AE 865 - "Firstfruits to God and the Lamb"

AE 865

These were bought from among men,
firstfruits to God and the Lamb,
(Revelation 14:4)

signifies those received in the New Church by the Lord.
This is evident from the signification of
"those bought by the Lord,"
as being those who receive instruction from the Word,
especially respecting the Lord,
and who live according to it.
The same are meant by those called
"redeemed by the Lord;"
and "the redeemed" are those
who have been regenerated by the Lord
and these are those who follow the Lord,
that is, are led by Him.
Also from the signification of
"firstfruits of God and the Lamb,"
as being those who have given themselves to the Lord
and have been adopted by Him.
That those who are of the New Church are meant
is evident from their being called
"firstfruits to God and to the Lamb,"
since those who are received in that church
acknowledge the Lord's Divine Human
and live according to His commandments.
No others are received in the New Church
which is called "the New Jerusalem,"
because those who do not believe this
and live thus
are not in accord with the life of heaven,
nor with the light there,
nor with the heat there:
for the light there is the Divine truth,
which is the source of all intelligence and wisdom;
and the heat there is the Divine good,
which is the source of all love and charity.