Books
启示录生命读经 · 第56篇

千年国

The Millennial Kingdom
1在本篇信息中，我们来到千年国。旧约里有许多关于千年国的经节。（诗二6，8～9，赛二2～5，十一1～10，六五20～25，三十26，亚八20～23，诗七61:4-了1～17，赛四2～6，九7，十二１～５，十六5，三二1～２，四十9～11，六一4～9，亚十四16～21。）在旧约中，国度是藉著众申言者向人类所宣报的佳音。在得胜者被提和千年国开始之间，有许多事要发生。在男孩子被提之后，天上立刻有大声音说，『我们神的救恩、能力、国度、并祂基督的权柄，现在都来到了。』（启十二10。）然而事实上，那时国度并未来临，因为三年半的大灾难还没有来到；虽然如此，在那些已经被提到诸天之上的人眼中，国度已经来了。在这世代末了的三年半中，以下的事情要发生：大体圣徒的被提；宗教巴比伦的毁灭，也就是天主教的摧毁；以及犹太教的毁灭。在这三年半的末了，将有哈米吉顿的战争，以及物质巴比伦的倾倒。全地必须得著清理，以准备神的国来临。在二十章的时候，几乎一切都得了清理，只有一样还留著，就是撒但，他是一切问题的源头。所以，在关于千年国的二十章，首先题到撒但被捆绑。
1In this message we come to the millennial kingdom. In the Old Testament there are many verses concerning the millennial kingdom (Psa. 2:6, 8-9; Isa. 2:2-5; 11:1-10; 65:20-25; 30:26; Zech. 8:20-23; Psa. 72:1-17; Isa. 4:2-6; 9:7; 12:1-5; 16:5; 32:1-2; 40:9-11; 9; Zech. 14:16-21). The kingdom was the good news proclaimed to mankind through the prophets in the Old Testament. Between the rapture of the overcomers and the beginning of the millennial kingdom, many things will take place. Immediately after the rapture of the man- child, a loud voice in heaven says, “Now is come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ” (12:10). Actually, however, the kingdom will not come at that time, for the three and a half years of the great tribulation are yet to come. Nevertheless, in the eyes of those who have been raptured to the heavens, the kingdom has already come. During the last three and a half years of this age, the following things will take place: the rapture of the majority of the saints; the destruction of religious Babylon, that is, the annihilation of Catholicism; the destruction of Judaism; and the fall of material Babylon. Following all this, there will be the war at Armageddon. The whole earth must be cleared up as a preparation for God’s kingdom to come. At the time of chapter twenty, nearly everything has been cleared up. Only one thing remains, and that is Satan, the source of all the problems. Therefore, the first item mentioned in chapter twenty, a chapter concerning the millennium, is the binding of Satan.
壹 撒但受监禁
I. THE IMPRISONMENT OF SATAN
2在二十章一至三节，我们看见撒但受监禁。敌基督失败后，撒但就被捆绑监禁，使背叛的地得以清理，基督的国可以来临。（启二十4～6。）撒但要被捆绑，扔在无底坑里，这无底坑是在地心里。撒但要在那里受监禁一千年，此后『必须暂时释放他。』（启二十3。）主耶稣要将敌基督和假申言者直接扔在火湖里，因为主不再使用他们了。然而，甚至在哈米吉顿战争以后，撒但对主多少仍有些用处。
2In 20:1-3 we see the imprisonment of Satan. Following the defeat of Antichrist is the binding and imprisonment of Satan to clear up the rebellious earth that the kingdom of Christ may come (vv. 4-6). Satan will be bound and cast into the abyss, which is in the heart of the earth. Satan will be imprisoned there for a thousand years. After that, “he must be loosed for a little time” (v. 3). The Lord Jesus will cast Antichrist and the false prophet directly into the lake of fire because He has no further use for them. However, even after the war at Armageddon, Satan will still be somewhat useful to the Lord
3在哈米吉顿战争之后，主要在耶路撒冷建立祂荣耀的宝座，并且要将还在地上的万民聚集在祂面前，然后祂要对他们执行审判。我们已经指出，这将是基督对活人的审判，是照著天使在天空所传永远的福音执行的。（启十四6。）『山羊』要进入为魔鬼和他的使者所豫备的永火里，『绵羊』要进入千年国里作国民。（太二五34。）这些『绵羊』虽然会得复兴，却不会得重生，在他们里面仍然会有背叛的天性，所以在一千年之后，他们需要进一步的受试验。因为主要用撒但试验他们，所以在千年国开始的时候，主不会将撒但扔在火湖里，乃将他囚在无底坑里一千年。那一千年结束了，主要把撒坦从无底坑里释放出来，用他试验千年国时在地上的国民。在下一篇信息中，我们要看见歌革和玛各，就是苏俄人，不会通过这试验。在撒但的煽动之下，他们会再次背叛神。在此我们可以看见，为要洁净人类，撒但在神手中仍然有用。
3After the war at Armageddon, the Lord will establish His throne of glory in Jerusalem and gather before Him all the nations still on earth. He will then execute His judgment upon them. As we have pointed out, this will be Christ’s judgment of the living carried out according to the eternal gospel preached by an angel in mid - heaven (14:6). The “goats” will go to the fire prepared for the Devil and his angels, and the “sheep” will enter into the millennial kingdom as citizens (Matt. 25:34). Although these “sheep” will be restored, they will not be regenerated. They will still have a rebellious nature within them, and thus they will need a further test a thousand years later. Because the Lord will use Satan to test them, He will not cast Satan into the lake of fire at the beginning of the millennium. Rather, Satan will be kept in the abyss for a thousand years. When the thousand years are over, the Lord will release Satan from the abyss and use him to test the citizens who have been on earth during the millennium. In the next message we shall see that Gog and Magog, the Russians, will not pass the test. Under Satan’s instigation, they will once more rebel against God. In this we can see that Satan is still useful in God’s hands to purge mankind.
贰 千年国
II. THE MILLENNIUM
4行传三章二十一节说，『直到万物复兴的时候，就是神自古以来，藉著祂圣申言者的口所说的。』这复兴不仅会影响人，也会影响整个受造之物－诸天、地、动物、甚至树木。一切因人的堕落而受咒诅的东西都要得复兴。以赛亚三十章二十六节说，『月光必像日光，日光必加七倍，像七日的光一样。』今天太阳和月亮都不正常，因为牠们曾因撒但的背叛及人的堕落遭受咒诅。创3:17世记三章十七、十八节指明，因著人的堕落，地曾受了咒诅。所以，今天的地不正常。
4Acts 3:21 refers to “the times of restoration of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Gk.). This restoration will affect not only man, but also the whole creation—the heavens, the earth, the animals, and even the trees. Everything that was cursed through the fall of man will be restored. Isaiah 30:26 says, “Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days.” Today the sun and the moon are not normal because they have been cursed through the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man. As Genesis and 18 indicate, the earth has been cursed because of man’s fall. Thus, the earth today is not normal.
5当以色列人即将进入美地，就是那流奶与蜜之地的时候，摩西差遣十二个探子去窥探那地。（民十三1～2。）这些探子带回一挂葡萄甚大，必须两个人扛著。（民十三23。）一九五八年，我到那个地区游览，特意要看看是怎样的葡萄，导游带给我一挂小葡萄，我问为甚么这么小，他告诉我，因为土壤不肥，雨水也少。经过多少世纪以来，风把所有的表土都吹走了，因这缘故，几乎没有甚么能在那里生长。按照申命记里的豫言，这地因著以色列人的罪恶受了咒诅，所以这地变为不正常。同样的，整个宇宙也不正常。然而，千年国来临时，一切都要得著复兴。
5When the children of Israel were about to enter into the good land, a land flowing with milk and honey, Moses sent twelve spies to search out the land (Num. 13:1-2). These spies brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it (Num. 13:23). In 1958 I visited that region and I purposely tried to learn what kind of grapes those were. The guide brought me a cluster of tiny grapes. When I asked why they were so small, I was told that there was no fertile soil and very little rain. Throughout the centuries, the wind has blown away all the topsoil. For this reason, hardly anything can grow there. According to the prophecies in Deuteronomy, this land has been cursed because of the sinfulness of the children of Israel. Therefore, the land has become abnormal. Likewise, the entire universe is abnormal. However, when the millennium comes, everything will be restored.
6在以赛亚书、撒迦利亚书和诗篇里，有许多关于千年国的豫言。在复兴的时候，不仅人类，一切受造之物都要恢复到原初的光景。兽类和畜类要恢复到一个地步，『豺狼必与绵羊羔同居，豹子与山羊羔同卧。』（赛十一6。）这不是神奇的，乃是正常、普通的。以赛亚十一章八节说，『吃奶的孩子必玩耍在虺蛇的洞口，断奶的婴儿必按手在毒蛇的穴上。』甚至包括麻烦的蚊子在内，也要得复兴。当蚊子叮我时，就题醒我蚊子需要复兴。牠们得复兴之后，就会奏乐却不叮人。不要恨恶蚊子、苍蝇、地鼠这些东西，你必须责备亚当，因为他的堕落使受造之物遭受咒诅。但基督再来时，一切都要得复兴，树木要发旺，花朵也要盛开。以赛亚三十五章一、二节说，『旷野和干旱之地，必然欢喜；沙漠也必快乐；又像玫瑰开花。必开花繁盛，乐上加乐，而且欢呼。』不仅如此，『在旷野必有水发出，在沙漠必有河涌流。发光的沙，要变为水池，干渴之地，要变为泉源。』（赛三五6～7）并且，『在那里必有一条大道，称为圣路。』（赛三五8。）以赛亚书满了对千年国的描述。照著圣经的豫言，千年国有两部分：上端属天的部分和下端属地的部分。千年国上部称为父的国，（太十三43，）下部称为人子的国。（太十三41。）弥赛亚国是千年国下部的另一名称。
6There are many prophecies in Isaiah, in Zechariah, and in the Psalms regarding the millennium. At the time of restoration, not only mankind but also all of creation will be restored to its original condition. The beasts and the cattle will be restored to such an extent that the “wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid” (Isa. 11:6). This will not be miraculous; rather, it will be normal and common. Isaiah 11:8 says, “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the viper’s den” (Heb.). Even the troublesome mosquitoes will be included in the restoration. When a mosquito bites me, I am reminded that the mosquitoes need restoration. After they have been restored, they will make musical sounds, but they will not bite. Do not hate creatures such as mosquitoes, flies, and gophers. Instead, you must blame Adam, for his fall brought about the curse on the creation. But when Christ comes again, everything will be restored. The trees will flourish, and the flowers will blossom abundantly. Isaiah 35:1 and 2 say, “The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.” Furthermore, “in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isa. 35:6-7). Also, “a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness” (Isa. 35:8). The book of Isaiah is a full description of the millennium. According to the prophecies of the Bible, the millennial kingdom is in two sections: the upper, heavenly, section and the lower, earthly, section. The upper section of the millennium is called the kingdom of the Father (Matt. 13:43), and the lower section is called the kingdom of the Son of Man (Matt. 13:41). The kingdom of the Messiah, or the Messianic kingdom, is another name for the lower section of the millennium
7在千年国里将有三班人。第一班是得胜的圣徒，包括新旧约中得胜的圣徒。这些得胜的圣徒要与基督一同作王，基督是至高的王，我们将是祂的小王。所以上部是千年国的君王部分。在下端部分的第二班人，乃是蒙保全正确的犹太人，他们要在主回来时得救。照著撒迦利亚十二章十至十四节，这些犹太人必仰望他们所扎的那位，然后他们要悔改。这些就是三分之一要经过火受熬炼的犹太人。（亚十三9。）这些得救的犹太人要进入千年国作祭司，教导万民寻求神，认识神。那时以赛亚二章二至三节就应验了。三节说，『必有许多国的民前往，说，来罢，我们登耶和华的山，奔雅各神的殿；主必将祂的道教训我们，我们也要行祂的路；因为训诲必出于锡安，耶和华的言语，必出于耶路撒冷。』藉著作祭司之犹太人的教导，万民都必认识神。以赛亚六十一章六节清楚的说，『你们倒要称为耶和华的祭司，人必称你们为我们神的仆役。』当千年国的时候，万民都必认犹太人为神的祭司，这话也就得应验了。撒迦利亚八章二十三节说，『万军之耶和华如此说，在那些日子必有十个人，从列国诸族中出来，拉住一个犹大人的衣襟，说，我们要与你们同去，因为我们听见神与你们同在了。』这节指明每个犹太人都是宝贵的。那时得救的犹太人数目极少，所以必有十个人从一族中出来，拉住一个犹太人说，『帮助我们认识神，我们要受你教导，因为我们听见神祝福你了。我们要分享你的祝福。告诉我们神的事，并且教导我们如何敬拜祂。』在那些日子，犹太人会受到热烈的欢迎。千年国里的第三班人，就是马太二十五章的『绵羊。』我们已经看见，这些绵羊要迁到千年国里，成为那里的国民。
7In the millennial kingdom there will be three peoples. The first are the overcoming saints, including the overcoming saints of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. These overcoming saints will be co- kings of Christ. Christ is the highest King, and we shall be His sub-kings. Therefore, the upper section is the royal portion of the millennium. The second group, found in the lower section, is the preserved and proper Jews, who will be saved at the time of the Lord’s coming back. According to Zechariah 12:10-14, these Jews will look on Him whom they have pierced, and then they will repent. These are the Jews who will be the third part who will pass through fire and be refined (Zech. 13:9). These saved Jews will enter into the millennium as priests and will teach the nations to seek God and to know Him. Isaiah 2:2-3 will be fulfilled at that time. Verse 3 says, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” The nations will learn of God through the instruction of the Jews, who will be priests. Isaiah 61:6 clearly says, “But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God.” This word will also be fulfilled during the millennium, when the nations will recognize the Jews as God’s priests. Ze chariah 8:23 says, “Th us saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” This verse indicates that every Jew will be precious. At that time the number of the saved Jews will be so small that ten people out of one nation will take hold of a Jew and say, “Help us to know God. We want to be taught by you because we have heard that God has blessed you. We want to share your blessing. Tell us about God and teach us how to worship Him.” In those days the Jews will be warmly welcomed. The third group of people in the millennial kingdom will be the “sheep” of Matthew 25. We have seen that these “sheep” will be transferred into the millennial kingdom to become the citizens there.
8在千年国的下端部分，就是称为人子的国里，耶稣这大卫的后裔，要作王管理犹太人，并且藉著犹太人管理万国。祂要在大卫的宝座上，藉著犹太人而作王管理万国。这就是人子的国和弥赛亚国，也是行传十五章十六节所说大卫的帐幕。大卫的帐幕已经倒塌了，但千年国来临时，基督要重新建造大卫的帐幕。大卫的帐幕就是大卫的国。在撒下七章，神曾应许要永远坚立大卫的国，（撒下七16，）这永远的国将是千年国的下端部分，就是人子的国和弥赛亚的国。作王的得胜者要在千年国的上端部分，作祭司的犹太人和众民将在千年国的下端部分。
8In the lower section of the millennium, called the kingdom of the Son of Man, Jesus as the seed of David will be King over the Jews and, through the Jews, over all the nations. He will be on the throne of David to be the King over all nations through the Jews. This is the kingdom of the Son of Man and the kingdom of the Messiah; it is also the tabernacle of David spoken of in Acts 15:16. The tabernacle of David has fallen. But when the millennium comes, Christ will again erect the tabernacle of David. The tabernacle of David is the kingdom of David. In 2 Samuel 7 God promised to establish David’skin gdom forever (v. 16). This everlasting kingdom will be the lower part of the millennium, the kingdom of the Son of Man and of the Messiah. The kingly overcomers will be in the upper part of the millennium, and the priestly Jews and the citizens will be in the lower part.
9清楚这些事情是很有帮助的。你若领会这些事，读圣经时就会晓得那些经节是指上端的部分，那些经节是指下端的部分。你会知道那些经节是指王，那些是指祭司，那些是指万民。
9It is a great help to be clear about these matters. If you understand them, then as you read the Bible, you will know which verses refer to the upper part and which verses to the lower part. You will know which verses refer to the kings, which to the priests, and which to the nations
一 宝座和审判
A. The Thrones and the Judgments
10启示录二十章四节说，『我又看见几个宝座和坐在上面的，有审判的权柄赐给他们。』这里的『他们』指得胜者。这时，他们已坐在宝座上，有审判的权柄赐给他们。得著审判的权柄，意即得著国度。（参但七10，18，22。）这指明得胜者已经得著国度，现今正在享受国度。
10Revelation 20:4 says, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them.” The word they refers to the overcomers. They are now sitting upon thrones, and authority to judge has been given to them. To have the authority to judge means to have the kingdom (cf. Dan. 7:10, 18, 22). Therefore, this verse indicates that the overcomers have received the kingdom and are enjoying it
二 得胜的信徒与基督一同作王
B. The Overcoming Believers Being the Co-kings of Christ
一千年
for a thousand years
11四节又说，『我又看见那些为耶稣的见证、并为神的话被斩者，以及那些没有拜过兽与兽像，额上和手上也没有受过牠印记之人的魂，他们都活了，与基督一同作王一千年。』那些『为耶稣的见证、并为神的话被斩者，』乃是召会历代的殉道者，如六章九节所说的。无疑的，彼得、保罗、雅各、司提反以及许多世纪以来被杀的人都包括在内。这些为耶稣的见证、并为神的话殉道的圣徒，要复活与基督一同作王。
11Verse 4 also says, “And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who did not worship the beast nor his image, and did not receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Those who have been “beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God” are the martyrs throughout the church age, as mentioned in 6:9. Undoubtedly, Peter, Paul, James, Stephen, and the many others slain throughout the centuries will be included in this number. These saints, martyred for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, will be resurrected to be co-kings of Christ
12在大灾难期间的殉道者，乃是那些不拜兽与兽像，额上和手上也不受其印记的人。在得胜者被提之后，许多圣徒因著不肯拜敌基督，也不肯在额上和手上受其印记而殉道了。这些殉道的圣徒也要复活，在千年国里一同作王。原则上，这些一同作王的人也必定包括活著被提的得胜者。男孩子若在同王的人当中，初热的果子当然也在其中。在马太二十五章二十一、二十三节，主都说，『好，良善又忠信的奴仆，你在不多的事上既是忠信的，我要把许多事派你管理；进来享受你主人的快乐。』这两节指得胜者在千年国里的享受。主要对殷勤的奴仆说，『干得好！进来享受你主人的快乐。我有一些事要派你管理。』这就是得胜的信徒在千年国里的享受。
12The martyrs in the great tribulation are those who do not worship the beast nor his image and do not receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand. After the rapture of the overcomers, many saints will be martyred because they refuse to worship Antichrist or to receive his mark on their forehead or on their hand. These martyred saints will also be resurrected to be co-kings in the millennial kingdom. In principle, these co-kings must also include the raptured living overcomers. If those in the man- child will be among the co-kings, then certainly those making up the firstfruit will be also. In both Matthew 25:21 and 23 the Lord said, “Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter into the joy of your lord.” These verses refer to the enjoyment of the overcomers in the millennial kingdom. To the diligent servant the Lord will say, Well done! Come into the joy of your Lord. I have some things I want you to rule over.” This will be the enjoyment of the overcoming believers in the millennial kingdom
三 头一次复活
C. The First Resurrection
一上好的复活
1. The Best Resurrection
13得胜者要享受上好的复活。六节说到『头一次复活。』在希腊文里，『头一次』和路加十五章二十二节的『上好』同字。在路加福音，父亲因著浪子回家而说，『把那上好的袍子拿出来给他穿。』所以，六节的头一次复活实际上可译为『上好的复活。』得胜者要享受这复活。
13The overcomers will enjoy the best resurrection. Verse 6 speaks of “the first resurrection.” The Greek word translated first is the same word translated best in Luke 15:22, where the father said in relation to the returned prodigal, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him.” Hence, the first resurrection in verse 6 may actually be translated “the best resurrection.” The overcomers will enjoy this resurrection.
2 特殊的复活
2. The Ex-resurrection
14头一次复活也是特殊的复活，就是使徒保罗所追求杰出的复活。（腓三11。）希腊文可译为『特出的复活。』意思就是这复活和一般的复活不同，乃是有尊荣的复活，好比有尊荣的毕业一样。这复活乃是带有王权的复活，作为赐给得胜者的奖赏，使他们在千年国里与基督一同作王。因此，在这头一次复活有分的有福了。（启二十6。）有分于这复活之结果的，不仅是复活的得胜者，如十二章五节的男孩子和十五章二节的晚期殉道者，也包括活著被提的得胜者，如十四章一至五节初熟的果子。
14The first resurrection is also the ex-resurrection, that is, the extraordinary resurrection which the apostle Paul sought for (Phil. 3:11). The Greek word may be translated as “the out-resurrection.” This means that it is the resurrection set apart from the common resurrection, the resurrection with honor, comparable to graduation with honors. This resurrection is a resurrection of kingship as a reward to the overcomers that they may reign as co-kings with Christ in the millennial kingdom. Hence, “Blessed is he who has part in the first resurrection” (20:6). Not only the resurrected overcomers, such as the man-child in 12:5 and the later martyrs in 15:2, but also the raptured living ones, such as the firstfruit in 14:1-5, have part in this resurrection
3 生命的复活
3. The Resurrection of Life
15我年轻时，以为只有信徒才会复活，不信的人不会复活。在我看来，复活是赐给信徒一项特别的祝福。至终我才知道不信者也要复活。约翰五章二十九节说到『生命的复活』和『审判的复活。』生命的复活是千年国之前，得救信徒的复活。审判的复活是千年国之后，未得救之人的复活。已死的信徒要在主耶稣回来时复活，享受永远的生命；因此，他们的复活称为生命的复活。但所有已死的不信者，都要在这一千年之后复活，并在白色大宝座前受审判；（启二十11～15；）因此，他们的复活称为审判的复活。
15When I was young, I thought that only believers would be resurrected and that unbelievers would not be resurrected. It seemed to me that resurrection was a special blessing granted to the believers. Eventually I learned that the unbelievers will also be resurrected. John 5:29 speaks of “the resurrection of life” and “the resurrection of judgment.” The resurrection of life is the resurrection of the saved believers before the millennium, and the resurrection of judgment is the resurrection of the unsaved after the millennium. The dead believers will be resurrected to enjoy eternal life at the coming back of the Lord Jesus. Hence, their resurrection is called the resurrection of life. But all the dead unbelievers will be resurrected after the thousand years to be judged at the great white throne (2 0:1 1-1 5). Hence, their resurrection is called the resurrection of judgment.
4 赏赐的复活
4. The Resurrection of Reward
16头一次复活也是赏赐的复活。路加十四章十三、十四节说，『你就有福了，因为他们没有可报答你的；在义人复活的时候，你要得著报答。』这复活乃是带著赏赐的复活。
16The first resurrection will also be the resurrection of reward. Luke 14:14 says, “And you will be blessed, because they do not have anything with which to repay you; for it will be repaid to you in the resurrection of the righteous.” This resurrection is a resurrection with a reward
17并非所有已死的圣徒都同时复活。至少，十一章两个见证人复活的时候就和别人不同，他们要在死后三天半复活。（启十一11。）不仅如此，在第六印之前被提的男孩子，要比大体的信徒先复活；大体已死的信徒要在第七号时复活。我们可以用林前十五章和帖前四章笼统的说到复活，告诉人已死的信徒要在主回来时复活；然而，我们还需要知道关于信徒复活的细节。例如，男孩子要在大灾难之前复活，大体已死的圣徒要在大灾难快要结束时复活；还有，站在玻璃海上晚期的得胜者可能在另一个不同的时候复活。他们当然不会和男孩子一同复活，因为他们要在大灾难期间殉道；若说他们要与大体已死的圣徒一同复活，这也是值得怀疑的。所以信徒会有三或四种不同的复活；男孩子的复活、两个见证人的复活、晚期得胜者的复活、和大体已死信徒的复活。我们不该满足于仅仅在信徒一般的复活中，而该切望在上好的复活中。
17Not all the dead saints will be resurrected at the same time. At least, the two witnesses in chapter eleven will be resurrected apart from the others. Three and a half days after their death, they will be resurrected (11:11). Moreover, the man-child, who will be raptured before the fifth trumpet, will be resurrected earlier than the majority of the believers, who will be resurrected at the seventh trumpet. We may use 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 to speak of resurrection in a general way, telling people that the dead believers will be resurrected when the Lord comes back. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to know the details regarding the resurrection of the believers. For instance, the man-child will be resurrected before the great tribulation, and the majority of the dead saints will be resurrected toward the end of the great tribulation. Furthermore, the resurrection of the late overcomers who will stand on the glassy sea may be at still a different time. Certainly, they will not be resurrected with the man-child, for they will be martyred during the great tribulation. And it is doubtful that they will be resurrected along with the majority of the dead saints. Therefore, there will be three or four different resurrections of the believers: the resurrection of the man-child, the resurrection of the two witnesses, the resurrection of the late overcomers, and the resurrection of the majority of the dead believers. We should not be content merely to be in the general resurrection of the believers; rather, we should aspire to be in the best resurrection
5 在这复活有分的有福了
5. It Being Blessed to Participate in This Resurrection
18六节说，『在头一次复活有分的有福了，圣别了。』这必是最高的福分－承受在地上显出的国，甚至在这国中为王。
18Verse 6 says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.” This must be the highest blessing—to inherit the kingdom manifested on earth and even to be the kings within it.
6 有分于这复活的人，第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄
6. The Second Death Having No Authority over Those Participating in This Resurrection
19关于在头一次复活有分的人，六节说，『第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。』这很难领会。火湖称为第二次的死。（启二十14。）有的人也许说，『信徒要在千年国之前复活，绝不会被摆在火湖，就是第二次的死里。』圣经不是那么简单。我们已经看见，撒但在神手中是有用的；照样，死对祂也多少有些用处。所有消极的情形都与死亡有关。以软弱为例，所有的软弱－身体的、心思的和灵性的－都属于死亡。软弱是死亡的名片。当死亡即将拜访人的时候，牠不是直接以死亡的形态而来，乃是首先以软弱的形态而来。随著软弱而来的就是疾病，随著疾病而来的就是死亡。所以软弱与疾病都属于死亡。不仅如此，我们生活中所面临的一切麻烦、艰难也都属于死亡。当得胜者进入千年国的上端部分，与基督一同作王的时候，就不会有软弱、疾病、麻烦、艰难。换句话说，他们不会再受死亡的搅扰。
19Concerning those who participate in the first resurrection, verse 6 says, “Over these the second death has no authority.” This is difficult to understand. The lake of fire is called the second death (20:14). Some may say, “The believers will be resurrected before the millennium and will never be put into the lake of fire, the second death.” The Bible is not that simple. We have seen that Satan is useful in the hand of God. Likewise, death is also somewhat useful to Him. All negative situations are related to death. Take the example of weakness. All weakness—physical, mental, and spiritual— belongs to death. Weakness is a visiting card of death. When death is about to visit a person, it does not come directly. Instead, it firstly comes in the form of weakness. Weakness is followed by sickness, and sickness is followed by death. Thus, both weakness and sickness belong to death. Moreover, all the troubles and hardships we face in life also belong to death. When the overcomers enter into the upper section of the millennium to be the co-kings of Christ, they will have no weakness, no sickness, no trouble, and no hardship. In other words, they will no longer be bothered by death
20在复活之前的死是第一次的死，在复活之后的死是第二次的死。第二次的死，就是火湖，是指复活之后的死。第一次的死是灵与魂离开身体，身体被埋葬了，灵与魂到了阴间－信徒的灵与魂到了阴间里得到安慰的部分，不信之人的灵与魂到了受痛苦的部分。主耶稣要断定，在死人中间，谁要在千年国之前复活，谁要留在坟墓里一千年，在千年国之后复活。不信之人复活以后，要在白色大宝座前受审判。（启二十11～15。）已死的不信之人要被扔在火湖，就是第二次的死里。这就是说，甚至在他们复活之后，仍要受第二次的死。
20The death before resurrection is the first death, and the death after resurrection is the second death. The second death, the lake of fire, refers to death after resurrection. In the first death the spirit and soul leave the body, the body is buried, and the spirit and soul go to Hades—the spirit and soul of the believer to the section of comfort in Hades, and the spirit and soul of the unbeliever to the section of torment. The Lord Jesus will determine who among the dead will be resurrected before the millennium and who will be left in the tomb for another thousand years to be resurrected after the millennium. After the unbelievers are resurrected, they will be judged at the great white throne (20:11-15). The dead unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire, the second death. This means that even after their resurrection, they will still suffer the second death
21不要像许多基督徒一样，以为复活之后一切就必好了。我们复活之后，要站在基督的审判台前。（林后五10。）若是我们不可能仍有问题，那么为甚么在复活之后还要受审判？当我们站在基督的审判台前时，我们会恐惧战兢，不知道主耶稣要如何说我们。不错，你得救了，并且永远得救，这一点毫无问题。我们不相信得救了的人会再沉沦。约翰十章二十八、二十九节指明，我们一旦接受了永远的生命，就永不灭亡。然而保罗在林前三章十五节说，『人的工程若被烧毁，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救；只是这样得救，要像从火里经过的一样。』我们虽然得救了，仍可能受亏损；这就是说，我们仍可能有问题。不要以为你在复活被提之后，就会立刻到天上。不，你必须先受察验。不要期望直接进入千年国与基督一同作王，你必须先站在基督的审判台前。当我们站在这审判台前的时候，『我们各人必要将自己的事向神陈明。』（罗十四12。）也许你必须说，『主阿，我得救以后还是喝酒、看电影。人告诉我应该爱你，但我就是无心爱你。我听过关于国度的信息，但我就是不在意。主阿，请原谅我。』今天你可以批评别人，但你站在审判台前的时候，就得批评自己了。基督审判台前的审判要断定我们是得赏赐进入祂的国，还是受惩罚。那惩罚和第二次的死有关，正如软弱、疾病、麻烦、艰难与第一次的死有关一样。今天神用软弱、疾病、麻烦和艰难管教我们，惩治我们，使我们在生命里长大。你若未成熟就死去，不要以为在复活之后你会忽然变得成熟。不，你会在不成熟的情况中复活被提；你未成熟而死，也要未成熟而复活。就以从学校毕业为例，你若在毕业之前离校，一段时间以后回来，你还得完成你的学业；你必须继续研读，直到完成课业才能毕业。我们需要快快长大成熟，不要耽延长大成熟的过程。你必须害怕未成熟就死去。你若未成熟就死去，在复活之后，你要未成熟的站在主的审判台前。用不著主说甚么，反而你要说，『主阿，对不起，我未成熟就死了，现在我仍未成熟。主阿，怜悯我，再给我时间让我成熟。』但主可能说，『时代改变了。你必须被放在会帮助你长大的环境里。』要确信这环境不会令人很愉快。在这环境里，每个人都要受到与第二次的死有关之事的对付。这就是说，即使在信徒复活之后，他仍可能被第二次死的事所摸著；也就是说，第二次的死在他身上仍有一些权柄。只有在上好的复活里有分的得胜者，才不受制于第二次的死。他们已经从一切的软弱、疾病、麻烦、艰难和苦难毕业了。这是对六节正确的领会。
21Do not think, as many Christians do, that after your resurrection everything will necessarily be all right. After our resurrection, we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:1 0). If there is no possibility that we might still have a problem, why then will we be judged after the resurrection? When we are standing before the judgment seat of Christ, we shall be fearful and trembling, wondering what the Lord Jesus will say concerning us. Yes, you are saved, and you are saved for eternity. With this there is no problem. We do not believe that a saved person can be lost again. John 10:28 and 29 indicate that once we have received eternal life, we can never perish. However, in 1 Corinthians 3:15 Paul says, “If anyone’s work shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but he shall be saved, yet so as through fire.” Although we are saved, we may still suffer a loss; that is, we may still have a problem. Do not think that after you have been resurrected and raptured, you will immediately go to heaven. No, you must first be examined. Do not expect to go directly into the millennial kingdom to be a co-king of Christ. You must firstly stand before the judgment seat of Christ. As we stand before this judgment seat, “each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). Perhaps you will have to say, “Lord, after I was saved, I still drank and went to the movies. I was told that I should love You, but I simply didn’th ave the heart to love You. I heard the messages about the kingdom, but I was just sloppy. Lord, please excuse me.” Although you may criticize others today, as you stand before the judgment seat, you will have to criticize yourself. The judgment at the judgment seat of Christ will determine whether we shall receive the reward to enter into His kingdom or receive some punishment. That punishment will be something related to the second death, just as weakness, sickness, trouble, and hardship are related to the first death. Today God uses weakness, sickness, trouble, and hardship to discipline us and to chastise us that we may grow in life. If you die in your immaturity, do not think that you will suddenly become mature after your resurrection. No, you will be resurrected and raptured in an immature condition. You died in immaturity, and you will also be resurrected in immaturity. Take graduation from school as an example. If you leave school before you graduate and return some time later, you will still have to complete your schoolwork. You will have to continue your studies until you have finished your course for graduation. We need to grow and mature quickly. Do not delay the process of growth and maturity. You must fear the prospect of dying in immaturity. If you die in your immaturity, after your resurrection you will stand in immaturity before the Lord’s judgment seat. There will be no need for the Lord to say anything. Rather, you will say, “Lord, I’m sorry. I died in immaturity, and I am still immature. Lord, have mercy on me and grant me more time to mature.” But the Lord may say, “The dispensation has changed. You must be put into a situation that will help you grow.” Be assured that this situation will not be very pleasant. Everyone in this situation will be dealt with by something related to the second death. This means that even after a believer’s resurrection, he may still be touched by something of the second death; that is, the second death may still have some authority over him. Only the over - comers, those who participate in the best resurrection, will not be subject to anything of the second death. They will have graduated from all weakness, sickness, trouble, hardship, and suffering. This is the proper understanding of verse 6.
22不要相信不正确的教训说，你若在血里被洗净，且由那灵重生，一切就都好了。你虽然永远得救了，你仍需要长大、成熟、并得成全，好与基督一同作王。你若不成熟，就要受亏损。你若在复活之前受亏损，你的亏损将属于第一次的死；你若在复活之后受亏损，你的亏损将与第二次的死有关。你虽是复活的信徒，却仍在第二次死的权下，属于第二次死的事物会搅扰你。这是纯正、光照人且严肃的真理。哦，我们都需要蒙光照、清明并认真！今天你的情况如何？你仍然属肉体么？你仍然爱世界么？你仍然和妻子相争或背叛你的丈夫么？倘若这是你的光景，你复活之后站在基督的审判台前，你要对主说甚么？祂要对你说甚么？祂要告诉你，你需要受一些苦，好得成熟，你需要属于第二次死的事物作工在你身上。但赞美主，得胜者在上好的复活里有分，并且第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄！
22Do not believe the inaccurate teachings which say that if you have been washed in the blood and regenerated by the Spirit, everything will be all right. Although you are saved for eternity, you still need to grow, to mature, and to be perfected so that you may be among the co- kings of Christ. If you do not mature, you will suffer loss. If you suffer loss before the resurrection, your loss will belong to the first death. But if you suffer loss after the resurrection, your loss will be related to the second death. Although you may be a resurrected believer, you will still be under the authority of the second death, and something of the second death will trouble you. This is the pure, enlightening, and sobering truth. Oh, we all need to be enlightened, sobered, and made serious! What is your condition today? Are you still fleshly? Do you still love the world? Do you still fight with your wife or rebel against your husband? If this is your condition, what will you say to the Lord when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ after your resurrection? And what will He say to you? He will tell you that you need to suffer something in order to mature, that you need something of the second death to work on you. But praise the Lord for the overcomers who participate in the best resurrection and over whom the second death has no authority
四 在千年国里享受祭司职任和君王职分
D. The Enjoyment of the Priesthood and the Kingship in the Millennium
23六节也说，得胜者『要作神和基督的祭司，并要与基督一同作王一千年。』在千年国里，得胜者一面要作祭司，亲近神和基督；一面又要作君王，与基督一同作王辖管列国。（启二26～，十二5。）他们作祭司，是叫神和基督享受他们的事奉而满足；他们作君王，是为神掌权，代表神牧养人，叫人得著享受和满足；这就是所给他们的赏赐。今世失败的信徒要失去这赏赐；但他们在千年国里受主对付之后，要在新天新地里有分于这赏赐的福分，就是事奉神，并代表神执掌王权，直到永远。（启二二3～5。）
23Verse 6 also says that the overcomers “shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” The overcomers will be priests to contact God and co - kings with Christ to reign over the nations in the millennium (2:26-27; 12:5). As priests they will bring man in his need to 27 God and minister God to man, and as kings they will bring God in His authority to man and represent God to shepherd man. This is a reward to them. The believers who are defeated in this age will forfeit this reward. However, after being dealt with by the Lord in the millennium, they will participate in the service of God and in the kingship in the new heaven and the new earth for eternity (22:3-5).
24今天正确的基督徒将人和人的需要带到神和基督面前，也将神和基督供应给人。他们也将神的权柄带给人，并且向著人代表神。我们既有分于千年国的上端部分，我们就是祭司也是君王。我们要应付神和人的需要，将人带给神，也将神带给人。藉著我们的祭司职任和君王职分，神和人都要完全满足。我们这一班人是祭司和君王，远超任何属于第二次死的事物。在这范围里不会有软弱、疾病、麻烦和艰难。这是何等美好！
24Today the proper Christians bring man and man’s need to God and Christ, and they also minister God and Christ to man. Also, they bring God’s authority to man and represent God to man. As we share in the upper section of the millennium, we shall be both priests and kings. We shall meet the need of both God and man, bringing man to God and God to man. Through our priesthood and kingship both God and man will be fully satisfied. We shall be a priestly and kingly people, a people far beyond anything of the second death. In this realm, there will be no weakness, no sickness, no trouble, and no hardship. How wonderful this will be