4. Manna issue 90 - Heavenly Worship In Revelation 啟示錄的天國聚會
Aun Quek Chin—Singapore 新加坡 Aun Quek Chin
In the Book of Revelation, John records how a voice told him,
“I will show you things which must take place after this”
(Rev 4:1–2).
These things were the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls.
We tend to be interested in what the future holds,
which is why the Book of Revelation is so intriguing.
We feel a sense of urgency in identifying how many seals have been opened,
we wonder about the seven trumpets,
and we speculate what calamities and plagues will be unleashed through the seven bowls.
啟示錄中，約翰記錄了有聲音告訴他，
1我要將以後必成的事指示你。
(啟 4：1-2)
這些事情就是七印、七號和七碗。
我們容易對未來發生什麼事，而感興趣，
這就是為什麼，啟示錄如此吸引人的原因。
我們會有急迫感，想確認已經打開了第幾印，
我們會猜想，有關七號的事，
我們會推測，七個碗會釋放出什麼樣的災難和瘟疫。
However, before these visions were revealed,
the Lord Jesus showed John “a throne set in heaven”
(Rev 4:2).
Around the throne were twenty-four elders and four living creatures,
worshiping and praising the One on the throne
(Rev 4:4–11).
This scene depicts heavenly worship.
Why did God show John this vision before revealing the events of the future?
然而，在這些異象出現之前，
主耶穌向約翰展示“有一個寶座安置在天上”
（啟 4:2）。
寶座周圍有二十四位長老和四位活物，
敬拜讚美寶座上的那一位
（啟 4：4-11）。
這個場景描繪了天上的禮拜。
為什麼神在揭露未來的事件之前，向約翰展示這個異象？
LEARN FROM THE WORSHIP IN HEAVEN 從天國聚會中學習
Heavenly worship is an important theme in the Book of Revelation
(see also chapters 5, 7, 11, 14, 15 and 19.)
Our Lord Jesus instructed John to record these occasions of heavenly worship
to help the true church reflect on whether our present earthly worship measures up.
天上的禮拜，是啟示錄中的一個重要主題
（參考，第 5、7、11、14、15 和 19 章。）
主耶穌指示約翰記錄這些天上禮拜的場景，
幫助真教會反省，我們目前在地上敬拜神，是否符合標準。
In the Lord’s Prayer,
Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father’s “will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
(Mt 6:10; Lk 11:2).
Worship in heaven is done according to God’s word.
If our worship on earth falls short of what takes place in heaven,
then it is not following God’s will and will not be pleasing to Him.
The following are several features of worship in heaven that we must emulate.
祈禱文中，
耶穌教導我們，要祈求天父的“旨意行在地上，如在天上”
（太 6:10；路 11:2）。
天上的禮拜，是照著神的想法執行的。
如果我們地上的禮拜，與天上的崇拜不一樣，
那麼它地上禮禮就不符合神的旨意，也不會討神喜悅。
我們必須效法天國禮拜，下列幾個特徵。
1. See the Door Standing Open in Heaven 見天上有門開了
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.
And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying,
“Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
(Rev 4:1)
1此後，我觀看，見天上有門開了。
我初次聽見好像吹號的聲音，對我說：
你上到這裡來，我要將以後必成的事指示你。
(啟 4：1)
Look up 抬頭神
When John saw these visions, he was on the island of Patmos.
He had been persecuted and deported there because he held fast to his faith.
It was a solitary life, cut off from family and church,
with probably only his fellow deportees for company.
Gazing out, he would have seen nothing but the sea;
there was no way off his island-prison.
In these circumstances, God showed him an open door in heaven.
當約翰看到這些異象時，他還在拔摩海島上。
他因為堅持自己的信仰，而受到迫害並被驅逐到那裡。
那裡過著孤獨的生活，與家庭和教會隔絕，
可能只有與他同樣被驅逐的同伴。
眺望遠方，除了大海，他看不見別的東西；
並沒有辦法離開他的監禁島嶼。
在這種情況之下，神向他展示天上敞開了一扇門。
This vision immediately drew his gaze away from things on earth to things of heaven.
Had John kept his sight on earthly matters, he would have been discouraged.
But he was moved by the Spirit to see the heavenly door
—to see God’s glory and the multitude of angels and saints worshiping Him.
One day, John would join them in such a place to worship and be with God forever.
With such a glorious hope awaiting him,
there would be little point worrying about the present difficulties he faced on earth.
這個異象，立刻將他的目光從地上的事物，轉移到了天國的事物。
如果約翰繼續關注地上的事情，他就會感到灰心。
但他被聖靈感動看見天門
—看到神的榮耀和眾多敬拜神的天使和聖徒。
有一天，約翰會在同樣的地方，與他們一起敬拜神，並永遠與神在一起。
有這麼美好的盼望在等著他，
就完全沒有必要，去煩惱他在地上所面臨的困難。
In their sufferings,
the Christians in Corinth were understandably focused on the problems around and ahead of them.
They might have wondered why God allowed these afflictions,
and why He remained ignorant of their weeping.
But the apostle Paul could see past his own troubles,
even while in the midst of them;
he knew these difficulties would achieve for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
在他們的苦難中，
我們可以理解，哥林多教會的基督徒，會留意自已周圍面前所出現的問題。
他們可能想，為什麼神會容許這些苦難出現，
以及為什麼祂對他們的哭泣視而不見。
但使徒保羅能看透自己的困難，
即使身處於困境中；
他知道，這些困難會為他們帶來更加超越永恆的榮耀。
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while we do not look at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Cor 4:17–18)
17我們這至暫至輕的苦楚，要為我們成就極重無比、永遠的榮耀。
18原來我們不是顧念所見的，乃是顧念所不見的；因為所見的是暫時的，所不見的是永遠的。
(林後4：17-18)
We are often so transfixed by our afflictions
that we are blind to what will be fulfilled for us in the future.
We should recognize that today’s pain and toil are necessary for tomorrow’s outcome.
This is well demonstrated in sport.
Every athlete wants to win the gold medal.
But intense training will differentiate the champions from the rest.
Some are unable to take the pressure and give up.
Some merely go through the motions and are unlikely to win.
Champions continually push themselves.
They persevere, knowing that any discomfort is temporary and relatively light.
These athletes know that their future gain
—the deafening applause and adulation of the crowds
—far outweighs the present pain.
They give their all for a moment of glory.
As followers of Jesus Christ,
the glory we will receive is eternal.
Should we not hold on to our faith and endure even more?
我們常常被苦難驚嚇到目瞪口呆，
以致於自已對未來將要實現的事情，視而不見。
我們應該體認到，為了明日的成果，今天的痛苦和辛勞有其必要。
這個道理，在體育運動中有最佳闡釋。
每位運動員都想贏得金牌。
但是高強度的訓練，將使冠軍與其他人有所分別。
有些人無法承受壓力而放棄。
有些人只是走過場，不太會獲勝。
冠軍不斷督促自己。
他們堅持不懈，知道任何不適都是暫時的，而且相對輕微。
這些運動員知道，未來的收獲，
—人群震耳欲聾的掌聲和讚美，
—遠遠超過現在的痛苦。
他們為了榮耀的時刻，付出了自已的一切。
作為耶穌基督的跟隨者，
我們將得到永遠的榮耀。
難道我們不應該持守自已的信仰，多多忍耐嗎？
If we find ourselves in a predicament similar to John’s,
or worse, suffering from a chronic illness or living a solitary life,
let us turn our vision from earth to heaven.
Look up and see the door in heaven open.
如果我們發現自己處於困境，與約翰的情況很像，
或是更悲慘，得到慢性病，或是過著孤獨的生活，
讓我們將目光從地球轉向天國。
抬頭仰望，就能看見天國的門打開。
Look with faith 憑信心看
The way to see this heavenly door open is not by asking God to show us a vision;
instead, we ought to open the door of our hearts and see with our hearts.
Abraham saw a better heavenly home
—such insight and foresight made him willing to live like a sojourner.
His heavenly vision kept him from worrying about any earthly affliction.
Learn from Abraham to hold fast to the faith right to the end.
Although we live in this tangible, physical world,
we must stay focused on invisible spiritual matters.
This is the faith that overcomes the world.
約翰看到這扇天堂之門打開的方式，不是祈求神給我們看見異象；
相反的，我們應該打開自已的心門，用我們的心眼去看。
亞伯拉罕看到了一個更好的天家，
—有這樣的洞察力和遠見，讓他願意像旅人一樣過生活。
他天國的異象，使他不必擔心任何地上的苦難。
要向亞伯拉罕學習，堅守信仰到底。
雖然我們生活在這個有形的物質世界中，
就必須要專注於無形的屬靈相關的事情。
這就是要有，勝過世界的信心。
2. Come Up to the Lord 靠近神
John saw a door standing open in heaven, and heard a voice telling him to “Come up here”
(Rev 4:1).
Had he not accepted the Lord’s invitation,
he would not have witnessed the glory and joys that lay beyond heaven’s door.
In other words, having the right vision
—seeing the open door
—is not enough by itself.
Obedience to God’s word is critical.
約翰看見天上有一扇門敞開著，聽到有一個聲音告訴他“你上到這裡來。”
（啟 4:1）。
如果他沒有接受主的邀請，
他就不會親眼看見天堂之門內的榮耀和歡樂。
換句話說，看見正確的異象
—看到敞開的天門
—若只是看見異象，其實還不夠。
順服神的話語，才是至關重要的。
Climb new spiritual heights 登上屬靈新高度
John was lifted to the Lord in the Spirit.
Today we may not be lifted in a vision,
but our spirituality should be lifted to where the Lord is.
約翰在靈裡，被提昇飛向主。
今天我們可能不會象異像中一樣，被提升，
但我們的靈命應該被提昇到主所在之處。
The lyrics of the hymn Higher Ground[1] remind us: 讚美詩395首向高處行，提醒我們：
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day…
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
我今奔向更高之地，步步堅立，日日高昇；
...(當我前行，禱告不停，求主領我向高處行。)
求提升我，使我堅定，憑信站在天上樂境；
我心嚮往更高之地，求主領我向高處行。
Only by standing on a higher ground can we see more clearly and see heaven more closely.
We may have established a routine of attending services, reading the Bible, and praying.
But have these worship activities lifted us to higher ground, to where the Lord is?
To guard against spiritual stagnation, we must always check our relationship with Jesus
—are we growing closer to the Lord day by day?
Is our image increasingly like the Lord’s?
只有站在更高之地，才能看得更清楚，更近看清天國。
我們可能已建立了參加聚會、讀經和禱告的日常習慣。
但是這些敬拜活動，有沒有把我們提升到更高之地，到主所在之處呢？
為了防止靈性停滯，就必須經常查驗自已與耶穌的關係
—我們是否日日更加親近主呢？
我們的形像，是否越來越更像主的形象呢？
The whole point of our worship should be to improve ourselves and be raised to the Lord.
Let us not only strive for higher earthly achievements
but, more so, aim for higher heavenly planes.
我們敬拜全部的重點，應該是提昇自己，並被提升歸向主。
讓我們不僅要追求更高的世俗成就，
反而更重要的是，要聚焦在更高的天國之地。
Come to the true way 走上真道
Ironically, the most important life issue we all must attend to is the end of life
—where will our souls go after death?
Different philosophers and religious teachers have tried to provide answers to this.
However, no human being can give us the truth of the matter;
only the Lord Jesus can, because He is the true God in heaven
who descended to earth to save humankind.
Jesus is the absolute truth, eternal life, and the way of salvation.
No one can come to the Father except through Him
(Jn 14:6–7, 10).
During His earthly ministry, Jesus invited people to come to Him.
To those who labor and are heavily laden,
He promises rest.
To those who believe in Him, He promises everlasting life and resurrection on the last day
(Mt 11:25–28; Jn 6:37–40).
很諷刺的是，我們都必須關注最重要的生命問題，是生命的終結
—我們的靈魂死後會去哪裡？
不同的哲學家和宗教導師試圖為此提供答案。
然而，沒有人可以告訴我們事情的真相；
只有主耶穌才能，因為祂是天上的真神，
降世拯救人類。
耶穌是絕對的真理、永生和救贖之路。
除非通過祂，沒有人可以來到天父面前
（約 14：6-7、10）。
耶穌地上傳道期間，祂邀請人們來就近祂。
對那些勞苦重擔的人，
祂答應安息。
對那些信祂的人，祂應許永生，並在末日復活
（太 11：25-28；約 6：37-40）。
We must come to the Lord.
Only then can we have the absolute answer to what happens at the end of life.
我們必須來到主面前。
只有這樣，我們才能得到生命結束時，到底有什麼事情發生的絕對答案。
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life;
and these are they which testify of Me.
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
(Jn 5:39–40)
39你們查考聖經（或作：應當查考聖經），因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。
40然而，你們不肯到我這裡來得生命。
(約 5：39-40)
The way to the Lord is through the Scriptures
—these testify of the Lord, enabling us to understand who Jesus is,
and how to follow Him to eternal life.
But Jesus said,
“You are not willing to come to Me.”
Reflect on this and how we have lived our lives thus far.
What is our ambition—to gain money or to gain life?
If it is the former, we ought to go to the world.
There is much money to be made there for those willing and able to work hard.
But the COVID-19 pandemic is an abrupt reminder that even if we are wealthy,
it may be of no use to us
(Lk 12:15–21).
通往主的道路，是通過聖經
——聖經為主作見證，使我們能夠明白耶穌是誰，
以及如何跟隨祂，直到永生。
但耶穌說：“你們不願到我這裡來。”
好好反思這一點，以及我們迄今為止，如何生活。
我們追求的目標是什麼呢？—想賺取錢財，還是得到生命？
如果是前者，我們應該要走向世界。
對於那些願意，並能夠努力工作的人來說，那裡可以賺到很多錢。
但是新冠病毒大流行，突然提醒我們，即使我們很富有，
錢財可能對我們沒有用
（路 12：15-21）。
Let us realize that the true and only worthwhile aim of life is to gain eternal life.
And the only way to achieve this is to go to where the Lord is.
讓我們明白，人生真正且唯一有價值的目標，是得到永生。
實現這一目標的唯一方法，就是前往主所在的地方。
3. See God On the Throne 看見神坐在寶座上
And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance;
and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
(Rev 4:3)
3看那坐著的，好像碧玉和紅寶石；又有虹圍著寶座，好像綠寶石。
(啟 4：3)
See His glory and holiness: Be reverent 看見神的榮光聖潔：恭敬
God can neither be seen with human eyes,
nor His glory accurately described in mere human words.
In the Book of Revelation, John thus uses precious stones
—jasper and sardius
—to represent God’s glory and holiness.
The brilliance of these jewels should constantly remind us of our unworthiness.
When the prophet Isaiah saw the glory and holiness of God,
he exclaimed,
“Woe is me.
…Because I am a man of unclean lips!”
(Isa 6:5–9).
Sadly, today, some believers are proud and puffed up
by their wealth, social status, or their standing in church.
They conduct themselves irreverently, even in church.
They behave like this because they have not seen the glory and holiness of the One who sits on the throne.
True worship requires us to see the glory and holiness of God
so that we can worship with reverence and piety.
神既不能用肉眼看到，
祂的榮耀也不能用人類的語言準確描述。
在啟示錄中，約翰因此使用寶石
—碧玉和紅玉髓，
—代表神的榮耀和聖潔。
這些珠寶的光彩，會不斷提醒我們自己的不配。
當先知以賽亞看見神的榮耀和聖潔時，
他驚呼道：
“我有禍了。
……因為我是嘴唇不潔的人！”
（賽 6：5-9）。
可悲的是，今天有些信徒驕傲自大
因為他們的財富、社會地位，或在教會中的地位。
他們的行為非常無禮，即使身處會堂裡也是如此。
他們這樣行，是因為他們沒有看到，坐在寶座上的那位的榮耀和聖潔。
真正的敬拜，需要我們看見神的榮耀和聖潔
如此才使我們能以敬畏虔誠的心敬拜神。
See His mercy and faithfulness: Be repentant 看見神的憐憫信實：悔改
The rainbow around the throne represents the mercy and faithfulness of God.
After delivering Noah’s household, God set His rainbow in the sky.
This was a sign of His covenant with man
—His promise that He will never destroy the world with a flood again.
In our worship, we should see the rainbow and remember God’s faithful deliverance and mercy.
When we have sinned, do not give up and draw away from God.
Instead, return to Him and confess our sin; seek His grace and ask for His forgiveness.
When the Israelites sinned, God spoke of His mercy to Moses:
寶座周圍的彩虹，代表神的憐憫和信實。
拯救挪亞一家之後，神將彩虹掛在了天上。
這是祂與人立約的記號
—祂承諾，永遠不會再用洪水毀滅世界。
在我們的敬拜神的時候，我應該要看到彩虹，記住神信實的拯救和憐憫。
當我們犯罪時，不要放棄，而遠離神。
相反的，要回到祂面前，承認自已的罪過； 尋求祂的恩典，並祈求神的寬恕。
當以色列人犯罪的時候，神對摩西訴說祂的憐憫：
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed,
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering,
and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
(Ex 34:6–7)
6耶和華在他面前宣告說：耶和華，耶和華，是有憐憫有恩典的神，不輕易發怒，並有豐盛的慈愛和誠實，
7為千萬人存留慈愛，赦免罪孽、過犯，和罪惡，萬不以有罪的為無罪，必追討他的罪，自父及子，直到三、四代。
(出 34：6-7)
Moses’ response to this divine proclamation was sincere gratitude.
He then hastened to intercede for the Israelites
(Ex 34:8–9).
Let us recognize our iniquities and,
while we are in this period of grace, seize the opportunity to receive forgiveness
and share His faithful mercies with others.
摩西對這個神聖宣告的回應，是真誠的感謝。
然後他就急忙為以色列人代禱
（出 34：8-9）。
讓我們承認自已的罪孽，並且，
當我們身處這個恩典時期的時候，要抓住機會尋求饒恕
並與別人分享祂這信實的慈悲。
See only Him: Be dedicated 專心仰望神：獻身
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones,
and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes;
and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
(Rev 4:4)
4寶座的周圍又有二十四個座位；其上坐著二十四位長老，身穿白衣，頭上戴著金冠冕。
(啟 4：4)
Many things were vying for John’s attention,
but his eyes were immediately drawn to the One sitting on the throne.
This is another attribute of heavenly worship:
a focus on God who sits on the throne in heaven.
很多事情都吸引約翰的注意力，
但他的目光立刻被坐在寶座上的那一位所吸引。
這是天上禮拜的另一個特色：
聚焦於坐在天上寶座上的神。
In our worship today, we must not allow our worship to become human-centered instead of God-focused.
This may happen both personally and at church level.
For example, some churches are more concerned about pleasing the worshipers,
rather than pleasing God in their worship.
To boost attendance, they overhaul their services
so that people will find attending church fun and relaxing.
Instead of leading the congregation to worship the Almighty God with reverence,
they transform worship of the Almighty into a recreational event.
Another example is sermon speakers
who are more concerned with pleasing their human listeners than striving to preach what God wants them to.
Such speakers may choose topics deemed to be interesting;
they may even be prepared to “innovate” on the truth to please the congregation.
今日我們敬拜神的時候，不可以讓敬拜變成以人為中心，而不是以神為中心。
這種情況可能發生在個人和教會層面上。
例如，有些教會更關注取悅來作禮拜的人，
而不是在他們敬拜時，取悅神。
為了提高出席率，他們全面改變了聚會方式，
這樣人們才會覺得，參加聚會很有趣，令人放鬆。
沒有帶領會眾以敬畏的態度，敬拜全能的真神，
他們把敬拜全能真神的崇拜方式，變成一種娛樂活動。
另一個例子是講道者，
他們更關心取悅聽眾，而不是努力訴說，神希望他們傳講的道理。
這種講者可能會選擇看起來有趣的講題；
他們甚至可能準備以“創新”方式講述真理，以取悅會眾。
At the personal level, we must reflect on
whether we have become the type of listener who only pays attention to feel-good sermons,
shutting our ears to messages that we dislike.
Reflect also on our level of concentration during services.
If we use a Bible app on our smartphones during services,
can we resist reading the incoming message notifications that pop up,
or sneakily checking the news and social media?
We may be undergoing the rituals of worship,
but we are not concentrating on God. God is looking at us,
but we are not looking at Him.
We have other things on our minds.
How could such worship be pleasing to God?
在個人層面，我們必須反思
我們是否已經成為那種只關注自我感覺良好的講道的聽眾，
對我們不喜歡的信息閉上耳朵。
還要反思我們在服務期間的專注程度。
如果我們在服務期間在智能手機上使用聖經應用程序，
我們能不能拒絕閱讀彈出的傳入消息通知，
或偷偷查看新聞和社交媒體？
我們可能正在經歷敬拜的儀式，
但我們沒有專注於上帝。 上帝在看著我們，
但我們不是在看他。
我們還有其他事情想著。
這樣的敬拜怎麼會討神的喜悅呢？
We must recalibrate our worship today to the standard of heavenly worship.
When we come before God, focus our eyes on He who sits on the throne,
focus our minds on the presence of God,
and tune our ears to the word God wants us to receive.
Worship God with a reverent heart and a dedicated mind.
我們必須重新調今日敬拜方式，以達到天上崇拜的標準。
當我們來到神面前時，要定睛坐寶座上的那位真神，
將自已的心思聚集在神的同在，
回轉自已的耳朵，聆聽神希望我們接受的道理。
以虔誠專一的心志，敬拜神。
4. See the Sea of Glass Before the Throne 看見寶座前的玻璃海
Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.
(Rev 4:6)
6寶座前好像一個玻璃海，如同水晶。
(啟 4：6)
Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva, the famous Russian writer,
once said that she could never love the ocean because
—given its vastness
—it is uninhabitable by man.
In contrast, land covers a smaller portion of the earth’s surface,
yet sustains so much human life.
The ocean is also temperamental: calm and peaceful one moment,
but terrifying when a storm whips the waves into a frenzy.
So puny and helpless is man before the vast ocean
that life, with all its uncertainty, is oft described as a bitter ocean.
However, the sea of glass in John’s vision reassures us.
俄羅斯著名作家，瑪麗娜·伊萬諾夫娜·茨維塔耶娃（Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva），
曾經說過，她永遠不會愛上大海，因為
—鑑於海洋廣闊無邊，
—人類無法居住其中。
相比之下，陸地只佔地球表面的一小部分，
然而卻供養著非常眾多人類的生命。
海洋也是喜怒無常的：一時平靜祥和，
但當暴風雨將海浪掀起狂潮之時，就變的很可怕。
身處浩瀚海洋的面前，人們是如此的渺小無助，
以至於生命，由於其中充滿眾多的不確定性，經常被描述為苦海。
然而，約翰異像中的玻璃海讓我們很放心。
Jesus is our shelter 耶穌是我們的避難所
On one occasion, when Peter saw Jesus walking on the lake during a storm,
he asked Jesus to allow him to do the same.
At Jesus’ invitation, Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on water.
However, when he saw the winds,
he became afraid and began to sink.
When he cried out to the Lord, Jesus immediately reached out His hand to catch him,
and together they made it back to the boat
(Mt 14:22–32).
有一次，彼得看到耶穌在暴風雨的湖上行走時，
他求耶穌允許也能這樣做。
因著耶穌的邀請，彼得下了船，開始在水上行走。
然而，當他看到大風時，
他很害怕，就開始下沉。
當他向主呼求的時候，耶穌立刻伸手拉住他，
並且他們一起回到船上
（太 14：22-32）。
Like Peter, we too may lose our nerve when assailed by the ferocious storms of life.
There is no need to fear because the Lord is our shelter;
He can turn the bitter ocean into a sea of glass.
Then we can, like Peter, stand and walk on the sea together with the Lord.
像彼得一樣，我們也可能在生活中猛烈風暴雨的襲擊中，失去勇氣。
其實沒有必要害怕，因為主是我們的庇護所；
祂能把苦海，轉變成玻璃海。
然後我們就可以像彼得一樣，與主一同站在海面上行走。
In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. …
He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters. (Ps 18:6, 16)
6我在急難中求告耶和華，向我的神呼求。
他從殿中聽了我的聲音；我在他面前的呼求入了他的耳中。
16他從高天伸手抓住我，把我從大水中拉上來。
(詩 18：6，16)
Today, when calamity comes, and we find ourselves sinking into the bitter sea,
learn from Peter to cry out to the Lord.
Our merciful Lord Jesus will surely stretch out His hand and save us.
今天，當災難來臨時，我們發現自己沉入苦海，
才學習彼得向主呼求。
慈悲的主耶穌一定會伸出手拯救我們。
Worship is an essential time of communion between our Savior and us.
However, some Christians claim that since God is everywhere,
there is no need to worship God in His temple;
they can just worship God in their hearts or worship at home.
But in Psalm 18:6, the Psalmist says that God heard his voice from God’s temple.
This is a reminder that God wants us to gather in His temple
—His church—for worship
(Heb 10:25).
If we do not obey God’s instruction and see formal worship as a waste of time,
then our cries for help during times of distress will be displeasing to Him.
崇拜是救主與我們交流的重要時刻。
然而，一些基督徒聲稱，既然神無處不在，
就不需要在神的殿裡敬拜神；
他們可以在心裡敬拜神，也可以在家作禮拜。
但是在詩篇18篇6節中，詩人說，神在聖殿裡聽到了他的聲音。
這是一個提醒，神希望我們聚集在聖殿裡
—祂的教會—用於敬拜神
（來 10:25）。
如果我們不服從神的指示，認為正式禮拜是浪費時間的話，
那麼我們在危難時的呼求，就會令祂不高興。
Technology has been a blessing,
allowing us to continue worshiping throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
and the ensuing social distancing measures.
But as lockdown gradually lifts,
do we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the opportunity
to once again worship with fellow-believers at church?
Or have we come to prefer online services since they are so convenient,
saving us time and trouble, and providing us with a choice of speakers from around the world?
科技可以是一種祝福，
允許我們於整個新冠病毒大流行期間，以及隨之而來的社交遠離措施，
繼續敬拜神。
但隨著封城逐漸解除，
我們是否發現自己會急切期待利用這個機會，
再次在會堂與其他信徒一起敬拜神呢？
或是我們更喜歡線上聚會，因為非常方便，
為我們節省時間和麻煩，並為我們提供來自世界各地講道者的選擇呢？
The ancient saints remind us: 古聖徒提醒我們：
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
(Ps 84:5–7)
5靠你有力量、心中想往錫安大道的，這人便為有福！
6他們經過流淚谷，叫這谷變為泉源之地；並有秋雨之福蓋滿了全谷。
7他們行走，力上加力，各人到錫安朝見神。
(詩 84：5-7)
These ancient saints worshiped God in their houses,
but they still willingly traveled to God’s temple for worship.
God had instructed them to worship in the place where He put His name
(Deut 12:5, 16:2, 11, 26:2; Neh 1:9).
This was His temple, where the ark of God was placed.
The ancient saints did not have the convenience of our modern transport.
And they would have had to pass through the Valley of Baca,
which means the valley of “weeping”
—a warning that they needed to traverse many sorrows.
Yet, by relying on God,
these ancient saints found the strength to obey God’s command to worship at God’s temple.
這些古代聖徒在家敬拜神，
但是他們仍然甘心樂意前往聖殿敬拜神。
神已經指示他們，要在祂選擇設立祂聖名之地，敬拜神
（申 12:5、16:2、11、26:2；尼 1:9）。
這就是聖殿，安置了神的約櫃。
古聖徒並沒有我們現代便利的交通工具。
他們不得不走過巴卡山谷，
巴卡的意思是“流淚”之谷
—是一種警告，提醒他們需要穿越許多悲傷。
然而，依靠神，
這些古聖徒找到了力量，服從神的命令，在神的聖殿敬拜神。
The Psalmist declares that those who desire to worship God in this manner will be blessed;
God will add to their strength so that they can come to His temple to worship Him.
Hence, we should not let anything deter us from making the trip to church.
It is true that we
—the people of God
—are the church.
But the physical church building is no ordinary building because it has been dedicated to God for worship.
This is a place that belongs to God
—the sanctuary where God’s name has been established and continues to be proclaimed
(cf. 1 Kgs 9:3).
More importantly, this is the place where God commanded His rituals be performed
(Deut 12:11, 16:6).
As God’s children, we ought to rejoice when we can come to worship Him at church.
Our desire to go to His temple reflects our obedience and our longing to receive God’s grace.
Therefore, no matter how tired we may be or how arduous the journey,
come to God’s temple to worship.
詩篇作者宣稱，那些渴望以這種方式敬拜神的人，將得到祝福；
神會加添他們的力量，使他們能夠到聖殿敬拜祂。
因此，我們不應該讓任何事情，阻止我們去教會的行程。
確實，我們是
—神的子民
—就是教會。
但是實體會堂建築物，並不是普通的建物，因為會堂已經獻給神，用來敬拜。
這是屬於神之地，
——是確立神之名的聖所，並且將要繼續宣揚主名
（參見 王上 9:3）。
更重要的是，這是神命令之地，要舉行儀式，
（申 12:11, 16:6）。
作為神的兒女，我們能來教會敬拜祂的時候，就應該歡欣鼓舞。
我們渴望去他的聖殿，反應了自已順服，並渴望接受神的恩典。
因此，無論我們有多累，旅途多艱辛，
要到神的殿敬拜。
Jesus is our peace 耶穌賜我們平安
In John’s vision, the sea of glass was like a clear crystal.
The clarity and solidity of crystal remind us that when we come before God,
we enjoy peace and tranquillity.
In His presence, we will not be affected by worldly troubles.
Today, when we come to worship God in His temple, are our hearts peaceful?
Peace is not an external display.
Some believers appear to be listening quietly to the sermon,
but in their hearts, they are like Martha
—troubled and distracted by many things, unable to hear God’s word
(Lk 10:40).
But some successfully emulate Mary
—when they come to church,
they resolutely put aside all their worldly cares and quieten their hearts to worship God.
Such worship is truly like heavenly worship because,
before the throne, we see a crystal-clear sea of glass.
約翰的異象中，玻璃海就像是一片透明的水晶。
水晶的清澈和堅固提醒我們，當我們來到神面前時，
就可享受平安寧靜。
在祂面前，我們不會受到世俗瑣事的影響。
今天，當我們來到聖殿敬拜神的時候，自已內心是否感受到平安？
平安並不是外表的裝飾。
有些信徒似乎安靜聽講道，
然而他們心中，就像馬大一樣
—被許多事困擾、心煩意亂，聽不見神的話
（路 10:40）。
但是有些人成功效法馬利亞，
——當他們來到教會時，
他們一定放下一切世俗的牽掛，靜下心來敬拜神。
這樣的敬拜就真的像天上的禮拜一樣，因為，
在寶座前，我們看到了一片晶瑩剔透的玻璃海。
SEA OF GLASS IN LIFE: MANAGING FEAR AND ANXIETY 生命中的玻璃海：控制恐懼焦慮
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.”
(Isa 43:1–2)
1雅各啊，創造你的耶和華，以色列啊，造成你的那位，現在如此說：你不要害怕！因為我救贖了你。
我曾提你的名召你，你是屬我的。
2你從水中經過，我必與你同在；你逿過江河，水必不漫過你；你從火中行過，必不被燒，火燄也不著在你身上。
(賽 43：1-2)
Fear is a natural human instinct.
God understands this.
So, throughout history and through the Scriptures,
God has provided reassurance for His people.
This passage brings to mind two of history’s greatest miracles.
恐懼是人類的本能。
神明白這一點。
所以，縱觀歷史和聖經，
神已經給予祂的子女安慰。
這段經節，讓人想起歷史上最偉大的兩個神蹟。
First, “passing through the waters” reminds us of Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Red Sea
(Ex 14).
With Pharaoh and his army in hot pursuit behind,
and the Red Sea in front, the people of Israel were terrified:
they would either be killed or drowned.
Moses was the exception
(Ex 14:13).
He remained calm and unafraid because he saw God’s presence.
He knew God would make a way and lead them through the waters.
第一、“走過河水”讓我們想起了以色列奇蹟般地越過紅海，
（出 14）。
法老和他的軍隊在後面緊追不捨，
眼前又有紅海，讓以色列人驚惶失措：
他們要不是被殺，就是會被水淹死。
摩西是個例外
（出 14:13）。
他保持冷靜無畏，因為他看見了神的同在。
他知道神會開路，帶領他們通過河水。
Second, “walking through the fire”
reminds us of the miraculous delivery of Daniel’s three friends from the fiery furnace
(Dan 3).
These three Jews chose to be thrown into the furnace rather than compromise their religious principles.
When the king urged them to reconsider,
they still refused to worship the gold image
(Dan 3:17–18).
They believed that God was able to deliver them,
and even if He did not save their physical bodies,
He would deliver their souls into His kingdom.
They demonstrated this extraordinary lack of fear because they remembered they had God’s presence.
第二、“走過火海”
讓我們想起但以理的三個朋友，從火爐中奇蹟般地被拯救出來
（但 3）。
這三個猶太人，選擇被扔進火爐，而不是妥協他們的宗教原則。
當國王敦促他們重新考慮時，
他們仍然拒絕跪拜金像
（但 3：17-18）。
他們相信神能夠拯救他們，
即使神沒有拯救他們的肉體，
神會解救他們的靈魂，安置於天國。
他們展現出這種非凡的鎮定，因為他們記得自已有神同在。
At present, we may be living in a country or area where COVID-19 infections are spiraling out of control.
Perhaps we are struggling through deep waters and fiery furnaces.
Do not be paralyzed by fear.
Let us open our eyes to see the presence of God.
Trusting in God’s abidance and deliverance will quieten our anxious hearts.
Open our ears to hear God tell us:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine”
(Isa 43:1).
God has redeemed us with His blood and the Holy Spirit.
We are the children of God, the almighty Creator of the heavens and earth.
The heavenly Father takes care of the birds in the skies,
and we are much more important than these.
But the crucial question is whether we are willing to place our lives into His hands.
目前，我們可能生活在新冠病毒感染逐漸上升失控的國家或地區。
也許我們正在水深火熱中掙扎。
不要被恐懼嚇到。
要睜開眼睛看見神的同在。
相信神的同在和拯救，會平息我們焦慮的內心。
張開我們雙耳，聆聽神告訴我們：
“你不要害怕！因為我救贖了你。我曾提你的名召你，你是屬我的。”
（賽 43:1）。
神用寶血和聖靈救贖了我們。
我們是神的兒女，祂是天地的全能創造者。
天父照顧天上的飛鳥，
而我們比這些動物更重要得多。
但關鍵的問題是，我們是否願意將自已的生命交在神的手中。
Consider the bird who perches on a tree branch.
It never fears that the branch will break,
resulting in a plunge to certain death.
This is because the bird does not put its trust in the strength of the branch,
but in the wings God has given it.
Similarly, for us, we are “perched” in the situation we find ourselves in.
Our faith in God is like the wings of the bird.
Is our trust rooted in our circumstances, the wealth, or influence we possess?
Or do we trust in our wings?
No matter how sturdy the branch,
it will still snap in a fierce storm.
But the wings of our faith allow us to soar and overcome these calamities.
想想棲息在樹枝上的飛鳥。
它從來不怕樹枝會折斷，
導致跌下來有一定機會死掉。
這是因為，飛鳥不會相信樹枝的力量，
而是相信神賞賜飛鳥的翅膀。
同樣的情況，對我們而言，我們“棲息”在自已所處的環境中。
我們對神的信靠，就像鳥兒的翅膀一樣。
我們的信任，是否植根於自已擁有的環境、財富或影響力呢？
我們還會相信自已的翅膀嗎？
不管樹枝有多麼堅固，
它仍會於猛烈的風暴中折斷。
但我們信仰的翅膀，會使我們能夠翱翔，並克服這些災難。
For some Christians, sin and time spent away from God may have left their wings wounded.
This is why they struggle with life.
If we are in this situation, we must return to the Lord,
who heals the broken and broken-hearted
(Ps 147:3).
對於一些基督徒來說，罪以及離開神的時間，可能讓他們的翅膀受傷。
這就是他們生活一直掙扎的原因。
如果我們身處這種情況之下，就必須回到主身邊，
神會醫治受傷心碎的人
（詩 147:3）。
CONCLUSION 結論
Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate headlines;
it has been called the crisis of a generation
due to its far-reaching health, economic and social impacts.
But crises are also opportunities.
In the end time, there will be pestilences in various places.
This crisis is an urgent warning to review the state of our worship and faith.
目前，新冠病毒大流行繼續佔據頭條新聞；
它被稱為本世代的危機
由於它會產生健康、經濟和社會深遠的影響。
但危機也是轉機。
末世中，各地都會有瘟疫。
這場危機是一種緊急警告，需要重新檢視自已敬拜神和信仰的狀況。
The Book of Revelation fascinates readers
because of its detailed description of the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s second coming.
But an important focus for believers is the heavenly worship that John saw in his vision.
God wants us to look up and see the door open.
He wants us to rise to see the throne in heaven.
These are reminders that our spiritual gaze must always be firmly turned heavenward.
Specifically, we must see the almighty and holy God and come into His presence.
When we do so, our lives of worship
will have the right motivations and attributes of repentance, reverence, and dedication.
Though the stormy winds howl around us in the bitter sea of life,
our eyes are on the crystal-clear sea of glass in heaven,
and our hearts will remain at peace.
God gives His children wings of faith.
Even though we may pass through many waters or fires,
the Lord will lead us, His beloved children, along.
啟示錄讓讀者很痴迷，
因為它詳細描述了，耶穌基督第二次降臨之前，會發生的事件。
但是對於信徒來說，一個重要的焦點是，約翰他的異像中看到的天國崇拜。
神要我們抬頭看見天門打開。
他要我們起來看見天上的寶座。
這些都提醒我們，自已的屬靈目光，必須始終堅定向上看見天國的方向。
具體來說，我們必須見到全能聖潔的真神，來到他面前。
當我們這樣做的時候，自已的敬拜生活，
將具有正確的動機和屬性，帶著悔改、敬畏和奉獻的精神。
儘管我們周圍，有暴風在生命苦海中咆哮，
我們雙眼，則注視著天國晶瑩剔透的玻璃海，
而我們的內心將保持平靜。
神賜給祂的兒女信心的翅膀。
即使我們可能經過許多火海，
主會帶領我們，祂心愛的孩子，一路前行。
[1] By Johnson Oatman, Jr (1856–1922).
[APPENDIX] LOCKDOWN MEASURES: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
[附錄] 封城措施：偽裝的祝福
In normal times, we have the freedom to go anywhere we wish.
However, because we have so many things to do and places to visit,
we leave no time to spend with God.
As a result, we drift further and further away from the Lord.
Our preoccupation with work and worldly entertainment have also distanced us from our family.
在正常情況下，我們可以自由地去任何自已想去的地方。
然而，因為我們有很多事情要做和很多地方要去，
我們沒有留下時間與神共度時光。
結果，我們離主越來越遠。
我們事先對於工作和世俗娛樂投入太多關注，也使自已與家人疏遠了。
When COVID-19 lockdown measures were imposed in different cities,
many rued the loss of freedom initially.
Some grumbled at the virtual imprisonment.
However, staying at home not only protects us and averts further disaster,
it also provides an opportunity to improve our relationships with the Lord and our family members.
By compelling us to suspend the busyness of normal life,
we are able to quieten our hearts and reflect on the state of our souls.
When our lives come to an end, are we able to enter the heavenly kingdom with the Lord?
當很多城市實施新冠病毒封城措施時，
許多人最初會因為失去自由感到懊惱。
一些人抱怨這種虛擬的監禁。
然而，待在家裡不僅可以保護我們，並避免進一步的災難，
它還給予了一個機會，來改善我們與主和自已家人的關係。
通過強迫我們暫停正常生活的忙碌，
讓我們能夠平靜自已的內心，反省自已我們的靈魂狀態。
當我們的生命走到盡頭時，我們是否能與主一起進入天國嗎？
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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