读经：启十四8，十七1~十九4，二18~24，太十三33
Scripture Reading: Rev. 14:8; 17:1—19:4; 2:18-24; Matt. 13:33
Scripture Reading: Rev. 14:8; 17:1—19:4; 2:18-24; Matt. 13:33
壹
启示录十七章揭示宗教的巴比伦，就是背道的罗马天主教：
Revelation 17 is an unveiling of religious Babylon— the apostate Roman Catholic Church:
Revelation 17 is an unveiling of religious Babylon— the apostate Roman Catholic Church:
一
在神眼中，那存留了犹太教、又吸收异教许多成分的罗马天主教，就是巴比伦。
In the eyes of God the Roman Catholic Church, which perpetuates much of Judaism and has assimilated much of paganism, is Babylon.
In the eyes of God the Roman Catholic Church, which perpetuates much of Judaism and has assimilated much of paganism, is Babylon.
二
五节的“奥秘”指明，十七章的大巴比伦乃背道的召会，她所是、所实行、所教导的，的确是奥秘的。
Mystery in verse 5 indicates that Babylon the Great in chapter seventeen is the apostate church; she is mysterious in what she is, in what she practices, and in what she teaches.
Mystery in verse 5 indicates that Babylon the Great in chapter seventeen is the apostate church; she is mysterious in what she is, in what she practices, and in what she teaches.
三
马太十三章三十三节的妇人，就是启示录二章二十节的耶洗别，耶洗别又成了启示录十七章一节的大妓女：
The woman in Matthew 13:33 is the Jezebel in Revelation 2:20, and Jezebel becomes the great harlot in 17:1:
The woman in Matthew 13:33 is the Jezebel in Revelation 2:20, and Jezebel becomes the great harlot in 17:1:
１
亚哈的异教妻子耶洗别，乃是背道召会的预表─王上十六31。
Jezebel, the pagan wife of Ahab, is a type of the apostate church—1 Kings 16:31.
Jezebel, the pagan wife of Ahab, is a type of the apostate church—1 Kings 16:31.
２
背道召会所作的一切事，原则上就是把外邦的、异教的东西，混杂在神子民对神的敬拜里─太十三33，启十七4。
The principle of the deeds of the apostate church is to mix the heathen, pagan things with the worship of God by His people—Matt. 13:33; Rev. 17:4.
The principle of the deeds of the apostate church is to mix the heathen, pagan things with the worship of God by His people—Matt. 13:33; Rev. 17:4.
３
耶洗别，就是背道的召会，自称是女申言者，擅装由神授权为神说话，要求人听从她，过于听从神─二20。
Jezebel, the apostate church, is a self-appointed prophetess, who presumes to be authorized to speak for God and demands that people listen to her rather than to God—2:20.
Jezebel, the apostate church, is a self-appointed prophetess, who presumes to be authorized to speak for God and demands that people listen to her rather than to God—2:20.
４
在背道的召会中，有“撒但深奥之事”，就是撒但奥秘的教训─24节：
In the apostate church are "the deep things of Satan," the mysterious teachings of Satan—v. 24:
In the apostate church are "the deep things of Satan," the mysterious teachings of Satan—v. 24:
ａ
借着撒但深奥之事的教训，撒但诡诈的住在背道的召会里面。
Satan dwells in the apostate church in a subtle way through the teaching of the deep things of Satan.
Satan dwells in the apostate church in a subtle way through the teaching of the deep things of Satan.
ｂ
撒但深奥的思想，已浸透了背道的召会，使其成了撒但的化身。
The deep thought of Satan has saturated the apostate church, causing it to become the embodiment of Satan.
The deep thought of Satan has saturated the apostate church, causing it to become the embodiment of Satan.
四
启示录十七章一节的妓女，乃是背道的罗马天主教：
The harlot in 17:1 is the apostate Roman Catholic Church:
The harlot in 17:1 is the apostate Roman Catholic Church:
１
背道召会的淫乱，由她为利而与地上君王罪恶的关系所作成─2节上：
The fornication of the apostate church consists of her having sinful relationships with the kings of the earth for her profit—v. 2a:
The fornication of the apostate church consists of her having sinful relationships with the kings of the earth for her profit—v. 2a:
ａ
罗马天主教密切涉及世界的政治，地上的君王也直接与天主教行淫。
The Roman Catholic Church is intimately involved with worldly politics, and the kings of the earth commit fornication directly with her.
The Roman Catholic Church is intimately involved with worldly politics, and the kings of the earth commit fornication directly with her.
ｂ
在神看来，这是属灵的淫乱。
In the eyes of God, this is spiritual fornication.
In the eyes of God, this is spiritual fornication.
２
“她淫乱的酒”，表征背道的召会与地上各政权邪淫关系上的异端道理─2节下。
The "wine of her fornication" signifies the heretical doctrines of the apostate church in her fornicating relationships with the governments on the earth—v. 2b.
The "wine of her fornication" signifies the heretical doctrines of the apostate church in her fornicating relationships with the governments on the earth—v. 2b.
３
背道的召会是在旷野、荒漠里，没有神所预备的水泉─3节。
The apostate church is in a wilderness, a desert, where there are no springs of water prepared by God—v. 3.
The apostate church is in a wilderness, a desert, where there are no springs of water prepared by God—v. 3.
４
这妓女“用金子、宝石、珍珠为妆饰”─4节上：
The harlot is "gilded with gold and precious stone and pearls"—v. 4a:
The harlot is "gilded with gold and precious stone and pearls"—v. 4a:
ａ
金子、宝石、珍珠，是用以建造新耶路撒冷的材料─二一18~19，21。
Gold, precious stone, and pearls are the materials with which the New Jerusalem is built—21:18-19, 21.
Gold, precious stone, and pearls are the materials with which the New Jerusalem is built—21:18-19, 21.
ｂ
背道的召会只是佩戴这些财宝为妆饰（不是坚固的建造起来），在外表上炫耀自己，作为引诱人的骗术。
The apostate church is gilded (not solidly built) with these treasures as ornaments for outward display and as a deception intended to entice people.
The apostate church is gilded (not solidly built) with these treasures as ornaments for outward display and as a deception intended to entice people.
５
这妓女手中拿着“金杯，盛满了可憎之物，并她淫乱的污秽”─十七4下：
The harlot has in her hand "a golden cup full of abominations and the unclean things of her fornication"—17:4b:
The harlot has in her hand "a golden cup full of abominations and the unclean things of her fornication"—17:4b:
ａ
金表征神的神圣性情，所以金杯是指背道的召会在外表上的确有一些属神的东西。
Since gold signifies the divine nature, the golden cup indicates that in her outward appearance the apostate church has something of God.
Since gold signifies the divine nature, the golden cup indicates that in her outward appearance the apostate church has something of God.
ｂ
她的“金杯”满了拜偶像、异教的习俗、和属撒但的事物。
Her "golden cup" is full of idolatry, pagan practices, and satanic things.
Her "golden cup" is full of idolatry, pagan practices, and satanic things.
ｃ
虽然罗马天主教的确有一些圣别的东西，却搀进了许多邪恶和污秽的东西。
The Roman Catholic Church has certain holy things, but she has mixed in many evil and unclean things.
The Roman Catholic Church has certain holy things, but she has mixed in many evil and unclean things.
６
这大妓女是众妓女的母─5节：
The great harlot is the "mother of the harlots"—v. 5:
The great harlot is the "mother of the harlots"—v. 5:
ａ
众妓女，就是大妓女的女儿，乃是基督教中一切不同的宗派和团体，他们多少都持守背道召会的教训、作法和传统。
The harlots, the daughters of the great harlot, are the sects and groups in Christianity that hold to some extent the teachings, practices, and traditions of the apostate church.
The harlots, the daughters of the great harlot, are the sects and groups in Christianity that hold to some extent the teachings, practices, and traditions of the apostate church.
ｂ
仍然实行大妓女某些巴比伦传统的公会与团体，也是属于巴比伦的一类。
The denominations and groups that still practice some of the great harlot's Babylonian traditions belong in the category of Babylon.
The denominations and groups that still practice some of the great harlot's Babylonian traditions belong in the category of Babylon.
ｃ
惟有纯净、真正的地方召会，没有大妓女，就是背道召会所遗传的邪恶─一11~12。
Only the pure, genuine local churches have no evil transmitted from the great harlot, the apostate church—1:11-12.
Only the pure, genuine local churches have no evil transmitted from the great harlot, the apostate church—1:11-12.
五
因为神恨恶背道的召会，所以在大灾难的起头，神要使敌基督和他的十王毁灭罗马天主教─十七16~17。
Because God hates the apostate church, at the beginning of the great tribulation, God will cause Antichrist and his ten kings to destroy the Roman Catholic Church—17:16-17.
Because God hates the apostate church, at the beginning of the great tribulation, God will cause Antichrist and his ten kings to destroy the Roman Catholic Church—17:16-17.
贰
启示录十八章揭示物质的巴比伦，就是罗马城：
Revelation 18 is an unveiling of material Babylon— the city of Rome:
Revelation 18 is an unveiling of material Babylon— the city of Rome:
一
在启示录十七章和十八章，巴比伦的两面，宗教方面和物质方面，被混在一起：
In Revelation 17 and 18 two aspects of Babylon— the religious aspect and the material aspect— are mixed together:
In Revelation 17 and 18 two aspects of Babylon— the religious aspect and the material aspect— are mixed together:
１
十七章十六节的妓女指宗教的巴比伦，表征罗马天主教；十八节的那女人指物质的巴比伦，表征罗马城。
The harlot in 17:16 denotes religious Babylon, signifying the Roman Catholic Church, whereas the woman in verse 18 denotes material Babylon, signifying the city of Rome.
The harlot in 17:16 denotes religious Babylon, signifying the Roman Catholic Church, whereas the woman in verse 18 denotes material Babylon, signifying the city of Rome.
２
十八章三节同时提到巴比伦宗教和物质的两方面：
In 18:3 the aspects of religious and material Babylon are both mentioned:
In 18:3 the aspects of religious and material Babylon are both mentioned:
ａ
罗马宗教使万国喝醉了她宗教、鬼魔的酒。
The Roman religion makes all nations drunk with her religious, devilish wine.
The Roman religion makes all nations drunk with her religious, devilish wine.
ｂ
罗马城使地上的商人因她奢华过度而发了财。
The city of Rome enriches the merchants of the earth by the power of her luxury.
The city of Rome enriches the merchants of the earth by the power of her luxury.
３
大巴比伦既有这两方面，所以从那城出来，就是从宗教的巴比伦和物质的巴比伦出来─4节。
Since Babylon the Great is twofold, to come out of her means to come out of both religious Babylon and material Babylon—v. 4.
Since Babylon the Great is twofold, to come out of her means to come out of both religious Babylon and material Babylon—v. 4.
二
物质的巴比伦，就是罗马城，要在神眼中变为可憎的，因为她成了属鬼魔的政治和属鬼魔的宗教之源─6~8，20~24节。
Material Babylon, the city of Rome, will become hateful in the eyes of God because it has been the source of both devilish politics and devilish religion— vv. 6-8, 20-24.
Material Babylon, the city of Rome, will become hateful in the eyes of God because it has been the source of both devilish politics and devilish religion— vv. 6-8, 20-24.
三
基督作为另一位天使，要照耀地，用祂的大权柄毁灭大巴比伦，就是罗马城─1~2节。
Christ as another Angel will shine over the earth to destroy Babylon the Great, the city of Rome, with His great authority—vv. 1-2.
Christ as another Angel will shine over the earth to destroy Babylon the Great, the city of Rome, with His great authority—vv. 1-2.
叁
大巴比伦有两次倾倒，就是宗教巴比伦的倾倒和物质巴比伦的倾倒─十四8，十八2：
Babylon the Great will have two falls—the fall of religious Babylon and the fall of material Babylon—14:8; 18:2:
Babylon the Great will have two falls—the fall of religious Babylon and the fall of material Babylon—14:8; 18:2:
一
宗教巴比伦的倾倒要发生在大灾难的起头─十七16~17。
The fall of religious Babylon will take place at the beginning of the great tribulation—17:16-17.
The fall of religious Babylon will take place at the beginning of the great tribulation—17:16-17.
二
物质巴比伦的倾倒要发生在大灾难的末了─十八2，21。
The fall of material Babylon will take place at the end of the great tribulation—18:2, 21.
The fall of material Babylon will take place at the end of the great tribulation—18:2, 21.
三
十九章一至四节里的赞美，主要的不是关于物质巴比伦的倾倒，而是关于宗教巴比伦的倾倒，因为在神的眼中，宗教的巴比伦比物质的巴比伦更可憎。
The praise in 19:1-4 is related not mainly to the fall of material Babylon but to the fall of religious Babylon, because in the eyes of God religious Babylon is more hateful than material Babylon.
The praise in 19:1-4 is related not mainly to the fall of material Babylon but to the fall of religious Babylon, because in the eyes of God religious Babylon is more hateful than material Babylon.