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约翰壹书生命读经 · 第30篇

试证诸灵（一）

Proving the Spirits (1)
1读经：约翰一书四章一至六节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看约壹四章一至六节。这些经节是特别的一段。表面看来，这一段与前一段或后一段都没有关联。我们已经看过，前一段是关于爱弟兄，后一段回到爱弟兄的事上。因此，四章一至六节是介于两段论到爱弟兄的话之间。那么，我们也许不了解四章一至六节与这两段话有怎样的关系。
1Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:1-6 In this message we come to 4:1-6. These verses stand as a particular section. Apparently this section has nothing to do with either the preceding section or the following section. As we have seen, the preceding section is concerned with loving the brothers. The following section returns to the matter of loving the brothers. Therefore, 4:1-6 stands between two sections concerned with loving the brothers. We may wonder, then, how 4:1-6 is related to these sections
需要试证诸灵
THE NEED TO PROVE THE SPIRITS
2我信四章一至六节插进来，至少有两个原因。第一个原因与我们需要辨别诸灵有关。约翰在三章二十四节说到『祂所赐给我们的那灵。』因为这里题到那灵，所以约翰接著说到辨别、试证、试验诸灵。在宇宙中不只有一种灵，因此我们需要约翰的警告，要试证诸灵。
2I believe 4:1-6 is inserted for at least two reasons. The first reason is related to our need to discern the spirits. In 3:24 John speaks of the “Spirit whom He gave to us.” Because the Spirit is mentioned here, John goes on to the matter of discerning, proving, trying, the spirits. There is more than one kind of spirit in the universe. Hence, we need John’s warning to prove the spirits
3四章一至六节乃是插进的话，警告信徒要辨别诸灵，使他们能认出假申言者来。这警告与前面三章二十四节题到那灵有关；我们所以知道神住在我们里面，是由于那灵。二章十八至二十三节曾发出类似的警告。四章一节里『一切的灵』和『那些灵』这二辞，乃指由真理的灵所推动之申言者的灵，（林前十四32，）或由谬妄的灵所发动之假申言者的灵；因此需要藉著试证，辨别那些灵的源头是出于神的不是。这是约翰在一节说『亲爱的，一切的灵，你们不可都信，总要试证那些灵是出于神的不是』的原因。试证那些灵就是藉著试验辨别牠们。林前十二10。）
3First John 4:1-6 is a parenthetical section warning the believers to discern the spirits that they may recognize the false prophets. This warning is related to the mention of the Spirit in the preceding verse, 3:24, the Spirit whereby we know that the Lord abides in us. A similar warning was given in 2:18-23. The expressions “every spirit” and “the spirits” in 4:1 refer either to the spirits of the prophets (1 Cor. 14:32) motivated by the Spirit of truth, or to the spirit of the false prophets actuated by the spirit of deception. Hence, there is the need to discern the spirits by proving them to see whether they have their source out of God. This is the reason John says in verse 1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they are out of God.” To prove the spirits is to discern them (1 Cor. 12:10) by putting them on trial
不要接纳假申言者
NOT RECEIVING FALSE PROPHETS
和敌基督的
AND ANTICHRISTS
4我信约翰将四章一至六节的话插进来，第二个原因是要警告信徒，虽然我们需要爱弟兄，但我们不该接纳假申言者和敌基督的。我们应当爱所有的人，包括我们的仇敌。但我们不能接纳假申言者或敌基督的。
4I believe that a second reason for John’s inserting 4:1-6 is to warn the believers that although we need to love the brothers, we should not receive false prophets and antichrists. We should love all men, including our enemies. However, we cannot receive a false prophet or an antichrist.
5在我早年服事主的时候，我发觉需要帮助圣徒豫防摩登派。在各大学里有不少的教授，以及其他的人，都受了摩登派论基督与圣经之教训的影响。摩登派教导说，基督不是神，祂是马利亚与约瑟的私生子，祂是伟大的哲学家，祂死在十字架上，不是为著救赎，乃是作殉道者。不仅如此，摩登派也不相信圣经，尤其不相信圣经上所记载的神迹。当我们起来反对摩登派时，有些朋友对我们说，『我们不该爱他们么？我们不该接纳他们么？』但我们是实行约翰在二书里的话：『若有人到你们那里，不是传讲这教训，不要接他到家里，也不要对他说，愿你喜乐。』（约贰10。）爱人是一回事，但接纳假申言者或敌基督的，是完全不同的事。约翰晓得当他说到爱弟兄时，必须说一些论到假申言者和敌基督者的话。我们必须试证诸灵，避开假申言者。虽然我们需要爱弟兄，甚至爱所有的人，但我们绝不该接纳假申言者或敌基督的。
5In the early years of my ministry, we found it necessary to inoculate the saints against modernism. A number of professors and others in the universities had been influenced by modernistic teachings concerning Christ and the Bible. The modernists taught that Christ is not God, that He was an illegitimate son of Mary with Joseph, that He was a great philosopher, and that He died on the cross not for redemption but as a martyr. Furthermore, the modernists did not believe in the Bible. In particular, they did not believe in the miracles recorded in the Scriptures. When we stood up to oppose modernism, some friends said to us, “Shouldn’t we love them? Shouldn’t we receive them?” We, however, practiced John’s word in his second Epistle: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say to him, Rejoice!” (v. 10). To love a person is one thing, but to receive one who is a false prophet or an antichrist is an altogether different thing. John realized that it was necessary for him, when speaking about loving the brothers, to say a word regarding false prophets and antichrists. We must prove the spirits and stay away from the false prophets. Although we need to love the brothers and even all men, we should never receive a false prophet or an antichrist.
6约翰在约壹四章一节告诉我们：『有许多假申言者已经出来，进到世界里了。』在马太二十四章二十四节，假申言者与假基督不同。但在这里，假申言者就是敌基督的，（约壹四3，）就是那些将关于基督身位的异端教导人的。（约壹二18，22～23。）四章一节的『世界』不是指宇宙或这地，乃是指人，指地上的人类社会，他们
6In 4:1 John tells us that “many false prophets have gone out into the world.” In Matthew 24:24 the false prophets differ from the false Christs. But here the false prophets are the antichrists (v. 3), those who teach heretically concerning the Person of Christ (2:18, 22-23). The “world” in 4:1 does not refer to the universe or to the earth; rather, it refers to the people, to human society on earth, who are the components of the satanic world system
7是撒但世界系统的组成分子。
7
认出神的灵来
KNOWING THE SPIRIT OF GOD
8约翰在约壹四章二节接著说，『凡灵承认耶稣基督是在肉体里来的，就是出于神的；在此你们可以认出神的灵来。』这里的『灵，』是指由真理的圣灵所推动之真申言者的灵；这灵承认耶稣神圣的成孕，确认祂这位神的儿子在肉体里出生。凡这样的灵必是出于神的。在此我们可以认出神的灵来。
8In 4:2 John continues, “In this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is out of God.” The “spirit” here is the spirit of a genuine prophet motivated by the Holy Spirit of truth, a spirit that confesses the divine conception of Jesus, affirming that He was born as the Son of God. Every such spirit surely has its source in God; it is out of God. In this we know the Spirit of God
9耶稣是由圣灵成孕的。（太一18。）承认耶稣是在肉体里来的，就是承认祂这位神的儿子神圣的成孕，在肉体里出生。（路一31～35。）既然祂是由圣灵成孕，在肉体里出生，圣灵就绝不会否认祂是藉著神圣的成孕在肉体里来的。
9Jesus was conceived of the Spirit (Matt. 1:18). To confess Jesus coming in the flesh is to confess that He was divinely conceived to be born as the Son of God (Luke 1:31-35). Since He was conceived of the Spirit to be born in the flesh, the Spirit would never deny that He has come in the flesh through divine conception.
敌基督者的意义
THE MEANING OF ANTICHRIST
10在这一点上，我们需要进一步来看『敌基督的』一辞的意义。主耶稣在马太二十四章五节说，『因为将来要有许多人冒我的名来，说，我是基督，并且要迷惑许多人。』这节说到假基督，就是装作基督，为要迷惑信徒的人。
10At this point we need to consider further the meaning of the word “antichrist.” In Matthew 24:5 the Lord Jesus says, “For many shall come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and they shall lead many astray.” This verse speaks of a false Christ, someone who pretends to be Christ, in order to lead the believers astray
11约翰在约壹二章二十六节和三章七节也说到迷惑。在这封书信里，被迷惑乃是被引离基督身位的实际，引离耶稣是神的儿子基督这实际。但根据马太二十四章五节，假基督是装作基督，为要迷惑人的人。主耶稣在马太二十四章二十三、二十四节说，『那时，若有人对你们说，看哪，基督在这里！或说，基督在那里！你们不要信。因为假基督和假申言者将要起来，显大神迹和大奇事；若是可能，连选民也要迷惑了。』这些经节指明，连神的选民也可能受欺骗、被迷惑。由于主论到假基督和假申言者的话，在早期信徒中间就有人教导说，假基督和假申言者将要兴起。在约翰一书里，有三处论到敌基督者的经节。约翰在二章十八节说，『小孩子们，如今是末时了；你们曾听见，（那）敌基督的要来，现在已经有好些敌基督的出来了，从此我们就知道如今是末时了。』请注意在本节原文，『敌基督的』一辞前面没有用指定冠词。约翰只是说，信徒听见敌基督的要来，然后接著说，已经有好些敌基督的出来了。
11In 2:26 and 3:7 John also speaks of being led astray. In this Epistle, to be led astray is to be led away from the reality of the Person of Christ, from the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. But according to Matthew 24:5, a false Christ is one who pretends to be Christ in order to lead people astray. In Matthew 24:23 and 24 the Lord Jesus says, “Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or, Here; do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets shall arise and shall show great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” These verses indicate that it is possible for even the chosen people of God to be deceived and led astray. Due to the Lord’sword concerning false Christs and false prophets, there was the teaching among the believers in the early days that false Christs and false prophets would rise up. In 1 John there are three verses concerning the antichrist. In 2:18 John says, “Young children, it is the last hour, and even as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come; whereby we know that it is the last hour.” Notice that in this verse the definite article is not used before “antichrist.” John simply says that the believers heard that antichrist is coming and then goes on to say that many antichrists have come
12约翰在二章二十二节又说到敌基督的：『谁是说谎的？不是那否认耶稣是基督的么？否认父与子的，这就是敌基督的。』『说谎的』一辞指明假申言者。否认耶稣是基督的说谎者，假申言者，乃是敌基督的，就是否认父与子的。
12In 2:22 John again speaks concerning the antichrist: “Who is the liar if not he who is denying that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who is denying the Father and the Son.” The word “liar” indicates a false prophet. The liar, the false prophet, who denies that Jesus is the Christ, is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son
13四章三节说，『凡灵不承认耶稣，就不是出于神的，这是那敌基督者的灵；你们从前听见这灵要来，现在已经在世界上了。』这节就像二章二十二节一样，指明在约翰一书里，敌基督的就是假申言者，假申言者就是敌基督的。
13First John 4:3 says, “And every spirit which does not confess Jesus, is not out of God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now is already in the world.” Like 2:22, this verse indicates that in the first Epistle of John an antichrist is a false prophet, and a false prophet is an antichrist.
14在四章三节里那不承认耶稣的灵，是指由谬妄的灵所发动之假申言者的灵，这灵不承认耶稣是在肉体里来的。这就是多西特派谬妄的灵。『多西特』字根意，似乎，看来是。多西特派异端的观点以为耶稣不是真人，只是看来如此。根据多西特派，基督不过是个幻像。多西特派的学说搀杂了智慧派的学说；智慧派教导说，一切物质在素质上都是邪恶的。因此，多西特派教导说，基督既是圣别的，祂就绝不会有人肉体的污秽。他们说基督的身体不是真的血肉，只不过是虚幻、短暂的幻像，因此祂没有受苦、受死，也没有复活。这样的异端不仅暗中破坏了主的成为肉体，也破坏了祂的救赎与复活。多西特派的学说是头一班敌基督之谬妄者显著的特征，约翰在这里及约贰七节就是说到他们。这种谬妄者的灵必定不是源于神，不是出于神的。这是敌基督者的灵。在约贰七节使徒约翰再次说到敌基督的：『因为有许多迷惑人的已经出来，进到世界里，他们不承认耶稣基督是在肉体里来的。这就是那迷惑人的和敌基督的。』这些迷惑人的就是说谎的，就是假申言者，他们不承认耶稣是神成肉体，因而否认了基督的神格。约翰清楚的说，这些迷惑人的就是敌基督的。已往许多圣经教师将『敌基督的』这名称用得很特别。保罗在帖后二章三、四节说到那不法的人，『就是灭亡之子，…他是那敌对、且高抬自己超过一切称为神，或受人敬拜者的，甚至坐在神的殿里，展示自己，说他就是神。』就如在但以理七章二十至二十一节、二十四至二十六节，八章九至十二节、二十三至二十五节，九章二十七节，十一章三十六至三十七节所豫言的，这不法的人要将真理抛弃于地，更改律法，异常的毁灭且败坏多人，亵渎神并诱骗人。保罗豫言到这不法之人的来临。
14In 4:3 the spirit that does not confess Jesus, is the spirit of a false prophet actuated by the spirit of deception, the spirit that does not confess Jesus coming in the flesh. This is the spirit of the errors of the Docetists (Docetes). This name was derived from the Greek dokein, “to seem,” “to appear to be.” The heretical view of the Docetists was that Jesus Christ was not a real man, but simply appeared so. According to the Docetists, Christ was merely a phantasm. Docetism was mixed up with Gnosticism, which taught that all matter was essentially evil. Hence, Docetists taught that, since Christ is holy, He could never have had the defilement of human flesh. They said that Christ’s body was not real flesh and blood, but merely a deceptive, transient phantom, so that He did not suffer, die, and resurrect. Such heresy not only undermines the Lord’s in carnation, but also undermines His redemption and resurrection. Docetism was a characteristic feature of the first antichristian errorists whom John had in view here and in 2 John 7. The spirit of such errorists surely does not have its source in God; it is not out of God. This is the spirit of the antichrist. In 2 John 7 the apostle John once again speaks concerning the antichrist: “Because many deceivers went out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” These deceivers are the liars, the false prophets, who deny that Jesus is God incarnate and in this way deny the deity of Christ. John clearly says that these deceivers are antichrists. In the past a number of Bible teachers have used the title antichrist in a particular way. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and 4 Paul speaks of the man of lawlessness, “the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or an object of worship, so that he seats himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself that he is God.” As prophesied in Daniel 7:20-21, 24-26; 8:9-12, 23-25; 9:27; and 11:36-37, this man of lawlessness will cast down the truth to the ground, change laws, destroy and corrupt many to an extraordinary degree, blaspheme God, and deceive men. Paul prophesied of the coming of this man of lawlessness.
15启示录十三章有两个兽：头一个兽从海中上来，第二个兽从地里上来。第二个兽是假申言者，为头一个兽作工：『牠在头一个兽面前，施行头一个兽一切的权柄，并且叫地和住在地上的人，拜那死伤医好的头一个兽。』（启十三12。）头一个兽将是复兴的罗马帝国末了一位该撒，而第二个兽，就是假申言者，将要为他作工。因著这些豫言，许多圣经教师就称要来的不法之人（就是那要高抬自己超过神，使自己得著敬拜，并要反对、逼迫基督徒和犹太人的）为『敌基督的。』他也是启示录十三章的头一个兽。将『敌基督的』这名称用在这人身上当然没有错。
15In Revelation 13 we have two beasts: the first beast from the sea and the second beast from the earth. The second beast is the false prophet, who works for the first beast: “He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his sight, and he causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose death stroke was healed” (v. 12). The first beast will be the last Caesar of the restored kingdom of the Roman Empire, and the second beast, the false prophet, will work for him. Because of these prophecies, many Bible teachers have applied the title “antichrist” to the coming man of lawlessness, the one who will exalt himself above God and cause himself to be worshipped and who will oppose and persecute Christians and Jews. He is also identified with the first beast in Revelation 13. It certainly is not wrong to apply the title antichrist to this person.
对敌基督的来临
DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS
不同的解释
OF THE COMING OF ANTICHRIST
16但是圣经教师对要来的敌基督有不同的解释。比方说，司可福（Dr.）在他的串珠圣经里说，那敌基督的将是启示录十三章的第二个兽，就是那从地里上来的兽：『「好些敌基督的」在先，为那敌基督的豫备道路；这敌基督的就是启示录十三章十一至十七节「从地里上来的兽」，并启示录十六章十三节，十九章二十节，二十章十节的「假申言者。」他是最后的宗教领袖，就如启示录十三章一至八节的兽是最后的政治领袖。为了施行逼迫，他得允许执行王兽的专制权势。』有些圣经教师的领会与司可福相反，他们说启示录十三章的头一个兽乃是那敌基督的，第二个兽乃是假申言者。但司可福说，第二个兽，假申言者，乃是那敌基督的。这就是说，司可福说假申言者就是敌基督的。新司可福串珠圣经的注解里题出一个略为不同的解释：『许多人认为「从地里上来的兽」就是那敌基督的…如果「从地里上来的兽」（启十三11～）就是那敌基督的，他就与十六章十三节，十九章二十节，二十章十节的「假申言者」一样。但是因为「敌基督的」一辞从来没有直接用在他身上，有些人就认为「敌基督的」（意思是反对基督的）是指头一个兽，（启十三1～10，）就是那政治的统治者。』因此，对于『敌基督的』这名称该用在谁身上，圣经教师们显然有不同的解释。
16However, regarding the coming antichrist, Bible teachers have followed different interpretations. For instance, in his reference Bible, Dr. Scofield Scofield says that the antichrist will be the second beast in Revelation 13, the beast from the earth: “The ‘many antichrists’ precede and prepare the way for the Antichrist, who is ‘the Beast out of the earth’ of Rev. 13:11-17, and the ‘false prophet’ of Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10. He is the last ecclesiastical head, as the Beast of Rev. 13:1-8 is the last civil head. For purposes of persecution he is permitted to exercise the autocratic power of the emperor - Beast.” In contrast to Scofie ld’s understanding, other Bible teachers say that the first beast of Revelation 13 will be the antichrist and that the second beast will be the false prophet. But Scofield says that the second beast, the false prophet, will be the antichrist. This means that Dr. Scofield says that the false prophet will be the antichrist. The New Scofield Reference Bible in its note offers a somewhat different interpretation: “Many identify the ‘beast coming up out of the earth’ as the Antichrist.... If the ‘beast coming up out of the earth’ (vv. 11-17) is the Antichrist, he is the same as 17 the ‘false prophet’ of 16:13; 19:20; 20:10. Because the word ‘antichrist’ is never directly applied to him, however, some have considered the term ‘antichrist,’ defined in the sense against Christ, as applying to the first beast (vv. 1-10), who is the political ruler.” It is clear, therefore, that Bible teachers have different interpretations in the matter of to whom the title “antichrist” should be applied.
17我们研究这件事，是要指出敌基督的不会只有一位。我想没有一位圣经教师敢说，只有那要来的不法之人，灭亡之子，是敌基督的。我们不该那样确定的教导说，敌基督的只有一位，在这一位来临之前不会有其他敌基督的。但是由于传统的教训，许多基督徒有这样的观念，认为只有一个人是那敌基督的。圣经教师常说到那敌基督的，给人一个印象，以为『敌基督的』是专有名词，仅指一个人。但是根据约翰在约壹二章十八节、二十二节，四章三节，和约贰七节对这辞的用法，这乃是一般的名称，指某一类的人。这不是独一专有的名称，指一个特殊的人。因此，『敌基督的』这名称与『基督』这名称不同，因为只有一位基督，凡自称是基督的，不是假基督就是敌基督的。但我们不该将『敌基督的』一辞用作专有名词。繙译圣经的人对这一点持有不同的意见。比方说，卫斯特（Wuest）在他的译本中将『敌基督的』一辞大写，使其成为专有名词。伯克莱译本（the）也是这样作。但是，达秘（J．N．Darby）在他的新译本里并没有将这辞大写。同样的，『敌基督的』一辞在钦定英文译本、英译美国标准本或英译新美国标准本里都没有大写。
17We have considered this matter in order to point out that there will not be just one antichrist. I do not think that any Bible teacher would dare to say that only the coming man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, is the antichrist. We should not be so definite as to teach that there will be only one antichrist and that before the coming of this one there will not be any other antichrists. But due to traditional teachings, many Christians have the concept that only one person will be the antichrist. Bible teachers often speak about the antichrist, giving the impression that antichrist is a proper noun referring only to one person. However, according to John’su se of this term in 2:18, 22; 4:3; and 2 John 7, this is a general title, a title referring to a category of persons. It is not a unique, proper title referring to one particular person. Therefore, the title “antichrist” is different from the title “Christ,” for there is only one Christ and anyone who claims to be Christ is either a false Christ or an antichrist. But we should not use the word antichrist as if it were a proper noun. Regarding this, translators of the Bible hold different opinions. For example, in his translation Wuest capitalizes antichrist, thus making it a proper noun. The Berkeley version does the same thing. However, J. N. Darby does not capitalize Berkeley Version this word in his New Translation. Likewise, the word antichrist is not capitalized in the King James Version, the American Standard Version, or in the New American Standard Version.
18说只有一位敌基督的是不合乎圣经的。但是说那不法的人，就是那高抬自己超过一切称为神者的灭亡之子，不是敌基督的也不对。那人确定该视为敌基督的。在马太二十四章里，假申言者是一类，假基督是另一类。主耶稣在马太二十四章二十四节清楚的说到假基督和假申言者。但是在约翰的书信里，假申言者就是敌基督的。正如我们已经指出的，有些圣经教师说，启示录十三章的头一个兽将是那敌基督的。但司可福和另一些人说，第二个兽，假申言者，将是那敌基督的。照司可福的解释，那敌基督的是与假申言者同类。
18It is not scriptural to say that there will be only one antichrist. But it is also wrong to say that the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction who exalts himself above all that is called God, is not an antichrist. That person should definitely be regarded as an antichrist. In Matthew 24 the false prophets are of one category, and the false Christs are of another category. In Matthew 24:24 the Lord Jesus clearly speaks of both false Christs and false prophets. But in John’s Epistles the false prophets are antichrists. As we have pointed out, some Bible teachers say that the first beast in Revelation 13 will be the antichrist. But Scofield and others say that the second beast, the false prophet, will be the antichrist. According to Scofield’s interpretation, the antichrist is in the same category as the false prophets.
19我们从这一切研究该得到甚么结论？我们是否该把假申言者和敌基督的视为不同的两类？一面说，我们可以把他们领会成不同的两类。但是假申言者和假基督最终都是敌挡基督，反对基督的，因此都是敌基督的。在下篇信息里，我们要来看敌基督者的原则。
19What conclusion should we draw from all these considerations? Should we regard the false prophets and the antichrists as two different categories? In a sense, we may understand them as two distinct categories. Eventually, however, the false prophets and the false Christs are all anti-Christ, against Christ, and hence are all antichrists. In the following message we shall consider the principle of antichrist