2. Manna issue 95 - A More Abundant Life (Part 1): Peace and Hope 一種更豐盛的生活(第一回)：平安與盼望
Based on sermons by Raymond Chou—San Jose, California, USA 美國加州聖荷西講道
Society bombards us with many principles and philosophies
on how to live a rich and fulfilling life.
Many think the answer lies in a rewarding career,
and so urge us to hustle until we have achieved success, found our calling, and changed the world.
Others believe family comes first,
and so recommend that we sacrifice everything to nurture our children
and give them a picture-book perfect childhood.
Yet others promote an alternative and independent lifestyle,
suggesting we live in the moment and chase our happiness,
freeing ourselves from familial responsibilities, traditional work,
and physical possessions to maximize our time and money for travel and experiences.
社會用許多原則和哲學轟炸我們，
關於如何過著豐富而充實的生活。
許多人認為這個答案是，得到有好回報的職業，
因此，促使我們努力奮鬥，直到自已取得成功、找到使命，並且改變世界。
其他一些人則認為是家庭至上，
所以提倡我們犧牲一切，來培育自已的子女，
給予他們一段圖畫書般的完美童年。
還有一些人倡導另類和獨立的生活方式，
建議我們活在當下，並追逐幸福，
解放自已脫離家庭責任、傳統工作，
及物質的財產，大大利用自已的時間和金錢來旅行及體驗。
These approaches promise a life of abundance,
but the great sacrifice they entail often keeps the promise out of reach.
For example, those who think money is an infallible safety net
push themselves to their physical and mental limits to build their bank balance.
Or they obsessively watch every penny they spend
despite earning a comfortable wage.
In the process, they lose relationships, health and well-being,
and even their spiritual lives.
Are such people enjoying true abundance?
這些方法有望帶來富足的生活，
但他們所帶來的巨大犧牲，往往使承諾變得遙不可及。
例如，那些認為金錢是萬無一失安全網的人，
逼迫自己身體和心靈的極限，以求建立銀行存款。
或是他們會過度關注自己花費的每一分錢，
儘管正賺取著可觀的薪資。
在此過程中，他們失去了人際關係、健康和幸福，
甚至他們的精神生活。
這樣的人會享受真正的富足嗎？
The Lord Jesus Christ once declared,
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"
(Jn 10:10b).
As Christians, we know that the Good Shepherd laid down His life
so that we can gain access to eternal life after death.
But even in our life on earth, God promises us abundance through His loving grace and blessings.
主耶穌基督曾經宣告，
“10我來了，是要叫羊（或作：人）得生命，並且得的更豐盛”
（約 10：10b）。
身為基督徒，我們知道，好牧人犧牲自己的生命，
使我們死後能夠獲得永生。
但即使在我們地球的生活中，神應許透過祂慈愛的恩典和祝福使我們得豐盛。
This article examines two aspects of an abundant life: peace and hope.
What is the source of true peace and hope,
and how can attaining these help us to live a more meaningful life?
本文探討豐盛生活的兩個面向：平安和盼望。
真正的平安與盼望的源頭是什麼？
實現這些目標如何能幫助我們過著更有意義的生活呢？
A LIFE OF PEACE 一種平安的生命
Peace in an Uncertain World 未知世界的平安
The desire for peaceful lives is a natural human one.
This is why we buy various types of insurance,
hoping these will protect us in unforeseen circumstances.
However, the peace of mind these afford will only last
until we are beset by a new danger that the insurance does not cover!
Man may have developed a range of sophisticated scientific instruments, technological gadgets,
or statistical models to try to predict or minimize the impact of imminent global disasters.
But the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis is a harsh reminder
of the limits of human ability and the fragility of human peace.
平安生活的渴望是人類的本能。
這就是我們購買各種保險的原因，
希望這些能夠在不可預見的情況下保護我們。
然而，這些所帶來的安心只會持續，
直到我們面對保險無法承保的新危險所困擾！
人類可能已經開發出一系列複雜科學的方法，科技的小工具，
或是統計模型，來嘗試預測或盡量減少迫近的全球性災難衝擊。
但是史無前例的新冠肺炎危機，就是一個嚴厲的警告，
有關人類能力的限制和人類和平的脆弱性。
A core message that Jesus proclaimed to the people of His time
and to all who would listen today is that He can give true and ultimate peace.
Unfortunately, in affluent Western societies,
people increasingly think they do not need Jesus
—they can live comfortably and peacefully without Him.
Church attendance for many professing the Christian faith
is limited to baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
In contrast, Christians in developing countries demonstrate stronger faith
because they recognize that they need God’s abidance to get through each day.
耶穌向祂那時代的人宣告的核心訊息，
及對今日所有願意聆聽之人來說，就是祂可以賜予真正最終的平安。
不幸的是，在富裕的西方社會，
人們越發認為自己不需要耶穌，
—他們也可以舒適、平安的生活，而不需要耶穌。
對許多自認是基督教信仰之人的教堂出席，
僅限於洗禮、婚禮和葬禮。
對比之下，發展中國家的基督徒則表現出更堅定的信仰，
因為他們認識到自已需要神的同在來度過每一天。
BY GOD’S GRACE! 藉著神的恩典
TRUE JESUS CHURCH BELIEVERS IN AFRICA OFTEN SAY, “BY GOD’S GRACE!”
THIS IS NO HABITUAL INTERJECTION BUT A HEARTFELT EXCLAMATION BECAUSE,
IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, MANY THINGS COULD CAUSE SUDDEN DEATH.
ON ONE OF MY PASTORAL VISITS TO GHANA,
A RAINBOW-COLORED CREATURE CRAWLED UNDER MY BED
AS I WAS ABOUT TO TURN IN FOR THE NIGHT.
THE LOCAL BROTHER ACCOMPANYING ME
COULD ONLY COMMENT HELPLESSLY THAT THIS WAS “VERY BAD, VERY BAD!”
SINCE THERE WAS LITTLE EITHER OF US COULD DO ABOUT THIS,
WE JUST TRUSTED IN GOD AND WENT TO SLEEP.
非洲真耶穌教會的信徒常說：“靠著神的恩典！”
這不是習慣性的感嘆，而是發自內心的驚嘆，因為，
在他們的生活環境中，許多事情都可能導致瞬間死亡。
在我去加納的一次巡牧探訪中，
七彩的生物爬在我的床底下
當我正要睡覺時。
陪同我的當地弟兄，
只能無助的解說，這樣“很糟糕，非常的糟糕！”
因為我們無論是誰，都對此事無能為力，
我們只是信靠神，然後就去睡覺了。
Peace built on human plans or the environment is aptly likened to stained glass windows.
These are beautiful yet easily shattered by a small stone.
No matter how healthy we are at present
or how stable our work or finances, a small stone
—sickness, economic crisis, and so on
—could take away all the peace we have.
For example, in 2018, an emergency message was suddenly broadcast to all cellphones in Hawaii,
informing them that a ballistic missile was on the way to Honolulu from North Korea.
This turned out to be a false alarm caused by human error.
But before the all-clear assurance came, everyone was terrified.
Some church members immediately drove to their children's houses to gather
because they did not know if those would be the last moments of their lives.
存立在人類計劃或環境的平安，恰如其分就像是彩色玻璃窗。
這些都很漂亮，然而卻很容易被小石頭打破。
無論我們現在多健康，
或是我們的工作或財務有多穩定，若有一塊小石頭，
—疾病、經濟危機等等，
—就可許能奪走我們所有的平安。
例如，2018 年，夏威夷有一則緊急訊息突然向所有手機廣播，
通知他們有一枚彈道飛彈正在從北韓飛往檀香山的途中。
結果證明，這是人為錯誤引起的謊報。
但在明確的安全訊息到來之前，每個人都感到恐懼。
有一些教會信徒立即開車前往孩子的家聚集，
因為他們不知道，那是否會是他們生命的最後時刻。
The Bible often uses the sea to describe the variability of life.
When the sea is calm, it looks like a mirror reflecting the sky.
The underwater world is beautiful and teeming with wonderful creatures.
There are many valuable and desirable things under the sea,
just as the world is filled with alluring attractions.
But such beautiful serenity can very suddenly become a raging storm, just like life.
The uncontrollable pace at which the COVID-19 virus spread throughout the world,
the frequency with which the virus mutated,
and the unthinkable global disruption are stark warnings
—if we mistakenly trust in the peace of this world,
we may be buffeted by the waves and perish.
聖經常用大海來形容生命的多變性。
當大海平靜時，它看起來就像一面鏡子反射著天空。
海底世界非常美麗，充滿了奇妙的生物。
海底有許多珍貴而令人渴望的東西，
正如世界充滿了誘人的吸引力。
但如此美麗的寧靜可能會突然變成狂風暴雨，就像生活一樣。
新冠肺炎病毒以無法控制的速度多變而傳播全世界，
病毒突變多變的頻率，
無法想像的全球破壞中斷是種嚴厲的警告
—如果我們錯誤的相信這個世界的平安，
我們可能會受到波濤衝擊而滅亡。
IT’S NOT POSSIBLE! 不可能！
DURING A STUDENT SPIRITUAL CONVOCATION IN THE US IN 2019,
I TOLD THE STUDENTS NOT TO TAKE CHURCH ATTENDANCE FOR GRANTED
BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT COULD FORBID PEOPLE FROM GOING TO CHURCH ONE DAY.
"IT’S NOT POSSIBLE!” THEY EXCLAIMED.
“WE ARE A FREE NATION,
AND CHURCHES WILL NEVER BE CLOSED.”
NO ONE THEN COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT, IN 2020,
A MICROSCOPIC VIRUS WOULD UTTERLY DISRUPT OUR LIVES.
AND INDEED, IN MANY COUNTRIES, CHURCH BUILDINGS WERE CLOSED,
AND MEMBERS COULD NOT GATHER PHYSICALLY FOR SERVICE.
2019 年美國一認學生靈恩會期間，
我告訴學生不要認為教會的出席狀況是理所當然的，
因為有一天政府可以會禁止人們去教會。
“這是不可能的！” 他們大叫：
“我們是一個自由的國家，
教會永遠不會被關閉。”
當時沒有人能夠預測到，在 2020 年，
微小的病毒會徹底擾亂我們的生活。
事實上，在許多國家，教會建築都被關閉了，
而且信徒無法實體聚集去聚會。
Finding True Peace in Jesus 找到耶穌的真平安
To have a truly happy and abundant life, we must find true peace
—one that endures even if our lives are suddenly and completely upended.
Jesus promises such peace.
為了擁有真正的幸福和豐盛的生活，我們必須找到真正的平安，
—即使我們的生活突然徹底翻轉，這平安也能持久。
耶穌應許了這樣的平安。
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
(Jn 14:27)
“27我留下平安給你們；我將我的平安賜給你們。
我所賜的，不像世人所賜的。
你們心裡不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。”
（約 14：27）
Some people come to believe in Jesus to receive health and wealth.
They think that once they believe in Jesus,
they will have no problems in life.
But this is not always the case.
Jesus tells us that Christians will meet with tribulations.
We will still experience ill health, accidents, and job loss.
The peace that Jesus gives us is not about leading a smooth-sailing life.
Rather, it is about having Jesus as our help and reliance during these inevitable storms.
This is true peace because it is not dependent on our external situation.
No matter how much our circumstances change,
the peace Jesus gives us will not change.
Even in the most painful situation,
we know that He abides with us.
有些人信耶穌是為了獲得健康和財富。
他們認為一旦信了耶穌，
他們的生活就不會有問題。
但情況並非總是如此。
耶穌告訴我們，基督徒會遇到苦難。
我們仍然會經歷健康不佳、意外事件和失業。
耶穌賜給我們的平安，不是讓我們過著一帆風順的生活。
相反的，在這些不可避免的風暴中，可讓耶穌作為我們的幫助和依靠。
這是真正的平安，因為它並不依賴我們外在的情況。
無論我們的環境如何變化，
耶穌賜給我們的平安不會改變。
即使在最痛苦的情況下，
我們知道祂與我們同在。
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum.
And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
So when they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat;
and they were afraid.
But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Then they willingly received Him into the boat,
and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
(Jn 6:16–21)
16到了晚上，他的門徒下海邊去，
17上了船，要過海往迦百農去。
天已經黑了，耶穌還沒有來到他們那裡。
18忽然狂風大作，海就翻騰起來。
19門徒搖櫓，約行了十里多路，
看見耶穌在海面上走，漸漸近了船，
他們就害怕。
20耶穌對他們說：是我，不要怕！
21門徒就喜歡接他上船，
船立時到了他們所要去的地方。
（約 6：16-21）
One night, Jesus’ disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat.
Making the crossing in the dark was not out of the ordinary for them,
as most of them were fishermen accustomed to rowing in most conditions.
They were not concerned because they were experienced.
But then a great storm arose.
The disciples persevered until they saw Jesus walking on the sea.
The disciples were comforted by Jesus’ presence, and their fear ceased.
When Jesus came aboard the boat, it was miraculously transported to its destination.
有一天晚上，耶穌的門徒搭船橫渡加利利海。
對他們來說，黑暗中穿越並沒有很特別，
因為他們大多數是漁民，很習慣在大多數的情況划船。
他們並不擔心，因為他們有經驗。
但隨後發生了一場大風暴。
眾門徒堅持不懈，直到看見耶穌在海上行走。
耶穌的出現使門徒感到安慰，他們的恐懼也消失了。
當耶穌上了船，它就很奇蹟的駛向目的地。
Were the disciples able to manage the situation?
Technically, yes.
In difficult times, we can often grit our teeth
and endure the situation through sheer force of will.
But how long would we be able to hold on,
and how much pain would we suffer by relying on our own strength?
門徒是否能夠處理這種情況呢？
從技術上來說，是的。
在困難的時候，我們往往可以咬緊牙關，
並透過純粹的意志力來忍受這種情況。
但我們還能夠支撐多久呢，
靠著自己的力量，我們會承受多少痛苦呢？
We may work hard, but this does not guarantee a reward.
We may seek solutions to our problems,
but this does not guarantee peace.
Only when we welcome Jesus onto our boat
and rely on Him to abide with us through the storms of life can we receive true peace.
Our situation may not change, and the problem we are grappling with still exists,
but having peace in our hearts changes everything.
The winds may howl, and the storms still buffet us,
but Jesus will carry us to the other side.
我們可能會努力工作，但這並不能保證得到報酬。
我們可能會尋求問題的解決方案，
但這並不能保證平安。
只有當我們迎接耶穌登上我們的船，
靠著祂與我們同在，度過人生的風暴，我們才能得到真正的平安。
我們的處境可能不會改變，我們正在努力克服的問題仍然存在，
但是內心的平靜會改變一切。
疾風可能咆哮，風暴仍會擊打我們，
但耶穌會帶我們到對岸。
Believing in Jesus does not mean we will never meet with accidents or difficulties.
But it does mean that, no matter what we encounter,
we know our God in heaven is with us.
This is the true peace that those who believe in God pursue.
Even in tribulation, we have peace from above.
We may suffer stress, worries, and disappointments,
but we will not lose hope because we have an anchor in the solid rock.
No matter how stormy the weather, our boat will not be blown off course.
If such peace abides with us daily, an abundant life will surely follow.
信耶穌並不表示，我們永遠不會遇到意外或困難。
但這確實體現，無論我們遇到什麼事情，
我們知道天上的神與我們同在。
這才是信神之人所追求的真正平安。
即使在患難中，我們也有從上頭來的平安。
我們可能會感到壓力、憂慮和失望，
但我們不會失去盼望，因為我們有錨固定在堅固的岩石上。
無論天氣有多麼狂暴，我們的船都不會被風吹襲偏離航線。
如果每天我們都有這樣的平安同在，豐盛的生活一定會隨之而來。
A LIFE OF HOPE 盼望的生命
Where Does Our Hope Lie? 我們盼望寄於何處？
Hope—the aspirations of a person—is critical to life.
Knowing that we have something to look forward to
is what keeps us going from day to day.
However, only the right hope will give us an abundant life.
If we place our hopes in the wrong things
and spend our days chasing after fleeting joys or worthless goals,
our lives will lack purpose and meaning.
So, what is the right hope?
盼望─一個人的期望─對生活很重要。
要知道，我們會有一些值得期待的事情，
就是我們天天前進的動力。
然而，只有正確的希望才能帶給我們豐盛的生活。
如果我們把希望寄託在錯誤的事上，
花費自已的時間追逐瞬間的享樂或是毫無價值的目標，
我們的生活將缺乏目標和意義。
那麼，什麼是正確的盼望呢？
Many people today place their hope in tangible material possessions.
New graduates hope to get a good job and a car.
A few years later, their next hope is to own a house.
People of this world often place their hope in things they want to own
or in what they aspire to be, and they will invest time and energy to achieve these hopes.
Although there is nothing wrong with pursuing personal and material goals,
these hopes can never be secure in a life of uncertainty.
For example, we would have heard of successful people who seem to have everything
—youth, high-flying careers, happy families
—suddenly discovering that they have a terminal illness.
In times like these, will the large company we own still give us satisfaction?
Will our colossal house and powerful car comfort us and give us hope?
今天，許多人把希望寄託在有形物質的財富上。
新畢業生希望找到一份好工作和一輛好車。
幾年後，他們的下一個希望是擁有一棟房子。
這個世上的人們常常把希望寄託在他們想要擁有的東西上，
或是他們渴望成為的成就，他們會投入時間和精力來實現這些希望。
雖然追求個人和物質目標並沒有錯，
在一個充滿不確定性的生活中，這些希望永遠不可能得保障。
例如，我們會聽說過一些成功人士似乎擁有一切，
—青春、事業有成、家庭幸福，
—突然發現自己得了絕症。
在這樣的時代，我們所擁有的大公司還能滿足我們嗎？
我們巨大的房子和強大動力的車子會帶給我們安慰和希望嗎？
While education, jobs, and homes are necessary things to work towards,
we must recognize that our lives have a higher purpose.
雖然教育、工作和家庭是必須努力實現的目標，
我們必須認知到自已的生活有更高的目標。
The Vanity of Earthly Hopes 世上希望的虛空
King Solomon was a successful ancient king widely admired for his wisdom and riches
(1 Kgs 10:1–7).
Such vast wealth allowed him to gratify every desire.
所羅門王是一位成功的古代君王，因其智慧和財富而廣受讚譽
（王上 10：1-7）。
如此巨大的財富使他能夠滿足一切慾望。
I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.
I made myself gardens and orchards,
and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house.
Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks
than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces.
I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men,
and musical instruments of all kinds.
(Eccl 2:4–8)
4我為自己動大工程，建造房屋，栽種葡萄園，
5修造園囿，
在其中栽種各樣果木樹；
6挖造水池，用以澆灌嫩小的樹木。
7我買了僕婢，也有生在家中的僕婢；
又有許多牛群羊群，
勝過以前在耶路撒冷眾人所有的。
8我又為自己積蓄金銀和君王的財寶，並各省的財寶；
又得唱歌的男女和世人所喜愛的物，
並許多的妃嬪(以及各種樂器。)。
（傳 2：4-8）
Who would not yearn for such a life as his?
But what did this life bring Solomon?
誰不嚮往他這樣的生活呢？
但這一生給所羅門帶來了什麼？
Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
(Eccl 2:10–11)
10凡我眼所求的，我沒有留下不給他的；
我心所樂的，我沒有禁止不享受的；
因我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂，
這就是我從勞碌中所得的分。
11後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事
和我勞碌所成的功。
誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；
在日光之下毫無益處。
（傳 2：10-11）
Solomon had many hopes and goals.
He wanted to build houses, make pools, and plant trees and vineyards.
Achieving these satisfied him
—“my heart rejoiced in all my labor.”
It is only natural for us to be happy when we achieve our goals.
所羅門有很多希望和目標。
他想建造房屋、修築水池、種植園林和葡萄園。
實現這些事讓他很滿意，
—“我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂。”
當實現自已的目標時，很自然的我們感到高興。
But note that when Solomon looked back on his life,
he described it as “vanity and grasping for the wind.”
Why did his verdict on his achievements take such a drastic turn?
And why did he conclude that he hates life
and finds everything under the sun meaningless
(Eccl 2:17)
但請注意，當所羅門回顧自已的一生時，
他形容這一切“17都是虛空，都是捕風。”。
為什麼他對自己成就的評價發生了如此激烈的轉變呢？
為什麼他得出結論說，自已討厭惡生命，
且發現陽光之下的一切都毫無意義
（傳 2：17）
For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever,
Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come.
And how does a wise man die?
As the fool!
(Eccl 2:16)
16智慧人和愚昧人一樣，永遠無人記念，
因為日後都被忘記；
可歎智慧人死亡，
與愚昧人無異。
（傳 2：16）
The answer lies in the inevitability of death.
If we did not have to die,
then it would make sense to pursue pleasure and rejoice in the fruits of our labor
(Eccl 2:10).
But death brings everything into perspective
(Eccl 2:11).
Worldly pleasures, gains, and success have value.
But their value is limited
—this value disappears when we leave the world.
答案取決於死亡的不可逃避性。
如果我們不會死去，
那麼追求快樂並且享受自已的勞動成果，就很正常了，
（傳 2：10）。
但死亡讓一切變得洞察清晰起來
（傳 2：11）。
世上的快樂、好處和成功都很有價值。
但它們的價值是有限的，
—當我們離開這個世界時，這種價值就消失了。
The Heavenly Hope of Eternal Salvation 天上永恆救贖的盼望
Death can be a sensitive
—and, to some, taboo
—topic.
But avoiding or denying it does not make it disappear,
so we must face it.
Eating well and exercising may help us live longer.
But no matter how well we care for ourselves,
we must all die one day.
In fact, reflection on death is useful as it prompts us to think about the value of life.
If today were the last day of our life,
would the earthly goals we are toiling for still seem as important?
死亡可能是一種敏感的，
—對某些人來說，是禁忌，
—的話題。
但是迴避，或是否認，並不會讓它消失，
所以我們必須面對它。
健康的飲食和運動可以幫助我們活得更長久。
但無論我們如何照顧自己有多好，
總有一天大家都會死。
事實上，反省死亡是很有用的，因為它會促使我們思考生命的價值。
如果今天是我們生命的最後一日，
我們奮鬥的世上目標是否還同樣的重要？
Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
(Eccl 7:2)
2往遭喪的家去，
強如往宴樂的家去；
因為死是眾人的結局，
活人也必將這事放在心上。
（傳 7：2）
Another important fact is that death is not the end of everything.
Life would indeed be tragic and meaningless
if there were nothing after death.
But there is hope because death is not the end.
After death, there is judgment.
God puts the concept of eternity in our hearts
(Eccl 3:11).
Our lives on earth may be short,
but we have a higher purpose and hope.
另一個重要的事實是，死亡並不是一切的終點。
人生確實會是悲劇而且毫無意義的，
如果死後什麼都沒有。
但還有盼望，因為死亡不是結束。
死後還有審判。
神把永生的概念放在我們心裡
（傳 3：11）。
我們世上的生命或許很短暫，
但我們有更高的目標和盼望。
And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this the judgment,
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
(Heb 9:27-28)
27按著定命，人人都有一死，
死後且有審判。
28像這樣，基督既然一次被獻，擔當了多人的罪，
將來要向那等候他的人第二次顯現，並與罪無關，乃是為拯救他們。
（來 9：27-28）
The critical question is, what outcome will the judgment bring us?
重要的問題是，這次的審判會給我們帶來什麼結果呢？
These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them
and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out,
they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for He has prepared a city for them.
(Heb 11:13–16)
13這些人都是存著信心死的，並沒有得著所應許的；
卻從遠處望見，且歡喜迎接，
又承認自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。
14說這樣話的人是表明自己要找一個家鄉。
15他們若想念所離開的家鄉，
還有可以回去的機會。
16他們卻羨慕一個更美的家鄉，就是在天上的。
所以神被稱為他們的神，並不以為恥，
因為他已經給他們預備了一座城。
（來 11：13-16）
The Book of Hebrews records the heroes and heroines of faith
whose hope was firmly fixed on an inheritance far beyond their lifespans on earth.
They lived simple lives, hoping for more than physical blessings.
Abraham was a rich man, but he never hoped to gain more riches.
He never invested in more land or built cities for himself.
He lived the life of a sojourner, moving from one place to another.
His hope was not in lands or cities
—he was looking for something better.
What Abraham saw was the eternal glory he would receive in heaven.
希伯來書記錄了信仰的男女英雄，
他們的盼望堅定寄託在遠超出他們世界壽命的傳承。
他們過著簡樸的生活，希望得到的不僅是物質上的祝福。
亞伯拉罕是一個財主，但他從沒有希望獲得更多的財富。
他從沒有為自己投資更多的土地或建造城市。
他過著寄居者的生活，從一地搬到另一地。
他的盼望不在寄託在土地或城市，
—他一直在尋找更好的事物。
亞伯拉罕所見的，是他會在天上得到的永遠榮耀。
Jesus told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you”
(Jn 14:2b).
Today, we do not believe in Jesus just to receive blessings in this world.
Perhaps we will receive them anyway,
which is God’s grace, but it is not why we believe in Jesus.
Instead, we seek to stand blameless before God on the day of judgment
—to face Him with a good conscience
and enter the heavenly kingdom to enjoy eternal blessings.
This is the ultimate and most precious goal and the hope of the true followers of Christ.
Is it also the goal and hope of your life?
耶穌告訴門徒，“2我去原是為你們預備地方去”
（約 14：2b）。
今天，我們信耶穌不會僅是為了在這個世上獲得祝福。
也許無論如何我們都會得到福氣，
這是神的恩典，但這都不是我們信耶穌的原因。
相反的，我們想要在審判日無可指摘的站在神面前，
—以無虧的良心面對祂，
並進入天國享受永遠的福氣。
這是真正跟隨基督之人最終、最珍貴的目標和盼望。
這也是你人生的目標和盼望嗎？
We must be clear about our true hope.
Only then will we know the direction and purpose of our lives.
我們必須清楚自已真正的盼望。
只有這樣，我們才會知道人生的方向和目的。
[A]nd that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Tim 3:15)
15並且知道你是從小明白聖經，
這聖經能使你因信基督耶穌，有得救的智慧。
（提後 3：15）
There are only two outcomes of judgment:
eternal salvation or eternal damnation.
What determines our destination?
What determines if we receive an eternal reward or eternal condemnation?
It is not how much we donate to charities
or how many good deeds we have done.
It is the Holy Scriptures that give us wisdom for salvation.
The Bible guides us to victory on the day of judgment,
to receive the hope of eternal life in heaven.
審判的結果只有兩種：
永恆的救贖或永恆的詛咒。
到底是什麼會決定我們的目的地呢？
到底是什麼會決定我們會不會得到永恆的獎賞或永恆的譴責呢？
並不是我們向慈善機構捐贈了多少金錢，
或是我們做了多少善事。
只有聖經才會給我們得救的智慧。
聖經引導我們在審判日得到勝利，
可以接受天國永生的盼望。
The only way to receive this hope is through knowing and following the Bible.
Heaven is for those who strive hard and take faith seriously.
If we are diligent about our faith,
we will esteem what the Bible says.
We will take responsibility for our souls and live out what we learn in the Bible.
When we do this, we have an abundant life
full of meaning, purpose, spiritual joy, and blessings.
And when the time comes for our earthly life to end,
we will joyfully receive the life to come.
得到這種盼望的唯一方法就是了解聖經並遵循聖經。
天國是屬於那些努力前進、認真看待信仰的人。
如果我們勤奮守住自已的信仰，
我們會尊重聖經所說的。
我們將會對自己的靈魂負責，並實踐自已於聖經裡學到的知識。
當我們這樣做，自已就會擁有豐盛的生命，
充滿意義，有目的，屬靈的喜樂和祝福。
當我們世上生命結束的時候來臨，
我們將會喜樂的接受來生。
CONCLUSION 結論
We live in an ever-changing world where life is full of chaos and uncertainty.
No matter how tightly we cling to our earthly possessions and achievements to steady us,
these are too ephemeral to offer true peace and security.
Death brings our dreams and pursuits to nothing.
我們生活在一個不斷變化的世界，其中生活充滿混亂和變化。
無論我們有多麼緊抓住塵世的財產和成就來安定自已，
這一切都太過短暫，無法提供真正的平安與保障。
死亡會迫使我們的夢想和追求化為泡影。
But with faith in Jesus and the promises of the Bible,
we can access the enduring peace and hope
that calm the storm in our hearts,
enabling us to boldly face any tribulations
and walk the correct path toward our heavenly hope
(Rom 5:1–5).
Grasping true peace and hope will lead us to flourishing and abundant lives.
但憑著對耶穌的信心和聖經的應許，
我們可以得到持久的平安與盼望，
並且可以平息了自已心中的風暴，
使我們能夠勇敢的面對任何磨難，
並且通往天國盼望的正確道路
（羅 5：1-5）。
緊抓住真正的平安與盼望，將會引領我們走入繁榮和豐盛的生活。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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