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.
Notes de bas de page:
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
Mark 10
1
He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them.
2
Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"
3
He answered, "What did Moses command you?"
4
They said, "Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her."
5
But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.
6
But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.
7
For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,
8
and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9
What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
10
In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.
11
He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.
12
If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery."
13
They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.
14
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15
Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."
16
He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
17
As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
18
Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one--God.
19
You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not give false testimony,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and mother.'"
20
He said to him, "Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth."
21
Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."
22
But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
23
Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!"
24
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, "Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!
25
It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
26
They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, "Then who can be saved?"
27
Jesus, looking at them, said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God."
28
Peter began to tell him, "Behold, we have left all, and have followed you."
29
Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,
30
but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.
31
But many who are first will be last; and the last first."
32
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
33
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.
34
They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."
35
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask."
36
He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"
37
They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory."
38
But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"
39
They said to him, "We are able." Jesus said to them, "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;
40
but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared."
41
When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John.
42
Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43
But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
44
Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.
45
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
46
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
47
When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"
48
Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!"
49
Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him." They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!"
50
He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
51
Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rabboni, that I may see again."
52
Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
