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出埃及记生命读经 · 第92篇

灯台（一）

The Lampstand (1)
1读经： 出埃及记二十五章三十一至四十节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 25:31-40
2在本篇信息中，我们要来看灯台。金灯台可以看作帐幕里所有器具当中最奥秘的一个。
2In this message we come to the lampstand. The golden lampstand may be regarded as the most mysterious of all the furnishings in the tabernacle.
一 三一神的彰显
I. THE EXPRESSION OF THE TRIUNE GOD
3灯台表征三一神的彰显。单单这件事就足彀使我们觉得灯台太奥秘了。宇宙中没有甚么比三一神更奥秘的了。再者，圣经中神圣启示最难解的成分也是三一神。历代以来，读经的人一直对圣经中三一神的启示觉得困扰。甚至今天我们对三一神也没有充分的认识。然而，看见灯台是三一神的彰显，是大有帮助的。
3The lampstand signifies the expression of the Triune God. This alone is sufficient to impress us with how mysterious the lampstand is. Nothing in the universe is more mysterious than the Triune God. Furthermore, the most puzzling element of the divine revelation in the Bible is also the Triune God. Throughout the centuries, readers of the Bible have been puzzled by the revelation of the Triune God in the Scriptures. Even today we do not have an adequate understanding of the Triune God. However, it is very helpful to see that the lampstand is the expression of the Triune God.
4历代以来，犹太人一直宝贵灯台。但没有一位拉比曾经说过，灯台表征三一神的彰显。我甚至不知道有那些基督徒会有这样的认识。事实上，对灯台的这种认识，乃是最近主在祂的恢复里所恢复的真理。好些年以前，我们没有说到灯台表征三一神的彰显。但在几年前，我们开始看见，在圣经里灯台乃是三一神的彰显。
4Throughout the centuries of their history, the Jewish people have treasured the lampstand. But no rabbi would ever say that the lampstand signifies the expression of the Triune God. I do not even know of any Christians who have such a realization. Actually, this understanding of the lampstand is a truth recently recovered by the Lord in His recovery. Years ago, we said nothing about the lampstand signifying the expression of the Triune God. But several years ago we began to see that in the Bible the lampstand is an expression of the Triune God.
5我们查考金灯台时，必须记住圣经乃是一个完整的实体。因此，我们不该把二十五章三十一至四十节和其余的话分开，而不顾圣经中其它各卷书。灯台不但在出埃及记中题起，也在列王记上、撒迦利亚书、启示录中题起。根据启示录一章所说，灯台就是教会。再者，七灯乃是那灵。这真是奥秘！最终，到了神圣启示的总结，出埃及记二十五章里的灯台成了教会，七灯成了神的灵。由此我们看见，灯台所蕴含的极其丰富，因为灯台与教会、与神的灵都有关系。启示录也强调教会和灵。启示录二十二章十七节甚至含有这两个词“那灵和新妇说…”，（直译，）这里我们看见，那灵和教会在说话时成为一。
5As we consider this matter of the golden lampstand, we need to remember that the Bible is a complete entity. Hence, we should not separate 25:31-40 from the rest of the Word and ignore all the other books of the Bible. The lampstand is mentioned not only in Exodus, but also in 1 Kings, Zechariah, and Revelation. According to chapter one of Revelation, the lampstand is the church. Furthermore, the seven lamps are the Spirit. How mysterious this is! Eventually, at the consummation of the divine revelation, the lampstand in Exodus 25 becomes the church, and the seven lamps become the Spirit of God. By this we see that a great deal is involved with the lampstand, for the lampstand is related both to the church and to the Spirit of God. The book of Revelation also emphasizes the church and the Spirit. Revelation 22:17 even contains the words, “The Spirit and the bride say....” Here we see that the Spirit and the church have become one in speaking.
6在前一个世纪中，有些教师强调旧约中豫表的意义。论到灯台，这些教师主要是说，灯台乃是豫表基督作世界的光。他们所说的相当对，也相当好；然而不彀充分。这些圣经教师没有看见，灯台乃是三一神的彰显，至终灯台成了教会，而灯台的七灯成 为神的七灵。
6In the last century certain teachers emphasized the significance of the types in the Old Testament. Concerning the lampstand, these teachers mainly said that the lampstand is a type of Christ as the light of the world. What they said was right and good; however, it was not adequate. These teachers of the Word did not see that the lampstand is an expression of the Triune God, that consummately the lampstand becomes the church, and that the seven lamps of the lampstand are the seven Spirits of God.
（一）本质
A. The Substance
7我们思想灯台的本质、台、灯盏，就看见灯台的确是三一神的彰显。照二十五章三十一节来看，灯台是精金的。因此，金是灯台整体的本质、成分。在豫表里，金表征神圣的性情，就是父神的性情。如果我们思想灯台的这种本质、这种成分，我们就会看见它表征神圣的性情。所以，我们由此看见父神的性情乃是灯台的本质。金灯台存在于父神的性情里。
7As we ponder the substance, the stand, and the lamps of the lampstand, we see that the lampstand is indeed the expression of the Triune God. According to 25:31, the lampstand was of pure gold. Thus, gold is the substance, the element, of the lampstand in its entirety. In typology gold signifies the divine nature, the nature of God the Father. If we consider this substance, this element, of the lampstand, we shall see that it signifies the divine nature. Therefore, by this we can see God the Father, the One whose nature is the very substance of the lampstand. The golden lampstand exists in the nature of God the Father.
（二）台
B. The Stand
8父神是看不见而抽象的。子神是这位不能看见者的具体表现。台是一个形状，表征子神作为父神的具体表现。灯台这种结实的形状，乃是金的具体表现。照新约来看，父神具体表现在子神里面。在灯台这里，有表征父的本质，以及表征子的结实形状。
8God the Father is invisible and abstract. God the Son is the embodiment of this invisible One. The stand is a form signifying God the Son as the embodiment of God the Father. This solid form of the lampstand is the embodiment of the gold. According to the New Testament, God the Father is embodied in God the Son. Here in the lampstand we have the substance signifying the Father, and the solid form signifying the Son.
（三）灯盏
C. The Lamps
9出埃及记二十五章三十七节说：“要作灯台的七个灯盏。”这七个灯盏表征灵神成了神的七灵，为着祂的彰显。（启四5，五6。）灯盏的照耀表明彰显。因此，七个灯盏就是子神作为父神具体表现的彰显。在启示录我们看见，七灯就是神的灵。
9Exodus 25:37 says, “And you shall make its lamps, seven.” These seven lamps signify God the Spirit being the seven Spirits of God for His expression (Rev. 4:5; 5:6). The shining of the lamps denotes expression. Thus, the seven lamps are the expression of God the Son as the embodiment of God the Father. In the book of Revelation we see that the seven lamps are the Spirit of God.
10因着在灯台里有金的成分表征父神，台表征子神，而七个灯盏表征灵神，我们就有根据说，灯台本身就是三一神的彰显。
10Because we have in the lampstand the element of gold signifying God the Father, the stand signifying God the Son, and the seven lamps signifying God the Spirit, we have the ground to say that the lampstand itself is the expression of the Triune God.
11我们已经指出，最终在启示录里，灯台成了教会。倘若我们了解这件事，我们对教会的领会就深广、丰富了。教会的确是神的彰显。在这彰显里，我们看见父的性情、子的具体表现，以及灵的彰显。在正当的教会生活中，父神是本质，子神是具体表现，而灵神是彰显。在出埃及记二十五章，灯台表征基督；但在启示录一章，灯台表征众教会。这指明独一的基督经过了复制，一个灯台就成了七个灯台。出埃及记二十五章有杰作，而启录一章有这个杰作的复制与繁增。为着出埃及记二十五章里的一个灯台，以及启示录一章里的七个灯台，我们赞美主！首先神的彰显只在作灯台的基督里面，如今这个彰显已经复制到作为金灯台的众教会里面。由此我们看见，基督已经有了复制品；教会的确是基督复制品。基督与教会都是三一神的彰显。在教会生活中，我们有父的性情、子的具体表现，以及灵的彰显。真是奇妙！
11We have pointed out that, consummately, in the book of Revelation the lampstand becomes the church. If we realize this, our understanding of the church will be deepened and enriched. The church is actually the expression of God. In this expression we see the Father’s nature, the Son’s embodiment, and the Spirit’s expression. In the proper church life, God the Father is the substance, God the Son is the embodiment, and God the Spirit is the expression. In Exodus 25 the lampstand signifies Christ, but in Revelation 1 it signifies the churches. This indicates that the unique Christ has been reproduced, that the one lampstand has become seven lampstands. In Exodus 25 we have the masterpiece, but in Revelation 1 we have the masterpiece reproduced and multiplied. Praise the Lord for the one lampstand in Exodus 25 and the seven lampstands in Revelation 1! At first God’s expression was only in Christ as the lampstand. Now this expression has been reproduced in the churches as golden lampstands. By this we see that Christ has been reproduced. The church is actually the reproduction of Christ. Both Christ and the church are the expression of the Triune God. In the church life we have the nature of the Father, the embodiment of the Son, and the expression of the Spirit. How wonderful!
二 在神的居所里面
II. WITHIN THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD
12灯台不是在外院子，而是在圣所里，就是在神的居所里面。
12The lampstand was not in the outer court; it was in the Holy Place, that is, within the dwelling place of God.
13基督徒在经历中，多半还没有进入圣所。他们反倒花了许多时间在外院子的祭坛─十字架那里。实在说来，我们必须离开十字架，进入圣所。在你的经历中，你在那里？在祭坛那里，还是在圣所里面？我们中间许多人仍然在十字架那里。
13In their experience, most Christians have not yet entered the Holy Place. On the contrary, they spend a great deal of time at the altar, the cross, in the outer court. In a very real sense, we need to leave the cross and enter into the Holy Place. Where are you in your experience—at the altar or in the Holy Place? Many among us may still be at the cross.
14我们已经看见，帐幕─神的居所，表征圣徒已经被建造成为神的家。我们都必须问 自己，我们是不是真在神的居所里面。这意思是说，我们必须问，我们是不是已经建造到教会里面，成为神的家？今天在许许多多的基督徒当中，没有对灯台的经历，因为这些信徒仍然在十字架那里，没有和别人建造在一起。既然没有神的居所，没有和圣徒的建造，怎能有灯台？这是不可能的。灯台不是靠近外院子的十字架，而是在神的居所里面，就是在同被建造成为神居所的圣徒们中间。
14We have seen that the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, signifies the saints who have been built up to be the house of God. We all need to ask ourselves if we are truly in the dwelling place of God. This means that we must inquire whether or not we have been built into the church as God’s house. Among a great many Christians today, there is no experience of the lampstand, because these believers are still at the cross and have not been built up with others. Since there is no dwelling place of God, no building with the saints, how can there be the lampstand? It is impossible. The lampstand is not near the cross in the outer court; it is within the dwelling place of God, that is, among the saints who have been built up together to be the house of God.
15在神眼中，每一个地方教会就是一个灯台。神看每一个教会都是建造起来给祂居住的房屋。如果我们要看见灯台，就必须在神的居所─教会里面。
15In the eyes of God, every local church is a lampstand. God regards every church as a house built up for His dwelling. If we would see the lampstand, we must be in the house of God, the church.
三 在陈设饼的桌子后面
III. AFTER THE TABLE OF THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE
16照启示的顺序来看，灯台在陈设饼的桌子后面。这桌子表征基督是生命的供应；它乃是一幅图画，给我们看见基督是生命供应的源头。灯台表征基督作为生命的光。（约八12。）因此，桌子是生命的供应，而灯台是生命的光。
16According to the sequence of revelation, the lampstand comes after the table of the bread of the Presence. This table signifies Christ as the life supply; it is a figure showing us that Christ is the source of our life supply. The lampstand signifies Christ as the light of life (John 8:12). Hence, the table is the supply of life, and the lampstand is the light of life.
17约翰福音说到基督是生命的光。约翰一章四节说：“生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。”照约翰八章十二节来看，主耶稣说：“我是世界的光；跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光。”
17The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the light of life. John 1:4 says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” According to John 8:12, the Lord Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
18“世界的光”这个词是甚么意思？虽然很难解释，却很容易举例为证。生命是光，而死亡是黑暗。我们活着，所以能彀看见。如果我们死了，就不能再看见甚么了；死亡产生黑暗。在圣经里，瞎眼就等于死亡。所有的世人都是瞎眼的，也都在黑暗里。因为他们是死的，他们也就是瞎眼的。我们接受神圣生命的供应，就得着属灵的视力，这视力就是光。所以，它是生命的光。基督作为生命的光，是从生命的供应来的。这就是我们必须先有桌子，然后有灯台的原因。
18What is the meaning of the expression “the light of life”? Although this is rather difficult to explain, it is easy to illustrate. Life is light, but death is darkness. Because we are living, we are able to see. But if we were to die, we could no longer see anything. Death would produce darkness. In the Bible blindness equals death. All the worldly people are blind and in darkness. Because they are dead, they are also blind. When we receive the divine life supply, we have spiritual sight, and this sight is the light. Hence, it is the light of life. Christ as the light of life comes out of the life supply. This is the reason we must first have the table and then the lampstand.
19甚至在我们肉身的生命里，生命的供应与视力也有关联。例如，一个人长久不吃东西，视力就会开始衰退。但如果他吃了营养的食物，视力就会增进。这指明缺少生命的供应，会使视力失去。这也指明生命的供应能带进视力，带进光。
19Even in our physical life there is a connection between the life supply and sight. For example, if a person goes a long period of time without eating, his eyesight will begin to fail. But if he eats nourishing food, his vision will improve. This indicates that the lack of the life supply can cause loss of sight. It also indicates that the life supply brings in the sight, the light.
20倘若我们要有生命的光，就必须先到桌子面前，然后再到灯台面前。我们需要每天晨更的原因，乃是我们需要桌子上生命供应的滋养。然后在我们的经历中，灯台就出 现了。每当我们有食物，有生命的供应，灯台的光就照耀在我们身上。例如，一位弟兄也许认为在某件事上他是对的，妻子是错的。但他在桌子那里享受基督作生命的供应以后，视力就清楚了，同时也在这件事上蒙了光照；然后他才觉得是他错了。这说明一件事实，就是我们吸取生命的供应，自然就得着了生命的光。
20If we would have the light of life, we must come to the table before we come to the lampstand. The reason we need morning watch every day is that we need to be nourished by the life supply on the table. Then in our experience the lampstand will appear. Whenever we have the food, the supply of life, the light from the lampstand shines upon us. For example, a brother may think that regarding a certain matter he is right and that his wife is wrong. But after he enjoys Christ as the life supply at the table, his sight becomes clear, and he is enlightened concerning the matter. Then he realizes that he was the one who was wrong. This illustrates the fact that when we take in the life supply, we automatically receive the light of life.
四 精金作的
IV. OF PURE GOLD
21我们由三十一节晓得，灯台是精金作的。精金表征纯一神圣的性情。基督是父的具体表现，为着父的彰显，所以祂乃是纯一神圣的。教会作为灯台也是这样。在启示录我们看见，七个教会就是七个金灯台。（一20。）在教会生活中，我们需要刚强拔高的人性，需要正确的人性。然而，教会的实际一点不在于人性，反而在于神性。神圣的性情分赐到我们里面有多少，就决定我们是教会在实际上到了怎样的程度。
21We know from verse 31 that the lampstand was of pure gold. Pure gold signifies the pure divine nature. As the embodiment of the Father for His expression, Christ is purely divine. This is also true of the church as the lampstand. In Revelation we see that the seven churches are seven golden lampstands (1:20). It is true that in the church life we need a strong uplifted humanity, a proper humanity. Nevertheless, the actuality of the church does not depend at all on humanity. On the contrary, it depends on divinity. How much of the divine nature has been imparted into us determines to what extent we are the church in actuality.
22有些基督徒对我们说：“为甚么你们称自己是教会？难道我们不是教会，像你们是教会一样么？”在神测量的标准里，教会是以神性来测量的。我们里面的神有多少？我们所在的地方教会中，神圣的成分有多少？如果我们神圣的成分，我们的神性非常有限的话，那么我们所在的地方教会就是有限的、微小的、不成熟的。但我们里头神性加多，教会的实际也就会增加。
22Christians have said to us, “Why do you call yourselves the church? Are we not the church just as much as you are?” In God’s standard of measurement, the church is measured by divinity. How much of God do we have in us? How much of the divine element is in the church in our locality? If we have only a very limited amount of the divine element, of divinity, then the church in our locality is limited, small, and immature. But if we have a greater measure of divinity, the actuality of the church is increased.
23基督在地上的时候，有人性，也有神性。然而，光的照耀不是因着祂的人性，而是因着祂的神性。这就是马太、马可、路加没有题起基督是生命之光的原因。马太的确说到基督是光，（四16，）但和约翰题说的方式不同。约翰清楚地说，基督是生命的光，因为约翰福音乃是启示基督的神性。它始于“太初有话，话与神同在，话就是神…生命在祂里头；这生命就是人的光。”（约一1，4，直译。）基督是生命的光，这和祂的神性有密切的关系。倘若祂不是神圣的，仅是一个好人，祂就不可能是生命的光。我再说，生命的光乃是源于基督的神性。这就是灯台是精金作成的意义。
23When Christ was on earth, He had both humanity and divinity. However, it was not because of His humanity that the light was shining, but because of His divinity. This is why there is no mention in Matthew, Mark, and Luke of Christ as the light of life. Matthew does refer to Christ as a light (4:16), but not in the way John does. John says explicitly that Christ is the light of life, because his Gospel reveals the divinity of Christ. It opens with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1, 4). Christ’s being the light of life is intimately related to His divinity. If He were not divine but simply a good man, He could not be the light of life. To repeat, the light of life is derived from Christ’s divinity. This is the significance of the lampstand being of pure gold.
24基督怎样因着祂神圣的性情而照耀，我们也照样能彀因着注入到我们里面神圣的成分而照耀。我们照耀的程度乃是根据我们里面神圣成分的程度。如果你很亲切、很和蔼、很谦卑，也以天然的方式爱人，而没有一点神性，那你甚么光也没有；别人不会在你里面看见光。但你因着基督的神性而活基督、彰显神，光就会显明出来。约翰一书一章五节说：“神就是光。”光是从神性来的，不是从人性来的。
24Just as Christ shines because of His divine nature, so we are able to shine with the divine element which has been infused into us. The degree of our shining is according to the degree of the divine element within us. If you are kind, nice, humble, and loving in a natural way, without any portion of divinity, you will not have any light. Others will not see light in you. But if you live Christ with His divinity and express God, light will be manifest. First John 1:5 says, “God is light.” Light comes from divinity, not from humanity.
五 锤出来的
V. OF BEATEN WORK
25出埃及记二十五章三十一节说：“灯台…要…锤出来。”三十六节说：“球和枝子要接连一块，都是一块精金锤出来的。”锤的工作表征受苦，被锤打就是受苦。当基督─神的具体表现在地上的时候。祂经历了许多的苦难，许多的锤打。
25Exodus 25:31 says, “Of beaten work shall the lampstand be made.” Verse 36 says, “Their knobs and their branches shall be from it—all of it one beaten work of pure gold.” Beaten work signifies sufferings. To be beaten is to suffer. When Christ, the embodiment of God, was on earth, He experienced much suffering, much beating.
26就约柜而言，金子受锤打是要彰显神的荣耀。两个基路伯是用锤出来的金子作成的。这两个荣耀的基路伯表征神的荣耀出于锤打，神在基督里所彰显的荣耀出于基督的受苦。
26With the ark, the gold was beaten to express the glory of God. The two cherubim were made of gold which had been beaten. These cherubim of glory signify that the glory of God comes out of the beating, that the glory of God expressed in Christ comes out of His sufferings.
27就灯台而言，金子被锤出来，好照耀神的光。这光就等于神的荣耀。这意思是说，灯台上的光等于约柜上面的光，二者都出于被锤打的金子。这指明基督藉着受苦而彰显神的荣耀。
27With the lampstand, the gold was beaten to shine forth the light of God. This light equals the glory of God. This means that the light on the lampstand equals the glory above the ark. Both came out of gold which had been beaten. This indicates that through His sufferings Christ expresses God’s glory.
28如果我们缺少苦难，我们的光就不会照耀明亮。虽然我们不该追求受苦，但我们不该轻看苦难，因为苦难是有益的。如果我们从来没有经历甚么难处，从来没有经历金子的锤打，我们就不能彀照耀。比方说，如果你的丈夫、妻子、儿女总是善待你，这就会拦阻你的照耀。但如果你面临家庭生活中的难处，这些难处就会帮助你来照耀。儿女好比小锤子，在父母里面锤打金子，而且还帮助他们来照耀。
28If we are short of sufferings, our light may not shine brightly. Although we should not seek to suffer, we should not despise sufferings, for they are useful. If we never experience any difficulties, any beating of the gold, we shall not be able to shine. For example, if your husband or wife or your children are always good to you, this may hinder your shining. But if you face difficulties in your family life, these difficulties will help you to shine. Children can be compared to little hammers, hammers which beat the gold within their parents and help them to shine.
六 没有尺寸
VI. WITHOUT MEASUREMENT
29我们不知道灯台的尺寸。基路伯的尺寸或灯台的尺寸都没有记载，没有人知道灯台有多高。虽然我们知道灯台及其一切的器具重一他连得，但我们不知道灯台本身确实重多少。
29We do not know the measurements of the lampstand. The dimensions of neither the cherubim nor the lampstand are recorded. No one knows how high the lampstand was. Although we know that the weight of the lampstand with all its utensils was one talent, we do not know the exact weight of the lampstand itself.
30有时候，圣经所没有说的和圣经所说的是同样的重要。灯台没有尺寸的意义乃是：基督的神性和祂所照耀的光是没有限量的。（约三34。）今天我们所用灯光的照耀可以测量，但基督的照耀是无法测量的。祂的神性和祂的光都是测不尽的。
30What the Bible does not say is sometimes just as significant as what it does say. The significance of the lampstand being without measurement is that the divinity of Christ and the light He shines are immeasurable (John 3:34). The shining of the lamps we use today can be measured, but the shining of Christ is immeasurable. Both His divinity and His light are beyond measure.
七 座和干
VII. THE BASE AND THE SHAFT
31三十一节说到灯台的座和干。座是为着稳定，干是为着力量。四福音启示主耶稣总是稳定、坚固的。祂始终有一个稳固的座，无论遭遇甚么环境，祂总像一枝坚固的干屹立不移。
31Verse 31 speaks of the base and the shaft of the lampstand. The base is for stability, and the shaft is for strength. The four Gospels reveal that the Lord Jesus was always stable and strong. He always had a stable base, and no matter what situation He encountered, He stood as a strong shaft.
八 杯、球、花
VIII. THE CUPS WITH THE KNOBS AND BLOSSOMING BUDS
32现在我们来看灯台中很难领会的方面。三十一节说到“灯台的座，和干，与杯、球、花，都要接连一块锤出来。”这些杯是甚么？为甚么它们在枝、干上面？“花苞”（直译）一词是希伯来字的直译，但实际上就是花的意思。这些花的意义何在？我年轻的时候，很难领会得来。我以为每根枝子的杯上有球，球上有花。事实上，杯、球、花乃是一朵花的各部分。
32Now we come to an aspect of the lampstand which is difficult to understand. Verse 31 says of the lampstand, “Its cups, its knobs and its blossoming buds shall be from it.” What are these cups, and why are they on the branches and the shaft? The expression “blossoming buds” actually means blossoms, although “blossoming buds” is the literal translation of the Hebrew. What is the significance of these blossoms? When I was young, I had great difficulty understanding this matter. I thought that on each branch there was a knob over the cup and a blossom over the knob. Actually, the cup, the knob, and the blossoming bud are all parts of one flower, one blossom.
33比方说，一朵杏花有好几层。底层也许是绿的，好像一片绿叶。这个底层正确的说乃是花萼。三十一节的球字是指花萼，就是一朵花外部的青绿层。花萼包含着花苞。花的顶端，就是花苞，事实上就是花的本身。三十一节用杯字来描述整朵花，包含花萼与花苞。因此，杯等于整朵花，这杯包含底层的花萼与顶端的花苞。花苞开花时，一朵花就产生出来了。
33A flower, an almond flower for example, has several layers. The bottom layer may be green, like a green leaf. The proper word to describe this bottom layer is calyx. The word knob in verse 31 denotes the calyx of a flower, the outer leafy green layer of a flower. The calyx contains the blossoming bud. The top of the flower, the blossoming bud, is actually the flower itself. In verse 31 the word cup is used to describe the whole flower, including the calyx and the blossoming bud. Thus, the cup is equal to the complete flower. This cup comprises the calyx at the bottom and the buds at the top. When the buds blossom, a flower is produced.
34在灯台上，杯的形状像一朵杏花。这里把杏花称为杯。杏树是在初春开花，比其它树木都要来得早。每一朵小杏花就是一个杯。杯的底层有一片青绿的部分叫作花萼，形成一个包含花苞的容器。最终这些花苞就开出花来。
34In the lampstand the cup is shaped like an almond blossom, an almond flower. Here the almond flower is called a cup. Almonds blossom early in the spring, before other trees. Every little almond flower is a cup. At the bottom of the cup there is a leafy green part called the calyx, which forms a container to hold the blossoming buds. Eventually these buds become flowers.
（一）杯的形状像杏花
A. The Cups Shaped like Almond Blossoms
35杯的形状像杏花，表征复活的生命开花了。照民数记十七章八节来看，亚伦的杖发了芽，结了熟杏。这是复活的生命从死里出来的一幅图画。亚伦的杖原是一根枯枝，但藉着复活结了熟杏。因此杏花表征复活的生命开花了。
35The cups shaped like almond blossoms signify the resurrection life blossoming. According to Numbers 17:8, Aaron’s rod budded and brought forth almonds. This is a picture of resurrection life coming out of death. Aaron’s rod was a dead stick, but through resurrection it brought forth almonds. Hence, almond blossoms signify the blossoming of resurrection life.
36我们已经指出，杏树在初春开花。因此杏花表征复活的初熟果子。
36We have pointed out that an almond tree blossoms early in the spring. Thus, the almond blossom signifies the firstfruit of resurrection.
37耶利米一章十一至十二节说：“耶和华的话，又临到我说，耶利米你看见甚么？我说，我看见一根杏树枝。耶和华对我说，你看得不错；因为我留意保守我的话，使得成就。”希伯来字的杏和留意保守是同一个字根。这个字根的意思是儆醒、留意。这事的属灵意义是极其深长的。复活隐含儆醒、留意、催促的意思。复活能促成一些事情。照耶利米一章十二节来看，主的心意是要留意保守祂的话，使得成就；那就是说，祂要加速完成祂的话。
37Jeremiah 1:11 and 12 say, “Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” In Hebrew the words almond and hasten are from the same root. This root word means to watch over, to be alert. The spiritual significance of this is very meaningful. Resurrection implies to watch, to be alert, to hasten. Resurrection hastens matters. According to Jeremiah 1:12, the Lord’s intention was to hasten His word to perform it; that is, He would hasten to fulfill His word.
38我们已经指出，基督是生命的光，这完全是一件神性的事。现在我们看见，这也完全是在复活里的一件事。没有复活的生命，就不可能有光。基督惟有在祂的神性里，并在复活里，才能彀成为生命的光。因此，神性和复活乃是基督成为生命之光的必要条件。原则上，在我们的经历中也是这样。我们凭着天然的生命、凭着我们的人性绝对无法有照耀。我们若要发出生命的光，就必须有神性，也必须在复活里。复活乃是神圣之光照耀的根基。
38We have pointed out that Christ’s being the light of life is altogether a matter of divinity. Now we see that it is also a matter wholly in resurrection. Without resurrection life, there cannot be any light. Christ can be the light of life only in His divinity and in resurrection. Hence, divinity and resurrection are the prerequisites for Christ to be the light of life. In principle, the same is true of us in our experience. We cannot shine by our natural life, by our humanity. If we would shine forth the light of life, we must have divinity and we must be in resurrection. Resurrection is the basis for the shining of the divine light.
（二）球─花萼，花朵永远青绿的部分，包含着花苞
B. The Knobs, the Calyxes, the External Green Leafy Parts of the Flowers, Containing the Blossoming Buds
39球─花萼，花朵永远青绿的部分，包含着花苞，表征复活的生命维持和支持的能力。我们惟有经历主，才能彀领会这件事。让神圣的光照耀出来就是开花，但这样的开花需要一个容器来维持并支持。我们由经历中晓得，要因神圣的光照耀，就必须有复活的生命成为球─花萼，作为一个容器来维持并支持我们的照耀。如果没有复活的生命作为这样的容器，我们的花朵就会败落。这意思是说，在我们里面神圣之光的照耀会终止。没有球─花萼，花苞就会掉落。照样，没有复活的生命，就没有甚么可以托住、支持、维持我们神圣之光的照耀。
39The knobs, the calyxes, the external green leafy parts of the flowers, containing the blossoming buds, signify the sustaining and supporting power of the resurrection life. We can comprehend this only through our experience with the Lord. To shine the divine light is to blossom. But this blossoming requires a container to support and sustain it. From our experience we know that in order to shine with the divine light, we must have resurrection life to be a knob, a calyx, as a container to sustain and support our shining. If we do not have resurrection life as such a container, our blossom will collapse. This means that the shining of the divine light in us will cease. Without the knobs, the calyxes, the flowering buds would fall. In like manner, without the resurrection life, we have nothing to uphold, support, and sustain our shining of the divine light.
40假定你在日常生活中，因着神圣的光而照耀。但忽然间，你回到天然的生命里，用天然的老样子来说话行事，你对家人更是天然；立刻，你的花苞败落了，你也不再照 耀了。因为你失去了支持花苞的花萼，就不再有照耀了。你留在复活里，就会开花、照耀。但你一离开复活，一回到天然的生命里，马上就不再照耀了。几分钟以前，你也许一直在照耀着，但现在失去复活生命的支持，你就不再照耀了。只要支持花苞的花萼一除去，花朵就立刻败落枯谢了。所以，没有开花，就没有照耀。神圣之光的照耀乃是由复活的生命所托住的。
40Suppose in your daily life with your family you are shining with the divine light. Suddenly, however, you revert to your natural life and begin to speak and behave in a natural way, especially in your relationships with the members of your family. Immediately, your blossoming buds collapse and you stop shining. Because you have lost the calyxes as the support of the blossoming buds, there is no more shining. When you remain in resurrection, you are blossoming, shining. But when you leave resurrection and return to your natural life, you immediately stop shining. You may have been shining a few minutes ago, but now, having lost the support of resurrection life, you are no longer shining. Whenever the calyx, the support of the blossoming bud, is removed, the flower collapses and falls. Thus, because there is no blossoming, there is no shining. The shining of the divine light is held by the resurrection life.
（三）花苞
C. The Blossoming Buds
41花苞、花瓣，表征基督复活生命的彰显。复活的生命是容器，也是花朵，是支持，也是彰显。
41The blossoming buds, the petals, signify the expression of the resurrection life. Resurrection life is both the container and the blossom, both the support and the expression.
九 两旁各杈出三个枝子
IX. THREE BRANCHES ON EACH OF THE TWO SIDES
42出埃及记二十五章三十二节说：“灯台两旁要杈出六个枝子，这旁三个，那旁三个。”灯台每一旁有三个枝子排列成层。这里三这个数字表明复活和三一神。照林前十五章来看，赐生命的灵乃是三一神的终极彰显，也是三一神与人的终极接触。因此，赐生命的灵就是三一神的终极总结。末后的亚当─基督─因着复活、在复活里，并同着复活成了赐生命的灵。这位赐生命的灵乃是经过了种种过程的三一神。复活一点不差就是经过了种种过程的三一神自己。复活乃是基督的灵，而基督的灵就是基督自己。对复活的这种领会就能符合主的话说：“我是复活。”（约十一25，直译。）
42Exodus 25:32 says, “And there shall be six branches going out from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from its one side, and three branches of the lampstand from its other side.” On each side of the lampstand there are three branches arranged in layers. Here the number three denotes both resurrection and the Triune God. Actually resurrection is the Triune God. According to 1 Corinthians 15, the life-giving Spirit is the ultimate expression of the Triune God and the ultimate reaching of the Triune God to man. Hence, the life-giving Spirit is the ultimate consummation of the Triune God. Through resurrection, in resurrection, and with resurrection, Christ, the last Adam, became a life-giving Spirit. This life-giving Spirit is the processed Triune God. Resurrection is nothing less than the processed Triune God Himself. Resurrection is the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ is Christ Himself. This understanding of resurrection corresponds to the Lord’s word: “I am the resurrection” (John 11:25).
43在圣经里，三这个数字一方面是指三一神；另一方面也是指复活。复活就是这位三一神。在灯台里，复活不但由杏花来表征，也由灯台每旁的三个枝子来表征。
43On the one hand, in the Bible the number three refers to the Triune God; on the other hand, it refers to resurrection. Resurrection is the very Triune God. In the lampstand resurrection is signified not only by the almond blossoms, but also by the three branches on each side of the lampstand.
44再者，枝子也表征基督复活生命的分枝。六个枝子分成两组的三，表征生命之光的见证。二是见证的数字。因这缘故，主耶稣差遣门徒两个两个的出去。同样的原则，在灯台两旁两组的枝子，也表征生命之光的见证。
44Furthermore, the branches signify the branching out of Christ’s resurrection life. The six branches in two groups of three signify the testimony of the light of life. Two is the number of testimony. For this reason, the Lord Jesus sent out the disciples two by two. In the same principle, the two groups of branches on the two sides of the lampstand signify the testimony of the light of life.
十 每枝上有三个杯，形状像杏花，有球，有花
X. THREE CUPS SHAPED LIKE ALMOND BLOSSOMS ON EACH BRANCH WITH KNOB AND BLOSSOMING BUD
45每枝上有三个杯，形状像杏花，有球，有花，表征复活的生命在复活的生命里，并同着复活的生命而开花了。我们已经指出，每枝上有三朵花。这表明复活同着复活，并且复活在复活里面。灯台满了杏花。这启示出神圣的思想乃是集中在复活上。
45The three cups shaped like almond blossoms on each branch with knob and blossoming bud signify the resurrection life blossoming in and with the resurrection life. We have pointed out that there were three blossoms on each branch. This indicates resurrection with resurrection, and resurrection in resurrection. The lampstand is filled with almond blossoms. This reveals that the divine thought here is focused on resurrection.
46我们实在需要智慧和启示的灵，（弗一17，）好明了灯台的意义。在金灯台里，有神性、有复活、有生命的光。照耀乃是神圣生命在复活里的彰显。虽然我们是属人的、天然的，但我们藉着重生已经得着了神圣的生命与神圣的性情。（彼后一4。）这意思是说，我们这些在基督里的信徒，有神圣的本质、神圣的成分，就是神性。 如今我们必须操练与主成为一灵，而活基督、活神性。基督徒多半都忽略了这件事，反而只教导人要改良天然的人性。但在我们天然的人性里，没有神性，没有复活，也没有光。我们不可留在天然的生命里，我们要进入复活。为此，我们必须经过十字架。然后我们就会在复活里，并且因着在复活里神圣的成分，而有开花、照耀。
46We truly need a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph. 1:17) to understand the significance of the lampstand. In the golden lampstand we have divinity, resurrection, and the light of life. The shining is the expression of the divine life in resurrection. Although we are human and natural, through regeneration we have received the divine life with the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). This means that as believers in Christ, we have the divine substance, the divine element, that is, divinity. Now we need to live Christ, to live divinity, by practicing to be one spirit with the Lord. The vast majority of Christians neglect this matter. Instead, they simply teach others to improve their natural humanity. But in our natural humanity there is no divinity, no resurrection, and no light. We must not remain in our natural life, but enter into resurrection. For this, we must pass through the cross. Then we shall be in resurrection, and with the divine element in resurrection there will be the blossoming, the shining.
47我要再一次强调开花乃是照耀这件事实。我们开花的时候，就是照耀的时候。随着灯台，我们还有神性和复活。如今这复活需要开花。它几时开花，便几时照耀；那就是说，它把神的生命彰显出来。这个彰显，这个开花，就是照耀。
47Once again I would emphasize the fact that the blossoming is the shining. When we blossom, we shine. With the lampstand we have divinity and resurrection. Now this resurrection needs to blossom. Whenever it blossoms, it shines; that is, it expresses the life of God. This expression, this blossoming, is the shining.
48我鼓励众圣徒查考金灯台的图画，并且为此祷告。这会帮助我们看见，今天基督怎样照耀我们，以及我们怎样藉着神圣的性情，并因着在复活里的开花，而能彀成为基督一个照耀的肢体。这便是把神圣的光照耀出来。我们愈这样照耀，我们就愈成为有七灵的教会。
48I encourage all the saints to consider the picture of the golden lampstand and pray about it. This will help us to see how Christ today is shining over us and how we can be a shining member of Christ through the divine nature and by blossoming in resurrection. This is to shine the divine light. The more we shine in this way, the more we shall be the church with the seven Spirits.