669. Verse 5. After these things I saw, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, signifies that the inmost of heaven was seen, where the Lord is in His holiness in the Word, and in the Law, which is the Decalogue. By "the temple" is signified, in the highest sense, the Lord as to His Divine Human, and heaven and the church thence (n. 191, 529), here the Christian heaven. By "the tabernacle of the testimony" is signified the inmost of that heaven, where the Lord is, in His holiness in the Word, and in the Law, which is the Decalogue, because "the tabernacle" likewise signifies heaven (n. 585), and the inmost of the tabernacle was where the ark was, in which were the two tables, upon which the ten words were written with the finger of God, which are the ten commandments of the Decalogue, which are meant by "the testimony," and also are called "the testimony"; from which it is evident, that by "I saw, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened," is signified that the inmost of heaven was seen, where the Lord is in His holiness in the Law which is the Decalogue. "The tabernacle of the testimony" also signifies where the Word is, because "the testimony" is mentioned not only in relation to the Law, which is the Decalogue, but also to the Word, and to the Lord as the Word, because the Word testifies of Him (n. 490, 555). [2] That the Word is in heaven, and is deposited in the inmost part thereof, which is called the sacred repository, and that the light there is flaming and bright, exceeding every degree of light that shines without in the other parts of heaven, may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sacred Scripture (n. 70-75), and concerning that sacred repository (n. 73 of the same work). Respecting the holiness of the Law, which is the Decalogue, see the Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem from the Commandments of the Decalogue (n. 53-60). That the ark, in which were contained the two tables of the Decalogue, constituted the sanctuary or inmost part of the temple in Jerusalem, and consequently of the tabernacle there, see 1 Kings 6:19-28; 8:3-9. That the law which is the Decalogue was called the testimony, is evident from these passages:
Moses came down, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand; the tables were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables (Exod. 32:15-16). The two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written by the finger of God (Exod. 31:18). Jehovah said, Thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I will give thee (Exod. 25:16, 21-22). And Moses took and put the testimony into the ark (Exod. 40:20). That the cloud of incense may cover the mercy-seat which is upon the testimony (Lev. 16:13). Jehovah said unto Moses, Leave the rods before the testimony, and afterwards Aaron's rod before the testimony (Num. 17:4, 10). And Moses left the rods before Jehovah (Num. 17:7). The ark is called the ark of the testimony (Exod. 31:7). And the tabernacle is called the habitation of the testimony (Exod. 38:21).
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church