“那城内又不用日月光照；因有神的荣耀光照，又有羔羊为城的灯。列国要在城的光里行走…” – 启 21:23-24
从阿巴拉契亚山道长途徒步回家后，我仍然坚持每天散步。现在我在城市的人行道上散步，在那里我经常遇到推着婴儿车或遛狗的邻居。
圣经中最后的场景描绘了一座城的生活，在那里神与我们同在，并带来所有的光明。这城也有“生命水的河”和医治万民的生命树。
在神完成祂创世的杰作后不久，我们人类的祖先便违背了神的旨意，使这个世界陷入了苦难。从那悲惨的时刻起，圣经记录了罪所带来的可悲的后果。与此同时，值得庆幸的是，我们看到神的救恩计划正在展开，尽管还存在一些反对势力。
最后，在《启示录》中，我们看到在一座城里，生命得以恢复和更新。但这不是一座普通的城。它不需要日头的光辉，因为神的荣耀光照它，列国都靠这光而行。耶稣已经完全胜过了罪。神的儿女在这里自由地生活、工作、嬉戏，就像神为我们预备的伊甸园一样，生命茁壮成长。
如果没有这座位于人类历史隧道尽头的光明之城，我们很容易在绝望中放弃。带着盼望走向神的应许，需要信心。就像在我们之前的无数信徒一样，我们需要以忠心来行事，以信靠的心来服事神。
祷告
主耶稣，当我们在你的光里行走，一步步走向你的荣耀之光，求你帮助我们始终信靠你。阿们。
启示录 21:22-22:5
22我未见城内有殿，因主神全能者和羔羊为城的殿。
23那城内又不用日月光照，因有神的荣耀光照，又有羔羊为城的灯。
24列国要在城的光里行走，地上的君王必将自己的荣耀归于那城。
25城门白昼总不关闭，在那里原没有黑夜。
26人必将列国的荣耀、尊贵归于那城。
27凡不洁净的，并那行可憎与虚谎之事的，总不得进那城，只有名字写在羔羊生命册上的才得进去。
1天使又指示我在城内街道当中一道生命水的河，明亮如水晶，从神和羔羊的宝座流出来。
2在河这边与那边有生命树，结十二样果子，每月都结果子，树上的叶子乃为医治万民。
3以后再没有咒诅。在城里有神和羔羊的宝座，他的仆人都要侍奉他，
4也要见他的面。他的名字必写在他们的额上。
5不再有黑夜，他们也不用灯光、日光，因为主神要光照他们。他们要做王，直到永永远远。
Walking By God’s Light
“The city does not need the sun or the moon . . . for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light. . . .” – Revelation 21:23-24
After returning home from my long hike on the Appalachian Trail, I still walk every day. Now my walks are on city sidewalks, where I frequently meet neighbors pushing strollers and walking dogs.
The final scenes in the Bible portray life in a city where God lives with us and provides all its light. This city also includes “the river of the water of life” and the tree of life for healing the nations.
Soon after God completed his masterpiece of creation, our human parents disobeyed and plunged this world into misery. From that tragic moment on, the Bible records the depressing consequences of sin. At the same time, thankfully, we see God’s salvation plan unfolding, despite the forces aligned against it.
Finally, in Revelation, we see life restored and made new in a city. But this is no ordinary city. The sun is not needed—God’s glory gives it light, and the nations walk by this light. Jesus has completely conquered sin. God’s children freely live and work and play here, flourishing in full life as God intends for us.
Without this city of light at the end of the tunnel of human history, we could easily be tempted to give up in despair. It takes faith to keep walking with hope toward what God has promised. Like the countless believers who have gone before us, we need to walk faithfully, trusting God as we serve him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us to trust you as we walk in and toward your light. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
