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以西结书生命读经 · 第11篇

清明的天以上的宝座

The Throne above the Clear Sky
1读经：以西结书1:26-28，马太福音26:64上，使徒行传2:36，启示录3:21。在以西结一章里的异象，是用自然界的东西来描写灵界的事物。这些属灵的事物虽然深奥，但藉著用以描写这些事物的自然和物质的东西，我们就能明白。按照神的计画，这里所启示的属灵事物，乃是开始于风，（4，）而结束于虹。（28。）我们要在下一篇信息看见，有一道虹彰显神的光辉。在我们的经历中，宝座（26）与虹，都在于我们是否有明如水晶的天。
1Scripture Reading: Ezek. 1:26-28; Matt. 26:64a; Acts 2:36; Rev. 3:21 In the vision in chapter one things in the natural realm are used to describe things in the spiritual realm. These spiritual things are deep, but we can understand them through the natural and physical things that are used to describe them. According to God’s plan the spiritual things revealed here begin with the wind (v. 4) and end with the rainbow (v. 28). As we will see in the next message, there is a rainbow that manifests God’s splendor. In our experience, the throne (v. 26) and the rainbow both depend on our having a sky that is crystal clear
2在上一篇信息我们看见，活物的头以上有清明的穹苍，也就是延展、稳定而清明的天。在本篇信息中，我们要来看，在这清明的天以上有一个宝座。以西结一章二十六节说，『在他们头以上的穹苍之上，有宝座的形像，彷佛蓝宝石；在宝座形像以上，有彷佛人的形状。』我们要来看这个宝座的意义，并将宝座的意义应用到我们的经历上。
2In the last message we saw that above the heads of the living creatures is a clear firmament, a clear sky, that is expanding and yet was stable. Now in this message we need to see that above this clear sky there is a throne. Ezekiel 1:26 says, “Above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.” We need to consider the meaning of the throne and apply it to our experience
清明的天和清明的良心
A CLEAR SKY AND A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
3我们基督徒必须对主维持一个清明的天。这意思是说，我们必须与主一直有清明的交通。我们与主之间，应当一无间隔。当我们与主之间一无间隔的时候，我们的天就明如水晶，我们的良心就是纯净而无亏的。（徒二四16。）我们必须对一个事实有深刻的印象，就是我们基督徒在主面前若要有清明的天，就必须有无亏的良心。甚么时候你的良心有了定罪，或有了亏欠，我们的天立即就乌云四布，幽黯不明。这时我们该向主承认我们的失败和我们的罪污，而接受祂的赦免和祂宝血的洗净。（约壹一，7。）这样，我们的良心就得著洁净，而无所亏欠。我们就再得著清明的天，与主有清明的交通，而与祂之间一无间隔。
3We Christians need to maintain a clear sky with the Lord. This means that we need always to have a clear fellowship with Him. We should have nothing between us and the Lord. When there is nothing between us and the Lord, our sky will be crystal clear, and our conscience will be pure, void of any offense (Acts 24:16). We need to be deeply impressed with the fact that if, as Christians, we would have a clear sky, a crystal heaven, before the Lord, we need to have a conscience that is without offense. Whenever there is condemnation or an offense on our conscience, our sky immediately becomes cloudy, darkened, and foggy. At such times we should confess our failure and our sin to the Lord and receive His forgiveness and the cleansing of His precious blood (1 John 1:9, 7). This will cleanse our 9 conscience so that it will be void of offense. We will again have a clear sky and a clear fellowship with the Lord, with nothing between us and Him.
4有时候甚至一件小事，诸如对待配偶的态度不好，都会使我们的天阴翳不明。虽然可能对方是错的，但我们的态度也错了，于是我们就失去了喜乐与平安。而且，我们可能有一段时间没有膏油来祷告。我们的良心开始定罪我们，并搅扰我们。这就是失去了基督徒清明的天。我们头以上的天不再是清明的，因为在我们与主之间有了不对的事情。这种情形要持续，直至我们到主面前求祂赦免。主在我们里面的膏油涂抹，这时会使我们觉得需要向配偶认错并道歉。我们可能犹豫不决，但因我们失去了主的同在，至终只好服下来，认罪、道歉并求赦免。我们一这样作，『天气』立即改变；阴翳消逝，清明的天再现。我们里面又活起来，我们又能赞美主。我们再有清明的天，这个天就像活物的头以上那可畏而明如水晶的穹苍。我们不仅该在日常生活中，也该在召会生活中，有这种的经历。
4Sometimes a small matter, such as a poor attitude toward our spouse, can cause us to have clouds in our sky. Perhaps the other party is wrong, but our attitude is also wrong, and we lose our joy and our peace. Also, we may have no anointing to pray for a period of time. Our conscience begins to condemn us and bother us. This is the loss of a clear Christian sky, the loss of a clear heaven. We no longer have a clear heaven over us, because something is wrong between us and the Lord. This situation will remain until we go to the Lord and ask His forgiveness for our bad attitude. Then the Lord’s anointing within us may cause us to sense that we need to confess and apologize to our spouse. Although we may hesitate, because we have lost the Lord’s presence, eventually we confess, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. As soon as we do this, the “weather” changes; the clouds disappear, and the clear sky returns. Something within us is living once again, and we can praise the Lord. Once more we have a clear sky, a sky like the firmament of terrible crystal over the heads of the living creatures. We should have this kind of experience not only in our daily life but also in the church life.
清明的天与宝座
A CLEAR SKY AND THE THRONE
5在我们基督徒的生活和召会生活中，每当我们有这样清明的天，我们也就在这清明的天以上有了宝座。（结一26。）这宝座是宇宙的中心，就是主所在之处。我们常常谈论主的同在，但我们必须看见，主的同在总是随著宝座的。主在那里，祂的宝座也在那里。祂的同在绝不能与祂的宝座分开。主的宝座是在第三层天，也在我们的灵里。因此，主的宝座一直与我们在一起。我们既是基督徒，又是众地方召会，就应当在清明、延展的天之下。在这清明、开阔的天以上，有主的宝座。我们因著有这样清明的天，就立即在主宝座的管理之下。如今我们乃是在宝座的管治和掌权之下。
5Whenever we have such a clear sky in our Christian life and in our church life, we will also have the throne, which is above the clear sky (Ezek. 1:26). The throne is the center of the universe, and it is where the Lord is. We often talk about the Lord’s presence, but we need to realize that the Lord’s presence is always with the throne. Where the Lord is, there His throne is. His presence can never be separated from His throne. The Lord’s throne is in the third heaven, but His throne is also in our spirit. Hence, the Lord’s throne is with us all the time. As Christians and as local churches, we all should be under a crystal clear and expansive sky. Above this clear, expansive sky is the throne of the Lord. By having such a clear sky, we are spontaneously under the government of the Lord’s throne. Now we are under the ruling and reigning of the throne
6我们应当一直在主宝座的管治之下。因著我们是在宝座之下，我们不需要警察和法庭来管理我们。我们若需要警察和法庭的管治，这就表明我们不是在宝座之下。
6We should always be under the ruling of the Lord’s throne. Because we are under the throne, we do not need policemen and law courts to rule over us. If we need to be ruled by the police and by the courts, this means that we are not under the throne
7我们应当一直在主的宝座之下。可能我们想要说某句话，但宝座的管治不许我们说。当我们要说的时候，宝座运用其管治，使我们不得不把要说的话吞下去。又有的时候，我们可能生气，快要发脾气了，但我们看见自己是在宝座的管治之下，就服下来。是谁管治我们？我们不是单单受圣经教训的管治，更是受宝座的管治。
7We should be under the throne of the Lord all the time. Perhaps we want to say a certain thing, but the ruling of the throne does not allow us to speak a word. As we begin to speak, the throne exercises its ruling, and we are forced to swallow our words. At other times, we may become angry and may be close to losing our temper, but we realize that we are under the ruling of the throne, and we are subdued. Who is ruling over us? We are ruled not merely by the teachings of the Bible but by the throne.
8在我们基督徒生活和召会生活中，如果天是清明的，那里就必定有宝座。但如果我们的天是阴翳、黯淡的，我们就看不见宝座。我们一看不见宝座，就会松懈，作许多照著我们口味和便利的事。今天许多信徒在他们日常的基督徒生活中是随便的，因为他们没有清明的天，其上也没有宝座。当信徒落在黑暗中而不在宝座之下时，他们就会松懈，要说甚么就说甚么，要发表甚么就发表甚么，要去那里就去那里。但是一个在宝座之下的人，没有自由这样行事为人。一面说，我们已经得救，我们是自由的；但另一面说，我们乃是在宝座之下，我们没有一点的自由。我能见证，有时候我想要去一个地方，但因著宝座的缘故，我没有自由去那里。为著清明的天并为著宝座，我们要赞美主！在我们头以上有穹苍，在穹苍之上有宝座。
8In our Christian life and in our church life, if the sky is clear, the throne will be there. But if our sky is cloudy and darkened, we will not see the throne. When we do not see the throne, we can be loose and do many things according to our taste and convenience. Today many believers are careless in their daily Christian life because they do not have a clear sky with the throne above it. Whenever believers are in darkness and thus are not under the throne, they can be quite loose, speaking what they want to speak, expressing what they want to express, and going where they want to go. But a person who is under the throne has no liberty to behave in such a way. In a sense, because we have been saved, we are liberated, but in another sense we are under the throne and have no liberty at all. I can testify that sometimes I wanted to go to a certain place, but because of the throne I did not have the liberty to go there. Praise the Lord for the clear sky and for the throne! Above our heads is the firmament, and above the firmament is the throne
最高属灵的经历－
THE HIGHEST SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
在我们的穹苍中有宝座
HAVING THE THRONE IN OUR FIRMAMENT
9基督徒属灵经历最高的一步，就是在我们的穹苍中，在我们清明的天里，有宝座。有宝座，或达到宝座那里，乃是让神在我们基督徒生活中有最高、最优先的地位。神在我们里面有宝座，意思就是神在我们里面有地位掌权。因此，在我们属灵经历中达到宝座，意思就是在凡事上完全服从神的权柄和管理。这样，我们就不再是没有宝座、没有权柄、不受管治的人。一个没有清明的天、其上也没有宝座的信徒，在他日常的生活中很容易松懈随便。相反的，一个信徒若有明如水晶的天，就会感觉到是在神圣的管治和限制之下，因此在他所说所行的每一件事上，都不会松懈随便。一个在其上有清明之天的信徒，乃是在权柄之下，而在说话、发怒等类的事上，受这权柄的约束和限制。这权柄乃是宝座的事。
9The highest step in the spiritual experience of a Christian is to have the throne in our firmament, in our clear sky. To have the throne, or to arrive at the throne, is to allow God to have the highest and most prominent position in our Christian life. For God to have the throne in us means that He has the position to reign in us. Therefore, to reach the throne in our spiritual experience means that in everything we are completely submissive to God’s authority and administration. Then we are no longer a person without the throne, without authority, without government. A believer who does not have a clear sky with a throne above it can easily be loose and careless in his daily living. On the contrary, a believer who has a sky that is crystal clear has the sense of being under divine government and restraint; therefore, he cannot be loose or careless in anything he says or does. A believer who has a clear sky above him is under an authority which restricts and restrains him in things such as speaking or a display of anger. This authority is a matter of the throne.
10我们的穹苍越清明，我们就越在宝座之下。我们越与主有清明的交通，我们就越在祂的权柄之下。我们必须问自己，在我们基督徒的生活中，是否有宝座？我们若有清明的天以上的宝座，就是蒙了大祝福，我们该为这祝福敬拜主。我认得一位青年的姊妹，她的家庭很富有。当她得救之后，她很蒙恩，实在学习活在宝座之下，凡事受宝座的限制。很多的事别人能作，她不能作；很多的东西别人能用，她不能用。她的父母很爱她，却不了解她为甚么这样。有一天，她向父母见证说，『我不作这个，不作那个，不是因为甚么人不要我作，乃是因为在我里面有一位在掌权，所以我没有办法作。』她的父亲是个很通达的人，经过了那次谈话，就认识她是作了一个真诚的基督徒，所以日后非常重看她，给她绝对的自由。
10The clearer our firmament is, the more we are under the throne. The more we have clear fellowship with the Lord, the more we will be under His authority. We need to ask ourselves if there is a throne in our Christian life. If we have the throne above the clear sky, we are greatly blessed, and we should worship God for this blessing. A certain young sister came from a wealthy family. After she was saved, she received the blessing of learning to live under the throne and to accept the restrictions of the throne in everything. Things that others could do she could not do, and things that others could use she could not use. Although her parents loved her very much, they could not understand her way of living. One day she testified to them, saying, “I do not do certain things because others tell me not to do them. There is One in me who is reigning and restricting me from doing these things.” After that conversation, her father, a perceptive person, realized that she was a genuine Christian. He esteemed her highly and gave her absolute freedom
11我要强调一个事实，就是我们属灵经历的最高点，乃是有一个其上有宝座的清明的天。你是否达到了这个阶段？你是否到一个地步，觉得有权柄在约束著你？你是否达到一个境地，在属灵的生活中，凡事都由宝座来规律？我鼓励你在与主交通时，在祂面前思考这事。
11I want to emphasize the fact that the highest point in our spiritual experience is having a clear sky with a throne above it. Have you reached this stage? Have you come to the point where you sense that there is an authority restricting you? Have you come to that state in your spiritual life where you are regulated in all things by the throne? I would urge you to consider this matter before the Lord in your fellowship with Him
宝座和神的定旨
THE THRONE AND GOD’S PURPOSE
12宝座不仅是为著神在我们身上掌权，更是为著神达到祂永远的定旨。在我们属灵的生活中若是有宝座，神就不仅能在我们身上掌权，祂也能在我们里面，同著我们，并藉著我们，完成祂的定旨。凡没有宝座在他基督徒生活里的人，都很难让神在他身上达到祂的定旨。我盼望圣灵在这件事上给你有深刻的印象。你若要神的定旨和计画在你里面并藉著你得以完成，你就必须是一个服从宝座的人。你必须是一个在神管治下的人。惟有这样，神才能在你身上通行祂的定旨。
12The throne is not only for God to reign over us but also for God to accomplish His eternal purpose. If we have a throne in our spiritual life, God will not only rule over us but will also fulfill His purpose in us, with us, and through us. Those who do not have the throne in their Christian life will not allow God to obtain His purpose with them. I hope that the Holy Spirit will deeply impress you with this matter. If you want God’s purpose and plan to be carried out in you and with you, you must be a person who submits to the throne. You must be a person under the reign of God. Only then can God carry out His purpose in relation to you.
宝座藉著活物
THE THRONE TRANSMITTED TO THE EARTH
传输到地上
THROUGH THE LIVING CREATURES
13活物仍是在地上，或行动或站住，但在他们的头以上有清明的天和宝座。从这里所描绘的，我们能看见，天上的宝座同著并藉著活物传输到地上。同著并藉著活物，诸天和宝座就向地开启。这样，天上的宝座就与地成为一，因为宝座传输到了地上。这个传输可以比作电的传输。电厂里发电机的电虽然离我们家很远，但是电藉著电线传输给我们。藉著这传输，发电机的电也在我们家中与我们在一起。我们可以说，以西结一章的活物是属天的电线。天上的宝座，乃是藉著、凭著并同著他们传输到地上。他们在那里，宝座就在那里。无论他们往那里去，宝座都随著他们。
13The living creatures are still on earth, moving or standing, but above their heads there is a clear heaven with the throne. From what is portrayed here we can see that the throne in the heavens is transmitted to the earth through and with the living creatures. With them and through them the heavens with the throne are opened up to the earth. In this way the throne in the heavens becomes one with the earth, for the throne is transmitted to the earth. This transmission can be compared to the transmission of electricity. Electricity is in the generator at the power plant far away from our homes, but electricity is transmitted to us through the electrical lines. By means of this transmission, the electricity which is in the generator is also with us in our homes. We may say that the living creatures in Ezekiel 1 are the heavenly electrical lines. It is through them, by them, and with them that the heavenly throne is transmitted to the earth. Wherever they are, there is the throne. Wherever they go, the throne follows them
14我们有时会碰到一位亲爱的弟兄，他很文雅、和善、温柔，但在他面前我们觉得有个东西是有分量、有能力、管治环境的。我们可能是松懈随便的人，但我们来到这样一位弟兄面前，就知道有一样东西在管治我们。这就是宝座，我们也可以说这是主的同在。无论我们称其为宝座或主的同在，这就是天上的宝座藉著这位亲爱的弟兄，传输到地上。我们在访问众召会时，也有同样的经历。我们访问一个召会，那里的圣徒都很文雅、和善、快乐，但我们也许觉得那里有个东西是有分量、有能力的，有个东西是有权柄的，管治著那个召会里的每一个人、每一件事。这就是宝座。
14Sometimes we may contact a dear brother who is gentle, mild, and meek, yet in his presence we have the sense that something weighty and powerful is present ruling over the situation. We may be a loose and careless person, but when we come into the presence of such a brother, we realize that something is ruling over us. This is the throne, or we may say that this is the Lord’s presence. Whether we call it the throne or the Lord’s presence, it is the transmission of the heavenly throne to the earth through this dear brother. We may have the same kind of experience in visiting the churches. We may visit a particular local church where the saints are gentle, nice, and happy, yet we sense that there is something weighty and powerful, something of authority, something that is ruling over everything and everyone in that church. This is the throne
在召会中的权柄
THE AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
不是属人或天然的，
NOT BEING HUMAN AND NATURAL
乃是在清明的天以上的宝座
BUT BEING THE THRONE ABOVE THE CLEAR SKY
15我们不该以属人、天然的方式谈论权柄。在召会中没有属人的权柄。召会中的权柄乃是在清明的天以上的宝座。
15We should not talk about authority in a human, natural way. In the church there is no human authority. The authority in the church is the throne above the clear sky
16假如一个地方召会中的带领弟兄或长老不在清明的天底下，但他们却根据地位来运用权柄。这种运用权柄是行不通的，因为没有分量，也没有管治；他们没有宝座在清明的天以上。然而，假如带领的弟兄和长老一直是在清明的天底下，他们有纯净无亏的良心。若是这样，他们就在属天的宝座之下，他们身上就有一个东西是有分量、有权柄的。因此，他们不必自居权柄，管辖圣徒。一个人自居权柄管辖圣徒，指明他根本没有权柄。只要我们是在清明的天底下，其上有宝座，我们就无须自居权柄，因为权柄就在那里。我们绝不该想把别人带到自己的权下。这种事乃是阶级制度；是属于组织的东西。我们不该想要管辖圣徒，只该谦卑自己，留在清明的天里的宝座之下。在地方召会中若有人自居权柄，乃是羞耻的事。没有这回事！在召会中没有属人的权柄。主耶稣说，『你们知道外邦人有君王为主治理他们，也有大臣操权管辖他们。但你们中间不是这样；反倒你们中间无论谁想要为大，就必作你们的仆役；你们中间无论谁想要为首，就必作你们的奴仆。』（太二十～27。）主在马太二十三章十一节说，『你们中间谁为大，谁就要作你们的仆役。』这样才有权柄。权柄不是我的，不是你的，也不是甚么人的。惟一的权柄是在清明的天以上的宝座。
16Suppose the leading brothers or the elders in a local church are not under a clear sky, yet they exercise authority based on their position. This kind of exercise of authority does not work because it has no weight and no ruling; there is no throne in a clear sky. However, suppose the leading ones and the elders are continually under a clear sky, having a conscience that is pure and void of offense. If this is their situation, they will be under the heavenly throne, and with them there will be something weighty and something of authority. Thus, there will be no need for them to claim authority over the saints. To claim authority over the saints indicates that one does not have any authority. As long as we are under a clear sky with a throne above it, there is no need for us to claim to have authority—the authority is simply there. We should never try to bring others under our authority. Such a thing is a hierarchy; it is something of organization. We should not try to rule over the saints. Instead, we should humble ourselves and remain under the throne in the clear sky. It is shameful for anyone to claim to be the authority in a local church. There is no such thing! In the church there is no human authority. The Lord Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matt. 20:25-27). In Matthew 25 23:11 He said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” This is the way to have authority. The authority is not mine nor yours nor others’. The only authority is the throne above a clear sky.
17我可以向你们担保，我们若在清明的天底下，其上有宝座，我们身上就有真正的权柄。没有甚么反对或逼迫能击败我们、动摇我们，因为天和宝座都与我们同在。在我们以上的天若是清明的，并且有宝座与我们同在，我们就有权柄和分量。一个人在神面前的分量，等于那人服神权柄的程度。一位弟兄可能说话行事都很合宜，却轻如鸿毛，完全没有属灵的分量；这指明他不服宝座。但另一位弟兄的情形可能非常不同。当你接触他时，你觉得他是有分量的，是叫你起敬的。这位弟兄有分量，因为他学会服在神的权柄之下。我们越服从宝座，我们就越有分量。让我告诉你一位女教士在中国的故事。她专讲重生的道，是一个服在神权下的人，在主里很有权柄，很有分量。有一次她乘船出外，船被海盗劫持了几天之久。当他们到她房间搜索财物时，她很镇静的坐在那里，一点没有惧怕；反而对那头目说，现在天气这样热，把船客都赶到舱房里，他们怎么受得住？她也告诉他说，该注重船上的卫生。海盗头目听从她的话，命令他的手下把船上打扫干净。一个凶横的海盗头目，服在这位女教士的权柄之下，因为她自己是服在神的权下；因此，神的权柄就与她同在。我们必须看见，我们有多少分量，乃在于我们服从宝座。一句话出于一位弟兄的口有分量，有能力；但同样一句话出自另一位弟兄的口，可能一无所有。这个原因乃是：那位弟兄是在有宝座的清明的天底下，另一位却在黑暗多云的天之下，其上并没有宝座。学别人讲话，引用别人的话很容易。但是那出于我们口中的话是否有分量，或轻如无物，乃在于我们是否在清明的天同宝座底下。正常的基督徒生活和正常的召会生活，乃是在宝座底下的生活，这宝座乃是在清明的天之上。我愿意题醒所有在地方召会中负责的亲爱弟兄们，绝不要运用自己的权柄。我们必须看见，我们没有一个人有权柄。权柄乃是宝座。你看民数记中摩西的情形。当以色列人背叛他时，他没有运用他的权柄。摩西和亚伦反倒面伏于地，呼吁那最高的权柄。于是主进来表白。（民十四５，十六1～4，22，二十2～6。）在召会中操权管辖别人，乃是极大的错误。再没有甚么比这更可耻。操权管辖圣徒是不荣耀的，是羞耻的。我们没有一人是权柄。权柄是在宝座上的那人。在我们清明的天里，必须有那人在宝座上。在召会生活中，我们必须有清明的天，和属天的宝座。
17I can assure you that if we are under a clear sky with the throne above it, the genuine authority will be with us. No opposition or persecution will be able to defeat us or shake us because heaven and the throne are with us. If the sky above us is clear and the throne is with us, we will have the authority and the weight. The weight of a person before God is equal to the degree of that person’s subjection to God’s authority. A particular brother may be quite proper in his speaking and behavior, but he is light as a feather, altogether lacking in spiritual weight. This indicates that he is not subject to the throne. However, the situation with another brother may be very different. When you contact him, you sense that he is weighty and you respect him. This brother is weighty because he has learned to subject Himself to God’s authority. The more we submit to the throne, the weightier we will be. Let me tell you about the experience of a female missionary in China. As one who preached strongly concerning regeneration, she was under God’s authority and thereby was a person with authority and weight in the Lord. One day a boat on which she was traveling was seized by pirates, who retained control of the vessel for several days. As they searched her room for money and jewels, she sat there calmly, without any fear. She told the leader of the pirates that it was too hot to confine the passengers to their rooms. She also told him that he should be responsible for cleaning the boat. The leader of the pirates obeyed her and told his men to clean the boat. A ferocious pirate leader came under the authority of this missionary because she herself was under the throne. She subjected herself to God’s authority; therefore, God’s authority was with her. We need to realize that the amount of weight we have depends on our subjection to the throne. The words out of one brother’s mouth may have weight and power, but the same words out of another brother’s mouth may have nothing. The reason is that one brother is under a clear sky with the throne, but the other is under a dark, cloudy sky without the throne. It is easy to learn to repeat or quote others’ words. But whether the words that issue out of our mouth have weight or amount to nothing depends on whether or not we are under a clear sky with the throne. The proper Christian life and the proper church life is a life under the throne that is above a clear sky. I would remind all the dear ones who bear responsibility in the local churches never to exercise their authority. We need to realize that none of us has any authority. The authority is the throne. Consider the situation with Moses in the book of Numbers. When the people of Israel rebelled against him, he did not exercise his authority. Instead, Moses and Aaron bowed down and called upon the highest authority. Then the Lord came in to vindicate (Num. 14:5; 16:1-4, 22; 20:2-6). It is a serious mistake to exercise authority over others in the church. Nothing is more shameful than this. To exercise authority over the saints is not glorious—it is shameful. None of us is the authority. The authority is the man on the throne. We must have the man on the throne in our clear sky. In the church life we need a clear sky with a heavenly throne.
18今天主需要这样的召会。祂需要一班配搭在一起的活物。当他们在地上站住或行走时，诸天是向地开启的。藉著他们，属天的宝座传输到地上。这就是召会生活。不要以天然、属人的办法运用任何权柄。即使有人到你面前，要承认你为权柄，你也必须拒绝。你必须告诉那人，你不是权柄。权柄并不是这样的。正确的权柄乃是在于清明的天以上有宝座。这完全不是组织或阶级制度中属人的事。我们必须有清明的天和宝座。在圣徒中间有权势，在圣徒中有权柄，或想要圣徒听从我们，乃是可耻的。我们通常认为保罗是个大使徒。但他的名字意思是『微小』，他自认比众圣徒中最小者还小。（弗三8。）保罗可能说，『你们给我太大的头衔。我不配那个。』清明的天和宝座表白一切弟兄姊妹是否听从你，乃在于你在那里，以及你的所是。你在清明的天以下么？你若在清明的天以下，你就不必争，也不必自居甚么，甚至不必说甚么。清明的天和其上的宝座会表白。
18The Lord needs such a church today. He needs a group of coordinated living creatures. While they are standing or walking on earth, the heavens are opened to the earth. Through them the heavenly throne is transmitted to earth. This is the church life. Do not take the natural, human way to exercise any kind of authority. Even if others come to you trying to recognize you as an authority, you must refuse it. You need to tell these ones that you are not the authority. This is not what authority is. Proper authority is a matter of a throne above the clear sky. It is absolutely not a human matter of organization and hierarchy. We need to have a clear sky with a throne. It is shameful to have power among the saints, to be the authority among the saints, or to intend that the saints should listen to us. We always consider Paul a great apostle. But his name means “little,” and he regarded himself as less than the least of the saints (Eph. 3:8). Paul might say, “You give me too great a title. I am not worthy of that.” THE CLEAR SKY AND THE THRONE VINDICATING Whether the brothers and sisters listen to you or not, depends on where you are and on what you are. Are you under a clear sky? If you are under a clear sky, there is no need for you to argue, and there is no need for you to claim anything or even say anything. The clear sky and the throne above the sky will vindicate
19众地方召会都需要看见清明的天以上的宝座这个异象。在召会生活中，我们没有任何组织或阶级制度。我们没有布道委员会，或任何别的委员会；我们没有总部，也没有任何一种组织。我们只有清明的天，其上有宝座。我能见证，我只怕一件事，就是失去我主的同在。许多次我独自在房间里，向全宇宙并向自己宣告，我惟一怕的事，就是失去主的同在。只要我有主的同在，我就一无所惧。我只在意祂的同在，我不在意任何别的事。换句话说，我只在意清明的天，同其上的宝座。我说这些话时，我有充分的把握，宝座是与我同在。赞美主，这就彀了！我们都必须学习这个。
19All the local churches need this revelation of the throne above the clear sky. In the church life we do not have any organization or any kind of hierarchy. We do not have a mission board or any other board; we have no headquarters and no organization of any kind. We have only a clear sky with a throne above the sky. I can testify that I am afraid only of one thing—that I would lose the presence of my Lord. Many times when I have been alone in my own room, I have declared to the whole universe and to myself that the only thing I fear is losing the Lord’s presence. As long as I have the presence of the Lord, I am afraid of nothing. I care only for His presence, not for anything else. In other words, I care only for the clear sky with the throne above it. I have the full assurance that as I am speaking these words, the throne is with me. Praise the Lord that this is sufficient! We all need to learn this.
20我们很微小，甚么也不配，主却眷临我们。我必须承认，已过我有时候告诉主，我不喜欢作这分工作，为甚么祂紧握我不放。这时，主对我说这样的话，给我严肃的警告。于是我说，『主阿，赦免我。作你所喜欢作的罢。我情愿失去一切，但我不要失去清明的天和宝座。』在主遮盖下，我见证我的意思真是如此。在地方召会中，除了清明的天和其上的宝座，你不该在意任何的事。只要我们有清明的天和宝座，一切反对和批评都算不得甚么。我们惟一所需的，就是顾到清明的天，和其上的宝座。
20We are so little, and we are unworthy, yet the Lord has visited us. I must confess that, in the past, sometimes I told the Lord that I did not like doing this job, and I asked Him why He has taken hold of me. At such times the Lord gave me a serious warning about speaking in this way. Then I said, “Lord, forgive me. Do whatever You like. I am willing to lose everything, but I do not want to lose the clear sky and the throne.” Under the Lord’s covering, I testify that I really mean this. In your local church you should not care for anything except having a clear sky with the throne above it. As long as we have the clear sky and the throne, opposition and criticism mean nothing. The only thing we need to care for is the clear sky with the throne above it.
宝座的形像
THE THRONE BEING
彷佛蓝宝石
IN THE LIKENESS OF A SAPPHIRE STONE
21以西结一章二十六节说到『有宝座的形像，彷佛蓝宝石』。这里我们看见，宝座有蓝宝石的样子。出埃及二十四章十节，可以帮助我们明白以西结一章里蓝宝石的意义。这节说，『他们看见以色列的神，祂脚下彷佛有平铺的蓝宝石，如同天色明净。』蓝宝石表征，当神显在一种特别的光景中时，所有的一种属天的情形。根据出埃及二十四章十节，当摩西、亚伦、并以色列中的长老看见神时，他们看见祂的脚下彷佛有平铺的蓝宝石。这给人洞悉主同在的样子。蓝宝石是蓝色的，而蓝是指天的颜色，指明神同在的光景和情形。这一节也说，那时天色极其明净。神乃是显在那样的光景和气氛里。因此，蓝宝石表征神所在之诸天的光景和情形。宝座的形像彷佛蓝宝石，表明在属天的光景中神的同在。每当我们在清明的天里有神的宝座时，光景就是属天的。那里没有任何属地的事物，也没有任何昏暗不纯净的东西。一切都是属天、清明、纯净、并完全透明的。这描绘出我们在神面光中该有的光景。每当我们有清明的天，并有神的宝座在其中时，我们就是在属天的光景里，有蓝宝石的形像。
21Ezekiel 1:26 speaks of “the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone.” Here we see that the throne has the appearance of a sapphire stone. Exodus 24:10 is helpful in understanding the significance of the sapphire stone in Ezekiel 1. This verse says, “They saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.” A sapphire stone signifies a kind of heavenly condition which exists when God is present in a particular situation. According to Exodus 24:10 when Moses, Aaron, and the chief men of Israel saw God, they saw under His feet the appearance of a sapphire stone. This gave the people an insight into the appearance of the Lord’s presence. A sapphire stone is blue in color, and blue is a heavenly color indicating the situation and condition of God’s presence. This verse also says that at that time the heavens were exceedingly clear. God was present in that kind of situation and atmosphere. Therefore, the sapphire stone signifies the situation or the condition of the heavens with God’s presence in it. The throne being in the likeness of a sapphire stone shows the presence of God in a heavenly situation. Whenever we have the throne of God in a clear heaven, the situation will be heavenly. There will not be anything earthly or anything gloomy or impure. Rather, everything will be heavenly, clear, clean, and absolutely transparent. This portrays the kind of situation we should have in the presence of God. Whenever we have a clear sky with God’s throne in it, we are in a heavenly situation having the appearance of a sapphire stone.
22请你们再看以西结一章的图画。在穹苍之上的诸天里，主坐在宝座上；而在地上，活物或行走或站住。藉著活物，在诸天里的主与地成为一；这样，诸天就与地相联。这就是说，天被带到地上，如今天藉著、凭著并同著活物在地上行动。这必须是今天众地方召会中间的光景，是得胜者中间的光景，也是我们日常基督徒生活的光景和情形。
22I would ask you to look once again at the picture in Ezekiel 1. The Lord is upon the throne above the firmament in the heavens, and the living creatures are walking or standing on earth. Through them the Lord in the heavens becomes one with the earth, and in this way the heavens are connected to the earth. This means that the heavens have been brought down to the earth and that the heavens are now moving on earth through, by, and with the living creatures. This needs to be the situation among the local churches today, the situation among the overcomers, and the situation and condition of our daily Christian life.