730.圣餐的情况类似于立约，协议条款谈妥后就签署这约，最后封印。主亲自教导我们，祂的血就是立约；因为当祂拿起杯，递出去时，就说：
你们都喝这个，因为这是我立新约的血。（马太福音26:27，28；马可福音14:24；路加福音22:20）
新约就是新的盟约，故，主降世前由先知所写的圣言被称为旧约，而祂降世后由福音传道者和使徒所写的则被称为新约。“血”以及圣餐中的酒，都表示圣言的圣真，这一点可见于前文（n.706，708）。圣言也是主与人，以及人与主所立的约本身，因为主以圣言，即圣真降下来。由于这是祂的血，所以在象征基督教会的以色列教会，那血被称为“立约的血”（出埃及记24:7－8；撒迦利亚书9:11）；主被称为“众民所立的约”（以赛亚书42:6；49:8；耶利米书31:31－34；诗篇111:9）。
此外，为了能有某种保证，并且它定是经过慎重考虑的，必须要有一个签署标志，这符合尘世的秩序。没有签署标志的任命或意志会是什么样？若没有使判决生效的签署标志，人怎么判决？没有委任状的王国高官是什么样？没有书面的确认文件，人如何晋升职务？没有与业主签订买卖或销售协议，人怎能得到房子的所有权？除非有赢得奖金的某个目的或目标，或主管官员不知何故确定了赌注，否则人怎会到达目的地或追逐目标，从而赢得奖金？最后加上这几个例子作为说明，是为了使头脑简单的人也能明白，圣餐就是一种保证、印章、象征和证据，以表明，甚至在天人眼里，配领圣餐者就是神的儿子，它还象一把钥匙，开启他们在天堂永远居住的家门。
730. 圣餐的情况类似于立约, 协议条款谈妥后就签署这约, 最后封印。 主亲自教导我们, 祂的血就是立约; 因为当祂拿起杯, 递出去时, 就说:
你们都喝这个, 因为这是我立新约的血。 (马太福音26:27-28;马可福音14:24; 路加福音22:20)
新约就是新的盟约, 故, 主降世前由先知所写的圣言被称为旧约, 而祂降世后由福音传道者和使徒所写的则被称为新约。 “血”以及圣餐中的酒, 都表示圣言的圣真, 这一点可见于前文 (n。706, 708)。 圣言也是主与人, 以及人与主所立的约本身, 因为主以圣言, 即圣真降下来。 由于这是祂的血, 所以在象征基督教会的以色列教会, 那血被称为“立约的血” (出埃及记24:7-8;撒迦利亚书9:11) ; 主被称为“众民所立的约” (以赛亚42:6; 49:8; 耶利米书31:31-34; 诗篇111:9)。
此外, 为了能有某种保证, 并且它定是经过慎重考虑的, 必须要有一个签署标志, 这符合尘世的秩序。 没有签署标志的任命或意志会是什么样? 若没有使判决生效的签署标志, 人怎么判决? 没有委任状的王国高官是什么样? 没有书面的确认文件, 人如何晋升职务? 没有与业主签订买卖或销售协议, 人怎能得到房子的所有权? 除非有赢得奖金的某个目的或目标, 或主管官员不知何故确定了赌注, 否则人怎会到达目的地或追逐目标, 从而赢得奖金? 最后加上这几个例子作为说明, 是为了使头脑简单的人也能明白, 圣餐就是一种保证, 印章, 象征和证据, 以表明, 甚至在天人眼里, 配领圣餐者就是神的儿子, 它还象一把钥匙, 开启他们在天堂永远居住的家门。
730. The Holy Supper is similar to a covenant; after the terms are agreed upon, it is signed and sealed. The Lord's blood is the covenant, as he himself teaches. When he lifted the cup and gave it to the disciples he said, "Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new testament" (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20). The new testament means the new covenant. Therefore the Word that was written through the prophets before the Lord's Coming is called the Old Testament or Old Covenant, and the Word written through the Gospel writers and apostles after his Coming is called the New Testament or New Covenant. On the point that blood and also the wine in the Holy Supper mean the divine truth contained in the Word, see the fifth and seventh sections under the second heading of this chapter [706, 708]. The covenant that the Lord has made with us and we have made with the Lord is the Word. The Lord came down as the Word, that is, divine truth. Because his blood is divine truth, the blood in the Israelite church (a church that represented the Christian church to come) was called the blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:8; Zechariah 9:11), and the Lord was called a covenant to the people (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 111:9).
[2] According to the orderly sequence practiced in the world, a signature is absolutely necessary in order to finalize an agreement - a step that comes only after the terms have been worked out. What good is a will or a bequest without a signature? What good is a judicial statement without a signed opinion at the bottom to confirm the judgment? What good is it to be granted national authority if you have no charter to prove it? What good is a verbal offer of a promotion if there is no accompanying letter of confirmation? What good is taking possession of a house if you have no signed agreement of sale with the previous owner? What good does it do to run toward a goal or race for a finish line and a prize if there is no goal or finish line where the prizes will be handed out, and the official has given you no firm indication that he will make good on his promises if you win?
These last analogies have been added solely for the sake of illustration, however, so that everyone including the uneducated will perceive that taking the Holy Supper is like receiving [God's] signature, seal, certificate, or evidentiary letter to prove even to the angels that we have been adopted as God's children; and also that taking the Holy Supper is like being given the key to our home in heaven where we will live forever.
730. The case of the Holy Supper is similar to that of a treaty, which having been agreed and signed is finally sealed. The Lord Himself teaches us that His blood is a covenant, for He said when He took the cup and gave it:
Drink of it, all of you. This is my blood, the blood of the new testament, Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20.
The new testament is the new covenant. This is why the Word written by means of the Prophets before the Lord's coming is called the Old Testament or covenant, and the Word written after His coming by means of the Evangelists and Apostles is called the New Testament or covenant. Blood, and likewise wine in the Holy Supper, means the Divine truth of the Word; see above in 706, 708. The Word too is the actual covenant which the Lord has made with man, and man with the Lord. For the Lord came down as the Word, that is, as Divine truth. It is because this is His blood, that blood in the Israelite church, which represented the Christian church, was called 'the blood of the covenant' (Exodus 24:8; Zechariah 9:11) and the Lord was called 'the Covenant of the people' (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 111:9).
[2] It is in keeping with the way things are arranged in the world, that there should be a signing as a guarantee, and this follows discussion of the terms. How can anyone have a commission or a will without a signature? How can one have a judgment without a signed decision to make it effective? How can one reach high office in a kingdom without letters patent? How can one get advancement to any office without written confirmation? How can one own a house without a bill of sale or an agreement with the owner? How can one advance towards an end or chase after a goal and so win a prize, unless there is some end or goal where the prize may be won? Or unless the presiding officer has somehow confirmed his offer? These last examples are only added as an illustration to enable even a simpleminded person to grasp that the Holy Supper is a kind of guarantee, seal, token and evidence of commission, to show, even in the sight of angels, that they are sons of God. It is in addition like a key to a home in heaven, where they may reside for ever.
730. It is with the holy supper as with a covenant, which, after the articles of agreement are settled, is drawn up and finally executed with a seal. That the Lord's blood is a covenant, He Himself teaches; for when He took the cup and gave it, He said:
Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the new testament (Matthew 26:27, 28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20).
"The new testament" means the new covenant; therefore the Word written by the prophets before the Lord's coming is called the Old Testament or Covenant, while that written after His coming by the evangelists and apostles is called the New Testament or Covenant. That "blood" as well as the wine of the holy supper means the Divine truth of the Word can be seen above (n. 706, 708), and the Word is the covenant itself which the Lord made with man and man with the Lord; for the Lord descended as the Word, that is, as Divine truth; and as this is His blood, so in the Israelitish church, which was representative of the Christian church, blood is called,
The blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:7-8; Zechariah 9:11);
And the Lord a covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 111:9).
Moreover, it is in accordance with order in the world that there should be by all means a signature, in order that there may be some certitude, and that it should follow after deliberate action. What is a commission or a will without the signature? What is a legal decision without a decree signed to ratify the decision? What is a high office in a kingdom without a commission? What is promotion to any office if it is not confirmed? What is the possession of a house without purchase or agreement with the owner? What is progression to an end, or running to a goal, and thus for a reward, if there is no end or goal where the reward is to be gained; or if the judge has not in some manner made the wager sure? But these last have been added merely for the sake of illustration, that even the simple may see that the holy supper is like a signature, a seal, a badge, or a proof of appointment even to the angels, that those who come to it worthily are sons of God; and it is also like a key to the house in heaven where they are to dwell forever.
730. The Holy Supper is like a covenant, which is ratified after the articles are settled, and is finally signed and sealed. That the Lord's blood is a covenant He Himself teaches; for when He took the cup and gave it to His disciples, He said:
"Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament." Matthew 26 [27], 28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20.
The new testament is the new covenant; therefore, the Word written by the prophets before the Lord's coming is called the Old Testament and Covenant, and the Word written by the evangelists and apostles after His coming is called the New Testament, that is, the New Covenant. That the Divine Truth of the Word is meant by blood, and likewise by the wine in the Holy Supper, may be seen above in Article II, 706, 708. Now the Word is the covenant itself which the Lord made with man, and man with the Lord. For the Lord descended as the Word, that is, as the Divine Truth; and as this is His blood, therefore, in the Israelitish Church, which was representative of the Christian Church, blood was called:
"the blood of the covenant," Exodus 24:8; Zechariah 9:11; and the Lord "the covenant of the people" Isaiah 42:6; 49:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 111:9.
It is, moreover, quite in accordance with the order observed in the world that a covenant, to be secure and binding, should be signed and sealed, after the terms have been duly considered. What is a commission, or a will, without a seal? What is the decision of a judge unless his opinion is written down and signed that it may be ratified? What is a high office in a kingdom, without a warrant? What is promotion to any post, without a note of confirmation? What is the possession of a house, without a deed of sale, or a deed of agreement with the owner? What avails progression to any end, or a race to any goal for a prize, if there is no end or goal where the prize may be obtained, and if the proper official has not assured the promised reward? These last things are mentioned only by way of illustration, in order that men of even simple intelligence may realize that the Holy Supper is like the signing, the sealing, the certifying and the witnessing of an undertaking in the presence of the angels, that they are sons of God; and, moreover, that the Holy Supper is, as it were, the key to the mansion in heaven where they will dwell forever.
730. Cum Sancta Coena simile est ut cum Foedere, quod post pacta conventa pangitur, et demum sigillo obsignatur. Quod Sanguis Domini sit foedus, docet Ipse; dixit enim, cum sumsit poculum, et dedit, Bibite ex eo omnes; hoc est Sanguis meus, ille Novi Testamenti, Matthaeus 26[27,] 28; Marcus 14:24; Luca 22:20. Novum Testamentum est Novum Foedus; quare Verbum ante Domini adventum per Prophetas conscriptum vocatur Vetus Testamentum ac Foedus, et Verbum post Ipsius adventum per Evangelistas et Apostolos, Novum Testamentum seu Foedus: quod Divinum Verum Verbi intelligatur per Sanguinem et similiter per Vinum in Sancta Coena, videatur supra in Artic. II. 7, 10; 1 et Verbum est ipsum Foedus, quod Dominus pepigit cum homine, et homo cum Domino, nam Dominus descendit ut Verbum, hoc est, ut Divinum Verum; et quia hoc est Sanguis Ipsius, ideo Sanguis in Ecclesia Israelitica, quae fuit repraesentativa Ecclesiae Christianae, dictus est SANGUIS FOEDERIS, Exodus 24:8, 2 Sacharia 9:11ac Dominus, FOEDUS 3 POPULI, Esaias 42:6; 49:8, Jeremias 31:31-34, Psalm 111:9.
[2] Quod omnino obsignatio debeat esse, ut sit aliqua certitudo, et quod illa sequatur post Acta deliberata, est quoque secundum ordinem in Mundo: quid Legatio et Testamentum absque obsignatione: quid Judicatio absque Sententia subscripta, ut judicium ratum sit: quid eminens administratio in Regno absque diplomate: quid promotio ad aliquod officium absque confirmatione: quid possessio Domus absque emtione, aut conventione cum possessore: quid progressio ad aliquem finem, aut cursitatio ad aliquam metam, et sic ad praemium, si non aliquis finis aut meta est, ubi praemium reportabit, et nisi Praetor sponsionem suam aliquo modo stabilivit. Sed ultima haec solum illustrationis causa adjecta sunt, ut a simplici etiam percipiatur, quod Sancta Coena sit sicut obsignatio, sigillum, tessera, ac legationis testificatio etiam coram Angelis, quod filii Dei sint, et insuper sicut clavis ad domum in Coelo, ubi in aeternum habitabunt.
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