www.shengjing.org/xiaocezi.htm
基督就要回来了!
圣经关于基督再临的教训
Christ is Coming!
Bible Teaching About His Return
It was once fashionable in religious circles to say that Jesus Christ would never return to the earth. There are still plenty of professing Christians who believe that. But there are now many others who have come to believe that the Second Coming is a very important event.
在宗教圈里曾经很流行的说法是基督决不会再回到地球了。现在有许多自称的基督徒仍相信那种观点。但也有许多人相信基督第二次来临是极其重要的大事。
Christadelphians have always taught that the Return of Jesus Christ to the earth is vital to the fulfillment of the purpose of God. This booklet reviews Bible teaching about the Second Coming，
both the events that will lead up to that miracle and the reason for the Lord's Return.
基督弟兄会始终认为耶稣基督回地球是实现神的目的的关键。这本小册子回顾了圣经关于基督第二次来临的教义，导致那个奇迹的两件大事以及主返回地球的原因。
New Testament Teaching
新约中的教训
Someone has counted the New Testament references to this great event，
and they number 318 occurrences! If you reflect that the number of times the word for Christian love occurs is only 115，
you will begin to see the importance of this topic. Nor is it simply the case that only one or two New Testament writers refer to the matter in their writings. Treatment of the subject is widely spread.
有人数过圣经提到那件大事的次数，总共出现318次!
如果你考虑到那个词因为对基督的爱出现过115次，你就会看出这个主题的重要性。现在的事实是只有一、二位新约圣经的作者在他们的作品中提到那件事。对这个主题的处理态度具有普遍性意义。
Jesus spoke often about the Kingdom of God and his Second Coming. His parables，
for example， were told to those who thought the Kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He was like a nobleman who had to go “into a far country to receive for himself a Kingdom and to return” (Luke 19：12). More than once he spoke of the Coming of the Son of Man (e.g. Matthew 24：27，30，37，39，48；
25：27； 26：64). And when he assured his disciples of his continuing spiritual，
but invisible， presence “even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28：20)，
he inferred that then he would be visibly present with them for ever.
耶稣经常说到神的国及其来临。例如，他向那些认为神的国马上就会出现的人讲述他的寓言。他就像一个贵族“往远方去，要得着国回来”(路加福音19：12)。他不止一次讲到过人子降临(如马太福音24：27，30，37，39，48；25：27；26：64)。 他保证自己看得见，实实在在地出现在他们面前，“直到世界的末了” (马太错误！链接无效。
28：20)，他推断说他会永远和他们在一起。
The testimony of the Apostles was equally plain. They had been clearly taught by the Risen Lord who，
during the forty days before his ascension into heaven，
instructed them about the Kingdom of God， the restored kingdom of Israel (Acts 1：3，6). It was the opening theme of his post-resurrection appearances that all the Old Testament promises were coming to their fulfillment in him (Luke 24：27). At the time of his ascension，
as he was being taken up from the Mount of Olives into the clouds，
God sent His angels to explain.
使徒们的陈述也都同样清清楚楚。他们在主在升天前的四十天里已受到明确的指导，知道天国，即以色列国的复兴（使徒行传1：3，6）。基督复活后显现是首要的话题，所以旧约圣经中一切的应许都要在他身上实现(路加福音24：27)。他升天时从橄榄山被提入云中，神差遣他的天使作解释。
“Ye men of Galilee”， they said to the watching apostles，
“Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus，
which is taken up from you into heaven， shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1：11).
“加利利人哪”，他们对观看的使徒们说，“你们为什么站着望天呢？这离开你们被接升天的耶稣，你们见他怎样往天上去，他还要怎样来”(使徒行传1：11)。
It is not therefore surprising that when the Apostles began to teach in the streets of Jerusalem，
they said that their Lord Jesus Christ was to return to the earth as King. Peter gave the lead when he boldly announced that the grave could not keep Jesus imprisoned. He referred his hearers to a statement in Psalm 110：1，
used also by his Lord， to show that he had gone to heaven only until his enemies have been subdued (2：34，35). Note the authoritative use of the Old Testament.
所以，使徒们在耶路撒冷的大街小巷开始传教，说他们的主耶稣基督要回到地球上做王，这并不奇怪。彼得带头大胆地宣布阴间无法监禁耶稣。他要听众查阅诗篇110：1中的论述，这节经文主也使用过，说他要在敌人屈服以后才上天(2：34，35)。请注意旧约圣经中权威的用法。
But also note a vital point. Bible teaching is never given just for the sake of informing us what happens next. It always has a deeper intention，
for we are meant to use the knowledge it confers to prepare ourselves for those coming events：
但还要注意重要的一点。圣经的教训决不是仅仅要告诉我们下一步会发生什么事。它始终都有更深的意图，因为我们要利用圣经传递的知识，为即将来临的大事做好准备：
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus，
whom ye have crucified， both Lord and Christ . . . Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2：36，38).
“故此，以色列全家当确实地知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣，神已经立他为主，为基督了…你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦”(使徒行传2：36，38)。
It should follow that our consideration of Bible truth concerning the Return of the Lord should also cause us to search our hearts.
关于主的再临，我们应思考圣经的真理，还要思索我们的心灵。
Other New Testament Writings
新约中的其它作品
But what of the writings of other New Testament authors? Let us look at just one of the New Testament letters，
the First written by Paul to the Thessalonians. Notice how he centers his entire message on the truth of the personal return to the earth of the Lord：
但新约圣经其它作者的作品又怎么样呢? 仅让我们阅读一下新约圣经中的一封书信，就是保罗写给帖撒罗尼亚的第一封信。请注意他全部的信息都集中在他要亲自返回到地球的事实上：
“wait for his Son from heaven . . . which delivereth us from the wrath to come” (1：10)；
“等候他儿子从天降临…救我们脱离将来忿怒的耶稣。”(1：10)；
“what is our hope or joy? Are not ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (2：19)；
“我们的盼望和喜乐是什么呢？我们主耶稣来的时候你们在他面前站立得住吗”(2：19)？
“he may stablish your hearts unblameable . . . at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (3：13)；
“好使你们当我们主耶稣同他众圣徒来的时候…心里坚固，成为圣洁，无可责备”(3：13)；
“the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout” (4：16)；
“主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音”(4：16)；
“the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (5：2)；
“主的日子来到，好像夜间的贼一样。”(5：2)；
“I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5：23).
“愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指责” (5：23)！
You could try extending this investigation， if you wish. The emphasis on the Lord's Coming continues in all the New Testament letters，
but it is always related to practical Christian living. Because the Lord is coming again，
there were matters in their lives that required attention! And it is so for us.
如果你愿意还可以展开这次调查。新约圣经所有的书信里都继续强调主的再临，但它始终关系到基督徒的实际生活。因为主就要回来了，他们生活里有些事情需要关注。我们也同样。
Old Testament Teaching
旧约中的教训
The same person who counted 318 references in the New Testament extended the search to the Old Testament，
and discovered 1，527 such references to an event in God's purpose which can be no other than the Coming of Christ as King. Let it be clear that the exact number is unimportant；
there is always room for some difference of opinion about the occasional passage. But it is perhaps startling to some readers to consider that there could be five times as many references to the Second Coming in a part of the Bible which has suffered widely from neglect over the years.
同样的这个人在新约圣经中出现318次，如果检索扩展到旧约圣经，发现有1527次的事情指神的目的，这件事就是耶稣基督来做王。让我们明确一下，精确的数字并不重要；偶然某些章节的观点会有一些差异。但令读者惊讶的是旧约中提到第二次降临的次数是新约的五倍之多，这个事实多年来一直受到忽视。
The fact of the matter is this： the New Testament can only be understood once the Old Testament has also been studied. The two Testaments belong together as interdependent parts of God's revealed truth. What the Old Testament foretells the New Testament fulfils，
in part. But a very large amount of Old Testament prophecy remains unfulfilled.
这件事的事实是：一旦旧约圣经研究过了新约圣经就容易理解。新旧约圣经同属于神启示的真理，是不可分割的。旧约圣经的预言在新约圣经中部分实现了。但旧约圣经中大量的预言还没有实现。
Consider these promises of a King who will reign over God's Kingdom on earth，
and ask yourself whether they have ever been fulfilled：
请思考一下一个要在地球上统治天国的王所作出的应许，扪心自问它们是否已经实现了：
GENESIS：创世记： “Thy seed (a descendant of Abraham) shall possess the gate of his enemies； and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (22：17，18； see Acts 3：25； Galatians 3：16).“你子孙必得著仇敌的城门，并且地上万国都必因你的后裔得福” (22：17，18；见创世记3：25；加拉太书3：16)。
2 SAMUEL：撒母耳记下： “And when thy days (David) be fulfilled， and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers， I will set up thy seed (descendant) after thee， which shall proceed out of thy bowels， and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house (a Temple) for my name， and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (7：12，13).“你寿数满足、与你列祖同睡的时候，我必使你的后裔接续你的位；我也必坚定他的国。他必为我的名建造殿宇；我必坚定他的国位，直到永远”(7：12，13)。
PSALMS：诗篇： “The LORD hath said unto me， Thou art my Son； this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me， and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance， and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (2：7，8； see Acts 4：25，26)；“耶和华曾对我说：你是我的儿子，我今日生你。你求我，我就将列国赐你为基业，将地极赐你为田产”(2：7，8；见使徒行传4：25，26)；“He (the promised king) . . . shall have dominion also from sea to sea， and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (72：6-8).“他要执掌权柄，从这海直到那海，从大河直到地极”(72：6-8)。
ISAIAH：以赛亚书： “It shall come to pass in the last days， that the mountain of the LORD's house (His Temple) shall be established in the top of the mountains (at Jerusalem) . . . and all nations shall flow unto it . . . for out of Zion shall go forth the law， and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations” (2：2-4)；“末后的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立，超乎诸山，高举过于万岭；万民都要流归这山．．．训诲必出于锡安；耶和华的言语必出于耶路撒冷。他必在列国中施行审判”(2：2-4)；“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end， upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom， to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” (9：7)； “他的政权与平安必加增无穷。他必在大卫的宝座上治理他的国，以公平公义使国坚定稳固，从今直到永远”(9：7)；
JEREMIAH：耶利米书： “Behold，
the days come， saith the LORD，
that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch (descendant)，
and a King shall reign and prosper， and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved，
and Israel shall dwell safely： and this is the name whereby he shall be called，
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (23：5，6).“耶和华说：日子将到，我要给大卫兴起一个公义的苗裔；他必掌王权，行事有智慧，在地上施行公平和公义。在他的日子，犹大必得救，以色列也安然居住。他的名必称为‘耶和华我们的义’” (23：5，6)。
The Kingdom of God
神的国
Many times God has promised that He will rule the earth. What man has failed time and again to achieve，
God will establish. The King will be a descendant of both Abraham and David (see Matthew 1：1). He will rule from Jerusalem，
on David's throne (see Luke 1：31-33). His Kingdom will be one of justice and righteousness；
it will involve Divine education， Temple worship，
and the exercise of Kingly power to establish peace on earth (see Revelation 11：15-18).
神多次应许说他会统治地球。人一再失败的东西，神会建立起来。王是亚伯拉罕和大卫的后裔(见马太福音1：1)。他要坐在耶路撒冷，坐大卫的宝座上统治全球(见路加福音1：31-33)。他的国将成为一个公平与公义的国；包括神圣的教育，殿里拜神，施行王权在地球上建立和平(见启示录11：15-18)。
The Kingdom of God was once before established on earth. King David and his descendants reigned upon the throne of the Kingdom of the Lord (1 Chronicles 28：5). There was nothing special about the throne itself. The Divine appointment was what mattered and when king after king had neglected God's law，
He brought that arrangement to an end. But even when the prophet Ezekiel announced the end of the Kingdom to King Zedekiah (in 21：25-27)，
he promised that God would restore the Kingdom on earth when he should “come whose right it is”.
神的国曾经在地球上建立过。大卫王和他的后裔曾在耶和华国的宝座上统治过
(历代记上28：5)。宝座本身并没有什么特别的东西。起作用的是神圣的委派，当一代一代的王漠视神的律法时，他就结束了这样的安排。即使当先知以西结对西底家国王宣布国倾覆(见21：25-27)，他还应许“那应得的人来到”时神会在地球上恢复他的国。
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth has therefore to be understood against that powerful Old Testament background. When Jesus began his public ministry by announcing that the Kingdom of God was at hand (Mark 1：15)，
he was saying to those who knew the Old Testament promises that he was the promised King. But Jesus had first come to achieve personal righteousness，
and to make it possible for others to become right with God.
因此，理解主耶稣基督第二次降临到地球上必须以旧约圣经为背景。耶稣开始公开传教时宣布神的国即将来临(马可福音1：15)，他是对那些了解旧约圣经里应许的人说他就是被神应许的王。但耶稣首先要实现个人的义，才能使他人正确地对待神。
It is now possible for us to find peace with God through the forgiveness of our sins，
by association with the saving work of the Lord Jesus. First we have to understand the Gospel，
including Bible teaching about the work and person of the Lord Jesus，
and the Kingdom over which he is now the King. Then we have to be baptized as believing adults into his saving Name (see Acts 8：1 2).
现在我们通过主耶稣的拯救工作，使我们的罪孽得到饶恕，就能找到与神之间的和平。首先，我们必须理解福音，包括圣经关于主耶稣的工作和为人，还有他现在正为王的国。然后，我们还得作为信他的成人洗入他拯救的名(见使徒行传8：12)。
Behold Your King!
看哪，这是你们的王！
But what is the Second Coming of the Lord going to be like? For example，
would it be possible to miss it altogether and not even be aware that it had occurred? Will it be visible or invisible? Will Jesus be there in person or merely a spiritual presence? And will he come to the earth or only towards the earth?
但是，主的第二次来临会什么样呢? 例如，我们会不会完全错过，甚至发生的时候知也不知道呢?
可视还是不可视呢？耶稣会亲临现场或只是精神显现呢？他会到达地球上还是只往地球来呢?
Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave. He was not an invisible spirit creature but One who could be seen，
handled and held (1 John 1：1；
Luke 24：39，40). His body was marked by the evidence of his suffering on the cross. Yet he was no longer subject to the limitations of human existence. He could come and go despite locked doors，
and on Mount Olivet he ascended bodily to heaven， defying the law of gravity. The disciples had seen him go；
he would return visibly. As the angel later said： “Behold，
he cometh with clouds； and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1：7). Or as Zechariah the Old Testament prophet had predicted，
long before the crucifixion， “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him” (12：10).
耶稣的身体已从死亡中复活。他不是一个不可视的鬼怪，而是能被人看得见、听得见、手摸得到(约翰一书1：1；路加福音24：39，40)。他的身体上明显有他在十之架上受难时的伤痕。然后，他已不局限于人类生存的范畴。虽然门锁着他也能进出，在橄榄山上他摆脱地球引力，身体升天。他的门徒看他升天；他回来时也是能被看见的。正如天使后来所说：“看哪，他驾云降临！众目要看见他”(启示录1：7)。或正如旧约圣经中的先知撒迦利亚早在耶稣被钉在十字架上之前所说的那样：“他们必仰望我，就是他们所扎的；必为我悲哀”(12：10)。
So it will not do to say that only those who look with faith will see the Lord. Some will look，
see， and mourn (Revelation 1：7). Nor will it do to say that Jesus will come invisibly，
for the Lord himself warned：
所以，不能说只有那些有信的人能看见主。众人都要看他，看见他，要哀哭(启示录1：7)。也不能说耶稣来的时候看不见，因为主自己曾作出警告：
“Then if any man shall say unto you， Lo，
here is Christ， or there；
believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets . . .” (Matthew 24：23，24).
“那时，若有人对你们说：‘基督在这里’，或说：‘基督在那里’，你们不要信！因为假基督、假先知将要起来…”(马太福音24：23，24)。
Nor will it do to argue that the Bible talks of the presence of the Lord，
meaning that it will be an invisible one. The New Testament also talks about the revelation of the Lord，
using a word that means uncovering or manifesting. In fact，
the presence (Greek： parousia) of the Lord turns out to be an especially suitable term. One of the most authoritative Greek Lexicons available says of the word：
我们也无需争论圣经是否谈论主的显现，意思是不可见的。新约圣经还谈到了耶和华的启示，启示这个词是显示和体现出来的意思。事实上，在耶和华面前
(希腊语：parousia) 应该是一个特别合适的用词。 一本希腊最具权威的词典这样解释这个词：
“It became the official term for a visit of a person of high rank，
especially of kings and emperors visiting a province” (Arndt and Gingrich).
“这是一个官方用语，描述高层人员的到访，特别是国王或皇帝访问某个省”(Arndt和Gingrich)。
It is such a visit by a King that the Scriptures foretell. The crowds who welcomed King Jesus into Jerusalem when he sat astride a donkey and they threw coats and' palm branches before him，
shouted out greetings that referred right back to the Promises of God：
“Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11：10). Matthew comments that the rejoicing was a foretaste of what had been forecast by Zechariah the prophet，
when he wrote “Behold， thy King cometh unto thee”.
王的这次到访在圣书里已有预言。众人欢迎国王耶稣进入耶路撒冷，耶稣骑着驴，他们把衣服和棕榈树枝铺在路上，对应许的神高喊祝贺：“那将要来的我祖大卫之国是应当称颂的”(马可福音11：10)！马太评论说这欢乐早已被先知撒迦利亚预言过，他说：“看哪，你的王来到你这里。”
Now if the initial royal visit was attended by such joy and rejoicing，
consider what the next one will be like! The prophet had declared：
既然王的初次到访都如此欢乐与幸福，请想象接下来会怎么样!
先知是这样说的：
“Rejoice greatly， O daughter of Zion；
shout， O daughter of Jerusalem：
behold thy king cometh unto thee： he is just，
and having salvation. . . and he shall speak peace unto the heathen；
and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea， and from the river even to the ends of the earth” (Zechariah 9：9，10).
“锡安的民哪，应当大大喜乐；耶路撒冷的民哪，应当欢呼。看哪，你的王来到你这里！他是公义的，并且施行拯救，谦谦和和地骑着驴，就是骑着驴的驹子。我必除灭以法莲的战车和耶路撒冷的战马；争战的弓也必除灭。他必向列国讲和平；他的权柄必从这海管到那海，从大河管到地极”(撒迦利亚书9：9，10)。
Dual Fulfillment
双重实现
This Scripture illustrates a widely used feature of Bible prophecy：
its joint short and long-term character. Jerusalem rejoiced at the Kingly coming of Jesus -- “Lowly and riding upon an ass，
and upon a colt the foal of an ass” -- just as the prophet had said. But their joy was short-lived，
for he did not then go on to establish worldwide peace，
or commence to rule from Jerusalem over a Kingdom that was to last for ever. Jesus completed enough of the prophecy at that time to demonstrate that he was the Coming One，
and to give us confidence that he will return to complete the promised transformation of the earth. Zechariah compressed the two comings in such a way that there appeared to be no interval between them. This has led some people to argue that the Kingdom will never come，
because， they say， even Jesus expected it in the First Century，
or at most shortly afterwards. It has thus been dismissed by some as an early Christian hope，
which has now been superseded by a superior understanding. But when all the Scriptures are studied carefully，
it becomes clear that the Coming of Jesus was not to occur immediately after his ascension to heaven.
该圣书解释了圣经预言广泛使用的一个特点：它组合了短期和长期特点。耶路撒冷欣喜王的到来—“看哪，你的王来到你这里，是温柔的，又骑着驴，就是骑着驴驹子”–正如先知所说。但他们的欢乐是短暂的，因为耶稣没有建立世界性的和平，也没有开始从耶路撒冷统治他永恒的国。那时耶稣完成了大量的预言，证明他就是要到来的王，要我们相信他会返回到地球上完成对地球的改造。撒迦利亚就这样浓缩了他的两次来临，好像它们之间并没有时间间隔似的。这导致某些人争辩说他的国将永远不会到来，因为他们认为耶稣说的事情在第一世纪，或之后不久。因此，有些人将之视为早期基督徒的希望，现在有了更深刻的理解。但如果我们仔细研究全部的圣书就会清楚地发现耶稣的降临不会立即发生在他升天之后。
The Day and the Hour
其时其刻
Any attempt to show that Jesus was mistaken about the time of his Coming is doomed to failure. He clearly stated，
more than once， that he did not know：
任何要证明耶稣关于他的降临时间有误的企图都是注定要失败的。他明确地声明，不止一次地说他不知道：
“Of that day and hour knoweth no man， no，
not the angels of heaven， but my Father only” (Matthew 24：36).
“那日子，那时辰，没有人知道，连天上的使者也不知道，子也不知道，惟独父知道”(马太福音24：36)。
As he later said， this was something that the Father had reserved within His own authority (Acts 1：7). But Jesus did know that some long time would elapse before his Second Coming. He told parables to indicate that his coming would not “immediately appear” (Luke 1 9：11)，
that it would be “after a long time” (Matthew 25：19)，
and that there might be some delay for those who were waiting (25：3). Like their Lord，
his followers were to appreciate that they could “not know what hour” he would come.
正如他后来说的那样，这是父凭着自己的权柄所定的(使徒行传1：7)。但耶稣不知道要过多长时间才会到来他的第二次来临。他说寓言表明他的到来不会“马上显出来”(路加福音19：11)，那会在“很长时间”之后(马太福音25：19)，对那些等待他的人可能会有迟延的时候(25：3)。和他们的主一样，信徒要感激他们不知道主“几时会到来”。
The apostles also acknowledged that they could not know the precise time of the great event for which they waited. Peter warned about people who would scoff，
as so many have， at the “promise of his coming” (2 Peter 3：4). Indeed he poured scorn on their faithlessness，
what he called “willful ignorance” -- people believing what they wanted to believe，
regardless of the evidence. And Paul was in no doubt either，
for he went on record as saying：
使徒们也承认他们不知道自己在等待的大事到来的精确时间。彼得曾警告过那些嘲笑“降临的应许”(彼得后书3：4)的人。他确实轻蔑他们背信弃义，称之为“有意忽视”—这些人爱怎么信就怎么信，全然不顾事实。保罗也不没有怀疑，因为他继续说：
“But of the times and the seasons， brethren，
ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh . . .” (1 Thessalonians 5：1，2).
“弟兄们，论到时候、日期，不用写信给你们；因为你们自己明明晓得，主的日子来到…”(帖撒罗尼亚前书5：1，2)。
Can you complete that quotation? It holds the key to two vital matters concerning the early return of the King. Notice first what the verse above says. There would be general indications available -- what Paul calls “times and seasons” -- which would help keep the believers prepared. And the verse continues：
你能完成这段引言吗? 这是关于王早早返回的两大生死攸关的问题。请先注意上述经文里说的话。会有些普通的迹象，就是保罗所说的“时间和日子”，这些迹象有助于信徒作好准备。该经文继续说：
“. . . the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
“. . .叫那日子临到你们像贼一样。”
When it happens the Lord's Coming will be swift， sudden and unexpected. No-one expects thieves to strike. But they often succeed because people overlook the dangers. It is also the case that speed is vital to a successful robbery，
which is why the figure is used by Jesus (Matthew 24：43)，
Paul (1 Thessalonians 5：2)，
and Peter (2 Peter 3：10)，
to emphasise the vital point. We must be on our guard，
watchful， prepared， vigilant. The Lord could come at any time! He will come when we least expect him!
时候到来时，主的来临迅速、突然和出人意料。就像没有料到会遭遇小偷袭击一样。但由于人们的疏忽大意，小偷常常得手。迅速是成功抢夺的关键，正因如此，耶稣
(马太福音4：43)、保罗(帖撒罗尼亚前书5：2)和彼得(彼得后书3：10)也使用过这个角色，强调其重要性。我们必须当心、警惕、有准备和警醒。主随时都会到来!
他会在我们不经意间到来!
The Times and Seasons
时间和日期
That is why when Jesus explained what was to happen before his Return，
he very carefully emphasised the need for watchfulness. Sitting with his disciples one day on the Mount of Olives，
from where he would later ascend to heaven， he gave them some general indications of what was to happen prior to his “coming and the end of the world” (Matthew 24：3). This prophecy presents a fascinating challenge，
for it combines a short-term prediction about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple，
with a long-term forecast of world events.
正因如此，耶稣在解释他返回之前会发生什么事情时非常强调警惕的重要性。有一天耶稣和他的门徒一起座在橄榄山上，耶稣后来就是从这山上升天的，他赐给门徒一些普通的迹象，显示他们在他“降临和世界的末了”(马太福音24：3)之前会发生什么事情。这预言代表一次挑战，因为它既短期预报了耶路撒冷的覆灭和殿的毁灭，也长期预报了天下的大事。
A list of the predicted events in the three Gospel accounts (Matthew 24，
Mark 1 3 and Luke 24)， which does not claim to be a structured sequence of prophetic events，
shows the following：
三部福音里有被预言的系列事件(马太福音24，马可福音1 3和路加福音24)， 这些事件并没有说明预言有次序，主要如下：
1. The rise of false Christianity and false Christs
2. The persecution of true Christians.
3. Wars and rumors of wars， nation against nation.
4. Earthquakes， famines and pestilences.
5. Jerusalem surrounded by armies.
6. The Jewish nation dispersed.
7. Jerusalem in non-Jewish occupation.
8. Tribulation and distress.
9. Signs in the sun， moon and stars.
10. The powers of heaven shaken.
1. 假基督教和假基督的兴起。
2. 迫害真基督徒。
3. 国与国之间的战争和战争的传言。
4. 地震、饥荒和瘟疫。
5. 耶路撒冷被敌军包围。
6. 犹太民族被驱逐。
7.耶路撒冷被非犹太人占领。
8. 苦难与不幸。
9. 太阳、月亮和星星的迹象。
10. 天势都要震动。
Notice how believers are warned about the rise and growth of false Christianity. It is the Lord's first concern. His words were fulfilled by the rapid development of wrong teaching in New Testament times (e.g. Acts 20：29)，
and are being fulfilled again at the close of this age. Elsewhere the message is that the true believers will comprise a very small remnant，
compared with those who hold a distorted form of Christianity.
请注意信徒要警惕假基督教的兴起和成长。这是主最关心的事情。耶稣的话实现了，因为旧约圣经时代假教义迅速崛起(如使徒行传20：29)，在这个时代结束时还会再次出现。其它地方的信息告诉我们，与被歪曲的基督教中的信徒相比，真信徒只有很少的一部分人。
Antichrist
敌基督者
The apostles also warn about this development. Paul was emphatic that there would be manifestations of false Christianity，
for he prophesied that the Day of the Lord：
使徒们也警告过这种趋势。保罗强调说会显现假基督教，因为他预言到主日：
“shall not come， except there come a falling away first，
and that man of sin be revealed， the son of perdition；
who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God，
or that is worshipped” (2 Thessalonians 2：3，4).
“人不拘用什么法子，你们那日子以前，必有离道反教的事，并有那大罪人，就是沉沦之子，显露出来。他是抵挡主，高抬自己，超过一切称为神的和一切受人敬拜的”(帖撒罗尼亚后书2：3，4)。
The apostle Paul describes the man of sin in language that refers back to the prophet Daniel，
who accurately foretold the rise and fall of four empires that exercised power in the Middle East. He traced the development from them to a false religious system，
involving the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy， that is opposed to Christ and his true followers. This is counterfeit Christianity，
and the apostle Paul describes it as “the mystery of iniquity” which was already at work，
and “a strong delusion”.
使徒保罗使用先知但以理的语言描述人的罪孽，他曾预言神使用能力在中东兴起和覆灭四个帝国。他描绘四国发展成一种错误的宗教制度，包括神圣的罗马帝国罗马教皇，反对基督及其真信徒。这是假冒的基督徒，使徒保罗把它描述成已在工作的“不法的隐意”和“错误的心”。
The other thread of teaching in the Lord's catalogue of future events concerned trouble. There were to be wars and rumors of wars，
both within and between nations； there would be natural disasters and widespread hardship，
earthquakes， famines and epidemics；
terrors and fearful sights would be in the heavens，
causing much fear and distress. People would not know which way to turn for fear of what was about to happen on earth.
在主关于未来事件的目录中另一条教训的线索关系到麻烦。有战争和战争的传闻，包括国内和国家之间；有自然灾害和普遍的困难、地震、饥荒和流行病；来自天上的恐怖和恐怖的景象，降临百姓的惊恐和不幸。百姓害怕在地球上会发生什么事，却不知如何逃避。
To some extent these problems are as old as man. The tendency to war against one another is evident even in the first book of the Bible，
and famine features there too. But even within Bible history the atrocities of which man is capable become increasingly ugly，
and since then even more widespread horrors have been seen. The powers now available to mankind are enough to make any sane person fear for the future. More than ever before，
these words of Jesus are coming true：
在某种程度上讲，这些问题就像人类一样古老。相互间爆发战争的趋势在圣经第一本书里是明显的，饥荒的特征也很明显。但即使在圣经历史上，人类能制造暴行也日渐丑陋，从此以后我们已经看到了更加广泛传播的恐怖。现在人类已有能力使任何一位健康的人为未来担忧。现在耶稣的话比任何时候都更加真实：
“There shall be . . . upon the earth distress of nations，
with perplexity； the sea and the waves roaring；
men's hearts failing them for fear， and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth：
for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21：25-27).
“日、月、星辰要显出异兆，地上的邦国也有困苦；因海中波浪的响声，就慌慌不定。天势都要震动，人想起那将要临到世界的事，就都吓得魂不附体。那时，他们要看见人子有能力，有大荣耀驾云降临”(路加福音21：25-27)。
Tribulation
大灾难
The reference to the sea and waves roaring， like others to signs in the sun，
moon and stars， may be either symbolic or literal or some combination of both. The prophet Isaiah，
for example， wrote about the wicked being “like the troubled sea，
when it cannot rest， whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (57：20). Jesus may have been drawing upon such imagery to describe a world that was full of trouble because it was full of wickedness. He may also have been teaching us to look out for some upheaval of the physical order，
like tidal waves， which would also be an indication of the end of the age. Certainly there have been many earthquakes and natural disasters over the past few years，
all over the world. The apostle Paul described the whole world order as groaning and travailing in pain (Romans 8：22)，
like a woman waiting to be delivered of a child. It is thus evident that our present troubles are the birthpangs of a new and better world，
soon to begin.
大海和波浪，就像日、月、星辰要显出异兆一样，既有象征意义也有字面意思，或者两者兼而有之。例如先知以赛亚将不幸描写成“好像翻腾的海，不得平静；其中的水常涌出污秽和淤泥来”(57：20)。耶稣用比喻把世界描绘成充满邪恶。他还教导我们要当心一些自然秩序的剧变，如海潮，它们也是世界末日的迹象。 当然，在过去几年里全世界已有多次地震和自然灾害。保罗曾把全世界的秩序描写成叹息、劳苦(罗马书8：22)，就像妇女等待产子一样。显然我们目前的痛苦是更加美好、即将到来新世界在出生时疼痛。
In both Testaments we are told that the tribulation that will come at the end of human government is the final herald of the Second Coming. It will be：
两部圣经都告诉我们，苦难会在人类政府结束时到来，是最终宣布主耶稣的第二次降临。它是：
“a time of trouble such as never was” (Daniel 12：1)；
“the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble” (Jeremiah 30：7)；
“great tribulation” (Matthew 24：21).
“有大艰难，从有国以来直到此时，没有这样的”(但以理书12：1)；
“雅各遭难的时候”(耶利米书30：7)；
“大灾难”(马太福音24：21)。
Will the believers waiting for their Lord have to suffer this trouble，
or will they be spared? The likelihood is that present-day believers will live through this time of trouble，
indeed that they have already begun to do so. Jesus promised that for the elect's sake that time would be shortened (Mark 13：20). But those who finally stand approved before the Judge are those “which came out of the great tribulation，
and they washed their robes， and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7：14).
等待主到来的信徒要经受苦难还是能够幸免呢？当代信徒可能活过苦难的时光，事实上他们已经开始这么做了。耶稣应许说为主的选民，时间将被缩短(马可福音13：20)。但那些最终站在法官面前获得认可的人是那些“从大患难中出来的，曾用羔羊的血把衣裳洗白净了”(启示录7：14)的人。
As that trouble increases， and God pours out His wrath upon the earth，
there are indications that true believers will be sheltered from that outpouring. Isaiah describes the great shake-up of human society when God intervenes：
由于麻烦的增加，神向地球倒下忿怒，有迹象表明真信徒能躲避这些倾倒而下的忿怒。以赛亚描述了神出面干涉时的极大震动：
“Come， my people， enter into thy chambers. . . hide thyself as it were for a little moment，
until the indignation be overpast. For， behold，
the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity” (24：18-23，
26：20，21).
“我的百姓啊，你们要来进入内室，关上门，隐藏片时，等到忿怒过去。因为耶和华从他的居所出来，要刑罚地上居民的罪孽。地也必露出其中的血，不再掩盖被杀的人”(24：18-23，26：20，21)。
We must therefore consider carefully what Jesus said：
因此我们必须仔细考虑耶稣说的话：
“When these things (the signs of which he spoke) begin t o come to pass，
then look up and lift up your heads， for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21：28).
“一有这些事，你们就当挺身昂首，因为你们得赎的日子近了”(路加福21：28)。
We should not wait until total disaster has struck，
and there is no escape route left. It is better to learn the lesson now，
that this is the time immediately before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
我们不能干等大灾难的发生，到时无路可逃。最好是现在就汲取教训，时间就在主耶稣第二次降临的时候。
The Nation which a Sign
迹象之国
There is one great sign which removes all doubt concerning his imminent return. The nation of Israel is back occupying the land promised by God. The history of the Jewish nation has been a guide throughout the ages to the outworking of God's purposes. They were called as a special people，
because of the great promises that had been made to their Fathers. They were given the right to occupy the land we now know as Israel，
conditional upon their faithful obedience to God. They were the people whose kings occupied the throne of God's Kingdom on earth.
有一个大的迹象能消除耶稣即将到来的所有疑惑。以色列民重新回来占领了神应许的地。犹太人的历史历年来都成了神目的的指南。他们被称为特别的民，因为神曾对他们的父辈作过伟大的应许。他们有权拥有我们现在知道的以色列地，条件只有他们忠诚地顺从神。这个民族的王曾经在地球上拥有天国的宝座。
They forfeited these rights when， after centuries of indifference，
they not only refused to accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah，
but were involved， with the Romans，
in effecting his death by crucifixion. Because of that rejection，
Jerusalem was overthrown. Throughout the intervening centuries Jews have wandered the earth as a stateless people，
hated and persecuted almost everywhere they went， just as Scripture said they would be.
他们几个世纪以来对神漠不关心，不但拒绝接受耶稣为他们的弥赛亚，而且还参与罗马人钉死耶稣，于是，他们就丧失了这些权利。因为他们拒绝了神的旨意，耶路撒冷倾覆。在神干涉的几个世纪里，犹太人作为一个没有国家的民族游荡在世界上，所到之处都受到他人的憎恨和迫害，就像圣书上所说的那样。
But Scripture also forecast a better future for this nation of sign，
not because they would change their behavior and live to deserve better treatment，
but because God would take pity on their plight and act to redeem them. He would remember the promises made of old to the Fathers and act to vindicate His great name. At the time of the end they would be brought back from the nations and once more be settled in their own land-the land of promise! So the prophets said：
圣书还为这个迹象的民族预言了一个更好的未来，不是因为他们改变了行为，理应得到更好的待遇，而是因为神同情他们的困境，采取行动赎救他们。神记念对他们父辈作过旧的应许，要采取行动维护他的大名。末日的时候他们将从各国返回，再次居住在他们自己的地，即神应许的地！所以先知们说：
ISAIAH：以赛亚书 “The remnant shall return . . the ransomed of the Lord shall return，
and come to Zion” (10：21；
35：10).“所剩下的，必归回…并且耶和华救赎的民必归回，歌唱来到锡安”(10：21；35：10)。
JEREMIAH：耶利米书： “He that scattered Israel will gather him” (31：10).“赶散以色列的必招聚他”(31：10)。
EZEKIEL：以西结书： “I will even gather you from the people， and assemble you out of the countries . . . then shall they dwell in their land . . . yea， they shall dwell with confidence” (11：17； 28：25，26).“我必从万民中招聚你们，从分散的列国内聚集你们，又要将以色列地赐给你们”(11：17； 28：25，26)。
ZECHARIAH：撒迦利亚书： “I will bring them， and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (8：8).“我要领他们来，使他们住在耶路撒冷中”(8：8)。
And so it came to pass. After nearly two thousand years of dispersion and down-treading，
in 1948 the State of Israel was born by the decree of the United Nations，
and in 1 967 the whole of Jerusalem was repossessed by Jews. It had taken all that time for the words of Jesus to be fulfilled：
事实正是如此。经过二千年的离散和压制后，1948年联合国终于颁布法令宣布以色列国成立，1967年犹太人重新占领整个耶路撒冷。耶稣的话花了那么长的时间才得以实现：
“They shall fall by the edge of the sword， and shall be led away captive into all nations：
and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles，
until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21：24).
“他们要倒在刀下，又被掳到各国去。耶路撒冷要被外邦人践踏，直到外邦人的日期满了”(路加福音21：24)。
Everything now indicates that the Times of the Gentiles are rapidly drawing to a close and the Time of the Kingdom of God is once more at hand. The bringing together of troublous times and the return of the Jews to the Land removes any doubt. Shortly King Jesus will return to Jerusalem as World Ruler，
to reign over Israel and over all nations. Of all the available Signs of the Times given by Jesus and the prophets，
the establishment of Israel-the Nation of Sign-is the clearest witness that the End is now at hand.
一切都显示外帮人的时代将迅速结束，天国的时代马上到来。动荡不安的时代以及犹太人返回到被应许的地消除了人们所有的疑虑。国王耶稣将立即返回到耶路撒冷作为世界的统治者，统治以色列和世界各国。在耶稣和先知们给出的时代迹象当中，以色列国的建立，即迹象之国，最明确地见证现在末日即将来临。
The “Rapture”
“被提”
What then awaits the faithful follower of Jesus? Can he expect to go to heaven with the Lord at his Return? Hardly，
for the Lord is coming to reign on earth， from Jerusalem. An elaborate scheme has been devised by some Bible readers which requires not one Coming but two. According to this，
Christ's Coming would be first for the Church only and would be a secret “rapture”. He would come again with the Church，
for the world， and this would be visible and public. In some versions of this theory the interval between the two comings is very small；
in others as much as seven years is thought to separate the two events.
什么东西在等待耶稣忠实的信徒呢? 他们能在主耶稣返回时和他一同上天吗？不能，因为主要回来统治地球，就在耶路撒冷。有些圣经读者设计出了一个详细的计划，耶稣需要两次降临而不是一次。据此，基督的来临首先只为教会和一次秘密的“提升”。他还会和教会再来，这次是为了全世界，这次来临可以看见，是公开的。该理论有些版本认为两次来临的间隔时间极为短暂；另一些版本认为两件大事的间隔时间为七年。
There is very little Scripture that can be used to attempt to support these theories，
for whilst there are some indications that a separation will occur between companions when Jesus comes (Luke 17：34-36)，
the main teaching about the circumstances of the Return is that given in Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians：
圣书可以支持这些理论的证据极少，虽然有迹象表明耶稣来临时同伴间有分离
(路加福音17：34-36)，有关返回情形的主要教义见保罗写给帖撒罗尼亚的第一封信：
“The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout，
with the voice of the archangel， and with the trump of God：
and the dead in Christ shall rise first： then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air：
and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (4：16，17).
“因为主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有神的号吹响；那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇。这样，我们就要和主永远同在”(帖撒罗尼亚前书4：16，17)。
The phrase caught up is that from which the whole idea of a rapture has evolved；and the links with a supposed seven year period of tribulation have been achieved by the unsatisfactory interpretation of other Scriptures，
especially from the Revelation. Clearly there is to be a catching away of true believers，
both of the living and the resurrected dead， “to meet the Lord in the air”. They are to form a welcoming party who，
with the angels who attend his coming， will make up his entourage. But they go to meet him，
not he them. And their destination is made clear in the Scriptures already considered：
the Lord and his followers are bound for Jerusalem (Zechariah 14：4)，
“the city of the great king” (Matthew 5：35).
短语被提就是被提的全部意思；有些人不能令人满意地解释其它圣书，特别是启示录，就得出了假想的七年苦难期。显然，真信徒有一次被提，包括活人和复活的死者，“要在空中和主相遇”。他们组成一支欢迎耶和华的队伍，和那些出席基督降临的天使一道成了他的随从。但他们要去迎接他，而不是他去迎接他们。他们在圣书中的命运是明确的：主和他的信徒前往耶路撒冷(撒加利亚书14：4)，“大君的京城”(马太福音5：35)。
The Lord will come!
主马上会来!
In these dying moments of human government， the powers of heaven will be shaken as men's hearts fail them for fear. The nations will be engaged in a battle around Jerusalem. Then the Lord will come! Unexpectedly，
suddenly， in great power and glory，
bringing salvation for those who have faithfully waited and prepared for this central event in their lives；
but bringing judgement upon all those who have wilfully ignored the faithful promises and gracious invitation of God：
在人类政府垂死的时刻，天势震动。各国将在耶路撒冷从事一场战争。然后主会来临!
出乎意料地，突然地，用他的大能和荣耀将拯救赐予那些在生活中真诚等待和准备这件中心大事的信徒；但也会审判那些有意忽视神忠诚的应许和召唤的人：
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels，
in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God，
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ：
who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord，
and from the glory of his power： when he shall come to be glorified in his saints，
and to be admired in all them that believe” (2 Thessalonians 1：9，10).
“那时，主耶稣同他有能力的天使从天上在火焰中显现，要报应那不认识神和那不听从我主耶稣福音的人。他们要受刑罚，就是永远沉沦，离开主的面和他权能的荣光。这正是主降临、要在他圣徒的身上得荣耀，又在一切信的人身上显为 希奇的那日子。我们对你们作的见证，你们也信了”(帖撒尼亚后书1：9，10)。
It is vital therefore that we believe what the Bible so clearly promises. We cannot simply “wait and see”，
because Jesus is coming to save those who already believe，
not to give reasons for faith to those who have had clear evidence，
but no inclination for the things of God.
因此，我们相信圣经如此明白的应许是至关重要的。我们不能只说“等等看”， 因为耶稣降临是要拯救那些已经信他的人，而不是要向那些已经明确了解神，但却不做神的事情的人解释信仰的原因。
When the Lord spoke to his followers about his eventual return to earth，
he focused their attention more on the consequences of his Coming than on the sequence of events itself. To this day we cannot know for sure when Jesus will come. But we know perfectly clearly that when he comes he will call us to account，
and ask us how we spent our lives on the eve of his return：
当主和信徒谈论返回到地球上的事情时，他对他们强调要注意他降临的结果，而不是只注意事件的次序。时至今日我们仍不能确切地知道耶稣什么时候会来。但我们完全清楚地知道，当他来临时他会要我们作出解释，说明我们在他降临之前是如何过生活的：
“Take heed . . . be not led astray . . . be not troubled . . . take heed to yourselves . . . preach the gospel . . . be not anxious . . . endure to the end . . . flee . . . pray . . . believe not false prophets . . . take heed . . . look up and lift up your heads . . . take heed to yourselves . . . watch . . . BE READY” (Matthew 24；
Mark 13； Luke 21).
“当心. . .不要误入歧途. . .不要惊慌. . .你们要谨慎. . .传播福音. . .不要着急. . .忍耐到最后. . .逃跑. . .祈祷. . .不信假先知. . .当心. . .挺身昂首. . .你们要谨慎. . .警惕. . .准备好”(马太福音
24；马可福音13；路加福音21)。
The apostles make the very same points as they reflect on the nearness of the Lord's Return.
使徒们在思考耶和华即将来临时深得要领。
“What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness . . . be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace，
without spot， and blameless” (2 Peter 3：11-14).
“你们为人该当怎样圣洁，怎样敬虔…就当殷勤，使自己没有玷污，无可指责”(彼得后书3：11-14)。
“Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts， we should live soberly，
righteously， and godly，
in this present world； looking for that blessed hope，
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2：12，13).
“教训我们除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情欲，在今世自守、公义、敬虔度日，等候所盼望的福，并等候至大的神和我们救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现”(堤多书2：12，13)。
“When he shall appear， we shall be like him；
for we shall see him as he is. And every man who has this hope in him purifieth himself，
even as he is pure” (1 John 3：2，3).
“亲爱的弟兄啊，我们现在是神的儿女，将来如何，还未显明；但我们知道，主若显现，我们必要像他、因为必得见他的真体。凡向他有这指望的，就洁净自己，像他洁净一样”(约翰一书3：2，3)。
Take Heed to Yourselves
自己当心
The Bible is our guidebook to the future， just as it is our handbook for the present. It alone will show us what God wants us to do. From it we can learn God's purpose and promises. The first thing is to understand and believe those things that are true. We shall then come to appreciate the need for obedience to God，
starting with baptism. And thus we shall be doing what Jesus commanded.
圣经是我们未来的指南书，就好像是我们目前的生活手册一样。只有圣经能告诉我们神希望我们怎么做。我们从圣经里能学到神的目的和应许。第一件事情是相信这些事情会实现。然后，我们就能理解顺从神的必要性，以洗礼作为开端。因此，我们必须做耶稣吩咐我们做的事情。
The coming Kingdom of God on earth will transform human experience. We need to learn to live now in harmony with our Creator. The Lord is at hand! It is now an urgent matter for us all to examine our lives，
so that we are properly prepared for the Coming of the King.
神的国来到地球上会改变人类的经历。现在我们需要学会与造物主和谐生活。 耶和华就在我们身边！现在我们大家检查自己的生活是一件紧急的事，让我们正确地准备王的到来。
TECWYN MORGAN
(c) CMPA 404 Shaftmoor Lane Birmingham UK