藏在田地里的宝贝,必然有金子或宝石,这些乃是建造教会和新耶路撒冷的材料。(林前三12,启二一18~20。)教会既是今天实行的国度,而新耶路撒冷又是来世实现的国度,所以宝贝藏在田地里,乃是表征国度隐藏在神所创造的地里。
四十四节的田地是地,表征神为着祂的国所创造的地。(创一26~28。)在圣经里,地表征神所创造的地,海表征撒但所败坏的世界。
马太十三章的前四个比喻,提供一幅所谓基督教的清楚图画。主说出这些比喻之后,就私下对门徒说到藏在田地里的宝贝,和出于海的珠子这两个比喻。我们若领会圣经中地的意义,就会晓得藏在田地里的宝贝必定是国度,产自海中的珠子必定是教会。国度对主的确是宝贝,在祂看来是何等可贵!教会对祂也是贵重的珠子。主一直在寻找两样东西:宝贝-国度;珠子-教会。以弗所五章二十七节说,基督要将没有斑点、皱纹、或任何这类病的荣耀教会献给自己。这就是教会,是产自外邦世界的美丽珠子。
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A Treasure Hidden in the Field (1) — Matt. 13:44
The treasure hidden in the field must consist of gold or precious stones, the materials for the building of the church and the New Jerusalem (1 Cor. 3:12; Rev. 21:18-20). Because the church is the practical kingdom today, and the New Jerusalem will be the kingdom in manifestation in the coming age, therefore the treasure hidden in the field signifies the kingdom hidden in God’s created world.
The field in verse 44 is the earth, which signifies the world created by God for his kingdom (Gen. 1:26-28). In the Bible the earth signifies the world created by God, and the sea signifies the world corrupted by Satan.
The first four parables in Matthew 13 provide a clear picture of so-called Christianity. After giving forth these parables, the Lord privately spoke to his disciples the parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl from the sea. If we understand the significance of the earth in the Bible, we shall know that the treasure hidden in the field must be the kingdom, and that the pearl produced out of the sea must be the church. The kingdom is truly a treasure to the Lord. How precious it is in his sight! The church is also a valuable pearl to him. The Lord is continually seeking two things – the kingdom as the treasure and the church as the pearl. Ephesians 5:27 says that Christ will present to himself a glorious church without spot, wrinkle or any such thing. This is the church as a beautiful pearl produced out of the Gentile world.