在东温哥华，当我第一次看到成千上万的乌鸦在黄昏时分飞行时，有一种怪异和不祥的预感。但多年后，我已经习惯了这些鸟在海滩和它们的栖息地之间穿梭，平均每天两次在天空中举行嘈杂喧闹的游行。
这些善于在空中飞翔的鸟比鸣禽飞得更高，但比翱翔的鹰更接近地面，如今它们在许多城市都数量繁多。它们甚至被称为“爱因斯坦鸟”，因为它们懂得调整自己的行为模式以适应人类的生活。乌鸦已经知道，城市地区的威胁更少，食物更丰富，所以它们大量生活在受保护的公园里，从人类留下的垃圾中寻找食物。
圣经中多次提到这些大量繁殖的鸟，神在祂的计划中指定它们来伸张正义，在启示录19章中，它们被召唤去吞噬邪恶的统治者。这些成群的乌鸦参与击杀行动，这让人不寒而栗，深感不悦，但与此同时我们也有一个充满盼望的应许，那就是神最终不会让邪恶掌权。世界上所发生的种种暗昧之事让我们心碎；我们承认腐败和邪恶的存在。但在基督里，我们确信有一天一切都会恢复正常。
公平正义的神啊，我们信靠你叫一切都更新的应许。愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
启示录 19:11-21
11我观看，见天开了。有一匹白马，骑在马上的称为“诚信真实”，他审判、争战都按着公义。
12他的眼睛如火焰，他头上戴着许多冠冕，又有写着的名字，除了他自己没有人知道。
13他穿着溅了血的衣服，他的名称为“神之道”。
14在天上的众军骑着白马，穿着细麻衣，又白又洁，跟随他。
15有利剑从他口中出来，可以击杀列国。他必用铁杖辖管他们，并要踹全能神烈怒的酒榨。
16在他衣服和大腿上有名写着说：“万王之王，万主之主。”
17我又看见一位天使站在日头中，向天空所飞的鸟大声喊着说：“你们聚集来赴神的大筵席！
18可以吃君王与将军的肉，壮士与马和骑马者的肉，并一切自主的、为奴的，以及大小人民的肉。”
19我看见那兽和地上的君王，并他们的众军都聚集，要与骑白马的并他的军兵争战。
20那兽被擒拿，那在兽面前曾行奇事、迷惑受兽印记和拜兽像之人的假先知，也与兽同被擒拿。他们两个就活活地被扔在烧着硫磺的火湖里。
21其余的被骑白马者口中出来的剑杀了。飞鸟都吃饱了他们的肉。
"I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, 'Come, gather together for the great supper of God. . . .'" - Revelation 19:17
My first sighting of the flight of tens of thousands of crows at dusk in East Vancouver was eerie and foreboding. But over the years, I've grown used to this cacophonous, raucous parade in the sky that takes place twice a day as these birds travel between the beaches and their rookeries.
These midair birds fly higher up than songbirds but closer to the earth than soaring eagles, and they are flourishing in many cities today. They have even been dubbed the "Einstein bird" for the ways they have adjusted their behavior to human patterns. Crows have learned that threats are fewer and food is more plentiful in urban areas, so they live in abundance in protected parks, and they glean from the messes that humans leave behind.
The Bible has many references to these prolific birds that God has appointed in his plan to bring justice, and in Revelation 19 they are called to devour evil rulers. Acknowledging these swarms, or murders, of crows is chilling and unpleasant, but we also have the hopeful promise that God will not allow evil to have the final word. There are things that happen in the world that break our hearts; we recognize corruption and evil. But in Christ we are assured that one day things will be made right again.
God of justice and righteousness, we trust in your promise to make all things new. Let your kingdom come, and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
