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何西阿书生命读经 · 第4篇

背道子民的罪

The Sins of the Apostate People,
与耶和华的惩罚以及背道子民的回转
the Punishments of Jehovah, and the Return of the Apostate People
1读经：何西阿书四至六章。何西阿四至六章说到背道子民的罪与耶和华的惩罚，以及背道子民的回转。在本篇信息中，我们要来看这三章圣经里所记载这些事的细节。
1Scripture Reading: Hosea 4—6 Hosea 4—6 covers the sins of the apostate people, the punishments of Jehovah, and the return of the apostate people. In this message we will consider the details regarding these matters recorded in these three chapters
壹 背道子民的罪
I. THE SINS OF THE APOSTATE PEOPLE
与耶和华的惩罚
AND THE PUNISHMENTS OF JEHOVAH
2背道子民的罪与耶和华的惩罚见于四章一节至五章十四节，和六章四至十节。
2The sins of the apostate people and the punishments of Jehovah are seen in 4:1—5:14 and 6:4-10
一 以色列的罪与耶华的惩罚－关于一般的百姓
A. The Sins of Israel and the Punishments of Jehovah— concerning the People in General
1 无忠信，无良善，无人认识神
1. No Faithfulness, No Kindness, and No Knowledge of God
3何西阿四章一节告诉我们，耶和华与这地的居民争辩；因这地上无忠信或无真实，无良善，无人认识神。
3Hosea 4:1 tells us that Jehovah had a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, for there were no faithfulness or truth, no kindness, and no knowledge of God
2 却有假誓、欺骗、凶杀、偷盗、奸淫
2. False Swearing, Deceiving, Murder, Stealing, and Adultery
4这地上无真实，无良善，无人认识神，却有假誓、欺骗（不履行所应许的）、凶杀、偷盗、奸淫。（2上。）
4Instead of truth, kindness, and the knowledge of God, there were false swearing, deceiving (not fulfilling one’s promise), murder, stealing, and adultery (v. 2a
3 百姓强暴
3. The People Being Violent
5百姓强暴，杀人流血接连不断。（2下。）
5The people were violent, and bloodshed followed bloodshed (v. 2b
4 这地悲哀，这地的居民衰微
4. The Land Mourning, and the Inhabitants of the Land Languishing
6因此这地悲哀，其中一切的居民、田野的兽、空中的鸟，必都衰微，连海中的鱼也必除灭。（3。）
6Because of this the land mourned, and the inhabitants of the land languished with the beasts of the field and with the birds of heaven. Indeed, even the fish of the sea would be taken away (v. 3
二 以色列的罪与耶和华的惩罚－关于祭司
B. The Sins of the People and the Punishments of Jehovah— concerning the Priests
1 百姓抗拒祭司
1. The People Contending with the Priest
7百姓抗拒祭司。（4。）这完全与神的律法牴触，因神的律法不许百姓抗拒祭司。
7The people contended with the priest (v. 4). This was altogether contrary to God’s law, which did not allow the people to contend with the priests
2 祭司必在白日绊跌，申言者也必在夜间与祭司一同绊跌
2. The Priest Stumbling in the Day, and the Prophet Stumbling with the Priest in the Night
8五节说祭司必在白日绊跌，申言者也必在夜间与祭司一同绊跌；祭司的母亲必被神所毁灭。这指明他们都在犯罪。申言者与祭司合作一同犯罪，祭司的母亲也加入他们。这带进神对祭司母亲的审判。
8Verse 5 says that the priest would stumble in the day and that the prophet would stumble with the priest in the night. Also, the mother of the priest would be destroyed by God. This tells us that they all were committing sins. The prophet cooperated with the priest to commit sin, and the mother of the priest joined them. That brought in God’s judgment upon the mother
3 神的子民－祭司－因无对神的认识而灭亡
3. God’sP eople—the Priests—Being Destroyed Because of a Lack of the Knowledge of God
9六节上半告诉我们，神的子民－祭司－因无一节所题对神的认识而灭亡。以色列民不认识神的法则，而祭司也缺乏这个知识。
9Verse 6a tells us that God’sp eople—the priests—would be destroyed because of a lack of that knowledge of God mentioned in verse 1. The people of Israel did not know God’s regulations, and the priests also lacked that knowledge
4 神弃掉祭司
4. God Rejecting the Priest
10因为祭司弃掉这『对神的认识』，（6中，）神也必弃掉祭司，使他不再作神的祭司。
10God will reject the priest, for he has rejected “that knowledge” of God (v. 6b). Thus, he will no longer be a priest to God
5 神忘记祭司的儿女
5. God Forgetting the Priest’s Children
11祭司既忘了神的律法，神也必忘记祭司的儿女。（6下。）
11God will forget the priest’s children, since he has forgotten the law of his God (v. 6c
6 神使祭司因增多而得的荣耀变为羞辱
6. God Changing the Glory of the Priests in Their Multiplication into Shame
12祭司越发增多，就越发得罪神；因此耶和华说，祂必使他们因增多而得的荣耀变为羞辱。（7。）这指明我们这些神的祭司，就是事奉神的人，必须小心，因我们的事奉关系到我们的儿女。
12The more the priests were multiplied, the more they sinned against God. Hence, Jehovah said that He would change their glory in their multiplication into shame (v. 7). This indicates that as God’s priests, His serving ones, we need to be careful, for our service involves our children
7 祭司以神子民的赎罪祭为食
7. The Priests Feeding on the Sin Offering of God’sP eople
13四章八至九节论到祭司说，『他们以我民的罪为食，满心愿意我的民犯罪。将来民如何，祭司也必如何；我必因他们所行的惩罚他们，照他们所作的报应他们。』神定规赎罪祭的一部分要给祭司当作食物。祭司满心愿意神的民犯罪，因为他们犯的罪越多，就有越多的赎罪祭给祭司当作食物。
13Referring to the priests, verses 8 and 9 say, “They feed on the sin of My people, / And their soul desires their iniquity. / And it will be that as it is with the people, so will it be with the priest; / Thus I will visit their ways upon them, / And I will recompense their doings to them.” A portion of the sin offering was to be food for the priests. The priests desired that the people would sin, because the more the people sinned, the more sin offerings there would be for the priests to eat.
14民如何，祭司也必如何。这指明圣别、分别的祭司，本是百姓中独特的一班人，竟把自己变得和百姓一样低俗平庸。因此，关于祭司，神说祂要因他们所行的临到（惩罚）他们，照他们所作的报应他们。
14As it was with the people, so it was with the priests. This means that the priests, who had been sanctified, separated, to be a special group among the people, made themselves the same as the people, becoming low and common. Therefore, regarding the priests God said that He would visit (punish) their ways upon them and recompense their doings to them
8 祭司吃，却不得饱
8. The Priests Eating but Not Being Filled
15祭司吃，却不得饱；行淫，却不得繁增；因为他们离弃了耶和华。（10。）
15The priests would eat but would not be filled, and they would commit fornication but would not increase, for they had ceased giving heed to Jehovah (v. 10
三 以色列的罪与耶和华的惩罚－关于淫乱和酒，并奸淫
C. The Sins of Israel and the Punishment of Jehovah— concerning Fornication, Wine, and Harlotries
16何西阿四章十一至十四节说到以色列人中盛行的三件事－淫乱和酒，并奸淫。
16Hosea 4:11-14 is a word concerning three things that were prevailing among the Israelites—fornication, wine, and harlotries
1 淫乱和酒，并新酒，夺去他们的心
1. Fornication, Wine, and New Wine Taking Away Their Heart
17淫乱和酒，并新酒，夺去以色列人的心。（11。）他们无心为著别的事。
17Fornication, wine, and new wine took away the heart of the people of Israel (v. 11). They did not have a heart for anything else
2 神的民求问木柱
2. God’sP eople Inquiring at Their Wooden Post
18神的民不向神祷告求问神，却求问木柱（偶像），以为木杖会将事情告知他们；因为他们的淫心使他们失迷，他们就往来如同淫妇，离弃了他们的神。（12。）3在各山顶献祭，
18Instead of praying to God and inquiring of Him, God’sp eople inquired at their wooden post (idol), considering that their rod informed them of things. A spirit of harlotries made them err, and they had gone about as harlots away from their God (v. 12). 3. Offering Sacrifices upon the Tops of the Mountains
在高冈上烧香
and Burning Incense upon the Hills
19他们在各山顶献祭，在高冈的橡树、杨树、栗树之下烧香，因为树荫美好。所以他们的女儿往来如同淫妇，他们的新妇犯了奸淫。神不惩罚他们的女儿和他们的新妇，因为他们自己离群与淫妇同居，与妓女一同献祭。（何四14上，参申二三17。）
19Upon the tops of the mountains they offered sacrifices, and upon the hills they burned incense, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because its shade was good. Therefore, their daughters went about as harlots, and their brides committed adultery (v. 13). But God would not punish their daughters or their brides, for the men themselves went off with harlots and offered sacrifices with the cult prostitutes (v. 14a; cf. Deut. 23:17).
4 无知的民，必致倾倒
4. The People Who Had No Understanding Being Cast Down
20无知的民，必致倾倒。（何四14下。）
20The people who had no understanding would be cast down (Hosea 4:14b
四 以色列的罪与耶和华的惩罚－关于以色列的倔强
D. The Sins of Israel and the Punishments of Jehovah— concerning Israel’s Stubbornness
21何西阿四章十五至十九节论到以色
21Hosea 4:15-19 is concerned with Israel’s stubbornness
22列的倔强。
22
1 以色列往来如同淫妇
1. Israel Going About as a Harlot
23以色列虽然往来如同淫妇，但神嘱咐犹大不可违犯，不可往吉甲去，不可上到伯特亚文，也不可指著永活的耶和华起誓。（15。）吉甲是拜偶像的中心。（九15，十二11，摩四4，五5。）伯特亚文意为『虚
23Israel went about as a harlot, but Judah was charged not to transgress and not to come to Gilgal, nor to go up to Beth-aven, nor to swear, “As Jehovah lives” (v. 15). Gilgal was the focus of idolatry (9:15; 12:11; Amos 4:4; 5:5). Beth-aven means “house of nothingness” or “house of idolatry
24无之家』或『拜偶像之家』。
242. Israel Being Stubborn, like a Stubborn Heifer
2 以色列倔强，犹如倔强的母牛
25以色列倔强，犹如倔强的母牛。（何四16上。）她不顺服，偏行己路。
25Israel was stubborn, like a stubborn heifer (Hosea 4:16a), which is disobedient and goes its own way
3 耶和华限制以色列在狭小之地
3. Jehovah Limiting Israel in a Narrow Field
26十六节下半申言者问：『现在耶和华岂要牧放他们（以色列），如同牧放羊羔在宽阔之地么？』这指明耶和华必限制以色列在狭窄之地。
26In verse 16b the prophet asks, “Will Jehovah now pasture them / Like a lamb in a spacious place?” This indicates that Jehovah would limit Israel in a narrow field
4 以法莲与偶像联合
4. Ephraim Being Joined to Idols
27十七节上半告诉我们，以法莲与偶像联合。
27In verse 17a we are told that Ephraim was joined to idols
5 让以法莲去罢
5. Ephraim Being Left Alone
28十七节下半申言者嘱咐关于以法莲的事：『让他去罢。』神对以法莲放手，这指明一种惩罚。
28In 4:17b the prophet gives a charge concerning Ephraim: “Leave him alone.” Ephraim was to be let go. This indicates a kind of punishment
6 他们酒已经喝尽，时常行淫
6. Their Liquor Having Ended
29他们酒已经喝尽，（18上，）指他们失去喝酒的欢乐。这是神的惩罚。他们时常行淫；他们的官长最爱羞耻的事。（18下。）他们喜爱喝酒行淫。7风把她裹在翅膀里十九节上半说风把她裹在翅膀里，就是把她带走，指明一种惩罚。照著十九节下半，他们必因（向偶像－13上）所献的祭蒙羞。
29and They Having Given Themselves Up to Harlotry Their liquor had ended (v. 18a), meaning that their pleasure in drinking was gone. That was God’s punishment. They had given themselves up to harlotry; their rulers dearly loved shame (v. 18b). They were fond of drinking and harlotry. 7. The Wind Having Wrapped Her Up in Its Wings Verse 19a says that the wind had wrapped her up in its wings. It had carried her away—a kind of punishment. According to verse 19b, they would be ashamed because of their sacrifices (to idols—v. 13a).
五 以色列的罪与耶和华的惩罚－主要关于众祭司、王家、和首领
E. The Sins of Israel and the Punishments of Jehovah— Mainly concerning the Priests, the House of the King, and the Princes
30在五章一至十四节和六章四至十节，我们看见以色列的罪与耶和华的惩罚－主要关于众祭司、王家、和首领之事的细节。
30In 5:1-14 and 6:4-10 we have more details about the sins of Israel and the punishments of Jehovah— mainly concerning the priests, the house of the king, and the princes
1 耶和华的审判临到众祭司、以色列家和王家
1. Jehovah’s Judgment Coming upon the Priests, upon the House of Israel, and upon the House of the King
31一至二节说耶和华的审判要临到众祭司、以色列家和王家，因他们如网罗，陷入杀戮极深，耶和华却惩治他们众人。
31In 5:1-2 we are told that upon the priests, upon the house of Israel, and upon the house of the king Jehovah’s judgment would come, for they had been a snare and a net for slaughtering, even though Jehovah had chastised them all
2 以法莲往来如同淫妇，以色列竟被玷污
2. Ephraim Having Gone About as a Harlot, and Israel Being Defiled
32以法莲往来如同淫妇，以色列竟被玷污；淫心在他们里面。（或，在他们们中间。）他们所行的使他们不能转向神；他们也不认识耶和华。（3～4。）
32Ephraim had gone about as a harlot, and Israel was defiled. A spirit of harlotries was within them (or, in the midst of them). Their doings did not permit them to turn to their God, and they did not know Jehovah (vv. 3-4
3 以色列的骄傲当面见证自己
3. The Pride of Israel Testifying to His Face
33五节说，以色列的骄傲当面见证自己，以法莲和以色列必因自己的罪孽绊跌；犹大也必与他们一同绊跌。
33Verse 5 says that the pride of Israel testifies to his face and that Ephraim and Israel would stumble in their iniquity. Judah also would stumble with them
4 寻求耶和华，却寻不见
4. Going to Seek Jehovah but Not Finding Him
34他们必牵著牛羊去寻求耶和华，却寻不见；祂已经退去离开他们。（6。）
34With their flocks and herds they would go to seek Jehovah, but they would not find Him. He had withdrawn Himself from them (v. 6
5 向耶和华行事诡诈
5. Acting Treacherously against Jehovah
35他们向耶和华行事诡诈，因为他们生了私子。入侵者在月朔时必吞灭他们，和他们的地业。（7。）
35They had acted treacherously against Jehovah, for they had begotten strange (illegitimate) children. The invaders at the new moon would devour them with their apportionments, with their possessions (v. 7
6 在管教的日子，以法莲必成为荒凉
6. Ephraim Being a Desolation in the Day of Correction
36仇敌在便雅悯后头，在管教（惩罚）的日子，以法莲必成为荒凉；这是确定的事。（8～9。）
36Behind Benjamin would be the enemies, and Ephraim would be a desolation in the day of correction punishment). This was sure (vv. 8-9
7 犹大的首领如同挪移地界的人
7. The Princes of Judah Becoming like Those Who Move a Boundary Mark
37犹大的首领如同挪移地界的人，为要增加他们土地的面积；耶和华必将忿怒倒在他们身上，如水一般。（10。）8以法莲受欺压，被审判压碎以法莲受欺压，被审判压碎，因他定意随从人的命令。（11。）
37The princes of Judah had become like those who move a boundary mark to enlarge the size of their estates, and Jehovah would pour out upon them His overflowing wrath like water (v. 10). 8. Ephraim Being Oppressed, Crushed by Judgment Ephraim was oppressed, crushed by judgment, for he was determined to walk after man’s command (v. 11).
9 耶和华向以法莲如蛀虫
9. Jehovah Being like a Moth to Ephraim
38耶和华向以法莲如蛀虫，向犹大家如朽木。（12。）在圣经中神一向被比作正面的事物，在这里祂却被比作消极的事物，销毁人的事物。
38Jehovah was like a moth to Ephraim and like rottenness to the house of Judah (v. 12). In the Bible God is usually likened to positive things, but here He is likened to negative things, things that consume
10 以法莲往亚述
10. Ephraim Going to Assyria
39以法莲见自己有病，犹大见自己有伤，以法莲就打发人往亚述去见耶雷布王；他却不能医治他们，不能治好他们的伤。（13。）
39When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. But that king could not heal him, and the wound would not depart from him (v. 13
11 耶和华必向以法莲如狮子，向犹大家如少壮狮子
11. Jehovah Being like a Lion to Ephraim and like a Young Lion to the House of Judah
40耶和华必向以法莲如狮子，向犹大家如少壮狮子。祂必撕裂他们而去；祂必夺去他们，并且必无人搭救他们脱离祂的手。（14。）
40Jehovah would be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. He would tear them and go away. He would carry them off, and there would be no one to deliver them out of His hand (v. 14
12 以法莲和犹大的慈爱如同早晨的云雾，又如速散的甘露
12. The Lovingkindness of Ephraim and Judah Being like a Morning Cloud and like Dew That Departs Early
41以法莲（以色列）和犹大的慈爱如同早晨的云雾，又如速散的甘露。所以，耶和华藉著申言者砍伐他们，以祂口中的话杀戮他们；祂的审判如光发出。因祂喜爱怜恤，不喜爱祭祀，喜爱认识神，胜于燔祭。（六4～6。）
41The lovingkindness of Ephraim (Israel) and Judah was like a morning cloud and like dew that departs early. Therefore, Jehovah hewed them to pieces by the prophets. He slew them by the words of His mouth, and His judgments went forth as light. For He delights in lovingkindness and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (6:4-6).
13 他们却如亚当背约
13. They like Adam Having Transgressed the Covenant
42他们却如亚当（或，人）背约，在那里以诡诈待耶和华。（7。）
42They like Adam (or, men) had transgressed the covenant. There they had acted treacherously against Jehovah (v. 7
14 基列是作孽之人的城
14. Gilead Being a City of Those Who Commit Iniquity
43基列是作孽之人的城，沾染血迹。强盗成群埋伏杀人，祭司结党，也照样在往示剑的路上杀戮，行恶事。（8～9。）这里再一次看见祭司犯罪，而且居然作了强盗。
43Gilead was a city of those who commit iniquity; it was tracked with blood. Like bands of robbers lying in wait for a man, the company of priests murdered on the way to Shechem, committing wickedness (vv. 8-9). Once again, this was the sin that involved the priests, who had become robbers
15 在以色列家耶和华见了可憎的事
15. In the House of Israel Jehovah Having Seen a Horrid Thing
44在以色列家耶和华见了可憎的事：在那里以法莲有淫行，以色列玷污了自己。（10。）我们看了关于以色列这一切的光景，就明白以色列已变得多么邪恶。贰背道子民的回转
44In the house of Israel Jehovah had seen a horrid thing: the harlotry of Ephraim was there; Israel had defiled itself (v. 10). As we consider all these details concerning Israel’s situation, we can realize how sinful Israel had become. II. THE RETURN OF THE APOSTATE PEOPLE
45五章十五节至六章三节和十一节，申言者何西阿论到背道子民的回转。我们可能惊讶，这样邪恶的子民怎么可能回转。他们能回转，因为他们在神的怜恤之下。
45In 5:15—6:3, 11 the prophet Hosea speaks regarding the return of the apostate people. We may wonder how it can be possible for such a sinful people to return. They can return because they are under God’s compassions
一 耶和华必离去，回到原处，直等背道的民
A. Jehovah Going Away and Returning to His Place, until the Apostate People
46承认己罪，寻求祂面五章十五节上半说，耶和华必离去，回到原处，直等背道的民承认己罪，寻求祂面；至终，他们在急难（神圣的惩治）的时候，必切切的寻求祂。（15下。）这样，对以色列神圣的惩治就会生效。
46Acknowledge Their Offense and Seek His Face According to 5:15a Jehovah will go away and return to His place, until the apostate people acknowledge their offense and seek His face. Eventually, in their affliction (the divine chastisement) they will seek Him earnestly (v. 15b). Thus, the divine chastisement of Israel will be effective
二 背道子民的回转
B. The Return of the Apostate People
471以色列回来并归向
471. A Word concerning Coming and Returning to Jehovah,
医治缠裹他们的耶和华
Who Will Heal Them and Bind Them Up
48六章一节说到以色列回来并归向耶和华。申言者说，『来罢，我们归向耶和华；祂撕裂了我们，却必医治；打伤了我们，却必缠裹。』
48In 6:1 we have a word concerning Israel’s coming and returning to Jehovah. In this verse the prophet says, “Come and let us return to Jehovah, / For He has torn us, but He will heal us, / And He has stricken us, but He will bind us up
2 过两天耶和华必使他们苏醒
2. Jehovah Enlivening Them after Two Days
49六章二节说，『过两天祂必使我们苏醒；第三天祂必使我们兴起，我们就在祂面前活著。』这里的『两天』和『三天』是甚么意思？圣经中有个原则，就是『在主一日如千年。』（彼后三8。）按照这原则，这里的『两天』或许表征从主后七十年算起，耶路撒冷被毁后的头两个一千年。主后七十年，罗马太子提多毁坏耶路撒冷和圣殿，残杀无数的犹太人，使犹太人分散到列国中。从那时起，犹太人没有君王，没有首领，没有祭祀，没有殿，正应验了何西阿三章四节的豫言。二千年之久，神使犹太人留在死亡的光景中。过了这二千年，第三个一千年就要来到。何西阿六章二节的『第三天』，可能指第三个一千年，就是在基督复活之实际里的千年国，也就是复兴的时代。（启二十4，6。）
49Hosea 6:2 says, “He will enliven us after two days; / On the third day He will raise us up, / And we will live in His presence.” What are the “two days,” and what is “the third day” in this verse? In the Bible there is a principle that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years” (2 Pet. 3:8). According to this principle, the two days here might signify the first two periods of a thousand years each, counting from A.D. 70, when the Roman prince Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, cruelly killed thousands of Jews, and scattered the Jews among the nations. From that time the Jews have been without king, without prince, without sacrifice, and without the temple, fulfilling Hosea’s prophecy in 3:4. For two thousand years God has left Israel in a dead condition. After this two-thousand-year period, the third thousand years will come. The third day in 6:2 might signify the third period of a thousand years, that is, the millennium, the age of restoration, in the reality of Christ’s resurrection (Rev. 20:4, 6
3 关于认识耶和华，以及关于基督的出现如黎明，来临像甘雨的话
3. A Word concerning Knowing Jehovah and concerning Christ’s Going Forth as the Dawn and His Coming as the Rain
50六章三节说到关于认识耶和华以及关于基督的出现如黎明，来临像甘雨。这节的上半说，『所以我们当认识耶和华，追求认识祂。』这节的下半说，基督的出现确定如黎明，祂必临到我们像甘雨，像滋润田地的春雨（在千年国复兴的时候－太十九28，启二十4，6）。
50In Hosea 6:3 there is a word concerning knowing Jehovah and concerning Christ’s going forth as the dawn and His coming as the rain. The first part of the verse says, “Therefore let us know, let us pursue knowing Jehovah.” The remainder of the verse says that Christ’s going for this assure as the dawn. He will come to us as the rain, as the latter rain which waters the earth (in the restoration of the millennium—Matt. 19:28; Rev. 20:4, 6
三 耶和华在背道子民回转的事上应允犹大
C. Jehovah’s Promise to Judah in the Return of the Apostate People
51在六章十一节我们看见耶和华在背道子民回转的事上应允犹大。这应允就是耶和华使被掳之民归回的时候，必有为犹大所命定的收成。这指明在复兴的时候，所有的以色列人，包括北方的以色列国和南方的犹大国，将丰富的得著地上一切的出产。地本是神所造，为要有丰富的出产。但因著人的堕落，地就受咒诅，长出荆棘；人必须汗流满面，3:17-才得糊口。（创三17～19。）在复兴的时候，地将会恢复到原初的光景，成为富饶、肥沃、且出产丰富的土地。因此，必有为犹大所命定的收成，给他们享受。
51In Hosea 6:11 we have Jehovah’s promise to Judah in the return of the apostate people. This promise is that there will be a harvest appointed for Judah, when Jehovah will turn the captivity of His people. This means that in the restoration all the Israelites, including the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, will be very rich in all kinds of produce from the earth. The earth was created by God to produce a rich harvest, but due to the fall of man, the earth was cursed to grow thorns, and man has had to labor with sweat for food (Gen. 19). In the restoration time the earth will be restored to its original condition and will be rich, fertile, and productive. Thus, a harvest will be apportioned to Judah for their enjoyment.
52从主前六○六年巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒入侵以色列起，在地上一直有三件事在进行著。第一是神对祂亲爱的选民以色列爱的惩治；第二是神对列国的惩罚。这两件事加起来，带进第三件事，就是基督的显现。基督的显现带进第四件事，就是复兴的时代，亦即千年国。这复兴要终极完成于新天新地的新耶路撒冷。基督的显现不仅指基督的再来；基督的显现是一个漫长的过程，开始于基督在成为肉体时来到人间，甚至进到人里面，而一直延续到祂的再来。弥迦书五章二节指著基督的成为肉体说，祂是从太初而出。基督的出来就是祂的来。因此，在太初，就是在已过的永远，基督就准备要出来。基督成为肉体时，就从永远里出来，进到时间里，带著祂的神性出来，进到人性里。事实上，基督的出来，祂的来，从未停止过。甚至今天，祂的来还在持续著。这显现开始于基督成为肉体，完成于基督回来，带著大能的得胜者击败敌基督，就是罗马帝国最后一位该撒。按照但以理二章的大人像，罗马帝国是人类政权的最后一个。藉著罗马帝国，基督出生的方式应5:2验了弥迦书五章二节关于祂出生地的豫言。也是藉著罗马帝国，基督得以被钉十字架，完成救赎。那灵在五旬节浇灌下来，引进召会生活，也是在罗马帝国的管辖之下。因著罗马帝国所带来语言的统一和交通的便利，使徒们，尤其是使徒保罗，得以将福音传遍亚洲和欧洲。而后，主又使用帝国主义，使福音得以开展到非洲、中南美洲、亚洲和澳洲。今天，俄罗斯这个有三亿五千万人口的国家，向主的恢复敞开，这是藉著神对列国的惩罚，带进福音的开展，也就是基督的显现。我们今天去俄罗斯供应正确的属灵食物，就是开展基督的显现。
52From the time that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded Israel in 606 B.C., three things have been taking place on earth. The first is God’s loving chastisement over His dear elect Israel, and the second is God’s punishment on all the nations. These two things added together bring in the third thing—the manifestation of Christ. The manifestation of Christ will bring in a fourth thing—the age of restoration, the millennial kingdom. This restoration will consummate in the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and new earth. The manifestation of Christ does not refer only to Christ’s second coming. The manifestation of Christ is a long process which began with Christ’s coming to mankind, and even into mankind, at His incarnation and which will continue until Christ’s coming back. Micah 5:2, referring to Christ’s in carnation, says that His goings forth are from the days of eternity. Christ’s goings forth are His coming. Thus, in eternity past, Christ was ready to go forth; that is, He was ready to come. At His incarnation Christ came out of eternity into time, coming with His divinity into humanity. Actually, Christ’s goings forth, His coming, have not ceased. Even today He is still coming. This manifestation, which began with the incarnation, will be consummated in Christ’s coming back with the overcomers as the mighty ones to defeat Antichrist, the last Caesar of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire is the last of the human governments according to the great image in Daniel 2. It was through the Roman Empire that Christ was born in a way that fulfilled the prophecy in Micah concerning the place of His birth. It was also through the Roman Empire that Christ accomplished His redemption by being crucified, and it was under the Roman Empire that the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost to initiate the church life. With the help of the Roman Empire, the apostles, especially the apostle Paul, spread the gospel in Asia and Europe. Later, the Lord used imperialism to spread the gospel to Africa, Central and South America, Asia, and Australia. Today Russia, a country of three hundred fifty million people, has been opened to the Lord’s recovery by God’s punishment upon the nations for the spreading of the gospel, which equals the manifestation of Christ. Our going to Russia today to minister the proper spiritual food is the spreading of the manifestation of Christ.