Apocalypse Revealed (Coulsons) n. 82

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82. [verse 4] 'But I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity' signifies that this is against them, that they do not have the goods of life in the first place, which nevertheless was and is the case at the beginning of every Church. This is said to the [Ephesian] Church, because by it are understood those in the Church who primarily or in the first place have the truths of doctrine in view and not the goods of life (n. 73); when yet the goods of life ought to be regarded in the first place, that is, primarily, for in so far as a man is in goods of life, so far is he really in truths of doctrine, but not the reverse. This is because the goods of life open the interiors of the mind, and when these have been opened truths appear in their own light, Out of which they are not only understood, but also loved. The case is different when doctrinal matters are in view primarily or in the first place. Then truths can indeed be known, but not seen interiorly nor loved out of a spiritual affection; but this may be seen elucidated above (n. 17). Every Church during its beginning has the goods of life in view in the first place, and in the second the truths of doctrine; but as a Church turns aside, it starts to have these truths of doctrine in view in the first place, and the goods of life in the second; and at length at the end it has faith alone in view. Then it not only separates the goods of charity from faith, but even gives them up. From these considerations it can now be established that by 'Thou hast left thy first charity' is signified that they do not have the goods of life in the first place, which nevertheless was and is the case at the beginning of every Church.


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