2576. “看哪, 这要给你在与你一起的所有人面前作遮眼的” 表理性真理对属灵真理来说就象一个遮盖物或一件衣裳. 这从 “遮”, “眼” 和 “看” 的含义清楚可知: “遮” 的含义稍后会予以论述; “眼” 是指认知之物, 这从圣言中的众多经文看出来; “看” 是指理解 (2150, 2325节). 谁都能看出, 本节的每个细节都有若非通过某种内义就无法揭开的奥秘. 例如, 经上说他给了一千锭银子, 但这一千锭银子没有给她的丈夫, 却给了她的哥哥; 还有 “这要给你在与你一起的所有人, 并众人面前作遮眼的”; “她是清白的” 等细节. 事实上, 很多历史推理取自字义, 它们全都没有任何属灵之物, 更不用说神性之物了. 这就是圣言的性质.

至于理性真理对属灵真理来说就象一个遮盖物或一件衣裳, 情况是这样: 人的至内在之物属于他的灵魂, 而外在之物则属于他的身体. 前者就是良善与真理, 灵魂从中拥有生命, 否则灵魂便不是灵魂了. 而后者则从灵魂得其生命, 并且它们当中的每一个都象一个身体, 或也可说, 象一个遮盖物或衣裳. 这一点尤其从来世可见之物清楚看出来, 如从呈于眼见的天使就能看出来. 他们的内在从脸上闪耀出来, 而外在则表现在身体和衣着上, 并且表现得如此充分, 以致在那里谁都能仅仅通过他们的衣服就知道他们的品性. 因为每位天使都是真实的实质, 因而是有形的本质. 在圣言中, 被看到的天使也是如此, 经上描述了他们的相貌, 如在主的坟墓中所看到的那些天使 (马太福音 28:3; 马可福音 16:5); 宝座周围的二十四位长老 (启示录 4:4) 等等. 这不仅适用于天使, 还适用于圣言中提及所有其它事物, 甚至无生命之物. 它们的外在都是遮盖物或衣服. 如约柜和它周围的帐幕. 约柜因是至内在的, 故代表主自己, 因为它里面有十诫; 而约柜外面的帐幕则代表主的国度. 而那里的每一个 “遮盖物”, 也就是幔子和帘子则代表主国度, 即三层天中外在的属天和属灵之物. 这从以下事实明显看出来: 帐幕的样式是在西奈山上被指示给摩西 (出埃及记 25:9; 26:30). 帐幕的圣洁由此而来, 而非来自它里面的金, 银和雕刻物.

由于此处所论述的理性真理对属灵真理来说, 就象遮盖物或衣裳, 还由于摩西书描述了帐幕的遮盖物或帘子, 故为了说明, 我们解释一下幔子的具体含义. 至于帘子的含义, 蒙主怜悯, 我会在别处予以阐明. 帐幕有三种幔子: 第一种是用来隔开圣所与至圣所的; 第二种被称为帐幕门帘; 第三种被称为院门之帘.

关于第一种, 也就是幔子本身, 即约柜前的帘子, 我们在摩西书中读到:

你要用蓝色, 紫色, 朱红色线和捻的细麻织幔子, 以巧匠的手工绣上基路伯. 要把幔子挂在四根包金的皂荚木柱子上, 柱子上的钩要用金作, 柱子安在四个带卯的银座上. 要把法柜抬进幔子内, 这幔子要将圣所和至圣所隔开. (出埃及记 26:31-34; 36:35, 36)

这种幔子代表理性良善与真理的最接近和最内在的表象, 也就是第三层天的天使所在的表象. 这些表象被描述为蓝色, 紫色, 朱红色线和捻的细麻, 其红色代表爱之善, 白色则代表它的真理. 包柱子, 以及作钩子和带卯的座的金银也具有同样的代表性. 至于颜色具有代表性, 可参看1042, 1043, 1053, 1624节; “金” 表爱之善, 参看113, 1551, 1552节; “银” 表真理, 参看1551, 2048节.

由此可见帐幕的幔子裂为两半 (马太福音 27:51; 马可福音 15:38; 路加福音 23:45) 表示什么, 也就是说, 主通过驱散一切表象而进入神性本身; 并且祂同时打开了经由祂变成神性的人性而通往祂的神性本身之路.

至于第二种幔子, 或帷幕门帘, 我们在摩西书中读到:

你要拿蓝色, 紫色, 朱红色线和捻的细麻, 用绣花的手工织帐幕的门帘. 要用皂荚木为帘子作五根柱子, 用金子包裹, 柱子上的钩子要用金作, 又要为柱子用铜铸造五个带卯的座. (出埃及记 26:36, 37; 36 37, 38)

这种帘子代表比前者更为低级或外在的良善与真理的表象, 也就是说, 它们是理性的中间表象, 是第二层天的天使所在的表象. 对这些表象的描述几乎和第一种一样, 不同之处在于, 这种帘子有五根柱子和五个带卯的座; “五” 这个数字表示相对少许之物, 因这些表象不象至内层或第三层天的表象那样如此一致或属天. 数字 “五” 表少许, 参看649, 1686节. 由于这些表象关注属世之物, 故经上要求这些带卯的座要用铜来铸造, 因为铜代表和表示属世良善 (425, 1551节).

至于第三种幔子, 或院门之帘, 我们在摩西书中读到:

院子的门当有帘子, 长二十肘, 要拿蓝色, 紫色, 朱红色线和捻的细麻, 用绣花的手工织成, 柱子四根, 带卯的座四个. 院子四围一切的柱子都要用银杆连络, 柱子上的钩子要用银作, 带卯的座要用铜作. (出埃及记 27:16, 17; 38:18, 19)

这种帘子代表良善与真理的更为低级和外在的表象, 是理性的最低级表象, 也就是第一层天的天使所在的表象. 由于这些表象与内在事物相对应, 故对它们的描述也差不多一样. 不同之处在于, 这些柱子没有包金, 而是用银杆连络, 钩子是用银作的, 所有这些均表示直接来源于记忆知识的理性真理; 带卯的座是用铜作的, 而铜表示属世良善. 所有这一切表明, 在会幕中, 没有一物不代表主国度的属天和属灵之物; 即所有事物都是照着存在于三层天堂中的属天和属灵之物的各种样式来作的; 还表明, 幔子或帘子表示至内层周围或之外类似身体或衣裳的事物.

此外, “幔子”, “帘子”, “衣服” 或 “衣裳” 表相对低级的真理. 这一点从圣言中的许多经文明显看出来, 如以西结书:

你的篷帆是用埃及绣花细麻布做的, 你的凉棚是用以利沙岛的蓝色, 紫色布做的. (以西结书 27:7)

这论及 “推罗”, 它表示对属天和属灵之物的内在认知, 因而表示那些拥有这些认知的人 (1201节). “埃及绣花细麻布” 表属记忆知识之物 (“埃及” 表记忆知识,1164, 1165, 1186, 1462节). “作凉棚的以利沙岛的蓝色, 紫色布” 表与内在敬拜相对应的仪式 (1156节).

同一先知书:

靠海的君王必从宝座上下来, 除去外袍, 脱下花衣, 披上战兢为衣, 坐在地上. (以西结书 26:16)

这也论及 “推罗”. “外袍” 和 “花衣” 表源于记忆的认知, 因而表较为低级的真理.

又:

我也使你身穿绣花衣服, 脚穿海狗皮鞋, 并用细麻布裹着你, 用丝绸披在你身上. 又用妆饰打扮你, 将镯子戴在你手上, 将链子戴在你项上. 你用衣服为自己在高处结彩, 在其上行邪淫. 又用你的绣花衣服给他们遮身. (以西结书 16:10, 11, 16, 18)

这论及 “耶路撒冷”, 也就是属灵的教会, 描述了它早期的样子, 以及败坏之后的样子. 其相对低级的属灵之物和教义就是 “绣花衣, 细麻布和丝绸”.

以赛亚书:

主万军之耶和华从耶路撒冷和犹大, 除掉众人所倚靠的粮, 所仗赖的水. 到那时, 人在父家拉住弟兄说, 你有衣服, 可以作我们的官长. 到那日, 他必扬声说, 我不做绑扎创伤的; 因我家中没有粮食, 也没有衣服, 你们不可立我作百姓的官长. 主必使锡安的女子头长秃疮. 到那日, 主必除掉华美的脚钏, 发网, 月牙圈, 耳环, 手镯, 蒙脸的帕子, 华冠, 足练, 华带, 香盒, 符囊, 戒指, 鼻环, 吉服, 外套, 云肩, 荷包, 手镜, 细麻衣, 裹头巾, 蒙身的帕子. (以赛亚书 3:1, 6, 7, 17-24)

“耶路撒冷” 表属灵的教会, “犹大” 表属天的教会; “除掉众人所倚靠的粮, 所仗赖的水” 表良善与真理; 官长所拥有的 “衣服” 表构成教义的真理; 所列举的属锡安女子的各种衣服和装饰品表要从他们那里除掉的良善与真理的每一个属和种. 若非此处所提及的每一个事物都表示教会所特有的某种事物, 它们就不是圣言的一部分, 其中每个词里面都有神性之物. 经上所说拥有所有这些物品的 “锡安的女子” 表示那些构成教会的事物 (参看2362节).

同一先知书:

锡安啊, 醒来! 醒来! 披上你的能力. 圣城耶路撒冷啊, 穿上你华美的衣服! 因为从今以后, 未受割礼, 不洁净的, 再不得进入你内. (以赛亚书 51:1, 2)

“锡安” 表属天的教会; “耶路撒冷” 表属灵的教会; “华美的衣服” 表信的神圣事物. 同一先知书:

他们的网不能成为衣服; 所做的也不能遮盖自己. 他们的行为都是罪孽的作为. (以赛亚书 59:6)

“网” 表不能变成衣服的编造的真理; “衣服” 表教义和敬拜的外在真理; 因此经上说 “所做的也不能遮盖自己”.

同一先知书:

我因耶和华大大欢喜, 我的灵魂以我的神为快乐. 因祂给我穿上救恩的衣服, 给我披上公义的外袍. (以赛亚书 61:10)

“救恩的衣服” 表信之真理; “公义的外袍” 表从仁爱流出的良善. 启示录:

在撒狄, 你还有几名是未曾污秽自己衣服的; 他们要穿白衣与我同行, 因为他们是配得过的. 凡得胜的, 必这样穿白衣. (启示录 3:4, 5)

又:

那警醒, 看守衣服, 免得赤身而行的有福了! (启示录 16:15)

又:

我看见宝座上坐着二十四位长老, 身穿白衣. (启示录 4:4)

此处很明显, “衣” 并非指衣裳, 而是指属灵之物, 也就是真理的形式.

这一点同样可见于主论及世代的末了时所说的话中. 那时, 祂叫人们不要回来取衣裳 (马太福音 24:18; 马可福音 13:16), “衣裳” 就表示真理 (参看2454节); 还可见于祂对没穿礼服之人 (马太福音 22:11, 12) 和约翰的讲论中:

你们出去到底是要看什么? 要看穿细软衣服的人吗? 那穿细软衣服的人是在王宫里. (马太福音 11:8; 路加福音 7:25)

这表示他们并不关心教义和敬拜的外在事物, 而是关心内在事物, 因此祂补充说:

你们出去究竟是要看什么? 是先知吗? 是的, 我告诉你们, 他比先知大多了. (马太福音 11:9)

“先知” 在此表教义和敬拜的外在事物.

由于 “衣服” 表各种真理, 故以色列人离开埃及时被命令向她们的邻舍要金银和衣裳, 好给她们的儿女穿戴 (出埃及记 3:22; 12:35, 36).

他们还被命令不可用两样搀杂的料做衣服穿在身上 (利未记 19:19; 申命记 22:11); 并且被命令在衣服边上做繸子, 在繸子上钉一根蓝细带子, 当看见它时, 他们就想起诫命并遵行 (民数记 15:38-40). 过去, 他们还撕裂衣服 (参看约书亚记 7:6; 士师记 11:35; 撒母耳记上 4:12; 撒母耳记下 1:2, 11, 12; 3:31; 13:30, 31; 15:32; 列王纪上21: 27; 列王纪下 5:7, 8; 6:30; 22:11, 14, 19; 以赛亚书 36:22; 37:1). 这种行为表示对以同样方式被撕碎的教义与真理的热忱, 以及谦卑, 因为没有任何属于他们的东西, 这就是衣服的装饰品所表示的.

幔子, 帘子, 衣裳或衣服都表示这类事物, 这一点从当时还是以色列的雅各的预言也能明显看出来:

他把小驴拴在葡萄树上, 把驴驹拴在美好的葡萄树上. 他在葡萄酒中洗了衣服, 在血红葡萄汁中洗了袍褂. (创世记 49:11)

若不通过内义, 没人知道这些话表示什么, 也就是说, “葡萄树”, “美好的葡萄树”, “小驴”, “驴驹”, “葡萄酒”, “血红葡萄汁”, “衣服”, “袍褂” 分别表示什么. 不过, 显而易见, 它们论及主, 祂在此被称为 “细罗”. 所论述的主题是犹大, 他代表主的神性属天之物; 他在葡萄酒中所洗的衣服, 在血红葡萄汁中所洗的袍褂表示主的理性和属世之物, 祂要把它们变成神性.

同样在以赛亚书:

这从以东的波斯拉来, 穿红衣服, 装扮华美, 能力广大, 大步行走的是谁呢? 就是我, 是凭公义说话, 以大能施行拯救. 你的装扮为何有红色? 你的衣服为何像踹酒榨的呢? 我独自踹酒榨, 众民中无一人与我同在. 他们的胜利溅在我衣服上, 我把我所有的衣裳都染污了. (以赛亚书 63:1-3)

此处 “衣服” 和 “衣裳” 表主的人性, 祂凭自己的力量通过试探的争战和胜利使人性变成神性; 因此经上说 “我独自踹酒榨, 众民中无一人与我同在”. “以撒一闻以扫衣服上的香气, 就给他祝福” (创世记 27:27) 具有同样的意思.

主的神圣人性的圣洁本身也是衣裳, 当祂变像时, 这衣裳洁白放光, 如马太福音所描述的:

当耶稣变了形像时, 祂的脸面明亮如日头, 衣裳洁白如光. (马太福音 17:2)

路加福音:

耶稣正祷告的时候, 祂的面貌就改变了, 衣服洁白放光. (路加福音 9:29)

马可福音:

当耶稣变像时, 祂的衣服放光, 极其洁白, 象雪一样, 地上漂布的, 没有一个能漂得那样白. (马可福音 9:3)

亚伦进圣所所穿细麻布圣内袍也是同样的代表物 (利未记 16:2, 4), 他供祭司职分时为荣耀, 为华美的圣衣也一样 (出埃及记 28:2至末尾; 39:1至末尾). 这些衣服没有一个细节不具有代表性.

5313. 'Only in the throne will I be great, more than you' means that the natural will be seen as sovereign, because the celestial of the spiritual acts through the natural. This is clear from the meaning of 'being great, more than another' as being greater, in this case so far as what is seen or appears to be so; and from the meaning of 'the throne' at this point as the natural. The natural is meant by 'the throne' when the celestial of the spiritual is meant by the one who is seated on it; for the natural is like a throne for the spiritual or in this case the celestial of the spiritual. Generally what is lower is like a throne for what is higher; for the higher exists and acts within the lower, indeed acts through the lower. What is done by it seems to be the work of the lower because, as stated, it acts through the lower. This is the meaning of what Pharaoh said to Joseph - Only in the throne will I be great, more than you.

[2] 'Throne' is used frequently in the Word when reference is made to Divine Truth and judgement based on this. In these places 'throne' means in the internal sense that which is the essence of Divine kingship, and 'the one seated on it' is the Lord Himself acting as King or Judge. But the exact meaning of 'the throne', as with the meaning of quite a number of other things, is determined by the context. When the Lord's essential Divine Being and His Divine Human are meant by 'the one seated on the throne', Divine Truth going forth from Him is meant by 'the throne'. When however Divine Truth going forth from the Lord is meant by 'the one seated on the throne', the whole of heaven, which Divine Truth suffuses, is meant by 'the throne'. And when the Lord present with Divine Truth in the higher heavens is meant by 'the one seated on the throne', Divine Truth as this exists in the lowest heaven, and also as it exists in the Church, is meant by 'the throne'. Thus the context decides whatever specific meaning 'the throne' may have. The reason 'the throne' means that which belongs to Divine Truth is that in the Word 'king' means truth, and so too does 'kingdom'. For the meaning of 'king', see 1672, 1728, 2015, 2069, 3009, 3670, 4581, 4966, 5044, 5068; and for that of 'kingdom', 1672, 2547, 4691.

[3] The specific meaning that 'throne' has at any point in the Word is evident from the train of thought in which it occurs, as in Matthew,

I say to you, You shall not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is His footstool, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Matthew 5:34-35.

And elsewhere in the same gospel,

He who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by Him who sits on it. Matthew 23:22.

Here it is explicitly stated that heaven is 'God's throne'. 'The earth', which is called 'a footstool', means that which is beneath heaven, and so means the Church - the Church being meant by 'the earth', see 566, 662, 1066, 1067, 1262, 1413, 1607, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535. A similar usage is seen in Isaiah,

Thus said Jehovah, The heavens are My throne and the earth My footstool. Isaiah 66:1.

And in David,

Jehovah has established His throne in the heavens. Psalms 103:19.

In Matthew,

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31.

This refers to a last judgement, 'the one seated on the throne' being called 'the King', in verses 34, 40 In the internal sense here 'the throne of glory' is the Divine Truth that flows from Divine Good in heaven, 'the one seated on the throne' being the Lord, who - inasmuch as He is a judge by virtue of Divine Truth - is called 'the King'.

[4] In Luke,

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give Him the throne of David His father. Luke 1:32.

These words were spoken by the angel to Mary. It is clear to anyone that here 'the throne of David' is not the kingdom which David possessed; for it is not a kingdom on earth but one in heaven. Nor therefore is David meant by 'David' but the Lord's Divine kingship, while 'the throne' means Divine Truth that goes forth and constitutes His kingdom. In John,

I was in the spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven, and one seated upon the throne. And the one seated was in appearance like a jasper stone and a sardis. There was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting. From the throne were coming forth lightnings and thunders and voices, and likewise seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. In addition, before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. Then in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. Whenever the four living creatures gave glory and honour and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders would fall down before the one seated on the throne and would worship the one who lives for ever and ever, and would cast their crowns before the throne. Revelation 4:2-end.

[5] This description of the throne of the Lord's glory is used to depict Divine Truth which goes forth from Him. Representatives are used, but if someone has no knowledge of what is meant by these he will hardly be able to know anything at all about what the details of this prophecy hold within them and will suppose that all such details are devoid of any deeper Divine content. The person who knows no better cannot do other than conceive of the heavenly kingdom as one that is similar to a kingdom in the world. But in fact 'a throne set in heaven' means Divine Truth there, and so heaven as regards Divine Truth. 'One seated upon a throne' is used to mean the Lord; and the reason why in appearance He looked like 'a jasper stone and a sardis' is that those stones, like all precious stones in the Word, mean Divine Truth, 114, 3858, 3862, while stones in general mean the truths of faith, 643, 1298, 3720, 3769, 3771, 3773, 3789, 3798.

[6] 'A rainbow around the throne' means truths made translucent by good, for in the next life colours are products of the light of heaven, and the light of heaven is Divine Truth. Regarding rainbows in the next life. see 1042, 1043, 1053, 1623-1625; and regarding colours there, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4922, 4677, 4741, 4742. By 'the thrones of the twenty-four elders around the throne' are meant all aspects of truth in their entirety, like the things meant by 'twelve'; for 'twelve' means all aspects of truth in their entirety, see 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. 'The lightnings, thunders, and voices which were coming forth from the throne' means the feelings of terror which Divine Truth produces in those who are not governed by good. 'The seven lamps of fire burning' are affections for truth which is rooted in good, which likewise usher in harmful consequences for those who are not governed by good and which are therefore called 'the seven spirits of God', who, as is evident from what comes later on, ¹ did usher in harmful consequences.

[7] 'The sea of glass before the throne' is every truth within the natural, thus the cognitions and the factual knowledge present there; for these are meant by 'the sea', see 28, 2850.'The four living creatures which were in the midst of the throne and around the throne, and which were full of eyes in front and behind' are ideas in the understanding which are received from the Divine in heaven. 'Four' means the joining of those ideas to desires present in the will; for truths belong to the understanding part and forms of good to the will part of the human mind. This explains why it is said that 'they were full of eyes in front and behind', for 'the eyes' means ideas in the understanding and therefore in a higher sense matters of belief, 2701, 3820, 4403-4421, 4523-4534. 'Four' means a joining together, as likewise does 'two', 1686, 3519, 5194. The holiness of Divine Truth going forth from the Lord is described in what follows at this point [in the Book of Revelation].

[8] Because 'the twenty-four thrones' and 'the twenty-four elders' mean all aspects of truth, or all aspects of faith, in their entirety, and 'twelve' has a similar meaning, as has just been stated, one may consequently see what 'the twelve thrones on which the twelve apostles were seated' is used to mean in the internal sense, namely all aspects of truth, the grounds upon which, and the standard by which judgement takes place. Their thrones are referred to in Matthew as follows,

Jesus said to the disciples, Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in this generation, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28.

And in Luke,

I bestow on you, just as My Father bestowed on Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:29-30.

'The twelve apostles' means all aspects of truth, see 2129, 2553, 3354, 3488, 3858, as do 'the twelve sons of Jacob' and therefore 'the twelve tribes of Israel', 3858, 3921, 3926, 3939, 4060, 4603. The apostles have no power to judge anyone at all, 2129, 2557.

[9] Similarly in John,

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given to them. Revelation 20:4.

Here also 'thrones' means all aspects of truth, which are the grounds upon which, and the standard by which judgement takes place. Much the same is also meant by 'the angels' with whom the Lord will come to the judgement, in Matthew 25:31. When 'angels' are mentioned in the Word some attribute of the Lord is meant, see 1705, 1925, 2320, 2821, 3039, 4085, in this case truths received from the Divine, which truths are called 'judgements' in the Word, 2235.

[10] There are very many more places in which Jehovah or the Lord has a throne attributed to Him because thrones embody within themselves that which is representative of the kingdom. When in a higher heaven they are talking about Divine Truth and judgement, a throne is seen in the lowest heaven. This is the reason why a throne is, as has been stated, representative and therefore why a throne is mentioned so many times in the prophetical part of the Word. It is also the reason why in most ancient times a throne became the sign to distinguish the king and why as such a sign it now denotes the office of a monarch. Further examples of the attribution of a throne to the Lord occur in the following places: In Moses,

Moses built an altar, and called its name Jehovah Nissi. Moreover he said, Because the hand is upon the throne of Jah, Jehovah will have war against Amalek from generation to generation. Exodus 17:15-16.

No one can know what is meant by 'the hand upon the throne of Jah' or by 'Jehovah having war against Amalek from generation to generation except from the internal sense, and so unless he knows what is meant by 'the throne' and by 'Amalek'. In the Word 'Amalek' means falsities which assail truths, 1679, and 'the throne' the Divine Truth that is assailed.

[11] In David,

O Jehovah, You have maintained my judgement and my cause; You sat upon the throne, a Judge of righteousness. Jehovah will remain there for ever; He has prepared His throne for judgement. Psalms 9:4, 7.

In the same author,

Your throne, O God, will be for ever and ever (in saeculum et aeternum); a sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of Your kingdom. Psalms 45:6.

In the same author,

Cloud and thick darkness are round Him, righteousness and judgement are the foundation of His throne. Psalms 97:2.

In Jeremiah,

At that time they will call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah, and all the nations will be gathered to it. Jeremiah 3:17.

[12] 'Jerusalem" stands for the Lord's spiritual kingdom. This kingdom is again meant by the new Jerusalem in Ezekiel, and also by 'the holy Jerusalem coming down from heaven' in the Book of Revelation. The Lord's spiritual kingdom exists where that which is pre-eminent is Divine Truth holding Divine Good within it, whereas the Lord's celestial kingdom exists where that which is pre-eminent is Divine Good from which Divine Truth flows. From this one may see why Jerusalem is called 'the throne of Jehovah'. And in David,

In Jerusalem they sit - the thrones for judgement. Psalms 122:5.

But Zion is called 'the throne of Jehovah's glory' in Jeremiah,

Have you utterly rejected Judah, has your soul loathed Zion? Do not spurn [us], for Your name's sake; do not dishonour the throne of your glory. Jeremiah 14:19, 21.

'Zion' is used to mean the Lord's celestial kingdom.

[13] The way in which the Lord when executing judgement is represented in heaven, where visual scenes like those described in various places in the Prophets come before people's eyes, may be seen in Daniel,

I saw, until thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was a flame of fire, its wheels burning fire. A river of fire issued and came forth before Him, a thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The judgement sat down, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10.

Sights like this occur constantly in heaven; all are representatives. They have their origin in what angels are discussing in the higher heavens, which discussion comes down from there and manifests itself in visual scenes. The angelic spirits to whom the Lord imparts perception know what is meant by such scenes. They know what is meant by 'the Ancient of Days', 'clothing white as snow', 'hair of the head like pure wool', 'a throne like a flame of fire', 'wheels that are a burning fire', and 'a river of fire going forth from Him'. 'A flame of fire' and 'a river of fire' in this case represent the Good of Divine Love, 974, 4906, 5071, 5215.

[14] It is similar with what is said in Ezekiel,

Above the expanse that was above the heads of the cherubim, in appearance like a sapphire stone, there was the likeness of a throne, and above the likeness of a throne there was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it. Ezekiel 1:26; 10:1.

Likewise with what is said in the first Book of Kings,

I saw - the prophet Micah said - Jehovah sitting on His throne, and the entire host of heaven standing beside Him, on His right hand and on His left. 1 Kings 22:19.

Anyone who does not know what these particular descriptions represent, or what their consequent spiritual meanings are, cannot help supposing that the Lord has a throne in the way kings on earth do, and that things actually do exist as they are described by the prophets. But no such phenomena occur in the [higher] heavens; rather they are sights presented to those in the lowest heaven, within which - as within images - they see Divine arcana.

[15] The Lord's kingship, by which one means the Divine Truth that goes forth from Him, was also represented by the throne that Solomon built, described in the first Book of Kings as follows,

Solomon made a large throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. There were six steps to the throne, and a rounded top to the throne at the back of it; there were armrests ² on either side at the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests, ² and twelve lions standing there, above the six steps on either side. 1 Kings 10:18-20.

It was a throne of glory that was represented by all this. 'Lions' are Divine Truths engaged in conflict and overcoming, 'twelve lions' being all those Truths in their entirety.

[16] Since almost everything in the Word has a contrary meaning, 'a throne' has such too. Its contrary meaning is a kingdom of falsity, as in John,

To the angel of the Church which is in Pergamum, I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Revelation 1:12-13.

In the same book,

The dragon gave the beast coming up out of the sea his power, and his throne, and great authority. Revelation 13:2.

In the same book,

The fifth angel poured out his bowl onto the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened. Revelation 16:10.

In Isaiah,

You said in your heart, I will go up into the heavens, above the stars of God I will raise my throne. Isaiah 14:13.

This refers to Babel.

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