3. Manna issue 85 - Where Is the House that You Will Build Me 你為我建造的聖殿在那裡呢？
Realizing the promise that
the glory of the latter temple
shall be greater than the
former.
實現應許，末後聖殿的榮耀會大過先前的
Vincent Yeung—Cambridge, UK 英國劍橋 Vincent 楊
A newly engaged couple discuss where they will live after they are married.
The bride-to-be asks her fiance, “What sort of house are you going to buy me?”
This is not an unusual question.
But what if the bride-to-be is wealthy and already has everything she could want or need?
This changes the context of the question completely;
the house is no longer a necessity but serves as a token of love.
訂婚的新婚討論婚後要住在那裡。
未婚新娘問未婚夫，"你要買給我那種房子？"
這並不是異常的問題。
但若這未婚新娘很有錢，已經有了她想要或需要的一切？
這就完全改變了問題本身的內涵；
房子不再代表必需品，當成是愛的像徵。
When God posed this question to His chosen people, there was a similar implication:
當神向選民提出這個問題，有些簡單的暗示：
“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?” (Isa 66:1)
1耶和華如此說：天是我的座位；地是我的腳凳。你們要為我造何等的殿宇？哪裡是我安息的地方呢？
(賽 66：1)
God has everything in His possession; what more can we offer Him?
神已經擁有了一切；我們還能獻什麼給他呢？
In recent years, the True Jesus Church has seen many places of worship spring up across the globe,
as more congregations have acquired buildings for their worship and evangelism needs.
Many see a newly built church as a sign of growth and an expression of the members’ devotion and commitment.
However, the splendor of a church building does not directly correlate to the spirituality of its occupants.
What matters to God are the hearts of the believers:
最近幾年，真耶穌教會在全球出現許多聚會點，
隨著更多的信徒因為祟拜或宣道的需要而購得新會堂。
許多人看見有新建的會堂，就以為教會有所成長，是信徒虔誠與承諾付出的表示。
然而，教會建築物的榮美，並不直接信徒靈性有直接相關。
“For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the LORD.
“But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.” (Isa 66:2)
2耶和華說：這一切都是我手所造的，所以就都有了。但我所看顧的，就是虛心（原文是貧窮）痛悔、因我話而戰兢的人。
(賽 66：2)
When God’s nation prospers and the borders of His land expand, He is glorified (Isa 26:15).
But is this purely a numbers game, represented by an increase in believers and churches, or is there more to it?
Ultimately, in what ways should the church grow to bring glory to God?
當神國興旺，國境擴張，祂就得到榮耀。(賽 26：15)
但這難道只是數字的遊戲，由信徒和教會增長的數字表示出來，有更多的涵意在其中嗎？
總的來說，教會要再那些方面有所成長，才會帶給神榮耀呢？
AN UNREALIZED PROMISE: THE GLORY OF THE LATTER TEMPLE SHALL BE GREATER
未實現的預言：末後聖殿的會加榮耀
When the exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylon,
they endured much hardship and had meager resources with which to rebuild the temple.
On its completion, God asked those who had survived the destruction in 586 B.C.
to compare the new temple with Solomon’s temple.
當流放的猶太人從巴比倫回到耶路撒冷的時候，
他們得忍受堅困，用貧乏的資源來重建聖殿。
聖殿完工的時候，神問那些躲過主前586前大毀滅的存活者，
要比比新聖殿和所羅門聖殿的榮耀。
His question was rhetorical because the second temple obviously paled in comparison to the original (Hag 2:3).
But it set the scene for a prophecy: the glory of the latter temple would be greater than the former.
This was the promise of the Almighty God who would fill the temple with glory (Hag 2:5–8).
他的問題是修辭學方面的，因為比起原本的聖殿，第二聖殿明顯的比較荒涼。(該 2：3)
但這個問題卻為先知呈現了一些景像：末後聖殿的榮耀，會大過先前的榮耀。
這是萬能真神的預言，會讓聖殿充滿榮耀。(該 2：5-8)
As we know, the physical temple was eventually destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, without God’s prophecy coming to pass.
Instead, this prophecy was to be fulfilled spiritually in the coming of the church (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:20–22).
But how would the latter temple be greater than the first,
and to which epoch of church history does the prophecy refer?
就我們所知，實體的聖殿最後是被羅馬人於主後70年的時候所摧毀，
神沒有實現祂的預言。
反過來，這個預言是在靈性上，由之後的教會所成就。(林前 3：16-17；弗 2：20-22)
但未後的聖殿要如何才會比先前的聖殿更榮耀呢？
到底是教會歷史中，指的是那個新時代的教會呢？
As mentioned above, Isaiah 66:1–2 shows that our hearts matter more to God than physical buildings.
The people of God cannot find glory by their own means; God is their glory,
just as He is glorified through His people (Isa 60:19, 21).
They are the work of His hands, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:8–10).
When Jesus accomplished His work of salvation on earth,
He was glorified and God was glorified in Him (Jn 13:31; 17:4).
In the same vein, those who belong to Jesus bring glory to Him through their actions (Jn 17:10; 2 Thess 1:11–12).
If we live a Christ-like life by demonstrating good works and godly nature, we showcase the glory of God.
We are glorified in Him, and He in us.
上面提到，以賽亞書66章1-2節告訴我們，
對神而言，我們的內心比實體的建築物更重要。
神的子民不能用自已的方法，找到榮耀；神就是他們的榮耀，
就是神是因著祂的子民而得到榮耀。(賽 60：19，21)
百姓是神手所造的工，於耶穌基督裡，為了施行善工而存在。(弗 2：8-10)
當耶穌在世上，完成祂救贖的工作，
就得到榮耀，神就在耶穌的身上同得榮耀。(約 13：31；17：4)
同樣地，那些屬於耶穌的人，因著他們的行為，榮耀神。(約 17：10；帖後 1：11-12)
若我們過著像基督的生活，表現出好行為，虔誠的特質，就是展現出神的榮耀。
於神之中，我們有榮耀，而神同樣於我們身上得榮耀。
Does the glory of the latter temple refer to the apostolic church?
Without a doubt, the apostolic church started with a bang when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost (Acts 2).
As Jesus had prophesied, the kingdom of God was established with power (Mk 9:1).
However, the church gradually became institutionalized and deviated from the truth as heresies crept in.
The Holy Spirit eventually departed and no longer dwelled with the secularized church.
Nevertheless, God’s will cannot be thwarted.
後來聖殿的榮耀，指的是使徒教會嗎？
無需懷疑，使徒教會一開始，在五旬節的時候，轟的一聲聖靈降臨。(徒 2)
就如耶穌的預言，神國帶著能力更建立。(可 9：1)
然而，教會漸漸組織化，且因著異端滲透入教會，而偏離了真理。
聖靈最後離開了，不再與世俗化的教會同在。
然而，神的旨意是不會挫敗的。
The prophets Isaiah and Micah spoke of how the mountain of God’s house
would be established and exalted above the hills (Isa 2:2–4; Mic 4:1–3).
These prophecies point to the glory of the future church, to which all true believers will stream.
This is realized in the True Jesus Church,
which was established by the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit in the time of the latter rain,
and is the restored apostolic church.
以賽亞先知和彌迦先知，談到有關神國的聖山會堅立，
被諸山所尊崇。(賽 2：2-4；彌 4：1-3)
這些預言指向教會在未來得到的榮耀，所有真正的信徒將匯流而至。
真耶穌教會實現了這種情形，
而真耶穌教會是主耶穌，在晚雨的時候，由聖靈所建立，
就是復興的使徒教會。
However, by no stretch of the imagination could we describe the present church
as having surpassed the glory of the apostolic church.
During a recent spiritual convocation, a preacher cited the example of an exemplary church
where brethren and truth-seekers gathered for a whole week to study the truth from morning to midnight.
He also testified of a third-generation True Jesus Church member
who rejuvenated his faith by joining a missionary trip to Africa.
Witnessing God’s work firsthand inspired this brother to truly believe in God for the first time.
We view these two examples as rare occurrences today,
but such experiences were commonplace in the apostolic time.
然而，怎麼也沒想到的是，我們現在教會的情況，
已經超越了使徒教會的榮耀。
最近有一次靈恩會，傳道引用了例子，有間很優透的教會，
弟兄姐妹和慕道著整整一周聚會一起，很早到晚學習真理。
他也作見証，有個第三代真耶穌教會的信徒，
因為參加非洲宣道之旅，而重新恢復信心。
因為親自目睹了神的動工，激勵這個弟兄第一次真正的相信神。
而我們認為這二個例子，今日已經很稀少了，
但是在使徒時代的時候，這種經歷是非常平常的。
A cursory look at the early apostolic church,
the model church, reveals what the glory of God looks like (Acts 2:40–47).
The members were steadfast in the apostles’ doctrine;
they continued daily with one accord and had everything in common so that no one lacked anything;
they feared God and possessed gladness and simplicity of heart.
As a result, God blessed them with wonders and signs, adding to their numbers daily.
若是粗略的看看早期的使徒教會，
那模範教會，展現出神的榮耀會是怎麼一個情況。
(徒 2：40-47)
信徒對於使徒的教義很堅定；
他們每天同心持續下去，各人一起分享物資，所以沒有有所欠缺；
他們敬畏神，內心充滿喜樂和單純。
結果，神以神蹟奇事祝福他們，天天加增信主的人數。
Many in the West, including True Jesus Church members,
have never experienced events like those mentioned in the Book of Acts.
To them, God is remote, only to be discovered in the distant past or in a far-off land.
In the prophet Jeremiah’s time, he had to convince his countrymen
that God was not just the God of Israel, but also the all-powerful God of the universe (Jer 23:23).
Today, it is the reverse: we need to persuade our members
that God is not just the ruler of the heavens far away, but is also nearby and personal.
We can experience Him right here and now without the need to go abroad.
So what is stopping us from knowing God intimately and being inspired to glorify Him through our actions?
包括許多西方社會的真耶穌教會信徒，
從未感受過，像使徒行傳所提到過的情形。
在耶利米先知的時代，他需要向自已的國人証明，
神不只是以色列的神，而且也是宇宙擁有全部力量的神。(耶 23：23)
今日，情況是相反的：我們有必要勸勉信徒，
神不只是遙遠天國的掌權者，而且也靠近身邊，和我們很親密。
今時今刻此時此地，我們就能體驗到神，不需要出國去。
所以，到底有什麼事物，會阻止我們親密的認識神，
阻擾我們受到感動，用行為來榮耀神？
A LACK OF URGENCY 沒有急迫感
The disciples truly believed that the second coming of Jesus would occur in their lifetime.
Before Jesus’ ascension to heaven, they asked Him,
“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
The imminence of God’s kingdom was never far from the apostles’ minds.
Jesus preached that the kingdom of God was at hand and that some of the apostles would witness its arrival (Mk 1:15; 9:1).
Paul wrote, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom 13:12a),
and even encouraged those who had wives to be “as though they had none” because time was short (1 Cor 7:29).
Luke notes, before sharing the parable of the minas,
that his contemporaries thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately (Lk 19:11).
In hindsight, we know that their thinking was incorrect.
But today, the pendulum has swung the other way.
門徒真的相信，耶穌的再臨會出現在他們有生之年。
耶穌升天之前，他們問耶穌，
"6主阿，你復興以色列國就在這時候麼？"(徒 1:6)
神國的急迫性，從未遠離過使徒的心思中。
耶穌傳道，神國近了，有一些門徒將會見証神國的臨到。
(可 1：15；9：1)
保羅寫下："黑夜已深，白畫將近"(羅 13：12a)
而且鼓勵那些有未婚妻的，要當作"沒有未婚妻"，因為時間短暫。(林前 7：29)
馬可福音記載，在分享十兩銀子的比喻之前，
當代人認為，神會會立刻出現。(路 19：11)
回首一看，我們知道他們的想法錯了。
但今日，形勢發生了改變。
A branch of eschatology known as “realized eschatology” holds
that the New Testament passages discussing the last days do not refer to the future,
but to the rebirth of the world, instituted by Jesus’ ministry, and His lasting legacy.
This line of thinking is attractive to liberal Christians
who focus only on the love and goodness of God while disregarding His judgment.
Such a view is contradictory to the Bible and the beliefs of the true church.
However, some True Jesus Church believers behave as though they agree with this type of theology,
going about their lives as though Jesus’ second coming will never happen.
For them, now is the time to be rooted in the world.
God can wait; the church can wait; spiritual cultivation can wait; and Christ’s second coming can wait.
Such believers feel no sense of urgency whatsoever.
末世論有一學派，被稱作"實現末世說"堅持，
新約聖經章節所討論的末日，指的不是末日，
而是世界的重生，經由耶穌傳道而組成，並且留下祂永恆的遺澤。
對自由派的基督徒而言，這一線的思路很具有吸引力，
他們只注重神的慈愛和美善，而忽視祂的審判。
這種觀點，與聖經和真教會的信徒互相矛盾。
然而，有些真耶穌教會的信徒，行為舉止就像是認同了這類神學思想，
過著一種好像耶穌再臨永不發生的日子。
對他們而言，現今這是好機會可以在世上打好根基。
神可以等待；教會可以等待；培養靈命可以等待；基督再臨可以等待。
這種信徒無論如何都感覺不到有急迫性。
What about ourselves? We often prioritize our life and work,
and allocate any remaining time and energy to church.
When our personal schedule clashes with the church timetable,
it is usually our service to God that suffers.
How many times have we skipped church services
or rushed off early because of private or work engagements?
Church projects are delayed and deadlines missed.
Yet, we defend our actions by stating that we are mostly volunteers, after all.
Surely, such delays are inevitable.
那我們自已呢？我們通常重視自已的生活和工作，
之後才把剩餘的時間和精力分配給教會。
當自已個人的時間表和教會的安排表衝到了，
通常我們服事神的工作被犧牲了。
到底有多少次，我們錯過教會聚會，
勿忙的離開，因為有私人或公事上的約會？
教會的案子被拖延了，錯過了事工最後完成的期限。
然而，我們會為自已的行為找藉口說，畢竟，大部份我們都是甘心付出的。
真的，這種延遲是無法避免的。
This complacency is not new.
When the exiles returned to Jerusalem,
they busied themselves with building their own homes and livelihoods,
while God’s house lay in ruins (Hag 1:4).
Paul reminded the members to set their minds on things above (Col 3:2),
knowing that those with families would always put the latter before God (1 Cor 7:33).
John likewise exhorted believers, “Do not love the world” (1 Jn 2:15).
We need to reset our life’s direction and reignite our zeal for the coming kingdom.
Paul’s heavenly hope enabled him to experience the power of renewal (2 Cor 4:16).
The early church was devoted to God’s teaching and fellowship (Acts 2:42, 46).
Luke used the term προσκαρτερ?ω (proskartereo),
which is translated as “devote, continuing, steadfast, persevere and be constantly diligent.”
If we reawaken this desire to draw near to God (Jas 4:8),
then God will manifest Himself to us, just as He did in the apostolic church.
這種自得意滿，並不是新發現的。
當被虜的以色列人回到耶路撒冷，
他們自已很忙碌在建造自已的家園，維持自已的生活。
與此同時，神的家卻是荒廢的。(該 1：4)
保羅提醒信徒，要把心思放在天國的事上。(西 3：2)
因為很了解那些有家庭的人，總會把生活的事放在神的事之前。(林前 7：33)
約翰長老同樣勸勉信徒，"不要貪愛世界"。(約壹 2：15)
我們要重設自已生命的方向，為了那即將來臨的天國，重新發起熱心。
保羅天國的盼望，讓他可以體驗到更新之後的能力。(林後 2：42，46)
路加用這個詞彙 προσκαρτερ?ω (proskartereo),
翻譯出來的意思，有"奉獻，持續，堅定，忍耐，並且一直很努力"。
若我們再發起這個願望，要更親近神，(雅 4：8)
接著神就會將自已展現給我們看，就如祂在使徒教會時所作的事一樣。
A LACK OF LOVE: SELF-CENTEREDNESS 沒有愛：自我為主
Jesus prophesied that the love of many would grow cold in the last days
because of deception, betrayal, hate and the increase of lawlessness (Mt 24:4–12).
Today, we constantly hear news of terrorist attacks, scams, social injustice, and allegations of misinformation.
We simply do not know what or whom to trust.
Individuals take a defensive stance to safeguard their own interests,
as well as to protect themselves and their families from harm.
In the last two decades, society has been trending towards self-centeredness.
Reality television and social media sway the public towards narcissism and exhibitionism,
rewarding the individual’s pride and vanity.
Paul called these people of the end time “lovers of themselves” and “lovers of money” (2 Tim 3:2).
耶穌預言，許多人的愛心，在末日的時候，會變得冷淡，
因為欺騙，背叛，怨恨及不法的事增多。(太 24：4-12)
今日，我們一直聽到很多新聞，有恐怖攻擊，醜聞，社會不公義，錯誤訊息說的頭頭是道。
我們完全不知道有什麼是可信的，誰的話還可以相信。
人人都採取了自我衛的姿態，保護好自已的利益，
同時也保護他們自已和他們的家人，免於傷害。
在過去二十年，社會的潮流傾向於以自我為中心。
實境電視節目和社群媒體，影響了大眾趨於自我中心，並且愛出風頭，
鼓吹個人驕傲及虛榮心。
保羅說，這些末世的人，"專愛自已"，"貪愛錢財"。(提後 3：2)
Though such extreme behavior is rare in the church,
an insidious sense of apathy towards the needs of others
and the common good of the community can creep into the congregation.
This is one of the greatest dangers in the end time—
the growing apathy and disinterest towards our brethren.
Some members are only interested in their own matters,
doing the bare minimum for the church and leaving the “heavy lifting”
to the ministers and church board members.
雖然教會裡，很少有這種極端的行為，
我們隱隱可以感覺到，對幫助別人，對團體共同好處的冷漠，會慢慢侵入信徒的心中。
這就是末世最大危機之一-
對自已的弟兄姐妹漠不關心，毫無興趣的情況漸漸增多。
有些信徒只關心自已的事情，
對教會只有極小的付出，把那些"重擔"的事情，留給執事及職務會成員。
Self-centeredness is the complete opposite to Jesus’ nature.
He took the form of a bondservant, the likeness of man,
humbling Himself and becoming obedient to the point of death (Phil 2:7–9).
He became poor so that we could become rich (2 Cor 8:9).
We should emulate this self-sacrifice.
We need to progress from being unlike Christ to “Christ-lite,” and, eventually, to Christ-like.
Paul exhorted the Ephesian members to transition
from merely learning about the theoretical aspects of being like Christ to actually becoming like Him,
by putting on the new man in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:20–24).
True righteousness is not accomplished through word alone, but also action.
And even when we carry out acts of righteousness and love,
we do not do it to gain admiration from others (1 Jn 3:18; Rom 12:9).
God is love; hence, we should abide in His love (1 Jn 4:16).
We imitate His love by loving our brethren and serving the church,
both of which often require self-sacrifice (1 Jn 4:20–21).
While doing such acts, we do not expect repayment;
rather, we love and serve because Jesus did the same.
If we manifest His love to others, then He is glorified (Mk 10:45; 1 Pet 4:8–11).
自我為中心，是耶穌本質完全相反的狀態。
祂取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式，
就自已卑微，存心順服，以至於死。(腓 2：7-9)
祂成了貧窮，叫我們可以成為富足。(林後 8：9)
我們應該效法這種犧牲自已。
我們要從不像基督的情況，到多少有點基督的樣子，到最後就像基督一樣，有逐漸的進步。
保羅勸勉以弗所教會的信徒，
要從僅僅學習像基督一樣的神學特質，就真的就祂一樣，有所轉變，
穿上新人的形象，有真理的仁義和聖潔。(弗 4：20-24)
真理的仁義，不單單只用言語就可以完成，也要有行為表現出來。
而且即使我們把仁義和慈愛的行為實行出來，
這麼作不是為了得到別人的讚賞。(約壹 3：18；羅 12：9)
神就是愛；因此，我們就該住在神的愛裡面。(約壹 4：16)
我們要效法祂的愛，要疼愛自已的弟兄姐妹，服事教會，
愛弟兄姐妹，服事教會這兩件事，常常都需要犧牲自已。(約壹 4：20-21)
一旦有這種行為的時候，就不會期待有所回報；
相反地，我們付出愛，服事神，是因為耶穌也同樣的付出。
若我們向別人展現出神的慈愛，那就可以讓神得到榮耀。(可 10：45；彼前 4：8-11)
The early apostolic church was blessed by God.
He increased their number daily and gave them signs and wonders
because they knew how to love, share and give (Acts 2:44–45).
Today, we encounter many obstacles to our growth, but often, we set up our own roadblocks.
We have insufficient manpower, insufficient funds for church buildings,
and insufficient numbers of volunteers dedicating themselves to full-time ministry.
These result from self-centeredness,
because we care for ourselves and our families more than we do for the body of Christ.
We need to learn from the early church’s spirit of offering,
trusting that the Lord will provide and will multiply the seeds we sow
and the fruits of our righteousness (2 Cor 9:10).
早期使徒教會得到神的祝福。
神天天加添信徒給他們，讓他們看見神蹟奇事，因為他們都知道怎麼付出愛心，一同分享，慷慨施捨。
(徒 2：44-45)
今日，我們要成長的時候，會遇到許多阻礙，
但常常是我們自已把路障弄出來。
我們人力不足，財力短缺，不足以蓋新會堂，
可以有志願奉獻自已參與全職傳道人的人數不夠。
這些都是自我中心的結果，
因為我們關心自已和家人，超過了我們關心基督身體的程度。
我們要學習早期教會奉獻的精神，
信靠神會預備，會增長我們所撒的種子，
加添我們仁義的果子。(林後 9：10)
A LACK OF PURITY 動機不純正
The half-hearted efforts of God’s people did not produce a magnificent second temple (Hag 2:3).
But God did not associate their failure with a lack of material resources; after all, gold and silver belong to Him.
The disappointing outcome was a product of their uncleanness (Hag 2:13).
As a result, fifty measures became twenty, and twenty became ten (Hag 2:16).
Their effort was ineffective because they did not turn to God and set their heart on Him (Hag 2:17–18).
神的百姓三心二意，並沒有為第二聖殿帶來榮耀。(該 2：3)
但神並沒有歸因於他們的失敗，是因為他們沒有物質的資源；
畢竟，金銀都是屬於神的。
令人失望的結果，是他們不潔淨的產物。(該 2：13)
最後，50份變成20份，20份變成10份。(該 2：16)
他們的付出沒有果效，因為他們沒有歸向神，心沒有在神身上。(該 2：17-18)
We can clearly see how God responded to Israel’s uncleanness and half-heartedness.
During those times, the Israelites suffered much loss.
When the people turned from God, Moses warned them not to fight the Amalekites
and the Canaanites because God was not with them.
They did not listen and suffered defeat (Num 14:43, 45).
Later, they would again be defeated by the men of Ai
because of the sin of one person, Achan (Josh 7:5, 11–13).
我們可以清楚看見神，如何回應以色列人的不潔爭及三心二意。
在這段時間，以色列人遭受很多損失。
當百姓朝見神的時候，摩西警告他們不要去打亞瑪力人及迦南人，
因為神沒有和他們同在。
他們不聽話，就遭到大敗。(民 14：43，45)
後來，他們又一次被艾城的人打敗，
因為一個人，亞干，犯了罪。(書 7：5，11-13)
When a church is not progressing, her members should reflect on why that might be.
The church could be lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, like the church in Laodicea.
God described the Laodiceans as poor, blind and naked (Rev 3:16–17):
poor because they were spiritually impoverished; blind because they could not see their faults (Rev 3:18);
and naked because they lacked good deeds and righteousness (Rev 16:15; 19:8).
The prosperity of a church does not depend on her material wealth
and the grandeur of the building, but on her spiritual vitality.
A spiritually vibrant church is able to project her faith within her four walls and beyond,
serving as an example for others to follow (1 Thess 1:8).
The three greatest Christian attributes are faith, love, and hope (1 Cor 13:13);
and these intangible attributes are manifested in the form of work, labor, and patience (1 Thess 1:3).
當教會沒有長進，其信徒就會反應出為何會是那樣子。
教會可能是冷淡的，不冷不熱，就像老底嘉教會。
神形容老底嘉的信徒很貧窮，眼睛看不見，赤身露體(啟 3：16-17)：
貧窮是因為他們靈命貧乏；眼睛看不見是因為他們看不見自已的缺失(啟 3：18)；
赤身露體是因為他們沒有好行為和公義。(啟 16：15；19：8)
教會的興旺不在乎祂物質上的財物，會堂冠冕堂皇，而在於靈命是否充滿活力。
靈性活躍的教會，就能在她自已四面的圍牆之人，保護自已的信仰，
不只如此，還可以成為別人的好榜樣，讓別人效法。(帖前 1：8)
基督徒的三大信仰特質就是，信心，愛心，盼望(林前 13：13)；
這些無形的特質，是經由聖工，勞力及忍耐的形式表現出來(帖 1：3)。
The author of Hebrews exhorts the believers to regain their spiritual vitality
and “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Heb 12:12–13).
The way to do this is to pursue holiness (Heb 12:14).
God is holy, so He expects His people to be holy (1 Pet 1:15–17);
but when His children are stiff-necked and corrupt,
He will not dwell with them, lest He consume them (Ex 33:3–5; 32:7–9).
To become holy, we need to control our minds and be obedient (1 Pet 1:13–14).
He who sanctifies himself will be considered a “vessel for honor,
sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:20–21).
A sanctified church will be blessed with God’s abidance and power,
which bring forth fruits of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God (Phil 1:11).
希伯來書的作者，勸勉信徒，要重新充滿靈命的活力，
"可以讓發酸下垂的雙手，雙腳軟弱的膝蓋，加添力量"。(來 12：12-13)
要作到這種地步的方法，就是要追求聖潔。(來 13：14)
神是聖潔，所以祂也希望自已的百姓也可以聖潔(彼前 1：15-17)；
然而，祂的子女一旦硬著頸項，墮落，
祂就不會與他們同在，以免因為烈怒而用烈火消滅他們。(出 33：3-5；32：7-9)
要成為聖潔，就要控制好自已的心思，學會順服(彼前 1：13-14)
能夠潔淨自已的人，就會被視為是"尊貴的器皿，
聖潔，合乎主人所用，預備好行各樣的善事"(提後 2：20-21)
若是教會得以潔淨，就會得到神的福氣，有神同在和能力，
並且結出公義的果子，讓神得到榮耀和頌讚(腓 1：11)。
HOW CAN WE BECOME A GLORIOUS CHURCH? 我們如何成為榮耀的教會
When we reflect on our spiritual state and that of the church,
it can seem a long way off from the glorious latter temple that God foresaw.
We want to dedicate our life to God, but we are easily distracted.
We want to believe, but our faith is insufficient.
We want to love, but we only love those who love us (Mt 5:46).
We proclaim that we uphold the truth, but we tread the same path as the Jews,
who prided themselves on knowing the Law but failed to instruct themselves in it (Rom 2:20–24).
Love, hope, faith and purity are the key building blocks of our belief.
But the greatest danger for believers today is not practicing what they preach, and know, to be the truth.
Belief is tainted with disbelief (Mk 9:24), actions are inhibited by procrastination,
and our desire to draw near to God is hindered by our love of this world (Mt 13:22).
當我們反省自已和教會靈命的狀態，
看起來，我們距離神所預言末世聖殿的榮耀，還有一斷遙遠的路要走。
我們想要獻出自已的生命給神，但我們很容易分心。
我們想要相信，但我們只愛那些愛我們的人(太 5：46)
我們宣稱自已堅守真理，但卻又走上那猶太人曾經走過的路，
猶太人自已因為了解律法而很驕傲，但卻不能好好用律法教導自已(羅 2：20-24)
愛心，盼望，信心，純潔，就是我們信仰重要組成的結構。
但今日信徒最大的危險，不是沒有實行他們所傳的道理，
而且也不是去認清他們所傳的是真理。
信心受到不信所腐坏，行動卻受到遲疑所控制，
靠近神的願望，卻因貪愛世界所干擾。(太 13：22)
We need to overcome this inertia by not just knowing or doing God’s will,
but by transforming and renewing our minds (Rom 12:2).
Knowing the truth is important, but we focus more on knowledge at the expense of action.
Doing good is important, but we do it inconsistently, sometimes reluctantly.
This attitude can only get us so far.
我們要克服這種隋性，不只要認清神的旨意，實行出來，
而是改變自已想法，得到更新(羅 12：2)。
了解真理很重要，然而，我們更多注重了解知識，而沒有付緒行動。
行善很重要，但是我們無法持續實行，有時甚至心不甘情不願。
這種態度就是導致我們現在這樣的原因。
The Bible prophesied that in God’s holy mountain, the church, there would be no pain.
The wolf, bear, lion and leopard will become harmless—
not because they are tamed, but because they are transformed (Isa 11:6–10).
In the same vein, Paul exhorts the believers to be renewed in spirit,
to put off the old man and put on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:22–24).
But where do we get the motivation to transform?
We are motivated by God’s love.
聖經預言，在神的聖山裡，教會中，將不會有痛苦。
野狼，熊，獅子，黑豹都會很溫馴-
不是因為他們被馴服了，而是他們轉變了。(賽 11：6-10)
同樣地，保羅勸信徒要在靈性上更新，
脫去舊人的樣式，穿上用公義和真聖潔塑造的新人(弗 4：22-24)。
但是我們要從那裡找出改變的動機呢？
因為我們為神的愛所感動。
Paul was deeply touched by God’s love, as he viewed Christ’s death from a personal perspective:
“[Christ] loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20).
Again, he writes:
保羅深深受到神慈愛的感動，
當他從個人的角度，看到基督死已的時候：
"基督愛我們，為我們捨已"(加 2：20)。
他又一次寫著：
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:
that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all,
that those who live should live no longer for themselves,
but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2 Cor 5:14–15)
14原來基督的愛激勵我們；因我們想，一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；
15並且他替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人不再為自己活，乃為替他們死而復活的主活。
(林後 5：14-15)
Paul’s love for God is demonstrated by his “earnest desire”
and “groan[ing]” to be with Christ (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:2; Rom 8:23).
We need to have this same desire in order to be transformed by the love of Christ.
保羅愛神的展現，可以重"急迫的渴望"及"哀求著"想要與基督同在。
(腓 1：23；林後 5：2；羅 8：23)
為了得以因著基督的愛而有所轉變，就要保有相同的渴望。
Can we experience the same love that transformed Paul?
Absolutely!
God has given us His Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who transformed Paul.
By this Spirit, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts (Rom 5:5).
We simply need to open our hearts and allow God’s love to be poured in and to overflow.
The Holy Spirit has not only allowed us to imbibe God’s love,
but His transforming power has also set us free from sin (Rom 8:1–2).
The word of God can sanctify us, but we need God’s power to carry out the word
and to obey the truth by which our souls are purified (Jn 17:17; 1 Pet 1:22).
With this transformation, God’s law is imprinted on our hearts and minds (Jer 31:33).
With our fleshly heart sensitive to God’s love,
we will be saved from defilement (Ezek 36:26–27, 29).
If we fulfill His goodness and the work of faith with power (2 Thess 1:11–12),
practicing brotherly love with purity and sincerity,
then Jesus will be glorified in us, and us in Him.
我們能夠體會到，那同樣轉變保羅的慈愛嗎？
絕對是可以的！
神已經賞賜給我們祂的聖靈，這就是同樣改變保羅的聖靈。
因著聖靈，神的慈愛已經澆灌在我們的內心(羅 5：5)。
我們只要打開自已的內心，讓神的愛可以流入，在其中滿溢。
聖靈不只讓我們接受了神的愛，
而祂具有的改變能力，也讓我們脫離罪的轄制(羅 8：1-2)。
神的話語可以潔淨我們，但是我們要神的能力實行神的指示，
遵守真理，因著真理，靈塊才能夠潔淨(約 17：17；彼前 1：22)。
因為有這樣的轉變，神的律法就會烙印在我們的內心和想法(耶 31：33)。
因為有新生的內心，容易受到神的慈愛的影響，
我們就會受到拯救而脫離污穢(結 36：26-27，29)。
若我們成就祂的良善，帶著能力完成因著信心的善工(帖後 1：11-12)，
以純潔真誠的心，實行對弟兄姐妹的愛心，
那麼耶穌就會在我們身上得著榮耀，而我們也住在其中。
CONCLUSION 結語
When the first temple was completed, God made His presence felt
by filling the temple with His glory (1 Kgs 8:11).
In the apostolic church, God’s glory was manifested inwardly in the unity of the believers,
their fellowship, gladness, simplicity of heart,
and their steadfast adherence to the apostles’ teachings.
Outwardly, God’s glory was manifested in selfless sacrifice,
signs and miracles, praises to God, and the steady increase of believers (Acts 2:40–47).
當完成第一聖殿的時候，神用榮耀充滿整個聖殿，
讓人感覺到祂的同在(王上 8：11)。
使徒教會的時候，神讓信徒同心合意，彼此同靈的情誼，體會到喜樂，內純的內心，
堅定緊守著使徒的教導，展現出內在的榮光。
就外在而言，神的榮耀表現在無私的奉獻，神蹟奇事，讚美神，信徒穩定的增長。
(徒 2：40-47)
When many accept the grace of the gospel, their thanksgiving abounds to the glory of God (2 Cor 4:15).
If we wish to see Haggai’s prophecy realized,
then we need to have the same conviction as Paul, who, quoting Psalm 116:10, writes:
“I believed and therefore I spoke” (2 Cor 4:13).
The early church flourished not because the members were eloquent
or well-versed in the Scriptures, but because they played their part in propagating the gospel.
Ordinary believers took the initiative to spread the word without waiting for instruction.
They took up the ministry to preach to the Greeks and the hand of God was with them,
bringing many to believe (Acts 11:19–21).
Their devotion, obedience, liberal sharing and selfless service did not go unnoticed,
so God was glorified in all things (Acts 2:46; 2 Cor 9:13; 1 Pet 4:11).
許多人領受了福音的恩典，他們表達了感謝，充滿了神的榮耀(林後 4：15)。
若我們希望哈該先知的預言得以實現，
那麼我們要和保羅一樣，有同樣堅定的內心，他引用了詩篇 116篇10節：
"我因信，所以如此說話"(林後 4：13)。
早期教會得以興旺，不是因為信徒口才很好，精通聖經，
而是因為在傳福音的事上，他們盡了自已的本份禱告。
普通信徒自主發起廣傳福音，沒有等待別人的指示。
他們擔負起傳福音給希臘人的事工，而神的雙手與他們同在，
帶領許多人來信主(徒 11：19-21)。
他們奉獻，順服，自由分享，無私的服務，並不是沒有人注意到，
所以神就一切的事上得著榮耀(徒 2：46；林後 9：13；彼前 4：11)。
Jesus promised His believers that they would go on to do greater works than He has done (Jn 14:12).
The prophecy of the Bible is not a futile hope;
the glory of the latter temple will surely surpass that of the first temple,
but only when we revive the zeal for God’s coming.
We should “groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting” for it, with perseverance (Rom 8:23, 25).
With this renewed focus and transformed mind and heart,
we shall willingly dedicate our life to God (Rom 12:1–2).
If we can lead this holy and selfless life, steadfast in the teaching of the Bible,
God will manifest His glory in our life and in the church.
耶穌應許祂的門徒，他們會持續完成聖，比耶穌曾經作過的工作更加的美好(約 14：12)。
聖經的預言，不是虛無的希望；
末後聖殿的榮耀，一定會超過先前聖殿的榮耀，
但要我們重新點燃對神再臨的熱心。
我們為了這件事，"要在內心歎息，急切的等待"，帶著忍耐的心(羅 8：23，25)。
重新再專注改變心思想法，就應該樂意奉獻自已的生命給神(羅 12：1-2)。
若我們能過著聖潔無私的生活，堅定守住聖經的教導，
神會在我們的生活中，我們的教會裡，展現祂的榮耀。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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