sinners and to bring them back to
the tree of life, to Paradise, before
His presence (Rev 2:7). It entails
man responding to God’s message
of salvation with a heart of belief so
that he can be transformed into a new
creation with the image of God (2 Cor
5:17).
曾經有一些猶太人問到，"我們應該作什麼事情，才會讓我們可以真正實行神的工作呢？"
耶穌回答說，
28眾人問他說：我們當行甚麼，才算做神的工呢？
29耶穌回答說：信神所差來的，這就是做神的工。
(約 6：28-29)
神的工作就是去拯救罪人，把他們帶回有生命樹的地方，帶回樂園，並且來到祂的面前。(啟 2：7)
這樣可以讓人用一顆相信的心，來回應神救贖的訊息，這麼一來，
相信的人就可以被改變成為新創造的人，並且有神的形象。(林後 5：17)
WHY DID GOD CREATE ALL THINGS? 為什麼以前神要創造這一切？
For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are
on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers. All things
were created through Him and for
Him. (Col 1:16)
16因為萬有都是靠他造的，無論是天上的，地上的；能看見的，不能看見的；或是有位的，主治的，執政的，掌權的；
一概都是藉著他造的，又是為他造的。
(西 1：16)
Prior to creation, only God existed.
On the last day, after the heavens and
the earth pass away, those who have
triumphed over sin and death will also
be present, together with the angels
(1 Thess 4:16–17). In God’s eyes,
the period from creation to the end
of time is but a moment in eternity.
However, this “moment” offers us an
insight into God’s purpose for man.
God created man so that man could
give Him glory (Isa 43:7).
在創造之先，只有神存在。
末日的時候，在天和地都過去之後，那些勝過罪和死亡的人，也會同時存在，和天使在一起。(帖前 4：16-17)
在神的眼中，從創造到末了的時間，對永恆來說，只不過是一下子而已。
然而，這個"一下子"，卻讓我們對神希望有人的原因，有更深入的了解。
神創造人，因為人可以榮耀神。(賽 43：7)
Fear not, for I am with you; I will
bring your descendants from the
east, and gather you from the west;
I will say to the north, “Give them
up!” and to the south, “Do not keep
them back!” Bring my sons from
afar, and My daughters from the
ends of the earth—everyone who is
called by My name, whom I have
created for My glory; I have formed
him, yes, I have made him.
(Isa 43:5–7)
5不要害怕，因我與你同在；我必領你的後裔從東方來，又從西方招聚你。
6我要對北方說，交出來！對南方說，不要拘留！將我的眾子從遠方帶來，將我的眾女從地極領回，
7就是凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造的，是我所做成，所造作的。
(賽 43：5-7)
Here, Isaiah prophesies concerning
the last days. God will gather the
saved—those who are called by His
name—from every nation, tribe, and
tongue. These are those who fulfill
the purpose of their existence—to
glorify God.
這裡以賽亞先知預言有關末日的事。
從每個國家，種族和語言之中，神會聚集那些被拯救的人 - 那些人是以他名所選召出來的人 。
這些人，就是要來完成他們存活的目的 - 榮耀神。
Adam would have glorified God
had he kept God’s commandment not
to eat the fruit from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil. Created
in God’s image in righteousness and
holiness, Adam ought to have held
firm to God’s word, kept his heart
pure, and overcome temptation.
However, he broke God’s command
and fell short of His glory (Rom 3:23).
As a result, he faced condemnation
(Rom 5:12–14).
若是亞當可以遵守神的命令，不去吃分別善惡知識樹上的果子，他早就可以榮耀神了。
他是依造神公義和聖潔的形象而創造出來的人，亞當應該堅守神的話，保守內心的純潔，並且勝過試探。
然而他違背了神的命令，虧欠了神的榮耀。(羅 3：23)
結果就是，他們面對一切的譴責。(羅 5：12-14)
WHY DID GOD CREATE ADAM, KNOWING HE WOULD SIN? 若是神知道亞當會犯罪，為什麼以前的時候還要創造他呢？
Even though Adam failed, there were
numerous others who would be
able to glorify God after him. They
would include Old Testament saints
like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and Moses, who served God
in the face of challenges, and New
Testament disciples like Peter, John,
Stephen, and Paul, who courageously
faced persecution and kept the faith
in Christ. Today, there are many
brethren in the church who glorify
God, serving silently in spirit and in
truth. Therefore, even though Adam
sinned, there are others who live to
glorify God.
即使亞當失敗了，在他之後，仍然有許多其他的人可以來榮耀神。
他們包括了在舊約裡面的許多古聖徒，例如以諾，挪亞，亞伯拉罕，以撒，約伯和摩西，這些人因為服事神而面臨了許多的挑戰，
而且也有新約的許多使徒，彼得，約翰，司提反和保羅，而他們很勇敢地面對許多迫害，並且一直在基督裡保守他們自已的信仰。
今日，在教會裡面有許多弟兄姐妹，他們也會榮耀神，在靈裡和直理上，默默的服事主。
所以即使亞當犯了罪，還是有許多其他人可以活下來，並且榮耀神。
Glorifying God is not merely a
matter of proclaiming, “All glory
be to God.” It entails persevering in
faith, loving God wholeheartedly, and
enduring in the face of trials. A good
example is Abraham whose faith was
tested when God asked him to offer
up his only son in his old age. He
firmly believed in God’s promise that
his descendants, as numerous as the
stars, would come from Isaac’s lineage
(Gen 21:12). Knowing that God had
the power to raise his son from the
dead, Abraham willingly submitted
to God. By raising the sacrificial knife,
God was greatly glorified. Another
example is found in Luke 18:9–14:
the prayers of the Pharisee and the
tax-collector. Both came before God
to offer quite different prayers: one
was pompous and self-righteous, the
other was penitent. The tax-collector,
who could not look up to heaven, beat
his breast and said, “God, be merciful
to me a sinner!” In the presence of
the holy and righteous God, the tax
collector knew his own unworthiness
and pleaded for mercy. In doing so,
He gave glory to God.
榮耀神不僅是口頭說說這樣而已，"把一切榮耀歸與神。"
榮耀神需要堅守信仰，全心全意的愛神，在試煉中忍耐到底。
亞伯拉罕就是一個很好的例子，當神請他獻上自已在年老所生的獨生子的時候，他的信心就已經受到了試驗。
他堅決地相信神的應許，他的後裔會像天上的星那樣多，並且也相信子孫會是接續以撒的血脈而來。(創 21：12)
並且確信神有能力可以把他的兒子從死亡的狀態加以復活，所以亞伯拉罕全心全意順服神。
藉由他高舉的手，拿著刀子要砍下來獻祭，神的名就大大的得到榮耀。
我們也可以在路加福音十八章9-14節找到另一個例子：法利賽人和稅吏的禱告。
他們兩種人都來到神的面前，而卻獻上了十分不一樣的禱告內容：
一個是自大自誇，而且又十分自義，另外一個人在內心卻是不斷的懺悔。
稅吏不敢抬頭向天觀看，並且捶著胸這樣說，"神阿，請你向我這個罪人施加憐憫！"
在聖潔和公義的神面前，稅吏知道自已非常的不配，所以向神請求憐憫。
因為這麼作，他就把榮耀歸給了神。
As believers, let us reflect soberly,
according to the measure of faith
that God has given to us (Rom 12:3).
Based on our level of faith, we should
strive to glorify God. We need not feel
compelled to act beyond our faith, as
not all of us can be like Abraham. But
at least we can do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with God (Mic 6:8).
In this way, we will work out our own
salvation (Phil2:12) and ensure that
we are worthy to be in the company
of those who are present when the
Lord Jesus comes again.
身為信徒，讓我們自已冷靜的反省，依造神已經賜給我們信仰的福份。(羅 12：3)
並且依造個人自已的信心，我們應該努力來榮耀神。
我們不需要因為感受到逼迫，作出超乎我們信心的行為，
就像不是我們當中所有的人都可以像亞伯罕一樣，是同樣的道理。
但是最少我們可以行公義，好憐憫，存謙卑的心與神同行。(彌 6：8)
這樣作，我們才會完成自已的得救(腓 2：12)，並且確保在主耶穌再臨之時，我們會和那些值得一起存留之人，大家在一起。
Those who can come before the
tree of life in the garden are those
who enter the new Jerusalem through
its gates (Rev 22:14). This city is the
true church and its people are the
ones who come under the name of
God and have been created for His
glory.
那些可以來到園中生命樹之前的人，就是那些可以進入新耶路撒冷，進入其中大門的人。(啟 22：14)
這城就是真教會，其中的人就是因為神的名而來的人，也就是因為祂榮耀的原故所創造的人。
In the Book of Revelation, John
recorded his last vision: “He who sat
on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make
all things new’” (Rev 21:5). The use
of the present tense here reveals that
God’s work is to make all things new.
When God made Adam and Eve, they
were new creations, but after they
sinned, God continued to make new
creations, calling those whom He had
chosen before the foundation of the
world to be in Christ—that is, to be
part of His true church (Eph 1:4).
啟示錄中，約翰記載了他最後的異象：坐寶座的說：看哪，我將一切都更新了！(啟 21：5)
這裡使用現在式，告訴我們，神的工作就是要使一切的事物更新。
當神創造亞當和夏娃的時候，他們都是新造之人，但是在他們犯罪之後，神又繼續新的創造工作，
在有世界的根基之前，就呼召那些祂已經揀選的人，來相信基督 - 也就是成為祂真教會的一部份。(弗 1：4)
THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE TEMPLE 聖殿有神的榮耀
After Solomon had completed the
building of the temple, priests and
Levites carried the ark of God from the
city of David into the inner sanctuary.
When the trumpeters and singers were
praising God after offering sacrifices,
a cloud, radiating the glorious light
of the Lord, filled the temple (2 Chr
5:1–14). The glorious light that filled
the temple signifies the indwelling
of God; the Spirit of God filled the
temple when it was dedicated to
Him. God delighted in the offerings
made by David and his son. God told
Solomon, “I have heard your prayer,
and have chosen this place for Myself
as a house of sacrifice” (2 Chr 7:12).
在所羅門完成建造聖殿之後，祭司和利末人抬著神的約櫃，從大衛城運到至聖所。
在獻祭之後，當吹號和唱歌的人讚美神的時候，一朵雲，發射出主的榮光，並且這榮光充滿了聖殿。(歷下 5：1-14)
充滿聖殿的榮光，代表了神的同在；
當聖殿獻給?神的時候，神的靈充滿其中。
神喜悅大衛和所羅門王獻給祂的祭物。
神告訴所羅門王，
"我已聽了你的禱告，也選擇這地方作為祭祀我的殿宇。"(歷下 7：12)
However, Israel was split into
two kingdoms after Solomon’s son,
Rehoboam, was crowned as king.
People of the northern kingdom,
Israel, were prevented from going
to Jerusalem and were redirected to
worship the two golden calves made
by Jeroboam. They also worshipped
Baal and other false gods. And in the
southern kingdom, the majority of the
Judean kings failed to lead the people
to steadfastly worship God. Besides
offering sacrifices in the temple in
Jerusalem, they also worshipped Baal
and Canaanite gods (Jer 7:8–11).
These resulted in the Spirit of God
departing from Solomon’s temple, the
very dwelling place God had chosen
to place His name (Deut 12: 5, 13–14;
Jer 7:12–15).
然而所羅門兒子之後，以色列分裂成二個國家，羅波安被加冕成為國王。
北國的人民，以色列，被禁止來耶路撒冷，他們被另外引導去敬拜兩個由耶羅波安所造的金牛犢。
他們也敬拜巴力和其他的假神。
而南國，大部份的猶大王，沒有辨法去領導百姓堅持不變一直敬拜神。
除了在耶路撒冷有獻祭之外，他們也敬拜巴力和迦南地的神。(耶 7：8-11)
這些事情導致了神的靈離開了所羅門王的聖殿，正是這座神選擇要居住並且稱為祂名下的地方。(申 12：5，13-14；耶 7：12-15)
THE DEPARTURE OF GOD’S GLORY 神的榮耀離開了
In the sixth year of the Babylonian
captivity, Prophet Ezekiel saw a
vision of God’s glory departing from
the temple. God’s glory departed
first from the cherub, pausing at
the threshold of the temple (Ezek
9:3; 10:4); withdrawing from the
threshold (Ezek 10:18); lingering
at the door of the east gate (Ezek
10:19); withdrawing from the city
and stopping on the Mount of Olives,
on the east of the city (Ezek 11:23);
and finally disappearing altogether
(Ezek 11:24).
在巴比倫俘虜以色列人的第六年，先知以西結看見一個異象，神的榮光離開了聖殿。
首先神的榮光從基路伯的施恩座上離開，停在聖殿的門口；(結 9：3；10：4)
從門口退了開來(結 10：18)；一直在東門大門的門口徘徊(結 10：19)；
從城中離去，停在橄欖山上，在城的東邊(結 11：23)；
最後全部都消失了。(結 11：24)
From Ezekiel’s vision, we note how
God’s glory lingered at several points
before it vanished. This shows God’s
reluctance to leave the temple that
stood in the midst of His people. How
could He remain in a place that had
been defiled? Inside the temple, all
kinds of defilements would go on:
there were images of abominable
creatures worshipped by the Israelites
(Ezek 7:20; 8:7–11), women would
weep over the foreign deity, Tammuz,
at the door of the north gate (Ezek
8:14), and men would worship the
sun with their backs to the temple
in the inner court (Ezek 8:16). It was
no wonder that God was furious.
His glory, His abidance, would surely
depart from the temple.
從以西結的異象中，我們注意到神的榮光，在消失之前，如何在幾個地方徘徊。
這表示神不願意離開這座建造在祂百姓之中的聖殿。
但是祂怎麼還可以待在一個已經被沾污的地方呢？
在聖殿裡面，所有各樣的污穢之物都一直存在：
有很多以色列百姓在敬拜的可憎物體(結 7：20；8：7-11)，
有婦女在北門的門口在為外國的神祇"搭模斯"哀哭，(結 8：14)
而且有人在內院，背對著聖殿，敬拜太陽神(結 8：16)。
難怪，神感到很憤努。
祂的榮光和祂的同在，一定就會離開聖殿。
Chapter 2 of the book of Acts
records the incident where God
poured out His Holy Spirit and
established the apostolic church after
Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. But
a century later, the church swayed in
the face of persecution and heretical
attacks, and relinquished the original
and genuine truth. The result was the
secularization of the post-apostolic
church.
使徒行傳第二章記載了一個事件，神把聖靈澆灌下來，
在耶穌復活和升天之後，建立了使徒時期的教會。
但是一百年之後，教會在面對迫害和異端的攻擊之後，搖擺了，放棄了原本純正的真理。
結果就是使徒教會後期的世俗化。
One example was the adoption of
Sunday as the day of rest in place
of the Sabbath. It was a case of the
church changing course, as in Ezekiel’s
vision, from praying towards the
temple of the Lord and keeping His
commandments (2 Chr 6:26, 29, 32,
34, 38), to turning their backs on God
and honoring the sun.
其中一個例子就是，採用了星期天成為憩息之日，取代了原有的安息日。
這就是教會改變道路的例子，就像是以西結的異象一樣，
從原本向神的聖殿禱告，遵守祂的誡命，轉變成背對神，去拜日。
True to Ezekiel’s prophecy, the
glory of God departed from the postapostolic
church: He stopped pouring
out the Holy Spirit (i.e., the cessation
of the early rain period).
以西結的預言是真的，神的榮耀離開了後期的使徒教會：
祂停止降下聖靈 (這就是，停止降下早雨的時期)
THE RETURN OF GOD’S GLORY 神的榮耀回歸
And behold, the glory of the God of
Israel came from the way of the east.
His voice was like the sound of many
waters; and the earth shone with His
glory. (Ezek 43:2)
2以色列神的榮光從東而來。他的聲音如同多水的聲音；地就因他的榮耀發光。
(結 43：2)
From Ezekiel’s vision, God’s glory
will return to the temple from the way
of the east. This is consistent with the
way to the tree of life, recorded in the
book of Genesis.
根據以巴結的異象，神的榮耀將會從東邊的方向，回歸聖殿。
這個異象和生命樹的道路相符合，記載在創世記之中。
The Lord God established Eden
in the east; an act with spiritual
significance. And after having driven
Adam and Eve out, God placed
cherubim at the east of the garden of
Eden, to guard the way to the tree of
life (Gen 3:24). The way back to the
garden of Eden is also from the east.
主在東方建造了伊甸園；是一個有屬靈意義的行動。
而且在驅逐了亞當和夏娃離開之後，神在伊甸園的東方安置了許多基路伯，
來守護到生命樹的道路(創 3：24)。
要回到伊甸園的道路，也是從東邊進去。
The Bible prophesies that God would
accomplish His salvation grace from
the east, raising up the true church
of the last days. At “an acceptable
time,” and “in the day of salvation”
(Is 49:8; 2 Cor 6:2), God would pour
out the latter rain—the Holy Spirit—
from the east, to establish His spiritual
temple.
聖經預言，神會從東方，來完成祂救贖的恩典，在末後日子裡，興起真教會。
在"還可接受合宜的時間之內"，並且也是"救贖的日子(賽 49：8；林後 6：2)，
神會從東方降下晚雨的聖靈，來建立祂屬靈的聖殿。
THE TRUE CHURCH FROM THE EAST 東方的真教會
During the twenty-fifth year of the
Babylonian captivity, some twenty
years after Ezekiel’s first vision, God
brought Ezekiel to a gate facing the
east. There, he witnessed the glory of
God entering from the east; he heard
God’s voice, like the sound of many
waters, and saw the earth radiant with
God’s glory. Then Ezekiel witnessed
the glory of the Lord entering the
temple through the east-facing gate
(Ezek 43:1–4).
在巴比倫被虜時期的第25年，也是以西結第一個異象之後的二十多年，神帶以西結到一個面對東方的門口。
在那裡，他作見証，看到神的榮耀從東方進來；
他聽到神的聲音，就像是大水的聲音，也看見地上散發著神的榮耀。
然後以西結看到，主的榮光，從面向東方的門，進入了聖殿(結 43：1-4)。
This vision prophesized the
downpour of the latter rain, the
Holy Spirit, who will come again in
the last days from the east, to revive
the apostolic church. The prayers of
believers, through the infilling of the
Holy Spirit, are like the sound of many
waters and of thunder, and are filled
with cries of “Alleluia!” (Rev 19:5–6).
God will fill the true church of the
last days with His glory, starting from
the east.
這個異象預言了晚雨的降臨，聖靈，會從東方在末後的日子裡，再次降臨，並且重新復興使徒時期的教會。
透過內住的聖靈，信徒的禱告，就像是大水和打雷的聲音，充滿著不斷高聲呼喊的"哈利路亞！"(啟 19：5-6)
神會從東方，用祂的榮耀來充滿在末日的真教會。
Keep silence before Me, O
coastlands, and let the people renew
their strength! Let them come near,
then let them speak; let them come
near together for judgment. Who
raised one from the east? Who in
righteousness called him to His feet?
Who gave the nations before him,
and made him rule over kings? Who
gave them as the dust to his sword,
as driven stubble to his bow? Who
pursued them, and passed safely by
the way that he had not gone with
his feet? Who has performed and
done it, calling the generations from
the beginning? I, the Lord, am the
first; and with the last I am He.
(Isa 41:1–4)
1眾海島啊，當在我面前靜默；眾民當從新得力，都要近前來才可以說話，我們可以彼此辯論。
2誰從東方興起一人，憑公義召他來到腳前呢？耶和華將列國交給他，使他管轄君王，
把他們如灰塵交與他的刀，如風吹的碎秸交與他的弓。
3他追趕他們，走他所未走的道，坦然前行。
4誰行做成就這事，從起初宣召歷代呢？就是我─耶和華！我是首先的，也與末後的同在。
(賽 41：1-4)
Declaring the end from the
beginning, and from ancient times
things that are not yet done, saying,
“My counsel shall stand, and I will
do all My pleasure,” calling a bird
of prey from the east, the man who
executes My counsel, from a far
country. Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass. I have
purposed it; I will also do it.
(Isa 46:10–11)
10我從起初指明末後的事，從古時言明未成的事，說：我的籌算必立定；凡我所喜悅的，我必成就。
11我召鷙鳥從東方來，召那成就我籌算的人從遠方來。我已說出，也必成就；我已謀定，也必做成。
(賽 46：10-11)
The above passages prophesy that
God will raise up a man from the east;
make him stand upright; give him
all nations and make him ruler over
kings. God will call a “bird of prey
from the east,” or a “man” who will
implement God’s will from a far off
country. From a historical perspective,
this “man” or “bird of prey” refers
to Cyrus, king of Persia (Isa 45:1,13)
who became God’s vessel to conquer
the nations and fulfill His will to rebuild
Jerusalem, laying the temple’s
foundations (Isa 44:28). From a
spiritual perspective, the prophecy
was not only about Cyrus, but a more
significant salvation plan.
上面的經節預言了，神會從東方興起一個人；
使他挺直站立，賜給他所有的國家，讓他統治所有的君王。
神會招鷙鳥從東方來，或者召那成就神計劃的人，從遠方國度來。
從歷史的觀點來說，這個"人"或是"鷙鳥/補食的鳥"，指的是波斯王居魯士(賽 45：1，13)，
他成為神的器皿，征服了很多國家，完成祂的旨意來重建耶路撒冷，建造了聖殿的根基(賽 44：28)。
從屬靈的角度來看，這個預言，並不是指波斯王居魯士，而是指一個更重要的救贖計劃。
God will establish the true church
in the end time to fulfill His righteous
will, to give “the righteousness of
God” to the unworthy from the east.
The “bird of prey” or “man” is a
prophecy concerning the true church
from the east in the last days. It is
God’s intention to fulfill His salvation
plan—a plan determined from the
beginning of time.
神會在末後的日子，建立真教會，來完成祂公義的旨意，
從東方來把"神的公義"賜給那些不配得到的人。
"鷙鳥/補食的鳥"或是"人"都是一個預言，有關真教會在末日時候，會從東方興起。
這就是神的用意，要來完成祂救贖的計劃 - 祂在起初就決定了這個計劃。
In the original text, the bird of
prey is a ravenous bird, like a fowl or
hawk, a bird considered as unclean
(Lev 11:13–19). The true church from
the east would have comprised the
“unclean” Gentiles, called by God’s
righteousness (Rom 3:21–26) to be
victorious over the world. The church
has been commissioned to liberate
man from the bondage of sin and
to help him to triumph over death
through the precious blood of Jesus
Christ. This has been God’s plan from
the beginning: “Who has performed
and done it, calling the generations
from the beginning? I, the Lord, am
the first; and with the last I am He”
(Isa 41:4).
在原文中，鷙鳥/補食的鳥，指的是一種貪婪的鳥，就像飛禽或老鷹一樣，被認為是一種不潔淨的鳥(利 11：13-19)。
東方的真教會會由"不潔淨的"外邦人所組成，被神的公義呼召而來(羅 3：21-26)，來勝過世界。
教會被託負了任務，要來把人從罪的束縛之中，釋放出來，
透過耶穌基督的寶血，幫助人們可以勝過死亡。
這一直以來都是神的計劃：
4誰行做成就這事，從起初宣召歷代呢？就是我─耶和華！我是首先的，也與末後的同在。
(賽 41：4)
God is the first, and He is with “the
last”: Eden, in the east.
神是首先，祂也和"最後"在東方的伊甸園在一起。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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