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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 1

1. THE APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED.

CHAPTER I

1. THE Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John,

2. Who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatsoever things he saw.

3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.

4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from him who is, and who was and who is to come; and from the seven spirits which are in sight of his throne;

5. And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in his blood,

6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be the glory and the strength (robur) unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

7. Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall wail over him. Even so; Amen.

8. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

9. I John, who also am your brother and companion in affliction, and in the kingdom and patient expectation of Jesus Christ, was in the island called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11. Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last; what thou seest write in a book, and send to the churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And, being turned, I saw seven golden lampstands;

13. And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle.

14. And his head and his hairs were white as white wool, as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15. And his feet like unto burnished brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.

16. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went forth a sharp two-edged sword; and his face was as the sun shineth in his power.

17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last;

18. And am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive unto the ages of the ages, Amen; and I have the keys of hell and of death.

19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches.

MANY have expounded this prophetical book which is called the Apocalypse; but none of them have understood the internal or spiritual sense of the Word, therefore they have applied the particulars which it contains to the successive states of the church, which they have learnt from history; and in addition to this they have applied many things to civil affairs. Consequently such expositions are mostly conjectures, which can never appear in such light that they can be approved as truths; and therefore they are cast aside as mere opinions as soon as they are read. The reason why the current explanations of the Apocalypse are of this description is, as just observed, that their authors know nothing of the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; when, nevertheless, all things in the Apocalypse are written in a style similar to that of the prophetical parts of the Old Testament, and of the whole Word. And the Word is natural in the letter, but in its inner content spiritual; and consequently it contains a sense within, which does not appear at all in the letter. The nature of the difference between these two senses may be seen from what is said and shown in the small work concerning The White Horse, and in the Appendix there, taken from Arcana Coelestia.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 2

2. It is evident from these things that nothing contained either in the Apocalypse, or in the prophetical parts of the Old Testament can be understood, unless the spiritual sense be known, and particularly unless there be a revelation from heaven, where the whole Word is understood according to that sense. That this is the case will be proved by the explanation itself, which follows.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 3

3. In this explanation there are many quotations from Arcana Coelestia; it should therefore be noted that they are taken from that work.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 4

4. THE EXPLANATION.

VERSES 1-3. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly in come to pass; and he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John, who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatsoever things he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear, the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ," signifies, predictions by the Lord concerning the last times of the church; "which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants," signifies, for those who are in truths from good; "things which must shortly come to pass," signifies, which will certainly take place; "and he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John," signifies, which are revealed from heaven to those who are in the good of love.

"Who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ," signifies, that it is for those who in heart acknowledge the Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human; "whatsoever things he saw," signifies, that their understanding is enlightened.

"Blessed," signifies, those in whom heaven is; "is he that readeth," signifies, that they perceive; "and they that hear the words of the prophecy," signifies, that they live according to the doctrine of heaven; "and keep the things which are written therein," signifies, that they do so from the delight of the love of truth; "for the time is at hand," signifies, that the interior state is such.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 5

5. (v. 1) The revelation of Jesus Christ. That this signifies Predictions by the Lord concerning the last times of the church, is evident from the signification of revelation as denoting predictions; and because these are from the Lord alone, it is said, "the revelation of Jesus Christ." The reason why the revelation, or the predictions, are concerning the last times of the church, is because those times are especially treated of. It may be imagined that the successive states of the church from beginning to end are treated of in the Apocalypse; but those states are not there the subject, but only the state of heaven and the church about the time of its end, when the Last Judgment takes place; the last times are consequently treated of. The successive states of the church, however, were predicted by the Lord Himself in Matthew (chaps. xxiv. and xxv.), and also in Mark (chap xiii.); but the things contained in these chapters are written in the Divine prophetic style, which is by correspondences, and consequently they are such as can be revealed and laid open only by means of the internal or spiritual sense. (It has therefore been granted me by the Lord to explain those things in Arcana Coelestia, at the beginning of chapters xxiv. to xl. of Genesis; which explanations may be seen there in their order, in the following places: n. 3353-3356, 3486-3489, 3650-3655, 3751-3757, 3897-3901, 4056-4060, 4229-4231, 4332-4335, 4422-4424, 4635-4638, 4661-4664, 4807-4810, 4954-4959, 5063-5071.)

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 6

6. Which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants. That this signifies for those who are in truths from good, is evident from the signification of giving the revelation to Him to show, as denoting to declare predictions, or, what is the same thing, predictions for those persons; and from the signification of His servants, as denoting those who are in truths from good. The reason why such are meant by servants of God, is, that, in the Word, those who hearken to and obey God are called servants of God. Hearkening and obedience exist only with those who are in truths from good, but not with those who are in truths alone, or in truths without good; for the latter have truths in the memory only, but not in the life; whereas those who are in truths from good, have truths in the life, and those who have truths in the life do them from the heart, that is, from love. It should be known that no truth ever enters into the life of a man unless he is in good, for good belongs to love, and love constitutes the whole man; thus a man receives into his life all the truths which agree with his love. This is quite evident from the fact that a man appropriates to himself whatever he loves, rejecting and holding in aversion everything else. By good is meant here the good of love to the Lord and the good of love towards the neighbour, this being the only spiritual good, with which the truths of faith agree.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 7

7. Things which must shortly come to pass. That this signifies, which will certainly take place, is evident from the signification of things which must come to pass, as being what will necessarily take place; and from the signification of shortly, as denoting what is certain and full (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia n. 5284, 6783). Those who view all things in the Word according to the sense of the letter, have no other idea than that shortly signifies shortly; that is, in the present case, that the things predicted in the Apocalypse were to take place shortly. Consequently they also wonder why so long a time should have elapsed before the accomplishment of the Last Judgment. But those who have a knowledge of the internal sense of the Word do not understand shortly as meaning shortly, but certainly. The reason why instead of shortly they understand certainly, is, because shortly implies time, and time is proper to nature; that is, shortly is a natural and not a spiritual expression, and all natural expressions, in the Word, signify spiritual things which correspond to them; for the Word internally is spiritual, but in the letter natural; this is why shortly signifies certainly. (That time is proper to nature, and, in the spiritual world, corresponds to state of life, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, in the article concerning Time in Heaven, n. 162-169.)

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 8

8. And he signified [this], sending by his angel unto his servant John. That this signifies, which are revealed to those who are in the good of love, is evident from the signification of he signified, as denoting those things which, in the sense of the letter, contain, and thus signify, those which are in the internal sense. For it is said, "the revelation which God gave to show; and he signified [this]"; and by the things which He signified are meant those which are in the sense of the letter, because all these are significative; and the things which are signified are those that are contained in the internal sense. For all things in the Word are significative of spiritual things which are in the internal sense. The above is also evident from the signification of sending by his angel, as denoting things revealed from heaven; for to send, denotes to reveal, and by an angel, denotes from heaven. The reason why to send denotes to reveal, is, because everything sent from heaven is a revelation; for what exists there is revealed, this being something spiritual concerning the church and its state; but this with man is turned into natural ideas, such as are in the sense of the letter, in the Apocalypse and other parts of the Word. That which comes from heaven cannot be present with man in any other way; for the Spiritual falls into its corresponding Natural, when it descends from the spiritual world into the natural. This is the reason why the prophetic Word Is such in the sense of the letter, and since it is such, that it is inwardly spiritual and Divine. By an angel means, from heaven, because that which an angel speaks is from heaven; for when an angel speaks with a man such things as relate to heaven and the church he does not speak as one man to another, who utters from memory the dictates of another, but that which an angel speaks enters into him continually by influx, and not into his memory, but directly into the understanding, and thence into words. This is the reason why every thing spoken by angels to the prophets was Divine, and nothing whatever from the angels. Whether it is said that such things are revealed from heaven, or from the Lord, it is the same; because the Divine of the Lord with the angels constitutes heaven, and nothing whatever from the proprium of the angels. (But this may be better understood from what is said and shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, and n. 254.) It is remarked above, that predictions are revealed from heaven to those who
are in the good of love, because it is said, "sending by his angel unto his servant John," and by John are represented and meant those who are in the good of love. For by the twelve apostles were represented and signified all those in the church who are in truths from good consequently, all truths from good, from which the church is and by each apostle in particular is represented and signified something specific. For example, by Peter is represented and signified faith; by James, charity; and by John, the good of charity, or the good of love. Because John represented this good, therefore the revelation was made to him; for revelation from heaven, such as is here described, can be made to none but those who are in the good of charity or of love. Others, indeed, may hear the things that are uttered from heaven, but they cannot perceive them. They alone have spiritual perception who are in the good of love; the reason is, that they receive those things, not only in the hearing, but also in the love; and to receive in the love is to receive fully, since the things so received are loved; and those who thus receive, see those things in their understanding, in which is the sensation of their internal sight. That this is the case has been made evident to me from much experience, and it might also be illustrated by much rational argument; but upon this subject it is not yet permissible to speak. Here it is only necessary to observe, that all the names mentioned in the Word, signify, not persons, but things; thus, John signifies those who are in the good of love, and therefore, in the abstract, the good of love itself. (That all names in the Word signify things, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 768, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10,329. That the names of persons and places in the Word cannot enter heaven, but that they are changed into the things which they signify, n. 1876, 5225, 6516, 10,216, 10,282, 10,432. How elegant the internal sense of the Word is, although mere names are mentioned, is illustrated by examples, n. 1224, 1264, 1888. That the twelve disciples of the Lord represented, and thence signified, all things of love and faith in the aggregate, in like manner as the twelve tribes of Israel, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397. That Peter, James, and John represented, and hence signified, faith, charity, and the good of charity, in their order, see Pref. to Gen. xviii. and xxii. and n. 3934, 8581, 10,087.)

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 9

9. When it is known that all names In the Word signify things, and that the names of the twelve sons of Jacob, or the twelve tribes, signify all the goods and truths of the church in the aggregate; and similarly the names of the twelve disciples of the Lord; and that Peter, James, and John, signify faith, charity, and the good of charity, some arcana in the Word may then be seen; as for example, why the Lord gave the name of Peter to Simon, and to James and John the name Boanerges, which signifies sons of thunder (Mark iii. 17). For Peter, like rock (petra), signifies the Lord as to truth from good, or faith from charity; and sons of thunder signify those who receive the truths of heaven from the affection which is of love. (That rock (petra) signifies the Lord as to truth from good, or faith from charity, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8581, 10,580; similarly "the stone of Israel," n. 6426; and that thunders signify Divine truths from heaven, n. 7573, 8914, and lightnings the brilliance thereof, n. 8813; hence also thunders are called voices, n. 7573, 8914.) [2] I will here mention some of the arcana which may be seen, when it is known that Peter signifies faith, and John the good of charity. First, why the Lord said to Peter,

"I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens" (Matt. xvi. 18, 19).

It appears from the letter as if that power was given to Peter, when nevertheless none was given to him; but it was said thus to him, because Peter signified truth from the good which is from the Lord, and truth from good which is from the Lord has all power, thus the Lord has all power from good by means of truth. (That this is the case may be seen illustrated in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 57.) Another arcanum, which may be seen when it is known that Peter signifies faith, is, why the Lord said to him, that before the cock crew, he would deny Him thrice, which also happened (Matt. xxvi. 34, and following verses). By this was signified, that in the last time of the church there would be no faith in the Lord, because there would be no charity; for cock-crowing, as well as twilight, signifies the last time of the church (Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,134); and three, or three times, signifies what is complete to the end (Arcana Coelestia, n. 2788, 4495, 5159, 9198, 10,127. That the end of the church comes when there is no faith, because no charity, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39, etc.). [3] A third arcanum which may be seen, is, the signification of the following words concerning Peter and John:

Jesus said to Peter, Simon Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him the second time, Simon Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? and said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. And he saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt behold, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead whither thou wouldest not. And when he had thus spoken, he saith unto him, Follow me. Peter, being turned, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following, and he saith, Lord, this man what? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me" (John xxi. 15-22).

What these things signify no one can know unless he knows the internal sense, and that Peter signifies faith, and John the good of charity consequently that Peter signifies those in the church who are in faith, and John, those who are in the good of charity. By Jesus saying three times to Peter, "Lovest thou me?" and Peter saying three times, "I love thee," and Jesus then saving, "Feed my lambs," and "Feed my sheep," is signified, that they who are in faith from love ought to instruct those who are in the good of love to the Lord and in the good of charity towards the neighbour. For those who are in faith from love are also in truths, and those who are thence in truths, instruct concerning good, and lead to good; for all the spiritual good which a man has is procured and implanted by means of truths. (That lambs signify those who are in the good of innocence and of love to the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3994, 10,132; that sheep signify those who are in the good of charity towards the neighbour, n. 4169, 4809; and that to feed is to instruct, n. 5201, 6078.) [4] What would be the quality of faith in the first time of the church, and what its quality in the last time is next described by the Lord. The first time of the church is meant by "when thou wast young," and the last time by "when thou shalt be old." That when he was young he girded himself, and walked whither he would, signifies, that, in the first time of the church, they would drink in truths from the good of charity, and would act from freedom; for to act from freedom is to act from the affection of truth from good. "When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and lead whither thou wouldest not," signifies, that in the last time of the church they would no longer drink in truths from the good of charity, that is, they would know them merely because stated by another, and would thus be in a servile state, that being a servile state in which good does not lead. (That garments signify truths, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 1073, 2576, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10,536; and that therefore to gird oneself denotes to drink in and apprehend truths, n. 9952. That to walk is to act and live; that to act from freedom is to act from love or affection, since what a man loves that he does freely, n. 2870, 3158, 8987, 8990, 9585, 9591. That every church begins from charity, but that in process of time it declines to faith, and at length to faith alone, 1834, 1835, 2231, 4683, 8094.) [5] Because, at the last time of the church, faith becomes of such a quality as to reject the good of charity, saying that faith alone constitutes the church and saves, and not the good of life, which is charity, therefore Jesus said to Peter, by whom such faith is there meant, "Follow me." "And, being turned, Peter seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following, and saith, Lord, what this man?" by which is signified, that faith, in the last time of the church, would turn away from the Lord; for it is said of Peter, by whom that faith is signified, that, "being turned," he saw; and he also said of the disciple whom Jesus loved or of John, by whom is signified the good of charity, "what this man?" that is, that he is nothing; but Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to thee; follow thou me"; by which is signified that the good of charity will follow the Lord, and acknowledge Him, even to the last time of the old church and the first of the New. (That the last time of the old church is called the consummation of the age, and the beginning of the New, the coming of the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4535, 10,622.) The fourth arcanum which may hence be seen is, why the Lord loved John more than the rest of the disciples, and why John therefore lay on the breast, or in the bosom, of the Lord (John xiii. 23; xxi. 20) viz., that it was because the good of love was in the Lord's mind when He saw John, who represented and signified that good, because it is that good which constitutes heaven and the church, (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19). [6] The fifth arcanum which becomes evident when it is known that John represented the good of love, is, what is signified by the words of the Lord from the cross to the mother Mary, and to John:

"When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy Son! And he saith to that disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John xix. 26, 27).

By mother and by woman is there meant the church, and by John the good of charity; and by the things said to them, that the church will be where there is the good of charity. (That by woman, in the Word, is meant the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 252, 253, 749, 770, 3160, 6014, 7337, 8994; that the same is signified by mother, n. 289, 2691, 2717, 3703, 4257, 5581, 8897, 10,490. That to take her to his own home is to dwell together, is manifest.) From these considerations it is now evident how great are the arcana which lie concealed in the Word, which are laid open only to those who know its internal or spiritual sense; nor, without that sense, can it be known what is signified by its being said that the twelve apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 30). By the apostles, in this passage, are not meant the apostles, but all truths from good which are from the Lord; so that those words signify, that the Lord alone will judge all from the truths which are from good, thus, every one according to those truths.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 10

10.(v. 2) Who bare witness of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ. That this signifies, that it is for those who in heart acknowledge Divine truth, and the Divine of the Lord in His Human, is evident from the signification of bearing witness, as denoting to acknowledge in heart, concerning which more will be said in what follows; from the signification of the Word, or discourse, of God, as denoting the Divine truth (of which see n. 4692, 5075, 9987); and from the signification of [the testimony] of Jesus Christ, as being the acknowledgment of the Divine of the Lord in His Human. This is signified by the testimony of Jesus Christ, because to bear witness is to acknowledge in heart; and to acknowledge Jesus Christ in heart, is to acknowledge the Divine in His Human; for he who acknowledges the Lord, and not at the same time the Divine in his Human, does not acknowledge the Lord; for His Divine is in His Human, and not outside it. For the Divine is in His Human as the soul in the body; therefore to think of the Human of the Lord, and not at the same time of His Divine, is like thinking of a man apart from his soul or life, which is not to think of the man. [2] That the Divine of the Lord is in His Human, and that they are together one person, the doctrine received in the whole Christian world teaches in these words: "Although Christ is God and Man, yet they are not two, but one Christ; one, not by conversion of the Godhead into the human, but by the Divine taking of the Human into itself: One altogether; not so that the two natures are commingled, but by unity of person; for as soul and body make one man, so God and Man are one Christ" (from the Athanasian Creed). It is therefore manifest, that those who distinguish the Divine into three persons, ought, when they think of the Lord as the second person, to think of both, of the Human as well as of the Divine, for it is said that they are one person, and that they are one as soul and body. Those therefore who think otherwise, do not think of the Lord; and those who do not thus think of the Lord, cannot think of the Divine which is called the Divine of the Father; for the Lord saith:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John xiv. 6).

Because this acknowledgment is signified by the testimony of Jesus Christ, therefore it is said, that

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. xix. 10).

The spirit of prophecy is the life and soul of doctrine (that spirit, in the internal sense of the Word, signifies the life or soul, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5222, 9281, 9818; and that prophecy signifies doctrine, n. 2534, 7269); and the acknowledgment of the Lord is the very life or soul of all doctrine in the church. But concerning these things more will be said in what follows. [3] The reason why to bear witness is to acknowledge in heart, is, because spiritual things are treated of; no one can bear witness of those things unless from the heart, because from no other ground can he perceive that they are so. But to bear witness concerning such things as exist in the world, is to do so from science, or from memory and thought, because the man has so seen or heard. But it is otherwise in things spiritual; for these fill the whole life, and constitute it. Man's spirit, in which the man's life primarily resides, is nothing else but his will, or his love, and his understanding and faith therefrom; and the heart signifies, in the Word, the will and love, and understanding and faith therefrom. It is therefore manifest why by bearing witness, in the spiritual sense, is meant to acknowledge in heart. Since by heart is signified the good of love, and it is this alone that acknowledges Divine truth and the Divine of the Lord in His Human, and because that good is signified by John, therefore also it is said by John, that he bare witness of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ; as also in another place:

"And he that saw bare witness, and his witness is true, and he knoweth that he saith truths, that ye may believe" (John xix. 35)

and in another place:

"This is the disciple that testifieth of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true" (John xxi. 24).

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 11

11. Whatsoever things he saw. That this signifies their understanding enlightened, is evident from the signification of seeing, as denoting to understand (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 4403-4421, 10,705); in this case, to understand from enlightenment, since the subject treated of is concerning things of the church and of heaven, which can be understood and perceived only from enlightenment; for the things of the church and of heaven, which are called spiritual things, do not enter into a man's understanding except by means of the light of heaven, and the light of heaven enlightens the understanding. This is the reason why the Word, in which are contained the things of the church and heaven, cannot be understood but by one who is enlightened; and those alone are enlightened who are in the affection of truth from good, consequently, who are in love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbour. The good of these is spiritual good, with which and from which is the light of heaven, which enlightens.

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 12

12. (v. 3) Blessed. That this signifies those in whom heaven is, is evident from the signification of blessed, as denoting one who is happy to eternity, that is, one in whom heaven is. The blessedness which is not eternal is indeed called blessedness, but yet respectively it is not; for it passes away, and that which passes away compared with that which does not pass away, is as nothing. It is said, "in whom heaven is," because heaven is in man; the heaven which is without man flows into the heaven which is in him, and is received in so far as they correspond. (That heaven is in man, and that the internal of the man who is in celestial love is heaven in its least form, corresponding to the greatest, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 51-58; and that he comes into heaven who has heaven in himself, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 232-236.)

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Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 13

13. Is he that readeth. That this signifies that they perceive, is evident from the signification of reading the Word, as denoting to understand from enlightenment, thus to perceive; for to read signifies the same as to see, because he who reads, sees, and to see signifies to perceive from enlightenment, as was shown just above, n. 11.

AE (Tansley) n. 14

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 14

14. And they that hear the words of the prophecy. That this signifies that those live according to the doctrine of heaven, is evident from the signification of hearing, as denoting to perceive and obey (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2542, 3869, 4653, 5017, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397, 10,061), thus also to live according thereto; for those who perceive and obey the doctrine of heaven, live according to it; and from the signification of the words of the prophecy, as denoting the truths of the doctrine of heaven; for words are truths, (n. 4692, 5075), and prophecy is doctrine (n. 2534, 7269); in the present case, the doctrine of heaven, because it is the prophecy of the Word, which is from heaven. The reason why to hear is to obey and live is, because with the celestial angels, the things that, are heard enter into the life; but as this is unknown, I will briefly illustrate it. There are two senses given to man, which serve as means of receiving those things by which the Rational is formed, and also those things by which the man is reformed, these are, the sense of seeing and the sense of hearing; the other senses are for other uses. The things that enter by the sense of sight, enter into his understanding and enlighten it; therefore by sight is signified the understanding enlightened; for the understanding corresponds to the sight of the eye as the light of heaven does to the light of the world; but the things that enter by the sense of hearing, enter into the understanding and at the same time into the will, therefore the hearing signifies perception and obedience. This is the reason why, in human languages, It is customary to speak of hearing any one, and also of giving ear to any one; similarly, of being a hearer, and of hearkening; and by hearing any one is meant to perceive, and by giving ear to any one is meant to obey; as also by being a hearer; and both are signified by hearkening. This characteristic dwells in human languages, from the spiritual world, in which a man's spirit is; but the origin of this in the spiritual world shall also be stated.

[2] Those in the spiritual world who are in the province of the ear, are forms of obedience from perception (that all who are in the spiritual world are in some province which is named from the members, organs, or internal parts of man, because they correspond thereto, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102); and the province of the ear is in the axis of heaven, and therefore into it, or into those who are there, the whole spiritual world inflows, with the perception that the thing is to be done; for this is the ruling perception in heaven; hence it is that those who are in that province, are forms of obedience from perception. That the things which enter by hearing, enter directly by the understanding into the will, may be further illustrated from the instruction of the angels of the celestial kingdom, who are the wisest; these receive all their wisdom by hearing and not by sight; for whatever they hear of Divine things, they receive in the will from veneration and love, and make a part of their life; and because they receive it directly in the life, and not first in the memory, therefore they do not talk about matters of faith, but when told of them by others, they answer only, "Yea, Yea," or "Nay, nay," according to the Lord's words in Matthew (v. 37). From these things it is manifest, that man is endowed with the sense of hearing chiefly for the reception of wisdom, but sight for the reception of intelligence. Wisdom consists in perceiving, willing, and doing; intelligence, in knowing and perceiving. (That the celestial angels drink in wisdom by hearing, and not by sight, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 270, 271; and more concerning those angels, n. 20-28.)

AE (Tansley) n. 15

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 15

15. And keep those things which are written therein. That this signifies, that they do so from the love of truth, is evident from the signification of observing and keeping, as denoting to perceive, to will and to do accordingly; in this case, according to the doctrine of heaven; and from the signification of the things which are written therein, as denoting from the love of truth, or from the delight of that love; for what is done from love is done from delight; delight is from no other source. This is signified by the things which are written therein, because the things which are contained in the doctrine of heaven are inscribed on their heart, and thus on their life; and the things which are inscribed on the heart and life are inscribed on the love, for the heart in the Word signifies the love. (Arcana Coelestia, n. 7542, 9050, 10,336). The reason why it is the love of truth is, because those things are said of the doctrine of heaven, and the doctrine of heaven is from truths. In the Word, frequent mention is made of observing and keeping the precepts, the commandments, the words, and the law; and by observing and keeping, is there signified to understand, to will, and to do, as in Matthew:

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (xxviii. 20).

In Luke:

"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it." (xi. 28).

In John:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my word, he shall not see death to eternity" (viii. 51).

In the same:

"If a man love me, he will keep my word. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words (xiv. 15, 23, 24).

Again in the same: "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (xv. 10, 14):

to do is to will, and to will is to do; because in deeds the will is everything.

AE (Tansley) n. 16

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 16

16. For the time is at hand. That this signifies that the interior state is such, is evident from the signification of time, as denoting state (respecting which see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169, where time in heaven is treated of); and from the signification of at hand, as denoting what is internal; here, therefore, because it is said of state, it denotes an interior state, such as is described above. By state is meant the state of the affection and thence of the thought. He who reads this, and knows nothing of the internal sense, supposes that, by the time being at hand, is meant that the time was then near when the things contained in the Apocalypse would be fulfilled. But that this is not meant may be evident from the fact that seventeen centuries have elapsed without their being fulfilled. But because the Word, in the letter, is natural, but interiorly spiritual, it is therefore said the time is at hand, in order that an interior state might be understood in heaven; for if it had been there said, "interior state," according to the spiritual sense mentioned, it would not be understood by the angels; for they perceive all things in the Word according to correspondences. [2] The reason why at hand signifies what is interior is, because distances in heaven are entirely according to the differences of the good of love therefore, those who are in kindred good are also near together. It is for this reason that affinities on earth are called relationships* because they refer to spiritual affinities, which in heaven are actually such. The reason why this is the case in heaven is, because the good of love conjoins; and the more interior the good, the nearer is the conjunction; hence it is that the more interiorly a man is in the good of love the nearer heaven is to him. This originates from the fact that the Lord is nearer to an angel, a spirit, or a man, the more interiorly they love Him; to love Him interiorly is to love His precepts interiorly; that is, to perceive, will, and do them from the delight of love. For this reason, nearness, in the Word, signifies presence and conjunction (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5911, 9378, 9997, 10,001.) This nearness is thus described in John:

"Jesus saith, he who loveth me, keepeth my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (xiv. 23).

And in the same, "Ye know" the Comforter, the Spirit of truth; "for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (xiv. 17);

the Comforter, [the Spirit] of truth, is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; therefore it is said, "He shall be in you."
* Latin propinquitates, literally "nearnesses."

AE (Tansley) n. 17

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 17

17. These approximate or general explanations of the preceding words, not being presented in a continuous series, will seem disconnected; this is the result of each expression being explained separately, and of the subjoining of the internal sense to the sense of the letter, which is different, each being immediately considered apart. This however, does not happen with the angels, who are in the internal sense. These do not see the sense of the letter, nor do they know anything about it, but the internal sense only; and because they see this in the light of heaven, they see it in such a series, in such connection, and also in such fulness and, consequently, in such wisdom, as, cannot be expressed and described by any human words. The ideas of angels, being spiritual, also conjoin all the contents in a wonderful manner, and embrace more things than a man can conceive or express by his ideas, which are natural, even as to the thousandth part.

AE (Tansley) n. 18

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 18

18. Verses 4, 5, 6. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven spirits which are in sight of his throne. And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in his blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be the glory and the strength unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

"John," signifies, the Lord as to doctrine; "to the seven churches," signifies, to all those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity; "in Asia," signifies those who are in the light of intelligence; "Grace be unto you, and peace," signifies, the delight of truth and good; "from him who is, and who was, and who is to come," signifies, from Him who is the All in all of heaven and the church from eternity; "to eternity and from the seven spirits," signifies, the Divine in heaven; "which are in sight of his throne," signifies, presence and providence.

"And from Jesus Christ," signifies, from the Lord as to the Divine Human; "the faithful witness," signifies, from whom is all truth in heaven; "the first-born from the dead," signifies, from whom is all the good there; "and the prince of the kings of the earth," signifies, from whom is all truth from good in the church; "to him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in his blood," signifies, His love, and regeneration by Him, by means of truths which are from Him.

"And hath made us kings and priests," signifies, that from Him we are in His spiritual and celestial kingdom; "to God and his Father," signifies, by Divine truth and Divine good; "to him be the glory and the strength unto the acres of the ages," signifies, that these things are from Him alone to eternity; "Amen," signifies, Divine confirmation.

AE (Tansley) n. 19

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 19

19. (v. 4) John. That this signifies the Lord as to doctrine, is evident from the representation of John, as being the good of love, of which above, n. 8. Because he represents the good of love, he also, in the highest sense, represents the Lord, since all the good of love is from the Lord, men, spirits and angels being only recipients; and those who are recipients, are said to signify that which is from the Lord. The case is similar with many other persons in the Word, as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, Peter, and the rest of the apostles, each of whom signifies some good or truth of heaven and of the church, but still all of them, in the highest sense, signify the Lord. As, for instance, David, in the internal sense signifies Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom, which is called the Lord's royalty; therefore, in the highest sense, he signifies the Lord as to that truth and as to His royalty; for this reason it is said of David in the Word, that he is to come and reign over the sons of Israel (Ezek. xxxvii. 24, 25; Hosea iii. 5). Similarly, Elijah and Elisha, who, because in the internal sense they signify the Word, therefore, in the highest sense, they signify the Lord from whom is the Word. (That Elijah and Elisha signify the Word, and thus the Lord as to the Word, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5247; the case is the same with John the Baptist, who is therefore called Elijah, n. 7643, 9372. That Peter signifies faith, and thence the Lord as to faith, because faith is from the Lord, may be seen above, n. 9.) It is therefore evident why John signifies the Lord. The reason he signifies the Lord as to doctrine is, because it is said, "John to the seven churches," and by the seven churches, in the internal sense, are meant all who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity; for these are they who constitute the church; and it is doctrine that teaches those things. For this reason the Lord, as He is the Word, is also the doctrine of the church, for all doctrine is from the Word. (That the Lord is the doctrine of the church, because all the truth which pertains to doctrine is from the Word, thus from the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2531, 2859, 3712.)

AE (Tansley) n. 20

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 20

20. To the seven churches. That this signifies to all those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, is evident from the signification of seven, as being all. For, seven in the Word, signifies a beginning and an end, thus an entire period and a full state, just as a week does (Arcana Coelestia, n. 728, 6508, 9228). And because it signifies what is full, it also signifies all, because all make what is full; for fulness in respect to those who constitute any society, in this case the church, denotes all therefore, when magnitude is treated of in the Word, seven signifies what is full, and when multitude is treated of, seven signifies all. Three, also, in the Word signifies full and all (as may be seen, n. 2788, 4495, 7715); but where anything holy is treated of in the Word, seven is used, and in other cases three (n. 10,127). Here, therefore, seven is used, because the subject treated of is truths from good, which are the holy things of the church. This also appears from the signification of churches, as denoting those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity. The reason why such persons are meant by churches is, because those truths constitute the church with every one; for those who are not in truths from good, although born within the church, yet are not of the church, because no church exists in them. This is why the Lord's church consists of all those, wheresoever they are, who are the church, that is, who are in truths from good. (That the church, like heaven, is in man, and not outside of him, and hence that the man who is in truths from good is a church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3884; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 53, 54, 57.) It is also said, "who are in faith from charity," because this is the same thing; for truth belongs to faith, and good to charity; that is to say, everything that a man believes is called truth, and everything that he loves is called good. (That all truth is from good, and everything of faith is from charity, may be seen in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 84-107, 108-122, and The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; as also in Heaven and Hell, n. 364, 424, 482, 526.) He who knows nothing of the internal sense of the Word, believes nothing else, when he reads these things, than that by the seven churches are meant the seven churches afterwards named (verse 11); but churches are not meant, but all those who belong to the church; such being the spiritual sense of the Word.

AE (Tansley) n. 21

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 21

21. In Asia. That this signifies those who are in the light of intelligence, is evident only from a spiritual idea, such as the angels have, concerning the regions of this earth. When Asia is named, they have a perception of the south, when Europe, the north, and when Africa, the east. And because by the south is signified the clear light of intelligence, therefore that light is signified by Asia. This perception has been granted me also, whenever I have been in a spiritual idea and thought of Asia. The reason such is the idea concerning Asia is, that the church was there in ancient times, being then extended throughout many regions in that quarter, and therefore those who have come thence into heaven, have the light of intelligence. This is why when Asia is thought of there is an influx of light, like that in the south of heaven. (That in ancient, and also in the most ancient times, the church was in Asia, and extended throughout many kingdoms there, may be seen in the quotations from Arcana Coelestia in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 247; and that the south signifies the light of intelligence may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153, where the four quarters in heaven are treated of.) In this place, however, by Asia are not meant the inhabitants of Asia, but all, wherever they are, who have the spiritual light of intelligence, or, what is the same thing, who are in truths from good; for those who are in truths from good have the spiritual light of intelligence; all such constitute the church of the Lord. (That the church of the Lord exists also among the Gentiles, although specifically where the Lord is known and where the Word is read, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 318-328; and The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 244, 246.)

AE (Tansley) n. 22

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 22

22. Grace be unto you and peace. That this signifies the delight of truth and of good, is evident from the signification of grace, as being the delight of truth, of which more will be said in what follows; and from the signification of peace, as being the delight of the good of innocence and love (respecting which see the work, Heaven and Hell, where the State of Peace in heaven is treated of, n. 284-290). The reason why grace denotes the delight of truth, is because there are two things that go forth from the Lord, united in their origin, but divided in those who receive them. For there are some who receive Divine truth more than Divine good, and some who receive Divine good more than Divine truth. Those who receive Divine truth more than Divine good, are in the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and are therefore called spiritual; but those who receive Divine good more than Divine truth, are in the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and are therefore called celestial. (Respecting those two kingdoms in heaven and the church, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) To those who are in the spiritual kingdom it is granted by the Lord to be in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, and this Divine gift is what is called grace; for this reason, so far as anyone is in that affection, so far is he in the Lord's Divine grace, nor is there any other Divine grace given with man, spirit, or angel, than that of being affected with truth because it is truth, since in that affection they have heaven and all its blessedness (as may be seen in The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 232, 236, 238; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414). It is the same thing whether you say the affection of truth or the delight of truth; for there is no affection without delight. This is what is specifically meant by grace in the Word; as in John:

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, as the glory of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (i. 14, 16, 17).

As grace is the affection and delight of truth, therefore mention is made of both grace and truth.

And in Luke, after the Lord had explained in the synagogue the prophetic declaration of Isaiah concerning Himself, thus concerning Divine truth, it is said,

"And all wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth" (iv. 22).

The Divine truths which the Lord spoke are called words of grace proceeding out of His mouth, because they were acceptable, grateful, and delightful. In general, Divine grace is everything given by the Lord; and as every such thing given has reference to faith and love, and faith is the affection of truth from good, therefore, this is specifically meant by Divine grace; for to be gifted with faith and love, or with the affection of truth from good, is to be gifted with heaven, thus with eternal blessedness.

AE (Tansley) n. 23

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 23

23. From him who is, and who was, and who is to come. That this signifies, from Him who is the All in all of heaven and of the church from eternity to eternity, is evident from the signification of who is, and who was, and who is to come, as being from eternity to eternity; and also, that He is the All in all of heaven, and of the church. The reason why from eternity to eternity is signified by these words is, because all times, in the Word, signify not times, but states of life (as may be evident from what is said and shown concerning time in heaven, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169); and because all times signify states of life, therefore, when the Lord is treated of, they signify infinite state, and infinite state, in reference to time, is eternity. That all times are embraced in the expressions, "who is, and who was, and who is to come," is manifest. Much might be said about eternity, as a term applicable to the Lord alone; but it would not be understood by the natural man, whose thoughts are chiefly based on time, space and matter, although eternity does not involve such things. If a man could think of eternity as the angels of heaven think, he might possibly have some idea of it, and be able to comprehend what "from eternity" means, which is signified by the expression "who was"; also what the Divine foresight is, that it embraces the most particular things from eternity; and what, the Divine providence is, that it extends to the most particular things, to eternity; consequently, that whatever proceeds from the Lord is from eternity to eternity, and that unless such were the case, heaven and the universe could not subsist.
But at present we cannot enter further into this arcanum. (Something may be seen respecting it in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 167.) Here let it be observed only that the same is understood by "Jehovah" as by, "who is, who was, and who is to come," because the word Is, which is JEHOVAH, involves the past, which is meant by "who was," and the future, which is meant by "who is to come," and thus signifies from eternity to eternity. [2] That Is signifies from eternity is also known in the Christian world from that Psalm of David, where it is said,

"I will declare concerning the decree; Jehovah hath said unto me. Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee" (ii. 7).

It is known that these things are said of the Lord, and that by to-day is meant from eternity. (That to-morrow, in the Word, where the Lord is treated of, also signifies to eternity, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3998.) The reason why who is, who was, and who is to come signifies also the All in all of heaven and the church is, because it signifies eternal, and eternal cannot be expressed by any other word in heaven than by Divine. The reason of this is that Infinite cannot fall into an angelic idea, still less into a human idea; and by eternal is meant the infinite Manifestation (Existere) from the infinite as Being (Esse); but the only idea that can be formed of this is, that, the Eternal, which is the Divine as to Manifestation, is the All in all of heaven and the church. For the whole heaven is not heaven from the proprium of the angels, but from the Divine of the Lord; nor is the church the church from the proprium of men, but from the Divine of the Lord; for all the good of love and the truth of faith are from the Lord; and the good of love and the truth of faith constitute heaven and the church; angels and men are only recipients, and in proportion to their reception, heaven and the church dwell in them. (These things may be seen fully illustrated In the work. Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, where it is shown that the Divine of the Lord constitutes heaven, and that the Divine which constitutes heaven is the Divine Human, which is the Divine Manifestation (Existere) from the Divine as Being (Esse), n. 78-86.)

AE (Tansley) n. 24

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 24

24. And from the seven spirits. That this signifies the Divine in heaven, is evident from the signification of seven, as being what is full, and thence all, and as being spoken of the holy Divine things which go forth from the Lord (concerning this see above, n. 20); and from the signification of spirits, as being those of whom heaven consists. For they are all called spirits of God, because the spirit of God is the proceeding Divine, or the Divine truth united to the Divine good, in heaven and in the church (concerning this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9818); and the proceeding Divine, or Divine truth united to Divine good, forms and creates an angel, and thus makes him what he is according to the nature and extent of his reception (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell. n. 7-12). From these considerations it is clear, that the seven spirits of whom more will be said in the following pages, do not mean seven spirits, but all those who are in heaven; just as the seven churches do not mean seven churches, but all who are in truths from good, or who belong to the church (concerning this see above, n. 20). These things being understood, the mystery becomes clear as to what is meant by Jehovah God in the Word; for by Jehovah is meant the Divine as Being (Esse), and by God, the Divine Manifestation (Existere) in heaven. The reason why the Divine which is meant by God, is the Divine Manifestation (Existere) in heaven is, because the Divine in heaven is in many; therefore, in the Hebrew language, God is called Elohim, in the plural, and therefore the angels are called gods, not that they are gods, but because the Divine of the Lord, which is in them, is meant by God. (That in the Word the Lord is called Jehovah from Being (Esse) or Essence, and God from Manifestation (Existere) or Existence, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 300, 3910, 6905. That the Divine, as Being (Esse) also is Divine Good, and that the Divine Manifestation (Existere) is Divine Truth, see n. 3061, 6280, 6880, 6905, 10,579; and in general, that good is being (esse), and truth is the manifestation (existere) thence derived, see n. 5002. That angels are called gods from the reception of Divine truth going forth from the Divine good of the Lord, see n. 4295, 4402, 7268, 7873, 8301, 8192. And that Divine truth united to Divine good in heaven, is called in one phrase Divine truth, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 144.)

AE (Tansley) n. 25

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 25

25. That are in sight of his throne. That this signifies presence and providence, is evident from the signification of sight which is from the Divine, as being presence, and thence providence - concerning which more will be said in what follows - and from the signification of the throne of God, as denoting Divine truth going forth from the Lord, and thus heaven, because heaven is its receptacle (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5313, 6397). The reason why sight denotes presence is, because by aspect and sight are signified the understanding and thought therefrom; and in the understanding everything appears present that is the object of thought. This is why, in the spiritual world, those appear present with whom another desires to speak, provided the person has some idea of them from having seen them in the world, especially if this has been the case with both. Consequently friends meet there, and also wives and husbands; the reason is, that the internal sight, which is the understanding, in a spirit, acts as one with his external sight or sight of the eye. And as spaces in the spiritual world are not like spaces in the natural world, what any one desires to see in the former is near, and what is not desired is far off. It is from this fact that aspect signifies presence. (That aspect and sight signify the understanding, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 10,705; and that thence it signifies presence, n. 4723; and that spaces in heaven are not like spaces in the world, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 191-199.) The reason why aspect, when used of the Lord, as in this place, signifies His Divine presence is, that the Lord knows all men, and those who are in love and faith towards the Lord know Him; this is why the Lord is present with them in the goods of love and in the truths of faith which they have from Him. Those things are the Lord in heaven and in the church; for the things which go forth from the Lord, are not only His, but are Himself. It is therefore plain, how the Lord is in man; thus, how those words are to be understood which He spoke in John:

"Abide in me, and I in you; he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (xv. 4, 5).

In the same:

"If a man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father and I will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (xiv. 23).

And again, in the same:

Jesus said to His disciples, "Ye know the Comforter, the Spirit of truth; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (xiv. 17).

The Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is the Divine truth going forth from the Lord; or, what is the same, is the Lord as to Divine truth; and the disciples are all those who are in goods and thence in truths; it is therefore said, "He shall be in you."

Again, in the same; "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (i. 14)

the Word also is Divine truth; and that the Word is the Lord is clear, for it is said that the Word was made flesh. (That the Word signifies Divine truth, and the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4692, 5075, 9987.) The reason why sight here signifies providence also is because all presence of the Lord is providence (as may be evident from what is said in the little work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 267-279; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 9, 12, 145).

AE (Tansley) n. 26

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 26

26. (v. 5) And from Jesus Christ. That this signifies, from the Lord as to the Divine Human, is evident from the fact that this was the name of the Lord in the world, thus the name of His Human; but, as to His Divine, His name was Jehovah and God. It is called the Divine Human, because the Lord made His Human Divine when He was in the world; for He united it to His Divine, which was in Him from conception, and which He had as a soul from the Father, consequently, which was His life. For the soul of every one is his life; and the body, which is human, lives from it; therefore, when the Divine was united to the Human in the Lord, as the soul to the body, it is called the Divine Human. (That it is according to the doctrine of the church, that, as the soul and body make one man, so the Divine and Human make one Christ, as also that His Divine and Human were one person, may be seen above, n. 10.) They therefore, who think of the Lord's Human and not at the same time of His Divine, will on no account admit the expression "Divine Human;" for they think separately of His Human and of His Divine, which is like thinking of a man separately from his soul or life, which, however, would not be to think of the man at all; still less of the Lord. Because such a separate idea is in their thought, they pray the Father to have compassion for the sake of the Son; when, nevertheless, the Lord Himself should be prayed to have compassion, in whom, according to the universal doctrine of the church, the Divine is such as that of the Father; for that doctrine teaches, that as the Father, so also the Son, is uncreate, infinite, eternal, almighty, God, and Lord; and neither is before or after the other, nor greater or less than the other (from the Athanasian Creed). This is also in accordance with the doctrine taught by the Lord Himself, which is; That He and the Father are one; and that he who seeth Him seeth the Father, because He is in the Father and the Father in Him; that He is the way, the truth, and the life; and that no one cometh to the Father but by Him. It is therefore evident how much they turn aside from the way and from the truth, who pass by the Lord, and approach the Father directly. But as I have conversed a good deal upon this subject with angels, and also with spirits, who, when they lived in the world, belonged to the Reformed Church, and some to the Papal religion, I wish to relate these things in the following pages; from which it will be seen what kind of light the church would have concerning the Divine, which is its first and primary, if the Divine Human of the Lord were acknowledged and believed.

AE (Tansley) n. 27

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 27

27. The faithful witness. That this signifies from whom is all truth in heaven, is evident from the signification of a faithful witness, when said of the Lord, as denoting the acknowledgment of the Divine Human, from whom is all truth in heaven; of which more will be said in what follows. The reason why it is said, "all truth in heaven," is, because Divine truth, going forth from the Divine good of the Lord, constitutes heaven in general, and with each angel there in particular. (That such is the case may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 126-140; and that it [viz., the Divine truth] is from His Divine Human, n. 7-12, 78-86.) The Lord, as to the Divine Human, is called the "faithful witness," because Divine truth going forth from Him in heaven bears witness of Him. This witness is universally present in Divine truth there; which is evident from the fact that the angels of the interior heaven cannot think of the Divine but as under a human form, and, consequently, of a Divine Human. The reason is, that the Divine Human of the Lord fills the whole heaven and forms it, and the thoughts of the angels proceed and flow according to the form of heaven (as may be seen in the work above mentioned, n. 59-102, 200-212, 265-275). Hence it is, that the witness of Jesus Christ signifies the acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine in His Human (concerning which see above, n. 10). [2] From these considerations it is evident what is meant, in the spiritual sense, by witnessing and by witness in the following passages:

"John" (here, John the Baptist) "came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but came to bear witness of the Light. That was the true Light which enlighteneth every man. And I saw and bare witness" (John i. 7, 8, 34).

Light signifies Divine truth; therefore the Lord is there called the true Light which enlighteneth every man; and to bear witness of the Light signifies the acknowledgment of His Divine Human, from which Divine truth goes forth. (That light signifies Divine truth going forth from the Lord, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, in the article on the light of heaven, n. 126-140.)

[3] In the same:

"Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth: but I receive not witness from man" (v. 33, 34).

In the same: "Jesus said, Verily I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness that we have seen. He that cometh from heaven is above all; and what he hath seen and heard, of that he witnesseth" (iii. 11, 31, 32).

In the same:

"Jesus said, Though I bear witness of myself, yet my witness is true, for I know whence I came and whither I go" (viii. 14);

which signifies, that He bare witness of Himself from Himself, because He was Divine truth.

In the same:

"When the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall bear witness of me" (xv. 26);

the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is Divine truth going forth from the Lord (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9818, 9820, 10,330; and above, n. 25).

[4] In the same:

"Pilate said, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate said, What is truth?" (xviii. 37, 38).

The reason why the Lord thus answered when he was asked whether he was a king, was, because the Lord as king, is Divine truth; for this is the regal characteristic of the Lord in heaven, but His Divine good is the priestly characteristic there. This is why the Lord said that He was a king, that to this end He was born, and for this cause He came into the world, that He might bear witness unto the truth, and that every one that is in the truth heareth His voice; and therefore Pilate asked, What is truth? thus whether it was a king. (That Divine truth is the regal characteristic of the Lord in the heavens, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3009, 5068; and that therefore kings, in the Word, signify those who are in Divine truths, and thus, abstractedly from persons, Divine truths themselves, n. 1672, 2015, 2069, 4575, 4581, 4966, 5044.) That kings signify those who are in Divine truths, will appear more clearly in the explanation of what follows in the Apocalypse, where kings are named; and presently below, where it is said, "he hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father." From these considerations it is evident that by, "from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness," is signified the Lord as to the acknowledgment of His Divine Human, from which goes forth all truth in heaven.

AE (Tansley) n. 28

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 28

28. The first-born from the dead. That this signifies from whom is all good in heaven, is evident from the signification of first-born, when said of the Lord, as denoting the Divine good in heaven, thus all good there. The reason why this is signified by first-born, is, because by generations, in general and in particular, are signified spiritual generations, which are those of good and truth, or of love and faith. Therefore, by father, mother, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and sons' sons, are signified the goods and truths which generate, and which are generated, in their order (Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,490). For in heaven there are no other nativities; and, this being the case, by first-born is not meant first-born, but the good of heaven and the church, because this is in the chief place. Now, because all good in heaven exists from the Lord, therefore He is called the First-born. [2] The reason why He is called the first-born from the dead, is because, when He rose from the dead, He made His Human Divine Good by union with the Divine which was in Him from conception. This is why He is called the first-born from the dead; and why He says of Himself in David,

"I will make him the first-born, higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm lxxxix. 27).

What is meant by His being higher than the kings of the earth, will be seen in the subsequent article. (That the Lord, when He departed out of the world, made His Human Divine Good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3194, 3210, 6864, 7499, 8724, 9199, 10,076, thus that He came forth from the Father and returned to the Father, n. 3194, 3210; and that after the union, the Divine truth, which is the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, goes forth from Him, n. 3704, 3712, 3969, 4577, 5704, 7499, 8127, 8241, 9199, 9398, 9407. But this mystery may be seen more fully explained in the small work, The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-295; and in the passages from Arcana Coelestia there cited, n. 303-305.)

Since the Lord as to His Divine Human is called the first-born, because all good goes forth from Him, therefore all the first-born in the Israelitish church were holy to Jehovah; and therefore also the Levites were taken in the place of all the first-born in Israel. For by the sons of Levi were represented those of the church who are in the good of charity. On this account, also, a double portion of the inheritance fell to the first-born. All this, because the first-born signified good from the Lord, and, in the highest sense, the Lord Himself as to the Divine Human, from which all good comes; for all the things commanded in the Israelitish church were representative of spiritual and celestial Divine things. [3] That all the first-born in the Israelitish church were holy to Jehovah is evident from Moses, in the following passages:

"Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the sons of Israel, in man and in beast; it is mine" (Exod. xiii. 2).

"Thou shalt cause to pass over unto Jehovah all that openeth the womb, and every firstling that cometh of a beast as many as thou hast, the males shall be Jehovah's" (xiii. 12).

"Thou shalt not delay the first fruits of thy produce, and the first fruits of thy wine; the first-born of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen and with thy sheep; seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. And ye shall be men of holiness unto me" (Exod. xxii. 29-31).

The reason why they were to give also the first-born of beasts, was, because these also were representative; on which account, also, they were made use of in burnt-offerings and sacrifices. (What the various beasts in these services represented, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1823, 3519, 9280, 10,042.) The Levites were accepted in place of all the first-born in Israel (concerning which, see Numb. iii. 12, 13, 41, 45; viii. 15-19), because, as observed above, the sons of Levi represented, and thence signified, the good of charity, and Levi, in the highest sense, represented the Lord as to that good (as may be seen, n. 3875, 3877, 4497, 4502, 4503, 10,017). The reason why a double portion of the inheritance fell to the first-born (Deut. xxi. 17), was, because a double portion signified the good of love (n. 720, 1686, 5194, 8423).

AE (Tansley) n. 29

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 29

29. And the prince of the kings of the earth. That this signifies from whom is all truth from good in the church, is evident from the signification of prince of the kings, as denoting from whom is all truth, prince denoting what is primary, and kings truths; and because this is said of the Lord, who is here called the prince of the kings, it denotes that all truth is from Him (that a prince denotes what is primary, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1482, 2089, 5044; and that kings denote truths, will be seen in the explanation of the following verse, where it is said, "and hath made us kings and priests," n. 31); and from the signification of the earth, as denoting the church; concerning which more will be said in what follows. He who knows not the internal sense of the Word, cannot know anything else than that the kings of the whole earth are here meant; but kings are not meant, nor earth but by kings are meant all those who are in truths from good and by the earth, the church. [2] (That by earth is signified the church is shown in many places in Arcana Coelestia, from which these particulars may be seen. That by earth, or land, is signified the kingdom of the Lord and the church, see the same, n. 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1413, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, 8011, 9325, 9643; the principal reason for which is, because by the earth, or land, is meant the land of Canaan, where the church was situated from the most ancient times, n. 567, 3686, 4447, 4454, 4516, 4517, 5136, 6516, 9325, 9327; and because, in the spiritual sense, by earth, or land, is meant the people who dwell there, and their worship, n. 1262. That the new heaven and the new earth signify the church in the heavens and on earth, see n. 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 3355, 4535, 10,373. [3] That by the creation of heaven and earth, spoken of in the first chapters of Genesis, in the internal sense, is described the establishment of the Most Ancient Church, see n. 8891, 9942, 10,545. That to create is to restore and to regenerate, see n. 10,373. That ground also signifies the church; but it is called ground from the reception of seeds, which are truths, and earth or land, from the nation therein, and their worship, see n. 566, 1068, 10,570. Moreover, earth, or land, as it signifies the church, signifies also religion, whence it also signifies an idolatry; as the land of Egypt, the land of the Philistines, the land of Chaldea, and of Babel; and many others. That earth, or land, signifies the church, may also be seen briefly shown in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 3, 4.)

AE (Tansley) n. 30

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 30

30. To him that loveth us, and washeth us from our sins in his own blood. That this signifies His love, and regeneration by truths from Him, is evident from the signification of washing from sins, as denoting to regenerate (concerning which see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209); and from the signification of in His own blood, as denoting by truths from Him (concerning this see the same work, n. 210-213; and the, extracts from Arcana Coelestia there, n. 217, 219, 222). That the blood of the Lord signifies truths from good, thus truths from the Lord, call scarcely be perceived and believed by those who have no knowledge of the spiritual sense of the Word. Besides, it appears to be far-fetched to understand, in this case, truths from the Lord instead of His blood, and yet nothing else is meant in heaven by the blood of the Lord, the reason being that the Lord there is Divine truth united to Divine good, therefore no one there thinks of His flesh and blood; thought concerning these they call material, which is not possible with them. They say also, that they do not know that flesh and blood are mentioned in the Word; the reason of which is, that the things of the literal sense of the Word are with them turned into spiritual things, since they themselves are spiritual and not natural; thus flesh, when it is said, of the Lord, is turned into Divine good, and blood into Divine truth, each going forth from the Lord.

[2] The reason why flesh and blood are mentioned in the literal sense of the Word is, that the spiritual things corresponding to them may be perceived in heaven; for all spiritual things terminate in natural things, in which they have their ultimate plane, therefore the Divine passing through the heavens terminates in that plane, and there subsists, comparatively like a house upon its foundation, and then it is in its fulness. This is why the Word in the letter is of such a quality, and flesh and blood are there mentioned. Nevertheless, the angels are astonished that the man of the church, who may also become spiritual from the Word, does not suffer himself to be raised above the literal sense, and thinks not spiritually but materially of the Lord, and of His flesh and blood. But because they wondered at this, and were told that most people, especially the simple, think spiritually concerning those things, they therefore investigated whether it was so; and they discovered that most people, and almost all the simple, when they go to the Holy Supper, do not think of flesh and blood, but only of the holiness which they then have from the Lord. The angels also perceived that this is continually provided by the Lord, in order that the man of the church, at such time, may be in a spiritual, and not a material idea. [3] The reason why material eating is meant, and is understood in the particular doctrines of the churches is, because they have thought of the Human of the Lord as of the human of another man, and not at the same time of the Divine in His Human, rejecting the expression, "Divine Human." Those who have thus thought of the Human of the Lord, could not but think materially of His flesh and blood. The case would have been different if they had thought of the Lord according to the universal doctrine of the church, that His Divine and Human are one Person, being united as soul and body (as may be seen above, n. 10 and 26). Moreover, blood is mentioned in many other places in the Word, as also again in the Apocalypse (chap. vi. 12; vii. 14; viii. 7, 8; xi. 6; xii. 11; xiv. 20; xvi. 3, 4, 6; xviii. 24; xix. 2, 13); therefore I wish, in the following pages, more fully to prove the fact, that by blood is signified truth from the Lord, and in an opposite sense, falsity that offers violence to that truth.

AE (Tansley) n. 31

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 31

31. (v. 6) And hath made us kings and priests. That this signifies, that from Him we are in His spiritual and celestial kingdom, is evident from the signification of kings as being those who are in truths from good, and, because these constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, as being those who are in His spiritual kingdom - that such are signified by kings in the Word, will be evident from what follows; and from the signification of priests, as denoting those who are in the good of love, and, because these constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord, as denoting those who are in His celestial kingdom. (That there are two kingdoms into which the heavens are in general distinguished, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28; and that the spiritual kingdom is called the regal kingdom of the Lord, and the celestial kingdom His priestly kingdom, may be seen in the same work, n. 24.) Mention is made of kings in many places in the prophetic Word, and those who are ignorant of the internal sense, believe that kings are there meant; kings, however, are not meant, but all those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, from the Lord; the reason is, that the Lord is the only King, and those who, from the Lord, are in truths from good, are called His sons. This is why, by princes, sons of the kingdom, sons of kings, and also by kings such are meant; and that abstractedly from persons, as is the case in heaven, truths from good are meant, or, what is the same thing, faith from charity; because truth pertains to faith, and good to charity. [2] That kings are not meant, may be evident from the expression alone here used, namely, that Jesus Christ hath made us kings and priests; and afterwards,

"Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth" (Apoc. v. 10);

And in Matthew:

"The [good] seed are the sons of the kingdom" (xiii. 38)

the seed sown in the field denotes truths from good, which man has from the Lord (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3373, 10,248, 10,249). Every one also may perceive that the Lord will not make all those who are there treated of kings, that He calls them kings from the power and the glory belonging to those who are in truths from good from the Lord.

From these considerations it may now be seen, that by king, in the prophetic Word, is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, and by kings and princes, those who are in truths from good from the Lord; and, as most terms used in the Word have also an opposite sense, in that sense kings signify those who are in falsities from evil. [3] That by king in the Word is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, is evident from the words of the Lord Himself to Pilate:

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is in the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?" (John xviii. 37, 38).

From the question of Pilate, What is truth? it is evident that he understood that the Lord called truth a king; but because he was a Gentile, and knew nothing from the Word, he could not be instructed that Divine truth was from the Lord, and that He was Divine truth; therefore, immediately after his question, "He went out to the Jews, saying, I find no fault in him"; and afterwards put upon the cross,

"This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. And when the chief priests said unto him, Write not, The king of the Jews, but that he said, I am the king of the Jews, Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written" (John xix. 19-22).

[4] These things being understood, it may be known what is meant by kings in the following passages in the Apocalypse:

"The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings from the rising of the sun might be prepared" (xvi. 12).

With the great whore that sitteth upon many waters, "the kings of the earth have committed fornication" (xvii 1, 2).

"The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth, and they are seven kings; five are fallen, the other is not yet come. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, who have not yet received the kingdom, but they receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; for he is Lord of lords and King of kings" (xvii. 9, 10, 12, 14).

"And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (xvii. 18).

"All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of the fornication" of Babylon, "and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her" (xviii. 3).

"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war with him that sat on the horse, and with his army" (xix. 19).

"And the nations which are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour into it" (xxi. 24).

In these passages by kings are not meant kings, but all who are either in truths from good, or in falsities from evil, as said above.

In like manner in Daniel, by "the king of the south," and "the king of the north," who made war against each other (xi. 1 to the end). By the king of the south are there meant those who are in the light of truth from good, and by the king of the north those who are in darkness from evil. (That the South in the Word signifies those who are in the light of truth from good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1458, 3708, 3195, 5672, 9642, and the north those who are in the darkness of falsity from evil, n. 3708, and in general in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153; where the four quarters in heaven are treated of.)

[5] Kings are also frequently mentioned by the prophets in the Old Testament, where also are likewise meant those who are in truths from good from the Lord, and, in an opposite sense, those who are in falsities from evil; as in Isaiah:

"He shall disperse many nations; kings shall shut their mouths upon him; because what was [not] told them they have seen, and what they have not heard they have understood" (lii. 15).

And in the same:

"Zion of the Holy One of Israel, thou shalt suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breasts of kings" (lx. 16).

Also, in the same:

"Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and princesses thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face to the earth" (xlix. 23).

And moreover in Isaiah xiv. 9; xxiv. 21; lx. 10; Jerem. ii. 26; iv. 9; xlix. 38; Lament. ii. 6, 9; Ezek. vii. 26, 27; Hosea, iii. 4; Zeph. i. 8; Psalm ii. 10; cx. 5. Falsities, Gen. xlix. 20.

[6] Because kings signify those who are in truths from good from the Lord, therefore it became a custom from ancient times, that kings, when they were crowned, should be distinguished by certain insignia which signify truths from good; as, for example, that the king should be anointed with oil, that he should wear a crown of gold, that he should hold a sceptre in the right hand, that he should be clothed with a crimson robe, that he should sit upon a throne of silver, and that he should ride with his insignia upon a white horse. (For oil signifies good from which is truth, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 886, 4683, 9780, 9954, 10,011, 10,261, 10,268; a crown of gold upon the head has a similar signification, n. 9930; a sceptre, which is a staff, signifies the power of truth from good, n. 4581, 4876, 4966; a robe and cloak signifies Divine truth in the spiritual kingdom, n. 9825, 10,005; and crimson, the spiritual love of good, n. 9467; a throne, the kingdom of truth from good, n. 5313, 6397, 8625; and silver, that truth itself, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658.) A white horse signifies the understanding enlightened from truths (as may be seen in the little work, The White Horse, n. 1-5. That rituals observed at the coronation of kings involve such things, but that the knowledge thereof is at this day lost, see also n. 4581, 4966).

[7] Since it is evident from these things what is signified by king in the Word, I will add to the above, why the Lord, when He entered Jerusalem, sat upon the foal of an ass, and why the people then proclaimed Him king, and also strewed their garments in the way (Matt. xxi. 1-8; Mark xi. 1-11; Luke xix. 28-40; John xii. 14-16); which is predicted in Zechariah:

"Exult, O daughter of Zion! shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy king cometh unto thee, just and having salvation; riding upon an ass, and upon the foal of an ass" (ix. 9; Matt. xxi. 5; John xii. 15).

The reason of this was, that to sit upon an ass, and upon the foal of an ass, was the mark of distinction belonging to a chief, judge and also to a king. This is evident from the following passages:

"My heart is toward the lawgivers of Israel, ye who ride upon white asses" (Judges v. 9, 10).

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; who shall bind his ass's foal to the vine, and the son of his she-ass to the noble vine" (Gen. xlix. 10, 11).

Because to sit upon an ass and the foal of an ass was a sign of such rank, therefore the judges rode upon white asses (Judges v. 9, 10), and their sons upon asses' colts (Judges x. 4, and xii. 14); and a king himself, when he was crowned, upon a she-mule (1 Kings i. 33), and his sons upon mules (2 Sam. xiii. 29). He who does not know what is signified in a representative sense by a horse, a mule, and the foal of an ass, supposes that the Lord's riding upon the foal of an ass, signified affliction and humiliation; whereas it signified regal magnificence; therefore also the people then proclaimed the Lord king, and strewed their garments upon the way. (The reason why this was done when He went into Jerusalem was because by Jerusalem is signified the church, as may be seen in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 6; that garments signify truths clothing good, and ministering to it, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n, 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10,536, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182.) [8] From these things it is now evident what is signified by king and by kings in the Word, so also, what by the Anointed, Messiah, and Christ; for Anointed, Messiah, and Christ, just as King, signify the Lord as to Divine truth going forth from His Divine good; for a king is called the anointed, and the term signifying anointed is Messiah in Hebrew and Christ in Greek. (But that the Lord, as to His Divine Human was alone "the Anointed of Jehovah," because in Him alone was the Divine good of the Divine love from conception, because He was conceived of Jehovah; but all the anointed only represented Him, as may be seen, n. 9954, 10,011, 10,269. But that priests signified the good that exists in the celestial kingdom may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, where it is shown that priests represented the Lord. as to Divine good, n. 2015, 6148; that the priesthood was representative of the Lord as to the work of salvation, because this was from the Divine good of His Divine love, see n. 9809; that the priesthood of Aaron, of his sons, and of the Levites was representative of the work of salvation in successive order, see n. 10,017; that hence by the priesthood, and by priesthoods in the Word, is signified the good of love which is from the Lord, see n. 9806, 9809. That by the two names, Jesus and Christ, is signified both His Priestly and His regal function, that is, by Jesus is signified the Divine good, and by Christ the Divine truth, n. 3004, 3005, 3009. That priests who do not acknowledge the Lord, and also kings, represent the contrary of the above, or evil and the falsity from evil, n. 3670.)

AE (Tansley) n. 32

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 32

32. Unto God and his Father. That this signifies Divine truth and Divine good, is evident from this, that God denotes Divine truth and Jehovah Divine good, and that therefore, in the Word, the Lord is called God where Divine truth is treated of, and Jehovah, where Divine good is (see n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167.) But here, instead of Jehovah, the word Father is used, because the Father of the Lord was Jehovah, and by Father is meant the same as by Jehovah. By both, God and Father, the Lord alone is meant, the Father being in Him as the soul is in the body (as may be seen above, n. 10 and 26); for He was conceived of Jehovah; and the soul of every one is from him of whom he is conceived. Therefore, when the Lord made mention of the Father, He meant His Divine in Himself; this is why He said, that, the Father was in Him and He in the Father (John x. 38; xiv. 10, 11); that the Father and He were one (John x. 30); that He was not alone, but He and the Father (John xvi. 32). (That the Lord called the Divine of Jehovah, which was in Himself from conception and which was the Being (Esse) of His life in His Human, the Father, and the Divine truth which is from Divine good, the Son, see n. 2803, 3704, 7199, 8328, 8897; that the Son of man is Divine truth, and the Father Divine good, see n. 1729, 1733, 2159, 2628, 2803, 2813, 3255, 3704, 7499, 8897, 9807. See also the citations from Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, concerning the union of the Divine, which is called Jehovah the Father, with the Divine Human of the Lord, n. 304.)

AE (Tansley) n. 33

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 33

33. And to him be the glory and the strength unto the ages of the ages. That this signifies that those things, or Divine good and Divine truth, are from the Lord alone to eternity, is evident from the signification of glory, as being Divine truth in heaven (concerning which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429); and from the signification of strength, as denoting Divine good by Divine truth, because Divine good has all strength and all power by means of Divine truth (as may be seen, n. 3091, 3563, 6344, 6423, 8304, 9643, 10,019, 10,182; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, where the power of the angels of heaven from the Lord is treated of, n. 228-233). That unto the ages of the ages denotes to eternity, is evident without explanation. The reason why glory denotes Divine truth in heaven, is because Divine truth is the light there, and those things that exist from the light of heaven are called glory, because they exist from the Lord, and represent the Divine truth which is from Him, and declare His glory; especially those things that are within an angel, which pertain to intelligence and wisdom. (That, the light of heaven is Divine truth, and that all things in heaven, whether without or within an angel, exist from the light there, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 172, 173, 176.) It is believed in the world, that by "to God be glory" is meant that God desires glory from man for His own sake, and that He is affected thereby, and does good to man on that account; but this is an error. God desires glory from man for man's sake; for thus man attributes all things to the Divine, and nothing to himself; and when he does this, then the Divine can flow into him with Divine truth, and impart to him intelligence and wisdom. In this and in no other way is the Lord glorified in man. For the Lord loves everyone, and, from love, wills that His glory, that, is, Divine truth, may be in him. This also the Lord teaches in John:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatever will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and ye shall become my disciples" (xv. 7, 8).

(That the salvation of the human race is the glory of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4347, 4593, 5957, 7550, 8263, 10,646.)

AE (Tansley) n. 34

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 34

34. Amen. That this signifies Divine confirmation, is evident from the signification of amen, as being truth, for this is meant by amen in the Hebrew language. And as all truth which is truth, is Divine, therefore amen, when used in the Word, signifies Divine confirmation. For truth confirms all things, even Divine truth itself; and because the Lord was Divine truth itself when he was in the world, therefore the Lord so frequently used the word amen.

AE (Tansley) n. 35

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 35

35. Verses 7, 8. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall wail over him. Even so, Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. "Behold, he cometh with clouds," signifies, that the Lord is about to reveal himself in the Word by means of the internal sense; "And every eye shall see him," signifies, that all who are in truths from good will acknowledge Him; "And they who pierced him," signifies, that they also will see Him who are in falsities from evil; "And all the tribes of the earth shall wail over him," signifies, that the falsities of the church will be in opposition; "Even so, Amen," signifies, Divine confirmation, that it will so come to pass.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end," signifies, that He rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and therefore all things of heaven to eternity; "Saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come," signifies, from Him who is the All in all of heaven and of the church, from eternity to eternity, and Jehovah; "the Almighty," signifies, from Himself.

AE (Tansley) n. 36

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 36

36. (v. 7) Behold, he cometh with clouds. That this signifies, that the Lord is about to reveal Himself in the Word by means of the internal sense, is evident from the signification of coming, when (spoken) of the Lord, as being to reveal Himself; and from the signification of clouds, as being Divine truths in ultimates, thus the Word in the letter; for the Word as to the literal sense, is Divine truth in ultimates; and because everything there contains an internal or spiritual sense, to come with clouds, denotes that the Lord will reveal Himself by means of that sense. That clouds signify Divine truths in ultimate, is from appearances in the spiritual world. There, clouds appear in varied light; in the inmost or third heaven in flaming light, in the middle or second heaven white light, and in the ultimate or first heaven in a somewhat duller light. Every one there knows that clouds signify Divine truth from the Lord passing through the angels; for when the Divine truth going forth from the Lord, which is itself the light of heaven, passes through the angels, it appears as a cloud, rarer or denser according to their intelligence. I have frequently seen such clouds, and I also perceived what they signified. This is why clouds, such as those seen by men in the world, signify Divine truth in ultimates; and because the Word in the letter is Divine truth in ultimates, such is the signification of clouds. [2] He who does not know that clouds have this signification, may suppose that the Lord will come for the Last Judgment in clouds, and appear in glory, according to His words in the Evangelists, where He says:

"Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and much glory" (Matt. xxiv. 30; Mark xiii. 26; Luke xxi. 27).

The consummation of the age, which is the subject there treated of, is the last time of the church; and the coming of the Lord at that time is the revelation of Himself, and of the Divine Truth which is from Him, in the Word, by means of the internal sense. The Lord reveals Himself only in the Word, and by means of the internal sense. Power and glory also signify the Word in the internal sense. (That this is fulfilled at this day, namely, that the age is consummated, and the Last Judgment accomplished; and also that the Lord has come in the clouds of heaven, that is, has revealed the internal sense of the Word, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, from the beginning to the end; and also in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 1; as well as in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 249-266. That the consummation of the age signifies the last time of the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4535, 10,622. That the coming of the Lord is the revelation of Divine truth by means of the internal sense, see n. 3900, 4060; that clouds signify the sense of the letter of the Word, see n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8106, 8781, 9430, 10,551, 10,574; that glory signifies Divine truth in heaven, thus the internal sense, because this is Divine truth in heaven, see n. 5922, 9429, 10,574. The reason why the Lord is said to come in power is, because all power belongs to Divine truth which is from the Lord, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, 539.) The same is meant by the words of the Lord to the chief priest:

"Jesus said" to the chief priest, "Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matt. xxvi. 64; Mark xiv. 62).

The Son of man is the Lord as to Divine truth. To sit at the right hand of power, denotes His omnipotence; to come in the clouds of heaven, denotes revelation of Divine truth concerning Himself in the Word; for He has revealed Himself, and has also fulfilled all things that are contained in the internal sense, which treats especially of the glorification of His Human.

[3] The same is signified by clouds in the following passages. In Daniel:

"I saw in the visions of the night, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven" (vii. 13).

In the Apocalypse: "I saw, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a crown" (xiv. 14, 16).

In Isaiah: "Behold, Jehovah sitting upon a light cloud" (xix. 1).

In David: "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name, extol him that rideth upon the clouds" (Psalm lxviii. 4).

And again: "Jehovah maketh the clouds his chariot; he walketh upon the wings of the wind" (Psalm civ. 3).

Who cannot see that these things are not to be understood according to the sense of the letter, namely, that Jehovah sits on a cloud, that He rides upon the clouds, and that He makes the clouds His chariot? He who thinks spiritually may know that Jehovah is in His Divine truth, for this proceeds from Him, consequently that this is meant there by clouds; therefore it is said, that Jehovah makes the clouds His chariot; for by chariot is signified the doctrine of truth (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5321, 8215).

[4] Similarly in the following places:

In Isaiah: "Drop down ye heavens from above, and ye higher clouds [pour out] justice" (xlv. 8).

In Nahum: "The way of Jehovah is with cloud and storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet" (i. 3).

In David: "Ascribe ye strength unto God; his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the higher clouds" (Psalm lxviii. 34).

In Moses: "There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, riding in the heaven in thy help, and in his magnificence upon the clouds" (Deut. xxxiii. 26).

And in David: "A faithful witness in the clouds" (Psalm lxxxix. 37).

From these things it is evident what is signified where, it is said that the cloud filled the inner court (Ezek. x. 3, 4); and that the cloud rested upon the tent, of which frequent mention is made in Moses. Likewise, that when Jesus was transfigured, He was seen in glory, and a cloud covered His three disciples, and it was said to them out of the cloud,

"This is my beloved Son" (Matt. xvii 1-10; Mark. ix 1-11; Luke ix. 28-36).

(See also what is said concerning the Lord being seen in the midst of angels in a cloud, in the small work, The Earths in the Universe, n. 171.)

AE (Tansley) n. 37

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 37

37. And every eye shall see him. That this signifies, that all who are in truths from good will acknowledge Him, is evident from the signification of seeing, as denoting to understand, to perceive, and to acknowledge (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 3869, 4723, 10,705); and from the signification of the eye, as denoting understanding and faith (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2701, 4403-4421, 4523-4594, 9051, 10,569); consequently those who are in truths from good, for these have faith and thence understanding. That the eye signifies understanding and faith is from correspondence; for the understanding is internal sight, and it is this sight which sees by means of the eye, since the understanding directs the eye to its objects, and disposes its many interior parts for reception. This is why the iris and pupil are at one time dilated, at another contracted, now obscure, now lucid, sometimes sparkling, entirely according to the desire and affection of the understanding. For this reason the affection of the thought may, in a measure, be known from the eye. It is from this correspondence that the eye signifies the understanding. The reason why the eye signifies faith also is, because the truths of faith are only in the understanding; the truths that are not there are not in the man (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-36). That the eye, in the spiritual sense, denotes faith, arises from the way in which the Lord is seen by the angels from aspect; for they turn the faces continually to Him, and see Him by faith and understanding (concerning this turning, see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 123, 142, 143, 145, 151, 153, 255, 272, 510).

AE (Tansley) n. 38

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 38

38. And they who pierced him. That this signifies that they also will see Him who are in falsities from evil, is evident from the signification of piercing, or of they who pierce, as being those who altogether deny the Lord, for such kill and pierce Him in themselves. These also are meant by the soldier who pierced His side (John xix. 34-37). By a soldier, and soldiers, are meant those who belong to the church, and who would fight for the Lord. But those of the Jewish Church, in particular, are there meant, and, in general, all who belong to the church who are in falsities from evil. And because these were signified by the soldiers, therefore they divided the Lord's garments, and cast lots upon His vesture; which means, that the Jewish Church dispersed the Divine truths of the literal sense of the Word, but that they could not do so with the interior truths, or the truths of the internal sense. (For garments signify truths in ultimates, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2576, 5248, 6918, 9158, 9212; to divide signifies to dissipate and disperse, see n. 4424, 6360, 6361, 9093; and the vesture interior truths, n. 9049, 9212, 9216, 9826.)

AE (Tansley) n. 39

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 39

39. And all the tribes of the earth shall wail over him. That this signifies that the falsities of the church will resist, is evident from the signification of wailing, as denoting to lament, to grieve, to be indignant, to be angry, to be averse from, thus also to resist; and from the signification of tribes, as denoting all truths and goods in the aggregate, and, in the opposite sense, all falsities and evils in the aggregate, concerning which we shall speak in what follows; and from the signification of the earth, as being the church (on which see above, n. 29). By all the tribes of the earth, therefore, is signified the whole church, and by their wailing over Him, is signified that truths and goods are no more, because falsities and evils are about to dominate and resist. For what the state of the church will be at its end is treated of in general in this verse, when there will be no longer any faith because no charity; that is, that the Lord will then reveal Himself, and that all will acknowledge Him who are in truths from good, and that those also shall see Him who are in falsities from evil, but that the falsities of the church will resist. (That the Apocalypse does not treat of the successive states of the church, but of its last state, or when it is at its end, may be seen above, n. 5; and that its end is when there is no faith because no charity, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39, and following numbers. When there is no faith because no charity, then falsities from evil reign, which offer opposition to truths from good.) [2] Tribes are often mentioned in the Word, because the Israelitish people were divided into twelve tribes; and he who is ignorant of the internal sense of the Word supposes, that by tribes are meant the tribes of Israel; nevertheless, by tribes are not meant tribes, nor is Israel meant by Israel; but tribes mean all those who are in truths from good, and Israel means the church of the Lord. He who does not know this, will easily accept the common belief that the children of Israel were chosen before all others on the whole earth, and also that they will be introduced at last into the land of Canaan. Indeed, he will believe that heaven will consist chiefly of them; although, by the names of those tribes in the Word they are not meant, but those who are in truths from good, that is, those who belong to the church; by the twelve tribes, all, and by each one of them, some special truth and good pertaining to those who belong to the church. [3] These things being understood, it is evident what is meant by these words in the Apocalypse:

"I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the sons of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zebulun were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand" (vii. 4-8).

In this passage those who belonged to the Israelitish nation are not meant, but all those, however many they may be, who are in truths from good; for all these are sealed for heaven. The numbers one hundred and forty-four thousand and twelve thousand, also signify all, and each tribe signifies all those who are in that truth or good which is signified by its name. (As may be evident from what is shown in Arcana Coelestia in regard to the following: what good and truth are signified by Judah, n. 3881, 6363; what by Reuben, n. 3861, 3866, 4605, 4731, 4734, 4761, 6342-6345; what by Gad, n. 3934, 3935; what by Asher, n. 3938, 3939, 6408; what by Naphtali, n. 3927, 3928 what by Manasseh, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6231, 6238, 6267, 6296 what by Simeon, n. 3869-3872, 4197, 4502, 4503, 5482, 5626, 5630; what by Levi, n. 3875, 3877, 4497, 4502, 4503; what by Issachar, n. 3956, 3957; what by Zebulun, n. 3960, 3961, 6383; what by Joseph, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417; and what by Benjamin, n. 3969, 4592, 5411, 5413, 5443, 5639, 5686, 5688, 5689, 6440. That all numbers in the Word signify things, see n. 482, 487, 647, 648, 755, 813, 1963, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10,217, 10,253. That twelve signifies all, and all things as to truths from good, see n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; also, the numbers 72, 144, 12,000, 144,000, because they arise from the number 12 by multiplication, n. 7973. That numbers multiplied signify the same as the simple numbers from which they are produced by multiplication, see n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973.) [4] He who does not know that numbers signify things, what the numbers twelve, one hundred and forty-four, and twelve thousand signify, and also what tribes and apostles signify, cannot know what is signified by those passages in the Apocalypse, where it is said, that the holy city, New Jerusalem,

"had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and in the gates twelve angels, and names written which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and the wall had twelve foundations, in which were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The wall was a hundred and forty and four cubits, and the length and the breadth of the city twelve thousand furlongs" (xxi. 12, 14, 16, 17).

The signification of all these things may be seen explained in the little work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 1; where it is shown, that by Jerusalem is signified the church as to doctrine; by the wall, its truths of defence; by the gates, introductory truths; by the foundations, the knowledges upon which doctrine is founded; by twelve angels, and by twelve tribes, all truths and goods collectively; the same by the twelve apostles; and by the numbers twelve, one hundred and forty-four, and twelve thousand, all things and all persons. [5] Moreover, he who knows that such things are signified by the twelve tribes may see the mystery involved in the names of the twelve tribes being engraved upon the precious stones of the Urim and Thummim, and also the signification of the breast-plate (Exod. xxviii. 21; xxxix. 10-15). (This arcanum may be seen unfolded in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 6335, 6640, 9863, 9865, 9873, 9874, 9905.) He may also see what is the signification of the twelve apostles sitting upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. xix. 28), namely, that the Lord alone will judge every one by truths from good (n. 2129, 6397); also what things are meant by the predictions of Israel the father, concerning his sons (Gen. xlix.); and also the meaning of many other passages in the Word where the tribes are mentioned (as in Isaiah xix. 13; xlix. 6; lxiii. 17; Jer. x. 16; Ezek. xlviii. 1, and following verses; Psalm cxxii. 3-5; Deut. xxxii. 8; Numb. xxiv. 2; Apoc. v. 9; vii. 4-9; xi. 9; xiii. 7; xiv. 6; and elsewhere). [6] And again, the meaning of the Lord's words about the consummation of the age and His coming, may be seen:

"After the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man the clouds of heaven, with power and much coming in glory" (Matt. xiv. 29, 30).

(These words may be seen explained in detail in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 1; and in the following passages in Arcana Coelestia, where it is shown that the twelve tribes of Israel represented, and thence signified, all truths and goods collectively, thus all things of faith and love, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; that similar things are signified by the twelve apostles, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; and that they have various significations according to the order in which they are named, n. 3862, 3926, 3939, 4603, 6337, 6640, 10,335.)

AE (Tansley) n. 40

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 40

40. Even so, amen. That this signifies Divine confirmation that it will so come to pass is evident from the signification of even so, which denotes confirmation of what precedes, that it will so come to pass; and from the signification of amen, as denoting Divine confirmation (as shown above, n. 34).

AE (Tansley) n. 41

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 41

41. (v. 8) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. That this signifies that He rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and consequently all things of heaven to eternity, is evident from the signification of the Alpha and the Omega, as denoting the first and the last, or in primaries and in ultimates; and he who is in primaries and in ultimates also rules the intermediates; thus all things. These things are said concerning the Divine Human of the Lord, because they are said concerning Jesus Christ, by which names is meant His Divine Human (as shown above, n. 26). By means of this the Lord is in primaries and in ultimates. But that He rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates is a mystery not hitherto perceived by man. For man knows nothing concerning the successive degrees into which the heavens are distinguished, and into which also the interiors of man are distinguished; and little concerning the fact that man, as to his flesh and bones, is in ultimates. Neither does he perceive how intermediates are ruled from primaries by means of ultimates, when nevertheless the Lord came into the world that He might put on a Human and glorify it, that is, make it Divine, even to ultimates, that is, even to flesh and bones, in order that He might thus rule all things. That the Lord put on such a Human, and took it with Him into heaven, is known in the church from the fact that He left nothing of His body in the sepulchre; and also from His words to His disciples:

"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; [handle me] and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have" (Luke xxiv. 39).

It is by means of this, therefore, that the Lord is in ultimates; and because He made these things also Divine, He thus entered into the Divine power of ruling all things from primaries by means of ultimates. If the Lord had not done this, the human race on this earth would have perished in eternal death. But this mystery cannot here be further enlarged on, because many things must be known in order that an idea may be formed and obtained concerning the Divine government from primaries by means of ultimates. (Some light, however, may be obtained on the subject from the following things shown in Arcana Coelestia:-That interior things flow successively into external things, even into what is outermost or ultimate, and that they also exist or subsist there, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9216, 9217. Concerning the order of influx, that internal things not only flow in successively, but also form what is simultaneous in the ultimate, n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10,099. That therefore all interior things are held together in connection, from what is primary by means of the ultimate, n. 9828, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 297. That consequently in ultimates there is strength and power, n. 9836; that hence also the ultimate is more holy than interior things, n. 9824; that consequently the first and the last signify all things, n. 10,044, 10,329, 10,335. Concerning the successive degrees into which the heavens are distinguished, and into which also the interiors of man are distinguished, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 38.) It is said also, that the Lord is the beginning and the end, by which is meant that He is from eternity to eternity; but this cannot be more fully explained than has been done above (n. 23, which see).

AE (Tansley) n. 42

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 42

42. Saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come. That this signifies from Him who is the All in all of heaven and the church from eternity to eternity, and Jehovah, is evident from the explanation given above (n. 23) where the same words occur.

AE (Tansley) n. 43

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 43

43. The Almighty. That this signifies from Himself, is evident from the fact that no one has any power in the heavens but the Lord alone; therefore the angels are powerful, or have as much power as they have receptivity of power from the Lord, and their receptivity is according to the degree in which they are in Divine good united with Divine truth; for this is the Lord in heaven. It is therefore evident that the Lord alone is powerful, and no one in heaven is ever powerful but from the Lord; the reason being that the Divine of the Lord is the All in all in heaven; for this makes heaven in general, and with each one in particular. By Him also were all things created which were created, thus heaven and earth, as He Himself also teaches in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (i. 1, 2, 3, 14).

By the Word is meant the Divine truth in the heavens, from which all things there exist. That the same is the Lord as to the Divine Human is evident, because it is said, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." And because all the life of the angels is also from Him, and all light in the heavens, it is said, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (All these things may be seen more fully illustrated in the work, Heaven and Hell, viz., that the Divine of the Lord makes heaven, n. 7-12. That this is His Divine Human, n. 78-86. That all the life of angels is therefrom, n. 9; and also all the light of heaven, n. 126-140. That all the power the angels have is from the Lord, and none at all from themselves, n. 228-233.) From these considerations it is evident that "Almighty" denotes to be, to live, and to have power from Himself. That the Divine Human of the Lord is, lives, and has power from Itself, equally as His Divine in Himself, which is called the Father, the Lord also teaches:

"As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (John v. 26)

and that no other has life in himself, is plain from the words of Jesus,

"Without me ye can do nothing" (John xv. 5).

AE (Tansley) n. 44

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 44

44. Verses 9, 10, 11. I, John, who also am your brother, and companion in affliction, in the kingdom and expectation of Jesus Christ, was in the isle called Patmos, for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day; and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last; and what thou seest write in a book, and send unto the churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and, unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

"I John" signifies, doctrine concerning the Lord; "who also am your brother," signifies, and concerning the good of love to Him; "and companion in affliction," signifies the truth of faith infested by falsities; "in the kingdom," signifies, in the church where there are truths; "and in expectation of Jesus Christ," signifies, where there is the knowledge of the Divine in His Human; "was in the isle called Patmos," signifies, revelation to the Gentiles; "for the Word of God," signifies, that Divine truth may be received; "and for the testimony of Jesus Christ," signifies, and that the Divine Human of the Lord may be acknowledged.

"I was in the spirit," signifies, a spiritual state when there is revelation; "on the Lord's day," signifies, Divine influx at the time; "and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet," signifies clear perception of Divine truth revealed from heaven.

"Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," signifies, who ruleth all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity; "what thou seest write in a book," signifies, that they may he revealed for posterity; "and send unto the churches which are in Asia," signifies, and then to all those who are in the light of intelligence; "unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea," signifies, in particular according to reception.

AE (Tansley) n. 45

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 45

45. (v. 9) I John. That this signifies doctrine concerning the Lord, is evident from the representation of John, because in the highest sense, by him is meant the Lord as to doctrine (see above, n. 19), therefore by him is also signified doctrine concerning the Lord. For to know the Lord is the chief of all things of doctrine, or the first and last thereof, the principal thing of the church being to know and acknowledge the Lord's Divine; for it is conjoined with His Divine by acknowledgment and faith, and apart; from such conjunction nothing of doctrine is of any account. This is the reason why the Divine has been revealed. The Divine which has been revealed is the Divine Human; and without the acknowledgment of the Divine in the Lord's Human there is no salvation (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310). It is for this reason that John representing the Lord as to doctrine, also represents doctrine concerning the Lord.

AE (Tansley) n. 46

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 46

46. Who also am your brother. That this signifies, and concerning the good of love to Him, is evident from the signification of brother, as denoting the good of love. The reason why a brother signifies the good of love is, because in heaven there are only spiritual affinities and fraternities. For brotherhood, there, is not the result of birth, nor do those who were brothers in the world know each other there as such, but each one is known to another from the good of love; those who are most nearly conjoined in that good, as brethren, and others, according to the conjunction by good, as kindred and as friends. Hence it is that by brother in the Word is signified the good of love. This also the Lord teaches where it is said:

"One said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee; but he answered, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? My mother and my brethren are they who hear the Word of God and do it" (Matt. xii. 47-50; Luke viii. 19-21).

And in another place:

"One is your master, Christ, but all ye are brethren" (Matt. xxiii. 8);

hence it is evident what it is to be a brother to the Lord. (But concerning this it has been shown, above, that all are associated in heaven according to spiritual affinities, which pertain to the good of love and faith. And that such know each other as kindred, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 205. See also what is said in Arcana Coelestia, n. 685, 917, 2739, 3612, 3815, 4121; that therefore, by brethren in the Word, are meant those who are conjoined by good, see n. 2360, 3303, 3803, 3815, 4121, 4191, 4267, 5409, 6756, 10,490. That they are called brethren by the Lord, who are in the good of love and of faith from Him, see n. 4191, 5686, 5692, 6756; that people are also called brethren from spiritual affinity, n. 6756; that charity and faith, thus good and truth, are brethren, and in what respect, n. 367, 3160, 9806; that good and truth are also brother and sister, and in what respect, n. 2508, 2524, 3160; that good and truth are also married partners, and in what respect, n. 3160; that man with brother denotes truth with good, n. 3459, 4725.)

AE (Tansley) n. 47

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 47

47. And companion in affliction. That this signifies, the truth of faith infested by falsities, is evident from the signification of companion, as being the truth of faith - see what follows; and from the signification of affliction, as denoting infestation by falsities (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6663, 6851, 9196). In the Word mention is frequently made of brother and companion, and by them good and truth are signified; in ancient times also, those were called brethren who were in good, and companions those who were in truth. The reason of this is that truth must be conjoined with good, and when it is so, it becomes a brother; this is why companion here signifies the truth of faith. (That good and truth are meant by brother and companion in the Word, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 6756, 10,490.) The reason why affliction signifies infestation by falsities is, because the mind which is in truths is afflicted by falsities, when they fight with each other, nor does spiritual affliction spring from any other source. This then is the signification of affliction in the Word, as in Matthew:

"He that received the seed upon stony places hath no root in himself, but when affliction and persecution ariseth because of the Word, immediately he is offended" (xiii. 20, 21).

And in the same:

In the consummation of the age: "they shall deliver you up to affliction, and then shall be great affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor shall be. Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened" (Matt. xxiv. 9, 21, 29; Mark xiii. 19, 24).

The consummation of the age is the last time of the church; and because falsities would then reign and fight against truths, therefore it is said that they shall be in affliction, and so great as was not from the beginning of the world. This is what is meant by the affliction in which John is said to be a companion, by whom is here meant doctrine concerning the Lord; for in the Apocalypse the last time of the church is treated of (see above, n. 5).

AE (Tansley) n. 48

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 48

48. In the kingdom. That this signifies, in the church where truths are, is evident from the signification of kingdom in the Word, as denoting heaven and the church. The reason why it denotes the church as to truth, or where truths are, is, because by the royalty of the Lord is signified the Divine truth proceeding from Him, and hence by kings are signified truths. (See above, n. 31.) It is said the church as to truth, by which is meant the church as to truths from good; the reason is, that truths are not possible without good, for truths have life from good; the truths which a man has who is not in good, are indeed actually in themselves truths, but they are not truths in him (as may be seen fully proved in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27). [2] That kingdom in the Word signifies heaven and the church as to truths, is evident from many passages in the Word, of which I will adduce some. Thus in Matthew:

"The sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness" (viii. 12).

The sons of the kingdom there mentioned, are those who are of the church where truths do not reign, but falsities. And in the same:

"He who heareth the Word of the kingdom, and giveth no heed to it, the wicked one cometh, and taketh away that which was sown in his heart; this is that which was sown by the way-side. The field is the world; the [good] seed are the sons of the kingdom" (xiii. 19, 38).

To hear the Word of the kingdom is to hear the truths of the church; and because seed signifies truths, therefore those who receive truths are called sons of the kingdom. (That seed signifies the truth of the church see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3373, 3671, 10,248, 10,249.) In the same:

"Therefore the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth fruit" (xxi. 43).

That the kingdom of God there signifies the church as to truths, thus also the truths of the church, is clear from its being said that it should be taken from them, and given to a nation bringing forth fruit; and fruit signifies good. Again, in the same:

In the consummation of the age, "nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (xxiv. 7).

The consummation of the age is the last time of the church; nation against nation denotes evil against good, and kingdom against kingdom denotes falsity against truth. (That nation signifies the good of the church, and in an opposite sense, the evil thereof, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1059, 1159, 1258, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005.) [3] It is evident from these things what is meant by kingdom in the Lord's prayer,

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so also on the earth. Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory" (Matt. vi. 10, 13).

Thy kingdom come, signifies, that truth may be received thy will be done, signifies, that it may be received by those who do the will of God; thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, signifies, Divine truth from God alone; it is also said power and glory, because to Divine truth belong all power and glory (as may be seen above, n. 33). From these considerations it may be seen that the kingdom of God signifies, in many other passages of the Word, the church as to truths, also heaven, and, in the highest sense, the Lord as to the Divine Human. The reason why kingdom, in the highest sense, signifies the Lord as to the Divine Human is, that all Divine truth proceeds from Him; and the reason why kingdom signifies heaven is, that heaven, with the angels, is from no other source than the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord's Divine Human (see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, 78-86, 126-140).

AE (Tansley) n. 49

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 49

49. And expectation of Jesus Christ. That this signifies where the knowledge of the Lord's Divine in His Human exists, is evident from the signification of the expectation of Jesus Christ, as being, when that time shall come when the church knows the Lord; and the church knows the Lord when it acknowledges the Divine in His Human. (That by Jesus Christ is meant the Lord as to the Divine in His Human, may be seen above, n. 26.) The church, of which these things are said, is a church which is to come after the present one, for it is said "in the expectation." The church which exists at this day knows, indeed, that the Divine is in the Lord's Human; for it knows, according to the received doctrine, that the Divine and the Human are not two but one Person; and also that they are like the soul and the body in man (see above, n. 10, 26). Still, it does not know that the Lord's Human is Divine, for it separates the one from the other. This is evident from the fact that it does not allow the use of the expression Divine Human, and also that it approaches the Father, praying that He may have compassion for the sake of the Son, although the very Divine Itself in heaven is the Divine Human (see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 78-86). And because this knowledge and acknowledgment have thus perished, which nevertheless are the chief of all things in the church, as they are the chief of all things in heaven, therefore a New Church is being established by the Lord among the Gentiles, where these are not only known, but likewise acknowledged. This then is the signification of the expectation of Jesus Christ.

AE (Tansley) n. 50

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 50

50. Was in the isle called Patmos. That this signifies revelation to the Gentiles, is evident from the signification of Patmos, as being the revelation contained in the Apocalypse. For all places mentioned in the Word signify things; and the things which they signify, are either from the worship there, from some memorable circumstance there enacted, or from their situation in or near the countries by which the religion of a nation is signified; hence Patmos signifies revelation, from the memorable fact that this revelation was there made to John. The reason why the revelation was made in an island is, that an island signifies a nation remote from true worship, but still desiring to be enlightened. That this is the signification of islands in the Word, will be evident from what follows. But something shall first be said concerning the circumstance that names of places in the Word signify things. All persons who are treated of in the Word, and also those by whom it was written, were led to places which had some signification, in order that all things might be significative of spiritual things; even the Lord Himself, for the same reason, went to similar places; as into Galilee, to Tyre and Sidon, to Jerusalem, and to the Mount of Olives there; and also, when an infant, He was carried into Egypt. That the case was the same with the prophets, and with several others mentioned in the historical Word, might be abundantly shown. For the same reason also, John was commanded to betake himself to the isle of Patmos, that the things which were to take place at the end of the church might be revealed there, because an isle signifies a nation about to receive the truths of doctrine. This isle is also in the Archipelago, where there are many other isles. This is why Greece in the Word signifies such nations, as thus in Dan. viii. 21; x. 20; xi. 2; John xii. 20, 21; Mark vii. 26, and following verses. (That all names of places in the Word signify things, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 10,329.) [2] That isles signify nations about to embrace the true worship of God, is evident from the following passages in Isaiah:

"Glorify Jehovah in Urim, the name of the God of Israel in the isles of the sea" (xxiv. 15).

Again:

"He shall not extinguish, neither break to pieces, until he set
judgment in the earth; and the isles shall hope in his law. Sing to Jehovah a new song, his praises, ye ends of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof, shall give glory to Jehovah, and shall announce his praise in the isles" (xlii. 4, 10, 12).

Again:

"Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from afar" (xlix. 1).

Again:

"In me shall the islands hope, and upon mine arm shall they trust" (li. 5).

Again:

"The islands shall trust in me, and the ships of Tarshish" (lx. 9).

In Jeremiah:

"Hear the words of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare them in the islands from afar" (xxxi. 10).

And in Zephaniah:

Jehovah "will make lean all the gods of the land, that they may adore him, every one in his place; all the islands of the nations" (ii. 11).

And elsewhere, as in Isaiah xxiii. 2, 6; xli. 1, 5; xlii. 15; lxvi. 19; Jerem. ii. 10; xxv. 22; Ezek. xxvii. 3, 7, 15, 35. From these and other passages it is evident that isles signify the nations [or Gentiles], specifically as to the doctrine of truth, and elsewhere as to the doctrine of falsity; for most things in the Word have also opposite significations.

AE (Tansley) n. 51

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 51

51. For the Word of God. That this signifies that Divine truth may be received, is evident from the signification of the Word of God, as being Divine truth (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4692, 5075, 9987).

AE (Tansley) n. 52

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 52

52. And for the testimony of Jesus Christ. That this signifies, that the Lord's Divine Human will be acknowledged, is evident from the signification of testimony, as denoting acknowledgment in heart (concerning which see above, n. 10, 27); and from the signification of the names Jesus Christ, as denoting the Lord as to His Divine Human (concerning which see also above, n. 26). These things are said concerning the church of the Gentiles, which will receive Divine truth, and acknowledge the Lord's Divine Human. (That these things are spoken of the church of the Gentiles, see what is said above, n. 50.) The Christian Church indeed acknowledges the Lord's Divine, but not His Divine Human; when therefore they think and speak from doctrine, concerning the Lord, they separate His Human from the Divine, and regard His Human as like that of another man, when yet His Divine is in His Human, as the soul in the body. This also is the reason why such persons can have no idea of the Divine, and yet it is the idea that conjoins, because thought conjoins; and without conjunction with the Divine by thought and affection, or, what is the same, by faith and love, there can be no salvation. It is said that conjunction by thought and affection is the same thing as conjunction by faith and love, for the reason that I think what I believe, and I am affected by what I love. To believe in that which cannot be perceived is not much unlike believing in the inmost of nature, an error into which the mind is also prone to fall when it indulges in its own phantasies.

Every man, however, has implanted within him, by continual influx from heaven, a desire to see the Divine, and indeed under a human form. [2] This is implanted with the simple, and also with the upright among the Gentiles (see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 82); therefore all those of them who have lived in charity, are received by the Lord, and are gifted with heaven; others cannot be received, because there is no conjunction. (That all the angels in heaven, and also the wisest in ancient times and all those who have spiritual faith, or living faith, that is, with whom faith is living, both on this earth, and on all the earths in the universe, see their Divine in thought, because they acknowledge the Divine Human, and are therefore accepted by the Lord, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 79-86, 316, 321; and in the small work, The Earths in the Universe, n. 7, 40, 41, 65, 68, 91, 98, 99, 107, 121, 141, 154, 158, 159, 169.) Since this heaven-implanted perception is almost entirely repudiated by the learned of the world, and access to the Divine thereby precluded, a New Church is being established by the Lord among the Gentiles, who have not extirpated that idea, and, together with it, faith. The extirpation of this implanted principle from the Christian world, had its origin in the Babylonish nation, which separated the Lord's Human from the Divine, in order that the leaders among them might be acknowledged as the Vicar of the Lord's Human, and so might transfer His Divine power to himself, saying, that the Lord received that power from the Father, when notwithstanding He received it from Himself, because from His Own Divine. They are consequently unwilling to hear anything about the Divine Human (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4738). But on this subject, since it is the chief of all things in the church, more will be related in the following pages.

AE (Tansley) n. 53

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 53

53. (v. 10) I was in the spirit. That this signifies, a spiritual state in which there is revelation, is evident from the signification of being in the spirit, as being to be brought into the state in which spirits and angels are, which is a spiritual state. Man is brought into this state when he comes into the state of his spirit; for every man is a spirit as to his interiors (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 432-444). When a man is in this state, the things which exist in the spiritual world are seen by him as clearly as objects in the natural world; but because the objects then seen by him are from a spiritual origin, they are in themselves spiritual, and such things as pertain to heavenly wisdom are set before him in a natural image as it were. In this way Divine things are presented in visible forms before the eyes of spirits and angels; hence it is that all the things seen in heaven, are representative and significative, as also the things seen by John, which are treated of in the Apocalypse. (Moreover the nature of such things may be known from what is said and shown concerning representatives and appearances in heaven, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 170-176.) [2] While a man is in the body he does not see the things that are in heaven, unless the sight of his spirit is opened; but when this is opened, then he sees them. In this way John saw the things described in the Apocalypse. The prophets saw them also in the same way; they are therefore called "Seers," and are said to have had their "eyes opened"; angels also were seen in ancient times in the same way, and so also the Lord was seen by the disciples after His resurrection. This sight is that of the spiritual man; and because in such circumstances all things appear representatively, therefore this sight was opened in John.

He who knows nothing of this sight believes that, when angels were seen by men, they assumed a human form, and that when they vanished out of sight, they laid it down; this, however, was not the case, but angels then appeared in their own form, which is the human form, not before the sight of their bodily eyes, but before the sight of their spirit, this sight being then opened. This is plainly evident from the Lord being seen by the disciples after His resurrection, when He Himself showed them that He was a man in a perfect form (Luke xxiv. 39; John xx. 20-28); and nevertheless He became invisible; for when they saw Him, the eyes of their spirit were opened; but when He became invisible those eyes were closed. That man has a sight of this kind, is evident to me from much experience; for all the things that I have seen in the heavens were seen by means of that sight; and then I was in a state of wakefulness similar to that in which I was when they were not seen. But this sight is seldom opened to any one by the Lord at this day, and that for many reasons.

AE (Tansley) n. 54

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 54

54. On the Lord's day. That this signifies, Divine influx at the time, is evident from the signification of the Lord's day, as being when the Lord instructs man, thus when He enters by influx. The Lord's day is the day of the sabbath, and the sabbath in the Ancient Churches, which were representative churches, was the most holy thing of worship, because it signified the union of the Divine and Human in the Lord, and hence also the conjunction of His Divine Human with heaven (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8494, 8495, 10,356, 10,360, 10,370, 10,374, 10,668). But after the Lord united His Divine with His Human, then that holy representative ceased, and that day became a day of instruction (Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,360). For this reason revelation was made to John on the Lord's day; revelation, in this case, is instruction concerning the state of the church.

AE (Tansley) n. 55

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 55

55. And I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. That this signifies clear perception of Divine truth to be revealed from heaven, is evident from the signification of hearing, as denoting to perceive and obey (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2542, 3869, 4653, 5017, 7216, 8361, 8990, 9311, 9397); from the signification of "behind me," as denoting clearly, concerning which more will be said in what follows; from the signification of a voice, when heard from heaven, as denoting Divine truth (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 8914), and from the signification of a trumpet, as denoting what was to be revealed from heaven, concerning which we shall also speak presently. The reason why "behind me" signifies clearly is, because those things that flow from heaven into the affection of man, flow into the back part of the head, and thus enter clearly into his perception; for the things which enter into the affection are perceived clearly, all the life of perception being from that source; but the things that flow from heaven immediately into the thought, flow into the part above the forehead. (Concerning this influx see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 251.) It is therefore evident what is signified by John's hearing behind him, and by his afterwards turning to see the voice which spake with him. The reason why a trumpet, or horn, signifies Divine truth to be revealed from heaven, is, because Divine truth is sometimes so heard when it flows down from the Lord through the heavens to man; for it becomes louder in its descent and thus flows in. But it is heard in this way only in the beginning, by those to whom Divine truth is to be revealed in the ultimate sense, which is representative of interior things; afterwards it is heard as a human voice. [2] From these considerations it is evident why it is that the voice of a trumpet, or horn, signifies Divine truth that must be revealed from heaven. He who knows that a horn or trumpet signifies Divine truth from heaven, will be able to understand several passages in the Word in which they are mentioned; as in Matthew:

"He shall send angels with a great voice of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the elect from the four winds" (xxiv. 31).

In Isaiah:

"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, when the sign of the mountains is lifted up, behold; and when the trumpet is sounded, hear" (xviii. 3).

In Jeremiah

"Proclaim with the trumpet in the land. Set up the standard towards Zion. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? For my people is stupid they are foolish sons, and have no understanding" (iv. 5, 6, 21, 22).

In the same prophet:

"I have set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the voice of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear ye nations" (vi. 17, 18).

In Ezekiel:

"He heard the voice of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his soul" (xxxiii. 5).

And in Hosea:

"Set the trumpet to thy mouth, because they have transgressed my covenant, and have trespassed against my law" (viii. 1).

And in Zechariah:

"The Lord Jehovih shall sound with the trumpet, and shall go forth in whirlwinds of the south" (ix. 14).

And in David:

"God goeth up with a shout, and Jehovah with the voice of a trumpet" (Psalm xlvii. 5).

And also in Apoc. iv. 1; viii. 2, 7, 8, 13; ix. 1, 13, 14; x. 7; xviii. 22. Because a trumpet signified Divine truth, therefore when Divine truth had first to be revealed before the people of Israel, the voices of a trumpet were heard from Mount Sinai (Exod. xix. 16). Hence, therefore, to sound with a trumpet became a representative with them, when they were convoked, when they journeyed, and also in their solemnities, in the beginnings of months, at burnt offerings and peace offerings (Numb. x. 1-10). They also sounded with trumpets when they went to battle against the Midianites (Numb. xxxi. 6); and when they took the city of Jericho (Joshua vi. 4-20); for those wars and battles signified spiritual combats, which are combats of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth.

AE (Tansley) n. 56

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 56

56. (v. 11) Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. That this signifies who rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and thus all things of heaven to eternity, is evident from what was said and shown above, n. 41.

AE (Tansley) n. 57

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 57

57. What thou seest write in a book. That this signifies, that the things seen are to be revealed to posterity, is clear without explanation.

AE (Tansley) n. 58

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 58

58. And send to the churches which are in Asia. That this signifies, and then to all those who are in the light of intelligence, is evident from the signification of the seven churches, as being all who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, thus who belong to the church (concerning this see above, n. 20); and from the signification of Asia, as being those who are in the light of intelligence (concerning this also see above, n. 21).

AE (Tansley) n. 59

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 59

59. Unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. That this signifies, specifically, according to reception, is evident from what follows, where those churches are specifically treated of. It is said, according to reception, because the light of intelligence does not constitute the church in man, but the reception of light in heat, that is, the reception of truth in good. It is said, the reception of light in heat, because spiritual light is Divine truth, and spiritual heat is Divine good; and these two, in the spiritual world, are like light and heat in the natural world, that is, in proportion as the vernal and summer heat is added to the light, in the same proportion all things grow and sprout; but in proportion as that heat is not added to the light, in the same proportion all things become torpid and die off. (That light in the spiritual world is Divine truth, and heat Divine good, and that they are circumstanced like the light and heat in the natural world, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140.)

AE (Tansley) n. 60

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 60

60. Verses 12-16. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white as white wool, as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire. And his feet were like unto burnished brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was as the sun shineth in his power.

"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me," signifies, the understanding enlightened; "and being turned I saw seven golden lampstands," signifies, the New Heaven and the New Church, which are in the good of love.

"And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of man," signifies, the Lord, from whom is the all of heaven and of the church; "clothed with a garment down to the foot," signifies, Divine truth proceeding from Him; "and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle," signifies, Divine good in like manner.

"His head and his hairs were white," signifies His Divine in Primaries and ultimates; "as white wool, as snow," signifies as to good and truth there; "and His eyes were as a flame of fire," signifies, Divine providence from His Divine love.

"And his feet were like unto burnished brass, as if they burned in a furnace," signifies, the ultimate of Divine order, which is the Natural; "and his voice as the voice of many waters," signifies, Divine truth in ultimates.

"And he had in his right hand seven stars," signifies, all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth from Him; "and out of his mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword," signifies, the dispersion of all falsities by the Word; "and his face was as the sun shineth in his power," signifies, His Divine love, from which are all things of heaven.

AE (Tansley) n. 61

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 61

61. (v. 12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. That this signifies, the understanding enlightened, is in some degree evident from what was said above (n. 55), in the explanation of what is signified by John's hearing a voice behind him. It is clear that these words contain an arcanum which cannot be known unless it is known how the Divine enters by influx from heaven into the mind of man; for it was from influx that John heard the voice behind him, and that afterwards, being turned to see it, he saw the things which followed. The Divine influx from heaven is into the will of man, and through it into his understanding. Influx into the will is into the back part of the head, because into the cerebellum, and it advances thence towards the forepart into the cerebrum, where the understanding has its seat; and when it comes by that way into the understanding, it then also comes into sight, for man sees from his understanding. That this is the nature of influx, I have come to know by much experience. Whether we say influx into the will, or into the love, it is the same thing, since the will is the receptacle of love; it is also the same whether we say into the understanding or into faith, for the understanding is the receptacle of faith (concerning this see what is said in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35). But at present it is not allowable to adduce more on this subject, because the things relating to it have been hitherto unknown. These few things, however, have been stated in order that it may be known what is involved in the fact of John's hearing a voice behind him, and of his turning to see it; and why it is that it signifies the understanding enlightened; for that which enters by the will into the understanding, or by love into faith, comes into enlightenment, because what man wills or loves, that he perceives clearly. The case is otherwise, if it enters by way of the understanding alone. It is here said that John turned to see the voice, because seeing, when said of spiritual things, signifies understanding from enlightenment (as was shown above, n. 11); and unless seeing signified understanding, it would not have been said to see the voice.

AE (Tansley) n. 62

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 62

62. And being turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. That this signifies, the New Heaven and the New Church, which are in the good of love, is evident from the signification of turned to see, as denoting to understand from enlightenment (concerning which see what has just been said, n. 61); and from the signification of seven, as denoting all and what is full, and as being said of the holy things of heaven and the church (concerning this see above, n. 20, 24); from the signification of lampstands, as being the New Heaven and the New Church, as will be seen in what follows; and from the signification of gold, as being the good of love (respecting which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). That the seven lampstands signify heaven and the church, is evident from the last verse of this chapter, where it is said, "The seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches." That the seven churches signify all who belong to the church of the Lord, thus the church in general, may be seen above (n. 20); the reason why they also signify heaven, is, that heaven and the church make one. Heaven also is in those in whom the church is; the reason is, that the good of love and the good of faith constitute the church with man, and also constitute heaven with him, as with the angels; therefore those who, while in the world, had the church in them, that is to say, the goods and truths of the church, come into heaven after death. (That this is the case, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 12; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 57, 221-227.) The reason why the New Heaven and the New Church are here meant by the seven lampstands is, that these are ultimately treated of in the Apocalypse (as may be seen, chap. xxi.), and thus form the conclusion of all things therein; and since that which is ultimate is also the primary, therefore a prediction concerning them is presented in the beginning of that book.

In the Word it is also usual to mention those things in the first place which are done in the last, because intermediate things are included in them; for the primary thing, in the spiritual sense, is the end for which all the other things exist, inasmuch as the end is the primary and the ultimate, and all other things have respect to it (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 98). [2] That a lampstand signifies heaven and the church, may be evident from the description of the lampstand which was in the tabernacle; for by the tabernacle was represented heaven in its whole extent; and by the lampstand therein the spiritual heaven, which is the second heaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3478, 9457, 9481, 9485, 9548-9577, 9783). That this is the case is clearly evident from the fact, that John saw in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man; and the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human, from which Divine truth proceeds, which is the all in all of heaven and the church. In the spiritual heaven the inhabitants see lampstands of great splendour; their heaven is represented by these; I have also been permitted to see them. It is, therefore, evident what is meant, in the spiritual sense of the Word, by lampstands and by lamps, in the following passages. In the Apocalypse:

"I will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent" (ii. 5)

To remove their lampstand, is to take away heaven or the church from them. In Zechariah:

The angel said to the prophet: "What seest thou? And I said, I saw, and behold a lampstand all of gold, its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon, with seven pipes to the lamps" (iv. 2, 3).

In this passage Zerubbabel is treated of, who was to lay the foundation of the house of God, and to perfect it; by whom is represented the Lord, who was about to come, and to restore heaven and the church, which are signified by the lampstand; and the holy truths therein are the seven lamps. Because a lampstand derives its representative signification from lamps, and lamps theirs from light, which in heaven is the Divine truth, therefore the Lord also is called a lamp, as in the Apocalypse:

The holy Jerusalem "had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof" (xxi. 23; xxii. 5).

This is why David, and the kings after him, were called "lamps of Israel" (2 Sam. xxi. 17; 1 Kings xi. 36; xv. 4; 2 Kings viii 19). For by David was represented the Lord as to his regal function; and similarly by the kings of Judah and Israel. (The representation by David may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1888, 9954; and by kings, above, n. 31.) The reason why the lampstands that were seen were of gold, was, that gold signifies the good of love, and all that proceeds from the Lord is from Divine love; wherefore the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is love to Him and love towards the neighbour, which is charity (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19). This is the reason why the lampstands here mentioned, and also the lampstand lit the tabernacle, was of gold.

AE (Tansley) n. 63

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 63

63. (v. 13) And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like unto the Son of man. That this signifies the Lord, from whom is the all of heaven and of the church, is evident from the signification of "in the midst," as denoting in the inmost (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1074, 2940, 2973); and, because all things proceed from the inmost as light from the centre into the circumferences, therefore, "in the midst," signifies from whom. This is evident also from the signification of the seven lampstands, as denoting the New Heaven and the New Church (concerning which see above, n. 62); and from the signification of the Son of man, as denoting the Lord as to the Divine Human, and also as to Divine truth, because this proceeds from His Divine Human. From these considerations it is evident that the Lord appeared in the midst of seven lampstands, because from Him proceeds the all of heaven and of the church; for the good of love and the good of faith constitute heaven and the church, and that these are from the Divine is known in the Christian world, and because they are from the Divine, they are from the Lord, because the Lord is the God of heaven, and because the Divine of the Lord makes heaven (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 2-6, and n. 7-12; and that this is His Divine Human, n. 78-86). [2] That by the Son of man is meant the Lord as to the Divine Human, and also as to Divine truth, because Divine truth proceeds from His Divine Human, is evident from those passages in the Word where mention is made of the Son of man. Thus in John:

The multitude said unto Jesus, "How sayest thou that the Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Jesus answered them, Yet a little while the light is with you; walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. While ye have the light believe in the light, that ye may be sons of light" (xii. 34-36).

From these words it is clear that by the Son of man is signified the same as by light; for when they inquired, "Who is this Son of man?" the Lord answered that He was the light in which they should believe. (That light is the Divine truth proceeding from the Divine Human of the Lord, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 49; thus also that the Son of man is the Divine truth.) It is said in Luke:

[3] "Blessed are ye when men shall hate you for the Son of man's sake" (vi. 22).

For the Son of man's sake is for the sake of the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord. Divine truth is the all of faith and love to the Lord; and because they who are evil deny those things, and they who deny also hate them, and the good acknowledge them, therefore it is said, that these latter are blessed. Again, in the same:

[4] "The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, but ye shall not see it. Then they shall say to you, Behold here, or behold there; go not away, nor follow them" (xvii. 22, 23).

To desire one of the days of the Son of man, is to desire something of genuine Divine truth. The end of the church is there meant, when there will be no longer any faith, because no charity, at which time all Divine truth will perish; and because Divine truth is signified by the Son of man, therefore it is said, "Then shall they say, Behold here, or behold there; follow them not." And in the same:

[5] "When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" (xviii. 8);

that is, when Divine truth shall be revealed out of heaven, it will not be believed. The Son of man, in this place also, is the Lord as to Divine truth; the coming of the Lord is the revelation of Divine truth at the end of the church. (See Arcana Coelestia, n. 3900, 4060.)

[6] And in Matthew:

"As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and glory" (xxiv. 27, 30).

(That by the coming of the Lord in the clouds of heaven, is there signified the revelation of Divine truth at the end of the church, may be seen above, n. 36.) [7] And in the same:

"I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (xxvi. 64).

And in Luke:

"Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God" (xxii. 69).

The Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human, and as to Divine truth proceeding from It; to sit on the right hand of power, means that He has omnipotence; its being said that they should see this now, means, that Divine truth was in its omnipotence when the Lord in the world had conquered the hells, and reduced to order all things there and in the heavens, and that thus those would be saved who should receive Him in faith and love. (See Arcana Coelestia, n. 9715. That to sit on the right hand denotes omnipotence, may be seen Arcana Coelestia, n. 3387, 4592, 4933, 7518, 8281, 9133; that all the power of good is by truth, n. 6344, 6423, 8304, 9327, 9410, 9639, 9643. That Divine power itself is by Divine truth proceeding from the Divine Human of the Lord, see n. 6948; that the clouds in which the Son of man will come are the Word in the letter, which is Divine truth in the ultimate of order, see the preface to the xviii. chapter of Genesis, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8443, 8781; and that glory is the Divine truth itself, such as it is in the internal sense of the Word, see n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 9429.)

[8] From these considerations it is now evident what is signified by these words in the Apocalypse:

"I saw, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown" (xiv. 14).

And in Daniel:

"I saw in the visions of the night, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of the heavens" (vii. 13).

Because all judgment is executed from truth, therefore it is said, that it is given to the Lord "to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man" (John v. 27); and that "the Son of man shall render to every one according to his deeds" (Matt. xvi. 27); and that "when the Son of man shall come, he shall sit upon the throne of his glory, and shall judge" (Matt. xxv. 31). [9] And again in Matthew, it is said:

"He who soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the evil" (xiii. 37, 38).

The good seed is Divine truth, therefore it is said that the Son of man soweth it; the sons of the kingdom are Divine truths in heaven and the church; for son denotes truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623), and, in an opposite sense, falsity, which also is the son of evil. [10] In the same:

"The Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (viii. 20);

by which is signified, that Divine truth had not a place anywhere, or with any man, at that time. Again it is said, that the Son of man would suffer and be put to death (Matt. xvii. 12, 22; xxvi. 2, 24, 45; Mark viii. 31; ix. 12, 31); by which is signified, that thus they would treat Divine truth, consequently the Lord, who was Divine truth itself, as He also teaches in Luke:

"The Son of man must first suffer, and be rejected of this generation" (xvii. 25).

[11] In Jeremiah:

"No man [vir] shall dwell there; neither shall a son of man [hominis] abide there" (xlix. 18, 33).

In the same:

In the cities "no man shall dwell, nor shall a son of man pass through them" (li. 43).

He who is not acquainted with the spiritual sense of the Word, believes that by cities here are meant cities, and that by man, and by a son of man, are meant a man and a son; also, that the cities were thus to be desolated, so that no one should be in them; but it is the state of the church as to the doctrine of truth which is described by those words; for cities denote the doctrinals of the church (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 3216, 4492, 4493); and man is the essential truth thereof, conjoined with good (see n. 3134, 7716, 9007); thus the Son of man is truth. Because the Son of man signified Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, therefore the prophets also, through whom it was revealed, were called "sons of man," as Daniel (viii. 17); and Ezekiel (ii. 1, 3, 6, 8; iii. 1, 3, 4, 10, 17, 25; iv. 1, 16; viii. 5, 6, 8, 12, 15; xii. 2, 3, 9, 18, 22, 27). As most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, so also has the signification of a son of man, which in that sense denotes falsity opposed to truth. Thus in Isaiah:

"What art thou, that thou fearest man? he dies; and a son of man? he is as grass" (li. 12).

And in David:

"Place not your trust in princes, in a son of man, with whom there is no salvation" (Psalm cxlvi. 3).

Princes denote primary truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2089, 5044); thus, in an opposite sense, primary falsities; and son of man denotes falsity itself.

AE (Tansley) n. 64

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 64

64. Clothed with a garment down to the foot. That this signifies Divine truth proceeding from Him, is evident from the signification of garments, as being truths which invest good (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10,536). Mention is here made only of a garment reaching to the foot, which is a general covering; by which, as the Lord is treated of, is therefore signified in general all Divine truth. But as the Lord is here described as to the Divine Human, which in this case is the Son of man appearing in the midst of the lampstands, and it is said that He was "clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle," and afterwards that "His face shone as the sun in his power," I desire to give the explanation of what is related in the Evangelists concerning the Lord when He was transfigured, where some similar expressions occur; and then of what is said concerning the soldiers dividing His garments, and casting lots upon His vesture. [2] Concerning the Lord's transfiguration it is thus written: Jesus took Peter, James, and John into an exceedingly high mountain, and was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment became white as the light. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and, behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt. xvii. 1-5; Mark ix. 2-8; Luke ix. 28-36). The reason why the Lord took Peter, James, and John, was, that they represented the church as to faith, charity, and the works of charity. He took them into a high mountain, because by mountain is signified heaven. His face shone as the sun, because the face signifies the interiors, which, being Divine, shone as the sun; for the sun is the Divine love. His garments became white as the light, because garments signify Divine truth proceeding from Him; the same is also signified by light. Moses and Elias appeared, because they both signify the Word, Moses the historical Word, and Elias the prophetical Word. A bright cloud overshadowed them, because a bright cloud signifies the Word in the letter, in which is the internal sense. The voice out of the cloud said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him, because a voice out of a cloud signifies Divine truth from the Word, and beloved Son, the Lord's Divine Human; and because Divine truth, and therefore all the truth of the church, is from Him, it was said out of the cloud, "In whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

[3] That the Divine Human of the Lord was thus seen, is clear, because the Divine itself cannot appear to any except by means of the Divine Human; this the Lord teaches also in John:

"No one hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath brought him forth to view" (i. 18).

And in another place:

"Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape" (John v. 37).

(That such things are signified by these words in the Evangelists, is evident from Arcana Coelestia, where it is shown that, in the Word by Peter, James, and John are signified faith, charity, and the works of charity, n. 3750, and above, n. 9; that by a high mountain is signified heaven, n. 8327, 8805, 9420, 9422, 9434, 10,608; that by face are signified the interiors of the mind, n. 1999, 2434, 3527, 4066, 4796, 5102, 9306, 9546, and by the face of the Lord, mercy, peace, and every good, n. 222, 223, 5585, 9306, 9546, 9888. That by the sun is signified Divine love, see n. 2495, 4060, 7083, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125. That by garments, when the Lord is treated of, is signified Divine truth, see n. 9212, 9216; that the same is signified by light, see n. 3195, 3222, 5400, 8644, 9399, 9548, 9684, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140. That Moses and Elias signify the Word; that Moses does so, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5922, 6723, 6752, 6771, 6827, 7010, 7014, 7089, 7382, 9372, 10,234; and that Elias does, see n. 2762, 5247. That clouds signify the Word [in the letter], see above, n. 36; that beloved Son is the Divine Human of the Lord is evident.) From the signification of the Lord's garments, as being Divine truth, it may be known what is signified by the soldiers dividing the Lord's garments among them, and casting lots upon His vesture, concerning which it is thus written in John,

"The soldiers took his garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also his coat; now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not divide it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did" (xix. 23, 24).

[4] He who does not know that in every particular of the Word there is an internal sense, which is spiritual, cannot see any arcanum in these things; he only knows that the soldiers divided the garments and not the coat, and he perceives nothing more than this, when, nevertheless, there is not only a Divine arcanum contained in this circumstance, but also in every particular of the things recorded concerning the Lord's passion. The arcanum which is contained in this circumstance is, that the Lord's garments signified Divine truth, thus the Word, because the Word is Divine truth; the garments which they divided, the Word in the letter, and the coat, the Word in the internal sense. To divide them, signifies to disperse and falsify; and soldiers signify those who belong to the church, who fight for Divine truth; wherefore it is said, "These things therefore the soldiers did." It is therefore clear, that by these words in the spiritual sense, is meant, that the Jewish Church dispersed the Divine truth which is in the sense of the letter; but that they could not disperse the Divine truth which is in the internal sense. (That the Lord's garments signified Divine truth, thus the Word, was shown above; that His coat signified Divine truth, or the Word, in the internal sense, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9826, 9942; that to divide is to disperse and separate from good and truth, thus to falsify, may be seen, n. 4424, 6360, 6361, 9094. That soldiers signify those who belong to the church, in this place to the Jewish church, who fought for Divine truth, is evident from the spiritual sense of warfare and of war; that war signifies spiritual combats, which are those of truth against falsity, may be seen, n. 1659, 1664, 8295, 10,455; it is therefore said concerning the Levites, whose function was to deal with the things of the church, that they should go out to the warfare, and should serve in the warfare, by exercising the ministry in the tent of the assembly (Numb. iv. 23, 35, 39, 43, 47; viii. 23, 24).

AE (Tansley) n. 65

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 65

65. And girt about the breasts with a golden girdle. That this signifies Divine good, is evident from the signification of breasts with a girdle, as being to surround the chest; breasts and a girdle are mentioned because the breasts stand out from the chest, and a girdle surrounds. The reason why Divine good proceeding from the Lord is here meant, is, that the chest in general, and the breasts in particular, have such a signification. The reason why these denote good proceeding, is, that all garments signify those things which proceed; for they are outside the body and clothe it; and the things which proceed from, are also outside the body and engird it. (That this is the case, is evident from what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, concerning the garments with which the angels are clothed, n. 177-182; that is to say that every one there is clothed with garments according to his affection of understanding and becoming wise, and this affection is what proceeds from them; for there is a sphere which proceeds from each angel and spirit, this being a sphere of affection, and is called the sphere of his life, and they have garments according to this sphere. That their garments are from that sphere, is not evident to their sight, but yet they know that it is so; concerning this sphere, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2489, 4464, 5179, 7454, 8630.) [2] From these considerations it is evident that the Lord's garments signify the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth united to Divine good, which fills the whole heaven, and enters into the interiors of the mind, and imparts intelligence and wisdom to him who receives it. This is what is meant by being clothed with white garments. Because proceeding Divine good is signified by the girdle with which the Lord was girded, therefore the girdle appeared to be of gold, for by gold is signified the good of love (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). The reason why breasts are mentioned instead of the chest, which was girt with the girdle is, because breasts signify spiritual love, and the chest itself the good thereof; this love is also signified by breasts in Isaiah:

"I will place thee for an eternal excellency, a joy of generation and generation. Thou shalt suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breasts of kings" (lx. 15, 16).

Kings denote truths from good from the Lord (as may be seen above, n. 31); breasts and chest denote that good, which is the good of spiritual love. [3] That the chest signifies the good of spiritual love is from correspondence with heaven; for the whole heaven corresponds to all things of man; the inmost or third heaven corresponds to the head; the middle or second to the chest, and the ultimate or first, to the feet. On account of such correspondence, heaven is also called the Grand Man (Maximus Homo); and because the inmost or third heaven corresponds to the head, therefore by the head is signified the good of celestial love, which is the good of love to the Lord. The reason of this is, that the good of celestial love reigns in and constitutes that heaven; and because the middle or second heaven corresponds to the chest, therefore by the chest is signified the good of spiritual love, which is the good of love towards the neighbour, because this good reigns in and constitutes that heaven. And because the ultimate or first heaven corresponds to the feet, therefore by feet is signified the good of natural from spiritual love, which is the good of faith; the reason is that, that good reigns in and constitutes that heaven. From these considerations it is clear why it is that the breasts signify spiritual love, and the chest its good. (But these things may be better understood from what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell; especially from the articles which treat of the three heavens, n. 29-39, where it is shown, that the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is love to Him and charity towards the neighbour, see n. 13-19; that the whole heaven resembles one man, see n. 59-67; and that there is correspondence of heaven with all things of man, see n. 87-102; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4938, 4939, 10,087. It is permitted to adduce from that work, by way of illustration, these few things. That the chest signifies the good of spiritual love, is because within, in the chest, are the heart and lungs, and the heart from correspondence signifies celestial love and the lungs spiritual love, but the lungs fill the chest; that there is such a correspondence, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3383-3896, 9280, 9300; what celestial love is and what spiritual love, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 23.)

AE (Tansley) n. 66

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 66

66. (v. 14) And his head and his hairs were white. That this signifies the Divine in primaries and in ultimates, is evident from the signification of the head when mentioned in reference to the Lord, of whom these things are said, as denoting the Divine in primaries, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of hairs, as denoting the Divine in ultimates, of which also we shall speak presently; and from the signification of white, as denoting what is pure. (That white (album) and white (candidum) denote what is pure, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319.) The reason why the head, when mentioned in reference to the Lord, denotes the Divine in primaries, is, that the head is the highest part of man, and therein are those primary things which give rise to all things that take place in the body. For in the head are the understanding and the will, from which, as from their beginnings, all the other things flow that relate to man's remoter things, as speech, and all actions. But the reason why hairs, when mentioned in reference to the Lord, denote the Divine in ultimates is, that hairs are ultimates, for they grow from the ultimate parts of man, and the primaries terminate in them; therefore, when the head and hairs are mentioned, primaries and ultimates are meant. [2] He who knows that the head signifies primaries, and the hairs ultimates, even in spiritual things, and that primaries and ultimates signify all things (as was shown above, n. 41), may know many arcana of the internal sense, where those things are mentioned. As, for instance, a Nazarite was not allowed to shave the hair of his head, because, as is said, it was the Nazariteship of God upon his head, and when the days were accomplished, he had to shave it off, and consecrate it (Numb. vi. 1-21); also the strength of Samson was in his hairs, and when they were shaved off he became weak, and when they grew again his strength returned (Judges xvi. 13 to the end). Again, forty-two boys were torn in pieces by bears, because they mocked Elisha, calling him bald-head (2 Kings ii. 23, 24). So too Elias was clothed with a garment of hair (2 Kings i. 8) and John the Baptist with camel's hair (Mark l. 6). Moreover what is signified by the head, hairs, beard and baldness, may be seen where they are mentioned in the Word. [3] The reason why a Nazarite was not allowed to shave his hair, because, as is stated, it was the Nazariteship of God upon his head, and that when the days were accomplished, he had to shave it off, and consecrate it, was, that a Nazarite represented the Lord in primaries and in ultimates, and His Divine in ultimates was His Human, which He made Divine even to the flesh and bones, which are the ultimates. That He made the Human Divine even to the flesh and bones, is clear from the fact that He left nothing in the sepulchre, and that He said to His disciples that He had flesh and bones, which a spirit has not (Luke xxiv. 39, 40). And when the Divine itself is also Divine in ultimates, then it rules all things from primaries by ultimates. (As is evident from what was said and shown above, n. 41; especially from the things which are adduced in Arcana Coelestia, to the effect that interiors successively flow into exteriors, even to the outermost or ultimate, and that therein also they exist and subsist, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216; that they not only flow in successively, but also form what is simultaneous in the ultimate; concerning which order see n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10,099; that therefore all interior things are held together in connection, from the primary by means of the ultimate, n. 9828; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 297; that hence the ultimate is more holy than the interiors, n. 9824; that hence in the ultimates there is strength and power, n. 9836.) It was for these reasons that the Nazariteship was instituted. The reason why the Nazarite should ultimately consecrate his hair by putting it into the fire of the altar, was, because the Holy Divine was thereby represented, and the fire of the altar signified that Holy (n. 934, 6314, 6832).

[4] From these considerations it is also evident why the strength of Samson was in his hair (Judges xvi. [13] to the end), for it is said that he was a Nazarite from his mother's womb (Judges xiii. 7; xvi. 17); so also it was not lawful for the chief priest and his sons, nor for the Levites, to shave the head and make themselves bald (Levit. x. 6; xxi. 5, 10; Ezek. xliv. 20). So, too, to cut off the beard, which also had a similar signification, was ignominious with the people of Israel (2 Sam. x. 4, 5). The reason why the forty-two boys were torn in pieces by bears, because they mocked Elisha, calling him bald-head, was, that Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, which is Divine truth, the sanctity and strength of which are in the ultimates from primaries, as said above; and because baldness signified the deprivation of them, therefore this circumstance took place; bears also signify truth in ultimates. (That Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2762, 5247.) [5] From these considerations it is also clear why the garment of Elias was hairy, and that of John was made of camel's hair; for John the Baptist, as well as Elias, represented the Lord as to the Word, therefore he was also called Elias (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 7643, 9372). When these things are understood it can be known what is signified by the head, hairs, beard, and baldness in the Word. As in Isaiah:

"In that time shall the Lord, by the king of Assyria, shave the head, and the hairs of the feet; he shall also consume the beard" (vii. 20).

In the same:

"Upon all heads shall be baldness, every beard shaven" (xv. 2).

In Jeremiah:

"Truth hath perished, and is cut off from their mouth; cut off thine hair and cast it away" (vii. 28, 29).

And in Ezekiel:

"Take a razor, and pass it upon the head and beard" (v. 1).

Again:

"On every face shall be shame, and upon all heads baldness" (vii. 18).

Again:

"Every head was made bald" (xxix. 18).

In Amos:

"I will bring baldness upon every head" (viii. 10).

And in David:

"God shall bruise the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth on in his guilt" (Psalm lxviii. 21).

In these passages, and in others, by cutting off the hair of the head, shaving the beard, and inducing baldness, is signified to deprive of all good and truth, because he who is deprived of the ultimates is also deprived of things prior, for prior things exist and subsist in ultimates, as said above. In the world of spirits also, there are seen those who are bald; and I have been informed that they are those who were abusers of the Word and had applied the sense of the letter, which is Divine truth in the ultimates, to wicked purposes, and consequently were deprived of all truth; they are also the most wicked, and many of them are from the Babylonish nation; but, on the contrary, the angels are seen with becoming hair.

AE (Tansley) n. 67

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 67

67. White as white wool, as snow. That this signifies as to good and truth therein, is evident from the signification of white wool, as being good in ultimates, concerning which we shall speak presently, and from the signification of snow, as denoting truth in ultimates. Snow denotes truth in ultimates from the water of which it is composed, and from its whiteness and brightness. (That water signifies truth, maybe seen below, n. 71, and that whiteness and brightness signify truth, from the transparency of light, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319, 8459.) The reason why white wool signifies good in ultimates, is, that the wool upon lambs and sheep has a signification similar to that of the hair upon man; and lambs and sheep signify good, lambs celestial good (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3519, 3994, 10,132), and sheep spiritual good (n. 4169, 4809). This is why hairs, by which is signified Divine truth in ultimates, are said to be white, as white wool, and as snow; as also concerning the Lord, when He was transfigured:

"His raiment became shining, exceeding shining white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can whiten them" (Mark ix. 3).

And concerning the Ancient of Days, in Daniel:

"I saw until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head as white wool" (vii. 9).

Garment also signifies the Divine in ultimates (as may be seen above, n. 64); and the Ancient of Days, the Lord from eternity. [2] Because wool signifies good in ultimates, therefore good is sometimes described in the Word by wool, and truth by linen and by snow, as in Hosea:

"She said, I will go after my lovers, who give my bread and my waters, my wool and my flax. Therefore I will return and will take my corn in its time, and I will take away my wool and my flax" (ii. 5, 9);

and in Ezekiel:

"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe yourselves with the wool; ye kill that which is the best, ye feed not the flock" (xxxiv. 3).

In David:

"Jehovah sendeth forth his word upon earth; he giveth snow like wool" (Ps. cxlvii. 15, 16).

And in Isaiah:

"If your sins were as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; if they were red as crimson, they shall be as wool" (i. 18).

The reason why snow is spoken of in reference to sins which were as scarlet, and wool of sins which were red as crimson, is because scarlet signifies truth from good, and, in an opposite sense, falsity from evil (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4922, 9468) and red and crimson signify good, and, in an opposite sense, evil of every kind (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3330, 9467, 9865).

AE (Tansley) n. 68

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 68

68. And his eyes were as a flame of fire. That this signifies Divine providence from His Divine love, is evident from the signification of eyes, as denoting the understanding (concerning which see above, n. 37), and when said of the Lord, as denoting presence, and thence providence (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3869, 10,569); concerning which more will be said in what follows; and from the signification of a flame of fire, when said of the Lord, as denoting Divine love. The reason why a flame of fire denotes the Divine love is, that the Lord appears from heaven as a Sun, and the Divine which proceeds from Him as light, flame-coloured in the inmost or third heaven, and shining white in the middle or second heaven; the Divine love itself is what thus appears. For this reason fire and flame in the Word signify love. (As may be evident from what is shown in Arcana Coelestia, viz., that fire in the Word signifies love in each sense, n. 934, 4906, 5215. That sacred and heavenly fire is Divine love, and every affection which belongs to that love, see n. 934, 6314, 6832. That there are two origins of heat, one from the sun of the world, by virtue of which all things upon the earth vegetate, the other from the Sun of heaven, which is the Lord, from which angels and men derive all that pertains to their life, see n. 3338, 5215, 7324. That love is the fire of life, and that life itself is actually therefrom, see n. 4906, 5071, 6032, 6314. That flame is truth from the good of the inmost heaven, and light truth from the good of the middle heaven, see n. 3222, 6832; the reason is, that light in the inmost heaven appears as flaming, and in the middle heaven, shining white, see n. 9570; and also in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-140.) The reason why eyes, when said of the Lord, signify Divine providence, is, because when said of man, they signify understanding; and the Divine understanding, because it is infinite, is Divine providence. Nothing else is signified by the eyes of Jehovah, in the following passage in Isaiah:

"Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, and hear; open thine eyes, O Jehovah, and see" (xxxvii. 17).

In Jeremiah:

"I will set mine eye upon them for good, and I will bring them back upon this land, and I will build them" (xxiv. 6).

And in David:

"Behold the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him" (Ps. xxxiii. 18);

and in the same:

"Jehovah is in the temple of his holiness, his eyes behold, and his eyelids prove the sons of man" (Ps. xi. 4.);

and in other places. (Concerning the Divine providence, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 267-279.)

AE (Tansley) n. 69

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 69

69. (v. 15) And his feet like, unto burnished brass, as if they burned in a furnace. That this signifies the ultimate of Divine order which is the Natural, full of Divine love, is evident from the signification of feet, as being the Natural (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952); when therefore it is said of the Lord, it denotes the ultimate of Divine order, because that is the Natural. It is also evident from the signification of burnished brass, or polished brass, as denoting natural good, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of burning, when said of the Lord, as denoting that it is from the Divine love (concerning which see n. 10,055). It is said, as if they burned in a furnace, in order that the Divine love may be expressed in the greatest degree, and in its fullness; for the Divine is in its fulness when it is in its ultimate, and the ultimate is the Natural (as may be seen above, n. 66). It is clear then, that by His feet like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, is signified the ultimate of Divine order, which is the Natural, full of Divine love. These things, as also those that precede, are spoken comparatively; as that His head and His hairs were white as white wool, as snow, and that His feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; but it is to be observed, that all comparisons in the Word are significative, because in the same way as the things themselves, they are from correspondences (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 4599, 8989). [2] The reason why feet, when said of the Lord, signify the ultimate of Divine order, and that this is the Natural, is, that heaven is heaven from the Divine Human of the Lord, and that therefore heaven in the aggregate has reference to one Man. And, because there are three heavens, that the highest heaven has reference to the head, the middle heaven to the body, and the ultimate heaven to the feet. The Divine which constitutes the highest heaven is called the celestial Divine; that which constitutes the middle heaven is called the spiritual Divine, and that which constitutes the ultimate heaven is called the natural Divine from the spiritual and celestial. It is therefore clear why the Lord is in this place described as to His Divine Human, which is the Son of man, seen in the midst of the lampstands, not only as to His garments, but also as to His head, His chest and feet. (That the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human, may be seen above, n. 63; and that the lampstands denote heaven, may be seen n. 62. But as these things are arcana hitherto unknown in the world, and nevertheless ought to be understood in order that the internal sense of this and the following parts of this prophetical book may be comprehended, they are therefore particularly and specifically described in the work, Heaven and Hell; as, that the Divine Human of the Lord constitutes heaven, n. 7-12, 78-86; that hence heaven in the aggregate has reference to one Man, n. 59-77; that there are three heavens, and that the highest refers to the head, the middle to the body, and the ultimate to the feet, n. 29-40.)

When these things are understood, it will be evident that by the feet of Jehovah, or of the Lord, in the Word, is signified the ultimate of Divine order, or the Natural; and because the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word, is the ultimate of Divine order in the church, and is the Natural, therefore this is specifically signified by the feet of Jehovah, or of the Lord. [3] It was for this reason that, when the Lord was seen as an angel by the prophets, in other places, He was seen by them also in a similar manner. Thus by Daniel:

"I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with gold of Uphaz; his body also was like the beryl, and his eyes as torches of fire his arms and his feet as the brightness of polished brass" (x. 5, 6).

Similarly, the cherubs, which mean the Lord as to providence and protection (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9277, 9509, 9673), were seen by Ezekiel:

"Their feet sparkled as the brightness of polished brass" (i. 7).

So also the Lord was afterwards seen as an angel, in the Apocalypse:

"I saw an angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was about his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire" (x. 1).

Because the Lord was thus seen as to the feet, therefore under the feet was seen, by some of the sons of Israel,

"as it were a work of sapphire stone, and as the substance of heaven in purity" (Exod. xxiv. 10).

The reason why the Lord was not seen by them as to the feet, but under the feet, was, that they were not in the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word, but under it (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248). Since the feet of Jehovah, or the Lord, signify the ultimate of Divine order, and this is specifically the external of the church, of worship, and of the Word, therefore this is called His footstool in the Word, as in Isaiah:

"The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; I will make the place of my feet honourable. And they shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet" (lx. 13, 14).

Again:

"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool" (lxvi. 1).

In Jeremiah:

God "doth not remember his footstool in the day of anger" (Lam. ii. 1).

And in David:

"Adore ye Jehovah, towards his footstool" (Ps. xcix. 5).

Again:

"We will go into his habitation; we will bow ourselves at his footstool" (Ps. cxxxii. 7).

And in Nahum:

"The clouds of Jehovah are the dust of his feet" (l. 3).

That cloud denotes the external of the Word, or the Word as to the letter, may be seen above, n. 36; and because cloud denotes the external of the Word, it also denotes the external of the church and of worship, for the church and worship are from the Word. It is said the dust of His feet, because those things which are in the sense of the letter of the Word, which sense is natural, appear scattered.

AE (Tansley) n. 70

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 70

70. The reason why the feet are said to be like unto fine brass is, that by fine brass is meant brass polished and shining, like something fiery; and brass in the Word signifies natural good. Metals, like all other things in the Word, are significative. Gold in the Word signifies celestial good, which is inmost good; silver signifies its truth, which is spiritual good; brass natural good, which is ultimate good, and iron its truth, which is natural truth. That such things are signified by metals, is from correspondence; for many things are seen in heaven shining like gold and silver, and also many things shining like brass and iron. And it is there known, that by those things are signified the above-mentioned kinds of good and truth; this is why the ancients, who were in the knowledge of correspondences, named the ages after those metals. The first age they called the golden age, because innocence, love and wisdom therefrom, then reigned; but the second age they called the silver age, because truth from that good, or spiritual good, and intelligence therefrom, then reigned; the third age they called the brazen, or copper, age, because only natural good, which is what is just and sincere pertaining to moral life, then reigned; but the last age they called the iron age, because only truth without good then reigned, and when that reigns, then also falsity reigns. The reason why the ages were thus distinguished, was from the spiritual signification of those metals. [2] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, seen in his dream,

"whose head was of gold, the chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay" (Dan. ii, 32, 33).

The state of the church from its first time to its last as to good and truth, is here signified; its last time was when the Lord came into the world.

When it is known that gold signifies celestial good, silver spiritual good, brass natural good, and iron natural truth, many arcana in the Word where those metals are mentioned can be known. For example, what is signified by these words in Isaiah:

"For brass I will bring gold, for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron; I will also make thy government peace, and thine exactors justice" (lx. 17).

[3] But as the signification of brass is what is here treated of, as being natural good, it is necessary only to adduce a few passages where brass is mentioned and signifies that good. Thus in Moses:

"Asher acceptable to his brethren, and dipping his foot in oil; iron and brass thy shoe, and as thy day, thy fame" (Deut. xxxiii. 24, 25).

Asher, as one of the tribes, signifies the happiness of life, and the delight of the affections (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3938, 3939, 6408); to dip the foot in oil signifies natural delight (that oil denotes delight, see n. 9954, and that the foot denotes the Natural, see above, n. 69); the shoe being iron and brass signifies the lowest Natural derived from truth and good, shoe denoting the lowest Natural (see n. 1748, 1860, 6844); iron is its truth, and brass its good, as above. Again,

"Jehovah thy God will bring thee into a rich land; a land out of whose stones thou shalt cut iron, and out of whose mountains brass" (Deut. viii. 7, 9).

And in Jeremiah:

"I will give thee unto this people for a fortified wall of brass, that they may fight against thee, and not prevail over thee" (xv. 20).

And in Ezekiel:

"Javan, Tubal, and Mesech, they were thy merchants; with the soul of man and vessels of brass they gave thy merchandise" (xxvii. 13).

In this chapter the merchandises of Tyre are treated of, by which are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth. By the names Javan, Tubal, and Mesech, are signified those things that pertain to good and truth, to which the knowledges relate; the soul of man denotes the truth of life; vessels of brass denote scientifics of natural good. [4] (What is signified by Tyre, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201; what by merchandises, n. 2967, 4453; what by Tubal and Mesech, n. 1151; what by Javan, n. 1152, 1153, 1155; what by the soul of man, n. 2930, 9050, 9281; what by vessels, n. 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318.) Again, in the same prophet:

The feet of the cherubs "shone like the appearance of polished brass" (i. 7).

(What the cherubs and the feet signify, may be seen above, n. 69.) And in the same prophet:

I saw, and, "lo, a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, and a thread of flax in his hands; he stood in the gate" (xl. 3).

Because the angel here mentioned measured the wall and the gates of the house of God, which signify the externals of the church, his appearance was seen to be the appearance of brass.

He who knows that brass signifies the external of the church, which in itself is natural, may in some measure understand why the altar of burnt-offering was overlaid with brass, and the gate round it was of brass, and the vessels of brass (Exod. xxvii. 1-4), also why the great vessel, which was called the sea, with the twelve, oxen under it, and the ten lavers with the bases, and also all the vessels of the tabernacle for the house of God, were made by Solomon of polished brass (1 Kings vii. 43-47). He who knows what brass signifies, can also enter into the arcanum why a serpent of brass was commanded to be set up for the people to look at, concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

"Jehovah sent serpents among the people, which bit the people. And he said unto Moses, Make thee a serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he hath looked upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that when a serpent had bitten any man, and he looked upon the serpent of brass, he lived" (Numb. xxi. 6, 8, 9).

That the Lord was signified by that serpent, He himself teaches in John:

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (iii. 14, 15).

By the serpent is signified the ultimate of life in man, which is called the external Sensual, which is natural. To represent this ultimate, which in the Lord was Divine, among the sons of Israel, with whom all things were representative, a serpent of brass was made; and the signification was, that, if they looked to the Divine Human of the Lord, they would revive, that is, if they believed in Him, they should have eternal life, as the Lord himself also teaches. (That to see in the spiritual sense is to believe, may be seen above, n. 37, 68; and that a serpent denotes the external Sensual, which is the ultimate of the life of man, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 195-197, 6398, 6949, 10,313.) That brass and iron in the Word also signify what is hard, as in Isaiah xlviii. 4; Dan. vii. 19; and other places, will be seen in the following pages.

AE (Tansley) n. 71

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 71

71. And his voice as the voice of many waters. That this signifies Divine truth in ultimates, is evident from the signification of a voice, when it is from the Lord, as denoting Divine truth (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 8914, and above, n. 55), and from the signification of the waters, as denoting the truths of faith, and also the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth (concerning which see n. 2702, 3058, 5668, 8568, 10,238); and because the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth are in ultimates, therefore by His voice as the voice of many waters, because it relates to the Lord, is signified Divine truth in ultimates. (That knowledges (cognitiones) and Scientifics (scientifica) belong to the external or natural man, because they are in the light of the world, thus, in ultimates, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5212, and in general from what is said in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 51.) As it is not yet known that waters in the Word signify the truths of faith and the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth, and, perhaps, because it appears far-fetched, I wish here briefly to show that such things are meant by waters in the Word. This is also necessary because without a knowledge of the signification of waters, it cannot be known what is signified by baptism, nor what by the washings observed in the Israelitish Church, of which mention is so frequently made. Waters signify the truths of faith, because bread signifies the good of love; the reason why waters and bread have such a signification is that the things that pertain to spiritual nourishment are expressed, in the sense of the letter, by those things that have reference to natural nourishment. For bread and water, by which are meant all food and drink in general, nourish the body, and the truths of faith and the good of love nourish the soul. This is also from correspondence; for when bread and water are read in the Word, the angels, being spiritual, understand those things which nourish them; these are the goods of love and the truths of faith.

sRef Amos@8 @11 S2' sRef Ps@147 @19 S2' sRef Isa@41 @17 S2' sRef Zech@14 @8 S2' sRef Isa@41 @20 S2' sRef Rev@22 @1 S2' sRef Isa@41 @18 S2' sRef Isa@44 @3 S2' sRef Jer@17 @13 S2' sRef Isa@48 @21 S2' sRef Isa@58 @11 S2' sRef Jer@14 @3 S2' sRef Amos@8 @13 S2' sRef Ezek@4 @17 S2' sRef Ezek@4 @16 S2' sRef Amos@8 @12 S2' sRef Jer@31 @9 S2' sRef Isa@58 @10 S2' sRef Ps@147 @18 S2' sRef Rev@22 @17 S2' sRef John@7 @38 S2' sRef John@7 @37 S2' sRef Rev@21 @6 S2' sRef John@4 @8 S2' sRef John@4 @7 S2' sRef John@4 @10 S2' sRef John@4 @9 S2' sRef Jer@2 @13 S2' sRef Ps@23 @1 S2' sRef Ps@23 @2 S2' sRef Isa@11 @9 S2' sRef John@4 @6 S2' sRef Isa@33 @16 S2' sRef Ps@148 @4 S2' sRef Ps@63 @1 S2' sRef Isa@12 @3 S2' sRef Isa@33 @15 S2' sRef John@4 @12 S2' sRef John@4 @11 S2' sRef John@4 @13 S2' sRef John@4 @14 S2' [2] But some passages shall be here adduced, whence it may be known that waters signify the truths of faith, likewise the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth. Thus in Isaiah:

"The earth shall be full of the knowledge (scientia) of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea" (xi. 9).

Again:

"With joy shall ye draw water out of the fountains of salvation" (xii. 3).

Again:

"He that walketh in justice, and speaketh uprightnesses, bread shall be given him, and sure waters" (xxxiii. 15, 16).

Again:

"The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none; their tongue faileth for thirst. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of waters, and the dry land springs of waters. That they may see, and know, and hearken, and understand" (xli. 17, 18, 20).

Again:

"I will pour out waters upon him that is thirsty; and, floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring" (xliv. 3).

Again:

"Thy light shall arise in obscurity, and thy darkness as the noon-day; that thou mayest be as a watered garden, and as the going forth of waters, whose waters shall not lie" (lviii. 10).

In Jeremiah:

"My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves pits that hold no water" (ii. 13).

Again:

"Their nobles sent their little ones for water; they came to the pits, and found no waters; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded" (xiv. 3).

Again:

"They have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters" (xvii. 13).

Again:

"They shall come with weeping, and with weeping will I lead them; I will lead them to fountains of waters, in a way of rectitude" (xxxi. 9).

And in Ezekiel:

"I will break the staff of bread, and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment. That they may want bread and water, and be desolated, a man and his brother, and consume away for their iniquities" (iv. 16, 17; xii. 18, 19; Isaiah, li. 14).

And in Amos:

"Behold, the days come, in which I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for waters, but for hearing the Word of Jehovah. They shall wander from sea to sea, they shall run to and fro, to seek the Word of Jehovah, and shall not find it; in that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst" (viii. 11-13).

And in Zechariah;

"In that day living waters shall go out from Jerusalem" (xiv. 8).

And in David:

"Jehovah is my shepherd, I shall not want. He will lead me to the waters of rest" (Psalm xxiii. 1, 2).

In Isaiah:

"They shall not thirst; he will make waters to flow for them out of the rock, and he will cleave the rock, that the waters may flow out" (xlviii. 21).

In David:

"O God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth, weary without waters" (Psalm lxiii. 1).

Again:

Jehovah "sendeth his Word, he maketh the wind to blow, that the waters may flow" (Psalm cxlvii. 18).

Again:

"Praise Jehovah, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters which are above the heavens" (cxlviii. 4).

In John:

Jesus came to the fountain of Jacob; "A woman of Samaria came to draw water, to whom Jesus said, Give me to drink; - if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest ask of him, and he would give thee living water. The woman said unto him, Whence hast thou that living water? Jesus said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a fountain of water, springing up into everlasting life" (iv. 7-15).

Again:

Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture saith, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (vii. 37, 38).

And in the Apocalypse:

"Unto him that is athirst shall be given of the fountain of the water of life freely" (xxi. 6).

And in another place:

The angel showed him "a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (xxii. 1).

And again:

"The spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (xxii. 17).

sRef Ezek@43 @2 S3' sRef Ps@29 @3 S3' sRef Rev@14 @2 S3' sRef John@3 @5 S3' [3] These passages are adduced, that it may be known that by waters in the Word are signified the truths of faith, and hence what is signified by the water of baptism, concerning which the Lord thus teaches in John:

"Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (iii. 5);

where water denotes the truths of faith, and the spirit a life according to them (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209, and the following numbers). Because it has not hitherto been known that waters signify the truths of faith, and that all things that were instituted amongst the sons of Israel were representative of spiritual things, it has therefore been believed, that by the washings commanded them their sins were wiped away, although they were in no sense wiped away; those washings only represented purification from evils and falsities, by means of the truths of faith and a life according to them (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3147, 5954, 10,237, 10,240). From these considerations it is now clear, that by His voice as the voice of many waters, is meant Divine truth; as also in Ezekiel:

"Behold the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east, and his voice was as the voice of many waters; and the earth was enlightened by his glory" (xliii. 2).

And in David:

"The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters, Jehovah is upon many waters" (Ps. xxix. 3).

And in the following words in the Apocalypse:

"I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters" (xiv. 2).

[4] I know that some will wonder why waters are mentioned in the Word, and not the truths of faith, although the purpose of the Word is to teach man about his spiritual life; and if the truths of faith had been mentioned instead of waters, men would have known that the waters of baptism and of washings contribute nothing to his purification from evils and falsities. But it must be noted, that the Word, to be Divine, and at the same time to be for heaven and the church, must be altogether natural in the letter; for unless this were the case, it could not be the medium of effecting the conjunction of heaven with the church; for it would be like a house without a foundation, and like a soul without a body; for the ultimates include all the interiors, and are their foundation (as may be seen above, n. 41). Man also is in ultimates, and heaven has its foundation upon the church in him. This is why the style in which the Word is written is of such a character; therefore, when man thinks spiritually from the natural things which are in the sense of the letter of the Word, he is conjoined with heaven which could not otherwise be the case.

AE (Tansley) n. 72

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 72

72. (v. 16) And he had in his right hand seven stars. That this signifies all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth from Him, is evident from the signification of having in His right hand, as denoting from Himself; for hand signifies power, and hence whatever pertains to it, and thus also whatever is from it, the reason why the right hand is mentioned is because it signifies the power of good by means of truth (that the hand signifies power may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 878, 3091, 4931-4937, 6947, 10,019; and therefore whatever pertains to it, and is from it, n. 9133, 10,019, 10,405; that the right hand signifies the power of good by truth, see n. 9604, 9736, 10,061; and that the right hand of Jehovah signifies the Divine power of the Lord, thus omnipotence, see n, 3387, 4592, 4933, 7518, 7673, 8281, 9133, 10,019); and from the signification of stars, as being the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth (concerning which in what follows); and from the signification of seven, as denoting all (concerning which see above, n. 20, 24). [2] That stars signify the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, thus goods and truths, is from appearances in the spiritual world; for there the Lord is seen as a Sun, and the angels from a distance as stars. The reason why the angels are thus seen, is from the reception of light from the Lord as a Sun, thus from the reception of Divine truth, which is from the Lord; for this is the light of heaven. This is why it is said in Daniel,

"They that be intelligent shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that justify many, as the stars for ever" (xii. 3).

They that are intelligent, are those who are in truths, and those that justify many, are those who are in good (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 346-348).

[3] When it is known that the sun signifies the Lord as to Divine love, thus also Divine love from the Lord, and that stars signify the truths of the church, and the knowledges (cognitiones) thereof, it can also be known what is signified in the Word, where it is said that the sun shall be darkened, and that the stars shall withdrawn their shining, and also that they shall fall from heaven; and it may also be seen what stars signify when mentioned in other parts of the Word, as in the following passages in Isaiah:

I will make "the earth a waste, that he may destroy the sinners from it; the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof shall not shine with their light; the sun shall be covered with darkness in his rising, and the moon shall not give forth the splendour of her light" (xiii. 9, 10).

The vastation of the church is there treated of, which takes place when there is no longer any good of love and truth of faith; the earth which shall be laid waste is the church (as may be seen above, n. 29). [4] In Ezekiel:

"I will cover the heavens when I shall extinguish thee, and will darken the stars; the sun will I cover with a cloud, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine; all the luminaries of light will I darken over thee, and I will give darkness over the land" (xxxii 7, 8).

Darkness over the land denotes falsities in the church. In Joel:

"The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining" (ii. 10, 11; iii. 15).

In Matthew:

In the consummation of the age "after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (xxiv. 29; Mark xiii. 24).

In Daniel:

From one of the horns of the he-goat "went forth a little horn, and it increased greatly towards the south, and towards the east, and towards glory; and it increased towards the host of the heavens, and it cast down of the host and of the stars, and trampled upon them; yea, even to the prince of the host it lifted up itself" (viii. 9, 10, 11).

Here, by the host of heaven are meant the goods and truths of the church in their whole extent (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019), specifically those which combat against falsities (see n. 7277); hence Jehovah is called, Jehovah Zebaoth, that is, of hosts (see n. 3448, 7988). In the Apocalypse:

The dragon, with his tail "drew the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth" (xii. 4).

Stars also in that passage denote the goods and truths of the church, and the knowledges (cognitiones) thereof; the third part denotes the greater part; but what is signified by the dragon will be seen in the following pages. Again:

"The stars of heaven fell to the earth" (Apoc. vi. 13).

Again:

"A star fell from heaven unto the earth" (Apoc. ix. 1).

Again:

"A great star fell from heaven burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters" (Apoc. viii. 10).

Because stars signify the goods and truths of the church and the knowledges (cognitiones) thereof, by their falling from heaven is signified that they perish. In David:

Jehovah "counteth the number of the stars, he calleth them all by names" (Ps. cxlvii. 4)

and in the same:

"Praise ye Jehovah, sun and moon; praise him all ye stars of light" (Ps. cxlviii. 3).

In the book of Judges:

"The kings came, they fought from heaven; the stars fought in their courses" (v. 19, 20).

Because the angels in the spiritual heaven shine as stars, and because all truth and good belonging to them are from the Lord, therefore the Lord, as He is called an angel, is also called a star; as in Moses:

"A star shall arise (orietur) out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise (surget) out of Israel" (Numb. xxiv. 17).

And in the Apocalypse:

Jesus, "the bright and morning star" (xxii. 16).

It is therefore clear why it was that

The wise men from the east saw a star, and followed it, and that it stood where Jesus was born (Matt. ii. 1, 2, 9).

From these considerations it can now be known what is signified by the seven stars which were seen in the right hand of the Son of man, who is the Lord as to the Divine Human (as may be seen above, n. 63).

AE (Tansley) n. 73

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 73

73. And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. That this signifies the dispersion of falsities by the Word, is evident from the signification of going forth from the mouth, when said of the Lord, as denoting Divine truth, thus the Word, for this proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord; and from the signification of a sabre, or sword, as denoting truth fighting; and since by truth when it fights, falsities are dispersed, therefore also by a sword is signified the dispersion of falsities. The reason why the sword is called sharp and two-edged is on account of entire dispersion. (That a sabre, or sword, signifies truth fighting against falsities, and destroying them, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2799, 6353, 8294.) As the sword is frequently mentioned in the following pages, as in chap. ii. 12, 16; vi. 4, 8; xiii. 10, 14; xix. 15, 21; it will be illustrated and shown that it signifies truth fighting with and dispersing falsities, when we come to treat of those passages; therefore we shall not adduce here any quotations from the Word in confirmation of this signification at present.

AE (Tansley) n. 74

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 74

74. And his face was as the sun shineth in his power. That this signifies His Divine love, from which are all things of heaven, is evident from the signification of face, when said of the Lord, as being Divine love, from which is all good, thus also all things of heaven (Arcana Coelestia, n. 5585, 9306, 9546, 9888; and that the Lord as to the Divine Human is called in the Word the face of Jehovah, see n. 10,579; that the Lord from Divine love appears from heaven as a Sun shining, and that from Him, as the Sun, all things of heaven exist and subsist, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125; and from the subjects treated of in that work which follow).

AE (Tansley) n. 75

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 75

75. Verses 17-20. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. And am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive unto the ages of the ages, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be; the mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches. "And when I saw him," signifies the presence of the Divine majesty; "I fell at his feet," signifies adoration from humiliation of heart on account of the Divine; "as dead," signifies the failing of his own life. "And he laid his right hand upon me," signifies life from Him; "saying to me, Fear not," signifies renewal; "I am the first and the last," signifies who rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and thus all things of heaven.

"And am he that liveth," signifies who is from eternity; "And was dead," signifies that He is rejected; "and behold, I am alive unto the ages of the ages," signifies eternal life from Him. "Amen," signifies Divine confirmation; "and have the keys of hell and of death," signifies that He has the power of saving.

"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be," signifies that all these things are for posterity, because they are Divine.

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand," signifies revelation concerning all goods and truths which are from Him; "and the seven golden lampstands," signifies, and concerning those things in the new heaven and new earth. "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches," signifies those who receive goods and truths from the Lord; "and the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches," signifies that all such are in the new heaven and in the New Church.

AE (Tansley) n. 76

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 76

76. (v. 17) And when I saw him. That this signifies the presence of the Divine majesty, is evident from those things which precede concerning the Son of man, which all pertain to the Divine majesty, as is clear from the explanation of them in the internal sense. As, that He was clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle, by which is signified that Divine truth and Divine good proceed from Him; that His head and His hairs were white, as white wool, as snow, by which is signified the Divine in primaries and in ultimates; that His feet were like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace, by which is signified that His Human, even in ultimates, was full of Divine love; that His voice was as the voice of many waters, by which is signified that all Divine truth is from Him; that He had in His right hand seven stars, by which is signified that thence are all the goods and truths of heaven and of the church; that out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, by which is signified that by Him all falsities are dispersed; that His face was as the sun shineth in His power, by which is signified that from His Divine love were all things of heaven; that these things are Divine, and were seen full of Divine majesty, is clear. [2] That to see, in this place, signifies the presence of those things, and now the inmost presence, is evident from its being also said before that he saw those things (verse 12), from which sight also they are described; and that now again it is said, I saw Him; and that from this vision he fell at His feet as dead. This is why by seeing is here signified the presence of the Divine majesty; this presence was granted to John, when he saw His face as the sun in his power, for therefrom he was enlightened and filled with astonishment on account of the Divine; for from the Lord, as a Sun, is all Divine light; and Divine light passes into the interiors; such therefore as is the Divine presence, such also is the impletion (as is evident from what is adduced in the work, Heaven and Hell, respecting the Lord as a sun, n. 116-225; respecting the light and heat thence in heaven, n. 126-140; and respecting turning to Him, n. 17, 123, 144, 145, 151, 255, 272, 510, 548, 561). Moreover it must be observed that man has two forms of seeing, one from thought-faith, and the other from love. Whilst he sees only from thought-faith, his seeing is without astonishment on account of the Divine majesty; but when the seeing is from love, then it is attended with astonishment at the Divine majesty; the reason being that it is then turned to Him, for love turns it, but thought-faith without love does not (as is evident from the passages above quoted concerning turning to the Lord, from the work, Heaven and Hell). That this is the case is very well known in the spiritual world. It is therefore clear that by "I saw him," the second time, is signified the presence of the Divine majesty.

AE (Tansley) n. 77

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 77

77. I fell at his feet. That this signifies adoration from humiliation of heart on account of the Divine, is evident from the signification of falling at the feet, as being adoration from humiliation. The reason why it denotes humiliation of heart, is that the humiliation which comes from the heart on account of the Divine causes that prostration. Every kind of affection has corresponding gestures in the body, the body being led and falling into them as of itself whilst interiorly it is in the affection. Humiliation on account of man causes a bowing down, according to esteem; but humiliation on account of the Divine, causes a total prostration, especially when a man thinks that the Divine is the All as to power and wisdom, and himself comparatively nothing, or that from the Divine comes every good, and from himself nothing but evil. When man makes this acknowledgment from the heart, he then comes as it were out of himself, and falls upon his face; and when he is thus out of himself, he is also removed from his proprium, which in itself is mere evil; when the proprium, is removed, the Divine infills him, and raises him up; not that the Divine desires such humiliation for Himself, but because evil is then removed; and so far as evil is removed from a man, so far what is Divine inflows, for evil alone opposes. (An example of such humiliation may be seen in the small work, The Earths in the Universe, n. 91.) [2] The state of man when the Divine presence, removes his proprium, and afterwards infills him, is thus described in this verse: "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead; and he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not." This state is further described in Daniel:

"I lifted up mine eyes and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen. His face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as torches of fire, and his feet like the brightness of polished brass. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me saw not the vision; but a great fear fell upon them, so that they fled. And there remained no strength in me; and I was in a deep sleep, and my faces upon the ground. And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands, and said, Fear not" (x. 5-12).

This state is also described in Ezekiel, when he saw the cherubs, which signify the Lord as to providence:

When I saw the glory of Jehovah, "I fell upon my faces, and I heard a voice speaking, which said, Son of man, stand upon thy feet and I will speak to thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, and I heard him that spake unto me" (i. 28; ii. 1, 2; iii. 24).

The same was the case, also, when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John; concerning which it is thus written in Matthew:

"While Peter was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. And when the disciples heard these things, they fell upon their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, be not afraid. And when they lifted up their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only" (xvii. 5-8).

From these passages it is clear that such is the nature of the presence of the Divine Human of the Lord with man, when in a state of humiliation of heart, that he falls upon his face, and by the touch of the Lord's hand is raised upon his feet. That it was the presence of the Lord as to the Divine Human which produced these effects is evident, for the Son of man who was in the midst of the seven lampstands thus appeared before John. That the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human, may be seen above (n. 63). In the same way the Lord appeared before the disciples when He was transfigured, therefore also it is said, that when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one save Jesus only. That it was also the Lord as to the Divine Human, that was seen by Daniel and Ezekiel, is evident from the declaration of the Lord Himself,

That no one hath ever heard the voice of the Father or seen His form (John v. 37; 1. 18). That they also adored the Lord, when He was in the world,

By falling upon the face at His feet, may be seen in Matthew xxviii. 9; and in Mark vii. 25, Luke viii. 41; xvii. 15-18; and in John xi. 32.

AE (Tansley) n. 78

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 78

78. As dead. That this signifies the failing of his own life, is evident from the signification of as dead, when the Divine presence with man is treated of, as being the failing of one's own life. For a man's own life is that into which he is born, which in itself is nothing but evil, for it is altogether inverted, regarding only itself and the world, and therefore turning itself backwards from God and from heaven. The life which is not man's own, is that into which he is led when he is regenerated by the Lord; and when he comes into this life, he looks to God and heaven in the first place, and himself and the world in the second. This life flows into man when the Lord is present; hence it is clear, that, so far as it flows in, so far there is effected a turning of the life; this turning, when it is effected suddenly, causes man to appear to himself as dead; hence it is that by these words is signified the failing of his own life. But these two states cannot be described to the apprehension; they are different also with man from what they are with a spirit, and they differ altogether with the evil and with the good.

[2] It is impossible for man to live in the body in the presence of the Divine; and they who do live are surrounded with a column of angels, which moderates the Divine influx; for the body of no man whatever is capable of receiving of the Divine, therefore it dies and is cast off. That man cannot live in the body in the presence of the Divine, is evident from the words of the Lord to Moses,

"Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live" (Exod. xxxiii. 20);

therefore Moses, because he desired to see Him, was placed in the hole of a rock, and covered until the Lord had passed by. It was known also to the ancients that man could not see God and live, as is evident from the book of Judges:

"Manoah said unto his wife, Dying we shall die, because we have seen God" (xiii. 22).

This was also testified among the sons of Israel, when the Lord was seen from Mount Sinai, concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

"Be ready against the third day; for the third day Jehovah will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mountain, or touch the border of it; whosoever toucheth the mountain, dying he shall die;" and because terror seized upon them, they said to Moses, "Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Exod. xix. 11, 12; xx. 19).

(That by Mount Sinai is signified heaven, where the Lord is, and that by touching is signified to communicate, to transfer, and to receive, and that for this reason it was forbidden to touch the border of that mountain, may be seen in the explanation of that chapter in Arcana Coelestia.)

[3] The reason why Jehovah was seen by many, as recorded in the Word, was, that they were at the time surrounded with a column of spirits, and thus preserved, as said above; thus also the Lord has been oftentimes seen by me. But the state of spirits before the Divine presence differs from the state of man; spirits cannot die; therefore, if they are evil, they undergo a spiritual death at the Divine presence, the nature of which death will be presently described; but those who are good, are taken to societies, where the sphere of the Divine presence is tempered and accommodated to reception. This is why there are three heavens, and in each heaven many societies, and those who are in the higher heavens are nearer to the Lord, and those who are in the lower are more remote from Him (concerning this see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28, 29-40, 41-50, 206-209). What the spiritual death is which evil spirits undergo at the Divine presence, shall be briefly stated. [4] Spiritual death is an aversion and removal from the Lord; but, when evil spirits who are not yet vastated, that is, determined to their ruling love, enter any angelic society, then, because the Divine of the Lord is there present, they are direfully tortured, and not only avert themselves, but also cast themselves into the deep, where no light from heaven enters; some into dark caverns of rocks; in a word, into the hells (concerning this see what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 54, 40, 410, 525, 527). This aversion and removal from the Lord is called spiritual death; the spiritual of heaven is also dead with them.

AE (Tansley) n. 79

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 79

79. And he laid his right hand upon me. That this signifies life from Him, is evident from the signification of right hand, when said of the Lord, as being life from Him (concerning this see above, n. 72). The reason why this signifies life from the Lord, is, that it follows immediately after the words, "I fell at his feet as dead." And, moreover, by touching with the hand, is signified to communicate and transfer to another that which belongs to oneself, and also to receive from another and to communicate and transfer to another what belongs to oneself, when said of the Lord, as in this passage, denotes life, such as is communicated to those who are in a state of enlightenment, and see and hear such things as are in heaven. This also was the case with John; for he was in such a state of enlightenment when he saw and heard the things described in the Apocalypse. [2] The reason why to touch with the hand denotes to communicate, and to transfer to another, is, because all the power of man is transferred from the body into the hands; therefore, what the mind wills that the body should do, the arms and hands perform accordingly. Hence it is that by arms and hands in the Word is signified power (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 878, 3091, 4931-4937. 6947, 7673, 10,019); this power, however, is natural power, and communication thereby is the exertion of the forces of the body; but spiritual power is to will the good of another, and, as much as possible, to be willing to transfer to another what belongs to oneself. This power is signified by hand in the spiritual sense, and its communication and translation by touching with the hand.

From these considerations it is evident that, by the Lord, who is there called the Son of man, laying His right hand upon John, when he lay as dead, is signified, that He communicated and transferred to him life from Himself (concerning which, see above). [3] To touch, and to touch with the hand, has a similar signification in many passages in the Word, as in the following. In Daniel:

The Lord, who there appeared to him as a man clothed in linen, whose aspect was as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as torches of fire, and His feet as the brightness of polished brass, touched him; restored him to his station; set him upon his knees; touched his lips, and opened his mouth; and again touched him, and strengthened him (x. 4 to the end).

In Jeremiah:

"Jehovah put forth his hand and touched my mouth, and said, I give my words into thy mouth" (i. 9).

And in Matthew:

Jesus put forth His and to the leper "and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (viii. 3).

In the same:

Jesus saw Peter's wife's mother sick of a fever "and he touched her hand, and the fever left her" (viii. 14, 15).

In the same:

Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men and their eyes were opened (ix. 29).

In the same:

"While Peter was speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed the disciples, and behold a voice out of the cloud which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell upon their face, and were sore afraid. Then Jesus came near and touched them, and said, Arise, be not afraid" (xvii. 5-7).

In Luke:

Jesus came and touched the bier of the dead man, and said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Then he that was dead sat up, and began to speak" (vii. 14, 15).

In the same:

Jesus touched the ear of the deaf man, and healed him (xxii. 51).

In Mark:

"They brought young children to him, that he should touch them. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them" (x. 13, 16).

In the same:

They brought unto Jesus those that were sick "that they might touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made whole" (Matt. xiv. 35, 36).

In Luke:

"A woman having an issue of blood, touched the border of Jesus' garment; and immediately her issue of blood stanched. Jesus said, Some one hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me" (viii. 43, 44, 46).

[4] Because by the touching and laying on of hands, is signified to communicate and transfer to another what is one's own, therefore from ancient times it has been customary in the churches to lay hands upon the heads of those who were inaugurated and blessed, as Moses was commanded to do in the case of Joshua (Numb. xxvii. 18-23; Deut. xxxiv. 9). Since all things among the sons of Israel were representative and significative of spiritual things, so also was the touch; therefore those were sanctified who touched what was holy, and those were polluted who touched what was unclean, for the touch signified communication and transference from one to another, and reception from one by another; as is evident from the following passages in Moses: whosoever shall touch the tent of the assembly, the ark of the testimony, the table and all its vessels, the lampstand and its vessels, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its vessels, and the laver and its foot, shall be holy (Exod. xxx. 26-29). Whatsoever touched the altar should be holy (Exod. xxix. 37). Every thing which touched the remainder of the meat-offering, and the remainder of the flesh from the sacrifices, should be holy (Lev. vi. 11-20).

"Whosoever touched a dead body, and purified not himself, defiled the tabernacle of Jehovah; therefore that soul should be cut off from Israel. Whosoever touched one that was slain with a sword in the open fields, or a bone of a man, or a grave, should be unclean seven days. He that toucheth the waters of separation, shall be unclean until even. Whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean until even" (Numb. xix. 11, 13, 16, 21, 22).

He who toucheth unclean beasts, and unclean creeping things, shall be unclean; everything upon which they shall fall shall be unclean, whether a vessel of wood, raiment, water, an earthen vessel, food, drink, an oven, except a fountain, pit, a receptacle of waters, shall be unclean (Lev. xi. 31-36). Besides other places, as Lev. v. 2, 3; vii. 21; xi. 37, 38; xv. 1 to the end; xxii. 4; Numb. xvi. 26; Isaiah lii. 11; Lam, iv. 14, 15; Hos. iv. 2, 3; Hagg. ii. 12, 13, 14.

AE (Tansley) n. 80

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 80

80. Saying to me, Fear not. That this signifies renewal, is evident from the series of things in the internal sense. For John lay as dead, and the Lord, appearing as the Son of man, laid His right hand upon him, and said to him, Fear not. His lying as dead signified a failing of his own life; the Lord's laying His right hand upon him, signified life from Him; hence His saying to him, Fear not, signified renewal; for all who come suddenly from their own life into a life which is in some degree spiritual, are at first afraid, but are renewed by the Lord. This renewal is effected by the Divine presence, and the fear on that account, being accommodated to reception. The Lord is indeed present with all in the universe, but nearer and more remotely, according to the reception of good by means of truths with them from Him. For it is good in which the Lord is present with angels, spirits, and men. Hence, according to the quantity and quality of good which they possess from the Lord is the degree and quality of His presence with them; if the presence is in excess, it causes anguish and tremor, whereas by accommodation to the state of reception, it produces renewal, as is also evident from what has just been said and shown above (n. 78). This renewal is signified by "Fear not" also in other places, where it is said by the Lord, or by the angel of the Lord, "Fear not," as in Daniel x. 12; 19; Luke i. 12, 13; ii. 8, 9, 10 Matt. xxviii. 5, 9, 10. The renewal, which is caused by accommodation to reception, appears in the spiritual world, when it is presented visibly, as a cloud; such clouds encompass as with a veil all the societies there, and are more dense or attenuated, according to the state of reception. That the angels also are veiled with a thin correspondent cloud, lest they should be hurt by a nearer influx of the Divine of the Lord, may be seen n. 6849. (What clouds in the spiritual world are, and hence what they signify in the spiritual sense, may be seen above, n. 36.)

AE (Tansley) n. 81

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 81

81. I am the first and the last. That this signifies who rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates, and thus all things of heaven, is evident from the explanation given above (n. 41).

AE (Tansley) n. 82

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 82

82. (v. 18) And am he that liveth. That this signifies who is from eternity, is evident from the fact that He alone lives who is from eternity, and that all others, who are not from eternity, have been created from Him, and thus made recipients of life from Him; therefore He alone who is from eternity has life in Himself, and no one besides Him. That the Lord, with respect to the Human, as well as to the Divine, has life in Himself, is evident from what is said in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (i. 1, 4, 14).

That it is the Lord who is here meant by the Word is clear; for it is said, the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. And again:

"As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (v. 26).

And again:

"Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life" (xi. 25).

And again:

"Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life" (xiv. 6).

It is commonly believed that man has life implanted in him, and thus that it does not continually flow in from Him who alone has life in Himself, and who thus alone is life; but this is a faith of falsity (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 9).

AE (Tansley) n. 83

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 83

83. And was dead. That this signifies that He is rejected, is evident from this, that the Lord is said to be dead, when there are no longer faith in and love to Him; for the Lord lives with those who are in love and in faith to Him; but with those who are not in love and in faith He does not live, but is said to be dead, because rejected. This is what is here meant, in the internal sense, by "and was dead," but in the sense of the letter it denotes that He was crucified. The Lord's being crucified also similarly signifies, in the internal sense, that He was rejected and so treated by the Jews. For the Lord, when He was in the world, was Divine truth itself; and because Divine truth was altogether rejected by the Jews, therefore also the Lord, who was the Divine truth, suffered Himself to be crucified. Such things are signified by all the facts related by the Evangelists concerning the Lord's passion; the particulars relating thereto, even the most detailed, involve such a signification; therefore, when the Lord speaks of His passion, He calls Himself the Son of man, that is, Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 63). That the Divine truth was entirely rejected by the Jews is well known, for they did not acknowledge anything said by Him, not even that He was the Son of God. [2] From these considerations it can be known how those things also are to be understood which the Lord spake to His disciples concerning His rejection by the Jews. Thus in Luke:

"The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes" (ix. 22).

And again:

"The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation" (xvii. 25).

in Mark:

"It is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought" (ix. 12).

In Luke:

"When Jesus took unto him the twelve, he said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things foretold by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished; that he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and spitefully entreated, and spit upon; and afterwards they shall scourge him, and put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again" (xviii. 31, 32, 33).

The particulars here mentioned show how the Jews treated the Divine truth, which was from the Word. Jerusalem, in this passage, is the Jewish church; to be delivered to the Gentiles, to be mocked, to be spitefully entreated, to be spit upon, to be scourged, to be put to death, denote the wicked ways in which they treated Divine truth; and because the Lord was Divine truth itself, as being the Word (John l. 14), and it was foretold in the prophets that Divine truth would be so treated in the end of the church, therefore it is said that all things should be accomplished which are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. [3] Similarly it is said in another passage:

"These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me" (Luke xxiv. 44).

That all things were accomplished, when Jesus was crucified, He Himself said, when He was upon the cross:

"When Jesus knew that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he saith, I thirst" (John xix. 28).

The reason why He then said, I thirst, was, because He desired a new church, which should acknowledge Him. (That to thirst, in the spiritual sense, signifies to desire, and that it is said of the truths of the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4958, 4976, 8568.) These are also the things which are predicted by Daniel concerning vastation and desolation:

"After sixty and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary, so that its end shall be with a flood. At last upon the bird of abominations shall be desolation, and even to the consummation and decision it shall drop upon the devastation" (ix. 26, 27).

Desolation and vastation signify reprobation and rejection of Divine truth, with those who are of the church (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5360, 5376). [4] That Divine truth, which is the Word, was so rejected by the Jews, is also meant by these words in Matthew:

"I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise also shall the Son of man suffer of them" (xvii. 12).

By Elias is signified the Word (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, in the preface to Gen. chap. xviii., and n. 2762, 5247), and also by John the Baptist, therefore he was called Elias (n. 7643, 9372). Hence it is plain what is signified by its being said that Elias was come, and that they had done to him whatsoever they listed, and that the Son of man would in like manner suffer of them. How the Jews explained the Word, and thus rejected it, is evident from very many passages in the Evangelists, where the Lord makes it, clear. From these considerations it is now evident, that by "I was dead," is signified that He was rejected. (That the Lord also by the passion of the cross, glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 294, 295, 302, 305.)

AE (Tansley) n. 84

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 84

84. And, behold, I am alive unto the ages of the ages. That this signifies life eternal from Him is evident from the signification of being alive, as being to be from eternity, and that in Him alone life is from Himself (concerning which see above, n. 82), but here, it denotes life in others, and His life in others is life eternal; for it is said, just before, that He was dead, by which is signified that He was rejected, because not received in faith and love. By being alive, therefore, is here signified His being received by those who are in His life, which life is in faith and love with man, and that life is life eternal. That unto the ages of the ages signifies to eternity, is clear without explanation. [2] That the life of the Lord is the life of faith and love to Him, and that this life is eternal, is evident from many passages in the Word, as from the following:

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have life eternal. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life" (John iii. 14, 15, 16, 36).

And again:

"The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life" (iv. 14):

water is the truth of faith (as may be seen above, n. 71). In the same:

"Every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, hath eternal life. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (vi. 40, 63).

The words which the Lord speaks, are also the truths of faith. In the same:

"I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (xi. 25, 26).

In the same:

"Labour for the food which endureth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you" (vi. 27).

The food which the Lord gives, is also the truth and good of faith, because spiritual food is meant (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 8562, 9003). [3] It was said that the life of the Lord is in faith in Him and love to Him with man; the reason is, that the all of faith and love is from Him, and that which is from Him is also Himself; for it is His proceeding Divine, which is called the Spirit of truth, and the Holy Spirit; and because the Lord is therein, and it is Himself, therefore it is said that they should abide in the Lord, by which is meant to abide in faith and love to Him, from Him; as He says in John:

"Abide in me, and I in you. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing" (xv. 4-10).

From these things it may be known what is meant by these words in John:

"Ye see me; because I live ye shall live also" (xiv. 19).

(That to see the Lord is to believe in Him, may be seen above, n. 14, 25, 37; and that to have faith, or to believe in the Lord, is to be in love and charity, see the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-122.)

AE (Tansley) n. 85

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 85

85. Amen. That this signifies Divine confirmation may be seen above (n. 34).

AE (Tansley) n. 86

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 86

86. And have the keys of hell and of death. That this signifies that He has the power of saving, is evident from the signification of keys, as being the power of opening and shutting (concerning which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9410); and from the signification of hell, as being evils, because all evils are from hell and are of hell; and from the signification of death, as denoting damnation, which also is called spiritual death (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5407, 6119, 9008). The reason why to have the keys of hell and of death, denotes also the power of saving, is, that the Lord alone removes the hells from man, and thereby damnation; and when they are removed, then man is saved, for in their place heaven and eternal life flow in. For the Lord is constantly present with man, and desires to infill him with heaven, but evils oppose its reception; therefore so far as the hells are removed, that is, so far as man desists from evils, so far the Lord with heaven flows in. The reason why the Lord here says that He has the keys of hell and of death, is, because in the immediately preceding words it is said, that He is alive unto the ages of the ages, by which is meant that life eternal is from Him. So far also as the Lord is received in faith and love, so far He is in man; and so far as He is in man, so far He removes evils, and thus the hells and eternal death. He alone effects this, on which account He is to be received, as is also evident from the passages quoted just above from the Word. [2] The reason why by hell are signified evils of every kind, is that all evils are therefrom; whatsoever a man thinks or wills, is either from hell or heaven; if he thinks and wills evil, it is from hell, but if he thinks what is good, it is from heaven; nor is it possible for a man to think and will from any other source.

The man who believes that he thinks and wills from himself is ignorant of this; nevertheless, I can assert from all my experience concerning this circumstance, that everything that a man thinks and wills, is from either one or other of those two sources. This also is the reason why a man who thinks and wills evil, is actually in hell; and where he actually is when he lives in the world, thither also he comes after death; he cannot go to any other place, because his spirit is formed and composed of those things which he thinks and wills, therefore when he thinks and wills evil, he is wholly formed and constituted of evil, so that he is his own evil in form. Hence it is that infernal spirits are altogether the images of their own evil, monstrous and horrible according to the species of evil; but the only means by which a spirit can be formed and fitted for heaven is to receive the Lord in faith and love, for the Lord alone, because He is present in faith and love with man, removes evils, and forms him into an image of heaven, which is an angel. [3] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by having the keys of hell and of death. The reason why they are called keys is, that all the hells are shut up, and only opened when evil spirits are cast in thither, and when any are taken out, as in the case when evils increase with men. The openings then made are called gates, and because they are called gates, therefore mention is made of keys, by which, on that account, is signified the power of opening and shutting, for the opening and shutting of gates is effected by means of keys. Something similar to this is signified by the keys given to Peter (Matt. xvi. 18, 19), because by Peter is there signified truth from good which is from the Lord, thus that the Lord alone, from whom is all the truth of faith and good of love, has that power (as may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 57).

AE (Tansley) n. 87

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 87

87. (v. 19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That this signifies that all those things are for posterity, because they are Divine, is evident from the signification of writing, as being that it was for remembrance (concerning which, see Arcana Coelestia n. 8620), thus, that those things were for posterity; and from the signification of "which thou hast seen, and which are, and which shall be hereafter" as being all things; for the three times, namely, the past, the present and the future, signify all things; and because the things which he should write were from the Lord, therefore they signify things Divine, for nothing can proceed from the Lord but what is Divine. The various particulars, also, recorded in the Apocalypse, as well as those which are in the other prophetical parts of the Word, have an internal sense, and the internal sense is in the light of heaven, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. It is here said, "which thou hast seen, and which are, and which shall be," because it was spoken above concerning the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, and there the Lord Himself is treated of; but here the Divine things from Him with man are treated of, as is evident from what precedes and from what follows in the series.

AE (Tansley) n. 88

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 88

88. (v. 20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand. That this signifies revelation concerning goods and truths, which are all from Him, is evident from the signification of mystery, as being what lies concealed in the vision which John had, but here that vision revealed, because in what immediately follows it is said what is meant by the seven stars and the seven lampstands; and from the signification of the seven stars, as being the knowledges (cognitiones) of all things pertaining to good and truth, and hence all goods and truths (concerning which, see above, n. 72); and from the signification of in my right hand, when said of the Lord, as being what is from Him (concerning which see also, n. 72); hence it is clear, that by the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest, is signified revelation concerning goods and truths, which are all from Him.

AE (Tansley) n. 89

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 89

89. And the seven golden lampstands. That this signifies, and concerning those in the new heaven and in the new earth, is evident from the signification of the seven lampstands, as denoting the New Heaven and the New Church (concerning which, see above, n. 62). The reason why they denote the good and truth pertaining to those who are in the New Heaven and in the New Church, is, that in the internal sense they thus cohere with the things immediately preceding; for the things which in the sense of the letter appear scattered, are connected in the internal sense (as may be seen above, n. 17).

AE (Tansley) n. 90

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 90

90. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. That this signifies those who receive goods and truths from the Lord, is evident from the signification of the seven stars, as denoting all goods and truths from the Lord (concerning which, see above, n. 72); and from the signification of angels, as being those in the heavens who are in similar correspondent good and truth with those who are in the church on earth, concerning which more will be said in what follows; and from the signification of seven churches, as denoting all who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, thus all who belong to the church (concerning which, see above, n. 20). From these considerations taken together, it follows as a conclusion, that these words, "the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches," signify all those who receive goods and truths from the Lord. The reason why by angels are here signified those who are in similar correspondent good and truth in heaven with those who are in the church on earth, is, that the whole of heaven is distinguished into societies, and the societies are arranged in order according to the affections of good and truth, in general and in particular. These societies correspond to those on earth that are in similar affections of good and truth; these societies collectively are called angels, and each one is called an angel; a society also, when it is seen from afar, and when it is presented so as to be seen as one, is seen as one angel (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 62, 68-72). Moreover there is a universal correspondence of heaven with the church, or of the angels of heaven with the men of the church; by this correspondence heaven makes one with the church. From these considerations it is clear what is here signified by the angels of the seven churches, and in the following chapter by the angel of each church, where it is said, Write to the angel of the church of Ephesus, to the angel of the church of Smyrna, to the angel of the church of Pergamos, to the angel of the church of Thyatira, to the angel of the church in Sardis, to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, and to the angel of the church in Laodicea. It is quite clear that the command was not to write to angels, but to churches, thus to those who are in such good and truth from the Lord, who are described by each church, concerning whom we shall treat in the following pages. (That by an angel in the Word nothing else is meant but good and truth which are from the Lord with angels and men, will be more fully shown in the following pages; in the mean time the reader may consult what is said and shown concerning the heavens and the angelic societies, in the work, Heaven and Hell, since without some knowledge thence concerning those things, what is said in the following pages respecting angels can be but little understood; for knowledge must precede, in order that the understanding may be enlightened.

AE (Tansley) n. 91

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 91

91. And the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches. That this signifies all those who are in the New Heaven and in the New Church is evident from the signification of the seven lampstands, as being the New Heaven and the New Church (concerning which, see above, n. 62); and from the signification of the seven churches, as denoting those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity (concerning which, see also above, n. 20). It is therefore clear, that by the seven lampstands, and the seven churches, are signified all those who will be in the New Heaven and in the New Church. All things that are treated of in the Apocalypse have respect to what is signified by the seven lampstands, that is, the New Heaven and the New Church, as to their end and conclusion; the last chapters, therefore, treat of them; all the other things which intervene are such as stand in the way, and are to be removed, as the things related concerning the dragon, and the beasts of Babylon, which being removed, or no longer in the way, the New Heaven and the New Church rise up and are manifest.

AE (Tansley) n. 92

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 92

92. CHAPTER II.

1. UNTO the angel of the Ephesian church write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands;

2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy endurance, and that thou canst not bear them that are evil; and hast explored them that say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars;

3. And hast borne, and hast endurance, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4. But, I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity.

5. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy lampstand out of its place except thou repent.

6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8. And unto the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive.

9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich), and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword.

13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth.

18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like burnished brass:

19. I know thy works, and charity, and ministry, and faith, and thy endurance, and thy works; and the last to be more than the former.

20. But I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit whoredom and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21. And I gave her time to repent of her whoredom; and she repented not.

22. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great affliction, except they repent of their deeds.

23. And I will kill her sons with death. And all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to his works.

24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I put upon you none other burden.

25. Nevertheless, that which ye have, hold fast till I come.

26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations;

27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as earthen vessels shall they be broken in pieces, even as I received of my Father.

28. And I will give him the morning star.

29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

IN the preceding pages it has been explained what is meant by the seven churches, and by the angels thereof, which is as follows:- the seven churches mean all those who are in truths from good; and the seven angels, all those who correspond to them in heaven (as may be seen, n. 20 and 90). And because heaven and the church make one, by correspondence, therefore it is said in what follows, "Write to the angel of the church," and not, "Write to the church." The reason why it is thus said, is also that there must be correspondence, in order that the church may be the church with man; for if there were not correspondence, there would be no communication with heaven, thus heaven would not be with man; and if heaven were not with him, the church would not be with him (as may be seen in the work, The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 241-248. What the correspondence of the man of the church with heaven is, cannot be stated in a few words; but he who desires to know it, may be instructed on the subject from the things said and shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 87-115 and 291-310). In a word, there is correspondence when man is made spiritual, and man becomes spiritual when he acknowledges that which is Divine, and specifically the Lord, and loves to live according to the precepts contained in the Word; for when he does this, he is conjoined with heaven and then the Spiritual corresponds with his Natural. I know, however, that these things will seem to many to be beyond their apprehension; but the reason is, that it is not the delight of their love to know them; for if it were, they would not only see them clearly, but would also desire to know more of such things; for what a man loves he desires, and what he loves is his delight; whatever also is loved, enters with joy, and at the same time with light, into the idea of the mind.

AE (Tansley) n. 93

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 93

93. It is here first written to the angel of the church of Ephesus. By the angel of that church are meant all those in the church that are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, thus in the knowledges (cognitiones) of such things as pertain to heaven and the church, and who nevertheless are not, or not as yet, in a life according to them. By these knowledges are chiefly meant doctrinals; but doctrinals alone, or knowledges alone, of good and truth, do not make man spiritual, but a life according to them; for doctrinals or knowledges (cognitiones) without a life according to them, reside only in the memory, and thence in the thought; and all things which only reside there, reside in his natural man; a man therefore does not become spiritual before those things enter into his life, and they then enter into his life when he wills the things which he thinks, and thence does them. That this is the case, any one may know from this fact alone that, supposing any one to know all the laws of moral and civil life, and not to live according to them, he would yet not be a moral and civil man; he may indeed speak respecting them with more knowledge than others, but nevertheless he is rejected. The same also is the case if any one knows the ten precepts of the Decalogue, so that he can even explain them and preach them intelligently, and yet does not live according to them. Those therefore within the church who have the knowledges (cognitiones) of such things as pertain to the church, that is, who have the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word, and are not, or not as yet, in a life according to them, are here first treated of; and they are described by the things written to the angel of the Ephesian church.

AE (Tansley) n. 94

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 94

94. EXPLANATION.

VERSES 1-7. Unto the angel of the Ephesian church write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy endurance, and that thou canst not bear them that are evil, and hast explored them that say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast endurance, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. But, I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

"Unto the angel of the Ephesian church write," signifies, for remembrance to those within the church who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth from the Word: "these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand," signifies, from whom are all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth; "who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands," signifies, from whom is life to all in the New Heaven and the New Church.

"I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy endurance," signifies all things that they think, will, and do, thus all things of love and faith in the spiritual and in the natural man: "and that thou canst not bear them that are evil," signifies, that they reject evils: "and hast explored them that say they are apostles and are not, and has found them liars," signifies, also falsities, as far as they can be searched out.

"And hast borne, and hast endurance," signifies, resistance against those who assault the truths of faith, and zeal in instruction: "and for my name's sake hast laboured," signifies, acknowledgment of the Lord and of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth which refer to Him: "and hast not fainted" signifies as far as they were able.

"But, I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity," signifies, that they do not make such a life as pertains to those who live in the beginning of the church, the essential of knowledges (cognitiones).

"Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works," signifies remembrance of former things, and hence that they have departed from the truth, and that the good of life, as at the beginning of the church, may come into mind: "or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent," signifies, if not, it is certain that heaven will not be given.

"But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate," signifies, aversion from the Divine in regard to those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, from which there is no life.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies, that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who are of His church: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life," signifies, that he who receives in the heart shall be filled with the good of love, and hence with heavenly joy; "which is in the midst of the paradise of God," signifies that all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth in heaven and in the church look thither and proceed thence.

AE (Tansley) n. 95

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 95

95. (v. 1) Unto the angel of the Ephesian church write. That this signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word, is evident from the signification of writing, as being for remembrance (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8620). The reason why it is for those within the church who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word, is that these are they who are meant by the angel of the Ephesian Church. That these are meant is evident from those things that are written to the angel of that Church. What is meant by the angel of each church, can be known only from the internal sense of the subsequent things that are written. It is said from the internal sense, because all things in the Apocalypse are prophetic, and things prophetic cannot be explained except by means of the internal sense. Who is there, when he reads the prophets, that does not see that there are arcana therein, more deeply hidden than in the plain sense of the letter? And because those arcana cannot be seen by the natural man alone, therefore, those who regard the Word as holy, pass by those things they do not understand, acknowledging that there is an arcanum therein which they do not understand, and which some call mystical. That this is the spiritual of the Word, is known to some, because they think that the Word in its bosom is spiritual, since it is Divine. Still, however, it has been hitherto unknown that this is its spiritual sense, and that the Word is understood in this sense by the angels, and that by this sense there is conjunction of heaven with the man of the church (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310). The reason why those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth from the Word, are meant by the angel of the Ephesian church is, because by the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good are meant the doctrinals, of the church, and these can be obtained from no other source than from the Word. The reason why it is said, Write to the angel of the church, and not to the church, may be seen above (n. 92).

AE (Tansley) n. 96

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 96

96. These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand. That this signifies from whom are all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, is evident from the signification of the seven stars, as denoting all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth (concerning which see above, n. 72), and from the signification of the right hand, when said of the Lord, as being that they are from Him (concerning which also see above, n. 72, 79); hence by these words, "who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand," is signified, that from the Lord are all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth. The
reason why it is stated that He so speaks who holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, and walketh in the midst of the golden lampstands, is, because by stars are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, and by golden lampstands, the New Heaven and the New Church. A Divine characteristic is thus prefixed to the description of each church, which indicates the subject treated of (as also in the description of the churches following, verses 8, 12, 18; chap. iii. 1, 7, 14). The reason why the characteristics are so prefixed, is, that the all of the church is from the Lord; hence also it is clear, that in the first chapter the Lord as to His Divine Human is described by representatives seen by John, so that there might be taken thence what was to be prefixed to the description of each church, for a testimony and a memorial that the all of the church is from the Lord, and indeed from His Divine Human; for from this proceed all the good of love and the truth of faith which constitute the church.

What immediately proceeds from His essential Divine does not come to man, because His essential Divine is invisible, and therefore does not fall into the thought, and what does not fall into the thought does not enter into faith; for everything of faith must be the subject of thought. (That the Son of man, who is described by the representatives seen by John in the first chapter, is the Lord as to the Divine Human and the Divine truth thence proceeding, may be seen above, n. 63.) The reason why the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good are here first treated of, is, that they are the first things of the church; for no one can be initiated into faith and charity, which constitute the church, except by knowledges (cognitiones) pertaining to the church from the Word (as may be seen in the Appendix from the Arcana Coelestia in Heaven and Hell, after n. 356).

AE (Tansley) n. 97

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 97

97. He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. That this signifies from whom is life to all in the New Heaven and the New Church, is evident from the signification of walking, as being to live; and when said of the Lord, as being life itself (concerning which more will be said in what follows); and from the signification of seven golden lampstands, as being all in the New Heaven and in the New Church (concerning which see above, n. 62). Hence it is clear that the reason why the Lord was seen in the midst of the lampstands, was, that the midst signifies the inmost; the lampstands signify heaven and the church, and walking signifies life, and to be in the midst, when said of the Lord, signifies to be in all things that are round about; therefore it was hereby represented that all the life of faith and of love in heaven and in the church is from Him (as may be seen above, n. 84. That the midst denotes the inmost and the centre from which is all influx, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1074, 2940, 2973, 7777. That the Lord is the common centre from whom is all direction and determination in heaven, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 123, 124. That the propagation of the light of heaven, which is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, from which the angels have intelligence and wisdom, takes place also from the midst into those who are round about, may be seen in the same, n. 43, 50, 189). That to walk signifies to live, and, when said of the Lord, life itself, is from appearances in the spiritual world, where all walk according to their life, the evil in those ways that lead to hell, but the good in those ways only that lead to heaven; therefore all spirits are known there from the ways wherein they walk. Ways are really seen, but by the evil only the ways that lead to hell, and by the good only the ways that lead to heaven; by this means every one is brought to his own society; it is from this circumstance that to walk signifies to live. (Concerning these ways, and concerning walking therein in the spiritual world, see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 195, 479, 534, 590; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 48.)

[2] That in the Word ways signify truths or falsities, and that to walk signifies to live, is evident from several passages therein: a few only shall here be adduced by way of confirmation. Thus in Isaiah:

We have sinned against Jehovah "nor would they walk in his ways, neither have they heard his law" (xlii. 24).

And in Moses:

"If ye shall keep all these commandments, by loving Jehovah your God, by walking in all his ways" (Deut. xi. 22).

And again:

"Thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, by loving Jehovah thy God, and walking in his ways all the days" (Deut. xix. 9; xxvi. 17).

Again:

"I will set my dwelling place in the midst of you, and I will walk in the midst of you, and I will be to you for a God" (Lev. xxvi. 11, 12).

Again:

"Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, and therefore shall thy camp be holy" (Deut. xxiii. 14).

And in Isaiah:

"Remember now, Jehovah, that I have walked before thee in truth" (xxxviii. 3).

Again:

"Entering into peace, walking in uprightness" (lvii. 2).

And in Malachi:

"In peace and in uprightness hath he walked with me (ii. 6).

And in David:

"Thou hast delivered my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living" (Psalm lvi. 13).

And in John:

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (viii. 12).

In the same:

"Yet a little while the light is with you; walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light, believe in the light" (xii. 35, 36).

And in Mark:

"The Pharisees and Scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders?" (vii. 5.)

And in Moses:

"If ye walk contrary to me, and will not hearken unto me, I will also walk contrary to you" (Lev. xxvi. 21, 23, 24, 27).

And in Isaiah:

"The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow [of death], upon them hath the light shined" (ix. 2).

And in Micah:

"All people walk in the name of their god, and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God" (iv. 5).

And in Isaiah:

"Who among you feareth Jehovah? who walketh in darkness, and hath no light?" (l. 10);

besides many other passages, as in Jer. xxvi. 4; Ezek. v. 6; xx. 13, 16; Mic. iv 5; Zech. x. 12; Luke i. 6. From these passages it is evident that by walking, in the spiritual sense, is signified to live; and because it signifies to live, therefore, when said of the Lord, as in this passage, life itself is signified; for the Lord is life itself, and all others are recipients of life from Him (as may be seen above, n. 82, 84).

AE (Tansley) n. 98

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 98

98. (v. 2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy endurance. That this signifies all things that they will, think and do, thus all things of love and faith in the spiritual and in the natural man, is evident from the signification of works, as being the things of the will and love (concerning which more will be said in what follows); and from the signification of labour, as being the things of the thought and faith (concerning which also more will be said in what follows); and from the signification of endurance, as being the things thence effected, or which they do. But that such things are signified by these words can hardly be comprehended unless it be known that all things done by man flow from the interiors of his mind, and that the mind is all in all things which man performs, and that the body is only a subservient agent which exhibits in a visible form what the mind wills and thinks. This is why by those external things which are here called works, labour and endurance, are signified to will, to think, and thence to do, or, what is the same, to love, believe, and thence to show forth in act. But still these things cannot be comprehended unless it be also known that man possesses two faculties, which are called will and understanding, and that these two faculties are, under one expression, called the mind; also that man has an internal and an external, the internal being in the light of the spiritual world, and the external in the light of the natural world. (These are treated of in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, concerning the will and the understanding, n. 28-35; and concerning the internal and the external man, n. 36-52.) These things being understood, it can be known that, by works, in the spiritual sense, is meant whatever a man wills and loves, by labour whatever a man thinks or believes, and by endurance whatever he thence brings forth into act. [2] But let us pass by these things, as being perhaps too little known, and consequently too obscure, to be clearly perceived, and attend to this only, that by works, in the spiritual sense, are meant all things of the will or love of man, and this because, in what follows, where the seven churches are treated of, it is first said of each, "I know thy works:" as

"Unto the angel of the church of the Smyraeans write; these things, saith the first and the last, I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty" (verses 8, 9);

"Unto the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things said he that hath the sharp two-edged sword, I know thy works, and where thou dwellest" (vers. 12, 13);

"Unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, I know thy works and charity" (vers. 18, 19);

"Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, I know thy works, that thou art said to live" (iii. 1);

"Unto the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, I know thy works" (verses 7, 8); and

"Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, I know thy works" (vers. 14, 15).

[3] Because it was there said of each, "I know thy works," it is clear that by works are signified in general all things of the church; and because all things of the church have reference to love and faith, therefore these are meant by works in the spiritual sense. The reason why such things are meant by works in the spiritual sense, is, that every work, or every deed, or every act, which is apparently done from the body, is not done from the body, but by the body from the will and thought of man; for not one particle of the body is moved, but from the will and thought. This is why works signify those things, but not the things which are manifested in the external form. That this is the case, is known to every one who reflects. Who is there that is wise that regards a man from his deeds alone, and not from his will? If he wills well, he loves his deeds; but if he wills evil, he does not love his deeds: the latter he also sees and explains according to the intention of his will. He who is spiritual attends still less to the deeds, and explores the will. The reason is, as has been said, that deeds are nothing in themselves, but they derive their character entirely from the will; for deeds are the will in act. It is said the will, but, in the spiritual sense, is meant the love, because a man wills what he loves, and what, he loves that he wills. The will of man is only a receptacle of his love (as may be seen from what is said and shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, concerning that faculty of man, n. 28-35; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 358, 470-484).

[4] Because works or deeds in the Word signify specifically those things that proceed from a man's love or will, therefore it is often said in the Word that man shall be judged and rewarded according to his works, where works such as they are in the external form are not meant, but in the internal, as in the following passages:

"The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works" (Matt. xvi. 27)

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours; their works do follow them" (Apoc. xiv. 13).

"I will give unto every one of you according to his works" (Apoc. ii. 23).

"I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works" (Apoc. xx. 12, 13).

"Behold I come, and my reward is with me, to give every man according to his works" (Apoc. xxii. 12).

And in Jeremiah:

"I will recompense them, according to their works, and according to the doing (factum) of their hands" (xxv. 14).

O Jehovah, "whose eyes are open upon all the ways of men, to give to every one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his works" (xxxii. 19).

"I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their works" (Hosea iv. 9).

"According to our ways and according to our works, so Jehovah hath dealt with us" (Zech. i. 6).

When the Lord foretells concerning the Last Judgment, He makes mention only of works, and declares that those who have done good works shall enter into life eternal, and those who have done evil works into condemnation (Matt. xxv. 32-46). [5] That works signify the things of love and faith, the Lord also shows in these words:

"They said unto Jesus, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? He answered, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom" the Father "hath sent" (John vi. 28, 29).

And in another place:

"The night shall come when no man can work" (John ix. 4).

Night signifies the last time of the church, when there is no faith, because no charity. (That night signifies time see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2353, 6000.) The reason why works are so often mentioned, is, that the sense of the letter of the Word consists only of things external, which are in nature, and are seen by the eyes in order that the spiritual sense may be in each of the expressions, as the soul is in the body; for otherwise the Word would not be a means of communication with the angels, but would be like a house without a foundation (see what was said above, n. 8, 16). This is why the angels, because they are spiritual, do not understand works, when works are named, but the things from which works proceed, which are, as was said above, the will or love, and thence the thought belonging to faith. (But this circumstance may be seen more clearly set forth in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 470-483, where it is shown that a man after death is such as his life was in the world.) The reason why by labour in the spiritual sense is meant everything that a man thinks, is, that to labour spiritually is to think; and the reason why endurance signifies every thing that a man does is, that to endure in this case is to be assiduous, and to remove the obstacles which are in the natural man, which continually rise up and cause hindrance.

AE (Tansley) n. 99

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 99

99. And that thou canst not bear them that are evil. That this signifies that they reject evils, is evident from the signification of not being able to bear, as being to reject, for what a man cannot bear, he rejects. The reason why those who are evil signify evils, is, that the angels think abstractedly from persons, and hence, when, in the sense of the letter of the Word, the evil are spoken of, they think of evils; for by the evil are meant man who are evil, thus persons. The reason why such is the thought of the angels is, that they are in heavenly wisdom, and that wisdom has extension into the whole heaven; therefore if their thought should have reference to persons, that extension would perish, and with it also their wisdom. In this, what is spiritual differs from what is natural. This is now the reason why by the evil are signified evils. (Concerning the wisdom of angels, as having extension into the whole heaven, through their thinking apart from space, from time, and from what is material, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 169, 191-199, 265-275; and that they think apart from persons may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 8343, 8985, 9007.)

AE (Tansley) n. 100

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 100

100. And hath explored them that say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. That this signifies falsities also so far as they can be searched out, is evident from the signification of exploring, as being to inquire into and search out; and from the signification of apostles, as being those who teach the truths of the church, and, apart from persons, the truths themselves that are taught (concerning which we shall speak in what follows); and from the signification of not being apostles and being found liars, as being not truths but falsities; for a lie and liar signify what is false (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8908, 9248). From these and the preceding considerations it is evident, that by these words: "I know that thou canst not bear them that are evil, and hast explored them that say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars," is signified, that they reject evils, and also falsities, so far as they can be searched out. For in the things written to this church, those are treated of who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, thus in the knowledges (cognitiones) of such things as pertain to heaven and the church (as may be seen above, n. 93); therefore it is here first said concerning them, that they reject evils, and falsities also so far as they can be searched out; for it concerns those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of the holy things of the church, first to know in general what good and truth are, and also what evil and falsity; for upon this knowledge (cognitio) all other knowledges (cognitiones) are founded. (For this reason The Doctrine Of the New Jerusalem first of all treats concerning good and truth, n. 11-27, from which also it is clear what evil and falsity are.)

[2] The reason why by apostles are signified those who teach the truths of the church is, that they are called apostles from the fact of their being sent to teach and to preach concerning the Lord and concerning, the bringing near of the kingdom of God by Him; thus the truths of the church, by which the Lord is known and the kingdom of God is brought near: the kingdom of God on earth is the church. It is therefore evident that by apostles, in the spiritual sense of the Word, are meant not the twelve apostles who were sent by the Lord to teach concerning Himself and His kingdom, but all those who are in the truth of the church, and, apart from persons, those truths in themselves. For in the Word it is customary to speak of persons; but those who are in its spiritual sense, as the are, think not at all of persons, but apart from them, therefore of things only. The reason of this also is, that it is material to think of persons, but spiritual to think without the idea of a person; as, for instance, wherever the disciples are named in the Word, and prophets, priests, kings, Jews, Israel, inhabitants of Zion and of Jerusalem, and so on. [3] (The very names of persons and places are also changed into things with the angels, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 768, 1224, 1264, 1876, 1888, 4310, 4442, 5225, 5095, 6516, 10,216, 10,282, 10,329, 10,432; and that the angels think apart from persons, n. 8343, 8985, 9007.) That the Lord's disciples were called apostles from the fact of their being sent to teach concerning Him and His kingdom, is clear in Luke:

Jesus sent His twelve disciples to preach the kingdom of God: and the apostles, when they returned, told him all that they had done; and He spake unto them of the kingdom of God (ix. 1, 2, 10, 11).

In the same:

"When it was day, Jesus called unto him his disciples; and of them be chose twelve, whom also he named apostles" (vi. 13).

In the same:

"I will send unto them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute" (xi. 49).

They are called prophets and apostles, because by prophets, just as by apostles, are meant those who are sent to teach truths; but by prophets those who are in the Old Testament, and by apostles those who are in the New. (That prophets, in the Word, signify those who teach truths, and, apart from persons, the truths themselves, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534.) Because the twelve apostles signify the truths themselves of the church, therefore it is said, in the Apocalypse:

"The wall" of the New Jerusalem "had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (xxi. 14).

(That by the New Jerusalem is meant the church as to doctrine, may be seen in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 6: that by its wall are signified truths of doctrine for defence, see in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 6411); that by the foundations of the wall are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth, upon which doctrine is founded, n. 9643; that by twelve are signified all truths in the aggregate, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913: hence it is clear why it is said that in the foundations of the wall were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.)

AE (Tansley) n. 101

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 101

101. (v. 3) And hast borne and hast endurance. That this signifies resistance against those who assault the truths of faith, and zeal in instructing, is evident from the signification of bearing, when said of those who are instructed in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, as being resistance against those who assault the truths of faith; for those who are in possession of such knowledges (cognitiones) defend them, and resist those who are against them; and from the signification of having endurance or patience, as being zeal in instructing.

AE (Tansley) n. 102

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 102

102. And for my name's sake hast laboured. That this signifies acknowledgment of the Lord, and of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth which have regard to Him, is evident from the signification of the name of Jehovah, or of the Lord, as being, in the highest sense, His Divine Human (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2628, 6887), and in the relative sense, all things of love and of faith by which the Lord is worshipped, because these are Divine things which proceed from His Divine Human (Arcana Coelestia, n. 2724, 3006, 6674, 9310). This is evident also from the signification of labouring as being earnest application of the mind, and study in order that those things may be known and acknowledged; for this is signified by labouring, when it is said of those who study the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good. From these considerations it follows, that by "and for my name's sake hast laboured," is signified acknowledgment of the Lord, and of the knowledges (cognitiones) which have regard to Him. The knowledges (cognitiones) which have regard to the Lord, are all those things which belong to love and faith.

In many passages of the Word, it is said, "for the sake of the name of Jehovah," "for the sake of the name of the Lord," "for the sake of the name of Jesus Christ," and that the name of God should be hallowed, and similar expressions. Those who do not think beyond the sense of the letter are of opinion, that in these passages name alone is understood: but this is not so, but everything by which the Lord is worshipped, everything which has relation to love and faith. Hence by the name of the Lord in the Word, are meant all things of love and of faith by which He is worshipped, but, in this case, the acknowledgment of the Lord, and of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth which have regard to Him, because this is said to those only who study those knowledges (cognitiones). [2] The reason why by the name of Jehovah, or of the Lord, is not meant the name itself, but everything of love and faith, is found in the spiritual world. In that world, the names used on earth are not enunciated, but the names of the persons spoken of are formed from the idea of all those things that are known about them, which things are summed up in one expression. Such is the enunciation of names in the spiritual world; this is why names in that world, as well as all other things, are spiritual. Nor are the names of the Lord and of Jesus Christ uttered there as on earth, but, instead of them, a name is formed from the idea of all those things that are known and believed concerning Him, which idea is derived from everything of love and of faith in Him. The reason is, that these things in the aggregate are the Lord with them; for the Lord is present with every one in the goods of love and of faith that are from Him. This being the case, the character of every one as to his love and faith in the Lord is there immediately known, merely from his enouncing in a spiritual expression, or a spiritual name, "the Lord" or "Jesus Christ." This is why those who have no love or faith towards Him, cannot utter His name, that is, they cannot form any spiritual name of Him. From these considerations it is now clear why it is that by the name of Jehovah, of the Lord, or of Jesus Christ, in the Word, is not meant the name, but the all of love and of faith by which He is worshipped.

[3] Lest, therefore, the opinion entertained by many should prevail, that the name alone of Jesus Christ, without love and faith in Him, thus without the knowledges (cognitiones) by which love and faith exist, contributes something to salvation, I adduce herewith a few passages from the Word in which the above-mentioned expressions are found, from which those who think more deeply may see that name alone is not meant. Thus in the following:

"Jesus said, Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake" (Matt. x. 22: xxiv. 9, 10.)

"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. xviii. 20).

"As many as received him, to them gave be power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name" (John i. 12).

"When Jesus was in Jerusalem, many believed in his name" (John ii. 23).

"He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God" (John iii. 18).

"These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John xx. 31).

"Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matt. xxi. 9; xxiii. 39; Luke xiii. 35; xix. 38).

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit life everlasting" (Matt. xix. 29).

(What is here signified by houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, and lands, which are to be left for the sake of the name of the Lord, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,490.)

"Jesus said, Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will do it" (John xiv. 13, 14);

here "to ask in my name," is to ask from love and faith.

"Many shall come in my name, saying, I am: go ye not therefore after them" (Luke xxi. 8; Mark xiii. 6);

by these "coming in the name of the Lord" and saying "I am" denotes to preach false doctrines and declare that they are true, and thus lead astray. The same is signified by these words in Matthew:

"Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many" (xxiv. 5, 11, 23-27);

for by Jesus is meant the Lord as to Divine good, and by Christ, the Lord as to Divine truth (Arcana Coelestia, n. 3004, 3005, 3009, 5502), and by not being Christ, is signified, not Divine truth, but falsity.

[4] In the Old Testament, the name of Jehovah has a signification similar to that of the name of the Lord, because Jehovah, in the Old Testament, is the Lord. Thus it is said in Isaiah:

"And in that day shall ye say, Confess ye to Jehovah, call upon his name" (xii. 4).

Again:

"O Jehovah, we have waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. By thee only will we make mention of thy name" (xxvi. 8, 13).

Again:

"From the rising of the sun shall my name be called upon" (xli. 25).

And in Malachi:

"From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the nations: and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the nations" (i. 11).

And in Isaiah:

"Every one that is called by my name, I have created him for my glory; I have formed him; yea, I have made him " (xliii. 7). And in Micah:

"All people walk in the name of their God, and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God" (iv. 5).

And in Moses:

"Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Deut. v. 11).

Again:

"Jehovah separated the Levites, that they should minister and bless in the name of Jehovah" (Deut. x. 8).

Again:

"They shall worship Jehovah in one place, where he shall place his name" (Deut. xii. 5, 11, 13, 14, 18, 26; xvi. 2, 6, 11, 15, 16).

"Where he shall place his name," denotes where there shall be worship from the good of love and the truths of faith. This was done at Jerusalem, and therefore by Jerusalem is signified the church as to doctrine and worship (as may be seen in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n, 6).

[5] Because by the name of Jehovah, or of the Lord, in the spiritual sense, is signified all worship from the good of love and the truths of faith, therefore, in the highest sense, by the name of Jehovah is meant the Lord as to the Divine Human, because from His Divine Human proceeds the all of love and of faith. That the Lord, in the highest sense, is meant by the name of Jehovah, is clear in John:

"Jesus said, Father, glorify thy name. A voice came from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again" (xii. 28).

And in Isaiah:

"I will give thee for a covenant to the people, for a light of the Gentiles. I am Jehovah, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another" (xlii. 6, 8).

The coming of the Lord is here treated of. In Jeremiah:

"Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign, and this is his name whereby he shall be called, Jehovah, our righteousness" (xxiii. 5, 6).

Hence it is clear that in the Lord's Prayer the words "hallowed be thy name" (Matt. vi. 9) mean, that the Divine Human of the Lord is to be regarded as holy, and to be worshipped. [6] Because the name of the Lord signifies such things, it is evident what is meant by the following passages.

In John:

"The shepherd of the sheep calleth his own sheep by name" (x. 3).

In Luke:

"Rejoice because your names are written in heaven (x. 20).

And in the Apocalypse:

"Thou hast a few names in Sardis" (iii. 4).

He who does not know what name signifies in the Word cannot possibly know how these words are to be understood in Matthew:

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward; and whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (x. 41, 42).

To receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, and to give drink in the name of a disciple, signifies to love truth for the sake of truth, good for the sake of good, and to exercise charity from the faith of truth. For by a prophet is signified truth, by a righteous man is signified good, and by a disciple is signified good from truth; and to give to drink of cold water is to exercise charity from obedience; in their name denotes for the sake of their quality, thus for the sake of those things. Who could ever understand these things, unless it were known what name signifies? To love and to do truth for the sake of truth, and good for the sake of good, is to be affected with truth and good for their own sake, and not for the sake of one's own fame, honour, and gain. The former affection of truth and good is an affection truly spiritual; but the affection of truth and good for the sake of one's own fame, honour, and gain, is an affection merely natural. And because those who love truth and good for their own sake, or because they are truth and good, are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, it is therefore said, that they shall receive the reward of a prophet and of a righteous man; by which is meant, that they are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, this affection having its reward in itself, because it has heaven in itself. (That the happiness of heaven is in the affection of loving and doing truth and good without regarding reward as an end, thus for the sake of truth and good, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 6388, 6478, 9174, 9984. That a prophet signifies one who teaches truth, thus also, abstractedly, the truth which is taught, see n. 2534, 7269. That a righteous man signifies the good of love to the Lord, n. 2235, 9857. That a disciple signifies good from truth, which is the good of charity, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397. That to give to drink is to instruct in the goods and truths of faith, and thus to exercise charity, n. 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018, 8562, 9412; and that name signifies the quality of a thing, n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 3237; hence the name of Jehovah, or of the Lord, signifies all the quality by which He is worshipped, n. 2724, 3006, 6674, 9310.)

AE (Tansley) n. 103

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 103

103. And hast not fainted. That this signifies as far as they were able, is evident from the signification of not fainting when said of those who study the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, as being, as far as they are able. For in what now follows, a life according to those knowledges is treated of. Those who live such a life advance farther, and do not faint but those who are as yet in knowledges alone, advance as far as they are able, not having as yet the light of life, whence comes vigour.

AE (Tansley) n. 104

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 104

104. (v. 4) Nevertheless I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity. That this signifies that they do not make such a life as pertains to those who live in the beginning of the church the essential of knowledges (cognitiones), is evident from the signification of first charity, as being a life according to the knowledges of good and truth, such as pertains to those who are in the beginning of the church (concerning which we shall speak presently), and from the signification of leaving that charity, as being that it is not made the essential of knowledges. For those who study the knowledges of truth and good, and believe that they shall be saved by means of them, make knowledges and not life the essential, although a life according to knowledges is the essential. But as this essential of the church and of salvation is treated of in what now follows, more shall be said concerning it. The reason why charity denotes life, is, because all life according to the precepts of the Lord in the Word is called charity; wherefore to exercise charity is to live according to those precepts. (That this is the case may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, in the article concerning, love towards the neighbour, or charity, n. 84-106; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.) The life of the church in its commencement is here meant by first charity, for every church begins from charity, and declines successively from it to faith alone, or to merit-seeking works. (Concerning this matter, and concerning charity, see what is said in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that every church commences from charity, but that in process of time it declines from it, n. 494, 501, 1327, 3773, 4689; and thus to falsities from evil, and at length to evils, n. 1834, 1835, 2910, 4683, 4689; commonly to faith alone, n. 1834, 1835, 2231, 4683, 8094. A comparison of the beginning and the decline of the church with the rising and setting of the sun, n. 1837; and with the infancy and old age of man, n. 10,134. That the church is not in man until the knowledges of good and truth are implanted in the life, n. 3310; that charity constitutes the church, n. 809, 916, 1798, 1799, 1844, 1894; that the internal of the church is charity, n. 4766, 5826; that the church would be one, and not many as at this day, if all were regarded from charity, although the may differ as to doctrinals of faith, and as to rituals of worship, n. 1286, 1316, 1798, 1799, 1834, 1844, 2385, 2982, 3267, 3451; that the worship of the Lord consists in a life of charity, n. 8254, 8256: that the quality of worship is according to the quality of charity, n. 2190.)

AE (Tansley) n. 105

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 105

105. (v. 5) Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works. That this signifies remembrance of former things, and hence that they have departed from the truth, and that the good of life of the church at its beginning may come into mind, is evident from the signification of "remember," as here being remembrance of former things; and from the signification of whence thou art fallen, as being departure therefrom, thus departure from the truth; and from the signification of repent, as being that it should come into mind; and from the signification of do the first works, as being the good of life of the church at its beginning. (That works denote all those things of the life that proceed from love and faith, may be seen above, n. 98; and that the first works, which are those of charity, denote such as belong to the church at its beginning, maybe seen just above, n. 104.) That a life in agreement with knowledges (cognitiones) is the essential of the church, and not knowledges without a life in agreement with them, will be evident to every one who examines the subject; for knowledges, so long as there is not a life in agreement with them, reside only in the memory; and as long as they reside only there, they do not affect the interiors of the man. For a man's memory is a receptacle, from which may be taken those things which are serviceable to his life; and they are serviceable to his life when he wills and does them. [2] A man's whole spirit is nothing else but his will; therefore when a man becomes a spirit, he cannot resist anything which is not contrary to his will, for the whole man strives after it. That this is, the case is perfectly well known in the spiritual world; and I have also occasionally seen the experiment made, whether a spirit could do anything against his own will from which he exists, and it was found that he could not; it therefore appeared evident, that it is a man's will which forms his spirit, and that the spirit of man, after it leaves the body, is his will. Whether we say the will, or the love, it is the same thing; for what a man loves, this he wills: wherefore, also, whether we say that a man's spirit cannot resist his will, or say that it cannot resist his love, it is the same thing. The knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, before they enter the will or love of man, are of no avail for salvation, because they are not in the man, but without him. Still, knowledges are necessary, because without them a man can know nothing concerning spiritual life, and he who knows nothing concerning it cannot become spiritual; for that which a man knows, he can think of, will, and do, but not that which he does not know; but, if knowledges enter no deeper into man than into his memory, and thence into his thought, they have no effect upon him, consequently they do not save him. [3] It is at this day believed by many in the world, especially by those who make faith alone the essential of the church, that to know doctrinals and from knowledge (scientia) to believe that they are true, saves man, however he may live; but I can assert, that no one is saved by those things alone. I have seen many, even the most learned, cast into hell; but those, on the other hand, who have lived in agreement with the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, I have seen raised up into heaven. It is therefore evident that knowledges alone avail nothing, but a life in agreement with them, and that knowledges only teach man how he ought to live. To live in agreement with the knowledges of truth and good, is to think that a man ought to act in a certain manner, and no other, because it is commanded by the Lord in the Word. When man thinks from the Word, and thence wills and acts, then he becomes spiritual; but it is necessary for those who are within the church, to believe in the Lord, and when they think concerning Him, to think of His Divine in His Human, because from His Divine Human proceeds everything of charity and faith.

AE (Tansley) n. 106

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 106

106. Or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent. That this signifies, if not, that it is certain that heaven will not be given to them, is evident from the signification of coming quickly, as being for certain (that quickly denotes certain, may be seen above, n. 7); and from the signification of lampstand, as being the church and heaven, concerning which also see above, n. 62. Therefore, to remove the lampstand out of its place, denotes to separate from the church and heaven, or that heaven is not given to then). (That heaven is not given to those who are in knowledges alone, and not in a life in agreement with them, may be seen above, n. 104.)

AE (Tansley) n. 107

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 107

107. (v. 6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. That this signifies aversion, derived from the Divine, in regard to those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, from which there is no life, is evident from the signification of "this thou hast, that thou hatest," as being aversion. The reason why it denotes aversion derived from the Divine, is, because it is said, "which I also hate"; and from the signification of works, as being things which pertain to the mind, whence works proceed (concerning which see above, n. 98); and from the signification of the Nicolaitanes, as being those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, those who do this being without life. The reason why those who separate charity from faith are without life, is that all spiritual life pertains to charity, and none to faith separated from charity; for to know and to think pertain to faith, but to will and to do pertain to charity. Those who separate charity from faith cannot possibly know what constitutes heaven and the church with man, thus what constitutes spiritual life, because they do not think within themselves, but extrinsically. To think extrinsically, is to think from the memory only; for the memory is extrinsic to the man, being as it were a court, through which there is an entrance into the house and its inner chambers. Moreover, heaven cannot flow into thought which is extrinsic to a man, for it flows into those things which are within him, and through them into those things that are extrinsic to him. This is why they cannot be instructed in those things that constitute heaven and the church, or life eternal. For every one is instructed from heaven, or through heaven from the Lord, concerning those things that pertain to life eternal, thus through the medium of his life, or through his soul and heart.

He who believes that those can be in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth who separate charity from faith, is much deceived, for they suppose everything to be from themselves, and nothing from heaven. And the things which a man apprehends from self, and not from heaven, are falsities, because he thinks in darkness, and not in the light; all light in those things that pertain to the church, must come from heaven. [2] There are indeed many in the church who say that charity is the essential of the church and not faith separate from it; but to say this and believe it, and not to live the life of charity, is merely to say that it is, and not to make it the essential; these, therefore, are like those who say that faith is the essential, for with them charity is a matter of faith alone, and not of the life; therefore they cannot be enlightened. In the spiritual world there is seen with such persons something snowy, of light as it were; but the light from which the snowy appearance comes, is natural, this being of such a character, that, on the influx of the light of heaven, which is spiritual, it is changed into darkness. These dwell to the left in the spiritual world, almost in the angle of the north and west. Those only are intelligent who apply the knowledges of truth and good to the life. [3] All those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and not in the good of life in agreement with them, may live a moral life equally with those who are in knowledges, and thereby in the good of life by means of them; but their moral life is natural, and not spiritual, because they do not live sincerely, justly and well from religion; and those who are such cannot be conjoined with heaven, for religion makes man spiritual, and conjoins him with the angels, who are spiritual. To live well from religion, is to think, to will, and to do, because it is so taught in the Word, and because the Lord has commanded it; but not to live from religion, is to think, will, and do, only on account of civil and moral laws. The latter, because they regard nothing else but those laws, are conjoined only with the world, for which those laws are made; but the former look to the Lord, and thence are conjoined to Him.

The reason why the Gentiles are saved, is solely from this fact, that in their life they have regard to religion, thinking and saying, that they ought to act in a certain way and no other, because it is in agreement with the laws of their religion, and such and such things are to be left undone, because they are contrary to those laws, thus against the Divine; and when they so think and act, spiritual life is imparted to them, which is of such a nature with them, that they afterwards receive truths in the spiritual world, more readily than those Christians who, when they do anything, think nothing from the Word, and the doctrine of the church, which is from the Word. [4] Those who do not think from religion, since they, are not spiritual, have no conscience; if therefore their external bonds, which are fear of the law and of the loss of reputation, were removed, they would rush into every kind of enormity; but, on the other hand, if the external bonds, which are fear of the law and of the loss of reputation, were taken away from those who think from religion, they would still act justly, uprightly, and well; for they fear God, and are kept in a life of obedience and charity by influx out of heaven from the Lord, to whom they are conjoined. The reason why those who separate charity from faith are called Nicolaitanes, is chiefly from the sound of that expression in heaven, for it sounds from truth or faith, and not from good or charity. (That from expressions in the Word it may be known whether they involve good or truth, thus also whether they involve one separate from the other, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 241.)

AE (Tansley) n. 108

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 108

108. (v. 7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church, is evident from the signification of he who hath an ear let him hear, as being that he who understands should hearken or obey (that to hear denotes to understand and to do, or to hearken, may be seen above, n. 14); from the signification of the Spirit, in this case the Spirit of God, as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3704, 5307, 6788, 6982, 6993, 7004, 7499, 8302, 9199, 9228, 9229, 9303, 9407, 9818, 9820, 10,330); and from the signification of the churches, as denoting, those who are in truths from good, or in faith from charity, thus those who belong to the church, for no others are of the church. These words, namely, "He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," are said to each of the churches (here to the church of Ephesus, and afterwards to the church of Smyrna, v. 11; to the church in Pergamos, v. 17; in Thyatira, v. 29; in Sardis, chap. iii. 6; in Philadelphia, v. 13; and in Laodicea, v. 22); because every one who belongs to the church may know that to know and understand the truths and goods of faith, or doctrinals, and also the Word, does not constitute the church, but to hearken, that is, to understand and to do, constitutes the church; for this is signified by the words, "he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," because this constitutes the church, and forms heaven with man, but not knowing and understanding without doing; therefore the Lord also occasionally uses the same words,

"He that hath all ear to hear let him hear" (as in Matt. xi. 15; xiii. 43; Mark iv. 9, 23; vii. 16; Luke viii. 8; xiv. 35).

In the Apocalypse it is added, "What the Spirit saith unto the churches," because by this is signified what Divine truth teaches and says to those who belong to the church, or, what is the same thing, what the Lord teaches and says, for all Divine truth proceeds from Him (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 137, 139); therefore also the Lord himself did not use the words, "What the Spirit saith," because He Himself was the Divine truth that said it.

That to know and understand Divine truths does not constitute the church and form heaven with man, but to know, to understand and to do, the Lord teaches plainly in very many passages; as in Matthew,

"Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, and every one that heareth, and doeth not, shall be likened unto a foolish man" (vii. 24, 26).

Again:

"He that received seed into the good ground, is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit" (xiii. 23).

And in Luke:

"Whosoever cometh to me and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built a house, and laid the foundation on a rock. But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth" (vi. 47, 48, 49).

In the same:

"My mother and my brethren are those who hear the Word of God and do it" (viii. 21);

besides in many other passages. In these passages, to hear simply signifies to hear, which is to know and to understand to hear also, in common discourse, has this signification when a man is said to hear anything; but it signifies both to understand and to do, when he is said to give ear, or to be attentive; so also when he is said to hearken. Moreover, those who separate life from faith, are like those of whom the Lord speaks in Matthew:

"Seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand" (xiii. 13, 14, 15; Ezek. xii. 2).

AE (Tansley) n. 109

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 109

109. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life. That this signifies that he who receives in the heart shall be filled with the good of love, and hence with heavenly joy, is evident from the signification of overcoming, as being to receive in the heart, concerning which we shall treat in what follows; and from the signification of eating, as being to appropriate and to be conjoined (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2187, 2343, 3168, 3813, 5643); and from the signification of the tree of life, as being the good of love, and thence heavenly joy, concerning which also we shall speak presently. The reason why to overcome denotes to receive in the heart is, that everyone who is about to receive spiritual life will fight against the evils and falsities of his natural life, and when he overcomes them, then goods and truths, which belong to the spiritual life, are received in the heart (to receive in the heart is to receive in the will and love, for the heart in the Word signifies the will and love, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2930, 3313, 7542, 8910, 9050, 9113, 10,336); wherefore to receive goods and truths in the heart, is to do them from the will or love; this is what is meant by overcoming. [2] The reason why the tree of life signifies the good of love, and thence heavenly joy is, that trees signify those things that are internally in man, which pertain to his interior mind (mens), or his external mind (animus), the boughs and leaves those things which pertain to the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and the fruits the goods of life themselves. This signification of trees originates in the spiritual world; for in that world trees of all kinds are seen; and these trees correspond to the interiors of the minds of angels and spirits; beautiful and fruitful trees to the interiors of those who are in the good of love, and thence in wisdom; trees less beautiful and fruitful to those who are in the good of faith; but trees bearing leaves only, and without fruit, to those who are only in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; and trees of a dismal hue, with malignant fruits, to those who are in knowledges (cognitiones) and in evil of life; but by those who are not in knowledges, and are in evil of life, trees are not seen, but instead stones and sand.

These appearances in the spiritual world, actually flow from correspondence; for the interiors of the mind of the inhabitants of that world are by such forms actually presented before their eyes. (These things may be seen better from two articles in the work, Heaven and Hell; in the first, where the correspondence of heaven with all things of the earth is treated of, n. 103-115; and in the other, where representatives and appearances in heaven are treated of, n. 170-176, and n. 177-190.) [3] This then is why trees are so often mentioned in the Word, by which are signified those things which pertain to a man's mind; and why it is, that in the first chapters of Genesis, two trees are said to have been placed in the garden of Eden, one of which was called the tree of life, and the other the tree of knowledge (scientia). By the tree of life mentioned there is signified the good of love to the Lord, and thence heavenly joy, which those possessed who at that time formed the church, and who are meant by the man and his wife; and by the tree of knowledge is signified the delight of knowledges (cognitiones) without any other use than to be accounted learned, and to acquire renown for erudition, solely for the sake of honour or gain. The reason why the tree of life also signifies heavenly joy is, because the good of love to the Lord, which is specifically signified by that tree, has heavenly joy in it. (See the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414, and The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 230-239.)

[4] That trees, so often mentioned in the Word, signify the interiors of man's internal and external minds, and the things produced by the trees, as the leaves and fruit, such things as are derived from them, is evident from the following passages:

"I will give in the desert the cedar, the schittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the wilderness the fir tree, the pine and the box" (Isa. xli. 19).

The establishment of the church is there treated of;

"The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary" (Isa. lx. 13).

"Let all the trees of the field know that I, Jehovah, humble the lofty tree, and exalt the humble tree, cause the green tree to become dry, and make the dry tree to bud" (Ezek. xvii. 24).

"Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall consume every green tree in thee, and every dry tree" (Ezek. xx. 47).

"The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, all the trees of the field are withered, because joy is withered away from the sons of men" (Joel i. 12).

"When the angel sounded, there followed hail and fire which fell upon the earth; and the third part of the trees was burnt up" (Apoc. viii. 7)

Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream "a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great, the leaf thereof fair, and the flower thereof much, and in it was food for all" (Dan. iv. 10-12).

Because trees in general signify such things as pertain to man, and constitute the interiors of his mind, and thus the spiritual things pertaining to the church, and both the latter and the former are various, therefore so many species of trees are mentioned, and every species signifies something different. (What the various species signify is shown in Arcana Coelestia, as what is signified by the oil tree, n. 9277, 10,261 what by the cedar, n. 9472, 9486, 9528, 9715, 10,178 what by the vine, n. 1069, 5113, 6375, 6378, 9277; what by the fig, n. 217, 4231, 5113, and so forth.) [5] Moreover, the things which are upon trees, as leaves and fruits, signify those things that pertain to man; leaves signify the truths pertaining to him, and fruits the goods, as in the following passages:

"He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river; her leaf shall be green; neither shall it cease from yielding fruit" (Jer. xvii. 8).

By the river which went out from the house of God "upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, ascendeth the tree of food, whose leaf falleth not off, nor is its fruit consumed; it springeth again in its months, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary, whence its fruit is for food, and its leaf for medicine" (Ezek. xlvii. 12).

"In the midst of the street of it, and of the river (going out from the throne of God and the Lamb), on this side and on that side, was there the tree of life bearing twelve fruits, and yielding her fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Apoc. xxii. 1, 2).

"Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law; he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither" (Ps. i. 1-3).

"Be not afraid, for the tree shall bear her fruit, the fig tree and the vine shall yield their strength" (Joel ii. 22).

"The trees of Jehovah are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted" (Ps. civ. 16).

"Praise Jehovah, ye fruitful trees, and all cedars" (Ps. cxlviii. 9).

[6] Because fruits signified the goods of life with man, therefore in the Israelitish church, which was a representative church, it was commanded that the fruit of trees, like the men themselves, should be circumcised, concerning which it is thus written: The fruit of a tree serving for food shall be uncircumcised in the land of Canaan;

"three years shall it be uncircumcised unto you; and in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, the praises of Jehovah. And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof" (Lev. xix. 23, 24, 25).

Because the fruit of the tree signified goods of life, therefore also it was commanded, that

in the feast of tabernacles they should take the fruit of the tree of honour, and the boughs, and should rejoice before Jehovah, and thus they should keep the feast (Lev. xxiii. 40, 41);

for by tabernacles were signified the goods of celestial love, and thence holy worship (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 414, 1102, 2145, 2152, 3312, 4391, 10,545); and by the feast of tabernacles was signified the implantation of that good of love (n. 9296). Because fruit signified the goods of love, which are the goods of life, therefore it was among the blessings that the tree of the field should yield its fruit; and among the curses that it should not yield its fruit (Lev. xxvi. 4, 20). And therefore also they were forbidden, when any city was besieged, to lay the axe to any tree of good fruit (Deut. xx. 19, 20).

From these considerations it is now evident that by fruits are signified the goods of love, or, what is the same, goods of life, which are also called works, as also what is meant in these passages in the Evangelists:

"The axe lies at the root of the trees; every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire" (Matt. iii. 10; vii. 16-21).

Either make the tree good and the fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and the fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit" (Matt. xii. 33; Luke vi. 43, 44).

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit shall be taken away: but every branch that beareth fruit shall be purged, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2-8).

"A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. Then saith he unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on the fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" (Luke xiii. 6-9).

"Jesus saw a fig-tree in the way; he came to it, and found nothing thereon but leaves only; he said, Let no fruit grow on thee for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away" (Matt. xxi. 19; Mark xi. 1:13, 14, 20).

By the fig-tree is signified the natural man and his interiors, and by the fruit his goods (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 217, 4231, 5113); but leaves signify knowledges (cognitiones), (n. 885). Hence it is clear what is signified by the fig-tree withering away, because the Lord found on it leaves only, and no fruit. All these passages are quoted in order that it may be known that by the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God, is signified the good of love proceeding from the Lord, and heavenly joy therefrom.

AE (Tansley) n. 110

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 110

110. Which is in the midst of the paradise of God. That this signifies that all knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth in heaven and in the church, look thither and proceed thence, is evident from the signification of the midst, as being the centre to which all things in the circumference look, and from which they proceed (concerning which see above, n. 97): and from the signification of paradise, as being the knowledges of good and truth, and intelligence therefrom (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 100, 108, 1588, 2702, 3220). And because these things are signified by paradise, therefore by the paradise of God is signified heaven, and because heaven is signified, the church also is signified for the church is the Lord's heaven on earth; these are called the paradise of God, because the Lord is in the midst thereof, and from Him are all intelligence and wisdom. Because hitherto it has not been known that all things in the Word are written by correspondences, and consequently that spiritual things are involved in the most minute things there related, it is believed that, by the paradise treated of in the second chapter of Genesis, is meant a paradisiacal garden, whereas no terrestrial paradise is there meant, but a heavenly paradise, which those possess who have, intelligence and wisdom from the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth (see above, n. 109, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 176, 185). [2] It is therefore evident, not only what is signified by paradise, or the garden of Eden, but also by the paradises, or gardens of God, mentioned in other parts of the Word; as in Isaiah:

"Jehovah will comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places, so that he will make her wilderness into Eden, and her desert into the garden of Jehovah: joy and gladness shall be found therein" (li. 3).

In Ezekiel:

"Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God every precious stone thy covering" (xxviii. 13).

These things are said concerning Tyre, because by Tyre in the Word is signified the church which is in the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, and thence in intelligence (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201). Its intelligence derived therefrom is signified by Eden, the garden of God, also by every precious stone of which was his covering (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 114, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873). In the same:

"Behold, Asshur a cedar in Lebanon. The cedars did not hide it in the garden of God; nor any tree in the garden of God was equal to it in beauty. I have made it beautiful by the multitude of its branches; and all the trees of Eden in the garden of God, envied it" (xxxi. 3, 8, 9).

By Asshur in the Word are meant those who have become rational by the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, thus whose winds are enlightened from heaven. (That Asshur denotes man's Rational may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 119, 1186.) [3] Something shalt here be said to explain, how it is to be understood that all knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth have regard to the good of love to the Lord, and also that they thence proceed; which things are signified by the words: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God." The good of love to the Lord is the Lord Himself because the Lord is in the good of His own love with men, spirits, and angels.

That all knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth look to this, or to the Lord, is known in the Christian Church; for the doctrine of the church teaches that without the Lord there is no salvation; and also, that all salvation is in the Lord; the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, or doctrinals from the Word, teach how man may come to God, and be conjoined to Him. (That no one can be conjoined to God except from the Lord, and in the Lord, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, 283, 296.) It is therefore evident that all things which the church teaches from the Word, have regard to the Lord and to love to Him, as the end to which they are all directed. That all knowledges of good and truth, or doctrinals from the Word, proceed from the Lord, is also known in the church; for it is taught in the church that everything of love and of faith is from heaven, and nothing from man, and also that no one can love God and believe in Him from himself. To love God and to believe in Him, involve all those things that the church teaches, which are called doctrinals and knowledges (cognitiones), because it is from these that He is loved and believed in. Love and faith are not granted to man without previous knowledges (cognitiones); for without the latter man would be empty. [4] From these considerations it follows, that as everything of love and of faith proceeds from the Lord, so also all the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, which constitute and form love and faith, proceed from Him, because all these knowledges look to the Lord, and proceed from Him; and this is what is signified by the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God; therefore, all the trees in the paradise are called trees of life, and trees of Jehovah. Thus, in the Apocalypse they are called trees of life:

"In the midst of the street of it, and of the river going out from the throne of God and the Lamb, on this side and on that side, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve fruits" (xxii. 1, 2);

and "trees of Jehovah" in David:

"The trees of Jehovah are full of sap, and the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted" (Ps. civ. 16).

It is therefore clear that by the tree of life in the midst of paradise, is meant every tree there, that is, every man, in the midst of whom, that is, in whom, is the Lord. From these considerations, and those adduced in the preceding article, it may be known what is signified by the statement, that to him that overcometh the Lord will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

AE (Tansley) n. 111

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 111

111. (Verses 8-11) And unto the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans write, These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and is alive. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich); and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful even unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

"And unto the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans write," signifies, for remembrance to those within the church who wish to understand the Word, and do not yet understand it, and therefore as yet have but little knowledge of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire in heart. "These things saith the first and the last," signifies the Lord who rules all things from the Divine Human, from primaries by means of ultimates. "Who was dead and is alive," signifies that He is rejected, and that nevertheless eternal life is from Him.

"I know thy works," signifies love; "and tribulation," signifies anxiety from the desire of knowing truths; "and poverty (but thou art rich)," signifies acknowledgment that they know nothing of themselves; "and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not," signifies vituperation by those who think themselves to be in the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, because they have the Word, and yet it is not so; "but are a synagogue of Satan," signifies the doctrine of all their falsities.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer," signifies not to grieve on account of such persecution. "Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison," signifies that those who are in falsities from evil, will attempt to deprive them of all truth from the Word; "that ye may be tried," signifies that consequently there will be increase of the desire for truth; "and ye shall have tribulation ten days," signifies that infestation, and thence temptation, will endure for some time; "be thou faithful even unto death," signifies continuance in truths to the end; "and I will give thee a crown of life," signifies wisdom, and thence eternal happiness.

"He that hath all ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death," signifies that he who continues in the genuine affection for truth to the end of his life in the world, shall come into the New Heaven.

AE (Tansley) n. 112

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 112

112. (v. 8) And unto the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans write. That this signifies for remembrance to those within the church who wish to understand the Word, and do not yet understand it, and therefore have as yet but little knowledge of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire in heart is evident from the signification of writing as being for remembrance (see above, n. 95); and from the signification of the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans, as being those within the church who wish to understand the Word and do not yet understand it, and therefore have but little knowledge of truth and good, which, nevertheless, they desire in heart. That these are meant by the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans is evident from the things written to that angel, which follow. For it cannot be known who are meant by the angels of the several churches, except from the internal sense of the things written to them. [2] In the things written to the angel of the church of Ephesus, treated of above, those are described who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and not at the same time, or not yet, in a life in agreement with them; and now those are described who are in the knowledges of truth and good and at the same time in a life in agreement with them; the latter therefore are those who have the affection of truth from a spiritual origin, but the former are those who have the affection of truth from a natural origin. In general, the affection of truth has two origins, namely, a natural origin and a spiritual origin. Those who have the affection of truth from a natural origin, primarily regard themselves and the world, and consequently are natural; but those who have the affection of truth from a spiritual origin, primarily regard the Lord and heaven, and consequently are spiritual. A man's affection or love looks either downwards or upwards; those who regard themselves and the world look downwards, but those who have regard to the Lord and to heaven look upwards. The interiors of a man's mind actually look to where his love or affection is, for his love determines them; and according to the determination of his interiors such is the man after death, and such he remains to eternity. To look downwards or upwards is to look from the love by means of the understanding, thus by means of those things which form and constitute the understanding, these being the knowledges of truth and good.

[3] The reason why that which is written to the angel of the church of Ephesus is concerning those within the church who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good and not at the same time, or not as yet, in a life according to them, thus concerning those who are in the affection of truth from a natural origin; and now, in what is written to the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans, concerning those who are in the knowledges of truth and good and at the same time in a life in agreement with them, thus concerning those who are in the affection of truth from a spiritual origin, is, that the former is the first principle of the church, and the latter is the second. For no one can be introduced into the church, and formed for heaven, except by means of knowledges from the Word, without which a man would not know the way to heaven, and without which the Lord cannot dwell with him. That without the knowledges of truth and good from the Word no one can know anything concerning the Lord, the angelic heaven, or charity and faith, may easily be known; and what a man does not know, he cannot think about, and thus cannot will, therefore neither can he believe or love. It is therefore evident that a man by means of knowledges learns the way to heaven. That without the knowledges of good and truth from the Word, the Lord cannot be present with a man and lead him, is also known; for in the case of him who knows nothing concerning the Lord, concerning heaven, charity and faith, the spiritual mind, which is the higher mind, and is intended to see by the light of heaven, is void and has nothing from the Divine in it, and yet the Lord cannot dwell with a man except in that which is His own, that is, in those things which are from Him; hence it was said, that the Lord cannot dwell with man unless he be in the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and thence in the life thereof.

From these considerations taken together it follows, that the natural man can by no means become spiritual without the knowledges of truth and good from the Word.

[4] The reason why by the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans are meant those within the church who are willing to understand the Word, and do not as yet understand, and consequently are, as yet, but little in the knowledges of truth and good, which nevertheless they desire, is, that they are in the spiritual affection of truth, and such also live the life of charity; for they have spiritual affection as a result of this, because there can be nothing spiritual in man but from charity. They who are in that affection study the Word, and desire nothing more than that they may understand it, and this because there are innumerable things in it which they do not understand, because the Word in its bosom is spiritual, involving infinite arcana. While therefore a man lives in the world, and sees from the natural man, he can be but little established in the knowledges of truth and good, but only in the generals, in which, however, innumerable things may be implanted when be comes into the spiritual world, or heaven. [5] The man who is in the affection of truth from a spiritual origin, then knows much more than he knew before; for the general knowledges which he has are vessels, as it were, that can be filled with many things, and which actually are filled, when he comes into heaven. That this is the case is evident from this circumstance alone, that all the angels in heaven are from the human race, and yet their wisdom is such as can be described only by things inexpressible and incomprehensible, as is well known. (That the angels of heaven have no other origin than the human race, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 311-317; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 14-22.) The infilling with intelligence and wisdom above referred to, is meant by the words of the Lord in Luke:

"Good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall be given into your bosom" (vi. 38).

In Matthew:

"Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance" (xiii. 12; xxv. 29).

And in Luke:

"The Lord said to the servant who, from the pound given to him, gained ten pounds, Because thou hast been faithful in little, thou shalt have authority over ten cities (xix. 16, 17).

By ten is there signified what is much and fall, and by cities intelligence and wisdom. (That ten signify much and full, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1988, 3107, 4638; and that cities signify those things which belong to intelligence and wisdom, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 3584, 4492, 4493, 5297.)

AE (Tansley) n. 113

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 113

113. These things saith the first and the last. That this signifies the Lord, who rules all things from the Divine Human, from primaries by means of ultimates, is evident from the signification of the first and the last, when said of the Lord, as being His ruling all things from primaries by means of ultimates (concerning which see above, n. 41). That it is the Lord as to the Divine Human, who, in this passage and those that follow, speaks to the angels of the churches, is evident from the preceding chapter, in which similar things are said concerning the Son of man; and the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human (as may be seen above, n. 63). This becomes quite clear when the passages are compared; for in the preceding chapter the Son of man is described as being seen "in the midst of the golden lampstands, having in his right hand seven stars" (v. 13, 16). The same things are premised in what is written to the angel of the church of Ephesus, in these words,

"These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" (v. 1, of this chapter).

[2] In the preceding chapter the Son of man is thus described:

"I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive unto the ages of the ages" (v. 17, 18).

These things are here premised in what is written to the angel of the church of the Smyrnaeans, in these words:

"These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and is alive" (v. 8).

In the preceding chapter, the Son of man is thus described:

"Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword" (v. 16),

which is also premised in what is written to the angel of the Church in Pergamos, in these words:

"These things saith he who hath the sharp two-edged sword" (v. 12).

In the preceding chapter, the Son of man is described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like to fine brass as if they burned in a furnace (v. 14, 15). These things are premised in what is written to the angel of the church of Thyatira, in these words:

"These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass" (v. 18).

[3] Similar things are premised in what is written to the angels of the other three churches, of which we shall treat in the following chapter. From these considerations it is evident, that it is the Son of man who says the things which are written to the churches. And because by the Son of man is meant the Lord as to the Divine Human (as was shown above, n. 63), it follows that all the things written to the churches are from the Divine Human of the Lord; and hence it also follows, that the Divine Human is the All in all of the church, as it is the All in all of heaven. Here, also, by his being styled the First and the Last, is signified that the Lord from His Divine Human rules all things from primaries by means of ultimates. (That the Lord as to the Divine Human is the All in all of heaven, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, and n. 78-86, and other places. And because the Lord is the All in all of heaven, He is also the All in all of the church, for the church is the kingdom of the Lord on the earth.) This I can assert, that no one within the church who does not acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, can enter into heaven. To acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, is to think of His Divine when His Human is thought of. The reason why He should thus be thought of, is, because the whole heaven is from His Divine Human (as may be seen explained in the work, Heaven and Hell, from beginning to end. See also above, n. 10, 49, 52, 82).

AE (Tansley) n. 114

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 114

114. Who was dead and is alive. That this signifies that He is rejected, and yet that eternal life is from Him, is evident from the signification of being dead, when said of the Lord, as denoting to be rejected (concerning which see above, n. 83), and from the signification of being alive, as denoting that eternal life is from Him in (concerning which see also above, n. 84). The Lord is said to be rejected when He is not approached and worshipped, and also when He is approached and worshipped only as to His Human, and not at the same time as to the Divine. At this day therefore He is rejected by those within the church who do not approach and worship Him, but pray to the Father to have compassion on them for the sake of the Son, although no man, or angel, can ever approach the Father, and worship Him directly, the Divine being invisible, with which no one can be conjoined in faith and love. For that which is invisible cannot come into the thought, nor, consequently, into the affection of the will; and what does not come into the thought, does not enter into the faith, for what pertains to faith must be an object of thought. So also what does not enter into the affection of the will, does not enter into the love, for the things which pertain to the love must affect a man's will, as all a man's love resides in the will (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35). But the Divine Human of the Lord can be thought of and enter into the faith, and thence into the affection of the will, or into the love.

[2] It is therefore evident, that there can be no conjunction with the Father unless from the Lord, and in the Lord. This the Lord Himself teaches very clearly in the Evangelists. In John:

"No one hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath brought him forth to view" (i. 18).

Again:

"Ye have neither heard the Father's voice at any time, nor seen his shape" (v. 37).

In Matthew:

"Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (xi. 27).

In John:

I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (xiv. 6).

Again:

"If ye know me, ye know my Father also; he that seeth me seeth the Father"; (Philip) "believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? believe me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (xiv. 7-11);

and that the Father and the Lord are one (x. 30, 38).

Again:

"I am the vine, ye are the branches; without me ye can do nothing" (xv. 5).

[3] It is therefore evident, that the Lord is rejected by those within the church who approach the Father directly, and pray to Him to have compassion for the sake of the Son; for these cannot but think of the Human of the Lord, as of the human of another man, thus they cannot think of His Divine in the Human, and still less of His Divine united with His Human as the soul is conjoined with the body, according to the doctrine universally received in the Christian world (see above, n. 10 and 26).

Who is there in the Christian world, that acknowledges the Divine of the Lord that desires by this acknowledgment to separate His Divine from His Human? Nevertheless, to think of the Human alone, and not at the same time of the Divine in the Human, is to regard them as separate, which is not to think of the Lord, or of both as one person, although the doctrine received in the Christian world is, that the Divine and Human of the Lord make not two persons but one person. [4] Those who constitute the church at this day do, indeed, think of the Divine of the Lord in His Human, when they speak from the doctrine of the church; but it is quite otherwise when they think and speak within themselves apart from doctrine. But let it be known, that a man is in one state when he thinks and speaks from doctrine, and another when he thinks and speaks apart from it. When a man thinks and speaks from doctrine, he thinks and speaks from the memory of his natural man; but when he thinks and speaks unfettered by doctrine, his thought and speech are then from his spirit. For to think and speak from the spirit, is to think and speak from the interiors of one's mind, therefore, what he then speaks is his real faith. The state of a man also after death is such as were the thought and speech of his spirit within himself unfettered by doctrine, and not such as were his thought and speech from doctrine, if the latter has not become one with the former. [5] Man has two states as to faith and love, one while he is in doctrine, and another when he is unfettered by it, but the state of his faith and love apart from doctrine saves him, and not the state of his speech concerning faith and love derived from doctrine, unless the latter has become one with the former. Man does not know this, although to think and speak from doctrine concerning faith and love, is to speak from the natural man and its memory, is evident from this circumstance alone, that both the evil and the good can think and speak in this way when they are with others. And it is for this reason that evil equally with good prelates, or prelates who have no faith equally with those who have faith, can preach the gospel, to all appearance with a similar zeal and affection. The reason is, that, in such case, a man, as stated, thinks and speaks from his natural man and its memory; but to think from the spirit is not to think from the natural man and its memory, but from the spiritual man, and from the faith and affection of this man. From this alone it is evident, that there are two states pertaining to man, and that the former state just referred to does not save him, but the latter. For after death a man is a spirit, therefore such as he was in the world as to his spirit, such does he remain after his departure out of the world.

[6] Moreover, that there are two states pertaining to the man of the church, it has been granted me to know from much experience; for after death a man can be brought into either state, and also is actually brought into both; many, when they have been brought into the former state, have spoken like Christians, and from their speech were believed by others to be Christians, but as soon as they were brought back into the latter state, the state of their own spirit, they then spoke like diabolical spirits, and in complete opposition to what they had spoken before (see the work Heaven and hell, n. 491-498, and n. 499-511). [7] From these considerations it also is evident how it is to be understood that the Lord is repudiated at this day by those who are within the church, that is, that from doctrine indeed the Divine of the Lord must be acknowledged and believed equally as the Divine of the Father; for the doctrine of the church teaches, that, "as is the Father, so also is the Son, uncreate, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, God, Lord, neither of them greater or less, before or after the other" (see the creed of Athanasius). Notwithstanding this, however, they do not approach and worship the Lord as Divine, but they worship the Divine of the Father, as is the case when they pray to the Father that He may have compassion on them for the sake of the Son. When they use these words, they do not in the least think of the Divine of the Lord, but of His Human separate from the Divine, thus of His Human as similar to that of another man. They then think not of one God, but of two, or three. To think in this way of the Lord, is to repudiate Him; for not to think of His Divine in conjunction with His Human, which nevertheless are not two persons but one person, and make a one as soul and body, is by separation to exclude the Divine.

[8] I have occasionally talked with spirits who, whilst they lived in the world, were of the Popish religion, and I inquired whether they ever thought in the world concerning the Lord's Divine? They said that they had thought on the subject as often as they were in doctrine with insight, and that then they acknowledged His Divine to be equal with that of the Father, but apart from doctrine, they thought of His Human alone, and not of His Divine. They were asked why they say that the power, which belonged to the Human of the Lord, was given Him by the Father, and not by Himself, since they acknowledged His Divine to be equal to that of the Father? They then turned away, without answering; but they were told that the reason was, that they arrogated to themselves all His Divine power; which they could not have done, unless they had separated the Divine from the Human. That the Lord is repudiated by them, every one may conclude from this circumstance, that they worship the Pope as the Lord, and that they no longer ascribe any power to the Lord. [9] I will here relate a great scandal uttered by the Pope who was called Benedict XIV. He declared openly that he believed, when he lived in the world, that the Lord had no power, because He had transferred it all to Peter, and thence to his successors; adding that he believed that the Romish saints have more power than the Lord, because they retain it from God the Father, but that the Lord abdicated it entirely, and conferred it on the Popes; but that still He must be worshipped, because without such worship the Pope would not be worshipped with sanctity. But this Pope, because he arrogated to himself what was Divine, even after death, was, after some days, cast, into hell.

AE (Tansley) n. 115

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 115

115. The reason why the Lord says to the angel of this church, "I am the first and the last, who was dead and is alive," is, that those within the church who are in the spiritual affection of truth are here treated of; these are such as search out truths from the Word, and who, when they have found them, rejoice in heart, for no other reason than that they are truths; and that also those are here spoken of who are in a merely natural affection of truth, being such as neither search for truths, nor rejoice in them because they are truths, but only acquiesce in the doctrinals of their church, not caring whether they are true or false; these they learn, so far as to retain them in the memory, and they also confirm them from the literal sense of the Word; and this they do solely for the sake of acquiring fame, honours, or gain; these are they with whom the Lord is said to be dead, that is, repudiated. The spiritual affection of truth, which is to love truth because it is truth, is granted only to those who are conjoined to the Lord by the acknowledgment of and faith in His Divine Human, because all the truth of heaven and all the truth of the church is from no other source than the Divine Human of the Lord, for therefrom proceeds the Divine truth, which is called the Spirit of Truth, or the Holy Spirit; also all affection of truth, and all wisdom to the angels of heaven. (That this is the case may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 265-275, 346-356). These are they with whom the Lord is alive.

AE (Tansley) n. 116

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 116

116. (v. 9) I know thy works. That this signifies love, is evident from the signification of works, as denoting the things of the will or love, because works proceed therefrom, and that from which anything proceeds constitutes the all in that which proceeds, just as the cause is in the effect; for when the cause is removed, the effect also ceases. The same is the case with man's will, and the works that result; the will is the cause, and the works are the effect, and it is well known, that if the will ceases, the work ceases; it is therefore evident, that works are the will in the cause. Man's will is spiritual, but the works therefrom are natural; and therefore by works, in a spiritual sense, the will is understood. The reason why by works is also meant the love, is, that what a man loves, that he also wills, and what he wills in heart, that he loves; and if the subject be more minutely examined, it will be seen that all things of the interior will of man pertain to his love. But the reason why, in common discourse, it is called the love of man, and not his will, is, because loves are manifold, and one man possesses many, and all are together in the will; this is perceived only as one by man, because he distinguishes between the will and the understanding: the will therefore is the Spiritual itself of man, because love is spiritual. The reason why works, and not the will, or love, are mentioned in the Word, as in this place, and in what follows to the angels of the churches, "I know thy works," and not, I know thy will, or love, is, because all the things in the literal sense of the Word are natural, and contain within them things spiritual. In order therefore that the spiritual sense of the Word may be manifest, the Spiritual which is in the natural, or from which the natural proceeds, must be explored.

AE (Tansley) n. 117

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 117

117. And tribulation. That this signifies anxiety from the desire to know truths, is evident from the signification of tribulation, as being such anxiety; for those are here treated of who wish to understand the Word, and do not yet well understand it (as may be seen above, n. 112), and these are in a state of anxiety as to the spirit when they do not understand. That they have such anxiety when they do not understand, none can know but those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, thus, who are in spiritual affection. Who these are, may be seen above (n. 115). The reason is, that they are conjoined to the angels of heaven, who continually desire truths, because they desire intelligence and wisdom. They desire these as the hungry desire food; therefore, also, intelligence and wisdom are called spiritual food. This desire man has from his infancy, because, when he is an infant, and afterwards when he becomes a boy, he is conjoined to heaven; and this desire is from heaven, but it perishes with those who turn themselves to the world. From these considerations it may be known what the anxiety of mind, or spiritual anxiety, is, which is here signified by tribulation. [2] The reason why they have such anxiety when they read the Word and do not well understand it, is, that all the truths of heaven and the church are from the Word, and lie concealed in its spiritual sense, but are not opened to any except those who are conjoined with heaven, because that sense of the Word is in heaven. But the spiritual sense itself of the Word - does not flow into man directly from heaven, but it flows into his affection, and by this into the knowledges (cognitiones) which he has, and thus enkindles his desire, and then, so far as be can see from the literal sense of the Word, so far be receives the genuine truths of the church. Every one who is in the spiritual affection of truth perceives that there are few things which he knows, and infinitely numerous things which he does not know. He knows also that to know and acknowledge this, is the first step to wisdom; and that those have not arrived at the first step to wisdom who pride themselves on their knowledge (scientia), and thence believe themselves to be highly intelligent. Such persons also are in the habit of being more proud of falsities than of truths, for they have regard to their own fame, and are influenced by that alone, and not by the truth itself. Such are those who are only in a natural affection, and the desire thence derived (concerning whom also see above, n. 115).

AE (Tansley) n. 118

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 118

118. And poverty (but thou art rich). That this signifies acknowledgment that they know nothing from themselves, is evident from the signification of poverty, as being acknowledgment of the heart that they know nothing from themselves, concerning which we shall speak presently. That by poverty is here meant spiritual poverty, and that by thou art rich is meant to be spiritually rich, is evident, because these things are said to the church. To be spiritually poor and nevertheless to be rich, is to acknowledge in heart that a man of himself knows nothing, that he has neither understanding nor wisdom, but that all knowledge, understanding and wisdom are from the Lord. In such acknowledgment are all the angels of heaven; therefore they are intelligent and wise, and this in a degree corresponding to their acknowledgment and perception that this is the case; for they know and perceive that nothing of the truth which is called the truth of faith, and nothing of the good which is called the good of love, is from themselves, but from the Lord; they know also that all things which they understand, and in which they are wise, have reference to the truth of faith and to the good of love. They also know that all their intelligence and wisdom are from the Lord. And because they know and acknowledge this, and also because they desire and love it to be so, therefore Divine truth continually flows into them from the Lord, from whom they have all intelligence and wisdom, which they receive in proportion as they are affected by it, that is, in proportion as they love it. But, on the other hand, infernal spirits believe that everything they think, will and thence speak and do, is from themselves, and not from God; for they do not believe in the Divine; consequently, also, instead of being intelligent and wise, they are insane and foolish; for they think contrary to the truth, and will contrary to good, which is to be insane and foolish. Every man who is in the love of self acts in a similar way; because he looks only to himself, he cannot do otherwise than attribute every thing to himself, and he does this because he does not acknowledge that all intelligence and wisdom are from the Lord. Consequently, when such persons think in themselves, they do so against the goods and truths of the church and of heaven, although when speaking with men they say otherwise, from a fear of losing their reputation.

[2] From these considerations it may be known what is meant by poverty in the spiritual sense. The reason why he who is spiritually poor, nevertheless is rich, is, that he is in the spiritual affection of truth; for intelligence and wisdom flow from the Lord into this affection. Every one's affection receives and takes in things congenial to itself, as a sponge absorbs water: thus the spiritual affection of truth receives and takes in spiritual truths, which are the truths of the church derived from the Word. The reason why the spiritual affection of truth is from the Lord alone is, that the Lord is Divine truth in heaven and in the church, for it proceeds from Him; and because the Lord loves to lead every one to Himself, and to save him, and this can only be effected by the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth from the Word, therefore He loves to implant these in man, and to make them principles of his life; for in this and in no other way can he lead man to Himself and save him. It is therefore clear that all spiritual affection of truth is from the Lord, and that no one can be in that affection unless he acknowledges the Divine of the Lord in His Human; for by this acknowledgment there is conjunction, and according to conjunction there is reception. (On this subject more may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, where it treats of the wisdom of the angels of heaven, n. 265-275; and concerning the wise and the simple in heaven, n. 346-356, and in the same work, n. 13, 19, 25, 26, 133, 139, 140, 205, 297, 422, 523, 603, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27; and above, n. 6, 59, 112, 115, 117.)

[3] Throughout the Word frequent mention is made of the poor and needy, and also of the hungry and thirsty. By the poor and needy are signified those who believe that they know nothing of themselves, and also those who do not know, because they have not the Word. By the hungry and thirsty are signified those who continually desire to possess truths, and to be perfected by them. Both the latter and the former are meant by the poor, the needy, the hungry, and thirsty, in the following passages:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled" (Matt. v. 3, 6).

"Blessed be ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are ye that hunger; for ye shall be filled" (Luke vi. 20, 21).

"To the poor the gospel shall be preached," and "the poor hear the gospel" (Luke vii. 22; Matt. xi. 5).

"The master of the house said to his servant, Go out into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor" (Luke xiv. 21).

"Then the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety" (Isa. xiv. 30).

"I was an hungered, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink" (Matt. xxv. 35).

"The poor and needy seek water, and there is none; their tongue faileth for thirst. I, Jehovah, will hear them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys" (Isa. xli. 17, 18).

From this last passage it is evident that by the poor and needy are meant those who desire the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth; for the water which they seek denotes truth. (That water denotes the truth of faith, may be seen above, n. 71.) Their desire is here described by their tongue failing for thirst; and the abundance which they should have, by rivers being opened in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys.

[4] Those who do not know that by the rich are signified those who have the Word, and who can therefore have the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and that by the poor are signified those who have not the Word and yet desire truths, cannot but suppose that by the rich man in Luke (xvi. 19, and following verses), who was clothed in crimson and fine linen, are meant the rich in the world, and that by the poor man who lay at his gate, and desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table, are meant the poor in the world. But here, by the rich man is meant the Jewish nation, which possessed the Word, and could therefore be in the knowledges of truth and good; and by the poor man are meant the Gentiles, who had not the Word, and yet desired the knowledges of truth and good. The reason why the rich man is described as being clothed with crimson and fine linen, is, that crimson signifies genuine good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9467), and fine linen signifies genuine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5319, 9469, 9596, 9744), both from the Word. The reason why the poor man is described as being laid at the rich man's gate, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from his table, is, that to be laid at the gate denotes to be cast out, and to be deprived of reading and understanding the Word; and to wish to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table denotes to desire some truths therefrom, for food signifies the things of knowledge (scientia), intelligence and wisdom, and in general, good and truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 8562, 9003), and a table signifies that which receives such things (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9527). Because the poor man had that desire, which is the same thing as being in the spiritual affection of truth, therefore it is said of him that he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, by which is signified that he was raised up into an angelic state of intelligence and wisdom; the bosom of Abraham denoting the Divine truth which is in heaven; for those who are therein are with the Lord. (That Abraham in the Word signifies the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2010, 2833, 2836, 3245, 3251, 3305, 3439, 3703, 6098, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847.) [5] What is here signified by the rich man, and by the poor man who hungered, is also signified by the rich and the hungry in Luke:

"He hath filled the hungry with good, and the rich he hath sent empty away" (i. 53).

(That by riches in the Word, are signified spiritual riches, which are the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1694, 4508, 10,227; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 365; and in the opposite sense, the knowledges of falsity and evil, which they confirm from the sense of the letter of the Word, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1694. That riches in the Word signify the knowledges of truth and good, and therefore intelligence and wisdom, is the result of correspondence; for with the angels in heaven all things appear shining, as it were from gold, silver, and precious stones; and this according as they are in the intelligence of truth and in the wisdom of good: with spirits also who are below the heavens, there are riches in appearance according to their reception of truth and good from the Lord.)

AE (Tansley) n. 119

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 119

119. And the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and are not. That this signifies vituperation from those who think themselves to be in the knowledges of good and truth because they have the Word, and yet it is not so, is evident from the signification of blasphemy, as being scandalous reproach and vituperation; and from the signification of Jews, as being those who are in the knowledges of good and truth from the Word; for Judah, in the highest sense of the Word, signifies the Lord as to celestial love, in the internal sense, the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and the Word, and in the external sense doctrine from the Word, which is of the celestial church (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3881, 6363). It is therefore evident by the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not is signified scandalous reproach and vituperation from those who say that they acknowledge the Lord, and are in His kingdom, and in true doctrine because they have the Word, and yet are not; and, in general, those who say they are in the knowledges of good and truth from the Word, and nevertheless are in falsities and evils. [2] Those who are ignorant of the internal sense of the Word, cannot but suppose that, in the prophetic parts of the Word, by Judah and the Jews are meant Judah and the Jews; but these are not there meant by these names, but all those who are in the true doctrine of the church, thus those who are in the knowledges of good and truth from the Word; and, in the opposite sense, those who are in false doctrine, thus who adulterate the truths and goods of the Word. That Judah and the Jews are not meant is evident from this consideration alone, that there is an internal sense in all the details of the Word, and also in the names of persons and places. This sense treats solely of the things of heaven and the church, therefore such things are also signified by the names Judah and Israel. And whereas a church was instituted with them in which all things were representative and significative of celestial things, therefore by their names was signified that which essentially constitutes the church, namely, in the highest sense, the Lord Himself; in the internal sense, His Word; and, in the external sense, doctrine from the Word, as said above.

It is therefore evident how much those are mistaken who believe, according to the letter, that the Jews are to be brought back into the land of Canaan, and that they are elected and destined for heaven in preference to others; whereas few from that nation are saved, because none are saved but those who believe in the Lord; and he who believes in the Lord in the world, believes in Him after his departure out of the world; but that nation altogether casts Him out from its belief. [3] That by Judah is meant the Lord as to His kingdom and as to the Word, may be seen from the prophecy of Israel concerning his sons, which, when it is unfolded by the internal sense, shows what each tribe represented in the church. That the tribe of Judah represented the Lord's kingdom, or the church where the Word is, is quite clear from what is said concerning Judah:

"Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be; who shall bind to the vine the foal of his ass, and to the noble vine the son of his she-ass; whilst he washeth his garment in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes" (Gen. xlix. 9, 10, 11).

That the particulars mentioned signify the Lord's kingdom, or the church, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained. [4] He who knows that by Judah, in the highest sense, is meant the Lord, and, in the internal sense, His kingdom and Word, and in the external sense doctrine from the Word, also, in an opposite sense, those who deny the Lord and adulterate the Word, may know what is signified by Judah in many other places of the Word; as in these following:

"Hear ye, O house of Jacob, called by the name of Israel, and they have gone forth from the waters of Judah" (Isa. xlviii. 1).

The house of Jacob, and Israel, is the church; to go forth from the waters of Judah signifies from doctrine out of the Word, for the church is thence. (That waters denote truths of doctrine from the Word, may be seen above, n. 71.)

"The sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the sons of the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their borders. It shall come to pass in that day, that all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall go forth out of the house of Jehovah, and Judah shall sit to eternity" (Joel iii. 6, 18, 20).

To sell the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem to the sons of the Grecians, is to falsify the goods and truths of the church; in that day, denotes when that church is at its end and a new one established among the Gentiles; all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, signifies abundance of truths and goods from the Word, to those who are in the New Church; that these are from the Word is signified by the fountain going forth out of the house of Jehovah. It is therefore clear that by Judah who shall sit to eternity, is not meant Judah, or the Jewish nation, but all those who are in good by means of truths from the Word.

[5] Similar things are meant by Judah in the following passages:

"I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them. Then shall the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land; for great is the day of Jezreel" (Hosea i. 7, 11).

"Then many nations shall adhere to Jehovah in that day; they shall be to me for a people, for I will dwell in thee; then Jehovah shall make Judah a heritage to himself, his portion upon the land of holiness, and shall again choose Jerusalem" (Zech. ii. 11, 12).

"Jehovah Zebaoth shall visit his flock, the house of Judah, and shall make them [as] a horse of glory in the war: I will render the house of Judah powerful" (Zech. x. 3, 6).

"God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah; and they shall dwell there, and inherit it. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they who love the name of Jehovah shall dwell therein" (Ps. lxix. 35, 36).

"And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains, that mine elect may, possess it" (Isa. lxv. 9);

besides in many other places. (That the Jewish nation is not meant in the Word in these and other places where they are called elect and heirs, may be further seen from what is adduced concerning that nation from Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.) From these considerations it is now evident what is signified by "The blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not."

AE (Tansley) n. 120

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 120

120. But are a synagogue of Satan. That this signifies the doctrine of all their falsities, is evident from the signification of synagogue, as being doctrine (concerning which we shall speak presently); and from the signification of Satan, as being the hell whence all falsities go forth. There are two kinds of hells, one in which are those who are in evils, and the other in which are those who are in the falsities of evil. The hell in which the former are, is by one expression called the Devil, and that in which the latter are, is called by one expression Satan. That the hells are thus named is totally unknown to those who are unacquainted with the particulars concerning them, and who have formed the opinion about the devil that he was created an angel of light, and that, because he rebelled, he was cast down with his crew, and in this way hell was made. (That the hells are called by the names Devil and Satan, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 311, 544, 553; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, in the article where it is shown that heaven and hell are from the human race, n. 14-22.) Besides, it should be known, that as all goods and truths proceed out of the heavens from the Lord, so all evils and falsities are from the hells. He who believes that they proceed from any other source is much deceived. [2] Man is only a receptacle of these, and to whichever he turns himself, he receives therefrom. If he turns himself to heaven, which is brought about by the goods of love and the truths of faith, he then receives goods and truths from the Lord; but if he turns himself to hell, which is brought about by the evils of love and the falsities of faith, he then receives evils and falsities from hell. Now, because all evils and falsities are from the hells, and as the hells are designated, by one expression, either the Devil or Satan, it follows, that by the Devil are also signified all evils, and by Satan all falsities. This is why a synagogue of Satan signifies all kinds of false doctrine. [3] The reason why by synagogue is signified doctrine is, that doctrine was taught in the synagogues, and also because differences in doctrinal matters were there adjusted. That doctrine was taught in the synagogues, is clear from Matt. iv. 23; ix. 35 xiii. 54; Mark i. 21, 22, 29, 39; vi. 2; Luke iv. 15, 16, 44; xiii. 10, 14; John xviii. 20. That differences in doctrinals were adjusted in the synagogues, may be concluded from what is said in Matt. x. 17; Mark xiii. 9; Luke xii. 11; xxi. 12; John ix. 22; xii. 42; xvi. 2, 3.

That there was every kind of false doctrine among the Jewish nation, is evident from many things known concerning that nation; for instance, that they deny the Lord, that they expect a Messiah who shall establish an earthly kingdom, and exalt them above all the other nations of the world; that they place all worship in externals, and reject the internals of worship which belong to faith and love to the Lord; that they regard all things in the Word as referring to themselves, and falsify it by traditions of their own invention, as may be seen, Matt. xv. 6-9; Mark vii. 1-13. Moreover, what the character of that nation has been from the beginning, as to their interiors, is evident from the song of Moses (in Deut. xxxii.), and from many other places. (See also the citations from Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.)

AE (Tansley) n. 121

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 121

121. (v. 10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. That this signifies that they should not grieve on account of such persecution is evident from the signification of fear when said of those who are about to suffer persecutions, as being that they should not grieve in mind, for such fear is also grief; and from the signification of those things which thou shalt suffer from those who are in all kinds of falsity, as being that these are about to persecute. The persecution of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, by those who are in falsities, is now treated of. This is particularly evident from those who are of such a character in the world of spirits (concerning which world see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 421-535); for there the quality of every one as to the interiors of his thought and intention is made evident, because every one there is in himself, because he is a spirit, and it is the spirit which thinks and intends. All spirits there are conjoined either with the hells or with the heavens. Those who are conjoined with the hells, as soon as they perceive any one who is in the spiritual affection of truth, begin to burn with hatred, and endeavour to destroy him; they cannot even endure the sight of him. When most of these perceive only slightly the delight of the spiritual affection of truth, which is the essential delight of heaven, they become insane, as it were, and nothing is then more delightful to them than to endeavour to extinguish it. It is evident from this, that all in the hells are in opposition, to the spiritual affection of truth, and all in the heavens are in that affection. It would be similar on earth among men, if they had the perception which spirits have; but because this is not the case, and hence they do not know those who are in spiritual affection, they remain quiet, and act amicably, according to the delights of the world.

This disposition, however, manifests itself in the churches, among those who study religious dogmas, and also among those who are in that spiritual affection, by this circumstance, that falsities break out in their thoughts, striving to extinguish their desire, and the delight thence derived. Such falsities are from hell; for everything that a man thinks is either from hell
or heaven (as was said above, n. 120).

AE (Tansley) n. 122

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 122

122. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison. That this signifies that those who are in falsities from evil will attempt to deprive them of all truths from the Word, is evident from the signification of casting into prison, when said of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, as being to attempt to deprive them of truths from the Word (concerning which we shall speak presently), and from the signification of the devil, as being the hells which are in evil and thence in falsities (concerning which see above, n. 120). The reason why to cast into prison, when said of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, denotes to attempt to deprive them of truths from the Word is, because truths are in prison, as it were, when falsities break in; and so long as the latter are under the mind's view, truths cannot be seen, still less can they be set at liberty. Those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, that is, those who love truths because they are truths, are detained in such a prison as often as they do not understand the Word, and yet wish to understand it; the falsities which imprison them, rise up out of hell into the natural man, when the delights of the love of self and of the world rule there; for these delights are the origin of all evils and falsities therefrom (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 65-83). [2] This is what is meant in the spiritual sense by being cast by the devil into prison; for by the devil is meant hell, and from hell proceeds all evil; and it's influx is into the natural man, and not into the spiritual; therefore it thus affects all those who are in the delights of those loves, and subjects them to itself, and makes them its crew; for all who are in the hells are in evils and thence in falsities from the loves of self and of the world (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 551-565); but that the delights of those loves are changed into corresponding things (the nature of which may be seen also in the same work, n. 485-490). This casting into prison by the devil is described in the Word, where it is said that the Jews and the wicked would persecute the disciples of the Lord, evil entreat, and kill them. For by the Lord's disciples are meant all who are in truths from good, thus who are in truths from the Lord; and when these are meant by the Lord's disciples, in a sense apart from persons (which sense is the very spiritual sense of the Word), truths and goods themselves, which are from the Lord by means of His Word, are also meant. (That by the Lord's twelve disciples are meant all things of faith and love in the aggregate, thus all the truths and goods of the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that the Word in heaven is understood apart from persons, may be seen above, n. 99, 100.)

[3] He who knows that by the Lord's disciples are meant all those who are in truths from good from the Lord, and in an abstract sense, the truths themselves from good and that by their being cast into prison by the devil is meant the endeavour of those who are in falsities from evil to deprive them of truths, and, in the abstract, detention or imprisonment of truths by falsities, as said above, will be able to understand what is signified in each of these senses in the following passages:

"They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and into prisons, for my name's sake" (Luke xxi. 12).

(That for the Lord's name's sake signifies on account of the goods of love and the truths of faith, from Him, may be seen above, n. 102.)

"Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated for my name's sake" (Matt. xxiv. 9, 11).

"They will deliver you up to councils, to synagogues, and they will scourge you, for my sake" (Matt. x. 17, 18; Mark xiii. 9).

"Behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill and crucify, and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city" (Matt. xxiii. 34).

"There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen. And when the time of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants, and they did unto them likewise: last of all, he sent unto them his son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they took him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him" (Matt. xxi. 33-44).

"The wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute" (Luke xi. 49).

(That by prophets in the Word are meant those who teach truths, and, in an abstract sense, the doctrine of truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; and that apostles have a similar signification, see above, n. 100.)

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in the heavens; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you" (Matt. v. 11, 12).

"Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets" (Luke vi. 22, 23).

[4] Similar to this is the signification of the words of the Lord to His disciples, in which He exhorts them to take up their cross and follow Him; as in the following passages:

"Jesus said unto his disciples, If any one will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. xvi. 24; Mark viii. 34);

to deny one's-self, is to reject the evils which are from the proprium.

"Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke xiv. 27).

Jesus said to the young man who was rich:

"One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and come, take up the cross and follow me" (Mark x. 21).

By this is meant, in the spiritual sense, that he should reject the falsities of Jewish doctrine, should receive the doctrine of truth from the Lord, and undergo assaults and temptations from falsities. They therefore are deceived who believe that those who desire to follow the Lord should sell their goods, and suffer the cross. Because the Lord is Divine truth itself, which (in John i. 1, 2, 3, 14) is called the Word, therefore by the Lord's suffering Himself to be scourged and crucified is signified, that Divine truth which is in the Word was so treated by the Jews (that all things related concerning the passion of the Lord in the Evangelists, involve and signify that the Jews so treated Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 83); therefore the Lord says,

"Remember my word: If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John xv. 20).

[5] That the Jews in particular are meant by the devil who should cast the disciples of the Lord into prison, and that, in general, all who call themselves Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan, are meant, according to what was adduced above, n. 119, 120, is evident from the words of the Lord in John,

"Ye do not understand my speech because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it" (viii. 43, 44).

By their father being a murderer from the beginning, and by the truth not being in him, but a lie, is signified that, from the beginning, they had been opposed to truths, and in falsities from evil; for by a murderer is meant a destroyer of the truth of the church, and a father denotes those that were before. (Concerning the quality of the Jewish nation, what it was formerly, and also what it is at this day, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248; that by the bound in prison are signified those who are in falsities from evil, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4958, 5096: that to be bound in prison signifies to be held back and separated from truths, n. 5037, 5038, 5086, 5096; and also to be tempted, n. 5037, 5038.) [6] The reason why the Jews were of such a character was, that they were influenced by the love of self and of the world more than any other nation; and such persons, when they read the Word, apply everything to their own loves, and especially the Jews because they are so often named. The case is similar with others who are in those loves, for the love which rules turns the mind of him who reads to those things only which favour it. For love is like a fire, which gives light to such things, whilst all other things are either passed by as if unseen, or they are considered from the point of view of a sinister explanation, and are thus falsified. Both the latter and the former infest those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, and are what is meant by the devil, who casts into prison those who belong to the Lord's church; for from these all falsities from the spiritual world flow into those who desire truths, and hold them as if they were bound in prison. The same are also meant by those concerning whom the Lord says,

"I was in prison, and ye visited me not" (Matt. xxv. 43).

AE (Tansley) n. 123

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 123

123. That ye may be tried. That this signifies a consequent increase of the desire of truth, is evident from the signification of being tried, as being to be infested by falsities (concerning which see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 197, 198). Here, however, because it is said, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, by which that infestation is meant, therefore by being tried is signified increase of desire, and thence of truth, because this is effected by temptations. (That by temptations in which man conquers, there is brought about enlightenment and perception of truth and good, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 8367, 8370; that hence is intelligence and wisdom, n. 8966, 8967: that truths increase in an immense degree after temptations, n. 6663, with many other particulars, which may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.)

AE (Tansley) n. 124

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 124

124. And ye shall have tribulation ten days. That this signifies that infestation, and thence temptation, will endure for some time, is evident from the signification of tribulation, as being the infestation and temptation of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth by those who are in falsities (that this is meant by tribulation is clear, because it is spoken of those who are in such affection), and from the signification of ten days, as being duration for some time. The reason why by ten days is signified duration for some time, is, that by forty days is signified an entire duration of infestation and temptation (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2959, 7985, 7986), and because ten is some part thereof. For all numbers in the Word signify things or states, with variety according to their relation to other numbers. (The number ten, without relation to other numbers, signifies what is full, or much, see n. 3107, 4638; but in relation to a greater number it signifies as much as is conducive to uses, n. 9757; here therefore it signifies duration for some time, thus as use requires. That all numbers in the Word signify things or states, see Arcana Coelestia n. 482, 487, 647, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10,217, 10,253.) Anyone who considers the subject may see, that by the tribulation of ten days here mentioned, which those should have who are cast into prison by the devil, is signified something more than ten days' tribulation.

AE (Tansley) n. 125

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 125

125. Be thou faithful unto death. That this signifies continuance in truths to the end, is evident without explanation. It is said, unto death, because such as a man is when he dies, such he remains to eternity; the life which he before lived is only the life of the formation of his spirit (concerning which fact many things may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 470-484).

AE (Tansley) n. 126

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 126

126. And I will give thee a crown of life. That this signifies wisdom, and thence eternal happiness, is evident from the signification of a crown, when said of those who are in the spiritual affection of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, as being wisdom, concerning which more will be said in what follows; and from the signification of life, as being eternal happiness, which is also called life eternal. The reason why those who are in the spiritual affection of truth and good, and who are here treated of, have eternal happiness is, that heaven is implanted in man by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word. He who believes that heaven is implanted by any other means, is much deceived; for man is born natural only, with the faculty of becoming spiritual; but he becomes spiritual by means of truths from the Word, and by a life according to them. How can any one ever become spiritual, unless he be instructed about the Lord, about heaven, a life after death, faith, and love, and other things which are the means of salvation? If man is ignorant of these things, he must remain natural; and a merely natural man cannot have anything in common with the angels of heaven, who are spiritual.

Man has two minds, one exterior, and the other interior the exterior mind is called the natural mind, but the interior is called the spiritual mind; the former is opened by means of the knowledges (cognitiones) of things in the world, but the latter by the knowledges (cognitiones) of things which are in heaven; these the Word teaches, and the church from the Word; by means of these man becomes spiritual, when he knows them and lives according to them. [2] This is meant by the words of the Lord in John:

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (iii. 5):

by water, are signified the truths of faith, and by spirit, a life according to them (as may be seen above, n. 71; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209). Very many people believe at this day, that mankind will go to heaven solely by sacred worship performed in temples, and by adorations and prayers; but such of them as are unconcerned about the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word, and who neglect to furnish not only the memory, but also the life, with these, remain natural as before, nor do they become spiritual, because their sacred worship, adorations and prayers, do not proceed from a spiritual origin; for their spiritual mind is not opened by the knowledges of spiritual things and by a life according to them, but is empty; and worship proceeding from what is void is only a natural gesture, within which there is nothing spiritual. If such persons are insincere and unjust as to moral and civil life, then their sacred worship, adorations and prayers are inwardly of such a nature as to repel heaven, instead of which they believe that they receive heaven by this means; for such worship is like a vessel containing putrid or filthy matters, which filter through; it is also like a splendid garment that clothes a body covered with ulcers: I have seen many thousands of such cast into hell. But it is otherwise with the holy worship, the adorations and prayers of those who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and whose life is in accordance with them; with such, those things are pleasing to the Lord, for they are the effects of their spirit in the body, or the effects of their faith and love, and thus are not only natural gestures, but spiritual acts.

From these considerations it is evident that the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, and a life in agreement with them, alone make man spiritual: and that he who is thus made spiritual can be gifted with angelic wisdom from the Lord, together with eternal happiness; nor do the angels derive happiness from any other source than wisdom. [3] The reason why a crown signifies wisdom is, that all those things that clothe man, and distinguish him, derive their signification from that part of him which they clothe or adorn (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9827), and a crown signifies wisdom, because it is worn on the head, by which in the Word wisdom is signified, for there wisdom resides. Accordingly it is written in Ezekiel:

"I have adorned thee with ornament, and I have placed bracelets upon thy hands; and a chain upon thy neck. Moreover, I have put a jewel upon thy nose, and earrings upon thine ears, and a crown of ornament upon thy head" (xvi. 11, 12).

Jerusalem is here treated of, by which is signified the church, as established by the Lord, and its quality; by the particular adornments here mentioned are meant, in the spiritual sense, such things as belong to the church; these derive their respective significations from the part to which they are applied; by a crown is here meant wisdom. (But what is meant specifically by ornament, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,536, 10,540; what by bracelets, n. 3103, 3105; what by a chain, n. 5320; what by a jewel, n. 4551; and what by earrings, n. 4551, 10,402.) Similarly the wisdom that is from the knowledges of truth and good from the Word and from a life according to them, is signified by a crown in many other passages in the Word, as in Isaiah xxviii. 5; Jer. xiii. 18; Lam. v. 15, 16; Ezek. xxi. 25, 26; xxiii. 42; Zech. vi. 11-13; Ps. lxxxix. 38, 39; cxxxii. 17, 18; Job. xix. 9; Apoc. iii. 11; iv. 4. The custom of crowning kings comes down from ancient times, when men were acquainted with representatives and significatives, for they knew that kings represented the Lord as to Divine truth, and that a crown was used to signify wisdom. (That kings represented the Lord as to Divine truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1672, 2015, 2069, 3009, 4581, 4966, 5068, 6148.) That those who are in truths are called kings and kings' sons (see above, n. 31). And because those who are in the knowledges of truth are called kings in the Word, and kings have crowns, therefore in this place, where they are treated of, it is said that they should receive a crown of life.

AE (Tansley) n. 127

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 127

127. (v. 11) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church, may be seen above, n. 108, where similar expressions occur.

AE (Tansley) n. 128

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 128

128. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. That this signifies that he who continues in the genuine affection of truth to the end of his life in the world shall come into the new heaven, is evident from the signification of overcoming, when said of those who desire the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, as being to continue in the genuine affection of truth, even to the end of life in the world. It is said "he that overcometh" because these are they who undergo spiritual temptation, which is from evils and falsities, and fight against them; and to resist evils and falsities and to tame and subdue them as enemies, is to overcome. But no one overcomes, unless be continues in the spiritual affection of truth, even to the end of his life in the world. The work is then finished, for a man remains to eternity such as he then is, that is, such as his life has been up to that time: death is its completion. But no one can overcome except the Lord alone; the man who believes that he overcomes of himself, and not the Lord with him, does not overcome, but falls; for it is spiritual faith which overcomes, and nothing of spiritual faith is from man, but it is entirely from the Lord. (What spiritual faith is may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-120; and what spiritual temptation is, n. 187-201 in the same.) That "shall not be hurt of the second death," denotes to come into the New Heaven, cannot be understood unless it be known what is meant by the former heaven, and what by the New Heaven, which are treated of in chap. xxi. of the Apocalypse. (What is meant by the former heaven is shown in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 65-72; and what by the New Heaven, in The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 1-7.) But what is meant by the first death and by the second death, as also by the first and second resurrection, is shown in the explanation of chaps. xx. and xxi., where it is said:

"The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ" (xx. 5, 6).

"Their part shall be in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (xxi. 8).

It is therefore evident that the second death is damnation: to be hurt of it, is to be damned, and, on the contrary, not to be hurt of it is to be saved. And because all those who are saved come into the New Heaven, therefore to come into the new heaven is what is signified by not being hurt of the second death. (Concerning which heaven and those of whom it consists, see the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 2-6.)

AE (Tansley) n. 129

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 129

129. (Verses 12-17) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna; and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth.

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write," signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in temptations. "These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword," signifies the Lord, who alone fights in temptations.

"I know thy works," signifies love and faith; "where thou dwellest," signifies among whom he now lives; "where Satan's throne is," signifies where every kind of falsity reigns; "and thou boldest fast my name," signifies the acknowledgment of the Divine in the Human; "and hast not denied my faith," signifies constancy in truths; "even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you," signifies, in that time and state when all were held in hatred who professed the Divine Human of the Lord; "where Satan dwelleth," signifies, by those who are in the doctrine of all falsities.

"But I have a few things against thee," signifies that they should take heed; "because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel," signifies those whose understanding is enlightened and who teach truths, but still love to destroy by guile those who belong to the church; "to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication," signifies in order that they may acquire evils, and the falsities therefrom.

"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate," signifies those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is against Divine order.

"Repent," signifies dissociation from them: "or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth," signifies, if not, when visitation comes, they will be dispersed.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies, that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna," signifies, to him who conquers in temptations, the delight of heavenly love from the Divine Human of the Lord: "and I will give him a white stone," signifies wisdom and intelligence; "and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth," signifies the state of the interior life, which is unknown to all except those who are in it.

AE (Tansley) n. 130

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 130

130. (v. 12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write. That this signifies for remembrance to those within the church who are in temptations, is evident from the signification of writing, as being for remembrance (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8620); from the signification of angel, as being a recipient of Divine truth, and, in the highest sense, the Divine truth itself proceeding from the Lord (concerning which more will be said in what follows); and from the signification of the church in Pergamos, as being those within the church who are in temptations. That such are meant by the church in Pergamos, is evident from the things written to that church, which follow; for from no other source can it be known what is signified by each of the seven churches. For, as was before shown, by the churches here mentioned are not meant churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, but all those who belong to the Lord's church, and by each church something which constitutes the church with man. And because the primary things of the church are the knowledges of truth and good and the affection of spiritual truth, therefore the subject first treated of are those things, written to the angel of the church of Ephesus and Smyrna; concerning the knowledges of truth and good to the angel of the church of Ephesus, and concerning the spiritual affection of truth to the angel of the church of Smyrna. And because no one can be infilled with the knowledges of truth and good as to life, and persevere in the spiritual affection of truth, unless he undergoes temptations, therefore the subject now treated of in what is written to the angel of the church in Pergamos is those temptations. [2] It is therefore clear in what order the things taught under the names of the seven churches follow. The reason why it is said, "To the angel of the church, write," and not to the church is, that by angel is signified the Divine truth which constitutes the church; for Divine truth teaches how man is to live that he may become a church. That by angel in the Word, in the spiritual sense, is not meant any angel, but, in the highest sense, the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and, in a relative sense, he who receives it, is evident from this consideration, that all the angels are recipients of Divine truth from the Lord, and that no angel is of himself an angel; also, that in proportion as he receives Divine truth, in the same proportion he is an angel. For angels know and perceive better than men, that all the good of love and truth of faith are not from themselves, but from the Lord; and, because the good of love and truth of faith constitute their wisdom and intelligence, and these the whole angel, therefore they know and acknowledge that they are only recipients of the Divine proceeding from the Lord, and thus that they are angels in that, degree in which they receive it. This is why they are desirous that the term angels should be understood spiritually, that is, impersonally, and be interpreted as meaning Divine truths.

By Divine truth is meant also Divine good, because they proceed unitedly from the Lord (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 140). [3] Now because Divine truth proceeding from the Lord constitutes an angel, therefore, in the highest sense, in the Word, by angel is meant the Lord Himself, as in Isaiah:

"The angel of the faces of Jehovah liberated them; on account of his love, and his indulgence, he redeemed them; and he bore, and carried them all the days of eternity" (Isa. lxiii. 9).

And in Moses:

"The angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless them (Gen. xlviii. 16).

In the same:

"Behold, I send an angel before thee to keep thee in the way; beware of his faces, and obey his voice, for my name is in the midst of him" (Exod. xxiii. 20-23).

[4] Because the Lord as to Divine truth is called an angel, therefore also Divine truths are meant, in the spiritual sense, by angels, as in the following passages:

"The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend. In the consummation of the age the angels shall go forth, and sever the wicked from among the just" (Matt. xiii. 41, 49).

"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and shall gather together the elect from the four winds" (Matt. xxiv. 31).

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory" (Matt. xxv. 31).

Jesus said, "Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John i. 51).

In these passages, in the spiritual sense, by angels are meant Divine truths, and not angels; as in the foregoing passages, where it is said that, in the consummation of the age, the angels shall gather out all things that offend, shall sever the wicked from the just, that they shall gather together the elect with a great sound of a trumpet from the four winds, and that the Son of man with His angels shall sit upon a throne of glory. It is not meant that the angels will do these things, together with the Lord, but the Lord alone by His Divine truths; for an angel has no power of himself, but all power is from the Lord by means of His Divine truth (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 230-233). Similarly by the angels of God seen ascending and descending upon the Son of man is meant, that Divine truths were in Him and from Him.

[5] By angels also in other places are meant Divine truths proceeding from the Lord, consequently the Lord as to Divine truths, as where it is said, that

to the seven angels were given seven trumpets, and that the angels sounded the trumpets (Apoc. viii. 2, 6-8, 10, 12, 13; ix. 1, 13, 14).

It is said, that to the angels were given trumpets, and that they sounded them, because trumpets and the sound of them signify Divine truth to be revealed (see above, n. 55). Similar things are also meant

by the angels fighting against the dragon (Apoc. xii. 7, 9);
by the angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel (Apoc. xiv. 6);
by the seven angels pouring out the seven vials (Apoc. xvi. 1-4, 8, 10, 12);
by the twelve angels at the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem (Apoc. xxi. 12).

[6] That this is the case will also be seen in what follows. That by angels are meant Divine truths from the Lord, is quite clear in David:

Jehovah "maketh his angels winds, and his ministers a flaming fire" (Ps. civ. 4).

By these words are signified Divine truth and Divine good; for the wind of Jehovah in the Word signifies Divine truth, and His fire Divine good. (As is evident from what is shown in Arcana Coelestia, as, that the wind of the nostrils of Jehovah denotes Divine truth, n. 8286; that the four winds denote all things of truth and good, n. 3708, 9642, 9668; that hence to breathe in the Word signifies the state of the life of faith, n. 9280; from which it is evident what is signified by Jehovah breathing into the nostrils of Adam (Gen. ii. 7); by the Lord breathing upon His disciples (John xx. 22): and by these words of the Lord, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, and knowest not whence it cometh" (John iii. 8); concerning which see n. 96, 97, 9229, 9281; and, moreover, n. 1119, 3886, 3887, 3889, 3892, 3893. That flaming fire denotes Divine love, and thence Divine good see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 133-140, 566, 567, 568; and 7 above, n. 68.) [7] That an angel signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, is quite clear from these words in the Apocalypse:

"He measured the wall" of the New Jerusalem "an hundred and forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, that is, of an angel" (xxi. 17).

That the wall of the New Jerusalem is not the measure of an angel anyone may see; but that the term signifies all truths for defence, which are there meant by angel, is evident from the signification of the wall of Jerusalem, and of the signification of the number one hundred and forty-four. (That a wall signifies all truths for defence, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 6419; that the number one hundred and forty-four signifies all things of truth in the aggregate, n. 7973; that measure signifies the quality of a thing as to truth and good, n. 3104, 9603, 10,262. These things may also be seen explained as to the internal sense in the small work, The New Jerusalem and its Doctrine, n. 1.) [8] Because by angels in the Word are meant Divine truths, therefore men through whom Divine truths are made known are sometimes called angels, as in Malachi:

"The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, because he is the angel of Jehovah" (ii. 7).

He is said to be the angel of Jehovah, because he teaches Divine truth; not that he is the angel of Jehovah, but the Divine truth which he teaches is. It is also known in the church that no one has Divine truth from himself. Lips, in the above passage, also signify the doctrine of truth, and law the Divine truth itself. (That lips signify the doctrine of truth may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1286, 1288, and that the law is the Divine truth itself, n. 3382, 7463.) This also is why John the Baptist is called an angel:

Jesus said, "This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee" (Luke vii. 27).

[9] The reason why John is called an angel is, because by him, in the spiritual sense, is signified the Word, which is Divine truth, just as by Elias. (See Arcana Coelestia, n. 7643, 9372; and that what is signified, the same is meant, by a person in the Word, see n. 665, 1097, 1361, 3147, 3670, 3881, 4208, 4281, 4288, 4292, 4307, 4500, 6304, 7048, 7439, 8588, 8788, 8806, 9229.) [10] It is said, that by angels in the Word, in the spiritual sense, are meant Divine truths proceeding from the Lord, because these constitute angels, and when angels utter them, they do not speak from themselves but from the Lord. That this is the case, the angels not only know but also perceive. A man who believes that nothing of faith is from himself, but from God, also knows this, but he does not perceive it. That nothing of faith is from man, but all from God, is the same thing as if it were said, that nothing of truth which has life is from man, but from God; for truth has relation to faith, and faith to truth.

AE (Tansley) n. 131

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 131

131. These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword. That this signifies the Lord who alone fights in temptations, is evident from the signification of a sword, as being truth fighting against falsity, and, in an opposite sense, falsity fighting against truth. It is called sharp, and two-edged, because it cuts on both sides. Because this is signified by sword, therefore it also signifies dispersion of falsities, and also temptation. That it signifies dispersion of falsities, may be seen above (n. 73). That it signifies temptation is because, in what is written to the angels of this church, temptations are treated of, and also because temptation is a combat of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth. (That spiritual temptation is such combat, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.) The reason why by these things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword, is meant the Lord as alone fighting in temptations is, that, in the preceding chapter, ver. 16, it is said that out of the mouth of the Son of man was seen going forth a sharp two-edged sword; and by the Son of man is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, as may be seen above, n. 63. (That the Lord alone fights in temptations, and not man at all, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, 195-200.) The reason why by a sword is signified the combat of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth, is, that by wars in the Word, are signified spiritual wars; and spiritual wars are those that take place between truths and falsities. And because wars in the Word have such a signification, therefore also all the arms used in war, as a sword, a spear, a bow, darts, a shield, and many others, signify specifically something pertaining to spiritual combat, especially the sword, because in wars they formerly fought with swords. (That wars signify spiritual combats may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1659, 1664, 8295, 10,455; and that hence, particular arms of war signify what belongs to spiritual combat, may be seen, n. 1788, 2686.) [2] That a sword in the Word signifies truth combating against falsity, and falsity against truth, and hence the dispersion of falsities, and also spiritual temptation, is evident from many passages, of which we will adduce a few only by way of confirmation. Thus in Matthew:

Jesus said, that he was not come to send peace upon earth, but a sword (x. 34);

where, by sword is meant the combat of temptation; the reason it is so said, was, that men at that time were immersed in falsities, and the Lord revealed interior truths; and falsities cannot be cast forth except by combats from those truths. [3] In Luke:

Jesus said to the disciples "Now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one" (xxii. 35-38).

By a purse and scrip are signified spiritual knowledges (cognitiones), thus truths; by garments are signified things proper to themselves; and by a sword is signified combat. [4] Again in Jeremiah:

"O sword, against the Chaldeans, and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her princes, and against her wise men. O sword, against liars that they may become foolish; O sword, against her mighty men that they may be dismayed; O sword, against her horses and against her chariots; O sword, against her treasures that they may be spoiled; a drought upon her waters, that they may be dried up" (l. 35-38).

By sword is here signified the dispersion and vastation of truth by each of those against whom it is denounced, as by the Chaldeans, the inhabitants of Babylon, the princes and wise men thereof, liars, mighty men, horses, chariots and treasures, are signified the persons or things that will be vastated; as by horses are signified intellectual things; by chariots, doctrinals; and by treasures, knowledges (cognitiones); hence it is said a drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up; for waters signify the truths of the church, and a drought by which they are dried up, signifies vastation. (That drought and drying up denote where there is no truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8185; that waters denote the truths of the church, may be seen above, n. 71; that treasure denotes knowledges, n. 1694, 4508, 10,227; that horses denote intellectual things and chariots doctrinals, may be seen in the small work, The White Horse, n. 2-5.) [5] In Isaiah:

"Jehovah shall contend, and by his sword with all flesh, and the slain of Jehovah shall be multiplied" (lxvi. 16).

In Jeremiah:

"Upon all the hills in the desert the spoilers have come, because the sword of Jehovah devoureth from the end of the earth even to the end of the earth" (xii. 12).

In Ezekiel:

"Prophesy, and say, a sword well sharpened, and also well polished; it is sharpened to slay a slaughter, it is polished to glitter; the sword shall be repeated the third time; the sword of the slain, the sword of great slaughter penetrating into the secret chambers, that the heart may faint, and offences may be multiplied against all their gates will I set the point of the sword ah! it has become lightning" (xxi. 9, 10, 14, 15, 28).

In Isaiah:

"Bring waters to meet him that is thirsty, with bread prevent him that wandereth; for before the sword shall they wander, before the drawn sword, and before the bended bow, and for the grievousness of war" (xxi. 14, 15).

In Ezekiel:

"They shall quake with fear when I shall brandish my sword before their faces, that they may tremble every moment, a man for his own soul; by the swords of the mighty casting down the multitude of them" (xxxii. 10-12).

In David:

"The saints will be joyful in glory; they will sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand" (Ps. cxlix. 5, 6).

In the same:

"Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty. In thy honour ascend thy chariot, ride on the Word of truth; thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things. Thine arrows are sharp" (Ps. xlv. 3-5).

And in the Apocalypse:

"And there was given to him sitting on the red horse a great sword " (vi. 4).

And in another place:

"And out of the mouth of him sitting upon the white horse goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse" (xix. 15, 21).

By sword in the above passages is signified truth combating and destroying; this destruction is especially evident in the spiritual world, where those who are in falsities cannot sustain the truth. They are in a state of anguish, as if struggling with death when they come into the sphere of light, that is, where Divine truth is, and also they are thus deprived of truths, and vastated.

[6] As most expressions In the Word have also an opposite sense, so also has sword, and in that sense it signifies falsity combating against truth and destroying it. The vastations of the church, which take place when there are no longer any truths, but only falsities, are described in the Word by a sword, as in the following passages:

"They shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive among all nations; at length Jerusalem shall be trodden down of" all "nations, until the times of the nations shall be fulfilled" (Luke xxi. 24).

The consummation of the age, here treated of, is the last time of the church, when falsities shall prevail. To fall by the edge of the sword, denotes that truths would be destroyed by falsity; nations denote evils; by Jerusalem is signified the church. [7] In Isaiah:

"I will make a man more rare than fine gold. Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is gathered together shall fall by the sword" (xiii. 12, 15).

By the man who is rare, is denoted those who are in truths; to be thrust through and to fall by the sword, denotes to be consumed by falsities. [8] In the same:

"In that day they shall cast away every man the idols of his silver, and the idols of his gold, which your own hands have made unto you. Then shall Asshur fall by the sword, not of a man (vir) and the sword, not of a man (homo), shall devour him but he who fleeth before the sword, his young men shall be for tribute" (xxxi. 7, 8).

The idols which their hands have made denote falsities from their own intelligence; by Asshur is denoted the Rational by which this is effected. To fall by the sword, not of a man (vir), and not of a man (homo), denotes not to be destroyed by any combat of truth against falsity. By he who fleeth before the sword, his young men shall be for tribute, is denoted, that the truth which is not destroyed shall be made subservient to falsities. That this is the meaning of those words is not evident in the sense of the letter; it is therefore evident how far removed is the spiritual sense from the sense of the letter. [9] In Jeremiah:

"I have smitten your sons in vain; and they received not correction; your own sword hath devoured your prophets" (ii. 30).

In the same:

"Behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine. By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword; and if I enter into the city, then behold the sicknesses of famine" (xiv. 13-18).

Both these passages treat of the vastation of the church as to truth: by prophets are meant those who teach truths, and by the sword which consumes them, falsity combating and destroying. By field is signified the church; by city doctrine; the slain with the sword in the field, denote those in the church with whom truths are destroyed; by the sicknesses of famine in the city is signified a defect of all truth in doctrine.

[10] In the same:

"They have denied Jehovah, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us: neither shall we see sword and famine" (v. 12).

In the same:

"The young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine" (xi. 22).

By young men are signified those who are in truths, and, in the abstract, truths themselves; to die by the sword is to be destroyed by falsities; sons and daughters signify the knowledges of truth and good; by famine is meant a defect of them. [11] In Lamentations:

"We get our bread with the peril of our souls, because of the sword of the wilderness" (v. 9).

By wilderness is meant where there is no good because no truth; by the sword thereof, the destruction of truth; bread denotes good, which is obtained with the peril of the soul because all good is implanted in man by truth. [12] In Ezekiel:

"The sword without, and the pestilence and famine within; he that is in the field shall die by the sword, and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him" (vii. 15).

By sword is here meant the destruction of truth; by pestilence, consequent extinction; and famine signifies a complete defect. The signification is similar in other places; as in Jeremiah (xxi. 7; xxix. 17, 18; xxxiv. 17). [13] In Zechariah:

"Woe to the shepherd of nought deserting the flock, a sword upon his arm, and upon his right eye; his arm in drying up shall dry up, and his right eye in darkening shall be darkened" (xi. 17).

A sword upon the arm denotes the destruction of the Voluntary as to good; by a sword upon the right eye is signified the destruction of the Intellectual as to truth; that all good and all truth would perish, is signified by its being said, that the arm in drying up shall dry up, and the right eye in darkening shall be darkened. [14] In Isaiah:

"Thus shall ye say unto your master, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Asshur have blasphemed Jehovah. Behold, I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. And Sennacherib the king of Asshur returned; and it came to pass, when he bowed himself in the house of Nisroch his god, his two sons smote him with the sword" (xxxvii. 6, 7, 37, 38).

Because it is the Rational that acknowledges and that denies the Divine, and when it denies it seizes eagerly on every falsity instead of truth, and thus perishes, therefore this representative came to pass, that is, that the king of Asshur, because he blasphemed Jehovah, was smitten with the sword by his sons, in the house of Nisroch his god. Asshur signifies the Rational in both senses (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 119, 1186); the sons of that king signify falsities, and the sword signifies destruction by them. So also, in Moses, it was commanded that the city which worshipped other gods should be smitten with the sword, and burned with fire (Deut. xiii. 12, 13, 15, 16). [15] This statute was made, because at that time all things were representative; to worship other gods is to worship from falsities; to be smitten with the sword is to perish by falsity; and to be burned with fire is to perish by the evil of falsity. [16] In the same:

"Whosoever toucheth one that is slain with the sword in the field shall be unclean" (Numb. xix. 16, 18, 19).

The slain in the field with the sword, represented those within the church who destroyed the truths which they had; by field is meant the church. [17] That sword signifies falsities destroying truth is clear in David:

"The sons of men are inflamed; their teeth are as spears and darts, and their tongue a sharp sword" (Ps. lvii. 4).

"Behold, they belch out with their mouth, swords are in their lips" (Ps. lix. 7).

Working iniquity "they whet their tongue like a sword; they make ready their bow with bitter words" (Ps. lxiv. 3).

From these considerations it is clear what is signified by the words of the Lord to Peter:

"All they that take the sword shall perish by the sword" (Matt. xxvi. 51, 52);

that is, those who believe falsities will perish by them.

[18] From these things it is now clear what is signified in the Word by sword in both senses. The reason why such things are signified by it, is also from appearances in the spiritual world. When spiritual combats take place there, which are combats of truth against falsity, and of falsity against truth, various weapons of war are seen there, as swords, spears, shields, and similar things; not that these combats are carried on by such things, for they are appearances only, representative of spiritual combats. When falsities fight keenly against truths, sometimes the glitter or sheen of a sword waving itself on both sides, and striking with great terror, is seen, by which those are dispersed who fight from falsities. [19] From this it is clear what is meant by these words in Ezekiel:

"They shall be horribly afraid when I shall brandish my sword before their faces, that they may tremble at every moment for their own soul" (xxxii. 10, 11, 12).

In the same:

"Prophesy, and say, a sword has been sharpened, and also well polished, that it may shine, that the heart may faint, ah! it has become lightning" (xxi. 9, 10, 15).

The reason why a sword causes such great terror is that iron, of which it is made, signifies truth in ultimates, and glitter and sheen are from the light of heaven, and its shining upon it; the light of heaven is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; Divine truth, thus falling into those who are filled with falsity, strikes terror. [20] It is therefore clear what is signified when Adam was cast out

"By cherubim being placed at the east of Eden, and the flame of a sword turning every way, and brandishing itself to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen. iii. 24).

By the tree of life is signified celestial love, which is love to the Lord; by cherubim a guard; by the flame of a sword turning itself every way, the terrible driving away and rejection of all who are in falsities; the east of Eden denotes where the presence of the Lord is in that celestial love. By those words therefore is signified that all approach to the acknowledgment of the Lord alone is closed to those who do not live a life of love. That by sword is signified falsity is quite clear in Ezekiel, where is thus said of the prince of Tyre:

"They shall unsheath swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom " (xxviii. 7).

By the prince of Tyre is here signified intelligence derived from the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; and because this is extinguished by falsities it is therefore said that they should unsheathe their swords upon wisdom, which could not have been said unless by swords were meant falsities.

AE (Tansley) n. 132

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 132

132. (v. 13) I know thy works. That this signifies love and faith, is evident from what was shown above (n. 98 and 116).

AE (Tansley) n. 133

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 133

133. Where thou dwellest. That this signifies amongst whom he now lives is evident from the signification of dwelling, as being to live. The reason why to dwell, in the spiritual sense denotes to live is that habitations, in the spiritual world, are all distinct according to the life, and the differences of life. (This is evident from what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, concerning the Societies in heaven, n. 41-50 and n. 205; hence it is that in the Word by dwelling is signified to live. That to dwell denotes to live, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1293, 3384, 3613, 4451, 6051. That dwelling together denotes agreement of life, n. 6792. That dwellings in the Word signify the things pertaining to the mind, thus intelligence and wisdom, from which man has life, n. 7719, 7910. That cities are said of truths of doctrine, and dwellers of the good of life, n. 2268, 2451, 2712. That to dwell in the midst of them, when said of the Lord, denotes His presence and influx into the life of love and faith, n. 10,153. That the dwelling-place of the Lord is heaven, n. 8269, 8309. That the habitation of the tent with the children of Israel, represented and signified heaven, n. 9481, 9594, 9632.)

AE (Tansley) n. 134

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 134

134. Where Satan's throne is. That this signifies where every kind of falsity rules is evident from the signification of where a throne is, as being where anything rules; for by a throne is signified a kingdom; and from the signification of Satan, as being the hells, where and whence all falsities are (concerning which see above, n. 120). Thrones are mentioned in many passages in the Word, and by them, in the spiritual sense, is signified judgment from Divine truths, and, in the highest sense, the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, where the Divine truth of the Lord is received more fully than His Divine good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 5313, 5315, 6397, 8625). But as throne is here mentioned in an opposite sense, the consideration of those passages from the Word in confirmation thereof is here omitted; it shall be shown in the following pages.

AE (Tansley) n. 135

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 135

135. And thou holdest fast my name. That this signifies acknowledgment of the Divine in the Human of the Lord, and of all things of love and faith towards Him is evident from what has been shown above concerning the signification of the name of Jehovah, of the Lord, and of Jesus Christ (n. 102). The reason why by the name of the Lord in the Word is meant primarily the acknowledgment of the Divine in His Human is that all things of love and faith are therefrom. For the Divine goods of love, and the Divine truths of faith, proceed from the Lord alone; and those things cannot flow into man unless he thinks of the Divine of the Lord at the same time that he thinks of His Human; nor is His Divine separated from the Human, but is in the Human (as may be seen above, n. 10, 26, 49, 52, 77, 97, 113, 114). I can assert, from all my experience of the spiritual world, that no one is in the truths of faith and the goods of love but he who thinks of the Divine of the Lord at the same time that he thinks of His Human; as also that no one is spiritual, or an angel, but he who had been in that thought and acknowledgment while in the world. Man must be conjoined to the Divine in his faith and love, in order that he may be saved. And all conjunction is with the Lord; and to be conjoined only to His Human, and not at the same time to His Divine, is not conjunction; for the Divine saves, but not the Human without the Divine. (That the Human of the Lord is Divine, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-310.)

AE (Tansley) n. 136

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 136

136. And hast not denied my faith. That this signifies constancy in truths is evident from the signification of not denying, when predicated of faith, as being to be constant, for he who is constant does not deny; and from the signification of faith, as being truths, because truth has reference to faith, and faith to truth. There are two things which constitute the spiritual life of man, love and faith. All good has reference to love, and all truth to faith; but the faith of man has only so much of truth as it derives from the good of love, because all truth is from good, for it is the form thereof, and all good is the being (esse) of truth; for good, when it is formed, so as to be evident to the mind and through the mind in speech, is called truth - therefore it is said, that good is the being (esse) of truth. (But concerning this subject more may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 11-27; likewise 28-35, 54-64, 108-122.)

AE (Tansley) n. 137

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 137

137. Even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you. That this signifies in that time and state wherein all are hated who acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord, is evident from the signification of day, as denoting time and state (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 23, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 10,656); hence, in the days in which, signifies, in that time and state. And the same is evident from the signification of Antipas, my faithful martyr, as being those who acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord, concerning which more will be said in what follows; and also from the signification of being slain, as being to be hated. The reason why this is denoted by being slain, is, that he who hates is perpetually endeavouring to kill; for he thinks of nothing else and desires nothing else but to kill, and also he would kill if the laws did not restrain him. This is concealed in hatred; therefore, those who hate their neighbour, in the other life, when external bonds are removed, continually breathe out murder; this has been made known to me from much experience.

[2] The reason why "Antipas, my faithful martyr," signifies those who are hated because of their acknowledgment of the Divine Human of the Lord is that at that time one Antipas was on this account slain, therefore by him are meant all those who are hated on that account: just as by Lazarus, who lay at the rich man's gate, and desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from his table, are meant all those whom the Lord loves because they desire truths from spiritual affection (as may be seen above, n. 118). That the Lord loved a certain person called Lazarus, whom also He raised from the dead is evident in John (chap xi. 3, 5, 36), and that he sat with the Lord at table (chap. xii.), therefore, he who desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table, by which is signified a desire for truths from spiritual affection, was called by the Lord Lazarus. As he was named Lazarus on that account, so Antipas is here mentioned because he became a martyr for the name of the Lord, that is, because of the acknowledgment of His Divine Human. [3] That such are hated by all those who do not think of the Divine of the Lord at the same time as they do of His Human, cannot be known from their conduct while they are in the world, but they make it clear in the other life, where they burn with so much hatred against those who approach the Lord alone as cannot be described in words; there is nothing which they more eagerly desire than to murder them. The reason is that all who are in the hells are against the Lord, and all who are in the heavens are in favour of the Lord; and those who belong to the church, and do not acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, act as one with the hells, hence they entertain such great hatred. It has been often told them that they do evil, because they know from the Word,

that the Lord hath all power in the heavens and on earth (Matt. xxviii. 18);

thus that He is the God of heaven and earth: also

that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one cometh to the Father but by Him (John xiv. 6);

as also that

he who seeth the Lord seeth the Father, because He is in the Father and the Father in Him (John xiv. 7-11);

and

that no one hath seen the Father's shape, nor heard His voice, but the Lord alone, who is in His bosom, and is one with Him (John i. 18; v. 37);

besides many other places. When they hear these truths they turn themselves away, for they cannot deny them, but are offended, and even breathe out murder against all those who acknowledge them, because hatred is rooted in them (as may be seen above, n. 114). That such persons would hate all those who thus acknowledge the Lord, was foretold by the Lord Himself in several passages, as in Matthew:

In the consummation of the age, "they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake" (xxiv. 9, 10).

And in John:

Jesus said, "If the world hate you, know ye that it hated me before it hated you. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. All these things will they do unto you for my name's sake" (xv. 18-25).

(See moreover the passages adduced above from the Word, n. 122.) These things are said, that it may be known that by "Antipas, my faithful martyr, who was slain among you," is meant those who are hated because they acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord.

AE (Tansley) n. 138

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 138

138. Where Satan dwelleth. That this signifies those who are in the doctrine of all kinds of falsity is evident from what was adduced and shown above, n. 120 and 134. In preceding passages is described those amongst whom those are who are in temptations, that is those who are in all kinds of falsities. For a man, as to his body, is associated with men in the natural world, but as to thoughts and intentions he is conjoined with spirits in the spiritual world; when he comes into spiritual temptation he is then amongst those spirits who are in falsities, who bind his thoughts and hold them, as it were, shut up in prison, and continually infuse into his mind scandals against the truths of faith, and call forth the evils of his life. But the Lord continually defends man by influx from the interior, and thus holds him in the constancy of resisting; such are spiritual temptations. That the man who is in temptations, is amongst spirits who are in falsities is meant by these words in this verse, "I know where thou dwellest, where Satan's throne is"; and also by these, "Even in the days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth;" and the constancy of resisting is meant by these words, "Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith." But none are admitted into spiritual temptations but those who acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, and are in the spiritual affection of truth; all others are natural men, and consequently cannot be tempted. (But concerning temptations, see what is shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 187-201.)

AE (Tansley) n. 139

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 139

139. (v. 14) But I have a few things against thee. That this signifies that they should take heed is evident from what follows; for it is there explained of whom they should take heed.

AE (Tansley) n. 140

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 140

140. Because thou hast there them, that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel. That this signifies those whose understanding is enlightened, and who teach truths, but still love to destroy by guile those who belong to the church is evident from the historical parts of the Word which treat of Balaam and Balak, understood according to the spiritual sense, which shall therefore here be first treated of. [2] Balaam was a soothsayer from Pethor of Mesopotamia, and was therefore called by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel; but Jehovah prevented this, and caused him to speak prophetically; notwithstanding, he afterwards consulted with Balak how he might destroy that people by guile, by withdrawing them from the worship of Jehovah to the worship of Baal-peor. By Balaam, therefore, are meant those whose understanding is enlightened and who teach truths, but still love to destroy by guile those who belong to the church.

That Balaam was a soothsayer is evident from these words in Moses:

"The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand, and they came unto Balaam" (Numb. xxii. 7).

"When Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Jehovah to bless Israel, he went not as at other times to seek for divinations" (Numb. xxiv. 1).

And in Joshua:

"Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the sons of Israel slay with the sword upon their slain" (xiii. 22).

That he was called by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel, may be seen, Numb. xxii. 5, 6, 16, 17; Deut. xxiii. 3, 4; but that Jehovah prevented this, and caused him to speak prophetically, Numb. xxii. 9, 10, 12, 20; xxiii. 5, 16. The prophecies which he uttered may be seen Numb. xxiii. 7-10, 18-24; xxiv. 5-9, 15-19, 20-24; all of which things are truths, because it is said, that:

"Jehovah put a word into his mouth" (Numb. xxiii. 5, 12, 16).

That afterwards he consulted with Balak how he might destroy the people of Israel by guile, by withdrawing them from the worship of Jehovah to the worship of Baal-peor, is clear from these words in Moses:

"In Shittim the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods. And especially did he join himself unto Baal-peor. Therefore twenty and four thousand were slain of Israel" (Numb. xxv. 1-3, 9).

They slew Balaam amongst the Midianites: and the sons of Israel led captive all the women of the Midianites, which thing was "agreeable to the counsel of Balaam to deliver them to iniquity against Jehovah, in the matter of Peor" (Numb. xxxi. 8, 16).

That by Balaam are meant those whose understanding is enlightened and who teach truths follows from what is said in the above passages; for he spoke truth prophetically concerning Israel, and also concerning the Lord; that he spoke also concerning the Lord may be seen in his prophecy (Numb. xxiv. 17). To speak prophetically concerning Israel, is not to speak concerning the people of Israel, but concerning the Lord's church, which is signified by Israel. The enlightenment of his understanding he himself also describes in these words:

"The saying of Balaam, the son of Beor, of the man whose eyes are opened, who heareth the words of God, falls prostrate, and has his eyes uncovered" (Numb. xxiv, 3, 4, 15, 16).

To have the eyes opened, or to have them uncovered, is to have the understanding enlightened; for eyes in the Word signify the understanding (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2701, 4410-4421, 4523-4534, 9051, 10,569). [3] That by Balaam are also meant those who love to destroy by guile those who belong to the church is also evident from what has been shown above; and moreover, that when he rode upon the ass, he continually meditated the use of divinations, to destroy the sons of Israel. When he could not accomplish this by curses, he consulted with Balak to destroy them by calling them to the sacrifices of his gods, and to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab; by the sons of Israel whom he wished to destroy, is signified the church, because the church was instituted amongst them (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 6426, 8805, 9340).

[4] The arcanum concerning the ass upon which Balaam rode, which turned three times out of the way on seeing an angel with a sword drawn, and the fact of its speaking to Balaam, shall be here briefly explained. Balaam, when he rode upon the ass, continually meditated divinations against the sons of Israel; the gain with which he should be honoured was in his mind, as is clear from these words concerning him,

"He went not as at other times to seek for divinations" (Numb. xxiv. 1).

He was also a soothsayer in heart, therefore he thought of nothing else, when he thought in himself. By the ass upon which he rode is signified, in the spiritual sense of the Word, an enlightened Intellectual; therefore to ride upon an ass or mule was amongst the distinctions of a chief judge and of king (as may be seen above, n. 31; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2781, 5741, 9212). The angel with the sword drawn signifies Divine truth enlightening and fighting against falsity (as may be seen above, n. 131); hence, the ass turning three times out of the way signifies that the enlightened understanding did not agree with the thought of the soothsayer, which also is meant by what the angel said to Balaam:

"Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is evil before me" (Numb. xxii. 32).

By way, in the spiritual sense of the Word, is signified that which a man thinks from intention (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 479, 534, 590, and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 48). That he was withheld from the thought and intention of using divinations by the fear of death, is clear from what the angel said to him:

"Unless the ass had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee" (Numb. xxii. 33).

[5] It sounded in the ears of Balaam as if the ass spoke to him, although she did not speak, but the speech was heard as if proceeding from her. That this is the case, has often been shown me by actual experience. It has been granted me to hear horses, as it were, speaking, although the speech was not from them, but as it were from them. This was actually the case with Balaam, to the intent that this history might be described in the Word for the sake of the internal sense in detail. In the internal sense is described how the Lord defends those who are in truths and goods, lest they should be hurt by those who speak as from enlightenment, and yet have the disposition and intention to lead astray. He who believes that Balaam could do injury to the sons of Israel by divinations is much deceived; for these could avail nothing, against them; this Balaam also confessed when he said:

"Divination avails not against Jacob, nor soothsayings against Israel" (Numb. xxiii. 23).

The reason why Balaam could lead that people astray by guile was because they were such in heart that they worshipped Jehovah with the mouth only, but Baal-peor with the heart; and because they were of such a nature, this was permitted. [6] Moreover it is to be noted that man's understanding can be enlightened, although his will is in evil; for the intellectual faculty is separated from the voluntary faculty in the case of all those who are not regenerated; but these two faculties act as one only in those who are regenerated; for it is the office of the understanding to know, to think, and to speak truths, but that of the will, to will the things that are understood, and from the will or love to do them. The disagreement between these faculties is quite manifest with evil spirits; for when such are turned towards good spirits they even understand truths, and also acknowledge them, almost as if they were enlightened; but as soon as they turn themselves from them, they return to the love of their will, and see nothing of truth; indeed, they even deny the things that they had heard (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 153, 424, 455). [7] The possibility of having his understanding enlightened has been granted to man for the sake of reformation. For in man's will dwells every kind of evil, both that into which he is born, and that into which he comes of himself; and the will cannot be amended unless man knows, and by the understanding acknowledges, truths and goods, and also evils and falsities, otherwise he cannot turn away from the latter and love the former. (More may be seen concerning the will and the understanding in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35.)

AE (Tansley) n. 141

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 141

141. To eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. That this signifies that they may acquire evils and thence falsities is evident from the signification of to eat, as denoting to appropriate to themselves, and to consociate (concerning which see n. 2187, 2343, 3168, 3513, 5643, 8001); thus also to acquire; and from the signification of things sacrificed to idols, which are things sanctified to idols, as denoting evils of every kind (concerning which more will be said in what follows); and from the signification of committing fornication, as denoting to falsify truths (concerning which also more will be said presently). That Balaam consulted with Balak that he might invite the sons of Israel to the sacrifices of his gods is evident from what was shown in the preceding article, and from these words of Moses:

"Israel abode in Shittim, where the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. For they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. Especially did he join himself to Baal-peor; therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and twenty and four thousand were slain" (Numb. xxv. 1-3, 9).

It was among the statutes when sacrifices were instituted, that some part of the sacrifices, especially the eucharistic, should be burnt upon the altar, and some part should be eaten in the holy place. The sacrifices themselves signified worship grounded in love and faith, and the eating of them together, signified appropriations of that good. (That sacrifices signified all things of worship from the good of love and faith, may be seen, n. 923, 6905, 8680, 8936, 10,042; and that eating together signified the appropriation of good, n. 10,109.) Because the eating together of things sanctified to Jehovah signified the appropriation of good, therefore the eating together of the sacrifices which were for the gods of the Gentiles, and which were called things sacrificed to idols, signified the appropriation of evil.

[2] That to commit whoredom, in the spiritual sense, signifies to acquire falsities and also to falsify truths is evident from several passages in the Word. The same was signified by the whoredoms of the sons of Israel with the daughters of Moab; for all the historicals of the Word involve and signify spiritual things (as is evident from the explanations of Genesis and Exodus, which are called Arcana Coelestia). And because the sons of Israel eating of things sacrificed to idols, and their whoredoms with the daughters of Moab, involved also such things (for what they signify they also involve), therefore it was commanded that the heads of the people should be hung up to Jehovah before the sun; and therefore also Phinehas the son of Eleazar thrust through a man of Israel and a Midianitish woman in a tent, on account of which he was also blessed; and for the same reason there were slain of Israel twenty and four thousand, as may be seen, Numb. xxv. 1 to the end. Such punishments and plagues would by no means have been commanded solely because of their eating of the idolatrous sacrifices, and committing whoredom with the women of another nation, unless these things involved things unlawful against heaven and the church, which are not evident in the literal sense of the Word, but only in its spiritual sense. The unlawful things involved were the profanation at the same time of the goods and truths of the church, which, as said above, was the appropriation of evil and falsity.

[3] That adulteries and whoredoms involve such things is evident from numerous passages in the Word, where they are referred to, from which it is clear that by them are signified the adulterations of good and the falsifications of truth. In Ezekiel:

Jerusalem, "thou hast trusted in thy beauty, and hast played the harlot because of thy renown, so that thou hast poured out thy fornications on every one that passed by. Thou hast committed fornication with the sons of Egypt thy neighbours, great of flesh, and hast multiplied thy whoredoms. Thou hast played the whore with the sons of Asshur, when there was no satiety to thee, with whom thou committedst whoredom. Thou hast multiplied thy fornication even to Chaldea, the land of merchandise. An adulterous woman receiveth strangers under her own husband. All others give reward to their harlots, but thou hast given reward to all thy lovers, and hast rewarded them that they may come unto thee on every side in thy whoredoms. Wherefore, O harlot! hear the word of Jehovah" (xvi. 15, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, and following verses).

Who cannot see, that by the whoredoms here mentioned are not meant whoredoms in an ordinary natural sense? For the church in which all the truths of the Word are falsified is here treated of; these things are what are meant by whoredoms; for whoredoms, in the spiritual sense, or spiritual whoredoms, are nothing but falsifications of truth. Jerusalem, there, is the church; the sons of Egypt with whom she committed whoredom, are scientifics (scientifica) and knowledges (cognitiones) of every kind, perversely applied to confirm falsities. The sons of Asshur, are fallacious reasonings therefrom; Chaldea, the land of merchandize, signifies the profanation of truth; the rewards which she gave to her lovers, signify the selling of falsities. From the adulteration of good by means of the falsification of truth, that church is called a woman adulterous under her own husband. [4] In the same:

"Two women, the daughters of one mother, have committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth." One "committed whoredom under me, and chose for lovers the Assyrians her neighbours: she gave her whoredoms upon them, nevertheless she hath not deserted her whoredoms in Egypt." The other "hath corrupted her love more than she, and her whoredoms above the whoredoms of her sister she added to her whoredoms, she loved the Chaldeans the sons of Babel came to her to the bed of loves, and they defiled her with their whoredom" (xxiii, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, and following verses).

That by whoredoms are here also meant spiritual whoredoms, is evident from the particulars mentioned. The two women, daughters of one mother, are the two churches, the Israelitish and the Jewish; their whoredoms with the Egyptians, the Assyrians and Chaldeans signify things similar to what were explained above; the bed of loves with the sons of Babel is the profanation of good. [5] In Jeremiah:

"Thou hast played the harlot with many companions, thou hast profaned the land with thy whoredoms, and with thy wickedness. Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? Going away upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hast thou played the harlot: perfidious Judah also hath gone away and played the harlot, so that by the voice of her whoredom she hath profaned the land; she hath committed adultery with stone and with wood" (iii. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9).

Israel is the church which is in truth, Judah is the church which is in good, for they represented these two churches; the falsifications of truth are signified by the whoredoms of Israel, and the adulterations of good by the whoredoms of Judah. To go away upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and commit whoredom, is to inquire into all the knowledges of good and truth, even from the Word, and to falsify them; to commit adultery with stone and wood, is to pervert and profane all truth and good; stone signifies truth, and wood signifies good. [6] In the same:

"Run ye through the streets of Jerusalem, and seek in the broad ways thereof, if ye can find a man (vir), if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth. When I fed them to the full, they committed whoredom and came by troops to the house of the harlot" (v. 1, 7).

To run through the streets, and to seek in the broad ways of Jerusalem is, to see and examine the doctrinals of that church; for Jerusalem is the church, and streets and broad ways are doctrinals. If thou canst find a man (vir), if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth denotes whether there be any truth in the church. When I had fed them to the full they committed whoredom denotes, that when truths were revealed to them they falsified them; such a church, as to doctrine, is the house of the harlot, into which they came by troops. [7] In the same:

"Thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the crime of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the field have I seen. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! thou wilt not be made clean" (xiii. 27).

Neighings denote profanations of truth, because a horse signifies the Intellectual where truth dwells; the hills in the field signify the goods of truth in the church, which are perverted. [8] In the same:

"I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible obstinacy, in committing adultery and going in a lie" (xxiii. 14).

In the same:

"They have done foolishness in Israel, and have committed adultery with the wives of their companions, and have spoken my word in my name lyingly" (xxix. 23).

To adulterate and to commit adultery here clearly denote to pervert truths; the prophets signify those who teach truths from the Word; for it is said, in committing adultery and going in a lie, and they have spoken my word lyingly. A lie, in the Word, signifies what is false. [9] In Moses:

"Your sons were feeding in the desert forty years; and they bore your whoredoms even till their bodies were consumed in the desert" (Numb. xiv. 33).

That the sons of Israel were not consumed in the wilderness because they bore whoredoms, but because they rejected heavenly truths is evident from the fact that this was said to them because they were not willing to enter into the land of Canaan, but wished to return into Egypt. For by the land of Canaan is signified heaven and the church, with its truths; and by Egypt are signified those things falsified, and turned into magic. [10] In Micah:

"All the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the rewards of whoredom shall be burned in the fire; and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate, for she hath gathered them from the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot" (i. 7).

Graven images and idols signify the falsities which are from man's own intelligence; the hire of a harlot denotes the knowledges of truth and good which they applied to falsities and evils, and thus perverted. [11] And in Hosea:

Jehovah said to the prophet, "Take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms, for the land doth commit great whoredom in departing from Jehovah" (i. 2).

By this was represented that the quality of the church was such that it was wholly immersed in falsities. [12] In the same:

"They sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame; they committed whoredom, because they have quite forsaken Jehovah. Whoredom, wine and new wine, occupied the heart. Your daughters commit whoredom, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery" (iv. 7, 10, 11, 13).

Whoredom, wine and new wine, are falsified truths. Whoredom is the falsification itself, wine is interior falsity, new wine is exterior falsity; the daughters who commit whoredom are the goods of truth perverted; the daughters-in-law who commit adultery are evils conjoined with falsities therefrom. [13] In Isaiah:

"It shall come to pass after the end of seventy years that Jehovah will visit Tyre, that she may return to her meretricious hire, and commit fornication with all the kings of the earth upon the faces of the world; at length her merchandize shall be holy to Jehovah" (xxiii. 17, 18).

Tyre, in the Word, signifies the church with respect to the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; the meretricious hire spoken of denotes the same knowledges applied to evils and falsities by perversion; her merchandize is the selling thereof. To commit fornication with all the kings of the earth, denotes with everyone of the truths of the church. The reason why it is said that her merchandize and her meretricious hire shall be holy to Jehovah, is, that by these are signified knowledges of truth and good applied by them to falsities and evils. And a man, by definite knowledges, may become wise; for they are the means of becoming wise; they are also a means of becoming insane when they are falsified by application to evils and falsities.

The same is signified where it is said that

they should make to themselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness (Luke xvi. 9);

and where it is commanded that

the sons of Israel should borrow from the Egyptians gold, silver and raiment, and take them away with them (Exod. iii. 22; xii. 35, 36);

for by the Egyptians are signified scientifics (scientifica) of every kind, which they applied to falsify truths. [14] In Moses:

"I will cut off the soul which looketh back to such as have familiar spirits, and to wizards, to go a whoring after them" (Lev. xx. 5).

"He entereth into peace, he walketh in uprightness. But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore" (lvii. 2, 3).

"Woe to the city of bloods, full of lies; the horseman ascendeth, and the glitter of the sword, and the sheen of the spear, the multitude of the slain, above the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot, of the mistress of sorceries, selling the nations by her whoredoms" (iii. 1, 3, 4).

In Moses

A covenant was not to be made with the inhabitants of the land, lest their sons and their daughters go a whoring after their gods (Exod. xxxiv. 15).

In the same:

"That ye may remember all the commandments of Jehovah, and do them: and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye used to go a whoring" (Numb. xv. 39).

In the Apocalypse:

Babylon "hath made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (xiv. 8).

The angel said: "I will show the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication" (xvii. 1, 2).

Babylon "all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her" (xviii. 3).

"He hath judged the great harlot, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication" (xix. 2).

[15] That in these passages by whoredoms are meant falsifications of truth, is evident. Because such things are signified by whoredoms and adulteries, and as they have the same signification in heaven, therefore, in the Israelitish church, which was a representative church in which all things were significative, the following commands were given:

That there should not be a whore nor a whoremonger in Israel (Deut. xxiii. 17).

That the man who committed adultery with the wife of a man, and he who committed adultery with the wife of his companion, should be put to death (Levit. xx. 10).

That the gift of a whore should not be brought into the house of Jehovah with any vow (Deut. xxiii. 18).

That the sons of Aaron should not take a harlot to wife, nor a woman put away by her husband. That the high priest should take a virgin to wife. That the daughter of a priest, if she profaned herself by committing whoredom, should be burned with fire (Levit. xxi. 7, 9, 13, 14), besides many other passages.

[16] That whoredoms and adulteries involve such things, has been testified to me from much experience in the other life. The spheres of spirits who have been of such a quality, manifest those things. From the presence of spirits who have confirmed in themselves falsities, and applied truth from the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm them, there goes forth an abominable sphere of whoredom; such spheres correspond to all the prohibited degrees (concerning which see Levit. xx. 11-21), with differences according to the application of truths to falsities, and according to the conjunction of falsities with evils, especially with the evils flowing from the love of self (concerning which more may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 384, 385, 386).

AE (Tansley) n. 142

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 142

142. (v. 15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. That this signifies those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith, which is contrary to Divine order, is evident from what was said and shown above, n. 107, where similar words occur. To which must be added, that those who separate truth from good, or faith from charity, turn away from themselves all influx of heaven into the good works which they do, in consequence of which their good works are not good; for heaven flows in, that is the Lord, through heaven, into the good of man's love, therefore he who casts out the good of charity from the doctrine of the church, and instead of it receives only those things which are said to belong to faith, is excluded from heaven, the truths pertaining to him not having life. And it is the life of truth, which is good, that conjoins, but not truth without life, or faith without charity. (But more may be seen concerning these things in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where it treats concerning charity, n. 84-107, and concerning faith, n. 108-122.)

AE (Tansley) n. 143

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 143

143. Repent. That this signifies dissociation from them is evident from the signification of "repent" when predicated of those things which are signified by the doctrine of Balaam, and by the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, as being to be dissociated from them. Repentance is nothing else, for no one can be said to repent unless he actually separate himself from those things of which he has repented; and he separates himself from them when he shuns them and holds them in aversion. (That this is repentance, or penitence, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 159-172.)

AE (Tansley) n. 144

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 144

144. Or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. That this signifies, if not, when visitation comes, that they shall be dispersed, is evident from the signification of, I will come to thee quickly, when said of the Lord, as being visitation, concerning which more will be said in what follows, and from the signification of the sword of my mouth, as being truth combating against falsity, and then dispersion of falsities (concerning which see above, n. 73, 131). Here, however, it signifies the dispersion of those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, that is, of those who have the understanding enlightened and teach truths, and yet love to destroy by guile those who belong to the church; also those who separate good from truth, or charity from faith (concerning whom see above, n. 140 and 142). The reason why coming quickly denotes visitation is, that the coming of the Lord in the Word signifies visitation (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6895). Visitation is the exploration of man after death as to his quality, before he is judged.

AE (Tansley) n. 145

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 145

145. (v. 17) He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 14 and 108), where similar words are explained.

AE (Tansley) n. 146

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 146

146. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna. That this signifies that to those who conquer in temptations will be given the delight of heavenly love from the Divine Human of the Lord is evident from the signification of him that overcometh, as being those who conquer in temptations; for such are treated of in what is written to the angel of this church (as may be seen above, n. 130); also from the signification of I will give to eat, as being to be appropriated and conjoined by love and charity (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2187, 2343, 3168, 3513, 5643), and because it is said concerning the hidden manna, by which is meant the Lord as to the Divine Human; by eating thereof, is here signified the delight of heavenly love, for this is appropriated from the Divine Human of the Lord by those who receive Him in love and faith; and from the signification of the hidden manna, as being the Lord as to the Divine Human.

That this is what is meant by manna is evident from the words of the Lord Himself in John:

"Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. The bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I am the bread of life. Your fathers, did eat manna in the desert and are dead. This is that bread which cometh down from heaven, that he that eateth of it may not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven, if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever. The bread that I will give is my flesh" (vi. 31-58).

That it is the Lord Himself who is meant by manna and by bread, He plainly teaches, for He says,

"I am the bread of life that came down from heaven."

That it is the Lord as to the Divine Human, He also teaches when He says,

"The bread which I will give is my flesh."

[2] The Lord taught the same when He instituted the holy supper:

"Jesus took bread, and blessed, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body" (Matt. xxvi. 26; Mark xiv. 22; Luke xxii. 19).

To eat of this bread is to be conjoined to Him by love, for to eat signifies to appropriate and be conjoined, as said above; and love is spiritual conjunction. The same thing is signified by eating in the kingdom of God, in Luke:

"Blessed is he that eateth bread in the kingdom of God" (xiv. 15).

Again:

"Ye shall eat and drink at my table in the kingdom of God" (xxii. 30).

In Matthew:

"Many shall come from the east and west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom" of God (viii. 11).

(That by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is meant the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1893, 4615, 6098, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847.) And in John:

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man will give unto you" (vi. 27).

[3] (That the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human, may be seen above, n. 63.) The reason why it is called hidden manna is, because the delight of heavenly love, which those receive who are conjoined to the Lord by love is quite unknown to those who are not in heavenly love; and this delight no one can receive but he who acknowledges the Divine Human of the Lord; for it proceeds from this. Because this delight was unknown to the sons of Israel in the desert, they therefore called it manna, as is evident in Moses:

"Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And in the morning the dew lay round about the camp. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the desert there lay a small round thing; and when they saw it, they said, It is manna (What is this?). Moses said unto them, This is the bread which Jehovah hath given you to eat. And the house of Israel called the name thereof manna" (Exod. xvi. 3 to the end).

"Jehovah fed thee with manna which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live" (Deut. viii. 3).

The reason why this delight, which is meant by manna, was unknown to the sons of Israel was, that they were in bodily delight more than other nations; and those who are in this delight cannot know anything at all of heavenly delight. (That the sons of Israel were of such a character may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 248.) It is called delight, and by this is meant the delight of love; for all the delight of life is from love. [4] Because it is the delight of heavenly love that is signified by eating of the hidden manna, it is therefore called the bread of the heavens in David:

"Jehovah commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of the heavens; and rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them of the corn of the heavens" (Psalm lxxviii. 23, 24).

And in another place:

"Jehovah satisfied them with the bread of the heavens" (Psalm cv. 40).

It is called the bread of the heavens because it rained down from heaven with the dew, but in the spiritual sense it is called the bread of the heavens because it flows down from the Lord through the angelic heaven; in this sense, no other heaven is meant, and no other bread than that which nourishes the soul of man. That bread is here meant in this sense is evident from the words of the Lord himself in John, where He says, that

He is the manna or bread which came down from heaven (vi. 31-58).

And in Moses, where it is said

that Jehovah fed them with manna that He might teach that man doth not live by bread alone, but by every utterance of the mouth of Jehovah (Deut. viii. 3).

The utterance of the mouth of Jehovah is everything that proceeds from the Lord, and this, specifically, is Divine truth united with Divine good (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139, 140, 284-290).

[5] This delight is also described by correspondences in Moses:

The manna was "like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like a cake made with honey" (Exod. xvi. 31).

And in another place:

"They made cakes of it; and the taste of it was as of the juice of oil" (Numb. xi. 7, 8).

The reason why the manna had such an appearance and taste was, that the white seed of coriander signifies truth from a celestial origin, a cake the good of celestial love, honey its external delight, oil that love itself, and its juice, whence was the taste, its internal delight, and the rain with the dew, in which the manna was, the influx of Divine truth in which that delight is contained. (That seed signifies truth from a heavenly origin, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3373, 10,248, 10,249: that white is said of that truth, n. 3301, 3993, 4007, 5319; that cake signifies the good of heavenly love, n. 7978, 9992, 9993; that oil signifies that love itself, n. 886, 3728, 9780, 9954, 10,261, 10,269; hence its juice signifies its delight, because the taste is therefrom and the taste is the delight and pleasantness, see n. 3502, 4791-4805. But more may be seen concerning these things in the explanation of chap. xvi. of Exodus in Arcana Coelestia.) The reason why the delight of celestial love is signified by eating of the hidden manna, although by the hidden manna the Lord as to the Divine Human is signified, is that it is the same thing whether we say the Divine Human of the Lord, or the Divine love, for the Lord is Divine love itself, and what proceeds from Him is Divine good united to Divine truth; both belong to love, and are also the Lord in heaven. Therefore to eat of Him is to be conjoined to Him, and this is effected by love from Him. (But these things may be better understood from what is said and shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, 116-125, 126-140; and also in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222 and 307.)

AE (Tansley) n. 147

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 147

147. And I will give him a white stone. That this signifies wisdom and intelligence is evident from the signification of a white stone, when it is from the Lord, as being reception from Him and influx. And because it denotes reception and influx from the Lord, it also denotes wisdom and intelligence from Him; for those who receive from the Lord, and with whom the Lord inflows, are in wisdom and intelligence. The reason why to give a white stone signifies these things is, that, formerly, in judicial proceedings the votes were given by means of stones; affirmative votes were expressed by white stones, and negative by black stones, hence by a white stone is signified the reception of wisdom and intelligence.

AE (Tansley) n. 148

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 148

148. And in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. That this signifies the state of the interior life, which is unknown to all but those who are in it, is evident from the signification of name, as denoting quality of state (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1754, 1896, 2009, 3237, 3421). Here it denotes the quality of the state of the interior life, because it is called a new name which no one knoweth saving he that receiveth it; for the quality of this state of the life is entirely unknown to those who are not in it. Those are in the interior state of life who are in love to the Lord, and none are in love to the Lord but those who acknowledge the Divine in His Human. (That to love the Lord is to live according to His precepts, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,143, 10,153, 10,578, 10,645, 10,829.) Interior life is the spiritual life in which the angels of heaven are, but exterior life is the natural life in which are all those who are not in heaven. With those also who live according to the precepts of the Lord, and acknowledge the Divine in His Human, the interior mind is opened, and they then become spiritual; but those who do not thus live, nor thus acknowledge, remain natural. (That the state of the interior or spiritual life is unknown to all those who are not in heavenly love, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 395-414, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 105, 238.)

[2] That name in the Word signifies quality of state is evident from many passages, some of which shall here be adduced by way of confirmation. Thus in Isaiah:

"Lift up your eyes on high, and see; Who hath created these things? he who leadeth out the host in number; he called them all by name" (xl. 26).

His calling them all by name, denotes that He knows the qualities of all, and gives to them according to their state of love and faith. And in John:

"He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out" (x. 2, 3).

Similarly, in Isaiah:

"Thus saith Jehovah thy creator, O Jacob, and thy former, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name, thou art mine" (xliii. 1).

Again:

"That thou mayest know that I am Jehovah, who had called thee by thy name. For Jacob, my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, though thou hast not known me." (xlv. 3, 4).

I have called thee by thy name, denotes that he knew the quality of the state of the church; for Jacob and Israel are the church, Jacob the external church, and Israel the internal church. [3] Again, in the same prophet:

O Israel, "if thou hadst hearkened to my commandments, thy name should not have been cut off nor destroyed before me" (xlviii. 19).

Cutting off and destroying the name before Jehovah, denotes the quality of the state by which conjunction is effected; this is the spiritual state of those who belong to the church which is signified by Israel. In the same:

"Jehovah hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother hath he remembered my name" (xlix. 1).

Here remembered my name, denotes to know the quality. In the same:

"For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest. And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall utter" (lxii. 1, 2).

Again, in the same prophet:

"He shall call his servants by another name" (lxv. 15).

To call by a new name, and by another name, denotes to give another state of life, namely, a state of spiritual life. And in Ezekiel:

"The city of bloods, polluted by name" (xxii. 2, 5).

The city of bloods, denotes doctrine which offers violence to the good of charity, which is said to be polluted by name, when it abounds with falsities and thence with evils, which constitute its quality. [4] And in Moses:

"Moses said unto Jehovah, Thou hast said, I know thee by name. And Jehovah said unto Moses, This word also which thou hast spoken I will do, for I have known thee by name" (Exod. xxxiii. 12, 17).

That He knew Moses by name, denotes that He knew his quality. And in the Apocalypse:

"Thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will confess his name before my Father. Him that overcometh, I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, and my new name" (iii. 4, 5, 12).

That name here signifies quality of state as to the good of love and truth of faith is evident. And in another place,

"whose names are not written in the book of life" (Apoc. xiii. 8; xvii. 8).

The names written in the book of life, are all things of a man's love and faith, thus all things of his spiritual life as to their quality. Again:

"They shall see the face" of God and the Lamb, "and his name shall be in their foreheads" (Apoc. xxii. 4).

[5] His name being in their foreheads, denotes a state of love; for the forehead corresponds to love, and hence signifies love. The reason why name in the Word signifies the quality of the state of man is, that in the spiritual world each one is named according to the state of life in which he is, thus variously. For spiritual speech is not like human speech; all things there are expressed according to ideas of things and of persons; and those ideas fall into words or expressions. (This will be more evident from what is shown concerning the speech of the angels of heaven, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 234-245. Moreover it may be seen above, n. 102 and 135, where it is shown what the name of Jehovah, of the Lord, and of Jesus Christ, in the Word signifies.)

AE (Tansley) n. 149

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 149

149. (Verses 18-29) And unto the angel of the church in, Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass. I know thy works, and charity, and ministry, and faith, and thy endurance, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first. But I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit whoredom and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her time to repent of her whoredom; and she repented not. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her sons with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to his works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I put upon you none other burden. Nevertheless, that which ye have, hold last until I come. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works even unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces, even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write:" signifies, those of the church with whom the internal and external, or the spiritual and natural man, make one: "These things saith the Son of God," signifies the Lord as to the Divine Human, from which that quality of the church is derived: "who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire," signifies the Divine Providence from His Divine love, and Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love, and thence in faith towards Him; "and his feet like fine brass," signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the Natural, full of Divine love.

"I know thy works, and charity," signifies the internal of those who belong to the church; "and ministry and faith," signifies good and truth therein; "and thy endurance," signifies conjunction with the external; "and thy works, and the last to be more than the first," signifies the externals thence derived.

"But, I have a few things against thee," signifies, that they should take heed. "Because thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel," signifies the delight of the love of self and of the world; "who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants," signifies that thence is the doctrine of every kind of falsity; "to commit whoredom and to eat things sacrificed unto idols," signifies the falsifications of truth, and the adulterations of good.

"And I gave her time to repent of her whoredom, and she repented not," signifies that those who are thence in falsities do not turn themselves to truths and by truths.

"Behold, I cast her into a bed," signifies that they are left to their own natural man, and to the doctrine of falsities therein; "and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation," signifies grievous temptations to those who addict themselves to their falsities; "except they repent of their deeds," signifies unless they separate themselves from them.

"And I will kill her children with death," signifies that thus falsities are extinguished. "And all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and the hearts," signifies the acknowledgment of all who belong to the church that the Lord alone knows and explores the exteriors and interiors, also the things of faith and of love; "and I will give to every one of you according to your works," signifies, eternal blessedness according to the state of his internal in the external.

"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira," signifies to every one with whom the internal is conjoined to the external; "as many as have not this doctrine," signifies with whom external delight, which is that of the love of self and of the world, does not rule; "and who have not known the depths of Satan as they speak," signifies entangled by these: "I will put upon you none other burden," signifies that of this alone they should take heed.

"Nevertheless, that which ye have, hold fast until I come," signifies permanence in a state of love and of faith, even to visitation.

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works even unto the end," signifies after combat against those loves and the removal of them, as far as possible, perseverance in love and faith; "to him will I give power over the nations," signifies over his evils, which will then be expelled by the Lord.

"And he shall rule them with a rod of iron," signifies, that he will chastise evils by means of the truths which are in the natural man: "as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces," signifies the total dispersion of falsities; "even as I received of my Father," signifies comparatively as the Lord did from His Divine when He glorified his Human. "And I will give him the morning star," signifies intelligence and wisdom from the Divine Human of the Lord.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches," signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church.

AE (Tansley) n. 150

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 150

150. (v. 18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write. That this signifies to those of the church with whom the internal and the external, or the spiritual and natural man make one, is evident from the things written to this angel understood in the internal sense, where the subject treated of is the conjunction of the internal or spiritual man with the external or natural man, or those of the church with whom they are. conjoined. Every man has an internal and an external; his internal is called the spiritual man, and the external is called the natural man. When a man is born, the external or natural man is first opened; and afterwards, as he grows up and advances towards perfection in intelligence and wisdom, the internal or spiritual man is opened. The external or natural man is opened by means of those things that a man derives from the world, but the internal or spiritual man is opened by means of those things that he derives from heaven; for the external or natural man is formed for the reception of those things that are in the world, but the internal or spiritual man, for the reception of those things that are in heaven. The things which are in the world, for the reception of which the external or natural man is formed, have reference in general to whatever pertains to civil and moral life; but the things which are in heaven, for the reception of which the internal or spiritual man is formed, have reference, in general, to all that pertains to love and faith. [2] Because these two, the internal and external, pertain to man, and each is to be separately opened by its own means, it is evident, that unless the internal is opened by its own means, a man must remain merely natural, and that in this case his internal must remain closed. But those with whom the internal is closed, do not belong to the church; for the church is formed in man by communication with heaven, and communication with heaven is not granted to man unless his internal be opened by its own means, which all, as said above, have reference to love and faith.

It is moreover to be observed, that, with the man of the church who is regenerated by the Lord by means of the truths that are called truths of faith, and by a life according to them, the internal and external, or spiritual and natural man, are conjoined, and that this is effected by correspondences. (What is the nature of correspondences, and thence the nature of the conjunction which is thereby effected, is evident from what is shown concerning them in Arcana Coelestia, and from the extracts from that work in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 261.) [3] Now because man does not become a member of the church before his internal or spiritual man is opened and is conjoined with the external or natural man, therefore those within the church in whom this conjunction is effected, are now treated of. For, as said above (n. 20), by the seven churches are not meant seven churches, but all those in general who belong to the Lord's church. Hence, in writing to the angel of each church, the subject treated of is those things that constitute that church; in the present case, therefore, or in what is said to the angel of the church of Thyatira, the internal and external man are treated of, and the conjunction of both in those who are within the church. (But inasmuch as it has been hitherto unknown that these two principles actually pertain to man, and that they are to be opened and conjoined in order that man may become a member of the church, and as these things cannot be described in a few words, they may be seen treated of more at large in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53, and 179-182.)

AE (Tansley) n. 151

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 151

151. These things saith the Son of man. That this signifies the Lord as to the Divine Human, from which is that constituent of the church, is evident from the signification of the Son of God, as denoting the Lord as to His Divine Human, and as to Divine truth, inasmuch as the latter proceeds from Him (concerning which see above, n. 63). That it also denotes from whom is that constituent of the church, that is, the opening of the internal or spiritual man and its conjunction with the external, is, that everything of the church pertaining to man is from the Lord's Divine Human. For everything of love and faith constituting the church proceeds from the Divine Human of the Lord, and not immediately from the Divine itself; for what immediately proceeds from the Divine itself does not enter into any thought or affection of man, and consequently not into faith and love, because it is far above them, as is evident from the fact that a man cannot think of the Divine without connecting with such thought the human form, unless he thinks of nature, as it were, in its minutest parts. The thought which is not directed to some particular form is diffused in all directions, and what is thus diffused is dissipated. This it has been specially granted me to know, from those in the other life who come from the Christian world, and who have thought only of the Father, and not of the Lord, that they make nature in its minutest parts their God, and at length fall away from any idea of God, consequently from the idea and faith of all things of heaven and the church.

[2] It is different with those who have thought of God in the human form; all these have their ideas directed to the Divine, nor do their thoughts, like those of the former, wander in every direction. And, inasmuch as the Divine under a human form, is the Divine Human of the Lord, therefore the Lord bends and determines their thoughts and affections to Himself. Because this is the essential of the church, therefore it continually flows in from heaven with man, consequently it is, as it were, implanted in every one to think of the Divine under a human form, and thus inwardly in themselves to see the Divine, except in the case of those who have extinguished this impression in themselves (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 82). It is therefore evident why all men after death, however vast their number, when they become spirits, are turned to their own loves, and that hence those who have worshipped the Divine under the human form turn to the Lord, who is seen by them as a Sun above the heavens. But those who have not worshipped Him under the human form are turned to the loves of their own natural man, all of which have reference to the loves of self and of the world; thus they turn backwards from the Lord; and to turn themselves backwards from the Lord, is to turn towards hell. (That all turn themselves to their own loves in the spiritual world, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-145, 151, 153, 255, 272, 510, 548, 552, 561.

[3] All those who lived in ancient times, and worshipped the Divine, saw the Divine, in thought, under a human form, and scarcely any one thought of an invisible Divine; and the Divine under the human form, even at that time, was the Divine Human. But because this Divine Human was the Lord's Divine in the heavens and passing through the heavens, when heaven became weakened for the reason that men, of whom heaven consists, from internal became successively external, and thus natural, it therefore pleased the Divine Himself to put on the Human, and to glorify this, or make it Divine, that thus from Himself He might affect all, both those who are in the spiritual world and those who are in the natural world, and save those who acknowledge and worship His Divine in the Human.

[4] This is manifest from many passages in the Prophets of the Old Testament, and also in the Evangelists, from which we shall adduce only the following in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world knew him not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory" (i. 1-14).

That the Lord as to the Human is there meant by the Word, is quite clear, for it is said, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory;" and that the Lord made His Human Divine, is also plain from these words, "the Word was with God, and God was the Word," and this was made flesh, that is, man. And whereas all Divine truth proceeds from the Divine Human of the Lord, and this is His Divine in the heavens, therefore by the Word is also signified Divine truth; and it is said, He was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Light also is Divine truth; and because men, from being internal, became external or natural, because they no longer acknowledged Divine truth, or the Lord, therefore it is said that the darkness comprehended not the light, and that the world acknowledged Him not. (That the Word is the Lord as to the Divine Human, and Divine truth thence proceeding, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 263 and 304. That light is Divine truth, and that darkness denotes the falsities in which those are who are not in the light, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 275.) [5] That those who acknowledge the Lord, and worship Him from love and faith, and are not in the loves of self and of the world, are regenerated and saved, is also taught in these words,

"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe in his name; which were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man (vir), but of God" (i. 12, 13).

Those who are born of bloods, are those who destroy love and charity; the will of the flesh denotes all evil derived from the loves of self and of the world, and is man's voluntary proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil; the will of man is falsity derived from that voluntary proprium. That those who are not in these loves receive the Lord, are regenerated and saved, is meant by them that believe in His name becoming the sons of God, and being born of God. (That to believe in the name of the Lord, is to acknowledge His Divine Human, and to receive from Him love and faith, may be seen above, n. 102, 135. That bloods denote those things that destroy love and charity, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4735, 5476, 9127: that flesh denotes the voluntary proprium of man, which in itself is nothing but evil, n. 210, 215, 731, 874-876, 987, 1047, 2307, 2308, 3518, 3701, 3812, 4328, 8480, 8550, 10,283-10,286, 10,731; and that man's proprium is the love of self and the love of the world, n. 694, 731, 4317, 5660. That man (vir) denotes the Intellectual, and hence truth or falsity, because the Intellectual is from the one or the other, see n. 3134, 3309, 9007, thus the will of man (vir) denotes the intellectual proprium, which, when it exists from the voluntary proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil, if; nothing but falsity; for where evil is in the will there falsity is in the understanding. That to be born of God is to be regenerated by the Lord, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 173-184. Moreover, that all in the universe, from influx out of heaven, and from revelation, worship the Divine under the human form, may be seen in the small work, The Earths in the Universe, n. 98, 121, 141, 154, 158, 159, 169; and likewise all the angels of the higher heavens, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 78-86.)

[6] From these considerations it is now evident that the all of the church, thus also the all of heaven pertaining to men, is from the Lord's Divine Human. It is on this account that the Son of Man, who is the Divine Human, is described, in the first chapter of the Apocalypse, by various representatives, and afterwards from that description are taken the exhortations to the several churches (as may be seen above, n. 113), and specifically to this church, in writing to which this great essential of the church is treated of, that is, the conjunction of the internal and external, or the regeneration of the man of the church; for it is said to the angel of this church, "These things saith the Son of man, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire."

AE (Tansley) n. 152

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 152

152. Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire. That this signifies Divine providence from His Divine love, and Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love to and thence in faith towards Him is evident from what was said above (n. 68), where it was shown, that eyes like unto a flame of fire, when said of the Lord, signify His Divine providence from His Divine love. The reason why by this are also denoted Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love to and thence in faith towards Him is, that by eyes, in the Word, when said of man, is signified the understanding of truth, and the understanding of truth is intelligence and wisdom; hence by eyes, when said of the Lord, are signified Divine wisdom and intelligence proceeding from Him, and what proceeds from Him is communicated to angels and to men who are in love to, and thence in faith towards Him. All wisdom and intelligence also, pertaining to angels and men, are not of themselves, but of the Lord with them. This is also well known in the church; for it is there known that all the good of love, and all the truth of faith are from God, and nothing of them from man; and truths interiorly seen and acknowledged, constitute intelligence, and being united with goods interiorly perceived, and thence seen, they constitute wisdom. Hence then it is, that by having his eyes like unto a flame of fire, is also signified the Divine wisdom and intelligence of the Lord communicated to those who are in the goods of love, and thence In faith towards Him.

[2] The reason why eyes signify the understanding is, that all the sight of the eyes with men and angels is therefrom. That all the sight of the eyes is from the understanding, seems like a paradox to those who do not know the interior causes of things, from which effects are manifested in the body. Those who are ignorant of those causes believe simply that the eye sees of itself, that the ear hears of itself, that the tongue tastes of itself, and that the body feels of itself, when, nevertheless, the interior life of man, which is the life of his spirit, this being the life of his understanding and will, or of his thought and affection, feels by the organs of the body the things that are in the world, and thus perceives them naturally. The whole body, with all its sensories, is only an instrument of its soul or spirit. This also is the reason why, when the spirit of man is separated from his body, the latter is altogether without sensation, but the former afterwards sensates as before. (That a man's spirit sees, hears and feels, after it is freed from the body, just as it did before in the body, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 461-469. Concerning the correspondence of the understanding with the sight of the eye, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4403-4421, 4523-4534.) With beasts also, their interior life, which is also called their soul, sensates in a similar manner by means of the external organs of their body, but with this difference, that a beast does not sensate rationally like man, thus does not think from understanding and will, as man does (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 108; and in the work, The Last Judgment, n. 25).

[3] This then is why eye in the Word signifies the understanding of truth or intelligence and wisdom, as may be seen from the following passages:

"Say to this people, hear ye in hearing, but understand not; and see ye in seeing, and know not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and smear their eyes, lest they see with their eyes" (Isaiah vi. 9, 10; John xii. 40).

To smear the eyes lest they see with their eyes, is to darken their understanding lest they should understand. [4] In the same:

"Jehovah hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes; the prophets and your heads, the seers, hath he covered" (xxix. 10).

Here closing the eyes, covering the prophets, and the heads and the seers hath He covered denotes the [covering] of the understanding of truth. By prophets are meant those who teach truths; these are also called heads, because the head signifies intelligence; and they are also called seers, from the revelation of Divine truth with them. [5] In the same:

"The eyes of them that see shall not blink, and the ears of them that hear shall harken" (xxxii. 3).

The eyes of them that see denote those who understand truths. In the same:

"Who shutteth his eyes lest they may see evil. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty" (xxxiii. 15, 17).

To shut the eyes lest they may see evil denotes not to admit evil into the thought; that their eyes should see the king in his beauty denotes that they should understand truth in its own light with pleasantness; for by the king in this passage, is not meant a king, but truth (as may be seen above, n. 31). [6] In Jeremiah:

"Hear this, O foolish people, who are without heart who have eyes, and see not; who have ears, and hear not " (v. 21; Ezek. xii. 2).

In Lamentations:

"The crown of our head hath fallen; for this our heart is become faint, and for this our eyes are dim" (v. 17).

By the crown of the head is denoted wisdom (as may be seen above, n. 126); the heart being faint denotes that the will of good is no more. (That the heart denotes the will and love, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 95.) The eyes denote the understanding of truth, and are said to grow dim when truth is no more understood. [7] In Zechariah:

"The punishment of the shepherd deserting the flock, a sword upon his right eye; and his right eye in darkening shall be darkened" (xi. 17).

By the sword upon the right eye, and the right eye in darkening shall be darkened, is meant that all truth in the understanding should perish by falsity. (That sword denotes the destruction of truth by falsity, may be seen above, n. 131.)

[8] Again:

"The plague wherewith Jehovah will smite all peoples who shall fight against Jerusalem; their eyes shall consume away in their sockets" (xiv. 12).

The peoples who shall fight against Jerusalem denote those who fight against the church: Jerusalem is the church; that their eye should consume away denotes that all intelligence should perish, because they fight from falsities against truths. [9] Again, in Zechariah:

"I will smite every horse with astonishment, and every horse of the peoples with blindness" (xii. 4).

The vastation of the church is there treated of; by horse is signified the Intellectual, wherefore by the horse being smitten with astonishment and blindness is denoted the stupidity and blindness of the understanding. (That horse signifies the Intellectual, may be seen in the small work, The White Horse, n. 1-5.) [10] In David:

"Hear me, O Jehovah, my God! enlighten mine eyes lest I sleep death" (Psalm xiii. 3).

Here eyes denote the understanding. In Moses:

"Thou shalt not take a gift, for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise" (Deut. xvi. 19).

To blind the eyes of the wise denotes to prevent them from seeing or understanding the truth. [11] In Matthew:

"The lamp of the body is the eye; if thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" (vi. 22, 23; Luke xi. 34).

By eye in this passage is not meant eye, but the understanding; by a single eye, the understanding of truth; by an evil eye, the understanding of falsity; darkness denotes falsities, the whole body denotes the whole spirit, for this is wholly of such a quality as the will and the understanding therefrom.

If man's spirit has the understanding of truth from the will of good, it is then an angel of light, but if it has only the understanding of falsity, it is a spirit of darkness. In the above passage is described the reformation of man by the understanding of truth; hence it is clear, that he who knows what the eye signifies, may know the arcanum contained in those words. (That man is reformed by means of truths received in the understanding, may be seen above, 112, 126.) [12] In Matthew:

"If thy right hand offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is good to enter into life one-eyed, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the gehenna of fire" (v. 29; xviii. 9; Mark ix. 47).

By eye in these passages is not meant eye, but the understanding thinking; by the right eye offending, the understanding thinking evil; to pluck it out, and cast it away, denotes not to admit such evil, but to reject it; one-eyed, denotes the understanding not thinking evil, but truth only; for the understanding can think truth: if it thinks evil, it is from the will of evil. The reason why the right eye is mentioned, is, that the right eye signifies the understanding of good, and the left eye the understanding of truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4410, 6923). [13] In Isaiah:

"In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness" (xxix. 18).

In the same:

"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf" (xxxv. 5).

In the same:

Again:

"I will give thee for a light of the nations; to open the eyes of the blind, to lead him that is bound out of the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house" (xlii. 6, 7).

Again:

"Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears" (xliii. 8).

To open the eyes of the blind is to instruct those who as yet are ignorant of truths, but who, yet, desire them; these are signified by the nations. Similar things are signified by the

Lord's healing the blind (Matt. ix. 27-29; xx. 30 to the end; xxi. 14; Mark viii. 23, 25; Luke xviii. 35 to the end; John ix. 1-21).

For all the miracles of the Lord involve those things that belong to the church and heaven, and therefore they were all Divine (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 7337, 8364, 9031). [14] Because the eye signified the understanding, it was commanded among the statutes given to the sons of Israel,

That no one of the seed of Aaron who was blind, or had a blemish in the eye, should approach to offer the sacrifice, nor enter within the veil (Levit. xxi. 17-23);

That what was blind should not be offered for a sacrifice (Levit. xxii. 22; Mal. i. 8):

hence also it was among the curses,

That a fever should consume the eyes (Levit. xxvi. 16).

From these considerations it may now be known that, by the eyes of the Son of man which were as a flame of fire is signified the Divine wisdom and intelligence communicated to those who are in love and thence in faith towards the Lord. [15] That His Divine providence is also hereby signified, is evident from what was shown above (n. 68), to which may be added what was said of the cherubim in Ezekiel, and of the four animals about the throne mentioned in the Apocalypse, by which is also signified the Divine providence, and specifically a guard that the Lord should not be approached except by means of good. In Ezekiel:

"I looked, behold four wheels near the cherubim: their whole flesh, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels were full of eyes round about" (x. 9, 12).

And in the Apocalypse:

"About the throne were four animals full of eyes, before and behind; each one had wings about him, and they were full of eyes within" (iv. 6, 8).

These four animals also were cherubim, for the description given of them is almost similar to that of the cherubim in Ezekiel. So many eyes are ascribed to them because the Divine providence of the Lord, which is signified by cherubim, is His government of all things in the heavens and in the earths from Divine wisdom; for the Lord from His Divine providence sees all things, disposes all things, and foresees all things. (That by cherubim is signified the Divine providence of the Lord, and specifically a guard that the Lord should not be approached except by means of good, may be seen, n. 9277, 9509, 9673.)

AE (Tansley) n. 153

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 153

153. And his feet like fine brass. That this signifies the ultimate of Divine order, which is the Natural, full of Divine love, is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 69), where similar words occur. Because in what is written to the angel of this church, the subject treated of is the internal of the church, which is spiritual, and its external, which is natural, that they should make one (as may be seen above, n. 150), therefore it is premised concerning the Lord, from whom is the all of the church,

"These things saith the Son of man, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass."

For by eyes, when said of men, is signified the internal, which is spiritual, and by feet the external, which is natural; but by eyes and feet, when said of the Lord, are signified the Divine things from which those exist with man.

AE (Tansley) n. 154

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 154

154. (v. 19) I know thy works and charity. That this signifies the internal of those who belong to the church is evident from the signification of works, as being the things of the will, or of celestial love (concerning which see above, n. 98), and from the signification of charity, as being the things of spiritual love. The reason why by works and charity is signified the internal of the church is, that the things of the will or love constitute its internal, but the things of the understanding and of faith constitute its external. There are two loves which constitute heaven and the church, love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour, or charity; love to the Lord is called celestial love, and love towards the neighbour, which is charity, is called spiritual love. These are so called from the fact that heaven is divided into two kingdoms, one of which is called the celestial kingdom, the other the spiritual kingdom, hence also the loves which reign in them are so called (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19 and 20-28; also in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 54-62 and 84-100, where it is also shown what celestial love is, and what spiritual love, namely, that celestial love is to do the precepts of the Lord from the affection of the will, and that spiritual love is to do the same, from the affection of the understanding). There are two things with man that constitute heaven or the church with him - love and faith. Love dwells in man's will, for what a man loves that he also wills; but faith resides in the understanding, for what a man believes that he also thinks; and thought belongs to the understanding. The internal of the celestial church therefore is to do the precepts of the Lord from the affection of the will, consequently, from the love of good; but the internal of the spiritual church is to do the precepts of the Lord from the affection of the understanding, consequently, from the love of truth; for to do the precepts of the Lord is to love Him; this He himself teaches in John xiv. 21, 23. The internal of the celestial church is meant by works, and the internal of the spiritual church is meant by charity. (But as these things cannot be expounded in a few words, so as to be clearly perceived, see what is said concerning them in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, namely, concerning the will and the understanding, n. 28-36; concerning the internal and the external man, n. 36-53; concerning love in general, n. 54-64; concerning love towards the neighbour or charity, n. 84-107; and concerning faith, n. 108-122; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, where celestial and spiritual love are treated of, n. 13-19.)

AE (Tansley) n. 155

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 155

155. And ministry and faith. That this signifies good and truth pertaining to them is evident from the signification of ministry, as denoting good, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of faith, as denoting truth. The reason why faith signifies truth is, that truth is of faith, and faith is of truth. The reason why ministry signifies good is, that, in the Word, it is used in reference to good; hence the office of Aaron, of his sons, and of the Levites, was called ministry, and in general the offices of priests. By ministering to Jehovah, or the Lord, is meant to worship Him from the good of love; hence it is evident that ministry has reference to works, and faith to charity, concerning which see above, where it is said,

"I know thy works and charity";

for faith and charity make one, because where there is no charity there is no faith (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-122; and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-40).

sRef Ps@104 @4 S2' [2] That ministry, and to minister, in the Word, are said of the good of love, is evident from the following passages; as in David:

Jehovah "maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire" (Ps. civ. 4).

By Jehovah making His angels spirits is signified that they are recipients of His Divine truth (see above, n. 130). By making His ministers a flaming fire, is signified that they are recipients of His Divine good, for flaming fire signifies the good of love (as may be seen above, n. 68). Hence it is clear, that by ministers are meant those who are in the good of love.
sRef Ps@103 @21 S3' [3] In the same:

"Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his that do his will" (Ps. ciii. 21).

Those are called the hosts of Jehovah who are in truths (see n. 3448, 7236, 7988, 8019), and ministers those who are in goods; therefore it is said that they do His will. To do the will of the Lord is to act from the good of love; for all good has reference to the will, as all truth has to the understanding. sRef Isa@61 @6 S4' sRef Jer@33 @21 S4' [4] In Isaiah:

"Ye shall be called the priests of Jehovah; the ministers of our God" (lxi. 6).

Priests are called ministers because they represented the Lord as to the good of love, and hence, those who are in the good of love are, in the Word, called priests (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2015, 6148, 9809, 10,017). It is also from this circumstance that they are called the ministers of God. This is why the office of Aaron and his sons is called the ministry, as likewise that of the Levites is called the priesthood, and why to enter into the tent of assembly and officiate in the ministry, as also to approach to the altar and there officiate in the ministry, is called ministering (as may be seen in Exodus xxviii. 35, xxx. 20; Numb. viii. 15, 19, 24-26). And in Jeremiah:

"My covenant shall be broken with the Levites the priests, my ministers" (xxxiii. 21).

(That Aaron represented the Lord as to the good of love, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9806, 9946, 10,017; that the priests in general signified the same, n. 2015, 6148; that hence by the priesthood in the Word is signified the Divine good of the Lord's Divine love, n. 9806, 9809.) sRef Isa@56 @6 S5' sRef Matt@20 @27 S5' sRef Matt@20 @28 S5' sRef Matt@20 @26 S5' sRef Luke@12 @37 S5' sRef John@12 @26 S5' [5] The whole heaven is divided into two kingdoms: in one kingdom are the angels who are in the good of celestial love, in the other the angels who are in the good of spiritual love, or charity. The celestial kingdom of the Lord is called His priesthood, and the spiritual kingdom His royalty (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 24, 226). To minister is predicated of those who are in the Lord's celestial kingdom, but to serve of those who are in His spiritual kingdom. Hence it is clear what is meant in the following passages by to minister and minister, and to serve and servant. Jesus said to the disciples:

"Whosoever will be great among you, must be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, must be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister" (Matt. xx. 26-28; xxiii. 11; Mark ix. 35; Luke xxii. 24-27).

Jesus said,

"If any man will minister to me, let him follow me; then where I am, there shall also my minister be; if any man hath ministered to me, him will my Father honour" (John xii. 26).

Jesus said

"Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; I say unto you, that he will gird himself and make them to sit down, and rising up will minister to them" (Luke xii. 37).

In Isaiah:

"The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to Jehovah to minister to him, and to love the name of Jehovah" (lvi. 6).

Hence, because ministering is said of the good of love, the sons of the stranger are said to minister to Jehovah, and to love Him; and of the Lord Himself it is said, that He will minister. From these considerations it is evident that by ministry is signified all that is done from the good of love, thus the good of love.

AE (Tansley) n. 156

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 156

156. And endurance. That this signifies conjunction with the external, and in such case combat is evident from the signification of endurance when said of those who are in the internal and external of the church, who are here treated of, as denoting the conjunction of the internal with the external, and then combat. The reason why this is signified by endurance is, that the conjunction of the internal with the external, or of the spiritual man with the natural, is effected by means of temptations, otherwise they are not conjoined; therefore the combat by which that conjunction is effected, because a man then suffers and sustains it, is signified by endurance. (That the internal man is conjoined with the external by means of temptations, which are spiritual combats, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,685; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 190, 194, 199.)

AE (Tansley) n. 157

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 157

157. And thy works, and the last to be more than the first. That this signifies external things thence derived is evident from the signification of works, as being things external in which are things internal. For works are ultimate effects, in which internal things are made manifest together and are there in a series; they form their ultimate and fulness there. Those are called internal things that belong to the thought and will, and, spiritually speaking, that belong to love and faith; these things are in works; therefore works are ultimates. (That interior things, which are of the mind, flow into external things successively, even into the extreme or ultimate, and that therein they also exist and subsist, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 634, 6239, 6465, 9215, 9216; that in the ultimate they also form simultaneous order, in what series, see n. 5897, 6451, 8603, 10,099; that the whole man is in his deeds or works, and that what is only willed and not done, when man can do it, does not yet exist, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 475, 476.) [2] To these things I wish to add an arcanum not hitherto known. Man's spirit appears in the human form after death, and that form is more or less beautiful according as his affections, while in the world, had been influenced by heavenly or earthly love; this is why angels are forms of love and charity. But they have a form so beautiful, not from the affection of the thought and will alone, but from their affection in deeds or works; for deeds or works from the affection of the will and thought, or of love and faith, produce the external form of the spirit, thus the beauty of his face, body and speech. The reason is, that, as interior things terminate in deeds or works, as in their extremes, so also do they terminate in the external form of the body; for it is well known, that everything pertaining to a man's will terminates in the extremes of the body; that part of the body in which the will does not terminate is not a part of the body, as is evident from even the most trifling actions of the body, which all flow from the direction of the will, and are manifested in the extremes of the body (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 59, 60; and the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 30, 31). [3] The same is evident from the fact that man's spirit is altogether like his will; not his will which does not go forth into act when possible, that will being only thought in which there is an appearance of will, but the active will, which desires nothing more than to act; this will is the same as his love; according to this is the whole spirit, and its human form. (That the will or love is the spirit itself, may be seen above, n. 105; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 479.) This is why it is so often said in the Word that man ought to do the precepts of the Lord, and that he will be rewarded according to his deeds, that is, according to the love in the deeds, but not according to the love without deeds, when they can possibly be done. [4] It is said,

"I know thy works, and the last to be more than the first."

By the last being more than the first is meant, that such works are fuller of love after the conjunction of the internal man with the external. For the more the internal is conjoined with the external, so much the more of the internal there is in the externals, consequently in the deeds or works; for external things, or works, are nothing but effects of the interior things of the will, and thence of the thought; and effects derive all their quality from the internals from which they exist, as motion from its effort; effort in man is will, and motion therefrom is action.

[5] From what has been explained in this verse it is evident that the order of the conjunction of the internal with the external in the man of the church is described, as follows; the internal by "I know thy works and charity"; the good of the internal and its truth, by "ministry and faith"; the conjunction of the internal with the external by "endurance"; and the external things thence derived, by "I know thy works, and the last to be more than the first." But that such things are involved in these words, no one can see from the sense of the letter, but from the spiritual sense which is within the sense of the letter.

AE (Tansley) n. 158

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 158

158. (v. 20) But I have a few things against thee. That this signifies that they should take heed is evident from what follows, for it is there said of whom they should take heed.

AE (Tansley) n. 159

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 159

159. Because thou permittest that woman Jezebel. That this signifies the delight of the love of self and of the world is evident from the signification of that woman Jezebel, as denoting the church entirely perverted; for by woman in the Word is signified the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 252, 253, 749, 770, 6014, 7337, 8994), in this case the church perverted. And because all perversion of the church exists from these two loves, - the love of self and the love of the world - by Jezebel is signified the delight of those loves; and the church in which those loves reign, is called the woman Jezebel from this fact, that by Jezebel the wife of Ahab, in the Word, was represented the delight of those loves, and thereby the perversion of the church; for all the things written in the Word, even in its historical parts, are representative of such things as pertain to the church (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 249-266). The reason why all perversion of the church exists from these two loves when they obtain the ascendancy over heavenly love is, that they are entirely opposed to the two loves that constitute heaven and the church, these being love to the Lord and love to the neighbour, and that from those two opposite loves exist all evils and falsities therefrom (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 59, 61, 65-83; and the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 252, 396, 399, 400, 486, 551-565, 566-575). [2] That Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, represented the things here mentioned will be seen presently; but something shall first be said concerning the delights of man's loves.

The quality of every man is according to his love, and all the delight of his life is from his love; for whatever favours his love he perceives to be delightful, and whatever is adverse to his love, undelightful. Hence, whether it be said that the quality of man is according to his love, or according to the delight of his life, it amounts to the same thing. Those therefore, who are loves of self and of the world, that is, in whom these loves reign, have no other delight of life, or no other life, than infernal life. For those loves, or the delights of life therefrom, which are perpetual, turn all their thoughts and intentions to self and the world, and in proportion as they do this, in the same proportion they immerse them in man's proprium, which he has from heredity, and thus at the same time in evils of every kind; and so far as man's thoughts and intentions are turned to his hereditary proprium, which in itself is nothing but evil, so far are they turned away from heaven.

For the interiors of man, which belong to his mind, that is, those of his thought and intention, or to his understanding and will, are actually turned downwards to his own loves, that is, to self, where the love of self and the delights thereof reign, and outwards, that is, from heaven to the world, where the love of the world reigns with its delights. But it is otherwise when a man loves God above all things, and his neighbour as himself; in this case the Lord turns the interiors of man's mind or of his thought and intention to Himself, and thus averts them from his proprium, and raises them up, and this in a manner altogether unknown to him. This is why man's spirit, which is the man himself, after its release from the body, is actually turned to its own love, because that constitutes the delight of his life, and indeed is his life. (That all spirits are actually turned to their own loves, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 17, 123, 142-145, 151, 153, 272, 510, 548, 552, 561; and above, n. 41.) [3] What has been said may receive some degree of illustration from the fact, that all the most minute parts of the body turn themselves to the common centre of our earth, which is called the centre of gravity; this is why men, wherever they are, even those who are in the opposite direction, and are called antipodes, stand upon their feet. But this centre of gravity is only the centre of gravity in nature; but there is another centre of gravity in the spiritual world, and this, with man, is determined from the love in which he is; downwards if his love is infernal, and upwards if his love is heavenly. Wherever man's love is determined, there also his thoughts and intentions are determined; for these are in the spiritual world, and are actuated by the forces which are there. From these things it is now evident, that the perversion of the church, signified by the woman Jezebel, takes place with man solely from the loves of self and of the world, because these loves turn the interiors of his mind downwards, and thus avert them from heaven. It is said, the perversion of the church with man, because the church is in man, as heaven is in an angel; every church is constituted of those who belong to it, and not of others, although born where the church is. This can be clearly understood from the fact that love and faith constitute the church; and love and faith must be in man, therefore the church also must be in him. (That heaven is in an angel, and that the church is in man, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 53, 54, 57, 454; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 232, 233, 241, 245, 246.)

AE (Tansley) n. 160

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 160

160. Who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants. That this signifies that thence is the doctrine of every kind of falsity is evident from the signification of a prophet, as being one who teaches truths, and impersonally the doctrine of truth (concerning which, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269); hence in an opposite sense by a prophet are meant those who teach falsities, and impersonally, the doctrine of falsities. Similarly by a prophetess is here meant one who teaches falsities, and also the doctrine of every kind of falsity; hence it is added, that she teaches and seduces the Lord's servants. Teaching and seducing are mentioned, because to teach is said of truths and falsities, and to seduce, of goods and evils; and those are called the Lord's servants in the Word who are in truths, and ministers those who are in good (as may be seen above, n. 155). It is said concerning Jezebel that she called herself a prophetess; not that Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, called herself a prophetess, but it is so said of Jezebel, because by her is signified the delight of the love of self and of the world; and this delight teaches and seduces those who are in truths; for whoever thinks from self, thinks from his own love, and thence fills himself with falsities, which is to teach and to seduce. Concerning Jezebel we read in the Word,

That Ahab the king of Israel took Jezebel the daughter of the king of the Zidonians to wife, and that he went away and served Baal, and erected to him an altar in Samaria, and made a grove (1 Kings xvi. 31-33);

That Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah (1 Kings xviii. 4, 13);

And that she would also have slain Elijah (xix. 1, 2, and following verses);

That, by a stratagem in substituting false witnesses, she took away the vineyard from Naboth, and slew him (xxi. 6, 7, and following verses);

Hence it was predicted by Elijah, that dogs should eat her (1 Kings xxi. 23; 2 Kings ix. 10);

And afterwards that, by the command of Jehu, she was thrown out of the window, and that her blood was sprinkled upon the wall, and upon the horses that trod her under foot (2 Kings ix. 32-34).

[2] By all these things the perversion of the church arising from the delight of the love of self and of the world, and from the evils and falsities thence originating was represented; for all the historical parts of the Word, as well as the prophetical, are representative of those things that pertain to the church. By Baal, whom Ahab served, and to whom he erected an altar, is signified worship from the evils of the love of self and of the world; by the grove which he made is signified worship from falsities thence derived. By Jezebel slaying the prophets of Jehovah is signified the destruction of the truths of the church; by her desiring also to slay Elijah is signified a desire to annihilate the Word, for Elijah represented the Word. By the vineyard, which, by false witnesses, she took away from Naboth, is signified the falsification of truth, and the adulteration of good; by the prophecy of Elijah that dogs should eat her, is signified uncleanness and profanation. By her being thrown out of a window, and by the sprinkling of her blood upon the wall and upon the horses that trod her under foot, is signified the lot of those who are of such nature and quality. What is the lot of these is evident from the particulars understood in the internal sense. From these considerations it can be seen, that no other Jezebel is meant by the woman Jezebel who calleth herself a prophetess than Jezebel the wife of Ahab, treated of in the Word; and that by her are described those who are immersed in false doctrines derived from the delights of the love of self and of the world.

AE (Tansley) n. 161

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 161

161. To commit whoredom, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. That this signifies falsifications of truth and adulterations of good is evident from the signification of committing whoredom, as being to falsify truths (concerning which see above, n. 141), and from the signification of eating things sacrificed to idols, as being to appropriate evil (concerning which see also above, n. 141). The reason why to adulterate good is also here signified is that the appropriations of evil, in things belonging to the church, are adulterations of good; for the goods thereof are applied to evils and thus are adulterated. For example, the goods of the Israelitish church were signified by the altar, the sacrifices, and their eating together of the things sacrificed; when these things were offered to Baal, then goods were applied to evils, not to mention other similar instances. The case is the same in the church where things are not representative, if the Word is applied to confirm the evils of the love of self; as is done by the Popish nation to acquire dominion over the whole heaven. That by committing whoredom, and eating things sacrificed to idols is signified to falsify truths, and adulterate goods, is also clear from the circumstance that the deeds of Jezebel are by one expression called whoredoms and witchcrafts, in the second book of Kings:

"When Jehoram saw Jehu, he said, Is it peace, Jehu? and he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?" (ix. 22).

AE (Tansley) n. 162

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 162

162. (v. 21) And I gave her time to repent of her whoredom; and she repented not. That this signifies that those who are in falsities neither turn themselves to truths, nor by truths, is evident from the signification of repenting of whoredom, as being to turn from falsities to truths; for whoredom signifies the falsification of truth; and to repent is to turn from such falsities, because repentance is an actual turning from falsities to truths, and dissociation and separation from the former (as may be seen above, n. 143). Also from the signification of her not repenting, as being that they do not turn themselves from falsities to truths. These things are said concerning Jezebel, but they are to be understood of those who, from the delight of the loves of self and of the world, have falsified truths and adulterated goods; for in the prophetical parts of the Word one person is named, and thereby are meant all those who are of such a quality.

[2] Something shall be said briefly concerning the circumstance that those who falsify truths in themselves by applying them to the delight of the love of self, do not afterwards turn themselves to truths. Man, from his Spiritual or Internal, and from his Intellectual, sees the truths which pertain to the church from the Word, but he receives them there only in proportion as he so loves them as to be willing to do them. When man thus wills to do them, his internal or spiritual man calls forth and elevates to itself from the natural man and its memory the truths which are therein, and conjoins them to the love of his will; thus the internal spiritual man is opened, where the interior or higher mind dwells, and is successively filled and perfected. But if he suffers the natural delight, which is the delight of the love of self and of the world, to predominate, he then sees all things from that delight, and, in this case, if he perceives truths, he applies them to his own love, and falsifies them. When this is the case, the internal spiritual man is closed, because it is accommodated to the reception of such things as pertain to heaven, and cannot endure truths to be falsified. Wherefore, when truths are falsified, it contracts and closes up, like a fibril when touched with a prickle or sting; and the internal being once closed, the love of self or the love of the world reigns, or both together, and they form the external or natural man altogether in opposition to the internal or spiritual man. This is why those who have falsified truths by applying them to the delights of the love of self and of the world cannot afterwards turn themselves to truths. This is what is meant by these words,

"I gave" to the woman Jezebel "time to repent of her whoredom, and she repented not."

AE (Tansley) n. 163

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 163

163. (v. 22) Behold, I cast her into a bed. That this signifies that such are left to their own natural man and to the doctrine of falsities therein, is evident from the signification of a bed, as being the natural man, and also the doctrine of falsities concerning which we shall speak presently. In what now follows, those are treated of who suffer themselves to be led astray by those who are in the doctrine of falsities from the delight of the love of self and of the world, these being meant by Jezebel, as was said above. Those who suffer themselves to be led astray, are not like those who have falsified truths and adulterated goods from the delight of their selfish and worldly loves; for the latter have seen truths, and have applied them to favour their delights, and thus have perverted them. These are they who afterwards cannot turn themselves to truths, and acknowledge them, as shown in the preceding article; whereas those who have not done this, but have suffered themselves to be led astray by others, have not so closed their internal or spiritual man, for they have not themselves falsified truths, but have believed those who have done so, because their falsities sound like truths. For they think so superficially as to suppose the rulers and leaders of the church must be believed because they are intelligent and wise; thus they depend upon the lips of a master. There are many of this description at this day in Christendom, especially those who are born in the countries where the papal religion is established; these, therefore, are they who are meant by those who commit adultery with Jezebel in a bed. [2] The reason why a bed signifies the doctrine of falsities, and, at the same time, the natural man, is that such doctrine originates only with the natural man separated from the spiritual; and the natural man separated from the spiritual sees worldly things in light, but heavenly things in darkness, therefore falsity in place of truth, and evil in place of good. If he sees truth, he falsifies it, and if good, he adulterates it; for heaven flows through the spiritual or internal man into the natural or external, and not into the natural or external immediately. Into the latter the world in such case flows immediately; and when the natural world with a man is not ruled by the spiritual world, then the bond with heaven is broken; this being broken, he makes the world his all, while heaven, in his estimation, is of little or no account. He also regards self as everything, and God as little or nothing. When the external or natural man is in such a state, it is then in falsities from evils bursting forth from the love of self and of the world. This is why a bed, as it signifies the natural man, so it also signifies the doctrine of falsities. The reason why by a bed is signified the natural man is, that the natural man underlies the spiritual, and thus the latter rests on it, and on the things which are therein, as on its bed.

[3] That a bed signifies the natural man, and also the doctrines which are therein, is evident from the passages where it is mentioned in the Word, as in Amos:

"As the shepherd snatcheth out of the mouth of the lion two legs or a small piece of an ear, so shall the sons of Israel be snatched away that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in the extremity of a couch (iii. 12).

Here a lion signifies the church; in this case those of the church who destroy goods and truths; the legs or small piece of an ear, denote the goods which are in the natural man, and therefore some perception therefrom of truth; the sons of Israel who dwell in Samaria are those who belong to the church; in the corner of a bed and in the extremity of a couch signify their being in a small degree in natural light from the Spiritual, and consequently in some truths. [4] In the same:

"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountains of Samaria; that lie upon beds of ivory, and upon their own couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that invent to themselves instruments of music; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the first fruits of the oils: but they are not affected with grief over the breach of Joseph" (vi. 1, 4-6).

Here, by trusting in the mountain of Samaria are meant they who trust to themselves and hatch out doctrines from their own intelligence. Samaria is the spiritual church perverted; beds of ivory are the fallacies of the senses upon which doctrine is founded; to stretch themselves upon couches, denotes to confirm and multiply the fallacies thence derived; to eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall, to drink wine in bowls, and to anoint themselves with the first fruits of the oils, denotes to take the goods and truths of the Word from the sense of its letter, and to apply and falsify them. Not to be affected with grief over the breach of Joseph, denotes to make it of no account that the spiritual church perishes, and that its truths are destroyed. (That Joseph, in the highest sense, signifies the Lord as to the Divine Spiritual, in the internal sense, the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, thus also the spiritual church, and, in the external sense, the fructification of good and multiplication of truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417, 6526.) [5] In Moses:

"May the blessings of thy father prevail above the blessings of my parents, may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the bed of his brethren" (Gen. xlix. 26).

Joseph, as stated, denotes the spiritual church of the Lord the crown of the bed of his brethren, is the Spiritual which flows into all the truths and goods of that church; for the twelve sons or tribes of Israel signify all the truths and goods of the church in the aggregate (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335). [6] In Luke:

"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two men shall be in the field - the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left" (xvii. 34-36).

The consummation of the age is here treated of, which is the last time of the church, when judgment comes. To be in one bed, is to be in one doctrine of the church; two women grinding, denote those who collect and learn those things that are serviceable to faith; two men in the field, are those in the church who apply to themselves goods and truths. (That those who grind denote those who collect and learn those things that, are serviceable to faith, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4335, 7780, 9995. That field denotes the reception of truth and good, see Arcana Coelestia, 368, 3310, 9141, 9295.) [7] In John:

Jesus said to the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked. Afterwards, Jesus found him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee" (v. 8, 9, 14).

In Mark:

They uncovered the roof, where Jesus was, and "let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay." Jesus said, "Whether is it easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?" Then He said, "Arise, take up thy bed" and walk, "and go thy way into thine house. Then immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all" (ii. 4, 9, 11, 12).

By the Lord saying to those sick men, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk is signified doctrine and life according to it; the bed signifying doctrine, and to walk, life (that to walk signifies to live, may be seen above, n. 97); and a sick person signifies those who have transgressed and sinned; wherefore the Lord said to the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee; and to the paralytic, let down in a bed through the roof, "Whether is it easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?"

Those who do not understand the internal sense of the Word, may suppose that the words which the Lord spoke involve nothing more than appears in the sense of the letter, when, nevertheless, the whole contains in it a spiritual sense; for He spake from the Divine, and thus both at the same time before heaven and before the world (see Arcana Coelestia, 2533, 4637, 4807, 9048, 9063, 9086, 10,126, 10,276). [8] The bed of Og, the king of Bashan, is thus described in Moses:

"Og, king of Bashan was left of the remnants of the Rephaim: behold, his bed was a bed of iron; is it not in Rabbah of the sons of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man" (Deut. iii. 11).

The bed of Og is here described, because he was of the remnants of the Rephaim, and because he was king of Bashan. For by the Rephaim were signified those who more than all others were in the love of self, and therefore intensely natural, and, from the persuasion of their own importance above others, were in falsities of every kind (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 581, 1268, 1270, 1271, 1673, 7686). By Bashan was signified the external of the church, thus the Natural. For Bashan was outside of the land of Canaan, where the church was: on this account, the bed of Og, king of Bashan, was described, which would not have been done but for the sake of the spiritual signification of Og, as mentioned above. For whatever is related in the Word, even in its historical parts, is significative as to every single expression; this is why everything in the Word, generally and particularly, is spiritual, and consequently Divine from inmosts to ultimates. It is for this reason, that the bed is said to be of iron, and that it was in Rabbath of the sons of Ammon, and that the length thereof was nine cubits, and the breadth thereof four cubits, after the cubit of a man; for iron signifies what is natural (as may be seen below, n. 176). Rabbah of Ammon signifies falsification of truth (as may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2468); and the length being nine cubits, and the breadth four, after the cubit of a man, signifies the conjunction of evil with falsity.

[9] From these things it may be seen what is the nature of the Word in its inmost bosom. Because bed signifies doctrine, it was therefore amongst the statutes in the church with the sons of Israel,

that every bed whereon a person had lain who had a flux should be unclean; and that the man who touched such bed should wash his garments and bathe himself in waters (Lev. xv. 4, 5).

By having a flux are signified those who are in natural separate from spiritual love; to wash the garments and to bathe the body in waters signifies purification by means of the truths of faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 202-209). Because Jacob, in the Word, signifies the external church amongst those who are in natural light and live a moral life from the obedience of faith, although not from internal affection, therefore, when Jacob is spoken of, there is seen in the spiritual world, from above to the right, as it were a man lying in a bed; hence it is that it is said of him in the Word, when he was dying,

"When Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet upon the bed, and expired" (Gen. xlix. 33).

It is said he gathered up his feet upon the bed because by the feet also is signified the Natural (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952).

AE (Tansley) n. 164

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 164

164. And them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation. That this signifies grievous temptations to those who give themselves up to their falsities is evident from the signification of committing adultery, as being to falsify truths (concerning which see above, 141); hence to commit adultery with Jezebel is to give themselves up to the falsities of those signified by Jezebel; and from the signification of tribulation as being infestation of truth by falsities (concerning which also see above, n. 47), in this case temptation, inasmuch as temptation is nothing else but infestation of truth by falsities with man (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 188, 196, 197). Therefore by casting those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, is signified the grievous temptations of those who give themselves up to their falsities. The subject here treated of is those with whom the spiritual or internal man is not so much closed, because they are in some spiritual affection for truth, and yet suffer themselves to be led astray by those who are in the doctrine of falsities (as may be seen above, n. 162). Because these receive falsities into the memory of their natural man, with which the spiritual internal man cannot agree - for this receives nothing but truths - therefore a combat commences between the spiritual and the natural man: this combat is temptation, which is signified by great tribulation. (That temptation is a combat between the spiritual and natural man, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 190, 194, 197, 199.)

AE (Tansley) n. 165

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 165

165. Except they repent of their works. That this signifies, unless they separate themselves from them is evident from the signification of repenting, as being to separate themselves from falsities (concerning which see above, n. 143): and from the signification of works, as here denoting the whoredoms with Jezebel, by which are signified the reception of falsities (concerning which see what was said just above, n. 163). To separate themselves from them is to repent, and to repent is to desist from evils and falsities, and afterwards to flee from and hold them in aversion (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 161, 165, 169, and the following numbers).

AE (Tansley) n. 166

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 166

166. (v. 23) And I will kill her sons with death. That this signifies that thus falsities are extinguished is evident from the signification of sons, as being truths of the church from the Word, and, in the opposite sense, falsities, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of killing with death, as being to extinguish; for falsities are separated, and, as it were, extinguished by means of temptations, and by man's desisting from them, and fleeing from and holding them in aversion. The reason why sons in the Word signify truths, and, in the opposite sense, falsities is, that, in the spiritual sense of the Word, only those things are treated of that concern the church and heaven; and all things of the church and heaven have reference to the goods of love and the truths of faith. This is why names of consanguinities and affinities, as husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and several others, signify spiritual things that have reference to spiritual birth, which is regeneration, and to the heavenly marriage, which is the marriage of good and truth. The things born from this marriage are also goods and truths; hence it is that by daughters in the Word are signified goods, and by sons, truths, both from good, which is signified by father, and from truth, which is signified by mother. (That all the truths and goods pertaining to the regenerate man, are conjoined according to spiritual affinities, and follow in order, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2508, 3815, 4121. That all in heaven are also associated according to spiritual affinities, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 205. That sons signify truths and affections of truth, is shown in Arcana Coelestia, 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373, 4257, 8649, 9807; that sons' sons signify truths in successive order, n. 6583, 6584; that by father, mother, brethren, children, are signified goods and truths, or evils and falsities, pertaining to man, n. 10,490; that to smite the mother upon the sons, denotes to destroy everything belonging to the church, n. 4257; that the Lord called himself the Son of man, because He was Divine truth, and because all the truth of heaven and of the church proceeds from Him, see above, n. 63.)

AE (Tansley) n. 167

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 167

167. And all [the churches] shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts. That this signifies the acknowledgment, on the part of all those who belong to the church, that the Lord alone knows and explores the exteriors and interiors and the things pertaining to faith and love is evident from the signification of searching, when said of the Lord, as being that He alone knows and explores; and from the signification of the reins, as being the truths of faith, and their purification from falsities, concerning which we shall speak in what follows; and from the signification of hearts, as being the goods of love. The reason why the heart signifies the good of love is, that there are two things that reign in man, from which all the life of his body is derived - the heart and the lungs. And because all things in a man's body correspond to all the things in his mind, and there are also two things that reign there, the will and the understanding, therefore these two kingdoms of the mind correspond to the two kingdoms of the body - the will to the heart and its pulse, and the understanding to the lungs and their respiration; without this correspondence the body could not live, nor even a particle of it. Because the heart corresponds to the will, it also corresponds to the good of love; and as the lungs correspond to the understanding, they also correspond to the truths of faith. It is from this correspondence that the heart signifies love, and the soul (anima) signifies faith; hence the expression "from the heart and soul" is so often used in the Word, by which is meant from the love and faith. (This correspondence is much treated of in Arcana Coelestia, where the following particulars may be seen more fully explained, namely, that the heart in the Word signifies love, and because it signifies love, that it also signifies the will, n. 2930, 3313, 7542, 8910, 9050, 9113, 10,336. That the heart corresponds to the things that pertain to man's love, and the lungs to the things that pertain to his faith, n. 3883-3896. That in heaven there is a pulse like that of the heart, and a respiration like that of the lungs, n. 3884, 3885, 3887. That the pulse of the heart there is according to the state of love, and the respiration of the lungs according to the state of faith, n. 3886-3889; that the influx of the heart into the lungs is circumstanced like the influx of good into truth, or of the will into the understanding and of love into faith, and that the communications and conjunctions are similar, n. 3884, 3887-3889, 9300, 9495. Concerning the influx of heaven into the heart and into the lungs, from experience, n. 3884. That from this correspondence in the Word, when it is said from the heart and from the soul, it signifies from the love and faith, n. 2930, 9050; that the conjunction of man's spirit with his body is by means of the respiration of the lungs and of the pulse of the heart, and that therefore when these cease, man's body dies, but his spirit lives, see the work, Heaven and Hell; and that when the pulse of the heart ceases, the spirit is separated, because the heart corresponds to love - which is the vital heat, n. 447, in that work. Many other things concerning that correspondence may be seen there, n. 95.) That the kidneys signify the truths of faith and the purification of them from falsities, is because the purification of the blood is performed in the kidneys; and by blood in the Word is signified truth, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia. n. 4735, 9127. The same also is signified by the organ which purifies: also all purification from falsities is effected by means of truths.

It is therefore evident that by Jehovah, or the Lord, in the Word, searching the heart and reins is signified that He explores the goods of love and the truths of faith, and separates them from evils and falsities. [2] This is signified by reins in the following places: in Jeremiah,

"Jehovah Zebaoth, judge of justice, proving the reins and the heart" (xi. 20).

Again:

"Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit; thou art near in their mouth and far from their reins. Jehovah, thou shalt see me, and shalt prove my heart" (xii. 2, 3).

By being near in the mouth, and far from the reins is meant truth only in the memory, and thence in some of his thoughts when a man speaks, but not in the will and thence in act. Truth in the will and thence in act is that which separates and dissipates falsities; truth in the will and thence in act is to will and do what a man knows and thinks to be truth; this truth is what is specifically meant by reins. [3] Again in the same prophet:

"I Jehovah search the heart, and prove the reins, even to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his works" (xvii. 10).

To search the heart is to purify good by separating evil from it; to prove the reins, is to purify truth by separating falsity from it. It is therefore said, "To give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his works"; ways denote the truths of faith, and the fruit of works denotes the goods of love. (That ways denote truths of faith, may be seen above, n. 97, and that the fruit of works denotes the goods of love, n. 98, 109, 116.) [4] In the same:

"Jehovah Zebaoth, proving the just, seeing the reins and the heart" (xx. 12).

And in David:

"Establish the just for thou who triest the hearts and reins art a just God" (Ps. vii. 9).

The just denote those who love to do what is good and true, whose truths and goods are purified by the Lord, which is signified by His seeing and trying the reins and the hearts.

In the same:

"Prove me, O Jehovah, and try me, explore my reins and my heart" (Ps. xxvi. 2).

Because truths are separated from falsities and goods from evils by temptations, it is therefore said, try me. In the same:

"For my heart was embittered and I am pricked in my reins. But I am foolish, and I do not know" (Ps. lxxiii. 21, 22).

The infestation of good by evil and of truth by falsity, is described by these words. In the same:

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the reins, and in the hidden part thou makest wisdom known to me" (Ps. li. 6).

Here reins are expressed by another word in the original tongue, which involves the separation both of falsities from truths and of evils from goods. It is therefore evident that the reins signify purification and separation. [5] In the same:

"I will bless Jehovah, who hath given me counsel; nightly, also, do my reins chastise me" (Ps. xvi. 7).

Nights signify the state of man when falsities rise up; the combat in such cases of truths with them is signified by "my reins chastise me." In the same:

"Even the darkness doth not make darkness before thee, but the night is light as the day; as the darkness so is the light; for thou possessest my reins, my bone was not hid from thee when I was made in secret" (Ps. cxxxix. 12, 13, 15).

Falsities are signified by darkness and truths by light; to possess the reins, is to know the falsities and truths pertaining to man; hence it is said, "my bone was not hid from thee when I was made in secret," which signifies that no falsity that was made could be bid. (That darkness denotes falsities and light truths may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140 and that bone signifies truth in the ultimate of order, and, in the opposite sense, falsity, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3812, 5560, 5565, 6592, 8005.) [6] Because the reins signified truths purified from falsities, therefore in the sacrifices the fats and reins were alone offered up, as may be seen in Exodus xxix. 13; Levit. iii. 4, 10, 15; iv. 9; and other places.

The reason why the fats and reins alone were offered upon the altar was, because the fats signified the goods of love, and the reins the truths of faith. (That fats or fatnesses signify the goods of love, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 353, 5943, 6409, 10,033. That the reins signify the truths of faith examining, purifying, and rejecting from themselves falsities is from correspondence; for all parts of the body, even the most minute, have a correspondence, as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, where it is shown, under its proper article, that "there is a correspondence of all things of heaven with all things of man," n. 87-102; and concerning, the kidneys, n. 96, 97.) Unless it be known that there is such a correspondence, who could know why it is so often stated of Jehovah, or the Lord, in the Word, that He searches and tries the reins and the heart? (Concerning the correspondence of the kidneys, the ureters, and vesicles, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5380-5386.) The reason why to search the reins and the heart also signifies to explore the exteriors and interiors of man is, that truth is without, and good is within; and spiritual good, which in its essence is truth, and which is specifically signified by the reins, is exterior good: but celestial good, which is specifically signified by the heart, is interior good. (This is more evident from what is said and shown concerning, the spiritual kingdom and the celestial kingdom in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-26.)

AE (Tansley) n. 168

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 168

168. And I will give unto every one of you according to his works. That this signifies eternal blessedness to every one according to his internal in the external is evident from the signification of works, as being the things of love, and thence of faith (concerning which see above, n. 98, 116); and as being those things in deeds or works (see n. 157); and from the signification of giving to every one according to his works, as being eternal blessedness; for everything blessed and delightful is from love and according to love (concerning which also see above, n. 146). In this case, by giving to every one according to his works is signified external blessedness according to the state of the internal in the external, because the subject here treated of is those who are in the internal and at the same time in the external, and the conjunction of both (see n. 150 above). It is said, external blessedness according to the state of the internal in the external, because all the blessedness of heaven in the case of a man, a spirit, or an angel flows in by means of their internal into the external; for their internal is formed for the reception of all things of heaven, and the external for the reception of all things of the world; therefore heavenly blessedness is granted only to those whose internal is opened and formed after the image of heaven, but not to those whose internal is closed; the blessedness of the latter being the delight of honour, glory and gain. This delight a man enjoys so long as he lives in the world; but after death, when he becomes a spirit, it is changed into its correspondent, which is filthy and direful. (See the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 485-490: and that the blessedness of heaven, which is called heavenly joy, is given only to those who are in the internal and thence in the external, see the same work, n. 395-414; and what the internal and the external are, see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53).

AE (Tansley) n. 169

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 169

169. (v. 24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira. That this signifies to all collectively and individually in whom the internal is conjoined to the external, is evident from what was said and shown above, n. 150, namely, that in what is written to the angel of the church in Thyatira, those are described who are in the internal and thence in the external, thus in whom the internal is conjoined to the external.

AE (Tansley) n. 170

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 170

170. As many as have not this doctrine. That this signifies with whom external delight, which is that of the love of self and of the world, does not rule is evident from the signification of that doctrine, which Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess taught, and by which she seduced, as being the delight of the love of self and of the world (concerning which see above, n. 159, 160, 161). By doctrine is here signified life; thus by not having it is signified not to live according to it; for by having doctrine is meant to have it in themselves; and to have doctrine in themselves is to have it in their life. Hence it is clear, that by the doctrine of Jezebel, is meant the life of the love of self and of the world.

AE (Tansley) n. 171

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 171

171. And who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak. That this signifies being ensnared by them is evident from the circumstance that the loves of self and of the world reign in the hells, and that those loves are altogether opposite to love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour, which reign in heaven. Satan, by whom is meant hell (as may be seen above, n. 120), continually inspires the love of self and of the world, and a man also receives these loves with delight, because they are in him hereditarily, and consequently are his proprium; thus hell insinuates itself into man, and ensnares him. This is what is signified by the depths of Satan. There are also few who are acquainted with this fact, for those loves, being the hereditary proprium of man, draw his mind to themselves by allurements from delight, and thus draw him away from the delights of the loves of heaven, even until he does not know what heavenly delights are. The former delights, or those of the love of self and of the world, close the internal man, and open the external; and so far as the latter is opened, so far the former is closed, until at length a man is in total and thick darkness in regard to the things of heaven and the church, although he is in light (lumen) in regard to the things of self and of the world. (These things may be seen more fully described in the work, Heaven and Hell, in the article where it is shown that the Divine of the Lord in heaven is love to Him and charity towards the neighbour, n. 13-19; and in the article where it is shown, that all who are in the hells are in evils and thence in falsities from the loves of self and of the world, and that those loves are the infernal fire, n. 551-565 and n. 566-575; and also in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 65-83, where those two loves are treated of.)

AE (Tansley) n. 172

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 172

172. I will put upon you none other burden. That this signifies that they should take heed of this alone is evident from the signification of laying a burden upon those with whom the internal can be conjoined to the external, as being that they should carefully take heed of that, because the delights of those two loves are the sole reason why the internal of man, which looks to heaven, is closed; and, this being closed, there can be no conjunction of it with the external, which looks to the world, nor any influx from heaven. It is said burden, because man's proprium, which is to love himself more than God, and the world more than heaven, resists.

AE (Tansley) n. 173

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 173

173. (v. 25) Nevertheless, that which ye have, hold fast until I come. That this signifies continuance in a state of the good even to visitation is evident from the signification of that which ye have, hold fast, as denoting to continue in a state of love and faith, thus in a state of conjunction of the external with the internal, in which they are capable of being so far as they resist the delights of the loves of self and of the world. For in proportion as man removes those delights from himself, in the same proportion the internal is conjoined with the external, thus more in one and less in another; and from the signification of until I come, as denoting visitation (concerning, which see above, n. 144).

AE (Tansley) n. 174

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 174

174. (v. 26) And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end. That this signifies perseverance in love and faith after combat against those loves and the removal of them as far as possible is evident from the signification of overcoming, as denoting to fight against the delights of the loves of self and of the world, and to remove them. That this is the spiritual sense of these words follows from the series of the things treated of; and from the signification of keeping unto the end, as denoting, perseverance even unto death; for he who thus perseveres in love and faith is saved, because all of a man's life remains to eternity, such as he is at the time of death (as may be seen above, n. 125); also from the signification of works as being the things of love and faith, in cause and in effect, or in internals and in externals. The reason why these things are here signified by works is, that the subject treated of in what is written to the angel of this church is such things (see above, n. 150). It is said, and keepeth my works, because the all of love and faith and all the opening of the internal and its conjunction with the external is from the Lord alone; hence the works by which those things are signified, are not of man, but of the Lord with man, and therefore they are called "my works."

AE (Tansley) n. 175

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 175

175. To him will I give power over the nations. That this signifies power over his evils, which will be dispersed by the Lord in such case, is evident from the signification of nations, as denoting evils, concerning which we shall speak in what follows; and from the signification of giving power over them, as denoting that evils are then dispersed by the Lord. To have power, when it is said, "over the nations," is to disperse, when used in reference to evils; thus are words applied to their subjects. The reason why they are dispersed by the Lord is, that the Lord disperses evils by means of truths. He first reveals them by means of truths; and when a man acknowledges them, the Lord then disperses them. (That the Lord alone does this, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 200.) Peoples and nations are often mentioned in the Word, and it is believed by those who know nothing of the spiritual or internal sense of the Word that peoples and nations are thereby meant; whereas by peoples are meant those who are in truths, or, in the opposite sense, those who are in falsities, and by nations, those who are in goods, or, in the opposite sense, those who are in evils. And when such are meant by peoples and nations, then also, in the abstract, by peoples are meant truths or falsities, and by nations goods or evils, for the true spiritual sense is not concerned with persons, spaces, times and similar things, that are proper to nature.

[2] The natural sense of the Word, which is the sense of its letter, is one with the things of nature, and therefore serves as a basis for the sense which is without these things. For all things in nature are ultimates of Divine order; and the Divine does not stop in the midst, but flows down to ultimates, and thus subsists. This is why the Word is such in the letter; unless it were of this nature, it would not serve as a basis for the wisdom of angels, who are spiritual. It may be seen, therefore, how much those err who despise the Word on account of its style. The reason why nations signify those who are in good, and, in the abstract goods themselves, is, that men in ancient times lived divided into nations, families and houses. They then mutually loved each other; the father of a nation loved the whole nation which sprang from himself; thus the good of love was the ruling good among them. This is why by nations are signified goods; but when men went in opposition to this, as was the case in the following ages, when empires took their rise, then nations signified evils. (See what is further said upon this subject in the small work, The Earths in the Universe, n. 49, 90, 173, 174.)

[3] That nations in the Word signify goods or evils, and peoples truths or falsities is evident from the following passages.

In Isaiah:

"The nations shall walk to thy light and kings to the splendour of thy rising. Then shalt thou see and flow, and thine heart shall be enlarged, because the multitude of the sea is converted unto thee, the hosts of the nations come unto thee: thy gates shall be open continually, they shall not be shut day and night, to bring unto thee the host of the nations; and their kings shall be led down; for the nation or kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish. And the nations by wasting shall be wasted. Thou shalt suck the milk of nations, yea, the breasts of kings shalt thou suck; a little one shall become a thousand, and the few a numerous nation" (lx. 3, 5, 11, 12, 16, 22).

Here the Lord is treated of; and by nations are meant all those who are in the good of love, and by kings all those who are in the truths of faith towards Him. It is therefore evident who are meant by the nations of whom it is said, they "shall walk to thy light," and by "the host of the nations that shall be brought;" and also who are meant by kings, respecting whom it is said, "they shall walk to the brightness of thy rising," and "the kings of the nations shall be led down." It is also plain what is meant by sucking the milk of the nations and the breasts of kings; milk is the delight of the good of love, similarly breasts, as milk is from them. The multiplication of truth and the fructification of good, are described by a little one becoming a thousand, and the few a numerous nation. But by the nations which shall perish are meant all those who are in evils, and also the evils themselves.

[4] In the same:

"Behold I will lift up my hand towards the nations, and towards the peoples I will lift up my standard, that they may bring thy sons in the bosom and carry thy daughters upon the shoulder; and kings shall be thy nourishers, and princesses those who shall suckle thee; with the face to the earth shall they bow down to thee" (xlix. 22, 23).

The subject here treated of is also the Lord, and those who shall worship and adore Him. To lift up His hand towards the nations, and His standard towards the peoples is to claim to Himself all who are in the goods of love and thence in truths; concerning whom it is said, that they shall bring thy sons in the bosom, and carry thy daughters upon the shoulder, sons denoting the affections of truth and daughters the affections of good (as may be seen above, n. 166). And of these it is said, kings shall be thy nourishers, and princesses those who shall suckle thee. Kings signify truths themselves, and princesses the goods thereof; and because a man is regenerated by means of these, and also nourished, it is therefore said that they shall be nourishers and those who shall give suck. (That man is regenerated by truths and by a life according to them, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 23, 24, 27, 186.) This is the internal sense of those words; and without that sense who could understand them?

[5] In the same:

"Jehovah said, Behold I spread out upon" Jerusalem "peace as a river, and as a torrent the glory of the nations that ye may suck. He shall come to gather together all nations and tongues, that they may come and see my glory. They shall announce my glory in the nations; then shall they bring your brethren from all nations, a gift to Jehovah upon horses and upon the chariot, to the mountain of my holiness" (lxvi. 12, 18, 19, 20).

Jerusalem here signifies the church of the Lord in the heavens and on earth. It is said the church in the heavens, because the church is there also (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 221-227). By nations and tongues, are meant all those who are in the goods of love and thence in truths. To bring from all nations a gift to Jehovah, upon horses and upon the chariot, denotes worship from the good of love, which is signified by a gift to Jehovah. Horses and chariots signify intellectual and doctrinal things, for from these and upon these worship is founded. (That horses and chariots have such a signification may be seen in the small work, The White Horse, n. 1-5.) [6] In the same:

"In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the peoples; the nations shall seek" (xi. 10).

The root of Jesse is the Lord; to stand for an ensign of the peoples denotes that He may be seen by those who are in truths. The nations which shall seek, denote those who are in the good of love.

It is supposed that by nations are here meant the nations that will accede to, and acknowledge the Lord, from which there will be a church, called the church of the Gentiles. Yet these are not meant by the nations, but all those who are in love and faith towards the Lord, whether within the church or without it (which may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 308, 318-328). [7] In the same:

"A strong people shall honour thee, the city of the powerful nations shall fear thee" (xxv. 3).

"Open ye the gates that the righteous nation may enter in. Thou hast added to the nation, Jehovah, thou hast added to the nation, thou art glorified" (xxvi. 2, 15).

"Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye peoples" (xxxiv. 1).

In the same:

"I, Jehovah, have called thee in justice, for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations" (xlii. 6).

In Jeremiah:

"And the nations shall bless themselves in him - and in him shall they glory" (iv. 2).

In the same:

Who shall not fear thee, O king of nations? - and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee" (x. 7).

And in Daniel:

"I saw in visions of the night, and behold with the clouds of heaven one like the Son of man. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, and all peoples, nations, and tongues shall serve him" (vii. 13, 14).

And in David:

"Let the peoples confess thee, O God; let all the peoples confess thee. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the peoples in rectitude, and shalt lead the nations upon earth" (lxvii. 3-4).

In the same:

"That I may see the good of thy chosen and be glad in the joy of thy nations" (cvi. 5).

In the Apocalypse:

The glory and honour of the nations shall be brought into the New Jerusalem (xxi. 26).

In Isaiah:

"Ye shall be called the priests of Jehovah; the ministers of our God, shall be said to you; ye shall eat the riches of the nations, and in their glory shall ye glory" (lxi. 6).

In Lamentations:

"The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, In his shadow we shall live among the nations" (iv. 20).

In these places, by nations are meant all those who are in love to the Lord, whether they be within the church, where the Word is, or out of it. That by nations, in an opposite sense, are meant those who are in evils, and, in the abstract, evils themselves, is evident from the following passages; [8] as in Jeremiah:

"I will bring a nation upon you from far: it is a strong nation, it is a nation of an age, a nation whose language thou knowest not. It shall eat up thine harvest and thy bread, and shall eat thy sons and thy daughters: it shall eat up thy vine and thy fig-tree; it shall desolate cities with the sword" (v. 15, 17).

The vastation of the church is here treated of. By nation is meant the evil which will consummate it; hence it is said, that it shall eat up the harvest and the bread, the sons and daughters, the vine and the fig-tree, and impoverish cities with the sword. By these things are signified all the goods of love and truths of faith: by the harvest is signified a state of reception of truth from good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9295); by bread, the good of love (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 218); by sons and daughters, the affections of truth and good (see above, n. 166); by vine, the internal church, thus the internal things of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1069, 5113, 6376, 9277); by the fig-tree, the external church, thus the external things of the church (n. 5113); by cities, doctrines (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493); by sword, falsity destroying (see above, n. 73, 131). From these considerations it is evident that by nation is signified the evil which destroys everything of the church.

[9] In the same:

"Behold I lay stumbling blocks before this people, that they may stumble upon them, the fathers and the sons together. Behold a people cometh from the land of the north, and a great nation from the sides of the land. They have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses" (vi. 21-23).

In this passage also, nation denotes evil, and people falsities the stumbling blocks upon which the fathers and the sons stumble denote perversions of good and truth; fathers denote goods, and sons the truths therefrom. It is said, a people from the land of the north, and a nation from the sides of the land, because the north signifies that falsity from evil, and the sides of the land those things that are outside the church, thus they signify evils remote from the goods of the church. To roar like the sea, and to ride upon horses, denotes to persuade from the fallacies of the senses, and by reasonings therefrom.

[10] In Ezekiel:

"The land is full of the judgment of bloods, and the city is full of violence, therefore I will bring upon them the worst of the nations, and they shall occupy their houses; the king shall mourn and the prince shall be clothed with stupor" (vii. 23, 24, 27).

The land is the church; being full of the judgment of bloods, signifies that it is immersed in falsities destroying goods; city denotes doctrine; to be full of violence signifies offering violence to the good of charity; the worst of the nations denotes dire falsities from evil; to occupy their houses denotes to possess their minds; the king who shall mourn is the truth of the church; the prince who shall be clothed with stupor signifies truth subservient. (That the land signifies the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1413, 1607, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, 8011, 9325, 9643; that bloods denote falsities destroying goods, n. 374, 1005, 4735, 5476, 9127; that city denotes doctrine, n. 2268, 2449, 2451, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493; that violence denotes to violate the good of charity, n. 6353; that house denotes the things that belong to a man's mind, n. 710, 2231, 2233, 2559, 3128, 3538, 4973, 5023, 6690, 7353, 7848, 7910, 7929, 9150; that the king who shall mourn denotes the truth of the church, may be seen above, n. 31.) [11] Again, in David:

"Jehovah rendereth vain the counsel of the nations, he subverteth the thoughts of the peoples" (Ps. xxxiii. 10).

Nations denote those who are in evils, and peoples those who are in falsities; and because both the former and the latter are signified, it is therefore said, that Jehovah rendereth vain the counsel of the nations, and subverteth the thoughts of the peoples, which are two expressions as it were signifying one thing, but yet they are distinct in the internal sense, in which nations signify one thing, and peoples another.

[12] In Luke:

"Then they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be taken captive among all nations, and at length Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the nations, until the times of the nations be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring" (xxi. 24, 25).

The consummation of the age is here treated of, which is the last time of the church, when there is no longer any faith because no charity, or no truth because no good. This is described in the above passage by correspondences. To fall by the edge of the sword is to be destroyed by falsities; to be taken captive among all nations is to be possessed by evils of every kind; Jerusalem, which shall be trodden under foot is the church; the sun denotes love to the Lord; the moon, faith towards Him; the stars denote knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth; the signs in them denote that they therefore would perish; the sea and the waves roaring are fallacies and reasonings. [13] In Matthew:

"Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places; and they shall deliver you up to tribulation; and ye shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake" (xxiv. 7, 9; Luke xxi. 10, 11).

These things are also said by the Lord concerning the last time of the church; and by nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom is signified that there will be dissensions of evils and falsities among themselves. By famines and pestilences are signified defect and consumption of truths; by earthquakes, the perversion of the church; by being hated by all nations is signified to be hated by all those who are in evil; by the name of the Lord, on account of which they shall be hated are signified all things of love and faith by which the Lord is worshipped (as may be seen above, n. 102, 135).

[14] In Ezekiel:

"Behold, Asshur a cedar in Lebanon, he is become high and his branches are multiplied: in his branches have all the birds of the heavens built their nests, and under his branches all the beasts of the field have brought forth, and in his shade have dwelt great nations. But his heart is lifted up in his height, wherefore I will give him into the hand of the strong, one of the nations, strangers shall cut him off, and the violent of the nations shall cast him down; whence all peoples of the earth have descended from his shade, and have deserted him" (xxxi. 3, 5, 6, 11, 12).

These things could not be understood by any one without a knowledge of the spiritual or internal sense of the Word. It may be supposed that they are mere comparisons, in which there is not any spiritual signification, when, nevertheless, the most minute particulars therein signify something pertaining to heaven and the church; therefore they shall be briefly explained. Asshur denotes the enlightened Rational of the man of the church; this is called a cedar in Lebanon, because a cedar signifies the same thing as Asshur, specifically truth from good in the Rational; and Lebanon denotes the mind wherein the Rational resides, because cedars grew in Lebanon. By his branches being multiplied are meant truths therefrom. The fowls of heaven building their nests in his branches signify the affections of truth; and the beasts of the field which brought forth under his branches, the affections of good. The great nations which dwell under his shade, are the goods of love; his heart lifted up in his height, is the love of self. To be delivered into the hands of the strong one of the nations, and to be cast down by the violent of the nations, denote his being destroyed as to goods and truths by the evils derived from the love of self. The people of the earth who went down from his shade and left him, signify all the truths of the church. It is therefore evident that by nations are signified goods, and, in the opposite sense, evils; by the nations which dwelt under his shade, goods, and by the nations which cut him off and cast him down, evils. (See moreover what is said and shown concerning nations and their signification in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that by nations in the Word are signified those who are in good, and hence that they signify goods themselves, n. 1059, 1159, 1258, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005; concerning the assembly of the nations as denoting truths and goods, n. 4574, 7830; concerning the holy nation, as denoting the spiritual kingdom, n. 9255, 9256. When it is said nation and people, by nation are meant those who are in celestial good, and by people those who are in spiritual good, n. 10,288. That by nations, especially those of the land of Canaan, are meant evils and falsities of every kind, n. 1059, 1205, 1868, 6306, 8054, 8317, 9320, 9327.)

AE (Tansley) n. 176

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 176

176. (v. 27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. That this signifies that He is about to chastise evils by means of truths which are in the natural man is evident from the signification of ruling, as being to chastise, for it is added that He would break them in pieces as a potter's vessels, and the evils which are thereby signified are chastised by means of truths; also from the signification of a rod of iron, as being truths in the natural man. By a rod or staff is signified power, by means of which chastisement is effected, and by iron, truths in the natural man which chastise. (That a rod or staff denotes power, may be seen, n. 4013, 4015, 4876, 4936, 6947, 7011, 7026, 7568, 7572; that hence it is that kings have a sceptre, which is a short staff, n. 4581, 4876.) The reason why iron signifies truths in the natural man is, that metals, as well as all other things on earth, from correspondence, signify things spiritual and celestial, all of which have reference to truths and goods. Gold signifies the good of the internal man, silver its truths; copper or brass the good of the external or natural man, iron its truth. This is the reason why the ancients called the Ages by the names of metals - golden, silver, copper and iron: golden from the most ancient men, who lived in the good of love; silver from the ancients after them, who lived in truths from that good; copper from their posterity, who were in external or natural good; iron from the posterity of the latter, who were in natural truth alone without good. Natural truth is truth in the memory, and not in the life; truth which is of the life is good. (But more may be seen concerning this correspondence in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 104, 115.)

[2] The successive states of the church, even until the coming of the Lord, are meant by the gold, the silver, the brass, and the iron of which the statue seen by Nebuchadnezzar in a dream was composed, as it is thus recorded in Daniel:

"His head was fine gold, his breast and his arms silver, his belly and his thighs brass, his legs iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. And a stone was cut out" of the rock, "and smote the image upon his feet, that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Whereas thou sawest the feet, part of potter's clay and part of iron," it signifies that "the kingdom shall be divided; the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken. Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with clay of mire, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of man; but they shall not cohere the one with the other, even as iron is not mixed with clay" (n. 32-34, 41-43).

By the head which was fine gold is meant the first state of the church, when men were in the good of love to the Lord; by the breast and arms, which were silver is meant the second state of the church, when they were in truth from that good. By the belly and thighs which were of brass, the following or third state of the church, when men were no longer in spiritual but in natural good, for brass signifies that good; by the legs which were of iron is meant the fourth state of the church, when there was no longer natural good, but only truth; but by the feet which were of iron and clay is meant the last state of the church, when there are truth and falsity: truth in the Word and falsity in doctrine. When the truths of the Word are falsified, and doctrine is drawn from falsified truth, then the state of the church is part iron and part clay, and thus the kingdom is partly strong and partly broken. The kingdom in this passage denotes the church; therefore the church is also called the kingdom of God. That truths are thus mixed with falsities, but that still they do not cohere, is meant by Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with clay of mire, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of man, but they shall not cohere one with the other, even as iron is not mixed with clay. The seed of man denotes Divine truth which is in the Word. (That this is signified by seed, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3038, 3337, 10,248, 10,249; that man signifies the Lord, from whom is the Word and also the church, see n. 768, 4287, 7424, 7523, 8547, 9276.) That potter's clay signifies the falsities that are in the natural man, will be seen presently in the following article, no. 177. By the stone cut out of the rock, which smote the image, upon his feet is meant the Lord by means of Divine truth, and the destruction of falsities not cohering with truths from the Word. (That stone signifies truth, and that the stone of Israel is the Lord as to Divine truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10,376; that rock also signifies the Lord, n. 8581, 10,580, and in the small work, The Last Judgement n. 57.) Because iron signifies truths in the natural man, therefore the feet of the statue were of iron, for feet signify the Natural (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952).

[3] Similar things are signified by gold, silver, brass, and iron, in the prophet Isaiah:

"For brass I will bring gold, for iron silver, for wood brass, and for stones iron" (lx. 17).

For brass to bring gold denotes celestial good for natural good; for iron silver denotes celestial truth for natural truth: for wood brass, and for stones iron denote natural good and truth in such abundance as are wood and stone. The state of the celestial church is here treated of. (That iron signifies truth in the natural man, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 425, 426.) [4] These things are adduced, in order that it may be known that a rod of iron signifies power, by means of which the Lord chastises the evils and disperses the falsities that are in the natural man. For a rod or staff signifies power, as was said above, and iron signifies truths in the natural man. The reason why the Lord chastises evils and disperses falsities by means of truths in the natural man is, that all evils and the falsities therefrom reside therein, but none in the spiritual or internal man. The internal man does not receive evils and falsities, but is closed against them; and because these all reside in the natural man, therefore they must be chastised and dispersed by the things that are also there, which are truths. Truths in the natural man are scientifics (scientifica) and knowledges cognitiones), from which man can think, reason and conclude naturally concerning the truths and goods of the church, and concerning the falsities and evils which are opposed to them, and thence be in some natural enlightenment when he reads the Word: for the Word in the letter is not intelligible without enlightenment, and this is either spiritual or natural. Spiritual enlightenment is only granted to those who are spiritual, who are those who are in the good of love and of charity, and consequently in truths; but natural enlightenment alone is granted to those who are natural (which may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 153, 425, and n. 140, above). To those also who are spiritual while they live in the world, there is granted enlightenment in the Natural; but this exists from the enlightenment in the Spiritual; for with them the Lord flows in through the spiritual or internal man into the natural or external, and thus enlightens the latter. From this enlightenment man sees what is true and good, and what is false and evil; and when he sees these things, then the Lord disperses the evils and falsities which are in the natural man by means of the truths and goods which are also there, and which make one with the goods and truths in the spiritual or internal man. (Further particulars concerning sciences (scientiis) and knowledges (cognitionibus), and what they effect, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 51, and concerning influx, n. 277, 278.)

[5] From these considerations it may now be seen, what is signified by the rod of iron with which the Lord shall rule the nations, that is, will chastise the evils in the natural man. These things are said to the angel of this church because the subject treated of in what is written to this angel is the internal and external man, and their conjunction. For, when the internal and external, or the Spiritual and Natural are conjoined, then the Lord chastises the evils and falsities that are in the natural man, and this by means of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good. But in the case of those in whom the internal and external man are not conjoined, evils and falsities cannot be chastised and expelled, because they receive nothing through the spiritual man from heaven, but everything they receive is from the world, which their Rational favours, and for which it furnishes confirmations.

Things similar to those here signified by a rod of iron, are also signified in the following passages; as in David:

"Thou shalt bruise" the nations "with a sceptre of iron; as a potter's vessel shalt thou disperse them" (Ps. ii. 9).

In Isaiah:

"He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked" (xi. 4).

In the Apocalypse:

The woman "brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" (xii. 5).

Out of the mouth of him that sat upon the white horse "went a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; for he shall rule them with a rod of iron" (xix. 15).

And in Micah:

"Arise, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many peoples" (iv. 13).

The daughter of Zion is the celestial church; a horn is power in the natural man; hoofs are its ultimates, which are called sensual scientifics (scientifica sensualia); hence it is evident what is signified by making the horn iron, and the hoofs brass. (That the daughter of Zion is the celestial church may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 9055; that horn denotes the power of truth from good in the natural man, n. 2832, 9081, 9719-9721, 10,182, 10,186; and that hoofs are the scientifics of the sensual man, which are truths in the ultimate of order, n. 7729.)

AE (Tansley) n. 177

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 177

177. As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to pieces. That this signifies the total dispersion of falsities is evident from the signification of a potter's vessels, as being those things in the natural man that are from man's own intelligence (concerning which we shall speak presently); and from the signification of being broken to pieces, as being to be dispersed; for dispersing is said of falsities, as breaking to pieces is said of a potter's vessels. That by a potter's vessels are signified those things in the natural man that are from man's own intelligence concerning the things of heaven and the church, and that those things are falsities, will be shown in what follows. But something shall first be said respecting the falsities that enter the natural man from man's own intelligence concerning the things of heaven and the church. Those who think from their own intelligence, think from the world; for a man from his proprium loves only the things of the world and of self, and what he loves he also sees and perceives. The things that he loves he calls goods, and what he thence sees and perceives he calls truths; but the goods which he so calls from love are evils, and the truths which he sees from that love are falsities, because they flow from the loves of self and of the world, these loves being the opposites of the loves of heaven, which are love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour; and those things that flow from opposites are themselves opposites.

[2] Those, therefore, who read the Word solely for the sake of a name for learning, or to acquire fame that they may be raised to honours, or that they may gain wealth by this means, never see and perceive truths, but falsities instead of them. And the truths which exist there before their eyes, they either pass by, as if they saw them not, or else they falsify them; the reason is, that to read the Word solely for such purposes as these, is, to read it for the sake of self and the world as ends, thus from the loves of self and of the world. And because these loves belong to man's proprium, therefore the things that a man sees and perceives from them are from his own intelligence. [3] But those who read the Word from the spiritual affection of truth, which is the love of knowing truth because it is truth, see the truths of the Word, and rejoice in heart when they see them; the reason is, that they are enlightened by the Lord. This enlightenment descends from the Lord through heaven from the light there; this light is Divine truth: to them therefore it is granted to see truths from their own light, and this in the Word, because the Word is Divine truth, and in it are treasured up all the truths of heaven. But those alone are in light, who are in the two loves of heaven, which are love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour for these loves open the interior or higher mind, which is formed to receive the light of heaven, and through which that light flows in and enlightens them. But they do not perceive truths in that mind whilst they live in the world, but they see them in the lower mind, or that of the external or natural man; these are they who do not think from their own intelligence when they read the Word. The principal reason why these do not think from their own intelligence when they read the Word is, that, their interior or spiritual mind looks to the Lord, and the Lord then raises it up to Himself, and together with it the lower or natural mind, and thus withdraws it from man's proprium; this cannot be done in the case of those who chiefly regard themselves and the world.

[4] From these considerations it is evident that a man, from his own intelligence, can perceive nothing but evils, and see nothing but falsities; but that goods and truths, which belong to heaven and the church, are perceived and seen from the Lord alone. When the internal or spiritual man, in which resides the interior or higher mind, of which we have just spoken, is opened, then the Lord subdues the evils and disperses the falsities that are in the external or natural man.

These, then, are the things meant in the spiritual sense, by the Son of man giving them power over the nations, and ruling them with a rod of iron, breaking them in pieces as a potter's vessels. [5] That a potter's vessels signify those things that are from man's own intelligence, thus falsities in the natural man, is evident from various passages in the Word, of which the following, are adduced in confirmation; as in David:

"Thou shalt bruise the nations with a sceptre of iron; as a potter's vessel shalt thou disperse them" (Ps. ii. 9).

To bruise the nations with a sceptre of iron, signifies here also to chastise and subdue the evils which are in the natural man. The term sceptre here has the same signification as rod and staff in other passages. The words, "as a potter's vessel," are added because by them is signified the falsity which is from man's own intelligence. In the sense of the letter this is a comparison; for it is said as a potter's vessel, and as earthen vessels; but in the internal sense comparisons are not perceived as comparisons, because comparisons are equally from significatives (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3579, 8989). A potter's vessel, or an earthen vessel, signifies falsity, because a potter is one who forms, and a vessel is that which is formed; when man forms it, it is false, but when the Lord forms it in man it is true. This is why a potter's vessel in the Word signifies either falsity or truth, and a potter signifies one who forms.

[6] The Lord Himself is, in the Word, called a potter, from the formation of man by means of truths, as in Isaiah:

"Jehovah, our father; we are the clay, thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hands" (lxiv. 8).

In the same:

"Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker, the potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Doth the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?" (xlv. 9).

In the same:

"Shall the potter be counted as clay? shall the work say of its maker, He made me not? and shall the thing formed say of the potter, He understandeth not? (xxix. 16).

[7] Because the Jews and Israelites falsified all the truths of the Word by applying them to themselves, and to their own exaltation above all the nations and peoples in the universe, therefore their falsities are called broken vessels of a potter; as in Isaiah:

"They have said to the seers, See not; and to those who have vision, see not for us right things; speak unto us smooth things, see illusions, depart out of the way; therefore iniquity shall break them as the breaking of the bottle of the potters; in beating he shall not spare; whence there shall not he found in the fragment thereof a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to draw waters out of the pit" (xxx. 10, 11, 14).

That they wholly deprived themselves of truths and immersed themselves in falsities, is described by their saying to the seers, See not, and to them that have vision, See not for us right things, speak unto us smooth things, see illusions, depart out of the way. That they had thus immersed themselves in falsities so that nothing of truth remained, is described by the breaking of the potter's vessel so that there should not be found in the fragments a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to draw waters out of the pit; by which is signified that there should not remain with them so much of truth as to enable them to perceive any good and truth from the Word. For fire signifies good, and water signifies truth; the hearth signifies the Word as to good, a pit the Word as to truth.

[8] In Jeremiah:

"The word came to Jeremiah, saying, Arise and go down to the potter's house. Therefore I went down to the potter's house, when, behold, he wrought a work on the table. And the vessel that he made was marred; and he returned and made it another vessel as it was right in the eyes of the potter to make" (xviii. 1-4).

In this passage is also meant that with the Jewish nation there remained nothing but falsity; and the vessel that was marred in the potter's house denotes that falsity. By the house of the potter is meant the state in which they were. That the truth of the church was taken away from them and given to others, is meant by the potter making it another vessel such as was right in his eyes. [9] In the same:

"Jehovah said, Go buy a potter's bottle of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests, and go forth into the valley of the son of Hinnom. Then shalt thou break the bottle before the eyes of the men that go with thee, and shalt say: I will break this people, and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and in Tophet shall they bury because there is no more a place to bury in" (xix. 1, 2, 10, 11).

By the bottle or vessel of the potter, to be taken of the elders of the people and of the priests is meant the falsity in which all of that nation were. That this falsity was of such a nature as could not be dispersed by truths is described by the command given to the prophet that he should break the vessel in the sight of them that went with him, so that it could not be made whole again; and that they should bury in Tophet, because there was no more a place elsewhere signifies where all truths and goods should be consumed.

[10] In Nahum:

"Draw for thyself waters for the siege, strengthen thy fortifications; enter into the mire and tread clay; repair the brick-kiln. There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off" (iii. 14, 15).

To draw waters for the siege and to strengthen the fortifications denotes to strengthen falsities against truths by various means; to enter into the mire and tread clay is to confirm falsities by fictions and fallacies. Doctrine therefrom is called a brick-kiln, because infernal love is established by means of truths falsified; hence it is said that the fire should devour him and the sword cut him off. Fire signifies infernal love, and a sword falsity, fighting against and destroying truth. A potter's vessel, or an earthen vessel, signifies falsity, because it corresponds to a device, and a device is that which is from man's own intelligence; it was from this correspondence that the prophets were commanded to do such things as are mentioned above.

AE (Tansley) n. 178

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 178

178. Even as I received of my Father. This signifies comparatively as the Lord did from His Divine, when He glorified His Human; for He dissipated all evils and falsities from the Human which He had from the mother. By Father is here meant the Divine in Him, or which He had from conception; for this was one with the Father, as He Himself declares. It is said comparatively, because as the Lord glorified His Human so He regenerates man; that is, as He united His Divine to the Human and the Human to the Divine, so He conjoins the internal to the external and the external to the internal, with man. But, because this arcanum cannot be explained to the apprehension in a few words, therefore let the reader consult and see what has been shown concerning it in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem and in Arcana Coelestia; in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 280-297; and in Arcana Coelestia, in the passages thence cited, ibid., n. 185, 298-307.

AE (Tansley) n. 179

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 179

179. (v. 28) And I will give him the morning star. That this signifies intelligence and wisdom from the Divine Human of the Lord is evident from the signification of stars, as denoting the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth (concerning which see above, n. 72); and because they signify such knowledges, they also signify intelligence and wisdom; for all intelligence and wisdom are from the knowledges of good and truth; and from the signification of morning, as denoting the Lord as to His Divine Human, hence the morning star denotes intelligence and wisdom from Him. We often read of morning in the Word; and the signification of the term differs according to the series of things treated of in the internal sense: in the highest sense, it signifies the Lord, and also His coming: in the internal sense, it signifies His kingdom and church, and their state of peace. Moreover, it signifies the first state of a new church, and also a state of love, also a state of enlightenment, consequently a state of intelligence and wisdom, and also a state of the conjunction of good and truth, which is the state when the internal man is conjoined to the external. The reason why morning has such a variety of significations is, that, in the highest sense, it signifies the Lord's Divine Human, and hence it also signifies all those things that proceed from it; for the Lord is present in those things which proceed from Him, so that He Himself is there. [2] The reason why the Lord's Divine Human, in the highest sense, is meant by morning is, that the Lord is the Sun of the angelic heaven; and the Sun of that heaven does not advance from morning to evening, or from rising to setting, as the sun of the world apparently does, but it remains stationary in its place, in front, above the heavens. This is why there is always morning and never evening there. And because all the intelligence and wisdom which the angels have exist with them from the Lord as a Sun, therefore also their state of love, wisdom and intelligence, and, in general, their state of enlightenment, is signified by morning; for those things proceed from the Lord as a Sun, and that which proceeds from Him is Himself; for from the Divine nothing proceeds but what is Divine, and everything Divine is Himself. (That the Lord is the Sun of the angelic heaven, and that from Him as a Sun exist all love, wisdom and intelligence, and, in general, all enlightenment as to Divine truths, from which wisdom is derived, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, 126-143, 155, 156.)

[3] From these considerations it is now evident why it is that morning is so often mentioned in the Word when it treats of Jehovah or the Lord, of His advent, kingdom and church, and of the goods thereof; as in the following passages, which shall be adduced by way of illustration. In the second Book of Samuel:

"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me. He is as the light of the morning; the sun riseth, a morning without clouds" (xxiii. 3, 4).

The God of Israel, and the Rock, is the Lord as to his Divine Human, and the Divine truth proceeding therefrom. He is called the God of Israel, because Israel denotes His spiritual church, and the Rock, because His Divine in the church is Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720, 6426, 8581, 10,580). Because the Lord in the angelic heaven is the Sun, and all the light of the angels is therefrom, and as the Sun there is continually in its morning, therefore it is said, "He is as the light of the morning, the sun riseth, a morning without clouds."

[4] In David:

"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth; thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Ps. cx. 3, 4).

This is said of the Lord, as about to come into the world. From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth, denotes conception from the Divine itself, and hence the glorification of His Human: a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, denotes that Divine good and Divine truth proceed from Him; for the Lord as a priest is Divine good, and as king of holiness, which is Melchizedek, is Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1725).

[5] In Ezekiel:

The cherubs "stood at the eastern door of the gate of the house; the glory of the God of Israel was over them above" (x. 19).

Cherubs signify the Lord as to providence, and as to protection lest any should approach except by means of the good of love; the eastern door of the gate of the house signifies approach; the house of God is heaven and the church; the east is where the Lord appears as a Sun, thus where He is continually in the morning; hence it is said the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. [6] In the same:

The angel "led me to the gate which looketh towards the east. When, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and the earth was enlightened with his glory. And the glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose face is towards the east" (xliii. 1, 2, 4).

In the internal sense here, is described the influx of the Lord into those who are in His kingdom and church; the God of Israel is the Lord as to the Divine Human and the Divine truth proceeding therefrom; the house of God is His kingdom and the church; glory is the Divine truth such as it is in heaven; to come by the way of the east into the house denotes from the sun where it is continually in its morning. (That glory is Divine truth such as it is in heaven, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429; that the house of God denotes heaven and the church as to good, and temple the same as to truth, see n. 3720: and that the east, in the highest sense, is the Lord, because He is the Sun of heaven, which is always in its rising and morning, and that hence the east denotes the good of love from Him, see n. 3708, 5097, 9668.) [7] In the same:

The angel "afterwards led me back to the door of the house, where, behold, waters issuing out from under the threshold of the house towards the east, will descend into the plain and come towards the sea, being sent forth into the sea that the waters may be healed; whence it comes to pass that every living soul that creepeth, whithersoever the rivers come, shall live; whence there is exceeding much fish, because these waters shall come thither, and they are healed, that everything may live whither the river shall come" (xlvii. 1, 2, 8, 9).

Here also is described, by pure correspondences, the influx of the Lord from His Divine Human into those who belong to His kingdom and church. By the waters issuing out from under the threshold of the house eastward is described the Divine truth proceeding from Him, and flowing into those who are in the east, that is, who are in the good of love to Him. By the waters going down into the plain and into the sea, and the waters of the sea being thence healed is signified influx into the natural man and into the knowledges (cognitiones) which are there. That hence there would be a very great multitude of fish signifies scientific truths (scientifica vera) in the natural man; that everything should live whither the river should come, signifies, that they should have life from Divine truth. No one can see that such things are signified except from the internal sense of the Word; when, notwithstanding, every single expression involves arcana concerning the regeneration of man by the Lord. But what is involved in each expression will be made known when we come to treat of the twenty-second chapter of the Apocalypse, where similar things are mentioned.

[8] In David:

"I have waited for Jehovah; my soul doth wait, my soul waiteth for the Lord more than they who watch for the morning; they who watch for the morning, because with him is plenteous redemption, and he will redeem Israel" (Ps. cxxx. 5-8).

The coming of the Lord into the world is here treated of, and the reception of Him by those who are in the good of love. The coming of the Lord is signified by I have waited for Jehovah, my soul waiteth for the Lord, because with Him is plenteous redemption, and He will redeem Israel; and the reception of Him by those who are in the good of love is signified by more than they who watch for the morning, they who watch for the morning. Here, morning, in the highest sense, signifies the Lord, and, in the internal sense, His kingdom and church; and they who watch for the morning signify those who wait for the coming of the Lord, who are such as are in the good of love, because to them the Lord is the morning.

[9] That morning signifies the coming of the Lord into the world, and, at such a time, a new church, is evident from the following passages; as in Daniel:

"Until the evening and the morning, two thousand and three hundred, then what is holy shall be justified. The vision of the evening and the morning which was told is truth" (viii. 14, 26).

The evening signifies the last time of the former church, and the morning the first time of the new church, thus the coming of the Lord. In Isaiah:

"Crying to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night" (xxi. 11, 12).

Here also the coming of the Lord is treated of; the night is the last time of the former church, and the morning the first of the new (what is signified by calling out of Seir, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4240, 4384). In Ezekiel:

"The end cometh, the end cometh, the morning cometh upon thee, O thou inhabitant of the land; behold the day cometh, the morning is gone forth" (vii. 6, 7, 10).

This passage equally treats of the coming of the Lord and the end of the former church and the beginning of a new one. In Zephaniah:

"Jehovah in the morning, in the morning he shall bring his judgment to the light, nor shall he fail" (iii. 5).

[10] Here similar things are meant. Because morning signifies the coming of the Lord, also His kingdom and church, and also the good of love which is from Him, it is therefore obvious what is meant by morning in the following passages. In David:

"Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning" (Psalm cxliii. 8).

Again:

"I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning" (lix. 16).

Again:

"O satisfy us in the morning with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (xc. 14).

Again:

"O Jehovah, my voice shalt thou hear in the morning; in the morning I will set myself in order for thee" (v. 3).

Again:

"God is in the midst of her; God shall help her at the dawn of the morning" (xlvi. 5).

Again:

"O God, my God; in the morning will I seek thee" (lxiii. 1)

In Isaiah:

"In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to blossom" (xvii. 11).

Again:

"Jehovah be thou their arm every morning" (xxxiii. 2).

Again:

"Jehovah hath given me the tongue of the learned; he hath awakened me every morning" (l. 4).

In Jeremiah:

"I spake unto you every morning" (vii. 13; xi. 7 xxv. 3, 4).

From the signification of morning it is evident what is meant by

The manna falling in the morning (Exod. xvi. 12, 13, 21).

Jehovah descending in the morning upon Mount Sinai (Exod, xix. 16);

And the priest being commanded to burn wood upon the altar all night until the morning (Levit. vi. 12).

Also what is involved in the command respecting the sacrifice of the passover is evident:

"Thou shalt sacrifice the passover at the going down of the sun. Afterwards thou shalt eat it; and thou shalt look back in the morning, and go unto thy tents" (Deut. xvi. 6, 7).

The reason why they should sacrifice the passover when the sun went down was, that the setting of the sun signified the last time of the church; that they should look back in the morning, signified the establishment of a new church, thus the coming of the Lord. These passages have been adduced in order that it may be known that by the morning star which the Son of man would give is signified wisdom and intelligence from His Divine Human. And because those who receive wisdom and intelligence from the Lord also receive Him; for the Lord is in the wisdom and intelligence which are from Him, so that, He is Himself the wisdom and intelligence which they possess, therefore the Lord Himself is also called the morning star in the Apocalypse:

"I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star" (xxii. 16).

He is similarly called a star (Numb. xxiv. 17).

AE (Tansley) n. 180

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 180

180. (v. 29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church, is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 108), where similar things are said.

AE (Tansley) n. 181

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 181

181. CHAPTER III

1. AND unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2. Be wakeful, and strengthen the things that remain which are about to die: for I have not found thy works full before God.

3. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed and repent. If therefore thou shalt not be wakeful, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.

5. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth.

8. I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it; because thou hast some power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9. Behold, I will give them of a synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold I will make them to come and worship at thy feet and to know that I have loved thee.

10. Because thou hast kept the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that thou hast, that no one take thy crown.

12. He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.

13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot.

16. So, then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,

18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.

19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.

20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21. To him that overcometh, I will give to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

EXPLANATION.

VERSES 1-6. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be wakeful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die; for I have not found thy works full before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and take heed, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not be wakeful, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write," signifies those whose life is moral, and not spiritual, because they make light of the knowledges (cognitiones) of spiritual things, and thence of intelligence and wisdom. "These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God," signifies the Lord, from whom are all the truths of heaven and the church; "and the seven stars," signifies, from whom are all the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good: "I know thy works," signifies, the things of their life that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead," signifies, the quality of their thought, in that they suppose themselves to be alive, because their life is moral, when, yet, they are dead.

"Be wakeful" signifies, that they should procure for themselves life: "and strengthen the things that remain which are ready to die," signifies, that the things of moral life should be quickened: "for I have not found thy works full before God," signifies, that otherwise the Divine is not in moral life.

"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and take heed," signifies, remembrance of what the Lord teaches in the Word, and attention to it: "and repent," signifies, thus spiritual life. "If therefore thou shalt not be wakeful," signifies, if thou dost not procure spiritual life: "I will, come upon thee as a thief," signifies, an unexpected time, when all knowledges procured from the Word which have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away: "and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee," signifies, ignorance of that time and their state then.

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments," signifies those whose life is moral from a spiritual origin, by applying the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good to the uses of their life: "and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy," signifies, their spiritual life, which they have by means of the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good from the Word.

"He that overcometh," signifies, who perseveres even until death: "shall be clothed in white garments," signifies, intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception: "and I will not blot his name out of the book of life," signifies, that they will be in heaven, because they are fitted for it: "and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels," signifies, that they shall be in Divine good and thence in Divine truth. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" signifies, that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church.

AE (Tansley) n. 182

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 182

182. (v. 1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write. That this signifies those whose life is moral, but not spiritual, because they make light of the knowledges (cognitiones) of spiritual things, and thence of wisdom and intelligence, is evident from what is written to the angel of this church, viewed in the internal or spiritual sense; from which it is evident that the subject here treated of is those whose life is such because they make light of the knowledges (cognitiones) of spiritual things, and thence of intelligence and wisdom. But before unfolding the spiritual sense of the things that follow, it must be explained and shown what moral life and spiritual life are, also what moral from spiritual life is, and what moral life without spiritual. [2] Moral life is to act well, sincerely, and justly, in the discharge of the various duties and occupations of life; in a word, it is the life which is seen by men, because lived amongst them. But this life has a two-fold origin, either the love of self and of the world, or love to God and love towards the neighbour. Moral life from the love of self and the world is not in itself moral life, although it appears to be such; for such a man acts well, sincerely and justly for the sake of himself and the world only, and to him, what is good, sincere and just, serve but as means to an end, that is, either that he may be raised above others and rule over them, or that he may gain wealth. He thinks in this way in his spirit, or when he is by himself in private; but he dare not openly avow what he thus thinks, because it would destroy the esteem which others have of him, and thus annul the means by which he desires to attain his ends.

From these considerations it is evident, that in the moral life of such a man there lurks nothing else but the desire of obtaining all things in preference to others, thus a desire that all others may serve him, or that he may possess their goods: it is evident from this that his moral life is not moral in itself; for if he obtained what he aimed at, he would enslave others and deprive them of their goods. And because all means savour of the end, and are, in their essence, such as are their ends, on which account they are also called intermediate ends, therefore such a life, regarded in itself, is nothing but craftiness and fraud. And this is clearly evident when those external bonds that unite society are loosened, as is the case with persons of this description when they are engaged in law-suits against their fellow citizens; they then desire nothing more than to pervert right, and to gain the favour of the judge or the grace of the king, and this secretly, in order that they may deprive others of their possessions; and when they succeed they are filled with inward delight. The same is still more evident in the conduct of kings who regard honour in wars and victories, the chief delight of their hearts being to subjugate provinces and kingdoms, and, where resistance is made, to despoil the subjugated of all their goods, and also of their life; this, in most instances, is the delight of those who go out to war.

The nature of the moral life treated of above is still more manifest in all such persons when they become spirits, which takes place immediately after the death of the body, when, because they think and act from their spirit, they rush into every kind of wickedness according to their love, however morally they may, in appearance, have lived in the world. [3] But spiritual life is altogether of another quality, because it has a different origin, for it springs from love to God and love towards the neighbour; and therefore the moral life of those who are spiritual is also different, and is truly moral; for these, when they think in their spirit, which is the case when they are in private, do not think from self and the world but from the Lord and heaven; for the interiors of their mind, that is, of their thought and will, are actually raised up by the Lord into heaven, and are there conjoined to Him; thus the Lord flows-in into their thoughts, intentions and ends, and rules them, and withdraws them from their proprium, which is entirely derived from the love of self and of the world. The moral life of such persons is, in appearance, similar to that of those mentioned above, but still it is spiritual, for it has a spiritual origin, being only the effect of spiritual life, which is the efficient cause, and thus the origin of it; for they act well, sincerely and justly towards their fellow citizens from the fear of God and the love of the neighbour, in which the Lord keeps their minds and spirits; when, therefore, they become spirits, as is the case when their bodies die, they think and act intelligently and wisely, and are raised up into heaven. Of these it may be said, that all the good of love and all the truth of faith flow into them out of heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord; but this cannot be said of those of whom we have spoken above, for their good is not the good of heaven, nor is their truth the truth of heaven, but it is the delight of the lusts of the flesh which they call good, and the falsity therefrom which they call truth, which flow into them from self and from the world. From these considerations the nature of moral life from spiritual life, and of moral life without spiritual can be known, that is, that moral life from spiritual life is truly moral life, which may be said to be spiritual, because its cause and origin is therefrom; but that moral life without spiritual life is not moral life, and may be said to be infernal, for so far as the love of self and of the world reigns in it, so far it is fraudulent and hypocritical.

[4] From what has been now said, a conclusion may be formed as to what the quality of a holy external is, by which is meant worship in churches, prayers and the gestures at the time, among those who are in the love of self and of the world, and yet apparently lead a moral life, namely, that nothing of those things is raised up to heaven and heard there, but that they flow forth from some thought of the external or natural man, and thus from their mouth into the world; for the interior thoughts of their spirit are full of craftiness and fraud against their neighbour, and yet elevation into heaven is always effected by means of the interiors. And moreover their worship in churches, and their prayers and gestures at such time, are either from habit and familiarity from infancy, or from a belief that such external things are all that is necessary to salvation, or from there being nothing for them to do on the feast days at home or out of doors, or from the fear of being thought by their fellows to be wanting in piety.

But the worship of those who live a moral life from a spiritual origin is altogether different, for it is truly the worship of God, because their prayers are raised up to heaven, and are there heard, for the Lord receives their prayers through heaven. (More may be seen upon these subjects in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 468, 484, 529, 530-534; and in the explanation above, n. 107.) These things are here premised, because the subject treated of in what is written to the angel of this church is those whose life is moral but not spiritual, because they lightly esteem the knowledges (cognitiones) of spiritual things.

AE (Tansley) n. 183

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 183

183. These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God. That this signifies the Lord from whom come all the truths of heaven and of the church is evident from the fact that it is the Son of man who says these things, and also those which are addressed to the angels of the other churches; and the Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human (as may be seen above, n. 63, 151). By the seven spirits of God are meant all the truths of heaven and of the church, because the Spirit of God in the Word signifies the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. In many passages in the Word mention is made of spirit, and this, when said of man, signifies Divine truth received in his life, thus his spiritual life; but when said of the Lord it signifies the Divine which proceeds from Him, which in general terms is called Divine truth. But because few at this day know what is meant by spirit in the Word, I desire first to show from quotations, that spirit, when said of man, signifies Divine truth received in the life, thus his spiritual life. Now as these two things, the good of love and the truth of faith, constitute the spiritual life of man, therefore, in several passages in the Word, mention is made of heart and spirit, and also of heart and soul; by heart is signified the good of love, and by spirit the truth of faith; the latter is also signified by soul, for by this term in the Word is meant man's spirit.

That by spirit, when said of man, is signified truth received in the life, is evident from the following passages. [2] In Ezekiel:

"Make you a new heart and a new spirit; why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (xviii. 31).

In the same:

"A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I give in the midst of you" (xxxvi. 26).

In David:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a firm spirit within me. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart God does not despise" (Ps. li. 10, 17).

In these passages heart signifies the good of love, and spirit the truth of faith, from which man has spiritual life; for there are two things that constitute man's life, good and truth; these his spiritual life. [3] Because heart signifies good, and spirit truth, when both are received in the life, therefore heart, in the opposite sense, signifies evil, and spirit falsity; for most expressions in the Word have also an opposite sense. Heart and spirit are used in this sense in the following passages in David:

"A generation that sets not their heart aright, and whose spirit is not steadfast with God" (Ps. lxxviii. 8).

In Ezekiel:

"Every heart shall melt, and every spirit shall faint" (xxi. 7).

In Moses:

"Jehovah hath made heavy the spirit of the king of Heshbon, and hath hardened his heart" (Deut. ii. 30).

In Isaiah:

"Conceive chaff, bring forth stubble; fire shall devour your spirit" (xxxiii. 11).

In Ezekiel:

"Woe unto the foolish prophets, who go away after their own spirit" (xiii. 3).

In the same:

"That which ascendeth upon your spirit shall never come to pass" (xx. 32).

[4] From these considerations it is evident, that the whole of man's life is meant by heart and spirit; and because his whole life has reference to these two, namely, to good and truth, and, in the spiritual sense, to love and faith, therefore, by heart and spirit those two lives are meant. This is also why heart and spirit signify man's will and understanding, because these two faculties constitute his life; for a man has no life but in those faculties; the reason is, that the will is the receptacle of good and its love, or of evil and its love, and the understanding is the receptacle of truth and its faith, or of falsity and its faith, and, as has been said, all things in man have reference to good and truth or to evil and falsity, and, in the spiritual sense, to love and faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 28-35). The reason why by spirit, when said of man, is signified truth or falsity, and hence his life from the one or the other is, that by spirit is properly meant the spirit which is in man, and which thinks, and this it does either from truths or from falsities. But, as said above, the two things that constitute man's life are understanding and will. The life of the understanding is to think from either truths or falsities, and the life of the will is to affect, or inflame with love, those things which the understanding thinks. These two lives of a man's spirit correspond to the two lives of his body, which are the life of the respiration of the lungs and the life of the pulse of the heart; man's spirit is united to the body by this correspondence (as may be seen above, n. 167, and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 446, 447). [5] Because of this correspondence, the spirit is so named from a term which, in the original, and in several other languages, signifies wind; therefore to expire is frequently expressed in the Word by giving up the spirit. Thus in David:

"I have taken away their spirit, he has expired" (Ps. civ. 29).

In Ezekiel:

The Lord Jehovih said to the dry bones, "Behold, I bring spirit into you, that ye may live: and the Lord Jehovih said, Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe into these slain; and the spirit came into them, and they lived again" (xxxvii. 5, 9, 10).

In the Apocalypse:

"The two witnesses were slain by the beast that came up out of the abyss, but after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet" (xi. 7, 11).

In Luke:

Jesus, taking the hand of the dead maid, "cried, saying, Maid, arise; and her spirit came again, and she arose straightway" (viii. 54, 55).

[6] When these passages are understood it will be evident what is signified by spirit when said of man, in numerous places in the Word, from which the following only shall be adduced; as in John:

"Except anyone be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the spirit" (iii. 5, 8).

In the same:

The Lord breathed on the disciples, and said, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit" (xx. 21, 22).

In the Book of Genesis:

"Jehovah breathed into man's nostrils the breath of lives" (ii. 7);

besides other places.

[7] That spirit, in the spiritual sense, signifies truth, and man's life thence derived, which is intelligence, is quite clear from the following passages. In John:

"The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (iv. 23).

In Daniel:

"In him was an excellent spirit of knowledge and understanding. I have heard concerning thee that the spirit of God is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in thee" (v. 12, 14).

In Moses:

"Thou shalt speak unto all the wise in heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom" (Exod. xxviii. 3).

In Luke:

John "grew, and waxed strong in spirit" (i. 80).

And concerning the Lord,

Jesus "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom" (ii. 40).

[8] When it is known what is signified by the term spirit when used in reference to man, its meaning may be known when said of Jehovah, or the Lord, to whom are attributed all the things which a man has, face, eyes, ears, arms, hands, as also heart and soul, thus also spirit, which in the Word is called the spirit of God, the spirit of Jehovah, the spirit of His nostrils, the spirit of His mouth, the spirit of truth, the spirit of holiness, and the Holy Spirit, by which is meant Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, as is evident from many passages in the Word.

The reason why Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is the spirit of God is, that all the life which men possess is therefrom, as also the heavenly life of those who receive that Divine truth in faith and life. That this is the spirit of God, the Lord himself teaches in John:

"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (vi. 63).

In Isaiah:

"There shall go forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse: the spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might" (xi. 1, 2).

Again:

"I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the nations" (xlii. 1).

Again:

"When [the enemy] shall come like a river, the spirit of Jehovah shall lift up a standard against him" (lix. 19).

Again:

"The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me, therefore Jehovah hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor" (lxi. 1).

And in John:

"He whom the Father hath sent, speaketh the words of God; for God hath not given the spirit by measure" (iii. 34);

this is said of the Lord. That the Holy Spirit is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, is evident in John:

"I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. When he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you" (xvi. 7, 13, 14).

[9] That the Comforter, here mentioned, is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is quite clear; for it is said the Lord himself spoke "the truth" to them, and declared that, when He should go away, He would send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who should guide them into all truth, and that He would not speak from himself but from the Lord. It is here said, he shall receive of mine, because Divine truths proceed from the Lord; and mine is said of what proceeds; for the Lord himself is Divine love, and that which proceeds from Him is Divine truth, thus is His own (see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 139, 140, and the preceding numbers, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 307). That to go forth and to proceed is meant by being sent and sending, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2397, 4710, 6831, 10,561; in like manner here by I will send Him unto you.

[10] That the Comforter is the Holy Spirit is evident in John:

"The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, he shall teach you all things " (xiv. 26).

In the same:

Jesus stood and cried with a loud voice: "Saying, If anyone thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (vii. 37-39).

That the Holy Spirit is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, which flows into man, both immediately from the Lord Himself and mediately by angels and spirits, is clear also from the above words. For the Lord declares that he who believes on Him, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water; and then it is added that He spake this concerning the Spirit which they should receive; for water, in the spiritual sense, signifies truth, and rivers of living water, Divine truth from the Lord in abundance; the same is therefore meant by the Spirit which they should receive. (That water signifies truth, and living water Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 71.) And because Divine truth proceeds from the Lord's Human glorified, and not immediately from His Divine itself, because this was glorified in itself from eternity, it is therefore here said,

"The Holy Spirit was not yet, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

(That to glorify is to make Divine, and that the Lord fully glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine by his last temptation and victory on the cross, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293-295, 300-306.) [11] In heaven they greatly wonder that those who form the church do not know that the Holy Spirit, which is Divine truth, proceeds from the Lord's Human, and not immediately from His Divine, when, notwithstanding, the doctrine received in the whole Christian world teaches that, - "As is the Father, so also is the Son, uncreate, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, God, Lord; neither of them is first or last, nor greatest or least. Christ is God and man: God from the nature of the Father, and man from the nature of the mother; but although He is God and man, yet nevertheless there are not two, but one Christ; He is one, not by changing the Divinity into the humanity, but by the Divinity receiving to itself the humanity. He is altogether one, not by a commixing of two natures, but one person alone, because as the body and soul are one man, so God and man is one Christ." This is from the creed of Athanasius.

Now because the Lord's Divine and Human are not two, but one Person alone, and are united as the soul and body, it can be known that the Divine which is called the Holy Spirit goes forth and proceeds from His Divine by means of the Human, thus from the Divine Human; for nothing whatever can proceed from the body except out of the soul by means of the body, because all the life of the body is from its soul. And because, as is the Father so is the Son, uncreate, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, God and Lord, and neither of them is first or last, nor greatest or least, it follows that the proceeding Divine, which is called the Holy Spirit, proceeds from the Divine itself of the Lord by means of His Human, and not from another Divine which is called the Father; for the Lord teaches that He and the Father are one, and that the Father is in Him and He in the Father (concerning which, see below, n. 200). But the reason why most of those in the Christian world think otherwise in their hearts, and consequently believe otherwise, the angels have said is from the fact that they think of the Human of the Lord as separate from His Divine; which nevertheless is contrary to the doctrine that teaches that the Divine and Human of the Lord are not two persons, but one Person alone, and united as soul and body.

That this is in the doctrine of the whole Christian world was provided by the Lord, because it is the essential of the church, and the essential of the salvation of all. But that they have divided the Divine and Human of the Lord into two natures, and have said that the Lord is God from the nature of the Father, and man from the nature of the mother, was because they did not know that when the Lord fully glorified His Human He put off the Human taken from the mother, and put on that from the Father (according to what is shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 295). That this distinction was also made in a certain council, on account of the Pope, by those who were then present, in order that he might be acknowledged as the Lord's vicar, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4738.

[12] That the Spirit of God is Divine truth, and hence spiritual life to the man who receives it, is further evident from the following passages. In Micah:

"I am full of power with the Spirit of Jehovah, and of judgment" (iii. 8).

In Isaiah:

"I will pour out waters upon him that is thirsty, and rivulets upon the dry ground, and my spirit upon thy seed" (xliv. 3).

Again:

"In that day shall Jehovah of hosts be for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them" (xxviii. 5, 6).

In Ezekiel:

"That ye may know that I will put my spirit in you that ye may live" (xxxvii. 14).

In Joel:

"I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and also upon the men-servants, and upon the handmaids" (ii. 28).

In the Apocalypse:

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (xix. 10).

Because the Spirit of God signifies Divine truth, it is therefore called

the Spirit of the mouth of Jehovah (Ps. xxxiii. 6)

"the spirit of his lips" (Isa. xi. 4);

"the breath of God," and "the spirit of his nostrils" (Lam. iv. 20; Ps. xviii. 15; Job. iv. 9).

In Matthew:

John said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (iii. 11).

To baptize, in the spiritual sense, signifies to regenerate; the Holy Spirit is Divine truth, and fire is Divine good. (That to baptize signifies to regenerate, may be see above, n. 71; and that fire is the good of love, n. 68.) [13] From these considerations it is now evident what is meant by the words of the Lord to His disciples:

"Going . . . baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (xxviii. 19).

Here by the Father is meant the Divine itself, by the Son, the Divine Human, and by the Holy Spirit, the proceeding Divine which is Divine truth: thus one Divine, and yet a trinity. That this is the case, the Lord teaches in John:

"From these things ye know" the Father, "and have seen him. He that seeth me seeth the Father. I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (xiv. 7, 9, 10).

[14] Because the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth, flows into man both immediately and mediately by angels and spirits, it is therefore believed that the Holy Spirit is a third person, distinct from the two called Father and Son; but I can assert that no one in heaven knows any other Holy Divine Spirit but the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. And because the Divine truth is communicated to men also mediately by means of angels, it is therefore said of Jehovah in David,

"Jehovah God maketh his angels spirits" (Ps. civ. 1, 4).

These things are now adduced to show that by the seven spirits are signified all the truths of heaven and the church from the Lord. That the seven spirits denote all the truths of heaven and the church, becomes more evident from these passages in the Apocalypse:

"The seven lamps of fire burning before the throne are the seven spirits of God" (iv. 5).

And moreover,

"In the midst of the elders stood a lamb, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth" (v. 6).

That the spirits there mentioned do not mean spirits, is clear from the fact that the lamps, and the eyes of the Lamb are called spirits; for lamps signify Divine truths and eyes the understanding of truth; and when these are said of the Lord, His Divine wisdom and intelligence are meant (concerning which see above, n. 152).

AE (Tansley) n. 184

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 184

184. And the seven stars. That this signifies from whom are all the knowledges of truth and good, is evident from the signification of seven, as being what is full, and all things (concerning which see above, n. 20, 24), and from the signification of stars, as being the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good (concerning which see also above, n. 72). The reason why it is said to the angel of the church in Sardis, these things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, is, that the subject treated of is those within the church whose life is moral but not spiritual, inasmuch as they lightly esteem the knowledges of spiritual things, and thence Intelligence and wisdom. For by the seven spirits of God are signified all the truths of heaven and the church; and by the seven stars the knowledges of truth and good, by which two things all intelligence and wisdom are acquired. To the angel of each church something concerning the Lord is premised, which indicates the subject treated of, as may be seen above (n. 113).

AE (Tansley) n. 185

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 185

185. I know thy works. That this signifies those things that constitute their life, is evident from the signification of works, as being those things, both good and evil that make up the life of man. The reason why works signify those things that constitute the life is, that they are the effects of the life, for they proceed from it; if the life be good the works will be good, but if the life be evil the works will be evil. The life which is in works is the intention of the will and of the thought thence, and this life is the life of man's spirit, for the spirit in man intends and thinks. Without this life in works, works would be mere movements like those of an automaton; hence it is that the wise do not look at the works, but at the life in the works, that is, the intention. This is especially the case with the angels who are in attendance on man; they do not see his works, but only the intentions of his mind, and thence conclude what is the quality of his state. From this it is evident that by works, in the spiritual sense, is meant the life; and because the life of man is varied, and depends principally upon his love, therefore his love is chiefly signified by works (see above, n. 98, 116). This now is the reason why it is said to the angel of each church in the beginning, I know thy works: by this is meant, that the Lord knows all that pertains to a man's life, and its quality as to love.

AE (Tansley) n. 186

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 186

186. That thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. That this signifies the quality of their thought, in that they suppose themselves to be alive because they lead a moral life, when yet they are dead, is evident from the signification of name, as being quality of state (concerning which see above, n. 148); and from the signification of living, as being to have spiritual life (of which we shall speak presently), and from the signification of being dead, as being not to have that life, but only moral life without it. The reason why this is signified by being dead is, that life in the Word signifies the life of heaven in man, which also is there called life eternal, and death is called the life of hell, which life in the Word is called death, because it is a privation of the life of heaven. Here, therefore, by thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead, is signified to suppose themselves to have spiritual life, and thus to be saved, because their life is moral, when yet they are spiritually dead. But how this is to be understood is evident from what was said above (n. 182), concerning spiritual and moral life, namely, that moral life without spiritual life is the life of the love of self and of the world, but moral life from spiritual life is the life of love to the Lord and of love towards the neighbour, and that this latter life is the life of heaven, but the former life is what is called spiritual death; and this being understood, it may be known what is here meant by living and yet being dead.

[2] That to live, or to be alive, signifies spiritual life in man, and that to be dead signifies the deprivation of that life, and damnation, is evident from several passages in the Word; of which I will adduce the following. In Ezekiel:

"When I say unto the wicked, In dying ye shall die, and thou hast not admonished him, nor spoken to dissuade the wicked one from his evil way that he may be made alive, the wicked himself shall die in his iniquity. But if thou hast admonished the wicked, and he has not gone back from his wickedness and from his evil way, he shall die in his iniquity, yet hast thou delivered thy soul. Again, if thou hast admonished a righteous man that he sin no more, and he sinneth not, living he shall live, because he hath obeyed the admonition" (iii. 18-21).

By in dying to die, is here signified to perish in eternal death, which is damnation, for it is said of the wicked; and by in living to live, is denoted to enjoy life eternal, which is salvation, for it is said of those who perform the work of repentance, and of the righteous. In the same:

[3] "Thou hast profaned me with my people, to slay the souls that should not die, and to cause to live the souls that should not live, whilst ye lie to the people, to them that hear a lie" (xiii. 19).

The subject here treated of is the falsification of truth, which is meant by its being said, "Thou hast profaned me with my people," and by "your lying to the people, to them that hear a lie." Here a lie signifies falsity, and what is falsified. To slay the souls that should not die, is to deprive them of life derived from truths; and to cause to live the souls that should not live is to persuade them that life eternal is from falsities. That this is here meant by causing to live is evident from the preceding verse. [4] In David:

"Behold the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine" (Ps. xxxiii. 18, 19).

Again:

"Thou has delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living" (Ps. lvi. 13).

In Jeremiah:

"Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death" (xxi. 8).

In John:

"Jesus said Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word hath eternal life, and shall not come into condemnation; but shall pass from death unto life" (v. 24).

That in these passages death denotes damnation, and life salvation, is clear. [5] Because death is damnation, it is also hell; therefore hell in the Word is commonly called death; as in Isaiah:

"Hell will not confess thee, nor will death praise thee; they that go down into the pit will not hope upon thy truth. The living, the living, he shall confess to thee" (xxxviii. 18, 19).

Again:

"We have made a covenant with death, and with hell we have made a vision" (xxviii. 15).

In Hosea:

"I will redeem them from the hand of hell; I will liberate them from death. O death, I will be thy plague! O hell, I will be thy destruction!" (xiii. 14).

In David:

"In death there is no remembrance of thee; in hell who shall confess thee?" (Ps. vi. 5).

Again:

"The cords of death encompassed me, and the cords of hell" (xviii. 4, 5).

Again:

"Like sheep they shall be laid in hell; death shall feed on them" (xlix. 14).

Again:

"Jehovah, thou hast brought up my soul from hell; thou hast kept me alive" (xxx. 3).

And in the Apocalypse:

"A pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed him" (vi. 8).

And in another place:

"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire" (xx. 14).

[6] Because death signifies damnation and hell, the meaning of the following passages in Isaiah is evident

"He will swallow up death to eternity; and the Lord Jehovih will wipe away tears from off all faces" (xxv. 8).

Again:

"That he might give the wicked in their sepulchre, and the rich in their deaths" (liii. 9).

In David:

"Jehovah, thou liftest me up from the gates of death" (Ps. ix. 13).

Again:

"Thou shalt not be afraid of the arrow that flieth by day, and of the death which wasteth at noon-day" (xci. 5, 6).

In John:

"If a man keep my word, he shall not see death to eternity" (viii. 51).

And in the Apocalypse:

"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (ii. 11).

In another place:

"Many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter" (viii. 11).

Again:

"The second angel poured out his vial into the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man; whence every living soul died in the sea" (xvi. 3).

From these passages it is evident that the dead signify those who are destitute of the life of heaven, consequently those who are in evils and thence in falsities. [7] These are meant in the following passages; as in David:

"They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead" (Ps. cvi. 28).

Again:

"He hath made me to sit in darkness, as the dead of the world" (Ps. cxliii. 3).

In Matthew:

One of the disciples said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead" (viii. 21, 22).

On account of this signification of the dead, the sons of Aaron were not allowed to touch any dead body (Levit. xxi. 2, 3, 11); nor the priests, the Levites (Ezek. xliv. 25); nor the Nazarite (Numb. vi. 6, 7); and if any one of the sons of Israel touched the dead, he was to be cleansed by the water of separation (Numb. xix. 11 to the end). [8] Because death signifies damnation and hell, hence, on the other hand, life signifies salvation and heaven; as in the following passages. In Matthew:

"Strait is [the gate], and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life" (vii. 14).

Again:

"It is good for thee to enter into life one-eyed, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the gehenna of fire" (xviii. 9).

Again:

"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (xix. 17).

In John:

"They that have done good shall go forth unto the resurrection of life" (v. 29).

Hence it is that salvation is called "life eternal," as in Matt. xix. 16, 29; xxv. 46; Mark x. 30, 31; Luke x. 25; xviii. 18, 30; John iii. 14-16, 36; xvii. 2, 3; and other places. For the same reason heaven is called the land of the living; as in David:

"O Jehovah, thou art my confidence, my portion in the land of the living" (Ps. cxlii. 5).

Again:

That thou mayest see "the good of Jehovah in the land of the living" (Ps. xxvii. 13).

Again:

"O bless our God, ye peoples, who placeth our soul among the living" (Ps. lxvi. 8, 9).

[9] That the Lord alone has life in Himself, and that every man has life from Him, the Lord teaches in the following passages. In John:

"As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself " (v. 21, 26).

Again:

"Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he die, he shall live" (xi. 25, 26).

Again:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (xiv. 6).

Again:

"I am the bread of life, which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world" (vi. 33, 35, 47, 48).

Hence it is that the Lord is called

Alive, and he that liveth (Apoc. iv. 9, 10; v. 14; vii. 2; x. 6);

as also is Jehovah in very many passages in the prophets. [10] And because the Lord is life, therefore all have life from Him; this He also teaches in John:

"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life" (iii. 36).

Again:

Jesus said, "I am come" that the sheep "may have life. I give unto them eternal life" (x. 10, 28).

Again:

"He that believeth in me, though he die, he shall live" (xi. 25, 26).

Again:

"Ye will not come unto me that ye may have life" (v. 40).

[11] The reason why life signifies the Lord, and hence salvation and heaven is, that the all of life is from one only Fountain, and the only Fountain of life is the Lord; angels and men are only forms recipient of life from Him. The life itself which proceeds from the Lord and which fills heaven and the world, is the life of His love, which appears in heaven as light; and because it is life, it enlightens the minds of angels and gives them understanding and wisdom. Hence it is that the Lord calls Himself not only the life, but also the light; as in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (i. 1, 4-12).

Again:

"Jesus said, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (viii. 12).

And in David:

O Jehovah "with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. xxxvi. 9).

The light which is life from the Lord in heaven is there called Divine truth, because it affords light to the minds of those who are there, and hence shines before their eyes. This is why light in the Word signifies Divine truth, and intelligence and wisdom therefrom, and that the Lord Himself is called light; this, however, will be more fully evident from what is said and shown in the work, Heaven and Hell (n. 126-140, and 275). [12] The reason why the all of life is from the Lord is this: He is the Sun of the angelic heaven, and the light of that Sun is Divine truth, and the heat of it is Divine good; each is life; this is the origin of all life in heaven and in the world. The Spiritual which flows into nature, and imparts life to it, is from no other source; but then it imparts life according to reception (concerning this circumstance, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125). From these considerations it is now clear why the Lord calls Himself the Life, and why those are said to have life, and to live, who receive light, which is Divine truth, from the Lord, and why those are said not to live, but to be dead, who do not receive it. That there is one only Fountain of life, and that the Lord is that Fountain, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell (n. 9); and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 278).

AE (Tansley) n. 187

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 187

187. (v. 2) Be wakeful. That this signifies that they should procure for themselves life is evident from the signification of being wakeful, as denoting to be in spiritual life, but here, because those whose life is merely moral and not spiritual are treated of, the expression be wakeful denotes that they should procure for themselves spiritual life. The reason why awake and being wakeful signifies this life, is, that spiritual life is to moral life without spiritual as wakefulness is to sleep, or as noon day light is to evening, indeed, to darkness. But that this is the case is neither known nor perceived by those who are in natural life alone, nor by those who are in moral life without spiritual, for this life is also natural life. The reason why such neither know nor perceive this is, that they are in natural light alone, and this light in respect to spiritual light is as the darkness of evening to the light of noon-day, and the darkness of evening appears to them as light; for their interior sight, which is that of the thought, is formed for that darkness just as the sight of owls, bats, and other birds which fly by night, is formed for the shade; hence it is that they believe themselves to be in the light because they can reason, when nevertheless they are in darkness. That this is the case is quite evident from the state of such people after death, when they become spirits; then, when they are with their own, they believe that they are in light, because they then not only see all the things that are around them, but also because they can think and speak of anything whatever; but, still, when the light of heaven flows into them, their light is changed into darkness, and they become so blind as to the understanding that they cannot even think. The angels also, in the heavens, when they look down on those who are in such light, see nothing but absolute darkness. That spiritual life, in respect to moral life without it, is as wakefulness to sleep, is still further evident from the fact that those who are in spiritual life are in angelic wisdom and intelligence, which is of such a nature as to be incomprehensible and ineffable to those who are in natural light alone; and this is not only the case with men whilst they live in the world, but also after death when they become spirits, and when intelligence and wisdom constitute wakefulness.

From these considerations it is now evident that, be wakeful signifies here that they should procure for themselves spiritual life. sRef Matt@24 @42 S2' sRef Mark@13 @37 S2' sRef Mark@13 @36 S2' sRef Mark@13 @35 S2' [2] To watch, has a similar signification in the following passages. In Matthew:

"Watch therefore, for ye know not in what hour your Lord shall come" (xxiv. 42).

In Mark:

"Watch, for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (xiii. 35-37).

He who is ignorant of the internal sense of the Word supposes that by the above words is meant the Last Judgment, and that every one ought to be prepared for it; but it is the different states of man as to his love and faith, when he dies, that are here meant, for then his last judgment takes place; and evening, night and cock-crowing signify those states. Evening signifies a state of cessation of faith and charity, which takes place when a man comes into the exercise of his own judgment, and extinguishes in himself those things which he had imbibed in his childhood. Night signifies a state devoid of faith and charity; cock-crowing or daybreak, a state of commencing faith and charity, when man loves truths and submits to reformation by means of them. In the state in which man dies he remains, and is judged according to it; hence the meaning of these words is evident:

"Watch, lest the Lord, coming suddenly, find you sleeping. What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch;"

namely, that by watching is meant the reception of life from the Lord, which life is spiritual, and that by sleeping is meant natural life without spiritual. (That evening signifies a state of the cessation of faith and charity may be seen Arcana Coelestia, n. 3056, 3197, 3833, 8431, 10,134, 10,135; that night is a state when there is no faith and charity, n. 221, 709, 2353, 6000, 7870, 7947; and that daybreak before morning, or cock-crowing, signifies a state of commencing faith and charity, n. 10,134.)

sRef Luke@12 @37 S3' sRef Luke@12 @40 S3' [3] In Luke:

"Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to recline, and will come forth and serve them. Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not" (xii. 37, 40).

Here also, by those that are watching are meant spiritual watchers, these being those who receive spiritual life from the Lord, for such come into the light of intelligence and wisdom concerning Divine truths, but those who do not receive spiritual life remain in the shade and in darkness concerning those truths; therefore the latter are in a state of sleep, but the former in a state of wakefulness. By the Lord's girding Himself, making them recline, and coming forth to serve them, is signified that He will communicate to them the goods of heaven, all of which are from the Lord.

[4] In Matthew:

"The kingdom is like ten virgins; five were prudent, and five were foolish. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But when the bridegroom came, they all trimmed their lamps." And when the foolish came, which had no oil in their lamps, and said, "Lord, Lord, open to us," the Lord said, "I say unto you, I know you not. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (xxv. 1-13).

By the ten virgins are meant all those who belong to the church; by five are meant some of them, this being the signification of that number; by lamps are signified the things of faith, and by oil those of love. By the five prudent virgins therefore are meant those who are in love and thence in faith; but by the five foolish virgins are meant those who are not in love, but in faith alone; and because the latter have no spiritual life, therefore, because these are shut out of heaven, the Lord said to them "I say unto you, I know you not"; for those only have spiritual life who are in love and charity, because these are they who possess faith; hence it is quite clear that the words,

"Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh,"

signify that they may receive spiritual life, which pertains to those who are in love and thence in faith. (These things may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4635-4638.)

sRef Luke@21 @36 S5' [5] In Luke:

"Watch, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (xxi. 36).

Here also, to watch means to receive spiritual life: to pray always signifies to prepare themselves. sRef Rev@16 @15 S6' [6] In the Apocalypse:

"Behold, I come as a thief; blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked" (xvi. 15).

That by watching is here signified the reception of spiritual life from the Lord, is clear from the fact that it is said,

"Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked."

Garments signify the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, whereby man has spiritual life; and to walk naked signifies life without such knowledges as means, thus a life not spiritual but merely natural. That garments signify knowledges of truth and good may be seen below (n. 195), and that by being naked is signified the deprivation of them, see Arcana Coelestia (n. 1073, 5433, 5954, 9960). sRef Lam@2 @19 S7' [7] In Lamentations:

"Arise, cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches; lift up thy hands to the Lord upon the souls of thy young children who have fainted through hunger, at the head of every street" (ii. 19).

Night here signifies a state in which there is no faith, as above; the beginning of the watches signifies a state when faith commences, thus a state of enlightenment, which exists when man becomes spiritual. By young children are meant those who love truths and desire to obtain them. To faint through hunger at the head of every street is to be deprived of spiritual life through a defect of the knowledges of truth and good. (That hunger denotes a defect of knowledges, and a desire for them, may be seen, n. 1460, 3364, 5277, 5279, 5281, 5300, 5360, 5376, 5893; and that streets denote truths of doctrine, n. 2336.)

sRef Ps@13 @3 S8' sRef Ps@76 @5 S8' sRef Jer@51 @57 S8' sRef Jer@51 @39 S8' sRef Ps@76 @6 S8' sRef Matt@13 @25 S8' sRef Matt@13 @24 S8' [8] Because being wakeful signifies the reception of spiritual life, it follows that sleeping signifies natural life without spiritual, since natural life compared with spiritual is as sleep to wakefulness, as said above. In this sense the word sleeping is used in Matthew:

"The kingdom of the heavens is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat" (xiii. 24, 25).

In Jeremiah:

"When they have grown warm, I will set their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may sleep the sleep of an age and not awake" (li. 39, 57).

In David:

"Consider and hear me, Jehovah, my God! lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death" (Ps. xiii. 3).

Again:

"The stout-hearted are become a prey, they have slept their sleep. At thy rebuke both the chariot and the horse have fallen into a deep sleep" (Ps. lxxvi. 5, 6).

The chariot and the horse signify the doctrine of the church and the understanding thereof, which are said to fall into a deep sleep when they are without truths, and hence the same is said of the member of the church who is without spiritual life by means of these. (That chariots and horses in the Word signify doctrine and the Intellectual, may be seen in the small work, The White Horse, n. 1-5.)

AE (Tansley) n. 188

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 188

188. And strengthen the things that remain that are about to die. That this signifies that the things of moral life should be quickened, is evident from the signification of strengthening, as being to quicken the moral life by means of truths; for truths from the Word quicken that life; and when this is done, it is also strengthened, for it then acts as one with the spiritual life. For spiritual and moral life act as one in those who are spiritual, just as will and action do; the will pertains to the spiritual man and its life, and the action to the moral; as may be seen above (n. 182). It is said, "Strengthen the things that remain which are about to die," which signifies that moral life may not perish by evils and falsities; for moral life without spiritual is nothing but natural life. For, as all the good that a man does from moral life without spiritual has no other origin than the love of self and the world, thus his proprium; and as from this nothing can flow but evil and falsity, the reason why he wishes to be called moral is, that he makes a pretence of what is good, sincere and just in his external, in order that he may gain his ends, which regard himself and the world. This is why every thing which he has is dead, or about to die, unless quickened by truths and goods, which have the effect of opening the internal spiritual man; for by this means the Lord removes the evils and falsities which are in the natural man.

AE (Tansley) n. 189

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 189

189. For I have not found thy works full before God. That this signifies that otherwise the Divine is not in moral life, is evident from the signification of works, as being the things belonging to life (concerning which see above, n. 185); in this case moral life is the subject treated of - and from the signification of works not being full before God, as being that the Divine is not in them. The things pertaining to moral life, here signified by works, are said to be full before God when they are from a spiritual origin, but not full when they are not from that origin. For a moral life, which is the external life of man, must be either from a spiritual origin, or from an origin not spiritual; it cannot be from both, that is, partly from one origin and partly from the other, or partly from heaven and partly from hell, because this would be to serve two masters, God and Mammon; for in this case a man would be lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. Therefore, works must be either full before God, or they are nothing in His sight; hence it is that by I have not found thy works full before God, is signified that the Divine is not in their moral life. The meaning is the same whether we say moral life from a spiritual origin, or from the Divine, because all spiritual life is from the Divine, for the Spiritual is called the proceeding Divine, and is the Divine in heaven; and because all the angels of heaven are recipients of it, therefore they are spiritual; the case is similar with men who receive Divine truth in faith and life. (What the Spiritual is, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 48, 49.)

AE (Tansley) n. 190

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 190

190. (v. 3) Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed. That this signifies the remembrance of what the Lord teaches in the Word, and attention to it, is evident from the fact that, in what is written to the angel of this church, the subject treated of is those whose life is merely moral, and not spiritual; but of these it is now said, that they should procure to themselves spiritual life, in order that the moral life may be quickened, which is signified by the words just preceding be wakeful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die. From this it is evident that by remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed is signified remembrance of what the Lord teaches in the Word, and attention. By taking heed is signified attention, as is the case with those who are in the spiritual affection of truth; for such persons, when they read the Word, do not see it from the doctrine of the church in which they are born, but they see it as if they were separated from that doctrine, because they desire to be enlightened, and to see truths inwardly in themselves, and not from others. Those who are in such a state are enlightened by the Lord, and it is granted to them to form to themselves doctrine from the truths which they themselves see; this doctrine also is implanted in them, and remains in their spirit to eternity. [2] But those who read the Word from the doctrine which they receive from others, cannot see truths from the light of their own spirit, thus not inwardly in themselves, but out of themselves; for they believe it to be true because others have seen it, and therefore they attend only to such things as serve for confirmation, other things they either pass by as if they did not see them, or draw them to the side of things which their doctrine dictates. That these cannot be enlightened, any one may see; for they only lay up matters in the memory of their natural man for the purpose of confirmation; from these they afterwards speak. This is why these persons remain natural, and do not become spiritual; since, in order that he may become spiritual, a man must fill his spirit with truths from the Word; and this can only be effected by his being desirous of knowing truth from the Word, and being delighted with it when he sees and perceives it; this is the spiritual affection of truth, concerning which we have frequently spoken before. This, now, is what is meant in the spiritual sense, by Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and take heed. (That it is the part of a wise man to see and perceive truth from the light of heaven, but not to confirm what is said by others, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950. That to see and perceive truth from the light of heaven is only given to those who love truth because it is truth, and who are therefore in the spiritual affection of truth, n. 8521; that the light of confirmation is natural light, and not spiritual, which can exist also with the evil, n. 8780.)

AE (Tansley) n. 191

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 191

191. And repent. That this signifies spiritual life in consequence, is evident from what has been said above, and requires no further explanation.

AE (Tansley) n. 192

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 192

192. If therefore thou shalt not be wakeful. That this signifies if thou dost not procure spiritual life, is evident from the signification of being wakeful, as denoting to procure for themselves spiritual life (concerning which see above, n. 187).

AE (Tansley) n. 193

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 193

193. I will come on thee as a thief. That this signifies an unexpected time of death, when all knowledges procured from the Word which have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away, is evident from the signification of I will come as a thief, when it is said of those who are not wakeful, that is, who do not procure for themselves spiritual life, as being that all such knowledges will be taken away from them. The reason why an unexpected time of death is also signified by the same words is, that death comes unexpectedly, and yet man, after death, remains in that state of life to eternity which he had procured for himself in the world; therefore he must be wakeful. Because it is known but to few, that all knowledges (cognitiones) procured from the Word which have not acquired spiritual life are taken away, it is therefore expedient to say how this is effected. All the things that are in a man's spirit remain with him to eternity; but the things that are not there, after death, when he becomes a spirit, are dissipated. Those things remain in his spirit which he had thought from himself, consequently which, when he was alone, he had thought from his own love; for then his spirit thinks from itself, and not from the things in his bodily memory which do not make one with his love.
There are two states of man, one when he thinks from his spirit, and the other when he thinks from his bodily memory; if these two states do not make one, a man can think one thing with himself, and think and speak another thing with others. [2] For example, a preacher who loves himself and the world above all things, and lightly esteems the Divine, so that he even denies it in heart, and consequently devises evils of every kind with the crafty and deceitful of the world, nevertheless, when he speaks with others, especially when he is preaching, can speak as it were from zeal for the Divine and for Divine truths, and indeed on such occasions he can think in like manner; but this is a state of his thought from the bodily memory, which is evidently separated from the state of his thought from the spirit; for when he is left alone he thinks against them. This is the state which remains with man after death, whereas the former does not remain, because it belongs to his body and not to his spirit. Wherefore, when he becomes a spirit, as is the case when he dies, all the knowledge, which he had acquired from the Word, and which do not agree with the life of the love of his spirit, he rejects; but the case is different with those who, when left to themselves, think justly concerning the Divine, concerning the Word and the truths of the church therefrom, and love them, so as to desire to live according to them. The thoughts in the spirit of such persons make one with their thoughts from the bodily memory, thus one with the knowledges of truth and good which they have obtained from the Word; and so far as they do so, so far those knowledges obtain spiritual life; for they are raised up by the Lord from the external or natural man into the internal or spiritual man, and constitute the life of the latter, that is, of the understanding and will. The truths in the internal man are those which live, because they are Divine, and hence man has life in his internal from them. That this is the case, I have known from much experience; if I were to adduce the whole of it, it would fill many pages (something concerning it may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 491-498, 499-511; and above, n. 114).

sRef Matt@6 @24 S3' sRef Rev@16 @15 S3' [3] From these considerations it is now evident what is meant in the spiritual sense by I will come on thee as a thief, namely, that after death all knowledges procured from the Word which have not acquired spiritual life will be taken away. The same is also meant in the Apocalypse, where it is said,

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked" (xvi. 15).

It is said as a thief, because evils and the falsities thence derived in the natural man take away and cast out the knowledges of truth and good which are therein from the Word; for the things which are not loved are cast out. There is in every man either the love of evil, and thence of falsity, or the love of good, and thence of truth; these two loves are opposed to each other, wherefore he who is in the one cannot be in the other;

"For no one can serve two masters," but will love the one and hate the other (Matt. vi. 24).

sRef Matt@6 @20 S4' sRef Matt@6 @19 S4' [4] Because evils and falsities thence penetrate from the interior, and, as it were, break through the wall which is between the state of man's thought from the spirit and the state of his thought from the body, and cast out the knowledges of good and truth which have their abode outwardly in man, therefore those evils and falsities are what are meant by thieves. So also in the following passages. In Matthew:

"Lay not up treasures upon earth, but in heaven, where thieves do not break through nor steal" (vi. 19, 20).

Treasures are knowledges of truth and good; to lay them up in heaven is in the spiritual man, for the spiritual man is in heaven. (That treasures signify knowledges of truth and good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1694, 4508, 10,227; and that the internal spiritual man is in heaven, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-50.) sRef Matt@24 @42 S5' sRef Matt@24 @43 S5' [5] Again:

"Be wakeful, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come. Know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up" (xxiv. 42, 43).

By this is meant, that if a man knew the hour of his death, he would prepare himself, not indeed from the love of truth and good, but from the fear of hell; and whatever a man does from fear remains not with him, but what he does from love remains; therefore he must prepare himself continually (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 143, 168). sRef Obad@1 @5 S6' [6] In Obadiah:

"If thieves come to thee, if destroyers by night, how wilt thou be cut off, will they not steal till they have enough?" (verse 5).

Here also falsities and evils are called thieves, and are said to steal; falsities are signified by thieves, and evils by destroyers by night; it is said by night, because night signifies a state in which there is neither love nor faith.

sRef Joel@2 @9 S7' [7] In Joel:

"They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up into the houses, they shall enter in at the windows like a thief" (ii. 9).

The subject here treated of is the vastation of the church by falsities from evil; a city and a wall signify things of doctrine; houses and windows, things of the mind that receives; houses, that part of the mind which is called the will, where good is, and windows that part of the mind which is called the understanding, where truth is. (That city in the Word signifies doctrine, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493; that wall denotes the truth of doctrine protecting, n. 6419; that house denotes that part of the mind which is called the will, where good is, n. 2231, 2233, 2559, 3128, 5023, 6690, 7353, 7910, 7929, 9150; and that windows denote that part of the mind which is called the understanding, where truth is, n. 655, 658, 3391.) Hence it is evident what is signified by running on the wall, climbing up into the houses, and entering in at the windows like a thief. sRef Hos@7 @1 S8' [8] In Hosea:

"I healed Israel; then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the evils of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief cometh in, and the troop spreadeth itself without" (vii. 1).

The iniquity of Ephraim signifies the falsities of the understanding; and the wickedness of Samaria, the evils of the will; to commit falsehood, is to think and will falsity from evil; the thief signifies falsity taking away and dissipating truth; and the troop spreading itself without signifies evil casting out good. (That Ephraim is the understanding of such things as pertain to the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296; that a lie denotes falsity from evil, n. 8908, 9248; that a troop denotes good casting out evil, and, in the opposite sense, evil casting out good, n. 3934, 3935, 6404, 6405.)

sRef Ex@12 @36 S9' sRef Ex@12 @35 S9' [9] These things are adduced, in order that it may be known that a thief in the Word signifies falsity laying waste, that is, taking away and destroying truth. It was shown above that after death all knowledges of truth and good from the Word, which have not been used to acquire spiritual life, are taken away, consequently from those who have not become spiritual by knowledges from the Word. The same thing is also signified by many passages in the historical parts of the Word; still no one can see this, unless he is acquainted with the spiritual sense of the Word. This is signified by the sons of Israel borrowing from the Egyptians vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and garments, and thus taking them away as it were by theft; concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

They were commanded to borrow "of the Egyptians vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and raiment. And Jehovah gave the people favour in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them; and thus they spoiled the Egyptians" (Exod. xii. 35, 36).

By the Egyptians are represented those who are merely natural, although they possess many knowledges (cognitiones); by the sons of Israel those who are spiritual; by vessels of silver and of gold, and also by raiment, are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good which those who are spiritual apply to good, but which the natural apply to evil and thus destroy.

Similar things are signified by the nations being given up to the curse, and at the same time all things pertaining to them being either burnt with fire or pulled down, which are frequently treated of in the book of Joshua, and in the books of Samuel and of the Kings; for the nations of the land of Canaan represented those who are in evils and falsities, and the sons of Israel those who are in truths and goods. sRef Luke@19 @25 S10' sRef Matt@25 @15 S10' sRef Luke@19 @15 S10' sRef Luke@19 @24 S10' sRef Matt@25 @17 S10' sRef Matt@25 @29 S10' sRef Matt@25 @28 S10' sRef Matt@25 @18 S10' sRef Matt@25 @30 S10' sRef Luke@19 @18 S10' sRef Luke@19 @19 S10' sRef Matt@25 @14 S10' sRef Luke@19 @17 S10' sRef Luke@19 @20 S10' sRef Luke@19 @22 S10' sRef Luke@19 @23 S10' sRef Luke@19 @21 S10' sRef Luke@19 @16 S10' sRef Luke@19 @13 S10' sRef Matt@25 @24 S10' sRef Matt@25 @19 S10' sRef Matt@25 @21 S10' sRef Luke@19 @14 S10' sRef Matt@25 @22 S10' sRef Matt@25 @23 S10' sRef Matt@25 @25 S10' sRef Matt@25 @16 S10' sRef Matt@25 @27 S10' sRef Matt@25 @20 S10' sRef Matt@25 @26 S10' [10] That the knowledges of good and truth derived from the Word are to be taken away from those who have not procured for themselves spiritual life, is also meant in the Lord's parables concerning the talents and pounds, given to the servants, with which to trade and make gain, and concerning the servant who traded not and gained nothing; of this one it is thus said:

To him who hid his talent in the earth, the lord said, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath, and cast the useless servant into outer darkness (Matt. xxv. 14-30).

And in another place:

He came who had received one pound saying, "Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin." The Lord said, "Wherefore then gavest thou not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. I say unto you, That unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him" (Luke xix. 13-26).

In these passages, talents, pounds, and money signify knowledges of truth and good from the Word. To trade with these, to gain by them, to give them to the exchangers, or into the bank, signifies, to procure to themselves spiritual life and intelligence by them; putting them away in the earth, and in a napkin, signifies that they are only in the memory of the natural man; of these it is therefore said that what they have shall be taken away from them, according to what has been explained in the beginning of this article. [11] This is the case with all in the other life who have procured to themselves knowledges from the Word, and have not committed them to life, but only to memory. Those who have knowledges from the Word in the memory only, however numerous such knowledges may be, and have not committed them to life, remain still natural as before. To commit to life knowledges from the Word is to think from them when man, left to himself, thinks from his spirit, and to will them and do them; for this is to love truths because they are truths; and those who thus act, are those who become spiritual by means of knowledges from the Word.

AE (Tansley) n. 194

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 194

194. And thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. That this signifies man's ignorance of that time, and of his state then, is evident from the signification of hour, as being the time when man is to die, and also his state at the time; and from the signification of not knowing it, as being ignorant. It is said, what hour I will come upon thee, namely, as a thief; and in the sense of the letter is hereby meant that the Lord would thus come, but in the spiritual sense it is meant that evils and falsities would steal the knowledges which they have from the Word; for, in the sense of the letter of the Word, it is attributed to Jehovah, or the Lord, that He does evil, but, in the spiritual sense it is meant that He does evil to no one, but that man does evil to himself (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2447, 5798, 6071, 6991, 6997, 7533, 7632, 7643, 7877, 7679, 7710, 7926, 8227, 8228, 8284, 8483, 8632, 9010, 9128, 9306, 10,431). [2] The reason why hour also signifies state is, because in the Word all times, as a day, a week, a month, a year, an age, signify states of life, and hence hour has a similar signification. (The cause of this may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169, where time in heaven is treated of.)

But because hour signifies both time and state, therefore, where hour is mentioned in the Word it may to some extent be known that something other than time is signified by it.

In Matthew:

A householder hired labourers into his vineyard, who, laboured from the third hour, the sixth, the ninth, and the eleventh, and received an equal reward (xx. 1-17).

By these hours in the world are meant times, but in heaven states of the life, because there are no hours in heaven, as times there are not measurable, and divided into days, and these into hours, as in the world, therefore instead of these they there perceive the states of the life of those who die, whether old, young, youths or children, who have alike procured to themselves spiritual life. To labour in the vineyard, denotes the procuring of spiritual life by means of knowledges of good and truth from the Word applied to the uses of life. (That a vineyard in the Word signifies the spiritual church, and spiritual life pertaining to man, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3220, 9139.) By the third, the sixth, and the ninth hours similar states of life are signified; for all numbers in the Word are significative, and those numbers have a similar signification. Three signifies a full state, or what is complete even to the end (see n. 2788, 4495, 7715, 8347, 9825). The like is signified by six and nine; but the number eleven signifies a state not yet full, but yet a state of reception, such as that of well-disposed children and infants. The twelfth hour up to which they all laboured, signifies truths and goods in their fulness (see n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913. That all numbers in the Word are significative, see n. 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10,217, 10,253; and that multiplied numbers have a similar signification to the simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication, hence three, six, and nine have a similar signification, see n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). [3] Since twelve signifies truths and goods in their fulness, and thus a state of light or of man's intelligence therefrom, the Lord says,

"Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walk in the day, he stumbleth not" (John xi. 9).

In other places, also by hours are signified states of life, as in the Apocalypse:

"The four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men" (ix. 15).

By the times here mentioned are meant states of evil in men, as will be seen when we come to the explanation of those words.

From these considerations it is now evident that by, Thou shalt not know in what hour I will come upon thee, is meant man's ignorance not only of the time of his death, but also of the state of his life at that time, which state remains to eternity; for according to the quality of the state of man's past life even to the end of it, such he remains to eternity. [4] Similar things are frequently said by the Lord in the Evangelists, as in Matthew:

"Ye know not in what hour your Lord doth come; be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man shall come" (xxiv. 42, 44).

Again:

"The lord of the servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of" (xxiv. 50).

And again:

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man shall come" (xxv. 13).

It must be known that a man remains to eternity such as the quality of his whole life has been to the end, and not at all such as he is at the hour of death; for repentance then in the case of the evil is of no avail, but with the good it confirms the state.

AE (Tansley) n. 195

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 195

195. (v. 4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments. That this signifies those whose life has been moral from a spiritual origin, through having applied the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to the uses of their life, is evident from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of the state of a man's life (concerning which see above, n. 148) - here, therefore, names signify men who are of such a quality - and from the signification of the church in Sardis, as being those whose life is moral but not spiritual, because they lightly esteem the knowledges of truth and good from the Word (concerning which also see above, n. 148) - here, however, those are meant who live morally from a spiritual origin, for it is said, Who have not defiled their garments - and from the signification of garments, as denoting the scientific truths (scientifica vera) and knowledges (cognitiones) in the natural man, of which we shall speak presently. Hence by not defiling their garments is signified that they live morally not for the sake of self and the world, that is, for the sake of the body only and its life, but for the sake of the Lord and of heaven, that is, for the sake of the soul and its life. It is therefore evident that by these words, "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments," are signified those who are of such a quality that they live morally from a spiritual origin, by applying the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to their life.

[2] But because few know what it is thus to live, and what it is to apply the knowledges of truth and good from the Word to the uses of life, the matter shall therefore be explained. Man lives morally from a spiritual origin, when he lives from religion, thus when he thinks, when what is evil, insincere or unjust occurs to him, that it ought not to be done because it is contrary to the Divine laws. He who does this, since he abstains from what is wrong on account of the Divine laws, procures to himself spiritual life, and then his moral life is from the spiritual. For by such thought and faith he communicates with the angels of heaven, and by such communication his internal spiritual man is opened, the mind of which is a higher mind, being such as the angels of heaven have; and he is thence filled with heavenly intelligence and wisdom.

It is therefore evident that to live morally from a spiritual origin, is to act from religion, and within the church from the Word. For those who thus live from religion and from the Word, are raised up above their natural man, and thus above their proprium, and are led by the Lord by means of heaven. This is why they possess faith, the fear of God and conscience, and also the spiritual affection of truth, which is an affection of the knowledges of truth and good derived from the Word; for to them these are Divine laws, according to which they live. Such a moral life, many of the Gentiles live; for they think that evil ought not to be done because it is contrary to their religion. This is the reason why so many of them are saved. [3] But, on the other hand, to live a moral life which is not from religion, but only from the fear of law in the world, from the fear of the loss of reputation of honour, and of gain, is not from a spiritual, but from a natural origin, and therefore those who live in this way have no communication with heaven. And because they think insincerely and unjustly of their neighbour, although they speak and act otherwise, the internal of their spiritual man is closed, and only the internal natural man opened; which being opened they are in the light of the world, but not in the light of heaven; therefore they lightly esteem Divine and heavenly things, and some deny them, believing nature and the world to be everything.

From these considerations it is now evident what it is to lead a moral life from a spiritual origin, and what it is to lead it from a natural origin. (But these things may be seen expounded in clearer light in the work, Heaven, and Hell, n. 528-535.) Concerning those whose life is moral from a natural origin only, it is said that they defile their garments, for by garments is meant that which is outside the man himself and invests him, thus his natural man with what it contains, which are scientifics (scientifica) and knowledges (cognitiones); these, when from the Word, are defiled by the fact that he earns and retains them solely for the sake of reputation, that he may be accounted learned and well informed, or that he may thereby acquire honours and gain wealth; were it not for these ends he would care nothing about them. Thus are knowledges from the Word polluted and defiled by the loves of self and of the world, for they have their abode together with the evils and falsities that flow forth from these loves as from their own founts.

[4] It was said above, that a man becomes spiritual by means of knowledges of good and truth from the Word applied to the uses of life; but why he becomes spiritual by means of those knowledges which are from the Word, and not by any other, shall now be explained. All things in the Word are Divine, and this because they contain in them a spiritual sense: and because by means of that sense they communicate with heaven, and with the angels there, therefore, when a man possesses knowledges from the Word, and applies them to his life, he has communication through them with heaven, and by that communication he becomes spiritual; for a man becomes spiritual by the fact that he is in similar or correspondent truths with the angels of heaven. It is said in correspondent truths, because all things in the sense of the letter of the Word are correspondences, for they correspond to the truths which the angels have. But knowledges from other books which teach, and by various things confirm the doctrinals of the church, do not bring about communication with heaven, unless those knowledges are from the Word. These knowledges do open a communication if they are properly understood, and are not applied to faith alone, but to life. That this is the case, any one may know from this consideration that the Word in itself is Divine, and that which is Divine in itself may become Divine in man if he applies it to life. By its becoming Divine in man is to be understood that the Lord can therein have His abode with him (John xiv. 23), thus can dwell with him in that which is His own. (That the Lord dwells in His own both with men and angels, and not in their proprium, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 12). And the Lord dwells in His own when in those things with man which are from the Word; for the Lord is the Word (John i. 1, 2, 14); and the words which He himself spoke, that is, which are in the Word, are "spirit and life" (John vi. 63, 68; xii. 50).

[5] The signification of garments as denoting those things that are in the natural man, which are scientific truths, or falsities, or knowledges (scientifica vera aut falsa aut cognitiones) is derived from the spiritual world. For there all, however many they are, appear clothed according to their moral life. Those, therefore, whose life has been moral from a spiritual origin appear clothed in shining-white garments, as it were of fine linen; but those whose moral life has been from a natural origin alone appear according to its quality: those who have polluted their life with evils and falsities appear in garments of a dark colour, vile, torn and foul to the sight (concerning which see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182). Hence then it is that garments in the Word signify truths from good, and, in the opposite sense, falsities from evil, and both the one and the other in the natural man, in which truths and falsities are called scientifics and knowledges.

[6] That garments in the Word signify truths or falsities, is quite evident in the following passages. In Isaiah:

"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion, put on the garments of thy gracefulness, O Jerusalem; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (lii. 1).

Zion in the Word signifies the celestial kingdom of the Lord, thus also the celestial church, and Jerusalem the spiritual kingdom and the spiritual church. (What the celestial kingdom is, and what the spiritual kingdom, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) The garments of gracefulness which Jerusalem should put on are Divine truths; the uncircumcised and the unclean, which shall no more come into her, are those who are in evils and falsities.

[7] In Ezekiel:

Jerusalem, "I have clothed thee with embroidery; I have shod thee with badger's skin, I have begirt thee with fine linen and adorned thee with ornament, and I have put bracelets upon thine hands and a chain on thy throat (guttur), and a jewel upon thy nose, and ear-rings upon thine ears, yea, a crown of ornament upon thy head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver, and thy garments fine linen, silk and embroidery, whence thou wast made exceedingly beautiful, and didst prosper into a kingdom. But thou hast taken of thy garments, and hast made to thee variegated heights, that thou mightest commit whoredom upon them; thou hast also taken the garments of thy embroidery, and hast covered" images of a male, with which thou hast committed whoredom (xvi. 10-14, 16-18).

Here the church is described as to its quality when it is first established by the Lord, the garments mentioned signify truths from good; embroidery is scientific truth (verum scientificum), fine linen and silk signify truths from a celestial origin. The bracelets, the chain, the jewel, the ear-rings and the crown, are decorations which signify things spiritual of various kinds; the gold and silver with which she was decked, signify the good of love and its truth. In what follows is described the same church perverted by taking of the garments, and making to herself variegated heights, whereby are signified truths falsified and by taking the garments of embroidery and covering images of a male, is signified that they applied the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word to confirm falsities, so as to give them the appearance of truths. To commit whoredom with them, and under them, signifies to contrive doctrine and worship from falsities. (That this is to commit whoredom, may be seen above, n. 141, 161. That Jerusalem is the church where there is true doctrine, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 402, 3654, 9166. That embroidery is scientific truth, n. 9688. That fine linen is truth from a celestial origin, n. 5319, 9469. That bracelets are truths and goods of the church, n. 3103, 3105. That a necklace, is a representative of the conjunction of the interiors and exteriors, n. 5320; that jewels for the nose, and ear-rings, are representatives of perception and obedience, n. 4551. That a crown denotes wisdom, see above, n. 126. That gold is the good of love, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881; that silver is truth from that good, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658; that variegated heights are truths falsified, n. 796, 4005; that a male or the masculine is truth, n. 749, 2016, 4005, 7838; hence images of a male are appearances of truth.) [8] In the same:

"Fine linen in broidered work from Egypt was thy spreading forth; blue and crimson from the isles of Elisha was thy covering, Syria was thy merchant in crimson, and broidered work, and fine linen, with the chrysoprasus. Dedan was thy merchant with garments of liberty for the chariot; Asshur and Chilmad with balls of blue and of embroidery, and with treasures of precious garment" (xxvii. 7, 16, 20, 23, 24).

Here Tyre and her merchandises are treated of, and by Tyre are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and by merchandise and trading are signified procuring and communicating those knowledges; by crimson and blue is signified the celestial love of good and truth; by Egypt the Scientific of the natural man, and the same by embroidery. By Syria is signified the church as to the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, and by Asshur the Rational of that church. By Dedan are signified those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of celestial things. It is therefore evident that by the merchandise of Tyre, which is treated of in the whole of this chapter, is not meant natural merchandise, but that by all things there mentioned are signified spiritual things, which must be procured, stored up in the mind, and communicated. (That Tyre signifies the knowledges of good and truth may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201. That Egypt signifies the Scientific of the natural man, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6682, 6683, 6692, 7296, 9340, 9391. That Syria denotes the church as to the knowledges of truth and good, n. 1232, 1234, 3664, 3680, 4112. That Dedan signifies those who are in the knowledges of celestial things, n. 3240, 3241. That Asshur denotes the Rational thence derived, n. 119, 1186. That crimson denotes the celestial love of good, n. 9467. That blue denotes the celestial love of truth, n. 9466, 9687, 9833; so also does chrysoprasus, n. 9898. The signification of fine linen and embroidery may be seen just above.)

[9] Again, in David:

"The king's daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is embroidered with gold. She shall be brought unto the king in embroidery" (Ps. xlv. 13, 14).

By the king's daughter is signified the spiritual affection of truth, and hence the church from those who are in that affection; the king signifies the Lord as to Divine truth; clothing embroidered with gold signifies intelligence and wisdom from that truth; the embroidery in which she should be brought to the king signifies the knowledges of truth. (That daughter signifies the affection of truth, and the church therefrom, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 2623, 3373, 3963, 4257, 6729, 6775, 6779, 8649, 9055, 9807. That king signifies the Lord as to Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 31.) [10] In the second book of Samuel:

"Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with dainty things, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel" (i. 24).

This is the lamentation of David over Saul, which he wrote to teach the sons of Judah the bow (verse 18): by a bow is signified truth combating against falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709). By Saul as a king, is signified that truth; by the sons of Judah are signified those who are in truths from good; by clothing the daughters of Israel in scarlet, and by putting ornaments of gold upon their apparel, is signified to impart intelligence and wisdom to those who are in the spiritual affection of truth. [11] In Matthew:

"When the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. And he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness" (xxii. 11-13).

By a wedding garment is signified the intelligence of the spiritual man, which is from the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; but by him who had not on a wedding garment is signified a hypocrite, who by a moral life feigns a spiritual, when yet it is merely natural. To bind hand and foot, signifies deprivation of knowledges from the Word, by which such a man has counterfeited the spiritual man; to be cast into outer darkness signifies amongst those who are in falsities from evil; for outer darkness signifies falsities from evils. [12] In Zephaniah:

"I will visit upon the princes, and upon the sons of the king, and upon all who are clothed with the garments of the alien" (i. 8).

Princes and king's sons signify those who are in truths, and, in the opposite sense, as here, those who are in falsities; these are said to be clothed with the garments of the alien, because a garment signifies falsity, and an alien those who are out of the church, and do not acknowledge its truth. [13] In Matthew:

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing; inwardly they are ravening wolves" (vii. 15).

False prophets in sheep's clothing who inwardly are ravening wolves, are those who teach falsities as if they were truths, and in appearance live morally, but who, when they are left to themselves, think of nothing but themselves and the world, and study to deprive others of truths.

[14] In John:

Jesus said to Peter "When thou wast younger, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not" (xxi. 18).

The spiritual signification of these words may be seen above (n. 9); which is, that by Peter is meant the faith of the church; by his being younger and girding himself and walking whither he would is meant the faith of the church at its beginning when its members are in the good of charity, that they then think from the spiritual man concerning the truths of the church, that is, from their own spirit, thus from the spiritual affection of truth, which is from freedom. But by Peter, when he should be old, stretching forth his hands, and another girding him is meant the faith of the church at its end, when faith would be without charity, that then they would think nothing concerning the truths of the church from themselves, but from others, thus from doctrine only, and not from the Word, which state respectively is a state of servitude. For to believe what another says is servile, but to believe what one thinks oneself from the Word is freedom, according to the words of the Lord in John,

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (viii. 31, 32).

[15] In Luke:

"No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; otherwise, the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and be spilled, and the skins will perish" (v. 36-38; Matt. ix. 16, 17; Mark ii. 21, 22).

Because a garment signifies truth, therefore the Lord compared the truths of the former church, which was a church representative of spiritual things, to a piece of an old garment, and the truths of the New Church, which were essentially spiritual truths, to a piece of a new garment: He also compared them to wine-skins, because by wine in like manner is signified truth, and by skins the knowledges which contain truth. (That wine in the Word signifies truth, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 219.)

[16] From these considerations it is now evident what is signified by garments in other parts of the Word, where they are often mentioned; as in the following passages in the Apocalypse:

"Upon the thrones four-and-twenty elders sitting, clothed in white garments" (iv. 4).

Again,

The armies of him sitting upon the white horse "followed him, clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (xix. 14).

Again,

Those who stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, were "clothed in white robes" (vii. 9).

Again,

The seven angels came out of the temple, "clothed in linen clean and shining" (xv. 6).

Again,

"And white robes were given unto every one of those" who were under the altar (vi. 11).

Again,
"Buy of me gold and white garments" (iii. 18).

[17] In Ezekiel:

"Let him give his bread to the hungry, and let him cover the naked with a garment" (xviii. 16).

To give bread to the hungry in the spiritual sense is from the good of charity to instruct those who desire to obtain truths; to cover the naked with a garment, signifies, to treat in the same manner those who are not in truth. In the same:

The enemies "shall strip thee of thy garments, and shall take the jewels of thine adorning" (xxiii. 26).

And in Zechariah:

"Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood thus before the angel, who said unto those that stood before him, Take away the filthy garments from upon him. And he said, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from upon thee, in clothing thee with changed garments" (iii. 3, 4, 5).

In Lamentations:

"They have wandered blind in the streets, they are polluted with blood, what they cannot, they touch with their garments" (iv. 14).

From the signification of garments it can be known what is meant by several statutes amongst the sons of Israel; as

That they should not be clothed with mixed garments (Levit. xix. 19; Deut. xxii. 11);

That a woman should not put on the armour of a man, nor a man be clothed with the garments of a woman (Deut. xxii. 5)

That the garments should be washed that they might be purified, and thus sanctified (Exod. xix. 14; Levit. xi. 25, 28, 40: xiv. 8, 9; Numb. xix. 11 to the end),

and elsewhere;

That in mourning for their transgression against Divine truths they should put off their garments and put on sackcloth (Isa. xv. 3; xxii. 12; xxxvii. 1, 2; Jer. iv. 8; vi. 26; xlviii. 37; xlix. 3; Lam. ii. 10; Ezek. xxvii. 31; Amos viii. 10; Jonah iii. 5, 6, 8):

And that they should rend their garments (Isa. xxxvii. 1, and elsewhere).

It may also be known what is signified

By the disciples laying their garments upon the she-ass and the colt when the Lord was going to Jerusalem, and the people then strawing their garments in the way (Matt. xxi. 7, 8, 9; Mark xi. 7, 8; Luke xix. 35, 36);

which may be seen explained above (n. 31).

[18] The reason why garments signify truths is, that the light of heaven is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as the Sun there; and everything that exists in the heavens exists from that light, as is the case also with the garments in which the angels are seen clothed. Hence it is

That the raiment of the angels who sat at the sepulchre of the Lord was "white as snow" (Matt. xxviii. 3);

And that their garments were shining (Luke xxiv. 4).

(That the garments in which the angels are seen clothed correspond to their intelligence, and that their intelligence is according to their reception of Divine truth from the Lord, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; and that Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is light in heaven, n. 126-135.) It is therefore evident that garments, when spoken of the Lord, signify the Divine truth proceeding from Him; and because Divine truth is signified, the Word is also signified; for the Word is Divine truth from the Lord on earth and in the heavens. This was represented by the garments of the Lord when He was transfigured before Peter, James and John, concerning which it is thus written in the Evangelists:

When Jesus was transfigured "his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light" (Matt. xvii. 2);

And his raiment was "white, glistering" (Luke ix. 29);

And "his raiment became exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them" (Mark ix. 3).

The like is said of the Ancient of Days, in Daniel:

"The Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow" (vii. 9).

The Ancient of Days is the Lord from eternity. Because light is Divine truth, and this is signified by garments when the Lord is spoken of, therefore it is said in David,

Jehovah "covereth himself with light as with a garment" (Ps. civ. 2).

[19] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by the garments of the Lord elsewhere in the Word. As in David:

"All thy garments are anointed with myrrh, and aloes, and cassia" (Ps. xlv. 7, 8);

where the Lord is treated of. In Moses:

"He washed his garment in wine, and his covering in the blood of grapes" (Gen. xlix. 11).

This is also spoken of the Lord. Wine and blood of grapes signify Divine truth. Because the garments of the Lord signified Divine truth, therefore also

Those who touched the border of His garment were healed (see Matt. ix. 20, 21; Mark v. 27, 28, 30; vi. 56; Luke viii. 44).

In Isaiah:

"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with garments sprinkled from Bozra? this that is honourable in his apparel? Wherefore art thou red as to thy garment, and thy garments like those of him that treadeth in the wine press? Their victory is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have polluted all my raiment" (lxiii. 1-3).

These things also are said of the Lord. By garments here is signified the Word, which, as has been said, is Divine truth from the Lord on earth and in the heavens; the violence offered to Divine truth, or the Word, by those who formed the church, is described by the Lord's garment being red as that of one treading in the wine-press, and by victory being sprinkled upon His garments, and by His raiment being polluted. [20] Again in the Apocalypse, it is said,

He who sat on the white horse "was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God" (xix. 13).

Here it is clearly said that He who sat on the white horse was called the Word of God; and that the same is the Lord is evident, for it immediately follows, concerning Him,

"He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords" (ver. 16).

It is therefore the Word in the letter which is signified by the vesture dipped in blood, because violence was done to it, but not to the Word in the spiritual sense: to this violence could not be done, since they knew nothing about it. [21] That violence was done to the Word in the sense of the letter, but not to the Word in the spiritual sense, is also signified by the soldiers dividing the garments of the Lord, but not His tunic, of which it is thus written in John:

"The soldiers took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be. These things therefore the soldiers did" (xix. 23, 24).

And, in David:

"They parted my garments, and cast lots upon my vesture" (Ps. xxii. 18).

By the Lord's garments which they parted is signified the Word in the letter; by his tunic the Word in the spiritual sense; by soldiers are signified those who belong to the church who fight on behalf of Divine truth; and hence it is said, These things therefore the soldiers did.

(That tunic signifies Divine truth, or the Word, in the spiritual sense, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9826, 9942; that soldiers signify those who belong to the church, and enter into warfare for Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 64, at the end, where these things are more fully explained.) It should be known that the particular things related in the Evangelist concerning the Lord's passion involve and signify how the church, at that time, which was amongst the Jews, treated Divine truth, thus the Word, for this was Divine truth with them, and the Lord was the Word, because He was Divine truth (see John i. 1, 2, 14); but what those particulars involve and signify can be known from only the internal sense. In this place it is explained only what the garments of the Lord signified, because the signification of garments is the subject here treated of, namely, that they signify truths, and when said of the Lord, Divine truth. [22] Similarly the things signified by the garments of the Lord are also signified by the garments of Aaron and his sons, because they represented the Lord as to Divine good, and their garments, the Lord as to Divine truth. (But these things may be seen explained and shown in Arcana Coelestia; as that Aaron represented the Lord as to Divine good, n. 9806, 9946, 10,017; also what each of the garments signified, as the breast-plate, the ephod, the cloak, the coat wrought with chequer work, the mitre and the belt, n. 9814, 9823-9828, and the following, numbers.)

AE (Tansley) n. 196

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 196

196. And they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. That this signifies the spiritual life which they have procured by means of the knowledges of truth and good from the Word, is evident from the signification of walking, as being to live (concerning which see above, n. 97), and from the signification of in white, as being in truths, for whiteness and brightness in the Word are said of truths, concerning which we shall speak presently. By walking with Me in white, is signified spiritual life for spiritual life is the life of truth, that is, life according to truths, or according to the precepts of the Lord in the Word; also from the signification of for they are worthy, as being because they have spiritual life from the Lord. In the measure that any one receives from the Lord, in the same measure he is worthy, but in the measure that he receives from himself, that is, from his own, or from his proprium, in the same measure he is not worthy. Nothing else constitutes spiritual life with man but the knowledge of truth and good from the Word applied to life; and these are applied to life when a man makes them the laws of his life; for thus he looks to the Lord in everything and the Lord is present with him, and gives him intelligence and wisdom, with their affection and delight. For the Lord is in His own truths with man, because every truth proceeds from Him; and what proceeds from the Lord is His, so that it is Himself; therefore the Lord says,

"I am the truth and the life" (John xiv. 6).

"He that doeth truth cometh to the light, because [his works] are wrought in God" (John iii. 21).

"The Word was with God, and God was the Word. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. He was the true light which lighteth every man. And the Word was made flesh" (John i. 1, 2, 4, 9, 14).

The Lord is called the Word because the Word signifies Divine truth, and He is also called the light, because Divine truth is the light of heaven; He is also called the life, because everything that lives, lives from that light; this also is the source of intelligence and wisdom to angels, in which their life consists. He who supposes that life is from any other source than the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, which in heaven is called Divine truth, and appears there as light, is much deceived. It is therefore evident how it is to be understood that God was the Word, that in Him was life, and that the life was the light of men. [2] The reason why white in the Word is said of truths, is, because Divine truth is the light of heaven, as just said, and from the light of heaven arise whiteness and brightness. This is why,

When the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, "His face appeared as the sun, and His garments were white as the light" (Matt. xvii. 2), and as "white, and glistering" (Luke ix. 29), "shining white as snow, so as no fuller on earth could whiten them" (Mark ix. 3).

Also why

The raiment of the angels at the sepulchre of the Lord was white as snow (Matt. xxviii. 3), and shining (Luke xxiv. 4);

Why there appeared to John seven angels out of the temple clothed in linen clean and shining (Apoc. xv. 6);

Why those who stood before the throne of the Lamb were arrayed in white robes (Apoc. vi. 11; vii. 9, 13, 14; xix. 8)

Why the army of Him who sat on the white horse followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Apoc. xiv. 14);

And why also the garments of Aaron were of linen, and he put them on when he went within the veil to the mercy seat (Levit. xvi. 1-5, 32).

Linen, from its whiteness, also signifies truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7601, 9959). Because white signifies truth, and truths reveal falsities and evils in man, and so purify him, it is therefore said in David,

"Behold thou desirest truth in the reins, and in the hidden part thou makest me to know wisdom. Thou shalt purify me with hyssop that I may be clean; thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps. li. 6, 7).

[3] Because the Nazarite represented the Lord as to Divine truth in ultimates, which upon earth is the Word in the sense of the letter, and this was falsified and perverted with the Jews, therefore it is said concerning them in the Lamentations,

"Her Nazarites were whiter than snow, they were brighter than milk, their bones were more ruddy than pearls, their polishing was of sapphire; but their form is obscured, that they are not known in the streets" (iv. 7, 8).

(That the Nazarites represented the Lord as to Divine truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6437; that the crown of the head of the Nazarite denotes Divine truth in ultimates, or the Word in the letter, n. 6437, 9404. That the hair which was of the Nazariteship, and was called the crown of the head of the Nazarite, denotes Divine truth in ultimates, n. 3301, 5247, 10,044. That Divine truth in ultimates has strength and power, n. 9836; that hence the strength of Samson was in his hair, n. 3301.) [4] Hence it is evident what is signified by the Nazarites being whiter than snow, and brighter than milk, and by the sapphire being the polishing of their bones, but that their form was obscured, so that they were not known in the streets. For whiteness and brightness signify Divine truth in its light, as said above; and bones, because they are the ultimates in man, being the supports of his whole body, correspond to the ultimates in heaven. For all things in man corresponding to all things in heaven (see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 87-102. Bones therefore signify the ultimates in the spiritual world, which are also the ultimates of Divine truth or the Word, Arcana Coelestia, n. 5560-5564, 8005. Sapphire signifies what is translucent from truth, see n. 9407; and, not being known in the streets signifies Divine truth no longer appearing; for streets signify where the truths of doctrine are, n. 2336).

AE (Tansley) n. 197

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 197

197. (v. 5) He that overcometh. That this signifies he that perseveres even unto death is evident from the signification of overcoming, as denoting to persevere in the spiritual affection of truth even to the end of life (concerning which see above, 128).

AE (Tansley) n. 198

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 198

198. Shall be clothed in white garments. That this signifies intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception is evident from what was said above (n. 195, 196), where it was shown that white garments are Divine truths. The reason why to be clothed with them signifies intelligence and wisdom according to truths and their reception is, that all intelligence and wisdom are from Divine truths according to their perception and their reception in life. To see truths and distinguish their quality is from perception, and to live according to them is from reception; and according to such perception and reception man has intelligence and wisdom. Intelligence and wisdom that are not derived from Divine truths, but from worldly things alone, are not intelligence and wisdom, but merely knowledge (scientia), and thence a faculty of reason. For intelligence is to perceive inwardly in one's mind whether a thing is true or not; but those who are wise from worldly things alone do not perceive truths inwardly in themselves, but from others, and to perceive from others is merely to know; nor do truths in this case enter into the mind's intuition deeper than is necessary for confirmation. In this state are the majority of people at this day within the church, who make faith alone saving apart from life; this is why truths do not enter into their spirit, but merely into the memory of the natural man; and yet the light of heaven, which is Divine truth, can enter by no other way into man than by the way of his spirit, which is also the way of his soul. Man's spirit is exactly according to the quality of his life, but not according to that of his memory apart from life; and the light of heaven enters into man's spirit when he is in the good of love and charity from the Lord, and when in that good he is then also in faith. (That man has no faith where there is no love or charity, may be seen in the little work, The Last Judgement, n. 33-40. Moreover, what true intelligence is, and what spurious and what false intelligence are, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 346-356.)

AE (Tansley) n. 199

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 199

199. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. That this signifies that they will be in heaven because they are fitted for it is evident from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of the state of man's life (see above, n. 148) and from the signification of the book of life, as denoting heaven, concerning which we shall speak presently. Hence, not to blot their name out of the book of life signifies that they will be in heaven because their state as to love and faith is heavenly, thus because they are fitted for heaven. The reason why heaven is signified by the book of life is, that a man who is in love and faith to the Lord is a heaven in its least form, and this heaven corresponds to heaven in the greatest form: therefore he who has heaven in himself, also comes into heaven, for he is fitted for it. (That there is such a correspondence, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 51-58, 73-77, 87-102; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 230-236.) Hence it is, that the book of life is that in man which corresponds to the heaven in which he is; and because the former remains with him to eternity, if he becomes spiritual by the knowledges of truth and good applied to life in the world, therefore, it is here said, "I will not blot out his name from the book of life. In the world, indeed, it may be blotted out, if a man does not remain spiritual even unto the end of his life; but if he does remain spiritual it cannot be blotted out, because he is conjoined to the Lord by love and faith; and conjunction with the Lord, such as took place in the world, remains with man after death.

From these considerations it is evident, that by the book of life is meant that from the Lord which is inscribed on a man's spirit, that is, which is inscribed on his heart and soul, or, what is the same, on his love and faith; and that which is inscribed by the Lord on man, is heaven. [2] It is therefore evident what is meant by the book of life in the following passages; in Daniel:

"The Ancient of days did sit, and the books were opened" (vii. 9, 10).

Again:

"The people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book" (xii. 1).

In David:

"Let them be blotted out of the book of lives, and not be written with the righteous" (Ps. lxix. 28).

In Moses:

Moses said, "Blot me, I pray thee, out of the book which thou hast written. And Jehovah said, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book" (Exod. xxxii. 32, 33).

In the Apocalypse:

"All shall worship the beast, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb" (xiii. 8; xvii. 8).

In another place:

"And the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire" (Apoc. xx. 12, 13, 15).

Again:

"And there shall not enter into the New Jerusalem any but those that are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Apoc. xxi. 27).

In David:

"My bone was not hid from thee when I was made in secret. Upon thy book all my days were written in which they were formed: not one of them is wanting" (Ps. cxxxix. 15, 16).

By all the days being written, are meant all the states of man's life. (That all the separate things which he has thought, willed, spoken and done, yea, which he has seen and heard, are with man in his spirit as if inscribed therein, so that nothing whatever is wanting, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 462, 463, and in Arcana Coelestia, 2469-2494, 7398; and that this is the book of man's life, 2474, 9386, 9841, 10,505; and likewise, n. 5212, 8067, 19334, 9723, 9841.)

AE (Tansley) n. 200

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 200

200. And I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. That this signifies that they will be in Divine good and thence in Divine truth, is evident from the signification of I will confess his name, as being that they may be according to the quality of the state of their life; for by confessing, when by the Lord, is meant to grant that they may be; for what the Lord says, or confesses, concerning a man or an angel who is in the good of love and faith, He grants and provides, because all the good of love and faith is from Him. This is why to say, in the Word, when said of the Lord, signifies to instruct, to enlighten and provide (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5361, 6946, 6951, 7019, 8095, 10,234, 10,290). That by name is meant the quality of the state of the life, may be seen above, n. 148. It is also evident from the signification of Father, when said by the Lord, as denoting the Divine good which is in Him and from Him, which will be treated of in what follows and from the signification of angels, as denoting Divine truth, which is also from the Lord (concerning which see above, n. 130). It is therefore evident that by I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels, is signified that they will be in Divine good and in Divine truth. [2] The reason why by Father, when it is said by the Lord, is meant the Divine good which is in the Lord and from the Lord is, that the Lord called the Divine which was in Him from conception, which was the esse of His life, His Father, to which Divine He united His Human when He was in the world.

That the Lord called this His Father is quite evident from the fact that He taught that He himself was one with the Father; as in John,

"I and my Father are one" (x. 30).

Again:

"Believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father (x. 38).

Again:

"He that seeth me seeth him that sent me" (xii. 45).

Again:

"If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also; and from henceforth ye have known him, and have seen him. Philip said unto him, Lord, show us the Father. Jesus saith, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Fattier, and the Father in me? The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (xiv. 6-17).

Again:

"If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also" (viii. 19).

Again:

"I am not alone, because the Father is with me" (xvi. 32).

[3] Because the Lord is one with the Father, therefore He also declares

That all things of the Father are His, and His things are the Father's (John xvii. 10);

That all things that the Father hath are His (John xvi. 15);

That the Father hath given all things into the hand of the Son (John iii. 35; xiii. 3);

Because all things are delivered to Him by the Father, no one knoweth the Son but the Father, nor any the Father except the Son (Matt. xi. 27; Luke x. 22); also, that no one hath seen the Father except the Son, who is in the bosom of the Father (John i. 18; vi. 46); the Word was with God, and God was the Word, "and the Word was made flesh" (John i. 1, 2, 14).

From this latter passage it is also clear that they are one; for it is said, that the Word was with God, and God was the Word. It is plain, too, that the Human of the Lord was God; for it is said, and the Word was made flesh. Since then, all things of the Father are also the Lord's, and since He and the Father are one, therefore the Lord, when He ascended into heaven, said to His disciples,

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. xxviii. 18);

by which He taught that they should approach Him alone, because He alone can do all things; as He also said to them before,

"Without me ye call do nothing" (John xv. 5).

Hence it is evident how the following words are to be understood:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John xiv. 6);

that is, that the Father is approached when the Lord is approached.

[4] Amongst many other reasons why the Lord so often spoke of the Father as another was this, that by Father, in the internal or spiritual sense, is meant the Divine good, and by Son, the Divine truth, each in the Lord and from the Lord; for the Word is written by correspondences, and is thus both for men and angels. The Father therefore is mentioned in order that the Divine good of the Lord may be perceived by the angels, who are in the spiritual sense of the Word; and the Son of God and the Son of man are mentioned, in order that the Divine truth in like manner may be perceived (as is evident from what has been shown in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that Father in the Word signifies good, n. 3703, 5902, 6050, 7833, 7834. That Father signifies the church as to good, thus the good of the church, and mother the church as to truth, thus the truth of the church, n. 2691, 2717, 3703, 5581, 8897. That the Lord called the Divine good which was in Him from conception, and which was the esse of life, whence His Human was derived, Father, n. 2803, 3704, 7499, 8328, 8897. That the Lord is acknowledged as the Father in heaven, because they are one, n. 15, 1729, 3690. That the Lord is also called Father in the Word, n. 2005. That the Lord is also a Father to those who are regenerating, because they receive new life from Him, and His life, n. 2293, 3690, 6492. That the Son of God, and Son of man is the Lord as to the Divine Human and as to the proceeding Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 63, 151, 166). Now, because all who are to come into heaven must be in good as well as in truth, for no man can be in the one unless he be at the same time in the other, since good is the being (esse) of truth, and truth is the manifestation (existere) of good, and as by the Father is signified the Divine good, and by angels Divine truth, both from the Lord, therefore it is said, I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Similarly in the Evangelists:

"Everyone who shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. x. 32).

"Everyone who shall have confessed me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God" (Luke xii. 8).

[5] Because Father signifies the Divine good, and angels Divine truth, therefore also the Lord says,

"When the Son of man shall come in his own glory, that of the Father and of the holy angels" (Luke ix. 26; Matt. xvi. 27).

Here the Lord calls His own glory, the glory of the Father and of the angels, for He says, in His own glory, that of the Father and of the holy angels; but in another place He says, in the glory of the Father with the angels; and in another place, in His own glory with the angels; as in Mark:

"When he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (viii. 38).

And in Matthew:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him" (xxv. 31).

To what has been said above it must be added by way of appendix, that if it be assumed as doctrine, and acknowledged, that the Lord is one with the Father, and that His Human is Divine from the Divine in Himself, light will be seen in every particular of the Word; for what is assumed as doctrine, and acknowledged from doctrine, is in light when the Word is read. The Lord also, from whom all light proceeds and who has all power, enlightens those who are in this acknowledgment. But, on the other hand, if it be assumed and acknowledged as doctrine that the Divine of the Father is something else than the Divine of the Lord, nothing will be seen in light in the Word, because the man who is in that doctrine turns himself from one Divine to another and from the Divine of the Lord, which he may see, which is effected by thought and faith, to a Divine which he cannot see; for the Lord says:

"Ye have never heard the voice of the Father, nor seen his form" (John v. 37; and also chap 1. 18);

and to believe in and love a Divine which cannot be thought of under any form is impossible.

AE (Tansley) n. 201

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 201

201. (v. 6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church, is evident from what has been said above (n. 108), where similar words occur.

AE (Tansley) n. 202

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 202

202. Verses 7-13. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth. I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it; because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that thou hast, that no one take thy crown. He that overcometh I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write" signifies those of the church who are in the faith of charity; "these things saith he that is holy, he that is true," signifies from whom that faith is derived: "he that hath the key of David," signifies, who has power by means of Divine truth: "he that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth" signifies, the power of admitting into heaven all those who are in the faith of charity, and of removing from heaven all those who are not.

"I know thy works," signifies the life of charity: "behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it," signifies that they shall be introduced into heaven, and that it will be denied to no one who is of such a quality: "because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name," signifies that they have power from the Lord against evils and falsities, in proportion as they make truths from the Word of their life, and acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human.

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan," signifies, those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and not in charity: "which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie," signifies, who believe themselves to be in truths, when nevertheless they are in falsities: "behold, I will make them to come and worship at thy feet," signifies, the state of such after death, that they will be outside heaven, not to be admitted: "and to know that I have loved thee," signifies, knowledge thence that the Lord is present in charity, and not in faith without it.

"Because thou hast kept the word of my endurance" signifies, that they have lived according to the precepts of the Lord: "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth," signifies, the time of the Last Judgment, when those who are in the former heaven must be visited, because these must be saved. "Behold, I come quickly," signifies that this is certain: "hold fast that thou hast," signifies permanence in a state of faith from charity even unto the end: "that no one take thy crown," signifies, lest intelligence perish.

"Him that overcometh, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God," signifies that those who so persevere will be in Divine truth in heaven: "and he shall go no more out," signifies that they shall be in it to eternity: "and I will write upon him the name of my God," signifies their quality, according to Divine truth implanted in life: "and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God," signifies, the doctrine of the New Church which is in the heavens; "and my new name," signifies that they will also acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church.

AE (Tansley) n. 203

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 203

203. (v. 7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write. That this signifies those of the church who are in the faith of charity is evident from the things written to the angel of this church, understood in the internal sense. For, as said above (n. 20), by the seven churches are not meant seven churches, but all who belong to the church, or all things pertaining to man which constitute the church; for by seven in the Word are meant all persons, and all things, because by each number mentioned in the Word is signified something either of thing or state, as is very evident in this prophetic book, in which numbers are so frequently mentioned. The same is evident from Ezekiel (chap. xl.-xlviii.), where the new temple and the new earth are described, which is done by measures given in numbers. By the new temple and the new earth is there meant the New Church, and by each number or each measure is signified something belonging to the church. (That all numbers in the Word signify things and states, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 263.)

AE (Tansley) n. 204

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 204

204. These things saith he that is holy, he that is true. That this signifies from whom is that faith is evident from the signification of holy and true, when said of the Lord, as denoting that charity and faith are from Him, the term holy being used in reference to charity, and the term true, to faith. That the Lord is called holy because charity is from Him, and hence, that holiness in the Word is said of charity and of faith therefrom, will be seen presently. But that the Lord is called true because faith is from Him, and that hence truth in the Word is spoken of faith, is because all truth has reference to faith: for that is said to be true which is believed; other things have not reference to faith, because they are not believed. But as the subject now treated of is the faith of charity, something shall first be said concerning faith and its quality. [2] There is spiritual faith, and there is merely natural faith. Spiritual faith is wholly from charity, and in its essence is charity. Charity, or love towards the neighbour, is to love what is true, sincere and just, and, from the will, to act accordingly. For the neighbour, in the spiritual sense, is not any particular man, but is that which is in man; if this is what is true, sincere and just, and a man be loved from these, then the neighbour is loved. That this is meant by charity in the spiritual sense, any one may know if he will but reflect; for every one loves another, not for the sake of his person, but for the sake of that which is in him; this is the source of all friendship, favour and honour.

From this it follows, that to love men for the sake of what is true, sincere and just in them, is spiritual love; for truth, sincerity and justice are spiritual things, because they are out of heaven from the Lord. No one thinks, wills and does anything good, which is good in itself, but everything is from the Lord; and truth, sincerity and justice are the goods which are essentially good when from the Lord. These things, now, are the neighbour in the spiritual sense; it is therefore clear what is meant in that sense by love towards the neighbour, or charity. This is the source of spiritual faith; for whatever is loved is said to be true when it is thought of. That this is the case every one may know if he but reflects; for every one confirms what he loves by many things in his thought, and all these he calls truths; no one has any truth but from this source: it therefore follows that, according to the quality of a man's love, such are his truths; consequently, if that love is spiritual, so also will be the truths, because they act in unity with the love. All truths in the aggregate, because they are believed, are called faith; hence it is clear, that spiritual faith in its essence is charity.

[3] So far concerning spiritual faith; but faith merely natural is not the faith of the church, although it is called faith; but is mere knowledge (scientia). The reason of this is, that it proceeds not from love towards the neighbour, or charity, which is the very spiritual itself whence faith is derived, but from some natural love which has reference either to the love of self or of the world; and whatever proceeds from these loves is natural. Love forms man's spirit, for a man as to his spirit is entirely his love, as it were: hence he thinks, wills and acts; therefore no other truth constitutes his faith but that which comes from his love; and truth which belongs to the love of self or of the world is merely natural, because it comes from man and from the world, and not from the Lord and out of heaven; for he loves truth, not for its own sake, but for the sake of honour, gain and reputation, to which it is subservient; and because his truth is of such a quality, such also is his faith. This is why such faith is not the faith of the truth of the church, or faith in a spiritual sense, but in a natural sense, which is knowledge (scientia): therefore also, because nothing thereof is in man's spirit, but only in his memory, together with other worldly things, it is dissipated after death. For that alone remains with a man after death that belongs to his love; for, as has been said, love forms man's spirit, and man as to his spirit is entirely such as his love is. Other things concerning charity and faith therefrom, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where charity and faith are treated of (n. 84-106, and n. 108-122); also in the small work, The Last Judgment (n. 33-39), where it is shown that there is no faith where there is no charity. [4] That the term holy in the Word is used in reference to Divine truth, and hence to charity and its faith, is evident from the passages where it is used. There are two things that proceed from the Lord and are received by the angels - Divine good and Divine truth; these proceed unitedly from the Lord, but are received by the angels variously; some receive Divine good more than Divine truth, and some receive Divine truth more than Divine good. The former constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and are called celestial angels, and, in the Word, they are called the just; but the latter constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and are called spiritual angels, and in the Word holy (concerning those two kingdoms and the angels thereof, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). This is why by just and justice in the Word is meant Divine good and what thence proceeds, and by holy and holiness is meant Divine truth and what thence proceeds.

From these considerations it will be seen what is meant in the Word by being justified, and what by being sanctified, as in the Apocalypse:

"He that is just let him be just still, and he that is holy let him be holy still" (xxii. 11).

And in Luke:

"To serve him in holiness and justice" (i. 74).

[5] Because Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is meant by holy, therefore in the Word the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel, the Holy One of Jacob; and therefore, also, angels are called holy, and also prophets and apostles; hence also Jerusalem is called holy. That the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel and the Holy One of Jacob, may be seen in Isa. xxix. 23; xxxi. 1; xl. 25; xli. 14, 16; xliii. 3; xlix. 7; Dan. iv. 13; ix. 24; Mark i. 24; Luke iv. 34. He is also called King of saints in the Apocalypse:

"Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints" (xv. 3).

The reason why the Lord is called the Holy One, the Holy One of God, the Holy One of Israel and the Holy One of Jacob, is, because He alone and none else is holy, which is also declared in the Apocalypse:

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy" (xv. 4).

[6] The reason why angels, prophets and apostles are called holy is, that by them, in the spiritual sense, is meant Divine truth; and the reason why Jerusalem is called the holy city is, that by that city, in the spiritual sense, is meant the church as to the doctrine of truth. That angels are in the Word called holy, may be seen in Matt. xxv. 31; Mark viii. 38; Luke ix. 26. That prophets are called holy, may be seen, Mark vi. 20; Luke i. 70; Apoc. xviii. 20. That the apostles are called holy, may be seen, Apoc. xviii. 20. And that Jerusalem is called the holy city, may be seen, Isa. xlviii. 2; lxvi. 20, 22; Dan. ix. 24; Matt. xxvii. 53; Apoc. xxi. 2, 10. (That by angels in the Word is meant Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, may be seen above, 130, 200; that the same is signified by prophets, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; as also by the apostles, see above, n. 100; that by Jerusalem in the Word is meant the church as to the doctrine of truth, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 6.)

From these considerations it is evident why the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is called the Spirit of truth, and the Holy Spirit, as may be seen above (n. 183), also why heaven is called the habitation of holiness (Isa. lxiii. 15; Deut. xxvi. 15), and why the church is called the sanctuary (Jer. xvii. 12; Lam. ii. 7; Ps. lxviii. 35). [7] That holiness is said of Divine truth, is clear in the following passages. In John:

Jesus, when praying, said, "Father, sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified in the truth (xvii. 17, 19).

Here to be sanctified is clearly said of Divine truth, and sanctified of those who receive Divine truth from the Lord. In Moses:

"Jehovah came from Sinai, out of the myriads of holiness; from his right hand they had the fire of the law; even he who loveth the people, in thy hand are all his saints, and they are prostrated at thy foot; he shall receive of thy words" (Deut. xxxiii. 2, 3).

Sinai signifies heaven, where the Lord is, from whom proceeds Divine truth, or from whom comes the law, both in a limited and a general sense; myriads of holiness signify Divine truths; the law signifies, in a limited sense, the ten precepts of the Decalogue, and in a general sense, the whole Word, which is Divine truth. Those are called peoples in the Word who are in truths, and those of the people who are in truths are called holy. By they are prostrated at thy foot, he shall receive of thy words, is meant holy reception of Divine truth in ultimates, which is the Word in the sense of the letter, and instruction therefrom.

From these considerations it can be known what the particulars in that prophecy signify in the spiritual sense. (That Sinai in the Word signifies heaven, where the Lord is, from whom is Divine truth, or from whom is the law, both in a limited and a general sense, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8399, 8753, 8793, 8805, 9420. That the law signifies, in a limited sense, the ten precepts of the Decalogue, and, in a general sense, the whole Word, n. 2606, 3382, 6752, 7463. That those who are in truths are called peoples, and nations those who are in goods, n. 1259, 1260, 2928, 3295, 3581, 6451, 6465, 7207, 10,288. That foot, a place for the feet, and footstool, when said of the Lord, signify Divine truth in ultimates, thus the Word in the letter, n. 9406.) Hence it is clear that by myriads of holiness are meant Divine truths, and that those who are in Divine truths are called holy. [8] Again, in Moses:

"Speak unto the whole assembly of the sons of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy, for I Jehovah of Israel am holy" (Lev. xix. 2).

The subject treated of in that chapter is the statutes, judgments and precepts that were to be observed; and because Divine truths are thereby signified, it is therefore commanded that they should be holy. By Israel is also signified the spiritual church, or the church which is in Divine truths, and therefore it is said, I Jehovah of Israel am holy.

In Moses:

"Ye shall sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy. And ye shall keep my statutes that ye may do them" (Lev. xx. 7, 8).

The subject here treated of is also the statutes, judgments and precepts which were to be observed. Again:

"If they keep my statutes and judgments, they shall be a people holy to Jehovah" (Deut. xxvi. 17, 19).

In David:

"We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, with the holiness of thy temple" (Ps. lxv. 4).

Here they are said to be satisfied with the goodness of the house of Jehovah, and with the holiness of His temple, because the house of God, in the highest sense, signifies the Lord as to Divine good, and temple as to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720). In Zechariah:

"In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses holiness unto Jehovah" (xiv. 20).

The establishment of a new church is there treated of, and by the bells of the horses are signified scientific truths (scientifica vera) from the Intellectual. (That bells signify scientific truths may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9921, 9926; and that a horse signifies the Intellectual, may be seen in the small work. The White Horse, n. 1-4.)

[9] From these considerations it is evident what was represented and signified by it being commanded,

That upon the mitre, which was upon the head of Aaron, should be placed a plate of pure gold, upon which was engraved "holiness to Jehovah" (Exod. xxviii. 36-38; xxxix. 30, 31);

for the mitre signified wisdom, which pertains to Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9827, 9949). It may also be known what is signified and represented

By Aaron and his sons, their garments, the altar, the tabernacle, with everything pertaining thereto, being anointed with oil, and that thus "they should be sanctified" (Exod. xxix. 1-36; xxx. 22, 24-30; Lev. viii. 1 to the end).

For oil signified the Divine good of the Divine love, and sanctification the proceeding Divine; for it is the Divine good which sanctifies, and the Divine truth is that which is thence holy. [10] That the word holy is used of charity, is evident from what was said above concerning the angels of heaven, namely, that there are some of them who receive more Divine good than Divine truth, and that there are others who receive more Divine truth than Divine good: the former constitute the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and are those who are in love to the Lord, and because they are in love to the Lord, they are called just; but the latter constitute the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, and are those who are in charity towards the neighbour, and on that account are called holy. (That there are two loves which constitute heaven - love to the Lord, and love towards the neighbour, or charity, and that the heavens are thence distinguished into two kingdoms, a celestial kingdom and a spiritual kingdom, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19 and n. 20-28.)

AE (Tansley) n. 205

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 205

205. He that hath the key of David. That this signifies who has power by means of Divine truth is evident from the signification of key, as being the power of opening and shutting, in this case heaven and hell; for it follows, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth. Hence by key is here meant the power of saving (as may be seen above, n. 86), because to open heaven, and to shut hell, is to save; also from the representation of David, as being the Lord as to Divine truth. The reason why by David in the Word is meant the Lord, is, that in the Word the Lord is represented as to Divine truth by kings, and by priests as to Divine good, and especially by king David, because he had much care respecting the things of the church, and also wrote the Psalms. (That by kings in the Word is signified Divine truth, and by priests Divine good, may be seen above, n. 31. And, moreover, that by all names of persons and places in the Word spiritual things are signified, which are things pertaining to the church and to heaven, see above, n. 19, 50, 102.) The reason why it is said, he that hath the key of David is, because by David, as just said, is represented the Lord as to Divine truth; and the Lord has all power in the heavens and on earth from Divine good by means of Divine truth; for, in general, good has no power without truth, neither has truth any power without good, for good acts by means of truth. This is why Divine good and Divine truth proceed unitedly from the Lord, and in proportion as they are thus received by the angels, in the same proportion have the angels power: this, therefore, is the reason why the key of David is mentioned. (That all power pertains to truth from good may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, where the power of the angels of heaven is treated of; and also n. 539, in the same work.) [2] That by David in the Word is meant the Lord is clearly evident from several passages where he is named in the prophets; as in Ezekiel:

"They shall be to me for a people, and I will be to them for a God, and my servant David king over them, that they may all have one shepherd. They shall dwell upon the earth, they and their sons, and the sons of their sons even to eternity; and David my servant shall be a prince to them to eternity" (xxxvii. 23-25).

Again, in Hosea:

"The sons of Israel shall return and shall seek Jehovah their God, and David their king; and with fear shall they come to Jehovah and to his goodness in the end of days" (iii. 5).

It is said, "they shall seek Jehovah their God, and David their king," because by Jehovah in the Word is meant the Lord as to Divine good, which is the Divine as Being (esse), and by David a king, the Lord as to Divine truth, which is the Divine Manifestation (existere). (That by Jehovah in the Word is meant the Lord as to Divine good, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 732, 2586, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4253, 4402, 7010, 9167, 9315.)

[3] In Zechariah:

"Jehovah shall preserve the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitant of Jerusalem may not extol itself above Judah. In that day shall Jehovah protect the inhabitant of Jerusalem; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitant of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace. In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (xii. 7, 8, 10; xiii. 1).

The coming of the Lord is here treated of, and the salvation of those who belong to His spiritual kingdom. By the tents of Judah is meant the celestial kingdom; and by the house of David and the inhabitant of Jerusalem, the spiritual kingdom. The spiritual kingdom is formed of those in heaven and on earth who are in Divine truth, and the celestial kingdom of those who are in Divine good (as may be seen just above).

From these considerations it is plain that these words mean that those two kingdoms should act as one, nor should one exalt itself above the other (concerning these two kingdoms, see what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28). That by Judah is signified the Lord as to celestial love, and the celestial kingdom of the Lord, may be seen above (n. 119). And that by Jerusalem is signified the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, see Arcana Coelestia (n. 402, 3654, 9166). The same is therefore signified by the house of David; therefore it is there said, "the house of David shall be as God, and as the angel of Jehovah;" by God also is meant the Lord as to Divine truth (see n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167); similarly by the angel of Jehovah (see above, n. 130, 200). David and his house have also a similar signification in the following passages. [4] In Isaiah:

"Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a prince and a legislator to the nations" (lv. 3, 4).

These things are said concerning the Lord, who is here signified by David. In David:

"In the heavens thou shalt confirm thy truth: I have made a covenant with my chosen; I have sworn to David my servant, Even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and I will build up thy throne to generation and generation; and the heavens shall confess thy wonder, O Jehovah, and thy truth in the congregation of the holy ones" (Ps. lxxxix. 2-5).

These things also are spoken of the Lord, and not of David; for it is said, "I have sworn to David my servant, even to eternity will I establish thy seed, and build up thy throne to generation and generation"; which is not applicable to David, whose seed and throne are not established to eternity, and yet Jehovah sware; and an oath from Jehovah is irrevocable confirmation by the Divine (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2842). By the seed of David, in the spiritual sense, are meant those who are in truths from good from the Lord, and, in an abstract sense, truths themselves which are from good (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, 3373, 3380, 10,249, 10,445), and by throne is meant the spiritual kingdom of the Lord (n. 5313, 6397, 8625). The reason why David is here called a servant, as also above in Ezekiel is, that the term servant is used in the Word of all persons and things that serve and minister (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3441, 7143, 8241), and the Divine truth proceeding serves and ministers to the Divine good from which it proceeds. That it is the Lord as to Divine truth, or that it is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, which is meant by David, is clear; for it is said, "in the heavens thou shalt confirm thy truth, and the heavens shall confess thy wonder, thy truth in the congregation of the holy ones." That they are also called holy who are in Divine truths, may be seen just above. [5] Again:

"I will not profane my covenant; and what is pronounced by my lips will I not change. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall be to eternity, and his throne as the sun before me, as the moon to eternity, as a faithful witness in the clouds" (Ps. lxxxix. 34-37).

That these things are said of the Lord, is evident from the whole of the psalm; for His coming is there treated of, and afterwards the rejection of Him by the Jewish nation. That the Lord is there treated of, and that He is meant by David, is evident from these words in the same Psalm:

"I have found David my servant; with the oil of my holiness have I anointed him. I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. He shall call me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. I also will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth. I will set his throne as the days of the heavens" (vers. 20, 25-27, 29).

By David, by anointed, and by king, as in other passages of the Psalms, the Lord is meant. This may be seen clearly by those who understand the Word spiritually, but obscurely by those who understand it only naturally. The same is clear in the same:

"Thy priests shall be clothed with justice, and thy saints shall sing for joy; for thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed; there will I make the horn of David to bud: I will ordain a lamp for mine anointed, upon himself shall his crown flourish" (Psalm cxxxii. 9, 10, 17, 18).

Here also the Lord is meant by David and by anointed; for He is treated of in this Psalm; as is plain from what goes before, where it is said:

"He sware unto Jehovah, I will not give sleep to mine eyes until I find out a place for Jehovah, habitations for the mighty One of Jacob; lo, we have heard of it at Ephratah" (Bethlehem). "We will go into his habitations, we will worship at his footstool" (ver. 2, 4-7).

[6] In order that David might represent the Lord as to Divine truth, the Lord willed to be born of the house of David, and also to be called the son of Jesse; but when He put off the Human from the mother, and put on that from the Father, which is the Divine Human, He was then no longer David's son. This is meant by the words of the Lord to the Pharisees: Jesus said to the Pharisees,

"What think ye of the Christ? whose Son is he? They said unto him, David's. He saith unto them, How then doth David by the spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footsool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?" (Matt. xxii. 42-45; Luke xx. 41-44).

That the Lord glorified His Human, that is, put off the human from the mother, and put on the Human from the Father, which is the Divine Human, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 293-295, 298-310.) Hence it is that He was not the son of David, just as He was not the son of Mary, whom therefore He did not call His mother, but "woman" as may be seen, Matt. xii. 46-49; Mark iii. 31 to the end; Luke viii. 19-21; John ii. 4, xix. 25, 26. That the same is meant by the keys given to Peter as by the key of David - that the Lord has all power, and that He has this power by means of His Divine truth, will be seen in the article which now follows.

AE (Tansley) n. 206

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 206

206. He that openeth and no one shutteth, and shutteth, and no one openeth. That this signifies the power of admitting into heaven all who are in faith from charity, and of removing from heaven all who are not, is evident from the signification of that openeth and no one shutteth, when said of the Lord, as being to admit into heaven, which will be treated of presently; and from the signification of and shutteth and no one openeth, as being to remove from heaven. The reason why the former expression denotes to admit into heaven, and the latter to remove from heaven is, that the Lord alone opens heaven to those who are admitted into it; for neither a man, a spirit, nor an angel, can do this of himself. How this is shall be explained in a few words. When a man after death is in a state in which he can be admitted into heaven, then a way opens to him which leads to the heavenly society in which he is to be. Before he is in that state, the way thither does not open to him, it being opened to him by the Lord alone; such is the introduction and admission of every one into heaven. It is similar with the evil man after death; when he is in that state in which he is to go to hell, a way opens to him leading to the infernal society in which he is to be; before he is in that state, the way thither does not open to him. The reason of this is that ways in the spiritual world appear to every one according to the intention of his thought, thus according to the affection of his love; when therefore a spirit is brought into his reigning love - for every one after death is brought into that love - there then appear ways to the society where his love reigns. It is therefore evident that love itself opens these ways; and because all the love of good and truth is from the Lord, it follows that the Lord alone opens a way to those who are admitted into heaven. But on the other hand, because all love of evil and of falsity is from the man or spirit alone, it follows that the spirit himself opens his own way to hell. [2] (These things will be more evident from the article in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 545-550, where it is shown that the Lord casts no one into hell, but that it is the spirit himself who casts himself there. That ways in the spiritual world appear to every one according to the intention of his thought, thus according to the affection of his love, may be seen in the same work, n. 479, 590.) As to what concerns the hells, they are all shut, and can in no wise be opened, except by permission of the Lord; they are shut because of the evils and falsities which continually endeavour to break out thence and injure those who are in goods and truths from the Lord (concerning which circumstance see also what is said in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 584-592).

From these considerations it is now evident how the case is, and hence how it is to be understood that he that hath the key of David, openeth and no one shutteth and shutteth and no one openeth. The reason why heaven is opened to those who are in the faith of charity, and shut to those who are not is, that the former are here treated of (see above, n. 203), and that they who are in faith from charity are in Divine truth from the Lord, and to Divine truth from the Lord belongs all power, as was shown in some of the preceding articles. [3] The same as is here meant by the key of David is signified by the key of Peter, concerning which it is thus written in Matthew:

"I say unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heavens, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in the heavens" (xvi. 18, 19).

By Peter here, the same as by David, is signified, in the highest sense, the Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of the Lord, and, in the internal sense, all truth from good from the Lord; the same is also signified by rock in the Word, which is mentioned in connection with Peter, and from which he is there called Peter. The twelve disciples of the Lord represented all the truths and goods of the church in the aggregate. Peter represented truth or faith; James, charity; and John, the works of charity. In the above passage, however, Peter represented faith from charity, or truth from good which is from the Lord, because he then acknowledged the Lord from the heart, saying,

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God: Jesus answering said, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, who is in the heavens. I say unto thee, Thou art Peter," etc., verses 16-18,

and the following. (This may be seen illustrated in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 57.) [4] The same is also meant by the words of the Lord to the rest of His disciples in Matthew:

Jesus said to the disciples, "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (xviii. 18).

These things were said to the disciples because they represented all truths and goods from the Lord in the aggregate. (That these were represented by the twelve disciples, as also by the twelve tribes of Israel, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397.) The same is meant by them where it is said that

"They shall sit upon twelve thrones and shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 30)

see Arcana Coelestia (n. 2129, 6397). The same is also meant by Eliakim, who was to succeed Shebna over the house of the king, in Isaiah:

"I will give dominion into his hands, that he may be for a father to the inhabitant of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah; and I will lay upon his shoulder the key of the house of David, that he may open and none shut, and that he may shut and none open" (xxii. 21, 22).

By the house of the king over which he was to be is signified the church which is in truth from good from the Lord: by opening and shutting, and by binding and loosing, is meant in general to save (see above, n. 86).

AE (Tansley) n. 207

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 207

207. (v. 8) I know thy works. That this signifies the life of charity, is evident from the signification of works, as being those things which belong to man's love, and thus to his life (concerning which see above, n. 98, 116, 185). Here, therefore, they denote the things of charity, because these are treated of in what is written to this church.

AE (Tansley) n. 208

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 208

208. Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it. That this signifies that they will be admitted into heaven, and that it will be denied to no one who is of such a quality is evident from the signification of setting before them an open door, as being to admit into heaven, of which we shall treat in what follows; and from the signification of no one is able to shut it, as being that entrance will not be denied; for when a door is shut, entrance is denied, and when it is not shut it is not denied. The reason why it is open to those who are in charity is, that these are treated of in what is written to this church (see above, n. 203). Hence it is evident that by I have set before thee an open door, and no one is able to shut it is signified, that all such will be admitted into heaven, and that it will be denied to none of them. That to set before them an open door signifies to admit them into heaven is evident indeed from common speech, but nevertheless it is from correspondence; for a house and all things belonging to a house correspond to the interiors of man's mind, and from that correspondence they also signify such things in the Word. That this is the case is evident from representatives and appearances in heaven, where there are palaces, houses, rooms, bed-chambers, vestibules, courts, and within them various things for use. These things the angels have from correspondence; whence it is that the wiser angels have palaces more magnificent than those enjoyed by those who are less wise. (But concerning these things, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 183-190, where the habitations of the angels of heaven are treated of.) And because palaces, houses, and all the things belonging to a house correspond, it is also evident that outer doors, inner doors, and gates correspond also, and that they correspond to entrance and admission; also when a door is seen open, it is a sign that there is permission to enter, and when it is shut, that there is not. [2] Moreover, when novitiate spirits are introduced into a heavenly society, a way is opened to them by the Lord which leads to it; and when they come thither a gate is seen with a door at the side, where there are keepers who admit them, and afterwards there are others who receive and introduce them.

From these considerations, it is evident that outer doors (januoe), and inner doors (ostia), and gates in the Word signify introduction into heaven; and because the church is the Lord's heaven on earth, they also signify introduction into the church; and because heaven or the church is in man, therefore they also signify approach and entrance with man concerning which something shall be said presently. And because all the things that signify heaven and the church also signify the things pertaining to heaven and the church, and here introductory things which are truths from good, these being from the Lord; and because those things are from the Lord, and hence are His, indeed are Himself in them, therefore by outer door (janua), inner door (ostium), and gate to heaven and the church, in the highest sense, is meant the Lord. Hence it is evident what the words of the Lord signify in John:

Jesus said: "Verily I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door (janua) into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep; to him the porter openeth. I am the door (ostium) of the sheep, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture" (x. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9).

That to enter in by the door (ostium) here denotes to enter in by the Lord, is evident, for it is said, "I am the door of the sheep." To enter in by the Lord is to approach Him, to acknowledge Him, to believe in Him, and to love Him, as He Himself teaches in many passages. Thus is a man admitted into heaven, and in no other way; therefore the Lord says, "By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved"; and also "he who climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."

[3] He therefore who approaches the Lord, acknowledges Him and believes in Him, is said to open the door (ostium) to the Lord, that He may enter in; as in the Apocalypse:

"Behold I stand at the door (ostium) and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (iii. 20).

How these things are to be understood, will be explained in the following pages, where the things mentioned are treated of. Here we shall only say something concerning the doors (ostia) or gates in man, because it is said, I stand at the door and knock.

There are two ways which lead to man's Rational, one from heaven and the other from the world; by the way from heaven good is introduced, by the way from the world truth is introduced. In proportion as the way from heaven is opened to a man, in the same proportion he is affected with truth, and becomes rational, that is, in the same proportion he sees truth by the light of truth; but if the way from heaven is shut, he does not become rational, because he does not see truth, and yet truth from the light of truth constitutes the Rational. A man may indeed reason concerning truth, and from reasoning or from memory he may speak of it; but he is not able to see whether it is truth or not. To think well concerning the Lord and the neighbour, opens the way from heaven; but to think otherwise shuts that way. Because there are two ways which lead into man, there are also two doors (januoe) or gates by which influx enters: by the door or gate which is open from heaven, the spiritual affection of truth from the Lord enters, because good enters by that door, as said above, and all spiritual affection of truth is from good; but by the door or gate which is open from the world, enter all knowledge from the Word, and from preaching thence, because thereby truth enters, as also said above, for knowledges from the Word and from preaching thence are truths. The spiritual affection of truth adjoined to those knowledges constitutes man's Rational, and enlightens it according to the quality of the truth conjoined with good, and according to the quality of the conjunction.

[4] These few observations may be sufficient for the present concerning the gates or doors pertaining to man. Because outer doors (januoe), inner doors (ostia), and gates signify admission into heaven and into the church, therefore they also signify truths from good which are from the Lord, because by means of them this admission is effected, as is evident from the following passages. Thus in Isaiah:

"Open ye the gates that the just nation that keepeth faithfulnesses may enter in" (xxvi. 2).

According to the sense of the letter it is here meant that those who are just and faithful should be admitted into those cities, but according to the internal sense, that such should be admitted into the church: for gates signify admission; a just nation signifies those who are in good; keeping faithfulnesses signifies those who are thence in truths. [5] Again:

"Thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; to bring unto thee the hosts of the nations, and their kings shall be brought down. And the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish. Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise" (lx. 11, 12, 18).

The subject here treated of is the Lord and the church which He was about to establish; and by the above particulars is described the perpetual admission into it of those who are in good and thence in truths. By the gates being open continually, and not shut day nor night, is signified perpetual admission; by the host of the nations are signified those who are in good, and by kings those who are in truths; and that all should serve the Lord is meant by the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish. (That nation or nations signify those who are in good, may be seen above, n. 175, and that kings signify those who are in truths, n. 31.) [6] Again:

"Thus said Jehovah to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; that I may loose the loins of kings, to open before him the doors (januoe) that the gates may not be shut; I will give him the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places" (xlv. 1, 3).

Here also the Lord is treated of, and the church to be established by Him. By opening the doors (januoe), and by the gates not being shut, is signified perpetual admission; by nations and kings are signified those who are in goods and truths, and, in the abstract, goods and truths, as said above; by treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, is signified interior intelligence and wisdom from heaven; for the things that enter by the gate which is open from heaven, and of which we have spoken above, come in secretly, and influence all the things that are with man, whence arises the spiritual affection of truth, whereby things before unknown are revealed.

[7] In Jeremiah:

"If ye bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, then shall there enter through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding upon the chariot and on horses, and the city shall be inhabited to eternity" (xvii. 24, 25).

Any one may see what is meant by these things in the sense of the letter; nevertheless it can be known that something more holy is contained in them, because they form part of the Word; and everything in the Word contains those things that pertain to heaven and the church, and these alone are holy; thus what is holy in this passage can only be known from the internal sense. By the Sabbath day in that sense is meant the conjunction of the Divine Human of the Lord with heaven and the church; by the city mentioned in this passage is meant Jerusalem, that is, the church: by bringing in no burden through the of the city is meant that they should not admit that which is from man's proprium, but that which is from the Lord. By kings and princes entering into the gates of the city are meant Divine truths, which should then be revealed to them; by their sitting upon the throne of David is meant that these truths are from the Lord. By riding upon the chariot and on horses is meant that thence they would be in the doctrine of truth and in intelligence; and by dwelling there to eternity is meant life and eternal salvation. (That by Sabbath, is signified the conjunction of the Divine Human of the Lord with heaven and the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8494, 8495, 8510, 10,356, 10,360, 10,367, 10,370, 10,374, 10,668, 10,730. That by Jerusalem is signified the church, see n. 402, 3654, 9166. That by burden or work on the Sabbath day is signified not to be led by the Lord but by the proprium, n. 7893, 8495, 10,360, 10,362, 10,365. That by kings and princes are signified those who are in Divine truths, and, in the abstract, Divine truths, see above, n. 29, 31. That by chariot is signified the doctrine of truth, and by horses the Intellectual, see the small work, The White Horse, n. 1-5.) [8] Again, in the Apocalypse, it is said of the New Jerusalem,

"Having a wall great and high, twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel; the twelve gates were twelve pearls; the gates of it shall not be shut" (xxi. 12, 21, 25).

That gates signify Divine truths introductory to the New Church, thus those who are in truths from good from the Lord is evident from the explanation of these words in the small work, The New Jerusalem (n. 1, etc.); which is also evident from this consideration, that it is said there were twelve gates, twelve angels upon the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes written thereon, and that the twelve gates were twelve pearls. By twelve are signified all, and is said of truths from good, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913, similarly by angels, see above, n. 130, 200; also by the twelve tribes of Israel, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335; and also by pearls.)

[9] In Jeremiah:

"Out of the north evil shall be opened that they may come, and every one set his throne at the door (ostiun) of the gates of Jerusalem, and at all its walls round about, because they have forsaken me" (i. 14, 15, 16).

The subject here treated of is the destruction of the church: the north signifies falsity, in this case the falsity from which evil is derived; to come and set every one his throne at the door of the gates of Jerusalem, is to destroy the introductory truths of the church by falsities; and at all the walls round about, denotes all the truths that are for a defence. [10] In Isaiah:

"Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Philistia, art dissolved because, from the north cometh smoke" (xiv. 31).

Again:

"The choicest of thy valleys shall be filled with the chariot; and the horsemen shall set themselves in array even to the gate, he hath made bare the covering of Judah" (xxii. 7, 8).

In these passages also the destruction of the Church is treated of; and by the gates there mentioned introductory truths are signified, which are destroyed; those truths are called the covering of Judah, because by Judah is signified celestial love, as may be seen above (n. 119), and those truths cover and protect that love. Again

"The remnant in the city is wasteness, and the gate is smitten even to devastation" (xxiv. 12).

[11] In Jeremiah:

"Judah mourned, and the gates thereof languished" (xiv. 2).

In the book of Judges:

"The villages ceased in Israel: he hath chosen new gods; then to assault the gates" (v. 7, 8).

In Ezekiel:

"Tyrus hath said over Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken, the doors (januoe) of the peoples, she is brought over to me" (xxvi. 2).

Here also the subject treated of is the destruction of the church. By Tyrus are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, which are introductory truths; and by Jerusalem is signified the church as to the doctrine of truth. It is therefore evident why Jerusalem is here called the doors (januoe) of the peoples; also what is signified by Tyrus saying, "Aha, she is broken, the doors of the peoples; she is brought over to me, I shall be filled."

[12] Since, as said above, by doors (januoe) and by gates is signified admission, and, specifically, introductory truths are signified, which are truths from good from the Lord, it is evident what is signified by these in the following places. In David

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye doors (ostia) of the world, that the king of glory may come in" (Ps. xxiv. 7, 9).

Again:

Recount the praises of Jehovah "in the gates of the daughter of Zion" (Ps. ix. 14).

Again:

"Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob" (Ps. lxxxvii. 2).

By Zion and by the daughter of Zion is meant the celestial church. Again, in Isaiah:

"Thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth he is called. I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles" (liv. 5, 12).

In Matthew:

The five prudent virgins entered into the marriage, "and the door (ostium) was shut," and the five foolish virgins came and knocked, but the door was not opened to them (xxv. 10, 11, 12).

In Luke:

Jesus said "Strive to enter in at the strait gate (portam) for many will seek to enter in, and will not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door (januam), then shall ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door (januam), saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; but he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are" (xiii. 24, 25).

In these two passages the state of man after death is treated of, that those who are in faith alone, and not in love, cannot be admitted into heaven, even although they should then desire it, and this in consequence of the nature of their faith. And this is what is signified by the door being shut, and their being refused admission when they knocked.

[13] Because gates signify introductory truths, therefore it was ordained among the statutes,

That the elders should sit at the gates and judge (Deut. xxi. 19; xxii. 15-21; Amos. v. 12, 15; Zech. viii. 16).

It was also therefore commanded, that "They should write the precepts upon the posts and gates" (Deut. vi. 8, 9).

And it was also among the statutes,

That the ear of the servant who was not willing to go out free in the seventh year, should be bored through at the door (januam) (Exod. xxi. 6; Deut. xv. 17).

By servants of the sons of Israel were signified those who were in truths and not in good; and by freemen, those who were in good and thence in truths. By the ear being bored through at the door was signified perpetual obedience and servitude, because they were not desirous to be introduced into good by means of truths; for those who are in truth and not in good, are perpetually in a servile state, not being in the spiritual affection of truth; for it is the affection of love that makes man free (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 141-149). Moreover introductory truths as to their quality are described by the covering of the door of the tent, and by the covering of the door of the tabernacle (Exod. xxvi. 14, 36, 37; xxxviii. 18); also by the numerical measurements of the doors and gates of the house of God and of the temple in Ezekiel (xi. 6, 8-11, 13-15, 18, 19, 20, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35, 37; xli. 1-3, 11, 17-20, 23-25; xlii. 2, 12, 15; xliii. 1-4; xliv. 1-3, 17; xlvi. 1-3, 8, 12, 19; xlvii. 1, 2; xlviii. 31-34). He who knows what the particular numbers there mentioned signify, may know many arcana concerning those truths. Mention is also made of the gates of the house of Jehovah towards the north and towards the east, in the same prophet (viii. 3, 5; x. 19).

AE (Tansley) n. 209

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 209

209. Because thou hast a little power, and hast kept my Word, and hast not denied my name. That this signifies that they have power from the Lord against evils and falsities in proportion as they cause truths from the Word to enter their life and acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, is evident from the signification of thou hast a little power, as denoting power from the Lord against evils and falsities. And because the subject treated of is those who are in the faith of charity, it is said that they have a little power, of which we shall speak presently. And from the signification of and hast kept my word, as denoting the application of truths from the Word to life; for to keep truths, or precepts signifies not only to know and perceive them, but, also to will and do them; and those who thus will and do cause the truths which they know and perceive from the Word to enter into their life (see also n. 15). And from the signification of and hast not denied my name, as being to acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, concerning which see above (n. 135). [2] It must be known, that the two principal things that constitute the church are, to acknowledge the Divine of the Lord in His Human, and to apply truths from the Word to life; nor can any person be in the one, unless he is at the same time in the other. For all truths which enter into the life, are from the Lord, and this with those who acknowledge His Divine in His Human; for the Lord flows into all, both in the heavens and on the earth, from His Divine Human, and not from the Divine separate from the Human, nor from the Human separate from the Divine. Those therefore who in their thought separate the Divine of the Lord from His Human, and look to the Divine of the Father, not as in the Human, but as near it, or above it, thus apart from it, do not receive any influx from the Lord, nor consequently from heaven, for all those who are in the heavens acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord (concerning which see also the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, 59-72, 78-86, and 212).

From these considerations it is evident that all truths that enter into a man's life with those who acknowledge the Divine in His Human, that is, who acknowledge the Divine Human, are from the Lord. Truths enter into a man's life when he loves them, thus when he wills them and does them; for he who loves also wills and does. In a word, truths enter into the life, when a man lives according to them from affection. The reason why those truths are from the Lord is, that the Lord flows into a man's love, and so into the truths, and thus makes these enter into his life. [3] Something shall now be said concerning the power which man has from the Lord against evils and falsities. All the power which angels and men have is from the Lord; and in proportion as they receive the Lord, in the same proportion they have power. He who believes that power against those things is from his proprium is much deceived; for it is evil spirits, conjoined with the hells, that induce evils and thence falsities in man. Those spirits are numerous, and every one of them is conjoined with many hells, in each of which also there are many other spirits, so that no one can avert them from man but the Lord alone, for the Lord alone has power over the hells, and man has no power at all from himself or from his proprium; in proportion, therefore, as man is conjoined to the Lord by love, in the same proportion he has power.

There are two loves that reign in the heavens, and that constitute the heavens - love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour: the former is called celestial love, and the latter spiritual love. Those who are in celestial love have much power or strength, but those who are in spiritual love have little power. And because in what is written to the angel of this church those are treated of who are in love towards the neighbour, or charity, and thence in faith, which love is spiritual love, it is therefore said, Thou hast a little strength. [4] But it must be known that all the power which angels and men have from the Lord is from the good of love; and because the good of love does not act from itself, but by means of truths, therefore all power is from the good of love by means of truths, and, with those who are spiritual, from the good of charity by means of the truth of faith. For good clothes itself with a quality by means of truths, good without truths having no quality, and where there is no quality there is neither force nor power. It is therefore evident, that all power belongs to good by means of truths, or to charity by means of faith, and none to charity without faith, nor any to faith without charity. This is what is meant by the keys given to Peter; for by Peter is meant, in the spiritual sense, truth from good from the Lord, thus faith from charity; and by the keys given to him is signified power over evils and falsities. These things were said to Peter when he acknowledged the Divine of the Lord in His Human, by which is also meant that power is given to all who acknowledge this, and who from Him are in the good of charity and thence in the truths of faith. This is evident from these words in Matthew: Jesus said to the disciples,

"Whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus answering said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in the heavens. But I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens" (xvi. 15-19).

(But concerning Peter and the keys given to him, see what was said above, n. 9; also what is shown in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 57; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 122; and that all power is in truth from good which is from the Lord, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 228-233, 539; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3091, 3387, 3563, 4592, 4933, 6344, 6423, 7518, 7673, 8281, 8304, 9133, 9327, 9410, 10,019, 10,182.)

AE (Tansley) n. 210

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 210

210. (v. 9) Behold, I will make them of a synagogue of Satan. That this signifies those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and not in charity, is evident from the signification of being of a synagogue of Satan, as being those who are in the doctrine of every kind of falsities (concerning which see above, n. 120.) Here, therefore, by of a synagogue of Satan are meant those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, but not in charity, because, in what is written to the angel of this church those are treated of who are in faith from charity. The reason why these are said to be of a synagogue of Satan is, that they are not in faith, although they think they are, and that they reject charity, as not being a means of salvation, notwithstanding that the Lord flows into faith by means of charity, and not into faith separated from charity; for faith separated from charity is only knowledge (scientia), in which there is no life from the Divine. This is why those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, and not in charity, have no enlightenment; therefore, also, they are in the doctrine of many falsities, which state is specifically signified by a synagogue of Satan. (That there is no faith where there is no charity, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and what faith and what charity are, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107, and 108-122.) That those who are in faith alone are in the doctrine of many falsities, will be seen in the following article.

AE (Tansley) n. 211

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 211

211. Who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie. That this signifies who believe themselves to be in truths when nevertheless they are in falsities is evident from the signification of Judah, which, in the highest sense, is the Lord as to celestial love, in the internal sense, the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and the Word, and, in the external sense, the doctrine from the Word which is of the celestial church (concerning which see above, n. 119). Hence it is, that by their saying they are Jews is signified that they believe themselves to be in genuine doctrine, thus in essential truths. Also from the signification of do lie, as being to be in falsities; for by a lie in the Word is signified falsity of doctrine (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 8908, 9248). Those who are in faith alone, and not in charity, do not know that they are in falsities, because they believe that they are in truths, when, notwithstanding, from the false principle that faith alone saves falsities flow in a continual series; for the principle assumed draws everything to its own side, because they must be connected with it. This is why they are in such great ignorance with respect to the things of heaven and the church. That these are in such ignorance is evident from the circumstance that they do not know what celestial love is, which is love to the Lord; what spiritual love is, which is charity to the neighbour; what is meant by neighbour, by good, and by the conjunction of good and truth, by spiritual life, and what spiritual affection, what conscience, free-will, or regeneration are, what spiritual temptation, baptism and the holy supper are, and why they are commanded; what the spiritual sense of the Word is, what the nature of heaven and hell, and that both the one and the other are from the human race; besides many other things of which they are ignorant. It is from such ignorance that falsities flow when they think of these things, because they think without enlightenment; for, as said above, they can neither think interiorly, nor have they any internal sight respecting anything spiritual. (See, moreover, what is said and shown concerning this in Arcana Coelestia, viz., that faith separated from charity is no faith, n. 654, 724, 1162, 1176, 2049, 2116, 2343, 2349, 3849, 3868, 6348, 7039, 7822, 9783; that such faith perishes in the other life, n. 2228, 5820: that when faith alone is established as a principle, truths are contaminated by the false principle, n. 2435; that such persons will not suffer themselves to be persuaded, because it is against their principle, n. 2385; that doctrinals of faith alone destroy charity, n. 6353, 8094; that those who are in faith separated from charity, are inwardly in the falsities of their own evil, although they are ignorant of this, n. 7790, 7950; that therefore good cannot be conjoined to them, n. 8981, 8983; that faith separated from love and charity, is as the light of winter, when all things on the earth become torpid, and when there is no production of corn, of fruits, and flowers; but that faith from love or charity is as the light of spring and summer, in which all things flourish and are productive, n. 2231, 3146, 3412, 3413. That the light of winter, which is that of faith separated from charity, is turned into dense darkness when light flows in out of heaven; and that those who are then in such faith become blind and stupid, n. 3412, 3413; that those who separate faith from charity in doctrine and life are in darkness, thus in ignorance of truth, and in falsities, n. 9186; that they cast themselves into falsities, and thence into evils, n. 3325, 8094; the errors and falsities into which they cast themselves, n. 4721, 4730, 4776, 4783, 4925, 7779, 8313, 8765, 9224; that the Word is closed to them, n. 3773, 4783, 8780; that they do not see and attend to the things which the Lord so often spoke concerning love and charity, and concerning fruits and good works, n. 1017, 3416; that they do not know what good is, nor consequently what celestial love is, nor what charity is, n. 2417, 3603, 4126, 9995; that the simple in heart, who still are wise, nevertheless know what the good of life is, and consequently what charity is, and not what faith separated from charity is, n. 4741, 4754.)

AE (Tansley) n. 212

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 212

212. Behold, I will make them to come, and worship at thy feet. That this signifies their state after death, that they will be excluded from heaven and are not to be admitted thereto is evident from the series of the things which precede and follow. The subject treated of in this verse is those who say that they are in truths, when nevertheless they are in falsities, because not in charity; of such it is said in the Word, that they will come to the door and knock, but will not be admitted. To come to the door and knock, is to worship at the feet. It is said, at thy feet, because heaven in its whole extent relates to one man; the highest or third heaven has reference to the head, the middle or second heaven to the body, and the ultimate or first heaven to the feet; therefore, to stand before the feet and worship is to be outside heaven, and to desire to be admitted, but in vain. (That the heavens in one whole have reference to one man, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 59-67; that there are three heavens, n. 29-40; and that the highest heaven forms the head, the middle the body, and the ultimate the feet, n. 65.) From these considerations it is evident why it is said of those who are out of heaven that they stand at the feet. The reason why they cannot be admitted is, that the whole heaven is formed according to the affections of good and truth, and is distinguished into societies according to the varieties of those affections. Those therefore who are not in charity, are not in any affection in which heaven is; for charity, or love towards the neighbour, is the affection of heaven; therefore those who are not in such affection can have no place in heaven, but are out of it, and such of them as have been in evils and thence in falsities are conjoined, according to their loves or affections, with those who are in the hells, and are cast down thither.

[2] That such a lot remains for those who are in faith alone, and not in charity, is predicted by the Lord in many passages in Matthew:

"Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire, for by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in the heavens. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied by thy name, and by thy name have cast out demons, and in thy name done many mighty works! And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Whosoever heareth my words and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock. And every one that heareth my words and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand" (vii. 19-27).

In this passage those who are in faith from charity, and those who are in faith but not in charity are described; those who are in faith from charity, by the tree bearing good fruit, and by the house which was built upon a rock. Fruits in the Word also signify the works of charity, and a rock faith from charity. But those who are in faith separated from charity are meant by the tree not bearing good fruit, and by the house built upon the sand. Evil fruits also in the Word signify evil works, and sand, faith separated from charity. It is said of these, therefore, that they will say,

"Lord, Lord, open to us," but that they will receive for answer, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

[3] Similarly in Luke:

"Strive to enter through the strait gate; for many will seek to enter in, and will not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; but he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (xiii. 24-27).

In this passage also those who are in faith and not in charity are treated of, of whom it is said that they would stand without and knock at the door, but that they would not be admitted. To eat and to drink in the presence of the Lord, and to be taught by Him in the streets, signifies to hear the Word and preachings from the Word, and to know the things of faith; but because such persons are not in charity, it is said to them, "I know you not whence ye are, depart from me;" for all are known by the Lord from love, and not from faith separated from love. [4] Similar things are meant

By the five foolish virgins, who had not oil in their lamps, of whom it is also said, that they came, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us;" but He answered, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not " (Matt. xxv. 1-12).

By virgins in the Word are signified those who belong to the church; by lamps the things of faith; and by oil is signified the good of love. Hence by the five foolish virgins, who had no oil in their lamps, are signified those who are in faith and not in love. The same is also signified

By the goats on the left hand, to whom it is said by the Lord that He hungered and thirsted, and they did not give him to eat and to drink; that He was a stranger, and they took Him not in; that He was naked, and they clothed Him not; that He was sick and in prison, and they visited Him not (Matt. xxv. 41, 42, 43).

By the sheep at the right hand are there signified those who are in charity; by the goats, those who are in faith and not in charity. (That such are signified by goats, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4769; and that those who are in charity are signified by sheep, n. 4169, 4809.)

AE (Tansley) n. 213

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 213

213. And to know that I have loved thee. That this signifies knowledge thence, that the Lord is present in charity and not in faith without it, is evident from the signification of knowing, as denoting knowledge; and from the signification of, I have loved thee, when predicated of the Lord, as denoting that He is present. The reason why it denotes His being present in charity and not in faith without it is, that the subject treated of is those who are in the faith of charity (as may be seen above, n. 203). The Lord is present in affection or love with man, thus in the life of his spirit; for love, or affection, constitutes the life of his spirit; consequently, the Lord is present in charity, charity being man's essential affection or spiritual love. And because the Lord is present in charity with man, it is evident that He is not present in faith without charity; nor is faith without charity spiritual, therefore neither is it inwardly in the man so as to constitute his life, but outside him in the memory, and thence in some natural thought. The reason why to love, when said of the Lord, denotes His presence is, that love causes conjunction and thence presence, and to him who loves, the Lord enters in, and teaches and leads, and also gives him power to love Him, that, is, to do His commandments and precepts; for this is to love the Lord. That the Lord is present with him whom He loves, and that He loves him who keeps His commandments and precepts He Himself teaches in John:

"He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (xiv. 21, 23).

AE (Tansley) n. 214

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 214

214. (v. 10) Because thou hast kept the word of my endurance. That this signifies that they have lived according to the precepts of the Lord is evident from the signification of keeping the Word of the Lord, as being to live according to His precepts, for the Word is precept, and to keep it is to live. It is said, the Word of my endurance, by reason of continuance therein, without being wearied; endurance is occasionally mentioned in the Apocalypse, and when spoken of, it signifies what is applied to life (as may be seen also above, n. 98).

AE (Tansley) n. 215

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 215

215. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. That this signifies the time of the Last Judgment, when those who are in the former heaven must be visited, that then these must be saved is evident from the signification of the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world, as denoting the time of the Last Judgment; and from the signification of trying them that dwell upon the earth, as being visitation upon those who are in the former heaven, when those who are in faith from charity, and who are here treated of, will be saved, which is meant by its being said, "I also will keep thee." That these things are said of the Last Judgment is evident, for it is said, "the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world," when they that dwell upon the earth shall be tried. But because the Last Judgment, also the former heaven and its abolition, and the new heaven and its formation, are treated of in the small work, The Last Judgment, and further mention is made of the same in the following pages, we shall for the present defer explaining these words more fully.

AE (Tansley) n. 216

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 216

216. (v. 11) Behold, I come quickly. That this signifies that this is certain is evident from the signification of quickly, as denoting what is certain and full (concerning which see above, n. 7). The reason why quickly signifies certain and full is, that time, and all things pertaining to time, in the Word, signify states, and therefore quickly and speedily signify a state of affection, and thence of thought, which is present, consequently certain and full. (That time, and all things pertaining to time, correspond to states, and therefore signify them, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 162-169; and that quickly signifies what is excited from affection, thus what is present and certain, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 7695, 7866.)

AE (Tansley) n. 217

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 217

217. Hold fast that thou hast. That this signifies permanence in a state of faith from charity even unto the end is evident from what was said above (n. 173), where similar words are explained.

AE (Tansley) n. 218

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 218

218. That no one take thy crown. That this signifies lest intelligence perish is evident from the signification of a crown, as denoting wisdom (concerning which see above, n. 126), in this case, intelligence, because those who are in spiritual love, or charity, and thence in faith, are in intelligence, but those who are in celestial love, or love to the Lord, and thence in the perception of truth, are in wisdom. The reason why by that no one take thy crown, is signified lest intelligence perish, is, because evils and falsities therefrom take away man's intelligence; for intelligence is from truth, and this is taken away from man by evil spirits when he is in evils, because he is then associated with them, and what is thus taken away perishes.

AE (Tansley) n. 219

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 219

219. (v. 12) He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. That this signifies that those who persevere will be in Divine truth in heaven is evident from the signification of overcoming, as denoting to persevere in the genuine affection of truth (concerning which see above, n. 128); in this case, in faith from charity, because that faith is treated of in what is written to the angel of this church (as may be seen above, n. 203); and from the signification of pillar, as denoting Divine truth sustaining; also from the signification of the temple of my God, as being, in the highest sense, the Divine Human of the Lord, and, in the relative sense, the spiritual kingdom of the Lord, thus the heaven constituting that kingdom, which will be treated of in what follows. The reason why a pillar in the temple denotes Divine truth sustaining, is that temple signifies heaven, and heaven is heaven from the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord. For by heaven are meant all the angels, because these constitute heaven, whence it is called heaven; and they are angels in so far as they receive the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord: hence angels in the Word also signify Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 130, 200). Now because heaven is Divine truth, and since temple signifies heaven, it follows that all the things of the temple signify those things that belong to Divine truth, and that the pillars therein signify Divine truth sustaining.

Divine truths sustaining are, in general, truths of a lower degree, because these sustain those of a higher degree; for there are Divine truths lower and higher, as there are heavens lower and higher; thus there are degrees of the same (see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 38, 208, 209, 211). The heavens which exist in a lower degree sustain those of a higher degree; here, therefore, by the Lord's making him that overcometh a pillar in the temple is signified that they will be in the lower heaven. Those who are in the faith of charity also are in the lower heaven, which is called the spiritual heaven; but those who are in love to the Lord are in the higher heaven, which is called the celestial heaven, and this is sustained by the lower or spiritual heaven. (How these things are, may be more clearly seen, as they are shown in three articles, in the work, Heaven and Hell, that is, in the article where it is shown that the Divine of the Lord in heaven is love to Him and charity towards the neighbour, n. 13-19; in another, where it is shown that heaven is distinguished into two kingdoms, the celestial and the spiritual, n. 20-28; and in a third, where it is shown that there are three heavens, 29-40.) [2] Pillars are mentioned in various parts of the Word, and thereby are signified truths of a lower degree, because they sustain those of a higher degree. That the former truths are signified in the Word by pillars is evident from the following passages. In Jeremiah:

"Behold, I have given thee this day for a defenced city, and for a pillar of iron, and for walls of brass against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes, and against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land, that they may fight against thee and not prevail" (i. 18, 19).

These things were said to the prophet, because by all the prophets are signified the doctrines of Divine truth; and because the subject here treated of is the church in which Divine truths are falsified, it is therefore said: "Behold, I have given thee this day for a defenced city, and a pillar of iron and walls of brass against the whole land."

By a defenced city is signified the doctrine of truth; by a pillar of iron, truth sustaining it; by walls of brass, the good which defends; and by land, the church. It is said, also, "Against the kings of Judah, against the princes, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land"; and by the kings of Judah, and by princes, are signified truths falsified; by priests, goods adulterated; and by the people of the land, falsities in general; concerning which it is intimated that they should fight against truths but should not prevail.

[3] In the same:

"Appoint unto thee signs, place for thyself pillars, set thine heart to the narrow way; go the way; return, O virgin of Israel! return to thy cities" (xxxi. 21).

The restitution of the church is here treated of. The virgin of Israel signifies the church; to appoint signs, and to place pillars, signifies instruction in those things that are the fundamentals of the church, called pillars because they sustain; to set the heart to the narrow way signifies the affection of truth leading to life. [4] In David:

"I will judge in uprightness the faint of the earth, and all the inhabitants thereof; I will establish the pillars thereof" (Ps. lxxv. 2, 3).

Here, by the faint of the earth are signified those of the church who are not in truths, but who nevertheless desire them. To establish, or strengthen, the pillars of the earth signifies to support the church by those truths upon which it is founded. In Job:

"Who maketh the earth to tremble out of its place, so that the pillars thereof tremble" (lx. 6).

By the earth is here signified the church, and by pillars the truths which sustain it. That by

"the pillar of the court of the tent," mentioned in Exod. xxvii. 10-12, 14-17,

are also signified lower truths sustaining higher ones, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, in the explanation of that chapter and those verses. Similar truths are signified

by the pillars of the house of the forest of Lebanon, built by Solomon, mentioned in 1 Kings vii. 2, 6.

[5] Such also is the signification of the two pillars which Solomon erected in the porch of the temple, and which are thus described in the first book of Kings.

He "formed two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece; and a line of twelve cubits did compass the second pillar about. And he made two crowns of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: seven for the one crown, and seven for the other crown. And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple; and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz" (vii. 15-22).

Because the temple signified heaven, as will be shown presently, therefore all the things of the temple signified the things of heaven, thus those of the Divine truth; for, as said above, heaven is heaven from the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; its porch signified the things of the ultimate heaven, and because this sustains the two higher heavens, therefore those two pillars were placed in the porch.

AE (Tansley) n. 220

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 220

220. But it shall also be explained what is signified in the Word by temple. Temple, in the highest sense, signifies the Divine Human of the Lord, and in the relative sense, heaven; and because it signifies heaven, it also signifies the church, for the church is the Lord's heaven upon earth. And whereas temple thus signifies heaven and the church, it also signifies the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord: the reason is, that this makes heaven and the church; for those who receive Divine truth in soul and heart, that is, in faith and love, constitute heaven and the church. Such being the signification of temple, it is therefore said, the temple of my God; and by my God, when said by the Lord, is meant heaven, and the Divine truth therein, which also is the Lord in heaven. The Lord is above the heavens, and appears to its inhabitants as a Sun, and from the Lord as a Sun proceed heat and light; heat which in its essence is Divine good, and light which in its essence is Divine truth; those two constitute heaven in general and in particular. Divine truth is that which is meant by my God; this is why in the Word of the Old Testament the Lord is called Jehovah and God, - Jehovah where the subject treated of is the Divine good, and God where it is the Divine truth. This also is the reason why angels are called gods, and that God in the Hebrew tongue is in the plural Elohim. From these considerations it is evident what is here meant by the temple of my God.

(That the Lord is called Jehovah where the Divine good is treated of, but God where the Divine truth is treated of, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4283, 4402, 7010, 9167. That He is called Jehovah from Being (esse), and thus from essence, but God from Manifestation (existere), and thus from existence, n. 300, 3910, 6905; that the Divine as Being (esse) also is Divine good, and that the Divine as Manifestation (existere) is Divine truth, n. 3061, 6280, 6880, 6905, 10,579; and in general that good is the being, (esse), and truth the manifestation (existere) thence, n. 5002. That angels are called gods from their reception of Divine truth from the Lord, n. 4295, 4402, 7268, 7873, 8301, 8192. That the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is Divine truth united with Divine good, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139, 140. That the light in the heavens is in its essence Divine truth, and the heat there Divine good, both from the Lord, may be seen in the same work, n. 126-140, 275.) [2] That temple in the Word signifies the Divine Human of the Lord, and in the relative sense, heaven and the church, consequently also Divine truth, is evident from the following passages. In John:

To the Jews who asked, "What sign showest thou unto us, that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body" (ii. 18-21).

That temple signifies the Lord's Divine Human is here plainly declared; for by destroying the temple and raising it up in three days is meant His death, burial and resurrection. [3] In Malachi:

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple, and the angel of the covenant whom ye seek" (iii. 1).

Here also by temple is meant the Lord's Divine Human; for the subject treated of is the Lord's advent, therefore coming to His temple signifies assuming the Human. [4] Again, in the Apocalypse:

"I saw no temple" in the new Jerusalem, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (xxi. 22).

The subject here treated of is the new heaven and the new earth, when they will be in internals, and not in externals; hence it is said that there was seen no temple, but the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. The Lord God Almighty is the very Divine of the Lord, and the Lamb is His Divine Human; whence also it is evident, that His Divine Human in the heavens is meant by temple.

[5] Again, in Isaiah:

"I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his skirts filling the temple" (vi. 1).

By the throne, high and lifted up, upon which the Lord was seen to sit, is signified the Lord as to Divine truth in the higher heavens; but by His skirts is signified His Divine truth in the church. (That skirts when said of the Lord, signify His Divine truth in ultimates, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9917. That the veil of the temple being rent into two parts from the top to the bottom, after the Lord suffered (Matt. xxvii. 51; Mark xv. 38; Luke xxiii. 45), signified the union of the Lord's Divine Human with the Divine itself, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9670.) [6] That by temple is signified the Lord's Divine Human, and at the same time heaven and the church, is evident in the following passages. In David:

"I will bow myself down toward thy holy temple, and I will confess thy name" (Ps. cxxxviii. 2).

In Jonah:

"I said I am cast out from before thine eyes, but yet will I add to look back to the temple of thy holiness, and my prayer came to thee to the temple of thy holiness" (ii. 4, 7).

In Habakkuk:

"Jehovah in the temple of his holiness" (ii. 20).

In Matthew:

"Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind; for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?" (xxiii. 16, 17).

In John:

Jesus said unto them that sold in the temple, "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandize. Whence his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (ii. 16, 17).

[7] Besides the above, there are many passages in the Word where temple is mentioned, which I wish to adduce, in order that it may be known that heaven and the church are thereby meant, as also the Divine truth proceeding from the, Lord, lest the mind should adhere to the idea, that the temple alone is meant instead of something more holy; for the holiness of the temple of Jerusalem arose from the fact that it represented and signified what is holy.

That the temple signified heaven is clear from these passages. In David:

"I called upon Jehovah, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple" (Ps. xviii. 6).

Again:

"A day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather stand at the door in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Ps. lxxxiv. 10).

Again:

"The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon. They who are planted lit the house of Jehovah shall flourish in the courts of our God" (Ps. xcii. 12, 13).

Again:

"One thing have I desired of Jehovah, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah, and to visit his temple in the morning" (Ps. xxvii. 4).

Again:

"I shall be at rest in the house of Jehovah for length of days" (Ps. xxiii. 6).

[8] In John:

Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions" (xiv. 2).

That heaven and the church are meant In these passages by the house of Jehovah and of the Father is clear. The church is also meant in the following passages. In Isaiah:

"Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned with fire" (lxiv. 11).

In Jeremiah:

"I have forsaken my house, I have left mine heritage" (xii. 7).

In Haggai:

"I will stir up all nations, that the choice of all nations may come; and I will fill this house with glory. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former" (ii. 7-9).

In Isaiah:

"He shall say to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid" (xliv. 28).

The subject here treated of is the coming of the Lord, and the New Church to be then established. In Zechariah:

"The house of Jehovah was founded, that the temple may be built" (viii. 9).

Similarly in Daniel:

"Belshazzar commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, that they might drink therein; and they drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone and then writing appeared on the wall" (v. 2-4).

By the golden and silver vessels which were brought from the temple of Jerusalem are signified the goods and truths of the church; by their drinking wine out of them, and praising the gods of gold, of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and stone, is signified the profanation of them, on which account the writing appeared on the wall, and the king was changed from a man into a beast.

[9] In Matthew:

"His disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be dissolved" (xxiv. 1, 2; Mark xiii. 1, 2; Luke xxi. 5, 6, 7).

That there should not be left of the temple one stone upon another which should not be dissolved, signifies the total destruction and vastation of the church; for stone signifies the truth of the church; and it therefore follows that the successive vastation of the church is treated of in those chapters in the Evangelists. In the Apocalypse:

"The angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and them that worship therein" (xi. 1).

By the temple here also is signified the church, and by measuring it, is signified to explore its quality. The signification of the new temple and its measurements, mentioned in Ezekiel, is similar (xl.-xlvii.). [10] That by temple is signified the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, is evident from the following passages in Ezekiel:

"The glory of Jehovah went up from above the cherub over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the glory of Jehovah" (x. 4).

By the house is here meant heaven and the church, and by the cloud and glory Divine truth. (That cloud denotes Divine truth may be seen above, n. 36; and that glory signifies the same, n. 33.)

[11] In Micah:

"Many nations shall go, and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of" our "God, that he may teach us of his ways, and that we may go in his paths; for from Zion shall go forth doctrine, and the word from Jerusalem" (iv. 2).

The mountain of Jehovah and the house of God signify the church, and similarly Zion and Jerusalem; to be taught of His ways, and to go in His paths, is to be instructed in Divine truths therefore it is also said,

"From Zion shall go forth doctrine, and the word from Jerusalem."

[12] In Isaiah:

"The voice of the tumult from the city, the voice of Jehovah from the temple" (lxvi. 6).

By the city is meant the doctrine of truth, by temple, the church, and by the voice of Jehovah from the temple, Divine truth. In the Apocalypse:

"There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying" (xvi. 17).

Here voice also denotes Divine truth. Again:

"The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in the temple the ark of his covenant: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings" (xi. 19).

By lightnings, voices, and thunderings in the Word are signified Divine truths from heaven (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7573, 8914). And again:

"The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And the seven angels went out of the temple having the seven plagues. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power" (xv. 5, 6, 8).

The seven angels are said to go out of the temple in heaven, because by angels are signified Divine truths, as may be seen above (n. 130, 200). What is signified by smoke from the glory of God will be seen in the explanation of those words in the following pages. Moreover, it must be known that by the temple which was built by Solomon, as also by the house of the forest of Lebanon, and by each particular thing pertaining to them, as recorded in the first book of Kings (vi. and vii.), are signified spiritual and celestial things pertaining to the church and to heaven.

AE (Tansley) n. 221

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 221

221. And he shall go no more out. That this signifies that they shall be therein to eternity is evident from the signification of going no more out, when it is said of heaven and the Divine truth there (which are signified by the temple of God), as being that they shall remain in them to eternity.

AE (Tansley) n. 222

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 222

222. And I will write upon him the name of my God. That this signifies their quality according to Divine truth implanted in the life is evident from the signification of writing upon any one, when it is said to be done by the Lord, as denoting to implant in the life, concerning which we shall speak presently, also from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of their state (concerning which see above n. 148); and from the signification of God, as denoting Divine truth proceeding from the Lord in heaven, and thus the Lord in heaven (see n. 220); for the Lord is above the heavens, for He appears to those who are in heaven as a Sun (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell. n. 116-125). The Divine proceeding from the Sun of heaven, which is called Divine truth, and which constitutes heaven in general and in particular, is what in the Word is meant by God; hence it is that the angels are called gods, and that the term for God, in the Hebrew tongue, is Elohim, in the plural. From these considerations it is clear why the Lord here says, "the name of my God;" also above, "I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God" (n. 219), and in what follows, "I will write upon him the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God" (n. 223).

The reason why writing upon any one denotes to implant in the life is, that to write is to commit anything to paper from the memory, thought and mind, in order that it may remain; therefore, in the spiritual sense it signifies that which will remain in the life of man, inscribed and implanted in him. Thus the natural sense of this expression is turned into the spiritual sense; for it is natural to write upon paper, or in a book, but it is spiritual to inscribe on the life, which is done when it is implanted in faith and love; for love and faith constitute the spiritual life of man.

[2] Because to write signifies to implant in the life, therefore also it is said of Jehovah, or the Lord, that He writes, and that He has written in a book, by which is meant what is inscribed by the Lord on man's spirit, that is, in his heart and soul, or, what is the same, in his love and faith. As, in David:

"My bone was not hidden from thee, when I was made in secret; upon thy book were all the days written when they were formed, and not one of them is wanting" (Ps. cxxxix. 15, 16).

Again:

"Let them be blotted out of the book of lives, and not be written with the just" (lxix. 28).

In Daniel:

"The people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book" (xii. 1).

In Moses:

"Blot me, I pray out of the book which thou hast written. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book" (Exod. xxxii. 32, 33).

In the Apocalypse:

"A book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals," which no one was able to open but the Lamb only (v. 1).

Again:

"All whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb" shall worship the beast (xiii. 8; xvii. 8).

And again:

"I saw that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (xx. 12, 13, 15).

And again:

And none shall enter into the New Jerusalem except "those that are written in the Lamb's book of life" (xxi. 27).

From these passages it is not to be understood that the persons referred to are written in a book, but that all the things of faith and love are inscribed on man's spirit (as is evident from what is said upon this subject in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 461-469). [3] That to write, in the Word, signifies to inscribe and implant in the life, is also evident from other passages where it is mentioned; as in Jeremiah:

"I will put my law in the midst of them, and will write it on their heart" (xxxi. 33).

To put the law in the midst of them, denotes Divine truth in them, in the midst, signifies inwardly in man (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1074, 2940, 2973); and to write it on their heart, is to impress it upon the love, for the heart signifies the love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7542, 9050, 10,336). In Ezekiel:

"The prophet saw the roll of a book written within and without, and there were written thereon lamentations, mourning and woe" (ii. 9, 10; iii. 1-3).

By the roll of a book written within and without is signified the state of the church at that time, thus the quality of the life of those who belonged to the church; therefore the roll of the book here mentioned has a signification similar to that of the book of life mentioned above; and because their life was destitute of the goods of love and truths of faith, it is said, that "There was written thereon, lamentations, and mourning and woe."

By the law being written upon tables of stone, and with the finger of God (Exod. xxxi. 18; Deut. iv. 13; ix. 10),

was signified that it must be impressed on the life (Arcana Coelestia, n. 9416); for by the law, in the strict sense, the ten precepts of the Decalogue are meant, but in a broad sense, the whole Word (see Arcana Coelestia, 6752, 7463). By stone is signified truth, and there it signifies Divine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 643, 1298, 3720, 6426, 8609, 10,376). The same is signified by

The words of the law being written upon the twelve stones taken out of Jordan (Deut. xxvii. 2-4, 8; Josh. iv. 3, and the following verses).

[4] In Ezekiel:

"Son of man, take thee one stick and write upon it, For Judah, and for the sons of Israel, his companions: and take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel, and his companions. Afterwards join them one to another into one stick, that they may both be one in my hand" xxxvii. 16, 17).

What these things signify no one can know unless he knows what was represented by Judah, and what by Joseph. By Judah was represented the celestial kingdom of the Lord, and by Joseph his spiritual kingdom; and by writing for them upon two sticks of wood, was signified the state of the love, and thence of the life of both. Their conjunction into one heaven was signified by joining them one to another into one piece, that they might be one in my hand. The signification of this is similar to that of the Lord's words,

"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd" (John x. 16).

The reason why the writing was to be upon wood was, because wood signifies good, and it is good which conjoins. (But these things will be clearer from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, namely, that the spiritual kingdom before the Lord's coming was not like it was after his coming, n. 6372, 8054: that the spiritual especially were saved by the coming of the Lord into the world, and that they were then conjoined with those who were of His celestial kingdom into one heaven, n. 2661, 2716, 2833, 2834, 3969, 6854, 6914, 7035, 7091, 7828, 7932, 8018, 8159, 8321, 9684. That there are two kingdoms, the celestial and the spiritual, and three heavens, and that they are conjoined into one heaven, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28, and 29-40. That by Judah, in the representative sense, is signified the Lord's celestial kingdom, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5583, 5603, 5782, 6363: that by Joseph is signified the Lord's spiritual kingdom, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417: that by Ephraim is signified the Intellectual of the spiritual church, 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296: that by wood is signified the good of love, n. 643, 3720, 8354.)

[5] In Isaiah:

"This one shall say, I am of Jehovah; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall write with his hand unto Jehovah, and surname himself by the name of Israel" (xliv. 5).

These things are said concerning the Lord and His Divine Human. By Jacob and by Israel, where the Lord is treated of, is signified His human; and that it was also Jehovah is meant by one saying, "I am of Jehovah," and by subscribing with his own hand unto Jehovah. (That, in the highest sense, Israel and Jacob denote the Lord, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4286, 4570, 6424.)

[6] In Jeremiah:

"Jehovah the hope of Israel, all that forsake me shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O Jehovah, and I shall be healed" (xvii. 13, 14).

To be written in the earth, is to be condemned on account of the state of the life, because by earth is signified what is condemned (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2327, 7418, 8306). [7] Hence it, is evident what is signified by the Lord's writing with his finger on the earth, as recorded in John:

"The Scribes and Pharisees brought unto Jesus a woman taken in adultery; they said, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act." They asked whether, according to the law of Moses, she should be stoned. "Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the earth, and rising said, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the earth." These things being heard they went out one after another, and Jesus was left alone, and the woman to whom he said, "Where are thine accusers; hath no man condemned thee? And he said, Go and sin no more" (viii. 3-11).

By the Lord writing on the earth, is signified the same as above in Jeremiah, where it is said, "They that depart from me shall be written in the earth," namely, that they were equally condemned on account of adulteries; therefore Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

That the Lord twice wrote on the earth in the temple, signified, in the spiritual sense, their condemnation for adulteries. For the Scribes and Pharisees were those who adulterated the goods and falsified the truths of the Word, consequently of the church; and adulteries in the spiritual sense are adulterations of good and falsifications of truth (as may be seen above, n. 141, 161); therefore also He called that nation an adulterous and sinful generation (Mark viii. 38).

AE (Tansley) n. 223

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 223

223. And the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God. That this signifies the doctrine of the New Church in the heavens is evident from the signification of the city of my God, as being the doctrine of Divine truth (which will be treated of presently); and from the signification of the New Jerusalem, as being the church as to doctrine (concerning which see the small work, The New Jerusalem, n. 6); and from the signification of which cometh down out of heaven from my God, as denoting that it is out of heaven from the Divine truth there. (That by God in the Word is meant Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 220, 222.) And because Divine truth, which is in heaven, and which comes down therefrom, is from the Lord alone, therefore the Lord calls it His God. That by the city of my God is signified the doctrine of Divine truth, may seem, at first sight, far fetched, because it seems difficult for the mind to think of doctrine when a city is mentioned, and to think of the church when the earth is mentioned; but nevertheless nothing else is meant in the spiritual sense by cities in the Word; the reason is, that the idea of a city, or town, is merely natural, but the idea of doctrine as a city is spiritual. Because the angels are spiritual they can have no other idea of a city than that of the people therein as to their doctrine, as they have no other idea of a land than of a nation as to the church, or as to what is religious there. The reason of this also is that the societies into which the heavens are divided are, for the most part, like cities, and they all differ one from another as to the reception of Divine truth in good; hence also it is that the angels have the idea of the doctrine of truth when a city is mentioned. (That the heavens are divided into societies according to the differences of the good of love and faith, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 41-50; and that their dwellings are arranged in the form of cities, n. 184 in the same work.)

That by cities in the Word are signified doctrines is evident from many passages, of which we shall only adduce the following, by way of confirmation. sRef Jer@1 @18 S2' sRef Jer@13 @18 S2' sRef Jer@13 @19 S2' [2] In Jeremiah:

"Behold, I have given thee for a defenced city against the whole land" (i. 18).

These things are said to the prophet, because by a prophet in the Word is signified one who teaches truth, and in the abstract the doctrine of truth. Such being the signification of a prophet, it is therefore said unto him, "I have given thee for a defenced city," by which is therefore signified the doctrine of truth defending against falsities. (That by prophet in the Word is signified one who teaches truth, and, in the abstract, the doctrine of truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269.) Again:

"The crown of your gracefulness cometh down. The cities of the south are shut" (xiii. 18, 19).

The subject here treated of is the falsification of truth; and by the crown of their gracefulness coming down is meant that intelligence shall come down; and by the cities of the south being shut is meant that all the truths of doctrine, which otherwise would have been in light, will be obscured. (That a crown denotes intelligence and wisdom may be seen above, n. 126, 218; and that the south denotes a state of light, see the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 148, 149, 151.) sRef Isa@25 @3 S3' sRef Isa@25 @2 S3' sRef Isa@25 @1 S3' sRef Isa@26 @1 S3' sRef Isa@26 @2 S3' [3] In Isaiah:

"Thou hast made counsels from afar, truth and faithfulness; and thou hast made of a city a heap, of a defenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers of a city, that it may not be built for ever; wherefore a strong people shall honour thee, a city of strong nations shall fear thee" (xxv. 1-3).

The vastation of the former church, and the establishment of a new one, are here treated of; the vastation of the church as to doctrine, is meant by making of a city an heap, a defenced city a ruin, a palace of strangers of a city; and the establishment of a new church as to doctrine, is meant by, A strong people shall honour thee, the city of the strong nations shall fear thee.

Again:

In that day shall the 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 just nation which keepeth faithfulnesses may enter in (xxvi. 1, 2).

Here, by a strong city, is signified the doctrine of genuine truth, which falsities cannot destroy; walls and bulwarks signify truths for defence; gates, admission (see above, n. 208). The just nation keeping faithfulnesses denotes those who are in good and thence in truths.

sRef Rev@16 @19 S4' [4] Again:

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer: thou art cut down to the earth, that made the world into a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities" (xiv. 12, 17, 21).

By Lucifer is here meant Babel, where all the truth of the doctrine of the church was either falsified or annihilated. By the world which he made into a wilderness, and the cities thereof which he destroyed, are signified the church and its doctrinals. Preparing slaughter for his sons that they may not rise, signifies that its falsities should be destroyed. By their not possessing the land, and not filling the faces of the world with cities, is signified that they should be prevented from establishing such a church and such doctrine. In the Apocalypse:

"The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell" (xvi. 19).

In this passage Babel is treated of; its false doctrines are meant by the city divided into three parts, and the evils therefrom by the cities of the nations which are said to have fallen. sRef Ps@107 @4 S5' sRef Ps@107 @7 S5' sRef Ps@107 @2 S5' sRef Isa@6 @11 S5' sRef Ps@107 @5 S5' [5] In David:

"The redeemed of Jehovah wandered in the wilderness in the solitude of the way; they found no city of habitation; hungry and thirsty, he led them forth by a right way, that they might go to a city of habitation" (Ps. cvii. 2, 4, 5, 7).

To wander in a wilderness and in the solitude of the way denotes that they were in want of the knowledges of truth and good. That they could not find a city of habitation denotes that there was no doctrine of truth according to which they might live. The hungry and thirsty are those who were in the desire of knowing good and truth. To lead them by a right way that they might go to a city of habitation signifies to lead them into genuine truth and the doctrine of life.

In Isaiah:

"I said, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities are devastated that they may be without inhabitant, and the houses without a man, and the land be reduced to a desert" (vi. 11).

The total vastation of the church is here treated of; cities signify truths of doctrine; houses, the goods thereof; and land, the church. sRef Isa@24 @12 S6' sRef Isa@24 @11 S6' sRef Isa@24 @10 S6' sRef Isa@24 @3 S6' sRef Isa@24 @5 S6' sRef Isa@24 @4 S6' [6] Again:

"The land shall be utterly 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 wasteness, and the gate shall be smitten even to devastation" (xxiv. 3-5, 10-12).

Here also the devastation of the church is treated of; for by the land, which is said to be utterly emptied, confounded and profaned, is signified the church. By city is signified the truth of doctrine, and by house, the good thereof. By wine over which there is a cry in the streets is signified the truth of doctrine falsified, respecting which there is contest and indignation. sRef Jer@4 @7 S7' sRef Jer@4 @29 S7' sRef Jer@4 @28 S7' sRef Jer@4 @26 S7' sRef Zeph@3 @6 S7' sRef Jer@4 @27 S7' [7] In Zephaniah:

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

Nations denote those who are in evils, streets denote truths, and cities doctrines. In Jeremiah:

"The lion cometh up from the thicket to reduce thy land to wasteness, thy cities shall be destroyed; I saw Carmel a desert, and all cities thereof desolate; for this the land shall mourn; before the voice of the horseman and the archers the whole city fleeth; the whole city is deserted, not a man dwelling therein" (iv. 7, 26, 28, 29).

By the lion coming up from the thicket is signified falsity proceeding from evil; the land denotes the church, and cities denote the truths of doctrine. By Carmel is meant the spiritual church. The voice of the horseman and archers, on account of which it is said the whole city shall flee, denotes reasonings and combat from falsities.

sRef Jer@47 @2 S8' sRef Jer@17 @24 S8' sRef Jer@48 @8 S8' sRef Jer@17 @25 S8' [8] Again:

"The spoiler shall come upon every city, so that no city shall escape; the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed" (xlviii. 8).

By these words also is described the total vastation of the church, until nothing of the truth of doctrine remains. Again:

"Behold, waters rising up out of the north, which shall become an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, the city and them that dwell therein" (xlvii. 2).

Here, by an overflowing flood is also signified vastation.

Again:

"If ye hallow the day of the Sabbath, there shall enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes riding in chariots and on horses, and this city shall be inhabited to eternity" (xvii. 24, 25).

By hallowing the Sabbath, in the spiritual sense, is signified the holy acknowledgment of the Divine Human of the Lord and of His conjunction with heaven and the church. By kings and princes entering in through the gates of the city, are signified the truths of the church; their riding in chariots and on horses signifies that they shall be in the truths of doctrine and in intelligence; the city, which is Jerusalem, is the church as to doctrine: such is the spiritual sense of these words: such is it in heaven. sRef Zech@8 @5 S9' sRef Zech@8 @4 S9' sRef Zech@8 @3 S9' [9] Again, in Zechariah:

"Thus said Jehovah; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and 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 thereof" (viii. 3, 5).

sRef Ezek@40 @1 S10' sRef Rev@21 @2 S10' sRef Isa@62 @11 S10' sRef Isa@64 @10 S10' sRef Matt@4 @5 S10' sRef Isa@62 @12 S10' sRef Rev@11 @2 S10' sRef Isa@60 @14 S10' [10] By Zion in this passage is not meant Zion, nor by Jerusalem, Jerusalem; but by Zion is signified the celestial church, and by Jerusalem that church as to the doctrine of truth; this is why it is that it is called a city of truth. By the streets of the city are signified truths of doctrine; by boys and girls playing in the streets thereof are signified the affections of truth and good. (That by Zion is signified the celestial church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2362, 9055: that by Jerusalem is signified the church as to doctrine, n. 402, 3654, 9166, and in the small work, The New Jerusalem, n. 6. That by streets are signified truths of doctrine, n. 2336; that by boys and girls are signified affections of truth and good in which there is innocence, n. 3067, 3110, 3179, 5236, 6742; that to play denotes what pertains to interior festivity, which is that of the affection of truth and good, n. 10,416.) Because Zion signifies the celestial church, and Jerusalem the church as to the doctrine of truth, therefore Zion is called the city of Jehovah, and Jerusalem 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" (lx. 14).

In Ezekiel:

The prophet saw upon a high mountain the frame of a city on the south; and an angel measured the city, the wall, the gates, the chambers, and the porch of the gate; and the name of the city was Jehovah there (xl. 1, and following verses; xlviii. 35).

In Isaiah:

"Behold, Jehovah hath caused it to be heard, even to the extremity of the land, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; thou shalt be called, Sought out, a city not forsaken" (lxii. 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 for ever" (Ps. xlviii. 8).

(What the celestial church is, and what the spiritual church, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) Those two cities are called holy cities, in Isaiah:

"Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation" (lxiv. 10).

Jerusalem in particular is called the holy city, in the Apocalypse:

The gentiles shall tread the holy city under foot (xi. 2).

In another place:

"I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven" (xxi. 2).

In Matthew:

"The devil took Jesus into the holy city" (iv. 5).

sRef Ps@46 @5 S11' sRef Matt@27 @53 S11' sRef Matt@5 @35 S11' sRef Ps@46 @4 S11' sRef Ps@48 @1 S11' sRef Ps@48 @2 S11' [11] And again:

"They came out of the tombs, and went into the holy city" (xxvii. 53).

Jerusalem was called the holy city because it signified the church as to the doctrine of truth; and Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord is what is called holy (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6788, 8302, 9229, 9820, 10,361).

That without such representation and resulting signification, that city was not at all holy, but rather profane, is evident from the circumstance that the Lord was there rejected and crucified; therefore also it is called Sodom and Egypt in the Apocalypse (xi. 8). But because it signified the church as to the doctrine of truth, it was not only called the holy city, but also the city of God, and the city of the great king; as in David:

"A river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her" (Ps. xlvi. 4, 5).

Again:

"Great is Jehovah in the city of our God, beautiful for situation, the city of the great king" (Ps. xlviii. 1, 2).

And in Matthew:

"Thou shalt not swear by the earth, for it is God's footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king" (v. 35).

The reason why Jerusalem was called the city of God was, that by God in the Word of the Old Testament is meant the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (as may be seen above, n. 220, 222). And the reason why it was called the city of the great king was, that by king, when said of the Lord, is likewise signified Divine truth proceeding from Him (as also may be seen above, n. 31).

This now is why Jerusalem is called

The city of truth (Zechariah, viii. 3).

[12] In Isaiah:

"Thus said Jehovah, thy Redeemer and Former from the womb; I frustrate the tokens of the 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 waste places thereof" (xliv. 24-26).

This passage treats of the rejection of the church the doctrine of which is from man's own intelligence, and of the establishment of a new church, the doctrine of which is from the Lord. Doctrine from man's own intelligence is meant by, I frustrate the tokens of the liars, turning wise men backward, and making their knowledge foolish. And the doctrine which is from the Lord is meant by,

"Saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built."

sRef Jer@7 @34 S13' sRef Jer@7 @17 S13' [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 be laid waste" (vii. 17, 34).

The cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, in this passage, also signify the truths of doctrine; the voice of joy and the voice of gladness signify delight from the affection of good and truth; the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride signify those affections themselves; and their being caused to cease, is meant by the land being laid waste; the land signifies the church.

sRef Isa@19 @19 S14' sRef Isa@19 @2 S14' sRef Isa@19 @18 S14' [14] In Isaiah:

"I will commix 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 shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak with the lip of Canaan, and swear to Jehovah Zebaoth. In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of Egypt" (xix. 2, 18, 19).

By Egypt is meant the natural man and his Scientific. By their fighting, a man against his brother, and a man against his companion, is meant, that they should fight against good and truth. City against city, and kingdom against kingdom, signifies doctrine against doctrine, and church against church. In that day, signifies the coming of the Lord, and the state, at that time, of those who are natural and in scientific truths (veris scientificis). Five cities in the land of Egypt speaking with the lip of Canaan, signify truths of doctrine in abundance, in accord with the genuine truths of the church; five denote many, or in abundance, cities truths of doctrine. The lip of Canaan signifies the genuine truths of the church; an altar to Jehovah there signifies worship from the good of love.

sRef Isa@33 @9 S15' sRef Isa@33 @8 S15' [15] Again:

"The paths are devastated, he that passeth through the way hath ceased; he hath despised the cities, he regardeth not man. The earth mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon hath faded away" (xxxiii. 8, 9).

By the paths which are devastated, and the way which is not passed through, are denoted truths leading to heaven, which are the truths of the church; to despise the cities denotes to despise truths of doctrine, and to regard not man signifies not to regard truth and good. By the earth which mourneth and languisheth is signified the church as to good; Lebanon which hath faded away denotes the church as to truth.

sRef Isa@54 @3 S16' sRef Isa@54 @1 S16' sRef Isa@54 @2 S16' [16] Again:

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; for more are the sons of the desolate than the sons of the married wife. Enlarge the place of thy tent; thy seed shall inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited" (liv. 1-3).

The barren that did not bear signifies the nations who have not as yet possessed truths from the Word; the sons of the desolate denote truths which will be received; the sons of the married wife denote truths with those who are in the church. To enlarge the place of the tent, denotes that they shall worship from good; seed denotes truth thence derived; the nations which it shall inherit denote goods; and the cities which shall be inhabited, denote doctrines therefrom. sRef Jer@32 @42 S17' sRef Jer@32 @44 S17' [17] In Jeremiah:

"I will bring upon them every good; they shall buy fields with silver, and that 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" (xxxii. 42-44; xxxiii. 13).

These things are said of those in the church who are in good and thence in truths. To buy fields with silver denotes to procure for themselves the good of the church by means of truths; to write in a book denotes to implant in the life; the cities of Judah and the cities of the mountain, denote truths of doctrine pertaining to those who are of the Lord's celestial kingdom; the cities of the plain, and the cities of the south denote truths of doctrine pertaining to those who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom.

sRef Matt@5 @14 S18' sRef Matt@5 @15 S18' [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" (v. 14, 15).

These things were said to the disciples, by whom are signified all truths and goods in the aggregate: therefore it is said, ye are the light of the world; for by light is signified Divine truth and intelligence therefrom. From this signification of those words, it is therefore said, A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid, neither [can] a lamp be lighted and put under a bushel; for by a city set on a mountain, is signified truth of doctrine from the good of love; and by a lamp is signified, in general, truth from good, and intelligence therefrom. sRef Matt@12 @25 S19' [19] Again:

"Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself does not stand" (xii. 25).

By kingdom, in the spiritual sense, is signified the church; by city and house, the truth and good of its doctrine, which do not stand but fall, if they do not fully agree. [20] Again:

Jesus sent forth the twelve disciples, saying unto them, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into a city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (x. 5, 6).

The way of the Gentiles into which they were not to go signifies falsity from evil; the city of the Samaritans into which they were forbidden 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 thence in faith, Israel, denoting these, wherever they are. That the city of the Samaritans signifies the false doctrine of those who reject the Lord, is, because the Samaritans did not receive Him (as may be seen in Luke ix. 52-56).

sRef Matt@10 @23 S21' [21] Again, in Matthew:

Jesus said, "when they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another" (x. 23).

Here also by city is meant the doctrine of falsity from evil; and that where this exists, the doctrine of truth would not be admitted, is meant by its being said, "If they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another."

[22] In Luke:

"The master of the house being angry, said to the servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind" (xiv. 21).

By going into the streets and lanes of the city is signified that they should inquire where those are who receive the truths of doctrine; for streets and lanes denote truths of doctrine, as above, and city denotes doctrine. The poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, signify those who are not in truths and goods, but yet desire them. (Who are specifically signified by the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, may be seen [in extracts] from Arcana Coelestia, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 107.) sRef Luke@19 @13 S23' sRef Luke@19 @15 S23' sRef Luke@19 @14 S23' sRef Luke@19 @16 S23' sRef Luke@19 @17 S23' sRef Luke@19 @18 S23' sRef Luke@19 @19 S23' sRef Luke@19 @12 S23' [23] Again:

A nobleman going away in order to receive for himself a kingdom, gave to his servants ten pounds to trade with; when he returned he commanded the servants to be called. "The first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. He said unto him, Good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a very little, thou shalt have authority over ten cities. Soon the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. He said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities" (xix. 12-19, and the following verses).

By these words, in the spiritual sense, much more is signified than can be expressed in a few words; it only need be remarked, that by cities are not meant cities, but the doctrinals of truth and good; and by having power over them, intelligence and wisdom; by ten much, and by five some. (That ten in the Word signifies much, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1988, 3107, 4638, 9757; and that five signify some, see n. 4638, 9604.) From these considerations it is now evident that by the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, is signified the doctrine of the new church, which is in the heavens. (This doctrine also has been given in a special small work, entitled The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine.)

AE (Tansley) n. 224

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 224

224. And my new name. That this signifies, that they will also acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord, is evident from the signification of I will write upon him My new name, as being the acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine Human. To write upon any one denotes to implant in the life (as may be seen above, n. 222), here to implant in faith from charity, because that faith is treated of in what is written to the angel of this church (see above, n. 203); and to implant in that faith denotes acknowledgment in heart. The reason why the new name of the Lord denotes His Divine Human is, that this prophetic book, called the Apocalypse, treats of those who will be in the New Jerusalem, and of those who will not be in it, and not of the successive states of the church as is usually believed (see above, n. 5); and those who will be in the New Jerusalem are all those who will acknowledge the Divine Human of the Lord; therefore it is also said, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, towards the end, "That there is a Trine in the Lord, namely, the Divine Itself, the Divine Human and the proceeding Divine, is an arcanum from heaven, and is for those who will be in the holy Jerusalem" (n. 297). That this is the new name of the Lord is evident from the fact that it was not before acknowledged in the church.

What is further meant by the name of Jehovah, of the Lord, and of Jesus Christ in the Word may be seen above (n. 26, 102, 135, 148); and that the Divine Human of the Lord is meant (n. 26 and 102). The reason why this is meant by the name of Jehovah is, that name in the Word signifies the quality of a state and thing (as may be seen above, n. 148); and the Divine quality by which all things were created and made in the heavens and in the earths is the Lord's Divine Human; as it is also said in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. And the world was made by him. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (i. 1, 2, 3, 10, 14).

From these considerations it is evident why it is that by the name of Jehovah is meant the Lord's Divine Human. That this is meant in the Word by the name of Jehovah, the Lord Himself shows in John:

Jesus said, "Father, glorify thy name; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, I both have glorified it, and will glorify it again" (xii. 28).

To glorify is to make Divine. And again:

Jesus said, "I have manifested thy name unto men. I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it" (xvii. 6, 26).

AE (Tansley) n. 225

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 225

225. (v. 13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church is evident from what was said above (n. 108), where the same words are explained.

AE (Tansley) n. 226

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 226

226. Verses 14-22. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; would that thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. He that overcometh, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write," signifies those who are in faith alone, that is, who are in faith separate from charity. "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness," signifies from whom is all truth and the all of faith: "the beginning of the creation of God," signifies faith from Him, which is the primary of the church as to appearance.

"I know thy works," signifies, the life of faith alone; "that thou art neither cold nor hot," signifies that it is between heaven and hell, because without charity. "Would that thou wert cold or hot," signifies that it is better that there should be no faith, or that there should be charity alone.

"So then, because thou art lukewarm," signifies those who live from the doctrine of faith alone, and justification thereby; "and neither cold nor hot," signifies a state between heaven and hell, because without charity; "I will spue thee out of my mouth," signifies separation from knowledges (cognitiones) derived from the Word.

"Because thou sayest I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," signifies their faith, that they believe themselves to be in truths more than others; "and knowest not that thou art wretched," signifies that they do not know that their falsities have no coherence with truths; "and miserable and poor," signifies that neither do they know that they are without the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good: "and blind and naked," signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and without the understanding and will of good.

"I counsel thee," signifies the means of the reformation of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone; "to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich," signifies to procure for themselves genuine good from the Lord, that they may receive the truths of faith; "and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed," signifies genuine truths and intelligence therefrom; "that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear," signifies lest their filthy loves should appear: "and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see," signifies that their understanding may be somewhat opened.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten," signifies temptations in that state; "be zealous, therefore, and repent," signifies that they may have charity.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock," signifies the perpetual presence of the Lord; "if any one hear my voice," signifies he who attends to the precepts of the Lord; "and open the door," signifies reception in heart or life: "I will come in to him," signifies conjunction; "and will sup with him, and he with me," signifies communicating to them of the happiness of heaven.

"He that overcometh, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne," signifies that he who endures to the end of life will be conjoined to heaven where the Lord is: "as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne," signifies comparatively as the Divine good is united to the Divine truth in heaven.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," signifies that he who understands should hearken to what the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church.

AE (Tansley) n. 227

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 227

227. (v. 14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write. That this signifies those who are in faith alone, that is, who are in faith separated from charity, is evident from the internal or spiritual sense of all the things that are written to the angel of this church. For what essential of the church is meant in what is written to each of the churches, can be seen only from that sense; for what is here written is prophetical, and all propheticals, like all things of the Word in general, are written by correspondences, in order that the conjunction of heaven with the church may be thereby effected. Conjunction is effected by correspondences; for heaven, or the angels of heaven, understand all things spiritually which man understands naturally, and between natural and spiritual things there is a perpetual correspondence; and by correspondences a conjunction is effected such as that which exists between the soul and the body. This is why the Word is written in such a style; for otherwise it would be without soul, or life, consequently there would be nothing of heaven in it, neither would the Divine be in it. Hence then it is that, from the internal or spiritual sense of what is written to each church, it is clear what essential of the church is meant. Thus it is evident that in what is written to the angel of this church, the subject treated of is those who are in faith alone separated from charity. It is said faith separated from charity, and by this is meant faith separated from life; for charity pertains to the life; therefore when faith is separated therefrom, it is not in the man, but outside him. For what resides in the memory only, and is taken thence into the thought, without entering into a man's will, and thence into act, is not within him but outside him; for the memory, and thought therefrom, is only as an outer court, by means of which there is entrance into the house: the house being the will. Such is faith alone, or faith separated from charity. (More may be seen concerning the nature of this faith, in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 108-122; also in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 270. 271, 361, 482, 526; also in the above explanation of the Apocalypse, n. 204, 211, 212, 213. Moreover, what is meant by charity and by neighbour, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107; in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, 528-535; and above, in the explanation, n. 182, 198, 213.)

AE (Tansley) n. 228

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 228

228. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness. That this signifies from whom is all truth and the all of faith is evident from the signification of amen, as being verity and truth, which will be explained in what follows; and from the signification of the faithful and true witness, when said of the Lord, as being the all of faith from him; for witness, when said of the Lord, signifies Divine truth which is from Him, and hence the all of faith, for faith belongs to truth, and truth to faith. Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is called the witness, because it is His Divine in heaven and in the church, in which He is, and which is Himself there; for this proceeds from his Divine Human, and fills the whole heaven and forms it; this is why heaven in its whole extent has reference to one man. Such being the case with respect to Divine truth, its origin and quality, it is therefore here called the witness; for it bears witness concerning the Divine Human of the Lord, and manifests it to all who receive Divine truths from Him. It is from this fact that the angels of the higher heavens have no perception of any other Divine, nor can have, than that of the Lord's Divine Human; this arises from the influx of the whole heaven into their minds. It is therefore evident why "witness," when said of the Lord, signifies the Lord Himself as to Divine truth in heaven and in the church; and that to bear witness, when said of those who receive Divine truth from the Lord, signifies to acknowledge in heart the Lord's Divine in His Human (see above n. 27). That heaven in whole and in part has reference to one man, and that this is from the Lord's Divine Human, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86, and the following, and n. 101; and that the Divine proceeding from the Lord, which forms heaven, and the angels to the image of heaven, is Divine truth, ibid., n. 13, 133, 138-140).

[2] This Divine truth is called by the Lord, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, concerning which it is said that he should testify of Him, and that he is from Him. That he does testify, or bear witness of Him is declared in John:

"When the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall testify of me" (xv. 26).

And that it proceeds from Him is declared in the same Evangelist:

The Comforter, "the Spirit of truth, will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I, He shall take of mine, and show it unto you" (xvi. 13-15).

That Divine truth is from the Lord, is meant by, He shall not speak of himself, but he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you; and that it is from the Divine Human of the Lord, is meant by; all things that the Father hath are Mine, therefore said I, that he shall take of Mine, and show it unto you. And that it manifests the Divine Human of the Lord is clear from, He shall glorify me.

To glorify, is to make known the Divine Human of the Lord. (That this is to glorify, when said of the Lord, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 294.) [3] The same is signified by these words of the Lord:

"I tell you the truth; it is expedient that I go away; if I go not away," the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, will not come "unto you" (John xvi. 7).

Hence it is clear that Divine truth is from the Lord's Divine Human. The reason why the Lord calls Himself the Amen is, that Amen signifies verity, thus the Lord Himself, because when He was in the world He was Divine verity itself, or Divine truth itself; which was also the reason why He so often said

"Amen," and "Amen, Amen;" as in Matt. v. 18, 26; vi. 16; x. 23, 42; xvii. 20; xviii. 3, 13, 18; xxiv. 2; xxviii. 20; John i. 51; iii. 11; v. 19, 24, 25; vi. 26, 32, 47, 53; viii. 34, 51, 58; x. 1, 7; xii. 24; xiii. 16, 20, 21; xxi. 18, 25.

[4] That the Lord, when He was in the world, was the Divine truth itself, He teaches in John:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (xiv. 6).

And again:

"For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth" (xvii. 19).

That holiness in the Word is said of Divine truth, and to be sanctified of those who receive holiness, may be seen above (n. 204); hence by the Lord's sanctifying Himself is meant to make His Human Divine. (But these things are further treated of and shown in Arcana Coelestia, as may be seen by what is adduced from that work in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 303-306.) Moreover, that Amen signifies Divine confirmation, may be seen above (n. 34); as also in the Old Testament (Deut. xxvii. 15-26; 1 Kings i. 36; Isa. lxv. 16; Jer. xi. 5; xxviii. 6; Ps. xli. 13; lxxii. 19; lxxxix. 52; cvi. 48).

AE (Tansley) n. 229

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 229

229. The beginning of the creation of God. That this signifies faith from Him, which is the primary of the church as to appearance, is evident from the signification of beginning, as being what is primary; and from the signification of the creation of God, as being the church, of which we shall speak presently. The reason why faith is meant by the beginning of the creation of God is, that this is the subject treated of in what is written to the angel of this church; but that faith is the beginning of the creation of God, that is, the primary thing of the church as to appearance, shall now be explained. By faith is here meant faith from the Lord; for faith which is not from the Lord is not the faith of the church, and faith from the Lord is the faith of charity. This faith is the first principle of the church as to appearance, because it appears first to the man of the church; nevertheless, charity itself is actually the first principle of the church, because it constitutes the church with man. [2] There are two things that constitute the church, namely, charity and faith, charity pertains to affection, and faith to thought therefrom. The very essence of thought is affection; for without affection no one can think, the all of the life, which is in thought, being from affection. It is therefore evident, that the first principle of the church is the affection which is of charity, or love. But the reason why faith is called the first principle of the church is, that it is the first to appear; for what a man believes, that he thinks, and sees in thought; whereas that with which man is spiritually affected, he does not think, nor, therefore, does he see it in thought, but he perceives it in a certain sense which has no reference to sight, but to another sensitive, which is called that of delight. And because this delight is spiritual, and above the feeling of natural delight, a man does not perceive it, until he becomes spiritual, that is, when he is regenerated by the Lord. This is why the things of faith, thus those of sight, are believed to be the primary things of the church, although they are so only in appearance. This therefore is called the beginning of the creation of God, because the Word in the letter is according to appearance; for the appearance in the letter is for the simple; but spiritual men, like the angels, are raised above appearances, and perceive the Word as it is in its internal sense, consequently they perceive that charity is the first principle of the church, and that faith is therefrom; for, as was said above, faith which is not from charity, and which does not pertain to charity, is not faith (concerning this, see what is said in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39).

[3] What is the first principle of the church, whether faith or charity, has been a matter of controversy, even from ancient times; and those who were unacquainted with the nature of charity have said that faith is the first principle; but those who were acquainted with the nature of charity have affirmed that charity is the first, and that faith is charity as to appearance, because the affection of charity, which appears to the sight in thought, is faith; for the delight of affection, when it passes from the will into the thought, forms itself, and in various forms renders itself visible. This was unknown to the simple; therefore they took that to be the first principle of the church which appeared before the sight of their thought; and because the Word in the letter is written according to appearances, therefore this is there called the first, the beginning, and the first-born. For this reason, Peter, by whom was represented the faith of the church, is said to be the first of the apostles; whereas John was the first, because John represented the good of charity. That John, and not Peter, was the first of the apostles, is evident from the fact that John leaned on the breast of the Lord, and that he, and not Peter, followed the Lord (John xxi. 20-22). (That by the twelve disciples of the Lord were represented all the truths and goods of the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that by Peter was represented faith, n. 4738, 6000, 6073, 6344, 10,087, 10,580; and that by John was represented the good of charity, n. 3934, 10,087.) [4] For the same reason also, Reuben (because he was the first-born of Jacob) represented faith, and it was believed that the tribe which had its name from him was the first; but that tribe was not the first, but the tribe of Levi, because Levi represented the good of charity; therefore also this tribe was appointed to the priesthood, and the priesthood is the first thing of the church. (That by the twelve sons of Jacob, or the twelve tribes named from them, were represented all the truths and goods of the church, may be seen, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335, 7836, 7891, 7996; that by Reuben was represented faith, n. 3861, 3866, 4605, 4731, 4734, 4761, 6342-6345; and that by Levi was represented the good of charity, n. 3875, 4497, 4502, 4503.) It is also for the same reason, that, in the first chapter of Genesis, which, in the sense of the letter, treats of the creation of heaven and earth, but, in the internal sense, of the new creation, or regeneration, of the man of the church at that time, it is there said that light was first made, and afterwards the sun and the moon, as may be seen, verses 3-5, and 14-19 in that chapter, although the sun is first, and light from it. The reason why light was said to be the first of creation was, that by light is signified the truth of faith, and by the sun and moon the good of love and charity. (That by the creation of heaven and earth, in the first chapter of Genesis, in the spiritual sense, is meant and described the new creation of the man of the celestial church, or his regeneration, may be seen in the explanation of that chapter in Arcana Coelestia, and also, n. 8891, 9942, 10,545. That light signifies truth from good, thus also the truth of faith, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140; and that the sun signifies the good of love, and the moon the good of charity, both from the Lord, may be seen in the same work, n. 116-125, 146.) From these considerations it is evident that the beginning of the creation of God signifies faith from the Lord, which is the first principle of the church as to appearance.

AE (Tansley) n. 230

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 230

230. (v. 15) I know thy works. That this signifies the life of faith alone is evident from the signification of works as being those things that belong to the interior life of man, because works proceed from those things, and are their effects (concerning which see above, n. 157, 185). Here therefore they signify the life of faith alone, because this is treated of in what is written to the angel of this church. To each of the churches it is premised, "I know thy works," and in every case it signifies the things belonging to the church there treated of (see above, n. 98); therefore the quality of the life of faith alone, or of faith separated from charity, is described in what now follows.

AE (Tansley) n. 231

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 231

231. That thou art neither cold nor hot. That this signifies that the life is between heaven and hell, because without charity, is evident from the signification of cold, as being not to be in spiritual but in infernal love, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of hot, as denoting to be in spiritual love, concerning which also we shall speak presently. It is therefore evident, that by being neither cold nor hot, is signified, to be neither in infernal love nor in spiritual love, but between both; and he who is between both is between hell and heaven. [2] That such are those who are in faith alone, or in faith separated from charity, has not hitherto been known; but that it is so, is clear from each of the things written to the angel of this church; also from this consideration, that those who are in faith separated from charity live to themselves, to the world, and to a natural disposition, and those who so live are in infernal love; and that yet by reading the Word, and by hearing discourses therefrom, by receiving the Holy Supper, and by many things which they retain in the memory from the Word, they look towards heaven; and when they do so, they are in some degree of spiritual heat; but still because they have not any heat, or spiritual love, since they do not live according to the Word, therefore they are neither cold nor hot. Thus too they divide the mind into two parts; namely, by means of the things of the Word they turn themselves to heaven, and by means of the things of life they turn themselves to hell, so that they halt between both.

When those who are of such a character come into another life, they desire to go to heaven, saying that they have faith, that they have read the Word, have heard sermons, have frequented the Holy Supper, and that by these things they expect to be saved, but when their life is examined, it is seen to be entirely infernal; that is, that they made no account of enmity, hatred, revenge, craftiness, deceitful stratagems; that when they did what was right, sincere and just, it was only in external form, for the sake of appearing such to the world, whilst inwardly, or in their spirit, they thought other things, and many opposite things, believing that thoughts and intentions are of no account provided they do not openly appear before the world. This is why the spirit of such, when loosened from the earthly body, is of such a quality; for it is man's spirit which thinks and intends. [3] These are they who are meant by the words of the Lord in Matthew:

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? But then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (vii. 22, 23).

So also by these words in Luke:

"When ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me all ye workers of iniquity" (xiii. 25-27).

[4] The reason why cold signifies infernal love is, that heat signifies heavenly love. (That heat signifies heavenly love, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, 567, 568; and that love to the Lord, and love towards the neighbour, or charity, are heavenly loves, and constitute heaven, may be seen in the same work, n. 13-19; and that the love of self and the love of the world are infernal loves and constitute hell, n. 551-565. That in the hells also there is heat, but impure, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1773, 2757, 3340; but that that heat is changed into cold when heavenly heat flows in, see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 572.)

AE (Tansley) n. 232

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 232

232. Would thou wert cold or hot. That this signifies that it is better that there should be no faith, or that there should be charity alone, is evident from the signification of, would thou wert cold, as being that it is better that there should be no faith, which will be shown in what follows; and from the signification of, or hot, as being that there should be charity alone. What is meant by charity alone will be explained in its place it shall be here first explained what is meant by there being no faith. With those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, there is indeed no faith, by which is meant no spiritual faith, or no faith of the church; yet such possess natural faith, which must be also called persuasive faith; for they believe that the Word is Divine, they believe in eternal life, also in the remission of sins, and in many other things; but such faith with those who are without charity is a persuasive faith, which does not differ from a faith in things unknown, heard from others in the world, and believed, although neither seen nor understood, because they are said by someone thought to be worthy of credit; thus, it is only the faith of another in themselves, and not their own. And this faith, which is not made their own by sight and understanding, is not unlike the belief of one born blind about colours and objects of sight in the world, who has also a dullness of touch, concerning which things he has strange ideas, which no one knows but himself.

This faith is called historical, and is by no means a spiritual faith, such as the faith of the church ought to be. Spiritual faith, or the faith of the church, is entirely from charity, so that in its essence it is charity; also, things spiritual which are believed, appear in light to those who are in charity. This I declare from experience; for everyone who has lived in charity during his abode in the world, sees, in the other life, his own truth which he believes, whereas they who have been in faith alone, see nothing at all. [2] Nevertheless, faith merely historical, by means of thought of God, of heaven, and eternal life, has some means of degree of conjunction with heaven, but only by obscure thought, and not by the affection of charity, for this affection it has not; therefore by the affection which such persons have, which is the affection of the love of self and of the world, they are conjoined to hell. Hence it is evident that they are between heaven and hell, because they look with their eyes to heaven, and in heart to hell; to do this is to profane, and the lot of profaners in the other life is the worst of all. To profane is to believe in God, the Word, eternal life, and many things taught in the sense of the letter of the Word, and yet to live contrary to them. [3] This is why it is said, "Would thou wert cold or hot;" for he who is cold, that is, who is without faith, does not profane; neither does he who is hot, that is, who has charity alone. (What profanation is, and what its nature, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 169, 172; and what persuasive faith is, and its nature, n. 116-119; as also that there is no spiritual faith where there is no charity, in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.) What charity alone is shall now be briefly stated. Charity is essentially spiritual affection, but charity alone is natural affection, and not spiritual; for charity itself, which is spiritual affection, is formed by means of truths from the Word, and in proportion as it is formed by those truths, in the same proportion it is spiritual; but charity alone, which is natural affection, is not formed by any truths from the Word, but exists with man from hearing discourses, without any regard on his part to truths, and without learning them; therefore, charity alone is also without faith, for faith is of truth, and truth of faith.

AE (Tansley) n. 233

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 233

233. (v. 16) So then, because thou art lukewarm. That this signifies those who live from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby is evident from the signification of the lukewarm, as being those who are between heaven and hell, and thus serve two masters. That those who think, believe and live from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, are in such a state, is not as yet known; therefore it shall be made clear. There are two states of faith and consequently of life, or of life and consequently of faith, of those who form the church; the one state is from doctrine, the other from the Word, or from preachings from the Word. Scarcely any one knows of the existence of these states; nevertheless, that they do exist, and that with some they act as one, and that with many they do not act as one, has been granted me to see and know by living experience with spirits recently departed out of the world; for spirits carry with them all the states of their life. But this cannot be seen and known by men while they live in the world, because what the spirit of man thinks within itself, believes, and loves, in spiritual matters, cannot be openly manifested in any other way than by speech and outward deeds; and these proceed, as to what pertains to faith, either from the doctrine received in the church, or from the precepts of the Lord in the Word without thought from doctrine. The former is mostly the case with the learned, the latter with the simple. The quality, therefore, of the state of thought, of faith, and life, from doctrine, shall be first explained.

[2] The doctrine of the churches in the Christian world at this day insists that faith alone saves, and that the life of love is of no account; also that when a man receives faith he is justified, and that when he is thus justified, no evil can be afterwards imputed to him; consequently, that every man is saved, even a wicked one, if only he has faith, although it may be in the last hour of his life; those therefore who think and live from such doctrine omit good works, because they do not believe that good works affect man, or are efficacious to salvation. They also have no concern about the evils of their thought and will, whether those evils consist in contempt of others in comparison with themselves, or whether they consist in enmity, hatred, revenge, craft, deceit and other similar evils, because they believe that such things are not imputed to those who are justified by faith. They say in their hearts that they are not under the yoke of the law, because the Lord has fulfilled the law for them, nor under the curse, because the Lord took it upon Himself. This then is why those who think, live and believe from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, have no regard to God in their lives, but only to self and the world; and they who look only to self and the world in the course of their life conjoin themselves to the hells; for all those who are in the hells make no account either of good or of evil. In a word, for men to live from that doctrine is to confirm themselves in the life that it is of no consequence to think, to will or to do good, because salvation is not from that source, and also that it is of no consequence if they think, and will, and, as far as the fear of the law does not restrain, do evil, because damnation is not from that source, provided they only have confidence and trust, which is called saving faith (see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem n. 115).

That such persons are lukewarm is clear from this, that when they think, speak and preach from that doctrine, they do this concerning God, the Lord, life eternal, and the Word; but care nothing at all for them when they think and speak apart from doctrine. By such thought, therefore, they look to heaven, but by their life they conjoin themselves to hell; therefore they are between heaven and hell, and those who are in such a state are lukewarm. [3] These things are said concerning the state of faith, and thence of life, of men within the church, when their faith and life are from the doctrine of the church. Something shall now be said concerning the state of faith and thence of life, of the men of the church, when their faith and life are from the Word. The greater part of those who are born within the churches where the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby is received, do not know what faith alone is, nor what is meant by justification; therefore, when they hear those things from their teachers, they think that a life according to the precepts of God in the Word is thereby meant, for they believe this to be faith and also justification; they do not enter more deeply into the mysteries of doctrine. Such persons also, when they are instructed concerning faith alone and justification thereby, believe merely that faith alone is to think concerning God and salvation, and how they ought to live; and that justification is to live before God. All those within the church who are saved are kept by the Lord in this state of thought and faith, and, after their departure out of the world are instructed in truths, because they possess a capacity for receiving instruction; but those who have framed their lives from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, as above spoken of, are blinded, for faith alone is not faith, and hence justification by faith alone is nothing. (That faith alone is not faith, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39.) [4] From these considerations it is evident that by the lukewarm, are meant those who say in their heart, "To what purpose is it if I think, will and do good; for there is no salvation by such means? It is sufficient that I have faith. And what does it matter also if I think, will and do evil, since there is no damnation in consequence?" Thus they give rein to all their thoughts and intentions, and so to their own spirit; for it is the spirit which thinks and intends; and they become altogether according thereto. It must be known that there are very few who thus live from doctrine, although it is believed by the preachers that all who hear their preachings are under their influence; for it is from the Divine providence of the Lord that there are but very few such. The reason of this is that the lot of the lukewarm is not unlike that of profaners, and the lot of profaners is, that, after their life in the world, all that they have known from the Word is taken away from them, and they are afterwards left to the thought and love of their own spirit. And when the thought which they had from the Word is taken away, they become of all others the most stupid; they appear also in the light of heaven like burnt skeletons covered over with some skin. (Concerning profanation, and the lot of those who profane, see in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 172.)

AE (Tansley) n. 234

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 234

234. And neither cold nor hot. That this signifies that they are between heaven and hell, because they are without charity, is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 231).

AE (Tansley) n. 235

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 235

235. I will spue thee out of my mouth. That this signifies separation from knowledges derived from the Word is evident from the signification of spuing, when by the Lord, as being separation; not that the Lord separates them from Himself, but that they separate themselves from the Lord. The expression to spue is used, because the subject treated of is the lukewarm; and in the world what is lukewarm causes vomiting. This is also from correspondence; for the food which man takes corresponds to knowledges, and consequently, in the Word, signifies knowledges; therefore separation from them signifies non-admission; but because those who are here treated of do admit something from the Word, it signifies casting out, or vomiting (that food, from correspondence, signifies knowledges and intelligence therefrom, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3114, 4459, 4792, 5147, 5293, 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5576, 5582, 5588, 5655, 8562; for knowledges nourish the internal man, or spirit, as food nourishes the external man, or body, n. 4459, 5293, 5576, 6277, 8418); and from the signification of out of the mouth, when said of the Lord, as being out of the Word. The reason why out of the mouth, when said of the Lord, signifies the Word is, that the Word is Divine truth, and this proceeds from the Lord, and what proceeds from Him and flows into man is said to be out of the mouth, although it is not out of the mouth, but is as light from the sun. For the Lord above the heavens, where the angels are, appears as a Sun; and the light therefrom is Divine truth, from which angels and men have all their intelligence and wisdom (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell n. 116-125, and 126-140). It is therefore evident that by I will spue thee out of my mouth, is signified to separate from Divine truth, or, what amounts to the same, from knowledges derived from the Word.

[2] That those who are lukewarm, that is, neither cold nor hot, as those are who live from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, of which we have spoken just above, are separated from knowledges derived from the Word, is not known to themselves, for they believe that they possess knowledges more than all others; but still they do not, indeed, they have scarcely any knowledge. The reason of this is, that the principles of their doctrine and religion are false; and from false principles nothing but falsities follow; therefore, when reading the Word, they keep the mind fixed in their falsities; consequently they either do not see truths, or if they do, they pass by or falsify them. The false principles referred to are, that salvation is by faith alone, and that man is justified by that faith. Such persons might know, if they would, that they are separated from knowledges derived from the Word, and that they do not see truths. For what is more frequently said by the Lord than that they ought to keep His words, His commandments, and do His will; and that every one shall be rewarded according to his deeds; as also that the whole Word is founded upon two commandments, which are, to love God, and to love the neighbour, and that to love God is to do His precept (John xiv. 21, 23, 24)? That these must be done in order to salvation, is said a thousand times in both Testaments; also that to hear and to know them is to no purpose unless they are done. But do those who have confirmed themselves in faith alone, and justification thereby, see those things? and if they do see them, do they not falsify them? This is why such persons have no doctrine of life, but a doctrine of faith alone; when nevertheless it is the life that forms the man of the church, and those things become his faith which enter into his life.

[3] That such persons are separated from knowledges derived from the Word is evident also from this, that they do not know that they will live as men after the death of the body; that it is the spirit in them which lives; that heaven and also hell are from the human race; that they know nothing at all of heaven and heavenly joy; neither of hell and infernal fire; thus nothing about the spiritual world; nothing about the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; about the glorification of the Lord's Human; about regeneration; about temptation, and about Baptism and what it involves; nothing about the Holy Supper, and about what flesh and blood, or bread and wine, therein signify; nothing about free-will; nothing about the internal man; nothing about charity, the neighbour, good, and love; neither do they know what remission of sins is; besides many other things contained in the Word. I have also heard the angels say that, when they are permitted to look into the church and see those who believe themselves to be intelligent from doctrine, they see mere thick darkness, and such intelligent ones, as it were, deep under waves.

[4] There are two reasons why they are separated from knowledges derived from the Word. The first is that they cannot be enlightened from the Lord; for the Lord flows into the good of man, and from that good enlightens him in truths, that is, He flows into man's love, and thence into his faith. The other reason is that they profane truths by falsifications; and those who do this are separated from truths themselves while they live in the world, so that they do not know them; but in the other life they reject all the things which, during their abode in the world, they had known from the Word. Both these separations are meant by being vomited out of the mouth. Similar things are meant by vomiting elsewhere in the Word; as in the following passages; in Isaiah:

"Jehovah hath mingled in the midst of Egypt a spirit of perversities; whence they have caused Egypt to go astray in every work thereof, even as a drunkard goeth astray in his vomit " (xix. 14).

Egypt signifies the knowledge (scientia) of things, both spiritual and natural; by mingling in the midst thereof a spirit of perversities is signified to pervert and falsify those things; by a drunkard are signified those who are insane in spiritual things; and, inasmuch as truths mingled with falsities are cast out, it is therefore said, "as a drunkard goeth astray in his vomit." (That Egypt signifies knowledge (scientia), may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 7296, and also the scientifics of the church, n. 7296, 9340, 9391; that the drunken signify those who are insane in spiritual things, n. 1072.) [5] In Jeremiah:

"Drink ye, and be drunken, and spew and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword" (xxv. 27).

To drink and be drunken is to imbibe falsities and mingle them with truths, and hence to be insane; to spew and fall, is altogether to cast out things falsified; the sword because of which they shall rise no more, signifies falsity destroying and vastating truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2799, 4499, 7102). It is therefore evident what is meant by spewing and falling.

Again:

"Make Moab drunken, because he hath lifted himself up against Jehovah, that he may wallow in his vomit" (xlviii. 26).

Moab signifies those who adulterate the goods of the church wherefore vomiting is said of them. [6] Also in Habakkuk:

"Woe unto him that maketh a companion to drink even in being drunken, that thou mayest look upon their nakednesses. Thou shalt be satiated with shame more than glory; drink thou, also, and let thy foreskin be discovered; the cup of Jehovah shall go about unto thee, so that shameful spewing shall be upon glory " (ii. 15, 16).

To drink in being drunken, also signifies to imbibe truths and mingle them with falsities; the nakednesses upon which they look signifies the deprivation of truth and of intelligence therefrom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1073, 5433, 9960); the foreskin which shall be discovered, signifies the defilement of good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2056, 3412, 3413, 4462, 7225, 7245); glory signifies Divine truth, consequently the Word (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429). It is therefore evident what is signified by shameful spewing upon glory.

[7] In Isaiah:

"These err through wine; through strong drink they wander out of the way; the priest and the prophet err through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they err among the seeing, they stumble in judgment. Nay! all tables are full of the vomit of filthiness; there is no place. Whom shall he teach knowledge?" (xxviii. 7-9).

Here wine and strong drink, through which they are said to err, signify truths mingled with falsities; the priest and the prophet signify those who teach goods and truths, and, in the abstract, the goods and truths of the church; those who err among the seeing signify those who were about to see truths to stumble in judgment signifies insanity; tables signify all those things which should nourish the spiritual life, for by tables are meant the food which is upon them, and food signifies all truths and goods, because these nourish spiritual life. Here, therefore, by tables being full of vomit and filthiness are signified the same things falsified and adulterated.

[8] In Moses:

"Defile not yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you. And the land is defiled; therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants; that the land spew not you out also when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you" (Lev. xviii. 24, 25, 28).

By the subject here treated of is meant all kinds of adulteries, by which, in the spiritual sense, are meant all kinds of adulterations of good and falsifications of truth, or profanations; and because evils and goods, as also falsities of evil and truths of good, cannot be together, but are cast out, therefore it is said that the land, that is the church, has vomited them out. From these things it is now evident what is signified by vomiting, I will vomit thee out of my mouth.

AE (Tansley) n. 236

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 236

236. (v. 17) Because thou sayest I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing. That this signifies their faith, that they believe themselves to be in truths more than others, is evident from the signification of thou sayest, as involving what is believed by them; and because those are here treated of who are in faith alone, therefore thou sayest signifies their faith. Moreover, to say, in the spiritual sense, signifies to think, because what is said goes out from the thought; and thought is spiritual, because it belongs to man's spirit, and saying and discourse therefrom are natural, because they belong to the body. It is from this that to say, in the Word, has significations, varying according to the subject treated of. And from the signification of I am rich, as being to possess the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, and thence to be intelligent and wise, which will be seen in what follows. Also from the signification of and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, as being to know all things, so that nothing is wanting. [2] That those who hold the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby thus believe, or are of such a character, is not known to those who are not in that faith, although amongst them there are such; nevertheless it has been granted me to know by much experience that they are of such a character.

I have conversed with many who, in the world, believed themselves to be more intelligent and wise than others, from the fact of their knowing so many things concerning faith alone and justification thereby, and indeed such things as the simple were not acquainted with, which they also called interior things, and mysteries of doctrine; and they believed they knew and understood all things, so that they lacked nothing. Amongst these were many who had written concerning faith alone, and justification by that faith; but it was shown them that they knew nothing of truth, and that those who lived the life of faith, which is charity, and did not understand justification by faith alone were far more intelligent and wise than they. It was also shown them that the things which they knew were not truths but falsities, and that to know and think these is not to be intelligent and wise, because intelligence is concerned with truth, and wisdom with the life therefrom. The reason of this was also made known to them, namely, that they were in no spiritual affection of truth, but only in the natural affection of knowing those things which are taught by the learned, or their rulers, some for the sake of employment, others for the reputation for erudition; also that those who are in the latter and not in the former affection, believe that when they know those things they know everything, and especially those who have confirmed themselves in them by the sense of the letter of the Word, and have laboured by fallacies of reasoning to connect them with other falsities.

[3] I will state something here also from experience concerning these persons. Some spirits, who, when they lived as men in the world, were then believed by others to be learned men, were examined to see whether they knew what spiritual faith is. They said that they did know; therefore when communication with those who held that faith had been granted, they perceived that they had not faith, and did not know what faith is. Upon this it was asked them what they now believed concerning faith alone, on which the whole doctrine of their church is founded; but they were ashamed and struck dumb. There were also many from amongst the learned of the church, who were asked whether they knew what regeneration is. They answered that they knew it to be baptism, because the Lord declares that unless a man be born by water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; but when it was shown them that baptism is not regeneration, but that by water and the Spirit are meant truths and a life according to them, and that no one can enter into heaven unless he is thereby regenerated, they retired, confessing their ignorance. Moreover, when asked about angels, heaven and hell, the life of man after death, and many other things, they were found to be quite ignorant respecting them, such things being all like thick darkness in their minds: they then confessed that they had, knew everything, but now they were convinced that they knew scarcely anything.

By knowing something, in the spiritual world, is meant to know something of truth; but to know falsities is to know nothing, because in such knowledge there is neither intelligence nor wisdom. It was afterwards told them that this state is meant by the words of the Lord,

"Thou sayest, I am rich, and become wealthy; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."

[4] The reason why the rich in the Word signify those who are in truths is, that spiritual riches mean nothing else; hence also in the Word, by riches are signified the knowledges of truth and good, and by the rich, those who are intelligent by their means. This is evident from the following passages. In Ezekiel:

"In thy wisdom and in thine intelligence thou hast made to thyself riches, gold and silver in thy treasures; by the multitude of thy wisdom thou hast multiplied to thyself riches" (xxviii. 4, 5).

These things are said to the prince of Tyre, by whom, in the spiritual sense, are meant those who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; by riches are meant those knowledges in general. By gold in thy treasures are meant the knowledges of good and truth. That knowledges are signified by these expressions is quite clear; for it is said, "In thy wisdom and in thine intelligence thou hast made to thyself riches; and by the multitude of thy wisdom thou hast multiplied to thyself riches."

(The reason why by the prince of Tyre are meant those who are in the knowledges of truth is, that prince signifies primary truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1482, 2089, 5044), and Tyre the knowledges of truth, n. 1201: that by treasures are signified possessions of knowledges, may be seen n. 16941 4508, 10,227; and that by gold is signified good, and by silver truth, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658.) [5] In Zechariah:

"Tyre collecteth silver as dust, and gold as the mire of the streets; behold the Lord shall impoverish her, and shall shake her wealth into the sea" (ix. 3, 4).

Here also by Tyre are signified those who procure to themselves knowledges, which are denoted by silver, gold and wealth.

In David:

The daughter of Tyre shall bring to thee a gift," the king's daughter; "the rich of the people shall flatter thy faces" (Ps. xlv. 12).

The church is here described as to the affection of truth, which is meant by the daughter of Tyre; for daughter denotes the church as to affection (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3262, 3963, 6729, 9059); and king denotes truth (n. 1672, 2015, 2069, 3670, 4575, 4581, 4966, 6148). On this account it is said that the daughter of Tyre shall bring to thee a gift, and that the rich of the people shall flatter thy faces; the rich of the people are those who abound in truths. [6] In Hosea:

"Ephraim hath said, Truly I am rich; I have found me wealth; all my labours shall not find me iniquity which is sin; but yet I will speak to the prophets, and I will multiply visions" (xii. 8, 10).

By becoming rich and finding wealth is not meant being enriched in worldly, but in heavenly, riches and wealth, which are the knowledges of truth and good; for by Ephraim is meant the Intellectual of those who belong to the church, which is enlightened when the Word is read (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5354, 6222, 6238, 6267). Hence it is said, "I will speak to the prophets, I will multiply visions." By prophets are signified truths of doctrine, and also by visions.

[7] In Jeremiah:

"I, Jehovah, giving to every man according to his ways, according to the fruits of his doings. As the partridge gathereth but bringeth not forth, he maketh riches but not with judgment; in the midst of his days he shall forsake them, in the end he shall become a fool" (xvii. 10, 11).

The subject here treated of is those who acquire knowledges (cognitiones) merely as knowledge, when yet the life is that to which they should be subservient. This is what is meant by gathering as a partridge and not bringing forth, by making riches but not with judgment, and by becoming a fool in the end. And because the knowledges of truth and good are intended to be subservient to the life, for this is perfected by them, therefore it is said that Jehovah gives to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his doings. [8] In Luke:

"Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all his possessions, he cannot be my disciple" (xiv. 33).

He who does not understand that in the Word possessions denote knowledges from the Word, which are spiritual riches and wealth, may suppose that he ought to deprive himself of all wealth in order to be saved, although no such thing is meant by those words. By possessions are meant everything belonging to man's own intelligence, for no one can be wise from himself, but from the Lord alone; hence to forsake all his possessions, is to attribute nothing of wisdom and intelligence to himself; and he who does not do this, cannot be instructed by the Lord, that is, be His disciple. [9] Those who do not know that by the rich are meant those who possess the knowledges of truth and good, thus who have the Word, and that by the poor are meant those who do not possess knowledges, yet desire them, cannot but suppose that by the rich man who was clothed in crimson and fine linen, and by the poor man who was laid at his gate (Luke xvi.) are meant the rich and the poor in the common sense of those words, when notwithstanding by the rich man is there meant the Jewish nation, which had the Word, in which all the knowledges of truth and good are contained; by the crimson with which he was clothed, is meant genuine good (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9467), and by fine linen genuine truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 5319, 9469, 9596, 9744), and by the poor man who was laid at his gate are meant the nations which were outside the church, and had not the Word, and yet desired the truths and goods of heaven and the church. Hence also it is clear, that by the rich are meant those who have the Word, consequently who possess the knowledges of truth and good; for these are contained in the Word. [10] As also in the prophecy of Elizabeth in Luke:

God "hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away" (i. 53).

The hungry are those who desire knowledges; such were the Gentiles who received the Lord and doctrine from Him; but the rich are those who have knowledges, because they have the Word; such were the Jews, but still they were not willing to know truths therefrom, therefore they did not receive the Lord and doctrine from Him. The latter are the rich who were sent empty away; the former are the hungry who were filled with good things.

AE (Tansley) n. 237

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 237

237. And knowest not that thou art wretched. That this signifies that they do not know that their falsities have no coherence with truths is evident from the signification of wretchedness, as denoting the breaking down of truth by falsities, and also no coherence; it is therefore plain what is meant by wretched. The reason why they are thus wretched is that their doctrine is founded upon two false principles, which are faith alone, and justification thereby; therefore falsities flow thence in a continuous series, and the truths which they adduce to confirm them from the letter of the Word are broken down and falsified; and falsified truths are essentially falsities. This is described in many passages in the Word, and is meant by the vanities which the prophets are said to see, and the lies which they are said to speak. The same is also described by the breaches made in walls and in houses, so that they fall; similarly, by the idols and graven images which the artificer is said to make and connect by chains that they may cohere; for by idols and graven images are signified falsities of doctrine. The same is also meant by breaches made in walls and in houses, and by the prophets seeing vanities and speaking lies; for by prophets are meant doctrines; by vanities, such things as are of no account; and by lies, falsities.

But as these things are mentioned in too many passages in the Word to be here adduced in full, we shall only quote some wherein mention is made of wretchedness, and of a wall, in order that it may be known that they signify the breaking down of truths by falsities, and thus no coherence.

[2] In Isaiah:

"Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath seduced thee; when thou saidst in thine heart, I, and none else beside me. Therefore shall wretchedness fall upon thee, and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly" (xlvii. 10, 11).

Here also are described those who believe that they know all things, and suppose themselves to be intelligent above all others, when yet they neither know nor understand anything of truth; therefore it follows that the understanding of truth is taken away from them. Their belief that they are more intelligent than all others is meant by Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath seduced thee; when thou saidst in thine heart, I, and none else beside me; and the loss of all understanding of truth is meant by wretchedness shall fall upon thee, desolation shall come upon thee suddenly.

[3] In Ezekiel:

"Wretchedness shall come upon wretchedness; therefore shall they seek a vision from the prophets; but the law hath perished from the priest, and counsel from the elders; the king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with amazement" (vii. 26, 27).

The vastation of the church is here treated of, which takes place when there is none but falsified truth; falsity from falsity is meant by wretchedness upon wretchedness; a vision from the prophet denotes doctrine, and here, doctrine of falsity; the law hath perished from the priest, denotes that the Word is not understood; for the law signifies the Word, and the priest him that teaches it: counsel hath perished from the elders, denotes that what is right shall perish from the intelligent; counsel denoting what is right, and elders signifying the intelligent: the king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with amazement, denotes that there is no longer any truth; king signifying truth, and the prince truths primarily subservient.

[4] In David:

"What is right is not in their mouth; wretchedness is in the midst of them" (Ps. v. 9);

where wretchedness also signifies falsities not cohering with any truth. Similarly in Jeremiah:

"Howl! and wander among the walls; for their king goeth away into captivity, his priests and princes together" (xlix. 3).

Here by wandering among the walls is meant amongst truths destroyed by falsities; by the king who goeth away into captivity is signified truth; and by his priests and princes together are denoted the goods and truths of life and doctrine, as above. [5] In Ezekiel:

"When they build a wall [maceries], lo, they daub it with untempered [mortar]. Say unto them that daub with untempered [mortar] that the wall [paries] shall fall. Shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed?" (xiii. 10-12).

The wall which they daubed with untempered [mortar] signifies the falsity which is assumed as a principle, and which, by application of the Word from the sense of the letter, they make to appear as truth. Daubing denotes application, and thence apparent confirmation; untempered [mortar] denotes what is falsified; and because the truth of the Word is thus destroyed, and confirmatory things become truths falsified, which in themselves are falsities, and these perish together with the false principle, therefore it is said, "Behold the wall shall fall; shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing with which ye have daubed?"

[6] In Hosea:

"Behold I hedge up thy way with thorns, and I will encompass wall with wall, that she shall not find thy paths" (ii. 6).

To hedge up the way with thorns is to obstruct all thoughts by falsities of evil, lest they should see truths; falsities of evil are signified by thorns. To encompass wall with wall is to heap falsities upon falsities; that she shall not find thy paths, denotes that nothing of truth can be seen. This comes to pass because truths can no more co-exist with falsities of evil than heaven can with hell, for truths are from heaven and falsities of evil from hell; therefore, when the latter have rule, communication with heaven is taken away, in which case the former cannot be seen, and if others utter them they are rejected. Hence it is, that those who are in false principles, as, for example, those who are in the principles of faith alone and justification thereby, cannot be in any truths, as may be seen above (n. 235, 236).

[7] But we shall now illustrate this subject by examples. When those who embrace faith alone and justification thereby as a principle of religion, read the Word, and see that the Lord teaches that man shall be rewarded according to his deeds and works, and that he who has done good shall enter heaven, and that he who has done evil shall be cast into hell, they then call the good which they do the fruit of faith, not knowing, or not being willing to know, that the goods which they call fruits of faith are all from charity, and none of them from faith separated from charity, which is called faith alone; for all good belongs to charity, and truth to faith therefrom. From this it is clear that they pervert the Word. But they do this because they cannot otherwise apply the truth to their principle, still believing that they may thus agree together; but truth perishes in consequence, and becomes falsity, and not only becomes falsity but also evil. [8] That falsities thence follow in a continuous series is also clear; for they teach that the good works which man performs are merit-seeking, not being willing to understand that as faith and its truths are from the Lord, and thus not merit-seeking, so also are charity and its goods. They also teach that as soon as a man receives faith he is reconciled to God the Father by the Son, and that the evils which he afterwards does are not imputed, nor yet the evils which he had done before; for they say that all are saved, however they have lived, if they only receive faith, even in the hours before death. But these and many other things, which are derivations from a false principle, do not agree with truths from the Word, but destroy them, and truths destroyed are falsities, and such falsities as have a bad odour; a grievous smell is perceived from them in the other life, which is such that it cannot be sustained by any good spirit; it is like a stench from diseased lungs. Many other examples might be adduced, of which there is an abundance; for whatsoever is concluded from a false principle derives falsity therefrom, because therein is beheld the principle to which it adheres, because it flows therefrom, and is applied to it.

[9] The true quality of the religion of faith alone, and of justification thereby, may be concluded from this fact alone, that all those who have confirmed those tenets in themselves by doctrine and life, in the other life diffuse from themselves a sphere of abominable adultery, which is that of a mother, or a mother-in-law, with a son; this abominable adultery corresponds to them, and is also perceived from them wherever they go; I have a thousand times known their presence from that sphere. The reason why such a sphere flows forth from them is that they adulterate the goods of charity and of the Word; and adulteries correspond to the adulterations of good, and whoredoms to the falsifications of truth (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2466, 2729, 3399, 4865, 6348, 8904, 10,648). [10] The same is meant by Reuben's lying with Bilhah, of whom his father begat Dan and Naphthali (Gen. xxxv. 22), therefore also he was accursed (Gen. xlix. 4); and because he polluted the couch of his father, the primogeniture was taken away from him and given to Joseph (1 Chron. v. 1); for by Reuben, in the Word, is meant faith, and in this case faith alone (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3325, 3861, 3866, 3870, 4601, 4605, 4731, 4734, 4761, 6342, 6350), and by Joseph is meant the good of that faith (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). [11] That such things would take place at the end of the church is predicted in Daniel, where the statue which Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream is treated of, in these words:

"Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves by the seed of man; but they shall not cohere one with the other, even as iron is not mingled with clay" (ii. 43).

By iron is meant truth without good; by miry clay, the falsity which is from man's own intelligence; by the seed of man, the Word of the Lord (see Matt. xiii. 24, 37). Their not cleaving one to another is meant by its being said, they shall not cohere, even as iron is not mingled with clay.

AE (Tansley) n. 238

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 238

238. And miserable and poor. That this signifies that neither do they know that these have neither knowledges of truth nor knowledges of good, is evident from the signification of misery, or miserable, as being those who are destitute of the knowledges of truth; and from the signification of poor, as being those who are without the knowledges of good. That the terms miserable and poor have such signification is evident from many passages in the Word, and moreover from this consideration, that spiritual misery and poverty are nothing else but a defect of the knowledges of truth and good, for when such defect exists, the spirit is both miserable and poor; but when these knowledges are possessed, the spirit is rich and opulent; therefore by riches and wealth in the Word are signified spiritual riches and wealth, which are the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, as was shown above (n. 236). [2] Miserable and poor are terms used in many passages in the Word; but when the spiritual sense of these terms is not known, it is believed that only those are meant who are miserable and poor as to the things of the world; when nevertheless these are not meant, but those who are not in truths and goods and in the knowledges thereof. Indeed, by the miserable are meant those who are not in truths because not in the knowledges of them, and by the poor, those who are not in goods because they are not in the knowledges thereof. Because truths and goods, are meant by these two expressions, therefore in many places both are mentioned, as in David:

"I am miserable and poor, Lord, remember me" (Ps. xl. 17; lxx. 5).

Again:

"Incline thine ear, O Jehovah, answer; for I am miserable and poor" (Ps. lxxxvi. 1).

That by the miserable and poor are not meant those who are so as to worldly riches, but as to spiritual riches, is clear, because David spoke this concerning himself; therefore he also said, "Jehovah, incline thine ear, and answer."

[3] Again:

"The wicked make bare the sword, and bend their bow, to cast down the miserable and poor" (Ps. xxxvii. 14).

That by the miserable and poor are here also meant those who are spiritually such but yet desire the knowledges of truth and good is evident, for it is said that the wicked make bare the sword, and bend their bow; the sword signifying falsity fighting against truth and endeavouring to destroy it; and the bow, the doctrine of falsity against the doctrine of truth; therefore it is said that they do this to cast down the miserable and poor. (That by sword is signified truth fighting against falsity, and, in an opposite sense, falsity fighting against truth, may be seen above, n. 131; and that by bow is signified doctrine in both senses, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709.)

[4] Again:

The wicked "persecuted the miserable and poor, and the dejected in heart to slay him" (Ps. cix. 16).

In Isaiah:

"The fool speaketh foolishness, and his heart doeth iniquity to practise hypocrisy and to speak error against Jehovah, to make empty the hungry soul, and to make him who thirsteth for drink to faint. He deviseth wicked devices to destroy the miserable with words of falsehood, even when the poor speaketh judgment" (xxxii. 6, 7).

In this passage, also, by the miserable and poor are meant those who are destitute of the knowledges of truth and good; therefore it is said that the wicked deviseth wicked devices to destroy the miserable with words of falsehood, even when the poor speaketh judgment; words of falsehood denote falsities, and to speak judgment denotes what is right. Because such are here treated of, it is also said that they practise hypocrisy and utter error against Jehovah, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause him that thirsteth for drink to faint. To practise hypocrisy and to utter error denotes to do evil from falsity, and to speak falsity from evil; to make empty the soul of the hungry denotes to deprive of the knowledges of good those who desire them, and to cause the thirsty to faint for drink is to deprive of the knowledges of truth those who desire them. Again:

"The miserable shall have joy in Jehovah, and the poor of men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel" (xxix. 19).

By the miserable and poor are here also signified those with whom there is a deficiency of truth and good, and who, nevertheless, desire them; of these it is said that they "shall have joy in Jehovah, and exult in the Holy One of Israel," and not of those who are miserable and poor as to worldly wealth.

[5] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by the miserable and poor in other passages in the Word, as in the following:

"The poor shall not always be forgotten; and the hope of the miserable shall not perish for ever" (Ps. ix. 18).

Again:

"God shall judge the miserable of the people, he shall keep the sons of the poor. He shall liberate the poor when he crieth; the miserable also. He shall spare the poor and the needy, and shall save the souls of the poor" (Ps. lxxii. 4, 12, 13).

Again:

"The miserable shall see, those seeking Jehovah shall be glad, because Jehovah heareth the poor" (Ps. lxix. 32, 33).

Again:

"Jehovah delivereth the miserable from him that is too strong for him, and the poor from him that spoileth him?" (Ps. xxxv. 10).

Again:

"The miserable and poor praise thy name" (lxxiv. 21; cix. 22).

"I know that Jehovah will maintain the cause of the miserable, and the judgment of the poor" (Ps. cxl. 12).

And also elsewhere; as in Isa. x. 2; Jer. xxii. 16; Ezek. xvi. 49; xviii. 12; xxii. 29; Amos. viii. 4; Deut. xv. 11; xxiv. 14. The reason why both the miserable and the poor are mentioned in the passages adduced above, is, that it is according to the style of the Word that where truth is treated of good is also treated of; and, in the opposite sense, where falsity is treated of evil is also treated of, because they form one, and are like a marriage. On this account the miserable and the poor are mentioned together; for by the miserable are meant those who are deficient in the knowledges of truth, and by the poor those who are deficient in the knowledges of good. (That there is such a marriage almost everywhere in the prophetical parts of the Word, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 683, 793, 801, 2516, 2712, 3004, 3005, 3009, 4138, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7022, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314.) On this account also it is said in what follows: "And blind and naked;" for by the blind are meant those who have no understanding of truth, and by the naked those who have no understanding and will of good. Also, in the verse following, it is said, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed;" for by gold tried in the fire is meant the good of love, and by white raiment the truths of faith. And further, it is said, "That the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see," by which is meant lest the evils and falsities should be seen. The case is the same in other passages; but that such a marriage exists in every part of the Word, none can see but those who are acquainted with its internal sense.

AE (Tansley) n. 239

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 239

239. And blind and naked. That this signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and without the understanding and the will of good, is evident from the signification of blind, as being those who are without the understanding of truth, as will be explained in what follows; and from the signification of naked, as being those who are destitute of the will of good, thus also of the understanding thereof, which will also be explained presently. That those who hold the doctrine of faith alone and of justification thereby are without the understanding of truth is evident from this, that faith alone, or faith without charity, resides wholly in the memory, and nothing of it in the understanding; therefore they remove the understanding from the things of faith, saying that such things are to be believed, and that the understanding has nothing to do with them; thus they can say whatever they will, be it ever so false, provided they know how to adduce something in confirmation thereof from the sense of the letter of the Word, of the spiritual sense of which they are ignorant. In this lies concealed something similar to the statute of the Popes, that everyone should depend on their utterances; thus persuading the people that they know and see all things, although they see nothing. Those therefore who do not see, that is, who do not understand, the things that they believe, are meant by the blind. It is also a consequence of this, that they cannot perfect the life by means of the things that must belong to faith; for the way of access to the life of man is through the understanding, and by no other way can man become spiritual. All in heaven see truths with the understanding, and thus receive them; but what they do not see with the understanding, they do not accept; and if any one say to them that they must have faith, although they neither see nor understand, they turn away, saying, How can this be? What I see or understand, that I believe; but what I do not see nor understand, that I cannot believe; possibly they are falsities, which may destroy spiritual life.

[2] That those who hold the doctrine of faith alone, and of justification thereby, are destitute of the understanding of good, because they are without the will of good, is evident from this, that they know nothing at all of charity towards the neighbour, and consequently nothing of good; for all spiritual good is from charity, and there is no good without it; therefore those who separate faith from charity, and assert that charity does not contribute anything to salvation, but that faith alone does, are entirely ignorant of what good is, because they are ignorant of what charity is, although spiritual good, with its affection, which is called charity, constitutes the very spiritual life of man, but not faith without it. Hence it is plain, that those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, are destitute of the understanding of good. The reason why this is the result of their being without the will of good is because they call themselves just, or justified, when they have faith, and by being justified, they understand that they are not liable to condemnation for any thing which they think and will, because they are reconciled to God; therefore they believe, because it follows from connection with their principle, that the evil may be saved equally with the good, if they only receive faith, although it should be in the last hours of their life.

The secret things of this doctrine consist in this, that they speak of progressive degrees of justification, arising not from anything of man's life, or from the affection of his charity, but from faith alone in the reconciliation of God the Father by the Son; this faith they call confidence, or trust, and saving faith itself. They do not know that there can be nothing of spiritual life, therein unless there be charity; that which is interiorly perceived, or appears, in the confidence which they profess, has nothing in it derived from spiritual affection, but springs from natural thought about the joy of deliverance from damnation. [3] Besides, those who are ignorant of the good of charity have no will of good, and those who know nothing of this good, know nothing concerning evil, for good discovers evil; therefore neither can such persons explore themselves, nor see their own evils, and thus flee from, and be averse to them. Hence they relax all restraint on their thought and their will, only taking heed not to do evil, from the fear of the laws, of the loss of reputation, of honour, gain and life. This is why, when such persons become spirits, and those fears are removed, they associate themselves with devils; for they think and will as they do, because they had so thought in the world; for it is the spirit in man which thinks; the case, however, is different with those who have lived the life of charity.

[4] Moreover, those who believe themselves to be justified by faith alone, imagine that they are to be led by God, and do good thence. They say that all good is from God, and nothing from man; and that otherwise good would be merit-seeking; they do not know that there ought to be reception on man's part, and that reception is not possible if man does not attend to his thoughts and intentions, and thence to his deeds, and then desists from evils and does good, this being the case when he looks to the truths he has derived from the Word, and lives according to them. And, indeed, unless this takes place there is no reciprocation on his part, and hence no reformation: and in such case, of what use are all the precepts of the Lord in the Word? That a man can do this, is also from the Lord; for such power is given to every man from His Divine presence and His desire to be received. In a word, unless a man receives in his understanding and will, or in his thought and affection, or, what is the same, in his faith and love, there can be no reception on his part, consequently no conjunction with the Lord. Every one may know that the Lord is continually present with good, and desirous to be received, but that where all restraint on the thoughts is cast off, He cannot flow in: He can only do so where the thoughts and intentions of lust are restrained by means of truths from the Word.

sRef Matt@13 @23 S5' sRef John@14 @23 S5' sRef John@14 @24 S5' sRef Luke@8 @8 S5' sRef Mark@4 @20 S5' sRef Matt@13 @9 S5' sRef Mark@4 @9 S5' sRef Rev@3 @20 S5' [5] That the Lord is continually present with good, and desires to be received, He Himself teaches in the following words of this chapter, where He says,

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (ver. 20).

To open the door, denotes reception on man's part as just stated. The Lord teaches the same also in other parts of the Word, as in John:

"He that loveth me keepeth my words, and my Father will love him; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my words" (xiv. 23, 24).

In Matthew:

"He that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it, which beareth and bringeth forth fruit" (xiii. 23).

In Mark:

"These are they which received the seed into good ground, such as hear the Word and receive it, and bring forth fruit" (iv. 20).

Because it is reception on man's part that conjoins him with the Lord, and thus makes him spiritual, therefore, when the Lord uttered those things, He cried, saying,

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt. xiii. 9; Mark iv. 9; Luke viii. 8).

sRef Isa@29 @18 S6' [6] That the blind signify those who have no understanding of truth, and that the naked signify those who have no understanding of good, because they are not in the will thereof, is evident from many passages in the Word; of which I desire to adduce a few, as a means also of showing that the Word internally is spiritual, but that in the letter it is natural, consequently that the sense of the letter, which is natural, has a spiritual sense treasured up within it.

That the blind signify those who have no understanding of truth is clear from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"Then in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness" (xxix. 18).

In this passage, the re-establishment of the church is treated of: and by the deaf who shall hear the words of the book, are understood those who are willing to obey truths, and therefore to live in the practice of good, but cannot because they have not the Word. And by the blind, whose eyes shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness, are meant those who have not the understanding of truth because they are in ignorance, and that they shall then understand. That the deaf and the blind are not meant literally is evident. sRef Isa@35 @6 S7' sRef Isa@35 @5 S7' sRef Isa@35 @4 S7' [7] Again:

"Behold, your God will come to vengeance; he will come to the retribution of God, and will save you; then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; waters shall break out in the desert, and rivers in the plain of the desert" (xxxv. 4-6).

These things are spoken of the Lord's advent, to show that at that time those who believe in Him will be saved. That those who are destitute of the understanding of truth shall then understand is signified by the eyes of the blind being opened; and that those who have not the perception and will of good, shall then obey and live in good, is signified by the ears of the deaf being opened. It is therefore said that waters shall break out in the desert, and rivers in the plain of the desert: desert signifies where there is no good, because there is no truth; and waters signify truths, and rivers intelligence from truths.

sRef Isa@42 @7 S8' sRef Isa@42 @8 S8' sRef Isa@42 @6 S8' [8] Again:

"I will give thee for a covenant to the people, for a light of the nations; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the bound from the prison. I am Jehovah; that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another". (xlii. 6-8).

These things also are said of the Lord, and the establishment of a church from Him among the nations. That those who were before in ignorance should then understand truths is signified by the blind eyes which the Lord should open; and that they should be led out from ignorance and from falsities is meant by His bringing the bound out of prison. That the Divine himself would assume the Human is meant by, I am Jehovah; that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another. sRef Isa@42 @16 S9' [9] Again:

"I will lead the blind into a way which they have not known; I will lead them into paths which they have not known; I will make their darkness light" (xlii. 16).

The blind here also denote those who are without any understanding of truth; the truths and goods of truth which they should receive are signified by their being led into a way, and into paths which they have not known; the dissipation of the falsity of ignorance, and enlightenment, are signified by I will make their darkness light.

sRef Isa@43 @5 S10' sRef Isa@43 @6 S10' sRef Isa@43 @7 S10' sRef Isa@43 @8 S10' [10] Again:

"I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; every one that is called by my name I have created, I have formed, yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears" (xliii. 5-8).

The establishment of the church by the Lord among the nations is here treated of. To bring seed from the east, the west, the north, and the south denotes all of whatever religion they be; for the east and west signify respectively where the good of love is clear and obscure; and the north and the south, where the truth of faith is in obscurity and in brightness. Here those who are in obscurity from ignorance are meant, for it is said, "Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth:" those are called sons who receive truths, and those who receive good, daughters; from far, and "from the ends of the earth," signify those who are remote from the truths and goods of the church. That all will be received and reformed by the Lord who acknowledge Him, is signified by I have created, I have formed, I have made every one that is called by my name. These then are those who are meant by the blind who have eyes, and by the deaf who have ears.

sRef Isa@59 @9 S11' sRef Isa@59 @10 S11' [11] Again:

"We look for light, but behold darkness; in thick darkness we walk, we grope for the wall as the blind, and we grope as they that have no eyes, we stumble in the noon-day as in twilight, among the living we are as dead" (lix. 9, 10).

Here also the blind denote those who are without the understanding of truths; darkness and thick darkness denote falsities; to stumble at noonday as in twilight denotes to err in falsities, although they may be in light from the Word.

sRef Isa@56 @11 S12' sRef Isa@56 @10 S12' [12] Again:

"His watchmen are all blind; they are shepherds who know not to understand" (lvi. 10, 11).

Here also the blind denote those who do not understand truths, although they have the Word. That such are signified by the blind is evident; for it is said they know not, and know not to understand. sRef Jer@31 @9 S13' sRef Jer@31 @8 S13' [13] In Jeremiah:

"Behold, I bring them from the land of the north, the blind and the lame amongst them; with tears they shall come, and with prayers I will bring them; I will lead them to fountains of waters in the way of right" (xxxi. 8, 9).

Here by the land of the north, is denoted where the falsity of ignorance prevails; those who are in it are called blind; their being led to fountains of waters in the way of right, denotes their being led into truths. sRef Lam@4 @11 S14' sRef Lam@4 @14 S14' sRef Lam@4 @13 S14' [14] In Lamentations:

"Jehovah hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof, for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests; they have wandered in the streets as the blind, they are polluted with blood, the things which they cannot, they touch with their garments" (iv. 11, 13, 14).

Zion here denotes the church; by the fire which is said to devour her foundations is meant the love of self, which will disperse all the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, signify the perversities of those who teach truths and goods: and that consequently they understand nothing of truth is signified by their wandering in the streets as the blind. The blood with which they are polluted, denotes the falsification of truth and the adulteration of good in the Word: the profanation of good, and of truth therefrom, by evils and falsities, is meant by the things which they cannot, they touch with their garments.

sRef Zech@12 @4 S15' [15] In Zechariah:

"In that day I will smite every horse with astonishment, and the horseman with madness: I will smite every horse of the peoples with blindness" (xii. 4).

Horse signifies the Intellectual, and a horseman, one who is intelligent; hence it is evident what is signified by smiting every horse with astonishment, and every horse of the people with blindness, also the horseman with madness. (That a horse signifies the Intellectual, may be seen in the small work, The White Horse, n. 1-6.) sRef Ps@146 @7 S16' sRef Ps@146 @8 S16' [16] In David:

"Jehovah looseth the bound, Jehovah openeth the blind eyes" (Ps. cxlvi. 7, 8).

Those are called bound who are in falsities and desire to be loosed from them; the blind are those who are consequently without the understanding of truth; to open their eyes is to make them to understand. sRef John@12 @40 S17' [17] In John:

"Esaias said, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart" (xii. 39, 40).

That to blind their eyes that they should not see with their eyes, denotes not to understand truths, is evident. sRef John@9 @40 S18' sRef John@9 @41 S18' sRef John@9 @39 S18' [18] Again:

"Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they who see not might see; and that they who see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin; but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth" (ix. 39-41).

By those who do not see are meant those who are outside the church, and do not know truths because they have not the Word, thus the Gentiles; but by those who see are meant those who are within the church, and have the Word, thus the Jews; concerning the latter it is said that they should be made blind, but concerning the former, that they should see. The reason why their sin remains is because they said that they are not blind, but that they see; for they were in the church where the Word is, and yet were not willing to see and acknowledge truths, thus neither the Lord. This is why the Scribes and Pharisees with the Jews are called by the Lord

"blind leaders of the blind" (Matt. xv. 14; Luke vi. 39); also "blind guides, fools and blind" (Matt. xxiii. 16, 17, 19, 24).

sRef John@9 @1 S19' sRef John@9 @7 S19' sRef John@9 @5 S19' sRef John@9 @6 S19' [19] In John:

Jesus "saw a man which was blind from birth. He said to the disciples, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, be spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. He went his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing" (ix. 1, 5-7).

No one can understand why the Lord thus acted, unless he knows the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; in which sense, by the man who was blind from his birth, are meant those who are born out of the church, and hence can knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor be instructed from the Word. By the clay which the Lord made from the spittle on the ground is signified reformation by means of truths from the sense of the letter of the Word. The ground denotes the church where the Word is; the clay the ultimate Divine, forming. To anoint the eyes of the blind with clay denotes to impart thereby the understanding of truth; the pool of Siloam also signifies the Word in the letter, to be washed therein denotes to be purified from falsities and evils. That these things are meant in the above passage has been hitherto hidden. (That ground signifies the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 566, 10,570: that clay signifies good from which is truth, thus good forming, see n. 1300, 6669; that the pool of Siloam signifies the Word in the sense of the letter is evident in Isaiah viii. 6; and in general the pools that were in Jerusalem, Isaiah xxii. 9, 11.)

sRef Mark@8 @25 S20' sRef Mark@8 @23 S20' sRef Mark@8 @22 S20' sRef Mark@8 @24 S20' [20] In Mark:

Jesus "cometh to Bethsaida; where they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up; and he was restored, and saw every man clearly" (viii. 22-27).

What these words involve can be understood only from the internal or spiritual sense of the Word; if this is not understood, nothing can be seen but the transaction itself, and the thought concerning it will, perhaps, be entirely from the senses: but all things which the Lord spoke and did in the world contained spiritual things in order, from highest to ultimates, thus fully, as do also all the miracles and the descriptions of them. The blind whom the Lord restored to sight signified the spiritually blind, who are those who do not know and understand truths. The reason why the blind man here mentioned was led out of the town of Bethsaida was, because Bethsaida signified damnation on account of non-reception of the Lord; the spitting on his eyes has a similar signification with the making clay of spittle, mentioned above; the Lord afterward touching his eyes, signifies that He enlightened him from the Divine; hence it is that the blind man first saw men as trees, walking; by which is signified a general and obscure perception of truth from the sense of the letter. By trees also are signified knowledges, and by walking is signified living. By his seeing every man clearly after the Lord put His hands on him again is signified that, after instruction and enlightenment from the Lord, he understood truths; this meaning is contained in these words, and is perceived by the angels. [21] (That Bethsaida signifies damnation on account of non-reception of the Lord is evident in Matt. xi. 21, and in Luke x. 13; that touch signifies communication and transfer, but here enlightenment, because the eyes were touched, may be seen above, n. 79. That trees signify knowledges, see in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2722, 2972, 7692: that to walk signifies to live, see n. 519, 1794, 8417, 8420; and above, n. 97.)

Moreover, by all the blind whom the Lord restored to sight, are meant those who are in ignorance, and yet receive Him, and are enlightened by the Word from Him; and in general all the miracles of the Lord signified things that concern heaven and the church, that is spiritual things; for this reason His miracles were divine; for it is divine to act from primaries, and to manifest those things in ultimates. From these considerations it is clear what is signified by the blind whom the Lord restored to sight (concerning whom see Matt. ix. 27-31; xii. 22; xx. 29 to end; xxi. 14; Mark x. 46 to end; Luke vii. 21, 22; xviii. 35 to end). sRef Deut@28 @15 S22' sRef Deut@27 @18 S22' sRef Deut@28 @28 S22' sRef Lev@19 @14 S22' sRef Lev@22 @22 S22' sRef Lev@21 @18 S22' sRef Deut@28 @29 S22' [22] Because by the blind are signified those who have not the knowledges of truth, and consequently do not understand truth, it was amongst the laws and statutes given to the sons of Israel, that the blind of the sons of Aaron and of the Levites should not draw near to offer the bread of his God, that is, to offer sacrifice (Levit. xxi. 18; Deut. xv. 21); also that what was blind should not be offered (Levit. xxii. 22; Deut. xv. 21); similarly that they should not put a stumbling-block before the blind (Levit. xix. 14); that he who made the blind to go astray from the way should be cursed (Deut. xxvii 18). The reason why these laws were enacted was that the church instituted amongst the Jews was a representative church, in which all the observances represented spiritual things, because they corresponded to them. Therefore also the following curse is pronounced upon those who do not keep the commandments:

"If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments, Jehovah shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart. And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness" (Deut. xxviii. 15, 28, 29).

By these words is also meant that those will be smitten with spiritual blindness and astonishment who do not obey the voice of the Lord, in doing the things which He has commanded in the Word. Spiritual blindness of the eyes, and spiritual astonishment of the heart denote no understanding of truth, and no will of good; to grope at noonday is to be of such a character in the church, where the light of truth is given by the Word. (That noonday signifies where truth is in light may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9642; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 148, 149, 151.)

AE (Tansley) n. 240

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 240

240. But that naked signifies those who are without the understanding of truth because without the will of good, is evident also from those passages in the Word where the terms naked and nakedness are mentioned, which shall be adduced below. The reason why these terms have such a signification is that garments signify truths of the understanding. He who is without truths is also without good, for all spiritual good is procured by means of truths, and without them, or except by them, spiritual good cannot exist; spiritual good is charity. Naked and nakedness signify the deprivation of intelligence and love, thus of the understanding of good and of the will thereof; also for the reason that garments cover the body and the flesh, and by body and flesh is signified good, hence by garments are signified those things that cover good. [2] There is the understanding of truth and the understanding of good; the understanding of truth is the understanding of those things that belong to faith, and the understanding of good is the understanding of those things that belong to love and charity. There is also the will of truth and the will of good; the will of truth pertains to those who, belong to the Lord's spiritual kingdom, but the will of good to those who belong to His celestial kingdom. The latter, because they are in love to the Lord and thence in mutual love, which with them is charity towards the neighbour, have truths inscribed on their hearts, and hence do them; and what proceeds from the heart is from the will of good; for the heart denotes the will of good; but those who are in love towards the neighbour, which love is charity, have not truths inscribed on their hearts, but on the memory, and thence on the intellectual mind, and that which thence proceeds from affection, is the will of truth. It is thus that the spiritual angels are distinguished from the celestial angels; the latter appear naked in heaven, but the former clothed.

The reason why the celestial angels appear naked is that they have no need of the memory in order to retain truths, nor of the understanding in order to comprehend them, because they have them inscribed on the heart, that is, on the love and will, and thence see them. And the reason why the spiritual angels appear clothed is that they have truths inscribed on the memory, and thence on the understanding, and truths thus inscribed correspond to garments, therefore they all appear clothed according to their intelligence. (That the angels are thus clothed, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182.) From these considerations it is evident that naked signifies in one sense those who are in celestial good, and in the other, those who are not in good because not in truths.

[3] But these things may be better seen from those passages, in the Word where naked and nakedness are mentioned, such as the following. In Isaiah:

Jehovah said to the prophet, "Put off the sackcloth from upon thy loins, and put off thy shoe from upon thy foot. And he did so. Then Jehovah said, Like, as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years; so shall the king of Assyria lead the captivity of Egypt, and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried off, the boys and the old men, naked and unshod, and their buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt" (xx. 2-4).

No one can see what is stored up in these words concerning the church and heaven, unless he knows their spiritual sense; for in every detail of the Word something pertaining to heaven and the church is contained, because the Word is spiritual: it shall therefore be explained. By the prophet is here meant the doctrine of the church; by putting off sackcloth from upon his loins, or by making the loins naked, is meant to reveal filthy loves. By the usual sackcloth of the prophet are here meant the covering garments, and by the loins are signified those loves. By putting off the shoe from upon his foot, or unshoeing the soles of the foot, is signified to reveal the filthy things of nature. By the king of Assyria leading the captivity of Egypt, and the crowd of Cush that is to be carried off, is meant that the perverted Rational would confirm evils and falsities by scientifics (scientifica) and fallacies. By boys and old men are meant by all things, both in general and in particular. By naked and barefoot is meant that they are deprived of all truth and of all good. By their buttocks uncovered are meant the evils of self-love; by the nakedness of Egypt the falsities therefrom. It is therefore clear what is here treated of concerning the church and heaven, namely, that the perverted Rational, which denies God, and attributes all things to nature, confirms itself by scientifics and by fallacies, until it is deprived of all understanding of truth and will of good. (That by prophet in the Word is meant doctrine, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2534, 7269; by the loins are signified the loves in each sense, n. 3021, 4280, 5059; by the feet are signified the natural things pertaining to man, and by the soles of the feet those which are in the ultimates, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952; by shoes are signified the same things as to the covering of them, n. 1748, 2162, 6844; by the king of Assyria is signified the Rational in both senses, n. 119, 1186; by Egypt is signified the Scientific (scientificum) of the natural man, also, in both senses, good and evil, n. 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702, 6015, 6651, 6679, 6683, 6692, 7296, 9340, 9391; by Cush are signified the fallacies of the senses, n. 1163, 1164, 1166.)

[4] In Ezekiel:

"When I passed by thee, and saw thee, I covered thy nakedness, and I washed thee and clothed thee. But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot. Thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare. Thou hast committed fornication with the sons of Egypt and with the sons of Asshur. Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land unto Chaldea; wherefore thy nakedness is revealed by thy whoredoms; therefore they shall stone thee with stones, and shall cut thee in pieces with their swords. And they shall burn thine houses with fire" (xvi. 6, and following verses).

Jerusalem is here treated of, by which is meant the church as to doctrine; and by these and many other expressions in the same chapter, the quality of the church in the beginning, and what it became when it declined from good and truth, is described. Its quality when established by the Lord, thus its quality in the beginning, is described by, "when I passed by thee, and saw thee, I covered thy nakedness, I washed thee and clothed thee." To cover nakedness signifies to remove the evils of the will and the falsities of the understanding; to wash signifies to purify from evils, and to clothe signifies to instruct in truths. But the quality of the church when it declined from good and from truth, is described in what follows. Thou didst trust in thy beauty, signifies intelligence from the proprium, and that the church was delighted with it. By committing whoredom is signified that thus it imbued falsities; by committing fornication with the sons of Egypt and with the sons of Asshur, are signified falsifications confirmed by scientifics and rational things therefrom. By multiplying fornication unto Chaldea, is signified even to the profanation of truth. Hence it is clear what is signified by wherefore thy nakedness is revealed by thy whoredoms; namely, that the church by falsities and falsifications would be deprived of all understanding of truth. By they shall stone thee with stones, is signified that the church would perish by falsities. By they shall cut thee in pieces with their swords, is signified that the church would perish altogether by the falsifications of truth. And by they shall burn thy houses with fire is signified that it would wholly perish by infernal loves: houses denote everything pertaining to man, and fire denotes infernal loves. From these considerations it is clear what pertaining to heaven and the church is contained in those words, and that this appears solely from the spiritual sense. (That washing signifies to purify from evils and falsities, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3147, 10,237, 10,240, 10,243; that to clothe signifies to instruct in truths, n. 1073, 2576, 5248, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10,536; that beauty signifies intelligence, n. 3080, 4985, 5199, in this case intelligence from the proprium. That to commit whoredom denotes to be imbued with falsities, see above, n. 141: that Egypt denotes the Scientific, and Asshur the Rational, may be seen just above. That Chaldea denotes the profanation of truth, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1182, 1283, 1295, 1304, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1321, 1322, 1326: that to stone with stones signifies to perish by falsities, n. 5156, 7456, 8575, 8799: that sword signifies falsity fighting against truth and destroying it, n. 2799, 4499, 7102, hence to cut in pieces with swords denotes to perish altogether by falsifications of truth; that fire signifies infernal love, n. 1861, 5071, 6314, 6832, 7575, 10,747; and that a house signifies the whole man, and the things pertaining to him, thus which pertain to his understanding and his will, n. 710, 2231, 2233, 2559, 3128, 3538, 4973, 5023, 6690, 7353, 7848, 7910, 7929, 9150; hence it is evident what is signified by they shall burn thy houses with fire.)

[5] In Hosea:

"Contend with your mother, that she may put away her whoredoms and her adulteries, lest peradventure I strip her naked and make her as a desert, as a land of dryness, and slay her with thirst; and her sons will I not pity, because they are the sons of whoredoms" (ii. 2-4).

The subject here treated of is also the church fallen into falsities and evils; the mother with whom they would contend signifies the church. Whoredoms and adulteries signify falsities and evils therefrom; to make her as a wilderness and set her as a land of dryness signifies the deprivation of good and of truth. To slay her with thirst signifies a total defect of truth; her sons signify all the falsities thereof, in general, therefore they are called sons of whoredoms. (That mother signifies the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 289, 2691, 2717, 3703, 4257, 5581, 8897; that desert signifies where there is no good because no truth, n. 2708, 4736, 7055; that a dry land signifies where there is no truth is, because water signifies the truth of faith, n. 2702, 3058, 5668, 8568, 10,238; that to be slain with thirst, signifies to perish from defect of truth, n. 8568 at the end. That sons signify affections of truth, and truths in general, n. 2362, 3963, 6729, 6775, 6778, 9055; thus, in the opposite sense, affections of falsity and falsities in general. Hence it may be evident that by stripping her naked is signified, her being without good and truth.) [6] In Lamentations:

"Jerusalem hath sinned a sin; therefore all that honoured her, despise her, because they have seen her nakedness" (i. 8).

In Ezekiel:

Aholah, which is Samaria, committed whoredom with the Egyptians, and with the sons of Asshur; they uncovered her nakedness, her sons and her daughters have they taken, and at length they have slain her with the sword: "therefore will I give thee into the hand of those whom thou hast hated, that they may deal with thee from hatred, and take away all thy labour, and leave thee naked and bare, that the nakedness of thy whoredoms may be uncovered" (xxiii. 4, 8, 9, 10, 18, 28, 29).

The subject treated of in this chapter is Samaria, which is called Aholah, and Jerusalem, which is called Aholibah, the church being signified by both. By Samaria, where the sons of Israel were, is signified the church in which were no truths, but falsities, and by Jerusalem, the church where there were no goods, but evils. What is signified by committing whoredom with the Egyptians and with the sons of Asshur, and what by slaying her sons and daughters with the sword, was explained above; hence it is clear, that by leaving her naked and bare is signified to be without good and truth. [7] In Isaiah:

"The Lord will make bald the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and Jehovah will make naked their buttocks" (iii. 17).

The daughters of Zion signify the celestial church and the things of that church, but, in this case, perverted. By the crown of the head, which shall be made bald, is signified intelligence of which it shall be deprived; and the buttocks, which shall be made naked, signify the love of evil and of falsity.

[8] In Nahum:

"Woe to the city of bloods, wholly in a lie, and full of rapine; because of the multitude of her whoredoms I will uncover thy skirts over thy faces, and will make nations see thy nakedness, and kingdoms thy lightness" (iii. 1, 4, 5).

The city of bloods signifies the doctrine of falsity which offers violence to the good of charity.

[9] In Habakkuk:

"Woe unto him that maketh his companion to drink, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakednesses. Drink thou also, that thy foreskin may be uncovered" (ii. 15, 16).

To make a companion drink, and make him drunken, signifies to impart falsities until he does not see truth: to look on their nakednesses, denotes to cause the falsities of the understanding and the evils of the will to appear. The foreskin which would be uncovered, denotes filthy loves. (That to drink denotes to be instructed in truths, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018, 8562, 9412; hence, in the opposite sense, it denotes to impart falsities; that to be made drunken denotes to become insane from falsities, thus not to see truths, n. 1072; that the foreskin signifies corporeal and terrestrial loves, n. 4462, 7045.) Hence it is evident what is signified by the fact that

Noah drank wine and was drunken, so that he lay naked in the midst of his tent, and that Ham laughed at the nakedness of his father, but that Shem and Japheth covered his nakedness, and turned away their faces that they might not see the nakedness of their father (Gen. ix. 21-23).

(But these things may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia where they are treated of.) [10] In Lamentations:

"The cup also shall pass over unto thee, O daughter of Edom: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt be naked" (iv. 21).

Here, by being drunken and naked are signified the same things as above. (But who in particular are signified by Edom may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3322, 8314.)

In Isaiah:

Daughter of Babel and Chaldea, "sit upon the earth. Take the millstones, and grind meal; uncover thy hair, uncover thy thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, and also thy shame shall be seen" (xlvii. 1-3).

By the daughter of Babylon and Chaldea are meant those, who profane the goods and truths of the church. To grind meal signifies to falsify truths; to uncover the hair and the thigh signifies to be deprived of the understanding of truth, and the will of good; to pass over the rivers, and to uncover her nakedness have also a similar signification. [11] Because nakedness signified the deprivation of the understanding of truth and of the will of good, it was therefore commanded that Aaron and his sons should not ascend by steps upon the altar, lest their nakedness should be uncovered thereon (Exod. xx. 26). Also that

They should make for them breeches of linen to cover the flesh of their nakedness, and that they should be upon them when they entered the tent of the assembly, and when they came near to the altar, and that otherwise they should bear iniquity and die (Exod. xxviii. 42, 43).

From these considerations it is clear what is signified by the words in the following verse of this chapter: "I counsel thee to buy of me white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." And also in the following words of this book of the Apocalypse: "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (xvi. 15).

[12] Moreover, by the naked, in the Word, are also meant those who are not in truths and thence not in good, because they are ignorant of truths, but yet desire them. This is the case with those who are within the church where those who teach are in falsities; also those who are out of the church, and have not the Word, and hence neither know truths nor anything concerning the Lord. These are described in the following passages. In Isaiah:

"This is the fast that I have chosen, to break bread with the hungry, and when thou seest the naked that thou cover him" (lviii. 6, 7).

In Ezekiel:

"Let him give his bread to the hungry, and cover the naked with a garment" (xviii. 7).

And in Matthew:

"I was naked, and ye clothed me" (xxv. 36, 38).

To cover with a garment, and to clothe, signify to instruct in truths. (That garments denote truths, may be seen above, n. 195. That naked also signifies the good of innocence, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 165, 8375, 9960; and in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 179, 180, 280.)

AE (Tansley) n. 241

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 241

241. (v. 18.) I counsel thee. That this signifies the means of reformation of those who hold the doctrine of faith alone, is evident from the things that now follow; for the reformation of those who are in that doctrine is now treated of; hence, I counsel thee, involves precepts how they ought to live in order that they may be reformed, and so be saved.

AE (Tansley) n. 242

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 242

242. To buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be enriched. That this signifies to procure to themselves genuine good from the Lord that they may receive the truths of faith, is evident from the signification of buying, as denoting to procure and appropriate to themselves (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4397, 5374, 5397, 5406, 5410, 5426); and from the signification of gold tried in the fire, as denoting genuine good, thus good from the Lord, which will be explained in what follows; also from the signification of that thou mayest be enriched as denoting to be enabled to receive the truths of faith. The reason why this is signified by being rich is, that riches and wealth signify the knowledges of truth and good, and the rich those who are in intelligence therefrom; in the present case, those who are in faith, because the subject here treated of is those who hold the doctrine of faith alone. Hence it is clear that by to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich, is signified to procure to themselves genuine good from the Lord that they may receive the truths of faith.

[2] We shall first explain how this is to be understood. That truth which in itself is truth is not possible, except from good, thus that faith which is faith in itself is not possible, except from charity, has been frequently stated above; for truth, which is truth in itself, is not possible, except spiritual life be in it, and spiritual life is in it only when it is formed from the good of charity; for truth is the form of good, and good is the being (esse) of truth; thus also good is the life of truth, and good is from no other source than the Lord. And when good is from the Lord, then truth, which is from good, looks primarily to the Lord, and also to the neighbour and his good; for the Lord flows in with good, and from good forms truth, which is the truth of faith, and causes the spiritual sight of man to look to Him and to the neighbour. (That this is the case, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 145, 251; namely, that the Lord beholds angels and men in the forehead, and they behold the Lord through the eyes; the reason is, that the forehead corresponds to the good of love, and the eye to the understanding thence enlightened, consequently to the truths of faith. And also in the same work, n. 17, 123, 124, 142-144, 510, it is shown, that in the spiritual world all are turned to their own loves; and those who have acknowledged the Lord and believed in Him, are turned to Him, and hence they receive good from Him, and by good, enlightenment as to truths.) From these considerations it is plain that the genuine good signified by gold tried in the fire is from the Lord alone.

[3] Because in what is written to the angel of this church, the subject treated of is those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone; and because those who have confirmed themselves in that doctrine, and were, in the world, thence called learned, could connect falsities with truths, and induce an appearance that the doctrine was true, it was therefore granted me to converse with some of them in the other life; and because that conversation may serve for illustration, I wish to adduce it. Those learned ones, from the opinion which they held in the world, supposed that faith without charity was possible, and that man is justified by that faith alone. Their discourse was very ingenious; they said that faith was possible without charity, because it is prior to charity, and that by means of it man is in good. "Who," said they, "cannot believe that God is, that the Word is divine, and things of a similar kind, which, unless they were believed, could not be accepted and thought of by man?" They therefore concluded that faith is possible without charity, because it precedes, or is prior to it; and, such being the case, that it is saving, because a man cannot do good of himself; therefore, unless that faith saved, all men would perish. Nor was the presence of God with man possible without faith, and if it were not possible, evil would reign, and no one would possess any good; these things, they said, were meant by justification by faith alone.

But it was shown them that there could be no faith unless it existed with charity; and that what they called faith was only the knowledges first acquired by every man, as that God is, and that the Word is divine, and so on; and that those knowledges are not in man, but in the medium of access to him, which is his memory, until they are in his will; but that, in proportion as they are in his will, in the same proportion they are in the man himself; for the will is the man himself; and in proportion as they are in the will, in the same proportion they are in his sight, which is faith. The knowledges themselves, which precede, and, to the natural sight, appear to be believed, do not previously become knowledges of faith. This is why the seeing of knowledges, which is supposed to be faith, recedes from man successively as he begins to think evil from willing evil, and also recedes from him after death, when he becomes a spirit, if the knowledges have not been implanted in his life, that is, in his will or love. [4] This may be illustrated by a comparison with those stomachs of birds and terrestrial animals, which are called ruminant stomachs; into these they first collect their food, and afterwards by degrees take it out thence and eat it, and so nourish the blood, whence it becomes incorporated into their life. To those stomachs man's memory corresponds, which he enjoys in the place of them, because he is spiritual. Into this he first collects spiritual foods, which consist of knowledges, and afterwards takes them out, as it were, by ruminating, that is, by thinking and willing, and appropriates them to himself, and thus makes them part of his life. From this comparison, trifling as it may appear, it is obvious that, unless knowledges are implanted in the life, by thinking and willing them, and thence by doing them, they are like foods which remain unmasticated in the ruminant stomachs, where they either become putrid, or are vomited out. Moreover, the circle of man's life is to know, to understand, to will, and to do; for the spiritual life of man commences from knowing, thence it is continued into understanding, afterwards into willing, and lastly into doing. From this it is also evident, that knowledges in the memory are only in the entrance to the life, and that they are not fully in the man until they are in his deeds; also, that they are more fully in his deeds the more fully they are in his understanding and will.

[5] It was further shown that the faith of knowledges before it becomes the faith of life, is merely historical faith, the quality of which is well known to be this, that a thing is believed because another has said it; this, before it becomes the man's, is an alien faith, or the faith of another with him. Another quality of such faith is that it is a belief in things unknown; for it is said that such things are to be believed, although they are not understood, indeed that they are not to be looked into by the understanding, although such is the nature of spiritual faith that truths themselves are seen in it, and so are believed. In heaven, no one believes any truth unless he sees or has seen it; for there they say, "Who can believe that a thing is so unless he sees it? Perhaps it may be false"; and none but the evil can believe what is false, for the evil, from evil, see falsities, whereas the good, from good, see truths; and because good is from the Lord, the seeing of truth from good is also from the Lord. The reason why the angels see truths is because the light of heaven, in which they are, is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; hence all in the world also, who have that light, enjoy the sight of truth (concerning the light of heaven, and that such is its nature and quality, see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140).

[6] It was afterwards shown that charity and faith act as one, and enter together into man, so that in proportion as man is in charity in the same proportion he is in faith, because faith as to its essence is charity, just as truth as to its essence is good; for good, when it exists in visible manifestation, or in form, is truth; thus charity is faith, for good belongs to charity, and truth to faith. The one also loves the other, and conjoins itself to it, therefore one is not possible unless together with the other. This was illustrated by the thought of man, which belongs to his understanding, and by the affection, which belongs to his will. To think without affection is impossible, for the very essence of thought is affection or love. A man may indeed think all those things that he knows from the doctrine of the church, but from a natural affection, which is the affection or love of glory, fame, honour or gain; but this affection does not cause the thought to be spiritual, this being effected only by charity, which is spiritual affection itself. This affection, when it conjoins itself with knowledges, becomes faith, and afterwards, in proportion as man is in that affection, in the same proportion he sees in thought the things which belong to his faith, which are called truths, and acknowledges them because they are from his spirit itself, thus from his spiritual life itself: this also is what is called enlightenment. This is why no one can be enlightened from the Word unless he has the spiritual affection of truth. There is indeed something like enlightenment given to those who have confirmed themselves in such things as pertain to the doctrine of faith alone, and justification thereby; but it is a fatuous enlightenment, because they can confirm falsities equally with truths, as is the case with all heresies, both with those which prevail amongst the Jews and with those with the Papists. A similar light is also given, after such confirmations, to those who are called naturalists, who deny God, the divinity of the Word, and everything belonging to the church. The case is the same with those who have confirmed themselves in faith alone, and justification thereby. (That the light of confirmation is natural and not spiritual light, which is possible also with the evil, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 8780.)

[7] But let us return to the faith which, as to essence, is charity. That faith is continually perfected by those things that confirm for from spiritual light more truths are always seen, and these all conjoin themselves with the good of charity, and perfect it; hence a man has intelligence and wisdom, which at length becomes angelic. Moreover, those who are only in the knowledges of faith, and not in a life according to them, believe that a man can easily receive faith, if not in this world, yet in the other, saying to themselves, "When I hear and see that a thing is so, cannot I then believe it?" But they are greatly deceived; for those who have not received spiritual faith in the world, if they should afterwards hear of it, and see it a thousand times, can never receive it. The reason is, that this faith is not in the man, but out of him. That this is the case, is clearly evident from this, that all those who come from the world are first received by angels and good spirits, and are instructed by every means; indeed, many things are shown them even to the life and to the sight, but still they do not receive them; therefore they withdraw themselves from the angels and good spirits, and go to those who are destitute of faith. It was, moreover, told them that, if faith could be received by knowing and thinking only, it would be received by all, by the evil and the good alike, and thus no one would be condemned. (That charity, which is spiritual affection, can never be imparted to any one unless he knows truths, explores himself according to them, receives them, and lives a new life agreeably to them, may be seen above, n. 239.)

[8] It therefore follows that the life of faith is charity, and that there is nothing of life in faith, except in proportion as charity is therein; and also that in proportion as charity is in faith, in the same proportion man is led by the Lord; but that in proportion as charity is not in faith, in the same proportion man is led of himself; and he who is led of himself, and not by the Lord, cannot think what is good, still less can he will and do good which is good in itself. For from man's proprium nothing but evil proceeds; for when he thinks what is good, and wills and does good from proprium, it is only for the sake of himself and for the sake of the world, which are the ends for which he acts, and the ends are the loves which lead him; and man cannot be withdrawn or raised up from his proprium, unless he looks to the Lord as to the things of his life; by this he is conjoined with heaven, and spiritual affection is thence imparted to him by the Lord.

When these observations had been made, it was given to those with whom I discoursed on this subject to be in spiritual light, this light being such that truths can be seen in it as clearly as objects in the world are seen in its light; and then those who were in the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, could not but declare that the case was so. But as soon as that light was taken away from them and they were brought back into their own natural light, they could see only that the sight of knowledges is saving faith, and hence that the falsities which they had made of their faith were truths. Falsities become matters of the faith when evils are of the life.

[9] But to return to the explanation of the words of this passage, which are, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be enriched." By these words is signified that they should procure to themselves from the Lord genuine good, in order that they may receive truths; it now remains to be shown that gold in the Word signifies the good of love. This is evident from the following passages. In Malachi:

"Behold, I send my angel, who shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, and the angel of the covenant whom ye desire; he shall sit refining and purifying silver, and shall purify the sons of Levi; he shall refine them as gold and silver, that they may bring to Jehovah a meat-offering in justice" (iii. 1-3).

These things are spoken of the Lord's advent. It is here said that Jehovah would send His angel who should prepare the way before Him; and by the angel is meant John the Baptist, as is well known. By before me, or before Jehovah is meant the Lord's Divine Itself; by the temple to which He should come is meant His Divine Human. This is also called the angel of the covenant, because the conjunction of men and angels with the Divine Itself is by means of it; for covenant denotes conjunction. By the silver which he shall sit refining and purifying is meant truth from good. By the sons of Levi are meant all who are in the good of charity and thence in the truth of faith; it is therefore said that He should refine them as gold and silver; this is because gold signifies good, and silver truth therefrom. By offering unto Jehovah an offering in justice is meant the worship of the Lord from the good of charity. (That temple signifies the Divine Human of the Lord, may be seen above, n. 220: that covenant signifies conjunction, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10,632; that silver signifies truth from good, n. 1551, 1552, 2954, 5658; that a meat-offering signifies the good of love and charity, n. 4581, 9992, 9993, 9994, 10,079, 10,137; that justice is said of good, n. 2235, 9857.) Hence to bring an offering in justice signifies worship from the good of love.

[10] In Zechariah:

"Two parts in all the land shall be cut off, they shall expire, but the third shall be left in it; nevertheless I will bring the third through the fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will try them as gold is tried" (xiii. 8, 9).

Here, by all the land is not meant all the land, but the whole church; nor by the third part is a third part meant, but some who are therein. By its being brought through the fire, and refined as silver is refined, and tried as gold is tried, is signified their being purified from evils and falsities in order that good and truth may be implanted. (That land in the Word signifies the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 662, 1066, 1068, 1262, 1413, 1607, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577, 6516, 9325, 9643; that a third part signifies some, n. 2788.) There are in the above passages comparisons of silver and gold with truth and good; but in the Word all things serving for comparisons also correspond, and thence signify, as may be seen, n. 3579, 8989. Because gold tried in the fire signifies the good of love purified from evils, it was therefore commanded

that the gold and silver taken from the Midianites should pass through the fire, and thus be purified (Numb. xxxi. 22, 23).

[11] That gold signifies the good of love and charity is more fully evident from the following passages. In Hosea:

"Israel hath forsaken good: the enemy pursueth him: of their silver and their gold they have made to themselves idols" (viii. 3, 4).

By making to themselves idols of their silver and their gold is signified that they turned truth and good into falsities and evils, as is evident from its being said, "Israel hath forsaken good: the enemy pursueth him." The enemy denotes falsity from evil and evil from falsity. [12] In Joel:

"What have ye to do with me, O Tyre and Zidon? My silver and my gold have ye taken, and the desirable things of my goods have ye brought into your temples, and the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem ye have sold to the sons of the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their borders" (iii. 4-6).

Here by Tyre and Zidon are meant those within the church who are in the knowledges of truth and good, and, in this case, those who have perverted them and applied them to falsities and to the evils thereof. This is signified by, ye have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples the desirable things of My goods. Silver signifies truth, gold good, and the desirable things of my goods signify derived truths and goods, which are knowledges from the Word in the sense of the letter. To carry these into their temples signifies to turn them into profane worship. By their selling the sons of Judah and the sons of Jerusalem to the Grecians is meant that they changed all the truths of good into falsities of evil. By removing them far from their borders is meant far from truths themselves. (That by Tyre and Zidon are meant those within the church who have the knowledges of truth and good, may be seen in Arcana, Coelestia, n. 1201; that by the sons of Judah and sons of Jerusalem are meant all the truths of good, because by sons are signified truths, n. 1729, 1733, 2159, 2623, 2803, 2813, 3373, 3704, 7499, 8897, 9807; by Judah, the celestial church, n. 3654, 6364; by Jerusalem, the church where there is genuine doctrine, n. 3654, 9166. That by the Grecians are meant falsities, because the Grecians signify the nations that are in falsities, may be seen above, n. 50.)

[13] In Ezekiel:

"The traders of Sheba and Raamah, by the chief of all spices, and by every precious stone and gold they have carried on their tradings" (xxvii. 22).

And again:

"In thy wisdom and thy intelligence thou hast made to thyself wealth, and hast made gold and silver in thy treasuries. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, and gold" (xxviii 4, 13).

The subject treated in these two passages is also Tyre, by which, as was said above, are meant those within the church who are in the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good. By her tradings are meant those knowledges themselves. By Sheba and Raamah also are meant those who possess those knowledges, see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1171, 3240. By spices are signified truths that are grateful because derived from good, see n. 4748, 5621, 9474, 9475, 10,199, 10,254. By precious stones are signified truths that are beautiful because from good, see n. 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905. And by the garden of Eden is signified intelligence and wisdom therefrom, see n. 100, 108, 1588, 2702, 3220. Because, now, by those things are signified the knowledges of truth and of good, and because by gold and silver are signified the goods and truths themselves, and because all intelligence and wisdom are procured by means of these, therefore it is said, "In thy wisdom and thy intelligence thou hast made to thyself wealth, gold and silver in thy treasuries."

[14] In Lamentations:

"How is the gold become dim! how is the best fine gold changed! the stones of holiness are poured out at the head of every street. The sons of Zion are estimated equal to pure gold; how are they reputed as bottles of earthenware, the work of the hands of the potter!" (iv. 1, 2).

The vastation of the church is here treated of. The gold which is become dim, and the best fine gold which is changed, signify the goods of the church; the stones of holiness which are poured out at the top of every street, signify that the truths thence derived are falsified; the sons of Zion who were estimated equal to fine gold, signify the truths of the former church; bottles of earthenware, the work of the hands of the potter, signify evils of life derived from falsities of doctrine, which are from man's own intelligence. [15] In Ezekiel:

"I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a necklace on thy neck. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work. Thou hast also taken the vessels of thine adorning from my gold and from my silver which I gave to thee, and hast made thee images with which thou hast committed whoredom" (xvi. 11, 13, 17).

The subject here treated of is Jerusalem, which signifies the church as to doctrine, as said above. The ornaments with which she was decked signify, in general, all truths from good and intelligence therefrom (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,536, 10,540). Bracelets upon the hands signify specifically truths from good (see n. 3103, 3105); a necklace upon the neck signifies the conjunction of interior goods and truths with exterior goods and truths, or of those which are spiritual with those which are natural (see n. 5320); fine linen signifies genuine truth, and silk the same resplendent from interior goods (see n. 5319, 9469); broidered work signifies the Scientific (Scientificum) of the natural man (see n. 9688); the images with which she committed whoredom are the fallacies of the senses, which to those who are in falsities appear like truths; to commit whoredom with them is to draw false conclusions by means of them. (That to commit whoredom signifies to imbue with falsities, may be seen above, n. 141.) From these considerations it is clear that the subject treated of in this chapter is the church, as to its quality when it was first established by the Lord, and what its quality became afterwards.

[16] In Isaiah:

"Behold, I stir up against them the Medes, who shall not regard silver, and shall not delight in gold, whose bows shall strike the young men, their eye shall not spare the sons" (xiii. 17, 18).

By the Medes are meant those who are against the goods and truths of the church; therefore it is said of them, they shall not regard silver, nor delight in gold. Silver denotes the truth of the church, and gold its good. Their bows signify the doctrinals of falsity fighting against truths and goods (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709): the young men whom they shall strike signify those who are intelligent from truths (see n. 7668); the sons whom they shall not spare signify truths themselves. [17] In the same:

"The troop of camels shall cover thee; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of Jehovah. The isles shall trust in me, and the ships of Tarshish, to bring thy sons from afar, their silver and their gold with them" (lx. 6, 9).

The subject here treated of is the Lord's Advent, and by a troop of camels are meant all those who are in the knowledges of truth and good (see Arcana Coelestia, 3048, 3071, 3143, 3145). By Sheba, whence they shall come, is meant where those very knowledges are (see n. 1171, 3240); by the gold and incense which they shall bring are meant goods and truths derived from good, which are thence grateful; by gold the goods, and by incense those truths (see n. 9993, 10,177, 10,296); by the isles which shall trust in Him are meant the nations which are in Divine worship, but more remote from the truths of the church (see n. 1158); by ships of Tarshish are meant general knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good in which are contained many particular ones (n. 1977, 6385); by the sons whom they shall bring from far are meant truths more remote; sons denote truths, as above, and from far denotes which are more remote (see in. 1613, 9487); by their silver and gold with them are signified the knowledges of truth and good with them.

The like is signified by

the wise men who came from the east to the place where Christ was born, who offered "gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew ii. 11).

They offered those things because they signified goods and truths interior and exterior, which are gifts pleasing to God.

[18] In David:

"All kings shall bow down before him; all nations shall serve him. He shall preserve the souls of the poor, and they shall live; and he shall give them of the gold of Sheba" (lxxii. 11, 13, 15).

Here also the Lord's Advent is treated of. By the kings who, shall bow down before Him, and by the nations who shall serve Him, are meant all who are in truths from good; (that kings signify those who are in truths, may be seen above, n. 31; and that nations signify those who are in good, may be seen also above, n. 175); by the poor whom he shall preserve are meant those who are not in the knowledges of good and truth, but yet desire them (as may be seen also above, n. 238). By the gold of Sheba, of which He shall give them, is signified the good of love into which the Lord shall lead them by means of knowledges; (what is signified by Sheba may be seen just above). [19] In Haggai:

"And I will rouse up all nations, that they may come, the choice of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former" (ii. 7-9).

These things also are said concerning the Lord's advent. By nations are meant those who are in good and thence in truths; by house is meant the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3720); by the glory with which it shall be filled is meant Divine truth (see n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429); by the silver is mine, and the gold is mine, is meant truth and good, which are from the Lord alone.

[20] In Zechariah:

"The wealth of all nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver and apparel in great abundance" (xiv. 14).

By the wealth of all nations are meant knowledges, wherever they are, even with the evil; by gold, silver and apparel in great abundance are meant goods and truths, both spiritual and natural. The same was signified by the

gold, silver and raiment which the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians, when they departed from them (Exod. iii. 22; xi. 2, 3; xii. 35, 36).

The reason why such a thing took place, and what it involves, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia (n. 6914, 6917), where it is shown that it was in order that it might be represented that from the evil are taken away the things which they have, and that they are given to the good, according to the Lord's words in Matt. xxv. 28, 29; and in Luke xix. 24, 26; and that they should make to themselves friends of the unrighteous mammon, according to the Lord's words in Luke xvi. 9. By the unrighteous mammon are meant the knowledges of truth and good with those who do not rightly possess them, these being those who do not apply them to the uses of life. [21] In David:

"Kings' daughters are among thy precious ones; on thy right hand doth stand the queen in the best gold of Ophir: the king's daughter is all glorious within her clothing is embroidered with gold" (xlv. 9, 13).

This passage treats of the Lord. By the king's daughter is meant the church which is in the affection of truth, and which is described by kings' daughters being among her precious ones: by whom are meant the affections of truths themselves. By the queen standing at his right hand in the best gold of Ophir is meant the Lord's celestial kingdom, which is in the good of love; by her clothing being embroidered with gold is meant that truths are from good.

[22] In Matthew:

Jesus said to the disciples whom He sent forth to preach the gospel, that they should not provide gold, or silver, or brass in their purses (x. 9);

by which was represented that they should have nothing of good and truth from themselves, but from the Lord alone, and that all things would be given them freely. Because gold signified the good of love,

Therefore the table upon which was placed the showbread was overlaid with gold (Exod. xxv. 23, 24).

Also the altar of incense, which was thence called the golden altar (Exod. xxx. 3).

And on the same account the candlestick was made of pure gold (Exod. xxv. 31-38).

As were also the cherubim (Exod. xxv. 18);

And for the same reason the ark was covered within and without with gold (Exod. xxv. 11).

The same was the case with many other things in the temple of Jerusalem; for the tent in which were the ark, the cherubim, the table upon which was the showbread, the altar of incense, and the candlestick represented heaven, and so did the temple; and hence the gold therein signified the good of love, and the silver truth from good. [23] Because the most holy thing of heaven was represented by the gold in the temple,

Therefore, when Belshazzar drank wine out of the vessels of gold brought out of that temple, and at the same time praised the gods of gold, of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and stone, there appeared written on the wall, Numbered, weighed, divided; and in that night he was slain (Dan. v. 2, and following, verses);

for by this the profanation of good was signified. [24] Moreover by gold, in an opposite sense, in the Word is signified the evil of the love of self, and by silver the falsity therefrom, as in Moses:

The silver and gold of the nations they shall not covet, because they are abominations, nor shall they bring them into their houses, but they shall be accursed, because they were to be abominated and detested (Deut. vii. 25, 26).

But concerning this signification of gold and silver we shall speak hereafter.

AE (Tansley) n. 243

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 243

243. And white garments, that thou mayest be clothed. That this signifies genuine truths and intelligence therefrom, is evident from the signification of white garments, as being genuine truths; for garments signify truths (as may be seen above, n. 195), and white signifies what is genuine, and is said of truths (as may be seen also above, n. 196); and from the signification of to clothe as being to procure for oneself intelligence therefrom, for by means of genuine truths all intelligence is obtained; for the human understanding is formed to receive truths, therefore such as are the truths of which it is formed, such is its quality. It is believed that it is a matter of the understanding to be able to reason from thought and to speak from falsities, and to confirm them by many arguments; but this is not understanding, it is only a faculty given to man with the memory to which it is adjoined, and of which it is an activity. Nevertheless, the understanding is thereby born and formed, in proportion as man receives truths from affection; but to receive genuine truths from affection is not possible for any man, except from the Lord alone, because they are from Him. Consequently, to receive understanding, or to become intelligent, is imparted to man by the Lord alone, and to every one who applies himself to receive, according to what was said above (n. 239). This therefore is what is signified by, I counsel thee to buy of me white garments, that thou mayest be clothed.

AE (Tansley) n. 244

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 244

244. And that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. That this signifies lest filthy loves should appear is evident from the signification of nakedness as being deprivation of the understanding of truth and good because of deprivation of the will thereof, or deprivation of the truth of faith because there is no good of love (concerning this see above, n. 240). And because by nakedness such deprivation is signified, therefore the shame of nakedness signifies filthy loves, for these become evident when they are not removed by the love of good and by the faith of truth therefrom. For a man is born into two loves, the love of self and the love of the world; therefore from heredity he derives an inclination to love himself and the world above all things. These loves are filthy because all evils flow from them, which are contempt of others in comparison with oneself, enmity against those who do not favour oneself, hatred, revenge, craft and deceit of every kind. Those loves with their evils cannot be removed but by their opposites, which are love to the Lord and love towards the neighbour; from the latter man derives an inclination to love the Lord above all things and his neighbour as himself; these two loves are pure loves, because they are from the Lord out of heaven, and from them also all goods flow. In proportion therefore as man is influenced by these loves, in the same proportion the filthy loves into which he is born are removed, until they do not appear; they are removed by truths from the Lord. From these considerations it is evident that by I counsel thee to buy of me white garments that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, is signified to procure to themselves genuine truths and intelligence thence, from the Lord, lest filthy loves appear.

AE (Tansley) n. 245

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 245

245. And anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. That this signifies that the understanding may be in some degree opened is evident from the signification of eyes, as being the understanding (concerning this, see above, n. 152). Hence by anointing the eyes that thou mayest see is signified that the understanding may be opened. It is said to anoint with eye-salve, because by eye-salve is signified an ointment made from flour and oil, and flour signifies the truth of faith, and oil the good of love. (That flour signifies the truth of faith, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2177, 9995, and that oil signifies the good of love, n. 3728, 4582, 4638.) This is thus said, because the understanding sees nothing of truth unless the will is in good; for the truth in the understanding is nothing else but the form of the good which is in the will.

AE (Tansley) n. 246

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 246

246. (v. 19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. That this signifies temptations in that state is evident from the signification of rebuking and chastening, as being to admit into temptations, when said of those who procure to themselves good, and thereby receive truths; these were treated of in the verse immediately preceding. It is said, as many as I love, and thereby are meant all those in the doctrine of faith alone who are in good or in charity, and thence in truths or in faith. The reason why they are loved by the Lord is, that the Lord is present in good, or in charity; and by good, or charity, He is present in truths, or in faith, and not the reverse. The reason why it is now said of those who are in the doctrine of faith alone, that the Lord rebukes and chastens them is, that it was said above, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, and white garments that thou mayest be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see." By this is meant that those who are in the doctrine of faith alone should procure to themselves genuine good and genuine truths, and thence intelligence, lest their filthy loves should be seen; and that the understanding may in some degree be opened. And while this is being done with those who have been in the doctrine of faith alone, they cannot but be let into temptations; for the principles of falsity concerning faith alone and justification thereby which, they hold, cannot be abolished except by temptations, and these must be entirely abolished, because they cannot be conjoined with the good of charity, with which truths alone can be conjoined; therefore these are to be procured, as was said above. Truths are indeed conjoined by this, that they say that man, after he has received faith, is led by God, and so is in the good of charity; but still they make this good of no account, because they say it contributes nothing to salvation. They affirm also that nothing condemns him who has received that faith, neither evil of thought and will nor evil of life; also that such a person is not under the law because the Lord has fulfilled the law for him, thus nothing is regarded except faith; by these things they cause disjunction. The reason why they conjoin is, that the doctrine of faith alone would not otherwise agree with the Word, where mention is so often made of charity and of deeds; still, this conjunction is not conjunction with those whose life is according to the doctrine, but with those whose life is according to the Word.

[2] It is said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten," but it is not to be understood that it is the Lord who rebukes and chastens, but that infernal spirits, who are in similar principles of falsity, are those who chastise, that is, who tempt man. That God tempts no man is well known; therefore it is to be thus understood, although in the letter it is said of God that He leads into temptation, that He does evil, that He casts into hell, and many things of a like nature. Hence it is evident, that the Divine truth in the Word is but little understood, except by its spiritual sense, or by doctrine procured from those who have been enlightened. As to temptations a man comes into them when he is let into his proprium; for then spirits from hell, who are in the falsities of his principle and in the evils of his love, adjoin themselves to him and hold his thoughts therein, but the Lord holds his thoughts in the truths of faith and in the goods of charity; and, because he then also thinks continually about salvation and about heaven, hence arises his interior anxiety of mind, and hence also he experiences combat, which is called temptation. Those, however, who are not in truths and goods, thus not in any faith grounded in charity, cannot undergo temptations, for there is nothing in them which fights with falsities and evils; this is why at this day there are few who are tempted, and why it is little known what spiritual temptation is. (These things may be seen more fully expounded in Arcana Coelestia, from which see what is collected in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 196-201.)

AE (Tansley) n. 247

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 247

247. Be zealous therefore, and repent. That this signifies that they may have charity is evident from the signification of being zealous as being to act from spiritual affection, for this is zeal in the spiritual sense; and because charity is that affection itself, therefore it is said, be zealous and repent, by which is signified that they may have charity. Moreover, no one is let into spiritual temptation, unless he is in the spiritual affection that is called charity; for unless he is in that, there is no combat with falsities and evils, because no zeal for truths and goods. Because by temptation not only are evils mastered and falsities removed, but also in their place truths are implanted, and these are conjoined with the good of charity, so that they become one; therefore by being zealous and repenting, is signified that they may have charity.

AE (Tansley) n. 248

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 248

248. (v. 20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. That this signifies the perpetual presence of the Lord is evident from the signification of door, or gate, as being, in the highest sense, the Lord as to introduction into heaven or into the church, and in the internal sense truth from good which is from Him, because by it man is admitted into heaven (concerning this see above, n. 208). Here, because it is said by the Lord, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" signifies His perpetual presence, and at the same time His perpetual will, because He wills to admit into heaven, and also does admit; and He conjoins Himself with all who receive Him, which is effected by means of truths from good, or by faith from charity; therefore it follows, "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Because mention is made of a door, mention is also made of knocking, which signifies the Lord's perpetual will of conjoining Himself with man, and of communicating to him the happiness of heaven. That this is the case, is evident from this, that in the Lord is Divine love; and Divine love consists in the will to give all its own to others, and in the will that they may receive it. And because this can be accomplished only by the reception of good and truth, or love and faith, by man, because these are the Divine things which proceed from the Lord and are received, and, being Divine, the Lord Himself is in them, therefore conjunction of the Lord with angels and with men is effected by means of truths from good, or by means of faith from love. To will to give these things and to implant them in man, is specifically signified by I stand at the door and knock.

[2] There are two things in man's free-will from the perpetual presence of the Lord, and from His perpetual will of conjoining Himself with a man. THE FIRST is, that he has the capability and the faculty of thinking well concerning the Lord and concerning the neighbour; for every one can think well or ill concerning the Lord and concerning the neighbour; if he thinks well, the door is opened, if otherwise, it is shut. To think well concerning the Lord and concerning the neighbour, is not from man and his proprium, but from the Lord, who is perpetually present, and by perpetual presence gives him that capability and faculty; but to think ill concerning the Lord and concerning the neighbour, is from man himself and his proprium. THE SECOND THING in the free-will of man from the perpetual presence of the Lord with him, and from His perpetual will of conjoining Himself with him is, that he is able to abstain from evils, and in proportion as he does this, in the same proportion the Lord opens the door and enters. For the Lord cannot open and enter so long as evils are in a man's thought and will, because these oppose and close the door. It has been granted to man by the Lord to know the evils of his thought and will, also the truths by means of which these evils are to be dispersed; for the Word has been given, where those things are made known.

[3] From these considerations, it is evident that nothing is wanting in order that a man may be reformed if he will, for all means of reformation are left to man in his free-will; but it should be well understood that that free-will is from the Lord, as said above, and hence that the Lord operates those things, if man, from free-will, which is given to every one, is receptive. Reception must be entirely on man's part, which is meant by If any one hear my voice, and open the door. It is of no consequence that a man, in the beginning, does not know that this is from the Lord, because he does not perceive the influx, if he only believes afterwards from the Word that all the good of love and the truth of faith are from the Lord; for the Lord effects those things, although man is ignorant of the fact; and this by His perpetual presence, which is signified by I stand at the door and knock. Finally, the Lord wills that man from himself should abstain from evils and do good, only believing that the faculty of so doing is not from himself, but from the Lord. For the Lord desires that a man should be receptive; and reception can be given only as man acts as of himself, although it is from the Lord; thus also a reciprocal faculty is given with man, which is his new will.

[4] From these considerations it is evident how much those are deceived who say that man is justified and saved by faith alone, because he cannot do good of himself. And what else would such belief be, but that man would hang down his hands and expect immediate influx? and he who did this could receive nothing at all. Those also who believe that they can dispose themselves for influx by prayers, adorations, and other externals of worship are mistaken; for these things are nothing unless a man abstains from thinking and doing evils, and by means of truths from the Word leads himself as of himself to goods as to life; if a man does these things, then he disposes himself, and in such case his prayers, adorations and external acts of worship, avail before the Lord. (Upon this subject more may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 521-527.)

AE (Tansley) n. 249

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 249

249. If any man hear my voice. That this signifies he who attends to the precepts of the Lord is evident from the signification of hearing, as being to attend; that is, to see with attention, and to hearken, or to obey. For those things that enter by hearing are not only seen by the understanding, but are also obeyed, if they agree with man's affection; for interior affection adjoins itself to things thus heard, but not to things merely seen. This is why hearing and hearkening in common discourse have the two following significations, that of hearing and hearkening, and that of being a hearer and listener to some one; the latter denotes to obey, but the former to perceive; and hence to be a hearer denotes to be obedient, and to be a seer merely denotes to be intelligent (that there are such significations in common discourse originates in the spiritual world, in which man's spirit is, as may be seen above, n. 14 and 108); and from the signification of my voice, or the voice of the Lord, as being the truths of the Word, of doctrine, and of faith therefrom; thus the precepts of the Lord (concerning this see Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926).

[2] It is said, he who attends to the precepts of the Lord; which means whoever is willing to know truths, and to investigate them from the Word; this no one can do who is in evils of life, and who has confirmed himself in falsities of doctrine. Those who confirm themselves in falsities of doctrine attend to nothing in the Word but what favours their false principles; other things they either pass by as if they were not seen, or they pervert and falsify them; whereas those who are in evils of life do not concern themselves about truths, and if they hear them still they do not hear them. Thus they receive with the one faculty of hearing, which is to see and perceive what they hear, but not with the other faculty, which is to hearken to or obey those things. But those who desire to know truths, and to investigate them from the Word, are those who are in the spiritual affection of truth, and who love truth because it is truth. And those alone are in that affection who desire to live according to truths from the Word, thus according to the precepts of Lord. These are they who are meant by, If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

AE (Tansley) n. 250

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 250

250. And open the door. That this signifies reception in the heart or life is evident from the signification of opening the door, as being to let in, for by the door is signified letting in (as may be seen above, n. 208). Here, however, by opening the door is signified reception in the heart or life, for it follows, "and I will come in to him." It is said, if any man open the door, as if man opened it, when, nevertheless, it is the Lord Himself who opens, according to what was said and shown above (n. 248). But it is thus said, because it appears so to man, from the free-will given him by the Lord; and, moreover, in the sense of the letter of the Word, many things are spoken according to appearances; but these are put off in heaven, where the internal or spiritual sense of the Word is. The sense of the letter of the Word is in many places according to appearances, in order that it may serve for a basis to the spiritual sense; otherwise there would be no basis or foundation to that sense. That many things are said in the Word according to appearances is evident from this one fact, that in the Word it is said that evil is from God; that wrath, anger and revenge are in God, and other similar things; although God does evil to no one; nor is there any anger or revenge in Him, for He is good itself, and love itself; but because it so appears to man when he does evil and is punished, therefore, in the sense of the letter, it is so said; but still it is otherwise understood in the spiritual sense of the Word. The case is the same with this expression, "If any man open the door."

[2] It shall now be further explained what is meant by opening the door, when it is said to be done by man, as in the present instance. The case is this; the Lord is always present with the good and truth which a man has, and endeavours to open his spiritual mind, which is the door that the Lord desires to open, and impart to him celestial love and faith; for He says, "I stand at the door and knock"; but this endeavour, or this perpetual will of the Lord, is not perceived by man, for he thinks that he does good of himself, and that the endeavour or will is his own. It is sufficient in this case, that he should acknowledge from the doctrine of the church that all good is from God, and nothing from himself. The reason why this is not perceived by man is that there may be reception on the part of man, and by reception appropriation, for otherwise man cannot be reformed. [3] It is clear, therefore, how greatly those are mistaken who hold the doctrine of faith alone; for they say and believe that faith saves and not the good of life, or that man is justified by faith alone, thus shutting out his application to receive. They know, indeed, that man must examine himself, must see and acknowledge the evils, not only of his works but also of his thoughts and intentions, and that afterwards he must abstain from, and shun them, and live a new life, which must be a life of good, and that unless he does there can be no remission, but damnation. The doctors and rulers of the church teach this when they preach from the Word; and they teach this, as from faith, to everyone when he approaches the Holy Supper; but as soon as they return, and look to the doctrine of justification by faith alone, they no longer believe those things, but say that all are led from evil to good by God after they have received faith; and some, as they connect false principles with truths, say that after a man is justified by faith, he is also led by God to examine himself, and confess his sins before God, to abstain from them, and so on.

But this is the case with no one who believes in justification by faith alone, but with those who live the life of charity; by this life a man is conjoined with heaven, but not by the life of the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

He who is conjoined with heaven by the life of charity is led by the Lord to see his evils, both the evils of his thought and those of his will: a man sees evil from good, because evil is the opposite of good; but he who believes in salvation by faith alone says in his heart, "I have faith, because I believe the things that are said; nothing condemns me, I am justified"; and he who thus believes cannot be led by the Lord to examine himself and to repent of his evils. To this extent they teach truths before the people, who thence believe that to live well and believe aright are meant by being justified by faith, nor do they look deeper into the arcana of their doctrine. The latter are saved, but the former condemned. That these are in a state of condemnation they themselves may see if they will, for they believe from doctrine that the goods of life, which are works, contribute nothing to salvation, but faith alone, although works consist in abstaining from evils and living a new life, without which there is condemnation. [4] That the preachings that are not from the arcana of their doctrine teach these things, and also the prayers received in the church, is evident from what is read before all the people who approach the altar to partake of the Sacrament of the Supper, which shall be here quoted in the language in which it is written: "The way and means to be received as worthy partakers of the Holy Table is, first, to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God's commandments; and whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such as are not only against God, but also against your neighbours, then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your power, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others that have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand; for otherwise the receiving of the Holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, a hinderer or slanderer of His Word, an adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come not to that Holy Table; lest after the taking of that Holy Sacrament the devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you fall of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul. . . . Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men. . . . Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to live a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking henceforth in His holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God."

[5] From these words it may now be seen that the doctors and rulers of the church know, and yet do not know, that this way is the way to heaven, and not the way of faith without this; they know when they pray and preach before the people according to what is here adduced, but they do not know when they teach from their doctrine. The former way they call practical religion, but the latter the Christian religion; the former they believe to be for the simple, but the latter for the wise. However, I can assert that those who live according to the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby have no spiritual faith at all, and that after their life in this world they come into damnation; but those who live according to the doctrine adduced from the above exhortations have spiritual faith, and after their life in this world come into heaven. This also perfectly agrees with the faith received throughout the Christian world, which is called the Athanasian faith, in the public confession of which are these words concerning the Lord; "At whose coming all men shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith." [6] That these things are in perfect agreement with the Word is evident from the following passages:

"The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works" (Matt. xvi. 27).

"They that have done good, shall go forth unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John v. 28, 29).

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; their works do follow them" (Apoc. xiv. 13).

"I will give unto every one of you according to his works" (Apoc. ii. 23).

"I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works" (Apoc. xx. 12, 13).

"Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according to his works" (Apoc. xxii. 12).

In what is written to the seven churches, it is also said to each of them, "I know thy works." Thus:

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand; I know thy works" (Apoc. ii. 1, 2).

"Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things saith the first and the last, I know thy works (Apoc. ii. 8, 9).

"Unto the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things saith he that hath the sharp sword with two edges: I know thy works" (verses 12, 13).

"Unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God; I know thy works and charity" (verses 18, 19).

"Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God; I know thy works" (chap. iii. 1).

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true; I know thy works" (verses 7, 8).

"Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness; I know thy works" (verses 14, 15).

In Jeremiah:

"And I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their hands" (xxv. 14).

Again:

O Jehovah, "thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men; to give everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (xxxii. 19).

In Hosea:

"I will visit upon his ways, and reward him for his works (iv. 9).

In Zechariah:

"Jehovah deals with us according to our ways, and according to our doings" (l. 6).

Also in the following passages.

In John:

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (xiii. 17).

In Luke:

"Why call ye me, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" (vi. 46).

In Matthew:

"But whosoever doeth and shall teach, shall be called great in the kingdom of the heaven" (v. 19).

Again:

"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in the heavens. Whosoever heareth my words and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man. But whosoever heareth my words and doeth them not, I will liken unto a foolish man" (vii. 19-27).

Again:

"He that received seed into the good ground, is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it, which beareth fruit and bringeth forth" (xiii. 23).

In Mark:

These are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word and receive it, and bring forth fruit" (iv. 20).

In Luke:

"The seed that fell into the good ground are they which, in an honest and good heart, hear the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit" (viii. 15).

When the Lord had said these things, He cried, saying, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt. xiii. 9; Mark iv. 9; Luke viii. 8). In Matthew:

"Thou shalt love the Lord [thy] God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang the law and the prophets" (xxii. 37-40).

By the law and the prophets is meant the Word in its whole content. [7] That to love the Lord God is to do His words or precepts He Himself teaches in John,

"He that loveth me, keepeth my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings" (xiv. 21, 23, 24).

So also in Matthew, the Lord declared that He will say to the goats on the left hand, that they should go into everlasting fire, and to the sheep on the right hand, that they should go into life eternal (xxv. 31-46). That by the goats are meant those who do not do the goods of charity, and by the sheep those who do, is evident from the words there; both said that they knew not that to do good to their neighbour was to do it to the Lord; but they are instructed, if not before, yet at the day of judgment, that to do good is to love the Lord. By the five foolish virgins who took no oil in their lamps are also meant those who are in faith and not in the good of charity; and by the five wise virgins who took oil in their lamps are meant those who are also in the good of charity; for lamps signify faith, and oil signifies the good of charity. Concerning the latter, it is said that "they went into the marriage," but of the former, who said, Lord, Lord, open to us," that they received this answer, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not" (Matt. xxv. 1-12). That in the last time of the church there would be no faith in the Lord, because no charity, is signified where it is written

That Peter denied the Lord thrice, before the cock crew (Matt. xxvi. 34, 69-74).

The same is signified by the Lord's saying to Peter, when Peter saw John follow the Lord,

"What is that to thee" Peter? "follow thou me" John; for Peter had said concerning John,

"What is this man?" (John xxi. 21, 22).

Peter, in a representative sense, signifies faith, and John the good of charity; therefore he leaned on the breast of the Lord (John xxi. 20).

[8] That this good constitutes the church is signified by the words of the Lord from the cross to John:

"Jesus saw his mother and the disciple standing by whom he loved; he said unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John xix. 26, 27).

By mother and woman is here meant the church, and by John the good of charity, and thus by those words is signified that the church will exist where the good of charity is. (But these things may be seen more fully explained in the passages quoted in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 122. And, moreover, that there is no faith where there is no charity, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39. And that man after death is such as his life was in the world, and not such as his faith was, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 470-484. Also what charity is, and what faith is, in its essence, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-122.) [9] From what has been adduced consider whether to have faith is anything else than to live it; and whether to live according to it is not only to know and think, but also to will and do. For faith is not in a man while it is only in his knowledge and thought, but when it is also in his will and in his actions. Faith in man is faith of the life, but faith not yet in man is faith of the memory and of thought therefrom. By faith of the life is meant believing in God; but to believe those things that are from God, and not to believe in God, is mere historical faith, which is not saving. Who that is a true priest and good pastor does not desire that men should live well? and who does not know that the faith of knowledges, obtained from hearsay, is not faith of the life, but historical faith? [10] Faith of the life is the faith of charity, for charity is life.

But although the case is thus clear, yet I foresee that those who have confirmed themselves in the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, will not give it up, because of their connecting falsities with truths; for they teach truths when they teach from the Word, but they teach falsities when they teach from doctrine; and hence they confound those things by saying that the fruits of faith are the goods of life and that these follow from faith, and yet that the goods of life contribute nothing to salvation, but faith alone. Thus do they unite and disunite things; and when they unite them they teach truths, but only before the people, who do not know that they invert matters, and say these things from necessity, in order to make their doctrine agree with the Word; but when they disunite them they teach falsities, for they say that faith saves, and not the goods of charity, which are works, in this case not knowing that charity and faith act as one, and that charity consists in acting well and faith in believing well, and that to believe well without acting well is impossible, thus that there can be no faith without charity; then charity is the esse of faith, and its soul, hence that faith alone is faith without a soul, and thus a dead faith; and because such faith is not faith, therefore justification by it is a mere non-entity.

AE (Tansley) n. 251

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 251

251. I will come in to him. That this signifies conjunction is evident from the signification of coming in, when said of the Lord, as being to be conjoined to Him (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3914, 3918, 6782, 6783). The Lord is conjoined to those who receive Him in the heart and life, because He enters or flows into life; but this He does only with those who are in the life of spiritual love, or in the life of charity, for charity is spiritual love. When this life constitutes the life of man, then the Lord enters or flows by this means into the truths of faith, and causes man to see or to know them; hence man has the spiritual affection of truth. It is a great mistake to suppose that the Lord enters or flows into faith alone, or into faith separated from charity, with man; in this faith there is no life, for it is like the breath of the lungs without the action of the heart; this breath would produce only an inanimate motion, for the breath of the lungs is animated by the influx of the heart, as is well known. Hence it is clear that the proceeding Divine from the Lord is admitted into man by the way of the heart, that is, of the love. For whether we speak of the heart or of the love it is the same thing as the life of the spirit therefrom. That love constitutes the life of man anyone may know and see if he will only attend. For what is a man without love, but like a stock? Hence, according to the quality of his love such is the man; love consists in willing and doing, for what a man loves that he wills and does. An idea of the good of charity and the truth of faith may be formed from the light and heat of the sun. When the light which proceeds from the sun is conjoined with the heat, as is the case in the time of spring and summer, then all things of the earth bud and flourish; but when there is no heat in the light, as in the time of winter, then all things of the earth grow torpid and die. Moreover, spiritual light is the truth of faith, and spiritual heat is the good of charity. From these considerations also an idea of the quality of the man of the church may be formed; when his faith is conjoined to charity he is like a garden and a park; but when his faith is not conjoined to charity he is like a desert, and a land covered with snow.

AE (Tansley) n. 252

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 252

252. And will sup with him, and he with me. That this signifies communicating to them the happiness of heaven is evident from the signification of supping, as being to communicate the goods of heaven. The reason why supping denotes to communicate those goods is, that by banquets, feasts, dinners and suppers in the Word are signified association by love, and hence the communication of the delights of love; for all delights spring from love. Those things derive their signification from bread and wine, which signify the good of love celestial and spiritual; and from eating together, which signifies communication and appropriation. This was formerly signified by the paschal supper, and is at this day signified by the Holy Supper (as may be seen above, n. 146; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 210-222). The reason why mention is made of supping is, that marriages were celebrated at supper-time; and by marriage is signified the conjunction of good and truth, and thence communication of delights; hence it is said in the Apocalypse:

"Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb" (xix. 9);

and afterwards,

"Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God" (ver. 17).

[2] Because suppers signify association by love, and the communication of delights thence, therefore the Lord compared the church and heaven to a supper, and also to a marriage; to a supper, in Luke:

A man made a great supper, and bade many; but they all with one consent began to make excuse. Therefore the master of the house, being angry, ordered to bring in the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, saying of the first that none of those men should taste the supper (xiv. 16-24).

(Nearly similar to the above is what is signified by the marriage to which certain were invited, as recorded in Matthew xxii. 1-15.) By the supper is there meant heaven and the church. By those who were invited and excused themselves are meant the Jews, with whom the church then was; for the church specifically is where the Word is, and where the Lord is known by the Word. By the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind, are meant those who are spiritually such, and who were then out of the church. The reason why heaven and the church are there likened to a supper and a marriage is, that heaven is the conjunction of the angels with the Lord by love, and their association amongst themselves by charity, and the communication thence of every kind of delight and happiness; similarly the church, because the church is the Lord's heaven on the earth. (That heaven is the conjunction of the angels with the Lord by love, and also their mutual association by charity, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13-19, and that thence there is a communication of every kind of delight and happiness, n. 396-400.) [3] In the Word throughout it is said, that those who are admitted into heaven are to eat together, by which, in the spiritual sense, is meant the fruition of blessedness and felicity. Thus the same is signified by eating there as by supping, as in Luke:

"They shall come from the east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, and shall recline in the kingdom of God" (xiii. 29).

And in Matthew:

"Many shall come from the east and west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (viii. 11).

Those who shall come from the east and the west, the north and the south, are all those who are in the good of love, and thence in the truths of faith. (That the four quarters, in the Word, have such a signification, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153; and that by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Lord is meant as to the Divine Itself, and the Divine Human, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1893, 4615, 6098, 6185, 6276, 6804, 6847. Hence to recline with them denotes to be conjoined with the Lord, and to associate together by love, and by such conjunction and association, to enjoy eternal blessedness and felicity, and this from the Lord alone.)

[4] In Luke:

Jesus said, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights shining, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching; verily, I say unto you that he will gird himself, and make them recline, and will come forth and serve them" (xii. 35, and following verses).

By the loins being girded is meant the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 9961). By lights shining are signified the truths of faith from the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9548, 9551, 9783). By girding himself, making them to recline, and serving them, is signified to impart to them every kind of good. [5] Again:

"Ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations. I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in the kingdom" (xxii. 28-30).

To eat and drink at the table of the Lord in His kingdom, is to be conjoined with Him by love and faith, and to enjoy heavenly blessedness. [6] In Matthew:

Jesus said, "I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this product of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (xxvi. 29).

These words were spoken by the Lord after He Instituted the Holy Supper. By the product of the vine is signified Divine truth from Divine good, and blessedness and felicity therefrom. [7] Similar to this is the signification of a feast, in the Word, as in Isaiah:

"In this mountain shall Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of lees" (xxv. 6).

Here the subject treated of is the Lord's advent, and by a feast of fat things is signified the appropriation and communication of goods, and by a feast of lees, or of the best wine, the appropriation of truths. (That fat things signify the goods of love, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 353, 5943, 10,033, and also the delights of love, n. 6409; and that wine signifies the good of charity, which in its essence is truth, n. 1071, 1798, 6377.)

[8] The like is signified by the marriage to which the ten virgins were invited, of whom it is thus written in Matthew:

"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. And the wise answered, saying, Lest perchance there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. While therefore they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not" (xxv. 1-12).

The subject here treated of is conjunction with the Lord by love and faith; the marriage also signifies that conjunction; oil signifies the good of love, and lamps the truth of faith. In order that it may be clear that in everything that the Lord spoke there is a spiritual sense, I wish to unfold this parable more particularly, according to that sense. The kingdom of heaven, which is likened to the ten virgins, signifies heaven and the church; the ten virgins signify all those who belong to the church, ten denoting all, and virgins those who are in the affection of spiritual truth and good, which constitutes the church. This is why Zion and Jerusalem, by which the church is signified, in the Word are called virgins, as the virgin of Zion, and the virgin of Jerusalem, and that it is said in the Apocalypse that the virgins follow the Lamb. By the lamps which they took when they went forth to meet the bridegroom are signified the truths of faith; by the bridegroom is meant the Lord as to conjunction with heaven and the church by love and faith, because a marriage is treated of, by which is signified that conjunction. The five wise virgins, and the five that were foolish signify those of the church who are in faith from love, and those who are in faith without love, just as the wise and foolish mentioned in Matthew vii. 24, 26. By midnight, when the cry was made, is signified the Last Judgment, and in general the last state of the life of man, when he must be adjudged either to heaven or to hell. By the foolish virgins then saying to the wise, "Give us of your oil," and the wise answering them that they should go to them who sell is signified the state of all after death, that those who have not the good of love in their faith, or the truth of faith from the good of love, are then desirous to procure it for themselves, but in vain, because according to the quality of a man's life in the world such does he remain. It is now evident therefore what is signified by the wise virgins going in to the marriage, and by the foolish who said, "Lord, Lord, open to us," receiving for answer, "Verily, I say unto you, I know you not." By not knowing them is signified that the Lord was not conjoined to them, for spiritual love, and not faith without love, conjoins; for the Lord abides with those who are in love, and thence in faith and these He knows, because He Himself is therein.

AE (Tansley) n. 253

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 253

253 (v. 21) He that overcometh, to him will I grant to sit with me in my throne. That this signifies that he who endures to the end of life will be conjoined with heaven where the Lord is, is evident from the signification of overcoming as being to remain in the spiritual affection of truth even to the end of life (concerning which see above, n. 128), but in this case in a state of faith from charity, because that is the subject treated of. The reason why to overcome has such a signification is that a man, so long as he lives in the world, fights against the evils and falsities therefrom which pertain to him; and he who so fights, and remains in the faith of charity, even to the end of life, overcomes; and he who overcomes in the world overcomes to eternity, because a man is such after death as was his life in the world. And from the signification of to sit with me in My throne, as being to be conjoined with heaven where the Lord is; for by throne is signified heaven, and by sitting with the Lord is signified to be together with Him, thus to be conjoined to Him. [2] In the Word mention is frequently made of a throne, and by it, when said of the Lord, is signified in general heaven, specifically the spiritual heaven, and in the abstract the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, because this constitutes heaven. Hence also a throne is predicated of judgment, since all judgment is effected from truths. That such is the signification of a throne in the Word is evident from the following passage. In Isaiah:

"Jehovah said, the heavens are my throne" (lxvi. 1).

In David:

"Jehovah hath prepared his throne in the heavens" (Ps. ciii. 19).

In Matthew:

"He that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon" (xxiii. 22).

That by throne is here signified heaven is evident; for it is said that heaven is Jehovah's throne, that He hath prepared His throne in the heavens, and that he who sweareth by heaven sweareth by the throne of God. Not that Jehovah, or the Lord, there sits upon a throne, but that throne is said of His Divine in the heavens; and also it sometimes appears as a throne to those to whom it is granted to look into heaven. That the Lord was thus seen is evident in Isaiah:

"I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and his skirts filled the temple" (vi. 1).

Jehovah's skirts filling the temple signifies that the Divine truth proceeding from Him filled the ultimate of heaven and the church; for by the skirts of the Lord is signified in general the proceeding Divine, and specifically the Divine truth which is in the extremes of heaven and in the church (as may be seen above, n. 220).

[3] In Ezekiel:

Above the expanse which was over the head of the cherubs, "as it were the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne, and upon the likeness of the throne, a likeness as it were the appearance of a man upon it above" (i. 26; x. 1).

The reason why the throne appeared like a sapphire stone was, that a sapphire signified the Divine truth of the Lord proceeding from His Divine good, and hence spiritual truth pellucid from celestial good (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9407, 9873). Thus the throne in this case signifies the whole heaven; for heaven is heaven from the Divine truth. (What cherubs signify, may be seen, n. 9277, end, 9509, 9673.) [4] In the Apocalypse:

"Behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne; there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices; before the throne, there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; round about the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind" (iv. 2-6, 9, 10).

That heaven is here described as to Divine truth will be seen in the explanation of those words in the following chapter. The same is also signified in this passage:

"A pure river, clear as crystal, proceeded out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (xxii. 1).

The reason why a pure river clear as crystal was seen proceeding out of the throne was that a river signifies Divine truth so also does crystal. [5] The same is signified in the Word by the throne of David, because by David in the prophetical parts of the Word is not meant David, but the Lord as to His royalty which is the Divine truth in the spiritual heaven, which is the second heaven.

Thus in Luke:

The angel said to Mary, "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David" (i. 32).

And in Isaiah:

"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it in judgment and in justice, henceforth and even to eternity" (ix. 6, 7).

That David is not here meant, nor his throne upon which the Lord should sit, is plain, for the Lord's kingdom was not on earth but in heaven; therefore by the throne of David is meant heaven as to the Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 205). The like is meant in the Psalms of David, where he speaks of his throne and of his kingdom; as in the whole of Psalm lxxxix., where also it is said:

"I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever; and I will build up thy throne to generation and generation. Judgment and justice are the support, of thy throne; I will set his throne as the days of the heavens" (verses 3, 4, 14, 29).

That the Lord is there meant by David, may be seen above (n. 205.) The like is also signified by the throne of glory, where it is said of the Lord; for glory signifies Divine truth; as in Matthew:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory" (xxv. 31).

(That glory signifies the Divine truth in heaven, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4809, 5922, 8267, 8427, 9429, and above, n. 33.)

Hence it is clear what is signified by the throne of glory in Jeremiah:

"Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory" (xiv. 21, and xvii. 12);

by which is signified that Divine truth should not be disgraced. The same is meant by Jerusalem being called the throne of Jehovah; for by Jerusalem is signified the church as to doctrine, and doctrine is Divine truth. Hence it is also clear how these words in Jeremiah are to be understood:

"At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah, and all the nations shall be gathered together unto it" (iii. 17).

In David:

"Jerusalem is builded; whither the tribes go up. And there are set the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David" (cxxii. 3-5).

In Ezekiel:

"The glory of Jehovah came into the house by the way of the gate whose face was toward the east; he said unto me, Son of man, behold the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel for ever" (xliii. 4, 7).

(That Jerusalem signifies the church as to doctrine, thus the Divine truth in the heavens and on earth, for this makes the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 9166, and above, n. 223.) Because all judgment is effected from truths, and judgment in the heavens from Divine truth, therefore a throne is also mentioned where the Lord is treated of as to judgment, as above in Matthew (xxv. 31), and in David (Ps. cxxii. 3-5); and moreover in David:

"O Jehovah, thou hast executed my judgment; thou sattest on the throne, a judge of justice; thou hast rebuked the nations, thou hast destroyed the wicked: Jehovah shall sit for ever; he will prepare his throne for judgment" (ix. 4, 5, 7).

[6] It is also said in the Word throughout, that others shall sit upon thrones as well as the Lord; but still by such thrones are not meant thrones, but Divine truths. Thus in the first book of Samuel:

"He raiseth up the depressed out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy out of the dunghill, to set them among princes, and he will make them inherit the throne of glory" (ii. 8).

In the Apocalypse:

The four-and-twenty elders who were before the throne of God, upon their thrones (xi. 16).

In another place:

"I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them" (xx. 4).

And in Matthew:

"Ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (xix. 28, and Luke xxii. 30).

By thrones are there meant Divine truths, according to, and from which all are to be judged. By twelve and by twenty-four are signified all, and they are said of truths; by elders and disciples are also signified Divine truths, as also by the tribes. When these things are known it will be evident what is meant by thrones in the passages here adduced; also by that which is now treated of: "He that overcometh, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne." (That twelve signifies all, and is predicated of truths may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913; that the same is signified by twenty-four, because that number is double the number twelve, and arises thence by multiplication, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973. That by the elders of Israel are signified all those in the church who are in truths from good, n. 6524, 6525, 6890, 7912, 8578, 8585, 9376, 9404: similarly by the twelve disciples of the Lord, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; also by the twelve tribes, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335, 7836, 7891).

[7] From these considerations it is evident what was represented by the throne built by Solomon, concerning which it is thus written in the first book of the Kings:

"Solomon made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. The throne had six steps, and the head of the throne was round; and behind it were hands on the one side and on the other near the place of the seat, and two lions standing near the hands; and there were twelve lions standing upon the six steps, on the one side and on the other: there was not the like made in any kingdom" (x. 18-20).

Here by ivory is signified the Divine truth in ultimates: by the head being round, the correspondent good; by the gold with which it was overlaid is signified Divine good from which is Divine truth. By the six steps are signified all things from first to last; by the hands is signified all power; by the lions are signified the truths of the church in their power: by twelve, all. Because throne, where it is said of the Lord, signifies heaven as to all Divine truth, so in an opposite sense it signifies hell as to all falsity. In this opposite sense, it is mentioned above (ii. 13; Isa. xiv. 9, 13: xlvii. 1; Hagg. ii. 22; Dan. vii. 9; Luke i. 52; and elsewhere).

AE (Tansley) n. 254

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 254

254. As I also overcame, and sit with my Father in his throne. That this signifies comparatively as the Divine good is united with the Divine truth in heaven, is evident from the signification of overcoming, when said of the Lord Himself, as being to unite Divine good with Divine truth. And as this was effected by temptations and victories, therefore it is said, "as I overcame." (That the Lord united Divine good with Divine truth by temptations admitted into His Human, and by continual victories then, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 201, 293, 302). The reason why sitting with my Father in his throne, signifies Divine good united with Divine truth in heaven, is that by Father, when mentioned by the Lord, is meant the Divine good which was in Him from conception, and by Son, the Divine truth, each in heaven; and by throne is meant heaven, as above. This Divine of the Lord in the heavens is called the Divine truth, but it is the Divine good united to the Divine truth. (That this is the case may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 13, 133, 139, 140).

[2] The reason why a comparison is made of the members of the church with the Lord himself, when it is said, "He that overcometh, to him will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and sit with my Father in his throne" is, that the life of the Lord upon earth was an example according to which the members of the church were to live, as the Lord Himself also teaches in John:

"I have given unto you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (xiii. 15, 17).

This is why the Lord Himself, in places, makes a comparison between Himself and His disciples, as in John:

Jesus said, "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (xv. 9, 10).

Again:

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world" (xvii. 16, 18).

Again:

"As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (xx. 21).

Again:

"The glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them, and thou in me. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them" (xvii. 22-24, 26).

The reason why the Lord spoke of His conjunction with men as of His conjunction with the Father, that is, of His Human with the Divine which was in Himself, is that the Lord is not conjoined with man's proprium, but with what is His own. The Lord removes man's proprium, and gives from His own, and in that He dwells. That this is the case is also known in the church, as is clear from the prayer used by, and the exhortation addressed to, those who approach the Sacrament of the Supper, in which are these words: "If with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament, for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us: we are one with Christ, and Christ with us." And in John vi. 56. (But these things may be better comprehended from what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n, 11, 12).

Hence, then, because the Divine of the Lord received by angels and men constitutes heaven and the church in them, they are one with the Lord, as He and the Father are one. [3] In order that it may be yet more fully known how is to be understood what the Lord says, that He sits with His Father in His throne, it is to be noted that the throne of God denotes heaven, as was shown in the preceding article, also that heaven is heaven from the Divine proceeding from the Lord, which is called Divine truth, as was said above. The Lord Himself is not in heaven, but is above the heavens, and appears to those who are in the heavens as a Sun. The reason why the Lord appears as a Sun is because He is Divine love, and Divine love appears to the angels as solar fire; whence also sacred fire in the Word signifies Love Divine. From the Lord as a Sun proceed light and heat: the light which proceeds, because it is spiritual light, is Divine truth; and the heat, because it is spiritual heat, is Divine good. The latter, namely, the Divine good, is meant by the Father in heaven. (That the Lord is the Sun of heaven, and that the light and heat proceeding therefrom are the Divine truth united with the Divine good, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 116-125, also n. 126-140: and that heaven is heaven from the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, n. 7-12). It is therefore evident what is meant by Father in the heavens, and heavenly Father, as in Matthew:

Do good to your enemies, "that ye may be the sons of your Father which is in the heavens" (v. 44, 45).

Again:

"Be ye perfect, as your Father in the heavens is perfect" (verse 48).

Again:

"You who are evil, know to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your Father who is in the heavens give good things to them that ask him" (vii. 11).

Again:

"He that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens" (vii. 21).

Again:

"Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (xv. 13).

Also in many other passages, in Matt. v. 16: vi. 1, 6, 8; xii. 50; xvi. 17; xviii. 14, 19, 35; Mark ix. 25, 26; Luke xi. 13.

[4] That the Divine good is meant by the Father is also evident from this passage in Matthew:

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens" (xviii. 10).

By their beholding the face of their Father who is in the heavens is signified that they receive Divine good from the Lord. That they do not actually see His face is evident from the words of the Lord in John:

"No one hath seen the Father at any time" (i. 18; v. 37; vi. 46).

The same is evident from this passage in Matthew:

"Call no man your father upon the earth, for one is your Father who is in the heavens" (xxiii. 9).

That no man is forbidden to call his father upon earth "father" is evident, nor is it here forbidden by the Lord; but this was said because by Father is meant the Divine good, and there is none good except the one God (xix. 17). The reason why the Lord spoke thus is that by the Father in the Word of both Testaments is meant, in the spiritual sense, the Divine good, as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3703, 5902, 6050. 7833, 7834; and also heaven and the church as to good, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2691, 2717, 3703, 5581, 8897; and by Father, when mentioned by the Lord, the Divine good of His Divine love, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2803, 3704, 7499, 8328, 8897).

AE (Tansley) n. 255

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 255

255. (v. 22). He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 108).

AE (Tansley) n. 256

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 256

256. It was said above, that by the seven churches here written to, are not meant seven churches, but all those who belong to the church, and, in the abstract, all things of the church; that this is the case is evident from the consideration, that by seven are signified all, and all things, and that by the names are signified things. That all who belong to the church, or all things of the church, are meant by what is written to those seven churches is also evident from the explanation of those things. For all things of the church have reference to the following four general principles, doctrine, life according to it, faith according to life. These are treated of in what is written to six of the churches - doctrine, to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna; life according to doctrine, to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis; and faith according to life, to the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea. And because doctrine cannot be implanted in man's life and become a matter of faith unless he fights against the evils and falsities which he possesses from heredity, therefore that combat is also treated of in what is written to the church in Pergamos; for the subject there treated of is temptations; and temptations are combats against evils and falsities.

(That temptations are treated of in what is written to the church in Pergamos may be seen above, n. 130; that doctrine is the subject treated of in what is written to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna may be seen above also, n. 93, 95, 112; that a life according to doctrine is treated of in what is written to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis, n. 150, 182, and that faith according to life is treated of in what is written to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea, n. 203 and 227.) Because in what is written to this last church, namely, that in Laodicea, those who are in the doctrine of faith alone are treated of, and also, at the end, the nature of faith originating in charity, to what has already been said, it is here to be added, that love constitutes heaven; and because it does so, it also forms the church. For all the societies of heaven, which are innumerable, are arranged according to the affections of love, and also all within each society; so that it is affection, or love, according to which all things are arranged in the heavens, and not in any case faith alone. Spiritual affection, or love, is charity. It is therefore clear that no one can ever enter heaven unless he is in charity.

AE (Tansley) n. 257

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 257

257. Because in this prophetical book numbers are often mentioned; and as no one can know the spiritual sense of what is contained in those numbers unless he knows what the particular numbers signify; for all numbers in the Word, as well as all names, signify spiritual things; and because the number seven is often mentioned amongst others, I am desirous here of showing that seven signifies all, and all things, also what is full and complete for that which signifies all, and all things, signifies also what is full and complete. For what is full and complete is said of the magnitude of a thing, and all and all things of multitude.

That the number seven has such a signification is evident from the following passages. In Ezekiel:

"The inhabitants of the cities of Israel shall set fire to and burn the arms, the shield also and the buckler, with the bow and the arrows, and with the hand-staff, and with the spear; and they shall kindle a fire with them seven years; and they shall bury Gog and all his multitude, and they shall cleanse the land seven months" (xxxix. 9, 11, 12).

The subject here treated of is the desolation of all things in the church. The inhabitants of the cities of Israel signify all the goods of truth, to set on fire and burn signifies to consume by evils. The arms, the shield, the buckler, the bows, the arrows, the hand-staff, the spear, denote everything pertaining to doctrine; to kindle fire with them seven years denotes to consume them all and fully by evils. Gog signifies those who are in external worship, and in no internal worship; to bury them and cleanse the land denotes to destroy them all, and completely to purge the church of them. [2] In Jeremiah:

"Their widows shall be multiplied more than the sand of the seas, and I will bring to them upon the mother of the youths the waster at noon-day. She who hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul" (xv. 8, 9).

By the widows which will be multiplied are signified those who are in good and desire truths, and, in the opposite sense, as in the present case, those who are in evil and desire falsities. By the mother of the youths is signified the church; by the waster at noon-day is signified the vastation of that church, however much they may be in truths from the Word. By she that hath borne seven shall languish, she shall breathe out her soul, is signified that the church, to which all truths were given because the Word was given them, should perish; for she that hath borne seven signifies those to whom all truths were given. This is specifically said concerning the Jews.

[3] Similarly, in the first book of Samuel:

"They that were hungry ceased, so that the barren hath borne seven, and she that hath many children hath failed" (ii. 5).

The hungry who ceased denote those who desire the goods and truths of the church; the barren who hath borne seven signifies those who are outside the church and are ignorant of truths because they have not the Word, as the Gentiles, to whom all things will be given; she that hath many children failing signifies those who have truths, from whom they will be taken away. Again, in David:

"Render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom" (lxxix. 12).

And in Moses,

That the Jews should be punished seven times for their sins (Levit. xxvi. 18, 21, 24, 28);

seven times here signifying fully. [4] In Luke:

"And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him" (xvii. 4).

Here, to forgive seven times, if he shall return seven times, denotes to forgive as often as the offender should return, and thus at all times. But lest Peter should understand seven times to be meant by these words, the Lord explains His meaning to him, as recorded in Matthew:

"Peter said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but until seventy times seven " (xviii. 21, 22).

Seventy times seven is always, without counting. In David:

"Seven times a day do I praise thee for the judgments of justice" (Ps. cxix. 164).

Seven times a day denotes always, or at all times. [5] Again:

"The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, as silver refined in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Ps. xii. 6).

Here silver signifies truth from the Divine: purified seven times denotes that it is altogether and fully pure.

[6] In Isaiah:

"The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days" (xxx. 26).

The light of the sun signifies Divine truth from Divine good: and that this light should be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, signifies that the Divine truth in heaven should be without any falsity, thus that it should be altogether and fully pure. [7] In Matthew,

The unclean spirit "shall take with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and he shall dwell there" (xii. 45; Luke xi. 26).

Here profanation is treated of, and by the seven other spirits with which the unclean spirit is said to return are signified all falsities of evil, thus a plenary destruction of good and truth. [8] Similar is the signification of the seven times which were to pass over the king of Babylon, in Daniel,

"His heart shall be changed from man, and the heart of a beast shall be given unto him; while seven times shall pass over him" (iv. 16, 25, 32).

By the king of Babylon are signified those who profane the goods and truths of the Word. By his heart being changed from that of a man to that of a beast is meant that nothing spiritual, that is, truly human, should remain with him, but that instead there should be everything diabolical. By the seven times which were to pass over him is meant profanation, which is a complete destruction of truth and good. [9] Because the terms seven, and seven times, signified all things, and also what is full, the following commands were given to the children of Israel:

Seven days their hands should be filled (Exod. xxix. 35).

Seven days they should be sanctified (Exod. xxix. 37).

Seven days Aaron should put on the garments when he was being initiated (Exod. xxix. 30).

Seven days they should not go out of the tabernacle when they were being initiated into the priesthood (Levit. viii. 33, 34).

Seven times expiation should be made upon the horns of the altar (Levit. xvi. 18, 19).

Seven times should the altar be sanctified with oil (Levit. viii. 11).

Seven times should the blood be sprinkled before the veil (Levit. iv. 16, 17).

Seven times should the blood be sprinkled with the finger towards the east, when Aaron went in to the mercy seat (Levit. xvi. 12-15).

Seven times should the water of separation be sprinkled towards the tabernacle (Num. xix. 4).

Seven times should blood be sprinkled for the cleansing of leprosy (Levit. xiv. 7, 8, 27, 38, 51).

The lampstand had seven lamps (Exod. xxv. 32, 37; xxxvii. 18-25).

Feasts should be celebrated for seven days (Exod. xxxiv. 18; Levit. xxiii. 4-9, 39-44; Deut. xvi. 3, 4, 8).

Seven days of the feast there should be a burnt offering of seven bullocks and seven rams daily (Ezek. xlv. 23).

Baalam built seven altars, and sacrificed seven oxen and seven rams (Num. xxiii. 1-7, 15-18, 29, 30).

They numbered seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, and then should cause the trumpet of the jubilee to be sounded in the seventh month (Levit. xxv. 8, 9).

From the signification of the number seven, it is evident what is signified

By the seven days of creation (Gen. i.).

Also by four thousand men being filled from seven loaves, and that seven basketsful of fragments remained over (Matt. xv. 34-37; Mark viii. 5-9).

Hence now it is clear what is signified in the Apocalypse,

By the seven churches (i. 4, 11).

By the seven golden lampstands, in the midst of which was the Son of man (i. 13).

By the seven stars in His right hand (i. 16, 20).

By the seven spirits of God (iii. 1).

By the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne (iv. 5).

By the book sealed with seven seals (v. 1).

By the seven angels to whom were given seven trumpets (viii. 2).

By the seven thunders which uttered their voices (x. 3, 4).

By the seven angels having the seven last plagues, (xv. 1, 6).

By seven vials full of the seven last plagues (xvi. 1; xxi. 9)

and elsewhere in the Word, where seven is mentioned.

AE (Tansley) n. 258

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 258

258. CHAPTER IV

1. AFTER this I saw, and, behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard, as it were of a trumpet, speaking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter.

2. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting.

3. And he that sat was in aspect like a jasper and a sardius and there was a rainbow round about the throne in aspect like unto an emerald.

4. And round about the throne were four-and-twenty thrones; and upon the thrones I saw four-and-twenty elders sitting, clothed in white garments; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6. And before the throne there was a glassy sea like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind.

7. And the first animal was like a lion, and the second animal like a calf, and the third animal had a face like a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle.

8. And the four animals had each by itself six wings round about; and they were full of eyes within; and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

9. And when the animals gave glory and honour and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth unto the ages of the ages)

10. The four-and-twenty elders fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and by thy will they are, and were created.

THE EXPLANATION.

IT was stated above (n. 5), that the subject treated of in this prophetical book is not the successive states of the Christian church from its beginning to its end, as has been hitherto believed, but the state of the church and of heaven in the last times, when there would be a new heaven and a new earth, that is, when there would be a new church formed in the heavens and on earth, thus when judgment takes place. It is said a new church in the heavens, because there is a church there just as on earth (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 221-227). Because these are the subjects treated of in this book, therefore the first chapter treats of the Lord, who is the Judge; and the second and third of those who belong to the church, and of those who do not belong to the church, thus it treats of those who are in the former heaven, which is to be abolished, and of those who are in the new heaven, which is to be formed. (That by the seven churches which are treated of in the second and third chapters, are meant all those who are in the church, and also everything pertaining to the church, may be seen above, n. 256, 257.) The subject now treated of in this fourth chapter is the arrangement of all things, especially in the heavens, before judgment; therefore a throne was now seen in heaven, and round about it twenty-four thrones, upon which were twenty-four elders; also, near the throne, four animals, which are cherubim. That by those things is described the arrangement of all things before the judgment, and for judgment, will be seen in the explanation of this chapter. It should be known that before any change takes place everything is pre-arranged and prepared for the future event; for all things are foreseen by the Lord, and according to this foresight are disposed and provided for. By the throne, therefore, in the midst of heaven is meant judgment, and by Him who sat upon it, the Lord; by the four-and-twenty thrones upon which were four-and-twenty elders, are meant all truths in their whole extent, from which and according to which judgment is. By the four animals, which are cherubim, is meant the Lord's Divine Providence, lest the former heavens should suffer harm by the remarkable change about to take place, and that afterwards everything might be done according to order; that is to say, that those who are interiorly evil might be separated from those who are interiorly good, and the latter be elevated into heaven, but the former cast down to hell.

AE (Tansley) n. 259

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 259

259. Verse 1. After these things I saw, and, behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard, as it were of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter.

"After these things I saw," signifies the understanding enlightened; "and, behold, a door opened in heaven," signifies the arcana of heaven revealed; "and the first voice which I heard" signifies revelation now of things to come; "as it were of a trumpet speaking with me," signifies what is clear and manifest; "saying, Come up hither," signifies elevation of mind, and attention: "and I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter," signifies instruction concerning those things that will exist in the last time of the church.

AE (Tansley) n. 260

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 260

260. (v. 1) After these things I saw. That this signifies the understanding enlightened is evident from the signification of seeing, as being to understand. The reason of this is that the sight of the eye corresponds to the sight of the mind, which is the understanding. This correspondence is based on the fact that the understanding perceives spiritual things, and the sight of the eye natural things; spiritual things are truths from good and natural things are objects in various forms. Truths from good, which are spiritual things, are seen in heaven as clearly as objects before the eye, but still with much difference, for those truths are seen intellectually, that is, are perceived. The nature of this sight, or perception, cannot be described in human language; it can be comprehended only by this, that it includes consent and confirmation from an inmost principle that the thing is so. For there are confirmatory reasons in very great abundance, which present themselves as one to the intellectual sight, and this one is as a conclusion from many. These confirmatory reasons are in the light of heaven, which is Divine truth, or Divine wisdom, proceeding from the Lord, and which operates in each angel according to the state of his reception; this is spiritual sight, or understanding. [2] Because this sight operates into the sight of the eyes with the angels, and presents the truths of the understanding in correspondent forms, which in heaven appear not unlike the forms in the natural world which are called objects, therefore by seeing, in the literal sense of the Word, is signified to understand. (What the nature of appearances in heaven is, and that they correspond to the objects of the interior sight of the angels, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 170-176.) The reason why in the Word it is not said to understand, but to see, is that the Word in its ultimates is natural, and what is natural is the basis on which spiritual things are founded; therefore, if the Word in the letter were also spiritual it would have no basis, thus it would be as a house without a foundation (concerning this subject also, see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 303-310). That in the Word to see signifies to understand is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"Who have said to the seers, See not, and to those who have vision, See not for us right things; speak to us blandishments, see illusions" (xxx. 10).

Again:

"And the eyes of them that see shall not blink, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken" (xxxii. 3).

Again:

Ye blind, look in seeing, in seeing . . . great things, ye do not keep them" (xlii. 18, 20).

Again:

"The priest and the prophet err through strong drink they err among the seeing, they stumble in judgment" (xxviii. 7), and elsewhere;

"Seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not" (Matt. xiii. 13-15; Mark iv. 12; viii. 17, 18; Isa. vi. 10; Ezek. xii. 2).

Besides many other passages, which need not be adduced here since everyone knows, from the customary modes of expression, that to see signifies to understand; hence we say, I see this, that it is, or is not so, meaning I understand.

[260 1/2] And, behold, a door opened in heaven. That this signifies the arcana of heaven revealed, is evident from the signification of a door, as being introduction, concerning which see above (n. 208); in this case, looking into which is a letting-in of the sight; and the sight is let into heaven when the sight of the bodily eyes is made dim, and then the sight of the eyes of the spirit is enlightened; by the latter sight all the visions of the prophets were seen. The reason why a door opened in heaven here signifies the arcana of heaven revealed is that those things then appear which are in the heavens, and, before the prophets, those which are arcana of the church. In the present case were seen the arcana concerning those things that were to exist about the time of the Last Judgment, none of which have been as yet revealed, nor could they be revealed before the Judgment was accomplished, and not even then except by means of some one in the world to whom it should be granted by the Lord to see them, and to whom, at the same time, should be revealed the spiritual sense of the Word. For all the things written in this prophetical book are written concerning the Last Judgment, but by means of representatives and correspondences; for whatever is said by the Lord and perceived by the angels is turned into representatives when it descends, and is thus presented both before the eyes of the angels in the ultimate heavens, and before men who were prophets, when the eyes of their spirit were opened. From these considerations it is evident what is meant by a door opened in heaven.

AE (Tansley) n. 261

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 261

261. And the first voice which I heard. That this signifies revelation now concerning things to come is evident from the signification of voice, as denoting whatever proceeds from the Lord and is perceived by angels and men, in this case principally revelation concerning things to come that were to take place before the Last Judgment, to be attendant on it, and to follow it, because these things are treated of in what now follows. That the voice of Jehovah in the Word signifies the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth, from which are all intelligence and wisdom, may be seen (Arcana Coelestia, n. 219, 220, 375, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926), and is also evident from the following passages. In David:

"The voice of Jehovah upon the waters. The voice of Jehovah with power, the voice of Jehovah with honour. The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars. The voice of Jehovah falleth as a flame of fire. The voice of Jehovah maketh the wilderness to tremble. The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to bring forth; but in his temple every one saith, Glory" (Ps. xxix. 3-9).

The subject here treated of is the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, and which in one expression is called the Divine truth; its effect, both with the good and with the evil, is described by those things that are there mentioned; it is therefore evident what is signified by the voice of Jehovah. [2] In John:

"He who is the shepherd of the sheep, to him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; a stranger will they not follow; for they know not the voice of strangers. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice. But ye are not of my sheep; for my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (x. 2-5, 16, 26, 27).

By sheep in the Word are meant those who are in truths from good, thus who are in faith from charity; by the voice here mentioned is not meant voice, but the proceeding Divine, which is the Divine truth. This flows into those who are in the good of charity and gives them intelligence, and so far as they are in good it gives them wisdom; intelligence pertains to truth, and wisdom to truth from good. [3] In Jeremiah:

"The maker of the earth, by his understanding he stretched
out the heavens, at the voice which he giveth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens" (x. 12, 13 li. 16).

In David:

"The voice of Jehovah upon the waters, Jehovah upon the great waters" (Ps. xxix. 3).

In the Apocalypse:

"And his voice as the sound of many waters" (i. 15).

And again:

"I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters" (xiv. 2).

The voice of Jehovah, and the voice from heaven is the proceeding Divine, or the Divine truth, from which are intelligence and wisdom; the reason why it is compared to the voice of many waters is that waters signify Divine truths in ultimates, as may be seen above (n. 71). In David:

Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing praises unto the Lord, who rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old; behold, he will give in a voice, a voice of strength" (Ps. lxviii. 32, 33).

In John:

"I say unto you, that the hour will come when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live" (v. 25).

In Joel:

"Jehovah shall give his voice from Jerusalem, that the heavens and the earth may tremble" (iii. 16).

Again:

"Jehovah hath uttered his voice before his army; because innumerable is the host that executeth his word" (ii. 11).

That the Divine truth is here signified by the voice of Jehovah is clear; also in many other places.

AE (Tansley) n. 262

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 262

262. As it were of a trumpet, speaking with me. That this signifies what is clear and manifest is evident from the signification of trumpet, as being the Divine truth manifested and revealed out of heaven, concerning which see above (n. 55). The voice heard from heaven by those who are in the spirit is usually heard as a human voice; but the reason of its being heard as a trumpet speaking was that it was clearly and manifestly perceived by the angels; and that which is clearly and manifestly perceived by them falls loudly into the hearing of the spirit. This was the case with John in order to arouse his attention, and thence his sight, lest anything should be obscure to him. The same is meant by the voice of a trumpet also in other places, as Matt. xxiv. 31; Zech. ix. 14; Ps. xlvii. 5; Apoc. viii. 2, 7, 8, 13; ix. 1, 13, 14; x. 7; xviii. 22, and elsewhere.

AE (Tansley) n. 263

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 263

263. Said, Come up hither. That this signifies elevation of the mind and attention is evident from the signification of ascending, when said of hearing from the Divine, as being elevation of the mind (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3084, 4539, 4969, 5406, 5817, 6007). The reason why it also denotes attention is that when the mind is elevated there is attention. For to a man's thought and will belong interior and exterior things; interior things are those of the internal man, exterior things are those of the external man. Interior things, which are those of the internal man, are in the spiritual world, therefore they are spiritual; but exterior things, or those of the external man, are in the natural world, and are therefore natural. Because the latter things are exterior, and the former interior, therefore, by ascending is signified elevation towards interior things, or elevation of the mind. (But concerning this elevation, see what is shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 33, 34, 38, 92, 499, 501; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 36-53.)

AE (Tansley) n. 264

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 264

264. And I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter. That this signifies instruction concerning those things that will exist in the last time of the church is evident from the signification of showing, as denoting to instruct vividly, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of things which must come to pass hereafter, as being the things that are about to exist in the last time of the church. The reason why those things are signified is that, in what now follows, the subject treated of is the state of heaven and of the church just before the Last Judgment, and afterwards the Judgement itself; and, because this was to take place at the end of the church, therefore those things which exist in the last time of the church are hereby signified. (That the Last Judgment takes place at the end of the church, and that it has taken place, may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 33-39, and n. 45-52.) The reason why I will show thee, signifies instruction to the life concerning the above things is that all the things that were shown contain them; for they lie hid in the representatives described in the Apocalypse, but they appear before the angels and also before men who know the spiritual sense of the Word.

AE (Tansley) n. 265

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 265

265. Verses 2-5, and part of the 6th. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting. And he that sat was in aspect like a Jasper and a sardius, and there was a rainbow round about the throne in aspect like unto an emerald. And roundabout the throne were four-and-twenty thrones; and upon the thrones I saw four-and-twenty elders sitting clothed in white garments; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a glassy sea like unto crystal.

"And immediately I was in the spirit," signifies it spiritual state, during which there is revelation. "And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting," signifies the Lord as to the Last Judgment.

"And he that sat was in aspect like to a jasper and sardius," signifies the appearance of the Lord as to Divine truth translucent from the Divine good of the Divine love. "And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in aspect like unto an emerald," signifies the appearance of Divine truth in the heavens surrounding the Lord.

"And round about the throne were four-and-twenty thrones, and upon the thrones four-and-twenty elders," signifies all truths from good in the higher heavens arranged by the Lord before the Judgment: "clothed in white garments," signifies all truths from good in the lower heavens: "and they had on their heads crowns of gold," signifies all truths disposed in order from the Divine good, thus also all the former heavens.

"And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices," signifies enlightenment, understanding and perception of Divine truth in the heavens: "and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God," signifies the Divine truth itself united to the Divine good, proceeding from the Divine love of the Lord.

"And before the throne there was a glassy sea like unto crystal," signifies the appearance of Divine truth in ultimates, in which are the general things thereof, translucent from the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in primaries.

AE (Tansley) n. 266

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 266

266. (v. 2) And immediately I was in the spirit. That this signifies a spiritual state during which there is revelation, is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 53), where it is also said, "I was in the spirit."

AE (Tansley) n. 267

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 267

267. And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting. That this signifies the Lord as to the Last Judgment is evident from the signification of throne, as being, in general heaven, specifically the spiritual heaven, and abstractly the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord. The reason why it also signifies judgment is that all are judged from Divine truth; and also all in heaven (concerning which see above, n. 253). That He who sat on the throne is the Lord is manifest. That judgment belongs to the Lord alone, He Himself also teaches in Matthew:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, he shall sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats" (xxv. 31, 32, and following verses).

In John:

"The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man" (v. 22, 27).

Because no one is judged from Divine good, but from Divine truth, therefore it is said that the Father judgeth no man, but that He hath committed all judgment to the Son, and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man; for the Father signifies the Divine good, and the Son of man the proceeding Divine truth. (That the Father signifies Divine good may be seen above, n. 254; and that the Son of man signifies the proceeding Divine truth may also be seen above, n. 53 and 151.) The reason why throne here signifies judgment is that the subject treated of in this chapter is the arrangement of all things for judgment, as may be seen above (n. 258).

AE (Tansley) n. 268

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 268

268. (v. 3) And he that sat was in aspect like a jasper and a sardius. That this signifies the appearance of the Lord as to Divine truth translucent from the Divine good of the Divine love is evident from the signification of one sitting upon the throne, as being the Lord as to the Last Judgment, which was treated of just above (n. 267); and from the signification of in aspect like, as being appearance also from the signification of a jasper stone, as being the spiritual love of truth, of which we shall treat in what follows; and from the signification of a sardine stone, as being the celestial love of good, thus by a jasper and a sardius, to which the Lord appeared like, is signified Divine truth translucent from the Divine good of the Divine love. [2] That a jasper signifies the Divine love of truth, or Divine truth proceeding is evident from those passages in the Word where it is mentioned, as in Exod. xxviii. 20, and in Ezek. xxviii. 13; also in the Apocalypse:

"The light" of the holy Jerusalem "was like unto a stone most precious, like to a jasper stone, clear as crystal" (xxi. 11.).

By the light of the holy Jerusalem is signified the Divine truth of the church shining, and by the light truth itself shining, by Jerusalem the church as to doctrine; this is likened to a jasper stone, because jasper has a similar signification. And in another place:

"The building of the wall" of the holy Jerusalem "was of jasper, and the city was pure gold like unto pure glass" (xxi. 18).

The wall of the holy Jerusalem is said to be of jasper, because by wall is signified Divine truth defending; and on account of this signification of wall, the first stone of its foundation is said to be jasper (verse 19), foundation signifying the truth upon which the church is founded. [3] The sardius is also mentioned, because by that stone is signified good, here Divine good, because it is said of the Lord. It is this stone which is called pyropus; and since it shines as it were from fire, by both is signified the translucence of truth from good. (That all precious stones signify the truths of heaven and of the church derived from good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 114, 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873. This is why in the breast-plate of Aaron, which is called the Urim and Thummim, were set twelve precious stones, and by them responses were given, and this by their shining forth, and at the same time by perception of the thing inquired about, or by a living voice.)

AE (Tansley) n. 269

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 269

269. And there was a rainbow round about the throne in aspect like unto an emerald. That this signifies the appearance of Divine truth in the heavens surrounding the Lord is evident from the signification of a rainbow in aspect like unto an emerald, as denoting the appearance of Divine truth in its circumference; for a rainbow round about the throne signifies Divine truth around it, and in aspect signifies appearance. The reason why the appearance of the rainbow was like that of an emerald, is that it indicated the Last Judgment, for the colour of this stone is green, and green signifies truth obscured. Divine truth in its splendour appears either of a sky-colour, or of various colours disposed in beautiful order, as those of the rainbow; but when it is obscured it appears of the colour of an emerald. The heaven which is called the former heaven was that on which judgment was to be executed, and which was about to perish (see Apoc. xxi. 1) which caused the obscurity. This is why mention is made of a rainbow, and its aspect like that of an emerald. The reason why the rainbow signifies Divine truth in the heavens in its order, and thence in its beauty, is that there are infinite varieties of truth from good in the heavens; and when they are represented by colours, they present the appearance of a beautiful rainbow. This is why the rainbow was made a sign of the covenant after the flood (Gen. ix. 12-17). (That there are infinite varieties in the heavens may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 56, 405, 418, 486, and in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 13; and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 684, 690, 3744, 5598, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002. That colours in heaven appear from the light there, and that they are its modifications and variegations, n. 1042, 1043, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4742, 4922; and that the colours appear various according to the varieties of the states of truth from good, and thence of intelligence and wisdom, n. 4530, 4677, 4922, 9466. That rainbows appear in heaven, and whence and what they are, n. 1042, 1043, 1623, 1624, 1625.)

AE (Tansley) n. 270

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 270

270. (v. 4) And round about the throne were four-and-twenty thrones, and upon the thrones I saw four-and-twenty elders sitting. That this signifies all truths from good in the higher heavens, arranged by the Lord before judgment is evident from the signification of the throne on which one sat, as being the Lord as to the Last Judgment (concerning which see above, n. 267; and that throne signifies judgment, see n. 253); and from the signification of four-and-twenty thrones round about it, and four-and-twenty elders upon them, as being all the truths of heaven in the aggregate, arranged before judgment. Twenty-four signify all, and thrones signify judgment, and the elders those who are in truths from good, and, in the abstract, truths from good. The reason why the higher heavens are here meant is that all those who are there are in truths from the good of love, and that in what presently follows the lower heavens are treated of. The reason why twenty-four signify all is that that number signifies the same as the number twelve, and twelve signifies all, and is said of truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130, 3272, 3858, 3913). That the number twenty-four signifies the same as the number twelve is because it is its double, and the double signifies the same as the number from which it arises by multiplication (as may be seen, n. 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). [2] The same is signified by thrones upon which the twelve apostles were to sit, of which it is said in Matthew:

"Ye who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (xix. 28; Luke xxii. 30);

where by the twelve apostles are signified all truths in the aggregate. Similarly in the following words in the Apocalypse:

"I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them" (xx. 4).

Judgment being given to those that sat upon the thrones signifies that judgment belongs to the Lord alone; for by elders in the Word are signified all those who are in truths from good, and abstractly, truth from good from which is judgment.

He who believes that by elders and apostles in the Word are meant elders and apostles is much deceived; for, in the spiritual sense of the Word, persons are not perceived, but things abstractly from persons; for what is spiritual has nothing in common with persons. The case is otherwise in the sense of the letter of the Word, which is natural; in this sense persons are not only mentioned, but also the idea of a person is implied in many expressions, in order that the Word in its ultimates may be natural, and thus form a basis for the spiritual sense. The same is the case with the signification of elders as with that of infants, children, young men, old men, virgins, women, and many things of the same kind. All are thought of, in the natural sense, as persons; but, in the spiritual sense, by infants innocence is meant; by children, charity; by young men, intelligence; by old men, wisdom; by virgins are meant the affections of truth and good, and by women, the goods of the church; and so in other cases. The same may be said of the natural and spiritual sense of the term neighbour. In the natural sense, by neighbour is meant every man; but in the spiritual sense are meant good itself, truth, sincerity and justice, which are in the person. Every one who thinks in himself may know that this is the neighbour in the spiritual sense; for who loves any one from anything else but the good that is in him? for good and truth constitute the man, and cause him to be loved, and not the countenance and the body. But to return to the signification of elders. That elders signify truths from good is evident from those passages in the Word where they are mentioned. [3] As in Isaiah:

"Then the moon shall blush, and the sun shall be ashamed, and Jehovah Zebaoth shall reign in the mount of Zion and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory" (xxiv. 23).

By the moon and the sun are meant their idolatrous worship, the falsity of their faith, and the evil of their love; by mount Zion and by Jerusalem are meant heaven and the church; by the elders are meant truth from good; therefore it is also said, that before them shall be glory; for by glory is signified the Divine truth in heaven, as may be seen above (n. 33).

[4] In Lamentations:

"My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. I have cried to my lovers, they have deceived me; and mine elders have expired in the city" (i. 18, 19).

The subject here treated of is the vastation of the church, over which there is lamentation, which vastation takes place when there is no longer any spiritual affection of truth, and consequently no intelligence in such things as pertain to the church, and hence when there is no truth. By the virgins which are gone into captivity is meant the spiritual affection of truth; by the young men intelligence; captivity denotes removal from those principles; by the elders who expired are meant the truths of the church. [5] In Ezekiel:

"Slay to destruction the old man and the young man, and the virgin, and the infant and the women; begin from my sanctuary. Therefore they began from the men, the elders who were before the house" (ix. 6).

The subject here treated of is also the vastation of the church; and by an old man and a young man are meant wisdom and intelligence; by virgin is meant the affection of truth and good; by infant innocence; by women goods of the church. To slay to destruction signifies devastation; the sanctuary at which they should begin signifies the church as to the good of love and the truth of faith, which are the men, the elders who were before the house. [6] In Lamentations:

"The faces of the old men were not honoured. The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their singing" (v. 12, 14).

The old men signify the wisdom which is of good; the elders, the truths which are from good; the young men, intelligence. That the God of Israel was seen having "under His feet as it were the work of sapphire," by Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders, and not by the rest (Exod. xxiv. 9-12), signified that the Lord is seen only by those who are in good, and in truth from good (as may be seen in the explanation of the passage in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9403-9411). These are the things which the seventy elders of Israel represented, and which are signified by the four-and-twenty elders sitting upon as many thrones. The same things also are signified by the twelve apostles, concerning whom it is said that they should sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (That the twelve apostles signify all truths from good, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2129, 3354, 3488, 3858, 6397; that the same are signified by the twelve tribes of Israel, n. 3858, 3926, 4060, 6335, and also by the elders of Israel, n. 6524, 6525, 6890, 7912, 8578, 8585, 9376, 9404.)

AE (Tansley) n. 271

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 271

271. Clothed in white garments. That this signifies all truths from good in the lower heavens, is evident from the signification of white garments as being truths clothing, which specifically are scientific truths (vera scientifica) and knowledges (cognitiones) (concerning which see above, n. 195, 196, 198); and because the lower heavens are in these truths, therefore they are signified. That white garments signify the lower heavens may appear strange to those who know nothing concerning appearances and representatives in heaven; yet all in the heavens are clothed according to their truths, and lower truths correspond to garments, and because the lower heavens are in these truths, therefore also the garments of the angels in the higher heavens correspond to these. (This arcanum may be more clearly comprehended from what is said and shown concerning the garments in which the angels are clothed, in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 177-182; as also from what was represented and signified by the garments of Aaron and his sons, explained in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9814, 10,068, and by the garments of the Lord when He was transfigured, as explained, n. 9212, 9216.)

AE (Tansley) n. 272

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 272

272. And they had on their heads crowns of gold. That this signifies all truths disposed into order from the Divine good, thus also all the former heavens is evident from the signification of the four-and-twenty elders sitting upon four-and-twenty thrones, clothed in white garments, as being all the truths of the heavens, thus all the heavens, both the higher and the lower, as just explained (n. 270, 271); and from the signification of a crown of gold, as being Divine good from which truths are derived, which will be treated of in what follows. All the truths of heaven and of the church are from Divine good; truths which are not from that source are not truths. Truths which are not from good are like shells without a kernel, and like a house inhabited not by men, but by wild beasts; and such are the truths which are called truths of faith, without the good of charity; the good of charity is good from the Lord, thus good Divine. Now because the elders upon the throne signify the truths of the heavens, and crowns of gold the good from which they are derived, therefore the elders were seen with such crowns. The same is signified by the crowns of kings; for kings, in a representative sense, signify truths, and the crowns upon their heads signify the goods from which the truths are derived (that kings signify truths may be seen above, n. 31); hence it is that crowns are of gold, for gold in like manner signifies good (see n. 242). [2] That crowns signify good and thence wisdom, and that truths are the things that are crowned, is evident from the following passages. In David:

"I will make the horn of David to bud; I will ordain a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish" (Ps. cxxxii. 17, 18).

Here by David, and by anointed is meant the Lord, as may be seen above (n. 205); by horn is signified His power; lamp denotes the Divine truth from which is Divine intelligence; by crown is signified the Divine good from which is Divine wisdom, and from which is the Lord's government; and the enemies who shall be clothed with shame are evils and falsities. [3] Again:

"Thou showest anger with thine anointed. Thou hast condemned his crown even to the earth" (lxxxix. 38, 39).

Here also by anointed is meant the Lord, and by anger a state of temptation, in which He was when in combats with the hells. Lamentation is then described by anger and condemnation, as in the last temptation on the cross, when the Lord lamented that He was forsaken. For the cross was the last of the temptations, or combats with the hells; and after that last temptation He put on the Divine good of the Divine love, and thus united the Divine Human with the essential Divine which was in Himself. [4] Again, in Isaiah:

"In that day shall Jehovah Zebaoth be for a crown of ornament, and for a mitre of comeliness unto the remnant of his people" (xxviii. 5).

Here by a crown of ornament is signified the wisdom which belongs to good from the Divine; and by a mitre of comeliness is meant intelligence belonging to truths from that good. [5] Again:

"For Zion's sake will I not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her justice go forth as brightness, and her salvation burn as a lamp. Thou shalt be a crown of comeliness in the hand of Jehovah, and a mitre of a kingdom in the hand of thy God" (lxii. 1, 3).

Here by Zion and Jerusalem is meant the church; by Zion, the church which is in good, and by Jerusalem, the church which is in truths from that good: hence it is called a crown of comeliness in the hand of Jehovah, and a mitre of a kingdom in the hand of God. The crown of comeliness denotes wisdom, which belongs to good, and a mitre of a kingdom denotes intelligence, which belongs to truth. And since by crown is signified wisdom, which belongs to good, therefore it is said to be in the hand of Jehovah; and since by mitre is signified intelligence, which belongs to truth, therefore it is said to be in the hand of God; for where good is treated of the word Jehovah is used, and where truth is treated of the word God (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia n. 2586, 2769, 6905).

[6] In Jeremiah:

"Say unto the king and to the mistress, Let yourselves down, sit ye, because the ornament of your head is come down, the crown of your comeliness" (xiii. 18).

Here by crown of comeliness is signified the wisdom which belongs to good, for comeliness is the Divine truth of the church (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9815). [7] Again:

"The joy of our hearts is ceased: our dance is turned into mourning. The crown of our head hath fallen" (Lam. v. 15, 16).

By the crown of the head which is said to have fallen is signified the wisdom of those who belong to the church by means of Divine truth, which wisdom has ceased, together with internal blessedness. [8] In Ezekiel:

"He put a jewel upon thy nose and earrings upon thine ears, and a crown of ornament upon thy head" (xvi. 12).

By Jerusalem, which is here treated of, is signified the church at its first establishment. By a jewel upon the nose is signified the perception of good; by earrings upon the ears are meant the perception of truth and obedience; and by a crown upon the head is signified wisdom therefrom. In Job:

"He has stripped me of my glory, and taken away the crown from my head" (xix. 9).

Here also by glory is meant intelligence derived from Divine truth, and by a crown wisdom therefrom. [9] Also, in the Apocalypse:

"I saw, and, behold, a white horse; and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him; he went forth conquering and to conquer" (vi. 2).

The white horse and He that sat on him is the Lord as to the Word; the bow signifies the doctrine of truth by which He fought. It is therefore evident that the crown, as being said of the Lord, is the Divine good which He also put on as to the Human as the reward of victory.

[10] And in another place:

"Afterwards I looked, when, behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (xiv. 14).

A white cloud signifies the Word in its literal sense (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4060, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752, 8281); the Son of man denotes the Lord as to Divine truth; a golden crown, the Divine good from which the Divine truth is: and the sharp sickle denotes the dissipation of evil and falsity. [11] That a crown denotes Divine good from which is the Divine truth, was represented by the plate of gold upon the front of the mitre which was upon Aaron, which plate was also called a crown and a coronet, concerning which it is thus written in Exodus:

"Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it the engravings of a signet, Holiness to Jehovah; and thou shalt put it upon a thread of purple, and it shall be on thy mitre, over against the region of the face" (xxviii. 36, 37).

(That this plate was called a crown of holiness and a coronet, may be seen Exod. xxix. 6, xxxix. 30; Levit. viii. 9; but what was specifically signified thereby may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9930-9936, where the terms are explained.)

AE (Tansley) n. 273

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 273

273. (v. 5) And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices. That this signifies enlightenment, understanding, and perception of the Divine truth in the heavens from the Lord is evident from the signification of lightnings, thunderings and voices, as being said of the Divine truth; lightnings of its enlightenment, thunderings of its understanding, and voices of its perception; that these things are signified will be evident from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned. But something shall first be said concerning the ground of those significations. All the things seen in the visible heaven by the eyes of men are correspondences; as the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the ether, light, heat, clouds, mists, showers, and many others; they are correspondences because all the things in the natural world correspond to those that are in the spiritual world. Those things are also correspondences in heaven, where the angels are, since similar things are seen by them; but there they are not natural but spiritual, as is evident from what is shown respecting them in Heaven and Hell. For example, concerning the sun and the moon in heaven (n. 116-125); concerning light and heat in heaven (n. 126-140); and in general concerning the correspondence of heaven with all things on earth (n. 103-115); and concerning appearances in heaven (n. 170-176). Hence also lightnings and thunderings are correspondences; and because they are correspondences, they signify those things to which they correspond; in general they signify the Divine truth received and uttered by the higher angels, which, when it descends to the lower angels, is sometimes seen as lightning, and heard as thunder with voices. This is why lightning signifies the Divine truth as to enlightenment; thunder, the Divine truth as to understanding; and voices, the Divine truth as to perception.

It is said as to understanding and as to perception, because what enters by hearing into the mind is both seen and perceived; it is seen in the understanding, and it is perceived by communication with the will. (What is properly perception, such as the angels in heaven enjoy, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 140.) [2] This, now, is why lightnings and thunders in the Word signify Divine truth as to enlightenment and as to understanding, as is evident from the following passages. In David:

"Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people. The clouds dropped waters; the skies uttered a voice; thine arrows also went abroad; the voice of thy thunder into the world; the lightnings lightened the world" (Ps. lxxvii. 15, 17, 18).

The subject treated of in this Psalm is the establishment of the church anew; by the clouds dropping waters are signified truths from the sense of the letter of the Word; by the skies, or higher clouds, uttering a voice, are signified truths from the spiritual sense of the Word; by the arrows which went abroad are meant thunderbolts, from which there appear as it were arrows from a bow, these being present when there are thunders and lightnings, and by them are signified Divine truths; by the voice of thunder into the world is signified Divine truth as to perception and understanding in the church; and by the lightning lightening the world is signified enlightenment: the world signifies the church. [3] Again:

"A fire shall go before" Jehovah, "and burn up his enemies round about. His lightnings shall enlighten the world" (Ps. xcvii. 3, 4).

From these words also It is evident that lightnings signify Divine truth as to enlightenment: for it is said his lightnings shall enlighten the world.

[4] In Jeremiah:

"The maker of the world by his power, he prepareth the world by his wisdom, and by his intelligence stretcheth out the heavens; at the voice which he giveth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he maketh the vapours to ascend from the end of the earth, he maketh the lightnings of the rain" (x. 12, 13; li 16; Ps. cxxxv. 7).

Here also the establishment of the church is treated of. That by the voice of thunder is signified the Divine truth as to perception and understanding, and by lightnings the same as to enlightenment is evident from its being said that the maker of the earth prepareth the world by His wisdom, and stretcheth out the heavens by His intelligence; and immediately after, that when He uttereth His voice there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and that He maketh lightnings of the rain. The earth and the world signify the church; waters in the heavens signify spiritual truths; rain signifies the same when they descend and become natural; their enlightenment is signified by lightnings. [5] In the second book of Samuel:

"Jehovah thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice, and sent arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confounded them" (xxii. 14, 15).

Thunders are here expressed by thundering from heaven, and by uttering a voice; flying thunderbolts by arrows; and by both are signified Divine truths, and by lightning, their light. And as these quicken and enlighten the good, so they affright and blind the wicked; which is meant by His sending arrows and scattering them, lightning, and confounding them for the evil cannot sustain Divine truths, nor any light at all from heaven, therefore they flee away from their presence. [6] Similarly in David:

"Jehovah also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest uttered his voice, and sent his arrows, and scattered them and many thunderbolts, and discomfited them" (Ps. xviii. 13, 14).

And elsewhere:

"Hurl thy lightning, and scatter them; send forth thine arrows, and destroy them" (Ps. cxliv. 6).

That thunders and lightnings signify the Divine truth as to understanding and as to enlightenment is still further evident from the following passages. In David:

"Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place, in thunder" (Ps. lxxxi. 7).

In the Apocalypse:

"And I heard as it were the voice of thunder, and one of the four animals saying, Come and see" (vi. 1).

Again:

"The angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there were thunderings, voices, and lightnings" (viii. 5).

Again:

The angel "cried with a loud voice, as a lion; and when he cried seven thunders uttered their voices" (x. 3, 4).

Again:

"The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in the temple the ark of the covenant; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings" (xi. 19).

Again:

"I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder" (xiv. 2).

And again:

"I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord our God omnipotent reigneth" (xix. 6).

Because thunders and lightnings signify Divine truths, therefore also when Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai to promulgate them,

"There were voices, and lightnings, and also the voice of a trumpet" (Exod. xix. 16).

That the voice of a trumpet signifies Divine truth as to revelation, may be seen above (n. 55, 262.) The voice which came from heaven to the Lord was also heard as thunder, as may be seen in John (xii. 28, 29); and James and John were called Boanerges, or sons of thunder (Mark iii. 14, 17).

AE (Tansley) n. 274

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 274

274. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. That this signifies Divine truth itself united to the Divine good proceeding from the Divine love of the Lord is evident from the signification of seven as denoting, all things in the aggregate; and from the signification of lamps of fire burning before the throne as denoting Divine truth united to Divine good proceeding from the Divine love of the Lord. For lamps signify truths; hence seven lamps signify all truth in the aggregate, which is Divine truth; and fire signifies the good of love. And because the lamps were seen burning before the throne upon which the Lord was, it is signified that the good or love was from the Lord. Because the seven spirits of God signify all the truths of heaven and the church from the Lord, as may be seen above (n. 183), it is therefore said, "which are the seven spirits of God." (That seven signify all, may be seen above, n. 256; that fire signifies the good of love may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832, 10,055.) [2] That lamps signify truths, which are called truths of faith, is evident from the following passages in the Word, as in David:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. cxix. 105).

The Word is said to be a lamp, because it is Divine truth. Again:

"Thou lightest my lamp; Jehovah God maketh my darkness resplendent" (Ps. xviii. 28).

To light a lamp signifies to enlighten the understanding by Divine truth; and to make the darkness resplendent signifies to dissipate the falsities of ignorance by the light of truth. In Luke:

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps shining" (xii. 35).

The loins being girded signifies the good of love (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 3021, 4280, 4462, 5050-5052, 9961); and the lamps shining signifies the truths of faith from the good of love.

[3] In Matthew:

"The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" (vi. 22, 23).

The eye is here called a lamp, because it signifies the understanding of truth, and hence also the truth of faith; and because the understanding derives its all from the will - for the quality of the former is according to that of the latter, just as the truth of faith derives its all from the good of love, - when therefore, the understanding of truth is from the good of the will, then the whole man is spiritual, which is signified by the words, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." But the contrary is the case when the understanding is formed from evil of the will; that it is then in mere falsities is signified by the words, "if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (That the eye signifies the understanding may be seen above, n. 152, and that darkness signifies falsities, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1839, 1860, 3340, 4418, 4531, 7688, 7711, 7712). He who does not know that the eye signifies the understanding cannot by any means comprehend the meaning of these words. [4] In Jeremiah:

"I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of the millstones and the light of the lamp" (xxv. 10).

To take away the voice of joy and the voice of gladness signifies to remove the interior happiness derived from the good of love and the truths of faith. To take away the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride signifies to remove all the conjunction of good and truth, which constitutes heaven and the church with man. To take away the voice of the millstones and the light of the lamp signifies to deprive them of the doctrine of charity and faith. (What is signified by a millstone, and by grinding, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 4335, 7780, 9995, 10,303). Similarly in the Apocalypse:

"And the light of a lamp shall shine no more in" Babylon; "and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more" there (xviii. 23).

In Isaiah:

"Let your salvation burn as a lamp" (lxii. 1),

signifying that the truth of faith should be from the good of love.

In Matthew:

"The kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. The five foolish took their lamps, but no oil: but the five wise took oil also." Wherefore when the bridegroom came the wise went in to the marriage, but the foolish were not admitted (xxv. 1-12).

By lamps are here signified the truths of faith, and by oil is signified the good of love. (What the rest of this parable signifies may be seen above, n. 252, where it is particularly explained.)

AE (Tansley) n. 275

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 275

275. (v. 6) And before the throne there was a glassy sea like unto crystal. That this signifies the appearance of truth in ultimates, in which are the general things thereof, translucent from the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in primaries, is evident from the signification of before the throne, as being appearance; and from the signification of the sea as being the general things of truth, which will be explained in what follows; also from the signification of a sea of glass, as being translucence. It is said like unto crystal, in order to express translucence from the influx of Divine truth united to Divine good in primaries, which is signified by the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, as shown just above (n. 274). In the preceding passages, and in this passage, the state of the whole heaven arranged in order for judgment, and its ultimate, is described by a glassy sea like unto crystal. The reason why the truth of the ultimate heaven is signified by a glassy sea is that sea signifies the general things of truth, such as truth is in the ultimates of heaven and pertaining to man in his natural state, which is called scientific truth (verum scientificum.) [2] The reason why sea has such a signification is that in the sea there is a gathering together of waters; and waters signify truths, as may be seen above (n. 71).

That the sea has such a signification is evident from many passages in the Word, of which some shall be here adduced. In Isaiah:

"I will shut up the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them; then the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up" (xix. 1, 5).

By the Egyptians are signified the knowledges (scientiae) belonging to the natural man; by the cruel lord into whose hands they should be shut up is signified the evil of the love of self; by a fierce king is signified the falsity therefrom; by the waters of the sea failing is signified that notwithstanding the abundance of knowledges, there were no truths therefrom; and by the river being wasted and dried up, is signified that there was no doctrine of truth and consequently no intelligence. [3] Again:

"Jehovah will visit with his sword, hard, great and strong, upon leviathan, the stretched out serpent, and upon leviathan the crooked serpent, and will slay the whales which are in the sea" (xxvii. 1).

These things also are said concerning Egypt, by which are signified the knowledges (scientiae) of the natural man; by leviathan the stretched out serpent are signified those who reject every thing which they do not see with their natural eyes; thus the merely sensual, who are without faith, because they do not comprehend. By leviathan the crooked serpent are signified those who, for the same reason, do not believe, and yet say that they do believe. By a sword, hard, great and strong, with which they shall be visited, is signified the extinction of all truth; for sword signifies falsity destroying truth. By the whales in the sea which shall be slain, are signified scientifics (scientifica) in general. (That a whale has such a signification may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 7293.)

[4] In the same:

"The inhabitants of the isles are silent; the merchant of Zidon passing over the sea, they have filled thee. Blush O Zidon, because the sea hath said, The fortification of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, and I have not brought forth; I have not brought up young men, nor made the virgins to grow up; as with the report of Egypt, they shall be seized with pains at the report of Tyre" (xxiii. 2-5).

By Zidon and Tyre are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth, therefore reference is made to the merchant of Zidon passing over the sea, a merchant denoting one who procures to himself those knowledges, and imparts them. That they procured to themselves nothing of good and truth thereby, is signified by the sea, saying, "I have not travailed and brought forth, I have not brought up young men, nor made the virgins to grow up." To travail, and to bring forth, is to produce something from knowledges; young men signify truths, and virgins goods. That consequently the use of knowledges and of sciences (scientiae) would perish, is signified by, as with the report of Egypt, they shall be seized with pains at the report of Tyre. [5] In Ezekiel:

"All the princes of the sea shall descend from upon their thrones, and shall cast away their robes, and put off their vestments of embroidery; they shall be clothed with terrors. They shall take up a lamentation over thee, and shall say, How hast thou perished, thou that wast inhabited by seas, the renowned city which was strong in the sea; wherefore the islands in the sea shall be troubled at thy destruction" (xxvi. 16-18).

These things are said of Tyre, by which are signified the knowledges of truth, the neglect and loss of which are thus described. By the princes of the sea who shall come down from their thrones, are meant primary knowledges (cognitiones); that they shall be left together with scientifics is signified by their casting away their robes, and putting off their vestments of embroidery; the embroidery is the Scientific (Scientificum); the renowned city strong in the sea signifies the full power of knowing; the seas signify collections of scientifics (scientifica); the islands in the sea signify the nations more remote from truths which desire knowledges, concerning which it is said, "the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy destruction."

[6] In Isaiah:

"They shall not do evil, nor corrupt themselves, in all the mountain of my holiness; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea" (xi. 9).

Here the subject treated of is a new heaven and a new church, which are meant by the mountain of holiness in which they shall not do evil nor corrupt themselves; their understanding of truth from the Lord is described by the earth being full of the knowledge (scientia) of Jehovah; and because waters signify truths, and the sea fulness of them, it is therefore said, "as the waters cover the sea." [7] In the same:

"At my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness their fish shall be putrid, because there is no water, and shall die of thirst" (l. 2).

To dry up the sea signifies an entire lack of the general knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; to make the rivers a wilderness signifies the deprivation of all truth, and consequently of intelligence; the fish becoming putrid signifies that the scientifics of the natural man shall be without any spiritual life, which takes place when they are applied to confirm falsities against the truths of the church; because there is no water signifies because there is not any truth; to die of thirst signifies the extinction of truth. (That rivers signify those things that pertain to intelligence may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 108, 2702, 3051: that desert signifies where there is no good because no truth, n. 2708, 4736, 7055; that fish signifies the Scientific of the natural man, n. 40, 991; that water signifies truth, n. 2702, 3424, 5668, 8568, and that to die of thirst signifies the deprivation of spiritual life from defect of truth, n. 8568, end.) [8] In David:

"Jehovah, thou rulest the raging of the sea, when the waves thereof arise" (Ps. lxxxix. 9).

By sea is here signified the natural man, because in the natural man are the general things of truth; by the rising of its waves is signified its exalting itself against the Divine, denying the things of the church. [9] Again:

"Jehovah hath founded" the world upon the seas, "and established it upon the rivers" (Ps. xxiv. 2).

By the world is signified the church; by the seas the knowledges (cognitiones) in general which are in the natural man; and by rivers the truths of faith: upon both these the church is founded.

[10] In Amos:

Jehovah "who buildeth his steps in the heavens, and calleth the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the faces of the earth" (ix. 6).

By the steps which Jehovah buildeth in the heavens are signified interior truths, which are called spiritual; by the waters of the sea are signified exterior truths, which are natural because they are in the natural man; by pouring them out upon the faces of the earth, is signified upon the men of the church, for earth denotes the church. [11] In David:

"By the Word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap; he giveth the depths for treasures" (Ps. xxxiii. 6, 7).

The Word of Jehovah by which the heavens were made, and the breath of His mouth by which all the host of them is made, signifies the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; the host of the heavens denoting all things of love and faith. The waters of the sea which He gathered together as an heap signify the knowledges of truth, and truths in general, which are together in the natural man; the depths which He gives for treasures signify sensual scientifics (scientifica sensualia), which are the most general, and the ultimate of the natural man, and in which at the same time are interior or higher truths, whence they are called treasures. [12] Again:

Jehovah "hath founded the earth upon its foundations that it be not removed to eternity and for ever. Thou hast covered it with the deep as with a garment" (Ps. civ. 5, 6).

By earth is here signified the church; the foundations on which Jehovah founded it for ever, are the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good. The deep which covered it as with a garment signifies the sensual Scientific, which is the ultimate of the natural man, and because it is such, Jehovah is said to have covered it as with a garment.

[13] Again:

Jehovah "thy way is in the sea, and thy path in many waters, yet thy footsteps are not known" (Ps. lxxvii. 19).

In Isaiah:

"Thus saith Jehovah, I have made a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters" (xliii. 16).

That by sea in this passage is not meant the sea, nor by waters are meant waters is evident, because it is said that therein are the way and the path of Jehovah. Therefore, by the sea and by waters are meant those things in which Jehovah or the Lord is, these being the knowledges of truth in general from the Word, and truths therein. The sea denotes those knowledges, and the waters truths. Knowledges (cognitiones) and truths differ in this, that the former are of the natural man, and the latter of the spiritual man. [14] In Jeremiah:

"I will plead thy cause, and will avenge thy avenging: and I will dry up the sea" of Babel, "and will make dry the springs thereof; the sea shall come up upon Babel, she shall be covered with the multitude of its waves" (li. 36, 42).

By Babel are meant those who profane goods; the sea of Babel signifies their traditions, which are adulterations of good from the Word; the waves are the falsities thereof; their destruction at the Last Judgment is described by these things. [15] In the same:

"A people coming from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. Their voice maketh a tumult like the sea, and they ride upon horses" (l. 41, 42).

The people coming from the north denote those who are falsities from evil; the great nation denotes evils, and many kings denote falsities; the sides of the earth denote the things of the church, and also those not of the church, for the earth denotes the church; their voice making a tumult like the sea, denotes falsity from the natural man exalting itself against the truth of the church; the horses upon which they ride, are reasonings from the fallacies of the senses.

[16] Again:

"Jehovah, who giveth the sun for a light of the day, the statutes of the moon and of the stars for a light of the night, stirring up the sea so that the waves thereof are tumultuous" (xxxi. 35).

By the sun from which is the light of the day, is signified the good of celestial love, from which comes the perception of truth; by the ordinances of the moon and the stars, from which comes the light of the night, are signified truths from spiritual good and from knowledges, from which comes intelligence; by the sea which is stirred up, and by the waves which are tumultuous, are signified the generals of truth in the natural man, and scientifics. [17] In Isaiah.

"The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (lvii. 20).

By the troubled sea, which is said of the wicked, are signified reasonings from falsities; by the waters which cast up mire and dirt are signified the falsities themselves, from which come evils of life and falsities of doctrine. [18] In Ezekiel:

"I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites, and destroy the remnant of the sea coasts" (xxv. 16).

By the Philistines are signified those who are in the doctrine of faith alone; and by the remnant of the sea coasts, which shall be destroyed, are signified all things pertaining to truth. [19] In Hosea:

"I will not return to destroy Ephraim. They shall go after Jehovah; and with honour the sons shall draw near from the sea, with honour shall they come as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria" (xi. 9-11).

By Ephraim is here signified the church as to the understanding of truth; by the sons from the sea who shall draw near are signified truths from their common fount, which is the Word; by a bird out of Egypt is signified the Scientific in agreement therewith; and by a dove out of the land of Assyria is signified the Rational.

[20] In Zechariah:

"In that day living waters shall go out from Jerusalem, part of them to the eastern sea, and part of them to the hinder sea" (xiv. 8).

By living waters going out from Jerusalem are signified truths from a spiritual origin in the church, which are the truths received by man when he is enlightened from the Lord while reading the Word; Jerusalem signifies the church as to doctrine. By the sea is signified the natural man into which those things descend that are in the spiritual man; by the eastern sea is signified the natural man as to good, and by the hinder sea the same as to truth; and because the natural man is in the general things of truth, therefore by sea are also signified things of truth.

[21] Those who are ignorant of what is meant by the spiritual man, and by the truths and goods therein, may suppose that the truths that are in the natural man, and are called knowledges and scientifics, are not merely the generals of truth, but that they are all things of truth pertaining to man. But be it known that the truths that are in the spiritual man, and from which those that are in the natural are derived, exceed them enormously. Those, however, that are in the spiritual man do not come within the perception of the natural man until he enters the spiritual world, which is after death; for then man puts off the natural, and puts on the spiritual. That this is the case is evident from this fact only, that the angels are in intelligence and wisdom ineffable in comparison with man, and yet the angels are all from the human race. (That the angels are from the human race may be seen in the small work, The Last Judgment, n. 14-22, and 23-27.) Because the sea signifies the generals of truth, therefore the great vessel, which was for washing in common, was called the brazen sea (1 Kings vii. 23-26). For washing represented purifications from falsities and evils, and waters signify truths, by which purifications are effected. And because all truths are from good, therefore the whole vessel was made of brass; therefore it was called the brazen sea, for brass signifies good. Spiritual purification, which is purification from falsities and evils, is there fully described by the measurements of that vessel, and by the bases thereof, understood in the spiritual sense. From the considerations now adduced, it is evident that by sea are signified the generals of truth, or the knowledges of truth together and collectively. But what is further signified by the sea will be shown in the explanation of the following part of this book. For the sea is mentioned in various senses; as in chap. v. 13; vii. 1-3; viii. 8, 9; x. 2, 8; xii. 12; xiii. 1; xiv. 7; xv. 2; xvi. 3; xviii. 17, 19, 21; xx. 13; xxi. 1.

AE (Tansley) n. 276

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 276

276. Verses 6-8. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind. And the first animal was like a lion, and the second animal like a calf, and the third animal had a face as a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. And the four animals had each by itself six wings roundabout; and they were full of eyes within, and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

"And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four animals full of eyes before and behind," signifies the guardianship and providence of the Lord to prevent the interior heavens being approached, except by the good of love and of charity, that lower things thence depending may be in order.

"And the first animal was like a lion," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to the power and effect; "and the second animal like a calf," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine good as to defence; "and the third animal had a face as a man," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Lord's Divine guardianship and providence as to wisdom; "and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guardianship and providence as to intelligence, and as to circumspection in every direction.

"And the four animals had, each by itself six wings roundabout," signifies the appearance of the Divine spiritual in every direction around the Divine celestial; "and they were full of eyes within," signifies the Divine providence and guardianship; "and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy," signifies what is most holy proceeding from the Lord; "Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come," signifies who is infinite and eternal.

AE (Tansley) n. 277

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 277

277. (v. 6) And in the midst of the throne, and roundabout the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind. That this signifies the guardianship and providence of the Lord to prevent the interior heavens being approached except by the good of love and of charity, that lower things thence depending may be in order, is evident from the signification of in the midst of the throne, as denoting from the Lord; for He who sat upon the throne was the Lord, as may be seen above (n. 268); and from the signification of roundabout the throne as denoting the interior or higher heavens, these being most nearly round-about the Lord; and from the signification of four animals, which were cherubim, as denoting the Divine guardianship and providence to prevent the interior or higher heavens from being approached except by the good of love and of charity, which will be explained in what follows; and from the signification of eyes, of which they were full, before and behind, as denoting the Divine providence of the Lord; for eyes when said of man signify the understanding, which is his internal sight; but when eyes are said of God, they signify the Divine providence, as may be seen above (n. 68, 152). And because eyes there signify the Divine providence of the Lord to prevent the higher heavens from being approached except by the good of love and of charity, therefore those cherubim were seen full of eyes, before and behind. The reason why lower things, which are the lower heavens, and also the church on earth, depend on that providence of the Lord, that they may be in order, is that the influx of the Lord is immediate from Himself, and also mediate through the higher into the lower heavens, and into the church; therefore unless the higher heavens are in order the lower cannot be in order (concerning which influx see The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 277, 278).

[2] That cherubim are here meant by the four animals is evident in Ezekiel, by whom similar things were seen at the river Chebar, which are described by him in chapters l. and x., and in the latter are called cherubim (verses 1, 2, 4-9, 14, 16, 18, 19). Concerning them it is said,

"The cherubim lifted themselves up; these animals which I saw by the river Chebar. These animals that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; I understood that they were the cherubim" (x. 15, 20).

These four animals which were the cherubim, are thus described by the same prophet:

Near the river of Chebar "appeared the likeness of four animals of which this was the aspect: They had the likeness of a man, and they had each four faces, and they had each of them four wings: This was the likeness of their faces: the four had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side, and the four had the face of an ox on the left side, the four also had the face of an eagle. The appearance of them was as burning coals of fire, like the appearance of lamps; it went up and down among the animals, so that the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. Over the heads of the animals was an expanse according to the form of a wonderful crystal: over the expanse which was over their head, was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it; from the appearance of his loins and downwards I saw as it were the appearance of a fire, and it had brightness round about, as the aspect of a rainbow that is in the cloud; this was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah" (i. 1, 5, 6, 10, 13, 22, 26-28).

By these representatives is described the Divine of the Lord in the higher heavens, and His providence to prevent them from being approached except by the good of love and of charity; and in that description are contained all the things mentioned in this chapter of the Apocalypse concerning the arrangement of the heavens, and they are signified by the throne upon which sat one in appearance like a jasper stone and a sardine; also by the rainbow about the throne, by the lamps of fire burning before the throne, and other things, which it would therefore be needless to explain, particularly in this place. [3] It shall now only be shown that by cherubim in the Word are signified the guardianship and providence of the Lord, to prevent the higher heavens from being approached except by the good of love and of charity, that lower things may be in order. This is clearly manifest from the account of the cherubim placed before the garden of Eden, when man was driven out; concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

"When" Jehovah God "had driven out the man, he made cherubim to dwell on the east of Eden, and a flame of a sword turning itself every way, to keep the way of the tree of life" (Gen. iii. 24).

What is meant by the man and his wife in these chapters may be seen explained in Arcana Coelestia, namely, that by the man is there meant the Most Ancient Church, which was a celestial church; and a celestial is distinguished from a spiritual church in this, that the former is in the good of love to the Lord, but the latter is in the good of charity towards the neighbour, as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell (n. 20-28).

From the men who constitute those two churches on earth the two higher heavens are formed; when, therefore, the celestial church, which was the most ancient and primary church on this earth, declined and began to recede from the good of love, then it is said that cherubim were made to dwell on the east of the garden of Eden, and a flame of a sword which turned itself every way, to guard the way of the tree of life. By the east of Eden is signified where the good of celestial love enters; and by the flame of a sword which turned itself every way is signified truth from that good defending; and by the tree of life is signified the Divine which is from the Lord in the higher heavens, which is the good of love and charity, and heavenly joy therefrom. Hence it is evident that by cherubim are signified guards to prevent those heavens being approached except by the good of love and of charity; and on this account it is also said, "to guard the way of the tree of life." (That the east signifies the good of love, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1250, 3708; that Eden signifies wisdom therefrom, n. 99, 100; that sword signifies truth fighting against falsity and dispersing it, thus truth defending [see above], n. 73, 131; that flame signifies truth from celestial good, n. 3222, 6832, 9570; that the tree of life signifies the good of love from the Lord and heavenly joy therefrom, may be seen above, n. 109, 110).

[4] On account of this signification of cherubim there were two made of solid gold placed upon the propitiatory upon the ark, concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

"Thou shalt make cherubim, of solid gold shalt thou make them, from the two extremities of the propitiatory; from the propitiatory thou shalt make the cherubs, and let the cherubim be expanding their wings upward, covering with their wings the propitiatory; towards the propitiatory shall be the faces of the cherubim, and thou shalt put the propitiatory upon the ark. I will meet thee there, and I will speak with thee between the two cherubim" (Exod. xxv. 18-22; xxxvii. 7-9).

By the ark and the tabernacle were represented the higher heavens; by the ark, in which was the testimony, or the law, was represented the inmost or third heaven; by the habitation which was without the veil, the middle or second heaven; by the propitiatory, hearing and reception of all things of worship which are from the good of love and of charity; by the cherubim were signified guards, and by the gold of which they were made, the good of love. It is therefore also evident that the two cherubim represented guards to prevent the higher heavens from being approached, except by the good of love and of charity. (That by the tabernacle in general was represented heaven, where the Lord is, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 9457, 9481, 10,545; by the ark, the inmost or third heaven, n. 3478, 9485; by the testimony or the law in the ark, the Lord as to the Word, n. 3382, 6752, 7463; by the habitation which was without the veil, the middle or second heaven, n. 3478, 9457, 9481, 9485, 9594, 9596, 9632; by the propitiatory, the hearing and reception of all things of worship which are from the good of love and of charity from the Lord, n. 9506, and by gold, the good of love, n. 113, 1551, 1552, 5658, 6914, 6917, 9510, 9874, 9881). [5] And because by the cherubim were signified guards, therefore also, there were cherubim upon the curtains of the habitation, and upon the veil (Exod. xxvi. 1, 31).

And it was for the same reason that Solomon made, in the oracle of the temple, cherubim of olive wood, and set them in the midst of the inner house, and overlaid them with gold, and engraved all the walls of the house round about with figures of cherubim, and palm trees, and open flowers, and that he ornamented the two doors in the same manner (1 Kings vi. 23-29, 32-35).

By the temple also was signified heaven and the church, and by its oracle, the inmost of heaven and of the church; by the olive wood of which the cherubim were made was signified the good of love, and similarly by the gold with which they were overlaid. By the walls upon which the cherubim were engraved were signified the ultimates of heaven and of the church, and the cherubim there signified guards. By the doors, upon which also were cherubim, was signified entrance into heaven and the church. It is therefore evident that these cherubim signified guards to prevent heaven from being approached except by the good of love and of charity; and because of this signification of cherubim, they also signify the Divine providence of the Lord, for those guards are from the Lord and are His Divine providence. (That the temple and house of God signify heaven and the church may be seen above, n. 220; hence the oracle signifies their inmost. That olive wood signifies the good of love, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 886, 3728, 4582, 9780, 9954, 10,261, and likewise the gold, see above, n. 242. That doors signify approach and admission may be seen also above, n. 248). [6] Similarly, the new temple is described as ornamented with cherubim; concerning which it is thus written in Ezekiel:

"Cherubim and palm trees were made, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; thus was it done to all the house round about; from the ground unto above the door were cherubim and palm trees made, and the wall of the temple" (xli. 18-20).

The palm signifies spiritual good, which is the good of charity (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia. n. 8369).

[7] Because the Divine truth from the Divine good is that which protects, therefore the king of Tyre is called a cherub; for by king is signified Divine truth, and by Tyre are meant knowledges (cognitiones); and hence by the king of Tyre is signified intelligence, concerning which it is thus written in Ezekiel:

King of Tyre, "thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering. Thou cherub, the spreading out of one that protects; I have placed thee in the mount of holiness of God; thou hast walked in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways in the day that thou wast created" (xxviii. 13-15).

(That by a king is signified Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 31, and by Tyre knowledges, in Arcana Coelestia, n. 1201. That by precious stones are signified the truths and goods of heaven and of the church, see n. 9863, 9865, 9868, 9873, 9905, which are called stones of fire, because fire signifies the good of love, as may be seen, n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832). Because the king of Tyre signifies intelligence from Divine truth, and this guards or protects, therefore the king of Tyre is called the cherub, the spreading out of one that protects. [8] Because the higher heavens cannot be approached except by means of the good of love and of charity, that is, cannot be approached by worship and by prayers unless they proceed from that good, therefore the Lord communed with Moses and Aaron, when they entered the habitation, between the two cherubim that were upon the ark (Exod. xxv. 22); as also is evident in Moses:

"When Moses entered into the tent of assembly he heard a voice speaking unto him from over the propitiatory that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim " (Num. vii. 89).

Because it is the Divine proceeding from the Lord which provides and guards, therefore it is said of the Lord,

That He sitteth upon the cherubim, as in Isa. xxxvii. 16; Psa. xviii. 10; lxxx. 1; xcix. 1; 1 Sam. iv. 4; 2 Sam. vi. 2.

[9] Because the subject treated of in this chapter is the arrangement of all things for judgment therefore also the cherubim are here treated of, that the guardianship and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens may not be approached except by means of the good of love and of charity; for unless this had been done before the Judgment, the very heavens themselves, in which were the true angels, would have been endangered, because those heavens which were about to perish (concerning which see Apoc. xxi. 1) were not in the good of love and charity, but only in some truths. For there were there those from the Christian world who were in the doctrine of faith alone, which some had confirmed from a few passages of the Word, and by that means had obtained some kind of conjunction with the ultimate heaven; but this conjunction was broken when that heaven, which is called the former heaven, had passed away. It was then ordained by the Lord, that hereafter no one should be conjoined with the heavens unless he be in the good of love to the Lord and in charity towards the neighbour; this is what is specifically meant by the things that now follow in this chapter. Whoever, therefore, believes that the heavens can hereafter be approached by the worship and by the prayers of those who are in faith alone and not also in the good of charity, is much deceived. The worship of these is no longer received, nor are their prayers heard, but the love of their life alone is regarded. Wherefore if the love of self and of the world reign, in whatever external worship they may have been, they are conjoined to the hells, and are also borne thither after death, and not in the first place to some heaven that is about to perish, as was previously the case.

AE (Tansley) n. 278

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 278

278. (v. 7) And the first animal was like a lion. That this signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to power and effect, is evident from the signification of a lion, as being Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to power and effect, which will be explained in what follows. The reason why it denotes appearance in ultimates is because the cherubim were seen as animals, and the first was like a lion. It is said in ultimates because that appearance was before John when he was in the spirit, and he then saw all things in ultimates, in which celestial and spiritual Divine things are variously represented, sometimes by gardens and parks, sometimes by palaces and temples, sometimes by rivers and waters, sometimes by animals of various descriptions, as by lions, camels, horses, oxen, heifers, sheep, lambs, doves, eagles, and many others. Similar things were seen by the prophets by whom the Word was written, in order that the Word in its ultimates, which are the things contained in the sense of the letter, might consist of such things as are in the world, which were representations and correspondences of celestial and spiritual things, and thus serve for a basis and foundation to the spiritual sense. It was for this heaven also that the cherubim, by which are signified the guardianship and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens may not be approached except by the good of love and of charity, were seen by John, and also by Ezekiel, to have faces like animals. Because it is the Lord who guards and provides, and this by Divine truth and Divine good, thus by His Divine wisdom and intelligence, therefore there were seen four animals, respectively like a lion, a calf, a man and an eagle. [2] By the lion was represented the power of Divine truth; by the calf, the Divine good as to protection; by the man, the Divine wisdom; and by the eagle, the Divine intelligence. These four are included in the Divine providence of the Lord as to the guardianship of the higher heavens, that they may not be approached except by the good of love and of charity.

That a lion signifies Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to power, is evident from the following passages in the Word; as in Moses:

"Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up; he stooped down, he lay down as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?" (Gen. xlix. 9).

By Judah is here signified the Lord's Celestial Kingdom, where all are in power from the Lord by means of Divine truth; this power is meant by a lion's whelp, and by an old lion. By the prey from which he went up is signified the dissipation of falsities and evils; by stooping down is signified to put himself into power; by lying down is signified to be in security from every falsity and evil; therefore it is said, "who shall rouse him up?" (That by Judah in the Word is signified the Celestial Kingdom, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, n. 3634, 3881, 5603, 5782, 6363. That by prey, when said of that kingdom and concerning the Lord, is signified the dissipation of falsities and evils, and snatching away and deliverance from hell, Arcana Coelestia, n. 6368, 6442; that by stooping, when said of the lion, is signified to put himself into power, n. 6369; and that to lie down, signifies a state of security and tranquillity, n. 3696). [3] In the same:

"At this time it shall be said to Jacob and to Israel, What hath God wrought? Behold, the people riseth up as an old lion, and lifteth up himself as a young lion; he shall not lie down until he eat of the spoil" (Numb. xxiii. 23, 24).

And in the same:

"He coucheth, he lieth down as an old lion; who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee" (xxiv. 9).

The subject here treated of is Jacob and Israel, by whom is signified the Lord's Spiritual Kingdom; their power is described by an old and a young lion rising, lifting himself up, and couching; the dissipation of falsities and evils is signified by eating of the spoil; and a state of security and tranquillity by he lieth down, who shall stir him up? (That by Jacob and Israel in the Word is signified the Lord's Spiritual Kingdom, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4286, 4570, 5973, 6426, 8805, 9340. What the Lord's Celestial Kingdom is, and what His Spiritual Kingdom, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28. That to couch denotes to put himself into power, that prey and spoil denote the dissipation of falsities and evils, and that lying down when said of a lion denotes a state of security and tranquillity, see above). [4] Again in Nahum:

"Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions? where walked the lion, the old lion, the lion's whelp, and none making afraid?" (ii. 11).

By lions here also are signified those who are in power by means of Divine truth; by their dwelling is signified, where there are such in the church; by their feeding place are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; by their walking and none making afraid is signified their state of security from evils and falsities.

[5] Again, in Micah

"The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people, as a dew from Jehovah, as the drops upon the herb, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he go through, will tread down, and disperse in pieces, so that none delivereth. Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine enemies, and all thine adversaries shall be cut off" (v. 7-9).

By the remnant of Jacob are signified the truths and goods of the church; by dew from Jehovah is signified spiritual truth; by the drops upon the herb, natural truth. By a lion among the beasts of the forest, and by a young lion among the flocks of sheep, also by treading down and dispersing, so that none delivereth, is signified power over evils and falsities. On account of this signification it is said, "Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine enemies, and all thine adversaries shall be cut off"; for by enemies are signified evils, and by adversaries falsities (as may be seen Arcana Coelestia, n. 2851, 8289, 9314, 10,481). [6] In Isaiah:

"The Lord said, Go, set a watchman, who shall behold and declare. And he saw a chariot, a pair of horsemen, a chariot of an ass, a chariot of a camel, and he hearkened a hearkening; a lion upon the watch tower cried aloud: O Lord! I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my guard all the night; Babylon is fallen, is fallen" (xxi. 6-9).

The subject here treated of is the advent of the Lord, and a new church at that time. By a lion upon the watch tower is signified the guardianship and providence of the Lord; therefore it is said, "I stand continually in the daytime, and I am set upon my guard all the nights." By a chariot and by a pair of horsemen is signified the doctrine of truth from the Word. By hearkening a hearkening is signified a life according to that truth. (That chariot signifies the doctrine of truth, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2761, 2762, 5321, 8029, 8215: that horseman signifies the Word as to understanding may be seen, n. 2761, 6401, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148). [7] In the same:

"Like as a lion and a young lion roareth on his prey when a multitude of shepherds goeth out against him so shall Jehovah of hosts descend to war upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof" (xxxi. 4).

In this passage Jehovah is compared to a lion roaring, because by a lion is signified the power of leading out from hell, or from evils, and by roaring is signified defence against evils and falsities; therefore it is said, "so shall Jehovah of hosts descend to war upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof." Mount Zion and the hill thereof denotes the celestial church and the spiritual church; and the prey upon which the lion and the young lion is said to roar signifies deliverance from evils, which are from hell. [8] To roar, when said of the lion, has the same signification in Hosea:

"I will not return to destroy Ephraim, they will go after Jehovah as a lion roareth" (xi. 9, 10).

In Amos:

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord Jehovih hath spoken, who will not prophesy?" (iii. 8).

In the Apocalypse,

"The angel cried with a loud voice, as a lion roareth" (x. 3).

And in David:

"The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together and lie down in their dwellings" (Ps. civ. 21, 22).

By these words in David is described the state of the angels of heaven when they are not in a state of intense love and wisdom therefrom; and, when they return into that state, the former state is described by the lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their food from God. The latter state is described by the sun arising, and their gathering themselves together, and lying down in their dwellings. By lions are meant the angels of heaven; by their roaring is meant desire; by prey and food are meant the good of love and the truth of wisdom; by the sun arising is meant the Lord as to love and wisdom thence; by their gathering themselves together, their returning into a celestial state; and by lying down in their dwellings, a state of tranquillity and peace (concerning these two states of the angels of heaven, see in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 154-161).

[9] Because Jehovah is compared to a lion from Divine truth as to power, therefore the Lord is called a lion in the Apocalypse:

"Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" (v. 5).

And because all power is from the Lord by means of Divine truth, therefore this is also signified by a lion; as in Moses:

"And of Gad he said, Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad; as a lion he dwelleth, he seizeth the arm, also the crown of the head", (Deut. xxxiii. 20).

By Gad is signified, in the highest sense, omnipotence, and hence in the representative sense the power of truth (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n 3931, 3935). Hence it is said, "Blessed is he who hath given breadth to Gad," for by breadth is signified truth (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 1613, 3433, 3434, 4482, 9487, 10,179; that all power is from Divine truth, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, in the article concerning the power of the angels of heaven, n. 228-233). [10] Because by lion is signified power, therefore in the lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan, it is said,

"Saul and Jonathan were lovely, they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions" (2 Sam. i. 23).

By Saul in this passage, as a king, and by Jonathan, as the son of a king, is meant truth defending the church, the subject treated of being the doctrine of truth and good; for that lamentation was inscribed "to teach the sons of Judah the bow" (ver. 18). By the bow is signified that doctrine (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2686, 2709, 6422). [11] Because by the kings of Judah and Israel the Lord was represented as to Divine truth, and because by a throne was represented judgment, which is executed from Divine truth, and by lions were represented power, guardianship and defence against falsities and evils, therefore near the two stays of the throne built by Solomon there were two lions, and twelve upon the six steps on the one side and on the other (1 Kings x. 18-20). From these considerations it is evident what is signified by lions in the Word when the subject treated is the Lord, heaven and the church. Lions also, in the Word, in an opposite sense, signify the power of falsity from evil, by which the church is destroyed and devastated; as in Jeremiah:

"The young lions roar against him, they utter their voice, they reduce the earth to wasteness" (ii. 15).

And in Isaiah:

A nation "whose darts are sharp, and all his bows bent, the hoofs of his horses are accounted as rock, his roaring as of a lion, he roareth as a young lion, he roareth and layeth hold of the prey" (v. 28, 29).

Also in many other places, as in Isa. xi. 6; xxxv. 9; Jer. iv. 7; v. 6; xii. 8; l. 17; li. 38; Ezek. xix. 3, 5, 6; Hosea xiii. 7, 8; Joel i. 6, 7; Ps. xvii. 12; xxii. 13; lvii. 4; lviii. 6; xci. 13.

AE (Tansley) n. 279

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 279

279. And the second animal like a calf. That this signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine good as to defence is evident from the signification of a calf, or young bullock, as being the good of the natural man, and specifically his good of innocence and charity; and because it denotes this good, it also denotes the good of the ultimate heaven, for this heaven is spiritual-natural (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell. n. 29-31). And because this good is in the ultimate heaven, therefore it is a guard, or defence, to prevent the higher heavens from being approached except by the good of love and of charity; this is why one cherub was like a calf. That this appearance was in ultimates, may be seen just above (n. 278). The reason why a calf or young bullock signifies the good of the natural man, is that those animals which belonged to the herd signified the affections of good and truth in the external or natural man, and those which belonged to the flock signified the affections of good and truth in the internal or spiritual man. Those animals which belong to the flock are lambs, she-goats, sheep, rams, and he-goats; and those which belong to the herd are oxen, calves, young bullocks. [2] That young bullocks and calves signify the good of the natural man is evident from the passages of the Word where they are mentioned. And first from the description of the feet of the cherubim, in Ezekiel:

"Their right foot and the soles of their feet, as it were the soles of a calf's foot, and they were shining, as the colour of polished brass" (i. 7).

The reason their right foot was thus seen was that the cherubim represented the Divine guardianship of the Lord, and the feet and soles of the feet represented the same in ultimates, or in the spiritual-natural heaven and in the natural world. For by the feet is signified in general the Natural; by the right foot is signified the Natural as to good; by the sole of the foot the ultimates therein, and similarly polished brass signifies good in the Natural. It is therefore evident that good in the Natural is signified by a calf, and that here is the ultimate good which guards and defends lest the heavens should be approached except by the good of love and of charity. (That the feet signify the Natural may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328; that that which is on the right signifies good from which is truth, n. 9604, 9736, 10,061: hence the right foot signifies the Natural as to good. That the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and hoofs, signify the ultimates in the Natural, may be seen, n. 4938, 7729; and that polished brass signifies natural good, may be seen above, n. 70).

[3] In Hosea:

"Return ye to Jehovah; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept good, and we will render the bullocks of our lips" (xiv. 2).

What is meant by rendering the bullocks of the lips, no one can know unless he understands what bullocks, and what the lips signify. That confession and thanksgiving from a good heart is, here denoted, is evident; but it is thus expressed because bullocks signify external good, and the lips signify doctrine; hence by rendering the bullocks of the lips, is signified to confess and give thanks from the goods of doctrine. (That the lips signify doctrine, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1286, 1288.) [4] In Amos:

"Ye draw the habitation of violence; they lie upon beds of ivory, and eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall" (vi. 3, 4).

The subject here treated of is those who possess in abundance the knowledges of good and truth, and yet lead an evil life. To eat the lambs out of the flock signifies to drink in the knowledges of internal good or of the spiritual man; and to eat the calves out of the midst of the stall signifies to drink in the knowledges of external goods or of the natural man; and to draw the habitation of violence is to live a life contrary to charity. [5] In Malachi:

"But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise and healing in his wings that ye may go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (iv. 2).

The sun of righteousness which shall arise to them that fear the name of Jehovah, signifies the good of love; and healing in his wings, signifies the truth of faith; hence, to go forth, and to grow up as calves of the stall, signifies an increase of all good; fatted, and also fat, signifying good. [6] In Luke:

The father said to his servants concerning the prodigal son who returned penitent in heart, "Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry" (xv. 22, 23).

He who understands only the sense of the letter might suppose that this passage contains nothing deeper than appears in that sense, when nevertheless every particular involves something heavenly; as that they should put on the returning prodigal the best robe, that they should put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet, that they should bring forth the fatted calf, that they should kill it, and eat and be merry. By the prodigal son are meant those who are prodigal of spiritual riches, which are knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; by his return to his father, and his confession that he was not worthy to be called his son, are signified penitence of heart and humiliation. By the best, or chief (primarium) robe being put on him, are signified general and primary truths; by a ring upon the hand is signified the conjunction of truth and good in the internal or spiritual man; by shoes upon the feet is signified the same in the external or natural man; and by both these, regeneration. By the fatted calf is signified the good of love and of charity; and by their eating and being merry are signified association and heavenly joy.

[7] In Jeremiah:

"I will give the men who have transgressed my covenant, who have not established the words of my covenant which they made before me, the covenant of the calf which they cut into two pieces that they might pass between the parts thereof, the princes of Judah and the princes of Jerusalem, the royal ministers and priests, and all the people of the land, passing between the parts of the calf, I will even give them into the hands of their enemies, that their carcass may be for food to the bird of the heavens" (xxxiv. 18-20).

What is meant by the covenant of the calf, and by passing between the parts thereof, no one can know unless he knows what is signified by covenant, what by calf, what by its being cut into two parts; also, what is meant by the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, by the royal ministers, the priests, and the people of the land. That there is some heavenly arcanum herein is evident. Nevertheless it can be understood, when it is known that a covenant denotes conjunction; a calf, good; a calf cut into two parts, the good proceeding from the Lord on one part, and the good received by man on the other, whence there is conjunction; and that the princes of Judah and of Jerusalem, the royal ministers, the priests, and the people of the land, denote the goods and truths which pertain to the church; and that to pass between the parts denotes to conjoin. When these things are known the internal sense of the passage may be known, which is, that there was no conjunction by the goods and truths of the church with that nation, but disjunction.

[8] Similar things are involved in the covenant of the calf with Abram, concerning which it is thus written in Genesis:

Jehovah said to Abram, "Take to thee a calf of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto himself all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each part one against another; and the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. And in that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram" (xv. 9-12, 18).

The horror of great darkness which fell upon Abram signified the state of the Jewish nation, which was in the greatest darkness as to the truths and goods of the church; this state of that nation is what is described in the Prophet by the covenant ratified by dividing the calf into two parts, between which they passed. Because by a calf is signified the good of the natural man and its truth, which is scientific truth (scientificum); and since the natural man and the scientific thereof is signified by Egypt, therefore Egypt in the Word is called a she-calf, and also a he-calf; therefore, also, after they applied the scientifics (scientifica) of the church to magical and idolatrous purposes they turned the calf into an idol. This is why the sons of Israel made to themselves a calf in the wilderness, and worshipped it, and also why they had a calf in Samaria. [9] That Egypt is thus designated is evident in Jeremiah:

"A very fair she-calf is Egypt; destruction cometh out of the north, and her mercenaries in the midst of her as calves of the stall" (xlvi. 20, 21).

(Concerning the calf which the sons of Israel made to themselves in the wilderness, see Exod. xxxii.; and concerning the calf of Samaria, 1 Kings xii. 25-32).

Again, in Hosea:

"They have made a king, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not; of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that it may be cut off. Thy calf, O Samaria, hath forsaken thee. For from Israel was it also; the workman made it, not God; the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces" (viii. 4-6).

The subject here treated of is the corrupt explanation of the Word, the sense of the letter of which is turned to favour their own loves and the principles of religion thence conceived. To make a king but not by Jehovah, and to make princes and I have not known, signifies doctrinals from man's own intelligence, which are essentially falsities, but which they make to appear as truths. For a king signifies truth, and, in an opposite sense, falsity; princes signify primary truths, and, in the opposite sense, falsities which are called principles of religion. To make idols of their silver and gold signifies their perversion of the truths and goods of the church, and worshipping them as holy, although, being derived from their own intelligence, they are destitute of life. Silver denotes the truth, and gold the good, which are from the Lord. Idols signify worship from doctrine which is from man's own intelligence; "the workman made it, and not God," signifies, that it is from man's proprium and not from the Divine; to be broken in pieces, signifies to be dissipated; hence it is evident what is signified by the calf of Samaria. Because calves signified the good of the natural man, therefore also calves were sacrificed, concerning which see Exod. xxix, 11, 12 and following verses; Levit. iv. 3, and following, and 13 and following verses; viii. 15 and following verses; ix. 2; xvi. 3; xxiii. 18; Numb. viii. 8 and following verses; xv. 24; xxviii. 19, 20; Judg. vi. 25-29; 1 Sam. i. 25; xvi. 2; 1 Kings xviii. 23-26, 33. For all the animals which were sacrificed signified various classes of the goods of the church.

AE (Tansley) n. 280

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 280

280. And the third animal had a face like a man. That this signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guardianship and providence as to wisdom, is evident from the signification of the face of a man, as denoting the affection of truth, the face signifying affection, and man signifying one who receives Divine truth; and because his Rational is therefrom, by man is signified wisdom; for man was created that he might be rational and wise, by which he is distinguished from the brute animals; this is why man in the Word signifies wisdom. The reason why man signifies the affection of truth and at the same time wisdom is that the affection of truth, and wisdom, act as one. For he who is in the spiritual affection of truth, that is, who is affected with truth, or who loves truth because it is truth, is conjoined to the Lord, because the Lord is present in His own truths, and is His own truth with man; hence a man has wisdom, and hence he is a man. Some suppose that a man is a man from his face and his body, and that by these he is distinguished from the beasts; but they are in error; a man is a man from wisdom, therefore so far as any one is wise, so far is he a man. This is why those who are wise appear in heaven and in the light of heaven as men, graceful and beautiful according to their wisdom; whereas those who are not wise (and such are those who have no spiritual affection, but merely natural affection, in which a man is when he does not love truth for its own sake but for the sake of glory, honour and gain), these, in the light of heaven, do not appear as men, but as monsters in various forms (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell n. 70, 72, 73-77, 80; and what wisdom is, and what non-wisdom, may be seen in the same, n. 346-365).

[2] That by man in the Word is signified the affection of truth, and thence wisdom, is evident from the following passages, as in Isaiah:

"O Lord, how long? He said, Until the cities shall be laid waste so that they shall be without an inhabitant, and the houses so that a man shall not be in them, and the land be utterly desolate; Jehovah shall remove man, and deserts shall be multiplied in the midst of the land" (vi. 11, 12).

These things are not said of the laying waste of the land, that there should be no more any cities or houses therein, and that these should be without inhabitant, and without man; but they are said of the laying waste of good and truth in the church. By cities are there signified the truths of doctrine; by inhabitant is signified the good of doctrine; by houses are signified the interior things of man's mind; and by man the spiritual affection of truth and thence wisdom. This is signified by the houses being laid waste that there be no man in them; by the land which shall be utterly desolate, is signified the church; hence it is evident what is signified by removing man, and by multiplying deserts in the midst of the land; a desert signifies where there is no good because no truth. [3] In the same:

"I will make a man (vir homo) more rare than pure gold; and a man (homo) than the gold of Ophir" (xiii. 12).

By a man (vir homo) is signified intelligence, and by a man (homo) wisdom; and that these were about to cease is signified by its being said that they shall be made rare. Intelligence is distinguished from wisdom by this, that intelligence is the understanding of truth such as the spiritual man has, and wisdom is the understanding of truth such as the celestial man has; the understanding of the latter being from the will of good. It is therefore evident what is signified by man (vir homo), and what by man (homo), in the above passage.

[4] Again:

"The inhabitants of the earth are burned up, and few men are left" (xxiv. 6).

By the inhabitants of the earth, are signified the goods of the church, and these are said to be burned up when the loves of self and of the world begin to reign; and that in such case the spiritual affection of truth, and of wisdom thence derived, would cease is signified by few men being left. [5] Again:

"The highways lie waste; he that traverses the way hath ceased; he hath rendered the covenant vain, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth not man" (xxxiii. 8).

The devastation of the church is also here spoken of; the highways which lie waste, and he that traverses the way, who has ceased, signify that the goods and truths which lead to heaven were no more; the covenant being rendered vain, signifies that, there was no conjunction with the Lord; he hath despised the cities signifies that they spurn doctrine; he regardeth not man, signifies that they make no account of wisdom. [6] In Jeremiah:

"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was empty and void and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled" (iv. 23, 25).

That the earth as being empty and void is not here meant, nor the heavens as having no light, nor that there was no man upon the earth, nor that all the birds of heaven were fled, is evident; but the true import of these things can be evident only from the spiritual sense of the Word. In that sense, by the earth is signified the church; being empty and void signifies its being destitute of good and truth; by the heavens, where there is no light, are signified the interiors of man's mind, which are the receptacles of the light of heaven; the light which is not there denotes the Divine truth and wisdom therefrom: therefore it is said, "I beheld, and, lo, there was no man;" by the birds of heaven which were fled are signified the Rational and Intellectual.

[7] In the same:

"Behold the days come, saith Jehovah, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast" (xxxi. 27).

By the house of Israel and the house of Judah is signified the church as to truth and good; by the seed of man and the seed of beast are signified the spiritual affection of truth and the natural affection of the same. For when man and beast are mentioned in the Word they signify what is spiritual and what is natural, or what is internal and what is external (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872). [8] In Zephaniah:

"I will consume man and beast, I will consume the bird of the heavens and the fish of the sea; I will cut off man from the surfaces of the earth" (i. 3).

To consume man and beast, denotes the spiritual affection of truth and the natural affection of the same; to consume the bird of the heavens and the fish of the sea denotes spiritual truths and natural truths; and to cut off man from the surfaces of the earth denotes the affection of truth and wisdom. [9] In Ezekiel:

"Ye, my flock, the flock of my pasture; ye are man, I am your God" (xxxiv. 31).

The flock of the pasture signifies spiritual good and truth; the pasture denotes the reception thereof from the Lord; hence it is said, "ye are man, I am your God," man denoting the spiritual affection of truth, and wisdom.

[10] In the same:

"Behold, I am with you, and I will have respect unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown; then I will multiply man upon you, all the house of Israel, even the whole of it; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded; I will cause man to walk upon you, even my people Israel. Thus saith the Lord Jehovih, Inasmuch as ye say, Thou art consuming man and hast bereaved thy peoples, therefore thou shalt not consume man any more," and thy sword shall not bereave any more, "the devastated cities shall be full of the flock of man" (xxxvi. 9-14, 38).

The subject here treated of is the restoration of the church. By Israel is signified the spiritual church, or the church that is in spiritual good, which is the good of charity; this church is here called man from the spiritual affection of truth, which constitutes the church; wherefore it is said:

"I will multiply man upon you, all the house of Israel. I will cause man to walk upon you, even my people Israel."

By the waste cities being filled with the flock of man is signified that the doctrines of the church shall be full of spiritual truths; by the sword which shall not bereave any more is signified that falsity shall no more destroy truth. [11] In the same prophet:

"Thy mother is a lioness; she lay down among lions, one of her whelps rose up, which learned to catch the prey, it devoured men" (xix. 2, 3, 6).

Mother denotes the church, in this case the church perverted the falsity of evil destroying truth is signified by the lioness lying down among lions; by her whelp which learned to catch the prey, and which devoured men, is signified the primary falsity of their doctrine, which destroyed truths and consumed every affection thereof. These things are said concerning the princes of Israel, by whom are signified primary truths, but here, in an opposite sense, primary falsities.

[12] In Jeremiah:

"Hazor shall become a dwelling for dragons, a desolation even for an age; there shall not dwell there a man (vir), nor a son of man (homo) abide in her" (xlix. 33).

Here the subject is the church which is in falsities, and in no truths. Hazor signifies the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth; and the knowledges (cognitiones) of falsity are signified by a dwelling for dragons; that there is consequently no truth, or doctrine of truth is signified by there shall not dwell there a man, nor a son of man abide in her; man denotes truth, and the son of man the doctrine of truth. [13] Again, in the Apocalypse:

"He measured the wall" of the Holy Jerusalem, "an hundred and forty and four cubits, the measure of a man, that is, of an angel" (xxi. 17).

No one can understand what is signified by the wall of the holy Jerusalem being an hundred and forty and four cubits, and by this being the measure of a man, that is, of an angel, unless he knows the signification of the holy Jerusalem, of its wall, of the number 144, also of a man, and of an angel. The holy Jerusalem signifies the church as to doctrine; wall signifies truth defending; the number 144, signifies all truths from good in the aggregate; man signifies the reception of these from affection, and an angel signifies the same; it is therefore said to be the measure of a man, that is, of an angel, measure signifying quality. From these considerations it is evident how these words are to be spiritually understood. (These things may be seen more clearly explained in The Doctrine of the New, Jerusalem, n. 1.) [14] Because by man is signified the spiritual affection of truth, and thence wisdom, therefore by man is also signified the church, because the church with man is a church from the spiritual affection of truth and of wisdom therefrom.

From this it is evident that man in the first chapter of Genesis, signifies the church which was the first and the most ancient on this earth; this is meant by Adam, or man (homo). The establishment of that church is described in the first chapter by the creation of the heaven and the earth, its intelligence and wisdom, are signified by paradise, and its fall is described by man's eating of the tree of knowledge. [15] But by man in the highest sense, is meant the Lord Himself, because from Him are heaven and the church, and also the spiritual affection of truth and wisdom with every one of those who constitute heaven and the church. This is why, in the highest sense, the Lord alone is man, and that others, in both the natural and the spiritual worlds, are so far man as they receive from Him truth and good, thus so far as they love the truth and live according to it. Hence also it is that the whole angelic heaven appears as one man, and also each society there; and hence also it is that the angels appear in a perfect human form (concerning these things more may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 59-67, 68-72, 73-77, 87-102). [16] It is for this reason that the four cherubim, by which are signified the guardianship and providence of the Lord lest the higher heavens should be approached except by the good of love, were seen as men, although they had each four faces; and also that the Lord was seen above them as a man. That the four cherubim were seen as men, is evident in Ezekiel:

"This was the aspect" of the four animals, "they had the likeness of a man, but four faces to each" (i. 5, 6).

Similarly the two cherubim over the mercy seat were, as to the face, like men. Again, that the Lord was seen above the cherubim as a man, is expressly affirmed by the same prophet:

"Above the expanse which was over the head" of the cherubim, "as it were the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne, and upon the likeness of a throne, a likeness as it were the appearance of a man upon it above" (i. 26).

AE (Tansley) n. 281

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 281

281. And the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. That this signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guardianship and providence as to intelligence and circumspection in every direction is evident from the signification of an eagle, as being intelligence, in this case the Divine intelligence of the guardianship and providence of the Lord. The reason why an eagle denotes intelligence is that intelligence is in the light of heaven, and an eagle flies on high to be there, and to look about on every side; hence it is that the face of the cherub appeared like a flying eagle, for to fly signifies presence and circumspection roundabout, and when said of the Divine, it signifies omnipresence. The reason why eagle signifies intelligence is also that the birds of heaven, in a good sense, signify things intellectual and rational, and the eagle above all others, because it not only flies high, but possesses a most acute sight. (That the birds of heaven signify intellectual and rational things in each sense may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 745, 776, 866, 988, 991, 3219, 5149, 7441).

[2] That an eagle signifies intelligence is evident from the following passages in the Word. In Ezekiel:

"A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, full of feathers, which had embroidering, came upon Lebanon, and took a small branch of a cedar. He plucked off the head of its shoots, and carried it down into a land of traffic; he set it in a city of dealers in spices. He took of the seed of the land, and placed it in the field of the sower; he took it to great waters, and placed it circumspectly; and it budded and became a luxuriant vine of low stature, so that its branches looked to him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, which produced branches and sent out boughs to him. There was also another great eagle with great wings and full of feathers; and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him to water him from the little beds of its plantation. It was planted in a good field near many waters to form the bough, and to bear fruit, that it might be for a vine of magnificence" (xvii. 1-8).

The subject here treated of is the establishment of the spiritual church by the Lord; and, in the internal sense, the process of its establishment, or of the regeneration of the man of that church, is described from beginning to end. By the first eagle is described the process of the regeneration of the natural or external man, by means of scientifics (scientifica) and by means of knowledges (cognitiones) from the Word; and by the other eagle is described the process of the regeneration of the spiritual or internal man by means of truths from good; hence by the first eagle is signified the intelligence of the natural man, and by the second the intelligence of the spiritual man.

What these particulars signify shall be explained in a few words. The first eagle is said to have great wings, long pinions, and to be full of feathers, and thereby are signified the abundance of the knowledges (scientiae) and cognitions of truth and good, from which is derived the first intelligence, or the intelligence of the natural man. It is therefore said that it had embroidering, for by embroidering is signified what pertains to knowledge and cognition (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 9688). It came upon Lebanon, and took a small branch of cedar, signifies that it took some knowledges (cognitiones) of truth from the doctrine of the church which is from the Word; for by Lebanon is signified that doctrine, and by the small branch of a cedar are signified knowledges. He plucked off the head of its shoots and carried it into a land of traffic signifies primary cognitions therefrom, to which it applied (by the head of the shoots are signified primary knowledges, and by the land of traffic is signified the natural man, to which knowledge (scientia) belongs). In a city of dealers in spices, signifies among truths from good in the natural man. (That spices signify truths which are grateful because from good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, 4748, 5621, 9474, 9475, 10,199, 10,254). He took of the seed of the land, and placed it in the field of the sower, he took it to great waters and placed it circumspectly, signifies multiplication. The seed of the land denotes the truth of the church; the field of the sower denotes the good by virtue of which it grows. Great waters signify the knowledges of truth and good; to place circumspectly denotes separation from falsities. And it budded and became a luxuriant vine, so that its branches looked towards him, and the roots thereof were under him signifies the church arising from the arrangement of the knowledges of truth, and their application to use. So it became a vine which produced branches, and sent out boughs signifies the beginning of the spiritual church, and the continuous increase of truths. (That vine signifies the spiritual church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 1069, 6375, 9277.) Hitherto the beginning of the church in the natural or external man has been described; its establishment, which takes place in the spiritual or internal man, is now described by the other eagle. Because this signifies spiritual intelligence, it is said that the vine bent its roots and sent its branches towards him, namely, the eagle, for by roots are signified knowledges (scientiae), and by branches the cognitions (cognitiones) of truth and good, which are all applied to the truths which are in the spiritual or internal man, since without their spiritual application man has no wisdom. The multiplication and fructification of truth from good, thus the increase of intelligence, is described by the vine being planted in a good field, near many waters, to form the bough, and to bear fruit, that it might be a vine of magnificence. Here, by the good field is signified the church as to the good of charity; many waters signify the knowledges, of good and truth. To form the bough is to multiply truths; and to bear fruit is to produce goods, which are uses. A vine of magnificence is the spiritual church, thus internal and external. (But these things, because they are arcana of regeneration and of the establishment of the church with man, may be better perceived from what is adduced in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem from Arcana Coelestia, concerning knowledges (scientiae) and knowledges (cognitiones), n. 51, and concerning regeneration, n. 183.)

[3] That eagle signifies intelligence is also evident in Isaiah:

"They that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength, and mount up with wings as eagles" (xl. 31).

To mount up with wings as eagles denotes ascent into the light of heaven, thus into intelligence. [4] Again, in David:

"Jehovah satisfieth thy mouth; so that thou art renewed as the eagle" (Psalm ciii. 5).

To be renewed as the eagle, means as to intelligence. [5] Again, in Moses:

"Ye have seen how I bare you as on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. xix. 4).

By bearing them as on eagles' wings and bringing them is also signified into intelligence, because into heaven and the light thereof. [6] Again:

Jehovah "found him in a desert land; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the pupil of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings; so Jehovah alone did lead him" (Deut. xxxii. 10-12).

Here the establishment of the Ancient Church is treated of, and the first reformation of those who belonged to that church; their first state is meant by the desert land in which Jehovah found them. This land denotes a state in which there is no good because there is no truth. Their instruction in truths, the guarding of them from falsities, and the opening of the interiors of their mind that they may come into the light of heaven and so into the understanding of truth and good, which is intelligence, is described by the eagle stirring up her nest, fluttering over her young, and bearing them upon her wings; comparison is here made with the eagle, because the eagle signifies intelligence.

[7] In 2 Samuel:

"Saul and Jonathan were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions" (i. 23).

By Saul as king, and by Jonathan as son of a king, the truth of the church is signified; and because intelligence and power are therefrom, it is said that they were swifter than eagles, and stronger than lions; swiftness in the Word, when said of intelligence, signifying the affection of truth. For David wrote his lamentation over Saul and Jonathan to teach the sons of Judah the bow; and by the sons of Judah are signified the truths of the church, and by the bow is meant the doctrine of truth fighting against falsities. [8] In Job:

"Doth the hawk fly by thy intelligence, and stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? In the rock she dwelleth and passeth the night, thence she seeketh her food, and her eyes behold afar off; and where the slain are, there is she" (xxxix. 26-30).

Here the subject treated of is intelligence, which no one can procure from himself or from proprium; wherefore it is said, "Doth the hawk fly by thy intelligence, and stretch her wings towards the south?" by which is signified man's leading himself into the light of intelligence, which is signified by the south; but, in this case, that he cannot. The intelligence itself, which is that of the spiritual man, is described by the eagle mounting up, making her nest on high, dwelling and passing the night on the rock; also by her thence searching out her food, and her eyes beholding afar off. That no one has such intelligence from himself is signified by the question, "Doth the eagle mount up at thy command?" But that nothing but falsities can proceed from man's own intelligence is signified by where the slain are, there is she. The slain in the Word signify those with whom truths are extinguished by falsities (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 4503).

[9] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by the words of the Lord when the disciples asked Him where the Last Judgment would be:

They said unto Him, "Where, Lord? He said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together" (Luke xvii. 37).

By the body is here signified the spiritual world, where all men are together, good and evil. By eagles are signified those who are in truths, and also those who are in falsities, thus those who are in true intelligence and those who are in false intelligence. False intelligence is from man's proprium, but true intelligence is from the Lord, by means of the Word. [10] The falsities which are from man's own intelligence are also described by eagles in the following passages in the Word. In Jeremiah:

"Behold he ascendeth as clouds, and his chariots are as a storm, his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us, for we are spoiled" (iv. 13).

The subject here treated of is the desolation of truth in the church, and by the clouds which ascend are signified falsities; by the chariots which are as a storm is signified the doctrine of falsities; their eagerness and pleasure in reasoning against truths and destroying them is signified by their horses being swifter than eagles, for by swiftness and haste in the Word is signified incitement by affection and lust (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 7695, 7866), and by horses the understanding of truth, and, in the opposite sense, the understanding of falsity, or reasoning from fallacies against truths (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 2760, 2761, 2762, 3217, 5321, 6125, 6400, 6534, 7024, 8146, 8148, 8381). And because horses signify the understanding of truth, and eagles intelligence, in this place man's own intelligence, which is reasoning from falsities, it is therefore said, "their horses are swifter than eagles." [11] In Lamentations:

"Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the heavens" (iv. 19).

In Habakkuk:

"Their horses are swifter than leopards, and are fiercer than the wolves of evening: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, whence his horsemen come from far; they fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. They come all for violence" (i. 8, 9).

The eagle here, in like manner, signifies reasoning from falsities against truths, which is reasoning from man's own intelligence.

AE (Tansley) n. 282

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 282

282. Because this cherub was like an eagle, and the eagle appeared as flying, it shall now be explained what is signified by flying in the Word. By flying are signified circumspection and presence, because a bird when it flies looks about from on high, and thus by its sight is present everywhere round about; but when flying is said, in the Word, of Jehovah, it signifies omnipresence, because omnipresence is infinite circumspection and infinite presence. This, then, is why this cherub appeared like a flying eagle; for by cherubim in general is signified the providence of the Lord that the higher heavens may not be approached except from the good of love and of charity; and by this cherub is signified the Divine intelligence, as was shown just above. [2] That by flying, when, in the Word, it is said of the Lord, is signified omnipresence, and, when said of men, circumspection and presence is evident from the following passages. In David:

God "rode upon a cherub, he did fly, and was carried upon the wings of the wind" (Psalm xviii. 10; 2 Sam. xxii. 11).

He rode upon a cherub signifies the Divine presence; he did fly signifies omnipresence in the spiritual world; and was carried upon the wings of the wind, signifies omnipresence in the natural world. These words of the Psalmist can be understood only from the spiritual sense. [3] In Isaiah:

"As birds flying, so will Jehovah Zebaoth protect Jerusalem" (xxxi. 5).

Jehovah is said to protect Jerusalem as birds flying, for by protecting is signified the Divine providence as to defence; by Jerusalem is signified the church, and by birds flying, with which comparison is made, is signified circumspection and presence, and in this case, as being said of the Lord omnipresence.

[4] In the Apocalypse:

"I saw, and heard one angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth" (viii. 13).

And again:

"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to publish unto them that dwell on the earth" (xiv. 6).

By the former angel is here signified the damnation of all who are in evils, and by the other angel is signified the salvation of all who are in good; by flying, is signified circumspection on every side where they are. [5] In Isaiah:

"All the flocks of Arabia shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to the windows?" (lx. 7, 8).

The subject here treated of is the advent of the Lord and the enlightenment of the nations which shall then take place; and by the flocks of Arabia which shall be gathered together are signified the knowledges of truth and good. By the rams of Nebaioth which shall minister are signified truths, which form the life by virtue of spiritual affection; by flying as a cloud, and as doves to the windows, are signified seeking and investigation of truth from the sense of the letter of the Word, hence also by flying is signified circumspection; for a cloud signifies the sense of the letter of the Word; doves signify the spiritual affection of truth, and windows truth in light. That such a sense is contained in those words is evident from the signification of the flocks of Arabia, of the rams of Nebaioth, of a cloud, of doves, and of windows.

[6] In David:

"Fear and trembling are come upon me, whence I said, Who will give me wings like a dove? I will fly away where I may dwell. Lo, I will wander far off, and pass the night in the wilderness" (Ps. lv. 5, 6, 7).

The subject here treated of is temptation and straitness at the time; fear and trembling signify that straitness; the seeking for truth at the time and casting about as to whither to turn oneself, is signified by, who will give me wings like a dove? I will fly away where I may dwell. The wings of a dove denote the spiritual affection of truth; to fly away where I may dwell denotes to rescue the life thereby from damnation; that there is as yet no hope of deliverance, is signified by, Lo, I will wander far off, and pass the night in the wilderness.

[7] In Hosea:

"Ephraim, as a bird shall their glory fly away; yea, if they have brought up sons, I will make them likewise bereaved of man" (ix. 11, 12).

By Ephraim is signified the enlightened understanding of those who belong to the church; by glory is signified Divine truth; by flying away as a bird is signified its deprivation. Comparison is here made with a bird, because a bird signifies the Rational and Intellectual, just as Ephraim does. By its being said, "If they have brought up sons, I will make them likewise bereaved of man" is signified that if they have even produced truths still they are not at all wise thereby; for sons denote truths, and to make them bereaved of man, is to deprive of wisdom.

[8] In Moses:

"Ye shall not make to you the form of any animal upon the earth, nor the form of any winged bird which flieth towards heaven" (Deut. iv. 15-17).

By these words, in the internal sense, is signified that man is not to procure to himself wisdom and intelligence from himself, or from proprium. For by the animals which walk upon the earth are signified the affections of good, from which is wisdom, and by birds are signified the affections of truth, from which is intelligence. By their being commanded not to make to themselves the form of any of these, is signified, that those things which they signify are not to be procured from man or from his proprium. It is said, "Any winged fowl that flieth towards heaven," because by winged fowl is signified the spiritual understanding of truth, and by flying towards heaven is signified the circumspection pertaining to intelligence in Divine things. [9] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by this cherub appearing like a flying eagle, as also what is signified in Isaiah,

by the seraphim; each one had six wings; "with twain," of which "he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly" (vi. 2).

By the wings with which each of the seraphim covered his face is signified the spiritual affection of truth; by the wings with which he covered his feet, the natural affection of truth therefrom; and the wings with which he did fly denote circumspection and presence, in this case omnipresence, because the seraphim signify the same as the cherubim, namely, the Divine providence as to guardianship.

[10] The reason why by flying, when said of man, is signified circumspection, and at the same time presence, is that the sight is present with the object which it sees; that it appears afar off, or distant, is owing to intermediate objects, which appear at the same time, and can be measured as to space. This may be fully confirmed from those things which exist in the spiritual world; there, spaces themselves are appearances arising from the diversity of affection and of thoughts therefrom; therefore, when any persons or things appear afar off, and an angel or spirit desires from intense affection to be with them, or to view those things which are there, he is immediately present. The same is the case with thought, which is a man's internal or spiritual sight; this perceives those things which he before saw in himself, without space, thus altogether as present. This is why to fly is said of the understanding and of its intelligence, and why thereby are signified circumspection and presence.

AE (Tansley) n. 283

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 283

283. (v. 8) And the four animals had, each by itself, six wings roundabout. That this signifies the appearance of the spiritual Divine on every side around the celestial Divine, is evident from the signification of the four animals, which were cherubim, as being the Divine guardianship and providence of the Lord that the higher heavens may not be approached except by the good of love and of charity. And because this is signified by the four animals, as to their bodies, the celestial Divine is also signified, concerning which we shall treat presently; and from the signification of six wings roundabout, as denoting the spiritual Divine around the celestial Divine, concerning which we shall also speak in what follows. The reason why the cherubim, as to their bodies, signifies the celestial Divine, and as to their wings the spiritual Divine, is that all things by which celestial things are represented, as to the bodies themselves signify things essential, and as to the things which are about them they signify things formal. Hence man also as to the body signifies good in essence, and as to those things which encompass it, good in form; celestial good is good in essence, and spiritual good is good in form; and this for the reason that the will, in which good resides, is the man himself, or the man in essence, and the understanding, in which truth is, which is the form of good, is the man therefrom, thus man in form; the latter good is also around the former. [2] But it shall first be explained what the celestial Divine is, and what the spiritual Divine. The heavens are distinguished into two kingdoms, of which the one is called the celestial kingdom, and the other the spiritual kingdom. The distinction lies in this, that those who are in the celestial kingdom are in the good of love to the Lord, and those who are in the spiritual kingdom are in the good of charity towards the neighbour; hence the celestial Divine is the good of love to the Lord, and the spiritual Divine is the good of charity towards the neighbour. According to these goods also the heavens are arranged: the highest or third heaven consists of those who are in celestial good, or in the good of love to the Lord; and the heaven which succeeds it, and is called the middle or second heaven, consists of those who are in spiritual good, or in the good of charity towards the neighbour; and because celestial good is good in the highest place, and spiritual good is good in the second place, therefore the latter is around the former, for that which is above is also within, and that which is below is also without, and what is without is also around. Hence it is that in the Word by higher things, and things which are in the midst, are signified interior things, and by lower things, and things which are around, are signified exterior things.

Now because both celestial and spiritual good, guard, and as by the animals themselves, or by the cherubim as to their bodies, is signified the celestial Divine, and by the same as to their wings is signified the spiritual Divine, it is clear that by their being seen as having each by itself six wings about, is signified the appearance of the spiritual Divine on every side around the celestial Divine. (But concerning these things a fuller idea may be formed from what is said and shown in the work, Heaven and Hell. First, from the article in which it is shown that the Divine of the Lord makes heaven, n. 7-12; afterwards from the article, That the Divine of the Lord in heaven is love to Him and charity towards the neighbour, n. 13-19: and lastly, in the article, That heaven is distinguished into two kingdoms, a celestial kingdom and a spiritual kingdom, n. 20-28.) [3] The reason why the cherubim were seen as animals is, that celestial things are represented in various ways in ultimates, as is evident from many passages in the Word; as, that the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove over Jesus when He was baptized (Matt. iii. 16, 17); and that the Divine of the Lord appeared as a lamb (Apoc. v. 6, 8, 13), whence also the Lord is called a lamb (Apoc. vi. 1, 16; vii. 9, 10, 14, 17; xii. 11; xiii. 8; xiv. 1, 4; xvii. 14; xix. 7, 9; xxi. 22, 23, 27). The reason why the cherubim were four, and why each had six wings is, that by four is signified celestial good, and by six spiritual good. For the number four signifies conjunction, and inmost conjunction with the Lord is effected by means of love to Him; but the number six signifies communication, and communication with the Lord is effected by means of charity towards the neighbour.

[4] That wings signify the spiritual Divine which in its essence is truth from good, is evident from the following passages. In David:

"If ye have lain among the ranks; the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold; when thou, O Shaddai, spreadest out, kings are in it" (Ps. lxviii. 13, 14).

What is signified by those who had lain among the ranks, by the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold, and kings are in it, Shaddai spreadeth out, no one can understand except from the internal sense. In this sense, to lie among the ranks, signifies to live in, or according to, the statutes; the wings of a dove covered with silver, signify spiritual truths; her feathers with yellow gold, signify spiritual good from which those truths are derived. Shaddai signifies a state of temptations; kings in it, signify truths in that state and after it. The reason why the wings of a dove covered with silver signify spiritual truths, is that wings signify what is spiritual, the dove signifies truth from good, and silver truth itself. The reason also why feathers covered with yellow gold signify spiritual good from which those truths are derived is that feathers signify spiritual good from which truths are derived, and similarly yellow gold. The reason why Shaddai spreading out signifies a state of temptations is, that God Shaddai signifies temptations, and consolations after them; and because truths from good are implanted in man by temptation, it is therefore said, "kings in it," for by kings are signified truths from good, as may be seen above (n. 31).

[5] In the same:

God "rode upon a cherub, he did fly; he was carried upon the wings of the wind" (Ps. xviii. 10).

By God riding upon a cherub is signified His Divine providence; by did fly, is signified His omnipresence in the spiritual world; he was carried upon the wings of the wind, denotes His omnipresence in the natural world; the wings of the wind signify spiritual things from which are natural things. [6] Again:

Jehovah "covereth thee under his wing, and under the abyss shalt thou trust; truth is a shield and buckler" (Ps. xci. 4).

To cover under wings signifies to be guarded by the Divine truth, which is the spiritual Divine; and to trust under the abyss signifies truth scientific (verum scientificum), or the natural Divine. And because both the latter and the former signify truth, and being covered signifies protection thereby, it is therefore said, truth a shield and buckler. From these considerations it is also evident what is signified

By being hid under the shadow of God's wings (Ps. xvii. 8).

By the children of men putting their trust under the shadow of His wings (Ps. xxxvi. 7; lvii. 1);

and also

By singing under the shadow of His wings (Ps. lxiii. 7).

That wing, when said of the Lord, signifies the spiritual Divine, is further evident from the following passages.

[7] In Ezekiel:

"When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold thy time was the time of loves, I spread my wing over thee, and I covered thy nakedness" (xvi. 8).

Here the church and its reformation is treated of, and is signified by Jerusalem; the time of loves signifies the state when it could be reformed. I spread my wing over thee, signifies spiritual truth, by which reformation is effected; and I covered thy nakedness, signifies the hiding of evil thereby; for the evil which man has from his hereditary nature and afterwards from his proprium is hidden, that is, it is removed so as not to appear, by means of spiritual truths, which are truths from good. [8] In David:

Jehovah "covereth himself with light as with a garment; he stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain; he layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; he maketh the clouds his chariot; he walketh upon the wings of the wind" (Ps. civ. 2, 3).

By the light with which Jehovah is said to cover Himself is signified the Divine truth in the heavens, which is called His garment because it proceeds from Him as the Sun, and so is without and about Him. The signification of this passage is similar to that of those which treat of the Lord's transfiguration, and of the light which then beamed from His face and His raiment (Matt. xvii. 2; Mark ix. 3; Luke ix. 28-37). By he stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain, is signified Jehovah's filling heaven and its inhabitants with the Divine truth, and thereby with intelligence. He layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, denotes His filling with the knowledges of truth and good those who are in the ultimate heaven and who are in the church; he maketh the clouds his chariot, signifies the doctrine of truth from the literal sense of the Word; the clouds denote that sense, and chariot denotes doctrine; He walketh upon the wings of the wind, signifies the spiritual sense of the Word contained in the literal sense.

[9] In Malachi:

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise and healing in his wings" (iv. 2).

The Sun of righteousness signifies the good of love, which is the celestial Divine; and the wings of Jehovah in which there is healing signify truth from that good, which is the spiritual Divine: healing denotes reformation thereby. [10] In Moses:

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, beareth them on her wings; so Jehovah alone doth lead him" (Deut. xxxii. 11, 12).

Here comparison is made with an eagle, because an eagle signifies intelligence, and wings signify the spiritual Divine, which is Divine truth, whence that intelligence is derived. [11] In Isaiah:

"They that wait for Jehovah renew their strength, they mount up with wings as eagles" (xl. 31).

To mount up with wings as eagles denotes to ascend into the light of heaven, which is Divine truth, or the spiritual Divine from which is intelligence.

[12] In Ezekiel:

"In the mountain of the height will I plant it, that it may lift up the bough and bear fruit, and become a magnificent cedar, that under it may dwell every bird of every wing" (xvii. 23).

By a magnificent cedar is signified the spiritual church; by every bird of every wing, are signified intellectual things which are derived from spiritual truths.

From these considerations it is now evident that the wings of the cherubim, both here and elsewhere in the Word, signify the spiritual Divine, which is the Divine truth instructing, regenerating and defending. [13] As also in Ezekiel:

"There were four faces to each "cherub," and four wings to each; their wings erect one to the other; each of them had wings covering their bodies. I heard the sound of the wings as it were the sound of great waters, as the voice of Shaddai; when they went, the voice of a tumult, as the voice of a camp; when they stood they let down their wings. I heard the voice of their wings kissing each the other, and the voice of wheels near them: the voice of the wings of the cherubim was heard at the court without, as the voice of God Shaddai; the likeness of hands was under their wings" (i. 4, 6, 23; iii. 13; x. 5, 21).

That wings here signify the spiritual Divine, which is the Divine truth of the Lord in His celestial kingdom, is evident from each particular of the above description. The wings being four, signifies the spiritual Divine in that kingdom; their wings being erect one to the other and kissing each other, signifies the association and conjunction of all who are in that kingdom by the Lord; the wings covering their bodies, signifies the spiritual Divine encompassing the celestial Divine; the sound of their wings being heard as the sound of great waters, and as the sound of wheels and as the voice of Shaddai, and the voice of the wings being heard even to the outer court, signifies the quality of the spiritual Divine, or of the Divine truth in the ultimate heaven; for voice is said of truth. Waters also signify truths, and the perception of them; wheels signify the truths of all doctrinals, because a chariot signifies doctrine. God Shaddai denotes truth rebuking in temptations, and afterwards consoling; the outer court denotes the ultimate heaven; the likeness of hands under the wings signifies the power of Divine truth.

[14] From these considerations it may also be seen what was signified by the wings of the cherubim which were upon the mercy-seat which was over the ark, concerning which it is thus written in Moses:

"Make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end; even of the mercy-seat shall ye make the cherubim on the two ends thereof. And the cherubim shall stretch forth their wings upwards, covering with their wings upon the mercy-seat, and their faces of a man to his brother; towards the mercy-seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the ark from above; and to the ark thou shalt give the testimony that I shall give thee" (Exod. xxv. 19-21).

By the cherubim here mentioned is in like manner signified the providence of the Lord as to guardianship, lest the highest heaven, or the celestial kingdom, should be approached except by the good of love from the Lord and to the Lord. By the testimony, or law, placed in the ark, is signified the Lord Himself; by the ark, the inmost or highest heaven; by the mercy-seat, the hearing and reception of all things of worship which are from the good of love, and expiation at the time; by the wings of the cherubim is signified the spiritual Divine in that heaven, or in that kingdom. By the wings being stretched forth upwards, and by their covering the mercy-seat, and their faces being toward it is signified reception itself and hearing (but these things may be seen more fully explained in Arcana Coelestia, from n. 9506-9546).

Because by the wings of the cherubim and their extremities is signified the Divine truth heard and received from the Lord, it therefore follows in Moses:

"And there I will meet thee; and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the sons of Israel" (verse 22 in the same chapter, and Numb. vii. 89).

[15] Because most expressions in the Word have also an opposite meaning, so also have wings, in which they signify falsities and reasonings from them; as in the Apocalypse:

"Out of the smoke of the pit of the abyss went forth locusts. And the voice of their wings was as the voice of chariots of many horses running to battle" (ix. 2, 3, 9).

Locusts signify falsities in extremes, and horses reasonings from them, and battle signifies the combat of falsity against truth; hence it is said, the voice of the wings of the locust was as the voice of chariots of many horses running to battle.

[16] In Hosea:

"Ephraim is joined to idols. Their wine is sour; in whoring they have committed whoredom. The wind hath bound her up in its wings, and they shall be ashamed of their sacrifices" (iv. 17-19).

By Ephraim is signified the Intellectual, such as it is with those within the church who are enlightened when they read the Word. By idols are signified falsities of doctrine, hence by Ephraim being joined to idols is signified the Intellectual perverted, and seizing on falsities; by their wine being sour is signified the quality of the truth of the church, wine denoting that truth; by their committing whoredom is signified their falsifying truths, whoredom denoting the falsification of truth; by the wind binding her up in its wings is signified reasonings from fallacies, whence come falsities. (What fallacies in spiritual things are may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 53). The same is signified by the wind in the wings of the women mentioned in Zechariah v. 9.

AE (Tansley) n. 284

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 284

284. And they were full of eyes within. That this signifies the Divine providence and guardianship, is evident from the signification of eyes, when said of the Lord, as being His Divine providence (concerning which see above, n. 68 and 152). The reason why guardianship is also signified is that cherubim have also that signification (n. 277).

AE (Tansley) n. 285

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 285

285. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy. That these words signify what is most holy proceeding from the Lord is evident from the signification of having no rest day and night, when said of the Divine providence and guardianship of the Lord signified by the four cherubim which appeared as four animals, as being universally and perpetually, because the Divine providence and guardianship of the Lord do not rest and cease to eternity; and from the signification of holy, holy, holy, as being what is most holy proceeding from the Lord; for by holy, thrice named, is signified most holy, for the reason that three in the Word signifies what is full, complete and continuous (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 2788, 4495, 7715). The same is signified by these things in Isaiah:

"I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his skirts filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain, he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, Jehovah Zebaoth; the whole earth is the fullness of his glory" (vi. 1-3).

By the seraphim here mentioned are signified things similar to those meant by the cherubim; and by the throne high and lifted up is signified the proceeding Divine, from which is heaven: by the skirts which filled the temple is signified the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, in the ultimates of heaven and in the church. By the wings with which the seraphim covered their faces and their feet, and with which they did fly, is signified the spiritual Divine in first principles and in ultimates, and the extension thereof on every side, thus omnipresence. By Holy, holy, holy, is signified what is most holy; that this is the Divine truth which fills all things is signified by the whole earth is full of his glory. (That glory is the Divine truth may be seen above, n. 33, and that the Lord is alone holy, and that holy is said of the Divine truth which proceeds from Him, may also be seen above, n. 204.)

AE (Tansley) n. 286

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 286

286. Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come. That this signifies who is the Infinite and the Eternal is evident from the signification of Almighty, as denoting that He is the Infinite, of which we shall speak presently, and from the signification of, who was, who is, and who is to come, as denoting that He is the Eternal (concerning which see above, n. 23). There are two things which can be predicated of Jehovah alone, that is, of the Lord - infinite and eternal; infinite, of His Being (esse), which is the Divine good of His Divine love; eternal, of His manifestation (existere) from that Being (esse), which is the Divine truth of His Divine wisdom. These two are Divine in themselves. From these the universe was created; therefore also all things in the universe have reference to good and truth, and good is everywhere the being (esse) of a thing, and truth is the manifestation (existere) therefrom; but these two in all things of the universe are finite. This is why it is here said "Lord God"; for Lord signifies the Divine good of the Divine love, and God the Divine truth of the Divine wisdom. (That Jehovah in the Word is called Lord from Divine good, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 4973, 9167, 9194; and that He is called God from Divine truth, n. 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167). From these considerations it is clear that Almighty signifies the Infinite, and that who was, who is, and who is to come signifies the Eternal.

AE (Tansley) n. 287

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 287

287. Verses 9-11. And when the animals gave glory and honour and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth unto the ages of the ages, the four-and-twenty elders fell down before him that sat upon the throne, and worshipped him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for thou hast created all things, and by thy will they are and were created. "And when the animals gave glory and honour and thanks," signifies, Divine truth and Divine good, also glorification: "to him that sitteth upon the throne, and who liveth unto the ages of the ages," signifies, from whom are all things of heaven and the church, and life eternal.

"The four and twenty elders fell down before him that sitteth upon the throne," signifies humiliation, and acknowledgment at the time by those who are in truth from good that all things of heaven and of the church are from the Lord: "and worshipped him that liveth unto the ages of the ages," signifies humiliation, and acknowledgment at the time, that life eternal is from the Lord: "and cast their crowns before the throne," signifies humiliation, and acknowledgment at the time, in heart, that there is nothing of good from themselves but that all is from the Lord.

"Saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power," signifies merit and justice, which pertain to the Lord's Divine Human, that from it is all Divine truth and Divine good, also salvation: "for thou hast created all things," signifies, that from Him are all existence and life, and heaven also to those who receive: "and by thy will they are, and were created," signifies, that by Divine Good they are, and by Divine truth they exist.

AE (Tansley) n. 288

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 288

288. (v. 9) And when the animals gave glory and honour and thanks. That this signifies Divine truth, Divine good and glorification, is evident from the signification of glory and honour, when said of the Lord, as being Divine truth and Divine good; glory denotes Divine truth, and honour Divine good, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of thanks, as being glorification. What is here meant by glorification shall be first explained. Glorification, when from the Lord, is the perpetual influx of Divine good united to Divine truth with angels and with men; and with both the former and the latter, glorification of the Lord is reception and acknowledgment in heart that all good and truth are from the Lord, and consequently all intelligence, wisdom and happiness; this is signified, in the spiritual sense, by giving thanks. All glorification also of the Lord which comes from the angels of heaven and the members of the church, is not from themselves, but flows into them from the Lord. The glorification which is from men and not from the Lord is not from the heart, but only from the activity of the memory, and so from the mouth; and what proceeds only from the memory and the mouth, and not by means of them from the heart, is not heard in heaven, consequently is not received by the Lord, but passes into the world like any other sonorous words. This glorification is not acknowledgment in heart that all good and all truth are from the Lord. It is said acknowledgment in heart, by which is meant from the life of the love; for the heart, in the Word signifies love, and love is a life according to the Lord's precepts. When man is in this life, then there is glorification of the Lord, which is the acknowledgment from the heart that all good and all truth are from the Lord.

This is also meant by being glorified in these words in John:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and that ye shall be my disciples" (xv. 7, 8).

[2] The reason why the four animals, which were cherubim, gave glory and honour and thanks, is that Divine truth and Divine good and glorification, which are signified by glory, honour and thanks, proceed and flow-in from the Lord; for those cherubim signify the Lord as to providence and guardianship (see above, n. 277). They were in the midst of the throne and about the throne (as is clear from the 6th verse of this chapter) and upon the throne was the Lord (verse 2). It is therefore evident that those things were from the Lord. But reception and acknowledgment in heart are meant by the words of the verse following, where it is said, that after these things were heard, "The four-and-twenty elders fell down before him that sat upon the throne, and worshipped him that liveth unto the ages of the ages, and cast their crowns before the throne."

[3] In the Word mention is frequently made of glory and honour, and glory everywhere signifies truth, and honour good. The reason why they are mentioned together is because in each particular of the Word there is the heavenly marriage, which is the conjunction of truth and good. And the reason why such marriage is in each particular of the Word is that the Divine which proceeds from the Lord is Divine truth united to Divine good; and because these together constitute heaven, and also the church, therefore they are together in every particular of the Word, and similarly, the Divine from the Lord, and the Lord Himself. This is why the Word is most holy. (That there is such a marriage in all things of the Word, may be seen above, n. 238, and in Arcana Coelestia, n. 2516, 2712, 3004, 3005, 3009, 4138, 5138, 5194, 5502, 6343, 7022, 7945, 8339, 9263, 9314). That glory signifies Divine truth from the Lord, may be seen above (n. 33). sRef Ps@96 @5 S4' sRef Ps@96 @6 S4' [4] That honour signifies Divine good, follows from what has been said concerning the heavenly marriage in every part of the Word; as is also evident from the following passages. In David:

"Jehovah made the heavens, glory and honour are before him, strength and beauty are in his sanctuary" (Ps. xcvi. 5, 6).

By the heavens is meant the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, because the heavens are from that; and because the Divine which proceeds, and which constitutes the heavens, is Divine truth and Divine good, it is therefore said, "glory and honour are before him"; by sanctuary is meant the church; the Divine good and the Divine truth therein are meant by strength and beauty. (That the Divine of the Lord constitutes the heavens, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12, and that the Divine of the Lord in the heavens is Divine truth and Divine good, n. 7, 13, 133, 137, 139, 140). sRef Ps@104 @1 S5' [5] Again:

"O Jehovah, God very great; thou art clothed with glory and honour" (Ps. civ. 1).

By being clothed with glory and honour, when said of Jehovah, is signified His girding Himself with Divine truth and Divine good, for these proceed from Him, and thence gird Him, and thus constitute the heavens; therefore in the Word they are called His garments and covering (as may be seen above, n. 65 and 271).

sRef Ps@111 @3 S6' sRef Ps@111 @2 S6' [6] Again:

"The works of Jehovah are great. Glory and honour are his work" (Ps. cxi. 2, 3).

By the works of Jehovah are meant all things that proceed from, and are effected by Him; and because they have reference to Divine truth and good, it is therefore said, "Glory and honour are his work." sRef Ps@145 @4 S7' sRef Ps@145 @12 S7' sRef Ps@145 @5 S7' [7] Again:

"Generation to generation shall praise thy works, and shall declare thy virtues. I will speak of the honour of the magnificence of thy glory, and will meditate on the words of thy wonders, and I will make known to the sons of men his virtues, and the glory of the honour of his kingdom" (Ps. cxlv. 4, 5, 12).

The honour of the magnificence of Thy glory, denotes the Divine good united to the Divine truth, and the glory of the honour, denotes the Divine truth united to the Divine good. The reason of this form of expression is that the union is reciprocal. For from the Lord proceeds the Divine good united to the Divine truth; but by the angels in heaven, and by men in the church, Divine truth is received, and is united to Divine good; hence it is said, the glory of the honour of his kingdom; for by His kingdom are meant heaven and the church.

sRef Ps@21 @6 S8' sRef Ps@21 @5 S8' [8] Again:

"Glory and honour thou wilt lay upon him. For thou makest him a blessing for ever" (Ps. xxi. 5, 6).

These things are spoken concerning the Lord, and by glory and honour upon Him are meant all Divine truth and Divine good. sRef Ps@45 @4 S9' sRef Ps@45 @3 S9' [9] Again:

"Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O powerful one, in thy glory and thine honour; in thine honour mount, ride upon the word of truth" (Ps. xlv. 3, 4).

This passage treats also of the Lord; and to gird the sword upon the thigh signifies Divine truth fighting from Divine good (that this is signified by a sword upon the thigh, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,488). And because from Divine truth He subjugated the hells, and brought the heavens into order, therefore it is said, O powerful one in glory and honour, and also, in honour mount and ride upon the word of truth. In honour mount and ride upon the word of truth signifies to act from Divine good by means of Divine truth. sRef Ps@8 @5 S10' [10] Again:

"Thou hast made him to lack a little of the angels, but thou hast crowned him with glory and honour" (Ps. viii. 5).

This also is spoken of the Lord. His state of humiliation is described by causing Him to lack a little of the angels, His state of glorification by His being crowned with glory and honour. By glorifying is meant the uniting of the Lord's Divine itself with His Human, and the making this latter also Divine. sRef Isa@35 @2 S11' sRef Isa@35 @1 S11' [11] In Isaiah:

"Be glad ye wilderness and dry place, and let the plain of the wilderness exult and flourish as a rose, in flourishing let it flourish and exult; the glory of Lebanon is given to it, the honour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of Jehovah and the honour of our God" (xxxv. 1, 2).

Here the enlightenment of the nations is treated of; their ignorance of truth and good is signified by the wilderness and the dry place; their joy in consequence of instruction in truths and enlightenment therefrom is signified by being glad, exulting and flourishing; the glory of Lebanon which shall be given to them signifies Divine truth; and the honour of Carmel and Sharon signifies the Divine good which they receive. It is therefore said that they shall see the glory of Jehovah and the honour of our God. sRef Rev@21 @25 S12' sRef Rev@21 @24 S12' [12] Again, in the Apocalypse:

"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it" (xxi. 24, 26).

This is said of the New Jerusalem, by which is signified the New Church in the heavens and on earth. By the nations therefore are signified all those who are in good; and by the kings of the earth are signified all those who are in truths from good; concerning both of these it is said that "they shall bring their glory and honour into it," by which is meant worship from the good of love to the Lord, and from the truths of faith which are from the good of charity towards the neighbour.

AE (Tansley) n. 289

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 289

289. To him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth unto the ages of the ages. That this signifies from whom are all things of heaven and of the church, and life eternal, is evident from the signification of throne when said of the Lord, as being in general the whole heaven, specifically the spiritual heaven, and, in the abstract, proceeding Divine truth. And because it is by means of Divine truth that the heavens exist, therefore by the throne here mentioned are signified all things of heaven and of the church (concerning which signification see what has been said above, n. 253); that He who sat upon the throne is the Lord, may be seen also above (n. 267, 268). The same is also, evident from the signification of living unto the ages of the ages, as denoting that eternal life is from Him (concerning which see above, n. 84); for by Him who liveth is signified that He alone is life, and consequently that the all of life with angels and men is from Him; and unto the ages of the ages signifies what is eternal. The reason of this signification is that the ages of the ages in the world signify times as to all the duration thereof, but in heaven, where times are not such as in the world, they signify what is eternal. For the sense of the letter of the Word consists of such things as are in the world, whereas the spiritual sense consists of such things as are in heaven, and this because the Divine terminates in the natural things of the world as in its ultimates, and rests in them and subsists upon them; hence it is that it is said, unto the ages of the ages, and not to eternity.

AE (Tansley) n. 290

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 290

290. (v. 10) The four-and-twenty elders fell down before him who sitteth upon the throne. That this signifies humiliation, and acknowledgment at the time, by those who are in truth from good, that all things of heaven and of the church are from the Lord is evident from the signification of falling down, as being humiliation, and acknowledgment in heart at the time, and from the signification of four-and-twenty elders, as being those who are in truths from good (concerning which see above, n. 270); and from the signification of him that sitteth on the throne, as being the Lord, from whom are all things of heaven and of the church (concerning which see just above, n. 289). In this verse and in the following verses of this chapter, the subject treated of is the reception of Divine truth and Divine good by the angels of heaven and by the members of the church; whereas, in the verse immediately preceding, the subject treated of is, that from the Lord proceed Divine good and Divine truth; this is signified by the animals giving glory and honour and thanks to Him that sitteth on the throne, and that liveth unto the ages of the ages (as may be seen above, n. 288). And reception and acknowledgment are signified by the elders falling down before Him that sat on the throne, and worshipping Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages; for by falling down are signified humiliation, reception and acknowledgment, and by the four-and-twenty elders are signified all those who are in truth from good, both in the heavens and on earth.

[2] It is to be noted that the reception of Divine truth and Divine good, and acknowledgment in heart that all things of heaven and of the church, and also life eternal, are from the Lord, are only granted to those who are in truth from good; the reason of this is that they alone are in love and faith; and those who are in love and faith are conjoined as to soul and heart to the Lord. The Lord flows into the soul and heart, and not into those things that are only from the memory and thence from the speech. For the memory is only the entrance to the man, and as a court by which he is entered; it is as the ruminatory stomach of birds and beasts, to which also the memory of man corresponds. Those things alone are in man that are in his will and thence in his understanding, or, what is the same, which are in his love and thence in his faith. Whether it be said of man that he is in good and truth, or in love and faith, it amounts to the same, because all good relates to love and all truth to faith.

AE (Tansley) n. 291

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 291

291. And worshipped him that liveth unto the ages of the ages. That this signifies humiliation, and acknowledgment in heart at the time that from the Lord is life eternal, is evident from the signification of falling down and worshipping, as being such humiliation and acknowledgment; and from the signification of that liveth unto the ages of the ages, as being that from the Lord is life eternal (concerning which see just above, n. 289). Humiliation, and acknowledgment in heart that all truth and all good are from the Lord, and hence all intelligence, wisdom and felicity, can be granted only to anyone while he is in a state of humiliation; for when anyone is in this state, he is removed from his proprium, and man's proprium neither receives nor acknowledges anything of good and of truth from the Lord, for it is nothing but evil, and evil rejects all the good and all the truth of heaven and the church. It may be seen therefore why there is humiliation, and whence it is that by falling down and worshipping is signified humiliation, and acknowledgment from the heart at the time.

AE (Tansley) n. 292

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 292

292. And cast their crowns before the throne. That this signifies humiliation and acknowledgment in heart at the time that nothing of good is from them, but that all is from the Lord, is evident from the signification of crown as being good and wisdom therefrom (concerning which see above, n. 272); and from the signification of casting their crowns before the throne, or laying them down there, as being to acknowledge, from humiliation, that the good thereby signified is not from themselves, but from the Lord alone; for to cast away is to renounce self; and to lay them down before the throne is to acknowledge that it is from the Lord alone. The good here signified by crowns is the good of love and of charity; this good flows in from the Lord alone, and is received by the angels of heaven and by the members of the church in truths from the Word. Truths from the Word, both with angels and with men, are in their memory; from this the Lord calls them out, and conjoins them to good, in proportion as the angel or the man is in the spiritual affection of truth; he has this affection when he lives according to truths from the Word; conjunction is effected in the interior or spiritual man, and thence in the exterior or natural man. This conjunction constitutes the church in man while on earth, and afterwards constitutes heaven in him. It is evident therefore that without such conjunction no one can be saved, and also that no conjunction of good and truth can be effected unless man lives a life of love; to live a life of love is to do the precepts of the Lord, for to love is to do, since what a man loves that he wills and that he does, but what he does not love that he does not will and therefore does not do.

AE (Tansley) n. 293

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 293

293. (v. 11) Saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power. That this signifies merit and justice pertaining to the Divine Human of the Lord, and that from it is all Divine truth, Divine good and salvation, is evident from the signification of thou art worthy, O Lord, as being the merit and justice pertaining to the Lord's Divine Human, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of glory and honour, when said of the Lord, as being Divine truth and Divine good which are from Him (concerning which see above, n. 288); and from the signification of power as being salvation. The reason why power here signifies salvation is that all Divine power respects salvation as an end; for a man is reformed, and afterwards introduced into heaven, and is there withheld from evil and falsity and held in good and truth, from the Divine power; and this no one can do but the Lord alone. Those who claim that power to themselves, are entirely ignorant of what salvation means, for they do not know what reformation is, nor what constitutes heaven with man; and to claim to themselves the Lord's power, is to claim power over the Lord Himself, which power is called the power of darkness (Luke xxii. 53). [2] That power, when said of the Lord, has chiefly respect to salvation, is evident from the following passages, as in John:

Jesus said, "Father thou hast given" to the Son "power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him" (xvii. 2).

Again:

"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (i. 12).

Again:

"I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing" (xv. 5).

In Mark:

"They were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one having authority" (i. 22).

And in Luke:

"With authority and power he commandeth the unclean Spirits, and they come out" (iv. 36).

The same may be seen in many other passages.

The Lord also has power over all things, because He is God alone; but the salvation of the human race is the principal object of power, because for the sake of that the heavens and all worlds were created, and salvation is the reception of the Divine proceeding. [3] The reason why by thou art worthy, O Lord, is signified the merit and justice which pertain to the Lord's Divine Human is that the words signify that He merited; and the merit of the Lord consists in the circumstance that when He was in the world He subjugated the hells and reduced to order all things in the heavens, and that He glorified His Human, and this from His own power, and thus saved all the human race who believe in Him, that is, who love to do His precepts (see John i. 12, 13). This merit is also called justice in the Word, and the Lord as to His Divine Human is thence called Jehovah our Justice (Jer. xxiii. 5, 6; xxxiii. 15, 16). (Concerning this merit, or this justice of the Lord, more may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 294; and in the references to Arcana Coelestia there, n. 300-306).

AE (Tansley) n. 294

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 294

294. Because thou hast created all things. That this signifies that from Him is all existence and life, and heaven for those who receive is evident from the signification of creating, as denoting not only that all things exist from the Lord, but also that all life is from Him. And because the spiritual sense of the Word treats only of heaven and the church, therefore by creating is here primarily signified to reform, thus to give heaven to those who receive, for this is to reform. (That the existence of all things is from the Lord, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 7-12 and 137; and that all life is from the Lord, n. 9, in the same work, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 278). But by creating, in this passage, is not signified natural existence and life, but spiritual existence and life; this latter is everywhere signified by creating, when mentioned in the Word; the reason is that the existence of heaven and earth is not the end of creation, but a means to the end. The end of creation is, that the human race may exist and that from it there may be an angelic heaven; this therefore being the end, to create signifies to reform, which is to give heaven to those who receive. Ends are what are meant in the spiritual sense of the Word, but, in the sense of the letter, only the means which involve ends are mentioned; in this manner does what is spiritual lie hidden in the letter of the Word.

[2] That to create signifies to reform and regenerate men, and so to establish the church, is evident from those passages in the Word where the term occurs; as in the following: In Isaiah:

"I will give in the wilderness the cedar of shittah, and the myrtle and the oil tree. That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it" (xli. 19, 20).

The subject here treated of is the establishment of the church among the nations; the wilderness signifies their not being in good because in ignorance of truth, for all good into which man is reformed is imparted only by truths. The cedar of shittah signifies genuine truths; the myrtle and the oil tree signify spiritual good and celestial good. It is evident therefore what is signified by giving in the wilderness the cedar of shittah, the myrtle and the oil tree, when treating of the nations who are not in the good of heaven and of the church, because in ignorance of truths. That they may see, and know, and consider and understand together, signifies the knowledges, understanding, perception and affection of the love of good and truth; from these significations it is evident that by the Holy One of Israel creating this is signified reformation; consequently, that to create is to reform.

[3] In the same:

"Thus saith Jehovah, thy Creator, O Jacob, and thy Former, O Israel; for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth; even every one that is called by my name I have created for my glory, I have formed and made. I, Jehovah, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King" (xliii. 1, 6, 7, 15).

The subject here treated of is also the establishment of the church among the nations; and from their reformation, Jehovah, is called creator and former; therefore it is said, "I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the end of the earth, signifies the nations that are out of the church but which receive its truths and goods from the Lord; from far, and from the end of the earth, signifying those who are out of the church, earth denoting the church, sons those who receive truths, and daughters those who receive goods; these are said to be created, formed and made for glory. Glory is the Divine truth which they receive. [4] In David:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a firm spirit in the midst of me" (Ps. li. 10).

To create a clean heart signifies to reform as to the good of love; to renew a firm spirit in the midst of me, signifies to reform as to the truth of faith; for heart signifies the good of love, and spirit a life according to Divine truth, which is the faith of truth.

[5] Again:

"Wherefore hast thou created the sons of man in vain? Lord, where are thy former mercies?" (Ps. lxxxix. 47, 49).

To create the sons of man signifies to reform by means of Divine truth; the sons of man are all those who are in Divine truths, thus in the abstract Divine truths themselves. [6] Again:

"The nations shall fear the name of Jehovah, and all the kings of the earth thy glory, because Jehovah hath built up Zion; it shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which shall be created shall praise Jah" (Ps. cii. 15, 16, 18).

This passage treats of reformation. By the nations which shall fear the name of Jehovah are meant those who are in good; and by the kings of the earth, those who are in truths from good. By building Zion is signified to establish the church, Zion denoting the church; by the people which shall be created and shall praise Jah, are signified all those who are reformed. [7] Again:

"Thou givest to them, they gather; thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the faces of the earth" (Ps. civ. 28, 30).

That to create here denotes to reform is evident; for by giving, and their gathering is signified that they receive the truths which are given by the Lord. By thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good is signified that they receive the good that flows from the Lord; by thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created, is signified that they are reformed as to life according to Divine truth; and by thou renewest the faces of the earth, is signified the establishment of the church.

[8] In Isaiah:

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; God from eternity; Jehovah, the creator of the ends of the earth, is not weary" (xl. 26, 28).

Here also reformation is treated of, which is signified by creating; by the host which Jehovah bringeth out are signified all truths and goods; by calling them all by name is signified reception according to the quality of every one; by creating the ends of the earth is signified the establishment of the church, thus the reformation of those who are therein. [9] In Ezekiel:

"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God, every precious stone was thy covering, in the days in which thou wast created, they were prepared. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day in which thou wast created, until perversity was found in thee" (xxviii. 13, 15).

These things are spoken of the king of Tyre, by whom are signified those who are in truths and thence in good; concerning whom it is said that they had been in the garden of God, and that every precious stone was their covering. By the garden of God is signified intelligence, and by the precious stones which are also named in the passage are signified the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good; these are called a covering, became they are in the natural man, and the natural man covers the spiritual. These are said to have been prepared in the day in which they were created, that is in the day in which they were reformed: hence it is evident what is meant by thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created.

[10] In Isaiah:

"Jehovah will create upon every dwelling of Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud by day and the shining of a flame of fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a covering" (iv. 5).

By Zion is signified the church as to the Word; the internal or spiritual sense of the Word, as to good, is meant by the dwelling thereof; the external or literal sense, as to truths, is meant by the cloud by day, and as to good, by the shining of a flame of fire by night. This sense, because it covers, and is the repository of, the spiritual sense, is called a covering upon all the glory, glory denoting the spiritual sense; these are also said to be created, because they are the truths of heaven and the church. [11] In Malachi:

"Hath not one God created us? wherefore do we act perfidiously?" (ii. 10).

Because by created us is signified reformed, that they might be a church, it is therefore said, "wherefore do we act perfidiously?"

[12] In Isaiah:

"Thus saith God, Jehovah, he that createth the heavens, and stretcheth them out; he that spreadeth forth the earth, giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein" (xlii. 5).

By creating the heavens and stretching them out, and by spreading forth the earth, is signified to reform; by the heavens are signified both the heavens and the internals of the church - the internals of the church also are heavens with those who are in them; the earth signifies the externals of the church, which are said to be spread forth when truths from good are multiplied: that reformation by truths is hereby signified is evident, for it is said, "he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein."

[13] In the same:

"Jehovah, creating the heavens, forming the earth and making it. He hath not created it an emptiness, he formed it to be inhabited" (xlv. 12, 18).

By heavens and by earth, and by creating, are signified similar things as in the passage adduced above. By not creating it an emptiness is signified that it is not without truth and good, in which they are who are reformed; the lack of these is emptiness. By he hath formed it to be inhabited, is signified that they should live according to good and truth, and from them; for to inhabit signifies to live. [14] Again:

"Behold, I create a new heaven and a new earth. Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I am about to create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people gladness" (lxv. 17, 18).

By creating a new heaven and a new earth are not meant the visible heaven and the habitable earth, but a new church, internal and external, heaven denoting the internal of the church, and earth its external (what the internal of the church is, and what the external, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 246); therefore it is said, "behold, I am about to create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people gladness." Jerusalem is the church, rejoicing its delight from good, and gladness its delight from truth. Similar things are signified by the new heavens and the new earth in the same prophet (lxvi. 22), and by the new heaven and the new earth in the Apocalypse (xxi. 1). [15] And similarly by the things in the first chapter of Genesis:

"In the beginning Jehovah created the heaven and the earth; and the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the faces of the abyss. And the spirit of God moved upon the faces of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God created man into his own image, into the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (i. 1-3, 27).

This passage treats of the establishment of the first church on this earth; the reformation of the members of that church, as to their internal, and as to their external state, is meant by the creation of the heaven and the earth. That there was no church before, because men were without good and without truth, is signified by the earth being void and empty; and that they were then in dense ignorance and also in falsities, is signified by the darkness upon the faces of the abyss; their first enlightenment is signified by the spirit of God moving upon the faces of the waters, and by God saying, "Let there be light, and there was light." By the spirit of God is signified Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and by moving upon the faces of the waters is signified enlightenment; the same is signified by light; and by there was light is signified the reception of Divine truth. That God created man into His own image signifies that he was in the love of good and truth, and corresponded to heaven as its likeness. For the love of good and truth is an image of God, and hence also the angelic heaven is an image of God; therefore, in the sight of the Lord, it is as one man (as may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 59-67, 68-72, 73-77, 78-86, 87-102). That He created them male and female signifies that He reformed them as to truth and as to good; male, in the Word, denotes truth, and female denotes good. From these considerations it is evident that it is not the creation of heaven and earth, but the new creation and reformation of those who composed the first church, which is described in this chapter and in the following chapters; and that similar things are there meant by the creation of heaven and earth as by the creation of the new heaven and new earth in the passages above adduced.

[16] That creation in the Word signifies reformation and the establishment of the church, which is effected by the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord is also evident from these words in John:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. And the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory" (i. 1-5, 9, 10, 14).

By the Word is here meant the Lord as to Divine truth. That all things were created by the Divine truth is meant by these words, "all things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made"; also by these, "the world was made by him." And since by the Word is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, it is therefore said, "in him was life, and the life was the light of men; that was the true light"; light signifying Divine truth, and life all intelligence and wisdom therefrom; for this constitutes man's essential life, and life eternal is according to it. The presence of the Lord as Divine truth, with every one, from which come life and light, is meant by the light shining in darkness and enlightening every man that cometh into the world; but that those who are in the falsities of evil do not perceive, consequently, do not receive that truth, is meant by the darkness not comprehending, and by the world knowing him not; for darkness signifies the falsities of evil. That it is the Lord as to the Divine Human who is here meant by the Word is clearly manifest, for it is said, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory," glory also signifying Divine truth. (That all things were created by means of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, which is here meant by the Word, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 137, 139; and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 263). Hence also it is clear that to make or create here also signifies to make man new or to reform him; for here, as in the book of Genesis, mention is immediately made of light. (That by light is signified that proceeding Divine truth whereby all are reformed, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell, n. 126-140, and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 49).

AE (Tansley) n. 295

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 295

295. And by thy will they are, and were created. That this signifies that by means of the Divine good they are, and by means of the Divine truth they exist, is evident from the signification of will, when said of the Lord, as being Divine love; and from the signification of are, or being (esse), as being the good of love, in this case, the Divine good of the Divine love received (concerning which we shall speak presently); and from the signification of they were created, or being created, as being the Divine truth also received, thus those who are reformed by it. The reason why to be created signifies to exist is that those alone are said to exist who are reformed, for in them is life, and they have intelligence and wisdom; whereas those who are not reformed have not life in them but spiritual death, neither have they intelligence and wisdom, but insanity and folly, hence they cannot be said to exist. Everything which appears to any of the senses may indeed be said to exist, but it cannot be said of man spiritually, unless he be in good and truth; for man was created that he might be alive, intelligent and wise; consequently, when he is dead, he is insane and foolish, and so far as this is the case with him, he does not exist. There are two things which constitute man, namely good and truth, and both are from the Lord; good is the being (esse) of life, but truth is the manifestation (existere) of life therefrom, for all truth exists from good, because it is the form of good, and hence the quality of good; and whereas good is the being (esse) of life, and truth is the manifestation (existere) of life therefrom, and by being created is signified to exist, it is therefore said, "by thy will they are, and were created." This, then, is the spiritual content of these words.

[2] The reason why will, when said of the Lord, denotes Divine love is, that the essential Divine, from which all things exist, is the Divine love; hence the Lord appears before the angels as a Sun, fiery and flaming, the ground and reason of which is, that love, in the spiritual world, appears as fire; this is why fire in the Word, when said of the Lord, of heaven, or of the church, signifies love. From that Sun in the heavens proceed heat and light; and the heat there is Divine good proceeding, and the light is Divine truth proceeding. (These things are more fully shown in the work, Heaven and Hell, concerning the Sun of heaven, n. 116-125; and concerning heat and light in heaven, n. 126-140). And because the essential Divine from which all things exist is Divine love, therefore will also, when said of the Lord, denotes Divine love, for what love itself wills is the good of love; the truth which is called the truth of faith being only a means that good may exist, and that the truth of faith may afterwards exist from good. From this origin man possesses will and understanding; the will is the receptacle of the good of love with him, and the understanding is the receptacle of the truth of faith with him; the understanding is the means by which the will may be reformed, and by which afterwards the will may appear in form, such as it is by means of the understanding. Hence also it is evident that the will is the being (esse) of man's life, and the understanding is the manifestation (existere) of life therefrom. (But these things may also, be seen more fully shown in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, where the will and understanding are treated of, n. 28-35). [3] Because the will of man is his love, and the will of God is the Divine love, it is plain what is meant in the spiritual sense by doing the will of God, and the will of the Father, viz., that it is to love God above all things and the neighbour as oneself. And because to love is to will, so also it is to do, for what a man loves that he wills, and what he wills he also does. Hence, by doing the will of God, or of the Father is meant to do His precepts, or to live according to them, from the affection of love or charity.

This is what is meant by the will of God and of the Father in the following passages.

In John:

"God heareth not sinners; but if any man worshippeth God, and doeth his will, him he heareth" (ix. 31).

In Matthew (that he who does the will of the Father who is in the heavens, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens):

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens" (vii. 21).

Again:

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven so upon the earth" (vi. 10).

And again:

"It is not the will of the Father that one of the little ones should perish" (xviii. 14).

That it's not being His will that one of the little ones should perish, denotes love, is evident. It is said "The will of your Father" because the Father denotes the Divine good. In John:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (xv. 7),

The reason why it is said that whatsoever they should will and ask, should be done to those who abide in the Lord, and in whom His words abide, is that in such case they will nothing but what the Lord gives them to will, and this is good, and good is from Himself. [4] The will of the Lord is called His good pleasure in the Old Testament, and in like manner signifies the Divine love; and to do His good pleasure, or His will, signifies to love God and the neighbour, thus to live according to the Lord's precepts, because this is to love God and the neighbour. And this also descends from the Lord's love; for no one can love the Lord and the neighbour, except from the Lord, for this is the very essential good pertaining to man, and all good is from the Lord. That good pleasure has this signification is clear from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"In mine anger I smote thee, but in my good pleasure have I had mercy on thee" (lx. 10).

By smiting in anger is signified temptation; and by having mercy in good pleasure is signified deliverance, from love (having mercy, is doing good to the needy from love).

[5] In David:

"My prayer is unto thee, O Jehovah, in the time of thy good pleasure; O God, in the greatness of thy mercy answer me, in the truth of thy salvation" (Ps. lxix. 13).

The time of the good pleasure of Jehovah signifies acceptance from love; time signifies the existing state when said of men, but perpetually existing when said of Jehovah, thus His love, because this is perpetual. Hearing and help springing from love by the proceeding Divine which is Divine truth is signified by in the greatness of thy mercy answer me, in the truth of thy salvation. [6] In Isaiah:

"Jehovah said, In the time of good pleasure have I heard thee, and in the day of salvation have I helped thee" (xlix. 8).

By the time of good pleasure, or will, also here is signified the Divine love; and to answer signifies to bring aid, and to benefit. [7] In the same:

"To proclaim the year of the good pleasure of Jehovah, to comfort all that mourn" (lxi. 2).

Here the subject is the advent of the Lord, and by the year of his good pleasure is signified the time and state of the members of the church, when they must be aided from love; therefore it is also said, to comfort all that mourn.

[8] In David:

"Thou wilt bless the just; with good pleasure wilt thou compass him as with a shield" (Ps. v. 12).

Here good pleasure manifestly means the Divine love, from which the Lord protects every one; His protection from love is signified by, thou wilt compass him as with a shield. [9] Again:

Jehovah "opening his hand and satisfying every living thing with good pleasure" (Ps. cxlv. 16).

Here by opening the hand is signified to gift with good; and by satisfying every living thing with good pleasure is signified, from love to enrich with Divine truth all who receive life from Him. [10] In Moses:

"Of the precious things of the earth and of the fulness thereof, and for the good pleasure of him who dwelleth in the bush, let them come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the head of the Nazarite of his brethren; of Naphtali, satisfied with the good of pleasure and the blessing of Jehovah " (Deut. xxxiii. 16, 23).

By Joseph, in the highest sense, is signified the Lord as to the spiritual Divine, in the internal sense the spiritual kingdom, and, in the external sense, salvation, fructification of good and multiplication of truth (as may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). Hence it is evident what is signified by the precious things of the earth and the fulness thereof, and the good pleasure of him that dwelleth in the bush, belonging to Joseph. The precious things of the earth denote the spiritual goods and truths pertaining to the church, the earth denoting the church; the good pleasure of him that dwelleth in the bush is the Lord's Divine love of truth, the bush in which the Lord also appeared before Moses signifies that Divine love. The head of Joseph signifies the wisdom pertaining to the internal man, and the crown of the head of the Nazarite of his brethren signifies the intelligence and knowledge (scientia) belonging to the external man. Naphtali, so called from strugglings, signifies temptations, and consolation and benediction from the Divine love after them, which are meant by being satisfied with the good pleasure and the blessing of Jehovah.

[11] In Isaiah:

"Wilt thou call this a fast, and a day of the good pleasure of Jehovah? Is it not to break thy bread to the hungry, and when thou seest the naked that thou cover him?" (lviii. 5, 7).

That by the good pleasure of Jehovah, when said of men, is signified to live according to His precepts, which is to love God and the neighbour (as said above), is evident; for it is said that His good pleasure is that they should break their bread to the hungry and cover the naked. By breaking bread to the hungry is signified from love to do good to the neighbour who desires good; and by covering the naked is signified to instruct in truths him who desires to be instructed. [12] In David:

"I have desired to do thy good pleasure (or thy will), my God, and thy law is in my bowels" (Ps. xl. 8).

Again:

"Teach me to do thy good pleasure; let thy good spirit lead me in the land of uprightness" (Ps. cxliii. 10).

And again:

"Bless ye Jehovah, all ye his hosts; ye his ministers who do his good pleasure" (Ps. ciii. 21).

To do the good pleasure of Jehovah God signifies to live according to His precepts; this is His good pleasure, or will, because from Divine love He wills that all may be saved, and by this they are saved. The word good pleasure, in the Hebrew tongue, also signifies will; for whatever is done according to the will is well pleasing, and the Divine love wills no other than that the love which is from Himself may be with angels and men, and His love is with them, when they love to live according to His precepts. That this is to love the Lord, He himself teaches in John (xiv. 15, 21, 23, 24; xv. 10, 14; xxi. 15, 16).

[13] That will signifies love in the opposite sense, namely, the love of evil and the love of falsity, is evident in John:

As many as received Jesus, "to them gave he power to become the sons of God, to them that believe in his name; who were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (i. 12, 13).

To believe in the name of the Lord signifies to live according to the precepts of His doctrine. (That the name of the Lord signifies all those things by which He is worshipped, consequently all those things that appertain to love and faith, may be seen above, n. 102, 135.) Who are not [born] of bloods signifies those who are not in a life contrary to good and truth; nor of the will of the flesh signifies those who are not in the love of evil; who are not [born] of the will of man (vir) signifies those who are not in the love of falsity. (That flesh, when said of man, denotes his voluntary proprium, consequently evil, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 148, 149, 780, 999, 3813, 8409, 10,283; and that man (vir) denotes the intellectual proprium of man, which is falsity, may be seen, n. 4823).

AE (Tansley) n. 296

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 296

296. CHAPTER V.

1. AND I saw the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, a book written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3. And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

4. And I wept much, that no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look therein.

5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion which is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8. And when he had taken the book, the four animals and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue, and people and nation;

10. And thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the animals and the elders: and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands;

12. Saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13. And every created thing, which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and strength, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb to ages of ages.

14. And the four animals said, Amen. And the four-and-twenty elders fell down and adored him that liveth unto ages of ages.

THE EXPLANATION.

VERSE 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, a book written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne," signifies the Lord as to omnipotence and as to omniscience: "a book written within and on the back," signifies the state of life of all in heaven and on earth, in general and in particular: "sealed with seven seals," signifies, altogether hidden.

AE (Tansley) n. 297

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 297

297. (v. 1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. That this signifies the Lord as to omnipotence and as to omniscience, is evident from the signification of the right hand when said of the Lord, as denoting omnipotence and also omniscience (concerning which we shall speak presently): and from the signification of Him that sat upon the throne, as denoting the Lord as to Divine good in heaven. For throne signifies heaven in general, specifically the spiritual heaven, and, in the abstract, the Divine truth proceeding, from which heaven is, and by which judgment is effected (as may be seen above, n. 253). The reason why the Lord is meant by Him that sat upon the throne, and also by the Lamb which took the book from Him that sat upon the throne, is, because by Him that sat upon the throne is meant the Lord as to Divine good, and by the Lamb the Lord as to Divine truth: for there are two things that proceed from the Lord as the Sun of heaven, namely, Divine good and Divine truth. Divine good from the Lord is called the Father in the heavens, and this is meant by Him that sat upon the throne; and Divine truth from the Lord is called the Son of man, but in this case the Lamb. And because Divine good judges no one, but Divine truth, it is therefore said here, that the Lamb took the book from Him that sat upon the throne. That the Divine good judges no one, but Divine truth, is meant by the Lord's words in John:

"The Father judgeth no one, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, because he is the Son of man" (v. 22, 27).

By the Father is meant the Lord as to Divine good; and by the Son of man, the Lord as to Divine truth. The reason why Divine good judges no one, is, because it explores no one: but Divine truth [judges], for this explores every one. But still it must be known that the Lord Himself does not judge any one from the Divine truth that proceeds from Him, for this is united to the Divine good, so that they are one, but that a man-spirit judges himself: for it is the Divine truth received by him that judges him; and because it appears as if the Lord judges him, it is therefore said in the Word that all are judged by the Lord. This also the Lord teaches in John:

Jesus said, "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejected me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the Word that I have spoken, it shall judge him in the last day" (xii. 47, 48).

[2] For with respect to judgment, the case is this: the Lord is present with all, and from Divine love wills to save all and also turns and leads all to Himself. Those who are in good, and thence in truths, follow, for they apply themselves; but those who are in evil, and thence in falsities, do not follow, but turn themselves away from the Lord, and to turn themselves away from the Lord is [to turn] from heaven to hell; for every man spirit is either his own good and the truth thence, or he is his own evil and the falsity thence. He who is in good and the truth therefrom, suffers himself to be led by the Lord; but he who is in evil and the falsity thence, does not suffer himself to be led. The latter resists with all his might and effort; for he wills according to his own love, which inspires and animates him; therefore his desire is to those who are in a similar love of evil. Hence it is evident that the Lord judges no one, but that the Divine truth received judges to heaven those who have received Divine truth in the heart, that is, in the love: and to hell those who have not received Divine truth in the heart, and have denied it. From these considerations it is evident how the Lord's words must be understood. "All judgment is [given] to the Son, because he is the Son of man." And elsewhere, that "he came not to judge the world but to save the world, and that the Word which he has spoken will judge him."

[3] But these things are such as do not fall into man's own intelligence, for they are amongst the arcana of the wisdom of the angels. This subject, however, is in some measure elucidated in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 545-551, where this fact is treated of, that the Lord casts no one into hell, but that the spirit himself [casts] himself thither. That it is the Lord who is meant "by him that sat upon the throne," and not another whom they distinguish from Him, and call God the Father, is evident to every one from this consideration, that there was no other Divine which the Lord called Father, but His own Divine: for this assumed the Human, therefore this was His Father; and that this is infinite, eternal, uncreate, omnipotent, God, Lord, and in nothing differing from the very Divine, which they distinguish from Him and call "the Father," is evident from the received faith, called the Athanasian; where it is also said, That none of them is greatest and least, and none of them first and last, but that they are altogether equal; and that as one is, so is the other, infinite, eternal, uncreate, omnipotent, God, Lord: and yet there are not three infinites, but one: not three eternals, but one: not three uncreate, but one: not three omnipotents, but one: not three Gods and Lords, but one.

These things are mentioned, in order that it may be known that there are not two distinct [beings] meant by "Him that sat upon the throne," and by "the Lamb," nor in what follows "by God" and "the Lamb" but that by the one is meant the Divine good, and by the other the Divine truth in heaven, both proceeding from the Lord. That the Lord is meant by Him that sat upon the throne, also appears from all the particulars of chapter four, where a throne and one sitting thereon is treated of; this may be seen explained, n. 258-295: and, moreover, in Matthew:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory" (xxv. 31: xix. 28, 29).

Again in Ezekiel:

"And above the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man sitting upon it" (i. 26; x. 1)

And in Isaiah:

"I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his borders filled the temple" (vi. 1).

[4] Because by a throne is signified heaven, and by one sitting upon a throne, the Lord as to His Divine in heaven, therefore it is said above (in chap. iii.), "To him that overcometh, I will give to sit with me on my throne," by which is signified that he shall be in heaven where the Lord is (as may be seen above, n. 253); and therefore in what follows in this chapter, it is said,

"I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne a Lamb standing" (v. 6).

And in chapter xxii.,

"He shewed me a river of the water of life, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (v. 1).

By the throne of God and of the Lamb, is meant heaven and the Lord there, as to Divine good, and as to Divine truth; God there denoting the Lord as to Divine good; and the Lamb, as to Divine truth. There is a distinction made here between them, because there are those who receive one more than the other; those who receive the Divine truth in good are saved; but those who receive the Divine truth, which is the Word, not in good, are not saved, because all Divine truth is in good, and nowhere else. Therefore those who do not receive it in good, reject and deny it, if not openly yet tacitly, and if not with the mouth yet with the heart; for the heart of such is evil, and evil rejects. To receive Divine truth in good, is to receive it in the good of charity; for those who are in that good receive.

AE (Tansley) n. 298

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 298

298. The right hand, when said of the Lord, signifies both omnipotence and omniscience, because there the south is at the right in heaven, and the north is at the left; and by the south is signified Divine truth in light, and by the north Divine truth in shade. And because Divine good has all power by means of the Divine truth, therefore by the right hand, when said of the Lord, omnipotence is signified; and because as Divine good has all intelligence and wisdom by means of Divine truth, and to the right in heaven is Divine truth in light as has been said, therefore, by the right hand, when said of the Lord, is also signified omniscience. That the south is at the right in heaven and that there Divine truth is in light, and that those who are there are in intelligence and wisdom; and that the north is at the left there, and that there Divine truth is in shade, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, where the four quarters in heaven are treated of (n. 141-153). That all power is from Divine good by means of Divine truth, may be seen in the same work, where the subject treated of is concerning the power of the angels of heaven (n. 228-235): also, that all intelligence and wisdom are from Divine good by means of Divine truth, may be seen in the same work, where the subject treated of is concerning the wisdom of the angels of heaven (n. 265-275): and concerning the wise and simple in heaven (n. 346-356).

[2] That the right hand, when said of the Lord, signifies both omnipotence and omniscience, and when said of men, power and wisdom, is evident from the following passage. In David:

"The north and the right hand thou hast created them; Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm; strong is thy hand, and thy right hand shall be exalted. Justice and judgment are the support of thy throne; mercy and truth shall stand together before thy faces" (lxxxix. 12-14).

That by the right hand is here meant the south, is evident, for it is said, the north and the right hand, thou hast created; and the south signifies the Divine truth in light, thus in the highest sense (in which the Lord is spoken of) the omnipotence and omniscience, which Divine good has by means of Divine truth, as has been said above. Because both, omnipotence as well as omniscience, are signified, it is therefore said, Tabor and Hermon, justice and judgment, mercy and truth. Tabor and Hermon here signify those who are in Divine good and in Divine truth: justice and judgment signify Divine good and Divine truth, and similarly mercy and truth; by both together, in the spiritual sense, is signified Divine good by Divine truth. Omnipotence and omniscience, which Divine good has by means of Divine truth, are signified by "Thou hast a mighty arm," and by "strong is Thy hand, and Thy right hand shall be exalted."

[3] Again:

"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget" (Ps. cxxxvii. 5).

Jerusalem signifies the church as to the doctrine of Divine truth; and the right hand of Jehovah, Divine truth in light, because those are at the right hand of the Lord in heaven who are in light and in wisdom from Divine truth, as was said above: hence it is evident why it is said, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget."

[4] Again:

"I was foolish and ignorant. But I am always with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou guidest me by thy counsel, and afterwards receivest me in glory" (Ps. lxxiii. 22-24).

Forasmuch as by the right hand, when said of man, is signified wisdom which is from Divine truth, it is therefore said, "I was foolish and ignorant; Thou guidest me in thy counsel, and afterwards receivest me in glory." To guide by counsel, is to lead by means of Divine truth: and to receive in glory, is to bless with intelligence: for glory, when said of the Lord, signifies Divine truth and Divine wisdom, but when said of man, it signifies intelligence therefrom.

[5] Again:

"Jehovah is thy keeper; Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night" (Ps. cxxi. 5, 6).

To be a shade on the right hand, signifies to be a defence against evil and falsity. Shade is used there for a shady place to preserve from hurt, and the right hand for power and wisdom from Divine truth, which would be hurt by evil and falsity unless the Lord defended. Because these things are signified, therefore it is said, "the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night." By the sun is there signified the love of self, and thence all evil; and by the moon the falsity of evil. (That these things are signified by the sun and moon, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 122, 123; and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 2441, 7078, 8487, 9755, 10,130, 10,189, 10,420, 10,702). [6] Again:

"Let thy hand, Jehovah, be before the man of thy right hand, before the son of man whom thou hast made strong for thyself" (Ps. lxxx. 17).

"Let thy hand, Jehovah," means for a guard from omnipotence and omniscience: "the man of the right hand" for whom there is a guard, signifies the wise; and "the son of man," the intelligent, both by means of Divine truth.

[7] Again:

"Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty, in thy grace and in thine honour. In thine honour, mount up, ride on the Word of truth, of meekness, and of justice; thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things. Kings' daughters are among thine excellent; at thy right hand shall stand the queen in the best gold of Ophir" (xlv. 3, 4, 9).

These things are said concerning the Lord. To gird the sword upon the thigh, signifies Divine truth combating from Divine good; wherefore it is said, "O mighty, in thy grace and in thine honour": by grace is signified Divine truth; and by honour, Divine good (as may be seen above, n. 131, 288). It is also likewise said, "In thine honour, mount up, ride on the Word of truth." In honour to mount up, signifies to combat from Divine good, and to ride upon the Word of truth signifies to combat from Divine truth, thus from Divine good by means of Divine truth. The Lord's omnipotence and omniscience are signified by "Thy right hand shall teach thee wonderful things." "The kings' daughters among the excellent," signify affections of truth, and "the queen who is at the right hand in the best gold of Ophir," signifies heaven and the church, and those therein who are in truths from good, the right hand denoting truth in light, and gold of Ophir the good of love.

[8] Again:

"The saying of Jehovah unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his anger" (Ps. cx. 1, 5; Matt. xxii. 44; Mark xii. 36; Luke xx. 42, 43).

That these things are said concerning the Lord is well known. Thereby is described the Lord's combat in the world against the hells, and the subjugation which was effected from Divine good by means of Divine truth. The right hand there signifies Divine truth; wherefore it is said, "until I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet." By enemies are signified the hells: by making them the footstool of the feet is signified to subjugate entirely. The same is signified by "the Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his anger": the day of anger denoting a state of combat, and kings those who are in falsities from evil. (That the Lord, when He was in the world, put on Divine truth from Divine good, and that He thereby subjugated the hells, and disposed all things in the heavens into order, may be seen in the small work concerning the Last Judgment, n. 46: and in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 294, 301, 303.)

[9] In the Evangelists:

"Jesus said, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hands of power" (Matt. xxvi. 63, 64; Mark xiv. 61, 62; Luke xxii. 69).

And in Mark:

"The Lord after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God" (xvi. 19).

To sit at the right hands of power, and at the right hand of God, signifies the omnipotence and omniscience which belong to the Lord from Divine good by means of the Divine truth.

[10] In Isaiah:

"I have strengthened thee, I have also helped thee by the right hand of my justice. I, Jehovah God, strengthening thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I help thee" (xli. 10, 13).

"I have strengthened thee, I have also helped thee," signifies to give power and intelligence from the omnipotence and omniscience, which are from Divine good by means of Divine truth: hence it is said, "I have upheld thee by the right hand of my justice." By the right hand is signified Divine truth, and by justice Divine good. To strengthen the right hand signifies the power and wisdom which man has thence; because both omnipotence and omniscience, which belong to the Lord from Divine good by means of the Divine truth, are here meant, He is therefore called Jehovah God; for the Lord is called Jehovah from Divine good, and God from Divine truth. (As may be seen, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167.)

[11] Again:

"Jehovah hath said to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings to open before him doors that the gates may not be shut" (xlv. 1).

By Cyrus, in a representative sense, is meant the Lord. His omnipotence and omniscience from Divine good by means of Divine truth, from which in the world He subjugated all the hells, and afterwards keeps them subjugated for ever, is signified by "whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings": also, by "to open before him doors that the gates may not be shut." By the nations which should be subdued before Him, are signified the hells as to evils; and by the kings whose loins He should loose, are signified the hells as to falsities; by the doors which should be open before Him that the gates may not be shut, is signified that from omniscience all things are manifest to Him, and that from omnipotence He has the power of saving.

sRef Ps@18 @35 S12' sRef Ps@118 @16 S12' sRef Rev@1 @16 S12' sRef Isa@62 @8 S12' sRef Ps@118 @15 S12' sRef Isa@48 @13 S12' sRef Ps@16 @8 S12' sRef Ps@48 @10 S12' [12] By the right hand are signified the omniscience and omnipotence which belong to the Lord from Divine good by means of the Divine truth, also in the following passages:

In David:

"Jehovah continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psalm xvi. 8).

Again:

O God, "Thy right hand sustains me" (Psalm xviii. 35).

Again:

"O God, thy right hand is full of justice" (Psalm xlviii. 10).

In Isaiah:

"My hand hath founded the earth and my right hand hath spanned the heavens" (xlvii. 13).

Again:

God "hath sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength" (lxii. 8).

And in the Apocalypse,

The Son of man "having in his right hand seven stars" (i. 16).

In David:

"The right hand of Jehovah doeth valour: the right hand of Jehovah [is] exalted" (cxviii. 15, 16).

sRef Matt@25 @34 S13' sRef Matt@25 @33 S13' sRef Mark@16 @5 S13' sRef Luke@1 @11 S13' sRef Mark@16 @6 S13' [13] Because by the right hand, when said of angels and men, are meant the wisdom and the intelligence which they have from Divine good by means of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, therefore

The angel of the Lord was seen by Zechariah standing at the right hand of the altar of incense (Luke i. 11).

And the angel was seen in the sepulchre where the Lord was laid, sitting on the right hand (Mark xvi. 5, 6).

And therefore also the sheep are said [to be] placed on the right hand, and the goats on the left (Matt. xxv. 33, 34).

By the sheep are here meant those who are in truths from good, or in the faith of truth from the good of charity: but by the goats are meant those who are in faith without charity, which faith is called faith alone, and, regarded in itself, is no faith. sRef Ex@29 @20 S14' [14] On account of this signification of the right hand, when Aaron and his sons were inaugurated into the priesthood, the blood was sprinkled upon their right ear and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of the right foot (Exod. xxix. 20). By the blood here is signified Divine truth from Divine good; by the right ear, the perceptive [faculty] of truth from good; by the right hand and the right foot are signified the intelligence and power of truth from good in the internal or spiritual man, and in the external or natural man; and by the thumb and great toe, what is full. sRef Ps@89 @42 S15' sRef Ps@144 @11 S15' sRef Isa@44 @20 S15' sRef Ps@144 @8 S15' sRef Rev@13 @16 S15' [15] Because as most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, so also has the right hand; and in that sense it signifies falsity from evil, and reasoning and combat thereof against truth from good.

As in David:

"Thou hast set up the right hand of his enemies" (Ps. lxxxix. 42).

Again:

"Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood" (Ps. cxliv. 8, 11)

In Isaiah:

"That he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (xliv. 20).

In the Apocalypse:

"They should receive a mark in the right hand or in the foreheads" (xiii. 16: xiv. 9).

The right hand, when said of the evil, signifies falsity, and the resulting reasoning and combat against truth, because the quarters with those who are in evil are opposite to the quarters which are with those who are in good; and so at the right hand of the former truths are in dense darkness, but falsities as it were in the greatest light. (That the quarters in the spiritual world, with those who are in evil, are opposite to the quarters that are with those who are in good, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell (n. 151, 152): and the reason thereof, n. 122, 123.)

AE (Tansley) n. 299

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 299

299. A book written within and on the back. That this signifies the state of life of all in heaven and on the earth, in general and in particular, is evident from the signification of a book, in this case of the book of life, as denoting what is inscribed or implanted by the Lord in the spirit of man, that is, in the heart and soul, or what is the same thing, in the love and faith (concerning which see above, n. 199): hence by the book is here signified the state of life of all in heaven and on earth, and by its being written, is signified what is implanted by the Lord; (that to write signifies to implant, may be seen also above, n. 222); and from the signification of within and on the back, as denoting its being in the heart and soul, or in the love and faith. For with man and spirit love is within, because it constitutes his life; whereas faith, unless it is in his love, is not within, but behind or at the back; for the faith which is faith, makes entirely one with the love, for what a man loves belongs to his faith, but what he does not love does not belong to his faith. That appears, indeed, to be faith which any one thinks from the memory, and teaches from doctrine, but if he loves it only from a natural and not a spiritual love, it is the sight only of the thought of the external man, which sight counterfeits faith; but this faith, being without life before it is implanted in the internal man and its love, is not in the man, but behind him, or at his back. The faith implanted in the internal man and its love, is to believe and love the truth because it is truth, and not to love it chiefly for the sake of a reputation for learning, and of honour or gain therefrom. From these considerations it is evident what is signified by being written within and on the back.

[2] The subject treated of in this chapter is, that the Lord alone knows the states of the life of all in general and of each in particular, and that no one [knows this] besides Him. This is representatively set forth by the book written, which no one could open, read, and look into, but the Lamb alone, that is, the Lord. The reason why no one knows this except the Lord alone, is, because He is God alone, and because He formed the angelic heaven to the image of Himself, and man to the image of heaven: therefore He knows all things of heaven in general, and He who knows all things of heaven in general, also knows everything in particular; for a man who is in truths from good, and an angel, is an image of heaven, for he is a form of it; hence it also follows, that no one knows the states of any one in particular but he who knows the general state of all, for the one depends inseparably upon the other. But these things cannot be described in a few words; therefore see what is shown in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, where they are more distinctly and clearly described, in the following articles: That the Divine of the Lord makes heaven (n. 7-12); That every angel is a heaven in the least form (n. 51-58); That the whole heaven in the aggregate has reference to one man (n. 59-67); Similarly each society there (n. 68-72); That hence every angel is in a perfect human form (n. 73-77); That heaven, which is from the Divine Human of the Lord, in the whole and in part, has reference to man (n. 78-86); That there is a correspondence of all things of heaven with all things of man (n. 87-102); Concerning the conjunction of heaven with mankind (n. 291-302). [3] It must be noted that here and elsewhere in the Word a book is mentioned, but by this a scroll (volumen) is meant; for in ancient times they wrote upon parchments, which were rolled together, and the parchment was called a book, and a scroll of a book, as may be seen in the Word.

As in Ezekiel:

"I looked, when behold, a hand sent unto me; and lo, in it a scroll of a book written within and without" (ii. 9, 10).

And in David:

"Then said I, Lo, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me" (Ps. xl. 7).

Wherefore also, it is said in Isaiah:

"All the host of the heavens shall waste away, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll" (xxxiv. 4).

Also in the Apocalypse:

"The heaven departed, as a book when it is rolled together" (vi. 14).

From these considerations it can be known how the book, which John saw, was written within and on the back.

AE (Tansley) n. 300

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 300

300. Sealed with seven seals. That this signifies altogether hidden, namely, the state of the life of all in heaven and on the earth, is evident from the signification of being sealed with seals, as denoting to be hid, for what is contained in a book sealed with seals, no one knows before it is opened and read; and from the signification of seven, as denoting all persons and all things, also what is full and whole (concerning which see above, n. 257); thus also altogether, because this means fully and wholly.

AE (Tansley) n. 301

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 301

301. Verses 2, 3. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice," signifies influx of the Lord into heaven: "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" signifies, whether any one there is of such a quality as to know and perceive the states of the life of all.

"And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon," signifies, manifestation, that no one knows and perceives, of himself, anything of the state of the life of all in general and of each in particular.

AE (Tansley) n. 302

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 302

302. (v. 2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice. That this signifies exploration from the influx of the Lord into heaven, is evident from the signification of a strong angel, as denoting heaven (concerning which in what follows) and from the signification of proclaiming with a great voice, as denoting exploration from the influx of the Lord, - exploration that is, as to whether any one can know the states of the life of all in heaven and on the earth in general and in particular, for this is the subject here treated of. This exploration is signified by proclaiming, and the influx of the Lord is signified by a great voice. For voice, when said of the Lord, signifies all the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith from Him; and when said of heaven and the church, all the thought and affection thence. And because everything true and good, that angels in heaven, and men in whom the church is, think, and by which they are affected, is from the influx of the Lord, therefore this is here signified by a great voice; for it is well known, that no one can be affected with good from the love of good, and think truth from the love of truth, of himself, but that it flows in from heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord; and because this is the case, by a great voice is signified the influx of the Lord; that voice in the Word signifies the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith, as well as everything announced from the Word, may be seen above, n. 261, and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926; and that it signifies the interior affection of truth and good, and the thought thence, n. 10,454. The reason why a strong, angel signifies heaven, is, because the whole angelic heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel; in like manner each society of heaven; therefore by an angel in the Word is not meant an angel, but an entire angelic society, as by Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Here, therefore, by a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, is signified the influx of the Lord into the whole heaven; that it is into the whole heaven, is also evident from what follows, for it is said, "And no one in heaven neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon." (That by the angels in the Word are meant entire societies of heaven, and, in the highest sense, the Lord as to the proceeding Divine truth, may be seen above, n. 90, 130, 200; and that all heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel, and also every society of heaven, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 59-87.)

AE (Tansley) n. 303

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 303

303. Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? That this signifies whether any one there is of such a quality as to know and perceive the states of the life of all, is evident from the signification of, Who is worthy? as denoting, who has merit and justice, and who has omniscience, thus whether there are any of such a quality. That by worthy, when said of the Lord, merit and justice are signified; these belong to Him alone, as may be seen above (n. 293). And that omniscience is signified is evident from what follows, where it is said, that the Lamb took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, and opened it; for by the right hand is signified omniscience and omnipotence, as may be seen above (n. 297); from the signification of the book, as denoting the state of the life of all in general and in particular (concerning which see just above, n. 299); and from the signification of opening it and loosing the seals thereof, as denoting to know and perceive. For when a book signifies the states of the life of all, then to open and to loose the seals signifies to know and perceive the same; for to know and perceive are said of the state of the life, but to open and loose the seals are said of a book. Thus the words, in the internal sense, are accommodated to the things signified by the words in the sense of the letter, for they correspond; therefore, to open signifies to know, and to loose the seals signifies to perceive what is entirely hidden from others (as above, n. 300).

AE (Tansley) n. 304

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 304

304. (v. 3) And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon. That this signifies manifestation, that no one knows and perceives, of himself, anything concerning the state of the life of all in general and of each in particular, is evident from the signification of, "And no one was able to open the book, neither to look thereon," as denoting that no one knows and perceives of himself the states of the life of all in general and of each in particular (concerning which see just above, n. 303): and from the signification of, in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, as denoting not only that there is no one anywhere, but also that there is not anything [of such knowledge and perception]; for by, in heaven, upon the earth, and under the earth, are meant the three heavens; and by all therein heaven in the aggregate is meant; and because heaven is heaven from the Divine truth, that flows in from the Lord, and is received by the angels, and not at all from any intelligence proper to the angels, for this is not intelligence, therefore the same words signify that no one has any [knowledge or perception] whatever from himself. (That the angels in heaven, just as men in the world, have a proprium, which viewed in itself is nothing but evil, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 592.) And because evil does not receive anything of intelligence and wisdom, it follows, that angels just as men understand nothing at all of truth from themselves, but solely from the Lord. The reason why the angels are of such a quality, is, that all angels are from the human race, and that every man retains his proprium after death; and they are withheld from the evils of their proprium, and are kept in goods by the Lord. (That all the angels are from the human race, and none created such from the beginning, may be seen in the small work concerning the Last Judgment, n. 14-22; and that all are withheld from evil, and kept in good by the Lord, in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 166.)

[2] The reason why in heaven, upon the earth, and under the earth, signifies the three heavens, is because the angels, who are in the third or highest heaven, dwell upon mountains; and those who are in the second or middle, upon hills; and those who are in the first or ultimate heaven, in plains and valleys under them. For in the spiritual world, where spirits and angels dwell, there are earths, hills, and mountains, just as in the natural world where men are. As to appearance there is such a similitude that they do not at all differ. Therefore men after death scarcely know but that they are yet living upon earth, and when they are permitted to look into our earth, they see nothing dissimilar. Besides the angels who are in the ultimate heaven, call that heaven, where the angels of the third heaven dwell, because it is high above them, but where they themselves dwell, they call earth. The third or highest heaven also, which is upon mountains, appears to those who are below, or upon the earth, only as the highest region of the atmosphere does before us, covered with a light and shining cloud, thus as heaven appears before us. Hence it may be seen what is specifically meant in this place, by, in heaven, upon the earth, and under the earth. (But more may be seen concerning these things in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, where appearances in heaven are treated of, n. 170-176: and concerning the habitations and mansions of the angels, n. 183-189.)

[3] Because men have not known that there are similar appearances of earth in both worlds, the natural and the spiritual, therefore, when they have read the Word, they have simply perceived that by the heaven and the earth there, are meant the heaven visible before our eyes, and the earth inhabited by men; hence has arisen an opinion concerning the destruction of heaven and earth, and concerning the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, at the day of the Last Judgment; when, yet, by the heaven and the earth are there meant the heaven and the earth where spirits and angels are, and, in the spiritual sense, the church with angels and with men; for the church is equally with angels as with men, as may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell (n. 221-227). It is said, in the spiritual sense, because an angel is not an angel, nor is a man a man, from the human which both have, but from heaven and the church with them. Hence it is that by the heaven and by the earth, where angels and men dwell, the church is signified; by heaven the internal church, and also the church with the angels and by earth the external church, and also the church with men. But it can hardly be believed, that by the earth in the Word is meant the church, because it is not yet known that in the particulars of the Word there is a spiritual sense. As a result of this a material idea adheres to, and keeps the thought fixed on the most obvious meaning of a word, I therefore wish by some passages thence to illustrate and confirm it.

[4] In Isaiah:

"Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty, and maketh it void, and he shall overturn the faces thereof; in emptying, the earth shall be emptied, and in spoiling it shall be spoiled: the habitable earth shall mourn and be confounded, the world shall be confounded; the earth shall be profaned under its inhabitants, wherefore a curse shall devour the earth, and the inhabitants of the earth shall be burnt up, and few men left. A shout over the wine in the streets, the gladness of the earth shall be banished; there shall be in the midst of the earth as the shaking of the olive, as the gleanings when the vintage is done. From the end of the earth we have heard songs, Glory to the just. The floodgates from on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth are moved; in breaking the earth is broken, in rending the earth is rent asunder, in moving the earth is moved; in tottering the earth shall totter as a drunkard; and it shall be moved to and fro as a veil; but it shall be in that day, Jehovah shall visit upon the host of the height in the height, and upon the kings of the earth who are upon the earth" (xxiv. 1, 2 [3], 4-6, 11, 13, 16, [18], 19-21, 23).

Here it is quite evident, that by the earth is not meant the earth but the church. The particulars shall be gone through and considered. He who is in a spiritual idea does not think of the earth itself when the earth is named, but of the people there, and of their quality; much more so those in heaven: who, because they are spiritual, have a perception of the church. The subject treated of in this passage is the church destroyed. Its destruction as to the good of love and the truth of faith, which constitute it, is described by Jehovah emptying the earth and making it void, by the earth in emptying being emptied, in spoiling being spoiled, by mourning and being confounded, by being profaned and a curse devouring it, by the flood-gates from on high being opened and the foundations thereof being moved, by being broken, rent asunder, and put in motion, by staggering as a drunkard. These things can be said neither of the earth, nor of any nation, but of the church.

[5] In the same:

"Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners out of it. I will put the heaven in commotion, for the stars of the heavens and the constellations thereof shall not shine with their light, the sun shall be darkened in its rising, and the moon shall not make her light to shine. I will make a man more rare than pure gold; wherefore I will move the heavens, and the earth shall be shaken out of its place" (xiii. 9, 10, 12, 13).

That the earth here denotes the church is evident from each particular understood in the spiritual sense. The subject here treated of is its end, when truth and good, or faith and charity, are no more. For by the stars and constellations which shall not give their light, are signified the knowledges of truth and good; by the sun being darkened in its rising, is signified love; by the moon not causing her light to shine, is signified faith; by a man being made more rare than pure gold, is signified intelligence and wisdom: hence it is plain what is signified by, "Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh to lay the land desolate. I will move the heavens, and the earth shall be shaken out of its place." The day of Jehovah denotes the final end of the church, when judgment takes place. The earth denotes the church. It is evident that the earth itself is not shaken out of its place, but that the church is removed where love and faith are not. To be shaken out of its place, signifies to be removed from a former state.

[6] In the same:

"Behold, the Lord, as an inundation of hail, a storm of slaughter, as an inundation of mighty waters, shall cast down to the earth with the hand; I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih Zebaoth upon the whole earth" (xxviii. 2, 22).

These words were spoken of the day of judgment upon those who were from the church. The day of judgment, when there is an end of the church, is meant by, "I have heard a consummation and decision from the Lord Jehovih Zebaoth upon the whole earth": wherefore it is said, that, "as an inundation of hail, a storm of slaughter, as an inundation of mighty waters he shall cast down to the earth with the hand." By hail and an inundation of it falsities are signified which destroy the truths of the church: by slaughter, and a storm of it, evils are signified, which destroy the goods of the church; by the mighty waters the falsities of evil are signified. That an inundation or flood signifies immersion into evils and falsities, and hence the destruction of the church, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia, n. 660, 705, 739, 756, 790, 5725, 6853; the same, by casting down to the earth or a violent pouring down of rain.

[7] In the same:

"The earth shall be [turned] into burning pitch; from generation to generation it shall be waste" (xxxiv. 9, 10).

By burning pitch is signified every evil springing from the love of self, by which the church entirely perishes and is vastated; therefore it is said, the earth shall be [turned] into burning pitch; from generation to generation it shall be waste. Who cannot see that such things are not said of the earth itself?

[8] In the same:

"The earth mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon hath blushed and faded away" (xxxiii. 9).

Here also the earth denotes the church, which is said to mourn and to languish when falsities begin to be seized upon and acknowledged as truths; therefore it is said, Lebanon hath blushed and faded away. Lebanon signifies the same as the cedar, that is, the truth of the church.

[9] In Jeremiah:

"The lion is come out of his thicket, and the destroyer of the nations is gone forth from his place to lay waste thy land; thy cities shall be destroyed. I beheld the earth, when, lo, it is empty and void; and towards the heavens, when, lo, they have no light. I beheld the mountains, when, lo, they are moved, and all the hills are overturned. Jehovah said, The whole land shall be a waste. For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black" (iv. 7, 23, 24, 27, 28).

Here also the vastation of the church is treated of; this takes place when truth and good are no longer, but in their place falsity and evil. This vastation is described by the lion coming out of his thicket, and the destroyer of the nations going forth from his place; the lion and the destroyer of the nations signifying falsity and evil vastating. The mountains that are moved, and the hills that are overturned, signify love to the Lord and charity towards the neighbour. The reason that these are signified by mountains and hills is, that those who are in love to the Lord dwell upon mountains in heaven, and those who are in charity towards the neighbour, upon hills, as may be seen in what has been stated above, and also in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 188, and the notes there, letter c. By the heavens where no light was, which were black, are signified the interiors of the men of the church, which, when they, are closed by evils and falsities, do not admit the light from heaven, but instead thereof darkness from hell. From these considerations it is evident what is signified by the lion and the destroyer of the nations reducing the earth to desolation: also by, "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was empty and void"; as also by "the whole land shall be a waste; for this shall the earth mourn," namely, that the earth is not understood, but the church.

[10] In the same:

"How long shall the earth mourn, and the herb of every field [wither], for the wickedness of them that dwell therein the beasts are consumed, and the birds. The whole earth is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. The spoilers are come upon all the hills in the desert; for the sword of Jehovah is devouring from the end of the earth even to the end of the earth. They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns" (xii. 4, 11-13).

That the earth here signifies the church is evident, from its being said that the earth shall mourn, and the herb of every field [shall wither], and that the beasts and the birds are consumed for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, and because no man layeth it to heart. By the herb of every field is signified every truth and good of the church, and by the beasts and birds are signified the affections of good and truth; and because the church is signified by the earth, and it is here treated of as vastated, it is therefore said, "the spoilers are come upon all the hills in the desert; for the sword of Jehovah is devouring from the end of the earth to the end of the earth; they have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns." By the hills in the wilderness upon which the spoilers came, are signified the things of charity; the desert denotes where there is no good, because there is no truth by the sword of Jehovah is signified falsity destroying truth from the end of the earth to the end of the earth, signifies all things of the church; by sowing wheat and reaping thorns, is signified to take from the Word the truths of good, and to turn them into falsities of evil; wheat denoting the truths of good, and thorns denoting the falsities of evil.

[11] In Isaiah:

"Upon the land of my people shall come up the thorn and briar: the palace shall be deserted; the multitude of the city shall be forsaken" (xxxii. 13, 14).

The thorn and the briar which shall come upon the earth, signify falsity and evil; the palace that shall be deserted, signifies where good dwells; and the multitude of the city which shall be forsaken, signifies where there are truths; for a city signifies the doctrine of truth.

[12] In the same:

"All the earth shall become a place of briars and thorns: on the other hand, all the mountains which shall be weeded with the hoe, there shall not come thither the fear of briars and thorns; but there shall be the sending forth of the ox, and the treading of the sheep" (vii. 24, 25).

Briars and thorns signify falsity and evil; hence it is evident what is signified by all the earth shall become a place of briars and thorns. By the mountains which shall be weeded with the hoe, are signified those who do goods from the love of good; that falsity and evil shall not be with them, but both spiritual and natural good, is signified by the fear of briars and thorns not coming thither, but there shall be the sending forth of the ox, and the treading of the sheep; or thither shall the oxen be sent, and there the sheep shall tread; the ox signifying natural good, and the sheep spiritual good.

[13] In Ezekiel:

"Thy mother is a lioness; she lay down among lions; one of her whelps rose up, he has devastated the cities; the earth is desolated and the fulness thereof, by the voice of his roaring" (xix. 2, 3, 7).

By mother is signified the church; by a lioness and lions, the power of evil and of falsity against good and truth; by the roaring of the lion is signified the lust of destroying and desolating; by the cities which he laid waste, is signified doctrine with its truths; hence it is evident what is signified by, the earth was desolated, and the fulness thereof, namely, the whole church.

[14] In the same:

"They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their waters with astonishment, that the earth may be devastated from its fulness, for the violence of all them that dwell therein; and the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the earth shall be a desolation" (xii. 19, 20).

Things similar to those above are here signified by the earth and by the cities that shall be laid waste and shall become a desolation; that is, by the earth is signified the church, and by cities doctrine with its truths; therefore it is said, for the violence of all them that dwell therein. Because those things are signified it is premised that they shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their waters with astonishment. Bread and water in the Word signify every good of love and truth of faith (see Arcana Coelestia, n. 9329). And by eating and drinking are signified instruction and appropriation (n. 3168, 3513, 3832, 9412).

[15] In David:

"I called upon Jehovah, and cried unto my God. Wherefore the earth shook and trembled, and the foundations of the mountains quaked and shook when he was wroth" (Ps. xviii. 6, 7).

Here the earth is for the church, which is said to shake and tremble when it is perverted by the falsification of truths; and in this case the foundations of the mountains are said to quake and to be moved, for the goods of love, which are founded upon the truths of faith, vanish. For mountains denote the goods of love (as above), and their foundations denote the truths of faith; hence also, it is evident that the earth denotes the church.

[16] In the same:

"The earth is Jehovah's and the fulness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein; and he hath founded it upon the seas, he hath established it upon the rivers" (Ps. xxiv. 1, 2).

The earth and the world stand for the church, and fulness stands for all things thereof; the seas upon which He hath founded it, denote the knowledges of truth in general; the rivers denote doctrinals. Because upon the former and the latter the church is founded, it is therefore said, that He would found it upon the seas, and establish it upon the rivers. That this cannot be predicated of the earth and the world, is evident to any one.

[17] In the same:

"Shall we not fear, when the earth shall be moved, and when the mountains shall be shaken In the heart of the seas; when the waters thereof shall roar and be troubled? Let the nations rage, let the kingdoms be moved; when he uttereth his voice, the earth melteth away" (Ps. xlvi. 2, 3, 6).

It is evident that by the earth is meant the church, because it is said to be removed and to melt, also that the mountains shall be shaken in the heart of the seas; the waters thereof also shall be troubled, and let the nations rage, and the kingdoms be moved. By mountains are signified (as above) the goods of love, which are said to be shaken in the heart of the seas, when the essential knowledges of truth are perverted; by waters are signified the truths of the church, which are said to be troubled when they are falsified; by nations are signified the goods of the church, and, in an opposite sense, the evils thereof; and by kingdoms, the truths of the church, and, in an opposite sense, its falsities; also those who are in the former and the latter.

[18] In the same

"O God, thou hast forsaken us, thou hast been angry; restore rest to us. Thou hast made the earth to tremble, thou hast broken it in pieces; heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh" (Ps. lx. 1, 2).

That these things are said of the church and not of the earth is evident; for it is said, "Thou hast made the earth to tremble, thou hast broken it in pieces: heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh"; and because the earth signifies the church, here the church vastated, therefore it is said, "O God, thou hast forsaken us, thou hast been angry; restore rest to us."

[19] In the same:

"When I take the appointed time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved; I will bear up the pillars of it" (Ps. lxxv. 2, 3).

Here, also, the earth is for the church, which is said to be dissolved when truths fail, through which there is good. Because truths support the church, they are called its pillars, which God will bear up: that the pillars of the earth are not borne up is evident. Because the restoration of the church is here described, it is therefore said, "When I take the appointed time, I will judge uprightly." The truths of the church, which are here called the pillars of the earth, are also called the bases of the earth (1 Sam. ii. 8); and the foundations of the earth, in Isaiah:

"Do ye not understand the foundations of the earth? It is he that dwelleth upon the circle of the earth, that bringeth the princes to nothing; and maketh the judges of the earth as vanity" (xl. 21-23).

By the princes who are brought to nothing, and by the judges of the earth whom He maketh as vanity, are signified the things that are from one's own intelligence, and from one's own judgment.

[20] In Jeremiah:

"A tumult cometh even to the end of the earth. Thus said Jehovah, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great wind shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth. And the slain of Jehovah shall be in that day from the end of the earth even unto the end thereof" (xxv. 31-33).

By the end of the earth, and by the sides of the earth, are signified where the ultimates of the church are, and where evils and falsities begin; and from the end of the earth to the end thereof, signifies all things of the church. Hence it may be known what is signified by a tumult shall come to the end of the earth, and a great wind shall be stirred up from the sides of the earth, and by the slain of Jehovah shall be in that day from the end of the earth unto the end thereof. By the slain are signified those with whom the truths and goods of the church are extinguished; as may be seen, n. 4503.

[21] In Isaiah:

"The isles saw, they feared; the ends of the earth trembled, they drew near, and came. I will make the desert a pool of waters, and the dry land a spring of waters" (xli. 5, 18).

The establishment of the church amongst the Gentiles is so described, they being signified by the isles and the ends of the earth for islands and the ends of the earth in the Word signify those who are farther apart from the truths and goods of the church, because they have not the Word, and consequently they are in ignorance. That the church shall be established among them, is signified by, "I will make the desert a pool of waters, and the dry land a spring of waters." It is called a desert where there is not yet good, because there is not truth, from which it is also called the dry land. A pool of waters, and a spring of waters, signify good, because they signify truth; for all spiritual good, which is the good of the church, is procured by truths.

[22] In the same:

"Woe to the land shadowed with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Cush. Go, ye ambassadors, to a nation trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled" (xviii. 1, 2).

What the land shadowed with wings, and the land which the rivers have spoiled, signify, no one can know, unless he knows that the earth denotes the church, and that rivers denote falsities; the land shadowed with wings is the church that is in thick darkness as to Divine truths (that these are signified by wings may be seen above, n. 283). Beyond the rivers of Cush signifies, as to knowledges themselves from the sense of the letter of the Word, which are falsified; the nation trodden down, to which the ambassadors should go, whose land the rivers have spoiled, signifies those out of the church who are in falsities from ignorance; rivers denoting truths of doctrine, and, in an opposite sense, falsities; that the ambassadors should go to them, signifies that they should be invited, in order that the church may be with them.

[23] In the same:

"In the wrath of Jehovah Zebaoth the earth is darkened" (ix. 19).

The earth darkened signifies the things of the church in thick darkness or in falsities; for the falsities of evil are said to be in thick darkness, but truths in the light.

[24] In the same:

"Jehovah shall remove man, and deserts shall be multiplied in the midst of the earth" (vi. 12).

Man whom Jehovah shall remove, signifies a wise man, and abstractedly wisdom (as may be seen above, n. 280). Deserts shall be multiplied in the midst of the earth, signifies, that there is nothing altogether good, because there is nothing true; the midst of the earth denoting where truth is in the greatest light; therefore when the light is not there, thick darkness pervades the whole; then, there is nowhere any truth.

[25] In the same:

Jehovah "shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the impious" (xi. 4).

The rod of the mouth of Jehovah which shall smite the earth, signifies truth in ultimates, which is the truth of the sense of the letter of the Word; and the breath of the lips with which He shall slay the impious, signifies the truth in the spiritual sense of the Word. These are said to smite the earth, and to slay the impious, when they are condemned thereby; for every one is judged by truths, and is condemned by them.

[26] In the same:

"The earth is at rest, and is quiet. Hell hath stirred up on thy account the Rephaim, all the powerful of the earth. They that see thee shall say, Is this the man that moveth the earth, that maketh the kingdoms to tremble; he hath made the world into a desert, and destroyed the cities thereof? Thou hast destroyed thy land; thou hast slain thy people. Prepare slaughter for his sons, that they may not rise again and possess the earth, and the faces of the earth be filled with cities. I shall break Asshur in my land, and upon my mountains shall I tread him under foot" (xiv. 7, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25)

These things are said concerning the king of Babel, by whom is signified the destruction of truth through the love of ruling over heaven and earth, to which the truths of the Word, or the things of the church, serve as means. In this place it is treated concerning their damnation. The dead (Rephaim) whom hell has stirred up, are those who are in the direful persuasion of falsity, and who are thence called the powerful of the earth: to move the earth, to make the kingdoms tremble, to make the world into a desert, and to destroy the cities thereof, signifies to pervert all things of the church. The earth and the world denote the church; the kingdoms denote the truths which constitute it; and the cities denote all things of doctrine. Hence it is evident what is signified by, thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people. By Asshur who shall be broken in the earth, and be trodden under foot upon the mountains, is signified reasoning from falsities against truths; to be broken is to be dissipated; and to be trodden under foot is to be altogether destroyed. The mountains upon which [this is said to be done], signify where the good of love and charity reigns, for there, or with those [who are there], all reasoning from falsities is dissipated or destroyed.

[27] In the same:

"Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; from the land of Kittim it shall come plainly to them. Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish; the girdle is no more. Behold the land of the Chaldeans; Asshur hath founded it into heaps. Jehovah will visit Tyre, that she may return to the hire of whoredom, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the earth upon the faces of the world" (xxiii. 1, 10, 13, 17).

That neither the ships of Tarshish, Tyre, the land of Kittim, the land of the Chaldeans, nor Asshur, are here meant, is evident from the particulars in this chapter; but by the ships of Tarshish are meant the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good, also by Tyre; by the land of Kittim, what is idolatrous; by the land of the Chaldeans, the profanation and destruction of truth; and by Asshur, reasoning from falsities. Hence it is evident that, howl, ye ships of Tarshish, because Tyre is devastated, signifies that there are no longer any knowledges of truth; it shall come plainly to them from the land of Kittim, signifies what is idolatrous thence; the girdle is no more, signifies that there is no longer a coherence of truth with good. Behold the land of the Chaldeans, signifies that thus there is profanation and destruction of truth; Asshur hath founded it into heaps, signifies that reasoning from falsities has destroyed it; to return to the hire of whoredom, and to commit fornication with all the kingdoms upon the faces of the world, signifies falsification of all the truths of the whole church.

[28] In the same:

The king of Asshur "shall go through Judah; he shall overflow and pass over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the shakings of his wings shall be the fulness of the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel" (viii. 8).

Here, also, the king of Asshur signifies reasoning from falsities against truths. "He shall go through Judah, he shall overflow and pass over," signifies that it shall destroy the good of the church. To overflow is said of falsities, because they are signified by waters. "He shall reach even to the neck," signifies that thus there shall be no longer a communication of good and truth; and "the shakings of his wings shall be the fulness of the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel," signifies that falsities shall be against all the truths of the Lord's church. That the breadth of the earth signifies the truths of the church, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 197, and that hence, in an opposite sense, it signifies falsities; therefore the shakings of his wings signify reasonings from falsities against truths. Fulness signifies all; thus, the fulness of the breadth of the earth all the truths of the church.

[29] In the same:

"In that day shall the shoot of Jehovah be for gracefulness and glory, and the fruit of the earth for magnificence and an ornament to the remains of Israel" (iv. 2).

The shoot of Jehovah which shall be for gracefulness and glory, signifies the truth of the church; and the fruit of the earth which shall be for magnificence and for an ornament, signifies the good of the church; Israel signifies the spiritual church that the shoot and the fruit of the earth shall not be for gracefulness, glory, magnificence, and ornament, is evident; but the truth and good of the church shall be. When it is said the truth and good of the church, the truth of faith and the good of love are meant; for all truth is of faith, and all good is of love.

[30] In the same:

"Thou hast added to the nation, O Jehovah; thou art glorified, thou hast removed all the ends of the earth" (xxvi. 15).

The nation to which Jehovah has added, signifies those who are in the good of love, whom He has adjudged to Himself; the ends of the earth which He has removed, signify the falsities and evils that infest the church, and from which He has purified them.

[31] In the same:

"Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty, they shall behold the land of remotenesses" (xxxiii. 17).

To see the king in his beauty, denotes genuine truth, which is from the Lord alone; to behold the land of remotenesses, signifies the extension of intelligence and wisdom.

[32] In the same:

"I have given thee for a covenant of the people, to restore the earth. Sing, O heavens, and exult, O earth; and resound, ye mountains, with a song" (xlix. 8, 13).

The Lord and His Advent are here treated of; the establishment of the church by Him is described by, "I have given thee for a covenant of the people, to restore the earth," to restore the earth denoting to re-establish the church; that the Lord did not restore the earth to the Jewish people is known, but that He established the church among the Gentiles. The joy in consequence is described by, "Sing, O heavens, exult, O earth, and resound, ye mountains, with a song." By the heavens are meant the heavens where are angels who are in the interior truths of the church; by the earth is meant the church among men; and by the mountains, those who are in the good of love to the Lord.

[33] In Jeremiah:

"The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the earth mourneth, the pastures of the desert are dried up" (xxiii. 10).

Adulterers signify those who adulterate the goods of the church: therefore it is said, "The land is full of adulterers, and because of the curse the earth mourneth"; the pastures of the desert which are dried up signify no spiritual nourishment in such a church; desert being predicated where there is no good, because no truth.

[34] In the same:

"A drought is upon her waters, that they may be dried up; for it is a land of graven things" (l. 38).

A drought upon the waters, that they may be dried up, signifies that truths no longer [exist], waters denoting truths, "for it is a land of graven things," signifies the church destroyed by falsities which are from man's own intelligence, which they call truths; graven things signify those falsities.

[35] In Ezekiel:

"The end cometh upon the four quarters of the earth; the earth is full of the judgment of bloods, and the city is full of violence" (vii. 2, 23).

"The end cometh upon the four quarters of the earth," signifies the last time and the last state of the church, when its end is; the four quarters denote all the truths and goods thereof, and, in an opposite sense, all the falsities and evils thereof, thus all things of the church. "The earth is full of the judgment of bloods," signifies that it is filled with evils of every kind; bloods denote the evils which offer violence to the goods of love and charity, and entirely destroy them. "The city full of violence," signifies the doctrine of that church acting in a similar way.

[36] In the same:

"All the luminaries of light in heaven will I make dark over thee, and will set darkness upon thy earth" (xxxiii. 8).

By the luminaries of light in the heavens are meant the sun, moon, and stars; and by the sun is signified love, by the moon faith thence, and by the stars the knowledges of good and truth: hence it is evident what is signified by, "I will make them dark over thee"; namely, that they should no longer exist; hence, also, it is evident what is signified by, "I will set darkness upon thy earth"; namely, that there are falsities in the church, darkness denoting falsities, and earth denoting the church.

[37] In the same

"Prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains and hills and rivers and valleys, Behold, I am with you, and I will look back unto you, that ye may be tilled and sown" (xxxvi. 6, 9).

By the land of Israel is meant the church; the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys, signify all things of the church, from the first to the last things thereof; mountains denote the goods of love to the Lord; hills denote the goods of charity towards the neighbour; these are the first things of the church. The rivers and valleys denote the truths and goods which are the last things of the church. That these things are signified is evident from what has been stated in this article; namely, that those dwell upon mountains in heaven who are in the good of love to the Lord, those upon hills who are in charity towards the neighbour, and those in plains and valleys who are in goods and truths, in the ultimate heaven; rivers denote the truths of doctrine there; to inseminate them, is signified by, "I will look back unto you, that ye may be tilled and sown."

[38] In Hosea:

"In that day, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; and the earth shall hear the corn and the new wine and the oil, and they shall hear Jezreel; and I will sow him unto me in the earth" (ii. 21-23).

That these things are to be spiritually understood, and not naturally according to the sense of the letter, is evident; for it is said, that these shall hear Jezreel; and I will sow him unto me in the earth; wherefore by the heavens are meant the heavens where the Lord is; and by the earth, the church where, also the Lord is; by the corn, now wine, and oil, are signified all things of spiritual nourishment, which are the goods of love and charity, and the truths of faith.

[39] In Malachi:

"He shall not destroy for you the fruit of the earth, neither shall the vine in the field be barren for you; all nations shall proclaim you blessed, and ye shall be a land of well-pleasing" (iii. 11, 12).

These things are said of those with whom and in whom the church exists; and because by the fruit of the earth and the vine in the field, are signified the goods and truths of the church - by the fruit the goods, and by the vine the truths thereof - therefore they are called a land of well-pleasing.

[40] In David:

"Let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness. Make me to live, O Jehovah, for thy name's sake" (Ps. cxliii. 10, 11).

The land of uprightness stands for the church in which is what is right and true; and because the spirit of Jehovah signifies the Divine truth, and every one thereby receives spiritual life, it is therefore said, "Let thy good Spirit lead me," and, "O Jehovah; make me to live." [41] Because the earth signifies the church, and where the church is there is heaven, it is therefore called the land of the living and the land of life. The land of the living in Isaiah:

"I said, I shall not see Jah in the land of the living" (xxxviii. 11).

And in Ezekiel:

"Who caused terror in the land of the living" (xxxii. 23-27).

The land of life in David:

"Unless I had believed to see good in the land of life" (Ps. xxvii. 13).

[42] In Moses:

"It shall be an entire and just stone, the ephah shall be entire and just, that thy days may be prolonged upon the earth" (Deut. xxv. 15).

The prolongation of days upon the earth does not signify the long duration of life in the world, but the state of life in the church, thus in heaven; for to prolong is said of good and its increase, and day signifies the state of the life; and because a stone entire and just, which was a weight, and an ephah entire and just, which was a measure, signify truth and good and their quality, and both together signify justice - the stone truth, and the measure good - and because not to deceive by weight and measure is to be just, therefore the life of the church shall be theirs, and afterwards life in heaven, which is meant by their days upon the earth being lengthened. [43] The same is signified by this precept of the Decalogue:

"Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be prolonged upon the earth" (Exod. xx. 12).

The reason why they have heaven and the happiness there, who honour father and mother, is, because in heaven no other father is known but the Lord, for by Him all there have been regenerated. And in heaven by mother is meant the church, and in general, the kingdom of the Lord. That those who worship the Lord and seek His kingdom, will have life in heaven, is evident; also that many of those who honour father and mother in the world, do not live there long.

[44] In Matthew:

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (v. 5).

The inheritance of the earth does not signify the possession of the earth, but the possession of heaven and blessedness there the meek signify those who are in the good of charity.

[45] In Isaiah:

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name God-with-us; butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good; for before the child shall know to refuse the evil and to choose the good, the land shall be deserted which thou scornest before her two kings. It shall come to pass in that day, by reason of the abundance of giving milk, he shall eat butter; for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land" (vii. 14-16, [21], 22).

That these things are spoken of the Lord and His Advent is known; the butter and honey which He shall eat, signify the goods of love; butter, the good of celestial and spiritual love; honey, the good of natural love; by these it is meant that He would appropriate to Himself the Divine even as to the Human, to eat signifying to appropriate. That the earth shall be deserted before He knows to refuse the evil and to choose the good, signifies, that there would not be anything of the church remaining in the whole world when He would be born; and because those, where the church was, rejected every Divine truth, and perverted all things of the Word, and explained it in favour of self, it is therefore said concerning the earth, that is, the church, "which thou scornest before her two kings." Kings signify the truths of heaven and of the church; two kings, the truth of the Word in the internal or spiritual sense, and the truth of the Word in the external or natural sense. Milk signifies the truth through which good comes; and because butter signifies the good thence, therefore by reason of the abundance of giving milk, butter shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land, signifies that every truth shall be of good.

[46] In Matthew:

"In the consummation of the age, all the tribes of the earth shall mourn" (xxiv. 30).

The consummation of the age which is treated of in that chapter, is the last time of the church, when the judgment takes place; all the tribes of the earth signify all the truths and goods of the church, which are said to mourn when they are no more.

[47] In Luke:

"And then shall there be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring; men expiring for fear, and for expectation of those things that are coming upon the whole earth; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." That day "as a snare shall come upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth" (xxi. 25, 26, 35).

It is also treated there concerning the last time of the church, when the judgment takes place, and by the earth and the world there are meant the church. The distress of nations upon the earth, the fear and expectation of those things coming upon the earth, also upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth, does not signify upon those who are in the earths in the natural world, but upon those who are in the spiritual world. That there are earths also there, may be seen in what was premised to this article; and that the Last Judgment was accomplished there, may be seen in the small work concerning the Last Judgment. What is signified by the sun, moon, and stars, in which the signs are, was mentioned above, namely, that the sun signifies love, the moon faith thence, and the stars the knowledges of good and truth; the sea and waves roaring, signifies the reasonings and fightings of truth from the sense of the letter of the Word, wrongly and perversely applied. The powers of the heavens, which shall be shaken, signify the Word in the sense of the letter, because this sense is the foundation of the spiritual truths which are in the heavens. (As may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, in the article which treats of the Conjunction of Heaven with Man by means of the Word, n. 303-310.)

[48] In Isaiah:

"Sing, ye heavens; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; resound with singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein; for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob. I am Jehovah that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself" (xliv. 23, 24).

"Sing, ye heavens: shout, ye lower parts of the earth; resound with singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein," signify all things of heaven and of the church, as well the internal as the external, which all have reference to good and truth. Things internal are signified by the heavens, things external by the lower parts of the earth; mountains denote the goods of love, the forest denotes natural truth, and the trees therein denote the knowledges of truth. Because such things are signified it is said, "For Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob"; by Jacob in the Word is signified the external church, and by Israel the internal church. To stretch forth the heavens and to spread abroad the earth, signifies the church on all sides, which is stretched forth and spread abroad by the multiplication of truth and the fructification of good, with those who belong to the church.

[49] In Zechariah:

"Jehovah, who spreadeth abroad the heavens, and foundeth the earth, and formeth the spirit of man in the midst of him" (xii. 1).

Here also by the heavens and by the earth is signified the church on all sides, thus as to its interiors and exteriors; therefore also it is said, "formeth the spirit of man in the midst of him."

[50] In Jeremiah:

"The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth, let them perish from the earth and from under the heavens." Jehovah "that maketh the earth by his power, that prepareth the world by his wisdom, and that spreadeth abroad the heavens by his intelligence. At the voice which he giveth forth a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the end of the earth" (x. 11-13: li. 15, 16).

Because the heavens and the earth signify the church (as above), therefore it is said, "Jehovah that maketh the earth by his power, that prepareth the world by his wisdom, and spreadeth abroad the heavens by his intelligence"; and therefore it is also said, "At the voice which he giveth forth a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the end of the earth." By the voice which Jehovah gives forth, is signified Divine truth proceeding from Him; by the multitude of waters in the heavens are signified truths in abundance, for waters signify truths; and by the vapours which He causeth to ascend from the end of the earth, are signified the last truths of the church; vapours denote those truths, and the end of the earth is the last of the church. And because gods signify the falsities of doctrine and of worship, which destroy the church, it is therefore said, The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth, let them perish from the earth and from under the heavens."

[51] In David:

"Jehovah who by intelligence, maketh the heavens. Stretcheth forth the earth above the waters" (Ps. cxxxvi. 5, 6).

Because heaven and earth signify the church, and the church is formed by truths, and the truths of the church constitute intelligence, it is therefore said, "Jehovah maketh the heavens by intelligence, and stretcheth forth the earth above the waters," waters denoting the truths of the church.

[52] In Isaiah:

"Thus saith Jehovah God, that createth the heavens, and stretcheth them out, that spreadeth forth the earth and the products thereof, that giveth life to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein" (xlii. 5).

By creating the heavens and spreading forth the earth and the products thereof, is signified to form the church and to reform those who are in it, the products denoting all things of the church; therefore it is said, that giveth life to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. That to create denotes to reform, may be seen above, n. 294.

[53] In the same:

"Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds flow down with justice; let the earth open itself, and fructify salvation. I have made the earth, and created man upon it. Thus said Jehovah who createth the heavens; God himself who formeth the earth and maketh it and prepareth it; not in secret have I spoken, in a place of darkness of the earth" (xlv. 8, 12, 18, 19).

That by the heavens and the earth are here meant all things of the church, the internals as well as the externals thereof, is evident; for it is said, "Drop down, ye heavens, and let the clouds flow down with justice; let the earth open itself, and fructify salvation." The reason why the heavens signify the interior things of the church, is, that the interior things of the mind of the spiritual man, are the heavens with him. (That heaven is with the man, with whom the church is, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 30-57.) By creating the heavens, and forming the earth, and making and preparing it, is signified fully to establish the church.

[54] In the same:

"Behold, I that create new heavens and a new earth, neither shall the former be remembered" (lxv. 17).

By creating new heavens and a new earth, is signified to establish a new church as to its interiors and exteriors, both in the heavens and on the earths (as was said above).

[55] In the same:

"Who hath heard such a thing? shall the earth bring forth in one day? shall a nation be born at once? For as the new heavens and the new earth which I shall make, shall stand before me, so shall your seed and your name stand" (lxvi. 8, 22).

Because the earth signifies the church, therefore, it is said, shall the earth bring forth in one day? shall a nation be born at once? By bringing forth and birth, and by generating and generation in the Word, are signified spiritual birth and generation, which are of faith and love, thus reformation and regeneration; what the new heavens and new earth signify has been mentioned above.

[56] In Jeremiah:

"I have made the earth, man and the beast that are upon the faces of the earth, and I give it to him who is right in my eyes" (xxvii. 5).

By man and the beast which are upon the faces of the earth, are signified the affections of truth and good in the spiritual and the natural man (see n. 280: and in the Arcana, Coelestia, n. 7424, 7523, 7872); and because those affections with men constitute the church in them, it is therefore said "I have made the earth, man and the beast that are upon the faces of the earth, and I give it to him who is right in my eyes." That God does not give the earth solely to those who are right in His eyes, but also to those who are not right, is known; not the church, however, except to those who are right; right signifies truth and the affection thereof.

[57] In Isaiah:

"The heavens shall vanish like smoke, and the earth shall wax old as a garment, and the dwellers therein shall die in like manner" (li. 6).

The heavens which shall vanish away, and the earth which shall wax old like a garment, signify the church; this successively falls away and at length is desolated, but not so the visible heaven and the habitable earth; wherefore it is said, "and the dwellers therein shall die in like manner," to die signifying to die spiritually. The same is signified by

"The heavens and earth shall pass away" (Matt. xxiv. 35; Mark xiii. 31; Luke xvi. 17).

[58] In the Apocalypse:

"Four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth" (vii. 1).

By the four corners of the earth, and the four winds of the earth, are signified all the truths and goods of the church in the aggregate; for the same things are signified by them as the four quarters of heaven. (That these signify those things may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, "On the Four Quarters in Heaven," n. 141-153.) To hold them [the four winds], signifies that they [that is, truths and goods], may not flow-in because they are not received; wherefore it is said, that the wind shall not blow upon the earth. The earth also signifies the church in other parts of the Apocalypse (as x. 2, 5, 6, 8; xii. 16; xiii. 13; xvi. 2, 14; xx. 8, 9, 11; xxi. 1), besides many other places in the Word, too numerous to be adduced. [59] As the earth signified the church, and especially the land of Canaan, because the church was there, and because the church which was there was a representative church, therefore all things that were there were representative, and all that was said to them by the Lord signified the spiritual or interior things of the church, and this even in regard to the land itself and its products; as in these words in Moses:

If thou keep the precepts, "Jehovah will lead thee into a good land, into a land of rivers of water, of fountains, of depths springing out of valley and mountain; a land of wheat, of barley, of the vine, of the fig, of the pomegranate; a land of the olive, of oil, of honey; a land where thou shalt eat bread without scarceness; it shall lack nothing; a land where the stones are iron, and from the mountains shall be digged copper, and thou shalt eat, and shalt be satisfied in this good land" (Deut. viii. 1, 7-10).

By these are described all things of the church, both interior and exterior; but to expound what each particular signifies, would be tedious, and does not belong to this place. [60] On account of the land signifying the church, it was therefore among the blessings, that if they lived according to the precepts, the earth should give its produce, the evil beasts should cease out of the earth, nor should the sword pass through the land (Lev. xxvi. 3, 4, 6). That the earth should give its produce, signifies that in the church there should be good and truth; that the evil beasts should cease, signifies that the evil affections and lusts, which destroy it, should no longer exist; that the sword should not pass through the land, signifies that falsity should not cast out truth. [61] Because the earth signified the church, it was also appointed that

The seventh year should be kept as the Sabbath of the earth,

and that there should be no labour upon it (Lev. xxv. 1-8). And therefore it is also said that

The land was polluted on account of the evils, and that on account of the abominations it would spew them forth (Lev. xviii. 1-28).

And because the land signified the church, the Lord therefore spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man, and said,

"Go wash thee in the pool of Siloam" (John ix. 6, 7, 11, 15).

And therefore the Lord, when the Scribes and Pharisees asked Him concerning the woman taken in adultery, stooped down, and wrote twice on the ground (John viii. 6, 8), signifying that the church was full of adulteries, that is, full of the adulteration of good and the falsification of truth; therefore also the Lord said to them,

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her; but they went out one by one, beginning from the elders, even unto the last" (vers. 7, 9).

[62] Because most things in the Word have also an opposite sense, so also has the earth, which, in that sense, signifies the church vastated, which takes place when the good of love and the truth of faith no longer exist, but instead thereof evil and falsity; and because these condemn man, by the earth in that sense is also signified damnation, as in the following places (Isa. xiv. 12; xxi. 9; xxv. 12; xxvi. 19, 21; xxix. 4; xlvii. 1; lxiii. 6; Lam. ii. 2, 10; Ezek. xxvi. 20; xxxii. 24; Num. xvi. 29-33; xxvi. 10), and elsewhere.

AE (Tansley) n. 305

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 305

305. Verses 4, 5. And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look therein. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion which is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

"And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look therein," signifies, grief of heart on account of the disorder and ruin of all, if no one could know, have cognisance of, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to them.

"And one of the elders" signifies, a society of heaven which [was] in wisdom above the rest; "saith unto me, Weep not," signifies lest there be grief hence; "behold, the Lion hath prevailed," signifies, that the Lord from His own power subjugated the hells, and reduced all things in the heavens to order; "of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David," signifies, by the Divine good united to the Divine truth in His Human; "to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof," signifies that He knows and has cognisance of all men and every man, and the most secret things of every one.

AE (Tansley) n. 306

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 306

306. (v. 4) And I wept much, that no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look therein. That this signifies grief of heart on account of the disorder and ruin of all, if no one could know, have cognisance of, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to them, is evident from the signification of weeping, as denoting to grieve; hence to weep much, denotes to grieve from the heart, or grief of heart; that this is on account of the disorder and ruin of all [men], follows; and from the signification of no one being found worthy to open and read the book, neither to look therein, as denoting that no one is such as to know the states of life of all in general, and of each in particular (concerning which see above, n. 303, 304); or, what is the same, that no one is such as to be able to know, have cognisance of, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to them.

As to what concerns grief of heart, which is signified by, "I wept much," on account of the disorder and ruin of all, if no one is such as to be able to know, have cognisance of, and explore all men, and all things pertaining to them, I will briefly explain:- In order that the angelic heaven may exist and subsist, all things therein must be in order; for, unless it were in order, it would be dissipated; for the angelic heaven is divided into societies, and the societies are arranged according to the affections of truth and good, which are manifold and innumerable. This arrangement depends solely on the infinite Wisdom of the One who knows all things, has cognisance of all things, and explores all things, and hence disposes and arranges them. This One is the Lord alone; therefore it is said in the Word, that judgment is His, and that He has all power in the heavens and on earth, and here that He took the book and loosed the seals thereof. Moreover, unless heaven were in order, the world, that is, men on the earth, could not exist and subsist; for the world depends upon heaven and its influx into the spiritual and rational things of men; in a word, all things would perish. But these things may be better comprehended from what is set forth in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, and also in the small work concerning the Last Judgment, and indeed from everything there, if read with attention. The reason why it is said to know, to have cognisance of, and to explore, is, because these things are signified by opening the book, by reading and looking into it; for by the book are signified all things with men, spirits, and angels, or all the states of their life as to love and faith; therefore by opening the book, is signified to know those things; by reading the book, is signified to have cognisance of them: and by looking into the book, is signified to explore them.

AE (Tansley) n. 307

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 307

307. (v. 5) And one of the elders. That this signifies a society of heaven which was in wisdom above the rest, is evident from the signification of the elders, as denoting those who are in truths from good, and in the abstract, truths from good (concerning which see above, n. 270), thus those who are in intelligence and wisdom above the rest; for all intelligence is from good by means of truths, or by means of truths from good, and from no other source. One of the elders, signifies a society of heaven, because by an angel in the Word, is not meant one angel, but a whole society (as may be seen above, n. 90, 302); thus also by one of the elders. A society is meant which is in wisdom above the rest, because he taught that it is the Lord alone, who as to the Human procured to Himself Divine Wisdom, that He might know, have cognisance of, and explore every one, and the states of the life of all in general, and of each one in particular. These things are signified by his saying, "Weep not; behold, the lion which is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof"; for to know this, namely, that it is the Lord alone who is such, pertains to the wisdom of the angels of heaven; and this the angelic societies of the third or inmost heaven know from perception, or from influx from the Lord. The others also know it, yet not from perception, but from the enlightenment of the understanding. The angels of the third or inmost heaven have perception; the angels of the second and the ultimate heaven have enlightenment of the understanding; they are distinguished by this, that perception is full confirmation from influx from the Lord, but enlightenment of the understanding is spiritual sight. Those have the latter, who are in charity towards the neighbour and thence in faith: but those have perception, who are in love to the Lord. (What perception is may be further seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 135-140.)

AE (Tansley) n. 308

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 308

308. Saith unto me, Weep not. That this signifies lest there should be grief thence, is evident from the signification of weeping, as denoting grief of heart; as above, n. 306, where also the cause thereof may be seen.

AE (Tansley) n. 309

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 309

309. Behold the Lion hath prevailed. That this signifies that the Lord from His own power subjugated the hells, and reduced all things there and in the heavens to order, appears from the signification of prevailing, when said of the Lord, that is, that when He was in the world He subjugated the hells, and reduced all things there and in the heavens to order, and this by temptations admitted into His Human, and then by continual victories. (Concerning which see the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 293, 291, 301, 302.) This therefore is signified by prevailing, when said of the Lord; and because the Lord did those things from His own power, He is called a lion; for a lion signifies power (as may be seen above, n. 278). That the Lord did those things from His own power is known from the Word; but because few are aware of this, I desire to say something concerning it. The Lord did it from the Divine which was in Him from conception, which He had as a man has a soul from his father; and the soul of every one operates by means of the body, for the body obeys it. The Divine, which was in Him from conception, was His own Divine, which, in the Athanasian creed, is said to be equal to the Divine which is there called the Father; for it is said

"That, as is the Father, so also is the Son, infinite, uncreate, eternal, omnipotent, God, Lord, and that neither of them is greatest nor least, nor first nor last, but altogether equal."

And it is also said

"That the Divine and Human of the Lord are not two, but only one person, and that as the soul and body make one man, so the Divine and Human are one Christ."

Hence it may be known even by those who have faith in Athanasius, that the Lord did those things from His own power, because from His Divine. From these considerations it is quite evident how those words are to be understood which the Lord saith in John:

"The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (xiv. 10, 11).

And elsewhere in the same:

"Verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for whatsoever things he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. As the Father hath life in Himself, so also hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself" (v. 19, 21, 26).

Because the Divine, which the Lord calls the Father, was His own Divine, and not another Divine, therefore it is evident that whatever He did from the Father, and also whatever [He did] from the Human, which He calls the Son, He did from Himself; and thus that He did all things by His own power, because [He did them] from what was His own.

AE (Tansley) n. 310

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 310

310. Of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. That this signifies by the Divine good united to the Divine truth in His Human, is evident from the signification of the tribe of Judah, as denoting all goods in the aggregate; for all the tribes of Israel signified all the truths and goods of heaven and the church (concerning which see above, n. 39); and Judah, or his tribe, signified the good of celestial love (concerning which also see above, n. 119, and in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 3654, 3881, 5583, 5603, 5782, 6363); hence in the highest sense, in which the Lord is treated of, by the tribe of Judah is signified the Divine good; and from the signification of the root of David, as denoting the Divine truth; for by David in the Word is meant the Lord as to the Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 205). Hence it is, that by of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, is meant the Lord as to the Divine good united to the Divine truth in His Human. In the Word in the sense of the letter, for the most part, two things are predicated, one of which involves good and the other truth; but those two are conjoined into one in the internal or spiritual sense, and this on account of the marriage of good and truth in each particular of the Word (concerning which see above, n. 238 at end, 288); the reason is, because good and truth in heaven are not two but one; for all truth there is of good. The Lord as to the Human is called the root of David from this, that all Divine truth is from Him, as all things also exist and subsist from their root; hence also it is, that He is called the root of Jesse, in Isaiah:

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the peoples; to it shall the nations seek; and his rest shall be glory" (xi. 10).

Jesse here stands for David because he was his father.

AE (Tansley) n. 311

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 311

311. To open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. That this signifies that He knows and has cognisance of all men and every man, and the most secret things of every one, is evident from what was shown above, n. 299, 303, 304, where similar things occur.

AE (Tansley) n. 312

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 312

312. Verses 6, 7. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

"And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders," signifies, in the whole heaven, and specifically in the inmost heavens; "a Lamb standing," signifies, the Lord as to the Divine Human; "as it were slain," signifies, as yet acknowledged by few; "having seven horns," signifies, who has omnipotence; "and seven eyes," signifies, and who has omniscience; "which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth," signifies, that thence are all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church.

"And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne," signifies, that those things are from His Divine Human.

AE (Tansley) n. 313

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 313

313. (v. 6) And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders. That this signifies in the whole heaven, and specifically in the inmost heavens, is evident from the signification of, in the midst, as denoting the inmost, and hence also the whole, concerning which we shall speak presently; from the signification of throne, as denoting heaven in its whole extent (concerning which see above, n. 253); from the signification of the four animals, as denoting the Lord's Providence and protection, that He should not be approached except by the good of love (concerning which see above, n. 277). And because that guard is especially in the third or inmost heaven, for all who are there are in the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, therefore that heaven is specifically signified by the four animals; this will more clearly appear from the following contents of this chapter; and from the signification of the elders, as denoting those who are in truths from good (concerning, which also see above, n. 270); here, therefore, those who are in the middle or second heaven, because all who are there are in truths from good; for those two heavens, the third and second, are distinguished from each other by this, that those who are in the third heaven, are in love to the Lord; and those who are in the second, in charity towards the neighbour; those who are in charity towards the neighbour are in truths from good; hence it may appear what is specifically signified by the four animals and by the elders.

[2] But in general, by the four animals is signified all Divine good which guards in the whole heaven, and in general by the elders all Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good also in the whole heaven; both guard, because they are united; thus by the four animals and elders together is signified Divine good united to the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, and hence the whole angelic heaven, but specifically the two inner heavens. The reason of this is, that the angels are not angels from their proprium, but from the Divine good and the Divine truth which they receive; for the Divine with them, or received by them, causes them to be angels, and causes heaven to be called heaven from them (as may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 2-12, and 51-86).

[3] That the midst, or in the midst, signifies the inmost and thence the whole, is clear from many passages in the Word; but something shall first be said to explain how it is that the midst, because it signifies the inmost, signifies also the whole. This may be illustrated by comparison with light, with the sun, with the arrangement of all in the heavens, and also of all who belong to the church on earth. By comparison with light, thus; The light in the midst propagates itself round about, or from the centre, into the circumferences in every direction; and because it is propagated from the inmost, and fills the spaces around, hence by, "in the midst," is also signified the whole. By comparison with the sun; The sun is in the midst because it is the centre of its universe; and because from it are the heat and light in its world, therefore by the sun in the midst is signified its presence in every direction, or through the whole. By comparison with the arrangement of all in the heavens; There are three heavens, and the inmost of them is the third heaven; this flows into the two lower heavens, and makes them to be one with it by communication, which is effected by influx from the inmost; in every society of the heavens also the inmost is the most perfect; hence these who are round about in that society are in light and intelligence, according to the degree of distance from the inmost (as may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 43, 50, 189). By comparison with those who are of the church on the earth: The Lord's church is spread through the whole world, but its inmost is where the Lord is known and acknowledged, and where the Word is; from that inmost, light and intelligence are propagated to all who are around and belong to the church, but this propagation of light and intelligence takes place in heaven (concerning which circumstance, see the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 308). From these things it is evident that the midst, or in the midst, because it signifies the inmost, signifies also the whole. Hence it is evident what is meant by, "I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb," namely, the Lord as to His Divine Human, in the whole heaven, and specifically in the inmost heavens.

[4] The midst also signifies the inmost, and hence the whole, in many passages of the Word, as in the following. In Isaiah:

"Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy [One] of Israel, in the midst of thee" (xii. 6).

By the inhabitant of Zion is signified the same as by the daughter of Zion, namely, the celestial church, or the church which is in the good of love to the Lord; great is the Holy [One] of Israel in the midst of thee, signifies the Lord, that He is everywhere and throughout the whole there.

[5] In David:

"We have considered thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth" (Ps. xlviii. 9, 10).

By temple is signified the church, which is In truths from good, which is called the spiritual church; in the midst thereof, denotes in the inmost, and thence in the whole thereof; therefore it is said, "According to thy name, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth." "To the ends of the earth," denotes even to the last things of the church, the earth denoting the church.

[6] In the same:

"God is my King of old, working salvations in the midst of the earth" (Ps. lxxiv. 12).

Working salvations in the midst of the earth, signifies in every direction.

[7] In the same:

"God standeth in the assembly of God, in the midst of the gods he will Judge" (Ps. lxxxii. 1).

The assembly of God, signifies heaven; in the midst of the gods, signifies with all the angels there, thus in the whole heaven; for the angels are called gods from the Divine truth which they receive from the Lord, for God in the Word signifies the Lord as to the Divine truth which proceeds from Him, and which constitutes heaven (as may be seen above, n. 24, 130, 220, 222, 302).

[8] In Moses:

"Behold, I send an angel before thee; beware of his faces, for my name is in the midst of him" (Exod. xxiii. 20,21).

By the angel here, in the highest sense, is meant the Lord; by "My name in the midst of him," is meant that all Divine good and Divine truth are in Him (as may be seen above, n. 102, 135, 224).

[9] In Luke,

Jesus said concerning the last times, "Then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of it go forth out" (xxi. 21).

Here the consummation of the age is treated of, by which is signified the last time of the church when judgment takes place. By Judea is not meant Judea, but the church; and by the mountains are not meant mountains, but the good of love to the Lord; and because these things are said concerning the end of the church, it is evident what is signified by, "Let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of it go forth"; namely, that when judgment takes place, all those of the church who are in the good of love to the Lord will be safe.

[10] In Isaiah:

"In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land; whom Jehovah shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance" (xix. 24, 25).

By Israel is meant the Spiritual of the church; by Assyria, the Rational of the men thereof, and by Egypt, the knowledges (cognitiones) and scientifics. Hence it is evident what is signified by Israel being the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land; namely, that the Spiritual shall be the everything there, as well the Rational as the Cognitive and Scientific; for when the Spiritual, which is truth from good, is the inmost, then also the Rational, which is thence, is spiritual too, and also the Cognitive and Scientific; for both are formed from the inmost, which is truth from good or the Spiritual.

[11] In Jeremiah:

"My heart is broken in the midst of me, all my bones are shattered" (xxiii. 9).

The heart broken in the midst of me, signifies grief from inmost to ultimates, or throughout the whole; therefore it is said, "All my bones are shattered," the bones signifying the ultimates.

In the following passages, also, "in the midst," signifies in the whole, or through the whole.

[12] In Isaiah:

It shall be in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done" (xxiv. 13).

These things are said concerning the church vastated as to good and as to truth, in which there is nothing but evil and falsity. In the midst of the earth, denotes that throughout the whole of the church there is evil; and in the midst of the peoples, denotes that throughout the whole of it there is falsity; therefore it is compared to the shaking of an olive tree, and to the gleanings left when the vintage is done, the olive signifying the good of the church, the vintage the truth thereof, and the shaking and gleaning thereof signifying vastation.

[13] In David:

"They search out perversities; for the midst of man and the heart are deep" (Ps. lxiv. 6).

The midst of man denotes the Intellectual where truth should be, and the heart the Voluntary, where good should be; in the present case, both perverted, the latter into evil, and the former into falsity.

[14] In the same:

"There is nothing sure in the mouth of any one; their midst are destructions" (Ps. v. 9).

In the same:

"They bless with their mouth, but in their midst they curse" (Ps. lxii. 4).

In the same:

"The saying of prevarication to the impious in the midst of my heart, there is no fear of God before his eyes" (Ps. xxxvi. 1).

In Jeremiah:

"They have taught their tongue to speak a lie; it is theirs to dwell in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me" (ix. 5, 6).

In these passages also, besides others, in the midst, signifies in the whole because in the inmost; for such as is the inmost such is the whole; because from the inmost all other things are produced and derived, as the body is from its soul. The inmost of any thing whatever is also that which is called the soul. For example: the inmost of man is his will and the understanding therefrom, and according to the quality of the will and of the understanding, therefrom, such is the whole man; also, the inmost of man is his love and the faith therefrom, and according to the quality of his love and the faith therefrom, such is the whole man.

[15] That the whole man is such as is his midst or inmost, is also meant by the Lord's words in Matthew:

"The lamp of the body is the eye; if the eye be good, the whole body is light; if the eye be evil, the whole body is dark" (vi. 22, 23).

By the eye is signified the understanding of man (as may be seen above, n. 37, 152), which, if good, that is, if from truths that are from good, then the whole man is such, which is signified by the whole body being then full of light; but, on the other hand, if the understanding is from the falsities of evil, that the whole man is such, is signified by the whole body being then full of darkness. The eye is called good, but, in the original tongue, it is said, single eye, and single signifies that it is one; and it is one when truth is from good, or the understanding from the will. By the right eye also is signified the understanding of good, and by the left eye the understanding of truth, which, if they make one, constitute the single eye, thus the good eye.

AE (Tansley) n. 314

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 314

314. Stood a Lamb. That this signifies the Lord as to the, Divine Human, is evident from the signification of a lamb, when predicated of the Lord, as denoting Himself as to the Divine Human. The Lord as to the Divine Human is called a lamb, because a lamb signifies the good of innocence, and the good of innocence is the very good of heaven which proceeds from the Lord; and in proportion as the angels receive this good, in the same proportion they are angels. This good reigns with the angels who are in the third or inmost heaven; therefore those who are in that heaven appear as infants before the eyes of other angels. What the good of innocence is, and that the angels of heaven are in that good, may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, in the article which treats concerning the State of Innocence of the Angels of Heaven (n. 276-283, also n. 285, 288, 341, 382). It is believed in the world that the Lord is called a lamb from this, that the continual burnt-offering, or what was offered every day, evening and morning, was that of lambs; and especially on the days of the passover, when a lamb was also eaten; and that the Lord suffered Himself to be sacrificed. But this reason of His being so called is for those in the world who do not think beyond the sense of the letter of the Word; nevertheless, in heaven no such thing is perceived by a lamb when it is predicated of the Lord; but when a lamb is named or read of in the Word, the angels, because all of them are in the spiritual sense of the Word, perceive the good of innocence; and when the Lord is thus called, they perceive His Divine Human, and at the same time the good of innocence which is from Him. I know that it will be believed with difficulty that it is so, but yet it is the truth.

[2] That the lamb, in the Word, signifies the good of innocence, and, when predicated of the Lord, signifies His Divine Human, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"Behold, the Lord Jehovih cometh in might. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs into his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead the sucklings" (xl. 10, 11).

This is spoken of the Lord's advent; by the flock which He shall feed like a shepherd, are signified those who are in the good of charity; and by the lambs which He shall gather into His arm, are signified those who are in love to Him. This love is that which strictly regarded, is innocence, therefore all those who are in it are in the heaven of innocence, which is the third heaven; and because that love is signified by lambs, it is therefore said also, "He shall gently lead the sucklings." By sucklings and infants in the Word are meant those who are in innocence, as may be seen in the work concerning Heaven and Hell (n. 277, 280, 329-345).

[3] In the same:

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy shall lead them. And the she-calf and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; the suckling shall play on the hole of the adder, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den" (xi. 6-8).

These things are said concerning the Lord's advent, and concerning His kingdom, also concerning those therein who are in the good of innocence, that they shall have nothing to fear from the hells and the evils thence, because guarded by the Lord. The Lord's kingdom is here described, by innocences of various kinds, and by their opposites from which they shall be defended; the lamb denotes innocence of the inmost degree, its opposite is the wolf: the kid denotes innocence of the second degree, of which the opposite is the leopard: the calf denotes innocence of the last degree, of which the opposite is the young lion. (That a lamb, a ram or sheep, and a calf, signify three degrees of innocence, may be seen, n. 10,132.) Innocence of the inmost degree is such as belongs to those who are in the third or inmost heaven, and the good thereof is called celestial good; innocence of the second degree is such as belongs to those who are in the second or middle heaven, and the good thereof is called spiritual good; and innocence of the last degree is such as belongs to those who are in the first or ultimate heaven, and the good thereof is called natural-spiritual good. (That all those who are in the heavens are in some good of innocence, may be seen, n. 4797.) Because as the goods of innocence are described by these, it is therefore also said, "And a little boy shall lead them," also, "the suckling shall play on the hole of the adder, and the weaned child shall put his hand upon the cockatrice' den." By a boy, a suckling, and a weaned child, are in like manner signified those degrees of innocence. (That a boy [signifies a degree of innocence], see n. 430, 5236; that a suckling or infant of the first age, and a weaned child or an infant of the second age, see n. 3183, 4563, 5608, 6740, 6745.)

[4] Because the lamb signifies innocence or those who are innocent, and a wolf those who are opposed to innocence, therefore it is said elsewhere in the same prophet:

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; they shall not do evil in the whole mountain of holiness" (lxv. 25).

The mountain of holiness denotes heaven, specifically the inmost heaven; and therefore the Lord said to the seventy whom He sent forth,

"I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves" (Luke x. 3).

[5] Because lambs signify those who are in love to the Lord, which love is one with innocence, and because sheep signify those who are in love towards the neighbour, which love is charity, therefore the Lord said to Peter,

"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs; and afterwards, Feed my sheep" (John xxi. 15-17).

These things were said to Peter, because by him was meant truth from good, or faith from charity, and truth from good teaches; to feed denoting to teach.

[6] In Ezekiel:

"Arabia and all the princes of Kedar, these were the merchants of thy hand, in lambs, rams, and goats" (xxvii. 21).

This is said concerning Tyre, by which are meant those who are in the knowledges of truth and good. By Arabia and the princes of Kedar, who are the merchants of her hand, are signified those who are in truths and goods from knowledges; and by merchants are signified those who communicate and teach them; by lambs, rams, and goats, are signified three degrees of the good of innocence, similarly as by lambs, rams, and calves. That by these are signified the three degrees of the good of innocence, may be seen, n. 10,042, 10,132.

[7] Also in Moses:

"He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, and fed him with the produce of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the stone of the rock; butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, with the fat of lambs, of the rams of Bashan, and of goats, with the fat of the kidneys of wheat; and thou drinkest the pure blood of the grape" (Deut. xxxii. 13, 14).

These things are said concerning the establishment of the Ancient Church, which was the first church after the flood, and by all these things are described its various kinds of good; but because without explanation scarcely any one will understand them, a few words will be said. To ride on the high places of the earth, signifies that the intelligence of those who belonged to that church was interior; he fed him with the produce of the fields, signifies that they were instructed in every truth and good; He made him to suck honey out of the rock, signifies that by means of truths they had natural good; oil out of the stone of the rock, signifies that they had also spiritual good by means of truths; honey and oil signify those goods, and a rock, a flinty rock, and a stone signify truths. Butter of the herd, and milk of the flock, signify the good of external and internal truth; the fat of lambs, of the rams of Bashan, and of goats, signifies the goods of innocence of three degrees (as mentioned above); the fat of the kidneys of wheat, and the blood of the grape, signify that thus they had genuine good and genuine truth.

[8] In Isaiah:

"The sword of Jehovah is filled with blood; it is made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and of goats, and with the fat of the kidneys of rams" (xxxiv. 6).

Here also by lambs, rams, and goats, are signified the three degrees of the good of innocence (mentioned above); but the subject here treated of is concerning their destruction by the falsities of evil; for a sword signifies falsity destroying truth and good; the blood with which it shall be filled signifies destruction.

[9] Because by lamb is signified innocence, which, strictly regarded, is love to the Lord, therefore by lamb, in the highest sense, is signified the Lord as to the Divine Human, for the Lord as to that was Innocence itself; as may be seen in the following passages. In Isaiah:

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter" (liii. 7).

In the same:

"Send ye the lamb of the ruler of the land from the rock toward the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion" (xvi. 1).

In John:

"John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." And afterwards seeing Jesus walking, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God" (i. 29, 36).

In the Apocalypse:

"The Lamb [which is] in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters" (vii. 17).

And in another place:

"They have overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of the testimony" (xii. 11),

besides also elsewhere in the Apocalypse (as chap. xiii. 8; xiv. 1, 4; xvii. 14; xix. 7, 9; xxi. 22, 23; xxii. 1, 3).

[10] Because the burnt-offerings and sacrifices signified all representative worship from the good of love and from the truths thence, burnt-offerings from the good of love, and sacrifices specifically from the truths thence, therefore,

Every day, evening and morning, a burnt-offering was made of lambs (Exod. xxix. 38-43; Num. xxviii. 1-9).

On every Sabbath, of two lambs, besides the continual burnt-offering of them (Num. xxviii. 9, 10).

In the beginnings of the months, of seven lambs (Num. xxviii. 11-15).

In like manner, on the day of the first-fruits (Num. xxviii. 26 to end).

In like manner in the seventh month, when there was a holy convocation (Num. xxix. 1-7).

In like manner of seven lambs on each day of the passover, besides of two calves, one ram, and one goat (Num. xxviii. 16-24).

[The burnt-offering was] of seven lambs, because by seven is signified all and full, and it is said of what is holy; and because by burnt-offerings in general was signified the worship of the Lord from the good of love, and the good of love to the Lord from the Lord is the essential good of innocence; and by lamb, in the highest sense, was signified the Lord as to the Divine Human. (That burnt-offerings signified all worship grounded in the good of love from the Lord to the Lord, may be seen, n. 923, 6905, 8680, 8936, 10,042.) Because of this representation the supper of the passover of lambs or kids was also instituted (Exod. xii. 1-29); for by the feast of the passover was represented the glorification of the Lord's Human (as may be seen, n. 10,655). Because infants signified innocence, it was therefore also commanded, that

After a birth, on the day of purification, they should sacrifice a lamb, a young pigeon, or a turtle dove; or, instead of a lamb, two young pigeons or two turtle doves (Lev. xii. 6, 8).

By young pigeons and by turtle doves is signified the same as by lambs, namely, innocence.

AE (Tansley) n. 315

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 315

315. As it were slain. That this signifies as yet acknowledged by few, is evident from the signification of being slain, when said of the Lord, as denoting His not being acknowledged; in the present case, its being acknowledged by few that His Human is Divine, for it is said, "A lamb standing as it were slain"; and by the lamb is signified the Lord as to the Divine Human (as was shown just above, n. 314). The case is similar with what was said concerning the Lord (i. 18), "and was dead," by which is signified that [He was] rejected (concerning which see above, n. 83). By being slain, in the spiritual or internal sense, is not meant to be slain as to the body but as to the soul; and a man is slain as to the soul when he is no longer in any good of faith, for then he has no spiritual life, but instead thereof death, which is called spiritual death; but when "slain" is mentioned concerning the Lord, it does not signify this, because the Lord is Life itself, and gives to every one spiritual life; but it means either that He is rejected, or that He is not acknowledged; for, with those who do not acknowledge Him, He is as it were no one, and especially with those who deny Him. The Lord Himself is indeed acknowledged in the church, and also His Divine, but, as to the Human, as a man only, and not as God; hence it is that His Divine Human is not acknowledged; this, therefore, is what is meant by a lamb standing, as it were slain. But that the Lord even as to the Human is God, may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem (n. 280-310), and will be seen at the end of this work, where it will be clearly shown.

[2] Those who think from the sense of the letter of the Word only, and not at the same time from the doctrine of genuine truth, suppose that by being slain in the Word is meant being slain as to the body; but that to be slain as to the soul is meant, will appear from the passages which will be adduced presently. For it is acknowledged that the Word in its bosom is spiritual, although in the sense of the letter it is natural; and to be slain spiritually is to perish as to the soul, as is the case with those who do not receive the life of heaven, which is called life eternal, and also simply life, and who thus have instead thereof death, which is damnation. And because this is confessed, it follows that by being slain in the Word is meant to perish from falsities and evils. But the Lord is said spiritually to be slain, when the truth is denied and the good is rejected, these being from Him; among these also He is not acknowledged; for he who denies and rejects those things that are from Him, also denies and rejects Him, for the Lord is with man in His own truths and goods.

[3] But here His Divine Human is treated of; that it is not as yet acknowledged, is known. I will mention the reasons: One is, that the pontifical nation has transferred to its own Primate all Divine power, which is the Lord's even as to the Human, they being unwilling to hear that it was Divine, because from His Human. The other reason is, that those who are not of that nation have made faith alone the only means of salvation, and not a life of charity; and those who do this, can perceive the Lord's Human only as the human of another man; therefore also they remain blindly in the doctrine of the Trinity from the creed of Athanasius, and cannot be enlightened.

[4] That to be slain in the Word signifies to be spiritually slain, is evident from the following passages:

In Isaiah:

"Thou as an abominable shoot, the raiment of the slain, thrust through with the sword: for thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people. Prepare slaughter for his sons" (xiv. 19-21).

These [things are said] concerning Babel, by which is signified the profanation of good and truth, and thence the destruction of the church. It is compared with the raiment of the slain who are thrust through with the sword, because the raiment of the slain signifies abominable falsity, defiling and destroying the things of the church, which are therefore said to be thrust through with the sword, because a sword signifies falsity destroying truth. Hence it is said, "Thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people." By the land is meant the church, and by the people those therein who are in truths, whom to slay is to destroy by falsities. Prepare slaughter for his sons, signifies that their falsities are to be destroyed, his sons denoting falsities.

[5] In Jeremiah:

"The slain of Jehovah shall be at that day from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth" (xxv. 33).

By the slain of Jehovah being from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth, are signified those with whom all the truths of the church are destroyed by falsities; the slain of Jehovah signify those with whom they are destroyed; and from the end of the earth unto the end of the earth, signifies all things of the church.

[6] In the same:

"Therefore deliver up their sons to the famine, and cause them to flow down upon the hands of the sword, that men may become rare, slain with death, their young men smitten with the sword in war" (xviii. 21).

To give sons to the famine, and to cause them to flow down upon the hands of the sword, signifies to extinguish the truths of the church through a lack of the knowledges of truth, and through falsities; sons denote truths, a famine denotes the lack of knowledges, and the sword denotes falsity destroying truth. "That men may become rare, slain with death," signifies that there is no affection of truth, and hence no wisdom; men signify the affection of truth, and hence wisdom (as may be seen above n. 280). "Their young men smitten with the sword in war," signifies, because truths have been destroyed by the assaults of falsity; young men denote truths, the sword denotes falsity destroying, and war denotes the assault thereof.

[7] In Ezekiel:

"Go ye through" Jerusalem, "and smite, neither let your eye spare, slay ye to perdition the old man, the young man, and the virgin, and the infant; but draw not near against any man upon whom is the sign" (ix. 5, 6).

These words were spoken by the man clothed in linen garments, or by an angel to other angels, and were heard by the prophet. It is not meant by this that they should pass through Jerusalem, and should smite and slay old men, young men, maidens, and infants unto perdition; but by Jerusalem is meant the church as to doctrine, and that it is altogether vastated as to all the goods and truths which constitute it. By an old man is meant wisdom belonging to good; by a young man, intelligence belonging to truth; by a maiden, the affection thereof; and by an infant, every rising good and truth, specifically the good of innocence, by means of which all things of the church with man are born. By the man (vir) upon whom was the sign, and to whom they should not come near, is signified truth from good.

[8] In the same:

"Hence they shall stone them with stone, they shall cleave them asunder with swords, they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire" (xxiii. 47).

These things are said concerning Samaria and Jerusalem, which are there called Aholah and Aholibah; by which are signified the spiritual and the celestial churches, in the present case, those churches devastated by falsities and evils. To stone with stone, and to cleave asunder with swords, signify the destruction of truth by falsities; for stoning signified punishment and death, on account of violence offered to the Divine truth, similarly the cleaving asunder by swords. To slay sons and daughters, signifies to destroy all truths and goods, sons denoting truths, and daughters goods. And to burn houses with fire, signifies to destroy all things of love and charity, by the evils of the love of self and of the world; houses denote the interior [things] of man, thus those of his love; here that [those things are] destroyed, fire denoting love in both senses.

[9] In Jeremiah:

"They lay on the earth, the boy and the old man in the streets; my virgins and my, young men have fallen by the sword; Thou hast slain in the day of thine anger, Thou hast not spared" (Lam. ii. 21).

Here also it treats of the church devastated. To lie on the ground and in the streets, signifies, destroyed by evils and falsities. The boy and the old man, the virgins and the young men, have fallen by the sword, signify, here as above, all goods and truths together with intelligence and wisdom. Their extinction is signified by, "Thou hast slain in the day of thine anger, Thou hast not spared"; the day of anger signifies the last state of the church, when judgment takes place. It is ascribed to Jehovah that He slew, that is, extinguished those things; but it is man himself who does this. It is the character of the sense of the letter to ascribe to Jehovah what is of the man himself (as may be seen, n. 2447, 5798, 6071, 6991, 6997, 7533, 7632, 7643, 7677, 7679, 7710, 7926, 8227, 8282, 8483, 8632, 9010, 9128, 9306, 10,431).

[10] In Amos:

"I will cut off the judge out of the midst of Moab, and all his princes will I slay with him" (ii. 2, 3).

By Moab, in the Word, are meant those who adulterate the goods of the church; by the judge who shall be cut off and by the princes who shall be slain, are signified the good that is adulterated, and the truths that are thence falsified, a judge denoting good, and a prince denoting truth.

[11] In Zechariah:

"There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds, that their eminence is devastated. Thus said Jehovah my God, Feed the sheep of the slaughter, which their possessors slay. I have fed the sheep of the slaughter for your sakes, O miserable of the flock" (xi. 3-5, 7).

By the sheep of the slaughter, which their possessors slay, are signified those who are in good, and are seduced by falsities of doctrine; they are called sheep who are in the good of charity; shepherds denote those who teach truths, and thereby lead to good.

[12] In David:

"We are slain every day; we are reputed as a flock of the slaughter. Awake, O Lord! forsake us not for ever" (Ps. xliv. 22, 23).

"We are slain every day," signifies, that of ourselves we are perpetually falling into falsities, and are seduced by them, especially in the time when falsities rule; hence it is evident what a flock of the slaughter signifies. That we may be elevated out of them by the Lord is signified by, "Awake, O Lord! forsake us not for ever."

[13] In Ezekiel:

"They shall draw the swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring [thee] down to the pit, and thou shalt die by the death of the slain" (xxviii. 7, 8).

These things are spoken of the prince of Tyre, by whom is signified intelligence from the knowledges of truth, here those extinguished by falsities. To draw swords upon the beauty of thy wisdom, signifies its extinction by falsities; to bring down to the pit, signifies immersion in them; and to die by the death of the slain, signifies destruction and damnation; the slain signify those with whom all truth is extinguished (as may be seen, n. 4503, 9262), and death signifies damnation.

[14] In Isaiah:

"Hath he smitten him according to the stroke of him that smiteth him? Is he slain according to the slaughter of his slain? " (xxvii. 7).

These things are said concerning Jacob and Israel, by whom the church is signified; by Jacob the external church, and by Israel the internal. The temptations of those who belong to the church are thus described, which are signified by, "Hath he smitten him according to the stroke of him that smiteth him?" And that they should not yield, and thus perish in temptations, is signified by, "Is he slain according to the slaughter of the slain?" the slaughter of the slain signifies perdition by falsities.

[15] Slaughter signifies perdition and damnation also elsewhere in the same:

"In the day of the great slaughter, the towers shall fall" (xxx. 25).

The day of the great slaughter signifies the Last Judgment, when the wicked are condemned and perish; towers signify the doctrines of falsity.

[16] In the same:

"I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant" (xiv. 30).

These things are said respecting Philistea, by which is signified truth without good, or faith without charity. To kill the root with famine, signifies to perish entirely from having no good; the root denotes everything from which a thing lives; therefore it is also said, he shall slay thy remnant; by remnant are signified all the remains of the church.

[17] In Jeremiah:

"I have heard the voice of the daughter of Zion; she sigheth and spreadeth her hands, for my soul is wearied by the slayers" (iv. 31).

Thus is described the grief of the church falling from truths into falsities. The daughter of Zion denotes the church, "She sigheth and spreadeth the hands," signifies grief; "For my soul is wearied by the slavers," signifies by the falsities which extinguish spiritual life, slayers denoting those falsities.

[18] In Isaiah:

"Behold, Jehovah going forth out of his place to visit the iniquity of the earth; then shall the earth reveal her bloods, and shall no longer hide her slain" (xxvi. 21).

This is said of the day of visitation or judgment, when the iniquities of all shall be uncovered, which is meant by, "Then the earth shall reveal her bloods, and shall no longer hide her slain the earth signifies the church, here the evil who are therein bloods denote the evils that have destroyed the goods thereof and the slain denote the falsities that have destroyed the truths thereof; hence, whether it be said that the slain signify falsities, or those who are in falsities, it is the same thing because they are in falsities, and falsities in them, and the falsities in them destroy. The same is signified by the slain elsewhere in Isaiah:

"What will ye do in the day of visitation and of desolation? They shall fall down under the slain" (x. 3, 4).

Also in the Apocalypse:

"The blood of the prophets and of saints was found in Babylon, and of all that were slain on the earth" (xviii. 24).

What is signified by these words will be seen in what comes after.

[19] In Isaiah:

"I will visit evil upon the world. Every one found shall be thrust through; and every one gathered together shall fall by the sword" (xiii. 11, 15).

This also is said of Babylon. "Every one found shall be thrust through," signifies that they shall perish by evil; and "Every one gathered together shall fall by the sword," signifies [that they shall perish] by falsity.

[20] In Matthew:

"In the consummation of the age they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you" (xxiv. 9).

In John:

"They shall cut you off from the synagogues; yea, the hour cometh that any one who killeth you, will think that he offereth holy worship to God" (xvi. 2, 3).

These things were said to the disciples; and by the disciples, in the spiritual-representative sense, are meant all the truths and goods of the church; hence it is evident, what is meant in that sense by, "they shall kill them," namely, that they shall then destroy the truths and goods of the church.

[21] In Mark:

"In the consummation of the age "the brother shall deliver the brother to death, the father the children; the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall slay them" (xiii. 12).

The consummation of the age is the last time of the church, when falsities shall destroy truths, and evils shall destroy goods. By brother, father, and children are not meant here, a brother, a father, and children, but falsity and truth, also good and evil. That the brother shall deliver the brother to death, signifies that falsity shall destroy good, specifically that faith alone shall destroy charity, for faith in the Word is called the brother of charity. That the father shall deliver the children to death, signifies that the good of the church shall perish by the falsities of evil; father denoting the good of the church, and children denoting the falsities of evil. That the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall slay them, signifies that the falsities of evil shall assault the goods and truths of the church, and destroy them.

[22] In Luke:

The man who planted a vineyard "sent a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant; and beating him also, they sent him away empty. Again he sent a third, and wounding him they cast him forth. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. But they said, This is the heir; come, let us kill him; and casting him out of the vineyard, they killed him" (xx. 10-16; Mark xii. 2-9).

These things are said concerning the church instituted amongst the Jews, and thereby is described the perversion and falsification of every truth they possessed from the Word, by traditions and by applications to themselves. Every particular there contains a spiritual sense; for whatever the Lord spake, He spake also spiritually, because from the Divine. By the vineyard which the man planted, is signified the church which is in truths; by the servants whom he sent thrice, is meant the Word given to them, through Moses and the prophets; "thrice" is mentioned, because three signifies what is full and complete that they beat them, wounded, and sent them away empty from the vineyard, signifies that they falsified and perverted the truths that are there; to send them away empty from the vineyard, signifies that they deprived the Word of its goods and truths. By the beloved son is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, who is also thence called the Word; that they cast Him out of the vineyard and killed Him, signifies not only [that they killed] Him, but also all Divine truth which is from Him (as may be seen also above, n. 83).

[23] In Daniel:

"After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself" (ix. 26).

By the Messiah also is meant the Lord as to Divine truth (as may be seen in n. 3008, 3009). That He shall be cut off, signifies not only Himself, but also all Divine truth with that people; but not for Himself, signifies that it should revive with those who are in the New Church, in like manner as was said above in the first chapter of the Apocalypse: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore" (v. 18).

AE (Tansley) n. 316

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 316

316. Having seven horns. That this signifies to whom belongs Omnipotence, is evident from the signification of a horn, as denoting the power of truth against falsity, but when predicated of the Lord, as denoting all power or omnipotence. The reason why the Lamb was seen to have horns seven in number, was because by seven is signified all, and it is said of what is holy (see above, n. 257). Horn and horns signify power, because the power of horned animals, as of oxen, rams, goats, and others, lies in their horns. That horn or horns signify the power of truth against falsity, and, in the highest sense, where said of the Lord, Omnipotence, and, in the opposite sense, the power of falsity against truth, is evident from many passages in the Word; and because it is thence evident what horns in the Word signify, of which mention is so often made in Daniel, and also in the Apocalypse, and because they are still in use in the coronation of kings, I wish to quote them.

[2] In Ezekiel:

"In that day will I make the horn of the house of Israel to grow, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; that they may know that I am Jehovah" (xxix. 21).

To make the horn of the house of Israel to grow, signifies truth in abundance, the house of Israel denoting the church; because this is signified by horn and its increase, therefore it is also said, "And I will give thee the opening of the mouth," by which is meant the preaching of the truth.

[3] In the first book of Samuel:

"The horn hath exalted her in Jehovah; my mouth is enlarged against mine enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation. He shall give strength unto his king, and shall exalt the horn of his anointed" (ii. 1, 10).

This is a prophetical saying of Hannah. By, "The horn hath exalted her in Jehovah," is signified that the Divine truth filled her, and rendered her powerful against falsities; and because this is signified, therefore it is said, "My mouth is enlarged against my enemies"; the enlargement of the mouth denoting the preaching of truth with power, and the enemies denoting the falsities which disperse Divine truth. By, "He shall give strength unto his king, and shall exalt the horn of his anointed," is signified the Lord's Omnipotence from Divine good by Divine truth; for strength in the Word is said of the power of good, and horn of the power of truth; and the anointed of Jehovah denotes the Lord as to the Divine Human, which possesses Omnipotence (as may be seen, n. 3008, 3009, 9954).

[4] In David:

Jehovah "hath exalted the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, a people near unto him" (Ps. cxlviii. 14).

By, "He hath exalted the horn of his people," is signified that He hath filled them with Divine truths; therefore it is said,

"The praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, a people near unto him," for they are called saints who are in Divine truths, because the Divine truth is what is called holy (as may be seen above, n. 204). Israel denotes the church which is in truths, the sons thereof denote truths; people is also said of those who are in truths, and they are said to be near who are thereby conjoined with the Lord.

[5] In the same:

"Jehovah God of hosts, thou art the grace of their strength; and by thy good pleasure thou shalt exalt our horn" (lxxxix. 8, 17).

By to exalt the horn is also here signified to fill with Divine truth, and thereby to give power against falsities; on which account it is said, "Jehovah God of hosts, thou art the grace of their strength"; grace also in the Word is predicated of the church, and of the doctrine of truth therein.

[6] In the same:

"A good man sheweth mercy and lendeth. His Justice endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with glory" (Ps. cxii. 5, 9).

That horn signifies Divine truth, is evident from this consideration, that it is said, his justice endureth for ever, and his horn shall be exalted with glory; justice in the Word is said of good, therefore the horn is said of truth; for in every particular of the Word there is a marriage of good and truth; glory also signifies Divine truth.

[7] In Habakkuk:

"The brightness" of Jehovah God "shall be as the light; he hath horns coming out of his hand; and there is the hiding of his strength" (iii. 4).

Because horns signify Divine truth with power, therefore it is said, "The brightness of Jehovah God shall be as the light," and in the horns is the hiding of His strength. By the brightness of Jehovah and the light, is signified Divine truth; and by the hiding of His strength in the horns, is signified the omnipotence of the Divine good by the Divine truth, for all the power of good is by means of truth; and in Divine truth lies concealed the Omnipotence which is of Divine good.

[8] In David:

"I have found David my servant; with the oil of holiness have I anointed him: with whom my hand shall be established; mine arm also shall strengthen him. My truth and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his horn be exalted" (Ps. lxxxix. 20, 21, 24).

By David is meant the Lord as to the Divine truth (as may be seen above, n. 203); and by his horn shall be exalted, is meant His Divine power, which He has from Divine good by means of Divine truth; therefore it is said, "My truth and my mercy shall be with him"; mercy in the Word, when said of Jehovah or the Lord, signifies the Divine good of the Divine love. Because by David is meant the Lord as to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine Human, He is therefore called David My servant; by servant in the Word is not meant a servant in the general sense, but whatever serves, and it is said of truth, because it serves good for use, here for power.

[9] In the same:

"I will make the horn of David to bud; I will place a lamp for mine anointed" (Ps. cxxxii. 17).

Here by David is meant the Lord as to Divine truth, and also by anointed; by making His horn to bud, is signified the multiplication of Divine truth in the heavens and on the earths from Him; therefore it is also said, "I will place a lamp for mine anointed," by which the same is meant. That the Lord as to Divine truth proceeding from His Divine good, is called a lamp, may be seen above, n. 62.

[10] In the same:

"Jehovah is my strength, my rock, my fortress; God [is] my rock in which I confide, my shield, and the horn of my salvation" (Ps. xviii. 1, 2; 2 Sam. xxii. 3).

Strength and rock, when said of Jehovah or the Lord, as in this passage, signify omnipotence; the fortress and rock in which he trusts, signify defence; the shield and horn of salvation signify salvation thence; strength, fortress, and shield in the Word are said of Divine good; stone, rock, and horn are said of Divine truth; hence by those things are signified omnipotence, defence, and salvation, which are from the Divine good by the Divine truth.

[11] In Luke:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation in the house of David; that he might save us from our enemies" (i. 68, 69, 71).

This is a prophetical [saying] of Zacharias concerning the Lord and His advent. The horn of salvation, in the house of David, signifies omnipotence of saving by means of Divine truth from Divine good; the horn denotes that omnipotence; the house of David denotes the Lord's church. The enemies from which He should save us, are the falsities of evil, for these are the enemies from which the Lord saves those who receive Him; that there were no other enemies from which the Lord preserved those who are there meant by His people, is known.

[12] In Micah:

"Rise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass, that thou mayest break in pieces many peoples" (iv. 13).

Rise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, signifies the dissipation of evil with those who belong to the church; to thresh, denotes to dissipate; and the daughter of Zion denotes the church which is in the affection of good. I will make thy horn iron, signifies Divine truth mighty and powerful; and thy hoofs brass, has a similar signification, hoofs denoting truths in ultimates. That thou mayest break in pieces many peoples, signifies that thou mayest disperse falsities; for "peoples" is said of truths, and, in an opposite sense, of falsities.

[13] In Zechariah:

"I saw, and behold the four horns which dispersed Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem; he shewed me four smiths, and he said, These horns which have scattered Judah, so that not a man lifteth up his head, these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lift up the horn against the land of Judah to scatter it" (i. 18-21).

By these things the vastation of the church is described, and afterwards its restoration. By Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, are signified the church and its doctrine; the horns which scattered them, signify the falsities of evil, which have vastated the church; smiths signify the same as iron, namely, truth in ultimates, which is mighty and powerful, consequently the same as the horn of iron; therefore it is said concerning them, "These have come to cast down the horns of the nations which lift up the horn against the land of Judah." The horns of the nations denote the falsities of evil which have vastated the church, and which are to be dispersed in order that it may be restored.

[14] In Lamentations:

"The Lord hath destroyed in his wrath the fortifications of the daughter of Judah; he hath cast them down to the earth; he hath profaned the kingdom and the princes thereof; he hath cut off in the wrath of [his] anger all the horn of Israel" (ii. 2, 3).

The total vastation of the church is here treated of. The last time, when it is devastated, is signified by the wrath of the Lord's anger; and its total vastation is described by, "He hath destroyed the fortifications of the daughter of Judah, he hath cast them down to the ground, he hath profaned the kingdom and the princes thereof." The daughter of Judah denotes the church; her fortifications denote truths from good; the kingdom and the princes denote the truths of its doctrine; hence it is evident what is signified by, "He hath cut off all the horn of Israel," namely, all the power of the truth of the church to resist the falsities of evil.

[15] In Daniel:

Daniel saw in a vision four beasts ascending out of the sea; the fourth exceedingly strong, having teeth of iron. He devoured and brake in pieces; and he had ten horns; and I gave heed, and behold, another little horn came up among them, and three of the former horns were uprooted before it; in this horn there were eyes as the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. I saw that this horn made war with the saints, and had prevailed against them, and that it spake words against the Most High; as to the ten horns, they are ten kings, and it shall humble three kings (vii. 3, 7, 8, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25).

That by horns are here meant falsities which destroy the truths of the church, or the power of falsities against truths, is evident. By the beast ascending out of the sea, is signified the love of self, from which all evils [originate], in this case the love of ruling over heaven and earth, to which things holy are made subservient as means; of this quality is the love that is meant by Babylon in the Apocalypse. The beast was seen to ascend out of the sea, because by the sea is signified the natural man separated from the spiritual; for he is then such as to desire nothing more than to rule over all, and to confirm his rule from the sense of the letter of the Word. The ten horns signify falsities of every kind, for ten denotes all; therefore it is also said, that the ten horns are ten kings, for kings signify truths, and, in an opposite sense, as here, falsities. The little horn which came up among them, before which three of the former horns were uprooted, signifies the full perversion of the Word by the application of the sense of its letter to confirm the love of dominion. This horn is called little, because it does not appear that the Word is perverted; and that which does not appear before the sight of a man's spirit, or before his understanding, is considered either as nothing, or as little; in the spiritual world there is such an appearance of things to be apprehended only by a few. The three horns which were uprooted before it, signify the truths of the Word there, which are thus destroyed by falsifications; those truths are also signified by the three kings who were humbled by it. By three are not signified three, but is full, thus that truths were completely destroyed. Because that horn signifies the perversion of the Word as to the sense of its letter, and this sense appears before the eyes of men as if it were to be thus and not otherwise understood, consequently to be contradicted by no one, it is therefore said of this horn, that in it there were eyes as the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. The eyes signify the understanding; and eyes as the eyes of a man, the understanding, as it were, of the truth and the mouth signifies thought and speech thence.

From these considerations it may now be seen what is meant by all and each of the things here mentioned; as what by the beast ascending out of the sea, which had ten horns, and teeth of iron, and devoured and brake in pieces; what by the little horn which came up among them, before which three of the horns were uprooted, in which were eyes as the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things; also what by it made war with the saints and prevailed against them, and that it spake words against the Most High; and that the horns were so many kings.

[16] In the same:

"I saw in a vision a ram which had two horns, and the horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. It shall push towards the west, the north, and the south. Then, behold, a he-goat of the she-goats came from the west upon the faces of the whole earth; it had a horn visible between its eyes. He ran unto the ram in the fury of his strength, and he brake his two horns, and he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him. But the great horn of the he-goat was broken; and there came up four in place thereof toward the four winds of the heavens. Presently out of one of them came forth a little horn, which grew exceedingly toward the south, and toward the east, and toward glory. And it grew, even to the host of the heavens; and it cast down of the host to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, even to the prince of the host it exalted itself; and the dwelling of his sanctuary was cast down, because it cast down truth to the earth" (viii. 2-12, 21, 25).

Here is described another thing which vastates the church, namely, faith alone. By the ram is signified the good of charity and faith thence, and by the he-goat faith separate from charity, or faith alone; or, what is the same, those who are therein; by their horns are signified truths from good and falsities from evil, combating; truths from good by the horns of the ram, and falsities from evil by the horns of the he-goat. By the ram having two high horns, one higher than the other, and the higher coming up last, is signified the truth of faith from the good of charity; and this is seen according to the influx of good and truth with men and spirits, for all good is received behind, and all truth in front, because the cerebellum is formed to receive the good of the will, and the cerebrum to receive the truth of the understanding. By the west, the north, and the south, towards which the ram pushed, are signified the goods and truths which those receive who are in charity and the faith thence, and by which they disperse evils and falsities.

By the he-goat of the she-goats which came upon the faces of the whole earth, is signified faith separate from charity, arising from evil of life; the he-goat of the she-goats denotes that faith; the west denotes evil of life; and the earth denotes the church; it had a horn visible between the eyes, signifies that it was of self-intelligence; that he ran unto the ram in the fury of his strength, and brake his two horns, and threw him down to the ground, and stamped upon him, signify the complete destruction of charity and the faith thence; for when charity is destroyed faith also is destroyed, for the latter is from the former. The great horn of the he-goat being broken, and four coming up in place thereof, towards the four winds of the heavens, signify all falsities conjoined with the evils thence; the horns signify the falsities of evil, four their conjunction, and the four winds of the heavens all, as well falsities as evils. That out of one of them came forth a little horn, signifies justification thereby, for this is born from the principle of faith alone; it is said to be little, because it does not appear as a falsity.

That this horn grew exceedingly towards the south, and towards the east, and towards glory; and grew even to the host of the heavens, and cast down of the host to the ground, and stamped upon them, signifies that it destroyed all the truths and goods of the church. The south denotes where truth is in the light; the east and glory denote where good is in clearness by truth; the host of the heavens denote all the truths and goods of heaven and the church; to cast down the host to the ground, and to stamp upon them, signifies to entirely destroy; that it exalteth itself, even to the prince of the host, and that the dwelling of his sanctuary was cast down, signifies the denial of the Lord's Divine Human, and the consequent vastation of the church. The prince of the host denotes the Lord as to the Divine Human, because from that proceed all the truths and goods which constitute the church; the dwelling of the sanctuary denotes the church where those things are; that they are truths destroyed by falsities that are meant, is evident, for it is said, it cast down the truth to the ground.

That such things are signified by the ram and the he-goat, and by their horns, is plainly evident from appearances in the spiritual world; for, when those who have confirmed themselves in the doctrine of faith alone, and of justification thereby, dispute there with those who are in the doctrine of charity and the faith thence, then to others who stand afar off he-goats, or a he-goat appear with similar horns, and with like insult and fury against rams or a ram, and he also appears to tread the stars under his feet. These things have been also seen by me, and at the same time by those who stood by me, who were thence convinced that such things are meant in Daniel; and also that similar things are meant by the sheep on the right hand, and the goats oil the left (Matt. xxv. 32 to the end); namely, by the sheep those who are in the good of charity, and by the he-goats those who are in faith alone.

From these passages, adduced from Daniel, it may in some measure appear what is signified in the Revelation:

By a dragon being seen having ten horns (xii. 3).

By a beast being seen ascending out of the sea, which also had ten horns (xiii. 1).

And by the woman that was seen sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, which had seven heads and ten horns; concerning which the angel said, the ten horns which thou sawest, are ten kings (xvii. 3, 7, 12).

But on these subjects see the explanation in the following pages.

[17] That the power of falsity against truth is signified by a horn or horns, is also clear from the following passages: In Jeremiah:

"The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken" (xlviii. 25).

By Moab those are signified who are in spurious goods, and in falsified truths thence, which in themselves are falsities. The destruction of these falsities is signified by the horn of Moab being cut off, and the destruction of those evils by his arm being broken.

[18] In Lamentations:

"Jehovah hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee; he hath exalted the horn of thine adversaries" (ii. 17).

By enemy is meant evil, and by adversaries the falsities of evil; to exalt the horn of the adversaries, is for falsities to prevail over truths and destroy them.

[19] In Ezekiel:

"Ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the infirm sheep with your horns till ye have scattered them abroad" (xxxiv. 21).

To thrust with side and shoulder, is with all strength and effort; to push with [your] horns the infirm sheep till ye have scattered them abroad, signifies by falsities to destroy the well disposed, who are not yet in truths from good, but still desire to be.

[20] In Amos:

"In the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will visit upon the altars of Bethel, that the horns of the altar may be cut off, and fall to the ground" (iii. 14).

By the altars of Bethel worship from evil is signified, and by the horns of the altar are signified the falsities of that evil; and that these are to be destroyed, is signified by the horns being cut off, and falling to the ground.

[21] In the same:

"Those who rejoice over a thing of nought; who say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?" (vi. 13).

To take horns by our own strength, signifies by the power of one's own intelligence to acquire the falsities by which truths are destroyed.

[22] In David:

"I said unto the proud, Boast not; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn. Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; the horns of the Just shall be exalted" (Ps. lxxv. 4, 5, 10).

By lifting up the horn on high, is signified to defend falsity strongly against the truth; therefore it is also said, "Speak not with a stiff neck." By cutting off their horns, is signified to destroy their falsities; and by exalting the horns of the just, is signified to make powerful and strong the truths of good.

[23] Because by lifting on high and by exalting the horns is signified to fill with truths, and to render them powerful and strong against falsities, therefore those truths are also called the horns of the unicorn, because these are elevated. As in Moses:

"The first-born of his ox he hath honour, and his horns are the horns of the unicorn; with them he shall push the peoples together to the ends of the earth; and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh" (Deut. xxxiii. 17).

These things are said concerning Joseph, by whom, in the highest sense, is represented the Lord as to the Divine spiritual, or as to Divine truth in heaven; hence by Joseph are also signified those who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom (as may be seen, n. 3969, 3971, 4669, 6417). The first-born of the ox having honour, signifies the good of spiritual love; his horns being the horns of the unicorn, signify truths in their fulness, and in their power thence; to push the peoples to the ends of the earth, signifies to instruct in truths all those who belong to the church, and thereby to dissipate falsities. The ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh, signify the store and abundance of truth and thence of wisdom, and the store and abundance of good and thence of love. That Ephraim, in the Word, signifies the Intellectual of the church, which pertains to truth, and that Manasseh signifies the Voluntary of the church, which pertains to good, may be seen, n. 3969, 5354, 6222, 6234, 6238, 6267, 6296; and that by ten thousands and thousands are signified very many, consequently, store and abundance.

[24] In David:

"Save me from the mouth of the lion; and hear me from the horns of the unicorns" (Ps. xxii. 21).

By the lion is signified falsity vehemently destroying truth; and by the horns of the unicorns are signified the truths that prevail against falsities.

[25] In the same:

"My horn is like the horn of a unicorn" (Ps. xcii. 10).

Like the horn of a unicorn, signifies truth as to fulness and power.

[26] In the Apocalypse:

"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is in the sight of God" (ix. 13).

The altar of incense, which was called also the golden altar, was representative of the bearing and reception of all things of worship, that are from love and charity from the Lord, thus the representative of such things of worship as are elevated by the Lord. The horns of the altar represented truths proceeding from the good of love; hence it is evident why the voice was heard from the four horns of the altars, for truths are the means by which good acts and speaks.

[27] Because altars represented the worship of the Lord from the good of love, and since all worship, that is truly worship, is performed from the good of love by means of truths, therefore there were horns to the altars. That there were horns to the altar of incense, is evident in Moses:

"Thou shalt make four horns to the altar of incense; they shall be from it. And thou shalt overlay them with gold" (Exod. xxx. 2, 3, 10; xxxvii. 25, 26).

And that there were horns to the altar of burnt-offering it is said elsewhere in the same:

"Thou shalt make the horns upon the four corners of the altar of burnt-offering; from it his horns shall be" (Exod. xxvii. 2; xxxviii. 2).

That the horns were from the altar itself, signified that the truths, which the horns represented, proceed from the good of love, which the altar itself represented; for all truth is from good. That there were four, and [one] at each corner, signified that they were for the four quarters in heaven, by which are signified all things of truth from good.

[28] Because all expiations, and purifications are effected by truth from good, therefore expiation was made upon the horns of the altars,

Upon the horns of the altar of incense (Exod. xxx. 10; Lev. iv. 7).

And upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering (Lev. iv. 25, 30, 34; viii. 15; ix. 9; xvi. 18).

And because all Divine protection is by means of truths from good, therefore also

Those who committed evils and feared death caught hold of the horns of the altar and were preserved (1 Kings i. 50, 51, 53);

But those who from premeditation, and wilfully, committed evil, were not preserved (1 Kings ii. 28-31).

Further, because horns signified truths from good, therefore also, when kings were anointed, this was done by oil from a horn. That David was thus anointed, may be seen (1 Sam. xvi. 1, 13); and that "Solomon was so" (1 Kings i. 39); the oil signified the good of love. From this signification of horns, which the ancients knew, it was customary to make the horn, budding forth and fragrant; whence the expression, cornucopia.

AE (Tansley) n. 317

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 317

317. And seven eyes. That this signifies, who has omniscience, is evident from the signification of seven eyes, when said of the Lord, as denoting omniscience; for eyes, when said of man, signify the understanding; wherefore, when said of the Lord, they signify omniscience. That eyes, when said of man, signify the understanding, and when said of the Lord, Providence, as also the Divine Wisdom and Intelligence, which is omniscience, may be seen above, n. 152. Seven eyes are mentioned, because seven signifies all, and is said of what is holy, as [has been shown] above.

AE (Tansley) n. 318

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 318

318. Which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. That this signifies that thence are all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church, is evident from the signification of the seven spirits of God, as denoting the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord (concerning which see above, n. 183); and because they signify the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord, they also signify the Divine Wisdom or omniscience; and from the signification of, sent forth into all the earth, as denoting whence are all wisdom and intelligence in heaven and in the church. By being sent forth is signified to be communicated, and by all the earth is signified the church both in the heavens and on the earth (as may be seen above, n. 304). Hence it is clear why it is said that the seven eyes of the Lamb were the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth, for by seven eyes is signified the omniscience which the Lord has from Divine good by Divine truth. All wisdom and intelligence are thence, because man cannot understand truth and relish good from himself, but from the Lord, and all wisdom and intelligence pertain to truth from good. Unless wisdom and intelligence are formed from that, they are not wisdom and intelligence, but folly and insanity, which appear before the ignorant and the evil as wisdom and intelligence, from the fact of their being able to speak and reason from the memory. For man's proprium is nothing but evil and falsity; his voluntary proprium is evil, and his intellectual proprium thence is falsity; therefore whatever is from the proprium, is opposed to wisdom and intelligence, and what is opposed to wisdom is folly, and what is opposed to intelligence is insanity. Hence it is evident, that unless a man is raised up out of his proprium by the Lord, which is effected when he receives Divine truth, not only in the memory but also in the life, he cannot at all be wise and intelligent. But such elevation out of the proprium by the Lord does not appear to man, nor is it perceived by him so long as he is in the world, but then for the first time when he comes into his spirit, which takes place after its separation from the material body; but even then by those only who come into heaven. The reason why it is said wisdom and intelligence, is, because wisdom pertains to truth from good, for then man relishes good in truth: but intelligence pertains to truth by which good is produced, for then man has not yet a relish for good in truth, but is affected with truth because it is truth. Those who are in the Lord's celestial kingdom are in wisdom, because they are in truths from good; but those who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom are in intelligence, because they are in truths by which good is produced. (But concerning those who are in truths by which good is produced see the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 23; and concerning those who are in truths from good, n. 24, in the same; and concerning the celestial kingdom and the spiritual kingdom, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.)

AE (Tansley) n. 319

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 319

319. (v. 7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him who sat upon the throne. That this signifies that these things are from His Divine Human, appears from the signification of the Lamb who took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat upon the throne, as denoting the Lord as to the Divine Human (concerning which see above, n. 314). That by the right hand of Him who sat upon the throne is meant the Lord as to omnipotence and omniscience, see also above, n. 297, 298. Hence it is that by, He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne, is signified that those things are from the Divine Human. That omnipotence and omniscience are denoted, is also because the subject treated of is concerning them, as is clear from the preceding words, where it is said that the Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes. By the seven horns are signified omnipotence, and by the seven eyes omniscience (as may be seen just above, n. 316, 317), and by the Lamb the Divine Human; n. 381. That omnipotence and omniscience belong to the Lord's Divine Human, is evident from what has been said and shown above (n. 10, 26, 32, 49, 52, 63, 77, 82, 97, 113, 114, 135, 137, 151, 178, 200, 205 end, 209, 254, 297, 309).

AE (Tansley) n. 320

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 320

320. Verses 8, 9, 10. And when he had taken the book, the four animals and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God in thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue, and people and nation. And thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign upon the earth.

"And when he had taken the book," signifies, after the acknowledgment that the Lord's Human is Divine, and that it has omnipotence and omniscience; "the four animals and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb," signifies, the acknowledgment, and hence the glorification, of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens; "having every one of them harps," signifies, confession from spiritual truths; "and golden vials full of incense," signifies, confession from spiritual goods; "which are the prayers of the saints," signifies, from which is worship.

"And they sang a new song," signifies, acknowledgment and confession from joy of heart; "saying, Thou art worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof," signifies, that the Lord from the Divine Human has omnipotence and omniscience; "for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God in thy blood," signifies, the separation of all from the Divine, and conjunction with the Divine by the acknowledgment of Him, and the reception of Divine truth from Him; "out of every tribe and tongue," signifies, by all who are in truths as to doctrine and as to life; "and people and nation," signifies, who are of the Lord's spiritual church, and of His celestial church.

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests," signifies, that from the Lord they are in the truths and goods of the church and heaven; "and we shall reign upon the earth," signifies, the power which belongs to the Lord alone by Divine truth united to Divine good, and hence power and wisdom to those who are of the Lord's spiritual and celestial kingdom.

AE (Tansley) n. 321

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 321

321. (v. 8) And when he had taken the book. That this signifies after the acknowledgment that the Lord's Human is Divine, and that it has omnipotence and omniscience, is evident from the series in the internal sense, this being the subject treated of in what immediately precedes (see n. 316-319); and in what now follows it is acknowledged, and on this account the Lord is celebrated and glorified. And because this celebration and glorification is a living acknowledgment that the Lord's Human is Divine, and that it has omnipotence and omniscience, and that acknowledgment now follows, it is therefore signified by "when he had taken the book." The glorification of the Lord, in what now follows, is effected in this order: first, by the angels of the higher heavens; afterwards, by the angels of the lower heavens; and, lastly, by those who are under the heavens. The glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens, is contained in verses 8, 9, 10; that by the angels of the lower heavens, in verses 11, 12; and that by whose who are under the heavens, in verse 13; but these will be specifically treated of in what follows.

AE (Tansley) n. 322

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 322

322. The four animals and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. That this signifies the acknowledgment and hence the glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens, is evident from the signification of the four animals and the four-and-twenty elders, as denoting, in general, the whole heaven, but specifically the inmost heavens, consequently, the angels of the higher heavens (concerning which see above, n. 313); here specifically the angels of those heavens, because in what follows glorification is made by the angels of the lower heavens; and from the signification of their falling down before the Lamb, as denoting acknowledgment from a humble heart. (That to fall down signifies humiliation, and then reception and acknowledgment of heart, may be seen above, n. 290.) That the acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine Human is meant is evident, for this is signified by the Lamb (see above, n. 381). What the higher heavens are, and what the lower heavens are, shall here be explained in a few words. There are three heavens; the third or inmost heaven is where the angels are who are in celestial love; the second or middle heaven is where the angels are who are in spiritual love; the first or ultimate heaven is where the angels who are in spiritual-natural love. The third or inmost heaven is conjoined with the second or middle by intermediate angels, who are called celestial-spiritual and spiritual-celestial angels; these, together with the angels of the third or inmost heaven, constitute the higher heavens; but the rest in the second or middle heaven, together with those who are in the first or ultimate heaven, constitute the lower heavens. The four animals signify specifically the third or inmost heaven, and the four-and-twenty elders the second or middle heaven, which is conjoined to the third or inmost; thus together they signify the higher heavens. (Concerning the intermediate angels, who are called celestial-spiritual, and spiritual-celestial, and concerning the conjunction of the third heaven with the second by them, see the Arcana Coelestia, n. 1577, 1824, 2184, 4047, 4286, 4585, 4592, 4594, 6435, 6526, 8787, 8801, 9671.)

AE (Tansley) n. 323

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 323

323. Having every one of them harps. That this signifies confession from spiritual truths, is evident from the signification of the harp, as denoting confession from spiritual truths. Harps, signify this because the harp was a stringed instrument, and such instruments signify spiritual things, or those of truth; whereas wind instruments signify celestial things, or those of good. Such things are signified by musical instruments, from the sounds, for sound corresponds to the affections, and from sounds also affections are perceived in heaven. And because there are various affections, and various sounds are uttered by musical instruments, therefore the latter, from correspondence, and thence agreement, signify the former. In general, stringed instruments signify such things as belong to the affections of truth, and wind instruments such as belong to the affections of good; or, what is the same thing, some instruments belong to the spiritual class, and some to the celestial class. That sounds correspond to affections, has been made clear to me from much experience, and also musical sounds, and that the angels are affected according to the sounds and their varieties; but to adduce all such experience would be tedious in this place. That only which has been generally observed, I desire to record, namely, that discrete sounds arouse the affections of truth, or that those who are in the affections of truth are affected by them; and that continuous sounds arouse the affections of good, or that those who are in affections of good are affected by them. Whether you say the affections of truth or spiritual things, it amounts to the same, or whether you say the affections of good or celestial things, it is also the same. But these things can be better comprehended from what has been
said from experience concerning sounds and their correspondence with the affections, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 241. From these considerations it is now evident, why, in the Word, and chiefly in David, so many kinds of musical instruments are mentioned, as psalteries, harps, flutes, cymbals, timbrels, horns, organs, and others, namely, that it is on account of correspondence with the affections, and at the same time with the articulations, which are expressions that contain things, and flow therefrom.

[2] That especially harps signify the affections of truth, because they arouse them, consequently also the confession which is made from spiritual truths with a merry heart, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"The new wine shall mourn, the vine shall languish, all the merry-hearted shall sigh. The joy of timbrels shall cease, the noise of the merry shall cease; the joy of the harp shall cease. They shall not drink wine with a song" (xxiv. 7, 8, 9).

The subject here treated of is the vastation of the spiritual church, or the good and truth thereof. Spiritual good that would cease, is signified by, the new wine shall mourn and the joy of timbrels shall cease; and that its truth would cease, is signified by, the vine shall languish, and the joy of the harp shall cease; for by new wine is signified spiritual good, and its joy by the timbrel; and by the vine is signified spiritual truth, and its joy by the harp. Because it is the affection of those things which would cease, it is therefore said, "All the merry-hearted shall sigh, the noise of the merry shall cease." By gladness and mirth in the Word are signified spiritual gladness and mirth, all of which are from the affections of truth and good. It is added, they shall not drink wine with a song, because by a song is signified testification of gladness from the affection of truth, and by wine is signified truth.

[3] In David:

"Confess unto Jehovah upon the harp; sing unto him upon a psaltery of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play excellently with a loud noise. For the Word of Jehovah is right; and all his work [is done] in truth" (Ps. xxxiii. 2, 3, 4).

Because the harp signifies confession from spiritual truths, it is therefore said, Confess unto Jehovah upon the harp. A psaltery of ten strings signifies corresponding spiritual good; therefore it is said, Sing unto him upon a psaltery of ten strings; and on this account also it is said, For the Word of Jehovah is right, and all his work [is done] in truth, the truth of good being signified by, the Word of Jehovah is right, and the good of truth by, all His work is done in truth; the truth of good is the truth which proceeds from good, and the good of truth is the good which is produced by truth.

[4] In the same:

"Send thy light and thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto the mountain of thy holiness, and to thy habitations, that I may confess unto thee upon the harp, O God, my God" (Ps. xliii. 3, 4).

That the harp signifies confession from spiritual truths is evident, for it is said, "I will confess unto thee upon the harp, O God, my God; and it is also premised, send "Thy light and thy truth; let them lead me."

[5] In the same:

"I will confess unto thee upon the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God; unto thee will I sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel" (Ps. lxxi. 22).

Because by the psaltery is signified spiritual good or the good of truth, and by the harp spiritual truth or the truth of good, and confession is made from each, therefore it is said, "I will confess unto thee upon the psaltery; unto thee will I sing with the harp."

[6] In the same:

"I will sing and play. Awake me my glory, awake me, psaltery and harp. I will confess unto thee, O Lord, among the nations, I will praise thee among the peoples" (Ps. lvii. 8, 9; cviii. 2, 3).

Confession and glorification from the good of truth or from spiritual good, and from the truth of good or from spiritual truth, are expressed in the particulars of this passage. The good of truth is expressed by singing, by being awaked by the psaltery, and by praising among the nations; and the truth of good by praising, by being awaked by the harp, and by praising among the peoples; for nations in the Word mean those who are in good, and peoples those who are in truth; in this case those who are in spiritual truth. It is so said, because where good is treated of in the Word, truth also is treated of, and this on account of their marriage in the particulars thereof (concerning which see above, n. 238, at end, 288).

[7] In the same:

"Answer unto Jehovah with confession; sing praise upon the harp unto our God" (Ps. cxlvii. 7).

Here also confession from spiritual good and from spiritual truth is expressed by answering unto Jehovah with confession, and by playing upon the harp unto our God; from spiritual good, by answering unto Jehovah; and from spiritual truth, by playing upon the harp unto God. Jehovah is also mentioned where the subject treated of is concerning good, and God where it is treated concerning truth. (As may be seen, n. 709, 732, 2586, 2769, 2807, 2822, 3921, 4287, 4402, 7010, 9167.)

[8] In Ezekiel:

"And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard. And I will give thee to the dryness of the rock" (xxvi. 13, 14).

This is said respecting Tyre, by which is signified the church as to the knowledges (cognitiones) of good and truth. Its vastation is described by these words; vastation as to knowledges of good by, I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and vastation as to knowledges of truth by, "The sound of harps shall be no more heard"; the desolation of all truth by, "I will give thee to the dryness of the rock"; a rock signifying truth, and its dryness desolation.

[9] In David:

"Make a loud noise unto Jehovah, all the earth; resound, rejoice, and sing. Sing unto Jehovah with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a song. With trumpets and the sound of a horn, make a loud noise before Jehovah, the King" (Ps. xcviii. 4-6).

The various kinds of affections from which confession and glorification of the Lord are made, are here expressed by the various kinds of sounds and instruments; by the various kinds of sounds, by making a loud noise, resounding, rejoicing, and singing; and by the various kinds of instruments, by harps, trumpets, and horns; but to expound the signification of each does not belong to this place, only what relates to the harp. To "Sing unto Jehovah with the harp, with the harp and the voice of a song," signifies confession from the affection of spiritual good and truth; for every affection, because it belongs to love, when it falls into sound, sounds agreeably to itself; whence also from the sound that is in speech, and in which the expressions of speech flow, as it were, the affection of another is heard, which also is thence known to an associate, and manifestly in the spiritual world, where all sounds of the speech indicate the affections.

[10] Also elsewhere in David, as the following passages:

"Rejoice in God our strength; cry aloud unto the God of Jacob. Lift up the song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp, with the psaltery. Blow the horn at the new moon, at the time appointed, on the day of our solemn festival" (Ps. lxxxi. 1, 2, 3).

"[It is] good to confess unto Jehovah, and to sing unto thy name, O Most High upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery upon the harp with a solemn sound" (Ps. xcii. 1, 3).

"Let the sons of Zion exult in their King; let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp" (Ps. cxlix. 2, 3).

"Praise God with the sound of the horn; praise him with the psaltery and harp; praise him with the timbrel and dance; praise him with the stringed instruments and the organ. Praise him with cymbals of soft sound; praise him with cymbals of loud sound" (Ps. cl. 3-5).

[11] Because musical instruments and also dances signify joys and gladnesses, which spring from the affections, and also the affections of the mind themselves, which their sounds produce both in what is simple and in what is compound, therefore

"David and the whole house of Israel played before Jehovah upon wooden instruments of every kind, and upon harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals" (2 Sam. vi. 5).

[12] Because the harp signifies confession from spiritual truths; and spiritual truths are those by which the angels who are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom are affected, and which dissipate the falsities of evil, and with them the spirits themselves who are in them, therefore,

When the evil spirit was upon Saul, "David took a harp, and played with his hand; and thus rest was given to Saul, and the evil spirit departed from him" (1 Sam. xvi. 23).

This was done because kings represented the Lord as to the spiritual kingdom, and thence signified spiritual truths (as may been seen, n. 31); but Saul then represented the falsities opposed to those truths, - falsities that were dissipated by the sound of the harp, because the harp signified the spiritual affection of truth. This circumstance took place at that time, because with the sons of Israel all things were representative, and thence significative; it is otherwise at this day. From the passages which have now been adduced, it is clear what the harp signifies, besides also in other places (as Isaiah xxx. 31, 32; Ps. xlix. 3, 4; Ps. cxxxvii. 1, 2; 1 Sam. x. 5; Rev. xiv. 2; xviii. 22; Job xxx. 31).

[13] Because most things in the Word also signify the opposite, so also do musical instruments, in which sense they signify gladnesses and joys springing from the affections of falsity and evil; thus the harp also [signifies] the confession of falsity, and thence exultation over the destruction of truth. As in Isaiah:

"At the end of seventy years the song of Tyre shall be even as the song of a harlot; take the harp, walk in the city, thou harlot delivered to forgetfulness; play elegantly, increase the singing" (xxiii. 15, 16).

By Tyre is signified the church as to the cognitions of spiritual truth and good, as was said above, in this case the church in which these are falsified; a harlot signifies the falsification of truth (as may be seen above, n. 141); and by taking a harp, walking about the city, playing elegantly, and increasing the singing, is signified the exultation and boasting of falsity over the destruction of truth.

[14] And in the same:

"Woe to them that rise in the morning at dawn that they may follow strong drink; to them that tarry until twilight, till wine inflame him. And the harp, and the psaltery, and the timbrel, and pipe, and wine are at their feasts; but the), do not examine the work of Jehovah, and see not the operation of his hands" (v. 11, 12).

Here the harp, the psaltery, the timbrel, the pipe, and also wine, are meant in the opposite sense, in which they signify exultations and boastings from the falsities of evil. That such things are signified, is evident, for it is said, Woe to them; they do not examine the work of Jehovah, and they see not the operation of his hands.

AE (Tansley) n. 324

Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 324

324. And golden vials full of incense. That this signifies confession from spiritual goods, is evident from the signification of golden vials which are also called censers, as denoting truths from good; for vials, like all containing vessels, signify truths, and the gold of which they were made signifies good, hence golden vials denote truths from good (that vessels signify truths because they serve good for recipient and containing vessels, may be seen, n. 3068, 3079, 3316, 3318; and also the vessels of the altars, of the burnt-offering, and the incense, n. 9723, 9724; and that gold signifies good, see above, n. 242); and from the signification of incense, as denoting those things of worship that are done from spiritual good, or from the good of charity, and thence are pleasurably perceived. Such things are signified by incense, because all things instituted in the Israelitish nation were representative of celestial and spiritual things, whence also odorous things, which were of a pleasant smell, represented pleasant perception, but those of an unpleasant smell, an unpleasant perception. It was on this account that incense was made of fragrant spices, with myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. Moreover, there is a correspondence of odour with perception, which is evident from this fact, that in the spiritual world, where all things perceived by the senses are correspondences, the perceptivity of good and truth is perceived by the senses as fragrance from pleasant smells, and vice versa (concerning which fact see what is shown from experience in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 1514, 1517-1519, 1631, 4626, 4628, 4630, 4631, 5711-5717). Hence it is, that, in common discourse, to smell signifies to perceive; for such expressions, and many others, came into human speech from correspondence; for a man's spirit is actually in the spiritual world, although a man does not know it. Also a man's perceptive faculty is the cause of his bodily sense of smell, and this also is from correspondence. But this is an arcanum which is believed with difficulty, because hitherto unknown. It should be known that the good of love and of charity produces that sweet smelling or fragrance, but by truth, but not from itself without truth, still less by truth which is called that of faith without good; for good without truth has nothing perceptive, neither has truth without good.

[2] Incense signifies those things of worship which are done from spiritual good, because spiritual good derives its origin and existence from celestial good, and this good is the good of love to the Lord from the Lord, and hence it is the very good of heaven. For that good is directly from the Lord, and the Lord is in that good with the angels as in His own, even to such a degree that whether you say that the Lord is in them, and they in the Lord, or you say that the Lord is with them in that good, and they in the Lord when in that good, it is the same thing. Spiritual good, which derives its origin and existence from celestial good, is the good of charity towards the neighbour;
the worship from this good is signified by incense. Because all worship of the Lord is effected from good, although by means of truths, and because there are two universal goods that make the heavens, and distinguish them into two kingdoms, namely celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbour, therefore with the children of Israel there were two altars, one for the burnt-offerings, the other for the incense; and by the altar of burnt-offering was signified worship from the good of celestial love, and by the altar of incense, worship from the good of spiritual love; hence it is evident what was represented by incense.

[3] That this is the case is evident from the passages in the Word where it is mentioned. As in Moses:

"Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; and thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and thou shalt put it before the veil that is upon the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat. And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of spices every morning; in trimming the lamps he shall burn it, and in making the lamps to ascend at even he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah throughout your generations. Ye shall make no strange incense to ascend thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat-offering, nor drink-offering" (Exod. xxx. 1-10).

That by this altar and by the burning of the incense upon it was signified the worship which is from spiritual good, is evident from the fact of its being placed in the tent of the assembly without the veil, where also were the lamps; and by the tent was signified the Lord's spiritual kingdom; but by that part of the tent which was within the veil was signified the Lord's celestial kingdom, as is evident from what is shown in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 9457, 9481, 9485, concerning the tent, where was the table upon which was the bread of faces, also where the altar of incense and the candlestick were; and from what is shown concerning the ark, in which was the testimony, and upon which was the mercy-seat (n. 9457, 9481, 9485, 10,545). Hence it is clear, that by the things that were in the tent without the veil, namely, the candlestick, the altar of incense, the table for the bread, were signified such things as pertain to the spiritual kingdom, all which have reference to spiritual good, and to its truth. By the table, upon which was the bread of faces, was signified the reception of celestial good in spiritual good (as may be seen, n. 9527). By the candlestick with the lamps was signified the Spiritual itself of that kingdom (n. 9548, 9551, 9556, 9561, 9572, 9783). And by the altar of incense was signified worship from spiritual good; and because worship from spiritual good was signified by the burning of incense upon that altar, and by the candlestick the Spiritual itself, therefore it was commanded that Aaron should burn the incense upon it every morning and evening, when he trimmed the lamps; but these things are more fully explained in the Arcana Coelestia, n. 10,176-10,213, where they are treated of as to each particular.

[4] Because spiritual good derives its origin and existence from celestial good, as has been said above, therefore that altar was not only placed near the veil which was upon the ark, but it was also commanded that when Aaron should make atonement for himself and for his house, he should bring the incense within the veil, by which is signified the influx, communication, and conjunction of celestial good and spiritual good. Concerning this it is thus written in Moses:

"And Aaron shall make an atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering; and he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before Jehovah, and his hands full of incense of spices, and he shall bring it within the veil, so that he may put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah; and the cloud of the incense shall cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not " (Lev. xvi. 11-13).

That he should take the fire from off the altar of burnt-offering, upon which he should put the incense, also signified that spiritual good, which is the good of charity, exists and proceeds from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord (that the fire of the altar signified that good, may be seen, n. 4489, 6314, 6832, 9714, and elsewhere). On this account it was that the fire for burning the incense was taken only from the altar of burnt-offering. The reason why Aaron, when he made atonement for himself and his house, burned the incense within the veil, was, because Aaron as chief priest represented the Lord as to the good of love, and by his functions he represented those things that proceed from that good, all of which have reference to spiritual good. Unless spiritual good is from celestial good, it is not good, therefore neither would its function be from the Divine, nor would it represent anything of the Divine; therefore death was threatened to him unless he did so.

[5] This is why Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire from heaven, because they burnt incense from other fire than the fire of the altar of burnt-offering, consequently they performed worship from another love than that of love to the Lord. Concerning this circumstance, it is thus written in Moses:

"Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer and put strange fire therein, and put incense thereon; therefore fire went out from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died, and afterwards they were borne out of the camp" (Lev. x. 1-5).

Their being carried without the camp, signified that their worship was not from heaven, because not from love to the Lord; for by the camp of the sons of Israel heaven and the church were represented (see n. 4236, 10,038).

[6] The reason why Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with their company, were swallowed up by the earth, although they took the fire from the altar and burnt incense, was, because by their murmuring against Moses and Aaron profanation of the good of celestial love was signified; for Moses and Aaron represented the Lord; and to murmur, that is, to rebel against the Lord, and engage in holy offices, is profanation; but because they took the fire from the altar, that fire was cast out and their censers were made into a covering for the altar. Concerning this fact, it is thus written:

"Moses said unto them that they should take fire, and put it into their censers; which also was done, but they were swallowed up" (Num. xvi. 1 to end).

But afterwards it was commanded

"That they should collect the censers, and scatter the fire towards this place; and of the censers which were of brass, they should make broad plates, a covering to the altar, because they were hallowed" (Num. xvi. 37, 38).

They were sanctified by the fire of the altar, which signified Divine celestial love.

[7] Because spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbour, derives its essence and soul from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, therefore also the frankincense, by which spiritual good is signified, was put upon the bread of faces, by which was signified celestial good; as is evident from these words in Moses:

"Frankincense shall also be put upon the bread of faces, which is upon the table in the tent of the assembly, that the bread may be for a memorial" (Lev. xxiv. 7).

That the bread may be for a memorial, signifies, that it may be received and heard by the Lord; for all worship of the Lord, that is truly worship, is from celestial good by means of spiritual good, for spiritual good, which is charity towards the neighbour, is the effect of celestial good; for charity towards the neighbour is to perform uses and to lead a moral life from a heavenly origin (concerning which see the work concerning Heaven and Hell, n. 390, 484, 529, 530-535, and the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, n. 84-107). This therefore is spiritual good; and celestial good is to look to the Lord, and [to acknowledge] that all good and truth are from Him, and that from man, or his proprium, there is nothing, but evil.

[8] That the incense was burned from no other fire than that of the altar of burnt-offering, by which was signified celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord, appears also from other passages; as in Moses

"When the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron, and they were attacked by the plague, then Aaron took fire from the altar, and [put it] in a censer, and put incense in it, and he ran into the midst of them; and the plague was stayed" (Num. xvi. 41, 46-48, and also in Rev. viii. 3-5).

[9] That incense and frankincense signify spiritual good, and the burning thereof the worship that is grateful from that good, and therefore hearing and reception by the Lord, is evident from the following passages. In Isaiah:

"A troop of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense; and they shall show forth the praises of Jehovah" (lx. 5).

The subject here treated of is the Lord's advent. By the troop of camels and the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah are signified the knowledges of truth and good in abundance; that "all they from Sheba shall come," signifies from the knowledges of genuine truth and good, Sheba signifying such knowledges (see n. 1171, 3240). By the gold and frankincense which they shall bring, is signified worship from spiritual good, that is from celestial good; gold signifying celestial good, and frankincense spiritual good. Because worship from these is signified, it is therefore said, "and they shall show forth the praises of Jehovah"; by showing forth the praises of Jehovah is signified the preaching of the gospel concerning the Lord, and the worship of Him.

[10] In Matthew:

The wise men from the east opened their treasures, and presented to the new-born Lord gifts, "gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (ii. 11).

By the wise men from the east are also signified those who are in the knowledges of truth and good; their worship from celestial good, spiritual good, and natural good, is signified by their offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh; for by gold is signified celestial good, by frankincense spiritual good, and by myrrh natural good. That such things are signified by these, was also still known to many in the east, whence also they were called the sons of the east, by whom in the Word are meant those who are in the knowledges of truth and good (see n. 3249, 3762), for knowledge of correspondences still remained with them; wherefore that they might testify the joy of their heart, they offered such things as signified every good from first to last; and this is what was prophesied in Isaiah, that they should come from Sheba and bring gold and frankincense, and show forth the praises of Jehovah, concerning which we have treated just above.

[11] In Malachi:

"From the rising of the sun even unto the setting my name shall be great among the nations; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a clean meat-offering" (i. 11).

"From the rising of the sun even unto the setting my name shall be great among the nations," signifies, that the church and worship of the Lord shall be everywhere with those who are in good; from the rising of the sun to the setting, signifying every place where there is good; "My name shall be great," signifying the acknowledgment and worship of the Lord; and nations signifying those who are in good. "Incense shall be offered unto my name, and a clean meat-offering," signifies the worship of the Lord from spiritual good, which is the good of charity towards the neighbour, and from celestial good, which is the good of love to the Lord; worship from spiritual good being signified by incense, and from celestial good by a meat-offering. (That a meat-offering signifies that good, may be seen, n. 4581, 10,079, 10,137.)

[12] The same is signified by incense and meat-offering in David:

"Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayers be accepted as incense before thee; and the lifting up of my hands as the meat-offering of the evening" (Ps cxli. 1, 2).

And in Isaiah:

"Thou hast not brought to me the cattle of thy burnt-offerings, and thou hast not honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not made thee to serve by a meat-offering, nor wearied thee by frankincense" (xliii. 23).

Because all worship of the Lord is done from spiritual good, which is from celestial good, therefore both the meat-offering and frankincense are mentioned in the letter separately, which, notwithstanding, in the internal or spiritual sense are conjointly understood, but the one from the other.

[13] Similarly in Jeremiah:

"They shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the circuits of Jerusalem, bringing burnt-offering and sacrifice, and meat-offering and frankincense" (xvii. 26).

By Judah and Jerusalem here are not meant Judah and Jerusalem, but the Lord's church which is in the good of love and in the doctrine of charity therefrom, worship from these is signified by burnt-offering and sacrifice, also by meat-offering and frankincense.

[14] Because meat-offering signified the good of celestial love, and frankincense the good of spiritual love, therefore upon the meat-offering of fine flour were put oil and frankincense; as appears in Moses:

"When the soul willeth to offer a gift of meat-offering unto Jehovah, fine flour shall be the gift thereof, upon which he shall pour oil, and shall put upon it frankincense; and the priest shall take a handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, together with all the frankincense thereof, and he shall burn it for a memorial upon the altar" (Lev. ii. 1, 2).

The reason why this meat-offering was instituted, was, because fine flour signifies genuine truth (as may be seen, n. 9995), because this is from good, namely, from celestial good, and thence from spiritual good, therefore oil and frankincense were put upon it; oil signifying the good of celestial love, and frankincense the good of spiritual love; in the internal sense, the one from the other. There were also other kinds of meat-offering, which were prepared with oil, by which similar things were signified.

[15] In Ezekiel:

"Thou hast taken the garments of thy embroidery, and hast covered images of a male, with which thou didst commit whoredom; and my oil and my incense thou hast given before them" (xvi. 18, 19).

These things are said concerning Jerusalem, which signifies the church as to doctrine, here as to doctrine entirely perverted. The images of a male which she covered with the garments of her embroidery, and with which she committed whoredom, signify the falsities which, by perverse interpretation, they made to appear as truths, thus falsified truths. Embroidered garments denote the knowledges of truth from the Word; and to commit whoredom denotes to falsify. To give my oil and my incense before them, signifies to adulterate both the good of celestial love and the good of spiritual love, which are adulterated when the Word is applied to the loves of self and of the world.

[16] In Moses:

"They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law; they shall put incense to thy nose, and burnt sacrifice upon thine altar" (Deut. xxxiii. 10).

This is the prophecy of Moses concerning Levi, by whom is signified the priesthood. And because the priesthood was representative of the Lord as to the good of love, both celestial and spiritual, therefore it is said, "they shall put incense to thy nose, and burnt sacrifice upon thine altar." By incense is signified worship from spiritual good, and by the burnt sacrifice upon the altar is signified worship from celestial good; to the nose, signifies, to the perception.

[17] In David:

"I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay my vows unto thee. I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, rams together with incense" (Ps. lxvi. 13, 15).

To offer burnt-offerings of fatlings, signifies worship from the good of celestial love; to offer rams together with incense, signifies worship from the good of spiritual love; incense and also a ram signify that good.

[18] In the Apocalypse:

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he might offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, ascended up out of the angel's hand to the sight of God. Afterwards, the angel took the censer, and filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth" (viii. 3-5).

The signification of these things will be stated in the explanation of those words in the following [verses]; here only that, incense signifies worship from spiritual good, which is the good of cha