2008-07-24 Devotionals Today

知信行網上團契為各主內肢體提供的每日靈糧，歡迎訂閱，推介及奉獻支持。 《網絡天糧》查詢，請電郵：ccf@ccfellow.org 訂閱天糧 | 轉介天糧 | 修訂訂閱 | 奉獻支持 神的羔羊是配受稱頌的 粵語國語 第24天 讀經：啟示錄四章1至10節 　　這段經文描繪了天上的美麗景象，是我們每位信徒藉著神的恩典終可見到的。我們聽過不少關於信徒來到天堂的大門口，將會有誰出來迎迓的故事或笑話。然而，根據聖經的記載，曾經有幸瞥見天堂的人，他們第一眼看見的，並非甚麼大門或天使，而是坐在寶座上的基督。 　　約翰聽見有聲音呼喚他說：「你上到這裡來」。因此，當基督再來要接走屬祂的人時，神的兒女便會聽見基督的呼喚。我們透過聖經知道主會從天上降臨，發出大響聲，我們將會聽見祂說：「你上到這裡來」。這將是何等奇妙的一刻啊！ 　　約翰除了看見坐在寶座上的基督，還看見甚麼呢？他看見活物和24位長老。按照一般的解釋，這24位長老是代表新約的教會。自五旬節成立教會的那一刻開始，教會這時便完結了他的任務，首次齊集在天上；而且，無論是早已離世上了天堂，抑或那些仍然在地上存活的信徒，如今都一同齊集在天上。 　　那24位長老把他們的冠冕放在基督的腳前。他們承認祂是惟一配得尊貴和稱頌的。聖經沒有詳述我們回天家之後，將會做些甚麼；然而，能夠面對面地與主見面，跟祂一起在天上同活，就已經是好得無比了。 　　那麼，按照神的計劃，祂下一步要對這世界採取甚麼行動呢？祂並非要藉著某一個國家來摧毀這個世界；反之，神要在祂所定的時間更新這個世界。但我們如今所等候的，乃是耶穌基督從天上降臨，將祂的新婦──教會──接到天上與祂一起。祂會何時再來呢？我們不知道。可是，祂隨時都有可能再來，所以，我們必須省察，看看自己有否聽從聖經的吩咐，有一顆時刻警醒和等候主的心。 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WORTHY IS THE LAMB DAY 24 BIBLE READING: Revelation 4:1-10 This is a beautiful picture of heaven and of what we will all see one day by the grace of God. Here Christ is seen upon his throne. There are many stories and jokes about who will meet us at the gate of heaven. But whenever anyone has had a glimpse of heaven, the first sight that has met their eyes is Christ on his throne-not the gate, not the people, but Christ himself. John heard a voice saying 'Come up higher'. So God's family will hear Christ's voice when he comes again and takes away his own. We read that the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout and we will hear him say 'Come'. What a wonderful moment that will be. What did John see in heaven after he had seen -Christ on the throne? He saw living creatures, or beings and 24 elders. It is usually thought that these 24 elders represent the church of the New Testament. The Church will be there complete for the first time since it began on the day of Pentecost and we will all be there-those who have already gone on to heaven and those who remain alive until Jesus Christ comes. This group cast their crowns down at the feet of Jesus Christ. They recognised him as the one-the only one worthy of their-honour and praise. We are not told all that we will be doing when we get home to glory, but it will be wonderful to be in the presence of Christ and to share in heaven with him. What is the next great event in God's program for this world? It is not the entire destruction of the world by one country or another. God will renew this world in his own time, but the next great event is the return of Jesus Christ from heaven to take all his church-his bride-to be in heaven with him. When will he come? Any day? Any time? It could be today. Are you watching and waiting for him as he told us to do?