Lamb opened the first of the seven seals

Revelation 6:1-8

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come! Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

When the Lamb opened the third seal....  there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.  a voice among the four living creatures, saying, Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal,  I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

The breaking of the seals sets in train a series of disasters. Many see the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the rest as parallel descriptions of the same reality - not a sequence in time order. On the heels of conquest come slaughter, famine, and disease - the classic judgments of God so often predicted by the prophets.

Why?

First seal white horse: peace to the antichrist.

Second seal: read horse: blood and war.

Third seal: black horse: expensive, famine and poverty.

Fourth seal: grey horse: sick or dead person, kill 1/4 of the people in the world, about 2billion people.

The four horses' vision is like the vision in Zechariah chapter 6 verse 1-8. The rider should be the antichrist. Red: war and blood, black means hungry, poverty. grey means death.

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Chap6-8解開這書卷的內容

第一印：白馬，好像維持地上和平

第二印： 製造紛爭，動亂，破壞和平，

第三印： 黑馬，糧食不足。一錢通常可以買12公升麥子，現在只能買1公升，漲十幾倍

第四印：灰馬，各國忙於爭奪源，於是有瘟疫、飢荒，戰爭發生，充滿紛爭，死亡，人們想要做主，做王。只有讓神做主才有榮耀美景。

第五印： 教會受逼迫，神賜給他們白衣，還要再安息片時，等候殉道者數目滿足

第六印： 地震發生，地變動。人們束手無策。

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How?

There is the judgment and disaster on the Day. Be aware of it and follow the way of Jesus Christ to love others and good behavior.

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!

Revelation 5:1-14

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”  

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

At this point, John begins to see the things which 'must happen in the future. A scroll completely covered with writing, inside and out, and sealed with seven seals - the scroll that contains the world's destiny - must be opened. John is full of anguish that no one is found worthy. Then one of the elders calls his attention to 'the Lion from Judah's tribe: the Lion who won his victory as the slain Lamb. Chapter 4 pictured God the Creator. This chapter picture God the Redeemer. The response to both is universal praise and worship. The elders and living creatures are joined by countless myriads of angels.

Why?

John saw the scroll that sealed and he was anguish no one can open the scroll. Only the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, Jesus Christ has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.

Jesus is worthy to open the seals, for Jesus is worthy Lamb, who receive the power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.

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約翰渴慕神的話語，因為沒有辦法看到而哭泣，這是何等渴望神的話。有權柄審判的有才有權柄來開封書卷。

耶穌基督付極高代價，本來就配得。

接過來書卷後，天上的長老、四活物，千萬的天使、所有被造之物都以敬拜來回應，讚美。再回到四活物的敬拜，是環繞基督的敬拜，彼此唱和，超越時空，合一的敬拜。這是神最終創造的目的。

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How?

Jesus Christ has got the victory who sits on the throne and has honor, glory, and power.

遇見耶穌 路7:1-10

 遇見耶穌   路 7:1 10

2021/08/29 台南聖教會  高敏智牧師   

.....百夫長的信心

還記得耶利哥城

撒該的 心聲 嗎

… 瞎子的 喊聲 嗎

他知道耶穌可以做我們不能做的事。耶穌做的不是人能夠做的。

思想

有一個百夫長所寶貴的僕人害病，快要死了。

1. 風聞耶穌的事， 就託猶太人 的幾個長老，去求耶穌來救他的僕人。

2. 你給他行這事是 他所配得的 因為他愛我們的的百姓，給我們建造會堂。

7:3.4

1. 主啊！不要勞動；因你到我舍下，我不敢當。

耶穌對百姓講完了這一切的話，就進了迦百農。耶穌就和他們同去。

離那家不遠，百夫長 託幾個朋友 去見耶穌，

對他說： 主啊！不要勞動；你到我舍下，我不敢當。

自覺不配?  我知道在生命當中我不配。其實百夫長是官長，且為猶太人建會堂。我們常常以為一點小小事奉，一點點貢獻就很偉大。我們有時候禱告要神幫助我，是否太囂張?

•比 階級 地方治安首長

• 比功勞 為我們建造會堂

2. 只要你說一句話，我的僕人就必好了。 …

因為我在人的權下

我也自以為不配去見你， 只要你說一句話， 我的僕人就必好了。

因為我在人的權下，也有兵在我以下，對這個說： 去 ！他就去

對那個說： 來 ！他就來；對我的僕人說：你 做這事 ！他就去做 。

權柄的眼光

1. 斥責風和浪的一句話 向 海說：住了吧！靜了吧！風就止住，大大的平靜 了

2. 你們 中間若有缺少智慧的 ，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的 神 雅 1:5

3. 今日的權力、學歷、經歷 都失效 都輸給免疫力

我們的態度如何?神斥責風浪，卻不斥責人。

現今只有免疫力。疫苗是提高我們的疫力。今天只有疫力，對罪的疫力有效。

3. 耶穌 就 希奇 他 … 這麼大的信心，就是 在以色列中 ，沒有遇見過。 路 4:25 27

我對你們說實話，

當以利亞的時候， 天閉塞了三年零六個月，遍地有大饑荒，那時，

以色列中 有許多寡婦 ，以利亞 並沒有奉差往他們一個人那裡去

只奉差往 西頓的撒勒法一個寡婦那裡去 。

先知以利沙的時候 以色列中 有許多長大痲瘋的

但內中除了 敘利亞國的乃縵 沒有一個得潔淨的

神沒有讓教會的人，完成神蹟，卻讓一個沒有進入教會的乃曼將軍大麻瘋得醫治。

結論 我要知道我 有否遇見 神?

那託來的人回到百夫長家裡， 看見僕人已經好了 。

你 今日有 邀請 神嗎 ? 你有需要 神嗎

1. 你的病情

2. 你的憂傷

3. 你的罪孽

高牧師的見證:為了喉頭長繭開刀，以為隔天可出院，沒想到，待了三天引發肺炎。那個晚上高牧師，在神面前認罪、悔改，以後不在乎我的恩賜。以後不再為此事開刀。不再為恩賜的事開刀。隔日燒退了，出院後第一件事是禱告、感恩！為每個能說的字，每個服事都是恩典。

我在乎的是敬拜神，是那份感動。我們把教條當作榮耀，要工作，土木工程結果當成榮耀，我們是否渴慕神，像這位百夫長嗎？

主的愛如今

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come

Revelation 4:1-11

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

They lay their crowns before the throne and say: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The scene and the perspective shift from earth to heaven. The picture of the struggling churches fades before this sublime vision of the throne - the 'control center' of the universe ringed by an emerald rainbow. The One who is seated there defies description. John can only say that h seems to be shot with diamond light, to flow red as a ruby. Around him are the 'elders': possibly Israel's 12 patriarchs, plus the 12 apostles, all God's faithful people. Everything speaks of God's power and glory, his utter faithfulness, and purity. Lightning and thunder speak of his awesomeness. Four living creatures, all-seeing, represent the whole creation, ceaselessly singing in honor of the Almighty, the Holy One, 'who was, who is, who is to come'. The elders join them to worship the eternal Lord of life.

Why?

I was in the Spirit: All of these are revealed through the Spirit, so John was in the vision to see the feature of heaven.

The thunder, light, rainbow shows the glory and power, and honor of the Lord!

Four creatures: Lion: power and glory. Ox: trustworthy, man: wisdom, and flying eagle: Sovereign. Same vision as the prophet Ezekiel saw in Old Testament.

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神的寶座：似乎看到神，神看到神什麼樣子，只能用寶石來形容。神還是記得與挪亞立約的彩虹。閃電、聲音、雷轟，好像出埃及時摩西看到神的情形。我們敬拜、聚會時以什麼的心情來敬拜呢?七個星，代表神完全的靈。火燈代表聖靈，光照人心中的黑暗。人被聖靈光照看見自己的不義。光照也是指引我們前面的道路。光明海： 表示遠遠隔著他與神，顯出神的威容與分別。

敬拜神的人：

獅子：神的尊貴   牛：神不斷工作     人： 神的尊貴，神是為首的   鷹， 工作迅速。 整個受造物在神面前敬拜。 敬拜內容是聖潔、全能超越的屬性。

24位長老：代表完全將自己的權柄、榮耀交給神，而且是晝夜不停的敬拜。敬拜只有在聚會，可是時時刻刻。

天上的敬拜在地上七個教會的後面。聖靈在光照教會。敬拜不是一直唱詩歌，而是受造之物的榮耀獻給神，自己的冠冕也拿下來，降伏在神面前。

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How?

Give honor to the Lord, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked

Revelation 3:14-22

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich, and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne.

The worst case of all seven is a church so self-satisfied as to be totally blind to its true condition. It is so far from what it should be that Jesus stands outside, knocking for admittance to the lives of individuals who call themselves Christians. This letter is full of local color. Banking and the manufacture of black woolen clothing made Laodicea affluent. The town was proud of its medical school and renowned for a special ointment for sore eyes. Laodicea's water supply was channeled from hot springs some distance away, reaching the town tepid. The church is like its water - lukewarm. There is nothing to commend it.

Why?

The church in Laodicea is located in a rich city, so people have a good feeling that they are rich. But their hearts are poor, pitiful, blind, and naked.

Neither cold nor hot, their heart to the Lord looks warm, but somehow far away. So the Lord warm them I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

They are rich, so the Lord asked them to buy from God for clothes to wear, and salve to put on eyes for their blind.

It is pitiful when Christin didn't know what he is, so be humble always.

Listen to the word of the Holy Spirit calling to us. Open the door of our hearts.

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老底嘉教會可以說是現代教會的代表，有醫藥眼藥、紡織業，有溫泉可以治病。溫泉經過老底嘉的時候是不冷不熱，也不能喝。指的是沒有任何用途、功能。即老底嘉已經失去教會存在的功能。老底嘉教會很有錢，除了有錢其他都沒有。這個城的特產是眼藥老底嘉教會卻是瞎眼的，這個城的紡織業盛行，卻是赤身裸體的。他們對神的事不關心。教會商業化，主的心意，受苦，為人捨命，愛人愛神都不見了。耶穌已經被排擠到外面了。這是對教會說的，不僅對未信主人說的。教會裏是否有耶穌?耶穌在門外扣門！在屬靈方面富足，還是在屬世的事富足。

得勝者在耶穌得榮耀時，與耶穌一同坐寶座。什麼才是真地位?

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How?

Be aware when we feel everything is comfort, but our heart is naked and poor.

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die

Revelation 3:1-13

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life.

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 

I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it.

Sardis: For all its reputation, the church at Sardis was dying on its feet. It is not opposition this church has to overcome but apathy, indifference, and self-satisfaction. Yet there are a few whose faith is untarnished.

Philadelphia is present-day Alacehir in Turkey. This letter, like the letter to Smyrna, contains no word of blame. To judge by these letters, it is not the biggest, most impressive-looking churches, or those with the most prestige, which are necessarily in best spiritual shape. Christ opens the door for effective work, not to those who are strong, but to those who are faithful.

Why?

Don't be a false Christian, Jesus holds the key of David, who holds the key of the door to heaven.

Even we are living in this world, but if the spirit is sold to Satan, then we will be like the dead man on the world. No action, no love, no the Spirit of the Lord. 

Wake up! Strengthen what remains in Christ and keep God's command to endure patiently. Do not compromise with this world.

Who is victorious will be dressed in white. His will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life.

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撒狄教會在山上，三面緊臨500公尺的懸崖，自以為安全的城市。後來因為守衛輕忽，被敵人從懸崖攻入。

行為，在神面前，沒有一樣是完全的，空有基督徒的名，看來活力十足的教會，有敬虔的外貌，沒有實意在心中。唯一優點是還有少數人配得穿白衣，真聖潔，沒有污穢自己。即使在這樣污穢環境中，還是可以保持聖潔，不要以環境為藉口。要警醒、回想悔改，成為真正重生得救的人。得勝的人，現在就可以身穿白衣。能夠做到如此，人沒有辦法，就是要靠聖靈的工作。我們在教會可能參加許多活動、也有奉獻，是否只有外貌。深入人群，成為光與鹽。

非拉、鐵非：愛、兄弟，有兄弟之愛的教會。這門是天國的門，也是地上道路的門。這可能是小教會，給你一個敞開的門，一條道路，沒有人可以關，沒有人可以阻擋他們的拓展 ，往前行。

得勝的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子：柱子撐起聖殿，即與神同在。藉讓人看到基督徒的生命，看到耶穌。有神的生命、屬性、榮耀。這不就是神創造我們的目的嗎？非拉鐵非教會做到了。

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How?

Wake up and Strength to walk with the Lord. For God is the living Lord!

I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Revelation 2:18-29

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give that one the morning star.

Thyatira, in Turkey, was a town with many skilled workers, and the trade guilds many skilled workers, and the trade guilds held meals associated with pagan worship.

This was another very mixed church. In many ways it was healthy. But an influential woman in the fellowship is advocating easy compromise with the immoral, idolatrous pagan world. And many have fallen in with her way of thinking. Ther are 'Christians' who have plunged deep into evil - perhaps to demonstrate their moral superiority: perhaps because they make a false separation between soul and body. Those who remain faithful are promised Christ's power and his presence.

Why?

This is an inner sin that it shows good behavior outside, love and faith, service and perseverance. But the Lord sees our hearts and minds. God will repay each of us according to our deeds.

Sexual immorality is common in the world, but the Lord asks us to be Holy to our couple.

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眼目如火炎：很嚴厲的眼光注視正在犯罪的人。

腳像銅： 銅代表審判。

優點：愛心，努力行善信心，

缺點：愛和真理分不清楚。

審判是神要使他們生病。

鐵杖的權柄，可以摧毀敵人。晨星是指金星，羅馬皇帝會以金星為他們的權柄。

應用：推雅推拉生活中活出愛心，善心，不怕殉道，面對事情與異教妥協。

與以弗所教會不同，是很公義，卻沒有愛心。這兩個教會做好人，向善卻不明是非。愛與鐵的紀律不是不相容。愛是不喜歡不義，只喜歡真理。責備人也是出於愛心。教會中有時候為了使人來教會，以致不敢指出會友的錯誤，這不是愛。我們唱詩願意堅定信靠主，轉身後卻又落入誘惑中。

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How?

Be aware of the little sin, it may increase to big mistakes. Be humble and focus on the Lord for all of us are weak. May the Holy Spirit remind us through God's word every day.

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna

 Revelation 2:8-17

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

The little church at Smyrna was poverty-stricken but rich in all that mattered. Jesus' word to them is all encouragement. He has set a definite limit to their suffering and he holds out to them the gift of life. They will not be condemned at the judgment.

At Pergamum, the church had made a brave stand despite external pressure, but some members are addicted to false teaching. As a result, old pagan practices are creeping in. Their choice is to repent or have Chris 'fight against them'.

Why?

Do not find any excuse to do evil things, be faithful to what we believe.

Be victorious: Trust in Jesus Christ and suffering the oppressing, for God is with us.

Suffering comes from Satan, no from the Lord, ten days means the period is short.

Facing the dead is difficult to our faith, but no matter what happens longer or shorter, a man will die. 

Do not negotiate with the sins, no any excuse to permitted sins, but with love and the word of the Lord.

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士每拿教會位在帝王崇拜風氣的城市。因為基督徒被認為在作亂，猶太人為了撇清與基督徒的關係，因此抵毀基督教。

1)基督超過時間、空間的限制，是全能的掌管者。2)基督死過又活了。這兩點是士每拿教會需要的。

基督徒他們在當地被異教徒排擠，攻擊，且不易找到工作。他們有可能殉道，但是耶穌死而復活。盼望忠心的人與耶穌一同復活。以此來勉勵他們。

別迦摩教會，兩刃的利劍，象徵羅馬當地官長的審判。提醒他們神才是審判者。有人殉道還是要堅守真理。但是還是有人妥協了，因為教會容忍這種事發生。巴蘭叫人吃不潔的，祭偶像之物。我們要接納罪人，但不是接納惡事。我們口中都堅守信仰，但是面對罪惡引誘卻很容易被引誘，妥協，被罪惡打敗。嗎哪代表耶穌基督，白石好像現在男女愛人、夫妻在石頭上寫名字。不妥協的人可能被排擠，但是基督要給他們恩典、瑪哪，超過他們所失去的。讓我們脫離世俗成為聖潔。

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How?

Let us focus on the hidden manna, let us be victorious in our life.

 

The church in Ephesus: Forsaken the love you had at first

 Revelation 2:1-7

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

The letters are intended to meet the needs of real churches at Ephesus and in the surrounding area, but they also deal with topics that have relevance to God's people at all times and in all places. They follow a set pattern. The greeting is followed by a particular description of Chris. His'I knows...' commends what is good about the church. In five out of the seven cases, this is followed by criticism and warning. Each letter closes with a plea - if you have ears, then listen... - and a promise. In the first three letters, the plea comes first, in the last four the promise.

The church at Ephesus was firmly established and spiritually discerning. It had endurance, but their love (whether for Christ, for one another, or for humanity) is not what it had been. They need to repent, for a church without love is no church.

Why?

Church in Ephesus endure hardship for God's name and test those who claim to be apostles but are not. But they lost their love, for a church without love is not a church of Jesus. Love is the basic spirit of a Church.

Acts 6:5 tells us that this Nicolas was “a proselyte of Antioch.” The fact that he was a proselyte tells us that he was not born a Jew but had converted from paganism to Judaism. Then he experienced a second conversion, this time turning from Judaism to Christianity. From this information, we know these facts about Nicolas of Antioch。 According to the writings of the Early Church leaders, Nicolas taught a doctrine of compromise, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. From Early Church records, it seems apparent that this Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, Judaism, and Christianity that he had a stomach for all of it. He had no problem intermingling these belief systems in various concoctions and saw no reason why believers couldn’t continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the black magic of the Roman empire and its countless mystery cults.

尼哥拉一黨(「尼哥拉」nikolaiton字意「管轄人民」)，非指教會中弄權派人士妄自尊大，導致教會分裂；而是指生活放蕩、信仰混亂的人(巴蘭的教訓就是尼哥拉的教訓)，這些人是拜偶像、行邪淫的外邦信徒，約翰在此處以古喻今。故有人説，尼哥拉(希臘字)的教訓就是巴蘭 (希伯來字)教訓的希臘副本，因這「尼哥拉」及「巴蘭」二字同義(「管轄人民」)。

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七個教會的問題也是每個教會的問題。

以弗所教會位在羅馬最繁華的4個城市之一。面臨異教的影響。知識水準也高的城市。有豐富知識，卻沒有愛心的教會。

提列基督的不同特性，指出教會優缺點及應對之道。

基督是掌握教會的頭，只有耶穌基督有至高無上的主權。辛苦勞碌不以為苦，分辨真假使徒、教導很好。推到極至，變成冷酷無情的裁判者，審判者。以顯出自己的義。

沒有愛在其中。失去基督徒的美德。指出別人的錯如果不是因為愛，就是反而是拆毀教會。燈臺是照亮人的道路，不是變成刺眼的光。

以弗所教會只有知識沒有愛，變成只有驕傲。謙卑下來才有得勝的果子。愛才能成全律法！

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How?

Keeping the right thing aware of falling to the false teaching or human's mind, but focus on the Lord and fully obey the word of the Lord with Holy Spirit guidence.

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches

Revelation 1:9-20

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

John's Revelation takes the form of a letter 'to the seven churches in the province of Asia. The focus, from the outset, is on Jesus Christ: his death which 'freed us from our sin', his resurrection his kingly rule, his coming again in flory.

Verse 9 vision, when God's Spirit came upon him on the Lord's Day - the visions he was to write down and send to the churches. The radiant figure 'like a man', with it echoes of Daniel 7 and 10 is Chris himself, the Master of life and death and human destiny.

Why?

It is Jesus Christ who shows the image and word to John on the island of Patmos.

John was asked to write seven letters to seven churches.

Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades, now Jesus Christ has the right to die and live.

John was the chosen one to write the word of Jesus and reveal to us the mystery of the future in the world.

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v-9-10 約翰在什麼情形下蒙召，因為耶穌基督，為神的道做見證，正在被逼迫的時候。雖然被困，卻被神啟示。時間是主日。神的道不會被綑綁，仍然可以用書信傳揚神的道。

v11-16 七個金燈台，是七個教會，神要教會照亮世界。耶穌全然聖潔，眼目如火焰，注視教會，腳如光明的銅，銅代表審判。銀代表救贖、金代表尊貴榮耀。七星是七個教會的使者，或是教會的帶領者。在神手中，就是有保護。主的口中有刀。分別善惡，令人害怕的形像。

v17-21 約翰撲倒在耶穌面前。耶穌以掌管生命的權柄、時間的權柄來顯明給約翰看，還是可以為主做見證。把使命託付給約翰。

我們是否想看見耶穌，是否期待?我們都期待，但是看到後要做什麼? 可以堅定我們的心，聖經中每次向人顯現，都有神要託付的事情。神不是要放約翰出去，但是神不是讓他不受逼迫，而是神的道才是人活下去，有盼望的根基，天上的耶穌基督再來。其他門徒都殉道，只留下他，就是神有使命交給他。真正的盼望是在耶穌基督裏，領受神的呼召。不是僅僅被釋放。愈是安逸的生活，人反而愈來愈墜落！不是求苦難除去，而是讓我們看見生命之道。

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How?

Jesus is the Lord he is the first and the last, alive forever and ever.

He touched me 太20:29-34

 20210822 太20:29-34   台南聖教會主日   高敏智牧師

我們生命中什麼時候，遇見耶穌?

耶穌說： 要我為你們做什麼? 這兩個人跟從耶穌不同於許多其他跟從耶穌的人。

禱告是懇切的，謙卑的承認我不行在眾人面前，我需要主的禱告。不要再考慮了，今天就是機會了，耶穌就在這裏，今天不抓住這機會以後就沒有機會了。

我們的面子常常害死許多人，這時的瞎子抓住機會。如同在曠野車子出問題，在山上迷路要承認自己不行的態度來禱告。

如何抓住機會是態度的問題。大衛的子孫可憐我們吧！放低自己。可憐的人都得救了！

1. 抓住 (機會 )的那 一霎… 聽說 是耶穌經過 ，就喊著 …

 眾人 責備他們，不許作聲； 責備他們，不許作聲； 責備他們，不許作聲； 責備他們，不許作聲； 他們卻越發喊著 他們卻越發喊著 他們卻越發喊著 說 …

  知道耶穌是 知道耶穌是 (經過 )!… 唯一的機會 唯一的機會

  身分 (不配 )?… 眾人責備他們 眾人責備他們 眾人責備他們 ?

 卻(越發喊著 越發喊著 )說 … 不顧面子，決放棄 不顧面子，決放棄 不顧面子，決放棄 !

2. 認定 (需要 )的關鍵態度 … 大衛的子孫可憐我們吧

3. 遇見 (耶穌 )的真情流露 的真情流露 的真情流露 … 主啊， 主啊， 要我們的眼睛能看見！ 要我們的眼睛能看見！ 

• 瞎子的問題 與需要 很明顯 !! … 可憐的 瞎子，只好大聲呼喊 瞎子

• 我們的問題與需要是甚麼 ?? … 一無所缺，禱告只好打空氣 ?

• 我今日有 迫切的求告嗎 ?… 沒有危機感 ?… 沒有靈魂的飢渴 !!

阿富汗婦女在機場圍牆外將嬰孩丟給美軍，即使掛在鐵絲網也在所不惜，這是生死訣別的場面。真情的流露，寧可自己死，只要這孩子可以活。我們今天在台灣沒有這樣的情景。我們是否有這份真情。我們今天在這裏吵什麼?

今天我們吵什麼? 讓我們得救不是疫苗，而是主耶穌！即使打兩劑也不保證安全。世界上還有許多國家，連生存都有問題。我們許多人都沒有危機感。我們不要求危機，但是讓我們看見生活中有危機的弟兄姊妹。這段日子有多少人失去工作，因為疫情家庭失和，生活出現困難！

求主保守我們生命不會缺乏！這段時間教會奉獻減少，但是我們對外的奉獻沒有減少。求主讓我們知道我們可以為這塊土地上做什麼?

我們活在幸福中，不要再去指責別人。讓我們看到那些需要的人。

挑戰 :生命沒有危機感 ?沒有靈魂的飢渴 !!

今日 的禱告 … 要我為台灣做什麼？

 1. 要居安思危 :… 生命沒有 危機 感 ? 2. 宣教的眼光 :… 沒有靈魂的 飢渴 !!

Revelation 1:1-8 I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

 Revelation 1:1-8

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!

I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John's introduction (1-3) declares his book a 'prophetic message. It is 'the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is John's source and his subject. he draws back the veil on future events for John to make them known. This is not speculation: these are certainties, things that will take place 'soon

John's Revelation takes the form of a letter 'to the seven churches in the province of Asia. The focus, from the outset, is on Jesus Christ, his death which 'free us from our sin', his resurrection, his kingly rule, his coming again in glory.

Why?

All of these messages are revelations from Jesus Christ through God's angle and revealed to John. John honest wrote down and send to the seven churches in Asia. It is also sent to all Christian.

The Lord is the Alpha and the Omega, who is the beginner and the end. God created the world and God will end this world in his time.

Blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it. Because the time is near. We have to be ready every day when Jesus comes again.

How?

Follow the word of the Lord and show the love of Jesus Christ within us. For the Day is come everyone has to face the judgment of the Lord.

A day of the Lord is coming. Holy to the Lord

 Zechariah 14:1-21

A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness.

On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.

This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.

On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.

No longer be a Canaanite: means no merchant.

Pictures the final war of the nations against Jerusalem, and its outcome: the day of God's judgment. God himself appears with his angels, ushering in the perpetual day. The whole earth will become God's kingdom and all will worship him.

Those who set themselves against God will meet a horrendous fate. All those who survive will join God's people in worship. Everything, down to the humblest pot in the kitchen, will be made over to God, cleansed, and dedicated to his service.

The New Testament book of Revelation, chapters 21 and 22, echoes many of the detail in this great final to the book of Zechariah.

Why?

On the day of the Lord, there is a great war, then the Lord is coming to protect his people and get rid of all of the enemies and the sins.

On the day there is no light, there is flow from Jerusalem, and there will be only one Lord.

All of the merchants. there is no business, everything is provided by the Lord and everyone shares it.

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1.聖城危急, 基督再臨:為何神要到城被攻破，婦女被玷污，神才來拯救。不是所有耶路撒冷的人都會得救，而是跟隨主、敬畏神的人才會得救，為拜偶像的有哀苦的人，有聖靈的印記，才能得到保護。

2.新耶路撒冷： 耶穌降臨後，不再有黑夜。神自己就是光。不再有乾季、雨季，神提供永遠的活水。

3.基督是我一切的主： 不再有王，神的名是獨一無二。在百姓中已經建立唯一性。

不再有咒詛，不再有天災人禍。侵略者的結局:好像得到什麼傳染病

在敬畏神的前提下，所有的東西都是屬靈的，值得記念的！

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How?

May the Lord be my Lord forever, and may the wisdom, righteous be my wisdom and righteous.

With this remnant, the special relationship between God and his people will be renewed

 Zechariah 13:1-9

On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

“On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.

On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive.

Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.

They are filled with remorse for what they have done and God cleanses them from their sin. This cleaning includes the removal of all false prophets. If any persist in prophesying, their own parents will turn against them and finish them off.

This short and surprising poem again picks up the shepherd image and the theme of leadership which is so often in the prophet's mind. God summons the sword to strike the shepherd/ leader and scatter the sheep/people. They are tested and purified until just the faithful few remain. With this remnant, the special relationship between God and his people will be renewed.

Why?

On that day 1) a fountain will be opened to the house of David, 2) God will banish the names of the idols from the land, remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity. 3) Every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision.

When Jesus was arrested, the disciples were scattered. It is told by the Lord through Zerachiah.

After that day, the remain one-third of people will be renewed the special relationship between God and his people.

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棄絕彌賽亞到以色列全家得救中間就是本章。

13章 大衛家開一條路，不再有偶像，假先知、污穢的靈。假先知的背後就是污穢的靈，因為會會應驗，所以容易欺騙人，不要以為人會預言就是先知，因為假先知也會說預言。

父母豈會因為兒子說假預言而殺兒子嗎？這是描述我們如何面對神和對家人的關係的選擇。我們是否與神的關係，是否因為家人的關係而影響我們與神的關係。當我們有神，神會幫助我們解決問題。當先以主為中心。我最看重的是什麼?我們常常因為許多事把神晾在一邊。

我們按著神的心意來禱告！不要放棄我們周圍的人！

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How?

To be a Christian have to pay the work of refining and get rid of sin through Jesus Christ, there is no other way to get this salvation.

Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed & Mourning for the One They Pierced

Zerachiah 12:1-14

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’

The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves.

The nations attack Jerusalem but they are defeated. God gives victory to the fighting forces of Judah and protects his people.

The triumph of victory turns to deep mourning for a man they have killed. The overwhelming sense of compassion which leads to this morning comes from God himself. The Hebrew of 12:10 says, 'They shall look on Me whom they have pierced...', suggesting that it is God's own representative the people killed.

Why?

Because the Lord Almighty is our God so the people of Jerusalem are strong. We won't fear.

On that day God will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. All of the sorrow and weakness will be erased by the Lord.

The on they have pierced is Jesus Christ. They will mourn for him, they didn't know what they have done.

The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first: God will take care of the little one. When God be our Lord, we will be more strong.

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12-14章講末後的日子

1. v1-9 神耶路撒冷危難中，拯救耶路撒冷

2.我們如何看危難

這個拯救增」神是創造天，奠定大地，創造人的靈，智慧、知識，這就是神的屬性。神使攻擊增反而傷到自己。

神讓我們看到敵人就在面前，但是卻無法傷到我們，神使敵人的一切失靈。神讓我們只用火盆，火把，平日生活用品打敗敵人。神為什麼不要讓危險不要來?如今要我們看比賽，如果看之前已經知道我們一定大勝，那麼就沒有什麼好看了。

神的心意不是要讓我們看見貴族，而是讓大家都成為貴族。所以不是只有大衛家成為貴族。

這個事情什麼時候發生?在米吉多平原的戰爭。

v10-14人得勝後如何看待? 講彌賽亞的事。聖靈是叫人懇求神的靈。

真正的得勝是人被神打敗，降服在神面前。為神的事悲哀、歡喜。悔改有大家都在一處，也有個別的悔改，即使夫妻也要男人，女人分開，個別性的，每個年齡層都悔改。

神特別照顧窮人，住帳蓬的。

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How?

Look on Jesus Christ, He is my savior and my hope. love others as Jesus loves us.

In one month I got rid of the three shepherds

Zechariah 11:1-17

This is what the Lord my God says: “Shepherd the flock marked for slaughter. Their buyers slaughter them and go unpunished. Those who sell them say, ‘Praise the Lord, I am rich!’ Their own shepherds do not spare them. For I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” declares the Lord. “I will give everyone into the hands of their neighbors and their king. They will devastate the land, and I will not rescue anyone from their hands.”

So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock. In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.

The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.”

Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.

Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.

“Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!”

The poem of verses, 1-3 is an ironic lament for the fallen forests of Lebanon and Bashan. Verse 3 returns to the shepherd and flock images: the nation's leaders and its people. The prophet is sent to shepherd God's flock - but the people prefer exploitation to the genuine care of a good shepherd. So God sends his prophet as the worthless leader they seem to want. The covenant with God is broken and the nation is divided.

Why?

The Lord sends his prophet as two staff called Favor and Union. But the people refuse to listen to them. So God broke his two staff, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.

Don't be a worthless shepherd!

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選民為何最後沒有得到恩典，因為離開了神！棄絕了彌賽亞。

v1-6:以色列 在主後70年耶路撒冷被羅馬毀掉，北方的森林很珍貴的，是指生命消失，變成死寂。賣羊群的就是祭司等人，牧養以色列人的文士、祭司、法利賽人賣了羊群，卻富足而感謝神，以為為神大發熱心。撒加利雅伴演牧人，即彌賽亞用慈愛，合一來牧養。三個牧人（文士、祭司、法利賽人）厭煩彌賽亞，彌賽亞先知就任憑牧人所行。棄絕了和平恩慈，合一的杖。牧人要離開，支付他工價30塊錢，這錢丟給窯匠。

今天我們向神要求恩典，求合一，最根本是求彌賽亞作我們的牧者。人與神合一，人與人也才能合一。

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How?

Honest to do the job of the shepherd for this is the mission from the Lord!