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启示录生命读经 · 第21篇

神对祂子民的保守

God’s Preservation of His People
1启示录这卷书里，有好多段插进来的话，头一段就是七章。七章不是六章的延续，乃是插在第六印与第七印之间的话，显示神要在地上执行祂的审判时。怎样看顾祂的子民。八章才是六章的延续。六章末了说到第六印，到八章的开头，就接著说第七印。揭开第七印的时候，将带进七号；末了的三号，构成了大灾难最严重的灾祸。（启八1～2。）但是在这些事情发生之前，神要先印那些祂定意要保守的以色列人。（启七3。）神要保守祂的两班子民，就是以色列人和蒙救赎的圣徒。为甚么要在这里插进这一段关于神保守祂子民的话？因为在第六印时，我们看见大灾难起头的警告。我们已经看见，第五印是殉道圣徒的呼喊伸冤，而第六印是神对这呼求的答应，是神对地上居住之人的警告，也是大灾难的起头。自基督升天以来，曾经有许多地震，以及其他的灾害。这些都是自然的灾害。然而，从揭开第六印开始，所有的灾害就不再是自然的，乃是超自然的。这些自然的与超自然的灾害，都是神对地的惩罚。这个背叛的地，当得神的惩罚；神惩罚的手，从未离开过地。在某一程度内，神惩罚地是为著祂的目的。自基督升天以来，神一直在惩罚地。
1In the book of Revelation there are a number of insertions, and chapter seven is the first of them. This chapter is not the continuation of chapter six. It is an insertion between the sixth and seventh seals, showing how God cares for His people while He is about to execute His judgment upon the earth. Chapter eight is the continuation of chapter six. At the end of chapter six we have the sixth seal, and in the beginning of chapter eight we have the seventh. The opening of the seventh seal will bring in the seven trumpets, the last three of which constitute the great tribulation (8:1-2). But before this transpires, God will seal the Israelites whom He intends to preserve (7:3). God will preserve His two peoples—the Israelites and the redeemed saints. Why does this insertion regarding God’sp reservation of His people come here? Because in the sixth seal we see the warning of the coming tribulation. As we have seen, the fifth seal is the cry of the martyred saints for revenge, and the sixth seal is God’s answer to this cry, which is also a warning to the dwellers on the earth that the tribulation will soon come. Since the ascension of Christ, there have been a great number of earthquakes and other calamities. All these have been natural calamities. However, beginning at the opening of the sixth seal, the calamities will no longer be natural but supernatural. Both natural and supernatural calamities are God’s punishment upon the earth. This rebellious earth deserves God’s punishment, and the punishing hand of God has never been removed from it. To a certain extent, God punishes the earth for His purpose. Since the ascension of Christ, God has been punishing the earth
2从提多及其军队毁灭耶路撒冷城这件事，可以看见神惩罚的一方面。在马太二十四章二节，主曾豫言那次毁灭。祂论到圣殿，对门徒说，『你们不是看见这一切么？我实在告诉你们，将来在这里，绝没有一块石头留在石头上，不被拆毁的。』耶路撒冷被提多毁灭的原因有两个：因为犹太宗教背叛神的经纶，又因这个宗教使耶路撒冷召会受到消极的影响。我们在行传二十一章看见，老旧的犹太宗教多么影响召会。到了公元七十年，主不能再容忍犹太教的背叛，并其所带给召会的影响，所以就差遣罗马军队，毁灭耶路撒冷城和圣殿。那次毁灭还连带有饥荒、瘟疫和死亡，真是极可怕的惩罚。这事以后，许多世纪以来，神藉著自然的灾害来惩罚地，并且以后仍要如此，直到揭开第六印。
2One aspect of God’s punishment is seen in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by Titus and his armies. That destruction was prophesied by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:2 where, speaking of the temple, He said to His disciples, “See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus for two reasons: because the Jewish religion was rebellious against God’s economy and because this religion was a negative influence on the church in Jerusalem. In Acts 21 we see how much the old Jewish religion influenced the church. By the time of A.D. 70 the Lord could no longer tolerate the rebellion of the Jewish religion and its influence upon the church, so He sent the Roman army to destroy Jerusalem and the temple. That destruction was a terrible punishment which was accompanied by famine, pestilence, and death. After that, throughout the centuries, natural calamities have been and will be used by God to punish the earth until the sixth seal.
3第六印的时候，一切自然的灾害都要变为超自然的。地要震动，日、月、星辰也要遭损坏，这些灾害乃是第七印的序幕。到第七印的时候，情形变得更可怕，没有人能忍受得住。揭开第七印之后，紧接著吹第一号，『地的三分之一』被烧了。（启八7。）吹第二号时，『海的三分之一』要变成血。（启八8。）吹第三号时，有大星从天上落下来，落在『江河的三分之一和众水的泉上，』并且『众水的三分之一』要变为茵𫈟。（启八10～11。）吹第四号的时候，『日头的三分之一、月亮的三分之一、星辰的三分之一』都被击打，『以致日月星辰的三分之一黑暗了。』（启八12。）神造地原是给人居住，日头、月亮和星辰都是为著维持地上的生命。但是因著许多世纪以来，住在地上的人对神是这样傲慢，使神不再容忍，到了一个时候，祂就要来审判地、海、江河、日头、月亮和星辰。地是为著人类生存的，地上各样的生物，是为人效力的；各种动物、菜蔬和矿物，都是为著维持人类的生存。并且这些东西，并不是偶然有的，乃是神所计画，所创造的。譬如说，月亮上没有空气，但地球上却有。在地球的周围有一层空气，圣经中称为天。（创一8。）地球是个有天的行星。神所以这样创造，乃为使地上生产供应，维持人的生命。空气、阳光和水，都是维持人类生存所不可缺的。但是神审判地和天之后，地就不再适合给人居住了。在马太二十四章六和七节，主豫言将有两种战争发生，就是民要攻打民，国要攻打国；这就是内战与国际的战争。基督升天以后，这些战争就开始发生了。在马太二十四章，主还豫言多处必有地震。（太二四7。）最近有一篇报导说，每一年大约有五千到六千次二至八级的地震，这应验了主的豫言。主在豫言中好像说，『你们活在这地上，不要这样洋洋得意，不顾神的定旨了。你们要知道，神在地上有一个定旨，你们必须转向祂，使祂的定旨得完成。』神要一再用战争和地震来警告人，直到第五印的时候，那些殉道者的魂再也不能忍受地上的光景，那时他们要呼喊说，『圣别真实的主人，你不审判住在地上的人，给我们伸流血的冤，要等到几时？』（启六10。）神的回答就在第六印，那时地要震动，天象要被击打，作为那要来之大灾难的起头与警告。在时间上，第六印与头五号是密切相联的。
3At the time of the sixth seal, the calamities will be changed from natural calamities to supernatural ones. The earth will be shaken, and the sun, moon, and stars will be damaged. These calamities will be a preface to the seventh seal. When the seventh seal is executed, the situation will be terrible and no one will be able to bear it. Shortly after the opening of the seventh seal, the first trumpet will be sounded, and “the third part of the earth” will be burnt up (8:7). At the sounding of the second trumpet, “the third part of the sea” will become blood (8:8). At the sounding of the third trumpet, a great star will fall upon “the third part of the rivers and upon the springs of waters” and “the third part of the waters” will become wormwood (8:10-11). At the sounding of the fourth trumpet, “the third part of the sun and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars” will be smitten “so that the third part of them might be darkened” (8:12). God made the earth for man to live on. The sun, moon, and stars all help to maintain life on earth. But because the dwellers on earth have been so insolent toward Him for centuries, the time will come when God will no longer endure it. He will come in to judge the earth, the sea, the rivers, and the sun, moon, and stars. The earth is for human existence, and every form of life on earth is for man’s benefit. The animals, vegetables, and minerals are all for the existence of mankind. These did not come into being by accident, but were planned and created by God. For example, there is no air on the moon, but there is air on earth. Around the globe is a layer of air which the Bible calls the firmament (Gen. 1:7). The earth is the planet with a firmament. God created it in such a way so that it would produce the supplies for maintaining human life. The air, sunshine, and water are all necessary for man’s existence. But after God judges the earth and heaven, the earth will no longer be a suitable place for man to live on. In Matthew 24:6 and 7 the Lord prophesied that two kinds of wars would come — wars of people against people and wars of nation against nation, that is, civil wars and international wars. After Christ’s ascension, these wars began to take place. The Lord also prophesied in Matthew 24 that there would be “earthquakes in various places” (v. 7). A recent article said that each year there will be approximately five to six thousand earthquakes ranging from two to eight on the Richter scale. This is the fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecy. In His prophecy the Lord seemed to be saying, “Don’t live on this earth so complacently, not caring for God’s purpose. You must realize that God has a purpose on this earth and that you must turn to Him for the fulfillment of His purpose.” God will warn people again and again with wars and earthquakes until the time of the fifth seal when the martyred souls can no longer tolerate the situation. The martyred saints will then cry out, saying, “How long, O sovereign Lord, holy and true, will You not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (6:10). God’s answer comes in the sixth seal when the earth will be shaken and the heavenly hosts will be smitten as an introduction to and warning of the coming tribulation. The sixth seal and the first five trumpets are closely related to one another in time.
4在这一点上，我们得来看约珥书二章。约珥书二章说，在耶和华的日子来到之前，有一些事要发生。我们若读旧约的豫言，伴著新约的豫言，就会看见有一个时间，称作耶和华的日子（或作主的日子），这就是大灾难。主的日子意思就是主忿怒的日子，也就是祂来用超自然的灾害干涉世界的日子。主的日子是可畏的。旧约里好几位申言者题到耶和华的日子，都说那是大而可畏的。（珥一15，二l，11，31，三14，亚十四，玛四5）第六印是在主的日子以前，乃是大灾难的起头。大灾难最严重的灾祸开始于吹第五号的时候，头四号是大灾难的前奏。这就好像发动汽车，首先得点火，接著马达转动了，然后车子就开动。同样，在第六印的警告之后，头四号是大灾难的前奏，但那时不过像一辆发动了引擎的车子，尚末开动。但是仅仅这四号，已经引起了极大的痛苦。地、众水和天象所受的损坏，比第六印时地震所引起的损坏更厉害。从第六印以后，地对于人就没有好的了。
4At this juncture we need to consider the second chapter of Joel. Joel 2 says that certain things will occur before the day of the Lord. If you read New Testament prophecy along with the Old Testament prophecies, you will see that there is a time called the day of the Lord. This is the great tribulation. The day of the Lord means the day of the Lord’s wrath, the day of His coming in to interfere with the world by means of supernatural calamities. The day of the Lord will be terrible. Several prophets of the Old Testament mention the day of the Lord, and they all indicate that it will be a dreadful day (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5). The sixth seal will be before the day of the Lord, meaning that it will be before the great tribulation. The great tribulation will begin at 1 the sounding of the fifth trumpet. The first four trumpets are the preliminary to the great tribulation. It is similar to starting an automobile. First the ignition is turned on, the motor starts, and then the car will run. In like manner, after the warning of the sixth seal, the first four trumpets will be the preliminary to the great tribulation. But, like an automobile which is warming up but has not yet moved, the four trumpets are the preparation for the great tribulation. But even these trumpets will cause severe suffering. The damage to the earth, waters, and the heavenly hosts will be greater than that caused by the earthquake of the sixth seal. From the time of the sixth seal, there will be nothing good for man on earth.
5新约指明，男孩子和初熟的果子这些早期的得胜者，要在第六印之前不久，从地上被提。不过我们无法算出准确的时刻。但是根据启示录、马太福音和圣经的其他部分，我们可以说，第一种的被提，就是男孩子和初熟果子的被提，是在第六印之前发生的。请记得主曾应许在非拉铁非的召会说，要保守他们免去那要临到普天下，试炼一切住在地上之人的时候。（启三10。）爱主、寻求主的人，在第六印之前就要被提去。揭开第六印后，立刻有启示录七章插进来，启示在大灾难之前，神要作两件事来保守祂的子民；祂要印以色列蒙拣选的遗民，以及祂要开始提接召会中蒙救赎的人。
5The New Testament indicates that the early overcomers, such as the man-child and the firstfruits, will be taken away from the earth shortly before the sixth seal. However, we cannot calculate the exact time. But according to Revelation, Matthew, and other portions of the Word, we can say that the first kind of rapture, the raptures of the man-child and the firstfruits, will take place before the sixth seal. Recall that the Lord promised to the church in Philadelphia to keep them out of the hour of trial which will come upon all the inhabited earth (3:10). The Lord’s lovers and seekers will be taken away before the sixth seal. Immediately after the opening of the sixth seal, we have chapter seven, an insertion revealing that before the great tribulation God will do two things to preserve His people: He will seal the chosen remnant of Israel and He will begin the rapture of the redeemed ones of the church.
I. THE SEALING
壹 以色列蒙拣选的遗民
OF THE CHOSEN REMNANT OF ISRAEL
受印
6启示录七章一节说，『这事以后，我看见四位天使站在地的四角，执掌地上四方的风，叫风不吹在地上、海上和任何树上。』这一段话，插于第六印与第七印之间，显示神要在地上执行祂的审判时，怎样看顾祂的子民。这里的风是为著神的审判。（拿一4，赛十一15，耶二二22，四九36，五一l。）二节说，『我又看见另一位天使，从日出之地上来，拿著活神的印；祂向那得著权柄要伤害地和海的四位天使，大声喊著说。』这里的另一位天使，与在八章三节，十章一节，十八章一节者同，是指基督。在旧约，基督被称为耶和华的使者，就是神自己。（创二二11～12，出三2～6，士六11～24，亚一11～12，二8～11，三1～7。）在新约这里，1:11-祂再次被称为天使（使者）。『另一位天使』指明祂不是一位平常的，乃是一位特别为神所差遣的天使。我虽然爱以色列人，却对他们深感遗憾，因为照著豫言及他们目前的光景，他们是在不信中归回列祖之地。他们仍然固守他们的老宗教，不照著神新约的经纶相信神。他们实际上是叛逆神。主耶稣来了，神就将守律法的时代改为信主耶稣的时代。但是犹太人不接受这个改变，拒绝从守律法转向信主耶稣。这就是他们的叛逆、顽梗与不顺从。许多世纪以来神容忍了他们，并且照著祂的主宰，他们归回并重新建国，但是他们仍然不信。他们不相信主耶稣。我得到一些可靠的消息说，以色列政府正尽一切可能的排除各种基督徒的活动，也不准任何基督教传道人作工。关于以色列人的豫言指明，他们要这样不信，直到末日。然而，神是主宰，祂总是顾念以色列国，不是为著以色列人本身的缘故，乃是为著祂的经纶。祂知道在那些不信的犹太人中，仍有一些忠信的人，因此在祂要用超自然的灾害审判地之前，祂要先印他们。
6Revelation 7:1 says, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding fast the four winds of the earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth nor on the sea nor on any tree.” This is the insertion between the sixth and seventh seals, showing how God cares for His people while He is about to execute His judgments upon the earth. The winds here are for God’s judgments (Jonah 1:4; Isa. 11:15; Jer. 22:22; 49:36; 51:1). The next verse says, “And I saw another Angel ascend from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and sea.” The “another Angel” here refers to Christ, as also in 8:3; 10:1; and 18:1. In the Old Testament Christ was called “the Angel of the Lord,” who was God Himself (Gen. 22:11-12; Exo. 3:2-6; Judg. 6:11-24; Zech. 12; 2:8-11; 3:1-7). Here in the New Testament He is again called the Angel. Although I love Israel, I feel very sad for them because, according to prophecy and their present situation, they have returned to the land of their fathers in unbelief. They still cling to their old religion, and they do not believe in God according to His new testament economy. They are actually in rebellion against Him. When the Lord Jesus came, God changed the dispensation from that of keeping the law to that of believing in the Lord Jesus. But the Jews would not accept this change and they refused to turn from keeping the law to believing in the Lord Jesus. This was their rebellion, stubbornness, and disobedience. God has borne with them for centuries, and according to His sovereignty, they have returned and have been restored as a nation again, but they are still in unbelief. They do not believe in the Lord Jesus. According to some reliable information I have received, the government of Israel is doing everything possible to exclude any type of Christian activity. They do not want any Christian missionaries to carry on mission work. The prophecies regarding Israel indicate that they will remain in unbelief until the last day. God, however, is sovereign and He will always take care of the nation of Israel, not for their sake but for His economy. He knows that among the unbelieving Jews there are some faithful ones, and before He will actually judge the earth with supernatural calamities, He will seal them.
一 在头四号之前
A. Before the First Four Trumpets
7第一号是损害地与树，（启八，）第二号是损害海，（启八8～，）第三号是损害江河，（启八10～11，）第四号是损害天象。（启八12。）在吹这四号之前，神要先印祂所拣选的以色列人，保守他们不受这四号所带来超自然的灾害。
7The first trumpet is to harm the earth and the trees (8:7), the second trumpet is to harm the sea (8:8-7 9), the third trumpet is to harm the rivers (8:10-11), 9 and the fourth trumpet is to harm the heavenly hosts (8:12). Before the executing of the first four trumpets, God will seal His chosen Israelites to preserve them from the supernatural calamities which will be carried out by these trumpets.
二 在地上蒙保守，特别免去第五号的痛苦
B. Preserved on Earth Especially from the Torment of the Fifth Trumpet
8头四号只是损害地、海、江河和天象，第五号却要直接使人受痛苦。神印了蒙祂拣选的以色列人，特别要保守他们免受第五号的痛苦。（启九4。）
8The first four trumpets will harm only the earth, the sea, the rivers, and the heavenly hosts. It is the fifth trumpet that will torment men directly. God’s sealing of His chosen Israelites is especially to preserve them from the torment of the fifth trumpet (9:4
三十二 支派中，每一支派受印的有一万二千
C. Twelve Thousand of Each of the Twelve Tribes Sealed
9在七章四至八节，我们看见神要从以色列子孙各支派中印十四万四干人，就是从十二支派中，每一支派印一万二千人。这些是在大灾难期间，守神诫命的以色列人。（启十二17，十四。）这十四万四千忠信的以色列人，额上都受了印记。虽然我不晓得这将是那一种印记，但这必是奉差遣来审判地的天使所认得的。这是神在地上执行审判时，用来保守祂所拣选之以色列人的方法。
9In 7:4-8 we see that God will seal one hundred forty-four thousand “out of every tribe of the sons of Israel,” sealing twelve thousand out of each of the twelve tribes. These are the Israelites who will keep the commandments of God during the great tribulation (12:17; 14:12). Altogether, one hundred forty - four thousand faithful 12 Israelites will be sealed on their foreheads. I do not know what kind of seal this will be, but it will be a mark recognizable to the angels sent to judge the earth. This is God’s way of preserving His chosen Israelites while He is executing His judgment upon the earth.
四 约瑟得到双分
D. Joseph Gaining Double Portions
10在六节和八节，我们看见约瑟得到双分，（参代上五1～2，结四八4～5，）因为约瑟（启七8）和他两个儿子之一的玛拿西，（创四八5，）代表两个支派；所以在千年国时，约瑟仍有长子双倍的
10In verses 6 and 8 we see that Joseph gains double portions (cf. 1 Chron. 5:1-2; Ezek. 48:4-5). Because Manasseh, one of the two sons of Joseph (Gen. 48:5), and Joseph (v. 8) stand for two tribes, Joseph will still have the double portion of the birthright (1 Chron. 5:1
11名分。（代上五1～2，结四八4～5。）
112) during the millennium (Ezek. 48:4-5).
12流便原是以色列的长子，但因犯罪失去了长子的名分，犹大却胜过他一切弟兄。（代上五1～2。）因此，这里首先说到犹大支派。
12Reuben was the firstborn of Israel, but due to his sinfulness he lost his birthright and Judah prevailed above his brothers (1 Chron. 5:1-2). Hence, the tribe of Judah is mentioned here first
五 但被删除
E. Dan Being Omitted
13启示录七章没有题到但。这里的记载，和代上二至九章相同，把但支派删除了，因为他们拜了偶像。（士十八30～，王上十二29～30，王下十29，参创四九17。）然而在千年国时，但支派仍算在数中；（结四八1；）这是因雅各的祝福，使但支派凭著主的救恩，仍为众支派之一。（创四九16～18。）
13In Revelation 7 Danis omitted. In the account here, as in 1 Chronicles chapters two through nine, the tribe of Danis omitted because of their idolatry (Judg. 18:30-31; 1 Kings 12:29-30; 2 Kings 10:29; cf. Gen. 31 49:17). However, Dan will still be counted during the millennium (Ezek. 48:1) because of Jacob’s blessing upon him, that Dan might still be one of the tribes by the salvation of the Lord (Gen. 49:16-18).
贰 召会中
II. THE RAPTURE OF THE REDEEMED ONES
蒙救赎者的被提
OF THE CHURCH
14除了那些蒙拣选的以色列遗民外，神还有另一班子民，就是召会中蒙救赎的圣徒。（启七9～17。）在这一段插进的话中，我们看见一个异象，启示在整个大灾难中，神如何保守祂所救赎的圣徒。对那些蒙拣选的以色列遗民，神是用印来保守他们，但仍留他们在地上。以色列人是神属地的子民，但基督徒却是神属天的子民。神曾应许亚伯拉罕，要使他的子孙多如天上的星，海边的沙。（创二二17。）基督徒是属天的子民，是众星；那些属地的子民以色列人，是海边的沙。神要保守祂属地的子民，就印了他们，但仍留他们在地上，祂不会把他们从地上提到诸天之上。然而神保守所救赎的圣徒，就不是把他们留在地上，乃是藉被提将他们取去。被提不只一次，也不仅有一种，至少有两三种的被提。最终召会中所有蒙救赎的圣徒，都要从地上被提到天上。在这个异象中，插进了关于召会的一面，使我们对从被提的时候到永世，有一个概括的看见。换句话说，启示录七章结束于永世。在永世里，全召会要得著神的照顾，也要受羔羊的牧养。
14In addition to the chosen remnant of Israel, God has another people — the redeemed saints of the church (7:9-17). In this insertion we see a vision revealing how God preserves His redeemed saints throughout all the tribulations. The way God preserves the chosen remnant of the children of Israel is to seal them and to leave them on earth. While the Israelites are God’s earthly people, the Christians are God’s heavenly people. God promised to give Abraham people like the stars of the heavens and like the sand of the seashore (Gen. 22:17). The heavenly people, the Christians, are the stars, and the earthly people, the Israelites, are the sand of the seashore. In order to preserve His earthly people, God seals them and keeps them on earth. He will not take them from the earth to the heavens. However, God’sway of preserving His redeemed saints is not to keep them on earth but to take them away by means of rapture. The rapture will not only occur once or be just of one kind. There will be at least two or three kinds of raptures. Eventually, all the redeemed saints in the church will be raptured from earth to heaven. The insertion in this vision concerning the church gives us an overall view from the time of rapture until eternity. In other words, Revelation 7 ends with eternity. For eternity, the whole church will be under God’s care and under the Lamb’s shepherding.
一 开始于第六印之前
A. Beginning before the Sixth Seal
15神提接祂所救赎的圣徒，是从第一班得胜者开始，包括十二章五节的男孩子，以及十四章一至五节的初熟果子。这个提接，应该是在第六印之前，因为到第六印时，超自然的灾害要开始来到，这灾害就是神所施行，那将要临到普天下，试炼一切住在地上之人的试炼。（启三10。）神还要继续提接蒙祂救赎的圣徒，就是十一章十二节的两个见证人，十五章二节的晚期得胜者，以及十四章十四至十六节的庄稼（大体的信徒，他们要经过大灾难），一直到所有的圣徒都被提，有分于神的看顾与羔羊的牧养，直到永远。
15God’s rapture of His redeemed saints will begin with the first overcomers, comprising the man-child in 12:5 and the firstfruits in 14:1-6. This should be before the sixth seal, because the sixth seal will be the beginning of supernatural calamities executed by God as the “trial which is about to come on the whole inhabited earth, to try them who dwell on the earth” (3:10). God’s rapture of His redeemed saints will continue with the two witnesses in 11:12, the late overcomers in 15:2, and the harvest in 14:14-16 (the majority of the believers who will pass through most of the great tribulation), until all the saints will be raptured to participate in God’s care and the Lamb’s shepherding for eternity.
二 数不过来的大批群众
B. A Great, Innumerable Multitude
16九节说，『这些事以后，我观看，看哪，有大批的群众，没有人能数得过来。』大批的群众，包含历代从各邦国救赎出来的人，数目之多，无法计算，他们构成了召会。（启五9，罗十一25，使十五14，19。）
16Verse 9 says, “After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number.” The great multitude consists of the redeemed ones throughout all generations from the nations, who are innumerable and who constitute the church (5:9; Rom. 11:25; Acts 15:14, 19
三 从各邦国、各支派、各民族、各方言来的
C. From Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues
17这大批的群众中包括那些被羔羊的血，从各邦国、各支派、各民族、各方言所买来的人，（启七9，五9，）作召会的构成分子。
17This great multitude consists of those who have been purchased with the blood of the Lamb from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (7:9; 5:9) to be the constituents of the church
四 从大患难中出来的，手拿棕树枝
D. Having Come out of the Great Tribulation with Palm Branches in Their Hands
18论到九节的大批群众，长老中有一位说，『这些人是从大患难中出来的，曾用羔羊的血，洗净了他们的袍子，并且洗白了。』（启七14。）这里的大患难与马太二十四章二十一节所说的大灾难不同。这里的大患难是一般性的，每一个蒙神救赎的人，都要经历一些灾难、苦楚、逼迫和艰苦，没有一个基督徒能避免这些事。在我们的灵里，我们基督徒是满有享受的人；但是在肉身上，我们是受苦的人。然而有一天，我们都要从大患难中胜利的出来，站在宝座和羔羊的面前。在本章里的大批群众，每人手里都拿著棕树枝，表征他们胜过了他们为主所受的患难。（启七14，参约十二13。）棕树也是因水滋润而满足的标记。（出十五27。）棕树枝是住棚节用的，在那节里，神的百姓因享受的满足而欢乐。（利二三40，尼八15。）这是个豫表，要在这大批蒙神救赎的群众，享受永远的住棚节时得应验。他们要在神的殿中，发旺如棕树。（诗九二12～13。）
18Speaking of the great multitude mentioned in verse 9, one of the elders said, “These are those who come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (v. 14). The great tribulation here is different from the great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21. The great tribulation here is tribulation in a general sense. All of God’s redeemed people have passed through certain tribulations, sufferings, persecutions, and afflictions. No Christian can avoid these things. In our spirit, we Christians are a people of enjoyment. But, on the physical side, we are a suffering people. But one day we shall come triumphantly out of the great tribulation and stand before the throne and before the Lamb. All those in the great multitude in this chapter have palm branches in their hands, signifying their victory over tribulation (cf. John 12:13), which they have undergone for the Lord’ss ake (v. 14). Palm trees are also the sign of satisfaction through watering (Exo. 15:27). Palm branches were used for the feast of tabernacles, in which the people of God rejoiced for the satisfaction of their enjoyment (Lev. 23:40; Neh. 8:15). The feast of tabernacles was a type which will be fulfilled by this great multitude of God’s redeemed ones enjoying the eternal feast of tabernacles. This multitude “shall flourish like the palm tree” in the temple of God (Psa. 92:12-13).
五 站在宝座和羔羊面前
E. Standing before the Throne and before the Lamb
19站在宝座前，指明这大批蒙救赎的群众，必已被提到诸天之上神的面前。站在羔羊面前，相当于站立在人子面前，（路二一，）这清楚的指明被提。既然在揭开第六印后立刻说到这事，就也含示信徒的被提该开始于第9六印之前。九至十七节的记载，一般的描述从信徒被提到他们在永世里享受的情景。
19“Standing before the throne” indicates that the great multitude of the redeemed ones must have been raptured to the presence of God. “Standing before the Lamb” corresponds to “stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36), which clearly indicates the rapture. Since this is 36 mentioned immediately after the opening of the sixth seal, it also implies that the rapture of the believers should begin to transpire before the sixth seal. The record in verses through 17 composes in a general way a scene from the rapture of the believers to their enjoyment in eternity.
六 身穿用血洗净的白衣
F. Clothed in Blood-washed White Robes
20在九节我们看到，这大批的群众『身穿白袍，』因为他们『用羔羊的血，洗净了他们的袍子，并且洗白了。』（启七14。）『袍』是复数，表征信徒行为上的义。『白』指明他们的行为，藉羔羊之血的洗净，是纯洁的，并且蒙神称许。
20In verse 9 we see that this great multitude is “clothed in white robes,” for they “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (v. 14). Robes, being plural, signify the righteousness of their conduct. White indicates that their conduct is pure and approved by God through the washing in the blood of the Lamb
七 赞美神和羔羊
G. Praising God and the Lamb
21十节说，『大声喊著说，愿救恩归与坐在宝座上我们的神，也归与羔羊。』他们只是大声赞美救恩，指明赞美的人乃是得救的人。这大批得救的群众，对神的救恩满了感谢。
21Verse 10 says, “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb.” The loud praise mentioning only salvation indicates that the praisers are the saved ones. The great multitude, those who are saved, are grateful for God’ss alvation
八 昼夜在神殿中事奉神
H. Serving God Day and Night in His Temple
22十五节说，『所以他们在神宝座前，昼夜在祂殿中事奉祂。』这些人从大患难中出来，就进入了属天的境地，进入神的殿中昼夜事奉神。
22Verse 15 says, “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple.” This great multitude has come out of the great tribulation into a heavenly state, into the temple of God where they serve Him day and night
九 神用帐幕覆庇他们
I. God Spreading His Tabernacle over Them
23十五节又说，『坐宝座的要用帐幕覆庇他们。』这大批的群众要享受神和神的看顾。祂要用祂的帐幕覆庇他们，就是说，祂要使祂的居所成为他们的居所。神要使所有蒙救赎的人与祂同住。就很积极的意义说，神甚至要作我们的居所，作我们的帐幕。神以自己为帐幕覆庇我们，我们便能享受祂到极点。基督是神的帐幕，（约一14，）并且作基督之终极扩大的新耶路撒冷，将是神永远的帐幕。（启二一2～3。）在那里，所有蒙神救赎的人要永远与神同住。神要用祂自己，就是具体化身在基督里的，覆庇他们。基督这神的具体化身，要作他们的帐幕。本章十五至十七节所描绘的，与21:3-4二十一章三至四节，二十二章三至五节者相似，乃是对永世的描绘。
23Verse 15 also says that “He who sits upon the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them.” The great multitude will enjoy God and His care. He will spread His tabernacle over them, meaning that He will make His dwelling place their dwelling place. God will cause all His redeemed ones to dwell together with Him. In a very positive sense, God will even be our dwelling place, our tabernacle. As He spreads Himself over us as a tabernacle, we shall enjoy Him to the uttermost. Christ is the tabernacle of God (John 1:14), and the New Jerusalem as the ultimate enlargement of Christ will be God’s eternal tabernacle (21:2-3) where all God’s redeemed ones will dwell with Him forever. God will overshadow them with Himself as embodied in Christ. Christ, as the embodiment of God, will be their tabernacle. The portrait in verses 15 through 17, similar to what is portrayed in and 22:3-5, is of eternity.
十 羔羊必牧养他们，
J. The Lamb Shepherding Them
24领他们到生命水的泉十六至十七节说，『他们不再饥、不再渴，日头和一切的炎热也必不伤害他们，因为宝座中的羔羊必牧养他们，领他们到生命水的泉。』在这里我们看见，羔羊要牧养他们，领他们到生命水的泉。牧养包括𫗪养。在基督的牧养下，『我必不至缺乏。』（诗二三1。）羔羊也要领我们到生命水的泉。这里的泉，原文是复数的；在永世里，我们要饮许多个泉，享受许多种的水。何等的好！
24and Guiding Them to Springs of Waters of Life Verses 16 and 17 say, “They shall not hunger any more, neither shall they thirst any more, neither shall the sun beat upon them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them and shall guide them to springs of waters of life.” Here we see that the Lamb will shepherd them and guide them to springs of waters of life. Shepherding includes feeding. Under the shepherding of Christ, “I shall not want” (Psa. 23:1). The Lamb will also lead us to springs of waters of life. In eternity, we shall drink of many springs and enjoy many different waters. How good this is
十一 神必从他们眼中擦去一切的眼泪
K. God Wiping away Every Tear from Their Eyes
25十七节又说，『神也必从他们眼中擦去一切的眼泪。』眼泪是不满足的表记，生命水是为叫他们满足。因为羔羊要用生命水供应他们，使他们满足，他们就不再有不满足的眼泪。羔羊要供应他们生命水，并要擦去他们的泪水。不再有眼泪、饥饿、干渴了，只有享受。
25Verse 17 also says that “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Tears are a sign of dissatisfaction. Waters of life are for satisfaction. Because the Lamb will supply them with waters of life for their satisfaction, they will have no tears of dissatisfaction. The waters of life shall be supplied, and the water of tears shall be wiped away. There will be no tears, hunger, or thirst—just enjoyment
十二 众天使、众长老和四活物都敬拜神
L. The Angels, the Elders, and the Four Living Creatures Worshipping God
26十一至十二节说，『众天使都站在宝座、众长老和四活物的周围，在宝座前面伏于地，敬拜神，说，阿们。愿颂赞、荣耀、智慧、感谢、尊贵、能力、力量，都归与我们的神，直到永永远远。阿们。』这与路加十五章七节的话相似，那里说一个罪人悔改，在天上也要为他欢喜。这里蒙救赎的人赞美救恩，天使对他们的赞美说阿们。
26Verses 1 1 and 1 2 say, “And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying, Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” This is similar to the word in Luke 15:7, where there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Here the angels say, “Amen” to the redeemed ones’ praise of salvation.
27在这一章里，我们看见神如何看顾祂的子民。在审判地之前，祂要印祂属地的子民，并提接祂属天的子民。蒙拣选的以色列遗民是受印记，而信徒却是得重生，因为神将自己放在我们里面作生命。祂并不是只在我们的额上作个记号，祂乃是将祂自己放在我们里面作生命。因此我们不是祂属地的子民，乃是祂属天的子民。你愿意是个得重生的基督徒，还是作个受印记的以色列人？我们基督徒没有这个印记，我们有更好的，就是神在我们里面。我们与蒙拣选的以色列遗民不同，我们不会留在地上。我们乃是蒙保守，被提接到神面前，我们要在永远的范围里，享受神那神圣而永远的看顾，也享受羔羊永远的牧养。这是多么令人喜悦的事！受印记的以色列遗民固然好，我们却是最好的人！不过，我们若想要被提到神面前，就必须成熟。我们若仍是青嫩、不成熟，神不会提接我们，反要将我们留在田地里，经历苦难直到我们成熟。全召会虽然都要被提，却有一个条件，就是完全成熟。因此我们都必须长大成熟，这是我们从这地上被神提去的条件。这在启示录里完全且充分的启示出来。比方说，在十四章，我们清楚看见初熟的果子和庄稼。那一段的经节明确的告诉我们，庄稼熟透后，才有收割。所以我们都必须长大。你不可能在宗教里长大，因为宗教里没有食物，也没有营养。甚至可以说，宗教里没有田地。今天基督徒只有在召会里才能长大，因为在召会中，有基督作草场，叫羊群得到𫗪养，得到营养而长大。因著主主宰的恩典，我们现在享受这草场。我们都能见证说，自从进入召会生活后，我们是在长满了嫩草的草场上。一天过一天，我们得著嫩草，就是基督自己的𫗪养。在召会生活中，我们吃基督而长大。在这里我们吸取一切细嫩的营养到我们里面。感谢主，我们一天一天的长大。赞美主，我们在长大，祂也在豫备我们，使我们得以被提。我们不盼望面对大灾难，我们是在长大以至成熟，长大以至被提，长大以至进入祂的同在里。有一天，我们都要在那里。
27In this chapter we see how God takes care of His people. When He is about to judge the earth, He will seal His earthly people and rapture His heavenly people. While the chosen remnant of Israel is sealed, the believers are regenerated, for God has put Himself into us as life. He does not simply put a mark on our forehead; He puts Himself into us as life. Thus, we are not His earthly people but His heavenly people. Would you rather be a regenerated Christian or a sealed Israelite? We Christians do not have this seal — we have God in us, which is much better. Unlike the chosen remnant of Israel, we shall not remain on earth. Rather, we shall be preserved by being taken away to the presence of God. We shall be in that eternal state enjoying God’s divine and eternal care and also enjoying the Lamb’s eternal shepherding. How pleasant that will be! The sealed remnant of Israel will be the better people, but we shall be the best people. However, if we would be taken away to God’s presence, we must be mature. If we are still tender and unripe, God will not take us away. Instead, He will leave us in the field to suffer until we have ripened. While all the church people will be taken away, there is nonetheless a condition, the condition of maturity and of ripeness. We all must ripen and mature. This is the condition of our being taken away from this earth by God. This is fully and adequately revealed in the book of Revelation. In chapter fourteen, for example, we clearly see the firstfruits and the harvest. In that portion of the Word, we are told definitely that after the field has ripened, the harvest comes. Thus, we all need to grow. It is impossible for people to grow in religion because there is no food or nourishment there. In a sense, there is not even a field there. The only place where Christians can grow today is the church, for in the church is the pasture — Christ — for the flock to feed on and receive nourishment for growth. By the Lord’ss ove reign grace, we are enjoying this pasture. We all can testify that since coming into the church life, we have been in the green pasture with the tender grass. Day by day we are feeding on the tender grass which is Christ Himself. Here in the church life we feed on Christ and grow. Here we take all the tender nourishment into our being. Thank the Lord that we are growing day by day. Praise the Lord that we are growing and that He is preparing us for our rapture. We do not expect to face the tribulation. We are growing into maturity, growing into rapture, growing into His presence. One day, we shall be there.