4
Mitä myös minun on teidän kanssanne, te Tyrosta ja Zidonista, ja te kaikki Philistealaisten rajat? vai tahdotteko te minulle kaiketi kostaa? Jos te minulle tahdotte kostaa, niin minä tahdon sen äkisti ja pian kostaa teidän päänne päälle.
Joel 3:4
SWORD version by Tero Favorin (tero at favorin dot com)
Arcana Coelestia # 10248
10248. 'And it shall be the statute of an age to them' means an eternal law of order. This is clear from the meaning of 'a statute' as a law of order, dealt with in 7884, 7995, 8357; and from the meaning of 'an age' as that which is eternal. The reason why 'an age' means what is eternal is that duration even to the end should be understood by it, and in the internal sense what is eternal is meant by that duration. Furthermore the word used to denote an age means eternity in the original language. 'Age' means what is eternal because when used in the Word with regard to the Church it means duration of it even to the end. Consequently, when the term is used with regard to heaven, where there is no end, or with regard to the Lord, it means what is eternal. The term may be used to refer in general to any Church, but in particular to the celestial Church. In addition to all this 'age' means the world and life there, and also life after this to eternity.
[2] 1. The term 'age', when used with regard to the Church, means the duration of it even to the end
This is clear from the following places: In Matthew,
The disciples said to Jesus, Tell us, what will be the sign of Your coming and of the close of the age? Matthew 24:3.
'The close of the age' means the final period of the Church, thus the end of it, when there is no longer any faith because there is no charity. The fact that this is meant by 'the close of the age' and that 'the age' therefore means the duration of the Church even to the end becomes clear from all the things stated by the Lord in that chapter, an explanation of which may be seen in the opening sections of Chapters 26-40 of Genesis. 'The age' and 'the close' of it have the same meaning elsewhere in the same gospel,
The harvest is the close of the age. Matthew 13:39-40, 49.
Also,
Behold, I am with you at all times 1 even to the close of the age. Matthew 28:20.
Here also 'the age' is used to mean the duration of the Church from start to finish.
[3] In Ezekiel,
They will dwell on the land, they and their sons and their sons' sons even to an age. David will be their prince for an age. My sanctuary will be in their midst for an age. Ezekiel 37:25, 28.
These promises refer to Israel, who in the internal sense serves to mean the spiritual Church. 'The land' on which they will dwell also means the Church; 'the sanctuary' means everything composing the Church; and 'David' means the Lord. From this it is evident that 'for an age' means even to the end.
'Israel' in the Word is the spiritual Church, see in the places referred to in 9340.
'The land' is the Church, in the places referred to in 9325.
'The sanctuary' is everything composing the Church, and it has reference to the goodness and truth of the spiritual Church, 8330, 9479.
'David' is the Lord, 1888, 9954.
[4] In David,
Before the mountains were born, and the earth and the world were formed, from age even to age You are God. Psalms 90:2.
By the birth of mountains and formation of the earth and the world not the creation of the world but the establishment of a Church should be understood, for in the Word heavenly or celestial love, and so the Church in which that love exists, is meant by 'the mountains'. 'The earth' too and 'the world' mean the Church, so that 'from age to age' means from when Churches are established to when they come to an end. Churches follow in succession, one after another; for when one has come to an end or undergone vastation another is established.
'Mountain' means heavenly or celestial love, and therefore the Church which is governed by that love, see 795, 796, 4210, 6435, 8758.
'The earth' is the Church in particular, but 'the world' the Church in general, see in the places referred to in 9325.
[5] 2. The term 'age', when used with regard to heaven, where there is no end, or with regard to the Lord, means what is eternal
This is clear from the following places: In David,
Jehovah is King for an age and for perpetuity. Psalms 10:16; Exodus 15:18.
In the same author,
Your kingdom is a kingdom of all the ages, and Your dominion to every generation after generation. Psalms 145:13.
In Jeremiah,
[He is] the living God [and] the King of the age. Jeremiah 10:10.
In Daniel,
His dominion is the dominion of an age which will not pass away. Afterwards the saints of the Most High 2 will receive the kingdom and will strengthen the kingdom even to an age, and even to ages of ages. Daniel 7:14, 18, 27.
In Matthew,
Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ages. Matthew 6:13.
In Luke,
God will give Him the throne of David, so that He may reign over the house of Jacob for ages. Luke 1:32-33.
[6] In the Book of Revelation,
To Jesus Christ be glory and might for ages of ages. Revelation 1:6.
Elsewhere in the same book,
Behold, I live for ages of ages. Revelation 1:18.
And elsewhere again,
Blessing, and honour, and glory, and might to the Lamb for ages of ages! The twenty-four elders worshipped the One living for ages of ages. Revelation 5:13-14; 10:6; 11:15.
In Isaiah,
My salvation will exist for an age, and My righteousness to each generation 3 . Isaiah 51:6, 8.
In the same prophet,
The angel of [His] face carried them all the days of the age. Isaiah 63:9.
In Daniel,
Many of those sleeping will awake to the life of the age 4 , the rest to the disrepute of the age 5 . Daniel 12:2.
In John,
If anyone eats of this bread he will live for an age. John 6:51, 58.
In the same gospel,
I give them eternal life, and they will not perish for an age. John 10:28.
In David,
Lead me in the way of the age 6 . Psalms 139:24.
In the same author,
He has caused them to stand for perpetuity and for an age; He has given a statute that will not pass away. Psalms 148:6.
[7] In these places 'age' means what is eternal since it is used with regard to the Lord, to His kingdom, and to heaven and the life there, all of which have no end. 'Ages of ages' is not used to mean eternities of eternities but that which is eternal. That expression is used however with regard to the Churches on earth coming in succession one after another. From the Word it is evident that a Church has been established four times on this planet. The first of them was the Most Ancient, which existed before the Flood; the second was the Ancient, which came after the Flood; the third was the Israelite and Jewish; and the last was the Christian. The whole period of each one from start to finish is an age. And after the Christian Church a new one will begin. This series of Churches is meant by 'ages of ages', 'an age' being the duration of a Church even to its end, as shown above.
[8] 3. The term 'age' may be used to refer in general to any Church, but in particular to the celestial Church
This is clear from the following places: In Amos,
I will raise up the tent of David that is fallen down, and I will build as in the days of a [previous] age. Amos 9:11.
'The days of a [previous] age' is used to mean the time when the Most Ancient Church, which was celestial, existed. In Micah,
Bethlehem Ephrath, from you will come forth for Me one who will be Ruler in Israel, and whose origins are from of old, from the days of a [previous] age. Micah 5:2.
Here the meaning is similar. In Moses,
Remember the days of a [previous] age, understand the years of generation after generation. Deuteronomy 32:7.
'The days of a [previous] age' stands for the time of the Most Ancient Church, which was a celestial Church, and 'the years of generation after generation' for the time of the Ancient Church, which was a spiritual Church.
[9] In Isaiah,
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah. Awake as in the days of antiquity, of the generation of [previous] ages. Isaiah 51:8-9.
'As in [the days] of the generation of [previous] ages' means as it was with the states of love and faith in the Ancient Churches that descended from the Most Ancient. In David,
I have considered the days of old, the years of [previous] ages. Psalms 77:5.
Here the meaning is similar.
[10] In Isaiah,
Remember from a [previous] age the former thing. Isaiah 46:9.
In Malachi,
Then the minchah of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to Jehovah, as in the days of a [previous] age, and as in ancient years. Malachi 3:4.
In Joel,
Judah will abide for an age, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. Joel 3:20.
In these places 'Judah' means the celestial Church, to which the words 'as in the days of the age' and 'into the age' therefore refer, while 'Jerusalem' means the spiritual Church, to which the words 'as in the ancient years' and 'into generation after generation' refer.
'Judah' is the celestial Church, see 3654, 3881, 6363, 8770.
'Jerusalem' is the spiritual Church, 402, 3654.
[11] 4. The term 'age' may mean the world and life there
This is clear in Matthew,
The one who is sown among thorns is he who hears the Word but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word. Matthew 13:22.
In Luke,
The sons of this age are more shrewd than the sons of light. Luke 16:8.
In the same gospel,
The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. Luke 20:34.
And in David,
The wicked and carefree ones of the age multiply wealth. Psalms 73:12.
[12] 5. The term 'age' may mean life to eternity after death
In Mark,
... will receive a hundredfold, now in this time, and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:30.
In Ezekiel,
When I will cause you to go down with those going down to the pit, to the people of a [previous] age, ... Ezekiel 26:20.
And elsewhere, as in Luke 18:30; 20:35; Isaiah 34:10, 17; Revelation 14:11; 20:10; 22:5.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. literally, I am with you all the days
2. The Latin word rendered the Most High is plural, as is the word used in the original Aramaic. It must be regarded as a plural of majesty.
3. literally, generations of generations
4. i.e. eternal life
5. i.e. eternal disgrace
6. i.e. an eternal way
Jeremiah 44
1
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who lived in the land of Egypt, who lived at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Memphis, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
2
Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: You have seen all the evil that I have brought on Jerusalem, and on all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwells therein,
3
because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, [and] to serve other gods, that they didn't know, neither they, nor you, nor your fathers.
4
However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Oh, don't do this abominable thing that I hate.
5
But they didn't listen, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.
6
Therefore my wrath and my anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day.
7
Therefore now thus says Yahweh, the God of Armies, the God of Israel: Why do you commit great evil against your own souls, to cut off from yourselves man and woman, infant and nursing child out of the midst of Judah, to leave yourselves none remaining;
8
in that you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to live; that you may be cut off, and that you may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
9
Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives which they committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10
They are not humbled even to this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
11
Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, even to cut off all Judah.
12
I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to live there, and they shall all be consumed; in the land of Egypt shall they fall; they shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine; they shall die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine; and they shall be an object of horror, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
13
For I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence;
14
so that none of the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to live there, shall escape or be left, to return into the land of Judah, to which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return save such as shall escape.
15
Then all the men who knew that their wives burned incense to other gods, and all the women who stood by, a great assembly, even all the people who lived in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
16
As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of Yahweh, we will not listen to you.
17
But we will certainly perform every word that is gone forth out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of food, and were well, and saw no evil.
18
But since we left off burning incense to the queen of the sky, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
19
When we burned incense to the queen of the sky, and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her, without our husbands?
20
Then Jeremiah said to all the people, to the men, and to the women, even to all the people who had given him an answer, saying,
21
The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, didn't Yahweh remember them, and didn't it come into his mind?
22
so that Yahweh could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which you have committed; therefore your land has become a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is this day.
23
Because you have burned incense, and because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil has happened to you, as it is this day.
24
Moreover Jeremiah said to all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of Yahweh, all Judah who are in the land of Egypt:
25
Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, saying, You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and with your hands have fulfilled it, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her: establish then your vows, and perform your vows.
26
Therefore hear the word of Yahweh, all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by my great name, says Yahweh, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, As the Lord Yahweh lives.
27
Behold, I watch over them for evil, and not for good; and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
28
Those who escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, few in number; and all the remnant of Judah, who have gone into the land of Egypt to live there, shall know whose word shall stand, mine, or theirs.
29
This shall be the sign to you, says Yahweh, that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:
30
Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of those who seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who was his enemy, and sought his life.
