New Christian Bible Study

From Swedenborg's Works

 

An Invitation to the New Church #0

Study this Passage

/ 59  
  

INVITATION TO THE NEW CHURCH 1

THERE is no Church truly such, unless God is One, and He, Jehovah God, under a human form. - And thus God is Man, and Man God.

The doctrinals contained in THE TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION agree with the doctrinals of those of the Roman Catholic Church, and with the doctrinals of those among the Protestants, who acknowledge a personal union in Christ, and approach Christ, and take the Eucharist in two kinds.

Various causes why now, for the first time, and not before, those truths of the Church [have been revealed]; among which is this, that a new Church is not instituted before the former Church is being consummated.

The Divine Providence in these matters:

From the heresies spread abroad after the time of the Apostles.

Why the Romish Church was permitted.

Why the separation from it took place, and the causes why it was an unworthy mother.

Why the Greek Church separated from the Romish.

Various things concerning miracles; that they have destroyed the Church,- also from the Lord's words in Matthew 24.

All things tended to the invocation of men who were called saints.

This Church is not instituted and established through miracles, but through the revelation of the spiritual sense [of the Word], and through the introduction of my spirit, and at the same time of my body, into the spiritual world, so that I might there know what heaven and hell are, and that I might imbibe from the Lord immediately in light the truths of faith, whereby man is led to eternal life.

The Advent of the Lord-from the Word and the creeds.

Invitation to the New Church that men should go to meet the Lord-from Rev. 21, 22; and also from Chap. i., etc., etc.

Hereafter men are not to be styled Evangelicals, Reformed, and still less Lutherans and Calvinists, but Christians.

Many things concerning miracles.

Footnotes:

1. Latin text in Volume recently returned from Upsala to The Swedenborg Society and entitled Opuscula Varia Swedenborgii, Vol. II. Aug. Nordenskold. Also in Immanuel Tafel's Diarium Spirituale, App. vii, pp. 142-160.

/ 59  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

The Bible

 

Revelation 22

Study

   

1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.

4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

6 He said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon."

7 "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.

9 He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

10 He said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still."

12 "Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star."

17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him Come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

20 He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.

   

©2024 New Christian Bible Study Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed from newchristianbiblestudy.org