Last week we looked at the first word of the Lord’s prayer 上周我们分享了主祷文第一句, “our father in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name 我们在天上的父，愿人都尊你的名为圣.” our Lord Jesus teaches us to start our prayers by remembering that we together as a family of God主耶稣要我们 牢记自己是神家成员的身份，为祷告的开始. The family that God has redeemed and is gathering together from all nations这个神买赎回来的家，正从各国各民族中聚集归回! We therefore should live for a purpose of bringing glory to Him因此我们应当活出荣耀祂的目标!

Recently最近, I’ve read some statistics of attendance of churches from 2012 to 2017 in Christchurch我读到2012-2017年基督城教会出席率的统计数据. (Let’s look at the screen我们看屏幕.) The statistics shows that there were 303 churches in greater Christchurch in 2012 从数据上看，在2012年，大基督城有303家教会, but in 2017 there only 287 churches left但到了2017年，只剩287家. 5% of the churches had closed 5%的教会关门了. Another number about church attendance in Christchurch 还有一个数据是基督城各派教会出席率，shows that there were a 6% decline from 2012 to 2017 across different denominations从2012年-2017年，下降了6%, the decreases included Anglican包括圣公会, Baptist浸信会, Presbyterian长老会, Brethren兄弟会, Methodist卫理公会, etc等等. I felt so sad after I read this我看后心里很难过. We need to pray这需要我们祷告!

That’s why Jesus our Lord teaches us to pray所以主耶稣教导我们祷告, “Thy kingdom come愿你的国降临, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上.” God’s purpose is to bring His kingdom down on the earth神的旨意是将祂的国度带到地上, and that His kingdom reign as it is in heaven使祂的国度在地上掌权，如同在天上.

1, Why does God want to bring His kingdom on earth?为什么神要将祂的国度带到地上？

Does God rule over all 神统管万有吗? Yes是!  Psa 103:19（诗篇103:19）, The Lord has established His throne in Heaven耶和华在天上立定宝座, and His kingdom rules over all他的权柄统管万有。We can find the basic meaning of the word “kingdom” as rule这里我们看到“国度”这字本身就有“统治”的意思. It means that God’s reign or rule governs all things意思是，神的统治统管万有。 Psalm 22:28（诗篇22:28） for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations因为国权是耶和华的，祂是管理万国的. Daniel 4:3（但4:3） How great are his signs祂的神迹何其大, how mighty his wonders祂的奇事何其盛! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom祂的国是永远的; his dominion endures from generation to generation祂的权柄存到万代。

These verses tell us that the word kingdom is that God’s kingly rule or His sovereign reign over the universe这些经句说，神对万有拥有王权或统治权. But what happened on earth that caused God to have to restore His kingdom on earth但发生了什么事，以至于神必须在地上恢复祂的国度呢? Let’s go back to Genesis 1:27-28回到（创世纪1:27-28）, So God created mankind in his own image神就照着自己的形象造人, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them乃是照着祂的形象造男造女. God blessed them and said to them神就赐福给他们，又对他们说, “Be fruitful and increase in number要生养众多; fill the earth and subdue it遍满地面，治理这地. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground也要管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟，和地上各样行动的活物.”

We see that God created mankind in His own image and gave them dominion over the earth and every living creature神照自己的形象创造人类，赐给他们权柄，统管治理地球和全部活物. What does that mean这是什么意思? What is the original purpose for mankind who was created人类被造的最初目的是什么? To rule over the earth管理、统治地球! To become a king of the earth under the Lordship of God to rule over the earth在神的统领下，成为地上的王! because only a king has the authority to rule over a territory因只有王，才有权管理某个地区. God’s plan for the earth was for men to rule over the earth under His Lordship 神的计划是，在祂的统领下，人类治理全地. That’s the purpose why we were created这就是我们被造的目的!

But soon after不过没多久, in the garden of Eden在伊甸园, Adam and Eve listened to Satan and yielded to their own desires亚当和夏娃听从了撒旦，顺服了自己的私欲. They disobeyed and sinned God他们悖逆得罪了神, by sin they yielded their authority to Satan因犯罪就将主权交给了撒旦, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one全世界都卧在那恶者手下。1 John 5:19b（约一5:19下）” Yes是! The fact is that Adam lost the original dominion that God gave him就这样，亚当失去起初神赐的权柄, and Satan moved in撒旦上位了。 “for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved因为人被谁制服就是谁的奴仆. 2 Peter 2:19b（彼后2:19下）”. Sadly实在令人难过, men therefore have become slaves of sin and Satan从此后人类成了罪和撒旦的奴仆. In the NT《新约》里, Satan is described as撒旦被称为 “the prince of the power of the air 空中掌权者的首领。Ehp 2:2b（弗2:2下）” and和 “the god of this world世界的神。2 Cor 4:4a（林后4:4上）"。

Now the dominion of the darkness rules over the whole world because of Adam’s fall因为亚当的犯罪，黑暗掌管全地! Satan has temporarily become the god of this world撒旦暂时成了世界的王! Now we live in a sinful world我们生活在一个充满罪的世界, a world of hurt and hatred伤害和仇恨的世界, where people are used to wearing masks or telling lies to protect themselves人们在假面具下说谎保护自己; a world of ingratitude我们生活在一个不感恩的世界, where people hold negative emotions人心充满负面情绪, judgemental and unmerciful thoughts论断和无怜悯, grudges嫉妒, anger愤怒, and hatred toward each other彼此仇恨, because of self-centeredness都是自我中心带来的; a world of self-righteousness一个自义的世界, people query whether God is right or not人们质问神对还是错, or whether to obey Him or not要不要听祂的, so that trouble occurs everywhere of the world于是世界到处都是麻烦. This world is full of fears and rejection一个充满恐惧和拒绝的世界, full of brokenness and sickness充满破裂和疾病的世界!

You may hear people ask你可能听到有人问, “Why did God create a world with so much evil神为什么创造这样的世界, violence, suffering and death有那么多邪恶、暴力、痛苦和死亡?" Or some may say还有的会说, “I can’t believe that a loving God would allow all this suffering and injustice真不敢相信，神那么慈爱，竟会允许这样的痛苦和不公发生." No不! This is not the original creation that God created这不是神最初的创造! The original creation has been ruined because of man’s fall因人的犯罪最初的创造被破坏了. And men have fallen from their original place of power and dominion where they lived in perfect fellowship with God每个人都从起初拥有的能力和权柄中坠落了，脱离了与神同在的美好关系. Satan has become the god of this world撒旦就成了世界的神. Satan has authority to cause death, destruction and perversion on the earth它在地上有权带来死亡、毁灭和败坏。 “the wage of sin is death罪的工价就是死. Romans 6:23（罗6:23）” “the one who sows to please his sinful nature顺着情欲撒种的, from the nature will reap destruction必从情欲收败坏; Galatians 6:8（加6:8）”

But it doesn’t mean that God wasn’t sovereign但这不意味着神没有掌权! the most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men至高的神在人的国中掌权 (see Daniel 5:21b，见 但以理书5:21下)! For the purpose of saving and restoring神为拯救和恢复的目的, God sent His Son Christ Jesus to this world差了爱子耶稣基督来到世上! God’s plan is to restore His Kingdom on earth神的计划是在地上复兴祂的国! so that the dominion of the darkness which controls this world will be cast out因此掌管这世界的黑暗权势要被赶去! When Jesus was on earth主耶稣在地上时, he healed the sick and cast out demons from people他医病赶鬼, and said 他说“If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you我若靠着神的灵赶鬼，这就是神的国临到你们了” (Mt 12:28，太12:28) It reveals that since Jesus Christ drove out demons from people自从耶稣基督赶鬼, the dominion of darkness on earth has started to be driven out意味着地上的黑暗权势开始被驱逐, and the kingdom of God has come神的国降临了. Since the kingdom of God has come神的国既然已降临, why Jesus still ask us to pray, “thy kingdom come”主耶稣为什么还要我们祷告“愿你的国降临”?

2, Already, but Not Yet! 已经来到，但尚未完全来到

The kingdom has already come with the coming king of Jesus Christ耶稣基督的来到，意味着神的国已降临! For Jesus said因主说, “the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel神的国近了。你们当悔改，信福音。Mark 1:15，可1:15” “at hand” can be translated as “has come near”“at hand”可以翻译成 “近了”. By repentance in faith and accepting the gospel 借着人在信心中悔改并接受福音, the Kingdom of God is in us now神的国就进入我们里面. That’s why Jesus said这就是耶稣所说, “nor will people say, ‘Here it is’ or ‘there it is’人也不得说：’看哪，在这里！看哪，在那里！’, because the kingdom of God is within you因为神的国就在你们心里。Luke 17:21，路17：21” But the phrase, “your kingdom come” is parallel to the phrase “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” “愿你的国降临”这句与“愿你的旨意行在地上如同行在天上”并列，You can think about it你可以想想看, “Is there any sin and rebellion in heaven天上有没有罪或悖逆? No没有. Nehemiah 9:6b tells us（尼希米记9:6下）说, the heavenly host bows down before You天军也都敬拜你. Is there unforgiveness and hatred in heaven天上有不饶恕和仇恨吗? No没有. Is there sadness and sickness in heaven天上有悲伤和疾病吗? No没有!”

But on the earth但在地上, there are still a lot of people who don’t submit to God’s rule仍有很多人没有顺服神! There are lots of people who are still controlled by the power of sin and Satan仍有很多人被罪和撒旦的权势压制! That’s why our Lord teaches us to pray所以主教导我们, “Thy kingdom come愿你的国降临! Yes是, it has come神的国已降临, but we need a reign of God on earth但我们需要神在地上掌权! It is coming这正来临!” When we pray当我们祷告, “thy kingdom come愿你的国降临.” We are praying for God to convert the hearts and bring them to confess Jesus as Lord我们是祈求神改变人心，使人承认耶稣基督为主, we are praying the power of God’s kingdom that brings its restoration我们是祈求神国度的能力带来复兴, reconciliation和好, healing医治, deliverance拯救, peace平安, joy喜乐, love and hope爱和希望 to ourselves带给我们自己, to our family我们的家庭, to our society我们的社会, to our country 我们的国家and to this fallen world和这个堕落世界! We are praying for God’s reign! To uproot all evil, all sin, all rebellion from the world我们是在祷告，求神国掌权！ 来消除世上一切的罪，邪恶和悖逆！

Therefore因此, have you noticed that when you pray “Your kingdom come”你有没有注意到，当你祷告“愿你的国降临”的时候, you are involved in a spiritual warfare你已被卷入一场属灵争战? Where two kingdoms are grabbing people交战双方都在抢夺人! The kingdom of Satan tries to seize his territory in people’s hearts撒旦的国想要夺取人的心为领地, but the Kingdom of God through the gospel is gonna save and deliver people from the power of Satan to God但借着福音，神的国正在拯救人脱离撒旦权下归向神! One of the purpose for this prayer is to fulfil the mission task主祷文的其中一个目标是要成就福音的使命, like Jesus said to Paul the apostle就象耶稣对使徒保罗所说, “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light要叫他们的眼睛得开，从黑暗中归向光明, and from the power of Satan to God从撒旦权下归向神, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me又因信我，得蒙救赎，和一切成圣的人同得基业. Acts 26:18（徒26:18）’ 。

We have a brother of us我们有位弟兄, who hadn’t been able to work for at least 6 years before he came to this church来这教会之前有六年多不能工作, because of fear and other negative emotions因为恐惧和其他负面情绪的原因. But thank God但感谢主, he was delivered by several times prayers of confession and forgiveness经过几次认罪和饶恕祷告，他得了释放, he accepted the power of forgiveness to forgive himself and others领受了饶恕的大能去饶恕自己和他人, and was touched by God’s love并被神的爱触摸, now his confidence has come back他现在恢复了信心, and he has a job也找到一份工作! That’s God’s restoration work through His kingdom that came upon Him神的复兴之工就这样临到他!

But God’s plan is more than that for us但神的计划还不止于此! Since God’s purpose for the world is to save a people for Himself既然神的目的是从世上救人归给自己, His kingly rule implies a saving and redeeming plan also through them祂的国度掌权还意味着借着这些人来完成拯救和救赎计划. You can see this from Re 5:9-10（启示录5:9-10）, “You are worthy to take the scroll你配拿书卷, and to open its seals配揭开七印, because you were slain因为你曾被杀, and with your blood you purchased men for God用自己的血, from every tribe and language and people and nation从各族、各方、各民中买了人来，叫他们归于神. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God又叫他们成为国民，作祭司归于神, and they will reign on the earth在地上执掌王权.”

From this passage, we see从上段话我们看到, firstly第一, a people marked with the blood of Christ has been set apart as a kingdom有一族人以基督宝血为印记，被分别出来成为一国. In other words换句话说, through Christ Jesus and his blood借着耶稣基督和他的血, a redeemed people from all nations (including you and me) has become a kingdom 从万族中买赎出来的人（当中有你和我）已成了一国，that is coming in a new way into the world to establish God’s saving rule on earth他们正以新的姿态进入这个世界，在地上建立神国拯救的法则. As God’s priests作为神的祭司, we have a full-time job, that is to pray我们的全职工作是祷告, “Thy Kingdom come愿你的国降临! Your kingdom reign愿你的国度掌权! Reign over me掌管我, reign over my family掌管我家, my country掌管我的国家, the world掌管这个世界!

Secondly第二, the redeemed people as a kingdom serve God被赎买的人成为国度来事奉神, they no longer serve the standards or values of this world他们不再事奉世界的标准和价值观! Luke 1:74-75（路1:74-75）, says “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies叫我们既从仇敌手中被救出来, and to enable us to serve him without fear就可以终身在他面前. In holiness and righteousness before him all our days坦然无惧地用圣洁、公义事奉他.”  It’s by the work of Christ Jesus and his blood这是借着耶稣基督和他的宝血, we are enabled to serve God in confidence我们得以坦然无惧事奉神! Whenever we stumble and fall into the sinful nature我们无论什么时候跌倒在肉体里, in faith we come to the Lord借着信都可来到主面前, and we ask for forgiveness求赦免, He will forgive our sins and purify us from all of our unrighteousness祂必赦免我们的罪，洗净我们所有的不义.

But God’s plan is more than that神的计划还不止于此! We fail, and we are forgiven, 我们跌倒蒙赦免it is a passive（inactive）action!这是消极的 God’s reign is initiative! 神国来掌权是主动的That’s why we should pray every day我们因此每天当祷告“Your kingdom come愿你的国度降临! Let’s Your kingdom reign愿你的国度掌权! Bring Your reign fully into my life求你在我生命中完全掌权, in people’s lives在人群中掌权, into this world在这个世界掌权!”  This prayer is powerful这样的祷告大有能力! That can change our hearts and the world它可以改变我们的心、改变世界! Are you ready to be fully reigned by God你准备好让神完全掌权了吗? It requires us to be obedient to Him需要我们完全顺服祂! Jesus Christ耶稣基督, our ultimate example我们的终极榜样, before he went to the Cross在上十字架前, He said this to His disciples对门徒说, “I will not speak with you much longer以后我不再和你们多说话, for the prince of this world is coming因为这世界的王将到. He has no hold over me他在我里面毫无所有, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father但要叫世人知道我爱父 and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me并且父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行. John 14:30-31a（约14:30-31上）。

“The prince of this world这世界的王”, of course it referring to the devil (Satan)当然指魔鬼（撒旦）, Jesus Christ is not of the world耶稣基督不属于这世界, so he stands outside Satan’s domain他就在撒旦掌管之外. “The world must learn世人必知道…”, where is ‘the world’ that Jesus refers to这里的“世界”耶稣指的是什么? In John 12: 31（约12:31）, Now is the time for judgment on this world现在这世界受审判; now the prince of this world will be driven out这世界的王要被赶出去. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth我若从地上被举起, will draw all people to myself就要吸引万人来归我.” Jesus Christ did exactly what the Father commanded him to do 父怎样吩咐，耶稣基督就完全照做，by being crucifying on the Cross through his complete submission to the Father’s will完全顺服天父旨意，将自己钉在十字架上。

By the time Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God就在无罪的神子、耶稣基督, died on the Cross through his complete submission to the Father’s will顺服父旨意死在十字架上的那一刻, the wrath of God was satisfied神的愤怒得到满足, also, the love of God was magnified与此同时，神的慈爱被彰显! Here it says这里说, “Now is the time for judgment on this world现在这世界受审判; now the prince of this world will be driven out这世界的王要被赶出去.” By the time Christ died on the Cross在基督死在十字架上的那一刻, our sins penalty has been paid by Christ’s blood祂的血还清了我们犯罪当受的刑罚. Satan therefore lost his grip on us撒旦从此失去了对人的掌控! now the prince of this world will be driven out这世界的王要被赶出去，Where is “the world” referred to这里的“世界”指什么? It’s referring to people’s hearts指的是人的心! When Jesus resurrected耶稣复活后, and the Holy Spirit poured out圣灵浇灌下来, the world and its standards and rules and values must be cast out from our hearts这世界、世界的标准、法则、价值观必从我们心里被赶出去! Instead, the word of God取而代之的是神的话, and the love of God should be rooted in our hearts和神的爱当扎根在我们心里! So when we pray因此我们祷告, “Your kingdom come愿你的国度降临, it’s an invitation to God这是对神的邀请, come请来, bring Your reign你来掌权, Your righteous reign你的公义掌权, Your truthful reign你的真理掌权, Your loving reign你的爱掌权, Your peaceful reign你的平安掌权, Your merciful reign你的怜悯掌权, You fully reign in my heart你在我心中完全掌权, and cast all the world and its influence out of my heart从我心里赶出世界和世界的影响力!”

1 John 2：15-16 （约一2:15-16）“do not love the world or anything in the world不要爱世界和世界上的事. If anyone loves the world人若爱世界, the love of the Father is not in him爱父的心就不在他里面了.16 For everything in the world因为，凡世界的事—the lust of the flesh就象肉体的情欲, the lust of the eyes眼目的情欲, and the pride of life今生的骄傲—comes not from the Father but from the world都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的.” The god of this world is the devil这世界的神是魔鬼, who is using all kinds of deceptive means to trap God’s people他正用尽一切欺骗手段牢笼神子民! The only way we can overcome him is to follow the way of Christ惟有跟随耶稣基督脚踪才可胜过他, and love the Father by doing His will爱神就遵行神旨意,  Be loyal to Him忠贞爱祂, for He has been faithful to us因祂以信实待我们, even poured out his life for us不惜倾倒自己生命!

When I was in a bible college我在神学院读书时, I attended a course with other people who were from other cities有一次和来自其他城市的学生一起上课, during class上课时, when the lecturer was talking about “imagine” 那堂课的讲员正讲到关于“想象”, a student suddenly lost control有个学生突然失控, like a person who had seizures象是癫痫发作一样, he had a violent convulsion both of his body and his face脸和身体都剧烈地抽搐, and his eyes turned to one side眼睛也斜向一边. It’s horrible可恐怖了! Nobody responded没有人出声! The whole class was completely silent整个课室鸦雀无声! I prayed at that moment in my heart我在心里向神祷告, because I was the only foreigner in that class因我是那堂课上唯一一个外国人, so it wasn’t convenient to speak out就不方便说什么, but I was pretty sure that it’s the manifestation of demonic possession但我很肯定那是邪灵的彰显. While I was praying我正祷告着, a word, “movies” was sent to my heart心里突然出现“电影”这两个字! And then, this verses然后，有句话 1 John 2:15-16（约一2:15-16）, don’t love the world and anything in the world不要爱世界和世界上的事…was sent into my heart也进入我的心. So I prayed for him according to the revelation于是我就照着这启示为那学生祷告. After class下课后, I asked God to give me verification我求神给我一个印证, for I knew nothing about that young man因我对那个学生一无所知. Coincidentally非常巧, another student happened to come to me and told me另一个学生走过来和我说, that this young man loved horror movies那个抽筋的学生喜欢看恐怖片, violent and action movies暴力片、动作片, and all movies from Hollywood very much和各种好莱坞电影. At that moment那时, I was awe of the presence of God我带着敬畏之心站在神的同在中!

The god of this world is using all kinds of deceptive means to capture God’s people’s hearts这世界的王用各种欺骗手段得着神子民的心! Some may be unhappy with what I’m saying有的人也许不喜欢我说的, but it’s true但这是真的! If we can’t bear to live our lives without Hollywood movies如果我们无法忍受没有好莱坞电影的生活, how can we bear to live in the Holy Kingdom of God in Heaven又怎可能忍受天上神圣洁国度的生活呢? In God’s holy kingdom关于神圣洁国度中的生活，, we see a glimpse of what Heavenly beings’ lives look like in Re 4:6b-11我们可从（启示录4:6下-11）中得着一瞥, we can see它这样说, “In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back前后遍体都满了眼睛. 7 The first living creature was like a lion第一个活物像狮子, the second was like an ox第二个像牛犊, the third had a face like a man第三个脸面像人, the fourth was like a flying eagle第四个像飞鹰. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around四活物各有六个翅膀, even under its wings遍体内外都满了眼睛. Day and night they never stop saying他们昼夜不住地说: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,圣哉！圣哉！圣哉！’ who was, and is, and is to come主神是昔在、今在、以后永在的全能者.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever每逢四活物将荣耀、尊贵、感谢归给那坐在宝座上、活到永永远远者的时候, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever那二十四位长老就俯伏在坐宝座的面前敬拜那活到永永远远的. They lay their crowns before the throne and say又把他们的冠冕放在宝座前，说: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power我们的主，我们的神，你是配得荣耀、尊贵、权柄的, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being因为你创造了万物，并且万物是因你的旨意被创造而有的.”

What do living creatures do when they stay around the Holy God在神四周围的活物，他们在做什么? Day and night they never stop praising and worshipping God他们在昼夜不住地赞美敬拜神!  In Re 5:12-14（启示录5:12-14）, Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels我又看见且听见，, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders宝座与活物并长老的周围有许多天使的声音；他们的数目有千千万万. 12 In a loud voice they were saying大声说: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain曾被杀的羔羊是配得,  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise权柄、丰富、智慧、能力、尊贵、荣耀、颂赞的!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying我又听见在天上、地上、地底下、沧海里，和天地间一切所有被造之物，都说: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power但愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀、权势都归给坐宝座的和羔羊, for ever and ever直到永永远远!” 14 The four living creatures said四活物就说, “Amen阿门,” and the elders fell down and worshiped众长老也俯伏敬拜。

What do all creatures in heaven and on earth do in God’s kingdom在神的国度中，天地间所有受造之物在做什么? Praise and worship God都在赞美敬拜神!  In Re 7: 14b-15a（启示录7:14下-15上）, And he said他向我说, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation这些人是从大患难中出来的; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple所以，他们在神宝座前，昼夜在他殿中事奉祂; What do these redeemed people do before God这些被买赎回来的人在神面前做什么? They serve Him day and night by praising and worshipping Him他们昼夜以赞美敬拜事奉神! If we can’t get used to serving and worshipping Him day and night on the earth要是我们在地上不能习惯昼夜事奉敬拜神, how can we get used to serving and worshipping Him in heaven又怎么可能习惯在天上事奉敬拜祂呢? Where there won’t be any movies or worldly entertainment programmes天上可没有任何电影或世俗的娱乐节目. We must get ourselves ready我们必须要预备好自己! Think about it想想看, what did we get when served this world我们服事世界得到了什么? Nothing什么也没得到! But hurt只有伤害, tears眼泪, rejection拒绝, misery不幸, pain痛苦, sickness疾病, curses咒诅, brokenness and hopelessness破碎和无望! But if our hearts really serve our God但如果我们的心真正事奉神, He promised, and said祂应许说, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation这些人是从大患难中出来的; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple所以，他们在神宝座前，昼夜在祂殿中事奉祂; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence坐宝座的要用帐幕覆庇他们. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger他们不再饥; never again will they thirst不再渴. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat日头和炎热也必不伤害他们. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd因为宝座中的羔羊必牧养他们; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water领他们到生命水的泉源.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes神也必擦去他们一切的眼泪.”

I love it我太爱这段话了! Yes是! God deserves us to serve Him神配得我们事奉祂! We thank God to give us time我们感谢神赐我们时间, so that we may get ourselves ready to serve His Holiness and righteousness day and night in this life让我们在今生来得及预备自己，来昼夜事奉祂的圣洁公义! Then, our broken hearts may be completely satisfied然后，我们破碎的心灵可被完全满足! Because when God the Lord almighty wipes every tear from your eyes因为当全能神擦去你的眼泪, you will be satisfied indeed你实实在在就得满足了! You will never again go thirsty and hungry你再不会饥渴! We say我们祷告, “Lord, Your kingdom come主啊，愿你的国降临! Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven愿你的旨意行在地上如同行在天上.”

It means that we are letting go of our priorities这意味着我们放弃我们抓住的次序, our earthly desires地上的欲望, and choosing to be ruled by God选择让神掌管. We declare that His is much beautiful than the things we are holding to in this world我们在宣告祂比世上一切都荣美！And that we are asking Him to change our hearts to desire what He desires意味着我们求神改变我们的心，盼望祂所盼望的! His grace is sufficient to change us 祂的恩典足够可以改变我们 If we long for His presence 若我们渴慕祂的同在Yes是, the Kingdom has come and is coming and is yet to come神的国已到来，正在来，还要完全来到!  Thirdly第三, as we look at Re 5:9-10,我们读（启示录5:9-10） “… and they will reign on the earth他们……在地上执掌王权.” we know that it is talking about the second coming of Christ with His faithful followers (overcomers)我们相信这指的是基督的第二次降临，会带着祂的忠心的跟随者（得胜者）, when the fullness of God’s kingdom will physically reign over the earth那时神国度将完全真实地统治全地! In other words换句话说, God’s reign will complete at the second coming of the Kingdom of Christ在基督第二次降临的时候，神的掌权要得以完全成就. Before go to the book of Revelation chapter 21在读（启示录）21章前, a new heaven and a new earth在有新天新地之前, John the apostle saw the Thousand-Years reign of the Kingdom of Christ on earth at chapter 20使徒约翰在20章看到基督在地上的千年国度,

Revelation 20:4-6（启20:4-6） I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge我又看见几个宝座，也有坐在上面的，并有审判的权柄赐给他们. Who are they他们是谁? Re 2:26（启2:26） to him who overcomes and does my will to the end那得胜又遵守我命令到底的, I will give authority over the nations我要赐给他权柄制伏列国。They are overcomers who faithfully follow the way of Christ and do God’s will, and they have overcome sins, the devil and the world in Christ. 他们是得胜者，忠心跟随基督的道，行神的旨意，他们在基督里胜过罪，撒旦和世界。

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded (they are martyrs and killed for their faith他们是殉道者，为信仰被杀) because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证，并为神之道被斩者的灵魂（被杀的殉道者）. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands和那没有拜过兽与兽像，也没有在额上和手上受过他印记之人的灵魂. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years他们都复活了，与基督一同作王一千年. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended其余的死人还没有复活，直等那一千年完了.) This is the first resurrection这是头一次的复活. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection在头一次复活有分的有福了，圣洁了. The second death has no power over them第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years他们必作神和基督的祭司，并要与基督一同作王一千年.

Where在哪来作王?  The book of Zechariah tells us it will happen at Jerusalem.撒迦利亚书告诉我们，那将在耶路撒冷  V.14,16-17 The Lord will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. 16 Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain.   所有來攻擊耶路撒冷列國中剩下的人，必年年上來敬拜大君王萬軍之耶和華，並守住棚節。地上的万族中，凡是不上耶路撒冷敬拜大君王万军之耶和华的，就必没有雨降给他们。

Before the second coming of Christ 在主再来前, it says that there will be a great world war这里告诉我们，世上将有一场大战, called the war of Gog and Magog被称为歌各之战, that nations will invade Israel, which is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39就是许多国家联合要来攻打耶路撒冷城，这被记载在以西结书的38和39章. We will talk about it later when the right time comes若合适的时间来到我们会再分享. After that那以后, the kingdom of Christ will physically reign in Jerusalem for a thousand year基督的国度要切实的来到耶路撒冷掌权一千年! But also并且, those faithful followers will be with Christ together to reign over the earth for a thousand years这些忠心跟随者也要和基督一起来到地上掌权一千年! In those days到那日, the kingdom of Christ will fulfil its fullness of reigning over the earth基督的国度要成全祂丰富治理在地上! Are you excited about that你为此兴奋吗? This is not from a plot of a science fiction movie这不是科幻电影的情景. It’s a marvellous blockbuster in the universe that was designed by the Almighty God这是神所设计的奇妙大片! And you and I are invited to be participating in it 并且，你和我被邀参与在其中! Are you ready? 你准备好了吗？

Yes是, the Kingdom of God has come with the king Christ神的国与王一同来到, from the first time Christ Jesus came自从耶稣基督第一次来临, until now直到现在, the Kingdom of God has come on the earth spiritually属灵上神的国已经来到! Through repentance in faith by His grace靠神恩典，借着信心里的悔改, God’s kingdom reigning on earth as it is in Heaven has begun within each of us神国度在地如在天的掌权，已经由我们每一个人开始, His redeemed people祂买赎了人归祂! Are we really willing to submit to the Lordship even when it hurts我们是否真的愿意就算自己吃亏也要顺服神吗? There will be a great reward for those who faithfully follow Christ’s footsteps, die to themselves, 对那些忠心跟随基督脚踪的 and love the Father by doing His will爱父并行祂旨意的, even when it hurts纵然自己吃亏也不更改的，神预备了大赏. In the end但到最终, they will come with Christ the King and His Kingdom physically come and reign on earth for a thousand Years他们将和基督并祂的国必真实地来到地上，并掌权一千年!

What good news这是多大的好消息! At that time到了那时, God will have prefect fellowship with His people like the beginning in the garden of Eden神会像起初在伊甸园一样，与自己的子民有完美的相交! At that days God will fulfil His creating purpose那时神就完成了祂的造人的目的! That is that His chosen and faithful people will rule over the earth with Him as He proclaimed in the beginning就是祂要和祂所拣选的、忠心的子民，与祂一同治理全地，正如祂创世纪时所宣告的那样! There will be No more strife and hatred in the world世界就不再有纷争仇恨! There will be No more sadness and tears不再有悲伤和眼泪! He will wipe every tear from their eyes神要擦去他们的眼泪! God’s kingdom will reign神的国度要掌权! Peace, joy and love will reign平安、喜乐与爱要掌权! and His righteousness and justice will reign forever神的公义公平要掌权到永远! Are you ready for God’s Kingdom to reign你准备好迎接神国度掌权了吗? Be loyal to Him要忠贞爱祂, for He has been faithful to us因祂信实待我们, even poured out his life for us!甚至倾倒祂的命给我们！

We eagerly pray因此我们极力祷告, “Thy Kingdom come愿你的国降临, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上!”