青少年教程 (启示录教导什么*第6课) | 七灾
- 羊之门-编译组
- 3 days ago
- 12 min read
编者按
这是一套在美国很受欢迎的教材，按年龄共分三部分：0-6岁学龄前儿童教程，6-12岁学龄儿童教程，和12岁以上青少年教程。我们将陆续翻译成中文，分享给大家。
这套教材里的每一篇，无论是教程还是各种活动，都独立成篇，没有先后顺序，大家可以按需要和负担选择使用。
*更多内容：thedoorofsheep.com/青少年 课程目的
帮助学生对启示录有整体的认识
概览启示录中提到的七灾
激励学生过悔改的生活
主题
刚硬的心、神的审判、悔改
背诵经文
启示录 15:4
开始祷告(5-10分钟)
团队建立(5分钟)
今天我们要谈到盛满神忿怒的碗。所以，让我们先玩一个与碗有关的游戏。不过，这次不是把东西从碗里倒出来，而是要把一些东西扔进去。
游戏很简单。把学生分成几个小组，每组三至四人，排成一列。在他们前方大约六至八英尺的地方放一个碗。让每个人把纸揉成几个小纸球，每人准备四至五个。
当你说“开始”时，每组排在第一位的人一次扔一个纸球，目标是扔进自己组的碗里。一旦成功扔进去一个，就走到队伍最后，由下一位学生继续。
最先让每位组员都成功把一个纸球扔进碗里的队伍获胜。
如果想再玩一次，可以增加难度，例如把碗放得更远，要求每个人扔进两个纸球，或者加入其他更困难的规则。
开始(3分钟)
在开始今天的启示录学习以前，让我们先回顾一下目前学到哪里，以及已经知道哪些重要内容。
一般讨论:
• 约翰看见这些异象时在哪里？（被放逐在拔摩岛。）
• 启示录属于哪一种文学体裁？（它是一封书信，也是启示文学。）
• 我们所读的一切都应该按字面理解吗？（不是。启示录充满意象、异象和象征，重点在于传达真理，而不一定是在描述一个实际发生的事件。）
• 启示录的中心是什么？（第12章所描述的基督救赎之工。）
• 启示录最主要的信息是什么？（即使面对苦难，忠于基督仍然值得，因为耶稣已经击败撒但、罪和死亡，而那些忠于基督的人也会分享祂的得胜。）
我们今天所学习的内容，听起来可能不太像“得胜”。相反，在启示录最后一组与“七”有关的内容中，我们要谈的是神的忿怒。
深入学习(35分钟)
读 启示录 15:1-8:
约翰说，他看见了一个“异象”。这个词表明，这里所描述的是象征其他事物的记号（启示录 1:1；12:1）。换句话说，我们接下来所读的内容，不应该完全按照字面理解。
这里出现的象征之一是“海”。在启示录中，海代表混乱。然而，这里却是一片玻璃海。玻璃把这种混乱控制住了-混乱不再翻腾，但它似乎也并不甘心，因为火焰正要从其中迸发出来。
讨论问题:
谁站在海边？（那些胜过兽的人。）
他们唱的是谁的歌？（第3节说，他们唱摩西的歌。）
你认为他们所唱之歌的主题是什么？（神的能力胜过一切；没有人能够击败祂；惟有祂是圣洁的；万民都要敬拜祂。）
根据第5节，“此后”约翰又看见什么？（圣殿打开了。）
天使穿着什么？这可能象征什么？（洁白明亮的细麻衣、金带，象征纯洁、权柄等。）
启示录第15章借着这些画面，要让我们怎样认识神？（祂大有能力，并且即将采取行动。）
第15章结束时发生了什么？（圣殿因神的能力而充满烟。）
神大有能力，祂的忿怒也是真实的。神有怜悯，神是良善的，神也是慈爱的。然而，祂也会审判那些悖逆祂的人。我们刚才所读的其实只是引言。启示录第16章会更详细地描写神的忿怒。
读 启示录 16:1-20
这里内容很多，不过我们先把七灾简单总结一下。这并不是启示录第一次出现一组“七”。事实上，这是第三组，也是最后一组“七”。在这之后，神的忿怒就完全倾倒出来了。让我们再快速浏览这段经文，并针对这些盛满神忿怒的碗提出几个问题。
讨论问题:
每一次，神的忿怒分别倒在哪里？（答案如下。）
忿怒倾倒以后，受到影响的人或事物发生了什么？（答案如下。）
第一灾：倒在地上／拜兽的人身上生出毒疮
第二灾：倒在海里／海变成血
第三灾：倒在江河和众水泉源里／水变成血
第四灾：倒在日头上／日头用火烤人
第五灾：倒在兽的座位上／兽的国陷入黑暗
第六灾：倒在幼发拉底大河上／河水干了
第七灾：倒在空中／有声音从宝座出来说：“成了！”
这里神忿怒的对象是谁？（那些受了兽印记的人。）
谁不会受到这些灾祸的伤害？（那些忠于羔羊的人。）
兽本身也受到审判，它的“宝座”和“国”都受到影响。根据这些象征，你认为兽可以代表什么？（腐败的政府、世界上邪恶的权势。）
第四碗和第五碗中重复了哪句话？（“他们仍不悔改，也不将荣耀归给祂。”）
你认为神的忿怒是公义的吗？（是。神是公义的。受到审判的是那些向祂宣战的人。）
这里还有一些很有意思的细节。在整个罗马历史中，太阳常常与凯撒联系在一起。而在这段经文中，神控制太阳，甚至使用太阳来灼烧人。这本身就是一个针对罗马的政治性宣告：真正掌管大自然的是神。
那些敌对神的势力-兽、假先知-似乎都在代表罗马政府。这段经文大量使用君王、国度、宝座等语言，也提到与罗马世界有关的地理事物。然而，它们其实并不真正拥有权力。只有神拥有完全的能力。
讨论问题（续）
第17节中，从宝座出来的声音说了什么？（“成了！”）
什么“成了”？（神的忿怒已经完全倾倒。）
经文怎样描绘这一点？（雷轰、闪电、地震等。）
我们以前在哪里见过类似的画面？（启示录第4章开始的其他几组“七”中。）
这可能意味着什么？（大多数学者认为，这是神对已经发生的一切加上最终的确认。）
联系实际（10分钟）
这一切听起来很壮观-其实，更准确地说，是很可怕。
但这对我们的生命究竟意味着什么？
一般讨论:
• 在七灾的经文中，那些受苦的人拒绝做什么？（悔改。）
• 人已经如此痛苦，为什么仍然拒绝悔改和改变？（骄傲。）
• 圣经其他什么地方也记载过灾祸？（出埃及记。）
• 其中有没有类似的灾？（水变成血、疮、天空变黑等。）
• 面对这些灾祸，法老有没有真正回转？（只是暂时会。）
神审判邪恶，其中一个目的，是要使人悔改，来认识祂。在启示录中，只有11:13出现了人因审判而有所回应的情形。其他时候，那些受到审判的人仍然心里刚硬，不肯悔改，因此也没有得着救恩。这也在今天向我们呈现一个鲜明的对比。
这是一个适用于所有时代的信息：神大有能力。神充满慈爱。但祂的爱也包含公义。那些悖逆祂的人，如果拒绝悔改，就必须面对祂的公义审判。
一般讨论：
• 你认为自己是一个悖逆的人吗？你会悖逆谁？（权柄、父母等。）
• 你认为自己会悖逆神吗？（大多数学生可能觉得不会。）
• 圣经中有多少次记载人悖逆神？（贯穿整本圣经。）
读 申命记 9:24、诗篇 25:7、耶利米书 5:23和提多书 1:10
从一开始，以色列人就是悖逆的（申命记）；在诗歌书中，大卫承认自己的悖逆（诗篇）；先知也指出百姓的悖逆（耶利米书）；到了新约，悖逆仍然存在。当然，启示录中也同样如此。
一般讨论：
• 那么，让我们再想一遍：你有没有悖逆神？（当然有。）
• 根据我们在启示录中所读的，悖逆的解决之道是什么？（悔改。）
读 历代志下 6:37、约伯记 36:10、马太福音 3:2和使徒行传 2:38
讨论问题：
根据这些经文，悔改是什么意思？（改变、转回、选择一条新的道路等。）
悔改以后，会得到哪些恩赐？（赦免、圣灵的恩赐、成为神国的子民、与创造主相交等。）
在启示录中，跟随兽的人所经历的，正好与这些恩赐相反。包括哪些？（不得赦免而面对审判、没有圣灵的同在、被排除在神国之外、无法与神相交等。）
面对这样鲜明的对比，你会选择哪一个？（显然，悔改所带来的恩赐永远胜过审判。）
启示录和七灾的信息其实非常简单：神的忿怒是真实存在的，而且并不只是将来的事；神借着审判，要使那些悖逆祂的人悔改。我们不是站在神这一边，就是与祂为敌。如果你发现自己站错了位置，唯一能够改变这一点的道路就是：悔改。
结束祷告(2分钟)
求神使学生面对将来的审判时，以悔改回应，并更加忠信地跟随耶稣。
****** 英文版 *******
Revelation: What Revelation Teaches
Lesson 6: The Seven Plagues
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To inform students of the overview of the book of Revelation
2. To overview the seven plagues mentioned in the book of Revelation
3. To inspire students to live a life of repentance
Topics
Hardened Heart, Judgment of God, Repentance
Scripture Memorization
Revelation 15:4
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (7 minutes)
We are going to be talking about the bowls of God’s wrath. So, let’s begin by playing a game involving bowls. However, instead of things being poured out of them, we’re going to put some stuff into them.
The idea is simple. Separate your group into smaller groups of 3 or 4 each. Line them up. About 6-8 feet in front of them place a bowl. Have them each wad up some paper to make little paper balls. Each person should start with 4-5. When you say go, the idea is to have the first person in line throw one ball at a time toward their bowl. Once they get one into the bowl, they go to the back of the line and the next person tries.
The first team to have each player successfully throw one paper wad into the bowl wins.
If you want to play again, make it more difficult by moving the bowl back further, requiring each team member to get two paper wads in, or adding other elements of difficulty.
GETTING STARTED (3 minutes)
Before we start our study of Revelation today, let's treview where we’re at and what we know to be true so far.
General Discussion:
• Where is John when he sees this vision? (In exile on the island of Patmos.)
• What type of literature is Revelation? (It’s a letter, it’s apocalyptic.)
• Should all that we read be taken literally? (No, it is rich in imagery, signs, and symbols that are meant to communicate a truth more than an event.)
• What is at the center of Revelation? (The atoning work of Christ described in chapter 12.)
• What is the main point of Revelation? (Faithfulness to Christ in the face of suffering is worth it because Jesus has defeated Satan, sin, and death and those who remain true to Christ share in that victory.)
What we study today will not sound much like a victory. Rather, we’re going to talk about wrath as we talk about the last set of 7s here in Revelation.
DIGGING IN (35 minutes)
Read Revelation 15:1-8
John says he saw a “sign.” This word means that this is a symbol of something else (Revelation 1:1, 12:1). In other words, what we’re about to read should not be taken literally.
A couple of the symbols we read about are the sea (which represents chaos in Revelation). However, this is a sea of glass. Glass here controls that chaos—the chaos is not moving and it’s not happy about it, because fire wants to burst through it.
Discussion Questions:
1. Who is standing by the sea? (Those who are victorious over the beast.)
2. Whose song are they singing? (Verse 3 of Moses’ song.)
3. What would you say is the theme of the song they sing? (God’s power is greater than anyone’s is, no one can defeat Him, only He is holy, all shall worship Him.)
4. What does John see “after this” according to verse 5? (The temple, opened.)
5. How are the angels dressed and what might that symbolize? (Shining linen, golden sashes, purity and authority, etc.)
6. What picture is Revelation 15 trying to paint here about God? (He is powerful and He is about to act.)
7. At the end of chapter 15, what happens? (The temple fills with smoke from God’s power.)
God is powerful, and His wrath is real. God is merciful, God is good, and God is loving. However, He also judges those who rebel against Him. What we’ve read just now is really only introductory. Revelation 16 describes God’s wrath in detail.
Read Revelation 16:1-20
There’s a lot here, but let’s start with a summary of the plagues. This is not the first time we see a series of sevens. In fact, this is the third and final set of sevens. After this, God’s wrath is complete. Let’s skim the passage again and ask some questions about these bowls of God’s wrath.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where is God’s wrath poured out in each of these events? (Answers below.)
2. What happens to those affected when the wrath is poured out? (Answers below.)
Plague #1: Poured out on land / Sores break out on people who worshipped the beast
Plague #2: Poured out on the sea / Sea turned to blood
Plague #3: Poured out into rivers, springs / springs turn to blood
Plague #4: Poured out on the sun / Scorched people
Plague #5: Poured out on the beast’s throne / Kingdom plunged into darkness
Plague #6: Poured out in the Euphrates River / water dries up
Plague #7: Poured out into the air / Voice from the throne “It is done!”
3. Who is the target of God’s wrath here? (Those who had the mark of the beast.)
4. Who is safe from these plagues? (Those who are faithful to the Lamb.)
5. The beast receives judgment as well. His “throne” and “kingdom” are impacted. With those symbols being used, who do you think the beast can be interpreted as being? (A corrupt government, evil authority in the world.)
6. What phrase is repeated in the fourth and fifth bowls? (“They refused to repent and glorify Him.”)
7. In your opinion, is God’s wrath justified? (Yes. He is just. Those who have declared war on Him are the ones who are judged.)
There are other interesting points at play here. The sun (used as a weapon to scorch people in this passage) was linked with Caesars all throughout Roman history. For God to control the sun is a political statement against Rome. God is in charge of nature.
The power that opposes God (the beasts, the false prophets) seems to represent the Roman government. Lots of language here about kings, kingdoms, thrones, and even Roman geological references, but they don’t really possess power. Only God is fully powerful.
Discussion Questions (Continued):
8. What does the voice from the throne say in verse 17? (“It is done.”)
9. What is done? (God’s wrath being poured out.)
10. How is this illustrated? (Thunder, lightning, earthquakes, etc.)
11. Where else have we seen this before? (The other sets of 7s, which began in Revelation chapter 4.)
12. What could this mean? (Most scholars believe this is God’s rubber stamp on what has happened.)
MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)
That all sounds great, well actually it sounds terrifying, but what does it all mean for our lives?
General Discussion:
• In the plague passage, what do the people who are afflicted refuse to do? (Repent.)
• Why would people who are so miserable refuse to repent and change? (Pride.)
• Where else in the Bible do we read about plagues? (Exodus.)
• Are any of these plagues similar? (Water to blood, boils, and sky turned to darkness.)
• Did Pharaoh relent in the face of the plagues? (Only temporarily.)
God is judging evil for the purposes of having people repent and come to know Him. Only in Revelation 11:13 does this happen. Every other time those who are judged have a hard heart, do not repent, and don’t find salvation.
This sets up a contrast for us today. This is a timeless message. God is powerful. He is loving, but that love includes justice. If those who rebel against Him do not repent, they are on the receiving end of that justice.
General Discussion:
• Do you think of yourself as a rebellious person? Against whom do you rebel? (Authority, parents, etc.)
• Do you think of yourself as rebellious against God? (Most students probably do not.)
• In the Bible, how often do we see people rebelling against God? (Throughout the entire Bible.)
Read Deuteronomy 9:24, Psalm 25:7, Jeremiah 5:23 and Titus 1:10
Israel is rebellious in the beginning (Deuteronomy), David acknowledges his own rebellion in the poetic books (Psalms), the prophets speak of the rebellion of the people (Jeremiah), and it’s even present in the New Testament. Obviously, it’s present in Revelation, too.
General Discussion:
• So let’s think through this again. Are you rebellious against God? (Most certainly.)
• According to what we read in Revelation, what is the anecdote to rebellion? (Repentance.)
Read 2 Chronicles 6:37, Job 36:10, Matthew 3:2, and Acts 2:38
Discussion Questions:
1. What does repentance mean according to these Scriptures? (To change, turn around; choose a new path, etc.)
2. What are the gifts that follow repentance? (Forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit, citizenship in the Kingdom, fellowship with our Creator, etc.)
3. The opposite of those gifts are what the followers of the beast endure in the book of Revelation. What do those include? (Lack of forgiveness/judgment, the absence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, banishment from the Kingdom, no fellowship with God, etc.)
4. Given those stark contrasts, which would you prefer? (It’s obvious that the gifts of repentance trump judgment every time.)
The message of Revelation and the Seven Plagues is really quite simple. God’s wrath exists (not just in the future) to try to bring about repentance in those who rebel against Him. Either we are on God’s team or we are against Him. If you ever find yourself on the on the wrong team, repentance is the only way to change that.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Pray that your students will respond to the coming judgment with repentance and increased faithfulness to Jesus.
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