上帝的榮耀在哪裡？Where is God's Glory?

上帝創造人類的目的是為了榮耀祂，但是我們問：上帝的榮耀在哪裡？

The purpose of God's creation of humanity is to glorify him, but we may ask: Where is God's Glory?

其實上帝用各種方式榮耀祂自己，只要看看周圍上帝的創造，就隨處可見上帝的榮耀。從顯微鏡可以看到最微小的生物，到天文望遠鏡看那浩瀚的銀河、星系，再到肉眼看日出日落、春夏秋冬、花開花落、山山水水，都能彰顯造物主的榮耀。我們所稱的大自然完全是上帝的大能所造，並且上帝喜歡變化，酷愛美麗，有條不紊，極有智慧和創意。上帝自己宣告說：「我造地，又造人在地上。我親手鋪張諸天；天上萬象也是我所命定的。」（以賽亞書45:12）詩人感慨說：「諸天述說上帝的榮耀；穹蒼傳揚祂的手段。」（詩篇19:1）

In fact, God glorifies himself in many ways. Just by looking around at God’s creation, we can see his glory everywhere. From the smallest creatures seen under a microscope to the vast galaxies and star systems observed through a telescope, and even to what we can see with the naked eye—sunrises, sunsets, the changing of the seasons, flowers blooming and withering, mountains, and rivers—everything reveals the glory of the Creator. The natural world we refer to as "nature" is entirely created by God's great power, and God delights in change, beauty, order, wisdom, and creativity. God himself declares: "I made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts." (Isaiah 45:12, NIV). The psalmist expresses: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1, NIV).

人也是上帝造出來的，人體裡的各個器官都配合得天衣無縫。人被造後，上帝又賜人生育的能力和規律。總之，「我們只有一位上帝，就是父──萬物都本於祂；我們也歸於祂──並有一位主，就是耶穌基督──萬物都是藉著祂有的；我們也是藉著祂有的。」（哥林多前書8:6）

Humankind is also created by God, and the organs in the human body function in perfect harmony. After creating humans, God also gave them the ability and order to reproduce. In short, "There is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." (1 Corinthians 8:6, NIV).

因為有耶穌，我們對上帝的形像不再是全然不知。聖經說：「祂是上帝榮耀所發的光輝。」（希伯來書1:3）

耶穌為拯救人類，藉著童女馬利亞降世為人，「道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。」（約翰福音1:14）

Because of Jesus, we are no longer completely ignorant of the image of God. The Bible says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” (Hebrews 1:3, NIV). 

Jesus came into the world through the Virgin Mary to save humanity: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NIV).

過去上帝曾藉先知和人說話，現在上帝親自道成肉身向我們說話，並且耶穌行了許多神蹟奇事，最後為救贖世人的罪而捨身在十字架上，第三日復活，在地上顯現40天後升天，完全把上帝聖潔、大能和慈愛的形像都顯示出來。若耶穌不降世，許多關於上帝的事情我們都不知曉。「主啊，誰敢不敬畏祢，不將榮耀歸與祢的名呢？因為獨有祢是聖的。萬民都要來在祢面前敬拜，因祢公義的作為已經顯出來了。」（啟示錄15:4）

In the past, God spoke to people through the prophets, but now God has personally spoken to us through the Word made flesh. Jesus performed many miracles and wonders, and ultimately gave his life on the cross to redeem humanity from sin. He rose from the dead on the third day, appeared on earth for 40 days, and then ascended into heaven. Through all of this, he fully revealed God’s holiness, power, and love. Without Jesus coming into the world, many things about God would remain unknown to us. As Revelation declares: “Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4, NIV).

但有兩類上帝的受造物沒有將榮耀歸給祂，一是墮落的天使──魔鬼，二是世上那些不信上帝的人。不將榮耀歸給上帝而歸於自己的都是罪，罪的代價就是死。死不只是肉體離開世界，更是死後靈魂下地獄，不得永生。到耶穌再來時，祂有權柄打開七印，施行七災；有權柄審判死人和活人。信耶穌罪得赦免，必得永生，並作上帝永遠的子民，天堂裡與祂永永遠遠同在。不肯認罪悔改歸向上帝的，必下到永遠不見光的地獄去，這是靈魂非常悲哀的結局。

However, there are two kinds of God’s creations that have not given him glory: fallen angels (the devil), and people in the world who do not believe in God. To take glory away from God and give it to oneself is sin. The consequence of sin is death—not just physical death, but eternal separation from God, with the soul cast into hell, without eternal life. When Jesus returns, he will have the authority to open the seven seals and pour out the seven plagues. He will judge both the living and the dead. Those who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven, receive eternal life, and become God’s people forever, living with him eternally in heaven. But those who refuse to repent and turn to God will go into the darkness of hell—a tragically sorrowful end for the soul.

上帝造人時，已將祂的靈賦予人，使我們有榮耀上帝的可能。「凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造的，是我所做成，所造作的。」（以賽亞書43:7）祂要求已經信祂的人「或吃或喝，無論做甚麼，都要為榮耀上帝而行。」（哥林多前書10:31）

When God created mankind, He gave us his Spirit so that we might have the ability to glorify him. As God said: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7, NIV). And for those who already believe, God requires that “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV).

朋友，您不妨到教會翻開聖經閱讀，來瞭解這個攸關人生命的重要話題。

Friend, why not visit a church and open the Bible to read for yourself? This is a matter that deeply concerns the life and destiny of every person.

Ref: 《中信》月刊第752期_2024Dec