100# “也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是的，发现他们是撒谎的人”表示以及虚假，只要他们能把它们找出来。这从“试验”、“使徒”、“却不是，发现是撒谎的人”的含义清楚可知：“试验”是指调查并找出；“使徒”是指那些教导教会真理的人，就从人抽象出来的意义而言，是指被教导的真理本身(下文会详述)；“却不是，发现是撒谎的人”是指不是真理，而是虚假；因为“撒谎”和“撒谎的人”表示虚假(《属天的奥秘》，8908, 9248节)。从这些和之前的考虑明显可知，我知道“你不能容忍恶人，也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是的，发现他们是撒谎的人”表示他们弃绝邪恶，也弃绝虚假，只要他们能把它们找出来。因为在写给该教会的信中，所论述的是那些处于真理和良善的知识或认知，因而处于诸如属于天堂和教会的那类事物的知识或认知之人(
参看AE93节)；故此处首先论到他们说，他们弃绝邪恶，也弃绝虚假，只要他们能把它们找出来；因为那些处于教会神圣事物的知识或认知之人都必须首先大体知道什么是良善和真理，以及什么是邪恶和虚假；事实上，其它一切知识或认知都建立在这种知识或认知之上。因此，《新耶路撒冷及其属天教义》(11–27节)也首先论述了良善和真理；由此也清楚看出什么是邪恶和虚假。
“使徒”表示那些教导教会真理的人，是因为他们被称为“使徒”是由于以下事实：他们被差遣去教导并传扬关于主和神国通过祂而临近的福音，因而去教导教会的真理；藉着这些真理，主被认识，神的国也临近了；神在地上的国是教会。由此明显可知“使徒”在圣言的灵义上是指什么，即：不是指被主差遣去教导祂及其国度之道的十二个使徒，而是指所有处于教会的真理，就从人抽象出来的意义而言，处于真理本身的人。因为圣言通常论到人；但那些处于圣言灵义的人，如天使，根本不会想到人，而是从人抽象出来思考，因而只关注事物。原因在于，思想人是物质的，而脱离人的概念去思考是属灵的；例如，凡在圣言中提到“门徒”，或“先知”、“祭司”、“王”、“犹太人”、“以色列”、锡安和耶路撒冷的居民等等的地方。此外，人名和地名本身在天使那里也会变成事物(参看《属天的奥秘》，768, 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5095, 5225, 6516, 10216, 10282, 10329, 10432节)；天使从人抽象出来思考(8343, 8985, 9007节)。
主的门徒被称为使徒，是由于他们被差遣去教导祂及其国度的道，这一点清楚可见于路加福音：
耶稣差遣祂的十二个门徒去宣传神的国。使徒回来时，将所作的事告诉耶稣。耶稣便对他们讲论神的国。(路加福音9:1, 2, 10, 11)
又：
到了天亮，耶稣叫门徒来，就从他们中间挑选十二个人，称他们为使徒。(路加福音6:13)
又：
我要差遣先知和使徒到他们那里去，其中有的他们要杀害，要逼迫。(路加福音11:49)
他们被称为“先知和使徒”，是因为“先知”和“使徒”一样，是指那些被差遣去教导真理的人；但“先知”是指那些处于旧约的人，而“使徒”是指那些处于新约的人。在圣言中，“先知”表示那些教导真理的人，就从人抽象出来的意义而言，表示真理本身(参看《属天的奥秘》，2534节)。由于“十二使徒”表示教会的真理本身，所以启示录上说：
新耶路撒冷的城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。(启示录21:14)
“新耶路撒冷”表示教义方面的教会(参看《新耶路撒冷及其属天教义》，6节)；其“城墙”表示进行保卫的教义真理(参看《属天的奥秘》，6419节)；“城墙的根基”表示真理的知识或认知，教义就建立在这些知识或认知之上(9643节)；“十二”表示总体上的一切真理(577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913节)。由此清楚可知为何经上说城墙根基上有“羔羊十二使徒的名字”。
100. And hath explored them that say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. That this signifies falsities also so far as they can be searched out, is evident from the signification of exploring, as being to inquire into and search out; and from the signification of apostles, as being those who teach the truths of the church, and, apart from persons, the truths themselves that are taught (concerning which we shall speak in what follows); and from the signification of not being apostles and being found liars, as being not truths but falsities; for a lie and liar signify what is false (see Arcana Coelestia 8908, 9248). From these and the preceding considerations it is evident, that by these words: "I know that thou canst not bear them that are evil, and hast explored them that say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars," is signified, that they reject evils, and also falsities, so far as they can be searched out. For in the things written to this church, those are treated of who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, thus in the knowledges (cognitiones) of such things as pertain to heaven and the church (as may be seen above, n. 93); therefore it is here first said concerning them, that they reject evils, and falsities also so far as they can be searched out; for it concerns those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of the holy things of the church, first to know in general what good and truth are, and also what evil and falsity; for upon this knowledge (cognitio) all other knowledges (cognitiones) are founded. (For this reason The Doctrine Of the New Jerusalem first of all treats concerning good and truth, n. 11-27, from which also it is clear what evil and falsity are.)
[2] The reason why by apostles are signified those who teach the truths of the church is, that they are called apostles from the fact of their being sent to teach and to preach concerning the Lord and concerning, the bringing near of the kingdom of God by Him; thus the truths of the church, by which the Lord is known and the kingdom of God is brought near: the kingdom of God on earth is the church. It is therefore evident that by apostles, in the spiritual sense of the Word, are meant not the twelve apostles who were sent by the Lord to teach concerning Himself and His kingdom, but all those who are in the truth of the church, and, apart from persons, those truths in themselves. For in the Word it is customary to speak of persons; but those who are in its spiritual sense, as the are, think not at all of persons, but apart from them, therefore of things only. The reason of this also is, that it is material to think of persons, but spiritual to think without the idea of a person; as, for instance, wherever the disciples are named in the Word, and prophets, priests, kings, Jews, Israel, inhabitants of Zion and of Jerusalem, and so on.
[3] (The very names of persons and places are also changed into things with the angels, as may be seen, 6: that by its wall are signified truths of doctrine for defence, see in the Arcana Coelestia 6411); that by the foundations of the wall are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth, upon which doctrine is founded, n. 9643; that by twelve are signified all truths in the aggregate, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913: hence it is clear why it is said that in the foundations of the wall were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.)
100. And hast tried them that say that they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars, signifies also falsities, so far as they are able to search them out. This is evident from the signification of "to try," as being to inquire into and search out; and from the signification of "apostles," as being those who teach the truths of the church, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the truths themselves that are taught (of which in what follows); also from the signification of "and are not, and are found liars," as being not truths but falsities; for a "lie" and a "liar" signify falsity (Arcana Coelestia 8908, 9248). From this and what precedes it is evident that "I know that thou canst not bear the evil, and hast tried them that say they are apostles and they are not, and hast found them liars," signifies that they reject evils, and falsities also, so far as they are able to search them out. For in the things written to this church those who are in the knowledges of truth and good, thus in the knowledges of such things as are of heaven and of the church, are treated of (See above, n. 93); here, therefore, it is first said of them that they put away evils, and falsities also, so far as they are able to search them out; for those who are in the knowledges of the holy things of the church need first to know in general what good and truth are, also what evil and falsity are, for upon this knowledge all other knowledges are founded. (For this reason also The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem first of all treats of Good and Truth, n 11-27, and from these it can also be seen what evil and falsity are.)
[2] By "apostles" those who teach the truths of the church are signified, because the apostles [those sent] were so called from their having been sent to teach and to preach the Gospel concerning the Lord and the drawing nigh of the kingdom of God through Him; thus to teach the truths of the church, by which the Lord is known and the kingdom of God is brought nigh. The kingdom of God on the earth is the church. From this it is evident what is meant by "apostles" in the spiritual sense of the Word, namely, not the twelve apostles who were sent by the Lord to teach concerning Him and His kingdom, but all who are in the truths of the church, and in a sense abstracted from persons, the truths themselves. For in the Word it is customary to speak of persons; but those who are in its spiritual sense, as angels are, do not think of persons at all, but their thought is abstracted from persons, and has respect therefore solely to things. The reason is, that it is material to think of persons, but spiritual to think apart from the idea of persons; for instance, where the "disciples" are mentioned in the Word, or "prophets," "priests," "kings," "Jews," "Israel," "the inhabitants of Zion," and of "Jerusalem," and so on. (Moreover, the very names of persons and places are changed with angels into things, see Arcana Coelestia 768, 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5095, 5225, 6516, 10216, 10282, 10329, 10432; and that the thought of angels is abstracted from persons, n. 8343, 8985, 9007)
[3] That the disciples of the Lord were called apostles from their having been sent to teach concerning Him and His kingdom is clear in Luke:
Jesus sent His twelve disciples to preach the kingdom of God. And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto Him what things they had done. And Jesus spake to them of the kingdom of God (The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 6 ; that by its "wall" are signified the truths of doctrine for defense, see Arcana Coelestia 6419; by the "foundations of the wall" are signified the knowledges of the truth, on which doctrine is founded, n. 9643; by "twelve" are signified all truths in the complex, n. 577, 2089, 2129-2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. From this it is clear why it is said that in the foundations of the wall were the "names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.")
100. "Et exploraveris dicentes se esse apostolos, et non sunt, ac inveneris eos mendaces." - Quod significet etiam falsa quantum possunt scrutari, constat ex significatione "explorare", quod sit indagare et scrutari; ex significatione "apostolorum", quod sint qui docent vera ecclesiae, et abstracte a personis ipsa vera quae docentur (de qua sequitur); et ex significatione "non esse", et "inveniri mendaces", quod sint non vera sed falsa, "mendacium" enim et "mendax" significat falsum (n. 8908, 9248) ex his et praecedentibus constare potest quod per "novi quod non possis ferre malos, et exploraveris dicentes se esse apostolos et non sunt, ac inveneris eos mendaces", significetur quod rejiciant mala et quoque falsa quantum possunt scrutari; agitur enim in iis quae scripta sunt ad hanc ecclesiam de illis qui in cognitionibus veri et boni sunt, ita in cognitionibus talium quae caeli et ecclesiae (videatur supra, n. 93); ideo de illis hic primum dicitur quod rejiciant mala, et quantum scrutari possunt etiam falsa; nam interest illorum qui in cognitionibus sanctorum ecclesiae sunt primum in genere scire quid bonum et verum, et quoque quid malum et falsum, nam super cognitione illorum fundantur omnes cognitiones reliquae. (Idcirco etiam in Doctrina Novae Hierosolymae omnium primo actum est De Bono et Vero, n. 11-27, ex quibus etiam patet quid malum et falsum.)
[2] Quod per "apostolos" significentur illi qui docent vera ecclesiae, est quia Apostoli dicti sunt ab eo quod missi sint ad docendum et ad evangelizandum de Domino et de appropinquatione regni Dei per Ipsum, ita vera ecclesiae, per quae cognoscitur Dominus et appropinquatur regnum Dei; regnum Dei in terris est ecclesia: exinde constare potest quid per "apostolos" in sensu spirituali Verbi intelligitur, quod nempe non duodecim Apostoli qui missi a Domino ad docendum de Ipso et de regno Ipsius, sed omnes illi qui in veris ecclesiae sunt, et abstracte a personis ipsa vera. In Verbo enim solenne est de personis loqui, at qui in sensu spirituali ejus sunt, ut sunt angeli, nihil personae cogitant, sed abstracte ab illis, proinde solum de rebus; causa etiam est, quia materiale est cogitare de personis, at spirituale cogitare absque idea personae. Sic etiam ubi nominantur in Verbo "discipuli", ubi "prophetae", ubi "Sacerdotes", ubi "reges", ubi "Judaei", ubi "Israel", ubi "habitatores Zionis" et "Hierosolymae", et sic porro. (Ipsa etiam nomina personarum et locorum vertuntur in res apud angelos, videatur n. 768, 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5225, 1
5095, 6516, 10216, 10282, 10329, 10432; et quod angeli cogitent abstracte a personis, n. 8343, 8985, 9007.)
[3] Quod discipuli Domini dicti sint Apostoli ex eo quod missi sint ad docendum de Ipso et de regno Ipsius, patet apud Lucam,
Jesus misit duodecim discipulos suos praedicare regnum Dei; et reversi Apostoli narraverunt Ipsi quaecunque fecerunt; et Jesus loquebatur illis de regno Dei (9:1, 2, 10, 11);
apud eundem,
"Cum factus est dies, Jesus vocavit discipulos suos, et eligens ex illis duodecim, quos et Apostolos nominavit" (6:13);
apud eundem,
"Mittam ad illos prophetas et apostolos, et ex illis occident et persequentur" (11:49);
"prophetae et apostoli" dicuntur, quia per "prophetas" aeque ac per "apostolos" intelliguntur qui missi sunt ad docendum vera: sed per "prophetas" illi qui in Veteri Testamento, et per "apostolos" illi qui in Novo.
(Quod "prophetae" in Verbo significent docantes vera, et abstracte a personis ipsa vera, videatur n. 2534.)
Quia "duodecim apostoli" significant ipsa vera ecclesiae, ideo dicitur in Apocalypsi,
"Murus" Novae Hierosolymae "habens fundamenta duodecim, et in illis nomina duodecim Apostolorum Agni" (21:14).
(Quod per "Novam Hierosolymam" intelligatur ecclesia quoad doctrinam, videatur in opusculo De Nova Hierosolyma et ejus Doctrina, n. 6:
quod per "murum" ejus significentur vera doctrinae tutantia, in Arcanis Caelestibus, n. 6419:
quod per "fundamenta muri" cognitiones veri super quibus doctrina fundatur, n. 2
9643; quod per "duodecim" omnia vera in complexu, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913.
Inde patat cur dicitur quod in fundamentis muri essent "nomina duodecim Apostolorum Agni."
Footnotes:
1. The editors made a correction or note here.
2. The editors made a correction or note here.