Apocalypse Explained#937
937. That Moses signifies the Word of the Old Testament, is evident from certain passages in the Word where he is mentioned. In some places, however, by Moses is meant the law in its strictest sense, which is the law published from Mount Sinai. In some, the law in a broader sense, which is the historical Word, is meant by him. But in the present case the Word of the Old Testament is meant, both historical and prophetical. The reason why Moses signifies the Word is, that the Ten Precepts, and afterwards the Five Books, which were the first [portion] of the Word, were not from himself but from the Lord through him.
That Moses is mentioned instead of the law and the Word is plain from the following passages. In Luke:
"Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them: if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead" (16:29, 31).
Here by Moses and the Prophets is meant the same as elsewhere by the Law and the Prophets, namely, the historical and prophetical Word.
In the same:
Jesus, "beginning from Moses and all the prophets, interpreted in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (24:27).
In the same:
"All things must be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me" (24:44).
In John:
Philip said, "We have found him, of whom Moses hath written in the law" (1:45).
In the same:
"In the law Moses commanded us" (8:5).
In Daniel:
"The curse hath poured down upon us; and the oath, which is written in the law of Moses, the servant of God; because we have sinned against him. As it is written in the law of Moses, every evil cometh upon us" (9:11, 13).
In Joshua:
Joshua wrote upon the stone of the altar "a copy of the law of Moses" (8:32).
In John:
"Moses gave to you the law, Moses gave to you circumcision. If a man receive circumcision on the Sabbath, thus that the law of Moses might not be broken" (7:19, 22, 23).
In Mark:
"Moses hath said, Honour thy father and thy mother" (7:10).
[2] Because on account of the representation, that is attributed to Moses which was done by the Lord through him, therefore the law of Moses and the law of the Lord are both mentioned in Luke:
"When the days of their purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem (even as it is written in the law of the Lord, that every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) to offer the sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, and two young pigeons" (2:22-24, 29).
[3] Because Moses represented the law, it was allowed him to enter in to the Lord upon Mount Sinai, and not only to receive there the Tables of the Law, but also to hear the statutes and judgments of the Law; and to command them to the people. And it is also said, that they might thence believe in Moses for ever:
"Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold I will come to thee in the mist of a cloud, that the people may hear, when I shall speak unto thee; and also may believe in thee for ever" (Exodus 19:9).
[4] It is said, in the mist of a cloud, because by a cloud is signified the Word in the letter. Hence also when Moses entered in to the Lord on Mount Sinai,
He entered into a cloud (Exodus 20:21; 24:2, 18; 35:2-4).
That a cloud signifies the sense of the letter of the Word may be seen (n. 36, 594, 905, 906).
Because Moses represented the Lord as to the law or the Word, therefore,
"When he came down from Mount Sinai, the skin of his face shone; therefore when he spake with the people, he put a veil upon his face" (Exodus 34:28 to end).
The radiation of the face signified the internal of the law; for this is in the light of heaven. The reason of his veiling his face when he spake with the people was, became the internal of the Word was covered, and so obscured to that people, that they could not sustain anything of the light thence.
[5] Since Moses represented the Lord as to the historical Word, and Elias the Lord as to the prophetical Word, therefore, when the Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elias were seen talking with Him (Matthew 17:3). Nor could any others speak with the Lord when His Divine appeared in the world, but those who signified the Word; for all discourse with the Lord is by means of the Word. That Elias represented the Lord as to the Word may be seen above (n. 624).
And because both Moses and Elias, together, represented the Word, therefore, where Elias being sent before the Lord is treated of, both are mentioned in Malachi:
"Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, the statutes and the judgments. Lo, I send to you Elias the prophet, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh" (Malachi 4:4-6).
By Elias the prophet is meant John the Baptist, because by him, as by Elias, the Word was represented; see above (n. 624, 724).
John第7章
1
After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn't walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2
Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.
3
His brothers therefore said to him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.
4
For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world."
5
For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
6
Jesus therefore said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
7
The world can't hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
8
You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled."
9
Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee.
10
But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.
11
The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, "Where is he?"
12
There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others said, "Not so, but he leads the multitude astray."
13
Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14
But when it was now the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How does this man know letters, having never been educated?"
16
Jesus therefore answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
17
If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.
18
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19
Didn't Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?"
20
The multitude answered, "You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?"
21
Jesus answered them, "I did one work, and you all marvel because of it.
22
Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy.
23
If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me, because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?
24
Don't judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
25
Therefore some of them of Jerusalem said, "Isn't this he whom they seek to kill?
26
Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ?
27
However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from."
28
Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don't know.
29
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."
30
They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
31
But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, he won't do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?"
32
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.
33
Then Jesus said, "I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me.
34
You will seek me, and won't find me; and where I am, you can't come."
35
The Jews therefore said among themselves, "Where will this man go that we won't find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36
What is this word that he said, 'You will seek me, and won't find me; and where I am, you can't come'?"
37
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!
38
He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water."
39
But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified.
40
Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, "This is truly the prophet."
41
Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "What, does the Christ come out of Galilee?
42
Hasn't the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"
43
So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44
Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him.
45
The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why didn't you bring him?"
46
The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!"
47
The Pharisees therefore answered them, "You aren't also led astray, are you?
48
Have any of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees?
49
But this multitude that doesn't know the law is accursed."
50
Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them,
51
"Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?"
52
They answered him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search, and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."
