Explaining the Inner Meaning of John 3

Verses 3:1, 2. That some in the perverted church, in consequence of the miracles which the Lord worked, seek conjunction with him, and acknowledge his doctrine to be divine.

Verse 3:3. To whom it is taught, that man cannot attain any perception of heavenly good and truth, except by regeneration.

Verses 3:4, 5. This however is understood by those of the perverted church, according to a natural idea, and not according to a spiritual idea, and therefore they are further instructed, that regeneration is effected by a reception of the truths of faith in man's understanding, and by a love and life in conformity with those truths.

Verses 3:6, 7. Because man is at first born merely natural, but has the capacity of afterwards becoming spiritual, by a life according to truths derived from the Word, and therefore he ought not to regard regeneration as a strange, or irrational operation.

Verse 3:8. Yet that scarcely any of the innumerable arcana of regeneration come to the knowledge and perception of man.

Verses 3:9, 10. This cannot be comprehended by those of the perverted church, who are in the knowledges of external truth, when yet those knowledges ought to have conducted them to the apprehension of internal truth.

Verses 3:11, 12. For the literal or external sense of the Word proceeds from, and is filled with, the interior things of the divine truth and wisdom, which things are rejected by those who remain in the love of mere natural things, and who, on that account, cannot comprehend celestial and spiritual things.

Verse 3:13. For celestial and spiritual things can only be comprehended by those who receive into their minds and lives the divine truth, inasmuch as the divine truth alone comes down from heaven, and therefore is alone capable of elevating any into the things of heaven.

Verses 3:14, 15. That this divine truth therefore assumed a sensual corporeal principle here on earth, to the intent that sensual corporeal men might have a divine object of faith presented to them, and being thus elevated to conjunction with that object, might be preserved from the defilement and death of merely sensual and corporeal life.

Verse 3:16. That this was effected from the divine love, to the intent that mankind might no longer continue immersed in mere natural love, but might be raised into the sphere of celestial and spiritual love.

Verses 3:17, 18. Wherefore God assumed the Human [nature] to the intent that mankind might conjoin goodness and truth in their minds and lives, since a right faith in the Divine Humanity of the Lord leads to such conjunction, whereas a want of that faith leads to separation.

Verses 3:19, 20. For the Divine Humanity of the Lord is divine truth, and if divine truth be rejected in consequence of evil love, then nothing appertains to man but the false principle of evil.

Verse 3:21. On the other hand, if divine truth be loved and obeyed, man is conducted to the Lord's Divine Humanity, because he is willing to acknowledge that all the good which he wills and does is from that divine source.

Verses 3:22, 23, 24. That when the Lord had finished these sayings, he instructs the perverted church in the truths of purification, which truths also were taught in abundance by those who were principled in charity and faith, whilst they were in a state of freedom.

Verses 3:25, 26, 27. Nevertheless these truths are received with doubt by those of the perverted church, and therefore it is taught that all purifying truth is from the Divine Truth, and thus that all wisdom, intelligence, reason, and science, are not of man, but of the Lord in his Divine Humanity.

Verses 3:28, 29. And that the design of all representative truth is only to prepare mankind for the reception of the Divine Truth, that thus good and truth may be conjoined in the church, and the church may rejoice in being instructed concerning the precepts of faith, and in receiving them in faith and obedience.

Verses 3:30, 31. Thus the Divine Truth becomes all in all in the church, as being inmost truth, and all other good and truth only administer externally.

Verses 3:32, 33. For the Divine Truth testifies concerning the Lord, both as to his divine wisdom and divine love, and notwithstanding its being rejected by the generality of mankind, brings conviction along with it to those who receive it.

Verses 3:34, 35. Which truth is from the Lord's Divine Humanity, whose intelligence and wisdom are infinite, being in eternal union with the divine good, and thus possessing the all of that good.

Verse 3:36. Whosoever therefore receives truth from that Divine Humanity with a right faith, is made partaker also of the divine good, but whoever rejects it, can have no apprehension of that good, but remains in his own natural evils.

25. 23. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, in thy glory and thine honor. In thine honor mount, ride upon the word of truth and of meekness and justice; thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things. Thy weapons are sharp; the people shall fall under thee, enemies of the King from their heart. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the scepter of thine equity is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved justice, and held wickedness in hatred: therefore, O God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, all thy garments smell of myrrh and cassia. Kings' daughters were among thy precious ones; upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Then shall the king delight in thy beauty: for he is thy Lord. Therefore shall the people confess thee for ever and to eternity (Psalms 45:3 to end), where there are many additional statements.

(He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. All kings shall bow down before Him, all nations shall serve Him, His Name shall be forever, before the sun He shall have the name of Son; and all nations shall be blessed in Him, they shall call Him happy (Psalms 72:8, 11, 17). Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, who doeth wonderful things, and blessed be His glorious name to eternity; and the whole earth shall be filled with His glory; Amen and Amen (verses 18-19).)

(I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant, thy seed will I establish to eternity and build up thy throne to generation and generation (Psalms 89:4-6).)

(Thou hast spoken in vision of thy holy one, and hast said, I have laid help upon the powerful one, I have exalted the chosen one, with whom my hand shall be established. I will set his hand in the sea, his right hand in the rivers. He shall call unto Me, Thou art my father. Also I will make him the first-born, his seed will I set for ever, and his throne as the days of the heavens. And his throne as the sun before Me, as the moon established to eternity, a faithful witness in the clouds (Psalms 89:19-38).) These things are said of David, by whom the Lord is meant, for these things cannot refer to David, and of him it is said, In vision of thy holy one.)

(Sing unto Jehovah a new song; His right hand and the arm of His holiness hath made Him safe. Jehovah hath made known His salvation, His justice hath He revealed before the eyes of the nations. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a noise to Jehovah, all the earth; sound forth, shout and sing. For He cometh to judge the earth. He will judge the world in justice and the peoples with equity (Psalms 98:1-9).)

(Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. Jehovah shall send the scepter of Thy strength out of Zion. Thou art a priest to eternity after the manner of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:1-2, 4).)

(David swore unto Jehovah, he vowed unto the mighty one of Jacob, I will not come into the tent of my house or go up upon my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, until I find a I place for Jehovah, a habitation for the mighty one of Jacob. Lo, we heard of Him at Ephrathah. We will go into His habitation, we will bow down at His footstool. Arise, Jehovah, to Thy rest, Thou and the ark of Thy strength (Psalms 132:1-9).)

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand (John 3:35).

I and the Father are one (John 10:30).

He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, I am in the Father, and the Father in Me (John 14:6-17).