在今天的经文中,我们看到第六印揭开时发生的另一件事。在此前的一个场景中,地的根基被撕裂、人们无处躲藏,我们看见每一个人都踉跄奔逃;此时我们看到神大能的天使叫风不吹在地上,好让神的众仆人能够受印记免受伤害。凡信靠神和羔羊(耶稣)拯救大能的,都得以免去将要临到的毁灭。
你属于哪一类人呢?你究竟是与神的众仆人、就是那些凭信心生活的人一同站立?还是你仍然在尝试逃走和躲避神呢?
宇宙被撕裂时,一切都已成定局。当神的时刻来临,再没有可以躲藏的地方。在这个时刻,我们要默想神赐的恩典。因着耶稣,我们可以得到“永生神的印,”因为衪已经胜过死亡,衪说:“我又赐给他们永生,… 谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去”(约翰福音 10:28)。
神印了我们,就如同衪在对我们说:“我是你们的神;你们是我的子民。我爱你们和看顾你们,远超过你们所能理解的。我在这里不是叫你们被毁灭,乃是要赐生命给凡信靠我的。”(参看约翰福音 3:16)。
你可以拥有神所赐的印-神呼召你来委身、与所有承认自己是永生神仆人的圣徒同为一体。
主我们的救主,你的恩典和良善长阔高深。我们为你的慈爱和保守看顾来感谢你。阿们。
启示录 7:1-3
1此后,我看见四位天使站在地的四角,执掌地上四方的风,叫风不吹在地上、海上和树上。
2我又看见另有一位天使,从日出之地上来,拿着永生神的印。他就向那得着权柄能伤害地和海的四位天使大声喊着说:
3“地与海并树木你们不可伤害,等我们印了我们神众仆人的额。”
"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." - Revelation 7:3
In our reading today we see another scene unfolding from the opening of the sixth seal. In the previous scene we saw everyone reeling as the foundations of the earth tore apart and people had nowhere to hide. And now we see God’s mighty angels holding back the four winds so that God’s servants can receive his seal of protection. All who have faith in God and the saving power of the Lamb (Jesus) will be spared from the oncoming destruction.
Which group do you identify with? Are you in the company of God’s servants, people who live by faith? Or do you keep trying to run and hide away from God?
The tearing open of creation leaves no uncertainty. When God says the time has come, there will no longer be anywhere to hide. At this point we need to ponder God’s gift of grace. Because of Jesus, we can receive "the seal of the living God," for he has conquered death and says, "I give them eternal life . . . no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).
God’s seal on us is God’s way of saying, "I am your God; you are my people. I love and care for you more than you will ever understand. I am not here to let destruction come upon you but to give life to all who put their trust in me." (See John 3:16.)
The gift of God’s seal is yours to embrace—a call and commitment to stand with all who identify as servants of the living God.
Lord and Savior, your grace and goodness are wide and deep. Thank you for your love and your protective care. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳