392.启8:3.“另有一位天使拿着金香炉，来站在祭坛旁边”表通过信之真理从仁之良善而来的属灵敬拜。天使站在旁边的“祭坛”和他手中拿着的“金香炉”表示出于属灵之爱而对主的敬拜，这种敬拜通过信之真理从仁之良善而来。以色列人有两种祭坛，一种在会幕外，一种在会幕内；会幕外的祭坛被称作“燔祭坛”，因为燔祭和祭物献于其上。会幕内的祭坛被称作“香坛”，也称作“金坛”。之所以有两种祭坛，是因为对主的敬拜既有出自属天之爱的，也有出自属灵之爱的；那些住在其属天国度的，出于属天之爱敬拜；而那些住在其属灵国度的，则出于属灵之爱敬拜；关于这两个国度，可参看前文（387节）。关于这两座坛，可参看摩西五经中的下列经文：关于燔祭坛（出埃及记20:24-26，27:1-8，29:36-43；39:38-39；利未记6:8-12；8:11；16:18，19，33-34）；关于香坛（出埃及记30:1-10；31:8；37:25-29；40:5，26；民数记7:1）。约翰看见祭坛、香炉和香，不是因为天上存在此类事物，它们只是代表那里对主的敬拜；而是因为这类事物就设立在以色列人当中，因而在圣言中经常被提及；该教会是一个代表性教会，其敬拜的一切事物都代表、因而表示主的神性属天和属灵之物，它们属于其在天上和地上的教会。
因此，在以下经文中，圣言所论及的这两种祭坛所表相同：
求你发出亮光和真理，好让它们引导我到你的圣所，我要走到神的祭坛，到神那里。（诗篇43:3，4）
耶和华啊，我要洗手表明无辜；才环绕你的祭坛；我好发能听见的称谢声。（诗篇26:6，7）
犹大的罪是用铁笔铭刻在他们的心版上和你们的坛角上。（耶利米书17:1，2）
神是耶和华，祂光照我我们；理当用绳索把祭牲拴住，牵到坛角那里。（诗篇118:27）
当那日，在埃及地中间必有为耶和华筑的一座坛。（以赛亚书19:19）
“在埃及地中间必有为耶和华筑的一座坛”表示出于属世人里面的爱而对主的敬拜。
荆棘和蒺藜必长在他们的祭坛上。（何西阿书10:8）
此处“祭坛”表示出于邪恶和邪恶之虚假的敬拜。此外还有其它地方（如以赛亚书27:9；56:6，7；60:7；耶利米哀歌2:7；以西结书6:4-6，13；何西阿书8:11；10:1，2；阿摩司书3:14；诗篇3:14: 18，19；84: 2-4；马太福音5:23，24；23:18-20）。
由于“祭坛”代表、因而表示对主的敬拜，故显而易见，在启示录的此处，以及别处，“祭坛”并非表示别的；如：
我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道被杀之人的灵魂。（启示录6:9）
天使站着说，将神的殿和祭坛，并在殿中礼拜的人都量一量。（启示录11:1）
我听见祭坛中又有天使说，你的判断义哉！诚哉！（启示录16:7）
在两种祭坛上所进行的代表性敬拜在主降世时被祂废除了，因为主自己打开了教会的内层，所以在以赛亚书，经上说：
当那日，人必仰望造他们的主，他的眼目重看以色列的圣者，他们必不仰望祭坛，就是自己手所筑的。（以赛亚书17:7，8）
392. Then another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer. (8:3) This symbolizes spiritual worship, which originates from the goodness of charity expressed through truths of faith.
The altar at which the angel stood, and the golden censer that he had in his hand, symbolize worship of the Lord springing from a spiritual love, which is worship that originates from the goodness of charity expressed through truths of faith.
The children of Israel had two altars, one outside the Tabernacle, the other inside the Tabernacle. The altar outside the Tabernacle was called the altar of burnt offering, because burnt offerings and other sacrifices were presented on it. The altar inside the Tabernacle was called the altar of incense, and also the golden altar.
They had these two altars because worship of the Lord originates from celestial love and from spiritual love - from celestial love in the case of angels in His celestial kingdom, and from spiritual love in the case of angels in His spiritual kingdom. Regarding these two kingdoms, see no. 387 above.
Regarding the two altars, see the following passages in the books of Moses: On the altar of burnt offering, Exodus 20:24-26; 27:1-8; 29:36-43, Leviticus 6:8-12; 8:11; 16:18-19, 33-34. On the altar of incense, Exodus 30:1-10; 31:8; 37:25-29; 40:5, 26, Numbers 7:1.
John saw altars, censers, and the burning of incense, not because things of that kind are found in heaven. They were simply images representative of the worship of the Lord there. John saw them because such things were instituted among the children of Israel, and are often mentioned, therefore, in the Word. Moreover that church was a representational church, for every aspect of their worship was representative, and therefore those things now symbolize the Lord's Divinely given celestial and spiritual elements which are connected with His church in heaven and on earth.
[2] These same things are therefore symbolically meant in the Word by these two altars in the following places:
Send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me... to Your habitations. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God... (Psalms 43:3-4)
I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Jehovah, and I will make to be heard the voice of confession... (Psalms 26:6-7)
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron... on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars... (Jeremiah 17:1-2)
God is Jehovah, who gives us light; bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. (Psalms 118:27)
In that day there will be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt... (Isaiah 19:19)
An altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt symbolizes worship of the Lord originating from love in the natural person.
The thistle and thorn shall rise up on their altars. (Hosea 10:8)
These symbolize worship originating from evils and from the falsities accompanying evil.
See also elsewhere, such as Isaiah 27:9; 56:6-7; 60:7.
[3] Since an altar represented and so symbolized worship of the Lord, it is apparent that the altar here in the book of Revelation has no other meaning, and so, too, elsewhere. As for example:
...I saw under the altar the souls of those slain for the Word of God... (Revelation 6:9)
...the angel stood and said, ."..measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it." (Revelation 11:1)
...I heard another (angel) from the altar saying, ."..true and just are Your judgments." (Revelation 16:7)
Since representative worship was carried out principally upon the two altars, and since it was abolished by the Lord when He came into the world because He laid open the inner qualities of a church, we are accordingly told in Isaiah,
In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will regard the Holy One of Israel, and... not... to the altars, the work of his hands. (Isaiah 17:7-8)
392. [verse 3] 'And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer' signifies spiritual worship which is performed out of the good of charity by means of truths of faith. By the 'altar' at which the angel stood, and by the 'golden censer' that he had in his hand, is signified worship of the Lord out of spiritual love, and this worship is out of the good of charity by means of truths of faith. With the sons of Israel there were two altars, one outside the tent, the other inside the tent. The altar outside the tent was called the ALTAR OF BURNT-OFFERING, because burnt-offerings and sacrifices were made upon it. The altar inside the tent was called the ALTAR OF INCENSE and the GOLDEN ALTAR as well. The reason for there being these two altars was because worship of the Lord is produced out of celestial love and out of spiritual love; out of celestial love by those who are in His celestial kingdom, and out of spiritual love by those who are in His spiritual kingdom. Something concerning those two kingdoms may be seen above (387). Concerning the two altars the following passages in Moses may be seen: About the altar of burnt-offering (Exodus 20:21-26; 27:1-8; 29:36-43; Leviticus 7:1-5; 8:11; 16:18-19, 33-34). About the altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10; 31:8; 37:25-29; 40:5, 26; Numbers 7:1). That altars, censers and incense-offerings were seen by John was not because such things are provided in heaven. They were only representative of the worship of the Lord there. The reason is because such things had been instituted among the sons of Israel, and therefore they are often mentioned in the Word; and that Church was a representative Church, for all the things of their worship used to represent, and now consequently signify, the celestial and spiritual Divine things of the Lord that are of His Church in the heavens and on earth (in terris).
[2] Similar things are therefore signified in the Word by those two altars in the following places:
Send out Thy light and Thy truth (veritas), they shall lead me to Thy habitations, and I will go up to the altar of God, unto God. Psalms 43:3-4.
I wash my hands in innocence, and I compass Thine altar, O Jehovah, and I will make the voice of confession to be heard. Psalms 26:6-7.
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron upon the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars. Jeremiah 17:1-2.
God is Jehovah, Who enlightens us; bind the festal-offering with cords even unto the horns of the altar. Psalms 118:27.
In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt. Isaiah 19:19.
'An altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt' signifies worship of the Lord out of the love in the natural man.
The thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars, Hosea 10:7-8.
By this is signified worship out of evils and untruths of evil. Besides elsewhere, as Isaiah 27:9; 56:6-7; 60:7; Lamentations 2:7; Ezekiel 6:3-4, 6, 13; Hosea 8:11; 10:1-2; Amos 3:14; Psalms 51:18-19 [H.B. 20-21]; Psalms 84:2-4 [H.B. 3-5]; Matthew 5:23-24; 23:18-20. Since worship of the Lord used to be represented, and consequently is signified, by an altar, it is plain that by 'altar' here in the Apocalypse nothing else is understood, and elsewhere also, as:
I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slain for the Word of God. Revelation 6:9.
The angel stood by and said, Measure the temple of God and the altar, and those worshipping therein. Revelation 11:1.
I heard another angel out of the altar saying, True and just are Thy judgment. Revelation 16:7.
Since the representative worship that used to be performed mainly upon the two altars was abrogated by the Lord when He came into the world, because He Himself opened interior things of the Church, therefore it is said in Isaiah:
In that day a man shall look back to his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel, and not to the altars, the work of his hands. 17:7-8.
392. Verse 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, signifies spiritual worship, which is from the good of charity by the truths of faith. By "the altar" at which the angel stood, and by "the golden censer" which he had in his hand, is signified the worship of the Lord from spiritual love, which worship is from the good of charity by the truths of faith. With the sons of Israel there were two altars, one without the tent, and the other within it; the altar without the tent was called "the altar of burnt-offering," because burnt-offerings and sacrifices were offered upon it. The altar within the tent was called "the altar of incense," as also "the golden altar." There were two altars, because the worship of the Lord is from celestial love and from spiritual love; from celestial love by those who are in His celestial kingdom, and from spiritual love by those who are in His spiritual kingdom; concerning these two kingdoms, see above, (387). Concerning the two altars, see the following passages in Moses: concerning the altar of burnt offering see Exodus 20:24-26; 27:1-8; 39:38-39; Leviticus 7:1-5; 8:11; 16:18-19, 33-34; concerning the altar of incense see Exodus 30:1-10; 31:8; 37:25-29; 40:5-26; Numbers 7:1. That altars, censers, and incense, were seen by John, was not because such things exist in heaven, these were only representative of the worship of the Lord there; the reason is, because such things were instituted among the sons of Israel, and are therefore often mentioned in the Word; and that church was a representative church, for all things of their worship represented and thence they now signify the Divine celestial and spiritual things of the Lord, which are of His church in the heavens and on the earth.
[2] The same is therefore signified by the two altars spoken of in the Word, in the following passages:
O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me to Thy habitation, and I will go to the altar of God, unto God, (Psalms 43:3-4).
I will wash my hands in innocence; and so will I compass Thy altar, O Jehovah; and I will make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, (Psalms 26:6-7).
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron upon the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars, (Jeremiah 17:1-2).
God is Jehovah, Who enlighteneth us; bind the festal-offering with cords unto the horns of the altar, (Psalms 118:27).
In that day shall there be an altar in the midst of the land of Egypt, (Isaiah 19:19).
"The altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt," signifies the worship of the Lord from love in the natural man.
The thistle and the thorn shall come up upon their altars, (Hosea 10:8).
By this is signified worship from evil and from the falsities of evil. (Besides other places; as Isaiah 27:9; 56:6-7; 60:7; Lamentations 2:7; Ezekiel 6:4-6, 13; Hosea 8:11; 10:1-2; Amos 3:14; Psalms 51:19; 84:3; Matthew 5:23-24; 23:18-20).
[3] Since the worship of the Lord was represented and thence signified by "the altar," it is evident that by "altar" here in Revelation nothing else is meant, and also elsewhere; as:
I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, (Revelation 6:9).
The angel stood and said, Measure the temple of God and the altar, and them that adore therein, (Revelation 11:1).
I heard another angel from the altar, saying, True and just are Thy judgments, (Revelation 16:7).
Since representative worship, which was performed chiefly upon two altars, was abrogated by the Lord when He came into the world, because He Himself opened the interiors of the church; therefore it is said in Isaiah:
In that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel, and not to the altars, the work of his hands, (Isaiah 17:7-8).
392. (Vers. 3.) "Et alius Angelus venit et stetit ad Altare habens thuribulum aureum," significat cultum spiritualem, qui fit ex bono charitatis per vera fidei. - Per "Altare" ad quod Angelus stetit, et per "thuribulum aureum" quod manu habuit, significatur cultus Domini ex amore spirituali, qui cultus est ex bono charitatis per vera fidei. Apud filios Israelis erant duo altaria, unum extra tentorium, alterum intra tentorium; altare extra tentorium vocabatur "Altare Holocausti," quia holocausta et sacrificia super illo fiebant; altare intra tentorium vocabatur "Altare Suffitus" ut et "Altare Aureum:" quod duo altaria essent, erat causa, quia cultus Domini fit ex amore caelesti et ex amore spirituali; ex amore caelesti ab illis qui in Regno caelesti Ipsius sunt, et ex amore spirituali ab illis qui in Regno spirituali Ipsius sunt: de binis illis Regnis videatur supra (387). De binis altaribus videantur sequentia apud Mosen:
De "Altari Holocausti," (Exodus 20:21 ad fin. (B.A. 24-26); 27:1-8; 139:38-39; 2Leviticus 7:1-5; 8:11; 16:18-19, 33-34); 3
De "Altari Suffitus," (Exodus 30:1-10; 431:8; 537:25-29; 40:5-26; Numeri 7:1). 6
Quod altaria, thuribula et suffitus visa sint Johanni, non erat quia talia dantur in Caelo; erant modo repraesentativa cultus Domini ibi; causa est, quia talia apud filios Israelis instituta fuerunt, et ideo in Verbo saepius nominata; et illa Ecclesia fuit Ecclesia repraesentativa, omnia enim cultus eorum repraesentabant, et inde nunc significant Divina Caelestia et Spiritualia Domini, quae sunt Ecclesiae Ipsius in Caelis et in Terris. Similia itaque per duo illa Altaria significantur in Verbo, in sequentibus:
"Mitte lucem Tuam et veritatem Tuam, hae ducent me ad habitacula Tua, et ingrediar ad Altare Dei, ad Deum," (Psalm 43:3-4); 7
"Lavo in innocentia manus meas, et circumdo Altare Tuum, Jehovah, et audiri faciam vocem confessionis," (Psalm 26:6-7);
"Peccatum Jehudae scriptum est stylo ferri super tabula cordis eorum, et in cornibus Altarium vestrorum," (Jeremias 17:1-2);
"Deus Jehovah, Qui illuminat nos, ligate festum funibus usque ad cornua Altaris," (Psalm 118:27);
"In die illo erit Altare Jehovae in medio terrae Aegypti," (Esaias 19:19);
"Altare Jehovae in medio terrae Aegypti" significat cultum Domini ex amore in naturali homine.
"Tribulus et spina ascendent super Altaria illorum," (Hoschea 10:8); 8
per quae significatur cultus ex malis et falsis mali.
(Praeter alibi, ut Esaias 27:9; 56:6-7; 60:7; Threni 2:7; Ezechiel 6:4-6, 13; 9Hoschea 8:11; 10:1-2; Amos 3:14; Psalm 51:21 (B.A. 19); 10Psalm 84:4 (B.A. 3); 11Matthaeus 5:23-24; 23:18-20).
Quoniam cultus Domini repraesentabatur et inde significatur per "Altare," patet quod per "Altare" hic in Apocalypsi non aliud intelligatur, et quoque alibi; ut,
"Vidi sub Altari animas occisorum propter Verbum Dei," (Apocalypsis 6:9);
"Adstitit Angelus et dixit, Metire Templum Dei et Altare, et adorantes in illo," (Apocalypsis 11:1);
"Audivi alium Angelum ex Altari dicentem, vera et justa sunt judicia Tua," (Apocalypsis 16:7).
Quoniam cultus repraesentativus, qui praecipue super binis altaribus fiebat, abrogatus est a Domino cum in mundum venit, quia Ipse interiora Ecclesiae aperuit, quare dicitur apud Esajam,
"In die illo respiciet homo ad Factorem suum, et oculi ejus ad Sanctum Israelis spectabunt, et non ad Altaria opus manuum suarum, (17:7-8).
Footnotes:
1. 8 pro "9"
2. 38, 39 pro "36 ad 43"
3. vii.. pro "vi."
4. 10 pro "12"
5. 31:8 pro "32:6"
6. vii. pro "vi."
7. xliii. pro "xxiii."
8. 8 pro "7, 8"
9. 4-6, 13 pro "3, 4, 6, 13"
10. 21 pro "20"
11. 84:4 pro "74:3, 4"