King Nebuchadnezzar made a huge image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits (about 30 meters height and 3 meters width). This gold image may have been inspired by his dream. Instead of having only a head of gold (Daniel 2:32, 38), it was gold from head to toe. The king might want his kingdom to last forever. King Nebuchadnezzar missed the point of Daniel’s warning in chapter 2 and his devotion to Daniel's God was short-lived. He neither feared nor obeyed the God who was behind his dream. The king commanded that anyone who does not bow down and worship his image will be burned in his furnace (Daniel 3:6). But Daniel’s three friends - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to bow to the king. The king was furious and offered them an ultimatum before throwing them into the burning fiery furnace. “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”, he says (Daniel 3:15). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithful to Him regardless of the consequences. They demonstrated unwavering faith even when faced with death. They believed that God could save them, but even if He did not, they would not bow to the golden image (Daniel 3:16-18). In our daily lives, we often face challenges and pressures that test our faith. The story of Daniel’s three friends reminds us to trust in God’s power and plan regardless of our circumstances and whether God will intervene on our behalf or not. We, too, can face challenges with the same steadfast faith, knowing that God will be with us. Our eternal reward is worth any suffering we may have to endure first (Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 1:6-7). God's deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was a great victory of faith. They were protected from harm, comforted in trial, rewarded, and God was glorified. God is always with us, especially during our most difficult times. When we go through trials, we are not alone. No matter how difficult our situation may be, God’s presence provides comfort, strength and protection, just as He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace. After witnessing the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and issued a decree honouring God (Daniel 3:28-29). Our faith and actions can be a powerful testimony to others. Let us live out our faith steadfastly through our daily actions to make a positive impact on those around us and to bring glory to God.

God sent Israel into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1-2). After a victory, the Babylonians usually took the most talented and useful people back to Babylon and left only the poorest people behind (2 Kings 24:14). God promises that He would never forsake Israel, and His promises never fail. So even in exile, God is in control. Among these exiles were Daniel and his three friends – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 1:6). The chief of the eunuchs changed their names because the king wanted to make them to be Babylonian. Daniel was named Belteshazzar, Hananiah was named Shadrach, Mishael was named Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego. The new names would help them to be assimilated into their culture. Despite being exiled in a foreign land under oppressive circumstances, Daniel and his friends remain firm in their convictions. Their obedience and faithfulness to God not only protects them and sets them apart, but also leads them to God’s favor, and makes them wise. Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the King’s food, or with the wine that the King drank (Daniel 1:8). When he made up his mind not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to be what was right and not to give in to the pressures around him. It is easier to resist temptation if we have thought through our convictions before the temptation arises. Daniel and his three friends made their decision to be faithful to the laws of God before they were faced with the King’s delicacies. We, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. If we have not previously decided where to draw the line, we will get ourselves into trouble. Before such situations arise, we must make our commitments and decide what we will do. Then when temptation comes, we will be ready to say no. Often our faithfulness to God comes with trials. But Daniel 1 encourages us to remain faithful and gives us assurance that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39). Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God. Despite any challenges, God is in control.

為何猶大人被擄? 1) 敬拜偶像:瑪拿西在聖殿院內為天上的萬象築壇，且在殿內立雕刻的亞舍拉像，造成被擄的原因之一(王下21:10-15)。 2) 不守安息日:百姓不尊重安息日，不以安息日為聖日，也是被擄的原因之一(耶17:27) 3) 焚燒神的書:約雅敬不但不聽從神的警誡，還將神的書用刀割破，仍在火盆中燒盡，這也是被擄的原因之一(耶36:20-31) 4) 不聽警誡:猶大人自君王至百姓都離棄真神，隨從別神，雖屢次受先知警誡，卻戲笑神的使者，藐視祂的言語，致終無法可救。 1) 挑選的條件：1從王室和貴冑中選出，2沒有殘疾，3相貌俊美，4通達各樣學問，5知識聰明俱備。 2) 優厚的待遇：訓練三年，派定王所用的膳食和酒，職位的保障:在王面前侍立。 ) 但以理(神為審判者之意)改为伯提沙撒(彼勒保衛其生命之意)巴比倫神的名。 哈拿尼雅(神是賜恩者之意)改为沙得拉(阿古的僕人之意)巴比倫人所拜的月神 米沙利(誰能比神之意)改为米煞(誰能比羅達之意)巴比倫神的名。 亞撒利雅(耶和華所扶助之意)改为亞伯尼歌(尼歌的僕人之意)巴比倫神的名。 我們要效法他們留下的榜樣，不要忘記我們是神的子民，永遠是站在神這邊，榮耀真神。 1) 因為王膳可能有不潔之物，也可能祭過偶像，王酒會使人放肆犯罪。 不要等到誘惑來到才来考慮，憂疑不決，往往已經太遲。 2) 神使但以理在太監長眼前蒙恩，除了神的帮助，他謙虛有禮的請求並清楚解釋原因也是重要的。 3) 但以理憑著信心提出試試十天，他當機立斷提出折衷辦法以避免抗拒王令，这是智慧的表現。 1) 神在各樣文字學問上賜給他们聰明知識，為何要賜給他們？因為神要在巴比倫用祂的選民，要藉他們傳達神的話並顯出神的大能，使外邦人認識真神。因此神賜給他們比別人更高的智慧聰明。 2) 巴比倫王见他们的智慧聪明比通國的術士勝過十倍，所以留他们在王面前侍立。 神恩其不更加浩大怎能不報？當王旨和神旨衝突時，你會站那邊? 在工作上能自覺使命作神的僕人，為神作見證，不要被世界的榮華富貴和享樂迷惑只作世界的僕人。

Ezekiel 48 outlines the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel and the city of the Lord. The division of the land shows that in God's Kingdom there is a place for all who believe in and obey the One True God (John 14:1-6). Ezekiel 48:1-7, 23-29 details the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel. This reminds us of God's faithfulness in keeping His promises. Despite Israel's history of rebellion, God remains true to His word. So, let us continue to trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem challenging. Remember that God’s timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. Ezekiel 48:8-22 describes the holy district set apart for the Lord, including the sanctuary and the land for the priests and Levites. This highlights the importance of holiness and dedicated spaces for worship. The pressures of everyday life may cause us to lose focus and forget God. That is why worship is so important . We need to dedicate time and space in our daily lives for worship and communion with God, which includes prayer, reading the Bible and reflecting on His words. The book of Ezekiel begins by describing the holiness of God that Israel had despised and ignored. As a result, God’s presence departed from the Temple, the city and the people. The book ends with a detailed vision of the new Temple, the new city and the new people, all demonstrating God’s holiness. No matter what challenges we face today, remember that God ‘s plan is always good for us. So, let us continue to hold on to the eternal hope we have in Christ and to look forward to the fulfilment of His promises in His glorious Kingdom, where God shall dwell with us, and we will be His people, and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE (Ezekiel 48:35).

God subjected Ezekiel through an immersive experience in the vision of walking in the river. From Ezekiel’s first account that the water reaches his ankle, to the next encounter where the waters reaches his knees, to the point that the waters reaches his waist and finally when the waters became so deep that it was impossible to walk but one needs to swim, and even so the currents are so strong that one cannot swim across. From our personal experiences, such first-hand experiential activities leave a deeper and more lasting impressions, as compared to just seeing (visual) and listening (audial). So why did God use this approach? What key and essential message did He want to impart to Ezekiel? And what bearing does it have for us today? “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.” “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.” The power and significance of the river can be seen through the effects. The teeming vitality, the abundance of life brought about by the healing powers of the river. Jesus proclaimed on the last day of the feast (John 7:38 – 39), “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” And the scriptures continued to explain that the river of living water refers to the Holy Spirit. Paul also declared to us “Or do you not know that your body is the Is this same power that God revealed to Ezekiel manifested in us as well. Do we bring God’s healing power to the people that we meet each day. Do we live up to God’s expectations of us? Have we truly and sincerely do all that we can to repay God for His great love and mercy towards us. There is definitely still much that we must do. Let us continue to stir up and encourage one another as we see the day of the Lord approaching. “But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.” Alas, we do see also that there are areas that the healing power of God do not reach. Let us however not be mistaken thinking that it is the limitation to the power of God. Rather, it is sadly the deplorable state of man’s heart as Stephen declared in Acts 7:51, “ Let us thus guard our hearts with all diligence, that we do not fall in the same error in our ways. Let us not be the barren fig tree that waste the ground (Luke 13:6 – 9), nor should we be the enlightened but to fall away and put our Lord to open shame (Heb 6: 4 – 8).

“The prince shall then be in their midst. When they go in, he shall go in; and when they go out, he shall go out.” – Ezekiel 46: 10 Intermittently highlighted throughout this chapter is the integration and interwovenness of the prince’s movements with his people. He is not exempt from the coordination of movements and activities within the temple – uses the same entry and exit routes as his people and does not make himself the exception to rules and regulations. As in Deuteronomy 17: 20, this prince is a royal whose heart is with his people, whose mind is not lifted above his brethren. This is a prince of the people, whose top priority is in living a life in sustained communion with his people. We go about our days differently – some of us start each day looking forward to the end, some of us move through the motions, and some of us work for meaning and sense of satisfaction. Regardless of perspective and approach, how often does the thought of Jesus cross our minds? With every next step, do we remember Him? Do we trust that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is in and within our midst, in and amongst us, His people? Regardless of the furiosity or frivolity of our lives’ issues, are we living testaments of Jesus’ unwavering, most times seemingly unassuming, abidance? As we map out and carry out our heart’s plans everyday, weave in and out of crowds of distractions and commotion, may Jesus and His footsteps, in full view, remain.

From chapter 40 until the end of Ezekiel, God foretells of a glorious future for His people: when, after thoroughly measuring the temple (chapters 40 to 42), God’s glory re-enters and re-fills the temple (43:4-5). Thereafter, God promises that He will dwell amid the children of Israel forever (43:7). However, there is one condition: there cannot be anymore defilement of God’s temple, including uncircumcised foreigners (44:9) and in terms of the priests’ lifestyles and conduct (44:17-27). Ezekiel 45 continues from chapter 44 with God’s requirements for His people, including the princes (i.e., leaders) and the whole nation, when He dwells among them. The chapter starts with God’s instructions for dividing the land of Israel. He instructs a bigger area to be allocated for Himself compared to the area for the prince and people. The area for the prince and people is 25,000 cubits long and 5,000 cubits wide (45:6); whereas God’s area, albeit the same length, is double in width (45:1). Reflecting on this: today, how much ‘space’ does God occupy in our hearts? Does He have a bigger space than our personal wants, worries and aspirations? The amount of ‘heart space’ we give to God shows in how submissive we are towards God in our lives – the more God fills and controls our thoughts, the more we will align our speech, conduct, and decisions with His will in the Bible. Ultimately, with continual spiritual nurture, God should not just occupy ‘a big enough space’ in our hearts, but all of it, filling us all in all (Ephesians 1:23b) and having complete control over our hearts. There is no limit to the infilling of the Holy Spirit (John 3:34b). Meaning, as long as we live, the pursuit of being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit is a never-ending one. So, let the ‘district’ of God in our hearts be an ever-growing one until He fills all in all. Leaders who are just and righteous, instead of oppressive towards the people (Ezekiel 45:9); leaders who use honest measures (verse 10-12); and leaders who will help make atonement for the people’s sins by preparing the various offerings to God such as the burnt, grain, drink and sin offerings (verse 13-17, 22-25). In short, these leaders, together with the priests and Ezekiel (verse 18-20), were to actively bridge the people to God. Today, as long as we are in the True Jesus Church, we are also supposed to actively bridge people to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). How active and faithful have we been in our daily ministry of reconciliation? Reflecting on the three requirements of God for His leaders mentioned earlier: By shunning sin, including sins against others; by carefully following all of God’s moral standards in the Bible; and by faithfully praying for the salvation of others, God will zealously work through us to reconcile the whole world to Himself. Then, we will be approved by Him as good and faithful servants worthy of entering His joyous kingdom (Matthew 25:23). Not because of their great numbers or any other physical merits, but simply because of His great love and because He is a God who keeps covenants (Deuteronomy 7:7-9). In return, as His people, God wants our complete love in the form of complete obedience to His commandments. This means letting His Spirit fill and control us ceaselessly and living a life of zealously bridging our world to God. Amen.

After entering the temple, the glory of God was recorded to have filled the temple (v4). God let Ezekiel witness the majestic view of the glory of God filling the temple. Subsequently, God commanded Ezekiel to carefully note down all of His laws and ordinances. These laws governed various aspects of God’s sanctuary, including who shall enter it and how the priests should minister their duties there. These laws are important because there must be separation between the unholy and holy. As the glory of God which is holy has filled in the temple, nothing unholy should come near it, lest they will defile the sanctuary. Another group of people who are not allowed to come near His Holy Place are the Levites who are unfaithful. These were the Levites who strayed away from God after their idols (v10). For their unfaithfulness, God counted them to be unworthy to continue ministering to Him as priest. Instead, they shall bear their shame. Whereas for the priests from Zadok’s lineage, God gave the honor to enter His sanctuary to minister to Him. Even more, God is their possession and meaning that all of the Israelites’ offerings would be theirs. For their faithfulness, God will continue to bestow upon them the responsibilities to play the roles of a teacher, judge and most importantly priest in His sanctuary. Reflecting on this, are we holy and faithful towards God that we are able to serve Him? May God guide us to be able to keep His laws and keep our holiness as God is holy (Lev 11:44a).