圣经文本

 

2 Mose第29章

学习

   

1 Das ist's auch, das du ihnen tun sollst, daß sie mir zu Priestern geweihet werden: Nimm einen jungen Farren und zween Widder ohne Wandel,

2 ungesäuert Brot und ungesäuerte Kuchen, mit Öl gemenget, und ungesäuerte Fladen, mit Öl gesalbet. Von Weizenmehl sollst du solches alles machen;

3 und sollst es in einen Korb legen und in dem Korbe herzubringen samt dem Farren und den zween Widdern.

4 Und sollst Aaron und seine Söhne vor die Tür der Hütte des Stifts führen und mit Wasser waschen;

5 und die Kleider nehmen und Aaron anziehen den engen Rock und den Seidenrock und den Leibrock und das Schildlein zu dem Leibrock; und sollst ihn gürten außen auf den Leibrock

6 und den Hut auf sein Haupt setzen und die heilige Krone an den Hut.

7 Und sollst nehmen das Salböl und auf sein Haupt schütten und ihn salben.

8 Und seine Söhne sollst du auch herzu führen und den engen Rock ihnen anziehen;

9 und beide Aaron und auch sie mit Gürteln gürten und ihnen die Hauben aufbinden, daß sie das Priestertum haben zu ewiger Weise. Und sollst Aaron und seinen Söhnen die Hände füllen

10 und den Farren herzuführen vor die Hütte des Stifts; und Aaron samt seinen Söhnen sollen ihre Hände auf des Farren Haupt legen.

11 Und sollst den Farren schlachten vor dem HERRN, vor der Tür der Hütte des Stifts.

12 Und sollst seines Bluts nehmen und auf des Altars Hörner tun mit deinem Finger und alles andere Blut an des Altars Boden schütten.

13 Und sollst alles Fett nehmen am Eingeweide und das Netz über der Leber und die zwo Nieren mit dem Fett, das drüber liegt, und sollst es auf dem Altar anzünden.

14 Aber des Farren Fleisch, Fell und Mist sollst du außen vor dem Lager mit Feuer verbrennen, denn es ist ein Sündopfer.

15 Aber den einen Widder sollst du nehmen, und Aaron samt seinen Söhnen sollen ihre Hände auf sein Haupt legen.

16 Dann sollst du ihn schlachten und seines Bluts nehmen und auf den Altar sprengen ringsherum.

17 Aber den Widder sollst du zerlegen in Stücke und sein Eingeweide waschen und Schenkel; und sollst es auf seine Stücke und Haupt legen

18 und den ganzen Widder anzünden auf dem Altar; denn es ist dem HERRN ein Brandopfer, ein süßer Geruch, ein Feuer des HERRN.

19 Den andern Widder aber sollst du nehmen und Aaron samt seinen Söhnen sollen ihre Hände auf sein Haupt legen.

20 Und sollst ihn schlachten und seines Bluts nehmen und Aaron und seinen Söhnen auf den rechten Ohrknorpel tun und auf den Daumen ihrer rechten Hand und auf den großen Zehen ihres rechten Fußes; und sollst das Blut auf den Altar sprengen ringsherum.

21 Und sollst das Blut auf dem Altar nehmen und Salböl und Aaron und seine Kleider, seine Söhne und ihre Kleider besprengen, so wird er und seine Kleider, seine Söhne und ihre Kleider geweihet.

22 Danach sollst du nehmen das Fett von dem Widder, den Schwanz und das Fett am Eingeweide, das Netz über der Leber und die zwo Nieren mit dem Fett drüber und die rechte Schulter (denn es ist ein Widder der Fülle)

23 und ein Brot und einen Ölkuchen und einen Fladen aus dem Korbe des ungesäuerten Brots, der vor dem HERRN stehet.

24 Und lege es alles auf die Hände Aarons und seiner Söhne und webe es dem HERRN.

25 Danach nimm's von ihren Händen und zünde es an auf dem Altar zum Brandopfer, zum süßen Geruch vor dem HERRN; denn das ist ein Feuer des HERRN.

26 Und sollst die Brust nehmen vom Widder der Fülle Aarons und sollst es vor dem HERRN weben. Das soll dein Teil sein.

27 Und sollst also heiligen die Webebrust und die Hebeschulter, die gewebet und gehebet sind von dem Widder der Fülle Aarons und seiner Söhne.

28 Und soll Aarons und seiner Söhne sein ewiger Weise von den Kindern Israel; denn es ist ein Hebopfer. Und die Hebopfer sollen des HERRN sein von den Kindern Israel an ihren Dankopfern und Hebopfern.

29 Aber die heiligen Kleider Aarons sollen seine Söhne haben nach ihm, daß sie darinnen gesalbet und ihre Hände gefüllet werden.

30 Welcher unter seinen Söhnen an seiner Statt Priester wird, der soll sie sieben Tage anziehen, daß er gehe in die Hütte des Stifts, zu dienen im Heiligen.

31 Du sollst aber nehmen den Widder der Füllung und sein Fleisch an einem heiligen Ort kochen.

32 Und Aaron mit seinen Söhnen soll desselben Widders Fleisch essen samt dem Brot im Korbe vor der Tür der Hütte des Stifts.

33 Denn es ist Versöhnung damit geschehen, zu füllen ihre Hände, daß sie geweihet werden. Kein anderer soll es essen, denn es ist heilig.

34 Wo aber etwas überbleibet von dem Fleisch der Füllung und von dem Brot bis an den Morgen, das sollst du mit Feuer verbrennen und nicht essen lassen; denn es ist heilig.

35 Und sollst also mit Aaron und seinen Söhnen tun alles, was ich dir geboten habe. Sieben Tage sollst du ihre Hände füllen

36 und täglich einen Farren zum Sündopfer schlachten zur Versöhnung. Und sollst den Altar entsündigen, wenn du ihn versöhnest, und sollst ihn salben, daß er geweihet werde.

37 Sieben Tage sollst du den Altar versöhnen und ihn weihen, daß er sei ein Altar, das Allerheiligste. Wer den Altar anrühren will, der soll geweihet sein.

38 Und das sollst du mit dem Altar tun. Zwei jährige Lämmer sollst du allewege des Tages drauf opfern,

39 ein Lamm des Morgens, das andere zwischen Abends.

40 Und zu einem Lamm ein Zehnten Semmelmehls, gemenget mit einem Vierteil von einem Hin gestoßenen Öls und einem Vierteil vom Hin Weins zum Trankopfer.

41 Mit dem andern Lamm zwischen Abends sollst du tun wie mit dem Speisopfer und Trankopfer des Morgens, zu süßem Geruch, ein Feuer dem HERRN.

42 Das ist das tägliche Brandopfer bei euren Nachkommen vor der Tür der Hütte des Stifts, vor dem HERRN, da ich euch zeugen und mit dir reden will.

43 Daselbst will ich den Kindern Israel erkannt und geheiliget werden in meiner HERRLIchkeit.

44 Und will die Hütte des Stifts mit dem Altar heiligen und Aaron und seine Söhne mir zu Priestern weihen.

45 Und will unter den Kindern Israel wohnen und ihr Gott sein,

46 daß sie wissen sollen, ich sei der HERR, ihr Gott, der sie aus Ägyptenland führete, daß ich unter ihnen wohne, ich, der HERR, ihr Gott.

   

来自斯威登堡的著作

 

Apocalypse Explained#204

学习本章节

  
/1232  
  

204. These things saith he that is holy, he that is true. That this signifies from whom is that faith is evident from the signification of holy and true, when said of the Lord, as denoting that charity and faith are from Him, the term holy being used in reference to charity, and the term true, to faith. That the Lord is called holy because charity is from Him, and hence, that holiness in the Word is said of charity and of faith therefrom, will be seen presently. But that the Lord is called true because faith is from Him, and that hence truth in the Word is spoken of faith, is because all truth has reference to faith: for that is said to be true which is believed; other things have not reference to faith, because they are not believed. But as the subject now treated of is the faith of charity, something shall first be said concerning faith and its quality.

[2] There is spiritual faith, and there is merely natural faith. Spiritual faith is wholly from charity, and in its essence is charity. Charity, or love towards the neighbour, is to love what is true, sincere and just, and, from the will, to act accordingly. For the neighbour, in the spiritual sense, is not any particular man, but is that which is in man; if this is what is true, sincere and just, and a man be loved from these, then the neighbour is loved. That this is meant by charity in the spiritual sense, any one may know if he will but reflect; for every one loves another, not for the sake of his person, but for the sake of that which is in him; this is the source of all friendship, favour and honour.

From this it follows, that to love men for the sake of what is true, sincere and just in them, is spiritual love; for truth, sincerity and justice are spiritual things, because they are out of heaven from the Lord. No one thinks, wills and does anything good, which is good in itself, but everything is from the Lord; and truth, sincerity and justice are the goods which are essentially good when from the Lord. These things, now, are the neighbour in the spiritual sense; it is therefore clear what is meant in that sense by love towards the neighbour, or charity. This is the source of spiritual faith; for whatever is loved is said to be true when it is thought of. That this is the case every one may know if he but reflects; for every one confirms what he loves by many things in his thought, and all these he calls truths; no one has any truth but from this source: it therefore follows that, according to the quality of a man's love, such are his truths; consequently, if that love is spiritual, so also will be the truths, because they act in unity with the love. All truths in the aggregate, because they are believed, are called faith; hence it is clear, that spiritual faith in its essence is charity.

[3] So far concerning spiritual faith; but faith merely natural is not the faith of the church, although it is called faith; but is mere knowledge (scientia). The reason of this is, that it proceeds not from love towards the neighbour, or charity, which is the very spiritual itself whence faith is derived, but from some natural love which has reference either to the love of self or of the world; and whatever proceeds from these loves is natural. Love forms man's spirit, for a man as to his spirit is entirely his love, as it were: hence he thinks, wills and acts; therefore no other truth constitutes his faith but that which comes from his love; and truth which belongs to the love of self or of the world is merely natural, because it comes from man and from the world, and not from the Lord and out of heaven; for he loves truth, not for its own sake, but for the sake of honour, gain and reputation, to which it is subservient; and because his truth is of such a quality, such also is his faith. This is why such faith is not the faith of the truth of the church, or faith in a spiritual sense, but in a natural sense, which is knowledge (scientia): therefore also, because nothing thereof is in man's spirit, but only in his memory, together with other worldly things, it is dissipated after death. For that alone remains with a man after death that belongs to his love; for, as has been said, love forms man's spirit, and man as to his spirit is entirely such as his love is. Other things concerning charity and faith therefrom, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where charity and faith are treated of (n. 84-106, and n. 108-122); also in the small work, The Last Judgment 33-39), where it is shown that there is no faith where there is no charity.

[4] That the term holy in the Word is used in reference to Divine truth, and hence to charity and its faith, is evident from the passages where it is used. There are two things that proceed from the Lord and are received by the angels - Divine good and Divine truth; these proceed unitedly from the Lord, but are received by the angels variously; some receive Divine good more than Divine truth, and some receive Divine truth more than Divine good. The former constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and are called celestial angels, and, in the Word, they are called the just; but the latter constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and are called spiritual angels, and in the Word holy (concerning those two kingdoms and the angels thereof, see the work, Heaven and Hell 20-28). This is why by just and justice in the Word is meant Divine good and what thence proceeds, and by holy and holiness is meant Divine truth and what thence proceeds.

From these considerations it will be seen what is meant in the Word by being justified, and what by being sanctified, as in the Apocalypse:

"He that is just let him be just still, and he that is holy let him be holy still" (22:11).

And in Luke:

"To serve him in holiness and justice" (1:74).

[5] Because Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is meant by holy, therefore in the Word the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel, the Holy One of Jacob; and therefore, also, angels are called holy, and also prophets and apostles; hence also Jerusalem is called holy. That the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel and the Holy One of Jacob, may be seen in Isaiah 29:23; 31:1; 40:25; 41:14, 16; 43:3; 49:7; Dan. 4:13; 9:24; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34. He is also called King of saints in the Apocalypse:

"Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints" (15:3).

The reason why the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel and the Holy One of Jacob, is, because He alone and none else is holy, which is also declared in the Apocalypse:

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy" (15:4).

[6] The reason why angels, prophets and apostles are called holy is, that by them, in the spiritual sense, is meant Divine truth; and the reason why Jerusalem is called the holy city is, that by that city, in the spiritual sense, is meant the church as to the doctrine of truth. That angels are in the Word called holy, may be seen in Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26. That prophets are called holy, may be seen, Mark 6:20; Luke 1:70; Apoc. 18:20. That the apostles are called holy, may be seen, Apoc. 18:20. And that Jerusalem is called the holy city, may be seen, Isaiah 48:2; 66:20, 22; Dan. 9:24; Matthew 27:53; Apoc. 21:2, 10. (That by angels in the Word is meant Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, may be seen above, 130, 200; that the same is signified by prophets, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia 2534, 7269; as also by the apostles, see above, n. 100; that by Jerusalem in the Word is meant the church as to the doctrine of truth, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 6.)

From these considerations it is evident why the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is called the Spirit of truth, and the Holy Spirit, as may be seen above (n. 183), also why heaven is called the habitation of holiness (Isaiah 63:15; Deuteronomy 26:15), and why the church is called the sanctuary (Jeremiah 17:12; Lamentations 2:7; Psalms 68:35).

[7] That holiness is said of Divine truth, is clear in the following passages. In John:

Jesus, when praying, said, "Father, sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified in the truth (17:17, 19).

Here to be sanctified is clearly said of Divine truth, and sanctified of those who receive Divine truth from the Lord. In Moses:

"Jehovah came from Sinai, out of the myriads of holiness; from his right hand they had the fire of the law; even he who loveth the people, in thy hand are all his saints, and they are prostrated at thy foot; he shall receive of thy words" (Deuteronomy 33:2, 3).

Sinai signifies heaven, where the Lord is, from whom proceeds Divine truth, or from whom comes the law, both in a limited and a general sense; myriads of holiness signify Divine truths; the law signifies, in a limited sense, the ten precepts of the Decalogue, and in a general sense, the whole Word, which is Divine truth. Those are called peoples in the Word who are in truths, and those of the people who are in truths are called holy. By they are prostrated at thy foot, he shall receive of thy words, is meant holy reception of Divine truth in ultimates, which is the Word in the sense of the letter, and instruction therefrom.

From these considerations it can be known what the particulars in that prophecy signify in the spiritual sense. (That Sinai in the Word signifies heaven, where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, or from whom is the law, both in a limited and a general sense, Arcana Coelestia 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420. That the law signifies, in a limited sense, the ten precepts of the Decalogue, and, in a general sense, the whole Word, n. 2606, 3382, 6752, 7463. That those who are in truths are called peoples, and nations those who are in goods, n. 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581, 6451, 6465, 7207, 10288. That foot, a place for the feet, and footstool, when said of the Lord, signify Divine truth in ultimates, thus the Word in the letter, n. 9406.) Hence it is clear that by myriads of holiness are meant Divine truths, and that those who are in Divine truths are called holy.

[8] Again, in Moses:

"Speak unto the whole assembly of the sons of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy, for I Jehovah of Israel am holy" (Leviticus 19:2).

The subject treated of in that chapter is the statutes, judgments and precepts that were to be observed; and because Divine truths are thereby signified, it is therefore commanded that they should be holy. By Israel is also signified the spiritual church, or the church which is in Divine truths, and therefore it is said, I Jehovah of Israel am holy.

In Moses:

"Ye shall sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy. And ye shall keep my statutes that ye may do them" (Leviticus 20:7, 8).

The subject here treated of is also the statutes, judgments and precepts which were to be observed. Again:

"If they keep my statutes and judgments, they shall be a people holy to Jehovah" (Deuteronomy 26:17, 19).

In David:

"We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, with the holiness of thy temple" (Psalms 65:4).

Here they are said to be satisfied with the goodness of the house of Jehovah, and with the holiness of His temple, because the house of God, in the highest sense, signifies the Lord as to Divine good, and temple as to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia 3720). In Zechariah:

"In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses holiness unto Jehovah" (14:20).

The establishment of a new church is there treated of, and by the bells of the horses are signified scientific truths (scientifica vera) from the Intellectual. (That bells signify scientific truths may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 9921, 9926; and that a horse signifies the Intellectual, may be seen in the small work. The White Horse 1-4.)

[9] From these considerations it is evident what was represented and signified by it being commanded,

That upon the mitre, which was upon the head of Aaron, should be placed a plate of pure gold, upon which was engraved "holiness to Jehovah" (Exodus 28:36-38; 39:30, 31);

for the mitre signified wisdom, which pertains to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia 9827, 9949). It may also be known what is signified and represented

By Aaron and his sons, their garments, the altar, the tabernacle, with everything pertaining thereto, being anointed with oil, and that thus "they should be sanctified" (Exodus 29:1-36; 30:22, 24-30; Leviticus 8:1 to the end).

For oil signified the Divine good of the Divine love, and sanctification the proceeding Divine; for it is the Divine good which sanctifies, and the Divine truth is that which is thence holy.

[10] That the word holy is used of charity, is evident from what was said above concerning the angels of heaven, namely, that there are some of them who receive more Divine good than Divine truth, and that there are others who receive more Divine truth than Divine good: the former constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and are those who are in love to the Lord, and because they are in love to the Lord, they are called just; but the latter constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and are those who are in charity towards the neighbour, and on that account are called holy. (That there are two loves which constitute heaven - love to the Lord, and love towards the neighbour, or charity, and that the heavens are thence distinguished into two kingdoms, a celestial kingdom and a spiritual kingdom, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell 13-19 and n. 20-28.)

  
/1232  
  

Translation by Isaiah Tansley. Many thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.

来自斯威登堡的著作

 

Arcana Coelestia#1259

学习本章节

  
/10837  
  

1259. There is something further to be said about 'nations' meaning goods and evils within worship: In most ancient times people dwelt distinguished into separate nations, families, and houses, as stated already, in order that the Church on earth might represent the Lord's kingdom where all people are distinguished into communities, those communities into larger ones, and these into still larger, all these distinctions existing according to general and specific differences of love and faith, about which see 684, 685. Thus the Lord's kingdom is similarly distinguished so to speak into houses, families, and nations. This is why 'houses, families, and nations' in the Word means the goods that stem from love and its derivative faith, where also a careful distinction is made between nations and people. 'Nation' means good or evil, but 'people' truth or falsity. And this distinction is preserved so consistently as never to vary, as becomes clear from the following places:

[2] In Isaiah,

There will be on that day the root of Jesse which is standing as an ensign of the peoples; towards that root the nations will seek to go, and his rest will be glory. On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to acquire the remnants of His people, who remain from Asshur, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will raise an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah. Isaiah 11:10-12.

Here 'peoples' stands for the truths of the Church, 'nations' for its goods, between which a clear distinction is made. The subject here is the Lord's kingdom and the Church, and in the universal sense every regenerate person. The names mentioned mean the things that have been described already. 'Israel' means the spiritual things of the Church, 'Judah' its celestial things. In the same prophet,

This people walking in darkness have seen a great light. You have multiplied the nation, You have increased its joy. Isaiah 9:2-3.

Here 'people' stands for truths, hence the reference to 'their walking in darkness and seeing a [great] light'. 'Nation' stands for goods.

[3] In the same prophet,

What will one answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah has founded Zion, and in her the wretched members of His people will put their trust. Isaiah 14:32.

Here likewise 'nation' stands for good, 'people' for truth. In the same prophet,

Jehovah Zebaoth will swallow up on this mountain the face 1 of the covering, of the covering over all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. Isaiah 25:7.

This refers to a new Church, that is, the Church of the nations. 'People' stands for its truths, 'nations' for its goods. In the same prophet,

Open the gates that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. Isaiah 26:2.

Here 'nation' plainly stands for goods. In the same prophet,

All the nations will be gathered together, and the peoples will be assembled. Isaiah 43:9

This too refers to the Church of the nations. 'Nations' stands for its goods, and 'peoples' for its truths. And since the two are distinct and separate from each other, both are dealt with; otherwise it would be a pointless repetition. In the same prophet,

The Lord Jehovih said, Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and raise My ensign to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosom and carry your daughters on their shoulder. Isaiah 49:22.

This refers to the Lord's kingdom, 'nations' again standing for goods, and 'peoples' for truths.

[4] In the same prophet,

You will break out to the right and to the left, and your seed will inherit the nations, and they will dwell in the desolate cities. Isaiah 54:3.

This refers to the Lord's kingdom and to the Church called the Church of the nations. That 'the nations' stands for goods that stem from charity, or what amounts to the same, for people with whom the goods of charity exist, is clear from the promise that their 'seed', or faith, 'will inherit them'. 'Cities' stands for truths. In the same prophet,

Lo, I have given Him as a witness to the peoples, a Prince and Lawgiver to the peoples Lo, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation that knew you not will run to you. Isaiah 55:4-5.

This refers to the Lord's kingdom. 'Peoples' stands for truths, 'nations' for goods. In the Church those who are endowed with goods that stem from charity are 'nations' while those who are endowed with truths of faith are 'peoples'. For goods and truths are attributes of the subjects to which they apply. In the same prophet,

Nations will walk to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Then you will see and overflow, and your heart will be astounded and enlarged, because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the armies of the nations will come to you. Isaiah 60:3, 5.

This refers to the Lord's kingdom and the Church of the nations. 'Nations' stands for goods, while 'kings', who go together with 'peoples', stands for truths.

[5] In Zephaniah,

The remnants of My people will plunder them, and the residue of My nation will inherit them. Zephaniah 2:9.

In Zechariah,

Many peoples and numerous nations will come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem. Zechariah 8:22.

'Jerusalem' stands for the Lord's kingdom and for the Church, 'peoples' those with whom the truths of faith predominate, 'nations' for those with whom the goods of charity do so, and therefore they are mentioned separately. In David,

You will deliver me from the strivings of the people; You will set me as the head of nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me. Psalms 18:43.

Here similarly 'people' stands for those with whom truths predominate, 'nations' for those with whom good does so. And because these are what constitute the member of the Church, both are mentioned. In the same author,

The peoples will confess You, O God, all the peoples will confess You; the nations will be glad and exultant, for You will judge the peoples with uprightness, and You will guide the nations into the land. Psalms 67:3-4.

'Peoples' clearly stands for those with whom truths of faith predominate, and 'nations' for those with whom the good of charity predominates.

[6] In Moses,

Remember the days of old, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will show you, and your elders and they will tell you, When the Most High gave to the nations an inheritance and separated the sons of man, He fixed the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 32:7-8.

This refers to the Most Ancient Church and the Ancient Churches, which are respectively 'the days of old' and 'the years of generation after generation'. Those with whom the good of charity predominated were called 'the nations' to whom an inheritance was given. 'The sons of man' and in the next sentence 'the peoples' mean those with whom the truths of faith deriving from charity predominated. Since 'the nations' means the goods of the Church and 'the peoples' its truths, it was therefore said of Esau and Jacob when they were still in the womb,

Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from your bowels. Genesis 25:23.

These places now make clear what the Church of the nations is in the genuine sense. The Most Ancient Church was the true Church of the nations, as was the Ancient Church after that.

[7] Since those governed by charity are called 'nations' and those governed by faith are called 'peoples', the Lord's priesthood is therefore associated with 'nations' because it has reference to celestial things, which are goods, while His kingship is associated with 'peoples' because it has reference to spiritual things, which are truths This distinction was also represented in the Jewish Church in which they were 'a nation' before they had kings, but became 'a people' after they received them.

脚注:

1. literally, the faces

  
/10837  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.