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エゼキエル書 20

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1 第七年の五十日に、イスラエルの長老たちのある人々が、に尋ねるためにきて、わたしのに座した。

2 時に主の言葉がわたしに臨んだ、

3 「人のよ、イスラエルの長老たちに告げて言え。なる神はこう言われる、あなたがたがわたしのもとに来たのは、わたしに何か尋ねるためであるか。なる神は言われる、わたしは生きている、わたしはあなたがたの尋ねに答えない。

4 あなたは彼らをさばこうとするのか。人のよ、あなたは彼らをさばこうとするのか。それなら彼らの先祖たちのした憎むべき事を彼らに知らせ、

5 かつ彼らに言え。なるはこう言われる、わたしがイスラエルを選び、ヤコブのの子孫に誓い、エジプトの地でわたし自身を彼らに知らせ彼らに誓って、わたしはあなたがたのであると言った

6 そのにわたしは彼らに誓って、エジプトの地から彼らを導き出し、わたしが彼らのために探り求めた乳と蜜との流れる地、全地の中で最もすばらしい所へ行かせると言った。

7 わたしは彼らに言った、あなたがたは、おのおのそのを楽しませる憎むべきものを捨てよ。エジプトの偶像をもって、その身を汚すな。わたしはあなたがたのであると。

8 ところが彼らはわたしにそむき、わたしの言うことを聞こうともしなかった。彼らは、おのおのそのを楽しませた憎むべきものを捨てず、またエジプトの偶像を捨てなかった。

9 しかしわたしはわたしの名のために行動した。それはエジプトの地から彼らを導き出して、周囲に住んでいた異邦人たちに、わたしのことを知らせ、わたしの名が彼らのの前に、はずかしめられないためである。

10 すなわち、わたしはエジプトの地から彼らを導き出して、荒野に連れて行き、

11 わたしの定めを彼らに授け、わたしのおきてを彼らに示した。これは人がこれを行うことによって生きるものである。

12 わたしはまた彼らに安息日を与えて、わたしと彼らとの間のしるしとした。これはなるわたしが彼らを聖別したことを、彼らに知らせるためである。

13 しかしイスラエルの荒野でわたしにそむき、わたしの定めに歩まず、人がそれを行うことによって、生きることのできるわたしのおきてを捨て、大いにわたしの安息日を汚した。

14 わたしはわたしの名のために行動した。それはわたしが彼らを導き出して見せた異邦人の前に、わたしの名が汚されないためである。

15 ただし、わたしは荒野で彼らに誓い、わたしが彼らに与えた乳と蜜との流れる地、全地の最もすばらしい地に、彼らを導かないと言った。

16 これは彼らがそのに偶像を慕って、わがおきてを捨て、わが定めに歩まず、わが安息日を汚したからである。

17 けれどもわたしは彼らを惜しみ見て、彼らを滅ぼさず、荒野で彼らを絶やさなかった。

18 わたしはまた荒野で彼らのどもたちに言った、あなたがたの先祖の定めに歩んではならない。そのおきてを守ってはならない。その偶像をもって、あなたがたの身を汚してはならない。

19 なるわたしはあなたがたのである。わが定めに歩み、わがおきてを守ってこれを行い、

20 わが安息日を聖別せよ。これはわたしとあなたがたとの間のしるしとなって、なるわたしがあなたがたのであることを、あなたがたに知らせるためである。

21 しかしそのどもたちはわたしにそむき、わが定めに歩まず、人がこれを行うことによって、生きることのできるわたしのおきてを守り行わず、わが安息日を汚した。

22 しかしわたしはわがを翻して、わが名のために行動した。それはわたしが彼らを導き出して見せた異邦人の前に、わたしの名が汚されないためである。

23 ただしわたしは荒野で彼らに誓い、わたしは異邦人の間に彼らを散らし、々の中に彼らをふりまくと言った。

24 これは彼らがわがおきてを行わず、わが定めを捨て、わが安息日を汚し、彼らのにその先祖の偶像を慕ったからである。

25 またわたしは彼らに良くない定めと、それによって生きることのできないおきてとを与え、

26 そして、彼らのういごに火の中を通らせるその供え物によって、彼らを汚し、彼らを恐れさせた。わたしがこれを行ったのは、わたしがであることを、彼らに知らせるためである。

27 それゆえ人のよ、イスラエルのに告げて言え。なる神はこう言われる、あなたがたの先祖はまた、不信の罪を犯してわたしを汚した。

28 わたしが彼らに与えようと誓った地に、彼らを導き入れた時、彼らはすべての高い丘と、すべての茂ったとを見て、その所で犠牲をささげ、忌むべき供え物をささげ、またこうばしいかおりをその所に上らせ、その所に灌祭を注いだ。

29 (わたしは彼らに言った、あなたがたが通うその高き所はなんであるか。それでその名は今日までバマととなえられている。)

30 それゆえ、イスラエルのに言え。なる神はこう言われる、あなたがたは、その先祖のおこないに従って、その身を汚し、その憎むべきものを慕うのか。

31 あなたがたは、その供え物をささげ、その供にの中を通らせて、今日まですべての偶像をもって、その身を汚すのである。イスラエルのよ、わたしは、なおあなたがたに尋ねられるべきであろうか。わたしは生きている。わたしは決してあなたがたに尋ねられるはずはないと、なる神は言われる。

32 あなたがたの心にあること、すなわち『われわれは異邦人のようになり、々のもろもろのやからのようになって、を拝もう』との考えは決して成就しない。

33 なる神は言われる、わたしは生きている、わたしは必ず強いと伸べたと注がれた憤りとをもって、あなたがたを治める

34 わたしはわが強いと伸べたと注がれた憤りとをもって、あなたがたをもろもろの民の中から導き出し、その散らされた国々から集め、

35 もろもろの民の荒野に導き入れ、その所でとを合わせて、あなたがたをさばく。

36 すなわち、エジプトの地の荒野で、あなたがたの先祖をさばいたように、わたしはあなたがたをさばくと、なる神は言われる。

37 わたしはあなたがたに、むちのを通らせ、数えてはいらせ、

38 あなたがたのうちから、従わぬ者と、わたしにそむいた者とを分かち、その寄留した地から、彼らを導き出す。しかし彼らはイスラエルの地に入ることはできない。こうしてあなたがたはわたしがであることを知るようになる。

39 それで、イスラエルのよ、なる神はこう言われる、あなたがたはわたしに聞かないなら、今もも、おのおのその偶像に行って仕えるがよい。しかし再び供え物と偶像とをもって、わたしの聖なる名を汚してはならない。

40 なる神は言われる、わたしの聖なるイスラエルの高いの上で、イスラエルのはその地で、ことごとくわたしに仕える。その所でわたしは喜んで彼らを受けいれ、あなたがたのささげ物と最上の供え物とを、その聖なるささげ物と共に求める。

41 わたしがあなたがたをもろもろの民の中から導き出し、かつてあなたがたを散らした々から集める時、こうばしいかおりとして、あなたがたを喜んで受けいれる。そしてわたしは異邦人の前で、あなたがたの中に、わたしの聖なることをあらわす。

42 こうしてわたしがあなたがたを、イスラエルの地、すなわちあなたがたの先祖たちに与えると誓った地に、はいらせる時、あなたがたはわたしがであることを知るようになる。

43 またその所であなたがたは、その身を汚したあなたがたのおこないと、すべてのわざとを思い出し、みずから行ったすべての悪事のために、自分を忌みきらうようになる。

44 イスラエルのよ、わたしがあなたがたの悪しきおこないによらず、またその腐れたわざによらず、わたしの名のために、あなたがたを扱う時、あなたがたはわたしがであることを知るのであると、なる神は言われる」。

45 主の言葉がまたわたしに臨んだ、

46 「人のよ、に向け、に向かって語り、ネゲブのの地に対して預言せよ。

47 すなわちネゲブのに言え、主の言葉を聞け、なる神はこう言われる、見よ、わたしはあなたのうちにを燃やす。そのはあなたのうちのすべての青と、すべての枯れを焼き滅ぼし、その燃える炎は消されることがなく、からまで、すべての地のおもては、これがために焼ける。

48 すべてなる者は、なるわたしがこれを焼いたことを見る。その火は消されない」。

49 そこでわたしは言った、「ああなる神よ、彼らはわたしについてこう語っています、『彼はたとえをもって語る者ではないか』と」。

   

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Apocalypse Explained # 946

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946. For Thy judgments have been made manifest, signifies that Divine truths have been revealed to them. This is evident from the signification of "judgments," as being Divine truths (of which presently); also from the signification of "made manifest," as being to be revealed. That Divine truths are revealed at the end of the church, and that they have been revealed, will be shown in what follows in this chapter, because this is there treated of. "Judgments" signify Divine truths because the laws of government in the Lord's spiritual kingdom are called "judgments;" while the laws of government in His celestial kingdom are called "justice." For the laws of government in the Lord's spiritual kingdom are laws from the Divine truth; while the laws of government in the Lord's celestial kingdom are laws from the Divine good. This is why "judgment" and "justice" are mentioned in the Word, in the following passages. In Isaiah:

Of peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David, to establish it, and to uphold it in judgment and in justice from henceforth and to eternity (Isaiah 9:7).

This is said of the Lord and His kingdom. His spiritual kingdom is signified by "the throne of David;" and because this kingdom is in Divine truths from Divine good it is said, "in judgment and in justice."

In Jeremiah:

I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign King, and He shall act intelligently, and shall do judgment and justice (Jeremiah 23:5).

This, too, is said of the Lord, and of His spiritual kingdom. And as this kingdom is in Divine truths from Divine good it is said, "He shall reign king, and shall act intelligently, and He shall do judgment and justice." The Lord is called "King," from Divine truth; and as Divine truth is also Divine intelligence it is said that "He shall act intelligently." And as the Divine truth is from the Divine good it is said that "He shall do judgment and justice."

[2] In Isaiah:

Jehovah is exalted, for He dwelleth on high, He hath filled Zion with judgment and justice (Isaiah 33:5).

"Zion" means heaven and the church, where the Lord reigns by the Divine truth; and as all the Divine truth is from the Divine good it is said, "He hath filled Zion with judgment and justice."

In Jeremiah:

I Jehovah doing judgment and justice in the earth; for in these things I am well pleased (Jeremiah 9:24).

Here, too, "judgment and justice" signify the Divine truth from the Divine good.

In Isaiah:

They ask of me the judgments of justice, they long for an approach unto God (5 Isaiah 58:2).

The "judgments of justice" are Divine truths from the Divine good, as are "judgment and justice;" for the spiritual sense conjoins things that the sense of the letter separates.

In Hosea:

I will betroth thee unto Me forever; and I will betroth thee unto Me in justice and in judgment and in mercy and in truth (Hosea 2:19, 20).

This treats of the Lord's celestial kingdom, which consists of those who are in love to the Lord; and as the Lord's conjunction with such is comparatively like the conjunction of a husband with a wife, for so does the good of love conjoin, it is said, "I will betroth thee unto Me in justice and in judgment," "justice" being put here in the first place, and "judgment" in the second, because those who are in the good of love to the Lord are also in truths; for they see truths from good. As "justice" is predicated of good, and "judgment" of truth, it is also said, "in mercy and in truth," "mercy" belonging to good, because it is of love.

[3] In David:

Jehovah is in the heavens. Thy justice is like the mountains of God, and Thy judgments are like the great deep (Psalms 36:5-6).

"Justice" is predicated of the Divine good, and is therefore compared to "the mountains of God;" for "mountains of God" signify the goods of love (See above, n. 405, 510, 850); and "judgments" are predicated of Divine truths, and are therefore compared to "the great deep;" for "the great deep" signifies the Divine truth. From this it can now be seen that "judgments" signify Divine truths.

[4] In many passages in the Word, "judgments," "commandments," and "statutes" are mentioned; and "judgments" there signify civil laws, "commandments" the laws of spiritual life, and "statutes" the laws of worship. That "judgments" signify civil laws, is evident from Exodus (21, 22, 23), where the things commanded are called "judgments" because according to them the judges gave judgments in the gates of the city; nevertheless they signify Divine truths, such as are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom in the heavens, for they contain these in the spiritual sense; as can be (Arcana Coelestia 8971-9103) seen (Arcana Coelestia 9124-9231) from (Arcana Coelestia 9247-9348) the explanation of them in the Arcana Coelestia 8971-9103, 9124-9231, 9247-9348). That the laws given to the sons of Israel were called "judgments, "commandments," and "statutes," can be seen from the following passages.

In Moses:

I will speak unto thee all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them (Deuteronomy 5:31).

In the same:

These are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which Jehovah your God commanded to teach you (Deuteronomy 6:1).

In the same:

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them (Deuteronomy 7:11).

In David:

If his sons forsake My law and walk not in My judgments, if they profane My statutes and keep not My commandments, then will I visit their transgression with the rod (Psalms 89:30-32).

So in many other places, as Leviticus 18:5; 19:37; 20:22; 25:18; 26:15; Deuteronomy 4:1; 5:1, 6, 7; 17:19; 26:17; Ezekiel 5:6, 7; 11:12, 20; 18:9; 20:11, 13, 25; 37:24. In these passages "commandments" mean the laws of life, especially those contained in the Decalogue, which are therefore called the Ten Commandments; while "statutes" mean the laws of worship which related especially to sacrifices and holy ministrations; and "judgments" mean civil laws; and as these laws were representative of spiritual laws, they signify such Divine truths as are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom in the heavens.

[5] It follows from this that when man shuns and turns away from evils as sins and is raised up into heaven by the Lord, he is no longer in what is his own (proprium), but in the Lord, and thus he thinks and wills goods. Again, since man acts as he thinks and wills, for every act of man proceeds from the thought of his will, it follows that when he shuns and turns away from evils, he does goods from the Lord and not from self; and this is why shunning evils is doing goods. The goods that a man then does are meant by good works; and good works in their whole complex are meant by charity. Man cannot be reformed unless he thinks, wills, and does as if from himself, since that which is done as if by the man himself is conjoined to him and remains with him, while that which is not done by the man as if from himself, not being received in any life of sense, flows through like ether; and this is why the Lord wills that man should not only shun and turn away from evils as if of himself, but should also think, will, and do as if of himself, and yet acknowledge in heart, that all these things are from the Lord. This he must acknowledge because it is the truth.

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

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Apocalypse Explained # 223

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223. And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God, signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. This is evident from the signification of "the city of My God," as being the doctrine of Divine truth (of which presently); also from the signification of "the New Jerusalem," as being the church in respect to doctrine (See the small work on The New Jerusalem 6); also from the signification of "which cometh down out of heaven from My God," as being that it is out of heaven from Divine truth there. That "God" means in the Word Divine truth, see above (n. 220, 222). And as Divine truth, which is in heaven and which comes down from heaven, is from the Lord alone, the Lord calls it His God. That "the city of My God" signifies the doctrine of Divine truth seems at first view remote, for the mind cannot readily think of doctrine when "city" is mentioned, or think of the church when a "land" is mentioned; yet in the Word, "cities" [civitates aut urbes] mean nothing else in the spiritual sense; and for the reason that the idea of a city is merely natural, but the idea of doctrine in a city is spiritual. Angels, because they are spiritual, can have no other idea of a city than of the people therein in respect to doctrine, as they can have no other idea of a land than of the people therein in respect to their church or their religion. The reason of this is that the societies into which the heavens are divided are for the most part like cities [communities], all differing from one another in respect to the reception of Divine truth in good; when, therefore, a "city" is mentioned angels think of the doctrine of truth. (That the heavens are divided into societies according to the differences of the good of love and faith, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 41-50; and that their habitations are disposed into the form of cities, n. 184).

[2] That "cities" [civitates seu urbes] in the Word signify doctrines can be seen from many passages there, of which I will cite here only the following.

In Jeremiah:

Behold I have given thee this day for a fenced city against the whole land (Jeremiah 1:18).

These things are said to the prophet, because "a prophet" in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in an abstract sense, the doctrine of truth; and as this is what "prophet" signifies, it is said to him, "I have given thee for a fenced city," which signifies the doctrine of truth defending against falsities. (That "prophet" in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in the abstract sense, the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia (2534[1-6]), n. 7269.)

In the same:

The crown of your splendor cometh down. The cities of the south are shut (Jeremiah 13:18-19).

Here the falsification of truth is treated of; and "the crown of their splendor cometh down" means that intelligence comes down; and "the cities of the south are shut" means that all the truths of doctrine are closed, which otherwise would be in the light. (That "crown" means intelligence and wisdom, see above, n. 126, 218; and that "south" means a state of light, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 148, 149, n. 151).

[3] In Isaiah:

Thou hast done [wonderful things, Thy] counsels from afar [are] truth, fidelity; and Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city, that it may not be built for ever; therefore a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee (Isaiah 25:1-3).

The vastation of the former church, and the establishment of a new one, are here treated of; the vastation of the church in respect to doctrine is meant by "Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city;" and the establishment of a new church in respect to doctrine is meant by "a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee."

In the same:

In that day shall a song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will He appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation that keepeth faithfulness may enter in (Isaiah 26:1-2).

Here "a strong city" signifies the doctrine of genuine truth, which falsities cannot destroy; "walls and bulwarks" signify truths defending; "gates" signify admission (as above, n. 208); "the righteous nation keeping faithfulness" means those who are in good and in truths therefrom.

[4] In the same:

How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer, how art thou cut down to the earth: that made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up and possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities (Isaiah 14:12, 17, 21).

Here "Lucifer" means Babylon, where every truth of the doctrine of the church was either falsified or annihilated; "he made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof," signifies that this was done to the church and its doctrines; "prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up," signifies that its falsities must be destroyed; "and may not possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities," signifies in order that a church and doctrine may be there.

In Revelation:

And the great city was broken 1 into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell (Revelation 16:18-19).

Here also Babylon is treated of; the doctrine of its falsities is what is meant by "a city broken 2 into three parts," and the doctrine of evils therefrom by "the cities of the nations which fell."

[5] In David:

The redeemed of Jehovah wandered in the wilderness in loneliness of life; 3 they found not a city of habitation; hungry and thirsty [their soul fainted in them]. He led them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation (Psalms 107:2, 4-5, 7).

"To wander in the wilderness and in loneliness of way," is to be in want of the knowledges of truth and good; "to find not a city of habitation" means not to find the doctrine of truth according to which they may live; "the hungry and thirsty" are those who have a longing to know good and truth; "to lead them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation" is to lead them into genuine truth, and into the doctrine of life.

In Isaiah:

I said, Lord, how long? And He said, Until the cities shall be so devastated as to be without inhabitant, and the houses so that no man be in them, and the land be reduced to a waste (Isaiah 6:11).

Here the total vastation of the church is treated of; "cities" are the truths of doctrine; "houses" the goods thereof; and "land" the church.

[6] In the same:

The land shall be emptied, the land shall be confounded, the land shall be profaned under its inhabitants; the empty city shall be broken, every house shall be shut, a cry over the wine in the streets, the remnant in the city is a waste, and the gate shall be beaten down even to devastation (Isaiah 24:3-5, 10-12).

Here also the devastation of the church is treated of; "the land which is said to be emptied, confounded, and profaned," is the church; "city" is the truth of doctrine, "house" is its good; "wine, over which there is a cry in the streets," is the truth of doctrine falsified, over which there is contest and indignation.

[7] In Zephaniah:

I will cut off the nations; I will desolate their streets, and their cities shall be laid waste (Zephaniah 3:6).

Here "nations" are those who are in evils; "to desolate streets" means to desolate truths, and "to lay waste cities" means to lay waste doctrines. In Jeremiah:

The lion is gone up from the thicket, to reduce thy land to a waste; thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a wilderness, and all its cities desolate; for this shall the land mourn; the whole city fleeing at the voice of a horseman and of the bowmen; the whole city is forsaken, not a man dwelling therein (Jeremiah 4:7, 26-29).

The "lion from the thicket" is falsity from evil; "the land" is the church, "cities" are the truths of doctrine; "Carmel" is the spiritual church; "the voice of the horseman and the bowmen," because of which "the city will flee," is reasoning and combat from falsities.

[8] In the same:

The devastator shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; and the valley shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed (Jeremiah 48:8).

These words describe the total vastation of the church, until nothing of the truth of doctrine shall remain. In the same:

Behold, waters rising up out of the north, which shall become an overflowing brook, and shall overflow the land, the city, and them that dwell therein (Jeremiah 47:2).

Vastation also is signified by "an overflowing brook." In the same:

If ye hallow the day of the Sabbath, there shall enter in through the gates of this city kings and princes, riding in chariot and on horses, and this city shall be inhabited to eternity (Jeremiah 17:24-25).

"Hallowing the Sabbath" in the spiritual sense signifies holy acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine Human and of His conjunction with heaven and the church; "kings and princes entering in through the gates of the city" signify the truths of the church; "their riding in a chariot and on horses" signifies that they shall be in the truths of doctrine and in intelligence; "the city," which here is Jerusalem, is the church in respect to doctrine. Such is the spiritual sense of these words; such therefore is the sense in heaven.

[9] In Zechariah:

Thus said Jehovah; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; whence Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets (Zechariah 8:3-5).

Here "Zion" does not mean Zion, nor "Jerusalem" Jerusalem; but "Zion" means the celestial church, and "Jerusalem" that church in respect to the doctrine of truth; therefore it is called "a city of truth;" "the streets of the city" signify the truths of doctrine; "boys and girls playing in the streets" signify the affections of truth and good. (That "Zion" signifies the celestial church, see Arcana Coelestia 2362, 9055; that "Jerusalem" signifies the church in respect to doctrine, n. 402, 3654, 9166; and in the small work on The New Jerusalem, 6; that "streets" signify the truths of doctrine, n. 2336; that "boys girls" signify the affections of truth good, in which there is innocence 3067, 3110, 3179, 5236, 6742; that "to play" means what pertains to interior festivity, which is the affection of truth and good, n. 10416).

[10] Because "Zion" signifies the celestial church, and "Jerusalem" the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, Zion is called "the city of Jehovah," and Jerusalem is called "the holy city," "the city of God" and "the city of the great king."

As in Isaiah:

They shall call thee, The city of Jehovah, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 60:14).

In Ezekiel:

The prophet saw upon a high mountain the frame of a city on the south, and an angel measured the wall, the gate, the chambers, the porch of the gate; and the name of the city was Jehovah-is-there (Ezekiel 40:1; 48:35).

In Isaiah:

Behold, Jehovah hath caused it to be heard, even to the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh. And thou shalt be called a city that is sought (Isaiah 62:11-12).

In David:

As we have heard so have we seen in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever (Psalms 48:8).

(What the celestial church is, and what the spiritual church, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 20-28.)

These two cities are called "holy cities," in Isaiah:

Thy holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a waste (Isaiah 64:10).

Jerusalem in particular is called "the holy city," in Revelation:

The nations shall tread down the holy city (Revelation 11:2).

Again:

I saw the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven (Revelation 21:2).

In Matthew:

The devil took Jesus into the holy city (Matthew 4:5).

And in the same:

Coming forth out of the tombs, they entered into the holy city (Matthew 27:53).

[11] Jerusalem was called "the holy city" because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth; and Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is what is called "holy" (See Arcana Coelestia 6788, 8302, 9229, 9820, 10361). That city, apart from such representation and consequent signification, was not at all holy, but rather profane, is evident from the Lord's having been rejected and crucified there; and for this reason it is also called "Sodom and Egypt" (Revelation 11:8). But because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, it was called not only "the holy city," but also "the city of God," and "the city of the great king."

Thus in David:

There is a river, the streams whereof have made glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her (Psalms 46:4-5).

In the same:

Great is Jehovah in the city of our God, beautiful in situation the city of the great king (Psalms 48:1-2).

In Matthew:

Swear not by the earth, for it is the footstool of God's feet; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king (Matthew 5:35).

Jerusalem was called "the city of God" because "God" in the Word of the Old Testament means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (as may be seen above, n. 220, 222); and it was called "the city of the great king," because "king" also signifies, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth proceeding from Him (See above, n. 31). From this then it is that Jerusalem is called "the city of truth" (Zechariah 8:3).

[12] In Isaiah:

Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer and Former from the womb, I make void the signs of liars; turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish; saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the desolate places thereof (Isaiah 44:24-26).

This treats of the rejection of the church whose doctrine is from self-intelligence, and of the establishment of a new church, whose doctrine is from the Lord. Doctrine from self-intelligence is meant by "I make void the signs of liars, turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish," and doctrine that is from the Lord by "saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built."

[13] In Jeremiah:

Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste (Jeremiah 7:17, 34).

Here also "the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem" signify the truths of doctrine; "the voice of joy and the voice of gladness" is delight from the affection of good and truth; "the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride" are those affections themselves; and that these are to cease is meant by "the land shall become a waste;" the "land" is the church.

[14] In Isaiah:

I will commingle Egypt with Egypt that they may fight a man against his brother, and a man against his companion; city against city, kingdom against kingdom. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan and that swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of Egypt (Isaiah 19:2, 18-19).

"Egypt" means the natural man and its knowledge [ejus scientificum]; "that they may fight a man against his brother, and a man against his companion," means against good and truth; "city against city, and kingdom against kingdom," signifies doctrine against doctrine, and church against church; "in that day" signifies the Lord's coming, and the state then of those who are natural and in true knowledges [scientificis]; "five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan" signify the truths of doctrine in abundance, which are genuine truths of the church, "five" meaning many or in abundance; "cities" truths of doctrine; "the lip of Canaan" genuine truths of the church. "An altar to Jehovah" here signifies worship from the good of love.

[15] In the same:

The highways have been laid waste, he that passeth through the way hath ceased; he hath rejected the cities, he regardeth not man. The land mourneth, it languisheth; Lebanon hath faded away (Isaiah 33:8-9).

"The highways that have been laid waste, and the way that is not passed through," are truths leading to heaven, which are truths of the church; "to reject the cities" is to reject the truths of doctrine; "to regard not man" is to regard not truth and good. "The land that mourneth and languisheth" is the church in respect to good; "Lebanon that hath faded away" is the church in respect to truth.

[16] In the same:

Sing, O barren, that did not bear, for more are the sons of the desolate than the sons of the married one. Enlarge the place of thy tent; thy seed shall inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited (Isaiah 54:1-3).

"The barren that did not bear" signifies the nations that have not as yet truths from the Word; "the sons of the desolate" are the truths that these will receive; "the sons of the married one" are the truths that are with those who are in the church; "to enlarge the place of the tent" means that their worship is from good; "seed" is truth therefrom; "the nations which the seed will inherit" are goods; and "the cities which shall be inhabited" are the doctrines therefrom.

[17] In Jeremiah:

I will bring upon them every good; they shall buy fields with silver, and this by writing in a book, in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountain, and in the cities of the plain, and in the cities of the south (Jeremiah 32:42, 44; 33:13).

These things are said of those in the church who are in good and in truths therefrom; "to buy fields with silver" is to acquire for themselves the good of the church by means of truths; "to write in a book" is to implant in the life; "the cities of Judah" and "the cities of the mountain" are the truths of doctrine which those have who are of the Lord's celestial kingdom; "the cities of the plain, and the cities of the south," are the truths of doctrine which those have who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom.

[18] In Matthew:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel (Matthew 5:14-15).

These things were said to the disciples, by whom all truths and goods in the complex are signified; therefore it is said, "Ye are the light of the world;" for "light" signifies Divine truth and intelligence therefrom. Because that is what the words signify, "Ye are the light of the world," therefore it is said, "A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither can a lamp be lighted and be put under a bushel;" for "a city set on a mountain" signifies the truth of doctrine from the good of love; and "a lamp" signifies in general truth from good and intelligence therefrom.

[19] In the same:

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city and house divided against itself standeth not (Matthew 12:25).

"Kingdom," in the spiritual sense, signifies the church; "city" and "house" the truth and good of its doctrine, which do not stand but fall, if they do not unanimously agree.

[20] In the same:

Jesus sends forth the twelve disciples, saying to them, Go not off into the way of the nations, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans; go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6)

"The way of the nations" into which they were not to go off, signifies falsity from evil; "a city of the Samaritans" into which they were not to enter, signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord; "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" signify those who are in the good of charity and in faith therefrom, "Israel" meaning all such wherever they may be. "A city of the Samaritans" signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord, because the Samaritans did not receive Him (as may be seen in Luke 9:52-56).

[21] In the same:

Jesus said, When they persecute you in one city they should flee 4 into another (Matthew 10:23).

Here also by "city" is meant the doctrine of falsity from evil; that where this doctrine is the doctrine of truth will not be admitted, is meant by "when they persecute you in one city flee ye into another."

[22] In Luke:

Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servants, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and halt (Luke 14:21).

"Their going out into the streets and lanes of the city" signifies that they should enquire where those are who receive the truths of the doctrine; for "streets" and "lanes" are the truths of doctrine (as above); and "city" means doctrine. The "poor," "the maimed," "the halt," and "the blind," signify those who are not in truths and goods, and yet long for them. (Who are signified specifically by "the poor," who by "the maimed," "the halt," and "the blind," may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 107, from Arcana Coelestia.)

[23] In the same:

A certain nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, gave to his servants ten pounds for trading; when he returned, he commanded the servants to be called. The first came, saying, Thy pound hath gained ten pounds. He said to him, good servant, because thou hast been faithful over the least, thou shalt have authority over ten cities. Then the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made five pounds. He said to him, Be thou also over five cities (Luke 20:12-19 seq.).

These words signify, in the spiritual sense, much more than can be expressed in a few words; let it be noted merely that by "cities" here are not meant cities but the doctrinals of truth and good; and by "having authority over them" intelligence and wisdom are meant; by "ten" much, and by "five" some. (That "ten" in the Word signifies much, see Arcana Coelestia 1988, 3107, 4638, 9757; and that "five" signifies some, n. 4638, 9604.) From this it can now be seen that "the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God," signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. (This doctrine is also given in a separate small work, entitled The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine.)

Poznámky pod čarou:

1. The Latin has "broken"; the Greek "made."

2. The Latin has "broken"; the Greek "made," as found in Arcana Coelestia 5120.

3. The Hebrew has "way" for "life," as found in Arcana Coelestia 2708, 3708.

4. For "they should flee" the Greek has "flee ye."

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