(Matt太24 :1-14, Rev启 6)

This is a dialogue my husband and I had in the New Year. 这是我和丈夫新年时的对话。 Raymond said to me, Raymond对我说： “You like trying new things, “你喜欢尝试新事物， trying new food, 吃新的食物，new tracks, 走新的徒步路，but you can’t try a new husband.” 但你不能换一个新的丈夫。” I said, 我说： “Raymond, every day I can have a brand-new husband, if you allow the Spirit of truth to renew you.” “Raymond，如果你每天让真理的灵更新你，我每天都会有一个全新的丈夫。”He said, “Oh yay, I love this.”他说：“哦，这话我喜欢。”

New Year brings us a new beginning, 新年带给我们新的开始， new hope, 新的希望，new expectations, 新的期待，and possibilities, 新的可能，doesn’t it? 不是吗? But sometimes things around us may not change, 但有时周遭的环境可能没有改变，this year we’re still gonna face the pandemic and its negative impact, 今年我们仍要面对疫情和它所带来的负面影响， but we ourselves can be changed into brand-new people 但我们自己可以改变成为一个全新的人，full of love, 充满爱、 joy, 喜乐、peace, 平安，and bring hope to the people around us.并带给我们身边的人盼望。How many people wanna be renewed in new and wonderful ways? 有多少人愿意被神新的、奇妙的方式来更新?We’ve gotta allow God’s Word to challenge us, 我们要让神的话来冲击我们（的观念），and we’ve gotta “take root below, and bear fruit above”, 要“往下扎根，向上结果”，because if there is no root for the word of God in our hearts, 因为若没有神的话语为根基在我们心里， we can fall away quickly. 我们很快就会跌倒。

Today, we’ll look at Jesus’ prophecy about the signs of the end times in Matt 24:1-14 and Revelation 6. 今天，我们来看马太福音24:1-14和启示录6章中耶稣所说关于末世征兆的预言。 May we get a clue of where we are in the biblical timeline of man’s history, 盼望从圣经的人类历史时间表里，找到我们所处的位置，and get a sort of sense of urgency as to do what we should do.促使我们有紧迫感去做我们当做的事。 Matt 太24,1-14

1, Signs of the last days. 末世的预兆

Verse 1-3, 1-3节，when the disciples marvelled at the temple of Jerusalem, 门徒们为耶路撒冷圣殿而惊叹，because it was just a glorious building. 因为那是一座辉煌荣耀的建筑物。 Jesus seemed to tell them, 耶稣似乎在告诉他们: “Hey, something is coming, “事将要来了，you’ve gotta prepare, 你们当预备。 big buildings or whatever you make by your hands can’t save you, 人手所造的宏伟建筑物或任何什么都不能救你们，they will be torn down. 都将被拆毁。 you’ve gotta believe in God’s Word.” 你们要信神的话。” History has accurately proved what Jesus said. 历史已经真实见证了耶稣所说的话。If you Google, 如果你查谷歌， it’ll tell you, 它会告诉你： “During the Roman period, “在罗马时期， in AD 70, 公元70年，the Second Temple was destroyed, along with Jerusalem, by Titus' army.” 第二圣殿连同耶路撒冷一并被提多的军队摧毁。” Titus was a Roman general. 提多是罗马的一位将军。I won’t talk about this in detail, 我今天不详细讨论这个问题， you can google it yourselves. 你们可以自己上谷歌查阅。

The disciples were just stunned, 门徒们听了感到很震惊，they came to Jesus privately, 他们暗暗地来见耶稣说， “tell us, when will this happen, what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (v.3) “请告诉我们，什么时候有这些事？你降临和世界的末了，有什么预兆呢？” (3节)From verse 4 to 14, 从4节到14节，Jesus said six things that must happen before the end comes.耶稣说出末日来临之前必发生的六件事。 A, Deception will come (v.4,11). 必有迷惑（4节、11节）。False prophesies and antichrist will come to deceive many. 将有假先知和敌基督起来迷惑多人。 B, wars and rumours of wars (v.6) 必有打仗和打仗的风声（6节） C, Famines, earthquakes, and pestilences in various places. (v7b, Luke 21: 11) 多处必有饥荒、地震和瘟疫（7节，路21:11）11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 【路21:11】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。Pestilence means any infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills lots of people. 瘟疫是指任何快速传播，杀死很多人的传染病  D, Persecution that put Christians to death. (v.9) 必有杀害基督徒的逼迫（9节）。 E, the love of most will grow cold. (v,12) 许多人的爱心渐渐冷淡了（12节）。 F, All nations will hear the gospel. (v.14) 福音必传遍万国（14节）。

We’re living in the end times, 我们生活在末世，but the end hasn’t come yet. 但末日还未来到。In Matt 24 Jesus tells us from verse 1 to verse 14 马太福音24章，从1节到14节主耶稣告诉我们，after all these things have happened, 当这一切事都发生了， “and then the end will come”. “然后末期才来到。”When Jesus said, ‘the end will come’, 当耶稣说“末期来到”，he meant that the Great Tribulation (the last 7-year Tribulation) will come 祂是指大灾难(最后七年的大灾难)将来到，that ends with the second coming of Christ. 这大灾难会在基督再来时结束。Then He goes on in verse 15 to 29, 接着祂在15到29节继续，to explain what will happen during the period of the Great Tribulation.详细解释大灾难期间将要发生的事。In verse 21, He says,21节祂说： For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 【太24:21】因为那时必有大灾难，从世界的起头直到如今，没有这样的灾难，后来也必没有。 In other words, 换句话说，there will be disaster after disaster, 必有一波又一波的灾难临到， and such horrible days you have nerve been seen before. 而如此可怕的日子是人从未见过的。

In the book of Revelation, 《启示录》中，we see this warning of Jesus more explicitly through 7 seals, 7 trumpets and 7 bowls. 藉着七印、 七号和七碗，我们可以更清楚地领会主耶稣的警告。Some consider these to be God’s wrath poured out on the sinful world in the end times. 有人认为这是神在末世向这个罪恶的世界倾泄的忿怒。But remember, 但是要记得，God is full of mercy, 神是充满怜悯的，Jesus laid down himself on the cross 主耶稣在十架上舍命，to save people from God’s wrath. 是为拯救罪人脱离神的忿怒。 His heart for the world is to see sinful man repent. 祂对世界的心乃是盼望罪人悔改。 “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” “天国近了，你们应当悔改。”In the book of Revelation, disasters, famines, plagues《启示录》中描述的灾难、饥荒和瘟疫， as warnings of eternal judgement 作为审判大日的警告，are to call people to repentance. 乃是为叫人悔改的。Because the great tribulation ends with the great hope in the Second Coming of Christ.因为大灾难将在基督再来的大盼望中结束。

2, Seven Seals. 七印

So where are we now in the biblical timeline? 那么我们现在正处于圣经时间轴的什么位置呢?Let’s turn to the bible in Revelation 6, 让我们转到启示录第6章， we’ll look at the 7 seals, 来看看七印， which clearly emphasize the signs of the last days that Jesus warns about in Matt 24. 它们清楚着重的描述了主耶稣在马太福音24章关于末世之预兆的警告。 The first seal, a white horse - religious deception conquers. 第一印，一匹白马——宗教的迷惑得胜了。 Rev6:1-2, Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the (seven )seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.  【启6:1】我看见羔羊揭开七印中第一印的时候，就听见四活物中的一个活物，声音如雷，说：“你来！”【启6:2】我就观看，见有一匹白马，骑在马上的拿着弓，并有冠冕赐给他。他便出来，胜了又要胜。

The Lamb Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death through his death and resurrection, 羔羊耶稣基督藉着祂的死和复活已经胜过了罪和死的权势， and He therefore has the power and authority to open the seals of human history. 因此祂有能力和权柄打开人类历史的封印。 Rev 5:9 says, “you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain.” 启5:9说： “你配拿书卷，配揭开七印，因为你曾被杀。”In God’s Kingdom, 在神的国度里，the power and authority to overcome the kingdom of darkness战胜黑暗国度的能力和权柄 comes from obeying the power and authority of God. 来自于顺服神的能力和权柄。Those who disobey will be overcome by the evil one. 那不顺服权柄的，就被黑暗所胜We see this truth from Jesus’ example.我们可以从耶稣身上认识这个真理。

Now who is this riding a white horse and having a bow and a crown with him? 那么这个骑着白马、拿着弓并有冠冕的是谁呢? Religious deception! 就是宗教的迷惑！The antichrist, 敌基督，the deceiving spirit. 迷惑的灵。Because when the Real Conqueror comes, 因为当真正的得胜者来到时，he is described like this in Rev 19:祂在19章是这样被描述的：“11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 【启19:11-16】11我观看，见天开了。有一匹白马，骑在马上的称为诚信真实，他审判、争战都按着公义。12他的眼睛如火焰，他头上戴着许多冠冕，又有写着的名字，除了他自己没有人知道。13他穿着溅了血的衣服，他的名称为　神之道。14在天上的众军骑着白马，穿着细麻衣，又白又洁，跟随他。15有利剑从他口中出来，可以击杀列国。他必用铁杖辖管他们（“辖管”原文作“牧”），并要踹全能　神烈怒的酒榨。16在他衣服和大腿上有名写着说：“万王之王，万主之主。”

In Revelation 6, this one also rides a white horse《启示录》6章中的这个人也骑着白马， but is just given a crown, 但是只戴了一个冠冕，which represents religious deception这代表宗教的迷惑， that will deceive many. 要迷惑许多人。With the giving of authority, 被赐于权柄，the deceiving spirit is allowed deceive people. 这迷惑的灵就可以迷惑人。 But God is in control! 但是神仍掌管一切!That’s why He wants us to make deep roots in His words, 这就是为什么祂要我们深深扎根在祂的话语里，so that we won’t be deceived. 如此我们就不会被迷惑了。 Unfortunately, 不幸的是， in Jesus’ reply to His disciples, he said, 在耶稣对门徒的回答里，祂说: “many will be deceived”. “将有许多人受迷惑。”To be deceived means 受迷惑的意思是，that you think you’re right but you’re not right; 你以为你是对的，但你却是错的；you think something is true but it’s a lie. 你以为一件事是真的，但它却是谎言。 In other words, 换句话说， you therefore are living in a wrong perception of what’s happening, 你因此陷入对所发生的事情的错误认知里，you’re convinced that something will happen, 你确信某事会发生，but it doesn’t happen at all. 但它根本就没有发生。You think something won’t happen, it truly happens.你觉得不会发生的，却发生了 That’s deception. 这就是迷惑。We see this has already been in the world, from the apostle’s days up till now. 从使徒的日子直到如今，这事已经在世上显明了。 Recently, in the “Trump won” farce, 最近，在“特朗普获胜”的闹剧里，how many Christians over the world were deceived? 全世界有多少基督徒受了迷惑? It’s not a game, 这不是开玩笑的，it’s serious! 这是严重的！Deception causes God’s people to live in the realm of delusion迷惑让神的子民活在幻想中， rather than in the truth.而不是活在真实里。So Jesus’ first warning to his people所以主耶稣对祂子民的第一个警告， is the possibility of being deceived in the last days. 是在末后的日子里被迷惑的可能性。And in Revelation 6, 在《启示录》6章，we see the opening of the first seal is the same, 我们看到揭开的第一印是一样的，that’s religious deception. 就是宗教的迷惑。But this is just one of the signs of the beginning of the birth pains. 但这只是灾难起头的预兆之一。

The second seal, a red horse – war 第二印，一匹红马：战争.  Rev 6:3-4, When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. 3揭开第二印的时候，我听见第二个活物说：“你来！” 4就另有一匹马出来，是红的，有权柄给了那骑马的，可以从地上夺去太平，使人彼此相杀；又有一把大刀赐给他。（启6：3-4） This is exactly what Jesus warns of in Matt 24:6, right after the warning about deception. 这正是在太24：6节，接着宗教之灵迷惑的警戒之后，主耶稣所警戒的，Matt 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 6你们也要听见打仗和打仗的风声，总不要惊慌；因为这些事是必须有的，只是末期还没有到。（太24：6） But Don’t be anxious你无需焦虑，when you hear all these reports that kingdom (country) is against kingdom (country) and nation (a people) against another people. 当听到国要攻打国、民要攻打民的消息时。Don’t expect someone in power to make this world peaceful, 也不要指望某个在位的人可以带来世界和平， just like people put their hope in Donald Trump to give them security. 就像人们希望特朗普能给他们安全感一样。 All these bad things must come to pass, 所有这些不好的事情必要发生，but that’s not the end. 但末期尚未来到。We’re living in this period. This seal has been opened. 我们正在这个时期，第二印已揭开。

The third seal, a black horse – famine第三印，一匹黑马：饥荒. Rev 6:5-6 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” 5揭开第三印的时候，我听见第三个活物说：“你来！”我就观看，见有一匹黑马；骑在马上的，手里拿着天平。 6我听见在四活物中似乎有声音说：“一钱银子买一升麦子，一钱银子买三升大麦；油和酒不可糟蹋。”（启6：5-6）That’s famine. 这是饥荒。This seal has been opened too. 这个印也已揭开。 I checked google, 我查了google，in the last 200 years, 在过去200年， there have been approximately 146 million people who died of famine globally. 全球约有1.46亿人死于饥荒；And it’s still happening. 这种情况还在发生。In 2020, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported联合国粮食计划主管说， that they were going to reach 138 million people who were lacking food due to the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, 2020年，他们将需供应多达1.38亿人，这些人因新冠疫情爆发导致缺少食物，and 2021 could be even worse. 2021年情况更加严峻。This is exactly what Jesus warned about in Matt 24 that “there will be famines” prior to His return. 这正是主耶稣在马太福音24章所警戒的在祂再来前“多处必有饥荒”， but this is just a sign of the beginning of the sorrows.但这仅仅只是大灾难起头的标志。

The fourth seal, a pale horse – plagues or disease epidemics第四印，一匹灰马：瘟疫或流行病. Rev 6:7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 7揭开第四印的时候，我听见第四个活物说：“你来！” 8我就观看，见有一匹灰色马；骑在马上的，名字叫作死，阴府也随着他；有权柄赐给他们，可以用刀剑、饥荒、瘟疫（或译：死亡）、野兽，杀害地上四分之一的人。（启6：7-8） When the fourth seal opens, 第四印打开时，just as Jesus says in Matt 24就如主耶稣在马太福音24章所说，earthquakes, famines, pestilences (disease epidemics) would come onto the inhabitants of the earth. 地震、饥荒、瘟疫（流行病）将临到全地上的居民。 Earthquakes and disease epidemics can cause famine and death. 地震和流行病可以造成饥荒和死亡。Please listen, 请听， it says a fourth of the earth will be killed by war, famine and plagues, 这里说地上四分之一的人口将死于战争、饥荒和瘟疫，but this’s also just one of the signs of the beginning of birth pains, 但这还只是灾难起头的标志，the end still hasn’t come yet. 末期尚未来到。 We’re living in this period.我们正处于这个时期。

For instance,举例来说， the Black Death also known as the Plague十四世纪的黑死病大爆发， may have reduced the world population from an estimated 475 million to 350–375 million in the 14th century.可能造成当时的世界人口数量由4.75亿减少到3.5-3.75亿； The Cocoliztli epidemic: 科科利兹特利流行病：1545-1548, killed 15 million people from Mexico and Central America.发生于1545-1548，在墨西哥和中美洲造成1500万人死亡； The Great Plague of London伦敦大瘟疫(The Black Death's last major outbreak in Great Britain): （最后一次黑死病大规模大爆发，发生于英国）： 1665-1666, 15% of the population of London died.发生于1665-1666年，造成15%的伦敦人口死亡； The Flu pandemic: 大流感（又称俄国流感）：1889-1890, In just a few months, the disease spread worldwide, 发生于1889-1890年，于数月内席卷全球，and killed 1 million people.造成约100万人死亡；The Spanish Flu: 西班牙大流感：1918-1920, An estimated 100 million people died. 发生于1918-1920，估计死亡人口达1亿；The Asian Flu: 亚洲大流感：1957-1958, the flu spread rapidly, the total death toll was more than 1.1 million worldwide. 发生于1957-1958，该次流感迅速席卷全球，死亡人数超过110万人。

At the beginning of last year, 去年年初， many people believed that covid-19 was just a cold, 很多人认为covid-19不过是感冒， but from the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic up to now, 但从疫情爆发至今， more than 2.16 million people have died worldwide, 全世界超过216万人因此丧命，and the death toll is still growing every single day. 并且死亡人数还在天天增加，We don’t know when the death toll will stop. 不知道何时能停下来。But there must be a destined number in God’s scroll, 但神必在祂的书卷中命定了一个数字，when it reaches that number, 当死亡人数达到那数字， the plague will stop. 瘟疫就会停。So we’ve gotta pray patiently and reverently. 因此我们当存敬畏之心忍耐祷告，Because God is in control!因神掌权！

“Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” “主　神，全能者啊，你的作为大哉！奇哉！万世（或作“国”）之王啊，你的道途义哉！诚哉！4主啊，谁敢不敬畏你，不将荣耀归与你的名呢？因为独有你是圣的。万民都要来在你面前敬拜，因你公义的作为已经显出来了。”（启15：3-4）

These are the words that John the apostle saw the overcomers singing before the seven last plagues were about to be poured out in Rev 15, 这是启示录15章中所记载，末后的七灾将要发尽之前，使徒约翰所听到的得胜者之歌，where more people would die那时更多人将要丧命， and then the whole world would be burned. 然后地球被大火毁灭。That’s devastating! 那将是毁灭性的！ Isn’t God a God of love? 神不是慈爱的吗？Doesn’t God love sinners? 神不是爱罪人吗？ Yes! 是！For God so loved the world that He gives His one and only Son, that whoever believers in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John3:16). 16“　神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。（约3：16）That’s God’s way of demonstrating His love, 那是神显明祂爱的方式，whoever receive this love will not perish, 领受这爱的就不致灭亡， but have eternal life. 反得永生。 We thank God for His merciful salvation感谢神的怜悯和拯救， that Jesus died on the cross and we can have eternal life! 赐下爱子死在十字架上，使我们得永生！

The fifth seal – persecution第五印——逼迫. Rev 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. 9揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为　神的道、并为作见证被杀之人的灵魂， 10大声喊着说：“圣洁真实的主啊，你不审判住在地上的人，给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时呢？” 11于是有白衣赐给他们各人；又有话对他们说，还要安息片时，等着一同作仆人的和他们的弟兄也像他们被杀，满足了数目。 Jesus also mentioned that persecution will happen in the last days in Matt 24, 在马太福音24章，主耶稣也提到，末后的日子基督徒将遭受逼迫， 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. 9那时，人要把你们陷在患难里，也要杀害你们；你们又要为我的名被万民恨恶。 10那时，必有许多人跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨恶；（太24：9-10） The fifth seal has also been opened. 第五印已被揭开。

I read a report that shocked me, 有份报告让我吃惊，that in 1910, 就是在1910年，over 25% of North Korea considered themselves Christian. 在北韩，超过25%的人认为自己是基督徒，But nowadays, 而如今 it is considered the most hostile country toward Christianity.这个国家却是公认最敌对基督教的国家。 A report said that about 100,000 Christians are killed every year because of their faith, 还有一份报告说每年约有十万人因信仰被杀，Christians in over 140 countries were imprisoned, tortured, enslaved, raped, sold into forced marriages. 超过140个国家里的基督徒被关，被打，被奴役，被强奸，被卖被逼婚嫁，We’re living in this period. 但却说明我们正处于这个时期。How can we stand firm if we don’t make deep roots when persecution comes? 若不深深扎根在神的话语上，我们如何在受逼迫时站立得住呢？

Many pastors and Christians supported Donald Trump, why? 为什么很多牧师和基督徒支持特朗普？one reason is that they believed that under his leadership Christianity wouldn’t suffer persecution, 因他们信他可保护基督徒不受逼迫，but is that from God? 可这是从神来的吗？ Absolutely not! 绝对不是！Persecution must come. 基督徒必受逼迫。 I remember, during the first worship service at the beginning of 2014, 我记得2014年初的第一次聚会中，the first year God brought me to OTBC to start my journey in international ministry, 就是神把我带进OTBC， 开始我国际事工服侍的第一年， when I was worshipping God singing the first song, 在敬拜中刚唱第一首诗歌， I clearly heard the Lord say to me, 我就清清楚楚听到主对我说， “you will be hated by all nations.” “你将要被万民恨恶”。

In the last days, 在末后的日子， people will repay your love with hatred, 人会以恨报爱，how can you stand firm if you don’t make your roots deep in the Word of God and in the love of God? 你若不深深扎根在神的话和神的爱中，如何站立得住呢？ And if you take offence and you get bitter, 你若因此受伤害、生出苦毒，and if you give in to fear, 你若因此惧怕，you’ll lose the battle. 你就失败了。So we’re gonna pay the price to root ourselves in God’s truth and love, 因此我们当付代价扎根在真理和爱中，so that when persecution comes, 以致于当逼迫来临，when things don’t go our way, 当事情不照我们的想法发展，we can still be peaceful, kind and loving, 我们仍能平安、良善、爱人， and walking in God’s will! 行在神的旨意中！Because we’re called to be faithful to the end. 因我们蒙召忠心到底。

The sixth seal - cosmic disturbances第六印——宇宙浩劫. Rev 6:12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 12揭开第六印的时候，我又看见地大震动，日头变黑像毛布，满月变红像血，13天上的星辰坠落于地，如同无花果树被大风摇动，落下未熟的果子一样。 14天就挪移，好像书卷被卷起来；山岭海岛都被挪移离开本位。（启6：12-14）We’ve seen lots of big earthquakes, 大地震我们见过很多， but this earthquake is different, 但这次地震不同，it’s a great earthquake, 是场极大的地震，and after it happens, the sun will turn black, 并且，震后太阳要变成黑色，and the moon will turn blood red, 月亮变成血红色， the stars won’t shine. 星星不再发光。We haven’t seen this happen yet. 这种状况尚未发生。Joel the OT prophet describes this in Joel 2: 30b-31,旧约中先知约珥在（珥2：14下-15），and Peter the apostle also quotes this in Acts 2: 19-20, 使徒彼得在（徒2：19-20），都描述说，I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,    blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 19在天上，我要显出奇事；在地下，我要显出神迹；有血，有火，有烟雾。20日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血；这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前。（徒2：19-20） We haven’t seen this happen yet. 这事还没有发生。

The seventh seal is the seven trumpets第七印即是七号. Rev 8:1-2, When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 1羔羊揭开第七印的时候，天上寂静约有二刻。 2我看见那站在　神面前的七位天使，有七枝号赐给他们。（启8：1-2）After the sign of cosmic changes, 天象大变之后，there will be silence for about half an hour. 约有半小时的寂静，It means it will take a little while after the changes to the sun, the moon and the stars意思是在太阳、月亮、星辰异变后，before the world enters into the Great Tribulation, which is marked by the sound of the first trumpet. 到以第一支号吹响所标志的世界大灾难之前，要有一点点时间。

Then what will happen? 接着会发生什么？ The First Trumpet (Revelation 8:7),第一号 Hail, fire, and blood will come down on the earth to wipe out one-third of all plant life. 雹子与火搀着血丢在地上，三分之一的植物被毁。 It’ll affect the earth in at least three ways: 地球将至少受三方面影响： 1, Decrease the level of oxygen and increase the level of carbon dioxide. 大气中的氧气含量降低，二氧化碳含量增高；，2, The climate will get hotter.气温升高； 3, More famines.更多饥荒； As a result, more people will die. 其结果是死更多人。 The Second Trumpet (Revelation 8:8)第二号（启8：8）, one-third of all sea life will die.海中的活物死了三分之一。It affects food supply and economy 这影响食物供应和经济  The Third Trumpet (Revelation 8:10)第三号（启8：10）, a third of the freshwater will turn to bitter. 地上三分之一的水变苦。 Many people will die from drinking the bitter water (v,11) 很多人因喝苦水死亡，Fortunately, the sixth seal hasn’t been opened yet. 幸运的是，第六印尚未揭开。

3, Capture the heart of God.抓住神的心

Now we know where we are in the biblical timeline. 现在大家知道我们在圣经时间轴的哪个阶段了。We’re living in the end period at the beginning of the birth pains, 我们处于产难起头的末尾阶段， leading to the sixth seal being opened. 正引向第六印的被揭开。When will the sixth seal be opened, 第六印何时揭开？so that the sun, the moon and the stars turn dark? 因此太阳、月亮、星辰就变黑了？We don’t know. 我们不知道。 Jesus warns us, 耶稣警戒我们说， “No one knows about that day or hour.” 36“但那日子，那时辰，没有人知道。（太24：36上）But remember, 但请记住，He said that just as it was in the days of Noah, 主说那日子如同挪亚的日子，people were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage…人照常吃喝嫁娶……but the flood came and destroyed them all. 但洪水不知不觉到来，把他们全都毁灭了。It will be the same in the days of the second coming of Christ. 主再来的日子也要这样。In recent years, 近年以来，we’ve witnessed 9/11, 我们目睹9-11事件、earthquakes, 频繁地震、 SARS, 沙士、the covid-19 pandemic, 新冠疫情、 global lockdown, 全球大封锁等等， what else will happen? 还会发生什么？ When will the sun, the moon, and the stars turn black? 太阳、月亮、星辰什么时候变黑？It could happen in a blink of an eye, 可能一眨眼就会发生，just as covid-19 suddenly happened when people were eating, drinking, selling, and buying, 就好像人照常吃喝买卖时，新冠一霎那就爆发，the world suddenly shut down. 全世界瞬间关闭了。 If you build your life around the things you can see, 你若将生命建造在可见的事物之上，you’ll be frustrated. 必感到沮丧不堪。

Some may think, 也许有人想，“well, “好吧，the world is just getting worse and worse, 世界既然越来越糟糕，I must get what I deserve before I die.” 反正要死，我不如及时行乐。”No, 不， that’s not the heart of God. 这绝不是神的心意。When the world becomes darker and darker, 世界虽越来越黑暗， God’s heart is to raise up His church with power and passion但神的旨意是以大能和热心举起教会， to spread the gospel to all nations.” 为将福音传遍万国。Because Jesus said this in Matt 24, 因主在马太福音24章说，all these happenings are just the beginning of birth pains, 这一切事仅仅只是产难的起头，and the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to all nations. 福音必要传遍万国。Jesus paid the incredible price for the salvation of the world, 主耶稣为救赎世界付出难以置信的代价， He wants everyone to have eternal life. 祂愿人人得永生，He wants everyone to hear the gospel祂愿人人听到福音， and to respond to His love. 祂愿人人回应祂的爱。 But sadly, 令人忧伤的是，not everyone will believe and get saved. 并非每个人都会信，以致得救。But God’s heart is to save! 但神的心仍要拯救！

That’s why in Acts 2, 因此在使徒行传第2章中，we see before the opening of the sixth seal, 在第六印揭开、before the sun, the moon, the stars get dark, 太阳月亮星辰变黑之前， God will do something amazing, 神要行大事奇事，and He is doing it! 祂正在做这事！And He will continue to do this amazing thing even in the dark days! 并且就算那黑暗的日子来到，祂仍会做这奇妙的事！ 17“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 17‘　神说：在末后的日子，我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的。你们的儿女要说预言；你们的少年人要见异象；老年人要做异梦。18在那些日子，我要将我的灵浇灌我的仆人和使女，他们就要说预言。19在天上，我要显出奇事；在地下，我要显出神迹；有血，有火，有烟雾。20日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血；这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前。21到那时候，凡求告主名的，就必得救。’（徒2：17-21）

In other words, God says, 换句话，神在说： “I will pour out my Spirit on you before the cosmic changes, “我要在宇宙巨变前以我的灵浇灌你们，and you will know my heart through dreams and visions I give you, 藉着所赐的异梦异象你们会知道我的旨意，and you will know what’s going to happen. 并知道将要发生的事。That’s an opportunity for you to change your life, change the way you live, and to make a decision how to do life, 那是你改变生命、决定如何过人生的机会，everyone who calls on My Name will be saved. 呼求我名的都要得救。 I will be doing this even in the dark days.” 就算在黑暗的日子，我仍要如此行。”

For this reason, 为此，God will raise up a people throughout the earth like Noah在末后的日子，神在全地将举起一族，who have the faith to live for God in the last days, 他们在末后 有挪亚一样的信心 为神而活to believe God’s word, 信神的话，‘yes, something is coming to the earth! “是，有事将要发生在地上！ I’ll no longer live for myself. 我不再为自己活， God, I wanna repent, 主神，我愿悔改， I wanna prepare, 我愿预备，I wanna build my Christian life on Your words alone, 我愿把我的生命单单建造在你的话语上，I wanna be like Noah to be used by You, 我愿像挪亚一样被你使用， I wanna call on Your name every single day for people to be saved! 我愿每天为灵魂得拯救而呼求你！But I need You, 我需要你，I need You to pour out Your Spirit on me, 我需要你将你的灵浇灌我，to change me, 来改变我，and to give me a new heart…” 来给我造一个新的心……”

Is that you? 那人是你吗？ Is your heart beating faster right now? 你的心跳正在加速吗？ How many of you have your hearts stirring within you? 你们当中多少人心正被搅动？ You may come from a family with a history of brokenness你过去可能来自一个破碎的家庭， because your family served idols, 因你家祖曾是拜偶像的，but you’re the generation God is calling to stand up但你是蒙神所呼召，当站立的一代，and make a difference to your family, make a difference in your marriage, in your school, your workplace…是给你的家庭、你的婚姻、你的学校、你的单位 带来改变和影响的一代…… You thought your faith, 你或许觉得你的信仰、 your story was just about you. 你的经历只是你自己的事，Actually, 不是的， it’s not just about you! 这不只是关乎你自己！ Noah, in faith, building an ark saved his family, 因着信，挪亚造方舟救了全家，if you have the same faith as Noah你若像挪亚，who had something different in mind because of the Word of God. 因心中信神的话而与世人有不一样的想法，God will also use you to save more!神必藉着你救更多人！

Brothers and sisters, 弟兄姊妹，life can become more meaningful! 生命可以有更有意义的活法！ The value of life lies in eternity, 生命的价值在于永恒， that’s an opportunity God gives us for this life. 这是神赐我们此生的机会。Is that you? 那人是你吗？ You wanna respond to God’s love today, and say, 今天，你愿回应神的爱，说： “Lord, “主啊， I’ve been complacent, 我安逸了， I’ve been compromising, 我妥协了， I’ve been lukewarm with Your Words, 我对你的话不冷不热，But today, I repent! 今天我要悔改！ I come back. 我要回转， I wanna build my life on Your words, 我愿在你的话语上建造生命， I wanna watch and pray. 我愿警醒祷告， I wanna be a man, a woman of prayer, 我愿成为一个祷告的人，Holy Spirit, come upon me…”求圣灵浇灌我……” If this is you, 如果那人是你， please come forward, 请到前面来，and lift up your hand and respond to God…. 举起你的手，回应神……

sing the song together, 让我们一起唱， “I am the Lord of sea and sky.” “如今我来”。