Vision of Peter — Stephen Kaung

This is the last book of the New Testament, the book of Revelation, chapter 1. Write this 9 to the end of the chapter. This is a very precious work of the Lord. Read it slowly. And after this, we will hand the meeting to Brother Stephen Tong.

The book of Revelation, chapter 1, verse 9. I, John, wrote your brother a compliment in tribulations in the kingdom and places of Jesus Christ, on the island that is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I, John, wrote your brother a compliment in tribulations in the kingdom and places of Jesus Christ, on the island that is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit, and the Lord said, and I heard behind me a loud voice as of a thumper, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.

The Vision of the Risen Christ in Revelation

And what you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia, in Tushit, Manna, Takoma, Teotihuacan, Tzadik, Teotihuacan, and Laodicea. What you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia, in Tushit, Manna, Takoma, Teotihuacan, Teotihuacan, and Laodicea.

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. In the midst of the seven lampstands, one, as a son of man, saw his drumming down to the sea, and he jutted about the shed of the golden lampstand.

His head and his hair were white like wood, as white as snow, and his eyes like a flame of fire. His teeth were like fine brass, as his spine was firm, and his voice the sound of many waters. He had in his right hand seven swords, out of his mouth ran a sharp two-inch sword, and his countenance was like the sun shining in his face.

When I saw him, I smiled at his face as he did, but he laid his right hand on me and said, say to me, do not be afraid, I am the first and the last. I am he who lives, who is dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.

Amen. And I have the keys of freedom and of life. I am he who lives, who is dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, the things which will take place after this.

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, the things which will take place after this. Verse twenty. The next key of the seven stars is to restore to my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands.

The seven stars are the ranges of the seven cities, and the seven lampstands to restore are the seven cities. When you see the seven stars in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

At this time, let us listen to his words. Now, let us listen to what he has to say. Let us first make a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we do praise and thank Thee for giving us another opportunity that we may meet together in the name of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

We want to thank Thee for Thy precious Word. Now we look to Thy Holy Spirit to quicken Thy Word to our heart, that we may not only read Thy Word, but we may hear Thy Word. We do submit ourselves to Thee.

And we trust Thy Holy Spirit to do the work. And it is all for the glory of God the Father. We ask in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen. It is written in the Book of Hebrews,. Yet once, not only the earth was shaken, but the earth and the heavens will be shaken.

That which is created will all be shaken away. Only that which cannot be shaken will remain. Now brothers and sisters, we are living in a day of great shaking. We find that everything that is created is being shaken.

All that belongs to the old creation will be shaken off. Only that which is of the new creation, only that which is of Christ, that will remain forever. So when we are living in such a day of shaking, it is very essential for us to have the heavenly vision.

Because without that heavenly vision, we will not be able to distinguish what is of the old creation and what is of the new creation. We will not be able to see what can be shaken and what cannot be shaken.

And without that heavenly vision, we will not be able to let go that which can be shaken. Lay hold upon that which cannot be shaken. And without that heavenly vision, we will not have the strength to press on towards the goal.

It is therefore of extreme importance that we catch that heavenly vision. And also be obedient to it. So that is the burden that we have during these few evenings. We talk about the vision given to the apostle Peter.

And we also share about the vision given to Paul. And this evening we would like to share together on the vision given to John the apostle. Now even though we find that there are three different visions given to three different apostles, and yet we see that the vision is one.

Because all these visions are parts and stages of the same heavenly vision. Peter laid the foundation. And Paul builds upon that foundation. And John brings it to consummation. So brothers and sisters, I do look to the Lord that we all will catch the vision given to Peter that we may see by revelation from the Heavenly Father that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

And by confessing Him as such we become living souls. And our Lord Jesus says On this rock I will build my church. And the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Then we find in the following chapter of Matthew that is Matthew chapter 17 how our Lord brought Peter, John and James to the Mount of Transfiguration.

Peter’s Vision of Christ and the Kingdom

And there Peter was given a vision of the Kingdom of God. Because the Kingdom of God is that Christ is the King. And our responsibility is there to see everything. In the Kingdom of God our Lord Jesus is supreme.

Moses and Elijah are not his equal. It is the will of God that we see no one but Jesus only. That is the Kingdom of God. Brothers and sisters, do we see our Lord Jesus as the Supreme God? Have we submitted ourselves to Him completely?

Are we here just to see a thing? And do we see no one but Jesus only? It is that vision of the Kingdom that builds the Church. And it is with the building of the Church that the Kingdom is dropped from Heaven upon this earth.

And then finally we find the Lord continues to reveal to Peter that the Church in its initial state is just like a white sheet. It is tied on four corners. And it descended out of Heaven upon the earth.

And in that white sheet are all kinds of projects and preaching things and vows of the earth. And the word of God to Peter was fly, kill and eat. In other words, Peter was given a vision of what is included in the Church of God.

Salvation is from the Jews. But salvation is not just for the Jews. That position of the Father has to be broken. Because salvation comes also upon the Gentiles. Before God, both the Jews and the Gentiles are unclean.

But what God has claimed, let no man say it is unclean. And eating in the Scripture means fellowship. In the Church of God, we receive all who have been received by the Lord Jesus. Our fellowship is with all God's people.

And this is the vision given to people. And we will say this lays the foundation of the heavenly vision. So may we all see this vision. But that is not the whole. Therefore you find the Lord apprehended another man.

Paul’s Vision of the Universal Church

He apprehended Saul, the Pharisee. He appeared to him on the road to Damascus. And there Paul taught the heavenly vision. In the heavenly vision he saw a universal man. The head is in heaven. Represented by the Risen Lord.

And the body covers all the earth. Includes all who are believers, the followers of our Lord Jesus. Jesus is Lord. He is Lord over all. And He has a purpose for everyone. We are like ox and the yoke. And we are to kill the ground to do the work of our Heavenly Father.

We need to yield ourselves completely to Him and to His will. So you find Saul said Lord who are you? Lord what shall I be? Seeing the vision Saul capitulated to the Lord himself. So here you find he saw the universal man.

And yet you find the vision continue into the city of Damascus. And there he met a little man. A man by the name of Ananias. And through Ananias his eyes were opened. And he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

He was received into the fellowship of the church local. So brothers and sisters. This is the vision that Saul saw. How is the universal church built? The universal church is built through the building of its local.

This is the way that the Lord will build His church. You remember before our Lord went to the cross. He said I will build my church upon this rock. That is to say He is going to build the church. And this is the church universal.

It includes all God's people. From the first one who believes in the Lord Jesus. To the last one who believes in the Lord Jesus. Everywhere upon this globe. They are all included in this church that the Lord will build.

But how does He build the church? You find He builds first in Jerusalem. And then He continues on to build to Antioch. And He continues to build the church in Africa. And continues to build the church in Rome.

And He continues to build the church through ages and generations in many different localities. And by the building of the church local. He builds the church universal. So brothers and sisters. Here you find spiritual things are very practical.

The church is not a theory. It is not just an ideal. You find that the church can be lived out. And it is lived out through those brothers and sisters. Maybe small men and women. And yet by self-seeking with one another.

Identifying with one another. Being one in Christ Jesus. And love one another. Call one another brothers and sisters. And that is the way that the church is built. Now this is the heavenly vision given to Paul.

And thank God to the end. Paul can testify. I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. May this be our testament. But this is not the end yet. We find that vision is continual. With that vision given to John the Apostle.

The scripture we read in the beginning. That is Revelation chapter 1. From verse 1 to... from verse 9 to verse 20. We call this vision the Paschal Vision. Why is it so? Because John the Apostle was exiled to the island of Patmos.

John’s Exile and Calling on Patmos

We know that the Apostle John was among the first who followed the Lord Jesus.

We know that the Apostle John was among the first who followed the Lord Jesus. We remember in John chapter 1.

When John the Apostle said, look at the Lamb of God. Two of his disciples left him and followed Jesus.

Two of his disciples left him and followed Jesus. They stayed with Jesus that night.

And one of them was John. And he did not name that disciple. He named the other one Andrew. But we know that the other one is Andrew. We know that the other one is John himself. So John was among the first who followed the Lord Jesus.

And he was one who was closest to the Lord. And he was the one who lived the longest among the top apostles. After Paul and Peter were martyred.

After Paul and Peter were martyred.

We find that evidently John moved from Jerusalem to Ephesus.

We find that evidently John moved from Jerusalem to Ephesus.

So he ministered to the churches in Asia. So he ministered to the churches in Asia. Now the Asia is not Asia, the continent.

Now the Asia is not Asia, the continent.

It is Asia, the Roman poverty. And it is Asia Minor. And in Asia Minor there were a number of churches there.

So in Asia Minor there were a lot of churches.

And John, he ministered to these churches. while he was stationed in Ephesus 日漢在以夫所的時候就服侍這些教會 but during the reign of Emperor Domitian 還是在這個多名神王在假統治的時候 he was arrested and exiled to Tecmo 他就被抓起來就流放到巴摩島 now Tecmo was a barren rocky island 巴摩島這個荒島老說實在 it was in the Egyptian agency 在這個...

And most likely he was exiled there to be a slave laborer 看來他是在那邊做勞工 he would work in the mine there 在那個開礦的礦場做工. He was exiled for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus 他還是會做神的功.

會說神的話 ,耶穌基督的見證 還會流放.

If we read it within the context 如果我們在這個範圍裏面來讀 probably the word of God that referred to the Old Testament 那個神的話 ,可能是講修業 and he referred to Moses and the prophet 是講到摩西和天之父 and the psalm 還有詩篇 that is the word of God at that time 就是當時神的話 and the word of God prophesied about the coming Messiah 神的話也預言到 Messiah的來臨 you know our Lord Jesus after his resurrection.

我們讀當他升天之後 ,復活之後.

He explained the disciples 他解釋給門徒們聽 from Moses and the prophet and the psalm 就是講摩西跟天之詩篇. Because all things spoke of him 因為這些都講到他 so that composed the word of God 這些就包括了神的話 and the testimony of Jesus 耶穌基督的見證 and the testimony of Jesus referred to that our Lord Jesus has come upon this earth 那是講到我們的主耶穌臨到世上 and he had accomplished the work of salvation 他就完成了救恩的工作 he is Lord over all things 他也是凡事上的主.

Now you find the apostle John he preached the word of God and he testified about Jesus 使徒約翰他就是傳神的話 還有為耶穌基督的見證. You find all the early apostles did that 所有早期的使徒們都是這麼做 they will quote the old testament 他們講的就是修業 and they will use the word of the new old testament to prove to the people that Jesus is the Messiah 他們用修業來向人證明 耶穌就是彌撒亞 a priest Jesus Christ and him crucified 他們講的傳講耶穌基督和他定時之降 and because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus 因為傳得到耶穌基督的見證 John was exiled to the island of Patna 約翰就被流放到巴摩島 and he labored there in the mine 他在礦坑上做工 now most likely on the Lord's day 就很有可能在九日的時候 he was free from labor 他不必去勞動勞工.

And if we can visualize it 我們如果能夠想像的話 we can imagine 我們可以來個想像 when he had that free time 他有了空閒 you can imagine what he would do 我們想像得到他在做什麼. Probably he would sit on a rock 可能他就坐在石塊上面. And we will look across the Asian Sea 他就看到那個 愛琴海 he will look across the Asian Sea 他就從愛琴海上看過去 into the continent there 就看到那個傳入地.

Because in clear day 因為天氣好的時候 you can see the outline of the land across the sea 你就會看到海過去 那個陸大陸的那個景象. And where the seven churches of Asia were located 那邊就有小雅兮 七個教會在那 you know his heart was still with God's people there 你知道他的心 還是跟神的使命同在.

Before he was exiled he ministered to these churches 因為他還沒有被流放的時候 他就在那邊侍奉 he took care of the sheep there 他在那邊照顧那些羊 but now he was on an island 但現在他在荒島上 he could no longer cater the flock 不再能夠牧養這些人 but his heart was still with them 但心還是跟他們在一起.

So he must be looking across the sea 所以他必定在看過海的對面. And he was thinking about the churches in Asia 就想念小雅兮雅的教會. He didn't know what happened to these people 他不知道這些人怎麼樣了 who will take care of them 誰能夠照顧他們 what were their conditions now 他們現在有什麼關係.

And as he was thinking about these things 當他這麼在想這些事的時候 suddenly he heard a voice 突然有一個聲音 a loud voice like a trumpet voice 好像一個吹號的聲音. And when he heard that voice 當他聽見了 he turned back to look at the voice 他就翻過身 來去看那個聲音的來處.

You know brothers and sisters 你說這妹你曉得. He was looking across the sea 他本來看海過去 he was looking at the seven churches in Asia 看到小雅兮雅兮的教會 he was looking at them with his physical eyes 他是用眼睛來看這些 he was thinking of them with his mind 他頭腦想念他們 he was thinking of them in his heart 他心裡在思念他們.

But the voice came from behind 但是聲音從背後來. So he turned back in other words he was not looking at the physical condition of the land 他不是看那個地球的物理上的這個關係. He was not thinking of the physical state of the churches in Asia 他不是想到小雅兮雅教會物理上的這個處境 the voice turned him back 那個聲音把他拉轉後面 and showed him a vision 他看到一個意象 it is a heavenly vision.

一個祖先的意象.

Now what did he see? 他看到了什麼? As he turned back 他一翻過去 he saw seven golden lamps 看到七個金燈臺 and in the midst of the seven golden lamps 在這七個金燈臺的中間 there was one like the Son of Man standing there 就有一位好像仁慈站在那.

Now this is the cosmos vision 這是阿摩的意象 the seven golden lamps.

七個金燈臺. Is explained to us 那是向我們解釋.

Because the Bible tells us 因為聖經告訴我們 the mystery of the lamps. 這個燈臺的奧秘 is the seven churches in Asia 就是小雅西亞七個教會. So we do not need to try to find out what the lamp stands represent 所以我們不需要去找出 燈臺代表什麼 the lamp stands represent the churches in Asia.

燈臺就是小雅西亞七個教會 there were seven churches in Asia 因為那邊有七個教會. Now as a matter of fact during that time there were more than seven churches in Asia. 那時候小雅西亞有超過七個教會 because we find there is a church that collapses.

因為有一個哥羅斯教會 there is a church in Hyderabad 在這個另外一個地方. So you find actually there were more than seven churches in Asia. 超過了七個 but the Holy Spirit picked out these seven churches 但聖靈是選出了七個 picked out these seven churches.

因為這七個教會.

Represents the churches throughout the Asia 乃是代表了整個小雅西亞的教會 now every church is represented by a lamp stand 每一個教會被一個燈臺所代表 the church in Ephesus 以夫所教會 now Ephesus is a city in Asia 以夫所是雅西亞一個城 there in that city 在那個城 there is the church of God 就有一個神的教會 and in that church we have all God's people there 在那個教會有神的署名 but the church in Ephesus on earth 但在地上的以夫所 represented the heaven before God as a golden lamp stand 在神面前在天上 乃是一個燈臺所代表 now you have a church in Smyrna 士美那也有教會 and yet before God it is represented by another golden lamp stand.

但是在神面前.

又是一個金燈臺所代表 and these seven churches in Asia 在雅西亞七個教會 in the sight of God they are seven golden lamps stand 在神看來是七個金燈臺 no matter what are the conditions of the seven churches in Asia 不論在雅西亞七個教會.

他們的光景如何.

Before God they are represented by seven golden lamps stand 在神面前.

都是七個金燈臺所代表.

The Golden Lampstand and the Church’s Witness

Now we remember.

When Moses built the tabernacle 我們記得 摩西建造會墓的時候 you remember God commanded him to build the tabernacle 神就命令他造會墓 and to build everything according to the pattern of the map 乃是照著 三上所指示他的樣子去造 and one of the vessels in the tabernacle is a golden lamp stand 其中在會墓裡面的庇民就是金燈臺.

Now if you read Exodus chapter 25 或是你讀 2 IGG 25 or Exodus 37.

或者2 IGG 37 you'll find how.

This golden lamp stand was built 你就看到.

燈臺怎樣被建造.

But in the tabernacle.

但是在會上墓裡面.

You'll find there is only one golden lamp stand 只有一個金燈臺 with seven branches.

有七個柱子 because it speaks of unity 因為這是講到合一 you know seven is a perfect number 七是一個完全的數目 and these seven form one lamp stand 這七個就形成了一個燈臺 so it speaks of unity 又講到合一 but here you'll find there are seven separate lamp stands 但這裡有七個不同的金燈臺 why? because here it speaks of responsibility 這邊是講到有本分 every church is directly responsible to the Lord 每一個教會自己將主負責 何謂教會? what is the church? 教會是什麼? before God the church is a lamp stand 在神面前教會是一個燈臺 now remember the church is not the light 記得教會不是光 the church is a light holder 乃是主守之光 because Christ is the light.

因為基督乃是光.

He said I'm the light of the world 他說我是四方的光 but that light is being held up by the church 但是那個光是被教會所營起來 so remember the church is not the end 所以一個教會不是完結目的 the church is a means to an end 乃是一個停滅 the church is a vessel 乃是一個器皿 乃是用來把光照起來的器皿 神把耶穌基督的見證交託給教會 乃是教會的責任 要把耶穌基督的見證照出來 it is very interesting 所以很有意思 because when you notice all the different furniture in the tabernacle 因為你若是注意在帳幕裡面 不同的所有的雕塑 you'll find that most of the furniture are made of wood 那多數他們的器具都是用木頭來造 and overlaid with gold 然後外面包金 you know in the Holy of All 我們在神聖所裡面 you have the Ark 有這個樂隊 Ark is made of wood 是用木造的 but it is overlaid inside and outside with pure gold 但裡面外面都包了純金 but the Mercy Seat is of pure gold 但是這個慈恩的座是金紙純金做的 there is no wood in that Mercy Seat 慈恩座沒有木頭 now when you come to the Holy Place 你來到聖所 you find the Golden Altar of Insect 你就看到這個新的新香材 and it is also made of wood 也是木做的 but overlaid with gold 但是金來包住 and you come to the Golden Table of Children 然後這個橙色餅的這個桌子 it is also made of wood 也是木頭做的 but overlaid with gold 也是金包起來 and yet you find it is very interesting 但是你看到很有趣的很有意思 because that lantern is made of pure gold 那個金燈牌是完全用金來做 there is no wood in it.

沒有一點的木頭.

Now you know wood in the scripture represents human nature 我們曉得木頭在聖經是代表人的性質 gold represents the nature of God 金是神的性質. Now we will say if the lantern is of the church 如果燈牌是教會 and then it should be made of wood 必須是木頭做的.

Because the church is composed of people like you and me 因為教會是你我這些人形成的 and thank God overlaid with gold 感謝神是用金來包住. Now we will think that is what the church is 我們以為教會應該是這樣. Now when you ask a person 你問一個人 what is the church 教會是什麼.

Now those who are ignorant 那些無知的人 all they will say well on a certain corner of the square there is the church 就是某一個角度 某一個角落 有一個地方. In other words it points to a building 它是講到建築物. So people say now we go to church 人家說我們去教會.

Now what do you mean by go to church 你講去教會什麼意思 you go to a building 你是去一個建築所 that is where the church meets 那邊有地會. And so we know that that is not the church 我們知道那不是教會 the building with stone or with wood or whatever is not the church.

那用石頭木頭做的那個建築所不是教會. And I think we know that 我們正懂應該懂的.

The church is not an organization 這個教會也不是一個組織 and we know that 我們知道 we know that the church is an.

Organism. 我們知道教會是一個.

有心 and it is composed of believers 有心是信徒所包括起來 not just the people gather together 不只是人聚合在一起 but people who believe in the Lord Jesus 是信耶穌的人 and they gather together 他們聚集 now that is the church 這是教會 because the word church in greek 因為教會 call a people out 神召出人來 and they gather together 他們聚合起來 in the name of the Lord Jesus 從耶穌基督的名義.

Now we find this is the church 這是教會 so in other words 換句話說 the church is composed of people like we are tonight 教會就是包括了像我們今晚這樣的人 then it should be wood.

那不 它應該是木頭. Because we are all wood 因為我們都是人. And they overlaid the goal.

可能外面包金紙 that should be the lamp stand 必須是這樣的燈台. But strange to say 但是很奇怪的 we find in typology 在這個 這種代表 儀表 and we find that in reality.

在樹地上 in the eyes of God.

在神的眼睛 the church is a golden lamp stand 教會就是一個金燈台 there is no wood in it 一點木頭也沒有. Now what does it mean? 這什麼意思? it means that in the church 意思就是在教會裡 all that is of the old creation 全是在屬於舊造的 all that belongs to Adam 全屬亞當的 all that belongs to the flesh 全屬肉體的 all that originally we were 都是本來的 all these will be dealt with by the cross 都要被十字架所對付 passed off by the cross 被十字架所除掉 and what remains is Christ and Christ alone 剩下來是基督 單單基督 so it is golden 就是金的 it is pure gold 是金金 there is no wood in it 一點木頭的門.

Unfortunately 很不幸 today we find in the church man man man.

今天教會 就是人人人 man's idea 人的思想 man's opinion.

人的意見 man's way 人的方法 man's method 人的意識 everything is just man 都是人 that is wood 不是木頭 but in the sight of God. 但顯然看來 what the church really is 教會實在是什麼 is none other but Christ himself.

就是基督自己.

That is the reason why in 1 Corinthians 12 就是這樣 格林多 前書十二章裡面 1 Corinthians 12 一十二節 it says the body is one 它說到身體是一個 but there are many members 它有幾個肢體 even though the members are many 雖然肢體眾多 but the body is one 平時有一個身子.

Now notice 注意 what the Holy Spirit 跟您怎麼說 說二手 is the Christ 基督 那基督 也是這樣 now we will say 說二手 is the church 我們也會 我們可能會說 教會也是這樣 because the church is one body 因為教會是一個分體 with many members 有幾個肢體 and yet the Holy Spirit says 說二手 is the church that is the Christ 跟您說 基督也是這樣 because the church is Christ himself 因為教會 就是基督自己 it is a function of Christ 基督的分展 it is Christ in you Christ in me 基督在您裡面在我裡面 that forms the church 就形成教會.

The Church Formed by the Cross

So if you will forgive me 如果你赦免我 I will give you a simple formula 我給你一個簡單的方程式 you know spiritual things can never be put into a formula 你曉得屬靈的事不能拿方程式來做 because if you put it into the formula it becomes mechanical.

因為你放在方程式裡面就變成一種機械 但是為做解釋 我來嘗試 來解釋 你放地方程式 但是節奏.

你應該記得 我們假設地方.

或者新加坡.

只有三個信徒. 只有三個信徒 one is Peter 一個Peter one is Paul 一個保羅 and one is John 一個John. Now suppose in Singapore there are only three believers. 假設新加坡只有三個信徒. Now what is the church in Singapore.

那新加坡教會是什麼. Well the church in Singapore.

Is made up of Peter, Paul and John.

那新加坡教會就是 Peter 保羅約翰來形成.

Now these men are holy men.

這些是聖人.

These men are apostles 是使徒 they are the queen of believers 它是信徒的基因. Now surely if the church is composed of these three men 若是教會只是有 若是有包括這三個人 now that church will be a glorious church 那就是一個榮耀的教會 they will have no problem whatsoever 裡面一點問題也沒有.

But is that true? 但真的嗎. You will find Peter he always like to be the first 他一直要坐頭. And you remember John 我們記得約翰 when our Lord Jesus was going to Jerusalem 當我們的主上耶路撒冷 all the disciples thought that the Lord was going to be crowned king 我們的門徒們以為主要是做王.

And you will find John and James they asked their mother to come and ask for them 兩個約翰就叫他的母親來請他們求耶穌 they want to sit on the right and the left of the Lord Jesus 他們要坐耶穌的左右邊. And the other ten disciples were indignant about it 那五大門徒就很生氣 because everyone want to have the top place 因為每一個都要坐高位.

You know John is called a son of thunder 約翰他是雷子 when the thunder strike 因為雷響 terrifying 就很可怕. So you will find Paul again is a very strong willed person 保羅也是一個很當地的 一個很有主張的人. You will find that he even oppose Peter at the face 他甚至當面來責備彼得 he wasn't compromise in any way 差一點都不投降.

Now if these three men form the church 如果這三個人形成教會 everyone want to be the top 每一個都要坐頭 and you will find the church will be broken into three sects 教會叫分散成三個 you have a teaching church 一個彼得教會 you have a pauline church 保羅教會 you have a johannes church 一個約翰教會 brothers and sisters you find what is the church 你看到教會是什麼.

The church is the Christ in Peter 教會是基督在彼得裏面 plus the Christ in Paul 加上基督在保羅裏面 plus the Christ in John 加上基督在約翰裏面 equal to the church 等於教會 now is that correct. 這個是真的嗎 對嗎. 不對. Because that will mean the lampstand will be made of wood overlaid with gold 那就是因為說 這個燈臺是木造的 只是用金紙包扎.

You will find the man is still there 人還在 but fortunately overlaid with gold 只是很幸運地包起金來. So what will be the formula 那真正的方程式是什麼. The formula will be this. 是這樣的方程式 the Christ in Peter minus Peter 基督在彼得裏面 minus Peter plus the Christ in Paul minus Paul 加上基督在保羅裏面 minus Paul plus the Christ in John minus John 加上基督在約翰裏面 minus John.

Now it equals to the Christ 然後等於那基督教會. So brothers and sisters before the Lord 在主面前 the church is a golden lampstand 教會是一個金燈臺 in the church there is nothing but Christ himself.

在教會裏 什麼都沒有.

只有基督自己 all that is man is crossed out by the cross 所有屬人的 只有屬於基督的神流 it is a golden lampstand 是金的燈臺 you know the light you do not put the light under the bush 我們曉得 光不能藏在床底下 you do not put the light under the couch 你不能把這個光 放在 隱藏起來 放在床底下 and you do not put the light in the secret place 不能夠放在一個隱秘的地方 that you find in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

馬太 ,路加 ,馬可都有記載. You know bushel what is bushel.

你知道什麼是床底下. Under the bushel bushel is a measurement of 頭底下 you measure the wheat or the grain with a bushel 你用手來量這個土 it means that the light cannot be put under the bushel 就是光不能藏在頭底下 because the bushel will cover the light 因為手會把這個光遮蓋起來.

Now brothers and sisters 弟兄姊妹 how bright the light is covered by bushel today 今天基督這個光怎麼被手所遮蓋. The anxiety of this light 這個心生的憂慮. What shall we eat what shall we drink what shall we be close with 我們吃什麼 我們喝什麼 我們穿什麼.

This is like a bushel 這是頭 and it cover the light 把光遮蓋了. Because we are seeking after the things of this light 因為我們追求心生的事 therefore the light of Christ is hidden 基督的生命就被遮蓋了. And what do you mean by the couch 那這個床底下是什麼意思.

The couch is a place where you lie down and relax 床是你躺下來舒服一下. In other words 萬句話 if we seek for the meaning of life 如果我們只求生活的安穩 then you will find the light of Christ is being hidden 那基督的生命就被遮蓋. Now you do not put the light in the secret places of the Father 你也不能把光放在那個隱秘之處 you have to put the light on the lamp stand 你必須把光放在燈台上 and the church is the lamp stand 這個教會就是燈台.

The Lampstand as a Work of Spiritual Formation

Now if you will allow me to describe more 如果你讓我更多的形容 you know if you go back to Exodus chapter 25 如果你回到初埃及記二十五章的話 you know how is this lamp stand built 這個燈台怎麼樣被造起來. It is built of one talent of pure gold 乃是用一個金晶的 一咖連折的金晶 in other words it is built of one piece of gold 就是一塊的金晶來造 because that piece of gold represents our Lord Jesus 那一塊金 就是我們的書 represents the divine light 代表神性 and out of that piece of gold 那一塊的金裡面 the lamp stand is built 整個燈台就造起來.

Now how is it built 怎麼樣造. You find that it is piece of work 乃是錘出來的 you know you do not melt the gold 你不是把它融化 and pour it into a mold 把它倒在一個模子 then you can reproduce it everywhere 然後你就再重新生產 you know you find that the church is not built that way 教會不是這樣造 you find it is the one piece of gold that is beat, beaten, beaten, beaten.

一直錘 ,一直錘 We do not know how many beats.

That gold will be sucked up 我們不曉得那塊金子要被錘多少. Until finally a beautiful form of a lamp stand appears 乃是知道 美麗的這個燈台的形象出現. So brothers and sisters 弟兄姊妹.

You find that even though the Christ in us 雖然我們基督在我們裡面 and the Christ in you 基督在你裡面 that would build up the church.

來建造教會. Not only our old man our self needs to be beaten away 不光我們的舊人 我們的自己 需要被錘打. Now this we understand 這個我們明白 you know our own opinion 我們的自己的意見 our own feeling 我們的感覺 our own practice 我們的 我們的做法 our own wisdom 我們的智慧 our own strength 我們的力量.

Now all these things has to be beaten away 這些都不需要錘打出去. This we understand 我們明白這個. But even the life of Christ in front of us 這是我們. 基督在我們每一個人裡面 also needs to be beaten 也必須要被錘打. Now it is killed gold 這是基督.

Why should the killed gold be beaten. 為什麼基督要被錘打. It is not for the sake of beating of the refugees 不是把大災難來錘打. It is to be beaten into a whole 那是要錘成一個形狀. Brothers and sisters 兄兄姊妹 how we need to go through things together 我們必須怎麼樣.

一起來經歷 一起來經歷. You know in the church 在教會裡 there will be problems 沒有問題. Now you cannot find a church that has no problems 你不能找到一個沒有問題的教會. Now thank God for problems 當基督有問題 基督有問題. Because when there are problems 因為有問題的話 and we will go through it together 我們就一起來經過.

We all like the gold that is being beaten into a whole 就下一塊心 被錘打成形. And finally the lampstand comes into view 然後燈台就出現. So it is a beating work 這是錘打的動作 and you find it is exquisite it is beautiful 一切很美的 you find that there is the base and there is a stalk and if you read say 1st Timothy chapter 3 verse 15 now what is the church 教會是什麼.

The house of God is the church of the living God.

神的家 是永生神的教會 就是 這些 真理的註釋和根基. 這邊看到 教會有一個座 有站.

教會是真理的註釋和根基. And then you find there are seven branches there are branches and the branches are made of cups knobs and flowers. 這些有 壁紙 有花 有杯. The cup is is like an almond 這個杯是像壁紙. Now if you read psalms say Psalm 16 16 it says the Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup so we find the cup piece of that is sealed which is sealed in way and it is shaped like an almond because the almond flower is the first flower that comes out after winter so it speaks of resurrection so you find the church is filled with the resurrection light of the Lord Jesus.

And then upon the cup there is a knob 有球 有球 and the knob is the concentration of light 球 就是生命的心槌 is filled of light abundance 就是豐盛的生命. And then out of the knob comes out the flower 然後就出現花 it is the beauty of the life of Christ 進入生命的美麗 there you find the fruit of the Holy Spirit 那邊就有聖靈的果實 as you find in Galatians chapter 5

教會是什麼? The church is a golden lantern. 教會是金燈台 and it is full of the light of Christ 滿有基督的生命 it manifests the beauty of Christ 把基督美麗顯現出來 it holds up Christ as the.

Light of the world 把基督集起來作為慈善的光.

That is what the church is.

Before God 在神面前 教會是這樣. Now when you look at the church on earth today 你看今天第三個教會. Now even when you look at the seven churches in Asia 修士教會 CRT的教會 you read chapter 2 and chapter 3 of Revelation. 其實錄二章三章裡面 you find that most of the churches need to repent 多數教會都需要悔改.

The conditions are not very good 他們光景不太好 that is the condition you find in the churches on earth. 這是地上教會的光景 and yet the churches before God 但是在神面前的教會 it is a glorious church 乃是榮耀的教會. Now what is what measures the success and the failure of the church on earth.

地上教會成功失敗 是什麼樣衡量. You know people today measure the success or the failure of the church by the numbers 今天人以人數來衡量 教會成就或者失敗 and if you increase in great numbers 如果人數很多 and then the church is successful 教會很成功 and if the number is small 如果人數小 and then the church fails 教會失敗.

But brothers and sisters God measures the success and the failure of the church. 神賜南洋教會成功和失敗 according to the golden lampstand before him 乃是根據他面前的金燈台 how close you are to the golden lampstand 你多親近 多靠近這個金燈台.

How close you are to the thought of God concerning the church 你多接近 神對於教會 祂的意思 how much in the church is truly Christ. 教會有多少成分是屬於基督. That measures the success or the failure of the church on.