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出埃及记生命读经 · 第106篇

燔祭坛（三）

The Altar of Burnt Offering (3)
1读经： 出埃及记二十七章一至八节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 27:1-8
十五 基督十字架的豫表
A TYPE OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
2我们读到二十七章一至八节燔祭坛的记载时，好像没有多少可说的。然而我思想这件事的时候，我觉得在原则上，这里定规有非常要紧的事，因为祭坛乃是基督十字架的豫表。
2When we read the record concerning the altar of the burnt offering in 27:1-8, it seems that there is not much for us to say regarding the altar. However, as I was considering this matter, I realized that, in principle, there must be something very important here, because the altar is a type of the cross of Christ.
3新约不是以我们天然人懂得的方式来启示十字架。如果用我们天然人能懂的方式来叙述十字架，也许新约里主要的著者─保罗、约翰或彼得─就要给我们长篇大论的书信来阐明基督十字架的意义了。由人的观点来看，我们觉得需要这种阐释。但在新约里找不到这样的阐释。新约对十字架的启示是渐进的；那就是说，全本新约到处都可以发现启示的各部分，就像拼图玩具的木块一样。例如，加拉太二章二十节有论到十字架的话，约翰十二章二十四节、彼得前书二章二十四节、希伯来二章十四节也有论到十字架的话。
3In the New Testament the cross is not revealed in a way which corresponds to our natural, human understanding. If the cross were presented in this way, probably one of the main writers in the New Testament—Paul, John, or Peter—would have given us a lengthy definition of the significance of Christ’s cross. From the human point of view, we sense the need for this kind of definition. But such a definition cannot be found in the New Testament. In the New Testament the revelation concerning the cross is given piecemeal; that is, various parts of the revelation, like the pieces of a puzzle, are found here and there throughout the New Testament. For example, there is something about the cross in Galatians 2:20, and something else in John 12:24, 1 Peter 2:24, and Hebrews 2:14.
4基督徒对许多有关十字架的经文领会得很肤浅。例如，彼得前书二章二十四节说：“祂被挂在木头上亲身担当了我们的罪，使我们既然在罪上死，就得以在义上活；因祂受的鞭伤，你们便得了医治。”传道人时常引用这一节的上半，指出基督被挂在木头上，亲身担当了我们的罪，但他们没有进一步探讨本节所包含更深的事。
4Many of the verses related to the cross are understood by Christians in a superficial way. For instance, 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who Himself carried up our sins in His body onto the tree, in order that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose bruise you were healed.” Preachers often quote the first part of this verse, pointing out that Christ bore our sins in His body on the tree. But they may not go on to consider the deeper matters covered in this verse.
5旧约的豫表或新约的启示都没有详细地来描述十字架。基督的十字架描述得不彀详尽，定规是有原因的。
5Neither in the Old Testament typology nor in the New Testament revelation is the cross described in a detailed way. There must be a reason for this lack of detail concerning the cross of Christ.
十六 铜网和四个环子
THE GRATING AND THE FOUR RINGS
6出埃及记二十七章祭坛的记载中，有一点很有意义，就是四个环子。起初我以为有两组环子，一组在坛壁里面，另一组在外面。我们已经看见，网是在坛壁里面。然而 ，坛壁外面的四个环子，乃是在网的四角上。因此，我们很可能会认为有两组环子：头一组在坛壁里面网的两端，第二组在坛壁外面，用来穿两根杠。如果二十七章一至八节是惟一论到祭坛的记载，这还有可能。但三十八章五节、七节明确地说：“为铜网的四角铸四个环子，作为穿杠的用处…把杠穿在坛两旁的环子内，用以抬坛。”在这些经文的光中，我们就无法持有这个观念：有两组环子，一组在网内，另一组在网外。只需要一组环子。这些环子在坛壁里面网的四端上，虽然如此，它们却在外面，能彀穿入两根杠。
6A very significant point in the record in Exodus 27 concerning the altar is the four rings. At first I thought that there might have been two sets of rings, one inside the wall of the altar and the other outside. As we have seen, the grating is inside the wall. However, the four rings, which would have to be outside the wall, were at the four corners of the grating. Thus, it is possible to think that there were two sets of rings: the first set at the ends of the grating inside the wall, and the second set outside the wall for the two poles. This might be a possibility, if the only record concerning the altar were that found in 27:1-8. But 38:5 and 7 clearly say, “And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves....And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal.” In light of these verses, we cannot hold the concept that there were two sets of rings, one inside the altar and the other outside. There must have been only one set of rings. These rings were at the four ends of the grating inside the wall, but they nevertheless were outside so that the two poles could be put into them.
7甚至现在我也不晓得如何来解释这件事。圣经没有告诉我们，环子如何能彀连在网上，却仍在坛的外面。但我思想这件事的时候，光就开始照耀了，然后新约里论到基 督救赎和永远之灵关系的这个启示便揭开了。论到这种关系，新约有一些重要的事要说。
7Even now, I do not know how to explain this. The Scripture does not tell us how the rings could be attached to the grating and yet still be on the outside of the altar. But as I considered this matter, the light began to shine, and then the revelation in the New Testament concerning the relationship between Christ’s redemption and the eternal Spirit began to open up. Concerning this relationship, the New Testament has some important things to say.
8四福音有一幅网的图画。如果我们要了解网，就必须明了四福音。你知道四福音所呈现给我们的是甚么吗？四福音呈现了一个救赎的网，在那里完成了救赎。
8In the four Gospels we have a picture of the grating. If we would understand the grating, we need to understand the Gospels. Do you know what is presented to us in the four Gospels? The Gospels present a redemptive grating, a grating where redemption was accomplished.
9然后在使徒行传有作为四个环子的那灵。行传一章八节说：“但圣灵降临在你们身 上，你们就必得着能力；并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地，和撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我 的见证人。”（另译。）四个环子是为着达到地的四角。
9Then in the book of Acts we have the Spirit as the four rings. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the remotest part of the earth.” The four rings are for reaching the four corners of the earth.
10而后在书信中有这四个环子的定义。根据希伯来九章十四节，基督藉着永远的灵将自己献给神，并完成了救赎。藉着这永远的灵，基督所完成的救赎要被带到地极。由此我们看见，要阐明网和四个环子，几乎需要全本新约圣经作基础。
10Then in the Epistles we have the definition of these four rings. According to Hebrews 9:14, Christ offered Himself to God and accomplished redemption through the eternal Spirit. By means of this eternal Spirit the redemption accomplished by Christ will be brought to the ends of the earth. By this we see that almost the entire New Testament is needed to define the grating with the four rings.
11我再说，四福音呈现了网，在行传里看见四个环子连在网上，而以下所有的书信里有四个环子的定义。例如，林前十五章四十五节启示基督成了赐生命的灵。在书信里 我们看见了那灵，基督藉着那灵完成了包罗万有的救赎。
11To repeat, the grating is presented in the Gospels; the connection of the four rings to the grating is seen in Acts; and in all the following Epistles we have a definition of the four rings. For example, 1 Corinthians 15:45 reveals that Christ became a life-giving Spirit. In the Epistles we see the Spirit through whom Christ accomplished the all-inclusive redemption.
十七 环子与网分开
THE RINGS DIVORCED FROM THE GRATING
12你晓得在今天的基督教里网和环子的情况么？情况是这样：环子与网分开了。基要派的信徒有网而没有环子，灵恩派的人有一种与网分开的环子。在主的恢复里，我们把四个环子带回到网上。
12Do you realize what is the situation in today’s Christianity with respect to the grating and the rings? The situation is this: the rings have been divorced from the grating. The fundamentalists have the grating without the rings; the Pentecostals have some kind of rings separate from the grating. In the Lord’s recovery the four rings are brought back to the grating.
13我们遭受反对，多半不是因着网，主要乃是我们对于环子的见证。因着我们对于网的教导，遭到一些反对。你们知道我所释放的信息，论到基督成为罪之肉体的形状。在这些信息里我指出，基督在十字架上是在蛇的形状里。（约三14。）有些反对者曲解我的话，指摘我教导人说，基督有堕落肉体的性情。这样的指摘是因他们瞎眼。这些反对者从来没有想过保罗在林后五章二十一节强而有力的话么？在这一节保罗说 ，基督成为罪。在我的信息里，我根据罗马八章三节强调基督是在罪之肉体的形状里。此外，论到摩西在旷野里挂在杆子上铜蛇的豫表，我说铜蛇是在真蛇的形状里，但 它没有蛇的毒性。照样，基督是在罪之肉体的形状里，但祂没有罪的性情。反对这个真理的人只是肤浅地认识基督是我们的救主和救赎主，他们没有由主的话中蒙光照，看见基督是在罪之肉体的形状里，甚至还成为罪。
13For the most part, we are opposed not because of the grating, but mainly because of our testimony concerning the rings. There has been some opposition because of our teaching concerning the grating. You know that I have given messages on Christ being made in the likeness of the flesh of sin. In these messages I pointed out that on the cross Christ was in the form of the serpent (John 3:14). Some opposing ones, twisting my word, accused me of teaching that Christ had the nature of the fallen flesh. Such an accusation comes from their blindness. Have these opposers never considered Paul’s strong word in 2 Corinthians 5:21? In this verse Paul says that Christ was made sin. In my messages I emphasize the fact that, according to Romans 8:3, Christ was in the likeness of the flesh of sin. Furthermore, referring to the type of the brass serpent lifted up on a pole by Moses in the wilderness, I said that the brass serpent was in the form of an actual serpent, but that it did not have the poisonous nature of the serpent. Likewise, Christ was in the likeness of the flesh of sin, but He did not have a sinful nature. Those who oppose this truth have only a shallow understanding of Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. They have not been enlightened from the Word to see that Christ was in the likeness of the flesh of sin and even became sin.
14我们已经指出，多半的反对是在于我们见证：基督今天是包罗万有赐生命的灵。论到调和，有些人离谱到一个地步竟指摘我们教导泛神论或把人封为神。对基督成为那灵的指摘，包含了三一神、基督的身位、调和。这些事都与四个环子─那灵有关。
14As we have pointed out, most of the opposition is related to our testimony that Christ today is the all-inclusive life-giving Spirit. Regarding the mingling, some have gone so far as to accuse us of teaching pantheism or the deification of man. The accusations concerning Christ being the Spirit involve the Trinity, the Person of Christ, and the mingling. All these matters are related to the four rings, the Spirit.
15今天许多基督徒有祭坛，但在四个环子与网之间没有合式的联结。有些人有网却没 有环子，有些人有环子却没有网。有网的人也许只是肤浅的，没有环子的联结；有环子的人，他们的环子其实是错误的，没有连在网上。
15Many Christians today have an altar that lacks the proper connection between the four rings and the grating. Some have the grating without the rings, but others have the rings without the grating. Those who have the grating may have it only in a superficial way without the connection of the rings, and those who have the rings may actually have the wrong kind of rings and without the connection to the grating.
十八 神的要求满足了
GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FULFILLED
16我们已经指出网是在祭坛的半腰，在顶端和底层的中间。这意思是说网上有一肘半，网下也有一肘半。这与见证之柜的高度相等。约柜的尺寸是长二肘半，宽一肘半，高一肘半。因此，约柜的高度是祭坛高度的一半。所以，表征基督包罗万有、完全救赎的网，摆在与约柜同样的高度上。
16We have pointed out that the grating is at half the height of the altar, halfway between the top and the bottom. This means that there were one and one-half cubits above the grating and one and one-half cubits below it. This was equal to the height of the ark of the testimony. The dimensions of the ark were two and one-half cubits in length and width and one and one-half cubits in height. Thus, the height of the ark was half the height of the altar. Therefore, the grating signifying Christ’s all-inclusive and completed redemption was placed on a level with the height of the ark.
17见证之柜的上端是施恩座。在这座上神所有公义、圣洁、荣耀的要求都满足了。这便叫神能彀在施恩座上来与人交通，因为神的要求已经满足了。这地方就称为施恩的宝座。（来四16。）祭坛的网和约柜的施恩座同一高度的事实，指明基督的救赎乃是照着神要求的标准完成的。网的上下都是一肘半。这表明基督的救赎不是照着低 于神要求的标准完成的，乃是照着达到神要求的标准而完成的。不但如此，网上一肘半的事实，也指明基督救赎的功效、能力达到了神要求的标准。
17On top of the ark of the testimony was the propitiation-cover. On this cover all the requirements of God’s righteousness, holiness, and glory were fulfilled. This enabled God to come to commune with man on the propitiation-cover. Because God’s requirements had been fulfilled, this place was called the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). The fact that the grating of the altar was level with the cover of the ark indicates that Christ’s redemption was accomplished according to the standard of God’s requirements. There were one and one-half cubits both above and below the grating. This indicates that the redemption of Christ was not accomplished according to a standard lower than the requirements of God. Rather, it was accomplished at a standard which was up to the height of God’s requirements. Moreover, the fact that there were one and one-half cubits above the grating indicates that the effectiveness, the efficacy, of Christ’s redemption also comes up to the standard of God’s requirements.
18我再说，燔祭坛高三肘，分为两段，每段都是一肘半。网下的一肘半表征基督的救赎是照着神要求的高标准完成的，网上的一肘半表征基督救赎的功效也是照着这些要 求的标准。因此有两件要紧的事：永远的灵以及神要求的标准。基督藉着永远的灵将自己献上，好完成救赎，而完成救赎的标准就是神要求的标准。基督救赎之功效的标准也和神要求的高度相等。
18To repeat, with the altar of the burnt offering we have a height of three cubits in two sections, with each section measuring one and one-half cubits. The one and one-half cubits below the grating signify that Christ’s redemption was accomplished according to the high standard of God’s requirements. The one and one-half cubits above the grating signify that the effectiveness of Christ’s redemption is also according to the standard of these requirements. Therefore, we have two crucial matters: the eternal Spirit and the standard of God’s requirements. Christ offered Himself to accomplish redemption through the eternal Spirit, and the standard for this accomplishment of redemption was the standard of God’s requirements. And the standard of the efficacy of Christ’s redemption also is equal to the height of God’s requirements.
19永远的灵以及神要求的标准这两件事都包含在新约里面。基督的救赎所以有能力，乃是因着它联于永远的灵。基督的救赎也有功效，因为救赎是照着神要求的标准完成的，它的功效符合这些要求。这就是新约里论到基督十字架的启示。
19The two matters of the eternal Spirit and the standard of God’s requirements are covered in the New Testament. The redemption of Christ is powerful because it is linked to the eternal Spirit. The redemption of Christ is also effective because it was accomplished according to the standard of God’s requirements, and its efficacy matches these requirements. This is the revelation concerning the cross of Christ in the New Testament.
20虽然出埃及记二十七章中祭坛的记载很简短，但属灵的意义却非常丰富。祭坛的意义可以在四个环子连在网上，以及网位于祭坛的半腰上看见。因为这些点很要紧，在 神圣的记载里就加以强调。反之，围腰板就不怎么强调了。
20Although the record of the altar in Exodus 27 is simple and brief, it is very rich in spiritual significance. The significance of the altar is seen in the four rings connected to the grating, and in the location of the grating at half the height of the altar. Because these points are important, they are emphasized in the divine record. The ledge, on the contrary, is not given much emphasis.
21我的确相信围腰板是要保护祭坛的四壁，隔开火在网上焚烧的热气。不然，铜里面的木头会被持续的热气烤焦了。因这缘故，我不信围腰板是用木头作的。反之，我相信它是用铜作的。
21I definitely believe that the ledge protected the four walls of the altar from the heat of the fire burning on the grating. Otherwise, the wood inside the overlying brass would be scorched by the constant heat. For this reason, I do not believe that the ledge was made of wood. Instead, I believe it was made of bronze.
22祭坛四面的围腰板也限制了用来焚烧的空间。既然祭坛宽五肘，长五肘，每一面的围腰板就可能宽半肘。这样仍然留下宽四肘，长四肘的空间来焚烧祭牲。此外，有些器具也可能存放在围腰板上。
22The ledge on the four sides of the altar may also have limited the space used for burning. Since the altar was five cubits wide and five cubits long, the ledge on each side could have been a half cubit in width. This still would have left an area four cubits by four cubits for burning the sacrifices. Furthermore, it would then have been possible for certain utensils to be kept on the ledge.
23虽然我确信四个环子的意义，但我的确不坚持我对围腰板的见解。这一点既然圣经上没有确实的证据，我不过是作个推论罢了。但如果围腰板不是作为保护用的，坛壁如何会受到保护，隔开火的热气呢？围腰板也许提供了所需要的保护。
23Although I feel quite sure concerning the significance of the four rings, I certainly do not insist on my understanding of the ledge. Regarding this, I simply make an inference, since there is no sure evidence in the written Word. But if the ledge did not serve as a protection, how would the walls have been protected from the heat of the fire? There must have been some kind of protection, and this protection may have been afforded by the ledge.
24我们必须照着新约对十字架和基督的救赎有更多的认识、更多的领会。十字架的启示是逐渐启示出来的，所以我们不容易看见一幅完整的图画。惟有把拼图玩具的木块都摆在一起，我们才能清楚看见这样的一幅图画。我们赞美主，帮助我们更多看见十 字架！
24We need to have more understanding, more apprehension, of the cross and of Christ’s redemption according to the New Testament. Because the revelation concerning the cross is presented piece by piece, it is not easy to see a complete picture. We can see such a picture only when all the pieces of the puzzle are put together. We praise the Lord for helping us to see more concerning the cross!
25我们对基督十字架的领会，不该仅仅是个道理；我们必须对此有真实的经历。阿利 路亚，我们有基督，我们有永远的灵！事实上，基督自己就是永远的灵。在十字架上，祂是救赎的基督。但在我们的经历里，祂乃是赐生命的灵。四个环子紧紧地连在网上。不但如此，网和环子都是同样的材料─铜。因此，铜网和铜环真是一致。这表明铜网等于四个环子，今天基督等于赐生命的灵。
25What we understand of the cross of Christ should not simply be a doctrine to us. We need the real experience of this. Hallelujah, we have Christ, and we have the eternal Spirit! Actually, Christ Himself is the eternal Spirit. On the cross He was the redeeming Christ. But in our experience He is the life-giving Spirit. The four rings were closely connected to the grating. Furthermore, the grating and the rings were of the same material, bronze. Thus, there was a true identification of the bronze grating and the bronze rings. This indicates that the grating is identical to the four rings, that Christ today is identical to the life-giving Spirit.