2021-11-14 Understand the Kingdom 明白神的国（1）

Understanding the Kingdom 明白神的国（1）

We’ve been looking at the Lord’s Prayer the last couple of Sundays. 最近几个主日我们一直在分享主祷文。The last doxology “For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever”, 最后的颂赞 "因为国度、权柄、荣耀，全是你的，直到永远"，reminds us of God’s sovereignty and greatness. 提醒我们神的主权和伟大。For Yours is the Kingdom. 因为国度是你的。To understand the Kingdom is crucial for us to grow in the Kingdom of God. 要在神的国度里成长，明白神的国是至关重要的。Today, we’ll look at its relevance for the past, the present, and the future in accordance with the teaching of the bible. 今天我们将根据圣经的教导，来认识神国度的过去、现在及将来的关联。

1.The Kingdom of God in past times. 神的国在过去

In the OT, King David also prayed a similar prayer in 旧约中，大卫王也做过一个类似的祷告：1 Chron 29:11, Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all (1 Ch代上 29:11). 耶和华啊，尊大、能力、荣耀、强胜、威严都是你的；凡天上地下的都是你的；国度也是你的；并且你为至高，为万有之首。God is revealed as King in the OT. 神在旧约中是以“王”的身份出现的。He is the greatest King over all the Universe. 祂是全宇宙至大的王。Kingship is at the core of the commission that God gave to Adam, 王权是神给亚当的使命的核心，that he and his descendants were authorised to take dominion over all animal life on the earth under the lordship of God (Gen 1:26), 就是亚当和他的后裔在顺服神的主权下去授权管理地上的一切活物（创1:26）。but Adam failed. 但是亚当失败了。The commission of Kingship – reigning with God on earth 而王权的使命—与神一同管理全地 was delegated to the nation of Israel. 被授权与以色列国。 When God called Israel to be His own people, 当神召以色列作祂子民的时候，He said, 祂说： “You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ Exo 19:6-8” “你们要归我作祭司的国度，为圣洁的国民。”（Exo出19:6-8）“A Kingdom for Me on earth” means that God would be King of the Israelites  “作我地上的国民”意思是神要作以色列的王，and reign on earth through the nation of Israel. 并藉以色列在地上掌权。And when the Israelites heard this, 以色列人听见这话， they responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said. v.8” 就 同声回答说：“凡耶和华所说的我们都要遵行。” （第8节）

In other words, 换句话说，they agreed that God would be their King. 他们愿意神作他们的王。The governmental rule of the Kingdom of God is God Himself as the King who rules. 神国度的统治法则是，神自己作王来统治。And it requires the people to obey 人要完全顺服，and put themselves under the King’s authority. 伏在王的权柄之下。

This’s totally different from a democratic country, 它完全不同于一个“民主国家”，where we hold individual rights, 人拥有个人权利， “this is mine,” “这是我的，”and we can vote as we wish. 人可以按自己的意愿参与投票。But in the Kingdom of God, 但是在神的国里，we need to obey the King, 我们必须服从王，because everything is His, 因为一切都是祂的，He created all, 祂创造了一切，and He is the owner of all, 祂是一切的主，we’re just stewards. 我们只是管家。 The land we’ve bought, 我们买的土地、 the house we’ve bought, 我们买的房子， they’re all His, 都是祂的。If He overturns the earth, 如果祂倾覆了大地， we’ll have nothing. 我们将一无所有。However, 然而，when the Israelites said “Amen” to God, 当以色列人对神说“阿们”时，they didn’t really know what it meant, 他们并不真知道那是什么意思，so they failed to obey. 所以他们没能遵行。Then, God’s plan to reign on earth in partnership with man failed again.   于是，神与人共同管理全地的计划再次失败。

2.The Kingdom of God in present times. 神的国在现今

But God’s plan won’t be stopped by man’s failure 但神的计划不会因人的失败而

停止In the NT, 在新约，Jesus Christ, 耶稣基督，the Son of God came to preach the Kingdom. 神的儿子来到地上宣讲天国。“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near. Matt 4:17” 【Matt太4:17】 “天国近了，你们应当悔改！” Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick, 耶稣赶出污鬼、医治病人，to demonstrate that by the Spirit of God 显明祂藉着神的灵he overthrew the works of Satan and the kingdom of darkness. 倾覆了撒但的作为和黑暗的国度。If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you matt 太12:28.我若靠着　神的灵赶鬼，这就是　神的国临到你们了。At the time the Spirit of God comes into us and we’re reborn, 当神的灵进入我们里面使我们重生的那一刻，the Kingdom of God has come. 神的国已经来到了。But at this age, 但在今世， the Kingdom of God comes as a spiritual Kingdom (Luke路 17:21). 神的国以属灵的国的形式来到。What’s the work of the Kingdom of God in this age? 神的国在这个时代的工作是什么? It brings people freedom and liberty, 它带给人自由和释放，heals the broken hearted, 医治破碎的心， and releases people from all kinds of bondage, 把人从各样的捆绑中释放出来， and prepares us to serve the eternal King Jesus. 并预备我们去侍奉永生的王 耶稣。

2 Cor 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 【2Cor林后3:17】主就是那灵；主的灵在哪里，那里就得以自由。What is this freedom referring to? 这里的“自由”是指什么？ Gal 5:13 tells us, 加5：13告诉我们： You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 【Gal加5:13】弟兄们，你们蒙召是要得自由，只是不可将你们的自由当作放纵情欲的机会，总要用爱心互相服侍。 In other words, 换句话说，when you say, 当你说： “I embrace freedom in Christ”, “我在基督里有自由”， it means you serve humbly 这意味着你谦卑地服事， whether at home or at church. 无论在家里还是在教会。And you no longer are bound by selfishness 并且你不再被自私捆绑 or you feel that you’re inferior to the one you serve或你觉得服侍人就低人一等In this time, 在这世代，the Kingdom of God also brings transformation to our lives 神的国也带来我们生命的改变，and prepares us for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ in its fullness. 预备神的国度完全到来。

In Matt 13, 在马太福音13章，Jesus told the disciples the parable of the Sower, 耶稣给门徒讲了撒种的比喻，to reveal the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven, 以揭示天国的奥秘， 10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…. 【Matt太13:10-11】门徒进前来，问耶稣说：“对众人讲话为什么用比喻呢？”耶稣回答说：“因为天国的奥秘，只叫你们知道，不叫他们知道。Who is ‘you’? “你们”指谁? The disciples, who listen to Jesus’ words and put them into practice. 就是那些听耶稣的话并去操练的门徒。Who is ‘them’? “他们”指谁? The crowd, 众人，who love to listen虽喜欢听道， but never put what is heard into practice. 却从不操练所听见的。So, what knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven does Jesus reveal in this parable? 那么，耶稣在这个比喻中揭示了天国的什么奥秘呢？ 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” 【Matt太13:18-23】“所以，你们当听这撒种的比喻。凡听见天国道理不明白的，那恶者就来，把所撒在他心里的夺了去，这就是撒在路旁的了；撒在石头地上的，就是人听了道，当下欢喜领受，只因心里没有根，不过是暂时的，及至为道遭了患难，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了；撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的思虑，钱财的迷惑，把道挤住了，不能结实；撒在好地上的，就是人听道明白了，后来结实，有一百倍的，有六十倍的，有三十倍的。”

There’re four types of people responding to the Sower, who sows the seed of the Kingdom into their hearts. 人对于向他们心中播撒天国的种子，有四种反应。A, Roadside. 路旁。This represents unbelievers who aren’t saved 是指不得救的不信的人。 (Luke 8:12) Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 【Luk路8:12】那些在路旁的，就是人听了道，随后魔鬼来，从他们心里把道夺去，恐怕他们信了得救； B, Rocky soil. 石头地。These are the believers. 这些人是信徒。They hear the word of God and receive it with joy. 他们听了神的道，就欢喜领受。But they never grow into maturity, 但他们没有长大成熟， because they don’t spend time in the word of God personally, 因为他们不自己在神的话语上花时间，nor practice what they’ve heard in their daily lives, 也不在日常生活中操练所听见的道，so they have no root. 所以没有根。When the testing of their faith comes 当信心的试验来了， they fail quickly. 他们很快就失败了。 C, Thorny Soil. 荆棘里。Luke 8 tells us they’re also believers, 路加福音8章告诉我们，这些人也是信徒，but they go on their way, 但他们却行在自己的道上，they’re choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, 被世上的思虑、钱财和享乐挤住了，and they do not mature. 没有成熟长大。

D, Good soil. 好土。They’re the people who hear the word of God, 他们听了神的道， understand it, 能明白神的道，2 Peter 1 tells us, 彼得后书1章告诉我们，that they keep practicing faith, 他们不断地操练信心、 goodness,德行、 knowledge, 知识、self-control, 节制、perseverance, 忍耐、godliness, 虔敬、 mutual affection, 爱弟兄的心、love in increasing measure, 爱众人的心，so they don’t stumble often, 因此他们不常失脚，but mature 反倒成熟， and will receive a rich welcome into the Kingdom. 也必丰丰富富地得以进入神的国。

From this parable, 藉这个比喻，Jesus has clearly revealed to us the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven: 耶稣向我们清楚揭示了天国的奥秘：First of all, 首先，if we don’t pay the price to grow our personal relationship with Him, 如果我们不为与祂建立更深的关系而付上代价，we can’t mature. 我们就不能长成基督的身量。Secondly, 第二，if we don’t shake off a worldly mindset 如果我们不脱离属世界的思维模式，to be renewed by the Kingdom mindset, 被神国度的思维模式更新，we can’t grow. 我们也不能成长。 If we can’t grow, 如果我们不能成长， we’ll be like Adam, 我们就会像亚当一样， and fail the original plan to be in partnership with Jesus to reign on earth. 无法实现神让人与耶稣一同管理全地的最初计划。Because Gal 4:1 clearly tells us that a child is no different from a salve. 因为加拉太书4章1节说 孩童和奴仆毫无区别。But in this present time, 但是现今，the Kingdom of God is at work in our hearts, 神的国正做工我们心中，to change us to be good soil. 要改变我们成为好土 The key thing is whether you’re willing or not. 这关键在于你是否愿意被改变 It’s your choice.这是你的选择。The result of your choice will affect you eternally. 这选择的结果将会影响你到永恒。

For this reason, 因此，Jesus goes on to another parable，耶稣就接着讲了另一个比喻：Matthew 13:24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 【Matt太13:24-26】耶稣又设个比喻对他们说：“天国好像人撒好种在田里，及至人睡觉的时候，有仇敌来，将稗子撒在麦子里就走了。到长苗吐穗的时候，稗子也显出来。Then He explained: 然后祂解释说： 37 "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons (Huios) of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. (The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl ) 【Matt太13:37-43】他回答说：“那撒好种的就是人子，田地就是世界，好种就是天国之子，稗子就是那恶者之子，撒稗子的仇敌就是魔鬼，收割的时候就是世界的末了，收割的人就是天使。将稗子薅出来用火焚烧，世界的末了也要如此。人子要差遣使者，把一切叫人跌倒的和作恶的，从他国里挑出来，丢在火炉里，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。那时，义人在他们父的国里，要发出光来，像太阳一样。有耳可听的，就应当听。”

The word “sons” is translated from the Greek word “Huios”, mature son. “儿子”这个词是从希腊语“Huios”（成熟的儿子）翻译过来的。The enemy sowed the weeds, 仇敌播种稗子， which are church goers, 他们是那些去教会聚会、 who have never been born again. 却没有重生的人。What will happen in the future at v.40-43? 从40-43节看到，将来的结局如何？A, the weeds are the unbelievers, who will be burned. 稗子指的是不信的人，将来会被焚烧；(v.40)  B, Those Christians who failed will be weeping and gnashing their teeth during the 1000 years reign of Christ on earth失败的基督徒在基督在地上掌权的千年国度将哀哭切齿。.(v.41)  To understand this, 要明白这一点，we first must understand what the bible means by “to do evil”, 我们先来认识 圣经所说的“作恶”的意思，then 然后， understand who will be weeping and gnashing their teeth when Christ returns to reign. 来认识是谁在基督再来时将会哀哭切齿。With regard to doing evil, 关于何为“作恶”，Paul the apostle says in使徒保罗说，【Rom罗7:19-20】, For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.故此，我所愿意的善，我反不作；我所不愿意的恶，我倒去作。故此，我所愿意的善，我反不作；我所不愿意的恶，我倒去作。 So everyone can do evil, 就是说每个人都会行恶，both the Christian and non-Christian. 基督徒、非基督徒都一样；That’s why after becoming Christians we’re called into spiritual battle. 这就是为什么神呼召基督徒信主后就进入属灵争战的原因。 【Gal加5:17】says, the sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.因为情欲和圣灵相争，圣灵和情欲相争，这两个是彼此相敌。 Romans 8:7, for the sinful nature is always hostile to God. 【Rom罗8:7】原来体贴肉体的，就是与　神为仇，Evil exists in the sinful nature. 肉体里充满恶，Whenever we live according the desires of the flesh, we do evil.任何时候顺从肉体私欲，就是在行恶。But those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 但凡被　神的灵引导的，都是　神的儿子。

Recently, a sister testified to me that she had failed a test of faith, 最近，有位姊妹分享了一个失败的见证，just because she couldn’t hold back her desire to take out a loan to buy an expensive cooking machine, 因她没有去攻克己欲，非要去贷款买了一部很贵的煮食机，which caused big chaos to the family. 结果引发一场家庭混乱，She said that it was the first time she had acknowledged the desires of the flesh, which was so hostile to God. 她说这是她第一次真实的经历到“肉体是与神为仇的”。【1Cor林前6:9-10】Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  你们岂不知不义的人不能承受　神的国吗？不要自欺，无论是淫乱的、拜偶像的、奸淫的、作娈童的、亲男色的、偷窃的、贪婪的、醉酒的、辱骂的、勒索的，都不能承受　神的国。【Gal加5:19-21】 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.情欲的事都是显而易见的，就如奸淫、污秽、邪荡、拜偶像、邪术、仇恨、争竞、忌恨、恼怒、结党、纷争、异端、嫉妒（有古卷在此有“凶杀”二字）、醉酒、荒宴等类，我从前告诉你们，现在又告诉你们，行这样事的人必不能承受　神的国。

All these scriptures tell us, 这些经文告诉我们，if Christians don’t change of their character and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, 基督徒的性情若不改变，并结出圣灵的果子，that is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, 就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。they are unable to inherit the Kingdom 就不能承受神的国。This’s not about entering the Kingdom这不是在说进入神的国, but inheriting it而是继承, which means to possess what the King has是说继续王权. In other words, 换句话说，to reign with Christ. 是与基督一同掌权。Therefore, in this age, 因此，在今世，the Kingdom comes to prepare the sons of God, 神国降临是为预备神的众子，in order to fulfil His original plan to reign with those of man who are under His kingship faithfully and obediently. 以完成神起初的计划，就是要与忠心顺服祂王权的人一同掌权。

C, The sons of God(v.43) , who will reign with Christ forever. 神的众子要与基督一同掌权。Who are the righteous?  谁是义人？【1John约壹3:7】Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.小子们哪，不要被人诱惑。行义的才是义人，正如主是义的一样。 We’re given the position to be counted as “righteous”, 我们得到“义人”的地位，because of faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. 是因信基督为罪死、并从死里复活。But we must live out this faith to prove it is true if we wanna reach maturity. 但我们若要成熟长大，就要活出这信心，证明所信的是真的。So we must practice what Jesus did, 因此我们当行耶稣所行的，to overcome the enticements of the world, the flesh and Satan, 去胜过这世界、肉体和撒旦的试探，and walk by the Spirit of truth, and to bear fruit.行在真理里，并结出圣灵的果子。Now, who will be weeping and gnashing their teeth? 谁会哀哭切齿呢？Jesus mentioned this a couple of times in the four gospels. 耶稣在四福音里提到多次。In Matt 25, the Parable of the talents, 马太福音25章，按才受托的比喻里，Jesus said the Kingdom was like a master who had entrusted his property to his servants, and left, 耶稣说天国就像一个财主将家业交给仆人，自己就离开了，but he would come back to reward and judge them. 但他会回来赏罚。The two faithful servants given either five or two talents 两个忠心的仆人，得了五千两和两千两的，were qualified to go in and share the master’s happiness. 可以进来享受主人的快乐，But the wicked and lazy servant, Jesus said, 但耶稣对那又懒又恶的仆人，说：“And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'把这无用的仆人丢在外面黑暗里，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。’” 【Matt太25:30】

Jesus still called him His own servant. 耶稣还是称那人为自己的仆人，It indicates that this has nothing to do with losing salvation, 意思是这与失去救恩无关，but has something to do with going in and sharing the master’s happiness. 而是和一同享受主人的快乐有关。The bible tells us, 圣经说，when Jesus returns, 耶稣再来时，the wedding feast of the Lamb will be held to reward those overcomers, 得胜者被奖赏进入羔羊的婚宴，or “five wise virgins”. 或说“五个聪明的童女”。But those who are lazy and allowed the darkness of the flesh dominion over them in this present age, 但那些今生懒惰、让肉体的黑暗掌控自己的子民，will be thrown outside into darkness to their regret weeping and gnashing of teeth. 将被丢到黑暗里，在那里他们就要哀哭切齿了。Compared with those inside, 对比进到里面的情形，where there’s a party, a feast, full of joy and light, 那里有盛宴、有喜乐，光明的宴席，and the overcomers are celebrating and sharing their Master’s happiness.  得胜者在欢庆与主同乐！

In another place, 在另外一处，in Matt 8, 马太福音8章，Jesus commended the Roman centurion who had great faith, 耶稣称赞罗马百夫长信心大，because the centurion had understood the way the Kingdom’s power and authority operated. 因百夫长明白神国权柄能力运行的法则。He had recognised that Jesus was a man under authority. 他看出耶稣伏在权柄之下，Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, 以至于主耶稣为此希奇，并对跟随他的人说：“And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."我又告诉你们：从东从西，将有许多人来，在天国里与亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各一同坐席；惟有本国的子民，竟被赶到外边黑暗里去，在那里必要哀哭切齿了。” 【Matt太8:11-12】

This is also talking about those who follow Jesus and put themselves under delegated authority, 这也在说跟随耶稣的人，那些将自己放在权柄之下，being obedient to the Father’s will even to the point of death like Jesus was on earth. 像耶稣那样至死顺服父旨意的人，They will be rewarded and invited into the wedding feast before Jesus begins to reign in the Millennial Kingdom on earth. 在千年国度耶稣在地上掌权之前，他们将先被奖赏，去赴婚宴。But those of God’s people, who practice disobedience 但那些悖逆的神子民，will be thrown outside into darkness to their regret 将被丢到外面黑暗里懊悔，and will have to wait for 1000 years to get released from there. 要等候1000年才能被释放出来。

3. The Kingdom of God in the age to come. 神的国在将来

The bible tells us, 圣经说，we’re living in the present evil age. 我们生活在一个邪恶的世代。But Jesus clearly says, 但耶稣明白地说，this age will come to an end. 这世代将要过去。The book of Daniel reveals, 《但以理书》启示，at the end, 在末后，God’s Kingdom will overthrow all the kingdoms on earth, 神的国将要倾覆地上一切的国，and will reign forever. 并执掌权柄直到永远。Let’s look at 我们来看Revelation 启20:1-6, it tells us that before Christ’s 1000 years reign on earth (v.6), 这里说 基督的千年国度在地上掌权之前（6节）Satan will be bound for a thousand years 撒旦要被捆绑一千年（2节）； In other words, 也就是说，during the thousand years reign of the Kingdom of Christ on earth, 基督在地上掌权的千年国度期间，there will no longer be Satan to entice people to sin.撒旦将不能引诱人犯罪。Then, 那时 【Rev 启20:5-6】, The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 其余的死人还没有复活，直等那一千年完了。在头一次复活有份的有福了、圣洁了，第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必作　神和基督的祭司，并要与基督一同作王一千年。

The bible makes it clear that the Kingdom of God and of Christ in the future will first come and reign on earth for a literal thousand years. 圣经明白地说，神和基督的国将来 要先来到地上，实实在在的掌权一千年。Who are qualified to be part of that? 谁配得着参与其中？Those who share in the first resurrection. 就是在头一次复活的人。 It says这里说 blessed and holy are those who participate in the first resurrection, and they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a 1000 years.在头一次复活有份的有福了、圣洁了，……并要与基督一同作王一千年。

Unfortunately, not every Christian can be raised at the first resurrection. 不是所有基督徒都在头一次复活上有份。From verse 4, 第4节说，we see, that only those who are overcomers are given authority over the nations, 只有得胜者得着权柄能力制服列国，which is also written in 这话也记在【Rev 启2:26】, to him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.那得胜又遵守我命令到底的，我要赐给他权柄制伏列国。 Those who are unfaithful, disobedient, lazy, and worthless servants won’t have a share in the first resurrection. 那些不忠心， 悖逆的，懒惰的，无用的仆人将无份与第一次的复活 。

There’s a first resurrection, 有头一次复活，and a general resurrection. 和普遍的复活，These two resurrections are separated by 1000 years. 这两次复活相隔一千年。The Millennial reign of Christ on earth is prior to the eternal reign of the Kingdom of God and of Christ in the New heaven and the New earth. 基督在地上掌权的千年国度，发生在新天新地神国掌权之前。After the 1000 year reign of the Kingdom of Christ, 在千年国度之后，Satan will be released to deceive all nations into war. 撒旦将被释放并迷惑列国聚集争战。But they will be quickly thrown into the lake of burning sulfur 但很快被扔到硫磺火湖中 (v.7-10). Then, comes the general resurrection. 然后就是人类普遍的复活。The unbelievers whose name aren’t written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire 不信的人，他们的名字没有记在生命册上，将被丢入火湖（15节. But before the Judgement throne there’s not just one book - the book of life, 但在白色大宝座前打开的不只有生命册一本，but books were opened 还有一些册子也打开了（12节），it says, 经上说，each person will be judged according to what they’ve done. 每个人都要按照自己的行为受审判。

【Rev 启22:12】, Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. “看哪，我必快来。赏罚在我，要照各人所行的报应他。God will reward, and He will judge! 赏赐在主，审判也在主！Jesus says, 耶稣说，【Matt太12:36】 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.我又告诉你们：凡人所说的闲话，当审判的日子，必要句句供出来。 God is just! And He is merciful. 神是公义，但充满怜悯 He gives us a lifetime to change our lives, 祂赐我们一生时间来改变生命，to change from a self-centred mindset to a mindset centred on God’s will, 让我们的思维方式从自我中心中转向以神为中心，and to bear fruit from following repentance, 持续悔改并结果子，so that when He comes, 好在祂再来的时候，we won’t be judged but can be rewarded. 我们不是受审判而是得赏赐。In short总之,  God’s Kingdom reign in the future will have two ages. 那么，未来的天国掌权将有两个时期，First of all, comes a 1000 years reign of the Kingdom of Christ on earth 先是基督的国在地上掌权一千年，as a reward for those who share in the first resurrection. 这是为奖赏那些头一次复活的得胜者；After that, all men will be judged, 这之后，全人类将受大审判，the first heaven and the first earth will pass away. 先前的天地将要过去；Then, comes the eternal reign of the Kingdom of God in the New heaven and the New earth. 然后，神的永恒国度将在新天新地掌权，those believers who fail their works will be saved but only as one escaping through the flames without possessing anything. (1 Cor 3:10-15) 那些失败的信徒将得救，但好像从火里经过一样，没有任何产业 （林前3：10-15）。 The overcomers with reign with Christ forever and forever.得胜者要与主掌权直到永远永远。

Now we’re living at the end of the beginning of the birth pains in this present age. 我们现今处在灾难的起头的末期15 years ago, 15年前，when I was first called to preach the subject of overcoming in my dreams. 神第一次呼召我传讲得胜时，God opened up the book of revelation 6 through dreams, 神藉着几个异梦向我开启了启示录6章，and clearly I was shown that the first five seals had been already opened, 并清清楚楚地让我看到头五印已经揭开了The fifth seal tells us that more people will be martyred in the last days (v.11). 第五印让我们告诉我们，末后还有很多的人会殉道As for the sixth seal about cosmic disturbance 至于第六印关于宇宙的骚乱, I won’t touch on it until I’m shown for sure. 在神确认之前我不会去胡说。

The seventh seal is seven trumpets（Rev 8：2）这第七印是7枝号 The first of the seven trumpets will be opened after the gospel has been preached to all nations七号中的第一号要在福音传遍天下被打开，then, the end will come. 然后末期才来到 Amy testified to me, that many people from her home town still haven’t heard the gospel yet. Amy对我说，她家乡很多人还没有听过福音呢。

So now, during this period, Jesus clearly warns us in 这个时期，耶稣警戒我们，Luk路21:10-11】, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.当时耶稣对他们说：“民要攻打民，国要攻打国，地要大大震动，多处必有饥荒、瘟疫，又有可怕的异象和大神迹从天上显现。Look at the world today, 看看当今世界，government is against government, 政府之间的对抗，pestilences, which means pandemics, plagues, 瘟疫，即大流行病、毒病等等，that is all happening now. 全都发生了。Don’t be afraid. God is in control. 不要惧怕，神掌权。Bad things will happen on earth and are happening before the Kingdom of Christ comes to reign. 在基督的国度来临之前，地上会发生，也正在发生不好的事。People are afraid of the vaccination, 人们害怕疫苗，because they think it is the mark 666, 因他们认为疫苗是666的标志，but I’ll say, that hasn’t come yet. 但我告诉你，那时候还没有到。The bible clearly tells us圣洁告诉我们, it’ll come at the end times, 就知道那将会发生在末期，after the seven Trumpets of disasters are poured out onto the earth.是在七号之灾都倾倒在地上之后。

But even by then, 就算到了那个时候，when the last 7 years of the tribulation comes, 当七年大灾难来到时，God’s heart won’t change, 神的心仍不会改变，【Rev 启16:15】 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”（看哪，我来像贼一样。那警醒、看守衣服，免得赤身而行，叫人见他羞耻的有福了！）    

In other words, 换句话说，the Bridegroom is coming, 新郎快来了，wake up! 醒来！Watch and pray. 警醒祷告。History will not turn back; 历史不会回头，it’ll not go back! 历史不会倒退！When you see great and fearful events, 当你看到大而可畏的事，something like a global pandemic happening, 如遇到全球疾病大流行，if you lack peace, 你若没有平安，this’s the time for you to change, 这是你要改变的时候，change your mindset, 改变你的思维方式，change your lifestyle, 改变你的生活方式，and grow in the Master’s divine love! 在主爱里成长！

Don’t go naked like Adam! 不要如同亚当赤身露体！Don’t be afraid! 不要惧怕！For it’s Your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom! 因你们的父乐意把国赐给你们！The time is near! Repent! 时候近了，要悔改！Repent and prepare yourself for the Kingdom to come!悔改、预备，迎接要来的天国！

Concluding Prayer:  结束祷告：                                   

Yes, Lord, Your Kingdom will not end. 是的，主啊，你的国度没有穷尽。This is an everlasting Kingdom. 你的国度是永恒的国度。This is the Kingdom that reigns forever and forever. 你的国度统管万有直到永远。Yes, Lord, this Kingdom reigns, 是的主，这国度掌权，because the Lamb of God was slain, 是因神羔羊被杀，and the Son of God glorified the Father through his complete obedience on the Cross. 借着神儿子完全顺服，死在十字架上，荣耀了父。

We Praise You Jesus, 我们赞美你，耶稣，we thank You Jesus for Your death and resurrection,我们感谢你耶稣，因你的死和复活， to defeat Satan. 打败了撒旦。Thank You for bringing the Kingdom back to us, 感谢你把国度夺回给我们，and giving us the opportunity in this life to prepare for the 1,000 years reign of the Kingdom of Christ to come! 并给我们今生的机会，为基督的国度将要来到地上坐王掌权1,000年做准备！Life can become so meaningful, 生命会变得如此有意义，we give You thanks!  我们感谢你！

Would you be able to give Him thanks on your own? 现在能不能自己开口感谢祂？He is worthy of our thanks and praises! 祂配得我们感谢和赞美！Thank Jesus for breaking the power of sin and selfishness on the cross for you and me. 感谢耶稣在十字架上 为你我打破了罪和自私自利的权势。Selfishness and self-centredness are breakable!自私自利和以自我为中心的罪恶权势可以靠主打破！He is looking for people from every generation to take up the cross to follow Him…祂在每一个世代寻找那愿意背起十字架来跟随祂的人。

What’s God speaking to you today? 神今天在对你说什么？What area of your life today does God want you to deal with, gripped by the power of self-seeking, selfishness, self-centeredness, 你生命里有什么罪，神要你去对付的？你正被只求自己的好处，自私，以自我为中心的权势辖制？“I must, I want, I…” and holding you back from trusting in Jesus? “我必须，我偏要，我我我……”，拦阻你信靠交托耶稣？ where is your life bound by fear, anger, failure, rejection, bitterness, and disobedience? 你生命中哪些地土被惧怕、愤怒、失败、拒绝、痛苦和不服捆绑着？So that you’re unable to do God’s will, 以至于你不能遵行神的旨意，and you are unable to serve one another humbly in love? 以至于你也不能存谦卑的心，在爱里服事他人？What are the areas that you’re called to serve in as members of the body in this church? 你作为委身这个教会的会员，耶稣身体上的肢体，你知道神呼召你是做什么服事的？ Let’s respond to God on our own…让我们自己跟神祷告回应神的呼召。

Tell the Lord, 跟主说，if you wanna lay it down before the communion table? 是否在领圣餐前你愿意放下？ Jesus loves you and he laid down all of his rights for you on that Cross, 耶稣爱你，在十字架上，祂为你舍弃了祂的所有尊荣权利， and He wants to give you something more beautiful than the desires of the sinful nature…祂要给你比罪性私欲更美好的东西...He wants you to have partnership in His freedom, 祂愿你在祂的自由上有份，in His divine nature, love, joy, peace, 在祂神的性情上、爱、喜乐、和平上有份，and in the surpassing power of his resurrection and in the authority that overcomes sin and Satan…在祂复活的大能上，在战胜罪和撒旦的大能上有份。

He wants you to share in His rulership and to bring glory to Him….祂愿你与祂一同坐王，荣耀祂... but you need to make decision但你要做个决定, whether you wanna break yourself just as the way Christ broke himself for the Father’s will on the Cross…你是否要破碎自己，好像主顺服父旨意破碎自己一样 Let’s respond to God on our own…让我们自己来回应神...

Now, we take the bread, we thank You, Lord Jesus, 现在，我们拿起饼，感谢你，主耶稣，for this is Your body, which is crucified for us. 这是你们的身体，为我们钉在十字架上。 As we take this bread, 每当我们吃这饼时，we’re reminded that we should also follow in Your footsteps to crucify the desires of the self on the Cross with You. 就被提醒，我们当跟随你的脚踪，把自己的私欲钉在十字架上 。By turning from our own ways to your Way, 从我们自己的道上转向你的道路，we may be healed. 我们就可以得医治。 For You were pierced for our transgressions,  因为你为我们的过犯受害，and You were crushed for our iniquities. 因我们的罪孽被压伤。By Your stripes we’re healed. 因你受的鞭伤我们得医治。We partake in the bread together. 我们一起来分吃这饼。

Now, let’s take the cup in our hands. 现在，让我们拿起这杯。Lord, thank You for the blood of the new convent, 主啊，感谢你为我们流出这宝血，跟我们立了新约。which was poured out for us. 是为我们所流的。We’re reminded that we no longer belong to ourselves but to You our Master and our Bridegroom. 我们被提醒，我们不再属于我们自己，而是属于你，你是我们的主，我们的新郎。May we not take Your blood for granted,  愿我们不要把你的宝血当作理所当然，but live a victorious life under the authority of Your Lordship to glorify Your name! 而是尊主你为大，服在你权能下，活出一个荣耀你名的得胜生命，Let’s drink the cup together. 让我们一起喝这杯。

Lord, we thank You for strengthening us through Your words and the communion table. 主啊，感谢你借着你的话和圣餐来给我们加力量。You’re the King of kings and the Lord of lords, 你是万王之王，万主之主，You’re the eternal Emperor and Your Kingdom reigns forever and ever. 你的国度永不衰败、统管万有直到永远。Lord, release upon our lives fresh power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of faith. 主，求你不断将圣灵的新鲜恩膏和信心恩赐，释放在我们生命中。 Continue to awaken us! 继续苏醒我们的灵魂！Lord, come and awaken Your church!  主啊，苏醒你的教会！In this time of pandemic, 在这疫情的年月，let more of Your people be awakened. 愿你更多的百姓被唤醒Choose to repent and choose to listen to Your voice! Lord, 选择悔改，选择倾听你的声音Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!  主愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上！