1. 前言:新天國與新教會的信仰

首先, 將本書中所講述的真實的基督徒信仰, 也就是新天國和新教會的信仰, 分別以總體和具體的形式概要地說明。作為接下來全書的引言, 或作為進入聖殿的大門, 又或作為詳細內容的概要。此信仰被稱為新天國和新教會的信仰, 因為天人(angel)組成的天國和世人組成的教會, 如同一個人的靈魂與肉體, 內外一致,行動如一。因此, 若教會之人活在良善與真理之中, 對於思想內在而言, 他就是天國的一名天人。在肉身死後, 他便進入天國, 照著良善與真理在他裡面聯合的狀態在那裡安享極樂。當知道, 在主現在正建立的新天國中, 這樣的信仰是新天國的引言,入門和概要。

612. 'Noah was a righteous and blameless man among members of his own generation' means that he was such as could be endowed with charity. This is clear from the meaning of 'righteous' and 'blameless', 'righteous' having regard to the good of charity, and 'blameless' to the truth of charity; also from the fact that the essential element of that Church was charity, in the Lord's Divine mercy to be dealt with later on. That 'righteous' has regard to the good of charity and 'blameless' to the truth of charity is clear from the Word, as in Isaiah,

They will seek Me daily, and will desire the knowledge of My ways, as a nation that does righteousness and does not forsake the judgement of their God. They will ask of Me the judgments of righteousness, they will desire the approach of God. Isaiah 58:2.

Here 'judgement' stands for things that have to do with truth, and 'righteousness' for those that have to do with good. 'Doing judgement and righteousness' became so to speak a stock phrase for truth and good, as in Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 22:3, 13, 15; 23:5; 33:15; Ezekiel 33:14, 16, 19. And the Lord said,

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43.

This stands for people who are endowed with charity. Also in reference to the close of the age the Lord said,

The angels will come out and separate the evil from the midst of the righteous. Matthew 13:49.

Here also it stands for people who receive the good that stems from charity.

[2] 'Blameless' however means the truth that stems from charity. For truth can come from one of many other origins, but that which stems from the good of charity deriving from the Lord is called 'blameless' and 'a blameless man', as in David,

Who will sojourn in Your tent? Who will dwell on Your holy mountain? He who walks blameless and does righteousness and speaks truth in his heart. Psalms 15:1-2.

This describes a person who is blameless. In the same author,

With the holy You behave in a holy way, and with a blameless man (vir). You show Yourself blameless. Psalms 18:15.

Here 'a blameless man' is one who is so by reason of what is holy, that is, good stemming from charity. In the same author,

Jehovah will withhold no good thing from those walking blamelessly. Psalms 84:11.

[3] A 'blameless' person is one who is true by reason of good, that is, one who speaks and does what is true from charity. This is clear from the fact that so many times the words 'walking', 'way', and also 'upright' or 'uprightness', words used in connection with truth, are applied to someone who is blameless or to blamelessness, as in David,

I will instruct the blameless in the way how far he shall come towards me. I will walk in the blamelessness of my heart within my house. Psalms 101:2.

And in verse 6 of the same Psalm,

He who walks in the way of the blameless will serve Me.

In the same author,

Blessed are the blameless in the way, walking in the law of Jehovah. Psalms 119:1.

In the same author,

Blamelessness and uprightness will protect me. Psalms 25:21.

In the same author,

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for the latter end of that man is peace. Psalms 37:37.

From these quotations it is clear that someone who does what is good is called 'righteous', while someone who does truth deriving from it, which is the same as 'doing righteousness and judgement', is called 'blameless'. 'Holiness and righteousness' belongs on the celestial side of faith, 'blamelessness and judgement' on the derivative spiritual side.