482# 启7:17.“因为宝座中间的羔羊必牧养他们”表示主将从天堂教导他们。这从“羔羊”、“宝座”和“牧养”的含义清楚可知：“羔羊”是指神性真理方面的主(对此，参看AE 297, 343, 464节)；“宝座”是指天堂(对此，也可参看AE 253a节)，“宝座中间”表示在整个天堂，因为在“中间”表示在每一个和一切事物中，也就是在整体中(参看AE 213节)；“牧养”是指教导(对此，我们很快就会谈到)。这清楚表明，“宝座中间的羔羊必牧养他们”表示主将从天堂教导他们。此处说“宝座中间的羔羊必牧养他们”，而前面说“坐宝座的要住在他们上面”；由此清楚可知，“坐宝座的”和“宝座中间的羔羊”表示主；但“坐宝座的”表示神性良善方面的主，“宝座中间的羔羊”表示神性真理方面的主；因为指着坐宝座的来说的“住”，论及良善(参看AE 470节)；指着羔羊来说的“牧养”论及真理；因为“牧养或喂养”表示在真理上教导人。
旧约圣言经常提到“耶和华”和“神”，也提到“耶和华”和“以色列的圣者”，两者都只表示主，“耶和华”表示神性良善方面的主，“神” 和“以色列的圣者”表示神性真理方面的主；经上提到这两者是由于在圣言的每个细节中的神性良善与神性真理的婚姻。“牧养或喂养”表示教导，这是显而易见的，无需进一步解释，因为将那些教导人的人称为牧师，将那些被教导的人称为“羊群”，是源自圣言的一个习俗；但其原因尚不为人知，所以要解释一下。在天堂，出现在眼前的一切事物都具有代表性，因为它们代表在一个属世表象之下的属灵事物，天使思想这些事物并受它们影响。他们的思维和情感就这样以诸如存在于世上的那类形式，也就是以类似于属世事物的形式呈现在他们眼前，这凭的是主在属灵事物与属世事物之间所建立的对应关系。许多地方都论述了这种对应关系，《天堂与地狱》(87–102, 103–115节)也有论述。正是由于这种对应关系，在绿色的牧场上，以及园子里吃草的成群的绵羊、羔羊和山羊出现在天堂；这些表象源于那些处于教会的良善和真理，并从这些良善和真理来聪明和智慧地思考之人的思维。正因如此，圣言如此频繁地提到“羊群”、“牧场或草场”，还提到“牧养或喂养”和“牧人”；因为字面上的圣言是由诸如在天堂出现在眼前的那类事物构成的，这些事物表示相对应的属灵事物。
由于在教会，人们都知道“牧养或喂养”表示教导人，“牧场或草场”表示教导，“牧人”表示教导者，所以我们只从圣言引用提到 “牧养或喂养”和“牧场或草场、草地”的少量经文，无需进一步解释。以赛亚书：
到那日，你的牲畜必在宽阔的草场上吃草。(以赛亚书30:23)
同一先知书：
祂必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羔羊，温柔地引导那喂奶的。(以赛亚书40:11)
又：
祂对那被捆绑的人说，出来吧；对那在黑暗的人说，显露吧。他们在路上必有吃的，他们的牧场必在一切净光的高处。(以赛亚书49:9)
耶利米书：
论那些牧养我百姓的牧人，你们赶散我的羊群。地因咒诅就悲哀；旷野的草场都枯干了。(耶利米书23:2, 10)
同一先知书：
祂必在迦密和巴珊牧养以色列。(耶利米书50:19)
以西结书：
我必寻觅我的羊群，把它们找出来。我必在以色列山上的水沟旁，在这地一切可居之处牧养它们。我必在美好的草场牧养它们；它们的圈必在以色列高处的山上；它们必在佳美之圈中躺卧，也在以色列山肥美的草场吃草。(以西结书34:11, 13–14)
何西阿书：
我曾在旷野干旱之地认识你，他们在那里有草场。(何西阿书13:5–6)
约珥书：
成群的牛迷惑，因为它们没有草场；成群的羊变得荒凉。(约珥书1:18)
弥迦书：
将来必有一位从伯利恒的以法他出来，倚靠耶和华的力量站立和牧养。(弥迦书5:2, 4)
又：
用你的杖牧养你的子民，就是你产业的羊群；他们必在巴珊和基列得着牧养。(弥迦书7:14)
西番雅书：
以色列的余民必得牧养、躺卧。(西番雅书3:13)
诗篇：
耶和华是我的牧者，我必不至缺乏；祂使我躺卧在青草地上。(诗篇23:1–2)
又：
主拣选大卫；祂领他出来，叫他不再跟从那些喂奶的母羊，为要牧养自己的百姓雅各和自己的产业以色列；于是，他以正直的心牧养他们。(诗篇78:70–72)
又：
耶和华把我们造为祂的子民和祂草场的羊群。因此，我们是祂的子民，是祂草场的羊群。
约翰福音：
耶稣对彼得说，你爱我吗？他说，他爱祂。耶稣对他说，你喂养我的羔羊。祂第二次说，你喂养我的羊。祂第三次又说，你喂养我的羊。(约翰福音21:15–17)
以及其它许多经文，其中“牧养或喂养”表示教导真理，“牧场，或草场、草地”表示他们被教导的真理。
482. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them.- This signifies that the Lord shall teach them from heaven, as is evident from the signification of the Lamb, as denoting the Lord as to Divine Truth; see above (n. 297, 343, 464); and from the signification of the throne, as denoting heaven; see above (n. 253). In the midst of the throne, signifies in the whole heaven, for in the midst signifies in all collectively and individually, or in the whole; see above (n. 213); and from the signification of feeding, which denotes to teach, concerning which we shall treat presently. From these things it is evident that by the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne feeding them, is signified that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven. It is here said, "the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them," and above, that "he who sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them," from which it clearly appears that both by him who sitteth on the throne, and by the Lamb in the midst of the throne, is meant the Lord, but by Him who sitteth on the throne is meant the Lord as to Divine Good, and by the Lamb in the midst of the throne is meant the Lord as to Divine Truth. For to dwell, which is said of Him who sitteth upon the throne, is stated of good; see above (n. 470); and to feed, which is said of the Lamb, is said of truth, for to feed signifies to instruct in truths.
[2] In the Word of the Old Testament the terms Jehovah and God, and also Jehovah and the Holy One of Israel, are frequently used, and both mean the Lord alone. "Jehovah" means the Lord as to Divine Good, and "God" and the "Holy One of Israel" mean the Lord as to Divine Truth; both are named on account of the marriage of Divine Good and Divine Truth in every detail of the Word. That to feed signifies to teach is evident without further explanation, since it is a custom derived from the Word to call those who teach, pastors, and those who are taught, the flock; but the reason of this is not yet known, and therefore it shall be explained. In heaven, all things which appear before the eyes are representative, for they represent under a natural appearance the spiritual things which the angels think and with which they are affected. Their thoughts and affections are thus presented before their eyes in forms like those which are in the world, or in forms similar to those of natural things, and this by virtue of the correspondence which the Lord has caused to exist between spiritual and natural things. The subject of correspondence is dealt with in many places, and in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 87-102, and 103-115). As a result of this correspondence, flocks of sheep, lambs, and goats, feeding in green pastures, and also in gardens, appear in heaven; and these appearances have their existence from the thoughts of those who are in the goods and truths of the church, and who thus think intelligently and wisely. For this reason mention is so frequently made in the Word of flock, also of pastures, and feeding, and of a shepherd. For the Word in the letter consists of such things as in heaven appear before the eyes, and which signify correspondent spiritual thing.
[3] Since it is known in the church that to feed signifies to teach, that pasture signifies instruction, and a shepherd an instructor, we will simply quote a few passages from the Word where these expressions are used, without further explanation.
In Isaiah:
"In that day shall thy cattle feed in a large pasture" (30:23).
Again:
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs into his arm, and shall gently lead those that give suck" (40:11).
Again:
"He will say to the bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed upon the ways, and their pastures shall be on all heights (49:9).
In Jeremiah:
"Against the shepherds that feed my people, ye have scattered my flock; because of the curse the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up" (23:2, 10).
Again:
Israel "shall feed on Carmel and Bashan" (50:19).
In Ezekiel:
"I will seek my flock, and search them out. I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel" (34:11, 13, 14).
In Hosea:
"I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of drought, when there was for them pasture" (13:5, 6).
In Joel:
"The herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate" (1:18).
And in Micah:
Out of Bethlehem Ephratah shall he go forth, "who shall stand and feed in the strength of Jehovah" (5:2, 4).
Again,
"Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead" (7:14).
In Zephaniah:
"The remnant of Israel shall feed and lie down" (3:13).
In David:
"Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. He will cause me to lie down in pastures of grass" (Psalm 23:1, 2).
Again:
"The Lord chose David; from following the ewes giving suck he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart" (78:70-72).
Again,
Jehovah "hath made us his people, and the flock of his pasture, therefore we are his people and the flock of his pasture" (Psalm 100:3).
In John:
Jesus said to Peter, "Lovest thou me?" He said that he loved Him. He said unto him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him the second time, also the third time, "Feed my sheep" (21:15-17). And in very many other passages, in all of which, to feed denotes to instruct in truths, and pasture the truths in which they are instructed.
482. Verse 17. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, signifies that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven. This is evident from the signification of "the Lamb," as being the Lord in relation to Divine truth (of which see above, n. 297, 343, 464); also from the signification of "throne," as being heaven (of which also above, n. 253; "in the midst of the throne" signifies in the universal heaven, for "in the midst" signifies in each and every thing, that is, in the whole, see above, n. 213; also from the signification of "to feed" as being to instruct (of which presently). This makes evident that "the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them" signifies that the Lord will instruct them out of heaven. It is here said, "the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them," and above, "He who sitteth on the throne shall dwell over them" which makes it very clear that it is the Lord who is meant both by "He who sitteth on the throne," and by "the Lamb in the midst of the throne," but "He who sitteth on the throne" means the Lord in relation to Divine good, and "the Lamb in the midst of the throne" means the Lord in relation to Divine truth; for "to dwell," which is said of Him that sitteth upon the throne, is predicated of good (See above, n. 470); and "to feed," which is said of the Lamb, is predicated of truths; for "to feed" signifies to instruct in truths.
[2] In the Word of the Old Testament mention is frequently made of "Jehovah" and "God," also of "Jehovah" and "the Holy One of Israel," and both mean the Lord alone, "Jehovah" the Lord in relation to Divine good, and "God" and "the Holy One of Israel" the Lord in relation to Divine truth; it is thus said because of the marriage of Divine good and Divine truth in every particular of the Word. That "to feed" signifies to instruct can be seen without further explanation, since it is a custom derived from the Word to call those who teach "pastors" (or feeders), and those who are instructed "a flock;" but why they are so called is not yet known, and shall therefore be told. In heaven where all things that appear before the eyes are representative, representing under a natural appearance the spiritual things that angels think and by which they are affected; thus are their thoughts and affections presented before their eyes in such forms as exist in the world, that is, in forms similar to natural things, and this by virtue of the correspondence that is established by the Lord between spiritual things and natural. (This correspondence has been treated of in many places; also in the work Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102, and 103-115.) It is from this correspondence that in heaven flocks of sheep, lambs, and goats appear feeding in green pastures, and also in gardens; and these appearances spring from the thoughts of those who are in the goods and truths of the church, and who from these think intelligently and wisely. It is from this that mention is so often made in the Word of "flock," "pasture," as also of "feeding," and "feeder" (or shepherd); for the Word in the letter consists of such things as appear in heaven before the eyes, and these signify correspondent spiritual things.
[3] As it is known in the church that "to feed" signifies to instruct, "pasture" instruction, and "shepherd" an instructor, a few passages only in which "feeding" and "pasture" are mentioned shall be quoted without further explanation. In Isaiah:
In that day shall thy cattle feed in a broad meadow (Isaiah 30:23).
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs into His arm, and shall gently lead them that give suck (Isaiah 40:11).
He shall say to the bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Reveal yourselves. They shall feed upon the ways, and in all the bare hills shall be their pasture (Isaiah 49:9).
In Jeremiah:
Against the shepherds that feed My people, ye have scattered My flock. Because of cursing the land mourneth; the pastures of the desert are dried up (Jeremiah 23:2, 10).
He shall feed Israel on Carmel and Bashan (Jeremiah 50:19).
In Ezekiel:
I will seek My flock and I will search them out. I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their sheepcote be; there shall they lie down in a good sheepcote, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 34:11, 13, 14).
In Hosea:
I did know thee 1in the wilderness, in a land of drought; where they had pasture (Hosea 13:5, 6).
In Joel:
The droves of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; and the droves of sheep are made desolate (Joel 1:18).
In Micah:
Out of Bethlehem of Ephrathah shall go forth one who shall stand and feed in the strength of Jehovah (Micah 5:2, 4).
Feed Thy people with Thy rod, the flock of Thine heritage; they shall feed in Bashan and Gilead (Micah 7:14).
In Zephaniah:
The remnants of Israel shall feed and lie down (Zephaniah 3:13).
In David:
Jehovah is my Shepherd, I shall not want; He will make me to lie down in pastures of herbage (Psalms 23:1, 2).
The Lord chose David; from following the ewes giving suck He brought him to feed Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance; and he fed them in the integrity of his heart (Psalms 78:70-72).
Jehovah hath made us His people, and the flock of His pasture [keri]. Therefore we are His people and the flock of His pasture (Psalms 100:3).
In John:
Jesus said to Peter, Lovest thou Me? He said that he loved Him. He said unto him, Feed My lambs. He said a second time, Feed My sheep. Again He said a third time, Feed My sheep (John 21:15-17).
Also in many other passages, in which "to feed" signifies to instruct in truths, and "pasture" truths in which they are instructed.
Footnotes:
1. The photolithograph has "them," but cf. AE 780; AC 6078.
482. [Vers. 17.] "Quoniam Agnus, qui in medio throni, pascet eos." - Quod significet quod Dominus e caelo instruet illos, constat ex significatione "Agni", quod sit Dominus quoad Divinum Verum (de qua supra, n. 297, 343, 464 1
); ex significatione "throni", quod sit caelum (de qua etiam supra, n. 253 [a]); "in medio throni" significat in universo caelo, nam "in medio" significat in omnibus et singulis seu in toto (videatur supra, n. 213); et ex significatione "pascere", quod sit instruere (de qua sequitur): ex his constat quod per quod "Agnus, qui in medio throni, pascet eos", significetur quod Dominus e caelo instruet illos. Hic dicitur quod "Agnus, qui in medio throni, pascet eos", et supra quod "Sedens super throno habitabit super illis"; ex quibus manifeSte patet quod per utrumque "Sedentem super throno" et per "Agnum in medio throni" intelligatur Dominus; sed quod per "Sedentem super throno intelligatur Dominus quoad Divinum Bonum, et per "Agnum in medio throni" Dominus quoad Divinum Verum; nam "habitare", quod dicitur de Sedente super throno, praedicatur de bono (videatur supra, n. 470); et "pascere", quod dicitur de Agno, praedicatur de veris, "pascere" enim significat instruere in veris.
[2] In Verbo Veteris Testamenti pluries dicitur "Jehovah" et "Deus", tum "Jehovah" et "Sanctus Israelis", ac per utrumque intelligitur solus Dominus; per "Jehovam" Dominus quoad Divinum Bonum, et per "Deum", tum per "Sanctum Israelis", Dominus quoad Divinum Verum; ita dicitur propter conjugium Divini Boni ac Divini Veri in singulis Verbi.
Quod "pascere" significet instruere, constare potest absque ulteriore expositione, quoniam in usu receptum est ex Verbo dicere "Pastor" de illis qui docent, et "Grex" de illis qui discunt; sed quod ita dicantur, [causa] nondum est 2
nota, quare dicetur. In caelo ubi omnia repraesentativa sunt quae coram oculis apparent, repraesentant enim sub apparentia naturali spiritualia quae angeli cogitant et quibus afficiuntur, ita sistuntur cogitationes et affectiones illorum coram oculis illorum in formis quales sunt in mundo, seu in formis naturalium similibus, et hoc ex correspondentia quae a Domino facta est inter spiritualia et naturalia (de qua correspondentia multis in locis actum est; et in opere De Caelo et Inferno n. 87-102, et n. 103-115). Ex correspondentia illa est quod in caelo appareant greges ex ovibus, agnis et capris, pascentes in viretis et quoque in hortis; quae apparentiae existunt ex cogitationibus illorum qui in bonis et veris ecclesiae sunt, et ex illis intelligenter et sapienter cogitant. Inde nunc est quod in Verbo toties dicatur "grex", tum quoque "pascuum", "pascere" et "pastor"; Verbum enim in littera est ex talibus quae coram oculis in caelo apparent, per quae significantur spiritualia quae correspondent.
[3] Quoniam notum est in ecclesia quod "pascere" significat instruere, "pascuum" instructionem, et "pastor" instructorem, velim solum aliqua loca inde absque ulteriore explicatione afferre, ubi "pascere" et "pascuum" nominantur:
- Apud Esaiam,
"Pascent greges tui in die illo in prato lato" (30:23);
apud eundem,
"Ut pastor gregem suum pascet, in brachium suum colliget agnos, ...lactantes leniter ducet" (40:11);
apud eundem,
"Dicet vinctis, Exite; eis qui in tenebris, Revelamini; super viis pascent, et in omnibus clivis pascuum eorum" (49:9);
apud Jeremiam,
"Contra pastores pascentes populum meum, vos dispersistis gregem meum;.... propter maledictionem luget terra, exaruerunt pascua deserti" (23:2, 10);
apud eundem,
"Pascet" Israel "in Carmele et Baschane" (50:19);
apud Ezechielem,
"Ego quaeram gregem meum, et perquiram eos, .... pascam eos super montibus Israelis, in alveis et in omnibus habitationibus terrae; in pascuo bono pascam eos, et in montibus altitudinis Israelis erit caula eorum; ibi cubabunt [in] caula bona, et pascuum pingue pascent super montibus Israelis" (34:11, 13, 14);
apud Hoscheam,
"Novi 3
te in deserto, in terra siccitatis; cum pascuum eorum...." (13:5, 6);
apud Joelem,
"Perplexa sunt armenta bovis, eo quod non pascuum illis, et greges pecudum desolati sunt" (1:18]);
apud eundem,
"Pasce populum tuum virga tua, gregem hereditatis tuae; .... pascant in Baschane et in Gileade" (7:14);
apud Zephaniam,
"Reliquiae Israelis.... pascent, et requiescent" (3:13);
apud Davidem,
"Jehovah Pastor meus, non carebo, in pascuis herbae cubare faciet me" (Psalms 23:1, 2):
apud eundem,
Dominus "elegit Davidem, ...a post lactantes adduxit eum ad pascendum Jacobum populum suum, et Israelem hereditatem suam, qui pavit eos in integritate cordis sui" (Psalms 78:70-72);
apud eundem,
Jehovah "fecit nos, .... populum suum, et gregem pascui sui"; [vel juxta Keri] "ideo nos populus Ejus, et grex pascui Ejus" (Psalms 100:3);
apud Johannem,
Jesus dixit Petro, "Amasne Me?" Dixit quod amet; dixit ei, "Pasce agnos meos": secundo dixit, "Pasce oves meas; et quoque tertio dixit, "Pasce oves meas" (21:15-17):
et in plurimis aliis locis, in quibus "pascere" etiam significat instruere in veris, et "pascuum" vera quibus instruuntur.
Footnotes:
1. The editors made a correction or note here.
2. The editors made a correction or note here.
3. The editors made a correction or note here.