501.启11:8.“他们的尸首就倒在那大城的街道上”表新教会的这两大基本要素被那些内在陷入关于唯信称义教义的虚假之人完全弃绝。“两个见证人的尸首”表示新教会的两大基本要素，即对主是天地独一神的承认和凭遵行十诫的生活而与主的结合（490节等）。“大城的街道”表示关于唯信称义教义的虚假；“街道”表示虚假，这一点很快就会看到；“城”表示教义（194节）。它之所以被称为“大城”，是因为该教义在整个改革基督教的神职人员当中居于统治地位，尽管在平信徒当中不是这样。在圣言中，“街”（streets）和“路”（ways或大道、道路、道）几乎所表相同，因为街就是城中的路；但“街”还表示教义的真理或虚假，因为“城”表示教义（194节）；“路”表示教会的真理或虚假，因为“地”表示教会（285节）。“街”表示教义的真理或虚假，这一点从以下内容可以看出来：
公平转而退后，公义站在远处；真理在街上仆倒，正直也不得进入。（以赛亚书59:14）
战车在街上狂奔，在宽阔路上奔来奔去。（那鸿书2:4）
在雅亿的日子，大道无人行走，宽阔路在以色列无人行走。（士师记5:6，7）
可称赞的城，为何被撇弃了呢？她的少年人必仆倒在街上。（耶利米书49:25-26；50:30）
素来吃美好食物的，如今在街上孤单凄凉。拿细耳人的面貌比黑色更黑，以致在街上无人认识。他们在街上如瞎子乱走。他们追赶我们的脚步像打猎的，以致我们不敢在街上行走。（耶利米哀歌 4:5，8，14，18）
我要除灭列族，他们的城角荒凉，我要使他们的街道荒废。（西番雅书3:6）
后来在六十二个七，正在艰难的时候，耶路撒冷城的街道必重新建造。（但以理书9:25）
新耶路撒冷城内的街道是精金，好像明透的玻璃。（启示录21:21）
在城内街道当中，在河这边和那边有结十二样果子的树。（启示录22:1，2）
此外还有其它地方（如以赛亚书15:3；24:10-11；51:20；耶利米书5:1；6:11；7:17；9:21；11:13；以西结书16:24，25，31；耶利米书44:9，17；耶利米哀歌2:11，19；以西结书11:6；26:11-12；阿摩司书5:16；撒迦利亚书8:3-5；诗篇144:13；约伯记31:32）。由于“街”表示教会教义的真理，所以：
他们在街上教导。（撒母耳记下1:20）
经上说：
我们在你面前吃过，在你面前喝过，你也在我们街上教训过人。（路加福音13:26）
故：
假冒为善的人在街头（corners of the streets）祷告。（马太福音6:2，5）
因此：
家主命令仆人到大街小巷领人来。（路加福音14:21）
由于同样的原由，错误或虚假之物被称为：
街上的泥土、污物和粪土。（以赛亚书5:25；10:6；弥迦书7:10；诗篇18:42）
说假预言的先知必被抛在耶路撒冷的街道上，且无人埋葬他们。（耶利米书14:16）
501. And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city. (11:8) This symbolically means that these two essential elements of the New Church have been utterly rejected by people inwardly caught up in the doctrinal falsities connected with justification by faith alone.
The bodies of the two witnesses symbolize the two essential elements of the New Church, namely, an acknowledgment of the Lord as the only God of heaven and earth, and conjunction with Him by a life in accordance with the Ten Commandments (nos. 490ff.). The street of the great city symbolizes doctrinal falsity connected with justification by faith alone - the street symbolizing falsity, as we shall see next, and the city symbolizing doctrine (no. 194). It is called a great city because the doctrine is the prevailing doctrine throughout the Protestant Reformed Christian world among the clergy, though not in the same way among the laity.
Streets in the Word have almost the same symbolic meaning as ways, because streets are a city's ways. Still, streets symbolize doctrinal truths or falsities, because a city symbolizes doctrine (no. 194), while ways symbolize a church's truths or falsities, because the earth symbolizes the church (no. 285).
[2] That streets symbolize doctrinal truths or falsities can be seen from the following passages:
Justice has been rejected, and righteousness stands afar off, for truth has stumbled in the street, and rectitude cannot enter. (Isaiah 59:14)
The chariots raced madly in the streets, they rushed in every direction in the town squares. (Nahum 2:4)
In the days of Jael, the ways were deserted... The town squares were deserted... in Israel... (Judges 5:6-7)
How the glorious city is forsaken...! Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets... (Jeremiah 49:25-26, cf. 50:30)
Those who ate delicacies are devastated in the streets... Darker than black is the appearance (of the Nazirites); they go unrecognized in the streets... They wandered blind in the streets... They tracked our steps so that we could not go into our streets. (Lamentations 4:5, 8, 14, 18)
I will cut off nations, their corners will be devastated; I will make their streets desolate... (Zephaniah 3:6)
(After) sixty-two weeks, the street (of Jerusalem) shall be built again..., but in distressful times. (Daniel 9:25)
...the street of the city (New Jerusalem) was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)
In the middle of its street... on this side and that, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits... (Revelation 22:1-2)
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 15:3; 24:10-11; 51:20.
As streets symbolize the church's doctrinal truths, therefore they taught in the streets (2 Samuel 1:20). And we are told,
We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets. (Luke 13:26)
For this reason also hypocrites prayed on street corners (Matthew 6:2, 5). And for this reason the master of the house in Luke 14:21 ordered his servants to go out into the streets and squares and bring people in.
For the same reason, too, anything false or falsified is called mire, filth and excrement in the streets (Isaiah 5:25; 10:6, Micah 7:10, Psalms 18:42).
Prophets who prophesied falsely were cast out into the streets of Jerusalem, and no one buried them (Jeremiah 14:16).
501. [verse 8] 'And their bodies [shall be] upon the street of the great city' signifies that these two Essentials of the New Church have been totally rejected by those who are interiorly in the untruths of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. By the 'bodies' of the two witnesses are signified the two Essentials of the New Church, which are the acknowledgment of the Lord as being the Only God of heaven and earth, and that conjunction with Him is by means of a life in accordance with the precepts of the Decalogue (490 seq.). By 'the Street of the great city' is signified the untruth of the doctrine concerning justification by faith alone; by 'the street' is signified the untruth, concerning which [something] follows, and by 'the city' is signified doctrine (194). It is called 'the great city' because it is the doctrine reigning in the whole Reformed Christian world with the clergy, though not in like manner with the laity. By 'streets' in the Word are signified almost the same as by 'ways' because streets are ways in a city; but still by 'streets' are signified truths or untruths of doctrine because a 'city' signifies doctrine (194), and by 'ways' are signified truths or untruths of the Church because the 'land' signifies the Church (285). That 'streets' signify truths or untruths of doctrine can be seen from the following passages:
Judgment has been rejected, and justice has stood afar off, for the truth (veritas) has been stricken in the street, and rectitude cannot come. Isaiah 59:14.
The chariots have run riot in the streets, they have rushed about in the broad ways, Nahum 2:4; [H.B. 5].
In the days of Jael the ways were disused, the broad ways were disused in Israel, Judges 5:6-7.
How has the city of glory been left? Wherefore shall her young men fall in the streets? Jeremiah 49:25-26; 50:30.
They that have fed delicately have been devastated in the streets. The form of the Nazirites has been darkened more than blackness, they are not recognised in the streets. They have wandered blind in the streets. They have hunted our step, so that we cannot go in the streets, Lamentations 4:5, 8, 14, 18.
I will cut off the nations, their corners shall be devastated, I will desolate their streets, Zephaniah 3:6.
Afterwards in sixty-two weeks the streets of Jerusalem shall be built, but in critical times. Daniel 9:25.
The street of the city of New Jerusalem is pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Revelation 21:21.
In the midst of the street of it, on this side and on that, a tree producing twelve fruits. Revelation 22:1-2; besides elsewhere as Isaiah 15:3; 24:10-11; 51:20; Jeremiah 5:1; 6:16; 7:17; 9:21 [H.B. 20]; 11:13; 44:9, 17; Lamentations 2:11, 19; Ezekiel 11:6; 16:24-25, 31; 26:11-12; Amos 5:16; Zechariah 8:3-5; Psalms 144:13; Job 5:10. Since 'streets' signify truths of the doctrine of the Church, therefore:
They used to teach in the streets, 2 Samuel 20; and it is said:
We have eaten in Thy presence, and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets. Luke 13:26; and therefore:
Hypocrites used to pray at the corners of the streets. Matthew 6:2, 5; and therefore:
The householder commanded the servants to go into the streets and broad ways, and bring them in. Luke 14:21.
On this account also what is untrue and falsified is called:
Mire, dirt, and dung of the streets. Isaiah 5:25; 10:6; Micah 7:10; Psalms 18:42; [H.B. 43].
The prophet prophesying what was untrue would be cast into the streets of Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them. Jeremiah 14:16.
501. Verse 8. And their bodies shall be upon the street of the great city, signifies that the two essentials of the New Church are totally rejected by those who are interiorly in the falsities of doctrine concerning justification by faith alone. By "the bodies of the two witnesses" are signified the two essentials of the New Church, which are the acknowledgment of the Lord as the only God of heaven and earth, and that conjunction with Him is by a life according to the precepts of the Decalogue, (490, etc.). By "the street of the great city," is signified the falsity of the doctrine concerning justification by faith alone; by "a street" is signified falsity, as will be seen presently; and by "a city" is signified doctrine, (194). It is called "a great city," because it is the doctrine which reigns in the whole Reformed Christian world among the clergy, though not in like manner among the laity. "By streets," in the Word, almost the same is signified as by "ways," because streets are ways in a city; but still by "streets" are signified the truths or falsities of doctrine, because "a city" signifies doctrine, (194); and by "ways" are signified the truths or falsities of the church, because "the earth" signifies the church, (285). That "streets" signify truths or falsities of doctrine, may be seen from the following passages:
And judgment is rejected, and justice hath stood afar off: for truth is stricken in the street, and rectitude cannot come, (Isaiah 59:14).
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall run to and fro in the broad ways, (Nahum 2:4).
In the days of Jael the ways ceased, the broad ways ceased in Israel, (Judges 5:6-7).
How is the city of glory left? therefore her young men shall fall in the streets, (Jeremiah 49:25-26; 50:30).
They that did feed delicately are devastated in the streets. The form of the Nazarites is darker than blackness; they are not known in the streets. They wandered blind in the streets. They hunted our steps, that we cannot go in the streets, (Lamentations 4:5, 8, 14, 18).
I will cut off the nations, their corners shall be laid waste, I will desolate their streets, (Zephaniah 3:6).
Afterwards in sixty-two weeks the streets of Jerusalem shall be built again, but in troublous times, (Daniel 9:25).
The street of the city New Jerusalem was pure gold, as clear glass, (Rev 21:21).
In the midst of the street of it, on this side and that, the tree bearing twelve fruits, (Rev 22:2; besides other places; as in Isaiah 15:3; 24:10-11; 51:20; Jeremiah 5:1; 6:16; 7:17; 9:21; 11:13; Ezekiel 16:24-25, 31; Jeremiah 44:9, 17; Lamentations 2:11, 19; Ezekiel 11:6; 26:11-12; Amos 5:16; Zechariah 8:3-5; Psalms 144:13; Job 18:17).
Since "streets" signify the truths of doctrine of the church, therefore:
They taught in the streets, (2 Samuel 1:20).
And it was said:
We have eaten before Thee and drunk before Thee, and Thou hast taught in our streets, (Luke 13:26).
And therefore:
Hypocrites prayed in the corners of the streets, (Matthew 6:2-5).
And therefore:
The householder commanded the servants to go into the streets and broad ways, and bring them in, (Luke 14:21).
For the same reason, also, what is false and falsified is called:
Mire, dirt, and dung of the streets, (Isaiah 5:25; 10:6; Micah 7:10; Psalms 18:42).
The prophets who prophesied what was false, should be cast out into the streets of Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them, (Jeremiah 14:16).
501. (Vers. 8.) "Et corpora illorum super platea urbis magnae," significat quod duo Essentialia Novae Ecclesiae ab illis qui interius in falsis Doctrinae de justificatione per solam fidem sunt, prorsus rejecta sunt. - Per "corpora duorum testium" significantur duo Essentialia Novae Ecclesiae, quae sunt, Agnitio Domini quod Solus sit Deus Caeli et Terrae, et quod Conjunctio cum Ipso sit per Vitam secundum praecepta Decalogi (490, seq.); per "plateam urbis magnae" significatur falsum Doctrinae de justificatione per solam fidem; per "plateam" significatur falsum, de quo sequitur, et per "urbem" significatur doctrina (194); vocatur "urbs magna," quia est Doctrina regnans in toto Christiano Reformato orbe apud Clericos, non autem similiter apud Laicos. Per "plateas" in Verbo significatur paene simile quod per "vias," quia plateae sunt viae in urbe; at usque per "plateas" significantur vera aut falsa doctrinae, quia "urbs" significat doctrinam (194), et per "vias" significantur vera aut falsa Ecclesiae, quia "terra" significat Ecclesiam (285). Quod "plateae" significent vera aut falsa doctrinae, videri potest a sequentibus locis:
"Rejectum est judicium, et justitia e longinquo stetit, nam impegit in Platea veritas, et rectitudo non potest venire," (Esajas 59:14); 1
"In Plateis insaniverunt currus, discurrerunt in vicis," (Nahum 2:5 (B.A. 4));
In diebus Jaelis cessarunt Viae; vici in Israele cessarunt," (Judicum 5:6-7);
"Quomodo relicta est urbs gloriae; quare cadent juvenes ejus in Plateis," (Jeremias 49:25-26; 50:30);
"Qui comederunt lautitias, devastati sunt in Plateis. Obscurata est prae nigredine forma Naziraeorum, non cognoscuntur in Plateis. Errarunt caeci in Plateis. Venati sunt gressus nostros, ut non ire possint in Plateis," (Threni 4:5, 8, 14, 18);
"Exscindam gentes, devastabuntur anguli eorum, desolabo Plateas eorum," (Zephanias 3:6);
"Postea septimanis sexaginta duabus aedificabatur Platea Hierosolymae, sed in angustia temporum," (Daniel 9:25);
"Platea urbis" Novae Hierosolymae "aurum purum, quasi vitrum pellucidum," (Apocalypsis 21:21);
"In medio Plateae ejus hinc inde arbor (vitae) faciens fructus duodecim," (Apocalypsis 22:2). 2
(Praeter alibi, ut Esaias 15:3; 24:10-11; 51:20; 3Jeremias 5:1; 6:16; 47:17; 9:20 (B.A. Jeremias 9:21); 11:13; 44:9; 544:17; 6Ezechiel 16:24-25, 31; 7Threni 2:11, 19; Ezechiel 11:6; 26:11-12; Amos 5:16; Sacharias 8:3-5; Psalm 144:13; Hiob 18:17) 8
Quoniam "plateae" significant vera doctrinae Ecclesiae, ideo Docebant in Plateis, (2 Samuelis 1:20); 9
ac dicitur,
"Edimus coram Te et bibimus coram Te, et in Plateis nostris docuisti," (Luca 13:26);
et ideo Hypocritae orabant in angulis Platearum, (Matthaeus 6:2, 5); 10
et ideo Paterfamilias jussit servis, ut irent in Plateas et Vicos, ac introduceren, (Luca 14:21).
Propterea etiam falsum et falsificatum vocatur Lutum, caenum et stercus Platearum, (Esaias 5:25; 10:6; Micham 7:10; Psalm 18:43 (B.A. 42)).
Quod Prophetae prophetantes falsum abjicerentur in Plateas Hierosolymae, et non sepeliens, Jeremias 14:16.
Footnotes:
1. lix. pro "ix."
2. 2 pro "1, 2"
3. xxiv. pro "xxxvi."
4. 16 pro "11"
5. Jerem. pro "cap." et 9 pro "18"
6. 44:17 pro "45:9"
7. Ezech. pro "cap."
8. 18:17 pro "5:10"
9. 2 Samuelis pro "1 Samuelis"
10. 2, 5 pro "3, 5"