Books
创世记生命读经 · 第82篇

被变化（五）（f）雅各的作为

BEING TRANSFORMED (5) f) Jacob’s Doing
《一》建造一根柱子
1) Building a Pillar
1在本篇信息中，我们仍然要思想伯特利的经历。在创世记三十五章十四节，雅各在伯特利终于立了一根石柱，像他第一次在伯特利作梦以后所作的一样。（创二八18。）在那里这根石柱称为神的家。（创二八22。）倘若雅各没有称这石柱为神的家，我们绝不会知道这石柱是为著建造神的家。我们会以为那不过是石块。但现在我们知道，这石头能成为家。这指明这根石柱要成为一个建筑，就是神的家。在创世记中有两种柱子－石柱（创二八18，三五14）和盐柱。（创十九26。）你要作那一种柱子？当然我们都要作石柱。石柱指明有力量的建造。所罗门将两根柱子立在殿廊前头，（王上七21，）第一根柱子名叫雅斤，意思是『祂要建立；』第二根柱子名叫波阿斯，意思是『其中有力量。』石柱不仅指明建造，也指明有力量的建造。盐柱指明羞耻，因为盐柱对神的目的没有用处。罗得的妻子是神所呼召的一个子民，成了一根羞耻的柱子。她本该是建造的材料，但因著堕落成了羞耻的材料。在研读这卷书的过程中，我们一再看见，创世记中几乎每件事，都是在圣经以后各卷书中发展之真理的种子。研读创世记的方法，是在圣经后面各卷书中找出创世记所有的点。研读启示录的方法正好相反。你若要明白启示录，就必须在前面各卷书中追溯启示录的各点。在本篇信息中，我们需要追查柱子这粒种子的发展。
1In this message we shall still dwell on the experience at Bethel. In 35:14, at Bethel Jacob eventually set up a pillar of stone as he did after having the dream when he was at Bethel the first time (28:18). There, this pillar of stone was called the house of God (28:22). If Jacob had not called this pillar the house of God, we would never realize that the pillar of stone was for the building of God’sho use. We would think that it was simply a mass of rock. But now we know that this stone can become a house. This indicates that the pillar will become a building, the house of God. In the book of Genesis, there are two kinds of pillars— the pillar of stone (28:18; 35:14) and the pillar of salt (19:26). Which kind of pillar do you want to be? Certainly, we all want to be pillars of stone. The pillar of stone indicates building in strength. Solomon set up two pillars in the porch of the temple (1 Kings 7:21). The first pillar was named Jachin, which means, “He shall establish,” and the second was named Boaz, which means, “In it is strength.” The pillar of stone not only indicates building, but building in strength. The pillar of salt indicates shame, for a pillar of salt is useless for God’s purpose. Lot’s wife, who was one of God’scall ed people, became a pillar of shame. She should have been building material, but due to her degradation she became shameful material. During the course of this life-study, we have seen again and again that nearly everything in this book is a seed of the truth that is developed in the following books of the Bible. The way to study Genesis is to trace all its points in the subsequent books of the Bible. The way to study the book of Revelation is just the opposite. If you would understand Revelation, you must trace its points backward in the foregoing books. In this message we need to follow the development of the seed of the pillar
《1》概述《a》为著殿
a) A General Sketch aa. For the Temple
2所罗门建殿以后，特意加上两根柱子。照我们天然的观念，我们会以为所罗门应该先立柱子，然后建造殿。但他是在建造殿以后，继续造了两根柱子，立在殿前。（王上七15～。）我们若能看到那殿，我们的眼晴首先注意的不是殿本身，乃是这两根柱子。这两根柱子的大小，似乎与殿的大小不相称。柱子与殿的大小不相称是很有意义的。这指明殿中的两根柱子好像巨大的标示牌。今天我们走近一个建筑，常看到一个招牌，标明那是甚么建筑。同样的，在圣殿前有两根柱子，说出『神要建立，』以及『其中有力量。』这两根柱子向全宇宙，包括人类、撒但、以及所有堕落的天使宣告，耶和华建立，并且力量是在建造里。圣经著重的说，第一根柱子名叫雅斤，第二根柱子名叫波阿斯。我们已经指出，雅斤这名意即『祂要建立，』波阿斯这名意即『其中有力量。』这清楚启示，神家的建造完全在于柱子。这就是雅各没有建造神的殿，只立了一根柱子的原因。在创世记二十八章，雅各还是一个抓夺的人，然而，这个抓夺的人得著了异象和异象的解释。他立了一根柱子，称之为神的家，藉以解释他的异象，就是他的梦。这个解释比但以理解尼布甲尼撒的梦强多了。但以理只有解释，没有设立甚么，或采取甚么行动。然而，雅各不仅口头解梦说，『这是神的家；』并且立了一根柱子，称之为神的家。一个没有悔改，没有重生，没有变化过的抓夺者雅各，怎能作出这样奇妙的事？然而他竟然作了。我们都必须说，『雅各，谢谢你开启了天，使我们能看见神的家。』为著建造神的家，一个抓夺的人开启了天。我相信这事，因为圣经这样告诉我们。我不信靠我的观念，因为照我的观念，一个抓夺的人不可能这么作。我很容易相信，像但以理那样敬虔、虔诚、每天祷告的人能解释属灵的梦。但一个抓夺的人这样作，似乎既不公正，也不合逻辑。但他很自然的作了这事，这完全是恩典。正如罗马九章十一节指明，这『不是本于行为，乃是本于那呼召人的。』罗马九章十三节说，『雅各是我所爱的，以扫是我所恨的。』恩典不是公平不公平的事。不要问神说，『神，你为甚么恨以扫？在我看来以扫比雅各好，你爱雅各恨以扫是不公平的。』对此神会回答：『我就是爱雅各恨以扫，你有甚么可说？我有立场恨，我也有恩典爱。』你是谁？是以扫，还是雅各？是个好人，还是个抓夺者？我们都必须承认，我们是雅各，是抓脚跟的人，是抓夺者。召会满了抓脚跟的人。你若不是抓脚跟的人，你会失去神的恩典。我们是真正抓脚跟的人，但我们是在恩典中抓脚跟的人。没有人能否认这点。我能大声宣告：『赞美主，我是在恩典中抓脚跟的人，恩典使我不一样。』
2After Solomon built the temple, he purposely added the two pillars. According to our natural concept, we would think that Solomon should firstly have built the pillars and then the temple. But it was after he had built the temple that he proceeded to build two pillars and to place them in front of the temple (1 Kings 7:15-22). If we 22 could have seen that temple, our eyes would have firstly attended, not to the temple itself, but to these two pillars. The size of these pillars is seemingly out of proportion to the size of the temple. The disproportionate size of the pillars is significant. It indicates that the two pillars in the temple are like a huge signboard. Today, when we approach a certain building, there is a sign designating what that building is. Likewise, in front of the temple were two pillars which said, “God shall establish,” and, “In it is strength.” These two pillars declare to the whole universe, including mankind, Satan, and all the fallen angels, that the Lord establishes and that strength is in the building. The Bible emphatically says that the first pillar is called Jachin and the second Boaz. We have pointed out that the name Jachin means, “He shall establish” and that the name Boaz means, “In it is strength.” This reveals clearly that the building of God’sho use is altogether dependent on the pillar. This is the reason that Jacob did not build the house of God, but only set up a pillar. In chapter twenty-eight, Jacob was still a supplanter. Nevertheless, this supplanter received both the vision and the interpretation of the vision. He interpreted his vision, his dream, by setting up a pillar and calling it God’sho use. This interpretation was much better than Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. Daniel merely interpreted; he did not set up anything or take any action. Jacob, however, not only interpreted his dream verbally, saying, “This is the house of God”; he also set up a pillar and called it the house of God. How could Jacob, an unrepentant, unregenerated, and untransformed supplanter, have done such a wonderful thing? Nevertheless, he did it, and we all must say, “Thank you, Jacob, for opening the heavens that we might see the house of God.” For the building of God’s house, the heavens were opened by a supplanter. I believe this because the Bible tells us so. I do not trust in my concept, for according to my concept, it would be impossible for a supplanter to do this. I could easily believe that a godly and pious person like Daniel, a man who prayed daily, could have interpreted a spiritual dream. But it seems neither fair nor logical for a supplanter to do this. But he did it spontaneously. This is absolutely a matter of grace. As Romans 9:11 indicates, it is “not of works, but of Him who calls.” Romans 9:13 says, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Grace is not a matter of fairness. Do not question God, saying, “God, why do You hate Esau? To me Esau is better than Jacob. It is unfair for You to love Jacob and hate Esau.” To this, God would reply, “I simply love Jacob and hate Esau. What do you have to say about this? When I hate, I have the position to hate, and when I love, I have the grace to love.” Who are you—Esau or Jacob, a good man or a supplanter? We all must confess that we are Jacobs, heel-holders, supplanters. The church is filled with heel-holders. If you are not a heel-holder, you will miss God’s grace. We are true heel-holders, but we are heel-holders in grace. No one can deny this. I can shout and declare, “Praise the Lord that I am a heel- holder in grace. Grace makes me different.”
3虽然雅各在创世记二十八章是个抓夺的人，但我们来到四十八章的时候，看见这个抓夺的人，已经完全变化成为属神的人。这个属神的人就是柱子。就一面说，神的家是用这根柱子建造的。当你进入宇宙中神的殿，你首先看见的就是这个神人，这个以色列，站在神的建筑前。当雅各变化成为以色列以后，他站在神的建筑前，作神家的标示牌。
3Although in chapter twenty-eight Jacob was a supplanter, by the time we come to chapter forty- eight we see that this supplanter has been thoroughly transformed into a man of God. This man of God is the pillar. In a sense, the house of God was built with this pillar. When you enter into the temple of God in the universe, the first thing you see is this God-man, this Israel standing before God’s building. After Jacob was transformed into Israel, he stood in front of God’s building as a signboard of God’sho use
《b》为著召会的建造
bb. For the Building of the Church
4当我们往前到新约，我们看见主耶稣藉著成为肉体而来，祂的成为肉体就是支搭帐幕。（约一14。）这个帐幕支搭起来，使神可以居住在人中间，这是殿的前身。你看到一个小孩，就知道他要长大成人。同样，你看到帐幕，就知道殿要来到。耶稣作帐幕，乃是神的殿不久就要出现的指标。这就是为甚么主将首批门徒的代表西门，改名为矶法，矶法的意思是一块石头。（约一42。）在马太十六章十五至十八节，主题出一个问题：『你们说我是谁？』彼得回答说，『你是基督，是活神的儿子。』以后，主耶稣回答说，『你是一块石头。』（直译。）主似乎说，『我是基督，是磐石，你是一块石头，要建造在我身上，为著建造我的召会。』后来彼得在他第一封书信中说，『你们…也就像活石，被建造成属灵的殿。』（彼前二4～5。）再看使徒保罗的事例。他原先是反对神建造的人，尽其所能的逼迫、毁坏，使神的建造荒废。但他在往大马色的路上去逼迫召会时，被主得著，不仅成了建造的材料，并且成了一个智慧的工头。（林前三10。）
4As we proceed to the New Testament, we see that the Lord Jesus came through incarnation. His incarnation was the erecting of a tabernacle (John 1:14). This tabernacle, which was erected that God might dwell among men, was a precursor of the temple. When you see a little boy, you know that a full-grown man is coming. Likewise, when you see the tabernacle, you realize that the temple is coming. As the tabernacle, Jesus was the indicator that God’s temple was soon to appear. This is why the Lord changed the name of Simon, the representative of the first group of disciples, to Cephas, which means a stone (John 1:42). In Matthew 16:18, after Peter had answered the Lord’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” by saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” the Lord Jesus responded, “You are a stone” (Gk.). The Lord seemed to be saying, “I am Christ, the rock, and you are a stone to be built upon Me for the building up of My church.” In his first Epistle, Peter later said, “You yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5). Consider also the case of the Apostle Paul. Formerly, he was an opposer of God’s building, doing everything possible to persecute, damage, and lay it waste. But as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church, he was caught by the Lord and became not only the material for the building, but also a wise masterbuilder (1 Cor. 3:10).
5在加拉太二章九节保罗说，雅各、矶法、约翰被视为柱石。当时，他们被圣徒尊为柱石。王上七章二十一节的柱子，是指旧约中神殿的建造；但加拉太二章九节的柱石，是指新约中神家的建造。很多基督徒知道彼得、约翰是门徒和使徒，但很少人知道他们也是柱石。他们不仅是受主训练的门徒，是训练、教导、造就别人的使徒；他们更是柱石，是新约中神建造的标示牌。你若到彼得、约翰、雅各面前，他们不会向你宣明道理或宗教；正如圣殿前的柱子不是宣明宗教、教训或诫命，乃是宣明殿，照样，他们也要宣明神的家。任何人看见圣殿前的两根柱子，立刻知道圣殿在那里。同样，我们看见彼得、雅各、约翰，就知道神家的建造在那里。很多基督徒带著有色眼镜看东西。你对他们说到彼得，他们就想他是使徒。你有没有彼得是柱石的观念？多年来，我每想到彼得、约翰，就认为他们是使徒，不是刚强的柱石。然而最近主大大改了我的观念，现在我每想到彼得、雅各、约翰，就想到三根大柱子立在我面前。我们看见这些柱子，不是想到宗教或道理；我们是想到神的家。这些柱子立在宇宙中，是宣告伯特利，神的殿。
5In Galatians 2:9 Paul said that James, Cephas, and John were reputed to be pillars. At that time, they were respected by the saints as pillars. The pillars in 1 Kings 7:21 refer to the building of the temple of God in the Old Testament, but the pillars in Galatians 2:9 refer to the building of God’sho use in the New Testament. Many Christians realize that Peter and John were disciples and apostles, but not many realize that they were also pillars. They were not only disciples discipled by the Lord and apostles who discipled, taught, and edified others; they were also pillars, signboards of God’s building in the New Testament. If you came to Peter, John, and James, they would not declare doctrine or religion to you. Instead, just as the pillars in front of the temple did not declare religion, teachings, or commandments, but the temple, so they would declare the house of God. When anyone saw the two pillars in front of the temple, they immediately realized that the temple was there. Likewise, when we see Peter, James, and John, we realize that the building of God’sho use is there. Many Christians view things through colored glasses. When you speak to them of Peter, they simply think of him as an apostle. Do you have the concept that Peter is a pillar? For years, whenever I thought of Peter and John, I considered them as apostles, not as strong pillars. Recently, however, the Lord has revolutionized my concept. Now whenever I think of Peter, James, and John, I think of three large columns standing before me. When we see these columns, we do not think of religion or doctrine; we think of the house of God. These pillars stand in the universe to declare Bethel, God’stem ple
《c》在新耶路撒冷
cc. In the New Jerusalem
6不要以为我在柱子的事上，把圣经寓意化了。G－o－d三个英文字母拼起来成为God（神）。D－o－g三个英文字母拼起来成为Dog（狗）。这不是寓意化，这是阅读。神是最高明的排字者，祂印好了一些很清楚的字，叫我们懂得。首先在创世记十九章二十六节，祂排了一根消极的柱子，就是盐柱。神题起这根消极的柱子，是问我们要不要变成一根盐柱。在二十八章有石柱，王上七章有两根柱子在圣殿前。在加拉太二章九节又题到柱石。这一次与新约中神的殿有关。在启示录三章十二节主又说到柱子：『得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子。』这节经文的柱子并不是指旧约或新约中的殿，乃是指要来国度和永世里的新耶路撒冷。神的殿有三个阶段，三个时代：旧约阶段、新约阶段、以及国度和永世阶段。王上七章说到7旧约阶段，加拉太二章九节说到新约阶段，启示录三章十二节说到神在国度时代和永世里的建造。这是神排字的方法。我们把G－o－d放在一起，就读出God（神）。同样，我们把王上七章二十一节、加拉太二章九节和启示录三章十二节放在一起，我们就能说，『现在我知道，雅各在解释神的家，伯特利的异象时，为甚么立了一根柱子。这根柱子是神家的指标，标示，名称。』
6Do not think that in this matter of the pillars I am allegorizing the Bible. The letters G-o-d spell “God,” and the letters d-o-g spell “dog.” This is not allegorization; it is reading. God, who is the best typesetter, has printed some very clear words for our understanding. Firstly, in Genesis 19:26 He typeset a negative pillar, the pillar of salt. By mentioning this negative pillar, God is asking us whether we want to become a pillar of salt. In chapter twenty-eight, we have the pillar of stone, and in 1 Kings 7 we have the two pillars in front of the temple. In Galatians 2:9 pillars are mentioned again, this time with respect to the temple of God in the New Testament. In Revelation 3:12, the Lord again speaks of the pillar, saying, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God.” The pillar in this verse does not refer to the temple in either the Old Testament or the New Testament, but to the New Jerusalem in the coming kingdom and in eternity. The temple of God is in three stages, three dispensations: the Old Testament stage, the New Testament stage, and the stage in the kingdom and in eternity. First Kings covers the Old Testament stage, Galatians 2:9 covers the New Testament stage, and Revelation 3:12 covers God’s building in the kingdom age and in eternity. This is God’sway of typesetting. We put G-o-d together and we read the word “God.” Likewise, as we put 1 Kings 7:21, Galatians 2:9, and Revelation 3:12 together, we can say, “Now I understand why, in interpreting his vision of God’sho use, Bethel, Jacob set up a pillar. The pillar is an indicator, a signboard, a designation, of the house of God.”
7在王上七章二十一节只有两根柱子，在加拉太二章九节只有三根柱石。在要来的世代有多少根柱子？这数字不是要主写，乃是要你我写。没有人知道会有多少根柱子。我们只能说，『谁愿意，谁就能。』无论谁愿意，谁就能成为神殿中的柱子。门是敞开的；不像一些著名的大学，只接受有限的申请人。对那些愿意，并可以在来世作神殿中柱子的人，数目是没有限制的。其数无论是一千或一百万，都是开放的。如果这数目限于二，我们就都没有机会了，我们就没有希望作柱子了。但这数目没有限制－『谁愿意，谁就能。』你愿意作柱子么？我愿意。主是何等怜悯了我们！请想想帐幕中至圣所的大小，牠是长、宽、高各十肘的立方体。（出二六8，16。）圣殿中的至圣所比较大，是长、宽，高各二十肘的立方体。(王上六2０。)但想想要来之新耶路撒冷中的至圣所有多大。整座城乃是扩大的至圣所，（启二一，）长宽高都是一万二千斯泰底亚(约二千二百二十公里，约从洛杉矶至德州的距离)为著小小的至圣所，两根柱子就彀了。但为著扩大的至圣所，需要多少根柱子？答案是『谁愿意，谁就能。』那里有你的位子。你如果不愿占有，在永世里就有空位了。
7In 1 Kings 7:21 there were just two pillars, and in Galatians 3:9 there were only three pillars. How many pillars will there be in the coming age? The number will not be written by the Lord, but by you and me. No one knows how many pillars there will be. We can only say, “Whosoever will may be.” Whosoever will may be a pillar in the temple of God. The door is wide open. Unlike certain outstanding universities who only accept a limited number of their applicants, there is no limitation to the number who desire to be and may become pillars in the temple of God in the coming age. The number, whether it be a thousand or a million, is open. If the number were limited to two, none of us would have an opportunity. It would be hopeless for us to be pillars. But the number is not limited—it is, “Whosoever will may be.” Are you willing to be made a pillar? I am. What mercy the Lord has upon us! Consider the size of the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. It was a cube of ten cubits in each dimension (Exo. 26:8, 16). The Holy of Holies in the temple was somewhat larger, being a cube of twenty cubits in each dimension (1 Kings 6:20). But consider how large the Holy of Holies in the coming New Jerusalem will be. The entire city, which is twelve thousand stadia in length, breadth, and height, (approximately 1, 3 6 3 miles, about the 16 distance from Los Angeles to Dallas) will be an enlarged Holy of Holies (Rev. 21:16). For the small Holy of Holies, two pillars were sufficient. But how many pillars will be needed for the enlarged Holy of Holies? The answer is, “Whosoever will may be.” There is a place for you. If you would not occupy this place, there would be a vacancy in eternity.
8我研读圣经已经五十多年，圣经太深奥了，没有人能完全懂得。我信我在本篇信息中所供应你们的，是从这本书的深处挖掘出来的。在旧约中，两根柱子指明神的殿；在新约中，三根柱石表明神的建造。但在要来的国度和永世的新耶路撒冷中、柱子是无数的。今天谁愿意，谁就能成为其中的一根柱子。
8I have been reading and studying the Bible for more than fifty years. The Bible is too profound, and no one can understand it to the uttermost. I believe that what I am ministering to you in this message has been mined from the depths of this book. In the Old Testament, two pillars indicated the temple of God, and in the New Testament, three pillars declared God’s building. But the pillars in the coming kingdom and in the New Jerusalem in eternity will be numberless. Today, whosoever will may be one of these pillars
《d》需要在伯特利
dd. The Need to Be in Bethel
9现在我们需要来看怎样成为柱子。我信无论老少，大家都急于知道这一点。你若要知道怎样成为柱子，你必须看五处不同的地方：罗得妻子变成盐柱的地方，雅各在伯特利竖立柱子的地方，所罗门建立两根柱子的地方，成为新约召会柱石的彼得、雅各、约翰的地方，以及在非拉铁非召会的地方，在那里我们看见，无论谁愿意，谁就能作柱子。你的位置是罗得妻子的位置么？对这问题，你应当确定的说，『不！』但你的位置是雅各的位置么？是殿中两根柱子的位置么？是新约中三根柱石的位置么？是启示录三章十二节在非拉铁非那些人的位置么？对此你必须回答：『是。』因为你的位置必须在这四处的每一个地方。首先你需要有雅各的地位，然后有所罗门柱子的地位，然后有三根柱石的地位，最后有非拉铁非的地位。你若要在要来的新耶路撒冷中作柱子，你就必须逃避罗得妻子的地方。只要你和她在一起，你就无法成为柱石。要回想主在路加十七章三十二节的警告：『你们要回想罗得的妻子。』今天许多基督徒是在罗得妻子的地位上。甚至我们中间有的人也是这样。许多人似乎不关心他们要成为盐柱还是石柱。但你必须关心。如果你现在不关心，将来有一天必定会关心。有一天你不但要为你的冷淡悔改，并且要后悔莫及。我们逃开罗得妻子的地位以后，必须来到伯特利。已往五十年中，神使我们对伯特利有负担。我们不能离开召会。为这缘故我们被人定罪，说我们对召会太极端了。他们指摘我们太注重召会，而不关心传福音、教圣经、或别种基督教的工作。我对这种指摘的回答是这样：『我还不彀为召会，我还不彀为召会「发疯。」』不要以为这是我的观念。你若读新约，就会看见那些柱子－彼得、雅各、约翰，以及保罗－为著神的建造发疯。历年来，很多人与我辩论说，『只要我们传福音，得灵魂，教人读圣经，帮助他们爱主，不是彀好了么？』我的回答是：『召会在那里？在马太十六章十八节主耶稣说，我要建造我的召会。这个建造的召会在那里？主的话能不成就么？祂要在甚么地方，用甚么人，藉甚么方法建造祂的召会？』现在就是建造召会的时候。主现今正在这里用我们建造祂的召会。许多基督徒专注意研究豫言。最大的豫言是主在马太十六章十八节的话－我要建造我的召会。不要满脑子是以色列、敌基督、复兴的罗马帝国或十角。你必须全心注意主在马太十六章十八节的宣告。历代以来，甚至在今天，这个召会还没有建造起来。因此我们对召会有负担。
9Now we need to consider how to become a pillar. I believe that all of us, young and old alike, are eager to know this. If you would know how to be a pillar, you must consider five different places: the place of Lot’s wife, who became a pillar of salt; the place where Jacob set up the pillar at Bethel; the place of Solomon, where he built the two pillars; the place of Peter, James, and John, who were pillars of the New Testament church; and the place of the church in Philadelphia, where we see that whosoever will may be a pillar. Is your position that of Lot’s wife? To this question, you should certainly answer, “No!” But is your position that of Jacob, the two pillars in the temple, the three pillars in the New Testament, and that of the ones in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:12? To this, you must answer, “Yes,” for your position must be in each of these four places. Firstly, you need to take the position of Jacob, then the position of Solomon’s pillars, then the position of the three pillars, and finally the position of Philadelphia. If you would be a pillar in the coming New Jerusalem, you must escape the place of Lot’s wife. As long as you stay with her, you cannot be a pillar of stone. Recall the Lord’s warning in Luke 17:32: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Today, many Christians are in the position of Lot’s wife. This is even true of some of us. It seems that many do not care whether they become a pillar of salt or a pillar of stone. But you must care. If you do not care now, you will care someday. Someday, you will not only repent of your indifference, but also regret it. After we have escaped the position of Lot’s wife, we must come to Bethel. During the past fifty years, we have been burdened by God with Bethel. We simply cannot keep away from the church. We have been condemned for this and people have said that we are too extreme regarding the church. They accuse us of being too much for the church and of not caring for gospel preaching, Bible teaching, or other types of Christian work. My answer to this accusation is this: “I am not yet enough for the church. I am not ‘crazy’ enough for the church.” Do not think that this is my concept. If you read your New Testament, you will see that the pillars — Peter, James, John, as well as Paul — were “crazy” for God’s building. Through the years, many have argued with me, saying, “As long as we preach the gospel, win souls, teach people the Bible, and help them to love the Lord, isn’tt his good enough?” My answer is, “Where is the church? In Matthew 16:18 the Lord Jesus said, ‘I will build My church.’ Where is this builded church? Can the Lord’sword fail to be fulfilled? Where, with whom, and by what way will He build His church?” Now is the time for the building of the church. Here and now, with us, the Lord is building His church. Many Christians devote their attention to the study of prophecy. The greatest prophecy is the Lord’sword in Matthew 16:18—“I will build My church.” Do not be occupied with Israel, Antichrist, the restored Roman Empire, or the ten horns. Rather, you must devote your full attention to the Lord’s declaration in Matthew 16:18. Throughout the centuries, and even today, this church has not yet been built up. Because of this, we are burdened about the church.
10你若要作石柱，你必须在伯特利。伯特利是惟一的地方。罗得妻子的地方是成为羞耻的柱子的地方，伯特利是成为建造的柱子正确的地方。有的基督徒听见这话，他们会说，『李弟兄，你的意思是只有在召会中的人才能成为石柱么？我们不在召会中的人怎样呢？』我的回答是：『成为柱子最可靠的方法是进到召会中。』我们都熟知保险的需要。你可能彀幸运，绝不发生意外，但投保还是明智的。那些在召会以外的人与我辩论这件事，我常说，『朋友，我里面有平安。我的路对不对，我实在并不关心。但我知道，只要我留在这条路上，我就很平安。你呢？你在与我辩论的时候，你有平安么？』很多人就说，『我没有平安。』于是我回答说，『为甚么我有平安，你没有平安？因为你不在这条路上。请不要与我辩论。』对于我们所有的基督徒朋友，我要说这句话：『来到伯特利，进入召会。这是最好的保险公司。在这里我们都保了险。』在创世记二十八和三十五章，雅各在伯特利，在神的家立了一根柱子，这是很有意义的。今天神的家就是召会。在提前三章十五节保罗说，『倘若我耽延，你也可以知道在神的家中当怎样行；这家就是活神的召会，真理的柱石和根基。』你若要作石柱，就必须在伯特利这里。
10If you would be a pillar of stone, you must be in Bethel. Bethel is the unique place. The place of Lot’s wife is the right position to become a pillar of shame, and Bethel is the proper place to become a pillar for the building. When some Christians hear this, they will say, “Brother Lee, do you mean that only those in the church can become pillars of stone? What about those of us who are not in the church?” My answer is, “The surest way to become a pillar is to get into the church.” We are all familiar with the need for insurance. You may be fortunate enough never to have an accident, but it is still wise to have insurance. When those outside the church argue with me about this matter, I have often said, “Friend, I have peace within me. Whether my way is right or wrong I really do not care. But I know that as long as I remain on this way, I am at peace. How about you? While you are arguing with me, do you have peace?” Many have said, “No, I don’th ave peace.” Then I have replied, “Why do I have peace, yet you don’th ave it? It is because you are not on the way. Please don’t argue with me.” To all our Christian friends, I would say this word: “Come to Bethel and get into the church. This is the best insurance company. Here we are all insured.” It is significant that, in chapters twenty-eight and thirty-five, Jacob set up a pillar in Bethel, in the house of God. Today, the house of God is the church. In 1 Timothy 3:15 Paul said, “But if I delay, that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.” If you would be a pillar of stone, you must be here in Bethel.
《e》两次到伯特利
ee. Coming to Bethel Twice
11雅各两次来到伯特利。照我的经历，这指明我们都曾两次进入召会。第一次是在梦中来的，第二次是真的来了。一九二五年，我有过一次很清楚的梦，但直到七年后，在一九三二年我才进入召会生活的实际和实行。你们很多人和我有类似的经历。当你第一次进入召会，有很长一段时间是一个梦。你也许在梦中过了许多年。但在那些年以后，就不再是梦，你能说，『哦，我是真正实际的在召会生活中了。已往的年间是一个梦。感谢主，保守我在这梦中。但现在我有实际的经历了。』雅各先是作了一个梦，二十多年以后，他才被带到经历中。你若比较创世记二十八和三十五章，你会看见其间有很大的不同。在二十八章，每一件事都是个梦，多少有点糢糊，并不确定。但在三十五章的经历中，每一件事都很确定而实际。无论如何，我们感谢主，起初的梦是一幅真实的图画。在实际里的每一件事和在梦中的一样。在这点上没有不同，惟一不同的是梦不确定，真实的经历确定。我们需要梦，也需要实际。赞美主，今天我们是在召会生活的实际中。
11Jacob came to Bethel twice. According to my experience, this indicates that we all come into the church twice. The first time we come in a dream, and the second time we come in actuality. In 1925, I had a clear dream, but it was not until seven years later, in 1932, that I came into the actuality and practicality of the church life. Many of you have had a similar experience. When you first came into the church, it was, for quite a period of time, a dream. You might have been in a dream for a number of years. But after those years, it was no longer a dream, and you could say, “Oh, I am actually and practically in the church life. The past years have been a dream. Thank the Lord for keeping me in this dream, but now I have the actual experience.” Firstly, Jacob had the dream. More than twenty years later, he was brought into the experience. If you compare chapters twenty-eight and thirty-five, you will see a great difference between them. Everything in chapter twenty-eight, being a dream, is somewhat vague; nothing is definite. In the experience in chapter thirty-five, however, everything is definite and practical. Nevertheless, we thank the Lord that the dream in the beginning was a true picture. Everything in the reality is the same as that in the dream. In this, there is no difference. The only difference is that the dream is indefinite and that the actuality is definite. We need both the dream and the practicality. We praise the Lord that today we are in the practicality of the church life
12在创世记三十五章伯特利实际的经历中，雅各不仅立了一根柱子，并且在上面浇奠祭。在二十八章没有浇奠祭，只有浇油。但这里在浇油之前，先浇奠祭。这个经历是非常主观的。在伯特利我们先有梦，后有实际。在实际中，我们建造一根柱子，并将自己浇奠在上面。这是非常有意义的。雅各没有将奠祭浇在自己身上，或浇在地上；他乃是将奠祭浇在柱子上。我们在下篇信息中要更多来看这一点。
12In the practicality of Bethel in chapter thirty-five, Jacob not only set up a pillar, but poured a drink offering upon it. In chapter twenty-eight there was no pouring out of a drink offering, only the pouring out of oil. But here, prior to the pouring out of the oil, there was the pouring out of the drink offering. This experience is very subjective. In Bethel, we firstly have the dream and then the actuality. In the actuality we build a pillar and pour ourselves upon it. This is very meaningful. Jacob did not pour out the drink offering upon himself or upon the earth; he poured it out upon the pillar. We shall see more of this in another message
《f》我们在其上安息的基督构成为柱子
ff. The Christ on Whom We Rest Being Constituted into a Pillar
13按照创世记二十八章十八节，雅各『将所枕的石头立作柱子。』那根柱子是他用来作过枕头的石头。这石头描述基督是我们的安息。雅各在家里没有作过这梦，他是在旅途中作了这梦。我们像雅各一样，也是客旅。当我们在旅途中，我们看见了召会的异象。每一个在旅途中的人都很疲倦，需要休息。我们在那里能找到这安息？答案是主在马11:28:太十一章二十八节的话：『凡劳苦担重担的，可以到我这里来，我必使你们得安息。』基督就是那石头，我们疲倦的头可以枕在其上，并且寻得安息。我们在其上安息的基督，乃是柱子的构成成分。我们自己不是建造柱子的材料。这材料必须是我们在其上安息并经历的基督。这材料乃是作到我们这构成柱子之人里面的基督。
13According to 28:18, Jacob “took the stone that he had made his pillow, and set it up for a pillar” (Heb.). The pillar was the stone he had used for a pillow. This stone depicts Christ as our rest. Jacob did not have this dream when he was at home, but when he was traveling on his pilgrim journey. Like Jacob, we also are pilgrims. As we are traveling on our way, we see the vision of the church. Everyone who is on this pilgrim way is weary and needs rest. Where can we find this rest? The answer is the Lord’sword in Matthew “Come to Me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Christ is the stone on which we may lay our weary head and find rest. The Christ on whom we rest is the constituent of the pillar. We ourselves are not the material for building the pillar. This material must be the Christ on whom we rest and whom we experience. It is the Christ wrought into our being who is constituted into the pillar.
14在今天的基督教里，人很难有柱子的构成，因为很少人受教导如何主观的经历基督。你从前在基督教里的时候，有人曾告诉你如何经历基督作到你里面么？最近我告诉一些弟兄姊妹，我们在召会中不仅必须爱主，为主活，还必须凭祂活著。哦，为基督活和凭基督活有很大的不同。你若为基督活，为祂作事的是你，你还是你自己，基督并没有作到你里面。但凭基督活，意思是基督作到我们里面。藉著让基督作到我们里面，我们就成为建造的材料。作柱子的石头，首先是基督，接著是给我们经历并作到我们里面的基督。现在这石头不仅是基督，也是在我们里面的基督。基督作到我们里面，我们与祂成为一，这样我们就成为柱子的建造材料。这种经历只有在召会生活中才有可能。至少我们可以说，最有可能得著这种经历的，乃是在召会生活中。原因是在召会生活以外，在所谓的基督教里，很少人受教导要让基督作到他们里面。我完全确信，从今以后一篇又一篇的信息要释放出来，教导我们如何凭基督活著。基督作到我们里面的这种工作，是真实的变化。基督的元素加到我们里面，我们就成了建造柱子的材料。这一切都发生在伯特利，就是雅各所在的地方。一九六四年，我被邀请到达拉斯一个团体去讲道。邀请我的人很欣赏我的职事，对我很客气。但他们用明言，也用建议告诉我，达拉斯的人不准备听关于召会的道。他们说，『李弟兄，请同情我们，关于召会的话一句都不要题。』我没有应许要答应他们的请求。我说，『我完全了解这种情形。但我向你们保证，我越讲到基督，越把基督供应给人作生命，他们就越渴望得著召会。即使我一句关于召会的话都不说，只把基督供应给人作生命，他们仍然会渴慕召会。』在最后一次聚会中，我有负担要说到召会。当我站起来请他们读罗马十二章时，他们感到失望。但我对自己说，『我不管得罪不得罪你们，我若不卸下我的负担，我就不能活。』然后我讲了与召会有关的刚强话语，把他们得罪了。后来我知道，有一位弟兄参加了最后那次聚会，当时他还未进入召会生活。很多人曾为这位弟兄祷告。他只参加了那一次聚会，就被召会生活得著了。虽然我得罪了那些人，但主得著了这位弟兄。今天这位弟兄成了一根柱子。
14In today’s Christianity it is very difficult for people to have the constitution of the pillar because few have been instructed how to experience Christ in a subjective way. When you were in Christianity, were you ever told how to experience Christ’s being wrought into you? Recently, I told some brothers and sisters that we in the church must not only love the Lord and live for Him—we must also live by Him. Oh, there is a vast difference between living for Christ and living by Christ. If you live for Christ, it is you who do things for Him, but you remain yourself and Christ is not wrought into your being. To live by Christ, however, means that Christ is wrought into us. By having Christ wrought into our being, we become material for the building. The stone for the pillar is firstly Christ. Following this, it is Christ experienced by us and wrought into us. Now this stone is not merely Christ, but Christ within us. Christ is wrought into our being, and we become one with Him. In this way, we become the building material for the pillar. This experience is only possible in the church life. At the least, we can say that the greatest possibility of having this experience is in the church life. The reason for this is that outside the church, in the so - called Christian religion, very few are taught to have Christ wrought into them. I am fully assured that, from now on, message after message will be given instructing us how to live by Christ. This working of Christ into our being is true transformation. When the element of Christ is added into us, we become the material for the building of the pillar. This all takes place in Bethel, the place where Jacob was. In 1964, I was invited to speak to a certain group in Dallas. My hosts, who appreciated my ministry, were very kind to me. However, they told me, both in plain words and by suggestions, that the people in Dallas were not ready to hear about the church. They said, “Brother Lee, please sympathize with us and do not say a word about the church.” I did not promise to comply with their request. Rather, I said, “I fully realize the situation. But I assure you that the more I talk about Christ and minister Christ as life to the people, the more they will desire to have the church. Even if I do not say a word about the church and only minister Christ as life, they will still have the desire for the church.” In the last meeting, I was burdened to speak a word about the church. When I stood up and asked the people to read Romans 12, they were disappointed. But I said to myself, “I don’t care whether I offend you or not. If I do not release my burden, I cannot live.” I then gave a strong word concerning the church, and they were offended by it. Later, I learned that a certain brother, who had not yet come into the church life, had attended that last meeting. Many had been praying for him. During that meeting, which was the only meeting he attended, he was caught for the church life. Although I had offended those people, the Lord gained this brother. Today, this brother has become a pillar.
《g》被成全为柱子
gg. Being Perfected to Be a Pillar
15你怎能知道某人已经成为柱子？在召会生活中我们看到，如果某些弟兄被挪去，一切就崩溃了；但如果他们在，他们就是支撑整个建筑的柱子。主不关心那些被得罪的，祂关心那些要成为柱子的。那些柱子只能在伯特利被成全。换句话说，那些柱子只能竖立在伯特利。没有一根为著神家的柱子，是竖立在伯特利以外的。我们若没有进入召会，仍留在公会里，我们就不能被成全为柱子。我们是在伯特利，在召会生活中才被成全。当我们主观的经历基督，确定而绝对的在召会生活中之后，我们仍然需要很多的成全。让我们进一步思考加拉太二章九节所题的柱子。当主呼召彼得的时候，他是个渔夫。他是粗野、没有被成全的。但主花了三年半在他身上工作以后，他被成全了。在五旬节那天，他被竖立为柱子。当彼得在五旬节那天站起来，天使也许欢呼说，『这是波阿斯，是神的建造要来的记号。』你若读使徒行传，会看见彼得是立在新约神殿前的柱子。
15How can you tell that someone has become a pillar? In the church life we realize that if certain brothers are taken away, everything collapses, but if they are present, they are pillars supporting the whole building. The Lord is not concerned about those who are offended; He cares for those who will become pillars. The pillars can only be perfected in Bethel. In other words, the pillars can only be set up in Bethel. No pillar for God’sho use has ever been set up outside of Bethel. If that brother whom I met in Dallas had not come into the church but had remained in a denomination, he could not have been perfected to be a pillar. He was perfected in Bethel, in the church life. After we experience Christ in a subjective way and are definitely and absolutely in the church life, we still need a great deal of perfection. Let us consider further the pillars mentioned in Galatians 2:9. When the Lord called Peter, he was a fisherman. He was raw, wild, and unperfected. But after the Lord had spent three and a half years working on him, he was perfected and, on the day of Pentecost, he was set up as a pillar. When Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost, the angels might have rejoiced and said, “This is Boaz. This is the sign that God’s building is coming.” If you read the book of Acts, you will see that Peter was a pillar standing in front of the New Testament temple of God.
16青年人，这是我从心头说的话。主的恢复正在开展，我确信要快速的开展。但主的恢复扩展的速度在于柱子。我信在美国以及全地各大国家的主要城市，都会有召会。为此需要柱子。我盼望你们青年人看见这件事。你若看见这件事，你会说，『主阿，我不能否认，你已经派定我走你的路，我已经听见你今时的话语。我晓得我必须主观的经历基督，并且必须在伯特利，在召会生活中被成全。主阿，怜悯我，给我所需要的恩典。』青年人，我的负担是要你们认识，你们的责任重大。如果在要来的年日中，你们很多人会被成全，主的恢复就要快速的开展。主藉著你们要作许多的事！我的负担不是单单释放一篇信息，乃是要帮助你们看见，今天我们都有黄金的机会，能被成全为柱子。因我们是在伯特利，我们的机会比彼得大得多。彼得是在福音书，在新约的开始，而我们是在新约的末了，甚至在启示录三章十二节。我信我们今天所有的机会在历史上是空前的。已往从来没有像今天在安那翰这样的召会生活，并且主话语的职事从来没有这样的明亮丰富。不要搞头脑，或持守你的意见。你的意见不会把你带到那里。抛开你的意见，爱主，接受祂作你的生命，作你的人位，并且在召会生活中凭祂活著。要天天被召会生活和神的话浸透。你们若这样作，我信几年之后，你们很多人会成为柱子。然后你们无论到那里，神建造的柱子，就要与你们同去。我们都在召会中，也都在这职事下。今天实在是主所命定的黄金机会！
16Young people, this is a word from my heart. The Lord’s recovery is spreading, and I have the assurance that it will spread at a good pace. But the rate of the expansion of the Lord’s recovery depends upon the pillars. I believe there will be churches in all the major cities of this country and in all the leading countries on earth. For this, there is the need of the pillars. I hope that you young people will see this. If you see it, you will say, “Lo rd, I cannot deny that You have appointed me to Your way and that I have heard Your up-to-date word. I realize that I must experience Christ in a subjective way and that I must be perfected in the church life in Bethel. Lord, have mercy on me and grant me the grace I need.” Young people, my burden is that you realize that your responsibility is tremendous. If during the coming years many of you will be perfected, the Lord’s recovery will spread at a rapid speed. How much the Lord has done through those who have been perfected to be pillars! What do you think the Lord could do if He had a hundred more? My burden is not simply to release a message. It is to help you see that today we all have the golden opportunity to be perfected and to be made pillars. Because we are at Bethel, our opportunity is much greater than Peter’s was. Peter was in the Gospels, in the beginning of the New Testament, but we are at the end of the New Testament, even in Revelation 3:12. I believe that the opportunity we have today is unique in history. Never before has there been such a church life as there is today in Anaheim, and never before has the Lord’s ministry of the Word been so bright and rich. Do not exercise your mentality or hold to your opinion. Your opinions will take you nowhere. Drop your opinions, love the Lord, take Him as your life and as your person, and live by Him in the church life. Learn of those who have become pillars. They have devoured, absorbed, and soaked in everything of the church and of this ministry. Follow them to know nothing and to daily be saturated with the church life and with the Word of God. If you do this, I believe that after a few years many of you will become pillars. Then wherever you go, the pillar, the signboard of God’s building, will go with you. We all are in the church and under this ministry. Today is surely a golden opportunity ordained by the Lord.