Rev 启 12:17, 13:1, 13:9-10 

We looked at Revelation chapter 12 and 13 the last two Sundays, 在上两个主日我们查看了启示录12和13章， and we’ve gotten a glimpse of what will happen in the last days, 我们对末后的日子要发生的事有了一点了解，before Jesus’ return to rule on earth. 在耶稣再来统管全地之前。In chapter 12,在12章中， we’re told that war broke out in heaven,我们知道天上有过争战， but Satan and his followers lost their place in heaven, 但是撒旦和牠的随从失去了他们在天上的位置，and won’t stop fighting against Jesus’ followers. 但不会停止与主耶稣的跟随者争战。The battlefield now has shifted from heaven to earth. 战场已经从天上转移到了地上。It started in the Garden of Eden on earth, 从伊甸园开始，along with the nation of Israel, 到和以色列民族，until now to the end. 从今直到末了。 Satan’s target in the last days is to win over the Church. 末后的日子，撒旦的目标是胜过教会。In Matthew 24, 在马太福音24章中，when Jesus mentioned the Signs of the end times,当耶稣提到末世的预兆， three times He warned us that deception will fill the world in the last days, 他三次警示我们在末后的日子到处充满迷惑，and it’ll deceive many, even the elect of God很多人被迷惑，甚至是上帝的选民 (see Matt 参太24:5, 11, 25). By what means? 通过什么迷惑人呢？Lies and deception. 通过谎言和欺骗。

In chapter 13, 在13章中，we read that the earth beast will deceive people 我们读到，在末世里，那从地上来的兽会迷惑人，including people of God into following the sea beast in the last days.包括神的子民，它迷惑他们去跟随那从海里上来的兽。Because this sea beast 因为这个海中上来的兽– the earthly government is as strong as iron,一个坚壮如铁的强势地上政权。 “Who is like this beast? Who can wage war against it? 13:4b谁能比这兽，谁能与它交战呢？” It is a great nation. 这是一个强大的国家。It is considered as great as God, 它被认为和上帝一样大so that people everywhere in the earth are deceived into following it, 所以全世界的人都被欺骗去追随它， seeking its protection, security, and provision. 寻求它的保护、安全和供应。We see the epitome of this in the US and Donald Trump, 我们在美国和唐纳德·特朗普身上看到缩影，but Donald Trump has been deposed as a king by God. 但神已经废了他做王。When the appointed national leader comes, 当那所定的强国领袖到来时，he’ll succeed in whatever he does, 他将凡事顺利，and more people will be deceived.更多人会被迷惑。 

Due to people’s reliance on governments rather than on God, 由于人们依赖政府过于神，one government will rise against another government, 政府和政府要争大，stating “we are better than you.”各自宣称“我们比你们更好”。One ethnic group will rise against another ethnic group, stating “we are better than you.” 种族和种族要彼此对立，“我们比你们强”。 But our Lord Jesus clearly teaches us, 但是我们的主耶稣清楚地教导我们，His Kingdom is not of this world. 他的国不属这个世界。And “It (the kingdom of Christ) will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44国（基督的国）永不败坏，也不归别国的人，却要打碎灭绝那一切国，这国必存到永远。 但以理书2：44,  

Brother and sister, 弟兄姐妹们，we’ve gotta prepare, 我们当预备好，prepare for Jesus’ return. 为主耶稣再来。Prepare ourselves to inherit the earth我们要准备好承受全地，when the Kingdom of Christ comes in its fullness to rule on earth. 当基督的国在地上完全掌权的时候。 Today, 今天，we’re continuing to look at why and how in Revelation 12:17, 13:1, 13:9-10. 我们继续来通过启示录12:17,13:1,13:9-10来看为什么及如何。 Rev 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. 启 12:17 龙向妇人发怒，去与她其余的儿女争战，这儿女就是那守神诫命，为耶稣作见证的。启13:1, The dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.那时龙就站在海边的沙上。 

1, Who are the rest of the woman’s offspring referring to？And who is Satan’s target? Rev12:17? 妇人其余的儿女指的是谁？撒旦的目标是谁？启12：17 

The Sunday before,上上个主日，we learnt that the woman refers to the people of God including the OT Saints and the NT Saints我们得知这个妇人指的是上帝的子民，包括旧约圣徒和新约圣徒. but here it’s referring to the church.但这里指的是教会。Because it tells us that the dragon is waging war against ‘the rest of her offspring’因为它告诉我们，龙正在与“她其余的儿女”争战，who bear testimony to Jesus.他们是为耶稣作见证的。 We the NT Saints are redeemed by the blood of Jesus. 我们新约圣徒是被耶稣的宝血买赎回来的。The battle is continuing. 这争战正在继续。This tells us, the dragon is very angry at the Church. 这里告诉我们，龙对教会很愤怒。Who is his target? 撒旦的目标是谁？those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. 就是那些遵守上帝的诫命并为耶稣作见证的圣徒。 

That’s why when you’re touched by God’s love, 这就是为什么当你被上帝的爱感动时，you wanna forgive and love your enemies, 你想饶恕和爱你的仇敌时，forgive your kids who don’t listen,饶恕不听你话的孩子时， or people who reject you, or whatever, 或者饶恕那些拒绝你的人，或者遵行神其他什么诫命的时候，suddenly, you find the situation becoming worse, 突然，你发现环境变得比先前更糟，and you get hurt, 你被伤害，you feel rejected, 你感到被拒绝，you feel fear, 你感到惧怕，and coldness of the heart has come back again, 心冷又回来了，and you therefore are stopped from praying in a way of self-denial to keep God’s commands, 你就因此被拦阻不祷告了，不再在祷告里去否定自己，而遵守上帝的命令了，and begin to complain, 并且开始抱怨，and can’t stop counting other’s faults, 并且不停的数算他人的过错，even though you know that you do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12) 即便你头脑知道“你不是与属血气的争战”That’s the enemy’s scheme. 这就是仇敌的计谋 (弗6：12)。Satan isn’t waging war against secular Christians who don’t care about keeping God’s commands, 撒但并不与那些不在乎遵守神的诫命的世俗基督徒争战，2 Tim 2:26 tells us, …the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 提后2：26告诉我们，是魔鬼把他们掳去，为要遵行那恶者的意思。That’s why some Christians don’t experience spiritual warfare, 这就是为什么有些基督徒没有属灵争战的概念，because they feel ok living in the old ways of this world,因为他们以老旧人的方式活在这个世界上，until one day they find it’s not ok, 直到有一天，他们发现行不通了， and they come to realise that their blessings are being stolen,他们开始意识到他们的祝福正在被偷走， their relationships are being destroyed, 他们的人际关系正在被破坏，and their faith and love are being killed, 他们的信心和爱正在被扼杀，then they’ll wake up to spiritual warfare. 那时他们才会醒悟过来进入属灵争战。 The weapon for spiritual warfare is prayer in faith. 属灵争战的武器是信心的祷告。Satan is only waging war against those who keep God’s commands撒但只和那些遵守神的诫命，and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.并为耶稣作见证的圣徒争战。You know why? 你知道为什么吗？Because when we keep God’s commands, 因为当我们遵守上帝的诫命时，hold fast our testimony about Jesus, 为耶稣作见证，we live in Jesus’ love and His victory, 我们就活在耶稣的爱和祂的得胜中，we subdue Satan, 我们就胜了撒旦，and he loses his control over us, 撒旦就失去了对我们的控制，and we trample over him through the authority and power we’ve been given in Christ. 借着我们在基督里得到的权能，我们践踏了撒旦。In Luke 10: 18-19, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 在路加福音10章18-19节中，“我曾看见撒旦从天上坠落，像闪电一样。19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 19我已经给你权柄可以践踏蛇蝎子，又胜过仇敌一切的能力。断没有什么能害到你们。 

Why did Satan fall? 为什么撒旦会失败跌倒？He practices Lawlessness. 牠心中没有神的律法(无法无天)。He doesn’t wanna keep God’s commands,牠不想遵守上帝的命令， but does whatever he wants. 牠想干什么就干什么。If we’re enticed to do whatever we want, 如果我们被引诱去想怎样就怎样做，““I like…我喜欢...I just do whatever I like... ”我想怎样就怎样…”  we’re like the enemy! 我们就跟仇敌一样！we’ve been subdued by him. 我们就被牠制服了。we’ve lost the battle. 我们就输掉了争战。But congratulations! 但恭喜你！If you are battling in your daily prayers to keep God’s commands, 如果你在每天的祈祷中为遵守上帝的命令而争战，you’re not his captives but warriors of Christ.你就不是牠的俘虏，而是基督的精兵。 

2, What does ‘the dragon standing on the sand of the seashore’ mean?“龙就站在海边的沙上”是什么意思？ 

Why does the bible highlight that “The dragon stood on the sand of the seashore”? 为什么圣经强调“龙就站在海边的沙上”？ Who is that referring to ‘the sand of the seashore’? “海边的沙”指谁？We see this in Gen 22, 我们从创世纪22章看见，right after Abraham has passed a testing of his faith, 当亚伯拉罕经过了信心的考验，that he willingly gave up Isaac his only son to God, 甘愿把他的独生儿子以撒献祭给神时，God stopped Abraham’s sacrificial offering and said this to him,神让亚伯拉罕停止献祭，并对他说 v.12,Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son现在我知道你是敬畏　神的了，因为你没有留下你的儿子、你的独生子不给我 v.17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants (offspring) as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 【创22:17】论福，我必赐大福给你；论子孙，我必叫你的子孙多起来，如同天上的星，海边的沙。你子孙必得着仇敌的城门，  

Is this just God’s way of saying that He would give Abraham numerous descendants? 难道这只是神说给亚伯拉罕很多子孙的一种方式吗？Because Abraham believed that God is因为亚伯拉罕相信神是 the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Roman 4:17).那叫死人复活、使无变为有的　神（罗4:17）。Not at all. 不是的。Psa 12:6 say, The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. 【诗12:6】耶和华的言语是纯净的言语，如同银子在泥炉中炼过七次。 It means no word of God is like the vain words of man, 意思是，神的话不像人说的空话，every word out of God’s mouth is pure, 从神口中所出的每一个字都是纯净的、true and meaningful.真实的、有意义的。So there must be some hidden meaning behind the stars and the sand, 所以在“天上的星”和“海边的沙”的背后，一定有隐藏的含义，so that we need God to open up His word to us.我们需要神向我们开启祂的话。 

After God promised Abraham ‘descendants’ in verse 17, 神在17节应许给亚伯拉罕“子孙”后，he also promised him ‘seed’ in verse 18. 又在18节应许给他“后裔”。 V.18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”  【创22:18】并且地上万国都必因你的后裔得福，因为你听从了我的话。Apparently, 显然， this promised seed refers to Jesus Christ这所应许的后裔指的是耶稣基督， the coming Messiah. 即将到来的弥赛亚。 Paul the apostle explained this in Gal 3:16, 使徒保罗在加拉太书3:16说： 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. v. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Romans 9:8, In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 【加3:16】所应许的原是向亚伯拉罕和他子孙说的。　神并不是说众子孙，指着许多人；乃是说你那一个子孙，指着一个人，就是基督。【加3:29】你们既属乎基督，就是亚伯拉罕的后裔，是照着应许承受产业的了。【罗9:8】这就是说，肉身所生的儿女不是　神的儿女；惟独那应许的儿女才算是后裔。By grace and through faith in Christ, 在基督里靠着恩典凭着信心，we the NT Saints are also Abraham’s seed and heirs and descendants.  我们新约的圣徒也成为亚伯拉罕的子孙和后裔。

So all the believers both from the OT and the NT are descendants of Abraham, 因此，凡旧约和新约的信徒，都是亚伯拉罕的后裔， whom God calls the stars in the heaven and the sand on the seashore. 就是神所称的“天上的星”和“海边的沙”。 What’s the difference between stars and sand? 而星和沙的区别是什么呢? One is in the sky, another is on the ground. 一个在天上，一个在地上。 In the bible, who is called the Bright Morning Star?圣经里，谁被称为“明亮的晨星”？In Rev 22:16, “I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”  【启22:16】“我耶稣差遣我的使者为众教会将这些事向你们证明。我是大卫的根，又是他的后裔。我是明亮的晨星。”Jesus is the Bright Morning Star in heaven, 耶稣就是天上那“明亮的晨星”，and He also promises in Rev 2:26-28, 祂在启2：26-28中应许说：26 To the one who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 He will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery -- just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 26那得胜又遵守我命令到底的，我要赐给他权柄制伏列国。27他必用铁杖辖管他们（“辖管”原文作“牧”），将他们如同窑户的瓦器打得粉碎，像我从我父领受的权柄一样。28我又要把晨星赐给他。So who can be like the stars in the sky among the NT descendants of Abraham? 那么新约亚伯拉罕的后裔中，谁能像天上的星? The overcomers, 就是那些得胜者，who do Jesus’ will to the end. 遵行耶稣旨意到底的。 They overcome in the spiritual warfare. 他们在属灵争战中得胜。 They overcome the deceitful self, 他们胜过了诡诈的旧人， the temptations of the world, 胜过了世界的试探， and Satan. 胜过了撒但。 And they do Jesus’ will, 他们遵行主耶稣的旨意，instead of their own will, 不行自己的意思，and they won’t just do it for a moment, 这样操练不是一时，but to the end.乃是直到死时。They are the ones who will take possession of the cities of their enemies.他们就是那些“得着仇敌的城门”的人。 

Who are those like the sand on the seashore which the dragon stood on? 那些如同海边的沙，被龙踩在脚下的，又是谁呢？The sand on the seashore means to lie on the ground. 海边的沙意味着躺在地上。 Eph 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 【弗2:4-6】4然而　神既有丰富的怜悯，因他爱我们的大爱， 5当我们死在过犯中的时候，便叫我们与基督一同活过来（你们得救是本乎恩）。6他又叫我们与基督耶稣一同复活，一同坐在天上，When we were dead in our sins, 那时我们死在罪中，when we were unable to overcome sin, 不能胜过罪、 and the temptations of the world 世界的试探，and the enticement of Satan, 撒但的诱惑， and the corruption of the flesh. 和肉体的败坏。Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, 耶稣为我们罪得赦免而死，and we therefore are able to receive a new life. 使我们因此得着了新生命。 And the good news is 好消息是，that the position of this new life is in the heavenly realms in Christ.这个新生命的地位是在天上，在基督里。 

Positionally, 就地位而论，we’re no longer on the ground, 我们不再在地上， but are in the heavenly realms!乃是住在天上！So “Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them” 所以【启12:12】所以诸天和住在其中的，你们都快乐吧！ It’s also talking about the Saints who dwell in the heavenly realms. 这里也提到属天实际的圣徒。 Praise God for His wonderful salvation. 赞美神奇妙的救恩。v.5 tells us, 第5节告诉我们， we were made alive and raised up with Christ in the heavenly realms. 我们与基督一同复活，一同在天上。 

But why does it use a simple past tense? 但是这里为什么用一般过去时呢？ Because this action happened when we first believed in Jesus, 因为这个动作发生在我们起初信耶稣的时候，we were raised up and seated with him in the heavenly realms. 那时我们与祂一同复活，并一同坐在天上。That’s God’s great love for us! 这就是神对我们的大爱! His great love for us isn’t to give us gold or silver 他对我们的大爱，不是给我们金子、银子or whatever is perishable. 或一切能朽坏的东西。But to give us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 乃是藉耶稣基督从死里复活，重生了我们，叫我们有活泼的盼望，and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade可以得着不能朽坏、不能玷污、不能衰残—kept in heaven for us, ——为我们存留在天上的基业，that’s His Kingdom!就是祂的国度！  

Our position is in heaven! 我们的地位是在天上！Practically, in our everyday life, 在日常生活的操练中，we’ve gotta live in this position through faith in God’s commands. 我们当因信而行神的命令，去活出这个地位。There’s a war going on inside us. 我们的内心正在进行一场争战。 The desires of the flesh and the desire of the Holy Spirit are against each other (see Gal 5:17) 肉体的情欲和圣灵彼此相争(见加5:17)。In our daily experience, 在我们的日常经历中， whenever we’re enticed to satisfy our own will, 每当我们被诱惑去满足自己的意思， we fall from heaven to the ground. 我们就从天上掉到地上。 Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die (spiritual death, separate from God’s presence); but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 【罗8:13】你们若顺从肉体活着，必要死（属灵上的死，与神的面隔绝）；若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活着。But God’s grace is sufficient, 但是神的恩典够我们用，we triumph over him by the blood of the Lamb, 我们是靠着羔羊的宝血去得胜。whenever we turn to Him, 每当我们转向祂，“Lord, forgive me and renew me, “主啊，求你饶恕我、更新我，I forgive…I love…”  我愿意去饶恕…去爱…”whenever we turn to keep His commands, 每当我们转向遵行祂的命令，we’re back in our heavenly position to trample over Satan. 我们就回到天上的地位可以践踏撒但。 That’s why to keep producing fruit through repentance is crucial, 这就是为什么藉着悔改结出圣灵的果子是何等重要， it determines whether we live according to our position or not.它决定了我们是否活出了自己的地位。 2 Tim 2: 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver （stars）, but also of wood and clay （sand）; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 【提后2:20-21】20在大户人家，不但有金器银器，也有木器瓦器，有作为贵重的，有作为卑贱的。21人若自洁，脱离卑贱的事，就必作贵重的器皿，成为圣洁，合乎主用，预备行各样的善事。

God’s family is a large house, 神的家是个大户人家，do you wanna become useful vessels for Jesus’ use? 你愿意成为有用的器皿被主耶稣所用吗?Do you wanna become stars of the family to overcome Satan? 你愿意成为神家中的星可以得胜撒但吗？ Or just become the sand of the family to be stood on by Satan? 或者只是作这个家中的沙被撒但踩在脚下? You choose! 你自己选择！Blessing or torment, 得祝福还是受折磨，joy or pain? 得喜乐还是受痛苦？ An overcomer or loser in this life? 今生作得胜者还是失败者？ You choose. 你自己选择。But ultimate judgement and different reward are on the way. 但这选择将决定那最终的审判和不同的奖赏。 “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be His God and he will be my son. Rev 21:7” 【启21:7】得胜的，必承受这些为业。我要作他的　神，他要作我的儿子。 This is what we hope for and what we labour for.这就是我们所盼望的、并为之劳苦的。

3, Call for patient endurance and faithfulness. (Rev 启13:9-10) 忍耐和信心的呼召 

He who has an ear, let him hear. 9 凡有耳的，就应当听。（启13：9）God is calling us His people, 神在呼召祂的子民， “listen up, pay close attention!” “大家注意了，要留心听！” There will be difficulties in the last days. 末后的日子将有艰难， If you don’t pay close attention and listen, 若是不留意也不聆听，you will fail your test. 你会在考试中失败。Rev 13:5-8 tells us that启示录15：5-8节说，during the tribulation, 在大灾难中，the great nation we mentioned last Sunday我们上周主日提到的那强国，and its leader who is even more lawless than Trump和那位比特朗普还无法无天的领袖，will succeed in everything he does by using God’s name, 将妄称神的名行事，并凡事顺利，and he will be given power to deceive God’s people and to conquer them. 他因赐给他的能力就迷惑 并胜过神子民。More people from every nation will be deceived into following this earthly government as god,许多人将受迷惑，跟随这个地上的政府，并以它为神， than the people today who follow the US and Donald Trump. 比现在追随美国和特朗普的人还要多。Ultimately God will take the beast captive and slay him (Revelation 19:20–21). 最终神将擒拿并击杀这兽（启19：20-21） 

But why does God allow deception and trials? 但神为什么允许迷惑和试炼发生？ You can ask yourself, 你可以问自己， why do you need to past tests in school? 读书的时候为什么要考试？ Because you need to prove what you’ve learnt. 因你要证明你学的，是学到了 In the same way, we need to prove what we really believe. 同样，我们也要证明自己信的，是真信了。Heb 10:36, You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 你们必须忍耐，使你们行完了　神的旨意，就可以得着所应许的 （来10：36） God has promised us a Kingdom which will never end. 神应许我们的是一个永远长存的国， We’re created for a kingdom. 我们是为一个国而被造，We’re redeemed for a kingdom (see Rev 5:10). 我们是为这个国而被救赎（启5：10）We’ve gotta understand this. 我们当明白这一点。 Jesus came to preach the Kingdom all the times. 耶稣来，至始至终在传讲 神的国，“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”（Matt 4：17b） “ 天国 近 了 ， 你们 应当 悔改 ！ ”（太4：17下） 

Even when he was resurrected before his ascension, 即使在他复活升天前， he talked about the Kingdom to his disciples for 40 days. 他还40昼夜与门徒谈论神的国。 God's purpose for mankind is that神向人所怀的旨意， they would have dominion on earth through their obedience to God’s sovereign authority. 是祂造的人因着顺服祂的权柄来治理全地。Why does Satan wage war against God’s people who keep His commands? 撒旦为什么要和守神诫命的神子民争战？ Because Satan is not interested in you or me, 因撒旦对你我没有兴趣， his focus is on the kingdom! 他的目标是得国！God loves us, 神爱我们， He wants to give us His Kingdom. 乐意将祂的国度赐给我们。  

Ever since Satan subdued Adam, 自从撒旦制服亚当，he has taken Adam’s authority to hold dominion over the earth, 就夺走了亚当治理全地的权柄；Adam didn’t only sin against God, 亚当不单犯罪得罪了神，Adam lost his kingdom, 还失去了属于他的国度，that’s why the bible tells us因此圣经这样说， “the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 全 世界 都 卧 在 那 恶者 手 下 。（约一5：19下）Satan took the government of Adam’s kingdom on earth, 撒旦夺走了亚当在地上的国度的治理权， and Satan has set rules, values and ways to control the world.撒旦立了要全世界遵行的规则、价值观和运作方式。 

But God never gives up restoring His Kingdom on earth. 但神从未放弃要在地上恢复祂的国，Jesus came to bring His Kingdom on earth. 耶稣来将神国带到地上， All Jesus’ teaching is about the Kingdom. 他的所有教导都是围绕神的国。 In Matt 5, the Sermon on the Mount马太福音5章的山上宝训， is all about the values, principles, and the way the Kingdom operates. 全是关乎神国度的价值观、法则和神国的运作方式。Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth..” (Matt 5：3，5） “ 虚心 的 人 有 福 了 ！ 因为 天国 是 他们 的 。……5温柔的人有福了！因为他们必承受地土。太5:3,5） It’s all about the Kingdom. 全是神国度的事。Jesus preached the Kingdom, 耶稣传讲天国，healed the sick, 医治病人， cast out demons by the Holy Spirit, 靠神的灵赶鬼，that’s all about God’s kingdom coming to the earth.全是关乎神的国临到地上。He says, 他说，“If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.(Matt 12:28)”我若靠着　神的灵赶鬼，这就是　神的国临到你们了（ 太12：28） See? Jesus’ priority is about the Kingdom. 看到吗？耶稣的首位是神的国。 

God’s rule on earth has started in believer’s hearts. 神已经开始祂的掌权，乃是从信徒的心中开始。Jesus reigns with Holiness, 耶稣藉圣洁、Righteousness, 公义、Justice, 公平、Love, 慈爱、Mercy and all His holy attributes.怜悯和诸般美好神性来掌权，But Satan rules this world with lies, 但撒旦以谎言、deception, 迷惑、arrogance, 自高、 false greatness假大, pride骄傲, control and all kinds of sins.掌控和各样的罪在世上掌权。 

In the last days, 末后的日子，Jesus warns us, 耶稣警戒我们，And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another Matt 24:10. 那时，必有许多人(直译：被冒犯) 跌倒，也要彼此陷害，彼此恨恶；（太24：10）Jesus says, 耶稣在说，many Christians will get offended easily. 很多基督徒会轻易的因感到被冒犯而跌倒。When we don’t keep God’s commands若不遵行神命令， and keep our eyes on Jesus,若不定睛在耶稣身上，we can be offended by little things. 一点小事也叫我们感到被冒犯了而跌倒。 When we get offended, 当我们感到被冒犯，we get so self-focussed, 我们就会关注自己，“he hurt me, “他伤害我，he doesn’t respect me…他不尊重我……he doesn’t listen to me…”他不听我……” me.. me…, 我……我……我……，when we get self-focused, 当专注自己，we don’t realise that we’ve fallen down from the heavenly realms onto the ground, 我们就意识不到，其实自己已经从从天上跌到地上了，because we’ve been blinded, 因我们的眼瞎了，1 John 2:11 says, 约翰一书2：11节说，when there's hatred or unforgiveness in our hearts, 我们心中若恨人、不饶恕人，we've withdrawn love because of offence, 因感到被冒犯我们就不能活在爱中, we therefore walk in darkness,于是就行在黑暗中，and we’re snared by the evil one. 落在恶者的网罗里。Offences get you out, 冒犯感让你失败，forgiveness and love get you in. 饶恕和爱让你得胜。 

Satan knows how to get you out. 撒旦知道怎么让你失败， “If you don’t follow me, “你要是不顺从我， I’ll put you into jail, 我关你进监狱，I’ll kill you. 我杀了你，I’ll take you captive.” 我把你抓起来。” Are you angry? 你生气了吗？ Are you offended? 你感到被冒犯了吗？ Because you feel you’ve been bullied.因你觉得被人欺负了。Here is a call for endurance and faith（Rev 13:10）圣徒的忍耐和信心，就是在此。（启13：10）God calls us to build our faith upon His words, 神呼召我们把信心建立在祂的话语上，if it’s destined to happen, 若神命定这是要发生的，it must happen. 就必要发生。If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. 掳掠人的必被掳掠。用刀杀人的，必被刀杀。（Rev启13：10） 

God is calling us, 神在呼召我们， “If you’re destined to be prosecuted, “ 若命定你们被逼迫， if you’re destined to be put into jail for My name, 若命定你们要因我的名下监，if you’re destined to be martyrs like Christ My Son who was killed on the cross, 若命定你们要殉道，好像我儿子耶稣基督那样被杀在十字架上， you’re so blessed, 你们就蒙福了， rejoice and be glad! 应当欢喜快乐！because great is your reward in heaven. 因你们在天上的赏赐是大的，You’ll be called sons of God. 你们必称为神的儿子”。This’s the way the Kingdom of God operates on earth.  这是神国在地上运行的法则. It is to follow Christ by living out the faith to overcome evil with good就是活出跟随基督的信心来以善胜恶。God is calling us,神在呼召我们， “If you endure, you’ll also reign with Me (see 2 Tim 2:12). 你们若忍耐，就必和我一同作王. Don’t get offended so that you look for help from any other power,不要因此跌倒，就去投靠别的地上的权柄，including some earthly governments which also belongs to Satan.如地上的政府，那都是属撒旦的，That’s the way the kingdom of Satan operates. 那是撒旦国度运作的方式。“Put your sword back in its place,” “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword Matt 26:52. 耶稣对他说：“收刀入鞘吧！凡动刀的，必死在刀下。（太26：52） “Be faithful, even to the point of death, I will give you the crown of life.” 你 务 要 至 死 忠心 ， 我 就 赐给 你 那 生命 的 冠冕 。（启2：10下） 

God is looking for His kingdom people神在寻找祂国度的子民，who are not caught up in earthly political games就是那些不被玩世俗政权游戏迷惑，but are building their trust on His words.  却是将信心建立在神话语之上的人。

Look, this is our hope, 看哪，我们的盼望就在于此， the Son of Man shall come in glory, 人子将在荣耀中降临， His own glory and the glory of His Father, 在祂自己的荣耀和父的荣耀里，and the glory of all the angels同着众天使降临，and His reward shall be with Him, 赏罚在祂，and He will give each man according to his works. 要照各人所行的报应他。Pray and watch. 当警醒祷告！Our greatest day is ahead of us! 那大日将要来到！ Get ready for Jesus’ return! 预备自己迎接耶稣再来！