至死忠诚 

读到《但以理书》第10章时,这位年迈的先知已近乎走完了他那漫长而非凡的一生。他曾侍奉过不认识他神的君王,在狮子坑中幸免于难,并目睹了周围帝国的兴衰更迭。按理说,他完全可以安享晚年、歇息下来。然而,我们却看到他禁食哀恸了整整三周——不吃美味,不沾肉食,不饮酒水(但以理书 10:2-3)。尽管跟随神已有数十年之久,但以理依然渴慕更多地认识神;那位向他显现的使者也证实,正是这种渴慕感动了上天:“从你第一日立定心意寻求明白,又在神面前刻苦己心,你的话语已蒙垂听”(但以理书 10:12)。忠心并非随岁月流逝而消退的短暂热忱,而是一种随着我们对神认识加深而愈发强烈的渴慕——正如耶稣所言,那“饥渴慕义的人有福了,因为他们必得饱足”(马太福音 5:6)。这种渴慕构成了这几章经文中一切事物的根基;若没有它,后续的一切便无从谈起。

这种渴慕随即受到了考验。使者解释说,他耽搁了二十一日,因受到“波斯国君”(即波斯魔君)的阻挠,直到天使长米迦勒前来相助才得以脱身(但以理书 10:13)。这让我们得以一窥祷告蒙应允背后那场看不见的阻击战。但以理的话语在第一日便已蒙垂听,但可见的应允却历经三周才最终临到。当我们的祷告似乎迟迟未获回应时,这并不意味着神没有听见。有时,应允已经在路上了,只是每一步都面临着阻挠。这正是圣经在其他经文中呼召我们要持守的态度:时刻祷告,不可灰心;因为那位在第一日垂听祷告的神,未必会在同一日就给出应允。但以理在等待中的坚忍构成了第二块基石:一种即便应允迟延也绝不放弃对神之渴慕的坚韧。

接下来是第11章,坦白说,这一章读起来并不轻松。经文中接连不断地讲述着北方王与南方王、结盟与背叛,以及早在基督降生前便已发生的种种战事与败局。这段经文读起来或许显得有些枯燥,但请试想一下,它是写给谁看的。一位年迈的老人在其地上事工即将结束之际,得以极其详尽地预见身后那动荡不安的数百年历史;这一切被记录下来,是为了让尚未出生的世代能够阅读并明白:他们的神既未缺席,也未曾感到意外。这一真理值得我们铭记,并以此面对当今世界动荡不安的时局。列国喧嚣,在我们眼中或许看似混乱,但在神眼中却绝非混乱。这正是保罗后来向我们阐明的确信:“我们晓得万事都互相效力,叫爱神的人得益处,就是按他旨意被召的人”(罗马书 8:28)。我们的根基不在于世界会保持风平浪静,而在于无论世界如何风雨飘摇,它始终掌握在神的手中——神甚至能让其中的混乱转化为益处。

这就引出了《但以理书》第12章,以及那个将此前一切应许汇聚于一体的伟大应许。那将是一个前所未有的患难时期,然而“凡名录在册上的”必得拯救(但以理书 12:1)。并且,“智慧人必发光,如同天上的光;那使多人归义的,必发光如星,直到永永远远”(但以理书 12:3)。这正是耶稣向门徒描绘的景象:祂称他们为“世上的光”,并教导他们要让这光照在人前(马太福音 5:14-16)。忠心的生活绝不仅仅关乎个人;它会成为一道光,指引他人归家。

但以理本人并未获得完全的领悟。当他询问结局如何时,得到的并非解释,而是一项指示:“你且去,直至终局;因为你必安歇,到了末后的日子,你必起来,享受你的福分”(但以理书 12:13)。这就是全部的真谛。重点不在于对每一个细节都确切知晓,而在于持守忠心、坚持到底——这正是《希伯来书》作者呼召我们要去奔跑的赛程:存心忍耐,定睛于我们信心的创始成终者耶稣(希伯来书 12:1-2)。但以理无需看清全貌,便已显明了他的忠心。他只需一心仰望神,继续前行。我们也当如此。无论你本周面对的“巴比伦”是何种境况,都要继续前行,持守忠心。神为你预备的安身之处正在那里等你。

31/08/2026
Salma
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Planning your Visit

Why not plan a visit to try us out?


studentwelcomer 

Whether this is your first time visiting a church or you’ve attended another church for years, we understand that visiting a new church can be a bit overwhelming. To help make it a bit easier, we’ve done our best to answer some questions you may have, so your first experience is a little less overwhelming.

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from EghamVirginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Ascot, Camberley, Sunbury, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Thorpe, Windsor, Woking and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who gather regularly to share life and demonstrate God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer and are always happy to pray for you.
 

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11 am. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X.

The Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham, open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks. If you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.
 

Sunday Venue at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham


 Prophetic word for students -

Our Sunday service starts at 11.00 and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We begin each service with lively worship, featuring songs from around the world, followed by inspiring, Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second. Our other Sunday services include Spirit-focused and teaching services.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church, that is, both online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X, or catch up with the recordings later.
 

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you. 

Doors open at 10:30 for coffee and prayer.
Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.
 

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has ample parking. 
Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility issues (those with a blue badge). Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.
 

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, to join the service. We offer Sunday School, which begins after worship and runs concurrently with the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes, serving children aged 4 to 12. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.
 

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays. If you want to get to know us better, why not join us for Sunday lunch with some of our members? The first meal is on us (Voucher provided).  Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

Fellowship Feast  
 

Want to connect?

If you're interested in connecting with us, whether to join our online community or attend our Sunday gatherings, please use our connect card.
 

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.
 

We look forward to welcoming you to RCF

 
To contact us or see a map, click here.

Our admin address and Midsweek venue is Virginia Lodge, Heritage Court, Egham
Virginia Lodge Ariel
 
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