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启示录生命读经 · 第7篇

众地方召会

The Local Churches
1启示录的结构非常之好。表面看来，第一章里所包括的各个要点彼此互不关联；但如果从我们经历的观点来看，就看出这些要点，一个接一个，次序非常恰当。在上两篇信息，我们说过有关主耶稣的再来，以及我们藉著在祂的患难、国度和忍耐里一同有分而等候祂来。在本篇信息中，我们要来看众地方召会。本篇说到地方召会，似乎和上两篇信息没有关联；但是按照我们的经历，我们知道这三篇信息都是互相关联的。主耶稣的再来，需要一些人有分于耶稣的患难、国度和忍耐。而这样有分的最好方法，就是在地方召会中。在召会以外，无论谁都难以有分于这三件事。
1The book of Revelation is very well composed. Apparently, the various points included in chapter one are unrelated to each other. But if we approach them from the viewpoint of our experience, we shall see that they follow one another in a very good sequence. In the last two messages, we covered the matters of the coming again of the Lord Jesus and of our waiting for Him by being joint partakers in His tribulation, kingdom, and endurance. In this message we now come to the local churches. It may seem that this message on the local churches is unrelated to the two foregoing messages. But, according to our experience, we know that these three messages are all interrelated. The coming again of the Lord Jesus requires that some partake of the tribulation, the kingdom, and the endurance in Jesus. The best way to do so is to be in the local churches. Outside of the church, it is difficult for anyone to participate in these three things
壹 圣经中神圣启示的进展
I. THE PROGRESS OF THE DIVINE REVELATION
IN THE SCRIPTURE
2我们要看看圣经中神圣启示的进展，藉此来看众地方召会。圣经中，神圣的启示开始于神，而终结于众地方召会。创世记头两章，以及整本旧约，都是启示神自己；而四福音是启示基督。这个事实启示，神圣启示的进展乃是从神到基督。四福音之后，就是行传和书信，这里主要的启示是基督成为那灵。因此，那灵的启示，乃是圣经中神圣启示的继续。接著，召会就启示出来了。因此，圣经中神圣的启示主要有四部分：神的部分，基督的部分，那灵的部分，和召会的部分。犹太人只有这启示的第一部分，因为旧约三十九卷，只有对神的启示。大部分的基督徒比他们多一点，有旧约加上四福音。虽然他们有了整本圣经，但在实际上，除了旧约和四福音之外，他们所知道的很有限。他们可能知道旧约所启示的神，也可能知道一些福音书里基督的故事，但对于生命之灵和召会，就一无所知。在许多基督徒的观念里，召会是一座物质的建筑。到了礼拜日早上，许多父母就对孩子们说，『我们去召会！』照他们的观念，召会就是一座有尖顶钟楼的大房子。他们几乎不领会圣经所启示的召会是甚么。
2We shall approach the local churches by the way of considering the progress of the divine revelation in the Scripture. The divine revelation in the Bible begins with God and consummates with the local churches. The first two chapters of Genesis, along with the entire Old Testament, are a revelation of God Himself, and the four Gospels are a revelation of Christ. This fact reveals the progress in the divine revelation from God to Christ. Following the four Gospels, we have the Acts and the Epistles, which mainly are a revelation of Christ as the Spirit. Hence, the revelation of the Spirit is the continuation of the divine revelation in the Bible. Following this, the church is revealed. Thus, there are four main sections of the divine revelation in the Bible: the section of God, the section of Christ, the section of the Spirit, and the section of the church. The Jews have only the first section of this revelation, for the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament cover only the revelation concerning God. Most Christians have more than this, having the Old Testament plus the four Gospels. Although they have the whole Bible, in practicality they have little more than the Old Testament and the Gospels. They may know God as He is revealed in the Old Testament and they may know the stories in the Gospels about Christ, but they know nothing of either the Spirit of life or the church. In the concept of many Christians, the church is a physical building. On Sunday morning, many parents say to their children, “Let’s go to church.” According to their concept, the church is a bungalow, or a cathedral, with a high tower. They know hardly anything of the church as revealed in the Holy Word.
3感谢神，在已过的两个世纪中，另有一些基督徒，在圣经的知识上很有进展；他们不单认识旧约圣经和福音书，并且也认识书信。这些基督徒认识神、基督和那灵。当然，他们对生命之灵认识不多。他们所认识的灵，主要的是能力的灵来给人施浸。他们对于内住的灵，知道的就很少。虽然这些基督徒可能认识一点召会，但他们只是看见宇宙召会，并没有看见地方召会。然而启示录头三章，并非说到宇宙召会，乃是著重的说到众地方召会。今天在主的恢复中，我们有整本圣经，就是旧约、四福音、行传、书信、以及启示录。我在弟兄会里有七年半之久；在那段期间，我们在但以理书和启示录上很花工夫。然而，关于启示录，我所听到的，大部分是兽和十角等；至于启示录里也说到地方召会，我完全没有印象。我甚至连新耶路撒冷也没有听到多少，只听说那是一个在天上的城，有属天的大厦，街道是黄金铺的，门是珍珠作的。但赞美主！今天我们的启示录不是这样的。我们的启示录里有众地方召会，在其中间有人子；且有新耶路撒冷，有基督作其中心和普及。
3Thank God that during the past two centuries other Christians have progressed in their knowledge of the Bible, having not only the Old Testament and the Gospels but also the Epistles. These Christians know God, Christ, and the Spirit. Of course, they do not know much about the Spirit of life. They know the Spirit mainly as the Spirit of power for baptism. They know very little of the indwelling Spirit. Although these Christians may know a little concerning the church, they only see the universal church, not the local churches. However, the first three chapters of Revelation are not concerned with the universal church; they are emphatically concerned with the local churches. Today, we in the Lord’s recovery have the whole Bible: the Old Testament, the Gospels, the Acts, the Epistles, and the Revelation. I was with the Brethren Assembly for seven and a half years. During that time, we devoted considerable attention to the books of Daniel and Revelation. However, most of what I heard concerning Revelation was about the beasts and the ten horns. I had no impression that in the book of Revelation there were the local churches. I did not even hear much about the New Jerusalem. I was only told that it was a city in heaven with heavenly mansions, that its street was paved with gold, and that its doors were made of pearls. Praise the Lord that today our book of Revelation is not like this! In our book of Revelation, there are the local churches with the Son of Man in the midst, and there is the New Jerusalem with Christ as its centrality and universality
一 关于神
A. Concerning God
4我们现在更详细的来看圣经中神圣启示的进展。首先，神把祂自己启1:26示给我们。（创一1。）在创世记一章二十六节，神启示为『以罗欣，』原文的意思是大能者，中文译作『神。』以后，在创世记二章七节，神启示为『耶和华，』意思是『我是那我是。』神是那伟大的『我是，』那永远长存者。祂是那永远长存者，是一切正面事物的实际。耶和华这名，指明祂和人发生关系。论到祂的创造，祂启示为以罗欣；论到祂和人的关系，祂启示为耶和华。耶和华就是耶稣的旧约称呼，耶稣就是耶和华的新约称呼。换句话说，在旧约中，耶稣被称为耶和华；在新约中，耶和华被称为耶稣。整本旧约圣经三十九卷，主要的是启示这两个神圣的名称，以罗欣和耶和华。
4Let us now consider the progress of the divine revelation in the Scriptures in more detail. Firstly, God reveals Himself to us (Gen. 1:1). In Genesis God is revealed as Elohim, a Hebrew word meaning “the mighty One.” The English word God is the translation of the Hebrew word Elohim. Following this, in Genesis 2:7 God is revealed as Jehovah, which means, “I am that I am.” God is the great I Am, the ever-existing One. As the ever-existing One, He is the reality of every positive thing. This name, Jehovah, denotes God in His relationship with man. Concerning His creation, God is revealed as Elohim; concerning His relationship with man, He is revealed as Jehovah. Jehovah is the Old Testament form of the name Jesus, and Jesus is the New Testament form of Jehovah. In other words, in the Old Testament Jesus was called Jehovah, and in the New Testament Jehovah is called Jesus. The entire Old Testament, which comprises thirty - nine books, is mainly a revelation of the two divine titles, Elohim and Jehovah.
二 关于基督
B. Concerning Christ
5神圣启示进展的第二步，就是关于基督的启示。（太一1。）时候到了，神就成为肉体来作人，称为耶稣基督。因此，在旧约之后，就有四福音，把这位称作耶稣基督的奇妙人物启示出来。耶稣这名，主要的意思是救主；（太一21；）基督这名，主要的意思是受膏者。（太十六16。）耶稣不单是我们的救主，也是神的受膏者，或者用今天的说法，祂是神所任命的人。神已任命了基督完成祂永远的经纶。祂不只是耶稣来拯救我们，还是基督来完成神永远的计画。
5The second step in the progress of the divine revelation is the revelation concerning Christ (Matt. 1:1). At a certain time, God was incarnated as a man called Jesus Christ. Thus, following the Old Testament, we have the four Gospels which reveal a wonderful Person named Jesus Christ. The name Jesus mainly means the Savior (Matt. 1:21), and the title Christ mainly means the anointed One (Matt. 16:16). Jesus is not only our Savior but also God’san o in ted One or, using today’s term, God’sap pointed One. God has appointed Him to carry out His eternal economy. He is not only Jesus to save us, but also Christ to carry out God’s eternal plan
6基督要完成神永远的计画，就需要有召会。要产生召会，就需要有两件事─救赎和分赐生命。基督把受造而堕落的人救赎出来以后，还要把生命分赐到他们里面。为此，就需要生命之灵，就是赐生命的灵。所以在四福音之后，就有行传和书信里的救赎和分赐生命。在这些书里，常常题到基督的血，并且在题到血时也题到那灵。血是为著救赎，那灵是为著分赐生命。我们蒙了救赎并重生以后，就成为基督身体上活的肢体，这身体就是召会。基督完成神永远的经纶，就是藉著召会，祂的身体。从这里我们可以看见，在神的轻纶中，召会是非常要紧的事；如果没有召会，基督无法成就任何事。祂若要完成神永远的计画，必须有召会。
6In order for Christ to carry out God’s eternal plan, He needs the church. And to produce the church there is the need of two things—redemption and the imparting of life. After redeeming the fallen, created man, Christ had to impart life into the redeemed ones. For this, there is the need of the Spirit of life, the life-giving Spirit. Therefore, following the four Gospels, we have redemption and the imparting of life in the Acts and the Epistles. In these books, the blood of Christ is frequently mentioned. Along with the blood, we have the Spirit. Blood is for redemption, and the Spirit is for the imparting of life. After being redeemed and regenerated, we become the living members of the Body of Christ, the church. As the church, the Body is the means by which Christ carries out God’s eternal economy. By this we see that in God’secon o my the church is a very crucial matter. Without it, Christ cannot accomplish anything. If He would carry out God’s eternal plan, He must have the church
三 关于灵
C. Concerning the Spirit
7神启示为以罗欣和耶和华，基督启示为耶稣和基督；但是关于灵的启示，就不是那么简单，（太二八19，）反倒是个奥秘。少有基督徒为著关于神的启示打过仗；为著关于基督的启示，打过仗的也不多；但每次我们说到灵的事，就引起许多争论，因为对灵的启示是个奥秘。灵所以奥秘，是因为和生命有关。对灵的启示有许多方面：真理的灵，或作实际的灵，（约十四～17，）生命的灵，（罗八2，）能力的灵，（路二四49，）神的灵，（罗八9，）基督的灵，（罗八9，）耶稣的灵，（徒十六7，）耶稣基督的灵，（腓一19，）圣灵，（徒五32，）以及七灵。（启一4，四5，五6。）
7God is revealed as Elohim and as Jehovah, and Christ is revealed as Jesus and as Christ. The revelation concerning the Spirit, however, is not simple (Matt. 28:19); rather, it is a mystery. Few Christians have ever fought for the revelation of God, and not many have fought for the revelation of Christ. But when we come to the matter of the Spirit, there is much argument because the revelation of the Spirit is a mystery. The Spirit is mysterious because it is related to life. There are many aspects of the revelation of the Spirit: the Spirit of truth or reality (John 14:16-17), 16 the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2), the Spirit of power (Luke 24:49), the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9), the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9), the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7), the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:19), the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32), and the seven Spirits (Rev. 1:4; 4:5; 5:6).
8你知道生命的灵和能力的灵有甚么分别么？那些在所谓的灵恩神迹运动里的人，谈论能力的灵。只有主知道他们有没有真正的能力。我听过很多有关说方言的事，但是我没有看过这些说方言的人，有甚么工作上的能力。圣灵的浸叫人有能力，但在今天那么多所谓说方言的人身上，一点能力也没有，和那些不说方言的人一样。他们只有说儿语般咿咿呀呀的能力，却没有救人灵魂的能力。有些人从来没有说过那种『方言，』但传起福音，却叫成千的人得救。那才是真正的能力。在这种所谓的灵恩神迹运动中，不但没有真正的能力，也没有生命。有些人说了方言以后，接著与妻子打架，或去抽香烟。这是生命么？不！生命能变化人。我们需要能力的灵，也需要生命的灵。我们在这里是为著耶稣的见证。这见证不是一个名词，也不是一种形式，乃是生命。我们何等需要将自己向祂打开，使祂可以把更多的生命分赐到我们里面。我们若真的有基督作生命，我们的生活、行动、为人，就会在基督里。现今我们能明白，为甚么书信中一再的说到灵。我们已经看见，启示录说到神的七灵。为著召会生活，需要这加强的灵。真正的召会是出自这加强的灵。我并不反对任何真正的灵恩，但我能见证，我已过没有见过任何正确的召会，是所谓灵恩运动建立起来的。再看看今天天主教的神迹运动，充满了拜马利亚的事。如果这个运动是正确的，怎能容忍拜偶像？能容忍拜偶像，就证明牠并不正确。污秽只能加在雪球里，但加不进钻石里。所谓的神迹运动不过像一个雪球，甚么污秽东西都能加进去。我们的眼睛要被开启，看见神今天所要的，是实际的、活的、能实行的地方召会。
8Do you know the difference between the Spirit of life and the Spirit of power? Those in the so - called Pentecostal or charismatic movement talk about the Spirit of power. Only the Lord knows whether or not they have the genuine power. I have heard much so- called speaking in tongues, but I have not seen power in the work of these tongues speakers. The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers people. But so many of the supposed tongues speakers today are just as powerless as the non-tongues speakers. They may have the power to babble incoherently, but they do not have the power to save souls. Although some never have spoken such “tongues,” thousands of people have been saved through their preaching. That is real power. Not only is there no real power in the so-called charismatic movement; neither is there any life. After speaking in tongues, many will proceed to fight with their wives or to smoke cigarettes. Is this life? No! Life transforms people. We need both the Spirit of power and the Spirit of life. We are here for the testimony of Jesus. This testimony is not a term or a form; it is a life. How we need to open up ourselves to Him that He may impart more life into us. If we truly have Christ as our life, we shall walk, live, and behave ourselves in Christ. Now we can understand why the Epistles repeatedly speak about the Spirit. As we have seen, the book of Revelation speaks of the seven Spirits of God. For the church life, there is the need of this intensified Spirit. Out of this intensified Spirit, the real church comes into being. While I do not oppose any genuine Pentecostal gifts, I can testify that in the past I have not seen one proper church built up by the so - called Pentecostal movement. Consider the Catholic charismatic movement today: it is saturated with the worship of Mary. If this movement is proper, how could it tolerate idol worship? That it tolerates idolatry proves that it is not proper. Dirt can be added to a snowball, but not to a diamond. The so-called charismatic movement is like a snowball to which unclean things can be added. Our eyes need to be opened to see that today God desires the real, living, and practical local churches.
四 关于召会
D. Concerning the Church
9我们来到神圣启示的末一部分，就是关于召会的启示。认识召会并不容易，因为那狡猾的仇敌撒但，不愿意基督徒看见甚么是真实的召会。
9Now we come to the last section of the divine revelation, the revelation concerning the church. It is difficult to know the church because Satan, the subtle enemy, is not willing for Christians to see what the real church is
1 宇宙召会
1. The Universal Church
10召会是基督的身体，（林前十二12～，）在宇宙中是一。（弗一22～23，四4～6。）基督是独一的头，只有一个独一的身体，由祂所有真正的信徒所构成。
10The church as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13) is universally one (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6). Christ as the 13 unique Head has one unique Body which is constituted with all His genuine believers.
2 众地方召会
2. The Local Churches
11作为基督身体的宇宙召会，是藉著众地方召会彰显出来的。众地方召会是基督这一个身体的彰显，（启一12，，）在地方上乃是一。（徒八1，十三1，罗十六1，林前一2。）启示录一章四节说，『约翰写信给在亚西亚的七个召会。』亚西亚是古罗马帝国的一省，那里有一章十一节所题的七个城。七个召会不是都在一个城里，乃是分别在那七个城里。本书不是论到一个宇宙召会，乃是论到在许多城里的众地方召会。马太十六章十八节首先启示召会是宇宙的，马太十八章十七节接著启示召会是地方的。在使徒行传里，召会是以地方召会的作法实行的，如在耶路撒冷的召会、（徒八1、）在安提阿的召会、（徒十三1、）在以弗所的召会、（徒二十17、）在叙利亚省和基利家省的众召会。（徒十五41。）所有的书信，除了几封是写给个人，其余的都是写给地方召会，没有一封是写给宇宙召会的。没有地方召会，就没有宇宙召会的实行和现实；宇宙召会乃实化于众地方召会。对召会宇宙一面的认识，必须完成于对召会地方一面的认识。我们认识并实行地方召会，乃是一大进步。启示录说到召会，是在进步的阶段，因为本书是写给地方召会的。我们要明白本书，必须从了解宇宙召会，进步到认识并实行地方召会。惟有在地方召会中的人，才能在对的地位上，从对的角度和正确的观点，看本书的异象。
11The universal church as the Body of Christ is expressed through the local churches. The local churches, as the expressions of the one Body of Christ (Rev. 1:12, 20), are locally one (Acts 8:1; 13:1; 20 Rom. 16:1; 1 Cor. 1:2). Revelation 1:4 says, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia.” Asia was a province of the ancient Roman Empire in which were the seven cities mentioned in 1:11. The seven churches were in those seven cities respectively, not all in one city. This book does not deal with the one universal church but with the local churches in many cities. The church is firstly revealed as universal in Matthew 16:18 and then as local in Matthew 18:17. In Acts the church was practiced in the way of local churches, such as the church at Jerusalem (8:1), the church at Antioch (13:1), the church at Ephesus (20:17), and the churches in the provinces of Syria and Cilicia (15:41). Except for a few written to some individuals, all the Epistles were written to the local churches. Not one was written to the universal church. Without the local churches there is no practicality and actuality of the universal church. The universal church is realized in the local churches. Knowing the church universally must be consummated in knowing the church locally. It is a great advance for us to know and practice the local churches. Concerning the church, the book of Revelation is in the advanced stage, for it is written to local churches. If we would know this book, we must advance from the understanding of the universal church to the realization and practice of the local churches. Only those who are in the local churches are rightly positioned with the right angle and the proper perspective to see the visions in this book.
12在一章十一节，有声音对约翰说，『你所看见的，当写在书上，寄给那七个召会：给以弗所、给士每拿、给别迦摩、给推雅推喇、给撒狄、给非拉铁非、给老底嘉。』这节圣经的写法非常重要，给我们看到将本书寄给那七个召会，等于寄给那七城。这清楚显示，早期召会生活的实行，乃是一个城一个召会，一个城只有一个召会。没有一个城有一个以上的召会。这就是地方召会，是以城为单位，不是以街道或区域为单位。地方召会行政的区域，应当包括该召会所在的整个城市，不该大于或小于该城的界限。所有在这界限内的信徒，应当构成该城内惟一的地方召会。因此，一个召会等于一个城市，一个城市也等于一个召会。这就是我们所说的地方召会。启示录一章四节说到『那七个召会。』七是神工作中完整的数字，就如为著神的创造有七天，（创一31～二3，）为著神在地上的行动有七印、（启五5、）七号（启八2）和七碗。（启十五7。）因此，七个召会乃是为著神完整的行动。召会需要有彰显。如果我们只谈论召会，而没有召会的彰显，那么我们所说的全是理论而没有实行。要召会实际、可行，就需要有地方召会。如果没有地方召会，也就没有召会。正如你若没有肢体，你就没有身体。如果你没有地方召会，你就无法有宇宙召会，因为宇宙召会是由所有地方召会组成的，就如人的身体是由所有的肢体组成的一样。单单要宇宙召会，乃是虚无的。但我们确有实行的地方召会。如果有人问我们，召会在那里，我们可以指给他们，召会在安那翰、在旧金山、在芝加哥、在纽约，还在其他许许多多的地方。
12In 1:11 the voice said to John, “What you see write in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” This verse is composed in a very important way. In this verse we see that the sending of this book “to the seven churches” equals the sending of it to the seven cities. This shows clearly that the practice of the church life in the early days was that of one church for one city, one city with one church. In no city was there more than one church. This is the local church, local city - wise, not street-wise or area-wise. The jurisdiction of a local church should cover the whole city in which the church is; it should not be greater or lesser than the boundary of the city. All the believers within that boundary should constitute the one unique local church within that city. Hence, one church equals one city, and one city equals one church. This is what we call the local churches. Revelation 1:4 speaks of “the seven churches.” Seven is the number for completion in God’so per at i on, such as seven days for God’s creation (Gen. 1:31—2:3), seven seals (5:5), seven trumpets (8:2), and seven bowls (15:7) for God’s move on the earth. Hence, the seven churches are for God’s move in completion. The church needs to have its expression. If we talk about the church without having the expression of the church, our talk is entirely theoretical; it is not practical. For the church to be real and practical, there is the need of the local churches. If you do not have the local churches, you do not have the church. Likewise, if you do not have the members, you do not have the Body. If you do not have the local church, you cannot have the universal church, for the universal church is composed of all the local churches just as the human body is composed of its many members. To have only the universal church is to be in a Vanity Fair. But we do have the local churches in practicality. If we are asked where the church is, we can point to the churches in Anaheim, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and many other places.
13有些基督徒与我争辩说，『为甚么你们说你们是召会，而我们不是召会？』有的时候，我回答说，『如果你们说你们是召会，请表明你们是召会。请指出来召会在那里。』有的人就答覆说，他们曾打发出去多少位传教士。他们自己的深处也知道，他们不是召会。事实就是事实，如果你们是召会，为甚么不称自己是召会呢？你们知道自己是甚么。不要装假，也不要冒充你们所不是的。就如我是个人，我当然承认自己是个人，我怎能作别的？一九六三年，我被请到密苏里一个地方讲道。会后，邀请我的人站起来，用很温和、谦卑、礼貌的态度问我说，『李弟兄，请告诉我们，为甚么你们称自己是在洛杉矶的召会？我回答说，『弟兄，如果我们不称自己为召会，那么我们应该称自己是甚么？我们就是召会。这不仅是真理，也是事实。』我们是甚么就是甚么。虽然我们能装假或是冒充为别的东西，但那并不是我们实在所是的。主的恢复还未来到美国之前，并没有基督徒自称他们是在洛杉矶的召会；所以，我们来到洛杉矶，就称自己为在洛杉矶的召会。
13Some Christian friends have argued with me, saying, “Why do you say that you are the church and that we are not the church?” Sometimes I have replied, “If you say that you are the church, please show that you are the church. Show me where the church is.” Some have responded by saying that they have sent out many missionaries. Deep within, they know that they are not the church. The fact is the fact. If you are the church, then why do you not call yourself the church? You know what you are. Do not pretend or presume to be what you are not. Since I am a man, I must designate myself as a man. What else can I do? In 1963 I was asked to speak at a certain place in Missouri. At the end of the meeting, the host stood up and, in a nice, humble, polite way, said, “Brother Lee, please tell us why you call yourselves the church in Los Angeles.” I replied, “Brother, if we don’t call ourselves the church, then what should we call ourselves? We simply are the church. This is not only the truth but also the fact.” We are what we are. Although we might pretend or presume to be something else, that is not what we truly are. Before the Lord’s recovery came to the United States, no Christians said that they were the church in Los Angeles. Therefore, when we came to Los Angeles, we had to call ourselves the church in Los Angeles.
14启示录一章二十节说，『论到你所看见在我右手中的七星，和七个金灯台的奥秘，那七星就是七个召会的使者，七灯台就是七个召会。』约翰看见在基督右手中的七星，以及基督行走在其中的七个金灯台，这对他是个奥秘。他不明白七个属天的星和七个金灯台的意义。因此，主向他揭示这奥秘，说，『那七星就是七个召会的使者，七灯台就是七个召会。』这意义不仅对约翰是个奥秘，对今天的信徒也是一样。所有的信徒都需要这奥秘的揭示，好看见众召会和众召会的使者。七个金灯台所表征的众召会，在神圣的性质上乃是『耶稣的见证，』（启一2，9，）在地方上却集体的照耀在黑夜里。众召会的性质都应当是神圣的，就是金的。她们应当是台，甚至是灯台，托著有油（指那是赐生命之灵的基督）的灯盏，各自且集体的照耀在黑暗里。她们在地方上是单个的灯台，同时在宇宙中却是成组、集体的灯台。她们不仅在各地发光，更是普遍的向著各地和宇宙作同样的见证。她们性质相同，形状一致，托著同样的灯，为著同样的目的，彼此完全相同，毫无个别差异。二、三章所记七个召会的不同，其性质都是消极的，不是积极的。在消极一面，她们在失败上彼此有别，互相分离；但在积极一面，她们在性质、形状、目的上完全一致，互相关联。信徒要看见宇宙召会很容易，但要看见众召会就不容易了。众地方召会的启示，乃是主对召会终极的揭示，记在神圣话语的末了一卷。因此，信徒想要完全认识召会，就必须跟随主，从福音书经过书信到启示录，直到能看见这里所揭示的众地方召会。启示录的第一个异象就与众召会有关。众召会连同作为她们独一中心的基督，乃是神圣行政里的中心，以成就神永远的定旨。
14Revelation 1:20 says, “The mystery of the seven stars which you have seen on My right hand and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are seven churches.” When John saw the seven stars in the right hand of Christ and the seven golden lampstands in the midst of which was Christ, it was a mystery to him. He did not realize the significance of the seven heavenly stars and the seven golden lampstands. Hence, the Lord unveiled the mystery to him, saying that “the seven stars are messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are seven churches.” The significance of this was not only a mystery to John, but also to believers today. All believers need the unveiling of this mystery to see the churches and their messengers. The churches, signified by the golden lampstands, are “the testimony of Jesus” (1:2, 9) in the divine nature, shining in the dark night locally, yet collectively. The churches should be of the divine nature—golden. They should be the stands, even the lampstands, that bear the lamp with the oil (Christ as the life-giving Spirit), shining in the darkness respectively and collectively. They are individual lampstands locally, yet at the same time they are a group, a collection, of lampstands universally. They are not only shining locally, but also bearing universally the same testimony both to the localities and to the universe. They are of the same nature and in the same shape. They bear the same lamp for the same purpose and are fully identified with one another, not having any individual distinctiveness. The differences of the local churches recorded in chapters two and three are all of a negative nature, not of a positive nature. Negatively, in their failures, they are different and separate one from another; but positively, in their nature, shape, and purpose, they are absolutely identical and connected one to another. It is easy for believers to see the universal church, but it is difficult for them to see the churches. The revelation of the local churches is the Lord’s ultimate unveiling concerning the church. It has been given here in the last book of the divine Word. To fully know the church, believers must follow the Lord from the Gospels through the Epistles to the book of Revelation until they are enabled to see the local churches as unveiled here. In Revelation the first vision is concerning the churches. The churches with Christ as their center are the focus in the divine administration for the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose.
15如果没有众地方召会，我就不知道怎样活下去，不如死了好。假设并没有地方召会，那么我们要作甚么？我们既没有目标，又没有目的，我们的基督徒生活也就毫无意义。地方召会乃是我们基督徒生活的目标和意义。当你在享受地方召会的生活时，或许不太觉得怎么宝贵；但如果把众召会拿走，你会发现，你失去了一切的祝福。没有召会生活，我们无法活下去，因为我们失去今天作基督徒的目标和意义。我盼望我们所有的人，特别是青年人，都看见神启示的终点乃是众地方召会。神的启示一直是继续的往前，直等达到了地方召会才停止。地方召会是神的目的地。神已经把祂的启示带到了地方召会，所以众召会满了启示、亮光、真理。在召会之外，缺少亮光、启示、粮食；但在召会中却满了启示，因为这里是神启示的终点。因此，神圣启示的一切丰富，都在这里。你若看见这点，就知道我们这样热中于召会，并不太过分。我们的灵为此作见证。无论何时，我们若不为地方召会作见证，我们的灵就低沉了。甚么时候我们想要聪明一点，尽量避免讨论召会问题，免得引起反对，我们里面立刻发死。但无论甚么时候，只要我们勇敢的说到地方召会，我们立刻就高昂起来，我们的灵活跃且焚烧，我们也觉得想要喊，要叫，甚至要大声疾呼。我晓得最好不要去冒犯别人，但是每当我试著不去冒犯别人的时候，我却冒犯了主。我若刚强的对人说，地方召会乃是主的目的地，我就觉得主与我同在。按照全本圣经，这位人子基督，正在众地方召会中间行走。如果你要寻求基督，你就必须来到地方召会中。人子正在众召会中行动，也在照顾她们。如果你想得到这个照顾，你就必须在地方召会中。我们今天的负担，就是要把神的子民带向神的目标；我们的目的，就是帮助众圣徒到达神的目的地。
15If there were no local churches, I could not bear to go on living. I would rather die. Suppose there were no local churches. What would we do? We would have no goal, no aim, and no purpose, and our Christian life would be meaningless. The local churches are the goal, the aim, and the meaning of our Christian life. As you are enjoying the local church life, you may not appreciate it very much. But if the churches were taken away, then you would realize that you have been stripped of every blessing. Without the church life, we cannot live, for we would lose the goal and meaning of being a Christian today. I hope that we all, especially the young people, will see that the destination of God’sr evelation is the local churches. God’s revelation continued progressively, only stopping when He had reached the local churches. The local churches are God’s destination. God has brought His revelation into the local churches. This is the reason that the churches are full of revelation, light, and truth. Outside the churches there is the shortage of light, revelation, and food. But the churches are full of revelation because they are the destination of God’sr evelation. Thus, all the riches of the divine revelation are here. If you would see this, then you would realize that we are not over - zealous for the church. Our spirit testifies to this. Whenever we do not testify of the local churches, our spirit abates. Whenever we try to be wise and not arouse opposition against us by avoiding discussion of the church, we are immediately deadened within. But when we boldly speak of the local church, we are stirred up, our spirit is living and burning, and we feel like shouting, crying, and even thundering. I realize that it is better not to offend people. However, when I try not to offend people, I offend the Lord. But when I strongly tell people that the local churches are the Lord’s destination, I sense that the Lord is with me. According to the whole Bible, the Son of Man, Christ, is walking in the midst of the local churches. If you are seeking Christ, then you must come to the local churches. The Son of Man is moving among the churches and caring for them. If you would participate in this caring, you must be in the local churches. Our burden today is to bring God’sp eople to His goal, and our purpose is to help the saints to reach God’s destination.
16我们来到地方召会之前，乃是流荡者，从来没有回家或是到达目的地的感觉。但自从我们来到地方召会的那一天，我们知道我们回家了。流荡了多年之后，我们知道终于到达了目的地。当我们第一次进到地方召会生活的时候，我们的深处似乎说，『就是这里，』我们就知道我们回家了。因为我们已经到达目的地，所以不必再游历了。今天许多有心寻求的基督徒，如同奔路的旅客，从一个宗派团体奔到另一个宗派团体。但有一天我们来到召会生活中，我们的流荡就止息了。地方召会乃是神今天的愿望，是祂启示的末了一站。我们所需要的乃是过地方召会的生活。我们所见证的，就是我们不是一个组织，我们乃是基督身体在地方上的彰显。贰神彰显的进展
16Before we came into the local churches, we were wanderers. We never had the sense that we had come home or that we had reached our destination. But the day we came into the local churches, we realized that we had come home. After wandering for years, we knew that we had finally reached our destination. When we first came into the local church life, something deep within said, “This is the place,” and we knew that we were home. Because we have arrived at our destination, we do not need to travel anymore. So many seeking Christians today are travelers; they travel from one denomination or group to another. But the day we came into the church life, our wanderings ceased. The local churches are what God desires today. This is the last station of His revelation. Our need is simply to live the local church life. Our testimony is that we are not an organization—we are the local expressions of the Body of Christ. II. THE PROGRESS OF THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD
17神化身并显于基督；（约一1，14，提前三16，西二9，）基督被认识并经历为那灵。（约十四16～17，林前十五45下，林后三17，罗八9，腓一19。）那灵乃是召会的构成成分；召会就是基督的身体，祂的丰满。（弗一22～23，林前十二12。）现在基督的身体，又彰显于众地方召会，因为各地方召会就是宇宙召会的彰显。（启一11～12。）众地方召会是基督身体的彰显，基督的身体是基督为赐生命之灵的实化，而基督乃是神的具体化身。因此，在地方召会里，我们有神，有基督，有那灵，还有召会。这就是地方召会如此丰富的原因。你到那里能寻到神和祂的旨意？在地方召会。你在那里能得到基督和祂一切的丰富？在地方召会。你在那里能享受到那加强的赐生命之灵？在地方召会。你在那里能成为身体上一个实际的肢体？在地方召会。哦，地方召会对我们有何等大的意义！阿利路亚！阿们！我们不再流荡了，我们如今居住在地方召会里！我们到达目的地了！已经回家了！在家中直到永远！在地方召会这里，我们有神同祂的定旨，有基督同祂的丰富，有加强的赐生命之灵，还有正确的召会生活。圣经在这里不仅是打开的，更是真实的。为著地方召会，我们要说阿利路亚！这一切不能不叫我们兴奋！
17God is embodied and expressed in Christ (John 1:1, 14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Col. 2:9), and Christ is realized and experienced as the Spirit (John 14:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:45b; 2 Cor. 3:17; Rom. 8:10; Phil. 1:19). The Spirit is the very constituent of the church which is the Body of Christ, His fullness (Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12). Now the Body of Christ is expressed in all the local churches, for the local churches are the expressions of the universal church (1:11-12). The local churches are the expression of the Body, the Body is the realization of Christ as the life - giving Spirit, and Christ is the embodiment of God. Thus, in the local churches we have God, Christ, the Spirit, and the church. This is why the local churches are so rich. Where can you meet God with His purpose? In the local churches. Where can you gain Christ with all His riches? In the local churches. Where can you participate in the intensified life-giving Spirit? In the local churches. Where can you be a practical part of the Body? In the local churches. Oh, the local churches mean so much to us! Hallelujah! Amen! We are no longer wanderers—we are people in the local churches! We have reached our destination and have come home! We are home for eternity! Here in the churches we have God with His purpose, we have Christ with His riches, we have the intensified life-giving Spirit, and we have the proper church life. Here the Bible is not only open—it is real. Hallelujah for the local churches! We really have something to be excited about!
18神的启示开始于神自己，继续于基督和灵，一直到地方召会而达到启示的目标。若没有地方召会，我们就没有神圣启示的目标。很明显，犹太人、许多基督徒、甚至许多所谓的属灵人所缺的就在这里。犹太人有神，大部分基督徒有神和基督，进步的基督徒还有那灵，但很少基督徒有在地方召会中正确的召会生活。今天在地方召会中，我们有神，有基督，有那灵，还有召会。神彰显之进展的结果就是召会。神具体化身于基督，基督被认识并经历为分赐生命给我们的那灵，那灵产生众召会。当我们经历并实化基督是赐生命之灵，结果就产生召会生活。召会是基督的身体，基督的丰满。这个启示的进展过程就是神、基督、那灵、召会和地方召会。这就是神在祂圣言中的启示。在这里，我们能看见神怎样被我们认识，怎样实际的得著彰显并显明。
18God’sr evelation began with God Himself and continued with Christ and the Spirit until it reached its goal in the local churches. Without the local churches, we do not have the goal of the divine revelation. Here the shortage among the Jews, many Christians, and even many so-called spiritual people becomes evident. The Jews have God, most Christians have God and Christ, and the improved Christians also have the Spirit, but very few Christians have the proper church life in the local churches. Today, in the local churches, we have God, Christ, the Spirit, and the church. The issue of the progress of the manifestation of God is the church. God is embodied in Christ, Christ is realized and experienced as the Spirit who imparts life to us, and the Spirit issues in the churches. When we experience and realize Christ as the life-giving Spirit, the issue is the church life. The church is the Body, the fullness of Christ. The progress of this revelation is God, Christ, the Spirit, the church, and the local churches. This is the revelation of God in His Holy Word. In this, we can see how God is realized by us and how He is actually expressed and manifested
19神第一步先成为肉体，具体化身于基督。你若要遇见神，就必须遇见基督。你想要到神这里来么？就必须到基督这里。在基督以外你摸不著神。神是具体化身于一个实实际际，名叫耶稣基督的人。你遇见了祂，就是遇见了神；你摸著了祂，就是摸著了神；你得著了祂，就是得著了神；你接受了祂，就是接受了神；因为祂是神自己具体的化身。这位基督又被我们认识并经历为赐生命的灵。祂不仅是我们的救主，我们的救赎主，我们的主，我们的圣别，我们的义；祂还是那赐生命的灵。祂作我们的救主、救赎主和主，乃是为著使祂成为赐生命的灵。我们今天真正实际所得著的，乃是这赐生命的灵。这个重要关键，大部分基督徒都失去了，因为那狡猾的仇敌，已尽其所能的把这一点遮蔽起来。已过这些年，我们讲过许多信息，也出版过许多书籍，说到基督是赐生命的灵，但有些基督徒没有看见，反而起来反对。这就是仇敌的狡猾之处。
19God firstly took the step of being incarnated, of being embodied in Christ. If you want to meet God, you must meet Christ. Do you want to come to God? Then you must come to Christ. Outside of Christ, it is impossible to touch God. God is embodied in a practical and real man by the name of Jesus Christ. When you meet Him, you meet God. When you touch Him, you touch God. When you gain Him, you gain God. When you receive Him, you receive God, because He is the very embodiment of God Himself. This Christ is realized and experienced by us as the life - giving Spirit. He is not only our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, our holiness, and our righteousness; He is the very life- giving Spirit. His being our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord is for Him to be the life-giving Spirit. What we actually and practically have today is the life-giving Spirit. Most Christians have missed this very crucial point, for the subtle enemy has done his best to hide this matter. In the past years, we have given many messages and printed a number of books concerning Christ as the life-giving Spirit, but some Christians do not see it. Rather, they oppose it. This is the subtlety of the enemy.
20如果基督仅仅是我们的救主、救赎主和主，召会怎能实际的产生呢？救主并不直接的产生召会；主也不直接的产生召会。为著能使召会产生，就需要基督成为赐生命的灵。要认识基督是赐生命的灵，我们绝不可倚靠我们的头脑，因为头脑领会得极其有限。我们虽然不能彻底明白这事，但我们可以经历。请你核对一下你的经历。你每天的经历见证，你所享受的基督就是你里面的赐生命之灵。不必说基督自己是那样的奇妙、奥秘、无限、无量，就是我们天天吃下去的食物，也超过我们所能领会的。虽然我们的头脑对食物无法尽知，但我们用我们的经验就知道那些食物的味道。凭著经历，我们就知道吃的是甚么。所以不必注意神学上的谈论。喜欢辩论这种理论的人，都是受了过分运用头脑的害。我们只留意神圣启示里的纯正话语，和我们个人实际的经历。我们的经历见证说，我们每天所享受的那位基督，就是赐生命的灵。难道你里面没有这永活者的实际么？这就是那位在我们的灵里被我们享受、经历、并且有分的基督。这就是赐生命的灵，也就是基督自己。这样，神乃是具体化身在基督里，而基督在我们里面，被实化并经历为赐生命的灵。这个经历产生了召会。我们越这样经历基督，我们对召会就越有渴望。这个经历在我们的深处造出饥渴来。从前，我们还未来到地方召会时，我们说不清楚我们的饥渴是甚么；但是来到召会以后，就发现我们对基督的经历创造出一种饥渴，要过召会生活。当我们进到召会生活里，我们的饥渴就得著了满足。这个满足在我们里面创造出对基督更深的爱慕，这个爱慕又使我们更多的享受基督。我们越多享受基督，就越渴慕召会生活；我们越渴慕召会生活，就越多投进召会里；我们越多投进召会里，就越多爱慕并享受基督。这是个荣耀的循环，我们能见证我们就在这循环中。
20If Christ were only our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, how could the church be practically produced? The Savior does not produce the church directly; neither does the Lord produce the church directly. In order for the church to be produced, there is the need for Christ to be the life-giving Spirit. In knowing Christ as the life - giving Spirit we must not rely upon our mentality, for it is too limited to comprehend this. Although we cannot understand it thoroughly, we can experience it. Check with your experience. Your daily experience testifies that the Christ whom you enjoy is the life-giving Spirit within you. Not only is Christ Himself wonderful, mysterious, unlimited, and unsearchable, but even the food we enjoy each day is beyond our understanding. Although we cannot know food by exercising our mentality, we can know its taste by our experience. By our experience, we know what food is. Do not pay attention to theological talk. Those who engage in this talk are snared by the over- exercise of their mentality. We just care for the pure Word in the divine revelation and for our personal, practical experience. Our experience testifies that the very Christ whom we enjoy each day is the life- giving Spirit, Do you not have the reality of the living One within you? This is the very Christ whom we are enjoying, experiencing, and partaking of in our spirit. This is the life - giving Spirit who is Christ Himself. Thus, God is embodied in Christ, and Christ is realized and experienced in us as the life-giving Spirit. This experience issues in the church. The more we experience Christ in this way, the more we long for the church. This experience creates a hunger and a thirst deep within. Formerly, when we were not in the local churches, we could not specify what we were hungry and thirsty for. But after coming into the church, we realized that our experience of Christ had created a hunger and thirst for the church life. When we came into the church life, our hunger and thirst were satisfied. This satisfaction creates within us a deeper appreciation of Christ, and this in turn causes us to enjoy Him more and more. The more we enjoy Christ, the more we long for the church life; the more we long for the church life, the more we get into the church; and the more we get into the church, the more we appreciate and enjoy Christ. This is a glorious cycle, and we can testify that we are in it.
21这职事的目的，并不是要给圣徒们一些知识，乃是要帮助圣徒，开他们的眼睛、心思、心和灵，以看见神的启示。凡我们所传讲的，都符合我们的经历。我们今天在这里是为著耶稣的见证，这见证是出自基督作赐生命之灵的真实经历。因此，我再说一次，神具体化身于基督，基督被认识并经历为赐生命之灵，而经历基督为赐生命之灵的结果就产生召会生活。召会是基督的身体，是祂的彰显和丰满。如此，召会必定有在地方上的彰显。宇宙召会是基督的身体，基督的丰满；众地方召会就是宇宙召会的显出。阿利路亚！我们今天就在这些显出里。
21The purpose of this ministry is not to render knowledge to the saints. It is to help the saints open their eyes, mind, heart, and spirit to see God’sr evelation. Whatever we minister matches our experience. Today we are here for the testimony of Jesus which issues from the genuine experience of Christ as the life-giving Spirit. Thus, I say, once again, that God is embodied in Christ, Christ is realized and experienced as the life-giving Spirit, and the experience of Christ as the life-giving Spirit issues in the church life. The church is the Body, the expression and the fullness of Christ. As such, it must have its local expressions. The universal church is the Body, the fullness, of Christ, and the local churches are the expressions of this universal church. We are in these expressions today. Hallelujah
参 看见神启示
III. THE WAY TO SEE GOD’SR EVELATION
与认识神彰显的路
AND TO REALIZE GOD’S MANIFESTATION
一 分别归给神
A. To Be Separated unto God
22要看见神的启示并认识祂的彰显，我们需要分别出来归给神。使徒约翰在拔摩海岛上，就是完全分别出来归给神。（启一9。）他又被带到天上开了的门，（启四1，）也到一座高大的山那里，（启二一10，）因而看见神的启示并认识神的彰显。今天许多基督徒谈论召会而看不见众地方召会，主要的是因为他们没有分别出来归给神。
22To see God’sr evelation and to realize His manifestation, we need to be separated unto God. The apostle John was fully separated unto God on the island of Patmos (1:9). He was also brought to the open door of heaven (4:1) and to a great and high mountain (21:10), and thus saw God’sr evelation and realized God’s manifestation. Today, many Christians who are talking about the church do not see the local churches, mainly because they are not separated unto God
二 在人的灵中
B. To Be in the Human Spirit
23启示录一章十节说，『当主日我在灵里，听见在我后面有大声音如吹号说。』启示录不仅强调神的灵是七倍加强的灵，为著神加强的行动；也强调人的灵，作我们领略并回应神行动的器官。惟有（我们的）灵能回应（神的）灵。本书是由四个主要的异象组成：（一）众召会的异象；（启一～三；）
23Revelation 1:10 says, “I was in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me aloud voice like a trumpet.” The book of Revelation not only stresses the Spirit of God as the sevenfold intensified Spirit for God’sin tens ified move, but also our human spirit as the organ for us to realize and respond to God’s move. Only (our) spirit can respond to (God’s) Spirit. The book of Revelation is composed of four major visions: the vision of the
（二） 世界之定命的异象；（启四～
churches (ch. 1—3); the vision of the destiny of the
24十六；）（三）大巴比伦的异象；（启十七～二十；）（四）新耶路撒冷的异象。（启二一～二二。）约翰是在灵里看见这四个异象，（启一10，四2，十七3，二一10，）正如以弗所三章五节所说，在灵里得著基督奥秘的启示。我们要看见本书的异象，也必须在灵里。这不仅是在我们心思里头脑的领会，乃是在我们灵里，属灵的领略。在本书的第一个异象，有关众召会的异象里，基督和众召会的使者，与众召会一同揭示出来，乃是前所未有的，方式也是最独特的。为此，信徒们需要在他们的灵里，有一独特的异象。
24world (ch. 4—16); the vision of the great Babylon (ch. 17 — 20); and the vision of the New Jerusalem (ch. 2—22). To see these four visions, John was in his spirit (1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10), as mentioned in Ephesians 3:5 (“by the Spirit” should be “in spirit,” Gk.) for the revelation of the mystery of Christ. We also need to be in our spirit to see the visions of this book. It is not merely a matter of mental understanding, but of spiritual realization. In the first vision of this book, the vision concerning the churches, both Christ and the messengers of the churches are unveiled with the churches as never before, and this in a most particular way. For this the believers need a particular vision in their spirits.
25这一节里的主日该是七日的第一日，就是主复活的日子。（约二十1。）早期的召会经常在这一天聚集。（徒二十7，林前十六2。）约翰就是在这一日，在灵里看见了神经纶的异象。要看见众地方召会的启示，我们需要从有疑问的心思，转到我们能看见的灵里。留在有疑问的心思里，会搅乱召会的异象。
25The Lord’s day in this verse should be the first day of the week, the day the Lord was resurrected (John 20:1). The early church used to meet on this day (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). It was on this day that John was in spirit to see the visions of God’secon o my. To see the revelation of the local churches, we need to turn from our reasoning mind to our seeing spirit. Remaining in the reasoning mind confuses the vision of the churches
三 听见主的声音
C. To Hear the Lord’s Voice
26基督徒若只懂得有关地方召会的道理，可能还未看见异象。所有的基督徒都应当听见声音，就是主现时且活的说话。主的声音指引我们到地方召会的异象里。
26If Christians only understand the doctrine concerning the local churches, they may not see the vision. All Christians need to hear the voice, the present and living speaking of the Lord. The Lord’s voice directs us to the vision of the local churches
四 转向主的声音
D. To Turn to the Lord’s Voice
27启示录一章十二节说，『我转过身来，要看是谁发声与我说话；既转过来，就看见七个金灯台。』要看见一样东西，需要对的位置，有对的角度。使徒约翰先是听见声音，（启一10，）等他转过身来，要看是谁发声时，就看见七个金灯台。他的位置对了，但他还需要对的角度，才能看见关于众召会的异象，所以他就转过身来。我们今天也要这样。许多基督徒需要调整位置，并转过身来，好看见众召会的异象。
27Revelation 1:12 says, “And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me; and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands.” To see anything requires the right position with the right angle. The apostle John firstly heard the voice (v. 10), and when he “turned to see” the voice, he saw the golden lampstands. He was rightly positioned, but he still needed the right angle to see the vision concerning the churches; thus, he turned. It is the same with us today. Many Christians need to be adjusted in their position and turned that they may see the vision of the churches