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爱在西罗亚池畔

2024-03-18 in , /by

约翰福音 9:1-41

耶稣过去的时候，看见一个人生来是瞎眼的。 2 门徒问耶稣说：「拉比，这人生来是瞎眼的，是谁犯了罪？是这人呢，是他父母呢？」 3 耶稣回答说：「也不是这人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上显出神的作为来。 4 趁着白日，我们必须做那差我来者的工；黑夜将到，就没有人能做工了。 5 我在世上的时候，是世上的光。」 6 耶稣说了这话，就吐唾沫在地上，用唾沫和泥抹在瞎子的眼睛上， 7 对他说：「你往西罗亚池子里去洗。」（「西罗亚」翻出来就是「奉差遣」。）他去一洗，回头就看见了。

爱在西罗亚池畔：因着爱，祂医治生来瞎眼的，让他看见且相信祂是神的儿子。（约9:1-41）

这段在约翰福音的单独记载，描述着生来瞎眼的经历两段曲折的生命历程：先从圣殿到西罗亚（奉差遣）池，他的眼睛得看见（约9:6-7），再从看见（眼睛得医治，约9:7）到明白（与主面对面，约9:38），俯伏下拜信耶稣。

从圣殿到西罗亚池：距离大约是一公里，路径上有明显的高低差，对一个瞎子而言，这是一条曲折且费时费力的历程。约9:7说明了这段历程的结局，他去一洗，回头就看见了（原文可译为：于是他去清洗自己，且能看见地回去）。

Loved For A Thousand Years and More

2024-03-18 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Revelation 20:1-15.  There are so many powerful truths about Jesus that we can learn from this passage.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Revelation 20:1-3 (NIV) 
1  And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.
2  He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 
3  He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 

On verses 1-3:  Previously in Revelation 9 we read of “the angel of the Abyss” (9:11) who was also called a “fallen star” and given the key to the Abyss (9:1).  Many commentators believe this angel is Satan himself.  Here in Revelation 20:1 John sees another angel coming down out of heaven possessing the key to the Abyss and holding a great chain.  This angel seizes the red dragon Satan, throws him into the Abyss, locks and seals the Abyss, so that Satan cannot deceive the nations for 1,000 years.  After the 1,000 years are over, verse 3 says that Satan “must be set free for a short time”.

Meet the One Who Wins in the End

2024-03-17 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Revelation 19:11-21.  There are so many powerful truths about Jesus that we can learn from this passage.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Revelation 19:11 (NIV) 
11  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.
 
On verse 11:  Here John sees an awesome picture of Jesus.  In the Gospel of John 12:14-15, John described Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, which is what kings would ride on during peace time.  Now when we see Jesus on a white war horse, it’s because Jesus means war and judges with justice.  The suffering servant who died to bring us peace is now the conquering king who lives to judge with justice and defeat his enemies. 
 

爱在耶路撒冷城边(三)

2024-03-17 in , /by

路加福音 19:41-44

41 耶稣快到耶路撒冷，看见城，就为它哀哭， 42 说：「巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事，无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来。 43 因为日子将到，你的仇敌必筑起土垒，周围环绕你，四面困住你， 44 并要扫灭你和你里头的儿女，连一块石头也不留在石头上，因你不知道眷顾你的时候。」

耶路撒冷依照希伯来文的解释，「耶路」意为「根基」，「撒冷」意即「平安」，「耶路撒冷」便是「以平安为根基的城市」，也就是「和平之城」。因它坐落在锡安山上，又被称为锡安城。

西元前2000年，上帝指示亚伯拉罕到摩利亚地，献以撒为祭（创22:1-14）。亚伯拉罕给那地方起名叫「耶和华以勒」（就是耶和华必预备的意思），直到今日人还说：「在耶和华的山上必有预备（原文有看见、看顾、察觉的含意）。」（创22:14）摩利亚地在耶路撒冷附近，其地近新约所记的加略山，即耶稣钉十字架的地方。

西元前1000年左右，大卫占领耶路撒冷，把此地变成宗教和政治首都，接着，所罗门王在摩利亚山的亚劳拿禾场建圣殿。

西元前705年左右，希西家王向西扩建耶路撒冷（以色列国遭亚述人灭亡）。西元前500年左右，巴比伦人灭亡犹大国，摧毁圣殿，许多人被掳掠。

爱在耶路撒冷城边(二)

2024-03-15 in , /by

路加福音 19:41-44

41 耶稣快到耶路撒冷，看见城，就为它哀哭， 42 说：「巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事，无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来。 43 因为日子将到，你的仇敌必筑起土垒，周围环绕你，四面困住你， 44 并要扫灭你和你里头的儿女，连一块石头也不留在石头上，因你不知道眷顾你的时候。」

爱在耶路撒冷城边：因着爱，祂为耶路撒冷哀哭：巴不得你在这日子，知道关系你平安的事！（路19:41-44）

所罗门王建造圣殿，献给神作居所、永远的住处，常与以色列民同在（王上8:1-66）。耶路撒冷城和其中的圣殿虽屡经战乱、摧毁、掳掠，也多次得以修复、重建、扩建；希律王是犹太历史上最著名的建设者，他统治时期的耶路撒冷是荣美的全盛时期。

耶稣荣耀进入耶路撒冷，耶稣来了，神的儿子来到神的居所，当时的耶路撒冷和圣殿确实是富丽堂皇，门徒面对不禁惊叹：夫子，请看，这是何等的石头！何等的殿宇！（马可13:1）

You Are Righteous and Radiant Because of Jesus

2024-03-15 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Revelation 19:1-10.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Revelation 19:1-4 (NIV) 
1  After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 
2  for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 
3  And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” 
4  The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!”

On verses 1-4:  Earlier in Revelation 17-18 we read of Babylon, a prostitute who according to many commentators symbolizes the spirit of false religion.  The spirit of false religion is all about people thinking they can reach God on their own effort.  In Revelation 17, Babylon’s fall is predicted.  In Revelation 18, we read of how the kings and merchants who dealt with Babylon will mourn after her death.  Now in Revelation 19 we hear heaven’s response to Babylon’s fall.  John hears the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting praises to God because He has judged Babylon and avenged the blood of His servants whom Babylon was responsible for killing (v1-3).  The 24 elders and 4 living creatures in heaven join in this great worship.  They cry, “Amen” (a word spoken to affirm the trustworthiness of what has just been said) and “Hallelujah!” (which means “Praise the Lord”) (v4).
 

爱在耶路撒冷城边(一)

2024-03-14 in , /by

路加福音 19:41-44

41 耶稣快到耶路撒冷，看见城，就为它哀哭， 42 说：「巴不得你在这日子知道关系你平安的事，无奈这事现在是隐藏的，叫你的眼看不出来。 43 因为日子将到，你的仇敌必筑起土垒，周围环绕你，四面困住你， 44 并要扫灭你和你里头的儿女，连一块石头也不留在石头上，因你不知道眷顾你的时候。」

爱在耶路撒冷城边：因着爱，祂为耶路撒冷哀哭：巴不得你在这日子，知道关系你平安的事！（路19:41-44）

所罗门王建造圣殿，献给神作居所、永远的住处，常与以色列民同在（王上8:1-66）。耶路撒冷城和其中的圣殿虽屡经战乱、摧毁、掳掠，也多次得以修复、重建、扩建；希律王是犹太历史上最著名的建设者，他统治时期的耶路撒冷是荣美的全盛时期。

耶稣荣耀进入耶路撒冷，耶稣来了，神的儿子来到神的居所，当时的耶路撒冷和圣殿确实是富丽堂皇，门徒面对不禁惊叹：夫子，请看，这是何等的石头！何等的殿宇！（马可13:1）

Last Kingdom Standing

2024-03-14 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Revelation 18:1-24.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Revelation 18:1-3 (NIV) 
1  After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 
2  With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.
3  For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” 

On verses 1-3:  In Revelation 17 we read about a drunk prostitute dressed in fine clothes, riding on a beast.  We learned that this woman is called Babylon the Great and, according to many commentators, represents a spirit of false religion that is all about man thinking he can reach God by his own effort.  At the end of chapter 17 we learned that Babylon would be burned alive by the very kings who used her and slept with her.  Now in chapter 18 is heaven’s description of her demise and how various groups including kings, merchants, and sea captains will respond to her death.

爱在低加波利

2024-03-13 in , /by

马太福音 15:32-39

32 耶稣叫门徒来，说：「我怜悯这众人，因为他们同我在这里已经三天，也没有吃的了。我不愿意叫他们饿著回去，恐怕在路上困乏。」 33 门徒说：「我们在这野地，哪里有这么多的饼叫这许多人吃饱呢？」 34 耶稣说：「你们有多少饼？」他们说：「有七个，还有几条小鱼。」 35 他就吩咐众人坐在地上， 36 拿着这七个饼和几条鱼，祝谢了，掰开，递给门徒，门徒又递给众人。 37 众人都吃，并且吃饱了，收拾剩下的零碎，装满了七个筐子。 38 吃的人，除了妇女孩子，共有四千。 39 耶稣叫众人散去，就上船，来到马加丹的境界。

爱在低加波利：因着爱，祂用七个饼和几条鱼，让四千人吃饱，零碎装满七个筐子。（太15:32-39，可8:1-10）

低加波利是由「十」和「城」两个字拼合而成，代表「十个城」，指一个地区而非一个城市。低加波利包括约旦河两岸的叙利亚区域，是罗马帝国的移民区，由外邦人建造，充满著希腊文化色彩。

They Don’t Compare to the King of Kings

2024-03-13 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Revelation 17:1-21.  As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Revelation 17:1-2 (NIV) 
1  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 
2  With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 

On verses 1-2:  The key to properly interpreting the book of Revelation is correctly identifying the characters that appear in the book.  Who is “the great prostitute, who sits on many waters” (v1), who committed adultery with the kings of the earth and intoxicated earth’s inhabitants with her adulteries (v2)?  Many commentators believe that this great prostitute represents false religion.  What false religion are we talking about?  In this sharing, I will use the term “false religion” to mean every system of belief in the world that preaches that man by his own effort can reach God or become his own God.  The great prostitute of false religion has affected people all over the world for millennia.  It gives people a false hope and a false comfort that can be fairly described as “adultery” (v2a), for it involves running from the mercy and grace that God, our true lover, offers to us and running into the arms of a false religious system that is all about one’s own effort and exalting oneself.  The comfort of this false religion is like the false comfort of being “intoxicated” (v2b) in that the comfort is fleeting and does not last.