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Ukuhlola Incazelo KaJohane 14

Po Ray and Star Silverman (Strojno prevedeno u isiZulu)

walking in woods, light

Isahluko Seshumi Nane


“Inhliziyo Yenu Mayingakhathazeki”


1. Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki; kholwani kuNkulunkulu, nikholwe nayiMi.

2. Endlini kaBaba kukhona izindawo zokuhlala eziningi; uma kungenjalo, bengiyakunitshela; ngiya ukunilungisela indawo.

3 Futhi uma ngiya nginilungisela indawo, ngobuye ngize, nginithathele kimi, ukuze lapho ngikhona, nibe khona nani.


Esahlukweni esandulele, uJesu wembula ukuthi uJuda wayezomkhaphela. Wabuye watshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi uyahamba, nokuthi lapho eya khona, babengenakufika. Khona-ke, ekupheleni kwesahluko, uJesu wabikezela ukuthi uPetru wayezomphika kathathu ngaphambi kokuba ubusuku buphele. Kwakuyisikhathi esididayo nesididayo kubafundi.

Kuleli qophelo ekulandiseni kukaNkulunkulu lapho uJesu ekhuluma isikhathi eside nabafundi Bakhe, ebanikeza lokho osekwaziwa ngokuthi “Inkulumo yokuvalelisa.” Iqala ngala mazwi, “Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki. Uyakholelwa kuNkulunkulu. kholwani nakimi” (Johane 14:1).

Kubalulekile ukuqaphela ukuthi uJesu uqala inkulumo Yakhe yokuvalelisa ngeqiniso elibaluleke kakhulu lenkolo: ukukholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Leli qiniso, lokuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona, litshalwe kuwo wonke umuntu kusukela esemncane. Kuwumqondo ongokomfanekiso ongokomoya. UJesu umane ubiza leli qiniso ezingqondweni zabafundi bakhe, ebaqinisekisa ngokuthi ukhona uNkulunkulu ongabaduduza ngezikhathi zobunzima.

Nakuba lo mqondo wemvelo wendawo yonke ungacindezelwa noma uvalwe ukukhathazeka kwezwe, imibhalo engcwele ifakaza ukuthi kukhona uNkulunkulu ohlala ekhona, olungele ukusisekela, ukusivikela, nokusiqinisa. Njengoba kulotshiwe emiBhalweni yesiHeberu, “UNkulunkulu uyisiphephelo sethu namandla ethu;AmaHubo 46:1). 1

Futhi kuwumqondo wemvelo wendawo yonke ukuthi kungaba khona uNkulunkulu oyedwa kuphela, futhi akekho omunye. Leli qiniso ngoNkulunkulu oyedwa, noNkulunkulu oyedwa kuphela, liyisisekelo kangangokuthi laba imfundiso eyodwa, ebaluleke kakhulu phakathi kwama-Israyeli. Ukuze bagcine lokhu kuseqhulwini ezingqondweni zabo, ikakhulukazi enkathini yokukhonza izithombe, baphindaphinda umthandazo wasendulo owawubizwa ngokuthi Shema. Lo mthandazo babewusho lapho bevuka ekuseni nalapho beyolala kusihlwa. Baxoxa ngayo emini. Balinamathisela ezinsikeni zeminyango yendlu yabo, futhi bafundisa izingane zabo. Iqala ngala mazwi: “Yizwa, Israyeli: uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, iNkosi eyodwa” (Dutheronomi 6:4).

La mazwi okuvula agcizelela ubunye bukaNkulunkulu oyedwa, ongapheli, umninimandla onke. UnguMuntu Ophakeme ongahlukaniseki ongenakulinganiswa nalutho. Ekhuluma ngomprofethi u-Isaya, uNkulunkulu uthi, “NginguJehova, akakho omunye; ngaphandle kwami akekho uNkulunkulu” (Isaya 45:5).

Ngakho-ke, lapho uJesu ethi kubafundi Bakhe, “Niyakholwa kuNkulunkulu,” ubabizela enkolweni yabo eyinhloko kuNkulunkulu oyedwa. Kodwa Uyanezela, “Kholwani nayiMi.” Ngala mazwi, uJesu uziveza njengowukubonakaliswa okubonakalayo koyedwa, uNkulunkulu wezulu nomhlaba. KuJesu, uNkulunkulu akayona nje into engaqondakali, kodwa “usizo olukhona esikhathini sokuhlupheka.” Uyisidalwa esiphilayo esilungiselela ngamunye wethu ukuphila okuphakade embusweni Wakhe wasezulwini.


Izithabathaba eziningi


Njengoba uJesu eqhubeka nenkulumo yakhe yokuvalelisa, uthi: “Ekhaya likaBaba kukhona izindlu eziningi zokuhlala. ukube bekungenjalo, bengiyakunitshela; ngiya ukunilungisela indawo” (Johane 14:2). Uma uthi nhlá, kungase kubonakale kudida ukucabanga “ngezithabathaba eziningi” endlini eyodwa. Ngenxa yalesi sizathu, abahumushi ngokuvamile baye bakhetha igama elithi “amagumbi” noma “izindawo zokuhlala” kunelithi “amadolobha amakhulu.” Kodwa igama elithi “izindlu,” lapho liqondwa ngokujule ngokwengeziwe, lisebenza ngendlela ebalulekile.

Ukuze siqonde ukubaluleka okungokomoya kwegama elithi “indlu,” okokuqala kudingeka sandise ukuqonda kwethu lokho okushiwo igama elithi “indlu.” Kuyo yonke imibhalo, igama elithi “indlu” lisetshenziswa ngezindlela ezihlukahlukene. Kwesinye isikhathi imane isho ikhaya lomuntu noma indawo ahlala kuyo. Noma kunjalo, lingabhekisela emndenini owandisiwe noma iqembu elikhulu lezihlobo eziyinzalo yomuntu othile. Ngokwesibonelo, imibhalo ikhuluma ‘ngendlu ka-Abrahama,’ “indlu ka-Isaka,” ‘nasendlini kaJakobe. Kukhulunywa kaningi ‘ngendlu ka-Israyeli,’ futhi ithempeli elingcwele livame ukubizwa ngokuthi “indlu kaNkulunkulu.”

Ngokujule ngokwengeziwe, inkulumo ethi “indlu kaNkulunkulu” ibhekisela kuwo wonke umkhathi wombuso kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini. INkosi uDavide ithi: “Kunye engikufisayo . . .AmaHubo 27:1), akabhekiseli ethempelini, kodwa ukhuluma ngombuso wezulu. Futhi lapho ephetha ihubo lamashumi amabili nantathu ngala mazwi, “Futhi ngiyakuhlala endlini kaJehova kuze kube phakade” (AmaHubo 23:6), UDavide uzwakalisa isifiso sakhe sokuhlala ebukhoneni beNkosi, ejabulela ubuhle nomusa weNkosi, zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakhe.

Ngokuphathelene nalokhu, “indlu kaNkulunkulu” ibhekisela esimweni sengqondo sasezulwini. Kuyisimo somqondo esamukela njalo uthando nokuhlakanipha okuvela eNkosini. Embhalweni ongcwele, lokhu kubizwa ngokuthi “indlu yeNkosi,” “indlu kaNkulunkulu,” kanye “nendlu kaBaba.” Ngakho-ke, lapho uJesu ethi, “Ekhaya likaBaba kukhona izindawo zokuhlala eziningi; Ngiya ukunilungisela indawo,” ukhuluma ngezibusiso ezigeleza lapho sikholelwa kuNkulunkulu futhi senza intando yaKhe. 2

Khona-ke, ikhaya lethu elingokomoya lingafaniswa nesithabathaba somuzi esihle, esinemizwelo yothando nemicabango emihle. Yisakhiwo esiqinile, esinamandla, esakhelwe ukumelana nanoma yisiphi isiphepho. Ngaphakathi kwalezi zindonga, ayikho indawo yokuthi amathonya esihogo ahlasele izingqondo zethu ngokukhononda kwawo, ukugxeka, nokusola. Ngakho-ke, isithabathaba sethu sasezulwini, isimo somqondo womuntu lapho usekelwe ekukholweni kuNkulunkulu nokuphila ngokuvumelana nemithetho Yakhe. Kafushane, iyindawo yokuhlala enhle kakhulu. 3


Ukulungisa indawo


Ngemva kokutshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi kunezindlu eziningi ezulwini, uJesu ubaqinisekisa ngokuthi kukhona indawo yabo bonke. Eqinisweni, uJesu uthi, “Ngiya ukunilungisela indawo.” Uma kubhekwa njengoba kunjalo, lokhu kubonakala kusikisela ukuthi uJesu uya ezulwini lapho Eyokwakhela ngamunye wabafundi bakhe ikhaya. Ngokujule nakakhulu, lapho uJesu ethi, “Ngiya ukuyonilungisela indawo,” kusho ukuthi usinikeza uthando olusishukumisayo, ukuhlakanipha kokwenza izinqumo ezifanele, namandla okukufeza. Lezi yizinto zokwakha ikhaya lethu lasezulwini. Kuwumsebenzi wokwakha ngokomoya oqhubeka, ingxenye enkulu, ngaphezu kokuqaphela kwethu.

Nakuba singakuqapheli ukusebenza kweNkosi okuyimfihlo ngaphakathi kwethu, ukubumba nokubumba ubuntu bethu basezulwini, iNkosi ibona esingakwazi ukukubona. Kithina, izinqumo zansuku zonke esizenzayo zingase zibonakale zingenamsebenzi, noma zingahleliwe, kodwa iNkosi ibona into ehluke kakhulu. Ngokombono weNkosi, obona ingunaphakade, iqondisa ukwakhiwa okuqhubekayo kwesimo sethu sasezulwini, esiqhathaniswa nokwakhiwa kwendlu enkulu, ngisho nokwakhiwa kwesigodlo. 4

Ngakho-ke, ngokuphathelene nalokhu kungashiwo ngempela ukuthi uJesu ulungiselela ngamunye wethu indawo. Kodwa kunemfanelo ebalulekile: kumelwe senze ingxenye yethu. Lokhu kusho ukuthi kufanele sifunde futhi senze amaqiniso angeke nje asivikele njengezindonga eziqinile, kodwa futhi ayogcwalisa amakhaya ethu ngokucabangela, ububele, nomusa.

Ukwenza ingxenye yethu kuhlanganisa nokugxila ekusebenziseni okufanele kakhulu ngokwemvelo yethu, uhlobo lwenkonzo esizizwa “sisekhaya” ngempela kulo. Njengoba nje wonke amangqamuzana emizimbeni yethu esetshenziswa nenjongo ethile, ngamunye wethu uklanyelwe ukwenza umsebenzi othile embusweni kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini. Lo msebenzi unqunywa uhlobo lwezinto esizithandayo namaqiniso esiwakholelwayo. Kungumsebenzi okhethekile obekelwe thina sodwa, umsebenzi esizalwa nawo futhi esiwulungiselele ngesikhathi sokuphila kwethu emhlabeni.

Nokho, akukho kulokhu okungenziwa ngaphandle kokubambisana kwethu ngokuzithandela neNkosi. Nakuba iNkosi inamandla onke, ayikwazi ukusakhela ikhaya lasezulwini, noma ngaphakathi kwethu, ngaphandle kokubambisana kwethu. Kuwubambiswano. 5

Noma kunjalo, kubalulekile ukukhumbula ukuthi yonke imizamo yokubambisana neNkosi, ngisho noma umzamo omncane, unikezwa ngesihle, futhi awuzenzeli. Njengoba kulotshiwe emibhalweni yesiHebheru ukuthi: “Ngaphandle kokuthi uJehova ayakhe indlu, basebenzela ize abayakhayo.”AmaHubo 127:1). 6


Indaba yombazi


Kunendaba engeyona eyeBhayibheli kodwa ebalulekile ngombazi owayelungele ukuthatha umhlalaphansi. Umqashi wakhe wanika umbazi imali eningi, wathi makathenge izinto zokwakha ezingcono kakhulu, futhi wamcela ukuba akhe enye indlu ngaphambi kokuthatha umhlalaphansi. Wavuma umbazi. Kodwa wayengenaso isithakazelo sangempela endlini ayeyakha. Ephuthuma ukuqeda umsebenzi, umbazi wasebenzisa izinto ezishibhile ayengazithola, wakhanda amapulangwe ngaphandle kokukala ngokucophelela, washaya indiva imithetho yokwakha, futhi wathatha zonke izindlela ezinqamulelayo ukuze enze umsebenzi ngokushesha ngangokunokwenzeka. Lapho umbazi eqeda umsebenzi, umqashi wakhe wamnika itayitela lendawo nokhiye womnyango ongaphambili, ethi, “Le ndlu ngeyakho.”

Lena indaba eyisixwayiso. Zonke izinqumo esizenzayo ziya ekwakhiweni kwekhaya lethu laphakade—indawo yethu yokuhlala ingunaphakade. Ngempela uJesu usilungiselela indawo, empeleni, uyisithabathaba. Kodwa lokhu ngeke kwenzeke ngaphandle kokubambisana kwethu ngokucophelela. Ngakho-ke, kudingeka sicabange ngezinqumo esizenzayo kanye nezenzo esizenzayo njengezengezo ezicabangelayo ekhaya lethu lasezulwini. 7


Isicelo esingokoqobo


Njengoba nje inhliziyo, amaphaphu, amehlo, izindlebe, izinso, ubuchopho nesisu kwenza imisebenzi ehlukahlukene emizimbeni yethu, indawo yethu ezulwini ixhomeke endleleni esizoyisebenzisa ngayo noma emsebenzini othile. Nokho, kufanele kukhunjulwe ukuthi umsebenzi wethu noma ukusebenzisa kwethu kungaphezu komsebenzi othile noma umsebenzi othile. Ngokujule kakhulu, indlela esithinta ngayo abanye ngokuhlukile ngobukhona bethu nesimo sethu sengqondo. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi singabagundi izinwele, uthisha ofundisa abafundi, umzali okhulisa ingane, noma umphathi oqondisa izisebenzi, singaphezu kwemisebenzi yethu. Siphinde sibe yinkundla esixhumana ngayo nabanye. Kungaba indawo edangele, engenanhlonipho ewisa abanye, noma indawo ejabulisayo, enenhlonipho ephakamisa abanye. Nakuba kubalulekile ukuba nekhono nokukhuthala emsebenzini wethu, kubaluleke nakakhulu ukwenza imisebenzi yethu ngezindlela ezivumela umoya weNkosi ukuba ugeleze kithi. U-barista onobungane wake wakubeka ngalendlela: “Angigcini ngokuthela ikhofi. Ngiletha injabulo." Njengesicelo esisebenzayo, ke, bheka imisebenzi yakho yansuku zonke hhayi nje njengamathuba okwenza umsebenzi othile kahle, kodwa futhi njengendlela ongadlulisela ngayo uthando lweNkosi kwabanye. Kungaba lula njengokunikeza igama elinomusa uma ithuba livela, noma ukumomotheka okufudumele kanye nokubonga kumuntu okuphathele igrosa. Lamathuba okubusisa abanye ngenhlonipho, umusa, kanye nokubonga angaba umsebenzi wesikhathi esigcwele kulabo abazimisele ukuba yizinceku zeNkosi. 8


Indlela, Iqiniso, Nokuphila


4. Lapho ngiya khona niyakwazi, nendlela niyayazi.

5. UTomase wathi kuye: “Nkosi, asazi lapho uya khona; singayazi kanjani indlela na?

6. UJesu wathi kuye: Mina ngiyindlela, neQiniso, nokuphila; akakho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kwaMi.

7 Uma beningazile Mina, beniyakumazi noBaba; kusukela manje niyamazi, futhi nimbonile.

8. UFiliphu wathi kuye: Nkosi, sibonise uYihlo, kusanele.

9. UJesu wathi kuye: “Nginawe isikhathi esingaka, awukangazi, Filiphu na? Ongibonile Mina umbonile uBaba; usho kanjani ukuthi sibonise uYihlo na?

10. Awukholwa yini ukuthi mina ngikuBaba, noBaba ukiMi? Amazwi engiwakhuluma kini angiwakhulumi ngokwami, kodwa uBaba ohlezi kimi, nguyena owenza imisebenzi.

11 Kholwani yimi, ukuthi ngikuBaba, noBaba ukimi; uma kungenjalo, kholwani Yimi ngenxa yemisebenzi ngokwayo.


UJesu usanda kutshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi usezabalungisela indawo. Kulokhu wengeza ngokuthi uzobuyela kubo futhi abayise lapho ekhona. Njengoba esho, “Uma ngiya nginilungisela indawo, ngobuye ngize, nginibuyisele kimi, ukuze lapho ngikhona nani nibe khona.”Johane 14:3). UJesu ube esebaduduza ngala mazwi esiqinisekiso: “Lapho ngiya khona niyakwazi, nendlela niyayazi” (Johane 14:4).

Edidekile ngalokho uJesu akushoyo, uTomase uthi, “Nkosi asazi lapho uya khona, singayazi kanjani indlela na?” (Johane 14:5). UThomas udidekile ngoba ucabanga ngendawo aya kuyo yezwe nendlela engokwenyama yokufika lapho. Kodwa uJesu ukhuluma ngendlela yokuphila ehlanganisa ukukholelwa kuNkulunkulu nokuphila ngokuvumelana nalokho uNkulunkulu akufundisayo. Ngakho-ke, uJesu uthi kuTomase, “Mina ngiyindlela, neqiniso, nokuphila.”Johane 14:6).

Phakathi neminyaka emithathu uJesu enabafundi Bakhe, ubelokhu ebabonisa “indlela.” Iqala ngokuphenduka. Njengoba kwaprofethwa emibhalweni yesiHeberu, uJohane uMbhapathizi wayeyofika ‘njengezwi elimemeza ehlane. Wayezofika eshumayela ukuphenduka ukuze kuthethelelwe izono, ethi: “Phendukani, ngokuba umbuso wezulu ususondele.” Lena yindlela “esiyilungisa ngayo indlela yeNkosi” (bheka Isaya 40:3; Mathewu 3:1-3; Marku 1:1-4; Luka 3:3-4).

Ngendlela yakhona elula, ukuphenduka kuqala ngokuqaphela ukuthi isimo esikuso, noma esikushilo, noma indlela esesenze ngayo ayihambisani nalokho esifuna ukuba yikho. Nakuba singase sibe nezizathu zokuthethelela ukucasuka, ukuphelelwa isineke, ukucasuka, noma ukwenza ngentukuthelo, siyaqaphela futhi ukuthi akukhona lokhu esifuna ukuzizwa, ukucabanga, ukukusho, noma ukwenza. Lokhu kungase kuthathe indlela yamazwi anjengokuthi, “Ngifisa sengathi ngabe ngibe nesineke ngokwengeziwe,” noma “Ngifisa sengathi bengingayiyeka le ntukuthelo,” noma “ngifisa sengathi ngabe ngenze ngendlela ehlukile.” Kuwukuvuma ngobuqotho ukuthi sisesimweni esibi noma sesiwele emkhubeni obhubhisayo. Lesi yisikhathi sokuphendukela eNkosini ezosisiza ukuthi siphakamise imicabango yethu emazingeni aphezulu.

Ngamanye amazwi, siyazi ukuthi kudingeka siguqule imicabango yethu, okuyiyona kanye incazelo yegama lesiGreki elisho ukuphenduka. Leli gama lithi metanoia (μετάνοια), okusho ukuthi ngokwezwi nezwi “ukucabanga ngenhla” [meta = ngenhla + noein = ukucabanga]. Nokho, ukuze sicabange ngenhla, noma sicabange imicabango ephakeme, kudingeka sazi okuyiqiniso. Lesi isinyathelo esilandelayo endleleni ekukhuleni kwethu ngokomoya. Kuyinqubo yokufunda iqiniso eZwini leNkosi, futhi ibizwa ngokuthi “inguquko.”

La maqiniso asinika ithuba lokubona izinto ngendlela ehlukile. Izingqondo zethu “ziyabunjwa kabusha.” Ekukhanyeni kweqiniso eliphakeme, siyaqonda ukuthi sinokukhetha ukuthi singasabela kanjani kunoma yisiphi isimo. Lapho amehlo ethu okomoya evuleka, siyabona ukuthi singaba nothando kunokuba sizivikele, sithethelelane kunokuba simcasukele, sithembele kuNkulunkulu kunokwesaba. Nakuba ukuphenduka kumayelana nokulungisa indlela, inguquko imayelana nokufunda iqiniso elingasikhipha ezimweni zethu ezimbi.

Kodwa inqubo ayigcini ngokuphenduka nenguquko. Ngeke nje siphenduke noma siqonde iqiniso. Sidinga okungaphezu kokushintsha ingqondo; sidinga noshintsho lwenhliziyo. Lokhu kusho ukuthi iqiniso kumele lifiswe futhi liphile. Lesi sinyathelo kule nqubo sibizwa ngokuthi "ukuvuselela." Imayelana nokuthuthukiswa kwentando entsha ngokuqala ngokuziphoqa ukuba siphile ngokuvumelana neqiniso, futhi ekugcineni sithande ukuphila ngokuvumelana neqiniso. 9

Kafushane, yonke le nqubo ibizwa ngokuthi, “ukuphenduka, ukuguqulwa, nokuzalwa kabusha.” Ukuphenduka kumayelana nendlela. Inguquko imayelana neqiniso. Futhi ukuzalwa kabusha kumayelana nempilo ezalwa kithi njengoba sihlakulela intando entsha. Kunokuba kube indawo engokoqobo, lezi izigaba ezintathu zokukhula ngokomoya, ezibizwa ngokuthi “indlela, neqiniso, nokuphila.” Isigaba ngasinye sisiholela endaweni uJesu asilungiselela yona futhi esimema ukuba singene kuyo. Njengoba esho, “Lapho ngikhona, nani niyakuba khona.”


“Akakho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kwaMi”


Ngemva kokusho ukuthi uyindlela, neqiniso, nokuphila, uJesu uthi, “Akakho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuba eze ngami” (Johane 14:6). Kuyiqiniso ukuthi uJesu ufundisa indlela ngamazwi Akhe, futhi ubonisa indlela ngokuphila Kwakhe, kodwa ungaphezu komfundisi omkhulu noma umhlahlandlela ongokomoya okhanyiselwe. Yena uyindlela. Yingakho ekwazi ngempela ukuthi, “Akekho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuba eze ngami.”

Noma nini lapho uJesu ebhekisela “kuBaba,” ubhekisela ebuhleni baphezulu obungaphakathi Kwakhe. Ngumphefumulo waKhe impela. Futhi noma nini lapho ebhekisela “eNdodaneni,” ubhekisela eqinisweni laphezulu elivelayo futhi libonise ubuhle bobunkulunkulu ngendlela ebonakalayo. Ngokuphathelene nalokhu, uJesu uyabonakala futhi uyangeneka. Amazwi nesibonelo Sakhe kungaqondwa, kuthathwe ekuphileni komuntu, alingiswe, futhi aphile.

Ngezinga abantu abenza ngalo lokhu, badlula eNdodaneni ebonakalayo, uJesu, oyiqiniso laphezulu emhlabeni, baya kuBaba ongabonakali ongubuhle baphezulu. Ngakho-ke, lapho uJesu ethi, “akekho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuba eze ngami,” ukhuluma ngokufika esimweni lapho iqiniso nobuhle kuhlanganiswe khona. Asikwazi ukusondela esimweni sothando lwangempela ngaphandle kokuba siqale siphile ngokweqiniso laphakade. Khona-ke, ukuya kuBaba ngoJesu kusho, kalula nje ukuzwa izibusiso zobuhle baphezulu (okuthiwa “uBaba”) ngokuphila ngokuvumelana neqiniso laphezulu uJesu alifundisayo (elibizwa ngokuthi “iNdodana”). 10

Kodwa akufanele sithathe lokhu njengokusho ukuthi uYise neNdodana bamane bamane bamane nje bamane nje bangabonakali. UNkulunkulu weza emhlabeni uqobo Lwakhe—enyameni—ngaphansi kwegama likaJesu Kristu. UNkulunkulu ongapheli, ongaziwa wazibonakalisa engumuntu wobuNkulunkulu othanda, ofundisayo, ohluphekayo, futhi ohlala phakathi kwabantu Bakhe njengaLowo okhonzayo. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, umphefumulo kaJesu ongaphakathi, umthombo wokuphila ngokwawo, uhlale unguNkulunkulu, ongenasiphelo, futhi akahlukaniseki.


“Ukube ubungazi Mina…”


Ngemva kokutshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi akakho ongeza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuthi ngaye, uJesu uthi, “Ukube beningazile Mina, ngabe nimazile noBaba.”Johane 14:7). Ngamanye amazwi, ukube babazi ngempela, baqonda, futhi baphila ngokuvumelana neqiniso uJesu alifundisa, babeyokwazi futhi bezwe ubuhle obungaphakathi eqinisweni. Abafundi, nokho, abakakuqondi lokhu okwamanje. Phela, uJesu akakaze abatshele ngokuqondile ukuthi unguNkulunkulu osenyameni. Ngakho-ke, kuyaqondakala ukuthi abafundi basacabanga ngoJesu noYise njengabantu abahlukene. Ngakho, uFiliphu uthi, “Nkosi, sibonise uYihlo, futhi kusanele” (Johane 14:8).

Okushiwo yisicelo sikaFiliphu ukuthi uJesu ngandlela-thile uzomethula komunye umuntu okuthiwa “uBaba.” Lokhu, impela, akunakwenzeka, ngoba uBaba usevele ekhona kuJesu njengothando olungapheli nozwelo. Ngakho-ke, uJesu uthi, “Sengibe nani isikhathi esingaka, kodwa awukangazi, Filiphu? Ongibonile Mina umbonile uBaba.... Awukholwa yini ukuthi mina ngikuBaba, noBaba ukiMi na? (Johane 14:9-10).

Lapho uJesu ethi ukuBaba futhi uBaba ukuYe, ukhuluma ngobudlelwane obufanayo phakathi kobuhle neqiniso. Lapho behlangene, ubuhle bungaphakathi kweqiniso, futhi iqiniso lingaphakathi kobuhle. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngomzali otshela ingane ukuba ihlale egcekeni, idle ukudla okunempilo, noma ilale ngesikhathi esifanele. Lapho la “maqiniso” enobuhle ngaphakathi kuwo, avela othandweni.

Iqiniso lokuthi ingane kufanele ihlale egcekeni liqukethe uthando lomzali lokuvikela ingane engozini. Iqiniso lokuthi ingane kufanele idle ukudla okunempilo futhi ilale ngesikhathi esifanele liqukethe uthando lomzali ngempilo nenhlalakahle yengane. Lobu ubuhle obungaphakathi kweqiniso, uthando ngaphakathi kwamazwi. Ngokufanayo, uthando nobuhle kuphakathi kwawo wonke amaqiniso akhulunywa uJesu, futhi lonke iqiniso uJesu alikhulumayo livela othandweni. Yilokhu uJesu akushoyo lapho ethi, “NgikuBaba, noBaba ukiMi.”

Lokhu akusebenzi emazwini akhulunywa nguJesu kuphela, kodwa nasemisebenzini ayenzayo. Konke uJesu akushoyo nakwenzayo kuvela othandweni olungcwele ngaphakathi Kwakhe alubiza ngokuthi, “uBaba.” Njengoba uJesu esho, “Amazwi engiwakhuluma kini angiwakhulumi ngokwami; kodwa uBaba ohlezi kimi wenza imisebenzi” (Johane 14:10). UJesu uthi amazwi Akhe nemisebenzi Yakhe kumunye nothando Lwakhe. Uthando, uJesu alubiza ngokuthi “uBaba,” luyisikhuthazo esikhulu, umfutho waphezulu ozala yonke imiqondo emihle nezenzo zomusa.

UJesu wabe esethi, “Kholwani Yimi ukuthi ngikuBaba, noBaba ukimi, noma kholwani Kimi ngenxa yemisebenzi ngokwayo” (Johane 14:11). Ngisho noma uFiliphu engakwazi ukuqonda ngokugcwele ukuthi uJesu noYise bamunye kanjani, kufanele akhumbule imisebenzi emangalisayo eyenziwa uJesu, imisebenzi eyayingenakufezwa ngaphandle kobunkulunkulu obuhlala ngaphakathi Kwakhe. Kungalesi sizathu ukuthi phakathi kwamagama amaningi achaza uJesu, elinye lawokuqala lithi “Omangalisayo.” Njengoba kulotshiwe emibhalweni yesiHeberu, “Igama lakhe liyobizwa ngokuthi ‘oMangalisayo, uMluleki, uNkulunkulu onamandla, uYise ongunaphakade, iNkosi yokuthula’”Isaya 9:6). 11


Isicelo esingokoqobo


UJesu uqala inkulumo yakhe yokuvalelisa ngokuthi kubafundi bakhe: “Niyakholwa kuNkulunkulu. kholwani nayiMi.” Njengoba isiqephu siqhubeka, uJesu wenza konke Angakwenza ukuze asize abafundi Bakhe baqonde ukuthi Yena noBaba bamunye, hhayi njengoba abantu ababili abanohlelo olufanayo bemunye, kodwa ngendlela yokuthi ubuhle neqiniso kumunye. Ukuze sisebenzise isifaniso, uJesu noYise bamunye ngendlela ukushisa nokukhanya kumunye elangabini lekhandlela. Lo mbono, wokuthi uJesu akayena nje umlingane noYise, kodwa empeleni ungomunye noYise, ubalulekile. Kusisiza siqonde ukuthi uJesu akayona nje iqhawe okufanele silincome, noma isibonelo okufanele silingise. Uyinyama kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Uma singakukholwa lokhu, amazwi Akhe anamandla alinganiselwe ekuphileni kwethu. Kodwa uma sikholwa ukuthi uJesu unguNkulunkulu osesimweni somuntu ekhuluma nathi, kunamandla amangalisayo emazwini Akhe. Njengokusebenza okungokoqobo, thatha isitatimende esisodwa nje esinikezwe kuze kube manje kulesi sahluko futhi usivumele sikhulume nawe ngamandla angcwele. Ngokwesibonelo, “Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki,” noma “Akekho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuba eze ngami,” noma “Lapho ngikhona nani niyoba khona.” Njengoba uJesu asho ngaphambili kulelivangeli, “Amazwi engiwakhuluma kini angumoya, angukuphila” (Johane 6:63).


Imisebenzi Emikhulu


12. Amen, amen, ngithi kini: Okholwa yimi, imisebenzi engiyenzayo mina naye uyakuyenza, nemikhulu kunale uyakuyenza, ngokuba mina ngiya kuBaba.

13 Noma yini eniyakukucela egameni lami ngiyakukwenza ukuba uBaba akhazimuliswe eNdodaneni.

14 Uma nicela utho egameni lami, ngolwenza.


Amazwi okuqala enkulumo yokuvalelisa agxile enkolelweni. UJesu wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Niyakholwa kuNkulunkulu. kholwani nakimi” (Johane 14:1). Njengoba inkulumo iqhubeka, uJesu uchaza izinzuzo zokukholelwa. Uthi, “Ngiqinisile, ngiqinisile ngithi kini: Okholwa yimi, imisebenzi engiyenzayo mina naye uyakuyenza; nemikhulu kunale uyakuyenza, ngokuba ngiya kuBaba.”Johane 14:12).

UJesu usevele wenza izimangaliso eziningi kuleli vangeli. Uphendule amanzi aba yiwayini, welapha indodana yesikhulu, wabangela ukuba indoda ekhubazekile ihambe, wasuthisa abantu abayizinkulungwane ezinhlanu ngezinkwa ezinhlanu nezinhlanzi ezimbili, wahamba phezu kolwandle, wavula amehlo empumputhe, futhi wavusa uLazaru kwabafileyo. Nokho, uJesu uthembisa abafundi bakhe ukuthi bayokwenza izimangaliso ezinkulu kunalezi.

Nakuba izimangaliso uJesu azenza zazimelela izimiso ezingokomoya, nokho, zaziyizimangaliso ezingokwenyama. Ngakho-ke, lapho uJesu etshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi bayokwenza imisebenzi emikhulu, wayethi bayokwenza izimangaliso kwelinye izinga. Bayovula amehlo ayizimpumputhe ngokomoya ukuze abantu bakwazi ukuzibonela ngokwabo iqiniso. Bazokhuthaza abantu abakhubazekilengokomoya ukuba bahambe endleleni yemithetho. Bazogqugquzela abantu abafile ngokomoya ukuthi bavukele ukuphila okuvusiwe kwenkonzo engenabugovu. Bayosiza abantu ukuba bayeke ukuzikhathaza ngezinto zemvelo ukuze bajabulele izibusiso zokuphila okusha lapho ukuthanda uNkulunkulu nokuthanda abanye kuyoba into eza kuqala kubo. Ngazo zonke lezi zindlela bayokwenza “imisebenzi emikhulu”—imisebenzi engokomoya emikhulu kakhulu kunezimangaliso zasemhlabeni. 12

Kodwa ukuze benze lemisebenzi emikhulu, abafundi kuyodingeka bathandaze egameni likaJesu: “Noma yini eniyakukucela egameni laMi,” ubatshela, “ngiyokwenza.” Futhi, “Uma nicela utho ngegama lami, ngolwenza” (Johane 14:13-14). “Igama leNkosi” limelela zonke izimfanelo zaphezulu esizihlanganisa noNkulunkulu onothando, ohlakaniphile, nesihe, osikhathalela ngokujulile, futhi ongasoze asishiya. Ngakho-ke, ukucela noma yini “egameni leNkosi” kuwukuba sesimweni sengqondo lapho sifisa ngomthandazo ukuba izimfanelo zikaNkulunkulu zibe kithi. Lokhu kuyisidingo sokuqala esibalulekile sokwenza “izinto ezinkulu.” 13


“Ngoba ngiya kuBaba”


UJesu uthembise abafundi bakhe ukuthi bayokwenza izinto ezinkulu ngoba ‘uya kuBaba. Uma uthi nhlá, lokhu kubonakala kuwukuphikisa. Ukuhamba Kwakhe kuzokwenza kanjani ukuthi benze izinto ezinkulu? Uma kukhona, kubonakala sengathi amakhono abo abezoncishiswa ukungabibikho Kwakhe, hhayi ukuthuthukiswa. Kodwa inkulumo ethi, “ukuya kuBaba,” inencazelo ekhethekile. Kusho ukuthi nakuba uJesu engeke esaba nabafundi bakhe ngokwenyama, uzobe ekhona nabo ngokomoya. Ukusho okuhlukile, uJesu ngeke esaba nabo; kunalokho Uyoba ngaphakathi kubo. Uyoba phakathi kwabo njengobukhona obunothando, obuhlakaniphile, obungaphakathi, ugqozi oluthule phakathi kwazo zonke izenzo zenkonzo.

Eminyakeni emithathu edlule, uJesu ubenabafundi bakhe. Ubelokhu ebaqondisa, ebafundisa, ebafanekisa, futhi ebayala ngamazwi nangezenzo Zakhe. Kodwa siyeza isikhathi lapho ezoba nabo ezingeni elijulile, elingaphakathi kakhulu. Nakuba engeke esaba nabo ngokwenyama, uzobe ephakathi kwabo ngokomoya. Konke lokhu kuqukethwe umusho onencazelo, “ngoba ngiya kuBaba.” Ngolimi lwemibhalo engcwele, “uBaba” ungumthombo walo lonke uthando nabo bonke ubuhle. Lowo ohlala othandweni nasebuhleni, evuma uNkulunkulu futhi ethanda umakhelwane, uhlala kuBaba futhi uBaba uhlala kulowo muntu. Lobu ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu bangaphakathi. 14


Isicelo esiwusizo


Sonke siqala ukuphila sincike ngokuphelele kulabo abanathi. Ingane ifunda ukuhamba ngokubamba isandla somzali. Kodwa kufika isikhathi lapho ingane idedela isandla somzali bese iqala ukuhamba. Umculi osemusha uhlezi eduze kukathisha ebhentshini lepiyano. Kodwa ngosuku lokudlalwa kwepiyano, umculi osemusha wenza ngaphandle kosizo lothisha. Umfundi wezokwelapha uchitha unyaka noma ngaphezulu njengomfundi ofundela umsebenzi efunda ngaphansi kokuqondisa kukadokotela ohlinzayo. Ekuqaleni, udokotela ohlinzayo wayekhona ngokoqobo ngesikhathi ehlinzwa, efundisa futhi esiza lowo oqeqeshwayo. Udokotela ohlinzayo kanye nomfundi. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi siyofika isikhathi lapho lowo oqeqeshelwa umsebenzi ezohlinza ngaphandle kosizo olungokwenyama lukadokotela ohlinzayo. Nakuba udokotela ohlinzayo engasekho ekamelweni, amakhono nezimo zengqondo zikadokotela oqondisayo zingase zibe khona ngaphakathi komfundi osephenduke udokotela ohlinzayo. Ngakho-ke, njengesenzo esingokoqobo, yenza imisebenzi yakho yansuku zonke unomcabango engqondweni othi, “UNkulunkulu akanami nje; uNkulunkulu uphakathi kwaMi.” Yilokhu uJesu ayekucabanga lapho etshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi babeyokwenza izinto ezinkulu ngoba ‘uya kuBaba. Wayezoba phakathi kwabo njengomthombo wothando nokuhlakanipha kwabo. Noma nini lapho wenza imisebenzi yothando kanye nesisa, uDokotela Omkhulu ungaphakathi kuwe wenza ukuhlinzwa okukhulu kunakho konke—ususa inhliziyo yetshe ngobumnene esikhundleni sayo ngenhliziyo yenyama. Ifa elisha liyathuthukiswa kuwe. Izindaba ezinhle ukuthi uthola ukubamba iqhaza kule nqubo ngenkathi iNkosi iqondisa ukusebenza ngaphakathi. 15


Uma Ningithanda, Gcinani Imiyalo Yami


15. Uma ningithanda, gcinani imiyalo Yami.

16. Ngiyakucela kuBaba, aninike omunye uMduduzi, ukuze ahlale kini kuze kube phakade;

17. Umoya weQiniso, izwe elingewemukeli, ngokuba lingawuboni, lingawazi; kodwa lina liyakwazi, ngoba lihlala kini njalo lizakuba kini.

18. Angiyikunishiya niyizintandane; ngiza kuwe.

19 Kuseyisikhashana izwe lingabe lisangibona, kepha nina niyangibona; ngoba ngiphila mina, lani lizaphila.

20 Ngalolo suku niyakukwazi nina ukuthi ngikuBaba, nani nikiMi, nami ngikini.

21. Lowo onemiyalo Yami, ayigcine, nguyena ongithandayo; futhi ongithandayo uyothandwa nguBaba waMi, nami ngiyomthanda, futhi ngiyozibonakalisa Mina uqobo kuye.

22. Wathi kuye uJudasi Iskariyothe, Nkosi, kwenzekeni ukuba usuzibonakalise kithi, ungazibonakalisi ezweni na?

23. UJesu waphendula, wathi kuye: “Uma umuntu engithanda, uyakugcina izwi lami, noBaba uyakumthanda, futhi siyakuza kuye, sihlale naye.

24 Ongangithandiyo akagcini amazwi aMi; nezwi enilizwayo akusilo elami, kodwa ngoBaba abangithumileyo.

25. Lezi zinto ngizikhulume kini ngihlezi nani.


UJesu wathembisa abafundi bakhe ukuthi bazokwenza imisebenzi emikhulu. Kodwa ukuze benze kanjalo, kwakuyodingeka babize Kuye ngomthandazo, bacele zonke izinto “egameni laKhe.” Lokhu kusho ukuthi kuzodingeka bacele izimfanelo ezitholakala futhi ezihlotshaniswa nokholo nothando. Ngokwabo bonke ubufakazi bukaJesu, yayinye kuphela indlela yokubonisa uthando lwabo nokholo lwabo Kuye. Njengoba uJesu esho evesini elilandelayo, “Uma ningithanda, gcinani imiyalo yami” (Johane 14:15). 16

Inkulumo ethi, “Uma ningithanda, gcinani imiyalo Yami” nethi “Uma umuntu engithanda. Uyogcina izwi Lami,” kuphindaphindwa kaningi kuyo yonke inkulumo kaJesu yokuvalelisa (bheka Johane 14:21, 23, 24; futhi Johane 15:10). Lawa magama ahlanganisa okungaphezu nje kokwazi imiyalo, noma ukuyiqonda, noma ukuxoxa ngayo. Okubaluleke kakhulu, zibandakanya ukuzivuma, futhi uma ithuba livela, ukwenze. 17

Yebo, akunakwenzeka ukugcina imiyalo ngokwethu. Kudingeka sicele uNkulunkulu ukuba asiphe amandla okwenza kanjalo. Kungakho uJesu manje ebanikeza isithembiso esilandelayo: “Mina ngiyakucela kuBaba, aninike omunye uMduduzi, ukuze ahlale kini phakade, uMoya weqiniso izwe elingemamukele, ngokuba lingamboni. futhi akamazi; kepha nina niyamazi, ngokuba uhlala nani, uyakuba kini.”Johane 14:16-17).

UJesu utshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi sebemazi kakade uMoya weqiniso, ngoba “uhlala nani” (Johane 14:17). UJesu ukhuluma Ngaye, ngoba ngempela unabo ngaleso sikhathi, ehlala nabo. Kodwa futhi uthembisa ukuthi uma behlala bethembekile, bephila ngokuvumelana nemithetho Yakhe futhi bethembela Kuye, ngeke nje abe nabo, kodwa uyoba kubo. Ngalokhu usho ukuthi ngemva kokuba esesukile ebukhoneni babo benyama, Uyoba nabo ngomoya, njengoMoya weqiniso. “Angiyikunishiya niyizintandane,” usho kanje. "Ngizoza kuwe" (Johane 14:18).

UJesu uthi lapho efika kubo futhi, uyofika njengoMoya weqiniso. Kuyisithembiso sokuthi uzoza kubo uqobo futhi abe nabo ngezindlela ababengakaze bazicabange. Uyoza kubo njengobukhona bangaphakathi, egcwalisa izinhliziyo zabo ngothando, evula izingqondo zabo ekuqondeni okuphakeme, ebakhuthaza ukuba bagcine imiyalo Yakhe, futhi ebanikeza amandla okwenza lokho.

Kuyisithembiso esihle, futhi uJesu uyasenza ngaphambi nje kokusuka Kwakhe. Njengoba ekubeka, “Kuseyisikhashana izwe lingabe lisangibona; kodwa nizongibona” (Johane 14:19). Ngamanye amazwi, lapho uJesu engasabonakali kulabo ababona izinto zalomhlaba kuphela, uyobe esabonakala kulabo ababuka ngale kwezinto zalomhlaba ezintweni zomoya.

Kwelinye izinga, uJesu utshela abafundi Bakhe ukuthi uzovuka ethuneni futhi eze kubo ngemva kokubethelwa esiphambanweni. Nakuba izwe “lalingeke lisambona,” abafundi Bakhe bazombona enkazimulweni Yakhe evusiwe. Kwabaningi, ubufakazi bovuko buyoqinisekisa ukukholelwa—hhayi kuJesu kuphela, kodwa ngokoqobo nokuphila ngemva kwethuna. Njengoba uJesu asho, “Ngokuba ngiphila, nani nizakuphila” (Johane 14:19). Futhi uyanezela, “Ngalolo suku niyakukwazi nina ukuthi ngikuBaba, nani nikiMi, nami ngikini.”Johane 14:20). Isimangaliso sovuko siyoletha isiqinisekiso sobuNkulunkulu bukaJesu kanye nesithembiso sokuphila okuphakade.

Kwelinye izinga, uJesu ukhuluma futhi ngokuzimisela ukugcina imiyalo Yakhe. Ngezinga esenza ngalo kanjalo, siyozwa ubukhona bukaNkulunkulu ezimpilweni zethu. Eqinisweni ngokomoya, lapho sizama ukugcina imiyalelo Yakhe, sivula indlela yokuba uNkulunkulu eze kithi futhi ahlale ngaphakathi kwethu. Yingakho uJesu eqhubeka ethi, “Lowo onemiyalo Yami futhi ayigcine, nguyena ongithandayo. Ongithandayo uyothandwa nguBaba, nami ngiyomthanda futhi ngizibonakalise kuye.”Johane 14:21). 18

Lapho ebuzwa, “Kungenzeka kanjani lokhu?” (Johane 14:22), UJesu uyaqhubeka egcizelela ukubaluleka kokugcina imiyalo. Uthi, “Uma umuntu engithanda, uyakugcina izwi Lami; futhi uBaba wami uyomthanda, futhi siyoza kuye futhi sihlale naye.”Johane 14:23). Ngezinga esiphila ngalo ngokuvumelana nezimfundiso zikaJesu, iqiniso laphezulu nothando lwaphezulu kuyoba nathi futhi kuhlale kithi. Nokho, uma singaphili ngokwemithetho noma singagcini amazwi Akhe, kodwa kunalokho siphila ngobugovu, kuyinkomba yokuthi asimthandi uNkulunkulu. Njengoba uJesu asho, “Lowo ongangithandiyo akawagcini amazwi Ami” (Johane 14:24).

UJesu ube esenxusa okokugcina, etshela abafundi bakhe ukuthi amazwi awakhulumayo avela othandweni. Ngolimi lwemibhalo engcwele, Ukubeka kanje: “Izwi enilizwayo akusilo elami, kodwa ngelikaBaba ongithumileyo” (Johane 14:24). Ngamafuphi, uJesu uthi imiyalo, evula indlela eya ezulwini futhi isiqondise enjabulweni yokuphila okuphakade, iphuma kuyo kanye inhliziyo yothando. 19

Kuyamangaza ikakhulukazi ukuthi kuMathewu, uMarku, kanye noLuka uJesu ukhuluma ngokungaguquki ekugcineni imiyalo nokwazi imiyalo (bheka ngokwesibonelo, Mathewu 19:16; Marku 10:19; futhi Luka 18:20). EVangelini NgokukaJohane, nokho, uJesu ukhuluma ngokugcina imiyalo Yami. “Uma ningithanda,” usho, “gcinani imiyalo yaMi.” Futhi, “Uma umuntu eNgithanda, Uyogcina iZwi laMi.” Imiyalo ayikashintshi. KuseyiMithetho Eyishumi. Zisitshela ukuthi singayithanda kanjani iNkosi, nothando umakhelwane. Okushintshile ukuthi lapha, eVangelini NgokukaJohane, uJesu uzichaza njengoMlobi wemiyalo—imithetho efanayo neyalotshwa eminyakeni eyinkulungwane ngaphambili “ngomunwe kaNkulunkulu” ( 2 1:1-5 )Eksodusi 31:18).

Nakulokhu futhi, uJesu ubonisa ukuthi Yena noYise baMunye.


Isithembiso sikaMoya oNgcwele


26 UMduduzi, uMoya oNgcwele, uBaba ayakumthumela egameni lami, yena uyakunifundisa konke, anikhumbuze konke enginitshele khona.

27 Ukuthula nginishiyela khona, ukuthula kwami ngininika khona; akunjengokupha kwezwe, ngiyaninika nina. Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki, ingesabi;

28. Nizwile ukuthi ngithe kini: Ngiyamuka, futhi ngiza kini; Uma beningithanda, beniyakujabula, ngokuba ngithe ngiya kuBaba, ngokuba uBaba mkhulu kunami.

29. Manje nginitshelile kungakenzeki, ukuze, nxa sekwenzeka, nikholwe.

30. Angisayikukhuluma izinto eziningi nani, ngokuba uyeza umbusi waleli zwe, kepha akanalutho Kimi.

31 Kodwa ukuze izwe lazi ukuthi ngiyamthanda uBaba, nokuthi njengokuba uBaba engiyalile, ngenza njalo. Vukani, sisuke lapha.


Lesi sahluko saqala ngala mazwi, “Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki” (Johane 14:1). Kwakuwumyalezo wesiqinisekiso esizolile, oza ngemva nje kwenkathi enzima kubafundi. UJesu wayesanda kusho ukuthi uJuda wayezomkhaphela, nokuthi uPetru wayezomphika, nokuthi wayezoshiya abafundi Bakhe isikhashana. Eqaphela ukuthi abafundi bakhe badidekile futhi bethukile, uJesu uthi kubo: “Lezi zinto ngizikhulume kini ngisenani. Kodwa uMduduzi, uMoya oNgcwele, uBaba azowuthumela egameni lami, uzonifundisa zonke izinto, futhi anikhumbuze konke engikushilo kini.”Johane 14:26).

Endabeni yabafundi, uMoya oNgcwele uzobakhumbuza zonke izinto abazifundile phakathi neminyaka emithathu benoJesu. UJesu ngeke esasukuma phambi kwabo, ebatshela lokho okufanele bakucabange nalokho okumelwe bakwenze. Kunalokho, uyoba phakathi kwabo njengoMoya weqiniso—uMoya oNgcwele—ubasiza ukuba basuse enkumbulweni yabo lezo zimfundiso eziyoba usizo kakhulu kunoma yisiphi isimo.

Ngaphezu kwalokho, uMoya oNgcwele uzokwembula ukuqonda ngencazelo yamazwi kaJesu okuyoqhubeka kujula kulo lonke iphakade. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi amazwi kaNkulunkulu aqukethe ukujula kokuhlakanipha okungapheli. Ukwembulwa kwala maqiniso ajule ngokuqhubekayo kuyosiza abafundi ukuba bafunde, futhi bakhule, futhi baqhubeke bebona ukusetshenziswa okwengeziwe kwala maqiniso ekuphileni kwabo. Kuzophinde kubanike amandla okuphila ngokwale mibono eyandayo. Kungakho uJesu ethi, “Ngiyakukhuleka kuBaba, aninike omunye uMduduzi [uMoya oNgcwele] oyakuhlala nani phakade” (Johane 14:16). 20

Empeleni, uMoya oNgcwele yiwo ophuma ekuhlanganisweni kothando olungcwele nokuhlakanipha kobunkulunkulu. Ngenxa yalokhu, singathola ubukhona obuseduze nakakhulu bukaNkulunkulu, ukuqonda okujulile kweZwi Lakhe, nomuzwa wokuthula omkhulu. Ukuthula kwangaphakathi okungatholakala kuphela lapho amathonya esihogo enqotshwa futhi enziwa athule, avumele amathonya asezulwini ageleze futhi ahlale nathi. Ngakho-ke, uJesu uthi, “Ukuthula ngikushiya kinina, ukuthula kwami ngininika khona; angininiki njengokupha kwezwe. UJesu ube esephinda amazwi okuqala alesi sahluko: “Inhliziyo yenu mayingakhathazeki.” Futhi Uyanezela, “futhi ningesabi” (Johane 14:27). 21

Abafundi akudingeki besabe ukuthi uJesu useyahamba, ngoba uthembisa ukuthi uzobuya. Njengoba esho, “Ningizwile ngithi kini, Ngiyahamba futhi ngibuyela kini” (Johane 14:28). UJesu ufuna baqonde ukuthi ukuhamba Kwakhe kuyadingeka, nokuthi uma bemthanda ngokweqiniso, ngeke badabuke, kodwa bayojabula. Uthi: “Uma beningithanda, beniyakujabula, ngokuba ngithe, Ngiya kuBaba, ngokuba uBaba mkhulu kunami” (Johane 14:28).

Uma uJesu ethi “uya kuBaba,” kusho ukuthi usemkhankasweni wokuhlanganisa ubuntu Bakhe nobuNkulunkulu Bakhe. Kulowo nalowo kithi, lena inqubo yokuhlanganisa iqiniso esilifundile nothando oluvela kulo. Lokhu kuqala, okokuqala, ngokwazi iqiniso. Lokhu kubaluleke kakhulu, kodwa ukuphila ngokweqiniso kubaluleke nakakhulu. Uthando luwumgomo, inhloso, isiphetho ekubukeni. Futhi iqiniso liyindlela yokufika lapho. Ngezinga esiphila ngalo ngokuvumelana neqiniso, sithola uthando lukaBaba. Ngakho-ke, yilokhu uJesu akushoyo lapho ethi, ‘Ngiya kuBaba,’ ngoba uBaba mkhulu kunami” (Johane 14:28).” 22

Ngokufanayo, noma nini lapho silwela ukufaka iqiniso ekuphileni kwethu, ‘siya kuBaba. Lokhu kusho ukuthi sesingena esimweni sothando. Nakuba lokhu kungaba inqubo enzima, iyadingeka. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kuholela enjabulweni ephakeme kakhulu. Uma abafundi bekwazi lokhu, futhi uma bebazi injabulo yokukhula ngokomoya, babengeke bajabule kuphela—babeyokholwa futhi. Njengoba uJesu esho, “Konke lokhu nginitshelile kungakenzeki, ukuze, lapho sekwenzekile, nikholwe.”Johane 14:29).

Kulowo nalowo kithi, ukukhula ngokomoya kuhilela ngempela ubunzima obungokomoya. Ububi obuzuzwayo nobuzuziwe kumele bunqotshwe ukuze kuzalwe imvelo entsha kithi. Kuyafana nakuJesu. Naye, kuye kwadingeka abhekane nezilingo ezinzima ukuze anqobe imvelo yofuzo ayizuza ngokuzalwa komuntu. Nakuba Usevele wabhekana nezimpi eziningi ohlelweni lokunqoba izihogo kanye nokukhazimulisa ubuntu Bakhe, impi yokugcina ewumvuthwandaba isaqhubeka. Ukuboshwa kwakhe, ukuhlushwa, nokubethelwa kwakhe kusasele amahora ambalwa. Njengoba uJesu asho, “umbusi wezwe uyeza” (Johane 14:30). 23

Azi ukuthi ihora Lakhe lokugcina liyasondela, uJesu uyabona ukuthi unesikhathi samazwi ambalwa okugcina kuphela—amazwi ambalwa okugcina ukuze akhumbuze abafundi Bakhe, futhi, ukuthi umsebenzi wabo ophakeme kakhulu uwukugcina imiyalo Yakhe njengesenzo sothando kuNkulunkulu. . Yilokhu kanye uJesu ahlose ukukwenza. Njengoba ekubeka, “Ukuze izwe lazi ukuthi ngiyamthanda uBaba, nokuthi njengoba uBaba engiyale, ngenza kanjalo.” (Johane 14:31). UJesu uzoqhubeka efundisa ngesibonelo. Futhi ngezinga abafundi Bakhe abalandela ngalo isibonelo sikaJesu, bethanda abanye njengoba Yena ebathanda, izinhliziyo zabo ngeke zikhathazeke, futhi bayoba nokuthula.

Kungaleso sikhathi kuphela, ngokugcina imiyalo kaNkulunkulu, lapho singashiya khona izimo ezinezinkinga futhi sikhuphukele emazingeni aphezulu. Njengoba uJesu esho emazwini okuphetha alengxenye yenkulumo yokuvalelisa, “Sukumani, sisuke lapha” (Johane 14:31).


Isicelo esingokoqobo


EmaVangelini amathathu okuqala, uJesu uyabuzwa, “Yimuphi umyalo omkhulu kunayo yonke na?” Ephendula, uJesu uthi: “Woyithanda iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakho, nangawo wonke umphefumulo wakho, nangayo yonke ingqondo yakho.” Bese uyanezela, “Owesibili ofana nawo: Wothanda umakhelwane wakho njengalokhu uzithanda wena” (bheka Mathewu 22:37-39; Marku 12:28-31; Luka 10:27). Nakuba le mithetho emibili ichaza izigaba ezimbili ezinkulu zothando—ukuthanda uNkulunkulu nokuthanda umakhelwane—ayingeni esikhundleni seMithetho Eyishumi. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi iMithetho Eyishumi iyasikhombisa indlela yokuthanda. Sithanda uNkulunkulu ngokungabi nabanye onkulunkulu ngaphandle Kwakhe, ngokungaliphathi ngeze igama lakhe, nangokukhumbula isabatha. Sithanda umakhelwane wethu ngokuhlonipha ubaba nomama wethu, singabulali, singafebi, singebi, singaqambi amanga, singafisi. Le mithetho engaphelelwa yisikhathi, eyanikezwa entabeni yaseSinayi, iphindwaphindwa futhi yajula emavangelini. Ngakho-ke, njengendlela engokoqobo, bonisa uthando lwakho ngoNkulunkulu nangomakhelwane wakho ngokugcina imiyalo yaKhe, hhayi nje ngezinga elingokoqobo, kodwa futhi ngezinga elijulile. Ngokwesibonelo, sebenzisa umyalo wokungabulali ngokungasho lutho olugxeka kunoma ubani noma nganoma ubani. Ungabulali isithunzi somuntu ngokuhleba okuyize. Ungabulali injabulo yomuntu. Ungabacekeli phansi abantu. Kunalokho, ake amazwi akho adlule emasangweni amathathu: “Ingabe kunomusa?” "Ingabe kuliqiniso?" “Ingabe iwusizo?” Khona-ke, ngosizo lweNkosi, ube umuntu ophakamisa abanye. Yiba umgcini womyalo. Yiba umnikezeli wempilo. Njengoba uJesu asho, “Uma ningithanda, gcinani imiyalo Yami.”


Bilješke:

1Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 9: “Asikho isizwe emhlabeni wonke, esinenkolo nesizathu esizwakalayo, esingavumi ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona, nokuthi munye. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi kukhona ukungena okungcwele emiphefumulweni yabo bonke abantu … umyalo wangaphakathi wokuthi kukhona uNkulunkulu nokuthi munye. Noma kunjalo bakhona abaphikayo ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona. Kunalokho, bavuma imvelo njengonkulunkulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kukhona labo abakhonza onkulunkulu abambalwa, nalabo abamisa izithombe zonkulunkulu. Isizathu salokhu siwukuthi baye bavala ingaphakathi lokuqonda kwabo ngezinto zezwe nezenyama, futhi ngalokho baye bawuqeda umqondo wakudala kaNkulunkulu owawungowabo besewusana, bekhipha yonke inkolo ezinhliziyweni zabo ngesikhathi esifanayo.”

2Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 2048: Igama elithi, ‘indlu kaNkulunkulu’ ngomqondo wendawo yonke lisho umbuso weNkosi.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 220: “UJesu wathi kwabathengisa ethempelini: ‘Ningayenzi indlu kaBaba ibe yindlu yokuthengisela’ …. Emahubo kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ngikhethe ukuma ngasemnyango endlini kaNkulunkulu wami kunokuba ngihlale ematendeni ababi.AmaHubo 84:10)…. Futhi, ‘Abatshalwe endlini kaJehova bayomila emagcekeni kaNkulunkulu wethu.AmaHubo 92:13)…. Futhi kuJohane: UJesu wathi, ‘Endlini kaBaba kukhona izindlu eziningi’ (Johane 14:2). Kusobala ukuthi kulezi zindima, ngokuthi ‘indlu kaJehova’ ‘nendlu kaBaba’ izulu lichazwa.”

3I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 638:13: “‘Indlu’ ifanekisela ingqondo engokomoya.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 240:4: “‘Indlu’ ifanekisela umuntu ewonke, nezinto ezikumuntu, kanjalo lezo zinto eziphathelene nokuqonda nentando yomuntu.” Bhekafuthi Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 7353: “Abantu basendulo bafanisa ingqondo yomuntu nendlu, futhi lezo zinto ezingaphakathi kwengqondo yomuntu namakamelo angaphakathi endlini. Impela ingqondo yomuntu inje; ngoba izinto ezikuyo zihlukene, zifaniswa nendlu ehlukene phakathi.” Bhekafuthi I-Arcana Coelestia 8054:3: “Ububi bulokhu buzama ukuhlasela izindawo lapho abalungile bekhona, futhi empeleni buyazihlasela ngokushesha nje lapho zingagcwaliswa ngokuhle.”

4Inhlakanipho Yobungelosi 203: “Umuntu akaboni lutho lokuphatha kukaJehova endaweni yonke. Ukube abantu bebengayibona, emehlweni abo ibingabonakala njengenqwaba ehlakazekile nezinqwaba zezinto zokwakha okuzokwakhiwa ngazo indlu. Nokho, uJehova usibheka njengesigodlo esihle kakhulu esakhiwa njalo futhi sandiswa.”

5Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 3637: “Abantu ezulwini kuthiwa ‘baseNkosini,’ ngempela basemzimbeni waYo; ngoba iNkosi iyizulu lonke, futhi ekubeni Kuyo wonke umuntu wabelwe isifunda nomsebenzi othile.” Bhekafuthi Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 3644: “Bonke abantu emhlabeni wonke banendawo ezulwini noma ngaphandle kwayo esihogweni. Nakuba abantu bengakwazi lokhu ngenkathi besaphila emhlabeni, nokho kuyiqiniso…. Ubuhle ababuthandayo neqiniso abalikholelwayo kunquma indawo yabo ezulwini.” Bhekafuthi Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 503: “Ukuphila kunikezwa wonke umuntu yiNkosi ngokusetshenziswa, ngokusetshenziswa, nangokusetshenziswa…. Ongenamsebenzi akanakuphila; ngoba konke okuyize kuyalahlwa…. Labo abathanda [iNkosi nomakhelwane babo] abajatshuliswa ukwazi nje kuphela, kodwa bajatshuliswa ukwenza okuhle nokuyiqiniso, okungukuthi, ukusetshenziswa.” Bhekafuthi Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 369: “Ukubambisana kwethu noNkulunkulu yikho okusinika insindiso nokuphila okuphakade.”

6I-Arcana Coelestia 1937:3: “Kwakukhona abanye ababeziphoqa futhi bamelana nobubi namanga. Ekuqaleni, babecabanga ukuthi bazenzele ngokwabo, ngamandla abo. Nokho, ngemva kwalokho bakhanyiselwa ukuze babone ukuthi umzamo wabo wawusuka eNkosini, ngisho nokuncane kunawo wonke amathonya alowo mzamo. Empilweni elandelayo, abantu abafana nalaba abakwazi ukuholwa imimoya emibi, kodwa baphakathi kwababusisiwe.”

7I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 911:17: “Nakuba iNkosi isebenza zonke izinto, futhi abantu bengasebenzi lutho ngokwabo, nokho iNkosi ithanda ukuthi abantu basebenze sengathi basuka mathupha kukho konke okufika ekuboneni kwabo. Ngoba ngaphandle kokubambisana komuntu njengokungathi kuvela kuye uqobo angeke kube khona ukwamukela iqiniso nokuhle, ngaleyo ndlela akukho ukutshalwa nokuzalwa kabusha.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 585:3: “Lapho abantu bebambisana neNkosi, okungukuthi, lapho becabanga futhi bekhuluma, bethanda futhi benza, eZwini lobuNkulunkulu, bagcinwa yiNkosi ezintweni zobunkulunkulu, futhi ngaleyo ndlela bagodliwe kubo; futhi lapho lokhu kuqhubeka kwakheka phakathi kwabo yiNkosi kube sengathi umuntu omusha, kokubili intando entsha nokuqonda okusha, okuhlukaniswe ngokuphelele nobuyena bangaphambili. Ngale ndlela, baba njengoba badalwa kabusha, futhi yilokhu okubizwa ngokuthi inguquko nokuzalwa kabusha ngamaqiniso avela eZwini, nangokuphila ngokuvumelana nawo.” Bhekafuthi Nothando Lobunkulunkulu Nenhlakanipho Yobunkulunkulu 431: “Lapho abantu benza imisebenzi yobizo lwabo ngobuqotho, ngobuqotho, ngokulunga, nangokwethembeka, okuhle komphakathi kugcinwa futhi kuqhubeke. Yilokhu okushiwo ‘ukuba seNkosini.’”

8I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 902:2-3: “Kunezinhlayiya ezimbili eziphikisanayo ezizungeza abantu, enye ivela esihogweni, enye ivela ezulwini. Kusuka esihogweni kunomkhakha wobubi nowamanga, futhi ezulwini kukhona umkhakha wokulunga noweqiniso…. Lezi zinhlaka zinomthelela emiqondweni yabantu ngoba ziyizindingana zomoya.” Bhekafuthi I-Arcana Coelestia 4464:3: “Abantu abaqapheli ukuthi bazungezwe yindilinga ethile kamoya ehambisana nempilo yothando lwabo, nokuthi ezingelosini le mbulunga izwakala kakhulu kunezinga lephunga elizwakala kahle kakhulu emhlabeni. Uma abantu bechithe ukuphila kwabo ezintweni zangaphandle nje, okungukuthi, enjabulweni evela enzondweni emelene nomakhelwane, impindiselo, unya, nokuphinga, ekuziphakamiseni nasekudeleleni abanye, nasekuphangeni, ekukhohliseni, nasekudleni ngokweqile [ ukuhaha], kanye nobunye ububi obufanayo, khona-ke indawo kamoya ebazungezile ingcolile njengoba injalo kulo mhlaba indawo yephunga elivela ezidumbu, ubulongwe, udoti onukayo, nokunye okunjalo…. Kodwa uma abantu bebesezintweni zangaphakathi, okusho ukuthi bezwa ukuthokozela umusa kanye nesisa kumakhelwane, futhi ngaphezu kwakho konke bezwe ukubusiseka othandweni eNkosini, bazungezwe indawo enokubonga nejabulisayo eyizwe. indawo yasezulwini uqobo.”

9I-Arcana Coelestia 6717:2: “Labo abavuselelwe bathanda ukuphila ngokuvumelana neqiniso.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 295:12: “Uthando lweNkosi lunabo lapho bethanda ukuphila ngokwemithetho Yakhe. Yilokhu okushiwo ukuthanda uJehova.”

10I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 349:8: “Amazwi athi, ‘Mina ngiyindlela, neqiniso, nokuphila,’ ayeshiwo ngomuntu weNkosi; ngoba futhi uthi: ‘Akakho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kwaMi.’ ‘UYise’ ungowaphezulu okuYe, okwakungowakhe uqobo. Bhekafuthi Ambulo sAmbuliwe 170: “‘UBaba’ uvame ukukhulunywa ngaye yiNkosi, okubhekiselwe ngaye kuyo yonke indawo uJehova, ayekuye nawayekuye, futhi owayekuYo, futhi akakaze ahlukanise nanoma yimuphi unkulunkulu ohlukanisiwe Naye…. INkosi yakhuluma ngoBaba, ngoba ngokuthi ‘uBaba’ ngomqondo ongokomoya kufanekiswa okuhle, futhi ‘ngoNkulunkulu uBaba’ kufanekiswa ubuhle baphezulu bothando lwaphezulu.”

11I-Arcana Coelestia 10125:3: “Umphefumulo weNkosi, uvela kuJehova, wawungenasiphelo, futhi wawungeyona enye into ngaphandle kokulunga kwaphezulu kothando lwaphezulu, futhi ngenxa yalokho ngemva kokukhazimuliswa koMuntu Wakhe wayengafani nomuntu womuntu.” Bhekafuthi Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 2005: “Ingaphakathi leNkosi lalivela kuYise, ngakho-ke lalinguBaba uqobo Lwakhe, futhi yingakho iNkosi ithi, 'uBaba ukuYe,' 'NgikuBaba, noBaba ukiMi,' futhi, 'Lowo ongibona Mina ubona uBaba; Mina noBaba simunye.” EZwini leTestamente Elidala, uJehova ubizwa ngokuthi ‘uYise,’ njengaku-Isaya: ‘Sizalelwa umntwana, siphiwe iNdodana futhi ukubusa kuyakuba phezu kwakhe. ihlombe; negama lakhe liyakuthiwa oMangalisayo, uMluleki, uNkulunkulu, iQhawe, uYise waphakade, iNkosi yokuthula’ (Isaya 9:6).”

12IJerusalema Elisha Nezimfundiso Zalo ZaseZulwini 7: “Ezulwini, zonke izinto zikhona esimweni sokuphelela okukhulu. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi bonke abakhona bangowomoya, futhi izinto zokomoya zedlula kakhulu ezemvelo ngokuphelela.”

13Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 9310: “Lowo ongazi ukuthi ‘igama’ lisho ukuthini ngomqondo ongaphakathi, angase acabange ukuthi lapho ‘igama likaJehova,’ ‘negama leNkosi,’ kukhulunywa ngalo eZwini, igama lodwa elishiwoyo; kanti nokho konke okuhle kothando nalo lonke iqiniso lokukholwa okuvela eNkosini kukhulunywa ngakho.” Bhekafuthi Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 300: “Ukuthi igama lanoma ubani alisho igama lakhe lodwa kodwa zonke izimfanelo zakhe, kubonakala ngokusetshenziswa kwamagama emhlabeni kamoya. Akukho muntu lapho ogcina igama elamukelwayo ekubhapathizweni, noma eloyise noma lozalo emhlabeni; kodwa wonke umuntu ubizwa ngesimilo somuntu, futhi izingelosi ziqanjwa ngokwempilo yazo yokuziphatha nengokomoya. Lokhu kuhloswe ngakho kula mazwi eNkosi: UJesu wathi, ‘Mina nginguMalusi Omuhle. Izimvu ziyalizwa izwi laKhe, futhi ubiza ezakhe izimvu ngamagama aziholele ngaphandle.’”

14Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 724: “INkosi ikhona phakathi kothando nothando, kodwa hhayi ngaphakathi kokholo oluhlukanisiwe [othandweni nothando]. Bhekafuthi I-Arcana Coelestia 3263:2: “Mayelana neBandla leNkosi likamoya, kufanele kuqashelwe ukuthi likhona emhlabeni wonke, ngoba alipheleli kulabo abaneZwi futhi abanolwazi lweZwi ngeNkosi namanye amaqiniso okholo. Likhona futhi phakathi kwalabo abangenalo iZwi ngakho-ke abayazi nhlobo iNkosi, futhi ngenxa yalokho abanalo ulwazi lwanoma yimaphi amaqiniso okholo…. Ngokuba phakathi kwalabo bantu baningi abazi ngokubona ukuthi kukhona uNkulunkulu oyedwa, ukuthi udale futhi ulondoloza zonke izinto; futhi futhi, ukuthi ungumthombo wakho konke okuhle, futhi ngenxa yalokho kwakho konke okuyiqiniso; nokuthi ukuba ngumfanekiso waKhe kwenza umuntu abusiswe. Futhi ngaphezu kwalokho, baphila ngokuvumelana nenkolo yabo, othandweni ngalowo Nkulunkulu nothando ngomakhelwane. Ngothando lokuhle benza imisebenzi yothando, futhi ngokuthanda iqiniso bakhonza uMuntu oPhakeme. Abantu abanjalo phakathi kwabezizwe basonta eBandleni leNkosi likamoya. Futhi nakuba bengayazi iNkosi ngesikhathi besezweni, nokho phakathi kwabo banokukhulekelwa nokuvuma okungokoqobo Ngaye lapho kukhona okuhle phakathi kwabo, ngoba uJehova ukhona phakathi kwakho konke okuhle. Ngalesi sizathu, bayayivuma iNkosi empilweni elandelayo ngaphandle kobunzima.”

15I-Apocalypse Yembulwa 796:2: “Ukuvuma nokukhonza kweNkosi, nokufundwa kweZwi, kubangela ubukhona beNkosi; kodwa laba ababili kanye nempilo ngokwemiyalo yaKhe basebenzelana naye.” Bhekafuthi Nomshado Wasezulwini 72: “Zimbili izinto ezakha ibandla kanjalo nezulu kumuntu: iqiniso lokukholwa kanye nokulunga kwempilo. Iqiniso lokukholwa liletha ubukhona beNkosi, futhi ubuhle bempilo ngokuhambisana namaqiniso okholo buletha ukusebenzelana Naye.”

16I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 433:2: “Ukuthanda iNkosi akukhona nje ukuyithanda njengokungathi ungumuntu, kodwa ukuphila ngokuvumelana nemiyalo yayo.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 981: “Ukuthanda iNkosi kusho uthando noma uthando lokwenza imiyalo Yakhe, ngaleyo ndlela uthando lokugcina imiyalo yeDicalogue. Ngokuba uma abantu bengaluthandi uthando noma uthando bekugcina futhi bakwenze kuze kube manje, bayayithanda iNkosi, ngoba bayaqaphela ukuthi le miyalo iNkosi inabo."

17I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 1099:3: “Ukuthanda iNkosi akusho ukuyithanda Yena njengoMuntu kuphela, ngoba uthando olunjalo, ngokwalo, aluhlanganisi abantu nezulu. Kunalokho, uthando lokulunga kobuNkulunkulu neqiniso laphezulu, okuyiNkosi esezulwini nasebandleni, luhlanganisa abantu nezulu. Laba ababili [ubuhle baphezulu neqiniso laphezulu] abathandi ngokubazi, ukucabanga ngabo, ukuqonda, nokukhuluma ngabo, kodwa ngokuvuma nokubenza ngenxa yesizathu sokuthi bayalwa yiNkosi, futhi kanjalo ngenxa yokuthi bayalwa. sebenzisa.” Bhekafuthi I-Apocalypse Ichazwe 433:2: “Bayayithanda iNkosi eyenza futhi igcine imiyalo Yayo namazwi ngoba imiyalo Yayo namazwi afanekisela amaqiniso angcwele, futhi lonke iqiniso laphezulu liphuma Kuye, futhi lokho okuphuma Kuye kunguYe uqobo.” Bhekafuthi Inkolo YamaKristu Yeqiniso 387:6: “Intando noma ukushayela empeleni kuwuhlobo lwesenzo, njengoba kuwukulwela njalo ukwenza okuthile, okuthi ngaphansi kwezimo ezifanele kube isenzo sangaphandle. Ngakho-ke, bonke abantu abahlakaniphile bathatha izenzo zangaphakathi zokushayela noma zizofana ngokuphelele nezenzo zangaphandle (ngoba yileyo ndlela uNkulunkulu azithatha ngayo), inqobo nje uma kungekho ukwehluleka ukwenza okuthile lapho ithuba livela.”

18Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 725: “Amaqiniso ahlobene nokholo aletha ukuba khona kweNkosi, futhi okuhle kothando kanye nokholo kuyasebenzisana ukuze kulethe ukuhlanganyela neNkosi.”

19Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 329: “Lapho umuntu egwema okubi njengokuyalwa eNcwadini YezoMbuso, kugeleza uthando nothando. Lokhu kubonakala emazwini eNkosi kuJohane: 'UJesu wathi, Lowo onemiyalo Yami futhi ayigcine, nguyena ongithandayo futhi ongithandayo. abangithandayo bayakuthandwa nguBaba; futhi ngizomthanda, futhi ngizozibonakalisa kuye: futhi Sizokwenza indawo yethu yokuhlala kuye.Johane 14:21, 23). Ngokuthi 'imiyalo' lapha imiyalo yeDikaloji iqondiswe ikakhulukazi, okungukuthi ububi akumelwe benziwe noma bukhanukelwe, nokuthi uthando lomuntu kuNkulunkulu nothando lukaNkulunkulu kumuntu lulandela njengokuhle okulandelayo lapho okubi. iyasuswa.”

20I-Arcana Coelestia 10738:1-3: “INkosi [uJesu Kristu] ifundisa ukuthi uBaba futhi bamunye, ukuthi uBaba ukuYe futhi Yena ukuYise, ukuthi noma ubani ombonayo ubona uBaba, futhi lowo okholwa nguye ukholwa nguBaba futhi uyamazi, ukuthi uMthetheleli, lowo ambiza ngokuthi uMoya weqiniso kanye noMoya oNgcwele, uphuma kuYe futhi akakhulumi okuphuma Kuye, kodwa uvela kuYe, okuyikhona okuhunyushwa ngakho ukuqhubeka kwaphezulu.”

21Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 1581: “Lapho ububi buqedwa, khona-ke okuhle kuphuma eNkosini.” Bhekafuthi Izimfihlakalo Zezulu 6325: “Impilo egcwele ubuhle igeleza ivela eNkosini, futhi impilo egcwele ububi igeleza ivela esihogweni…. Uma abantu bekukholelwa lokhu, ububi angeke bunamathele kubo noma bamukelwe yibona njengobubo ngoba bayazi ukuthi akuveli kubo ngokwabo kodwa esihogweni. Lapho lokhu kuyisimo sabo, ukuthula banganikwa, ngoba bathembele kuJehova kuphela.” Bhekafuthi Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 123[5]: “Ukunqoba kweNkosi isihogo kuhloswe ngokuthulisa kwaYo ulwandle ngokuthi ‘Thula, thula,” ngoba lapha, njengakwezinye izindawo eziningi, ‘ulwandle’ lufanekisela isihogo. Ngendlela efanayo, namuhla uJehova ulwa nesihogo kuwo wonke umuntu ozalwa kabusha.”

22Ambulo sAmbuliwe 17: “Amaqiniso aqala ngesikhathi, kodwa awaqali ekugcineni…. Ngokuba ukuhlala endlini kuqala ekugcineni, futhi okokuqala ngesikhathi isisekelo. Futhi, ukusetshenziswa kuqala ekugcineni, nolwazi kuqala ngokuhamba kwesikhathi. Ngokufanayo, owokuqala ekugcineni lapho kutshalwa isihlahla [sezithelo] isithelo, kodwa amagatsha namaqabunga kuqala ngokuhamba kwesikhathi.” Bhekafuthi Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 336: “Iqiniso lokukholwa liqala ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, kepha okuhle kwesisa kuqala ekugcineni." Bhekafuthi Inkolo YeQiniso yobuKhrestu 406: “Okokuqala ekugcineni yilokho okubheka zonke izinto. Kufana nokwakha indlu; kuqala isisekelo kumele sibekwe; kodwa isisekelo kumelwe sibe sendlu, futhi indlu ibe yindawo yokuhlala.”

23I-Arcana Coelestia 8403:2 “Labo abangafundiswanga ngokuzalwa kabusha bacabanga ukuthi abantu bangavuselelwa ngaphandle kwesilingo; futhi abanye bakholelwa ukuthi abantu baye bazalwa kabusha lapho bebhekene nesilingo esisodwa. Kodwa makwazeke ukuthi ngaphandle kwesilingo akekho ozalwa kabusha, futhi izilingo eziningi zilandelana. Isizathu siwukuthi ukuzalwa kabusha kwenzeka kuze kube sekugcineni ukuze impilo endala ife, futhi ukuphila okusha kwasezulwini kucatshangelwe, okubonisa ukuthi kumelwe kuliwe, ngoba ukuphila okudala [okudala] kuyamelana, futhi akuthandi. ukucinywa, nempilo entsha [intando entsha] ayinakungena ngaphandle kwalapho impilo endala [intando endala] icishiwe. Ngakho-ke kusobala ukuthi kunempi nhlangothi zombili, futhi le mpi ishubile, ngoba ingeyokuphila konke.”

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Apocalypse Explained #223

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223. And the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God, signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. This is evident from the signification of "the city of My God," as being the doctrine of Divine truth (of which presently); also from the signification of "the New Jerusalem," as being the church in respect to doctrine (See the small work on The New Jerusalem 6); also from the signification of "which cometh down out of heaven from My God," as being that it is out of heaven from Divine truth there. That "God" means in the Word Divine truth, see above (n. 220, 222). And as Divine truth, which is in heaven and which comes down from heaven, is from the Lord alone, the Lord calls it His God. That "the city of My God" signifies the doctrine of Divine truth seems at first view remote, for the mind cannot readily think of doctrine when "city" is mentioned, or think of the church when a "land" is mentioned; yet in the Word, "cities" [civitates aut urbes] mean nothing else in the spiritual sense; and for the reason that the idea of a city is merely natural, but the idea of doctrine in a city is spiritual. Angels, because they are spiritual, can have no other idea of a city than of the people therein in respect to doctrine, as they can have no other idea of a land than of the people therein in respect to their church or their religion. The reason of this is that the societies into which the heavens are divided are for the most part like cities [communities], all differing from one another in respect to the reception of Divine truth in good; when, therefore, a "city" is mentioned angels think of the doctrine of truth. (That the heavens are divided into societies according to the differences of the good of love and faith, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 41-50; and that their habitations are disposed into the form of cities, n. 184).

[2] That "cities" [civitates seu urbes] in the Word signify doctrines can be seen from many passages there, of which I will cite here only the following.

In Jeremiah:

Behold I have given thee this day for a fenced city against the whole land (Jeremiah 1:18).

These things are said to the prophet, because "a prophet" in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in an abstract sense, the doctrine of truth; and as this is what "prophet" signifies, it is said to him, "I have given thee for a fenced city," which signifies the doctrine of truth defending against falsities. (That "prophet" in the Word signifies one who teaches truth, and in the abstract sense, the doctrine of truth, see Arcana Coelestia (2534[1-6]), n. 7269.)

In the same:

The crown of your splendor cometh down. The cities of the south are shut (Jeremiah 13:18-19).

Here the falsification of truth is treated of; and "the crown of their splendor cometh down" means that intelligence comes down; and "the cities of the south are shut" means that all the truths of doctrine are closed, which otherwise would be in the light. (That "crown" means intelligence and wisdom, see above, n. 126, 218; and that "south" means a state of light, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 148, 149, n. 151).

[3] In Isaiah:

Thou hast done [wonderful things, Thy] counsels from afar [are] truth, fidelity; and Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city, that it may not be built for ever; therefore a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee (Isaiah 25:1-3).

The vastation of the former church, and the establishment of a new one, are here treated of; the vastation of the church in respect to doctrine is meant by "Thou hast made of a city a heap, of a fenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city;" and the establishment of a new church in respect to doctrine is meant by "a strong people shall honor Thee, a city of powerful nations shall fear Thee."

In the same:

In that day shall a song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will He appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation that keepeth faithfulness may enter in (Isaiah 26:1-2).

Here "a strong city" signifies the doctrine of genuine truth, which falsities cannot destroy; "walls and bulwarks" signify truths defending; "gates" signify admission (as above, n. 208); "the righteous nation keeping faithfulness" means those who are in good and in truths therefrom.

[4] In the same:

How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer, how art thou cut down to the earth: that made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up and possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities (Isaiah 14:12, 17, 21).

Here "Lucifer" means Babylon, where every truth of the doctrine of the church was either falsified or annihilated; "he made the world as a wilderness, and threw down the cities thereof," signifies that this was done to the church and its doctrines; "prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise up," signifies that its falsities must be destroyed; "and may not possess the land, and fill the faces of the world with cities," signifies in order that a church and doctrine may be there.

In Revelation:

And the great city was broken 1 into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell (Revelation 16:18-19).

Here also Babylon is treated of; the doctrine of its falsities is what is meant by "a city broken 2 into three parts," and the doctrine of evils therefrom by "the cities of the nations which fell."

[5] In David:

The redeemed of Jehovah wandered in the wilderness in loneliness of life; 3 they found not a city of habitation; hungry and thirsty [their soul fainted in them]. He led them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation (Psalms 107:2, 4-5, 7).

"To wander in the wilderness and in loneliness of way," is to be in want of the knowledges of truth and good; "to find not a city of habitation" means not to find the doctrine of truth according to which they may live; "the hungry and thirsty" are those who have a longing to know good and truth; "to lead them into a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation" is to lead them into genuine truth, and into the doctrine of life.

In Isaiah:

I said, Lord, how long? And He said, Until the cities shall be so devastated as to be without inhabitant, and the houses so that no man be in them, and the land be reduced to a waste (Isaiah 6:11).

Here the total vastation of the church is treated of; "cities" are the truths of doctrine; "houses" the goods thereof; and "land" the church.

[6] In the same:

The land shall be emptied, the land shall be confounded, the land shall be profaned under its inhabitants; the empty city shall be broken, every house shall be shut, a cry over the wine in the streets, the remnant in the city is a waste, and the gate shall be beaten down even to devastation (Isaiah 24:3-5, 10-12).

Here also the devastation of the church is treated of; "the land which is said to be emptied, confounded, and profaned," is the church; "city" is the truth of doctrine, "house" is its good; "wine, over which there is a cry in the streets," is the truth of doctrine falsified, over which there is contest and indignation.

[7] In Zephaniah:

I will cut off the nations; I will desolate their streets, and their cities shall be laid waste (Zephaniah 3:6).

Here "nations" are those who are in evils; "to desolate streets" means to desolate truths, and "to lay waste cities" means to lay waste doctrines. In Jeremiah:

The lion is gone up from the thicket, to reduce thy land to a waste; thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a wilderness, and all its cities desolate; for this shall the land mourn; the whole city fleeing at the voice of a horseman and of the bowmen; the whole city is forsaken, not a man dwelling therein (Jeremiah 4:7, 26-29).

The "lion from the thicket" is falsity from evil; "the land" is the church, "cities" are the truths of doctrine; "Carmel" is the spiritual church; "the voice of the horseman and the bowmen," because of which "the city will flee," is reasoning and combat from falsities.

[8] In the same:

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

These words describe the total vastation of the church, until nothing of the truth of doctrine shall remain. In the same:

Behold, waters rising up out of the north, which shall become an overflowing brook, and shall overflow the land, the city, and them that dwell therein (Jeremiah 47:2).

Vastation also is signified by "an overflowing brook." In the same:

If ye hallow the day of the Sabbath, there shall enter in through the gates of this city kings and princes, riding in chariot and on horses, and this city shall be inhabited to eternity (Jeremiah 17:24-25).

"Hallowing the Sabbath" in the spiritual sense signifies holy acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine Human and of His conjunction with heaven and the church; "kings and princes entering in through the gates of the city" signify the truths of the church; "their riding in a chariot and on horses" signifies that they shall be in the truths of doctrine and in intelligence; "the city," which here is Jerusalem, is the church in respect to doctrine. Such is the spiritual sense of these words; such therefore is the sense in heaven.

[9] In Zechariah:

Thus said Jehovah; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; whence Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets (Zechariah 8:3-5).

Here "Zion" does not mean Zion, nor "Jerusalem" Jerusalem; but "Zion" means the celestial church, and "Jerusalem" that church in respect to the doctrine of truth; therefore it is called "a city of truth;" "the streets of the city" signify the truths of doctrine; "boys and girls playing in the streets" signify the affections of truth and good. (That "Zion" signifies the celestial church, see Arcana Coelestia 2362, 9055; that "Jerusalem" signifies the church in respect to doctrine, n. 402, 3654, 9166; and in the small work on The New Jerusalem, 6; that "streets" signify the truths of doctrine, n. 2336; that "boys girls" signify the affections of truth good, in which there is innocence 3067, 3110, 3179, 5236, 6742; that "to play" means what pertains to interior festivity, which is the affection of truth and good, n. 10416).

[10] Because "Zion" signifies the celestial church, and "Jerusalem" the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, Zion is called "the city of Jehovah," and Jerusalem is called "the holy city," "the city of God" and "the city of the great king."

As in Isaiah:

They shall call thee, The city of Jehovah, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 60:14).

In Ezekiel:

The prophet saw upon a high mountain the frame of a city on the south, and an angel measured the wall, the gate, the chambers, the porch of the gate; and the name of the city was Jehovah-is-there (Ezekiel 40:1; 48:35).

In Isaiah:

Behold, Jehovah hath caused it to be heard, even to the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh. And thou shalt be called a city that is sought (Isaiah 62:11-12).

In David:

As we have heard so have we seen in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever (Psalms 48:8).

(What the celestial church is, and what the spiritual church, see in the work on Heaven and Hell 20-28.)

These two cities are called "holy cities," in Isaiah:

Thy holy cities are become a wilderness, Zion is become a wilderness, Jerusalem a waste (Isaiah 64:10).

Jerusalem in particular is called "the holy city," in Revelation:

The nations shall tread down the holy city (Revelation 11:2).

Again:

I saw the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven (Revelation 21:2).

In Matthew:

The devil took Jesus into the holy city (Matthew 4:5).

And in the same:

Coming forth out of the tombs, they entered into the holy city (Matthew 27:53).

[11] Jerusalem was called "the holy city" because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth; and Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is what is called "holy" (See Arcana Coelestia 6788, 8302, 9229, 9820, 10361). That city, apart from such representation and consequent signification, was not at all holy, but rather profane, is evident from the Lord's having been rejected and crucified there; and for this reason it is also called "Sodom and Egypt" (Revelation 11:8). But because it signified the church in respect to the doctrine of truth, it was called not only "the holy city," but also "the city of God," and "the city of the great king."

Thus in David:

There is a river, the streams whereof have made glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her (Psalms 46:4-5).

In the same:

Great is Jehovah in the city of our God, beautiful in situation the city of the great king (Psalms 48:1-2).

In Matthew:

Swear not by the earth, for it is the footstool of God's feet; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king (Matthew 5:35).

Jerusalem was called "the city of God" because "God" in the Word of the Old Testament means Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (as may be seen above, n. 220, 222); and it was called "the city of the great king," because "king" also signifies, in reference to the Lord, Divine truth proceeding from Him (See above, n. 31). From this then it is that Jerusalem is called "the city of truth" (Zechariah 8:3).

[12] In Isaiah:

Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer and Former from the womb, I make void the signs of liars; turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish; saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the desolate places thereof (Isaiah 44:24-26).

This treats of the rejection of the church whose doctrine is from self-intelligence, and of the establishment of a new church, whose doctrine is from the Lord. Doctrine from self-intelligence is meant by "I make void the signs of liars, turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish," and doctrine that is from the Lord by "saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built."

[13] In Jeremiah:

Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste (Jeremiah 7:17, 34).

Here also "the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem" signify the truths of doctrine; "the voice of joy and the voice of gladness" is delight from the affection of good and truth; "the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride" are those affections themselves; and that these are to cease is meant by "the land shall become a waste;" the "land" is the church.

[14] In Isaiah:

I will commingle Egypt with Egypt that they may fight a man against his brother, and a man against his companion; city against city, kingdom against kingdom. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan and that swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of Egypt (Isaiah 19:2, 18-19).

"Egypt" means the natural man and its knowledge [ejus scientificum]; "that they may fight a man against his brother, and a man against his companion," means against good and truth; "city against city, and kingdom against kingdom," signifies doctrine against doctrine, and church against church; "in that day" signifies the Lord's coming, and the state then of those who are natural and in true knowledges [scientificis]; "five cities in the land of Egypt that speak with the lip of Canaan" signify the truths of doctrine in abundance, which are genuine truths of the church, "five" meaning many or in abundance; "cities" truths of doctrine; "the lip of Canaan" genuine truths of the church. "An altar to Jehovah" here signifies worship from the good of love.

[15] In the same:

The highways have been laid waste, he that passeth through the way hath ceased; he hath rejected the cities, he regardeth not man. The land mourneth, it languisheth; Lebanon hath faded away (Isaiah 33:8-9).

"The highways that have been laid waste, and the way that is not passed through," are truths leading to heaven, which are truths of the church; "to reject the cities" is to reject the truths of doctrine; "to regard not man" is to regard not truth and good. "The land that mourneth and languisheth" is the church in respect to good; "Lebanon that hath faded away" is the church in respect to truth.

[16] In the same:

Sing, O barren, that did not bear, for more are the sons of the desolate than the sons of the married one. Enlarge the place of thy tent; thy seed shall inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited (Isaiah 54:1-3).

"The barren that did not bear" signifies the nations that have not as yet truths from the Word; "the sons of the desolate" are the truths that these will receive; "the sons of the married one" are the truths that are with those who are in the church; "to enlarge the place of the tent" means that their worship is from good; "seed" is truth therefrom; "the nations which the seed will inherit" are goods; and "the cities which shall be inhabited" are the doctrines therefrom.

[17] In Jeremiah:

I will bring upon them every good; they shall buy fields with silver, and this by writing in a book, in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountain, and in the cities of the plain, and in the cities of the south (Jeremiah 32:42, 44; 33:13).

These things are said of those in the church who are in good and in truths therefrom; "to buy fields with silver" is to acquire for themselves the good of the church by means of truths; "to write in a book" is to implant in the life; "the cities of Judah" and "the cities of the mountain" are the truths of doctrine which those have who are of the Lord's celestial kingdom; "the cities of the plain, and the cities of the south," are the truths of doctrine which those have who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom.

[18] In Matthew:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel (Matthew 5:14-15).

These things were said to the disciples, by whom all truths and goods in the complex are signified; therefore it is said, "Ye are the light of the world;" for "light" signifies Divine truth and intelligence therefrom. Because that is what the words signify, "Ye are the light of the world," therefore it is said, "A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither can a lamp be lighted and be put under a bushel;" for "a city set on a mountain" signifies the truth of doctrine from the good of love; and "a lamp" signifies in general truth from good and intelligence therefrom.

[19] In the same:

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

"Kingdom," in the spiritual sense, signifies the church; "city" and "house" the truth and good of its doctrine, which do not stand but fall, if they do not unanimously agree.

[20] In the same:

Jesus sends forth the twelve disciples, saying to them, Go not off into the way of the nations, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans; go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6)

"The way of the nations" into which they were not to go off, signifies falsity from evil; "a city of the Samaritans" into which they were not to enter, signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord; "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" signify those who are in the good of charity and in faith therefrom, "Israel" meaning all such wherever they may be. "A city of the Samaritans" signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord, because the Samaritans did not receive Him (as may be seen in Luke 9:52-56).

[21] In the same:

Jesus said, When they persecute you in one city they should flee 4 into another (Matthew 10:23).

Here also by "city" is meant the doctrine of falsity from evil; that where this doctrine is the doctrine of truth will not be admitted, is meant by "when they persecute you in one city flee ye into another."

[22] In Luke:

Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servants, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and halt (Luke 14:21).

"Their going out into the streets and lanes of the city" signifies that they should enquire where those are who receive the truths of the doctrine; for "streets" and "lanes" are the truths of doctrine (as above); and "city" means doctrine. The "poor," "the maimed," "the halt," and "the blind," signify those who are not in truths and goods, and yet long for them. (Who are signified specifically by "the poor," who by "the maimed," "the halt," and "the blind," may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 107, from Arcana Coelestia.)

[23] In the same:

A certain nobleman going into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, gave to his servants ten pounds for trading; when he returned, he commanded the servants to be called. The first came, saying, Thy pound hath gained ten pounds. He said to him, good servant, because thou hast been faithful over the least, thou shalt have authority over ten cities. Then the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made five pounds. He said to him, Be thou also over five cities (Luke 20:12-19 seq.).

These words signify, in the spiritual sense, much more than can be expressed in a few words; let it be noted merely that by "cities" here are not meant cities but the doctrinals of truth and good; and by "having authority over them" intelligence and wisdom are meant; by "ten" much, and by "five" some. (That "ten" in the Word signifies much, see Arcana Coelestia 1988, 3107, 4638, 9757; and that "five" signifies some, n. 4638, 9604.) From this it can now be seen that "the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God," signifies the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. (This doctrine is also given in a separate small work, entitled The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine.)

Bilješke:

1. The Latin has "broken"; the Greek "made."

2. The Latin has "broken"; the Greek "made," as found in Arcana Coelestia 5120.

3. The Hebrew has "way" for "life," as found in Arcana Coelestia 2708, 3708.

4. For "they should flee" the Greek has "flee ye."

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for their permission to use this translation.