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马太福音生命读经 · 第52篇

国度里的关系（二）

Relationships In The Kingdom (2)
1马太十八章似乎不是很深的一章，二十三至三十五节的比喻也很浅显。事实上，这一章所启示的非常深。大多数基督徒读马太福音，并不晓得这卷书不仅论到国度的道理，也论到实行的国度生活。我们若要领会马太福音任何一段，就需要记住这事实。我年轻时，不喜欢读马太十八章，因为我没有看见这一章论到国度的生活。你以前虽然读过这一章，但你也许没有看见这一章真正论到的事。你也许以为这一章仅仅与基督徒的行为有关，仅仅说到赦免我们的弟兄。因著我们天然的观念，我们没有看见这一章与国度生活有深切的关系。
1It may seem that Matthew 18 is not a deep chapter and that the parable in verses 23 through 35 is shallow. Actually, what is revealed in this chapter is very deep. When most Christians read Matthew, they do not realize that this book deals not only with the doctrine of the kingdom, but with the practical kingdom life. If we would understand any portion of Matthew, we need to keep this fact in mind. When I was young, I did not care to read Matthew 18 because I did not see that this chapter deals with the kingdom life. Although you have read this chapter before, you probably have not seen what it really deals with. Rather, you may have thought that it is merely concerned with Christian behavior, that it is merely a word about forgiving our brothers. Because of our natural concept, we do not see that this chapter is deeply concerned with the kingdom life
2一节证明这段话论到实行的国度生活：『当时，门徒到耶稣跟前来，说，谁在诸天的国里是最大的?』进入诸天的国，意思就是进入诸天之国的实现。因此，这一章和十九、二十章论到国度的生活。
2The fact that this portion of the Word deals with the practical kingdom life is proved by verse 1: “In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?” To enter into the kingdom of the heavens means to enter into the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens. Therefore, this chapter, along with chapters nineteen and twenty, deals with the kingdom life
3我们要留在国度的生活里，就必须谦卑。我们若谦卑，就不会得罪人，也不会被人得罪。我们不会绊跌人，也不会被人绊跌。所有绊跌的事，不论出于我们自己或别人，都是来自骄傲。我们需要恨恶骄傲，并且对待牠如同必须杀死的『地鼠。』否则，骄傲的『地鼠』会毁坏国度的生活。
3In order to remain in the kingdom life, we must have humility. If we have humility, we shall neither offend others nor be offended by others. We shall neither stumble others nor be stumbled by them. All stumbling, of ourselves or of others, comes from pride. We need to hate pride and treat it as a “gopher” that must be killed. Otherwise, the “gopher” of pride will ruin the kingdom life
4在十八章，我们看见如何对付得罪人的人。若有弟兄得罪我们，我们应当在爱里直接到他那里去。他若不听我们，我们应当再同一两个见证人到他那里去。他若在见证人面前，仍不听我们，我们就该把这事告诉召会，让召会对付他。他若不听召会，召会就该把他当作外邦人或税吏，断绝他与召会的交通。虽然这话是告诉我们如何对付犯罪得罪人的弟兄，但这话也指明得罪人是严重的事。由断绝与召会交通的危机，看出这事的严重。与召会的交通断绝，意思就是被摆在国度生活之外。这是很严重的。
4In chapter eighteen we see how to deal with someone who offends others. If a brother offends us, we should go to him directly in love. If he does not listen to us, we should go to him again with one or two witnesses. If he still does not listen to us, even in the presence of witnesses, we should tell the matter to the church and let the church deal with him. If he refuses to hear the church, then the church should consider him a heathen or a tax collector and cut off his fellowship with the church. Although this is a word telling us how to deal with a brother who causes offenses, it is also a word indicating that it is a serious matter to offend others. The seriousness of this is shown by the danger of being cut off from the fellowship of the church. To be cut off from the fellowship of the church means to be put out of the kingdom life. This is serious.
5主说到对付犯罪弟兄的话，与国度的权柄有关联。十八节说，『我实在告诉你们，凡你们在地上捆绑的，必是在诸天之上已经捆绑的；凡你们在地上释放的，必是在诸天之上已经释放的。』若有人得罪弟兄，背叛召会，诸天就要捆绑他。请注意十八节说，召会捆绑在诸天之上已经捆绑的。这指明犯罪和背叛使诸天捆绑那犯罪的人。你若弃绝召会，背叛召会，诸天就要捆绑你。因为诸天已经捆绑你，召会就执行诸天已经捆绑的。你若思考十八节的上下文，就会看见背叛召会不是微不足道的事。召会只跟随诸天，捆绑诸天已经捆绑的。召会的捆绑乃是执行诸天的捆绑。召会说，『主，我们捆绑这背叛的弟兄』之先，他已经在诸天之上被捆绑了。
5In the Lord’sword about dealing with an offending brother, the authority of the kingdom is involved. Verse 18 says, “Truly I say to you, Whatever you bind on the earth shall be what has been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth shall be what has been loosed in heaven.” If someone offends the brothers and rebels against the church, the heavens will bind him. Notice that verse 18 says that the church binds what has already been bound in the heavens. This indicates that the offense and the rebellion cause the heavens to bind the one responsible for the offense. If you reject the church and rebel against the church, the heavens will bind you. Because the heavens have bound you already, the church executes what the heavens have already bound. If you consider verse 18 in its context, you will realize that it is not an insignificant matter to rebel against the church. The church simply follows the heavens to bind what the heavens have already bound. The church’s binding is the execution of the heavens’ binding. Before the church says, “Lord, we bind this rebellious brother,” he has already been bound in the heavens
6关于悔改也是一样。为著你的背叛向召会悔改是意义重大的事。你若向召会悔改，诸天会立刻释放你，然后召会也要释放诸天之上已经释放的。背叛召会是很严重的，向召会悔改是很有意义的。藉此我们看见马太十八章论到国度的生活。
6The same is true regarding repentance. To repent to the church for your rebellion is a matter of great significance. If you repent to the church, the heavens will immediately loose you, and then the church will loose what has been loosed in the heavens. To rebel against the church is serious, and to repent to the church is very significant. By this we see that Matthew 18 covers the kingdom life
7这里所看见的不仅仅是得罪人或听召会的事，乃是我们会不会在国度里的事。我们若背叛召会，诸天要在召会背后支持召会。因此，你若背叛召会，诸天会说，『我捆绑你。』然后召会就会起来捆绑诸天已经捆绑的。但你若悔改，诸天就会说，『你被释放了。』然后召会就会执行诸天之上已经释放的。不论我们背叛召会或向召会悔改，都是严肃的。二者启示出我们与弟兄并与召会的关系，都与国度生活有重大的关系。
7What is found here is not simply a matter about offending someone or listening to the church. It is a matter of whether or not we shall remain in the kingdom. If we rebel against the church, the heavens stand behind the church and support it. Hence, if you rebel against the church, the heavens will say, “I bind you.” Then the church will rise up to bind what the heavens have bound. But if you repent, the heavens will say, “You are loosed.” Then the church will carry out what has been loosed in the heavens. Whether we rebel against the church or repent to the church, both are serious. Both reveal that our relationship with the brothers and with the church has a great deal to do with the kingdom life.
陆 、因著蒙赦免而赦免人
VI. FORGIVING FOR BEING FORGIVEN
一 、赦免得罪你的弟兄到七十个七次
A. Forgiving the Offending Brother Even Seventy Times Seven
8听主说到国度生活的话之后，彼得问主一个问题：『主阿，我的弟兄得罪我，我当赦免他几次？到七次么？』（太十八。）彼得不是替别人问这问题；他既快且大胆，他按著他里面的所是发问。快的人都常常得罪人。我们越活跃、越快速、越大胆，就越得罪人。但谨慎、缓慢的人，很少得罪人。为甚么不是约翰问这问题？关心主所论到得罪弟兄的乃是彼得。因著彼得常常得罪人，他就很关心，并且问主关于赦免的事。
8After listening to the Lord’sword about the kingdom life, Peter asked Him a question: “Lo rd, how often shall my brothers in against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?” (v. 21). Peter did not ask this on behalf of others; rather, being quick and bold, 21 he asked it according to what was in him. Those who are quick often offend others. The more active, quick, and bold we are, the more we offend others. But those who are cautious and slow rarely offend anyone. Why was it not John who asked this question? It was Peter who was concerned about the Lord’s word regarding the offending brother. Because Peter often offended others, he was very concerned and asked the Lord about forgiveness.
9二十二节说，『耶稣对他说，我不是对你说到七次，乃是到七十个七次。』七十个七次，意思是我们必须不计其数的赦免人。不需要数算或记录你赦免人的次数。一次一次又一次，你需要赦免他们。
9Verse 22 says, “Jesus says to him, I do not say to you until seven times, but until seventy times seven.” Seventy times seven means that we must forgive others an unlimited number of times. There is no need to count or keep a record of the number of times you forgive others. Over and over and over, you need to forgive them
二 、赦免人如同主赦免了我们
B. Forgiving Others as the Lord Has Forgiven Us
我们欠主的不可能还清
1. Our Debt to the Lord Being Impossible to Pay Off 1.
10在二十三至三十五节，主用一个比喻作例证。二十三、二十四节说，『因此，诸天的国好比一个作君王的人，要和他的奴仆算账。才算的时候，有人带了一个欠一万他连得银子的来。』照著这比喻的上下文，这里的算账是指主在今世对付我们，藉著像重病或某些大患难这样的事，叫我们领悟我们欠主多少，并且求祂赦免我们。照著二十四节，一个奴仆欠他一万他连得银子，数目如此之大，指明欠债的人不可能把债务偿清。这是指我们得救后，得罪主所累积的重债。
10In verses 23 through 35 the Lord gives a parable as an illustration. Verses 23 and 24 say, “Therefore, the kingdom of the heavens is likened to a man, a king, who desired to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he began to settle them, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.” According to the context of this parable, the settling of accounts here refers to the Lord’s dealing with us in this age through such things as severe illness or certain extreme hardships which cause us to realize how much we owe the Lord and to beg Him to forgive us. According to verse 24, one slave owed him ten thousand talents, that is, about twelve million dollars. It was impossible for the debtor to pay off this debt. This refers to the heavy debt of our failures accumulated after we were saved
主因著祂的怜悯而赦免
2. The Lord’s Forgiveness by His Mercy 2.
11那奴仆求王宽容他，直到他把债务还清，『那奴仆的主人就动了慈心，把他释放，并且免了他的债。』（太十八27。）这是指在我们失败的基督徒生活中，我们的债得赦免，好恢复我们与主的交通。
11After the slave begged the king to be patient with him until here paid the debt, “the lord of that slave was moved with compassion and released him and forgave him the loan” (v. 27). This refers to the forgiveness of our debts in our defeated Christian life for the restoration of our fellowship with the Lord.
12别人欠我们的，此起我们欠主的是何等的少
123. Another’s Debt to Us Being Very Small 3.
Compared with Our Debt to the Lord
13二十八节说，『但那奴仆出来，遇见一个和他同作奴仆的，欠他一百银币，便揪住他，掐住他的喉咙，说，你所欠的，都要偿还。』这明确的指今世发生的事。这节所说的一百银币，比一万他连得银子的多少万分之一还少，这是指我们得救作了主的奴仆之后，弟兄得罪我们的罪。弟兄欠我们的，比起我们欠主的是何等少！
13Verse 28 says, “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and he seized him and took him by the throat, saying, Pay, if you owe anything.” This definitely refers to things that take place in this age. The hundred denarii spoken of in this verse is less than a millionth part of ten thousand talents. This refers to a brother’ss in against us after we have been saved. How small is any brother’s debt to us compared to our debt to the Lord
我们不愿赦免人
4. We Being Unwilling to Forgive 4.
14然而，我们也许不愿赦免人。二十九、三十节说，『那和他同作奴仆的，俯伏央求他说，宽容我，将来我必还你。他却不肯，竟去把他下在监里，等他还清所欠的债。』被得罪的弟兄，不愿赦免人的人，的确得救了。因此，在这比喻中，主不是对付罪人，乃是对付信徒，得救的人。祂对付一个被得罪却不愿赦免人的弟兄。
14Nevertheless, we may not be willing to forgive. Verses 29 and 30 say, “His fellow slave therefore fell down and entreated him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will repay you. And he would not, but went away and threw him into prison until he should pay what was owed.” The offended brother, the one not willing to forgive others, was certainly saved. Thus, in this parable the Lord is dealing not with sinners, but with believers, with saved ones. He deals with a brother who has been offended, yet who is not willing to forgive
弟兄们因我们不愿赦免人，就甚忧愁
5. The Brothers Being Grieved 5. by Our Unwillingness to Forgive
15三十一节说，『那些和他同作奴仆的，看见所发生的事，就甚忧愁，去把一切所发生的事，都完全告诉他们的主人。』我们若不赦免得罪我们的弟兄，这会使别的弟兄忧愁，将这事带到主面前。
15Verse 31 says, “His fellow slaves, having seen what had taken place, were exceedingly grieved and came and explained to their lord all that had taken place.” If we do not forgive the brother who sins against us, it will grieve the other brothers, and they may bring this matter to the Lord
16因著我们不愿赦免而受主刑罚
166. Punished by the Lord for Our Unwillingness to Forgive 6.
17三十四节说，『主人就大怒，把他交给掌刑的，直到他还清了一切所欠的债。』这是指主在回来时，对付他的信徒。我们若不赦免得罪我们的弟兄，就要受主管教，直到我们从心里赦免他；这乃是说，直到我们还清一切所欠的债，主才会赦免我们。这是国度里的赦免。这含示我们今天若不从心里赦免弟兄，来世就不得进国度。
17Verse 34 says, “And his lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was owed to him.” This refers to the Lord’s dealing with His believers a tHis coming back. If we do not forgive the brother who sins against us, we shall be disciplined by the Lord until we forgive him from the heart, that is, until we have paid everything we owe. Then the Lord will forgive us. This is forgiveness in the kingdom. This implies that if we do not forgive a brother from our heart today, we shall not be allowed to enter into the kingdom in the coming age.
18许多基督徒不领会这段话。三十四、三十五节指明，不从心里赦免弟兄的，要在掌刑者的手下，直到他赦免一切。这样的人必定是得救的人。然而，他被交给掌刑者一段时间。但这不是说他被永远下在监里，乃是说他要受苦，直到他把债还清，也就是说，直到他从心里赦免他的弟兄。
18Many Christians do not understand this portion of the Word. Verses 34 and 35 indicate that the one who does not forgive his brother from his heart will be under the hand of the tormentors until he forgives everything. Certainly such a one is a saved one. Nevertheless, he is given over to the tormentors for a period of time. This does not mean, however, that he is cast into prison forever. Rather, he will be tormented until he pays the debt, that is, until he forgives his brother from his heart
19今天大多数的基督徒相信只要他们得救了，将来就不会有问题。但在这比喻中，那不赦免和他同作奴仆的人，不是假基督徒，乃是真基督徒。你需要领悟，有一天真基督徒可能被交给掌刑的。也许你会说，『主耶稣不会这样待我。我从未抢过银行。我一向公义，没有苦待人。』但主可能说，『不，你没有抢银行或损害人，但你没有从心里赦免你的弟兄。』你以为这样一个不赦免人的弟兄，真是实际的在国度里么？照著神的数学，赦免就是忘记。然而，你也许不愿赦免那些得罪你的人。这是严重的事。你若宣称你实际的在国度生活里，那么你为甚么不愿从心里赦免人？你不愿赦免，就使你失去国度的生活。
19Today most Christians believe that as long as they are saved, there will be no problem in the future. But in this parable the one who refuses to forgive his fellow slaves is not a false Christian, but a real Christian. You need to realize that it is possible for a real Christian one day to be delivered to the tormentors. Perhaps you will say, “The Lord Jesus will not do this to me. I have never robbed a bank. I have always been righteous and have not mistreated others.” But the Lord may say, “No, you didn’t rob a bank or damage anyone, but you have not forgiven your brother from your heart.” Do you think that such an unforgiving brother is actually in the kingdom in a practical way? According to God’s mathematics, to forgive is to forget. However, you may not be willing to forgive those who have offended you. This is a serious matter. If you claim to be in the kingdom life in a practical way, why then are you not willing to forgive others from the heart? Your unwillingness to forgive causes you to lose the kingdom life
20十五至二十节强调得罪人的弟兄需要悔改。但这比喻强调被得罪的人需要赦免。我们不愿悔改和不愿赦免，都会使我们在国度之外。我们若得罪人，却不愿悔改并求赦免，我们就会在国度之外。同样的原则，我们若被得罪，却不愿赦免，我们也会在国度之外。我们常以为我们在国度里，但照著神的数学却不然。这乃在于我们是否愿意一面悔改并求赦免，另一面从心里赦免人。历年来，我在召会生活中一直观察这两个问题。某些弟兄得罪人，不愿悔改并求赦免。结果，他们就在召会生活之外。因著在召会生活之外，他们就在国度之外。我也看见那些被得罪，却不愿赦免那得罪他们的人。他们也在召会生活之外。表面看来，不悔改和不赦免人的人在国度里。事实上，照著神的算法，他们不在国度里。
20In verses 15 through 20 the emphasis is on the offending brother needing to repent. But in the parable the emphasis is on the offended one needing to forgive. Both our unwillingness to repent and our unwillingness to forgive will keep us out of the kingdom. If we offend someone but are not willing to repent and ask for forgiveness, we shall be kept out of the kingdom. In the same principle, if we are offended but are unwilling to forgive, we shall also be kept out of the kingdom. Often we think that we are in the kingdom when, according to God’s mathematics, we are not. It depends on whether or not we are willing, on the one hand, to repent and ask for forgiveness and, on the other hand, to forgive others from our heart. I have observed these two problems in the church life throughout the years. When certain brothers offended others, they were not willing to repent and ask for forgiveness. As a result, they were out of the church life. By being out of the church life, they were out of the kingdom. I also saw those who were offended but who were not willing to forgive the one who had offended them. They also were kept from the church life. Apparently those who do not repent and those who do not forgive others are in the kingdom. Actually, according to God’s reckoning, they are not
21每当召会新建立时，召会就经历蜜月。在蜜月期间，一切都很美妙。弟兄和姊妹说，『在召会里真好！我们从前在公会里惯于离散并分裂，但如今被掳的都回家了。赞美主带我们回来。』然而，当时间过去，就会有得罪的事。在召会生活中，我们无法避免彼此得罪的事，因为我们每天彼此密切的接触。我们可能在无意间得罪人。从我开始尽职事的那一天直到如今，我无意要得罪人。我甚至求主给我智慧，知道如何在主的子民中间出入。但不论我为这事祷告主多少次，我仍不知不觉、无意之间得罪了人。婚姻生活也是这样。我不信夫妇之间会没有得罪的事。得罪的事是难免的。
21Whenever a church is newly established, the church experiences a honeymoon. During the honeymoon, everything is wonderful. The brothers and sisters say, “How marvelous it is to be in the church! We used to be scattered and divided in the denominations. But now the captives have returned home. Praise the Lord for bringing us back!” However, as time goes by, there will be offenses. In the church life we simply cannot avoid offending one another, for we are daily in close contact with one another. We may offend others without having any intention of doing so. From the day I first came into the ministry until now, I have not had any intention to offend anyone. I have even prayed that the Lord would give me wisdom to know how to go in and out among the Lord’sp eople. But no matter how much I prayed to the Lord regarding this, I have unconsciously and unintentionally offended others. The same is true in married life. I do not believe that there is one couple who has not had offenses between them. Offenses are unavoidable
22这些年间，我曾访问一处又一处的召会。每个在新召会里的人都很喜乐，所有的脸都在微笑。但两年之后我访问同样的召会，在那里看见许多不愉快的脸。我私下和一些似乎最不喜乐的人接触，并问他们发生了甚么事，为甚么他们在聚会中闭口无言。他们告诉我彼此得罪的事，以及对长老或对别人不愉快的感觉。每当我听到这事，我就迫切为这召会祷告，说，『主阿，召会这样简直不能往前。』然后我和长老接触，问他们这光景。有时长老说，『李弟兄，别题那人了。虽然他是这里召会生活的一位先锋，但他几乎得罪了每个人。』听见这话，我就问长老是否愿意赦免他。在许多事例中，他们不愿这样作。因此，一方不愿悔改，另一方也不愿赦免。这种情形若继续下去，召会生活就完了。圣徒也许仍来在一起，唱一些诗歌，却因著过犯、论断、以及不愿悔改或赦免，那地就没有国度的生活。鉴察一切的神，晓得隐藏在召会生活表面之下的东西。我们可以聚集如同召会，但我们中间可能没有真正的国度生活。因著不愿悔改并赦免，国度生活就消失。
22During the years, I have visited church after church. Everyone in a new church is happy, and all the faces are smiling. But when I visited the same church two years later, I saw many unhappy faces there. Privately I contacted some of those who seemed the most unhappy and asked what had happened to them and why they were silent in the meetings. They told me of the offenses and the unhappy feelings toward the elders or toward others. Whenever I heard this, I prayed desperately for the church and said, “Lord, the church simply cannot go on like this.” Then I contacted the elders and asked them about the situation. Sometimes the elders said, “Brother Lee, forget about that person. Although he was one of the pioneers of the church life here, he has offended almost everyone.” Upon hearing this, I asked the elders if they would forgive him. In many cases, they were unwilling to do so. Thus, one side was unwilling to repent, and the other side was unwilling to forgive. If such a situation continues, the church life is over. The saints may still come together and sing a few hymns, but because of the offenses, the judgment, and the unwillingness to repent or to forgive, there is no kingdom life in that place. God who sees everything knows what is hidden beneath the surface of the church life. We may meet as a church, but among us there may not actually be the kingdom life. Because of the unwillingness to repent and to forgive, the kingdom life vanishes.
三 、国度里的赦免
C. Forgiveness in the Kingdom
今世的赦免
1. Forgiveness in the Present Age 1.
23在神管治的行政里，祂的赦免是有时代讲究的。为著祂的行政，祂计画了不同的世代。从基督第一次来，一直到永世的这段时期，在经纶的安排上分为三个时代：今世，现今的世代，从基督第一次来，到祂再来；来世，千年国，就是复兴和属天管治的一千年，从基督再来，到旧天旧地结束；永世，新天新地的永远世代。神在今世的赦免，是为了罪人永远的得救。（徒二38，五31，十三39。）倘若信徒得救后犯了罪，不肯在他死前或主回来前，藉著认罪和主血的洗净，（约壹一7，9，）清楚对付，这罪在今世就不得赦免，乃要留到基督的审判台前受审判。他不能得著国度为赏赐，不能在诸天的国实现时，与基督一同有分于荣耀和喜乐，却要受管教，以清除这罪，而在来世得著赦免。这种赦免要保持他永远的救恩，但不会使他彀资格有分于要来国度的荣耀和喜乐。
23In God’s governmental administration , His forgiveness is dispensational . For His administration, He has planned different ages. The period from the first coming of Christ to eternity is divided dispensationally into three ages: this age, the present one, from Christ’s first to His second coming; the coming age, the millennium, the one thousand years for restoration and heavenly reigning, from Christ’s second coming to the end of the old heaven and the old earth; and eternity, the eternal age of the new heaven and new earth. God’s forgiveness in this age is for sinners’ eternal salvation (Acts 2:38; 5:31; 13:39). If a believer, after being saved, commits any sin, but will not make a clearance through confession and the cleansing of the Lord’s blood (1 John 1:7, 9) before he dies or the Lord comes back, this sin will not be forgiven in this age, but will remain to be judged at the judgment seat of Christ. He will not be rewarded with the kingdom to participate in the glory and joy with Christ in the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens, but will be disciplined to make a clearance of this sin and be forgiven in the coming age. This kind of forgiveness will maintain his eternal salvation, but will not qualify him to participate in the glory and joy of the coming kingdom
国度时代的赦免
2. Forgiveness in the Kingdom Age 2.
24若有人得罪召会且不愿悔改，或是被得罪却不愿赦免那得罪他的人，那么今世和来世，他都要在国度之外。这就是说，他不会有分于国度的实现。不要听那些错误的教训说，基督徒在来世不会有问题。有些人会有重大的问题，并且要在千年国时期，被排除在得胜者与主耶稣同享的荣耀和喜乐之外。此外，他们还可能被交在掌刑者的手下。今天你若被召会当作外邦人或税吏，那么在国度实现时，你会遭遇甚么？得罪圣徒或召会，以及背叛召会，是非常严重的事。你若留在这种光景里，当国度实现时，你会在那里？那些不愿赦免得罪了他们之人的，又如何呢？不错，某些人也许得罪了你，但你需要记得父神赦免了你多少。为甚么你为人不像父的爱子，赦免人如同祂赦免了你一样？我们在这点上都有软弱，因为我们都不愿赦免人。你若仍记得弟兄得罪你，就指明你还没有从心里赦免他。如果这是你的光景，当国度来临时，你就会被交给掌刑的。
24If anyone offends the church and is not willing to repent or if he is offended and is not willing to forgive the one who has offended him, he will be out of the kingdom not only in this age but in the coming age. This means that he will not share in the manifestation of the kingdom. Do not listen to the mistaken teachings that Christians cannot have any problems in the coming age. Some will have great problems and will be excluded from the glory and joy which the overcomers will share with the Lord Jesus during the millennium. Furthermore, they may be put under the hands of the tormentors. If today you can be considered by the church as a heathen or a tax collector, then what will happen to you during the manifestation of the kingdom? It is a very serious matter to offend the saints or the church and to rebel against the church. If you remain in such a state, where will you be at the time of the manifestation of the kingdom? Also, what about those who are unwilling to forgive those who have offended them? Yes, certain ones may have offended you, but you need to remember how much God the Father has forgiven you. Why will you not conduct yourself as a beloved son of the Father and forgive others as He has forgiven you? We all have a weakness here, for we all are unwilling to forgive others. If you still remember a brother’s offense against you, it indicates that you have not forgiven him from your heart. If this is your situation when the kingdom comes, you will be delivered to the tormentors.
25从前你也许没有听过这样严肃的话，并且在这件事上受到误引。许多基督徒不知道如何解释这段话，因为他们没有看见神时代的行政。他们不晓得神命定了三个时代：今世，来世和永世。照著马太十二章三十二节，某些罪在今世或是在来世都不能得赦免。这指明其他的罪在今世或是在来世能得赦免。你若得罪召会，背叛召会，你就犯了罪。但你若向召会悔改，这罪在今世就会得赦免。然而，你若不向召会悔改，这罪在今世就不会得赦免。反之，你需要等到要来的国度时代，这罪才得赦免。在国度时代，你要在神的管教之下。然后你要悔改，并要得著赦免。在来世你也许会受管教，且被神对付，但你不会失丧。你被对付之后，会悔改并应用血。然后，在那世代你会得著赦免。我们对这件事需要很严肃。你得罪过人么？若是有的话，你就需要悔改。有人得罪过你么？若是有的话，你就必须靠著主的恩典赦免这事，并且忘记。我们若这么作，我们中间就不会有冲突。一切得罪的事，就要因我们的悔改和赦免而除去了。
25Perhaps you have not heard such a serious word before and were misled concerning this matter. Many Christians do not know how to interpret this part of the Word because they have not seen God’s dispensational administration. They do not realize that God has ordained three ages: the present age, the coming age, and the eternal age. According to Matthew 12:32, certain sins cannot be forgiven either in this age or in the coming age. This indicates that other sins can be forgiven in this age or in the next age. If you offend the church and rebel against the church, you commit a sin. But if you repent to the church, this sin will be forgiven in this age. However, if you do not repent to the church, this sin will not be forgiven in this age. Rather, you will need to wait until the coming kingdom age before this sin is forgiven. During the kingdom age, you will be under the discipline of God. Then you will repent and be forgiven. Although you may be disciplined in the coming age and dealt with by God, you will not be lost. After you have been dealt with, you will repent and apply the blood. Then, in that age, you will be forgiven. We need to be very serious about this matter. Have you offended anyone? If you have, you need to repent. Has anyone offended you? If so, by the Lord’s grace you must forgive that offense and forget about it. If we do this, there will be no friction among us. All offenses will be removed by our repentance and forgiveness
26我们若不实行悔改和赦免，我们留在召会生活中越久，得罪的事就会越多。得罪的事会堆积起来，直到像山一样高。这会废掉国度生活，并使我们丧失召会生活。愿主给我们需要的恩典。我若得罪你，我需要去向你悔改。你若得罪我，我需要仰望主的恩典，从心里赦免你。一旦我赦免了某一过犯，我就该忘记，绝不再题起。我们若这么作，就会有正确的国度生活，然后我们会有分于国度的实现。否则，在千年国时，我们会在神的管教之下，使我们为自己的过犯悔改，或赦免那得罪我们的人。
26If we do not practice the way of repentance and forgiveness, the longer we stay in the church life, the more offenses there will be. The offenses will accumulate until they are as high as a mountain. This will annul the kingdom life and cause us to forfeit the church life. May the Lord grant us the grace we need. If I offend you, I need to go to you and repent. If you offend me, I need to look to the Lord for the grace to forgive you from my heart. And once I have forgiven an offense, I should forget it and never mention it again. If we do this, we shall have the proper kingdom life. Then we shall share in the manifestation of the kingdom. Otherwise, during the millennium we shall be under God’s discipline so that we will repent of our offense or forgive the one who offended us.