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马太福音生命读经 · 第41篇

宝贝和珠子

THE TREASURE AND THE PEARL
1在本篇信息中，我有负担再说一点关于宝贝和珠子的话。（太十三44～46。）历代以来，这两个比喻一直没有被人恰当并透彻的领会，也没有被人正确的应用。我不要在道理方面，乃要在应用方面探讨这些比喻。
1In this message I have the burden to give an additional word concerning the treasure and the pearl (13:44-46). Throughout the centuries, these two parables have not been properly and thoroughly understood, nor have they been correctly applied. I want to approach these parables not in a doctrinal way, but in the way of application
历史的事实
THE FACTS OF HISTORY
2首先我们需要记住，马太十三章论到诸天之国的奥秘。这些比喻中所揭示的奥秘，包含了整个基督教的历史。换句话说，诸天之国的奥秘包含了主第一次来和第二次来之间基督教历史的要点。要恰当的解释这些比喻，我们需要注意历史的事实。否则，我们所说的就只是想像的，不是实际的。例如，我们要解释但以理二章所记载尼布甲尼撒的梦，就不能忽视历史的事实。我们需要明白那一段历史的事实，符合尼布甲尼撒梦中所见大像的金6头、银胸臂以及其他的部位。启示录六章也说明，要解释圣经，需要明白历史的事实。这一章有四匹马：白马、红马、灰马和黑马。许多人曾题出对这四匹马的解释，然而没有一个解释令我们满意，因为那些解释并不符合历史的事实。照著历史的事实，从基督升天的时候起，就有白马所代表福音的传扬，喜信的扩展。接著，有红马所表征的战争，黑马所表征的饥荒，以及灰马所表征的死亡。
2Firstly, we need to bere minded that Matthew 13 is a chapter on the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens. The mysteries unveiled in these parables cover the entire span of Christian history. In other words, the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens encompass the main points of Christian history between the Lord’s first coming and His second coming. To interpret these parables properly, we need to take care of the facts of history. Otherwise, what we say about them will be imaginary and not practical. For example, in order to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream recorded in Daniel 2, we cannot afford to neglect the facts of history. We need to know what historical facts correspond to the golden head, the silver chest and arms, and the other parts of the great image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. Revelation also illustrates the need to know the facts of history in order to interpret the Scripture. In this chapter we have the four horses: the white horse, the red horse, the pale horse, and the black horse. Many interpretations of the four horses have been offered. However, none of them has satisfied us because those interpretations did not correspond to the facts of history. According to the historical facts, from the time of the ascension of Christ there has been the preaching of the gospel, the spreading of the glad tidings, represented by the white horse. Following that, there has been war signified by the red horse, famine signified by the black horse, and death signified by the pale horse.
基督教国完整的图画
A COMPLETE PICTURE OF CHRISTENDOM
3我们记住这原则，来到马太十三章。我们已经指出，前四个比喻启示基督教一般的情形。麦子表征真信徒；稗子象征假信徒；大树代表基督教国及其庞大的组织；妇人加在面里的酵，代表背道召会邪恶的教训和异教的作法。我们看过，在圣经里，细面象征基督是神和神子民的食物。这一切项目摆在一起，就有基督教国完整的图画。
3With this principle in mind, we come to Matthew 13. As we have pointed out, the first four parables reveal the general situation of Christianity. The wheat signifies the real believers; the tares symbolize the false believers; the big tree represents Christendom with its huge organization; and the leaven added to the meal by the woman stands for the evil doctrines and heathen practices of the apostate church. We have seen that in the Bible the fine flour signifies Christ as the food to both God and His people. When all these items are put together, we have a complete picture of Christendom.
得胜者
THE OVERCOMERS
4宝贝藏在田地里和珠子出自海的比喻，很令人困惑。有甚么历史的事实符合这些比喻？真信徒是麦子的应验；假信徒是稗子的应验；基督教国是大树的应验；背道的召会是妇人的应验；异教的恶事和各种异端的教训是酵的应验；基督作神和人的食物是面的应验。但在历史上，有甚么可视为宝贝和珠子的应验？当我在主面前思想这件事时，祂给我看见，在历史上，除了真信徒、假信徒、基督教国、背道的召会、异端和异教的作法、并基督作食物之外，还有得胜者，他们在神眼中比麦子更坚实、真实、宝贵且有价值。在神眼中，这些得胜者被比喻为藏在田地里的宝贝，和出自海中的珠子。从第一世纪直到现在，在许多麦子所代表的真基督徒中间，有少数更坚实的人，就像藏在田地里变化过的宝石。今天更是这样。在主的恢复里，有许多爱主、撇弃了世界、并且不凭天然生命活著的圣徒。尽管他们有些失败，但他们仍然喜欢活在灵中，花时间在主面前，留在主的旨意中，实际的与祂是一。这样的人不仅仅是体积大、数量多的麦子；乃是数量少，并且藏在地下那变化过的宝石。很少人能看见他们，但主却看见他们。
4The parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl out of the sea are puzzling. What facts of history fit in with these parables? The true believers are the fulfillment of the wheat; the false believers, of the tares; Christendom, of the big tree; the apostate church, of the woman; the evil things of heathenism and various heretical teachings, of the leaven; and Christ as food for God and man, of the meal. But what is there in history that can be regarded as the fulfillment of the treasure and the pearl? As I was considering this matter before the Lord, He showed me that in history besides the real believers, the false believers, Christendom, the apostate church, the heresies and heathen practices, and Christ as food, there have been the overcomers, who are more solid, genuine, precious, and valuable in the eyes of God than the wheat. In God’se yes these overcomers are likened to the treasure hidden in the field and to the pearl out of these a. From the first century until the present, among the many real Christians represented by the wheat, there have been a small number of more solid ones like the transformed precious stones hidden in the field. This is especially true today. In the Lord’s recovery there are a good number of saints who love the Lord, who have given up the world, and who do not live by their natural life. Although they have had some failures, they still like to live in the spirit, spend time in the presence of the Lord, stay in the Lord’s will, and be one with Him in a practical way. Those who are like this are not just the wheat, bulky in size and abundant in quantity; they are the transformed precious stones, smaller in quantity and hidden under the earth. Not many people can see them, but the Lord sees them
减缩且成为坚实的
REDUCED AND MADE SOLID
5在主的恢复里，许多信徒能见证，他们不仅是麦子，也是更坚实、有价值且宝贵的东西。有些弟兄姊妹在进到主的恢复之前是麦子，外表相当庞大显眼。但他们在主恢复里的这些年间，受到限制并减缩。他们年年变小。你是庞大的，就轻柔像棉花，一点点水就很容易把你毁坏。但你受到减缩、限制、变化之后，就确信你对主是更宝贵的。我们许多人能见证这事。在主的恢复里，我们不像已往那么庞大。我们乃是不断的被减缩、变化、成为更坚实的。你成为像宝石那样坚实时，连洪水也无法损坏你。水不会损坏宝石，只会使牠更洁净、更有价值。
5Many saints in the Lord’s recovery can testify that they are not merely wheat, but something more solid, valuable, and precious. Before certain brothers and sisters came to the Lord’s recovery, they were wheat. Outwardly, they were rather bulky and showy. But during the years they have been in the recovery, they have been constricted and reduced. They have become smaller year by year. When you were bulky, you were soft and light like cotton, easily ruined by a little water. But after you are reduced, constricted, and transformed, you have the assurance that you are more precious to the Lord. Many of us can testify of this. We in the Lord’s recovery are not as bulky as we used to be. Instead, we are constantly being reduced, transformed, and made more solid. After you have become as solid as a precious stone, not even a flood can damage you. Instead of damaging a precious stone, water only makes it more clean and valuable.
6我们若查考基督教的历史，就会发现属于宝贝和珠子那一类的人。宝贝和珠子的比喻是指历代的得胜者。主用种子撒在田地里，长出麦子的例子，作真信徒的例证。然而，这是对真基督徒一般的例证。主用别的例证描述召会中的得胜者。他们从前是无生命的砂粒，但他们伤了基督，就是活在死水中的蚌，并且留在基督的伤处，在那里有分于基督生命的分泌。这不仅使他们能得著重生，也使他们成了珠子。这不仅仅是种子撒在田地里，产生麦子；乃是藉著基督生命的分泌成为宝贵的东西。
6If we examine Christian history, we shall find those who belong in the categories of the treasure and the pearl. The parables of the treasure and the pearl refer to the overcomers throughout the centuries. As an illustration of the genuine believers, the Lord uses the example of wheat grown from seed sown in the field. This, however, is a general illustration of the genuine believers. The Lord uses other illustrations to describe the overcoming members of the church. They used to be lifeless grains of sand. But they wounded Christ, the oyster living in the death water, and stayed at Christ’s wound, where they participated in the secretion of Christ’s life. This not only enabled them to be regenerated, but also caused them to become pearls. This is more than a seed sown in a field to produce wheat; it is something that has become precious through the secretion of the life of Christ
召会和国度
THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM
7我们已经指出，宝贝毫无疑问是指宝石。新耶路撒冷是召会生活和国度生活的终极完成，因为在这城里，召会生活和国度结合在一起。新耶路撒冷的建造主要的是珍珠门和形成墙与根基的宝石。这一切都建立在支持整座建筑的精金根基上。在本篇信息中，我们要专注于珍珠门和宝石墙。珠子是指召会，宝贝是指国度。
7We have pointed out that the treasure no doubt refers to precious stones. The New Jerusalem is the ultimate consummation of the church life and the kingdom life, for in this city the church life is combined with the kingdom. The building of New Jerusalem is mainly of the pearl gates and the precious stones which form the wall and its foundations. All this is set upon a golden base that upholds the entire building. In this message we are focusing on the pearl gate and the treasure wall. The pearl refers to the church, and the treasure, to the kingdom
8马太十三章用比喻奥秘的说到召会和国度。但在十六章，主对祂的门徒清楚的说到召会和国度。在十六章十八节，主说，『我要把我的召会建造...。』下一节说，『我要把诸天之国的钥匙给你。』在这些经文里，我们看见召会和国度。要领会马太十三章的宝贝和珠子，我们必须看马太十六章的召会和国度。你若祷读这两章，自然而然会看见宝贝就是国度，珠子就是召会。宝贝和珠子都在新耶路撒冷里。
8The church and the kingdom are spoken of in Matthew 13 in a mysterious way in parables. But in chapter sixteen the Lord speaks a clear word to His disciples regarding the church and the kingdom. In 16:18 He says, “On this rock I will build My church,” and in the following verse, “I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens.” In these verses we see the church and the kingdom. In order to understand the treasure and the pearl in Matthew 13, we must consider the church and the kingdom in Matthew 16. If you pray over these two chapters, you will spontaneously see that the treasure is the kingdom and that the pearl is the church. Both the treasure and the pearl are in the New Jerusalem.
9照著马太十三章，主耶稣变卖了祂20:28一切所有的，买了珠子。行传二十章二十八节说，主用自己的血买了召会。这就是说，祂在十字架上变卖了祂一切所有的，买了召会。这一节有力的证明，马太十三章的珠子就是召会，因为商人买了这珠子。毫无疑问，商人就是主。
9According to Matthew 1 3, the Lord Jesus sold whatever He had and bought the pearl. Acts says that the Lord purchased the church with His blood. This means that on the cross He sold all He had and bought the church. This verse is a strong proof that the pearl in Matthew 13 is the church, for the pearl was purchased by the merchant. No doubt the merchant is the Lord.
国度的生活
the kingdom life
10我们藉著重生，再生，进入国度的范围。（约三5。）重生与珠子有关，因为珠子是由重生的原则产生的。藉著重生，我们进入神的范围，国度的领域。我们蒙了重生之后，开始凭祂而活。因著我们爱祂，我们就愿留在祂的管治之下，受祂的约束。我们许多人经历过在各方面受约束。我们不是受人的限制，乃是受里面那看不见的东西－属天管治下的生命－的限制。也许我们想要作某些事，但我们受到一种奥秘、看不见、内在的管治所约束，不去作这些事。我们的亲人、同学能自由作那些事，但我们不能作。有个看不见的东西对我们施行内在的管治，并且我们活在这管治之下。这就是宝贝，国度的生活。
10We enter the realm of the kingdom by being regenerated, by being born again ( John 3:5). Regeneration is related to the pearl, for the pearl is produced by the principle of regeneration. By being reborn we enter into the sphere of God, into the realm of the kingdom. After we were regenerated, we began to live by Him. Because we loved Him, we wanted to stay under His control and be restricted by Him. Many of us have experienced being restricted on every side. We are not limited by man, but by something inward that is invisible—by the life under the heavenly ruling. We may try to do certain things, but we are restricted from doing them by a mysterious, invisible, inward control. Our relatives or schoolmates are free to do those things, but we cannot do them. Something invisible exercises an inward control over us, and we live under this control. This is the treasure, the kingdom life
11在我们成为基督徒以前，我们是砂子。但我们已蒙了重生。这就是说，有个活的东西进到了我们里面。当更多生命的汁液分泌出来包裹我们，我们就成为宝贵的，并且开始活在奥秘的管治之下。这就是对珠子和宝贝的经历。
11Before we became Christians, we were sand. But we have been regenerated. This means that something living has entered into us. As more life juice is secreted over us, we become precious and begin to live under a mysterious control. This is the experience of the pearl and the treasure
12在主恢复里的地方召会是珠子。但在主眼中，这召会也必须是向世界隐藏的宝贝。属世的人或基督教里的人都不晓得我们在作甚么。但在我们深处，我们晓得我们在过珠子的生活，在看不见的管治之下的生活。我们乃是珠子和宝贝。
12The local church in the Lord’s recovery is a pearl. But in the eyes of the Lord, this church must also be a treasure hidden from the world. Neither the worldly people nor those in Christianity know what we are doing. But deep within we know that we are living a pearl life and a life under an invisible control. We are the pearl and the treasure.
13十三章的前四个比喻，没有完全包括我们。我们不仅是麦子或细面。我们比这个更宝贵、坚实、真实。我们是珠子和宝贝。这是在主恢复里的召会生活同国度生活。我们若没有第二组的比喻，就不晓得我们该在那里。我很喜乐的说，我不再在第一组，我在第二组。你能这样说么？你是仅仅有一点点基督的信徒么？倘若这是你的光景，那么你必是在基督教国里的真基督徒。感谢主，我们不在基督教国里。赞美主，我们许多人是在主恢复里的珠子和宝贝！
13The first four parables of chapter thirteen do not fully cover us. We are not just the wheat or the fine flour. We are more precious, solid, and genuine than this. We are the pearl and the treasure. This is the church life with the kingdom life in the Lord’s recovery. If we did not have the second group of parables, we would not know where we should be. I am happy to say that I am no longer in the first group—I am in the second. Can you say this? Are you simply a believer who has a little of Christ? If this is your situation, then you must be a genuine Christian in Christendom. We thank the Lord that we are not in Christendom. Praise Him that many of us are the pearl and the treasure in the Lord’s recovery
谨慎如何建造
TAKING HEED HOW WE BUILD
14珠子和宝贝的比喻符合七章十三至十四节所说，『你们要进窄门；...引到生命的，那门窄，那路狭，找著的人也少。』宽门和阔路引到毁坏。在这一1点上，我们需要参考林前三章，在那里保罗警戒我们，要谨慎如何在基督这根基上建造。我们是用金、银、宝石，还是用木、草、禾楷建造？金、银、宝石是经得起火试验的材料，但木、草、禾楷要被烧毁。在今天的基督教里，有许多的木头和干草，金子却很少。在今天的基督徒中间，很难找到金子、珍珠和宝石。这些材料不大，都很小。看看基督教，到处都是木、草、禾楷；但金子在那里？宝石在那里？基督教的路是阔路，主恢复的路是狭路。有时候仇敌会企图引诱我们离开这狭路，进入外表庞大，由木、草、禾楷作成的事物里。然而，在新耶路撒冷里，将没有木头的东西，没有可燃烧或烧毁的东西。在新耶路撒冷里，每样东西都要存到永远。没有甚么能损坏金子、珍珠和宝石。我们的工作和见证必须像这样。我有负担使我们都看见，我们既不在基督教国里，也不在阔路上。我们是在主的恢复里。我们不是在前四个比喻中，乃是在第五和第六个比喻中。在主的恢复里，量少，质却更高、更坚实，因为这里有宝贝和珠子。
14The parables of the pearl and the treasure match the verses which say, “Enter in through the narrow gate...for the gate is narrow and the way is constricted which leads to life, and few are those who find it” (7:1 3-1 4). The wide gate and broad way lead to destruction. At this point we need to refer to Corinthians 3, where Paul admonishes us to take heed how we build upon the foundation of Christ. Are we building with gold, silver, and precious stones, or with wood, hay, and stubble? Gold, silver, and precious stones are materials that can withstand the test of fire. But the wood, hay, and stubble will be consumed. In today’s Christianity there is a great deal of wood and dry grass, but there is very little gold. Among today’s Christians it is difficult to find the gold, pearl, and precious stones. These materials are not bulky, but small. Look at Christianity: wood, hay, and stubble are everywhere; but where is the gold, and where is the precious stone? The way of Christianity is the broad way, but the way of the Lord’s recovery is the constricted way. At times the enemy will attempt to lure us away from this constricted way into something that is outwardly big and bulky, something made of wood, hay, and stubble. However, in the New Jerusalem there will be nothing wooden, nothing that can be burned or consumed. Everything in the New Jerusalem will remain for eternity. Nothing can damage the gold, pearl, and precious stone. Our work and testimony must be like this. I am burdened that we would all see that we are neither in Christendom nor on the broad way. We are in the Lord’s recovery. We are not in the first four parables, but in the fifth and sixth parables. In the Lord’s recovery the quantity is small, but the quality is higher and more solid, because here we have the treasure and the pearl.
留在狭路上
STAYING IN THE CONSTRICTED WAY
15尽管基督教作了许多工作，但这一切工作会蒙主称许么？在诸天之国宪法的末了，主说，『当那日，许多人要对我说，主阿，主阿，我们不是在你的名里豫言过，在你的名里赶鬼过，并在你的名里行过许多异能么？』（太七22。）但主耶稣要说，『我从来不认识你们，你们这些行不法的人，离开我去罢。』太七23。)主也许说，『我从来不称许你们；我从来不允许你们作这些事。在我眼中，你们所作的一切都是不法。』我不相信基督教的工作会蒙主称许。但我们如何?我们需要得加强，留在狭路上。我们没有一人该留在第一组的比喻中，我们该往前到第二组的比喻中。让别人得著庞大的人数，完成伟大的工作罢！我们宁愿留在珠子和宝贝里，在那里受约束。
15Although a great many works have been performed in Christianity, will all this work be approved by the Lord? Toward the end of the constitution of the kingdom of the heavens, the Lord said, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many works of power?” (7:22). But the Lord Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, workers of lawlessness” (7:23). The Lord may say, “I never approved you; (I never allowed you to do these things. In My eyes everything you did was lawless.” I do not believe that the works of Christianity will meet with the Lord’s approval. But what about us? We need to be strengthened to remain in the constricted way. None of us should want to stay in the first group of parables, but we should go on to be in the second group. Let others gain a huge number and carry out a great work. We prefer to stay in the pearl and in the treasure where we are constricted.
16因著许多基督徒发了酵，他们就成为巨大、庞大的。从我们转向主恢复的那天起，我们就开始受约束。我们都能见证这事，特别是那些在基督教里多少有些名气的人。在主的恢复里，没有甚么使我们更大。反之，许多事发生，要减缩我们。基督会约束我们到一个地步，使我们小得可以放进一个小瓶子里。但在这瓶子里会有宝贝。因为我们的路是狭路，主的恢复就是祂的见证。在今天的基督教国里，甚至在天主教里，主能找到许多的麦子和少许的面。但在基督教国里，祂找不到多少的珠子和宝贝。
16Because many Christians have been leavened, they have become large and bulky. But from the day we turned to the Lord’s recovery, we began to be constricted. We all can testify of this, especially those who were somewhat well-known in Christianity. Nothing in the Lord’s recovery has made us greater. Instead, many things have taken place to reduce us. Christ will constrict us to the point that we shall be small enough to be put in a little bottle. But in this bottle there will be a treasure. Because our way is the constricted way, the Lord’s recovery is His testimony. In today’s Christendom the Lord can find a great deal of wheat and a small amount of meal, even in the Catholic Church. But He cannot find much of the pearl and the treasure in Christendom
17我们不是骄傲，但我们领悟我们在主的恢复里是不同的。我是个罪人，我的性情比你更坏。但我能作见证，主也能为我作见证，因著我里面有约束的生命，许多事情我就不能作。一天过一天，这生命对我想作的一些事说『不。』这就是罗马十四章十七节所题的国度生活。因为我们在国度里，并在管治之下，许多事别的基督徒能自由的作，我们就不能作。这就是在主眼中宝贵、贵重、可爱的宝贝。祂在十字架上牺牲了一切，买了珠子，和藏著宝贝的田地。祂买田地和珠子，启示出祂是为著国度和召会。我们在主的恢复里，并不是因著我们的作为。我们在这里，是因著主把我们聚在一起，作祂活的见证。毫无疑问，在主眼中，宝贝和珠子是在祂的恢复里。
17Although we are not proud, we realize that we in the Lord’s recovery are different. I am a sinful human being, worse in my nature than you are. But I can testify, and the Lord can also testify for me, that there are many things that I simply cannot do because I have a constricting life within me. Day by day this life says “no” to certain things I want to do. This is the kingdom life mentioned in Romans 14:17. Because we are in the kingdom and under the reigning, we cannot do many of the things that other Christians are free to do. This is the treasure which is precious, valuable, and lovely in the eyes of the Lord. On the cross He sacrificed everything to buy both the pearl and the field in which the treasure is hidden. His buying the field and the pearl reveals that He is for the kingdom and the church. That we are in the Lord’s recovery is not the result of our doing. We are here because the Lord has brought us together to be His living testimony. I have no doubt that, in the eyes of the Lord, the treasure and the pearl are here in the recovery.
18在前四个比喻中，主一般的说到基督教国；在以下的两个比喻中，祂特殊的说到祂的得胜者。第七个比喻，网的比喻，说到万民。主回来的时候，地上会有三班人：在基督教国里的人、在主恢复里的人、和在万民中间的人。在网的比喻中，万民被比喻为海里的鱼。这些『鱼』被带到主面前，主就对他们施行审判。主回来时，这将标明世代的终结。这一切都包括在七个关于诸天之国奥秘的比喻里。我们既不在前四个比喻里，也不在第七个比喻里，乃是在第五和第六个比喻里。我们是宝贝和珠子。这些宝贝和珠子的比喻是最宝贵的。何等的特权，我们能成为这些比喻的应验！
18In the first four parables the Lord covers Christendom in a general way, and in the next two parables He covers His overcomers in a particular way. The seventh parable, the parable of the net, covers the nations. At the time of the Lord’s coming back there will be three people son earth: those in Christendom, those in the Lord’s recovery, and those among the nations. In the parable of the net the nations are likened to fish in the sea. These “fish” are brought to the presence of the Lord, and the Lord exercises His judgment upon them. This will mark the completion of the age at the Lord’s coming back. All this is covered by the seven parables concerning the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens. We are neither in the first four parables nor in the seventh, but in the fifth and sixth. We are the treasure and the pearl. These parables of the treasure and the pearl are most precious. What a privilege it is to be the fulfillment of these parables