提要
當羊羔揭開第一印時,就放出七種災難來。前四種皆以騎馬這種極生動的方式來描述:四種顏色的馬和四位騎士,都代表戰爭和其可怕的後果。白色的馬載著一個拿弓的人,四處去征服(可能是位侵略者)。然後是一匹紅色的馬,它的騎士拿著一把大刀,並握有權力,可以自地上奪走和平。再來是一匹黑馬,騎馬的手中有秤,他所宣布的大麥價格極昂貴,表示戰後的饑饉。第四匹是灰馬,死亡騎著它,象徵戰爭和饑荒中的疾病和災難。
第五印揭發了戰爭中大量的屠殺,並看見為上帝作見證被殺的人(9節),他們呼求上帝為其伸冤,但被告知仍須再忍耐。
第六印帶來了宇宙性的災難:大地震,日頭變黑,血紅的月亮,星球墜落,天空變暗(12~14節)。地上的人極其害怕,紛紛躲避--不是躲避災難,而是躲避那位「坐寶座的羔羊」。這些事件很明顯不是大自然在發怒,而是天父和羔羊,對那些不義不公之人的真忿怒。「祂們忿怒的大日到了」,當人要為這樣的審判自己負責任時,「誰能站立得住呢?」
|
Overview
The Lamb opens the first seal, releasing the first of seven plagues upon the earth. The imagery of the first four is powerfully vivid: horses of different colours and their riders, all symbolizing war and its tragic results. A white horse appears, its crowned rider holding a bow, and he rides out to conquer (probably representing an invader). Then a red horse, whose rider holds a large sword and the power to take peace from the earth, follows. Next, a black horse, its rider holding scales in his hand, enters. This rider announces an exorbitant price for wheat, indicating famine prices, the sorrowful result of war. The fourth is a pale horse, ridden by Death itself, symbolizing the disease and casualties of war and famine.
The fifth seal reveals the multitudes slain in war because of their "testimony" (v.9). They call loudly for vengeance and are told to be patient.
The opening of the sixth seal introduces ominous cosmic disaster: a great earthquake, a blackened sun, a blood-red moon, falling stars, and a vanishing sky (vv.12-14). Every human being on earth is so terrified that all of them seek sudden death — not for fear of the disasters, but for fear of Him who precipitates them: the one "who sits on the throne... and the Lamb." The issue is not the apparent anger of nature. The issue is the very real wrath of the Father and the Lamb at all unrighteousness and injustice. The "great day of their wrath has come", and in light of their judgments and man's accountability, "who can stand?"
|
Prayer
Lord, we realize that You are a God of perfect love but also perfect justice, and You will punish all sin. We repent of all sin and evil in our lives and ask that we be cleansed through the shed blood of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. |