서론
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英文原文
The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the sound of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruptions arising in the church: between these comes in this comfortable chapter, which secures the graces and comforts of the people of God in times of common calamity. We have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds, Re 7:1-3. II. The sealing of the servants of God, Re 7:4-8. III. The songs of angels and saints on this occasion, Re 7:9-12. IV. A description of the honour and happiness of those who had faithfully served Christ, and suffered for him, Re 7:13-17, etc.
1-12
The Vision of Heaven (95 AD)
繁體中文
天上的異象（主後 95 年）
¹ 此後，我看見四位天使站在地的四角，執掌地上四方的風，叫風不吹在地上、海上，和樹上。 ² 我又看見另有一位天使，從日出之地上來，拿著永生神的印。他就向那得著權柄能傷害地和海的四位天使大聲喊著說： ³ 「地與海並樹木，你們不可傷害，等我們印了我們神眾僕人的額。」 ⁴ 我聽見以色列人各支派中受印的數目有十四萬四千： ⁵ 猶大支派中受印的有一萬二千；呂便支派中有一萬二千；迦得支派中有一萬二千； ⁶ 亞設支派中有一萬二千；拿弗他利支派中有一萬二千；瑪拿西支派中有一萬二千； ⁷ 西緬支派中有一萬二千；利未支派中有一萬二千；以薩迦支派中有一萬二千； ⁸ 西布倫支派中有一萬二千；約瑟支派中有一萬二千；便雅憫支派中受印的有一萬二千。 ⁹ 此後，我觀看，見有許多的人，沒有人能數過來，是從各國、各族、各民、各方來的，站在寶座和羔羊面前，身穿白衣，手拿棕樹枝， ¹⁰ 大聲喊著說：「願救恩歸與坐在寶座上我們的神，也歸與羔羊！」 ¹¹ 眾天使都站在寶座和眾長老並四活物的周圍，在寶座前，面伏於地，敬拜神， ¹² 說：阿們！頌讚、榮耀、智慧、感謝、尊貴、權能、大力都歸與我們的神，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
此處我們有：一、關於風受限制的記載。我們認為這些風所指的是那些會給神教會帶來許多麻煩與損害的宗教錯謬與腐敗。有時聖靈被比作風：此處謬誤之靈被比作四方的風，彼此相反，卻都對教會——神的園子和葡萄園——造成大害，折斷其枝子、毀壞其栽植的果子。魔鬼被稱為空中掌權者的首領；他藉著一陣大風傾覆了約伯長子的房屋。錯謬如同風，使不堅固的人搖動，被吹來吹去（弗 4:14）。請留意：1. 這些被稱為地上的風，因為它們只在靠近地面這些低處吹動；天上總是晴朗、不受其影響的。2. 它們受天使的事奉所限制，站在地的四角，表明謬誤之靈若非神許可就不能發出，並且天使藉著限制教會的仇敵而服事教會的益處。3. 他們的限制只是暫時的，那就是等到神眾僕人額上受了印。神在試煉與敗壞的時代對自己的僕人有特別的看顧與關懷，祂有方法使他們免受普遍的玷污；祂先堅固他們，然後才試驗他們；祂把試驗的時間掌握在自己手中。
二、關於神眾僕人受印的記載，請留意：1. 這工交託給了誰——交託給一位天使，另一位天使。當一些天使被差去限制撒但及其黨羽之時，另有一位天使被差去標明並分別出神忠心的僕人。2. 他們如何被分別——神的印蓋在他們額上，這印為祂所認識，並如同顯在他們額上一般明顯；藉此記號，他們在最惡劣的時期被分別出來得蒙憐憫與安全。3. 那些受印之人的數目，請留意：（1）以色列十二支派中受印之人的具體記載——每支派一萬二千人，總數共十四萬四千。在這名單中但支派被略去了，或許是因為他們大大陷於偶像崇拜；而支派的次序也改變了，或許是按著他們對神較為忠心或較不忠心而定。有人把這看作是耶路撒冷毀滅時預留蒙憐憫的一批特選的猶太人；另有人認為那時代已過，所以當更廣泛地應用於世上神所揀選的餘民；但耶路撒冷的毀滅若尚未過去（我想這很難證明已經過去），則似乎更恰當的理解是：這是指神按著恩典的揀選所保留的那百姓的餘民，只是此處以確定的數目代表不確定的數目。（2）從其他各國中蒙拯救之人的概括記述（啟 7:9）：有許多的人，沒有人能數過來，是從各國、各族、各民、各方來的。雖然沒有說他們受了印，但他們卻是神從各國中揀選出來，並帶進祂的教會，在那裡站在寶座前。請留意：[1] 神在外邦人中要得著的得救靈魂的豐收，比在猶太人中的更大。不懷孕不生養的，比有丈夫的兒女更多。[2] 主認識誰是屬祂的人，並要在危險試探的時候保守他們安全。[3] 雖然神的教會與惡人相比只是一小群，卻不是可輕看的群體，而是真正龐大，並且還要更加擴展。
三、我們有聖徒與天使在此時所唱的歌（啟 7:9-12），請留意：
1. 聖徒（在我看來，是外邦信徒）因神保留如此多的猶太餘民、拯救他們脫離不信與毀滅而獻上的頌讚。猶太教會在外邦人歸信之前為他們禱告，外邦教會也當因神對許多猶太人的分別憐憫而稱頌神——當其餘的被剪除之時。請留意：（1）這些頌讚聖徒的姿態：他們站在寶座和羔羊面前，站在創造主與中保面前。在敬拜的行動中，我們就近神，並當看自己是在祂特別的同在中；並且我們必須藉著基督到神面前。若非藉著中保，罪人就不能到神的寶座前。（2）他們的衣著：他們身穿白衣，手拿棕樹枝；他們披上了稱義、聖潔與得勝的衣袍，手中拿著棕樹枝，正如得勝者在凱旋中所顯出的那樣：當神忠心的僕人打過了美好的仗、跑盡了當跑的路之時，最終必這樣榮耀地顯現。（3）他們的職任：他們大聲喊著說：願救恩歸與坐在寶座上我們的神，也歸與羔羊。這可理解為一聲和散那，祝福利神與基督在教會和世界中的利益；也可理解為一聲哈利路亞，將這極大救恩的頌讚歸給神和羔羊；父與子在此頌讚中同被提及；父計畫了這救恩，子買贖了這救恩，而享受這救恩的人必也必要稱頌主和羔羊，並且他們要公開地、以相稱的熱忱如此行。
2. 此處是天使的歌（啟 7:11,12），請留意：（1）他們的所在——在神寶座前，事奉祂，並在聖徒周圍，隨時預備服事他們。（2）他們的姿態，極其謙卑，並表達最大的敬畏：他們在寶座前，面伏於地，敬拜神。看哪，這一切受造之物中最卓越的，從未犯罪、常在祂面前的，不但遮掩臉面，更在主前面伏於地！那麼我們這些卑賤脆弱的受造之物，進到神面前的時候，當存何等的謙卑、何等深厚的敬畏！我們當在祂面前俯伏；我們一切向神所發的禱告，既當有敬畏的心境，也當有謙卑的舉止。（3）他們的頌讚。他們對聖徒的頌讚表示同意，向他們說阿們；在天上天使與聖徒之間有完全的和諧；然後他們又加上更多自己的頌讚，說：頌讚、榮耀、智慧、感謝、尊貴、權能、大力，都歸與我們的神，直到永永遠遠。阿們。此處，[1] 他們承認神榮耀的屬性——祂的智慧、祂的權能與大力。[2] 他們宣告，為著祂這些神聖的完美，祂當受頌讚、感恩、榮耀，直到永永遠遠；他們並以阿們加以確認。我們看見了天上的工作是甚麼，我們當現在就開始，使我們的心為此而調弦，並要多在其中，又渴慕那個世界——在那裡我們的頌讚與福樂都要得以完全。
英文原文
The Vision of Heaven (95 AD)
¹ And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
² And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
³ Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
⁴ And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
⁵ Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
⁷ Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
⁸ Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
⁹ After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
¹⁰ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
¹¹ And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
¹² Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Here we have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds. By these winds we suppose are meant those errors and corruptions in religion which would occasion a great deal of trouble and mischief to the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind: here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, contrary one to another, but doing much hurt to the church, the garden and vineyard of God, breaking the branches and blasting the fruits of his plantation. The devil is called the prince of the power of the air; he, by a great wind, overthrew the house of Job's eldest son. Errors are as wind, by which those who are unstable are shaken, and carried to and fro, Eph 4:14. Observe, 1. These are called the winds of the earth, because they blow only in these lower regions near the earth; heaven is always clear and free from them. 2. They are restrained by the ministry of angels, standing on the four corners of the earth, intimating that the spirit of error cannot go forth till God permits it, and that the angels minister to the good of the church by restraining its enemies. 3. Their restraint was only for a season, and that was till the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. God has a particular care and concern for his own servants in times of temptation and corruption, and he has a way to secure them from the common infection; he first establishes them, and then he tries them; he has the timing of their trials in his own hand.
II. An account of the sealing of the servants of God, where observe, 1. To whom this work was committed—to an angel, another angel. While some of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another angel was employed to mark out and distinguish the faithful servants of God. 2. How they were distinguished—the seal of God was set upon their foreheads, a seal known to him, and as plain as if it appeared in their foreheads; by this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the worst of times. 3. The number of those that were sealed, where observe, (1.) A particular account of those that were sealed of the twelve tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe, the whole sum amounting to a hundred and forty-four thousand. In this list the tribe of Dan is omitted, perhaps because they were greatly addicted to idolatry; and the order of the tribes is altered, perhaps according as they had been more or less faithful to God. Some take these to be a select number of the Jews who were reserved for mercy at the destruction of Jerusalem; others think that time was past, and therefore it is to be more generally applied to God's chosen remnant in the world; but, if the destruction of Jerusalem was not yet over (and I think it is hard to prove that it was), it seems more proper to understand this of the remnant of that people which God had reserved according to the election of grace, only here we have a definite number for an indefinite. (2.) A general account of those who were saved out of other nations (Re 7:9): A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. Though these are not said to be sealed, yet they were selected by God out of all nations, and brought into his church, and there stood before the throne. Observe, [1.] God will have a greater harvest of souls among the Gentiles than he had among the Jews. More are the children of the desolate than of the married woman. [2.] The Lord knows who are his, and he will keep them safe in times of dangerous temptation. [3.] Though the church of God is but a little flock, in comparison of the wicked world, yet it is no contemptible society, but really large and to be still more enlarged.
III. We have the songs of saints and angels on this occasion, Re 7:9-12, where observe,
1. The praises offered up by the saints (and, as it seems to me, by the Gentile believers) for the care of God in reserving so large a remnant of the Jews, and saving them from infidelity and destruction. The Jewish church prayed for the Gentiles before their conversion, and the Gentile churches have reason to bless God for his distinguishing mercy to so many of the Jews, when the rest were cut off. Here observe, (1.) The posture of these praising saints: they stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, before the Creator and the Mediator. In acts of religious worship we come nigh to God, and are to conceive ourselves as in his special presence; and we must come to God by Christ. The throne of God would be inaccessible to sinners were it not for a Mediator. (2.) Their habit: they were clothed with white robes, and had palms in their hands; they were invested with the robes of justification, holiness, and victory, and had palms in their hands, as conquerors used to appear in their triumphs: such a glorious appearance will the faithful servants of God make at last, when they have fought the good fight of faith and finished their course. (3.) Their employment: they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. This may be understood either as a hosannah, wishing well to the interest of God and Christ in the church and in the world, or as a hallelujah, giving to God and the Lamb the praise of the great salvation; both the Father and the Son are joined together in these praises; the Father contrived this salvation, the Son purchased it, and those who enjoy it must and will bless the Lord and the Lamb, and they will do it publicly, and with becoming fervour.
2. Here is the song of the angels (Re 7:11,12), where observe, (1.) Their station—before the throne of God, attending on him, and about the saints, ready to serve them. (2.) Their posture, which is very humble, and expressive of the greatest reverence: They fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Behold the most excellent of all the creatures, who never sinned, who are before him continually, not only covering their faces, but falling down on their faces before the Lord! What humility then, and what profound reverence, become us vile frail creatures, when we come into the presence of God! We should fall down before him; there should be both a reverential frame of spirit and a humble behaviour in all our addresses to God (3.) Their praises. They consented to the praises of the saints, said their Amen thereto; there is in heaven a perfect harmony between the angels and saints; and then they added more of their own, saying, Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Here, [1.] They acknowledge the glorious attributes of God—his wisdom, his power, and his might. [2.] They declare that for these his divine perfections he ought to be blessed, and praised, and glorified, to all eternity; and they confirm it by their Amen. We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to begin it now, to get our hearts tuned for it, to be much in it, and to long for that world where our praises, as well as happiness, will be perfected.
13-17
Honour and Happiness of the Saints (95 AD)
繁體中文
聖徒的尊榮與福樂（公元95年）
¹³ 長老中有一位問我說，這些穿白衣的是誰，是從那裏來的。
¹⁴ 我對他說，我主，你知道。他向我說，這些人是從大患難中出來的，曾用羔羊的血，把衣裳洗白淨了。
¹⁵ 所以他們在神寶座前，晝夜在他殿中事奉他。坐寶座的要用帳幕覆庇他們。
¹⁶ 他們不再飢，不再渴。日頭和炎熱，也必不傷害他們。
¹⁷ 因為寶座中的羔羊必牧養他們，領他們到生命水的泉源。神也必擦去他們一切的眼淚。
我們在此得著對那些忠心事奉主耶穌基督、並為他受苦之人其尊榮與福樂的描述。請注意，
一、一位長老所問的問題，不是為自己的知識，而是為約翰的教導：使者可以從百姓學習，尤其是從年長、經歷豐富的基督徒學習；天上最低微的聖徒，所知的也比世上最大的使徒更多。這問題分為兩部分：1. 「這些穿白衣的是誰？」2. 「是從哪裏來的？」這話似乎帶著讚嘆，正如歌3:6所言：「那從曠野上來，是誰呢？」忠心的基督徒配得我們的留意和尊重；我們當「留心觀看正直人」。
二、使徒所作的回答；他默默承認自己的無知，並向這位長老求問：「你知道。」凡要得知識的，不可恥於承認自己的無知，也不可恥於向能教導的人求問。
三、向使徒論及那站在「神寶座前，穿白衣」、手中拿著勝利棕樹枝的尊貴殉道軍隊的解釋；此處特別留意：1. 他們從前卑微荒涼的境況：他們曾在大患難之中，受人的逼迫，受撒但的試探，有時在自己靈裏受困擾；他們受過財物被搶奪、人身被囚禁，甚至捨命。通往天堂之路經過許多患難；然而患難無論多大，總「不能叫我們與神的愛隔絕」。患難若經過得好，必使天堂更加可羨、更加榮耀。2. 他們用以預備得享現今所享大尊榮和大福分的途徑：他們「曾用羔羊的血，把衣裳洗白淨了」（啟7:14）。能洗去罪惡、使靈魂在神眼中純潔無瑕疵的，不是殉道者自己的血，而是羔羊的血。別的血污穢衣物；惟有這血能使聖徒的衣袍潔白淨。3. 他們既這樣預備好，如今所升到的福分：（1）他們在所在之處有福，因為他們「晝夜在神寶座前」，他「用帳幕覆庇他們」；他們在那有滿足喜樂的同在之中。（2）他們在所事上有福，因為他們不斷事奉神，並且沒有軟弱、沒有困倦、沒有疲乏。天堂是事奉的境界，不是受苦的境界；是安息的境界，不是怠惰的境界；是讚美的、可喜的安息。（3）他們在脫離今生一切不便上是有福的。〔1〕脫離一切缺乏和缺乏之感：「他們不再飢，不再渴」；他們一切所需都得供應，一切因缺乏而來的不安都消除了。〔2〕脫離一切疾病和痛苦：他們永不再被「日頭和炎熱」所傷。（4）他們在主耶穌的愛和引導上是有福的：「他必牧養他們，領他們到生命水的泉源」；他必將一切使靈魂舒暢振奮的事物賜給他們，因此「他們不再飢渴」。（5）他們在脫離一切憂傷和憂傷的緣由上是有福的：「神必擦去他們一切的眼淚」。他們從前有過憂傷，流過許多淚——既因罪，也因患難；然而神要親自用他溫柔恩慈的手擦去這些眼淚，使之永不再流；而當神來擦去他們眼淚之時，他們也不願從未有過那些眼淚。在這事上，神待他們如同慈父對待他淚眼中的愛子——他安慰他，擦他的眼，將他的憂愁變為喜樂。這當節制基督徒在現今狀態中的憂傷，並在一切患難之下扶持他；因為「流淚撒種的，必歡呼收割」；「那帶種流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來」。
英文原文
Honour and Happiness of the Saints (95 AD)
¹³ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Here we have a description of the honour and happiness of those who have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for him. Observe,
I. A question asked by one of the elders, not for his own information, but for John's instruction: ministers may learn from the people, especially from aged and experienced Christians; the lowest saint in heaven knows more than the greatest apostle in the world. Now the question has two parts:—1. What are these that are arrayed in white robes? 2. Whence came they? It seems to be spoken by way of admiration, as So 3:6, Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness! Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright.
II. The answer returned by the apostle, in which he tacitly acknowledges his own ignorance, and sues to this elder for information: Thou knowest. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed to own their ignorance, nor to desire instruction from any that are able to give it.
III. The account given to the apostle concerning that noble army of martyrs who stood before the throne of God in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands: and notice is taken here of, 1. The low and desolate state they had formerly been in; they had been in great tribulation, persecuted by men, tempted by Satan, sometimes troubled in their own spirits; they had suffered the spoiling of their goods, the imprisonment of their persons, yea, the loss of life itself. The way to heaven lies through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when gone through well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious. 2. The means by which they had been prepared for the great honour and happiness they now enjoyed: they had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Re 7:14. It is not the blood of the martyrs themselves, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin, and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God. Other blood stains; this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean. 3. The blessedness to which they are now advanced, being thus prepared for it. (1.) They are happy in their station, for they are before the throne of God night and day; and he dwells among them; they are in that presence where there is fulness of joy. (2.) They are happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. Heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of sloth; it is a praising delightful rest. (3.) They are happy in their freedom from all the inconveniences of this present life. [1.] From all want and sense of want: They hunger and thirst no more; all their wants are supplied, and all the uneasiness caused thereby is removed. [2.] From all sickness and pain: they shall never be scorched by the heat of the sun any more. (4.) They are happy in the love and guidance of the Lord Jesus: He shall feed them, he shall lead them to living fountains of waters, he shall put them into the possession of every thing that is pleasant and refreshing to their souls, and therefore they shall hunger and thirst no more. (5.) They are happy in being delivered from all sorrow or occasion of it: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. They have formerly had their sorrows, and shed many tears, both upon the account of sin and affliction; but God himself, with his own gentle and gracious hand, will wipe those tears away, and they shall return no more for ever; and they would not have been without those tears, when God comes to wipe them away. In this he deals with them as a tender father who finds his beloved child in tears, he comforts him, he wipes his eyes, and turns his sorrow into rejoicing. This should moderate the Christian's sorrow in his present state, and support him under all the troubles of it; for those that sow in tears shall reap in joy; and those that now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.
本章所載之事,是在六印揭開之後引入——六印預告了世上將有的大災難;又在七號吹響之前——七號預告了教會中將興起的大敗壞。在這兩者之間,插入了這令人安慰的一章,為要在普遍災難的時日,保全神百姓的恩典與安慰。我們在此看見,一、關乎風被約束的記載(啟7:1-3)。二、神眾僕人受印(啟7:4-8)。三、天使和聖徒在此場合所唱的詩歌(啟7:9-12)。四、那些忠心事奉基督、為他受苦之人所享尊榮與福樂的描寫(啟7:13-17等)。