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歌罗西书生命读经 · 第58篇

寻求在上面的事，并思念在上面的事

SEEK THE THINGS ABOVE AND SET YOUR MIND ON THEM
1读经：歌罗西书3:1-3，希伯来书2:9上;4:14-16;7:25;6:19-20;8:1-2，使徒行传2:36，以弗所书1:20-23，启示录4:1,2,5;5:6。保罗在三章一节告诉我们，当寻求在上面的事；二节又说，要思念在上面的事。本篇信息我们要来看，寻求在上面的事和思念在上面的事，是甚么意思。
1Scripture Reading: Col. 3:1-3; Heb. 2:9a; 4:14-16; 7:25; 6:19-20; 8:1-2; Acts 2:36; Eph. 1:20-23; Rev. 4:14-16; 7:25; 6:19-20; 8:1-2 4:1, 2, 5; 5:6 In 3:1 Paul tells us to seek the things which are above, and in verse 2, to set our mind on the things which are above. In this message we shall consider what it means to seek the things above and to set our mind on them.
歌罗西书里的丰富
THE RICHES IN COLOSSIANS
2保罗写歌罗西书非常的简要，他只用四1:12章就陈明了许多的丰富。在一章十二节，他指明基督是众圣徒的分。基督是我们的分，祂乃是那不能看见之神的像，是一切受造之物的首生者，也是从死人中复活的首生者。（15，18。）保罗又告诉我们，基督是神的奥秘，（二2，）神格一切的丰满，都有形有体的居住在基督里面。（9。）基督是神的奥秘，也是神格的具体化身，祂是一切正面事物的实际、实体、本质。（16～17。）我们越享受祂作这个实际，就越持定祂作身体的元首，而有身体的感觉。然后我们就会经历祂作我们的生命，（三4，）作新人的成分。（11。）在新人里，基督是一切的肢体，又在一切的肢体之内。在这封书信里，保罗题起这些重大的事，却没有加以解释。然而，他的确指明，我们这些享受基督，有分于基督，并构成新人肢体的人，我们的生命与祂一同藏在神里面。现今我们应当寻求在上面的事，并思念在上面的事。虽然保罗嘱咐我们，当寻求在上面的事，并思念在上面的事，但歌罗西书却没有清楚的解释这些事是甚么。然而，在新约其他卷书里，就是希伯来书、以弗所书、启示录里，有一些窗户，可以给我们透视到诸天之上，得知那里所发生的事。我们透过这些窗户观看，就知道甚么是在上面的事。
2Paul wrote the book of Colossians in a very concise way. In only four chapters he presents many riches. In he indicates that Christ is the portion of the saints. The One who is our portion is the image of the invisible God, Firstborn of all creation and also the Firstborn from among the dead (1:15, 18). Paul also tells us that Christ is the mystery of God (2:2) and that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily (2:9). As the mystery of God and the embodiment of the Godhead, He is the reality, the body, the substance, of all positive things (2:1 6-17). The more we enjoy Him as this reality, the more we hold Him as the Head of the Body and thereby become Body-conscious. Then we shall experience Him as our life (3:4) and as the constituent of the new man (3:10-11). In the new man, Christ is all the members and in all the members. In this Epistle Paul mentions all these great matters without defining them. However, he does indicate that those of us who enjoy Christ and partake of Him, those who are being constituted into members of the new man, have our life hidden with Him in God. Now we should seek the things which are above and set our mind on them. Although Paul charges us to seek the things above and set our mind on them, in Colossians he does not define what these things are. However, in other New Testament books, namely, Hebrews, Ephesians, and Reve lation, there are some windows through which we can see into the heavens and come to know what is taking place there. If we look through these windows, we shall know what are the things above.
从丰满达到新人
FROM THE FULLNESS TO THE NEW MAN
3保罗和约翰写作的路线非常相似。在歌罗西书里，保罗陈明基督是那不能看见之神的丰满。他题起这位基督的各面之后，就说到新人。一章说到那是神丰满的基督，三章说到新人，在这二者之间，我们有对基督的经历和对基督的享受。我们经历并享受包罗万有之基督的结果，乃是新人─召会。因此，新人乃是出自我们对那作神丰满之基督的享受。我们天天享受基督，祂就不断作到我们里面，构成在我们的所是里。这样，基督就成了我们的构成成分。一天过一天，基督不断构成在我们里面。最终，我们都要完全由祂所构成。我们由基督构成的结果，乃是使我们成为新人。在这新人里面，天然的人都没有地位，惟有基督才有地位。在新人里，基督是一切，又在一切之内。我再说，在新人里，基督是一切的肢体，又在一切的肢体之内。
3Paul and John wrote along very similar lines. In Colossians Paul presents the Christ who is the fullness of the invisible God. After mentioning aspect after aspect of such a Christ, he speaks of the new man. Between Christ as the fullness of God in chapter one and the new man in chapter three we have the experience of Christ and the enjoyment of Him. The issue of our experience and enjoyment of the all - inclusive Christ is the church as the new man. Hence, the new man comes out of our enjoyment of Christ as the fullness of God. As we enjoy Christ daily, He is wrought into us, constituted into our very being. In this way, Christ becomes our constituent. Day by day, Christ is being constituted into us. Eventually, we all shall be thoroughly constituted of Him. As a result of being constituted of Christ, we become the new man. In this new man there is no place for any natural person; there is room only for Christ. Christ is all and in all in the new man. To repeat, in the new man Christ is all the members and is in all the members.
4惟一能叫基督在新人里是一切，又在一切之内的路，乃是祂自己构成在我们里面。我们由基督所构成，乃是一个过程，是藉著我们享受基督而进行的。我们必须说，『主耶稣，我爱你，我宝贝你，我也享受你。主，我在地上是为著你，并且是单单为著你。』我们越向主敞开，越这样来接触祂，祂就越把自己注入到我们里面，充满我们，直到满溢出来。我们呼求主，赞美祂，并向祂献上我们的感谢和敬拜时，我们就被祂充满。我们这样享受基督、经历基督，就逐渐由基督所构成。我们享受祂的时候，祂就以祂自己构成我们。吃东西与消化食物是很好的例子，说明基督如何藉著我们享受祂而构成在我们里面。我们所吃的食物藉著消化和吸收的过程，就成了我们构成的一部分。如果我们看见这件事，我们就会谨慎我们所吃的。有些营养学家说，我们所吃的，就成了我们所是的。如果某种食物我们吃得太多，我们就会由那种食物的成分所构成。许多年前，我在台湾的时候，我注意到我们家庭医生的女儿，皮肤长得黄黄的。医生解释说，这种肤色是因为胡萝卜吃得太多了。他的女儿吃了太多胡萝卜，最终就由胡萝卜所构成，到一个地步，连她的肤色也受影响。这件事例证明，我们所吃的食物，就成了我们的构成。我们经历基督的原则也是一样，我们吃祂、享受祂，祂就构成在我们里面。
4The only way Christ can be all and in all in the new man is for Him to constitute Himself into us. The process of being constituted of Christ takes place through our enjoyment of Christ. We need to say, “Lord Jesus, I love You, I treasure You, and I enjoy You. Lord, I am here on earth for You and for You alone.” The more we open to the Lord and contact Him in this way, the more He infuses Himself into us and fills us to the brim. As we call on the Lord, praise Him, and offer Him our thanks and adoration, we are filled with Him. Through such an enjoyment of Christ and experience of Him, we are gradually constituted of Christ. It is as we enjoy Him that He constitutes us of Himself. Eating and digesting food is a good illustration of how Christ is constituted into our being through our enjoyment of Him. Through a process of digestion and assimilation, the food we eat becomes part of our constitution. If we realize this, we shall be careful of what we eat. Some dietitians say that we are what we eat. If we eat an extraordinary amount of any one particular food, we shall become a constitution of the elements of that food. Years ago, I noticed that the daughter of our family doctor in Taiwan had developed a yellowish complexion. The doctor explained that this coloring was the result of eating too many carrots. His daughter had eaten so many carrots that she was eventually constituted of them to the point that it affected the color of her skin. This case is evidence of the fact that the food we eat becomes our constitution. The principle is the same in our experience of Christ. As we enjoy Him by eating Him, He is constituted into us.
属天的传输
A HEAVENLY TRANSMISSION
5在这一点上我们要问说，基督在天上，我们在地上，我们怎能享受基督，让祂构成在我们里面？答案在于一个事实，就是从天上的基督那里，到地上我们这里，藉著包罗万有的灵，有一种传输在进行。藉著这种传输，电就从属天的发电厂流到我们里面，正如电流从发电厂流到我们家里、流到会所里。为著从三层天上输供到我们里面的传输，阿利路亚！『荣耀之中有一位，祂是我生命。』（诗歌三八三首第三节。）基督就是在荣耀中的那一人，祂是我们的生命。我们都需要有异象，看见有一种属天的传输正从得荣的基督输供到我们里面。不仅如此，我们也需要一直向著这个传输敞开，使其不至于被切断。只要有一点的绝缘体，就会使这传输停止。在神的丰满─基督─与一个新人之间，乃是我们对属天传输的经历。但愿没有绝缘体拦阻这神圣的传输。
5At this point we may ask how we can enjoy Christ and have Him constituted into us when He is in heaven and we are on earth. The answer lies in the fact that there is a transmission taking place from Christ in heaven to us on earth by means of the all-inclusive Spirit. By means of this transmission, the electricity from the heavenly power plant flows into us, just as electricity flows from the power plant into our homes and into the meeting hall. Hallelujah for the transmission from the third heaven into us! “There’saM an in the glory Whose Life is for me” (Hymns,#505). Christ is the Man in the glory, but His life is for us. We all need a vision of the heavenly transmission from the glorified Christ into us. Furthermore, we need to stay open to this transmission so that it will not be cut off. Even a small amount of insulation will cause this transmission to cease. Between Christ as the fullness of God and the one new man, there is our experience of the heavenly transmission. May there be no insulation to hinder this divine transmission
从丰满达到新耶路撒冷
FROM THE FULLNESS TO THE NEW JERUSALEM
6在传输这件事上，约翰的著作与保罗的著作相似。约翰一章十六节说，『从祂的丰满里我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩。』基督的丰满就是神的丰满。从这个丰满里，我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩。最终，我们领受基督丰满的结果，就是新耶路撒冷。约翰职事所启示的新耶路撒冷，乃是保罗职事所启示之新人的终极完成。一面，保罗开始于丰满，往前到新人；另一面，约翰从丰满往前到新耶路撒冷。
6John’s writing is like Paul’sin this matter. John 1:16 says, “For of His fullness we all received, and grace upon grace.” The fullness of Christ is the very fullness of God. Of this fullness we have all received grace upon grace. Ultimately, the issue of our receiving of Christ’s fullness will be the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem revealed through John’s ministry will be the ultimate consummation of the new man revealed through Paul’s ministry. On the one hand, Paul begins with the fullness and goes to the new man; on the other hand, John goes from the fullness to the New Jerusalem
得著荣耀尊贵为冠冕
CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOR
7希伯来书、以弗所书、启示录都有窗户，使我们藉此能看见在上面的事。在上面的事，头一面是在希伯来二章九节。按照这一节，我们看见耶稣得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕。从前祂在地上，是戴著荆棘的冠冕；现今在天上的宝座，祂得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕。这位得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕的基督，远比犹太教或希腊哲学还要宝贵。思念这样的事，就是思念『在地上的事』。（西三2。）犹太教和希腊哲学都是在地上的事。但愿我们望断这些，以及于复活、升天的耶稣，祂已登上宝座，得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕。我们既然与基督一同复活，就当寻求在上面的事，那里有基督坐在神的右边。（三1。）让我们忘掉天然的美德，而仰望主耶稣。我们不该珍赏自己天然的属性与品格，而要珍赏那得著荣耀尊贵为冠冕的一位。根据保罗所说的，我们必须专注在主耶稣身上，不该被别的东西所吸引。
7In Hebrews, Ephesians, and Revelation there are windows through which we can see the things above. The first aspect of the things above is found in Hebrews 2:9. According to this verse, we see Jesus crowned with glory and honor. On earth, He was crowned with thorns. But on the throne in heaven, He is crowned with glory and honor. As the One crowned with glory and honor, Christ is far more precious than Judaism or Greek philosophy. To set our mind on such things is to set it on “the things which are on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Judaism and Greek philosophy are things on the earth. Let us look away from these things and look to the resurrected and ascended Jesus who is enthroned and crowned with glory and honor. Since we have been raised with Christ, we should seek the things above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God (3:1). Let us forget our natural virtues and look at the Lord Jesus. Instead of appreciating our natural attributes and character, we need to appreciate the One crowned with glory and honor. According to Paul, our attention must be concentrated on the Lord Jesus. We should not be attracted by anything else.
主和基督
LORD AND CHRIST
8我们在行传二章三十六节看见在上面的事的另一面。彼得在这里宣告说，『所以，以色列全家当确实的知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣，神已经立祂为主为基督了。』拿撒勒的木匠耶稣，已经被神高举，在万有之上为主为基督了。何等的奇妙！歌罗西的信徒若真认识这事，就不会被犹太教或希腊哲学打岔了。今天耶稣乃是神的基督，神的受膏者，万有的主。
8In Acts 2:36 we find another aspect of the things above. Here Peter declares, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, has been exalted by God to be the Lord over all and the Christ. How marvelous! If the believers in Colosse truly had realized this, they would not have been distracted by Judaism or Greek philosophy. Today Jesus is God’s Christ, God’san o in ted One, the Lord of all
万有的头
HEAD OVER ALL
9保罗在以弗所一章二十至二十三节说，神使基督从死人中复活，叫祂在诸天界里坐在神的右边，远超过一切执政的、掌权的、有能的、主治的、以及一切受称之名，将万有服在祂的脚下；并使祂向著召会（就是祂的身体）作万有的头。神所运行使基督从死人中复活的大能，已经使祂向著召会作万有的头。基督已得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕，祂是万有的主，是神的基督，祂向著召会─祂的身体─作万有的头。当然，这样一位基督的异象，应当使我们忘掉我们天然的美德和特征，这些都是在地上的事，不是在上面的事。
9In Ephesians 1:20-23 Paul says that God raised Christ from among the dead; seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, far above all rule, authority, power, lordship, and every name; has subjected all things under His feet; and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, His Body. The power exercised by God in raising Christ from among the dead has made Him Head over all to the church. Christ has been crowned with glory and honor, He is the Lord of all and the Christ of God, and He is the Head over all things to His Body, the church. To be sure, the vision of such a Christ should cause us to forget our natural virtues and characteristics, all of which are things on the earth, not things which are above
先锋
THE FORERUNNER
10在希伯来六章十九至二十节我们看见，主耶稣是先锋，是开拓者，开了一条进入幔内之荣耀的路。在幔内就是在荣耀里。基督是我们的先锋、开拓者，祂现今已经在荣耀里了。
10In Hebrews 6:19 and 20 we see that the Lord Jesus is the Forerunner, the Pioneer, who has cut the way into glory within the veil. To be within the veil is to be in glory. As our Forerunner, our Pioneer, Christ is now in glory
大祭司
THE HIGH PRIEST
11希伯来书也启示，基督乃是我们的大祭司，祂『坐在诸天之上至尊至大者宝座的右边』。（八1。）四章十四节告诉我们，我们有『一位经过了诸天，尊大的大祭司，就是神的儿子耶稣』。祂是我们属天的大祭司，『那藉著祂来到神面前的人，祂都能拯救到底；因为祂是长远活著，为他们代求。』（七25。）我们呼求主并与祂交通时，我们就感觉有东西从诸天之上传输到我们里面。这神圣的传输常使我们欣喜若狂。我们既然有这样一位大祭司为我们代求，就该『坦然无惧的来到施恩的宝座前，为要受怜悯，得恩典，作应时的帮助』。（四16。）在上面的事包括了我们大祭司的代求职事；因著祂的代求，我们就受怜悯，得恩典，作应时的帮助。
11The book of Hebrews also reveals that Christ is our High Priest, the One who “sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8:1). In Hebrews 4:14 we are told that we have “a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.” As our heavenly High Priest, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come forward to God through Him, seeing He is always living to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25). When we call on the Lord and have fellowship with Him, we sense that something from the heavens is being transmitted into us. Often this divine transmission causes us to be beside ourselves with joy. Since we have such a High Priest interceding for us, we should “come forward with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for timely help” (Heb. 4:16). The things which are above include the ministry of intercession of our High Priest. Because of His intercession, we may receive mercy and grace for our timely need.
12因著基督在诸天之上的代求，我们就被激起来寻求主。我们的路径是在从诸天而来之传输的指引之下，这传输乃是来自基督的代求。我们受试诱要寻求属世的享乐，不参加召会的聚会时，这属天的传输也许就把我们引到聚会中。我们很多人能作见证，我们一直在基督代求的指引之下。我们大祭司的代求，乃是在上面之事的另一面。
12Because of Christ’s intercession in the heavens, we are also stirred up to seek the Lord. Our path is under the direction of the transmission from the heavens, the transmission which comes from the intercession of Christ. When we are tempted to pursue some worldly entertainment instead of attending the church meeting, this heavenly transmission may direct us to the meeting. Many of us can testify that we have been under the direction of Christ’s intercession. The intercession of our High Priest is another aspect of the things above
属天的执事
THE HEAVENLY MINISTER
13不仅如此，按照希伯来八章一至二节，基督也是在诸天之上『真帐幕』的执事。基督乃是我们属天的执事。当人问起我们参加那个召会，我们的执事是谁的时候，最好的答案是：我们的召会在诸天之上，我们的执事乃是属天的耶稣，祂在帐幕里尽职事；这帐幕是主所支搭的，不是人所支搭的。这个帐幕，这个圣所，乃是第三层天，就是属天的至圣所。赞美主，诸天之上的至圣所竟与我们的灵相联！所以在经历中，我们重生的灵也就是至圣所。因此，我们的灵联于第三层天，那里有基督为我们尽职事。
13Furthermore, according to Hebrews 8:1 and 2, Christ is also a Minister of the “true tabernacle” in the heavens. Christ is our heavenly Minister. When we are asked what church we go to and who our minister is, the best answer is to reply that our church is in the heavens and that our minister is the heavenly Jesus, who is ministering in a tabernacle pitched by the Lord and not by man. This tabernacle, this sanctuary, is the third heaven, the heavenly Holy of Holies. Praise the Lord that the Holy of Holies in the heavens is connected to our spirit! Therefore, in experience, our regenerated spirit is also the Holy of Holies. Our spirit is thus connected to the third heaven, where Christ is ministering on our behalf
宝座上的羔羊
THE LAMB ON THE THRONE
14在启示录里，我们看见更多在上面的事。这卷书不仅是一扇窗户，更是一个开启的天。天向约翰开启了，他就看见『有一个宝座安置在天上，又有一位坐在宝座上』。（四1～2。）这宝座不仅是施恩的宝座，更是权柄的宝座，神圣行政的宝座。在四章五节，约翰继续说，『有闪电、声音、雷轰，从宝座中发出。又有七盏火灯在宝座前点著，这七灯就是神的七灵。』约翰又告诉我们，宝座中间有羔羊：『我又看见宝座与四活物中间，并众长老中间，有羔羊站立，像是刚被杀过的，有七角和七眼，就是神的七灵，奉差遣往全地去的。』（五6。）约翰在启示录四至五章的异象，与神今天的行政管理有关。我们由约翰的异象晓得，天不是寂静的，也不是没有行动的。反之，神从祂的宝座中执行祂对全宇宙的行政管理。羔羊─救赎主，就是在十字架上为我们的罪被杀的那位，现今乃是在宝座上，祂有七眼，就是神的七灵。
14In the book of Revelation we see even more of the things which are above. What we have in this book is not merely a window, but an opened heaven. Heaven was opened to John, and he saw “a throne set in heaven, and One sitting upon the throne” (Rev. 4:1-2). This throne is not simply the throne of grace, but is the very throne of authority, the throne of the divine administration. In Revelation 4:5 John goes on to say, “ And out of the throne come forth lightnings and voices and thunders; and seven lamps of fire are burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” John also tells us that in the midst of the throne he saw a Lamb: “ And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth” (Rev. 5:6). John’s vision in chapters four and five of Revelation is related to God’sad ministration today. From John’s vision we realize that heaven is neither silent nor without activity. On the contrary, from His throne God is carrying out His administration over the entire universe. The Lamb, the Redeemer, the very One slain on the cross for our sins, is now on the throne and has seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
天上的行政
THE ADMINISTRATION IN HEAVEN
与地上的大使馆
AND THE EMBASSIES ON EARTH
15启示录的头一个异象乃是七个金灯台，就是七个地方召会。（一12，20。）因此，头一个异象乃是地上的众召会，但第二个异象乃是在诸天之上所发生的事。把这两个异象合起来看，指明在地上众召会中所发生的事，与在诸天之上的行动有关。电表如何表示发电厂里的传输一直在流动著，照样，主在众召会中的行动，也与天上宝座的行动一致。这意思是说，众地方召会所发生的事，该受天上神宝座的指引。这恢复要成为『主的』恢复，就必须受主的指引。只要有从诸天而来的传输，众召会中就有神圣的水流。赞美主，照启示录来看，众召会乃是一直受属天行政的指引而往前！
15The first vision in the book of Revelation is of the seven golden lampstands, which are seven local churches (1:12, 20). Thus, the first vision is of the churches on earth, whereas the second vision is of what is taking place in the heavens. When considered together, these two visions indicate that what is happening in the churches on earth is related to the activity in the heavens. Just as an electric meter indicates that the transmission is still flowing from the power plant, so the Lord’s move in the churches corresponds to the action on the throne in heaven. This means that what takes place in the local churches should be under the direction of the throne of God in heaven. In order for the recovery to be the Lord’s recovery, it must be under His direction. As long as there is a transmission coming from the heavens, there will be the divine flow in the churches. Praise the Lord that according to the book of Revelation, the churches are going on under the direction of the heavenly administration!
16这位得著荣耀尊贵为冠冕的主耶稣，是主、基督、元首、先锋、大祭司、以及属天的执事，祂正在天上执行神的行政。祂是羔羊，有七眼，就是神的七灵，藉著众地方召会来执行神的行政。事实上，众召会乃是神的大使馆。因这缘故，世界的局势不是受任何属地国家元首的左右，乃是受制于众召会，因为神是藉著众召会来执行祂的行政。美国在别的国家的大使馆如何是美国的延伸，神的大使馆─召会─也照样是诸天的延伸。我们的总部，我们的行政中心，乃是在天上。有人问起主恢复的总部时，我里面深处就说，『主恢复的总部乃是在天上。』
16The Lord Jesus, the One crowned with glory and honor, the One who is the Lord, the Christ, the Head, the Forerunner, the High Priest, and the heavenly Minister, is executing God’so per at i on in the heavens. He is the Lamb with seven eyes, with the seven Spirits of God, carrying out God’s ad ministration through the local churches. Actually, the churches are God’s embassies. For this reason, the world situation is not under the control of any earthly head of state, but under the churches through which God is executing His administration. Just as the American embassy in a particular country is an extension of the United States, so the churches as God’s embassies are an extension of the heavens. Our headquarters, our administrative center, is in heaven. When I am asked about the headquarters of the Lord’s recovery, deep within I say, “The headquarters of the Lord’s recovery is in heaven.”
17我们不该像歌罗西人一样，受犹太教或希腊哲学的打岔。你向天观看，那里有宝座，神坐在其上，又有七眼的羔羊站立；祂藉著召会作祂的大使馆来执行神的行政。因著众召会是神的大使馆，仇敌就恨恶众召会。启示录四、五章里，有中心行政的异象；启示录一至三章里，有众地方召会是大使馆的异象。藉著七灵，有一种传输从天上的总部传到大使馆。藉著七灵，总部里所有的，都传输到众召会里面。
17We should not be distracted, as the Colossians were, by Judaism or Greek philosophy. Look toward heaven, where there is a throne on which God is sitting and where the Lamb with seven eyes is standing to execute God’sad ministration through the churches as His embassies. Because the churches are God’s embassies, the enemy hates them. In Revelation 4 and 5 we have a vision of our central government, and in Revelation 1 through 3 we have a vision of the local churches as the embassies. Through the seven Spirits there is a transmission going on from the heavenly headquarters into the embassies. Through the seven Spirits what is in the headquarters is transmitted into the churches
把注意力
TURNING OUR ATTENTION
转向在天上的事
TO THE THINGS IN HEAVEN
18现在你领会在上面的事了么？我们若知道这些事，就会看见主耶稣已得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕，神已立祂为主为基督了。基督是万有的主，这个事实是说，全地都是主的。这位登宝座并得荣耀的基督也是元首、先锋、开拓者、大祭司、属天的执事、以及神行政宝座上的羔羊。从诸天上的宝座那里，神圣的传输正把在上面的事，带进众地方召会中。我们若看见在上面之事的异象，我们的日常生活就会有极大的改变。这会使我们从注意地上的事，转而注意天上的事转向得荣耀、登宝座的耶稣，转向属天的大祭司，转向那位向著召会作万有的头者，转向执行神圣行政的那一位。愿我们寻求这些事，并思念这些事。
18Now do you have some understanding of the things which are above? If we know these things, we shall see that the Lord Jesus has been crowned with glory and honor, that God has made Him both Lord and Christ. The fact that Christ is Lord of all means that the whole earth is the Lord’s. The enthroned and glorified Christ is also the Head, the Forerunner and Pioneer, the High Priest, the heavenly Minister, and the Lamb on the throne of God’sad ministration. From the throne in the heavens, the divine transmission brings the things above into the local churches. Seeing a vision of the things which are above will revolutionize our daily living. It will cause us to turn our attention from the things on earth to the things in heaven—to the glorified and enthroned Jesus, to the heavenly High Priest, to the Head over all things to the church, to the One executing the divine government. Let us seek these things and set our mind on them
19我们已经指出，我们天然的美德和特性乃是世上的蒙学。譬如，我们的自表卑微（西二23）就是这样。我们不该注意自己的美德，只该留意主耶稣是得著冠冕的一位，祂是元首、先锋、大祭司和执事。我们应当留意天上的宝座，七眼的羔羊基督乃是从其上藉著众地方召会，执行神的行政。
19We have pointed out that our natural virtues and characteristics are elements of the world. This is true, for example, of our self-imposed humility (2:23). Instead of caring for our own virtues, we should care for the Lord Jesus as the crowned One, the Head, Forerunner, High Priest, and Minister. We should care for the throne in heaven from which Christ, the Lamb with seven eyes, is executing God’sad ministration through the local churches
20我能作见证，我天天藉著神圣的传输而得以刚强，这神圣的传输从天上的宝座流到地上的众召会中。我越在众召会中尽职，就越得著供应和安息；有东西从天传输到我的灵里。
20I can testify that day by day I am strengthened by the divine transmission which flows from the throne in heaven to the churches on earth. The more I minister in the churches, the more I am supplied and the more I rest. Something from heaven is transmitted into my spirit.
忘掉属地的事
FORGETTING EARTHLY THINGS
21保罗在三章一至二节告诉我们，不仅要寻求在上面的事，也要思念在上面的事。这意思是说，我们必须忘掉属地的事─文化、宗教、哲学、和天然的人性美德。反之，让我们举目望天，思念那些奇妙、超越的事，就是在上面的事。这些事能使我们变化，因为牠们把属天的元素传输到我们里面。让我们学习向诸天敞开我们的灵和我们的全人，并一直打开『开关』，使神圣发电厂的传输不断流进我们里面。不要受宗教、哲学、和别的事所打岔，要专注于在上面的事，并且一直向著属天的发电厂敞开。这样，基督天上职事的丰富，就要传输到你里面，你就要得著变化，并由基督所构成。
21In 3:1 and 2 Paul tells us not only to seek the things which are above, but also to set our mind on them. This means that we need to forget earthly things—culture, religion, philosophy, and the natural human virtues. Instead, let us lift up our eyes to the heavens and set our mind on the wonderful, excellent things, the things that are above. These are the things which can cause us to be transformed, for they transmit a heavenly element into us. Let us learn to open our spirit and our whole being to the heavens and keep the “switch” turned on so that the transmission from the divine power plant may flow into us unceasingly. Do not be distracted by religion, philosophy, or anything else. Focus your attention on the things above and stay open to the heavenly power plant. Then the riches of Christ’she aven ly ministry will be transmitted into you, and you will be transformed and constituted of Christ