Bible

 

耶利米書 48:30

Studie

       

30 耶和華:我知道他的忿怒是虛空的;他誇大的話一無所成。

Ze Swedenborgových děl

 

属天的奥秘 # 9942

Prostudujte si tuto pasáž

  
/ 10837  
  

9942. “要用细麻线的织工织内袍” 表从属天之爱的真理发出的属灵国度的至内在事物. 这从亚伦的衣服和 “细麻” 的含义清楚可知: 亚伦的衣服一般是指毗邻属天国度的属灵国度 (参看9814节), 内袍因是这些衣服当中最里面的, 故表示该国度的至内在事物,

“亚伦的内袍” 表示直接从神性属天层发出的属灵国度中的神性真理 (参看9826节);

“细麻” 是指来自一个属天源头的真理 (参看9469节). 论到这内袍, 经上说它要用织工来织, 织工是指编织工所织的东西;

“织工” 表示来自属天层之物 (9915节). 在原文, 表达 “织工” 的那个词也表示 “编织”.

这个内袍是织成的, 或用编织工的手工作成的, 这一点从出埃及记下面的经文明显看出来:

他们拿细麻线, 用编织工的手工为亚伦和他的儿子作内袍.(出埃及记 39:27)

内袍之所以是织成的, 也就是用细麻线织成的, 是为了让它可以代表直接从属天层发出之物; 相对之下, 它类似于属天层的一个延续. 事实上, 从属天层发出的事物类似从人心智的意愿发出之物; 因为属于一个人的理解力的一切事物都是从他的意愿发出的. 相对于那些由外在从意愿发出的事物, 那些由内在从意愿发出的事物可以说是从它那里延续来的. 因此, 那些由内在从意愿发出的事物主要有对真理的情感; 因为存在于理解力里面属于爱的一切情感都是从此人的意愿流入的. 天堂也有类似情形, 在那里, 属天国度对应于人的意愿, 属灵国度对应于他的理解力 (参看9835节). 由于亚伦的衣服代表毗邻主的属天国度的其属灵国度 (9814节), 所以内袍代表那里的至内在之物, 因而代表从属天国度发出, 离该国度最近之物; 因为内袍是最里面的衣服. 由此明显可知为何内袍是织成的, 或用织工作的, 又为何由细麻线来作. 因为 “织物” 表示来源于意愿或属天层之物 (9915节),

“细麻” 表示源于属天之爱的真理 (9469节).

圣言其它地方的 “内袍” (tunic, 或译内衣, 里衣, 上衣, 衣服等) 也表示从属天之物发出的属灵之物, 如那人和他妻子吃了知识树之后, 经上说耶和华为他们作 “皮衣” (创世记 3:20, 21). 没有人知道这些 “内袍” 表示来自一个属天源头的真理, 除非这个故事细节的内义被揭开; 所以有必要解释一下. 那里的 “那人和他的妻子” 表示属天教会, 作为丈夫的那人自己表示良善方面的属天教会, 他的妻子表示真理方面的属天教会; 这真理和这良善是属天教会的真理和良善. 但当该教会堕落时, 这种堕落通过基于记忆知识推理神之真理而发生, 在内义上由蛇的劝诱来表示, 属天教会堕落后的这第一个状态就是此处所描述的, 它的真理由 “皮衣” 来描述.

要知道, 在创世记第一章, 天地的创造在内义上表示并描述了那时教会成员的新造或重生, 因而属天教会的建立;

“园子” 表示并描述了那个教会的智慧和聪明, 吃知识树表示并描述了由于基于记忆知识推理神性事物所导致的它的堕落. 意思就是这样, 这一点从对这些章节的解释中关于这个主题的说明可以看出来. 因为创世记头几章所包含的一切事物都是虚构的历史, 就其内义而言, 是关于属天教会成员的新造或重生的神性事物, 如前所述. 这种写作方式在上古时代是惯常的, 不仅在属于教会的人当中是这样, 在教会之外的人当中也是这样, 如在阿拉伯人, 亚兰人或叙利亚人和希腊人当中, 这从那些时代的书籍, 无论圣的还是俗的明显看出来.

所罗门正是模仿这些书写了雅歌, 因为所罗门是从这些书中得到它的; 事实上, 这本书并不是一本圣书, 因为它不像圣书那样里面包含一系列天上的神性事物. 约伯记也是古教会的一本书. 经上, 如摩西五经 (民数记 21:14, 15, 27和以后的经文) 还提到现已遗失的古教会的圣书. 这些书的历史部分被称为 “耶和华战记”, 它们的预言部分被称为 “诗歌” (参看2686, 2897节). 被称为 “耶和华战记” 的历史部分的风格就具有这种性质, 这一事实从摩西所摘录并引用的部分内容明显看出来. 因此, 他们的历史叙述接近于一种预言的风格, 具有这种性质, 小孩子, 以及简单人可以将这些事物保留在自己的记忆中. 上面 (民数记 21章) 所提到的那些书是神圣的, 这一点从现存于21章28-30节的部分内容明显看出来, 可与耶利米书 (48:45, 46) 相对照, 那里有类似的话. 在教会之外的人当中, 这种风格是那时最常使用的, 几乎是唯一的风格, 这从那些教会之外的作家所写的寓言或神话传说清楚看出来; 他们将是非对错的道德观念, 或诸如属于情感和生命的那类事物都包裹在这些寓言或神话传说中.

在真实而非虚构的历史叙述中, 就是像创世记头几章虚构的历史章节之后出现在摩西五经中的历史, 以及出现在约书亚记, 士师记, 撒母耳记, 列王纪中的历史,

“内袍” (tunic, 或译内衣, 里衣, 上衣, 衣服等) 也表示从属天真理和良善发出的属灵真理和真理之良善. 要知道, 属灵真理和良善就是在中间或第二层天堂的属灵天使所享有的那种真理和良善; 但属天真理和良善则是在第三或至内层天堂的属天天使所享有的那种真理和良善 (参看9277节所提到的地方). 摩西五经提到, 约瑟的父亲以色列给了他儿子约瑟一件彩衣, 他的哥哥们为此感到恼火, 后来就剥了这彩衣, 把它染了血, 打发人送到他们父亲那里 (创世记 37:3, 23, 31-33). 这一切都真实的历史; 由于它们里面, 也就是其内义里面同样包含天堂和教会的神圣事物, 因而包含神性事物, 所以 “彩衣” (tunic of various colors) 表示约瑟所代表的良善和真理的状态, 这是一种从属天层发出的属灵真理和良善的状态 (参看3971, 4286, 4592, 4963, 5249, 5307, 5584, 5869, 5877, 6417, 6526, 9671节). 因为雅各所有的儿子都代表诸如属于天堂和教会, 在自己适当秩序中的那类事物 (3858, 3926, 4060, 4603, 6335, 6337, 6397, 6640, 7836, 7891, 7996节). 但在上面所提到的那一章, 他们代表对立面.

包含在圣言书卷, 无论历史书卷还是预言书卷中的一切事物都是神性属天和属灵事物的代表, 并用来表示这些事物, 所以在诗篇,

“王的女儿” 描述了对属灵真理的情感, 她的 “衣服” 描述了真理本身:

有列王的女儿在你尊贵妇女之中; 王后佩戴最美的俄斐金饰站在你右边. 推罗的女儿必带来供物, 民中的富人也必求你的脸面. 王的女儿在里面极其荣华, 她的衣裳是用金线织的. 她要穿刺绣衣服, 被引到王前.(诗篇 45:9, 12-14)

“女儿” 一般表示对属灵真理和良善的情感, 因而也表示教会 (参看2362, 3024, 3963, 9055节的末尾节); 当论及主时,

“王” 表示神性真理 (2015, 2069, 3009, 4581, 4966, 5068, 6148节). 由此明显可知, 该诗篇所讲述的关于王的女儿的这一切事物都表示教会中诸如属于对从主所获得的真理和良善的情感的那类事物. 经上说 “推罗的女儿必带来供物” 表示关于良善和真理的认知或知识,

“推罗” 表示这些认知或知识 (参看1201节).

“民中的富人” 所表相同, 因为 “富人” 在灵义上只表示关于良善和真理的认知或知识, 并不表示别的 (1694, 4508节). 由此明显可知 “王的女儿在里面极其荣华”,

“她的衣裳是用金线织的” 表示什么; 因为她的 “衣裳” 是指一件内衣或里衣 (tunic), 这从这个词在原文的含义明显看出来; 因为在原文, 这个词表示贴身的衣裳. 它是指一件内衣或里衣, 这一点清楚可见于约翰福音 (19:23, 24), 那里提到主的里衣, 这里衣在诗篇 (诗篇 22:18) 同样被称为 “衣裳”. 这一点也清楚可见于撒母耳记下 (13:18), 在那里, 经上说, 王的女儿 (经上译为公主) 穿着彩衣, 如下文所述. 诗篇中 “金线织的” 与 “亚伦内袍用织工织的” 所表相同, 原文用的是相同的词. 至于她被引到王前所要穿的 “刺绣衣服 (或刺绣内袍)” 表示什么, 可参看前文 (9688节).

由于王的女儿和她的衣服或内衣表示这类事物, 所以那个时代王的女儿或公主就穿这种衣服, 这清楚可见于撒母耳记下:

那时她玛穿着彩衣, 因为王的女儿都是这样穿的.(撒母耳记下 13:18)

由于内袍 (tunic, 或译内衣, 里衣, 上衣, 衣服等) 代表属灵良善和真理, 故可以看出 “亚伦的内袍” 表示什么, 以及本章下一节所提到的他儿子的内袍表示什么; 在那里, 经上说他们 “要为亚伦的儿子作内袍, 腰带, 裹头巾, 为荣耀, 为华美”. 由于他们的内袍代表这些神圣事物, 所以经上说, 亚伦的儿子拿答和亚比户因用凡火上香被天上的火烧灭, 他们穿着内袍被抬到营外 (利未记 10:1-5).

“凡火” 表示来自某个其它源头, 而非天堂之物的爱, 因为在圣言中,

“圣火” 是指天上或神性的爱 (6832, 6834, 6849, 7324, 9434节). 因此, 由于亚伦的儿子所做的事, 他们的 “内袍” 所表示的属灵良善和真理被玷污了, 这就是为何他们穿着内袍被抬到营外.

在弥迦书,

“里衣” (tunic, 或译内袍, 内衣, 上衣, 衣服等) 所表相同:

我的民因衣裳起来如仇敌, 你们剥去那些安然经过之人身上的里衣.(弥迦书 2:8)

在这段经文中,

“里衣” 在原文是用另一个词来表述的; 然而, 所表示的仍是属灵的真理和良善;

“剥去那些安然经过之人身上的里衣” 表示剥夺那些过着一种简单良善生活之人的属灵真理;

“因衣裳起来 (视人) 如仇敌” 表示由于他们所认为的真理而向他们行恶, 而事实上, 只要处于良善, 没有人会由于凡他以之为真理的而受到伤害 (1798, 1799, 1834, 1844节).

由此可见马太福音中的 “里衣” 表示什么:

耶稣说, 什么誓都不可起. 不可指着天起誓, 不可指着地起誓, 也不可指着耶路撒冷起誓, 又不可指着你的头起誓. 你们的话, 是, 就说是; 不是, 就说不是; 若再多说, 就是出于那恶者. 有人想要告你, 要拿你的里衣, 连外衣也由他拿去.(马太福音 5:34-37, 40)

人若不知道在主的属天国度的天使是何状态, 就不可能知道主的这些话是什么意思. 因为此处论述的主题是与主的属天国度的天使同在的良善和真理的状态, 对他们来说, 一切真理都住在里面, 铭刻在他们心上. 因为对主之爱的良善引导他们认识一切真理, 并且认识得如此透彻, 以致他们从来不像属灵国度里的天使那样去推理它. 因此, 当提到真理时, 他们只是说是, 是; 或说不是, 不是; 事实上, 在属天国度, 他们甚至不提信. 关于这些天使的状态, 可参看9277节所提到的地方. 由此明显可知,

“不可起誓” 这条禁令是什么意思; 因为 “起誓” 表示确认真理 (3375, 9166节), 确认真理在属灵国度通过运用理性和取自圣言的记忆知识来进行.

“告, 想要拿里衣” 表示争论真理, 以及想要说服别人相信某事不是真的;

“里衣” 表示来自一个属天源头的真理; 因为属天之人会让各人去持守各自的真理, 而不会和他继续理论.

在马太福音的另一处,

“里衣” (tunic, 或译内袍, 内衣, 上衣, 衣服等) 也表示来自一个属天源头的真理:

耶稣差这十二个人去传天国, 说腰袋里不要带金银铜钱; 途中不要带行囊, 不要带两件里衣, 也不要带两双鞋和两个拐杖.(马太福音 10:5, 7, 9, 10)

这些话代表那些处于从主所获得的良善和真理之人根本没有来源于他们自己的任何良善或真理, 相反他们所拥有的一切真理和良善皆来自主. 因为十二个门徒代表所有处于来自主的良善和真理之人, 在抽象意义上代表源于主的一切爱之良善和一切信之真理 (3488, 3858节的末尾,6397节).

“腰袋里的金银铜钱” 和 “行囊” 表示源于自我, 而非源于主的良善和真理;

“里衣, 鞋和拐杖” 表示来自主的真理和良善:

“里衣” 表示内层真理, 或来自一个属天源头的真理,

“鞋” 表示外层真理, 或属世层中的真理 (1748, 6844节),

“拐杖” 表示真理的能力 (4876, 4936, 6947, 7011, 7026节). 然而,

“两件里衣”,

“两双鞋” 和 “两个拐杖” 表示既来源于主, 也来源于自我的真理及其能力. 他们被允许有一件里衣, 一双鞋和一个拐杖, 这一事实明显可见于马可福音 (6:8, 9) 和路加福音 (9:2, 3).

一旦从这些例子知道 “里衣” 表示什么, 那么 “主的里衣” 表示什么就显而易见了; 对此, 我们在约翰福音中读到:

他们就拿衣服分为四份, 每兵一份; 又拿里衣. 这件里衣原来没有缝儿, 是从上头整片织成的. 他们就说, 我们不要撕开, 只要拈阄, 看是谁的. 这要应验经上的话说, 他们彼此分了我的外衣, 为我的里衣拈阄. 兵丁果然做了这事.(约翰福音 19:23, 24; 诗篇 22:18)

若运用在某种程度上被光照的理性想一想, 谁看不出这一切表示神性事物? 否则经上怎会在大卫诗篇中预言它们呢? 然而, 没有内义, 因而没有从内义所获得的知识, 没有人知道它们表示什么; 也就是说, 没有人知道 “衣服”,

“拈阄”,

“分它们”,

“里衣”, 它 “原来没有缝儿”, 或 “从上头整片织成”, 以及 “士兵” 分别表示什么. 从内义明显可知,

“衣服” 表示真理,

“主的衣服” 表示神性真理;

“拈阄” 和 “分它们” 表示把这些真理拆散并驱散它们 (9093节);

“里衣” 表示从神性属天层发出的属灵层的神性真理, 与 “亚伦的内袍” 所表相同, 因为亚伦代表主; 它 “原来没有缝儿”, 或 “从上头整片织成” 与描述亚伦内袍的 “织工” 所表相同. 里衣没有分开表示直接从属天层的神性真理发出的属灵层的神性真理无法被驱散, 因为这真理是圣言的内在真理, 就是诸如与天上的天使同在的那种.

当经上说 “兵丁做了这事” 时, 意思是说, 这事是那些本应为真理而争战的人, 也就是有圣言在中间的犹太人行出的, 但他们具有这样的性质, 他们会驱散它. 因为他们虽有圣言, 却不愿从圣言知道主就是弥赛亚, 是那要到来的神的儿子. 他们也不愿知道关于圣言内在意义的任何事, 只想知道外在意义; 他们还抽取外在意义用来服务于他们自己的爱, 这些爱都是对自我和世界的爱, 他们还由此用来支持从这些爱中涌出的欲望.

“分主的衣服” 就表示这些事; 因为凡他们对主所行的, 都代表那时在他们当中的神性真理和神性良善的状态; 因此, 他们对待神之真理的方式就是他们对待主的方式. 在世时的主就是神性真理本身 (参看 9199节的末尾,9315节的末尾节所提到的地方).

  
/ 10837  
  

Thanks to our friends at swedenborgwork.com for their permission to use this translation on the New Christian Bible Study site. ( 衷心感谢”史威登堡著作中文网”许可我们使用该中文译文)

Ze Swedenborgových děl

 

Apocalypse Explained # 430

Prostudujte si tuto pasáž

  
/ 1232  
  

430. A hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel, signifies all who are in truths from good, and thence in the Lord's church. This is evident from the signification of "a hundred and forty-four thousand," as being all things, and as being said of those who are in truths from good (of which presently); also from the signification of "the tribes of Israel," as being those who are in truths from good, and thence who are in the Lord's church, "tribes" signifying truths from good, and "Israel" the church. That this is the signification of "the tribe of Israel" will be seen in the following article. "A hundred and forty-four thousand" signifies all things and all persons, and is predicated of truths from good, because that number arises out of the number twelve, and "twelve" signifies all things and all persons, and is predicated of truths from good; for greater numbers, and those made up of smaller numbers, have a similar signification as the smaller and simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication (on which see Arcana Coelestia 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). Thus "a hundred and forty-four" and "a hundred and forty-four thousand" have a similar significance as "twelve," for a hundred and forty-four arises out of twelve multiplied into itself, and a hundred and forty-four thousand out of twelve thousand multiplied into twelve.

[2] There are simple numbers that are more significative than others, and from which the greater numbers derive their significations, namely, the numbers two, three, five, and seven; "two" signifies union, and is predicated of good; "three" signifies fullness, and is predicated of truths; "five" signifies much and something; and "seven" signifies holiness. From the number two the numbers 4, 8, 16, 400, 800, 1, 600, 4, 000, 8, 000, and 16, 000 arise; and these numbers have a similar signification as two, because they arise from that simple number multiplied into itself, and multiplied by ten. From the number three the numbers 6, 12, 24, 72, 144, and 144, 000 arise; and these numbers have a similar signification as three, because they arise from this simple number by multiplication. From the number five the numbers 10, 50, 100, 1, 000, 10, 000, and 100, 000 arise, and these numbers have a similar signification as five, because 1 they arise from it by multiplication. From the number seven the numbers 14, 70, 700, 7, 000, and 70, 000 arise, and these numbers have a similar signification as seven, because they arise from it. As the number "three" signifies fullness, and fullness implies all, the number twelve derives from this its signification of all things and all persons; and it is predicated of truths from good because it arises out of three multiplied into four, and three is predicated of truths, and four of good, as was said above.

[3] One who does not know that "twelve" signifies all things, and that the numbers that are multiples of it have a like signification, and who does not know that each tribe signifies some universal and essential constituent of the church, can have no other idea than that simply twelve thousand of every tribe of Israel were sealed, and consequently were received or are to be received into heaven; nevertheless the "twelve thousand" here do not mean twelve thousand, nor do the "tribes" here enumerated mean the tribes of Israel; but "twelve thousand" means all, and "the tribes of Israel" those who are in truths from good, 2 and thus all, wherever on the earth they may be, who constitute the church of the Lord. That this is the signification, everyone who thinks intelligently can perceive; for where now are these tribes, and where were they when this was written by John? Have they not been scattered through a great part of the globe, and excepting the tribe of Judah, it is not known to anyone where they are? And yet it is said that they are to be sealed, that they may be introduced by the Lord into heaven and be with Him (as appears in Revelation 14:1, 3-4). Furthermore, it is known that eleven of the tribes here mentioned were banished from the land of Canaan on account of their idolatries and other abominations; and so too has the whole Jewish nation, the quality of which may be seen in The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 248). From this it can be seen that "twelve thousand" does not mean twelve thousand, nor do "tribes" mean the tribes of Israel, but they mean all who are in truths from good, thus all who are of the Lord's church. This will become still clearer from the significations of each tribe in the spiritual sense; for each tribe signifies some universal or essential of the church, in which those are who are of the church.

Moreover, the universal of each has relation to truths from good, and truths are manifold; for all who are in the heavens differ from each other in respect to good, and thence also in respect to truth, since every truth that has life in man or angel is from good and in accordance with good. Furthermore, all who are of the Lord's church are in truths from good, while those who are in truths and not in good are not of the church; for, as was just said, every truth that has life in man or angel is from good. (On this see above, n. 6, 59, 136, 242, 286, 292; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27. That goods and truths therefrom are of infinite variety, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 56, 71, 405, 418, 486, 585, in the small work on the Last Judgment 13, ; also Arcana Coelestia 684, 690, 3241, 3267, 3470, 3519, 3744-3746, 3804, 3986, 4067, 4149, 4263, 5598, 6917, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002). Goods and the truths from them are of infinite variety, because every angel and every man in whom is the church is his own good and his own truth therefrom; so, too, the universal heaven is arranged according to the affections that are of love to the Lord and of charity towards the neighbor, and of faith therefrom, and all good is of these affections.

[4] The number "a hundred and forty-four thousand," or the number twelve thousand multiplied into twelve 3 signifies all truths from good, in respect to their genera and species in the whole complex, as can be seen from the meaning of the number "one hundred and forty-four," which is twelve multiplied into twelve, in the following passages in Revelation, where the city New Jerusalem is described by measures expressed in numbers. Of the measure of its wall it is said:

He measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty-four cubits, which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel (Revelation 21:17).

"The city Jerusalem" here signifies a new church to be established by the Lord, and its doctrine; therefore all things that are mentioned, as the "wall," the "gates," and the "foundations," mean such things as belong to the church, consequently spiritual things; and as the church and its doctrine are here described in the sense of the letter by "the city Jerusalem," and a city can be measured, therefore the spiritual things of that church are designated by measures expressed in numbers, and its wall by the number "one hundred and forty-four," or by twelve multiplied into twelve, which number signifies truths from good in the whole complex; for a "wall" signifies truths defending against falsities and evils. That such is the signification of this number is clearly evident from its being said that the measure of a "hundred and forty-four cubits" is "the measure of a man, that is, of an angel." What this involves cannot be known unless it is known that measure, in the spiritual sense, has a similar signification as number, namely, the quality of the thing treated of; and that "man" signifies the reception of truth from spiritual affection, that is, from good, and intelligence therefrom; "angel" having a similar signification, since a man is an angel when he is in truths from good, and also becomes an angel after death. The number "a hundred and forty-four thousand" has a similar signification; for larger and smaller numbers, if from a similar origin, have a like signification, the larger number being made use of when the multitude is greater, or when many kinds together are included, as "a hundred and forty-four thousand," which includes all kinds of truth from good, which are signified by "twelve thousand 4 sealed out of every tribe;" and as the measure of the wall, which is said to be "a hundred and forty-four cubits," which includes both the gates and the foundations, which are twelve in number.

[5] So respecting the gates and the foundations it is said:

The New Jerusalem had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. And the wall had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the foundations consisted of twelve kinds of precious stones (Revelation 21:12, 14, 19-21).

When it is known that "the New Jerusalem" means a new church, who will not perceive that the number "twelve" so often employed, means the chief and primary constituent of the church? And the chief and primary constituent of the church is truth from good, for everything of the church is from that, for truth is of its doctrine, and good is of a life according to doctrine. But the signification of "gates" and of "foundations" will be told when that chapter is explained.

[6] Because the number "twelve" signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, and "the New Jerusalem" signifies a new church, therefore the measurement of the city itself is indicated by a multiple of a like number, in these words:

The city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand stadia. The length and the breadth and the height are equal (Revelation 21:16).

What is signified by "length, breadth, and height" in the spiritual sense will also be told below in the explanation; "the city" means in that sense the doctrine of the church, and "twelve thousand stadia" all its truths from good.

[7] Again the number "twelve" is used here in reference to the fruits of the trees about the river, in these words:

In the midst of its street and of the river, on this side and on that, was there the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month (Revelation 22:2).

Since "the streets of the city" signify the truths of doctrine; "the river going forth thence" intelligence; "the tree of life" the perception of truth from good from the Lord, and "fruits" the good from which are truths, it is clear that "twelve" signifies truths from good, through which is intelligence, and of which the church is constituted.

[8] As a representative church was to be instituted among the sons of Jacob, it was provided by the Lord that he should have twelve sons (Genesis 29:32-35; 30:1-25; 35:22-26), that thus all together might represent all things of the church, and each one his part; and this is why twelve tribes sprang from them (Genesis 49:28), and these signify all things of the church, and each tribe signifies some essential of the church; so in what now follows it is said "twelve thousand were sealed out of every tribe," and these signify all who are in that essential of the church, or all who are in that kind of truth from good, since truth from good is what forms the church with all, for truth is of doctrine, and good is of the life, as was said above. (What truth from good is and what the nature of it is, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 24.)

[9] As the twelve tribes named from the twelve sons of Jacob represented the church, and all things belonging to it, the number "twelve," on account of such signification, was employed in various connections:

As that the princes of Israel were twelve in number (Numbers 1:44).

That these twelve princes brought to the dedication of the altar twelve chargers of silver, twelve bowls of silver, twelve spoons of gold, twelve bullocks, twelve rams, twelve lambs, and twelve goats (Numbers 7:84, 87).

Each one of these things that they brought signifies such things as have reference to truths from good. So too:

Twelve men were sent to explore the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:23);

for "the land of Canaan" signifies the church. So too:

There were twelve precious stones in the breastplate of judgment, or the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:21; 39:14);

"precious stones" signifying truths from good. So again:

There were twelve cakes of bread placed in two rows upon the table, which were called the bread of faces (Leviticus 24:5, 6);

"bread" signifying the good of love, and the "table" its reception, thus also truth in general, since truth is what receives good. Again:

Moses built an altar below Mount Sinai, and erected twelve pillars for the twelve tribes 5 of Israel (Exodus 24:4);

for an "altar" signifies the good of the church, and "pillars" its truths, thence "the altar and twelve pillars" together signify all truths from good by which the church exists.

[10] Again:

Twelve men carried twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan which were set up in Gilgal, that they might be for a memorial to the sons of Israel. And also twelve stones were set up in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests that bare the ark stood (Joshua 4:1-9, 20);

"Jordan" in the Word signifying the introduction into the church, and "stones" therefrom and in its midst, the truths of the church through which introduction is effected.

[11] So again:

Elijah took twelve stones, and built an altar (1 Kings 18:31, 32);

"altar" signifying the good of the church, and "stones" its truths.

Moses sent twelve thousand of the sons of Israel, with Phinehas as commander, against Midian, and they returned with great spoil, with not a man missing (Numbers 31:5, 6, 49).

For "Midian" signifies those who are in the knowledges of truth, but not in a life according to them, therefore "twelve thousand" were sent against them. The "great spoil" taken from them, has a similar signification as the "raiment, silver, and gold," which the sons of Israel took from the Egyptians (Exodus 3:22; 12:35, 36), and a similar signification as the "unrighteous mammon" of which they should make to themselves friends (Luke 16:9, namely, the knowledges of truth therefrom, which they hold as doctrine and not in the life.

[12] So again:

Solomon placed upon twelve oxen the brazen sea that he made (1 Kings 7:25, 44);

"the brazen sea" signifying truth from good, the "water" in it, truth, and the "brass" out of which it was made, good; and "twelve oxen" signify all goods and all truths therefrom which serve as a foundation. Therefore also:

Solomon made a throne of ivory with six steps to it, and twelve lions standing upon the steps on the one side and on the other (1 Kings 10:18-20).

"The throne of Solomon" signified judgment, which is effected by truths from good, and it represented Divine truth from Divine good; "lions" signifying the truths of heaven and of the church in their power, and "twelve" all (See above, n. 253).

[13] Of Ishmael it is said:

That he should be blessed and multiplied, and that twelve princes should be born from him (Genesis 17:20; 25:16);

for the reason that "Ishmael" signified the external church with all its truths from good. Of Elisha it is said:

That Elijah found him plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he among the twelve; and that he cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19).

This was done and said because Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord in respect to the Word, in which are all truths from good; consequently when this representation was transferred from Elijah to Elisha, which was signified by his casting his mantle upon him, Elisha was seen "plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he among the twelve," which signifies the formation of the church by means of truths from good out of the Word (See above, n. 395). It is said below that:

There was seen a woman encompassed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (Revelation 12:1).

This was seen because a "woman" signifies the church and "stars" the knowledges of truth: a "crown" the good of these knowledges, and the "head" intelligence.

[14] The Lord's twelve apostles had a similar representation as the twelve tribes of Israel; namely, they collectively represented the church, and each one of them some essential of the church, and for this reason there were twelve of them.

From this it can be seen why it is and what it signifies that the New Jerusalem (which signifies the church and its doctrine) is said:

To have twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and that the wall had twelve foundations, and on these the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:12, 14);

the "twelve angels," the "twelve tribes," and the "twelve apostles" here meaning not angels, tribes, and apostles, but all the things of the church. Likewise it is said that:

The apostles are to sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30);

which does not mean that the apostles are to sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel, but that the Lord alone is to judge all by Divine truth from Divine good see above, n. 9, 206, 253, 270, 297, 333).

[15] He who does not know that "twelve" signifies all things cannot know the arcanum that is signified by:

The twelve baskets of fragments that remained from the five loaves and two fishes with which the Lord fed five thousand men besides women and children (Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:37-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:9-13).

Each particular here, with the numbers themselves, is significative; "the five thousand men besides women and children," signify all who are of the church that are in truths from good; the "men" signifying those who are in truths, and the "women and children" those who are in good; "loaves" the goods and "fishes" the truths of the natural man; "eating" spiritual nourishment from the Lord; the "twelve baskets of fragments" the knowledges of truth and good therefrom in all abundance and fullness.

[16] Because "twelve" signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, which constitute the church:

When the Lord was twelve years old He left father and mother and remained in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions (Luke 2:42, 46);

by which is meant the initiation and introduction of His Human into all things of heaven and the church; therefore when He was found He said:

Wist ye not that I must be in the things that are My Father's? (verse 49).

Because "twelve" signifies all things, and is predicated of truths from good, the Lord said:

Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not (John 11:9);

"day" signifying illustration in truths from good, and the "twelve hours of the day" all things of truth from good, and "to walk" signifying to live; these words, therefore, in the spiritual sense signify that one who is living in any kind of truth from good is in illustration, and does not stray into falsities. Because "twelve" signifies all things, the Lord said:

Thinkest thou that I cannot now beseech My Father and He will cause to stand by Me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53).

"Twelve legions of angels" meaning the whole heaven, and "more than these" signifying Divine omnipotence.

[17] From this it can now be seen what is signified by "a hundred and forty-four thousand out of every tribe," namely, all who are in truths from good; and "twelve thousand out of each tribe" all who are in that kind of truth from good which is signified by the tribe named; consequently, that twelve thousand are not meant, nor those who are of the tribes of Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Furthermore, it is to be known that all these, or "the hundred and forty-four thousand," mean those who were taken up into heaven before the Last Judgment; but those afterward mentioned, from verse 7:9-17to the end of this chapter, mean those that were preserved by the Lord until the Last Judgment, and were then first taken up into heaven (respecting whom see above, n. 391-392, 394, 397); for those who were in truths from good were all received into heaven before the judgment; but those who were in good, and not as yet in truths, were preserved, and in the meantime instructed and prepared for heaven. These are to be further treated of hereafter. Those who were taken up into heaven before the judgment are meant by those of whom it is said in chapter 14 of Revelation:

A Lamb was standing on the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having the Father's name written on their foreheads (verse 14:1).

Of these it is said that:

No one could learn the song save the hundred and forty-four thousand bought from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins, bought from among men, the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb (verses 14:3-4); and the same are meant by those who are "of the first resurrection;" and the others are meant by those who were "of the second resurrection" (Revelation 20:4-6).

Poznámky pod čarou:

1. The photolithograph has "which" for "because."

2. The photolithograph has "in" for "from."

3. The photolithograph has "itself" for "twelve."

4. The photolithograph has "twelve" for "twelve thousand."

5. The photolithograph has "sons" for "tribes." The latter is found in AC 9389.

  
/ 1232  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.