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创世记生命读经 · 第84篇

被变化（七）

BEING TRANSFORMED (7)
1在本篇信息中，我们还要再专注于殿中的两根柱子。我们看过，雅各第一次在伯特利，把所枕的石头立作柱子，称之为神的家。（创二八１８，２２。）我们一再指出，创世记中几乎每件事都是在圣经以后各卷书中发展的种子。柱子的种子完全的发展是在启示录三章二十节，那里主耶稣说，『得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子。』在创世记和启示录之间，有多处说到柱子，每次题到殿中的两根柱子，我们就更多看见关于柱子的细节。并非在一段话里给我们看见柱子的每一方面。今天的基督徒很少关心神的建造，而神的建造乃是为著完成神的经纶。虽然多数基督徒忽略这点，但圣经对这点却非常强调。我们若要认识建造，照著圣经的路，我们必须先看柱子，因为柱子是神建造的标示牌。我们若知道柱子是甚么，并且定意要成为柱子，我们就是在神建造的路上。柱子非常重要，所以圣经一再题及。因著多数基督徒不了解神的建造，所以他们不注意圣经中题到柱子的话。但靠著主的怜悯，我们对柱子的印象太深了，无法撇开不谈。圣经没有废话，所以凡圣经所启示的都是有意义的，对我们都是重要的。在这末了的时代，神正在完成祂的建造，所以我们必须仔细来看柱子是甚么，以及我们如何才能成为柱子。现在我要强调上篇信息所说，柱子积极的三方面和消极的两方面。积极的三方面是铜、百合花和石榴。柱子本身是铜造的，柱顶刻著百合花，柱顶周围有石榴。我不信甚么设计师会把这三样东西放在一起。但这一切对我们是何等重要且有意义！铜表征审判之下的死。我们必须在审判之下，认识我们甚么都不配，只配死，并且我们已经钉在十字架上。（加二20。）不但如此，我们都已经在受浸时埋葬了。（罗六4。）因此我们是在死的审判之下的人。但在死后乃是复活，而百合花是在复活里长在我们身上。围绕柱顶的石榴表征生命丰富的彰显。所以在柱子上我们看见死、复活和生命的彰显。赞美主，我们很多人可以作见证，一天又一天我们是铜，长出百合花并显出石榴。你岂不是这样的人？你若不是，就没有资格作柱子，就与神的建造无关。
1In this message we shall again devote our attention to the two pillars at the temple. We have seen that when Jacob was first at Bethel, he set up as a pillar the stone he had used for a pillow and called it the house of God (28:18, 22). We have pointed out again and again that nearly everything in the book of Genesis is a seed that is developed in the following books of the Bible. The full development of the seed of the pillar is in Revelation 3:12, where the Lord Jesus says, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God.” Between Genesis and Revelation, there are many portions of the Word concerning the pillars. Each time the two pillars at the temple are mentioned we see more of the details regarding them. Not every aspect of the pillars is found in any single portion. Today’s Christians have very little concern for God’s building, which is for the accomplishment of God’s economy. Although most Christians neglect this, the Bible strongly emphasizes it. If we would know the building, according to the biblical way, we must firstly see the pillar, for the pillar is a signboard of God’s building. If we see what the pillar is and decide to become a pillar, then we are on the way of God’s building. The pillar is so crucial that the Bible mentions it over and over again. Because most Christians have no understanding of God’s building, they do not pay attention to those portions of Scripture which mention the pillar. But by the Lord’s mercy we have been so deeply impressed with the pillar that we simply cannot get away from it. The Bible has no wasted words. Hence, whatever it reveals is meaningful and crucial for us. Because, at this end time, God is completing His building, we must carefully consider what the pillar is and how we can become a pillar. I would like now to stress three positive aspects and two negative aspects of the pillars covered in the last message. The three positive aspects are the brass, the lily, and the pomegranates. The pillars themselves were made of brass. On the top of the capital were the lilies and around the capital were the pomegranates. I doubt that any human designer would ever have put these three things together. But how crucial and meaningful it all is to us! Brass signifies death under judgment. We must be under judgment, realizing that we are good for nothing but death and that we have been crucified (Gal. 2:20). Furthermore, we all have been buried in baptism (Rom. 6:4). Thus, we are a people under the judgment of death. But after death comes resurrection, and the lily grows upon us in resurrection. The pomegranates surrounding the capital signify the expression of the riches of life. Therefore, in the pillars we see death, resurrection, and the expression of life. Praise the Lord that many of us can testify that day by day we are the brass growing lilies and expressing pomegranates. Are you not such a person? If you are not, then you are not qualified to be a pillar and you have nothing to do with God’s building.
2柱子消极的两方面是格子网和炼索。格子网和炼索表征错综复杂的情况。格子网是交错的横条构成的格子。这指明在我们的经历中，我们每天都在受对付。当我们经历这事时，我们是被炼索系住。很多时候，我们弟兄们受自己的妻子对付。我们想逃避，却被炼索系住，无法脱身。我们可能被切成碎片，但没有一片能逃脱。姊妹们都可以作见证，她们和丈夫的关系也是如此。有些在召会生活中的人说，他们无法忍受长老们的对付；但炼索也在那里。在召会生活中我们有格子网，也有炼索。赞美主，有这两样消极的东西，因为只有这两样东西能把铜、百合花和石榴连在一起。我得救后不久，就知道我已经与基督同钉十字架，但不知道这同钉怎样能实际的应用到我身上。这是藉著格子网应用的。没有格子网和炼索，我们与基督同钉十字架并祂替我们活，就不过是道理。我们也许知道与基督同钉十字架的道理，并且一遍又一遍的背诵加拉太二章二十节，却发现这不管用。我曾一再这样作，都未成功。我重复著说，『我已经与基督同钉十字架；现在活著的，不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活著。』后来在召会生活中，我经历了格子网和炼索；藉著这两样消极的东西，基督的钉死与复活才实际的应用到我的生活中。所以至终三件积极的东西，和两件消极的东西成为一个单位。我们有格子网和炼索所联结的铜、百合花和石榴。这五样都联结在柱子上。
2The two negative aspects of the pillars are the checkerwork (the network) and the chainwork. The checkerwork and chainwork signify the intermixed and complicated situation. The checkerwork is a lattice composed of intersecting bars. This indicates that, in our experience, we are daily being crossed out. As we undergo this, we are held by the chainwork. Many times we brothers are under the crossing out of our dear wives. Although we may desire to escape this, we are held by the chains and cannot slip away. We may be cut into pieces, but not one piece can escape. The sisters can all testify of the same thing in relation to their husbands. Some in the church life say that they cannot bear the crossing out of the elders. However, the chainwork is also there. In the church life we have both the checkerwork and the chainwork. Praise the Lord for these two negative things, because the brass, the lily, and the pomegranates can only be connected by them. Not long after I was saved, I learned that I had been crucified with Christ. But I did not know how this crucifixion could practically be applied to me. It is applied by the checkerwork, the network. Without the network and the chainwork, our co - crucifixion with Christ and His living instead of us would be mere doctrine. We may know the doctrine of being crucified with Christ and recite Galatians 2:20 over and over only to discover that this does not avail. I did this again and again without success. I repeated the words, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Later, I experienced the network and the chainwork in the church life. It has been through these two negative things that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ have been practically applied to my life. Eventually, therefore, the three positive things and the two negative things become one unit. We have the brass, the lily, and the pomegranates joined by the checkerwork and the chainwork. All five are joined in the pillar.
《1》两根柱子上两个柱顶的两球，高二肘
ll. Two Bowls of the Two Capitals on the Top of the Two Pillars, Two Cubits High
3除了前面信息中所说的各点，本篇信息必须再加上九点。神、祂的话、以及祂给我们的对付，并不简单。在柱顶上有两个球。（代下四12，王下二五17。）每个球，包括格子网，高二肘。（见以下说明。）这表征甚么？球是圆的，每个柱顶有两个球，一个叠著一个。柱顶周围有炼子，像项炼，（代下三16，）将柱顶分为两部分。第一部分是底座。虽然王上七章十六节说柱顶高五肘，王下二十五章十七节却说柱顶高三肘。原因就是三肘是柱顶底座的高度，五肘是整个柱顶的高度。换句话说，底座高三肘，球高二肘。在这里，三这数字不是表征三一神，乃是表征复活的过程。在圣经中，三和八这两个数字都表征复活。三表征复活的过程；八，七日的第一日，指复活的新鲜，复活的新开始。柱顶底座的三肘，与格子网和炼索有密切的关联，这启示格子网和炼索是为著复活的过程。此外，二这数字，就是两球的高度，表征见证。两根柱子的两个柱顶上，两个球的二肘，表征百合花的生活以及生命丰富之彰显的见证。
3In addition to all the points covered in the previous message, we must cover nine further points in this message. God, His Word, and His dealing with us are not simple. On the top of the capitals which were on the pillars were two bowls (2 Chron. 4:12; 2 Kings 25:17). Each bowl, including the network, was two cubits high (see definition below). What does this signify? The bowls are round. (Darby translates the Hebrew word for bowls as “globes.”) On the top of each capital there were two bowls, one above the other. Around the capitals were “chains like a necklace,” or “chains at the collar,” (2 Chron. 3:16, Amplified Bible; Darby’s New Translation) that divided the capital into two sections. The first section was the base. Although 1 Kings 7:16 says that the capitals were five cubits high, 2 Kings 25:17 says that the capitals were three cubits high. The reason for this is that three cubits is the height of the base of the capital and five cubits is the height of the whole capital. In other words, there were three cubits for the base and two for the bowls. Here, the number three does not signify the Triune God. Rather, it signifies the process of resurrection. In the Bible, two numbers, three and eight, signify resurrection. Three signifies the process of resurrection, and eight, the first day of a new week, denotes the freshness of resurrection, the new beginning in resurrection. The three cubits of the base of the capital are closely related to the network and the chainwork. This reveals that the network and the chainwork are for the process of resurrection. Moreover, the number two, the height of the two bowls, signifies testimony. The two cubits of the two bowls on the two capitals of the two pillars signify testimony by living as a lily and by expressing the riches of life
4你若读了关于两根柱子的一切记载，会看见球是由格子网、炼索、百合花和石榴所组成的。石榴不是在柱顶的底座上，乃是在围绕两球的炼索上。格子网罩著球，炼索围著球，石榴在炼索上，百合花长在格子网上。这些东西合起来就是球。你若在自己经历的光中思考这事，你会看见，藉著格子网的对付和炼索的限制，你就像百合花一样活著，彰显基督生命的丰富。这是出于复活过程的活见证。在我们的家庭中，我们是在格子网中，并且被炼索系住。在召会里的弟兄姊妹也是这样。那些在执事室里事奉的，毫无疑问的经历了格子网和炼索。但随著格子网和炼索，还有『三天。』所有在执事室事奉的人都是在『三天』的路上，就是在复活的过程中。
4If you read all the portions concerning the two pillars, you will realize that the bowls are composed of the network, the chainwork, the lilies, and the pomegranates. The pomegranates are not on the base of the capital, but on the chainwork surrounding the bowls. The network covers the bowls, the chainwork surrounds the bowls, the pomegranates are upon the chainwork, and the lily grows upon the network. All these things together are the bowl. If you consider this in the light of your experience, you will realize that through the crossing out by the network and the restriction of the chainwork, you live as a lily to express the riches of the life of Christ. This is a living testimony coming out of the process of resurrection. In our homes we are in the checkerwork and held by the chainwork. This is also true with the brothers and sisters in the church. Those who serve in the business office have undoubtedly experienced the checkerwork and the chainwork there. Surely in the business office there is much checkerwork and chainwork. But along with the checkerwork and the chainwork, there are also the three days. All those who serve in the business office are on the way of the three days, that is, they are in the process of resurrection.
5百合花在第三天显在球顶上。不管我们是多么美好、温柔、谦卑，这些没有一样是百合花，不过是我们天然的生命。我们越经历对付，就越在第三天长出百合花。每位弟兄都希望有一位美好的妻子，每位姊妹也都要一位温柔的丈夫。但不管我们多么美好、温柔，我们都不是百合花。百合花只在第三天生长在格子网和炼索中间。我们在错综复杂的情况里，到了第三天，百合花就会生长出来。然后我们也会有石榴，就是生命丰富的彰显。这是球－荣耀、美丽、装饰和冠冕。这就是见证。我盼望那灵对你们说得更多。我们都已经受了审判，我们需要在神的审判之下，审判自己。我们要作铜柱，说，『我是堕落、败坏、罪恶的，并且甚么都不配，只配死，』这很容易。但是要在格子网的对付和炼索的限制中，经过三天复活的过程却非常难。但是我们越在格子网和炼索中，就越在三天复活的过程里，越长出百合花，越显出石榴。这样，我们就成了活的见证，不是出于任何天然的东西，乃是出于在格子网的对付和炼索的限制之下，复活的过程。我们无可逃避，我们必须留在格子网和炼索中，正像被埋葬三天，再从复活的过程中出来一样。我们经过了这种经历，百合花就长出来，石榴就显出来。每根柱子都必须作凭信而活的见证，好在格子网的对付和炼索的限制之下，经过复活的过程，显出基督的丰富。圣殿前两根柱子的铜，指明我们是在死的审判之下，这死的审判把我们带进由柱顶底座高三肘所表征的复活过程。这复活的过程带我们经过格子网和炼索，长出百合花，结出石榴作见证。这是柱子承担责任的路，由柱顶全高五肘所表征。柱顶的球不是方的，乃是圆的，这表征在神里面凭信而活，以及在复杂的情况里承担责任，不是墨守成规的，总是有弹性的。当我们活在那灵里，没有一事是墨守成规的，反而在每种情况里都是有弹性的。年长的和年轻的都有规矩，年长的有年长的一套，年轻的有年轻的一套。因此，在训练中我不愿给人许多指示。我若这样作，年轻人都要把这些指示当作新的规矩接受。几乎每位基督徒都是墨守成规的，都是正方形的。我们若不是正方形的，就是三角形的，甚至是五角形的。有的年长姊妹喜欢准时吃饭、就寝，这规矩杀死许多年轻人。你有规律是好的；但为著别人的缘故，你需要有弹性。有的长老非常方正；但有的非常圆滑，太政冶。政客是没有边的。我们该是圆的，但不该圆滑。在执事室里事奉的人该是圆的。你若在事奉上方正，你会杀死每一个人。要不方正呆板，你必须有弹性，适应每种情况。这是我们在日常生活中该有的作法。我们既是在格子网和炼索中间，就必须有弹性。
5The lilies appear on the top of the bowls on the third day. It does not matter how nice, gentle, or humble we are, for none of this is the lily. Rather, it is our natural life. The more we experience the crossing out, the more the lily grows on the third day. Every brother desires to have a nice wife, and every sister wants a gentle husband. However, no matter how nice or gentle we are, we are not lilies. The lily only grows on the third day in the midst of the checkerwork and the chainwork. When in all the intermixed and complicated situations we come to the third day, the lily will grow. Then we shall also have the pomegranates, the expression of the riches of life. This is the bowl—the glory, beauty, decoration, and crown. This is a testimony. I hope that the Spirit will speak more of this to you. We all have been judged and we need to judge ourselves under God’s judgment. It is easy to be a brass pillar, saying, “I’m fallen, corrupted, sinful, and good for nothing but death.” But to pass through the three days of the process of resurrection in the midst of the crossing out of the checkerwork and the limitation of the chainwork is very difficult. But the more we are in the checkerwork and the chainwork, the more we are in the three days, the more the lily grows, and the more of the pomegranates we express. Then we become a living testimony, not of anything natural, but of the process of resurrection under the crossing out of the checkerwork and the restraint of the chainwork. There is no escape. We must stay in the checkerwork and chainwork. It is exactly like being buried for three days and coming out through the process of resurrection. As we pass through this experience, the lily grows and the pomegranates are expressed. Every pillar must bear the testimony of living by faith to express the riches of Christ through the process of resurrection under the crossing out of the checkerwork and the restriction of the chainwork. The brass in the two pillars in front of the temple indicates that we are under the death-judgment, which brings us into the process of resurrection, signified by the three-cubit height of the base of the capitals. This process of resurrection brings us through the network and the chainwork to grow the lily and to bear the pomegranates for a testimony. This is the way for the pillar to bear the responsibility, signified by the five cubits, the total height of the capitals. The bowls on the capitals were not square, but round. This roundness signifies that living by faith in God and bearing responsibility in the midst of all the complications is not legal but always flexible. When we live in the Spirit, nothing is legal. Rather, we are flexible in every situation. Both the young and the old are legal. The old have their old legal way, and the young have their fresh legal way. Because of this, I am reluctant to give many instructions during the training. If I do this, all the young will take these instructions in a fresh legal way. Nearly every Christian is legally square. If we are not square, then we are triangular or even pentagonal. Some of the older sisters like to eat and go to bed at an exact time. This legality has killed many of the young people. While it is good for you to be regulated, for the sake of others, you need to be flexible. Some elders are very square. However, others are so round that they are political. A politician has no sides. Although we should be round we should not be politically round. Those who serve in the business office should be round. If you are square in your serving, you will kill everyone. Instead of being square, you must be flexible to fit into every situation. This is the way we should be in our daily living. As we are in the midst of the checkerwork and the chainwork, we must be flexible.
《m》四百石榴安在两个网子上
mm. Four Hundred Pomegranates on the Two Networks
6代下四章十三节说，有『四百石榴，安在两个网子上，每网两行，盖著两个柱上如球的顶。』这里为甚么不说有三百或五百石榴？主耶稣曾说，我们能结果子三十倍，六十倍，一百倍。（太十三8。）一百倍的增加是最高的，所以我们能彰显百倍生命的丰富。我们知道，四这数字表征我们受造的人；生命丰富的百倍彰显是在受造之物上。四百石榴排成两行，安在两根柱子上；这指明见证。我们必须刚强，不仅宣告我们是耶稣的见证，还要藉著生活作见证。我们需要四百倍基督生命丰富之经历的见证。虽然在召会生活中，在工作中，在家庭中，我们会有难处，但我们也有百合花的生命，这在圣经中是表征信靠神而活的生命。主知道，我每天都有一个接一个的难处。我们若凭自己活，就无法承担这些难处。但我们是荆棘中的百合花。（歌二2。）荆棘就是难处。我们的妻子、儿女、孙儿女、长老、同工，都是『荆棘。』虽然我被这么多『荆棘』围绕，但赞美主，我仍然活著，没有被扎死。我今天活著，不像一个巨人，乃像一朵百合花。我不凭自己的能力活著，却在我的神里面凭信活著。我只是荆棘中的百合花。荆棘越多越好，因为荆棘给主的能力彰显的机会。我们与世人不同，他们没有神可信靠。
6Second Chronicles 4 : 1 3 says that there were “ four hundred pomegranates on the two networks, two rows of pomegranates on each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were upon the pillars” (Heb.). There were four hundred pomegranates on the two networks, with two rows on each network to cover the two bowls of the capitals upon the pillars. Why does it not say that there were three hundred or five hundred pomegranates? The Lord Jesus said that we can bear fruit thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold (Matt. 13:8). The hundredfold increase is the highest. Thus, we can express the riches of life a hundredfold. We know that the number four signifies us, the human creatures. The hundredfold expression of the riches of life is upon the creatures. That the four hundred pomegranates were arranged in two rows on each of the two pillars indicates a testimony. We must be strong, not simply in declaring that we are the testimony of Jesus, but in having a testimony by living. We need a testimony of the experience of the riches of the life of Christ four hundredfold. Although we may have problems in the church life, in our work, and at home, we also have the life of the lily, which, in the Bible, signifies a life lived by trusting in God. The Lord knows that I daily have one problem after another. If we live by ourselves, we cannot bear these problems. But we are lilies among thorns (S.S. 2:2). The thorns are just the problems. Our wife, children, grandchildren, the elders, and the co-workers are all “thorns.” Although I am surrounded by so many “thorns,” I praise the Lord that I am still living. I have not been “thorned” to death. I am living today, not like a giant, but like a lily. I do not live by my ability, but by faith in my God. I am simply a lily among thorns. The more thorns there are, the better, because the thorns give the opportunity for the Lord’s ability to be expressed. We are different from the worldly people, who have no God in whom to trust
7很多寻求的基督徒寻找在每方面都是属天的召会生活。他们希望在这属天的召会生活中，每一位都像天使。这不是我的想像，我的确遇到过这样的人。这许多寻求的人从『召会』跑到『召会，』追求这样一个属天的『召会。』倘若他们找到了，他们属天的『召会』不久却暴露出来，比属地的还不如。断定召会正当不正当，主要的是凭立场，不是凭属天的程度。今天在地上没有一个天使般属天的召会。你只要进入召会生活，不久就会发现自己是在『荆棘』中，你会说，『我以为这里每一位都是天使，但现在我看见他们很多不是天使，乃是荆棘。我无法忍受。』虽然我对你可能是『荆棘，』但你对我也是『荆棘。』至终我们都彼此相刺，也彼此相爱。这种『刺』帮助我们长大。在安那翰已过这些年中，这种『刺』帮助了我们长大。如果在召会中每件事都很顺利，像天使一般，就不会有生命丰富的见证。
7Many seeking Christians are looking for a church life that is heavenly in every respect. They want everyone in this heavenly church life to be an angel. I am not imagining this; I have actually met people like this. Many of these seeking ones have traveled from church” to “church” in pursuit of such a heavenly church.” If they find one, their heavenly “church” is soon exposed to be more than earthly. The way to determine whether or not a church is proper is mainly by the ground of the church, not by our measure of the heavenliness of the church. Today on earth there is not an angelic, heavenly church. Shortly after coming into the church life, you will find yourself in the midst of “thorns” and you will say, “I thought everyone here was an angel. But now I see that many of them are not angels but thorns. I cannot bear this.” Although I may be a “thorn” to you, you also are a “thorn” to me. Eventually, we “thorn” one another and love one another. This “thorning” helps us grow. During the past three years in Anaheim, this “thorning” has helped us to grow. If everything in the church were smooth and angelic, there would be no testimony of the riches of life
《n》一百个石榴中，
nn. Out of One Hundred Pomegranates
九十六个露在空气中
Ninety-six Being Exposed to the Open Air
8一百个石榴中，九十六个露在空气中。（耶五二23。）每行既有一百个石榴，为甚么耶利米五十二章二十三节忽然说九十六个？因为耶利米五十二章二十三节的记载，与巴比伦军队毁坏柱子有关，有人就以为每行炼索上的四个石榴被打破了。但你若细读这一章，就看见不是这么回事。钦定英文译本说，『一面有九十六个石榴。』这个繙译不准确。译为『一面』的希伯来文该译为『向著空气。』因此这节该译为：『有九十六个石榴向著空气，在格子网上共有一百个石榴。』请注意格子网上的石榴共有一百个。一百个石榴全在那里，但只有九十六个向著空气。钦定英文译本译为『一面』的希伯来文是，指灵、风、气和空气，表明真实却看不见的东西。英译新美国标准本说，有九十六个『暴露的石榴，』但边注说直译应为『向风，』意指向著风，或向著空气。
8Out of one hundred pomegranates, ninety - six were exposed to the open air (Jer. 52:23). Since every row had one hundred pomegranates, why did Jeremiah 52:23 suddenly speak of ninety - six pomegranates? Because the record in Jeremiah 52:23 concerns the destruction of the pillars by the Babylonian army, some think that four of the pomegranates on each row of chainwork were broken. But if you read this chapter carefully, you will see that this was not the case. The King James Version says, “There were ninety and six pomegranates on a side.” This rendering is incorrect. The Hebrew words translated “on a side” should be “towards the air.” Hence, this verse should read, “There were ninety and six pomegranates towards the air, and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.” Notice that all the pomegranates upon the network numbered one hundred. All were there, but only ninety-six were towards the air. The Hebrew word translated “side” in the King James Version is ruach, the word for spirit, wind, breath, and air. Ruach denotes something real yet ruach invisible. The New American Standard Version says that there were ninety-six “exposed pomegranates.” However, the margin gives the literal translation of “windward,” which means towards the wind or towards the air.
9九十六个石榴是暴露的，四个是遮盖的。这有甚么意义？九十六是十二乘八组成的。十二表征永远的完整，八表征复活，空气表征灵。因此生命丰富的彰显是永远完整、在复活里并在灵里的。这是我们生命彰显的性质和气氛。我们生命丰富的彰显是十二－永远的，不是七－暂时的。此外，也是八－复活的新鲜，不是三－复活的过程。这里不是复活的过程，乃是复活的新鲜、起头、新开始；并且完全是在灵里的事。九十六个石榴露在空气中，意即生命丰富的彰显乃是那看不见之属灵空气的实际。我们能感觉到，却摸不著。在约翰三章八节，主耶稣讲到风和灵时说，『风随著意思吹，你听见风的响声，却不晓得从那里来，往那里去；凡从那灵生的，就是这样。』那灵的重生就像风的行动。风吹，那灵重生。我们生命丰富的彰显，不仅是永远的，在复活的新鲜里，也是完全在那灵的气氛中。甚么时候人在我们身上看见生命丰富的彰显，他们会立刻觉得是在那灵里，觉得有一种新鲜的风、空气和气氛。然而，甚么时候我们进入满了死亡的光景，我们就会觉得气闷。但我们在满了生命丰富彰显的光景中，我们就觉得自己在属灵的气氛中，觉得有新鲜的空气。这就是九十六个石榴向著空气的意义。
9Ninety-six pomegranates were exposed and four were covered. What is the significance of this? Ninety-six is composed of twelve times eight. Twelve signifies eternal completion, eight signifies resurrection, and the air signifies the Spirit. Therefore, the expression of the riches of life is eternally complete, in resurrection, and in the Spirit. This is the nature and atmosphere of our expression of life. Our expression of the riches of life is twelve, eternal; it is not seven, temporal. Moreover, it is also the number eight, the freshness of resurrection, not the number three, the process of resurrection. Here, it is not the process of resurrection, but the freshness, the beginning, the new start, of resurrection. Also, it is absolutely a matter in the Spirit. That the ninety-six pomegranates were exposed to the open air means that the expression of the riches of life is in the reality of the spiritual air, which is invisible. While we can sense it, we cannot touch it. In John 3:8, the Lord Jesus spoke of both the wind and the Spirit, saying, “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The regeneration of the Spirit resembles the moving of the wind. The wind blows and the Spirit regenerates. Our expression of the riches of life is not only eternal and in the freshness of resurrection, but is absolutely in the atmosphere of the Spirit. Whenever people see upon us the expression of the riches of life, they will immediately sense that they are in the Spirit and that there is some fresh wind, air, and atmosphere there. However, whenever we enter into a situation filled with death, we sense stuffiness. But when we are in a situation filled with the expression of the riches of life, we find ourselves in a spiritual atmosphere and sense that refreshing air is present. This is what it means for ninety-six pomegranates to be towards the air
《o》四百个石榴中，十六个（每一百个有四个）是隐藏的
oo. Of the Four Hundred Pomegranates, Sixteen (Four of Each Hundred) Being Hidden
10每一百个石榴中，四个是隐藏的。因为圣经没有废话，这一节对我们的经历必定有意义。我能明白这话，惟一的路是藉著经历。每一百个石榴中，四个是隐藏的，指明我们生命丰富的彰显虽是永远的，在复活里并在灵里，但我们天然的所是（由四这数字所表征）必须遮盖起来。我们天然的生命、天然的所是、我们的己、我们的自我，必须完全隐藏。我一直想找出这些石榴是如何隐藏起来的，但没有成功。只有主知道这奥秘。但是我们若审察自己的经历，我们会说『阿们。』当基督的丰富彰显时，别人能在复活和那灵的气氛中，看见生命丰富永远的彰显，但很难说出我们天然的人在那里。我们的自我被遮盖，这是何等有意义！甚么时候『我』显出来，『四』这个大数字就会在那里，而『九十六』却消失了。在那里就没有空气，只有天然的生命、旧人和自我。但甚么时候『四』不见了，就会有九十六个石榴，就是基督的生命在开敞的空气中丰富的彰显。
10Of each hundred pomegranates, four were hidden. Because the Bible has no wasted words, there must be some significance relating to our experience in this verse. The only way I can understand it is by experience. That four of everyone hundred pomegranates were hidden indicates that while our expression of the riches of life is eternal, in resurrection, and in the Spirit, our natural being, signified by the number four, must be covered. Our natural life, our natural being, our self, and our ego must be wholly concealed. Although I have sought to discover how these pomegranates were hidden, I have been unable to do so. It is a mystery known only to the Lord. However, if we examine our experience, we shall say, “Amen.” When the riches of Christ are expressed, others can see the eternal expression of the riches of life in resurrection and in the atmosphere of the Spirit, but it is difficult to say where our natural man is. How meaningful it is to see that our ego is covered! Whenever “I” appears, the big number four will be there, but the ninety-six will be gone. Instead of air, there will just be the natural life, the old man, and the ego. But whenever the number four disappears, we shall have the ninety-six pomegranates, the rich expression of the life of Christ in the open air.
《p》柱子是空的，厚四指
pp. The Pillars Being Hollow and Their Thickness Being Four Fingers
11耶利米五十二章二十一节说，『这一根柱子…厚四指，是空的。』每根柱子都是一个圆筒，壁厚四指，在每根柱子内有很大的空间。这表征神的建造是出于四这数字所代表受造的人，他们被那灵充满了。无疑的，铜柱是指被定罪并审判的受造之人。在那被审判的人里面有空间，这空间必须被看不见的实际所充满。我们不应该是泥巴，稀薄而满了沙土，因为这样其中就不会有空间。反之，我们必须是铜，厚四指，并且是空的。然后我们的空间才可能被实际，就是被那灵充满。
11Jeremiah 52:21 says, “The thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.” Each pillar was a cylinder whose walls were four fingers thick, and within each pillar was a large hollow space. This signifies that God’s building is of the human creature, represented by the number four, filled with the Spirit. Undoubtedly, the brass pillar is the condemned and judged human creature. Within the judged creature is an empty space that must be filled with an invisible reality. We should not be muddy, thin, and filled with sand, for then there would be no hollow space within. Rather, we must be brass, four fingers thick, and hollow. Then it will be possible for our hollow space to be filled with reality, the Spirit
《q》两根柱子高三十五肘，有一肘被盖住
qq. The Two Pillars Measured with One Height of Thirty-five Cubits with One Cubit Covered
12代下三章十五节说，『在殿前造了两根柱子，高三十五肘。』两根柱子合高三十五肘，有一肘被盖住。在上篇信息中我曾说，帐幕中的每块竖板宽一肘半，这些竖板呈水平并立著。但柱子不仅是水平的，也是垂直的。柱子要垂直的测量，一根立在另一根上。这指明神的建造不仅是水平的，也是垂直的，并且有一部分是隐藏的。要两位弟兄并排站著很容易，但要一位弟兄在另一位之下就很难了。要在别人之上也不容易。建造若要坚固，就必须是垂直的，越垂直就越有空间。我们不该仅仅彼此并排站著，也该在彼此之上。要并排站著，不需要牺牲，或遮盖任何一部分。但我们若要垂直站著，就需要把一部分遮盖起来。
12Second Chronicles 3:15 says, “Also he made for the front of the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits long” (Heb.). The two pillars had a combined height of thirty-five cubits, with one cubit covered. In the last message I said that each of the standing boards in the tabernacle was one and a half cubits wide. These boards stood horizontally side by side. But with the pillars it is not only a matter of being horizontal, but also of being vertical. The pillars were measured vertically, with one standing above another. This indicates that God’s building is not only horizontal, but also vertical with some part hidden. Although it is easy for two brothers to stand side by side, it is difficult for one brother to be under the other. It is also difficult to be above others. If the building is to be strong, it must be vertical. The more vertical it is, the more space there will be. We should not only stand side by side with one another, but also above one another. In order to stand side by side, there is no need of sacrifice or to have any part covered. But if we would stand vertically, there is the need for some part to be covered.
13王上七章十五节说，每根柱子高十八肘，然而代下三章十五节指明，两根柱子高三十五肘。按照代下三章十五节的说法，就少了一肘。这一肘必定是被遮盖，被牺牲了。有一本参考书说，每根柱子有半肘是插在柱脚里。我不接受这种解释，因为圣经没有说柱子有柱脚或底层。另一本参考书说，在柱顶的接合处耗去了一肘。我相信这个解释是正确的。这意思是说，为著成为垂直的，需要有牺牲。你若看自己的经历，就知道和别人并排站著不需要牺牲。但你若要在甚么人之下，像柱子在柱顶之下，就必须牺牲。你若不牺牲，任何人都无法在你之上。你不是丢弃别人，就是跳在别人之上。为著让别人在你之上，你必须让步，牺牲自己的一部分。姊妹们，你需要牺牲，好使人能在你之上。你们不仅该水平的测量，也该垂直的测量。历年来，我一直在某些人之下。在别人之下，就是承担著别人，并且有一部分被他们盖著。藉著这种牺牲，我们才能有垂直的建造。
13First Kings 7:15 says that each pillar was eighteen cubits high, but 2 Chronicles 3:15 indicates that the two pillars were thirty-five cubits long. According to 2 Chronicles 3:15, one cubit is missing. This cubit must have been covered and sacrificed. One reference book says that half a cubit went into each of the pedestals. I do not accept this explanation because the Bible does not say that the pillars had a pedestal or a base. Another reference book says that a cubit was lost in the joint to the capital. I believe this explanation to be correct. This means that in order to be vertical, there is the need of sacrifice. If you consider your experience, you will see that there is no sacrifice required to be side by side with others. But if you would be under someone, like the pillar under the capital, you must sacrifice. If you do not sacrifice, you cannot have anyone above you. You would either cast others away or leap over them. In order to let others be above you, you must give in and sacrifice a part of yourself. Sisters, you need to sacrifice so that someone can be above you. You should not only be measured horizontally but also vertically. Throughout the years, I have always been under someone. To be under others is to bear others and to be partly covered by them. It is by this sacrifice that we can have the vertical building
《r》两个柱顶上各有七个格子网和炼索
rr. The Network and the Chainwork on the Two Capitals Being Seven on Each
14王上七章十七节说，『柱顶上有装修的网子，和拧成的炼索，每顶七个。』这里我们看见，每个柱顶上各有七个格子网和炼索。这指明一切复杂的情况都是暂时的，不是永远的。一切的对付、破碎、受压，都是暂时的，但也是完全的。因为这些都是七这数字。有一天，这一切都要过去，不再有格子网和炼索。我们要得著金冠冕，以顶替格子网和拧成的炼索。
14First Kings 7:17 says, “And nets of checkerwork, and wreaths of chainwork, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.” Here we see that the network and the chainwork on the two capitals were seven on each. This indicates that all the complicated situations are temporal, not eternal. All the crossing, breaking, and suppressing are temporary, yet they are complete, for they are in the number seven. One day, all this will be over, and there will be no more checkerwork and chainwork. Instead of network and an entwined wreath, we shall have a golden crown
《s》三这数字是隐藏的
ss. The Number Three Being Hidden
15请注意，在这两根柱子上，三这数字是隐藏的。这指明三一神是隐藏的。柱围十二肘，柱顶径四肘，含示三这数字，三这数字，就是三一神，是真实的，却是看不见的。在每种情况中，三一神都是真实的，却又是隐藏的。
15Notice that in these two pillars the number three is hidden. This indicates that the Triune God is hidden. That the pillars are twelve cubits in circumference and capitals four cubits in diameter implies the presence of the number three. The number three, the Triune God, is real but invisible. In every situation the Triune God is real, but He is hidden.
《t》铜、百合花和石榴，都在两根柱子上
tt. The Brass, the Lily, and the Pomegranates All Being on the Two Pillars
16铜、百合花和石榴，都在两根柱子上。这启示出死、复活以及生命的彰显，在神的建造里都是见证。今天我们在这里有这见证。这些点都非常重要。我盼望你们花时间祷告并交通这些点，直到这些点进到你们里面，成为你们的经历。然后我们就知道柱子是甚么，以及我们怎样才能成为柱子。
16The brass, the lily, and the pomegranates are all on the two pillars. This reveals that death, resurrection, and the expression of life are all a testimony in God’s building. Today, we are here with this testimony. All these points are crucial, and I hope that you will spend time to pray and fellowship about them until they get into you and become your experience. Then we shall know what a pillar is and how we can become a pillar