136# 第三则灵界可记之事：我自远处望见五座学府，每一座皆有天光环绕。第一座裹着紫红光华，恰似尘世日出之前云层间的微光；第二座覆着浅黄光晕，宛如日出之后的朝旭；第三座笼罩纯白光明，如同世间正午烈日之辉；第四座蒙着中度柔光，恰是薄暮阴影初现时的天色；第五座则全然立在昏暮暗影之中。灵界学府，乃是众学者聚而论道之所，众人于此辨析各类灵界奥理，用以增益自身知识、明辨与智慧。我望见这五座学府，心中便生前往一观之意，于是灵身移步，走向那片中度柔光笼罩的学府。入内之后，见一众学者齐聚，彼此辩明经文所载 “主升上天，坐于上帝之右” 一语深意。（可 16:19）
【2】聚首众人之中，大半言道，此句当纯依字面解读，即是子真实坐于父身侧。随即有人追问其中缘由：一部分称，因子成就救赎大功，父方安置祂居于右手；一部分称，此举出于父爱；一部分称，祂居右侧，乃是作父之谋士，使众天使尊崇祂；亦有人称，父将统管之权分赐于祂，是以坐于右侧，圣言有记，天上地下一切权柄尽皆归祂。然更多人言道，祂居于父之右，是为在侧聆听代为祈求之人的祷告；今时教会众人皆径直向父上帝祈求，望父因子的功绩施以怜悯，父便转目向子，接纳祂居间代求。亦有一说，唯有自永恒而生的上帝之子，方能坐于父之右，将自身神性分赐降世为人的人子。
【3】我听闻此番议论，心中大为诧异：这般学者久居灵界，竟依旧不识天堂真义。细究病根，乃是众人一味倚仗自身小聪明，不肯受真智慧开导。为免众人长久执迷于 “子坐父右” 的谬解，我抬手示意，请众人容我剖明此中深意。众人应允之后，我言道：“汝等岂不见圣言明载，父与子原为一体，父寓于子内，子寓于父内？主早已亲口明说。（约 10:30，14:10，11）若背弃此语，便是将独一上帝割裂为二，如此一来，只能以属世、感官乃至血肉物质的眼光揣度神性。自尼西亚会议以来，尘世便落入这般迷局：那场会议立起‘自永恒存有三位神性位格’的妄论，致使教会沦为戏台，张挂绘满幻象的帷幕，幕后皆是戴面具之人搬演虚妄戏码。但凡心中认信上帝独一，此等谬论自会消散，如同愚妄之言从智者耳畔飘散，归于虚空。”
【4】众人听罢，多人心生怒火，几欲上前拉扯，喝令我闭口。学堂主事含怒出言：“今日所论，无关上帝是一或是三，我辈二者皆有所持；只当辨明‘子坐父右’究竟是何深意。你若有真知，只管道来。” 我答：“我自会分说，还请众人止息喧哗。” 继而言道：“所谓坐于右侧，绝非肉身居于身旁之位次，乃是指上帝借着降世所取人性拥有全然全能。凭此人性，祂贯通终始，一如自有之初；凭此人性，祂深入地狱，倾覆、制伏一切幽暗权势；凭此人性，祂规整诸天秩序；也正是借着这份人性，祂救赎世人与天使，永世施行拯救。汝等若静心研读圣言、心窍受天光启明，便能知晓，圣文中‘右手’皆喻指全能。以赛亚书云：‘我的手奠定大地根基，我的右手铺展诸天。’（赛 48:13）又云：‘雅威凭自己右手、大能膀臂起誓。’（赛 62:8）《诗篇》记：‘你的右手扶持我。’（诗 18:35）‘求你顾念你所坚固的子…… 愿你右手护庇这人子，就是你亲手建立的。’（诗 80:15，17）由此便可读懂经文：‘雅威对我主说：你坐在我的右边，等我使你的仇敌作你的脚凳。雅威必从锡安伸出你能力的杖，你要在仇敌之中掌权。’（诗 110:1，2）这一整篇诗篇，皆是记述主征战地狱、得胜幽暗之事。因‘上帝之右’喻全能，主亦自言，祂将要‘坐于权能之右’。（太 26:63，64）又言，将坐于‘上帝权能的右边’。（路 22:69）”
【5】众灵听完，纷纷喧闹驳斥。我又劝诫：“汝等当谨慎，恐有天手显现；此物曾向我展露，一见便生难以言喻的敬畏惶恐，足证‘上帝之右’乃是全能之象征。” 话音方落，天际伸展出一只巨手。众人望见，极致恐惧席卷身心，成群奔逃至门户，有人冲向窗牖意欲跃出，更有人惊惧窒息，倒地不起。唯独我心中安稳，静坐原地，待众人散尽，才缓缓离去。行出一段路途，回头遥望，那座学府已被昏黑云雾笼罩；同时有天音传至耳畔，言道：此等异象，皆因众人固守 “三位上帝” 的虚妄信仰；若日后学堂之中聚集心存正见之人，昔日环绕学府的天光便会复现。
136# 第三个记事：
我远远地看到五所学院，每所学院都被来自天堂的光包围。第一所被一道紫光包围，就是在地上清晨日出之前的云中看到的那种光；第二所被一道金黄色的光包围，就像日出后东方的光；第三所被一道明亮的光包围，就像世上的正午之光；第四所被一道中等亮度的光包围，就像傍晚的阴影开始降临时的暮光，或开始被傍晚的阴影调和的日光；第五所实际上就站在晚上的阴影中。在灵人界，学院是学者们聚集讨论各种奥秘的地方或中心，这些奥秘有助于提高他们的知识、聪明和智慧。看到这些学院，我感受到一种强烈的渴望，想去拜访其中一所，于是在灵里就去了那所被中等亮度的光包围的学院。我进去的时候，看见一群学者；他们正在互相讨论关于主的一段经文是什么意思，经文说，主被接到天上，坐在神的右手边（马可福音16:19）。
大部分会众说，这句话要完全从字面上来理解，即：圣子如此坐在圣父旁边。然而，当被问到祂为什么这么做时，有些人说，圣子被圣父安置在祂的右手边，是因为圣子实现了救赎；有些人说，祂是出于爱坐在那里；有些人说，这是为了祂可以成为圣父的保惠师；这样祂就可以受到天使的尊重；有些人说，这是因为圣父允许祂代替自己掌权，因为经上记着：“天上地上所有的权柄都赐给祂了。”然而，许多人说，这是为了祂可以从右手边垂听祂为之代求的人；因为在当今教会，所有人都接近父神，祈求祂为了儿子而施怜悯；这使得父自己转向子，以接受子的调解。然而，有些人说，只有来自永恒的神的儿子才会坐在父的右手边，这样祂就可以将祂的神性赋予生在世上的人子。
听到这些话，我大为震惊，这些在灵界已经呆了一段时间的学者，竟然对天上的事如此无知；但我意识到了原因，即：他们对自己的聪明充满信心，不愿被真正的智者教导。然而，为了让他们不再对“子坐在父的右手边”是什么意思一无所知，我举手请他们侧耳倾听我想就这个主题所说的几句话。他们同意了，于是我说：“难道你们从圣言中不知道父与子为一，父在子里面，子在父里面吗？主在福音书（约翰福音10:30; 14:10，11）中清楚说了这话。你们若不信，就会把神一分为二，然后不得不属世、感官地，甚至物质地思想神。此外，自尼西亚议会以来，世人就是这么做的；尼西亚议会引入了来自永恒的三个神性位格的教义，由此将教会变成挂有彩绘帷幕的剧院，演员们在里面上演新戏。谁不知道并承认神是一？如果你们在内心和灵里承认这一点，那么你们刚才所说的话就会自行消散，或像智者耳边的闲言碎语一样反弹到空中。”
听到这些话，许多人被激怒了，恨不得扭住我的耳朵，命令我保持沉默。而会众的领袖，或议会主席愤怒地说：“我们不是在讨论神的一体性和多元化，因为我们相信这两者，我们讨论的是圣子坐在祂父的右手边这句话所涉及的内容。如果你对此有所了解，请继续说。”我说：“我会的，但请你止住一切噪音。”于是我继续说：“坐在右手边不是指坐在右手边，而是指通过神在世上所取的人身而来的祂的全能。藉着这人身，祂在最后事物中，如在最初事物中一样；藉着这人身，祂进入、推翻并征服地狱；藉着这人身，祂恢复天堂的秩序，从而藉着这人身，救赎世人和天使，并继续救赎他们，直到永远。你们若查阅圣言，并且能被光照，就会看到‘右手’在此是指全能，如在以赛亚书和诗篇中那样：
我的手立了大地，我的右手丈量了诸天。（以赛亚书48:13）
耶和华指着自己的右手和力量的膀臂起誓。（以赛亚书62:8）
你的右手扶持我。（诗篇18:35）
求你眷顾你为自己造为强大的儿子；愿你的手扶持你右手边的人，就是你为自己造为强大的人子。（诗篇80:15，17）
由此明显可知，当如何理解以下经文：
耶和华对我主说，你坐在我的右手边，等我使你的仇敌作你的脚凳。耶和华必使你从锡安伸出力量的杖来；你要在你仇敌中间掌权。（诗篇110:1，2）
整首诗篇都在论述主与地狱的争战，以及对它们的征服。由于‘神的右手’表示全能，所以主说：祂要坐在权能的右手边（马太福音26:63，64）；坐在神权能的右手边（路加福音22:69） 。”
听到这里，会众又发出喧嚣的声音；但我说：“你们要当心；恐怕会有一只手从天上显现，当它显现时，如它向我显现的那样，它的力量会让旁观者感受到一种难以置信的恐惧。对我来说，这是令人信服的证据，证明‘神的右手’表示全能。”我话音刚落，有一只伸出的手出现在天堂下方，一看到这只手，他们就吓得成群结队地冲向门口；有的冲到窗户前跳出去，有的昏倒了，以至于无法呼吸。但我保持镇定，平静地跟在他们后面走了出去。离开一段距离后，我回头看到那所学院或建筑笼罩在一片乌云或密云中；我从天上被告知，这是因为他们出于三神信仰说话，但当那些更理智的人聚集在那里时，以前的光就会回来。
136. The third memorable occurrence. From far away I saw five halls. Each one was surrounded with light from heaven. The first hall was surrounded with crimson light like the light in the clouds just before sunrise on earth. The second hall was surrounded with a yellow light like the light of the dawn after the sun has come up. The third hall was surrounded with a bright white light like the light in our world at midday. The fourth hall was surrounded with a half light as when daylight begins to mix with evening shadows. The fifth hall stood in the shadow of evening itself.
These halls in the world of spirits are buildings where educated people meet to discuss various deep questions that serve to develop their knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom.
Once I spotted these halls, a strong desire to go to one of them came over me. I went in my spirit to the one that was surrounded with a half light. I entered the hall and saw a group of educated people who had gathered. They were discussing with each other the implications of the statement that since being taken up into heaven the Lord sits at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).
[2] Many of the participants said that it should be taken to mean just what it says - the Son sits next to the Father. When they were asked why, some said that the Father placed the Son on his right side because of the redemption that the Son had brought about. Some said that the Son sits there because of love. Some said that he sits there because he is the Father's adviser and the angels honor him. Others said that he sits there because the Father had allowed him to rule in his place - the Word says that he was given all power in heaven and on earth. A large part of the group, however, said he sits there so that he can hear the people on the right for whom he intercedes; all people in the church today go to God the Father and pray that he may have mercy for the sake of his Son; this has the effect that the Father turns to the Son to receive the Son's mediation. Some others said that it is only the Son of God from eternity who sits to the right of the Father. He sits there in order to share his divinity with the Son of Humankind born in the world.
[3] On hearing these statements, I felt utterly astounded that these well-educated people were still so ignorant about heaven, even though they had already spent some time in the spiritual world. I became aware of the reason, though: because of their confidence in their own intelligence, they had not let themselves be taught by the wise.
So that they would no longer remain in ignorance about the Son sitting at the right hand of the Father, I raised my hand and asked that the participants lend their ears to a few things I desired to say on the subject.
Because they agreed, I said, "Don't you know from the Word that the Father and the Son are one, and that the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father? The Lord openly says so in John chapter 10, verse 30, and chapter 14, verses 10 and 11. If you don't believe these statements you divide God into two. Once you have done that, you cannot help thinking about God in a way that is earthly, limited to your senses, and even materialistic. This type of thinking has been occurring in the world ever since the Council of Nicaea, which introduced the idea of three divine persons from eternity. With that idea, the Council turned the church into a stage with painted drop curtains where actors perform new plays.
"Surely everyone knows and acknowledges, however, that there is one God. If you acknowledge this in your heart and your spirit, all the ideas you uttered a moment ago will spontaneously disperse and bounce off you into the air like nonsense off the ear of a wise person. "
[4] Many of them blazed with anger when they heard that. They had a burning desire to twist my ears and demand silence from me. Instead the leader of the gathering said indignantly, "This is not a discussion about unity and plurality in God. We believe in both. This discussion concerns the meaning of the fact that the Son sits at the right hand of his Father. If you know anything about this, say it. "
"I will," I answered, "but please stop all the noise. Sitting at the right hand doesn't mean literally sitting at the right hand! It means the omnipotence God has through the human manifestation he took on in the world. Through that human manifestation God became the same on the lowest level as he is on the highest. Through that human manifestation he entered the hells, dismantled them, and gained control over them. Through that human manifestation he restructured the heavens. It was through that human manifestation, then, that he redeemed both people and angels, a redemption that will last forever.
"If you consult the Word, and you are in a condition that allows for enlightenment, you are going to perceive that the right hand there means omnipotence. For instance in [Isaiah and] David: 'My hand founded the earth, and my right hand hammered out the heavens' (Isaiah 48:13). 'God has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength' (Isaiah 62:8). 'Your right hand sustains me' (Psalms 18:35). 'Pay attention to the Son whom you have strengthened for yourself. Your hand is for the man on your right. You have strengthened yourself for the Son of Humankind' (Psalms 80:15, 17).
"From these passages it is clear how we should understand another passage: 'Jehovah said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a footstool for your feet. " Jehovah will send the rod of your strength out of Zion to rule in the midst of your enemies' (Psalms 110:1-2). The whole of Psalm 110 is about the Lord's battle with the hells and the process of gaining control over them. Because the right hand of God means omnipotence, the Lord says that he is going to sit at the right hand of power (Matthew 26:63-64), and at the right hand of God's strength (Luke 22:69). "
[5] The group shouted disapproval; but I said, "Be careful now. Perhaps the hand will appear from heaven. When it appears - and I myself have seen it - it strikes unbelievable terror into you because of its power. That hand convinced me that the right hand of God means omnipotence. "
No sooner had I said this than the hand appeared in the sky just above us. It was huge. When they saw it, it struck so much terror into them that they rushed in throngs to the doors. Some ran to the windows to throw themselves out. Some collapsed, fainting because they could not breathe. I was not terrified, though. I walked out slowly behind them.
When I was at a distance I turned around and saw the hall covered in a dark cloud. Word came to me from heaven that the cloud was there now because the participants had been speaking from a belief in three gods; but the light that had been around the hall before would return when saner people were meeting there.
136. The third experience.
I saw in the distance five colleges, each of which was surrounded by radiance from heaven. The first college was surrounded by a purple light, such as is seen in the clouds on earth before the sun rises in the morning. The second was surrounded by a yellowish light, like that of the dawn after sunrise. The third was surrounded by a brilliant light, like that of mid-day on earth. The fourth was surrounded by a moderate light, like that of the afternoon when the shades of evening begin to fall. The fifth actually stood in the shades of evening-time. Colleges in the world of spirits are meeting places where scholars gather to discuss various mysteries, which are of use in their progress towards knowledge, intelligence and wisdom.
On seeing them I felt a desire to visit one of them, so being in the spirit I went to that which had the moderate light. I went in and saw a gathering of scholars debating the question, what is meant by what is said of the Lord, that He was lifted up into heaven and sits at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).
[2] Most of the gathering said that they understood the words perfectly literally, to mean that the Son sat next to the Father. But they disputed why He did so. Some said that the Son has been placed by the Father on His right on account of the redemption which He accomplished. Some said that it was out of love that He was given that seat. Some said it was so that He should be His counsellor, because He is such as to be honoured by the angels. And some said because the Father had given Him power to reign in His stead, for we read that to Him is given all power in heaven and on earth. But a large number asserted it was to hear those on the right for whom He intercedes. For all in the church to-day approach God the Father and pray to Him to have mercy for the sake of the Son; this, they said, makes the Father turn to Him to hear His mediation. But some held that only the Son of God from eternity sits at the Father's right to share His divinity with the Son of Man who was born in the world.
[3] On hearing this I was very surprised that learned men, although they had spent some time in the spiritual world, were still so ignorant of heavenly matters. But I could detect the reason, that they had such confidence in their own intelligence that they had not allowed themselves to learn from wise men. But to prevent them remaining any longer in ignorance about the Son's sitting on the right hand of the Father I raised my hand, and asked them to listen to a few words which I wanted to say on the subject. As they agreed to this, I said: 'Do you not know that the Word says that the Father and the Son are one, and that the Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father? The Lord says so quite openly (John 10:30; 14:10-11). If you do not believe this, you are dividing God into two; and this will inevitably make you think of God in a natural manner, or in the manner of the bodily senses, or even in material terms. This too has happened in the world since the time of the Council of Nicaea, which introduced the concept of three Divine Persons from eternity, and so turned the church into a theatre hung with curtains to act as scenery, in front of which actors played new scenes. Is there anyone who does not know and acknowledge that God is one? If you acknowledge this in your hearts and spirits, all your debate collapses of its own accord, and rebounds into the air, like nonsense from the wise man's ear.'
[4] This speech made many of them very angry with me, and they wanted to tweak my ears and make me be silent. But the chairman of the meeting said indignantly: 'We are not talking about the oneness and plurality of God, because we believe in both. The question is, what is implied by the Son sitting at His Father's right hand; if you know anything about this subject, speak.'
'I will,' I replied, 'but please put a stop to the uproar. Sitting at the right hand does not here mean sitting on the right, but it means God's omnipotence by means of the Human which He took upon Himself in the world. This allows Him to operate at the last as well as at the first level. This enabled Him to enter, overthrow and conquer the hells, as well as to impose order on the heavens. It was by this that He redeemed men and angels, and He continues to do so for ever. If you consult the Word, and are of such a nature that you can receive illumination, you will see that "the right hand" here means omnipotence, as it does in [Isaiah and], the Psalms of David:
My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has measured out the heavens, Isaiah 48:13.
Jehovah 1 has sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, Isaiah 62:8. Your right hand upholds me, Psalms 18:35.
Pay heed to the Son, whom you have made strong for you, your hand for the man at your right, for the Son of Man whom you made strong for you, Psalms 80:15, 17.
This shows how the following passage should be understood:
The saying of Jehovah to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a foot-stool for your feet. Jehovah will send from Zion a sceptre to show your strength, rule in the midst of your enemies, Psalms 110:1-2.
The whole of that Psalm describes the Lord's battle with the hells and their conquest. Since "the right hand of God" means omnipotence, therefore the Lord says that He will sit "on the right hand of power" (Matthew 26:63-64); and "on the right hand of the power of God" (Luke 22:69).'
[5] At this point I was interrupted by an uproar in the assembly; but I said: 'Take care! There may perhaps appear from heaven a hand, such as appeared to me. If it does, it strikes unbelievable fear of its power into you. This proved to me that "the right hand of God" means omnipotence.'
Hardly had I said this, when a hand was seen stretched out beneath heaven. Its appearance struck such terror into them that they rushed pell-mell to the doors; some rushed to the windows to throw themselves out, some were unable to breathe and fainted. However, I was not terrified, so I stayed behind, and then walked slowly after them. When I looked back from a distance, I saw that the college was surrounded by a dark cloud; and I was told from heaven that this was because they had spoken from their belief in three Gods, and that its earlier light would return, when more sensible people gathered there.
Footnotes:
1. Corrected in the author's copy from 'God' in keeping with the Hebrew.
136. Third Memorable Relation:
I saw at a distance five gymnasia, each one surrounded by a light from heaven. A purple light, such as there is in the clouds in the morning before sunrise on earth, surrounded the first; a yellowish light, like that in the east after sunrise, surrounded the second; a bright light, like that of noonday in the world, surrounded the third; and a moderate light, like daylight when it begins to be tempered by the shades of evening, surrounded the fourth. The fifth stood in the actual shade of evening. Gymnasia in the spiritual world are halls where the learned assemble and discuss various arcana that are serviceable to their knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom.
Seeing these gymnasia I felt a strong desire to visit one of them, and went in spirit to the one that was surrounded by the moderate light; and entering I saw an assembly of the learned; who were discussing with one another what is involved in the statement that the Lord was taken up to heaven and sits at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19).
[2] The greater part of the assembly said that this should be understood in accordance with the very words, that the Son does so sit beside the Father; and it was asked why He did so.
Some said that the Son had been placed by the Father at His right hand on account of the redemption He had accomplished; others said that it was from love that He sat there; others that it was in order that He might be the Father's counselor; and being such, that He might be honored by the angels; others that it was because it had been granted Him by the Father to rule in His stead, for it is written that all power was given to Him in heaven and on earth. But the greater number said that it was in order that He might hear, from the right hand, those for whom He intercedes; for in the church at the present day all approach God the Father, and pray to Him to be merciful for the Son's sake; and this causes the Father Himself to turn to the Son, that He may receive the Son's mediation. Some, however, said that it is only the Son of God from eternity who sits at the right hand of the Father, that He may impart His Divinity to the Son of man born in the world.
[3] Hearing this, I was greatly astonished that learned men, who had already been living for some time in the spiritual world, should be so ignorant of heavenly things; but I perceived why it was so, namely, that from confidence in their own intelligence they had not suffered themselves to be taught by the wise. But that they might no longer remain ignorant of the meaning of the Son's sitting at the Father's right hand I raised my hand, asking them to give ear to a few words that I wished to say on that subject; and as they assented I said, "Do you not know from the Word that the Father and the Son are one, that the Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father? This the Lord plainly says (in John 10:30 and John 14:10, 11). If you do not believe this you divide God into two; and when this is done you are unable to think about God otherwise than naturally, sensually, and even materially; and this has been done in the world since the time of the Council of Nice, which introduced the doctrine of three Divine persons from eternity, and thereby turned the church into a theater furnished with painted hangings, wherein the actors were representing new plays. Who does not know and acknowledge that God is one? If you acknowledge this in heart and spirit, all that you have just said is of itself dissipated, or rebounds into the air like nonsense from the ear of a wise man."
[4] At these remarks many were incensed, and burned to pull my ears and order me to be silent. But the president of the congregation said with indignation," This discussion is not about the unity and plurality of God, for we believe in both, but about what is involved in the statement that the Son sits at His Father's right hand; if you know anything about this, speak."
I replied, "I will speak, but I pray you to suppress the noise." And I said, "'To sit at the right hand' does not mean to sit at the right hand, but it means God's omnipotence through the Human that He assumed in the world. By means of this He is in things last as well as in things first; by means of this He entered and overthrew and subjugated the hells; by means of this He restored order in the heavens; and thus by means of this He redeemed both men and angels, and will continue to redeem for ever. If you consult the Word, and are capable of enlightenment, you will perceive that 'right hand' means here omnipotence, as it does in Isaiah:
My hand hath founded the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the heavens (47:13).
Jehovah hath sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength (62:8).
Thy right hand doth hold Me up (Psalms 18:35).
Look to the Son that Thou madest strong for Thyself; let Thy hand be for the man of the right hand, for the Son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself (Psalms 80:15, 17).
From this it is plain how the following is to be understood:
The saying of Jehovah to my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet. Jehovah shall send the staff of Thy strength out of Zion; rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies (Psalms 110:1, 2).
This whole Psalm treats of the Lord's combat against the hells, and His subjugation of them. As 'the right hand of God' signifies omnipotence:
The Lord says that He is to sit at the right of power (Matthew 26:63, 64)
And at the right hand of the power of God" (Luke 22:69).
[5] But at this the assembly became tumultuous, and I said, "Take heed; for a hand may appear from heaven, and when it appears (as it had appeared to me), it strikes the beholder with an incredible terror of its power; and this has been to me a proof that 'the right hand of God' signifies omnipotence."
Scarcely had I spoken when beneath heaven an outstretched hand was seen, at the appearance of which such terror seized them that they rushed in crowds toward the doors, and some to the windows to throw themselves out, and some fell down unable to breathe. But I remained unterrified, and went out calmly after them; and when some distance away I turned and saw the building enveloped in a dense cloud, and was told from heaven that this was done because they had spoken from a belief in three Gods, and that the former light would return when those who were more sane should meet there.
136. The third experience. I saw at a distance five colleges, each bathed in light from heaven; the first in a purple light such as suffuses the clouds of the earth before the rising of the sun in the early morning; the second in a golden light like that in the east after sunrise; the third in a bright clear light like that of noonday in the world; the fourth in a twilight, as when the shades of evening begin to fall; and the fifth in the very shades of evening. Colleges in the world of spirits are centres where the learned meet and discuss abstruse matters, in the advancement of their knowledge, intelligence and wisdom. On seeing these I felt a strong desire to go to one of them, so I went in spirit to that one which was in twilight. When I entered I saw a company of learned men who were discussing what was meant by the passage concerning the Lord which says that "He being taken up into heaven, sits on the right hand of God" Mark 16:19.
[2] Most of the company said that those words were to be understood literally, and that the Son does so sit beside the Father. When, however, the question was asked why He did so, some replied that the Son was placed on His right hand by the Father because of the redemption which He effected; some, that He is seated there from love; some, that He might be the Father's Counselor, and as such might be honored by the angels; and some, that He was so exalted because the Father granted Him to rule in His stead, for it is written that "all power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth." Many, however, gave as the reason, that He might hear those on the right hand for whom He intercedes. For all in the Church at this day approach God the Father and pray to Him to have mercy for the sake of the Son; and this causes the Father to turn Himself to the Son for the purpose of receiving His mediation. Some, however, declared that only the Son of God from eternity sits at the right hand of the Father, that He may communicate His Divinity to the Son of Man who was born in the world.
[3] On hearing these things I was much amazed that learned men, who had spent some time in the spiritual world, yet remained so ignorant in regard to heavenly things; but I perceived the reason was that they, through confidence in their own intelligence, did not suffer themselves to be instructed by the truly wise. However, that they might not remain any longer ignorant of what is meant by the Son's sitting at the right hand of the Father, I raised my hand, requesting them to listen to a few things I wished to say on the subject. As they assented, I said: "Do you not know from the Word that the Father and the Son are one, and that the Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father? This the Lord plainly declares, John 10:30; and John 14:10-11. If you do not believe these words, you divide God into two, and then you cannot but think of God naturally, sensually, indeed materially. This, moreover, has been done in the world since the time of the Council of Nice, which introduced the doctrine of three Divine Persons from eternity, by virtue of which it turned the Church into a theater, furnishing it with a painted curtain before which the fictitious characters performed new roles. Who does not know and acknowledge that God is one? If you acknowledge this in heart and spirit, all that you have said vanishes of itself, rebounding into the air like idle talk from the ear of a wise man."
[4] At these words many were enraged, and wished to pull my ears, and bid me be silent; while the president of the assembly indignantly said: "This discussion is not about the unity and the plurality of God, because we believe in both, but about what is involved in the statement that the Son sits at the right hand of His Father. If you know any thing about this, say on." I replied: "I will speak; but, I pray you, calm the disorder." So I continued: "To sit at the right hand does not mean literally to sit at the right hand, but it signifies the omnipotence of God by means of the Human which He assumed in the world. By this He is in last things as He is in first; and by this He entered into, destroyed and subdued the hells, and also restored the heavens to order. Thus He redeemed both men and angels, and continues to redeem them to eternity. If you consult the Word, and are capable of being enlightened, you will see that by the right hand is there signified omnipotence, as in Isaiah:
My hand also hath laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens 48:13;
The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength 62:8;
Thy right hand hath holden me up. Psalms 18:35;
Look upon the Son whom thou hadst made strong for thyself. Let thy hand be upon the Man of thy right hand, upon the Son of Man whom thou madest strong for thyself, Psalms 80:15, 17.
From this it is evident how the following is to be understood:
JEHOVAH said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. JEHOVAH shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies, Psalms 110:1-2.
The whole of this Psalm treats of the Lord's combat with the hells and their subjugation. Since the right hand of God signifies omnipotence, therefore the Lord says:
He shall sit on the right hand of power. Matthew 26:64;
And:
"On the right hand of the power of God." Luke 22:69.
[5] At this the company raised a noisy clamor; but I said: "Take heed to yourselves: there may perchance appear a hand from heaven; and when it appears, as it has appeared to me, it inspires an incredible terror of its power. It was convincing proof to me that the right hand of God signifies omnipotence." Scarcely had I said this when there appeared under heaven a stretched-out hand, at the sight of which such terror seized them that they rushed in crowds to the doors. Some rushed to throw themselves out of the windows, and some fell down in a faint. I remained unperturbed, and calmly walked out after them. Some distance away I turned and saw the college enveloped in a dark cloud; and I was told from heaven that this happened because they spoke from a belief in three Gods, but that the former light would return when a company with saner views should assemble there.
136. TERTIUM MEMORABILE.
Vidi e longinquo quinque Gymnasia; lux e Coelo circumfudit unumquodvis; Gymnasium primum circumfudit 1 lux purpurea, qualis est in nubibus ante solis ortum tempore matutino in terris; Secundum Gymnasium circumfudit lux flavescens, qualis est aurorae post solis ortum: Tertium Gymnasium circumfudit 2 lux candida, qualis est in Mundo tempore meridiei: Quartum Gymnasium circumfudit lux media, qualis est cum incipit immisceri umbrae vesperae: et Quintum Gymnasium in ipsa umbra vesperae stetit. Gymnasia in Mundo spirituum sunt Curiae, ubi conveniunt Eruditi, et ventilant varia arcana, quae illorum scientiae, intelligentiae et sapientiae inserviunt. Illis visis invasit me desiderium abeundi ad unum ex illis, et abivi in spiritu ad illud, quod luce media circumfusum erat, ac intravi, et visus est Caetus ex Eruditis congregatus, qui inter se ventilabat, quid involvit id, quod de Domino dicitur, quod sublatus in Coelum consedeat a dextris Dei, Marcus 16:19.
[2] Plerique ex congregatis dixerunt, quod illa prorsus secundum verba intelligenda sint, quod Filius ita sedeat juxta Patrem: at quaesitum est cur ita; dixerunt aliqui quod Filius a Patre ad dextram locatus sit propter Redemptionem quam perfecit; aliqui quod ita sedeat ex amore; aliqui quod propterea, ut Consiliarius Ejus sit, et quia talis ut Illi honor ab Angelis; et aliqui quod ideo, quia datum ei a Patre regnare vice Ejus, nam legitur quod Ipsi data sit omnis potestas in Coelo et in Terra; at multa pars, ut audiat a dextris pro quibus intercedit; omnes enim in Ecclesia hodie adeunt Deum Patrem, et orant, ut misereatur propter Filium, et hoc efficit, ut Pater se vertat ad illum, ut mediationem excipiat; at aliqui dixerunt, quod solum Filius Dei ab aeterno ad dextram Patris sedeat, ut communicet Divinitatem suam cum Filio hominis nato in Mundo.
[3] His auditis, miratus sum valde, quod Eruditi, tametsi aliquo tempore in Mundo spirituali commorati sunt, 3 usque tam ignari rerum coelestium essent; sed percepi causam, quod ex fiducia propriae intelligentiae non se passi sint a sapientibus instrui. Verum ne diutius in ignorantia de sessione Filii ad dextram Patris permanerent, sustuli palmam, rogans, ut praebeant aures ad pauca, quae de illa loqui desidero; et quia annuerunt, dixi, nostisne ex Verbo, Quod Pater et Filius unum sint, et quod Pater sit in Filio et Filius in Patre; haec Dominus aperte dicit, Johannes 10:30, et Cap. 14:10-11; si haec non creditis, dividitis Deum in duos, quo facto non potestis aliter quam naturaliter, sensualiter, imo materialiter, de Deo cogitare, quod etiam factum est in Mundo a tempore CONCILII NICAENI, quod introduxit Tres Personas Divinas ab aeterno, et per id Ecclesiam vertit in Theatrum, cui appendit Aulaea picta, intra quae personati novas scenas repraesentabant; quis non scit et agnoscit, quod Deus Unus sit; si hoc corde et spiritu agnoscitis, dissipantur ex se omnia quae loquuti estis, et resiliunt in aerem sicut nugae ab aure sapientis.
[4] Ad haec dicta multi accensi ira ardebant vellicare aures meas, et mandare silentium; sed Praesul congregationis in indignatione dixit, hic non sermo est de unitate et pluralitate Dei, quia utramque credimus, sed de hoc, quid involvit, quod Filius sedeat ad dextram sui Patris, si de hoc aliquid novisti, fare; et respondi, fabor, sed quaeso, inhibe strepitus; et dixi, per sedere ad dextram non intelligitur sedere ad dextram, sed intelligitur Omnipotentia Dei per Humanum quod assumsit in Mundo, per hoc in ultimis est sicut in primis, et per hoc intravit, destruxit et subjugavit Inferna, et per hoc ordinavit Coelos, ita per hoc redemit et homines et angelos, et redimit in aeternum: si consulitis Verbum, et tales 4 estis, ut queatis illustrari, appercepturi estis, quod per Dextram ibi intelligatur Omnipotentia, ut apud [Esajam et] Davidem, MANUS MEA FUNDAVIT Terram, et DEXTRA MEA pugillavit Coelos, Esajas 48:13. 5 Juravit Deus 6 per DEXTRAM SUAM, et per Brachium roboris sui, Esajas 62:8. 7 DEXTRA TUA sustentat me, Psalm 18:36. 8 Respice ad Filium confortaveras Tibi, MANUS TUA pro VIRO DEXTRAE, pro Filio hominis confortasti Tibi, Psalm 80:16, 18. 9 Inde patet quomodo intelligitur hoc, "Dictum Jehovae ad Dominum meum, sede ad DEXTRAM MEAM, usque dum posuero inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum; sceptrum roboris tui mittet Jehovah e Zione, dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum," Psalm 110:1-2, agitur in toto illo Psalmo de pugna Domini cum Infernis, et de illorum subjugatione; quoniam Dextra Dei significat Omnipotentiam, ideo Dominus dicit quod sessurus sit 10 a DEXTRIS POTENTIAE, Matthaeus 26:63-64: et A DEXTRIS VIRTUTIS DEI, Luca 22:69.
[5] Sed ad haec Caetus obstrepuit, at dixi: cavete vobis, forte e Coelo appareat Manus, quae cum apparet, sicut apparuerat mihi, incredibilem terrorem potentiae incutit, quod mihi confirmationi fuit, quod Dextra Dei significet Omnipotentiam; vix hoc dictum est, et visa est extensa Manus sub Coelo, qua visa tantus terror invasit, ut coacervatim ruerent ad portas, et quidam ad fenestras ut se ejicerent, et quidam deficientes anhelitu succumbebant; at ego non territus mansi, et post illos lente abivi; et ad distantiam inde converti me, et vidi Gymnasium illud nube obscura circumtectum; et dictum est mihi e Coelo, quod ita factum sit, quia ex fide trium Deorum loquuti sunt, et quod Lux prior circum illud reditura sit, quando saniores ibi congregabuntur.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: cireumfudit.
2. Sic Errores Typographici.
3. Prima editio: sunr.
4. Prima editio: talcs.
5. Prima editio: Psalm.
6. Sic prima editio, Arcana Coelestia 8281 et Apocalypsi Explicata 298, sed Biblia Hebraica et alibi: Jehovah.
7. Prima editio: Psalm.
8. Sic Schmidt et Biblia Hebraica, sed 18:35 apud Biblia Anglica.
9. Sic Schmidt et Biblia Hebraica, sed 80:15, 17 apud Biblia Anglica. Prima editio: 120:16, 17.
10. Prima editio: sessurus a sit.