196# “他们要穿白衣与我同行。因为他们是配得过的”表示他们通过来自圣言的真理和良善的知识或认知所拥有的属灵生活。这从“行”、“白衣”和“因为他们是配得过的”的含义清楚可知：“行”是指生活(参看AE97节)；“穿白衣”是指处于真理，因为在圣言中，白色和明亮论及真理(对此，我们很快就会谈到)，故这句话，即“他们要穿白衣与我同行”表示属灵生活，因为属灵生活就是真理的生活，也就是遵行真理，或主在圣言中的诫命的生活；“因为他们是配得过的”是指因为他们从主拥有属灵生活。任何人在何等程度上从主接受，就在何等程度上配得；但他在何等程度上从自我，也就是他自己的东西或他的自我接受，就在何等程度上是不配得的。只有应用于生活的来自圣言的真理和良善的知识构成与人同在的属灵生活；当人视它们为自己生活的法则时，它们就被应用于生活，因为那时他在一切事上都仰望主，主便与他同在，赋予他聪明和智慧，以及对它们的情感和快乐。事实上，主与人一起在祂的真理里面，因为一切真理都从主发出，从主发出之物都是祂的，甚至就是祂自己；因此，主说：
我就是真理，生命。(约翰福音14:6)
约翰福音：
行真理的必来就光，要显明他所行的是在神里面而行的。(约翰福音3:21)
同一福音书：
圣言与神同在，神就是圣言。生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。那是真光，照亮一切来到世上的人。圣言成了肉身。(约翰福音1:1, 4, 9, 14)
主被称为“圣言”，是因为圣言表示神性真理；祂还被称为“光”，是因为神性真理就是天堂里的光；祂也被称为“生命”，是因为活着的一切都从那生命活着；这生命也是天使的聪明和智慧的源头，他们的生命就在于聪明和智慧。人若以为生命来自任何其它源头，而不是来自从主发出的神性(这神性被称为神性真理，在那里显为光)，就大错特错了。由此可见当如何理解这句话，即“神就是圣言，生命在祂里头，生命就是人的光”。
在圣言中，白色论及真理，是因为神性真理是天堂之光，如刚才所述，白色和明亮来自天堂之光。这就是为何当主在彼得、雅各、约翰面前变了形像时，祂的脸如日头，衣裳如光(马太福音17:2)；洁白放光(路加福音9:29)；(衣裳)放光，极其洁白，像雪一样，地上没有能漂得这样白的 (马可福音9:3)；主坟墓旁的天使有洁白如雪的衣服(马太福音28:3) ；(衣服)放光(路加福音24:4)；从殿中出来的七位天使向约翰显现，穿着洁白光明的细麻衣(启示录15:6)；那些站在羔羊宝座面前的人穿着白袍(启示录6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; 19:8)；骑在白马上的那一位的众军穿着细麻衣，又白又洁，跟随祂(启示录19:14)。这也是为何亚伦的衣服是细麻的，他进幔子内施恩座前时，要穿上它们(利未记16:1-5, 32)。“细麻”也因其洁白而表示真理(《属天的奥秘》，7601, 9959节)。由于白色表示真理，而真理揭露人里面的邪恶和虚假，从而洁净他，所以诗篇上说：
看哪，你喜爱肾里的真理，你在隐密处使我认识智慧。求你用牛膝草洁净我，我就干净；求你洗涤我，我就比雪更白。(诗篇51:6, 7)
由于拿细耳人代表终端的神性真理，也就是世上字义的圣言方面的主，这圣言在犹太人中间被歪曲和败坏了，所以论到他们，耶利米哀歌上说：
她的拿细耳人比雪还洁白，比奶还皎洁。他们的骨头比珍珠更红，他们的抛光是蓝宝石。但他们的面貌是黑的，以致在街上无人认识。(耶利米哀歌4:7, 8)
“拿细耳人”代表神性真理方面的主(参看《属天的奥秘》，6437节)；“拿细耳人的头顶”表示终端的神性真理，或文字上的圣言(6437, 9407节)。属于拿细耳人的身份，并被称为“拿细耳人头顶”的“头发”是指终端的神性真理(3301, 5247, 10044节)；终端的神性真理拥有力量和能力(9836节)；因此，参孙的力量在他的头发中(3301节)。
由此清楚可知，“拿细耳人比雪还洁白，比奶还皎洁”、“他们骨头的抛光是蓝宝石；但他们的面貌是黑的，以致在街上无人认识”表示什么，因为白色和明亮表示在其光中的神性真理，如前所述；骨头因是人的终端，支撑他的整个身体，故对应于天堂的终端。人的一切事物都对应于天堂里的一切事物(参看《天堂与地狱》，87–102节)；因此，“骨头”表示灵界的终端，也就是神性真理或圣言的终端(《属天的奥秘》，5560–5564, 8005节)；“蓝宝石”表示因真理而透明之物(9407节)；“在街上无人认识”表示神性真理不再被看见，因为“街”表示教义的真理所在的地方(2336节)。
196. And they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. That this signifies the spiritual life which they have procured by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, is evident from the signification of walking, as being to live (concerning which see above, n. John 14:6).
"He that doeth truth cometh to the light, because [his works] are wrought in God" (John 3:21).
"The Word was with God, and God was the Word. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. He was the true light which lighteth every man. And the Word was made flesh" (John 1:1, 2, 4, 9, 14).
The Lord is called the Word because the Word signifies Divine truth, and He is also called the light, because Divine truth is the light of heaven; He is also called the life, because everything that lives, lives from that light; this also is the source of intelligence and wisdom to angels, in which their life consists. He who supposes that life is from any other source than the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, which in heaven is called Divine truth, and appears there as light, is much deceived. It is therefore evident how it is to be understood that God was the Word, that in Him was life, and that the life was the light of men.
[2] The reason why white in the Word is said of truths, is, because Divine truth is the light of heaven, as just said, and from the light of heaven arise whiteness and brightness. This is why,
When the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, "His face appeared as the sun, and His garments were white as the light" (Matthew 17:2), and as "white, and glistering" (Luke 9:29), "shining white as snow, so as no fuller on earth could whiten them" (Mark 9:3).
Also why
The raiment of the angels at the sepulchre of the Lord was white as snow (Matthew 28:3), and shining (Luke 24:4);
Why there appeared to John seven angels out of the temple clothed in linen clean and shining (Apoc. 15:6);
Why those who stood before the throne of the Lamb were arrayed in white robes (Apoc. 6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; 19:8)
Why the army of Him who sat on the white horse followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Apoc. 14:14);
And why also the garments of Aaron were of linen, and he put them on when he went within the veil to the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:1-5, 32).
Linen, from its whiteness, also signifies truth (see Psalms 51:6, 7).
[3] Because the Nazarite represented the Lord as to Divine truth in ultimates, which upon earth is the Word in the sense of the letter, and this was falsified and perverted with the Jews, therefore it is said concerning them in the Lamentations,
"Her Nazarites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk, their bones were more ruddy than pearls, their polishing was of sapphire; but their form is obscured, that they are not known in the streets" (Arcana Coelestia 6437; that the crown of the head of the Nazarite denotes Divine truth in ultimates, or the Word in the letter, n. 6437, 9404. That the hair which was of the Nazariteship, and was called the crown of the head of the Nazarite, denotes Divine truth in ultimates, n. 3301, 5247, 10044. That Divine truth in ultimates has strength and power, n. 9836; that hence the strength of Samson was in his hair, n. 3301.)
[4] Hence it is evident what is signified by the Nazarites being whiter than snow, and brighter than milk, and by the sapphire being the polishing of their bones, but that their form was obscured, so that they were not known in the streets. For whiteness and brightness signify Divine truth in its light, as said above; and bones, because they are the ultimates in man, being the supports of his whole body, correspond to the ultimates in heaven. For all things in man corresponding to all things in heaven (see the work, Heaven and Hell 87-102. Bones therefore signify the ultimates in the spiritual world, which are also the ultimates of Divine truth or the Word, Arcana Coelestia 5560-5564, 8005. Sapphire signifies what is translucent from truth, see n. 9407; and, not being known in the streets signifies Divine truth no longer appearing; for streets signify where the truths of doctrine are, n. 2336).
196. And they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy, signifies their spiritual life, which they have by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word. This is evident from the signification of "to walk," as being to live (See above, n. John 14:6).
He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, [that his works may be made manifest] that they have been wrought in God (John 3:21).
The Word was with God, and God was the Word. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true light, that lighteth every man. And the Word was made flesh (John 1:1, 4, 9, 14).
The Lord is called "the Word" because the Word signifies Divine truth; He is also called "the Light" because Divine truth is the light in the heavens; He is also called "the Life," because everything that lives, lives from that life; from that also angels have intelligence and wisdom, in which their life consists. He who would derive life from any other source than from the Divine that proceeds from the Lord, which in heaven is called Divine truth and is there seen as light, is greatly mistaken. From this it can be seen how it is to be understood that "God was the Word," and that "in Him was life, and that the life was the light of men. "
[2] "White" in the Word is predicated of truths, because Divine truth is the light of heaven, as was just said, and whiteness and brightness are from the light of heaven. From this it was:
That when the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, His face appeared as the sun, and His garments as the light (Matthew 17:2);
And as white, dazzling (Luke 9:29);
And glistering as snow, so as no fuller on earth could whiten (Mark 9:3);
That the angels at the Lord's sepulcher had raiment white as snow (Matthew 28:3);
And shining (Luke 24:4);
That there appeared to John seven angels from the temple clothed in linen clean and shining (Revelation 15:6);
That those who stood before the throne of the Lamb were clothed in white robes (Revelation 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:8);
That the armies of the One sitting upon the white horse followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 14:14).
From this also it was:
That Aaron had garments of linen, and that he put them on when he went within the veil before the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:1-5, 32).
"Linen" also signifies truth, because of its whiteness (Psalms 51:6-7).
[3] Because the Nazirites represented the Lord in respect to Divine truth in ultimates, which on earth is the Word in the sense of the letter, and this with the Jews was falsified and perverted, it is said of them in Lamentations:
The Nazirites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk, their bones were more ruddy than pearls, their polishing was sapphire; but their form is darkened, that they are not known in the streets (Arcana Coelestia 6437; that "the crown of the head of the Nazirites" means Divine truths in ultimates, or the Word in the letter, n. 6437, 9407. That the "hair" which was of the Naziriteship, and was called "the crown of the head of the Nazirite," is Divine truth in ultimates, n. 3301, 5247, 10044. That Divine truth in ultimates has strength and power, n. 9836; that therefore the strength of Samson was in his hair, n. 3301.)
[4] From this it is clear what is signified by "the Nazirites were whiter than snow and brighter than milk," and "sapphire was the polishing of their bones; but their form was darkened, that they were not known in the streets;" for "whiteness" and "brightness" signify Divine truth in its light (as was said above); and "bones," as they are man's ultimates, being the supports of his whole body, correspond to ultimates in heaven. (For all things of man correspond, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 87-102; consequently "bones" signify the ultimates in the spiritual world, which are also the ultimates of Divine truth or the Word, Arcana Coelestia 5560-5564, 8005; that "sapphire" signifies what is translucent from truths, n. 9407; and "not to be known in the streets" signifies that Divine truth is no more seen, since "streets" signify where there are truths of doctrine, n. 2336.)
196. "Et ambulabunt Mecum in albis, quia digni sunt." - Quod significet vitam eorum spiritualem quae illis per cognitiones veri et boni ex Verbo, constat ex significatione "ambulare", quod sit vivere (de qua supra, n. 97); ex significatione "in albis", quod sit in veris, nam "album" et "candidum" in Verbo dicitur de veris (de qua sequitur); ideo per "ambulare Mecum in albis" significatur vita spiritualis, nam vita spiritualis est vita veri, hoc est, vita secundum vera, seu secundum praecepta Domini in Verbo; et ex significatione "quia digni sunt", quod sit quia illis vita spiritualis est a Domino: quantum quis a Domino accipit, tantum dignus est; at quantum ex se, hoc est, ex suo aut proprio, tantum non dignus est. Nihil aliud apud hominem facit vitam spiritualem quam cognitiones veri et boni ex Verbo applicatae vitae; et tunc applicantur vitae cum homo illas pro legibus suae vitae habet, sic enim Dominum spectat in singulis, ac Dominus praesens est apud illos et dat intelligentiam et sapientiam, et earum affectionem et jucundum; nam Dominus est in suis veris apud hominem, procedit enim omne verum a Domino, et quod a Domino procedit, hoc Ipsius est adeo ut sit Ipse: quare Dominus dixit,
"Ego sum.... Veritas et Vita" (Johannes 14:6);
"Qui facit Veritatem, venit ad lucem, (ut manifestentur ejus opera, ) quia in Deo facta sunt" (Johannes 3:21);
"Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum, et in Ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum;.... Ipse erat Lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem. .... Et Verbum Caro factum est." (Johannes 1:1, 2, 4, 9, 14).
Dominus dicitur "Verbum", quia Verbum significat Divinum Verum; et quoque dicitur "Lux", quia Divinum Verum est lux in caelis: et quoque dicitur "Vita", quia omne quod vivit ex luce illa vivit; inde etiam est angelis intelligentia et sapientia, in qua vita eorum consistit; qui aliunde deducit vitam quam ex Divino quod procedit a Domino, quod in caelo vocatur Divinum Verum ac ibi apparet ut lux, multum fallitur. Exinde constare potest quomodo intelligendum est quod "Deus erat Verbum, et in Illo vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum."
[2] Quod "album" in Verbo dicatur de veris, est quia Divinum Verum est lux caeli, ut nunc dictum est, et ex luce caeli est album et candidum. Inde est
Quod Dominus cum transformatus est coram Petro, Jacobo et Johanne, apparuerit facies Ipsius sicut Sol, ac vestimentum Ipsius ut lux" (Matthaeus 17:2),
ac ut "album fulgurans" (Luca 9:29),
et "splendens...ut nix, cujusmodi fullo super terra non potest dealbare" (Marc. 9:3 1
).
Quod angelis ad sepulcrum Domini esset indumentum album sicut nix (Matthaeus 28:3),
et splendens (Luca 24:4);
Quod apparuerint Johanni septem angeli e templo induti lino mundo et splendido (Apocalypsis 15:6);
Quod stantes ante thronum Agni amicti stolis albis (Apocalypsis 6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; cap. 19:8 2
);
Quod exercitus Sedentis super Equo albo sequerentur Ipsum super equis albis, induti byssino albo et mundo (Apocalypsis 14:14).
Inde est
Quod Aharoni fuerint vestes lini, ac illas induerit cum iret intra velum ad propitiatorium (Leviticus 16:1-5, 32);
"linum" ex albedine etiam significat verum (n. 7601, 9959). Quoniam "album" significat verum, ac vera sunt quae detegunt falsa et mala apud hominem, et sic purificant eum, ideo dicitur apud Davidem,
"Ecce veritatem desideras in renibus, et in occulto sapientiam notam facis mihi; purificabis me hyssopo ut mundus fiam, et lavabis me, et prae nive dealbabor" (Psalms 51:8, 9 [B.A. 6, 7]).
[3] Quia Naziraei repraesentabant Dominum quoad Divinum Verum in ultimis, quod in terris est Verbum in sensu litterae, et hoc apud Judaeos falsificatum et perversum fuit, ideo de illis dicitur in Threnis,
"Albi erant Naziraei prae nive, candidi erant prae lacte; rubuerunt ossa prae margaritis, sapphirus pollities eorum; sed obscurata est forma eorum, ut non cognoscantur in plateis (4:7, 8).
(Quod Naziraei reprsesentaverint Dominum quoad Divinum Verum, videatur n. 6437; quod "vertex Naziraei" sit Divinum Verum in ultimis, seu Verbum in littera, n. 6437, 9407.
Quod "crinis", qui erat Naziraeatus, et dictus fuit "vertex Naziraei", sit Divinum verum in ultimis, n. 3301, 5247, 10044. Quod Divinum Verum in ultimis sit cui robur et potentia, n. 9836; quod inde robur Simsoni in crinibus, n. 3301.)
[4] Inde patet quid significatur per quod "Naziraei albi fuerint prae nive, et candidi prae lacte, et quod sapphirus polities ossium eorum; sed obscurata forma eorum, ut non cognoscantur in plateis"; "albedo" enim et "candor" significant Divinum Verum in sua luce, ut supra dictum est; et "ossa", quia sunt ultima apud hominem, sunt enim sustentacula totius corporis ejus, correspondent ultimis in caelo. (Nam omnia hominis correspondent, videatur in opere De Caelo et Inferno 87-102; ideo "ossa" significant ultima in spirituali mundo, quae etiam sunt ultima Divini Veri seu Verbi, n. 5560-5564, 8005:
quod "sapphirus" significet translucidum ex veris, n. 9407: "non cognosci in plateis", significat quod non amplius appareat Divinum Verum, "plateae" enim significant ubi vera doctrinae, n. 2336.)
Footnotes:
1. The editors made a correction or note here.
2. The editors made a correction or note here.