GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Chapter 59 focuses on taking the consequences of sin seriously, this chapter focuses on taking the future blessing of God seriously. In the future, there will be darkness and thick darkness, aka trouble for Israel (Jer. 30:7), but God will make it glorious after its trouble. That’s when Jesus comes back to rescue them. The whole world will flock to Israel to honour Jesus and the Jews. Wealth and homage will be given to Jesus and the Jews (v. 14). Foreigners shall contribute material wealth to rebuild a new glorious Israel (v. 10). All this glory will be given to the Jews on account of the Messiah. Believers of all generations, including Abraham and all Christians, will also receive such homage and glory with the Jews, as they will rule the world with Jesus. These are all repeated themes in the Bible, especially the OT prophets.

This section is about the second phase of the Messianic Kingdom. Just as the OT often describes Jesus’ two comings in one context with no explicit distinction, so here God describes the two stages of the Messianic Kingdom in one context without distinction. The NT distinguishes the two stages of the Messianic Kingdom in Revelation 20-22. In Revelation 21:23 and 22:5, it clearly states there will literally be no more sun because God Himself will be the light of the world. For OT believers, such distinction is not necessary for their edification. They just needed to know they will be in the eternal Messianic Kingdom if they submit to the Lordship of God. For Christians, we must know that what we think of as heaven will intersect world history. The OT believers knew that and that gave them confidence and courage to obey God. No matter how wicked people mock us, God will vindicate us and we will rule over them in righteousness.

There are many things that God has not revealed to us. One reason is because they are not necessary for our edification. The NT states everything that is necessary for a life of godliness has been revealed to us (2 Pet. 1:3). We have all the resources we need to live joyful and obedient lives for God. We just need to use the resources that He has given to us, including the gift of a local church that is often neglected by so many Christians (Eph. 4-6). It is only in the context of a local church that the Great Commission can be fulfilled (observing everything Christ has commanded). It is also where you can fully realize your Christ-like potential. Through church life, including all its highs and lows, you can please God by developing your Christ-like character in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness (Col. 3:12-13). Christ-likeness cannot be developed fully apart from a local church. Pray that you will love the church and be committed to a local church so that you can prepare yourself for the glorious Messianic Kingdom by fully developing your Christ-like character.

第59章的焦点是要人认真看待罪的后果，而这篇经文着重于认真对待神未来的祝福。有朝一日，黑暗及幽暗将临——这就是以色列遭难的时候（耶30:7）。然而，神要在遭难后使以色列得荣耀。这即是耶稣回来拯救他们的时候。全世界要蜂拥以色列向耶稣与犹太人表示敬意。富贵和尊荣都将归于耶稣和犹太人（14节）。外邦人将奉献财宝重建荣耀的新以色列（10节）。这一切的荣耀都要因弥赛亚的缘故归于犹太人。历世历代的信徒，包括亚伯拉罕及所有基督徒，也将与犹太人一同领受这些尊贵和荣耀，如同他们将与耶稣统治世界一样。这些都是圣经持续重复的主题，尤其在旧约先知书里。

这段经文论述的是弥赛亚国度的第二阶段。犹如旧约常常在一段经文里叙述耶稣两次的到来，没有加以区别，神在这里也用一段经文叙述弥赛亚国度中的两个阶段，没有明显差异。新约在启示录20-22明确分辨弥赛亚国度的两个阶段。在启示录21:23与22:5中，圣经清楚说明那里不再有太阳，因为神自己就是世界的光。对旧约信徒而言，这种区别对他们的造就不大；他们只需知道只要自己顺服神的权柄，他们日后将在弥赛亚国度里。对基督徒而言，我们必须晓得我们对天堂的看法将与世界史交叉。旧约信徒晓得这一点，而这给予他们顺服神的信心和勇气。无论恶人如何嗤笑我们，神最后会替我们申冤，而我们将凭公义管理他们。

神没向我们启示的事还很多。其中一个原因就是它对我们的造就不大。新约经文表明神已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们了（彼后1:3）。我们有为神活出喜乐与顺服生命的一切资源了。我们只需使用神所赐予我们的资源，包括许多基督徒所忽略的恩赐——地方教会（弗4-6）。唯有在地方教会里，我们才能施行大使命（教训信徒遵守基督所吩咐的一切）。那也是你能实现拥有基督品性的潜能。藉着教会所遇的所有高潮和低谷，你能培养怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔和忍耐的心（西3:12-13），从而有基督的性情，讨神喜悦。在地方教会之外，信徒是无法完全培养出基督的性情的。祷告你会爱教会，并会委身于一个地方教会，叫你能藉着培养基督的品性预备自己进入弥赛亚的国度。