双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：5月30日 主要再来

5月30日

主要再来

“耶稣在橄榄山上坐着，门徒暗暗地来说：「请告诉我们，什么时候有这些事？你降临和世界的末了有什么预兆呢？」”马太福音24:3

圣经新约有三个希腊词语来描述主耶稣基督的再来。第一个parousia，有耶稣亲自临在的意思。换言之，当耶稣再来时，你一定可以看见他本人。

第二个是epiphaneia,有出现的意思。就像一颗白天看不见的星星，突然出现在夜空里。

第三个词语是apokalupsis，意思是显露出来，就是隐藏的被显现出来。

在圣诞节，我们庆祝主的第一次到来，安静的夜晚，有牧羊人、星宿、马槽。他再来的时候，会带着天兵天将，惊天动地，战胜一切上帝的仇敌，统管整个世界。耶稣再来的时候，在相当长的一段时间内，会有一系列事件发生。神学家们对此有相当多的争议。但是爱主的人都相信，主一定会再来。

耶稣第一次降临的时候，是为了解决人的罪行和罪性；再来的时候，他要除灭罪。祂要开创一个美善、仁爱的时代。邪恶的势力不再掌权，一切的残酷、压迫和奴役都不复存在。因为主耶稣再来，必要亲自执掌王权。

对一个真正的基督徒而言，未来是确定的。明天属于你。我们等候远处得胜的号角，宣告耶稣再来。基督徒盼望那一日的到来，永驻天国。

今日祷告：

天父，我们真盼望耶稣的再来，盼望你的国永远长存。祈求祢帮助我们召聚更多的人进入祢的国度，使他们一同见证那伟大而荣耀的时刻；奉耶稣的名，阿门。

May 30

SIGNS OF HIS COMING

…The disciples came to him privately,saying,“Tell us,when will this be,and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”Matthew 24:3 RSV

There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to describe the coming again of Christ.The first one is Parousia,which carries with it the idea of the personal presence of Christ.In other words,when Christ returns,He will come in person.

The second Greek word is epiphaneia,which carries with it the idea of appearing.It is like a star,not seen in the daylight,that suddenly appears in the darkness of night.From it we get our word“epiphany.”

The third Greek word is apokalupsis,which carries with it the idea of unveiling.It is the unveiling of one who has been hidden.

At Christmas we celebrate the first appearing,which was quiet-the shepherds,the star,and the manger.His Second Coming will be with His dazzling warriors from heaven to cope with any situation and to defeat the enemies of God until He has subdued the entire world.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be a series of events transpiring over a rather long period.There are many debates among theologians as to what some of these passages mean,but one thing almost everyone who loves Jesus Christ agrees on-Jesus Christ is coming back.

When Christ came the first time,He dealt with evil as individual and hereditary.When He comes again,Christ will deal with the practice of evil.He will institute an age of such benevolence that evil cannot reign;and cruelty,oppression,and slavery will no longer exist.All of this will come to pass as a result of the personal reign of Christ,following His return.

For the true believer in Jesus Christ,the future is assured.Tomorrow belongs to you.We wait the distant trumpet announcing the coming of Jesus Christ.The Christian looks to that tomorrow when the kingdom of God shall reign.

Pray for the Day:

Father,we do anticipate the return of Jesus and the reign of Your Kingdom forever.We pray that You will help us to call as many people as possible to join in Your Kingdom,so that they can participate in that great and glorious time;in Jesus’Name,Amen.