信仰的基本課程

第十章

Basic Facts of the Faith
Chapter 10

 

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

基督第二次的再來

People are interested in the second coming of Christ. Every few years someone will come along setting the date for our Lord's return. In fact, one of the most popular religious subjects in the past twenty-five years has been the teaching that Jesus is going to come back to earth, set up His kingdom, and reign on the earth for one thousand years. This doctrine is called premillennialism. People have made a great deal of money from promoting this doctrine. Tribulation maps, posters, bumper stickers, books and movies have all been produced to promote this doctrine. A host of preachers in the religious world preach this doctrine. At least 90% of the denominational preachers believe this doctrine. There are even some in the church who believe and teach this doctrine. If we were to take a survey in just about any town and asked every person if they believed Christ was going to set up an earthly kingdom, the majority would answer: YES!

人們對基督的再來有興趣 . 每隔幾年就有一些人來訂主再來的日期 . 其實、在最近的二十五年間最熱門的宗教題目之一便是耶穌要再來世間、建立祂的國渡、並在世上統治一千年 . 這個理論叫做『千禧年主義』 . 有人提倡這種道理而發財 . 而爲了提倡這種道理、人們賣災難圖、海報、黏貼的卷標、一些書跟電影 . 在有宗教信仰的世界中有很多傳道人講這種道理 . 信這個道理的至少有百分之九十而教派的傳道人中 . 在教會裏、甚至也有一些人相信這種道理 . 假如我們在任何城鎮裏去調詢查問每一個人問他們相不相信基督會再來建立世上的國度、多數的人會說 : 我相信 !

What about this teaching? Can it be proved in the Bible, or is it just the doctrine of men? “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8,9). “If anyone wills do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is of God, or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17).

這個理論到底是怎麽樣呢﹖ 有沒有辦法用聖經證明、或只是人爲的道理而已﹖『但要凡事察驗,善美的要持守』 ( 帖前 5:21). 『這百姓用嘴唇尊敬我,心卻遠離我;他們將人的吩咐當作道理教導人,所以拜我也是枉然』 ( 太 15:8,9). 『人若立志遵著他的旨意行,就必曉得這教訓或是出於 神,或是我憑著自己說的』 ( 約 7:17).

What does this doctrine include? The first time Jesus came to the earth, He came to establish His kingdom, but since the Jews rejected Him, instead He set up a temporary institution, that is, the church. The New Testament refutes this claim (Ephesians 3:10,11). This doctrine claims the kingdom and the church are not the same. Jesus promised to establish His church (kingdom) (Matthew 16:18,19), and He did that in the first century (Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9). Premillennialism teaches that Christ's coming is imminent! It says there are many signs before Christ's coming. It implies God failed in His first attempt to establish the kingdom talked about in the Old Testament. It teaches that Christ will reign on a literal throne, in a literal temple, in literal Jerusalem.

這種道理包括什麽樣的說法呢﹖耶穌第一次來世間、祂想要建立祂的國、但是因爲猶太人拒絕祂、祂建立暫時的機構、就是教會 . 新約反駁這種說法 ( 弗 3:9-11). 這種道理是說到國度跟教會不一樣 . 但耶穌應許建立祂的教會 ( 國度 ) ( 太 16:18,19) 、祂在第一世紀時便這麽作了 ( 徒 2:47; 西 1:13; 啓 1:9). 千禧年主義說耶穌的再來是就要發生的了 . 這種理論說、耶穌再來之前會有很多預兆 . 這個道理的含意是說 神沒有建成舊約裏所提到的國度 . 這個道理說、基督將會在真正的耶路撒冷、在真正的聖殿裏、坐在真正的寶座上統治者 .

This doctrine is false! It is not supported by the teachings found in the Bible. In this lesson we will examine the scriptures to see what it teaches in regard to the second coming of Christ.

這個道理是錯誤的 ! 聖經裏的教訓無法支援這個理論 . 在這課程中我們將要檢閱聖經所說關於基督再來的教訓 .

Is Christ Coming Again?

Is Christ coming again? Definitely! “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27,28). “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:1-9).

基督會再來嗎﹖

 基督會再來嗎﹖ 一定的 ! 『說了這話,他們正看的時候,他就被取上升,有一朵雲彩把他接去,便看不見他了 . 當他往上去,他們定睛望天的時候,忽然有兩個人身穿白衣,站在旁邊,說、加利利人哪,你們爲甚麽站著望天呢 . 這離開你們被接升天的耶穌,你們見他怎樣往天上去,他還要怎樣來』 ( 徒 1:9-11). 『按著命定,人人都有一死,死後且有審判 . 像這 樣,基督既然一次被獻,擔當了多人的罪,將來要向那等候他的人第二次顯現,並與罪無關,乃是爲拯救他們』 ( 來 9:27, 28). 『親愛的弟兄阿,我現在寫給你們的是第二封信 . 這兩封都是提醒你們 , 激發你們誠實的心,叫你們記念聖先知豫先所說的話,和主救主的命令,就是使徒所傳給你們的 . 第一要緊的,該知道在末世必有好譏誚的人隨從自己的私欲出來譏誚說、主要降臨的應許在那裏呢 . 因爲從列祖睡了以來,萬物興起初創造的時候仍是一樣 . 他們故意忘記,從太古憑 神的命有了天,並從水而出藉水而成的地 . 故此,當時的世界被水淹沒就消滅了;但現在的天地還是憑著那命存留,直留到不敬虔之人受審判遭沈淪的日子,用火焚燒 . 親愛的弟兄阿,有一件事你們不可忘記,就是主看一日如千年,千年如一日 . 主所應許的尚未成就,有人以爲他是耽延,其實不是耽延,乃是寬容你們,不願有一人沈淪,乃願人人都悔改』 ( 彼後 3:1-9).

When Will Christ Come Again?

 When will Christ come again? Not one person on this earth knows the answer to this question. No signs will be given for the second coming. “But of that day and that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the keeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch” (Mark 13:32-37). “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

基督什麽時候再來﹖

 基督什麽時候再來﹖ 在世上沒有人能夠回答這個問題 . 關於基督什麽時候再來也不會有什麽預兆 . 『但那日子,那時辰,沒有人知道,連天上的使者也不知道,子也不知道, 惟有父知道 . 你們要謹慎,警醒祈禱,因爲你們不曉得那日期幾時來到 . 這事正如一個人離開本家,寄居外邦,把權柄交給僕人,分派各人當作的工,又吩咐看門的儆醒 . 所以你們要儆醒,因爲你們不知道家主甚麽時候來,或晚上、或半夜、或雞叫、或早晨 . 恐怕他忽然來到,看見你們睡著了 . 我對你們所說的話,也是對衆人說:要儆醒』 ( 可 13:32-37). 『但主的日子要像賊來到一樣;那日天必大有響聲廢去,有形質的都要被烈火銷化,地和其上的物都要燒盡了』 ( 彼後 3:10).

What Will He Do When He Returns?

 First, He will raise the dead. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice And shall come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28,29).

祂再來時要作什麽﹖

第一、 祂要讓死人復活 . 『你們不要把這事看作希奇,時候要到,凡在墳墓裏的,都要聽見他的聲音,就出來;行善的復活得生,作惡的復活定罪』 ( 約 5:28,29).

Second, He will judge the world (Matthew 25:31-46). “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30,31). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the Books” (Revelation 20:12).

第二、 祂會審判這世界 ( 太 25:31-46). 『世人蒙昧無知的時候,神並不監察,如今卻吩咐各處的人都要悔改 . 因爲他已經定了日子,要借著他所設立的人按公義審判天下,並且叫他從死裏復活,給萬人作可信的憑據』 ( 徒 17:30,31). 『因爲我們衆人必要在基督台前顯露出來,叫各人按著本身所行的,或善或惡的受報』 ( 林後 5:10). 『我又看見死了的人,無論大小,都站在寶座前 . 案卷展開了,並且另有一卷展開,就是生命冊 . 死了的人都憑著這些案卷所記載的,照他們所行的受審判』 ( 啓 20:12).

Third, He will return the kingdom to the Father. “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:23,24).

第三、 祂要把國度交還給天父 . 『但各人是按著自己的次序復活;初熟的果子是基督;以後在他來的時候 , 是那些屬基督的 . 再後末期到了,那時基督既將一切執政的、掌權的、有能的 , 都毀滅了 , 就把國交與父 神』 ( 林前 15:23,24).

Fourth, eternity begins. There will be just one resurrection, not two. NOTE: The word resurrection is in the singular, not plural. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice And shall come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28,29). “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15).

第四、 永遠開始了 . 只有一個復活、不是兩個 . 注意 : 『復活』這詞、是單數、不是複數的 . 『你們不要把這事看作希奇,時候要到,凡在墳墓裏的,都要聽見他的聲音,就出來;行善的復活得生,作惡的復活定罪』 ( 約 5:28,29). 『並且靠著 神,盼望死人,無論善惡,都要復活,就是他們自己也有這個盼望』 ( 徒 24:15).

Fifth, the earth will be destroyed. “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:7,10,12).

第五、 全世界將被毀滅 . 『但現在的天地還是憑著那命存留,直留到不敬虔之人受審判遭沈淪的日子,用火焚燒 . 但主的日子要像賊來到一樣;那日天必大有響聲廢去,有形質的 都要被烈火銷化,地和其上的物都要燒盡了 . 切切仰望 神的日子來到 . 在那日天被火燒就銷化了,有形質的都要被烈火鎔化』 ( 彼後 3:7,10,12).

Conclusion

 Christ came to earth almost 2,000 years ago. He is going to come again. Because He is coming again, we are preaching the gospel to a lost and dying world. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:10,11). May each of us prepare to meet the Lord in judgment.

結論

 大約在 2,000 年前時基督第一次來到這世上 . 而還祂會再來 . 由於祂會再來、所以我們要傳福音給失喪的世界聽 . 『因爲我們衆人必要在基督台前顯露出來,叫各人按著本身所行的,或善或惡的受報 . 我們既知道主是可畏的,所以勸人』 ( 林後 5:10,11). 希望我們每一位準備受主的審判 .

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