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.
脚注:
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
Luke第1章
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Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
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even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
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it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
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that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
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There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
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They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
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But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
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Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,
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according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
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The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
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An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
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Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
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But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
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You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.
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For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
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He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
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He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord."
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Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
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The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.
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Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
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The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
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When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
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It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
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After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
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"Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."
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Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
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to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
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Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"
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But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
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The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
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Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'
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He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
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and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
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Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
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The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
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Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
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For everything spoken by God is possible."
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Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.
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Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
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and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
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It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
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Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
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For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
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Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
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Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
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My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
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for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
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For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
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His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
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He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
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He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.
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He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
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He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
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As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever."
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Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
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Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.
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Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.
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It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.
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His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."
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They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
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They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
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He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.
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His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
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Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
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All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.
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His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
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"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people;
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and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
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(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
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salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
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to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
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the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,
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to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
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In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
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And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
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to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
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because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
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to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."
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The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
