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《揭秘启示录》 第194节

(一滴水译本 2019)

  194.“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。“新耶路撒冷”表新教会,新耶路撒冷被称为“城”时则表新教会的教义。因此,“将我神城的名,就是新耶路撒冷,写在他上面”表新教会的教义必刻在他们心上。“耶路撒冷”表教会,作为城“耶路撒冷”则表教会的教义(参看880881)。“城”之所以表教义,是因为“地”,特别是“迦南地”表整体上的教会;因此,划分迦南地境内的“产业”就表示教会的各种事物,其中的城市表教义事物。正因如此,当在圣言中提及这些城名时,天使并不将其理解为别的;这一事实也通过大量经历向我证明了。高山、小山、山谷、源泉、河流的含义也一样,它们全都表示诸如属教会的那类事物。

  “城”表教义事物,这一点可从以下经文在某种程度上看出来:

  地必空虚,地必混乱,地必遭亵渎,空虚的城拆毁了,城中剩下的尽是废墟,城门拆毁净尽。(以赛亚书24:3-41012

  有狮子从密林中上来,要使地荒凉;你的城邑被毁坏;我见迦密变为荒地,她的城邑荒凉。地要悲哀;全城的人尽都逃跑,被撇下。(耶利米书4:726-29

  此处的“地”是指教会,“城”是指教会的教义。教会因教义的虚假而毁灭以这种方式被描述出来。又如:

  行毁灭的必来到各城,并无一城幸免。山谷必败落,平原必被毁坏。(耶利米书48:8

  同样:

  看哪!我使你成为坚城,与全地反对。(耶利米书1:18

  这话是对先知说的,因为“先知”表教会的教义(8节)。又如:

  当那日,在犹大地要唱这歌:我们有坚固的城;祂要将救恩定为城墙、为外郭。(以赛亚书26:1

  那大城裂为三段,列族的城也都倒塌了。(启示录16:19

  先知在一座高山的南边看见有一座城的建筑物,一位天使量墙、门、卫房和门廊;这城名为耶和华在那里。(以西结书40:1等)

  有一道河,这河的分汊,使神的城欢喜。(诗篇46:4

  我要激动埃及人攻击埃及人,这城攻击那城,这国攻击那国。(以赛亚书19:2

  凡国自相纷争,就必定荒凉;凡城自相纷争,必站立不住。(马太福音12:25

  在这些经文中,“城”在灵义上表教义,又如(以赛亚书6:1114:12172119:181925:1-333:8954:364:10;Jer. 7:17,3413:181932:424433:4;西番雅书3:6;诗篇48:255:9107:47;马太福音5:1415)等处经文。

  由“城”的含义明显可知主在以下比喻中所说的“城”是什么意思:

  有一个贵胄往远方去,要得国回来,便给他仆人银子去作生意。他回来就把仆人叫来,头一个上来,说,你的一锭银子已经赚了十锭;他对仆人说,良善的仆人,你可以有权柄管十座城;第二个来,说,你的一锭银子已经赚了五锭;他也对这仆人说,你也可以管五座城。(路加福音19:12-19

  此处的“城”也表教义或教义的真理;“管城”表变得聪明智慧,因此“管城的权柄”表赐予聪明智慧;“十”表大量,“五”表些许;显然,“做生意”和“赚”表通过运用自己的才能而获得聪明。

  “圣城耶路撒冷”表新教会的教义,这从圣言对它的描述(启示录21)显而易见。经上描述了它的尺寸、城门、城墙、根基;当“耶路撒冷”表示教会时,“圣城耶路撒冷”只会表示属于其教义的事物,而非其它。教会非因其它源头而为教会。由于“耶路撒冷城”表教会的教义,故经上称其为“真理之城”(撒迦利亚书8:3-4),也多处称其为“圣城”,因为“圣”论及来自主的真理(173节)。


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Apocalypse Revealed (Rogers translation 2007) 194

194. "'And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem.'" This symbolically means that they will have the doctrine of the New Church engraved on their hearts.

The New Jerusalem symbolizes the New Church, and when it is called a city, it symbolizes the New Church in respect to its doctrine. Therefore to "write on him the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem," means, symbolically, that they will have the doctrine of the New Church engraved on their hearts.

To be shown that Jerusalem symbolizes the church, and that as a city it means the church in respect to its doctrine, see nos. 880, 881, below.

A city symbolizes doctrine because a land, and particularly the land of Canaan, symbolizes a church in its entirety; and the inheritances into which the land of Canaan was divided consequently symbolized various components of the church, and the cities in it doctrines. Because of this, when cities are mentioned in the Word, the angels understand them to mean nothing else. I have also had this attested for me through a good deal of experience.

The case with this is the same as with the symbolic meanings of mountains, hills, valleys, springs, and rivers, all of which symbolize such things as have to do with the church.

[2] That cities symbolize doctrines can be seen to some extent from the following passages:

The land shall be... emptied..., the land shall be turned upside down..., the land shall be profaned... The empty city shall be broken down... What is left in the city shall be waste, and the gate shall be stricken even to its destruction. (Isaiah 3; 4; 5; 10; 11; 12)

The lion has come up from his thicket..., to make your land a wasteland. Your cities will be destroyed... I beheld... Carmel a wilderness, and all its cities desolate... ...the land shall mourn... The whole city shall flee..., forsaken... (Jeremiah 4:7, 26-29)

The land there is the church, and the city is its doctrine. The devastation of the church by doctrinal falsities is described in this way.

The despoiler shall come upon every city, so that no city escapes. The valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed... (Jeremiah 48:8)

Likewise:

Behold, I have made you this day as a fortified city... against the whole land... (Jeremiah 1:18)

This was addressed to the prophet because a prophet symbolizes the doctrine of the church (no. 8).

On that day they will sing... in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks." (Isaiah 26:1-2)

...the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. (Revelation 16:18-19)

(The prophet saw) on a very high mountain... the structure of a city to the south... (And an angel measured the wall, the gates, their chambers, and the vestibule of the gate,) and the name of the city... shall be JEHOVAH IS THERE. (Ezekiel 40:1ff., 48:35)

There is a river whose streams have made glad the city of God? (Psalms 46:4-5)

I will embroil Egypt with Egypt, so that... city (fights) against city, and kingdom against kingdom. (Isaiah 19:2)

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city... divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)

Cities in these passages mean, in the spiritual sense, doctrines, as is the case also in Isaiah 6:11; 14:4, 17, 21; 19:18-19; 25:1-3; 33:8-9; 54:3; 64:10, and elsewhere.

[3] From the symbolic meaning of a city it can be seen what cities mean in this parable of the Lord:

A... nobleman (going) into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom..., delivered to (his servants) minas (with which to) do business... ...when he returned..., he (called the) servants... The first came, saying, ."..your mina has earned ten minas," and he said to him, ."..good servant..., you shall have authority over ten cities." And the second came, saying, ."..your mina has earned five minas." And he said... to him, "You also be over five cities." (Luke 19:12-19)

Cities here likewise symbolize doctrines or doctrinal truths, and to be over them is to be intelligent and wise. Thus to give power over them is to impart intelligence and wisdom. Ten symbolizes much, and five some. It is apparent that to do business and earn a profit means to acquire intelligence for oneself by making use of one's abilities.

[4] That the holy city Jerusalem symbolizes the doctrine of the New Church is clearly apparent from its description in chapter 21 of the book of Revelation, for it is described in respect to its dimensions, its gates, and its wall and foundations, and inasmuch as Jerusalem symbolizes the church, these can symbolize nothing other than matters having to do with its doctrine. Neither is the church a church on any other basis.

Because the city Jerusalem means the church in respect to doctrine, it is therefore called the City of Truth (Zechariah 8:3-4), and in many places a holy city, and this because holiness is predicated of truths derived from the Lord (no. 173).

Apocalypse Revealed (Coulson translation 1970) 194

194. '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. By 'the New Jerusalem' is signified the New Church, and by it when called 'the city' is signified the New Church as to doctrine; and therefore by 'write upon him the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem' is signified that the doctrine of the New Church shall be inscribed in them. That by 'Jerusalem' the Church is signified, and by it as a 'city' the Church as to doctrine, may be seen below (880-881). Doctrine is signified by a 'city' because by 'land,' and in a special sense by 'the land of Canaan,' is signified the Church in its whole compass; and consequently by the 'inheritances 'into which the land of Canaan had been divided were signified the various [qualities] of the Church, and by the 'cities in them,' doctrinal things. It is in consequence of this that by 'cities' where they are named in the Word, nothing else is understood by the angels; which indeed has been proved to me by much experience. Similarly with the signification of mountains, hills, valleys, fountains and rivers, which all signify such things as are of the Church.

[2] That 'cities' signify doctrinal things can be established in some measure from the following passages:

The land shall be evacuated, the land shall be thrown into disorder, the land shall be desecrated, the empty city shall be broken, what is left in the city is a waste, and the gate shall be broken down even to devastation. Isaiah 24:3-4, 10-12.

The lion has come up out of the thicket to reduce the land to a waste, thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a wilderness, and the cities thereof desolate: the land shall mourn, the whole city forsaken shall flee. Jeremiah 4:7, 26-29.

'The land' here is the Church, and 'the city' is the doctrine thereof. In this way is described the devastation of the Church by means of untruths of doctrine.

The spoiler shall come upon every city, so that no city shall escape, the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed. Jeremiah 48:8.

In like manner:

Behold, I have given thee for a city fortified against the entire land. Jeremiah 1:18.

These [words were said] to the prophet because by a 'prophet' is signified the doctrine of the Church (8):

In that day it shall be sung in the land of Judah, We have a strong city; He will put salvation for walls and bulwark. Isaiah 26:1-2.

The great city has been broken into three parts, and the cities of the nations have fallen down. Revelation 16:18-19.

The prophet saw upon a high mountain the structure of a city from the south, and an angel measured the wall, the gates, the chambers, and the porch of the gate, and the name of the city was Jehovah there. Ezekiel 40:1 seq.

A river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. Psalms 46:4-5, [H.B. 5-6].

I will mix Egypt up with Egypt, so that city shall fight against city, and kingdom against kingdom. Isaiah 19:2.

Every kingdom divided against itself is desolated, and every city divided against itself shall not stand. Matthew 12:25.

In these places by 'cities' in the spiritual sense are understood doctrines, as also [in]. Isaiah 6:11; 14:12, 17, 21; 19:18-19; 25:1-3; 33:8-9; 54:3; 64:10 [H.B. 9]; Jeremiah 7:17, 34; 13:18-19; 32:42, 44; 33:4; Zephaniah 3:6; Psalms 48:1, 8 [H.B. 2, 9]; Psalms 107:2, 4-5, 7; Matthew 5:14-15; and elsewhere.

[3] From the signification of 'city' can be established what is understood by 'cities' in this parable of the Lord:

A nobleman going away to get himself a kingdom gave his servants pounds (mina) to trade with: when he returned, he called the servants: the first approached saying, Thy pound has gained ten pounds; to whom he said, Good servant, thou shalt have authority over ten cities; and the second came, saying, Thy pound has gained five pounds, to whom he said, Be thou over five cities. Luke 19:12-19.

Here also by 'cities' are signified doctrinal tenets or the truths of doctrine, and 'being over them' is being intelligent and wise, thus 'to give authority over them' is to give intelligence and wisdom. 'Ten' signify much, and 'five' something. It is plain that by 'trading' and 'gaining' is understood to furnish oneself with intelligence by making use of one's opportunities.

[4] That 'the holy city Jerusalem' signifies the doctrine of a new Church, is manifestly plain from the description of it (Revelation 21), for it is described as to its measurements, also as to its gates, and as to the wall and its foundations, which, when 'Jerusalem' signifies the Church, cannot signify any other things than those that are of its doctrine. A Church is a Church from no other source. Since by 'the city of Jerusalem' is understood the Church as to doctrine, it is therefore called 'a city of truth' (Zechariah 8:3-4), and in many places the 'holy city,' and this because 'holy' is predicated of truths derived from the Lord (173).

Apocalypse Revealed (Whitehead translation 1928) 194

194. And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem signifies that the doctrine of the New Church shall be written in their hearts. By "the New Jerusalem" is signified the New Church, and by the same, when it is called "city," is signified the New Church as to doctrine; therefore by "writing upon him the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem," is signified that the doctrine of the New Church will be written in their hearts. That by "Jerusalem" is signified the church, and by it as a city, the church as to doctrine, may be seen below, (880, 881). A city signifies doctrine, because "land," and in particular "the land of Canaan," signifies the church in the aggregate, and thence by the inheritances into which the land of Canaan was divided, are signified the various things of the church, and, by the cities in them, doctrinals. It is from this that the angels understand nothing else by cities when they are named in the Word; which has also been testified to me by much experience. Similar is the signification of mountains, hills, valleys, fountains, rivers, all which signify such things as are of the church.

[2] That "cities" signify doctrinals, may in some measure appear from the following passages:

The land shall be emptied, the land shall be confounded, the land shall be profaned, the empty city shall be broken, the remnant in the city is a waste, and the gate shall be beaten down even to devastation, (Isaiah 24:3-4, 10, 12).

The lion has come up from the thicket, to reduce the land to a waste; thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a wilderness, and her cities desolate: the land shall mourn; the whole city shall flee, being deserted, (Jeremiah 4:7, 26-29).

"The land" here is the church, and "the city" is its doctrine. Thus is described the devastation of the church by the falsities of doctrine.

The waster shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape, and the valley shall perish, and the plain be destroyed, (Jeremiah 48:8).

In like manner:

Behold, I have made thee a fortified city against the whole land, (Jeremiah 1:18).

This was said to the prophet, because by "a prophet" the doctrine of the church is signified, (8).

In that day it shall be sung in the land of Judah, We have a strong city; salvation will He put for walls, and bulwarks, (Isaiah 26:1).

The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, (Revelation 16:19).

The prophet saw upon a high mountain the structure of a city to the south, and an angel measured the wall, the gates, the chambers, the porch of the gate; and the name of the city was Jehovah there, (Ezekiel 40:1).

A river, whose streams made glad the city of God, (Psalms 46:4).

I will confound Egypt with Egypt, that city may fight against city, and kingdom against kingdom, (Isaiah 19:2).

Every kingdom divided against itself is desolated, and every city divided against itself shall not stand, (Matthew 12:25).

In these places by cities, in the spiritual sense, are meant doctrines; as also in Isaiah 6:11; 14:12, 17, 21; 19:18-19; 25:1-3; 33:8-9; 54:3; 64:10; Jeremiah 7:17, 34; 13:18-19; 32:42, 44; 33:4; Zephaniah 3:6; Psalms 48:2; 55:9; 107:4, 7; Matthew 5:14-15, and elsewhere.

[3] From the signification of "city" it may appear what is meant by cities in this parable of the Lord:

A nobleman going away to receive for himself a kingdom, gave his servants pounds to trade with: when he returned, he called the servants: the first approached, saying, Thy pound hath gained ten pounds; to whom he said, Good servant, thou shalt have authority over ten cities; and the second came, saying, Thy pound hath gained five pounds; to whom he said, Be thou over five cities, (Luke 19:12-19).

By "cities" here, also, doctrinals or truths of doctrine are signified, and by "being over them" is meant to be intelligent and wise, thus to give "authority over them" is to give intelligence and wisdom; "ten" signifies much, and "five" something; that by "trading" and "gaining" is meant to acquire intelligence by the exercise of one's faculties, is evident.

[4] That "the holy city Jerusalem" signifies the doctrine of the New Church, is plainly manifest from the description of it (Revelation 21); for it is described as to its dimensions, also as to the gates, and as to the wall, and its foundations, which, when Jerusalem signifies the church, cannot signify any other than things belonging to its doctrines. The church is a church from no other source. Since by "the city of Jerusalem" is meant the church as to doctrine, therefore it is called "the city of truth" (Zechariah 8:3-4), and in many places "the holy city," and this because holy is predicated of truths from the Lord, (173).

Apocalypsis Revelata 194 (original Latin 1766)

194. "Et nomen urbis Dei Mei, Novae Hierosolymae," significat quod cordibus inscripta erit doctrina Novae Ecclesiae. - Per "Novam Hierosolymam" significatur Nova Ecclesia, et per illam cum vocatur "urbs," significatur Nova Ecclesia quoad doctrinam; quare per "scribere super illum nomen urbis Dei Mei, Novae Hierosolymae," significatur quod illis inscripta erit doctrina Novae Ecclesiae: quod per "Hierosolymam "significetur Ecclesia, et per illam ut urbem Ecclesia quoad doctrinam, videatur infra (880, 881). Quod per "urbem" significetur doctrina, est quia per "terram," in specie per "Terram Canaanem," significatur Ecclesia in toto complexu; et inde per haereditates, in quas Terra Canaan divisa erat, significata sunt varia Ecclesiae, ac per urbes in illis doctrinalia; ex eo est, quod per urbes, ubi nominantur in Verbo, non aliud ab Angelis intelligatur; quod etiam per multam experientiam mihi testatum est. Hoc simile est, quemadmodum cum significatione montium, collium, vallium, fontium, fluviorum, quae omnia significant talia quae Ecclesiae sunt. Quod "urbes" significent doctrinalia, aliquantisper constare potest a sequentibus locis:

"Evacuabitur terra, confundetur terra, prophanabitur terra, frangetur Urbs inanis, reliquum in Urbe vastitas, et usque ad devastationem contundetur porta," (Esaias 24:3-4, 10, 12); 1

"Ascendit leo ex vepreto, ad redigendum terram in vastitatem; Urbes tuae destruentur, vidi Carmelum desertum, et Urbes ejus desolatas; lugebit terra, fugiet Urbs tota deserta," (Jeremias 4:7, 26-29);

"terra" ibi est Ecclesia, et "urbs" est ejus doctrina; describitur ita devastatio Ecclesiae per falsa doctrinae.

"Veniet vastator super omnem Urbem, ut Urbs non evadat, et pereat vallis, et perdatur planities," (Jeremias 48:8); similiter.

"Ecce dedi te in Urbem munitam contra universam terram," (Jeremias 1:18);

haec ad Prophetam, quia per "prophetam" significatur doctrina Ecclesiae (8).

"In die illo cantabitur in terra Jehudae, Urbs valida nobis, salutem ponet muros et antemurale," (Esaias 26:1); 2

"Fracta est Urbs magna in tres partes, et Urbes gentium corruerunt," (Apocalypsis 16:19); 3

Propheta vidit super monte alto structuram Urbis a meridie, et Angelus mensus est murum, portas, thalamos, porticum portae; et nomen Urbis Jehovah ibi, (Ezechiel 40:1, seq.);

"Fluvius, cujus rivi laetificarunt Urbem Dei," (Psalm 46:5 (B.A. 4)). 4

"Commiscebo Aegyptum cum Aegypto, ut pugnet Urbs contra Urbem et Regnum contra Regnum," (Esaias 19:2);

"Omne Regnum divisum contra se desolatur, et omnis Urbs divisa contra se non consistet," (Matthaeus 12:25);

in his locis per "urbes" in Sensu spirituali intelliguntur doctrinae.

(Ut quoque Esaias 6:11; 14:12, 17, 21; 19:18-19; 25:1-3; 33:8-9; 54:3; 64:9 (B.A. 10); Jeremias 7:17, 34; 13:18-19; 32:42, 44; 33:4; 5Zephanias 3:6; Psalm 48:2; 6Psalm 55:9; 7Psalm 107:4, 7; 8Matthaeus 5:14; 9et alibi.)

Ex significatione "urbis" constare potest, quid per urbes in hac parabola Domini intelligitur:

"Homo nobilis abiens ut acciperet sibi Regnum, dedit servis suis minas ad negotiandum: cum rediit vocavit servos; accessit primus dicens, Mina tua lucrata est decem minas; cui dixit, Bone serve, habebis potestatem super decem Urbes: et venit secundus, dicens, Mina tua lucrata est quinque minas; cui dixit, Tu esto super quinque Urbes," (Luca 19:12-19); 10

per "urbes" etiam hic significantur doctrinalia seu vera doctrinae; et per "esse super illis" est intelligens et sapiens esse; ita dare "potestatem super illas" est dare intelligentiam et sapientiam; "decem" significant multam, et "quinque" aliquam; quod per "negotiari" et "lucrari" intelligatur comparare sibi intelligentiam per usurpationem facultatum suarum, patet. Quod "Urbs sancta Hierosolyma" significet doctrinam Ecclesiae Novae, patet manifeste ab ejus descriptione, (Apocalypsis 21); describitur enim quoad dimensiones, tum quoad portas, et quoad murum et ejus fundamenta, quae, dum Hierosolyma significat Ecclesiam, non alia significare possunt quam quae ejus doctrinae sunt; Ecclesia nec aliunde est Ecclesia. Quia per "Urbem Hierosolymam" intelligitur Ecclesia quoad doctrinam, ideo vocatur illa "Urbs veritatis," (Sacharias 8:3-4);

et in multis locis "Urbs Sancta," et hoc quia sanctum praedicatur de veris ex Domino (173).

Footnotes:

1. 3, 4, 10, 12 pro "3, 4, 10, 11, 12"

2. 1 pro "1, 2"

3. 19 pro "18, 19"

4. 5 pro "5, 6"

5. 4 pro "3"

6. xlviii. pro "xlvii."

7. 55:9 pro "48:9, 21"

8. 4, 7 pro "2, 4, 5, 7"

9. 14 pro "14, 15"

10. Luc. pro "Matth."


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