宝座的周围

“宝座的周围又有二十四个座位，…宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物…。” - 启 4:4, 6

我们看见一些有趣和吸引人的人物，他们都在耶和华神的身旁、围绕着祂的宝座，我们或许感到好奇，“难道这些长老和活物，能帮助我们明白住在天上是怎样的吗？”事实上，除此以外，他们还有更大的作用，他们指示我们，今天应如何在神的国里生活。

坐在神宝座周围的座位上的二十四位长老，向来都被视为神的子民的代表，其中十二位代表旧约圣经中神的子民：以色列的十二个支派，其他十二位则代表在耶稣的十二位使徒牧养看顾下建立的教会。有长老在天上，表明神已经把祂国度中一个特别的地位赐给祂的子民，我们将来会与神一同掌权和作王的。

除了那二十四位长老之外，我们还看见“四个活物，”他们也在神和祂的宝座的周围。这四个活物代表神的创造中“凡有气息的”（诗篇 150:6；参看创世记 2:7），野生动物、家畜、人类、和所有活物，在神宝座的所在地都有一个尊贵和服事的地位。

神救赎和看顾的恩典包括祂的整个创造。作为有一天将会与神一同掌权和作王的子民，神呼召我们要运用我们的统治权，去爱护和看顾祂所创造的万有。

主啊，你爱护和救赎你所造的万有，我们感谢你；你爱你所创造的一切，求你帮助我们学效你，去看顾你的整个创造。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。

4宝座的周围又有二十四个座位，其上坐着二十四位长老，身穿白衣，头上戴着金冠冕。
5有闪电、声音、雷轰从宝座中发出。又有七盏火灯在宝座前点着，这七灯就是神的七灵。
6宝座前好像一个玻璃海，如同水晶。宝座中和宝座周围有四个活物，前后遍体都满了眼睛。
7第一个活物像狮子，第二个像牛犊，第三个脸面像人，第四个像飞鹰。
8四活物各有六个翅膀，遍体内外都满了眼睛。他们昼夜不住地说：“圣哉，圣哉，圣哉，主神是昔在、今在、以后永在的全能者！”

Surrounding The Throne

“Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones... In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures... “ - Revelation 4:4, 6

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We meet interesting and intriguing characters close to the Lord God and encircling his throne. We might wonder, “Do these elders and creatures help us understand what living in heaven will be like?” It turns out they do more than that; they also show us how to live in God’s kingdom today.

The twenty-four elders, seated on thrones around God’s throne, have long been understood to represent God’s people. Twelve of them represent the people of God in the Old Testament: the twelve tribes of Israel. The other twelve elders represent the church formed under the shepherding care of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The presence of the elders shows that God has given his people a special place in his kingdom; we will rule and reign with God.

Along with the twenty-four elders, we also meet “four living creatures.” They too encircle God and his throne. The living creatures represent “everything that has breath” (Psalm 150:6; see Genesis 2:7) in God’s whole creation. Wild animals, domesticated animals, human beings, and all other creatures have a place of honor and service in God’s throne room.

God’s redemptive care covers his entire creation. As the people who will one day rule and reign with God, God calls us to exercise dominion by loving and caring for all he has made.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for loving and redeeming your whole creation. You love everything you have made. Help us to mirror your care for your entire creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.