Heavenly Doctrine (Tafel) n. 119

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119. Those who are in faith by persuasion are meant by those described in Matthew (vii. 22, 23), "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Again, in Luke (xiii. 26, 27), "Then shall ye begin to say, We did eat before Thee, and drink, and Thou didst teach in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity." These persons are also meant by the five foolish virgins who had no oil in their lamps, in Matthew (xxv. 11, 12), "At length came the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not." Oil in lamps signifies the good of love in faith.


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