255、关于圣言的必要性和卓越性。凭尘世之光，无从得知主，天堂与地狱，人死后的生命，以及对人的属灵和永恒生命来说必不可少的神性真理（8944，10318，10319，10320节）。这一点从以下事实明显可知：许多人，包括学者都不相信这些事，尽管他们出生在有圣言的地方，并从圣言接受关于这些事的教导（10319节）。这就是为何必须有来自天堂的某种启示，因为人是为天堂而生的（1775节）。因此，每个时代都有一个启示（2895节）。关于随着时间推移，在这个世界上相继作出的各种启示（10355，10632节）。生活在大洪水之前，其时代被称为黄金时代的上古之人拥有直接的启示，因而拥有写在他们心上的神性真理（2896节）。大洪水后的古代教会拥有一部包含历史和预言的圣言（2686，2897节）；关于这些教会，可参看前文（NJHD247节）。它的历史部分被称为“耶和华战记”，它的预言部分被称为“宣言”（2897节）。就启发而言，这部圣言就像我们的圣言（2897节）。摩西提到了它（2686，2897节）。但这部圣言已经遗失了（2897节）。其他人也有一些预言启示，这从巴兰的预言（民数记23-24章）明显看出来（2898节）。
圣言在每个和一切细节上都是神性（639，3305，10321，10637节）。圣言在一点一画上都是神性和神圣的，包括亲眼见证的证据（9349节）。如今人们如何解释圣言在最小的字母或每一点上都是被启示的（1886节）。
教会在有圣言存在，主通过圣言被认识，因而神性真理被揭示的地方取了一个特定形式（3857，10761节）。然而，这并不意味着人们仅仅因为生在有圣言存在，主通过圣言被认识的地方就属于教会；相反，只有那些通过来自圣言的真理被主重生，也就是照来自圣言的真理生活的人，因而那些过着爱与信之生活的人才属于教会（6637，10143，10153，10578，10645，10829节）。
255、圣言的必要性和卓越性。通过物质之光，人类无从知晓关于主、天堂和地狱、人死后的生命，以及对灵性和永恒生命至关重要的任何神性真理 （8944，10318-10320）。从而事实上许许多多的人，包括有学识的人，都不相信它们，即使他们生长，受教在有圣言的环境里（10319）。所以必须要有来自天堂的启示，因为人是为天堂而生（1775）。所以，每个时代都有启示（2895）。地球上先后出现的各类启示在这里讨论（10355，10632）。
大洪水前最古老人类生活的时代，被称作黄金时代，他们有直接启示，因此神性真理铭刻在他们心上（2896）。大洪水后的古代教会有一部圣言，它包括历史书和先知书（2686，2897）。关于上述教会参见本书247节。这部圣言的历史书被称为《耶和华战纪》，先知书被称为《宣告》（2897）。就神的天启而言，那部圣言和我们的圣言是一样的（2897）。摩西曾提到它（2686，2897）。但那部圣言遗失了（2897）。其他民族也有先知启示，如巴兰预言所示（2898）
全部圣言的每一个细节都是神授的（639，680，10321，10637）。从包括见证在内的证据得知，圣言的每一点一划都是神授和神圣的 （9349）。关于圣言的一笔一画都是神的启示，今人对这一宣称的阐释记录在这里（1886）。
凡有圣言之处，主因而被认识，神性真理被揭示，教会也就存在于此（3857，10761）。但这并不意味着，出生在有圣言且主由此被认识之处的人就属于教会。只有那些通过圣言的真理被主重生的人，也就是按照圣言真理过着爱和信仰生活的人，才是教会的成员（6637，10143，10153，10578，10645，10829）。
255. From Secrets of Heaven
The necessity and excellence of the Word. From earthly light, we know nothing about the Lord, heaven and hell, our life after death, or the divine truths that are essential for our spiritual and eternal life: 8944, 10318, 10319, 10320. Evidence for this is the fact that many people, including scholars, do not believe in these things even though they were born where the Word is present and have been taught from it about these matters: 10319. That is why it became necessary for there to be some revelation from heaven, since we are born for heaven: 1775. For this reason there has been a revelation in every era: 2895. Information about the various kinds of revelation in this world over time: 10355, 10632. The earliest people, the ones who lived before the Flood, whose era was called the Golden Age, 1had direct revelation and therefore had divine truth written on their hearts: 2896. The ancient churches that existed after the Flood had a Word containing both historical and prophetic material: 2686, 2897. (On these churches, see 247 above.) Its historical materials were called The Wars of Jehovah and its prophetic materials were called Pronouncements: 2897. This Word was like our own Word as far as its inspiration was concerned: 2897. It was mentioned by Moses: 2686, 2897. However, this Word has been lost: 2897. There were also prophetic revelations among other peoples, as we can see from Balaam's prophecies [Numbers 23-24]: 2898.
[2] The Word is divine throughout and in every detail: 639, 3305, 10321, 10637. The Word is divine and holy down to the smallest letters and the tip of every letter 2: 9349 (which includes evidence from eyewitness experience). How people nowadays explain the claim that the Word is inspired down to the smallest letters: 1886.
[3] The church takes a particular form where the Word exists and the Lord is known by means of it, and therefore where divine truths have been revealed: 3857, 10761. Still, though, this does not mean that people are part of the church by merely being born where the Word exists and the Lord is known by means of it; people are part of the church only if they are being regenerated by the Lord by means of truths from the Word-that is, they are living lives of love and faith: 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829.
Footnotes:
1. On the Flood, which Swedenborg sees not as a literal event, but as a symbolic one, see note 1 in Last Judgment 26. He elsewhere points out that the term "Golden Age," which he applies to the period before the Flood, is shared with the Greek myth of the Golden Age described by ancient authors such as Hesiod (flourished around 700 B. C. E.) in Works and Days (= Hesiod 1914) 109-126. For more on the Golden Age, see note 3 in Other Planets Other Planets 49. For an outline of the various churches that Swedenborg identifies in history, see note 3 in New Jerusalem 4; for an annotated list of passages in Secrets of Heaven that discuss the early churches in particular, see New Jerusalem 247. [GFD, RS]
2. Matthew 5:18 is clearly intended; there Jesus declares that not one iota or one stroke of the Mosaic Law given in the Bible will ever become null and void. Whatever the precise reference, the combined reference has the same force as the idiom "every little bit." [GFD, SS]
255. Not translated.
255. FROM THE HEAVENLY ARCANA.
The Necessity and Excellency of the Word. Nothing is known from the light (lumen) of nature concerning the Lord, heaven and hell, man's life after death, and the Divine Truths through which a man has spiritual and eternal life, Arcana Coelestia 8944, 10318-10320. This may appear from the fact, that many, and among them men of education, do not believe these things, although they were born where the Word is, and by means of it have been instructed concerning them, Arcana Coelestia 10319. Wherefore, it was necessary that there should be some Revelation from heaven because man is born for heaven, Arcana Coelestia 1775; and therefore in every age there has been a Revelation, Arcana Coelestia 2895. The various kinds of revelation that have been successively on this earth, Arcana Coelestia 10355, 10632. The Most ancient people who lived before the flood, and whose age was called the golden age, had an immediate Revelation, and from it Divine Truth was inscribed on their hearts, Arcana Coelestia 2896. In the Ancient Churches, which existed after the flood, there was a Word which was both historical and prophetical, Arcana Coelestia 2686, 2897 (concerning which Churches, see above, no. 247). Its historical parts were called the Wars of Jehovah, and its prophetical parts, Enunciations, Arcana Coelestia 2897. That Word was like ours with respect to inspiration, Arcana Coelestia 2897. It was mentioned by Moses, Arcana Coelestia 2686 Arcana Coelestia 2686[1-8], 2897. But that Word has been lost, Arcana Coelestia 2897. There were prophetic revelations also among others, as appears from the prophecies of Balaam, Arcana Coelestia 2898.
The Word is Divine in each and all things, Arcana Coelestia 639, 680, 10321, 10637. The Word is Divine and holy as to each iota and dot, from experience, Arcana Coelestia 9349. How it is explained at the present day, that the Word is inspired as to every iota,, Arcana Coelestia 1886.
The Church specifically is where the Word exists, and where through it the Lord is known, and Divine Truths have been revealed, Arcana Coelestia 3857, 10761. Still those who are born where the Word is, and where the Lord by means of it is known are not on that account of the Church, but those are who through truths from the Word are being regenerated by the Lord; and these are they who live according to the truths therein, and consequently those who lead a life of love and faith, Arcana Coelestia 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829.
255. FROM THE ARCANA COELESTIA.
Of the necessity and Excellence of the Word.
From the light of nature, nothing is known concerning the Lord, concerning heaven and hell, concerning the life of man after death, and concerning the Divine truths by which man has spiritual and eternal life (n. 8944, 10318-10320). This may be manifest from this, that many, and among them the learned, do not believe them, although they were born where the Word is, and are thereby instructed concerning them (n. 10319). It was therefore necessary that there should be some revelation from heaven, because man was born for heaven (n. 1775). Therefore in all time there has been a revelation (n. 2895). Concerning the various kinds of revelation which have been successively made on this earth (n. 10355, 10632).
The most ancient people who lived before the flood, and whose age was called the golden age, had immediate revelation, and hence Divine truth was inscribed on their hearts (n. 2896). In the ancient churches which were after the flood, there was a Word, both historical and prophetical (n. 2686, 2897); concerning which churches see above (n. 247). Its historical parts were called the Wars of Jehovah, and its prophetical parts, Enunciations (n. 2897). That Word was like our Word as to inspiration (n. 2897). It is mentioned by Moses (n. 2686, 2897). But that Word is lost (n. 2897). There were also prophetic revelations with others, as appears from the prophecies of Balaam (n. 2898).
The Word is Divine in each and every particular (n. 639, 680[1-5], 10321, 10637). The Word is Divine and holy as to every jot and tittle, from experience (n. 9349). How it is explained at this day, that the Word is inspired as to every jot (n. 1886).
The church exists specifically where the Word is, and where the Lord is thereby known and Divine truths are revealed (n. 3857, 10761). But it does not follow from hence, that they are of the church who are born where the Word is, and where the Lord is thereby known, but they who by means of truths from the Word are regenerated by the Lord, that is, who live according to the truths therein, thus who lead a life of love and of faith (n. 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829).
255. (EX ARCANIS CAELESTIBUS.)
De Verbi Necessitate et Praestantia.
Quod ex lumine Naturae nihil sciatur de Domino, de caelo et inferno, de vita hominis post mortem, et de Divinis veris per quae homini vita spiritualis et aeterna (Arcana Coelestia 8944, 10318-10320).
Quod id constare possit ex eo, -quod plures, et inter eos eruditi, non credant illa, tametsi nati sunt ubi Verbum, et per id instructi de illis (Arcana Coelestia 10319).
Quod ideo necessum fuerit ut aliqua revelatio esset e caelo, quia homo ad caelum natus est (Arcana Coelestia 1775).
Quod ideo omni tempore fuerit revelatio (Arcana Coelestia 2895).
De variis revelationis speciebus in hac tellure successive (Arcana Coelestia 10355, 10632).
Quod antiquissimis, qui ante diluvium, quorum tempus vocatum est saeculum aureum, fuerit revelatio immediata, et inde Divinum Verum inscriptum cordibus eorum (Arcana Coelestia 2896).
Quod in Antiquis Ecclesiis, quae fuerunt post diluvium, fuerit Verbum tam Historicum quam Propheticum (Arcana Coelestia 2686, 2897; de quibus ecclesiis, videatur 247).
Quod historica ejus dicta fuerint Bella Jehovae, et prophetica Enuntiata (Arcana Coelestia 2897).
Quod id Verbum fuerit simile nostro Verbo quoad inspirationem (Arcana Coelestia 2897).
Quod id memoratum sit a Mose (Arcana Coelestia 2686, 2897).
Sed quod id Verbum deperditum sit (Arcana Coelestia 2897).
Quod etiam propheticae revelationes apud alios fuerint, sicut patet a propheticis Bileami (Arcana Coelestia 2898).
Quod Verbum sit Divinum in omnibus et singulis (Arcana Coelestia 639, 680, 10321, 10637).
Quod Verbum sit quoad omnem jotham et apicem Divinum et sanctum (ad experientia, Arcana Coelestia 1349, [9349?],).
Quomodo explicatur hodie quod Verbum quoad omnem jotham sit inspiratum (Arcana Coelestia 1886).
Quod ecclesia in specie sit ubi Verbum, et per id Dominus notus, ac Divina vera revelata (Arcana Coelestia 3857, 10761).
At quod ideo non ab ecclesia sint qui nati ubi Verbum, et per id Dominus notus, sed qui per vera ex Verbo a Domino regenerantur; qui sunt qui vivunt secundum vera ibi, ita qui vivunt vitam amoris et fidei (Arcana Coelestia 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829).