76 英翻中 (啟示錄第三章) Christ and the churches part 2 基督和教會第2部分 6/3/2025

76 英翻中 (啟示錄第三章)     Christ and the churches part 2    基督和教會第2部分          6/3/2025

CHAPTER THREE                CHRIST AND THE CHURCHES—PART II      Revelation 3                          第三課                                          基督和教會 — 第二部分                           啟示錄 3

We are still listening to what the Holy Spirit has to say to the churches, for these messages from Christ belong to our day as well as to the first century. Churches are people, and human nature has not changed. So, as we continue our study, we must not look on these letters as ancient relics. On the contrary, they are mirrors in which we see ourselves!                                                              我們仍在聆聽聖靈要對教會說的話，因為這些來自基督的信息，既屬於我們的時代，也屬於第一世紀。教會是人所組成，人性沒有改變。因此，在我們繼續研究的過程中，絕不能將這些字視為古代遺物。相反，它們是我們看到自己的鏡子！ 

Sardis, the Feeble Church (3:1–6)                                                                                                            軟弱的撒狄教會（3:1-6） 

Ancient Sardis, the capital of Lydia, was a most important city. It lay about fifty miles east of Ephesus at the junction of five main roads; so it was a center for trade. It was also a military center, for it was located on an almost inaccessible plateau. The acropolis of Sardis was about 1,500 feet above the main roads, and it formed an impregnable fortress. The main religion in the city was the worship of Artemis, one of the “nature cults” that built on the idea of death and rebirth.                                                                                                                                                          在古代，撒狄是呂底亞的首都，是最重要的城市。它位於以弗所以東約五十英里的地方，為五條主要道路的交匯處。所以它是貿易中心。它也是軍事中心，因為位於幾乎人跡罕至的高原上。撒狄城位於主幹道上方約 1,500 英尺處，形成了堅不可摧的堡壘。這座城市的主要宗教是對阿特彌斯(Artemis)的崇拜，阿特彌斯是建立在死亡和重生理念之上的  “自然崇拜”  宗教之一。

Sardis was also known for its manufacture of woolen garments, a fact that has bearing on Christ’s message to the church. Sad to say, the city at that time was but a shadow of its former splendor, and the church, unfortunately, had become like the city—it was alive in name only.                        撒狄還以生產羊毛服裝而聞名，這事實與基督向教會傳達的信息有關。遺憾的是，當時的城市只是昔日輝煌的影子，而教堂也不幸像這座城市，名存實亡。 

The message to Sardis is a warning to all “great churches” that are living on past glory. Dr. Vance Havner has frequently reminded us that spiritual ministries often go through four stages: a man, a movement, a machine, and then a monument. Sardis was at the “monument” stage, but there was still hope!                                                                                                                                                      給撒狄的信息是對所有生活在過去榮耀中的  “偉大教會”  的警告。 萬斯.哈夫勒(Vance Havner) 博士經常提醒我們，屬靈事工通常要經歷四個階段：人、 運動、機器，然後是紀念碑。撒狄處於  “紀念碑”  階段，但仍有希望！

There was hope because Christ was the Head of the church and He was able to bring new life. He described Himself as the one possessing the seven Spirits and the seven stars. There is only one Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:4), but the number seven demonstrates fullness and completeness. The Holy Spirit gives life to the church, and life is exactly what the people at Sardis needed. The sevenfold Spirit of God is pictured as seven burning lamps (Rev. 4:5) and as seven all-seeing eyes (Rev. 5:6).因為基督是教會的元首，祂能夠帶來新生命，所以撒狄教會有了希望，。祂形容自己是擁有七靈和七星的那一位。聖靈只有一位（以弗所書  4:4），但數字七表明了豐滿和完全的意義。聖靈賦予教會生命，而生命正是撒狄人所需要的。上帝的七重靈描繪為七盞燃燒的燈（啟示錄  4:5）和七隻全在看的眼睛（啟示錄  5:6）。 

All of the church’s man-made programs can never bring life, any more than a circus can resurrect a corpse. The church was born when the Spirit of God descended on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and its life comes from the Spirit. When the Spirit is grieved, the church begins to lose life and power. When sin is confessed and church members get right with God and with each other, then the Spirit infuses new life— revival!                                                                                                        凡教會出於人造的節目都不能帶來生命，就像馬戲團不能使屍體再活一樣。教會是在五旬節聖靈降臨時誕生的（使徒行傳   第2章），她的生命來自聖靈。當聖靈憂傷時，教會就開始失去生命和能力。當教會成員認罪，並且與上帝，且彼此和好時，聖靈就會注入新的生命 — 使教會大復興！ 

Christ also controls the seven stars, the messengers of the churches (Rev. 1:20), referring most likely to the pastors. Sometimes it is a pastor’s fault that a church is dying, and the Lord of the church must remove the star and put another in his place.                                                                    基督還控制著七星，即七個教會的使者（啟示錄  1:20），最有可能指的是牧師。有時教會快要死了是牧師的錯，教會的主必須摘掉那顆星，換上另一顆星。 

There are no words of commendation to the believers at Sardis. Nor did the Lord point out any doctrinal problems that required correction. Neither is there any mention of opposition or persecution. The church would have been better off had there been some suffering, for it had grown comfortable and content and was living on its past reputation. There was reputation without reality, form without force. Like the city itself, the church at Sardis gloried in past splendor, but ignored present decay.                                                                                                        沒有對撒狄信徒的讚美之詞。主也沒有指出任何需要糾正的教義問題。也沒有提到反對或迫害。如果教會遇到一些苦難會更好些，因為她已經變得舒適和滿足，並以過去的名聲為榮。只有名而無實存，有形無力。就像這座城市有名無實一樣，撒狄教堂以過去的輝煌為榮，卻忽略了現今的衰微。 

In fact, even what they did have was about to die! Why? Because the believers had gone to sleep. Twice in its long history, the citadel at Sardis had been captured, each time because sentries had failed to do their jobs faithfully. It is when the church’s leaders and members get accustomed to their blessings and complacent about their ministry that the enemy finds his way in.                          事實上，就連他們所擁有的也快要死了！ 為什麼？ 因為他們的信徒已經睡著了。在其悠久的歷史中，撒狄的城堡曾兩次被佔領，每次都是因為哨兵未能忠實地履行職責。當教會的領袖和成員習慣於他們的祝福，並對他們的事工感到自滿時，敵人就會找到他的弱點攻擊。 

The impression is that the assembly in Sardis was not aggressive in its witness to the city. There was no persecution because there was no invasion of the enemy’s territory. No friction usually means no motion! The unsaved in Sardis saw the church as a respectable group of people who were neither dangerous nor desirable. They were decent people with a dying witness and a decaying ministry.                                                                                                                                      撒狄的教會給人的印像，是在對這座城作見證時，並不強勁。因為沒有迫害，沒有敵人入侵他們的領土。沒有摩擦通常意味著沒有反彈！撒狄的未得救者認為教會是可敬的一群人，既不危險也不受人歡迎。他們是正派的人，有一人殉道的見證人和衰敗毫無起色的事工。 

Our Lord’s counsel to the church began with, “Be watchful! Wake up!” (see Rom. 13:11ff.) The “sentries” were asleep! The first step toward renewal in a dying church is honest awareness that something is wrong. When an organism is alive, there is growth, repair, reproduction, and power; if these elements are lacking in a church, then that church is either dying or already dead.            我們的主對教會的忠告是這樣開始的：“要警醒！醒過來！” （見  羅馬書 13:11 比照研讀） “哨兵” 睡著了！ 在垂死的教會中走向復興的第一步，是誠實地意識到有些事情是錯誤的。當有機體活著時，就會有生長、修復、繁殖和力量；如果教會缺少這些要素，那麼該教會要么正在死亡，要么已經死去。 

The Lord warned the Ephesian saints that He would come and remove their lampstand if they did not repent (Rev. 2:5). He warned the church at Pergamos that He would come and make war with the sword of the Spirit (Rev. 2:16). If the believers at Sardis did not follow His orders, He would come as a thief, when they least expected Him, and this would mean judgment.                                  主警告以弗所的聖徒，如果他們不悔改，祂會來移去他們的燈檯（啟示錄  2:5）。主警告別迦摩教會，祂會來與聖靈帶著祂們的寶劍來為他們爭戰（啟示錄 2:16）。如果撒狄的信徒不聽從祂的命令，就會在他們最不期望祂像小偷一樣來的時候，這意味著審判。

However, a remnant of dedicated people often exists in even a dying church. The Christians at Sardis had life, even though it was feeble. They were working, even though their works were not all that they could have been. The Lord admonished them to strengthen what remained and not to give up because the church was weak. Where there is life, there is hope!                                              然而，即使在垂死的教會中，也經常存在殘餘的獻身者。撒狄的信徒有生命，儘管她很微弱。他們在作工，儘管他們的作為，並不是他們本來可能做到的。主告誡他們要加強剩下的餘民，不要因為教會軟弱而放棄。有生命的地方就有希望！ 

What was different about this dedicated remnant? They had not defiled their garments (Rev. 3:4). There is some evidence from antiquity that temple worshippers were not permitted to approach their gods and goddesses wearing dirty garments. The remnant in the church at Sardis had not compromised with the pagan society around them, nor had they grown comfortable and complacent. It was this devoted spiritual remnant that held the future of the church’s ministry.    留下的獻身的餘民有什麼不同？  他們沒有玷污自己的衣服（啟示錄  3:4）。古代有一些證據表明，寺廟崇拜者不允許穿著髒衣服接近他們的神祗。撒狄教會的餘民並沒有與周圍的異教社會妥協，也沒有變得安逸自滿。正是這些虔誠的屬靈餘民掌握了教會事工的未來。

“Wake up! Be watchful! Repent! Remember the Word you have received and obey it!” This is the formula for revival. It is good to guard our spiritual heritage, but we must not embalm it. It is not enough to be true to the faith and have a great history. That faith must produce life and works.   “警醒！小心！悔改！記住你所領受的話語，並遵守上帝的聖言！”   這是復興的公式。保護我們的屬靈產業固然好，但我們絕不能用防腐劑對其進行防腐處理。忠於信仰並擁有偉大的歷史是不夠的。這種信心必須產生生命和作為。

The promise in Revelation 3:5 (“clothed in white raiment”) would have been especially meaningful to people who lived in a city where woolen garments were manufactured. And the statement about the names being blotted out would also be significant to people in the Roman Empire, where citizenship was vitally important (see Acts 22:24–30).                                                  啟示錄 3章5節中的應許（“身穿白衣”）對生活在產羊毛服裝的城市的人來說，尤其有意義。關於名字被塗抹的聲明，對於羅馬帝國的人們也很重要，因為在羅馬帝國，公民身份至關重要（見  使徒行傳   22：24-30）。 

Is there a warning here that a true believer might lose his salvation? I don’t think so. It would appear that God’s “Book of Life” contains the names of all the living, the wicked as well as the righteous (Ps. 69:28). Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 suggest that the names of the saved are written in the book from the foundation of the world—that is, before they had done anything good or bad. By God’s grace, they have been chosen in Christ before the beginning of time (Eph. 1:4; see also Matt. 25:34).                                                                                                                                                這裡是否有警告說，真正的信徒可能會失去他的救恩嗎？  我不這麼認為。似乎上帝的  “生命冊” 包含了所有人的名字，無論是惡人，還是義人（詩篇   69:28）。啟示錄 13章8節 和 17章8 節暗示得救者的名字，從創世之初就寫在這書中 — 也就是說，在他們做任何好事或犯罪之前。靠著上帝的恩典，他們在萬古之初就在基督裡被揀選了（以弗所書   1:4；另見  馬太福音  25:34）。 

Jesus told His disciples to rejoice because their names were “written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). The Greek verb is in the perfect tense, which means it can be translated (as Kenneth Wuest does in his Expanded Translation), “your names have been written in heaven and are on permanent record up there.” It is not likely that Jesus would contradict Himself in this important matter!                    耶穌告訴祂的門徒要喜樂，因為他們的名字  “寫在天上”（路加福音  10:20）。該希臘動詞是完成時制，這意味著它可以翻譯（正如肯尼 · 伍斯(Kenneth Wuest)在他的改進版翻譯中所做的那樣）， “你的名字已經寫在天堂，並且永久記錄在那里。”  耶穌不可能在這件重要的事情上自相矛盾！ 

If the names of believers (the elect) are written from the foundation of the world, and if God knows all things, why would He enter the name of somebody who would one day fall and have to be removed from the book? We are enrolled in heaven because we have been born again (Heb. 12:23), and no matter how disobedient a child may be, he or she cannot be “unborn.”                      如果信徒（被揀選）的名字是從創世之初就寫下來的，如果上帝知道一切，祂為什麼要寫上有一天會墮落而不得不從書中刪除的人的名字呢？ 我們進入天堂是因為我們重生了（希伯來  12:23），無論孩子多麼不聽話，他或她都不能  “再出生一次”。 

As unbelievers die, their names are removed from the book; thus, at the final judgment, the book contains only the names of believers (Rev. 20:12–15). It then becomes “the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27), because only those saved by the Lord Jesus Christ have their names in it. All the others have been blotted out, something God would never do for any true child of God (see Ex. 32:32; Rom. 9:3). It is a book of life, and lost sinners are dead (Eph. 2:1).                                            當不信者死去時，他們的名字從書中被刪除；因此，在最後的審判中，這本書只包含信徒的名字（啟示錄  20:12-15）。然後這本冊子變成了  “羔羊的生命冊”（啟示錄  21:27），因為只有那些被主耶穌基督拯救的人的名字在裡面。所有其他的都被塗抹掉了，上帝永遠不會為任何真正屬於祂的孩子做抹掉他們名字的事（見   出埃及記 32:32；羅馬書    9:3）。這是生命冊，失喪的罪人已經死去（以弗所書 2:1）。 

The warning here is that we not grow comfortable in our churches, lest we find ourselves slowly dying. The encouragement is that no church is beyond hope as long as there is a remnant in it, willing to strengthen the things that remain.                                                                                          這警告是告訴在教會中覺得不舒服，以免發現我們自己要慢慢死去的人。令人鼓舞的是，只要教會還有獻身的餘民，願意為教會努力加強運作，沒有教會是無望的。 

Philadelphia, the Faithful Church (3:7–13)                                                                                              忠實的非拉鐵非教會（3:7-13） 

As most people know, Philadelphia means “love of the brethren.” Certainly, brotherly love is an important mark of the Christian. We are “taught of God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9): by God the Father (1 John 4:19), God the Son (John 13:34), and God the Spirit (Rom. 5:5). But it is not enough to love God and our fellow believers; we must also love a lost world and seek to reach unbelievers with the good news of the cross. This church had a vision to reach a lost world, and God set before them an open door.                                                                                                          眾所周知，非拉鐵非教會的含意是  “弟兄的愛”。當然，兄弟般的愛是基督徒的重要品格標誌。  “上帝教導我們信徒要彼此相愛”（帖撒羅尼迦前書  4:9）：是經由父上帝（約翰壹書  4:19）、聖子上帝（約翰福音  13:34）和聖靈上帝（羅  5 ：5）。但僅僅愛上帝和我們的信徒同工是不夠的；我們還必須愛這失喪的世界，並尋求將十字架的好消息傳達給非信徒的方法。這個教會有一個異象，可以愛這失喪的世人，而上帝在他們面前打開了一扇敞開的門。

Philadelphia was situated in a strategic place on the main route of the Imperial Post from Rome to the East, and thus was called “the gateway to the East.” It was also called “little Athens” because of the many temples in the city. The church was certainly located in a place of tremendous opportunity.                                                                                                                                                非拉鐵非教會地處帝國從羅馬到東方的主要的交通路線上，因此稱它為 “通往東方的門戶”。 因城內寺廟眾多，故又稱  “小雅典”。教堂當然應位於在傳道上能充分接觸人多的地方。 

The only major problem with the location was that the area was prone to earthquakes. Philadelphia sat on a geological fault, and in 17 BC it was destroyed by a severe earthquake that also destroyed Sardis and ten other cities. Afterward, some of the citizens refused to move back into the city and remained in the surround[1]ing countryside, which they called “the burnt land.” There did not seem to be much security in the city of brotherly love!                                                該地區位於容易發生地震的地方，是他們唯一主要問題。因非拉鐵非坐落在地質斷層上，在公元前 17 年因遭嚴重的地震摧毀，地震也連帶摧毀撒狄和其他十個城市。之後，市民拒絕再搬回那些城鎮，僅留在周圍的農村，他們稱之為  “燒毀的土地”。在這稱為兄弟之愛的城市，似乎缺少安全感！ 

Jesus Christ presented Himself to the church at Philadelphia as “He that is holy.” This is tantamount to declaring that He is God, which, of course, He is. Jesus Christ is holy in His character, His words, His actions, and His purposes. As the Holy One, He is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing can be compared to Him.                                                                  耶穌基督向非拉鐵非的教會展示自己是  “祂是聖潔的”。這無異於宣告祂是上帝，當然，祂本來就是。耶穌基督的品格、言語、行為和目的都是聖潔的。作為聖者，祂是惟獨的，與其他的一切相比，祂至高無上的。 

But He is also the One who is true—that is, genuine. He is the original, not a copy; the authentic God and not a manufactured one. There were hundreds of false gods and goddesses in those days (1 Cor. 8:5–6), but only Jesus Christ could rightfully claim to be the true God.                                但耶穌也是稱為真理的上帝 — 也就是說，真正的。祂是原始的，不是複製；是真正的上帝，而不是人造的。那時有數百個假神和女神（哥林多前書   8:5-6），但只有耶穌基督才能真正稱自己是上帝。 

It is worth noting that when the martyrs in heaven addressed the Lord, they called Him “holy and true” (Rev. 6:10). Their argument was that, because He was holy, He had to judge sin, and because He was true, He had to vindicate His people who had been wickedly slain.                        值得注意的是，當天上的殉道者向主講話時，他們稱祂為  “聖潔和真理”（啟示錄 6:10）。他們的論點是，因為祂是聖潔的，祂必須審判罪，因為祂是真理，所以主耶穌必須為被邪惡殺害的祂子民伸冤。 

Not only is He holy and true, but He has the authority to open and close doors. The background of this imagery is Isaiah 22:15–25. Assyria had invaded Judah (as Isaiah had warned), but the Jewish leaders were trusting Egypt, not God, to deliver the nation. One of the treacherous leaders was a man named Shebna who had used his office, not for the good of the people, but for his own private gain. God saw to it that Shebna was removed from office and that a faithful man, Eliakim, was put in his place and given the keys of authority. Eliakim was a picture of Jesus Christ, a dependable administrator of the affairs of God’s people. Jesus Christ also has the keys of hades and of death (Rev. 1:18).                                                                                                                              他不僅是聖潔和真理，而且是有權打開和關閉門的主。這個圖像的背景是記載在以賽亞書 22章15至25等節。亞述入侵了猶大（正如以賽亞所警告他們的那樣），但猶太領袖相信埃及而不是上帝來拯救他們的國家。其中一個背信棄義的領袖名叫舍伯納(Shebna)的人，他利用自己的職位，不是為人民的利益，而是為自己的私利。上帝知道這事，把舍伯納免職，讓另一位忠實的人以利亞敬(Eliakim)接替他的位置，並獲得了權柄的鑰匙。以利亞敬是耶穌基督的畫像，耶穌基督是上帝子民事務的可靠管理者。耶穌基督也有陰間和死亡的鑰匙（啟示錄  1:18）。

In the New Testament, an “open door” speaks of opportunity for ministry (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). Christ is the Lord of the harvest and the Head of the church, and it is He who determines where and when His people shall serve (see Acts 16:6–10). He gave the church at Philadelphia a great opportunity for ministry.                                                                                  在新約聖經中，“敞開的門” 是指事工的機會（使徒行傳  14:27；哥林多前書 16:9；哥林多後書2:12；歌羅西書  4:3）。基督是莊稼的主，也是教會的元首，是由祂來決定祂的子民在何時何地服事（見  使徒行傳 16：6-10）。祂給了非拉鐵非教會很好的事工機會。 

But could they take advantage of it? There were at least two obstacles to overcome, the first being their own lack of strength (Rev. 3:8). Apparently, this was not a large or a strong church; however, it was a faithful one. They were true to God’s Word and unafraid to bear His name. Revelation 3:10 suggests that they had endured some special testing and had proved faithful.                            但他們能利用它嗎？  至少有兩個障礙他們需要克服，第一，是他們自己缺乏能力（啟示錄   3:8）。顯然，這不是大的或堅固的教會。然而，却是忠實的。他們忠於上帝的聖言，不怕因祂的名承受逼迫。啟示錄 3章10節 表明他們經受了一些特殊的考驗，並證明了他們的忠誠。 

It is not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and command of the Lord. “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.” If Jesus Christ gave them an open door, then He would see to it that they were able to walk through it! Martin Luther put it perfectly in his well-known hymn:                                                                                                          決定教會的事工的不是靠它的規模或能力，而是靠它對主呼召和命令的信心。 “上帝的誡命就是上帝的大能。”  如果耶穌基督給了他們一扇敞開的門，那麼祂會確保他們能夠通過它！馬丁路德在他著名的讚美詩中完美地表達了這一點： 

Did we in our own strength confide,                                                                                                          我們是否以自己的力量傾訴，

Our striving would be losing.                                                                                                                      我們的努力將會失敗                 

Were not the right Man on our side,                                                                                                          不是我們身邊的合適人選，                                           

The Man of God’s own choosing.                                                                                                                而是上帝自己揀選的人。

The second obstacle was the opposition of the Jews in the city (Rev. 3:9). This was really the opposition of Satan, for we do not battle against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). These people may have been Jews in the flesh, but they were not “true Israel” in the New Testament sense (Rom. 2:17–29). Jewish people certainly have a great heritage, but it is no guarantee of salvation (Matt. 3:7–12; John 8:33ff.).                                                                                                                                    第二個障礙是城裡猶太人的反對（啟示錄  3:9）。這確實是撒但的反對，因為我們不與屬血氣的爭戰（以弗所書  6:12）。這些人可能是肉身的猶太人，但他們不是新約意義上的  “真正的以色列”（羅馬書  2:17-29）。猶太人當然擁有偉大的遺產，但這並不能保證得救（馬太福音  3:7-12；約翰福音  8:33  比照研讀）。 

How were these Jews opposing the church at Philadelphia? For one thing, by excluding Jewish believers from the synagogue. Another weapon was probably false accusation, for this is the way the unbelieving Jews often attacked Paul. Satan is the accuser and he uses even religious people to assist him (Rev. 12:10). It is not easy to witness for Christ when the leading people in the community are spreading lies about you. The church at Smyrna faced the same kind of opposition (Rev. 2:9).                                                                                                                                                      這些猶太人怎麼樣反對非拉鐵非的教會？  首先，將猶太信徒從會堂驅逐出去。另則可能是誣告，因為這是不信的猶太人經常攻擊保羅的方式。撒旦是控告者，牠甚至利用宗教人士來幫助牠（啟示錄  12:10）。當社區中的主要人物散佈關於你的謊言時，你要為基督作見證並不容易。士每拿教會也面臨同樣的反對（啟示錄 2:9）。 

The believers in Philadelphia were in a similar situation to that of Paul when he wrote 1 Corinthians 16:9—there were both opportunities and obstacles! Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities! And since the Lord holds the keys, He is in control of the outcome! So what do we have to fear? Nobody can close the doors as long as He keeps them open. Fear, unbelief, and delay have caused the church to miss many God-given opportunities.                        非拉鐵非的信徒與保羅寫哥林多前書 16章9節 時的處境相似 — 機會和障礙並存！不信者看到是障礙，但有信心者看到是機會！因為主掌握著鑰匙，所以祂在控制結果！那麼我們有什麼好害怕的呢？若祂讓門敞開，有誰能關上。恐懼、不信和拖延使教會錯過了許多上帝賜予的機會。 

The Savior gave three wonderful and encouraging promises to this church. First, He would take care of their enemies (Rev. 3:9). One day, these people would have to acknowledge that the Christians were right (see Isa. 60:14; Phil. 2:10–11)! If we take care of God’s work, He will take care of our battles.                                                                                                                                    救主賜給這個教會三個奇妙而鼓舞人心的應許。首先，祂會留意他們的敵人（啟示錄  3:9）。有一天，這些人不得不承認基督徒是對的（見  以賽亞  60:14；腓立比  2:10-11）！  如果我們照顧上帝的工作，祂就會留意我們的爭戰。 

Second, He would keep them from tribulation (Rev. 3:10). This is surely a reference to the time of tribulation that John described in Revelation 6—19, “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” This is not speaking about some local trial, because it involves “them that dwell on the earth” (see Rev. 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8). The immediate reference would be to the official Roman persecutions that would come, but the ultimate reference is to the tribulation that will encompass the earth before Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom. In many Bible scholars’ understanding, Revelation 3:10 is a promise that the church will not go through the tribulation, but will be taken to heaven before it begins (see 1 Thess. 4:13—5:11). The admonition, “Behold, I come quickly,” would strengthen this view.                                                                          其次，主會讓他們遠離患難（啟示錄   3:10）。這肯定是指約翰在啟示錄 6至19章 中描述的災難時期，即  “雅各患難的時期”。這不是在談論一些當地的考驗，因為它涉及  “住在地上的人”（見  啟示錄   6:10；8:13；11:10；12:12；13:8,12,14；14： 6；17:2, 8)。直接提到的是即將到來的羅馬官方的迫害，但最終提到的是在耶穌基督再來時，建立祂的國度之前，將包含地上的災難。在許多聖經學者的理解中，啟示錄3 章10節 是祂的應許，教會不會經歷災難，而是會在災難開始之前被提到天上（見  帖撒羅尼迦前書  4:13-5:11）。 “看哪，我快來”  的警告會加強這種觀點。 

The third promise to the Philadelphians is that God would honor them (Rev. 3:12). The symbolism in this verse would be especially meaningful to people who lived in constant danger of earthquakes: the stability of the pillar, no need to go out or to flee, a heavenly city that nothing could destroy. Ancient cities often honored great leaders by erecting pillars with their names inscribed on them. God’s pillars are not made of stone, because there is no temple in the heavenly city (Rev. 21:22). His pillars are faithful people who bear His name for His glory (Gal. 2:9).            對非拉鐵非人的第三個應許是上帝會尊重他們（啟示錄  3:12）。這節經文中的象徵意義，對那些生活在地震不斷危險中的人來說，特別有意義：支柱的穩定性，無需外出或逃離，沒有任何東西可以摧毀的天堂之城。古代城市經常通過豎立寫有他們名字的柱子來紀念偉大的領袖。上帝的柱子不是石頭做的，因為天上的城市沒有聖殿（啟示錄  21:22）。祂的柱子是忠心於祂的人，他們為上帝的榮耀而承受祂的名（加拉太書   2:9）。 

In a very real sense, the church today is like the Philadelphian church, for God has set before us many open doors of opportunity. If He opens the doors, we must work; if He shuts the doors, we must wait. Above all, we must be faithful to Him and see the opportunities, not the obstacles. If we miss our opportunities, we lose our rewards (crowns), and this means being ashamed before Him when He comes (1 John 2:28).                                                                                                                  在非常真實的意義上，今天的教會就像非拉鐵非教會，因為上帝已經在我們面前賜給許多敞開的機會之門。如果祂打開門，我們就必須工作；如果祂關上門，我們必須等待。最重要的是，我們必須忠於祂，看到機會，而不是障礙。如果我們錯過了機會，就會失去我們的獎賞（冠冕），這意味著當祂再來時，會在祂面前感到羞恥（約翰壹書   2:28）。 

Laodicea, the Foolish Church (3:14–22)                                                                                                  愚昧的老底嘉教會（3:14-22） 

As with some of the previous churches, the Lord adapted His words to something significant about the city in which the assembly was located. In this case, Laodicea was known for its wealth and its manufacture of a special eye salve, as well as of a glossy black wool cloth. It also was located near Hieropolis, where there were famous hot springs, and Colosse, known for its pure, cold water.                                                                                                                                                    與以前講過的一些教會一樣，主選取祂的話，將其編成關於聚會所在城市的一些重要的事。在這種情況下，老底嘉以其財富和製造特殊的眼藥水以及光滑的黑色羊毛布而聞名。它也位於希羅波利斯(Hieropolis)附近，那裡有著名的溫泉，以及以其純淨的冷水而聞名的歌羅西。 

The Lord presented Himself as “the Amen,” which is an Old Testament title for God (see Isa. 65:16, where the word truth is the Hebrew word amen). He is the truth and speaks the truth, because He is “the faithful and true Witness” (Rev. 3:14). The Lord was about to tell this church the truth about its spiritual condition; unfortunately, they would not believe His diagnosis.            主自稱  “阿們”，這是舊約中對上帝的稱謂（見  以賽亞書  65:16，其中的”真理”一詞是希伯來語的 “阿們”）。主是真理，祂說的是真理，因為祂是  “忠信真實的見證人”（啟示錄  3:14）。主正要告訴這個教會關於它屬靈狀況的真相。不幸的是，他們不會相信祂的診斷。   

 “Why is it that new Christians create problems in the church?” a young pastor once asked me.   有位年輕的牧師曾經問過我， “為什麼新基督徒會在教會中製造問題？”                                      

 “They don’t create problems,” I replied. “They reveal them. The problems have always been there, but we’ve gotten used to them. New Christians are like children in the home: they tell the truth about things!”                                                                                                                                    我回答說，“他們不會製造問題，他們揭示了它們。問題一直存在，但我們已經習慣了。新基督徒就像家裡的孩子：他們說實話！”

The Laodicean church was blind to its own needs and unwilling to face the truth. Yet honesty is the beginning of true blessing, as we admit what we are, confess our sins, and receive from God all that we need. If we want God’s best for our lives and churches, we must be honest with God and let God be honest with us.                                                                                                                          老底嘉教會對自己的需要視而不見，不願面對真理。然而，誠實是真正祝福的開始，因為我們承認自己是什麼，承認我們的罪，並從上帝那裡得到我們需要的一切。如果我們想要上帝對我們的生活和教會賜給最好的，我們必須對上帝誠實，讓上帝對我們誠實。 

“The beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14) does not suggest that Jesus was created, and therefore not eternal God. The word translated beginning means “source, origin” (see John 1:3; Col. 1:15, 18).                                                                                                                                              “上帝創造的開始”（啟示錄  3:14）並未暗示耶穌是被造的，因此不是永恆的上帝。翻譯為“開始”的意思是  “源頭，起源”（見  約翰福音  1:3；歌羅西書  1:15, 18）。 

The Lord demonstrated four areas of need in the church at Laodicea.                                                  主對老底嘉教會展現出四種的需要。 

They had lost their vigor (vv. 16–17). In the Christian life, there are three “spiritual temperatures”: a burning heart, on fire for God (Luke 24:32), a cold heart (Matt. 24:12), and a lukewarm heart (Rev. 3:16). The lukewarm Christian is comfortable, complacent, and does not realize his need. If he were cold, at least he would feel it! Both the cold water from Colosse and the hot water from Hieropolis would be lukewarm by the time it was piped to Laodicea.                      他們失去了活力（16 -17 兩節）。在基督徒的生活中，有三種  “屬靈的溫度”：一顆燃燒的心、為上帝火熱（路加福音  24:32）、冷酷的心（馬太福音  24:12）和不冷不熱的心（啟示錄  3:16）。  不冷不熱的基督徒很舒服，自滿，沒有意識到自己的需要。如果他冷，至少他會感覺到！來自歌羅西的冷水，和來自希羅波利斯的熱水，在通過管道輸送到老底嘉時都是不冷不熱的。 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have every reason to be “fervent in spirit” (Rom. 12:11). Fervent prayer is also vital (Col. 4:12). It was as the Emmaus disciples listened to the Word that their hearts were warmed. No wonder Paul commanded that his letter to Colosse be sent to the Laodicean church (Col. 4:16)!                                                                                                                  作為耶穌基督的信徒，我們完全有理由要 “內心火熱”（羅馬書  12:11）。熱切的禱告也很重要（歌羅西書 4:12）。當以馬忤斯的兩個門徒聽到主對他們講解時，他們的心被溫暖了。難怪保羅吩咐把他寫給歌羅西的信也寄給老底嘉教會（歌羅西書  4:16）！

We enjoy a beverage that is either hot or cold, but one that is tepid is flat and stale. That’s why the waitress keeps adding hot coffee or fresh iced tea to our cups and glasses. The second law of thermodynamics requires that a “closed system” eventually moderates so that no more energy is being produced. Unless something is added from the outside, the system decays and dies. Without added fuel, the hot water in the boiler becomes cool; without electricity, the refrigerant in the freezer becomes warm.                                                                                                                                我們喜歡不冷不熱的飲料，但這種飲料是平淡和陳舊的。這就是為什麼女服務員一直在我們的杯子和玻璃杯中加入熱咖啡或新鮮冰茶。熱力學第二定律要求  “封閉系統”  最終會緩和，從而不再產生能量。除非從外部添加某些東西，否則系統會衰變並死亡。不加燃料，鍋爐內的熱水變涼；沒有電，冰箱不能保持冷，而會變熱。 

The church cannot be a “closed system.” Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Laodicean church was independent, self-satisfied, and secure. “We have need of nothing!” But all the while, their spiritual power had been decaying; their material wealth and glowing statistics were but shrouds hiding a rotting corpse. Their Lord was outside the church, trying to get in (Rev. 3:20).                                                                                                                                      教會不能是  “封閉的系統”。 耶穌說，“沒有我，你們什麼也不能做”（約翰福音 15：5）。老底嘉教會是獨立的、自滿的、安全的。 “我們什麼都不需要！” 但一直以來，他們的屬靈能力都在衰退；他們的物質財富和光彩照人的統計數據不過是隱藏腐爛屍體的裹屍布。他們的主在教會外面，試圖進入（啟示錄  3:20）。 

They had lost their values (vv. 17–18a). The church at Smyrna thought itself poor, when it was really rich (Rev. 2:9); the Laodiceans boasted that they were rich, when in fact they were poor. Perhaps we have here a hint of why this church declined spiritually: they had become proud of their ministry and had begun to measure things by human standards instead of by spiritual values. They were, in the eyes of the Lord, “wretched, and miserable, and poor.”                              他們失去了自己的價值觀（17節至第18 節上）。士每拿教會認為自己很窮，其實它真的很富有（啟示錄  2:9）；老底嘉人自誇富足，其實他們很窮。或許我們在這裡可以看出為什麼這個教會在屬靈上衰落：他們為自己的事工感到自豪，並開始以人的標準，而不是以屬靈的價值觀來衡量事物。在主的眼中，他們是 “可憐、可悲、貧窮”。 

Laodicea was a wealthy city and a banking center. Perhaps some of the spirit of the marketplace crept into the church so that their values became twisted. Why is it that so many church bulletins and letterheads show pictures of buildings? Are these the things that are most important to us? The board at the Laodicean church could proudly show you the latest annual report with its impressive statistics, yet Jesus said He was about to vomit them out of His mouth!                          老底嘉是富裕的城市和銀行中心。也許市場的靈氣潛入了教會，以至於他們的價值觀被扭曲了。為什麼這麼多教會的公報和信箋，抬頭顯示的都是建築物的圖片？  這些對我們來說是最重要的嗎？ 老底嘉教會的董事會，可以自豪地向你展示最新的年度報告，其中包含令人印象深刻的統計數據，但耶穌卻說祂要把他們從嘴裡吐出來！ 

The solution? Pay the price to get true “gold tried in the fire.” This suggests that the church needed some persecution; they were too comfortable (1 Peter 1:7). Nothing makes God’s people examine their priorities faster than suffering!                                                                                          解決方案在那裡？  付出代價才能獲得真正的  “試金石”。這表明教會需要一些逼迫。他們太舒服了（彼得前書  1:7）。沒有什麼比受苦，更能讓上帝的子民審視他們的優先事項！ 

They had lost their vision (v. 18b). The Laodiceans were “blind.” They could not see reality. They were living in a fool’s paradise, proud of a church that was about to be rejected. The apostle Peter teaches that when a believer is not growing in the Lord, his spiritual vision is affected (2 Peter 1:5–9). “Diet” has bearing on the condition of one’s eyes, in a spiritual sense as well as a physical one.                                                                                                                                                              他們失去了異象（第 18 節下）。老底嘉人是  “瞎眼的”。他們看不到現實。他們生活在傻瓜的天堂裡，為即將被拒絕的教會感到驕傲。使徒彼得教導說，當信徒不在主裡成長時，他的屬靈異象就會受到影響（彼得後書  1：5-9）。 “飲食” 與人的眼睛狀況有關，在屬靈上和身體上都是如此。 

These people could not see themselves as they really were. Nor could they see their Lord as He stood outside the door of the church. Nor could they see the open doors of opportunity. They were so wrapped up in building their own kingdom that they had become lukewarm in their concern for a lost world.                                                                                                                                          教會裡的人無法看到自己的真實面目。當主站在教堂門外時，也看不到他們的主。他們也看不到機會敞開的大門。他們如此專注於建立自己的王國，以至於他們對喪失的世界的關心，變得不冷不熱。 

The solution? Apply the heavenly eye salve! The city of Laodicea was noted for its eye salve, but the kind of medication the saints needed was not available in the apothecary shop. The eye is one of the body’s most sensitive areas, and only the Great Physician can “operate” on it and make it what it ought to be. As He did with the man whose account is told in John 9, He might even irritate before He illuminates! But we must submit to His treatment, and then maintain good spiritual “health habits” so that our vision grows keener.                                                                      如何解決？  塗抹天上的眼藥水！老底嘉城以眼藥而聞名，但聖徒需要的那種藥物在藥店裡卻沒有。眼睛是人體最敏感的部位之一，只有大醫師才能對其進行  “操作”，使其成為應有的樣子。正如祂在約翰福音第 9 章中，講述祂對那個瞎子所做的那樣，祂甚至可能在未闡明之前就激怒了！但我們必須順服祂的治療，然後保持良好的屬靈  “健康習慣”，讓我們的眼光變得更加敏銳。 

They had lost their vesture (vv. 17–18). Like the emperor in Hans Christian Andersen’s story, these Christians thought they were clothed in splendor when they were really naked! To be naked meant to be defeated and humiliated (2 Sam. 10:4; Isa. 20:1–4). The Laodiceans could go to the market and purchase fine woolen garments, but that would not meet their real need. They needed the white garments of God’s righteousness and grace. According to Revelation 19:8, we should be clothed in “fine linen, clean and white,” and this symbolizes “the righteous acts of the saints” (nasb). Salvation means that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us, put to our account, but sanctification means that His righteousness is imparted to us, made a part of our character and conduct.                                                                                                                                                          他們失去了衣服（17-18兩 節）。就像安徒生故事中的皇帝新衣寓言一樣，這些基督徒在他們真正赤身裸體的時候，還以為自己穿著很華麗！ 赤身露體是預表打敗和羞辱（撒母耳記下  10:4; 以賽亞  20:1-4）。老底嘉人可以到市場上購買精美的羊毛服裝，但這並不能滿足他們的真正需要。他們需要上帝公義和恩典的白衣。根據啟示錄 19章8節，我們應該穿上  “乾淨又潔白的細麻衣”，這象徵著  “聖徒的正義行為”（新美國標準版）。救恩意味著基督的公義歸於我們，進入我們的帳戶，但 “成聖”意味著祂的公義分賜給我們，成為我們品格和行為的一部分。 

There is no divine commendation given to this church. Of course, the Laodiceans were busy commending themselves! They thought they were glorifying God, when in reality they were disgracing His name just as though they had been walking around naked.                                          這個教會沒有得到上帝的稱讚。當然，老底嘉人是在忙著自誇！他們以為他們是在榮耀上帝，其實他們是在羞辱祂的名，就好像他們赤身裸體地到處走一樣。 

The Lord closed this letter with three special statements:                                                                    主以三個特別的陳述結束這封信： 

First, an explanation: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (Rev. 3:19a). He still loved these lukewarm saints, even though their love for Him had grown cold. He planned to chasten them as proof of His love (Prov. 3:11–12; Heb. 12:5–6). God permits churches to go through times of trial so that they might become what He wants them to become.                                                                第一，闡釋： “我所愛的，我必責備管教”（啟示錄  3:19節上）。祂仍然愛這些不冷不熱的聖徒，儘管他們對祂的愛已經冷淡了。祂計劃管教他們以證明祂的愛（箴言  3:11-12；希伯來書  12:5-6）。上帝允許教會經歷試煉，以便他們成為祂希望他們成為的樣式 

Second, an exhortation: “Be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:19b). The church at Laodicea had to repent of their pride and humble themselves before the Lord. They had to “stir up that inner fire” (2 Tim. 1:6 ph) and cultivate a burning heart.                                                                      第二，勸勉：“所以要熱心，並悔改”（啟示錄  3:19節下）。老底嘉教會必須針對他們的驕傲要悔改，在主面前謙卑自己。他們必須   “激起內心的熱火”（提摩太後書  1:6  ph版）並培養一顆燃燒的心。 

Finally, an invitation (Rev. 3:20–22). We often use these verses to lead lost people to Christ, but the basic application is to the believer. The Lord was outside the Laodicean church! He spoke to the individual—”if any man”—and not to the whole congregation. He appealed to a small remnant in Sardis (Rev. 3:4–5), and now He appeals to the individual. God can do great things in a church, even through one dedicated individual.                                                                                                    最後是邀請（啟示錄   3：20-22）。我們經常用這些經文來帶領失喪的人歸向基督，但基本的應用是對信徒。主在老底嘉教會之外！祂對單獨個人說話  — “如果有人” — 而不是對整個會眾。祂呼籲撒狄的一小部分餘民（啟示錄  3:4-5），現在祂呼籲個人。即使藉由單獨獻身的人，上帝也可以在教堂裡做大事。 

Christ was not impatient. “I have taken My stand” is the sense of the verb. He “knocks” through circumstances and He calls through His Word. For what is He appealing? Fellowship and communion, the people’s desire to abide in Him. The Laodiceans were an independent church that had need of nothing, but they were not abiding in Christ and drawing their power from Him. They had a “successful program” but it was not fruit that comes from abiding in Christ (John 15:1–8).                                                                                                                                                      基督沒有不耐煩。 “我已採取我的立場” 是動詞的意味。祂藉由環境來  “敲門”，並藉由祂的聖言來呼喚。祂要求什麼？ 團契與聖餐，是要祂的子民從心裡願意常在祂裡面。老底嘉教會是獨立的教會，一無所缺，但他們並沒有住在基督裡，也沒有從祂那裡汲取能力。他們有  “成功的計劃”，但不是因為住在基督里，而結出的果子（約翰福音 15：1-8）。 

Note that when we invite Him in, the supper room becomes a throne room! It is through communion with Christ that we find victory and become overcomers indeed.                                      注意，當我們邀請祂進來作客時，晚餐室就變成了主的寶座！是通過聖餐與基督相交，我們才能真正戰勝，並成為得勝者。 

The letters to the seven churches are God’s X-rays, given to us so that we might examine our own lives and ministries. Judgment is going to come to this world, but it first begins at God’s house (1 Peter 4:17). In these letters we find encouragement as well as rebuke.                                                寫給七個教會的書信是上帝的 X-光片，賜給我們，讓我們可以審視自己內心的生命和職事。審判將臨到這世界，但首先從祂的家開始（彼得前書  4:17）。在這些信件中，我們發現祂的鼓勵和責備。 

May the Lord help us to hear what the Spirit is saying today to the church, and to the individuals in the churches!                                                                                                                                          願主幫助我們，聽到今天聖靈對教會和教會中的每個人所說的話！