13 Jul 2016, Mark 1:21-34 马可福音 1:21-34, The Ministry of the Servant I 仆人的事工（一）

Posted on Jul 10, 2016 in Devotions, Mark |

Scripture Reading        : Mark 1:21-34

Theme                            : The Ministry of the Servant I       

 

Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, a fishing village located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:16; 1:29), who were fishermen by trade before they followed Jesus. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by:

  1. Authority in Teaching. The synagogue was established during the time of Israel’s captivity/exile (586 – 537 BC). The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Israelites (also known as the Jews) in exile established the synagogue in order to worship God. After the Israelites returned from the exile, they rebuilt the temple, but the synagogue continued to be a place where the Jews met for worship on the Sabbath day, because many Jews lived far away from the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus came to the synagogue and “taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)
  1. Authority over Demons. Jesus not only taught with authority, but He also demonstrated His authority by casting out a demon in a man. Jesus would not allow the demon to speak, even though the demon acknowledged that Jesus is “the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1:24) This is because Jesus did not need the testimony of a demon. He is the Son of God (Mark 1:1) and God the Father already testified concerning Jesus (Mark 1:11). Jesus also cast out many other demons, not permitting them to speak for the same reason (Mark 1:34).
  1. Authority over Illnesses. Jesus also demonstrated that He is the Son of God by healing people of their physical illnesses.
 

Praying the Scripture

  1. The people who saw and heard Jesus acknowledged that He taught with authority. Similarly, many people today think of Jesus as a great teacher who founded another religion. However, Jesus was not an ordinary human teacher: He is the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Let us pray that we will submit to Jesus as our Lord, rather than just give credence to His teaching.
  1. Jesus did not permit the demons to proclaim His identity, because in the mouth of a demon, what appears to be praise is actually blasphemy. James 2:19 says: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Let us pray that our proclamation of Jesus as Lord is not similar to the demons, but the kind that is coming from the lips of a born-again believer.
  1. Healing diseases and casting out demons authenticated that Jesus is the Son of God. It is not for the purpose of producing faith in the people who saw the miracles. Also note that the Gospel of Mark distinguished physical diseases from demon possession. Pray that we will genuinely repent from our sins and trust in Jesus to save us, not for the wrong reasons (e.g. for physical healing).
 
 
 

经文：马可福音1:21-34

主题：仆人的事工（一）

 

耶稣和祂的门徒来到位于加利利海以北的渔村迦百农。那是西门与安德烈的故乡（16, 29节）；他们跟随耶稣之前是全职渔夫。耶稣的事工有以下的特质：

  1. 教导上的权柄。会堂是在以色列被放逐的时候建立的（公元前586-537年）。耶路撒冷的圣殿遭毁灭，而以色列人（也称为犹太人）被放逐的时候盖了会堂，为要敬拜神。回到以色列后，他们重建圣殿，但会堂仍旧是犹太人在安息日会聚集敬拜的地方，因为许多犹太人的住处离圣殿太远。耶稣到了会堂，“教训他们正像有权柄的人，不像文士”（22节）。
  1. 对恶魔的权柄。耶稣不但在教导上有权柄，祂还从人的身上驱走魔鬼，显示祂在这方面的权柄。虽然魔鬼承认耶稣是“神的圣者”（24节），耶稣却不允许牠说话。这是因为耶稣无需魔鬼作见证；祂是神的儿子（1节），而天父也已经为祂作见证了（11节）。耶稣也赶走其他不少魔鬼，并为同个缘故不允许牠们说话。
  1. 对疾病的权柄。耶稣也藉着医治人的疾病，证明祂就是神的儿子。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 看到并听闻耶稣的人都承认祂在教导上有权柄。同样的，今日有许多人认为耶稣是创造另一个宗教的伟大教师。然而，耶稣并不是一个平凡的人类教师；祂是神的儿子（1节）。让我们祷告我们会顺服耶稣为主，而不是仅认为祂的教导很可信。
  1. 耶稣不容许魔鬼宣扬祂的身份，因为从魔鬼口中出的，看似赞美的话实际上也是亵渎。雅各书2:19说：“你信神只有一位，你信的不错！鬼魔也信，却是战惊。”让我们祷告当我们宣告耶稣为主时，那并不同于魔鬼的宣告，而是出于重生得救的信徒之口所出的。
  1. 医治疾病及赶鬼证实了耶稣是神的儿子。它的目的不是要让看见的人产生信心。我们也要留意到马可福音清楚将肉体的疾病及被鬼附身区分出。让我们祷告我们会从罪中真实悔改，信靠耶稣拯救我们，而不是为其他错误的理由亲近祂（例：肉体的医治）。

12 Jul 2016, Mark 1:14-20 马可福音 1:14-20, The Beginning of the Servant’s Ministry 仆人事工的开始

Posted on Jul 10, 2016 in Devotions, Mark |

Scripture Reading        : Mark 1:14-20

Theme                            : The Beginning of the Servant’s Ministry

 

Mark 1:14-15 is a summary of the entire Galilean ministry of Jesus Christ, recorded from Mark 1:16-4:34. It identifies the time of its beginning, notes that Galilee was the chief scene of the work, and gives a summary of His message.

  1. The Charge of the Messenger. After John the Baptist was arrested (Mark 6:17-18), Jesus became the Messenger of God by proclaiming and developing the same message of repentance preached by John. Jesus was no ordinary messenger; He is God Himself delivering the message. In the person of Jesus men are confronted by the kingdom of God in its nearness. The Lord’s kingship is both a present reality, since God is exercising His authority now in the hearts of believers, and also a future hope, when God puts down all opposition at the final judgment.
  1. The Calling of the Disciples. Jesus called four men, Simon and Andrew, James and John, who would eventually become part of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus would make them “become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), meaning they will lead many people to believe Jesus after His death, resurrection and ascension. The four men immediately followed Jesus.

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. To believe means more than to give credence to the message; it involves a personal commitment to, and reliance upon, that which is believed. The call to believe the Gospel, points to the good news as the basis of faith. In order to be saved, we must repent from our sins and believe the Gospel according to Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. The demands for repentance and faith run parallel. Repentance without faith leads to despair; faith without repentance from sin becomes presumption. Let us pray that we will genuinely repent from our sins and have faith in Jesus and the Bible.
  1. The word “immediately” occurs 41 times in the Gospel of Mark. One commentator called this “servant language”, showing the urgency of a servant’s response to the master’s command. Let us pray that we will immediately respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him, and serve Him by preaching the Gospel to the lost, so that we too may “become fishers of men.”
 
 
 

经文：马可福音1:14-20

主题：仆人事工的开始     

 

马可福音1:14-15是对耶稣基督的整个加利利事工（可1:16-4:34）的总结。它记载了事工开始的时间，加利利为事工的主要地点，并给予了耶稣信息的概要。

  1. 使者的命令。施洗约翰下监后（可6:17-18），耶稣成了神的使者，继续宣扬并扩展约翰悔改的信息。耶稣不是一个平凡的使者；祂是神，亲自传达信息。由于耶稣到了，人必须晓得天国也近了。主掌权既是当前的事实，又是将来的盼望，因为神当今在信徒的心里掌权，也将在最终的审判压倒所有的反抗。
  1. 使徒的呼召。耶稣召了四人，西门、安德烈、雅各和约翰；他们最后将成为十二门徒的一部分。耶稣会叫他们“得人如得鱼一样”（17节），意思就是他们会在耶稣的死、复活及升天后带领多人信主。这四人立刻跟随耶稣。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 相信并不只是相信福音内容而已；它还包括个人委身，并对这信息有依靠。信靠福音的呼召，是要以福音为信心的根基的。为要得救，我们必须从罪中悔改，相信耶稣的福音，如圣经所记的。这表示悔改与信心必须并行。无信心的悔改只会使人沮丧；无悔改的信心只是假想。让我们祷告我们会真诚的从罪中悔改，将信心放在耶稣和圣经里。
  1. “立刻”在马可福音共出现41次。一位释经家称这为“仆人的语言”，表示仆人对主人命令的积极回应。让我们祷告我们也会立刻回应耶稣对我们发出的呼召，跟随祂、服侍祂，向迷失的人传福音，叫我们也能“得人如得鱼一样”。

11 Jul 2016, Mark 1:1-13 马可福音 1:1-13, The Coming of the Perfect Servant 完美仆人的到来

Posted on Jul 10, 2016 in Devotions, Mark |

Scripture Reading        : Mark 1:1-13

Theme                            : The Coming of the Perfect Servant          

 

One of the main themes of the Gospel of Mark is Jesus Christ as the Suffering Servant. Mark wrote the Gospel to encourage Christians in Rome during the persecution brought about after the Emperor Nero set fire to Rome but accused the Christians of doing so. Mark wanted to show the Christians in Rome that their Lord also suffered and died, but a greater glory awaits those who persevere in trials. One of the key verses highlighting the theme of the Suffering Servant is Mark 10:45.

  1. The Announcement of the Perfect Servant. John the Baptist made the announcement that the Perfect Servant, the Saviour, will be coming. John the Baptist was the herald whom the Old Testament prophesied about. The Perfect Servant is Jesus Christ, who is God, because He will “baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
  1. The Baptism of the Perfect Servant. John was “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1:4) Jesus, however, is perfect and He has no sin, so there is no sin that He needs to repent from. However, Jesus was here to save sinners, so He was baptized in order to identify with sinners. God the Father bears witness that the Perfect Servant was doing everything in submission to God’s will.
  1. The Challenge of the Perfect Servant. The Perfect Servant was challenged by the Devil in the wilderness, but all these happened within the sovereign plan of God, because it was the Holy Spirit who “drove him out into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12)

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. John the Baptist was very humble and he accepted his God-given task as the herald who would come before the Saviour. He regarded himself as “not worthy to stoop down and untie” (Mark 1:7) the strap of Jesus’ sandals. Let us pray that we will be willing to serve our Lord humbly, just like John the Baptist.
  1. Salvation does not only involve Jesus bearing our sins on the cross; it also includes Jesus imputing onto us the righteous life that He lived (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus had no need to repent from any sin, but He was baptized in order to identify with us, the real sinners. Let us thank Jesus for living a life of righteousness on our behalf.
  1. The temptation of Jesus was within God’s sovereign plan. For the Christians in Rome undergoing persecution, it was a great encouragement to know that the persecution that they faced was according to God’s sovereign will. Let us pray that we will acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives, especially during trials and persecution, and pray that we will have the strength to persevere.
 
 
 

经文：马可福音1:1-13

主体：完美仆人的到来     

 

马可福音的其中一个主题是：耶稣基督，受苦的仆人。马可写这福音的目的是要鼓励当代的罗马信徒；尼禄王曾放火烧罗马，却咬定那是基督徒所干的，此而使他们遭受逼迫。马可想要显示给罗马信徒说他们的主也是受苦受死的，但凡在试炼中忍耐的必有更大的荣耀。其中强调受苦仆人这主题的经文是马可福音10:45。

  1. 完美仆人的公告。施洗约翰宣告那位完美的仆人和救主即将来临；他就是旧约所预言要报好信息的。那位完美的仆人就是耶稣基督。祂是神，并“要用圣灵给你们施洗”（8节）。
  1. 完美仆人的洗礼。约翰“传悔改的洗礼，使罪得赦”（4节）。然而，耶稣是完美的，并无罪，因此不需要为罪悔改。可是，祂来是要救罪人，所以也受洗，与罪人认同。天父见证这位完美仆人所做的一切都是顺着神的旨意而行的。
  1. 完美仆人的挑战。完美仆人在旷野中受到撒旦的试探，但这一切都在神的主权计划中，因为是圣灵“把耶稣催到旷野里去”（12节）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 施洗约翰很谦卑；他接受了神赐予他的任务，作救主到来之前报好信息的。他视自己为“就是弯腰给他（耶稣）解鞋带也是不配的”（7节）。让我们祷告我们能像施洗约翰一样，甘心谦卑服侍主。
  1. 救恩并不只是耶稣在十字架上担当我们的罪；它还包括耶稣将祂活出的义赐给我们（林后5:21）。耶稣无罪需要悔改，但祂受洗，为要与真实罪人的我们认同。让我们为耶稣替我们活出的义向祂感恩。
  1. 耶稣的试探是在神的主权计划中。对受逼迫的罗马信徒而言，这是一份很大的鼓励，知道他们受的逼迫乃在神的主权旨意内。让我们祷告我们能承认神在自己生命中的主权，尤其在试炼和逼迫中，并祈求我们会有力量忍耐。

8 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 48 以西结书 48, Allocation of Land and Presence of God 地的分配与神的同在

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 48

Theme                      : Allocation of Land and Presence of God

 

Chapters 8-11 describe the presence of the Lord departing from the temple and from Israel. But the concluding chapter of the book of Ezekiel reveals the return of the Lord and His permanent presence in Israel and in His new temple. God is faithful to fulfill all the unconditional promises which He had made to Israel in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12); the Levitic Covenant (Num. 25); the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7); and the New Covenant (Jer. 31). In the Millennial Kingdom, Jerusalem will have another nickname: the Lord is there (v.35). This final verse provides the consummation of Israel’s history—the returned presence of God!


Praying the Scripture

The final restoration of Israel also means the restoration of the whole world (Rom. 11:12). Ezekiel 40-48 is not just limited to Israel, it is about God restoring the whole world, restoring Eden, His paradise lost on earth. Meditate on the greatness of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise to restore His kingdom on earth and give thanks for your right of inheritance to this kingdom because of your faith in Jesus as your master and savior (Col. 1:12).
 
 
 

经文：以西结书48

主题：地的分配与神的同在

 

以西结书8至11章形容了神的灵是如何离开圣殿与以色列的。但在书卷的最后一个篇章中，以西结启示了主的归回与祂在以色列及新殿中永久的同在。神是信实的；祂必履行在亚伯拉罕之约（创12）、利未之约（民25）、大卫之约（撒下7）和新约（耶31）里对以色列所作出一切无条件的承诺。在千禧国度里，耶路撒冷将有一个新的名称：耶和华的所在（35节）。这最后一节经文为我们提供了全以色列历史中的高潮——神回到了以色列！

 

用经文祷告

以色列最后的复兴也代表了全世界的复兴（罗11:12）。以西结40至48章的内容不局限于以色列；它更是叙述了神将如何复兴全世界及伊甸，即神在地上所丧失的天堂。我们要默想神信实的广大，因为祂要履行承诺复兴祂在地上的国。我们也要感谢神能凭着我们对救主耶稣的信心让我们有份继承这个国（西1:12）。

 

7 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 47 以西结书 47, River of Life and Allocation of Land 生命之河与地的分配

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 47

Theme                      : River of Life and Allocation of Land

 

River from the Temple (1-12) 

A stream of water will come from the temple to make the Dead Sea fresh and able to sustain life. The river is a river of life, whose source is from God. At both banks of the river, there will be trees with fruits and leaves for food and healing. This is obviously harkening back to the time of Eden, God’s original kingdom on earth/paradise (Gen. 2:8-10). It is also similar to the river of life in the New Heaven and Earth (Rev. 22:1-2).

Allocation of Land (13-23). During the Millennial Kingdom, God will allocate the land of Israel according to their tribes. God will fulfill His promise to Abraham and His promise to restore Israel permanently and completely after the Babylonian exile.

 

Praying the Scripture

The river of life is designed to show us that God will fulfill His promise to destroy satan and his evil work, and to restore Eden, His original kingdom on earth. This new paradise will be full of life and well-being. It shows us what life would have been like if Adam and Eve did not rebel against God. This description of God’s glorious kingdom on earth is designed to motivate sinners to repent from idols and motivate believers to live for eternity. Mediate on God’s glorious kingdom on earth and offer a sacrifice of praise to God (Heb. 13:15).
 
 
 

经文：以西结书47

主题：生命之河与地的分配

 

从殿流出的河（1-12）。有水会从圣殿流出，使死海变淡，能够维持生命。这河就是生命之河，其源头是神。河的两岸将长各类的树，其果子能当食物，叶子有治病之用。这显然反映的是伊甸园当时的情景，也就是神在地上原本的国（创2:8-10）。这也与新天新地的生命之河相似（启22:1-2）。

地的分配（13-23）。在千禧国度里，神将按支派分以色列之地。神会履行祂对亚伯拉罕的承诺，也要应验祂的应许将以色列经巴比伦的放逐后完全并永久地复兴以色列。

 

用经文祷告

这里的生命之河是要让我们看见神必履行承诺毁灭撒旦和牠的恶行，并将复兴神在地上原有的国度，即伊甸园。这个新天堂将满有生命和康乐。这里显露的是亚当和夏娃若没悖逆神将有的生活样貌。这段对神在地上的荣耀国度之叙述是要激励罪人悔改拜偶像之罪，并给信徒动力为永恒生活。我们要默念神在地上荣耀的国度，并向神献上感谢之祭（来13:15）。


6 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 46 以西结书 46, The Prince and Feasts 君王和节期

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 46

Theme                      : The Prince and Feasts

 

The prince will lead the Jews in worship of God. This prince is not Jesus because he will have children (v.16) and offers sacrifices to God for his sins. His role is mainly pertaining to religious functions, not civil or political. In the Millennial Kingdom, Sabbaths, new moons, Jubilee and other sacrifices and feasts will be celebrated. This does not contradict NT teaching on OT feasts (Col. 2:16). The OT laws were designed to show Jews how to live a holy life for God, separated from their pagan neighbors. OT laws do not save anyone since no one can earn a right standing before God by keeping the laws. Only faith in God and Jesus can give a sinner a right standing before God (Rom. 3:21-22). Paul was not against OT laws as long as the Jews do not think OT laws can save them. Paul even continued to worship and perform purification rites with sacrifices at the temple after he became a Christian (Acts 21:26). Sabbath is a gift to all mankind, including Christians. It is not meant to be practiced legalistically (Mark 2:27). Resting in God one day out of a week shows trust and humility in God, even for Christians.

Again, land inheritance right is important for God’s people, just as it was in the OT. Having land means being part of God’s kingdom on earth.


Praying the Scripture

All laws of God are rooted in the character of God. However, just as the application of legal laws in our society can be complex because of varying situations, so God’s laws can be complex depending on the situation. We need wisdom to understand God’s laws properly, especially OT laws, in order to obey God properly and maximize our lives for God and for others. Christians do not need to obey any OT laws unless they are repeated in the NT and correspond to NT teachings. The Old Covenant as a whole has been abolished (Heb. 8:13). Christians do not need to observe OT ritual laws in order to live holy lives for God (Gal. 5:6). God’s laws in the Millennial Kingdom will be somewhat different because the context/dispensation is different. Those who think observing OT laws are required to be saved have fallen from grace and preach another gospel, i.e., heresy (Gal. 5:4). Pray for wisdom to understand God’s NT and OT so that you may believe and live correctly; and be effective for gospel witness. Putting unnecessary OT laws before unbelievers hinders the spread of the gospel, the main mission of the church. This would be a serious sin that needs to be repented of.
 
 
 
 

经文：以西结书46

主题：君王和节期

 

君王将带领犹太人敬拜神。这位君王并不是耶稣，因为他将有子（16节），又要为自己的罪向神献祭。他的角色主要与宗教性的场合有关，而不是民事性或政治性的。在千禧年里，他们将守安息日、月朔、喜年及其他节期。这并不与新约对守旧约节期的教导起冲突（西2:16）。旧约律法的目的是要向犹太人说明他们当如何为神过与外邦邻国有别的圣洁生活。既然无人能靠旧约律法无愧地站在神面前，律法是无法使人得救的。唯有信靠神与耶稣才能叫罪人在神面前站立得住（罗3:21-22）。只要犹太人了解旧约律法不能使人得救，保罗是不会反对律法的。保罗甚至在信主后仍继续到圣殿里敬拜神并献祭行洁净的礼（使21:26）。安息日是神予人类的恩赐，包括基督徒。我们不当按律例守安息日（可2:27）。当我们在一周里腾出一天的时间在神里安息时，这能显出人对神的谦卑和信靠，包括基督徒的。

这里再次显出土地的继承对神的子民是主要的，与旧约时代时一样。拥有土地意味着人将与神在地上的国有份。


用经文祷告

神的一切律例本于神的属性。可是，就如社会对律法的实施可以因某种状况复杂化，神的律法也能按具体情况变得复杂。我们需要智慧以正确理解神的律法，特别是旧约的，才能正确地遵从神，有效地为神与他人生活。除非旧约律法在新约中重复或与新约教导相似，基督徒不用守任何旧约律法。旧约已经无效了（来8:13）。基督徒无需守旧约律法中的仪式以为神过圣洁的生活（加5:6）。神在千禧国度中的律例将有些变化，因为时代有别。凡认为人必须守律法才能得救的已从恩典中坠落了，传的是另一个福音，即异教（加5:4）。求神给我们智慧理解祂的旧约和新约书，叫我们能按正义信主和生活，并有效地见证福音。将无用的旧约律法摆在非信徒面前只会阻碍福音的传播，也就是教会主要的宗旨。我们若如此行，就要为这项严重的罪悔改。


5 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 45 以西结书 45, Holy District and Feasts 圣供地和节期

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 45

Theme                      : Holy District and Feasts

 

Holy District (1-12)  The temple complex is located within a sacred rectangle area of about 100 square km. This rectangle is divided into 3 smaller rectangles. The middle rectangle belongs to the Zadokite priests. The temple complex is located in this rectangle. The upper rectangle is for the other Levites who assist the Zadokites with their priestly duties. The lower rectangle is for the city, presumably Jerusalem. The properties on the left and right side of this big sacred rectangle belong to the prince. In light of God’s glorious new arrangement of the land, God exhorts current leaders of Israel to live righteously or else they will not be in this millennial kingdom.

Feasts (13-25). In the millennial kingdom, Passover will continue to be celebrated, and a new feast will also be introduced: New Year (v.18). The offerings of atonement in the millennial kingdom do not denigrate Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for sin. There will still be sinners in the millennial kingdom and these offerings are a way for them to repair their relationship with God because of their sins. Also, it was a way for them to show dedication to God. These offerings do not save sinners, just as OT offerings did not save people. They were saved by faith in God as their Lord and savior.

 

Praying the Scripture

The glorious description of God’s kingdom on earth is designed to exhort sinners to repent of their idols and worship God. Those who do not repent of their idols will not be able to live in His glorious kingdom on earth, but those who do repent will inherit this glorious kingdom on earth. Pray that your hope is in this kingdom, not in this corrupt, earthly kingdom.
 
 
 

经文：以西结书45

主题：圣供地和节期

 

圣供地（1-12）。圣殿的建筑位于一个约一百平方公里的矩形区域中。这片地还要分成三个较小的矩形区域。中间的那一块属撒督祭司；圣殿也处在这片地中。上一块地则是给协助撒督祭司行祭司职责的其余利未人。下一地要作城的基业，有可能是耶路撒冷。在这巨大神圣的矩形区域两旁的基业都是君王的。神启示了这地将有的美好安排，所以告诫以色列当今的领袖们要按正义行事，否则不得进入这个千禧国度。

 

节期（13-25）。在千禧国度里，人不但要继续守逾越节，还有守一个新节期：新年（18节）。千禧年中所献上的赎罪祭并不取代耶稣为罪所献上的完美之祭。千禧国度中仍有罪人，所以献祭的目的是要修复他们因着罪孽与神所断绝的关系。此外，这也是他们委身于神的一种表现。祭物不能拯救罪人，如同旧约祭物不能拯救人一样。他们要信靠神作他们的救主才能得救。

 

用经文祷告

经文对神在地上国度的荣耀描述是要劝诫罪人从偶像崇拜中悔改，转而敬拜真神。凡不愿从偶像崇拜中悔改的必不得进入神地上的荣耀国度，但凡悔改的要承受这个荣耀之国。祷告你的盼望是在那个国度里，不是当今败坏世俗的国度中。


4 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 44 以西结书 44, The Prince and Priests 君王和祭司

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 44

Theme                      : The Prince and Priests

 

The Prince (1-3) Suddenly, a prince or leader is introduced in this chapter. He will reappear in other places. This prince is not Jesus the Messiah because he has sins for which he offers sacrifice (45:22), and fathers sons (46:16–18). He cannot enter by the east gate which the Lord used, but he is allowed to come in and go out by the gate’s vestibule, and eat bread by the gateway. The Bible does not tell us anything more about this prince. He is not David either.

Priestly Laws (4-31). In the past, most Levites violated God’s sacred space in the temple by allowing foreigners to enter and serve in the temple. They also committed other idolatrous acts and led Israel astray. Therefore, in the millennial kingdom, all those from the line of Levites except for the Zadokites, will not be allowed to serve as priests but they will only be allowed to assists priests from the Zadokite line by handling sacrifices and serving as temple guards. Only the Levites from the line of Zadokites will be able to serve as priests in the new temple.

 

Praying the Scripture

Being a priest before God is a high honor and responsibility. The Zadokites were rewarded for their faithfulness as priests of God. Christians are in one sense priests of God now because we can reconcile sinners to God by proclaiming the gospel (1 Pet. 2:9). May you rejoice in this high honor and gift. Pray you will be motivated to proclaim the gospel by this high honor.
 
 
 

经文：以西结书44

主题：君王和祭司

 

君王（1-3）。 一位君王或领袖突然在这个篇章出现；他还会在别处重现。这位君王不是弥赛亚耶稣，因为他也要为自己的罪献上赎罪祭（45:22），并有子孙（46:16-18）。他不能从主所用的东门进圣殿，但他可以用这门的廊出入，并在其内吃并。除此之外，圣经再也没有透露有关这位君王的消息了。他也不是大卫。

 

祭司的条例（4-31）。过去，许多利未人允许外邦人进出圣殿并在殿中侍奉，从而玷污了神殿中的神圣空间。他们也行了一些可憎之事，使以色列离开正路。因此，在千禧国度中，利未人的后裔，除撒督的子孙外，都不能作祭司事奉神，只能在处理祭物的事上协助撒督子孙中的祭司，并看管殿门。唯有撒督子孙中的利未人能在新的圣殿中作祭司。

 

用经文祷告

作神面前的祭司是一份大荣誉和责任。撒督人忠心地作神的祭司，因此得到了赏赐。如今，基督徒在某个层面上也是神的祭司，因为我们能借着福音使罪人与神和好（彼前2:9）。愿你能为得到这份大荣誉和恩赐欢欣快乐。祷告这份大荣誉会激励你去传福音。


2 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 43 以西结书 43, God Returns to His Temple on Earth 神回到祂在地上的殿

Posted on Jun 26, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 43

Theme                      : God Returns to His Temple on Earth

 

The Glory of God Fills the Temple (1-12)

To show that God has returned to His temple, God physically indicated His return with sounds of many waters (v.2). When the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and the Solomon temple (2 Chron. 5:14) were completed, God’s glory also filled them. The description of God’s presence in His new glorious temple is meant to shame the Jews and cause them to repent (v.10).

Sacrifices at the Altar (13-27). Even though Jesus has completely paid for the sins of sinners on the cross, there will still be sacrifices during Jesus’ millennial reign. God does not specify the reason for this. Most likely it is a way for sinners to be reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus just as the Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Cor. 11:24). Also it gives sinners a way to repair His relationship with God after he sins or after defilement. In the OT sacrifices did not save the sinner, it was their faith that saves. Sacrifices repair a sinner’s relationship with God and it is also a way to show dedication to God. Even the apostles continued to worship at the temple after Jesus was crucified and resurrected (Acts 21:26), but they did not require gentiles to worship at the temple. Different dispensation or setting or context, requires different actions by believers as stipulated by God.

 

Praying the Scripture

The Jews worshipped idols in order to make a name, a kingdom for themselves, but when they compared their foolish, dishonorable actions and kingdom to God’s true glory and His glorious kingdom, they were in shame. Pray that you will be filled with the hope of God’s glorious eternal kingdom on earth so that you will not foolishly try to build your own feeble, idolatrous kingdom on earth that will be destroyed by God’s kingdom and be in shame like the Jews. Do not pursue idols, obey God and live for His eternal kingdom on earth.
 
 
 
 

经文：以西结书43

主题：神回到祂在地上的殿

 

神的荣光充盈圣殿（1-12）。

为要显明神回到了祂的殿，神用了多水的声音让人经历祂的归来。当帐幕（出40:34）和所罗门的殿（代下5:14）完成后，神的荣耀也充满了两者。神与祂荣耀新所之同在的叙述是要使犹太人自觉羞愧，叫他们悔改（10节）。

祭坛上的祭物（13-27）。虽然耶稣在十字架上已经完全偿还了罪人的罪债，耶稣千禧年的统治中仍会有献祭。神并没有列出其中的原因。这有可能是要提醒罪人耶稣为他们所作的牺牲，如同守圣餐是要纪念主被献上一样（林前11:24）。再者，这也给予罪人在他犯罪之后或被玷污之后与神修复关系的途径。旧约时，祭物并不能拯救罪人，唯独他们的信心能使他们得救。献祭能修复罪人与神的关系，也是人委身于神的象征。就连众使徒在耶稣被钉复活后仍继续在圣殿敬拜（使21:26），但他们不要求外邦人到圣殿敬拜。信徒在不同的时代背景的敬拜方式是不一样的，这按神而定。

 

用经文祷告

犹太人拜偶像的目的是要为自己立名、立国，但当他们将自己愚蠢又不光彩的行为和国度与神属实的荣光和荣耀的国度相比时，他们便蒙羞了。祷告你会被神在地上将有永恒荣耀之国的盼望充满，叫你不会愚昧地想在地上建立自己微小、污秽的国度，因为神最终必然毁灭一切，叫你像犹太人一样蒙羞。不要追求偶像，乃要遵从神，为祂在地上的永恒国度生活。


1 Jul 2016, Ezekiel 40-42 以西结书 40-42, The Millennial Temple 千禧年中的圣殿

Posted on Jun 26, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 40-42

Theme                      : The Millennial Temple

 

In this vision, Ezekiel is given the dimensions of the third or millennial temple in Jerusalem. After the defeat of the anti-christ in chapters 38-39, God will return to earth and reign over the whole earth. This is God’s kingdom on earth, which Jesus preached about. The seat of His throne in this kingdom on earth is the new millennial temple. The temple complex is a square with each side measuring about 1,555m (42:15-20), for a total of about 2.4 million square meters. That is about the size of 340 football fields. It is also about twice the size of the current old city Jerusalem. The new temple will be huge and only a new terrain will be able to accommodate it.

The temple is very different from the Solomon’s temple, but also has some similarities. The whole temple complex is surrounded by a wall. There are 3 gates to the complex: east, north and south gates (40:5-27). Within the temple complex is the inner court where the inner temple, or Holy Place, is (41-42). The images of palm trees (Eze. 40:16) harkens back to the garden of Eden (God’s original kingdom on earth), just as images of trees in Solomon’s temple harkens back to Eden. God will fulfilled His promise to restore His paradise on earth.

Chapters 40-48 are literal descriptions of the new millennial temple, not symbolic. Symbolic language does not give detailed descriptions. A lot of linguistic gymnastics must be performed in order to interpret these chapters as symbolic.


Praying the Scripture

This vision proclaims the glorious mercy of God, who invites sinners into a relationship with himself and provides the means whereby that relationship can be expressed, though without contaminating his own holiness or endangering the life of his devotees. Because he longs for fellowship with humans he comes to dwell among them, though without sacrificing any of his glory. Ezekiel and his audience were privileged to learn this lesson through visionary revelation, but Christians recognize the ultimate expression of the divine desire in Jesus, who is not only the restored temple (John 2:19–22) but the physical manifestation of divine glory—full of grace and truth (John 1:14).[1]

[1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel, p. 590.

 
 

经文：以西结书40-42

主题：千禧年中的圣殿

 

在这个异象中，以西结获知耶路撒冷第三个或千禧年圣殿的面积。第38至39章中的敌基督被击败后，神要回到地上统治全世界。这就是神在地上的国度，是耶稣曾传讲的。祂在这个国度中的宝座之席就是千禧年中的新圣殿。圣殿的建筑是四方形，每面长1555米（42:15-20），共两百四千万平方米。这大约是340个足球场的面积。这也是至今旧耶路撒冷城的一倍。新圣殿很大，唯有新地形才能容纳这个建筑。

这个圣殿与所罗门的圣殿很不一样，却也有相同之处。圣殿的整个建筑有墙面围着，且有三个门：东门、北门和南门（40:5-27）。圣殿里有个内院，也就是内殿或至圣所的所在（41-42）。棕树的雕刻（40:16）让人回想起伊甸园（神在地上原有的国），就如所罗门殿中树的雕刻让人回想起伊甸园一样。神会兑现祂的承诺，在地上重建祂的乐园。

第40至48章是对新千禧年圣殿的字面性叙述，不是象征性叙述。象征性的言语是不会加入细节描述的。若要将经文辨为象征性的，读者需要展开大规模的语言曲折和辩解。


用经文祷告

这个异象宣告了神荣耀的怜悯。这位神邀请罪人与祂有亲密的关系，又提供能表达这种关系的管道，同时不玷污自己的圣洁或危害敬拜祂者的生命。由于神渴望与人亲密，祂降世住在人中间，荣耀却完全不受亏损。以西结和他的读者与听众能借着这个视觉性的启示学习者到这一点的确是件很荣幸的事，但基督徒要看见耶稣是如何全面展示了神的渴望——祂不仅是那重建的圣殿（约2:19-22），更是神荣耀的肉体化身，充充满满地有恩典有真理（约1:14）。[1]

[1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel,  p. 590.


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