30 Jan 2016, Isaiah 66 以赛亚书 66, Birth of the New Creation 新天地的诞生

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 66

Theme                  : Birth of the New Creation

 

Birth of New Creation (1-18).

Sinful people limit God to a finite temple and they also limit God’s ability to do glorious, miraculous things to fulfill His promises. Because they think God is small and they are big, they pay no attention to God and only worship Him out of motion, not from a heart of awe. Some even sarcastically mock God and His people (v. 5). But God will truly show Himself to be big, to be much bigger than they think. Though God is big, He loves small people, those who are contrite and humble (v. 2). Such is our big and high God. As surely as mothers give birth at the time of labour, so God will surely give birth to a new Israel in the time of labour pain, aka end times trouble for Israel. He will ultimately comfort Israel as a mother comforts her child. God will show Himself to be very, very big.

Serious Judgement and Blessing (15-24).

This prophetic book ends with a reminder of the seriousness of God’s judgement and the seriousness of God’s blessing. It is similar to what Moses told the Jews in Deuteronomy 28. Through both warnings and blessings, God urges the people to repent and be under His Lordship right now. After one dies, there are no second chances to be saved. There is no purgatory or a temporary place of punishment (Heb. 9:27).

 

Praying the Scripture

Rewards and punishments are just one way that God teaches people to be under His Lordship joyfully. They are not the only way that God trains us. In fact, in order to move us to a higher level in our relationship with Him, God trains our sense of greatness and love for Him. (1 John 4:18; Luke 22:24-27). Rewards and punishments serve to prompt us or to encourage us to draw to God. They are not the climax of this relationship. The climax is our awe and love for God (Ps. 42; 73:25). When God rewards us, pray that you do not idolize the rewards in this life. Worship the Giver, not the gifts. The gifts show us His love for us and His desire to see us genuinely happy. Highest honour, glory and praise to our great God.

经文：以赛亚书66

主题：新天地的诞生

 

新天地的诞生（1-14）。

罪恶之人将神局限于一个有限的殿中，也将神的大能仅限于行荣耀奇事，只为履行自己所应许的。由于他们认为神很小，自己很大，所以他们并不理会神，仅行礼仪之事，也不以敬畏的心崇拜神。有些人还甚至嘲讽神与祂的子民（5节）。然而，神会显明自己才是真正的大，且要比他们想象中的更大。虽然神很大，但祂爱卑微的人，就是虚心、痛悔之人（2节）。这就是我们伟大、至高的神了。如母亲分娩时必然生下孩子，神也要在产痛之时，即以色列在末日遇难之时，生出新以色列。神最终会安慰以色列，像一名母亲安慰自己的孩子似的。神会显明自己是非常、非常的大。

慎重的审判和祝福（15-24）。

这本先知书总结时提醒读者要慎重对待神的审判和祝福的应许。这与摩西在申命记28章中所告知犹太人的信息是相同的。藉着警告和祝福，神促使人要悔改，即刻就认神做主。人一旦离世就无法再有求救的第二次机会。炼狱或暂时受惩罚的地方是不存在的（来9:27）。

 

用经文祷告

惩罚和奖赏仅是神教导人要在主的带领中喜乐的一个方式。这不是神磨练我们的唯一方式。实际上，为要使我们与祂的关系提到更高的层次，神不断地加深我们对祂的爱意，不断地使我们视祂为大（约一4:18；路22:24-27）。惩罚与奖赏的目的只是要鼓励我们亲近神。这并非是我们与神之关系的高峰；其高峰是我们对神的敬畏和爱（诗42；73:25）。当神赏赐我们时，祷告我们不会在今生爱恋这种奖赏。我们要敬拜赏赐者，不是奖赏。愿至高的尊贵、荣耀和赞美归于我们伟大的神。


29 Jan 2016, Isaiah 65 以赛亚书 65, New Creation 新天地

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 65

Theme                  : New Creation

 

Salvation to Gentiles (1-12).

Ironically, Israel will not trust God even though God constantly reaches out to them, but gentiles (referred as a nation in v. 1) who do not know God will know God. This is because Israel will reject the Messiah, so God went to the gentiles (Luke 14:15-24; Rom. 10:19-20). God describes the sins of the Jews that keep Him from answering their prayers. They eat unclean food that is associated with their idol worship, which they sacrifice unlawfully in gardens, on bricks and mountains. Their idols are prosperity idols nicknamed Fortune and Destiny. Their sense of greatness and glory are perverted and they worship such perverted greatness. God will judge them, but He will also redeem a remnant from Israel (v. 8).

New Creation (13-25).

Because the Jews worship money, prosperity and pleasure, in the end they will get neither. This is one of the reasons why they will be tormented and in pain in hell. But those who worship God, His Lordship and His righteous character will enjoy abundance and everlasting joy in the new heavens and new earth. Verses 17-25 describe the two phases of the Messianic Kingdom in one context with no distinction. The distinction is only detailed in Revelation 20-22.

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. One reason for the Jews to sin so badly is because they have the law of God. Romans 5:20 and 7:8-12 states the rebellious nature in fallen humans causes all of us to rebel even more when rules are given to us. Humans rebel because it gives pleasure to their rebellious nature. It gives them a sense of power, control and identity. Such is the wicked, insane, foolish nature that we all inherit from our parents. It is truly a delight to know that when we put our faith in Jesus and His Lordship, God cuts off our rebellious nature and gives us a new nature (Col. 2:13). May we treasure this new nature and seek to put to death our old nature. Happy is the man who is not enslaved by sin, but enslaved by righteousness. We must also have a correct view of God’s laws. God’s laws cannot save us, but they do reveal His character and they lead us to spiritual well-being, not salvation. We can only appreciate God’s laws when we have a new nature given to us through Jesus.
  1. Our sinful society, led by the lies of Satan, constantly assault our sense of righteousness or greatness. For Jews, their sense of greatness was prosperity. Now, it is common to hear that what is heroic, great or glorious is an individual trying to find his or herself. Is it great if you find yourself to be selfish, lustful, or murderous? Or should you lose your ugly self and find a better self? Which one is more heroic? Another popular perversion of righteousness is the right for any two persons to be married as long as they love each other, even homosexual marriage. God hates such perversion and wants Christians to lovingly help these people to see the truth by pointing out the foolishness of their logic. Can fathers marry their daughters because they love each other? How about polygamy or bestiality? Pray that you will have wisdom to share the truth with unbelievers.

经文：以赛亚书65

主题：新天地

 

予外邦人救恩（1-12）。

讽刺的是，神整天伸手招呼以色列，以色列却不愿信靠神；然而，不认识神的外邦人将认识祂（即指第1节的“没有称为我名下的”）。这是因为以色列会拒绝弥赛亚，所以神转向外邦人那里（路14:15-24；罗10:19-20）。神形容了阻止祂应允犹太人祷告的罪：他们吃了在祭坛献给偶像的不洁之食，就是在园中、砖上和山上献的不法之祭。“时运”和“天命”是以色列所敬拜的财神爷。他们曲解了伟大和荣耀的真正定义，竟以为所崇拜的最大。神会审判他们，但也同时将从以色列拯救祂的余民（8节）。

新天地（13-25）。

由于犹太人敬拜的是财富和宴乐，他们最终将什么都得不到。这也就是他们为何要在地狱遭受折磨与痛楚的其中一个原因。可是，凡敬拜神、神的主权与神公义属性的将在新天新地享有丰盛与永恒的喜乐。17-25节叙述的是弥赛亚国度的两个阶段，但对二者不作明显区分。这个区分只有在启示录20-22有详细的叙述。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 犹太人之所以会犯下那么大的罪，其中一个原因是他们拥有神的律法。罗马书5:20与7:8-12说明堕落人性中的悖逆倾向能导致我们在拥有或了解了律法规则后更为叛逆。人会叛逆，因为这能给他们叛逆的本性一种快活感。这给他们带来一种权力、掌控能力和身份感。这是我们每一个人都从父母遗传的邪恶、无理和愚昧的本性。然而，当我们信靠耶稣并认祂做主时，神除尽了悖逆的心理，让我们心意更新（西2:13）——这当是我们的喜悦。愿我们能珍惜这个更新的心，不断致死我们的老我。不被罪捆绑，乃作义之奴的有福了。我们也必须对神的律法有正确的认识。神的律法不能拯救我们，但律法能彰显神的品性，并能让我们有良好的灵命。唯有当我们藉着耶稣心意更新后，我们才能欣赏神的律法。
  1. 我们这个主要因撒旦谎言被误导的罪恶社会将持续抨击我们对于何为大与何为义的标准。对犹太人而言，富裕的人就是伟大的。现在，人若说自己正尝试寻找自己，这在世人看来也是伟大和荣耀的事。我们若发现自己是自私、淫荡或杀气重重的，这有什么伟大？又或者你要抛开自己丑陋的一面，寻找更好的自己？那一个更伟大？另一个对义的普遍曲解就是二人只要是彼此相爱的就可以结婚，同性恋者也是。神痛恨这样的歪曲，并渴望基督徒能帮助这些人看清真理，用爱心点出他们逻辑上的错误。父女俩若彼此相爱，他们能结婚吗？我们又要如何看待一夫多妻或与兽相交的行为？祷告你能有智慧与非信徒分享真理。

28 Jan 2016, Isaiah 64 以赛亚书 64, Eagerly Praying 急切地祷告

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 64

Theme                  : Eagerly Praying

 

Eager Prayer (1-6).

As Isaiah looks up to heaven to pray to God, he implores God to look down on His people on earth and give mercy. He is eager for God to come down right now and judge unrighteousness. Jesus has the same eagerness, but trusts God for the timing (Luke 12:49). No matter how long God delays in coming, those who wait for Him and joyfully works righteousness (v.4) will not be disappointed. God will vindicate them in the Messianic Kingdom.

Sin Delays (7-12).

God wishes to restore the nation, but the nation does not seek after Him. In the Mosaic Covenant, God stipulates that He will give them death if they cast away His Lordship (Deut. 28:15-68). The whole nation rebels against God so that God does not hear their prayers to forgive them. Their righteousness is but a filthy rag. Isaiah sees the destruction of Israel in the future and prophecies about it. This prophecy of general destruction of Israel has been fulfilled twice in history, one being the Babylonian Captivity and the second being the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. It will again be fulfilled in the end times. Isaiah asks God whether He will keep silent forever? The answer is of course not. He will act in the end times as He has promised repeatedly. He will graciously give spiritual life to the whole nation in the end times (Eze. 37:1-14).

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. God requires us not just to do righteous deeds but also do it joyfully. He does this because He wishes us to worship Him in both spirit (from the heart) and truth (John 4:24). He wants us to worship Him with a genuine heart that leads to righteous deeds (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5). Pray that when you do righteous deeds, you do it joyfully. If you do not do it joyfully, examine yourself why and prayerfully seek to change your evil heart. Often times, we do not serve joyfully because we are selfish, lazy, prideful, lustful or self-centered. We have not acknowledged the glorious character of God and seek to imitate Him. Our sense of greatness is still ungodly. That is why we don’t rejoice in such greatness. Pray that you will see righteous deeds as glorious and do it with joy.
  1. Prayer is effective and it does affect God’s actions. He even answered the prayer of Ahab, an unbelieving and evil king, because he humbled himself (1 King 21:29). If he hears the prayers of an unbeliever who humbled himself, how much more will He listen to the prayers of His children when they humble themselves and pray righteously (James 5:16; Luke 11:5-13)? God is a gracious God whose inclination is to give mercy. Do not be dejected, but come to God confidently and humbly through Jesus (Heb. 4:16). Never appeal to God based on your own righteousness, which is a filthy rag, always appeal to God based on His grace (Luke 17:10).

经文：以赛亚书64

主题：急切地祷告

 

急切祷告（1-6）。

当以赛亚仰望着天向神祷告时，他恳求神眷顾祂地上的子民，怜悯他们。以赛亚渴望神立刻下来审判世界的不义。耶稣同有这急切的心，但相信神所安排的时间（路12:49）。无论神延迟多久才来，凡等候祂并喜悦行义的（4节）必不会失望。神将在弥赛亚国度里为他们申冤。

罪的耽搁（7-12）。

神想要复兴以色列，但以色列并不寻求神。在摩西之约里，神明确指出以色列若离开神，不认祂做主，他们必死（申28:15-68）。因此，当全国悖逆神的时候，神不听他们求饶的祷告。他们的义都像污秽的衣服。以赛亚看到以色列未来的灭绝，所以口出预言。这个关乎以色列灭绝的总预言已经在历史中二度应验了，即被巴比伦掳去时及公元后70年圣殿毁灭时。这预言要在末日再度应验。以赛亚问神祂是否将永远保持静默？答案当然不是。祂在末日时必采取行动，正如祂一再应许的。末日时，祂将施恩，让以色列的灵命全然复兴（结37:1-14）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 神不但要我们行义，还要我们乐于行义。神这么要求是因为祂希望我们能用心灵（从心里）和诚实（约4:24）敬拜祂。祂要我们以真诚的心敬拜祂，而这颗心会使我们生发义行（参提前1:5）。祷告当你行义时，你是喜乐地去行。你若没有喜悦，就要省察自己为什么如此，并藉着祷告求神更新你邪恶的心。很多时候，我们不以喜乐的心侍奉是因为我们是自私、懒惰、心存欲望或只顾自己的。我们不承认神荣耀的品格，也不想效法神。我们对何为大的定义还是不敬虔的；这就是我们为什么无法因神的伟大喜悦。祷告你能视义行为荣耀的，并以喜乐的心去行。
  1. 祷告是有效的，而它的确会影响神的行为。祂甚至应允了邪恶与不信神的亚哈之祷告，因为他谦卑自己（王上21:29）。神已垂听了一个自卑的非信徒，更何况是垂听祂虚心并按公义祷告的孩子（雅5:16，路11:5-13）！神是恩慈的神，喜悦施与怜悯。不要沮丧，乃要藉着基督坦然无惧并谦卑地来到神面前（来4:16）。千万不要凭自己的义祈求祷告神，因为那都是污秽的衣服；总要凭着神的恩典向神祷告（路17:10）。

27 Jan 2016, Isaiah 63 以赛亚书 63, New Victory 新胜利

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 63

Theme                  : New Victory

 

Messiah’s Vengeance (1-6).

Isaiah sees the Messiah returning from battling with Edom, one of the nations the Messiah will defeat in the end times. The battle is at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21). He will crush His enemies like crushing grapes in a winepress, which was a hollow hole in stony ground. He will defeat His enemies all by Himself, with no human help (v.3).

Praise and Prayer to God (19-22).

After seeing the victory of the Messiah, Isaiah looks back at God’s goodness to Israel starting from Moses. The Angel of the Lord (aka Jesus, Ex. 14:19) delivered them from bondage of slavery in Egypt, but instead of being thankful to God, the people rebelled against Him. God showed them both grace and discipline. Even in their affliction, God identified with them (v. 9). After looking back at God’s goodness to Israel, Isaiah looks up to pray for mercy. He prays to God to graciously act upon His promise to save Israel much like Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3-19.

 

Praying the Scripture

In all our troubles, such as death and suffering, we must see the final victory of Messiah in the end times. He will get rid of everything that is wrong in the world including death and suffering. Death and suffering do not have the final victory, Jesus does. In our struggles, we also need to remember God’s mercy in the past and His promises of daily grace to us (Matt. 28:20). Such remembrance should lead us to pray to God persistently, knowing that He loves us (Luke 18:1-14). Pray to God in all your troubles. He is compassionate to answer.

经文：以赛亚书63

主题：新胜利

 

弥赛亚的报复（1-6）。

以赛亚见到弥赛亚与以东争战后回来；以东是弥赛亚末日时将打败的其中一国。这场斗争就是大决战（启19:11-21）。祂将彻底击败祂的仇敌，如在酒醡中踹葡萄一样（酒醡是石头地上的一个中空的洞）。祂将独自打败自己所有仇敌，无需人类帮助（3节）。

向神的赞美和祷告（19-22）。

见到弥赛亚得胜后，以赛亚回顾神自摩西以来对以色列的良善。神的使者（即耶稣；见出14:19）救以色列脱离埃的困锁，不再作奴役，但以色列没感激神，反倒悖逆了祂。神向他们既施恩又管教。即便在苦难中，神仍与他们同在（9节）。回顾神对以色列的良善后，以赛亚抬头祷告神怜悯他们。他求神发恩慈，按祂的应许拯救以色列。这与但以理在但以理书9:3-19的祷告相似。
 

用经文祷告

在我们所有的困难中，如死亡和苦难，我们必须看见弥赛亚在末日时的最后胜利。他会除去世上一切坏事，包括死亡和苦难。死亡与苦难并没有最后的胜利；耶稣才是得胜者。我们在挣扎中也需要回想神过去的怜悯，并祂每日向我们施恩的应许（太28:20）。这样的回想当促使我们坚持向神祷告，因为我们晓得祂是爱我们的（路18:1-14）。我们遇难时要向神祷告。祂有恩慈，必会回应。


26 Jan 2016, Isaiah 62 以赛亚书 62, New Name In Messiah 因弥赛亚得新名

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 62

Theme                  : New Name In Messiah

God is jealous for Jerusalem/Zion. He has sworn to put His glory in it; therefore, it is with 100% certainty that this will happen in the future. It will surely be the center of the world when the Messiah returns (Eze. 38:12). Jerusalem will have a new name with its new beginning. Jerusalem is nicknamed Desolate and Forsaken many times throughout its history, especially during the Babylonian captivity and end times captivity, but in the end it will be called Married and My Delight Is In Her (cf. Hosea 1:10). In this context, Married is opposite of Desolate so it means occupy (v 5). In the Messianic Kingdom, Jerusalem will never be pillaged again by foreigners. When Jesus returns He will make a signal for all nations to see, so that they will return all Jews to Jerusalem and come to Jerusalem to worship the Messiah.

 

Praying the Scripture

Whatever our suffering may be, we can always be comforted because our current state of trouble is not our final destination. There will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. Believing Jews had to suffer much, such as Jeremiah and Daniel, but they persevered because they knew their ultimate destination is in the Messianic Kingdom. This comforted them. Whatever our suffering may be, it is not comparable to the glory that awaits us. This should help us to endure. This mindset also helped the apostle Paul to endure suffering (Rom. 8:18). Pray that you will cultivate such mindset to enable you to endure suffering or trials. Pray that it will bring a smile to your face.

经文：以赛亚书62

主题：因弥赛亚得新名

 

神为耶路撒冷/锡安发热心。祂已誓言要将祂的荣耀显于以色列，因此这件事在未来百分之百肯定发生。当弥赛亚归来时，耶路撒冷必然是世界的中心（结38:12）。耶路撒冷将得新名，重新开始；她在历史中曾多次被昵称为“荒凉的”与“撇弃的”，尤其在巴比伦和末日被掳去时，但最后，她将称作“有妇之夫”和“我所喜悦的”（参何1:10）。这里，“有妇之夫”是与“荒凉的”相对的，因此其意思是居住（5节）。在弥赛亚国度里，耶路撒冷永不再被外人占领。当耶稣归来时，祂将制造大旗给万民看，叫他们将所有犹太人归还给耶路撒冷，并到耶路撒冷去拜弥赛亚。

 

用经文祷告

我们无论受到怎样的苦难也能得到安慰，因为眼前的现状并不是最后的结局。深夜后总有黎明。信神的犹太人，如耶利米和但以理，都承受了不少苦难，但他们仍坚持到底，因为他们晓得最终的去处是弥赛亚国度。这给他们带来安慰。无论我们遭受什么苦难，这与等待我们的荣耀是微不足道的。这能助我们承受患难。这样的意念也曾帮助使徒保罗承受苦难（罗8:18）。祷告你会建立这样的思想，使你能承受苦难或试炼。祷告这会使你脸上露出微笑。


25 Jan 2016, Isaiah 61 以赛亚书 61, Beginning of a New Life 新生命的开始

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 61

Theme                  : Beginning of a New Life

 

New Life through Messiah (1-9).

This chapter continues the larger theme of comfort within chapters 40-66. This section describes Jesus’ two comings in one context without any clear distinction. When Jesus came the first time, He quoted only vv. 1-2a in Luke 4:18-19 because His first coming is about saving people spiritually, not about wrathful, righteous judgment on sinners or ushering in the physical Messianic Kingdom on earth. These await His second coming. When Jesus comes the second time, He will make Israel and the whole world righteous. Israel will finally fulfill God’s original purpose by becoming priests to the world (Ex. 19:6). The Messiah will comfort Israel and the world with righteousness.

New Praise to Messiah (10-11).

Most likely this section is a personification of Israel when it has received salvation from God. Israel is referred in first person, singular form. Israel will be clothed with salvation. Clothing of righteousness refers to an imputed salvation/righteousness because it is not from the sinner, but from God. Israel will respond to God in praise for this imputed/alien righteousness.

 

Praying the Scripture

It is important to understand that our spiritual strength comes from delighting in God and praising His goodness to us. Sorrow over our failures should function to lead us to God and then cause us to rejoice in our Lord because He has covered our guilt and continues to give grace to us in order to conform us into the image/character of Jesus. Sorrow is not the source of our strength, joy in the Lord is (Neh. 8:10). Sorrow is just the beginning of the journey, not the final destination. The proper, concluding response to God’s salvation and goodness is praise, not sorrow. Nehemiah prevented the people from grieving when they were supposed to rejoice in God’s grace. Let us rejoice in the Lord daily and live for Him out of our thankful hearts. Let us not wallow in our sorrow.

经文：以赛亚书61

主题：新生命的开始

 

靠着弥赛亚的新生命（1-9）。

这个篇幅延续了第40-66章中安慰的主题。这段经文则一次形容了耶稣两回降世，没有作明显区别。当耶稣首次来临时，祂在路加福音4:18-19只引用了这里第1-2节上的经文，因为祂首次降世的目的是要拯救人的灵魂，并非对罪人降下愤怒、公义的审判或在地上建立肉眼能见的弥赛亚国度。后者要等耶稣二次降世才能应验。那时候，祂将使以色列及全世界入公义。以色列终于会履行神原来为他们打造的角色，作世人的祭司（出19:6）。弥赛亚将以公义安慰以色列及全世界的人。

全新颂赞归给弥赛亚（10-11）。

这段经文大有可能描述的是以色列被神拯救时的回应。这里的第一人称指的是以色列，是单数的。以色列将以拯救为衣。公义的袍指的是被披上的拯救或公义，因为这不是罪人所拥有的，乃从神领受的。以色列会因着被披上的公义赞美神。

 

用经文祷告

我们必须明白：属灵力量是因喜悦于神，赞美祂对我们的良善而来。对自己失败的忧愁当领我们转向神，接着使我们在主里喜乐，因为祂已遮盖我们的众罪，并继续向我们施恩，叫他们更能效法耶稣的模样与性情。忧愁不是我们的力量；靠耶和华而得的喜乐才是我们的力量（尼8:10）。忧愁仅是一段旅程的开始，不是终点。我们对神的拯救和良善当有的最后回应是赞美，不是忧愁。当以色列应该在神的恩典里喜乐时，尼希米阻止他们心里感伤。让我们天天都要在主里喜乐，凭着感恩的心为祂而活。让我们不沉溺于自己的忧愁中。


23 Jan 2016, Isaiah 60 以赛亚书 60, Future Glory for Believers 予信徒未来的荣耀

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 60

Theme                  : Future Glory for Believers

 

Millennium Kingdom (1-18).

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.

New Heaven and Earth Kingdom (19-22).

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.

 

Praying the Scripture

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.

经文：以赛亚书60

主题：予信徒未来的荣耀

 

千禧国度（1-18）。

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。

新天与新地的国度（19-22）。

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。

用经文祷告

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。

22 Jan 2016, Isaiah 59 以赛亚书 59, Redeemer from Zion 从锡安来到的救赎者

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 59

Theme                  : Redeemer from Zion

 

Sin Leads to Desolation (1-15)

In beautiful poetic fashion, God describes the folly and desolation of sin in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. We can see the damage sin can do in society when those who wish to depart from evil will make themselves as prey. It is a sad state when the social structure of a society forces people to commit evil, instead of righteousness. This kind of society is still true in many parts of the world. Only the light of the gospel can transform such evil culture.

Redemption from Zion (16-21).

God sees no man on earth who can redeem Israel from its fallenness, and by extension, the whole world (v.16). Men at his best is still a fallen man. Only the God-man Jesus can redeem this fallen world. Only He can pay the penalty of our sins and only He can change our hearts. He will come to Zion (v. 20) in righteousness to judge the wicked sinners and to redeem the contrite sinners.

 

Praying the Scripture

The Bible, especially in OT, constantly reminds us to take seriously God’s warning against sin and equally to take seriously God’s promises of blessing under His Lordship. It is God’s way of convincing sinners the folly of sin and at the same time the glory of salvation. Sinners need to see both the folly of sin, which they love because it is glorious to them, and at the same time they need to see the glory of God as a better alternative to the glory of sin. Pray that when you share the gospel to non-Christians, and even when you remind believers and yourself of the gospel, always help them, and yourself, to see the folly of sin and its false glory, and at same time see a better greatness in God. When we evangelize, we should share both the consequence of sin and the glory of salvation.

经文：以赛亚书59

主题：从锡安来到的救赎者

 

罪必致荒凉（1-15）。

神以一首优美的诗形容个人生命中以及整个社会之罪的愚昧与荒凉。我们能看到罪孽在社会中所致的损害，即想离开罪恶的人多会成为行恶的受害者。当社会的结构强迫人行恶而非鼓励行善，这是可悲的。这种社会如今仍普遍存在。只有福音的光照才能改变这种邪恶的文化。

从锡安的拯救（16-21）。

神在世间见无人能拯救以色列及全世界脱离的堕落状态（16节）。即便处在最佳状态的人还是堕落的。唯有神人耶稣才能拯救这个堕落的世界。唯有耶稣才能偿还我们的罪债，也只有祂能更新我们的心意。祂会持公义来到锡安（20节）审判作孽的罪人，并拯救痛悔的罪人。
 

用经文祷告

圣经，尤其旧约，持续提醒我们要认真对待神对罪的警告，也时也要认真对待神向祂子民赐福的应许。这是神让罪人同时看见罪之愚昧及救恩之荣耀的方式。罪人需要看见罪的愚昧，因为这时罪对他们而言是荣耀的，是他们所喜悦的，所以他们同时也需要看到神的荣耀，视它比罪的荣耀更大。祷告当我们与非信徒传福音时，甚至是对其他信徒或自己重述福音时，能看见罪的愚昧及它虚假的荣耀，并同时看到神更伟大。当我们传福音时，我们必须同时分享罪的后果与救恩的荣耀。


21 Jan 2016, Isaiah 58 以赛亚书 58, Pure and Tainted Religious Actions 纯正与玷污的宗教行为

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 58

Theme                  : Pure and Tainted Religious Actions

 

Tainted Religious Action (1-5)

The sinful, religious Jews thought God is pleased just by their outward religious actions. They thought they can just fast outwardly in order to bribe God, while inwardly they are still full of hatred, lust and jealousy. God hates and rejects such hypocritical actions.

Pure Religious Action (6-14).

Fasting is supposed to be an outward religious action that seeks to complement or support inner religious conviction of humility before God that translates into love towards God and people (v. 14). Love for God translates into love for others through concrete action, especially through helping the helpless and oppressed. Religious actions, such as fasting, are supposed to be motivated first and foremost by a delight in the righteous and gracious character of God. It is prompted by a desire to seek restoration with God. It is not driven by a desire to manipulate God. We manipulate God when we try to get God to do something for us, while we do not care about being under His Lordship.

 

Praying the Scripture

Tainted religious actions plague fallen, sinful human nature. Even after we have put our faith in Jesus and put ourselves under His Lordship, our remaining sinful nature continues to tempt us to perform religious activities in order to bribe God. We ought to do religious actions because we are prompted by our delight in God’s glorious salvation and character. Jesus warned His disciples of tainted almsgiving, praying, and fasting in Matthew 6:1-18. Pray that God will guard your heart from tainted religious actions. Pray God will open your heart to delight Him every day so that your religious actions are motivated by your love for Him and the desire to imitate His glorious character (Eph. 5:1; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). Pray that you are complete, satisfied, and full under the loving Lordship of God (Ps. 73:25; Col. 2:10).

经文：以赛亚书58

主题：纯正与玷污的宗教行为

 

纯正的宗教行为（1-5）。

罪恶又笃信宗教的犹太人以为神会悦纳他们外在所行的宗教行为。他们以为只要禁食就能贿赂神，而内心仍充满仇恨、私欲和妒忌。神痛恨并拒绝这些假冒为善的行为。

纯正的宗教行为（6-14）。

禁食本是反映一人内心在神面前谦卑的外在宗教行为，其效应是爱神与爱人（14节）。爱神的人即会借着爱他人的具体行动展现出来，尤其帮助无助与受欺压的。像禁食的宗教行为当首先是因喜悦于神公义与恩慈的性情被激发而行。这样的心渴望与神和好，而不是想利用神。当我们尝试以某些行为叫神为我们做事时，我们就是在利用神了，不顾忌祂是我们的主。

用经文祷告

被玷污的宗教行为环绕着堕落、罪恶的人性。即便我们信靠了耶稣，顺服在祂的权柄下，我们剩余的罪性仍继续引诱我们行外在的宗教活动贿赂神。我们当行宗教仪式，可动机是因喜悦于神荣耀的救恩和性情而行。耶稣在马太福音6:1-18便告诫了门徒有关玷污的奉献、祷告和禁食。祷告神会敞开你的心，每日喜悦于祂，叫你的宗教行为是因为爱神，并渴望效法祂荣耀的性情（弗5:1；罗8:29；林后3:18）。祷告你在慈爱之主的权柄下是满足、完全的。


20 Jan 2016, Isaiah 57 以赛亚书 57, Grace to the Contrite 向痛悔之人施恩

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 57

Theme                  : Grace to the Contrite

 

Description of the Wicked (1-13).

The ungodly are like children who are foolish and stubborn. They foolishly misjudge God’s deeds. God takes the righteous away from the world so that they can rest and not experience the ugliness of war and exile, but the foolish does not understand this even in light of God’s revelation. The wicked love their idols and sins, even to the point of sacrificing their children and participating in ritual sex as part of their idol worship. God patiently waits for them to repent but they misjudged God’s patience and thought God will never judge them. The wicked are weary from their sins but they are able to find new strength to continue to sin. At the end, God will reveal their shame and guilt. He will punish them.

Comfort for the Contrite (14-21).

In contrast to God’s judgment on the wicked sinners, God comforts the contrite sinners. Even though God is in the highest, He gives grace to the lowly, the humble, those who are broken by their sins and begs God to forgive them as hopeless sinners who are always in need of God’s grace and forgiveness (Matt. 5:2-3).


Praying the Scripture

It is important to understand that not everyone sins as badly as these Jews. However, apart from a life under the Lordship of God, everyone’s trajectory in life is toward the lifestyle of these Jews. Their trajectory in life is hell. It is not those who sin badly that go to hell, everyone who breaks any of God’s laws deserve to be punish by a righteous God. The severity of one’s punishment in hell will be determined by how bad they have sinned (Matt. 11:24). It is indeed good news, that God comforts the contrite sinners by revealing to us the only way of salvation is through Jesus. God abolishes our fears through Jesus (Luke 2:10) since we are hopeless sinners. How wonderful that God in the highest would love lowly people who humble themselves to beg for salvation from God. God will heal whoever humbles himself before Him. Pray that you will cultivate humility daily because God is humble and we should be like God.

经文：以赛亚书57

主题：向痛悔之人施恩

 

恶人的描述（1-13）。

不敬虔的人就像又傻又固执的孩子。他们愚昧地误解了神的作为。神从世界收去义人的原因是叫他们能安歇，无需经历战争和流放的痛苦，但愚昧人就是得到了神的启示仍不明白这一点。恶人喜爱他们的偶像和罪行，以致甘愿为拜偶像牺牲自己的孩子，还参加仪式上的性行为。神耐心地等着他们悔改，但他们曲解神的耐心，以为神永远不会审判他们。他们会因自己的罪感到疲乏，但仍能找到复兴之力继续犯罪。最后，神会揭示他们的羞耻与愧疚。神要惩罚他们。

痛悔之人的安慰（14-21）。

神要审判邪恶的罪人，但要安慰痛悔的罪人。虽然神是至高的神，但祂向卑微、虚心的人施恩，即因自己的罪哀恸，并求神原谅他们这等无助并常常需要神施恩与赦免的罪人（太5:2-3）。

用经文祷告

我们必须明白不是每一个人都像犹太人那样严重犯罪。可是，若不认神是主，不按神的旨意行事，每个人的生命趋向就是犹太人的生活方式——他们今生都是向地狱走去。不是犯下重罪的人才会下地狱；凡犯了神任何一条诫命都应当受到公义之神的审判。一人在地狱里要受到多重的惩罚将取决于他犯下多重的罪（太11:24）。因此，神安慰痛悔的罪人，向我们启示得救的唯一道路是藉着耶稣——这确实是好消息。神藉着耶稣除去我们是无助罪人的恐惧（路2:10）。神是至高者，但愿意爱虚己并向神求拯救的谦卑人，这何等美妙啊。神会医治凡在祂面前谦卑自己的人。祷告你会每日培养谦卑的心，因为神是谦卑的，而我们当效法神。

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