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Chinese12/26/2006English
經文:啟示錄第十七章
鑰節:「因為上帝使諸王同心合意,遵行祂的旨意,把自己的國給那獸,直等到上帝的話都應驗了。」(17:17)
提要

        這一章一開始就在處理「大巴比倫」傾倒的事。其中的七個異象每一個都指到「羅馬崇拜」的傾覆,因羅馬被神化之故(18節)。羅馬這個帝國以「巴比倫」來預表,她的疆土已擴及亞洲東部。那時「崇拜」羅馬已成了國家宗教,例如奧提凡(譯注:該撒亞古士都)在以弗所和尼西亞建了羅馬女神的廟,又在別迦摩(即啟1:11)和尼哥米底亞為羅馬城和皇帝自己建廟,推行拜皇帝,「永恆之羅馬」的信仰已被深植,故此,「羅馬」在當時全世界人的眼中,成了一個和生活息息相關的神祇。

        約翰的異象所觸及的還遠超過當時的歷史事實,十七章是個開始,要「解釋」那未來之事的奧秘。即使對這些事的解釋還留很多空間,我們至少可看出那多頭獸、角、碗和杯之間是個不和諧的組合。

        那個「大淫婦」坐在眾水之上(1節),也在「七座山」上(9節),及騎在「朱紅色的獸上」(3節)。所以她是同一時間「坐」在三個東西上,而且穿著很華麗(4節下),但「充滿可憎之物」--就是她的淫亂(4節下),她又因殺害「聖徒」而有罪了。

        她所騎的那獸「先前有,如今沒有,將要從無底坑裡上來」(8節),那獸有七個頭,代表七個王(同時又是「七座山」,9節)。五個王已「傾倒了」(10節上),一個在約翰時代還活著,另有一個未來要出現,要「暫時」統治一段時間(10下)。

        至於那十角是將來的十位王,「他們還沒有得國」(12節上),但至終要掌權「一時」(12節下)。在歷史終結的時刻,他們要與那獸結合在一起去「與羔羊爭戰」(14節下)。後來他們打敗仗,反而讓那個妓女「赤身」,又將她「燒盡」(16節)。

        這章聖經有兩件事很令人鼓舞的:(1)那些名字「記在生命冊上的」(8節),見到那獸並不會「稀奇」,也不致被牠所勝(14節下)。(2)在這段末後的日子,雖然邪惡勢力會極端猖獗,牠們也只是在完成上帝的目的(17節上)。上帝在掌權,每件事都在祂的掌握中。

禱告

        上帝啊!感謝您,因我們相信您使我們的名字可以記在生命冊上。願您掌管我的生命,我願降服在您的旨意之下。奉主耶穌基督的名,阿們!

English

Scriptures:Read Revelation 17
Key Verse:"For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled."(Revelation 17:17)
Overview

        I think it should be pretty clear to you by now that apocalyptic literature with its "picture language" is not too concerned about logic, consistency, and precision. This shouldn't trouble us — rather, it should challenge us. Literally thousands of authors have taken up the challenge, and no two agree totally on every point of interpretation.

        This chapter, however, begins a section dealing with the fall of "Babylon the Great" (concluding in 19:10). There are seven visions, and each refers to the fall of the cult of Roma, the deified personification of Rome (v.18). "Babylon" is the proto-type for Rome, an empire that, in John's day, had extended to Asia and the East. The "worship" of Roma was introduced to these areas so that the Empire became, in fact, a state cult. The Roman ruler Octavian, for example, built temples to "Dea Roma" and "Dious Julius" at Ephesus and Nicea, and to Roma and himself in Pergamum and Nicomedia. The belief in "Roma aeterna" (eternal Rome) was cultivated, so that "Roma" became a living, breathing deity in the eyes of the world at that time.

        John's vision reaches far beyond the historical realities of his day, however, and chapter 17 is the first chapter where we see a clear attempt on the part of the angelic guide to "explain" what is going on (v.7). Even though a lot of room is still left for interpretation, we at least see beyond the physical incongruities of multi-headed beasts, horns, bowls, and cups.

        John sees a "great prostitute" sitting "on many waters" (v.l), "on seven hills" (v.9), and on a "scarlet beast" (v.3). So, she "sits" on three things at the same time, is dressed elegantly (v.4a), but is full of "abominable things" and "adulteries" (v.4c). She is guilty of martyring "the saints" (v.6).

        The beast on which she sits "once was, and now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss" (v.8), and has seven heads, one of which is himself (v.ll). These heads are all "kings" (who are at the same time "hills" — v.9). Five of them have already "fallen" (lOa), one is "presently" alive (in John's time) and the remaining king is to come at some future day but will reign only "for a little while" (v.lOc).
The beast also has ten horns, and these are future kings "who have not yet received a kingdom" (v.!2a) but eventually will reign "for an hour" (v.!2b). They work in conjunction with the beast and will do so at the very end of history, when they will "make war against the Lamb" (v.!4a). After losing to the Lamb, their final act will be to "ruin" the prostitute and "leave her naked" (v.16).

        There are two encouraging things to notice: 1. Those whose names are "written in the book of life" (v.8) will not be "astonished" nor will they be conquered by the beast (v.!4c); and 2. Even while these last-day, evil forces do their foul deeds, they will be accomp lishing God's purposes (v.!7a). God is Sovereign. Everything is under His control.

Prayer

        Thank You, O Lord God, that as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Be in control of my life. I surrender to Your great sovereign will.


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