启示录3
1.你要写信给撒狄教会的天使说：这些事是那有神的七灵和七星的说的：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。
2.你要警醒！坚固那剩下将近死去的，因我见你的行为，在神面前并不完全。
3.所以要回想你是怎样领受，怎样听见的，又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到你那里，你也决不能知道。
4.然而在撒狄，你还有几个名字是未曾污秽自己衣服的；他们要穿白衣与我同行，因为他们是配得过的。
5.凡得胜的，必这样穿白衣，我也必不从生命册上涂抹他的名，且要在我父面前和我父众天使面前认他的名。
6.圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！
7.你要写信给非拉铁非教会的天使说：这些事那圣洁、真实，拿着大卫的钥匙，开了就没有人能关，关了就没有人能开的说的。
8.我知道你的行为：看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的，因你略有一点力量，也曾遵守我的道，没有弃绝我的名。
9.看哪，我要从撒但会堂里将那些自称是犹太人，其实不是，乃是说谎话的人交给你；看哪，我要使他们来在你脚前下拜，也使他们知道我已经爱你了。
10.你既遵守我忍耐的道，我也必保守你免去试炼的时刻，就是将要临到全世界，来试炼住在地上的人的。
11.看哪，我必快来，你要持守你所有的，免得人夺去你的冠冕。
12.得胜的，我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子，他也必不再出去。我又要将我神的名和我神城的名，就是从天上、从我神那里降下来的新耶路撒冷，并我的新名，都写在他上面。
13.圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！
14.你要写信给老底嘉教会的天使说：这些事是那为阿们的，为诚信真实见证的，神工之初始的说的。
15.我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。
16.你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。
17.因为你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。却不知道你是那可怜、困苦、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。
18. 我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。
19.凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他，所以你要发热心，也要悔改。
20.看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。
21.得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在父的宝座上与祂同坐一般。
22.圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！
本章论述了基督教界那些其敬拜因无与信而死亡的人（154-171节）；他们以“撒狄教会”来描述。那些通过主处于源自良善的真理之人则以“非拉铁非教会”来描述（172-197节）。那些具有时而源于自己，时而源于圣言的信仰，以这种方式亵渎神圣事物的人以“老底嘉教会”来描述（198-223节）。所有这些人同样被呼召到主的新教会。
第1节.“你要写信给撒狄教会的天使说”表写给并涉及那些其敬拜已死，或其敬拜没有仁之良善，也没有信之真理的人（154节）。“这些事是那有神的七灵和七星的说的”表主，一切真理和一切良善与真理的认知皆出自祂（155节）。“我知道你的行为”表主立刻洞悉他们所有的内在和外在（156节）。“按名你是活的，其实是死的”表无论他们自己还是其他人，都觉得并相信他们的灵性是活的，其实他们的灵性是死的（157节）。
第2节.“你要警醒”表要持守真理并照真理生活（158节）。“坚固那剩下将近死去的”表好叫属于其敬拜的事物能接受生命（159节）。“因我见你的行为，在神面前并不完全”表其敬拜的内在并未与结合（160节）。
第3节.“所以要回想你是怎样领受，怎样听见的”表他们应思想一切敬拜起初是属世的，后来通过真理变成属灵的，以及除此之外的许多其它事（161节）。“又要遵守，并要悔改”表他们应留心这些事，使其已死的敬拜获得生命（162节）。“若不警醒”在此和前面所表相同（163节）。“我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到你那里，你也决不能知道”表属于敬拜的事物将从他们那里被夺走，他们却不知是何时被夺走，如何被夺走的（164节）。
第4节.“然而在撒狄，你还有几个名字”表他们当中还有某些人的敬拜尚有生命（165节）。“是未曾污秽自己衣服的”表他们持守真理，未曾以生活的邪恶和由此而来的虚假玷污敬拜（166节）。“他们要穿白衣与我同行（因为他们是配得过的）”表他们要与主一起生活，因为他们处在祂的真理之中（167节）。
第5节.“凡得胜的，必这样穿白衣”表凡被改造者皆变得属灵（168节）。“我也必不从生命册上涂抹他的名”表他要得救（169节）。“且要在我父面前和我父众天使面前认他的名”表处于主的神性真理之人必被接受（170节）。
第6节.“圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听”在此和前面所表相同（171节）。
第7节.“你要写信给非拉铁非教会的天使说”表写给并涉及那些通过主处于源自良善的真理之人（172节）。“这些事那圣洁、真实的说的”表主的神性真理（173节）。“拿着大卫的钥匙，开了就没有人能关，关了就没有人能开的”表唯独全能的拯救者（174节）。
第8节.“我知道你的行为”在此和前所表相同（175节）。“看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门”表天堂向那些通过主处于源自良善的真理之人敞开（176节）。“是无人能关的”表地狱不能胜过他们（177节）。“因你略有一点力量”表因他们知道凭自己什么也做不了（178节）。“也曾遵守我的道”表还因他们照主在其圣言中的诫命生活（179节）。“没有弃绝我的名”表他们处于对主的敬拜（180节）。
第9节.“看哪，我要从撒但会堂里”表那些在教义上处于虚假之人（181节）。“将那些自称是犹太人，其实不是，乃是说谎话的人交给你”表声称教会与他们同在，其实不然的人（182节）。“看哪，我要使他们来在你脚前下拜”表许多在教义上处于虚假的人将接受新教会的真理（183节）。“也使他们知道我已经爱你了”表他们必明白，他们蒙主所爱，并被接入天堂（184节）。
第10节.“你既遵守我忍耐的道”表因他们与邪恶争战（185节）。“我也必保守你免去试炼的时刻，就是将要临到全世界，来试炼住在地上的人的”表在最后审判之日，他们将得到保护和保守（186节）。
第11节.“看哪，我必快来”表主的到来（187节）。“你要持守你所有的”表与此同时，他们应持守在自己的真理与良善当中（188节）。“免得人夺去你的冠冕”表免得智慧消亡，永恒福乐就出自智慧（189节）。
第12节.“得胜的”表那些继续坚定地处于源自良善的真理之人（190节）。“我要叫他在我神殿中作柱子” 表他们所居于其中的源自主之良善的真理支撑教会（191节）。“他也必不再出去”表他们将留在那里，直到永远（192节）。“我又要将我神的名写在他上面”表神性真理必刻在他们心上（193节）。“我神城的名，就是新耶路撒冷”表新教会的教义必刻在他们心上（194节）。“从天上、从我神那里降下来的”表这教义必出于主的神性真理，如在天上那样（195节）。“我的新名”表唯独敬拜主，以及前教会所没有的新事物（196节）。
第13节.“圣灵向众教会所说的话、凡有耳的，就应当听”在此和前面所表相同（197节）。
第14节.“你要写信给老底嘉教会的天使说”表写给并涉及教会中那些时而出于自己，时而出于圣言相信，并以这种方式亵渎神圣事物的人（198节）。“这些事是那为阿们的，为诚信真实见证的说的”表主的圣言，就是来自祂自己的神性真理（199节）。“神工之初始”表圣言（200节）。
第15节.“我知道你的行为”在此和前面所表相同（201节）。“你也不冷也不热”表他们时而否认、时而承认圣言是神性和神圣的（202节）。“我巴不得你或冷或热”表他们最好要么从心里否认圣言的神圣事物，要么从心里承认它们（203节）。
第16节.“你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去”表亵渎，随之与主分离（204节）。
第17节.“因为你说：我是富足，已经发了财”表他们以为自己拥有大量属天堂和教会的良善和真理的认知（206节）。“一样都不缺”表他们不再需更多智慧（207节）。“却不知道你是那可怜”表他们所知有关这些认知的一切根本就没有连贯性（208节）。“困苦、贫穷”表他们缺乏真理与良善（209节）。“瞎眼、赤身”表他们既缺乏对真理的理解，也缺乏对良善的意愿（210节）。
第18节.“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足”表告诫他们通过圣言从主为自己获取爱之良善，好变得智慧（211节）。“又买白衣穿上”表他们应为自己获取纯正的智慧之真理（212节）。“叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来”表免得属天之爱的良善遭到亵渎和玷污（213节）。“又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”表使他们的认知得到治愈（214节）。
第19节.“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他”表他们因那时被爱，故必被引入试探（215节）。“所以你要发热心，也要悔改”表这一切要通过对真理的情感来完成（216节）。
第20节. “看哪，我站在门外叩门”表主在圣言中呈现给每个人，并在那里催促被接受，也指示人当如何接受（217节）。“若有听见我声音就开门的”表凡相信圣言并照之生活的人（218节）。“我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席”表主与他们，并他们与主结合（219节）。
第21节.“得胜的”表通过照着主在圣言中的诫律生活而与主结合的那类人（220节）。“我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐”表他们将在天堂与主结合（221节）。“就如我得了胜，在父的宝座上与祂同坐一般”表正如主与父为一，就是天堂一般（222节）。
第22节.“圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听”在此和前面所表相同（223节）。
154.“你要写信给撒狄教会的天使说”表写给并涉及那些其敬拜已死，或其敬拜没有仁之良善，也没有信之真理的人。具有这种敬拜的人由“撒狄教会”来表示，这从写给它的话明显可知，不过，这些话要照着灵义来理解。所谓死的敬拜，是指单有敬拜形式，如常去教堂，聆听布道，领受圣餐，阅读圣言和敬虔的书籍，谈论神、天堂地狱、死后生命，尤其谈论敬虔，早晚祷告，然而却不渴望知道信之真理，也不想践行仁之良善，以为单单敬拜就能得救。而事实上，没有真理和照着真理的生活，敬拜就只是仁与信的外在形式，里面若没有仁与信，就会隐藏各种邪恶与虚假；因为真正的敬拜由仁与信构成。否则，这敬拜就像果皮，或果实的表面，里面隐藏的是虫子蛀蚀过的烂果肉，这种果实是死的。如今这种敬拜在教会大行其道，这是众所周知的。
154. CHAPTER 3
1. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, when you are dead.
2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works full before God.
3. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and pay heed and repent. If, then, you will not watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.
4. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
7. "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens:
8. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - behold, I will make them come and worship at your feet, and know that I have loved you.
10. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to put to the test those who dwell on the earth.
11. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
12. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God. Also My new name.
13. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
14. "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the workmanship of God:
15. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot.
16. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, it shall come to pass that I vomit you out of My mouth.
17. Because you say, "I am rich and wealthy, and have need of nothing," and do not know that you are miserable, wretched and poor, blind and naked,
18. I urge you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be enriched, and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sit with My Father on His throne.
22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
THE SPIRITUAL MEANING
The Contents of the Whole Chapter
People in the Christian world who are engaged in a lifeless worship, one without charity and faith, are described by the church in Sardis (nos. 154-171).
People who are governed by truths springing from goodness derived from the Lord are described by the church in Philadelphia (nos. 172-197).
People who base their beliefs sometimes on their own thinking, sometimes on the Word, and so profane holy things, are described by the church in Laodicea (nos. 198-223).
All of these, too, are called to the Lord's New Church.
The Contents of the Individual Verses:
| Verse Contents | Spiritual Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, | To people and concerning people who are engaged in a lifeless worship, or in a worship that lacks the goods expressive of charity or the truths connected with faith. |
| 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: | The Lord from whom spring all truths and all concepts of goodness and truth. |
| "I know your works, | The Lord sees people's inner and outer qualities all simultaneously, |
| that you have a name that you are alive, when you are dead. | that they seem to themselves and others to be spiritually alive, and are believed by themselves and others to be so, when in fact they are spiritually lifeless. |
| 2. Be watchful, | They should have truths and live in accordance with them, |
| and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die, | so that the things of which their worship consists may be given life. |
| for I have not found your works full before God. | The inner qualities of their worship are not conjoined with the Lord. |
| 3. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, | They should reflect that all worship in the beginning is natural, and later becomes spiritual through truths, and so on. |
| and pay heed and repent. | They should pay attention to these things and give life to their lifeless worship. |
| If, then, you will not watch, | The same here as before [verse 2]. |
| I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you. | The things of which their worship consists will be taken from them, without their knowing when or how. |
| 4. You have a few names even in Sardis | They also have among them some people who do have life in their worship, |
| who have not defiled their garments; | who possess truths, and have not soiled their worship by evil practices and the falsities attendant on these. |
| and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. | They will live with the Lord, because they are governed by truths from Him. |
| 5. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, | Anyone who is reformed becomes spiritual |
| and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; | and will be saved. |
| but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. | Those people are to be accepted who are governed by Divine good and Divine truths from the Lord. |
| 6. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' | The same here as before [chapter 2, verse 7]. |
| 7. "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, | To people and concerning people who are governed by truths springing from goodness derived from the Lord. |
| 'These things says He who is holy, who is true, | The Lord in relation to Divine truth, |
| who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: | who alone has the omnipotence to save. |
| 8. "I know your works. | The same here as before [verse 1]. |
| See, I have set before you an open door, | To those who are governed by truths springing from goodness derived from the Lord, heaven is opened. |
| and no one can shut it; | Hell does not prevail against them, |
| for you have little strength, | because they know they have no power of themselves, |
| and have kept My word, | because they live in accordance with the Lord's commandments in His Word, |
| and have not denied My name. | Being moved by worship of the Lord. |
| 9. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, | People who are caught up in falsities as regards doctrine, |
| who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - | who say they have embraced the church, and have not - |
| behold, I will make them come and worship at your feet, | many of them who are caught up in falsities as regards doctrine will accept the truths of the New Church. |
| and know that I have loved you. | They will see they are loved and accepted into heaven by the Lord. |
| 10. Because you have kept My command to persevere, | Because they have fought against evils, |
| I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to put to the test those who dwell on the earth. | they will be protected and preserved on the day of the Last Judgment. |
| 11. Behold, I am coming quickly! | The Lord's advent. |
| Hold fast what you have, | In the meantime they should remain steadfast in their truths and goods, |
| that no one may take your crown. | lest they lose the wisdom from which comes eternal happiness. |
| 12. He who overcomes, | Those who persevere in truths springing from goodness, |
| I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, | the truths they possess, springing from goodness derived from the Lord, sustain the church, |
| and he shall go out no more. | and they will remain in it to eternity. |
| And I will write on him the name of My God | They will have Divine truth engraved on their hearts. |
| and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, | They will have the doctrine of the New Church engraved on their hearts, |
| which is coming down out of heaven from My God. | doctrine that will come from the Lord's Divine truth, such as it is in heaven. |
| Also My new name. | Worship of the Lord alone, with new elements that did not exist in the prior church. |
| 13. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' | The same here as before [chapter 2, verse 7]. |
| 14. "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, | To people and concerning people in the church who base their beliefs sometimes on their own thinking, sometimes on the Word, and so profane holy things. |
| 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, | The Lord in relation to the Word, which is Divine truth originating from Him. |
| the beginning of the workmanship of God: | The Word. |
| 15. I know your works, | The same here as before [verses 1], |
| that you are neither cold nor hot. | that people such as these sometimes deny that the Word is Divine and holy, and sometimes acknowledge that it is. |
| Would that you were cold or hot. | It would be better for them either to deny wholeheartedly the holy things of the Word and church, or to acknowledge them wholeheartedly. |
| 16. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, it shall come to pass that I vomit you out of My mouth. | Their profanation and separation from the Lord, |
| 17. Because you say, "I am rich and wealthy, | because they believe they possess in great abundance concepts of goodness and truth having to do with heaven and the church, |
| and have need of nothing," | having no more need to grow in wisdom. |
| and do not know that you are miserable, | Nothing at all of what they know about these things has any coherence. |
| wretched and poor, | They have no truths or goods. |
| blind and naked, | They lack any understanding of truth or will for good. |
| 18. I urge you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be enriched, | An admonition to acquire for themselves the goodness of love from the Lord by means of the Word, in order to become wise, |
| and white garments, that you may be clothed, | in order to acquire for themselves genuine truths of wisdom, |
| that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; | so as not to profane and adulterate the goodness of heavenly love, |
| and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. | so as to heal their understanding. |
| 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. | Because they are loved then, it must be that they are introduced into temptations or trials, |
| Be zealous, therefore, and repent. | in order for this goal to come about from an affection for truth. |
| 20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. | The Lord is present with everyone in the Word, and He presses there to be received, teaching how He can be. |
| If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, | Anyone who believes the Word and lives according to it, |
| I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. | the Lord conjoins Himself with them and they with Him. |
| 21. To him who overcomes | Those who live in conjunction with the Lord through a life in accordance with His precepts in the Word, |
| I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, | will have a conjunction with the Lord in heaven, |
| as I also overcame and sit with My Father on His throne. | As He and the Father are one and constitute heaven. |
| 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' " | The same here as before [chapter Revelation 2, verse 7]. |
THE EXPOSITION
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write." (3:1) This symbolically means, to people and concerning people who are engaged in a lifeless worship, or in a worship that lacks the goods expressive of charity or the truths connected with faith.
That the church in Sardis means people engaged in such worship is apparent from the particulars written to it, understood in their spiritual sense.
By lifeless worship we mean simply worship by itself, which consists in people's going often to church, listening to sermons, partaking of the Holy Supper, reading the Word and books of piety, talking about God, heaven and hell, the life after death, and especially piety, and praying morning and evening, and yet without desiring to know any truths of faith or wishing to do any goods of charity, believing that salvation is theirs simply by virtue of their worship. This they believe even though apart from truths, and without a life in accordance with those truths, worship is merely the external mark of charity and faith, which may harbor within it evils and falsities of every kind if charity and faith are not present in it. Charity and faith are what characterize genuine worship. Otherwise worship is like the skin or rind of a piece of fruit, which conceals within rotten or wormy flesh, so that the fruit is dead.
People know that such is the worship prevalent in the church today.
154. THE THIRD CHAPTER
1. And to the Angel of the Church in Sardis write: These things says He Who has the seven spirits of GOD, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works full before GOD.
3. Remember therefore how thou hast accepted and heard, and observe and repent. If therefore thou dost not watch, I will come on thee like a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5. He who overcomes shall be clothed with white garments; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.
6. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.
7. And to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write:
These things says the Holy True One, having the key of David, opening and no one shuts, and shutting and no one opens.
8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and hast observed My Word, and hast not denied My Name.
9. Behold, I will make (dabo) those of the synagogue of Satan, declaring themselves to be Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make (faciam) them to come and worship at thy feet, and to know that I have chosen thee.
10. Because thou hast kept the word of My endurance, I also will keep thee safe from the hour of temptation that is going to come upon the entire world (orbis) to try those dwelling upon the land.
11. Behold, I am coming quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no one may get thy crown.
12. Him who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out, and I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new Name.
13. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.
14. And to the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the work of God.
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to spew thee out of My mouth.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and do not need anything, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
18. I counsel thee to buy from Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.
20. Behold I stand at the door (janua) and knock: if any one hears My voice, and opens the door (ostium), I will enter in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me.
21. To him who overcomes will I grant to be seated with Me in My throne, as I have overcome, and am seated with the Father in His throne.
22. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.
THE SPIRITUAL SENSE
THE CONTENTS OF THE WHOLE CHAPTER
It treats of those in Christendom who are in dead worship that is without charity and faith; who are described by 'the Church in Sardis' (154-171)
Of those who are in truths derived out of good from the Lord; who are described by 'the Church in Philadelphia' (172-197).
Of those who have a belief derived alternately from themselves and from the Word, and who in this manner profane holy things; who are described by 'the Church in Laodicea' (198-223).
Even the latter, as well as the former, are called to the Lord's New Church.
THE CONTENTS OF EACH OF THE VERSES
1. To the Angel of the Church in Sardis write, signifies to and concerning those who are in dead worship, or in worship that is without the goods that are of charity and the truths that are of faith.
These things says He Who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, signifies the Lord from Whom [come] all truths (veritas), and all the cognitions of good and truth.
I know thy works, signifies that the Lord sees all their interiors and exteriors at once.
That thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead, signifies that by themselves and by others it seems and is believed that they are spiritually alive, when yet they are spiritually dead.
2. Be watchful, signifies so that they may be in truths and in a life in accordance with them.
Strengthen the things remaining that are ready to die, signifies so that the things that pertain to their worship may get life.
For I have not found thy works full before God, signifies that the interiors of their worship have not been conjoined with the Lord.
3. Remember therefore how thou hast accepted and heard, signifies so that they may think about all worship being natural to begin with, and afterwards becoming spiritual by means of truths, besides many [other things].
And observe and repent, signifies so that they may pay attention to those things, and vivify their dead worship.
If therefore thou dost not watch, signifies here [the same] as above.
I will come on thee like a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee, signifies that the things that pertain to worship shall be taken away, and that when and how this happens shall not be known.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, signifies that among them there are also those who do have life in their worship.
Which have not defiled their garments, signifies who are in truths, and have not polluted worship by evils of life and the untruths therefrom.
And they shall walk with Me in white [for they are worthy], signifies that they are going to be living with the Lord, because they are in truths from Him.
5. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, signifies that he who is reformed becomes spiritual.
And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, signifies that he shall be saved.
And I will confess his name before the Father and before His angels, signifies that they who are in Divine Good and in Divine truths from the Lord are to be received.
6. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches signifies here, as before.
7. And to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write, signifies to and concerning those who are in truths derived out of good from the Lord.
These things says the Holy True One, signifies the Lord as to Divine Truth.
Having the key of David, and opening and no one shuts and shutting and no one opens, signifies Who Only has the Omnipotence to save.
8. I know thy works, signifies here, as above.
Behold, I have set before thee an open door, signifies that heaven has been opened to those who are in truths derived out of good from the Lord.
And no one is able to shut it, signifies that hell does not prevail against them.
Because thou hast a little power, signifies because they know that of themselves they are powerless.
And hast observed My Word, signifies because they are living in accordance with the precepts of the Lord in His Word.
And hast not denied My Name, signifies that they are in the worship of the Lord.
9. And I will make (dabo) those of the synagogue of Satan, signifies those who as to doctrine are in untruths.
Declaring themselves to be Jews, and are not, but do lie, signifies who say that the Church is with them, and yet it is not.
Behold I will make them to come and worship at thy feet, signifies that many who as to doctrine are in untruths are going to receive the truths of the New Church.
And to know that I have chosen thee, signifies that they are going to see that they are loved and received into heaven by the Lord.
10. Because thou hast kept the word of My endurance, signifies because they have fought against evils.
I also will keep thee safe from the hour of temptation that is going to come upon the entire world (orbis), to try those dwelling upon the land, signifies that they are to be protected and kept safe in the day of the last judgment.
11. Behold, I am coming quickly, signifies the Lord's coming.
Hold that fast which thou hast, signifies so that in the meantime they should remain in their truths and goods.
That no one may get thy crown, signifies lest the wisdom out of which eternal happiness [comes] should perish.
12. He who overcomes, signifies those who continue steadfastly in truths derived out of good.
Him will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, signifies that truths derived out of good from the Lord, with those who have them, sustain the Church.
And he shall go no more out, signifies that they are going to stay there to eternity.
And I will write upon him the Name of My God, signifies that Divine Truth shall be inscribed on their hearts.
And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, signifies that the doctrine of the New Church shall be inscribed on [their] hearts.
Which comes down out of heaven from My God, signifies which [doctrine] shall be out of the Lord's Divine truth, such as it is in heaven.
And My new Name, signifies the worship of the Only Lord with new things that have not been in the former Church.
13. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches, signifies here, as before.
14. And to the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, signifies to and concerning those in the Church who believe alternately out of themselves and out of the Word, and in this manner profane holy things.
These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, signifies the Lord as to the Word, which is Divine Truth from Himself.
The Beginning of the work of God, signifies the Word.
15. I know thy works, signifies here, as before.
That thou art neither cold nor hot, signifies that they who are such at one time deny that the Word is Divine and Holy, and at another time acknowledge it.
I would thou wert cold or hot, signifies that it is better that they should whole-heartedly deny the holy things of the Word and the Church, or whole-heartedly acknowledge them.
16. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to spew thee out of My mouth, signifies profanation, and separation from the Lord.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, signifies that they believe themselves to possess the cognitions of good and truth that are of heaven and the Church in great abundance.
And do not need anything, signifies that they do not need to discern anything more.
And knowest not that thou art wretched, signifies that all the things that they know of those [cognitions] have no coherence at all.
And miserable and poor, signifies that they are without [truths and goods.
And blind and naked, signifies that they are without] an understanding of truth and a will of good.
18. I counsel thee to buy from Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, signifies an admonition to acquire for themselves the good of love from the Lord by means of the Word, so that they may be wise.
And white garments that thou mayest be clothed, signifies that they may acquire for themselves genuine truths of wisdom.
And the shame of thy nakedness may not appear, signifies so that the good of celestial love may not be profaned and adulterated.
And anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see, signifies so that the understanding may be healed.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, signifies that because they are loved at that time, they cannot but be let into temptations.
Be zealous therefore and repent, signifies so that this [healing] may result from an affection of truth.
20. Behold I stand at the door (janua) and knock, signifies that the Lord is present with every one in the Word, and draws nigh there to be received, and teaches how.
If anyone hears My voice and opens [the door (ostium)], signifies he who believes in the Word and lives in accordance with it.
I will enter in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me, signifies that the Lord conjoins Himself with them and them with Himself.
21. To him who overcomes will I grant to be seated with Me in My throne, signifies that they shall have conjunction with the Lord in heaven.
As I have overcome and am seated with the Father in His throne, signifies as He and the Father are one, and are heaven.
22. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches, signifies here, as before.
THE EXPOSITION
[verse 1] 'And to the Angel of the Church in Sardis write' signifies to and concerning those who are in dead worship, or in worship that is without the goods that are of charity and the truths that are of faith. That those who are in this worship are understood by 'the Church in Sardis' is plain from the things written to it understood in the spiritual sense. By dead worship is understood worship alone, which is that they go to church, hear preachings, attend the Holy Supper, read the Word and books of piety, talk of God, of heaven and hell, of life after death, especially of piety, say prayers morning and evening, and yet do not desire to know the truths of faith nor wish to do the goods of charity, believing that they have salvation by means of worship alone. When in fact worship without truths, and without a life in accordance with them, is only the outward sign of charity and faith, within which there can lie hidden evils and untruths of every kind, unless charity and faith are within. Genuine worship is [the result] of these. Otherwise the worship is like the skin or surface of some fruit, within which the rotten worm-eaten flesh lies hidden; and such a fruit is dead. That such worship is reigning in the Church at this day, is known.
154. Revelation 3
1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: these things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead.
2. Be watchful and strengthen the remaining things which are about to die: for I have not found thy works full before God.
3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard; and observe, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; because they are worthy.
5. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.
6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7. And unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: these things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth.
8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door and no one is able to shut it: because thou hast a little power, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name.
9. Behold, I will give from the synagogue of Satan, those who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and adore at thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10. Because thou hast kept the word of My endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of My God; and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God; and My new name.
13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the work of God.
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot.
16. Therefore because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of My mouth.
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
18. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
21. To him that overcometh will I give to sit with Me on My throne, as I overcame, and sit with the Father on His throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
THE SPIRITUAL SENSE
The contents of the whole chapter
This chapter treats of those in the Christian world who are in dead worship, which is without charity and faith; who are described by the church in Sardis, (154-171). Those who are in truths from good from the Lord; who are described by the church in Philadelphia, (172-197). Those who alternately believe from themselves, and from the Word, and thus profane holy things; who are described by the church in Laodicea, (198-223). All of these likewise are called to the New Church of the Lord.
The contents of each verse:
Verse 1. "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write," signifies to those and concerning those, who are in dead worship, or in worship which is without the goods of charity, and without the truths of faith, (154). "These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars," signifies the Lord, from whom are all truths, and all the knowledges of good and truth, (155). "I know thy works," signifies that the Lord sees all their interiors and exteriors at once, (156). "That thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead," signifies that it may be seen and believed by themselves and by others, that they are spiritually alive, when yet they are spiritually dead, (157).
Verse 2. "Be watchful," signifies to be in truths and in a life according to them, (158). "And strengthen the remaining things which are about to die," signifies that the things which pertain to their worship may receive life, (159). "For I have not found thy works full before God," signifies that the interiors of their worship are not conjoined with the Lord, (160).
Verse 3. "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard," signifies that they should consider that all worship in the beginning is natural, and afterwards by truths becomes spiritual, besides many other things, (161). "And observe and repent," signifies that they should attend to these things, and give life to their dead worship, (162). "If therefore thou shalt not watch," signifies here the same as above, (163). "I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee," signifies that the things which are of worship shall be taken from them, and that they shall not know when and how this is done, (164).
Verse 4. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis," signifies that among them there are also some who have life in their worship, (165). "Which have not defiled their garments," signifies who are in truths, and have not defiled worship by evils of life and falsities thence derived, (166). "And they shall walk with Me in white," 1signifies that they shall live with the Lord, because they are in truths from Him, (167[1-2]). Verse 5. "He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments," signifies that he who is reformed becomes spiritual, (168). "And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life," signifies that he shall be saved, (169). "And I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels," signifies that they will be received who are in Divine truths from the Lord, (170).
Verse 6. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies here, as before, (171).
Verse 7. "And unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia write," signifies to those and concerning those, who are in truths from good from the Lord, (172). "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true," signifies the Lord as to the Divine truth, (173). "He that hath the key of David, He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth," signifies who alone has omnipotence to save, (174).
Verse 8. "I know thy works," signifies here, as above, (175). "Behold, I have set before thee an open door," signifies that heaven is open to those who are in truths from good from the Lord, (176). "And no one is able to shut it," signifies that hell cannot prevail against them, (177). "Because thou hast a little power," signifies because they know that they can do nothing from themselves, (178). "And hast kept My Word," signifies because they live according to the Lord's commandments in His Word, (179). "And hast not denied My name," signifies that they are in the worship of the Lord, (180).
Verse 9. "And I will give from the synagogue of Satan," signifies those who are in falsities as to doctrine, (181). "Who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie," signifies who say that the church is with them, and yet it is not, (182). "Behold I will make them to come and adore at thy feet," signifies that many who are in falsities as to doctrine, will receive the truths of the New Church, (183). "And to know that I have loved thee," signifies that they shall see that they are loved and received into heaven by the Lord, (184).
Verse 10. "Because thou hast kept the Word of My endurance," signifies because they have fought against evils, (185). "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth," signifies that they will be protected and preserved in the day of the Last Judgment, (186).
Verse 11. "Behold I come quickly," signifies the Lord's coming, (187). "Hold fast that thou hast," signifies that in the meantime they should remain in their truths and goods, (188). "That no one take thy crown," signifies lest wisdom should perish, from which is eternal felicity, (189).
Verse 12. "Him that overcometh," signifies they who persist in truths from good, (190). "Will I make a pillar in the temple of My God," signifies that truths from good from the Lord, with those in whom they abide, sustain the church, (191). "And he shall go no more out," signifies that they shall remain there to eternity, (192). "And I will write upon him the name of My God," signifies that Divine truth shall be inscribed on their hearts, (193[1-2]) and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem," signifies that the doctrine of the New Church shall be inscribed on their hearts, (194[1-4]). "Which cometh down out of heaven from My God," signifies which will be from the Divine truth of the Lord such as it is in heaven, (195). "And My new name," signifies the worship of the Lord alone, with new things which were not in the former church, (196).
Verse 13. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies here, as before, (197).
Verse 14. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write," signifies to those and concerning those, in the church, who alternately believe from themselves, and from the Word, and thus profane things holy, (198). "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness," signifies the Lord as to the Word, which is the Divine truth from Him, (199). "The beginning of the work of God," signifies the Word, (200).
Verse 15. "I know thy works," signifies here, as before, (201). "That thou art neither cold nor hot," signifies that they who are such, sometimes deny that the Word is Divine and holy, and at other times acknowledge it, (202). "I would thou wert cold or hot," signifies that it is better for them either from the heart to deny the holy things of the Word and of the church, or from the heart to acknowledge them, (203).
Verse 16. "Therefore because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of My mouth," signifies profanation and separation from the Lord, (204).
Verse 17. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods," signifies that they believe they possess in all abundance the knowledges of good and truth, which are of heaven and the church, (206). "And have need of nothing," signifies that they have no need of more wisdom, (207). "And knowest not that thou art wretched," signifies that all things which they know concerning them do not at all cohere, (208). "And miserable and poor," signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and without the will of good, (209). 2Verse 18. "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich," signifies an admonition to acquire to themselves the good of love from the Lord by means of the Word, that they may become wise, (211). "And white garments that thou mayest be clothed," signifies that they should acquire to themselves the genuine truths of wisdom, (212). "And that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear," signifies lest the good of celestial love should be profaned and adulterated, (213[1-4]). "And anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see," signifies that their understanding may be healed, (214).
Verse 19. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten," signifies that because they are now beloved, they cannot but be admitted into temptations, (215). "Be zealous, therefore, and repent," signifies that this should be done from the affection of truth, (216).
Verse 20. "Behold I stand at the door, and knock," signifies that the Lord is present to everyone in the Word, and is there pressing to be received, and He teaches how, (217). "If anyone hear My voice, and open the door," signifies he who believes in the Word and lives according to it, (218). "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me," signifies that the Lord conjoins Himself with them and they with Him, (219).
Verse 21. "To him that overcometh," signifies such as are in conjunction with the Lord by a life according to His precepts in the Word, (220). "Will I give to sit with Me in My throne," signifies that they will have conjunction with the Lord in heaven, (221). "As I overcame, and sit with the Father in His throne," signifies as He and the Father are one and are heaven, (222).
Verse 22. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies here, as before, (223).
Footnotes:
1. The original Latin omits "for they are worthy."
154. CAPUT III.
ET Angelo in Sardibus Ecclesiae scribe: Haec dicit habens septem spiritus Dei, et septem stellas: novi tua opera, quod nomen habeas quod vivas, et mortuus es.
2.Esto vigilans, et confirma reliqua quae moritura; non enim inveni tua opera plena coram Deo.
3. Memento igitur quomodo acceperis et audiveris, et observa et resipisce; si ergo non vigilaveris, venam super te tanquam fur, et nescies qua hora Veniam super te.
4. Habes pauca nomina etiam in Sardibus, quae non inquinaverunt Vestimenta sua, et ambulabunt Mecum in albis, quia digni sunt.
5. Vincens induetur vestimentis albis; et non delebo nomen ejus e libro vitae; et confitebor nomen ejus coram Patre Meo et coram angelis Ejus.
6. Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis.
7. Et Angelo in Philadelphia Ecclesiae scribe: Haec dicit Sanctus Verus, habens clavem Davidis, aperiens et nemo claudit, ac claudens et nemo aperit.
8. Novi tua opera; ecce dedi coram te ostium apertum, et nemo potest claudere illud, quia parvam habes potentiam, et observasti Meum Verbum, et non negasti Nomen Meum.
9. Ecce dabo ex synagoga satanae, dicentes se ipsos Judaeos esse, et non Sunt, sed mentiuntur; ecce faciam ut illi veniant et adorent ad pedes tuos, et Sciant quod Ego dilexi te.
10. Quia servasti verbum tolerantiae Meae, et Ego te servabo ab hora tentationis futurae venire super Orbem universum, explorare habitantes super terra.
11. Ecce Venio cito; retine quod habes, ut nemo accipiat coronam tuam.
12. Vincentem faciam columnam in Templo Dei Mei, et foras non egredietur amplius, et scribam Super illum Nomen Dei Mei, et nomen urbis Dei Mei. Novae Hierosolymae, quae descendit e Caelo a Deo Meo, et Nomen Meum novum.
13. Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis.
14. Et Angelo Ecclesiae Laodicensium scribe: Haec dicit Amen, Testis fidelis et Verus, Principium opificii Dei.
15. Novi tua opera, quod nec frigidus (sis) nec calidus; utinam frigidus esses aut calidus.
16. Itaque quia tepidus es, et nec frigidus nec calidus, futurum est ut te evomam ex Ore Meo.
17. Quod dicas quod dives sim, et locupletatus, et nullius opus habeam, et non scis quod tu sis aerumnosus et miser et pauper et caecus et nudus.
18. Suadeo tibi emere a Me aurum exploratum igne, ut ditatus sis, et vestimenta alba ut induaris, ne appareat pudor nuditatis tuae, et collyrio inungas oculos tuos, ut Videas.
19. Ego quoscunque amo, arguo et castigo; zelo age ergo, et resipisce.
20. Ecce sto ad januam et pulso; si quis audiverit vocem Meam, et aperuerit ostium, intrabo ad illum, et caenabo cum illo et ille Mecum.
21. Vincenti dabo sedere Mecum in Throno Meo, sicut Ego vici, et sedeo cum Patre in Throno Ejus.
22. Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis.
SENSUS SPIRITUALIS.
CONTENTUM TOTIUS CAPITIS.
AGITUR DE ILLIS IN CHRISTIANO ORBE,
QUI SUNT IN CULTU MORTUO, QUI EST ABSQUE CHARITATE ET FIDE, QUI DESCRIBUNTUR PER ECCLESIAM IN SARDIBUS (154-171);
DE ILLIS QUI IN VERIS EX BONO A DOMINO SUNT, QUI DESCRIBUNTUR PER ECCLESIAM IN PHILADELPHIA (172-197);
DE ILLIS QUI ALTERNATIM CREDUNT EX SE, ET ALTERNATIM EX VERBO, ET SIC SANCTA PROPHANANT, QUI DESCRIBUNTUR PER ECCLESIAM IN LAODICEA (198-223).
ETIAM HI ET ILLI VOCANTUR AD NOVAM DOMINI ECCLESIAM.
CONTENTA SINGULORUM VERSUUM.
1. "Angelo in Sardibus Ecclesiae scribe," significat ad illos et de illis, qui in cultu mortuo sunt, seu in cultu qui (est) absque bonis quae charitatis sunt et absque veris quae fidei (154); "Haec dicit habens septem spiritus Dei, et septem stellas," significat Dominum a Quo omnes veritates, et omnes cognitiones boni et veri (155); "novi tua opera," significat Quod Dominus videat omnia interiora et exteriora illorum simul (156); "quod nomen habeas quod vivas, et mortuus es," significat quod videatur et credatur ab ipsis et ab aliis, quod spiritualiter vivi sint, cum tamen spiritualiter mortui sunt (157).
2. "Esto vigilans," significat ut in veris (sint,) et in vita secundum illa (158); "confirma reliqua quae moritura," significat illa quae cultus eorum sunt, vitam accipiant (159); "non enim inveni tua opera plena coram Deo," significat quod interiora cultus eorum non conjuncta sint Domino (160).
3. "Memento igitur quomodo acceperis et audiveris," significat ut cogitent quod omnis cultus in principio sit naturalis, et postea per vera fiat spiritualis, praeter plura (161); "et observa et resipisce," significat ut attendant ad illa, et cultum suum mortuum vivificent (162); "si ergo non vigilaveris," significat hic ut supra (163); "veniam super te ut fur, et nescies qua hora veniam super te," significat quod auferentur illa quae cultus sunt, et quod hoc nescietur quando et quomodo (164).
4. "Habes pauca nomina etiam in Sardibus," significat quod inter illos etiam sint qui in cultu suo vitam habent (165); "quae 1non inquinaverunt vestimenta sua." significat qui in veris sunt, et non per mala vitae et inde falsa, conspurcaverunt cultum (166); "et ambulabunt Mecum in albis, (quia digni sunt,)" significat quod victuri sint cum Domino, quia in veris sunt ab Ipso (167).
5. "Vincens induetur vestimentis albis," significat quod qui reformatur fiat spiritualis (168); "et non delebo nomen ejus e 1libro vitae," significat quod salvabitur (169); "et confitebor nomen ejus coram Patre et coram angelis Ejus," significat quod recipiendi sint qui in Divino Bono et in Divinis veris a Domino sunt (170).
6. "Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis," significat hic ut prius (171).
7. "Et Angelo in Philadelphia Ecclesiae scribe," significat ad illos et de illis, qui in veris ex bono a Domino sunt (172); "Haec dicit Sanctus Verus," significat Dominum quoad Divinum Verum (173); "habens clavem Davidis, et aperiens et nemo claudit, et claudens et nemo aperit," significat Cui soli est Omnipotentia salvandi (174).
8. "Novi tua opera," significat hic ut supra (175); "ecce dedi coram te ostium apertum," significat quod illis qui in veris ex bono a Domino sunt, Caelum apertum sit (176); "et nemo potest claudere illud," significat quod Infernum non praevaleat contra illos (177); "quia parvam habes potentiam," significat quia sciunt quod nihil valeant ex se ipsis (178); "et observasti Meum verbum," significat quia vivunt secundum praecepta Domini in Ipsius Verbo (179); "et non negasti Nomen Meum," significat quod sint in cultu Domini (180).
9. "Et dabo ex synagoga satanae," significat illos qui in falsis quoad doctrinam sunt (181); "dicentium se ipsos Judaeos esse, et non sunt, sed mentiuntur," significat qui dicunt quod apud illos Ecclesia sit, et tamen non est (182); "ecce faciam ut illi veniant et adorent ad pedes tuos," significat quod multi qui in falsis quoad doctrinam sunt, recepturi sint vera Novae Ecclesiae (183); "et sciant quod Ego delexi te," significat quod visuri quod amentur et recipiantur in Caelum a Domino (184).
10. "Quia servasti verbum tolerantiae Meae," significat quia pugnaverunt contra mala (185); "et Ego te servabo ab hora tentationis futurae venire super Orbem universum, explorare habitantes super terra," significat quoad tutandi et servandi dic ultimi judicii (186).
11. "Ecce venio cito," significat Adventum Domini (187); "retine 1quod habes," significat ut in veris et bonis suis interea permaneant (188); "ut 2nemo accipiat coronam tuam," significat ne pereat sapientia, ex qua felicitas aeterna (289).
12. "Vincens," significat qui in veris ex bono persistunt (190); faciam illum columnam in templo Dei Mei," significat quod vera ex bono a Domino, apud quos sunt, sustentent Ecclesiam (191); "et foras non egredietur amplius," significat quod ibi mansuri sint in aeternum (192); "et scribam super illum Nomen Dei Mei," significat quod cordibus illorum inscriptum erit Divinum Verum (193); "et nomen urbis Dei Mei, Novae Hierosolymae," significat quod cordibus inscripta erit doctrina Novae Ecclesiae (194); "quae descendit e Caelo a Deo Meo," significat quae erit ex Divino vero Domini quale est in Caelo (195); "et Nomen Meum novum," significat cultum solius Domini, cum novis quae in priore Ecclesia non fuerunt (196).
13. "Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis," significat hic ut prius (197).
14. "Et Angelo Ecclesiae Laodicensium scribe," significat ad illos et de illis in Ecclesia, qui alternatim credunt ex se et alternatim ex Verbo, et sic sancta prophanant (198); "Haec dicit Amen, Testis fidelis et verus," significat Dominum quoad Verbum, quod est Divinum Verum ab ipso (199); "principium opificii Dei," significat Verbum (200).
15. "Novi opera tua," significat hic ut prius (201); "quod nec frigidus sis nec calidus," significat quod qui tales sunt, nunc negent quod Verbum Divinum et Sanctum sit, et nunc agnoscant (202); "utinam frigidus esses aut calidus," significat quod praestet ut vel ex corde negent sancta Verbi et Ecclesiae, vel ex corde agnoscant illa (203).
16. "Itaque quia tepidus es, et non frigidus nec calidus, futurum est ut te evomam ex ore Meo," significat prophanationem et separationem a Domino (204).
17. "Quod dicas quod dives et locupletatus sim," significat quod credant se cognitiones boni et veri, quae Caeli et Ecclesiae sunt, possidere in omni copia (206); "et nullius opus habeam,"
significat quod non plug sapere opus habeant (207); "et non scis, quod tu sis aerumnosus," significat quod omnia quae de illis sciunt, ne hilum cohaereant (208); "et miser et pauper," significat quod absque intellectu veri et voluntate boni sint (209)(; "et caecus et nudus," significat quod sint absque intellectu veri et voluntate boni) (210).
18. "Suadeo tibi emere a Me aurum exploratum igne ut ditatus sis," significat admonitionem ut comparent sibi a Domino per Verbum bonum amoris ut sapiant (221); "et vestimenta alba ut induaris," significat ut comparent sibi genuina vera sapientiae (212); "ne appareat pudor nudatis tuae," significat ne prophanetur et adulteretur bonum amoris caelestis (223); "et collyrio inunge oculos ut videas," significat ut sanetur intellectus (214).
19. "Ego quoscunque amo, arguo et castigo." significat quod quia tunc amantur, non possunt aliter quam immitti in tentationes (215); "zelo ergo age et resipisce," significat ut fiat hoc ex affectione veri (216).
20. "Ecce sto ad januam et pulso," significat quod Dominus unicuique praesens sit in Verbo, ac ibi instet quod recipiendus (sit), ac doceat quomodo (217); "si quis audiverit vocem Meam et aperuerit (ostium)," significat qui credit Verbo et vivit secundum illud (218); "intrabo ad illum, et caenabo cum illo et ille Mecum," significat quod Dominus conjungat Se illis et illos Sibi (219).
21. "Vincenti[," significat qui in conjunctione cum Domino sunt per vitam secundum praecepta Ipsius in Verbo (220); "dabo sedere Mecum in throno Meo," significat quod illis erit conjunctio Domini in Caelo (222); "sicut Ego vici et sedeo cum Patre in Throno Ipsius," significat sicut Ipse et Pater unum sunt et Caelum sunt (222).
22. "Habens aurem audiat quid Spiritus dicit Ecclesiis," significat hic ut prius (223).
EXPLICATIO. (Vers. 1.) "Et Angelo in Sardibus Ecclesiae scribe," significat ad illos et de illis, qui in cultu mortuo sunt, seu in cultu qui est absque bonis quae charitatis sunt et absque veris quae fidei. - Quod illi qui in eo cultu sunt, per "Ecclesiam in Sardibus" intelligantur, patet a scriptis ad illam in Sensu spirituali intellectis. Per cultum mortuum intelligitur solus cultus, qui est, quod frequentent templa, audiant praedicationes, obeant sacram Caenam, legant Verbum et libros pietatis, loquantur de Deo, de Caelo et Inferno, de vita post mortem, imprimis de pietate, orent mane et vesperi, et usque non desiderant scire vera fidei, nec volunt facere bona charitatis, credentes quod illis per solum cultum sit salus; cum tamen cultus absque veris, et absque vita secundum illa, est modo externum signum charitatis et fidei, intra quod possunt latere omnis generis mala et falsa, si non charitas et fides insunt: harum est genuinus cultus; alioquin est cultus sicut cutis aut superficies alicujus fructus, intra quam latet caro putris et vermicularis, qui fructus est mortuus. Quod talis cultus hodie in Ecclesia sit regnans, notum est.
Footnotes:
1. quae pro "qui"
1. e pro "in"
1. retine pro "retinete"
2. ut pro "et"