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启示录生命读经 · 第61篇

新耶路撒冷（三）

The New Jerusalem (3)
1在本篇信息中，我们要进一步来看新耶路撒冷的特征，就是她的量度和城墙。
1In this message we shall consider some further characteristics of New Jerusalem, namely its measurements and its wall
玖 量度
IX. ITS MEASUREMENTS
一 量度的工具
A. The Measuring Instrument
2我们先来看新耶路撒冷的量度。启示录二十一章十五节说，『同我说话的拿著金苇子当尺，要量那城、和城门城墙。』苇子是为著量度，量度是为著据有。（结四十5，亚二1～2，启十一1。）请注意，这量度的工具是苇子而不是杖。杖表征或含示审判、管教和惩罚。按十一章一节，『像量度之杖的苇子』用来『将神的殿和坛、并殿中敬拜的人，都量一量。』杖含示刑罚；（箴十13，赛十5，十一4；）因此，像量度之杖的苇子，在此指明用刑罚量度以据有。然而，在二十一章十五节里有苇子，却没有题到杖。这里没有含示审判、管教或惩治，因为新耶路撒冷在各方面都是完整和完全的。这座城已经通过了各样的试验。那宇宙的光明妇人，其终极完成是新耶路撒冷，已经在四个时代里经过了许多对付，也被许多杖所量过。甚至今天，召会仍是被杖所量，不是被苇子所量。当四个时代过去，新天新地来到时，就不再需要用杖来量了。新耶路撒冷为一根苇子所量，意即这一量度是为著据有。假定你想购买一些地产，首先你将其量度，然后将其据有。妇女在布店里买料子也是这样，所量出的数量就是她们所购买并据有的数量。同样的，新耶路撒冷要被金苇子所量，就是要非当积极的完全被主据有。请注意，这苇子是金苇子。金既是表征神圣的性情，用金苇子量度，就表征测量城、城门、城墙，乃是照著神圣的性情；凡不合乎神圣性情的，都不属于新耶路撒冷。神不能拥有与祂性情不合的东西。这整座城，连城门和城墙在内，都能通过神圣性情的量度与试验；因此，这座城适合为神所有。
2Let us firstly consider the measurements of New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:15 says, “And he who spoke with me had a golden reed as a measure, that he might measure the city and its gates and its wall.” The reed is for measuring, and measuring signifies taking possession (Ezek. 40:5; Zech. 2:1-2; Rev. 11:1). Notice that the measuring instrument is a reed, not a rod. A rod signifies or implies judgment, discipline, and punishment. According to 11:1, “a reed like a rod” was used to “measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship in it.” Because a rod implies punishment (Prov. 10:13; Isa. 10:5; 11:4), a reed like a rod indicates measuring with punishment. In 21:15, however, we have the reed, but no mention of the rod. Here there is no implication of judgment, discipline, or chastisement, for in every respect New Jerusalem is complete and perfect. This city has already passed every test. The universal bright woman, whose consummation is New Jerusalem, has passed through many kinds of dealings and has been measured by many rods in each of the four dispensations. Even today the church is being measured by a rod, not by a reed. When the four dispensations are over and the new heaven and new earth have come, there will be no further need for measuring with a rod. The fact that New Jerusalem is measured with a reed means that it is measured for possession. Suppose you intend to purchase some property. Firstly you measure it, and then you take possession of it. Women do the same thing when they purchase material in a fabric store. The amount of material they measure out is the amount of material they purchase and possess. Likewise, the New Jerusalem, which will be measured by a golden reed, will be fully possessed by the Lord in a very positive way. Notice that the reed is a golden reed. Since gold signifies the divine nature of God, “golden” here signifies that the measuring of the city, its gates, and its wall is according to God’s divine nature. Anything that does not match the nature of God does not belong to the New Jerusalem. God cannot possess anything that does not match His nature. The whole city, with its gates and wall, can pass the measuring and testing of the nature of God; hence, it is qualified to be possessed by God.
3甚至今天，神也用祂神圣量度金的标准来量召会。当神量一个召会时，祂不在意我们的智慧、活动或口才，但祂非常在意祂的性情有多少已经作到我们里面。神圣的金子是召会的实质么？召会是由神的神圣素质所构成的么？召会的实质必须是神圣的，这就是说，神圣的实质必须被作到召会生活中。所以，量度的标准不是我们人的性情，乃是神的性情。我们彼此要表现爱的时候，必须决定要表现怎样的爱，是属人的还是神圣的。关于谦卑和良善也是如此。虽然我们必须谦卑良善，但是我们必须核对我们的谦卑和良善是属人的或是神圣的。这原则适用于我们人性的每一面。我们需要有神圣的人性，也就是说，我们必须有神圣的性情作到我们里面。请记得，神量召会是照著神圣的性情，神的金性情是独一的标准。
3Even today God measures the churches by the golden standard of His divine measurement. When God measures a church, He is not concerned with our intelligence, activities, or ability to speak. But He is very concerned about how much of His nature has been wrought into us. Is the divine gold the solid substance of the church? Is the church constituted with God’s divine essence? The church must be substantially divine; that is, the divine substance must be wrought into the very being of the church life. Thus, the standard of measurement is not our human nature, but God’s nature. When we are about to express our love for one another, we must determine what kind of love is being expressed, whether it is human or divine. The same is true with respect to humility and goodness. Although we must be humble and good, we must check whether our humility and goodness are human or divine. This principle applies to every aspect of our humanity. We need to be divinely human; that is, we must have the divine nature wrought into us. Please keep in mind that God’s measurement of the church is according to the divine nature. The golden nature of God is the unique standard
二 城本身的量度
B. Of the City Proper
4十六节有城本身的量度。『城是四方的，长宽一样；天使用苇子量那城，共有一万二千斯泰底亚，长宽高都相等。』墙高一百四十四肘，城高一万二千斯泰底亚，我年轻时对这事很觉不解。城的量度含示城本身像一座一万二千斯泰底亚的高山，而城墙本身从根基到顶端是一百四十四肘。一万二千斯泰底亚是七百多万呎，或是一千三百六十多哩。
4In verse 16 we have the measurements of the city proper. “And the city lies foursquare, and its length is the same as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed, at twelve thousand stadia; the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.” When I was young, I was troubled by the fact that the height of the wall was a hundred and forty-four cubits and that the height of the city was twelve thousand stadia. The measurements of the city imply that the city proper is like a mountain with the height of twelve thousand stadia, whereas the wall itself from the foundation to the top is a hundred forty-four cubits. Twelve thousand stadia are more than seven million feet, or more than one thousand three hundred sixty miles
5关于城，另一件令我不解的事就是城里只有一条街道。我想不通这一条街道如何能应接十二个门。按我的意见，至少应该有十二条街道，每一个门有一条街道相通。有一天，当我在上海与倪弟兄同处时，他指出新耶路撒冷是一座山，那一条街道是从宝座盘旋而下，经过十二个门。不管我们进那个门，我们都在同一条街道上。因为街道是螺旋形的，所以在这城里不可能有人迷路。即使你闭著眼顺著这条街道走，也绝不会迷路。
5Another thing that troubled me about the city was that it has just one street. I wondered how this one street could serve all twelve gates. According to my opinion, there should have been at least twelve streets, one for each gate. One day, during my stay with Brother Nee in Shanghai, he pointed out that New Jerusalem is a mountain, and that the one street spirals down the mountain from the throne and passes by all twelve gates. No matter which gate we enter, we find ourselves on the same street. Because the street is a spiral, it is impossible for anyone to get lost in this city. Even if you walk blindly along this street, you will never lose your way.
6十六节说，『城是四方的。』长宽一样。新耶路撒冷是四方的，表征她在各面都是完整、完全、绝对平直、毫不歪斜的。新耶路撒冷的长宽高都是一万二千斯泰底亚。一万二千是十二的一千倍。十二既表征神行政中的绝对完全和永远完整，一万二千就表征一千倍这样的完全与完整。按这量度，新耶路撒冷是一立方体。无论在帐幕或圣殿里，至圣所的尺度，长宽高都相等。（出二六2～8，王上六20。）帐幕里的至圣所是长宽高各十肘的立方体，圣殿里的至圣所是长宽高各二十肘的立方体。新耶路撒冷的长宽高都相等，表征整个新耶路撒冷就是至圣所。所以，新耶路撒冷是至圣所扩大到极点。出，我们对至圣所的经历必须不断增篇第六九九至七○○面。）这就是说，在我们的经历中，至圣所必须不断扩大。首先我们有出埃及记较小的至圣所，然后有列王纪上较大的至圣所，最终有启示录最大的至圣所。至终，我们的至圣所长宽高都是一千三百六十多哩。现在我们需要看见至圣所的原则。至圣所的原则就是人可以直接在神面前生活行事。按旧约的记载，只有大祭司可以进入至圣所。但希伯来书启示，藉著基督救赎的血，至圣所向著所有信祂的人开启了。（来十19～22。）所有蒙救赎的人都能进到神面前，活在神面前，并且停留在那里，享受与神合一的交通。要来的新耶路撒冷就是这样的地方，每个在其中的人都会看见神、摸著神、敬拜神、事奉神，甚至在神面前生活居住。今天的召会生活必须是至圣所。召会必须是一立方体，其性质必须全然圣别。
6Verse 16 says that “the city lies foursquare.” The length is the same as its breadth. The fact that New Jerusalem is square signifies that it is perfect and complete in every way, absolutely straight and not in the least oblique. The length, breadth, and height of New Jerusalem are equal; it is twelve thousand stadia in each dimension. Twelve thousand is one thousand times twelve. Since twelve signifies absolute perfection and eternal completion in God’s eternal administration, twelve thousand signifies a thousand times this. According to its measurements, New Jerusalem is a cube. The dimensions of the Holy of Holies, both in the tabernacle and in the temple, are equal in length, breadth, and height (Exo. 26:2-8; 1 Kings 6:20). The Holy of Holies in the tabernacle was a cube measuring ten cubits in each dimension, and the Holy of Holies in the temple was a cube twenty cubits in each dimension. That the length, breadth, and height of New Jerusalem are equal signifies that the entire New Jerusalem is the Holy of Holies. Therefore, New Jerusalem is the Holy of Holies enlarged to the uttermost. experience of the Holy of Holies must be constantly means that in our experience the Holy of Holies must be continuously enlarged. Firstly, we have the smaller Holy of Holies in Exodus; then we have the larger Holy of Holies in 1 Kings; and ultimately we have the largest Holy of Holies in the book of Revelation. Eventually, our Holy of Holies will be more than one thousand three hundred sixty miles in length, width, and height. Now we need to see what the principle of the Holy of Holies is. The principle of the Holy of Holies is that man can live and walk directly in the presence of God. According to the Old Testament, only the high priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies. But the book of Hebrews reveals that through the redeeming blood of Christ, the Holy of Holies is open to all those who believe in Him (Heb. 10:19-22). All the redeemed ones may enter into the presence of God, live there, and remain there, enjoying fellowship in oneness with God. The coming New Jerusalem will be such a place. Everyone in it will see God, touch God, worship God, serve God, and even live and dwell in the presence of God. The church life today must be a Holy of Holies. The church must be a cube, and its nature must be utterly holy.
三 城墙的量度
C. Of the Wall
7十七节说，『又量了城墙，按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四肘。』一百四十四是十二乘十二。十二乘十二表征在神行政中，绝对完全与永远完整中的绝对完全与永远完整。圣城的墙在神永远的行政中，是何等的完全与完整！这节说，城墙是按著人的尺寸，『就是天使的尺寸。』在复活里，人要像天使一样，（太二二30，）因此，『按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸』表征城墙不是天然的，乃是在复活里的。
7Verse 17 says, “And he measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits, a measure of a man, that is, of an angel.” A hundred and forty-four is twelve times twelve. Twelve times twelve signifies absolute perfection and eternal completion of absolute perfections and eternal completions. How perfect and complete is the wall of the holy city in God’s eternal administration! This verse says that the wall is the measure of a man, “that is, of an angel.” It is in resurrection that man will be like the angels (Matt. 22:30). Hence, “a measure of a man, that is, of an angel” signifies that the wall of the city is not natural, but in resurrection
拾 城墙
X. ITS WALL
一 用碧玉造的
A. Built with Jasper
8十八节说，『墙是用碧玉造的。』碧玉是一种变化的宝石，（林前三，）带著神显出来的样子。这种石头明如水晶，是深绿色的。启示录四章三节说，『那位坐著的，显出来的样子好像碧玉和红宝石。』照著这节，宝座上的神显出来的样子好像碧玉和红宝石。碧玉的深绿色表征丰盛的生命。青草、绿地、和苍翠的山都见证生命的丰富；倘若草地或田间是褐黄的，我们的印象就是那里没有生命。但深绿色表征生命的丰盛。四章说，宝座上的神显出来的样子也像红宝石，那是一种极贵的宝石，红色表征救赎。碧玉指明那在祂丰盛生命中之荣耀的神；红宝石表征这位神是救赎的神。今天我们的神是生命的神，也是救赎的神。然而，我们进入新耶路撒冷，就不再需要救赎了。所以，城墙是碧玉的，是深绿色的，彰显丰盛的生命。
8Verse 18 says, “And the building material of its wall was jasper.” Jasper is a transformed precious stone (1 Cor. 3:12) that bears the appearance of God. This stone is 12 crystal clear and dark green. Revelation 4:3 says, “He who was sitting was like in appearance to a jasper stone and a sardius.” According to this verse, the appearance of God on the throne is like jasper and sardius. The dark green color of jasper signifies life in its richness. Green grass, green fields, and green mountains all testify of the richness of life. If a lawn or field is brown, we have the impression that there is no life there. But dark green signifies the richness of life. God as the One on the throne in chapter four also has the appearance of a sardius, a most precious stone in the color of red, which signifies redemption. While jasper indicates God as the God of glory in His rich life, sardius signifies God as the God of redemption. Our God today is the God of life and the God of redemption. However, when we enter into the New Jerusalem, we shall have no further need of redemption. Thus, the color of the wall of the city will be jasper, dark green, expressing life in its richness.
二 高一百四十四肘
B. A Hundred and Forty-four Cubits High
9我们已经看见，城墙高一百四十四肘，这是按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸。我们曾指出，这表征城墙不是天然的，乃是在复活里的。这是非常重要的事。今天在召会生活中，凡我们所说、所作和所是的都必须在复活里。复活的原则就是天然的生命被杀死，神圣的生命代之而起。这就是复活。好些时候我快要发脾气了，我就运用我的灵钉死我天然的人；每当我这样作，我就在复活里。不仅对我们的脾气必须这样实行，甚至对我们的爱也必须这样实行。不要天然的爱别人，要在复活里爱他们。天然的爱像蜜一样。我们不需要『蜜』的爱，我们需要在复活里的爱，就是已经被十字架杀死，并凭神圣生命复活的爱。在这样的爱里没有蜜，却有乳香和盐。按利未记二章，素祭能有乳香和盐，却不能有蜜。今天在大多数基督徒中间的爱，很少是在复活里的爱，就是真正的爱，大部分的爱不仅像蜜一样，还满了酵。虽然许多基督徒说到爱，这爱却可能不是受过十字架对付，并且凭神圣生命复活的爱。我们所需要的是复活的爱，就是在神圣生命里的爱。
9We have seen that the wall is a hundred and forty-four cubits high, and that this measure is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. We have pointed out that this signifies that the wall of the city is not natural, but in resurrection. This is a very important matter. Everything we say, everything we do, and everything we are in the church life today must be in resurrection. The principle of resurrection is that the natural life is killed and that the divine life rises up in its place. This is resurrection. A number of times, as I was about to lose my temper, I exercised my spirit to crucify my natural man. Whenever I did this, I was in resurrection. We must not only practice this with our temper, but even with our love. Do not love others in a natural way. Love them in resurrection. Natural love is like honey. Instead of a “honey” love, we need a love that is in resurrection, a love that has been killed by the cross and resurrected with the divine life. There is no honey in such a love. In place of honey, there are frankincense and salt. According to Leviticus 2, the meal offering could have frankincense and salt, but not honey. The love among most Christians today is rarely the love in resurrection, which is the real love. Mostly, it is not only like honey, but also full of leaven. Although many Christians talk about love, this love may not be a love that has been dealt with by the cross and resurrected with the divine life. What we need is a resurrected love, a love which is in the divine life.
10我喜欢看见弟兄姊妹们生命长大并且经历建造，但我不喜欢看见任何天然的爱。你和别人之间最好保持距离，不要穿别人的衣服，甚至不要用别人的圣经。你天然的生命若是受过对付，你就不会用属于别人的圣经。用别人的圣经并不指明你在灵里爱他，却证明你是照著天然的口味爱他。你花很多工夫和某个弟兄在一起，因为他合你的口味。也许你以为和他交通，你就在生命里长大；事实上，因著你对他的爱是天然的，你一点也没有长大。我们越爱别人，就越该和他们保持距离。在召会生活中，我们必须学习无论作甚么都在复活里，不在我们天然的生命里。你若不确定所要作的事是不是在复活里，就请不要作。你要祷告、等候，直到你确定自己在复活里。量新耶路撒冷的城墙是按著人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，意思就是不仅按著神圣的性情量，也按著复活量。你必须爱我，我也必须爱你，不是在我们天然的生命里，乃是在神圣的生命里。绝不要把丝毫地位让给天然的生命。不管你多爱别人，仍要与他们保持距离。你若如此，就会远避天然的生命，在复活里爱别人，虽是照著人性，却有天使的样子。
10I like to see the brothers and sisters growing in life and experiencing the building, but I do not like to see any natural love. It is better to keep a distance between yourself and others. Do not wear their clothes; do not even use their Bibles. If your natural life has been dealt with, you will not want to use a Bible that belongs to someone else. Using another’s Bible does not indicate that you love him in the spirit; rather, it proves that you love him according to your natural taste. You spend so much time with that particular brother because he matches your taste. You may think that you are growing in life as you fellowship with him. Actually, because your love for him is natural, you are not growing at all. The more we love others, the greater should be the distance between ourselves and them. In the church life, we must learn to do everything in resurrection, not in our natural life. If you are not certain whether a thing you are about to do is in resurrection, please do not do it. Pray and wait until you have the assurance that you are in resurrection. The fact that the wall of the city of New Jerusalem is measured with the measurement of a man, that is, of an angel, means not only that it is measured according to the divine nature, but also that it is according to resurrection. You must love me and I must love you, not in our natural life, but in the divine life. Never yield an inch of ground to the natural life. No matter how much you love others, keep a distance between yourself and them. If you do this, you will be kept from the natural life, and you will love others in resurrection, according to humanity, but in angelic likeness
11一九三二年，就是我进入召会生活的那年，我第一次学如何在复活里，不在天然生命里行事的功课。有一位姊妹总是帮助别人，却没有足彀的钱为自己买一本好的圣经。她的钱不是花在自己身上，乃是花在有需要的人身上。我知道她的情况，注意到她不得不使用一本很破旧的圣经。我自然有个负担，要买一本好的皮面圣经，匿名送给她。我为这事到主面前时，我说，『主阿，我要为这位姊妹买一本圣经。我作这事是在我天然的生命里，还是在你复活的生命里？』因著这样求问主，我学了很多功课。因为我不确定我是照著复活的生命而行，我就不能立刻买圣经。我等候一段时间，直到我确定我不是照著天然的生命，乃是照著基督复活的生命而行。有一天，我为她买了一本圣经，匿名送给了她。她因著得到圣经这份礼物，信心就得到坚固，在相信主的事上有所长进。我若早几个星期送她，她就不会在这方面得著帮助。我确定我能在复活里送给她一本圣经的那天，正是她需要得到那本圣经的日子。
11In 1932, the year I came into the church life, I had my first lesson in learning how to do things in resurrection, not in my natural life. There was a certain sister who always helped others, but who did not have enough money to buy a good Bible for herself. She spent her money on the needy ones, not on herself. I came to know her situation and noticed that she had to use a very old Bible. Spontaneously I was burdened to buy her a good, leather-bound Bible and to give it to her anonymously. As I went to the Lord about this, I said, “Lord, I am about to buy a Bible for this sister. Am I doing this in my natural life or in Your resurrection life?” By inquiring of the Lord in this way, I learned a great deal. Because I was not certain that I was acting according to resurrection life, I was not able to buy the Bible immediately. I waited for a period of time until I was sure that I was not acting according to my natural life, but according to Christ’s resurrection life. One day I purchased a Bible for her and gave it to her anonymously. Through receiving this gift of a Bible, her faith was confirmed, and she grew in the matter of believing the Lord. If I had given her a Bible a few weeks earlier, she would have not been helped in this regard. The very day I had the assurance that I could give her a Bible in resurrection was the exact day she needed to receive it