1. 前言:新天國與新教會的信仰

首先, 將本書中所講述的真實的基督徒信仰, 也就是新天國和新教會的信仰, 分別以總體和具體的形式概要地說明。作為接下來全書的引言, 或作為進入聖殿的大門, 又或作為詳細內容的概要。此信仰被稱為新天國和新教會的信仰, 因為天人(angel)組成的天國和世人組成的教會, 如同一個人的靈魂與肉體, 內外一致,行動如一。因此, 若教會之人活在良善與真理之中, 對於思想內在而言, 他就是天國的一名天人。在肉身死後, 他便進入天國, 照著良善與真理在他裡面聯合的狀態在那裡安享極樂。當知道, 在主現在正建立的新天國中, 這樣的信仰是新天國的引言,入門和概要。

113. That this is the origin of true conjugial love can also be established from the fact that no one can be in it unless he is in good by means of truth, and in truth from good proceeding from the Lord; also from the fact that there is blessedness and heavenly happiness in that love, and all who are in it come into heaven or the heavenly marriage; also from the fact that when there is talk among the angels of the union of good and truth, then in the lower region among good spirits a representation of marriage is produced, but among wicked spirits a representation of adultery. This is why the adulteration of good and the falsification of truth are called adultery and whoring.