764. 第4节 这黑夜伴随着早晨, 早晨就是主的来临
在圣言中, 无论总体还是细节, 皆通过一年四季, 即春夏秋冬, 一天四个时辰, 即晨午暮晚来描述教会的相继状态。 既然当今教会处于黑夜, 那么可知, 黎明, 即一个新教会的兴起即将来临。 在圣言中, 通过一天四个时辰来描述教会的相继状态, 这一点可从以下经文看出来:
到二千三百日, 圣所就必洁净。 二千三百日的异象是真的。 (但以理书8:14, 26)
有人声从西珥呼问我说, 守望的啊, 夜里如何? 守望的说, 早晨将到, 黑夜也来。 (以赛亚21:11-12)
结局来了, 早晨临到你, 境内的居民哪, 看那日子来了, 早晨已经发出了。 (以西结7:6-7, 10)
耶和华每早晨显明祂的公义, 无日不然。 (西番雅书3:5)
神在其中, 到天一亮, 神必帮助这城。 (诗篇46:5)
我等候耶和华, 我的心等候, 胜于守夜的等候天亮, 我说, 胜于守夜的等候天亮。 因祂有丰盛的救恩。 祂必救赎以色列。 (诗篇130:5-8)
在这些经文中, “傍晚”和“黑夜”表教会末期, “早晨”表它的初期。 在以下经文中, 主自己也被称为早晨:
以色列的神说, 以色列的磐石晓谕我说。 祂必象日出的晨光, 如无云的晨光。 (撒母耳记下23:3-4)
我是大卫的根, 又是他的后裔。 我是明亮的晨星。 (启示录22:16)
从晨曦初现, 你就有清晨的甘露。 (诗篇110:3)
这些经文指向主。 因为主就是早晨, 祂清早从坟墓复活, 即将兴起一个新教会 (马可福音16:2, 9)。
要等候主来, 这一点从马太福音中祂对此的预言清楚可知:
耶稣在橄榄山上坐着, 门徒暗暗地来说: “请告诉我们, 什么时候有这些事? 你降临和世界的末了, 有什么预兆呢? (马太福音24:3)
那些日子的灾难一过去, 日头就变黑了, 月亮也不放光, 众星要从天上坠落, 天势都要震动。 那时, 人子的兆头要显在天上, 地上的万族都要哀哭。 他们要看见人子有能力, 有大荣耀, 驾着天上的云降临。 (马太福音24:29-30; 马可福音13:26; 路加福音21:27)
挪亚的日子怎样, 人子降临也要怎样。 所以, 你们也要预备, 因为你们想不到的时候, 人子就来了。 (马太福音24:37, 39, 44, 46)
路加福音:
然而人子来的时候, 遇得见世上有信德吗? (路加福音18:8)
约翰福音:
耶稣论到约翰, 若我愿意, 他要等到我来的时候。 (约翰福音21:22-23)
在使徒行传:
当他们看见耶稣被接升上天时, 有两个人身穿白衣, 站在旁边, 说, 被接升上天的耶稣, 你们见祂怎样往天上去, 祂还要怎样来。 (使徒行传1:9-11)
启示录:
主就是众先知被感之灵的神, 差遣他的使者, 将那必要快成的事指示他仆人。 看哪, 我必快来! 赏罚在我, 要照各人所行的报应他。 (启示录22:6-7, 12)
又:
我耶稣差遣我的使者为众教会将这些事向你们证明。 我是大卫的根, 又是他的后裔。 我是明亮的晨星。 圣灵和新妇都说: “来! ”听见的人也该说: “来! ”口渴的人也当来; 愿意的, 都可以白白取生命的水喝。 (启示录22:16-17)
证明这事的说: “是了, 我必快来! ”阿们! 主耶稣啊, 我愿你来! 愿主耶稣的恩惠常与众圣徒同在。 阿们。 (启示录22:20-21)
764. After This Night Comes the Morning, Which Is the Lord's Coming
Since the successive stages of the church on both a large and a small scale are described in the Word as the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall, and winter) and as the four times of day (morning, afternoon, evening, and night), and since the modern-day church, which is Christianity, is the night, it follows that now the morning is at hand. The morning is the beginning of a new church.
The following passages make it clear that the Word describes the successive stages of the church as the four parts of the day, which are determined by light.
Through the evening and the morning, for two thousand three hundred [days], what is holy will be made just. The vision of the evening and the morning is the truth. (Daniel 8:14, 26)
Someone was crying out to me from Seir, "Watchman, watchman, what of the night?" The watchman replied, "Morning is coming, but so is the night. " (Isaiah 21:11-12)
The end has come. The morning is upon you, O you who dwell in the land. Behold, the day has come; the morning is over. (Ezekiel 7:6-7, 10)
In the morning, in the morning Jehovah will bring his judgment to light; it will not be lacking. (Zephaniah 3:5)
God is in her midst. God will help her when she looks for the morning. (Psalms 46:5)
I have been waiting for Jehovah. My soul waits for the Lord like those who watch for the morning. They watch for the morning because with him there is the most redemption. He will redeem Israel. (Psalms 130:5-8)
[2] In the passages just quoted evening and night mean the time when the church is at an end; morning means the time when the church is just beginning.
The Lord himself is also called the Morning, as we see in the following passages:
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me, "He was like the morning light, a morning without clouds. " (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the shining morning star. (Revelation 22:16)
From the womb of your dawn comes the dew of your youth. (Psalms 110:3)
These quotations are about the Lord. Since the Lord is the Morning, he rose from the tomb first thing in the morning, in order to begin a new church (Mark 16:2, 9).
[3] What the Lord says about his Coming makes it obvious that we are to await it:
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him and said, "Tell us what the sign of your Coming and of the close of the age will be. " (Matthew 24:3)
Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humankind will appear, and they will see the Son of Humankind coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. (Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27)
Like the days of Noah, so will the Coming of the Son of Humankind be. Therefore be prepared, because you do not know at what hour the Son of Humankind will come. (Matthew 24:37, 39, 44)
In Luke:
When the Son of Humankind comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)
In John:
Jesus said of John, "If I want him to remain until I come . . . " (John 21:22-23)
[4] In the Acts of the Apostles:
When they saw Jesus taken up into heaven, two men were standing near them in white clothes. They said, "Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way you saw him go up to heaven. " (Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11)
In the Book of Revelation:
The Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants what must happen. "Behold, I am coming. Blessed are those who keep the commandments of this book. Behold, I am coming, and my reward is with me, to give to all according to their works. " (Revelation 22:6-7, 12)
And from the same chapter:
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, a shining morning star. The spirit and the bride say, "Come. " And those who hear, say, "Come. " And those who are thirsty, come. Those who wish to, take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:16-17)
And again in the same chapter:
He who testifies to these things says, "I am indeed coming. " Amen. Do indeed come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (Revelation 22:20-21)
764. IV. This night is followed by morning, and morning is the Lord's coming.
The succeeding states of the church in general and in particular are described in the Word by the four seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn and winter, and by the four times of day, morning, midday, evening and night. Since the present-day Christian church is in night, it follows that morning is at hand, that is, the first state of a new church. It can be established from the following passages that successive states of the church are described in the Word by the four periods of daylight:
Until the evening and the morning, two thousand three hundred [days], then will the holy place be made holy 1 . The vision of the evening and the morning is truth, Daniel 8:14, 26.
One is calling to me from Seir, Watchman, what of the night? The watchman says, The morning is coming, and night again, Isaiah 21:11-12.
The end has come, the morning has come upon you, you that dwell in the land. Look, the day has come, the morning has gone forth, Ezekiel 7:6-7, 10.
Jehovah morning by morning will set His judgment in light, nor will He fail, Zephaniah 3:5. God is in her midst, God will help her when morning breaks, Psalms 46:5.
I have waited for Jehovah, my soul waits for the Lord more than those that watch for the morning, those that watch for the morning. For with Him is a wealth of redemption, and He will redeem Israel, Psalms 130:5-8.
[2] In these passages evening and night mean the final period of the church, morning its first period. The Lord Himself is also called the morning in the following passages:
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel talked to me. He is like the light of morning, a morning without clouds. 2 Samuel 23:3-4.
I am the root and offspring of David, the bright star of morning, Revelation 22:16.
From the womb of the dawn the dew of your youth is on you, Psalms 110:3.
These things are said of the Lord. It was because the Lord is the morning that He also rose from the tomb in the early morning, so as to begin a new church (Mark 16:2, 9).
[3] The Lord's coming is to be awaited, as is plainly established by His prediction of it in Matthew:
When Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him, saying, Tell us, what is the sign of your coming and of the ending of the age? Matthew 24:3.
After the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will the sign of the Son of Man appear, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory, Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27.
As were the days of Noah, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Therefore be ready, for at the time you do not expect, the Son of Man will come, Matthew 24:37, 39, 44, 46.
In Luke:
When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith upon the earth? Luke 18:8.
In John:
Jesus said of John, If I want him to stay until I come... John 21:22-23.
[4] In the Acts of the Apostles:
When they saw Jesus lifted up into heaven, two men stood before them in white clothing, and they said, Jesus who has been lifted up from you into heaven, will come like this, as you have seen him going into heaven, Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11.
In Revelation:
The Lord, the God of the holy prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must happen. Behold, I am coming. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy 2 of this book. And behold, I am coming, and my reward is with me, so that I may give to each according to what he has done, Revelation 22:6-7, 12.
Further:
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness of these things to you in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright star of the morning. The spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who hears say, Come. And let him who is thirsty come; and let whoever will, take the water of life without payment. Rev:16-17.
Further:
He who bears witness to these things says, I am coming indeed. Amen, come indeed, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen, Revelation 22:20-21.
Footnotes:
1. Or literally: 'be justified'.
2. For 'the words of the prophecy' the Latin has 'the commands', but this is corrected in the Author's copy.
764. IV. THIS NIGHT IS FOLLOWED BY A MORNING WHICH IS THE COMING OF THE LORD.
As the successive states of the church in general and in particular are described in the Word by the four seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and by the four divisions of the day, morning, noon, evening, and night; and as the present church in Christendom is the night, it follows that the morning, that is, the beginning of a new church, is now at hand. That the successive states of the church are described in the Word by the four states of the light of day, can be seen from the following passages:
Unto evening and morning two thousand and three hundred; then the holy one shall be justified. The vision of the evening and the morning is truth (Daniel 8:14, 26).
Crying to me from Seir, Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh and also the night (Isaiah 21:11-12).
The end is come; the morning is come upon thee, O inhabitant of the land; behold the day cometh; the morning is gone forth (Ezekiel 7:6-7, 10).
Jehovah in the morning shall bring His judgment to light; nor shall He fail (Zephaniah 3:5).
God is in the midst of her; God shall help her at the return of the morning (Psalms 46:5).
I have waited for Jehovah; my soul looketh for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning; for with Him is plenteous redemption, and He will redeem Israel (Psalms 130:5-8).
[2] In these passages "evening" and "night" mean the last time of the church, and "morning" the first. The Lord Himself is also called the morning in the following passages:
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to Me. He shall be as the light of the morning, a morning without clouds (2 Samuel 23:3-4).
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star (Revelation 22:16).
From the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of Thy youth (Psalms 110:3).
These passages refer to the Lord. Because the Lord is the morning, He arose from the sepulchre early in the morning, being about to begin a new church (Mark 16:2, 9).
[3] That it is the Lord's coming that is to be waited for can be clearly seen from His prediction respecting it in Matthew:
As Jesus was sitting upon the Mount of Olives the disciples drew near unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the consummation of the age? (Matthew 24:3).
After the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man; and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory (Matthew 24:29, 30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27).
As were the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not, shall the Son of man come (Matthew 24:37, 39, 44, 46).
In Luke:
When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8).
In John:
Jesus said of John, If I will that he tarry till I come (John 21:22-23).
[4] In the Acts of the Apostles:
When they saw Jesus taken up into heaven, two men stood by them in white apparel, who said, Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have see Him go into heaven (Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11).
In the Apocalypse:
The Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book. Behold I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work (Revelation 22:6-7, 12).
And again:
I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning Star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come; and he that heareth, let him say, Come; and he that is athirst, let him come; and he that wisheth, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:16-17).
He that testifieth these things saith, Yea, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (Revelation 22:20-21).
764. IV. AFTER THIS NIGHT THERE FOLLOWS MORNING, AND THIS IS THE COMING OF THE LORD.
The successive states of the Church, both in its general and in its particular form, are described in the Word by the four seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and by the four divisions of the day, morning, midday, evening, and night. As it is now night in the present Christian Church, it follows that morning, that is, the beginning of a new Church, is at hand. It is evident from the following passages that the successive states of the Church are described in the Word by the four states of the light of day:
"Unto evening and morning, two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be justified... The vision of the evening and the morning is truth (A.V., true)" Daniel 8:14, 26.
"He calleth to me out of Seir... Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night" Isaiah 21:11-12.
"The end is come... The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land. Behold the day, behold, it is come; the morning is gone forth" Ezekiel 7:6-7, 10.
"JEHOVAH... in the morning: in the morning will He bring His judgment to light, He faileth not" Zephaniah 3:5.
"God is in the midst of her... God shall help her, when she looks for the morning (A.V., marg. when the morning appeareth)" Psalms 46:5.
"I waited for JEHOVAH... My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning; I say more than they that watch for the morning... for with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel" Psalms 130:5-8.
[2] In these passages the last phase of the Church is meant by evening and night, and its first phase by morning. The Lord Himself also is called Morning in the following passages:
"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me... He shall be as the light of the morning... even a morning without clouds" 2 Samuel 23:3-4.
"I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star" Revelation 22:16.
"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of the youth" Psalms 110:3.
These passages have reference to the Lord; for He is the Morning. For this reason also He arose from the sepulchre early in the morning, for He was about to begin a new Church, Mark 16:2, 9.
[3] That the Lord's Coming is to be looked for, is plainly evident from His own prediction concerning it in Matthew:
"As He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him... saying, Tell us... what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the age (A.V., the end of the world)" 24:3.
"After the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man... and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27.
"As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be... Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh" Matthew 24:37, 39, 44, 46.
In Luke it is written:
"When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8.
In John:
Jesus said concerning John, "If I will that he tarry till I come?" John 21:22.
[4] In the Acts of the Apostles:
When they saw Jesus taken up into heaven, "Two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said... Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" Acts 1:9-11.
In the Revelation:
"The Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the commandments (A.V., the sayings of the prophecy) of this Book. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" Revelation 22:6-7, 12;
and again:
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star. The spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" Revelation 22:16-17;
and again:
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Verses 20-21.
764. Quod post hanc Noctem sequatur Mane, et quod Adventus Domini sit illud.
Quoniam Status successivi Ecclesiae in communi et in particulari, per quatuor tempora Anni, quae sunt ver, aestas, autumnus et hyems, et per quatuor tempora Diei, quae sunt mane, meridies, vespera et nox, in Verbo describuntur, et quia hodierna Ecclesia in Christianismo est Nox, sequitur, quod nunc instet Mane, hoc est, Primum Ecclesiae novae. Quod successivi status Ecclesiae, per quatuor status lucis diei in Verbo describantur, constat ex his locis ibi, Usque ad VESPERAM ET MANE, bis mille trecenta, tunc justificabitur Sanctum; visio VESPERAE et MANE, veritas est, Daniel 8:14, 26. 1 Ad Me clamans e Seir custos, custos quid de NOCTE; dixit custos, venit MANE, etiamque NOX, Esaias 21:11-12. Venit finis, venit MANE super te, habitator Terrae; ecce DIES venit, exivit MANE, Ezechiel 7:6-7, 10. Jehovah in MANE, in MANE judicium suum dabit in lucem, nec deerit, Zephanias 3:5. Deus in medio ejus, adjuvabit eam 2 Deus cum spectat MANE, Psalm 46:6. 3 Exspectavi Jehovam, exspectat anima mea Dominum a custodientibus MANE, custodientes 4 MANE, quia plurima cum Ipso Redemptio, et Ille redimet Israelem, Psalm 130:5-8.
[2] In his locis per Vesperam et Noctem intelligitur ultimum tempus Ecclesiae, et per Mane primum ejus: Ipse Dominus etiam vocatur Mane in his locis, "Dixit Deus Israelis, mihi loquuta est Petra Israelis, Ille sicut LUX MANE, MANE sine nubibus, 2 Samuel 23:3-4. Ego sum radix et genus Davidis, STELLA splendida et MATUTINA, Apocalypsis 22:16. Ex utero AURORAE tibi ros juventutis tuae," Psalm 110:3, haec de Domino. Quoniam Dominus est Mane, ideo etiam e sepulchro surrexit primo Mane, inchoaturus Novam Ecclesiam, Marcus 16:2, 9.
[3] Quod Adventus Domini exspectandus sit, constat manifeste ex praedictione de illo a Domino, apud Matthaeum, Consedente Jesu super Monte Olivarum, 5 accesserunt ad Ipsum Discipuli, dicentes, dic nobis, quodnam SIGNUM TUI ADVENTUS et Consummationis saeculi, Cap. 24:3. Post afflictionem dierum istorum Sol obscurabitur, et Luna non dabit lumen suum, et Stellae cadent de Coelo, et virtutes Coelorum commovebuntur: et tunc apparebit SIGNUM FILII HOMINIS, et videbunt FILIUM HOMINIS VENIENTEM IN NUBIBUS COELI CUM VIRTUTE ET GLORIA, ibid. Vers. 29-30; Marcus 13:26; Luca 21:27. Sicut dies Noe, sic etiam erit ADVENTUS FILII HOMINIS; Propterea vos estote parati, quia qua hora non putatis, FILIUS HOMINIS VENIET, ibid. Vers. 37, 39, 44. 6 Apud Lucam, "FILIUS HOMINIS VENIENS Numeri inveniet fidem super terra, Cap. 18:8. Apud Johannem, Jesus dixit de Johanne, si illum volo manere DONEC VENIO, Cap. 21:22-23.
[4] In Actis Apostolorum, Dum viderunt Jesum sublatum in Coelum, viri duo stabant apud illos in vestitu albo, et dicebant, Jesus, qui sublatus est a vobis in Coelum, SIC VENIET, QUEMADMODUM VIDISTIS IPSUM EUNTEM IN COELUM," Cap. 1:9-11. In Apocalypsi, "Dominus Deus Sanctorum Prophetarum, 7 misit Angelum suum ad monstrandum servis suis, quae oportet fieri; ECCE VENIO; beatus, qui servat verba prophetiae 8 Libri hujus, et ECCE VENIO, et merces mea Mecum, ut dem unicuique secundum opus ejus, Cap. 22:6-7, 12. Et adhuc, Ego JESUS misi Angelum meum ad testandum vobis haec in Ecclesiis. Ego sum Radix et Genus Davidis, Stella splendida et matutina: Spiritus et Sponsa dicunt, VENI, et qui audit, dicito VENI; et qui sitit, VENITO, et qui vult, sumito aquam vitae gratis, ibid. Vers. 16-17. Et adhuc, Dicit, qui testatur haec, ETIAM VENIO; Amen, ETIAM VENI DOMINE JESU. GRATIA DOMINI JESU CHRISTI CUM OMNIBUS VOBIS, Amen," ibid. Vers. 20-21.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: 14, 16.
2. Prima editio: eum.
3. Sic Schmidt et Biblia Hebraica, sed 46:5 apud Biblia Anglica.
4. Prima editio: costodientes.
5. Prima editio: olivarum.
6. Prima editio: Vers. 37, 39, 44, 46.
7. Prima editio: Prophetatum.
8. servat verba prophetiae ubi in prima editione servat mandata.