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创世记生命读经 · 第77篇

圣经中神建造的鸟瞰七眼

A Bird’s-Eye View of God’s Building in the Scriptures THE SEVEN EYES
1启示录是圣经的总结。如果没有这卷书，圣经就没有适当的结语。作为总结的书，启示录中几乎每件事先前都在旧约里题过。按照字面，在启示录四、五章我们看不到与神建造有关的事。但那里有七眼，就是神的七灵。要明白启示录中的表号和象征，有一个秘诀：每当这卷书中出现一个象征，就要找出旧约题过这象征的地方。例如在启示录一章，有灯台作召会的象征。要懂得灯台的意义，我们必须读第一次题到灯台的出埃及二十五章，以及第二次题到灯台的撒迦利亚四章。同样的原则，我们若要知道神的七眼是甚么，也必须回到旧约。
1The book of Revelation is the consummation of the Bible. If we did not have this book, the Bible would lack a proper conclusion. As a book of consummation, nearly everything in Revelation is something previously mentioned in the Old Testament. According to the black and white letters, we do not see anything related to God’s building in Revelation 4 and 5. However, there is the matter of the seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God. There is a secret to understanding the signs and symbols in the book of Revelation: whenever a symbol appears in this book, find where it is mentioned in the Old Testament. For example, in Revelation chapter one we have the lampstands as a symbol of the churches. In order to understand the significance of the lampstands, we must read Exodus 25 where the lampstand is first mentioned, and also Zechariah 4 where it is mentioned the second time. In the same principle, if we would know what the seven eyes of God are, we must also go back to the Old Testament
2撒迦利亚三章九节和四章十节题到七眼。撒迦利亚书含示，这七眼，就是七灯，与那灵有关。撒迦利亚问天使说，『这是甚么意思？』天使回答说，『这是耶和华指示所罗巴伯的；万军之耶和华说，不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵。』（亚四4，6。）这话含示七灯与神的灵有关。启示录清楚告诉我们，神这七眼，就是七灯，乃是神的七灵。撒迦利亚书启示说神的七眼，就是灯台上的七灯，也是石头的七眼。藉著这七眼，启示录五章所揭示基督是狮子和羔羊，就与撒迦利亚三章所说的石头连起来了。所以那位有七眼的，不仅是『狮子－羔羊，』也是石头。祂是『狮子－羔羊－石头。』狮子毁灭仇敌，羔羊救赎我们，石头建造神的家。
2The seven eyes are mentioned in Zechariah 3:9 and 4:10. Zechariah implies that these seven eyes, which are the seven lamps, are related to the Spirit. When Zechariah asked the angel, “What are these?” the angel answered, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:4, 6). This word implies that the seven lamps are related to the Spirit of God. The book of Revelation tells us clearly that these seven eyes of God, which are the seven lamps, are the seven Spirits of God. Zechariah reveals that the seven eyes of God, which are the seven lamps on the lampstand, are also the seven eyes of the stone. By means of the seven eyes, Christ as the Lion and the Lamb unveiled in Revelation 5 is connected to the stone spoken of in Zechariah 3. Therefore, the One with the seven eyes is not only the Lion-Lamb but also the stone. He is the Lion-Lamb- stone: the Lion to destroy the enemy, the Lamb to redeem us, and the stone to build God’sho use
神经纶的目标
THE GOAL OF GOD’SECON O MY
3神的经纶不是为著救恩。救恩既不是神经纶的目标，也不是神经纶的完成。这不过是手续，过程，以达到神的目标。神的目标乃是建造祂永远的居所。这建造就是今天的召会，永世里的新耶路撒冷。基督是石头为著神的建造许多基督徒熟悉行传四章十二节，那里说，『除祂以外，别无拯救，因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠著得救。』我曾多次使用这一节来传福音。我放胆告诉人说，在全宇宙中只有一个名能拯救他们。这名不是孔子或柏拉图的名，乃是耶稣的名。近年来我知道了，在行传四章十二节的耶稣乃是石头。前一节说，『祂是你们匠人所轻弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。』我们如果读行传四章十节，会看见这石头显然就是拿撒勒人耶稣基督。耶稣基督，那被钉十字架又从死人中复活者，就是犹太匠人所藐视的石头。祂已经成了房角的头块石头，除祂以外，别无拯救。那些弃绝祂的，不但弃绝了救主，也弃绝了建造的石头，就是房角的头块石头。房角石是把一所建筑物的墙连起来。在建筑物的角上有很多石头，其中有一块称为房角首石。古时巴勒斯坦的犹太人建造房屋，注意三种石头：基石、房角首石和顶石。建筑物是立在基石上，建筑物的四面是由房角首石来联结，而在房顶上有顶石。这三块石头托住并保护整个建筑物。在以赛亚二十八章十六节，基督是基石；在撒迦利亚四章七节，祂是顶石；在行传四章十至十二节，祂是房角石。彼得在行传四章不但传基督是救主，也传基督是建造的石头，是将各墙联结一起的房角首石。彼得有这种观念，因为他领会神在基督里的救赎，乃是为著祂的建造。因此，他能在彼得前书说，『你们来到祂这为人所弃绝，却为神所拣选所宝贵的活石跟前，也就像活石，被建造成属灵的殿。』（彼前二4～5。）神的救赎是为著祂的建造今天所释放一切的福音信息，几乎没有一篇说到神的建造。在基督教中所传的福音，无疑偏离了目标。因著我们仍然在基督教的影响之下，我们对于神在基督里的救赎乃是为著建造，也毫无印象。在很多基督徒的观念中，救恩就是一切。有许多诗歌赞美主是羔羊，说，『羔羊是配。』但几乎没有一首诗歌说，『石头是配。』你若在基督徒的聚会中站起来赞美基督，说，『石头是配，』他们会以为你疯了，或者你接受了甚么特别的观念。这是今天的光景。但在主的恢复里，主已经带我们往前了。我们不但像路德马丁一样，看见基督是羔羊为著我们的救赎，叫我们因信祂得称义；我们也看见这羔羊有七眼，这七眼也是建造石头的七眼。神的经纶不是为著救赎，乃是藉著救赎使祂与人同住。因著人堕落了，所以需要救赎。救赎是过程，为著把堕落的人带回到神面前，以完成神建造祂居所的经纶。但可怜的基督教仍留恋在过程里，忘记并忽略神的目标。因此我们必须大声宣布说，『石头是配！』
3God’secon o my is not for salvation. Salvation is neither the goal nor the consummation of God’secon o my. It is simply a procedure, a process, to reach God’s goal. God’s goal is the building of His eternal dwelling place. This building is the church today and the New Jerusalem in eternity. CHRIST AS THE STONE FOR GOD’S BUILDING Many Christians are familiar with Acts 4:12, which says, “And there is no salvation in any other; for neither is there another name under heaven given among men in which we must be saved.” I have used this verse many times in preaching the gospel. I boldly told people that only one name in the entire universe could save them. It was not the name of Confucius or Plato; it was the name of Jesus. In recent years I learned that the Jesus in Acts 4:12 is the stone. The previous verse says, “This is the stone which was despised by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” If we read Acts 4:10, we shall see that this stone is clearly identified with Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus Christ, the One who was crucified and raised from the dead, is the stone set at naught by the Jewish builders. He has be come the head cornerstone, and there is salvation in no other one. Those who rejected Him not only rejected the Savior but also the building stone, even the head cornerstone. The cornerstone connects the walls of a building. In the corner of a building there are many stones, and among them is one called the head cornerstone. The Jews in ancient Palestine gave attention to three kinds of stones in building their houses: the foundation stone, the head cornerstone, and the topstone. The building was laid upon the foundation stone, the sides of the building were joined by the head cornerstone, and on the roof was the topstone. These three stones held and protected the whole building. In Isaiah 28:16 Christ is the foundation stone, in Zechariah 4:7 He is the topstone, and in Acts 4:10-12 He is the cornerstone. In Acts 4 Peter not only preached Christ as the Savior but also as the building stone, as the leading cornerstone that joins the walls together. Peter had this concept because he realized that God’s redemption in Christ is for His building. Thus, in his first Epistle Peter could say, “To whom coming, a living stone, having been rejected by men, but with God chosen, held in honor, you yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:4-5). GOD’S REDEMPTION BEING FOR HIS BUILDING Of all the gospel messages delivered today, hardly one is concerned with God’s building. The preaching of the gospel in Christianity certainly misses the mark. Because we are still under the influence of Christianity, we simply do not have the impression that God’s redemption in Christ is for the building. In the concept of many Christians, salvation is everything. A great many hymns praise the Lord as the Lamb, saying, “Worthy is the Lamb.” But there is hardly a hymn that says, “Worthy is the stone.” If you stood up in a meeting of Christians and praised Christ by saying, “Worthy is the stone,” they would think that you were crazy, or that you had taken in a peculiar concept. This is the situation today. However, in the Lord’s recovery the Lord has brought us on farther. We not only see, as Martin Luther saw, that the Christ is the Lamb for our redemption for us to be justified by faith in Him. We also see that this Lamb has seven eyes, which are also the seven eyes of the building stone. God’secon o my is not for redemption; it is for His dwelling with man through redemption. Because man fell, there was the need for redemption. Redemption is the process by which fallen man is brought back to God for the fulfillment of God’secon o my to build His dwelling place. But pitiful Christianity remains attached to the procedure, forgetting and neglecting God’s goal. Due to this, we must trumpet loudly the words, “Worthy is the stone.”
4现在我们来看看马太二十一章的一些经文。马太二十一章九节说，『前行后随的群众喊著说，和散那归与大卫的子孙！在主名里来的，是当受颂赞的！至高之处的和散那！』本节是众人热烈欢迎主耶稣时所发的，引自诗篇118:26一百一十八篇二十六节，那里说，『在耶和华名里来的，是当受颂赞的。』（另译。）本节所题在耶和华名里来的是谁？答案是在同篇二十二节：『匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。』主耶稣在马太二十一章四十二节引用了诗篇一百一十八篇二十二、二十三节。诗篇一百一十八篇二十三、二十四节说，『这是耶和华所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。这是耶和华所定的日子；我们在其中要高兴欢喜。』耶和华所定的日子，就是复活的日子。在复活的日子，耶和华神将拿撒勒人耶稣作成了房角石。这是耶和华所定的日子，我们在其中该高兴欢喜。每个主日我们都该高兴欢喜。犹太匠人因著主耶稣所受的欢迎感到搅扰，并且妒忌祂，主就在马太二十一章四十二节对他们说，『「匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头；这是主所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。」你们在经上从来没有念过么？』主耶稣似乎说，『你们听见百姓在赞美我么？他们说，「在主名里来的，是当受颂赞的。」他们的赞美引自诗篇一百一十八篇，在这篇诗里有另一节说，匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头；这是主所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。这一节你们从来没有念过么？』主从诗篇一百一十八篇引用这一节，指明犹太人是神建造的匠人，他们不仅弃绝了救主，也弃绝了建造的石头。结果，他们就在神的建造里无分。我们必须有深刻的印象，我们得救不是仅仅为著得救。我们得救是要成为神建造的一部分。我们传福音的时候，不该只传救恩与救赎，也该传神的建造，告诉人如果他们不接受主耶稣，他们就没有建造的主要石头，也就在神的建造里无分了。神救恩的目标乃是祂的居所，新耶路撒冷。我们传福音，必须像彼得一样告诉人，神在基督里的救赎是要他们成为神居所的一部分。
4Let us now consider some verses in Matthew 21. Verse 9 says, “And the crowds who went before Him and those who followed cried out, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” This verse, which was uttered in the warm welcome rendered to the Lord Jesus, is a quotation of Psalm 118:26. Psalm says, “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Who is the “he” mentioned in this verse? The answer is in verse 22 of the same psalm: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Verses 22 and 23 of Psalm 118 are quoted by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 21:42. Psalm 118:23 and 24 say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The “day which the Lord hath made” is the day of resurrection. On the day of resurrection the Lord God made Jesus of Nazareth the cornerstone. This is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it. Every Lord’s Day we should rejoice and be glad. When the Jewish builders were troubled by the welcome given to the Lord Jesus and were jealous of Him, the Lord said to them in Matthew 21:42, “Have you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the cornerstone; this was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” The Lord Jesus seemed to be saying, “Didn’ty ou hear the people praising Me, saying, `Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord’? Their praising was a quotation of Psalm 118. In this Psalm there is another verse. Have you never read it? It says that the stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.” By quoting this verse from Psalm 118, the Lord indicated that the Jewish people, as the builders of God’s building, would not only reject the Savior but also the building stone. As a result of their rejection, they would have no part in God’s building. We must be deeply impressed that we were not saved merely to be saved. We were saved that we might be a part of God’s building. When we preach the gospel, we should not only preach salvation and redemption, but also God’s building, telling the people that if they do not receive the Lord Jesus, they will not have the leading building stone and will have no share in God’s building. God’s goal in His salvation is His dwelling place, the New Jerusalem. In our preaching of the gospel, we, like Peter, must tell people that God’s redemption in Christ is for them to become apart of God’s dwelling place.
神的永远目的
GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE
5在前一篇信息里我们看见，神叫雅各上伯特利去。（创三五１。）最终，新耶路撒冷将是永世的伯特利。雅各从未建造过甚么，但他的后裔首先建造了帐幕，然后建造了圣殿。启示录说新耶路撒冷是神的帐幕，神自己和羔羊是殿。（启二一22。）这是伯特利。神永远的目的是要得著这居所，并且祂今天正在这居所上作工。甚至在雅各的一生中，神在雅各身上作工，也是为著祂的居所，为著伯特利。我们必须被这思想光照并充分浸透：神在这宇宙中只作一件事，就是建造祂永远的居所。祂对任何别的事都没有兴趣。创造和救恩都是为著这目的。凡祂所赐给我们的福分也都是为著这目的。然而，很多基督徒把别的事物，就如救恩、属灵、圣别和得胜，当作目标。但这些不过是个别、个人的家，并不是神的建造。属灵是一所个别、个人的房屋。你若不关心神的目标，甚至你的得救也会成为个人的家。我们若对神的目标有清楚的看见，对今天的光景就要感到忧伤。几乎每个基督徒都在建造自己小小的家。对有些人，方言是一所小屋；对有些人，圣别是一所房屋；还有些人，属灵对他们乃是小棚。今天，几乎没有基督徒关心神的建造。因此，我们有胆量说，我们在主的恢复里，是惟一关心神建造的基督徒。我们若是都关心神的建造，神就要在我们中间行大事。但我怕有些人读了本篇信息，仍然说，『我对这事没有兴趣，我要有平安和喜乐。我盼望李弟兄多讲有关主的怜悯和恩典的信息，告诉我们主如何要把祂的喜乐和祝福赐给我们。』很可能连喜乐、平安和祝福都会成为麻醉药。在礼拜堂和教堂里面，一周又一周所讲的教训，多半是麻醉药。你在那里，就被麻醉。你听不到一句清楚的话，叫你的心思清明。我盼望藉著本篇信息，我们的心思都得以清明，并且放胆宣告：『我只关心神的建造，我不关心我的救恩、我的喜乐、我的平安、我的圣别或我的属灵。』只要你关心神的建造，每样事物，包括救恩、圣别、得胜、属灵、平安和喜乐，就都是你的了。
5In the previous message we saw that God told Jacob to go up to Bethel (Gen. 35:1). Ultimately, the New Jerusalem will be the eternal Bethel. Jacob never built anything, but his descendants firstly built the tabernacle and then the temple. The book of Revelation says that the New Jerusalem is God’s tabernacle and that there God Himself and the Lamb are the temple (Rev. 21:22). This is Bethel. God’s eternal purpose is to have this dwelling place, and He is working on it today. Even during Jacob’s life time God was working on Jacob for His dwelling place, for Bethel. We must be enlightened by and fully saturated with the thought that in this universe God is doing only one thing—building His eternal habitation. He is not interested in anything else. Creation and salvation are both for this purpose. Whatever blessings He has bestowed upon us are also for this purpose. However, many Christians have made other things the goal, things like salvation, spirituality, holiness, and victory. But these are merely individualistic, personal houses, not God’s building. Spirituality is an individualistic, personal house. If you do not care for God’s goal, even your salvation may become a personal home. If we had a clear view of God’s goal, we would feel sorrowful about today’s situation. Nearly every Christian is building his own little house. For some, tongue speaking is a cottage; for others, holiness is a house; and for still others, spirituality is a shed. Today, hardly any Christians care for God’s building. Because of this, we have the boldness to say that we in the Lord’s recovery are the unique Christians caring for God’s building. If we all cared for God’s building, God would have done a great thing among us. Nevertheless, I am concerned that after reading this message some may still say, “I’m not interested in this. I want to have peace and joy. I wish Brother Lee would give more messages on the Lord’s mercy and grace, and tell us how the Lord wants to give us His joy and bestow His blessings on us.” It is possible for even joy, peace, and blessings to be drugs. Most of the teachings given out week after week in the chapels and cathedrals are drugs. When you were there, you were drugged. You did not hear a clear word to sober your mind. I hope that through this message all our minds will be sobered and that we will be bold to declare, “I only care for God’s building. I don’t care for my salvation, my joy, my peace, my holiness, or my spirituality.” As long as you care for God’s building, everything, including salvation, holiness, victory, and spirituality, peace, and joy, will be yours.
旧约的鸟瞰
A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
6我们对于圣经中所揭示神的建造，需要有一个鸟瞰。圣经是一本包含成千项目的大书。我们若没有一个鸟瞰，就很容易迷失。我们需要看见圣经中主要的点。神在亚当族类身上作工之后，藉著呼召亚伯拉罕作另一族类－蒙召族类－的父，而有新的起头。神不再在受造族类身上，只在蒙召族类身上作工。亚伯拉罕之后，接著有以撒和雅各。我们若没有一个鸟瞰，就不会懂得神呼召亚伯拉罕的目的，也不懂得祂在以撒和抓夺者雅各身上的目的。雅各逃离他哥哥以扫的时候，作了一个梦。（创二八10～22。）梦醒以后，他说了几句话，那是奇妙的豫言。雅各称那地方为伯特利，甚至将他所枕的石头立作柱子。因此，伯特利不仅是一个地方，也是一根浇了油的柱子。这是圣经中最大的豫言，因为这管治了整本圣经。雅各说了这豫言之后，就许愿说，『神若与我同在，在我所行的路上保佑我，又给我食物吃，衣服穿，使我平平安安的回到我父亲的家，我就必以耶和华为我的神，我所立为柱子的石头，也必作神的家（殿）。』（创二八～22。）神是信实的，将他平平安安的带回来。但雅各并没有履行他所许的愿，反而在两个地方定居下来：先在竦割，后在示剑。最终，起了一场风波，雅各失去了安全与平安。就在那个关头，神进来对雅各说，『起来，上伯特利去住在那里。』（创三五1。）雅各在一生中并没有真正的伯特利，他从未见过神的家。直到摩西领以色列人出了埃及，立了帐幕，伯特利才实现在以色列人中间。后来，大卫所豫备，所罗门所建造的圣殿顶替了帐幕，那时伯特利才建立在地上。
6We need to have a bird’s - eye view of God’s building as it is unfolded in the Bible. The Bible is a large book containing thousands of items. If we do not have a bird’s-eye view, we can easily get lost. We need to see the major points in the Bible. After working with the race of Adam, God came in to have a new start by calling out Abraham to be the father of another race, the called race. God was no longer working with the created race but with the called race. Abraham was followed by Isaac and Jacob. If we do not have the bird’s-eye view, we shall neither understand God’s purpose in calling Abraham nor His purpose with Isaac or with Jacob, the supplanter. As Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau, he had a dream (28:10-22). After waking from that dream, he spoke some words which were a wonderful prophecy. Jacob called the name of the place Bethel and even set up the stone that he had used for a pillow to become a pillar. Hence, Bethel was not merely a place but also a pillar with oil poured upon it. This is the greatest prophecy in the Bible because it governs the entire Bible. After uttering this prophecy, Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’sho use in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’sho use” (28:20-22). God was faithful and brought him back 20 safely. However, Jacob did not fulfill his vow. Rather, he settled down in two places, firstly in Succoth and secondly in Shechem. Eventually, a turmoil arose, and Jacob lost his safety and peace. At that precise moment, God intervened and spoke to him, saying, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there” (35:1). Jacob did not have the actual Bethel during his lifetime. He never saw the house of God. It was not until Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and erected the tabernacle that Bethel was realized among the children of Israel. Later, the tabernacle was replaced by the temple prepared by David and built by Solomon. At that time, Bethel was established on earth.
7但在建造帐幕以前，就有了以色列家，几乎等于神的家，因为在『以色列』这名里，神的名出现了。『以色列』这名的最后两个字母－el－是希伯来文的神字。当以色列繁增为以色列家的时候，含示这家就是神的家。因此，以色列家就是神的家。惟一的不同是以色列家不像帐幕或圣殿那样定形。但只要雅各家成了以色列家，牠在神眼中就等于神的家。最终，在以色列家中有了帐幕，接著有了圣殿，二者都是象征以色列家是神的居所。这是伯特利的历史。后来圣殿被巴比伦军队毁坏，以色列人被掳七十年；然后一道重建圣殿的命令颁布下来。（拉一1～3。）因此，旧约从始至终，只有几件主要的事物：雅各、他的家、帐幕、圣殿以及圣殿的重建。这是旧约的鸟瞰。新约的鸟瞰旧约中这些主要的点都不过是豫表，因此需要主耶稣来作实际。当祂成为肉体而来，祂为神支搭了一个帐幕，并且支搭在我们中间。（约一14。）在约翰二章祂向犹太人启示，祂不仅是帐幕，也是神的殿。（约二18～21。）因此，当祂在地上的时候，祂是帐幕，也是殿。当领头的使徒彼得第一次被带到主面前的时候，主把他的名字从西门改为矶法，矶法的意思就是石头。（约一42。）在约翰一章五十一节，主耶稣对拿但业说，『我实实在在的告诉你们，你们将要看见天开了，神的使者上去下来在人子身上。』这话指明雅各的梦的实现，在于主建造神的家。主和门徒在一起约三年之后，有一天把他们带出宗教的范围和气氛，到了所谓圣地的边界，在那里问他们一个问题：『你们说我是谁？』（太十六15。）彼得说，『你是基督，是活神的儿子。』主就说，『我还告诉你，你是石头，我要把我的召会建造在这磐石上，阴间的门不能胜过她。』（太十六16，18，另译。）主启示祂是磐石，彼得是石头。这话必定给彼得很深的印象，因为过了不久，他责备犹太匠人，似乎说，『你们犹太匠人把祂钉在十字架上，完全弃绝了那建造的石头。但神已叫祂复活，使祂成为房角的首石。』在林前三章十一节保罗说，召会是建造在基督这根基上。彼得在他第一封书信中说，所有来到主面前的人就是活石，被建造成属灵的殿。（彼前二4～5。）这就是伯特利，神的家。至终，这伯特利要扩大完成于新耶路撒冷。一面新耶路撒冷是神在人中间的帐幕；另一面神自己和羔羊在那里是殿。这是神建造的鸟瞰。
7Prior to the building of the tabernacle, however, there was the house of Israel, which was nearly the equivalent of the house of God, for in the name Israel the name God appears. The last two letters of the word Israel—el—are a Hebrew word for God. When Israel was multiplied into the house of Israel, it is implied that this house was a house for God. Therefore, the house of Israel was the house of God. The only difference was that the house of Israel was not as definitely formed as the tabernacle or the temple. Nevertheless, as long as Jacob’s family had become the house of Israel, in the eyes of God it was equal to the house of God. Eventually, among the house of Israel, there was the tabernacle and, following that, the temple, both of which were symbols of the house of Israel as God’s dwelling place. This is a history of Bethel. Later, the temple was destroyed by the Babylonian army, and the children of Israel were held in captivity seventy years. Then a decree was issued to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-3). Hence, from the beginning of the Old Testament until the end, we have just a few main things: Jacob, his house, the tabernacle, the temple, and the rebuilding of the temple. This is a bird’s- eye view of the Old Testament. A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE NEW TESTAMENT All these main points in the Old Testament are merely types. Because of this, there was the need for the Lord Jesus to come as the reality. When He came in His incarnation, He set up a tabernacle for God and tabernacled among us (John 1:14). In John chapter two He revealed to the Jews that He was not only the tabernacle but also God’stem ple (2:18-21). Thus, when He was on earth, He was both the tabernacle and the temple. When Peter, the leading apostle, was first brought to the Lord, the Lord changed his name from Simon to Cephas, which means a stone (John 1:42). In John 1:51, the Lord Jesus said to Nathanael, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” This word indicates that the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream rested upon His building the house of God. After approximately three years with His disciples, He brought them out of the religious realm and atmosphere to the border of the so-called holy land, and there He asked them this question: “Whom do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15). After Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” the Lord said, “I also say to you that you are a stone, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:16, 18, Gk.). The Lord revealed that He was the rock and that Peter was a stone. This word must have made a deep impression upon Peter, for some time later he rebuked the Jewish builders, and seemed to say, “You Jewish builders crucified Him on the cross, fully rejecting the building stone. But God has raised Him up and has made Him the head of the corner.” In 1 Corinthians 3:11 Paul says that the church is built upon Christ as the foundation, and in his first Epistle Peter says that all who come to the Lord will be living stones built together into a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:4-5). This is Bethel, the house of God. Ultimately, this Bethel will be enlarged to consummate in the New Jerusalem. On the one hand, the New Jerusalem will be the tabernacle of God among men; on the other hand, there God Himself and the Lamb will be the temple. This is the bird’s-eye view of God’s building.
主要的街道
THE MAIN STREET
8我们看任何地图，必须找出主要的街道。这建造的事是圣经中主要的街道。历经许多世纪，成千上万基督教的书籍写了出来，但多半漏掉了主要街道，而去注意小街。圣别、无罪的完全、属灵、方言并神医，都是其中的一些小街。所有注意这些事的人，都要失去目标，就是伯特利，神的家。在申命记十二章五、六节，神似乎说，『你们不可将燔祭和十分取一之物，在你们所选择的地方献上。你们必须到我选择为我名和我居所的地方去。』今天，这地方就是召会，因为在新约里我们看见，召会是神所拣选为主的名和祂居所的地方。很多有名的基督教教师说，只要两三个人在主耶稣的名里聚集，就是召会。他们这样说，因为他们是瞎眼的，没有看见主要街道的异象。为著神的建造有彻底的清理神的建造这件事有重大的意义。我对神家建造的负担，日夜不辍。我相信在要来的几年里，这负担要增强，关于神建造的信息要一篇接著一篇释放出来。今天，圣灵正从神话语的矿藏中，挖掘所有为著建造的金子。
8In looking at any map we must find the main streets. This matter of the building is the main street in the Bible. Throughout the centuries, thousands of Christian books have been written, but most of them have missed the main street. Instead, they concentrate upon the minor streets. Holiness, sinless perfection, spirituality, tongues, and healing are some of these minor streets. All those who concentrate on these things will miss the mark, which is Bethel, the house of God. In Deuteronomy 12:5 and 6, God seemed to be saying, “You must not offer your burnt offerings and tithes at the place of your choice. You must go to the place I have chosen for My name and for My habitation.” Today, this place is the church, for in the New Testament we see that the church is the place God has chosen for the Lord’s name and for His habitation. Many famous Christian teachers have said that two or three gathering together in the name of the Lord Jesus are the church. They say this because they are blind and do not see the vision of the main street. A THOROUGH CLEARANCE FOR GOD’S BUILDING This matter of God’s building is of great significance. Day and night, the burden is coming concerning the building of God’sho use. I believe that in the next few years this burden will increase, and that message after message will be given on God’s building. Today, the Holy Spirit is digging all the gold for the building out of the mine of the Word
9下篇信息我们要看见，神叫雅各起来，上伯特利之后，雅各作了些甚么。他作了一次彻底的清理，不但对他自己，也对他全家。今天很少基督徒有这样的清理。当雅各和他的家人从拉班那里偷偷逃跑的时候，他所爱的妻子拉结，偷了家中的偶像。（创三一34。）创世记三十五章以前，没有告诉我们雅各对这事作了甚么，他容许他的妻子带著这可憎之物。但是当神告诉他上伯特利之后，『雅各就对他家中的人，并一切与他同在的人说，你们要除掉你们中间的外邦神，也要自洁，更换衣裳。』（创三五2。）他们不但除掉外邦神，也更换衣裳，就是脱去旧人，穿上新人。（弗四22～24。）创世记三十五章四节说，『他们就把手中外邦人的神像，和他们耳朵上的环子，交给雅各；雅各都藏在示剑那里的橡树底下。』（另译。）这里我们看见，耳环等于偶像，雅各把二者都埋藏了。雅各作了这彻底的清理，告诉属他的人说，他们要上伯特利去，在那里筑一座坛给神。（创三五3。）
9In the next message we shall see what Jacob did after God told him to arise and go up to Bethel. He made a thorough clearance, not only with respect to himself but with respect to his entire household. Few Christians today have had this kind of clearance. When Jacob and his family stole away from Laban, Rachel, his beloved wife, stole the family idols (31:34). Prior to chapter thirty - five, we are not told that Jacob did anything about it. He simply tolerated his wife’s bringing this abomination with her. But after God told him to go up to Bethel, “Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your garments” (35:2, Heb.). They not only put away the foreign gods; they also changed their garments, that is, they put off the old man and put on the new man (Eph. 4:22-24). Genesis 35:4 says, “And they gave unto Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem” (Heb.). Here we see that earrings are equal to idols and that Jacob buried them both. Jacob made this thorough clearance, telling his people that they were going up to Bethel and that there they would make an altar unto God (35:3).
召会是帐幕
THE CHURCH AS THE TABERNACLE
10很久以后，帐幕建造了起来，有很多项目与帐幕有关。在外院有祭坛和洗濯盆；在圣所有陈设饼桌子、灯台和香坛；在至圣所有见证的柜，包含金罐、发芽的杖和见证的版。这些都是为著伯特利。雅各一生中的每一步都与伯特利有关。这是豫表。今天在召会中我们有伯特利，因为召会乃是满了内容的帐幕。在召会中有祭坛、洗濯盆、陈设饼桌子、灯台、香坛和见证的柜。帐幕里的每件东西都是为著建造召会。
10Much later, the tabernacle was built. Many items are related to the tabernacle. In the outer court there were the altar and the laver; in the Holy Place there were the showbread table, the lampstand, and the incense altar; and in the Holy of Holies there was the ark of testimony containing the golden pot, the budding rod, and the tables of testimony. All this is for Bethel. Every step of Jacob’s life was involved with Bethel. This is a type. Today, we have Bethel in the church, because the church is the tabernacle filled with content. In the church we have the altar, the laver, the showbread table, the lampstand, the incense altar, and the ark of testimony. Everything in the tabernacle is for the building of the church
我们需要看见一个管治的异象
OUR NEED TO SEE A GOVERNING VISION
11我们都需要祷告说，『主阿，给我看见这管治的异象。哦，我需要这个鸟瞰。』在这异象中我们有一切－圣别、属灵、恩赐、神医。现在我们能看见，为甚么在十九个世纪以后主耶稣还没有回来。祂没有回来，因为伯特利还没有扎实的被建造起来。主已经并仍在等候祂建造的完成。在马太十六章十八节祂说，『我要建造我的召会，』这话不能落空，必要成就。今天我们的负担就是为此。当我核对我的灵，这负担就日以继夜的来到。这负担不是一个道理，乃是主对召会的建造。我们都必须说，『主阿，帮助我脱开一切别的事物；主阿，我只关心你召会的建造。』这是主今天的恢复。这是伯特利的建造，是雅各的梦的实现。我们的负担就是为此。
11We all need to pray, “Lord, show me this governing vision. Oh, I need to see this bird’s-eye view.” Here in this vision we have everything — holiness, spirituality, gifts, healing. Now we can see why, after nineteen centuries, the Lord Jesus still has not come back. He has not come back because Bethel has not yet been solidly built. The Lord has been and still is waiting for the consummation of His building. In Matthew 16:18 He said, “I will build My church.” This word cannot be in vain; it will certainly be fulfilled. Our burden today is for this. As I check with my spirit, day after day and night after night the burden is coming. This burden is not a matter of a doctrine, but of the Lord’s building of His church. We all must say, “Lord, help me to get through all other things. Lord, I only care for the building of Your church.” This is the Lord’s recovery today. This is the building of Bethel and the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream. We are burdened for this.
12我从一九三二年起就参加擘饼聚会，我能见证我从未像今天晚上这样享受擘饼聚会。这也指明主要把我们从一切次要的事转到祂主要的目标－伯特利。在你进入召会生活以前，参加公会中所谓的圣餐，你听过一、基督的身体、伯特利么？但今天晚上在主的桌子前，我们向全宇宙宣告，我们是一，我们是伯特利，是神的家。谁能否认这事？当我们这样宣告的时候，我们有完全的满足，证明主满意伯特利，满意祂家的建造。弟兄姊妹，我们都必须为著这负担豫备自己。从今以后，我们要看见主为著建造祂的召会，驰骋全地。祂要完全应验祂的豫言－『我要建造我的召会。』
12I have been attending the Lord’stable meeting since 1932. I can testify that I have never enjoyed a meeting at the Lord’stable as I have to night. This is another indication that the Lord is about to turn us from all minor things to His major goal—Bethel. When you were attending the so-called communion in the denominations before you came into the church life, did you ever hear of oneness, of the Body, of Bethel? But tonight at the Lord’stable meeting we declared to the whole universe that we are one and that we are Bethel, the house of God. Who can deny this? When we make this declaration, we have the full satisfaction, the proof, that the Lord is satisfied with Bethel, with the building of His house. Brothers and sisters, we all must prepare ourselves for this burden. From now on, we shall see the Lord riding throughout the whole earth for the building of His church. He will absolutely fulfill His prophecy—”I will build My church