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启示录生命读经 · 第8篇

七灯台

The Seven Lampstands
1启示录所题的一切事物，差不多都本于旧约。所以本书中的事物，大都不算是新的。本书所启示的，大部分可以追溯到旧约。不过，这些事物在启示录里，都有新的意义。以耶路撒冷城为例，以西结四十八章题过这有十二个门的城；但到启示录末了，又以新的方式重题耶路撒冷城。因为启示录是一本结束的书，是圣经一切事物的完成，因此，几乎每一件事物都以新的方式陈明出来。一章里的灯台就是这样。灯台在出埃及二十五章和撒迦利亚四章已经题过，但到了启示录，乃是以新的方式再题出来。在本篇信息中，我们必须来看启示录一章里的七个灯台。灯台乃是地方召会的象征。虽然我们已经看过，地方召会是耶稣的见证，但许多人可能很难领会这一点。说地方召会是耶稣的见证是甚么意思？这意思乃是，召会是灯台。
1Since nearly everything in the book of Revelation is based upon the Old Testament, most of the items mentioned in this book are not new. Most of what this book reveals can be traced back to the Old Testament. Nevertheless, all the items found in Revelation have a new significance. For example, the city of Jerusalem, a city with twelve gates, is found in Ezekiel 48, but at the end of Revelation we see the city of Jerusalem in a new way. Because Revelation is a book of conclusion, the fulfillment of the things in the Bible, nearly everything contained in it is presented in a new way. This is true of the lampstands in chapter one. The lampstand is mentioned in Exodus 25 and Zechariah 4, but in Revelation it is mentioned in a new way. In this message we must consider the seven lampstands in Revelation 1. The lampstands are the symbols of the local churches. Although we have seen that the local churches are the testimony of Jesus, it may be somewhat difficult for many to grasp the meaning of this. What does it mean to say that the local churches are the testimony of Jesus? It means that the churches are the lampstands
2多少世纪以来，对于灯台的意义，很少基督徒曾深入探讨过。在本篇信息中，我们必须对灯台这件事，作深入的探究。圣经里的象征，不容易理解，因为我们用自己天然的观念，无法明白像灯台这样的象征。按照我们天然的观念，灯台不过就是一种托著灯，让灯照在黑暗里的东西。出埃及二十五章里的灯台是纯金的，撒迦利亚四章和启示录的灯台也都是金的；因此，灯台本质上是金的。我们从灯台看见三样重要的东西：金、台和灯。灯台含示了三一神的意义。金是作成灯台的本质，台是金的其体表现，灯又是台的彰显。金表征父是本质，台表征子是父的具体化身，而灯表征那灵是父在子里的彰显。因此，三一神的意义含示在金灯台里。在犹太人会堂的墙上，画有灯台的图像。他们虽然多少世纪以来一直使用这个图像，却不知道牠真正的意义─三一神的意义。你可知道灯台含示三一神的意义么？
2Throughout the centuries, few Christians have touched the depths of the significance of the lampstand. In this message we must probe into the depths of this matter of the lampstands. Biblical symbols are difficult to comprehend, for we cannot understand a symbol like the lampstand according to our natural concept. According to our natural concept, a lampstand is simply an object holding a lamp that shines in the darkness. The lampstand in Exodus 2 5 is pure gold, and the lampstands in Zechariah 4 and Revelation also are golden. Substantially, the lampstand is golden. With the lampstand we see three important things: the gold, the stand, and the lamps. The lampstand implies the significance of the Triune God. Gold is the substance with which the lampstand is made, the stand is the embodiment of the gold, and the lamps are the expression of the stand. The gold signifies the Father as the substance, the stand signifies the Son as the embodiment of the Father, and the lamps signify the Spirit as the expression of the Father in the Son. Thus, the significance of the Triune God is implied in the lampstand. On the walls of Jewish synagogues there is a symbol of the lampstand. Although the Jews have used this symbol for centuries, they do not know its real significance — the significance of the Triune God. Have you ever realized that the lampstand implies the significance of the Triune God?
3灯台在本质上是一，但在彰显上是七，因为一座灯台上有七盏灯。在下面，灯台是一个；在上面，却是七。难道我们要辩论，牠到底是一或是七么？本质上灯台是一块金，但牠上面有七盏灯。这就奥妙的指明，三一神在本质上是一。这位神在本质上是一，但在彰显上，祂乃是七灵。父是本质，化身于子这形体；子又彰显为七灵。我们怎么证明七灯是那彰显基督的灵呢？七灯头一次是在出埃及记题到。然而，我们若只有出埃及记的记载，就很难看出这七灯乃是那灵。我们若从出埃及记往下到撒迦利亚书，就看见七灯是基督的七眼，和神的七眼。（亚三9，四10。）我们往后到启示录，就看见羔羊的七眼就是那是神加强之灵的七眼。因此，我们有确实的根据说，七灯就是七倍加强的灵，作基督的彰显。我们看过，灯台含示三一神的意义；牠象征那具体化并得著彰显的三一神。父神是神圣的金，具体化身在子基督里面，然后藉著那灵完全彰显出来。彰显与具体化身不同。具体化身必定是独一的，因为我们的神是独一的。所以，具体化身必定是一座台。然而彰显必须是完整的，在神行动上是完整的。请记得，七是神行动上完整的数字。多少世纪以来，神是在祂的行动中得著彰显。因此，七灯表征那在神完整的行动上，作基督彰显的加强之灵。这是对神圣三一的实际领会。神圣的三一乃是为著要把神分赐到人里面。神这神圣的一位，首先具体化身在基督里，然后藉著七倍加强的灵彰显出来。现在我们不只有三一神；更在灯台里有三一神的本质、具体化身和彰显。金子已成形为具体的台；牠以前只是金子，但现在成了台。金子成形为台，是为著成就神的定旨；若不成为台，神的定旨就不能成就。我们看过，豫表基督的台是藉著豫表神七灵的七灯彰显出来。神的七灵不是与神分开的，七灵乃是神的七眼，也是救赎者羔羊的七眼。以后我们要看见，七灵也是那块建造的石头上的七眼。因此，七灵乃是七眼带同基督的救赎，为著神的建造。无论甚么时候，七眼看著人，人就蒙救赎，并且被建造在神的家里。这就是神圣的三一。
3Substantially, the lampstand is one, but expressively, it is seven because it is one lampstand with seven lamps. At the bottom, the lampstand is one; at the top, it is seven. Should we argue about whether it is one or seven? In substance, the lampstand is one piece of gold, but it holds seven lamps. This mysteriously indicates that substantially the Triune God is one. In substance, He is one, but in expression, He is the seven Spirits. The Father as the substance is embodied in the Son as the form, and the Son is expressed as the seven Spirits. How can we prove that the seven lamps are the Spirit expressing Christ? The seven lamps are first mentioned in Exodus. If we only had the record in Exodus, however, it would be difficult to realize that these seven lamps are the Spirit. But as we proceed from Exodus to Zechariah, we see that the seven lamps are the seven eyes of Christ and the seven eyes of God (Zech. 3:9; 4:10). As we continue on to Revelation, we see that the seven eyes of the Lamb are the seven eyes which are the intensified Spirit of God. Hence, we have a strong basis for saying that the seven lamps are the sevenfold intensified Spirit as the expression of Christ. We have seen that the lampstand implies the significance of the Triune God; it symbolizes the Triune God embodied and expressed. God the Father as the divine gold is embodied in Christ the Son and then is fully expressed through the Spirit. The expression differs from the embodiment. The embodiment must be uniquely one because our God is uniquely one. Thus, the embodiment must be one stand. The expression, however, must be complete, and complete in God’s move. Recall that seven is the number for completion in God’s move. Throughout the centuries, God has been expressed in His move. This is the reason that the seven lamps signify the intensified Spirit as the expression of Christ in God’s complete move. This is the practical understanding of the Trinity. The Trinity is for the dispensing of God into humanity. God, the divine Being, is firstly embodied in Christ and then expressed through the sevenfold intensified Spirit. Now we not only have the Triune God; in the lampstand we have the Triune God substantially and solidly embodied and expressed. The gold has been formed into the solid stand. It once was just gold, but now it is the stand. The gold has been formed into a stand for the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Without the stand, there is no way for God’s purpose to be fulfilled. As we have seen, this stand, which is a type of Christ, is expressed through the seven lamps signifying the seven Spirits of God. The seven Spirits of God are not separate from God; they are the seven eyes of God and of the Lamb, the Redeemer. As we shall see, they are also the seven eyes of the building stone. Hence, they are the seven eyes with the redemption of Christ for God’s building. Whenever these eyes look at people, they are redeemed and built into God’s house. This is the Trinity.
4出埃及二十五章的重点是在台，撒迦利亚四章的重点是在灯，启示录一章的重点是在复制。在出埃及记和撒迦利亚书中，灯台是一个；但在启示录里，牠复制为七个了。首先，在出埃及记著重的是『台，』就是基督；然后，在撒迦利亚书著重的是『灯，』就是那灵；最后到启示录，台和灯，就是基督和那灵，繁殖为众召会。在出埃及记和撒迦利亚书里，都只有七盏灯；但在启示录这里，共有四十九盏灯，因为七个灯台，每个都有七盏灯。因此，一个灯台成了七个灯台，七盏灯成了四十九盏灯。所以，启示录里的灯台和灯，乃是基督和那灵的复制。基督被实化，乃是那灵；那灵被实化，就有众召会作复制。召会不只在宇宙中是一个，也在各城市中有地方的彰显。在全宇宙中，只有一位基督，一位灵，一个召会。那么怎么会有七个召会呢？因为有彰显的需要。为著存在，一个就彀了；但为著彰显，就需要好多个。我们若要认识召会，就必须认识她的本质、存在和彰显。在本质上，召会（甚至众召会）乃是一；在彰显上，众召会就是许多的灯台。召会是甚么？召会就是三一神的彰显，这个彰显是在地上许多地方上显明出来。召会不是只用一个灯台来表征，乃是用七个。在启示录一章中，就有七个灯台，四十九盏灯，照耀在宇宙中。这就是耶稣的见证。召会是耶稣的见证。这就是说，召会在本质上，在彰显上，都是三一神的彰显。就本质说，她在全宇宙中只有一个本质；就彰显说，她是许多个灯台，托著许多盏灯，照耀在黑暗里，彰显三一神。父是本质，具体化身在子里面；子是具体化身，藉著灵彰显出来；灵又完全实化并复制为众召会，众召会乃是耶稣的见证。我们若看见这个异象，就会受管治，永远不会分裂。这个异象要抓住我们，护卫我们，保守我们在耶稣的见证里。
4In Exodus 2 5 the emphasis is upon the stand, in Zechariah 4 the emphasis is upon the lamps, and in Revelation 1 the emphasis is upon the reproduction. In both Exodus and Zechariah, the lampstand is one, but in Revelation it has been reproduced and has become seven. Firstly, in Exodus the emphasis is on the stand— on Christ. Secondly, in Zechariah the emphasis is on the lamps—on the Spirit. Eventually, in Revelation both the stand and the lamps, that is, both Christ and the Spirit, are reproduced as the churches. In Exodus and Zechariah there are just seven lamps, but here in Revelation there are forty - nine lamps, for every lampstand has seven lamps. Hence, the one lampstand has become seven and the seven lamps have become forty - nine. The lampstands with their lamps in Revelation are the reproduction of Christ and the Spirit. When Christ is realized, He is the Spirit, and when the Spirit is realized, we have the churches as the reproduction. The church is not only universally one but also expressed locally in many cities. In the whole universe there is only one Christ, one Spirit, and one church. Why then are there the seven churches? Because of the need for an expression. For existence, one is sufficient, but for expression, many are needed. If we would know the church, we must know its substance, existence, and expression. Substantially, the church, and even all the churches, are one. In expression, the many churches are the many lampstands. What is the church? The church is the expression of the Triune God, and this expression is seen in many localities on the earth. The church is signified not by just one lampstand—but by seven lampstands. In Revelation 1 there are seven lampstands with forty-nine lamps shining in the universe. This is the testimony of Jesus. The church is the testimony of Jesus. This means that the church is the expression of the Triune God substantially and expressively. Substantially, it is of one substance in the whole universe; expressively, it is many lampstands with the lamps shining in the darkness to express the Triune God. The Father as the substance is embodied in the Son, the Son as the embodiment is expressed through the Spirit, the Spirit is fully realized and reproduced as the churches, and the churches are the testimony of Jesus. If we see this vision, it will govern us and we shall never be divisive. This vision will hold us, guard us, and keep us in the testimony of Jesus.
5我们看过，灯台乃是神圣的金具了实体的形状，为要在神的行动上成就祂的定旨。灯台的彰显是在于灯的发光照耀；当这彰显照耀时，这照耀成就了神永远的定旨。因此，灯台不只表征三一神，也表征三一神在祂具体化身和彰显里的行动。我们也看过，众地方召会是三一神之具体化身与彰显的复制。这不是一件小事。不要光说众地方召会是灯台，照耀在黑夜里，就觉得满意了。这种看法固然对，但尚嫌太浅。我们必须看见，众地方召会乃是三一神之具体化身与彰显的复制。在圣经里，灯台总是与神的建造有关。圣经第一次说到灯台，是在出埃及二十五章三十一至四十节建造帐幕的时候。第二次是在王上七章四十九节建造圣殿时候。4:2-第三次是在撒迦利亚四章二至十节，与神殿的重建有密切的关系。在启示录这里，灯台与众召会的建造有关。出埃及二十五章著重4基督是灯台，作神圣的光，作七灯凭那灵（油）照耀。撒迦利亚四章著重那灵（亚四6）作七灯照耀，这七灯乃是神的七眼。（亚四2，10。）神的七眼就是神的七灵，（启五6，）为著神加强的行动。这指明撒迦利亚书的灯台，是出埃及记灯台的实际；启示录的灯台，是撒迦利亚书灯台的复制。基督实化为那灵，那灵彰显为众召会。照耀的灵是照耀之基督的实际，照耀的众召会是照耀之灵的复制和彰显，以成就神永远的定旨，使那照耀的城新耶路撒冷得以完成。基督、那灵和众召会，都有同样的神圣性情。
5We have seen that the lampstand is the divine gold embodied into a substantial form to fulfill God’s purpose in His move. The expression of the stand is in the shining of the light. As the expression shines, the shining fulfills God’s eternal purpose. Thus, the lampstand not only signifies the Triune God, but also the move of the Triune God in His embodiment and expression. We also have seen that the local churches are the reproduction of the embodiment and expression of the Triune God. This is not a small thing. We should not be satisfied with saying that the local churches are the lampstands shining in the dark night. Although this is correct, it is rather shallow. We must see that the local churches are the reproduction of the embodiment and expression of the Triune God. In the Bible, the lampstand is always related to God’s building. The first time it was mentioned was in Exodus 25:31-40 when the tabernacle was built. The second instance was in the building of the temple in 1 Kings 7:49. The third instance had very much to do with the rebuilding of God’stem ple in Zechariah 10. Here in Revelation it is related to the building of the churches. In Exodus 25 the emphasis is on Christ being the lampstand as the divine light, shining as the seven lamps with the Spirit (the oil). In Zechariah the emphasis is on the Spirit (v. 6) shining as the seven lamps which are the seven eyes of God (vv. 2, 10). The seven eyes of God are the seven Spirits of God (Rev. 5:6) for God’sin tens ified move. This indicates that the lampstand in Zechariah is the reality of the lampstand in Exodus, and the lampstands in Revelation are the reproduction of the lampstand in Zechariah, Christ is realized as the Spirit, and the Spirit is expressed as the churches. The shining Spirit is the reality of the shining Christ, and the shining churches are the reproduction and the expression of the shining Spirit to accomplish God’s eternal purpose that the New Jerusalem as the shining city may be consummated. Christ, the Spirit, and the churches are all of the same divine nature.
壹 为著帐幕（圣殿）
I. THE LAMPSTAND FOR THE BUILDING
建造的灯台
OF THE TABERNACLE (TEMPLE)
6我们说过，灯台是为著神的建造。出埃及二十五章里的灯台，是为著帐幕的建造；撒迦利亚四章里的灯台，是为著神建造的恢复；而启示录一章的灯台，是为著召会的建造。这指明三一神是为著神的建造。基督徒对三一神讲论得很多，但很少人看见，三一神是为著神的建造。出埃及二十五章的灯台，豫表基督作神的彰显，藉著七灯，就是神的七灵，照耀出去。
6We have seen that the lampstand is for God’s building. The lampstand in Exodus 25 was for the building of the tabernacle, the lampstand in Zechariah 4 was for the recovery of God’s building, and the lampstands in Revelation 1 are for the building of the church. This indicates that the Triune God is for God’s building. While Christians talk a great deal about the Trinity, very few have seen that the Triune God is for God’s building. The lampstand in Exodus 25 typifies Christ as the expression of God shining with the seven lamps, the seven Spirits of God.
7圣经题到灯台时，说法非常有趣。首先，圣经启示，为著帐幕的建造需要灯台。并且，为著帐幕的功用也需要灯台。帐幕没有窗户，入口的地方又完全被幔子遮住；因著没有开向外面的地方，外面的光就照不进来。帐幕里面若是没有灯台发光，人在里面就无法尽职。因此，灯台不光是为著帐幕的建造，也是为著帐幕的功用。同样，若没有灯台，召会就没有建造，召会里也没有功用。召会的功用倚靠照耀的灯台。我们在召会里，需要灯台的发光。许多时候，你考虑要作甚么，或者要怎样作的时候，你觉得自己糊涂了，越想越觉得黑暗。但当你来到召会的聚会中，或者与圣徒们交通，你立刻有了亮光，说，『哦，现在有路了！』不是甚么人给你一篇道，教你怎样怎样，而是召会里灯台的光，照得你清楚了。灯台是在召会中照亮我们。灯台不只是为著神的建造，也是为著在神建造里的功用。我们要能发挥功用，必须有光。照耀之灯台的光，乃是在召会里，所以我们不能离开召会。不要说，『我在家里读经、祷告，不也是一样么？』你可以试一试，不要几天，你还得快快回到召会里来。因此，我们不喜欢出外渡假，除非是去到有召会的地方。召会不只有灯台，召会就是灯台。
7The way the Bible presents the lampstands is very interesting. Firstly, the Bible reveals that for the building of the tabernacle there was the need of the lampstand. The lampstand was also necessary for the function of the tabernacle. The tabernacle had no windows, and its entrance was completely covered by a curtain. Since there were no openings, there was no way light could come in from the outside. Without the lampstand shining in the tabernacle, no one inside would have been able to function. Thus, the lampstand was not only for the building of the tabernacle but also for its function. Likewise, without the lampstand, there is no building of the church and no function in the church. The church’s function depends upon the shining lampstand. We in the church need the shining of the lampstand. Often, when you consider what to do or how to do it, you find yourself confused. The more you think, the more dense the darkness becomes. But when you come into the church meeting or fellowship with the saints, you are immediately enlightened and say, “Oh, now I see the way.” No one gave you a message telling you what to do. You were made clear by the shining of the lampstand in the church. The lampstand shines upon us in the church. The lampstand is not only for God’s building, but also for the function in God’s building. In order to function, we must have light. The light of the shining lampstand is in the church. This is why we cannot afford to stay away from the church. Do not say, “As long as I read the Bible and pray at home, everything will be the same.” If you try this, you will rush back to the church after a few days. For this reason, we do not like to take a vacation unless we can go to a place where there is a church. The church not only has the lampstand but also is the lampstand
贰 为著圣殿
II. THE LAMPSTAND FOR THE BUILDING
恢复建造的灯台
OF THE RECOVERED TEMPLE
8在神建造的恢复上，更需要灯台。撒迦利亚四章启示，著重那灵的灯台，乃是为著神建造的恢复。今天，我们更需要灯台，因为我们不只是在神的建造里，更是在祂建造的恢复中。我们需要灯台的照亮和加强。
8The lampstand is needed even more for the recovery of God’s building. Zechariah 4 reveals that the lampstand emphasizing the Spirit is for the recovery of God’s building. Today, there is a greater need for the lampstand because we are not only in God’s building, but also in the recovery of His building. We need the lampstand to shine upon us and to strengthen us
一 表征为著神行动的那灵
A. Signifying the Spirit for God’s Move
9为著神殿的恢复，神曾给撒迦利亚一个异象，使他能用这异象叫所罗巴伯刚强起来。在这异象里，撒迦利亚看见一个灯台，其上有七盏灯，有油从两棵橄榄树流进灯里。以后天使对撒迦利亚说，『这是耶和华指示所罗巴伯的；万军之耶和华说，不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵。』（亚四6。）这指明神的灵，乃是为著祂在地上的行动。
9For the recovery of His temple, God gave a vision to Zechariah that by it he might be able to strengthen Zerubbabel. In this vision, Zechariah saw a lampstand with seven lamps into which oil was flowing from two olive trees. Then the angel said to Zechariah, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6). This indicates that the Spirit of God is for His move on the earth
二 有七灯，就是七眼
B. With Seven Lamps Which Are the Seven Eyes
10撒迦利亚书里灯台上的七灯，就是七眼。首先，这七眼就是为著神建造的那块石头上的七眼，那石头就是基督。（亚四2，10，三9。）启示录五章六节也题到羔羊基督的七眼，说七眼是『神的七灵，奉差遣往全地去3的。』七灵就是基督的七眼。在撒迦利亚三、四章，基督是那块为著神建造的石头；而在启示录五章，神是为救赎我们的羔羊。这指明救赎的基督就是建造的石头。羔羊和石头都有七眼，就是神的七灵。在撒迦利亚书，七眼是石头上的眼睛；在启示录，七眼是羔羊的眼睛。
10The seven lamps on the lampstand in Zechariah are the seven eyes. Firstly, these seven eyes are the eyes of Christ as the stone for God’s building (Zech. 4:2, 10; 3:9). Revelation 5:6 also speaks of the seven eyes of Christ, the Lamb, saying that they are “the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” The seven Spirits are the seven eyes of Christ. In Zechariah and 4 Christ is the stone for God’s building, and in Revelation 5 He is the Lamb for our redemption. This indicates that the redeeming Christ is the building stone. Both the Lamb and the stone have the seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God. In Zechariah the seven eyes are the eyes of the stone, while in Revelation they are the eyes of the Lamb.
11七灯，就是基督的七眼，也是神为著祂行动的眼睛。（亚四10。）为著神的行动，基督有七眼，就是神的七灵。首先，基督是救赎的羔羊；至终，祂是那建造的石头。这完全是为著神在地上的行动，经过救赎，达到建造的目标。今日我们是为著建造享受救赎。我们不但享受基督作救赎的羔羊，也享受祂作建造的石头。基督的救赎乃是为著神的建造。我们在祂里面蒙救赎，也在祂里面被建造。祂要藉著神的七灵完成这事，七灵乃是为著神今天的行动。
11The seven lamps, which are the seven eyes of Christ, are also the eyes of God for His move (Zech. 4:10). Christ has the seven eyes, the seven Spirits of God, for God’s move. Firstly, Christ is the redeeming Lamb and eventually He is the building stone. This is absolutely for God’s move on earth, through redemption to the goal of building. Today we are enjoying redemption for the building. We enjoy Christ not only as the redeeming Lamb, but also as the building stone. Christ’s redemption is for God’s building. In Him we are redeemed, and in Him we are built up. He is accomplishing this by the seven Spirits of God which are for God’s move today
三 灯为著光照，眼为著注视而传输
C. The Lamps Being for Enlightening and the Eyes Being for Transfusion by Looking
12灯是为著光照，眼是为著注视而传输。这里的眼睛不光是为著鉴察、观察、审判，更是为著传输。每次基督用祂的七眼看著我们，我们就自然的为祂所贯注。不论我们是受到审判、光照、鉴察或焚烧，祂都会把祂的所是传输到我们里面。每当基督光照我们的时候，祂就照进我们里面，把祂的所是，传输到我们里面，叫我们成为变化过的宝石，适合神的建造。
12The lamps are for enlightening, and the eyes are for transfusion by looking. These eyes are not only for searching, observing, and judging, but especially for transfusing. Whenever Christ looks at us with His seven eyes, we are spontaneously infused by Him. Whether we are being judged, enlightened, searched, or burned, He transfuses all that He is into us. Whenever Christ enlightens us, He shines into us, transfusing all that He is into us that we might become a transformed precious stone for God’s building.
参 为著众地方召会
III. THE LAMPSTANDS BEING FOR
建造的灯台
THE BUILDING OF THE LOCAL CHURCHES
一 象征众地方召会是耶稣的见证
A. Symbolizing the Local Churches as the Testimony of Jesus
13启示录里的灯台，象征众地方召会。每一处地方召会就是一个灯台，在所在的地方，以神七倍加强的灵为灯，将耶稣的见证照耀出去。
13The lampstands in Revelation are the symbols of the local churches. Every local church is a lampstand shining forth the testimony of Jesus with the sevenfold intensified Spirit of God as the lamps in its locality
二 在性质上是神圣的
B. Divine in Nature
14灯台乃是金的。我们已经看过，金表征神神圣的性情。这里的灯台是金的，表征众召会是由神神圣的性情所构成。我们有父的生命和性情，（彼后一4，）就是有父那像金子一样的神圣性情。何等奇妙，我们有这种神圣的本质。
14The lampstands are golden. As we have seen, gold signifies the divine nature of God. That the lampstands here are golden signifies that the churches are constituted with the divine nature of God. We have the Father’s life and nature (2 Pet. 1:4), the Father’s gold, possessing His golden divine nature. How wonderful that we have this divine substance
三 以神的七灵，照耀在黑暗的世代里
C. Shining in the Dark Age with the Seven Spirits of God
15我们可能只注意灯台，却忽略了灯，但灯台不是为著本身，乃是为著灯。若是灯台上没有灯，灯台就没有意义。因此，我们必须指出甚么是灯。在四章中我们看见，灯就是在神宝座前点著的七灵。（启四5。）所以，神的七灵，就是七盏点著的灯。有人说，基督是灯，召会是盛托基督的灯台。这个说法固然不错，但启示录首先不是说基督是灯。当然，我们读到二十一章，会看到基督在新耶路撒冷是灯。然而，启示录没有说基督是今日的七灯；却说，神的七灵是七灯。
15We may pay our attention only to the lampstands and neglect the lamps, but the lampstands are not for the lampstands; they are for the lamps. If the lampstands had no lamps, they would be meaningless. Therefore, we must point out what the lamps are. We see the lamps in chapter four: they are the seven Spirits of God burning before the throne (4:5). Thus, the seven Spirits of God are the seven burning lamps. Some have said that the lamps are Christ and that the church is the stand which holds Christ as the lamp. This is not bad, but Revelation does not say that the lamp firstly is Christ. Of course, when we come to chapter twenty-one, we see that Christ is the lamp in the New Jerusalem. However, Revelation does not say that Christ is the seven lamps today; rather, it says that the seven Spirits of God are the seven lamps
16我们必须深刻的认识，七灵对我们的意义是何等重大。我们若是召会，是灯台，我们该托著甚么呢？说我们该盛托基督，乃是太道理化了。今天，基督是谁？基督是甚么？在我们召会生活的经历中，基督不仅是基督，祂更是那灵。（林后三17。）这位灵，就是赐生命的灵，在启示录里已经加强为七灵，就是神的七灵。这七灵是七眼，不仅是神的七眼，也是羔羊的七眼。召会生活完全在于这七灵。这不是道理上的基督，乃是经历上的七灵。我们必须经历那灵。在我们的工作、日常生活、聚会、事奉和见证里，我们必须有那灵。缺了灵，我们就是空的，就甚么也不是。灯台必须托著灯，灯就是七灵。
16We must be deeply impressed with how much the seven Spirits mean to us. If we are the churches as the lampstands, what should we hold? To say that we should hold Christ is too doctrinal. Who and what is Christ today? In our experiences for the church life, Christ is not merely Christ—He is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17). This Spirit, who is the life-giving Spirit, has been intensified in the book of Revelation into the seven Spirits which are the seven Spirits of God. These Spirits are the seven eyes, not only of God, but also of the Lamb. The church life is completely dependent upon these seven Spirits. It is not a matter of Christ doctrinally, but of the seven Spirits experientially. We must experience the Spirit. In our work, daily life, meetings, service, and testimonies, we must have the Spirit. If we lack the Spirit, we are empty and are nothing. The lampstands must hold the lamps which are the seven Spirits.
17七灵就是基督的彰显。出埃及二十五章的灯台，清楚的指明这点。这灯台是一整块一他连得的金子，藉著七盏灯彰显出来。这块金子表征父神是我们的本质。但仅有父神还不成形体；也就是说，只有金子，还不是灯台。仅有父没有子，就是只有本质，没有形体。只有金子锤成了灯台的时候，才有实体的形状。灯台是金子本质的形体，但若没有灯，这形体还不能彰显出去。因此，本质是父，具体形状是子，而彰显是灵，使父神在子里得著彰显。因著父神一切的所是都在子里，藉著七灯彰显出来，所以圣经以后告诉我们，七灯就是七灵。因此，那灵是三一神的彰显。至终，我们在启示录里看见，这个彰显就是基督的彰显；因为七灵起先在撒迦利亚四章十节中，是神的七眼；以后在启示录五章六节，就成为羔羊的七眼。羔羊的七眼就是基督的彰显。今天，圣灵是赐生命的灵，也是七灵，圣灵乃是基督的彰显。今天这个彰显在那里？乃在众召会里，因为七灵是七灯，托在众召会的灯台上。今日许多基督徒，并不知道赐生命的灵和七倍加强的灵，也不知道七灵就是基督的彰显，盛托在众召会这灯台上。你若要找到这灵，你必须在众召会里。你若要摸著、享受、经历到这灵，你必须是召会的一部分，因为乃是作为灯台的众召会，盛托著基督的七灵，就是基督的彰显。这灵与基督不是分开的，就像你的眼睛和你不能分开一样。人的眼睛就是他的彰显，眼睛不能与他分为两下；同样，七灵是基督的彰显，也不可能与基督分开。众召会是灯台，其上的灯乃是神七倍加强的灵，作基督的彰显。日过一日，这光越照越亮，这异象也越过越清楚。
17The seven Spirits are the expression of Christ. This is clearly indicated by the lampstand in Exodus 25. This lampstand, which was one piece of gold weighing a talent, is expressed through the seven lamps. This solid piece of pure gold signifies God the Father as our very substance. But if we only had God the Father, we would not have the form; we would have the gold, but no stand. To have only the Father without the Son is to have the substance without the embodiment. Only when the gold is beaten into the form of a stand do we have the embodiment. While the stand is the embodiment of the substance, without the seven lamps, this embodiment cannot have its expression. Hence, the substance is the Father, the embodiment is the Son, and the expression is the Spirit expressing God the Father in the Son. Since all that God the Father is in the Son is expressed through the seven lamps, the Bible later tells us that the seven lamps are the seven Spirits. Hence, the Spirit is the expression of the Triune God. Eventually, in the book of Revelation, we see that this expression is the expression of Christ, because the seven Spirits firstly were the seven eyes of God in Zechariah 4:10, and have become the seven eyes of the Lamb in Revelation 5:6. The seven eyes of the Lamb are the expression of Christ. Today, the Holy Spirit, who is the life - giving Spirit and also the seven Spirits, is the expression of Christ. Where is this expression today? It is with the churches, for the seven Spirits are the seven lamps held by the churches as the lampstands. Many Christians today do not know the life - giving Spirit and the sevenfold intensified Spirit, or the seven Spirits as the expression of Christ held by the churches as the lampstands. If you would meet this Spirit, you must be with the churches. If you would touch, enjoy, and experience this Spirit, you must be a part of the church, for it is the churches as the lampstands which hold the seven Spirits of Christ who are the very expression of Christ. This Spirit is no more separate from Christ than your eyes are separate from you. Since a person’se yes are his expression, they cannot be separated from him. Likewise, since the seven Spirits are Christ’sex press i on, they cannot be separated from Christ. The churches are the lampstands, and the lamps are the sevenfold intensified Spirit of God as the expression of Christ. This light is shining brighter and brighter, and the vision is becoming clearer every day.
18地方召会就是金灯台，以这样一位灵照耀在今天黑暗的世代中。在今天这黑暗的世代中，召会实在需要神七倍加强的灵，把耶稣的见证照耀出去。
18The local churches as the golden lampstands shine with such a Spirit in the dark age of today. In today’s dark age, the church really needs the sevenfold intensified Spirit of God to shine forth the testimony of Jesus
四 召会是基督的具体表现，是那灵的复制
D. The Church Being the Embodiment of Christ and the Reproduction of the Spirit
19召会是基督的具体表现，是那灵的复制。那灵是基督的实际，（约十四～20，十六13～15，）而召会是那灵的复制。（启二二17上。）召会同著那灵，就是基督的具体表现，是耶稣的见证。（启一2，9，十九10。）因此，更多的灵，更多的召会，更多耶稣的见证。
19The church is the embodiment of Christ and the reproduction of the Spirit. The Spirit is the reality of Christ (John 14:17-20; 16:13-15), and the church 17 is the reproduction of the Spirit (Rev. 22:17a). The church with the Spirit is the embodiment of Christ, the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1:2, 9; 19:10). Therefore, the more Spirit, the more church and the more testimony of Jesus.
肆 在大灾难中
IV. THE TWO LAMPSTANDS FOR GOD’S
作神见证的两个灯台
TESTIMONY IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION
20启示录十一章四节中，有两个灯台，就是两个见证人，在大灾难中作神的见证。得胜者在大灾难前已经被提，并留下软弱的、青嫩的，在地上经过大灾难。那时，实在需要加强神的见证。为此，神差遣以利亚和摩西回到地上来。今天，召会的见证主要在那些比较刚强、老练的人身上。当老练的人被提以后，软弱的就需要加强。得著摩西和以利亚来供应，固然是好，但我宁可在他们回来以前，离开这地。原则上，十一章这两个见证人，也是灯台。圣经形容他们是两棵橄榄树，供应油给软弱的信徒。（亚四3，12。）按照马太二十五章十个童女的比喻，五个愚拙的童女要去买油。倪弟兄有一次说，大概她们就是到这两棵橄榄树这里，付代价买那分额外的灵。这两棵橄榄树，也称为两个油的儿子，因为他们满了灵，为神作见证，（亚四14，）并且能以供应较软弱的圣徒。在大灾难期间，许多还未成熟的圣徒，会因他们的职事得加强，并被带到成熟的地步。
20In 11:4 we see the two lampstands, the two witnesses, for God’s testimony during the great tribulation. The overcomers will be raptured before the tribulation, whereas the weaker ones, the green and tender ones, will be left on earth to pass through the tribulation. Due to this, there will be the need for the strengthening of God’s testimony. To meet this need, God will send Elijah and Moses back to earth. Today, the testimony of the church mainly depends upon the stronger, more experienced ones. When the experienced ones have been raptured, the weaker ones will need to be strengthened. Although it may be quite good to be supplied by Moses and Elijah, I want to leave the earth before they return. In principle, the two witnesses in chapter eleven also are lampstands. The Bible describes them as the two olive trees which supply oil to the weaker ones (Zech. 4:3, 12). According to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, the five foolish virgins will need to buy oil. Once Brother Nee said that probably these foolish virgins would go to the two olive trees to gain the extra portion of the Spirit at a cost. These two olive trees are also called the two sons of oil, for they are full of the Spirit for God’s testimony (Zech. 4:14) and are able to supply the weaker saints. During the great tribulation, many of the unripe ones will be strengthened and matured through their ministry.