1. Hello, listening friends, and welcome to this broadcast.
亲爱的朋友，你好，欢迎你收听这个节目。
2. We always look forward to bringing you a new series of messages, as we will today;
我们一直期盼着像今天这样，给你带来新的系列信息；
3. and, today, we are bringing you a series about Jesus’ seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.
今天，我们要为你带来的信息是，关于启示录中耶稣给七个教会的七封书信。
4. We are calling this series, “What Does Jesus Think?”
我们把这个系列称之为“耶稣在想什么？”
5. because the resurrected Jesus tells us exactly what we need to know in these seven letters.
因为在这七封书信中，复活的耶稣明确地告诉了我们所应该知道的。
6. In the first letter, we are going to look at what Jesus thinks about our love for Him.
在第一封信里，我们将一起来看看，耶稣是如何看待我们对祂的爱的。
7. I’m sure you agree with me that enduring love between husband and wife is a beautiful sight,
我肯定你会同意，夫妻之间长久的爱情是很美的，
8. where they have deeper love 40 years after they are married than the day they met.
特别是结婚40年之后，他们彼此的爱慕比起初相遇的那天更深的时候。
9. I have known couples who have been married for many years, and, yet, they can’t stand to be away from each other.
我就认识几对夫妇，他们结婚很久了，但还是密不可分。
10. The husband is overjoyed to get home to his beloved wife,
丈夫回到家，见到他的爱妻，总是非常高兴，
11. and the wife is eager to see her precious husband arrive each night.
而妻子每晚都盼着她所珍爱的丈夫回来。
12. It is a beautiful, inspiring and thrilling experience for everyone around them.
对他们身边的每一个人，这都是一种美好、令人鼓舞和使人感动的经历。
13. In a day when enduring love is rare,
特别是在今天这个时代，长久的爱情已经非常稀少了，
14. such a marriage relationship is awe-inspiring.
这样的婚姻是很令人鼓舞、敬佩的。
15. In the same way, our continuous love for, and total commitment to, our Lord Jesus Christ inspires others around us;
同样，我们对主耶稣基督持久的爱和完全的委身，也会激励我们周围的人。
16. and our continuous love for our Lord Jesus Christ is near and dear to the heart of God.
我们对主耶稣基督持久的爱，是最能讨神喜悦，也最贴近神心意的事。
17. You say, “But how do we know this?”
你会说：“我们怎样才能知道呢？”
18. The only way we know what brings joy to the heart of Jesus is through the words that He has already told us.
耶稣告诉过我们的话语，是唯一的途径能让我们知道，什么才能使主的心得喜悦。
19. In His seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation,
在启示录中，耶稣给七个教会的七封书信里，
20. Jesus tells us exactly what He likes and dislikes.
耶稣明确地告诉了我们，祂喜欢什么和不喜欢什么。
21. Jesus tells us exactly what is honoring to Him and what is not.
耶稣明确地告诉了我们，什么会让祂得荣耀而什么不会。
22. Jesus tells us exactly what is pleasing to Him and what is not.
耶稣明确地告诉了我们，什么会让祂得满足而什么不会。
23. There is no need for confusion by those who claim to speak for the Lord.
我们没有必要为那些自称为主宣讲的人所说的话语而感到困惑。
24. He speaks for history,
耶稣的话语历久弥新，
25. for He has already told us all we need to know.
祂已将我们应该了解的告诉了我们。
26. Jesus Himself has shown us the way because He is the Way;
耶稣亲自向我们显明了道路，因为祂就是道路；
27. and that is why this series of seven messages is a vitally important series of messages.
因此，关于这七封书信的系列信息，是极其重要的。
28. In times of confusion and rampant false teaching,
在这个困惑和谬误猖獗的时代里，
29. it is vitally important to cling to the words of the risen Lord Jesus.
紧紧抓住复活的主耶稣的话语，是至关重要的。
30. In each one of His seven letters, Jesus begins by saying, “I know...”
在祂七封书信的每一封中，耶稣都用“我知道……”作为开始。
31. What does that mean?
这是什么意思呢？
32. It means that there is nothing hidden from the eyes of Jesus.
这告诉我们，没有任何事情可以瞒过耶稣的眼睛。
33. It means that He knows about the faithfulness and the unfaithfulness of His children.
这告诉我们，耶稣了解祂儿女身上忠心和不忠心的地方。
34. It means that He knows who is truly serving Him and who is self-serving.
这告诉我们，耶稣知道谁是在真正服侍祂而谁又是在服侍自己 。
35. It means that He knows about the deeds and the misdeeds of each believer.
这告诉我们，耶稣知道每一个信徒的善行和恶行。
36. The risen Christ sends His first message to the church in the city of Ephesus.
复活的基督向以弗所教会，传递了祂的第一篇信息。
37. Ephesus was a very important city at that time.
在那个时代，以弗所是一个非常重要的城市。
38. It was not the capital, but it was more important than the capital.
它并不是首都，却比首都还重要。
39. Ephesus was the most significant city in that region,
以弗所在那个区域是最有影响的城市，
40. because Ephesus was a free city and a self-governing city.
那是因为以弗所是一个自由的、自治的城市。
41. Roman soldiers were not occupying it.
罗马军队没有在那里驻扎。
42. Secondly, Ephesus was the center of the pagan worship of Artemis.
其次，以弗所还是拜亚底米女神的异教中心。
43. Thirdly, Ephesus was a city with a diverse ethnic population.
第三，以弗所也是一个多种族混居的城市。
44. The Apostle Paul stayed in Ephesus longer than any other city.
使徒保罗在以弗所停留的时间，超过其他任何一个城市。
45. He was there for over three years.
他在以弗所超过三年。
46. Why?
为什么呢？
47. Because it was probably the hardest place to teach the Gospel of the living Christ;
因为，那里也许是最难传讲活生生的基督福音的地方；
48. but, when the people of Ephesus understood the Gospel, they responded with passion.
可是，以弗所的民众一旦明白了福音，他们就以真情来回应。
49. Ephesus also was the place where John lived for a long time.
约翰也在以弗所待过很长一段时间。
50. Now, listen to the reading of Revelation, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 7.
现在，一起来听启示录第2章1到7节。
[1]“你要写信给以弗所教会的使者，说：‘那右手拿着七星、在七个金灯台中间行走的，说：
[2]我知道你的行为、劳碌、忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。
[3]你也能忍耐，曾为我的名劳苦，并不乏倦。
[4]然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。
[5]所以，应当回想你是从那里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。
[6]然而你还有一件可取的事，就是你恨恶尼哥拉一党人的行为，这也是我所恨恶的。
[7]圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。’”
51. I love the description of the risen Christ.
我非常喜欢对复活基督的描述。
52. He holds all seven stars in His hands.
祂手中拿着七星。
53. These seven stars represent His churches throughout the world.
七星象征着基督在全世界的教会。
54. Jesus is sovereign over all His children.
耶稣是祂所有儿女至高无上的君王。
55. Jesus is in control of the lives of all who have submitted to His control.
耶稣管辖着所有降服于祂的人们的生命。
56. Jesus holds the security of all who love Him in His very powerful hand.
耶稣用祂大能的手保护着所有爱祂的人们的安全。
57. Jesus would never let any of His own perish, or be lost, or be snatched away from Him.
耶稣绝不会允许任何一个属祂的儿女被毁灭、丢失或者从祂身边被夺走。
58. What a comfort, what a joy for us who know that!
我们明白了这一点，是多么的安慰和喜悦啊！
59. He also walks in the middle of the seven golden lamp stands.
耶稣还在七个金灯台中间行走，
60. That fact tells us that Jesus is actively moving in the middle of His church.
这个事实告诉我们，耶稣正活跃于祂的教会中间。
61. Jesus said
耶稣说过：
62. where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name and seek His face, He will be with them.
只要有两三个人奉耶稣的名聚会寻求祂的面，祂就会在他们中间。
63. What does the risen Christ think of these believers in Ephesus?
那么，复活的基督是如何看待以弗所的这些信徒呢？
64. First, Jesus praises them because He sees in them three praiseworthy merits.
首先，耶稣看到了他们值得表扬的三个优点，因而夸奖了他们。
65. Second, He finds in them one deep disappointment;
其次，耶稣指出他们身上让祂深感失望的一点；
66. and, third, He gives them a three-step recovery program.
第三，耶稣给了他们重新改过的三个步骤。
67. Let’s look first at the three praiseworthy merits Jesus sees in the Ephesian believers.
首先，让我们来看，耶稣在以弗所的信徒们身上看到的三个优点：
68. The believers in Ephesus were alert.
以弗所的信徒们是警醒的，
69. They were discerning.
他们是有辨别能力的，
70. Discernment is a vitally important virtue for a believer to have.
辨别力是一个信徒所应具备的极其重要的品质。
71. The Ephesians tested false teachers and, then, rejected their false teaching.
以弗所人试验那些假师傅，并且拒绝听从他们错误的教导。
72. They faced tribulations, persecution and discrimination with courage.
他们勇敢地面对苦难，迫害和歧视。
73. They did not give in to the current of culture and surrender their convictions.
他们没有顺应文化的潮流而放弃自己的信仰。
74. They were biblically sound and they did not tolerate evil.
他们具有很扎实的圣经基础，不容忍邪恶。
75. They refused to allow sin to fester like a cancer in their midst.
他们不让罪恶像癌症一样，在他们中间溃烂。
76. They would not put up with the sin of the Nicolaitans.
他们没有容忍尼哥拉一党人的罪行。
77. The Ephesus believers were hard workers and they had done everything right;
以弗所的信徒们辛勤劳碌，并在各样的事上都做得正确；
78. but,
但是，
79. in their focus on doing the right things, they forgot to do the most important thing.
就在他们专注于把事情做对的时候，他们忘记了最重要的一点。
80. They forgot about their love for Jesus Christ;
他们忘记了对耶稣基督的爱；
81. and this was the deep disappointment Jesus found in them.
这就是耶稣在他们身上发现的让祂深感失望的一点。
82. You know that Jesus loves you, right?
你知道耶稣爱你，对吗？
83. And Jesus tells you that He loves you;
耶稣一直在对你说，祂爱你；
84. but did you know that Jesus wants you to love Him back?
但你知道耶稣希望你也用爱来回应祂吗？
85. Believe the right thing about Him? Yes,
需要相信有关耶稣的正确的事吗？需要，
86. but expressing your love for Him is more important than anything else.
但表达你对耶稣的爱，比其他一切都更重要。
87. Jesus wants you to love Him.
耶稣希望你能爱祂。
88. He desires your love.
耶稣盼望得到你的爱。
89. He wants you to act on your love for Him, day in and day out.
耶稣希望，你从早到晚都能基于爱祂来行事为人。
90. The problem with all of us is that we live busy lives
可我们每一个人的问题是，我们活在忙碌之中。
91. and we take the Lord’s love for granted.
我们把主的爱视为理所当然。
92. We take loving the Lord for granted.
我们也以为顺理成章就可以爱神了。
93. In the Old Testament, we have a powerful symbol to illustrate His relationship with His people.
在旧约里，用一个很强烈的象征，来说明神和祂百姓的关系。
94. That symbol is that of a husband and wife.
这象征就是丈夫和妻子的关系。
95. God’s people deserted God, and that broke His heart.
神的百姓离弃了祂，这让神的心都碎了。
96. Read the Book of Hosea about this.
在何西阿书中可以读到这些。
97. In the New Testament, the church is the bride of Christ.
在新约中，教会是基督的新妇。
98. Christ is broken-hearted when His people love things more than love Him.
当基督的子民爱别的事超过爱祂的时候，祂的心都碎了。
99. Did you know that you can serve Jesus, but your love for Jesus can still be cold?
虽然你是在服侍耶稣，但你对祂的爱仍然可以是冷淡的，你知道吗？
100. Did you know that you can believe all the right doctrine, but your adoration of Jesus can be non-existent?
你虽然相信所有正确的教义，但你并不爱慕耶稣，这是可能的，你知道吗？
101. When your love for Christ dies, then your service for Him becomes a drudgery, instead of joy unspeakable.
当你失去了对基督的爱，你为祂的服侍就变成了一份苦差，而不是难于言表的喜乐。
102. Here is the good news for all of us who have forsaken our first love.
如果我们离弃了起初的爱心，现在有一个好消息告诉我们。
103. Your Divine Lover wants you back;
你神圣的爱人希望你能回转；
104. and that is why He gives you a three-step program for recovering your love for Him.
因此，祂给你三个步骤来恢复你对祂的爱。
105. Here are the three steps.
这三个步骤是：
106. First, recall.
首先是回想。
107. Second, reverse.
其次是回转。
108. Third, recapture.
第三是再次体验。
109. Step One, recall the past times when you were so overwhelmed by the love of God in Christ,
第一步，回想过去神在基督里的爱，多么令你折服，
110. a time when you were overwhelmed by the forgiveness of your sins in Christ,
那时候，你的罪在基督里得到赦免，这令你折服，
111. a time when you were overwhelmed by the gift of eternal life in Christ.
那时候，你在基督里得到永生，这更令你折服。
112. Recall the time when you were so overwhelmed that your love and adoration for Jesus were on fire;
回想过去令你折服的时光，以至于你对耶稣的爱和崇拜像火一般炙热；
113. then, recall what caused that flame to die down;
然后，再回想一下，是什么使得那火焰渐渐熄灭；
114. then, ask yourself these questions:
进而问你自己这些问题：
115. “What sin entered into my life?”
“是什么罪进入到了我的生命里？”
116. “What or whom distracted me from my love for Him?”
“什么人或物转移了我对神的爱？”
117. “What or whom diverted my attention?”
“什么人或物转移了我的注意力？”
118. “What or whom stole my heart’s devotion?”
“什么人或物盗取了我心里的忠诚？”
119. My listening friend, the place of failure is the very place of recovery;
亲爱的朋友，你失败的地方也就是你回头的地方；
120. and that is why Jesus says, “Repent.”
因此耶稣说，“要悔改”。
121. Step Two is reverse course.
第二步是一个回转的过程。
122. Turn around.
转过来，
123. Go back.
走回去。
124. Don’t just feel remorse.
不要仅仅感到懊悔。
125. That feeling, by itself, is useless.
那种感觉本身是没有用的。
126. You must also act on the feeling of remorse by reversing course.
你必须还要基于懊悔的感觉而采取回转的行动。
127. Step Three is recapture.
第三步是再次体验。
128. You must recapture the time when you loved being in the presence of Christ.
你要再次体验当初你喜爱与基督同在的情景。
129. Recapture the time when you loved worshipping Christ.
再次体验当初你喜爱敬拜基督的情景。
130. Recapture the time when your love for Christ occupied your thoughts and your desires and your decision-making.
再次体验当初基督的爱占据了你的思想、你的愿望和你的决策时的情景。
131. Jesus said,
耶稣说：
132. if you persist in going your own way,
如果你偏行己路，
133. He will have no choice but to remove your lamp stand.
祂不得不挪去你的灯台。
134. That means that the light of Christ will be extinguished from your life.
那意味着，你生命里耶稣的光亮将被熄灭。
135. The light of Christ will be taken away from the life of church members.
耶稣的光亮将从教会会友的生活中拿走。
136. Please take heed of this warning.
请你留意这个警告。
137. I want to go quickly to verse 7 where the positive reward for repentance is mentioned.
我想很快的提一下第7节，那里讲到了对悔改的正面奖赏。
138. It is eternal life with Christ.
那就是和基督一起有永生。
139. Adam and Eve grabbed from the Tree and they lost everything;
亚当和夏娃从分别善恶树上抓到了果子，却失去了一切；
140. but, when you love Jesus, He will pick the best of the fruit of that tree and hand it to you.
如果你爱耶稣，祂会把那棵树上最好的果子亲手递给你。
141. Let me tell you a story, as I conclude this message.
在结束今天信息的时候，我想给你讲一个故事。
142. A well-known 19th century lecturer was deeply devoted to, and adoring of, his invalid wife.
一个十九世纪很有名的演说家，他深深爱着身体脆弱的妻子。
143. At the close of a lecture one night in a town many miles away from his home,
一天晚上，在离家几英里远的小镇演讲结束以后，
144. the lecturer’s friends urged him not to attempt the journey home until morning.
这个演说家的朋友们就劝他，不要在天亮以前赶回家了 。
145. They said, “The last train has left and you will have to hire a special cart into the city.
他们说：“最后一班火车已经开走了，你只有特别雇一辆马车才能进城。
146. It is cold and sleeting.
外面又冷又在下雪。
147. You will face several miles of rough riding before you get home.”
你要经过好几英里的艰难跋涉，才能赶回家中。”
148. His reply was very simple.
他的回答非常简单。
149. “But, at the other end of those miles, I shall find my beloved wife.”
“可是，在那几英里的另一端，我就能见到我的爱妻了。”
150. My listening friend,
亲爱的朋友，
151. loving Jesus will not only make the journey easy,
爱耶稣不仅仅能让旅途变得容易，
152. but loving Jesus will assure you of being with Him forever.
而且爱耶稣还能确保，你可以和祂永远在一起。
153. Until next time, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
愿神大大地赐福给你，下次节目再会。
