Books
启示录生命读经 · 第1篇

前言

A FOREWORD
1因著主的怜悯，这一次我们的生命读经，来到圣经的末了一卷─启示录。启示录这卷书，因著神那狡猾的仇敌而被封闭了，很少基督徒能明白；更难得有人能从其中看到生命，看到神的经纶和耶稣的见证。因此，主给我启示录是一本豫言的书，（启一3，二二7，）因为其中的启示含豫言性质。书中的异象，大部分是指要来的事。甚至二、三章写给七个召会的七封书信，在表号的意义上，也是论到召会在地上直到主回来时的豫言。这本书虽然是一本豫言的书，但不仅是明文的豫言，更是给人看的异象。在神眼中，这本书所豫言的一切事都已经发生，并且藉著一个接一个的异象，这一切事都向观者显示出来了。
1By the Lord’s mercy, in this life-study we come to the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Due to the subtle enemy of God, the book of Revelation has been closed, and few Christians understand it. Hardly anyone has seen something of life, of God’secon o my, and of the testimony of Jesus in this book. Thus, we have been Revelation is a book of prophecy (1:3; 22:7), for the revelation it contains is in the nature of prophecy. Most of the visions refer to things to come. Even the seven epistles to the seven churches in chapters two and three, in the sense of signs, are prophecies regarding the church on earth until the Lord’s coming back. Although this book is a book of prophecy, it is not prophecy merely in words, but in visions revealed to the seer. In the eyes of God, all the things prophesied in this book have already transpired and all have been shown to the seer in vision after vision.
2启示录中所用的动词和述语，大都不是用将来式，而是用过去式，指明本书所记载的事，都已经发生。所以严格的说，启示录里不仅是豫言，更是启示一些已经成就的事。在我们看来，事情也许尚未发生；然而在神看来，事情已经完成了。在神的眼中，本书所记载的一切事，在将近二千年前就发生过了。我们都应当相信这个。许多基督徒以为启示录是一本豫言的书，所以好奇的想要明白这些豫言。这样的人来读启示录，不过是要满足他们的好奇心。但是我们不能这样，我们要对主说，『主阿，拯救我们脱离好奇，使我们不是为了好奇而来读启示录。』我郑重的再说，启示录不仅是一本豫言的书，更是一本已经完成之事的记录。在启示录中，有两件主要的事已经成就了。第一就是耶稣的见证已经永远完成。你有没有看见新耶路撒冷？使徒约翰在两千年前就看见了。你信不信你现在就在新耶路撒冷里？我们说这话好像是发疯，但我们是根据圣经而发疯！神历世历代工作的终极完成，新耶路撒冷，已经完全建造成功了，我们就在其中！按照启示录末了的两章，新耶路撒冷的建造已经完成了。这头一项是在积极一面的。
2In the book of Revelation, most of the verbs and predicates are not in the future tense, but in the past tense, indicating that the events recorded in this book have already transpired. Strictly speaking, Revelation is not merely a prophecy; it is a revelation of things which have already taken place. While they may not seem in our eyes to have transpired, in God’se yes they have transpired. In God’se yes, everything recorded in this book occurred nearly two thousand years ago. We all must believe this. Most Christians consider Revelation to be a book of predictions and they are curious to understand these predictions. Many of them read this book only for the sake of their curiosity. But we must say to the Lord, “O Lord, save us from this. We don’t want to know this book in the way of curiosity.” I say strongly, once again, that Revelation is not merely a book of prophecy, but a record of things which have already taken place. In Revelation, two main things have transpired. The first is that the testimony of Jesus has been accomplished for eternity. Have you not seen the New Jerusalem? The apostle John saw it nearly two thousand years ago. Do you believe that you are in the New Jerusalem? If we appear to be crazy for saying this, we are crazy according to the Bible. The New Jerusalem, the ultimate consummation of God’s work through the centuries, has been completely built up, and we are in it! According to the last two chapters of Revelation, the building of the New Jerusalem has been accomplished. This first item is on the positive side.
3在消极一面，第二件主要的事已经发生，就是神的仇敌撒但，已经受了对付。在神眼中，甚至在我们的弟兄约翰眼中，撒但已经扔在火湖里了。（启二十10。）撒但，就是那蛇，是在火湖里，而我们是在新耶路撒冷里。这事你有没有看见？我们若看见撒但是在火湖里，就不会再求神对付他，反而会赞美神已经对付了仇敌。甚么时候撒但再来搅扰我们，我们必须对他说，『撒但，你来错了地方。你不该在这里，你的分乃是火湖！快回去，不要再到这里来！』你有没有这样作过？我们都必须这样对待撒但。圣经总是前后一贯的，甚至说到神的仇敌撒但，也是一贯的。在创世记三章，撒但狡猾的取了蛇的形状，来到人类中间。到启示录，就把撒但特意称作古蛇。（启十二9，二十2。）在创世记里，那条蛇还不太老；到了启示录，那条蛇老了，最少六十岁了。启示录特意称撒但为『古蛇，』是有确定用意的。然而，到了启示录时期，撒但不只是古蛇，他更变成了一条『大龙。』（启十二9，二十2。）按照启示录，这条龙先从天上被摔到地上来，（启十二7～9，）三年半之后，又被捆绑扔进无底坑里。（启二十1～。）在启示录二十章中我们看见，到千年国末了，主要把他从无底坑中释放出来，他在神手中还有点用处。（启二十7。）撒但被释放后，要尽全力来毁坏人类；他『要出来迷惑地上四方的列国，就是歌革和玛各，叫他们聚集争战。』（启二十8。）但不久后，按照二十章十节，魔鬼又被扔进火湖里，那就是他的定命和结局。启示录所以被封闭，就是因为牠暴露了撒但，揭开了撒但的定命和结局。但现在，在这时期的末了，我们信主要开启这卷书，也要打开我们的心、灵和眼睛，让我们清楚看见，神的仇敌现今就在火湖里。阿利路亚，古蛇撒但现今就在火湖里！我们却是在新耶路撒冷里！
3On the negative side, a second main thing has transpired—Satan, the enemy of God, has been dealt with. In the eyes of God and even in the eyes of our brother John, Satan has been cast into the lake of fire (20:10). Satan, the serpent, is in the lake of fire, and we are in the New Jerusalem. Have you seen this? If we have seen that Satan is in the lake of fire, we shall not beg God to deal with him. Rather, we shall praise Him that the enemy has been dealt with. Whenever Satan troubles us, we must tell him, “Satan, you are in the wrong place. You should not be here. You belong in the lake of fire. Go back there and do not come here again.” Have you ever done this? We all must do it. The Bible is always consistent, even in the matter of Satan, God’se ne my. In Genesis 3, Satan came to humanity in a very subtle way, coming in the form of a serpent. In Revelation, Satan is deliberately called “the old serpent” (12:9; 20:2). In the book of Genesis, the serpent was not so old, but in the book of Revelation, he has become old, at least six thousand years old. With a definite intention, the book of Revelation purposely calls him “the old serpent.” At the time of the book of Revelation, however, Satan is not only “the old serpent”; he has also become a dragon (12:9; 20:2). According to Revelation, this dragon is firstly cast out of heaven and down to the earth (12:7-9). Then, after three and one-half years, he is bound and cast into the abyss (20:1-3). In Revelation 20 we see 3 that, still being somewhat useful in the hands of God, the Lord will release Satan from the abyss at the end of the thousand years (20:7). After his release, Satan will try his best to damage humanity, “to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to war” (20:8). But, shortly afterward, according to 20:10, the Devil will be cast into the lake of fire, which is his destiny and destination. The book of Revelation has been closed because it exposes Satan, disclosing his destiny and destination. But now, at the end of time, we believe that the Lord will open up this book and open up our hearts, spirits, and eyes that we may clearly see that God’se ne my is now in the lake of fire. Hallelujah, Satan, the old serpent, is in the lake of fire and we are in the New Jerusalem!
4新耶路撒冷是耶稣的见证，今天的召会也是耶稣的见证。今天，我们在众召会中，乃是耶稣的见证。我们必须彻底看见这个，忘掉我们的自己，忘掉我们的软弱，和困扰我们的罪，甚至忘掉我们还活在地上这个事实。若是有人问你在那里，你要回答说，『我在新耶路撒冷里。』在新耶路撒冷里没有爬虫、青蛙、蝎子、或蛇。不但如此，那城里也没有罪、死、或世界。那里没有别的，只有基督以及神所救赎并变化过的人。如果我们看见这个，我们必会高声赞美主说，『阿利路亚！』
4The New Jerusalem is the testimony of Jesus. Today’s church is also the testimony of Jesus. Today, we in the churches are the testimony of Jesus. We all must see this to the uttermost, forgetting ourselves, our weaknesses, our besetting sins, and even the fact that we are on earth. When someone asks you where you are, you must reply, “I’min the New Jerusalem.” In the New Jerusalem there are no bugs, frogs, scorpions, or serpents. Furthermore, in that city there is no sin, death, or world. There is nothing there except Christ and God’s redeemed and transformed people. If we see this, we shall praise the Lord and shout, “Hallelujah!”
5启示录一章一节说，『耶稣基督的启示，就是神赐给祂，叫祂将必要快发生的事指示祂的众奴仆；祂就藉著祂的使者传达，用表号指示祂的奴仆约翰。』本书的启示主要的是由表号组成，表号就是有属灵意义的象征，如象征众召会的七灯台，象征众召会使者的七星。（启一20。）甚至新耶路撒冷也是一个表号，表征神经纶终极的完成。（启二一～二二。）因此，本书是一本表号的书，藉此使我们明白启示。约翰的福音书是一本表号的书，表征基督如何来作我们的生命，以产生召会，就是祂的新妇。约翰的启示录也是一本表号的书，显示基督现今如何照顾召会，以及祂要如何来审判并据有这地，并带召会，就是祂的新妇，进入神完满的经纶里。
5Revelation 1:1 says, “The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him to show to His slaves what must swiftly take place; and He made it known by signs, sending it by His angel to His slave, John.” The revelation of this book is mainly composed of signs, that is, symbols with spiritual significance, such as the seven lampstands signifying the churches and the seven stars signifying the messengers of the churches (1:20). Even the New Jerusalem is a sign, signifying the ultimate consummation of God’secon o my (ch. 21—22). This book, then, is a book of symbols through which the revelation is made known to us. John’s Gospel is a book of signs signifying how Christ came to be our life to produce the church, His Bride. John’sR evelation is also a book of signs showing how Christ is now caring for the church and how He is coming to judge and possess the earth and to bring the church, His Bride, into God’s full economy
壹 一本结束的书
I. A BOOK OF CONCLUSION
6启示录是一本结束的书。如果圣经中删去启示录，圣经就有开头无结尾，因而有了一个大缺。虽然有创世记作为圣经的开头，但若没有启示录就没有总结，没有完成。因此神有了一个好的开始，又经过了许多工作之后，还需要有一个完成。若没有启示录，神的经纶就没有总结。神是伟大的，祂是一位有定旨的神；为了成就祂的定旨，神的经纶必须完成。许多研读圣经的人忽略了神的经纶。我们若没有启示录，就看不见神经纶的完成。事实上，我们甚至难以领会甚么是神的经纶，因为我们看不见神经纶的结果。但这卷书清楚启示了神的经纶，因为牠包含了神经纶的总结。
6Revelation is a book of conclusion. If the book of Revelation were deleted from the Bible, there would be a great shortage, for there would be a beginning but no ending. Although there is the beginning in the book of Genesis, without the book of Revelation there is no conclusion or consummation. After having a good start and after passing through so many works, there is the need for God to have a consummation. Without Revelation, there is no conclusion of God’secon o my. God is great; He is a God of purpose. For the fulfillment of His purpose, His economy must be accomplished. Many Bible students have neglected the matter of God’s economy. If we did not have Revelation, we could not see the consummation of God’secon o my. In fact, we would even find it difficult to realize what God’secon o my is, because we would not see the result, the issue of His economy. But in this book the revelation of God’secon o my is so clear because it contains the conclusion of God’secon o my.
7若没有启示录，连基督的救赎也没有总结。基督在肉体里来，死在十字架上，成功了救赎，但救赎成功了甚么？有人说，基督的救赎是为了拯救罪人，把他们送上天堂；这种结论太低了，没有甚么意义。但在启示录中，我们看见基督救赎我们，用自己的血买回我们，是叫我们成为国度，作祭司。因此，这卷书阐明了基督救赎的总结。启示录一章六节说，基督『使我们成为国度，作祂神与父的祭司。』我们这些藉基督的血所救赎的信徒，不仅由神所生，进入神的国，（约三5，）更为著神的经纶成为国度，就是召会。（太十六18～19。）本书的作者约翰，是在这个国度里；（启一9；）所有蒙救赎得重生的信徒，也都是这国度的一部分。（罗十四17。）本书主要的一面，就是神正在恢复祂在地上的权利，使全地成为祂的国。（启十一15。）当基督首次来时，祂已将神的国一同带来。（路十七21，太十二28。）这国已经扩大成为召会，（太十六18～19，）召会要在全地上完成神国的建立。一面，神的国今天是在召会中；另一面，神的国正藉著得胜的信徒来临。（启十二10。）然后，基督和得胜的信徒，要在千年国里辖管万国。（启二26～27，十二5，二十4，6。）
7Without Revelation, we would also have no conclusion to the redemption of Christ. Christ came in the flesh and died on the cross to accomplish redemption. But what does redemption accomplish? To say that Christ’s redemption only saves sinners and brings them to heaven is a very poor conclusion. This kind of conclusion is not so meaningful. But in Revelation we see that Christ redeemed us, purchasing us with His blood, to make us a kingdom and priests. Hence, this book discloses the conclusion of Christ’s redemption. Revelation 1:6 says that Christ has “made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.” The believers redeemed by the blood of Christ have not only been born of God into His kingdom (John 3:5), but have also been made a kingdom for God’secon o my, which is the church (Matt. 16:18-19). John, the writer of this book, was in this kingdom (1:9), and all the redeemed and reborn believers are a part of this kingdom (Rom. 14:17). One of the main aspects of this book is that God is recovering His right over the earth to make the whole earth His kingdom (11:15). When Christ came, He brought in the kingdom of God with Him (Luke 17:21; Matt. 12:28). This kingdom has been enlarged into the church (Matt. 16:18-19), which will bring in the consummation of the kingdom of God to the whole earth. On the one hand, the kingdom of God today is in the church, but on the other hand the kingdom of God is coming through the overcoming believers (12:10). Then Christ and the overcoming believers will reign over all the nations in the millennial kingdom (2:26-27; 12:5; 20:4, 6).
8我们藉著基督的血蒙了救赎，不仅成为神的国度，也成为祂的祭司。（彼前二5。）国度是为著神行政的掌权，祭司是为著神形像的彰显。这就是君尊的祭司体系，（彼前二9，）为要成就神原初造人的定旨。（创一～28。）这君尊的祭司体系，正在今天的召会生活中得以操练，（启五10，）并要在千年国里得以加强实行，（启二十6，）且要终极完成于新耶路撒冷。（启二二3，5。）启示录这卷书，也陈明召会美妙辉煌的终极完成。在这卷书中，我们看到神的经纶、基督的救赎、以及召会的见证。若没有启示录，我们可能把新约书信再三读过，却仍看不出召会是基督的见证。有那一封书信说到召会如同灯台，照耀在黑夜里？只有启示录这样告诉我们。在启示录里，召会起先是发光的灯台，最后到了永世，召会成了新耶路撒冷，一座金的山。这便是召会美妙的终极完成。召会目前不好的光景是虚谎的，我们不要相信，也不要说，『今天天主教多邪恶，更正教多可怜！』我们要看另一头，就是永远的那头；在那里我们看见新耶路撒冷。就是在今天，在这黑夜的时候，我们仍有发光的灯台。
8The redemption through Christ’s blood has not only made us a kingdom to God but also priests to Him (1 Pet. 2:5). The kingdom is for God’s dominion, while the priests, being those who express God’s image, are for God’s express i on. This is the kingly, royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) for the fulfillment of God’s original purpose in creating man (Gen. 1:2 6-2 8). 26 This kingly priesthood is being exercised in today’s church life (5:10). It will be intensely practiced in the millennial kingdom (20:6), and it will be ultimately consummated in the New Jerusalem (22:3, 5). The book of Revelation also presents a wonderful and marvelous consummation of the church. In this book we see God’s economy, Christ’s redemption, and the church’s testimony. Without Revelation, we could read the Epistles again and again without realizing that the church is Christ’s testimony. In which of the Epistles do we see the churches shining as lampstands in the dark night? Only in the book of Revelation do we see this. In Revelation, the churches firstly are the shining lampstands. Eventually, in eternity, the church will be the New Jerusalem, a golden mountain. This is the wonderful consummation of the church. The present situation is a lie, and we should not believe it. Do not just say, “How evil is the Catholic Church and how pitiful are the Protestant churches.” We must look at the other side, the eternal side, where we see the New Jerusalem. Even today, during the dark night, we have the shining lampstands.
9启示录说到神的经纶、基督的救赎、和召会的见证，同时也揭露了仇敌最终的结局。若没有启示录，我们就不知道撒但的定命，也没有人能明白，神为甚么一直容忍这狡猾、邪恶、污秽的撒但。但我们若进入这卷书，看见撒但的结局，我们必定快乐，并向蛇嗤笑。因此，我们在启示录看见神的经纶、基督的救赎、召会的见证、和撒但的定命这四件重大事情的总结。
9Along with God’secon o my, Christ’s redemption, and the church’s testimony, Revelation also discloses the enemy’s destination. If we did not have the book of Revelation, we would not know what Satan’s destiny is, and no one would be able to understand why God has been and still is tolerating the subtle, evil, dirty Satan. However, if we get into this book and see the conclusion of Satan’s record, we shall be happy and laugh at the serpent. Therefore, in Revelation we have the conclusion of four major things—God’secon o my, Christ’s redemption, the church’s testimony, and Satan’s destiny
一 是约翰著作的结束
A. The Conclusion of John’s Writings
10启示录是约翰著作的结束。我们在约翰生命读经中曾指出，使徒约翰的著作可分为三类：福音书，书信和启示录。约翰福音是说到生命的分赐。在约翰十章十节耶稣说，『我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』在约翰十二12:24章二十四节祂又说，『我实实在在的告诉你们，一粒麦子不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；若是死了，就结出许多子粒来。』在这几节圣经中，我们看见生命的分赐，这是约翰福音的中心思想。约翰的书信是说到为著生命长大而有的交通。不错，生命已经分赐到我们里面，然而还需要长大。生命的长大是藉著交通。因此，在约翰的书信中，我们看见为著生命长大而有的交通。约翰著作的最后一类，就是启示录，是说到生命的收获。首先是生命的分赐，接著是生命的长大，最后是这生命的收获。若没有启示录，我们只有生命的分赐和生命的长大，却没有生命的收获。
10The book of Revelation is the conclusion of John’s writings. As we pointed out in the life - study of John, the writings of the apostle John are of three categories: his Gospel, his Epistles, and his Revelation. John’s Gospel is for the imparting of life. In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly,” and in John He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” In these verses we see the imparting of life, which is the central thought of the Gospel of John. In John’s Epistles is the fellowship for the growth of life. Although life has been imparted into us, it needs to grow. Life grows by fellowship. Therefore, in John’s Epistles we see the fellowship for the growth of life. In the last category of John’s writings, his Revelation, we have the reaping of life. Firstly, life is imparted, then it grows, and eventually it is reaped. Without Revelation, we would have the imparting of life and the growth of life, but not the reaping of life.
二 是新约的结束
B. The Conclusion of the New Testament
11新约包括四福音、使徒行传、书信和启示录；启示录也是新约的结束。在四福音，我们看见生命种子的撒播，因为在福音书中，耶稣把自己当作生命的种子，撒到人里面，祂把自己撒到少数人里面，如彼得、约翰等。在使徒行传，有这生命的繁殖。在书信中，我们看见生命的长大。保罗、彼得、约翰等人所写的书信，其中心观点都是生命的长大。我们都需要在生命中长大。在启示录里，我们又一次看到生命的收获。启示录十四章，有成熟的庄稼和收割。启示录十四章十五节说，『又有一位天使从殿中出来，向那坐在云上的大声喊著说，伸出你的镰刀来收割，因为收割的时候到了，地上的庄稼已经熟了。』在启示录十四章，所有的庄稼都收割了。由此我们可以看见，启示录乃是新约的结束。
11Revelation is also the conclusion of the New Testament, which is composed of the Gospels, the Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. In the Gospels we see the sowing of the seed of life, for in the Gospels Jesus came to sow Himself into humanity as the seed of life, sowing Himself into a small number of people, such as Peter and John. In the Acts is the propagation of life. In the Epistles we see the growth of life. The central concept of all the Epistles written by Paul, Peter, John, and the others is the growth of life. We all need to grow in life. In Revelation we see, once again, the harvest of life. In chapter fourteen of Revelation we have a ripened field and a harvest. Revelation 14:15 says, “Another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, Send forth Your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” In Revelation 14, the whole field is harvested. By this we see that Revelation is the conclusion of the New Testament
三 是整本圣经的结束
C. The Conclusion of the Entire Bible
12启示录是圣经最后一卷，是整本圣经，整个神圣启示的结束、完成和总结。圣经需要有这样的结束。大多数神圣启示的真理，种子都撒在圣经头一卷的创世记里，在以后各卷，特别在新约各卷，逐渐生长发展，其收成乃在启示录。例如，蛇在创世记中是种子，到了启示录蛇被收拾。因此本书所说的事物，多半不是全新的，乃是依据圣经前面各卷所已有的。在创世记是神圣启示的种子，在以后各卷是神圣启示的发展，到了启示录，是这神圣启示的收成。因此，我们都要进入本书并且了解牠；我们若不认识这卷书，我们对神圣的启示就不会清楚。就如我们旅行的时候，若还未到达目的地，我们对所走的路常是不清楚。但到了目的地之后，回顾所走过的路，心里便十分清楚了。到了启示录，便是到了整本圣经的目的地；到了这目的地，我们便能明白整本的圣经。
12As the last book of the Bible, Revelation is the conclusion, completion, and consummation of the entire divine revelation, the whole Bible. The Bible needs such a conclusion. The seeds of most of the truths of the divine revelation were sown in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The growth of all these seeds is progressively developed in the following books, especially in the books of the New Testament, and the harvest is reaped in the book of Revelation. For example, in Genesis is the seed of the serpent, and in the book of Revelation there is the harvest of the serpent. Hence, most of the things covered in this book are not absolutely new, but refer back to the foregoing books of the Bible. In Genesis is the seed of the divine revelation, in the following books is the progressive development of the divine revelation, and in Revelation is the harvest of the divine revelation. Therefore, we all must get into this book and know it. If we do not know this book, we cannot be clear about God’sr evelation. In our travels, we often are not clear about the way, the road, until we have reached our destination. After we have reached our destination and look back upon the way we have taken, we become very clear. In Revelation we arrive at the destination of the whole Bible. Having arrived at this destination, we can understand this divine Book
贰 内容
II. THE CONTENTS
13现在我们来看启示录的内容。不要以为这卷书的内容不过是青蛙、蝎子、蝗虫、角、蛇、马等。我们甚至不该说本书的内容只是七印、七号和七碗。木书主要的不是说到这些事。启示录第一是说到基督，第二是说到召会，第三是说到神的经纶。
13Now we come to the contents of Revelation. Do not think that the contents of this book are frogs, scorpions, locusts, horns, serpents, and horses. We should not even say that the contents are merely the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls. No, this book is not mainly concerned with these things. Revelation is firstly a book of Christ, secondly a book of the church, and thirdly a book of God’secon o my.
一 基督的启示─惟一并终极的
A. The Revelation of Christ— Unique and Ultimate
14全本圣经都是启示基督；启示录既是全圣经的结束、完成和总结，就更是『耶稣基督的启示。』（启一1。）本书虽然也启示许多其他的事物，但启示的中心乃是基督。本书有些关于基督的异象，就如基督是在众召会中间的大祭司，在爱中，以审判的态度（启一13～16）照顾众召会；祂是那位在神宝座与四活物中间，并宇宙二十四位长老中间的狮子羔羊，揭开神在宇宙行政的七印；（启五1～六1；）以及祂是另一位大力的天使，从天而降，来据有全地（启十1～8，十八1）等，都是别卷书所从未像本书这样揭示过的。在本书中，对基督的启示是惟一的，又是终极的。不论在四福音，在行传，或在书信，都没有说基督有七眼，但在启示录就如此启示。（启五6。）我们的救主基督有七眼，这是多么可怕！这种对基督的启示是惟一的。路加四章二十二节告诉我们，基督的口里说出恩言；但在启示录一章十六节，从祂口中出来的，乃是一把两刃的利剑。还有，约翰在约翰福音说，『看哪，神的羔羊；』（约一；）但在启示录，有一位长老说，『看哪，犹大支派中的狮子。』（启五5。）所以，本书对基督的启示，实在是惟一的，是其他各卷所没有的。启示录内容的第一项，就是这位惟一的基督。
14The whole Bible reveals Christ. As the conclusion, completion, and consummation of the Bible, the book of Revelation especially is “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). Although this book also reveals many other things, the focus of its revelation is Christ. Several aspects of Christ, such as the vision of Him as the High Priest in the midst of the churches, caring for them in love yet with a judging attitude (1:13-16), the vision of Him as the Lion-Lamb in the midst of God’s throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the twenty-four elders of the universe, opening the seven seals of God’s universal administration (5:1—6:1), and the vision of Him as Another Mighty Angel coming down from heaven to take possession of the earth (10:1-8; 18:1) have never been unveiled as they are in the book of Revelation. In this book, the revelation of Christ is unique and ultimate. In the Gospels, Acts, and Epistles we do not see that Christ has seven eyes, but this is revealed in the book of Revelation (5:6). Christ, our Savior, has seven eyes. How terrifying! This revelation of Christ is unique. In Luke 4:22 we are told that “words of grace” proceeded out of Christ’s mouth, but in Revelation 1:16 a sharp two-edged sword proceeds out of His mouth. Moreover, in his Gospel, John says, “Be hold, the Lamb of God” (1:29), but in Revelation one of the elders says, “Behold, the Lion 29 of the tribe of Judah” (5:5). Hence, the revelation of Christ in this book is unique. In no other book is Christ unveiled as He is in Revelation. The first item of the contents of Revelation is this unique Christ.
二 耶稣的见证─特殊并终结的
B. The Testimony of Jesus— Particular and Consummate
15启示录一面给我们『基督的启示，』另一面向我们显示『耶稣的见证，』这见证是特殊并终结的。（启一2，9，十二17，十九，二十4。）耶稣的见证就是召会。启示录陈明启示出来的基督和作见证的召会。本书对召会有一特殊并终结的记载，也是圣经其他各卷所没有的。一章的灯台，七章蒙救赎大批的群众，十二章光明的妇人及其男孩子，十四章的庄稼及其初熟的果子，十五章玻璃海上的得胜者，十九章豫备好等候婚娶的新妇，和基督的军队，以及二十一、二十二章的新耶路撒冷，都是『耶稣的见证。』这耶稣的见证就是豫言的灵（启十九10）─豫言的本质、特性和特征。基督是神的见证人，（启一5，）是神的见证和彰显；召会是基督的见证和彰显。如此，召会乃是神在基督里之见证和彰显的复制。本书中对召会这种特殊的启示，是非常紧要的，我们都必须认识。
15On one hand, this book gives us “the revelation of Christ,” and on the other hand, it shows us “the testimony of Jesus,” which is particular and consummate (1:2, 9; 12:17; 19:10; 20:4). The testimony of Jesus is the church. Revelation presents the 10 revealed Christ and the testifying church. In this book we have a particular and consummate record of the church. In no other book are the churches revealed as they are in the book of Revelation. The lampstands in chapter one, the great multitude of the redeemed in chapter seven, the bright woman with her man-child in chapter twelve, the harvest with its firstfruits in chapter fourteen, the overcomers on the sea of glass in chapter fifteen, the Bride ready for marriage and the fighting army of Christ in chapter nineteen, and the New Jerusalem in chapters twenty-one and twenty- two are all the testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit—the substance, the disposition, and the characteristic—of the prophecy (19:10). Christ is the Witness (1:5), the testimony, the expression of God, and the church is the testimony, the expression of Christ. As such, the church is the reproduction of the testimony, the expression of God in Christ. The particular revelation of the church in this book is very crucial, and we all must see it.
三 神的经纶─宇宙并永远的
C. The Economy of God— Universal and Eternal
16启示录的内容也包括神的经纶。神的经纶就是祂宇宙、永远的行政。在启示录，我们看见神宇宙、永远的行政，为要完成神的经纶。祂的行政，在空间上是遍及宇宙的，在时间上是永远的。
16The contents of Revelation also include the economy of God. God’secon o my is His universal and eternal administration. In the book of Revelation we see God’sun i versa land eternal administration which is for the carrying out of His economy. Space-wise His administration is universal and time-wise it is eternal
1 七印
1. The Seven Seals
17在神的行政里，第一组的项目是七印。『印』指明有些事情封闭起来，不予以公开。头四印包括从基督升天，到这世代末了的世界历史。（启六1～8。）这历史简单却包罗的包括在头四印内。四印一打开，就看见有四匹马和骑在马上的。骑第一匹马的是福音的传扬，骑第二匹马的是战争，骑第三匹马的是饥荒，骑第四匹马的是死亡。因此在这头四印里，有福音、战争、饥荒和死亡。你若懂得世界历史，你会发现已过的二十个世纪，世界的确是这种光景。自从基督升天后，福音广传开了。并且在这些世纪中，有传福音也有战争。自从主后七十年，罗马帝国派遣军队毁坏耶路撒冷起，战争越来越激烈。本世纪开头，有第一次世界大战，接著又有更惨烈更扩大的第二次世界大战。战争总是带来饥荒，饥荒就带来死亡。这四匹马便是头四印的内容。
17In God’sad ministration the first group of items is the seven seals. A seal indicates that something is closed, concealed, and not open to the public. The first four seals cover the history of the world from Christ’s ascension to the end of this age (6:1-8). This history is briefly yet all - inclusively covered in these four seals. With the opening of these seals we see four horses, every one of which has a rider. The rider of the first horse is the gospel preaching, the rider of the second is war, the rider of the third is famine, and the rider of the fourth is death. Hence, in these first four seals we have the gospel, war, famine, and death. If you know the history of the world, you will realize that this has exactly been the situation during the past twenty centuries. Since Christ’s ascension, the gospel has been preached. Throughout the centuries, along with gospel preaching there has been war. Since the Roman Empire sent its armies to destroy the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, war has been intensified century after century. In the beginning of this century there was World War I and following that there was a greatly intensified war—World War II. War always causes famine, and famine brings in death. These four horses are the content of the first four seals.
18在第五印里，有殉道圣徒的呼喊。（启六9～11。）这事要在靠近这世代的末了，接近大灾难的起头发生。多少个世纪以来，因著福音的广传，有许多圣徒殉道了。在靠近这世代末了的时候，这些殉道的圣徒要向神呼求伸冤。第六印发生在大灾难的起头，包括地与天的震动。（启六12～17。）在第六印揭开时，有一次大地震，（启六，）为要警告居住在地上的人。有些恶人说，『谁是神？我们就是神！』虽然他们自称是神，但当真的神来震动他们所住的地方时，他们便晓得谁是神。我也曾遇到过一种人，他们与我争论说，『李先生，你传神，你岂不知道我们就是神？』我回答说，『不久你就知道谁是神！虽然神能容忍，但这容忍还是有限度的。你惹祂太过分了，祂只伸一个小指头，便会震动这地，那时你就知道到底谁是神。』在大灾难的起头，神先发出一个警告，题醒所有地上的居民，在宇宙中有一位神。在第六印的时候，神不只要震动地，也要震动天。启示录六章十二至十三节说，『我观看，大地震就发生了；日头变黑，像粗糙的黑毛布，满月变红像血；天上的星辰坠落于地，如同无花果树被大风摇动，落下未熟的果子一样。』到那时，那些恶人再也不能照旧自大自狂的在地上安然居住了。第七印最难明白，牠包括了七号，并且一直持续到永远。不要把印与号混在一起，印是秘密的，号却是公开的。你若把甚么事封起来，那便成了秘密的和隐藏的；但甚么时候你吹起号来，就是把事情公开了。
18The fifth seal covers the cry of the martyred saints (6:9-11). This will occur close to the end of this age and near the beginning of the great tribulation. Due to the preaching of the gospel throughout the centuries, many saints have been martyred. Close to the end of this age these martyred saints will cry to God for revenge. The sixth seal, taking place very near to the time of the great tribulation, covers the shaking of earth and heaven (6:12-17). At the opening of the sixth seal, there will be a great earthquake (6:12) which will be a 12 warning to earth’s dwellers. Some evil ones say, “Who is God? We are God!” Although they may say that they are God, when the real God comes to shake their dwelling place, then they will know who God is. I have met some people who have argued with me, saying, “Mr. Lee, you preach about God. Don’ty ou know that we are God?” I answered, “Let us see who is God. Although God has some amount of toleration, His toleration is limited. One day you will exhaust His toleration, and His little finger will shake the earth. Then you will know who is God.” Before the great tribulation begins, God will send forth a warning to all the earth’s dwellers reminding them that there is a God. At the time of the sixth seal, God will not only shake the earth but also the heavens. Revelation 6:12 and 13 say, “And there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.” At that time, the earth will no longer be a suitable place for evil men to live boastfully. The most difficult seal to understand is the seventh. The seventh seal, which will last for eternity, consists of the seven trumpets. Do not confuse the seals with the trumpets. The seals are secret, but the trumpets are public. When you seal something, you make it secret and private, but when you sound a trumpet, you make something public.
2 七号─第七印的内容
2. The Seven Trumpets— the Contents of the Seventh Seal
19七号是第七印的内容。头四号是对地、海、江河、日、月、星辰的审判。（启八7～12。）因著在这头四号中的审判，地就不再适合给人居住。第五号是对人之审判的第一样灾祸，是大灾难最严重灾祸的起头。（启八13～九。）（大灾难是非常可怕的，以后要再看。）第六号是对人进一步审判的第二样灾祸，是大灾难的一部分。（启九12～21。）第七号相当复杂，包括基督永远的国，内含七碗的第三样灾祸，审判死人，赏赐圣徒和敬畏神的人，以及败坏那些败坏地者。（启十一14～18。）第三样灾祸是第七号里的第二项，是大灾难的结束。这事以后，就是赏赐众申言者、圣徒、以及敬畏神之名的人。这三班人，乃是历代所产生的。申言者大部分出自旧约，圣徒大部分出自新约，而敬畏神之名的人则产生于大灾难的时候。第七号包括主所要给这三班人的赏赐。第七号也包括审判死人，以及败坏那些败坏地者。败坏地者是撒但、敌基督、假申言者和一切跟从他们的人。因此，第七号包括从大灾难末了到永世的每一件事。
19The seven trumpets are the contents of the seventh seal. The first four trumpets are the judgments on the earth, the sea, the rivers, and the sun, moon, and stars (8:7-12). As a result of the judgments in the first four trumpets, the earth will no longer be a suitable place for people to live in. The fifth trumpet, the first woe as judgment on men, will be the beginning of the great tribulation (8:13—9:11). As we shall see, the great tribulation will be terrible. 11 The sixth trumpet, which is the second woe as a further judgment on men, is a part of the great tribulation (9:12-21). The seventh trumpet is quite complicated. It consists of the eternal kingdom of Christ, the third woe comprising the seven bowls, the judgment of the dead, the rewarding of the saints and of the God - fearing people, and the destruction of the earth’s destroyers (11:14-18). The third woe, which is the second item of the seventh trumpet, will be the closing of the great tribulation. After this, there will be the rewarding of the prophets, the saints, and those who fear God’s name. Throughout the generations, these three categories of people have been produced. The prophets mostly come from the Old Testament, the saints mostly come from the New Testament, and those who fear the name of God will be produced during the great tribulation. The seventh trumpet includes the reward the Lord will give to these three classes of people. The seventh trumpet also comprises the judgment of the dead and the destruction of the earth’s destroyers. The destroyers of the earth are Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and all their followers. Hence, the seventh trumpet includes everything from the end of the tribulation to eternity.
3 七碗
3. The Seven Bowls
20七碗是第七号消极内容的一部分，乃是神对人因大怒所降的最后灾祸，也是大灾难的结束。（启十五1，6～8，十六1～21。）这七碗就像七印和七号一样，由头四个成为一组，以后是第五、第六和第七；这种组列法非常有意义。可见写启示录的乃是神自己；还有谁有智慧写这样的话？如果本书是根据约翰的想像写成的，那么约翰应当是神。启示录的结构实在太奇妙了。
20The seven bowls, a part of the negative contents of the seventh trumpet as the last plagues of God’s wrath on men, will be the ending of the great tribulation (15:1, 6-8; 16:1-21). The seven bowls, like the seven seals and the seven trumpets, are composed of a group of the first four and then the fifth, sixth, and seventh. This grouping is meaningful. Certainly the writer of the book of Revelation must be God. Who else would have had the wisdom required to write it? If this book was written according to John’si magi nation, then John must be God. The book of Revelation is surely composed in a marvelous way
参 分段
III. THE SECTIONS
21启示录可分为五段：引言，（启一1～，）所见的事，（启一9～20，）现在的事，（启二1～三22，）要来的事，（启四1～二二5，）和结语。（启二二6～21。）引言中有基督的启示，和耶稣的见证。启示录虽然包括神的经纶，但神的经纶并不是本书主要的中心。本书的两大紧要的项目，乃是基督与召会，也就是基督的启示与耶稣的见证。在引言之后，便是所见的事，就是七个灯台，和手拿七星的人子。二、三章是说现在的事，就是七个地方召会。下一段说到要来的事，分为二部分。第一部分（启四1～十一19）是综观要来的事，从基督升天到将来的永远。第二部分（启十二1～二二5）是详述第一部分所论及重要的事物。以上两部分的体裁与创世记一、二章非常相似。创世记一章是概括记录神的创造，二章是详述神的造人。同样原则，启示录四章一节到十一章十九节，是对将来一切的事作一概述；十二章一节至二十二章五节，是把其中的重要事物作详细的描述。所以不要把末了的十一章当作头十一章的继续，因为要来之事的概述是结束在十一章。在这一段揭示了要来之事一切的细节之后，到了二十二章六至二十一节，乃是全本启示录的结语。
21The book of Revelation has five sections: the introduction (1:1-8), the things seen (1:9-2 0), the8 things present (2:1—3:22), the things to come (4:1— 22:5), and the conclusion (22:6-21). In the introduction we have the revelation of Christ and the testimony of Jesus. Although Revelation includes God’secon o my, God’s economy is not the crucial focus of this book. The two crucial items which are the focus of Revelation are Christ and the church, that is, the revelation of Christ and the testimony of Jesus. Following this introduction, we have the things seen — the seven lampstands and the Son of Man with the seven stars. Then, in chapters two and three, we have the things present—the seven local churches. The next section, covering the things to come, has two parts. The first part (4:1—11:19) consists of a general view of the things to come from Christ’s ascension to eternity future. In the second part (12:1—22:5) we find the details of the important things covered in the first part. These two parts resemble Genesis chapters one and two. In Genesis 1 we have a general record of God’s creation; in Genesis 2 we have the details of God’s creation of man. In the same principle, in 4:1 to 11:19 we have a general view of all the things to come, and in 12:1 through 22:5 we have the details of the important things to come. Do not consider the last eleven chapters as a continuation of the first eleven chapters, for the general view of the things to come concludes at the end of chapter eleven. Following all the details of the things to come unveiled in the second part of this section, we have 22:6-21 as the conclusion to the book of Revelation.