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It is not our purpose in the following work, to enter upon the discussion of the metaphysical questions which relate to the spiritual world.
在以下的工作中，我们的目的不是进入与属灵世界相关的形而上学问题的讨论。
We propose to view Heaven through some of the scriptural emblems of its beauties, and examine a few of the prominent sources of its enjoyments.
我们建议通过一些关于天堂美丽的圣经象征来观看天堂，并考察它享乐的几个主要源泉。
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We would, in company with the Christian reader, ascend the mountains that are round about the New Jerusalem, and from their summits . . .
我们愿意与基督徒读者一同攀登围绕新耶路撒冷的群山，从它们的顶峰上…
obtain glimpses of its splendors,
获得对其辉煌的一瞥，
catch some faint strains of its melody, and
捕捉到其旋律的一些微弱音调，并且
indulge the imagination in visions of its joys.
让想象力沉浸在对其喜乐的异象中。
We would add a ray to the bright hopes of the departing spirit, add a drop to the cup of consolation which Christianity offers to the afflicted, and stimulate all believers to press forward towards the mark for the prize of their high calling.
我们愿意为离世之灵的光明盼望增添一线光芒，为基督教提供给受苦之人的安慰之杯增添一滴甘露，并激励所有信徒向着标杆直跑，要得他们蒙召的奖赏。
Were we, indeed, disposed or able to penetrate into the mysteries of the heavenly world, we would encounter, at the outset, an insurmountable difficulty, in the inadequacy of human language to express spiritual ideas.
如果我们确实愿意或能够深入天上世界的奥秘，我们在一开始就会遇到一个不可克服的困难，即人类语言在表达属灵观念方面的不足。
All our conceptions being derived from experience and observation, except, perhaps, those of intuitive truths, we can contemplate spiritual objects only through the medium of images, symbols, or analogies.
我们所有的观念都来自经验和观察，或许直觉真理除外，我们只能通过形象、象征或类比的媒介来默想属灵的事物。
Even the nicest definitions in theology, and the most abstract terminology, must be presented in figurative language.
即使是神学中最精确的定义和最抽象的术语，也必须用比喻性的语言来表达。
It is true that the Deity has power, independently of the agency of human language, to communicate adequate views of spiritual realities.
诚然，神有能力独立于人类语言的媒介，传达对属灵实在的充分认识。
He can cause to pass before the intellectual vision the bright scenes of the celestial world — the splendors and joys of glorified saints.
祂能够使天上世界的光明景象——得荣耀圣徒的辉煌和喜乐——在理智的异象中呈现。
But our faculties, in their present state, are as little prepared for the full effulgence of heavenly scenes, as our organs of sight are to receive the light of the stars blazing upon us with the intensity of the sun’s rays.
但我们的能力在目前的状态下，对天堂景象的完全光辉的准备，就如同我们的视觉器官对以太阳光线强度照耀我们的星光的接受一样不足。
In kindness, therefore, God has placed these glories at an immense distance from us, revealing only enough to excite faith, and inspire the heart with hope.
因此，神出于慈爱，将这些荣耀置于离我们极远的距离，只显明足以激发信心并以盼望感动人心的程度。
Should, however, a mind be enriched with adequate conceptions of Heaven, it would have no power to impart its impressions to others.
然而，即使一个心灵被关于天堂的充分观念所丰富，它也没有能力将其印象传递给他人。
It is a deeply interesting fact in the history of our race, that one mind has been thus favored — has been admitted to the third Heaven, and there filled with the most glowing and enrapturing views of celestial felicity.
在我们人类历史中，有一个极其有趣的事实，就是有一个心灵曾如此蒙恩——被接到三层天上，在那里被天上至福最炽热和令人狂喜的景象所充满。
But what the apostle Paul saw and heard, it was impossible for him to utter.
但使徒保罗所看见和听见的，他不可能说出来。
The scenes he could not describe, though he felt intensely their power.
他无法描述那些景象，尽管他强烈地感受到它们的能力。
The bright visions floated in his imagination through life, keeping ever alive in his heart “a desire to depart.”
那些光明的异象终生在他的想象中飘荡，在他心中永远保持着”情愿离世”的渴望。
To what extent the material world represents the spiritual, we cannot accurately determine, though it is the opinion of some eminent writers that the analogy between the two is very striking.
物质世界在多大程度上代表属灵世界，我们无法准确确定，尽管一些杰出作家认为两者之间的类比是非常显著的。
“Holy Scripture,” says one, “in fact, is only a gradual unrolling, or spiritualizing to us, of figures and forms that envelop and represent the deeper truths of the spiritual life.”
有人说：”事实上，圣经只是向我们逐渐展开或属灵化那些包围并代表属灵生命更深真理的形象和形式。”
Another has beautifully said, “I have often thought that flowers were the alphabet of angels, whereby they write, on hills and fields, mysterious truths, which it is not given our fallen nature to understand.”
另一位优美地说：”我经常想到花朵是天使的字母，借此他们在山丘和田野上书写奥秘的真理，这些真理是我们堕落的本性无法理解的。”
Why may we not extend this idea, and regard all the objects around and above us — all that is beautiful in the sky, clouds, verdure and landscape — as constituting a language which teaches us, though imperfectly, spiritual truths, and reveals, though faintly, the glories of the heavenly world?
我们为什么不能扩展这个观念，将我们周围和上方的所有事物——天空、云彩、绿色植物和风景中一切美丽的事物——视为构成一种语言，虽然不完美地教导我们属灵真理，虽然微弱地启示天上世界的荣耀？
It certainly must aid the devotions of the Christian, and solace him in his pilgrimage, to look up, and see hung around the visible universe, pictures of the invisible — to listen to the stars, as they softly yet eloquently declare the glory of God.
这必定有助于基督徒的敬拜，并在他的天路历程中安慰他，使他抬头观看悬挂在可见宇宙周围的不可见事物的图画——聆听众星，因为它们温柔而雄辩地宣告神的荣耀。
It must increase his faith to view the decorations of this great temple, as the types and shadows of a new dispensation, and of a loftier and more spiritual worship.
观看这大殿堂的装饰作为新约时代的预表和影子，以及更高尚、更属灵敬拜的预表和影子，必定增加他的信心。
The duty of studying the intimations of Heaven which have come to us through nature or revelation, rests upon every Christian.
研究通过自然或启示而来的天堂暗示的责任，落在每一个基督徒身上。
Amid the practical schemes and intense activity of the present day, there is but little calm meditation.
在当今实际的计划和激烈的活动中，很少有平静的默想。
The spirit is not at rest long enough to reflect with accuracy the mansions and palaces of the celestial city.
灵魂没有足够长时间的安息来准确地反映天城的住所和宫殿。
It is more like a turbulent stream than a smooth lake.
它更像湍急的溪流，而不像平静的湖泊。
If we are heirs to a vast and splendid inheritance, if we are cherishing the hope of spending an eternity amid the felicities and glories of a spiritual kingdom, it is but reasonable that we meditate upon them before our departure there.
如果我们是巨大而辉煌产业的继承者，如果我们怀着在属灵国度的幸福和荣耀中度过永恒的盼望，那么在我们离世前默想这些事是合理的。
Not content with being in the outer court, we should seek, under the Spirit’s guidance, to enter the Holy of holies, and there sweetly commune with our Father, in whose presence “there is fullness of joy,” — at whose “right hand there are pleasures forevermore!”
不满足于在外院，我们应当在圣灵的引导下，寻求进入至圣所，在那里与我们的父甜美地交通，在祂面前”有满足的喜乐”——在祂”右手中有永远的福乐！”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
目录
Introduction
引言
The Rainbow Around the Throne
宝座周围的彩虹
A Heavenly Rest for the People of God
神子民的天上安息
No Night in Heaven
天堂里没有黑夜
The Likeness of the Redeemed to Christ
蒙救赎者与基督的相似
No More Sea
不再有海
The Angelic Inhabitants of Heaven
天堂的天使居民
The Glory of Christ in Heaven
基督在天堂的荣耀
The Throne in Heaven
天堂里的宝座